Stained with Ash

by E Molgaard

386 pages, Paperback

Published February 22, 2024

Reviews

[Spicybooksndirtylooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dark Romance
Reverse Harem
Sunshine FMC
Twin Brothers + Single dad MMCs
Past vs Present & Multiple POVs
Grooming / Sex Slavery

Was this the first book to make me cry? I do believe so! The trauma was brutal - check the triggers before diving in!
FMC - Scarlett/Stella/Sadie
We follow her journey to escape the monster that haunts her, Cyrus. A boy she fell in love with that only wanted to own her. He promised he would always find her and would never let her go, so she's gotten good at running. She falls for the twins (Colton and Tanner), who helped her escape Cyrus in the past, and the nicknames they give are just adorable! These two MMCs are full of laughs and spicy taunts while also being patient, devoted, and caring. Then Cyrus shows up, and she has to run to a new city where she falls for an older, single father (Jaxson) who she was sent to for protection. He is so protective and such a good father to Phoenix. Sadie and Phoenix bond and their relationship made me tear up, so cute and caring! Once again, Cyrus shows up and takes Sadie and Phoenix. We see some mafia aspects, so many amazing characters throughout this book, and, of course, multiple villains. Badass female characters included (looking at you, Riona). The structure and timing of the past flashbacks were perfect to really get to know the characters and see the evil our girl is trying to get away from. The grooming, her mother, and 'home life' details made my stomach twist multiple times. I felt all the emotions from this book. It's thrilling, heartbreaking, intense, dark, and sweet.This book is interconnected to the Set the World on Fire duet that I must go read now.

[Robin ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of reading this book early. Got a PR box with a lot of great goodies.. I have been patiently waiting for this book to come out and see how she wrote Scarlett/Stella/Sadie character and everything that she had to go through. I am not a big fan of sexual assault on a woman, but this book will definitely pull on your heart strings. I definitely had a few pits in my stomach reading this book. I only wish that Sadie wouldn't have been so scared of Cyrus later on in the book. I would have been like you aren't going to break me from all the evil you did to me.

I really loved how Emily showed her life from a young age and thought that what he was showing her was true love when he was just using her innocence to fuel his own wicked thoughts. My thing is, why didn't her mom do something before it was too late. She knew what would happen and what they were capable of, and she did nothing to stop it. She should have protected her daughter

I really loved Colton, Tanner, and Jaxson. But I really loved Jaxson and Sadie together and how they had an instant connection, and even through everything, she could still have that with someone. I really loved Phoenix he was so adorable.

I would recommend this book, but definitely make sure you can handle the trigger warnings before you read.

[Christina Yau · Rating 5 out of 5]

So I absolutely fell in love with Stella/Sadie/Scarlett! Each name brings something she has done and overcome. The book comes with a list of triggers so be warned. From the first chapter you are completely drawn in with her current life and her past coming back to claim her. Stella has been hiding from her husband whom she escaped from years ago. Cyrus is the deranged man who started grooming her when she was 9 likes to play games and taunts her. So she runs but this time running she doesn't want to go because she is finally feeling and has life she doesn't want to leave. She has people who want to help her! The twins Colton and tanner are to die for and the nick names they end up getting from Jaxon had me laughing. She flees and has help from Riona. She ends up in a new city with Jaxson. She meets his son Phoenix.Here she falls for him to all the while trying to stay in hiding and live a life. Worlds collide and the danger ends up being closer. Cyrus takes them. You will love Sadie as she experiences more pain but how she protects is fierce! I love how the book has present/past chapters as well as different point of views from the main characters. I love how the characters crossed over with characters from E. Molgaards Set the World on Fire duet. It's all based in the same world. You will cry, be angry, you will even laugh and smile your heart out. There's not an emotion you won't feel. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

[ListenWithNic · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough 😂

[Cat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC and honestly I really enjoyed it. The storyline is good especially if you enjoyed Haunting Adeline. Definitely make sure you read the trigger warnings though. The way the flashbacks were very detailed made me bit uncomfy but i guess it was to explain the fmc story? This author definitely has a lot of potential. I wished for some characters backgrounds to be in the picture a tiny bit more explained. I do loved the twins though 🥹 Definitely can recommend if you like darker books!

[Alyssa Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was in a big slump before this book and this was what I needed to get out of it. I needed something different from what I had been reading pretty regularly! It gave a lot of detail to explain who Sadie is as a person and I think all the details are necessary. A lot of writers skip past these scenes and sometimes it makes it hard to connect with the bad the FMC endured. So I enjoyed the book and definitely a must read! Check your TW!

[Tabby Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow 👌 this was an amazing book. Kept me on my toes the whole time. First book I have read of E.Monlgaard, and I am not disappointed. Will be looking into more books from this author. I do need more of these guys. I don't want to see them go. The spice had me sweating.

[ANGELA · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently received this book to review. It is a why choose book, so this was right up my alley. The MFC was running from an abusive husband who groomed her from a young age. Cyrus, her husband, was raised by a man who ran a brothel/sex house of horrors. Her mother marries into the family, and all becomes hell for Stella.
Sadie/Stella runs again when her husband finds her. The 3 MMC helped save her from her life. She falls for them all. The book was very emotional going back to Stella's early life and the damage Cyrus caused. I cried many times, so please check your triggers before reading the book

[Afreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arc review 🖤 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5🖤
Trope:
▪︎☆Dark romance
▪︎☆Reverse harem
▪︎☆Sunshine FMC
▪︎☆Touch her and ☠️ MMC
▪︎☆Forced proximity
▪︎☆Past/Present
▪︎☆Twin brothers
▪︎☆Single dad
▪︎☆Multiple Pov's

WOAH.....
This book is the first of its kind ive read. Very different to my previous tropes and all the charecter development for scarlett/stella/sadie.the way she defeated her demons and I appreciated the diversity of the characters and the inclusive representation,which added depth and authenticity to the story. And it has multiple POV's. The reference for TVD and TO is just cherry on top.
I would definetly recommed y'all to read this book.

[Whitney Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the opportunity to receive this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book is a dark romance with the focus being on trauma and abuse. Check the trigger warnings.

I enjoyed this book. Stella/Sadie is a strong FMC who is trying to escape the demons from her past but they continue to hunt her down. She finds safety with twins Tanner and Colton until her past catches up with her. She then goes on the run to try to remain safe and finds herself under the protection of Jaxson.

Will she finally escape the demon that's haunted her since she was a girl? How do the three men she has found to protect and care for her fit into her life? Will she ever be safe?

This book is a dark romance with spice, love, a strong FMC, and great banter and loyalty between the characters. I really enjoyed it and definitely recommend it if you are into dark romance.

🌶️🌶️🌶️.5/5

🔥Mafia Romance
🔥Dark Romance
🔥Reverse Harem/Why Choose
🔥Multi-POV
🔥Touch Her and ☠️
🔥Found Family
🔥Single Dad

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

She does it again folks!!! I devoured this book! Once I got started I couldn’t put it down. I have read Riona’s duet, so I was familiar with Stella.
However, her history is heartbreaking! The pain and suffering she went through, at the hands of Cyrus, is enough to make anyone want to end his life! I hated that sleazeball!
Thank the gods she has Tanner, Colton, Jaxon, & Nix to show her how she should be loved. And the spice… lord have mercy! Yum!

[Bella Reves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, thrilling and positively heartbreaking!

This book covers some pretty intense and dark themes, so please check your TWs before you read. I would definitely say it's worth it though, because amongst the darkness there is a sweet why-choose romance that will make your heart happy - after it's been ripped to shreds by the previous chapter.

If you're a fan of darker why-choose romance, give this one a shot!

[Sharingtheadventure · Rating 5 out of 5]

TRIGGER WARNINGS
SERIOUSLY ALOT OF THEM
This was dark and gritty, and the characters were perfection! I can't wait to read all the books together
(This is a standalone book that is interconnected to the Set the World on Fire Duet.)

[Miracle]

FMC-
Scarlett/Stella/Sadie: She's been ripped apart, shattered, and finally is allowed to rebuild herself after having everything destroyed. Yet her past finally comes back to haunt her. Watching her grow through this story after everything she had to endure and overcome, she will forever be one of my FAVORITE FMC'S.

Multiple MMC's-
Tanner-Devoted, doting, loves to give her what she wants without even asking.
Colton-Flirty, fun, always touching her, giving her everything she wants.
Jaxson-Older man, age gap, gives her the family she's always desired.

The twists, turns.... the way she explains the past and immediately brings you back into the story, had me flipping these pages until I finished the book with a gasp and a need. 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Check your triggers* Otherwise, get ready for a book you won't be able to put down!!!

[Katrina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the story had a lot of potential, but unfortunately it fell flat in a lot of areas as well. I enjoyed each character on their own and the lengths they would go to to protect one another.

Scarlett’s/Stella/Sadie - she has been ripped apart, shattered, and forced to rebuild her life over and over again a, each time rising from the ashes stronger.
Colton - the flirty twin, always looking for a good time and trying to keep a smile on her face
Tanner - the more serious twin, devoted, and loves to dote on her
Jaxson - the older widowed bodyguard. Gives her a family she has always desired.

The spice really bothered me. The entire first half is about the FMC being groomed as a child, forcefully entered into sexual slavery by her stepbrother and stepfather, and the horrors she endured. Many of the spicey scenes in the second half mirrored the horrors in the first, and it just didn’t sit well with me.

We were also told how dangerous Manuel was and how horrible his obsession was, yet other than one physical interaction and watching her from the VIP section there was barely anything there. I was expecting unhinged on Cyrus’ level.

I also wished there was more interaction between Riona and the FMC, Riona runs this giant organization that puts down trafficking rings, saved the FMC, and we get maybe a page or two of dialogue?

I will say the ending when the FMC gets her revenge? THAT was a great scene, I may have squealed a bit.

[Eden · Rating 2 out of 5]

~This was given to me as an ARC read under the conditions that post my honest review on GR. I'll do my best to tag spoilers.~

**check your TWs before reading this book pls**

I like the premise of this book, but I was disoriented as hell and couldn't connect with the content/characters.

I enjoyed the mundane descriptions of character actions bcs it makes me feel engaged with them, makes them feel more real. I wish this had extended to the plot. There was certainly tension but too much felt a bit out of the blue or forced. We're told that Manuel's "obsession" with the FMC is a problem, but we don't really see it other than her watching her from the VIP room and trying to get her to come over there. There's sexual tension building with FMC and Jaxson, but it comes to a head rather suddenly. The final fight was way too easy.. they just happened to waltz into a skin trade sale and take out an audience full of ppl with apparently no guards by slicing their necks, and it's all over and done with in about 5 minutes? No.

This is the biggest reason for my low rating: I had a really hard time engaging with the smut in the back half of the book, as in I couldn't connect with it at all, bcs of the graphic depiction of rape in the first half. I've read stuff with graphic depictions before and that's not the issue here.. its necessary, arguably, to the story to set up her horrific background to place us in the situation we're seeing her now face as an adult. My issue is with the way that those scenes are presented and their similarities to the smut we see later.

In the first sex scenes we get, she's a literal child when it's happening, and it's written from her perspective of being an innocent 13 year old who's manipulated and groomed into believing that she likes and wants it. That's a fair and accurate way to represent it, so I had to dissociate from that and its graphic qualities. So the sharp contrast in the way we're plopped into the smut scenes with the RH was disconcerting and concerning at best. I could not make myself engage with any of the smut in the book from that point on bcs it was too similar to the way the SA scenes were written. Everyone deals with trauma in their own way, so I'm not tryna knock the fact that she was doing the same things with her RH men that she was brutalized with before, but it was hard to read.

I dislike insta-lust and -love on a good day, but given its context, it was alarming when it happened with her RH men, particularly Jaxson. I appreciate the way the twins let the FMC approach their relationship, seeing as they're literally the ones to rescue her, but their "I love you's" along with Jaxson's come way too out of the blue for me to believe it's anything other than trauma bonding.

I was also a little concerned with the sudden relationship with the kid, Phoenix. It felt weird to me how close they got so quickly, with him willing to call her his new mom within like a month.

Overall I don't knock the author for trying this out. This is a delicate and deeply nuanced topic to approach and write about, especially when you're pairing it with spice. But it did not play out well for me.

[Loren · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I’m extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to read the ARC, this wasn’t a love or a hate for me. The writing was confusing at times, I found it hard to believe the main character would be willing to do sexual acts in front of others after what she had been through in the past (even if it were her choice), I’d think it would be a trigger for her? I’m sad I couldn’t vibe with this book!

[Lucent · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf - WAY too much bad sexual vibes for me, right at the beginning