They say everything happens for a reason… but anyone who has ever found themselves in a bad situation through no fault of their own, knows that’s just something people say.
Samantha is married to one of New York City’s bravest. She works part time in a bookshop so she can pursue a career on Broadway. That’s what she tells herself, anyway. In reality, she has found herself in a miserable marriage and no one realizes how bad things are—not even Samantha. Having a part-time job is what allows her to follow her dreams, as well as the thing that keeps her trapped where she is.
When tragedy strikes, she comes face to face with the one person who truly sees her. The one person who knows what she’s been through without her having to explain. The one person she never knew existed.
Bryce does okay for himself. He is a general contractor and has more than enough work to keep busy. He has friends who have become his family. He has a comfortable home. At this point in his life, he’s accepted that things will likely remain the way they are. He has no difficulty meeting women, but hookups just aren’t his scene. He’s comfortable with the way his life is.
When he meets Samantha, he is hit with all sorts of feelings that he doesn’t have any business having. A connection so strong he can’t stay away no matter how hard he tries, or how sure he is that staying away is the right thing to do.
Sometimes, a broken soul can only be repaired by someone just as broken.
I'm a bookworm. My family teases me because I'll even read a book while I watch TV. Watching the game? Yup, I'm reading during the commercials.
Writing started off as a hobby. I would write what I wanted to read. When I was younger, I thought it was fun to write better versions of my favorite books... it all went well until the epic smut I wrote was discovered and I got grounded for two weeks. Now I can't get grounded anymore :)
✨My thoughts ✨ What an emotional and beautiful book. This book felt so real and relatable. Samantha's story was heartbreaking. She has gone through a lot. I loved reading her journey. I loved seeing her fall in love again but also see her gain confidence in herself. Bryce was a dream. He was patient and understanding of Samantha's feelings. I loved seeing his own walls fall a bit too. The chemistry between them was so so good. I giggled and got teary eyed throughout this whole book. I loved the found family. This book just flowed so well. This is my first book by Ashley Willow and I definitely want to read more.
Bryce is a standalone romance novel. It is recommended for 18+. As always please check TW before reading. This book does deal with some more emotional situations. This book is out now and is on KU.
✨ I want to thank Ashley for an e-arc of this book. These are my own true thoughts. ✨
This book had the perfect amount of sadness, pain, joy, fear, and spice all wrapped in a pretty box! Samantha is in an emotionally abusive relationship and struggles to find joy in trying to start her own dreams of being on broadway. When her husband is no longer there to hold her back, she is given the opportunity to start fresh. Bryce is so wonderful, having a great amount of sexy manliness but also being gentle and protective. Samantha's self love issues and putting everyone first is frustrating and sad to see unfold. This story reads very well, not too fast and not too much information. There are great little twists and build ups and excellent spicy scenes along with a wonderful ending!
I absolutely loved this book. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 🌶🌶🌶 I really loved both Bryce and Samantha. Samantha has been through so much, this is definitely a very emotional book to read. I loved how Bryce was so patient and understanding with Samantha, he was also very supportive of Samantha and her healing journey. The spice in this book really really good also, which for me is a plus.
Overall I really enjoyed Ashley Willows writing, I loved the storyline and the characters. All round great book!
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this book.
Samantha & Bryce have a beautiful story. Love, healing, forgiveness and finding strength of self.
Samantha is having the heal from the abuse her husband put her through. Feeling of not enough and made to feel like she wasn’t worthy.
Bryce came in and gave her the love and strength to know she is absolutely worth so much more than she knows.
Both growing and learning how to get over past hurts. Being put into situations where they both have to learn how to forgive and know that you can get through anything with time, healing and understanding.
Samantha and Bryce, there story needs to be read. It needs to be understood and loved. Two characters that you connect with from the very beginning. Rooting for them the whole way through. 🩷
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I loved Bryce. I loved these characters, their journey to healing, love and second chances.
Samantha has literally been through it all and she so deserved the happy ending. Bryce is absolutely amazing. His understanding and support with Sam and all of her insecurities was so endearing and heartwarming.
The spice was definitely spicing in true Ashley Willow style but it wasn’t overwhelming and complemented their love story perfectly.
Omg this book was so fantastic. The story line was amazing and flowed so well. The characters you love some and hate some. I couldn’t put this book down. I laughed and I cried, well I cried more than a few times. I just got completely lost in Samantha’s whole story. Man what an amazing book. I honestly can’t say enough good things.
Bryce by Ashley Willow No Spoiler Review Central tropes: Levirate Romance, Interracial romance
FMC Samantha Tate is a middle-aged aspiring actress entangled in an abusive relationship worsened by infertility and infidelity concerns. Her husband, Brandon, is an overbearing and cruel narcissist who cares little about her Broadway dreams. She lives in constant fear and uncertainty, putting herself last to avoid conflict. Then, he’s gone—killed by a drunk driver.
Enter Bryce, the older brother she never knew about—opposite in every way from her dispassionate, dead husband. The attraction is immediate, and despite the overwhelming and awkward wrongness, they’re drawn to each other.
Surrounded by supportive characters from both sides, they must navigate their feelings while continuing with their separate lives: Sam as a budding actress and Bryce as a construction manager with jobs that keep him away. Their budding romance is tested by unforeseen obstacles that could individually shatter a relationship. Combined?
Don’t get too comfortable with the narrative, because there are twists, turns, and curveballs that will have you gripping your Kindle tightly as one secret after another unravels the plot and sends you in a new direction.
Best of all—there’s a dog!
What worked:
The side characters. The author built a supporting cast for each MC, and the interactions are epic! I laughed aloud and felt my jaw tighten several times throughout the story.
The emotion. The author’s way of conveying raw emotion through words is masterful! The reader can’t help but immerse themselves in the anguish and joy through the ups and downs.
The spice. Oh yeah, there’s spice! The sex is descriptively fitting, without seeming trashy or hyperbolized. I give it 4 out of 5 jalapenos.
The writing. The story is well edited and formatted, making it easy to read with smooth and logical progression.
What didn’t:
The Hook. You have to capture and engage me quickly, or I’m gone, especially for a trope outside my interest (like contemporary slow-burning romances). There was no such intro for this book. Nothing that grabs the reader and laughs maniacally, “Muahaha! You’re mine now!”
Buildup. There was tension and conflict, but most felt uninspired or were overcome too easily (IMO). There were maybe two pivotal “all is lost” moments that captured the reader as an emotional, ‘how are we gonna get past this?’ blow-out moment. The rest felt like chicken soup for the soul. Guy meets girl-they have baggage-they work it out-HEA.
Suspense. Again, some of the key narratives in the story petered out with conclusions that felt anemic. For example, Samantha’s passion is theater, and she pursues it fervently. The auditions are poignant and exciting, and the reader is rooting for Team Sam. Then it’s mentioned in passing: “Oh BTW, she got the part.”
Character development. There was little effort to describe the characters. Aside from the cover art, you wouldn’t know Samantha is black until chapter five or six. The same goes for all the other characters. I believe in allowing the reader to imagine, but they need hints: height, skin, eye/hair color and style, race, etc. (The only description offered for Bryce’s BFF Rayelle is that she is Puerto Rican.)
Summary: Bryce was an assigned read for the monthly featured author. In the store, I would have handled the book, admired the cover, and put it back on the shelf, simply because this is not my preferred style. That said, I’m glad I read it and will happily burn up social media recommending it to my followers. I now follow Ashley on all her platforms and look forward to her future work. 4.5 Stars
Stuck in a not so great marriage Samantha is finally taking steps to think about herself for once. Starting with going to an audition for a broadway play instead of going with her husband to an event. Their relationship is on its last legs and while he doesn’t beat her he abuses her in other ways and she’s just starting to realize how badly he’s treating her. When one accident one moment changes her life and she finally feels free yet guilty she isn’t mourning her husband more. Her husbands estranged brother is there for her from the moment they met at the hospital,and they both start developing feeling for each other quickly and feel guilty.
This book hits a little close to home with how her husband treated her before his death. The reality is one one many women face daily and it’s nice to see the strength it takes to change your life and accept the love of someone else. Bryce is so amazing and completely different from his brother in every way.
The journey for Samantha to find herself and discover who she is and what she wants and the life she deserves isn’t always easy and it heartbreaking at times. But the love and friends she makes along the way is everything she had ever wanted.
Bryce by Ashley Willow is the kind of story that slowly pulls you in with quiet heartbreak and the promise of hope. Samantha’s journey—from being stuck in a painful, invisible marriage to discovering her own strength—is raw and, at times, hard to read. She’s a relatable character, even if you want to shake her now and then. And Bryce? Total soft-but-strong protector vibes. He’s been through his own pain, and watching their connection grow felt tender and believable.
What worked: the emotional depth and how the author doesn’t shy away from the darker parts of healing. The chemistry between the two leads is undeniable, and their moments of vulnerability are some of the book’s strongest.
What didn’t quite hit the mark for me: the pacing was a little uneven, and there were times where I wanted more—more conversation, more backstory, more build-up before the romance started to bloom. It sometimes felt like we skipped past big emotional beats too quickly.
Overall, Bryce is a heartfelt story about two broken people finding the courage to move forward. Not a light read, but if you’re into emotional healing arcs with a side of slow-burn romance, it’s worth checking out!
Thank you Ashley for such a beautifully emotional read.
Bryce was a book that I chose to go into blind and I can say, that was an amazing choice because the story itself was one that truly broke my heart and mended it at the same time. Samantha was a loveable female character, one who had to go through so much to be able to love and be loved, heal, and grow as her own person. Her connection with Bryce was one that was truly special. Both have gone through their own things, both coming together and being what the other person needed, being what they both have wanted for so long. Samantha deserved so much and I was glad to see she gets everything she yearned for in her miserable marriage with someone new and could be patient with her as she navigates a new beginning and that was Bryce. The storyline was a 5/5, these characters were a 10 and I absolutely loved how Ashley wrote this book. It was my first read by her and will not be my last. I can't wait to dive into her backlist after this homerun of a read!
OMG this book was so amazing!! This was the first book I have read by Ashley Willow and I can't wait to read another one of her books. I was drawn in from page one and couldn't put it down. This was the fastest I've read a book in one day. This book starts out very emotional. Definitely check the trigger warnings for this book. I fell in love with Bryce and Samantha's story. The characters were well written. I loved almost all the characters in this book. You will have moments that you will want to scream, laugh out loud, tear up, and just smile like crazy! This is a must read book. I HIGHLY recommended this book!!
Thank you Ashley Willow for allowing me to read this ARC in advance for my honest opinion.
I LOVEDDD this book I feel like it’s one of my favorites from Ashley!!
First let me start off by saying it started it off strong! I had to put down the book at least 3x because Samantha’s husband got me SOOOO mad! I literally had to vent to my husband about him in one point and in my opinion that makes the book even better from bringing my emotions to that point for a character!
Secondly one name!!! BRYCEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE! Lord I loved him! He was so perfect especially what he did for his dog Asher and how he treats Samantha! It’s chefs kiss and prime example how every guy should treat a woman! 😩🤍 I really enjoyed this story and the characters in the book!
This book offers an interesting second chance story, though it wasn't without its flaws. Samantha Tate is stuck in a marriage she can't seem to navigate, with a husband who isn't the man he used to be. While she dreams of Broadway, her husband Brandon has other plans. Bryce Tate comes into the picture as a comforting presence, but Samantha's indecisiveness and lack of self-awareness made it hard for me to fully connect with her. The story is a decent read with no cheating and a happy ending, but it could have benefited from Samantha addressing her issues more directly. This was my first book by this author, and while it wasn't perfect, it was still enjoyable.
This was my first Ashley Willow book and certainly won't be my last!
Samantha just lost her husband and that brings some shock, sadness and unexpected relief as theirs was not the happiest of marriages. She meets Bryce at the emergency room where she's just heard the news and her life gets turned upside down in an unforeseen way. The change presents her with comfort, love, joy and all good things, till shocking discoveries are made that have the potential to ruin their newly found bliss. Bryce is a kind, loving, caring MMC and understands better than anyone what Samantha has been through. He's prepared to do everything in his power to be anything she needs.
If I could rate this as 10 stars then I would. This book!! I don't even know where to begin. Definitely had my attention from the beginning. The things Samantha endured.... so relatable. I loved seeing the relationship between Samantha and Bryce develop, their story was definitely pulling at my heartstrings. The level of attraction and passion they had for one another would make anyone envious! There were twists and turns along the way, but I was here for it all! If you're looking to get a good cry, then buckle up! In certain scenes I had literal goosebumps. I can definitely see myself rereading this....it's that good!
HOLY CRAP ON A STICK! This book is going to take you on an emotional rollercoaster. Samantha - what a strong, courageous woman. The abuse she suffered in her marriage, while not physical, is very heartbreaking. I was cheering for her the whole book while she was discovering herself and doing what made HER happy. Bryce - words do not do justice when it comes to Bryce. He's an amazing man, in every aspect. Every woman hopes to one day have a Bryce of their own, me included. There was a scene in the book, towards the end, that made my heart drop. But don't worry, it ends happily! I loved this book!
If a book has me nearly falling off my treadmill and losing my mind in the car rider line, you already know it’s good.
Bryce had me hooked, obsessed, and completely in my feels from start to finish. The MMC falls first (and hard, might I add), the found family is top-tier (Meka and Rayelle are my favs), and the emotional healing is raw, messy, and so damn satisfying.
The spice? Perfect!
But what truly made this book stand out for me was how the author handled “the other woman” trope—no spoilers, but it was refreshingly real and unexpectedly wholesome.
I rarely put this book down.
If you love deep emotions and swoon-worthy devotion, this one’s a must-read!
This was my first book by Ashley Willow and I couldn’t put it down! I started and finished in under 3 1/2 hours. The whole book flowed really well.
Samantha meets Bryce after a tragedy and feels a deep connection to him in a way she didn’t feel with her husband. Bryce helps Samantha try to heal but also realizes he can’t stay away or pretend they don’t feel anything. But what do you do when she’s your sister n law you didn’t know you had? This book has all the feels! It made me cry, and laugh.
I recommend reading this great story with a HEA!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Bryce was such a great read! Honestly pulled at the heartstrings and really made you feel from every side of the story. The ups and downs were portrayed through a real-life lens. I adore Ashely’s writing because it truly makes you think and feel just as if you were in the situations with the main characters! Love love love the story line! Bryce is a saint and we need to protect him at all costs! Sam is a beautiful soul! She truly shows the battle of a woman who is grieving and making hard decisions at the same time! I absolutely adore her! 10/10 amazing book!
Not my favourite at all. It started off okay but it was soo depressing. After Brandon died it was constantly brought up because she kept comparing what was. I understand it was probably trauma but therapy exists for a reason. Throughout straight until the end she was never sure of herself and it was annoying to see a weak FC. After the 90 page mark I skimmed straight to the last chapter, and I’m happy I did. They kept referring to her baby with Brandon, as just her baby, when I thought they got married. Very weird but someone may like the writing style and the plot.
This was an absolute wonderful book 1st time reading this author. Samantha definitely had some growing pains where she had to admit the reality that she was living in was a very unhappy marriage. As she comes to grips with the reality of her life, she slowly begin to heal, which allows the beautiful love that Bryce has to offer her to be accepted. Bryce and Samantha found love in the most unlikeliest places, so glad they both were willing to risk for their happily ever after.
You can't help but dive deep into this book. It felt so much like a forbidden love but also not at all. These two were perfect for eachother.
Bryce was as Samantha stated, perfect. When he took the time to express himself, *swoon* Samantha having to actively work to trust another person again made this story so much more believeable. It is a rollercoaster of emotions but I enjoyed it thoroughly.
To be stuck in a seemingly loveless marriage to a selfish man was Samantha's life. After her husband's sudden accident she meets a man she never knew existed. The man is her brother in law/Bryce. After they meet life starts changing for the both of them. This is a lovely story with great characters.
Bryce is absolutely captivating, this book took me on an emotional roller coaster. I was quickly sucked in from page one and I couldn’t put it down. This book deserves 10 stars, but five is as I can do. The characters the plot everything about this book was amazing. And I can’t wait to read more from this amazing author.
Bryce was an emotional story that the author captured and different that any previous books that I have read before. I think the connection between these characters was beautiful and this book did give you all the feelings. You will feel mad, sad, crying, and happy.
This was my first book by this author and I would ready more of her books.
This book was so good! I loved it! I gave it a 5⭐ and 3🌶️! For tropes you have found family, he falls first, romancing the widow, insta love, healing journey, and so many twists and turns. Some of the twists and turns I saw coming and some I did not. Can't wait to see what else Ashley Willow comes up with!
I’m so thankful to have read this as an ARC reader. This book had me furious sad happy thrilled and on the edge of my seat the whole time. I cried, cheered, yelled, and even almost threw my phone. Check triggers. The spice in this book was amazing and in the end it was an absolute masterpiece I recommend this to everyone.
I was on the ARC team for Bryce, and let me tell you, this book is amazing! I loved how this story was written and given to us. Yes it’s sad, yes it made me cry a little. (Dealing with real life trauma because you have to face it now that you’ve read it in a book.) but this book was amazing. I can’t wait for the reviews to come out when Bryce comes out!
I loved Bryce. Not too Alpha not too tragic. Honestly this book hit so close to home for me that there was a moment I wasn’t sure I could read it, but man am I glad I did. The more I read the more I fell in love with their story. It’s definitely one of those wish I could read it again for the first time books