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Landing on Mars: When Fate and Desire Collide
Loyalty, fate, and lust are at war. As passion ignites, morals will blur, and the unavoidable road to heartbreak just might be their undoing
When the lives of Mars Price and Nyla Porter collide, it sets off chain reactions of longing, passion, and heartache. Mars, finds himself trapped in a web of uncertainty, his restless void growing with each passing day. His relationship with his girlfriend, Cianna, is on the brink of crumbling, leaving Mars desperate for connection. Enter Nyla, a small business owner with a heart full of hurt and a rule she holds dear. When their paths cross, an undeniable force pulls them together. However, the odds are stacked against them. Mars knows he should honor his commitments, but the allure of Nyla's presence becomes hard to resist. Bound by duty, expectations, and the guilt of craving something deeper, Mars battles the true desires of his heart. Nyla, on the other hand, guards her emotions fiercely, having learned the hard way about the perils of life. Her practical side warns against crossing boundaries and hurting others in the process. As their chemistry intensifies and sparks of forbidden temptation ignite, Nyla finds herself contemplating the risks and rewards of following her heart. Mars and Nyla must grapple with choices that could grant them everything they desire or irrevocably shatter everything they’ve always known.
Mars's girlfriend Cianna has been distant, and no matter how hard he tries to communicate, she just pulls further away, always distracted by her phone. His attempts at addressing the problem are met with resistance and frustration, that is, until Cianna notices how he reacts to seeing another woman, Nyla, in the car stopped next to theirs. When he sees Nyla time and time again, finally meeting her at a masquerade event, the instant connection between them is palpable. Nyla has recently reconnected with an old flame, but she cannot ignore the spark between herself and Mars. However, they are not the only pair succumbing to temptation, and when the truth is revealed, multiple betrayals will devastate everyone involved.
⚠ Due to explicit sexual content, Landing on Mars is appropriate to an adult audience. Those triggered by stories about cheating might want to avoid this novel.
When the lives of Mars Price and Nyla Porter collide, it sets off chain reactions of longing, passion, and heartache. Mars, finds himself trapped in a web of uncertainty, his restless void growing with each passing day. His relationship with his girlfriend, Cianna, is on the brink of crumbling, leaving Mars desperate for connection. Enter Nyla, a small business owner with a heart full of hurt and a rule she holds dear. When their paths cross, an undeniable force pulls them together. However, the odds are stacked against them. Mars knows he should honor his commitments, but the allure of Nyla's presence becomes hard to resist. Bound by duty, expectations, and the guilt of craving something deeper, Mars battles the true desires of his heart. Nyla, on the other hand, guards her emotions fiercely, having learned the hard way about the perils of life. Her practical side warns against crossing boundaries and hurting others in the process. As their chemistry intensifies and sparks of forbidden temptation ignite, Nyla finds herself contemplating the risks and rewards of following her heart. Mars and Nyla must grapple with choices that could grant them everything they desire or irrevocably shatter everything they’ve always known.
Mars's girlfriend Cianna has been distant, and no matter how hard he tries to communicate, she just pulls further away, always distracted by her phone. His attempts at addressing the problem are met with resistance and frustration, that is, until Cianna notices how he reacts to seeing another woman, Nyla, in the car stopped next to theirs. When he sees Nyla time and time again, finally meeting her at a masquerade event, the instant connection between them is palpable. Nyla has recently reconnected with an old flame, but she cannot ignore the spark between herself and Mars. However, they are not the only pair succumbing to temptation, and when the truth is revealed, multiple betrayals will devastate everyone involved.
⚠ Due to explicit sexual content, Landing on Mars is appropriate to an adult audience. Those triggered by stories about cheating might want to avoid this novel.
484 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 10, 2024
56 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Ashley Howard
1 book12 followersAshley Howard is dedicated to creating stories that reflect real-life complexities and emotions. Her writing often explores layers of human depths, sometimes challenging aspects of human experience, offering readers narratives that can be both moving and thought-provoking. She believes that true transformation begins with self-reflection, and her goal is to craft stories that encourage readers to explore and understand their internal landscapes.
Find out more, at:
Website: https://www.authorashleyhoward.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorashleyh...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorashle...
Find out more, at:
Website: https://www.authorashleyhoward.com/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorashleyh...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorashle...
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 9, 2024
“What happens when fate and desire collide?”
RTC- I need to collect my thoughts
A big thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book! 💖
RTC- I need to collect my thoughts
A big thank you to the author for sending me a copy of this book! 💖
June 22, 2025
4/5
- If you love a messy book with MESSY characters and plot, I’m begging you go pick up this book!! This entire story made me so mad in the best way hahahaha. Would make such a great movie.
- The characters were unreliable which made the story even more of a mess. One minute I was rooting for one character and the next I thought they were the absolute worst.
- The ending of this book had me wanting to throw this book across the room but I loved it!! Truly added to the element of the story. Soooo ready for another book from this author!
- If you love a messy book with MESSY characters and plot, I’m begging you go pick up this book!! This entire story made me so mad in the best way hahahaha. Would make such a great movie.
- The characters were unreliable which made the story even more of a mess. One minute I was rooting for one character and the next I thought they were the absolute worst.
- The ending of this book had me wanting to throw this book across the room but I loved it!! Truly added to the element of the story. Soooo ready for another book from this author!
January 1, 2025
DNF @P.363
The cheating is one thing (and it lasted wayyyyyy too long, still going on at 80%), the excuses tho, the not standing on business, was way too much for me. And this ''couple'' is really acting like their actions are justified and like they're better than everybody else. Can't take it anymore. I cannot stand these people. I'm done.
The cheating is one thing (and it lasted wayyyyyy too long, still going on at 80%), the excuses tho, the not standing on business, was way too much for me. And this ''couple'' is really acting like their actions are justified and like they're better than everybody else. Can't take it anymore. I cannot stand these people. I'm done.
March 8, 2025
I just finished Landing on Mars by Ashley Howard, and I believe I’ve found my first book boyfriend. Mars, despite having me frustrated with you throughout much of the book, somehow managed to win me over. Nyla, you are an absolute powerhouse. You reminded me so much of Nola Darling from She’s Gotta Have It—independent, passionate, and unapologetically yourself.
What truly stood out in this story was how emotionally invested I became in every character’s drama. Samia, Cianna, Stephanie, Parker—each of you pulled me into your world as though I were living in New York City with you.
This was my first intentional foray into romance (I typically stick to thrillers), and I never once found myself wishing I were reading something else. Ashley Howard’s writing was so compelling that I completely embraced the genre. And as for this being my first "spicy" book—well, I finally understand the appeal. I was definitely not prepared for the intensity, but now I get what everyone’s been talking about.
The emotional rollercoaster that is Nyla and Mars (and everyone else in between) had me laughing, sighing, and stressed out in the best possible way. But those final 10 pages? I was crying for three different reasons. The ending completely shattered me, leaving me questioning everything.
The only reason I’m giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that it felt a bit lengthy at times, with the slow build-up and all the back-and-forth. However, I was so fully immersed in the story that I couldn’t be too upset by the pacing.
I’m still new to romance tropes, so I’m not sure how to categorize this book, but from a thriller/horror reader’s perspective, it was an excellent read. Thank you, Ashley Howard, for sharing this story with me. I’m sad it’s over, but you’ve officially converted me into a romance reader.
What truly stood out in this story was how emotionally invested I became in every character’s drama. Samia, Cianna, Stephanie, Parker—each of you pulled me into your world as though I were living in New York City with you.
This was my first intentional foray into romance (I typically stick to thrillers), and I never once found myself wishing I were reading something else. Ashley Howard’s writing was so compelling that I completely embraced the genre. And as for this being my first "spicy" book—well, I finally understand the appeal. I was definitely not prepared for the intensity, but now I get what everyone’s been talking about.
The emotional rollercoaster that is Nyla and Mars (and everyone else in between) had me laughing, sighing, and stressed out in the best possible way. But those final 10 pages? I was crying for three different reasons. The ending completely shattered me, leaving me questioning everything.
The only reason I’m giving this book 4 stars instead of 5 is that it felt a bit lengthy at times, with the slow build-up and all the back-and-forth. However, I was so fully immersed in the story that I couldn’t be too upset by the pacing.
I’m still new to romance tropes, so I’m not sure how to categorize this book, but from a thriller/horror reader’s perspective, it was an excellent read. Thank you, Ashley Howard, for sharing this story with me. I’m sad it’s over, but you’ve officially converted me into a romance reader.
November 10, 2024
This editorial review was written for Reedsy Discovery. It is also available on my blog: Wine Cellar Library
First, I would like to thank the author and Reedsy Discovery for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“I’ve always known desire is a double-edged sword. It can drive you to accomplish abundant things, to push yourself beyond your limits, to create beauty where none existed before. But it can also peel away the veneer of morality and expose raw corners of our depths.” (p. 325)
Tropes:
forbidden romance
morally grey characters
love triangle
infidelity
healing
Loyalty, fate, and lust are at war. As passion ignites, morals will blur, and the unavoidable road to heartbreak just might be their undoing.
Mars's girlfriend Cianna has been distant, and no matter how hard he tries to communicate, she just pulls further away, always distracted by her phone. His attempts at addressing the problem are met with resistance and frustration, that is, until Cianna notices how he reacts to seeing another woman, Nyla, in the car stopped next to theirs. When he sees Nyla time and time again, finally meeting her at a masquerade event, the instant connection between them is palpable. Nyla has recently reconnected with an old flame, but she cannot ignore the spark between herself and Mars. However, they are not the only pair succumbing to temptation, and when the truth is revealed, multiple betrayals will devastate everyone involved.
Landing on Mars by Ashley Howard is raw, emotional, and intense. More than a novel about infidelity, this story examines human nature and what drives us in our relationships with other people. Ashley Howard’s prose offers wisdom and impactful insight throughout the narrative. I found this book impossible to put down, and I was shocked by the twist ending. This powerful debut promises a sequel, which I am already yearning for–I cannot wait to find out what happens next. The ending is what elevated this book to a 5-star read for me. The main characters are multi-faceted and intriguing, and even the minor characters are filled with depth and a surprising level of maturity. The subject matter may be difficult for some readers, but it is realistic, and the author handles it expertly.
Due to explicit sexual content, I would recommend Landing on Mars to an adult audience. While those triggered by stories about cheating might want to avoid this novel, I would recommend it to anyone who loves books in which you become emotionally invested in morally grey characters and grapple with wanting them to have a happily ever after while also wanting them to be held accountable for their actions. This book delivers on both fronts.
First, I would like to thank the author and Reedsy Discovery for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
“I’ve always known desire is a double-edged sword. It can drive you to accomplish abundant things, to push yourself beyond your limits, to create beauty where none existed before. But it can also peel away the veneer of morality and expose raw corners of our depths.” (p. 325)
Tropes:
forbidden romance
morally grey characters
love triangle
infidelity
healing
Loyalty, fate, and lust are at war. As passion ignites, morals will blur, and the unavoidable road to heartbreak just might be their undoing.
Mars's girlfriend Cianna has been distant, and no matter how hard he tries to communicate, she just pulls further away, always distracted by her phone. His attempts at addressing the problem are met with resistance and frustration, that is, until Cianna notices how he reacts to seeing another woman, Nyla, in the car stopped next to theirs. When he sees Nyla time and time again, finally meeting her at a masquerade event, the instant connection between them is palpable. Nyla has recently reconnected with an old flame, but she cannot ignore the spark between herself and Mars. However, they are not the only pair succumbing to temptation, and when the truth is revealed, multiple betrayals will devastate everyone involved.
Landing on Mars by Ashley Howard is raw, emotional, and intense. More than a novel about infidelity, this story examines human nature and what drives us in our relationships with other people. Ashley Howard’s prose offers wisdom and impactful insight throughout the narrative. I found this book impossible to put down, and I was shocked by the twist ending. This powerful debut promises a sequel, which I am already yearning for–I cannot wait to find out what happens next. The ending is what elevated this book to a 5-star read for me. The main characters are multi-faceted and intriguing, and even the minor characters are filled with depth and a surprising level of maturity. The subject matter may be difficult for some readers, but it is realistic, and the author handles it expertly.
Due to explicit sexual content, I would recommend Landing on Mars to an adult audience. While those triggered by stories about cheating might want to avoid this novel, I would recommend it to anyone who loves books in which you become emotionally invested in morally grey characters and grapple with wanting them to have a happily ever after while also wanting them to be held accountable for their actions. This book delivers on both fronts.
July 22, 2025
Too Many Coincidences
The characters are in NY but seem to run into each other everywhere. I think this book would’ve been better suited to be set in a small town where everyone is connected in some way. I did like reading the perspective of everyone.
The characters are in NY but seem to run into each other everywhere. I think this book would’ve been better suited to be set in a small town where everyone is connected in some way. I did like reading the perspective of everyone.
November 11, 2024
3.5 rounded up.
“Because as humans, our hearts are fueled by desire and when the better choice comes with a madness so beautiful, so reckless, so magnetic, the only thing we know how to do is cross boundaries and break rules to get acquainted with the force that breathes life back into us.”
Mars has been in a long term relationship with his estranged girlfriend for 6 years but has been feel neglected and unseen after lack of communication for years. This leaves for questionable choices and struggles of morales when he has the chance to connect with Nyla, the mystery woman he’s admired from his office window.
I first want to congratulate Ashley on her debut novel on such a touchy subject. This was what I would consider my first real cheating trope and it was as frustrating as I find the miscommunication trope😑😮💨
It was hard for me to like any of these characters but I’m assuming that would be normal in a trope such as this? It had nothing to do with character development, which I could appreciate that we got a lot of back story to most of the main characters that explained their trauma and struggles.
The book is almost 500 pages so it started off slow for me and somewhat repetitive when it came to Mar’s relationship with Cianna and Nylas conflicting feelings for Mar’s. The book picked up with some reveals and drama about 40% in and at that point I couldn’t put it down. Reading this will make you question and really think about desires, connection, communication, and what you as an individual deserve. The ending upset me in the worst way because why?!?! Almost 500 pages and no closure on conclusion drives me crazy. Lol that’s personal preference.
Overall this was a good debut novel that I enjoyed, could have been shorter but I look forward to see what comes next.
“Because as humans, our hearts are fueled by desire and when the better choice comes with a madness so beautiful, so reckless, so magnetic, the only thing we know how to do is cross boundaries and break rules to get acquainted with the force that breathes life back into us.”
Mars has been in a long term relationship with his estranged girlfriend for 6 years but has been feel neglected and unseen after lack of communication for years. This leaves for questionable choices and struggles of morales when he has the chance to connect with Nyla, the mystery woman he’s admired from his office window.
I first want to congratulate Ashley on her debut novel on such a touchy subject. This was what I would consider my first real cheating trope and it was as frustrating as I find the miscommunication trope😑😮💨
It was hard for me to like any of these characters but I’m assuming that would be normal in a trope such as this? It had nothing to do with character development, which I could appreciate that we got a lot of back story to most of the main characters that explained their trauma and struggles.
The book is almost 500 pages so it started off slow for me and somewhat repetitive when it came to Mar’s relationship with Cianna and Nylas conflicting feelings for Mar’s. The book picked up with some reveals and drama about 40% in and at that point I couldn’t put it down. Reading this will make you question and really think about desires, connection, communication, and what you as an individual deserve. The ending upset me in the worst way because why?!?! Almost 500 pages and no closure on conclusion drives me crazy. Lol that’s personal preference.
Overall this was a good debut novel that I enjoyed, could have been shorter but I look forward to see what comes next.
December 1, 2024
First, thank you to the lovely author, Ashley Howard for letting me be apart of her arc team. I’m truly so grateful.
Second, this book is amazing and was something I completely did not expect??? Every single character plays such a significant part in this novel. You will dislike soooo many of them but also have mixed emotions about who you’re rooting for. There’s so many lessons and depth to this novel that I absolutely love. The happy moments, the deep conversations, the hard conversations and so much more are so important. This book was executed perfectly and has the right amount of everything to keep readers entertained.
THE ENDINGGG??!?I need more! Please everyone grab this book, I promise you will not be disappointed. 10/10 recommend.
I want to say so much more, but I’m afraid I’ll spoil it!
Second, this book is amazing and was something I completely did not expect??? Every single character plays such a significant part in this novel. You will dislike soooo many of them but also have mixed emotions about who you’re rooting for. There’s so many lessons and depth to this novel that I absolutely love. The happy moments, the deep conversations, the hard conversations and so much more are so important. This book was executed perfectly and has the right amount of everything to keep readers entertained.
THE ENDINGGG??!?I need more! Please everyone grab this book, I promise you will not be disappointed. 10/10 recommend.
I want to say so much more, but I’m afraid I’ll spoil it!
November 16, 2024
Congratulations on Ashley’s debut!! And thank you so much for sending me an Arc!
This book was drama, drama and more drama. Even though the author wrote characters with actions that I may have disagreed with, it was written in a way that kept me engaged and wanting to know what happens next!
Trope ⚠️ : cheating , grief
This book was drama, drama and more drama. Even though the author wrote characters with actions that I may have disagreed with, it was written in a way that kept me engaged and wanting to know what happens next!
Trope ⚠️ : cheating , grief
Read
December 23, 2024What a cliffhanger!
Mars Price is stuck in a relationship that feels like it’s crumbling, with his girlfriend, Cianna, constantly pulling away.
Nyla Porter is a small business owner trying to protect herself from more heartbreak.
Their journey was intense and that ending was crazy?! Landing on Mars was such a deep and emotional read, I loved it!
The chemistry between Mars and Nyla was off the charts.
What a great debut! Can’t wait for book 2!
Thank you Ashley Howard for sending a copy!
Mars Price is stuck in a relationship that feels like it’s crumbling, with his girlfriend, Cianna, constantly pulling away.
Nyla Porter is a small business owner trying to protect herself from more heartbreak.
Their journey was intense and that ending was crazy?! Landing on Mars was such a deep and emotional read, I loved it!
The chemistry between Mars and Nyla was off the charts.
What a great debut! Can’t wait for book 2!
Thank you Ashley Howard for sending a copy!
December 12, 2024
It's been a month and I have to edit my review{ya'll the ending😳🥺💔}
𝒪𝓀, 𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝓁𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝑜𝓃 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓂 𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓃, 𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝑔𝑜𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝟥 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝟥 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀.
#𝟣: 𝒲𝒽𝒾𝓁𝑒 𝐼 𝒹𝑜 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒶 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒶 𝒻𝑒𝓌 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈, 𝒾𝓉 𝒻𝑒𝓁𝓉 𝒻𝒶𝓇 𝓉𝑜𝑜 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝓌𝓃 𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃. However, I do recall feeling like I became a part of their story for that I give it 4⭐'𝓈
#𝟤: 𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶𝒷𝓈𝑜𝓁𝓊𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓎 𝒶𝓂𝒶𝓏𝒾𝓃𝑔. 𝐼 𝒹𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝒶𝑔𝓇𝑒𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝑀𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝑒𝓇𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒞𝒾𝒶𝓃𝓃𝒶{𝓌/𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝓇𝒾𝒻𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔🍑} 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃���� & 𝐼 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝒩𝓎𝓁𝒶 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒽𝒾𝓂. 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝓁𝒾𝒸𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝓈𝑜 𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁 & 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝑒��𝒸𝒽 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉. 𝐼 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝟧⭐'𝓈
#𝟥: 𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝓈𝑜 𝒹𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉, 𝐼 𝒹𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒𝑔𝒾𝓃, 𝒾𝓉 𝒽𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝒷𝒶𝒹𝒹𝒹𝒹𝒹 😒 𝐼 was 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶 𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒹 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝓅𝓊𝓉𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝒹𝓈 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓅ortion 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒻𝑒𝓁𝓉. 𝐼 didn't 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝑜 𝓇𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎 𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝓌𝒽𝑜𝓁𝑒 𝓈𝒾𝓂𝓅𝓁𝓎 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓈𝓃𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 & 𝓁𝒾𝓉𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓁𝑒𝒻𝓉 𝓂𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔. However, after a month of feeling like Nyla & Mars won't let me rest I realize this book was easily a 5⭐ read. I have never felt so many mixed emotions in one read & after re=reading the 3rd part of this book, I get it. Ashley did what she came to do & it felt so personal, I can't stop wondering how she is going to bring us book 2. Where do we go from here? {Questions that need answers}
𝒪𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓁𝓁, 𝐼 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓇𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓅𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝓊𝓃𝒾𝓉𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓇, 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓀𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝒻 𝒶𝓃𝑔𝓈𝓉, 𝐼𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶 great 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹, it made me realize, I might just be one of those readers also🤦♀️😫❤️
𝒪𝓀, 𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝓈𝓁𝑒𝑒𝓅 𝑜𝓃 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝑜 𝒸𝒶𝓁𝓂 𝒹𝑜𝓌𝓃, 𝐼'𝓋𝑒 𝒹𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝐼 𝒶𝓂 𝑔𝑜𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝑜 𝓇𝑒𝓋𝒾𝑒𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒾𝓃 𝟥 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝒶𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝟥 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀.
#𝟣: 𝒲𝒽𝒾𝓁𝑒 𝐼 𝒹𝑜 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝒶 𝑔𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝒷𝒶𝒸𝓀 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎 𝒶𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒶 𝒻𝑒𝓌 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓈, 𝒾𝓉 𝒻𝑒𝓁𝓉 𝒻𝒶𝓇 𝓉𝑜𝑜 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝓌𝓃 𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝒾𝓃 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃. However, I do recall feeling like I became a part of their story for that I give it 4⭐'𝓈
#𝟤: 𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶𝒷𝓈𝑜𝓁𝓊𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓎 𝒶𝓂𝒶𝓏𝒾𝓃𝑔. 𝐼 𝒹𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝒶𝑔𝓇𝑒𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝒸𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝑀𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝒹𝑒𝓈𝑒𝓇𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒞𝒾𝒶𝓃𝓃𝒶{𝓌/𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝓇𝒾𝒻𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔🍑} 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝒾𝓃���� & 𝐼 𝒷𝑒𝓁𝒾𝑒𝓋𝑒𝒹 𝒩𝓎𝓁𝒶 𝓌𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒷𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝒾𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒽𝒾𝓂. 𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝒸𝓁𝒾𝒸𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝓈𝑜 𝓌𝑒𝓁𝓁 & 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓌𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒽𝑒𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝑒��𝒸𝒽 𝑜𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓃𝑒𝑒𝒹𝑒𝒹 𝒾𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓈𝓉. 𝐼 𝑔𝒾𝓋𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝟧⭐'𝓈
#𝟥: 𝒯𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓅𝒶𝓇𝓉 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒽𝒶𝒹 𝓂𝑒 𝓈𝑜 𝒹𝒾𝓈𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓊𝑔𝒽𝓉, 𝐼 𝒹𝑜𝓃'𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝓌𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒𝑔𝒾𝓃, 𝒾𝓉 𝒽𝓊𝓇𝓉 𝒷𝒶𝒹𝒹𝒹𝒹𝒹 😒 𝐼 was 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶 𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒹 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝓅𝓊𝓉𝓉𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒾𝓃𝓉𝑜 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝒹𝓈 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓅ortion 𝑜𝒻 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀 𝒻𝑒𝓁𝓉. 𝐼 didn't 𝓀𝓃𝑜𝓌 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓉𝑜 𝓇𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝓎 𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝓌𝒽𝑜𝓁𝑒 𝓈𝒾𝓂𝓅𝓁𝓎 𝒷𝑒𝒸𝒶𝓊𝓈𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃 𝓈𝓃𝒶𝓉𝒸𝒽𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓌𝒶𝓎 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓎𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 & 𝓁𝒾𝓉𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓁𝑒𝒻𝓉 𝓂𝑒 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝓃𝑜𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔. However, after a month of feeling like Nyla & Mars won't let me rest I realize this book was easily a 5⭐ read. I have never felt so many mixed emotions in one read & after re=reading the 3rd part of this book, I get it. Ashley did what she came to do & it felt so personal, I can't stop wondering how she is going to bring us book 2. Where do we go from here? {Questions that need answers}
𝒪𝓋𝑒𝓇𝒶𝓁𝓁, 𝐼 𝒶𝓅𝓅𝓇𝑒𝒸𝒾𝒶𝓉𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝑜𝓅𝓅𝑜𝓇𝓉𝓊𝓃𝒾𝓉𝓎 𝓉𝑜 𝒜𝑅𝒞 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝓊𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓇, 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹𝑒𝓇𝓈 𝑜𝓊𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝑜 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓈 𝓀𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝑜𝒻 𝒶𝓃𝑔𝓈𝓉, 𝐼𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶 great 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝒹, it made me realize, I might just be one of those readers also🤦♀️😫❤️
January 15, 2025
I’m speechless…I ain’t neeeeevvvvver been on a roller coaster like this. Not even when I read love letters to whiskey. There were so many damn bombs and entanglements. I don’t know what I thought was gonna happen but it wasn’t this. How so many relationships were crossed up with these two people. Then to get to almost 500 pages and it ends the way that it did. Who knows how long it’s gonna take for the second book but I’m pissed and thoroughly intrigued at the same time. Like hooowwww?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 23, 2025
Landing on Mars is raw, emotionally charged, and impossible to put down. Ashley Howard delivers a powerful exploration of love, loyalty, temptation, and the messy realities of human desire, creating a story that lingers long after the final page.
At its core, this novel goes far beyond a simple tale of infidelity. It examines why people betray one another, how emotional disconnection opens the door to temptation, and how desire can blur moral boundaries in ways that feel uncomfortably real. The characters are deeply flawed, yet strikingly human, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their choices even when those choices hurt.
Mars, Cianna, and Nyla are written with remarkable nuance, and the tension between them builds steadily, fueled by longing, denial, and unspoken truths. The chemistry is intense, the emotional stakes are high, and the consequences of each decision feel earned. Ashley Howard’s prose is sharp and insightful, offering moments of wisdom and reflection that elevate the story beyond surface-level drama.
What truly cements this as a 5-star read is the ending. The twist is bold, devastating, and deeply satisfying, reframing everything that comes before it and leaving readers eager for what’s next. Even the supporting characters are given depth and maturity, adding layers to an already compelling narrative.
Due to its explicit content and emotionally heavy themes, Landing on Mars is best suited for adult readers particularly those who enjoy morally gray characters, intense emotional journeys, and stories that hold people accountable while still allowing space for empathy.
This is a striking debut and a must-read for fans of contemporary romance that isn’t afraid to go dark, honest, and real.
At its core, this novel goes far beyond a simple tale of infidelity. It examines why people betray one another, how emotional disconnection opens the door to temptation, and how desire can blur moral boundaries in ways that feel uncomfortably real. The characters are deeply flawed, yet strikingly human, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested in their choices even when those choices hurt.
Mars, Cianna, and Nyla are written with remarkable nuance, and the tension between them builds steadily, fueled by longing, denial, and unspoken truths. The chemistry is intense, the emotional stakes are high, and the consequences of each decision feel earned. Ashley Howard’s prose is sharp and insightful, offering moments of wisdom and reflection that elevate the story beyond surface-level drama.
What truly cements this as a 5-star read is the ending. The twist is bold, devastating, and deeply satisfying, reframing everything that comes before it and leaving readers eager for what’s next. Even the supporting characters are given depth and maturity, adding layers to an already compelling narrative.
Due to its explicit content and emotionally heavy themes, Landing on Mars is best suited for adult readers particularly those who enjoy morally gray characters, intense emotional journeys, and stories that hold people accountable while still allowing space for empathy.
This is a striking debut and a must-read for fans of contemporary romance that isn’t afraid to go dark, honest, and real.
February 21, 2025
🌸Landing on Mars 🌸
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a wild ride! 😅 I loved how Ashley wrote all of the characters, but dang it was hard to root for any of them. It just goes to show that you can be successful, smart and still struggle with desire, insecurities, attachment issues, childhood trauma and past hurts. I found this to be extremely relatable- not with the cheating but with the issues Mars and Nyla were dealing with individually.
My only issues I had with this book was the length of it (I felt it could be shorter) and that the dialogue felt a little unnatural in conversation. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story though! ❤️
I enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one! ✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
What a wild ride! 😅 I loved how Ashley wrote all of the characters, but dang it was hard to root for any of them. It just goes to show that you can be successful, smart and still struggle with desire, insecurities, attachment issues, childhood trauma and past hurts. I found this to be extremely relatable- not with the cheating but with the issues Mars and Nyla were dealing with individually.
My only issues I had with this book was the length of it (I felt it could be shorter) and that the dialogue felt a little unnatural in conversation. It didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story though! ❤️
I enjoyed this book and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one! ✨
September 17, 2025
I truly enjoyed watching the relationship between Nyla and Mars unfold…it was intense, passionate, and kept me hooked from start to finish. That said, the way they navigated their connection was definitely questionable at times. Messy is the perfect word for it (in the most entertaining way possible), and I often found myself side-eyeing their choices while still rooting for them. And that ending? Absolutely jaw-dropping. I was left stunned, literally staring at the last page like, what just happened?! Ashley Howard delivered a rollercoaster of emotions with this one, and I cannot wait to see where she takes the story next.
April 30, 2025
Final book of April: Landing on Mars by Ashley Howard ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. The way this book ended, I need a part 2 ASAP. This was beautifully written & such a good book. Mars Price, a successful man but with emotional uncertainty, is hanging on to a crumbled relationship. Nyla Porter, a fierce woman whose guarded heart has been shaped by life’s ups & downs. Mars & Nyla's connection is magnetic & so strong. They incorporate stolen glances and lingering touches that grow into a passion that tests their values & virtues that they once knew, but are they willing to throw all that away.
June 29, 2025
Frustrating
So much about this book is frustrating. Every step of the way it see,s like these characters pick the hardest way to go. They never just simply chose what is best for themselves even when they know what it is. It’s messy a little TOO messy to be believable to me. The writing is definitely awesome but it feels a little too drawn out in the middle. I found myself yelling “get on with it” a number of times. I’m glad I finished it and will definitely read part two,
So much about this book is frustrating. Every step of the way it see,s like these characters pick the hardest way to go. They never just simply chose what is best for themselves even when they know what it is. It’s messy a little TOO messy to be believable to me. The writing is definitely awesome but it feels a little too drawn out in the middle. I found myself yelling “get on with it” a number of times. I’m glad I finished it and will definitely read part two,
November 5, 2025
If someone were to ask me to predict the this book in one word based on the description, messy WOULD NOT have even appeared as an option. But man oh man is this story MESSY but in a challenging way.
There was a lot going on (she mentions a chain reaction in the description, YES) and any soft predictions I had while reading were ceased with different twists. This is not your typical romance novel. Like, I don’t know how to feel after reading it. I do know I need more and quick lol. Low key mad this came out fall of last year. Who knows when the next installment will come.
There was a lot going on (she mentions a chain reaction in the description, YES) and any soft predictions I had while reading were ceased with different twists. This is not your typical romance novel. Like, I don’t know how to feel after reading it. I do know I need more and quick lol. Low key mad this came out fall of last year. Who knows when the next installment will come.
October 9, 2025
It’s going to take me a long time to forgive Ashley for this ending. I don’t even know what to do with myself. I think it’s been a while since I passionately hated a character as much as a hate Cianna. That’s a sign of good writing though. I gave it a 4 because it could’ve been more condensed and the first half was a little slow.
January 27, 2025
This book was a great read! I would highly recommend! It was a lot of twist and turns that the reader did not expect but was shocking! Trust me you will not put the book down once you open it! Looking forward to reading part 2 the ending was such a twist I would have never guessed!
January 27, 2025
This was a great read ! I do feel like the cheating dragged on too long, it had good unexpected moments and excitement as well as sad moments. Touched in friendship as well which I liked. I enjoyed the book overall
January 14, 2025
Great book , I must say I didn’t agree with the I infidelity. But the book had me not wanting to put it down .
April 26, 2025
Mars and Nyla took us for a ride. This book really shows how childhood trauma affects our adulthood, along with the decisions we make.
September 2, 2025
Way too long and drawn out. Not much actually happens and then it ends on a cliffhanger UGH!
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January 5, 2026
This book had my full and undivided attention.
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