Covered in You

by Britton Ashley

In the heart of Gunnison, Colorado, Ivy Tucker finds herself drawn back to a place she never planned to revisit. After fleeing her hometown to escape painful memories, Ivy is forced to return when her cousin and best friend passes away suddenly. Haunted by family secrets and unresolved trauma, she must face the very things she tried to leave behind.

Jace Taylor never stopped loving Ivy, even after she disappeared without a word. Now that she's back, their paths collide in a whirlwind of emotions. As old habits resurface and secrets begin to unravel, Ivy and Jace are left to navigate the turbulent waters of love, betrayal, and forgiveness.

In this poignant debut novel, Ivy and Jace must confront their past to find a future together. With themes of grief, loss, and the enduring power of love, "Covered in You" is a heartwarming story that will leave readers yearning for more.

Genres: Romance, Small Town Romance, Second Chance, Contemporary Romance

290 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 26, 2024

Reviews

[Elizabeth King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although I’m not usually a fan of second chance romance, Britton Ashley single-handedly changed my mind. I wish I could read ‘Covered In You’ for the first time again, it was so well-written and funny. I’m a sucker for a small town story with family dynamics and this surely didn’t disappoint. I’m already fiending for the next book in the series!!

[Ashley Folkert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Covered in You kept me hooked from the beginning. I was kicking my feet in all the best ways. The writing is incredibly witty and funny. I could not put this down. I can’t wait to see what Britton Ashley writes next!

[Katie Evola · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was self promoted by the author on a social media group I'm in as "a book for the Swifties" so of course I had to check it out. The story was so good. I truly enjoyed this 2nd chance rom-com for so many reasons.
1. The location- I'm a sucker for Colorado Mountain setting
2. The chronic illness if the MFC-representation matters
3. The loving but also toxic idiosyncraties of a close-knit family
4. The beautiful and tragic love story that I think so many of us can relate to from our youth
5. The MMC was an actual good man
6. The Tay Easter eggs and lyrics throughout
I'm looking forward to book 2!

[Kenzie Mobley · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a huge Swiftie & Noah Kahan fan, this book made me so happy. I loved all the references to their music. I loved this book! Even if you aren’t a swiftie or Noah Kahan fan, I recommend this book! It was great!

[Amelia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I won't lie, I definitely should have given up on this book about 50% of the way through, but I decided to hate read it past that point. This entire family honestly felt full of terrible, awful people no one ever holds accountable. There is multiple instance of these characters being shitty to each other that I just don't get the point?? If they're not being a messy ass dramatic family, then they're being cringe and way over the top sitcom-like. This author wrote one of the worse familial representations I've ever had the displeasure of reading. The cousin who dies and is the whole reason Ivy ghosts the love of her life, leaves town, and then returns to town for her funeral is the worst of them all!!! Abby is a conniving, awful human that was excused for the entirety of her life and now that she's dead Ivy is coming to terms how much Abby messed with her and Jace's life. The romance between Jace and Ivy was mid. Jace is the only character I don't basically hate, and even then, he let Ivy and Abby walk all over him and he deserves better than the losers in Gunnison.

Don't even get me started on the silly number of typos, inconsistences, and Jace being referred to as Jack. Did anyone even proofread this before putting it out in the world? The inner thoughts of the characters were at first presented in quotations then after a few chapters it changes to in quotation AND italicized. Which, mind you, BOTH are grammatically incorrect in representing thought. I was offended by the number of issues I found casually reading Covered in You, this book was been "finished" for over a year!!!

Another point that made me irrationally angry was the co-oping of Southern phrases, spelling words like they're said with a Southern accent, and claiming "country boy style" is a V-neck white t-shirt and a Carhartt. THIS ENTIRE BOOK TAKES PLACE IN COLORADO!!!! Rural does not equal Southern. Small town does not equal Southern. As someone born and raised in the Deep South, I was very annoyed at this.

Let's also quickly mention how there are literally no consequences for anyone, ever?? Jace's mom commits a literal HIPAA violation and NO ONE CARES???????? I have not taken HIPAA training every year for 8 years straight to just gloss over the fact Amber snoops in Ivy's medical history and then never gets mentioned again?? Amber THREATENS Ivy that she's going to tell Jace about her medical history if Ivy doesn't do it first??? Um...say hello to losing your RN license and being charged with a crime, I guess?? Also, SO many people drive drunk in this story, and again, NO CONSEQUENCES or anyone being like "yoooooo why are you driving??" or "omg they drove drunk!". Everyone acts like they're all just driving drunk since no one bats a single eyelash about it.

If a good reading experience is important to you, you probably want to skip this one. I wouldn't recommend this and wish I could scrub it from my brain.

[Carolyn Reeves · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book really quickly because it certainly sucked me in ... But, wow. Like something horrible you can't look away from. What a fucked up, toxic ... Parts of the family? Relationship? Who was I even rooting for here?

I'm also not sure if it was a truly accurate depiction of small towns or just the stereotypical version I think of. There were lots culture references that seemed fun but I didn't understand and likely won't age well or be understood in 10 years

Definitely read the trigger warnings at the start. There are some tough topics throughout.

Not sure I would really recommend this one.

[Alissa Bentz]

DNF- I am so sad that I didn't love this one because I love Britton and I really enjoy her writing style. It is definitely more of a me problem as miscommunication is one of my most hated tropes, and this book's main plot point is miscommunication. I also struggled a bit because I thought I was going into a cute Christmas romcom, but every negative thing that could happen ended up happening to the main character. I love a romance that adds depth, but this almost got too depressing. Maybe I'll try picking it up again when I'm not trying to pull myself out of a reading slump.

[Here4thehea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one's for the swifties. I found this book from the authors TikTok and tuned in specifically for the swiftie content. The lyrical references sprinkled throughout with other nods to the queen like the names ivy, Betty etc throughout the novel were like a swiftie word search that kept bringing joy. A personal favorite "wanting me dead could really bring those two together".

This appears to be a debut novel for Britton Ashley. The story had a lot of family dynamic that while entertaining and enjoyable definitely took a front seat to the second chance romance I was tuning in for.

If I had any further critique it was that it was too much in a short amount of time. Overdoses and assaults and accidents oh my. It was like being back in tree hill North Carolina for a second there.

That being said the author had some amazing disability representation, excellent queer representation and one of my favorite mother-daughter relationships I've read in a long time. Diane was ride or die for her daughter!

I wish we'd had more time to have some palpable feelings leap off the pages that had us rooting for this fmc and mmc a bit more but I really found myself just rooting for the cousins to be back together and celebrating their family unit more.

For a self published debut novel I can't go less than 4 stars, I was hooked enough to keep turning the page and despite my constructive critique loved getting to know Ivy and her eccentric family.

Book 2 in this series appears to be a f/f romance and I love that this author is diving right in! We love to see this representation!!

[Brandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall really enjoyed it.
Not a fan of the chapter titles since they’d give away what happened in the chapter.

Then the facing a charge for use of profanity thing was kind of weird.

But cute story!

[Makayla :) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.7 ⭐️
This one took forever to get into for me - the formatting of the chapters really bothered me and did make it hard to read 😕

The story itself wasn’t bad, but definitely toxic. If you’re a swiftie, you’ll love all the references to her

I do look forward to reading more books by Britton!

[Janette Lenggenhager · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best romances I have read in a long time. Very well written and the spicy sections are amazing. Loved the family dynamics and the touch on running which we all do. Can't wait for book 2. Love the book and love the author.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, I'm blown away that this is a debut novel!

Second, I loved everything about this story. The cozy vibes, the second chance romance, the Colorado setting... Swoon!

I loved the very real issues that were covered in this story because they are all too relatable for so many people. Mental health struggles, addiction, family dysfunction, fertility issues. I loved how Britton Ashley approached these topics with sensitivity and compassion, but also with facts.

There was one line in particular that I really, really loved. "Fight isn't any braver than flight, it's just a different response". As someone who's first instinct is flight, I really appreciated seeing that in words. Everyone handles trauma differently.

I've been recommending this book to everyone I come across, and on various book pages. I cannot wait for the next one!

[Dawn Cahoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book can’t wait for the next one to come out

[Bookish Babe Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a good book! I originally read it for a book challenge- a book that takes place during New Year's Eve/Day. The Swiftie references hooked me and the romance kept me coming back for more. I laughed. I cried. I finished the book excited for the next book in the series. Such a strong start to my 2025 reading!

[W.A. Ashes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book got lucky…I use a review journal with a charting system to review books. I wanted to give this book 2 stars but it ranked 2.5 so I rounded up. I had to DNF this book at 20%. Usually I don’t review books I DNF but, my goodness, I quit reading this one not because I wasn’t interested but because each page is another disaster. And I mean that literally. One thing bad after another happens to Ivy. So much so that it feels like watching a train wreck from beside the tracks. I couldn’t handle it. Also, the formatting is weird. Why aren’t any of the paragraphs indented? It kind of makes it hard to read.

[Mary Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood Friends, Single Loves

I think the title was why I chose to read, not the storyline. After the first three chapters, I wasn't sure I would be able to keep reading. The story went back & forth between present, past & different characters' points of view. It helped to explain the story & draw you in, but I hadn't realized the amount of drug usage, drinking & hidden abuse included in the story. At times, Ivy was portrayed as uncaring about her family, immediate & extended. Jace was portrayed as being weak & no ambition. When Jace confessed his struggles to Ivy, he wasn't embarrassed, just trying to make her understand how her decision affected him.
The one thing I didn't like was Ivy not telling Jace more about Abby's role in how she left. Also, Jace didn't tell Ivy what he did in order to try & find her or what made him stop going to Denver to talk to her.
Upon finishing the story, I was glad I finished the book. This is the first book I have read by this author.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don’t let the cover fool you!

At first glance you’d think this was another second-chance-romance romcom but you’d be SO WRONG.

I mean, the cover makes it look that way, right?

Yes, the second-chance is there but there are some very heavy topics. I’d say more small-town family tragedy/drama with romance.

I instantly knew Abby was awful, especially to Ivy and Jace. As the story goes on you can’t believe all the horrible things going on!

I couldn’t put it down. It was just unexpected.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5* bylo to romanticke, bylo to vtipne, ale nebyla to romanticka komedie.. spis pribeh o vyrovnavani se s traumatem, o toxickych vztahovych vzorcich, o nadeji, ze vsechny rany se zahoji, a ze kde je vule, tam je cesta

(plus sex, male mesto, sileni rodinni prislusnici, lidi, co jsou mentalne stale na stredni, a drogovy dealer)

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

really a 2.5 rounded up

this is for you if you like pop culture references, taylor swift, and the very fast paced dramatic vibes that a wattpad fanfiction can often have

this is not for me unfortunately! i will continue to check out this author’s works in the hopes that i’ll like the next one better!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I expected a Hallmark Christmas movie, but what I got was so much more. There were echoes of Jane Austen's Persuasion (first loves torn apart and reunited), but with a modern twist. Britton Ashley writes with both humor and depth of feeling for her characters. I loved it.

[jazmine · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was cute! the taylor swift and noah kahan references felt a bit forced at times, but they were fun! i liked the idea of the second chance romance, and the “villain” characters were unlikable which was good. definitely some editing issues, but not bad!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, so much happens in this book, and the timeline is like a week. Insane.

[Brandi.P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book and I need more of the story!! There is so much going on in such a short amount of time that I couldn’t put it down.

[Hanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5

[Ash · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Macy King · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed. I cried. Wish I could read it for the first time again. Had my heart the whole time.

[Erin Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was really really good. it's definitely one of those books you wish you could read for the first time again. there's so much in it that's surprising

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars
Not for me. Didn't super like the fmc, felt really bad for mmc. The most toxic family members known to man. Seriously, they are over the top terrible people.