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Sidekicks
Five years ago, Nikki Caldwell’s world imploded when her father—beloved superhero The Eagle—broke his one rule and killed his archnemesis, Nightshade. Wracked with guilt, he vanished, leaving behind the teenage crime-fighting team he’d assembled… and a daughter burdened with a secret: the man he killed wasn’t Nightshade.
In the years that followed, Nikki buried her sidekick past. But when Nightshade resurfaces, it’s clear it’s with a deadly new plan: to eliminate every member of The Eagle’s former team. As time runs out, Nikki is forced to track down her estranged teammates who have scattered across the country, each trying to escape their past…and each other. Reconnecting means confronting old wounds, buried secrets, and the one truth none of them are ready for: everything they thought they knew about Nightshade was a lie, and the truth is darker than they expected.
Nikki thought she’d left that life behind.
But some legacies don’t die—they just wait for their moment.
In the years that followed, Nikki buried her sidekick past. But when Nightshade resurfaces, it’s clear it’s with a deadly new plan: to eliminate every member of The Eagle’s former team. As time runs out, Nikki is forced to track down her estranged teammates who have scattered across the country, each trying to escape their past…and each other. Reconnecting means confronting old wounds, buried secrets, and the one truth none of them are ready for: everything they thought they knew about Nightshade was a lie, and the truth is darker than they expected.
Nikki thought she’d left that life behind.
But some legacies don’t die—they just wait for their moment.
296 pages, Paperback
Published August 27, 2025
2 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 18, 2025
I will preface this by saying I am close friends with Ashley, and she told me about this book more than three years ago before Toby existed. I have the memes I made years ago when I decided Toby was going to be my eventual book boyfriend. You know the one with Rosa Diaz from Brooklyn Nine-Nine holding the puppy? Instead of Arlo, I crudely scribbled it out and replaced it with Toby. I am also the Jess for whom the book is dedicated to. If you want to take my entire review with a massive grain of salt, I don't blame you. But this book is so freaking amazing, and if you don't pick it up you will never know the amazing story you're missing!
This book is what so many superhero stories wish they were. It has all the elements you're looking for. Action, fight scenes, car chases, race-against-the-clock stakes, found family, complex characters. But have you ever read a story that delves into the trauma sidekicks struggle with? Everyone is messed up. Seriously. They all need a hug. And therapy. So many hours of therapy. They were teenagers and children put into impossible situations, then they were abandoned, and they all split off.
Ashley also writes some of the best sibling banter I have ever read. ("You're killing people again, Zain? We've talked about this. Multiple times. We. Don't. Kill. People.")
Don't even get me started on the second chance romance! I could probably take up the rest of the character limit here talking about how much I love Nikki and Toby. We're talking childhood sweethearts-to exes-to handler/handled(? lol)-to lovers. Toby is so swoony. My sweet blue alien boy really sees her. And he helps her see herself, and understand she's the best leader for the team - despite how reluctant she is to take up the job. Their first kiss is sweet and takes a hilarious turn. And both he and Nikki are asexual. All my fellow ace babes will really appreciate this romance. Asexual people can - and do - fall in love. It just may look a little different than allo relationships.
If you're not ready for Superhero Summer to be over, you need to pick this book up!
**I received an ARC of this book from the author who I love dearly!**
This book is what so many superhero stories wish they were. It has all the elements you're looking for. Action, fight scenes, car chases, race-against-the-clock stakes, found family, complex characters. But have you ever read a story that delves into the trauma sidekicks struggle with? Everyone is messed up. Seriously. They all need a hug. And therapy. So many hours of therapy. They were teenagers and children put into impossible situations, then they were abandoned, and they all split off.
Ashley also writes some of the best sibling banter I have ever read. ("You're killing people again, Zain? We've talked about this. Multiple times. We. Don't. Kill. People.")
Don't even get me started on the second chance romance! I could probably take up the rest of the character limit here talking about how much I love Nikki and Toby. We're talking childhood sweethearts-to exes-to handler/handled(? lol)-to lovers. Toby is so swoony. My sweet blue alien boy really sees her. And he helps her see herself, and understand she's the best leader for the team - despite how reluctant she is to take up the job. Their first kiss is sweet and takes a hilarious turn. And both he and Nikki are asexual. All my fellow ace babes will really appreciate this romance. Asexual people can - and do - fall in love. It just may look a little different than allo relationships.
If you're not ready for Superhero Summer to be over, you need to pick this book up!
**I received an ARC of this book from the author who I love dearly!**
September 14, 2025
This book grabbed me from the very first page. Nikki’s struggle with her father’s past and the secret she carries gives the story real emotional depth. The reunion of the old team is messy, heartfelt, and filled with tension, making every scene feel alive.
The Nightshade twist completely caught me off guard and kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Fast paced, full of heart, and packed with surprises. If you enjoy superhero stories with real emotion and high stakes, this one is a must read
The Nightshade twist completely caught me off guard and kept me turning the pages late into the night.
Fast paced, full of heart, and packed with surprises. If you enjoy superhero stories with real emotion and high stakes, this one is a must read
August 17, 2025
Sidekicks brought some refreshing and really fun elements to a classic superhero story!
Ashley fleshes out incredible characters that continue to develop and reshape over the course of an immersive and addictive tale.
Sidekicks delivers a nice dose of feels while still making you crack up at certain spots, and it’s a hell of an addition to Ashley’s already impressive, entertaining, and refreshing collection of published works.
Ashley fleshes out incredible characters that continue to develop and reshape over the course of an immersive and addictive tale.
Sidekicks delivers a nice dose of feels while still making you crack up at certain spots, and it’s a hell of an addition to Ashley’s already impressive, entertaining, and refreshing collection of published works.
October 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Omg this was so fun! And so unique. I loved the plot and I really like the writing. It’s so funny and enjoyable.
There were plot twists that I did NOT see coming and gasped out loud multiple times.
There is zero romance in this book (besides 2 characters deciding to get back together at the end and sharing one kiss) and normally I don’t like books without romance, but again this was super fun. Loved it!
Omg this was so fun! And so unique. I loved the plot and I really like the writing. It’s so funny and enjoyable.
There were plot twists that I did NOT see coming and gasped out loud multiple times.
There is zero romance in this book (besides 2 characters deciding to get back together at the end and sharing one kiss) and normally I don’t like books without romance, but again this was super fun. Loved it!
December 22, 2025
Not a book i would’ve typically picked up but i met the author at a book festival and gave it a try! I was pleasantly surprised with it and the plot twists at the end kept it very entertaining! Good read for my fantasy/superhero lovers
September 1, 2025
This book just wasn't for me.
September 27, 2025
entertaining and relatable! a few twists I wasn't expecting that kept me on my toes! definitely excited for the second book!!!!
November 23, 2025
“Survive first, process later. Can’t really do shit if we’re all dead.”
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ashley’s writing is the perfect balance of heart, humor, and heartbreak. Sidekicks is no exception. A found family story wrapped in childhood trauma, kids forced to grow up too fast, and the impossible pressure of being a superhero before you even know who you are.
I loved this story! Nikki and Toby forever ❤️
Nikki is instantly relatable, and the banter among the other characters is perfectly on point. And of course, it wouldn’t be an @ashley.skolrud book without a touch of twisted. Those poor birdies!
If you love character-driven superhero stories with depth, darkness, and a whole lot of heart, Sidekicks needs to be on your TBR!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ashley’s writing is the perfect balance of heart, humor, and heartbreak. Sidekicks is no exception. A found family story wrapped in childhood trauma, kids forced to grow up too fast, and the impossible pressure of being a superhero before you even know who you are.
I loved this story! Nikki and Toby forever ❤️
Nikki is instantly relatable, and the banter among the other characters is perfectly on point. And of course, it wouldn’t be an @ashley.skolrud book without a touch of twisted. Those poor birdies!
If you love character-driven superhero stories with depth, darkness, and a whole lot of heart, Sidekicks needs to be on your TBR!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews