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Built from Ashes
Built from Ashes – A Billionaire Second Chance Romance
Bella Zareef-Valencia built her empire from heartbreak. Disowned by her parents and betrayed by her ex-husband, she is now the unstoppable CEO of Vellure, a cutting-edge fashion-tech company. But the past has a way of catching up. Zavian Miller, the boy who once held her heart, returns as her company’s brilliant new CTO. Old wounds reopen, sparks fly, and the tension between them becomes impossible to ignore. As they navigate the high-stakes world of fashion technology and launch the revolutionary SoulStitch AI line, Bella and Zavian must face betrayal, unhealed scars, and the love they thought was lost forever. Built from Ashes is a gripping contemporary billionaire romance filled with drama, passion, and emotional intensity—a second chance romance that proves some love refuses to stay buried.
Bella Zareef-Valencia built her empire from heartbreak. Disowned by her parents and betrayed by her ex-husband, she is now the unstoppable CEO of Vellure, a cutting-edge fashion-tech company. But the past has a way of catching up. Zavian Miller, the boy who once held her heart, returns as her company’s brilliant new CTO. Old wounds reopen, sparks fly, and the tension between them becomes impossible to ignore. As they navigate the high-stakes world of fashion technology and launch the revolutionary SoulStitch AI line, Bella and Zavian must face betrayal, unhealed scars, and the love they thought was lost forever. Built from Ashes is a gripping contemporary billionaire romance filled with drama, passion, and emotional intensity—a second chance romance that proves some love refuses to stay buried.
506 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 8, 2026
Thank you to the author for providing me with a copy of Built from Ashes.
This was a difficult book for me to rate because, while I appreciated the effort and heart that clearly went into the story, it ultimately wasn't the right fit for my reading preferences.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was Sofia. She was the character I found myself most interested in, and I genuinely enjoyed the moments she was on the page.
However, I struggled with some of the main characters, particularly Bella, and found it difficult to connect with her throughout the story. Because of that, I wasn't as emotionally invested in the central relationships and conflicts as I had hoped to be.
I also felt that the dual POV structure didn't work as well for me as it could have. In several places, the perspectives covered the same events, which made the story feel repetitive at times. Personally, I would have preferred for each POV to bring more new information or move the narrative forward.
Additionally, the reasons behind some of the major conflicts and fallout between the characters didn't fully resonate with me, making it harder for me to become invested in their journey.
That said, this is a debut novel, and I commend the author for putting their work out into the world. Writing and publishing a book is an incredible achievement, and while this particular story wasn't for me, I'm grateful for the opportunity to read it and wish the author the very best with future projects.
This was a difficult book for me to rate because, while I appreciated the effort and heart that clearly went into the story, it ultimately wasn't the right fit for my reading preferences.
One of my favorite aspects of the book was Sofia. She was the character I found myself most interested in, and I genuinely enjoyed the moments she was on the page.
However, I struggled with some of the main characters, particularly Bella, and found it difficult to connect with her throughout the story. Because of that, I wasn't as emotionally invested in the central relationships and conflicts as I had hoped to be.
I also felt that the dual POV structure didn't work as well for me as it could have. In several places, the perspectives covered the same events, which made the story feel repetitive at times. Personally, I would have preferred for each POV to bring more new information or move the narrative forward.
Additionally, the reasons behind some of the major conflicts and fallout between the characters didn't fully resonate with me, making it harder for me to become invested in their journey.
That said, this is a debut novel, and I commend the author for putting their work out into the world. Writing and publishing a book is an incredible achievement, and while this particular story wasn't for me, I'm grateful for the opportunity to read it and wish the author the very best with future projects.
June 9, 2026
I want to thank the author for giving me the opportunity to read her book. If you're a fan of Ana Huang twisted series.. this might be a book for u. Bella is a powerhouse and won't let anyone stand in her way. And I love the dual POV
June 29, 2026
I enjoyed the storyline and I loved the chemistry between Bella and Zavian, but I found myself getting a little bored because some of the POVs were repetitive. I always struggle with this form of writing but it was still a great story. I did enjoy the way the characters developed and how everything came together in the end. I’m looking forward to reading her future works.
October 15, 2025
“A masterpiece of pain, power, and rebirth.”
I don’t even know where to start because this book wrecked me in the best way possible. It’s one of those stories that you feel in your bones, the kind that leaves you staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m. thinking about every choice, every scar, every word left unsaid.
Bella Zareef-Valencia is not your typical romance heroine she’s a storm in heels. Fierce, elegant, and broken in places she refuses to show. Watching her rise from ashes, rebuild her empire, and face the man who once shattered her heart? It’s like watching a phoenix burn and bloom at the same time.
And Zavian Miller… God. He’s that quiet, guilt-ridden man who will ruin your peace and heal it in the same breath. His chapters tore me apart. You can feel his regret, his longing, his desperate need to make things right. Their chemistry is insane sharp, emotional, magnetic. You’ll want to scream at them, hug them, and ship them all at once.
The writing is poetic and cinematic. Singapore feels alive every glass tower, every sleepless night, every heartbeat between them. It’s not just romance, it’s redemption wrapped in silk and fire.
This isn’t a fairytale. It’s a battle between love and pride, trauma and healing, guilt and forgiveness.
And it’s beautiful.
If you love stories like “Twisted Lies,” “It Ends With Us,” or “The Fine Print,” but crave something more mature, more real, this one’s for you.
I cried. I screamed. I highlighted half the book.
And when I finished, I just whispered
“She did it. She survived. And so did I.”
I don’t even know where to start because this book wrecked me in the best way possible. It’s one of those stories that you feel in your bones, the kind that leaves you staring at the ceiling at 3 a.m. thinking about every choice, every scar, every word left unsaid.
Bella Zareef-Valencia is not your typical romance heroine she’s a storm in heels. Fierce, elegant, and broken in places she refuses to show. Watching her rise from ashes, rebuild her empire, and face the man who once shattered her heart? It’s like watching a phoenix burn and bloom at the same time.
And Zavian Miller… God. He’s that quiet, guilt-ridden man who will ruin your peace and heal it in the same breath. His chapters tore me apart. You can feel his regret, his longing, his desperate need to make things right. Their chemistry is insane sharp, emotional, magnetic. You’ll want to scream at them, hug them, and ship them all at once.
The writing is poetic and cinematic. Singapore feels alive every glass tower, every sleepless night, every heartbeat between them. It’s not just romance, it’s redemption wrapped in silk and fire.
This isn’t a fairytale. It’s a battle between love and pride, trauma and healing, guilt and forgiveness.
And it’s beautiful.
If you love stories like “Twisted Lies,” “It Ends With Us,” or “The Fine Print,” but crave something more mature, more real, this one’s for you.
I cried. I screamed. I highlighted half the book.
And when I finished, I just whispered
“She did it. She survived. And so did I.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 15, 2025
“This book didn’t just break my heart, it carved its name into it.”
I’m not even kidding when I say this is one of the most emotionally powerful romance stories I’ve read in a long time. You know those books that don’t just entertain you but consume you? That’s what this one did.
From the very first chapter, I was gone. The world, the pain, the luxury, everything felt so vividly real. I could see Singapore’s skyline, feel Bella’s heartbreak, and hear every unspoken word between her and Zavian. The author didn’t just write a love story, she built a whole damn universe out of scars and strength.
Bella Zareef-Valencia is that woman who makes you want to stand up and clap. She’s elegance and rage, ambition and ache. Every time she fell, she got up sharper. I loved how the story didn’t soften her pain or her power, it showed how she forged herself through it.
And Zavian Miller... my God. He’s the definition of a walking wound. The kind of man who looks calm but carries hurricanes inside. His guilt, his longing, the way he still loved her in silence, it broke me. He’s not your typical billionaire or CEO trope, he’s real, flawed, and utterly magnetic.
Their chemistry? Explosive.
Every scene between them feels like standing too close to lightning, dangerous, intoxicating, impossible to look away from. The way their past and present collide is pure art.
The writing style is cinematic — poetic without being pretentious, emotional without being melodramatic. The author captures trauma, ambition, and love with the precision of a scalpel. It’s not just a romance — it’s about healing, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to forgive yourself.
By the time I reached the last chapters, I wasn’t just reading. I was feeling. My chest physically ached. And when it ended, I just sat there in silence completely destroyed but so full of awe.
If you love stories like “Twisted Love,” “Reminders of Him,” or anything that makes your heart shatter and bloom in the same chapter, you need this book in your life.
This isn’t a simple love story.
It’s a story about surviving hell and still choosing to love again.
My verdict:
5 out of 5.
Emotionally devastating. Gorgeously written. Utterly unforgettable.
I will never stop thinking about Bella and Zavian.
I’m not even kidding when I say this is one of the most emotionally powerful romance stories I’ve read in a long time. You know those books that don’t just entertain you but consume you? That’s what this one did.
From the very first chapter, I was gone. The world, the pain, the luxury, everything felt so vividly real. I could see Singapore’s skyline, feel Bella’s heartbreak, and hear every unspoken word between her and Zavian. The author didn’t just write a love story, she built a whole damn universe out of scars and strength.
Bella Zareef-Valencia is that woman who makes you want to stand up and clap. She’s elegance and rage, ambition and ache. Every time she fell, she got up sharper. I loved how the story didn’t soften her pain or her power, it showed how she forged herself through it.
And Zavian Miller... my God. He’s the definition of a walking wound. The kind of man who looks calm but carries hurricanes inside. His guilt, his longing, the way he still loved her in silence, it broke me. He’s not your typical billionaire or CEO trope, he’s real, flawed, and utterly magnetic.
Their chemistry? Explosive.
Every scene between them feels like standing too close to lightning, dangerous, intoxicating, impossible to look away from. The way their past and present collide is pure art.
The writing style is cinematic — poetic without being pretentious, emotional without being melodramatic. The author captures trauma, ambition, and love with the precision of a scalpel. It’s not just a romance — it’s about healing, resilience, and the quiet strength it takes to forgive yourself.
By the time I reached the last chapters, I wasn’t just reading. I was feeling. My chest physically ached. And when it ended, I just sat there in silence completely destroyed but so full of awe.
If you love stories like “Twisted Love,” “Reminders of Him,” or anything that makes your heart shatter and bloom in the same chapter, you need this book in your life.
This isn’t a simple love story.
It’s a story about surviving hell and still choosing to love again.
My verdict:
5 out of 5.
Emotionally devastating. Gorgeously written. Utterly unforgettable.
I will never stop thinking about Bella and Zavian.
Read
June 29, 2026📚✨ Book Review: *Built from Ashes✨📚
First, I'd like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of Built from Ashes. I'm always grateful for the opportunity to discover new authors and support debut releases.
This was a difficult review to write because, while I could clearly see the passion and heart that went into this story, it ultimately wasn't the right fit for my reading preferences.
One of the highlights for me was Sofia. She was the character I found myself most interested in, and I genuinely enjoyed the moments she was on the page.
Unfortunately, I struggled with the dual POV structure which I found to be repetitive at times, as several chapters revisited the same events rather than adding new information or moving the story forward. Personally, I would have preferred each perspective to offer a fresh layer to the narrative.
As I continued reading, I realized I wasn't connecting with the story in the way I'd hoped. The conflicts and fallout between the characters didn't fully resonate with me, and I ultimately decided it was best to DNF rather than push through a book that wasn't working for me.
That said, this is a debut novel, and I truly admire the courage it takes to write and publish a book. Sharing your work with the world is an incredible achievement, and I have so much respect for the author for doing so. While this book wasn't the right fit for me, I'm grateful for the opportunity to read it, and I sincerely wish the author every success with future projects.
First, I'd like to thank the author for providing me with a copy of Built from Ashes. I'm always grateful for the opportunity to discover new authors and support debut releases.
This was a difficult review to write because, while I could clearly see the passion and heart that went into this story, it ultimately wasn't the right fit for my reading preferences.
One of the highlights for me was Sofia. She was the character I found myself most interested in, and I genuinely enjoyed the moments she was on the page.
Unfortunately, I struggled with the dual POV structure which I found to be repetitive at times, as several chapters revisited the same events rather than adding new information or moving the story forward. Personally, I would have preferred each perspective to offer a fresh layer to the narrative.
As I continued reading, I realized I wasn't connecting with the story in the way I'd hoped. The conflicts and fallout between the characters didn't fully resonate with me, and I ultimately decided it was best to DNF rather than push through a book that wasn't working for me.
That said, this is a debut novel, and I truly admire the courage it takes to write and publish a book. Sharing your work with the world is an incredible achievement, and I have so much respect for the author for doing so. While this book wasn't the right fit for me, I'm grateful for the opportunity to read it, and I sincerely wish the author every success with future projects.
July 1, 2026
I had the pleasure of getting an ARC of this amazing book! It sucks you in from the first page. The chemistry between Bella and Zavian keeps you wanting to know more. Bella’s strong female presence in her company while also showing the reader her vulnerability was so relatable and a breath of fresh air! Here’s a couple of my favourite quotes by Zavian Because it was always worth paying attention when he’s speaking to Bella and the other is Let them come. I’ll ruin them all. Go buy this book asap!
June 13, 2026
Hard Truths
I think this is a fantastic story, you can tell that Hadia put a lot of thought into her characters.
Zavain and Bella have to fight through hard times to grow their relationship and themselves. I also love Sofia and Alex, I really hope to see more of them!
This is a dual POV, and I think it was done very well. Again, this is a beautiful story and I cannot wait to see what else Hadia has in store for us!
I think this is a fantastic story, you can tell that Hadia put a lot of thought into her characters.
Zavain and Bella have to fight through hard times to grow their relationship and themselves. I also love Sofia and Alex, I really hope to see more of them!
This is a dual POV, and I think it was done very well. Again, this is a beautiful story and I cannot wait to see what else Hadia has in store for us!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews