Scars of August

The August Series #1

by Ashley Pierce

To live for the hope of it all...

A decade after leaving without a word, Autumn Harper is returning home. She’s looking
forward to seeing her family and reconnecting with her best friend—but beneath the
surface, the real reason she left still haunts her.

Becca and Jimmy Taylor have it a beautiful home, successful careers, and a
marriage that looks perfect. With their high school reunion approaching, life is exactly
where Becca always hoped it would be.

As the three are drawn into a tangle of old memories, unresolved feelings, and hidden
regrets, their carefully constructed lives begin to crack. Over one summer,
friendship will be tested, love will be questioned, and choices will come back to haunt
them.

In a story about the lies we tell—to each other and ourselves—scars resurface. Some
will heal. Others will leave a mark forever.

Genres: Romance

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 24, 2025

About the author

Ashley Pierce lives in Southeast Michigan, where she was born and raised. A lifelong fan of psychological thrillers and romances, she brings real-life Michigan moments into her fiction, blending hometown charm with emotional depth and suspense. 

She writes a wide range of stories—some gripping and intense, others heartfelt and romantic—giving readers something fresh and unexpected with every book. She prefers handwriting her stories— with a pen dripped in experience, emotion, and hometown pride. 

Ashley spends her non-writing time reading and spending time with her husband, kids, and dogs, usually outdoors or at the lake. 

Her debut novel, Felicitous, came out in June 2021. Her second book, Scars of August, was released in March 2025. Thanks to its success, Scars of August is now kicking off The August Series and is getting a re-release on October 24 2025. The much-anticipated second book in the series, By Next August, is dropping on January 30, 2026.

Reviews

[Linz_loves_books (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️’s
The way I was introduced to this book was that it was inspired by Taylor Swifts Folklore Album, so I immediately added it to my TBR!

This book took me through a whirlwind of emotions! First this story is told from three POVS, and all the characters are likable and relatable making it hard to figure out who you’re cheering for and who you are mad at! All the characters are flawed, which are my favorite types of characters because they make the story real and raw.

This follows Autumn, our FMC, who has recently graduated and has kept it from her family and friends that she is moving away from college. Telling them last minute and moving away so suddenly, leaves everyone confused. Ten years later Autumn misses home and decides to move back. She is so excited to be with her family and best friend again. However, she once again has to face the reason or person she left in the first place. How can one decision change the path of your life as well as those around you?

Scars of August is an emotional read that focuses on topics of friendship, love, loss, grief, and fate.

What to Expect
❤️ Friends to Lovers
❤️ Love Triangle
❤️ Multiple POVs
❤️ Secrets

Once I picked this book up I could not put it down! It had me hooked! It brought out real and raw emotions and that ending! I highly recommend this book and can’t wait to read more from this author!

[Lady W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I work at an Independent Bookstore and I received this ARC. I love everything about this book. Autumn is such a real character that I felt like I knew her personally. I also liked Jimmy and Becca (although Jimmy did make me sigh at times 🤣) This book was so good that I had to pause the books just to absorb what I had just read. This story felt realistic and has left me in my feels. That ending!

And can we hear it for that cover?? Gorgeous

[Monica Maryann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scars of August hit me harder than I expected. Ashley Pierce has a gift for writing raw, emotionally charged relationships that feel real—and sometimes painfully honest. I was completely pulled in by the connection between Jimmy and Autumn. I didn’t expect to root for them the way I did, but somehow, I ended up falling for Jimmy too :)

Kory deserves a shoutout as one of the best fictional best friends—loyal, grounded, and a great balance to the emotional heaviness of the story. And I love Will, Jimmy’s brother, as well! Great side characters.

I usually hate cheating plots, but Ashley made it feel so real and emotionally layered that I couldn’t look away. I didn’t feel bad for Becca at all (oops).

The ending? I hated it. But I get it. It made sense, even if it broke my heart a little. Not every story wraps up neatly, and that’s part of what makes this one linger.

If you’re looking for a beautifully written, emotionally complex story that doesn’t shy away from the messiness of love, loss, and healing, Scars of August is absolutely worth the read.

[Han ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a super easy and intriguing read! I can’t say I ever got bored with this storyline and I enjoyed the three POVs. I loved that this was set in Michigan and all the mentioned scenery. Unfortunately, the FMC and MMC were not redeemable for me at all. I just could not see past the major character flaws and that made any possible ending unappealing for me!

[VickydpBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book it’s first book of a 2 part series and I enjoyed it

Blurb

To live for the hope of it all...

A decade after leaving without a word, Autumn Harper is returning home. She’s looking
forward to seeing her family and reconnecting with her best friend—but beneath the
surface, the real reason she left still haunts her.

Becca and Jimmy Taylor have it all: a beautiful home, successful careers, and a
marriage that looks perfect. With their high school reunion approaching, life is exactly
where Becca always hoped it would be.

As the three are drawn into a tangle of old memories, unresolved feelings, and hidden
regrets, their carefully constructed lives begin to crack. Over one summer,
friendship will be tested, love will be questioned, and choices will come back to haunt
them.

In a story about the lies we tell—to each other and ourselves—scars resurface. Some
will heal. Others will leave a mark forever.

[April | Aprilsbooknook_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

LET ME PREFACE THIS BY SAYING -- Love triangles are NOT my thing. But I had to read this one just knowing it was inspired by Taylor Swifts Folklore album.

Autumn and Jimmy were inseparable most of their lives until Autumn abruptly decided to leave town. It was a huge miscommunication that literally cost them their future. 🥹 10 years later, Autumn returns and they pick up where they left off- like old friends do.

The way my tummy was in KNOTS y'all. 😭 I'm not even lying when I say I finished in one sitting. Emotions were too high to pause and finish another time. I was SCREAMING while simultaneously CRYING for everyone. My empath side showed hard.

With all that being said, it was a good story. I loved getting the flashbacks from highschool and getting to know each character from all of their POVs. I didn't get the ending I WANTED... But I do think it was the ending that everyone deserved. 🤍

[Amy Witkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Writing was fine but I really like escapist reading.

This book is about how easy it is for a decent marriage to be forever ruined by an affair. Too much like everyday life for me, not a relaxing story to enjoy. And of course, happy ending for anyone.

[Melissa · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t disrespect Taylor like this

This should have been a DNF but I was waiting. How can something “be inspired by Taylor” and it be good? If you need the answer to that, read this book.

[Alex Sedrowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gods I am so mad at this book and also I love it and hate it and want to scream and bawl! Autumn & Jimmy are best friends from elementary school through the end of high school/beginning of college. We start with Jimmy taking Autumn to her senior prom even though he’s a freshmen in college because he’s her best friend and her boyfriend dumped her just prior to the dance. He admits to himself he loves her but she leaves after graduation without telling him until right before. Ten years pass with absolutely no contact between them. He has married a girl from Autumn’s graduating class named Becca. She is more concerned with meeting every goal she sets for them to look like they have the perfect life-bigger house with landscapers, dog and cat, her a professor teaching those who will become teachers and him the regional manager of a hotel chain. She has jealousy and insecurity issues and tends to isolate while he is outgoing and a flirt which has led to multiple rumors of him stepping out on her but he guarantees he would never cross that line. She believes him and is close to his brother’s wife and helps caretaker his mother who has cancer. Autumn moves back to town after her ten year hiatus and runs into Jimmy her first day back. They keep in touch and begin texting each other all day every day. Becca leaves for a weekend for graduation ceremonies and Jimmy & Autumn meet up and get caught up in reminiscing and each other and get too tipsy and spend the weekend wrapped up in each other in her bed. They embark on an affair for the summer, realizing he’s always loved her but was too afraid to hurt her or be hurt if it didn’t work out and lose the friendship back in high school he wants to leave Becca for her, Autumn left after high school because she loved him and knew he didn’t feel the same but now realizes they both are all in and can’t wait to be with him. After months of their affair Autumn demands Jimmy make the decision to be with her and leave Becca or not, that night Becca finds out from a friend calling who spotted Jimmy arguing with and then kissing a woman that he has cheated. She kicks him out and instead of going straight to Autumn to be official he hides at his brother’s house. After getting it together a bit and having a wonderful weekend not as a secret together Becca overhears a conversation from Autumn’s other bestie at a coffee shop about their perfect weekend and loses it. This causes Jimmy to pull back from Autumn. The ten year high school reunion for the girls happens and Jimmy shows up after Becca says she won’t be there to see Autumn and really give them a fair chance only for Becca to be there with a date. Jimmy leaves the reunion and Autumn and ghosts her as he realizes he wants to be back with his wife after all. He begs for Becca to give him another chance and she says she will call him in a week. He meets up with Autumn and after kissing her breaks it off for good. She loses it on him and tells him why she left all those years ago and how he has ruined them and they will never be friends again. They’re both brokenhearted over it. Becca does take him back after he confesses everything but she still withholds a secret from him that Autumn did reach out in college and she deleted it and blocked her number from him. COVID hits and Autumn as a nurse takes traveling gigs to get away and try to men her broken heart. Quarantine brings Becca & Jimmy back together and they have a baby girl. We end three years after when Autumn runs into Jimmy, his brother, his daughter, & niece at a park and she sees how happy he is being a dad and tell his brother of her new relationship and how it feels serious in New Jersey. She leaves and Jimmy confesses to his brother how he still thinks of her every single day and wonders what if. Autumn returns to her mom’s house where her boyfriend is and she agrees to move in with him as Jimmy drives his car by while they hug. We end with them in New Jersey moving in together with the help of her other bestie Kory from home who has her own relationship teased. I’m just so all over about this story-it feels clear that Jimmy & Autumn should be together but he keeps being to scared it won’t work that he sabotages it. Becca just seems super manipulative and I wanted her to grow after their split into being her own person and it just felt like she pulled all the manipulative tactics she could to get him to come back and she still never confessed to what she did. Autumn clearly needed to work on herself with therapy but I’m just so sad she didn’t get her HEA with Jimmy and Tyler just feels like she rushed in-even Kory saw it. I want to see book two resolving this better but I don’t know if that’ll happen. It just does not feel right without Jimmy getting his own therapy and then Autumn and him getting their HEA together and Becca getting hers with someone more suited to her. Ugh, so many feelings about this one!

[☆Laura☆]

Autumn Harper pensó que había dejado su pasado atrás cuando se mudó a Wisconsin hace diez años. Pero una oleada de nostalgia y la necesidad de volver a sus raíces la llevan de regreso a Michigan, donde todo comenzó: su familia, su mejor amiga Kory… y Jimmy, el chico que fue mucho más que su vecino de la infancia.

Jimmy ahora está casado con Becca, con quien construyó una vida estable, aunque no siempre perfecta. Pero la llegada de Autumn reabre heridas y recuerdos que nunca terminaron de cerrarse: promesas incumplidas, silencios que separaron amistades y un primer amor que nunca se atrevió a decirse en voz alta.

Entre reencuentros incómodos, un aniversario de secundaria que los obliga a mirarse de frente, y sentimientos que resurgen con más fuerza de la que ambos esperaban.



___



Autumn y Jimmy siempre fueron buenos amigos, empezaron a desarrollar sentimientos, pero como ella pensó que eran recíprocos decide irse a la universidad y desaparece una década entera. En ese tiempo Jimmy se enamora de Becca y se casa con ella. Todo parecía estable hasta que Autumn regresa y los sentimientos que supuestamente habían desaparecido resurgen, y a ambos se les hace “buena idea” empezar una relación, mas bien no les importa lastimar a Becca.

Mientras tanto, Becca comienza a notar que algo anda mal, pero no se atreve a ponerle nombre. Ella lo ama y no quiere desconfiar, mientras los otros dos no piensan en ella ni un segundo. Tras meses de su aventura, Autumn le exige a Jimmy que deje a su esposa, porque no quiere ser la “otra”, y él acepta. Pero alguien más se le adelanta y le dice a Becca y ella lo corre de la casa y lo manda al demonio por semanas, mientras los dos infieles disfrutan de su romance.

Parecía que la historia iba bien (y ahorita entenderán por qué) hasta que llega el reencuentro de los 10 años de graduación. Becca asiste con otro y el infiel se pone celoso, dejando sola a Autumn. No voy a negar que disfruté verla sufrir, porque ya no es tan bonito cuando te hieren a ti. Según él, ahí se da cuenta de que quiere a Becca y decide luchar por ella (cosa que realmente nunca hizo). Y lo peor: Becca lo perdona. Justo cuando pensé que por fin se libraría de esa escoria, termina aceptarlo de nuevo y tienen un hijo juntos. Decía que iba bien porque parecía que B se había quitado a tremenda sanguijuela.

Tres años después, los infieles se reencuentran y resulta que Autumn ahora es feliz, con novio y todo. En mi mente, él le será infiel y entonces sabrá lo que es sufrir (se vale soñar). Como era de esperarse, Jimmy demuestra que nunca cambió: confiesa a su hermano que siempre se arrepentirá de no haberse ido con Autumn. El descaro total.

Para mí, esos dos debieron quedarse juntos y Becca era quien debió encontrar a un hombre que de verdad la valorara. Lamentablemente, la pobre terminó con una basura que no merecía a nadie.

[Kayla Berger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, but it completely gripped me from the first page. The story is intense, emotional, and honestly infuriating at times — especially because I don’t typically read books that feature cheating. But as an ARC reader, I knew I needed to experience this story fully, and I’m so glad I did.

I have to be honest: the betrayal in this book had me fuming. Jimmy’s actions — emotionally and physically leaning into Autumn while married to Becca — were heartbreaking and enraging. The way he acted behind Becca’s back, denied the truth, and seemed oblivious to the consequences of his choices made it impossible to root for him at certain points. The story made me feel every emotion: anger, frustration, protectiveness, and heartbreak for Becca, who deserves loyalty, love, and respect. The “love triangle” felt less like a romantic tension and more like a moral conflict, which is why it was so intense for me as a reader.

At the same time, the book does a fantastic job of showing the complexity of emotions, trust, and forgiveness. Seeing Becca and Jimmy work through their issues and ultimately stay together with a little girl was satisfying, even though it didn’t erase the pain caused by his betrayals. Autumn’s story also resolves nicely, finding love with someone who genuinely cares for her.

Overall, this book made me feel every possible emotion, and I couldn’t put it down. It’s raw, messy, and compelling, and while I personally struggle with stories that romanticize cheating, the writing, character depth, and emotional tension make it an important read. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC, and I highly recommend it to readers who enjoy emotionally charged, intense romance with complex moral stakes.

[Anna Christodoulou-Vega · Rating 4 out of 5]

✨ ARC Review | Scars of August by Ashley Pierce ✨

Some stories don’t just tug at your heart they linger. Scars of August is one of those quietly devastating, emotionally rich novels that sneaks up on you and leaves you sitting in the aftermath long after the last page. 💔🌿

Autumn Harper’s return home after ten years is heavy with unspoken truths and buried pain. What starts as a long overdue homecoming quickly unravels into something far more complex. The reasons she left without a word still haunt her, and Pierce does a beautiful job peeling back those layers slowly, letting the tension simmer rather than explode all at once.

Becca and Jimmy Taylor appear to have the kind of life people envy: the house, the careers, the marriage that looks rock-solid from the outside. But with a high school reunion looming and Autumn back in their orbit, cracks begin to form. Old memories resurface, feelings long pushed aside refuse to stay buried, and the lies they’ve told to each other and themselves start to unravel. 😮‍💨💭

Set over the course of one emotionally charged summer, this story is about friendship tested, love questioned, and choices that refuse to stay in the past. It’s raw without being overdone, tender without being unrealistic, and deeply human in the way it explores regret, guilt, and the scars we carry long after the wounds have closed. Some scars fade. Others shape who we become forever. 🌊✨

⭐️ If you love:
Emotional, character-driven stories1
Small-town tension
Past secrets + present consequences
Messy friendships and complicated love

Scars of August is reflective, haunting, and beautifully written perfect for readers who love to feel everything. 📖💙

[Lexie Jacobs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh, this book. I don’t typically read romance books. They’re mostly the same. Some have cliche and others are corny. There are different tropes. This one has a cheating scandal. That made it hard to read.

I feel like this book glamorized infidelity, and that’s never okay. Even if it’s with your soulmate, your first love, or your best friend.

It was a very immature, teenage read for characters who are I. Their late 20s. I know cheating can happen at any age but the characters were very immature. The author wrote a lot of eye-rolling, which made it worse.

I can’t stand Jimmy. He’s the sleaze in the book. He even had a history of cheating on his wife, Becca. She even hinted that he has sent flirty texts to other women. That’s a form of micro-cheating. It’s called micro-cheating. Then he sleeps with Autumn, his best friend, who he should have gotten over at some point in the 10 years their friendship ended. And then he strung Autumn along even after everyone in town learned about their affair.

When Jimmy admits to his brother that Becca won’t talk to him after the affair, I scoffed. They weren’t even talking when he was sleeping around with Autumn. Jimmy is delusional. He’s a coward who literally runs away whenever anything gets hard. He’s not boyfriend material let alone husband material.

The “homecoming” 10-year reunion is also an immature move. It seems so juvenile after 10 years. The author must be young.

The format was also weird and inconsistent on my phone. I also noted a couple of spelling and grammatical errors.

Overall, I wouldn’t recommend for a book club. It made me upset while reading it.

[Bibliophile Foodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re a Swiftie, especially a Folklore fan, this book will hit all the right notes. Knowing it was inspired by her Folklore album made me even more curious.

A tangled, emotional story that felt so real and raw. The characters are messy, flawed, and complicated, and that’s exactly what made them feel human.

Autumn and Jimmy’s connection runs deep. They were childhood best friends, and when Autumn left without warning, it shattered everything. Ten years later, she’s back, and the tension between them is impossible to ignore. But Jimmy is married now, and that’s where things get messy. Watching them navigate their feelings, their past, and the people around them was heartbreaking and frustrating all at once.

I really enjoyed all the Taylor swift references.

I didn’t always agree with their choices. Becca was hard to like at times but I also felt for her. She was trying to hold on to something that was slipping away, and her need for control made sense once you understood her pain.

Will and Kory were standout side characters for me. They added balance and perspective when things got too intense.

The story is told from multiple points of view, which helped me understand each character better. It’s not a clean or easy love story it’s about heartbreak, choices, and the consequences that come with them. The ending wasn’t what I hoped for, but it felt right. It stayed true to the tone of the book.

[Megan Rideout · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️’s

*This was provided to me as an ARC for the upcoming series release on October 24th.*


This book has been on my list since I first heard about it back in March, and was told it was inspired by Taylor Swift's Folklore Album. I never got around to reading it then, and then got the chance to read it now as part of the ARC team for the new edition. It's told in three POV's, and I think this really helps you get to know all sides of the story and everyones perspective.

The story follows Autumn, a freshly graduating Senior from Michigan who's keeping a secret from her family that she's planning on leaving after graduation, a decision which ends up changing the course of her life and has consequences she could not have predicted. The story follows us through those consequences in an unpredictable rollercoaster that tugs on your emotions.

I read the ENTIRE book in one night because once I started, I could not put it down because I needed to know what was going to happen. I cannot wait for this story to continue, because I need more of all of these characters.

If this sounds good to you, here what you can expect from the story:

​🌊 Childhood best friends to lovers
💛 Love triangle
​🌊 Multiple POV
💛 Memories from the past
​🌊 Angst
💛 Reunion
​🌊 Millennial nostalgia
💛 Closed-door romance
​🌊 Based on Folklore by Taylor Swift

[shadowarc13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.” Scars of August. This novel delivers a raw, emotionally charged story that feels deeply authentic. The characters are imperfect, complex, and entirely human, their flaws make them all the more relatable.
Autumn and Jimmy share a profound bond rooted in childhood friendship. When Autumn leaves without warning, their connection is shattered. A decade later, her return reignites unresolved emotions that neither can ignore. Now that Jimmy is married, their renewed connection becomes even more complicated. The novel skillfully portrays the messy intersection of love, loyalty, and regret, making their journey both heartbreaking and captivating.
The inclusion of Taylor Swift references added a fun and clever touch.
The characters decisions were written with empathy and depth. Becca, in particular, was difficult to like at times, yet her pain and need for control felt understandable once her struggles were revealed.
Supporting characters like Will and Kory also stood out, offering balance and perspective when the narrative became especially intense.
Told through multiple points of view, the story allows readers to fully grasp each character’s motivations and emotional complexity. This isn’t a simple love story it’s about heartbreak, choices, and the consequences they bring. The ending felt authentic. 💛

[Desiree Raburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Scars of August by Ashley Pierce
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶

Pub Date: October 24, 2025

If you love:
💛 Childhood friends to lovers
🖤 Nostalgic references throughout
🤫 Secrets and lies
🖤 Multiple POVs
⚠️ Love triangles

Inspired by Taylor Swift's Folklore album, Scars of August is a heart wrenching story of love and loss. 

Told from 3 POVs, the story starts with Autumn and Jimmy. They are childhood best friends, but Autumn leaves for college and doesn't look back.  Jimmy, heartbroken and confused, moves on and marries Becca. 10 years later, Autumn returns to their hometown and throws everything into a tailspin.

The writing was beautiful and emotional. The characters were flawed and felt so real.  The main theme of the book was difficult and not a personal favorite of mine, but Pierce told this story in a way that really pulled at my heartstrings rather than wanting to throw the book at a wall 😅

I truly found myself conflicted on who I was rooting for and how I wanted it to end. I think Pierce ended it the best way possible. 

I'm excited for book 2 in this series that follows Kory. Kory was Autumn's best friend and was supporting character perfection 👌

Thank you to Ashley and Happily Booked PR for the advanced reader copy. All thoughts are my own.

[Holly Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scars of August

Thank you to the author and Happily Booked for an ebook to share my thoughts while reading to you.

What to expect:
🌊 Childhood best friends to lovers
💛 Love triangle
🌊 Multiple POV
💛 aftermath of cheating
🌊 Angst
💛 Three Summers: 2009, 2019 & 2023
🌊 Millennial nostalgia
💛 Closed-door romance
🌊 Based on Folklore by Taylor Swift

Review of my feelings while reading:

10% giddy of all the reminiscing high school friendships, notes and photos

20% shocked that the wife is jealous. Yelling, “Please do not cheat on her!”

27% Oh hell! This behavior is morally wrong. My 🥵 meter is up! ‘What do I do now?’

45% sh#%? 🤐 Autumn!

50% Becca?! What are you hiding too? Seriously this triangle is choking me.

60% Let me just grab a 🪏right quick for Jimmy. He needs to start digging.

75% WTF if this was not an ebook I would have thrown it right now! Did I read the tropes wrong? I’m at the edge of this cliff. What happens now?

90% I’m confused by the lies they are hiding behind. Be adults!

100% Cheating sucks. Don’t kiss your best friend and leave them confused!

[Brandi Augustine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. I enjoyed this story but I am really conflicted. I am not always a fan of love triangles and cheating but this said based on Taylor Swift's Folklore album and had to read.

This is written in 3 POVs and you have Autumn, Jimmy, and Becca.

Jimmy and Autumn have been friends since they were kids. After graduating high school, Autumn surprises Jimmy and everyone and says going to college far away from home. She has her reasons which she doesn't share. After being gone, she doesn't keep in contact with anyone but her girl best friend. She decides to move back home ten years later.

Jimmy and Becca are married and is surprised to hear Autumn moved back. He has always thought of her and when he sees her it's just like back in high school all over again.

Becca, now I wasn’t always a fan of hers but also felt for her. She likes things how she likes them and doesn't really like many people and definitely jealous of Autumn.

So much happens in this and actually wanted to hit Jimmy for both women. Good story just conflicted on ending but think does make sense.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want to feel nostalgic and miss the feel of a high school dance or the carefree lifestyle of living home with your lifelong friends, PLEASE read this.

Inspired by the love triangle of the Folklore album, this story is what would have happened if the characters were 10 years older. And let me tell you, this story is RAW. Pierce has done an amazing job confusing the reader as to who will kiss Jimmy in front of all her stupid friends. One chapter I thought it was one character, and by the next, I thought the opposite.

I found the story to be complex and heart-wrenching while the characters are what I'm calling beautifully toxic. The emotions and actions are so real, and they all act from their heart.

My emotions while reading this were joy for Autumn and nail biting for the whole situation. Then came the tears. I loved it.

I really hope everyone who thinks of reading this book does. I recommend it!!

Thank you, Ashley Pierce and Happily Booked PR, for this ARC opportunity. This honest review has been left voluntarily.

[Lilly S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay objectively this was a good book and it did all the things it set out to do. In part I’m also giving it an extra star because any book that can make me so mad and evoke such an emotional response is doing something. It could also be to do with my own similarities to the storyline that are being triggered but I digress. Also, the bit about Covid could have been left out, I really don’t think it added anything to the story and was just a triggering bit to read for me, I skipped as much of those chapters as I could.
Jimmy and Autumn. Without giving anything away, let me just say I could not hate how this turned out more if I tried. It did seem like wishful thinking for such a miraculous turn of events and change of heart. I truly despise Jimmy and his wishy washy behavior. The man seriously needed a spine. Becca was also easy to hate in all honesty. We started off slow and once things picked up I was hooked but by the end I really wanted to throttle this man and throw my kindle at Becca. I have a lot of words but I think this most tactfully sums up my thoughts.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Folklore inspired? Sign me up!

The way this book sucked me in, and spit me back out is insane. I was so curious how the story would go being inspired by Folklore, and dammit if it did not disappoint. I was engulfed so quickly, and trying everything to read a page here or there over the past 36 hours. The last 20% of the book shattered me. When Autumn comes back after ten years, she ends up reunited with her childhood best friend, whom she has been in love with. Their affair threatens to blow every single thing up in Autumn, Jimmy and Becca’s lives. I kept finding myself just hoping that Jimmy would choose Autumn, but knowing the love triagnle betwen Augustine, James and Betty from Folklore, I should have seen the ending coming. I was in tears multiple times in the last section of the book, but could not stop reading for the life of me. I needed to see how their story ended, even if I wanted to knock some sense into Jimmy.
I can not wait to see what Ashley does with book 2 of the August Series. I adored Kory and am so curious as to how Dom fits into her story!

[Lima · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first read from Ashley, I went into this book blind. I have an ARC read of By Next August (Book 2), and I like to read a whole series in order.

Let me just say. I started reading the first few chapters and had no idea where it was going to go. Then halfway through I did not like it at all. Maybe it’s the whole love triangle thing. All 3 of the characters made decisions and choices that I didn’t agree with.

However, it made me a little more open minded and I put myself in Jimmy’ shoes and wondered what if I loved 2 people at the same time. Or thought I did. Feelings from the past and feelings in the present. It’s so hard to judge. It’s always a what if situation. I didn’t like how Jimmy and Autumn handled it, but Becca was too in her own way.

I took a lot out of this book. People do a lot of things for love or because of love. It’s such a strong feeling and eats you up. I had no clue how this story would end. I didn’t know who Jimmy would choose. I didn’t think it would turn out the way it did. I’m glad that they gave it a chance though.

By Next August (Book 2) releases January 30th, 2026

[My_Books_In_Nooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review of ‘Scars of August’ by Ashley Pierce.

I got to say, this was a bit of an emotional read.
We find ourselves in the story of Autumn and Jimmy.
Autumn moves back to her hometown, and comes across her childhood best friend Jimmy again.
Feelings both of them had from their younger years still linger, and soon they are seeing each other in secret. Because Jimmy is married.
You get to see how the mindset goes on 3 sides of this story while all being entangled in this mess, so it gives you something to think about.
Autumn’s hopeful feelings if a future, Jimmy’s indecisive actions, his wife Becca caught in the middle.
And then alas, did they make the right decision?

It was a smooth read for me, and i kept turning the pages.
A good book that makes you really think twice on mowing the neighbour’s much greener grass🫣
4/5⭐️

[Terri Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love everything Taylor Swift and her music, this is a must read!! Scars of August was written beautifully. The story flows. You won’t get bored with it. There’s always something happening and some type of drama. As an older generation Swiftie, I wasn’t sure if this type of story would hold my attention, but it did! I was lured in just by the gorgeous cover alone and the promise of a Folklore Album vibe. Ashley delivers! From the many Swiftie references including a twist on the main character names, to the sensational plot, this was a terrific and quick read that I couldn’t put down. The story is very realistic and I’m sure a lot of young readers out there can relate to the relationships. What a beautiful book that I now I get to keep on my Swiftie shelf as a souvenir. :)

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is a 4-5.
The plot is a 2-3.

I really struggled to rate this. I wanted to go low because I personally didn’t agree with the plot, but because it was so well-written, my conscience couldn’t allow me to do so.

Autumn and Jimmy. I was hoping that this would be a book with a happy ending after what would be a difficult journey.

I tried. I really tried. But unrequited love and an unhappy marriage are one thing.
Starting an affair and romanticising it are another.
Unfortunately, this book was the latter, and that was disappointing, to say the least.

The book itself was well-written, but the plot really let me down which threw my enjoyment of the book. I found myself having to put it down repeatedly to cool off, after getting a bit rage-y.

[Linsey Toney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scars of August is a great read. Now Please read the trigger warnings because honestly this book isn't for everyone it does talk about affair. I know that is a touchy subject and some people hate reading about it or just have trauma from living through it. It that or the other possible triggers listed don't effect you then I would recommend giving this book a shot. Honestly IDK if I'm missing something why the reviews are so low but that's ok we are all intitled to our own opinions. I loved the book and personally can't wait to read book two when it comes out. I think this book was written well. I don't agree with affairs but they do happen so I feel it's could be relatable to some readers. If that's not something you can get past then this isn't the book for you.

[De Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good read. It’s definitely a love/hate relationship. I love it. And it also makes me angry and want to cry. But that’s just from great writing and a good story. It pulls at your heartstrings - every single one multiple times. The story is well written to the point I had a hard time getting past some of the characters actions. The multiple POV gives us a more well rounded view of the events happening. And this author doesn’t shy away from showing the consequences of characters actions. Nor are the vulnerabilities of characters brushed aside. This book was complicated and raw. The characters felt real and genuine. There’s so much that happens and I just cannot wait for the next book to come out so I can see what comes next from this author.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had so many emotions reading this book! While I’m pretty anti-affair I was cheering for Jimmy and Autumn. I knew they needed to finish what they started in high school. Becca played a huge part in not allowing that to finish. But as the story went on I felt for Becca more and more. By the last third of the book, Jimmy became public enemy number one for me. Autumn and Becca both deserved so much more. I was a bit annoyed on how the whole affair came to an end. Autumn made herself look foolish with the choices she made. The book’s conclusion was nice and I also enjoyed getting to see how everyone ended up in the end. This was an over all enjoyable and quick read.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in the August series.
It was a fantastic storyline with strong characters. Autumn and Jimmy being best friends since childhood Sharing everything together. They fall in love slept together twice but Jimmy acts weird afterwards. Makes autumn leave for an out of state college. Fews years later she returned finding Jimmy married to Becca on the surface their marriage seems strong. But I don't want to spoil the story by telling you more. One can see the personalities of each other the characters show through. Their struggles, pain heartache. This is a fast pace storyline that will leave you wanting to read more. Great start to the series.