Tides of Grief, Waves of Grace: A Memoir of Sobriety, Scandal, Heartbreak, and Healing

by Ashley Jo

What if strength isn’t about holding everything together but about daring to fall apart and begin again?

In Tides of Grief, Waves of Grace, Ashley Jo shares her raw and unfiltered memoir of surviving loss, addiction, heartbreak, and scandal and discovering the power of grace.

From the outside, Ashley seemed like the picture of a Christian wife, mother, and executive leading a thriving team. But behind the polished surface, she was reeling from unimaginable pain—the death of her son, the collapse of her marriage, and the unraveling of her identity. When her life spun into a scandal no one expected, she spiraled from living with an alcoholic to becoming one herself.

This is the story of a woman who hit rock bottom and learned how to climb out, one choice, one prayer, one moment of honesty at a time. With grit and vulnerability, Ashley reveals the messy truth of healing, what it takes to survive when life feels unlivable, and how to rise again when shame says you can’t.

A memoir of resilience, redemption, and relentless grace, this book is for anyone who has ever felt crushed by loss, defined by mistakes, or convinced their story was over. Ashley’s journey proves it’s never too late to begin again.

264 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 18, 2025

Reviews

[Kaitie Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book had such a grip on my heart.
I honestly couldn't put it down, so much so that my husband even commented,
"That book must be really impacting you; I haven't seen you carry a book around like that in a long time." He was right.
I could feel the emotions radiating off every page. It stirred things in me that I didn't even realize were still sitting under the surface. The writing is absolutely beautiful; raw, honest, and full of courage and intention. The author truly bares her soul, owning her part in each painful moment while still finding redemption and hope by the end.
It's not just a story, it's an emotional experience. I'll be thinking about it for a long time. Highly recommend.

[Lauren Coats · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the most meaningful book I read this year. While I haven’t walked through the same troubles or pain as Ashley, her story deeply resonated with me. She captures those seasons of life when it feels like things can’t possibly go on… and yet, somehow, help and hope still find a way through.

Ashley’s willingness to be so honest and vulnerable is incredibly powerful. By sharing her story, she breaks through the stigma of feeling alone in shame and guilt, and that openness makes the book easy to relate to, even when our struggles or their root causes are different. Her words remind me that pain doesn’t have to look the same to be valid, and that no one is truly alone in their suffering.

This book is inspiring, comforting, sometimes funny and sometimes jaw dropping! But mostly full of grace for others and yourself. I would recommend it to anyone who is struggling, whether or not that struggle involves substance use.

It’s a beautiful reminder that even in the hardest of times and lowest of lows, there is still grace and hope to be found.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is both absolutely gut-wrenching and uplifting. I couldn't seem to keep my eyes dry while reading. While writing of all of the struggles she has faced in her life—addiction, the death of a child, and divorce, among others—Ashley Jo shows that strength, community, and trust in God can be the difference between making or breaking a person. This raw and emotional memoir highlights the resilience of the human spirit and how anybody can overcome and bounce back from life's challenges. After I finished this book, I was left incredibly inspired. I will be holding on to my baby tighter and longer, because every moment is precious.

[Kelsey Vanden Brink · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tides of Grief, Waves of Grace is real, raw, and authentic. I laughed, I cried, and I sat amazed by the strength and determination in Ashley’s story. This is a true story of hope and redemption and a must read for anyone struggling or feeling alone because wherever you’re at, there is hope! Waves of grace will come.

[Murphy Notch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did not want to put this book down!

[Mckenzie Mahal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not put this down! Raw, real, vulnerable, emotional. Beautiful!! I don’t typically like memoirs and this was FANTASTIC!! read it. Read it now. Have your tissues!

[Jen Sevold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gut-wrenching, vulnerable, honest book dealing with addiction, grief, and hope. The writing is heartfelt and authentic, making it easy to connect emotionally with the author’s journey.

[Kaitie Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book had such a grip on my heart.
I honestly couldn't put it down, so much so that my husband even commented,
"That book must be really impacting you; I haven't seen you carry a book around like that in a long time." He was right.
I could feel the emotions radiating off every page. It stirred things in me that I didn't even realize were still sitting under the surface. The writing is absolutely beautiful; raw, honest, and full of courage and intention. The author truly bares her soul, owning her part in each painful moment while still finding redemption and hope by the end.
It's not just a story, it's an emotional experience. I'll be thinking about it for a long time. Highly recommend.

[Alex Konicke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashley’s story grabbed me from the first minute and didn’t let go. Tides of Grief, Waves of Grace is raw, courageous, and beautifully written. Ashley tells her story with honesty, humor, and a boldness that pulls you right in. I especially loved the audiobook — her storytelling shines, and hearing her daughter read the foreword moved me to tears.

Ashley has been through so much, yet she shows up with grit, grace, and unapologetic truth. This memoir is inspiring, relatable, and full of hope. A powerful read from an impressive and resilient author.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raw, honest, real-life! This book will keep you on the edge of your seat, and in need of some tissues but will help you see Gods grace in real modern day humans lives!

[Anne Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brave and unfiltered look at what it means to lose everything and still choose to rise. Through her journey of raw loss and grief, addiction, and betrayal, she discovers the quiet strength of forgiveness and the courage to start again. A moving and inspiring testament to grace, healing and the beauty that can come from even the deepest pain.

[Robin Nipp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book felt a lot like a best friend giving you a raw, unfiltered look at her piece of the human experience. I had some tears and I laughed out loud. I think this book could help a lot of others who are dealing with grief, addiction and/or trying to find their own piece of happiness.

[Julie Dowling · Rating 5 out of 5]

so many emotions throughout this book. The book pulls you in and you never know where the next page will lead you. Grief, addiction, affairs so much content.

[Robyn Hoekstra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tides of Grief, Waves of Grace takes you along on a messy, redemptive journey through child loss and grief, a scandalous affair, the complex depths of addiction, and raw, authentic healing. Ashley’s story is gut wrenching and deeply moving. I literally couldn’t put it down. Ultimately, I think we can all relate to silent suffering on some level. The bravery it took her to tell her deepest, darkest truths on her journey to healing comes across on every single page, and is a special type of courage I think few possess.

This compelling memoir helped me begin to develop a truer understanding of addiction that I wish I never needed, but had possessed years ago. I can only hope it helps me love more like Jesus too.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I needed! Laugh out loud moments and then reading through tears. This is a story everyone should read!