Karla & Ash

Chances #3

by Brittainy C. Cherry

The highly anticipated third book in the Chances series by USA Today bestselling author Brittainy Cherry.

Since her mother's death a year ago, Karla East feels as though life has forgotten her. Every day passes in emptiness—until a quiet morning in the cemetery changes everything. There she meets the boy with the saddest eyes she's ever seen. The boy whose silence speaks louder than words. In his grief, Karla recognizes a pain so similar to her own that it sparks something she thought she'd hope. And for the first time in a long time, she Can two broken hearts create a new beginning? Is it truly possible to learn to live again when you believe you've lost everything?

448 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 14, 2026

Reviews

[Betül · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Erica Escobar · Rating 5 out of 5]

24 hours.

That’s how long it took me to read this book. To say I was hooked would be an understatement.

This emotional second-chance romance between childhood best friends completely captured my heart! Brittainy Cherry once again delivered a beautifully layered story filled with grief, healing, love, and the lasting impact of trauma and connection.

From the very first chapter, I was fully invested in these characters and their journey. The pacing allowed every emotional moment to truly land, and I felt completely immersed in both the heartbreak and the hope woven throughout the story. The chemistry between the characters felt authentic, raw, and deeply emotional, making their relationship impossible not to root for.

What stood out most to me was how realistically the story explored grief and loneliness while still offering moments of warmth, healing, and beauty. I cried more times than I can count, but every emotional moment felt earned and meaningful. Brittainy Cherry has such a talent for writing stories that make readers feel everything alongside her characters.

If you’re a fan of emotional, character-driven romances with strong emotional depth and healing themes, you will absolutely love this book! And if you enjoy stories that balance heartbreak with hope and leave a lasting emotional impact, I cannot recommend this enough!

This book reminded me exactly why Brittainy Cherry remains an automatic-buy author for me, and I know these characters will stay with me for a very long time. ❤️‍🩹

I cannot express how grateful I am to have been accepted an ARC copy ❤️ I cannot wait to add the physical copy to my collection! July can’t come fast enough!

⭐ Rating: 5/5
🌶️ Spice: 0.5/5
😭 Tears: 4/5

💕 Tropes: Second chance, childhood best friends, emotional romance, grief/healing

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karla & Ash broke me and then put my heart back together. While this book does center around grief and depression, it is also a story about the healing power of love and showing up for the people you love. I absolutely loved how Ash showed up for Karla in high school and I love how Karla showed up for Ash after he came back into her life nearly a decade later.

What broke the most in this book was the bullying that Karla experienced by her so-called friends and classmates. The fact that not one of her friends helped her was absolutely heartbreaking and I hated them for it. It was a great reminder that kindness goes a long way during our high school years.

Highly recommend this book to readers who enjoy friends to lovers and second chance romance. Also recommend this to readers who enjoy stories about grief and trauma and the way people heal from past hurts.

Thank you Lyx Books for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Brittany Selken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank so much to NetGalley for letting me review an early copy of this book.

This is another five star book for me. This whole series being a five star. I love how this story was about one of the characters daughters and how she handle everything though out her life. This book would make your cry because of the event that had taken place but there is also happy tears too she find someone that breaks her out her dark world and he help out through the pain that he went through too. I love everything about this story and more. This author wrote about topic that most people will not touch on but she did in the lost beautiful way it will bring tears to your eyes. I love the ending because through the pain and sadness they found their way back to each other.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to read the third book in this series, and it didn't disappoint. I was so excited when I realized Karla was getting her story, and like every other book in this series, it was a heavy read. Karla was in an accident that left her scarred, and everyone is mean to her at school. Enter Ash, a mysterious boy with secrets and grief of his own. They start a friendship, which turns into more feelings. Then, tragedy strikes again. The next thing you know, it is 9 years later, and the characters meet again. I loved seeing the growth in tue characters. Ash is so sweet. This is a definite 5 star read for me.

[Grace Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karla & Ash. The final installment in the Chances series. Seriously, if you haven’t read books 1 & 2 you are MISSING OUT, these books rock. 9% of the way in I was sobbing…at work…with a very concerned looking manager watching me. If you are looking for an absolutely killer book series with only a little bit of spice that follows the most lovable characters ever, then you must read the Chances series. Brittainy Cherry is a freaking literary genius.

[Alyssa Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that will pull you in emotionally as soon as you start reading it. Brittainy Cherry has a way with words especially when talking about such sensitive topics. I felt everything that both Karla and Ash felt. This wasn’t a book to be sunshine and rainbows but the hard truth of what some individuals go through especially dealing with death.

[Hailey✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to LYX and NetGalley for the ARC!

I devoured this book from beginning to end. I absolutely love this series, and getting to revisit Karla felt so special. She is such a beautifully written character with so much depth, vulnerability and strength, and I found her story relatable in so many ways.

I also really loved Ash. The relationship dynamics, emotional growth and healing throughout the story felt so authentic and heartfelt. Brittainy Cherry has such a talent for writing grief and love in a way that feels raw, real and deeply human. I especially appreciated how the story showed that grief affects everyone differently and that healing is never the same person to person.

This book completely pulled me in emotionally, just like the rest of the series. Brittainy Cherry truly does it again. I honestly wish I could keep reading books from this world forever.

[Sydney Wilder · Rating 3 out of 5]

RTC

[bryanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come— amazing in every way

[Jazisunray Skillern · Rating 5 out of 5]

What makes this novel shine is its authentic portrayal of grief and the tentative steps toward hope. Karla and the boy with the sad eyes are both broken by their own tragedies, yet their connection is rendered with such tenderness that it feels entirely genuine. The narrative never rushes their recovery, allowing space for setbacks, small victories, and the gradual rekindling of hope.

The writing is lyrical and evocative, painting vivid scenes of sorrow, resilience, and ultimately, renewal. Readers will find themselves deeply invested in Karla’s journey, rooting for her as she learns that even the most shattered hearts can find a way to beat again.

This is a poignant, uplifting story about loss, love, and the courage required to begin again. Perfect for anyone who has ever wondered whether healing is possible, and for those who appreciate emotional, character-driven fiction that lingers long after the final page.

Thank you, Edelweiss, Brittainy Cherry, and LYX for this ARC.