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Before I Burn
One spark was all it took to turn everything to ash.
Berkley Monroe has spent her life holding herself together—her grief, her loyalty, and the feelings she never dared to voice. After losing her mother, the Calder boys became her constant. Her family. Rowan’s quiet strength. Ronan’s reckless warmth. Emerson’s sharp, dangerous intensity. Together, they were home… until her heart began to want something that didn’t fit the rules she was raised to live by. Because Berk has never loved just one of them.
But love isn’t the only thing smoldering beneath the surface. Powerful fathers pull invisible strings, secrets rot behind polished smiles, and devotion comes at a cost. As lines blur and emotions deepen, Berk is pulled into a world built on control, silence, and violence—one where choosing the wrong people can make her a liability instead of a priority.
What starts as forbidden longing quickly becomes something far more dangerous. In a world ruled by power and secrets, loving too fiercely can be just as deadly as loving the wrong people. And once the fire starts, there’s no guarantee anyone walks away unscathed.
Before I Burn is a slow-burn, emotionally charged reverse harem romance filled with tension, devotion, and found family. It’s about choosing love when it doesn’t fit the rules, protecting what matters at all costs, and standing your ground before everything turns to ash.
If you love dark romance, protective alphas, found family, and a heroine who refuses to choose just one… click now. Before I Burn is Book One of Four in the Ashes of Us series—and once it starts, there’s no going back.
Content This series explores dark and emotionally intense themes, including trauma, violence, and morally gray characters. Full trigger warnings are available in the front matter.
Berkley Monroe has spent her life holding herself together—her grief, her loyalty, and the feelings she never dared to voice. After losing her mother, the Calder boys became her constant. Her family. Rowan’s quiet strength. Ronan’s reckless warmth. Emerson’s sharp, dangerous intensity. Together, they were home… until her heart began to want something that didn’t fit the rules she was raised to live by. Because Berk has never loved just one of them.
But love isn’t the only thing smoldering beneath the surface. Powerful fathers pull invisible strings, secrets rot behind polished smiles, and devotion comes at a cost. As lines blur and emotions deepen, Berk is pulled into a world built on control, silence, and violence—one where choosing the wrong people can make her a liability instead of a priority.
What starts as forbidden longing quickly becomes something far more dangerous. In a world ruled by power and secrets, loving too fiercely can be just as deadly as loving the wrong people. And once the fire starts, there’s no guarantee anyone walks away unscathed.
Before I Burn is a slow-burn, emotionally charged reverse harem romance filled with tension, devotion, and found family. It’s about choosing love when it doesn’t fit the rules, protecting what matters at all costs, and standing your ground before everything turns to ash.
If you love dark romance, protective alphas, found family, and a heroine who refuses to choose just one… click now. Before I Burn is Book One of Four in the Ashes of Us series—and once it starts, there’s no going back.
Content This series explores dark and emotionally intense themes, including trauma, violence, and morally gray characters. Full trigger warnings are available in the front matter.
142 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 4, 2026
9 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews
February 4, 2026
4 stars
Ava Ruin brings us Before I Burn, which is a quick, engrossing and intense read that throws you straight into Berkley Monroe’s messy, emotional world. For a short book, it packs in a lot—grief, loyalty, forbidden feelings, and a whole lot of tension with the Calder boys. Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson each bring something different to Berk’s life, and it’s easy to see why she can’t choose just one. The slow‑burn reverse‑harem works well, giving me that constant simmer without rushing anything.
The darker side of the tale creeps in early. There are powerful families pulling strings, secrets nobody wants to talk about, and a sense that Berk is stepping into something way bigger and more dangerous than she realises. The book gave me that “quiet dread” feeling, where you know, things are going to explode—you just don’t know when.
Because this is the first book in a four‑part series, Ashes of Us by Ava, it’s very much a setup of what’s to come. You get the full emotional atmosphere, a lot of tension, a little danger, a touch of fear, maybe, and then you know there’s a lot more coming. The narrative doesn’t try to wrap everything up neatly, and honestly, that works for the tone of this tale.
If you like dark romance, protective guys, found family vibes, and a heroine who refuses to make herself to fit the rules, this one scratches that itch. It’s short, moody, and full of promise for the rest of the series which I can’t wait to see where it goes.
Ava Ruin brings us Before I Burn, which is a quick, engrossing and intense read that throws you straight into Berkley Monroe’s messy, emotional world. For a short book, it packs in a lot—grief, loyalty, forbidden feelings, and a whole lot of tension with the Calder boys. Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson each bring something different to Berk’s life, and it’s easy to see why she can’t choose just one. The slow‑burn reverse‑harem works well, giving me that constant simmer without rushing anything.
The darker side of the tale creeps in early. There are powerful families pulling strings, secrets nobody wants to talk about, and a sense that Berk is stepping into something way bigger and more dangerous than she realises. The book gave me that “quiet dread” feeling, where you know, things are going to explode—you just don’t know when.
Because this is the first book in a four‑part series, Ashes of Us by Ava, it’s very much a setup of what’s to come. You get the full emotional atmosphere, a lot of tension, a little danger, a touch of fear, maybe, and then you know there’s a lot more coming. The narrative doesn’t try to wrap everything up neatly, and honestly, that works for the tone of this tale.
If you like dark romance, protective guys, found family vibes, and a heroine who refuses to make herself to fit the rules, this one scratches that itch. It’s short, moody, and full of promise for the rest of the series which I can’t wait to see where it goes.
February 23, 2026
4 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Before I Burn is Book 1 of the Ashes of Us series and it sets up the continuation of the series. The story of Berkley, Emerson, Rowan and Ronan...sharing their grief but also their love for each other. When circumstances rock the families to the core, they all become even more of a "tight knit" family, and deep down the love they share with each other....but with power comes secrets, betrayal and some very dark and twisted.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.....definitely recommend!! Please check trigger warnings....
Before I Burn is Book 1 of the Ashes of Us series and it sets up the continuation of the series. The story of Berkley, Emerson, Rowan and Ronan...sharing their grief but also their love for each other. When circumstances rock the families to the core, they all become even more of a "tight knit" family, and deep down the love they share with each other....but with power comes secrets, betrayal and some very dark and twisted.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.....definitely recommend!! Please check trigger warnings....
February 7, 2026
Berkley Monroe's life has changed immensely, the only normalcy is her friend Reign, Rowan, Ronan and Emerson. Her feelings the boys though are growing and she can't help but not want to choose between Rowan, Ronan and Emerson. The feeling is mutual but the pressure from their powerful families is making it difficult and Berkley is not safe but can they keep her protected?
The beginning of what looks to be a must read series for me. Pulled in right away and it kept me turning the pages with not just the romance portion but the hint of suspense that builds as the story goes on. Anxious to read the next one.
The beginning of what looks to be a must read series for me. Pulled in right away and it kept me turning the pages with not just the romance portion but the hint of suspense that builds as the story goes on. Anxious to read the next one.
February 24, 2026
4.5 ⭐️
This is a short novella leading up to a new series, Ashes of Us. There is alot of info in this short book setting the series up. The author did a fantastic job of giving us a good story without us knowing it is alot of background info for the next book.
This book has a little bit of everything in it. It's a slow burn reverse harem, forbidden love, spice and romance, grief, tension, loyalty, secrets, betrayal, danger, a powerful family and so much more.
Check your trigger warnings!
and THAT ending........ can't wait to read the next book.
This is a short novella leading up to a new series, Ashes of Us. There is alot of info in this short book setting the series up. The author did a fantastic job of giving us a good story without us knowing it is alot of background info for the next book.
This book has a little bit of everything in it. It's a slow burn reverse harem, forbidden love, spice and romance, grief, tension, loyalty, secrets, betrayal, danger, a powerful family and so much more.
Check your trigger warnings!
and THAT ending........ can't wait to read the next book.
February 12, 2026
5 out of 5 stars
Before I Burn (Ashes of Us #1) by Ava Ruin
This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I can honestly say it won’t be my last. Before I Burn is the first book in the Ashes of Us Series. And you will need to read this one before you read any of the others that follow this book. This book will take a dark turn, but it is a very good short book. I did wish it was longer because it maybe took an hour for me to read.
Berkley lost her mom and her best friend's mom in the same accident. She watched as the others became closer because of it. They’ve all become like family and a family they love. The boys she’s grown up with that have always been there for her are starting to become more than anything she’s ever wanted. She tells them this after a drunken night changes everything for them: “I’ve wanted you— every one of you— for longer than I can remember. It started small, innocent. Puppy love. But it grew with me. Shifted as I did. And now it’s… craving. Heat. This fire I can’t put out, and honestly? I don’t want to.mIt’s not a cute little crush anymore. It’s… borderline obsession. I think about you constantly. The way you laugh, the way you touch me, the way you look at me when you think I’m not paying attention. I love you. All three of you. And I’m not scared anymore.”
Rowen is one of the softer ones, but underneath it he has it rough. He is always being compared to his brother Ronan, even though they are part of triplets. They’ve always been family, but as life went on things change. Berk is one thing that hasn’t changed at all. He tells her this after she confesses that she loves them: “You’ve always mattered. Always. Long before I understood what any of this meant.”
Emerson is one who is the silent type. He isn't one to say anything to anyone. Unless your name is Berkeley. He says this once everyone is settled in:“No one gets to judge this. No one gets to hurt you for it. We keep it quiet, keep it ours, until the day we’re ready to set the whole damn place on fire for you.”
Ronan is one who doesn't let his feelings be known. One who doesn't let anyone make what he is feeling and Berkeley knows that. He tells her this to her when she comes over to their house: “You were my first everything, Berk. My first crush, my first love, the first person I ever knew I’d give up anything for. That hasn’t changed. It won’t.”
Before I Burn (Ashes of Us #1) by Ava Ruin
This is the first book I’ve read by the author and I can honestly say it won’t be my last. Before I Burn is the first book in the Ashes of Us Series. And you will need to read this one before you read any of the others that follow this book. This book will take a dark turn, but it is a very good short book. I did wish it was longer because it maybe took an hour for me to read.
Berkley lost her mom and her best friend's mom in the same accident. She watched as the others became closer because of it. They’ve all become like family and a family they love. The boys she’s grown up with that have always been there for her are starting to become more than anything she’s ever wanted. She tells them this after a drunken night changes everything for them: “I’ve wanted you— every one of you— for longer than I can remember. It started small, innocent. Puppy love. But it grew with me. Shifted as I did. And now it’s… craving. Heat. This fire I can’t put out, and honestly? I don’t want to.mIt’s not a cute little crush anymore. It’s… borderline obsession. I think about you constantly. The way you laugh, the way you touch me, the way you look at me when you think I’m not paying attention. I love you. All three of you. And I’m not scared anymore.”
Rowen is one of the softer ones, but underneath it he has it rough. He is always being compared to his brother Ronan, even though they are part of triplets. They’ve always been family, but as life went on things change. Berk is one thing that hasn’t changed at all. He tells her this after she confesses that she loves them: “You’ve always mattered. Always. Long before I understood what any of this meant.”
Emerson is one who is the silent type. He isn't one to say anything to anyone. Unless your name is Berkeley. He says this once everyone is settled in:“No one gets to judge this. No one gets to hurt you for it. We keep it quiet, keep it ours, until the day we’re ready to set the whole damn place on fire for you.”
Ronan is one who doesn't let his feelings be known. One who doesn't let anyone make what he is feeling and Berkeley knows that. He tells her this to her when she comes over to their house: “You were my first everything, Berk. My first crush, my first love, the first person I ever knew I’d give up anything for. That hasn’t changed. It won’t.”
February 5, 2026
Before I burn by Ava Ruin
This book was a 4.5 stars out 5 for me
The only thing that was a bit confusing at first was trying to keep everyone's names straight .
This book definitely pulls you in and starts out with a slow simmer then it gets hot!
Ava Ruin has a real talent for storytelling.
I will definitely be reading all the books in this series .
it had so many twists and turns that I wasn't expecting.
When Berkley's father gets a call saying Evelyn Monroe and Daphne Calder were in a car accident .
Reign,Rowan,Ronan &Emerson -Daphne's children,
Everyone's lives will change forever…
Berkley and her father are trying to heal and make time to have a weeknight dinner together each week to talk about school, boys and her bestie Reign .
Berkley is falling for these 3 brothers each and every one
and Reign is her best friend and their sister, since the accident they all are trying to cope in their own way.
They live close to one another and spend a lot of time hanging out in their back yard around the bonfire drinking, talking and flirting.
Each brother has feelings for Berkley and they are trying to find the right time and place to express how they feel and Reign is the navigator through it all even though she is dealing with her controlling father and she is hiding a secret from them.
This book was a 4.5 stars out 5 for me
The only thing that was a bit confusing at first was trying to keep everyone's names straight .
This book definitely pulls you in and starts out with a slow simmer then it gets hot!
Ava Ruin has a real talent for storytelling.
I will definitely be reading all the books in this series .
it had so many twists and turns that I wasn't expecting.
When Berkley's father gets a call saying Evelyn Monroe and Daphne Calder were in a car accident .
Reign,Rowan,Ronan &Emerson -Daphne's children,
Everyone's lives will change forever…
Berkley and her father are trying to heal and make time to have a weeknight dinner together each week to talk about school, boys and her bestie Reign .
Berkley is falling for these 3 brothers each and every one
and Reign is her best friend and their sister, since the accident they all are trying to cope in their own way.
They live close to one another and spend a lot of time hanging out in their back yard around the bonfire drinking, talking and flirting.
Each brother has feelings for Berkley and they are trying to find the right time and place to express how they feel and Reign is the navigator through it all even though she is dealing with her controlling father and she is hiding a secret from them.
February 24, 2026
Before I Burn is the first book in the Ashes of Us series by Ava Ruin, and is a wonderful dark, reverse harem, with a strong heroine & 3 alpha males. Even though this is a short book, just under 150 pages, it packs a punch, leaving you wanting more, and is written with just the perfect amount of romance, loyalty, and suspense.
After the FMC, Berkley's (Berk), mother dies she begins to form her own family with the 3 Calder boys and their sister- they become her very foundation & her everything, that is until she starts to develop more intimate feelings for all three of them. Disaster comes for Berk and threatens to burn her life to the ground. She needs the Calder boys more than ever to help her navigate this threat, and they will happily do anything for her. There is a huge amount of suspense in this book, literally at every moment, they are all one tiny decision and/or action away from everything blowing up. The author does an amazing job at weaving in all of the secrets, power exchanges, and the potentional violent dangers while making sure not to dim the romance, vulnerability, and loyalty within the characters and the plot. The book is most definately a slow burn, and it DOES end in a huge cliffhanger. I cannot wait to read book 2 to see what else is in store for Berk and the 3 Calder boys.
After the FMC, Berkley's (Berk), mother dies she begins to form her own family with the 3 Calder boys and their sister- they become her very foundation & her everything, that is until she starts to develop more intimate feelings for all three of them. Disaster comes for Berk and threatens to burn her life to the ground. She needs the Calder boys more than ever to help her navigate this threat, and they will happily do anything for her. There is a huge amount of suspense in this book, literally at every moment, they are all one tiny decision and/or action away from everything blowing up. The author does an amazing job at weaving in all of the secrets, power exchanges, and the potentional violent dangers while making sure not to dim the romance, vulnerability, and loyalty within the characters and the plot. The book is most definately a slow burn, and it DOES end in a huge cliffhanger. I cannot wait to read book 2 to see what else is in store for Berk and the 3 Calder boys.
February 23, 2026
Before I Burn is the first book in the Ashes of Us series. It is a dark, slow burn reverse harem romance that blends emotional intensity with an undercurrent of danger. The story explores themes of grief, found family, forbidden love, power dynamics, and emotional resilience, all wrapped in a slow building tension that hints at darker truths beneath the surface. The novella follows Berkley Monroe, a girl shaped by tragedy and bound tightly to the powerful Calder family. Her lifelong connection to the Calder siblings, Reign, Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson, evolves into a complicated mix of loyalty, longing, and forbidden desire. Berkley is empathetic, resilient, and quietly fierce, while the Calder brothers each bring their own emotional gravity: protective, brooding, magnetic, and deeply intertwined with her past. Although short in its length, this novella is packed full of chemistry, an atmosphere of quiet dread, and emotional depth. The book contains dark themes, including trauma, violence, and emotional intensity. Full trigger warnings appear in the book’s front matter. Before I Burn is a compelling introduction for readers who enjoy emotionally charged, why choose romances with a haunting edge and sets the stage for a much larger, darker story to come.
February 13, 2026
Before I Burn is a short novella that sets up the Ashes of Us series for the upcoming books. I will recommend that if you’re looking at reading this series, you should read this one first. Check the trigger warnings!
This is a new to me author, and this book is not the usual RH or why choose or slow burn romance of any kind. It’s emotionally unhinged and volatile. It’s definitely one wrong decision made in any direction could quite possibly burn it down.
In this one you first meet Berkley, Reign, Rowen, Ronan and Emerson. You’ll understand the importance of the background they all share. Berkley has been friends with the Calder’s all her life, Reign is her best friend, more like a sister to her. The boys; Rowen, Ronan and Emerson, she’s always had a thing for. At first it was puppy love and affection, now getting older that feeling is evolving with her into more.
All of the characters feel like real people. You can feel the raw, intense emotions in each of them. There were a few moments where my heart was racing and pounding just reading it.
This is a new to me author, and this book is not the usual RH or why choose or slow burn romance of any kind. It’s emotionally unhinged and volatile. It’s definitely one wrong decision made in any direction could quite possibly burn it down.
In this one you first meet Berkley, Reign, Rowen, Ronan and Emerson. You’ll understand the importance of the background they all share. Berkley has been friends with the Calder’s all her life, Reign is her best friend, more like a sister to her. The boys; Rowen, Ronan and Emerson, she’s always had a thing for. At first it was puppy love and affection, now getting older that feeling is evolving with her into more.
All of the characters feel like real people. You can feel the raw, intense emotions in each of them. There were a few moments where my heart was racing and pounding just reading it.
February 17, 2026
Before I Burn felt like a short prequel to what’s leading into a dark series. One that’s twisted & cruel. The characters felt it. They knew something bad was coming and the way the book ended that wasn’t what I was expecting. I did expect a cliffhanger because the pages were disappearing faster than I realized because of the pace of the story.
This book, though short, has some interesting themes. Of course the one I alluded to was an afterthought till the end, which is darkness.
Berkley has a life filled with love; it's just a matter of accepting it. After her mother and her best friend's mother passed away their families were inseparable. It was always her, the triplets(Reign, Ronan, & Rowen) and Emerson. And she knew as she got older she loved all of them. But the guys that love ran deeper than just family friendship. So when Reign lost it and said enough already they need to figure things out, that’s what the 4 of them did.
Leading to some spicy sequences these characters figured things out before the rug was ripped out from under them…
This book, though short, has some interesting themes. Of course the one I alluded to was an afterthought till the end, which is darkness.
Berkley has a life filled with love; it's just a matter of accepting it. After her mother and her best friend's mother passed away their families were inseparable. It was always her, the triplets(Reign, Ronan, & Rowen) and Emerson. And she knew as she got older she loved all of them. But the guys that love ran deeper than just family friendship. So when Reign lost it and said enough already they need to figure things out, that’s what the 4 of them did.
Leading to some spicy sequences these characters figured things out before the rug was ripped out from under them…
February 17, 2026
Before I Burn (Ashes of Us Book 1) by Ava Ruin
5 Star Review
Wow! This book grabbed me from the first page and didn’t turn me loose. It just held on and kept shaking up my emotions.
Berkley Monroe is a 17 year old virgin, who is coming to terms with her feelings for not one but three of her male friends. The boys, Ronan, Rowan, and Em are from interesting home lives and are under some nefarious expectations. And her best friend, Reign, becomes a victim to something no one saw coming. This is when the innocence in this story meets the savagery, sending the plot line into an unsettling tailspin.
The writing is easy to read and incredibly creative. The character and their interactions with their everyday lives as well as with each other are carefully designed. The sweet naivety of young love and innocence that is suddenly intense and dangerous was not what I was expecting. This novella is a beginning, jumping off point for so much to come. I cannot wait to read the full length books that are to come.
5 Star Review
Wow! This book grabbed me from the first page and didn’t turn me loose. It just held on and kept shaking up my emotions.
Berkley Monroe is a 17 year old virgin, who is coming to terms with her feelings for not one but three of her male friends. The boys, Ronan, Rowan, and Em are from interesting home lives and are under some nefarious expectations. And her best friend, Reign, becomes a victim to something no one saw coming. This is when the innocence in this story meets the savagery, sending the plot line into an unsettling tailspin.
The writing is easy to read and incredibly creative. The character and their interactions with their everyday lives as well as with each other are carefully designed. The sweet naivety of young love and innocence that is suddenly intense and dangerous was not what I was expecting. This novella is a beginning, jumping off point for so much to come. I cannot wait to read the full length books that are to come.
February 18, 2026
Before I Burn is a short novella setting up the Ashes of Us series, and what a fantastic starter! Being my first book by this author, I really didn’t have any expectations, but Ava Ruin below me out of the water. As I am writing this, I have already ordered the rest of the series to keep reading more.
Packing a heck of a punch, with reverse harem romance, that is slow burn, emotional, and hits all the keys to a fantastic reading experience. Focusing on Berkley “Berk” Monroe, and her connection to Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson, the Calder boys. They have been friends for as long as any of them can remember, but once tragedy strikes Berk, she finds her heart is leading her straight towards the Calders and not just for consoling. When her teenage feelings burst full force into something more, there will be so many changes that will need to happen if this relationship is going to work.
I read this story in one setting and can’t wait to read more. If you are looking for a great setup story with the perfect kindling to start a 5-alarm fire of heat, tension, and romance.
Packing a heck of a punch, with reverse harem romance, that is slow burn, emotional, and hits all the keys to a fantastic reading experience. Focusing on Berkley “Berk” Monroe, and her connection to Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson, the Calder boys. They have been friends for as long as any of them can remember, but once tragedy strikes Berk, she finds her heart is leading her straight towards the Calders and not just for consoling. When her teenage feelings burst full force into something more, there will be so many changes that will need to happen if this relationship is going to work.
I read this story in one setting and can’t wait to read more. If you are looking for a great setup story with the perfect kindling to start a 5-alarm fire of heat, tension, and romance.
February 20, 2026
I just love this cover ! Best 142 pages I’ve read all week 😉
There are trigger warnings though for sensitive readers 🤗
Berkeley is a strong character and holds so much inside that I just wanted to tell her just to let go a little but she’s doing life her way so I could just watch it unfold ….
She’s got her boys though Rowan, Ronan and Emerson are her rocks and her constant in life and yet they’re so different but she’s got feelings for each of them and each play is different role in her life and each fill a different void , this girl wants something that goes against everything ….snd their sister Reign is her best friend 🙈
I tried to forget the age and focus on the character because they’re so real and raw and the emotions had me all over the place and there’s a lot going on
Be warned that the end is mind boggling and it actually left me reeling I know I got way too involved and absorbed into this read but I couldn’t help myself ! I wish it was longer though just so it could lt could draw out a bit 🤷♀️😂🙈
Can’t for more !
There are trigger warnings though for sensitive readers 🤗
Berkeley is a strong character and holds so much inside that I just wanted to tell her just to let go a little but she’s doing life her way so I could just watch it unfold ….
She’s got her boys though Rowan, Ronan and Emerson are her rocks and her constant in life and yet they’re so different but she’s got feelings for each of them and each play is different role in her life and each fill a different void , this girl wants something that goes against everything ….snd their sister Reign is her best friend 🙈
I tried to forget the age and focus on the character because they’re so real and raw and the emotions had me all over the place and there’s a lot going on
Be warned that the end is mind boggling and it actually left me reeling I know I got way too involved and absorbed into this read but I couldn’t help myself ! I wish it was longer though just so it could lt could draw out a bit 🤷♀️😂🙈
Can’t for more !
February 24, 2026
Before I Burn (Ashes of Us Book 1) by Ava Ruin.
4 of 5 Stars.
This is a dark and emotional, slow-burn, reverse harem romance, and I was hooked from page one. After the death of her mother Berkley found a family with the Calder boys, Rowan, Ronan and Emerson. However, when she found herself in love with all three of them, Berk can’t choose just one. What starts as a forbidden longing between the four of them takes a dangerous turn as powerful fathers pull strings, and secrets are kept. Berk soon finds herself in a world ruled by power and built on control, silence and violence. I love that the heroine, Berk does not have to choose between the three men she loves. The chemistry between Berk and the Calder boys sizzles off the page, and I do enjoy a slow-burn romance. This fairly short book took me on an emotional rollercoaster, and there are trigger warnings for the book due to emotionally intense themes. This book has definitely left me wanting more, so I’m pleased this is the start of a new dark romance series!
4 of 5 Stars.
This is a dark and emotional, slow-burn, reverse harem romance, and I was hooked from page one. After the death of her mother Berkley found a family with the Calder boys, Rowan, Ronan and Emerson. However, when she found herself in love with all three of them, Berk can’t choose just one. What starts as a forbidden longing between the four of them takes a dangerous turn as powerful fathers pull strings, and secrets are kept. Berk soon finds herself in a world ruled by power and built on control, silence and violence. I love that the heroine, Berk does not have to choose between the three men she loves. The chemistry between Berk and the Calder boys sizzles off the page, and I do enjoy a slow-burn romance. This fairly short book took me on an emotional rollercoaster, and there are trigger warnings for the book due to emotionally intense themes. This book has definitely left me wanting more, so I’m pleased this is the start of a new dark romance series!
February 24, 2026
I’m not sure how I just finished a book and already want to read it again, but I’m not even going to try and justify it. You don’t want to miss out on this one. I cannot believe how much I loved reading this emotionally intense piece of perfection. The author created an absolute knockout so much so that they’re now on my permanent TBR list. Berkley is a marvelous main character who has been holding herself together for years after losing her mom and basically growing up alongside the Calder boys. Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson each bring something totally different to her world and watching her realize she doesn’t love just one of them is equal parts tender and explosive. The slow-burn tension is so good, like every look and almost-confession feels like it could start a wildfire. I loved the found-family vibes mixed with morally gray characters and that “us against the world” energy. If you’re into intense, emotional, slightly dark romance where the heroine refuses to choose just one guy, you need to put this on your TBR immediately.
February 24, 2026
Berkley Monroe is a young woman on the tail end of her final year before college, she has experienced a lot during this time, but she has always had a very close group of friends to turn to, Rowan, Ronan and Emerson and Reign and to the outside world, that is what they are, friends.
As they have grown up together and plan their futures, Berkley has developed deeper feelings for the three boys that is right, and she loves them each for the differences as well as their similarities, they are all loyal and caring, but they each represent an element of herself and it is the same for each of them and they balance each other perfectly.
Unfortunately for them, society has rules for them and roles for them to play and they don't align in the slightest and also, Berkley doesn't want to alienate Reign in the process, she needs her girls time as well! Will they all learn to love each other and be free, or will they let society, their families and their outdated rules win? This is a slow burn romance where everything is to play for and could be lost at the drop of a hat.
As they have grown up together and plan their futures, Berkley has developed deeper feelings for the three boys that is right, and she loves them each for the differences as well as their similarities, they are all loyal and caring, but they each represent an element of herself and it is the same for each of them and they balance each other perfectly.
Unfortunately for them, society has rules for them and roles for them to play and they don't align in the slightest and also, Berkley doesn't want to alienate Reign in the process, she needs her girls time as well! Will they all learn to love each other and be free, or will they let society, their families and their outdated rules win? This is a slow burn romance where everything is to play for and could be lost at the drop of a hat.
February 7, 2026
Before I Burn by Ava Ruin is a dark, emotionally intense slow-burn romance that explores forbidden desire, loyalty, and the cost of loving outside the lines. At the center is Berkley Monroe, a grieving, guarded heroine whose heart belongs not to one, but to all three Calder brothers, Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson, each offering her something uniquely vital. As secrets fester and power plays threaten their fragile sense of family, Berk is forced to navigate a world of control, danger, and deeply buried truths. Ruin delivers a visceral, tension-filled narrative packed with emotional depth, morally gray dynamics, and a found-family bond that teeters on the edge of love and ruin. Before I Burn sets fire to convention, daring readers to follow its slow, smoldering path into a love story that’s as dangerous as it is unforgettable. Please ensure you read the trigger warnings, know it ends on a cliff hanger, and I am on edge waiting for book 2!
February 10, 2026
Before I Burn by Ava Ruin is my first book by this author, but it will certainly not be my last! Ruin packs quite a punch into a shorter book, the first book of the Ashes of Us Series. This reverse harem style, slow-burn romance is full of so much emotion, tension, secrets, loyalty, and an explosive ending you won't see coming. Before I Burn sets the reader up nicely for the rest of the books in the series. We are introduced to several key characters, including Berkley Monroe, her best friend Reign, Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson. The characters are all realistically flawed, believable, and lovable. The boys are so fiercely protective of and loyal to Reign and Berkley and the two girls are just as unfailingly loyal. There is so much growth and connection between the characters in such a short amount of time, but it was so well-written that I couldn't put it down. I cannot wait for the next book in the Ashes of Us Series!
February 17, 2026
Berkley has had a lot to cope with in her short life and when she lost her mother she was thrust into the lives of the Calder Boys. As they have been her family for so long she has developed a little more than a sisterly crush on them as they each have a element which she loves abut them and collectively together they make a whole.
This whole story is a short read which will have you delving into the world of Berks, Rowan, Ronan and Emerson and the emotional support and romantic side of there relationships with each other.
All the story has a darker theme the story unfolds into a slow burn and emotional tensions are clear as the book grows. With hidden elements from the powerful fathers and the dark secrets they are trying to hide, the whole book is a great thriller to read.
This book is the first in this series and towards the end you can see how the author is setting up the rest of the series, a brilliant first book and can't wait to read the next book.
This whole story is a short read which will have you delving into the world of Berks, Rowan, Ronan and Emerson and the emotional support and romantic side of there relationships with each other.
All the story has a darker theme the story unfolds into a slow burn and emotional tensions are clear as the book grows. With hidden elements from the powerful fathers and the dark secrets they are trying to hide, the whole book is a great thriller to read.
This book is the first in this series and towards the end you can see how the author is setting up the rest of the series, a brilliant first book and can't wait to read the next book.
February 17, 2026
This is the first book in the Ashes of Us Series. This was an interesting read. It is a slow burn romance with twists and turns and a reverse hareem.
I really enjoyed this story and it isn't a long read so I was able to read it in one sitting.
Berkley Monroe has spent a lot time trying to hold everything together in her life. With the death of her mother she finds herself turning towards her 3 friends Rowan, Ronan and Emerson.
As the four of them grow closer feelings start to change from friendship into something more. But how will Berkley choose between the brothers? Does she even have to choose?
But their path to romance won't be easy. Things start to take a dangerous and potentinally violent turn. Does their relationship even stand a chance? With secrets, lies and danger around the corner their love will be tasted and pushed to the limits.
I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read more
I really enjoyed this story and it isn't a long read so I was able to read it in one sitting.
Berkley Monroe has spent a lot time trying to hold everything together in her life. With the death of her mother she finds herself turning towards her 3 friends Rowan, Ronan and Emerson.
As the four of them grow closer feelings start to change from friendship into something more. But how will Berkley choose between the brothers? Does she even have to choose?
But their path to romance won't be easy. Things start to take a dangerous and potentinally violent turn. Does their relationship even stand a chance? With secrets, lies and danger around the corner their love will be tasted and pushed to the limits.
I really enjoyed this and can't wait to read more
February 18, 2026
This was a very quick read for me. I can't wait to read what happens next!! It ends at a great spot leaving you wanting to jump right to the next book in the series. This is book one of four in the Ashes of Us series. And trust me when I say this will hook you in quick! Berkley lost her mother and the Calder boys and their sister became her best friends and the people who helped her though everything. They are her family. But then her heart slowly started wanting more. As they grew together she noticed the boys more. Their actions. Their attraction. They way they were with and around her. Even their sister saw it. But what she thought about her life is all about to change. One huge decision many different outcomes, some dangerous and deadly even. Can the boys come together for Berk? All their worlds are about to be flipped upside down and crumble around them. I can't wait to read book two to see how they try to pick up the pieces and who is left alive!
February 20, 2026
Before I Burn (Ashes of Us Book 1) by Ava Ruin. This is such a fun reverse harem dark romance. Its the story of Berkley who has lost her mom her best friends, Rowan and Ronan(Twins) Emerson their best friend and sister Reign are all there for Berkley. In fact they are all raised together with Reign and Berk being inseparable. The boys always looked out for her so when she starts to have different feelings for them it startles her. As her attraction to each of them grows Reign even notices it. In the middle of it all Berks dad is into some shady business dealings and he is grooming Emerson to take over. Berk likes all the boys for different reasons but when her father makes a deal Berk can't get out of her life takes a dangerous turn. When Reign keeps a very dark secret it can lead to destruction for Berk and Reign. Will the boys be able to keep the girls safe? Such a good dark romance novella that you will devour in a short amount of time.
February 23, 2026
This book is a breathtaking, emotionally charged masterpiece that lingers long after the final page. From the very first spark, the story pulls you into Berkley Monroe’s world of grief, loyalty, and forbidden love, weaving a tale that is both tender and devastating. The Calder boys, Rowan, Ronan, and Emerson, are vividly drawn, each carrying a unique intensity that makes their bond with Berk feel like home, even as desire threatens to unravel everything.
Ava Ruin balances aching vulnerability with sharp suspense, crafting a slow-burn reverse harem romance that is as much about found family and devotion as it is about passion and danger. Secrets, power, and violence simmer beneath the surface, making every choice feel perilous and every emotion unforgettable.
This book is not just a romance,it’s a firestorm of love, loyalty, and resilience. A must-read for anyone who craves tension, heart, and the kind of storytelling that leaves you scorched in the best way.
Ava Ruin balances aching vulnerability with sharp suspense, crafting a slow-burn reverse harem romance that is as much about found family and devotion as it is about passion and danger. Secrets, power, and violence simmer beneath the surface, making every choice feel perilous and every emotion unforgettable.
This book is not just a romance,it’s a firestorm of love, loyalty, and resilience. A must-read for anyone who craves tension, heart, and the kind of storytelling that leaves you scorched in the best way.
February 6, 2026
3.5 Stars
Before I Burn is the first book in the Ashes of Us series by Ava Ruin. It is an emotionally charged, slow-burn reverse harem romance that is as much about love and passion as it is about resilience, loyalty, and the courage to stand your ground even when the world seems set against you.
Berkely has been through quite a lot, and holding everything together for so long has left its mark on her. But when the spark that has been simmering in her heart finally ignites in flames – well things get interesting – if not entirely complicated, angsty, and emotional. Three brothers have her heart – so why choose.
If you love slow-burn romance with high emotional stakes, complex relationships, and a strong sense of loyalty and found family, then you will definitely want to chick this book out.
Happy Reading…
Before I Burn is the first book in the Ashes of Us series by Ava Ruin. It is an emotionally charged, slow-burn reverse harem romance that is as much about love and passion as it is about resilience, loyalty, and the courage to stand your ground even when the world seems set against you.
Berkely has been through quite a lot, and holding everything together for so long has left its mark on her. But when the spark that has been simmering in her heart finally ignites in flames – well things get interesting – if not entirely complicated, angsty, and emotional. Three brothers have her heart – so why choose.
If you love slow-burn romance with high emotional stakes, complex relationships, and a strong sense of loyalty and found family, then you will definitely want to chick this book out.
Happy Reading…
February 11, 2026
Before I Burn by Ava Ruin is not for the faint of heart… and I mean that in the best way. This book is packed with tension so thick you can feel it in every single interaction. The chemistry? Absolutely feral. The angst? Top-tier. The emotional pull? Devastating in all the right ways.
The slow burn (and when it finally ignites 👀) is chef’s kiss. The push and pull between the characters had me gripping my Kindle like it personally offended me. It’s messy, passionate, and completely consuming.
What I loved most is that beneath all that heat, there’s real emotion. The vulnerability, the pain, the longing — it makes the spicy moments hit even harder. This one had me blushing, stressed, and emotionally attached all at once.
If you love intense chemistry, broody tension, and a romance that feels like it might actually burn the world down… add this to your TBR immediately. 🔥🖤📖
The slow burn (and when it finally ignites 👀) is chef’s kiss. The push and pull between the characters had me gripping my Kindle like it personally offended me. It’s messy, passionate, and completely consuming.
What I loved most is that beneath all that heat, there’s real emotion. The vulnerability, the pain, the longing — it makes the spicy moments hit even harder. This one had me blushing, stressed, and emotionally attached all at once.
If you love intense chemistry, broody tension, and a romance that feels like it might actually burn the world down… add this to your TBR immediately. 🔥🖤📖
February 11, 2026
I knew as soon as I read the blurb of this book that I had to read it. There was something about it that caught my attention and I needed to see how the story would play out. As soon as I started reading I was pulled into this book. The characters were so dynamic and intriguing. I loved the fact they were all relatable characters – none of them were perfect which made them so much more real to read about. And the connection between them all was incredible. Their chemistry was so strong, it drew you even further into them.
The story really had me gripped. The fact that it was more of a slow burn book, building up to the rest of the series, just made it more intense to read. It added an extra level to the story that meant I could not put it down. This is a fantastic book that I would highly recommend.
The story really had me gripped. The fact that it was more of a slow burn book, building up to the rest of the series, just made it more intense to read. It added an extra level to the story that meant I could not put it down. This is a fantastic book that I would highly recommend.
February 16, 2026
Before I Burn by Ava Ruin is an amazing book. I have not read a book by this author before, but I have to say WOW! So, you have a great beginning of the book that gives you the history of the main characters. This pulled me in from the start, with the mom’s dying in a car accident together right away I was thinking, was it on purpose. Then I kind of let that go as you get into the story of Berkley, Rowan and Ronan (twins), and Emerson, along with Berkley’s best friend Reign who is the twins sister. You get sucked into the love story between Berkley and the boys….all of them. Yes, this is a dark romance. But the twist comes at the end when a dark secret that Reign has been keeping comes out and burns Berkley’s life to the ground. I loved this book and can NOT wait for book 2! I really need to know what happens next.
February 17, 2026
When a book has a build up and you know, you just know the ending is going to wreck you, you must read it. This book is a great start to the series, Ashes of Us. This book OMG, is so good. I could tell there was evil lurking but I just wasn't sure how bad it was going to be.
The main female character, Berkley, is innocent. She is young, carefree and just coming into her feelings. However, that evil I mentioned before is coming for her and her friends. Berk’s best male friends Rowen, Ronan and Emerson are not innocent as they are being taught the family businesses. The guys however are very protective of Berk and her best friend Reign.
This book has trigger warnings at the beginning which should be heeded if you have triggers, I don't and I still felt a certain way. Looking forward to the next in this series!
The main female character, Berkley, is innocent. She is young, carefree and just coming into her feelings. However, that evil I mentioned before is coming for her and her friends. Berk’s best male friends Rowen, Ronan and Emerson are not innocent as they are being taught the family businesses. The guys however are very protective of Berk and her best friend Reign.
This book has trigger warnings at the beginning which should be heeded if you have triggers, I don't and I still felt a certain way. Looking forward to the next in this series!
February 21, 2026
This book was such an emotional slow burn. I loved the found family vibes in this. The connection between Berk and each of the guys felt different and genuine, and you can definitely feel that protective “touch her and die” energy coming from them. There’s also this constant tension throughout the book that makes it feel like everything could fall apart at any second. It’s definitely more focused on emotions, trauma, loyalty, and relationships, so if you’re expecting a ton of action right away, this is more of a build-up kind of story. But that slow burn makes the moments between them hit harder. And that ending? Yeah… I’m going to need book two immediately. If you like dark why-choose romance with protective, morally gray love interests and messy feelings, this one is worth checking out.
February 21, 2026
4 Stars
Before I Burn (Ashes of Us Book 1) By Ava Ruin
Before I Burn is the first book in the Ashes of US series. This is a Dark Romance / Reverse Harem that is packed with drama,secrets, family, loss and so much more. I pretty much devoured this book in one sitting because I simply couldn’t put it down. My emotions were all over the place and you feel the characters pain. This story might have some triggers but if you can push through them it’s totally worth it. The characters are complex, fully developed and creative. They lost their moms same time and now are leaning on each other but there’s definitely some shady stuff happening. I don’t want to give anything away. This is a must read that will definitely leave you wanting more. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book.
Before I Burn (Ashes of Us Book 1) By Ava Ruin
Before I Burn is the first book in the Ashes of US series. This is a Dark Romance / Reverse Harem that is packed with drama,secrets, family, loss and so much more. I pretty much devoured this book in one sitting because I simply couldn’t put it down. My emotions were all over the place and you feel the characters pain. This story might have some triggers but if you can push through them it’s totally worth it. The characters are complex, fully developed and creative. They lost their moms same time and now are leaning on each other but there’s definitely some shady stuff happening. I don’t want to give anything away. This is a must read that will definitely leave you wanting more. I can’t wait to get my hands on the second book.
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