What do you think?
Rate this book
Shattered Magic #1
Written In Flesh
Skully Morgan. That is my name and all that I know.
In the darkness, my mind searched for solace.
I had no memories. No recollection of what happened that night on the cliff. When I woke, it was to hostility in the form of a man, claiming he once owned my heart. Madden is as cold and hard as his steel gray gaze. He told me he hated me. Then banished me from my home.
What he didn’t know was the relief that followed. A phantom lightness I couldn’t explain. So I left willingly. I went with my aunt and turned my back on a past that didn’t feel like mine.
Two years later, secrets unravel, and I discover the life I built is not what it seems. I’m dragged back to the town that cast me out, to the family that claims me only when it suits them… and to Madden—the man who now promises to destroy me for daring to return.
He says the magic I wield is dangerous.
He says I’m trouble.
What he doesn’t understand is that I don’t belong to anyone anymore. And the power flowing through my veins is strong enough to fight back.
In the darkness, my mind searched for solace.
I had no memories. No recollection of what happened that night on the cliff. When I woke, it was to hostility in the form of a man, claiming he once owned my heart. Madden is as cold and hard as his steel gray gaze. He told me he hated me. Then banished me from my home.
What he didn’t know was the relief that followed. A phantom lightness I couldn’t explain. So I left willingly. I went with my aunt and turned my back on a past that didn’t feel like mine.
Two years later, secrets unravel, and I discover the life I built is not what it seems. I’m dragged back to the town that cast me out, to the family that claims me only when it suits them… and to Madden—the man who now promises to destroy me for daring to return.
He says the magic I wield is dangerous.
He says I’m trouble.
What he doesn’t understand is that I don’t belong to anyone anymore. And the power flowing through my veins is strong enough to fight back.
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 24, 2026
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
May 1, 2026
Well, that was more than I expect and I was invested from the very beginning. Skully is great and while she may not remember the past 9 months after waking up in the hospital, she will soon figure out that magic is at play. Madden is hot and hot headed, but I'm hoping he redeems himself.
Never liked Lily from the beginning and we know why. Jealousy. She will never be Skully and Madden will never want her the way he is meant to be with Skully even if he's partly or not at all responsible for what happened to Skully. There's still more we don't know.
But darn you cliffy!
Never liked Lily from the beginning and we know why. Jealousy. She will never be Skully and Madden will never want her the way he is meant to be with Skully even if he's partly or not at all responsible for what happened to Skully. There's still more we don't know.
But darn you cliffy!
April 30, 2026
~3.5
Skallan (Skully) Morgan awakens in a hospital room to find her memories of the last year are gone, and for some reason, her soon-to-be stepbrother, Madden, hates her. Can you imagine? Like, you’re hooked up to machines, barely recognizing your dad, and some dude with cheekbones is like, I hate you and oh, btw, you’re banished.
Two years later, her magic, but not her memories, is back, and at her father’s insistence, she returns to River Falls for college. She soon finds that she can’t escape her past, nor can she let go of her connection to Madden. Ashton Brooks does a great job of setting this up, so even though you’re like, dude, he’s a jerk, and you don’t remember him, you get why she still interacts with him.
Written in Flesh is a new adult, dual POV paranormal romance and is book 1 of the new Shattered Magic series. It has all the Vampire Diaries, Legacies, Teen Wolf vibes, and is perfect for folks who love their paranormal romance on a college campus.
While the question of Skully’s memories is the main plot point of book one, Ashton Brooks does a fantastic job of introducing the larger series mysteries. I am looking forward to book 2 this fall, when we get to dive deeper into:
- What is *really* happening in River Falls?
- Why was Skully so different two years ago?
- The real story with Killian.
- What is the magical threat on the horizon?
Written in Flesh does end on a cliff-hanger, but it’s well done as a wrap-up to book one and a launch pad into book 2.
So…why 3.5 stars? I didn’t vibe with the background-heavy style of the first 100 pages. I also thought that while there was a lot of exposition, we really didn’t learn all that much about Skully, the magic system, or the mysteries. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the parts that were detail-heavy; for example, Brooks does an amazing job of ensuring we know what all the characters look like. I wish that if we were getting that much exposition, we were getting details on how all the paranormals worked (didn’t work?) together. The novel really picked up for me when she returned to River Falls, and I was absolutely riveted during the last 30%.
As other reviewers mentioned, I clued in to the villain early, and I really hope it’s a red herring.
Skallan (Skully) Morgan awakens in a hospital room to find her memories of the last year are gone, and for some reason, her soon-to-be stepbrother, Madden, hates her. Can you imagine? Like, you’re hooked up to machines, barely recognizing your dad, and some dude with cheekbones is like, I hate you and oh, btw, you’re banished.
Two years later, her magic, but not her memories, is back, and at her father’s insistence, she returns to River Falls for college. She soon finds that she can’t escape her past, nor can she let go of her connection to Madden. Ashton Brooks does a great job of setting this up, so even though you’re like, dude, he’s a jerk, and you don’t remember him, you get why she still interacts with him.
“If you thought you could run from me, then you haven’t been paying attention, Angel…this goes beyond just a feeling.”
Written in Flesh is a new adult, dual POV paranormal romance and is book 1 of the new Shattered Magic series. It has all the Vampire Diaries, Legacies, Teen Wolf vibes, and is perfect for folks who love their paranormal romance on a college campus.
While the question of Skully’s memories is the main plot point of book one, Ashton Brooks does a fantastic job of introducing the larger series mysteries. I am looking forward to book 2 this fall, when we get to dive deeper into:
- What is *really* happening in River Falls?
- Why was Skully so different two years ago?
- The real story with Killian.
- What is the magical threat on the horizon?
Written in Flesh does end on a cliff-hanger, but it’s well done as a wrap-up to book one and a launch pad into book 2.
So…why 3.5 stars? I didn’t vibe with the background-heavy style of the first 100 pages. I also thought that while there was a lot of exposition, we really didn’t learn all that much about Skully, the magic system, or the mysteries. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the parts that were detail-heavy; for example, Brooks does an amazing job of ensuring we know what all the characters look like. I wish that if we were getting that much exposition, we were getting details on how all the paranormals worked (didn’t work?) together. The novel really picked up for me when she returned to River Falls, and I was absolutely riveted during the last 30%.
As other reviewers mentioned, I clued in to the villain early, and I really hope it’s a red herring.
April 27, 2026
I enjoyed this read, however felt that it was more of an introduction than a story & was really hoping for more to happen by the end than it did 🙈
I was still thoroughly hooked from the off & my intrigue grew the further into the read I got ... I was just hoping for a little more - Or maybe I'm just stunned by the cliff hanger ending 🤭
FMC Skully was fun to read, she was a little fiesty when required & I felt with her memory loss she was literally on a journey to find herself 🖤
MMC Madden was morally questionable, he clearly fell hard for Skully but I still constantly questioned his intentions throughout 💀
The addition of Az, Heath, Aero, Killian & Lily all allowed for various angles of the mystery to be thought about - they were cleverly woven into the plot and each had a part to play. I'm looking forward to seeing their storylines & parts progress in Book 2 ... when we hopefully unfold the lost memories of Skully and the relationships she previously had with them all 🙌
Overall it was a good read full of intrigue, the world build was minimal ... but I loved the paranormal world idea behind everything is real inc reapers, death himself, witches & hell hounds 🖤 There's definitely power at play in this storyline & I'm really looking forward to how it all pans out in Book 2 ✨️
Thanks to the Author Agency for my advance earc 🥰
I was still thoroughly hooked from the off & my intrigue grew the further into the read I got ... I was just hoping for a little more - Or maybe I'm just stunned by the cliff hanger ending 🤭
FMC Skully was fun to read, she was a little fiesty when required & I felt with her memory loss she was literally on a journey to find herself 🖤
MMC Madden was morally questionable, he clearly fell hard for Skully but I still constantly questioned his intentions throughout 💀
The addition of Az, Heath, Aero, Killian & Lily all allowed for various angles of the mystery to be thought about - they were cleverly woven into the plot and each had a part to play. I'm looking forward to seeing their storylines & parts progress in Book 2 ... when we hopefully unfold the lost memories of Skully and the relationships she previously had with them all 🙌
Overall it was a good read full of intrigue, the world build was minimal ... but I loved the paranormal world idea behind everything is real inc reapers, death himself, witches & hell hounds 🖤 There's definitely power at play in this storyline & I'm really looking forward to how it all pans out in Book 2 ✨️
Thanks to the Author Agency for my advance earc 🥰
Read
April 24, 2026I would like to thank The Author agency and Ashton brooks for allowing me opprotunity to read this fantastic book. Written in Flesh is the fist book in the Shattered Magic series by Ashton Brooks.
Tropes included are:
Paranormal Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Amnesia
Found Family
Secret Society
Collegiate Swimming
Touch Her and ☠️
Bully MMC
Slow Burn
Skully wakes up in a hospital with the last 9 months of her memory missing. Her then boyfriend tells her to leave town because he believes that she betrayed him. Fast forward 2 years later and she is summoned by her estranged father to return to River Falls. All Skully wants to do is complete her studies and then vanish. Madden is determined to make Skully pay for what she did 2 years ago and he does not like being ignored. I loved the push and pull between the two characters and learning some of the memories that Skully had. There is a fine line between love and hate and the MMC is realizing that. I recommend this book to people who enjoys a fast paced paranormal romance with mystery and angst. I cannot wait for the next book. This will be a re-read for me.
Tropes included are:
Paranormal Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Amnesia
Found Family
Secret Society
Collegiate Swimming
Touch Her and ☠️
Bully MMC
Slow Burn
Skully wakes up in a hospital with the last 9 months of her memory missing. Her then boyfriend tells her to leave town because he believes that she betrayed him. Fast forward 2 years later and she is summoned by her estranged father to return to River Falls. All Skully wants to do is complete her studies and then vanish. Madden is determined to make Skully pay for what she did 2 years ago and he does not like being ignored. I loved the push and pull between the two characters and learning some of the memories that Skully had. There is a fine line between love and hate and the MMC is realizing that. I recommend this book to people who enjoys a fast paced paranormal romance with mystery and angst. I cannot wait for the next book. This will be a re-read for me.
April 25, 2026
A slow-burn, paranormal, college bully romance, Written in Flesh begins with a mystery as Skully Morgan wakes up in hospital with all memory of the previous nine months gone and at her bedside Madden Danvers who clearly despises her for some reason. From there, the mystery quickly deepens. After being forced by Madden to leave River Falls, Skully moves across the country to live with her aunt, only to discover she hasn’t just lost her memories, her magic is gone too. Two years pass during which time, Skully rebuilds her life, attending school and forming a friendship with Azriel, an angel, while her memories remain buried just out of reach. When something finally resurfaces though, it’s not her memories but her magic. Soon after, she’s summoned back to River Falls, where Madden now reigns supreme at the college there.
Skully is a standout character. She’s strong-willed and refuses to let Madden intimidate her, despite his often petty and vindictive behaviour, especially when he turns the entire college against her. He’s convinced she betrayed him, playing him for a fool, but there are clear hints he may have been misled. Despite their hostility, their chemistry is undeniable, and their constant push-and-pull adds to the tension building between them. As Madden notices how much Skully has changed, cracks start to form in his version of the past, prompting him to question certain events and Skully’s role in them. Their relationship is further complicated by the fact that her father is now engaged to his mother, making them future step-siblings.
Beyond the romance, is a richly developed paranormal world, where the supernatural elements are a major highlight as the story weaves together witches, demons, angels, and reapers, with Skully and Madden both serving as reapers tasked with guarding the gates against demonic threats. However, something is clearly shifting in their world. Rumours abound of a powerful entity known as the Nexa, an almost mythical consciousness said to be seeking a human host to inhabit, and one that Skully’s father is determined to find and control.The world-building is engaging and layered, filled with twists, secrets about Skully’s ancestry, and lingering questions about what really happened the night she nearly died. The plot keeps you guessing, and a dramatic cliffhanger ending delivers a strong final punch. Overall, this is an intriguing and addictive read and the next instalment can’t come soon enough.
Skully is a standout character. She’s strong-willed and refuses to let Madden intimidate her, despite his often petty and vindictive behaviour, especially when he turns the entire college against her. He’s convinced she betrayed him, playing him for a fool, but there are clear hints he may have been misled. Despite their hostility, their chemistry is undeniable, and their constant push-and-pull adds to the tension building between them. As Madden notices how much Skully has changed, cracks start to form in his version of the past, prompting him to question certain events and Skully’s role in them. Their relationship is further complicated by the fact that her father is now engaged to his mother, making them future step-siblings.
Beyond the romance, is a richly developed paranormal world, where the supernatural elements are a major highlight as the story weaves together witches, demons, angels, and reapers, with Skully and Madden both serving as reapers tasked with guarding the gates against demonic threats. However, something is clearly shifting in their world. Rumours abound of a powerful entity known as the Nexa, an almost mythical consciousness said to be seeking a human host to inhabit, and one that Skully’s father is determined to find and control.The world-building is engaging and layered, filled with twists, secrets about Skully’s ancestry, and lingering questions about what really happened the night she nearly died. The plot keeps you guessing, and a dramatic cliffhanger ending delivers a strong final punch. Overall, this is an intriguing and addictive read and the next instalment can’t come soon enough.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🔮Paranormal Romance
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🔒Amnesia
☠️Secret Society
🌊Collegiate Swimming
👑Touch Her & Die
Ashton Brooks took the plunge and brought us rouge readers a dual POV paranormal romance as she gave us "Written In Flesh". This is the first installment of the Shattered Magic series featuring Skully and Madden. The story explains how Skully was in an awful accident where nine months of her memories are gone and she is beside her estranged father and her supposed to be ex boyfriend who is obsessed with her that she feels she loathes because she has no memories of how things really unfolded.
We take the journey of such an emotional and raw storyline but it was written with a fast paced adaptation that left us readers wanting more of Skully's past and to see the side of Madden that explains much of hisdark past BUT i loved it notherless. This is a college time based and the feeling of stress of Skully's studies and living life after losing everything she knew prior to the accident was real. With the understanding of a magic realm being the storyline, it was missing alot more detail but I know in true Ashton fashion in future books we'll read more of it which is why I deducted half a star only.
Moving back to River Falls leaves alot of myatery in its path when she is there and many unanswered questions and thats why the saying when you look at a character development being built in a story, they say "don't judge a book by its cover" has double meaning. The first installment of the Shattered Magic series we read Madden's love and hate feeling towards Skully isn't what only engages you to keep reading and not putting the book down- but the twist and turns keep you also engaged and BADDIES; that ending. I legit threw my kindle and said what.the.eff. Ashton, don't do that again! 🤣 This slow burn is so much more than what we recieved with the Skully and Madden's story and waiting until Fall 2026 to read whats next is going to be brutal. Bow queen, you slayed "Written in Flesh" and entering the paranormal genre.
Thank you Ashton Brooks for the opportunity to be one of your Rouges and recieve an advance readers copy!
🖤Enemies to Lovers
🔒Amnesia
☠️Secret Society
🌊Collegiate Swimming
👑Touch Her & Die
Ashton Brooks took the plunge and brought us rouge readers a dual POV paranormal romance as she gave us "Written In Flesh". This is the first installment of the Shattered Magic series featuring Skully and Madden. The story explains how Skully was in an awful accident where nine months of her memories are gone and she is beside her estranged father and her supposed to be ex boyfriend who is obsessed with her that she feels she loathes because she has no memories of how things really unfolded.
We take the journey of such an emotional and raw storyline but it was written with a fast paced adaptation that left us readers wanting more of Skully's past and to see the side of Madden that explains much of hisdark past BUT i loved it notherless. This is a college time based and the feeling of stress of Skully's studies and living life after losing everything she knew prior to the accident was real. With the understanding of a magic realm being the storyline, it was missing alot more detail but I know in true Ashton fashion in future books we'll read more of it which is why I deducted half a star only.
Moving back to River Falls leaves alot of myatery in its path when she is there and many unanswered questions and thats why the saying when you look at a character development being built in a story, they say "don't judge a book by its cover" has double meaning. The first installment of the Shattered Magic series we read Madden's love and hate feeling towards Skully isn't what only engages you to keep reading and not putting the book down- but the twist and turns keep you also engaged and BADDIES; that ending. I legit threw my kindle and said what.the.eff. Ashton, don't do that again! 🤣 This slow burn is so much more than what we recieved with the Skully and Madden's story and waiting until Fall 2026 to read whats next is going to be brutal. Bow queen, you slayed "Written in Flesh" and entering the paranormal genre.
Thank you Ashton Brooks for the opportunity to be one of your Rouges and recieve an advance readers copy!
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
**Light vs. Darkness!**
*"Written in Flesh"* is the first book in the *Shattered Magic* series and offers a captivating paranormal romance. The story follows Skully, who wakes up with no memory of the last nine months of her life. She learns that she has been in a horrible accident and has been living with her estranged father in River Falls, instead of with her Aunt Lorell, who has now moved to California. Skully is confronted by her ex-boyfriend, Madden, whom she also cannot remember anything about from that time. He bluntly tells her to leave and not to return if she knows what's good for her.
After moving back in with her Aunt for the next two years, Skully tries to start anew while uncovering secrets about her family and grappling with feelings of betrayal and lost memories that linger just beneath the surface. When a power surge prompts her father to call her back to River Falls, Skully has no intention of engaging with people she can't remember. Yet, she feels an undeniable pull towards Madden.
Madden, on the other hand, is determined to make Skully pay for what he perceives as a betrayal of him and his friends. However, he becomes confused upon seeing Skully again; she doesn't look or act like the same girl he knew two years ago. As Madden starts to unlock his own memories, he realizes that things have changed more than he initially thought. This leads him to question who truly betrayed whom in the past as secrets and lies unfold between friends, and powers begin to shift.
Brooks does a fantastic job with character and world-building, along with twists and turns that keep you guessing. In this case, you really can’t judge a book by its cover, as you come to understand that you can trust no one but yourself. The cliffhanger at the end left me with my jaw on the floor, and I can't wait for the next book, as I am now so invested and need answers to all my burning questions.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
*"Written in Flesh"* is the first book in the *Shattered Magic* series and offers a captivating paranormal romance. The story follows Skully, who wakes up with no memory of the last nine months of her life. She learns that she has been in a horrible accident and has been living with her estranged father in River Falls, instead of with her Aunt Lorell, who has now moved to California. Skully is confronted by her ex-boyfriend, Madden, whom she also cannot remember anything about from that time. He bluntly tells her to leave and not to return if she knows what's good for her.
After moving back in with her Aunt for the next two years, Skully tries to start anew while uncovering secrets about her family and grappling with feelings of betrayal and lost memories that linger just beneath the surface. When a power surge prompts her father to call her back to River Falls, Skully has no intention of engaging with people she can't remember. Yet, she feels an undeniable pull towards Madden.
Madden, on the other hand, is determined to make Skully pay for what he perceives as a betrayal of him and his friends. However, he becomes confused upon seeing Skully again; she doesn't look or act like the same girl he knew two years ago. As Madden starts to unlock his own memories, he realizes that things have changed more than he initially thought. This leads him to question who truly betrayed whom in the past as secrets and lies unfold between friends, and powers begin to shift.
Brooks does a fantastic job with character and world-building, along with twists and turns that keep you guessing. In this case, you really can’t judge a book by its cover, as you come to understand that you can trust no one but yourself. The cliffhanger at the end left me with my jaw on the floor, and I can't wait for the next book, as I am now so invested and need answers to all my burning questions.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 14, 2026
One thing I will point out is that Skully went through so much in the beginning, she ends up in an accident and then loses her memories. She Ex boyfriend is a big jerk to her and keeps saying she was a mean person who deserves what she got. Madden needed to stay out of Skully's life because no matter what she said, he never believed her. Losing her memory was the best thing that could have happened to her. She was able to go back to her hometown and get away from all that drama. She aunt seems like the only person that actually cares about her. Her father and his new family treat her like germ or embarrassment that isn't allowed in the family. They were ready to get rid of her at any time. What I found most exciting about this story was about Grim Reaper romances and their lifestyle in the book. She finally is happy again at home with her aunt and hometown she enjoys being in until her father calls for to come back. In my opinion, she should have stayed where she was. That whole town seemed like they were against her when doesn't even remember her past at the moment. Bailey her best friend was the only one who stuck by her and told what she was doing before the accident and also about the nasty rumor about her being a lie. Madden who swears he can't stand her keeps bothering her. They are both a bond that lingers around them. Lilly scares me, she acts all innocent and a victim in front of everyone. Instead is a jealous and vile person when it comes to Skully because she wants Madden for herself when it comes to ruining Skully. And towards the end, Skully will get to gain her memories, I have bad feelings it's going to hurt worse than it did before. I'm hoping to read book two soon. If you like paranormal romances with betrayal, drama, amnesia, grim reaper characters, family drama, and a mystery to Skully's memories. Try reading this book and I believe you will enjoy it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC Review
Tropes:
Soulmates
Amnesia
Bully MMC
Love Triangle(?)
Romantasy
Found family
Paranormal Romance
This book ends on a cliffhanger, so be warned! It was a great world-building read that set up the dynamics between each of the characters. I really enjoyed it.
Skully and Madden used to be lovers, but due to some misunderstandings (we don't know the full details) and events from the past, they broke up. Skully even attempted to take her own life, forgetting the past year of her life. Now, two years later, she's back in River Falls with a mission to finish college and disappear. However, with the mysterious Nexa reappearing, she may be in for more than she bargained for.
The relationship between Skully and Madden is complicated. Both of them have been hurt, but the specifics remain unclear. I appreciated that we learned about Skully's memories alongside her. I’m still in shock over that ending—I can’t imagine how she’ll ever forgive Madden! I'm curious to see how their bond will play a part in their relationship.
I enjoyed the paranormal elements in the story. They were well-explained, though some parts are quite complex and a bit overwhelming. I’m excited to see more of the fantasy aspects as the series continues.
This book was very focused on world-building, and honestly, I’m not sure who I’m rooting for right now 😅. I believe there’s more to the events that happened before, and I’m eager to see how everything unfolds.
Even though I figured out who the "villain" was early on, the suspense and the way everything played out kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat! I need Book 2 NOW!!
While everyone is painting Killian as the bad guy, I actually like him. There’s definitely more to his story, and I’m excited to learn more in the next book!
ARC Review
Tropes:
Soulmates
Amnesia
Bully MMC
Love Triangle(?)
Romantasy
Found family
Paranormal Romance
This book ends on a cliffhanger, so be warned! It was a great world-building read that set up the dynamics between each of the characters. I really enjoyed it.
Skully and Madden used to be lovers, but due to some misunderstandings (we don't know the full details) and events from the past, they broke up. Skully even attempted to take her own life, forgetting the past year of her life. Now, two years later, she's back in River Falls with a mission to finish college and disappear. However, with the mysterious Nexa reappearing, she may be in for more than she bargained for.
The relationship between Skully and Madden is complicated. Both of them have been hurt, but the specifics remain unclear. I appreciated that we learned about Skully's memories alongside her. I’m still in shock over that ending—I can’t imagine how she’ll ever forgive Madden! I'm curious to see how their bond will play a part in their relationship.
I enjoyed the paranormal elements in the story. They were well-explained, though some parts are quite complex and a bit overwhelming. I’m excited to see more of the fantasy aspects as the series continues.
This book was very focused on world-building, and honestly, I’m not sure who I’m rooting for right now 😅. I believe there’s more to the events that happened before, and I’m eager to see how everything unfolds.
Even though I figured out who the "villain" was early on, the suspense and the way everything played out kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat! I need Book 2 NOW!!
While everyone is painting Killian as the bad guy, I actually like him. There’s definitely more to his story, and I’m excited to learn more in the next book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.75 rounded to 5 stars for me.
Skully Morgan is back to the town that cast her out,and the boy who hates her.Still not remembering what happened two years ago,she just want to quietly finish her school without the drama.Madden is not someone to be ignored and if Skully thinks she will not pay for everything she's done two years ago,she can think again.Magic,gates,angels and a guy who hates you,what could go wrong?
It was a great paranormal dark romance that I could not put down.I liked that Skully give as hard back as she gets,ther's no crying or swooning,she meant buisness.Madden was a little bit harder to figure it out,and even in his hate for Skully he could not stay away.This protector one minute,then a raging bull was really working out for him,and even mad he would not hurt Skully.The secondary characters were mostly likable,well mostly,one of them I suspect from the beginning that is deliusional,and I was right.I read this book through the night,and let me tell you even tired as I was I could not fall asleep after I was done,because that ending?I mean author really disturbed my sleep,there's no way it ends this way,and now I have to wait for another book to find out the rest;)I apploud author to twist the plot,break my heart and rage for Skully to get back and kick some ...Well patiently(mostly)waiting for book 2.My first book by this author,and it was a pleasure,will definitely checking out her other books,as her characters are just great.
If you looking for enemies to lovers paranormal romance with the slow burn get this book ,you will not be disappointed.
Thank you The Author Agency and author for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Skully Morgan is back to the town that cast her out,and the boy who hates her.Still not remembering what happened two years ago,she just want to quietly finish her school without the drama.Madden is not someone to be ignored and if Skully thinks she will not pay for everything she's done two years ago,she can think again.Magic,gates,angels and a guy who hates you,what could go wrong?
It was a great paranormal dark romance that I could not put down.I liked that Skully give as hard back as she gets,ther's no crying or swooning,she meant buisness.Madden was a little bit harder to figure it out,and even in his hate for Skully he could not stay away.This protector one minute,then a raging bull was really working out for him,and even mad he would not hurt Skully.The secondary characters were mostly likable,well mostly,one of them I suspect from the beginning that is deliusional,and I was right.I read this book through the night,and let me tell you even tired as I was I could not fall asleep after I was done,because that ending?I mean author really disturbed my sleep,there's no way it ends this way,and now I have to wait for another book to find out the rest;)I apploud author to twist the plot,break my heart and rage for Skully to get back and kick some ...Well patiently(mostly)waiting for book 2.My first book by this author,and it was a pleasure,will definitely checking out her other books,as her characters are just great.
If you looking for enemies to lovers paranormal romance with the slow burn get this book ,you will not be disappointed.
Thank you The Author Agency and author for arc,my review is honest and my own.
Review of advance copy received from Indie Reviewers
Memory loss, paranormal chaos, unresolved tension, and a man who claims to hate the heroine while clearly still being hopelessly drawn to her? Say less.
This first instalment in the Shattered Magic series throws us straight into Skully’s world after a horrific accident leaves her missing nine months of memories. She wakes up beside an estranged father and Madden, the supposed ex-boyfriend who seems equal parts furious with her and unable to stay away. Naturally, I was seated.
The strongest part of this story is the emotional tension. Skully’s frustration, confusion, and desperation to understand what happened feels real, and it gives the whole book an undercurrent of unease. Madden is the perfect storm of love, resentment, secrets, and unresolved feelings. Their push-pull dynamic keeps the pages turning fast.
I also loved how grounded the college setting felt. The stress of assignments, group projects, survival mode scheduling, and trying to function while life is imploding? Extremely believable. Paranormal drama meets uni burnout.
The world itself has so much promise with reapers, witches, angels, demons, and a hidden magical realm. I did want a little more depth and explanation around the magic system in this first book, as it feels like we’re only seeing the edges of something bigger.
And that ending? Rude. Deeply rude. I need answers immediately.
A fast-paced paranormal romance packed with angst, mystery, and characters carrying enough baggage to need excess luggage fees.
This first instalment in the Shattered Magic series throws us straight into Skully’s world after a horrific accident leaves her missing nine months of memories. She wakes up beside an estranged father and Madden, the supposed ex-boyfriend who seems equal parts furious with her and unable to stay away. Naturally, I was seated.
The strongest part of this story is the emotional tension. Skully’s frustration, confusion, and desperation to understand what happened feels real, and it gives the whole book an undercurrent of unease. Madden is the perfect storm of love, resentment, secrets, and unresolved feelings. Their push-pull dynamic keeps the pages turning fast.
I also loved how grounded the college setting felt. The stress of assignments, group projects, survival mode scheduling, and trying to function while life is imploding? Extremely believable. Paranormal drama meets uni burnout.
The world itself has so much promise with reapers, witches, angels, demons, and a hidden magical realm. I did want a little more depth and explanation around the magic system in this first book, as it feels like we’re only seeing the edges of something bigger.
And that ending? Rude. Deeply rude. I need answers immediately.
A fast-paced paranormal romance packed with angst, mystery, and characters carrying enough baggage to need excess luggage fees.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I just finished reading Written In Flesh by Ashton Books and it was amazing, it’s easily a 5 star read. I read it in just over a day because I was completely hooked and couldn’t put it down.
The storyline was so clever and I really liked the MFC Skully and her friendships with Az, Baylee and her Aunt Loreli.
At the start of the story Skully wakes up in hospital with amnesia and can’t remember the previous 9 months. She then ends up going back to living with her Aunt again for the next 2 years.
When she’s eventually forced to return to River Falls - her powerful, estranged Father summons her, life becomes very confusing as she has to face her ex boyfriend and his friends. They all believe she betrayed them when she previously lived in River Falls but she still can’t remember anything from her time with them. There’s a lot of angst, tension, anger and frustration on both sides. There’s also chemistry, steam, secrets and betrayal.
💜 Tropes include ~
✨ Lost Memory
✨ Paranormal Romance
✨ Witches, Angels, Demons & Reapers
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Betrayal
✨ Slow burn & more.
This story has so many twists that keep you guessing and you really don’t know who you can trust.
I loved this story and it’s the first book I’ve read by this author but it definitely won’t be the last.
Be warned though, the ending is brutal. I’ll be counting down the days until book 2 is released. I’m desperate to know what will happen next.
Thank you so much @authorashtonbrooks and @theauthor.agency for my arc, this story really was amazing.
The storyline was so clever and I really liked the MFC Skully and her friendships with Az, Baylee and her Aunt Loreli.
At the start of the story Skully wakes up in hospital with amnesia and can’t remember the previous 9 months. She then ends up going back to living with her Aunt again for the next 2 years.
When she’s eventually forced to return to River Falls - her powerful, estranged Father summons her, life becomes very confusing as she has to face her ex boyfriend and his friends. They all believe she betrayed them when she previously lived in River Falls but she still can’t remember anything from her time with them. There’s a lot of angst, tension, anger and frustration on both sides. There’s also chemistry, steam, secrets and betrayal.
💜 Tropes include ~
✨ Lost Memory
✨ Paranormal Romance
✨ Witches, Angels, Demons & Reapers
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Betrayal
✨ Slow burn & more.
This story has so many twists that keep you guessing and you really don’t know who you can trust.
I loved this story and it’s the first book I’ve read by this author but it definitely won’t be the last.
Be warned though, the ending is brutal. I’ll be counting down the days until book 2 is released. I’m desperate to know what will happen next.
Thank you so much @authorashtonbrooks and @theauthor.agency for my arc, this story really was amazing.
April 25, 2026
I wasn't ready for this book! The way this book grabbed ahold of me and wouldn't let go! I am on the edge of my seat and screaming after that cliffhanger!
Skully wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the last nine months of her life. Not only does she not remember, but she wakes up to people she doesn't know surrounding her. Turns out one of them is her ex and soon to be stepbrother. The rest are her dad, his mom, and younger brother. With no recollection of these people, she goes back to live with her aunt and finds makes a best friend in California and discovers she has magic. Not just any magic but you'll have to read it to find out... When she is forced to return to her father and attend school there she is brought back to everyone that knows her past and her ex. The grudge that Madden is holding is something fierce but without her memory she hasn't a clue what she could have done to upset him so badly. While trying to figure out how to navigate this new life she is also forced to train with Madden and his friends and brother to protect the gate, as reapers do, from any paranoia disturbances. All while trying to figure out more about a great power that may have been released.
If yours looking for a paranormal romance this book is for you! There is hardly any spice in this book so if that's what you need, you won't find it here but if you love the drama, the paranormal world, forbidden romance, bully romance, reapers, demons, witches, and angels this is the book for you!
Skully wakes up in the hospital with no memory of the last nine months of her life. Not only does she not remember, but she wakes up to people she doesn't know surrounding her. Turns out one of them is her ex and soon to be stepbrother. The rest are her dad, his mom, and younger brother. With no recollection of these people, she goes back to live with her aunt and finds makes a best friend in California and discovers she has magic. Not just any magic but you'll have to read it to find out... When she is forced to return to her father and attend school there she is brought back to everyone that knows her past and her ex. The grudge that Madden is holding is something fierce but without her memory she hasn't a clue what she could have done to upset him so badly. While trying to figure out how to navigate this new life she is also forced to train with Madden and his friends and brother to protect the gate, as reapers do, from any paranoia disturbances. All while trying to figure out more about a great power that may have been released.
If yours looking for a paranormal romance this book is for you! There is hardly any spice in this book so if that's what you need, you won't find it here but if you love the drama, the paranormal world, forbidden romance, bully romance, reapers, demons, witches, and angels this is the book for you!
April 28, 2026
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review for Stephanie's Book Reports.
This is the story of Skully and Madden. When Skully wakes up in a hospital bed the last nine months of her life are missing. Madden is her boyfriend, but good grief he is cold as can be and banishes her from town since he is convinced, she betrayed him. She happily went and felt much lighter when she got to where she was discovering her life again. I loved Skully. She is so feisty and spunky when she needs to be and really, she has been treated so unfairly and had no idea why. I felt so bad for her because her family only ever seemed to want her around when it was convenient for them. Now her father is summoning her back to River Falls. All Skully wants to do though is finished her studies and vanish. Then you have her back in Madden's sight. He is still determined to get revenge for what he is convinced she did two years ago. All she wants to do is ignore him like he was never in her life. But Madden is not a guy who is ignored. And that's about all I can tell you. You need to discover the rest for yourself. There is such a push and pull between Skully and Madden that you're going to love. I also was happy to get to learn some of the memories that Skully was missing. This is a book you will not be able to put down. I think it is really hard to put any Ashton Brooks book down really. At the heart of this book though is the lesson to be learned that there is a thin line between love and hate.
This is the story of Skully and Madden. When Skully wakes up in a hospital bed the last nine months of her life are missing. Madden is her boyfriend, but good grief he is cold as can be and banishes her from town since he is convinced, she betrayed him. She happily went and felt much lighter when she got to where she was discovering her life again. I loved Skully. She is so feisty and spunky when she needs to be and really, she has been treated so unfairly and had no idea why. I felt so bad for her because her family only ever seemed to want her around when it was convenient for them. Now her father is summoning her back to River Falls. All Skully wants to do though is finished her studies and vanish. Then you have her back in Madden's sight. He is still determined to get revenge for what he is convinced she did two years ago. All she wants to do is ignore him like he was never in her life. But Madden is not a guy who is ignored. And that's about all I can tell you. You need to discover the rest for yourself. There is such a push and pull between Skully and Madden that you're going to love. I also was happy to get to learn some of the memories that Skully was missing. This is a book you will not be able to put down. I think it is really hard to put any Ashton Brooks book down really. At the heart of this book though is the lesson to be learned that there is a thin line between love and hate.
April 27, 2026
⭐️ 6/5
🔥 6/5
🌶️ 4/5
💧 6/5
Written in Flesh by Ashton Brooks, provided via The Author Agency, is a paranormal romance that blends mystery, emotional tension, and supernatural elements into a compelling start to a series.
The story follows Skulls, who wakes up with nine months of her life missing and is immediately faced with the consequences of actions she can’t remember. When her ex believes she has betrayed him, it sets the tone for a story built on confusion, tension, and unanswered questions.
As the narrative unfolds, the inclusion of magic and paranormal elements adds depth to the story, especially when paired with themes like amnesia, found family, and secret society dynamics. These elements work together to create a layered and engaging plot.
What stands out most is how immersive the story feels. The mystery and emotional tension pull you in quickly, making it difficult to step away once you begin. It’s the kind of book that keeps you invested, especially as more pieces begin to fall into place.
This was also a surprising shift in genre from the author’s previous work, highlighting her versatility and ability to create engaging stories across different styles.
Overall, Written in Flesh is a strong and intriguing start to a series, delivering both emotional depth and a compelling paranormal storyline.
🔥 6/5
🌶️ 4/5
💧 6/5
Written in Flesh by Ashton Brooks, provided via The Author Agency, is a paranormal romance that blends mystery, emotional tension, and supernatural elements into a compelling start to a series.
The story follows Skulls, who wakes up with nine months of her life missing and is immediately faced with the consequences of actions she can’t remember. When her ex believes she has betrayed him, it sets the tone for a story built on confusion, tension, and unanswered questions.
As the narrative unfolds, the inclusion of magic and paranormal elements adds depth to the story, especially when paired with themes like amnesia, found family, and secret society dynamics. These elements work together to create a layered and engaging plot.
What stands out most is how immersive the story feels. The mystery and emotional tension pull you in quickly, making it difficult to step away once you begin. It’s the kind of book that keeps you invested, especially as more pieces begin to fall into place.
This was also a surprising shift in genre from the author’s previous work, highlighting her versatility and ability to create engaging stories across different styles.
Overall, Written in Flesh is a strong and intriguing start to a series, delivering both emotional depth and a compelling paranormal storyline.
Review of advance copy
(Actually 4.5 stars!) This book was good! Thank you to The Author Agency and Ashton Brooks for this amazing ARC! Written In Flesh is a dual POV paranormal romance, and the first in the Shattered Magic duet. It follows Skully, a woman who suffered a terrible accident and lost nine months worth of her memories, and Madden, the man who claims to be her ex-boyfriend and hates her with all his being, not that she can remember.
This book was tense, emotional, and so good! It was well paced and I loved it, but I'm so mad about the ending. I am desperate to know what happens next. I really enjoyed the way Skully was written and I wish we had more glimpses into her past to see how much she changed after her accident. Her frustration at not being able to remember her lost months was palpable. Madden was written perfectly and really shows how love and hate are not far from each other on the emotional spectrum. I felt that Skully's college experience was incredibly accurate. Ashton definitely threw me back to my own uni days where I did nothing but work, study, write essays, and sleep if there was time. I even had issues with group projects similar to Skully's. I would have liked the magic system to be explained more in depth. Besides teleporting, it doesn't seem like the characters actually use magic.
I really enjoyed this book! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. I both love and hate a cliffhanger ending.
4.5 out of 5 stars
1 out of 5 spicy peppers
Memorable line: “I can’t push you away anymore, Angel. Memories or not, I can’t stay away from you. I was never able to, and I don’t give a fuck about trying to or not. You chose me.”
Read this if you like: Paranormal romance, amnesia, cliffhanger, enemies to lovers, fated mates, magic, secret society, touch her and die
F*ck appears: 39 times
Spicy chapters: 24
This book was tense, emotional, and so good! It was well paced and I loved it, but I'm so mad about the ending. I am desperate to know what happens next. I really enjoyed the way Skully was written and I wish we had more glimpses into her past to see how much she changed after her accident. Her frustration at not being able to remember her lost months was palpable. Madden was written perfectly and really shows how love and hate are not far from each other on the emotional spectrum. I felt that Skully's college experience was incredibly accurate. Ashton definitely threw me back to my own uni days where I did nothing but work, study, write essays, and sleep if there was time. I even had issues with group projects similar to Skully's. I would have liked the magic system to be explained more in depth. Besides teleporting, it doesn't seem like the characters actually use magic.
I really enjoyed this book! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book. I both love and hate a cliffhanger ending.
4.5 out of 5 stars
1 out of 5 spicy peppers
Memorable line: “I can’t push you away anymore, Angel. Memories or not, I can’t stay away from you. I was never able to, and I don’t give a fuck about trying to or not. You chose me.”
Read this if you like: Paranormal romance, amnesia, cliffhanger, enemies to lovers, fated mates, magic, secret society, touch her and die
F*ck appears: 39 times
Spicy chapters: 24
Review of advance copy
This is a different genre than I normally read but I love this author so I had to read it and I'm glad I did, it was so good. Skully's story was exciting from the first page to the end. Skully wakes up in a hospital after having an accident with no memory of the last nine months. Also waking up to find a strange guy who states he was her ex boyfriend and her estranged father in her room. The last thing she remembers is living with her aunt because her father didn't want her, now she is being told she has been living with her father and that she is a horrible person. She goes back to live with her aunt to figure out what's going on, and to try to get her memory back. She stays there for awhile until her father summons her back to him. Now the real fun begins with Madden and Skully. He hates her and will do everything to make her life a living h*ll as she is trying to figure out why he hates her. If you love paranormal, suspense, bullying but can't stay away from mfc then this book is for you. I don't want to say too much because this book has a lot of different aspects to it and don't want to ruin it for you. It is intense and I loved every page of it. I highly recommend it and am so excited for the next book.
April 25, 2026
Skully Morgan wakes after an accident with nine months of her life missing. And from the way people act, those months mattered more than anything.
Her stepbrother is the first person she sees, and he tells her to leave and never come back.
With nowhere else to go, she stays with her aunt, where she discovers she has magical powers she needs to learn to control again.
But the answers she needs are still out of reach.
To get her memories back, she must return to where it all began.
What she does not know is that her stepbrother is actually her ex boyfriend. He does not want her, but he will not let anyone else have her either.
This book had everything. Magical powers, bad guys, angels, reapers, and hounds of hell. For a shorter read, it packed so much in.
At 268 pages, it was completely unputdownable. Set in a school environment, it leans into dark academia, which made it even better.
I absolutely loved it and cannot wait for the next book, especially after that cliffhanger… literally.
DARK ACADEMIA
AMNESIA
SLOW BURN
MAGICAL TOWN
LOVERS TO ENEMIES TO LOVERS
SOON TO BE STEP SIBLINGS
TOUCH HER AND D!E
BETRAYAL AND SECRETS
Her stepbrother is the first person she sees, and he tells her to leave and never come back.
With nowhere else to go, she stays with her aunt, where she discovers she has magical powers she needs to learn to control again.
But the answers she needs are still out of reach.
To get her memories back, she must return to where it all began.
What she does not know is that her stepbrother is actually her ex boyfriend. He does not want her, but he will not let anyone else have her either.
This book had everything. Magical powers, bad guys, angels, reapers, and hounds of hell. For a shorter read, it packed so much in.
At 268 pages, it was completely unputdownable. Set in a school environment, it leans into dark academia, which made it even better.
I absolutely loved it and cannot wait for the next book, especially after that cliffhanger… literally.
DARK ACADEMIA
AMNESIA
SLOW BURN
MAGICAL TOWN
LOVERS TO ENEMIES TO LOVERS
SOON TO BE STEP SIBLINGS
TOUCH HER AND D!E
BETRAYAL AND SECRETS
Review of advance copy received from Author
Skully wakes up to find her memories gone and in a room with her estranged father and a man claiming to be her ex boyfriend who hates her. She can remember being happy with her aunt and so she goes away to live with her aunt only to befriend a reaper and then get her magic back.
Some weird things are happening and no one can explain why. Skully is forced to move back to River Falls where things become weirder and some truths begin to unravel. All while her ex boyfriend, Madden, is treating her like the worse person on Earth.
This is a paranormal romance with reapers, witches, angels, and demons. I throughly enjoyed reading this book! It kept me wondering and guessing how the story is going to play out.
Madden has his reasonings for hating Skully even though he is hurt. Things aren’t always as they seem and he only dealt with the situations based on what he thought he knew.
There are so many unanswered questions but we’re going to have to wait for the Fall for them to be answered! Ahhh! Ashton, I can’t believe you left us on that cliffhanger!
Some weird things are happening and no one can explain why. Skully is forced to move back to River Falls where things become weirder and some truths begin to unravel. All while her ex boyfriend, Madden, is treating her like the worse person on Earth.
This is a paranormal romance with reapers, witches, angels, and demons. I throughly enjoyed reading this book! It kept me wondering and guessing how the story is going to play out.
Madden has his reasonings for hating Skully even though he is hurt. Things aren’t always as they seem and he only dealt with the situations based on what he thought he knew.
There are so many unanswered questions but we’re going to have to wait for the Fall for them to be answered! Ahhh! Ashton, I can’t believe you left us on that cliffhanger!
Review of advance copy
I have mixed feelings about this book. It’s the first in a duet. The story is intriguing, with its amnesia trope, magic, dark secrets, and slow-burn paranormal tension, especially the mystery surrounding the Nexa and Skully’s connection to it. The twists kept me curious until the very end, and that ending… a literal cliffhanger in every sense 😭. I enjoyed the plot and atmosphere, but I couldn’t fully connect with Skully; she felt a bit too distant for me. She didn't send the right vibes... (hope that changes in book 2). On the other hand, I really loved Madden. Despite his cold exterior, he felt like the underdog, and I found myself far more drawn to his side of the story, from his friendships and their secrets to his role within the Council. He's so protective of Skully. However, there’s a sense that something is slightly missing, perhaps a deeper emotional connection between the MCs. Still, the foundation is strong, and I’m definitely curious (and a little impatient) to see how everything ends in the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Written in Flesh – Ashton Brooks
First things first… Ashton Brooks, you cannot just leave us hanging like that. You should honestly be a little sorry… because WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?! 😩 October?! I have to wait until October to find out what happens to Scully?! Absolutely not okay.
But also… wow.
This book was not what I expected going in—in the best possible way. It completely blew past my expectations. From the very beginning, I was hooked. Like “ignore everything else in life because I need to know what happens next” kind of hooked. I could not put this down.
Ashton Brooks is a new-to-me author and let me just say… that won’t be the case for long. I will 100% be diving into her backlist because if this is the standard?? I’m in.
This story pulled me in, kept me there, and then had the audacity to leave me emotionally wrecked and desperate for more. Scully’s story has me in a chokehold and I need answers immediately.
Many thanks to the author agency and Ashton Brooks for the ARC—beyond grateful… even if I’m currently suffering waiting for the next book. 😅
Happy Reading
First things first… Ashton Brooks, you cannot just leave us hanging like that. You should honestly be a little sorry… because WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?! 😩 October?! I have to wait until October to find out what happens to Scully?! Absolutely not okay.
But also… wow.
This book was not what I expected going in—in the best possible way. It completely blew past my expectations. From the very beginning, I was hooked. Like “ignore everything else in life because I need to know what happens next” kind of hooked. I could not put this down.
Ashton Brooks is a new-to-me author and let me just say… that won’t be the case for long. I will 100% be diving into her backlist because if this is the standard?? I’m in.
This story pulled me in, kept me there, and then had the audacity to leave me emotionally wrecked and desperate for more. Scully’s story has me in a chokehold and I need answers immediately.
Many thanks to the author agency and Ashton Brooks for the ARC—beyond grateful… even if I’m currently suffering waiting for the next book. 😅
Happy Reading
Review of advance copy received from Author
Excuse me? I am not ok since you asked. I was on the edge and then you swept the rug out from under me Ashton.
This has so many paranormal elements, we have reapers, witches, angels, demons and hell hounds. Skully wakes up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there or what happened. All she knows is there is silver eyed man glowering in the corner who doesn't want her in River Falls. She goes to live in California with her aunt to recover. Soon after she meets an angel, finds her magic, she's summoned to come back home. To a life she doesn't remember, an ex-boyfriend who can't stand her and mysteries that keep you intrigued.
There are so many secrets that need to be uncovered, and I taste betrayal on everyone. I don't trust anyone and neither should Skully. I need Skully to get her memories back like STAT. I have a feeling her world is going to come toppling down. Can't wait to see it unravel and see if any of my hunches are right.
This has so many paranormal elements, we have reapers, witches, angels, demons and hell hounds. Skully wakes up in the hospital with no memory of how she got there or what happened. All she knows is there is silver eyed man glowering in the corner who doesn't want her in River Falls. She goes to live in California with her aunt to recover. Soon after she meets an angel, finds her magic, she's summoned to come back home. To a life she doesn't remember, an ex-boyfriend who can't stand her and mysteries that keep you intrigued.
There are so many secrets that need to be uncovered, and I taste betrayal on everyone. I don't trust anyone and neither should Skully. I need Skully to get her memories back like STAT. I have a feeling her world is going to come toppling down. Can't wait to see it unravel and see if any of my hunches are right.
May 15, 2026
Written in Flesh is book 1 in the Shattered Magic series.
Skully Wakes up after an incident and finds that she has lost her memory of the last 9 months of her life. All that she can remember is the time she lived with her aunt, so she goes back with her aunt to live in California. Here, she befriends Azriel, who Skully thinks is a normal man at first, but learns that he is the angel of death. But it's not long before she gets thrown back to River Falls to live with her father and ex boyfriend/ step brother, Madden, whom she's not getting good vibes from. She feels things for him, but his actions tell her that he feelings may be wrong. Now that she's home though, Madden tries to make her life as difficult as possible.
The whole Madden and Skully relationship is very tense and keeps you hooked to the story. I love the paranormal aspect to the story and the magic system. This story is twisty and does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared for that!
Skully Wakes up after an incident and finds that she has lost her memory of the last 9 months of her life. All that she can remember is the time she lived with her aunt, so she goes back with her aunt to live in California. Here, she befriends Azriel, who Skully thinks is a normal man at first, but learns that he is the angel of death. But it's not long before she gets thrown back to River Falls to live with her father and ex boyfriend/ step brother, Madden, whom she's not getting good vibes from. She feels things for him, but his actions tell her that he feelings may be wrong. Now that she's home though, Madden tries to make her life as difficult as possible.
The whole Madden and Skully relationship is very tense and keeps you hooked to the story. I love the paranormal aspect to the story and the magic system. This story is twisty and does end on a cliffhanger, so be prepared for that!
April 25, 2026
This book was absolutely amazing. I was pulled in to it from the very beginning and never lost my interest in the story. It took me on an intense emotional journey. Everything about this felt so raw and gritty. I felt so hard for Skully and her memory loss. But that pull she feels toward Madden is insane. It’s intense and overwhelming, and I am here for every second of it. Madden questioning his own memories and understanding had me on the edge of my seat. I had to know what was going on between them and with the people around them. There’s so much tension and angst felt throughout this story. The twists and turns we get had me feeling like I was on a rollercoaster that I never wanted to get off of. But that ending had my flabbers fully gasted. I need the next book like right now. For my mental health.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This book was incredible!
Written in Flesh is the first book I’ve read by Ashton Brooks and now I can’t wait to read the next book!
This second chance, enemies to lovers romance was brilliant from start to finish.
Skully Morgan wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of what happened in the last nine months. She only knows that her ex, and soon to be step-brother Madden, is sitting by her bedside ordering her to leave and not to return. She has no clue what she did to deserve his ire.
I loved how interwoven magic, angels, and demons are throughout this book. The book was so mysterious and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire thing.
I loved the secondary character, Azriel, who Skully thinks is just another ordinary guy she strikes up a friendship with randomly. What she doesn’t realise is, Azriel is actually an angel of death and she shouldn’t be able to see him. He’s loyal to Skully and such a much needed light to this story.
Skully’s character is amazing and she is determined to remember what she’s forgotten despite what her jerk of an ex says. The journey that Skully goes on to rediscover her past is so well written and I really enjoyed reading about the secondary characters, her friends from River Falls.
Fair warning, this book ends on one hell of a cliffhanger! I seriously need the second book, like now, to find out what happens next!
Written in Flesh is the first book I’ve read by Ashton Brooks and now I can’t wait to read the next book!
This second chance, enemies to lovers romance was brilliant from start to finish.
Skully Morgan wakes up in the hospital with no recollection of what happened in the last nine months. She only knows that her ex, and soon to be step-brother Madden, is sitting by her bedside ordering her to leave and not to return. She has no clue what she did to deserve his ire.
I loved how interwoven magic, angels, and demons are throughout this book. The book was so mysterious and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat throughout the entire thing.
I loved the secondary character, Azriel, who Skully thinks is just another ordinary guy she strikes up a friendship with randomly. What she doesn’t realise is, Azriel is actually an angel of death and she shouldn’t be able to see him. He’s loyal to Skully and such a much needed light to this story.
Skully’s character is amazing and she is determined to remember what she’s forgotten despite what her jerk of an ex says. The journey that Skully goes on to rediscover her past is so well written and I really enjoyed reading about the secondary characters, her friends from River Falls.
Fair warning, this book ends on one hell of a cliffhanger! I seriously need the second book, like now, to find out what happens next!
April 24, 2026
Written in Flesh is a dual POV paranormal romance and it's the first in the Shattered Magic Duet. Skully is a omen who suffered a terrible accident and lost nine months of her memory. Then there's Madden , the man who claims to be her ex-boyfriend and hates her, not that she remembers him. This book was emotional, tense and really good. I enjoyed the way Skully was written. I wasn't a fan of the ending because now I have to wait for the next book and I'm desperate to know what happens. This is a 1 chili pepper book, so if you're looking for alot of spice this one probably won't be for you. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't try it. I enjoyed it and usually I love my smut won't even lie about that.
April 25, 2026
Thank you to The Author Agency and Ashton Brooks for my revive copy of Written in Flesh.
What can I say except I am dying for book 2 to come out. I loved the dynamics between the FMC and MMC. The tension and conflict were palpable and made even more intense by the added trial of Skully’s amnesia. She knows she and Madden have a past but doesn’t know why he has turned his animosity towards her when there is clearly unresolved physical attraction present. The paranormal elements were subtle but fed into the mysterious circumstances of Skully’s mind altering accident. The romantic tension is well done with a super slow burn. There is a cliffhanger ending that reveals a long held secret but introduces more questions which leads me to my original statement that I cannot wait for book 2.
What can I say except I am dying for book 2 to come out. I loved the dynamics between the FMC and MMC. The tension and conflict were palpable and made even more intense by the added trial of Skully’s amnesia. She knows she and Madden have a past but doesn’t know why he has turned his animosity towards her when there is clearly unresolved physical attraction present. The paranormal elements were subtle but fed into the mysterious circumstances of Skully’s mind altering accident. The romantic tension is well done with a super slow burn. There is a cliffhanger ending that reveals a long held secret but introduces more questions which leads me to my original statement that I cannot wait for book 2.
April 25, 2026
First book in the Shattered Magic series and features Skully and Madden. She wakes up with no recollection of what happened to her, she is missing the last nine months of her life, and an angry ex-boyfriend telling her to leave River Falls.
Madden treats her badly, but it is based upon what he thinks she did which unfortunately is not true. Skully lives with her aunt for two years until her father calls her back to River Falls. She doesn't want to interact at all with people that she doesn't remember. But coming back home, secrets and lies are revealed prompting Madden to realize all is not what it seems to be.
This book has the following:
🫨Amnesia
💕Lovers to 😈Enemies to🔥Lovers
🗡️Betrayal and Secrets
Madden treats her badly, but it is based upon what he thinks she did which unfortunately is not true. Skully lives with her aunt for two years until her father calls her back to River Falls. She doesn't want to interact at all with people that she doesn't remember. But coming back home, secrets and lies are revealed prompting Madden to realize all is not what it seems to be.
This book has the following:
🫨Amnesia
💕Lovers to 😈Enemies to🔥Lovers
🗡️Betrayal and Secrets
April 28, 2026
I absolutely love Ashton Brooks writing! The way she tells her stories just makes me feel like I’m in the book.
Written In Flesh is an enemies to lovers, secret society, touch her and ☠️, pnr that is just magical. I was so captured right from the beginning! the story is so well written, the plot flows nicely, and the characters are just so cravable that you want more! The mystery in this one really had my attention because I wasn’t sure where it was going to go and I loved that. This is just overall a great read in my opinion.
I can’t wait to read more from Ashton Brooks. She will always be one of my immediate one click authors. I definitely recommend this book for others!
Written In Flesh is an enemies to lovers, secret society, touch her and ☠️, pnr that is just magical. I was so captured right from the beginning! the story is so well written, the plot flows nicely, and the characters are just so cravable that you want more! The mystery in this one really had my attention because I wasn’t sure where it was going to go and I loved that. This is just overall a great read in my opinion.
I can’t wait to read more from Ashton Brooks. She will always be one of my immediate one click authors. I definitely recommend this book for others!
May 7, 2026
I was already an Ashton Brooks fan, but this book made me an even bigger fan! Skully Morgan is not your typical teen. When she wakes up in the hospital with a year of her life gone, next to a boy he seems to despise, she goes to California with her aunt to heal. While she might not get her memories back, she does come to learn who and what she is. When she's forced to go back to River Fall two years later, the boy who despises her will learn that the woman she is now is not the same girl she was back then. Book ends on quite the cliff hanger, and leaves you with so many questions!! Miss Brooks, we are going to need the next book ASAP!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews