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Renascence: Bloodlines: Book One
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2026
About the author
J. Elle Ross
7 books10 followersJ. Elle Ross writes from Southern California, where she lives with her husband, three loyal dogs, an ever-multiplying flock of chickens, and two turkeys who are definitely on borrowed time.
A NICU nurse by night and storyteller by day, she finds balance in tending her garden, scribbling in notebooks, and sneaking in too many movies and TV binges. Her four children are grown, but her imagination has only grown wilder—and she’s determined to chase every story that insists on being told.
A NICU nurse by night and storyteller by day, she finds balance in tending her garden, scribbling in notebooks, and sneaking in too many movies and TV binges. Her four children are grown, but her imagination has only grown wilder—and she’s determined to chase every story that insists on being told.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
July 18, 2026
Renascence by J. Elle Ross is the kind of book that pulls you in from the very first page and refuses to let go. From start to finish, I was completely invested in both the story and its characters.
One of my favourite aspects of the book was how easy it was to connect with every member of the family. Their bond, resilience, and unwavering determination to stand together through unimaginable circumstances made them incredibly compelling and easy to root for.
Emotionally, this book really put me through the wringer. It tackles some incredibly difficult subjects, including abduction, sexual assault, grooming, and medical trauma. These themes are handled in a way that made me deeply feel the characters' pain and struggles, making for an intense and emotional reading experience.
I also have to mention Bramble, the dog, who completely stole my heart. Seeing how deeply he loved his family, sensing their pain and heartbreak, yet remaining fiercely protective no matter the cost, was both beautiful and heartbreaking. He quickly became one of my favourite characters.
The fantasy elements added another layer that I thoroughly enjoyed, especially the discoveries surrounding the family's bloodlines. It blended well with the emotional and suspenseful storyline and left me eager to learn more.
As the first book in a series, it doesn't offer much closure. The story leaves you with plenty of unanswered questions and a cliffhanger that sets up the next instalment. That said, I'm already looking forward to reading the sequel as soon as it's released because I need to know what happens next!
One of my favourite aspects of the book was how easy it was to connect with every member of the family. Their bond, resilience, and unwavering determination to stand together through unimaginable circumstances made them incredibly compelling and easy to root for.
Emotionally, this book really put me through the wringer. It tackles some incredibly difficult subjects, including abduction, sexual assault, grooming, and medical trauma. These themes are handled in a way that made me deeply feel the characters' pain and struggles, making for an intense and emotional reading experience.
I also have to mention Bramble, the dog, who completely stole my heart. Seeing how deeply he loved his family, sensing their pain and heartbreak, yet remaining fiercely protective no matter the cost, was both beautiful and heartbreaking. He quickly became one of my favourite characters.
The fantasy elements added another layer that I thoroughly enjoyed, especially the discoveries surrounding the family's bloodlines. It blended well with the emotional and suspenseful storyline and left me eager to learn more.
As the first book in a series, it doesn't offer much closure. The story leaves you with plenty of unanswered questions and a cliffhanger that sets up the next instalment. That said, I'm already looking forward to reading the sequel as soon as it's released because I need to know what happens next!
June 1, 2026
“She wasn’t waiting for a reckoning. She was becoming it.”
The definition of renascence is revival, rebirth, and awakening…and both the title and this quote perfectly capture the heart of this novel.
From the very first page, the story pulls you in with multiple character perspectives. At first, it’s unclear how the two main FMC perspectives will intersect, but the way their stories gradually converge is brilliantly executed. What begins as a slow unraveling soon accelerates into a gripping, fast-paced journey that is impossible to put down.
This book was an incredible surprise. It blends suspense, thriller elements, fantasy, and powerful themes of feminine rage. Most compelling of all is its portrayal of women finding strength, resilience, and purpose in the aftermath of unimaginable hardships. Watching these characters rise above the darkness and reclaim their power made for an impactful read.
Engaging, thought-provoking, and emotionally satisfying, this was a fantastic read from start to finish. I absolutely loved it and am eagerly looking forward to continuing the series.
The definition of renascence is revival, rebirth, and awakening…and both the title and this quote perfectly capture the heart of this novel.
From the very first page, the story pulls you in with multiple character perspectives. At first, it’s unclear how the two main FMC perspectives will intersect, but the way their stories gradually converge is brilliantly executed. What begins as a slow unraveling soon accelerates into a gripping, fast-paced journey that is impossible to put down.
This book was an incredible surprise. It blends suspense, thriller elements, fantasy, and powerful themes of feminine rage. Most compelling of all is its portrayal of women finding strength, resilience, and purpose in the aftermath of unimaginable hardships. Watching these characters rise above the darkness and reclaim their power made for an impactful read.
Engaging, thought-provoking, and emotionally satisfying, this was a fantastic read from start to finish. I absolutely loved it and am eagerly looking forward to continuing the series.
June 22, 2026
I ate this book up. As a nurse, I'm a sucker for a nurse's point of view, chapter one pulled me right in.
The first half of this book, I feel was a buildup of what's to come. The second half, omg, I could not put this book down.
Imagining discovering at the age of forty, your bloodline contains magic and your magic is awakening, then it's interrupted when tragedy strikes your daughter and your niece.
Trauma, suspense, family secrets, and the desire for revenge!
By the end of the book I found myself so invested in these women and wanting to go on this journey with them.
I can not wait for book two!!
The first half of this book, I feel was a buildup of what's to come. The second half, omg, I could not put this book down.
Imagining discovering at the age of forty, your bloodline contains magic and your magic is awakening, then it's interrupted when tragedy strikes your daughter and your niece.
Trauma, suspense, family secrets, and the desire for revenge!
By the end of the book I found myself so invested in these women and wanting to go on this journey with them.
I can not wait for book two!!
June 17, 2026
3.75⭐️ This story was very engaging and interesting especially the witchcraft but I did struggle a bit with the miscommunication throughout the book, if they would have just spoke like adults most of the events that happened wouldn’t have happened and it was frustrating me a bit. This book is very character driven and felt like a dark drama TV show if that makes sense lol (in a good way) this definitely got darker than I expected so I would recommend to check TW. The writing I felt was so easy to read, I found myself flying through it. I will be continuing the series 🙂
June 16, 2026
The beginning of the book was a slow start. And I wasn’t sure if this was a romance novel? A magical and/or a witchy book? Well, it’s that and then some! The story then spirals into a lot of action! A sprinkle of magic is needed to fight the evil deeds of an organized crime! In addition, I enjoyed the Scotland and Costa Rican heritage/culture mentioned throughout the book. I’m usually not a series reader. But I was left wanting to know more about the Ortega - Reynolds family. And I look forward to reading the books that follow.
March 24, 2026
I read this book in one day, from the beginning to the end. It was nice to read about a woman finding her magical powers at a later age instead of teenagers. The struggles of being in a marriage where love has gone cold, trying to hold the family together and then tragedy strikes and her magic is needed to save her family. I was captivated to the last sentence.
I can’t wait to read the next books.
I can’t wait to read the next books.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Renascence follows Cataleya, who thought her biggest problems were burnout, a failing marriage, and turning forty - until she uncovers an ancient truth buried in her bloodline. Her Awakening is interrupted when violence finds her daughter and niece. With justice just out of reach, Cataleya and her sister Salvia embrace their primal inheritance to protect their family. In a world where silence shields predators and women are told to endure, Cataleya learns that rage can be empowering, and true power isn’t a curse, but a gift. A gift that comes with a price, and hers may cost more than she can pay.
Renascence is a haunting, intimate, and beautifully ethereal novel that captivated me from the very first page. I read it in one sitting because I genuinely could not put it down.
Told through three perspectives, the story is undeniably character-driven, with each perspective adding depth, tension, and emotional weight to the narrative. Cat was a standout for me. She was a formidable protagonist, and I was captivated watching her awakening unfold. Every character is written with such depth and skill, though, that before you know it you’re lost in the pages with them.
The narrative is powerful, emotional, and transformative, with the prose often bordering poetic. I loved the witchy vibes woven throughout the story, as well as the feminine rage running beneath it. Watching the characters reclaim their power through strength, resilience, and a refusal to remain silent was exhilarating, suspenseful, and at times almost otherworldly.
Books like this remind me why I love reading - I was completely immersed in the story and swallowed whole by its atmosphere, and that’s a testament to J. Elle Ross’s incredible talent as an author.
Renascence is the first in a planned four‑book series, and I can’t wait for the next book. Also, how stunning is the cover?!
Thank you so much to J. Elle Ross for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.
Renascence is a haunting, intimate, and beautifully ethereal novel that captivated me from the very first page. I read it in one sitting because I genuinely could not put it down.
Told through three perspectives, the story is undeniably character-driven, with each perspective adding depth, tension, and emotional weight to the narrative. Cat was a standout for me. She was a formidable protagonist, and I was captivated watching her awakening unfold. Every character is written with such depth and skill, though, that before you know it you’re lost in the pages with them.
The narrative is powerful, emotional, and transformative, with the prose often bordering poetic. I loved the witchy vibes woven throughout the story, as well as the feminine rage running beneath it. Watching the characters reclaim their power through strength, resilience, and a refusal to remain silent was exhilarating, suspenseful, and at times almost otherworldly.
Books like this remind me why I love reading - I was completely immersed in the story and swallowed whole by its atmosphere, and that’s a testament to J. Elle Ross’s incredible talent as an author.
Renascence is the first in a planned four‑book series, and I can’t wait for the next book. Also, how stunning is the cover?!
Thank you so much to J. Elle Ross for sending me this copy to read and review. My opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Buy this book! It’s so good I can’t wait for the next one. As a woman in her mid forties, I identified with the main character, Cataleya. Then you find out she’s a total bad@$$. The story perfectly crafts together a cast of characters that feel all too real and recognizable with the kind of amazing experience and revelation we all secretly wish we could have. It’s well written and captivating. I also read the authors book, “Someone Who Knows” and was really looking forward to this one. It fulfilled and exceeded expectations.
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March 13, 2026I really wanted to like this, but it felt more like a lecture than a story. The premise of a 40-year-old nurse discovering magic sounded unique, but the plot was bogged down by heavy-handed messaging and a lot of "telling" rather than "showing." The characters were hard to connect with, and the tone felt overly bleak without much payoff. It felt less like psychological suspense and more like a frustrating slog.
Review of advance copy received from Author
🌿💙 Book Review 💙🌿
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Renascence
Book 1: Bloodlines
Expected June 21, 2026
There’s something quietly powerful about this story, like standing at the edge of deep water and knowing there’s more beneath the surface than you can see.
The book is layered with emotion, mystery, and a sense of transformation that unfolds slowly but beautifully. The writing has a soft, almost dreamlike quality, while still pulling you into the weight of the characters’ secrets and struggles. It’s introspective without feeling heavy, and intriguing without losing its emotional core.
It’s a story that feels both intimate and a little haunting in the best way.
Thank you to @j.ellerossbooks for this book
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Renascence
Book 1: Bloodlines
Expected June 21, 2026
There’s something quietly powerful about this story, like standing at the edge of deep water and knowing there’s more beneath the surface than you can see.
The book is layered with emotion, mystery, and a sense of transformation that unfolds slowly but beautifully. The writing has a soft, almost dreamlike quality, while still pulling you into the weight of the characters’ secrets and struggles. It’s introspective without feeling heavy, and intriguing without losing its emotional core.
It’s a story that feels both intimate and a little haunting in the best way.
Thank you to @j.ellerossbooks for this book
Review of advance copy
Renascence Bloodlines:Book one by J Elle Ross.
Poetic, graceful beginning, dripping with sexual energy.
Two cousins the very best of friends an unbreakable bond.
Two sisters, who take on what could eventually break them. United in love, yet stronger in revenge.
A family so strong yet powers beyond their control could tear them apart forever.
You can never undo what has been done.
A powerful page turner
Poetic, graceful beginning, dripping with sexual energy.
Two cousins the very best of friends an unbreakable bond.
Two sisters, who take on what could eventually break them. United in love, yet stronger in revenge.
A family so strong yet powers beyond their control could tear them apart forever.
You can never undo what has been done.
A powerful page turner
Review of advance copy received from Author
I loved reading this book, not only for the mysterious, witchy vibes that made you want to keep turning the page, but mainly for the strong and unique characters. The variety of personalities and relationships explored in the book makes you immediately feel connected to the Ortega-Reynolds family and invested in their journeys. Definitely recommend for an emotional and exciting adventure!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews