A case brings them together. The past might tear them apart. Book 2 in the Breakridge River Series
Discover this spicy, hot single-dad small-town romance where old heartbreak, dangerous secrets, and undeniable chemistry collide!
Gabriella Beck never expected to see Xander Larson again. Ten years ago, he was the man who stole her heart… and then disappeared from her bed and her life in the middle the night without a trace.
Now Gabbi has built a reputation as one of the DEA’s toughest agents. She doesn’t trust easily, doesn’t give her heart freely and she definitely doesn’t revisit the past. She’s perfectly happy keeping her life focused on her career—until a new investigation sends her to the quiet Colorado town of Breakridge River.
Where the chief of police just happens to be Xander Larson. Xander is no longer the ambitious FBI cadet she loved. He’s the town’s fiercely protective chief of police, single dad, and the last man she ever wanted to see again.
Xander Larson never planned to see Gabbi again. Life took him in a different direction— one that left him raising two kids and protecting the small town he calls home. But when the DEA shows up with questions about criminal activity in Breakridge River, he’s forced to work with the one woman he never forgot.
With late night stakeouts, close quarters, and a few heated arguments, the chemistry between them is ready to burn through the past.
Xander knows he owes Gabbi an explanation for the night he walked away. The problem is, the truth might change everything.
And this time, neither of them may be ready to let go. All Our Sins is a ball busting second chance small town romance packed with secrets, drama, found family and a chemistry that refuses to be ignored.
Ash Rose writes contemporary spicy romance. Is a sucker for a feral MMC who will do anything for his woman. Currently writing small town romance but who knows what genres and tropes she might try in the future.
A full time nurse who fits writing these spicy scenes between wrangling two kids, two dogs and her very own patient loving MMC.
This book is absolutely amazing, I loved every moment of it. It has some spice, but yet some adventurous moments! If you’re looking for a good romance look no further!
Firstly thanks to my girl Ash Rose for the early copy! To be a beta reader for book 1 & now an ARC reader for the sequel & follow your journey so far has been a delight!
Single dad romance done so well 👏🏼 the relationship was real & messy in places which I loved!
'The moon pulling on the ocean tides, a magnet drawing me to her' <- THIS WAS BEAUTIFUL.
There was such variation in this plot & the characters which I loved. From villains in this book, which were written so well to really make you not like them. To adorable 10 year old twins with the sweetest personalities.
Some drama to the plot too not just a typical romance.
The family feel to this series is beautiful & I can't wait to what's next...
All our Sins delivered everything you could want! Small town vibes, second chance at love, a feisty FMC and a big strapping police chief MMC. What's not to love? Ash Rose has a unique way of bringing the reader into the story, making them feel like they're sat on a bar stool in The Brew House or eating something tasty from the bakery. She doesn't just write stories, she creates worlds and characters that are so easy to fall in love with ✨
If you want a fast-paced second-chance romance folded into a small-town crime novel that’s teeming with tension in every form, this one’s for you.
Thank you to Ash Rose for the ARC!
Little Spoiler Warning: slight spoilers regarding themes only, no spoilers for specific scenes or the ending
Synopsis
When federal DEA agent Gabriella Beck found out that she was one assignment away from the promotion she’s been working towards, she never could have guessed it would land her in Breakridge River— the tiny hometown of the last man to break her her heart nearly a decade ago. Xander Larson, the now Chief of the Breakridge River Police Department, was equally as ill-prepared to lay his eyes on the woman who he’s been yearing for since he unceremoniously let her go. Similar to the walls of the case they must break through together, their second chance at being together involves facing the walls and protective tendencies that Gabriella has developed after Xander’s abandonment all those years ago.
Oh, and if that wasn’t enough to deal with, Xander is a single father. Of twins. Between close quarters, drug kingpins, predatory exes, and a meddling small town, Xander and Gabriella must navigate not only their hearts but the danger lurking too close for comfort before someone gets hurt beyond what an apology can fix.
This book brought me back to middle school, lying on my back trying to burn through the pages as fast as I could to find out what happens next. I was giddy, I was giggling, I was gasping, and I was genuinely invested in the characters. Other than a few tiny moments that took me out of the atmosphere, this fast-paced story felt like coming home for someone whose love for reading began with the romance genre.
The Great
Well-Paced Plot with Stakes
Rose only dives into descriptions of the minutiae of repeated daily tasks when doing so provides more insight to character and plot, and I am very grateful for this choice. Even the more reflective chapters are thus because an actual event spurred those insights, rather than having heavy exposition, a middle that drags, or conveniently spontaneous revelations. She is not afraid to skip days to keep us following the action, but still allows the breathing room for the small events of a relationship that we love to read about to unfold.
Rose also maintains a real sense of physical consequence and danger surrounding the investigation in this novel by giving the characters a short timeline to complete the case, allowing for a story that borders on a police procedural to maintain audience interest without dragging down the story with unnecessary details. These stakes, among other pressures, force our characters to keep moving even when all seems well.
Realistic Relationship Choices and Consequences
As with many second-chance romances, there is a bit of a will-they-won’t-they dynamic between Gabriella and Xander. However, what I really enjoyed was that Rose took that dynamic as an opportunity to really explore the effects of past heartbreak and how that would impact mutual trust. These justified boundaries and self-preservation tendencies that impede the flow of their potential relationship is much more satisfying to read about than forced miscommunication as the source of strife.
There are a few spicy scenes throughout the book, but they rarely go off without a hitch, yielding consequences and conversations between our love interests that linger for days after. It makes their connection not only realistic but any progress truly earned, as the advancements in their relationship are not always linear but always built upon the foundation set in previous chapters. Rose manages to craft a realistic relationship that is both engaging and unexpected that is easy to become invested in between its tension and payoffs. Without spoiling too much, I enjoyed the ending even more for this reason; rather than slapping on a cookie cutter resolution, Rose leaves it in a place that feels true to who these characters are while still rewarding the progress made towards their emotional connection and mutual trust.
Strong Use of Dual-POV for Plot and Emotional Development
This builds off my previous point, but I love the way Rose uses her dual-POV technique to further the depth of the story. She rarely has both characters discuss the same exact scene in their respective chapters, which not only allows the story to remain satisfyingly quick, but makes the instances in which she does all the more powerful. She also builds tension by not always having the characters alternate POV every chapter; you’ll be dying to know what the other person thinks and Rose knows exactly when to give it to you and when to make you wait.
Thankfully, not only our female but also our male characters have a satisfying depth to them with unexpected but justified layers that make their personalities magnetic to read about and their decisions understandable. She gives Xander and Gabriella distinct voices and patterns of thinking. Their emotional journeys are not linear, but you can always follow how they got to where they are at currently, no matter how frustrating, impulsive, insecure, or overly cautious those choices may seem. Rose imbues fun dynamics and spicy flirting throughout the novel, but it always feel sincere and adds a touch of play to what would otherwise be serious situations. This mutual levity palpably affects the tone of scenes, offering a glimpse into how Xander and Gabriella actually improve each other’s lives, which is something I feel many romance tales lack.
The Not-So-Great
European Diction from American Characters
I think it’s a great thing that authors write stories that take place outside of their immediate realm of experience. Rose is a European author, and as an American reading this book that is set between Chicago and Colorado, it did pull me out of the atmosphere when our born-and-bred small town Americans were using terms like “fancy” instead of “like” and “bloody” rather than “damn” or “fuck.” Rose uses profanity in the novel, so I doubt this was a choice about using more censored language. Rose in general has a more simplistic writing style that can sometimes lean vulgar, but frankly, it works for this style of book and I do not think it takes away from the impact of the story.
Small Spelling/Punctuation/Grammar Mistakes
These, along with using the wrong character’s name on rare occasion, didn’t take away from the flow of the story too much and are to be expected on ARC copies. I assume these will be remedied in later editions.
Final Thoughts
I truly enjoyed my experience reading All Our Sins. Other than some small out-of-place moments of dialogue and interiority, this novel was so fun and a satisfying read due to Rose’s smart use of pace and the realism imbued into the relationship dynamics. The characters were lovable and stayed complex throughout without ever making me annoyed with their behavior or thoughts. If you like a romance book with cheeky banter that is driven by a plot with higher stakes beyond the relationship itself, with characters that are developed well via a dual-POV format, or if you’re simply looking for a fast-paced and quickly engaging read to get into the genre, I would definitely recommend All Our Sins. This is Book 2 of the Breakridge River series, which are a set of interconnected standalones, and I would consider reading both the previous and later installments because I found the side characters, particularly the members of Xander’s family, to be unique and layered. Ash Rose definitely has a knack for well-paced plot-driven romances that still manage to explore the emotional layers of both love interests while making you giggle like a schoolgirl.
A mahooosive thank you to Ash Rose for picking me to be part of the arc team for this book!
This book is getting AWWWWW the stars!!! I absolutely loved it and inhaled it in less than 24 hours! It was everything you want in a feel good, HEA spicy romance.
A police investigation in a sleepy town brings 2 ex lovers back together in a sizzling second chance romance! Aswell as a feel good story there are a lot of emotional moments where your heart might crack a little, then be filled right back up with joy & laughter so buckle up!
The writing style is super addictive, you know how it’s going to play out yet you can’t help but gorge yourself in the story to get all the juicy details! The characters are written well with enough detail to allow you fall in love alongside them and it’s descriptively immersive - having both of these makes the story come alive for the reader and makes you want to be a part of the story.
All of the characters are loveable and I hope there will be more to come in this series, so many opportunities to expand this world and give the reader an emergency ripcord to some happy ever after, soul soothing romance.
This is my first read by Ash Rose - I’m raging at myself for having waited this long BUT I’m also smug because I still have her first book to read 😬
Do yourself a solid and give this a read, it will brighten up your day for sure 💗
Chief Xander Larsen arrives at the Breakridge River station expecting the DEA team but is surprised to find that Gabriella Beck is part of the team. They last saw each other 10 years ago when Xander had to leave training at Quantico. Now he is a single dad living in his hometown, but he has never forgotten Gabbi. As they work together on the case, they need to see whether they might have a future. The Larsen family makes for interesting secondary characters, and Xander’s kids are a great addition to the story. This is the second book in the Breakridge River series, but it could be read as a standalone. Although I already owned book one, I received the ARC of this one from the author. I have really enjoyed the series so far and will continue to see what happens with the Larsen family and Breakridge River residents.
I was lucky enough to read this ARC and it did NOT disappoint! All Our Sins was a 5 star read for me! This book follows Gabbi and Xander and how they end up back in each other's lives.
This is a spicy, small town, second chance romance with a single dad! Daddy Cade step aside and make space for Xander😍 This is so much more than a spicy romance, it's got it all, the banter is fantastic, the side story is action packed, and I love all the side characters! except the characters who you are "meant" to hate. This book had me feeling all the emotions, laughing out loud, scooping my jaw up off the floor, and tearing up too! I HIGHLY recommend this book (and the first one in this series also) Ash Rose has done a fantastic job with this book and cannot thank her enough for creating Breakridge River and all the people in it. And I can't wait for the next one 🥰
Absolutely devoured this book at every opportunity I had to read! Gabbi and Xander are fantastic characters. Even the minor characters are memorable and what took me by surprise is that even I fell in love with the twins! I’ve laughed, I’ve gasped, I’ve shed a tear and finished with THE biggest smile! Well worth the read and a massive thank you to Ash Rose for sharing this with me ♥️ I loved it!
I devoured this book, it was so good! I love me. Second chance single dad romance and this book did not disappoint. Gabbi is a DEA agent and she’s returning to the small town for a case and her ex also lives in that small town , i forgot to mention the ex broke her heart. Xander is a single dad to twins and he’s also the chief of police and it’s been 10 years since he walked away from Gabbi and he never gave her an explanation on why. OH MY the tension was off the charts. Ash you. Out did yourself with Gabbi and Xander’s story. I highly recommend this book. Thank You Ash for this ARC.
3.75⭐️ I totally forgot this book came out today so I had to binge it! I’m never a fan of second chance romances, but I didn’t hate this one. Gabbie and Xander who are thrown back into each others lives after not seeing each other for 10 years… The story, the yearning, the spice was so good! The kids were too sweet in this book and I enjoyed them, but they didn’t add a lot. The drama with Ryan, the past story with Xander, the police/DEA task force, the ending, was all very fun to read! I will be reading Oli’s book when it comes out!
I was so excited to be an ARC reader for book 2 after loving book 1.
Back into it with All Our Sins @ash.roseauthor
I wanted to dive into Xander's world so badly. I love him. I love Gabbi, I love them together, I love the twins. I enjoy Mr Larsons shifty eyes knowing exactly whats going on 😆
Beautiful romance, messy at times, its second chances its being closed off to love and life but with a tension filled end. I couldn't put the book down.
It has been less than 24hrs and I have already finished the book. I hope that is a sign of how good it was. What’s not to love about Gabbi and Xander. True love always finds a way of coming back. Now just waiting on my purchase of Sweet as Sin to arrive. Ash Rose you should be proud you achieved this and I am sure I won’t be the only one saying this.
Thank you Ash for this arc. I loved every minute of it. Like and Lola were too cute for words and as for Xander 🥵 Love this one, it had me laughing crying and getting giddy. 🥰
I’m not a huge fan of second chance romances or ‘daddy’ trope but this book I can get behind ☺️
I loved that Xander came across as a very loving and devoted father while showing his dom side with Gabbi. And Gabbi being a strong fmc but allowing her vulnerability to show through even after past hurt. I’m still ‘icked’ out when women say yes daddy but that’s my personal preference,it didn’t take away from the story which I thoroughly enjoyed. Even though I can only put 4 stars here it was a 4.5 for me.
Firstly thank you for allowing me to read this early, a fantastic book from start to finish and could not put it down. I would definitely read this again
Thank you to Ash for the ARC edition of this, her second book. I bought her first at a book fair last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'm a romance nut, but "small town" tends to not be my go-to sub-genre. That said, Ash writes it so wonderfully that it's impossible not to get completely pulled into this world she's created. I absolutely devoured this in two sittings - most of it today when the weather outside was wild (perfect reading conditions!)
So where to start without giving too much away? Our FMC, Gabbi, is a DEA agent returning on case business to the small town where her ex, Xander, is the chief of police, ten years after he walked out on her without giving her an explanation. There's a superb supporting cast, including Xander's lovely family, his horrible ex-wife (mother to his ridiculously adorable twins) and Gabbi's sleazy, creepy boss (also an ex!)
Ash does an incredible job of giving depth to all of the characters - even the baddies - making it impossible not to want to see how the subplot, about a motorcycle gang running drugs, pans out. Honestly, you won't be able to put it down.
Oh, and the spicy scenes? Yes yes yes. That's all I have to say about that.
I was so grateful to have received an ARC copy of this book.
When we met Xander in Sweet as Sin, I had a feeling he’d be a favourite… and I was absolutely right.
This is a beautiful story, not just of second-chance romance, but of two fragile souls learning to love themselves and trust enough to let someone else in.
Gabbi’s trauma felt raw and real. I honestly wanted to reach into the pages and hug her. Xander, on the other hand, is loyal and selfless to a fault, always putting others first, so it was especially satisfying to see him finally choose himself. And as a sucker for a single-dad romance, I can confidently say he’s the epitome of the perfect book dad.
The added thread of detective work kept me hooked, and I loved getting a glimpse into the world these characters inhabit.
The town itself is written with so much warmth and charm that you can’t help but wish you could step into its streets and stay awhile.
All in all, this is a lovely story about rediscovered love, healing, and the quiet way fate nudges you toward what’s meant for you.
I had the pleasure of meeting Ash at the literary book festival in Dundee several weeks ago. I purchased her book, *Sweet as Sin*, and thoroughly enjoyed it. Subsequently, I received an email notifying me of my selection as one of her Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) participants.
I completed this book in under 24 hours, captivated by Gabbi and Xander's narrative, their undeniable chemistry, and the compelling "I Can't Have You" trope, which resonated perfectly with my preferences. Chapter 44, in particular, was quite unexpected. I highly recommend having tissues readily available. Ash, you've truly delivered!
For those who appreciate a small-town romance featuring attractive law enforcement officers and a complex love affair, this book is an excellent choice. My only lingering question pertains to the resolution of her boss's storyline. What was the ultimate outcome for him?
I eagerly anticipate Olly's story. I am particularly fond of hockey romances and hope its release is not too far off.
I'll admit I haven't read the first book in this series but the gift with these books is you don't need to, to follow the story! All our Sins follow Gabbie and Xander who are old flames and are thrown back into each others lives after Xander rudely up and left 10 years ago...
Wow. This book didn't disappoint. This is my first book written by Ash Rose and I'll be reading more in the future! The story was there, the wanting, the lust, the spice, the excitement.. everything.
I've read a few single dad romance books in the past and as much as I enjoyed this one, this didn't quite hit the same but still enjoyable nonetheless! I feel we could have taken the kids out of the storyline and it would have been near enough the same.
BUT in saying that, the Task Force with the Police and the DEA, the drama between Gabbie and Ryan, the excitement/ accident in the warehouse was all super fun and exciting.
This book evokes excitement, gets the blood pumping and I was sitting on the edge of my seat at parts! absolutely loved it, Ash Rose is a great author and it was a pleasure to read pre-release date.
I can't wait for the next one, do I suspect a hockey romance? 👀
Get it read 🙌🏼
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
All Our Sins by Ash Rose completely pulled me in from the very first page and refused to let go. This is one of those books that lingers in your mind long after you’ve finished, with characters and emotions that feel almost too real.
Ash Rose has such a powerful way of writing flawed, complex characters—you don’t just read about them, you feel them. Every decision, every mistake, every moment of vulnerability hits hard, making it impossible not to become emotionally invested. The tension throughout the story builds so naturally, and just when you think you know where it’s going, it takes you somewhere deeper.
What really stood out to me was how raw and honest this book felt. It explores darker themes with such depth and sensitivity, balancing heartbreak with moments of connection and hope. The chemistry between the characters is intense, layered, and at times absolutely consuming.
This isn’t just a story—it’s an experience. If you love emotionally charged reads with depth, angst, and characters that stay with you, All Our Sins is definitely one to pick up.
All Our Sins by Ash Rose completely swept me away - and honestly, it's everything I hoped from her second book and more.
This story delivers the perfect mix of heat, heart, and high-stakes tension. The single-dad romance trope is so well done - it's emotional, messy and utterly addictive. The chemistry between Gabbi and Xander is undeniable from the start, but what really stood out to me was how layered their relationship felt. The history, the heartbreak, the secrets... it all builds in such a compelling way.
There's also a great balance of suspense and action woven throughout, which kept me hooked the entire time. The storyline was strong and I found the character development charming - the Larsen family is the best!!
Ash Rose's writing is harp, punchy, funny and incredibly engaging. She knows exactly how to build tension, deliver emotional impact and keep the pages tuning.
If you're looking for a spicy, small-town romance packed with emotion, intrigue and unforgettable characters, All Our Sins is must-read.
I really enjoyed All Our Sins. The story kept me engaged throughout, and I found it easy to get pulled into the world and the emotions of the characters.
Gabbi and Xander were both really likeable, and I enjoyed following their journey. Their dynamic worked well, and I felt invested in how things would unfold for them.
For me, the plot was strong overall, but there were a few moments where it felt a little predictable, and I found myself wishing for an extra twist or a bit more complexity to really keep me guessing. That said, it didn’t take away too much from my enjoyment of the story as a whole.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read with strong characters and a compelling storyline, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
Thanks to Ash Rose for the opportunity to be a part of her Beta and ARC team :)
ARC review - thank you so much to Ash Rose for the Advanced Reader Copy!✨️
This is my first Ash Rose book, but it definitely won't be my last. I really fell in love with Gabriella and Xander from the get go, I love a second chance romance and this was written really well. I also LOVED Luke and Lola, such a fun addition that really brought out the character's fun nature's. Xander was a great MMC, and certain scenes definitely had me giggling and kicking my feet😂😂
The overarching story of The Sinners was interesting and I wish there had been a bit more to it. I'd love to know more about the DEA team, and I hope they pop up in other books!
Super excited to read Sweet As Sin, and keeping all my fingers crossed for Oli's story, as I LOVED him.
☆𝔸ℝℂ ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨☆ Thank you so much to Ash Rose for this ARC, I devoured it in a matter of hours! I could not put it down, her writing style is so immersive and she made me fall in love with both of the MCs instantly. She has even made all the minor characters stand out, the twins were adorable and I loved getting to see Lucy and Sean from #1 living their HEA 🥰 This is second-chance romance done right, there is tension and angst but it isn't drawn out for too long which makes it such an enjoyable read. Those spicy scenes were top tier too, I love an MMC like Xander who is all sweet and caring but a dirty mouthed man in charge in the bedroom 🤭🖤
A brilliant second instalment to this series! I had the pleasure of beta reading this book and I flew through it! After reading the first book ‘Sweet as Sin’ I was desperate for Xanders’ story and Ash Rose DELIVERED! This book follows Gabbi and Xander, the tension between these two characters had me on the edge of my seat 🔥 🥵 This is an angsty, second chance, small town romance and the MMC is drowning in green flags! Not everything is plain sailing though which makes this book a real page turner! I now need Oli’s story and dare I say a hockey romance? 👀