Ashes by the Shore

Deep River #2

by Nyssa Kathryn

He wants her safe. Someone else wants her silent.

Polly Mack has convinced herself she’s happy with her books and flowers and coffee. She doesn’t need a man. Never has, never will. Watching her mom get her heart broken in a series of marriages has taught her that love is a lie and men are temporary at best. And even if they weren’t, cocky Joel Dawson—the stupidly gorgeous new thorn in her side—would be last on her list of prospects.

Nope! She’s perfectly fine alone, running her shop…and solving the mystery of the old phone she just discovered under her floorboards.

Ex-SEAL Joel Dawson has relocated to a small town in Montana. Reunited with his teammates, they’ve formed a search and rescue crew, and he loves spending his days working side by side with his brothers-by-bond…and getting under the skin of the cute local coffee shop owner. He must be part sadist, because he lives for Polly’s eye rolls and sharp wit. They’re a great distraction from his own problems, including a past he tried to leave behind in Houston. A past that is determined to track him down all the way to Deep River.

The more Polly tries to keep him at arm’s length, the more Joel resolves to stay close, especially when she decides she’s a one-woman PI, determined to solve the mystery of a recent disappearance—which quickly turns into a homicide. There’s a killer on the loose…and if Joel can’t keep her safe, Polly might be the next victim.

A Small Town, Reverse Grumpy Sunshine, Romantic Suspense by Bestselling Author Nyssa Kathryn

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Audiobook, Small Town Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary Romance, Romance

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 1, 2026

About the author

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Australian Romantic Suspense Author, Nyssa Kathryn, is a passionate reader and writer of all things romance. Living in South Australia with her hubby and daughter, when she's not spending time with the family, she's either plotting her next story or got her head stuck in a book.

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Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes by the Shore is book two in the Deep River series by Nyssa Kathryn. Polly Mack was happy running a small cafe with flowers, books, and coffee, and not having to worry about a man in her life. Polly wanted answers about the missing woman, so she began investigating. However, Ex-Seal Joel Dawson had feelings for Polly. When he found out that she was putting herself in danger, he stepped up to protect her before she became the next victim. Readers will continue to follow Polly and Joel to discover what happens.

I was so fortunate to find this author's books because I really enjoy her writing style, which makes me forget what's going on around me until the book is finished. Ashes by the Shore did not disappoint, and it kept up my tradition of being unable to put her books down until the end. One of my own wishes is to have something like Polly's cafe so that I can understand her love for it. I started to understand the dangers of parents who want their children to do what they want, without considering the child's needs.

I love Nyssa Kathryn's portrayal of her characters and their interactions throughout this book. The way Nyssa Kathryn described the setting allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot. Ashes by the Shore is well-written and well-researched by Nyssa Kathryn.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an AR copy in exchange for an honest review. I recommend this book.

[𝒩𝒶𝒹𝒾𝒶𝒽 · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 5/5

As a longtime fan of Nyssa Kathryn, getting an advance copy of this book felt like a treat—and it absolutely delivered.

This story pulls you straight into Deep River with a perfect blend of small-town charm and underlying danger. Kathryn’s writing feels as sharp and immersive as ever, balancing emotional depth with a steadily building suspense that keeps the pages turning.

Polly Mack is such a standout heroine. She’s fiercely independent, guarded, and completely set on living life on her own terms. Her reluctance to trust or rely on anyone makes sense given her past, and watching her slowly unravel those defenses is one of the most rewarding parts of the book.

Joel Dawson is exactly the kind of hero Kathryn excels at writing—steady, protective without being overbearing, and quietly relentless when it comes to the woman he cares about. The reverse grumpy sunshine dynamic between him and Polly works so well, creating tension, humor, and a lot of heart.

Their chemistry builds beautifully. The banter is sharp, the emotional beats land, and the slow-burn romance feels natural and earned. Joel doesn’t try to change Polly—he shows up, stays consistent, and lets her come to him in her own time, which made their connection even more satisfying.

The suspense plot adds real stakes without overshadowing the romance. What begins as a mystery quickly escalates into something darker, and the pacing keeps everything engaging and balanced. Kathryn manages to keep both threads—romantic and suspenseful—equally compelling.

I also loved the found-family element with Joel’s team. It adds warmth and depth to the story and gives the world a lived-in, connected feel that fans of her books will definitely appreciate.

Final thoughts:
This is everything I’ve come to expect from Nyssa Kathryn—strong characters, emotional growth, gripping tension, and a romance that truly earns its happily ever after. Fans of small-town romantic suspense will not be disappointed.

[Read All About It · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunshine!

Holy Cow!!

What an incredible wild ride this was. We met Polly and Joel in the last book and talk about angst and suspense.

But friends? Yeah…we can do that. No more kisses though. You’re peanut butter and I’m jelly.”

Polly has been through the wringer with her mother so she doesn’t trust men.

Joel just wants something real in his life away from his past.

A little bit of murder and a little bit of mayhem!! A whole lot of crazy.

[viv · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this one really excited for Polly and Joel’s story after the previous book, especially because I loved their banter. I will admit, there was not quite as much of that back and forth as I had expected, but honestly, I still ended up having a great time with it.

The suspense was such a standout for me and it kept me completely hooked from start to finish. I was constantly second guessing myself, trying to piece things together and figure out who the bad guy really was. One minute I felt so sure it had to be a certain character, and then the next minute I was already doubting that choice and going in a totally different direction. It definitely kept me on my toes in the best way.

I also thought Polly would hold out a little longer before giving in to Joel and his charm, so that part surprised me. Even so, it was really sweet to see her slowly start to let her guard down and open up to him. Their dynamic still worked for me, just not exactly in the way I had pictured going in, and I ended up really enjoying how their relationship developed overall.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

I am loving this series, and this is a series you need to go in blind. The angst, suspense and twists are worth the discovery. There is plenty of action and story to keep you reading, and I was never pulled out of the story.

Joel and Polly are characters we met in the previous book, and while they appear confident and independent their story reveals their flaws and insecurities. Their backgrounds differ widely but together they are perfect for each other.

I am ready for book three, the overarching mystery has me looking for more.

Thank you to the Author for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Christine Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes by the Shore is book 2 in the Deep River series by Nyssa Kathryn. I loved this book, it was an action packed, page turning addition to this incredible new series. This book centers around Joel, a former SEAL and now member of the new Deep River Search and Rescue team, and Polly, a local coffee shop owner. Both are incredibly confident, independent individuals, but underneath all that external bravado, they are both a little bit broken, a little bit vulnerable, and, when they finally learn to trust each other and the connection they have, they are perfect for each other. Polly has decided relationships are not for her and has sworn off men and marriage. She's been seriously affected by her mother's poor choice in relationships (some of which were abusive to Polly when she was growing up). Seeing as how her mother just got married for the 5th time, Polly feels that she has to parent her own mother, as she is the one who is always called when her mother's heart gets broken, or whose wants were ignored in childhood when her mother brought so many men around and centered her attention on them instead of her daughter. Joel comes from an incredibly wealthy and influential family in Texas. His parents have forever tried to exert control over his life. He rebelled when he joined the military and has been straight with his parents for years stating that he will continue to make his own decisions without their influence or control. Yet, they refuse to accept that and continue to try to force him back into the family. For business reasons, not for love, they wish for him to marry an heiress to another influential Texas family. Joel never experienced any sort of love when he was growing up. He was solely a commodity for his parents and it wasn't until he joined the military and joined his SEAL team that he started to learn things could be different. Then he meets Polly. Polly is determined to keep him at a distance. The more time Joel spends with Polly, the more he likes her. For weeks and weeks, they verbally spar with each other until the underlying attraction they have for each other becomes too much and they kiss. Polly becomes wary again, but eventually comes around. Joel realizes he's falling in love with Polly despite his parents' lesson that love was nonexistent and relationships were merely transactional. Polly in turn lowers her walls and falls in love with Joel despite the craziness her mother continues to bring into her life and the bad examples of relationships that existed throughout her childhood. Yet, there is danger and evil about in Deep River. The missing and murdered women mystery that was first uncovered in Book 1 in the series continues into Book 2 and another woman is murdered. Polly finds an old cell phone hidden in her coffee shop that seems related to the missing women and begins to try to uncover clues to find the culprit, despite the danger this places her in. Joel's parents are also causing damage to his relationship with Polly by trying to exert their influence. Joel and Polly, two individuals who do not trust or believe in relationships easily, are truly perfect for each other. Their love is a slow burn and is beautifully written. But with the danger looming in town that Polly seems to have put herself right in the middle of, coupled with Joel's parents and Polly's mother's drama, outside forces seem to be sabotaging their relationship. It's a hard fought happily ever after for these two, but well worth it. The action/suspense/adventure in this one was out of the park as well, I truly couldn't put it down. Some of the mystery is resolved at the end of the book, but much of the mystery is still unknown and will continue into book 3. I cannot wait for the next book (which will feature Raven and Connor). I absolutely recommend this book and this series, I'm loving it. Thank you so much Nyssa Kathryn for the ARC of this book, it was my honor to read it.

[Bette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Story & Narration🎧Engaging, Thrilling & Heartfelt!

Ashes by the Shore
Deep River Series, Book 2
By: Nyssa Kathryn
Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Jason Clarke

Nyssa Kathryn brings you back to Deep River for another fantastic novel, a small-town romantic suspense that captivates your attention and tugs at your heartstrings the entire time. This series started off strong with Ethan Moore and Maggie Sinclair’s story in “Whispers in the Water,” and Kathryn keeps up the momentum with this second book, Joel Dawson and Polly Mack’s story, making it as amazing. Joel Dawson moved to Deep River, along with some members of his former Navy SEAL team, to form a search-and-rescue team that is funded by an unknown source. There have been shady things going on in Deep River for years, with women going missing on the trails, dead bodies turning up, all unsolved cases thanks to a useless sheriff. Polly owns the local coffee shop, and Joel is taken with her, but she wants nothing to do with him or any man, and keeps them at an arm’s length. Joel does not give up that easily, and when she finds an old phone hidden in her shop, one that was connected to someone who had gone missing years ago and turned up dead, she starts sleuthing, which stirs up trouble which could bring danger to her door, but not if Joel could help it. Both these characters have interesting backstories, and learning more about each and what made them who they are was intriguing, as was watching their relationship grow and morph into something more, bumps in the road and all. Both their parents, his mother and father and her mother, left their mark on their psyche, and dealing with that added more complexity to the story, along with everything else going on. There is never a dull moment in this masterfully crafted story, a multi-layered story that has the perfect balance of drama, angst, twists and turns, thrilling suspense, heartfelt emotions, and steamy romance. Nyssa Kathryn, thank you for another amazing story, visit to Deep River and the wild ride.

🎧📚🎧 And for the fantastic audiobook listen and production performed by Vanessa Edwin and Jason Clarke, who did an incredible job voicing the characters and delivering a perfect portrayal of each. Both embodied their characters completely and were naturals in their roles, from Clarke’s swoon-worthy Joel to Edwin’s take on Polly, nailing her demeanor perfectly. They set the ideal tone for the story, conveyed all the characters’ emotions and their passion, making you feel it all. Listening to these two is a delight; their voices and talents mesh perfectly, and their engaging performance keeps you glued to the story.

[Confessions of a Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polly and Joel....they were all my heart hoped they would be!!!! From the moment they first met the pull was there and they were teased so much in book one that I knew I needed their story ASAP!

Joel gets one look at Polly and I swear there were hearts in his eyes (book one). He is relentless in his pursuit to win her attention even though most of the attention he gets from her is negative in a I secretly like you way...lol! Up until meeting her he was not the relationship type of guy and that is mainly because of his life pre military. While he is trying to live his life by doing good deeds and hoping to win Polly's heart his parents are trying to force him into something he wants no part of. He wants no part of the life he grew up in. Deep River, Polly, and his SARS team are what is important. He is loyal, reliable, and protective to the max!!!!

Polly has been scorned by her mother's past relationships so much that she refuses to love and put that kind of trust into a man. She tries to stand firm and fight her attraction to Joel because he is the one man who can crumble her walls. As fierce and strong as she is he breaks right through those defenses of hers. Even when he points out they are in a relationship she refuses to believe it even though all of her actions say otherwise. She is independent to a fault and it ends up putting her in danger on more than one occasion. Good thing she has a big, bad ex-SEAL to lean on!

These two have it all...the banter and tension of soul mates. Joel isn't the only protector, Polly will stand up to anyone who is out to harm Joel or the both of them together. He constantly has one eye on her to keep her out of trouble no matter how stealthy she tries to be. IYKYK!

I do not know what Ms. Kathryn sprinkles in her stories but they are addicting. Her characters are written in a way that will have you either loving or loathing them. She makes you want to jump right into the fictional world and be part of it. I cannot wait to see what happens in Deep River next.

********AUDIO REVIEW********
Vanessa Edwin and Jason Clarke.....no other narrators could have done what these two did with Polly and Joel. Polly has a couple spiraling moments and Vanessa delivers them without missing a beat. She is so good at ramblings and then there are all the side female characters from Joel's snooty mom to the old psychic Maureen....she gives each one a very distinct different voice. And Jason....oh my heavens there were a couple scenes where his anger gets the best of him and it could be felt via audio. I enjoyed these two so much I listened to it twice in a matter of days!!!

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good romantic suspense read.

ASHES BY THE SHORE was another good read from Author Nyssa Kathryn and second in her Deep River series about a team of ex-seals contracted by the town’s mayor as a specialist Search and Rescue team to try and find some recently missing women. The funding of their team is only one of the secrets they can’t gain traction on and they continue to face the extreme hostility from the local Sheriff who appeared less than motivated to find them himself. I absolutely recommend reading the first book WHISPERS IN THE WATER first, because it sets out the premise of the underlying dark secret that the town so far seems to be unaware of.

Polly Mack was fiercely independent and completely cynical about love and the longevity of any man in a relationship. Her upbringing gave her good reason and I had to laugh at the grumpy attitude she handed out to the man who just refused to be gone. Joel was a devil for punishment in my mind and I laughed when the worse she treated him, the more he lived to annoy her. I loved the irony when he nicknamed her ‘Sunshine’ 🌞. There was nothing sunny in the shade she cast his way at every opportunity.

My romantic loving heart wanted her to just accept the help he wanted to give her when events around her turned decidedly shady.

Joel Dawson had a good soul. He was funny and the sunny side of this particular romantic couple. His family background appeared to feature reasonably heavily and although it did create a friction towards the end, I felt that the parental interference didn’t eventuate quite to the level I expected.

Still though, ASHES BY THE SHORE was a great addition to the Deep River series and where some questions were answered, there were more remaining and this is what I loved most about the underlying plot thread that Ms Kathryn is awesome at creating.

She has also given the best ever lead into her next upcoming book. The end of ASHES BY THE SHORE contains the perfect hook that has caught my interest, such that I always seem to remain forever waiting in avid anticipation of the next book. SHATTERED BY THE CURRENTS is coming soon and meanwhile, for me its 4.5-romantic-suspense-series-Stars for Joel and Polly’s story 💕 🖤💛

[♡︎ Kesa Subban ♡︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

ꍏ꒒ꏳ ꋪꏂ꒦ꀤꏂꅐ
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 - 𝖩𝗈𝖾𝗅
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 - 𝖯𝗈𝗅𝗅𝗒
4 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬
𝐎𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐎𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧

Polly, she put all she had to make her business a success, in her small town of Deep River.

Professionally she is kicking ass...personally. Well that's an aspect of her life that's not really a focus for her.

After watching her mother's failed relationship and shouldering all the emotions from it, she doesn't believe that love exists.

Joel, comes from a very wealthy and well known family. There word is law, but he also defied them whenever he could. Joining the Navy was the first step towards his independence

Becoming a Navy Seal was the best decision he ever made. He loved protecting his country, having brothers that were his family.

And now he gets to do it all over again, moving to Deep River and becoming part of the Search & Rescue team, gives him a purpose.

Joel and Polly's book was absolutely amazing. I could not get enough of their banter, the chemistry was so good and the suspense was weaved in so perfectly.

The person responsible? Wth? I didn't see that one coming.

ꍏ꒒ꏳ ꋪꏂ꒦ꀤꏂꅐ 10/10

𝑉𝑎𝑛𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑎 𝐸𝑑𝑤𝑖𝑛 & 𝐽𝑎𝑠𝑜𝑛 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑜𝑜𝑘 𝑖𝑛 𝑑𝑢𝑒𝑡 𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛.

𝑽𝒂𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑬𝒅𝒘𝒊𝒏 𝒂𝒔 𝑷𝒐𝒍𝒍𝒚.
This was my very first time listening, her voice was smooth, clear but also cheerful, with notes of being sarcastic and emotional which was so perfect for this character., and kept md engaged in this audio. Her portrayal of the secondary characters was amazing as well.

𝑱𝒂𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝑪𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒆 𝒂𝒔 𝑱𝒐𝒆𝒍 🤍
His voice was deep, clear and also had that rumbling quality which was so good. I absolutely loved his narration for this character and the secondary characters.

𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬

Loved catching up with Maggie & Ethan.
Connor & Raven..can't wait for their book.
Ryan, Zac...love these characters.
Polly's mum! Oh gosh, I didn't like her one bit! She was absolutely selfish!

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨 🔫🗺️🔫🗺️🔫
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐞 ☕💐📚☕💐
𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 🔥🔥🔥🔥
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 🥵🌶️
𝐏𝐥𝐨𝐭 📚📚📚 📚
𝐄𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 💧

[Janelle Sequin · Rating 5 out of 5]

🖤📚🎧 Book & Narrator Review 🎧📚🖤

He wants her safe. Someone else wants her silent… and this story delivered romance, suspense, and tension in all the best ways 😮‍🔥

Polly Mack is perfectly content living her quiet, independent life surrounded by books, flowers, and coffee. Love isn’t something she believes in—and she definitely doesn’t need a man. But when she discovers a mysterious phone hidden beneath her floorboards, her world takes a dangerous turn. What starts as curiosity quickly spirals into something much darker…

Enter Joel Dawson 🥵
Ex-SEAL, protective, cocky, and way too good at getting under Polly’s skin. Their banter is sharp, funny, and full of tension, giving us that perfect slow-burn energy. The more Polly pushes him away, the more Joel stays close—especially when her investigation leads straight into danger.

As the mystery unfolds into a disappearance turned homicide, the stakes skyrocket. There’s a killer on the loose, and Polly refuses to back down… even when it puts her directly in the crosshairs.

⸻

🎙️ Narration 🎙️

Vanessa Edwin & Jason Clarke absolutely made this story come alive.

* Vanessa Edwin delivered Polly’s strength, independence, and vulnerability flawlessly. You could feel every emotion as the tension built.
* Jason Clarke was EVERYTHING as Joel 😮‍🔥 His deep, commanding voice brought out that protective, alpha energy perfectly—intense, swoony, and just the right amount of possessive.

Together, they elevated the chemistry and suspense, making this one of those audiobooks you can’t stop listening to.

⸻

✨ What I Loved:

* Strong, independent heroine
* Protective ex-military hero (“touch her and ☠️”)
* Small-town vibes + found family
* Slow-burn romance with great banter
* Suspense that keeps you hooked

⸻

📌 Rating:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Suspense: 🔪🔪🔪🔪

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes by the Shore
Deep River Series, Book 2
By: Nyssa Kathryn
Narrated by: Vanessa Edwin, Jason Clarke

Bring on the next book in the Deep River series! I was so ready to dig into a good romantic suspense and along Nyssa Kathryn comes with Ashes by the Shore filling that craving! This book is so good, I cannot even begin to tell you. It features Polly and Joel whom we had met in the first book. Joel just irritates Polly every time she sees him, but it doesn't stop him from showing up at the most opportune times. She owns the local coffee shop, so he is constantly in her face, but she does respect his work the the search and rescue team that is trying to find the source of danger to the women in Deep River. Little did she know, she was going to need it! Danger is lurking as Polly finds a telephone, a decade old that holds secrets of the beginning of the killings, and it may have lead to a recent death of an acquaintance. Joel is on high alert and the close proximity that brings these two together slowly brings Polly's heart to meet Joel's. But will he be able to keep her safe from the town serial killer? This is fast paced, exciting and had me guessing the entire time! Kathryn knows how to keep me on my toes and fill my heart. Now I can't wait for the next book so I can try to find out more information! This is an amazing series!

Jason Clarke and Vanessa Edwin bring this story alive! Clarke has a fun, antagonistic start as Joel, one that worms his way into my heart and just waits for Polly to see what she is missing! Edwin is snarky and smart as Polly as she snoops for answers and falls in love. Together, their talents produced an amazing chemistry and easily built the suspense to keep the story moving and thrilling. Loved it!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashes by the Shore is book 2 in the Deep River series. After finishing book 1, Whispers in the Water, I was excited to dive into this one!

We were introduced to Polly Mack and Joel Dawson in book 1 and the tension between them was already sizzling, but it became a five alarm fire in Ashes by the Shore. For Polly’s entire life she has watched her mom jump from guy to guy, and the toll that has taken on her mother has caused Polly to swear off men. Joel is part of the town’s new Search and Rescue team and was immediately attracted to Polly. The more time they spend together, Polly begins to let down her walls and let Joel in. Joel’s past eventually comes knocking though, ohh and there is a serial unaliver on the loose. Will their love be enough to overcome all of the obstacles in their way?

I really enjoyed Polly and Joel’s story. I loved Polly’s sass, loyalty and wit. She was such a no-nonsense FMC, but there was clearly more to her story which I enjoyed unfurling as I read Ashes by the Shore. Joel was fun, flirty and charismatic from the start and I loved that he was always there for Polly despite her attempts at pushing him away. His past and the suspense element of this story made it hard to put down, not to mention the perfect narration!

Speaking of narration, Ashes by the Shore is narrated in duet by Vanessa Edwin and Jason Clarke. These two were perfect to bring Polly and Joel to life. Vanessa captured Polly’s personality flawlessly, from her sass to her softer side as she begin to let her guard down with Joel. Jason portrayed Joel’s flirty personality so well, but his deep voice was perfect for capturing Joel’s strength and determination to keep Polly safe.

[Bec McQuillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashes by the Shore, the next installment in Nyssa Kathryn’s Deep River series, delivers exactly what fans of romantic suspense have been waiting for. Fast-paced, emotionally engaging, and packed with tension, this book had me hooked from start to finish.
The story follows Polly and Joel, characters first introduced in book one. Polly owns the local coffee shop and has little patience for Joel, who seems to show up at the most inconvenient—and frequent—moments. Despite her irritation, she respects his dedication to the search and rescue team investigating a growing danger threatening the women of Deep River. What Polly doesn’t realize is just how much she’ll soon need Joel’s protection.
When Polly discovers a decade-old telephone containing secrets tied to the origin of the town’s murders—and possibly a recent death—danger escalates rapidly. Joel goes on high alert, and as the investigation forces them into close proximity, their tense dynamic slowly transforms into something deeper. The romantic tension builds beautifully alongside the suspense, raising the stakes as Joel races to keep Polly safe from a serial killer still lurking in the town.
This novel is gripping, full of twists, and kept me guessing the entire time. Nyssa Kathryn expertly balances heart-pounding suspense with emotional depth, making Ashes by the Shore both thrilling and heartfelt. I’m officially invested in this series and can’t wait for the next book to uncover even more secrets of Deep River. An amazing addition to an already compelling series.

[Amber Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes by the Shore (book two in the Deep River series) is so fun while still giving that little undercurrent of “something’s not right” that keeps you hooked.

Polly and Joel are the ultimate reverse grumpy x sunshine, and I ate it up. She’s guarded, independent, and fully convinced she does not need a man… and he’s this easygoing, charming menace who clearly disagrees. Their banter is so good—sharp, a little sarcastic, and very “I’m annoyed with you but also why do I kind of like this?” And him calling her “sunshine”?? I’m sorry, that got me every single time.

But it’s not just cute and flirty. There’s this thread of tension running underneath everything that slowly builds. Polly stumbling into a mystery (that she absolutely should not be trying to solve on her own) turns into something way bigger and darker than expected. You can feel the shift when things stop being harmless curiosity and start becoming genuinely dangerous.

Joel’s whole “I want her safe” energy is strong in this one, but it never feels overdone—it’s protective in that steady, intentional way that just makes you melt a little. And Polly… she pushes back in the best way, but you can also feel those cracks in her independence starting to show as things escalate.
It’s that mix of playful chemistry, emotional walls, and creeping danger that makes this one hard to put down. Like you’re smiling at their banter one minute and then side-eyeing every small-town moment the next.

Such a good follow-up in the series, and now I’m fully invested in Deep River.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a ride!

Polly and Joel had me hooked from the beginning. I loved these two. Polly is the owner of the local book / flower / coffee shop. Her mom is currently working on her 5th marriage, so Polly is convinced she doesn’t need a man to be happy or to rely on. She’s content being single. Then there’s Joel. He’s the ex-Navy Seal and full-time member of the newly formed Search and Rescue unit. He also thrives on pushing her buttons and getting a rise out of her. They banter back and forth, but the chemistry and sexual tension is undeniable. Every time Polly turns around, Joel seems to be there. Especially after Polly finds an old cell phone connected to a missing person from a decade ago and decides to play Nancy Drew and investigate. Joel keeps her close to ensure she’s safe. It’s a sweet, suspenseful, wild ride.

Duet narration by Vanessa Edwin and Jason Clarke. They were amazing. They captured the tension, the chemistry between Polly and Joel, and emotion. Vanessa portrayed Polly’s stubbornness, determination, and her vulnerability when she faces her feelings for Joel. Jason was the perfect golden retriever mixed with the fiercely protective, intense nature of Joel.

This is a great addition to the series. It’s a terrific blend of romance and suspense. It’s small town with a strong found family feeling and I can’t get enough. Some questions are answered and an unexpected hero emerges and I love it and look forward to the next in the series.

[S Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was excited about Polly’s book since I first met her in book 1, and she was so much better than I expected. Polly is the quintessential single girl. Watching her mother have a series of bad relationships for her entire life, she believes that men always leave. So when her playful hatred of playboy Joel from the search and rescue team takes a turn toward romantic, she is determined to keep him at arm’s length. But Joel is considering something he never has before, having a real relationship with Polly, the woman who drives him crazy and draws him in. So when the disappearances start to happen a little too close to Polly’s orbit, he is determined to protect her.

What I love about book 2 in the Deep River Series: The ongoing mystery the missing women takes an unexpected and interesting turn in this book, and this installment had some twists I didn’t see coming. Joel’s past comes to town in some inconvenient ways. We meet more townspeople, and Polly has to deal with the new man in her mother’s life.

I was able to listen to the audio narrated by Jason Clarke and Vanessa Edwin, and they were fantastic together. I love what Vanessa brought to Polly, her “Nancy Drew” nature, and her hesitation in her growing relationship with Joel. Vanessa brings all those emotions to this audio. Who doesn’t love Jason Clarke? His gravely voice has just the right urgency and intensity for the complex character that is Joel. I loved the audio and this story.

[Sarah Wass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ashes by the shore is the second installment of Deep River series by Nyssa Kathryn.

I absolutely loved this book with the coupling of Joel and Polly. We first met then in Whispers by the water, and it was a reverse grumpy sunshine / golden retriever bonding.

Polly hates all men and detests relationships from watching her mum go through marriage after marriage. She has a prickly exterior but a deep loving heart. She meets Joel who is kind, caring, sees past the walls and defences that Polly puts between them and has made a life for himself despite his family’s attempted influences.

When Polly gets mixed up in trying to solve the towns latest murders and disappearing women due to the useless chief of police not doing it, danger soon follows and the only thing that can keep her safe is Joel and his team…. Despite the distance she tries to put between them she soon turns to him for help.

We get some great banter between Polly and Joel, and true friendship between Polly and Maggie. Within the book is many tropes including reverse grumpy sunshine, opposites attract, ex navy seal, alpha male and protective MMC, small town, and found family.

This series is slowly becoming a favourite of mine by Nyssa, and I absolutely cannot wait for the 3rd instalment for the next couple to come! I’ve been excited for them since the teasing of their blooming relationship in book 1!

[Jacki Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating and Suspenseful

I devoured this in just over twenty-four hours! As with every one of Nyssa Kathryn's novels, I was enraptured from the very beginning. The banter between Polly and Joel was comedic and endearing while the crime happening kept me guessing.

The way in which these two fell in love was honest and real. It wasn't fast and neither character had a sudden drastic change of who they were at heart and ready to run off to the alter and I love that for them. The progression of their development as they worked alongside each other to solve the latest murders, navigate the small town gossip, pressure from Joel's parents, and Polly's loveable mother made for a great read.

I can honestly say I did not see who the copycat killer was at all. To not guess or have the slightest indication is why I love these books. It's so rare to find that nowadays. And though this individual claimed to be on a God-led crusade I'm pleased, as both a Christian and reader, that Nyssa included how that is not religious or right.

I'm always a bit sad when I finish her latest book because I know I'll have to wait for the next....but the wait is always worth it! So for now, I'll ruminate over this novel as I begin the count down for Raven and Connor's story.

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Polly and Joel might appear to seriously dislike each other, but the cracks show the truth. Granted, Joel makes it known by all that he likes Polly. He likes looking at her, needling her, being near her, talking to her…all of it. But he’s misstepped a few times in his attempts to flirt, which make me laugh when Polly labels him a playboy based on his deliberate ruse to get his parents off his back. He’s more besotted man tripping over his tongue than playboy with Polly, and we just have to wait for her to realize that herself.

As for Polly, she’s understandably leery of men. Her mother has ingrained that in her, and I won’t deny how I adore when she finally tells her mother off for the emotional draining the woman has selfishly don’t for so long. But Polly is learning that she can trust one man. She sure has to live to find true happiness with him.

And then there’s one answer found via a dangerous method. But only one answer. More questions are right behind it, clamoring to fill the space. Will the next answer involve Raven’s past, Connor’s future, Ward’s deliberate incompetence, or a combination of all three? I can’t wait to find out.

[Lynn Sell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is one of the best romantic suspense tropes that I have read. The author is captivating with the story, the characters, and the suspense which kept me guessing to the end. No spoilers in this review. Her characters have both depth and flaws which pulls you right into their romance. The banter keeps a smile on your face throughout the book. The main characters deal with problems in their relationship due to familial problems from their pasts which makes their coming together the best. Joel is a former Navy Seal who is part of the SAR team in town. He is intrigued by Polly who is a coffee/flowershop/bookstore owner in town and her best friend is in love with one of his teammates. Polly doesn’t trust men and responds to Joel’s attempts to get to know her with eye rolls and snarky comments. When Joel helps her out with her claustrophobia when they are stuck in the cellar, she begins to look at him differently. Plus Polly is trying to follow leads on the recent murders of young women in town. As Joel, Polly, and the SAR team continue to search for the killer, they run into other troubles. I could not put this book down and I don’t think I can wait for book 3!

[Mrs R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the second in the Deep River series. While you could read it as a standalone, I’d definitely recommend starting with the first one as there is an overriding story even though each book focuses on different couples.

As with all Nyssa's books, I love the found family vibes, from both the guys and also the women, they are all there for each other.

Polly is quite content with her quiet life—running her shop and sticking to her books and coffee—because she’s seen enough heartbreak via her mum to believe that men are usually temporary.

Then there is Joel, a former Navy SEAL who has moved to town. He’s definitely a green flag for me. He’s cocky and loves to get under Polly’s skin, but he is also incredibly protective. I loved the banter between them and the 'insults' she threw at him (and others in the community!). I loved how their chemistry felt so natural.

I enjoy how the residents of Deep River are so intertwined with this series so far.

I have to say, I was unsure who was committing the murders until the end, the book really kept me doubting myself.

🎧 Narrators Vanessa Edwin and Jason Clarke did a brilliant job of bringing the characters to life. Vanessa perfectly captured Polly’s guarded nature, while Jason highlighted Joel's protective and fun nature. Their performance made the suspenseful moments feel much more immersive and the banter even more entertaining. 🎧

💜 Small town romance
💜 Reverse grumpy sunshine
💜 Ex-Navy SEAL hero
💜 Found family
💜 Mystery / Suspense
💜 Protective hero
💜 Slow burn

[shanelle maree · Rating 4 out of 5]

꧁𝒂 𝒖 𝒅 𝒊 𝒐 𝒓 𝒆 𝒄 & 𝒓 𝒆 𝒗 𝒊 𝒆 𝒘꧂

🌟:4 🌶️:2 🎧:5

Another perfect escape from reality into Nyssa’s small town, romantic suspense!

I knew from the first book that I was going to love Polly and Joel’s book, and I’m happy I predicted right. The banter between these two was irresistible! As irresistible as Joel was to Polly. He knew he’d wear her down. 😆 I love that this was the reverse grumpy sunshine where she is grumpy and he’s a golden retriever. I never read enough of those, and Nyssa did this one perfectly. You literally can’t wrong with an mmc written by Nyssa. They’re always extremely protective, and would go to the ends of the earth for their woman. Polly needed that and craved it, and Joel was the perfect fit for her (after he wore her down, of course 😋).

The audio is narrated in duet by Vanessa Edwin and Jason Clarke, which are some of my top tier narrators. Jason as a golden retriever mmc will always do it for me, and Vanessa’s style always fits with fmc’s like Polly, that are kind of quirky and a little bit snarky, but a total sweetheart. Really fun to listen to, and I love when these two are in my ears! 💖

[Kellie Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHIRLWIND!!!

*ALC Review*

Nyssa ma’am, you impressed the heck out of me yet again which I’m not surprised at all. Everything I’ve ever read or listen to of your books has always had a chokehold on me every single time. There’s something about your writing that has the perfect balance of suspense and tension that I always crave.

This book had me in pens and needles from start to finish. This book was a whirlwind that made me so so happy, hot and bothered, made me furious at times, broke my heart a few times, and so many other feelings. This book had so many twist and turns that I didn’t know what was gonna happen next, and I was here for every second of it.

The chemistry between Joel and Polly was off the charts. I could feel the longing between them and both of them went through so much in their life that all I could do was cheer for them. The one thing I absolutely love about this book is got both Polly and Joel took control of their lives.

If you absolutely love a story about taking back control of your life, then this book is for you. Joel and Polly are absolutely perfect for each other and they are so much stronger together. This is your sign that you need to get this book right now because you won’t be disappointed one bit.

[Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joel is an ex-SEAL. A mystery donor hires his former SEAL team to do search and rescue for the town of Deep River. The town has many missing women through the years. The sheriff is lazy, entitled, and ineffective. The missing women count is recently escalated. Joel is from a wealthy family and it is always easy for him to get women. When his flirting doesn’t seem to work on Polly, he is intrigued. He is attracted to Polly and her mean attitude towards him doesn’t deter him to watch over her. His love and patience change Polly’s perspective about men. After one of her regular coffee shop customers disappears and then is found shot, Polly wants to help. It puts her right in the path of the killer. When Polly disappears, Joel and his team race against time to find her. The story is fast-paced and action-packed. The plot has a lot of twists and turns. The ending is very unexpected. This is a great story. I stayed up half the night for it and can’t put it down. I look forward to the next story in this series.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to have Joel and Polly's book. They are great characters and their chemistry is off the charts. I love that Joel is patient and shows Polly that he's the staying kind, and I love how Polly was committed to Joel once she let him in.

This book is full of suspense, chemistry, and page turning danger, and twists. I love how Nyssa Kathryn writes her stories. They're always a great read and the characters always stay with me after I read the books. The suspense, danger, and twists keep growing through each page. Just when I think I know who the bad guy/girl is, something else happens and makes me rethink my options. I love that Nyssa Kathryn keeps me on my toes trying to figure out who the person is wreaking all the havoc in this small town of Deep River.

I am anxious for more of this series and more information on town's history and what happened over the years. I love the characters and their life stories as well as the what's happening in Deep River and the towns people.

[Robyn Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second book in the Deep River series Polly and Joel’s relationship develops into more than antagonistic banter. Although, the banter is fun and very entertaining for readers. The humour that’s threaded throughout the story balances the more serious elements.

The mystery of the murders from the past and present are still unsolved and mystifying. Polly stumbling on some key evidence puts her in the spotlight and Joel is determined to keep her out of it.
With Polly’s independent streak she digs her heels in though. Joel learned perseverance in the Navy SEALs, and lucky for Polly too. He is smart to know he can’t change her so he supports and protects her.

In this small town of Deep River there’s a combination of friendly locals and lurking danger with a terrific slow-burn romance thrown in to keep readers on their toes. (Polly and Joel go back and forth so much it’s a wonder they don’t get sea sick)

With interesting characters, great descriptions and plenty of emotions this story hit the mark right in the bullseye.

[Jenny Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joel and Polly

FMC: Polly Mack
MMC: Joel Dawson
Spice: 🌶️🌶️.5
Pages: 300
Tropes: Small Town Romance, Reverse Grumpy/Sunshine, Romantic Suspense
Setting: Deep River, Montana

Thoughts: I really liked this book. I liked the continuation of the hunt for the town serial killer. I figured out pretty quickly who would be the most likely suspect. There were several twist and turns that made me question my suspicions, but ultimately I was mostly right. I’m interested to see where the investigation goes from here though. Polly and Joel were a fun couple. They both carried baggage that kept them from relationships in the past, but once Joel met Polly he was all in. I really liked the way he pursued her at her own pace and gave her every reason to trust him. She had to fight her own demons from her childhood experiences with her mother and some of those kept invading her current feelings towards Joel. I felt like everything was pretty well wrapped up in the end, although I would have liked to have seen a little more karma for Joel’s parents.

[Jess the Bookaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’ve not started the Deep River Series here’s your sign!
Ashes by the Shore is Polly and Joel’s story and the 2nd in the series. Polly is a successful coffee/bookstore/flower shop owner with quick wit and happily single due to the revolving door of husbands and broken hearts she’s witnessed with her mom. Joel is a hunky and charismatic ex-SEAL turned member of a Search and Rescue Team with his teammates in their small town, not without his own troublesome family stirring up problems. And Polly is in no way attracted to Joel’s bulging muscles, perfect brownish-green eyes and sexy dimple…especially when his protectiveness overrides her ability to think. When disappearances turn to murder - Joel has to watch out for Polly and making sure her detective skills to keep her out of trouble. I inhaled this book literally in a day and was gutted when I finished because I wanted more!
Nyssa always has the power to pull you into the pages, where you can smell the coffee and taste the pancakes, feel the danger and swoon all in one sitting. I can’t wait to see what unfolds in Connor and Raven’s story next!

[Mindy Diegel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Polly and Joel!!! I have been shipping them since their first argument in book one. The sparks have been there from the jump. Joel absolutely LOVES to needle her as much as humanly possible just to see how she is going to react. The entire mantra of pulling the little girls hair you like on the playground in kindergarten. This is totally in play here.   Polly absolutely loves arguing with him no matter what she says. Polly is an absolute firecracker! She is a fiercely independent woman who doesn't need a man for anything. When Joel walks into her life he just gets right under her skin. I absolutely love watching them bicker. They make it an Olympic sport. He loves the one line barbs she sends his way. Joel is gone for her from the jump. I love watching them fall in love. It is a very interesting journey.  One full of laughs, arguing, twists and turns. It is never a dull moment with the two of them. I'm so glad they got their happily ever after!