Redemption Arc: You can fix an image but you can't hide from the truth.

by Ashley Perkins

In Hollywood, reputation is the only currency that matters. Blackburn Press is the agency cashing in on it. They know exactly which strings to pull to bring any fallen celebrity back into the spotlight.

Because behind every fallen star is a shadow.

When Charlotte Tate lands a job at Hollywood’s biggest public relations firm, she does everything in her power to go from assistant to strategist—a coveted role that demands she pay her dues.

She spends her days fetching coffee and handling every task imaginable for her boss. Two years in, neither her career nor her long-term relationship has progressed past its college phase. Charlotte has quietly become a ghost in her own life.
That is, until former teen heartthrob, Holden Strauss walks through their office doors in desperate need of a comeback. The kind of high level client that will finally put her on the map to be taken seriously in the industry.

But when a mysterious pendant lands in her hands, the job becomes far more dangerous than a PR challenge. To revive a fallen heartthrob’s career, Charlotte must confront a dangerous truth:

How much of her own life is she willing to sacrifice to repair someone else’s reputation?



Redemption Arc is a slow-burn, introspective story about identity, burnout, and the quiet unraveling that forces you to confront your self-worth.

Genres: Romance, Paranormal

332 pages

Published May 25, 2026

Reviews

[Ashley Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 ⭐️

This was a pleasant surprise and wasn’t what I was expecting in the best way. It wasn’t your typical romance novel and I love that there was some Portuguese woven in - I’m not bilingual but I always find it fun to have a little culture mixed in.

Charolette Tate is stuck…she’s burnt out and has no idea how to love herself - how’s she supposed to love anyone else? She’s not where she wants to be and she’s tired.

With a little push, we follow her finding the strength and confidence to discover herself - to love herself and be who she’s meant to be.

I had a lot of fun reading this story and I found Charolette relatable - it’s hard to not put yourself on the back burner with having a career and adulting - her finding herself made you root for her and you couldn’t help but love her! Thank you Ashley for the early read! All opinions are my own.

[c · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced reader review

I will start by saying this is not the typical book I go for on a shelf and was pleasantly surprised that this book focused on the journey of a women becoming confident in herself with a little help from a paranormal friend. I enjoyed that the main character, Charolette Tate, was a relatable burnt out worker and how she learned to love herself before a relationship.

As a Portuguese speaker myself, I really appreciated the inclusion of some Portuguese into the novel as that is not a language you always find in books made in the US.

Sometime we all just need reminding that we are in control of our destiny and women supporting women is just as important as romantic relationships. I’m glad this book is not a typical romance novel and felt more empowering to read.

[Jennifer Amaral · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels sharp, haunting, and painfully real in a way that slowly sneaks up on you until suddenly you’re emotionally wrecked 👀🖤✨

Hollywood PR world?
A washed-up teen heartthrob needing a comeback?
A burned-out woman realizing she’s disappeared inside everyone else’s expectations??

Yeah… this completely pulled me in.

What really stood out to me is how introspective and emotionally layered this story feels beneath the Hollywood setting. This isn’t just about celebrity scandals or fixing reputations—it’s about identity, self-worth, burnout, and what happens when you spend so long surviving that you stop existing fully as yourself.

And honestly??
That emotional core hit HARD.

Charlotte was SUCH a compelling FMC.

She’s exhausted in this quiet, invisible kind of way that feels incredibly realistic. Stuck fetching coffee, stuck in a stagnant relationship, stuck waiting for her life to finally begin while helping build success for everyone around her except herself.

And WOW.
Watching her slowly unravel under the pressure of constantly proving herself felt painfully relatable.

Then Holden Strauss enters the story 👀🔥

And honestly??
I loved that he doesn’t feel like a stereotypical celebrity MMC.

There’s vulnerability underneath the fame and public image management. You can feel how much pressure exists around him becoming “marketable” again, especially in a world where perception matters more than truth.

The slow-burn connection between him and Charlotte works SO well because both of them are trapped inside carefully constructed versions of themselves.

And the paranormal elements??
SO interesting 👀🖤

The mysterious pendant adds this eerie undercurrent to the story that slowly shifts everything from emotional industry drama into something darker and more psychologically intense.

Because suddenly this isn’t just about repairing public image anymore.

It’s about sacrifice.
Truth.
And how much of yourself disappears when you spend your entire life performing for other people.

What really made this stand out though is how emotionally honest it feels. The book captures burnout and emotional numbness in such a grounded, believable way while still weaving in mystery, romance, and paranormal tension.

✨ If you love:
• introspective slow-burn romance
• Hollywood/celebrity settings
• emotionally complex FMCs
• burnout and self-discovery themes
• paranormal mysteries with emotional depth

This one is haunting, emotional, thoughtful, and beautifully layered 🖤✨

[Ella Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firstly, I'd like to thank the author for generously giving me an ARC to read and review! I really appreciate it!

This book didn't quite land for me, but I think that may be mainly due to preferences on my end. I prefer my books to have a little more action, and this was a slower pace and lower stakes book. I also was not really a fan of the emotional cheating from the FMC. I know it was supposed to be a love triangle, but I just wish she had broken up with her boyfriend before she started feeling things for another guy.

The paranormal aspect had a ton of potential, but I was mostly confused during it. I felt like it could have played a bigger role and been explained along the way rather than mostly at the end. I really liked the idea of Skye helping Charlotte with her emotional growth though!

Holden and Charlotte were SO cute to me. I was extremely happy when they ended up being end game because I was NOT a fan of her first boyfriend

I'm very grateful to have been given an opportunity to read this book!

Language: Strong
Violence: Mild
Romance: No spice

[Alex M S · Rating 5 out of 5]

I want to thank Ashley for sending me a digital copy of her book. I really enjoyed the story and the characters. This book kept me hooked and I didn’t want to put it down.

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What a fun debut novel! A quick weekend read!

[Rina Loubaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book with an adorable romance! I loved Charlotte and rooted for her every step of the way. Holden was such a great male lead and I loved the banter and understanding between him and Charlotte. Charlotte learned so much about herself and I loved that she had friends to help her through her struggles. We all need that! Overall, the story has a positive message of not being afraid to ask for help when you need it and that you can’t solve anyone’s problems if you don’t solve your own first. 10/10!

[Mandy Beaulieu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great debut novel. It took unexpected turns but everything came together as you knew it would in the end. It’s a “normal” romance with a paranormal twist. I enjoyed it!

[LeannexBlossom]

I was kindly gifted the chance to read Ashley’s book “Redemption Arc” before the release.
At first I felt it was a slow burner, with unsure where we were heading, BUT I stuck with it and I’m so glad I did!
It took me where I didn’t expect, it even had me questioning my own life choices, how I see and feel things. The characters were well built up, and had you having different feelings towards each one, it really brought the story to life. The ending had me smiling ear to ear, the growth and build up I saw coming. It’s a must read for me.
Thank you Ashley for allowing me this opportunity, and I wish nothing but success for this book 📖
My honest review 5 🌟

[Sarah R. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC for this book so thank you Ashley for sending this to me! I enjoy reading about the entertainment world, so having Charlotte as a publicity assistant and Holden as an actor was right up my lane. I've never come across an entertainment story with a supernatural twist before, so that definitely kept me turning pages wanting to know more. I really loved seeing Charlotte follow her heart towards the end and choose what was best for her.
Skye's character confused me a little in terms of where she fit into the storyline, but I did enjoy the advice and motivation she offered Charlotte throughout.

[Olivia Wojtecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Advanced reader copy.

This book was very face paced and kept me entertained the whole time. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline. As a romance lover, I loved the banter between Holden and Charlotte. Great experience! I highly recommend!

[Brooke Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Great story and easy to read.

[tati_sofiaa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

When I first picked this up, I saw workplace romance, Hollywood setting, contemporary vibes and thought, okay, this is going to be one of those cute, easy reads I always end up loving.
And yes… it is that.
But it’s also so much more. 100% recommend it.

We follow Charlotte, who is trying to hold everything together. Her career, her relationship with Aiden, her life in general. And you can feel from the very beginning that something is off. Her relationship is clearly falling apart, but she doesn’t fully know how to fix it or even how to face it. She’s trying so hard in every aspect of her life, and it’s honestly exhausting just to watch.

Then the book opens with that fire in the apartment across from hers, and I remember thinking:
“Okay… what is happening here?”
Because it felt so random at first.
Until it wasn’t.
Charlotte has this pendant… and suddenly she starts seeing a girl.
Skye...
And later we find out that Skye is actually the girl who died in that fire.
That whole storyline surprised me in the best way. What starts as a contemporary romance suddenly has this soft, emotional, almost magical layer to it. But it never feels out of place. It feels meaningful.

The pendant didn’t choose Charlotte because she witnessed something. It chose her because she had unfinished business.
And honestly? That hit.

Because Skye doesn’t just haunt Charlotte, she guides her. She pushes her. She nudges her toward the life she already deserved but was too afraid to fully claim.
And yes, sometimes it’s funny. Because imagine a ghost just showing up like:
“Do it. Go for it. Stop being scared.”
But at the same time, it’s incredibly touching.

Then we have Charlotte’s career.
She’s stuck as an assistant in a press environment where she is clearly undervalued. Her boss Chris is… let’s be real… awful. He takes her ideas, uses her voice, and keeps her stuck in a position she has long outgrown. It’s frustrating because you see her potential from the beginning, but she doesn’t fully believe in it yet.
And that’s where her growth becomes one of the best parts of the book.
Watching Charlotte go from:
“I don’t know what I’m doing”
to
“I actually do know what I’m doing, I just needed someone to believe in me”
That was so satisfying.

Then there’s Holden.
The teen star she ends up working with… and yes, there is a little bit of that fake dating trope in there, and I loved it. It was cute, it was messy, it was exactly the kind of romantic tension you want in a story like this.
But what I really appreciated is that the romance never overshadowed Charlotte’s personal growth. It added to it.

By the end, Charlotte is in such a different place. She’s working with Audrey, not as “just an assistant” anymore, but as an assistant producer. She’s respected, heard, valued. And the dynamic between her and Audrey felt so refreshing. It’s supportive, equal, and exactly what Charlotte needed all along.

And yet… the part that stayed with me the most was Skye.
Because when the pendant disappears, you understand why. Charlotte's unfinished business is done. Charlotte found her voice. She stepped into her life.
But still… I won’t lie.
My heart broke a little.
Because I wanted Skye to show up just one last time. Just a small moment. A goodbye. A thank you. Something.
And even though we don’t get that, you can feel it.

[The Writing Wormhole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love a messy main character, someone who grows throughout the novel, but you see them being human while doing so. Charlotte feels very real and so does Holden. Their chemistry is top tier. You know I'm a sucker for the small things that happen between love interests. Thankfully this had no shortage of small moments of tenderness between the two. I have been Charlotte before. I felt everything she has felt when it comes to her career. For me that's why it was a little hard to understand Skye. I thought she was an interesting addition to the ensemble, but I didn't really understand the storyline. I felt like it was explained a bit too late and not given the time to land with the audience the way that the first half with Skye's little moments of character did. I'm glad we got the explanation, but I wish it had come earlier.


Maybe then it could have been a little more fleshed out. I felt the same way about the relationship between Holden and Charlotte near the end. Obviously, it was a miscommunication, but it felt like it wasn't really resolved like a grand confession happened and then they were fine. I'm happy for them, but because they are older I expected a tiny bit more communication between them, especially because Charlotte is supposed to be a communicator. That being said, I really did love the book and look forward to reading more of Ashley Perkins' work.

[Aneta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte
By her window, she sees a nineteen year old woman die in a fire. Her world unravels, it is the only thing she can think about. She keeps replaying the event in her mind and in her dreams.

Come in Holden, a new client in her firm to whom she is strangely drawn. They have chemistry and electric currents pass between them whenever they touch.

She then finds a strange pendant in her purse one day. It is glowing when she puts it on and makes her see things she is not sure are real and hearing a girl's voice asking her to do things. She then realizes that the girl she sees and hears is the same girl who died in the fire, Skye.

Skye is pushing Charlotte into helping Holden, asking her to open up to himand be real with him. And as the story progresses, Holden helps her to find herself even though she didn't think she needed help.

I read this book in one sitting. It is so easy to read and you get attached to the characters. I wanted to know what is Skye's purpose in this book and why she keeps appearing. It's a book about growth, about seizing the moment and doing things before it's too late because in the end, life is short and you never know when it will end, so you might as well do the things you want to do.

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte has worked her butt off for the past two years, only to still be the assistant delivering coffee and prepping notes. On the verge of a burn-out she discovers her personal life is also lacking. When a rather traumatizing event happens, the paranormal enters the story. Guided by a ghost, she discovers she is capable of a lot more than what she has settled for so far in her life.

Even though this is supposed to be a rom-com, Charlotte's personal growth pulls most of the weight of the story. Her personal development was well written and kept me reading. I also liked the little paranormal addition; contemporary, but with a quirky twist. The ghost was by far the funniest in the book.
There were quite a few - probably deliberate - "him"s and "her"s before knowing who exactly is being referred to, and I found myself confused and pulled out of the story, having to re-read to make sure I didn't miss a character entering the room, only to be getting the character description or name afterwards. Dialogue was also sometimes hard to follow because of that.
Overall a good and fast read, but nowhere near the top of my re-read list. 3.5⭐️ but rounding up.

I kindly received an ARC from the author through Bookfunnel. The opinions in this review are completely my own.

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler free! I received this book as an arc, and this is my honest review.

This book has one heck of a hook and a very intriguing storyline. It was very immersive to me, and this made me a little anxious reading it as I tend to get very connected to characters. I felt as if I WAS the main character, and making her choices with her. There is a plot point revealed fairly early on that I was not expecting, but I grew to find very interesting seeing that aspect of relationship and communication develop. This book was very immersive, and due to that it was quite a journey following the FMC through it. At a certain point fairly early on it became pretty obvious to me who the happy couple would end up being, but I absolutely still enjoyed the ride. I loved the way this book got you so connected to the main character immediately, got you comfy, and then pushed you both out of your comfort zones to pursue something greater. Absolutely a page turner, and an unforgettable read.

[Marni Ortiz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just start by saying that this is not the typical book I would find myself picking up off the shelves of a bookstore . That being said I went in with a completely open mind and oh man was I so pleasantly surprised. I absolutely adored every single moment of this story and each and every character. Charlotte was such a likable and relatable heroine . Struggles to find out that makes her happy and learning be more confident in who she was . I also adored Holden and all the witty banter , the humor and the undeniable chemistry between them . This is the type of journey that we can all relate to . It’s the type of story that will touch your heart and just resonate with you on so many levels . You’ll smile , you’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll most definitely find yourself cheering so freaking hard . I genuinely could not devour it fast enough.

[Mellany Corona Nunez · Rating 3 out of 5]

⋆ ₊ ‧ ° 𐐪 ♡ 𐑂 ° ₊ ⋆ ₊

First off, a huge thank you to the author for an advanced copy of the book !!

⋆ ₊ ‧ ° 𐐪 ♡ 𐑂 ° ₊ ⋆ ₊

[ 🦢 My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3.5/5 Stars !! ]

Review:

I liked this book a lot! It was such a quick read and the premise of the story was interesting to me! I did get a little bored sometimes but honestly that might've been due to my reading slump. I wanted to really enjoy it, but I found myself having to put it down a few times.

However, when I picked it back up, I found myself enjoying the story whenever I was fully immersed. It was fast paced and I honestly liked it! I loved Charlotte's character so much as well as the other characters. I will be rereading it some day again!

⋆ ₊ ‧ ° 𐐪 ♡ 𐑂 ° ₊ ⋆ ₊

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️
This was such an interesting story! I love magical realism, so this was right up my alley. The plot was very gripping, and I devoured this story. The character building I feel could have been a bit stronger, but I did enjoy these characters a lot! The pacing was also super quick, which helped move the story along. I would love to see more of these characters, as the romance had me hooked, and I wanted to see more of the two of them! Overall this was such a strong debut novel, and I can’t wait to see what this author does next!

Thank you to Ashley Perkins for this E-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

[Alice Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely charming romance from start to finish! I adored Charlotte and found myself cheering her on through every challenge she faced. Holden was an incredible male lead, and the chemistry, banter, and emotional connection between him and Charlotte felt so natural and heartfelt. One of my favorite parts of the story was watching Charlotte grow and learn more about herself, especially with such supportive friends by her side. The novel delivers a beautiful reminder that it’s okay to ask for help and that healing yourself is just as important as helping others. Heartwarming, emotional, and uplifting easily a 6 star read!

[Su2108 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this as an advanced reader copy from the author

This novel was .... simply lovely. A perfect Sunday-on-the-sofa and read it in a day story

Charlotte is down-trodden, almost burnt out and despite her hard work she still isn't being seen, either professionally or personally. Enter Holden, needing to clean up his image, also needing to be seen, to be understood.....

With a little bit of the paranormal and a touch of romance thrown in, this is a well written and satisfying journey of self-discovery for both the major characters.

I'd certainly enjoy reading more of their story

[Jinx_Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given an advance reviewer copy of this book and am leaving my honest opinion voluntarily. Thank you to Book Sprout, Ashley Perkins and the publisher for the opportunity.

This book is the strangest mix of vibes. It is somehow one of the most grounded books when it comes to relationships I have read despite its supernatural elements.

The depiction of the relationship with Aiden was especially poignant to me. It’s rare to see in the types of fiction I read.

The characters are very dimensional and real. Beautifully complex.

I enjoyed this book a lot.

[Johanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

'To revive a fallen heartthrob’s career, Charlotte must confront a dangerous truth: How much of her own life is she willing to sacrifice to repair someone else’s reputation?'

The characters were very complex and complicated and absolutely perfect together. Plot was intriguing and intense and exciting and well paced. World building was excellent and solidly drawn. Thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.

Grab a copy, kick back and enjoy!.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Corina Recendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the privilege of being an ARC reader for Redemption, and I can honestly say this book surprised me in the best way. At first, I wasn’t really sure what to expect, and it definitely isn’t your typical read, but the more I continued reading, the more invested I became.

The story did a great job pulling me in, and by the end I truly enjoyed the journey. The characters, emotions, and unexpected moments kept me wanting to see what would happen next. If you’re looking for something a little different that keeps you engaged, I definitely recommend giving Redemption a chance!

[Farrahlea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, I really enjoyed this. Such a fun read. I totally relate to her. the characters feel so real, like a total mess, but you also get to see her growth. She’s just a super relatable character that you end up falling in love with.

It’s so easy to burn out, and sometimes it takes forever to come back from it. But I did love this book and I can’t wait to see more. Ashley’s a new-to-me author so I’m excited to see what she does next.

[Maria Parker-Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was not at all what I expected it to be but in the best way. The romantic storyline was secondary to the mystery unfolding and the FMC's redemption arc. It was refreshing to see her save herself (with a little guidance from the supernatural). She definitely went from zero to hero and without needing to be rescued by a MMC. She had it all within her, she had just lost a little self confidence. I can certainly relate! The unfolding love story was very slow burn and I wished we could have had more of the HEA at the end. But really if you are stuck in a rut and need a little push toward self empowerment, this book is for you! With a sprinkling of Hollywood sparkle and a dash of 'wait, what does that chant mean', this book will keep you guessing to the end.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

An ideal beach read—or what our book club fondly calls a palate cleanser—this novel is engaging from the very first page. I read it in one day, drawn in by the smooth, accessible storyline and instantly immersive world. The characters feel genuine and relatable, and readers familiar with the author will enjoy the thoughtful Easter eggs sprinkled throughout.

[Jillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Redemption Arc was a light and enjoyable read. I have been in a reading slump for years and this was the perfect book to get me out of that. The storyline was very engaging and the characters were delightful. I enjoyed the paranormal elements of the story mixed with the overarching romance, but most compelling of all were the characters’ journeys. I am excited to see more from this author!

[Elle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Devoured the entire book in just a few days! Filled with romantic tension, personal and professional growth, and a touch of paranormal elements, Redemption Arc is a delightful debut novel by a first time author. This is the perfect book for people who love their romance books with a dash of character development. Can't want for the next book from this author!