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From Ashes to Beauty
She was the only risk I actually wanted to walk away from, but the only one I couldn't.
Fresh out of prison and struggling to outrun the weight of his past, Russell Grandy is convinced he's only traded one cage for another. He keeps people at a distance, certain that forgiveness is something only other people get. That is, until Birdie Jo MacLean walks into his life with a quiet strength he can't ignore, and a kindness that makes him wonder if maybe God isn't finished with him yet.
Birdie Jo has always believed that control is the same as safety. After experiencing life's heartaches, she throws herself into work because structure feels safer than surrender. But when her curated stability begins to crack and her health forces her to face the possibility that control is an illusion, she realizes she has let fear shape her more than faith. The last thing she expects is for Russell, a rough-edged complication, to stir feelings she thought were already buried.
As Russell fights the pull of his old life and Birdie faces the terrifying uncertainty of her future, both must decide if they will keep living guarded by their pasts, or trust that God's plan for restoration might require them to risk everything they've been protecting.
Fresh out of prison and struggling to outrun the weight of his past, Russell Grandy is convinced he's only traded one cage for another. He keeps people at a distance, certain that forgiveness is something only other people get. That is, until Birdie Jo MacLean walks into his life with a quiet strength he can't ignore, and a kindness that makes him wonder if maybe God isn't finished with him yet.
Birdie Jo has always believed that control is the same as safety. After experiencing life's heartaches, she throws herself into work because structure feels safer than surrender. But when her curated stability begins to crack and her health forces her to face the possibility that control is an illusion, she realizes she has let fear shape her more than faith. The last thing she expects is for Russell, a rough-edged complication, to stir feelings she thought were already buried.
As Russell fights the pull of his old life and Birdie faces the terrifying uncertainty of her future, both must decide if they will keep living guarded by their pasts, or trust that God's plan for restoration might require them to risk everything they've been protecting.
366 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 7, 2026
About the author
Heather Camacho
4 books53 followersI write faith-based love stories with happily ever afters, real life grit and larger than life redemption. Oh, and I also love to read!
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 29, 2026
I loved this story & I have really enjoyed this whole series. I especially liked the theme of second chances. How someone can be so far gone but never too far gone for God to reach. These two are definite opposites but end up working so well together. This story also reminds you to not go back to the past God brought you out of.
This was a great romance of two imperfect people with their own different struggles.
This was a great romance of two imperfect people with their own different struggles.
June 24, 2026
This was such a sweet read and I loved the character's stories! 🥰 I definitely recommend it!!
June 8, 2026
This was such an amazing read, very well written. A story about God's grace, second chances and what it is to have joy in your life. I love that I was able to get Birdie Jo and Russell's point of view.
June 22, 2026
This is my favorite book in the series so far! I absolutely loved it!
Russell and Birdie Jo meet in an unconventional way, but are so good for each other. Throughout their relationship, they grow closer together and closer to God. There is a strong redemption theme in the Renewed Hearts series, and it's so sweet to see the transformation in the characters. I also loved that I have a personal connection to so many places in this book.
Great job, Heather! I can't wait to read the next one.
Russell and Birdie Jo meet in an unconventional way, but are so good for each other. Throughout their relationship, they grow closer together and closer to God. There is a strong redemption theme in the Renewed Hearts series, and it's so sweet to see the transformation in the characters. I also loved that I have a personal connection to so many places in this book.
Great job, Heather! I can't wait to read the next one.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is perhaps the best in the Renewed Hearts series so far! Birdie Jo and Russell are believable, flawed characters who are trying to do better in their lives. While I hate that Birdie Jo ends up with a medical condition, I love that it's being shown representation in this book. Camacho does a great job with that in her books!
This is a Christian YA romance, so there is a lot of talk about God but nothing hits you over the head and the character growth is believable.
This is a Christian YA romance, so there is a lot of talk about God but nothing hits you over the head and the character growth is believable.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Heather has done it again!
From Ashes to Beauty is very well written. I love seeing the character development of the group of friends we’ve been part of throughout the series. Russel especially. I see myself in him and some of his struggles.
Russel and Birdie Jo have a story worth reading about!
This is well worth all five stars! Well done Heather!
From Ashes to Beauty is very well written. I love seeing the character development of the group of friends we’ve been part of throughout the series. Russel especially. I see myself in him and some of his struggles.
Russel and Birdie Jo have a story worth reading about!
This is well worth all five stars! Well done Heather!
August 28, 2026
Absolutely wonderful Christian fiction💕Love this book as no hint of smut!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews