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Burnt Ashes #2

Holding Onto You

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Kayla thought she’d left the pain behind when she ran to Portland—just a few months to breathe, to disappear, to grieve in silence.
Then everything went black.
Waking from a car accident with eight years of her life erased, Kayla doesn’t remember the heartbreak that broke her, the man she left behind… or the love that almost saved her.

Logan Dale, lead guitarist of the world-famous band Burnt Ashes, has never stopped looking for her.
Not after she vanished. Not after she forgot.

But now the truth is more complicated than either of them ever imagined.

She remembers their childhood.
He’s still holding onto the pieces of their forever.

Now, with a past she can’t recall and a love she can’t deny, Kayla must choose whether to let go of the life she doesn’t remember… or fight for the one her heart refuses to forget.

Because sometimes, the hardest part of finding yourself—is realizing you were never really lost.

210 pages, Paperback

First published October 14, 2016

51 people are currently reading
899 people want to read

About the author

K.E. Taylor

5 books160 followers
K E Taylor is a romance author with a passion for crafting swoon-worthy stories that tug at the heartstrings. Married for 15 years to her best friend, she’s the proud mother of five children, aged 11 to 22.

Her love for books knows no bounds—if it’s romance, she’s all in! When not immersed in writing or reading, K E Taylor enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Sprig and Honey, both named after fictional characters. Her grand-fur-baby, Feyre, a pampered miniature Weiner, who rules the household with her sassy attitude.

Dedicated to creating unforgettable characters and passionate tales, K E Taylor invites readers to dive into worlds full of love, heartache, and hope.

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5 stars
68 (40%)
4 stars
42 (25%)
3 stars
43 (25%)
2 stars
8 (4%)
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5 (3%)
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Shannon.
368 reviews
August 29, 2025
This is the second book in the Burnt Ashes rockstar romance series and I was ready for it. Kayla (Mac) and Logan’s love story continues in this book and even though sometimes it feels the odds might be stacked against them, their love for each other keeps shining through. I feel like there is even more of the band’s banter in this book which was amusing and I enjoyed reading about the band and Kayla at the music festival. It was evident that their HEA wasn’t wrapped up at the end of this book and I now know to keep an eye out for the conclusion of their love story. Thank you to KE Taylor and Lee Taylor for the opportunity to read this early.
25 reviews
September 7, 2025
Holding Onto You is the second book in the Burnt Ashes series, released on August 30th. I enjoyed this one even more than the first—it pulled me in deeply and left me thinking about it long after I turned the last page.
Once again, the story resonated with me personally because of my own experience with the loss of a brother. Mac continues her journey through grief, and there’s a moment in the book that stopped me in my tracks:
“It feels strange smiling… She says that the smile doesn’t feel like betrayal. My grief hasn’t disappeared. My love is still here, but it started sitting heavy with it. Nowhere to go now I know where it belongs. It reaches out toward him, towards all of them, like a quiet offering. Today I walk away with it, not away from it. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is open the door we’ve kept closed, especially when what’s behind it is everything we’ve lost.”
This passage perfectly captures the complexity of grief—how love and loss are intertwined, how you don’t move away from grief but rather with it. I felt this so much.
While grief is at the heart of the story, this book is also about love, protection, and support—love between Mac and Logan, and the unwavering protection and support Mac receives from the band. The authors also wove in some unexpected twists that brought suspense and kept me turning the pages.
Overall, Holding Onto You is a moving continuation of the Burnt Ashes series. It’s heartfelt, emotional, and beautifully explores how love and grief can coexist.
Profile Image for Mayville (Tourbiez Reads).
354 reviews6 followers
August 7, 2025
4 Stars
2.5 Spices 🌶️

"If loving you is the song I go out on... I'd play it on repeat 'til the end." - Logan Dale


Holding Onto You is the sequel to Life After You, which recounts the journey of Logan Dale, a member of Burnt Ashes, and Mackayla Smith in reestablishing their relationship following the cliffhanger in the first book.
Love, despair, the impact of fame, found family, and the power of memory are all explored in the novel, which raises the questions of whether love can withstand amnesia and whether a close bond that has been broken can be restored.

"Because Logan Dale is a man who knows the value of a slow burn. A man who wants me to feel it - every second of the wanting. And I do; God help me, I do." - Mackayla Smith


What makes Holding Onto You memorable is its reflection on commitment, love and support, as Logan has to let Mac find herself again, even if it means he may lose her, given Mac's memory condition. While some might feel the plot is sentimental, others will find the sincerity refreshing. Logan's sincere, loving and wise words to Mac give it a special edge, reminding readers of the resilience needed in love. In every chapter, Logan's profound love for her becomes apparent to me. And I felt some poignant experiences as an outcome.

In contrast to the first book, this follow-up novel emphasises facing the aftermath of grief rather than avoiding it in order to find healing and serenity. With Logan's help, Mac's character has greatly improved, and she has shown her authentic self-worth, even though she is still vulnerable. A small amount of mystery surrounding Braden's death was also introduced in the plot. And oh my, that revelation really caught me off guard. The story was wonderfully concluded with a humorous epilogue from Trey. Even though I had hoped it could have been longer. K.E. and Lee did a great job writing that!

Overall, the book's strength is found in its sincerity, hilarious banter, and lovable characters—Mac is the understanding, sweet, and realistic woman, and Logan is a paragon of patience who remains by her side. Additionally, the story is made more interesting and comical by the eccentricities and kindness of Chase, Sam, and Trey.

Holding Onto You is more than just a story of love and healing, with its levity, insightful and note-taking dialogues. It's also a lovely and uplifting book which highlights the value of acknowledging one's weaknesses and the power of friendship. I believe that anyone who has ever experienced sorrow but remained resilient and hopeful will relate to this book.

I voluntarily read an Advance Reader Copy and am sharing my honest review based on my personal experience. Thank you to K.E. and Lee Taylor for trusting me to read this book in advance.
Profile Image for bookramblings1..
459 reviews9 followers
October 7, 2016
What can I say...
Firstly I was lucky enough to get an unedited copy of this book (be jel I totes would)
And squee I was not disappointed.
Holding Onto you is the follow on to life after you. (Grab it and catch up now if you've yet to meet the burnt ashes guys!)
Mac, Logan and the gang recaptured my heart. It flowed so perfectly from *LAY* recapturing the emotions I though i'de recovered from (how wrong was i *poor poor mac*)
This book isn't without its ups and downs but it'll heal your broken and bruised heart :)
This is all I'm going to say as I don't want to ruin it for you.
If you haven't already go grab book one, what are you waiting for....
Profile Image for Charlie Finn.
Author 2 books8 followers
November 15, 2014
I was lucky enough to receive an unedited copy of Holding on to you, let me tell you guys something, this draft did not disappoint, i cannot wait for you to get your hands on the final edition. I don't want to give anything away but I cannot wait to read this book again when it's all polished and shiny next year!
Profile Image for K.E..
Author 5 books160 followers
Want to read
August 30, 2025
OUT NOW on kindle unlimited, kindle and paperback!
Profile Image for Jessica Aranda.
166 reviews25 followers
September 1, 2025
✨This is the 2nd book in The Burnt Ashes Series and the emotional damage didn’t disappoint! 😭 Holding Onto You picks up on that cliffhanger from the ending of Life After You!
✨I loved the band banter throughout the book, especially with Trey! I couldn’t stop laughing. Loved it! It continues to be a beautiful love story with heartbreak, grief, and plot twists and turns!
I can’t wait to read Trey’s story in Muse releasing in December 2025!

💗FAVORITE QUOTES💗

“If loving you is the song I go out on… I’d play it on repeat ‘til the end.”

“Loving you is the only thing I’ve ever gotten right.”
Profile Image for Shreenidhi R.
67 reviews2 followers
August 24, 2025
Story begins with Kayla 👩🏻waking up after a terrible car accident and realizing she has lost the memory of the last eight years of her life. With Logan 🧑🏻‍🎤there for her, she slowly starts finding her way again.🩷

This book was emotional, fun, and full of moments . The characters are sweet  and each adds their own spark to the Burnt Ashes family. This book honestly gives me K-pop vibes with all the energy, drama, and chemistry between the characters. I liked all the characters and how naturally they fit into the story. I loved the first book and enjoyed the second one just as much. and can’t wait to read the next in the series!😊✨
Profile Image for book_queen_forever.
157 reviews7 followers
August 28, 2025
4🌟

I adored life after you, but holding onto you was wow! I mean the emotion and the depth from these characters were incredible. The love story between Mac & Logan was amazing, it was emotional and it was true, it was written perfectly.

I love the guys from the band too, they bring chaos and laugher . Which is really fun to read because it just makes the book a little lighter and kind of balances it out.

The story itself was very good and well written. Had a strong storyline that was interesting and kept you wanting to read more and to see where the story was going!

Loved the ending, loved it more because for a moment you weren’t expecting it.

All around a fantastic addition to the series. I can’t wait to see if there is more to come!
Profile Image for Emerald Morhous.
27 reviews2 followers
December 22, 2025
HOLDING ONTO YOU 🖤🎸

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶🌶🌶/5

Book Two in the Burnt Ashes Series picks up with Mackayla and Logans story in the aftermath of a tragic accident. Memories temporarily fade, but love and devotion carry this book. Undeniable passions break their way through the cracks of our two main characters souls. Loved getting to know Mac and Logan better in this book and cannot wait for Book 3!

Tropes you'll Love:

🖤 Brother's Best Friend
🎸 Found Family
🖤 Amnesia/forgotten memories
🎸 MMC falls first
🖤 Slow Burn Tension
🎸 High Stakes Ending
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Becky.
50 reviews19 followers
November 6, 2016
This review was first published on .{ ink.eaters }.>

"Logan Dale, slayer of panties; K.E. Taylor, slayer of hearts." - This comment was one of my initial reactions to Taylor's Burnt Ashes series, and if you thought Life After You and Snow Flakes were tickets to emotional rollercoasters, you ain't seen nothing yet as Holding Onto You will take your emotional wreckage to another level.

There is no one playing more heart-wrenchingly beautiful on broken strings than Logan Dale - so you better get ready to have your heartstrings strummed like they're his favorite e[motional]-guitar, 'cause things are about to get a lot darker before things can finally start to look brighter again in the Burnt Ashes universe... especially for McLogan (M(a)cLogan... get it?! - I feel like Trey Baker would approve!).

Life After You quite literally ended on a bang. Being thrown back into her teenage years where her memory is concerned, nothing is as Mackayla remembers it to be. Holding Onto You presents her with a clear slate, and with the chance to rediscover and reinvent herself should she be able to pull herself out the downward spiral caused by going through losing her family - and herself - all over again. But is Logan willing to let their relationship be collateral damage, willing to have it be all but forgotten? Will he accept being friendzoned, or will he be able to remind Kayla of all they used to be?

The second novel in the Burnt Ashes series is just as emotional as Life After You was, and if you loved the boys (and girls!) then, you will be absolutely enjoying Holding Onto You!

I cannot wait for the next installment in the series, and am dying for Trey Baker's spin-off novel, Muse!


*** I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review! ****
Profile Image for Lumi Daoi.
Author 8 books14 followers
September 28, 2016
When Katie tells you that she's finished HOTY and it's going to her editor. You demand to read it whilst it's being edited, however she teases you as you're only sent the first half of the book!

Eventually you are given that full book and you are no longer disappointed, the words flowing as they take over.

Well ladies and gents, get ready to sink your teeth into the one and only Logon Dale as he does his thing. Things are slightly messy as everyone is still getting over the accident.

However can Logon win the love of his Kayla back? Will she move on and find someone new on a crazy night out? How much does fate have to intervene for everyone to recognise what exactly is in front of them?

Questions that will all be answered, and of course how could we forget Trey? Poor guy, this books just gives you more. Feeds the demand to have the others stories to be told, on of those my Sam. Wow what a little secret insight into how his story will turn out.

I've gone off topic now, simply HOTY is freaking amazing and my girl has not disappointed. Get this added to you TBR and then one click that b***h when it goes live!
Profile Image for Kimkbries.
1,730 reviews
October 22, 2016
I am a huge fan of this book! Book one left us needing more. Happy to say this book was just what I needed. Rockstar Logan has cared about Kayla forever. When something happens and he feels he may have lost her he is devastated. Even after everything, he knows he will wait forever for her. Kayla doesn't know what she wants. So much has happened. Can she ever find her way back? Enjoy this book of second chances and forever love. In addition to their story, the rest of the band are involved in the story. They are entertaining and I know I need to read each of their stories. Well done! This book was worth the wait!
Profile Image for Stacy Spinks.
1 review2 followers
October 1, 2016
Holding Onto You... what can I say. I absolutely adored the continuation of Mac and Logan's story. There were sweet, make you feel moments and moments where you want to run and hide. incredible storytelling and rockstar romance at it's best. An amazing follow up and an unexpected, yet perfect twist. A must for fans of Rockstar Romance.
Profile Image for Stacy McWilliams.
Author 33 books175 followers
December 7, 2016
Absolutely incredible from K E Taylor. She takes you on a story of how love never really leaves you and how heartbreak can make you stronger.
I adore Mackayla and Logan and all the Burnt Ashes boys. I cannot wait for both book three and Muse.
Profile Image for Anne.
4 reviews
September 28, 2016
I wasn't sure if it could top Life After You, but it has! Holding Onto You was amazing! Well worth the wait!
Profile Image for Brandi Stone.
72 reviews
Read
October 23, 2016
Ok book

Not quite as good as the first one, but I will read more books by ke Taylor. I have really liked everything she's written.
Profile Image for Lemonnyyy.
181 reviews4 followers
August 18, 2025
🤘🖤Holding Onto You by K.E. Taylor and Lee Taylor🖤🤘

339 Pages

Burnt Ashes Book 2

How do I even move on from this, man this takes you on a journey and it is equal parts beautiful and gut wrenching.

Book 2 follows seamlessly on from the events in book 1, and if you haven't read that yet... what are you doing with your life, cuz honestly you need to, after waking up after surviving a car crash Kayla has to face a reality where she has lost the last 8 years of her life, and putting her life back together is easier said then done, but with Logan by her side anything is possible.

Ahh I can't put anything more without giving it all away, this book, no scratch that this entire series has me in a chokehold, it hits every emotion under the sun and I cannot wait for more, All the characters are all so crazy and loveable in their own ways, and I cannot wait to see what is yet to come with all of the Burnt Ashes Family!

I would recommend this series to anyone looking for something to break you down but also to put yourself together again. For Fans of Rockstar Romances, Found Families, Angsty Storylines, and some delicious Spicy Goodness.
17 reviews
August 31, 2025
0.5/5⭐️ 2/5🌶️
So I don’t even know where to start because the book was just so bad .
But I’m gonna start with the writing .
maybe it’s because I didn’t read the first book but the timelines were just not adding up and most of the book did not make sense even at the end of the book I didn’t know how when FMC got into an accident or if she got into the accident with her brother or without her brother it was really not mentioned in the book which really annoyed me


But the worst thing for me was the 3rd act break up because after that I literally just skimmed through the book it didn’t interest me anymore and I was really disgusted with the MMC what do you mean he always loved her and would never let her go but then when they were on a break I think they were on a break I don’t know because it was not really mentioned he turned into a slut

Also, the ending was just really unnecessary because they added a kidnapping, even though it didn’t make sense with the plot of the book . The ending was also kind of left on a cliffhanger.
Profile Image for 2OCC Reviews.
3,487 reviews254 followers
November 22, 2016
Wow. I haven't read the first book in the series but I've read the prequel (I think that's what it's called), so I had an understanding of the characters slightly before they became famous.
Well, this book drew me in and sucker punched me right in the heart. I will hold my hands up and admit that I may have shed a tear or two (or four) reading this book.
I love Kayla and Logan, I love how he doesn't give up on her. I love how she is becoming her own person and figuring out exactly who she is and wants to be.
The twist at the end... oh my gosh!!!! Amazing!!!!!
This book is filled with love, laughter, sorrow, joy, heartbreak, family and friendship. Absolutely incredible.
I just want to add that Trey is my absolute favourite!!! He is hilarious!!!
I cannot wait to read more from this series and to see what happens with each of the band members. What a phenomenal read. You will not be disappointed reading this.
#2OCCAB
Profile Image for MJay.
157 reviews4 followers
September 1, 2025
This booked wrecked me. I sobbed for Makayla (Mac) and I sobbed for Logan and then for rest of them too.
All broken but kept together by each other and their love for the brother they lost, not by blood (except Mac) but in every other way that matters.
The dynamic between Mac and Logan was electric, and their chemistry was intense in the best way. Their relationship progression, and individual growth into this book was so on point. This book is an emotional one and i loved that about it.
The mystery behind what's happening with the rest of the guys and the raw and real truth between Mackayla and Logan was really captivating.

ARC Review - 4.75⭐️

Thank you K.E. Taylor and Lee Taylor
46 reviews
September 18, 2017
Holding Onto You (Burnt Ashes series)

I recommend this series. Ms. Taylor's writing keeps you very involved with each character that you cannot put the book's down. You are totally surprised what happens to some of the people. I cannot wait for the next book of this series.
110 reviews1 follower
September 6, 2025
So disappointing honestly. After reading the first book I was excited to get the end of this couple’s story but it dragged and the “twists” did not make sense. I seems like the author threw things at the story to just give excitement that was not exciting. At least the couple got a HEAish?
Profile Image for Mommy's Fictional Boyfriends.
7 reviews1 follower
November 23, 2016
I have been dying to get my hands on book two, and let me tell you now, it did not disappoint!

K.E takes us on another emotional rollercoaster ride...with yet another god damned twist to Mac and Logans story!

We dive right in where it left off in Life After You - and my heart broke for Mac...but honestly, it weeped for Logan!

In this book K.E also touches base on Sam...and we get a little more on him which was really nice.
(or not so nice as this is K.E.)

I can't wait for Trey's story next year! As one of my favorite characters I know it's not going to disappoint! He really knows how to make a girl blush!
Profile Image for Sandi Collins.
1 review
October 1, 2016

Holding onto you..an amazing continuation of Mac and Logan's story. A Rockstar romance with a surprise twist, if this is you kind of read, you won't want to put in down...
Profile Image for Angela Maher.
Author 20 books32 followers
March 12, 2017
This is a great follow-up to 'Life After You'. Filled with emotion, humour and drama, it sucks you in. I really enjoy this author's style and look forward to her future books.
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