Beautiful Goodbyes : Beauty from Ashes: Book two

by Heather Michelle

He's not the Prince Charming in my fairytale.
He's the big, bad wolf.
Fierce.
Brutal.
Seductive, like the snake in the garden.
His secrets will destroy me.
If I don't destroy myself first.

The angel wants to know what it's like to dance with the devil, and I'm about to show her the way.
I don't deserve her.
But I can't stay away from her.
I'll cherish her.
I'll fight for her.
I will call her mine.
And when my enemies come after her, I'll protect her.
Even if it's the last thing I ever do.

**This is a closed door, dark mafia romance. This is not a Christian romance, however, there are faith elements, such as prayer, in the story. While there is no explicit language or graphic intimacy, there is content that may be triggering or offensive to some readers. Please see content warning before diving in. This is book two in a series. It is not required but is highly recommended that you read book one first. **

197 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication November 19, 2026

Reviews

[Caren | Hopefulwords · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary advance copy of this book. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Firstly, this series is stunning! It is so beautifully written, and if you haven’t read Beautiful Promises yet, I suggest going back and reading that first.

Now, my eARC of Beautiful Goodbyes is so full of highlights! This story makes you want to ask someone, “What page are you on?” You want to talk about it. And maybe even hit a surface for emphasis when saying how good this is! The way this author describes things is just incredible.

Two words: selfless and protective. The MMC puts Makenna first over and over again. And let me tell you, when she starts using his full name and the meaning behind it… These two will have you feeling all the feels!

I’ve only read book one and two, but it’s quickly becoming clear that this series has the perfect title! The MMC has gone through so much, and his character speaks to anyone who has ever felt beyond redemption, felt like too much has happened that cannot be changed. Then, there’s Makenna who walks through the valley in this one, and while her coping mechanism isn’t healthy, it is realistic as we are all flawed human beings who don’t react as we should. We’re broken and messy, but God still doesn’t let go. On this note, keep in mind that this story has Christian content, but it’s not Christian fiction.

There are brief but meaningful moments where someone talks to a deceased person, one of which is about moving forward and another has the overall feeling that it’s God who responds.

The ending had me on the edge of my seat! Let’s just say I’m hanging around for the next one (pun intended). I can’t wait to read it!

Content:
Closed Door Dark Mafia Romance with Christian content (not Christian fiction)
Intimacy level: Kisses Only
Language: Mild
Violence
Alcohol
Brief references to: fortune teller; universe

[Magen Bush · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 1 brought the 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚. Book 2 brought the 𝗖𝗛𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗥𝗬. 👀🔥
And somehow @Heather Michelle- Author managed to make me even more invested in these characters than I was after 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴.

I thought Book 1 had me hooked… but Book 2 had me emotionally 𝗜𝗡𝗩𝗘𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗗. 😂
One thing Heather Michelle does 𝘴𝘰 𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 is character development. You can genuinely see these characters grow, evolve, and become more layered as the story unfolds. She doesn’t just tell us who they are—she gives us the moments, conversations, struggles, and experiences that show us why they are the way they are.
I felt like I understood these characters on a completely different level in this book, and that made everything happening around them hit so much harder. The character development is honestly one of my favorite things about this series.

And then there’s the 𝒕𝒆𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏. 👏🏻
The 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚. 👏🏻
The 𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏. 👏🏻
𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗪.

But what I appreciate 𝗦𝗢 much is that Heather manages to create all of that tension without needing spice to carry the romance. This is a 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘥-𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, and honestly, that made me appreciate the story even more.
There are moments where you’re absolutely screaming internally because the chemistry is 𝗦𝗢 𝗚𝗢𝗢𝗗, but it never has to cross that line. 🙌🏻
And just when I thought I was getting a handle on where this story was going…

𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗘𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗡𝗚.

Heather. 😭

𝘐 𝘢𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘬𝘢𝘺.

𝗜 𝗡𝗘𝗘𝗗 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝟯. Like… preferably yesterday.
This series has mystery, mafia elements, danger, complicated relationships, secrets, emotional tension, faith elements, and characters that I genuinely find myself caring about. And I love that there is so much more to the story than just the romance.
If you haven’t started this series yet, 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗 𝗕𝗢𝗢𝗞 𝗢𝗡𝗘 𝗙𝗜𝗥𝗦𝗧. Trust me. You need the setup from 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 before jumping into 𝘉𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘥𝘣𝘺𝘦𝘴.
And definitely check the content warnings before reading. This is a dark mafia romance and, while it is closed-door with no graphic intimacy, there are some darker themes, violence, and mild language.
𝟱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝗲. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Heather Michelle officially has me invested, emotionally attached, and impatiently waiting for Book 3. 😂📚🤍
Book 1: 𝒎𝒚𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒚.
Book 2: 𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒚.
Book 3: 𝗣𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗗𝗢𝗡’𝗧 𝗠𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗠𝗘 𝗪𝗔𝗜𝗧. 😭

Book 1: Beautiful Promises will be released October 16, 2026.
Book 2: Beautiful Goodbyes will be released November 19, 2026.
You can preorder both for your Kindle on Amazon and they will be automatically delivered to you on the release date!

[Amy Langston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advanced readers copy from the author….

I cannot say enough about this book. I read it in less than 24 hours!!! This book brought the chemistry but none of the spice, which I love. Even though it is a dark romance, there is a sweetness about it between the main characters that just tugs at your heart.

I would start by saying if you have not read the first book, Beautiful Promises, then I suggest you read that one first.

When I finished Beautiful Goodbyes, I sat there a second and thought it has been a while since I have read a book that I could not put down. This book was even better than the first and the first was a great read. The main difference between the two books is, you see how the main characters develop from one book to the next and they both are relatable. The aspect of how grief changes you and how to navigate through that is shown in this book. Just that topic alone was so beautifully written and addressed.

Do not get me started about the ending…all
I will say is you are left craving more! This book/series is definitely worth the read.

[Danielle K · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars - Book 1 brought all the mystery and Book 2 brings all the chemistry.

I am so invested in what is going to happen with these characters! I highlighted many more passages than I did in book 1. The allegories and advice given from some of the characters were beautifully done and brought in more depth. The tension and chemistry between the MCs is high, but I cannot overemphasize how much I appreciate that this is no spice. I am glad that Heather is rapid releasing these books because, especially with that ending, I cannot wait for book 3!

Be sure to read Beautiful Promises before you read Beautiful Goodbyes.
Check content warnings at the beginning of the book. They include mafia-related violence, some mild language.

*Thanks for the ARC, Heather! All thoughts are my own.

[Sophia Mccurdy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the second book in this series! The story was intriguing, and I really liked seeing everything continue to unfold and seeing where their story is headed. I especially loved getting to see things from both characters’ perspectives and understand what each of them was thinking and feeling throughout everything they were going through. I also loved seeing the FMC start to heal from the emotional pain she had been through.

There were definitely some emotional moments, and the ending left me wanting more! The cliffhanger made me want to immediately pick up the next book, so I’m definitely excited for the next one!

[Bethany Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to ARC read this book and OH MY GOSH!!! 😭❤️

I absolutely LOVED book one, but somehow book two was EVEN BETTER!!!

I am such a sucker for romance, and THIS is the kind of romance I want!!! The emotions, the heartbreak, the healing, ALL OF IT!!! There were moments when my heart absolutely ached, but also moments that made it so incredibly happy.

I don’t even know how to explain how much I loved this story without giving anything away! 😂

This is exactly what I mean when I say you don’t need all the extra spice to write an AMAZING romance. Give me a story that makes me FEEL something, and this one did exactly that!!!

Heather, I am absolutely in love with this series!!! ❤️ BUT AFTER THAT CLIFFHANGER?!?! I NEED BOOK THREE PRONTO!!! 😭

[Karla Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I genuinely don’t know what I’m supposed to do after finishing this book. 😭

I loved this one just as much as the first! Heather Michelle has completely pulled me into this series and these characters, and I’m already so attached that I’m not sure I’m emotionally prepared for what comes next. 🥹

There’s just something about this series that makes it so easy to get completely lost in the story. I laughed, I cried, I kicked my feet and by the end, I was absolutely not ready to say goodbye.

I NEED the next one. I’m way too invested in these characters now, and honestly, I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with myself until then. 😂❤️

[angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Makenna got stronger. She finally gave Cal a chance. And she is still heart broken with her grief.
Cal finally getting Makenna go out with him. He is still cold,ruthless. Anybody that touches Makenna and will be unlived.
This book is so good. I did not want to put this book down. I read this book in 2 days. Things happen in this book will on the edge of your seat.Where you be wanting more of Cal and Makenna.
Maybe in book 3 who do you think will fall first Cal or Makenna in love? My bet is Cal. Book 2 will leave you with a cliff hanger. You will be like why did it have to end.

[Madison · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

My jaw is still on the floor, and I finished this book a couple nights ago…

That cliffhanger was SHOCKING! It left me craving the next book. Once again, the characters in this book are dynamic and fiery. The chemistry was even better than the first book 👀. There was definitely an invisible string always tying them together!

The plot moves quickly, but it doesn’t take away from the tension. Plus, the faith elements bring another level of emotion and reality to the read that I appreciate.

I was lucky enough to get an early copy of this book, but you can enjoy it on Nov. 19th!! 🩷

[Shannon Bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just read the entire book in about 6 hours, and oh my goodness, the cliffhanger is BRUTAL!

I must say, Heather has a unique talent for making 200 pages feel like 50! I was so invested in the dynamic between McKenna and Cal that I just couldn't put it down.

I have a scary suspicion about where McKenna will be at the start book 3 and I really hope I'm wrong. She's been through enough already! That said, I can't wait for the third installment.

You did a great job again, Heather! You’re totally knocking it out of the park with this series!!!

[Samantha Duncan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Advanced Readers copy review

I'm absolutely flabbergasted!!!

I had the privilege to read this book and the first (Beautiful Promises) as an ARC reader. I thought the first book was fantastic, and was so excited for this one. And let me tell you, this book DID NOT DISAPPOINT!

The continuation of this story has exceeded all expectations. I loved the tension between Cal and Makenna. It had me kicking my feet and giggling nonstop.

The way Heather describes Makenna's grief in this book really resonated for me. I love the growth from both of the MCs as well. They're very easy to relate to, and the way she portrays them makes them feel less like characters and more like friends.

All around AMAZING book! And I CANNOT wait to read the next!

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought all the feels. You couldn’t help but cry and commiserate with Makenna and her conflicting emotions. But then also smile and encourage her when Cal would step onto the scene. The sparks were flying! I enjoyed their interactions and Cal’s patience and sincerity with Makenna. This book had me on the edge of my seat every chapter not knowing what would happen next; and that cliffhanger! I’m counting the days until book three. Five stars

[Echo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had read the original version but it's been so long that I genuinely forgot where the story was going lol so I was very excited/scared to finish this one and boom cliffhanger! Bravo Heather , I love it just as much this time around! Super excited for the conclusion to this series!

[Claire Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need more immediately! For anyone who has been wanting to read more dark romance but are staying away from books with spice/ explicit content, this series is the perfect place to start! (But start with the prequel!)

Thank you so much for the ARC copy!

[Nadia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am UNDONE !!!🥹🥹🥹

This book was so well written with immense emotion. Ahhhhh Cal Suppato!!!! That guy is a protector with a hardened heart and lost soul. 🥰🥰

I am in absolute awe of the way my heart broke and was put back together.