From the Ashes

by C.M. Valencourt

Hunter and Derek are at a fork in the road...

At their friend Justin's funeral, once-best-friends Derek and Hunter meet again almost four years after their monumental falling out. Hunter kissed Derek, and Derek freaked out and chose a college on the other side of the country.

If they had a choice, both of them would walk away and never see the other again. Except Justin has given them a an epic road trip to scatter his ashes all over the Midwest, complete with cryptic notes, new friends, and a whole lot of sexual tension. Can Derek and Hunter finish Justin's road trip without ripping each other's heads—or clothes—off?

This is a stand-alone 65,000-word m/m novel with an HEA ending.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, LGBT, Friends To Lovers, Contemporary, College, Road Trip

254 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 9, 2018

About the author

C.M. Valencourt is a new m/m romance author. They started devouring queer fiction when they still had to smuggle it into their parents’ Catholic household, and dreamed of writing books about queer people finding love ever since. They like figure skating, ghost hunting shows, and Carly Rae Jepsen. You can find out more about their books and learn about upcoming releases at cmvalencourt.com.

Reviews

[Teal]

Good premise. Had a very YA feel to it, even though the characters are all 21 or older. Got very saggy in the middle -- I do NOT need to read about every food and beverage four people consume at every meal. And then, the kiss of death: pages of poetry written by one of the characters. Sorry, author, you'd have to pay me to read bad poetry; I'm not going to do it on my own time.

DNF @ 50%

[Ula'ndi Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall book rating: 4
Audio Book: N/A
Book Cover: 3.5




This story is about friendship gone wrong. About guilt and regret. About love and new beginnings and making new memories. About never forgetting and always being thankful for the special people in your life.

I liked the whole “road-trip” vibe to this story. I liked how new bonds were built, and how past hurts had to be faced.

My heart broke for Justin..

As the story progressed and you get little glimpses of him through his letters it gets so much more difficult to accept that he is gone.

I think the author made me feel that Justin was there with them in his own way. I cried when the letters ended. I cried when he came to except his fate....



I enjoyed the relationship between Hunter and Derek. I don’t know if I somehow missed their precise age mentioned but they are obviously still rather young. Therefore, the little “drama” episodes didn’t feel out of place.

Derek’s issues with his parents finding out is a valid fear in my opinion, and Hunter not wanting to be pushed back in the closet is also a fair point of view.

I really enjoyed Jamie (although, please don’t shoot me, I did struggle with the “they” concept for a while, I was never really sure if “they” was referring to the group or Jamie? It’s confusing to an “old” lady like me but I tried my best. )

Paige was also great. I felt so sad for her. Loving someone like that and having to say goodbye is just heart breaking. She tried so hard for them all and for herself and she deserves a hug. A big one.

All in all this is a bitter sweet mellow read that will make you wipe a tear or two between the pages. Not perfect, no, but really really nice to read.

[Evie Drae · Rating 5 out of 5]

You guys… OMGsh. This book. THIS BOOK. I’m not sure I’m gonna be able to find the right words to describe this experience, but I’m going to try my darnedest. From the Ashes by C.M. Valencourt is one of those books that sends your emotions on a roller coaster ride and demands your undivided attention. From page one. If you think you can plan to just read one chapter… Too bad. It ain’t gonna let you go that easy.



The depth of emotion in this story—from the heartbreaking to the heartwarming—is awe-inspiring. I laughed. I cried. I fell into various pits swirling with vicarious regret, longing, and painfully lost hope. But at the end, I cheered. My cheeks hurt from smiling, because I wanted that HEA more than I’d wanted anything else I could possibly remember in that moment.



The author created some truly wonderful characters. The plot gripped me from the start, and the emotion swirling just under the surface at every turn of the page had me quite literally holding my breath and clenching the edges of my eReader. If I wasn’t curled up in a puddle of my own tears, of course.



I would highly recommend this book to all lovers of the m/m romance genre. Especially those who enjoy a little heartbreak and well-managed angst to make the HEA all the sweeter.

[Nerdy Dirty & Flirty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Megan~

From the Ashes is an emotional rollercoaster that has all the feels a reader can experience in one book. Hope, love, devastation, love, regret, love, guilt, love, forgiveness and love.

Hunter and Derek grew up as best friends with Justin. This triad, were as close as brothers from the moment they met. But an unexpected encounter between Hunter and Derek has Derek running away, both literally & figuratively. When Derek decides to go away to school, the bond between the three friends has been broken. But when Derek is called home because Justin has passed away unexpectedly, Derek is overcome with guilt & regret for not reaching out after having run away to college.

Hunter finally came out. He knew that he needed to live his life his way and he decided to do so on his terms. When he finds out his childhood friend Justin has passed away, he can’t decide who he’s angrier at, his friend or himself.

When the two former best friends meet again at the funeral and are tasked with an unusual final request by Justin, they know they need to find a way to go on this journey. After an awkward first day, things start to thaw between them. While they are both lost in the memories of their friend, they’re able to rediscover their friendship and personal revelations come to light for them both. Derek is wondering where these feelings for Hunter are coming from. Hunter is wondering if his feelings for Derek ever actually went away.

This is an extraordinary tale that is told with incredible respect for the Queer community and is a must read. I fell in love with the other characters, Jaimie and Paige just as hard as I did with Hunter, Derek and Justin. This was one of the best books I’ve read this year.

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

Grab your hankies and READ THIS BOOK! I’m not lying when I tell you this is one of the very best books I’ve read in 2018 (and I’ve read some good ones). From the Ashes is full of laughter and tears…both happy and sad. I fell in love with not just Derek and Hunter, but Paige and Jaimie…and even Justin. The author was able to give me the perfect balance of joy and heartbreak, and the heartbreak wasn’t all encompassing. Even though the subject matter–Justin’s death, the friends’ falling out, and Derek’s wealthy, but homophobic, parents–was heavy, I never felt bogged down with angst. The transition from hurt feelings, to happy feelings, to hurt feelings, and finally, wonderful feelings was so seamless. This story flowed from beginning to end. I read it in one sitting over a period of two hours. I didn’t get up once. I didn’t want to leave these characters for even one minute.

Read Kenna’s review in its entirety here.

[True Loveislovereview · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply emotional story... with seriousness, humor, grief and love.

When their dear friend Justin dies he left them some notes and wishes.
Derek, Hunter, Paige and Jaimie will follow his wishes and travel to special places.. to spread his ashes around.
Derek and Hunter aren’t friends... more the opposite. One kiss destroyed their friendship. But for Justin they will travel together.

What follows is an unforgettable journey with an enormous impact. The puzzle of Derek and Hunter becomes more clear. Four beautiful personalities, they make us witness of all the wonderful and emotional memories they shared with and without Justin.

Impressive written story, beautiful environments, very captivating, all the emotions felt real and I loved the whole story immensely.

Kindly received an arc from the author

[haletostilinski · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up!

I ended up enjoying this one. It had it's ups and downs for me, but overall I enjoyed it.

Hunter, Derek and Justin were the best of friends from middle school up until the beginning of their senior of high school. But then Derek pulled away from them and then they went to college and they lost touch.

Or more, Hunter and Derek had a falling out and it affected their friendship wit Justin, who they never told what had happened, but who guessed the bare bones of it on his own anyway.

And when Justin dies of cancer, Derek and Hunter go back to their home town in Ohio for his funeral and learn that Justin wanted them, his friend named Jamie, and his girlfriend Paige to go on a week long road trip for him, to spread his ashes in the way he wanted.

Hunter and Derek have to face their past on this trip and work out their problems - if not for themselves, then for Justin.

One thing this book did really well was Justin. He was dead and we didn't get a lot of him - no flashbacks or anything - but we got the characters talking about him and things he'd done, so it was almost like they were flashbacks, in a way. He also left letters for them, and we got to know him that way, so I felt like even though he was dead before the book started, I felt I got to know him too. And I felt sad when they read his letters, and I felt their sadness. This book handled that well.

I do think the Hunter/Derek situation of the past wasn't handled the best. Mostly because I don't get why Justin would have just let Derek leaving their friend group with no explanation go, why Justin would keep quiet about his best friend drifting apart - from each other and from him. The book at least says why he didn't tell them he had cancer, but it doesn't say why he never at least talked to Derek and Hunter and asked what the hell was going on.

Also, Derek and Hunter did have chemistry, but I don't know if I quite felt the love, the romantic love between them. Because we didn't really get any scenes of them growing up, we didn't really get to see why Hunter loved Derek, and Derek as well (in his closeted way). Even on the one week road trip, it didn't feel quite at that level. I felt they had very strong feelings for each other, but it didn't quite translate to love for me. I needed more with their relationship.

And part of that might have been how so much was focused on the road trip and doing all the things Justin wanted and how he just died...so in a way I get it, but at the same time I think it subtracted a lot from Derek and Hunter's relationship. I think if this was longer and more was included with their relationship - flashback or present day - then it would have felt more like love.

Like maybe they could have worked things out quicker on the road trip, and then had more than a night together, really, before things got angsty again. So then we could have had more scenes with just them on their own, getting more of that romance that was needed.

But, despite that, I did enjoy them together, and the ending was really cute and sweet, and I felt like I knew Justin even though he wasn't alive at all in this. And I felt their connection to Justin as well. It almost made me cry a few times - think I actually did a little one time - and a book that can do that is deserving of at least 4 stars in my book, so that's why I rounded up instead of down.

So overall, this was a good, it was interesting, and I recommend it, but I wouldn't expect anything more than a interesting, nice read. I feel like, in the end, it could have been so much more than it was. It had some building blocks to being really great, but it just missed the mark on that. Still worth a read though, in my opinion.

[Tracy~Bayou Book Junkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars

Justin, Hunter, and Derek were long time friends who were the perfect trio, until Hunter makes his romantic feelings for Derek known. This causes Derek to run away and the relationship between the three boys is severed.

They each go their separate ways off to different colleges, but now Derek and Hunter have been summoned back to their hometown after Justin’s passing.

Justin has left instructions requesting that his two ex-best friends, along with his girlfriend, Paige and his new friend he met during chemo, Jaimie, take a road trip to spread his ashes. Will Derek and Hunter be able to put aside their animosity for one another to help carry out Justin’s last wishes?

This was a definite emotional rollercoaster and the romance while there, takes a back seat to Justin’s wishes being carried out. My heart broke for the loss of Justin. Even in death he was a well-developed and lovable character, who felt present throughout the story, and I just wanted him to pop up at the end of the story and yell “syke, I’m not really dead!”, but sadly that didn’t happen. My heart broke for the loss suffered by Hunter, Derek, Paige and Jaimie.

The romance wasn’t easy, but it was believable and I was happy with how it all played out. Hunter and Derek had great chemistry and they fit well together. The story was well-written and filled with so much emotion: Guilt, regret, sadness, but also, happiness, healing, laughter and love. A definite must read!

*copy provided by author or publisher in exchange for an honest review*

[Rox · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Being queer, it confuses people. Sometimes it makes people angry."

This was so insanely good and I really hope people will read it!
I cried a whole lot because Justin.

So first off I'd like to tell you about Justin. He's responsible for a lot in the story, especially all the feels. He was dorky, so positive and unbelievably good.
After a kiss gone wrong Hunter and Derek's friendship ended, and they both drifted away from Justin. And then Justin dies.
Ensue tons of guilt and regret, realizing too late what really mattered.

Justin sends his friends on a road trip to spread his ashes, allowing them to bond and heal together in a lot of sweet moments that had me sniffling. (Basically anytime there was a letter from Justin I was in tears.)

It was great watching Derek and Hunter reconnect, especially with such a strong history and how they just fit. It was pretty sweet! For once I could have done without the angst because the story had so much substance.

[Zaza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ce livre, dès que je l’ai vu apparaître sur Goodreads, je me suis dit qu’il était pour moi. Ce titre, cette couverture, ce résumé … Je lis de moins en moins les résumés, d’ailleurs, voire plus du tout, mais là, ce livre m’a comme « appelée » et je n’ai pas pu m’empêcher de le faire.

Eh bien, c’est un très beau livre. Un roman/voyage initiatique poignant, puisque la mort d’un jeune homme constitue le sujet central du livre. Enfin la mort … plutôt la célébration de la vie, et tout ce qu’on peut faire pour célébrer la mémoire d’un défunt, et lui faire vivre des choses, par procuration.

En réunissant ses quatre plus proches amis, dont deux ne se parlent plus depuis quatre ans, et deux autres sont totalement inconnus des deux premiers, Justin offre une expérience inoubliable à cette bande de bric et de broc, et du coup, à nous aussi, lecteurs. Hunter et Derek d’un côté, donc, Paige et Jaimie de l’autre.

Par-delà la mort, par le biais de précieuses lettres et d’un road-trip émaillé d’étapes et de nombreuses instructions, Justin encourage ses amis à vivre, à aller de l’avant, à faire avec lui des choses que finalement il ne pourra pas faire. C’est avec eux qu’il fait son dernier voyage, qu’il grappille encore quelques jolis moments. Il a une présence incroyable, et on jurerait le voir assis à l’arrière de la voiture, avec sa bande d’amis. Punaise rien que d’y penser, rien que de penser aux mots de Justin, rien qu’à imaginer les épreuves et les souffrances qu’il a subies, j’en ai les larmes aux yeux.

Cette merveilleuse histoire d’amitié est complétée par une romance touchante et réaliste. Hunter & Derek ont des choses à régler l’un avec l’autre et il aura fallu l’entremise de Justin pour qu’ils en arrivent là. J’en reviens toujours à Justin hein, mais bon sang, que ce personnage est vivant ! Et touchant !

Ce livre m’a vraiment touchée, là, alors que je suis en train de taper mon avis, j’ai la gorge qui se noue, et les larmes qui me montent aux yeux. Les lettres de Justin sont puissantes en émotions, tout comme les hommages prononcés par les autres personnages à des moments-clés du récit. Et ceci est couplé à la dispersion des cendres de Justin, ce qui donne lieu à des moments bouleversants et bizarres à la fois. Le passage à Chicago est celui qui m’a donné le plus de frissons, d’ailleurs.

Les personnages sont tous touchants, chacun à leur manière. Paige, une vraie maman poule, qui a déjà perdu son grand amour, à un âge si jeune. Jaimie, personnage vraiment original, dont l’identité sexuelle (ou l’absence de ?) m’a déconcertée ; Hunter, en apparence si solaire, mais dans le fond, tellement marqué par le rejet de Derek ; et enfin Derek … profondément malheureux mais incapable de s’en apercevoir.

En fait, je crois que je suis incapable de « pondre » un avis comme d’habitude. Je n’ai même pas envie de relire soigneusement mon avis, ni de faire des retouches, en fait, je m’en fous, je suis encore trop dans l’émotion, et généralement, les avis écrits écrits sans filtre sont un bon révélateur de tout ce qu’on a pu ressentir durant notre lecture. Ce n’est pas un livre qui se raconte, mais qui se ressent. Même si j’ai terminé ce livre hier, je suis encore toute bouleversée. Je n’ai qu’une chose à dire … Lisez-le !

[Tanja · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a great novel. Touching, deeply emotional, but also uplifting with lighthearted and fun moments. It’s a story about finding yourself and breaking free from a strict upbringing, about forgiveness and letting go of the guilt.
When Justin dies, his last wish is for his friends to take a road trip to scatter his ashes down memory lane. Hunter and Derek were his close friends, but something happened between them that resulted in a fallout between the three friends. The other travelers are Justin’s girlfriend, Paige, and Jaimie, who he befriended while in the hospital. It might be a road trip of four, but Justin is very much present in their group. His letters are heartbreaking with raw and bittersweet honesty. But they are also insightful and cathartic and shine a light on the past, the present, and the future. It’s a short trip, but the lives of all four are changed forever.
I loved the characters. Not only Derek and Hunter but also Paige and Jaimie. They each have their own “voice” and their own sorrowful and happy memories of Justin. The interactions between the four are just lovely. They are supportive when needed, but they also can bicker over little things and have fun together. With every stop, Derek and Hunter are slowly coming to terms with what happened. Now, in their grief over Justin, they have the courage to see what was always there. They find their way back together, and that’s very well done in a steady and natural pace with lots of feelings. I would have loved some more on-page time with Derek and Hunter as a couple, but the epilogue sure makes up for that.
This is the first book from this author I have read, but it will certainly not be the last. I am looking forward to reading more.

[Line]

Wooops I take it back, it was only a preview:-/
You can get it here: https://claims.prolificworks.com/gg/E...

[Stfnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the story. It’s a story for crying and loving and happy endings.

[Snjez · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story a lot. It was very emotional and beautifully written.

The road trip was my favourite part. I loved learning about each character, including Justin, and I loved seeing them bond over their grief.

I really liked Hunter. The way his relationship with Derek developed during the trip was very sweet and romantic.

The only thing I didn't enjoy was the last chapter. Compared with the rest of the story, it seemed a bit off.

[Ro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes stories with a dead character seem manipulative, that it is used to twist your emotions and I hate that so I really went back and forth about offering to review this book. Now that I’ve experienced it, I’m not sure I will be able to do to justice to how I felt about it. Two former best friends, Hunter and Derek, who were torn apart by one simple kiss have now had to reunite at their friend Justin’s funeral. Justin has a request as his final wish. Derek, Hunter, his girlfriend of three years, Paige, and his closest friend and fellow cancer patient, Jaimie, are to go on what should have been a group road trip and spread his ashes. Hunter especially is really not on board with this idea but he will do it for Justin.
The problem is four years before Derek reacted truly badly to the kiss with Hunter and destroyed the friendship of all three, with Justin the innocent victim. He didn’t even tell Justin what had happened, just ghosted both him and Hunter. For his part (because he is also not blameless when it comes to Justin), Hunter couldn’t handle the memories that Justin conjured about the three of them so he also left Justin behind. Derek was the first person Hunter came out to and his terrible reaction really affected Hunter. Justin tried for a while to keep them together but finally he backed off, even though these were his best friends. He was a smart man and he sort of understood what happened but he missed his friends.
Justin has left specific instructions on where he wants the group to go to do this. He left them enough money to do it right and he took into account each person when he made this trip, even planning down to ice-breaker questions for the car. Jaimie never knew the pre-cancer Justin; Derek and Hunter never knew the sick Justin; Paige knew both but not the way he was with Derek and Hunter. They all have to fill in the blanks for each other as they follow the instructions in his letters. Paige has possession of the letters “But we don’t know what we will be doing on the trip. I didn’t peek inside the envelopes.
The trip is dictated by Justin through the letters he leaves to the group. START HERE is the first and you start to get to know Justin. “When I get better, we’ll all go on the trip together, because I’m pretty confident in my ability to make it pretty epic. We’ll read this letter and take a shot every time I get too sappy.” So much hope. He’s chosen these four friends because they had the biggest impact on his life and he wants this trip to be fun. Because you know, the funeral was yesterday and “Of course, it was the funeral with the most tears the parlor has ever seen, and they needed wet floor signs and everything.” Justin, even while struggling is funny. So off to Cedar Point they go, to throw ashes off the Millennium Force as their first stop.
Derek, “treating anything even slightly homoerotic like it was an airborne pathogen” sometimes really annoyed me. I had a hard time liking him at times because of it. The awkwardness between Derek and Hunter as they are jammed in the back seat together is painful. Justin had asked that Derek, a film director student, document the trip via camera and so at least he has something to distract himself from thinking about the pain he caused. Hunter, surprisingly, forgives him pretty easily for the four years of ghosting and they do what Justin wanted, falling back into friendship. In Chicago they hit up Boystown to eat at the Chicago Diner and as a vegan Chicagoan, this was a great scene for me. I love that place! I was so there with Jaimie (the veg) “I’m never settling for a sh**ty side salad or some soggy fries ever again.” There is a time the trip focuses on Paige and Justin’s final gift to her and I just wanted to hug her for the loss of her first love who loved her so much. They share memories of Justin, get to know each other and experience life for Justin as they drive to the places he wanted them to see.
The road trip is bittersweet and the letters from Justin to each one of them priceless. I loved Paige and Jaimie and Hunter. Luckily, I ended up liking Derek, though it took a while. Hunter, who is going to be a social worker and help people. Paige, who lost her love and still sees good in life. Jaimie, who didn’t expect to survive cancer and even get to have a life. And Derek, who for really the first time is facing something hard. They all loved the same friend, who wanted them to be friends. Hunter’s sister, Julia, is another great character. Their policy of asking if the other just needs to vent or really wants advice was awesome.
There are so many times that you see the extent of Derek. He doesn’t like beer yet drinks it because “I feel like I belong if I have a beer.” He is so clueless sometimes as to how he hurts people, especially Hunter. He’s living with the guilt that he didn’t reach out to Justin or even respond when Justin kept trying. He wanted to tell them he was sick. “And it’s my fault he didn’t.’ Derek folded the letter slowly.” The letter that talks about that had me bawling for this young man with the big heart. “Stuff got really bad yesterday…I almost finally did it. But then I couldn’t and it had time to settle, and I don’t think I have the courage anymore. I love you guys, but I don’t think I could bear it if you changed your numbers, or didn’t remember my voice, or worst case scenario, I told you what was going on and it didn’t change things.”
The friendship between Derek and Hunter returns, with some added bonuses, but Derek is just not able to be honest and as you get to understand his parents, things become clearer. His shame in the shower was so sad but then his plan for staying with Hunter made me want to slap him. “He was desperate, desperate to put Hunter second…” Seriously, he doesn’t get it. But you want him to figure it out.
I was thinking maybe 4 stars for this book but Justin, who has died before the book starts, is worth five stars. What to even say about this caring, funny, loving man who tried so hard to mend the friendship of Derek and Hunter and even when he couldn’t, forgave them and still loved them. The young man who wrote his own obituary? “Sorry, mom.” Justin was so positive, so in love with life, adventurous and happy. “He insisted we go to a club two weeks before he passed. I had to hold him up, but he wanted to dance.” He was just heartbreaking and I cried so hard for the loss of him. “Living like nothing hurt and everything was possible.” If I’m being honest, I cried through the writing of this review as well.
This is the first book by C.M. Valencourt and they blew me away. The book is sad, yes, but it’s hopeful as well. I want them all to find happiness and keep the memory of an adventurous young man alive in the way they live their lives. “Little do they know, I have a fantastic attitude. I’ve never been discouraged in my whole life.”

[Cee Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

*´¨✫)
¸.•´¸.•*´¨)✯ ¸.•*¨)
✮ (¸.•´✶ (¸.•`❤️The death of a friend brought them back together again. The love of a friend saved them.

This was poignancy at its best. The first half of this book was slow, slow burn. It introduced the wheres and whys. It set up where the author wanted to go and followed a process. I didn't know when I fell for this book, maybe when I was balling my eyes out. OMG, Justin was the sweetest, kindest, most lovable friend ever and regardless of his destiny, he opened the windows to the sky and poured all of his goodness out on four people.

They were best friends until they weren't. One episode severed the friendship and separated them for years. Now the one who had kept them like glue was requesting one favour. A road trip to scatter his ashes. Did Justin hope that he could mend the broken bonds that he could not in life? Was he the holder of secrets?

Derek and Hunter were yin and yang. Made for each other and I am glad they figured it all out. Derek's parents were true biphobics and should learn to accept that different can be good. This is the type of trip I wished I could organize. All Justin wanted was for everyone to hold onto the past and remember both the good and the bad. He especially needed his oldest friends to be alright. To learn, to accept, to become whole.

Mission accomplished.

I voluntarily and honestly reviewed this book without bias or persuasion from the author.

[booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author I've read and it definitely won't be the last I read by them!
I loved the premise for the story, how through a friends passing Hunter & Derek, who were best friends but due to Dereks upbringing and subsequent events, stopped talking, they have to face the past, face what happened and finally speak about it.
While this story truly was a sad tale, I also thought it was heart warming too, especially when all 4 of Justins friends reminisce about Justin and when they read all of his letters, too! Those scenes were especially emotional and fun to read.
It actually mad me think of it as reading a film, that when the letters were being read out, you see Justin writing them, see him smiling, laughing, in pain etc
An absolutely amazing story!!
LOVED IT!!!!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to come

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story about grief, finding yourself, and finding others! Read the review on my blog.

[Gloria Tannis-Coward · Rating 5 out of 5]

A romance novel that hits you right in the feels. It’s tender, funny, heartbreaking, and fun. From the Ashes is an entry into a genre meant to be full of potboilers and stock cliches but turns it on its head into a romantic, emotionally true trip that’s a love letter to the Midwest.

[Isabella ~Mikku-chan~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*

This book was - as the blurb already indicated - an emotional ride. I admit I was also curious how well the roadtrip topic was executed since I read books like Jack Kerouac's famous On the Road in my study and the topic about going on the road with a special purpose (or none in some cases), having stations and places to go but in the end the trip, combined with all the experiences, is the goal of the journey.

From the Ashes felt exactly like that. It's a book about loss and grief; about missed chances, about former friendships and what it means to loose your close connections - sometimes willingly, sometimes without being able to stop it.

I admit I was first a bit hesitant about the side characters, Paige and Jamie and how well they all get along, cramped in a car with Hunter and Derek who were both former best friends but started to go seperate ways, after Hunter's kiss and Derek's rejection.

I could understand Hunter's hurt feelings, his opinion about Derek was pretty fixed and he felt betrayed and rejected; like someone who's not worthy to love. On the other hand, he was in parts a bit too emotional, too unforgiving, and getting to know Derek the reader got these information Hunter didn't had and it was on both parts heartbreaking.

The two guys are forced to go on a trip together - in memory of their mutual best friend Justin, who died of cancer and asked for a special promise - and have to get along, otherwise hard times are before them. Over the journey they both learn new things about themselves, refresh their feelings for each other, as friends and over the time as something more; the damage is done; both are living with the scars but they connect on a new level and see the value of their (growing and changing) relationship.

I was really and deeply touched by the book, by its topic but also because of the marvelous characters. Hunter and Derek are feeling real, as if you're reading a journal not a book. But not only these guys are alive; Paige and Jaimie are too, they are so amazing and fleshed out you think you've knew them for a long time. Same goes for Justin - he's the dead guy in the story but he is so vivid and present in the story, you can't - literally - ignore him. It's sad what's happening to him; you wish you've met him, but with the memories all these four people have about him, it's creating a picture; it also gives the reader insight about the characters.

This work is very unique and special. It has a lots of topics some might not like or can endure; I say if you're up to those, pick up this book and read it. It's sad, it's heartbreaking, but it's funny, it's sweet and it's adorable because of its characters.
This debut work is an A+ work and I can't wait to read more by the author. 5 out of 5 stars and a wholeheartedly and enthusiastic recommendation.

Review originally posted on my blog with added content Mikku-chan / A world full of words

[Maria E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of five young people, one of whom is already dead when the story starts. They are:

1) Justin, who has died of cancer, and as his last wish, has left specific instructions for the other four people to go on a road trip and scatter his ashes at various places.

2) Derek, fallen away friend of Justin, who hadn't kept in touch and didn't know Justin had been sick. He's a son of homophobic parents who tries to fool himself that he's straight and will not admit to himself that he's gay.

3) Hunter, another fallen away friend of Justin, who had been Derek's best friend throughout childhood and high school, until he kissed Derek one day, and the friendship was ruined. He is openly gay.

4) Jaimie, a genderfluid non-binary person who is a cancer survivor, and uses "they, them, their" pronouns. Her connection with Justin was that they both took their chemotherapy treatments at the same place and became each other's support system during their fight against cancer. She survived, he didn't.

5) Paige, Justin's long-time girlfriend, who loved Justin until the end, and beyond his death.

The road trip brought together Derek and Hunter, who knew Justin best at the earlier part of his life, along with Jaimie and Paige, who knew Justin best at the last part of his life. All four of them went on this trip to honor the last wishes of their friend Justin, and in the process, they learned a lot about each other, and about their individual selves.

Justin is very much a part of the story, and at each road stop, we learn a little bit more about him, and how, in spite of the illness he had been going through, he leaves letters to be read after his death, by which he tries to bring his friends together, revisit places they had visited together when he was alive, and mend the rift between Derek and Hunter. A bittersweet story, but very moving.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story started out feeling like a soft, well-worn jumper that feels as snug and warm as its first time being worn. However, the unfolding of the way in which the death of a friend changed the way that two former friends appreciated each other was a novel twist, unlike anything I'd read about before. I was impressed by the gradual pace of the two protagonists getting to know each other all over again. The sex came across as considerate, passionate and authentic. The extent to which homophobia and ignorance thrive in 2018 continues to surprise me, especially in the unfiltered look that the author gives the reader in this book.

I loved the way in which the road trip left a lot of surprises to the imagination, with a welcome presence of plenty of nuance in the way that all four companions interacted with each other. There was a palpable feel-good factor in the way that the deceased friend came across to the reader as a thoughtful person beyond the grave. The way in which Jamie's character was crafted in particular provided a rare insight into the way in which a trans character's lived experience is often overlooked in queer literature. I highly recommend this book for people who've lived most of their lives in cities - it's quite an insight into the aspirations, desires and moments of grief of those we seldom think about in 'flyover country'.

*ARC received from the author in exchange for a frank review.

[Claudia Lezár · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5*

PLEASE READ FIRST MY RATING SYSTEM!!!

To my ratings (thanks to amazon I had to change it again and 'upgrade' it a little bit.):

5* - very very good and rare (it would be a Blow-
Away-book like 'Liberty' from Seth King,
'Save the kids' series from EM Leya or
'Jesse's Smile' from Angelique Jurd), it's like
an A+

4* - very good and will be often reread and is a
WOW-book with interesting plot and surprises
(like most of Andrew Grey books) it's like an A

3,5* - a really good book, which will be reread a few
times (most romances where you can enjoy
for relaxing and during waiting times in
hospitals). I can recommend them definitively!
It's like an B+

3* - it could be more then a one-time-reader, but
not really an often reread book

2* - it was ok to read, but it's more a one-time-
reader (i wouldn't recommend it heartily, but
it was ok) It's like a C-, D

1* - sorry, but that isn't really a book for me (too
many mistakes, not nice plot, illogical, so an
absolut NO-GO). It's like failure in the whole
line, dismissed, repeat the class

[S · Rating 5 out of 5]

5* From the Ashes is the first book I’ve read by CM Valencourt but will not be the last! This book had a mix of everything a memorable story could need and seriously all the feels (legit cried through some of it!).

Justin, Hunter, and Derek had been friends for years, but when Hunter gets the courage to admit his feelings for Derek and Derek freaks out, their close-knit group dissolves. A few years later, Hunter and Derek get the devastating news that Justin has passed away, but has left them, along with Paige and Jaimie, with a mission – as road trip to scatter his ashes, letters to read along the way, and the chance to build and repair friendships.

I rarely rate books with a full 5 stars, but this one earned it. This story is a beautiful mix of love, friendship, tragedy, and hope that will stay with you. I loved the slow build and burn of Hunter and Derek rekindling their friendship. I loved the inclusion of Paige and Jaimie as they were integral parts of the story and showing how Justin grew up when the best friends had grown apart. The author does an amazing job of bringing in each of the character’s feelings as well as portraying Justin’s personality through his letters. This book is a must read.

[Penelope Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not your typical friends-to-lovers book - since in this case, the friends had a falling out after Hunter kissed Derek, who wasn't ready to come out of the closet yet (either to himself or anyone else). This is more a story of the emotional and physical journeys taken when switching from one stage of life to another. Graduating college, finding your true self and making peace with it, following your childhood dream or realizing that maybe the dream needs some alterations in light of what you've learned about yourself and the world around you.

I liked all of the characters, though I wish Paige and Jaimie had been more fleshed out (Jaimie in particular; I'd love to read their story, be it romance or not). The ending felt a little too perfect - if you're short on money, how do you get plane tickets and lodgings for NYC on New Year's Eve? And who actually gets a "you're hired" email at ten minutes to midnight? Corny, yes - but hey, it's romance, and frankly, apart from the terrible poem halfway through the book (which yes, you can safely skip), it's the only corny thing in there, so it's forgivable.

[Amy Dufera - Amy's MM Romance Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

From The Ashes is an amazing coming of age story by CM Vallencourt.

Derek and Hunter are two former best friends, who drifted apart after a kiss years ago. Now they are brought back together by the death of their other best friend, Justin. And Justin has a journey he wants these two boys to take along with Justin's two other most important people.

Omg. I love Justin. What an amazing person! The journey he sends these 4 strangers on is inspirational, well thought out, and just perfect. Justin's letter says that these 4 might not know each other, but he knows them and he knows they will get along.

Derek and Hunter's journey is life altering, as it's one of grief, guilt, regret and fear. It's beautifully developed, intriguing and emotional. These two men who have drifted so far apart are given a chance to heal and reconcile.

In addition to all the emotions, we are also treated to some fantastic places, as the writing is fabulously atmospheric.

If you enjoy second chances, be sure to read From The Ashes, CM Vallencourt's unique, wonderfully written and beautiful tale.

[L Cam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the unique plot of how the two characters came back together to become loves. Derek and Hunter's best friend dies of cancer and they only find out years after a really bad falling out. Derek and Hunter are a bit stereotypical as main characters. You learned more about Derek as the story starts off with him than you do Hunter, which is odd for a book not in third person.

I thought it was really creative how the characters went on this long roadtrip to rediscover who they were together as friends and found out they could be more. Downside is that I felt Derek and Hunter went from 0-60 in a quarter of a second. The drama following Derek's family was also unsurprising.

While I enjoyed the plot, something about the rest of the writing when it came to the other characters felt really lacking in depth. Particularly with Derek's parents, and Paige. The flush of detail in the second half of the book felt really off to me and I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted after that part.

Still a good read!

[Amelia Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I was going to love this book when I started getting all emotional in the third chapter. C.M Valencourt has done an amazing job with creating the character of Justin and allowing his influence to be so tangible even though he’s dead. The little windows into his personality were equal parts hilarious and heartbreaking.

I adore a good road trip and the characters that fill this one were A++. Derek and Hunter’s narrative arc had me staying up way to late to see how their problems would resolve themselves (then avoiding doing anything productive). Their growth and Derek’s inner struggle were beautifully done and the sexual tension was enough to give me a headache. The theme park and the beach were both stand out moments for me.

At one point I did worry the plot was going to become far to optimistic for this cynic but it retained a sense of realism which made me so happy and satisfied with how the novel ended.

Finally, without spoiling anything, I love the title and how it relates to the overall plot.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story from start to finish but it needs to come with a warning that your going to feel all the emotions. From Happy, sad, angry , delight to down right gut wrenching tears.

Justin was dying and he knew that he had to have one final shot at repairing years worth of hurt between his two best friends and along the way he would introduce his new friends. Each person plays or played a massive role in his life and now he wants each of them to play an even bigger role in his send off.

This is more than a love story this is a story about hurt and forgiveness but most of all it’s about friendship. Being different is ok people will still love you and friends look past what’s on the outside.
It’s beautifully written and was a pleasure to read.

I received an arc copy in exchange for an honest review.