When Ashes Fall

Moments in Boston #1

by Marni Mann

It’s been said that you can’t love two men at the same time. You can’t split your heart, soul, and body in half. But I’m here to tell you, you can.

Dylan Cole is like ice, sharp and unpredictable, the thunder inside a tumultuous storm. Smith Reid is warmth, soft and gentle, perfect like a sunny day.

Both are mine. But I can have only one. There are two sides to this tale. I'm here to tell you mine.

If you think this story is about a cheater, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook, Emotional, Fiction, Mental Health

324 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 13, 2019

About the author

USA Today Bestselling author Marni Mann knew she was going to be a writer since middle school. While other girls her age were daydreaming about teenage pop stars, Marni was fantasizing about penning her first novel. She crafts sexy, titillating stories that weave together her love of darkness, mystery, passion, and human emotions. A New Englander at heart, she now lives in Sarasota, Florida, with her husband and their Yellow Lab. When she’s not nose deep in her laptop, working on her next novel, she’s scouring for chocolate, sipping wine, traveling, or devouring fabulous books.

Visit her at:
WEBSITE: www.MarniSMann.com
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/MarniMannAuthor
INSTAGRAM: https://instagram.com/marnimann/
NEWSLETTER: http://marnismann.com/e-mail-signup/

Reviews

[SueBee★bring me an alpha!★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️3/4! When Ashes Fall (stand-alone). A story of survival, surrender, healing & a second chance at love!

“I hope one day you’ll show me your storm.”

When Ashes Fall, told from multiple POVs it’s a story best experienced. Go in blindly. I promise you, it will warm and shatter your heart in equal measure.

The story evokes the whole spectrum of emotions; dealing with the fragility of life, life after love and… the power in letting go.

Effortless story-telling! Riveting plot! Heart-wrenching angst! An unforgettable love! #TeamDylan!

***
Hero: ★★★★1/2
Heroine: ★★★★1/2
Plot: ★★★★★
Storytelling: ★★★★★
Sexual tension: ★★★★★
Sex scenes: ★★★★★
Story ending: ★★★★1/2
******************************************
OVERALL RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️3/4
Angst: | HIGH FOCUS |
Darkness: | HIGH FOCUS |
Humor: | LOW FOCUS |
Kink: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Romance: | HIGH FOCUS |
Sex frequency: | MEDIUM FOCUS |
Suspense: | MEDIUM FOCUS |



ARC provided to me by author Marni Mann, in exchange for an honest review.

[♥︎ Heather ⚔ (New House-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Omgggg!! They didn’t lie! 😭😭😭This was so good and even though I knew where the story was going, the author still delivered quite the gut punch.

I love this cover - the woman is gorgeous. However, it doesn't fit this book at all lol. It doesn't really do the book any justice or speak to just how beautiful this story is. Ignore the bland cover if you must and trust - the pages are golden.

If you loved The Fabric of Our Souls - I think you'd enjoy this one.

Alright. I really don't know how to summarize this one without giving too much away. I again, didn't have too much info going into this one. I had just heard that I wouldn't be able to put it down and that it was a real tear jerker of a book.

Both very true.

I think the book is around 200 pages. It was around 6 hours on audio and at 2x speed I was able to knock this one out in one sitting yesterday. Highly addictive!

When I first started it and was trying to get my footing and grasp wtf was going on... I was a bit disoriented. It took me a little while to narrow down what I thought was actually going on here... and when I did... even though it was something I was anticipating the author knocked the wind out of me.

All three books in this series are short and emotional from what I've gathered - called Moments in Boston, that's exactly how this one read. A moment that happened that forever changed the lives of the people involved.

This one has a budding new romance, emotional trauma, grief. Love lost and love found. It's an extraordinary story especially to pack such an emotional punch in so few pages.

If you're in need of a little summertime sadness - I highly recommend.

💘Billionaire MMC
💘Fire Fighter FMC
💘Emotional Romance
💘Trauma x Healing
💘Dual POV
💘Set in Boston
💘Grief x Love x Loss
💘Short Novella
💘Spicy x Steamy

⋆✴︎˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹

[Ｄｒｅｙ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars!

... An unforgettable journey in sunny days.

I really should move on right now before I totally lose my mind. Seriously, I didn't see that ending as a possibility. I couldn't believe something that painful to turn out and left me sobbing uncontrollably.

Note: This is a love triangle romance.

When Ashes Fall is a heartrending tale of love, life, and letting go. It is a story that will bring you to a world of beautiful moments that you surely won't forget.

I hated Dylan for so many reasons. I hated Alix for cheating. But I thought it wrong. The things I didn't expect had happened. And god, it was even worse.

I couldn't choose between Dylan and Smith. They were both amazing heroes that possessed different great qualities. They both loved, cared, and promised Alix a happy ever after. But she couldn't settle down with two men. She needed to choose and to let go the other one.

"I just knew I was completely in love with Dylan Cole, and Smith Reid had made me smile..."

Go blind with this one. It will make you guess from the beginning till almost the end, which is a great experience. Alix will frustrate you. Dylan will shatter your heart. And Smith will completely heal it again.

Overall, I loved the story. The angst of this one is beyond expectations. I liked how smoothly the story flowed 'cause of the author's captivating writing style. This book is all throughout enjoyable. I highly recommend it!


Dylan:

“Tonight was a moment. Just like yesterday was and the day before that. Every milestone, every victory, I want you celebrating each one, Alix.”

Smith:

“Don’t you want to run?”
“No, I don’t want to run,” he said. “Unless it’s toward you, and then my answer is yes.”

*There is no cheating in this book.*

[Kat valentine ( Katsbookcornerreads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review will becoming next week.

But I just want to say for now,if you haven't read this book your missing out on a fabulous read!!! I'm so glad I went in blind! This book will leave you raw and the writing is amazing!!! I won't forget this book for a very long time, if ever!!😉💖

This is my review in full !💖

Marni Mann has written one of the most phenomenal books I’ve ever read! When Ashes Fall is a hauntingly beautiful story that cracks open your heart and leaves you raw! Such a truly beautiful love story of one woman and the two men that she loves.

When Alix mets Dylan Cole, owner of a airline their’s a instant attraction. Dylan is used to getting what he wants and when he meets Alix he knows that she is meant to be his and what he wants he gets, and Alix will be his!

Dylan is like the thunder before a storm. Powerful and earth shattering and Alix’s life will never be the same. When she meets Smith Reid, he is so different: he’s gentle and kind and Alix can see that he’s in pain too, but Smith just wants to make Alix smile again and start living again.Little by little Smith is bringing Alix into the light again, and together, the fire is building into a awesome passion, but Alix is hiding a deep secret that is tearing her apart day in and day out. The only way Alix can finally find happiness is to let one man in and to let one go so she can finally heal,it’s her only option.

This book is a beautiful masterpiece of contemporary romance. The characters are interesting and their is more then one dealing with life’s twists and losses! It’s told with honesty and lots of heart and soul! Even though I knew what was coming, it still hit me hard and I cried like a baby! I’m so glad I read this book it wasn’t your typical love triangle it was more,so much more and I loved it!

‘And then I saw something drifting from the sky. It hit my forehead. My cheeks. It dusted my eyelashes. And I knew what it meant. When ashes fall That was the end.’

[Chelsea Humphrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Maybe, one day, I would love the rain, but I was still learning how to handle the storm."



I'll be honest, I'm not entirely sure how to review this book. It's definitely one of those cases where the less you know going in, the better, even to the point where I suggest reading no reviews for fear of accidental spoilers. Just know that it is a 5 hanky masterpiece, and even if you guess the "twists", I felt it was still worth the read solely for the emotional devastation in will wreak on your soul.

[Dri ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

★ 4.5 “wishing for a sunny day...” STARS ★

▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬⋆▬



Primeiro de tudo, tenho que confessar que quando vi este livro e li a sinopse, estava certa de que não iria ler. E esse pensamento se manteve firmemente comigo.

Porém, depois de algumas decepções com as leituras passadas eu resolvi arriscar e dar uma chance, já que nada estava conseguindo me encantar ou impressionar.

Melhor escolha que fiz, sério!

Eu já adorava esta autora, entretanto seus últimos lançamentos não foram tão bons para mim... Com este livro, Marni Mann conseguiu me conquistar e me deixar novamente apaixonada pela sua escrita.

Não sei apontar ao certo o que eu mais amei aqui, se a história em si, que a propósito foi muito bem elaborada-desenvolvida-escrita ou os personagens muito bem contruídos e apaixonantes. Acho que foi uma perfeita junção, onde todos os elementos se encaixaram devidamente, na medida certa e na hora que tinha que acontecer.

A história é narrada de uma forma que me cativou, me envolveu completamente, despertou a minha curiosidade e manteve minha atenção. Fiquei presa a este livro desde a primeira página até a última, incapaz de pausar a leitura por muito tempo.

Amei, amei, amei!
Este livro era tudo o que eu precisava para me tirar da bad causada pelas leituras passadas.
Recomendo e muito, porém aconselho que evite qualquer spoiler e inicie esta leitura às cegas.

[Wil Loves Books! · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so not my cuppa is not even funny. I should always follow my instincts when it comes to books that have tons of 4 and 5 stars reviews and they’re written by authors I don’t normally read, because chances are I won’t like them. But this one had such a beautiful cover, the audiobook was on sale and I had a long day of flying ahead of me so what gives, I caved.

I will say though that the reasons for me not liking this book are mostly personal, so this is totally a me and not the book case. Here’s the deal, books about dead spouses/significant others are definitely my nemesis. I mostly loathe them when they’re not done right because there’s this whole second best theme around them, which I loathe even more, because who wants to be second best? And boy is this book the ultimate second best story. I’m not even going to go there today. I will say that I went in blind but had I known what this was about I would’ve skipped it. The blurb and the way it’s written could be a little misleading and could definitely trigger some, or just infuriate some like it did to me.

A big issue I had was that it was so predictable (to me at least) I knew from the first chapter what exactly was happening in the story regardless of that second POV. I knew Dylan was dead, it’s so obvious I knew what was up with the heroine and that some things were simply not real. And the problem for me is that when I immediately get the plot twist, I’m desperate to find out when it will finally be revealed and this one just drags and drags until almost the end which was frustrating to say the least. I hate when there’s obvious foreshadowing, the characters speak in code and people just don’t talk and then unravel. Just hate it. I’m not even sure why the book is divided in 2 parts because there was zero difference between one and the other.

I didn’t like Alix one bit, she was just bland yet these men were instantly falling at her feet for no real reason and I just couldn’t connect with her. This book at parts is one huge inner monologue and does a lot of telling instead of showing which drives me nuts. Alix was just so meh, yeah I felt bad for her but I just couldn’t identify one bit. Not to mention her ass needed therapy and she was nowhere near ready to move on. Like nowhere!

Another issue I had, and this one straight pissed me was how Dylan died I’m sorry but you shouldn’t use national tragedies as plot devices for shock value. Inserting fictional characters into current events drives me nuts. And as someone that went to school in Boston and loves the city I was so pissed. It reminded me of that movie Remember Me, the one with Robert Pattinson, if you’ve watched it, that plot twist at the end was awful, it’s the thing that critics hated the most and with reason. It also does very little to explain the heroine’s reaction to certain things, it weakens the plot greatly. I actually thought he died on a plane crash on the way to Maine while there was bad weather and that somehow she had survived. It would’ve been perfect to explain why she didn’t want to go back there and her aversion to storms and thunder. But using the marathon bombing to me was a big no no Also, why is every man in this book obsessed with Lake Tahoe? So random.

Anyway, I considered giving this one 2 stars but upped it to 3 because the writing is not bad and the audiobook narration by Ava Erickson, Teddy Hamilton ( who I love) and Aiden Snow are super good. I totally get why so many people loved it, but this one was just not for me.

[❥ KAT ❥ Kitty Kats Crazy About Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

MY REVIEW: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS

’WHEN ASHES FALL’ Is a full length Romance Novel by Marni Mann. Spoken in multiple Perspectives. This does flit from ‘Past’ (Dylan’s POV) to ‘Present’ (Alix’s POV and Smiths's POV)

Rest assured this is a safe book for ones whose hard limit is cheating, none whatsoever occurs in this book. You are safe to go..

Go in blind, sit back and let the words of this author engulf you, a poignant story that cut me to the core, sit back, grab some tissues and let this author carry you on this beautiful gut wrenching story.

Going into this I didn’t know what to expect, but only a few chapters in I could feel anticipation racing through my blood stream, there was just something niggling at me in the background, something that would give me a massive jolt, I knew something profound was going to come at me because I could feel the build up. It was like building up a puzzle from scratch, piece by piece, chapter by chapter as we piece these characters stories that were somehow interwoven together.

This was no easy feat writing up a spoiler free review. Or even writing up a review for this one for that matter, over half the book I didn’t know where the author was leading me, though I did have an inkling what this was about and could say it was similar to a popular old movie which I can not name because you'll know the plot then soooooo my lips are sealed. We're all kind of left in the dark trying to put the pieces of the puzzle together, trying to work out where they all fitted, not really knowing what was happening or how it was all going to end and it’s not until you near the end that it all becomes clear.

And it was at that point that I realised nothing could prepare me for this book
In life I’m not a crier, but this book right here had tears pouring down my face.

An emotional journey of moments
A celebration of ☀️ {sunny} days

This was so beautifully written, I even forgive this author for making me cry.

     

[Pavlina Read more sleep less blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

LIVE MUST READ Amazon https://amzn.to/2FeUO9w

5 stars

What an emotional,intense ,heartbreaking and unforgettable story.Such a beautiful story, my heart is so full right now and broken at the same time.I was crying a lot and I'm still thinking about it.



The last chapters were so intense and so real.I was so into the story that I felt like I was a part of it.I was not prepared for what I found in this story it took me by surprise and I loved how much this story touch me!

The writing is beautiful and flawless.The story is brilliant and captivating and it's full of emotions.You should go blind but be prepared for an emotional roller coaster!!

 

  

[✰ Liz ✰ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Something was wrong with all of this. I didn't know how to fix it."

When Ashes Fall is a beautifully crafted contemporary romance colored with raw emotions full of passion and love that have been blended and splattered on a canvas. The moment you set your eyes on the first word on the first page, you cannot look away. The precision in which each word sinks into your psyche builds your hopes and fears in the exact same breath as you submerge yourself into this world.

"The earth was tilting beneath me, and I couldn't find my balance. The air I was sucking in was becoming too thick."

Alix Rayne, a first responder, is a beautiful woman who finds herself stuck between two men. Both strong, both addictive, and both offering her the world.

"Dylan's scent was bold and spicy. Smith's was gentle and enticing. Both held me. Both made me want more."

Told in multiple POV, When Ashes Fall is an absolute must read with lyrical text, complex characters, and an intricate plot. Reading this book is like sitting in the audience of a grand concert hall. As the orchestra begins to play, the music begins to build and crescendo until it reaches the climax at a thunderous level and when the cymbal crashes... the silence that follows is deafening.

"The earth was tilting beneath me, and I couldn't find my balance. The air I was sucking in was becoming too thick."

Overall, When Ashes Fall is an exquisite story crafted with love. The characters are raw and real. The pain is raw and real. The love is rare, raw, and real. Marni Mann has always affected me with her unforgettable stories and epic characters. This book didn't just affect me. It inspired me and left an imprint on my heart that will stay with me forever.

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review!

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FeUO9w

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/WhenAshesFallMM

Apple Books: https://goo.gl/Bq4rkX

Nook: https://goo.gl/h6VMj8

Kobo: https://goo.gl/aXMkJW

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/2E1u6zG

✰❤✰ This was an (F)BR with my girls CC and War! ✰❤✰



For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Jenny - TotallybookedBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 unforgettable stars - *Spoiler-Free Review*

‘I hugged her. I was holding her with every part of me, every piece of my flesh that could reach her.
And I didn’t let go.
Not even when she fell asleep.’

As we wipe away our tears, we declare this to be one of our favourite reads this year. This is one of those books we feel the need to grab every fellow reader who appreciates an extraordinarily well written and heartfelt story, one that relies on raw human emotion rather than unnecessary drama or theatrics and yell, read this book. The feelings you’ll experience from this story will leave you breathless, cherishing every moment, and remembering Alix, Dylan and Smith’s story as though you lived it.

“We all need a little more hope. And some people need the reminder that there will be more sunny days, especially me.”

The synopsis tells us ‘if you think this book is about cheating, you couldn’t be more wrong’ and that is so true. This is a not an angsty drama filled triangle romance, what this is, is a powerful, poignant, heartfelt and deeply moving love story. We’re asked if you can love two men at the same time, after reading When Ashes Fall, we absolutely believe you can, and Marni Mann will show you why. We also stress there is no cheating in this book. So please, open your hearts, set aside any reservations and let Alix, Dylan, and Smith share their story. We promise you an unforgettable reading experience.

‘I always heard music. Beats, lyrics. I only had to listen to a song before it started playing in my head. One day…the music stopped.’

There is something almost spiritual about this story, a story about the empowerment of love, its strength, its resilience, and its pain, and didn’t Marni Mann just give her whole heart to these characters. Her convincing, sincere and heart-rending story showcased her incredible writing talent, in a story that affected us deeply; one that will forever live within us.

‘I was in complete darkness. That was where I belonged. And that was where I stayed.’

First responder Alix Rayne has lost her heart to two men. Two very different men whom we both loved equally. Dylan Cole, swept Alix off her feet and loved her with every fibre of his being. Smith Reid, the sweet and sensitive a balm for Alix when she needed his comfort. Smith was the patient to Dylan’s pushy, the calm to Dylan’s storm. Each man had the most beautiful qualities, and each was perfect for the sweet and vulnerable Alix in their own way. As was her best friend Rose. This is a lady every girl needs as a friend. Honest, caring, firm and non-judgmental. Rose was integral to the story.

The story is set in Boston which acts almost as a secondary character, providing an atmospheric backdrop to When Ashes Fall. It’s told in 3 pov’s, with precision past/present switches, so we experience each relationship firsthand. We feel the happiness, the joy, the pain, the sadness, and the hope from each character, and let us tell you, no feelings are spared as the story reaches it’s heartbreaking yet poignantly beautiful crescendo – overpowering us with profound emotion. Alix’s pain radiated from the pages, her emotions laid raw and bare for us to feel, and feel them we did.

“No, I don’t want to run….unless it’s toward you, and then my answer is yes.”

We don’t want to say any more about this story – Marni Mann has been careful with the synopsis so as not to give anything away, and we truly believe the feelings you’ll experience are infinitely intensified by allowing the author and her characters to lead you through.

Needless to say, we were swept up in When Ashes Fall from the very first page, reading it in one sitting, unable to move until we reached the end. And then, through tears, we wanted to go back and start again and relive every moment, to once again be consumed by this author’s stirring story.

‘There were so many questions I wanted to ask, starting with her pain, where it had come from, what it was.’

As battered and bruised as our hearts were, they were also completely fulfilled and…well, happy and thankful. We learnt that life is full of moments. Some pass without notice, others with monumental impact and this story is about embracing every one of those moments no matter how beautiful or painful they are.

‘This was another moment…’

Every once and while we come across that rare book. The one that reminds us of why we have the overpowering ache to read and feel. When Ashes Fall is one of those books! Read it, live it, treasure it.


Available to purchase below
Amazon US
Amazon UK

Come visit and follow us at:



✲ TotallyBookedBlog

✲ TBB on Facebook

✲ TBB on Instagram

✲ TBB on Twitter

✲ TBB on Pinterest

[Jenny••Steamy Reads Blog•• · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC


I'm loving my 2019 reads so far ❤️

[Dilek VT]

My friend Bookylicious read this book and told me all about it on the phone today. I decided not to read it because I won't be happy in the end and I need my "happy" in romance books.

***

Please DO NOT READ THE SPOILERS if you want to read the book and be surprised. However, if you have lots of triggers, maybe you would like to check but please be forewarned that the information below will most probably spoil the surprise effect in the book.

***

Think twice before reading the spoilers...

***

One last warning... Make sure you wanna know!

***

OK, here they are:

Trigger warning: Death of a main character

Ending: She ends up with her second choice. He is a good guy, though but not the one she was passionately in love with.

[The Sassy Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lord almighty this was a good book. I was legit ugly crying at the end even though I had figured out what was going on right from page one. That is the only reason I am not giving it 5-Stars. It was pretty obvious (to me) WHAT had happened it was just the details surrounding certain events that remained a mystery until the end. Even knowing all that it was still a very compelling read.

[Gabby · Rating 2 out of 5]

I randomly picked this book up because it sounded interesting and I was curious about the storyline, it’s a decent enough romance that follows this girl Alix who is a first responder dispatcher in Boston, she dates this guy Dylan who is a pilot. I was invested in the beginning, there was a kind of mystery going on in the book about why she can’t be with Dylan and why they aren’t together in the present chapters, and that kept me invested, but I was easily able to predict where it was going which is disappointing and I found it to be so obvious, so a lot of this story was filler because I was just waiting for the reveal to happen that I knew was gonna happen. It didn’t surprise me at all, and I found the writing to be a bit melodramatic and over the top at times. This romance novel is okay, I probably wouldn’t recommend it though.

[Bibi · Rating 1 out of 5]

My goodness. The telling and the drama and the 3-word sentences. I simply can't.

DNF @60%.

[NMmomof4 · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars

Overall Opinion: I'm super bummed. I was hoping for a big angst fest going in to this one, and I didn't even shed a tear. I got this through my public library and had been on the waiting list for a while to get it. I also read (or skimmed to hopefully not ruin it) lots of raving reviews about this book. So, I imagine I set myself for failure again with unconsciously setting high expectations. I can definitely see where other might get emotional with this, but I don't think I ever connected enough with the characters to catch the feels. I thought it was an okay read, but probably won't be all that memorable in the long run or going on my favorites shelf.

**As always, please DON'T click on my spoiler tags unless you are okay with the possibility of the book being ruined. I went in pretty blind into the book, and I would highly recommend going that route to other readers.**

Brief Summary of the Storyline: I'm going to keep this super vague in hopes of not ruining it...This is Alix's story. Alix is getting back to work after a break and her best friend is urging her to start dating. On the way to her first date, she finds Smith and his best friend in trouble and she uses her paramedic skills to help them. After checking up with him later, they end up setting a date and connecting instantly. There is a mystery of Dylan and her strong connection to him as well. There is some big baggage she has to work through, some sweet moments, and some sexy times...and she gets a HFN ending.

POV: This alternated between Alix, Dylan, and Smith’s POV.

Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well. This jumps between the past and present, and I thought the author did this well.

Instalove: Kind of. They were both damaged and saw that in each other and I think that helped speed things up between them.

H rating: 4 stars. Smith. I liked him. I appreciated his patience and openness with the h.

h rating: 3.5 stars. Alix. I felt for her and all she went through, but I don't think connected to her as much as I needed to to get emotional with her.

Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed. I'm not sure what's wrong with me, because many other reviewers stated that they majorly cried with this book...but I didn't even shed a tear 🤷🏻‍♀️

Push/Pull: Yes The h pushes away some, and I'd say the H is the main pursuer of the relationship.

Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.

Descriptive sex: Yes

OW/OM drama: Yes Love triangle of sorts, as the h loves both men

Sex scene with OW or OM: Yes There are scenes with the h and her fiancé

Cheating: No

Separation: No

Possible Triggers: Yes **BIG SPOILERS** The h loses a fiancé at Boston marathon bombing (on page), ptsd (h - on page), and drug abuse/child neglect/rape (side character - off page but mentions).

Closure: This didn't have enough closure for me and I would've liked a farther glimpse into the future. I had a good bit of unanswered questions and I would call this a HFN ending.

Safety: This one is probably either Safe with exception or Not Safe for most safety gang readers depending on personal preferences.

- Does Not have cheating
- Does Not have a descriptive sex scene with the h and OM
- Does have the h pushing the H away
- Does have a separation between the h and H
- Does Not have abuse
- Does Not have a HEA ending

[Angie - Angie's Dreamy Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m speechless. This book blew me away! I honestly need a minute to collect myself. I just FEEL SO MANY THINGS. What an outstanding story!

[Sentranced Jem · Rating 5 out of 5]

When one of your favourite author recommends a book, you read the damn book.

I can't even begin to explain how good this book is. So, I'm not going to. What I will do is recommend that You READ this BOOK ASAP!

Bookdragons, This book sucker punched me with emotions I didn't know I could feel.
I cried, I laughed, I felt hopeful,I felt the sheer excitement and hopefulness of being in love and I also felt such immense sadness and grief but PEOPLE, I loved every moment of it.

Ya'll NEED to read this book.

Note: I figured it out. It was pretty obvious from the start what was happening (sort of) but the journey to Discovery was an epic insane ride.

[Olga therebelreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.5 stars*

I loved this book from page one and was instantly sucked in by Alix's mysterious past. This is a heartbreaking story about closure and rebuilding your life. The plot had a mysterious angst and the author wrote a killer climax that leaves readers breathless. I never felt bored while reading this book and I always wanted to find out more.

All three main characters have their own issues and problems which make them all have their own say in the story. Alix was a survivor. What happened to her was awful and I found myself tearing up. No one should have to endure that.

My only bone to pick was the character development. I think that all characters needed to be more fleshed out, meaning that the book should be longer. That's why I give this 4.5 stars.

In short:
Heroes 4/5 | Heroine 4/5 | Plot (Point, Originality) 5/5 | Writing Style 5/5 | Steam 4/5 | Romance 5/5 | Angst-Suspense 5/5 | Darkness 4/5 | Humor 0/5 | Secondary Characters 4/5 | Drama-Conflict 5/5 | Mystery 4/5 | Twists 4/5 | Pacing Fast | Action 3/5

ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.

[TJ *Book Twins Reviews* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unputdownable. Unexpected. Unforgettable!

Marni Mann has outdone herself! This story is absolutely gorgeous. The writing is impeccable. The characters are larger than life. The story is flawless. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time .I read it. The story consumed my entire life, I could barely function while adulting.

Here’s what I loved:
The cover is gorgeous. The blurb is amazing.
The characters are everything! Gah! Just thinking about them makes me tear up.
The story is raw. I felt all the feels! My heart was in my throat through most of the book. I swear my family is probably researching treatments for me right now.
The plot and setting were PERFECT!

It’s absolutely one of the best books I’ve read. Definitely a 2019 TOP FAVORITE!
💙🌞💙🌞💙🌞💙🌞

[warhawke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Type: Standalone
POV: First Person - Multiple
Rating:




Alix Rayne learned to appreciate moments in her life. As a first responder, she knew how the tide could turn without warning. The love in her heart kept her grounded but it was split by two men - the commanding Dylan Cole and the compassionate Smith Reid, and she wasn’t ready to let go either of them.

Alix and I weren’t perfect. We had cracks. And, as the months passed, I learned some deepened while others got filled in.

I love painful books that portrayed the fragility of human being and this book is one of them. Each of the characters had their own appeal with personal demons to overcome and each of them handled it differently.



Characters with broken edges spoke to me differently than any other types of character. I love seeing them at their lowest and how they chose to crawl out of the black hole. Smith was my favorite among the three but I also understood the other two’s pain and motivations.

I couldn’t take the pain. It was stabbing through my chest. It was moving to my throat. It was so powerful; I wanted to gag.

I enjoyed the overall storyline. It was engaging and heartbreaking. I just wish certain aspect of the book wasn’t so obvious because it would have added even more impact.

"A pilot once told me, he always hoped for sunny days."

When Ashes Fall is a story of resilience and letting go. It would appeal to readers looking for an emotionally charged and poignant romance.



🔹 💠 🔹. . . (F)BR With Twinsie CC & Liz . . . 🔹 💠 🔹





For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit:

[Sonya ♕Chatterbooks book blog♕ · Rating 4 out of 5]

When ashes Fall has now made it on my top favorite list of this year and we’re only in January people!!it was confusing in a good way, deeply emotional, cathartic, loving, and it made me want to live my best life.

Told in dual points of view, this was more than just a story. This was one woman’s journey to happiness while at the same time dealing with her past, and this was about two men who loved a woman more than life itself. The heartache that these characters went through was unbelievable and gut wrenching at times and you’re in shock because you can’t imagine how someone could go through that and make it out on the other side, but they did.



When I first started this book, I had no idea what I was getting into and I was completely fine with that because judging from reading this author’s past work, she has never let me down. The only thing I knew was that this was going to be different from her other books and emotional. I was questioning everything the first ten percent but once I realized what was happening, I understood the emotional part.

Believe me when I tell you that this book is a must read and you’ll be so thankful that you took a chance on this one because it was worth it.



   

[Shabby -BookBistroBlog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unprecedented....Unusual story that just is like an unexpected explosion.
What do you do when your heart just goes through a wringer and you finish a marni book.....nothing! You just wipe your tears, try and breathe. I just finished the book and it's like my rib cage was slashed open, my heart just fell to the floor, shattering in pieces. I need to collect them and try to sort my jigsaw puzzle of emotions.



To say that this book is a heart shredder would be an understatement. It's an ode to survivors, to victims. and like in all odes there's grief, there's voids, there's tears and there's goodbyes. Soul shattering and tense, grief ridden and intense, this book needs to be read by every human being. It's not a book, it's a tearful journey. I and definite Marni suffered while writing this book, it eroded her senses as much as it did ours. She curled up in a ball on the floor like we did too.



I'm so emotionally dessicated, all the tears that poured forth from my eyes have washed away all my thoughts. So to write this review is a major task. Bear with........
Alix Rayne is in love with two men and is struggling Day & Night who to hold on to and who to let go...( ok I'm crying again😭)
I didn’t know how to fix it. I didn’t know if I could.
I just knew I was completely in love with Dylan Cole, and Smith Reid had made me smile tonight.



If you thought this book was about cheating- you couldn't be more WRONG !!!
It's a love story gone horribly wrong, it doesn't even let Alix gather any moments
Dylan Cole is the sun of her life, he's warmth, laughter, bliss.....and love
So is Smith Reid. He's safety, comfortable, adorable.......and love
So why the conflict....apparently there's darkness and thunder fogging Alix's  dreams.



My feet weren’t steady. The earth was tilting beneath me, and I couldn’t find my balance. The air I was sucking in was becoming too thick.
Smith has demons too, he's running away from them and in he sees Alix a kindred spirit.
He gives her a gift of space and patience and she gives him hope
“We both have our own storms.”
“You’re giving me a sunny day?”
“You need it.”



He wants to be her shelter in the storm. Her sunny Day🌞
It's a very conflicted story, each side has equal amounts of passion, adoration, compassion and abundant love.
The end just blew my mind. I COULD NOT ever in my dreams imagine how marni wove such a horrendous disaster in the climax. It's beyond vocalizations NOBODY should have to go through a devastation of this magnitude.
I cried for Alix
I cried for Dylan
I cried for Smith
They and all those around them.....know that my heart weeps for you.
(There go my tears again😭)
I was talking to my bestie Laura and we both agreed that give marni ANY genre , ANY trope, ANY topic, she just excels in EVERY BOOK !
This is the same writer who wrote super sexy, panty melting SIGNED series, then went super dark with Prisoner, Monster, Animal.
Made a U-turn and set the pages on fire with LOVER and who can forget her Memoirs duet....
She's  a gifted writer, writes from the heart and that seeps through in her words. I could feel her tears, her pain, her grief and I sympathized and empathised.
Whatever she writes, I'll read and devour every word , ALWAYS
“Don’t you want to run?”
“No, I don’t want to run,Unless it’s toward you, and then my answer is yes.”
Brilliant. Phenomenal. Exceptional
5 ++ stars for Sunny Days after the storm
#BookBistroBlogApproved
Follow us on :
FB - https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookB...
Blog -https://bookbistroblogcom.wordpress.com
Blog -https://bookbistroblogger.blogspot.com
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/BookBistro
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/BookBistroBlog

[The Book Bee · Rating 4 out of 5]

*~* SPOILER FREE REVIEW *~*

REVIEW: 4 Tearful Stars
"Something was wrong with all of this. I didn't know how to fix it. I didn't know if I could."

CONFESSION: I have always given my friends crap when they tell me they want to cheat and look in the back of a book to see how it ends. I have NEVER wanted to CHEAT and look at the ending of a book so bad in all my life!!! But, rest assured, I did not. But the need was there.

GO INTO THIS BOOK AS BLIND AS POSSIBLE.

This was my first book by Marni Mann and it won't be my last. This was a story written very differently than anything I would have probably read had I known what it was about, so the way she told this story did everything it should have done to keep me turning the pages and devouring the book in wonder. I'm not kidding. SO good. So interesting. So different. I really liked how she told this one. I love when an author's voice or style takes me on a journey, and the discovery is equal parts exploring and confusion. Because I was thoroughly confused throughout most of it and I loved that she strung me along!! HAHA!

The amount of purposeful comments and quotes in this book was astounding. Even the behind the scenes actions added meaning. It made it more emotional for me than I could have imagined. Great word building and usage, I can easily say that. I look back on Mann's posts on Facebook now with a better understanding and knowing what I do now, it makes me smile with a tear. The teaser below could start the waterworks again....so meaningful. I didn't highlight as much as I usually do and would you believe my notes on the book are scarce? Every time I highlight, I make a note so I can include it in my review because it affected me somehow. I was just so entranced. I didn't want to stop reading and yes - wide eyes were present. I just breezed through it, absorbing her story.

CONFESSION: I guessed the twist of the situation at 14%, but getting through the book to see how it all worked out and to see if I was actually correct in my assumption was 95% of the fun. So, potentially knowing what was going on didn't ruin the journey for me, but in all actuality, it made me keep reading to find out if I was right! I held my breath so much. I read until my eyes couldn't stay open. I needed to find out more.

Dylan was enticing and strength personified. He had an edge to him that was smooth and he oozed confidence. Smith was intoxicating and sweet. With a genuine smile, he was an approachable man with a sexiness that invited you in and held you close. Two different men, one heart that was broken, and a mind that was torn.

To be fair, I felt like I was reading a story within a story - and that was awesome. Mann's word play is excellent! Distinctly separate men, wholly separate voices, and completely different outcome than I imagined. I cried from 85% on in this book. Not because of what happened, but because of WHO happened and, you guys....just YES. I completely loved this one and seriously cannot recommend it enough. I *really* really liked this book!

"Maybe, one day, I would love the rain, but I was still learning how to handle the storm."
~BEE

AMAZON AA LINK: https://amzn.to/2sAlPuY

ENTER HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN ECOPY: http://bit.ly/2QZE3Q0

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
I wasn't planning on reading this book anytime soon. First because I didn't know it existed, second I had no prior knowledge on what it was about.

I discovered it yesterday through another review I have read that said to read this book like my life depended on it and try to go into it blind. she said, don't read any other reviews or even the summary. Even if you guess the plot while reading it was worth going into it just blind.

AND THAT'S WHAT I DID!!!! Best decision of my life!!!

So I won't say anything except if you're reading this review just stop whatever you're doing and go read it before you ruin it for yourself. Leave all the other books and JUST READ IT!!!!

[Malene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so glad I went into When Ashes Fall blindly cause I was on the edge of my seat throughout most the story and I fell in love with the story and its characters. I recommend to other readers to do the same. For your own enjoyment. This story is all about emotions. I felt it deep in my bones. The heroine Alix is a wonderful wonderful heroine who lives her life based on rutines and structure. I appreciate how the author chose to tell Alix’s story. It was exciting following her journey. Her before and after. It’s intense, ugly, sad but most of all beautiful. I’m sorry it’s a vague review but I don’t want to give anything away. Just dive in. Open your hearts. Feel this story. Enjoy it. I sure as hell did.

4 Sunny Days Stars

[Kathy West · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- Excellent - Highly Recommended
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - A good, solid read
3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ - An okay read
2 ⭐️⭐️ - Meh
1 ⭐️ - Not my cup of tea

This story is so much more than I could have asked for. This are smiles and tears. Love and pain. You get to see real emotions. You get to see real life situations. This book isn't sugar coated. It's real and raw. and AMAZING! 

This is the first book I have read were a main character is a 911 dispatcher. My husband is a dispatcher and they always go unnoticed.

[Megan✦❋Steamy Reads Blog❋✦ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“I always heard music. Beats, lyrics. I only had to listen to a song once before it started playing in my head.
One day… the music stopped.”

When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann is a beautifully crafted story with so much raw and gut wrenching emotion that it was utterly captivating. I for one know that this epic tale is completely and irrevocably unforgettable. From the moment I started this story I was hooked and I could not stop reading, even when I felt my heart was being ripped out of my chest and I was left in a foetal position in the corner of the room (metaphorical of course). While this story was one mammoth emotional rollercoaster, it was well worth the ups and downs. It was such a phenomenal story and was written so beautifully; it positively took my breath away.

Alix is a first responder and knows all too well how moments in one’s life can change in the blink of an eye. She is caught between the love of two men and the more I read, the more unsure I was as to whether she would have the ability to let either of them go.

“Silence was like moisture; it created an environment that allowed things to grow. Fester. Eat into the walls and foundation.”

When Ashes Fall is NOT a story about cheating; it is a beautiful, complex and emotionally driven love story that is raw, profound and deeply moving. I breathed in every beautifully written word, felt every ounce of what these fascinatingly broken characters felt and I absolutely relished seeing this story unfold.

“I was in complete darkness.
That was where I belonged.
And that was where I stayed.”

Marni Mann has skilfully crafted a beautifully painful, inspiring, raw and gut wrenching tale of the power of love and the survival of the human spirit despite the surrounding utter turmoil. My advice is to go in blind with this one, because nothing and I mean nothing will prepare you for the pure epic that is When Ashes Fall.

[CC · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars



Alix Rayne is a natural caretaker and her occupational choice fuels her nurturing side. Though she can be in complete control at times, Alix has moments when she is unable to cope. Always searching for sunny days, she begins to see what is right in front of her.

“I was in complete darkness. That was where I belonged. And that was where I stayed.”

Told in multiple POV, the narrative shifts between past and present to further develop the characters and offers a swift cadence. As Alix’s plight unfolds, it’s clear her heart is conflicted. Surrounded by those that love her, she must find her own way.

“I wanted him to feel different. I wanted them to be nothing alike.”

In starting this book, I wasn’t sure what to expect and this intrigued me. Though I understood the plot landscape almost immediately, it didn’t necessarily detract from the trajectory or the impact. The author’s prose is concise by revealing minimal detail on the surface, but also offering a much deeper meaning below the surface.

As for the characters, I really liked Alix. Her non-materialistic values are endearing and speak volumes about her. Knowing her affliction, she is vulnerable but she has a survivor spirit that shines through. Between the men in her life, I definitely have a favorite. Team Smith!

When Ashes Fall offers an emotional story about survival and second chances. Though there is sadness, there is also hope and resilience. This book will appeal to those looking for a deeply heartfelt story.



*An ARC was generously provided in exchange for an honest review.*


*This was a (F)BR with Twinsie Hawkey and Lonestar Liz!*


For more reviews/reveals/giveaways visit: