What do you think?
Of Ash and Angels
A Sexy, New Standalone by National Award-Winning Author, KC Decker
Justin:
I have never had a therapist I didn’t want to murder where they sat. As a collective group they all say there is no way around grief, only through it, but for me, grief has become who I am. The idea of shedding it is as ludicrous as stepping outside of my own skin.
The fact is, some things can break you. I mean, shatter your soul and cast it into the wind in a billion tiny pieces. To think you might one day be able to find all those infinite pieces of yourself, patch everything back together, and move on with life—well, I don’t even need to dignify that with a response.
Norah:
A few months ago, I shaved off a hundred and eighty-five-pound parasite. Then, once I was rid of him, I wondered why I didn’t just stick it out because the dating world is treacherous these days. Turns out, so is unemployment.
I suppose, to offset all the swiping left and Netflix binging in my life, I should take this job. There is a massive problem with the position though.
The problem’s name is, Justin Abernathy.
Of Ash and Angels, is an emotionally-charged love story that weaves together an unforgettable tale of loss and surrender, with the beauty of love and second chances. It’s a deeply moving illustration of perseverance and the indomitable strength of the human spirit.
KC Decker enchants the reader with a masterful depiction of the power of love. She provides an emotional promise while imparting a gift…
The gift of a second chance at life.
271 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 12, 2019
About the author
K.C. Decker
9 books179 followers INTERNATIONAL AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR!
Winner of the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award AND a Silver Medal in the 2021 Reader's Favorite International Book Awards!
KC Decker is the author of the runaway hit —Jessie Hayes Series, consisting of the Award-Winning 1462 South Broadway, 720 Linden Street, 1700 Grant Street and 945 Cedar Avenue, as well as her SEXY standalones... Little Dove, Of Ash and Angels, Gradation and Mercy! KC is a voracious reader, compulsive daydreamer, and romantic escapist. Find out more at www.KCDeckerBooks.com or follow her on Instagram @author_kc_decker, Facebook at KC Decker Books, Twitter @KCDeckerBooks, BookBub.com and www.Goodreads.com
Winner of the National Excellence in Romance Fiction Award AND a Silver Medal in the 2021 Reader's Favorite International Book Awards!
KC Decker is the author of the runaway hit —Jessie Hayes Series, consisting of the Award-Winning 1462 South Broadway, 720 Linden Street, 1700 Grant Street and 945 Cedar Avenue, as well as her SEXY standalones... Little Dove, Of Ash and Angels, Gradation and Mercy! KC is a voracious reader, compulsive daydreamer, and romantic escapist. Find out more at www.KCDeckerBooks.com or follow her on Instagram @author_kc_decker, Facebook at KC Decker Books, Twitter @KCDeckerBooks, BookBub.com and www.Goodreads.com
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Want to Read
November 27, 2018LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
I’d like to place an order for one of him!
Stand-alone.
LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
Blurb:
Justin:
I have never had a therapist I didn’t want to murder where they sat. As a collective group they all say there is no way around grief, only through it, but for me, grief has become who I am. The idea of shedding it is as ludicrous as stepping outside of my own skin.
The fact is, some things can break you. I mean shatter your soul and cast it into the wind in a billion tiny pieces. To think you might one day be able to find all those infinite pieces of yourself, patch everything back together, and move on with life—well, I don’t even need to dignify that with a response.
Norah:
A few months ago, I shaved off a hundred and eighty-five-pound parasite. Then, once I was rid of him, I wondered why I didn’t just stick it out because the dating world is treacherous these days. Turns out, so is unemployment.
I suppose, to offset all the swiping left and Netflix binging in my life, I should take this job. There is a massive problem with the position though.
The problem’s name is, Justin Abernathy.
ARC provided to me by author K.C. Decker in exchange for an honest review.
I’d like to place an order for one of him!
Stand-alone.
LIVE! | AMZ US | AMZ UK |
Blurb:
Justin:
I have never had a therapist I didn’t want to murder where they sat. As a collective group they all say there is no way around grief, only through it, but for me, grief has become who I am. The idea of shedding it is as ludicrous as stepping outside of my own skin.
The fact is, some things can break you. I mean shatter your soul and cast it into the wind in a billion tiny pieces. To think you might one day be able to find all those infinite pieces of yourself, patch everything back together, and move on with life—well, I don’t even need to dignify that with a response.
Norah:
A few months ago, I shaved off a hundred and eighty-five-pound parasite. Then, once I was rid of him, I wondered why I didn’t just stick it out because the dating world is treacherous these days. Turns out, so is unemployment.
I suppose, to offset all the swiping left and Netflix binging in my life, I should take this job. There is a massive problem with the position though.
The problem’s name is, Justin Abernathy.
ARC provided to me by author K.C. Decker in exchange for an honest review.
![Profile Image for Vaishali • [V.L. Book Reviews] .](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/users/1700331868i/85343546._UX200_CR0,0,200,200_.jpg)
July 3, 2020
R A T I N G: 4 stars to Of Ash and Angels
★ ★ ★ ★
‘He didn’t look sad, or like he was going to cry.
He looked more like he was about to turn to ash and crumble into a pile of dust at my feet.’
‘The phrase trial by fire jumps to mind. Justin is going to throw everything at me, and then sit back and wait to see if I emerge from the flames.
Bring on the fire.’
If this book contemplates anything of deliberate meaning, it’s that everyone is susceptible to tragedy and poignant loss. That men grieve too, that men are allowed to grieve too. Justin’s well of sadness is soul-deep and all I could do was sob when he did, ache when he did and fester in his pain whenever he was unreachable through his devastation.
With this story, we're drawn into the mores of men's mental health; a taboo facet that is seldom approached. There’s this very primitive, regressive belief that masculinity encompasses ‘strength’, ‘control’ ‘no pain, no fear, no sadness’. A campaign that declares no space for weakness or vulnerability so long as you have identify as a man. That ‘manning up’ is a true sign of a man. Because of these circulating, destructive modes of thought, suppression becomes the resorting consequence.
What I loved about this book? It douses that corrosive idea as it presents a male lead who openly grieves. It then pours lighter fluid on that ideal as Justin openly expresses his pain through episodes bereavement. It accordingly sets light to this notion as this deeply feeling man expresses his frequent use of therapy. And lastly, but of course with the stroke of a well-aimed maneuver, watches this misleading notion burn to grains of ash in Justin’s receptiveness to recuperation and vulnerability in sharing his pain with Norah so she can help him get there. A helping hand is enough of a start, never a weakness.
Right from the start we’re left to question Justin’s situation; why he’s homebound, why he needs ‘Hand to Heart’s’ service and why he’s so completely resigned to the entropy and fatalism that has become his world. It’s the type of grief that’s soul-deep and mournful. He’s able-bodied, he’s fit, he’s healthy, he’s capable of lone living, but the illusion in that is his pain is the type of corrosive suffering that can’t be seen. It’s the invisible fights that are arguably the hardest to overcome, the twist being Justin’s iron-willed obstinacy in staying and festering in this mode of suffering because he doesn’t want to overcome it; he doesn’t believe he can (at least, to begin with).
His grief is monumental and he’s firmly melded within the grains of it.
He’s trapped in a chronic cycle of desperate despair. His world has made a home in his mentality because a thus far three-year loss caused a stratosphere ripple. He’s so highy-feeling and engaged within his own grief that I was taken aback by the open level of reflection through his narrative. The reason for that being, it’s not often that I’ll read the very masculine type of lead to render themselves this way, something also, that i could really appreciate. His grief has written his life in stone’ it’s why he’s resigned himself to a life behind closed doors.
When you’ve been through the kind of tragedy that Justin has, it almost becomes inevitable to hide that pain through a pathological form of suppression. At least, that’s what many male characters have a tendency of doing. What I love about Justin is his honesty. He knew that he eventually wanted to share his affliction with Norah and he had no intention of hiding it, even with the potential of losing her hanging over his head. It’s almost like he was just waiting for someone like Norah to give him that enabling willingness so he didn’t have to hide. Justin is brave, but what made him brave most of all was his consent to express, even though it was hard.
Norah had become his motivation because he wanted a life with her and he knew that the possibility of life did exist outside of his fear and somesthesia. It could be said that his recovery was contingent on Norah pushing him outside of his comfort zone, being the driver of his recovery, and while it did start that way, Justin wouldn’t have made progress if he didn’t want to rehabilitate himself. He soon takes the reins, but what’s most important is that a motivator, any motivator is necessary in making the first few steps. I don’t think it takes away the independence of the willing to rely on or lean on any aid if they really need it, so long as the willingness is there.
S O M E - C O N C E R N S - W I T H - T H E - S T O R Y…
While this story is abundant in emotional depth, courtesy of Justin, it did have some discrepancies that I want to get into….
This story has depth in spades, but I think it capsizes on breadth.
Let’s start with Norah. At the start of the book she reflects on her demanding and draining ex, a relationship she was an enabler to and participant in. After a this breakup and being sacked from her job, she’s a bit aimless, finding it laboursome to get her horse trotting again. That’s as far as Norah’s depth and arc reaches as her own character because this thread is never picked up on again.
In fact, I couldn’t get a strong read on her. It’s because of this neglect of both depth and breadth with Norah that her character feels secondary to Justin’s; her life seems to stop when he enters it as she becomes impelled to garner his attention when her own life needs some attention, which doesn’t seem to bother her so long as Justin is on her mind. She seems to only be motivated by him, not having a life outside of him, or at least if she does, it’s most likely happening off-page. This bothers me because Norah’s part of the story really had no breadth at all. She didn’t have much of a back story either.
We almost only really know her In relation to Justin. But who is Norah? What does she like? What are her fears? Does she have siblings? What her own hang-ups? Apparently the ‘getting to know you’getting to know you part perhaps happening on-page rather than off.
The point of a dual POV is to glean access to both protagonist’s lives. We do have a double perspective in this story, which I actually think is necessary to curb the weight of Justin’s half of the story by paving another path that doesn’t channel his circumstance. The problem is that the story is more Justin-heavy than Norah-heavy. Justin’s POV reigns in first place, understandable, but there is little point in introducing Norah’s POV if she doesn’t have enough to offer the story, or at the very least to give narrative a bigger stretch. I don’t understand to what point her POV would have been relevant because it doesn’t contribute to an evolving landscape. She’s there to take part in a romance and give Justin a reason to get his life together. But she should be more than just an object to accomplish something.
On the mention of Norah’s arc, we also have some relationship drama in the form of Justin’s ex making a reappearance, but I don’t think that was the best way to go. If anyone’s ex should have made a full circle reappearance, I think it should have been Norah’s because her arc would have had the opportunity to expand. Her side of the story to expand. Perhaps have her share her own inhibitions with Justin as well as an opening to find some investments in her life and character.
Because Justin is embroiled in his own anguish, it’s not possible for him to feel or even take on anyone else’s pain, he can’t afford to be sensitive or vulnerable in that way when his own emotions are barely manageable. My concern here is Norah. I couldn’t help but be concerned about his own ability to be there emotionally for Norah should she need it. Will he ever be able to be in a position to support Norah whenever she might need to rely on him? It’s these kind of discrepancies that were missing in this story.
‘Of Ash and Angels’ is a slow-burn promise of a painful and heartfelt labour of surrender and return. A sensitive novel that both commits to an erotic romance and a delivery that landscapes an emotionally charged recovery. This story does indeed take its sweet time to unravel and that’s because there is a complex story trying to be told here while we wait on Justin to tell us about his pain in his own time. Justin isn’t so much as an enigma as a man utterly possessed by his grief. He’s a hero that exhibits emotional depth and emotional reflection in this story that’s an emphatic pursuit of one man’s iron-fisted grief and his subsequent, successive recovery from the disabling force of that soul-deep sorrow.
K.C. Decker toils with the depictions of love’s catharsis, of painful purgatory, seeking life in all the lost places of surrender and looking at life with the eyes of second chance. This story closely examines an abstinence from life and, with a considerate hand, a second chance at it. The expressions of grief touched my gut because they were palpable. Loss is indeed a trauma. Recovery, catharsis, trauma and emotional intensity are parceled in this examination of one’s man’s ruthless grief in this emotionally suffused story. It’s Justin’s affliction that sits center stage, and thus it’s ultimately cultivated toward his recovery and rehabilitation. Because both fear and anxiety are large parts of my life I found this a very relatable story. At the 50% mark and onwards you might need some tissues on stand-by!
I don’t usually write playlists for my reviews, but there were two songs that popped into my head while reading!
P L A Y L I S T:
‘Ghost’ by Ella Henderson
‘Yours’ by Ella Henderson
Trigger Warning: A fair amount of erotic content and multiple sex scenes. Mental health is also a prominent topic here, with mentions and expressions of OCD, agoraphobia, anxiety, grief and panic attacks.
----------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @VicariousHearts
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
‘He didn’t look sad, or like he was going to cry.
He looked more like he was about to turn to ash and crumble into a pile of dust at my feet.’
‘The phrase trial by fire jumps to mind. Justin is going to throw everything at me, and then sit back and wait to see if I emerge from the flames.
Bring on the fire.’
If this book contemplates anything of deliberate meaning, it’s that everyone is susceptible to tragedy and poignant loss. That men grieve too, that men are allowed to grieve too. Justin’s well of sadness is soul-deep and all I could do was sob when he did, ache when he did and fester in his pain whenever he was unreachable through his devastation.
With this story, we're drawn into the mores of men's mental health; a taboo facet that is seldom approached. There’s this very primitive, regressive belief that masculinity encompasses ‘strength’, ‘control’ ‘no pain, no fear, no sadness’. A campaign that declares no space for weakness or vulnerability so long as you have identify as a man. That ‘manning up’ is a true sign of a man. Because of these circulating, destructive modes of thought, suppression becomes the resorting consequence.
What I loved about this book? It douses that corrosive idea as it presents a male lead who openly grieves. It then pours lighter fluid on that ideal as Justin openly expresses his pain through episodes bereavement. It accordingly sets light to this notion as this deeply feeling man expresses his frequent use of therapy. And lastly, but of course with the stroke of a well-aimed maneuver, watches this misleading notion burn to grains of ash in Justin’s receptiveness to recuperation and vulnerability in sharing his pain with Norah so she can help him get there. A helping hand is enough of a start, never a weakness.
Right from the start we’re left to question Justin’s situation; why he’s homebound, why he needs ‘Hand to Heart’s’ service and why he’s so completely resigned to the entropy and fatalism that has become his world. It’s the type of grief that’s soul-deep and mournful. He’s able-bodied, he’s fit, he’s healthy, he’s capable of lone living, but the illusion in that is his pain is the type of corrosive suffering that can’t be seen. It’s the invisible fights that are arguably the hardest to overcome, the twist being Justin’s iron-willed obstinacy in staying and festering in this mode of suffering because he doesn’t want to overcome it; he doesn’t believe he can (at least, to begin with).
His grief is monumental and he’s firmly melded within the grains of it.
He’s trapped in a chronic cycle of desperate despair. His world has made a home in his mentality because a thus far three-year loss caused a stratosphere ripple. He’s so highy-feeling and engaged within his own grief that I was taken aback by the open level of reflection through his narrative. The reason for that being, it’s not often that I’ll read the very masculine type of lead to render themselves this way, something also, that i could really appreciate. His grief has written his life in stone’ it’s why he’s resigned himself to a life behind closed doors.
When you’ve been through the kind of tragedy that Justin has, it almost becomes inevitable to hide that pain through a pathological form of suppression. At least, that’s what many male characters have a tendency of doing. What I love about Justin is his honesty. He knew that he eventually wanted to share his affliction with Norah and he had no intention of hiding it, even with the potential of losing her hanging over his head. It’s almost like he was just waiting for someone like Norah to give him that enabling willingness so he didn’t have to hide. Justin is brave, but what made him brave most of all was his consent to express, even though it was hard.
Norah had become his motivation because he wanted a life with her and he knew that the possibility of life did exist outside of his fear and somesthesia. It could be said that his recovery was contingent on Norah pushing him outside of his comfort zone, being the driver of his recovery, and while it did start that way, Justin wouldn’t have made progress if he didn’t want to rehabilitate himself. He soon takes the reins, but what’s most important is that a motivator, any motivator is necessary in making the first few steps. I don’t think it takes away the independence of the willing to rely on or lean on any aid if they really need it, so long as the willingness is there.
S O M E - C O N C E R N S - W I T H - T H E - S T O R Y…
While this story is abundant in emotional depth, courtesy of Justin, it did have some discrepancies that I want to get into….
This story has depth in spades, but I think it capsizes on breadth.
Let’s start with Norah. At the start of the book she reflects on her demanding and draining ex, a relationship she was an enabler to and participant in. After a this breakup and being sacked from her job, she’s a bit aimless, finding it laboursome to get her horse trotting again. That’s as far as Norah’s depth and arc reaches as her own character because this thread is never picked up on again.
In fact, I couldn’t get a strong read on her. It’s because of this neglect of both depth and breadth with Norah that her character feels secondary to Justin’s; her life seems to stop when he enters it as she becomes impelled to garner his attention when her own life needs some attention, which doesn’t seem to bother her so long as Justin is on her mind. She seems to only be motivated by him, not having a life outside of him, or at least if she does, it’s most likely happening off-page. This bothers me because Norah’s part of the story really had no breadth at all. She didn’t have much of a back story either.
We almost only really know her In relation to Justin. But who is Norah? What does she like? What are her fears? Does she have siblings? What her own hang-ups? Apparently the ‘getting to know you’getting to know you part perhaps happening on-page rather than off.
The point of a dual POV is to glean access to both protagonist’s lives. We do have a double perspective in this story, which I actually think is necessary to curb the weight of Justin’s half of the story by paving another path that doesn’t channel his circumstance. The problem is that the story is more Justin-heavy than Norah-heavy. Justin’s POV reigns in first place, understandable, but there is little point in introducing Norah’s POV if she doesn’t have enough to offer the story, or at the very least to give narrative a bigger stretch. I don’t understand to what point her POV would have been relevant because it doesn’t contribute to an evolving landscape. She’s there to take part in a romance and give Justin a reason to get his life together. But she should be more than just an object to accomplish something.
On the mention of Norah’s arc, we also have some relationship drama in the form of Justin’s ex making a reappearance, but I don’t think that was the best way to go. If anyone’s ex should have made a full circle reappearance, I think it should have been Norah’s because her arc would have had the opportunity to expand. Her side of the story to expand. Perhaps have her share her own inhibitions with Justin as well as an opening to find some investments in her life and character.
Because Justin is embroiled in his own anguish, it’s not possible for him to feel or even take on anyone else’s pain, he can’t afford to be sensitive or vulnerable in that way when his own emotions are barely manageable. My concern here is Norah. I couldn’t help but be concerned about his own ability to be there emotionally for Norah should she need it. Will he ever be able to be in a position to support Norah whenever she might need to rely on him? It’s these kind of discrepancies that were missing in this story.
‘Of Ash and Angels’ is a slow-burn promise of a painful and heartfelt labour of surrender and return. A sensitive novel that both commits to an erotic romance and a delivery that landscapes an emotionally charged recovery. This story does indeed take its sweet time to unravel and that’s because there is a complex story trying to be told here while we wait on Justin to tell us about his pain in his own time. Justin isn’t so much as an enigma as a man utterly possessed by his grief. He’s a hero that exhibits emotional depth and emotional reflection in this story that’s an emphatic pursuit of one man’s iron-fisted grief and his subsequent, successive recovery from the disabling force of that soul-deep sorrow.
K.C. Decker toils with the depictions of love’s catharsis, of painful purgatory, seeking life in all the lost places of surrender and looking at life with the eyes of second chance. This story closely examines an abstinence from life and, with a considerate hand, a second chance at it. The expressions of grief touched my gut because they were palpable. Loss is indeed a trauma. Recovery, catharsis, trauma and emotional intensity are parceled in this examination of one’s man’s ruthless grief in this emotionally suffused story. It’s Justin’s affliction that sits center stage, and thus it’s ultimately cultivated toward his recovery and rehabilitation. Because both fear and anxiety are large parts of my life I found this a very relatable story. At the 50% mark and onwards you might need some tissues on stand-by!
I don’t usually write playlists for my reviews, but there were two songs that popped into my head while reading!
P L A Y L I S T:
‘Ghost’ by Ella Henderson
‘Yours’ by Ella Henderson
Trigger Warning: A fair amount of erotic content and multiple sex scenes. Mental health is also a prominent topic here, with mentions and expressions of OCD, agoraphobia, anxiety, grief and panic attacks.
----------------------------------------------
Visit my blog for more reviews: V.L. Book Reviews
T W I T T E R: @VicariousHearts
I N S T A G R A M: @Vicarious.Hearts
January 3, 2019
I got the ARC from the author because I practically salivated over the cover and she was kind enough to give me a piece of that action. Thanks K.C. ;)
I'm very particular about how I like my romance books so I might be tough on the authors sometimes but I always have the best intentions at heart.
Saying that, I had only one thing I didn't like about this book. One and only thing. Dual POVs. I'm not a fan of it but I can work with it if it helps the story, adds something to it. I'm of the opinion that here dual POVs not only didn't add substance but hurt the characters in the depth department. I'll try to explain my reasoning as best I can. First of all, when book first started it was from Nora's perspective and we were introduced to a cute relatable character that we could potentially like. But then we meet Justin and his POV and from that point on, even though we switch between them all the time, it seems like it's all about Justin all the time. Yes, Justin is great aaaand he has issues but what about Nora? In the beginning of the book she was trying to get her life together, find new work, she had a life. Not a lot we got to know about it but she had it. Then she meets Justin and BAM! No life outside of their interactions whatsoever. Second, if we got only one POV we could get more out of one character instead of wasting two. Justin and his life could get more mystery, intensity and Nora would be more of a rounded character.
I think Justin might be not everyone's cup of tea because of all that's going on with him but I wasn't as WTF with it as you might think. I liked him, I liked that he had the capacity to feel so deep - it's rare.
Over and out
I'm very particular about how I like my romance books so I might be tough on the authors sometimes but I always have the best intentions at heart.
Saying that, I had only one thing I didn't like about this book. One and only thing. Dual POVs. I'm not a fan of it but I can work with it if it helps the story, adds something to it. I'm of the opinion that here dual POVs not only didn't add substance but hurt the characters in the depth department. I'll try to explain my reasoning as best I can. First of all, when book first started it was from Nora's perspective and we were introduced to a cute relatable character that we could potentially like. But then we meet Justin and his POV and from that point on, even though we switch between them all the time, it seems like it's all about Justin all the time. Yes, Justin is great aaaand he has issues but what about Nora? In the beginning of the book she was trying to get her life together, find new work, she had a life. Not a lot we got to know about it but she had it. Then she meets Justin and BAM! No life outside of their interactions whatsoever. Second, if we got only one POV we could get more out of one character instead of wasting two. Justin and his life could get more mystery, intensity and Nora would be more of a rounded character.
I think Justin might be not everyone's cup of tea because of all that's going on with him but I wasn't as WTF with it as you might think. I liked him, I liked that he had the capacity to feel so deep - it's rare.
Over and out
November 28, 2018
Am I crazy, because I think this cover is sexy AF and I can't even see his face!?
January 18, 2019
This was a good read. Norah meets Justin when she is hired to help him out at his house. Justin had been through some tough things and is having a hard time coping. With the help of Norah he is able to get it together and they can have a HEA.
Want to Read
November 13, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (11/13/2019)! 🎁
March 1, 2019
OBSESSED with KC Decker! OBSESSED! And no I’m not thinking about kidnapping this woman, locking her in my basement and forcing her to churn out books until her fingers go numb (unless you’re in). That would be insane (again, unless you’re in). But it’s tempting because she’s just that good. If you’re new to the Decker cult, er, CLUB, please read her other books so you can understand what has led me down this dangerous path.
So what makes Decker stand out from the torrential downpour of romance and erotica that is flooding the earth right now? For starters, she’s cornered the market on anticipation. Women LOVE anticipation. ‘Show me what you’re offering. Prove to me I want it.’ Yup, that’s us. It’s also called foreplay and Decker’s the Queen of it. After a few pages, I’m flush with excitement for what’s in store. Then comes the dizzying build up, a slow and steady tease that will have you clutching the sheets and eyeing up the mailman. And then…sweet release. It took me a bit to catch on, but Decker’s writing style is mimicking the act of sex itself. GOOD SEX. Seduction, Foreplay, Foreplay, Foreplay, Climax. Repeat. Brilliant, right?
Oh yeah, and there’s also an amazing story happening too. My girl never, ever skimps on the story. It’s unique, surprising, sad, funny—in other words, Life. The way Decker translates the human experience to paper is magical. Her words speak not only to the mind and body, but to the heart. It is rare, and I mean winning-lottery-ticket rare, that a writer can make you feel the exact moment when two people fall in love. I knew before the characters themselves realized it. I read those pages again and again, that beautiful instance captured in time like a photograph.
Which brings me to my next point, your home is about to get very crowded because Decker’s characters stay with you. I swear I think about them from time to time, wondering what they’re up to. It’s the honesty with which she writes that gives them flesh and bone. And she doesn’t shy away from the moments we’ve been taught don’t belong in this genre, like women admitting they haven’t shaved since Obama was in office, or grown men sobbing like children, and death and grief, and problems that cannot be solved by a fat bank account. Decker’s world is one I can relate to.
So what makes Decker stand out from the torrential downpour of romance and erotica that is flooding the earth right now? For starters, she’s cornered the market on anticipation. Women LOVE anticipation. ‘Show me what you’re offering. Prove to me I want it.’ Yup, that’s us. It’s also called foreplay and Decker’s the Queen of it. After a few pages, I’m flush with excitement for what’s in store. Then comes the dizzying build up, a slow and steady tease that will have you clutching the sheets and eyeing up the mailman. And then…sweet release. It took me a bit to catch on, but Decker’s writing style is mimicking the act of sex itself. GOOD SEX. Seduction, Foreplay, Foreplay, Foreplay, Climax. Repeat. Brilliant, right?
Oh yeah, and there’s also an amazing story happening too. My girl never, ever skimps on the story. It’s unique, surprising, sad, funny—in other words, Life. The way Decker translates the human experience to paper is magical. Her words speak not only to the mind and body, but to the heart. It is rare, and I mean winning-lottery-ticket rare, that a writer can make you feel the exact moment when two people fall in love. I knew before the characters themselves realized it. I read those pages again and again, that beautiful instance captured in time like a photograph.
Which brings me to my next point, your home is about to get very crowded because Decker’s characters stay with you. I swear I think about them from time to time, wondering what they’re up to. It’s the honesty with which she writes that gives them flesh and bone. And she doesn’t shy away from the moments we’ve been taught don’t belong in this genre, like women admitting they haven’t shaved since Obama was in office, or grown men sobbing like children, and death and grief, and problems that cannot be solved by a fat bank account. Decker’s world is one I can relate to.
January 12, 2019
I was blown away with the emotions I went through during Of Ash and Angels. Justin will get you right where it counts and steal your heart so. My heart ached for Justin as I learned all that he has gone through and why he is the way he is. He is an amazing swoon worthy guy. Norah is a beautiful soul. You feel that connection almost instant between Justin and Norah. I love how Norah embraces Justin for who he is and gives him that gentle push he needs to take back his life. By the end off this one I was an emotional mess but in a good way. K.C. Decker delivers an amazing read that hits the heart so.
January 6, 2019
I was so invested in these characters and this unique storyline. I laughed, I cried, I rejoiced. So many feels. I was completely and totally wrecked when Justin found Norah cleaning the hand prints. I cried like a baby. Raw, intense, and emotional read. Even through the sadness, I love how Justin is able to think wildly inappropriate thoughts-about what would happen on the "park date". Lol. I loved how broken and dessimated Justin was but he had the desire to move forward due to Norah and his connection with her. I liked that Norah was invested enough to want to help Justin live again and move forward. I hope Soph and Davis get a book because they were interesting secondary character along with Norah.
January 21, 2019
First book I have read by this author. Not at all what I was expecting. This was a very interesting book from beginning to end. Was difficult at times to get through when you learn what happened to Jax. Well written with a great story line,great characters and wonderful emotions. I loved the character chemistry and the fact it is based on a true story makes this book even better. Has me wanting to read more.
January 6, 2019
~Smart, smoldering, soul-searching~
The storytelling in this will rope you right in, if it had not already, as soon “Mr. Abernathy” opens his door to one very unexpected and unsuspecting woman.
Norah’s new mission was working to ease the burden of those who could not manage or who need help with the simplest of day-to-day things. I mean, we are talking about senior citizens, really. But when she comes face to face with her newest (and hottest) client, Norah thinks she already knows exactly who and what this “pool boy” is all about. There is no denying their fierce attraction, but Norah has a job she was paid to do, no matter what the next challenge he throws at her will be.
I LOVED this story! It unfolded in a very engaging manner, the chemistry build-up was amazing, the background stories heartbreaking, and the little triumphs together inspiring for both characters.
The storytelling in this will rope you right in, if it had not already, as soon “Mr. Abernathy” opens his door to one very unexpected and unsuspecting woman.
Norah’s new mission was working to ease the burden of those who could not manage or who need help with the simplest of day-to-day things. I mean, we are talking about senior citizens, really. But when she comes face to face with her newest (and hottest) client, Norah thinks she already knows exactly who and what this “pool boy” is all about. There is no denying their fierce attraction, but Norah has a job she was paid to do, no matter what the next challenge he throws at her will be.
I LOVED this story! It unfolded in a very engaging manner, the chemistry build-up was amazing, the background stories heartbreaking, and the little triumphs together inspiring for both characters.
July 25, 2023
Why should we wear masks that defy our true nature just to convince someone we are what they want? Who I am was created by fire, and that's not campy firefighter humor either. Life has molded me with the strength of ten thousand eternities. It has carved and honed me with the precision of the universe.
This was an entertaining, yet at times dark and angsty, read. But if you're looking for a standalone that is hot and fast and doesn't hold back, I encourage you to read it.
Justin Abernathy is a shut-in. A traumatic experience has made him scared of going out of his house, and his friend, Davis, thinks it's time he starts finding his old self again. Enter Norah - a recently-fired teacher, thanks to her ex tarnishing her good image with personal photos of her. Norah is in need of a job, so when she's asked to clean people's houses and take care of them, she begrudgingly does it. Too bad Justin is the last kind of client she expected to meet - and fall in love with.
To be honest, this is a book that falls too heavily on the emotional part of a relationship, despite the heavy sexual themes and tension between the two leads. Justin is a self-made introvert, one that has been scarred mentally in life, and cannot find his footing back no matter how much others try to help him. He has his reasons, of course, and I like that the writer wasn't afraid to show a man truly grieve and mourn. Justin was an emotional creature, as are many human beings, and he just needed to come to terms with it himself and understand that it was okay to be sad, it was okay to miss those he had lost. That, as Norah said, he was never going to be whole or truly over his trauma, but he could at least live with it and try to be happy again.
Norah was delightful, although a bit rash at times and way too cautious at others. I think her occupation as a teacher comes naturally with the nurturing instinct - those who work with children and are good at what they do tend to have this kind of attitude. I should know. She was sceptical at first, but then she saw Justin for who he really was, and opened her arms and heart first to soothe and comfort, and then to help steady and guide him back to the light. She wasn't trying to fix him or change him, she was instead trying to show him the steps he needed to take to get control over his own life again.
I think this is why this pairing and their story worked so well, despite the insta-attraction going on. They each were different, accepted each other for who they were, and yet tried to better themselves to make it happen, make it work. And I enjoy how therapy was treated in this book. Justin wasn't cured just because he met Norah. No. Meeting Norah, wanting to be with her, made him understand what his therapist was trying to tell him all along. The writer didn't dismiss a professional's words or hard work - what she did was give Justin an incentive to see that he had the solution in front of him from the start, but he now had a reason to follow the right path, not just blindly go through the process to please anyone but himself.
Though the sexual scenes sometimes didn't make sense with their timing, I found this book to be enjoyable, thought-inducing, and easy to read, so I definitely recommend it for adult audiences!
***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***
Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com
This was an entertaining, yet at times dark and angsty, read. But if you're looking for a standalone that is hot and fast and doesn't hold back, I encourage you to read it.
Justin Abernathy is a shut-in. A traumatic experience has made him scared of going out of his house, and his friend, Davis, thinks it's time he starts finding his old self again. Enter Norah - a recently-fired teacher, thanks to her ex tarnishing her good image with personal photos of her. Norah is in need of a job, so when she's asked to clean people's houses and take care of them, she begrudgingly does it. Too bad Justin is the last kind of client she expected to meet - and fall in love with.
To be honest, this is a book that falls too heavily on the emotional part of a relationship, despite the heavy sexual themes and tension between the two leads. Justin is a self-made introvert, one that has been scarred mentally in life, and cannot find his footing back no matter how much others try to help him. He has his reasons, of course, and I like that the writer wasn't afraid to show a man truly grieve and mourn. Justin was an emotional creature, as are many human beings, and he just needed to come to terms with it himself and understand that it was okay to be sad, it was okay to miss those he had lost. That, as Norah said, he was never going to be whole or truly over his trauma, but he could at least live with it and try to be happy again.
Norah was delightful, although a bit rash at times and way too cautious at others. I think her occupation as a teacher comes naturally with the nurturing instinct - those who work with children and are good at what they do tend to have this kind of attitude. I should know. She was sceptical at first, but then she saw Justin for who he really was, and opened her arms and heart first to soothe and comfort, and then to help steady and guide him back to the light. She wasn't trying to fix him or change him, she was instead trying to show him the steps he needed to take to get control over his own life again.
I think this is why this pairing and their story worked so well, despite the insta-attraction going on. They each were different, accepted each other for who they were, and yet tried to better themselves to make it happen, make it work. And I enjoy how therapy was treated in this book. Justin wasn't cured just because he met Norah. No. Meeting Norah, wanting to be with her, made him understand what his therapist was trying to tell him all along. The writer didn't dismiss a professional's words or hard work - what she did was give Justin an incentive to see that he had the solution in front of him from the start, but he now had a reason to follow the right path, not just blindly go through the process to please anyone but himself.
Though the sexual scenes sometimes didn't make sense with their timing, I found this book to be enjoyable, thought-inducing, and easy to read, so I definitely recommend it for adult audiences!
***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***
Read this and other reviews at: http://cupcakesandpopcorn.wordpress.com
May 26, 2023
My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to Netgalley.
Just a reader: First, I am not a mental health expert, so I cannot talk about the book from that lens. Rather, I can only talk about it from the perspective of a reader. I won't disclose what conditions one of the character has to avoid spoilers, but I can't talk about how well-researched or presented it was.
General Thoughts: Now that we have that out of the way onto the book itself. I really really enjoyed this one. It was an interesting, original story with compelling characters. The disclaimer above in mind, I thought it very tastefully and respectfully portrayed the mental health struggle it discussed in the book. I also thought that the pacing of the story, the romance, the healing, the development of the characters was very well done. The "conflict" didn't feel as forced or overblown as some I've read in the genre either, which I appreciated like it didn't feel as manufactured.
This one caught my attention pretty early on and kept it. I was totally immersed in the characters and their relationship, and there was a great supporting cast. I also think this book is important for the diversity in main characters and supporting characters and also its tactful and honest look at loss, grief, and trauma and how that can affect people.
I would recommend to pretty much anybody who likes romance or mental health representation in novels.
My one teensy complaint if you can even call it that is I would have loved to see more growth in the FMC too, but having said that, I only thought that after finishing it. It was a wonderfully solid novel. I'm going to be keeping tabs on this author, because this was a great first intro to her for me.
Content Warning: This is not exactly a spoiler but some may prefer to not know this going in, so if you want to skip, skip to the next section. Death of child, death of a parent, some talk of past suicidal ideation, descriptions of severe panic attacks/anxiety.
Steam Meter: ❤️🔥❤️🔥.5 Not the most graphic or frequent steam but definitely there. 18+.
Romantic Tropes
-conquer demons for love
-fix him/save him
-Employee-ish to more
-Standalone
-Mental health representation
You can read more of my reviews at mylastromance.com. You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to Netgalley.
Just a reader: First, I am not a mental health expert, so I cannot talk about the book from that lens. Rather, I can only talk about it from the perspective of a reader. I won't disclose what conditions one of the character has to avoid spoilers, but I can't talk about how well-researched or presented it was.
General Thoughts: Now that we have that out of the way onto the book itself. I really really enjoyed this one. It was an interesting, original story with compelling characters. The disclaimer above in mind, I thought it very tastefully and respectfully portrayed the mental health struggle it discussed in the book. I also thought that the pacing of the story, the romance, the healing, the development of the characters was very well done. The "conflict" didn't feel as forced or overblown as some I've read in the genre either, which I appreciated like it didn't feel as manufactured.
This one caught my attention pretty early on and kept it. I was totally immersed in the characters and their relationship, and there was a great supporting cast. I also think this book is important for the diversity in main characters and supporting characters and also its tactful and honest look at loss, grief, and trauma and how that can affect people.
I would recommend to pretty much anybody who likes romance or mental health representation in novels.
My one teensy complaint if you can even call it that is I would have loved to see more growth in the FMC too, but having said that, I only thought that after finishing it. It was a wonderfully solid novel. I'm going to be keeping tabs on this author, because this was a great first intro to her for me.
Content Warning: This is not exactly a spoiler but some may prefer to not know this going in, so if you want to skip, skip to the next section. Death of child, death of a parent, some talk of past suicidal ideation, descriptions of severe panic attacks/anxiety.
Steam Meter: ❤️🔥❤️🔥.5 Not the most graphic or frequent steam but definitely there. 18+.
Romantic Tropes
-conquer demons for love
-fix him/save him
-Employee-ish to more
-Standalone
-Mental health representation
You can read more of my reviews at mylastromance.com. You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.
July 13, 2023
please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
FMC: Norah– after her ex-boyfriend shared intimate photos of her to her coworkers, Norah lost her job and needs to find something quick to pay her rent. She finds a company called Hand to Heart where she helps elderly folks with day-to-day chores… until she goes to Mr. Abernathy’s house, a recluse, and discovers not all her clients are geriatrics and this one is gorgeous.
MMC: Justin– after suffering multiple losses, Justin becomes housebound and makes drastic changes to his life. Never letting anyone in certainly takes its toll and when he meets Norah, the fiery helper sent from the Hand to Heart agency who can give just as good as she can take, he knows he needs to make strides to open his heart again.
POV: 1st person, dual POV
HEA: yes with 2 bonus epilogues
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: child loss, loss of a parent, mental illness,
standalone: yes
final thoughts: this book was so good!! I loved the interactions between the MCs, the dirty texts, the way they were both playing not-so-hard-to-get, the passion, the encouragement, everything! Norah did give me very childish pushy vibes more toward the end, but it didn’t hinder the story at all for me. I loved reading Justin’s character development and that he wasn’t this “perfect” MC who never fails at anything.
read this book if you love
😬 angst
🌀 plot twists
🏝️ forced proximity (she works at his house)
🤫 hidden truth
👮 blue collar MMC (retired firefighter)
🔪 touch her and die
💼 workplace romance
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
FMC: Norah– after her ex-boyfriend shared intimate photos of her to her coworkers, Norah lost her job and needs to find something quick to pay her rent. She finds a company called Hand to Heart where she helps elderly folks with day-to-day chores… until she goes to Mr. Abernathy’s house, a recluse, and discovers not all her clients are geriatrics and this one is gorgeous.
MMC: Justin– after suffering multiple losses, Justin becomes housebound and makes drastic changes to his life. Never letting anyone in certainly takes its toll and when he meets Norah, the fiery helper sent from the Hand to Heart agency who can give just as good as she can take, he knows he needs to make strides to open his heart again.
POV: 1st person, dual POV
HEA: yes with 2 bonus epilogues
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: child loss, loss of a parent, mental illness,
standalone: yes
final thoughts: this book was so good!! I loved the interactions between the MCs, the dirty texts, the way they were both playing not-so-hard-to-get, the passion, the encouragement, everything! Norah did give me very childish pushy vibes more toward the end, but it didn’t hinder the story at all for me. I loved reading Justin’s character development and that he wasn’t this “perfect” MC who never fails at anything.
read this book if you love
😬 angst
🌀 plot twists
🏝️ forced proximity (she works at his house)
🤫 hidden truth
👮 blue collar MMC (retired firefighter)
🔪 touch her and die
💼 workplace romance
January 23, 2019
When Norah loses her teaching job thanks to her sleazy ex's revenge posting of her intimate pics, she never imagines that her best friend will convince her to start working with the elderly, seeing to their needs - errands, cooking, cleaning, etc. So when she shows up at her new client's house, the last thing she expects to see is a hot YOUNG guy. A guy who is actually her new client, thanks to his best friend's finagling.
Their two best friends' finagling, though, brings them into each other's lives, and sets off a course of events that will change both their lives. For the better? Most definitely. Especially as far as Justin's concerned. Justin has a lot of issues, and when his story is revealed, all Norah wants to do is help him. But, can she help him and keep her heart intact or will his game playing break her heart instead of allowing her to help heal him?
I really liked Of Ash and Angels. It's emotionally gripping and heart-wrenching and Justin and Norah are an amazing couple with chemistry for days.
ARC via Hidden Gems Books for an honest review.
January 22, 2019
My first look at the cover and I knew this was going to be emotional. Justin has had a rough three years. He lost his son in a horrific way. His mother died and he is trapped in his home from overwhelming anxiety. He has worked around it and is just existing. There is no reason to change until Norah. She has just been fired from her job and takes a job working with the elderly as a helper. She is surprised and suspicious when she gets to Justin's home. He is young and handsome. Attractions set in and things progress. The story has some emotional points that will have you feeling anger, sadness and happiness. In other words, this book has it all. Fun times, times of despair, hope and eventually happiness. I loved that we got both points of view because you got to read how both characters felt and reacted to things as it happened. It made me more invested in the characters. You felt what they felt.
copy provided by Hidden Gems for honest review
copy provided by Hidden Gems for honest review
February 23, 2023
This is more than a love story because of the heavy topics that it brings forth. The story will make you laugh and it will also make you tear up because the despair is real. I like that this story brought awareness to men's mental health. This is a very important topic that is often neglected. The characters were interesting and felt like real people with real problems. I enjoyed the funny banter and the palpable chemistry between Norah and Justin. The dual point of view created a bond between the couple and the reader, in my opinion, it worked really well.
My issues with the book was with the insta love and also how quickly the therapy worked. It didn't feel realistic.
A good story that kept me interested and invested the first half of the book, until the climax, then it was to predictable. I believe that this is a story you either like or dislike.
3.5 stars
My issues with the book was with the insta love and also how quickly the therapy worked. It didn't feel realistic.
A good story that kept me interested and invested the first half of the book, until the climax, then it was to predictable. I believe that this is a story you either like or dislike.
3.5 stars
January 15, 2019
Thank you for the ARC read, I voluntarily give this book an honest review.
Norah was fired from her job, getting a temp job of care giver. She meets a young man at what she assumed was a elder man home.
Justin when the young woman entered home, thinking he was just another hired help he does correct her. Justin who is unable to leave the house because of a disability case of panic attacks. Sparks fly high with the two only will she stick around when learns why he never leaves or the fear that grips him at every turn? Of will she stay and help him over come his battle for normality? This book has lot of sad moment's but it also has humor. This book brings the heat, loved this book.
Norah was fired from her job, getting a temp job of care giver. She meets a young man at what she assumed was a elder man home.
Justin when the young woman entered home, thinking he was just another hired help he does correct her. Justin who is unable to leave the house because of a disability case of panic attacks. Sparks fly high with the two only will she stick around when learns why he never leaves or the fear that grips him at every turn? Of will she stay and help him over come his battle for normality? This book has lot of sad moment's but it also has humor. This book brings the heat, loved this book.
March 7, 2023
4.5⭐️
I choose love over fear -this book
Of Ash and Angels by KC Decker was a steamy romance that I really enjoyed. It was a realistic fiction that kept me glued to the pages. I loved the romance and how well these two characters complemented each other. There intimacies were special and unique. Will I read another by this author? Absolutely!
Thanks IBPA via Netgalley.
I choose love over fear -this book
Of Ash and Angels by KC Decker was a steamy romance that I really enjoyed. It was a realistic fiction that kept me glued to the pages. I loved the romance and how well these two characters complemented each other. There intimacies were special and unique. Will I read another by this author? Absolutely!
Thanks IBPA via Netgalley.
January 16, 2019
This was a very different storyline. Justin met Norah when she came to clean for him. She was expecting an old man and was quite surprised to find a very much in his prime man. As the story develops, you learn why he is house bound and it just breaks your heart. His friends all came to see him but none of them tried to get him out of the house. she did. I loved the puppy scenes. It made me laugh out loud several times. A good story
February 13, 2022
The synopsis had me really excited to read this book. It was a bit off putting and crude in the beginning and I’m not sure I would’ve made it past the sample if I wasn’t given this book to review. It felt like the majority of the book was sex or thinking or talking about sex. I did find his situation really interesting. On the other hand how quick he went from neighborhood walks to being at a club was hard to believe given his level of crippling anxiety. Everyone’s different but given my own experience with anxiety he overcame a huge step with little difficulty for his first major outing with so many stimulations. The epilogue was really sweet though.
Although this didn’t work for me, I do recommend another by the author - Mercy.
An advanced reader copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher with no expectations and in no way influences my review.
Although this didn’t work for me, I do recommend another by the author - Mercy.
An advanced reader copy of this book was provided by the author/publisher with no expectations and in no way influences my review.
February 23, 2023
This book took me by surprise. I honestly I don’t know what I was expecting. I kind of went in blind, but what an emotional ride this book was. This relationship feels real. It doesn’t gloss over the normal struggles that people deal with every day such as mental health disorders and loss. I also really appreciated the recognition of the misconceptions about certain anxiety disorders and the clarifications. It’s not all heavy though there is a sweet romantic relationship that develops through all of this as well as a pretty good amount of spice. Do check your trigger warnings though.
September 16, 2019
Mixed feelings but would still recommend
I enjoyed this book. Justin and Norah seemed perfect together. I love how the author weaves really good information about complexes and disabilities into her books without it overtaking the plot. I knocked two stars because of one main reason. I came into it expecting something really different just as her other books have been but was met with a similar storyline to a lot of other authors. What saved it for me were her authentic characters and the humor and knowledge she weaved throughout the story.
I enjoyed this book. Justin and Norah seemed perfect together. I love how the author weaves really good information about complexes and disabilities into her books without it overtaking the plot. I knocked two stars because of one main reason. I came into it expecting something really different just as her other books have been but was met with a similar storyline to a lot of other authors. What saved it for me were her authentic characters and the humor and knowledge she weaved throughout the story.
January 16, 2019
This was a good a good book to read. It actually made me laugh in a couple of spots (Ive never done that before) and the sex scenes were good. I didnt like the fact that the author depicted a pitbull to be a killer and posted the breed in a bad light (like dog attacks only happen with a pit). Other than that, there really isnt anything that stands out. It wasnt a book that I "couldnt put down"
February 9, 2022
How he immediately fell in love with her and felt she was the one he could vent to about his biggest phobia .. idk I felt like it was all sex and no real communication or intimate connection other than SEX
January 2, 2023
Really wasn't a fan
January 20, 2022
Not a lot that I can say other than that's not really how quickly therapy works for severe agoraphobia
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 22, 2023
"Of Ash and Angels" by KC Decker tells an emotional tale of overcoming past trauma, finding love in unexpected places, and learning to live anew. The protagonist, Justin Abernathy, is a man in the throes of grief, grappling with past trauma and the recent loss of his mother. A recluse due to his social anxiety, Justin's life took a turn when Norah, a kindergarten teacher turned caregiver, became an unexpected fixture. Initially employed to assist the elderly, Norah finds herself helping Justin instead, gradually becoming a rock as he navigates through his grief.
Justin, a former firefighter, had to quit his job following a traumatic incident, which is also the catalyst for his agoraphobia. Despite his struggle with this affliction, his charismatic personality and alpha tendencies continue to shine through. His reluctance to venture out of his house only enhances his social anxieties.
Norah, on the other hand, is grappling with her problems. Forced to seek a new job after a scandal involving an ex-boyfriend, she is thrown into the tumultuous world of caregiving. An intriguing series of encounters with Justin follows, with their chemistry evident from their first meeting.
"Of Ash and Angels" stands out for its well-rounded characters, with Norah and Justin bringing depth and complexity to the narrative. Their initial attraction evolves into a deeper relationship marked by both sizzling passion and emotional growth. The book skillfully explores their dynamic, portraying a powerful love story amidst personal struggles and transformation.
KC Decker's evocative writing style captivates the readers, making them feel a part of Justin and Norah's journey. Her attention to detail and her masterful handling of sensitive topics such as mental health make this book an impactful read. The exploration of Justin's agoraphobia, in particular, is done with great care and empathy, making his character all the more relatable.
However, the book touches on a tragic incident involving the loss of a child, making it a potentially heavy read for some. Despite the serious themes, the novel maintains a balance of wit, humor, and passionate scenes, turning it into an engaging adult romance.
"Of Ash and Angels" is an intense read with a compelling narrative and strong character development. It presents a convincing story of healing through love, reminding readers of the transformative power of affection and empathy. It delivers a potent mix of drama, romance, and self-discovery, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Justin, a former firefighter, had to quit his job following a traumatic incident, which is also the catalyst for his agoraphobia. Despite his struggle with this affliction, his charismatic personality and alpha tendencies continue to shine through. His reluctance to venture out of his house only enhances his social anxieties.
Norah, on the other hand, is grappling with her problems. Forced to seek a new job after a scandal involving an ex-boyfriend, she is thrown into the tumultuous world of caregiving. An intriguing series of encounters with Justin follows, with their chemistry evident from their first meeting.
"Of Ash and Angels" stands out for its well-rounded characters, with Norah and Justin bringing depth and complexity to the narrative. Their initial attraction evolves into a deeper relationship marked by both sizzling passion and emotional growth. The book skillfully explores their dynamic, portraying a powerful love story amidst personal struggles and transformation.
KC Decker's evocative writing style captivates the readers, making them feel a part of Justin and Norah's journey. Her attention to detail and her masterful handling of sensitive topics such as mental health make this book an impactful read. The exploration of Justin's agoraphobia, in particular, is done with great care and empathy, making his character all the more relatable.
However, the book touches on a tragic incident involving the loss of a child, making it a potentially heavy read for some. Despite the serious themes, the novel maintains a balance of wit, humor, and passionate scenes, turning it into an engaging adult romance.
"Of Ash and Angels" is an intense read with a compelling narrative and strong character development. It presents a convincing story of healing through love, reminding readers of the transformative power of affection and empathy. It delivers a potent mix of drama, romance, and self-discovery, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 10, 2019
Sometimes life isn't fair. It gives too much to some people and takes away more from other people.
Justin is living in his own bubble. We all know what happens to bubbles - they break. The poor guy just can't seem to catch a break. Right now he's teetering on the edge. His BFF Davis knows what will fix him, or at least he thinks he does. Justin hides his secrets and doesn't say a thing to Norah about what is going on. He's still playing his game, only this time he's trying to rope Norah in. Can he give up the little bit of happiness he has on a chance with Norah? What if it's not enough for her?
One day a teacher, the next a baby sitter for the elderly. Who knew her life would be so glamorous? Not Norah! When she knocks on the Abernathy door, she is greeted by a hunk of a man, who is NOT elderly. What's going on? They work side by side doing things around the house until he lets her in on a little, ok maybe HUGE secret. He is Mr. Abernathy and he was coerced into hiring her for help. At this point, Norah is all in. She likes what she sees and understands that he does too. Mysterious is good, but too mysterious is worrisome. When the bubble bursts and Norah sees what Justin is dealing with, she melts with him. Can Norah accept Justin for who he is? Or will she walk away?
This is another great book, by one of my favorite authors. Ms. Decker creates characters that you fall in love with. Not only the main characters but also secondary characters. I hope Davis and Sof get a book - HINT HINT! When Justin's story was fleshed out, I cried. I wept for this character in a book! He's not real, I know that, but the way KC wrote him, he felt real to me. *SIGH*
The banter between the characters is great. I love the dual POV. I think having both sides of the story is important, someone always sees something different. Not only that it's nice to have the guys perspective on things that are happening too.
Justin is living in his own bubble. We all know what happens to bubbles - they break. The poor guy just can't seem to catch a break. Right now he's teetering on the edge. His BFF Davis knows what will fix him, or at least he thinks he does. Justin hides his secrets and doesn't say a thing to Norah about what is going on. He's still playing his game, only this time he's trying to rope Norah in. Can he give up the little bit of happiness he has on a chance with Norah? What if it's not enough for her?
One day a teacher, the next a baby sitter for the elderly. Who knew her life would be so glamorous? Not Norah! When she knocks on the Abernathy door, she is greeted by a hunk of a man, who is NOT elderly. What's going on? They work side by side doing things around the house until he lets her in on a little, ok maybe HUGE secret. He is Mr. Abernathy and he was coerced into hiring her for help. At this point, Norah is all in. She likes what she sees and understands that he does too. Mysterious is good, but too mysterious is worrisome. When the bubble bursts and Norah sees what Justin is dealing with, she melts with him. Can Norah accept Justin for who he is? Or will she walk away?
This is another great book, by one of my favorite authors. Ms. Decker creates characters that you fall in love with. Not only the main characters but also secondary characters. I hope Davis and Sof get a book - HINT HINT! When Justin's story was fleshed out, I cried. I wept for this character in a book! He's not real, I know that, but the way KC wrote him, he felt real to me. *SIGH*
The banter between the characters is great. I love the dual POV. I think having both sides of the story is important, someone always sees something different. Not only that it's nice to have the guys perspective on things that are happening too.
January 19, 2019
There is something I absolutely love about romances that have a message. And KC Decker's Of Ash and Angels is special that way. This story follows Norah and Justin. Norah has been "hired" by Justin's friend to visit his home as he has become a shut-in. Due to a traumatic experience in his past, Justin has developed agoraphobia. From the beginning of her visits, Justin and Norah are attracted to each other. As her time with him continues, their initial attraction becomes something more, and Justin must choose to share his past with Norah. Will she accept him or turn away like other women in his past?
The answer to this question is the beauty of this book. For one, Justin and Norah together is incredibly $exy. They are clearly attracted to each other, and their relationship progresses into a physical one that will light your Kindle on fire. Justin's initial bluster and jerk tendencies are simply a mask. Eventually, Norah's bold, down-to-earth personality pushes through his walls, humanizing him. Thankfully, we do not have to endure his jerk ways too long. Once they both drop their walls, their relationship blossoms, and there is a depth to it that draws you into the book. In fact, KC Decker has a depth to her writing in general. The writing is cerebral, and the style is elevated in a way that intrigues me. I did think her epilogue and bonus chapter were a bit clinical whereas I'd like a bit more emotion as we see the future for Norah and Justin. However, given the mental health aspects of this story, I can understand it.
Ultimately, if you love a story with a deeper meaning, then you will like this story. Also, there might be triggers for people with past trauma, so be aware of that with this book.
The answer to this question is the beauty of this book. For one, Justin and Norah together is incredibly $exy. They are clearly attracted to each other, and their relationship progresses into a physical one that will light your Kindle on fire. Justin's initial bluster and jerk tendencies are simply a mask. Eventually, Norah's bold, down-to-earth personality pushes through his walls, humanizing him. Thankfully, we do not have to endure his jerk ways too long. Once they both drop their walls, their relationship blossoms, and there is a depth to it that draws you into the book. In fact, KC Decker has a depth to her writing in general. The writing is cerebral, and the style is elevated in a way that intrigues me. I did think her epilogue and bonus chapter were a bit clinical whereas I'd like a bit more emotion as we see the future for Norah and Justin. However, given the mental health aspects of this story, I can understand it.
Ultimately, if you love a story with a deeper meaning, then you will like this story. Also, there might be triggers for people with past trauma, so be aware of that with this book.
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