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Apricity #3
Sunlight through the Shadows
After witnessing Tayshia doing the unthinkable, Ash makes a decision that will eradicate the careful web of denial he's woven after his mother's death.
When Tayshia tells a lie that sets into motion a fire that could have been avoided, Ash finds himself making wrong choice after wrong choice. His secrets threaten to destroy the control that Tayshia tries so desperately to maintain.
As he tries and fails to sort manipulation from the truth, Ash finds himself fading into the same flames that devour the sun. But there's a darkness that surrounds Tayshia...
A darkness that Ash will stop at nothing to ignite.
When Tayshia tells a lie that sets into motion a fire that could have been avoided, Ash finds himself making wrong choice after wrong choice. His secrets threaten to destroy the control that Tayshia tries so desperately to maintain.
As he tries and fails to sort manipulation from the truth, Ash finds himself fading into the same flames that devour the sun. But there's a darkness that surrounds Tayshia...
A darkness that Ash will stop at nothing to ignite.
- GenresRomance
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2021
26 people are currently reading
392 people want to read
About the author
Mariah L. Stevens
18 books113 followersMariah L. Stevens is a half-Black author and artist who lives in the PNW. She is diagnosed with Autism, BiPolar 1, and CPTSD. Mariah has been writing since she was 13 years old, and she plans to use her passion and life experience to help other survivors through the power of prose. She is a sex trafficking and Bulimia survivor that advocates for recovery and a life worth living. She encourages mental health awareness, as well as ED awareness in Black individuals, and weaves all of these elements into her work with the sole purpose of helping others seek recovery.
Mariah is a very creative person. She loves to write, draw, design fabric, sew lolita-style dresses, design her own book covers, and do different types of crafting. She loves Japanese fashion, Kingdom Hearts, Disneyland, and her cat, Chiiyo.
Mariah listens to metalcore and post-hardcore, has way too many pictures of MGK and Zendaya in her phone, and has 3 Kingdom Hearts tattoos.
She also really loves Godzilla.
Mariah is a very creative person. She loves to write, draw, design fabric, sew lolita-style dresses, design her own book covers, and do different types of crafting. She loves Japanese fashion, Kingdom Hearts, Disneyland, and her cat, Chiiyo.
Mariah listens to metalcore and post-hardcore, has way too many pictures of MGK and Zendaya in her phone, and has 3 Kingdom Hearts tattoos.
She also really loves Godzilla.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 11, 2021
Oh my lord the toxicity at this point is literally insane jfc. I thought that it was getting better but nahh the entire last chapter was like what the fuck.
November 24, 2021
*Spoilers are hidden. Everything else is spoiler-free. (Trigger warnings are not spoiler-free but very necessary to be aware of before reading!) *
Tropes: hurt/comfort, enemies to lovers, slow burn, shared bed (forced coexistence), trauma, smut, angst, protectiveness, jealousy
Trigger warnings: r@pe/SA, emotional/physical abuse, eating disorders (bulimia), grief/loss, substance abuse, religious themes, toxic relationships, racial themes
This book has destroyed me. I literally want to curl up into a ball and cry until I run out of tears.
What I Loved
Everything. This series is such a rollercoaster in the best way! Ash and Tayshia's dynamic is so morbidly addicting; the story just gets better and better with each book. How the author has managed to get me so invested in these characters and their respective journeys is beyond me but I'm impressed! I never want this series to end.
What I Didn't Love
The Apricity Series is turning out to be a lot more relatable, and thus a lot more triggering than I initially thought it would be. I'm definitely gonna keep reading because this story is absolutely intoxicating, but I'm starting to find that it's affecting me in ways I thought I could handle better than I am. To be fair, I've been in a dark place lately so it was kind of inevitable. Just take this as a gentle but stern warning.
For anyone who's struggled with eating disorders, bulimia especially, this third book features a lot of detailed and graphic depictions of purging that could be potentially triggering. If you've dealt with the toxicity that comes from being unwell, and the things you do or say to the people you love and care about in order to maintain your "normal," this book hits home with a fucking sledgehammer. Definitely use your best judgment for this one.
Conclusion
Please end my suffering.
Tropes: hurt/comfort, enemies to lovers, slow burn, shared bed (forced coexistence), trauma, smut, angst, protectiveness, jealousy
Trigger warnings: r@pe/SA, emotional/physical abuse, eating disorders (bulimia), grief/loss, substance abuse, religious themes, toxic relationships, racial themes
This book has destroyed me. I literally want to curl up into a ball and cry until I run out of tears.
A dream didn't erase a nightmare.
What I Loved
Everything. This series is such a rollercoaster in the best way! Ash and Tayshia's dynamic is so morbidly addicting; the story just gets better and better with each book. How the author has managed to get me so invested in these characters and their respective journeys is beyond me but I'm impressed! I never want this series to end.
He was tired of standing in the flames by himself, watching her freeze in the darkness. He wanted to share the same star.
What I Didn't Love
The Apricity Series is turning out to be a lot more relatable, and thus a lot more triggering than I initially thought it would be. I'm definitely gonna keep reading because this story is absolutely intoxicating, but I'm starting to find that it's affecting me in ways I thought I could handle better than I am. To be fair, I've been in a dark place lately so it was kind of inevitable. Just take this as a gentle but stern warning.
For anyone who's struggled with eating disorders, bulimia especially, this third book features a lot of detailed and graphic depictions of purging that could be potentially triggering. If you've dealt with the toxicity that comes from being unwell, and the things you do or say to the people you love and care about in order to maintain your "normal," this book hits home with a fucking sledgehammer. Definitely use your best judgment for this one.
Conclusion
Please end my suffering.
Want to Read
November 12, 2021I saw this book on tiktok and I think it would be a good book. It sounds amazing from the rating on the tiktok.
Currently Reading
November 12, 2021It's Amazing
November 22, 2021
𝙢𝙞𝙡𝙙 𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙞𝙡𝙚𝙧𝙨?
The way this series has got me in a chokehold is fully consensual and approved holy shit
THE ENDING??? OOOFT.
This author has such a way of explaining trauma/thought processes behind what the characters are experiencing which is just spot on. At some points it was difficult to read because I feel so invested in these characters and their recovery and relationship.
Their romance/relationship I felt reached a good point here, and then the end happened. Waiting for No.4 is going to be torture but I’m here for it.
The way this series has got me in a chokehold is fully consensual and approved holy shit
THE ENDING??? OOOFT.
This author has such a way of explaining trauma/thought processes behind what the characters are experiencing which is just spot on. At some points it was difficult to read because I feel so invested in these characters and their recovery and relationship.
Their romance/relationship I felt reached a good point here, and then the end happened. Waiting for No.4 is going to be torture but I’m here for it.
June 3, 2023
This series kept me engaged. There was nothing I could do to stop myself from becoming enthralled by the experience. In it, the author takes the reader on a journey of healing and understanding. Everyone will find something in this book that evokes joy and comfort. It's an inspiring and empowering story.
The book moved at a slow pace and sometimes seemed repetitive. However, it revealed new information and plot twists at just the right moments that kept me hooked.
There is something extremely realistic about this piece of writing that makes you believe you are part of it. I commend the author for this.
Ash and Tayshia's growing relationship is complex with relatable struggles, however it is easier to understand and sympathize with their struggles. The characters are engaging, and the reader can see themselves in them as if they were part of the story. It is no wonder why this piece of writing is so captivating and entertaining.
The book is light on smut but heavy on drama and at times I've struggled with Tayshia's emotional issues and frame of mind. I get it, she was molested and struggles with an eating disorder however her attitude towards it was tiredsome because she never wanted to find help, or any solution. Initially, she believed that ignoring the problems would result in their disappearance. This lack of resolution was frustrating to read, as it felt like the story was never resolved. I would have liked to see her confront her issues and find a way to make peace with her past.
It was Ash's character that remained true, but he tried too hard to carry a burden he had no right to bear. I hated the way she clearly manipulated Ash and how much it was difficult for me to stand by her character. I wanted to scream to tell him to cut her loose, but I knew it wouldn't do any good. With the way he let her get away with stuff and the way he talked about his feelings for her, you knew he was in too much trouble. I'd hoped he'd come out okay. However he was too far gone, and everyone was powerless to help him. I knew this relationship was doomed from the start, and I was right.
In Tayshia's manipulative ways, and in Ash's devastation, he realized the serious consequences of his choices. Yet despite this tragedy, the book still captivated its readers in the most spectacular way.
The next book promises a new beginning, with love and redemption at its core. I have no doubt that the author will write about hope and joy in every situation. I encourage readers to get this series because you can expect a sense of hope, no matter the challenges both characters face.
The book moved at a slow pace and sometimes seemed repetitive. However, it revealed new information and plot twists at just the right moments that kept me hooked.
There is something extremely realistic about this piece of writing that makes you believe you are part of it. I commend the author for this.
Ash and Tayshia's growing relationship is complex with relatable struggles, however it is easier to understand and sympathize with their struggles. The characters are engaging, and the reader can see themselves in them as if they were part of the story. It is no wonder why this piece of writing is so captivating and entertaining.
The book is light on smut but heavy on drama and at times I've struggled with Tayshia's emotional issues and frame of mind. I get it, she was molested and struggles with an eating disorder however her attitude towards it was tiredsome because she never wanted to find help, or any solution. Initially, she believed that ignoring the problems would result in their disappearance. This lack of resolution was frustrating to read, as it felt like the story was never resolved. I would have liked to see her confront her issues and find a way to make peace with her past.
It was Ash's character that remained true, but he tried too hard to carry a burden he had no right to bear. I hated the way she clearly manipulated Ash and how much it was difficult for me to stand by her character. I wanted to scream to tell him to cut her loose, but I knew it wouldn't do any good. With the way he let her get away with stuff and the way he talked about his feelings for her, you knew he was in too much trouble. I'd hoped he'd come out okay. However he was too far gone, and everyone was powerless to help him. I knew this relationship was doomed from the start, and I was right.
In Tayshia's manipulative ways, and in Ash's devastation, he realized the serious consequences of his choices. Yet despite this tragedy, the book still captivated its readers in the most spectacular way.
The next book promises a new beginning, with love and redemption at its core. I have no doubt that the author will write about hope and joy in every situation. I encourage readers to get this series because you can expect a sense of hope, no matter the challenges both characters face.
January 11, 2022
BE ADVISED OF TRIGGER WARNINGS ON THE FIRST PAGES OF THE BOOK
The third installment of the Apricity series begins where book two had left off and brings sunlight to the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of Ash and Tayshia's tentative 'situationship'. More than anything, they are important to each other, but Tayshia can't stop searching for a 'why' while Ash has been trying desperately to keep Tayshia safe. Their differing reactions breed miscommunication and desperate measures to keep each other close, but still too far away to have a true resolution. There are many walls in the way, some built by themselves and some built by others. When a manipulative lie is told, it sets in motion a dramatic and unfortunate turn of events and the effects are immediate and long-term. Though milestones are reached, the self-destruction introduced in the second book continues, and both Ash and Tayshia attempt to navigate a new phase in their relationship, ready or not.
You will be asking 'WHY?' quite a few times and you'll have to remember that it is the story, not the end, that you read for. I'm looking forward to seeing how the next book plays out for our favorite 'not a couple'. This is the third of a four-part book series, we have some ways to go before these kids get what they deserve.
Aside from the actual story, I appreciate the way the author works difficult conversations into the dialogue so naturally. Though the media is in an entertainment form, it feels educational at times and I think that's the author's goal.
The third installment of the Apricity series begins where book two had left off and brings sunlight to the darkness that lurks beneath the surface of Ash and Tayshia's tentative 'situationship'. More than anything, they are important to each other, but Tayshia can't stop searching for a 'why' while Ash has been trying desperately to keep Tayshia safe. Their differing reactions breed miscommunication and desperate measures to keep each other close, but still too far away to have a true resolution. There are many walls in the way, some built by themselves and some built by others. When a manipulative lie is told, it sets in motion a dramatic and unfortunate turn of events and the effects are immediate and long-term. Though milestones are reached, the self-destruction introduced in the second book continues, and both Ash and Tayshia attempt to navigate a new phase in their relationship, ready or not.
You will be asking 'WHY?' quite a few times and you'll have to remember that it is the story, not the end, that you read for. I'm looking forward to seeing how the next book plays out for our favorite 'not a couple'. This is the third of a four-part book series, we have some ways to go before these kids get what they deserve.
Aside from the actual story, I appreciate the way the author works difficult conversations into the dialogue so naturally. Though the media is in an entertainment form, it feels educational at times and I think that's the author's goal.
January 6, 2022
Best of the bunch so far
POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD
TW: talk of eating disorders, mental illness
In the past week I have read the first three novels in preparation for the release of the fourth. While I enjoyed the first two, this book knocked me off of my feet. There were so many moments that took my breath away.
The level of toxicity between the two of them enrages me but also spurs me to keep reading because I can’t seem to get enough.
There were tons smutty chapters/scenes that sometimes felt like they came out of nowhere or in the middle of a fight which gave me a bit of whiplash, but also fit with the back and forth of their largely toxic relationship.
The content of the series can be quite triggering and this book by far had the most amount of graphic eating disorder behaviour. It’s a shocking and horrifying read but it’s also very tastefully done.
When we find out Tayshia has been lying and manipulating Ash, was one of those moments that stole my breath and broke my heart. She’s obviously struggling with her disorder and the lying and manipulation is a part of it but that doesn’t make it easy to get over. I wanted to reach through my screen and shake some sense into her (which I think is supposed to be the point!!)
I can’t wait to see what we’re going to get in book 4!
POSSIBLE SPOILERS AHEAD
TW: talk of eating disorders, mental illness
In the past week I have read the first three novels in preparation for the release of the fourth. While I enjoyed the first two, this book knocked me off of my feet. There were so many moments that took my breath away.
The level of toxicity between the two of them enrages me but also spurs me to keep reading because I can’t seem to get enough.
There were tons smutty chapters/scenes that sometimes felt like they came out of nowhere or in the middle of a fight which gave me a bit of whiplash, but also fit with the back and forth of their largely toxic relationship.
The content of the series can be quite triggering and this book by far had the most amount of graphic eating disorder behaviour. It’s a shocking and horrifying read but it’s also very tastefully done.
When we find out Tayshia has been lying and manipulating Ash, was one of those moments that stole my breath and broke my heart. She’s obviously struggling with her disorder and the lying and manipulation is a part of it but that doesn’t make it easy to get over. I wanted to reach through my screen and shake some sense into her (which I think is supposed to be the point!!)
I can’t wait to see what we’re going to get in book 4!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews