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Burn to Ash
Bethany
Rise. Shine. Sleep. Repeat. To the world.
Break. Darken. Cry. Lost. Behind closed doors.
Nothing is as it seems in the Asheville home or this hell hole town.
Then he shows up. Pushing my buttons and demanding I take more from life, be more, be…me. But I have no idea who that is. How do I fight for my freedom when I’m their bargaining tool?
What he doesn’t realize is how screwed up Knight’s Creek really is.
For all I care, the whole town can burn to ash.
Ryan
Get in. Get out. Job done.
That was the plan...until I met her.
My life is dark, cruel, and dangerous. She looks like she sleeps on a bed of roses, yet her broken soul shines in her eyes, calling to me like a beacon.
She’s not what I’m here for. I’m getting distracted, but I’ll do whatever it takes to break her free from the invisible chains that keep her rooted to this town.
For her, I’ll burn the whole town to ash.
Burn to Ash is an MF Romance novel based on spin-off characters from The Allstars Series which is an RH romance series, but can be read as a stand alone. It includes triggering scenes that some may find difficult to read, and is recommended for over 17 years. This is a complete standalone book.
Rise. Shine. Sleep. Repeat. To the world.
Break. Darken. Cry. Lost. Behind closed doors.
Nothing is as it seems in the Asheville home or this hell hole town.
Then he shows up. Pushing my buttons and demanding I take more from life, be more, be…me. But I have no idea who that is. How do I fight for my freedom when I’m their bargaining tool?
What he doesn’t realize is how screwed up Knight’s Creek really is.
For all I care, the whole town can burn to ash.
Ryan
Get in. Get out. Job done.
That was the plan...until I met her.
My life is dark, cruel, and dangerous. She looks like she sleeps on a bed of roses, yet her broken soul shines in her eyes, calling to me like a beacon.
She’s not what I’m here for. I’m getting distracted, but I’ll do whatever it takes to break her free from the invisible chains that keep her rooted to this town.
For her, I’ll burn the whole town to ash.
Burn to Ash is an MF Romance novel based on spin-off characters from The Allstars Series which is an RH romance series, but can be read as a stand alone. It includes triggering scenes that some may find difficult to read, and is recommended for over 17 years. This is a complete standalone book.
582 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2021
303 people are currently reading
822 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
October 31, 2021
KC Kean is one of my go to never fails me authors when it comes to her characters and her stories! Burn To Ash was no exception. When we first met Beth & Ryan in the Allstar series I prayed we would get their story and KC answered the call and understood the assignment. This is a slow burn romance with all the feels.
Beth & Ryan’s love story is freaking gut wrenching, heart pounding and epically everything!!! This baby was DARK and intriguing and will have you captivated from the beginning. This is one of those stories that is unputdownable. From the moment these two meet you can’t deny their chemistry and the lengths Ryan would go to protect Beth is unmatched.
This is an absolute must read along with every other book KC has written because they are the freaking bomb!!
Beth & Ryan’s love story is freaking gut wrenching, heart pounding and epically everything!!! This baby was DARK and intriguing and will have you captivated from the beginning. This is one of those stories that is unputdownable. From the moment these two meet you can’t deny their chemistry and the lengths Ryan would go to protect Beth is unmatched.
This is an absolute must read along with every other book KC has written because they are the freaking bomb!!
October 25, 2021
"We’ll weather the storm, no matter what, but as long as I have these two , the rest of the world can burn to ash "
This book tore me apart 🥺😭🥺 it's very dark and had me sobbing.. if you've read the all star series, you'll already know and love Bethany and Ryan. They play a major part in the books and we see them as a happy family and Bethany is fierce and protective of those she loves, and there was always an air or mystery behind Ryan, wasnt we all dying to hear their story?! Well, we start at the very beginning, my heart shattered because Bethany is nothing but a broke, beaten shell 🥺. We get to learn and witness the journey both characters go on to finally get their HEA. And boy, is it one emotional rollercoaster guys. This book did not disappoint. It is honestly brilliant. Very dark, so don't say I didn't warn you!
Benji 💗 Young Hunter 🖤
Where it all began ❤
This book tore me apart 🥺😭🥺 it's very dark and had me sobbing.. if you've read the all star series, you'll already know and love Bethany and Ryan. They play a major part in the books and we see them as a happy family and Bethany is fierce and protective of those she loves, and there was always an air or mystery behind Ryan, wasnt we all dying to hear their story?! Well, we start at the very beginning, my heart shattered because Bethany is nothing but a broke, beaten shell 🥺. We get to learn and witness the journey both characters go on to finally get their HEA. And boy, is it one emotional rollercoaster guys. This book did not disappoint. It is honestly brilliant. Very dark, so don't say I didn't warn you!
Benji 💗 Young Hunter 🖤
Where it all began ❤
November 7, 2021
Ryan and Bethanny have a beautiful and powerful story. If you have followed the Featherstone Academy, you would have fallen in love with this couple then. This story takes a look into their past and how they come together. The emotions are powerful and evoking. Please pay attention to the triggers listed, before diving into the story. I highly recommend this book!
October 25, 2021
KC Kean can do no wrong! I know that’s a bold statement but we all have those authors right? The ones you love their style, their characters, and the stories the tell. KC is without a doubt one of my no hesitation, must read authors! When it comes to RH, she has written one of my all time favs (Featherstone) and I will forever recommend that to anyone who will listen 🤣
For the first time, KC has released a standalone MF, and slow burn at that! But I beg you, do NOT let that deter you from reading Burn To Ash. There may not be peen in the first 25%, but this is without a doubt her most gripping story yet!
A spin-off from the All Stars series, we are taken back in time to learn about Bethany & Ryan’s beginning. It’s dark … darker than anything I’ve read from KC before. But it’s tragic and captivating and it sucked me in immediately!
Ryan is hot and alpha - the ultimate protector. Bethany is a shining star that shows so much growth and strength throughout the book. Their chemistry is undeniable and you can’t help but root for their happily ever after!
Throw is some cameos from some of may favs (young Hunter!!), and this is a must read. Please, go - RUN!! And watch it burn 🔥
For the first time, KC has released a standalone MF, and slow burn at that! But I beg you, do NOT let that deter you from reading Burn To Ash. There may not be peen in the first 25%, but this is without a doubt her most gripping story yet!
A spin-off from the All Stars series, we are taken back in time to learn about Bethany & Ryan’s beginning. It’s dark … darker than anything I’ve read from KC before. But it’s tragic and captivating and it sucked me in immediately!
Ryan is hot and alpha - the ultimate protector. Bethany is a shining star that shows so much growth and strength throughout the book. Their chemistry is undeniable and you can’t help but root for their happily ever after!
Throw is some cameos from some of may favs (young Hunter!!), and this is a must read. Please, go - RUN!! And watch it burn 🔥
February 2, 2023
Book: Burned to Ash
Author: KC Kean
Recommend: Yes
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
Age recommendation: 16-30+ Years
Plot:
Bethany Ashville, a daughter of one of the founding families, has found herself drawn to the new kid in town. She is made to do an assignment in class with him, and finds hims mean and arrogant at first.
Her parents abuse her daily, so one day she is hit and kicked out for the night, she heads to the abandoned Beach house down the road and curls up under the stairs to settle in fr the night. Ryan the new kid finds her under there when he returns to the house after a surf. When he discovers her bruised face he gets really angry, invites her inside and gives her his spare bedroom for the future use if she ever finds herself kicked out again. He gives her a keys to the house so she can come an go as needed.
Ryan is from featherstone academy and was sent to infiltrate the town, but finds himself obsessed with Bethany, and finds out her story. When he dose, he asks the academy for help they say no. But Maria Steele approaches him to help and to give him. Future in her company for his loyalty in return. He says yes and they save Bethany and her brother.
My feelings:
Kc Kean you have done it again. I obsessed over this book! Oh how much I loved the 2 main MCs. I loved Ryan from the toxic creek series and this just made me obsessed.
“I will burn this whole fucking town to the ground until I find her, I swear it.”
I feel like featherstone academy produces some of the hottest and most toe curling men ever! We need more!
So lets start with Bethany, ohhhhhh god dam was she put through hell and back! The poor girl! I do love how she broke a few times and still picked herself back up! She wasn’t a complete damsel in distress and also wasn’t crazy strong either. I loved her! And I loved her even more cause I read how she treated everyone from toxic creek series! She is the all in type of girl I love!
“Ryan: Here’s my number in case you ever need someone to call or text. Remember the key. I’ve known danger, Betty, I can see it around you. I mean it when I say USE IT. Ryan: Shit. Autocorrect. Ryan: I meant Betty. Ryan: For fuck’s sake. I meant Betty. Ryan: You know what? You’re Betty from now on. Deal with it.”
Now Ryan…. Ryan Ryan Ryan! My god are you just to die for! I love how he was a complete heartless dick, who just “winked” at girls for pussy. But then spent the whole time chasing Bethany, and not giving in till she told him to. He is clearly a major softie! And the fact that he just dropped everything and went yep im all in. No dicing around, not being a meanie, just alllll in.
If you read toxic creek series before this one you love the 2 so much more. There is just so much in the toxic creek series that define these two.
“That’s not true and you know it, Betty. Everything happens for a reason. I never believed that saying until now, but I was meant to be in Knight’s Creek, in this exact beach house, waiting for you,” I say quietly, sure Benji can still hear, but thankfully he says nothing, although I watch him put a hand over his mouth in surprise out of the corner of my eye.
100% recommend.!
Author: KC Kean
Recommend: Yes
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
Age recommendation: 16-30+ Years
Plot:
Bethany Ashville, a daughter of one of the founding families, has found herself drawn to the new kid in town. She is made to do an assignment in class with him, and finds hims mean and arrogant at first.
Her parents abuse her daily, so one day she is hit and kicked out for the night, she heads to the abandoned Beach house down the road and curls up under the stairs to settle in fr the night. Ryan the new kid finds her under there when he returns to the house after a surf. When he discovers her bruised face he gets really angry, invites her inside and gives her his spare bedroom for the future use if she ever finds herself kicked out again. He gives her a keys to the house so she can come an go as needed.
Ryan is from featherstone academy and was sent to infiltrate the town, but finds himself obsessed with Bethany, and finds out her story. When he dose, he asks the academy for help they say no. But Maria Steele approaches him to help and to give him. Future in her company for his loyalty in return. He says yes and they save Bethany and her brother.
My feelings:
Kc Kean you have done it again. I obsessed over this book! Oh how much I loved the 2 main MCs. I loved Ryan from the toxic creek series and this just made me obsessed.
“I will burn this whole fucking town to the ground until I find her, I swear it.”
I feel like featherstone academy produces some of the hottest and most toe curling men ever! We need more!
So lets start with Bethany, ohhhhhh god dam was she put through hell and back! The poor girl! I do love how she broke a few times and still picked herself back up! She wasn’t a complete damsel in distress and also wasn’t crazy strong either. I loved her! And I loved her even more cause I read how she treated everyone from toxic creek series! She is the all in type of girl I love!
“Ryan: Here’s my number in case you ever need someone to call or text. Remember the key. I’ve known danger, Betty, I can see it around you. I mean it when I say USE IT. Ryan: Shit. Autocorrect. Ryan: I meant Betty. Ryan: For fuck’s sake. I meant Betty. Ryan: You know what? You’re Betty from now on. Deal with it.”
Now Ryan…. Ryan Ryan Ryan! My god are you just to die for! I love how he was a complete heartless dick, who just “winked” at girls for pussy. But then spent the whole time chasing Bethany, and not giving in till she told him to. He is clearly a major softie! And the fact that he just dropped everything and went yep im all in. No dicing around, not being a meanie, just alllll in.
If you read toxic creek series before this one you love the 2 so much more. There is just so much in the toxic creek series that define these two.
“That’s not true and you know it, Betty. Everything happens for a reason. I never believed that saying until now, but I was meant to be in Knight’s Creek, in this exact beach house, waiting for you,” I say quietly, sure Benji can still hear, but thankfully he says nothing, although I watch him put a hand over his mouth in surprise out of the corner of my eye.
100% recommend.!
November 8, 2021
we do not deserve ryan carter!!!
·
okay before i get further into this review i just want to stress stress stress that you need to really read the content warnings at the beginning of the book. there are lots of triggering scenes that can be hard to read if you aren't prepared. anywho, back to our regularly programmed CRYING, i am in AWE. kc kean has very quickly climbed the ranks of my favorite authors and burn to ash quite literally blew my mind.
·
i love love LOVE bethany. from the very beginning i just wanted to wrap her in a hug and make her my best friend. watching her transformation in this single book is absolutely awe-inspiring and i loved being on the journey with her every step of the way. seeing how she's always been with hunter, her little brother and my favorite all star from the all star series, was actually the best thing in the world even if it hurt my heart to see my baby hunter treated the way he was by their parents 😭
·
kc deserves a round of applause for the men she creates. i mean. wow. i barely have any words to describe the sheer amazingness of ryan carter. amazingness isn't even a word but here we are. he's honestly had me in a hold since the all star series but knowing how he was at the start of his relationship with bethany has me 🤤🤤🤤 ryan carter ryan carter ryan carter. are you here? no? that's too bad bc i love you a lot. i also want to share his bestie benji, he seems like he'd be a really fun friend.
·
burn to ash from start to finish was filled with pain, pain, and more pain, but amidst the pain there were lots of tender moments and wise cracks that will forever leave an imprint on my heart. if you have never read anything by kc kean, i HIGHLY recommend you do so asap. wowza. 10/10.
·
okay before i get further into this review i just want to stress stress stress that you need to really read the content warnings at the beginning of the book. there are lots of triggering scenes that can be hard to read if you aren't prepared. anywho, back to our regularly programmed CRYING, i am in AWE. kc kean has very quickly climbed the ranks of my favorite authors and burn to ash quite literally blew my mind.
·
i love love LOVE bethany. from the very beginning i just wanted to wrap her in a hug and make her my best friend. watching her transformation in this single book is absolutely awe-inspiring and i loved being on the journey with her every step of the way. seeing how she's always been with hunter, her little brother and my favorite all star from the all star series, was actually the best thing in the world even if it hurt my heart to see my baby hunter treated the way he was by their parents 😭
·
kc deserves a round of applause for the men she creates. i mean. wow. i barely have any words to describe the sheer amazingness of ryan carter. amazingness isn't even a word but here we are. he's honestly had me in a hold since the all star series but knowing how he was at the start of his relationship with bethany has me 🤤🤤🤤 ryan carter ryan carter ryan carter. are you here? no? that's too bad bc i love you a lot. i also want to share his bestie benji, he seems like he'd be a really fun friend.
·
burn to ash from start to finish was filled with pain, pain, and more pain, but amidst the pain there were lots of tender moments and wise cracks that will forever leave an imprint on my heart. if you have never read anything by kc kean, i HIGHLY recommend you do so asap. wowza. 10/10.
October 28, 2021
To start with, that short prologue -
Sucked. Me. In. I wasn’t expecting that. It was already more than I hoped for. It had me excited just from that prologue. Fans of Featherstone will totally appreciate it. It opens so many doors. It is not necessary to read Featherstone or The Allstars series as this is a standalone but those that have will get a little bit extra from the story.
Dejected. Beaten Down.
I knew going in that Bethany and Ryan’s story was dark. But it was hard to read just how badly Bethany was broken. I’m not sure if I not had met “future Bethany” in the Allstars book that I could of kept going at some points. The pain she goes through even when I still don’t know what exactly (without guessing) it is - until we know - is just heartbreaking. BUT you can see her strength. You can see her determination. You can see light coming back to her and Ryan helps gives her that.
“I’ve got you, Betty, pinky promise.”
In KC Kean’s last series - The Allstars- we are introduced to future Bethany and Ryan. Two characters who were so strong and loved. This story is their beginning. And it is sensational. The depth of this story is next level. When I said above it was hard to read, it wasn’t hard to read because it was violent (there was violence) but just feeling the emotions, the heartbreak and life that Beth is dealt with and experiencing is a lot. I was amazed at how well this story was told without being over the top graphic or dark (it is still dark) - so much more could of happened to Bethany but KC just wrote this story perfectly.
I know this was a story that was never meant to be written. So thank you KC for writing it. I am so glad the characters demanded this book from you. It may be your best yet!
November 2, 2021
"We’ll weather the storm, no matter what, but as long as I have this, the rest of the world can burn to ash."
.....
I've read all of KC's books and yet to be disappointed at one - this is no exception! KC's first MF standalone is dark, raw, and truly shows strength & growth in impossible situations. I've been interested in Bethany & Ryan's story ever since they were introduced in the Allstars series and their love truly is one of the most captivating. Although this is technically a spinoff of characters from the Allstars, you don't need to have read that or Featherstone Academy before reading these - though you should read them at some point 😉
.....
"There’s a level of darkness to him, a part of his soul that I can connect with, just like he did to me."
.....
Ryan has always put off an air of mystery and the story of how he came to Knights Creek and met Bethany Asheville is the same. As mysterious as this new guy can be though we begin to see Bethany breaking down his walls and bringing out a fierce protectiveness in him that he hasn't shown towards anyone before. Their chemistry is undeniable and the lengths he will go for her are mindblowing. Bethany is a fierce protector in her own right and does everything in her power to protect her brother (little Hunter from Allstars 😍) even if that means stepping up to whatever consequences may befall her in his place. She does what it takes to survive and lesrns how asking for help instead of keeping it all inside can be powerful in itself. 🔥 This slow burn dark romance is one you definitely don't want to miss out on! Especially if you have read KC's other series since there may just be some crossovers 🙌🏾
.....
I've read all of KC's books and yet to be disappointed at one - this is no exception! KC's first MF standalone is dark, raw, and truly shows strength & growth in impossible situations. I've been interested in Bethany & Ryan's story ever since they were introduced in the Allstars series and their love truly is one of the most captivating. Although this is technically a spinoff of characters from the Allstars, you don't need to have read that or Featherstone Academy before reading these - though you should read them at some point 😉
.....
"There’s a level of darkness to him, a part of his soul that I can connect with, just like he did to me."
.....
Ryan has always put off an air of mystery and the story of how he came to Knights Creek and met Bethany Asheville is the same. As mysterious as this new guy can be though we begin to see Bethany breaking down his walls and bringing out a fierce protectiveness in him that he hasn't shown towards anyone before. Their chemistry is undeniable and the lengths he will go for her are mindblowing. Bethany is a fierce protector in her own right and does everything in her power to protect her brother (little Hunter from Allstars 😍) even if that means stepping up to whatever consequences may befall her in his place. She does what it takes to survive and lesrns how asking for help instead of keeping it all inside can be powerful in itself. 🔥 This slow burn dark romance is one you definitely don't want to miss out on! Especially if you have read KC's other series since there may just be some crossovers 🙌🏾
November 8, 2021
Burn to ash by @kckeanauthor was soooo good !! A lot of times ..ok most of the time it is hard for us to like the heroine right off the bat but we absolutely loved Bethany 🖤 talk about a strong selfless person !!! This girl goes through hell daily and still sacrifices herself to protect others ! In situations others would run from her goes in head first if it means protecting her loved ones 🖤 then there is Ryan .. omg totally swooning 🥵🥵 he is sent to do a job for featherstone ( which is one of our absolutely favorite series EVER) when he is knocked on his ass by our girl ! He didn’t see it coming and fell hard quick🙌🏻 he is a badass with so much charm you are going to melt 🥵🥵 the way he is over Bethany is going to have you soo jealous 🤣 these two share such a connection you can’t help but fall for them instantly! Ryan is determined to save Bethany from her life and will do anything to keep her safe 🖤🖤 this is such a great MF !! You get suspense , heart break, swooning moments, some amazing funny moments ( thanks to benji who we LOVE) , perfect revenge and soo much love 🖤🖤 you need to read this !!!
November 2, 2021
Burn to Ash captured me and held me hostage, from start to finish. Ryan Carter is out on a Featherstone Academy mission, of which he has no idea what it entails nor why he has been assigned to Knights Creek.
Bethany Asheville is a mouses nobody at Asheville High School. The kids make fun of her and bully her even though she is the daughter of one of the founding families in Knights Creek, one of the wealthiest families of Knights Creek, too. She goes unnoticed and able to get by at a day to day basis until Ryan comes to town and meets Bethany.
There is so much backstory told in this book, and so much comes to light after having read The Allstars series, that this book clearly puts the other story into perspective and enlightens the reader even more.
I loved Bethany and Ryan before, but now I love them even The way KC Keane tells the story has the reader craving revenge right along with Bethany. You won’t be able to put this book down.
Bethany Asheville is a mouses nobody at Asheville High School. The kids make fun of her and bully her even though she is the daughter of one of the founding families in Knights Creek, one of the wealthiest families of Knights Creek, too. She goes unnoticed and able to get by at a day to day basis until Ryan comes to town and meets Bethany.
There is so much backstory told in this book, and so much comes to light after having read The Allstars series, that this book clearly puts the other story into perspective and enlightens the reader even more.
I loved Bethany and Ryan before, but now I love them even The way KC Keane tells the story has the reader craving revenge right along with Bethany. You won’t be able to put this book down.
November 2, 2021
I fell in love with Bethany and Ryan while reading the Allstars series and was so excited to read their story. When we first meet Bethany in this book I couldn’t believe it was the same character. She had none of the confidence and bravado we saw from her in the Allstars books. We knew Bethany’s home life was bad, but I never imagined her parents could be such vile and evil creatures.
When Bethany meets Ryan, he unexpectedly becomes the catalyst she needs to find her strength and to fight for her happiness. Their romance is a perfectly paced slow burn and when they finally come together it’s passionate and explosive.
Each book of KC’s I read just gets better and better and it’s clear to see her incredible growth as an author since the first Featherstone book. Bethany and Ryan’s story was epic and now I’m even more excited for Lou Lou’s book!
When Bethany meets Ryan, he unexpectedly becomes the catalyst she needs to find her strength and to fight for her happiness. Their romance is a perfectly paced slow burn and when they finally come together it’s passionate and explosive.
Each book of KC’s I read just gets better and better and it’s clear to see her incredible growth as an author since the first Featherstone book. Bethany and Ryan’s story was epic and now I’m even more excited for Lou Lou’s book!
November 4, 2021
Love
Every single book I’ve read from this author has been top rated and a straight paperback purchase. This is no different.
I thought I fell in love with Ryan and Bethany in The Allstars books, I wasn’t prepared for this.
I wanted to be Bethany’s best friend when she was just the older sister. After reading the history of her and Ryan I want to be her friend all the more.
Their story isn’t what I was expecting but I loved that it was darker. I love Ryan’s protectiveness from early on and seeing how they are in the future, this book makes you understand everything.
Bethany and Hunter never had a happy family life but she’s the best big sister and does as much as she can to keep Hunter safe. If you’ve read The Allstars books then you need to know why he turns into the man for Eden. I love that this one ties back to Featherstone Academy and we get a little flash of that series to. This is an MF book that you can read as a standalone but I recommend binging everything.
Every single book I’ve read from this author has been top rated and a straight paperback purchase. This is no different.
I thought I fell in love with Ryan and Bethany in The Allstars books, I wasn’t prepared for this.
I wanted to be Bethany’s best friend when she was just the older sister. After reading the history of her and Ryan I want to be her friend all the more.
Their story isn’t what I was expecting but I loved that it was darker. I love Ryan’s protectiveness from early on and seeing how they are in the future, this book makes you understand everything.
Bethany and Hunter never had a happy family life but she’s the best big sister and does as much as she can to keep Hunter safe. If you’ve read The Allstars books then you need to know why he turns into the man for Eden. I love that this one ties back to Featherstone Academy and we get a little flash of that series to. This is an MF book that you can read as a standalone but I recommend binging everything.
November 7, 2021
This book technically takes place before Featherstone Academy & The Allstars; however, my suggested reading order would be Featherstone Academy > Burn to Ash > The Allstars.
First of all - that prologue. GAH! Yes. I’m obsessed with Featherstone Academy so that prologue was perfection.
We first met Ryan and Bethany in The Allstars and I knew I wanted more of them and I was far from disappointed. Bethany’s upbringing was less than ideal, but she endures it for the sake of her younger brother Hunter.
“I’m a goddamn fucking survivor, and I’m taking what’s mine.”
Their love story was a slow burn, but in such a perfect way. It’s gut wrenching and heart pounding and I loved it. I loved how much of Ryan’s POV we got. He was so instinctively protective of ‘Betty’ and it was 100% swoon worthy.
“I’m going to give her everything she’s never been offered, including love.”
First of all - that prologue. GAH! Yes. I’m obsessed with Featherstone Academy so that prologue was perfection.
We first met Ryan and Bethany in The Allstars and I knew I wanted more of them and I was far from disappointed. Bethany’s upbringing was less than ideal, but she endures it for the sake of her younger brother Hunter.
“I’m a goddamn fucking survivor, and I’m taking what’s mine.”
Their love story was a slow burn, but in such a perfect way. It’s gut wrenching and heart pounding and I loved it. I loved how much of Ryan’s POV we got. He was so instinctively protective of ‘Betty’ and it was 100% swoon worthy.
“I’m going to give her everything she’s never been offered, including love.”
April 7, 2022
So let's start by saying I like the fact that this book filled in some of the Ryan Carter gaps. And if I'm not mistaken wasn't his name mentioned in the Featherstone books? I could have sworn it was.
Anyway it was good book. I would definitely recommend it to friends and family and strangers on the Internet lol
Anyway it was good book. I would definitely recommend it to friends and family and strangers on the Internet lol
November 3, 2021
Loved it!
This book was amazing. I knew I loved Bethany and Ryan as side characters but them being main characters in their own book made me fall in love with them even more. Getting to read what they went through, and Ryan’s background about what he “really does”, and how they grow into the amazing couple they are was everything. THEY ARE PERFECT for each other! So happy to have read this and can’t wait for whatever your next release is. ❤️❤️❤️
This book was amazing. I knew I loved Bethany and Ryan as side characters but them being main characters in their own book made me fall in love with them even more. Getting to read what they went through, and Ryan’s background about what he “really does”, and how they grow into the amazing couple they are was everything. THEY ARE PERFECT for each other! So happy to have read this and can’t wait for whatever your next release is. ❤️❤️❤️
November 2, 2021
LOVED this standalone! I've been a fan of the author's since the start, enjoying both the Bloodlibe and All Stars series.
Burn To Ash brings both worlds together, and it was nice seeing the connections.
Ryan—oh, my. Can a perfect man exist? Probably not, but if he was real? 🥵
This book kept me glued to it from beginning to end, and brought all the feels. Definitely looking forward to whatever KC brings us next!
⚠️ Please be aware that there are some quite dark themes in this book that won't be for everyone.
Burn To Ash brings both worlds together, and it was nice seeing the connections.
Ryan—oh, my. Can a perfect man exist? Probably not, but if he was real? 🥵
This book kept me glued to it from beginning to end, and brought all the feels. Definitely looking forward to whatever KC brings us next!
⚠️ Please be aware that there are some quite dark themes in this book that won't be for everyone.
March 10, 2025
LOL okay so I looked on tiktok for books like binding 13 and this was suggested and it was actually so binding 13 coded… like yes it was lowkey giving wattpad book but i still loved it anyways…
October 28, 2021
K.C. Kean killed it with this standalone MF romance! I absolutely fell in love with Ryan and Bethany in her Allstars series so I was very excited to receive this ARC of their own story!
The story starts with Ryan being sent to Bethany's hometown, Knight's Creek, to infiltrate their criminal underworld. Their worlds collide when Ryan soon finds out that Bethany is his way in.
With Bethany being the quiet outcast in her town and Ryan being a confident badass, it made for awesome push and pull banter. I enjoyed seeing their love build gradually, with the pace being refreshing and perfect.
Overtime, Ryan becomes the perfect, possessive, and protective hero to Bethany. His gentleness and attention to detail makes him completely swoonworthy. 😍
Despite Bethany dealing with constant trauma and triggering situations, she is a strong and resilient character. It is her story that provides the darkest elements in this book.
Overall, I highly recommend Burn To Ash if your in the mood for a good love story with a side of heavy darkness.
🖤
The story starts with Ryan being sent to Bethany's hometown, Knight's Creek, to infiltrate their criminal underworld. Their worlds collide when Ryan soon finds out that Bethany is his way in.
With Bethany being the quiet outcast in her town and Ryan being a confident badass, it made for awesome push and pull banter. I enjoyed seeing their love build gradually, with the pace being refreshing and perfect.
Overtime, Ryan becomes the perfect, possessive, and protective hero to Bethany. His gentleness and attention to detail makes him completely swoonworthy. 😍
Despite Bethany dealing with constant trauma and triggering situations, she is a strong and resilient character. It is her story that provides the darkest elements in this book.
Overall, I highly recommend Burn To Ash if your in the mood for a good love story with a side of heavy darkness.
🖤
December 9, 2021
What an emotional rollercoaster of a book! I absolutely loved reading Bethany’s and Ryan’s story even if their story tore me apart with everything they went through😩. This is a dark story so please check the triggers before reading, but it does end in HEA. I love how it links to Featherstone Academy😍 It is a stand-alone and can be read alone, however totally read Featherstone Academy if you haven’t already. I’ve read everything by KC Kean and I just can’t get enough!
June 9, 2023
Los grumpy assholes que son al mismo tiempo letales, protectores y tienen adoración absoluta por la protagonista son mi debilidad, y Ryan lo tiene todo. Es un trozo de pan con la gente que se lo merece, y, a la vez, la peor pesadilla de la gente que se merece justamente eso. Lo amo.
Y Bethany es maravillosa. ♡
MIS FRASES Y MOMENTOS FAVORITOS
The way she moved so quickly, leaving the plate on the table, catches me by surprise, especially when I’ve been trained to move quickly and stealthily. Had she anticipated the move?
(...)
“My face is fine,” she whispers, not lifting her hand to cover it or draw attention to what I mean. It’s a telltale sign she’s been through a beating or two before, and it leaves me even more startled.
One day I won’t feel pain anymore. It’ll either be because I got free of this town or because I’m dead. Either way, I dream of the day when I’ll know what it feels like to be pain free.
“If you ever, and I mean ever, need to go somewhere, you unlock the fucking door to the beach house and climb into that bed, okay?”
“Just please put me out of my misery and tell me who hit you.”
It feels like she’s burning my soul, and I don’t know why.
One day, I’m going to give this guy all the music in the world. Whatever instrument he wants lessons in, I’m going to figure it out. Hell, I’ll give him his own damn music store if that’s what he wants.
People always want something in return, especially since no one gives gifts out of the kindness of their own heart, at least not to me. I’ve learned nothing is ever free, but the worst part is not knowing what price I’ll have to pay.
“Hunter is spending the weekend with his friends, so it just depends on what you want to do.”
Who. The. Fuck. Is. Hunter?
Betty: On my way, boss.
There’s that little bit of snark I can’t help but like. How do I get her to give me more of that?
“Mr. Carter, are you going to answer the equation on the board or stare aimlessly at the blank pages in front of you?” Mr. Bellows asks, calling me out in front of the whole class.
“The blank pages are holding my attention, Bellows, what can I say,” I answer with a shrug, meeting his gaze as I slouch back in my seat, and I watch as his face reddens in annoyance with me. “So, no, I’m not going to answer the equation,” I clarify, tapping the table in front of me as I raise my eyebrows in challenge.
“Because I mean it. With every fiber of my being, I want to slay every soulless monster who has fucking touched you, Bethany Asheville, family included. And you’re not running for the hills because I would never harm you, but the ones who hurt you? I’ll fucking destroy them.”
“You can’t break what’s already broken, Ryan.”
“Like fucking hell, Betty. I saw the strong-ass woman on the beach earlier. You’re not broken, cracked maybe, but you’ve learned to piece yourself back together with your own glue and survive. I won’t let any of that be in vain, Bethany. Not a single ounce.”
People want to buy me to use me and take my virginity. It should make me cower away from every man in existence, but instead, it makes me want to give it all to him.
“Oh my God, is this the female ‘I’m fine’ Benji’s always warned me about?”
I gape at him as I look to my left, only to find him wide-eyed as he frantically searches me from head to toe with panic.
“Please tell me what I did wrong so I can fix it. I don’t want to handle one of those situations right now, if ever, preferably.”
(...)
“I don’t want you to say anything specifically, I just want to understand what caused you to frown so hard, Beth. That wasn’t my intention.”
“Bethany Asheville, you make me fucking crazy. Do I want to protect you? Hell fucking yeah I do. Do I want to explore you? Every inch. Do I want to take everything I want from you? Without question. But I also know what you’re going through, and I will never take a single choice from you. Ever. That’s my promise to you.”
“I want to claim you as mine, but that goes against everything I said earlier, and I—”
“I’m yours,” I interrupt quickly.
I feel something for her, something strong that has me willing to upend my whole world to be with her.
Is that love?
Honestly, I don’t know, but I want more of it, and I want it all with her.
“Who the fuck are you?” someone demands, and I look past the dresser at the bottom of the steps to find a small boy with messy blond hair and a frown on his face as he glares at me with his arms folded over his chest.
Attitude. I like it.
His eyes are the same shape as Bethany’s but green instead of blue, and his nose wrinkles in the same way too. As he continues to stare me down, I know I’m going to do everything for him also, just like his beautiful sister.
Apparently, I’m a fucking sucker for the Ashevilles.
“I’m Ryan Carter,” I finally tell him, settling my gaze on him as I speak, and he raises an eyebrow at me.
“Is that supposed to mean something to me, Ryan Carter?”
“Nope, but it will.”
A smile curves her lips as she closes her eyes and tilts her face toward the sun.
Heaven. She’s my slice of fucking heaven.
“I don’t want to give them a chance of offering it to someone, and I want to screw them all the way to hell by taking it off the table,” she states, her tone becoming more determined with each word she speaks, but I still frown up at her in confusion.
“Then don’t let them have it,” I reply, fully supporting her but having no clue at the same time. “What is… it?”
“I don’t know what the fuck you did to make her kick you out, but if you fuck it up again, I’ll be doing the same to you,” he warns, indicating the lifeless body I still hold.
“If I upset her again, I’ll give you the loaded gun to do it.”
I want you to be my forever.”
Y Bethany es maravillosa. ♡
MIS FRASES Y MOMENTOS FAVORITOS
The way she moved so quickly, leaving the plate on the table, catches me by surprise, especially when I’ve been trained to move quickly and stealthily. Had she anticipated the move?
(...)
“My face is fine,” she whispers, not lifting her hand to cover it or draw attention to what I mean. It’s a telltale sign she’s been through a beating or two before, and it leaves me even more startled.
One day I won’t feel pain anymore. It’ll either be because I got free of this town or because I’m dead. Either way, I dream of the day when I’ll know what it feels like to be pain free.
“If you ever, and I mean ever, need to go somewhere, you unlock the fucking door to the beach house and climb into that bed, okay?”
“Just please put me out of my misery and tell me who hit you.”
It feels like she’s burning my soul, and I don’t know why.
One day, I’m going to give this guy all the music in the world. Whatever instrument he wants lessons in, I’m going to figure it out. Hell, I’ll give him his own damn music store if that’s what he wants.
People always want something in return, especially since no one gives gifts out of the kindness of their own heart, at least not to me. I’ve learned nothing is ever free, but the worst part is not knowing what price I’ll have to pay.
“Hunter is spending the weekend with his friends, so it just depends on what you want to do.”
Who. The. Fuck. Is. Hunter?
Betty: On my way, boss.
There’s that little bit of snark I can’t help but like. How do I get her to give me more of that?
“Mr. Carter, are you going to answer the equation on the board or stare aimlessly at the blank pages in front of you?” Mr. Bellows asks, calling me out in front of the whole class.
“The blank pages are holding my attention, Bellows, what can I say,” I answer with a shrug, meeting his gaze as I slouch back in my seat, and I watch as his face reddens in annoyance with me. “So, no, I’m not going to answer the equation,” I clarify, tapping the table in front of me as I raise my eyebrows in challenge.
“Because I mean it. With every fiber of my being, I want to slay every soulless monster who has fucking touched you, Bethany Asheville, family included. And you’re not running for the hills because I would never harm you, but the ones who hurt you? I’ll fucking destroy them.”
“You can’t break what’s already broken, Ryan.”
“Like fucking hell, Betty. I saw the strong-ass woman on the beach earlier. You’re not broken, cracked maybe, but you’ve learned to piece yourself back together with your own glue and survive. I won’t let any of that be in vain, Bethany. Not a single ounce.”
People want to buy me to use me and take my virginity. It should make me cower away from every man in existence, but instead, it makes me want to give it all to him.
“Oh my God, is this the female ‘I’m fine’ Benji’s always warned me about?”
I gape at him as I look to my left, only to find him wide-eyed as he frantically searches me from head to toe with panic.
“Please tell me what I did wrong so I can fix it. I don’t want to handle one of those situations right now, if ever, preferably.”
(...)
“I don’t want you to say anything specifically, I just want to understand what caused you to frown so hard, Beth. That wasn’t my intention.”
“Bethany Asheville, you make me fucking crazy. Do I want to protect you? Hell fucking yeah I do. Do I want to explore you? Every inch. Do I want to take everything I want from you? Without question. But I also know what you’re going through, and I will never take a single choice from you. Ever. That’s my promise to you.”
“I want to claim you as mine, but that goes against everything I said earlier, and I—”
“I’m yours,” I interrupt quickly.
I feel something for her, something strong that has me willing to upend my whole world to be with her.
Is that love?
Honestly, I don’t know, but I want more of it, and I want it all with her.
“Who the fuck are you?” someone demands, and I look past the dresser at the bottom of the steps to find a small boy with messy blond hair and a frown on his face as he glares at me with his arms folded over his chest.
Attitude. I like it.
His eyes are the same shape as Bethany’s but green instead of blue, and his nose wrinkles in the same way too. As he continues to stare me down, I know I’m going to do everything for him also, just like his beautiful sister.
Apparently, I’m a fucking sucker for the Ashevilles.
“I’m Ryan Carter,” I finally tell him, settling my gaze on him as I speak, and he raises an eyebrow at me.
“Is that supposed to mean something to me, Ryan Carter?”
“Nope, but it will.”
A smile curves her lips as she closes her eyes and tilts her face toward the sun.
Heaven. She’s my slice of fucking heaven.
“I don’t want to give them a chance of offering it to someone, and I want to screw them all the way to hell by taking it off the table,” she states, her tone becoming more determined with each word she speaks, but I still frown up at her in confusion.
“Then don’t let them have it,” I reply, fully supporting her but having no clue at the same time. “What is… it?”
“I don’t know what the fuck you did to make her kick you out, but if you fuck it up again, I’ll be doing the same to you,” he warns, indicating the lifeless body I still hold.
“If I upset her again, I’ll give you the loaded gun to do it.”
I want you to be my forever.”
December 27, 2021
Kids doing adult stuff
It’s really hard for me to wrap my head around kids acting like adults. Also, what abused 10 year old talks like that?
At Bethany’s school they call her a “loser” but there really isn’t much of a background on why she was called that. If there was, I might have overlooked it. I spent much of this book skipping over passages.
Ryan is sent on an unknown mission but we never really found out what that mission is. Maria selected him to protect her granddaughter. She’s so powerful but she picked an 18 year old without much of an experience other than training to protect a valuable asset.
This book seemed so far fetch to me.
It’s really hard for me to wrap my head around kids acting like adults. Also, what abused 10 year old talks like that?
At Bethany’s school they call her a “loser” but there really isn’t much of a background on why she was called that. If there was, I might have overlooked it. I spent much of this book skipping over passages.
Ryan is sent on an unknown mission but we never really found out what that mission is. Maria selected him to protect her granddaughter. She’s so powerful but she picked an 18 year old without much of an experience other than training to protect a valuable asset.
This book seemed so far fetch to me.
January 4, 2022
Awesome backstory
Beth was already bada$$ In my mind. Hunter always said it wasn't his story to tell and now we know why. I can't wait to see what KC Kean writes next.
Beth was already bada$$ In my mind. Hunter always said it wasn't his story to tell and now we know why. I can't wait to see what KC Kean writes next.
November 11, 2021
𝒀𝒐𝒖’𝒓𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒃𝒓𝒐𝒌𝒆𝒏, 𝒄𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒂𝒚𝒃𝒆, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖’𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒑𝒊𝒆𝒄𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒇 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒈𝒍𝒖𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆. 𝑰 𝒘𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒆 𝒊𝒏 𝒗𝒂𝒊𝒏, 𝑩𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒚. 𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒆 𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒆.
TW: Sexual assault, abuse, and human trafficking.
If you've been looking for Abused FMC Recs but haven't read many, then this might be for you.
The blurb is amazing and I was really excited to read this. With an expectation of a kick-ass hero, connection with understanding and some heart crushing moments, I started reading this.
There isn't anything wrong in this book but it felt like a mix of 2-3 books I've previously read and I also felt like some things didn't work.
But let's start with the good stuff:
✓ I'll recommend if you're looking for something touching darkness in the high school setting.
** Please check trigger warnings before you begin reading. **
✓ First person pov & dual POVs.
✓ Ryan and Bethany connected really well and it was cute to see them together.
✓ Attention keeping read with a good and fast storyline with romance.
✓ The dynamic between Ryan and Benji (his bestfriend) was amazing to know.
Things that I didn't like much / couldn't understand:
• Bethany is the daughter of the founding family...I can understand she was abused at home and was a loner due to her personality, but how can her mother who cares about their reputation let her be bullied in school by other students? Doesn't that indirectly imply that the Allisters' daughter is of no importance?
• It was filled with clichés which were only half done. For eg: (1) The weak abused girl is actually sassy infront of the MMC. (2) It included the forced proximity trope of completing an assignment together, but they never worked on it...
• The starting was amazing with a little bit of enemies to lovers and the "I will kill the world for you" vibe but as soon as Bethany told Ryan about the abuse, ie, before the initial 50% of the book, the story became easy and less interesting.
• The storyline did not concentrate on Ryan's mission to infiltrate and instead focused on his protective feelings coming to life. I would've had enjoyed if some more searching and gathering of information scenes would've been done from his side by breaking in the office, etc instead of the easy way he did.
• Both of them are 18 year olds approx. When Ryan is talking about killing and guns etc, Bethany didn't feel weird or doubt what Ryan is or does? Ofcourse she appreciated the sentiment, I do too but...
• The words that Bethany said in the auction because she thought Ryan betrayed her was the most stupidest thing she could ever do. She's being auctioned, Ryan has confessed his love for her before, yes I agree he should've had told her about his past before but she should also remember that Ryan has never, NEVER given her a chance to doubt him and from the absolute start has been helping and protecting her.
• I think Hunter should've been older than 10 years old for the sole reason of what he said in chapter 33 about how he wants to stay.
Conclusion:
I'm not against the weak FMC thing but I absolutely hate when the FMC is naive.
She wanted to escape with her brother? Good.
She's been saving tips? That's amazing.
Did she have a plan? No! She said that the future Bethany will think about that!! She doesn't have any friends, doesn't know how to drive and only keeps wishing for "one day."
Some years ago, I would have had loved this...
TW: Sexual assault, abuse, and human trafficking.
If you've been looking for Abused FMC Recs but haven't read many, then this might be for you.
The blurb is amazing and I was really excited to read this. With an expectation of a kick-ass hero, connection with understanding and some heart crushing moments, I started reading this.
There isn't anything wrong in this book but it felt like a mix of 2-3 books I've previously read and I also felt like some things didn't work.
But let's start with the good stuff:
✓ I'll recommend if you're looking for something touching darkness in the high school setting.
** Please check trigger warnings before you begin reading. **
✓ First person pov & dual POVs.
✓ Ryan and Bethany connected really well and it was cute to see them together.
✓ Attention keeping read with a good and fast storyline with romance.
✓ The dynamic between Ryan and Benji (his bestfriend) was amazing to know.
Things that I didn't like much / couldn't understand:
• Bethany is the daughter of the founding family...I can understand she was abused at home and was a loner due to her personality, but how can her mother who cares about their reputation let her be bullied in school by other students? Doesn't that indirectly imply that the Allisters' daughter is of no importance?
• It was filled with clichés which were only half done. For eg: (1) The weak abused girl is actually sassy infront of the MMC. (2) It included the forced proximity trope of completing an assignment together, but they never worked on it...
• The starting was amazing with a little bit of enemies to lovers and the "I will kill the world for you" vibe but as soon as Bethany told Ryan about the abuse, ie, before the initial 50% of the book, the story became easy and less interesting.
• The storyline did not concentrate on Ryan's mission to infiltrate and instead focused on his protective feelings coming to life. I would've had enjoyed if some more searching and gathering of information scenes would've been done from his side by breaking in the office, etc instead of the easy way he did.
• Both of them are 18 year olds approx. When Ryan is talking about killing and guns etc, Bethany didn't feel weird or doubt what Ryan is or does? Ofcourse she appreciated the sentiment, I do too but...
• The words that Bethany said in the auction because she thought Ryan betrayed her was the most stupidest thing she could ever do. She's being auctioned, Ryan has confessed his love for her before, yes I agree he should've had told her about his past before but she should also remember that Ryan has never, NEVER given her a chance to doubt him and from the absolute start has been helping and protecting her.
• I think Hunter should've been older than 10 years old for the sole reason of what he said in chapter 33 about how he wants to stay.
Conclusion:
I'm not against the weak FMC thing but I absolutely hate when the FMC is naive.
She wanted to escape with her brother? Good.
She's been saving tips? That's amazing.
Did she have a plan? No! She said that the future Bethany will think about that!! She doesn't have any friends, doesn't know how to drive and only keeps wishing for "one day."
Some years ago, I would have had loved this...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2025
I don’t like to rate books as only 1 star
But oh my. This one was all around 1 star material max. I’ve read some of her other books that were ok. Nothing great by any means. But this one was just not at all.
First there is the beating she gets. For getting an A. Yeah Ok. Then her dad’s behavior was so ridiculously cheesy. That was supposed to be this ruthless abuser? The whole thing started the eye rolling and just got worse.
She’s oh so protective of her 9 year old brother. So she plans to take him with her when she graduates. Yeah. That’s called kidnapping. And she thinks the parents won’t notice? Wont look for him? That she won’t be committing a crime? Which she would end up in jail for? And that doesn’t even take into account that she will be homeless having nowhere to go. She has no car. Are they going to hitch hike? She has little money. It’s not like she could get a decent job that could support her, let alone a child as well. And who will take care of this child while she has to work three jobs to attempt to keep them off the streets? Give me a break. The whole thing is utterly ridiculous.
Then there is her. She is meek. She has next to no self confidence. Yet between her trying to be invisible or disappear into her chair her thoughts are about controlling herself from taking very forward actions with this guy? Make up your mind already. Is she the beaten down meek girl who allows everyone to treat her poorly? Or is she a girl who stands up for herself? Because it’s clearly the former yet we are supposed to believe she has to hod herself back at the same time she is trying to disappear, avoiding eye contact and having a panic attack? Consistency is important. Fiction or not, it should be believable and relatable.
And the so overly used clenching of the jaw. Her 9 year old brother. Joke. Then of course the running a hand down their face. Every. Single. Character is doing this? I can say with certainty that I do not see people doing this in real life. Certainly not on a constant basis. And most definitely not women who tend to wear makeup. Stop with these severely overused and useless actions. Clenching jaws, digging fingernails into clenched hands (especially until they bleed), running the hands down the face, jaw constantly dropping (literally not figuratively). Look around at real life people and notice real actions people take. It’s not difficult. It’s laziness to just use the same thing over and over and over.
I didn’t even make it past the 10% mark. It was torturous to read it. I rolled my eyes so much I think I pulled a muscle.
But oh my. This one was all around 1 star material max. I’ve read some of her other books that were ok. Nothing great by any means. But this one was just not at all.
First there is the beating she gets. For getting an A. Yeah Ok. Then her dad’s behavior was so ridiculously cheesy. That was supposed to be this ruthless abuser? The whole thing started the eye rolling and just got worse.
She’s oh so protective of her 9 year old brother. So she plans to take him with her when she graduates. Yeah. That’s called kidnapping. And she thinks the parents won’t notice? Wont look for him? That she won’t be committing a crime? Which she would end up in jail for? And that doesn’t even take into account that she will be homeless having nowhere to go. She has no car. Are they going to hitch hike? She has little money. It’s not like she could get a decent job that could support her, let alone a child as well. And who will take care of this child while she has to work three jobs to attempt to keep them off the streets? Give me a break. The whole thing is utterly ridiculous.
Then there is her. She is meek. She has next to no self confidence. Yet between her trying to be invisible or disappear into her chair her thoughts are about controlling herself from taking very forward actions with this guy? Make up your mind already. Is she the beaten down meek girl who allows everyone to treat her poorly? Or is she a girl who stands up for herself? Because it’s clearly the former yet we are supposed to believe she has to hod herself back at the same time she is trying to disappear, avoiding eye contact and having a panic attack? Consistency is important. Fiction or not, it should be believable and relatable.
And the so overly used clenching of the jaw. Her 9 year old brother. Joke. Then of course the running a hand down their face. Every. Single. Character is doing this? I can say with certainty that I do not see people doing this in real life. Certainly not on a constant basis. And most definitely not women who tend to wear makeup. Stop with these severely overused and useless actions. Clenching jaws, digging fingernails into clenched hands (especially until they bleed), running the hands down the face, jaw constantly dropping (literally not figuratively). Look around at real life people and notice real actions people take. It’s not difficult. It’s laziness to just use the same thing over and over and over.
I didn’t even make it past the 10% mark. It was torturous to read it. I rolled my eyes so much I think I pulled a muscle.
November 8, 2021
Oh Ryan
Let’s just start with the fact that this is the first MF book that KC Kean has written. I took a chance because I loved Bethany and Ryan when we meet them in her Allstars Series! Plus, we got to meet a young Hunter, and it was EVERYTHING!!!
Burn to Ash is a very slow burn, especially with how KC Kean normally writes, but considering the circumstances surrounding Bethany and Ryan it fits. Ryan, on assignment, comes to Knights Cove, meets Bethany and nothing else matters. Bethany, has had a crap hand this far in life, but can’t leave without her little brother, Hunter. Oh yeah, and trusts no one. That all changes when Ryan comes into the picture, and he becomes her safe haven.
Bethany’s parents literally made it so she was secluded and all alone. Insanely strict rules, such as maintaining her virginity (which wasn’t a problem since they essentially made her a social pariah) and worsening punishments. I love how Ryan doesn’t just want, but NEEDS to help Bethany. As for Bethany, she thinks she broken but she is a damn fighter! Taking everything her parents dish out and staying, despite Ryans pleas, to protect her brother is so insanely selfless.
Finding herself front and center of a sex trafficking ring, Ryan gets help from a surprising figure (think Featherstone people!!!) and all rules go out the window. It was so sweet 🥰 how Ryan instantly took to Hunter and help him as much as he helped Bethany. Also, the fact that Bethany gave her vCard to Ryan as one last FU to her parents was just perfect! These two and their chemistry made the slow burn and shorter time portrayed together 🥵.
Overall, go read! I loved that this connected all her books together in some way! Loved these two and the story
⚠️ extreme trigger warnings, child abuse, SA, and sex trafficking ⚠️
Let’s just start with the fact that this is the first MF book that KC Kean has written. I took a chance because I loved Bethany and Ryan when we meet them in her Allstars Series! Plus, we got to meet a young Hunter, and it was EVERYTHING!!!
Burn to Ash is a very slow burn, especially with how KC Kean normally writes, but considering the circumstances surrounding Bethany and Ryan it fits. Ryan, on assignment, comes to Knights Cove, meets Bethany and nothing else matters. Bethany, has had a crap hand this far in life, but can’t leave without her little brother, Hunter. Oh yeah, and trusts no one. That all changes when Ryan comes into the picture, and he becomes her safe haven.
Bethany’s parents literally made it so she was secluded and all alone. Insanely strict rules, such as maintaining her virginity (which wasn’t a problem since they essentially made her a social pariah) and worsening punishments. I love how Ryan doesn’t just want, but NEEDS to help Bethany. As for Bethany, she thinks she broken but she is a damn fighter! Taking everything her parents dish out and staying, despite Ryans pleas, to protect her brother is so insanely selfless.
Finding herself front and center of a sex trafficking ring, Ryan gets help from a surprising figure (think Featherstone people!!!) and all rules go out the window. It was so sweet 🥰 how Ryan instantly took to Hunter and help him as much as he helped Bethany. Also, the fact that Bethany gave her vCard to Ryan as one last FU to her parents was just perfect! These two and their chemistry made the slow burn and shorter time portrayed together 🥵.
Overall, go read! I loved that this connected all her books together in some way! Loved these two and the story
⚠️ extreme trigger warnings, child abuse, SA, and sex trafficking ⚠️
January 27, 2022
*4.5 Stars*
I loved Beth and Ryan from the second we met them in the Allstar series and as we saw more of them and got bits and pieces of their history I found myself wanting to know the full story of how they ended up together. I knew that it wasn't gonna be pretty and had dark themes from the hints we got but I wasn't prepared for how dark it was. Heed the trigger warnings in the beginning because each one occurs or is referenced to quite graphically, not just in passing. Even though this was anything but a sweet romance it really does explain a lot about who they are as a couple and their relationship in general. It was definitely a slow burn but I really loved it because it allowed us to see how much they cared for each other even before things got physical, plus the wait just made the reward that much sweeter in my opinion! Watching Ryan go from a grumpy and sarcastic jerk to a protective dark knight had me swooning and it was so nice to watch Beth finally escape from the evil she's known her entire life and be able to learn how to trust and love without fear. Bonus points for how much I laughed in this book, 99% of it coming from Benji. I haven't read Featherstone Academy yet but I am sincerely hoping that we get some more of him there or in other series because he was hilarious and one of my favorite parts of this book! This was a great story and I'm not sure if it's because I was coming off of another dark read or not but there were parts that were a little too much for me and I don't think I've ever said something like that before lol. I'm thankful there was a happy ending but man the journey to get there was painful! I now have even more of an appreciation for Ryan and Beth's relationship knowing how hard they fought to be together and to be free to live the life of their dreams together!
I loved Beth and Ryan from the second we met them in the Allstar series and as we saw more of them and got bits and pieces of their history I found myself wanting to know the full story of how they ended up together. I knew that it wasn't gonna be pretty and had dark themes from the hints we got but I wasn't prepared for how dark it was. Heed the trigger warnings in the beginning because each one occurs or is referenced to quite graphically, not just in passing. Even though this was anything but a sweet romance it really does explain a lot about who they are as a couple and their relationship in general. It was definitely a slow burn but I really loved it because it allowed us to see how much they cared for each other even before things got physical, plus the wait just made the reward that much sweeter in my opinion! Watching Ryan go from a grumpy and sarcastic jerk to a protective dark knight had me swooning and it was so nice to watch Beth finally escape from the evil she's known her entire life and be able to learn how to trust and love without fear. Bonus points for how much I laughed in this book, 99% of it coming from Benji. I haven't read Featherstone Academy yet but I am sincerely hoping that we get some more of him there or in other series because he was hilarious and one of my favorite parts of this book! This was a great story and I'm not sure if it's because I was coming off of another dark read or not but there were parts that were a little too much for me and I don't think I've ever said something like that before lol. I'm thankful there was a happy ending but man the journey to get there was painful! I now have even more of an appreciation for Ryan and Beth's relationship knowing how hard they fought to be together and to be free to live the life of their dreams together!
October 31, 2021
Sometimes being a bad ass isn’t being able to beat the shit out of your attackers. Sometimes it’s being able to endure unthinkable atrocities and come out on the other side. Sometimes, it’s knowing when you need help and being vulnerable enough to ask for it. Sometimes, being strong just means surviving in whatever way you can.
This book is so beautiful. I absolutely loved Ryan and Bethany’s story and learning the early days of their relationship after getting to know a little about how wonderful they were in the All Stars series. Reading in this order was even better than if I had their story first I think even though the timeline of Burn to Ash is before Toxic Creek. I also adored getting to see ten year old Hunter still as feisty and smart as ever. He is my favorite AllStar for a reason. 😏
Burn to Ash is technically a stand alone and you don’t have to have read Featherstone Academy or Toxic Creek to enjoy the story, but if you have read them this story will make you absolutely GIDDY with all of the crossovers and background information on both of those series. I was bursting at the seams with all of the revelations from the other series that were made in Burn to Ash. KC wove the stories together immaculately.
My biggest praise of the whole book goes to my best friend Nicole who was chosen by KC, over some stiff competition, to be a new beta reader, with this being the first book she’s worked on. I know she put a lot of care and time into her beta work and I am SO proud of her. I love you Nicole, thank you for letting me be in on a tiny part of your journey to becoming a bad ass beta. 💗
This book is so beautiful. I absolutely loved Ryan and Bethany’s story and learning the early days of their relationship after getting to know a little about how wonderful they were in the All Stars series. Reading in this order was even better than if I had their story first I think even though the timeline of Burn to Ash is before Toxic Creek. I also adored getting to see ten year old Hunter still as feisty and smart as ever. He is my favorite AllStar for a reason. 😏
Burn to Ash is technically a stand alone and you don’t have to have read Featherstone Academy or Toxic Creek to enjoy the story, but if you have read them this story will make you absolutely GIDDY with all of the crossovers and background information on both of those series. I was bursting at the seams with all of the revelations from the other series that were made in Burn to Ash. KC wove the stories together immaculately.
My biggest praise of the whole book goes to my best friend Nicole who was chosen by KC, over some stiff competition, to be a new beta reader, with this being the first book she’s worked on. I know she put a lot of care and time into her beta work and I am SO proud of her. I love you Nicole, thank you for letting me be in on a tiny part of your journey to becoming a bad ass beta. 💗
November 1, 2021
You are NOT ready for Ryan & Beth's story. This book is SO SO good. KC Kean has truly out done herself in this story, which is not her normal RH. And MAN does her first MF truly show up as an amazing story.
Please do be aware that there are some potentials for triggers in this book, so make sure you read the foreward.
The truths that are revealed....the ties and connections....WHO Ryan is. Heck, who Bethany & Hunter are. So good. But also, so heartbreaking. Bethany has to be one of the strongest people ever, to have delt with everything she did in her life. The one thing that made the the saddest in this book though, was how not a single person in her life ever went against the very obvious things that were happening to her. Heartbreaking. Makes me wish I were in her life to scoop her up. Ryan, he shows up into her life, and truly shows up with his presence. I love how he goes against all the shall I say morals he has, but implements his true morals to realize that something isn't right in her story, but to also be kind and forage a friendship and ultimately....well, you know where I am going with this. I can't wait for readers to connect the dots to this story and see WHAT role Beth & Ryan will be/have played in other people's lives. Their love story, is ultimately the best, and I love it. Beth reveals to us, the strength that all who are abused pull upon to go forward each day and what they pull on to live and fight against evil. I will say, in the end, all that happened/will happen to some people? Totally deserved. Good shall prevail and evil shall be destroyed (even if there are shades of gray to the good).
Please do be aware that there are some potentials for triggers in this book, so make sure you read the foreward.
The truths that are revealed....the ties and connections....WHO Ryan is. Heck, who Bethany & Hunter are. So good. But also, so heartbreaking. Bethany has to be one of the strongest people ever, to have delt with everything she did in her life. The one thing that made the the saddest in this book though, was how not a single person in her life ever went against the very obvious things that were happening to her. Heartbreaking. Makes me wish I were in her life to scoop her up. Ryan, he shows up into her life, and truly shows up with his presence. I love how he goes against all the shall I say morals he has, but implements his true morals to realize that something isn't right in her story, but to also be kind and forage a friendship and ultimately....well, you know where I am going with this. I can't wait for readers to connect the dots to this story and see WHAT role Beth & Ryan will be/have played in other people's lives. Their love story, is ultimately the best, and I love it. Beth reveals to us, the strength that all who are abused pull upon to go forward each day and what they pull on to live and fight against evil. I will say, in the end, all that happened/will happen to some people? Totally deserved. Good shall prevail and evil shall be destroyed (even if there are shades of gray to the good).
November 8, 2021
I have been waiting on Beth and Ryan’s story since I first read about them in the Allstars Series. And let me tell you KC did not disappoint with them! They were on fire from the beginning. I agree with what another person said, Ryan is the TOP book boyfriend!! He just swooped in and pushed everyone else out of the way. The connection between Beth and Ryan was there from the start. Neither of them had an easy life by any means. We learned how awful the people of Knights Creek could be in the other series, but this just took that to a new level. There are trigger warnings so be careful of them. But this story was worth all the trigger warnings. Ryan was the only person deserving of Beth. And to know that it continues through the rest of her life is wonderful. I feel like the Allstars gave us the epilogue we needed with Beth and Ryan. Knowing that part of their story did not detract from getting to go back to the beginning in any way. It actually helped me to know where they ended up while going through everything they went through. And the love both of them had for each other was something beautiful to see. I am so glad we got this story! And the way Featherstone was incorporated was just icing on the cake for me!
November 2, 2021
This was my first book to read by KC Kean and I'm hooked. Will definitely be checking out the other series that exist within this world. I really love that I was able to read this standalone without having read the other series. I have read some books in the past where this wasn't the case and it left me confused as to what was going on. Not the case here so super refreshing.
I really loved the attention to detail throughout the book. I myself grew up in an abusive home so when it came to how KC wrote Bethany it was definitely on point with the fear, pain, the ability to compartmentalize in order to make it through her hellish life. I also loved that no matter what was thrown at her she was able to piece herself back together and take control of her life. This book was empowering in showing this and the message was wonderfully delivered.
I cried, I laughed, I screamed with Bethany throughout the book. There were parts that were so spot on that I had to take a breath but at the same time I could not put this book down. I will say that for those who had a violent home please know that Bethany's parents are truly 100% awful human beings and the writing of them was so on point that I ended up calling my mom after I finished reading it because of the emotions it brought forth in me. Having said that I stand by how much I loved this book because it is through all the horrible and vile things they did that Bethany became the woman she did and found her inner strength.
Thank you KC Kean for this beautiful work of art.
I really loved the attention to detail throughout the book. I myself grew up in an abusive home so when it came to how KC wrote Bethany it was definitely on point with the fear, pain, the ability to compartmentalize in order to make it through her hellish life. I also loved that no matter what was thrown at her she was able to piece herself back together and take control of her life. This book was empowering in showing this and the message was wonderfully delivered.
I cried, I laughed, I screamed with Bethany throughout the book. There were parts that were so spot on that I had to take a breath but at the same time I could not put this book down. I will say that for those who had a violent home please know that Bethany's parents are truly 100% awful human beings and the writing of them was so on point that I ended up calling my mom after I finished reading it because of the emotions it brought forth in me. Having said that I stand by how much I loved this book because it is through all the horrible and vile things they did that Bethany became the woman she did and found her inner strength.
Thank you KC Kean for this beautiful work of art.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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