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Finding Ashley: A Novel
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • In this blockbuster novel from Danielle Steel, two estranged sisters get the chance to connect again and right the wrongs of the past.
Melissa Henderson is leading a quiet life. Once a bestselling author, she now pours all her energy into renovating a Victorian house nestled in the foothills of rural New England. Six years ago, she lost her young son to cancer, and her marriage dissolved. She stopped writing. It was only when she bought the old house that Melissa found a purpose, and came alive as she made it beautiful again.
After a wildfire that threatens her home appears on the news, Melissa receives a call from her sister, Hattie. They were close once, but that was before Melissa withdrew from the world. Now Hattie, who became a nun at twenty-five, is determined to help Melissa turn a new page, even if it means reopening one of the most painful chapters of her life.
At sixteen, a pregnant Melissa was sent to a gloomy convent in Ireland to have— and give up—her baby, to spare the family shame. All these years later, Hattie feels compelled to embark on a journey that will change both their lives forever, and track down the child Melissa gave up.
Finding Ashley is a masterpiece of contemporary drama and tells a gripping story of the strength of the human spirit to chase an impossible dream. It is the story of two strong, brave women turning wrenching loss into reconnection, and a family reunited after bringing dark secrets into the light.
Melissa Henderson is leading a quiet life. Once a bestselling author, she now pours all her energy into renovating a Victorian house nestled in the foothills of rural New England. Six years ago, she lost her young son to cancer, and her marriage dissolved. She stopped writing. It was only when she bought the old house that Melissa found a purpose, and came alive as she made it beautiful again.
After a wildfire that threatens her home appears on the news, Melissa receives a call from her sister, Hattie. They were close once, but that was before Melissa withdrew from the world. Now Hattie, who became a nun at twenty-five, is determined to help Melissa turn a new page, even if it means reopening one of the most painful chapters of her life.
At sixteen, a pregnant Melissa was sent to a gloomy convent in Ireland to have— and give up—her baby, to spare the family shame. All these years later, Hattie feels compelled to embark on a journey that will change both their lives forever, and track down the child Melissa gave up.
Finding Ashley is a masterpiece of contemporary drama and tells a gripping story of the strength of the human spirit to chase an impossible dream. It is the story of two strong, brave women turning wrenching loss into reconnection, and a family reunited after bringing dark secrets into the light.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
1629 people are currently reading
5565 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Steel
911 books16.8k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
Facebook.com/DanielleSteelOfficial
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Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 965 reviews
August 17, 2022
This is a Women's Fiction. This is the second Danielle Steel book I have read, and I will have to pick up more of her books. In this book we are following two sisters that had a hard life, and this book the two sisters are trying to find happiness through out this book. I do think the beginning of the book was moving a little slow for me, but the pacing puts up quickly. This book has some hard to read things in it, but it is cover very well. The characters in this book was so good, and I loved taking this journey with these characters. There was so much put into this book, and it was well-written. I have to say this book was very touching. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Love Inspired Suspense) or author (Danielle Steel) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.
June 5, 2021
I picked this book up because of it's cover. I read/skimmed it. Now I remember why I don't like Danielle Steele: superficial, repetitive, predictable.
Note to self: No matter your attraction to the cover, NO MORE STEELE!
Note to self: No matter your attraction to the cover, NO MORE STEELE!
August 25, 2022
FINDING ASHLEY is the story of two sisters who reconnect after many years to try to find one woman’s daughter who was given up for adoption. There is a great deal of backstory at the beginning of the book, and as other reviewers have pointed out, it becomes repetitive in places. Melissa lost her ten-year-old son to cancer and she and her husband divorced shortly after that. Now she lives a reclusive life restoring her house in Massachusetts. She used to be an author and gave that up, too. Her younger sister Hattie is a nun, but Melissa stopped speaking to her once Hattie entered the convent because Melissa is traumatized after giving up a baby for adoption as a teen. Hattie decides to try to help Melissa find her daughter, Ashley, who would now be in her thirties. This novel explored adoption, the MeToo movement, abuses through the church and second chance relationships.
July 20, 2021
DNF. Information was repeated so many times that I wondered if the author thought I was too stupid to remember the paragraph before or if she was just making sure she got her word count in. Scenes were so cliche that this could have been written by a robot. No depth at all.
May 20, 2021
The book is mainly about the life of a best-selling writer, Melissa Young, who married young but was sent to a convent and had to give up her child.
A story of love and loss, women centric. A story about sisters, a family of generations.
It's just that the story started good but turned a wrong turn as the main character becomes somewhere between really unlikeable and aloof in most parts.
The writing is so easy to get into. For me, there's lack of charm and interest when it comes to the plot in general as the story progressed.
The writing gets rather slow and dragged a bit in between the chapters.
The themes of difficult marriages and problematic families kept repeating throughout.
Some dialogues are rather problematic which are insulting to either gender and to married couples in general. And yes, there are so many stereotypes mentioned in this book which I feel could have been done without.
The character development is rather really good. The characters are convincing. This is the best part of the book.
However, I am glad that the story ended well with a proper closure.
Otherwise this isn't the best from the author.
*Loss of a child, terminal illness, infidelity, complicated family relationships.
A story of love and loss, women centric. A story about sisters, a family of generations.
It's just that the story started good but turned a wrong turn as the main character becomes somewhere between really unlikeable and aloof in most parts.
The writing is so easy to get into. For me, there's lack of charm and interest when it comes to the plot in general as the story progressed.
The writing gets rather slow and dragged a bit in between the chapters.
The themes of difficult marriages and problematic families kept repeating throughout.
Some dialogues are rather problematic which are insulting to either gender and to married couples in general. And yes, there are so many stereotypes mentioned in this book which I feel could have been done without.
The character development is rather really good. The characters are convincing. This is the best part of the book.
However, I am glad that the story ended well with a proper closure.
Otherwise this isn't the best from the author.
*Loss of a child, terminal illness, infidelity, complicated family relationships.
February 10, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
Where do I start? In typical Steel fashion, this is meant to be a heartwarming novel of a woman overcoming adversity. What it actually is is a bunch of pandering nonsense that is tonally wrong and a little insulting to the reader.
Melissa is an angry, hard woman that left her life in New York after the death of her young son. Her marriage ended with the death of her child, and she moves to the Berkshires in Massachusetts to revive an old Victorian house. She's a very unpleasant woman. Her issues stem from an uber-religious, unrelenting mother, a drunk father, both of whom died young leaving her to raise her younger sister. When Hattie, her sister, does the unthinkable and becomes a nun, Melissa distances herself from her. I'd say she's a loner, but what she really is is a deeply unhappy, bitter, hard woman. Obviously, as if this isn't enough, she has a dark secret. What do you ask? Well! In the way, way back time of 1987, she was shipped to Ireland in shame to deliver a baby in a convent! The baby was then handed off to a new family! Gasp!
The adoption plot is weak at best. Steel writes about the 1980s as if it was an absolute scandal for a 16-year-old to give birth. Yes, it was looked down on, but as a child born to a 16-year-old in 1983, I can promise you I wasn't born in a convent and ripped from my mother's arms. The 80s weren't the 60s, but Steel writes as though it was.
Steel must have known her storyline was weak because about halfway through the book, she changes lanes to the subplot. And again, she completely fumbles. It was a kiss-off to the #MeToo movement that I saw coming from a mile away. It wasn't even done well or in a new or interesting way. It was regurgitated information that she used to shore up a bad plotline, and only succeeded in making the entire book worse. The ONLY reason I'm giving this book 2 stars is that I finished it.
Where do I start? In typical Steel fashion, this is meant to be a heartwarming novel of a woman overcoming adversity. What it actually is is a bunch of pandering nonsense that is tonally wrong and a little insulting to the reader.
Melissa is an angry, hard woman that left her life in New York after the death of her young son. Her marriage ended with the death of her child, and she moves to the Berkshires in Massachusetts to revive an old Victorian house. She's a very unpleasant woman. Her issues stem from an uber-religious, unrelenting mother, a drunk father, both of whom died young leaving her to raise her younger sister. When Hattie, her sister, does the unthinkable and becomes a nun, Melissa distances herself from her. I'd say she's a loner, but what she really is is a deeply unhappy, bitter, hard woman. Obviously, as if this isn't enough, she has a dark secret. What do you ask? Well! In the way, way back time of 1987, she was shipped to Ireland in shame to deliver a baby in a convent! The baby was then handed off to a new family! Gasp!
The adoption plot is weak at best. Steel writes about the 1980s as if it was an absolute scandal for a 16-year-old to give birth. Yes, it was looked down on, but as a child born to a 16-year-old in 1983, I can promise you I wasn't born in a convent and ripped from my mother's arms. The 80s weren't the 60s, but Steel writes as though it was.
Steel must have known her storyline was weak because about halfway through the book, she changes lanes to the subplot. And again, she completely fumbles. It was a kiss-off to the #MeToo movement that I saw coming from a mile away. It wasn't even done well or in a new or interesting way. It was regurgitated information that she used to shore up a bad plotline, and only succeeded in making the entire book worse. The ONLY reason I'm giving this book 2 stars is that I finished it.
May 13, 2021
Terrible
Conversation and thoughts are repetitive and boring. What a waste of 14.99$
Don't waste your money on this book. I think the author had a word quota to make
Conversation and thoughts are repetitive and boring. What a waste of 14.99$
Don't waste your money on this book. I think the author had a word quota to make
January 16, 2025
Standard fare DS. I thought it was a bit more substantive in the middle, but decided it was just like all the rest. Told not shown, a well do do white woman, has a problem, sticks to herself and is able to do as she is wealthy. Meets a man, solves the problem with the help of an estranged sister. Problem solved. Issues in this one included forced adoption in the catholic church, and struggling with one's vows.
Trigger warning - their were various scenes of rape. DS is not overly imaginative with her prose, and the narrator is always bland. Add to this a very detailed description of the abuse, numerous times. I found this to be odd. Not sure why she had to go in to such detail.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library.
Trigger warning - their were various scenes of rape. DS is not overly imaginative with her prose, and the narrator is always bland. Add to this a very detailed description of the abuse, numerous times. I found this to be odd. Not sure why she had to go in to such detail.
I listened to this via the Libby app and my public library.
November 7, 2021
This was my first Danielle Steel novel. I am not sure if her writing is going to be for me. I liked the book okay but it didn't blow me away. In the book you are following two characters who are sisters. One is a famous author who is battling the grief of losing her young so and the end of her marriage. The other sister is a nun who is struggling with her faith. The sisters haven't talked in many years. Something happens that brings the sisters back together.
Though the story itself was full of emotion and heartfelt is left me wanting more. The beginning took a long time to get going and it felt like it took such a long time for anything exciting to happen. I appreciated learning new things about being a nun but felt like it could have been even more developed.
I also felt like many conversations in the book felt repetitive.
Overall, it was just an okay read for me.
Though the story itself was full of emotion and heartfelt is left me wanting more. The beginning took a long time to get going and it felt like it took such a long time for anything exciting to happen. I appreciated learning new things about being a nun but felt like it could have been even more developed.
I also felt like many conversations in the book felt repetitive.
Overall, it was just an okay read for me.
April 26, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley for a arc copy for a honest review.
I’ve always love Danielle Steel writing her book’s have family tragedy and hope and in the end things seem to work out for the best. Finding Ashley is a stories about a mother who thought she lost it all it’s beautifully written 5 star read.
Happy Reading Lisa
I’ve always love Danielle Steel writing her book’s have family tragedy and hope and in the end things seem to work out for the best. Finding Ashley is a stories about a mother who thought she lost it all it’s beautifully written 5 star read.
Happy Reading Lisa
May 19, 2021
A huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
I have a soft place in my heart for Danielle Steel, She has been writing since the 1970's and since than her books have been crazy successful, nearly a billion copies of her novels sold. I don't think she gets the credit she deserves, in the sense that she is a worker bee and most times her books are good and reliable.
I'm so glad that I read this because I FUCKING hated The Affair, It was the most sexist book and just plain offensive book that I have probably read in a long while. So when I requested this NetGalley book I was on the fence, because it was grossed out by the affair. Thankfully I enjoyed this book.
I liked this one, I thought it was a nice read about some hard and emotional subjects. this book reminded me allot of Once in a lifetime and Kaleidoscope and Blue... All 3 Danielle Steel books.
Here are the positives : - Hattie was a lovely character. I really enjoyed her development.
-I loved the doubt in the book that Hattie faces if god is real? is it all a lie to control people? How can you love your religion when it has so badly fucked over someone you love? I LOVED that Danielle Steel is talking about it. Danielle Steel really kinda took a risk of calling out the catholic church and I loved every minute of it.
-I really Enjoyed Michaela Ashley she really was a cool person and I loved that she wasn't a model or actress, she was a social worker with 2 kids.
- Even though I didn't love Norm, I enjoyed the slow and gradual progression of Norm and Melissa. Danielle Steel sometimes introduces love interest in the last 50 or so pages, I am so happy that this wasn't the case in this one.
- I loved that Danielle Steel tried and I think successfully wrote about the Me too Scandal.. It was effective and very nicely done.
- I loved the Mother Abbess and Hattie's relationship, I thought at any minute the the Nun would sing Climb every Mountain from Sound Of Music.
Here are my complaints :
- Does she get paid by designers? She really LOVES to mention Chanel and Hermes in pretty much book.. in this book isn't really relevant..
- VERY repetitive in the beginning of the book, I almost lost my cool at reading about prickly Melissa was.. Or how she only needed her home and didn't needed anything else or anyone else. I don't know if Danielle Steel forgot what she just wrote or Danielle steel thinks her readers have Alzheimer's?
- The story was good and was definitely addictive, But it could be much better.. When Hattie went around the world to search for Melissa's child.. There wasn't much of a search.. It would have been much more gripping for the reader, If hattie, searched and searched and she couldn't find anyone and then finally she found her daughter.
I hate to add triggers because they are often spoilers but at the same time, sometimes hard issues are dealt with in realistic ways in novels.. tw: terminal illness, child death, extreme grief, cheating, parental death, alcoholism, toxic relationships, arson, forced adoption, use of word Indian, rape (graphic description), cohesion of sexual acts, helicopter crash resulting in death
I have a soft place in my heart for Danielle Steel, She has been writing since the 1970's and since than her books have been crazy successful, nearly a billion copies of her novels sold. I don't think she gets the credit she deserves, in the sense that she is a worker bee and most times her books are good and reliable.
I'm so glad that I read this because I FUCKING hated The Affair, It was the most sexist book and just plain offensive book that I have probably read in a long while. So when I requested this NetGalley book I was on the fence, because it was grossed out by the affair. Thankfully I enjoyed this book.
I liked this one, I thought it was a nice read about some hard and emotional subjects. this book reminded me allot of Once in a lifetime and Kaleidoscope and Blue... All 3 Danielle Steel books.
Here are the positives : - Hattie was a lovely character. I really enjoyed her development.
-I loved the doubt in the book that Hattie faces if god is real? is it all a lie to control people? How can you love your religion when it has so badly fucked over someone you love? I LOVED that Danielle Steel is talking about it. Danielle Steel really kinda took a risk of calling out the catholic church and I loved every minute of it.
-I really Enjoyed Michaela Ashley she really was a cool person and I loved that she wasn't a model or actress, she was a social worker with 2 kids.
- Even though I didn't love Norm, I enjoyed the slow and gradual progression of Norm and Melissa. Danielle Steel sometimes introduces love interest in the last 50 or so pages, I am so happy that this wasn't the case in this one.
- I loved that Danielle Steel tried and I think successfully wrote about the Me too Scandal.. It was effective and very nicely done.
- I loved the Mother Abbess and Hattie's relationship, I thought at any minute the the Nun would sing Climb every Mountain from Sound Of Music.
Here are my complaints :
- Does she get paid by designers? She really LOVES to mention Chanel and Hermes in pretty much book.. in this book isn't really relevant..
- VERY repetitive in the beginning of the book, I almost lost my cool at reading about prickly Melissa was.. Or how she only needed her home and didn't needed anything else or anyone else. I don't know if Danielle Steel forgot what she just wrote or Danielle steel thinks her readers have Alzheimer's?
- The story was good and was definitely addictive, But it could be much better.. When Hattie went around the world to search for Melissa's child.. There wasn't much of a search.. It would have been much more gripping for the reader, If hattie, searched and searched and she couldn't find anyone and then finally she found her daughter.
I hate to add triggers because they are often spoilers but at the same time, sometimes hard issues are dealt with in realistic ways in novels.. tw: terminal illness, child death, extreme grief, cheating, parental death, alcoholism, toxic relationships, arson, forced adoption, use of word Indian, rape (graphic description), cohesion of sexual acts, helicopter crash resulting in death
February 15, 2021
Finding Ashley is my 36th book by Danielle Steel. It’s about 2 sisters who are estranged and come back together. Family secrets, lifelong decisions are to be made. I enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.
June 5, 2021
Quite an interesting twist for Danielle Steel; however, the underlying concept remains lifestyles of the rich and famous. An interesting thread in this story is Catholicism, which I found interesting as I've never seen a lot of religion in any of her recent books. I like how the sisters Hattie and Melissa work to repair there relationship; however, the rest of the story is a bit of a bore-fest. Just OK on this one for me -- 4 out of 10.
January 20, 2021
"One person leaves and another one shows up. It's as though we always have what we need, in different forms, at the right time, and not the way we expected." Danielle Steel 'Finding Ashley'
Surviving an abusive childhood, Melissa Henderson channeled her anger into becoming a bestselling author. Starring as the protagonist in her life, she casted out people when they didn't bend to her wishes. Losing her young son to cancer, her house of cards, crumbled.
Picking up the pieces of her shattered existence, she dissolved her marriage and set her sights on restoring a rambling Victorian home. While keeping everyone at arm's distance, forceful friends and loved ones make Melissa come to terms with the past to rebuild her future.
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early read in exchange for an honest review. As a long-time Danielle Steel fan, my favorite books include her historical romances. That being said, #FindingAshley provided charismatic characters and timely issues such as the Me Too Movement. Mel's heartbreaking isolation, rocky relationship with her sister and an unexpected reunion, will have readers crying and smiling through their tears.
"It's like a kaleidoscope, all the bright pieces get shaken up and form a new design periodically...It all happens the way it's meant to , even if we don't like it at times. But there is always a new chapter." Danielle Steel 'Finding Ashley'
Surviving an abusive childhood, Melissa Henderson channeled her anger into becoming a bestselling author. Starring as the protagonist in her life, she casted out people when they didn't bend to her wishes. Losing her young son to cancer, her house of cards, crumbled.
Picking up the pieces of her shattered existence, she dissolved her marriage and set her sights on restoring a rambling Victorian home. While keeping everyone at arm's distance, forceful friends and loved ones make Melissa come to terms with the past to rebuild her future.
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early read in exchange for an honest review. As a long-time Danielle Steel fan, my favorite books include her historical romances. That being said, #FindingAshley provided charismatic characters and timely issues such as the Me Too Movement. Mel's heartbreaking isolation, rocky relationship with her sister and an unexpected reunion, will have readers crying and smiling through their tears.
"It's like a kaleidoscope, all the bright pieces get shaken up and form a new design periodically...It all happens the way it's meant to , even if we don't like it at times. But there is always a new chapter." Danielle Steel 'Finding Ashley'
May 9, 2021
I sat down to read a few chapters of this last night and then next thing I knew I was up way past my bedtime and I finished it! Best DS I’ve read in awhile!
July 21, 2021
I’ve been reading Danielle Steel since I read The Promise when I was fourteen. I’ve noticed and tolerated shortcuts and lots more repetition in her stories in the recent years, and have been disheartened. But with this book: Finding Ashley, I stopped in my tracks in page 181.
It’s 2021 for crying out loud, we’re trying to raise stronger and more culturally aware children and grandchildren - and DS goes for the lazy (and heartbreaking!) by perpetuating stereotypes: giving her newly found grandchildren a pilgrim doll and an Indian headdress. Really?!
As a long-time teacher, I’m supposed to educate, but as a new nana myself “I call BS!” - I’m done reading DS. 😡
It’s 2021 for crying out loud, we’re trying to raise stronger and more culturally aware children and grandchildren - and DS goes for the lazy (and heartbreaking!) by perpetuating stereotypes: giving her newly found grandchildren a pilgrim doll and an Indian headdress. Really?!
As a long-time teacher, I’m supposed to educate, but as a new nana myself “I call BS!” - I’m done reading DS. 😡
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2021
I thought the underlying story was interesting, however this book fell flat for me. It was super repetitive and just kept saying the same thing about the characters in the same and different ways. It kind of seemed like the author had a set number of pages or words she had to reach. The characters just fell flat and lacked depth. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley,
April 21, 2021
Finding Ashley is the newest novel by Danielle Steel. It is a story about family secrets and tragedies that forever changed two sisters’ lives. The books has Danielle Steel’s trademark writing that draws the reader right into the story. The story has steady pacing and developed characters. I was not a fan of the repetition of key details. Some details are repeated at least six times in the first half of the book. Finding Ashley is an emotional story. Melissa Henderson has a good life until her son died within two years of being diagnosed with cancer. The loss of her son destroyed Melissa. She retreated into grief and withdrew from life. It has been six years and the only person she allows into her life is her contractor. After auditioning for a role in Hollywood, Hattie, Melissa’s sister, joined a convent. In a way, she also withdrew from life to a place where she felt safe and could find peace. When Hattie became a nun, it divided the two sisters. While Hattie is aware of Melissa’s secret, Melissa is unaware of Hattie’s. Hattie wants to help her sister and sets out to find the child she was forced to give up when she was sixteen. It takes Hattie on a journey that will change the two sisters’ lives. Finding Ashley is an emotional story about two women finding their places in the world. Arson, illness, teen pregnancy, convent baby mill, sexual abuse, and divorce are some of the topics covered in Finding Ashley. There are some sweet, tender moments as well. I loved the descriptions of Melissa’s restored Victorian. I would love to own a Queen Anne Victorian (I love the ornateness associated with this style). This is a special story that addresses some difficult topics. Danielle Steel has provided another compelling novel (I have been reading this authors books since I was twelve). I look forward to reading her next release.
January 24, 2021
I think I have ever read one other Danielle Steel and book before this one. Not an author I typically read because many of her romances/suspense is the same. This book really tugged at my heartstrings and I felt so much empathy for the main character. Glad I took a chance on this book and read it. Recommended.
I am actually almost convinced to read more by Danielle Steel.
Thanks to Netgalley, Danielle Steel and Random House Publishing Group Ballatine Delacorte Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 4/27/21
I am actually almost convinced to read more by Danielle Steel.
Thanks to Netgalley, Danielle Steel and Random House Publishing Group Ballatine Delacorte Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Available: 4/27/21
July 21, 2021
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
‘Life was like that, and they both knew it. The old wounds healed eventually, but the scars remained.’
Danielle Steel is a worldwide bestselling author and household name in terms of contemporary women’s fiction. Finding Ashley is a 2021 release and it encompasses themes of long-held secrets, faith, love and reconnection. A pleasant and easy read, fans will appreciate this new release from the prolific author.
Finding Ashley revolves around principal character Melissa Henderson. Melissa is a writer, but she hasn’t published a book in years. Six years ago Melissa’s life was touched by tragedy and was quickly followed a separation. Melissa now focuses her energies on renovating her home. When the story begins, Melissa receives some interesting news following the near loss of her home to a wildfire. Melissa’s sister hasn’t been in touch with her for years, but she now wants Melissa to revisit a difficult chapter in her life. With the support of Hattie, Melissa embarks on a emotional journey to find a child she gave up may years ago in Ireland. But Melissa knows this journey back to the past will be challenging, can she cope with yet another emotional setback? Finding Ashley is a story that charts the courage, silence, determination and strength of two women hoping to rebuild their lives after facing a great deal of emotional pain.
2021 is already proving to a busy one for prolific author Danielle Steel. The number one bestselling author has already released three novels to date this year. There is clearly a big demand for Steel’s books as she continually hits the bestseller lists with her novels. Finding Ashley is a tender and light tale, that I raced through in just an evening.
Steel enjoys giving her audience a glimpse into the lives of celebrities or the wealthy in many of her novels. Finding Ashley closely follows Melissa Henderson, a published author who has experienced two recent devastating setbacks in her life. As a result, Melissa has been unable to put pen to paper. The early stages of Finding Ashley works to hook your immediate interest and I did find the initial set up of the book somewhat interesting. I was particularly drawn to Melissa’s career as an author and I wondered whether or not she would be able to return to this career.
There are two different storyline threads that define this novel. The first involves Melissa’s past in Ireland and a lost baby. I appreciated this plotline. I enjoyed the mystery, history and moral practices of this time. This narrative line is supported by some interesting facts and research. However, I did feel as though Steel looked at this area from the surface level only, rather than from an expansive lens. We are also presented with a storyline that draws in the ‘Me Too’ movement. This particular thread casts a critical eye on the treatment of women by powerful figures in Hollywood and other positions of power. Again, I will say this aspect of the novel was skirted over, rather than fully fleshed out. There were also repetitive parts that seemed unnecessary to the story at hand. Otherwise, I did find that this latest book from Steel easy to absorb and I appreciated picking it up after a heavy day.
At times heartbreaking, a little teary, tender and dramatic, Finding Ashley is another secret filled tale from the popular US author.
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
‘Life was like that, and they both knew it. The old wounds healed eventually, but the scars remained.’
Danielle Steel is a worldwide bestselling author and household name in terms of contemporary women’s fiction. Finding Ashley is a 2021 release and it encompasses themes of long-held secrets, faith, love and reconnection. A pleasant and easy read, fans will appreciate this new release from the prolific author.
Finding Ashley revolves around principal character Melissa Henderson. Melissa is a writer, but she hasn’t published a book in years. Six years ago Melissa’s life was touched by tragedy and was quickly followed a separation. Melissa now focuses her energies on renovating her home. When the story begins, Melissa receives some interesting news following the near loss of her home to a wildfire. Melissa’s sister hasn’t been in touch with her for years, but she now wants Melissa to revisit a difficult chapter in her life. With the support of Hattie, Melissa embarks on a emotional journey to find a child she gave up may years ago in Ireland. But Melissa knows this journey back to the past will be challenging, can she cope with yet another emotional setback? Finding Ashley is a story that charts the courage, silence, determination and strength of two women hoping to rebuild their lives after facing a great deal of emotional pain.
2021 is already proving to a busy one for prolific author Danielle Steel. The number one bestselling author has already released three novels to date this year. There is clearly a big demand for Steel’s books as she continually hits the bestseller lists with her novels. Finding Ashley is a tender and light tale, that I raced through in just an evening.
Steel enjoys giving her audience a glimpse into the lives of celebrities or the wealthy in many of her novels. Finding Ashley closely follows Melissa Henderson, a published author who has experienced two recent devastating setbacks in her life. As a result, Melissa has been unable to put pen to paper. The early stages of Finding Ashley works to hook your immediate interest and I did find the initial set up of the book somewhat interesting. I was particularly drawn to Melissa’s career as an author and I wondered whether or not she would be able to return to this career.
There are two different storyline threads that define this novel. The first involves Melissa’s past in Ireland and a lost baby. I appreciated this plotline. I enjoyed the mystery, history and moral practices of this time. This narrative line is supported by some interesting facts and research. However, I did feel as though Steel looked at this area from the surface level only, rather than from an expansive lens. We are also presented with a storyline that draws in the ‘Me Too’ movement. This particular thread casts a critical eye on the treatment of women by powerful figures in Hollywood and other positions of power. Again, I will say this aspect of the novel was skirted over, rather than fully fleshed out. There were also repetitive parts that seemed unnecessary to the story at hand. Otherwise, I did find that this latest book from Steel easy to absorb and I appreciated picking it up after a heavy day.
At times heartbreaking, a little teary, tender and dramatic, Finding Ashley is another secret filled tale from the popular US author.
*Thanks extended to Pan Macmillan for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
February 24, 2021
FINDING ASHLEY
BY DANIELLE STEEL
This is all about during the 1980's how when young women were pregnant, in this case sixteen; How young teenagers were sent to Ireland to have the baby and how the church was involved. They would charge the pregnant girl's family a hefty amount of money to deliver the baby and quickly removed them from the biological mother. All of these babies were also arranged with adoptive parents regardless of the biological mother's felt. The Church would also extort a large sum of money from the adoptive parents. Basically, there were baby mills. It was very painful for the pregnant teenager's both physically and emotionally. Usually the parents of the pregnant girl forced this on their teen daughter's and were embarrassed so they made up a lie that their daughter's were studying abroad while the pregnancy was taking place. They forbid their daughter's to keep their babies. The crime in all of this was the church making all of this money and then they burned the records deliberately. This would make it impossible for both the biological mother's when they were adults to locate their child. This was a double edged sword for the adult children who when grown went to search for their mothers.
In this story a woman named Melissa was a successful writer who after losing her only son to death was unable to find her daughter. She has been estranged with her younger sister Hattie whom she acted like a mother to after her cruel mother died while Hattie was young. Hattie decides that she doesn't want to fulfill her life long dream of becoming an actress but instead chooses to be a nun in a convent. You can easily understand why Melissa distanced herself from Hattie after her the trauma she endured as a victim of the church. Hattie decides to secretly travel to try to find out information about the baby Melissa was forced to give up when she was sixteen year's old. Of course, Hattie can't locate the information from the address where Melissa gave birth since all of the records were destroyed. The nuns that still live there don't remember and the baby mills no longer exist. Hattie catches a break and meets a former nun who left the church because she lost faith in the church because of her participation in the baby mills.
Hattie meets the former nun and reads her book on the subject and locates Melissa's daughter named Michaela Ashley who lives in LA with her family. To say anymore would be getting into spoiler territory. There is so much more to the story. I felt like the writing in this book was repeating too much of the same information.
Publication Date: April 27, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Danielle Steel and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#Finding Ashley #DanielleSteel #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #NetGalley
BY DANIELLE STEEL
This is all about during the 1980's how when young women were pregnant, in this case sixteen; How young teenagers were sent to Ireland to have the baby and how the church was involved. They would charge the pregnant girl's family a hefty amount of money to deliver the baby and quickly removed them from the biological mother. All of these babies were also arranged with adoptive parents regardless of the biological mother's felt. The Church would also extort a large sum of money from the adoptive parents. Basically, there were baby mills. It was very painful for the pregnant teenager's both physically and emotionally. Usually the parents of the pregnant girl forced this on their teen daughter's and were embarrassed so they made up a lie that their daughter's were studying abroad while the pregnancy was taking place. They forbid their daughter's to keep their babies. The crime in all of this was the church making all of this money and then they burned the records deliberately. This would make it impossible for both the biological mother's when they were adults to locate their child. This was a double edged sword for the adult children who when grown went to search for their mothers.
In this story a woman named Melissa was a successful writer who after losing her only son to death was unable to find her daughter. She has been estranged with her younger sister Hattie whom she acted like a mother to after her cruel mother died while Hattie was young. Hattie decides that she doesn't want to fulfill her life long dream of becoming an actress but instead chooses to be a nun in a convent. You can easily understand why Melissa distanced herself from Hattie after her the trauma she endured as a victim of the church. Hattie decides to secretly travel to try to find out information about the baby Melissa was forced to give up when she was sixteen year's old. Of course, Hattie can't locate the information from the address where Melissa gave birth since all of the records were destroyed. The nuns that still live there don't remember and the baby mills no longer exist. Hattie catches a break and meets a former nun who left the church because she lost faith in the church because of her participation in the baby mills.
Hattie meets the former nun and reads her book on the subject and locates Melissa's daughter named Michaela Ashley who lives in LA with her family. To say anymore would be getting into spoiler territory. There is so much more to the story. I felt like the writing in this book was repeating too much of the same information.
Publication Date: April 27, 2021
Thank you to Net Galley, Danielle Steel and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for providing me with my ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
#Finding Ashley #DanielleSteel #RandomHousePublishingGroupBallantine #NetGalley
May 3, 2021
This Danielle steel book was very similar to her other books in that the people had lots of money, beautiful homes, and were beautiful themselves. Melissa had been married with a little boy and the little boy died. The marriage could not withstand the death of the son so they divorced and she moved to New England in the mountains. For four years she lived a solitary life working on renovating her home. She was very very sad and reflected on the fact that she had also given a baby up for adoption when she herself was only 16. Melissa was estranged from her sister who had joined the convent many years ago. Hattie decided to help Melissa find the child that she had put up for adoption 33 years ago. This is when the book really starts to take off. I highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a feel-good book.
February 25, 2021
Find this review and others like it at https://aravenclawlibraryx.wordpress.com
tw: terminal illness, child death, extreme grief, cheating, parental death, alcoholism, toxic relationships, arson, forced adoption, use of word Indian, rape (graphic description), cohesion of sexual acts, helicopter crash resulting in death
A special thank you goes to Netgalley and Random House publishing for allowing me to read this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ah yes. Another Danielle Steel book. This probably won’t be a very long review since I’ve read so many Danielle Steel books and once you’ve read one, you’ve read them all. I am so hooked on her books. I just can’t help myself. Whenever I see a new DS book, I just have to read it. No matter how many times I say I’m done reading her stuff for a while, I just keep coming back for more.
Okay, onto the review. This book wasn’t horrible. It was different then what her other books normally have but I could still see a lot of the same plot points that she uses in a lot of her books. Child death, successful woman with complicated family dynamics, etc. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to know what to expect but at the same time, it gets old quick.
While the plot was slightly different, it was still the same thing I see out of Danielle Steel. The character, Melissa, was hard and sharp after several traumatic experiences in her life. She’s estranged from her sister but due to a turn of events, she reconnects with her and her sister helps her change her life. Happily ever after.
I know I’m making this book sound incredibly basic but it was. DS does a lot of telling and not showing so I was basically told these plot points instead of them just happening organically. That is always my biggest complaint with DS and it will never change.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad book. It was enjoyable and I finished it pretty quickly. I think it will do well in sales and I know a lot of DS fans will enjoy this latest book from her.
tw: terminal illness, child death, extreme grief, cheating, parental death, alcoholism, toxic relationships, arson, forced adoption, use of word Indian, rape (graphic description), cohesion of sexual acts, helicopter crash resulting in death
A special thank you goes to Netgalley and Random House publishing for allowing me to read this eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ah yes. Another Danielle Steel book. This probably won’t be a very long review since I’ve read so many Danielle Steel books and once you’ve read one, you’ve read them all. I am so hooked on her books. I just can’t help myself. Whenever I see a new DS book, I just have to read it. No matter how many times I say I’m done reading her stuff for a while, I just keep coming back for more.
Okay, onto the review. This book wasn’t horrible. It was different then what her other books normally have but I could still see a lot of the same plot points that she uses in a lot of her books. Child death, successful woman with complicated family dynamics, etc. Don’t get me wrong, it’s nice to know what to expect but at the same time, it gets old quick.
While the plot was slightly different, it was still the same thing I see out of Danielle Steel. The character, Melissa, was hard and sharp after several traumatic experiences in her life. She’s estranged from her sister but due to a turn of events, she reconnects with her and her sister helps her change her life. Happily ever after.
I know I’m making this book sound incredibly basic but it was. DS does a lot of telling and not showing so I was basically told these plot points instead of them just happening organically. That is always my biggest complaint with DS and it will never change.
Overall, this wasn’t a bad book. It was enjoyable and I finished it pretty quickly. I think it will do well in sales and I know a lot of DS fans will enjoy this latest book from her.
June 5, 2021
AUTHOR Steel, Danielle
TITLE Finding Ashley
DATE READ 06/04/21
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE The sun beamed down on Melissa Henderson's shining dark hair, pinned up on her head in a loose knot, as sweat ran down her face, and the muscles in her long, lithe arms were taut with effort as she worked.
GENRE/ PUB DATE/FORMAT/LENGTH Fiction/2021/library/271 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE SA
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 60/120
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 2020/MA
CHARACTERS Melissa and Hattie -- sisters Melissa/author and Hattie/nun
COMMENTS Melissa and Hattie have both had traumas that compelled them to make choices in new directions. Although both thought they made the right decisions, they were not dealing with the underlying reasons and were retreating in different directions -- not finding much common ground with each other. After the tragic death of her 10 year old son, Robbie, Melissa moves to the Berkshires and becomes absorbed in the remodeling of her home to the exclusion of all other things, people who were meaningful to her in the past. After an abusive experience at an acting audition, Hattie resolves that acting is not for her and withdraws to a convent. The sisters have become estranged -- Melissa has deep-seated opinions about nuns and feels Hattie has betrayed her and being a nun could not make her happy. Hattie feels for her sister's loss … and still tries to communicate, hoping for the closeness they once shared.
TITLE Finding Ashley
DATE READ 06/04/21
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE The sun beamed down on Melissa Henderson's shining dark hair, pinned up on her head in a loose knot, as sweat ran down her face, and the muscles in her long, lithe arms were taut with effort as she worked.
GENRE/ PUB DATE/FORMAT/LENGTH Fiction/2021/library/271 pgs
SERIES/STAND-ALONE SA
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 60/120
GROUP READ
TIME/PLACE 2020/MA
CHARACTERS Melissa and Hattie -- sisters Melissa/author and Hattie/nun
COMMENTS Melissa and Hattie have both had traumas that compelled them to make choices in new directions. Although both thought they made the right decisions, they were not dealing with the underlying reasons and were retreating in different directions -- not finding much common ground with each other. After the tragic death of her 10 year old son, Robbie, Melissa moves to the Berkshires and becomes absorbed in the remodeling of her home to the exclusion of all other things, people who were meaningful to her in the past. After an abusive experience at an acting audition, Hattie resolves that acting is not for her and withdraws to a convent. The sisters have become estranged -- Melissa has deep-seated opinions about nuns and feels Hattie has betrayed her and being a nun could not make her happy. Hattie feels for her sister's loss … and still tries to communicate, hoping for the closeness they once shared.
May 18, 2021
More than anything else the absolute repetitiveness of the backstory is awful. Readers have to suffer through the rehashing of giving up the child, finding the child, etc etc with each new character introduced adding a few details along the way. I felt like reading a nearly 300 page version of The House That Jack Built. Maybe D.S.' earlier work wasn't as repetitive, but this book surely won't have me coming back for more. The plot drew me in, finding a child you've been forced to give up for adoption but it was a let down very early on. The story arc peeked way too quick, I mean she finds and starts a relationship with this now grown child in the first few chapters leaving readers to wonder what else could happen in the story. Throwing in current event issues felt like a "I need to up my word count" rather than an intentional part of the original storyline even weaving in her sister's backstory.
March 23, 2021
I feel terrible. I love Danielle Steel's books - I have for decades! I always request the ARC and feel excited every time I get one. This book was not for me. It is ultimately the story of two sisters who become estranged over choices that were made in their youth. As they age and experience the ups and downs of life, they find each other again. This is when the story really begins - The younger sister is set to search for a baby that her sister was forced to give away as a teen.
I don't want to give any spoilers here but this book is very repetitive and quite cliche. There were many times that I wondered if DS had actually written this book. This story could have been finished in 100 pages....
I don't want to give any spoilers here but this book is very repetitive and quite cliche. There were many times that I wondered if DS had actually written this book. This story could have been finished in 100 pages....
June 6, 2021
I had said I was not going to read any more Steel books. I find she repeats herself. I think she is trying to write too many books too quickly and needs to fill pages. However, my Mom read this one and thought I would like it. I did not. I only made it to page 153. Turned to the last couple of pages and it ended exactly like I thought it would.
Besides the repeating, she does not show you, she tells you. Her conversations were boring, repetitive and stilted.
The cover also bugged me. The main character was forced to give her baby away at birth and found her at age 33, yet the cover has a young girl on it. Does not fit.
I will not be reading any more Steel books no matter who recommends.
Besides the repeating, she does not show you, she tells you. Her conversations were boring, repetitive and stilted.
The cover also bugged me. The main character was forced to give her baby away at birth and found her at age 33, yet the cover has a young girl on it. Does not fit.
I will not be reading any more Steel books no matter who recommends.
February 17, 2022
The worst Danielle Steel book ever. Should have kicked it to the DNF pile, something I rarely do, but this should have been one.
The first half of the book did nothing but bash the Catholic Church so much that I quickly lost all sympathy for the tragic main character. Then it started to get a lot more character development before it slid off the rail with more Catholic bashing and slid in to Hollywood sleaze of sex abuse and rape. Really?? I read to escape the bs of the world, not to have an author air her dirty laundry/grievances.
Skip this one.
The first half of the book did nothing but bash the Catholic Church so much that I quickly lost all sympathy for the tragic main character. Then it started to get a lot more character development before it slid off the rail with more Catholic bashing and slid in to Hollywood sleaze of sex abuse and rape. Really?? I read to escape the bs of the world, not to have an author air her dirty laundry/grievances.
Skip this one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 22, 2021
Danielle Steele is the master storyteller of the modern women's genre!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved this amazing story of mothers, daughters, and the circle of life. Danielle Steele is one of the best authors of her time & every book she writes is so relatable for every reader. Filled with real life scenarios, charm, drama, love but always a delightful happy ending. I always fly through her novels and I highly recommend this book to everyone.
May 21, 2021
Thank you to Robin Kall (her IG page) and the publisher for this book.
I'm a big Danielle Steel fan and I've loved all of her books so far that I've read. It's predictable but enjoyed the many things there were happening with Melissa, her sister Hattie, who’s a nun, who she reconnected with after years and the people involved in their lives, especially Melissa and her lonely life in the Berkshires. Everyone has decisions to be made in life, and Melissa gets her life back after losing her 10 year old son to a brain tumor, losing her husband to divorce. Too many things to describe and I don't want to repeat the plot.
A good read overall from Danielle Steel.
I'm a big Danielle Steel fan and I've loved all of her books so far that I've read. It's predictable but enjoyed the many things there were happening with Melissa, her sister Hattie, who’s a nun, who she reconnected with after years and the people involved in their lives, especially Melissa and her lonely life in the Berkshires. Everyone has decisions to be made in life, and Melissa gets her life back after losing her 10 year old son to a brain tumor, losing her husband to divorce. Too many things to describe and I don't want to repeat the plot.
A good read overall from Danielle Steel.
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