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Ex Nihilo: Learning to Love Again (enemies to lovers, closed door romance)
Devastated from loss and a broken marriage, Taylor Ross had closed off her heart in order to survive. All of that changes when the infamous Kyle Goldstein challenges Taylor to see the man beyond the office gossip. At the same time, Ian Horner has never hidden his admiration for Taylor. Even after their awkward first meeting at church, his steady faithfulness cannot be ignored. As Taylor allows her heart to beat again, feel again, and break again, she must also confront the pain of her father’s abandonment twenty years earlier. Threats both old and new press in, and ancient family secrets refuse to remain hidden any longer. Taylor knows that God can make something beautiful out of nothing (ex nihilo), but can she set aside her past in order to embrace everything her heart has ever wanted?
365 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 27, 2021
2 people want to read
About the author
Ana Waters
12 books23 followersAna Waters is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Georgia with a B.A. in Religion and specific emphasis in Judaic and Biblical studies. She penned her first romance novel at the age of twelve, and she has never stopped writing the same books she loves to read. She lives outside of Atlanta, GA with her brood of precocious children, finding joy in the absurdities of life and motherhood. Sing-alongs *not* optional!
As an abuse survivor and advocate, many of Ana’s novels address topics like spiritual and emotional trauma from the perspective of healing. Too many victims have been marginalized and shamed into silence. Likewise, trauma is typically glossed over within the inspirational fiction/romance genre. Not anymore! The books provide a message of hope that abuse doesn’t get to ruin the rest of your life. Romance serves as part of the healing journey rather than a magic eraser.
There are seven completed novels in the Beauty for Ashes series, and the final installment is coming Fall 2026. She’s also proud to announce the debut of the first novel in the Writers Find Romance romantic comedy series. The books are wacky, silly, and 100% Ana! Look for Book 1 coming Spring 2026!
Follow Ana on social media or visit her website for more information about book sales and upcoming events!
IG@anawatersbooks
FB@anawatersauthor
As an abuse survivor and advocate, many of Ana’s novels address topics like spiritual and emotional trauma from the perspective of healing. Too many victims have been marginalized and shamed into silence. Likewise, trauma is typically glossed over within the inspirational fiction/romance genre. Not anymore! The books provide a message of hope that abuse doesn’t get to ruin the rest of your life. Romance serves as part of the healing journey rather than a magic eraser.
There are seven completed novels in the Beauty for Ashes series, and the final installment is coming Fall 2026. She’s also proud to announce the debut of the first novel in the Writers Find Romance romantic comedy series. The books are wacky, silly, and 100% Ana! Look for Book 1 coming Spring 2026!
Follow Ana on social media or visit her website for more information about book sales and upcoming events!
IG@anawatersbooks
FB@anawatersauthor
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 25, 2023
I neglected to review this when I read it, so this won't be an extended review. There was a bit of a love triangle in this one, and usually, I'm not a fan of them. This was tastefully done.
The thing I like about Ana Waters' books is that her characters are real. This sometimes makes them do frustrating things, but there is always growth by the end.
Definitely worth reading.
The thing I like about Ana Waters' books is that her characters are real. This sometimes makes them do frustrating things, but there is always growth by the end.
Definitely worth reading.
December 28, 2021
This was a fantastic book. It delves deep into some serious, emotional issues, and if you're faint of heart it will hit you hard.
Our heroine, Taylor, has been struck down by life, much like her friend and the heroine of the first book in this series Rebecca. She thinks she finds love in a familiar pair of blue eyes, but she ends up finding it in an unexpected place.
Overall, the book was a beautiful story of transformation and healing. And it's messy, because life is messy. Grief and healing is messy. This was a beautiful, raw, and real representation of a flawed, real, faithful character.
I will admit that like some of the less than nice people in Taylor's life, I thought she was a little whiny or too focused on her grief. But at the same time, it made her human. She had a hard life. Some people handle it like champs and rise from the flames forged in fire, some people don't. She's a mixed bag. Because of that, I had a harder time connecting to her than I did Rebecca - even though I totally understand her life having to live that gluten free life. That was one of my favorite parts, seeing someone like me represented on the pages!! Thank you!!
I highly recommend this book if you like human, messy, real characters. And mostly happy endings.
Content warning: Pregnancy loss,
Our heroine, Taylor, has been struck down by life, much like her friend and the heroine of the first book in this series Rebecca. She thinks she finds love in a familiar pair of blue eyes, but she ends up finding it in an unexpected place.
Overall, the book was a beautiful story of transformation and healing. And it's messy, because life is messy. Grief and healing is messy. This was a beautiful, raw, and real representation of a flawed, real, faithful character.
I will admit that like some of the less than nice people in Taylor's life, I thought she was a little whiny or too focused on her grief. But at the same time, it made her human. She had a hard life. Some people handle it like champs and rise from the flames forged in fire, some people don't. She's a mixed bag. Because of that, I had a harder time connecting to her than I did Rebecca - even though I totally understand her life having to live that gluten free life. That was one of my favorite parts, seeing someone like me represented on the pages!! Thank you!!
I highly recommend this book if you like human, messy, real characters. And mostly happy endings.
Content warning: Pregnancy loss,
October 27, 2021
Just like the first book, this story addresses some challenging real-life issues like abuse, severe manipulation, and mistreatment, but it has a sweet love story added to it as well. The main character comes across as bitter and unforgiving at times, but as someone who suffers from depression, I know how easy it is to slip into negativity. In Taylor's case, you can't even blame her for it after what she went through and how her mother still treats her. My favorite part was undoubtedly the love story. The love triangle was exciting, and I enjoyed the character development, especially of one male character. If you read and liked Book 1, you don't want to miss out on this one.
December 7, 2021
Great sequel
The author has done a great job continuing the story of second chances despite horrible and abuse situations. Pain is pain whether it’s physical or emotional and I think It was portrayed very well in this story. I would like order my own version of Ian please lol
As a Christian it also makes me curious about the Jewish side of the faith, I think the author did a great job of melding the two together into something absolutely beautiful.
The author has done a great job continuing the story of second chances despite horrible and abuse situations. Pain is pain whether it’s physical or emotional and I think It was portrayed very well in this story. I would like order my own version of Ian please lol
As a Christian it also makes me curious about the Jewish side of the faith, I think the author did a great job of melding the two together into something absolutely beautiful.
March 20, 2022
Amazing
Loved! Book 2 did not disappoint. I couldn't put it down. Beautiful story of a woman's faith helping her to overcome her toxic family heritage and embrace the new life with which God blessed her. Can't wait for the next book!
Loved! Book 2 did not disappoint. I couldn't put it down. Beautiful story of a woman's faith helping her to overcome her toxic family heritage and embrace the new life with which God blessed her. Can't wait for the next book!
December 20, 2024
The second in this author’s Beauty for Ashes series. Clean, contemporary Christian romance is not normally my go-to genre, but I was left curious enough by book one in the series to buy book two. This is a sort of sequel, characters from the first book do feature, but each book is a standalone story dealing with the trials and tribulations of a main female character as she tries to escape from a toxic church-based situation, evaluate her worth, and cope with tricky romantic entanglements.
Taylor believes after her divorce from hell that that side of her life is over. Then she meets office Lothario, Kyle Goldstein, and life suddenly becomes complicated. There was much in the book I struggled to grasp, and some of the situations the characters encountered were so alien to my own life that it was like reading a fantasy novel. There is a lot of church-based content that I felt was culturally rooted in American society. As a Brit who was forced to go to Sunday school as a child and only attends a Church of England service on high days and holidays, it was a fascinating peep into a very different society and way of life.
The story is engaging and well-written, but the author’s paranoia about copyright theft — although understandable in this day and age — was a tad annoying. Honestly, you are allowed to mention other authors, artists, actors etc, just don’t quote directly from them, and Jane Austen is in the public domain so there is no need to coyly refer to her as Joan Austen and mangle her book titles. Apart from that, it was an entertaining read and is an example of how fiction can and should reflect all tastes, beliefs, and lifestyles. If it is not possible to encounter other cultures through the pages of a book, then how will people learn about them.
Overall, it is a fun and sweet tale of self-worth and the importance of never judging a book by its cover. This is for readers of clean romance stories with strong moral ethics and a “no sex before marriage” message.
Taylor believes after her divorce from hell that that side of her life is over. Then she meets office Lothario, Kyle Goldstein, and life suddenly becomes complicated. There was much in the book I struggled to grasp, and some of the situations the characters encountered were so alien to my own life that it was like reading a fantasy novel. There is a lot of church-based content that I felt was culturally rooted in American society. As a Brit who was forced to go to Sunday school as a child and only attends a Church of England service on high days and holidays, it was a fascinating peep into a very different society and way of life.
The story is engaging and well-written, but the author’s paranoia about copyright theft — although understandable in this day and age — was a tad annoying. Honestly, you are allowed to mention other authors, artists, actors etc, just don’t quote directly from them, and Jane Austen is in the public domain so there is no need to coyly refer to her as Joan Austen and mangle her book titles. Apart from that, it was an entertaining read and is an example of how fiction can and should reflect all tastes, beliefs, and lifestyles. If it is not possible to encounter other cultures through the pages of a book, then how will people learn about them.
Overall, it is a fun and sweet tale of self-worth and the importance of never judging a book by its cover. This is for readers of clean romance stories with strong moral ethics and a “no sex before marriage” message.
February 15, 2022
The story pulled me in right away and held my attention. I mean, who can't keep reading after a dude gets pepper-sprayed in a parking garage?
Taylor's story was equal parts tragic and triumph. There were some things Taylor did that had me cringing, but I also have to recognize that it was the product of years of manipulation and neglect and she was determined to not get sucked into those patterns any more.
I would have loved to see her parents do a 180 regarding their behavior, but I also recognize that a perfect reconciliation like that doesn't always happen in real life. It was hard for me to understand what happened with her dad; I mean, it truly seemed like her mother's evil machinations are what kept them separated, but he somehow refused to end the cycle of abuse, which Taylor seemed determined to expose. In the end, the healthiest thing for Taylor was to escape her parents' orbit, which she did with her husband and child.
I loved the development of Ian and how dedicated he was to Taylor, but I hope we see more of Kyle Goldstein later in the series. I'm intrigued to see how his story pans out.
Well done, Ana! Looking forward to the next one!
Taylor's story was equal parts tragic and triumph. There were some things Taylor did that had me cringing, but I also have to recognize that it was the product of years of manipulation and neglect and she was determined to not get sucked into those patterns any more.
I would have loved to see her parents do a 180 regarding their behavior, but I also recognize that a perfect reconciliation like that doesn't always happen in real life. It was hard for me to understand what happened with her dad; I mean, it truly seemed like her mother's evil machinations are what kept them separated, but he somehow refused to end the cycle of abuse, which Taylor seemed determined to expose. In the end, the healthiest thing for Taylor was to escape her parents' orbit, which she did with her husband and child.
I loved the development of Ian and how dedicated he was to Taylor, but I hope we see more of Kyle Goldstein later in the series. I'm intrigued to see how his story pans out.
Well done, Ana! Looking forward to the next one!
October 28, 2021
Ana Waters deftly crafts a story about the darkness of betrayal and deep-seated mistrust that is ultimately about hope, faith and the healing power of love. Ex Nihilo had me hooked from the first scene and I wasn’t able to put it down until I could finally rest assured the main character, Taylor, would persevere through many trials of the heart to find peace and a safe place where she is cherished.
October 4, 2023
Although this is a fictional novel its theme of narcissistic abuse unfortunately mirrors reality for many. The author pulls no punches as she addresses the harm of narcissistic abuse and the difficulty of breaking free. Yet the author reveals hope as she navigates through the darkness to get to the Light.
March 20, 2022
Loved! Book 2 did not disappoint. I couldn't put it down. Beautiful story of a woman's faith helping her to overcome her toxic family heritage and embrace the new life with which God blessed her. Can't wait for the next book!
November 13, 2022
Ann Waters has done it again with another fantastic, clean romance read! I read Tabula Rasa, the first book in the Beauty for Ashes series, and loved it so much, it was a no-brainer that I had to buy book two, Ex Nihilo, and you guessed it—I loved it! I knew once I started this book, I would have a hard time setting it down, and that couldn’t have been truer. The opening chapter with Taylor Ross encountering the infamous Kyle Goldstein garnered my full attention. I won’t spoil the comical, hilarious way their encounter ends, (you’ll have to read this book for yourself).
Taylor is a spitfire character. I loved her wit and banter, especially with Kyle, and later with Ian Horner. But underneath her spunkiness, Taylor is a woman who has closed her heart off to survive. Devastated from the loss of a broken marriage, one that ended with infidelity, Taylor has yet to let herself trust another man with her heart. This whole scenario is so relatable to me; it let me identify with Taylor and the emotional turmoil of letting her heart feel again, trust again, even love again.
I loved how this story incorporated characters from the first book, and even introduced characters that will be in book 3, which gives me more incentive to continue the series. I’ve already purchased the next book, and I can’t wait to dive in. I know I’ll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the first two books! I highly, highly recommend this book to readers looking for an exciting, clean romance filled with family dynamics, navigating toxic relationships and abuse, sweet romance, hope, and compelling characters.
Taylor is a spitfire character. I loved her wit and banter, especially with Kyle, and later with Ian Horner. But underneath her spunkiness, Taylor is a woman who has closed her heart off to survive. Devastated from the loss of a broken marriage, one that ended with infidelity, Taylor has yet to let herself trust another man with her heart. This whole scenario is so relatable to me; it let me identify with Taylor and the emotional turmoil of letting her heart feel again, trust again, even love again.
I loved how this story incorporated characters from the first book, and even introduced characters that will be in book 3, which gives me more incentive to continue the series. I’ve already purchased the next book, and I can’t wait to dive in. I know I’ll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the first two books! I highly, highly recommend this book to readers looking for an exciting, clean romance filled with family dynamics, navigating toxic relationships and abuse, sweet romance, hope, and compelling characters.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews