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Lost in Beirut: A True Story Of Love, Loss and War
An award-winning true story that poignantly captures the essence of living in the moment.
Travel with Ashe to Lebanon to help organize a 50 Cent concert at the invitation of his best friend. There, he falls in love with a beautiful billionaire and the country itself. But when war breaks out, his idyllic romance is interrupted and Ashe is forced to flee for his life. Through this tumultuous experience, he discovers the depths of his own strength and resilience and emerges from the flames of war a transformed and awakened soul. Lost in Beirut is a captivating epic journey of risk, enlightenment, and the power of the human spirit. Ashe’s unforgettable story will stay with you long after you have turned the last page, inspiring you to live a life of meaning, purpose, and connection to the divine.
AWARDS:
Grand Prize Winner Chanticleer International Book Awards Military & Front Line 2022
Indie Reader Discovery Book Award for Best Memoir 2023
American Writing Award Winner for Best Biography 2022
The Canadian Book Club Awards Winner for Best Memoir 2022
The BookFest Awards Winner Transformational Memoir 2023
American Writing Award finalist for Best Debut Non-Fiction 2022
Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Notable Indie 2022
Literary Titan Gold Award 2022
Firebird Book Awards Winner 2022
Chanticleer Journey Book Award Finalist 2022
Travel with Ashe to Lebanon to help organize a 50 Cent concert at the invitation of his best friend. There, he falls in love with a beautiful billionaire and the country itself. But when war breaks out, his idyllic romance is interrupted and Ashe is forced to flee for his life. Through this tumultuous experience, he discovers the depths of his own strength and resilience and emerges from the flames of war a transformed and awakened soul. Lost in Beirut is a captivating epic journey of risk, enlightenment, and the power of the human spirit. Ashe’s unforgettable story will stay with you long after you have turned the last page, inspiring you to live a life of meaning, purpose, and connection to the divine.
AWARDS:
Grand Prize Winner Chanticleer International Book Awards Military & Front Line 2022
Indie Reader Discovery Book Award for Best Memoir 2023
American Writing Award Winner for Best Biography 2022
The Canadian Book Club Awards Winner for Best Memoir 2022
The BookFest Awards Winner Transformational Memoir 2023
American Writing Award finalist for Best Debut Non-Fiction 2022
Shelf Unbound Best Indie Book Notable Indie 2022
Literary Titan Gold Award 2022
Firebird Book Awards Winner 2022
Chanticleer Journey Book Award Finalist 2022
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 19, 2021
About the author
Ashe Stevens
2 books25 followersMagdalena and Ashe Stevens, known collectively as “The Author Couple”, are carving a unique niche in contemporary literature with their raw, emotionally charged narratives. Their award-winning debut, "Lost in Beirut", draws from Ashe's harrowing experiences during the 2006 Lebanon war, garnering numerous accolades including the Indie Reader, Readers' Favorite, and Chanticleer Book Awards. This compelling narrative has also secured them representation for film adaptations.
Currently, they're crafting a women's fiction novel inspired by Magdalena's journey as a late-diagnosed autistic, blending personal discovery with broader societal insights. This project embodies their commitment to stories that challenge, move, and transform.
Magdalena, a doctor whose late autism diagnosis reshaped her worldview, and Ashe, a CalArts-trained BIPOC artist and writer, bring a unique fusion of perspectives to their work. Their diverse backgrounds fuel narratives that resonate deeply with readers seeking authentic, thought-provoking fiction.
Based in California with their daughter, two cats, and a dog, Magdalena and Ashe continue to weave heartfelt stories from the rich tapestry of their experiences.
Follow the authors' journey on their instagram: @TheAuthorCouple
For more information and press inquiries visit: www.theauthorcouple.com
Represented by: Mizzo@paradigmagency.com
Currently, they're crafting a women's fiction novel inspired by Magdalena's journey as a late-diagnosed autistic, blending personal discovery with broader societal insights. This project embodies their commitment to stories that challenge, move, and transform.
Magdalena, a doctor whose late autism diagnosis reshaped her worldview, and Ashe, a CalArts-trained BIPOC artist and writer, bring a unique fusion of perspectives to their work. Their diverse backgrounds fuel narratives that resonate deeply with readers seeking authentic, thought-provoking fiction.
Based in California with their daughter, two cats, and a dog, Magdalena and Ashe continue to weave heartfelt stories from the rich tapestry of their experiences.
Follow the authors' journey on their instagram: @TheAuthorCouple
For more information and press inquiries visit: www.theauthorcouple.com
Represented by: Mizzo@paradigmagency.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
June 23, 2022
First things first, the Lost In Beirut book cover is such a vibrant, eye catching blue! This is Ashe Steven’s memoir, written by him and his wife, Magdalena, recounting a trip to Beirut in 2006 with his best friend Danny to help organize and promote a 50 Cent concert.
While they’re initially enjoying their time in Beirut and successfully execute the concert, the country is rapidly propelled into a dangerous war zone. As a US citizen, Ashe has limited resources to leave during this time of turmoil. He bides his time by trying to stay patient and hopeful, while also trying to remain safe there.
I was immediately swept up in Lost in Beirut and on the edge waiting to hear how Ashe’s journey would end as the tension continued to build.
Beyond travel being good for a change of scenery and for a recharge, I think trips can change people — I know that may sound dramatic, but to be exposed to other cultures and ways of life, and to be appreciate of what you love about where you live is valuable. When Ashe details his challenges in trying to get home, you can feel this sentiment in the story.
While they’re initially enjoying their time in Beirut and successfully execute the concert, the country is rapidly propelled into a dangerous war zone. As a US citizen, Ashe has limited resources to leave during this time of turmoil. He bides his time by trying to stay patient and hopeful, while also trying to remain safe there.
I was immediately swept up in Lost in Beirut and on the edge waiting to hear how Ashe’s journey would end as the tension continued to build.
Beyond travel being good for a change of scenery and for a recharge, I think trips can change people — I know that may sound dramatic, but to be exposed to other cultures and ways of life, and to be appreciate of what you love about where you live is valuable. When Ashe details his challenges in trying to get home, you can feel this sentiment in the story.
September 26, 2022
{ Disclaimer: I know some people don’t like to give ratings to true stories but I just have to because of the work that I know went into putting this book out! I was blessed with the chance to have many in-depth chats with Magdalena Stevens about everything & everyone mentioned in this book & it left me with a book hangover!} (Swipe for the synopsis)
This true story takes you on such a wild ride it’s hard for you to put it down. I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I laughed, I was shocked and was extremely anxious on almost every single page! I loved the culture representation & reading about the upscale vibes of Lebanon. 👌🏽 When I finished this book, I remember closing it and saying “WOW”. I then talked for over an hour about it to my husband. 😂
I honestly did not think that I would like this book because I am such a fan of fiction/thriller books but I do not regret reading this book for one second. Lost in Beirut opened my eyes to the devastation that had taken place with the 2006 Lebanon War & also made me think of what’s happening in Ukraine. It’s a true story of love, of loss & war; a story that makes you FEEL!!
Listen, without me saying too much to spoil this book, I just think EVERYONE should read it! So add it to your 2022 TBRs y’all, you won’t regret it.
Much 💗 to @lostinbeirutbook for not only gifting me with a signed copy of your book but also for your opened DMs to chat about this whole process for you and Ashe and the backstory. I am so looking forward to what you guys put out next & hoping that this book becomes a movie because if people won’t read it, they need to see it!
This true story takes you on such a wild ride it’s hard for you to put it down. I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I laughed, I was shocked and was extremely anxious on almost every single page! I loved the culture representation & reading about the upscale vibes of Lebanon. 👌🏽 When I finished this book, I remember closing it and saying “WOW”. I then talked for over an hour about it to my husband. 😂
I honestly did not think that I would like this book because I am such a fan of fiction/thriller books but I do not regret reading this book for one second. Lost in Beirut opened my eyes to the devastation that had taken place with the 2006 Lebanon War & also made me think of what’s happening in Ukraine. It’s a true story of love, of loss & war; a story that makes you FEEL!!
Listen, without me saying too much to spoil this book, I just think EVERYONE should read it! So add it to your 2022 TBRs y’all, you won’t regret it.
Much 💗 to @lostinbeirutbook for not only gifting me with a signed copy of your book but also for your opened DMs to chat about this whole process for you and Ashe and the backstory. I am so looking forward to what you guys put out next & hoping that this book becomes a movie because if people won’t read it, they need to see it!
May 12, 2022
What a ride! See my full review on instagram.com/chelseahudsonreads
August 30, 2022
Lost in Beirut was the only physical book I brought with me on my recent trip & it was definitely the right choice. I managed to finished it on our short flight from Las Vegas to Calgary leaving me a whole 6hrs on our flight home to sit & think about it.
So let’s dive in!
1. The writing. This book is very well written with great prose & beautiful imagery that makes you feel like you are in Beirut going through the experiences with Ashe.
2. The storytelling. I just had a conversation with a friend about how storytelling, or lack there of can make or break a non-fiction book. There needs to be balance between factual information & a story, which is an aspect that is often overlooked. Lost in Beirut had that perfect balance of Ashe sharing the events that unfolded & weaving a gripping tale that is impossible to put down.
3. I love how it compares the stark difference between the two countries of the United States & Lebanon. The culture shock but also the political & societal differences. Both the good, the bad & the issues with how the US/Canadian media portray middle eastern countries. It also briefly touches on US relations with Lebanon & how they “handled” the war that broke out in 2006.
4. And finally I absolutely love the writers ability to relay emotions through this work. We feel Ashe’s apprehension, desperation to make something of himself, excitement, determination, love, fear, & heartbreak so strongly that it feels like you are going through everything with him.
My only critic about this book is I wish we had more information about the political climate of Lebanon during the time & the lead up to Lebanon’s summer siege. But ultimately that isn’t the story. Ashe’s experience is the story & while I may have wanted the extra information, adding it in could also hindered the book in the long run.
Also, thank you Ashe and Magdalena Stevens for sending me a copy I absolutely loved it & cannot recommend it enough!
So let’s dive in!
1. The writing. This book is very well written with great prose & beautiful imagery that makes you feel like you are in Beirut going through the experiences with Ashe.
2. The storytelling. I just had a conversation with a friend about how storytelling, or lack there of can make or break a non-fiction book. There needs to be balance between factual information & a story, which is an aspect that is often overlooked. Lost in Beirut had that perfect balance of Ashe sharing the events that unfolded & weaving a gripping tale that is impossible to put down.
3. I love how it compares the stark difference between the two countries of the United States & Lebanon. The culture shock but also the political & societal differences. Both the good, the bad & the issues with how the US/Canadian media portray middle eastern countries. It also briefly touches on US relations with Lebanon & how they “handled” the war that broke out in 2006.
4. And finally I absolutely love the writers ability to relay emotions through this work. We feel Ashe’s apprehension, desperation to make something of himself, excitement, determination, love, fear, & heartbreak so strongly that it feels like you are going through everything with him.
My only critic about this book is I wish we had more information about the political climate of Lebanon during the time & the lead up to Lebanon’s summer siege. But ultimately that isn’t the story. Ashe’s experience is the story & while I may have wanted the extra information, adding it in could also hindered the book in the long run.
Also, thank you Ashe and Magdalena Stevens for sending me a copy I absolutely loved it & cannot recommend it enough!
August 15, 2022
In this memoir, Ashe Stevens recounts his experience on a business venture in Lebanon. In 2006, Ashe goes to Beirut to help his friend Danny, a LA promoter, organize Lebanon's biggest concert featuring 50 Cent. While he knew this was a huge opportunity for him, he didn't know how much it would impact his life. Ashe and his friends get stuck in Beirut when the country goes into war overnight.
I could not put this book down. This memoir was quite
different than any others that I have read. It was really
captivating and almost felt like watching a movie. And
the writing is so intense that you are able to feel Ashe's
emotions through his experience. It is a reminder that no day is promised and really made me take a step back and evaluate where I am in my life. This memoir
definitely is one that will stick out and I cannot
recommend it enough.
I could not put this book down. This memoir was quite
different than any others that I have read. It was really
captivating and almost felt like watching a movie. And
the writing is so intense that you are able to feel Ashe's
emotions through his experience. It is a reminder that no day is promised and really made me take a step back and evaluate where I am in my life. This memoir
definitely is one that will stick out and I cannot
recommend it enough.
May 11, 2022
What an amazing read! Loved being transported to Beirut with Ashe. Review will be coming next week 🤗
June 17, 2022
✨𝖡𝗈𝗈𝗄 𝖱𝖾𝗏𝗂𝖾𝗐✨
Disclaimer: I went into this without reading the synopsis (as I usually do lol). All I knew about Lost in Beirut was that it is a true story of a guy from the states spending time in Beirut, Lebanon. I had no idea what I was about to read!
I had read reviews from friends that it was a phenomenal story of love and loss and they were spot on! This story starts with adventure, music, and parties of a lifetime. It will suck you in and you begin to feel attachments to Ashe and his friends. Suddenly, everything takes a turn and Ashe is forced to make some very tough decisions.
🖋𝖰𝗎𝗈𝗍𝖾𝗌
“No matter the amount of ‘things’ you accumulate in life, we all leave with the same amount of nothing.”
“Our stomachs are full, but our souls are empty.”
💫𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖨 𝖫𝗂𝗄𝖾𝖽:
- Adventurous- makes me want to drop everything and see more of the world
- Gorgeous descriptions
- Music & festival references (live music is in the top spot of things I have missed since C*vid began)
- You really feel attached to Ashe and friends in a short 250 pages.
💫𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖨 𝖣𝗂𝖽𝗇'𝗍:
- Nothing- other than the sad reality of war, but that is inevitable…
💫𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖨𝖿 𝖸𝗈𝗎'𝗋𝖾 𝖨𝗇𝗍𝗈:
- Adventure & travel
- Love
- Deeply loyal friendships
- Nonfiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/(5)
Disclaimer: I went into this without reading the synopsis (as I usually do lol). All I knew about Lost in Beirut was that it is a true story of a guy from the states spending time in Beirut, Lebanon. I had no idea what I was about to read!
I had read reviews from friends that it was a phenomenal story of love and loss and they were spot on! This story starts with adventure, music, and parties of a lifetime. It will suck you in and you begin to feel attachments to Ashe and his friends. Suddenly, everything takes a turn and Ashe is forced to make some very tough decisions.
🖋𝖰𝗎𝗈𝗍𝖾𝗌
“No matter the amount of ‘things’ you accumulate in life, we all leave with the same amount of nothing.”
“Our stomachs are full, but our souls are empty.”
💫𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖨 𝖫𝗂𝗄𝖾𝖽:
- Adventurous- makes me want to drop everything and see more of the world
- Gorgeous descriptions
- Music & festival references (live music is in the top spot of things I have missed since C*vid began)
- You really feel attached to Ashe and friends in a short 250 pages.
💫𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗇𝗀𝗌 𝖨 𝖣𝗂𝖽𝗇'𝗍:
- Nothing- other than the sad reality of war, but that is inevitable…
💫𝖱𝖾𝖺𝖽 𝖳𝗁𝗂𝗌 𝖨𝖿 𝖸𝗈𝗎'𝗋𝖾 𝖨𝗇𝗍𝗈:
- Adventure & travel
- Love
- Deeply loyal friendships
- Nonfiction
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/(5)
April 2, 2022
Book 19 of 2022, Lost in Beirut by Ashe and Magdalena Stevens
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This memoir chronicles a pivotal snapshot of Ashe’s life in the time leading up to, and during, the 2006 Lebanon War. At the time, Ashe Stevens was a figure heavy in the Hollywood scene, with solid connections in the nightclub and concert industry. One summer, his best friend invites him to Beirut, Lebanon to help pull off the concert of a lifetime. The book follows Ashe’s adventures in the club scene, his dating life with billionaires, and ultimately the unfolding war. I found this book to be a fast and interesting read—and I found myself wishing that there was an epilogue! I followed the Lebanon War when it took place, but it was very impactful reading the firsthand account of a civilian’s experience during that time.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This memoir chronicles a pivotal snapshot of Ashe’s life in the time leading up to, and during, the 2006 Lebanon War. At the time, Ashe Stevens was a figure heavy in the Hollywood scene, with solid connections in the nightclub and concert industry. One summer, his best friend invites him to Beirut, Lebanon to help pull off the concert of a lifetime. The book follows Ashe’s adventures in the club scene, his dating life with billionaires, and ultimately the unfolding war. I found this book to be a fast and interesting read—and I found myself wishing that there was an epilogue! I followed the Lebanon War when it took place, but it was very impactful reading the firsthand account of a civilian’s experience during that time.
June 15, 2022
This was such a unique reading experience. I’m trying to keep my gushing about how sweet Ashe and Magdalena are l, and how amazing it was to chat with Magdalena as I read, from influencing my review. But I can’t because wow that made it all the more richer of an experience. The cover is beautiful, the writing is fast paced and a total page turner. I felt the beauty of Beirut and the awe of what it must have felt like trying to plan the biggest concert Lebanon had ever seen. Then overnight everything changes as a country is now thrown into war and the fear he felt being an American desperately trying to get out. This was such a vivid, heartfelt memoir and I loved the way Ashe and Magdalena were able to share his story. 💕Such an honor to read this one!
July 25, 2022
Wow what an amazing story! I normally don’t read memoirs but I made an exception for this one after hearing great things. I wasn’t disappointed. There were times I had to remind my self this is actually someone’s life, they lived this! This story had a little bit of everything, romance, action, even read a little bit like a thriller. Once I started I couldn’t put the book down. The book captivated me the entire time and read like a movie. By the end of the book I was hoping for an epilogue just to get more details!
April 2, 2023
What an amazing story! It’s nonfiction but reads like fiction. I loved it!
May 16, 2022
"Living in the moment in Beirut feels like the nights are orchestrated by angels "
I don’t know if I loved this book because of the beautiful storytelling or because this book takes place in a country vey dear to my heart and during a time that’s been burnt into my memories.
Ashe and Magdalena were so nice to send me a copy and they are just so sweet, once again thank you.
For me this book is a lovestory. A lovestory about Lebanon, a lovestory about a new adventure and a lovestory from a man with a huge heart. Ashe and his friends travel to Lebanon to bring American superstars to Beirut ( where the nightlife is out of this world, I really mean that. I’ve been to many countries, but going out in Beirut tops it all ). During a time of wonder, beauty and love, the 2006 war breaks out which puts them in the middle of war jets and bombs raining down.
"All I see in Beirut during these grim times are angels. ”
"In times of conflict and strife, the Lebanese unite. ”
I want to start of by saying that this book was so beautiful written. All the beauty, the culture and the unity of the people made me miss it and I was there last October. Just like Ashe, I was there on vacation with my family so reading this book took me back to that time. I remember staying in a chalet in Jounieh just like Ashe when when the war started. I was lucky enough to have family in Beirut and staying in a part of Beirut that wasn’t hit, but we were close to the areas that was. I was lucky enough to ONLY feel the shaking, hear the bombs and see the smoke. Ashe on the other hand felt it all and saw people lose their life.
This is a have-to read, like I said Ashe is a storyteller and in this little book you read about everything he went through. A plus is that his friend Danny is hillarious.
I don’t know if I loved this book because of the beautiful storytelling or because this book takes place in a country vey dear to my heart and during a time that’s been burnt into my memories.
Ashe and Magdalena were so nice to send me a copy and they are just so sweet, once again thank you.
For me this book is a lovestory. A lovestory about Lebanon, a lovestory about a new adventure and a lovestory from a man with a huge heart. Ashe and his friends travel to Lebanon to bring American superstars to Beirut ( where the nightlife is out of this world, I really mean that. I’ve been to many countries, but going out in Beirut tops it all ). During a time of wonder, beauty and love, the 2006 war breaks out which puts them in the middle of war jets and bombs raining down.
"All I see in Beirut during these grim times are angels. ”
"In times of conflict and strife, the Lebanese unite. ”
I want to start of by saying that this book was so beautiful written. All the beauty, the culture and the unity of the people made me miss it and I was there last October. Just like Ashe, I was there on vacation with my family so reading this book took me back to that time. I remember staying in a chalet in Jounieh just like Ashe when when the war started. I was lucky enough to have family in Beirut and staying in a part of Beirut that wasn’t hit, but we were close to the areas that was. I was lucky enough to ONLY feel the shaking, hear the bombs and see the smoke. Ashe on the other hand felt it all and saw people lose their life.
This is a have-to read, like I said Ashe is a storyteller and in this little book you read about everything he went through. A plus is that his friend Danny is hillarious.
August 29, 2022
Have you ever been to Lebanon? If like me it’s on your bucket list, then you absolutely must pick up this book.
Beirut is “the Paris of the Middle East”; more than a breathtaking city, its warmth and mysticism are magnetic. So much so, I almost read this book in one sitting - spent the afternoon yesterday on my balcony with the sun shining down, felt like I was right in the heart of of it all.
A magical experience for sure, but also a heart wrenching one... as war hits in 2006 and Ashe and his friends, all American citizens, try to find their way back home.
One passage that stuck with me early on, about 50 or so pages in, foreshadows and perfectly captures the essence of Ashe’s journey:
“Covered in sweat and tears of joy, my long-haired wig seemed to become a part of me, sticking to my bare chest and back. Shirtless, the only piece of clothing that mattered to me was the green military pants I got from a designer in LA who went to Vietnam and reused the abandoned fatigues of the American soldiers for his clothing line. I felt I was dancing for someone who no longer could.”
Recounting a memory of the day he met his best friend Danny at Coachella five years prior, the friend who later invites him to Beirut, Ashe here is free and reborn. He’s wearing a wig, a second skin almost, lost the shirt off his back, sweating and exhilarated. On the surface it starts off light and fun, but we soon realize all is not so simple. The moment is surreal.
A story of resilience, of growth, and of hope... Lost in Beirut moved me in ways that words can’t express.
Thank you to the authors for the gifted copy.
Beirut is “the Paris of the Middle East”; more than a breathtaking city, its warmth and mysticism are magnetic. So much so, I almost read this book in one sitting - spent the afternoon yesterday on my balcony with the sun shining down, felt like I was right in the heart of of it all.
A magical experience for sure, but also a heart wrenching one... as war hits in 2006 and Ashe and his friends, all American citizens, try to find their way back home.
One passage that stuck with me early on, about 50 or so pages in, foreshadows and perfectly captures the essence of Ashe’s journey:
“Covered in sweat and tears of joy, my long-haired wig seemed to become a part of me, sticking to my bare chest and back. Shirtless, the only piece of clothing that mattered to me was the green military pants I got from a designer in LA who went to Vietnam and reused the abandoned fatigues of the American soldiers for his clothing line. I felt I was dancing for someone who no longer could.”
Recounting a memory of the day he met his best friend Danny at Coachella five years prior, the friend who later invites him to Beirut, Ashe here is free and reborn. He’s wearing a wig, a second skin almost, lost the shirt off his back, sweating and exhilarated. On the surface it starts off light and fun, but we soon realize all is not so simple. The moment is surreal.
A story of resilience, of growth, and of hope... Lost in Beirut moved me in ways that words can’t express.
Thank you to the authors for the gifted copy.
April 4, 2022
✨Book Review✨
Lost In Beirut by Ashe and Magdalena Stevens
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First I would like to say bookstagram is a wonderful community. Filled with some beautiful people.
So thank you again to the sweetest and kindest @lostinbeirutbook for reaching out with kind words and gifting me this signed copy. I am forever grateful to have connected. 🤍
This book is absolutely beautiful. Filled with love, loss, hope, and so much faith. I could not put it down. Read it all weekend.
The ending chapter in the Paris airport will forever stay with me! 🤍
Your life can absolutely change in a blink of an eye and tomorrow is never promised.
It’s so crazy to read all that happened throughout Ashe’s journey in 2006 and everything he had to face.
A quick fast paced read, that had me worried for him but also so glad to know he has made it back safely after all he endured.
And even after all that, and the feelings that may come with their experience of something so scary…
It’s amazing that both Ashe and Magdalena have managed to write and put it all out on paper so gracefully and share it with the world. And I am touched by their undeniable strength. I wish you both happiness and success.
And can’t wait to read what you write next!
💙
I absolutely recommend this read to anyone that likes to read true stories.
Lost In Beirut by Ashe and Magdalena Stevens
4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
First I would like to say bookstagram is a wonderful community. Filled with some beautiful people.
So thank you again to the sweetest and kindest @lostinbeirutbook for reaching out with kind words and gifting me this signed copy. I am forever grateful to have connected. 🤍
This book is absolutely beautiful. Filled with love, loss, hope, and so much faith. I could not put it down. Read it all weekend.
The ending chapter in the Paris airport will forever stay with me! 🤍
Your life can absolutely change in a blink of an eye and tomorrow is never promised.
It’s so crazy to read all that happened throughout Ashe’s journey in 2006 and everything he had to face.
A quick fast paced read, that had me worried for him but also so glad to know he has made it back safely after all he endured.
And even after all that, and the feelings that may come with their experience of something so scary…
It’s amazing that both Ashe and Magdalena have managed to write and put it all out on paper so gracefully and share it with the world. And I am touched by their undeniable strength. I wish you both happiness and success.
And can’t wait to read what you write next!
💙
I absolutely recommend this read to anyone that likes to read true stories.
October 27, 2022
I'm sitting here writing this review in my air conditioned home that Lost in Beirut has made me eternally grateful for... If I could sum up Ashe's story in one word, it would be: impactful. After a few days and my thoughts have really had a chance to settle, I realize that this memoir is truly one of the best I've ever read and probably will ever read.
As a millennial, I grew up on the cusp of knowing what was happening in the world and still being somewhat insulated from the scary parts because social media wasn't as present. Lost in Beirut was the beautiful eye-opener I didn't know I needed. This book follows Ashe Stevens as he transforms from an American party boy/actor into a true 'world citizen'. My biggest takeaways are the strength of the human spirit and people's capacity to love.
No matter whether you love romance, thrillers, historical novels etc. - there aren't many people who wouldn't love this one!!
A 10/10 must read for any and all Americans - the world is so much bigger than you know. <3
As a millennial, I grew up on the cusp of knowing what was happening in the world and still being somewhat insulated from the scary parts because social media wasn't as present. Lost in Beirut was the beautiful eye-opener I didn't know I needed. This book follows Ashe Stevens as he transforms from an American party boy/actor into a true 'world citizen'. My biggest takeaways are the strength of the human spirit and people's capacity to love.
No matter whether you love romance, thrillers, historical novels etc. - there aren't many people who wouldn't love this one!!
A 10/10 must read for any and all Americans - the world is so much bigger than you know. <3
May 31, 2022
4.5 ⭐️
“𝑈𝑝 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑝 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙， 𝑏𝑢𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝐵𝑒𝑖𝑟𝑢𝑡 𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑐𝑢𝑝 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑔𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑡.“
“...𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝑖𝑟𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔.“
Lost in Beirut is a true story that follows Ashe from the Hollywood club scene to Beirut as he helps organize the largest concert in Lebanon... just as war is about to break out.
Ashe experiences the highest highs and lowest lows from Beirut party scenes, to falling in love, and to eventually being stranded in the middle of a war zone.
This book was fast-paced and captivating. I could not put it down. I cannot imagine what Ashe went through, especially reliving these horrors to put them on the page. Some of these chapters will stay with me for a long time.
This book has it all. I definitely recommend you pick this one up!!
*Thank you, Ashe and Magdalena for my signed copy and for sharing Ashe’s story ♥️ All opinions are my own
“𝑈𝑝 𝑢𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑙 𝑛𝑜𝑤, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑢𝑝 ℎ𝑎𝑠 𝑛𝑒𝑣𝑒𝑟 𝑏𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑓𝑢𝑙𝑙， 𝑏𝑢𝑡 ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝐵𝑒𝑖𝑟𝑢𝑡 𝐼’𝑣𝑒 𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑒𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 ℎ𝑎𝑣𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑎 𝑐𝑢𝑝 𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑙 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑛𝑒𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑤𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑓 𝑦𝑜𝑢 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑔𝑜 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑖𝑡.“
“...𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑑𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑏𝑟𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡𝑠. 𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝐵𝑒𝑖𝑟𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑠 𝑏𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔.“
Lost in Beirut is a true story that follows Ashe from the Hollywood club scene to Beirut as he helps organize the largest concert in Lebanon... just as war is about to break out.
Ashe experiences the highest highs and lowest lows from Beirut party scenes, to falling in love, and to eventually being stranded in the middle of a war zone.
This book was fast-paced and captivating. I could not put it down. I cannot imagine what Ashe went through, especially reliving these horrors to put them on the page. Some of these chapters will stay with me for a long time.
This book has it all. I definitely recommend you pick this one up!!
*Thank you, Ashe and Magdalena for my signed copy and for sharing Ashe’s story ♥️ All opinions are my own
August 20, 2022
Ok friends, here’s another book that surprised me.
I’ll start by saying that the first few pages kind of had me slightly vexed at Ashe, his descriptive nature can come off as flexing. Throughout the book, you’ll find that there’s constant mention of brands, money, cars, etc, etc. - also, some timelines that led you to believe one thing and then don’t quite match up happened a couple of times.
With that out of the way, I loved this book. The fact that it’s a true story… I feel like the story is almost unbelievable. All the things that Ashe and his friends go through, and survive, are incredible.
They started a journey living the dream in a foreign land, and the dream quickly turned into a nightmare when Lebanon and Israel’s conflict picked back up in 2006. I think anyone who has travelled abroad, can pretty much imagine the terror you’d feel at being stranded with no way of getting home.
From beginning to end, putting together a concert, falling in love, escaping when they did.. I was on the edge of my seat and rooting for them all.
Overall, 4.5/5!! Great first book.
April 8, 2022
“ my love for you is like the war, easy to begin and hard to end.”
Author: Ashe and Magdalena Stevens @lostinbeirut
I will never put a star rating on someone else’s life journey. So let me go into this saying Wowww, thank you Ashe and Magdalena for sharing this story with the world. What a heart wrenching memoir of love, loss, and war as we follow Ashe Stevens and his friends right in the center of The 2006 Lebanon War. Reading Lost in Beirut felt like watching a film, I was right there with Ashe as he maneuvered through what was probably his biggest summer of self-discovery. I loved his vibe and how he loved deeply and embraced the love conquers all motto. It really gave me an inner eye to look closely at the destruction war causes on other nations and the way the local people are perceived. I think right now is such an important time to read this book to feel what the people of Ukraine are currently going through.
Author: Ashe and Magdalena Stevens @lostinbeirut
I will never put a star rating on someone else’s life journey. So let me go into this saying Wowww, thank you Ashe and Magdalena for sharing this story with the world. What a heart wrenching memoir of love, loss, and war as we follow Ashe Stevens and his friends right in the center of The 2006 Lebanon War. Reading Lost in Beirut felt like watching a film, I was right there with Ashe as he maneuvered through what was probably his biggest summer of self-discovery. I loved his vibe and how he loved deeply and embraced the love conquers all motto. It really gave me an inner eye to look closely at the destruction war causes on other nations and the way the local people are perceived. I think right now is such an important time to read this book to feel what the people of Ukraine are currently going through.
July 21, 2022
This book transported me to my home country. It made me laugh but also made me cry. It’s amazing how accurate Ash was in describing Lebanon, it’s beauty, the people and the culture. I can relate to the terror he felt with the war, I admit that was hard to read. This memoir was beautifully written! I’ll be looking forward to part 2!
June 21, 2024
Wow, no words can fully articulate how incredible this story is. It is extremely gripping, and I was unable to put it down. The writing style in first person present tense felt like reading fiction, but alas this is a true story! I am touched by The Author Couple, Ashe and Magdelena Steven's writing and their ability to string together such a heartfelt and meaningful message about perseverance, survival, love--it embodies the latin phrase carpe diem to the fullest. Life is fleeting and it's important to live in the moment each day vs setting our mind in the future. You never know what is going to happen, and things can change in an instant. What a gift this story is to remind you of what matters most.
Lost in Beirut is the story of Ashe Stevens, a Hollywood local and actor who gets invited by his best friend to organize a 50 Cent concert in Lebanon in 2006. He falls in love with the country and a beautiful woman (who happens to be a billionaire). All their dreams of success come to fruition right before war breaks out and him and his friends are forced to flee for their lives. The story unpacks a lot of Western perception and propaganda depictions of the Middle East, which is something I find highly valuable.
There is so much truth and wisdom in this book and had me in a puddle of tears. It's a fast-paced read (I read this in essentially one setting) and recommend this fully!
Lost in Beirut is the story of Ashe Stevens, a Hollywood local and actor who gets invited by his best friend to organize a 50 Cent concert in Lebanon in 2006. He falls in love with the country and a beautiful woman (who happens to be a billionaire). All their dreams of success come to fruition right before war breaks out and him and his friends are forced to flee for their lives. The story unpacks a lot of Western perception and propaganda depictions of the Middle East, which is something I find highly valuable.
There is so much truth and wisdom in this book and had me in a puddle of tears. It's a fast-paced read (I read this in essentially one setting) and recommend this fully!
February 1, 2023
An eye-opening and truly awe-inspiring true story. Ashe’s journey from LA to Beirut and the changes this beautiful city brings about in him detailed in gorgeous descriptions left me wanting to experience it for myself. How life can change in an instant and the dangerous journey Ashe went through to get home truly brings the Beiruti’s saying “live like there’s no tomorrow” to life.
January 20, 2024
Would give 10 stars if I could😫
August 19, 2022
Wow, this story. I had to take a few days to wrap my head around it and try to get words together to do this justice. I knew going into this that it's a true story, I mean it says it right there, but I didn't expect for it to hit me the way it did. I think I felt just about every emotion possible. The beginning of the novel makes you feel one way and then Ashe and Magdalena make you feel a whole different set of emotions in the other half. From the get-go, I was sucked in by this lifestyle that I cannot even fathom living. I grew up in a small town in the middle of nowhere in Iowa. So a life of parties with celebrities, money for anything, and exclusive events just isn't something I can even begin to imagine. But that is what made this that much more entrancing. And then when Ashe gets to Beirut, it's a whole other world I don't have any knowledge of. I'll admit, I know next to nothing about this city or the country it resides in. So it was incredible to read about, and yet again a life I cannot even imagine. And the way these two wrote and told the story was beautiful. It's filled with so many incredible lines and moments that had I annotated, I think I would have just underlined 90% of the book.
If you want to go into this novel blind then maybe stop reading now. This isn't a spoiler, but it does give more info into what the story is about. You think this is just going to be some fun, lighthearted read full of parties, luxury, and love. But then the city is attacked and suddenly no one and nowhere is safe. You're then taken on an emotional ride as Ashe has to make some really really hard decisions while being in an insane amount of danger and his journey to try and get out of the country and back to the states. Honestly, I was so anxious and heartbroken during the second half of the story.
Ashe, thank you for sharing your story with the world. It is so powerful and beautiful, even in its tragedy. I know writing this couldn't have been easy, but having read it, I will be forever changed. Magdalena, it has been so amazing getting to know you and I live for all our voice messages and chats. Having gotten to know you guys more before I read this made it that much more impactful and special for me. I am so thankful you sent me a copy of your book, I appreciate it so much and I am even more thankful for your friendship. I cannot wait to see where your writing journey goes next. Sending you all my love!
I think this is the longest review I have every written...
If you want to go into this novel blind then maybe stop reading now. This isn't a spoiler, but it does give more info into what the story is about. You think this is just going to be some fun, lighthearted read full of parties, luxury, and love. But then the city is attacked and suddenly no one and nowhere is safe. You're then taken on an emotional ride as Ashe has to make some really really hard decisions while being in an insane amount of danger and his journey to try and get out of the country and back to the states. Honestly, I was so anxious and heartbroken during the second half of the story.
Ashe, thank you for sharing your story with the world. It is so powerful and beautiful, even in its tragedy. I know writing this couldn't have been easy, but having read it, I will be forever changed. Magdalena, it has been so amazing getting to know you and I live for all our voice messages and chats. Having gotten to know you guys more before I read this made it that much more impactful and special for me. I am so thankful you sent me a copy of your book, I appreciate it so much and I am even more thankful for your friendship. I cannot wait to see where your writing journey goes next. Sending you all my love!
I think this is the longest review I have every written...
May 10, 2022
We’ve all heard idioms like “the grass is always greener on the other side” or “don’t judge a book by its cover”. These idioms and others convey that our experiences have the power to shape who we are and how we see the world; if we only see a certain part, we never grow or find our place in the world.
Lost in Beirut, written by Ashe & Magdalena Stevens, shows us the importance of the role that our perspective takes, taking us on a beautiful journey which shows us what can be gained when you take in your experiences and opportunities (no matter how wild or terrifying) with an open mind and heart.
Ashe Stevens is an actor and go-getter living in Los Angeles, given the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to Beirut to help his friend Danny produce a concert for 50 Cent. Although Ashe is used to the fast-paced nightlife of L.A. he quickly finds out that Beirut is a whole separate animal. Throughout his journey, he meets new friends, new loves and new experiences that challenge what he knows. Before we know it, it is the night of the 50 Cent concert, and little does he know that his experiences in Beirut will take a complete 180.
Like us all, Ashe carries some preconceived notions of places we’ve seen on the news, but he never lets this fully colour his point of view. A teacher of his told him “fill your vessel” and this is precisely the way he lives, allowing himself to be taken in and shaped by new people and experiences.
Tying this together is Ashe’s voice; a natural born storyteller, his clever, optimistic and insightful voice always booms through clearly and consistently. I don’t usually underline or mark up my books, but there were some particularly poignant and vivid imagery used (for example, at one point, someone is referred to as having a “straw heart”). And despite everything that he and his crew experience, he never closes himself off from filling his vessel.
Told in chapters that read like vivid and colourful journal entries, we’re transported to the defining moments of Ashe’s Beirut experience. Through this experience, we briskly move through a story that is at times action-packed, at times a romance, and at times a buddy comedy.
Thank you Ashe & Magdalena for sharing a gifted copy with me; it means so much!
I thoroughly recommend this title, and can’t wait to see what Ashe & Magdalena do next. I have a feeling this is only scratching the surface of stories they have to tell and I can’t wait to read the next one!
Lost in Beirut, written by Ashe & Magdalena Stevens, shows us the importance of the role that our perspective takes, taking us on a beautiful journey which shows us what can be gained when you take in your experiences and opportunities (no matter how wild or terrifying) with an open mind and heart.
Ashe Stevens is an actor and go-getter living in Los Angeles, given the opportunity of a lifetime to travel to Beirut to help his friend Danny produce a concert for 50 Cent. Although Ashe is used to the fast-paced nightlife of L.A. he quickly finds out that Beirut is a whole separate animal. Throughout his journey, he meets new friends, new loves and new experiences that challenge what he knows. Before we know it, it is the night of the 50 Cent concert, and little does he know that his experiences in Beirut will take a complete 180.
Like us all, Ashe carries some preconceived notions of places we’ve seen on the news, but he never lets this fully colour his point of view. A teacher of his told him “fill your vessel” and this is precisely the way he lives, allowing himself to be taken in and shaped by new people and experiences.
Tying this together is Ashe’s voice; a natural born storyteller, his clever, optimistic and insightful voice always booms through clearly and consistently. I don’t usually underline or mark up my books, but there were some particularly poignant and vivid imagery used (for example, at one point, someone is referred to as having a “straw heart”). And despite everything that he and his crew experience, he never closes himself off from filling his vessel.
Told in chapters that read like vivid and colourful journal entries, we’re transported to the defining moments of Ashe’s Beirut experience. Through this experience, we briskly move through a story that is at times action-packed, at times a romance, and at times a buddy comedy.
Thank you Ashe & Magdalena for sharing a gifted copy with me; it means so much!
I thoroughly recommend this title, and can’t wait to see what Ashe & Magdalena do next. I have a feeling this is only scratching the surface of stories they have to tell and I can’t wait to read the next one!
April 16, 2022
First and foremost, I would like to thank the lovely
Magdalena and Ashe for being so kind as to reach
out to me and send me a gifted signed copy of this
marvelous book. I had no idea what to expect, but I
am beyond grateful that we connected and that I
accepted the generous offer. It has been so special
reading Ashe's incredible story, my heart has been
trulv touched. 💙 I am at loss of words, I just can't
seem to be able to put my thoughts into words. No
words will give Lost in Beirut justice. I fall asleep
thinking about this book and it's been on my mind
every day. I loved every second of this book! I simply
did not want it to end, so much that I had to pace
myself. I forced myself to finish this book in a span of
like 5 or 6 days! I have always believed that it isn't
right to give a star rating to true stories, but you just
can't deny the fact that this book deserves INFINITE
stars🌟 Such a beautifully written book! Every
second of it felt like a rollercoaster- from moments
that made me laugh to moments that made me cry. I
even forgot this book was about real-life events
because it felt like I was watching a film! I grew to be
fond of so many characters. OH! And page 243... all I
can say is I connected the dots and it was soooo
special to learn the beautiful meaning behind the
name of Ashe and Magdalena's lovely daughter ✨
Everyone needs to read this book at least once in
their lifetime, I can't emphasize it enough!
My biggest hope is that this book gets a film
adaptation one day because I would be the first one
to purchase a ticket and the first one to show up at
the movie premiere 💥💳💥💳💥💳💥
Lost in Beirut, my favorite read of the year thus far!
Thank you, Ashe & Magdalena, for sharing your story
with us 💙
Magdalena and Ashe for being so kind as to reach
out to me and send me a gifted signed copy of this
marvelous book. I had no idea what to expect, but I
am beyond grateful that we connected and that I
accepted the generous offer. It has been so special
reading Ashe's incredible story, my heart has been
trulv touched. 💙 I am at loss of words, I just can't
seem to be able to put my thoughts into words. No
words will give Lost in Beirut justice. I fall asleep
thinking about this book and it's been on my mind
every day. I loved every second of this book! I simply
did not want it to end, so much that I had to pace
myself. I forced myself to finish this book in a span of
like 5 or 6 days! I have always believed that it isn't
right to give a star rating to true stories, but you just
can't deny the fact that this book deserves INFINITE
stars🌟 Such a beautifully written book! Every
second of it felt like a rollercoaster- from moments
that made me laugh to moments that made me cry. I
even forgot this book was about real-life events
because it felt like I was watching a film! I grew to be
fond of so many characters. OH! And page 243... all I
can say is I connected the dots and it was soooo
special to learn the beautiful meaning behind the
name of Ashe and Magdalena's lovely daughter ✨
Everyone needs to read this book at least once in
their lifetime, I can't emphasize it enough!
My biggest hope is that this book gets a film
adaptation one day because I would be the first one
to purchase a ticket and the first one to show up at
the movie premiere 💥💳💥💳💥💳💥
Lost in Beirut, my favorite read of the year thus far!
Thank you, Ashe & Magdalena, for sharing your story
with us 💙
October 13, 2022
Where do I start?
On a Friday morning, I read the first chapter.
Hours later, I found myself ditching my calendar and other books for Lost in Beirut.
If the first chapter started to tug at my heartstrings, my crying moments began in the next chapter (The Masked Vessel). Truly a remarkable reading experience for me as a reader.
Lost in Beirut will take us back to Mr. Ashe Steven's journey to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, where his expected fleeting life led to several profound moments which "filled and emptied" his vessel. It is a divine awakening, an inspiration to a wandering soul. It sets a question of purpose, the unforeseen journey, & the immeasurable answers to one's longings.
This book is a complete package. It is a compelling test of friendship, love, loss, surrender, faith, & healing. I never realized how tragic it is to be engrossed in the occurrence of war until I cried my heart out as I perused its pages.
It's the second book I've read this year that gave me that "I cannot move on" feeling. I refused to read other books days after LIB & took my time to be consumed with the emotions I had during the reading process. It will move you in ways you cannot imagine. Lost in Beirut is an account of life's uncertainties & vulnerabilities strongly shared with readers, a gem to behold.
THIS: Lost in Beirut deserves more recognition and more readers, & I'm happy that it's reaching a lot of bookstores.
THIS: Lost in Beirut will be great as a movie. Manifesting now.
AND THIS: Lost in Beirut is one of my top reads this year. It's one of those books that will leave a beautiful scar in your heart.
On a Friday morning, I read the first chapter.
Hours later, I found myself ditching my calendar and other books for Lost in Beirut.
If the first chapter started to tug at my heartstrings, my crying moments began in the next chapter (The Masked Vessel). Truly a remarkable reading experience for me as a reader.
Lost in Beirut will take us back to Mr. Ashe Steven's journey to Beirut, the capital of Lebanon, where his expected fleeting life led to several profound moments which "filled and emptied" his vessel. It is a divine awakening, an inspiration to a wandering soul. It sets a question of purpose, the unforeseen journey, & the immeasurable answers to one's longings.
This book is a complete package. It is a compelling test of friendship, love, loss, surrender, faith, & healing. I never realized how tragic it is to be engrossed in the occurrence of war until I cried my heart out as I perused its pages.
It's the second book I've read this year that gave me that "I cannot move on" feeling. I refused to read other books days after LIB & took my time to be consumed with the emotions I had during the reading process. It will move you in ways you cannot imagine. Lost in Beirut is an account of life's uncertainties & vulnerabilities strongly shared with readers, a gem to behold.
THIS: Lost in Beirut deserves more recognition and more readers, & I'm happy that it's reaching a lot of bookstores.
THIS: Lost in Beirut will be great as a movie. Manifesting now.
AND THIS: Lost in Beirut is one of my top reads this year. It's one of those books that will leave a beautiful scar in your heart.
May 2, 2022
genre: nonfiction
⚠️ TW: war and PTSD
- i normally do not read nonfiction, so this was a little different, but since i saw so many good reviews, i had to reach out to the authors! to my surprise, even though it is a nonfiction, it was written so well that everything flowed so naturally and i was able to easily picture everything as if i was reading a fiction novel. Moving on — this book is a very short read, but in roughly 250 pages, LIB was able to make me laugh, feel poor 💀, teach me history & religion, feel devastation as well as hope.
Although Ashe’s story takes place in 2006, it still is relevant to what’s going on in the world today for example, the recent war in Afghanistan and current war in Ukraine. While reading, i was reminded about the different mindsets of Americans versus those who live in war and cannot look forward to a “tomorrow.” I admire Ashe for being able to live through the events, battle his PTSD, and share his experience with us. And also Magdalena for being able to sit and write about her husband’s love story with someone who isn’t her. This book needs to be talked about, it was not only inspirational but it was captivating from beginning to end!
✨overall rating: 4.5/5 ✍️
*please note that the rating is not on the story as it is a true story of someone’s experience but rather the writing style of the book itself
✨favorite quote: “wealth buys you few friends and lots of enemies”
📌:
- i would like to thank both ashe and magdalena not only for this #gifted and signed copy of the book
⚠️ TW: war and PTSD
- i normally do not read nonfiction, so this was a little different, but since i saw so many good reviews, i had to reach out to the authors! to my surprise, even though it is a nonfiction, it was written so well that everything flowed so naturally and i was able to easily picture everything as if i was reading a fiction novel. Moving on — this book is a very short read, but in roughly 250 pages, LIB was able to make me laugh, feel poor 💀, teach me history & religion, feel devastation as well as hope.
Although Ashe’s story takes place in 2006, it still is relevant to what’s going on in the world today for example, the recent war in Afghanistan and current war in Ukraine. While reading, i was reminded about the different mindsets of Americans versus those who live in war and cannot look forward to a “tomorrow.” I admire Ashe for being able to live through the events, battle his PTSD, and share his experience with us. And also Magdalena for being able to sit and write about her husband’s love story with someone who isn’t her. This book needs to be talked about, it was not only inspirational but it was captivating from beginning to end!
✨overall rating: 4.5/5 ✍️
*please note that the rating is not on the story as it is a true story of someone’s experience but rather the writing style of the book itself
✨favorite quote: “wealth buys you few friends and lots of enemies”
📌:
- i would like to thank both ashe and magdalena not only for this #gifted and signed copy of the book
July 7, 2022
Lost in Beirut is such an eye-opening memoir to an entirely different world that I am ashamed to admit I do not know much about. Ashe Stevens is a young Hollywood hotshot who is trying to make it in the film industry. He has friends in high places, where money is not a second thought. His best friend Danny has an incredible once in a lifetime opportunity to bring 50 Cent to Beirut. This could completely change their lives and Ashe jumps at the chance. In Beirut money oozes out of everything and everyone that Ashe and Danny come into contact with. He is dating women who come from families worth billions. The world is at their fingertips. On the night before Ashe is to leave with the love of his life, Beirut is thrust into war with Israel. Ashe and his friends go from the top of the world to the very extreme bottom. It is complete and utter mayhem. They are left to find a way out of Lebanon on their own.
This book will leave you gutted at the end. It is an extremely fast read that will have you on the edge of your seat worried about Ashe and his friends. It gives you insight into what it is like to be stuck in a war-torn country and not know what to do or where to turn. It is astounding read that will stay with me for years to come. I also want to mention how amazing Ashe and Magdalena Stevens are as people. Magdalena and I had many long chats about the book and why they decided to go the independent route. Thank you to the both of you for sending me such a phenomenal read.
This book will leave you gutted at the end. It is an extremely fast read that will have you on the edge of your seat worried about Ashe and his friends. It gives you insight into what it is like to be stuck in a war-torn country and not know what to do or where to turn. It is astounding read that will stay with me for years to come. I also want to mention how amazing Ashe and Magdalena Stevens are as people. Magdalena and I had many long chats about the book and why they decided to go the independent route. Thank you to the both of you for sending me such a phenomenal read.
August 21, 2022
To say this book was an adventure would be an understatement! I honestly didn't know fully what to expect when I started reading it. I love a good memoir and am always excited to read the words "true story” in a title.
As it starts off, Ashe Stevens is going to Beirut, Lebanon to help his friend Danny organize a huge concert event with the headliner being 50-Cent. He takes the reader through his amazing experiences in the fast-paced world of Lebanese luxury and highlights the fact that he dated not only one but TWO beautiful billionaires. But, despite the unfathomable wealth and hospitality he witnessed, all of it changes on a dime when Israel bombs Lebanon. With the airport destroyed and many innocent people stranded, Ashe becomes one of that many civilians who have to claw out of the rubble to get back home.
As traumatic as this was for him, one can only extend more sympathies and tears towards the Lebanese people as they had to stay behind to watch their beautiful country turn to ruin. But, as he outlines, they are as resilient as they are hospitable. Ultimately, the book ends with the hope that there will be beauty in this region again and it makes me long for that dream too. I feel lucky to have taken this journey (albeit in book form) and I am grateful to have seen the world through different eyes if only for a couple hundred pages. It was such a well-written and truly riveting memoir!
As it starts off, Ashe Stevens is going to Beirut, Lebanon to help his friend Danny organize a huge concert event with the headliner being 50-Cent. He takes the reader through his amazing experiences in the fast-paced world of Lebanese luxury and highlights the fact that he dated not only one but TWO beautiful billionaires. But, despite the unfathomable wealth and hospitality he witnessed, all of it changes on a dime when Israel bombs Lebanon. With the airport destroyed and many innocent people stranded, Ashe becomes one of that many civilians who have to claw out of the rubble to get back home.
As traumatic as this was for him, one can only extend more sympathies and tears towards the Lebanese people as they had to stay behind to watch their beautiful country turn to ruin. But, as he outlines, they are as resilient as they are hospitable. Ultimately, the book ends with the hope that there will be beauty in this region again and it makes me long for that dream too. I feel lucky to have taken this journey (albeit in book form) and I am grateful to have seen the world through different eyes if only for a couple hundred pages. It was such a well-written and truly riveting memoir!
May 2, 2022
First and foremost I want to thank sweet Magdalena for reaching out and giving me the honor to receive a beautiful hardcover edition of this book along with the exciting opportunity to read this true story.
I love that this review is coming right after American Dirt, where I promised I would elevate more voices of first hand accounts and true stories and Ashe’s is one filled with love, loss, magic and tragedy. From the very first page I was drawn in and ended up reading the whole book in one day because each page kept me guessing what would happen next.
I am naturally drawn to any novel or story taking place in the Middle East and the way Lebanon is described made me feel like I was right there with Ashe experiencing each part of his story. Each character was unique and it was so interesting to read about a part of Lebanon I wasn’t aware of - I love that my perspective was widened both in culture and history of what happened in 2006.
I want to thank Ashe for being brave enough to tell his story and his wife for being such a big part in helping him do that. If you’re looking for a quick & absorbing read, want to support an indie author/couple and want to learn more about Lebanon, I couldn’t recommend this enough!
Also, big kudos to Xavier Comas for the strikingly beautiful cover design. It speaks volumes.
I love that this review is coming right after American Dirt, where I promised I would elevate more voices of first hand accounts and true stories and Ashe’s is one filled with love, loss, magic and tragedy. From the very first page I was drawn in and ended up reading the whole book in one day because each page kept me guessing what would happen next.
I am naturally drawn to any novel or story taking place in the Middle East and the way Lebanon is described made me feel like I was right there with Ashe experiencing each part of his story. Each character was unique and it was so interesting to read about a part of Lebanon I wasn’t aware of - I love that my perspective was widened both in culture and history of what happened in 2006.
I want to thank Ashe for being brave enough to tell his story and his wife for being such a big part in helping him do that. If you’re looking for a quick & absorbing read, want to support an indie author/couple and want to learn more about Lebanon, I couldn’t recommend this enough!
Also, big kudos to Xavier Comas for the strikingly beautiful cover design. It speaks volumes.
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