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Ancient Ashes #1
Promises in Pompeii
Expanding twenty years, this story explores life, love, and loss in Ancient Rome.
Helvia doesn’t want for anything, but being wealthy can come at a cost. Navigating through her papa’s disinterest and trying to dodge her bully of a brother, Helvia is already learning how lonely life can be—until Octavia comes bursting on the scene, ready to help provide support, laughter, and companionship that Helvia desperately needs.
Octavia’s family doesn’t have wealth, but they certainly aren’t short on love. She is taught early to stick up for what is right and work hard for those she cares about.
As Helvia and Octavia grow, so does their friendship. Moving from childhood to adulthood while navigating the expectations of women in Ancient Rome, their connection navigates unexpected bumps and turns. Life has a way of shaking up even the most solid foundations.
With promises of their future shattered and secrets held tight to the chest, Helvia and Octavia have to ask themselves how their connection can equal a happy ending.
A sapphic historical fiction
Helvia doesn’t want for anything, but being wealthy can come at a cost. Navigating through her papa’s disinterest and trying to dodge her bully of a brother, Helvia is already learning how lonely life can be—until Octavia comes bursting on the scene, ready to help provide support, laughter, and companionship that Helvia desperately needs.
Octavia’s family doesn’t have wealth, but they certainly aren’t short on love. She is taught early to stick up for what is right and work hard for those she cares about.
As Helvia and Octavia grow, so does their friendship. Moving from childhood to adulthood while navigating the expectations of women in Ancient Rome, their connection navigates unexpected bumps and turns. Life has a way of shaking up even the most solid foundations.
With promises of their future shattered and secrets held tight to the chest, Helvia and Octavia have to ask themselves how their connection can equal a happy ending.
A sapphic historical fiction
331 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 29, 2022
25 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 30, 2022
Wow what a story. I actually have never read a book that was set in this time of history. Everyone who knows me a bit, knows that everything new is quite a challenge for me (even if it comes to books). But knowing Violet Morley's other books I knew I would give this book a chance. And I never regretted it.
I was drawn into the story right from the start and that was "only" the prologue. What follows is the story of Helvia and Octavia. Both little girls that come from totally different backgrounds. Helvia comes from e a wealthy but not loving home. Octavia comes from a poor home but with so much love from her father. They have one thing in common which is both having lost their mama. But there is so much more between them. They just get each other and are soon best friends. As a reader we are able to follow them through their upbringing and witness many adventures they mostly live through together. And even when they are not together, in their hearts they always are.
Because it wasn’t the time two women could be easily together they need to find their own way. All of this always with their background that especially Helvia's father and brother have other plans for her. I don't wanna give too much away because this story is fantastic and some things would spoil the journey as a reader, if you know before. What I can say is that this story is special, it's in a different time and while their love story is fiction, so many of the happenings are not. We also get to witness things that happened at this time. It made me to look up several things and again I just had the most wonderful time. You just see all the research the author has put in and not to forget the love. She gifted us with such a beautiful love story. I cheered for them and when I got to the end I felt like this couldn't be the end. There is so much more to tell and I am so glad there will be a sequel. I definitely wanna see more of Octavia, Helvia, Luna, Tullia and all the people (and animals) I got to love in this book.
I highly recommend this story and hope that maybe others that usually mostly read contemporary books, will give this one a chance. Like I already said I never regretted it and so happy I read it.
I was drawn into the story right from the start and that was "only" the prologue. What follows is the story of Helvia and Octavia. Both little girls that come from totally different backgrounds. Helvia comes from e a wealthy but not loving home. Octavia comes from a poor home but with so much love from her father. They have one thing in common which is both having lost their mama. But there is so much more between them. They just get each other and are soon best friends. As a reader we are able to follow them through their upbringing and witness many adventures they mostly live through together. And even when they are not together, in their hearts they always are.
Because it wasn’t the time two women could be easily together they need to find their own way. All of this always with their background that especially Helvia's father and brother have other plans for her. I don't wanna give too much away because this story is fantastic and some things would spoil the journey as a reader, if you know before. What I can say is that this story is special, it's in a different time and while their love story is fiction, so many of the happenings are not. We also get to witness things that happened at this time. It made me to look up several things and again I just had the most wonderful time. You just see all the research the author has put in and not to forget the love. She gifted us with such a beautiful love story. I cheered for them and when I got to the end I felt like this couldn't be the end. There is so much more to tell and I am so glad there will be a sequel. I definitely wanna see more of Octavia, Helvia, Luna, Tullia and all the people (and animals) I got to love in this book.
I highly recommend this story and hope that maybe others that usually mostly read contemporary books, will give this one a chance. Like I already said I never regretted it and so happy I read it.
did-not-finish
May 3, 2022DNF 30% in. Kindle Unlimited.
Third book by this author I have DNF'd so clearly they are not for me. I found them all tedious and upsetting. But I just keep forgetting the authors name relevant book history.. But I think I'll definitely remember now.
Just too fucking depressing. Such young girls, and such utterly shite circumstances. No joy here.
Third book by this author I have DNF'd so clearly they are not for me. I found them all tedious and upsetting. But I just keep forgetting the authors name relevant book history.. But I think I'll definitely remember now.
Just too fucking depressing. Such young girls, and such utterly shite circumstances. No joy here.
May 19, 2024
4.5 Stars
I was maybe 20 pages in when I realised, oh sh*t Pompeii?! We all know how that story ended! And then my anxiety kept building knowing what happened to Pompeii. However, I am so grateful that the author kept true to how people lived their lives then. The frequency of death, the lifestyle of the residents and just their society in general. It felt accurate and style with times.
I was maybe 20 pages in when I realised, oh sh*t Pompeii?! We all know how that story ended! And then my anxiety kept building knowing what happened to Pompeii. However, I am so grateful that the author kept true to how people lived their lives then. The frequency of death, the lifestyle of the residents and just their society in general. It felt accurate and style with times.
March 28, 2022
I got to beta read this book before it was edited and proofread and even with all the regular mistakes, it was such an engaging story. It starts off in the childhood of Helvia and Octavia and how they first meet, and it maneuvers through their lives, their friendship growing, navigating different barriers, hard times, beautiful and tough moments. All along the way I found myself enthralled with the little tidbits I learned about ancient Pompeii, and I did end up googling several things and learned some fascinating things along the way. There are several other characters that play certain roles in which I cherished, and some have no redeeming qualities.
Just as soon as I thought to myself that it was time to age the characters up, the very next page was a new chapter and I got my wish. They age quicker and quicker until they become adults, as things change and evolve along with their relationship and with others.
I did begin to wonder if sex scenes were coming, but I also wasn’t certain I was reading a typical romance. It seems more of a love story, but more than that. Any sex scenes were fade to black moments, and I was very satisfied with exactly what was written.
There is a major event that Pompeii is infamously known for and I won’t give spoilers but I will say, though I did wonder if that would be brought into the story, I think the author did the story justice. I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to love a book as much as I do that has so many harsh circumstances and tragic events but I could not put it down. My heart raced, I laughed, I coo’d, I gasped, I cried and I fell in love with this story.
This book is delicious, heartbreaking, heartwarming, exiting, fun, and fascinating. It has a couple unexpected and surprising twists that were a nice treat. I haven’t been moved to write such a long review for a book in a long time (I’m not good at this).
Violet Morley has become my favorite author for sapphic content. And this book may just be my favorite read of all time. This book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it was perfect for me
Just as soon as I thought to myself that it was time to age the characters up, the very next page was a new chapter and I got my wish. They age quicker and quicker until they become adults, as things change and evolve along with their relationship and with others.
I did begin to wonder if sex scenes were coming, but I also wasn’t certain I was reading a typical romance. It seems more of a love story, but more than that. Any sex scenes were fade to black moments, and I was very satisfied with exactly what was written.
There is a major event that Pompeii is infamously known for and I won’t give spoilers but I will say, though I did wonder if that would be brought into the story, I think the author did the story justice. I honestly wasn’t sure I was going to love a book as much as I do that has so many harsh circumstances and tragic events but I could not put it down. My heart raced, I laughed, I coo’d, I gasped, I cried and I fell in love with this story.
This book is delicious, heartbreaking, heartwarming, exiting, fun, and fascinating. It has a couple unexpected and surprising twists that were a nice treat. I haven’t been moved to write such a long review for a book in a long time (I’m not good at this).
Violet Morley has become my favorite author for sapphic content. And this book may just be my favorite read of all time. This book won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but it was perfect for me
April 5, 2022
I was lucky enough to be one of the Beta readers of this book. Reading before all the corrections, edits, and proofreading.
The Prologue drew me in right away and I was interested to read the rest of the story. The story Started off and was centered around Helvia, from a rich family, and Octavia from a poor family, as young girls through adulthood. Both girls mother’s had died when they were young. It followed them from childhood to adults complete with happiness, sadness, hard times and beautiful moments.
Helvia’s family may have been rich, but she had no love from her father and her brother was an abusive, torturous younger brother.
Octavia on the other hand was from a poor family with a loving father and loving siblings.
I enjoyed the story as well as the information that was thrown in about Pompeii.
There were so many tragic events and harsh circumstances, but the author did a great job of bringing everything together as well as historic events that actually occurred in Pompeii.
The story was happy, sad, heartwarming and sometimes with harrowing twists.
I certainly hope there is a second book in this series!
The Prologue drew me in right away and I was interested to read the rest of the story. The story Started off and was centered around Helvia, from a rich family, and Octavia from a poor family, as young girls through adulthood. Both girls mother’s had died when they were young. It followed them from childhood to adults complete with happiness, sadness, hard times and beautiful moments.
Helvia’s family may have been rich, but she had no love from her father and her brother was an abusive, torturous younger brother.
Octavia on the other hand was from a poor family with a loving father and loving siblings.
I enjoyed the story as well as the information that was thrown in about Pompeii.
There were so many tragic events and harsh circumstances, but the author did a great job of bringing everything together as well as historic events that actually occurred in Pompeii.
The story was happy, sad, heartwarming and sometimes with harrowing twists.
I certainly hope there is a second book in this series!
January 1, 2023
A moment in time changes life for everyone.
Helping has not known hardship but she does not know acceptance and love. Octavia brings both to her and as they navigate their feelings they must protect each other. This is a delightful story set in historic Pompeii. These two young girls have a deep friendship that is deepened by a love of the heart. The experiences they have tell ancient story of some men and how they rule a world for their presence and give little thought to the women in their world. Seeing our girls grow into strong women and make space in the world is always a good read.
Helping has not known hardship but she does not know acceptance and love. Octavia brings both to her and as they navigate their feelings they must protect each other. This is a delightful story set in historic Pompeii. These two young girls have a deep friendship that is deepened by a love of the heart. The experiences they have tell ancient story of some men and how they rule a world for their presence and give little thought to the women in their world. Seeing our girls grow into strong women and make space in the world is always a good read.
April 23, 2022
Forbidden romance coinciding with ancient events of Mt Vesuvius
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: non-US/UK setting, favorite trope, butch character, character with a disability, newbie author; UNICORN: historical, period (possibly other categories)
TRIGGERS: some child abuse
The ancient historical aspect of the story was definitely researched, and something that I greatly appreciated. The characters were fantastic, and the story reflected their being victims of that time period and location. The plot was original, for my own reading experience, and possibly for others. It was somewhat of an epic tale, and I'm looking forward to the sequels.
SAPPHIC BOOK BINGO: non-US/UK setting, favorite trope, butch character, character with a disability, newbie author; UNICORN: historical, period (possibly other categories)
TRIGGERS: some child abuse
The ancient historical aspect of the story was definitely researched, and something that I greatly appreciated. The characters were fantastic, and the story reflected their being victims of that time period and location. The plot was original, for my own reading experience, and possibly for others. It was somewhat of an epic tale, and I'm looking forward to the sequels.
March 14, 2025
love will win always
What a beautiful well written story. Thank you Violet.
I loved the descriptions and could see it in my minds eye.
What a beautiful well written story. Thank you Violet.
I loved the descriptions and could see it in my minds eye.
September 5, 2025
such a fun and sweet story in one of my favorite settings.
April 10, 2022
Great read!
Compelling story. Well developed characters. Vivid detail. I’m excited to read book 2 because I’m invested in these characters now.
Compelling story. Well developed characters. Vivid detail. I’m excited to read book 2 because I’m invested in these characters now.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews