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From Ashes
Can love grow…from ashes?
When volunteer firefighter Aiden Billings gets stuck with a flat tire in rural Kentucky, he’s not happy to have to drag his young daughter to a tire shop for the afternoon. But when the pretty receptionist glances his way, a sliver of his heart cracks open—something he hasn’t felt since his wife died five years earlier.
Nora Evans, however, has a past she’s not keen on sharing, and with good reason. She’s barely crested out of her life of drug use and abusive relationships, and is ready to heal. On her own.
Will the two of them be able to get past the grief that has crippled their hearts? Or will it all go up in flames?
When volunteer firefighter Aiden Billings gets stuck with a flat tire in rural Kentucky, he’s not happy to have to drag his young daughter to a tire shop for the afternoon. But when the pretty receptionist glances his way, a sliver of his heart cracks open—something he hasn’t felt since his wife died five years earlier.
Nora Evans, however, has a past she’s not keen on sharing, and with good reason. She’s barely crested out of her life of drug use and abusive relationships, and is ready to heal. On her own.
Will the two of them be able to get past the grief that has crippled their hearts? Or will it all go up in flames?
298 pages, Paperback
Published March 28, 2022
90 people are currently reading
146 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
April 23, 2022
I really enjoyed this, the tone J.E Pace created in this book really gripped me and it was beautiful to watch the characters grow and come to terms with their pasts.
I loved the relationship between the main characters but it was more in the background with the main focus being on healing. This worked really well but some more nice moments between them might have kept me more engaged in the second half of the book. I also really loved the ending.
I will just say while this has a focus on healing it does address some trauma and could be triggering in places, please check the trigger warnings below, I have included everything I picked up on.
Content Warnings
suicide, abuse, cancer, death of a partner, miscarriage, drug use
I loved the relationship between the main characters but it was more in the background with the main focus being on healing. This worked really well but some more nice moments between them might have kept me more engaged in the second half of the book. I also really loved the ending.
I will just say while this has a focus on healing it does address some trauma and could be triggering in places, please check the trigger warnings below, I have included everything I picked up on.
Content Warnings
suicide, abuse, cancer, death of a partner, miscarriage, drug use
April 24, 2022
Second Chances
This book dealt with several topics that most people don't always stop to think about happening. Aiden had to deal with several changes in a small amount of time. He struggled for years trying to move past everything. Then he met Nora. Nora also struggled for a long time with things and was in the process of getting better to have a better future when she met Aiden. They come together and as they learn about each other things surface that neither is sure how to handle. This book is very clean but has a way of holding your attention and you start falling for the characters. You hope they can make it. If you are looking for something sweet but a little heartfelt this book is for you.
This book dealt with several topics that most people don't always stop to think about happening. Aiden had to deal with several changes in a small amount of time. He struggled for years trying to move past everything. Then he met Nora. Nora also struggled for a long time with things and was in the process of getting better to have a better future when she met Aiden. They come together and as they learn about each other things surface that neither is sure how to handle. This book is very clean but has a way of holding your attention and you start falling for the characters. You hope they can make it. If you are looking for something sweet but a little heartfelt this book is for you.
January 30, 2026
Stars: ⭐️ x5
Spice: 🌶️ x1
This is available on KU. There are 5 books total in this series. No they do not need to be read in any specific order. It is a past and present style writing. Once you grasp that it is pretty easy to keep the flow of the book. I finished this read in just a day. Single widowed dad. Second chances. A lot of the topics talked about in this book are every day struggles of people. It pulls at the heartstrings.
Spice: 🌶️ x1
This is available on KU. There are 5 books total in this series. No they do not need to be read in any specific order. It is a past and present style writing. Once you grasp that it is pretty easy to keep the flow of the book. I finished this read in just a day. Single widowed dad. Second chances. A lot of the topics talked about in this book are every day struggles of people. It pulls at the heartstrings.
October 17, 2024
A Widower's Story
Aiden lost his dearly beloved wife only shortly after they had adopted their daughter. Nora was the girl who manned the desk in an auto repair shop that Aiden had gone to. She took his attention and he began to pursue her. Things really get complicated from there.
Aiden lost his dearly beloved wife only shortly after they had adopted their daughter. Nora was the girl who manned the desk in an auto repair shop that Aiden had gone to. She took his attention and he began to pursue her. Things really get complicated from there.
July 10, 2025
grabs your attention at the very beginning
Once I understood the past then present sequence( didn’t take long) I couldn’t put it down except atone of the transition.
Wonderfully and honestly presented. You can feel the pain, desperation,survival,awakening, love and struggle!
I loved the journey where I laughed, cried and finally smiled with a satisfying conclusion!
Thank you for a heartbreaking ,heartwarming, survival story!
Once I understood the past then present sequence( didn’t take long) I couldn’t put it down except atone of the transition.
Wonderfully and honestly presented. You can feel the pain, desperation,survival,awakening, love and struggle!
I loved the journey where I laughed, cried and finally smiled with a satisfying conclusion!
Thank you for a heartbreaking ,heartwarming, survival story!
Did not finish
August 2, 2025In so many ways, I loved this story, but there were several references to homosexual relationships that made it a very natural part of life… Acceptable lifestyle. And that’s not so for me. Because of my beliefs, I don’t read stories that normalize or glorify the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. So I did not finish this book.
June 28, 2025
OMGoodness! I loved every bit of this book. I cannot wait to get my hands on the next one.
In a world of second chances it was beautiful and a little bitter sweet. It had a happy ending as well. This is not a spice book it a sweet pallet cleanser.
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In a world of second chances it was beautiful and a little bitter sweet. It had a happy ending as well. This is not a spice book it a sweet pallet cleanser.
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February 23, 2026
Super sweet read! I loved how refreshing the story was and how sweet it was! The story had great build and I don’t want to stop listening. This was given to me as an ALC and I am giving my review freely.
April 18, 2022
Absolutely fantastic read.
Definitely a happily ever after ending.
Character growth was good - especially Nora’s.
I really enjoyed it, and definitely one to recommend.
Definitely a happily ever after ending.
Character growth was good - especially Nora’s.
I really enjoyed it, and definitely one to recommend.
May 17, 2022
This was an enjoyable quick read! The characters were relatable, the story was sweet yet complex, and I looked forward to reading it each day!
February 14, 2023
This book keeps a hold on you! It's a really good fast paced book
February 11, 2024
I thought this book was okay. It was well written but I found it very predictable and even boring.
April 19, 2025
Enjoyable easy read book. Which made you want to know more about what happens next.
July 10, 2025
Beautiful
Beautiful but heart breaking. Love how everything entangled. Story of loss and the grieving. Very beautiful story. Loved the found
Beautiful but heart breaking. Love how everything entangled. Story of loss and the grieving. Very beautiful story. Loved the found
October 22, 2025
A Very Tender Story
I really liked this book. It was unexpected in the telling, but it’s a great story.
Well worth the read.
Enjoy😉
I really liked this book. It was unexpected in the telling, but it’s a great story.
Well worth the read.
Enjoy😉
December 30, 2025
Actually a pretty good little book. About halfway through you could see where the ending was headed for sure but the author kept the storyline interesting without being just another rom com.
March 7, 2026
This book was sweet and powerful, full of second chances, love and despair. The ending felt a little rushed for me, I wish there was more of the story.
September 9, 2025
Beautiful story.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews