Two outcasts shared a friendship in childhood, but for Asher Swain, his memories were tortured by an accident that claimed his only friend.Years later, he met a woman reading as she sat by a pond in a park. The two strangers began a friendship over a love of literature that developed into love for each other. But, when Asher realized they shared a past as well as their present, he kept his … well as their present, he kept his secret, afraid for Penelope to find out who he really was.
When the truth is revealed, will they be ripped apart or will their love make them stronger?
Loosely based on the fairy tale, The Ugly Duckling.
Language and sexual situations similar to what you would find in an R-rated movie.
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OMW! This story had me in pieces, keep the tissues at the ready because you will need them. Wonderful and very emotional, characters easy to to love. Life can be so cruel and though this is fiction it does make you realise that there are kids out there living this life. It’s tough and raw, brutal for children who are so very sensitive, all they want is love and acceptance, something most of us take for granted. To have disabilities then used against you as an adult just adds to the pain, but it isn’t just on the surface, some things fester inside for many years before something triggers it enough to finally heal. This story is all of that and such a beautiful but powerful read.
a love that started in Kindergarten. They found each other again. a few tears a few laughs and a lot of love
This was a beautiful read! I loved it! I fell in love with Asher and Penny. What a gripping beautiful story. This series is amazing. Love this family!
I very seldom give books five stars. This story deserves that and more.
The book, Asher, is another superb story with hints of The Ugly Duckling story.
This is a story of friendship and love lost and found again.
The characters Asher and Penelope have lived a rough life but are seeing the silver lining with age.
The book can be read as a stand-alone, however it is better read in order.
This book is a must read.
I received an author’s copy and have left an honest review
Asher Swain suffered horrific abuse as a child at the hands of someone who was supposed to protect him, his mother. She allowed men into her life that abused not only Asher, but herself. Asher’s only comfort was in his best friend, Penny. She and Asher met at school and became instant best friends. All hopes of happiness dashed in an instant as his mom’s drunken boyfriend’s truck slammed into Penny. Even though Asher lost his best friend, he’s lucky to have landed with Miss Ethel and her boys. But he never forgot Penny…
After Penny’s mother passed away, she was left alone with her stepdad. He wasn’t physically abusive, just resentful of being left to care for a child that wasn’t his. When Penny was involved in an accident, her stepdad decided he couldn’t make it work. Penny was released from the hospital into the foster care system. Moving from one abusive family to the next. As soon as she’s saved up enough money, she moves into something that’s finally her own. Never forgetting her best friend and wondering whatever happened to him.
This was, by far, the best and most emotional Maryann Jordan novel I’ve read! Asher was so drawn to Penelope, sitting on the park bench that he couldn’t pass her by. After realizing who she was, he didn’t want to risk losing his best friend all over again. I loved the meaning and thought behind Asher’s tattoos! Very powerful. This story was so hauntingly realistic. The foster system has flaws. Even though there are good people willing to care for and love children that are not their own, there are those that are just in it for the money. They may not physically abuse the children, but mental abuse is just as bad. Maybe worse. It was enlightening to see the very different sides to a loving foster homes vs non-loving. Very few children that are treated as Penny was, come out on top. I’m glad Penny and Asher found their HEA. I read a gifted copy and all opinions stated are my own.
I love nothing better than a romance that hits me right in the heart. BULLSEYE! This is book 6 in the Heroes at Heart series and it features Asher and Penny. These two have a past that stems back to kindergarten and tragically ends in first grade. Their story is so very sad and had me in tears. 24 years later he’s jogging in the park and meets a woman sitting on a bench reading. They click right away. This woman’s childhood stories broke my heart. Her adult story still brings tears to my eyes. His childhood during foster care was such a blessing. I think Miss Ethel was sent from above. With her strangely accurate intuition, she just might have been. She is amazing and I truly hope there really are some Miss Ethel’s out there.
I can’t tell you much without giving it all away but just know if I could give it more than 5-Stars I would. The story line is brilliant! The characters are fabulous! I can’t wait for more.
I really loved this book. It’s one that instantly grabs your heart and pulls at the heartstrings. My heart broke for the two little kids that didn’t have the greatest early lives. Their friendship warmed my heart. This book ripped my heart out, but then put back together. I was so happy to see where this book went. I even squealed a little when I found out about who Asher and Penelope were. I’ve loved the previous books and this one is just as good. To see how close the guys are is so beautiful. Asher and Penelope deserve some happiness, but both harbor guilt and struggle with their pasts. With the help of each other they may just heal the little hearts of the past and find a love to last a lifetime. Though keeping secrets may just put a wrench in that. This is definitely a must read!
Asher had a very horrible childhood where his Mother worried more about her boyfriend leaving her than the abuse he was reigning down on Asher. The one joy in his life was the friend he made in Kindergarten and then that was taken away one horrible afternoon when she was hit by a car that was trying to dog the drunken weaving of the car driven by that same boyfriend . The only good that came out of losing his only friend was when he was taken out of the neglectful home and landed in the home of Miss Ethel where he found a family that would love him like he needed. There is always a lessen or two that are meant to be learned in each of the Heroes at Heart books but they delivered in a way that is so integral to the book that you don’t even realize it is happening. Definitely read this and all the other Heroes at Heart Series and you won’t be disappointed.
I was given an ARC in exchange for an honest and totally voluntary review.
This book truly tugged at my heartstrings and I love how this series interprets a fairy tale in each book. This one begins as two children find acceptance and friendship in each other, and are separated by circumstances that were out of their control.
Asher has built himself a small real estate empire. He buys older homes renovates and updates then rents them out. He also has one small apartment building not too much for one man to handle. One of the biggest things he’s done is bought a building, renovated it and gifted it to be a homeless shelter, he remembers staying in one before his mother moved in with Tim, the man who caused he so much pain.
Penelope is a bookkeeper for a small real estate firm, she’s looking forward to the retirement of the current office manager, sure she will get the promotion and the raise. One of Penny’s favorite things to do is read in the park by the pond before heading home from work. She has a different sort of story, all related to a childhood accident and the attitudes of others.
It’s while Asher is on a run in that park, he first meets up with Penelope. An avid reader, he is attracted not only to the woman, but the fact she is reading a hard copy book, one of the classics.
This little conversation about Pride and Prejudice has all the elements for a great friendship, only thing is he forgets to introduce himself and get her name.
There’s a lot of healing for both Penny and Asher in this book, but it doesn’t come easy especially when he realizes she is his Penny from all those years ago.
I love seeing all the guys and Miss Ethel is a gem. The family they’ve formed definitely has room to add in the women these men have found.
I laughed and cried, and I may have growled a time or two as well. Once again this series has provided me with an uplifting story to read with just the right amount of heat.
This is a story about abuse, neglect, tragedy, loss, emotional scars, love, fate. Asher lost his best friend in a terrible accident. … Asher is one of MS Ethels’ boys. She was like a mother to these children that were broken that came to her. As the story progresses, Asher meets Penelope in the park. They continue to meet & realize their connection from kindergarten. Asher and Penelope continue their journey of reconnecting. There is so much more to this story, but I’m stopping here so you can read and enjoy reading this book as much as I did. I received an arc of this book and this my own opinion.
Asher and Penelope come together over a love of reading that sparks further depth of feelings for each other. This tale is part of the Heroes at heart series and will have the reader turning pages deep into the night to find out the ending. Excellent tale with characters you cheer for as they journey toward their future love.
Ebook from author with thanks. Review and opinion are entirely my own and freely given.
A lovely take on the classic Ugly Duckling fairy tale, this is the story of Asher and Penelope. These two were young childhood friends trying to fir in, that reconnect years later finding themselves still drawn to each other. Beautifully written, sweet an emotional read that warms the hearts.
There is a genius to Maryann Jordan’s Heroes At Heart series. The books tug at your heartstrings, restore your faith in goodness and you get a happily ever after to boot. I have been deeply moved as I have read each book. It just doesn’t get any better than that. The poignancy of Asher and Penny’s story brought tears to my eyes several times. Best friends separated in childhood by cruel circumstances and reunited as adults by fate, Asher and Penny are, indeed, a modern day fairy tale.
Every time I start a new one of these books, I think, this is my favourite! Asher is no different. He’s an amazing guy and such a good one too. His life was hard and so was Penny’s, this story made me laugh and cry! It was an emotional but uplifting book. As always Ms Jordan knows how to tug on your heartstrings and catching with up with all his brothers and their girls makes me feel like they’re family! Great book. Great series
What a beautiful story so skilfully written with such love and empathy. Asher and Penny are two powerful characters who have so much in common. How their relationship develops is so interesting to read and makes this as addictive and extremely enjoyable book which I highly recommend.
Oh my heart!!! This book, you guys, it will break your heart and then put it back together beautifully!!! You will feel ALL the emotions! This is Asher and Penny’s story in the Heroes at Heart Series and I hope this series never ends! They just keep getting better and better! And I didn’t think that would be possible! Have loved them all and they have such an awesome group of characters. Can’t wait for the next one!
Friends when they were kids. Both had tragedies from their past to overcome. A surprise meeting and not knowing who each other are are all combined to bring you a heart felt emotional read.
Asher was not happy with his situation before he became one of Ms. Ethel’s boys. Except for one thing or maybe one person. His best friend Penny made everything better until there was a terrible accident. All grown up, Asher still rembers his time with Penny and believes he’ll never find anyone that measures up to her. But as luck would have it, he meets someone and he is immediately interested in getting to know her better. Will he like what he finds out and will she like him.
I just finished reading this book from Maryann Jordan and it was awesome! It’s the sixth book in the Heroes at Heart series, but it can be read as a standalone. But the other books in this series are amazing too! I love her characters and the story was captivating. It was great from beginning to end! I would definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good romance story.
S
Review This was a heartfelt twist on The Ugly Duckling. No one was ugly in this story except for the niece of Penny’s boss. Nice tribute to classic reads and Asher is an awesome alpha. Penny learns to accept herself and Asher is able to let go of guilt he was holding onto for years. Completely safe and inspiring story.