AN AMAZON PICK FOR BEST ROMANCE BOOKS OF 2019 AN AMAZON PICK FOR BEST BOOK OF THE MONTH “When Ashes Fall is a tautly written, complex, and emotionally-charged love story that takes the reader on an unforgettable, unexpected, and deeply moving journey.” —USA Today It’s been said that you can’t love two men at the same time.You can’t split your heart, soul, and body in half.But I’m here to … time.
You can’t split your heart, soul, and body in half.
But I’m here to tell you, you can.
Dylan Cole is like ice, sharp and unpredictable, the thunder inside a tumultuous storm.
Smith Reid is warmth, soft and gentle, perfect like a sunny day.
Both are mine.
But I can have only one.
There are two sides to this tale.
I’m here to tell you mine.
If you think this story is about a cheater, you couldn’t be more wrong.
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WOW. Oh. man. I loved this story!! The suspense kept me glued to my Kindle, each scene revealing the characters’ story, each chapter piecing the story together. When Ashes Fall is truly magnificent and unforgettable!!!
Marni Mann has written one of the most phenomenal books I’ve ever read! When Ashes Fall is a hauntingly beautiful story that cracks open your heart and leaves you raw! Such a truly beautiful love story of one woman and the two men that she loves.
When Alix mets Dylan Cole, owner of a airline their’s a instant attraction. Dylan is used to getting what he wants and when he meets Alix he knows that she is meant to be his and what he wants he gets, and Alix will be his!
Dylan is like the thunder before a storm. Powerful and earth shattering and Alix’s life will never be the same. When she meets Smith Reid, he is so different: he’s gentle and kind and Alix can see that he’s in pain too, but Smith just wants to make Alix smile again and start living again.Little by little Smith is bringing Alix into the light again, and together, the fire is building into a awesome passion, but Alix is hiding a deep secret that is tearing her apart day in and day out. The only way Alix can finally find happiness is to let one man in and to let one go so she can finally heal,it’s her only option.
This book is a beautiful masterpiece of contemporary romance. The characters are interesting and their is more then one dealing with life’s twists and losses! It’s told with honesty and lots of heart and soul! Even though I knew what was coming, it still hit me hard and I cried like a baby! I’m so glad I read this book it wasn’t your typical love triangle it was more,so much more and I loved it!
‘And then I saw something drifting from the sky. It hit my forehead. My cheeks. It dusted my eyelashes. And I knew what it meant. When ashes fall That was the end.’
4* Moment Stars
I really enjoyed this quick paced emotional story about love, loss and second chances. The heartache that the heroine Alix is experiencing will be felt throughout the pages and you will be falling in love with the gentle compassionate Smith Reid and the strong and fierce Dylan Cole. Rose was such a wonderful supportive friend in Alix’s life.
I highly recommend this beautifully written heart-wrenching read.
Epic and unforgettable story!
10 stars and all the sunny days
You absolutely cannot, I repeat CANNOT, read this book in public. I don’t care how badass you think you are. You will not be able to read this with an audience. Thank God my children were at school when it really hit because I am certain at the very least they would have dragged my husband home to hold me. Worst case scenario, I would be explaining to the police and CPS why I can’t stop sobbing.
This book makes The Fault in Our Stars look like those Little Golden books we read as kids. I have a mini migraine coming on from the uncontrollable sobbing. I can barely type this through my unending tears.
There’s so much love in this book. It radiates from the pages. If only that were all though…
When Ashes Fall starts out small. Your brain starts wondering. Your gut might clench. Then your paranoia, anger, and lashing out may start. I did. I sent plenty of messages demanding rewrites if this was going where I thought. (Those were ignored. FYI) Then came bargaining… I was pleading and begging. I even made ridiculous offers to try and change the outcome. I even contemplated stopping. I thought if I didn’t finish it even get half way at that point it wouldn’t hurt. I was so f@cking wrong. You see love isn’t the only thing this book forces on the reader. You are physically helpless. You will feel lost, disoriented, and aimless. Hopelessness and shame. Fear, longing, and despair. Every single emotion is punched into your chest with each word read. This isn’t the kind of writing where the emotions flow. No floating over you like a blanket. No! This is a building falling on you. Your chest is the exact focus of all that crushing weight.
Now I am not saying to avoid this book! No f@cking way. No. I am saying this is a book you need to grieve. You need shelter. You need warmth. You need love. It is going to rip you to shreds and you will need help holding it together afterwards.
I messaged the author in one of my rants and she said she couldn’t do angst. Maury Povich and I say that is a big fat, motherf@cking lie! I would apologize for the uncouth cursing and profanity but I’m so out of sorts I can even get the words to emphasize how much I’m feeling.
I’m still sobbing as I type this but I need you to take at least this from all my rambling- This is quite possible the best emotional rollercoaster I have ever been on. Just like with a rollercoaster, I was excited and nervous to start. Jumping up and down and squealing in glee with my friends. Once I clicked on it, I started to tap my foot and say…um, okaaaaaay. And when this book took off I wasn’t sure whether I should scream or laugh. When the fear replaced joy, I started sobbing uncontrollably. The ride ended but my body is still fighting the adrenaline, the emotions, and I’m exhausted. My head hurts. My eyes and nose are burning. And on the inside…I am experiencing sunny days.
It may not be my first 10 star read (Its actually my second.) But I can’t imagine another novel coming anywhere near close to it.
Thank you Marni for sharing you thoughts and feelings. People won’t realize it quite as much while they read but there is no way not to understand once they hit the author’s note. I know I said I would never love you again…But Maury called me out and said it was a lie.
Thank you for tearing my heart to shreds and holding the pieces in your hands for safe keeping.
Oh and next time you want to tackle angst…warn me!
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
Get the tissues ready!
I’m all over the place after this book. I’ve a huge book hangover. The book was brilliant I think it’s the best book I’ve read this year. The story take a you on an emotional rollercoaster from the start. I was on the edge of my seat from the beginning. I needed to know what was goin to happen or if I was even right with what was happening. I know that might sound crazy. This is a hard review to write cause I don’t want to add any spoilers. It would just spoil the story. The book is written so good that your addicted from the very start.
All the characters in this book have there own story. Everyone of them have had hard time. Alix is the one who is struggling so much but put on this brave face to show the world that she is ok she does need anyone. But deep down life is tearing her part. She is such a strong woman to even fight everyday with what she is dealing with. Dylan and Smith I don’t know where to start so I’m just not goin to say anything but that I luv both of them.
I would highly recommend this book. Everything about it was great. Just have the tissues ready cause you will need them. I luv this author she really know how to put everything into her books.
This has to be my favourite book of all time
It’s not like me to go in blind on a book. Especially with an author that I haven’t even tried. But my fellow readers is raving about Marni Mann. So when this book went on sale, I just had to try.
I like her story telling style. The way that you would want to know more, read ahead to reveal the ending but would also want to devour all words at the same time. I enjoyed the varying POV and the way it went from the past to present. When you’ve read a lot of books, you tend to have a theory of your own on what is happening. I had expected that twist. I really did. I was almost on point on what happened. But when it did, it still smacked me right on the face as if I didn’t know what was coming. The way she told the story made me feel it to my bones. I felt my heart break into million pieces. And fair warning this is not something you want to read in a public place. I gave everything in me not to bawl like a baby. I was silently suffering while making sure that the tears that managed to escaped are wiped immediately. I was worried that the end will feel too rushed as I am nearing 85% but the twist isn’t really showing yet, but it wasn’t. The ending was just perfect.
I loved the way the characters were. You can feel them and understand their turmoils. It’s very easy to connect with them. I like how strong and weak Alix is – How she battled her storm. She may have handled things differently, but I like how she turned out.
This definitely earned 5 suns. I’m glad I took the plunge with Marni Mann.
I read this book two months ago and it is still haunting me. It is heartbreakingly realistic and beautiful, a tale of loss that explores not only what it feels like to lose a loved one, but what it feels like to lose yourself when they’re gone. I loved how we fell in love with two separate, wonderful men and watched the evolution of a tough, loving woman overcome her tragedies.
*** 5 Stars ***
Marni! What can I say? You have completely gutted me. I have the best book hangover. I just can’t even express how strongly I feel for this book, for these characters. It’s insane how quickly a book can become your everything and When Ashes Fall is now my everything. I will buy every version of this book I can get my hands on. I knew from by the get go that I was so deep down the rabbit hole with this one. Marni killed me slowly with every chapter of this book. The love expressed; the depth of that love…ugh I can’t even speak. Who knows when I’ll be able to pick up a new book. I’m going to need at least a couple of days to recover. (Review by Terri “Jane”)
What just happened to my heart.
I feel like I should wait a few days before I write this let the feelings digest. But that’s not my style this book is going to be on my favorites list maybe forever.
Lord almighty this was a good book. I was legit ugly crying at the end even though I had figured out what was going on right from page one. That is the only reason I am not giving it 5-Stars. It was pretty obvious (to me) WHAT had happened it was just the details surrounding certain events that remained a mystery until the end. Even knowing all that it was still a very compelling read.
ohhmyyygahhhh…
I need a moment
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This is my fav book now by Marni Mann!!! I can not tell you how much I loved this book. It is told in such a unique way and truthfully I have never read anything written like this before. It was sooo cool the way it was written.
I will confess that I felt like an elephant was on my chest while reading. I was sooo emotional, this book is soooo emotional…I freaking loved it!!!
Make sure you go one click today, drop everything and read it, you need this book in your life I tell ya!!!
Thank you Marni Mann…sooo EPIC!!
PS…love LOVE LOVED your Authors note at the end…I feel you girl….SAME!!! I cried… xoxo
Written in true Marni fashion, When Ashes Fall was like reading a puzzle. Marni gives you the corner pieces and the edges and you are pretty sure you know what the picture will be but then she gives you the middle pieces and what you see is so much more than you could have ever imagined.
I have to be honest, this is probably the most emotional book I have ever read. You are kept on this precipice that something big happened and when it comes, it will destroy you. So the whole book you sob and cry and don’t really know why, but you know you will and you know the tears will come anyway. Might as well give in now.
But whether you like emotional books or not, doesn’t matter. This book will be for you because the content needs to be shared with the world. The message Marni leaves with us, the characters she shares and the outlook that you will be left with, it’s necessary to survive the cross each of us are given to bear.
MUST READ.
*********** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW ***********
I just… I’m lost for words here. My heart is breaking… so completely broken. Life is made up of moments… happy and beautiful moments, heartbreaking and completely unbelievable moments. That’s what When the Ashes Fall is… it’s a book full of moments. I spent half of this book wondering and kind of confused a bit but over time things in my brain started to click. I didn’t like how they were clicking. After finishing, I can tell you that I don’t like how everything clicked into space. I was surprised to feel the tears running down my face. Let’s just say it’s packed with so much emotion and heart.
The narrators show an amazing talent. We flip and flop between past and present and various character’s POV. Ava Erickson shows a talent that is… well, I really don’t know how I’m supposed to explain how wonderful she was. She really hit Boston on the dot! Rose’s voice made me want to holler out in that New England accent that you just can’t replicate. Aiden Snow and Teddy Hamilton were just as fantastic. They make you feel… like you don’t have a chance. They pull it from you.
Can I just recommend, don’t read reviews that tell you what is happening. Don’t get little tidbits. You’re mind will start to have things click into place… just like mine did. Marni Mann’s writing was perfection. This story is just want you want from a book. The plot, the characters, everything feels so real. It’s all-consuming!
While reading When Ashes Fall, I fell in love. I smiled, swooned. And boy did I cry. For Alix, for her story, her sunny days, her pain and the journey she takes in this book. For each one of these beautifully flawed, deep, and important characters, ones that will hold a special place in your heart, they sure do in mine.
This is a story that gave me goosebumps, that left me holding my breath, turning the pages as fast as possible to see what was coming next. And at the same time making it hard for me to turn the page, tears streaming down my face, heart in my throat. Just when I though where this story was headed, I was spun in the opposite direction and left breathless and applauding the author, while sitting on my bed at midnight, crying.
SO many emotions were felt while experiencing this book. It captivated me, left me breathless and my heart aching. I have never cried so much while reading a book, as I did with When Ashes Fall. It is such a beautiful, raw, passionate, touching story. One I recommend every to go out and read. To experience, all the love, chocolate cake, pain, strength, second chances, smiles, life and sunny days. Marni Mann your writing is addictive and wonderfully special. And I hope your words reach lots and lots of people. And that this characters find their way to everyone.
·I was provided a ARC by the author·
*JordansBookReviews*
Holy Snot!
Be warned, once you pick this up, you will not be able to put it down until you finish it. I thought this would be my first book of the year to finish but instead I couldn’t put it down and finished at 11:23pm NYE. I can say I’m so happy it was my LAST book of the year as it’s one I will remember. It’s so good and gets the blood pumping the entire time. Reminds me fondly of Drive by Kate Stewart.
I think what I loved most was the LOVE that Dylan and Smith have for her. Both mention the same thing, her smile, when they talk about the thing that makes them happy. Making her happy is what makes them both happy.
What broke my heart were times I don’t think Marni intended to be heartbroken times. Don’t get me wrong, there are times I ugly cried and I feel Marni might have done the same while writing those scenes. But it amazes me the way she writes some scenes that just gripped my heart and made the tears flow.
Anyway, I don’t want to spoil it. Just read the story, have tissues handy, try not to be sick at the time you read the book b/c I can tell you breathing was already difficult for me (head cold) and ugly crying didn’t help.
~I volunteered to read an advance copy.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher/author to review.
It has been said tha you can’t love to men at the same time. You can’t split your heart, soul and body in half. But I’m here to tell you, you can. Dylan Cole is like ice, sharp and unpredictable, the thunder inside a tumultuous storm. Smith Reid is warmth, soft and gentle, perfect like a sunny day. Both are mine But I can only have one. There are two side to this tale. I’m here to tell you mine. If you think this sotry is about a cheater, you couldn’t be more wrong.
Every single time I read a Marni Mann book I close it thinking to myself it is my favorite. And it is until the next one comes along and she blow me away once again!!! When Ashes Fall is one of those book that will stick with me for a long long time and I will reread many times. I loved this book so much that I am not sure that I have quiet the right words to say just how much or why. I am a huge fan of multiple points of veiw and this book has three. Alix’s, Dylan’s, and Smith’s, told from the past and the present. If you try to figure out just where this story is going to take you then your going to be disappointed as your not going to figure it out. I was hooked from the get go and devoured this book. I did not want to put it down and pretty much didn’t! To say I was captivated and feeling these emtoions with all these characters would be an understatement. I have to say I cried shamelessly a few times and once everything is out in the open you too will be able to take a deep breathe once again! Marni Mann has written a story that is nothing short or amazing. It is a story that you do not want to miss if you only read on book this year. It will forever be one of my favorites. Thank you Marni Mann for writing such a emotionally beautiful story filled with heartache and pain and so much love.
Alix Rayne learned to appreciate moments in her life. As a first responder, she knew how the tide could turn without warning. The love in her heart kept her grounded but it was split by two men – the commanding Dylan Cole and the compassionate Smith Reid, and she wasn’t ready to let go either of them.
I love painful books that portrayed the fragility of human being and this book is one of them. Each of the characters had their own appeal with personal demons to overcome and each of them handled it differently.
Characters with broken edges spoke to me differently than any other types of character. I love seeing them at their lowest and how they chose to crawl out of the black hole. Smith was my favorite among the three but I also understood the other two’s pain and motivations.
I enjoyed the overall storyline. It was engaging and heartbreaking. I just wish certain aspect of the book wasn’t so obvious because it would have added even more impact.
When Ashes Fall is a story of resilience and letting go. It would appeal to readers looking for an emotionally charged and poignant romance.
Absolutely amazing book!! This is an emotional, gut wrenching, and gripping story. With tragedy comes heartbreak and with heartbreak comes angst. The heart wants what it wants even if the mind knows it isn’t possible. But love will do whatever is necessary to get through life. This is a must read for 2019. Loved it!!