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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I’m so glad I went into When Ashes Fall blindly cause I was on the edge of my seat throughout most the story and I fell in love with the story and its characters. I recommend to other readers to do the same. For your own enjoyment. This story is all about emotions. I felt it deep in my bones. The heroine Alix is a wonderful wonderful heroine who lives her life based on rutines and structure. I appreciate how the author chose to tell Alix’s story. It was exciting following her journey. Her before and after. It’s intense, ugly, sad but most of all beautiful. I’m sorry it’s a vague review but I don’t want to give anything away. Just dive in. Open your hearts. Feel this story. Enjoy it. I sure as hell did.
4 Sunny Days Stars
****5 STARS****
This book was on my most anticipated reads of 2019 and being a lover of all things Marni Mann, I was seriously hoping it would live up to the hype I was giving it…..and I was right, this was an adventure in book form, that gave me everything I wanted, everything I was looking for and made me so happy I am a reader.
Marni is all about the characters, flaws, demands, emotion, connection and she does so much more of that in When Ashes Fall. There are times, while reading, I was feeling so frustrated with the raw intensity and authenticity. Finding faults with where Marni was directing the course of the story and wanting things to go my way. She even got me to cry….I loved this book, and you all know I hate to give spoilers, so you are just getting all of the reasons why this is a Best of 2019 already and why you should one click this book. If you want to feel, and I mean FEEL, this is the book for you. It is outside of my normal Marni reads, and I love it that much more-Reviewed by Catherine(Catty)
I went into this book blind. I didn’t even read the blurb before I started it. and WOW!! I am so glad I did it that way.
This book was AMAZING. It touched my heart in places that haven’t been touched by a book in a long time.
This book is told from 3 POV’s. You start with Alix (present day) and Dylan (the past) . Smith (present day) will enter later.
Alix is a 911 dispatcher and an ex-paramedic. She is living life the best she can. But Alix has demons. Alix has fears. Alix has lived though events that would tear others apart.
Dylan is a private airplane pilot and knew from the moment he saw Alix that she was what he wanted. Dylan and Alix are total opposites. He has money, she lives payday to pay day. He loves the expensive things in life, she loves the simple things. But they make it work. They love hard and fast.
Then there is Smith. Smith is a lawyer. He had a rough childhood but that made him who he is today. Smith and Alix randomly meet one night when his friend over-doses and she helps save him tell the ambulance arrives. They end up talking and decided to go on a date.
But things aren’t that simple for Alix. She knows she can never give Smith all of her because of Dylan.
This story is so much more than I could have asked for. This are smiles and tears. Love and pain. You get to see real emotions. You get to see real life situations. This book isn’t sugar coated. It’s real and raw.
and AMAZING!
This is the first book I have read were a main character is a 911 dispatcher. My husband is a dispatcher and they always go unnoticed.
WHEN ASHES FALL’ is a full length romance story by author Marni Mann. This story is told in multiple perspectives. This flashs back to the ‘Past’ where we get Dylan’s POV then back to the ‘Present’ and we get Alix’s POV and Smiths’s POV.
I want to say, this is very much Alix’s story in every way so in an effort to keep this as spoiler free, I will try to give as much without giving anything away.
All three main characters have their own problems, issues and things that give them all their own say in this story- especially Alix. She was a survivor and my heart broke for her. What she went thru will live with her forever for it was horrifying and I found myself just sobbing at times in this story. Nobody should have to go thru what she had to. In this story, we see the men in Alix’s life ( Dylan and Smith). Who is she going to choose? Things aren’t as simple as they seem. My heart broke for all she went thru and I had a favorite of hers. If I had a minor issue with the story, I would have liked more of an ending instead of the HFN epilogue. That’s my opinion but because of all that the main characters went thru, I would have loved to have seen more of a HEA ending but overall, this was such a touching, gripping, intense, heartbreaking, emotional, unique, complex, passionate and inspiring story. Wow!! This is a story that you do not want to pass up.
My Rating: 4.5 stars *****
I cannot wait for the world to experience this book. It was one of the most gut-wrenching books I’ve ever read. I bulldozed my way through When Ashes Fall, then immediately went and re-read it. I became utterly entranced. I was so intrigued by what I was reading, I couldn’t put it down. I’ve never wanted to skip to the end of a book before, but I swear I almost did with this book. And I’m so glad I didn’t. This book is filled with so many spectacular “moments” that we all should experience.
This author broke my heart but stitched it back up so well. She had my stomach twisting and turning, wondering and taking guesses about what I was reading. It’s gut-wrenching, but it is absolutely a romance book. It’s one of the most angsty romance books I’ve ever read.
You’re going to fall in love with the characters in this book, both the main characters and the side characters. The leading lady in this book, Alix, is so so strong. You don’t realize it at first because of the situations that she puts herself in and is found in, but as you dive more and more into her story you start to realize that there’s just something special about her.
I’ve always known Marni Mann was an amazing author, and this book has solidified her as one my Top 10 go-to authors.
4.5 Sunny Day Stars! What a unique and emotional read. I was intrigued from the beginning and live the dynamics of these characters. Definitely a mysterious and sexy read. Prepare to have your heart strings pulled in many different directions. I highly recommend this read.
“I told you once that you were in my life for only two seconds when I knew I loved you.”
When Ashes Fall is Marni Mann’s latest standalone. It’s set in Boston like many of her other books, and she sets the scene perfectly. I really want to go to Boston! This book is fresh with brand new characters, and, to me, the definition of contemporary romance.
Alix is living day to day but not really living, more like existing. She goes through the motions of her life just trying to make it to the next day. She’s a paramedic, a true life saver. A chance encounter with a patient throws her into a friendship and relationship with Smith. She doesn’t know how to navigate the new territory without muddying up her past and present.
“No, I don’t want to run. Unless it’s toward you…”
It’s taken me a couple of weeks to get my review in order. I had a hard time trying to convey my feelings for this book because they were so profound! When Ashes Fall is the book to read this year, and you need to go in blind! There aren’t many books I recommend reading without looking at reviews or the blurb, but this is 100% one of them. You will laugh, you will cry (a lot, I did), you will swoon. You will find yourself turning the page because you really don’t know where this story is going to go. Marni Mann is a master storyteller, and When Ashes Fall is absolutely a 2019 favorite and a true 6-star read.
One of my top reads of 2019!
This unique story is a refreshing and complex story of love, loss and hope.
It’s a departure from your typical romance story!
Touching and deeply emotional, this read had me totally enthralled from beginning to end.
The build up, and the intensity in this story was immensely gripping and compelling!
Ali’s story was a heartbreaking journey of dualities. Past and present, dark and sharp, versus light and soft.
But fate had other plans.
Can Ali have more sunny days?
This heartbreaking journey was told in dual POV’s, past and present and the mystery surrounding Ali’s story was heartbreaking and poignant. Deeply touching to me, I was afraid this story was going to leave me an emotional mess.
Ali’s story grabbed my heart in ways I never imagined.
Although, I would have liked more character development of the 3 main characters, I truly got to understand the characters and their struggles.
I empathized with Ali’s choices, and her darkness.
This book was all about the emotions.
The beauty of this book, was that in the end it was an uplifting, thought provoking and insightful story.
I don’t even know what to say about this story except it had all the feels. ALL. THE. FEELS. My heart just broke in two for Alix and everything she was feeling and all of the loss of control in her life. Both men had my heart. They were totally different but also just what Alix needed. I really could appreciate all of the complicated emotions this story pulled from the reader with the pain, love, struggle, perseverance…all of it. It’s such a moving story and definitely one you don’t want to miss.
This book deserves so much more than 5 stars… Seriously this is the most devastatingly beautiful book I have read in a really long time. The author wrote it in a way that made you feel every moment and every heartbreak right along with the characters and this is a story that I will not forget anytime soon.
This review is going to be shorter than my norm but I do not want to give anything away as this is a book that should be enjoyed with no preconceived notions. I will say that if you read one book this year, When Ashes Fall, should be it. It will definitely make you cry but trust this author, she will make you whole again, even if she does destroy you first.
#MSquaredReviewed
I am emotionally drained. This is a story that will stay in your heart forever. Unfortunately many people go through it and my grandparents were one of them. This story is beautiful, heartbreaking, loving and practically every emotion you can think of I experienced while reading this story. Alix, Dylan and Smith bring you into there world and make you see things between all 3 of them. No spoilers here but have lots of tissues and chocolate. 5/5 this story is sooo not what your thinking. You won’t be disappointed I promise.
Stories like When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann are my kryptonite! It is emotional and heartbreaking and it consumed me. The writing, the characters, the multiple points of views were flawless and riveting. I want to share so much, because this book really made me feel, but it is also a story that must just be experienced and one I highly recommend.
What I can share is this story grabbed me right from the start and did not let me go. It was touching, raw and real. When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann had my heart twisted throughout the entire story and completely addicted. This author has quickly become a must-read author for me!
Read and reviewed for Sultry Sirens Book Blog.
Happy reading!
Unprecedented….Unusual story that just is like an unexpected explosion.
What do you do when your heart just goes through a wringer and you finish a marni book…..nothing! You just wipe your tears, try and breathe. I just finished the book and it’s like my rib cage was slashed open, my heart just fell to the floor, shattering in pieces. I need to collect them and try to sort my jigsaw puzzle of emotions.
To say that this book is a heart shredder would be an understatement. It’s an ode to survivors, to victims. and like in all odes there’s grief, there’s voids, there’s tears and there’s goodbyes. Soul shattering and tense, grief ridden and intense, this book needs to be read by every human being. It’s not a book, it’s a tearful journey. I and definite Marni suffered while writing this book, it eroded her senses as much as it did ours. She curled up in a ball on the floor like we did too.
I’m so emotionally dessicated, all the tears that poured forth from my eyes have washed away all my thoughts. So to write this review is a major task. Bear with……..
Alix Rayne is in love with two men and is struggling Day & Night who to hold on to and who to let go…( ok I’m crying again)
I didn’t know how to fix it. I didn’t know if I could.
I just knew I was completely in love with Dylan Cole, and Smith Reid had made me smile tonight.
If you thought this book was about cheating- you couldn’t be more WRONG !!!
It’s a love story gone horribly wrong, it doesn’t even let Alix gather any moments
Dylan Cole is the sun of her life, he’s warmth, laughter, bliss…..and love
So is Smith Reid. He’s safety, comfortable, adorable…….and love
So why the conflict….apparently there’s darkness and thunder fogging Alix’s dreams.
My feet weren’t steady. The earth was tilting beneath me, and I couldn’t find my balance. The air I was sucking in was becoming too thick.
Smith has demons too, he’s running away from them and in he sees Alix a kindred spirit.
He gives her a gift of space and patience and she gives him hope
“We both have our own storms.”
“You’re giving me a sunny day?”
“You need it.”
He wants to be her shelter in the storm. Her sunny Day
It’s a very conflicted story, each side has equal amounts of passion, adoration, compassion and abundant love.
The end just blew my mind. I COULD NOT ever in my dreams imagine how marni wove such a horrendous disaster in the climax. It’s beyond vocalizations NOBODY should have to go through a devastation of this magnitude.
I cried for Alix
I cried for Dylan
I cried for Smith
They and all those around them…..know that my heart weeps for you.
(There go my tears again)
I was talking to my bestie Laura and we both agreed that give marni ANY genre , ANY trope, ANY topic, she just excels in EVERY BOOK !
This is the same writer who wrote super sexy, panty melting SIGNED series, then went super dark with Prisoner, Monster, Animal.
Made a U-turn and set the pages on fire with LOVER and who can forget her Memoirs duet….
She’s a gifted writer, writes from the heart and that seeps through in her words. I could feel her tears, her pain, her grief and I sympathized and empathised.
Whatever she writes, I’ll read and devour every word , ALWAYS
“Don’t you want to run?”
“No, I don’t want to run,Unless it’s toward you, and then my answer is yes.”
Brilliant. Phenomenal. Exceptional
5 ++ stars for Sunny Days after the storm
I don’t really know how else to start this review except with a warning: Marni Mann has decided to come out swinging, so be prepared as you’ll be left swaying on your feet. You honestly have no idea what this book is about, (believe me I tried to get it out of her for months), but it doesn’t stop you from falling in love with her words and her talent. The level of emotion that she conveys with each word left me gasping because I knew the inevitable anvil would fall. Alix’s story was tumultuous, sexy, romantic and almost other worldly. I never wanted it to end!
The beauty of reading a book by this author is that you never know what you are going to get. I seriously had five theories in my head while reading and all of them were wrong and quite honestly, none of them can compare to the shocking twist when you figure out what you are reading. This is truly one of the most heartbreaking and beautiful stories I have ever read. I laughed, I sobbed and I ached for these characters. The pain they felt on paper was almost visceral and shocking in its intensity. This story really was so genius.
I can honestly say this book is her best work to date. I say it all the time but it’s so true: Ms. Mann’s talent is immeasurable and her words are a gift. I want to savor them each and every time because they not only change me but make me exponentially better each time. Bravo! 6 stars! ~Ratula
When Ashes Fall by Marni Mann
5 Stars
“You’re asking to see my storm.”
WOW! WOW! WOW! This book is like no other I’ve read. What a unique story and heart wrenching read. This had my emotions all over the board as I read this tormented love story.
“We had cracks. And, as the months passed, I learned some deepened while others got filled in.”
This book is filled with so much depth, loyalty, love, guilt, secrets, heartache, healing, love and inspiration.
“They told me the music would eventually start to play. They just didn’t tell me I would dance again.”
I knew this book would be incredible!
Marni Mann delivers an emotionally charged story that will touch the bottom of your heart and stay with you forever!
You will go through every page guessing what’s happening, making assumptions that definitely will surprise you in the end, but it’s the way it’s written between the past and the present and from various POV’s, along with the tumultuous feelings so well described that will definitely make you ache for the beautiful Alix.
Her pain is palpable, her will almost null, but it’s the little moments that help her believe and fight for happiness.
Feelings, moments, sunny days and chocolate cake, the perfect recipe for a perfect book!
I went totally blind to this book and what a ride.
I went to the skies, I saw the most amazing sunrise, I saw the deepest darkest, I experience saddest that made breathlessly, I felt body so warm that I could melt the snow with my bare hands, I had so many feeling reading this book.
Marni Mann put her heart into it, and you can feel in every word, every page since I got this book I felt enchanted, and I couldn’t stop reading.
This book tells no one love story but many, all to the same woman.
The level of emotions is, so hight feels like you were in another dimension when you finished and you need a good hug to settle you down.
This book will be forever in my heart.
10 Amazing Sunny Stars!
Before anything else, let me just say…. oh my gosh! What in the world was that?! I totally was blown away… I literally took a while to compose myself. As I went from one chapter to another, I was like OH.MY.GOD and what’s going on—every friggin time.
This story may seem like a love triangle between Dylan, Alix and Smith…but it really isn’t.
I don’t know how to go about this without giving anything away. All I can say that it’s so good and even days after reading the book I’m still reeling my emotions in whenever I think about it… Yes, I may have ugly-cried about a book in December but this one… this one totally destroyed my heart. I literally sobbed and lips were trembling…
To be honest, I was very confused… the first few chapters took me for a spin. I didn’t know how to react after each chapter… like it didn’t make sense…
As a I go deeper into the story, I got resentful towards Dylan, got frustrated at Alix and pitied Smith… but still there was that niggling feeling… like, will this all make sense? I’m an anxious reader, so I was like what is really happening? These characters were playing games with my heart and my mind… and then everything only made sense as I was nearing towards the end.
Man, I wish I was emotionally prepared for reading this.. I didn’t read the reviews except for the blurb… I went in blind…
The feelings took me by a storm and I had to breathe in and breathe out because I was so overwhelmed… And that time someone asked what happened to my face, I would explain that I’d just read this amazing book and it goes like this… and then I would cry again.
I guess I could say that I can relate to the PTSD part because I’ve lost people so close to me and haven’t really gotten over it… and I could also say that I like the hope and positivity it brought in the end. Grief has no timeline… feelings can’t always be sorted out as one specific thing…
I definitely recommend reading this book! I do wish there was a longer epilogue but its amazing, I can’t stress it enough.
Make sure to stock on some Kleenex and a bottle of water… or wine. Whichever would help you cope… I will always remember this book as the first book in 2019 that broke my heart and stitched it back, and the one that me made me ugly-cry after a very long time.
WOW! This book blew me away! I don’t remember ever wanting to ugly cry so much over a book before. This book features Dylan and Alix . The anticipation that builds throughout the story is breathtaking. The story structure is brilliantly assembled. In the beginning you might think it’ll be confusing but it totally works with the storytelling. It’s one of those great books that run through your head like a movie. It’s hard to tell you about the story without giving too much away. Let me just say that it’s about those special, life altering, lifelong loves, second chances and the best kind of friendships. It’s a tragic but beautiful at the same time, story of survival.
I can’t say enough about this wonderful story and the author who wrote it. I highly recommend you read this one!
Up until now I’ve always said that Prisoned was my favorite book written by Marni Mann. That is no longer true. She literally blew me away with this book…. it is, by far, her best book ever in my opinion!
I advise everyone to go into this book without any preconceptions, don’t read reviews, definitely don’t look for spoilers. When I started this book, I really didn’t even know what it was supposed to be about. That’s how everyone should read this!
This book kept me absolutely spellbound. I couldn’t put it down. I was pretty sure I knew what was going on, but I still didn’t know any details, and those details wrecked me! This book broke my heart, ripped it out and destroyed it! This book will make you feel ALL the feelings!! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll want to throw your kindle and scream…. but when it’s all over, you’ll sigh and say what an amazing love story it was! I can’t recommend this book enough!!