Ash Reads Stuff

Built to Last by Erin Hahn Publication Date:  October 18th, 2022 Pages: 336 Genre: Romance My Goodreads Rating: 3 stars Goodreads Synopsis: Two childhood sweethearts find a second chance at love in this adult romance debut from a critically acclaimed young adult author. Shelby Springfield has spent the last ten years trying to overcome her past, sanding it away like she does the rough spots on the vintage furniture finds she makes over. But as a former child star, it’s hard to forget a mediocre pop career, a meltdown widely documented by the paparazzi, and a huge public break with her former co-star Lyle Jessup. It’s also hard to forget her other co-star and childhood sweetheart, Cameron Riggs -- the one who got away. Anytime Shelby has called, Cameron has come running… And then he runs right off again to chase stories around the world by making documentaries, too scared to admit what he really wants. But when Lyle stirs the pot, getting the two back in the spotlight with a home ...

Brighter  by Rochelle Allison Publication Date: December 3rd, 2017 Pages: 247 (kindle) Genre: Contemporary Romance My Goodreads Rating:  4 stars Synopsis:  Sometimes the detour gets us home faster than the main road ever could...  Overachiever Alina Wright has two goals: blaze through grad school, and snag a job in marine conservation. Her academic career has always been meticulously planned and executed, so when a summer internship fall through, she’s at a loss.  Until her friend-with-benefits, Theo, invites her on a trip to the tropics...no strings, no expectations.  Days of glimmering beaches and nights dancing beneath the stars, a vibrant culture and a community of close friends, life on St. Croix is meant to be savored. Things with Theo cool, but other passions fire up and it doesn’t take long for Alina to fall in love with the island—or with Jude Larsen, the irresistible bartender downtown.  All vacations come...

Intercepted by Alexa Martin Publication Date: September 4, 2018 Pages: 320 (kindle) Genre: Contemporary Romance My Goodreads Rating: 4 stars Goodreads Synopsis: Marlee thought she scored with the man of her dreams only to be scorched by a bad breakup. Now there's a new player on the horizon and he's in a whole league of his own... Marlee Harper is the perfect girlfriend. She's sure had enough practice, dating her NFL-star boyfriend for the last ten years. But when she discovers her wide-receiver boyfriend has been tackling other women on the sly, she vows to never date an athlete again. Only one problem: Gavin Pope, the new hotshot quarterback and a fling from the past, has Marlee in his sights. Gavin fights to show Marlee he's nothing like her ex and what a future can be like for them. Unfortunately, not everyone is ready to let her escape her past. Gavin's teammates' wives, who never led the welcome wagon, are not happy with her return, a...

Ghosted by Rosie Walsh  Publication Date: July 24, 2018 Pages:  352 (hardcover) Genre: Contemporary My Goodreads Rating:  4 stars Synopsis:  Seven perfect days. Then he disappeared. A love story with a secret at its heart. When Sarah meets Eddie, they connect instantly and fall in love. To Sarah, it seems as though her life has finally begun. And it's mutual: It's as though Eddie has been waiting for her, too. Sarah has never been so certain of anything. So when Eddie leaves for a long-booked vacation and promises to call from the airport, she has no cause to doubt him. But he doesn't call. Sarah's friends tell her to forget about him, but she can't. She knows something's happened--there must be an explanation. Minutes, days, weeks go by as Sarah becomes increasingly worried. But then she discovers she's right. There is a reason for Eddie's disappearance, and it's the one thing they didn't share with each other: ...

Sweet Tea and Sympathy  by Molly Harper Publication Date: November 21st, 2017 Pages: 320 (paperback) Genre: Contemporary Romance My Goodreads Rating: 5 stars Goodreads Synopsis: Beloved author Molly Harper launches a brand-new contemporary romance series, Southern Eclectic, with this story of a big-city party planner who finds true love in a small Georgia town. Nestled on the shore of Lake Sackett, Georgia is the McCready Family Funeral Home and Bait Shop. (What, you have a problem with one-stop shopping?) Two McCready brothers started two separate businesses in the same building back in 1928, and now it’s become one big family affair. And true to form in small Southern towns, family business becomes everybody’s business. Margot Cary has spent her life immersed in everything Lake Sackett is not. As an elite event planner, Margot’s rubbed elbows with the cream of Chicago society, and made elegance and glamour her business. She’s riding high until one event goes ...

I forgot to do one of these for May, so we'll add it all in together. May was tough because it was the last month of school and most of my time was spent stressing out over school stuff. But June? June was amazing because I have all the time in the world now. I've finally been able to catch up on my Goodreads Reading Challenge goal and, as of today, I'm only one book behind.  So, on with the books. As usual, they'll be in Five Stars, Four Stars, or Three Stars. If you ever want to read reviews check out the blog or find me on Goodreads . Five Stars       Fours Stars         Three Stars               That's all I've got for you! I hope you find something amazing to read this summer. If I haven't read it, tell me about it! 

Kissing Max Holden  by Katy Upperman Publication Date: August 1, 2017 Pages: 336 (kindle) Genre: Young Adult My Goodreads Rating:  5 Stars Goodreads Synopsis:  “Jilly. . . if you tell me to go home, I will.” After his father has a life-altering stroke, Max Holden isn't himself. His long-time friend Jillian Eldridge only wants to help him, but she doesn't know how. So when he climbs through her window one night, she knows that she shouldn't let him kiss her. But she does. When they're caught in the act by her dad, she swears it'll never happen again. Because kissing Max Holden is a terrible idea. With a new baby sibling on the way, and her parents fighting all the time, Jillian spends more and more time with Max. And not kissing Max is easier said than done, even though she knows he still has a girlfriend. Will Jill follow her heart, and allow their kisses to blossom into something more, or will she listen to her head and stop kissing Max Holden ...

How to Make a Wish by Ashley Herring Blake Publication Date: May 2, 2017 Pages: 336 (kindle) Genre: Young Adult My Goodreads Rating: 4 Stars Goodreads Synopsis: All seventeen year-old Grace Glasser wants is her own life. A normal life in which she sleeps in the same bed for longer than three months and doesn't have to scrounge for spare change to make sure the electric bill is paid. Emotionally trapped by her unreliable mother, Maggie, and the tiny cape on which she lives, she focuses on her best friend, her upcoming audition for a top music school in New York, and surviving Maggie’s latest boyfriend—who happens to be Grace’s own ex-boyfriend’s father. Her attempts to lay low until she graduates are disrupted when she meets Eva, a girl with her own share of ghosts she’s trying to outrun. Grief-stricken and lonely, Eva pulls Grace into midnight adventures and feelings Grace never planned on. When Eva tells Grace she likes girls, both of their worlds open up. But,...

Once and For All  by Sarah Dessen Publication Date: June 6, 2017 Pages: 358 (hardcover) Genre: Young Adult My Goodreads Rating: 3 Stars Goodreads Synopsis: Louna, daughter of famed wedding planner Natalie Barrett, has seen every sort of wedding: on the beach, at historic mansions, in fancy hotels and clubs. Perhaps that's why she's cynical about happily-ever-after endings, especially since her own first love ended tragically. When Louna meets charming, happy-go-lucky serial dater Ambrose, she holds him at arm's length. But Ambrose isn't about to be discouraged, now that he's met the one girl he really wants. Sarah Dessen’s many, many fans will adore her latest, a richly satisfying, enormously entertaining story that has everything—humor, romance, and an ending both happy and imperfect, just like life itself. My Review: I'll have to admit to being a little disappointed with this one. Sarah Dessen is one of my favorite authors and I've read all o...

Ready to Run by Lauren Layne Publication Date: August 22, 2017 Pages: 175 (ebook) Genre: Contemporary Romance My Goodreads Rating: 3 Stars Goodreads Synopsis: Jordan Carpenter thinks she’s finally found the perfect candidate for Jilted, a new dating show about runaway grooms: Luke Elliott, a playboy firefighter who’s left not one but three brides at the altar. The only problem? Luke refuses to answer Jordan’s emails or return her calls. Which is how she ends up on a flight to Montana to recruit him in person. It’s not Manhattan but at least the locals in Lucky Hollow seem friendly . . . except for Luke, who’s more intense—and way hotter—than the slick womanizer Jordan expected. Eager to put the past behind him, Luke has zero intention of following this gorgeous, fast-talking city girl back to New York. But before he can send her packing, Jordan’s everywhere: at his favorite bar, the county fair, even his exes’ book club. Annoyingly, everyone in Lucky Hollow seems to ...