Book Blurb:
I should have died.
I should have been forgotten.
But I didn't, and I wasn't.
I should have been forgotten.
But I didn't, and I wasn't.
Living the life most women only dream about, I was madly in love with my soulmate--Asher Valentine--amazing husband, loving father, and rock's favorite frontman. A man who loved me every day, in every way, since we first met as teens. We were blessed with a beautiful daughter who was the light of our life. My all-female rock band was tearing up the charts.
Then tragedy struck, and I lost it all.
Now, after waking from an eight-year coma, all I have is a stack of journals, an antique key, and a big black void where my memories should be.
Used to be.
And I have him--this man with wild hair, tattoos from head to toe, a soft voice, and an even softer touch that gives me butterflies. He's clearly hopelessly in love with his wife.
I'm told that's me.
But that wife is gone, and she took everything they once had, leaving me in her place.
A broken replacement. A new version that doesn't quite fit.
I'm slowly falling in love with him, but will he ever truly love me? Or will he forever be in love with her, the phantom woman who haunts us both?
Full disclosure: This blurb caught my eye months ago in a Facebook advertisement for Carian Cole. I had never heard of Carian Cole or read one of her books. I love discovering new authors so I was excited to discover I really wanted to read her book. I was distraught when I realized the book wasn't available to read right then and there. There was no release date to be found. I needed this story with every fiber of my book-loving soul. It touched my heartstrings on such a deep level.
Every few weeks, I would check to see when the book would be released. I should have read the previous books in this series first, but I was stuck in limbo waiting for this book. Asher is part 6 of the Ashes and Embers Series. A few days ago I checked and finally, FINALLY, hit pay dirt. I was ecstatic! Needless to say I bought the book immediately and hunkered down to read Asher's and Ember's story.
Very important side note: Asher and Ember actually look like the cover models!!!! WINNER! So detailed! I wanted to squeal with joy. So spot on. Accurate.
Asher and Ember Valentine met young and fell in love quick, and hard. The book begins with Asher and Ember after they've been together for almost 15 years. They have a discussion to reevaluate the state and goals of their relationship, and then tragedy strikes. A freak accident takes Ember away from Asher for eight years... EIGHT YEARS!!! Process that for a moment.
Carian Cole possesses an amazing talent which allowed me not just to SEE this tragedy take place, but I FELT it. I felt it so deep inside I couldn't help but to cry. I felt their pain as a shiver through my soul. It took root in my heart and I wanted to scream with them. I kid you not. This moment was so vivid.
After eight years, almost everyone has given up on Ember. Everyone except Asher. She has been in a comatose state. Her husband Asher has visited her almost every single day during those eight years. When he married Ember and swore to be there for her in sickness and in health... he MEANT it. She's the love of his life. When Ember miraculously wakes up, these two experience so many ups and downs to try to find their way back to each other.
Ember has amnesia and has no clue who Asher is. Their friends. Their family. Their relationship. Their daughter. All gone. The scenes between Asher and Ember brought tears to my eyes so many times. As a wife and mother I was so hurt for them. I couldn't help but to put myself in Asher's shoes. I can't imagine "losing" my husband this way. He survived and is alive, and yet our memories, our life together, are dead in his mind. Just gone.
Once Ember wakes up, there's a long road of therapy and healing that she must embark on. Asher also has some unresolved issues due to the traumatic experience he went through. Asher always puts on a brave face to keep Ember comfortable. Keep in mind: she is meeting everyone for the first time in her mind. Not easy!
Just when you think everything is finally going perfectly, Asher and Ember are muddling along rebuilding their life, Carian throws in the fiercest curveball. I was so blindsided by this twist I went from casually lounging in my reading chair to sitting up in shock. I practically got up out of my chair. SO GOOD!! I think I literally exclaimed out loud, "No freaking way! What?!"
Will Asher and Ember make it through this curvy road? Thankfully, the characters worked their way through this twist and were able to find their happily-ever-after ending.
I absolutely love it when an author can draw me so deep into the story that my emotions are pulled out. My tears definitely flowed in this book. Asher wrecked me and rebuilt me. It's a MUST READ!
I am hooked on this world of characters. My soul is finally soothed after finally reading Asher. The wait was definitely worth it. I'm now ready to embark on a journey through the entire world of the Ashes and Embers Series. Also the related All Torn Up Series. I am ready to binge these babies. Carian Cole has won me over as a fan.
RATING: 5/5 STARS ✰✰✰✰✰ (Really, though, 5 is not high enough in my opinion)
Website: https://www.cariancolewrites.com/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/CarianColeGroupies
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Buy this book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B089HQCKWP
Happy reading!
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