Previously published as Fragments of Ash. Re-released as Braveheart, a love story 14 February 2020
Buy: Kindle Ebook | Paperback
Blurb
From New York Times bestselling author Katy Regnery comes a dark and twisted tale of an innocent caught in a madman’s evil plans.
My name is Ashley Ellis…
I was thirteen years old when my mother – retired supermodel, Tig – married Mosier Răumann, who was twice her age and the head of the Răumann crime family.
When I turned eighteen, my mother mysteriously died. Only then did I discover the dark plans my stepfather had in store for me all along; the debauched “work” he expected me to do.
With the help of my godfather, Gus, I have escaped from Mosier’s clutches, but his twin sons and henchmen have been tasked with hunting me down. And they will stop at nothing to return my virgin body to their father
…dead or alive.
** Contemporary Romance. Due to profanity and very strong sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.** Formerly published as Fragments of Ash.
Find Braveheart on GOODREADS
Review
4 stars!
Ashley was just thirteen when her washed out Hollywood mother, Tig, married Mosier, the wealthy businessman who promised to take care of them. Then, five years later Ashley finds her world flipped upside down when her mother dies and she learns of the plans her stepfather has for her after she graduates from high school. Desperate to get out of his grasp, she flees to the only friend she has who can hide her away.
This story really draws you in and makes you feel for the characters. I really enjoyed Ashley and Julian and felt their love story was beautiful and special. Ashley was such a sweet girl whose childhood broke my heart. I felt the confusion, frustration, and sadness that surrounded her when her mother died and the utter fear she experiences when she discovers what her stepfather wants of her. She is young and naive but she is strong and brave. She has a beautiful soul and a big heart, and she deserved to find her happily ever after.
Julian is sexy, broody, and ex-military. He struggles with things that happened in his past that set his life on a different course but we don’t know what those things are and I enjoyed the mystery surrounding his past. On top of that, Julian is far from happy when he learns that Ashley’s moving into the house he rents and having her there just adds to his grumpiness.
I felt the tension between Julian and Ashley from the moment they met. It builds the more time they spend together and I loved watching their feelings grow. New feelings that make the butterflies take flight and a sweet smile form when you know they are meant to be together. Watching them fall hard and bring true love into each other’s lives warmed my heart.
This story is a beautiful slow burn romance. Even with the amazing chemistry and increasing sexual tension they take time to get to know each other. Without rushing into it, they form an unbreakable bond that stands strong against the challenges they face.
I remind myself that these are fleeting moments—that the likelihood that this story somehow ends in my favor isn’t strong. But no matter what, this time—right here, right now—is mine. One day, I will remember that once upon a time, I knew happiness, and it will help me bear my sorrow when it’s gone.
And even if they fear for what the future holds, they go all in and love fiercely, completely, and unconditionally.
We are in between right now, on an island between the past and the future. It’s finite and it’s fragile, and no matter what happens next, I want to make the very most of this moment with him.
The story is both dark and light, and the balance between the two is well done, creating a nice depth to the story. It’s romantic and emotional, exciting and suspenseful. There were chilling moments that set the stage for the terror that was possible and I felt the angst grow. There are twists that change everything and I loved watching the story unfold, especially with the fast-pacing toward the ending.
We are living in a fairytale world, my love and me.
But the day will come when, like a fragile piece of glass dropped to the ground, our world will shatter around us. Until then, we steal our piece of heaven, quietly hoping that the strength of our growing love can trounce the hounds of hell, knowing all the while that it can’t.
As the I got closer to the final chapters I was worried and consumed with how everything was going to play out. And while the ending wrapped up fairly quickly, I enjoyed the way things went down.
Overall, Braveheart is another beautiful story that placed love in my heart and a smile on my face.
*ARC generously provided by the author and Give Me Books Promotions when it was released as Fragments of Ash*