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A review by lydiarama
Mrs. Nash's Ashes by Sarah Adler
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
What a wonderful debut! I can tell Sarah Adler is going to be another instant-buy/borrow author for me. I had some doubts at first, as I felt the first couple of chapters were a bit clunky and awkward, but the doubts were swept away very quickly once Adler caught her stride, and then Millie’s honest, matter-of-fact, hopeful voice was like a friend I’ve known all my life. As a “silly thing,” myself, I felt a strong kinship with her.
Hollis is rude and seemingly unkind at first, almost to the point of causing doubts about his character, but Adler pulls off the magic trick that truly great romance writers are able to perform in enemies-to-lovers and opposites-attract stories and eventually made his grumpy, tortured-writer countenance pay off a little under halfway through. Seeing Hollis open up under the sunshine of Millie’s kooky, big-hearted nature was beautiful and swoon-worthy.
The best surprise of the book, however, was that there was another love story hidden inside like a delicious multi-layered candy. Rose and Elsie’s love is bittersweet, nostalgic, and transcendent. It broke my heart as much as it put it back together. Their story, as each others’ one-that-got-away, is a perfect backdrop for Millie and Hollis’ struggle to take chances and to trust in love when you find it, even if taking the leap is terrifying.
This is a perfect read for lovers of Sally Thorne and Sarah Hogle. I’m so happy I found it.
Hollis is rude and seemingly unkind at first, almost to the point of causing doubts about his character, but Adler pulls off the magic trick that truly great romance writers are able to perform in enemies-to-lovers and opposites-attract stories and eventually made his grumpy, tortured-writer countenance pay off a little under halfway through. Seeing Hollis open up under the sunshine of Millie’s kooky, big-hearted nature was beautiful and swoon-worthy.
The best surprise of the book, however, was that there was another love story hidden inside like a delicious multi-layered candy. Rose and Elsie’s love is bittersweet, nostalgic, and transcendent. It broke my heart as much as it put it back together. Their story, as each others’ one-that-got-away, is a perfect backdrop for Millie and Hollis’ struggle to take chances and to trust in love when you find it, even if taking the leap is terrifying.
This is a perfect read for lovers of Sally Thorne and Sarah Hogle. I’m so happy I found it.