Thank you to NetGalley and to the Publisher for giving me this eArc to review.

I tried to like this book but I just couldn't make it past 50%. The pacing felt off and I didn't like how there were so many chapters dedicated to the past as it felt quite clunky and threw off the pacing.

Unfortunately this archived before I realised my copy wasn’t working so can’t leave a review apologies

This is my first book by this author and now I want to read her back catalogue.

The book starts with a bang it is action packed and fast paced and at times took my breath away. I liked both Scarlet and Trent and there is no denying the chemistry they have, from the start I was routing for this young couple. From a young age Scarlet is a pawn to be used by her father he uses any means necessary to turn her into a tool he can use. I loved how the story is a love story wrapped in danger and betrayal. There were some genuine tender moments that made me swoon but the reader is waiting for the hammer to fall because we know more than Trent. Scarlet evolved into the woman her father wanted and I wasn't sure whether to be proud or angry at her for her choices. The second half of the book was mysterious and revealed lots of the missing parts of the story leading to one big conclusion. This is a standalone but I would not only like more from Trent ands Scarlet but also other characters in the story.

This book is Awemazing and filled with love, betrayal, revenge and forgiveness. Scarlett is forced into a lifestyle by her horrible father. In order to protect herself and others she does unspeakable and unforgivable actions...even against people she loves. While she’s on one of her jobs she meets Trent...the man she’s supposed to hate. Trent is living his best life and has a job that he loves. He meets and instantly falls for Scarlett. Little does he know she’s is about to destroy his career and his life...but he does know the whole story of why she betrayed him. These characters are so deep, dark and complex. Scar is an amazing, strong woman and Trent is protective and fierce! This is a must read! I requested an arc and I am proving my honest review.

"Loving him never meant happily ever after."

Scar is a beautiful story of true love, revenge, and overcoming impossible situations.

Second-chance romances are kryptonite to me. They are poignant and heartbreaking, but the unending love there always captures my heart. Scar was definitely a tragic and romantic story, but it also had something different and unique to offer. Combining motocross, the cartel, and sting operations, Scar was a story I'd never seen before.

"It's hard to breathe when you're away from me. All I can think about is when I'll see you again, or how I can make you smile."

Scarlet Reyes is the daughter of a cartel boss. Unwillingly forced into the harsh life of a puppet attached to her father's strings, Scarlet goes where he points and kills who he condemns. When he sends her to take down an enemy who made an embarrassment of him in the past, Scarlet does what she has to do. It's not just her freedom on the line--her life and the lives of those she cares about depends on her taking down Trent Nichols.

Scar details both Scarlet and Trent's past together, as well as the present. From young lovers to enemies, hurt and betrayal saturates the pages of their story. I loved how interesting the story was, in addition to the romance. Scarlet was a wonderful character. She was strong and warm, despite her cold upbringing. I loved Trent and Scarlet together and their messy, beautiful story.

This is not the first time this author has swept me off my feet. A.M. Brooks does an exceptional job of writing with so much emotion that the reader has to feel it.

I received an ARC in exchange for leaving an honest review.

I really got into this book and enjoyed it Scar and Trent are like destined for one another... the chemistry between them ! I liked how it went from last to present and told it from beginning, to how it ended up, I loved the motor-cross in it to. The ending was good but I was expecting a bit different a way I could try to explain without giving it away it seemed to easy? I would of liked more epilogue on the ending.

Raise your hands if you’re on the A.M. Brooks train! 🙋🏻‍♀️

I have been loving her books so much and Scar is no exception. 
I hadn’t even realised that I had hit the 75% mark of the book and that the sun would rise within 2 hours…I knew I had to stop and get some sleep but my brain was like “What’s sleep? Let’s continue on with Scar and Trent.”


I obviously agreed.


Scar was an absolute page turner for me. Filled with twist and turns, so much love and angst… Scar was an adventure to read.
Really enjoyed reading Scar and I highly recommend that you check out A.M. Brooks’s books out.

Scar is a dramatic romance with a Mafia/Mob/Crime family vibe, with a bit of a twist - the heroine is the heir to a crime family, instead of the hero as I am used to reading. Scarlet has been raised to be used as a weapon since she was a young girl, and is struggled to survive in a world dominated by her father and other violent men. Along the way, she meets Trent Nichols and they have a very turbulant relationship.

Although I enjoyed the overall plot of this book, I did struggle to engage with the characters and the romance at times. This may have been in part to the structure of the story. We start towards the end of the timeline, flashback and then see the whole history of the relationship before bringing us back to the present day to see the end of the story. There wasn't particualry anything wrong with this, or the writing, but it just didn't work for me. I also wasn't sure if the motorbike racing element was strictly necessary, as I didn't feel it added anything to the plot.

I tried. I really tried but i just didnt like the way this was written. It's confusing because sometimes I didn't know who was really talking also some scenes dragged so much I ended up dropping this and grabbing another book and that's bad for me because it means I'm definitely not enjoying the book.
This is my third book from this author and although their books aren't bad or boring, I've come to the realization that it's not for me. I'm sure it'll be for others.


Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

After devouring the Midwest Boys Series from A.M. Brooks, I was thrilled to see a new standalone from her. SCAR is about Scarlet Reyes and Trent Nichols.

Trent was an assignment to Scarlet. She was forced by her criminal father to spy on him. But she fell for him, hard. In order to save him from her father’s wrath, she had to betray him six years ago. So she could become the queen of her father’s criminal empire. And now Trent is back. To bring her empire down. But Trent doesn’t know the whole story Forced to work together, Trent slowly discovers more and more about Scarlet’s past and the scars she bears. So maybe he is not the only one scarred. An emotional rollercoaster, true to A.M. Brooks. What a ride.

Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

This book was so good! I loved Trent and Scarlets story! It’s full of action fast paced and gave me all the feels. The twists and turns the emotions it put me through this book was amazing in every way. A original compelling read that I am left in awe of ! Definite must read from this author!

ARC received from The Next Step PR. Voluntarily reviewing and all opinions are objective and my own.

A.M. Brooks has a particular style with her storytelling, and it definitely came out the strongest in Scar. Intrigue, angst, revenge, wrapped up in a ball of a second-chance romance. Having never reading the Hearts Duet, I went into Scar blind as to who Trent was, but as this is a standalone, I really didn’t feel it changed anything for me.

I particularly enjoyed all the flashback chapters showing when Scarlet and Trent first met. They are especially swoon-worthy! And quite the opposite of the present chapters. Out comes the cold, unfeeling characters as revenge and sting operations take a front seat.

Not to say it didn’t work for the story or the characters! Such a powerful second-chance romance and i’m so pleased Scar and Trent got their happy ending.

I tried really hard to get into this story but I felt I was missing something, like I should have read something else before this one. I was confused at times. It is suspenseful and intriguing.

What didn’t work for me might work for you. Liking and enjoying a story is subjective. Told in a dual POV with an HEA.

My third book by this author and I continue to be a fan!

Engaging, action-packed, emotional!

Wonderful character builds!

Trent and Scarlet's lives pulled me in and I was there every step of the way routing for their HEA!

The author kept me on the edge of my seat!

I read this story in one sitting; devouring every word, paragraph, page!

I loved it and would definitely be happy with more!

So Ashton does it again. I literally love reading her books and every time a new one comes out I have to grab it up. This book jumps time but it’s easy to follow along. You go through everything with these people and you understand everything or so it seems. The thing Of it is the ending you won’t regret coming. It literally came out of left filed for me and I loved it.
Ashton I really hope write more like this one. Mafia ties and cops.....it’s like cops and robbers. So good,

A story that blends the cartel with motocross racing. It is a second chance book. Trent and Scarlett’s story is an emotional book. The book has the love, betrayal, and revenge angle.

This crime drama was filled with passion and suspense. I found myself blushing during some of the scenes with Trent and Scarlet. Thier chemistry was phenomenal. The intense criminal moments had me bitting my nails. My emotions were all over the place and I loved it.

Star Rating : 4/5 Stars

POV : Dual

Cliffhanger : None

Hero : Trent

Heroine : Scar

Pace of the story : Fast

Angst Rating : 5/10

Heat Rating : 5/10

Triggers Involved : Past Trauma

Plot Summary :
Scarlett is a weapon created by her father. She doesn't know it, but he uses her in the worst way by making her seduce boys for his benefit only to destroy them later. One such target of hers was the boys she loved and then later destroyed. Trent. He was everything she never knew she needed and she soon found herself breaking all her rules for him. But she knew what that meant for him. There is no way her father would have left him alive so she destroyed his life in order to keep him safe. Only he didn't seem to agree with that.

The only thing that has kept Trent alive is his need for revenge. His need to hurt Scarlett and take what was his. She will pay for her sins and that will be by his hand. He will make her suffer and break her just like she did to him. What he didn't expect was for her truth to change everything.

Overall Opinion :
I loved this book so freaking much! It was a short read and I finished it pretty fast but I loved it nonetheless. Scar and Trent have this amazing story. My heart hurt for both of them since they suffered so much but it was all worth it by the end.

This book was an amazing one time read for me, I liked it and would recommend it to all the second Chance dark romance lovers out there!

❝𝑺𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒒𝒖𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒘𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔.❞- 𝑨𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒖𝒔

‘𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫’ by 𝐀.𝐌. 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 is a contemporary, new-ish adult, second chance romance. *SIGH* I feel like I have been waiting for Trent’s story FOREVER and Brooks did NOT disappoint. Brooks readers first met Trent in the ‘𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐞𝐭’ ([book:hearts-and-bruises-hearts-series-by-a-m-brooks] & [book:hearts-and-flowers-hearts-series-by-a-m-brooks]), although ‘𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫’ IS standalone, and I don’t feel like you would be missing out if you didn’t, I would suggest checking out the ‘𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬 𝐃𝐮𝐞𝐭’ (it’s a great read!) and you can get a bit of a better understanding of the event Trent was involved in when he was younger that is mentioned in ‘𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫’.

‘𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫’ is a bit different compared to most stories as this time around the heroine is the perceived “bad guy” who did the hero wrong. You don’t get many stories that go that route and although second chance romance isn’t one of my favorite genres, this plot was an amazing read! In ‘𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫’ we see flashbacks of when Trent first met Scarlet, and what led up to their separation as well as why Scarlet is back now and how the two are trying to navigate working together with miles of secrets, betrayal, and heartache between them.

I have read everything 𝐀.𝐌. 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 has released and I must say, from the prologue to the heart-stopping ending, ‘𝐒𝐜𝐚𝐫’ is her best work yet! This one has it ALL, and it’s one hell of a ride along the way.

With that being said… let’s get to the facts!

🅃🄷🄴 🄵🄰🄲🅃🅂:

𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary | New Adult-ish | Second Chance Romance

𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Standalone

𝗣𝗢𝗩: First-Person, Dual POV

𝗛 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 💙💙💙💙💙 – Trent Nichols, biker, underground racer, and an undercover detective. When he was young he fell hard and fast for a mysterious girl and then out of nowhere his entire life fell apart. As he’s led away in cuffs, Scar disappears without a trace. It’s been six years since Scarlet left but she’s back now, and Trent is far from over her, or the heartache she left in her wake. And now in order to get his revenge, he has to work with the same woman who broke his heart and betrayed him in the worst possible way. I adore Trent Nichols, after reading ‘Hearts Duet’ I knew there was more going on behind the scenes but sheesh, that boy is ALL THE WAY swoon-worthy.

𝗵 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ – Scarlet Reyes, the daughter of a Mexican cartel boss. As you can guess, Scarlet hasn’t had the easiest life, but it’s even worse than whatever you are thinking. Her father has her on a tight leash, using the only people she loves in order to control her and forcing her to be his assassin. But everything changes when he sends her to get info on Trent. The two fall hard and fast for one another but Scarlet’s father is still pulling on her leash and now, with even more to lose, she’s forced to make a difficult decision… breaking Trent and her own heart in the process.

❝𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒊𝒏 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆. 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒎𝒆𝒂𝒏𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒍𝒚 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓.❞

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗮-𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲?: Maybe not insta-love, but definitely insta-lust.

𝗔𝗻𝗴𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹?: Medium. Trent and Scarlet's story is a series of ups and downs that includes a whole lot of heartache and betrayal along the way.

𝗣𝘂𝘀𝗵/𝗣𝘂𝗹𝗹?: Trent has valid reasons for not welcoming Scarlet back with open arms and Scar understands that but there is a bit of push and pull.

𝗥𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺: 🔥🔥🔥🔥– *Swooning* Trent, my oh my Trent. What an absolute sweetheart. He was smitten with Scar from the moment he saw her and he did everything he could to keep her at his side. The swoon-worthy, smoking hot, romance was just a bonus in the story of Trent and Scarlet.

❝𝑺𝒐, 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒂 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓… 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒆𝒓.❞

𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲: No.

𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: Nope.

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Yes.

𝗢𝗪/𝗢𝗠 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗮: No.

𝗦𝗲𝘅 𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗢𝗪 𝗼𝗿 𝗢𝗠: No.

𝗙𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿?: I adored Trent, he’s such a wonderful guy but I have to say Scarlet on this one. That girl has gone through hell and back again and is the ultimate definition of a survivor.

𝗣𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀: There are difficult subjects that could be considered triggers. If you would like to know more about what those subjects are, feel free to DM me! #NoSpoilers

𝗛𝗘𝗔?: Yes, there is a happily ever after and no one deserved it more than these two.

ⓌⓄⓊⓁⒹ Ⓘ…?

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸? Absolutely.

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀? Although ‘Scar’ is standalone, I absolutely would. I’m still keeping my fingers AND toes crossed that we see a Sam and Ayda story, I am all about the step-sibling 'taboo' romance! 🤗🙏

𝗪𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗜 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸? Highly recommend ‘Scar’ to anyone who enjoys contemporary second chance romances with a bit of an enemies-to-lovers feel.

" 𝒮𝒽𝑒 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝓌𝑒𝒶𝓅𝑜𝓃. 𝑀𝒶𝓈𝓀𝑒𝒹 𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝓆𝓊𝑒𝑒𝓃 , 𝐼 𝒷𝑒𝒶𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓇𝓈 𝑜𝒻 𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒷𝑒𝓉𝓇𝒶𝓎𝒶𝓁."
THIS STORY IS ABSOULOUTLY ERRATIC , EVOCATIVE, AND ENGAGING.
To begin with ,I loved the turn of events that took place throughout the story since, It added to my excitement and helped foreshadow the events that you might think will take place later on though they won't! While reading Scar I felt really sorry for Scarlet and couldn't blame her for the awful things she was forced to do.
In fact, I appreciated that the author highlighted that despite the environment Scar grew in, she decided to get rid of the darkness and evil imbedded inside her and emerged the good side that was always within her. On the other hand, I understood the emotional war that took over Trent where he couldn’t overcome Scarlet's betrayal as he assumed at the beginning but eventually got over it.
Also, I seriously must say that I adored the mood, aura , and scenes in the flashbacks. In addition to that, the description about everything especially the races made me want to ride a bike (only if it was with someone like Trent lol) and experience the feelings mentioned. By the way, I was thrilled by the action and suspense added to the story and usually I am not into a lot of detailed action books.
Moreover, Trent and Scar's story isn't a sweet, cute, and easy love story it has a lot of ups and downs, hatred , love, and passion which will have you deal with different strong emotions and all of these made me fall in love with their relationship.
Finally, I truly enjoyed reading each page of this heart breaking story and was looking forward for the next one quickly and would give it four and half pure hearts. However, because I loved Scarlet and Trent so much, I couldn't have enough neither from their past through the flashbacks nor from the details that I found as little when they returned to be together. I hope there will be another book that talks about Trent and Scar's life after they married.
𝐒𝐎 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄" 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒 𝐓𝐎 𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐌𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐒" 𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐒 "𝐒𝐂𝐀𝐑" 𝐈𝐒 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐈𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐘 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐘𝐎𝐔!