So many emotions! So much happens in this book before the HEA...but it's so well written and the main characters are easy to fall for. There is some very real hard stuff, lots of sexy descriptions and sexual encounters.

Norah’s new mission was working to ease the burden of those who could not manage or who need help with the simplest of day-to-day things. I mean, we are talking about senior citizens, really. But when she comes face to face with her newest (and hottest) client, Norah thinks she already knows exactly who and what this “pool boy” is all about. There is no denying their fierce attraction, but Norah has a job she was paid to do, no matter what the next challenge he throws at her will be.

I LOVED this story! It unfolded in a very engaging manner, the chemistry build-up was amazing, the background stories heartbreaking, and the little triumphs together inspiring for both characters.

Amazing journey for Norah and Justin. Both had backgrounds that helped each other grow in this book. One plagued with heartbreaking loss and anxiety, and the other destined to work with that person to help fight their way through it. Great connection between Noah and Justin.

"Prepare to be taken on an unexpected emotional ride with 'Of Ash and Angels' by KC Decker. This book delves into the complexities of a realistic relationship, shining a spotlight on everyday struggles like grief and mental health disorders.
The author's compassionately addresses misconceptions surrounding anxiety disorders, while also weaving in a heartfelt romance and the perfect blend of spicy moments. However, it's important to note that the book includes triggers, so please exercise caution. If you're seeking a raw and authentic story that tackles both the light and dark aspects of life, 'Of Ash and Angels' is a remarkable choice."

Why should we wear masks that defy our true nature just to convince someone we are what they want? Who I am was created by fire, and that's not campy firefighter humor either. Life has molded me with the strength of ten thousand eternities. It has carved and honed me with the precision of the universe.

This was an entertaining, yet at times dark and angsty, read. But if you're looking for a standalone that is hot and fast and doesn't hold back, I encourage you to read it.

Justin Abernathy is a shut-in. A traumatic experience has made him scared of going out of his house, and his friend, Davis, thinks it's time he starts finding his old self again. Enter Norah - a recently-fired teacher, thanks to her ex tarnishing her good image with personal photos of her. Norah is in need of a job, so when she's asked to clean people's houses and take care of them, she begrudgingly does it. Too bad Justin is the last kind of client she expected to meet - and fall in love with.

To be honest, this is a book that falls too heavily on the emotional part of a relationship, despite the heavy sexual themes and tension between the two leads. Justin is a self-made introvert, one that has been scarred mentally in life, and cannot find his footing back no matter how much others try to help him. He has his reasons, of course, and I like that the writer wasn't afraid to show a man truly grieve and mourn. Justin was an emotional creature, as are many human beings, and he just needed to come to terms with it himself and understand that it was okay to be sad, it was okay to miss those he had lost. That, as Norah said, he was never going to be whole or truly over his trauma, but he could at least live with it and try to be happy again.

Norah was delightful, although a bit rash at times and way too cautious at others. I think her occupation as a teacher comes naturally with the nurturing instinct - those who work with children and are good at what they do tend to have this kind of attitude. I should know. She was sceptical at first, but then she saw Justin for who he really was, and opened her arms and heart first to soothe and comfort, and then to help steady and guide him back to the light. She wasn't trying to fix him or change him, she was instead trying to show him the steps he needed to take to get control over his own life again.

I think this is why this pairing and their story worked so well, despite the insta-attraction going on. They each were different, accepted each other for who they were, and yet tried to better themselves to make it happen, make it work. And I enjoy how therapy was treated in this book. Justin wasn't cured just because he met Norah. No. Meeting Norah, wanting to be with her, made him understand what his therapist was trying to tell him all along. The writer didn't dismiss a professional's words or hard work - what she did was give Justin an incentive to see that he had the solution in front of him from the start, but he now had a reason to follow the right path, not just blindly go through the process to please anyone but himself.

Though the sexual scenes sometimes didn't make sense with their timing, I found this book to be enjoyable, thought-inducing, and easy to read, so I definitely recommend it for adult audiences!

***I was given an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinion stated in this review is solely mine, and no compensation was given or taken to alter it.***

please note that the trigger warnings and topes/themes may contain spoilers
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
FMC: Norah– after her ex-boyfriend shared intimate photos of her to her coworkers, Norah lost her job and needs to find something quick to pay her rent. She finds a company called Hand to Heart where she helps elderly folks with day-to-day chores… until she goes to Mr. Abernathy’s house, a recluse, and discovers not all her clients are geriatrics and this one is gorgeous.
MMC: Justin– after suffering multiple losses, Justin becomes housebound and makes drastic changes to his life. Never letting anyone in certainly takes its toll and when he meets Norah, the fiery helper sent from the Hand to Heart agency who can give just as good as she can take, he knows he needs to make strides to open his heart again.
POV: 1st person, dual POV
HEA: yes with 2 bonus epilogues
spice: several open-door spicy scenes
TWs: child loss, loss of a parent, mental illness, (view spoiler)
standalone: yes
final thoughts: this book was so good!! I loved the interactions between the MCs, the dirty texts, the way they were both playing not-so-hard-to-get, the passion, the encouragement, everything! Norah did give me very childish pushy vibes more toward the end, but it didn’t hinder the story at all for me. I loved reading Justin’s character development and that he wasn’t this “perfect” MC who never fails at anything.

read this book if you love

😬 angst
🌀 plot twists
🏝️ forced proximity (she works at his house)
🤫 hidden truth
👮 blue collar MMC (retired firefighter)
🔪 touch her and die
💼 workplace romance

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, it is very well written, very emotional and well researched.

Norah is working at hand to heart after her controlling ex caused her to lose her job. Justin’s friend pressured him into signing up to hand to heart after the death of his mum, as he was concerned he was becoming more withdrawn.

He makes it clear he doesn’t want her there, but can’t resist teasing her. However all is not as it seems.

Justin finally confides in Norah, Norah helps Justin through his recovery, and they both learn new ways to help each other. The anguish and emotions in the book are well written definitely worth reading.

I read this book in one sitting. I was hooked. This is an emotional romance that follow both Justin & Norah's POV. It has just the right amount of spice and intimacy. I would check the trigger warnings as there potentially could be a huge one. Overall it was great 5 star read!

My Rating: ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thanks to Netgalley.

Just a reader: First, I am not a mental health expert, so I cannot talk about the book from that lens. Rather, I can only talk about it from the perspective of a reader. I won't disclose what conditions one of the character has to avoid spoilers, but I can't talk about how well-researched or presented it was.

General Thoughts: Now that we have that out of the way onto the book itself. I really really enjoyed this one. It was an interesting, original story with compelling characters. The disclaimer above in mind, I thought it very tastefully and respectfully portrayed the mental health struggle it discussed in the book. I also thought that the pacing of the story, the romance, the healing, the development of the characters was very well done. The "conflict" didn't feel as forced or overblown as some I've read in the genre either, which I appreciated like it didn't feel as manufactured.

This one caught my attention pretty early on and kept it. I was totally immersed in the characters and their relationship, and there was a great supporting cast. I also think this book is important for the diversity in main characters and supporting characters and also its tactful and honest look at loss, grief, and trauma and how that can affect people.

I would recommend to pretty much anybody who likes romance or mental health representation in novels.

My one teensy complaint if you can even call it that is I would have loved to see more growth in the FMC too, but having said that, I only thought that after finishing it. It was a wonderfully solid novel. I'm going to be keeping tabs on this author, because this was a great first intro to her for me.

Content Warning: This is not exactly a spoiler but some may prefer to not know this going in, so if you want to skip, skip to the next section. Death of child, death of a parent, some talk of past suicidal ideation, descriptions of severe panic attacks/anxiety.

Steam Meter: ❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥.5 Not the most graphic or frequent steam but definitely there. 18+.

Romantic Tropes
-conquer demons for love
-fix him/save him
-Employee-ish to more
-Standalone
-Mental health representation

You can read more of my reviews at mylastromance.com. You can also find me on Insta @mylastromancenovel.

"Of Ash and Angels" by KC Decker tells an emotional tale of overcoming past trauma, finding love in unexpected places, and learning to live anew. The protagonist, Justin Abernathy, is a man in the throes of grief, grappling with past trauma and the recent loss of his mother. A recluse due to his social anxiety, Justin's life took a turn when Norah, a kindergarten teacher turned caregiver, became an unexpected fixture. Initially employed to assist the elderly, Norah finds herself helping Justin instead, gradually becoming a rock as he navigates through his grief.

Justin, a former firefighter, had to quit his job following a traumatic incident, which is also the catalyst for his agoraphobia. Despite his struggle with this affliction, his charismatic personality and alpha tendencies continue to shine through. His reluctance to venture out of his house only enhances his social anxieties.

Norah, on the other hand, is grappling with her problems. Forced to seek a new job after a scandal involving an ex-boyfriend, she is thrown into the tumultuous world of caregiving. An intriguing series of encounters with Justin follows, with their chemistry evident from their first meeting.

"Of Ash and Angels" stands out for its well-rounded characters, with Norah and Justin bringing depth and complexity to the narrative. Their initial attraction evolves into a deeper relationship marked by both sizzling passion and emotional growth. The book skillfully explores their dynamic, portraying a powerful love story amidst personal struggles and transformation.

KC Decker's evocative writing style captivates the readers, making them feel a part of Justin and Norah's journey. Her attention to detail and her masterful handling of sensitive topics such as mental health make this book an impactful read. The exploration of Justin's agoraphobia, in particular, is done with great care and empathy, making his character all the more relatable.

However, the book touches on a tragic incident involving the loss of a child, making it a potentially heavy read for some. Despite the serious themes, the novel maintains a balance of wit, humor, and passionate scenes, turning it into an engaging adult romance.

"Of Ash and Angels" is an intense read with a compelling narrative and strong character development. It presents a convincing story of healing through love, reminding readers of the transformative power of affection and empathy. It delivers a potent mix of drama, romance, and self-discovery, making it a must-read for fans of contemporary romance. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was an emotional romance that dealt with a lot of grief. I really enjoyed the perspectives of both Justin and Norah. I only wished their relationship was written a little better as it felt rushed towards the end.

I'm aboutb48% of the way through and love it so far! I love the change of perspective of a man healing who doesn't know how to heal. It reflects the difficulties faced when a woman helps heal a man. We are so use to seeing a man help heal a woman that this is just a breath of fresh air.
Honestly it's even helping me while I find my patience with a healing man and for that I'm truly thankful.
The real question is do they vote have the strength to stick with each other in these hard times or will they part ways?

I read this book in 2 sittings because I was so captivated by the story.

The story is about Norah and Justin who are thrown together by fate and circumstances. Justin once a brave firefighter and force to be reckoned with is being crushed by loss of his son, so much so that he develops a phobia that prevents him from leaving his house. (I had no idea this phobia existed until I read this book. It's actually called agoraphobia which is the fear of being in a situation where help might not be available or escape is difficult if something goes wrong).

A few months ago Norah finally lets go and frees herself of a toxic boyfriend. But in true vengeful and toxic form he posts nudes of her on the internet. So now Norah has to deal with the pariah that is the dating world once again as well as unemployment. When what she wants is slow in acquisition, she signs up for a program to help shut ins.

And so fate intervenes, Norah and Justin are paired together and while they both get under each others skin the attraction is undeniable. Norah comes up with plans and challenges and ways to help Justin overcome his grief and move on. While in return Justin shows Norah that after hell there is heaven to smile at. But of course when a past lover shows up and causes a rift between the two they have to find balance and communication and sometimes talking about things is not as easy as it sounds.

This story was absolutely captivating. It tugged on my heartstrings, had me kicking my feet in the air with a blush and waiting to be brave and face life head on despite all my fears. The author did an absolutely great job writing this and bringing the characters to life.

Thank you Netgalley and the author for allowing me a free copy for review.

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Plot: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Character Growth: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
World-Building: ⭐⭐⭐

This was a phenomenal read! Emotionally charged, encased in true love. Both characters come from troubled pasts, but the way they both came together literally had me blubbering. Justin and Norah were meant to walk this world together, and no one can say otherwise. They complement each other in a way that most of us only dream of. And the sex in it....yes, please!!!! My last few books have been low-spice, and this was the pick-me-up I was needing. This was the first book I have ever read from this author and I am definitely coming back for more.

Wow okay. So this story follows Justin who has had a lot of grief dropped into his life and Norah who’s had a break streak with men. Norah ends up losing her job and starts as a temp for a place that helps deliver groceries, clean, or just chat with elderly patients. However, Justin’s friend Davis thinks Justin might need this service too and this is how they meet. In the end, obviously a romance buds and the rest is happily ever after.

This book was such a good change from the other happy but steamless books I’ve been reading. This one was yummy and I loved the details and sexual tension. I loved the descriptions and fell in love with the characters. I hate that certain parts of this book are no fictional for the authors life. But overall, that experience makes everything in the book more relatable and interesting. I loved this book and would love to see a sequel! Thank you to Net Galley for free access to this story!

I feel the book started with Norah and exploring her story but then she met Justin and it was all about him. First it was trying to figure out who he was then it was helping him get over his trauma. But what about Norah. I feel her story was forgotten a little bit, and just wraps up in the epilogue a small summary.

4 Stars for this emotional romance.

I loved Norah's sarcastic attitude. She was really quick with her comebacks and nothing fazed her. She is just what Justin needed to help heal his broken heart. There were times I was laughing-out-loud and then the next minute my heart was breaking. This is a very emotional read and may have triggers for some. The chemistry between Justin and Norah is off the charts.

Three years ago Justin's life changed when he lost his son. It left him so traumatized that he can't leave his house without a meltdown. So, his buddy hires a service to try and help him. Norah lost her teaching job and is now helping the elderly with whatever they need even if it's just to visit with them. When she gets Justin on her caseload, she is shocked that he is so young. She has no idea what is wrong with him because he seems quite capable of anything. But she is drawn to him and wants to find out his secrets.

I received a copy courtesy of the author through NetGalley

First off, I appreciated the trigger warning as the topic can be very sensitive to people. I thought that this book was well written and just overall very well done.

Nope.

I received Of Ash And Angels by @author_kc_decker as an #arcbook by @netgalley. Unfortunately I could not get into it. 60 pages (20%) into it I gave up.

The premise here is to match up agoraphobic Justin who has overwhelming grief, and newly employed and slightly adrift Norah, in what is essentially erotic fiction. This didn't really work for me as I wasn't very comfortable with it, rather than because of the quality of the story or writing. I would have loved to see more of Norah's internal life, and for them to have more in common and more opportunity to build a life together outside of the bedroom (and the house). This was ambitious and judging by other reviews, quite effective. Just not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book is not just a very spicy romance novel; it also deals with painful topics and the often-neglected subject of mental health. In this regard, as much as I enjoyed the different plot and characters, I admit that I struggled with the way mental health is approached...let's say that approaching specific triggers as described is not the right way, realistic or with any scientific basis...which made part of the plot lose credibility and become just a gimmick to the love story.