This is definitely original to the romance genre. It has more depth to the plot and romance is not the main point. The character backstory comes first and the plot which i appreciate greatly. And it is relatable
To people with trauma and darker sides to their minds that they are fighting. Well done.

Ashes Don’t Bloom is a gritty desert noir and erotica blend featuring two strong, unconventional female leads—Delilah Kensington and Monica “Sedona” Verona. The sex scenes are varied, well-written, and refreshingly realistic, with moments like Delilah’s back pain reminding us these characters are fully human.

The plot is pretty good and heading in an interesting direction, keeping the story engaging. However, the balance between plot and erotica isn’t always perfect. Sometimes, sex scenes come too close together, even with different couples, which can disrupt the pacing and make the story feel uneven.

The characters mostly have distinct voices, though their humour and quirks overlap more than expected given their age gap. The military-themed banter stays mostly between Sedona and Duke, missing a chance to deepen the wider group dynamic.

Told in dual POV, the novel combines sharp dialogue, a vivid desert setting, cartel threats, and themes of loyalty, trauma, and found family. While it leans on familiar outlaw romance tropes, Ashes Don’t Bloom delivers emotional depth and heat.

I’d especially recommend this to readers looking for a horny, feel-good phase read with plenty of spice and grit.

Super recommend Ashes Don’t Bloom if you’re in your ovulation phase, if you know you know!

Okay, a new anonymous debut small-town high-stakes romance!!

First of all, the world-building and characters are so thought out that they make you feel immersed, as if you are a part of the story. Additionally, the dual POV provided such intimate insight into our cast of characters, and I was pleasantly surprised. I loved the realistic interpretation of found family and PTSD related to military service - it kept me turning every page. This book had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish.

Honestly, I can't wait for the next book, as this concluded on such a cliffhanger.

📖 / 4.5⭐️

Thank you to Victory Editing and NetGalley Co-op for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions! All opinions are my own. #AshesDontBloom #NetGalley

FIRST OF ALL, I would like to thank NetGalley and the author for the opportunity of reading this book.
SECONDLY, please note that this is my subjective opinion. I believe each and every author has a right to and deserves fair, honest feedback from their readers, which I am aiming to provide. I adore every author's creativity, bravery and commitment to writing, finishing and publishing a work of art.

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This is the type of book that gets a low star rating from me because it's just not my cup of tea. I can understand why someone might like it, but I wouldn't read it or something similar again.

Four characters—Sedona, Delilah, Diesel and Duke—are the main focus of the story, with their own POV chapters, and the two romantic relationships between them. ...Which wasn't necessary at all. We could've focused on one relationship, or just two POVs (I was prepared to read the two girls' POVs), which would've given more depth to the story, characters and relationship(s). I even noted this down in my little notebook, when I encountered a 'Diesel' chapter for the first time (chapter 11), that his POV didn't add anything to the story and was completely unnecessary to include. Furthermore, for a very long time I felt like the two women's personalities were basically identical, with maybe some light tweaks, which was confirmed for me the first time we entered Sedona's room—both of these girls even have coconut-smelling hair/room! Come on...Plus, I still don't get why the Monica tattoo thing was important to include, but okay, that might just be nitpicking.

In general, everything is very hot, very poor, and very dramatic. I like how the setting was painted; as a non-American, it was very interesting to read through this gang-driven Nevada/Arizona aesthetic. Although this vibe is not really my thing, it sure laid down the base feeling of the story.

I hadn't read smut before in an actual book (only fanfiction) and it seems like I'm not going to start now—the book is wound up on the typical "plot? what plot" idea, as I'm not sure I could recite what the story was about except for sex. I like some serious character development in books, as well as a plot I can at least begin to describe after having read the book, but neither of the two happened in this one.

Also, I wasn't satisfied with the ending—I understand it is the first book of a series, but as a rule of thumb, each book in a series should be good, whole and understandable, and I feel like this book wasn't. As a clear example, the vague idea of a plot introduced itself on the very last pages, and immediately two Big Dramatic Things happened, of which only one was resolved by the end of the book, the other was left hanging. Which would be fine for overarching themes (after all, we didn't get explanations/resolution to some of the other things happening in the world) that can unfold in the coming books, but I think that for a misunderstanding in a relationship, the same liberty cannot be taken so easily.

Therefore, given all of the reason I just listed, I must give Ashes Don't Bloom a low rating, but I understand that someone who likes reading smut, action for the sake of action, lots about cars and motorcycles, and/or 'poverty porn' would enjoy reading this book.

I really enjoyed the book. The spice was on point and I like how it reminded me of the show supernatural. Highly recommend it and can’t wait for book 2.
Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.

This is my first ‘wild west’ kind of book, it’s not cowboys, it’s guns and southern drawl. It takes some adjustin’. Let me start by saying that the spice in this… it’s spicing, it’s hot! The plot does start to pick up towards the end, where we finish on a cliff hanger, but I can’t pretend I knew what was happening most of the time. It felt like we were missing key bits of information. Like there’s a back story we’ve missed somewhere. I didn’t feel like the characters were consistent in who they were supposed to be. I liked following the story of two linked couples, although, again, I just didn’t understand where they were at. I had more questions than answers.
I enjoyed myself and I’d absolutely come back for book 2 - but I need to know what’s going on a bit more please!
Thank you NetGalley, Lenore Fox and Victory Editing for letting me read this book. #AshesDontBloom #NetGalley #LenoreFox

Gritty. Dangerous. Sexy as hell.

Set in the scorching heat of a small desert town, Ashes Don't Bloom takes us through dusty roads, dangerous dealings and characters you can't help but root for even when they're making bad decisions.
At the centre of the story we have four unforgettable leads: Delilah, Sedona, Diesel and Duke. Each flawed and complicated, and deeply human. It's a little light on plot at times, mostly vibes and atmosphere in this relationship driven book, but with some exciting scenes throughout. Themes of found family, trauma & PTSD with strong women, cartel dealings and plenty of spice. The depictions of PTSD and trauma, in this case stemming from military service, is handled with care and authenticity.

While I loved the tension between them, I couldn't help but feel Delilah and Diesel's relationship was a little rushed and would have loved more of their banter and electricity build up over a longer time. After their initial spark, they seemed to fall into the background a little more in comparison to Sedona and Duke's story as they have so much history and things going on, so really hope we get to see more of them in the future.

Having previously read Lenore's poetry, I wasn't sure what to expect from this in any way - but I was blown away. The writing is smooth, cinematic and full of that gritty realism. It already begs to be a TV series, I can already see the desert sunsets and hear the rumble of the engines.

Thank you to Lenore Nox & Victory Editing for this ARC read, absolutely can not wait for the next trip to Rattlesnake Ridge!

Heard one of the girls at Book Club talk about getting this on NetGalley and i knew I had to try for myself.


Characters: This follows four different characters, and 2 romantic relationships. I feel like it wasn't totally necessary, and I dont fully understand why we need to follow all four. I wish we only followed 2 of them (or one relationship) and got more background on them.

Plot: Until the last 15% it didn't feel like there was much plot. it was very slow building and initially thought it was gonna be all smut, no plot. BUT im glad it ended the way it did because im now super excited for book 2.

Setting: Takes place in a Cartel/Gang ran town/area in Nevada/Arizona. definitely not a place people want to end up in, but a place they do when they're running.

Target Audience: For fans of Mafia, military, cartel, and motorcycle gang romances. Not for someone that wants more plot than vibes.

Writing: The writing was easy to read, enjoyable, and quick paced. my only issue came with "out of a sudden" rather than "all of a sudden" being used a handful of times. both are correct, it just gave me the ick.

Pacing: Quick paced and easy to read. I think it would've been a more enjoyable pace if we followed 1 couple instead of 2.

Rating/Overall Thoughts: A solid 3/5 glad my friend mentioned it to me, and ill definitely pick up book 2 when it comes out!

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Unfortunately this book wasn’t for me. I give it 2.5 stars. I enjoyed the characters and the different perspectives we got however, the plot of the book didn’t make much sense to me. There was little background for what was going on and there was a lot going on that just seemed kind of random. I’m not entirely sure what the plot is? We got way more context and background info on Sedona and Duke and hardly any on Delilah and Diesel. I am still grateful to have been able to read this even though it wasn’t for me!

This is such a gritty, emotional, gripping, heated book, and I enjoyed every ounce of it. The story follows two FMC's in a multiple P.O.V. They're both dealing with their own traumas, and running from it in their own ways. The way that mental health (PTSD) is represented is such an amazing thing and I wish there was more in books in general. I can't wait to see what the rest of the series has in store. Ashes Don't Bloom is very spicy, emotional, and a great read for someone who wants that dark romance feel without being super dark.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the eARC.

This was a nice read.

The characters were written nicely, they had a great dynamic and everyone’s chemistry was written nicely as well.

The plot was there but did get lost a little bit at times but still there nonetheless. You got some twist and suspense that was a nice added touch. The town of Rattlesnake Ridge was unique and written in a pretty immersive way.

There was also sort of an ode to supernatural throughout the book. Just hints here and there. Some added touches if you will.

Overall nice read, I’d recommend to someone asking. Looking forward to what’s next in the trilogy

I DNF this book, I only read 10%. I couldn’t get into it and I didn’t understand what was going on in the story.

Ashes Don’t Bloom is a gritty, emotional debut that blends desert noir, found family, and slow-burn romance into a compelling, character-driven story. Lenore Nox delivers four distinct POVs—ex-Marines and strong heroines—intertwined with themes of trauma, loyalty, and redemption. The writing is vivid, the atmosphere smoky and intense, and the romance is heartfelt with just the right amount of spice. A strong start to what promises to be an unforgettable trilogy. I can’t wait for book two!

I LOVED this book!! The plot and spice flowed together smoothly. Deliah and Sedona are both independent women who dont ask for permission but rather forgiveness later.😝 Diesel and Duke are protective over their women. They have a secretive cartel background which i look forward learning more in book 2

This book follows two female main characters: Delilah and Sedona. Delilah comes to Rattlesnake Ridge with little else other than her '67 Impala and the money in her wallet. She starts to work at a local bar, the Junction, but doesn't expect to fall in love with Diesel.

While Delilah is become more and more tangled in Diesel's world, Sedona is finding it more and more difficult to stay out of her feelings for Duke. After spending years in the Marines with Duke, she now runs his garage and has his heart on her finger.

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I'll admit this isn't normally a book I'd normally read but I'm soooooooo glad I decided to keep an open mind. I was hooked from the first page until the very last one. I know I'll be asking for the ARC for the rest of this trilogy when they become available. Auto-apply for me, here we come. lol

I love how much of a slow burn we have here. I don't mind insta-lust or insta-love on occasion, which is partly what we got here but I'm also glad it wasn't acted on until about 30%/35% of the way through the book. Yet another way to keep me hooked.

I am not normally into Westerns but the vibes with this book are absolutely top-notch. I'll be reading this one again before the sequels come out, for sure. I need to get my hands on it and will more than likely be purchasing it as well just to say I have it in my library.

I think my favorite character is Sedona but Delilah is definitely a close second. God, the romance between Sedona and Duke was chef's kiss. I don't want to give any spoilers but their romance was just what I needed.

I'm normally very picky with giving out 5 stars but this one deserves it. I know Lenore will now be an auto-buy author for me, moving forward. Again, this is something I don't normally give out. I'm not saying this to brag or anything but I needed to stress this.

I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who wants a good romance in a different kind of setting that's out of their normal sphere. If you're looking for a book to get you out of a reading slump, I promise this book will do it for you. It helped me, that's for sure!

A Wild Ride Through Rattlesnake Ridge, But It’s Not Without Bumps
Ashes Don’t Bloom takes readers deep into the dusty, dangerous world of Rattlesnake Ridge, where love is as fierce as the engines revving beneath its characters. The story follows two couples, Delilah & Diesel and Sedona & Duke, as they navigate cartel conflict, buried trauma, found family, and high-speed thrills.
Sedona, Diesel, and Duke are ex-military living under one roof, while Delilah, the fiery newcomer with a southern drawl and charm to spare, shows up ready to stir the pot. There’s no shortage of drama: we’ve got PTSD, high-octane racing, sizzling chemistry, and small-town secrets. And yes, there’s spice. The characters are what really shined for me. Each had distinct personalities and backstories, though I would have loved more depth for Delilah, especially since she was my favorite. Her sass, wit, and weaponized "southern belle" act made every scene she was in a delight. The structure, however, was a challenge. This was my first experience with a third-person dual POV, technically, a quadruple POV, and I personally found it overwhelming. While I love getting into characters’ heads, the constant perspective shifts in third person made it harder to connect, and the dual-couple storyline might have worked better spread across two books. That way, both couples, and their arcs, could’ve had room to breathe. The racing scenes were an absolute highlight. As someone who grew up around cars, those moments had my heart racing. They brought the kind of adrenaline I’d hoped to feel throughout the rest of the book.
On the downside, Delilah and Diesel’s relationship moved way too fast for me. While Sedona and Duke’s dynamic felt earned due to their shared past, the other couple’s romance felt rushed, almost like it was driven more by plot pacing than character development. This also didn’t feel like a true dark romance to me. While it had gritty moments, it leaned more toward romantic suspense or desert noir.
Final thoughts:
This book had elements I really enjoyed, especially the characters and racing, but overall, it didn’t quite hit the mark for me. I probably won’t continue the series, but readers who enjoy third-person, multi-POV romance with spice, crime, and speed might find this to be their kind of thrill ride.

Books are like soulmates. There is someone for everyone and this one…..was for me!!!

If you like badass FMCs that are actually badasses and hot MMCs then you will love this book. It has different POVs, (which is a personal favorite of mine), military references, street racing, illegal activity, and relationships that are relatable.

First off I am in love Duke and Sedona. Their relationship is just so interesting. A friends with benefits that got too serious but they have commitment issues but can’t let each other go. I am hoping to see more of them in the next books. I feel like they give off Letty and Dom vibes from Fast and the Furious. They are both strong characters who have been through so much and are able to be themselves around each other.

While reading the book I was getting ready to have a serious talk with Sedona’s inquires. They would not let that woman have any fun. She is a veteran. She has sacrificed enough. If she can ride a motorcycle let her ride her man.

Delilah and Diesel’s relationship confuses me a little bit. They are all over the place but it keeps you wanting more. It’s the struggle of figuring out if they are going to be together or not. I do feel like there is a lot we just don’t know about Diesel and his past that’s getting in the way. While reading this I am also watching Ginny and Georgia and I couldn’t help but picture Georgia as Delilah they are very similar.

Overall I really enjoyed this book the only downfall is having to wait for the next one. I really hope we don’t have to wait too long because I need to know more.

Thank you to the author Lenore Nox, and NetGalley for allowing me to get an ARC.

I really enjoyed Ashes Don’t Bloom! It’s the first book in the Rattlesnake Ridge Trilogy and it definitely pulls you into this gritty desert town with a cool, almost dangerous vibe. The setting feels super alive — dusty roads, dive bars, and that hot, tense atmosphere where anything could happen.
The story follows two women, Delilah and Sedona, who are both carrying a lot of baggage but also have a lot of strength. Delilah’s running from her past with just her car and a bit of hope, while Sedona is this tough mechanic who’s got her own complicated history. Their stories weave together really well, and the chemistry with the guys — Diesel and Duke — adds some nice heat and tension without feeling forced.
What I really liked was how the book deals with PTSD and trauma in a way that felt real and respectful, not just some plot device. The relationships feel genuine and the characters are flawed but relatable. The writing style is smooth and vivid, which made it easy to get lost in the story.
The pace is a bit slow at times since it focuses a lot on character and mood, but it totally pays off. By the end, you want to jump right into the next book to see what happens next!

Thank you to Lenore and Net Galley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Absolutely loved this book. Grabbed my attention right away. Motorcycles, cartel, ex-marines what more could a dark romance novel need. Looking forward to continuing the series!

I enjoyed this book and the darker elements within. It was the perfect amount of spice to plot and definitely would recommend to a friend!

This book was a great introduction into this trilogy and can’t wait to read more. This was my first time reading this author and wouldn’t hesitate to read more. A solid 4.5 ⭐️

🌶️🌶️.5

thank you for providing this ARC!!