
Not your typical Cinderella story…
If she thought college applications were complicated, just wait until she catches feelings for the newest celebrity in town.
Ashley Adams doesn’t have time for haters. Already too busy dealing with dead bodies after her stepmother purchased a mortuary, she is ready to put the lid on her judgmental peers and finally bury her high school experience. But her focus is shattered when a charming pop-star-turned-student needs her help evading his crazed fans.
The last place heartthrob Harry James wants to be is back in school. Sentenced to finish his senior year after a case of accidental arson, the singer longs to return to the stage. But he never expected to meet a girl who could see through the fame to the real person inside.
Surprised by the chemistry between them, Ashley is shocked when Harry gives her the cold shoulder. But with his publicist forbidding him from dating her, Harry must choose between fame or love.
Can Ashley and Harry survive the turmoil threatening to tear them apart?
Ashes is a fun and snarky standalone YA romance. If you like captivating characters, emotional twists and turns, Fairies and Cinderella retellings, then you’ll adore MK Harkins’ fast-paced tale.
Review:
Ashley Adams is just trying to survive her senior year of high school so she can escape to college far away from the stepmother and stepsisters. After Ashley's father died, her stepmother, Veronica turned on Ashley. Her father put all of his money in a trust for when Ashley successfully graduates high school. Now, Veronica is trying to do anything she can in order to change Ashley's perfect GPA. Veronica's plans change when pop sensation Harry James transfers to Ashley's school. She sees Harry as a cash cow and is determined to put her daughters in his line of vision. However, the minute Harry sees Ashley, he is hooked. Despite her best efforts, Ashley has finally found someone she can relate to. Although multiple obstacles stand in their path like Veronica, Harry's manager, Leona and high school queen bee, Brittany, Harry and Ashley's love story may find a happy ending with the help of some fairy godmothers.
Ashes is a young adult, contemporary Cinderella retelling. Ashes is full of high school melodrama, a relatable pop star, a down-to-earth Cinderella and over the top social media obsessed stepsiblings. I loved that Ashley's character was determined and fought for herself. The romance was sweet and progressed very naturally. I'm glad that Harry's experience finally allowed him to be himself and that Ashley and Harry brought out the best in one another despite everyone trying to pull them apart. There were several places in the story where I had to suspend my disbelief over what was happening, however, remembering that this is a fairy tale retelling made it go down easier. I do wish the inclusion of the fairies was brought into the story more than just the beginning and the end, I almost had forgotten that Ashley was their mission all along!
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.