Out of the Ashes by R.C. Boldt Pages: 300
Genres: Contemporary Romance
Source: ARC
Also by this author: Wildest Dream, Hard To Handle, Clam Jam, Blue Balls
Goodreads
Phoenix /fēniks/: (in classical mythology) a unique bird inhabiting the Arabian Desert that burned itself on a funeral pyre before rising from the ashes with renewed youth to live through another cycle.
This isn’t mythology, it’s war, and Hendy is left in the hands of Hell’s cruelest gatekeepers.
His team is killed before his very eyes, and despite his efforts to save them, he’s captured and subjected to merciless torture—losing virtually every piece of his identity but his pulse.
After his rescue, he returns home from Afghanistan, saddled with facing the daunting task of healing his physical scars as well as the invisible ones—his emotional demons.
Dr. Presley Cole isn’t one to shy away from a challenge. Embarking on a new journey, she makes it her mission to prove to Hendy that his life isn’t over; that he’s worthy of love.
Because sometimes even a phoenix needs help to rise…
Out of the Ashes.
Out of the Ashes is a character driven love story that is a bit taboo. Presley is Hendy’s doctor! Hendy is dealing with PTSD and scars from his torture at the hands of enemy combatants. He is withdrawn and uncomfortable around people because of his scaring. Presley is a chiropractor and natropathic healer who feels she can help Hendy. She doesn’t expect to fall for him. Not only is he a patient, she has a fiancee!
I tend to never like a budding romance when one of the characters is already in a relationship. However, nothing happens between Hendy and Presley until she is no longer engaged. That being said, I do think she was ’emotionally cheating’. Her fiancee is a douche though, and he openly admits to cheating on her and tells her its okay for her to do the same as long as she is discrete. So, yeah, I am actually okay with her choices which surprised me. Of course, the relationship is forbidden because she is his doctor. While the 2 of them get to know each other, Hendy begins to open up more and starts to develop some confidence again. For as much as it is a romance, its also a story of healing for Hendy. Writing about military men who return from war a bit troubled is a particular strong spot for Boldt! She doesn’t make Hendy out to be this perfect war vet nor is he is totally irreparable man who is too far gone to save. Its a fine line to walk because the reader still needs to relate to Hendy.
Presley is an enjoyable character. She lives with her parents disappointment in her: her career choice, her decision to leave Dylan, etc. However, that doesn’t stop her from doing what she wants and that makes her very likable! I am sad that she wasted so many years with Dylan when he obviously wanted nothing from her but the power that comes from her parents status. She really was a bit blindsided at Dylan’s true nature and my heart hurt for her!
Near the end there is a strange twist regarding the person who has been spying on Hendy. He finds out more about why he was captured and tortured and who his father really was. It added a bit of a twist. I don’t know that I particularly cared for it because the story was really focused on Presley and Hendy and I loved that. It didn’t ruin the book or anything, but it drew my attention away from the relationship and towards more drama.
- POV: dual 1st
- Tears: no
- Trope: ex-military; doctor/patient
- Triggers: View Spoiler »
- Series/Standalone: stand alone within an interconnected series
- Cliffhanger: View Spoiler »
- HEA: View Spoiler »
…then you will probably like TITLE OF BOOK!
Out of the Ashes
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