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Gail Haris' ASHES is a hot, fun, emotional standalone contemporary romance written in K. Bromberg’s Everyday Heroes Worlds project. Featuring Collins from Combust.


All that remains are ashes…


Fighting fires is in his blood. It’s more than a job—it’s part of who Carter Collins is. Everything was going according to plan until one fateful night. With only his brothers at the Sunnyville Fire Department and his grandmother to answer to, Collins is content with life the way it is. His heart of ash isn’t capable of being in a relationship—but then she comes along.


Natalia Vasquez took a position at the Sunnyville Hospital to leave her old life behind with hopes to escape the permeant ache in her chest. When a fire her destroys her apartment, a strikingly handsome firefighter comes to her rescue.

With no choice but to move again, Natalia isn’t thrilled to find that the heroic ass is her new neighbor.


She is determined to find herself. He longs for peace from his inner demons.


Will the tension burning between them be enough to rekindle the ashes that smolder inside of them?

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2021

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About the author

Gail Haris

30 books1,713 followers

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Gail Haris loves blending romance out of life's everyday chaos. Stories filled with humor, steam, and moments of sweetness, along with suspense and twists.

Fueled by coffee and a wild imagination, Gail writes in a variety of genres including romantic comedy, romantic suspense, and new adult/coming of age romance.

Gail enjoys living in a small town in Southeast Missouri, and then taking adventures all over the world with her two fierce princesses and Boo Bear, who is her ultimate real-life book boyfriend.

When she’s not getting into mischief or scheming with her two girls, she’s busy coming up with crazy scenarios for her characters. Hopefully by following her dream, she can be an example to her daughters that their dreams can become a reality.

"Never stop believing in love, dreams, and yourself. And coffee…don’t give up on coffee and books."

Learn more at gailharis.com

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5 stars
74 (56%)
4 stars
39 (29%)
3 stars
12 (9%)
2 stars
4 (3%)
1 star
3 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
Profile Image for Makayla.
16 reviews20 followers
January 8, 2021
WOW! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐5' stars
I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with a arc in exchange for an honest review!
first things first I loved this book and I have a new favorite book boyfriend!

carter, wow...… love you
carter for me was such a beautiful hero I loved him.
-- at times I did wish he could've been more protective/obsessed over Natalia in certain scenes but other wise no complaints on his end--

ahhhh Natalia


LOVE her she's instantly become one of the best written heroines I've read about in a long time!
Natalia's independence throughout this book was something I admired so much, her character and personality really made this book memorable for me.



well what do I tell you besides


yeah go check it out cause wow.....
Profile Image for Kristin.
650 reviews
January 19, 2021
What a fun, emotional read!! Gail is one of my top favorite authors. Her stories pull you in with all the feels! This story was no different! Coming from a Hispanic family, it was so refreshing to read about a heroine with similar roots. Gail nailed the sass of the character and all the nosey relatives. Haha! My heart went out to Carter. When an unexpected tragedy hits home, he struggles to live life and find love, until Natalia. This story was well written and I enjoyed every bit. Carter’s grandma was the icing on the cake! Lol! 😂
Profile Image for Miranda.
409 reviews5 followers
January 10, 2021
10 stars out of 5!

Warning: This book should be started earlier in the day or when you have no plans for the next day as it is addictive and a highly compulsive read. I stayed up late NEEDING to finish this.
I swear every book of Gail’s has been amazing but somehow they keep one upping the last in the wow factor!
This pulled me into the story so much that I forget about everything around myself in the real world.
I was sucked into what felt like a vortex which took so much fight to break away just to cook dinner. This was a struggle to set down.

I love Natalia and her feisty personality. Many times I wanted to yell “ata-girl!”
She is strong with a beautiful soul inside and out.
Her friends? Whoa, I actually don’t recall characters I have cheered on and loved so much as I did in this story.
Then you have Carter. Sweet, sexy, firefighter Carter who is tortured by his past.
My heart breaks for him and I want to reach out and make him all better. He is absolutely perfect and forget book boyfriend, he is officially my book HUSBAND!

Currently sporting a book hangover with this one for sure. An amazing feel good story with a twist. Every bit of this was absolutely perfect with unique story, nothing about this was that Hallmark movie cookie cutter plot. Original to the T. Highly recommend and this is a complete standalone.
Profile Image for Jenn the Readaholic.
1,801 reviews52 followers
January 9, 2021
I loved Carter and Natalia. Both a little weary from past hurts, they encounter each other a couple of times before Carter firmly places both feet and half of his legs in his mouth. And Natalia isn’t some simpering little girl who will just let it slide. Nor should she! But when she realizes that Carter wasn’t acting like her ex, she’s willing to bend a little. And even though Carter is frozen inside, he can’t help but feel warm around Natalia. So when they finally seem ready to make something work, it’s that much more heart pounding to have someone come after Natalia...multiple times. But like the strong woman she is, she doesn’t need saving by someone else in the end. She’s a truly strong woman and encourages Carter to be the strong, loving man he’s all but forgotten lived inside him.

This was such a great addition to K Bromberg’s world and I loved every page of this story. I’m really enjoying seeing this world through other authors’ eyes and now need to go read other works by Gail Haris.
January 9, 2021
This was one INTENSE book. It felt like there were several curveballs thrown just one after another, but then again, that's what kept it interesting. At one point, I low-key wondered how all of these problems were ever going to get solved, but then I got to the ending and figured it out lol. Anyways, I loved this book so much, and I would definitely recommend reading it if you like a good laugh and some sweetness mixed with a little steam. :)
Profile Image for Rachael.
517 reviews
December 30, 2020
Where do I even start with this one. Let me just use exactly what is in the blurb to sum it up, “ASHES is a hot, fun, emotional standalone”. This was the book I didn’t see coming. This is the book that I believe is good enough to be an episode or storyline in Grey’s Anatomy. Yes I said Grey’s! The excitement in this book grabs your attention from the beginning and never release it! It’s contemporary romance with a suspenseful twist element mixed in just to give it an edge.

In Ashes, we follow Natalia Vasquez and Carter Collins. Natalia is a nurse at the local hospital, looking to escape the old life she left behind. When a fire engulfs her apartment, forcing her to be rescued by the simply gorgeous firefighter Carter Collins, she is forced to move again. What she doesn’t realize is her new neighbor is this extremely sexy firefighter with an attitude. Their chemistry is smoldering from the start and the passion between these two simply dazed me. As things quickly begin to unravel around them, can they solve the mysteries they now find themselves immersed in?

This story didn’t disappoint and was such an exciting journey to go on with these two. I devoured this book faster than most I have read this year and was yet again, amazed by Gail’s words! I cannot wait to see what is next from her! Her words excite me and her stories haunt me for days and weeks after the final pages.
Profile Image for Sandy S.
7,051 reviews181 followers
January 21, 2021
3.75 stars

ASHES by Gail Haris is a stand alone, contemporary, adult, romance story line found in K.Bromberg’s multi-authored Everyday Heroes World. This is firefighter Carter Collins, and ER nurse Natalia Vasquez’s story line.

Told from dual first person perspectives (Natalia and Carter) ASHES follows the acrimonious but building romance between firefighter Carter Collins, and ER nurse Natalia Vasquez. Two years earlier, Carter Collins life imploded when he lost the love of his life, and his brother on the same night.Fast forward to present day wherein Carter struggles to move on from the past, a past mired in betrayal and heart break.Meeting ER nurse Natalie Vasquez stirs something deep within our story line hero but Carter’s delicate hold on sanity is put to the test when he discovers that Natalia Vasquez, has moved in with his grandmother after the fire that nearly claimed our heroine’s life. What ensues is the tempestuous relationship between Natalia and Carter, as Carter battles between head and heart, and the overwhelming memories that threaten any semblance of happiness for our story line hero, including a possible rival for our heroine’s heart.

Nothing has gone right for Natalia Vasquez since moving to the small town of Sunnyvale California. An apartment fire finds Natalie accepting an offer from an elderly woman who is none other than Carter Collins’ feisty grandmother but Carter continues to battle the demons from the past,and his attraction to Natalie is offset by memories of betrayal and pain. Carter Collins is a broken man, a man who believes he is not worthy of love, and has issues of trust where it concerns his heart but Carter is about to discover that the woman with whom he is falling in love has been targeted for sins of the past.

The slow building relationship between Carter and Natalia begins as professional front line workers but Carter barely sees beyond the fog of betrayal. As Carter’s grandmother Lolly sets into motion a plan to force our couple together, Carter stubbornly refuses to move beyond the demons of his past. The lone $ex scene is passionate and seductive; the sexual attraction is palpable and hot.

The colorful and energetic secondary and supporting characters include Carter’s grandmother Lolly, as well as Natalia’s parents, several hospital personnel, and firefighters; Carter’s ex-girl friend Payton, and his brother Warren,and real estate agent Seth Bohnert.

ASHES is a story of family, friendships and relationships; betrayal and heart break; acceptance and love. The premise is impassioned; the romance struggles in the face of Carter’s inability to let go of the past; the characters are responsive and dynamic.

Copy supplied by Netgalley
1,010 reviews16 followers
January 10, 2021
Natalia and Carter are a great couple. I really enjoyed their story. Both come from broken relationships and have to learn how to trust the other. I absolutely adore Lolly. she is fantastic. I love a hea.
1,848 reviews25 followers
December 21, 2020
Secrets and lies are what has made Carter who he is. Betrayed in a way you never get over. Natalia moving on from her idiot of an ex and moving to a new town to start over. These two start off on the wrong foot, but will time heal all wounds? I received a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Christina.
634 reviews24 followers
January 11, 2021
*I received this book as a gift in exchange for my honest opinion.

Oh. My. Goodness!!! Boy oh boy, this book is filled with just about everything you'll need and them some!!!

Apparently this book was written in the KB World, created by K. Bromberg. I'll take their word for it because I'm not even sure I've read those books (hangs head). I only mention this because I didn't feel like I missed anything while reading this...it's THAT good!

Carter is a firefighter who's been through every unimaginable thing possible. Not necessarily because of his career. It's more based on his personal life, although he's seen things that should never be seen as well. Due to his issues, letting women in and opening his heart has been off limits for the past two years. So imagine his shock when a new RN nurse starts getting under his skin. Is it thick enough, or will she rip him open, only to put him back together?

Natalia is a feisty Puerto Rican and don't you dare call her Mexican. After escaping a racist relationship, she finds herself moving to a small town and starting a new job, hoping to start her life over. Little does she know that it's only just beginning. Thankfully she meets amazing people along the way who support her during unfortunate circumstances. I have to add that Lolly is by far my favorite meddling old lady....LOL

The character building and lead up (anticipation) to this relationship is some of the best I've read. It's not a wham bam situation. It feels and reads absolutely true to any "healthy" relationship, which made my instantly fall in love with this. I'm sure if you pick this up, you'll fall in love with it too.
Profile Image for Alice.
520 reviews3 followers
January 9, 2021
OH MY GOODNESS!!
Well what can I say? I TOTALLY DEVOURED THIS BOOK! I couldn't stop myself because it WAS SO DAMN GOOD!
Seriously!!! YOU HAVE TO READ THIS BOOK AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! ♡
Ashes by Gail Haris is my second book of this author and now it's official - I'm a huuuuge fan and I'll read all her books! LOL

This book is about Natalia and Carter. OMG! What a beauuuuutiful love story!
IT'S SO FULL OF EVERYTHING!! ♡♡
- full of emotions and heartbreak! (I cried a lot while I reading it!)
- full of drama and suspense! (I couldn't even sit still on my bed! So gripping!)
- full of funny and flirty banter! (I laughed so much because of Natalia and Carter!)
- full of looove and chemistry (SWOON ALERT!)
AND SO ON!
Well those two totally stole my heart! I really really loved their story! ♡
BRILLIANT!

Thanks to The Next Step PR and Gail Haris for this ARC.
This is my honest review about the book I read. ♡
Profile Image for NanaX8.
1,928 reviews57 followers
January 10, 2021
Bad past relationships have Carter and Natalia running from any kind if relationship. But when bad things start happening will Carter lower his brick walls in time to save Natalia. Loved this sexy romance with a whodunit, awesome Lolly, and Natalia's family make this a perfect weekend, curl up with a love story read❤❤❤❤ I was provided an ARC thru NetGalley and volunteered an honest opinion.
2,495 reviews20 followers
January 9, 2021
4*
Carter is still struggling the loss of his parents, the betrayal from his brother he's sworn of dating etc.
Natalia has decided a move is in order she's unwilling to be undervalued anymore. When the two meet they don't get off on the right foot. Fortunately someone is determined to help.
Another great story.
208 reviews6 followers
January 11, 2021
This is not a book I would typically read but I'm definitely not sorry I did as I throughly enjoyed "ASHES".
6'4", well built, handsome Firefighter Carter is a lost soul after losing both his parents in a fire and the betrayal of his fiancee and brother who were both killed in a car accident. Feisty, beautiful, Nurse Natalia needed a change after her breakup with her longtime boyfriend and moving to small town Sunnyville was just what she needed. Carter and Natalia met under unusual circumstances and didn't hit it off when they first met. Lolly, Carter"s well meaning, interfering, nosy grandmother is an integral part of getting Carter and Natalia to see each other in a different light. This was a fun read with a couple of real unexpected twists. I really loved Lolly, everyone needs a Lolly in their lives.
Profile Image for Kelly Williams.
1,026 reviews22 followers
January 14, 2021
Carter and Natalia!! Both having some seriously crappy pasts meet by chance and then continue to have run ins until Carter's grandmother intervenes. Their chemistry is off the charts and I love how they progress their relationship. Lotty had me laughing multiple times throughout the book. Great read!!
Profile Image for Denise Hoover.
640 reviews
January 13, 2021
What a fantastic story written in the KB Hero’s World. To be clear, you don’t have to read those books first, but I recommend you do. You’ll appreciate Ashes even more by doing so.

I love the ride that Gail Haris takes you on through Ashes. The twists and turns, holy cow those parts that I did not see coming!!

Carter Collins is a fire fighter extraordinaire that has no qualms about going head on with a fire, accident scene... anything as a first responder. But give him Natalia Vasquez, new to Sunnyville and a nurse at the local hospital, and he has no idea how to react. The feelings he has, he has no idea how to handle them. Natalia has had a rough bout of things too throughout the book, but she’s such a strong, independent woman that she’s exactly what Carter needs.

I loved every minute of this book, and I really hope you don’t burn yourself and not read this book. It’s perfect and makes me want to request more fire fighter books from Gail! Whew!
Profile Image for Wendy Livingstone.
16.8k reviews200 followers
January 13, 2021
This story is a perfect addition to this awesome series and is Carter and Natalie’s story. Carter is a broken man after losing his brother and the love is his life on the same night 2-years previously, and this sexy fireman thinks that he does not deserve to be loved. Natalie is a nurse in the local hospital, and she is just starting over in a new town when her apartment is destroyed in a fire that Carter rescues her from. Having to move once again Natalie finds out that broody Carter is her new neighbor, and the chemistry between them is sizzling. Can these two heal each other and move on together? This is a well written seamless story which is emotional, fun, entertaining, passionate, and a steamy all-consuming riveting and addictive page turner. I look forward to reading more from this talented author whose work I highly recommend for all readers.
Profile Image for Tilya Eloff.
Author 12 books52 followers
January 12, 2021
Wow!! An amazing sexy fun read. Perfectly written and absolutely consuming. Learning to love again after betrayal is never easy and I think Gail captured the struggles with not only that but also the struggles that come with working a emotionally straining job. Sometimes it's had to leave work at work when lives are involved and it take a special kind of person not only work in the rescue and or medical field but also to love someone who does. Such a beautiful love.
714 reviews18 followers
January 14, 2021
This book is excellent! Gail Harris is a great writer, and her writing is evocative and worth every single minute spent reading.

Carter and Natalia have both had hurts in their lives and have lived through them..but can they overcome the hurt and make their lives better? Or will their lives truly not match?

Gail Haris is a fantastic story-teller, and I have loved every book of hers that I have read. I promise you, she will challenge you and make you think.. and isn’t that why we read??
Profile Image for Latifa Morrisette.
2,466 reviews61 followers
January 14, 2021
Ashes is another great addition to KB's Everyday Heroes World. This book is an emotional standalone that I enjoyed reading. Collins, a firefighter and Natalie, a nurse, are spectacular characters. From the first chapter this book hit me with all the feels and continued until the very last page. I can't wait to see what other books are in this amazing series.
Profile Image for Isha Coleman.
7,542 reviews153 followers
January 13, 2021
Haris leaves no emotion unexplored. Carter and Natalia are beautifully flawed and hopelessly intriguing. Ashes is more than a little bit broken, but that's one of the reason it stays on the mind and heart.
Profile Image for Christal.
194 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2021
Carter, a firefighter that is chasing ghosts from his past and has no fear of the predicaments that he gets himself into is totally thrown for a loop upon meeting Natalia, a feisty ER nurse, that has recently moved to their town for a new job. When he rescues her from a fire at her apartment, little does he know that his Lolly (grandmother) is going to start playing matchmaker after inviting Natalia to stay with her until she can find a new place to rent.

I was totally hooked into this story after reading just a few pages. I had to laugh at all of the ways that they found to antagonize each other before they got to their HEA. Thumbs up to Lolly for constantly opening windows and curtains!

Profile Image for Lisa Petty (Book Bangers Blog).
1,775 reviews19 followers
January 14, 2021

Get ready to get burned by the flame. Just kidding, but in all seriousness this book will light you on fire. It had everything from love to drama and a little in between. Carter thought he found the love of his life and would do anything for her, however sometimes fate a way to change that. Now he's trying to pick himself up out of the fire and when he come across a women with some sass well things are about to change. He needs to redeem himself for being a jerk, but will Natalie forgive him? I loved the chemistry between Natalie and Carter they both love their jobs fiercely and will do what they can to save lives. But in between all this comes a friendship like no other. Can it become more? Or will they only ever be friends?
Profile Image for Sandie Chraponski.
1,337 reviews12 followers
January 14, 2021
Wow! What a great addition to the KB World! Gail Haris has written an emotional story of two dedicated people and she threw in some suspense and some steam too! It has everything you need!

Carter is a emotionally broken alpha male who has given up on really living. Natalia is a spirited nurse dedicated to helping people. With the help of a cagey Lolly these two are in for an amazing journey.

Gail Haris did a phenomenal job with this one, do not miss out, it is a great way to spend an afternoon!
Profile Image for Bookgyrl.
1,319 reviews22 followers
January 10, 2021
Carter is a firefighter, Natalia is an ER nurse. The story starts with Carter losing his brother and girlfriend in a car accident. Natalia is moving on from her ex and starting a new life. When these two meet it is fireworks. Loved Natalia's sass.
Great book! Especially the characters that stand out.

*** I received an ARC via Netgalley. This is my honest review. ***
Profile Image for Lynn Reynolds.
1,697 reviews40 followers
January 15, 2021
Carter is a man who honors his commitment. Natalia is really upset but is it work related or personal. She shows that sometimes love does not conquer all. The author created a minor character that may give you pause for thought – how what you say may affect the person you’re talking to. It’s a good example of think before you speak. Once that thought is spoken, you can’t take it back.

I found that the minor character also affected Natalia’s interactions with other people. Once she meets a secondary character, I notice how things start to change in the book. I fell in love with her and actually got to the point where I wanted to see more of her. She was sweet, funny, and Carter knew how to toe the line or else. She becomes an important part of what is going on.

It’s a story where our main characters both have issues that need to be worked out. If not then it can become a wedge when trying to start a relationship. I felt that our author was very good at building roadblocks making it tough for Carter and Natalia to move forward. Theirs is a relationship that is very slow to build. You’ll have to be very patient because it will take a while before you get what you want. It’s a great way to build anticipation and giving you no option but to continue in order to find out the answer to the age-old question, “will they or won’t they?” As you get toward the end you’ll find out how sneaky the author is – you'll get something you weren’t expecting leading to the perfect ending.

I was not compensated nor was I required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Elizabeth.
134 reviews5 followers
January 18, 2021
I was given this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Ashes by Gail Haris is wonderful if you love a good slow burn (pun intended) romance. I could not put it down, it held my interest all the way through & left me wanting more of this amazing world. I went into it thinking that it would be a typical romance book, but it was so much more, there was action, thrills, mystery & of course romance on top of that. I loved it from start to finish & hope to read more by Gail Haris in the future.
💙💙💙💙💙

#Ashes
#NetGalley
Profile Image for K.  Ramjohn.
2,122 reviews
January 15, 2021
Ashes is a standalone romance in the K.Bromberg’s multi-authored Everyday Heroes World. This story follows the romance between fire fighter and an ER Nurse Carter and Natalia. Carter was a complex character living in the aftermath of death and betrayal and had closed himself off to everyone. Natalia was new to town wanting to get on with her life after a breakup. These two started off on the wrong and the romance between them was a slow burn. The story was told in dual POV and addition to romance there was some suspense and mystery. This was a fast paced enjoyable read and I would recommend it to lovers of contemporary romance.
Profile Image for Nancy VanSpunky Reads.
1,019 reviews28 followers
January 18, 2021
I’m a sucker for a hot firefighter story. Carter has a very haunting background. He lost his parents in a fire and his brother and his fiancé are gone, too. He’s got a lot of baggage and a hero complex. Natalia is the new girl in town. She’s an RN at the local hospital and she loves helping people. Unexpected circumstances land her living at Lolly’s house. Lolly is Carter’s grandmother. She’s determined to set them up. Can Natalia help heal Carter’s heart? You’ll have to read it to find out. Ashes had a little dark suspense in it. Also, this is a slow burn romance. There’s not a lot of steamy parts, but it’s a fun read! 4 stars
Profile Image for Michele McMullen .
2,333 reviews76 followers
February 5, 2021
Ashes is my first book by Gail Haris and it certainly will not be my last! This is the story of Carter and Natalia .
Carter is a firefighter that is recovering from the ultimate betrayal and then tragedy when it comes to his former love and family.
Natalia is making a new start. She is an ER nurse that needed to break away form her old life with an fiancé that didn't respect her value her. These two individuals are carrying so much emotional baggage from their old lives that the more you read the more you want them to have that real love.
They start off on the wrong foot but we soon see a friendship budding and with a bit of meddling from Carter's grandmother maybe it can become so much more.
A great slow burn filled with mystery, action and yes romance !!
Michele McMullen ~~
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