This is the first book I have read by Micalea Smeltzer and after I finished I had to ask myself, "Why haven't you read this author before!?" I was was absolutely blown away by this book. Beauty in the Ashes is classified as a dark romance, I would say it's a contemporary with some dark plot points. It's definitely not the dark type of romance I am used to reading. The characters are so three dimensional and well written, you feel their pain and triumphs pouring off the pages. This book had me in tears, so much so that I couldn't read the pages. Sutton and Caelan were literally laid bare and open before the reader's eyes. Emotionally twisted and 100% refreshing, this book was a huge 5 star read for me. Beauty in the Ashes is a full length standalone. ~ Erin, 5 stars Reviewer: DonnaRating: 5 Stars**Copy received from author in exchange for an honest review**I'm not usually one for crying through books but this book had me so tied up in knots! It was emotionally draining and i will confess, my eyes did well up on a few occasions.The story is based around the lives of Caelan and Sutton. They both have really dark pasts and find it hard to live in the world and put the past behind them. Caelan was a popular kid at school and one night, while he sneaks out of his house to go party with his friends, his Mum, Dad and little sister Cayla are murdered. He comes home to find his whole family gone. He doesn't know how to cope so he turn to drink and drugs to make the heartache and pain go away.Sutton was a baby when her family died in a fire and she was adopted. They already had a son, Marcus. What her adoptive parents didn't no was she was getting raped repeatedly by Marcus. When she eventually did decide to tell them, they didn't believe her. The only thing she can think of to keep herself safe from Marcus is to flee and move to where he can't find her. Sutton moves into an apartment across from Caelan. They hate each other at first, Caelan is moody, grumpy and aggressive but it doesn't effect Sutton as she believes something is wrong with him. She can't seem to stay away from him and they soon discover that they have a lot in common.I don't want to give the rest away as there is a lot of things that happen to these two from this point in the story. The ending surprised me the moment but that was a happy tears moment. I fell in love with both characters, they were great characters to read about. The book was amazing to read. Had a hard time stopping to go to bed! I could have stayed up all night. Definitely go and read this. You won't be disappointed.
What do You think about Beauty In The Ashes (2000)?
This book had potential but it was a big let down!!!
—michelle
