"coming out on top after twelve years of abuse"
Reviewed by Sandra Wurman
Posted February 8, 2013
Romance Contemporary
First off I have to admit that I found this a very
courageous look at a tragic problem in our society that
just doesn't go away. Abuse is so rampant on too many
levels to address but McAdams tackles childhood physical
abuse quite aggressively leaving few if any details out. Of
course the underlying tale is built around the emotional
scars that remain, right along with physical ones when a
child is systematically reduced to a frightened object
rather than a beloved member of a family. Harsh reality at
its best, so very sad and scary as well to realize this
goes on right under our collective noses. FROM ASHES is told from the perspective of three different
people whose lives will ultimately be permanently entwined.
Cassidy who at the age of six lost her loving father and
woke from that nightmare to an even harsher one. Her mother
became an alcoholic and pushed Cassidy to a place far
removed from her awareness much less her heart. Then the
new husband arrived whose idea of sport was to push
Cassidy's mother to new heights of abuse right along with
his own brand of mistreatment of a child he wanted nothing
to do with. Can you even imagine a six year old taking care
of herself? But the lack of care just barely touched the surface of
what Cassidy would bear for so many years. Her only ally
was a neighbor boy, Ty who basically became her savior. He
was just a few years older and yet he took on the task of
mending Cassidy's bruises as well as possible. Their bond
was to last for years forged in a rather unbelievable need
that developed into a somewhat abnormal friendship -- one
that was bound to cause problems as they grew into adults. Ty's cousin Gage completes the triangle. He comes into the
picture about the time Cassidy is turning eighteen and he
and Ty are going to college. The attraction between Gage
and Cassidy is instant but with all the baggage Cassidy
comes with it's difficult to see how she would adapt to
anything even remotely resembling a normal relationship. Here's where it gets sticky. You have three people just
nearing adulthood and all assuming varying degrees of
insecurities and immaturity. Strangely the most mature is
Cassidy -- perhaps not so strange when you realize what it
took to just survive her household. From Ashes wants us to believe that there could be a light
at the end of a very tragic and violent tunnel and of
course we all want that. But you have to dispend disbelief
if you acknowledge the possibility of an ending like the
one in this story. Not that you can't wish for happy ever
after -- but the characters are too young and immature to
have resolved all these issues and moved so quickly toward
this future. Understand the intended audience is mature young adults and
they probably aren't as cynical as an adult who might want
the story to move along in a more realistic pace. But
McAdams has fashioned a page turner who will keep your
interest right through this at times sad voyage.
SUMMARY
hen Cassidy Jameson's best friend Tyler took her to Texas with him when he left for college, she was expecting his cousin, their new roommate, to be a Stetson-wearing cowboy since his family owned a ranch; not this incredibly gorgeous guy with a husky Southern drawl that seemed to make the world stop whenever she looked at him. Because of her past, she's only ever trusted two men in her life, Tyler and her dad whom passed away when she was six. But there's something about Gage that draws her to him in a way she can't explain, only problem? He's always telling Tyler that he doesn't want Cassidy living there and sees her as nothing more than his little sister. Gage Carson was excited his cousin Tyler was coming to live with, and go to college with him. When he'd called to ask if he could bring his friend Cassi with him, Gage didn't care. Gage had heard about this mysterious friend since they were kids and felt like he already knew her. Nothing would prepare him for watching her jump out of Ty's Jeep though. Not only was Cassi the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen, but there was something about her that within seconds of meeting her, made Gage want to protect her, and make her his. Too bad Tyler made it a point to remind Gage on a daily basis that he was dating her and she was completely off limits. For a year and a half, Gage and Cassidy dance around their feelings for each other as Tyler continues to keep them apart; until one day Tyler unknowingly pushes her right into Gage's arms. With Tyler unable to keep lying to them, they finally start a relationship both have been craving since their first meeting. But when an accident and disaster sends her back to Tyler and California, will Cassidy be able to come face to face with the demons from her past to live a life she and Gage deserve; or will the fact that she once again ran to Tyler be the final push that ends Cassidy and Gage for good?
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