There's a special kind of magic that comes with an anonymous author. It shifts the spotlight entirely to the craft, allowing the story and its characters to speak for themselves. This is precisely the feeling invoked by Lenore Nox's "Ashes Don't Bloom"—a debut that left me utterly captivated and eagerly anticipating more.
If you're a reader who prioritizes intricate character development and immersive world-building over a frantic plot, this book is for you. Nox masterfully weaves a narrative that feels less like a story you're reading and more like a world you're living in. The use of multiple POVs, often a chaotic endeavor in less skilled hands, is handled with expert precision here, offering deep dives into the complex inner lives of each character without ever becoming muddled. You'll find yourself resonating with their emotionally rich and incredibly realistic portrayals, feeling their struggles and triumphs as if they were your own.
Nox's world is a gritty, authentic tapestry of small-town life. From the smoky haze of the local dive bar and its regulars to the unsettling undercurrents of drug dealers and gun runners, everything feels remarkably true to life—even the moments of spicy intimacy, which I'd rate a fiery 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️. What truly stands out is the nuanced integration of the military brotherhood/sisterhood, showcasing the realities of PTSD and the vital importance of seeking support, reframing it as strength rather than weakness.
While "Ashes Don't Bloom” may be "plot-light," it’s anything but uneventful. The book concludes with a cliffhanger that guarantees the next installment will start with a bang. I'm on the edge of my seat, desperate to know what's in store for Duke, Sedona, Diesel, and Delilah.
This book isn't just spicy; it's a deeply emotional journey that left me feeling a myriad of emotions. It's a testament to Nox's talent that she can evoke such a powerful response with a story so focused on its inhabitants. I wholeheartedly recommend "Ashes Don't Bloom" and give it a well-deserved 5 stars.
Make sure you get your copy on June 30, 2025!

+++I was given a copy of this eARC in an exchange for an honest review+++

I want to thank #Lenorenox #Netgalley and #Victoryediting for allowing me to read this amazing eARC. I truly feel honored to have had the privilege to read and review it.

this was a strong start to the Rattlesnake Ridge Trilogy series, it had that writing style that I enjoyed from other works that I read from Lenore Nox and was engaged from start to finish. The characters were so well written and had that concept that worked with the world set. It left me wanting to read more in this world and from Lenore Nox.

Ashes Don’t Bloom" drips desert noir from every page—moody, hot, and edged in rust and gunpowder. If it had a theme song it’d be Handsome Family’s “Far From Any Road” crossed with Lana Del Rey’s “Blue Jeans”: slow, sultry, fatalistic, and smoky.

This is a story where no one’s innocent, no one’s safe, and love is more a lifeline than a redemption arc. Delilah is a trailer park femme fatale with nowhere to go and no illusions left. Sedona is a grease-stained, gun-toting, car-racing ex-military badass who throws herself into danger. Their stories intertwine with two former Marines—Diesel and Duke— rough men living in a bad world.

It starts slow and moody, less focused on plot and more on relationships, getting to know the characters and watching them dance and circle each other. But the stakes rise fast on the second half once it’s clear a cartel war is coming.

The writing can be poetic (“…here she was, driving down the cracked road, curling through the Mojave like a serpent on a lookout for prey.”) without being overbearing and always keeps the tone and mood of a desert noir front and centre. There were minimal typos/grammar issues which kept it an immersive read.

I especially liked how trauma and injury aren’t magically erased - no one comes back from war without problems and it’s not magically resolved just because characters had sex. This is a dark, spicy read—nothing closed-door here. The sex scenes are intense and emotionally charged, with a few kink elements explored along the way.

Spoiler: this is book one in a trilogy. While it’s unclear if the same POVs will continue (the excerpt from book two features a new character), I hope Delilah and Sedona’s stories aren’t done yet—neither got their full HEAs, and there's more story to burn.

If you like violence, guns, cars, the desert and some twisty FMCs and MMCs, you’ll probably find something to love here. I’ll be first in line for book two—if Delilah and Sedona don’t get their full arcs, I’ll be mourning them under the Mojave moon!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started this book but I was instantly intrigued by the synopsis and dove in head first. The gritty feel of this book, the banter and the humor are so good. The way the author describes the setting is perfect and you really feel like you are the main character experiencing the world through their eyes. The characterization is excellent and I love how each character has a I-don't-give-an-"eff" personality. These FMC's are both strong, independent and a little unhinged and I loved that about them.

I don't think I have ever read a book where there are two different "couples" in the same book and I really enjoyed it. I definitely think this could have been split into two books and we could have gotten a whole book about Sedona and a whole book about Delilah but this was still great. These couples are flawed and raw and real and I really enjoyed reading about them. The spice was top notch and I really liked how even though they aren't afraid to get naughty, you can tell they care for each other and the love grows over time.

The whole tunnel scene reminded me of the Fast & Furious 4 movie where they race through the tunnel and I was picturing it so vividly in my mind. It was tense and exciting and I was glued to the pages.

All in all, this was a great book and a great start to a new series that I'm excited to continue.

Thank you NetGalley and ARC provided by Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.