Editorial Review: Landing on Mars by Ashley Howard
“I’ve always known desire is a double-edged sword. It can drive you to accomplish abundant things, to push yourself beyond your limits, to create beauty where none existed before. But it can also peel away the veneer of morality and expose raw corners of our depths.”
(p. 325)
★★★★★
🌶🌶🌶
This is an editorial review written for Reedsy Discovery
Review:
First, I would like to thank the author and Reedsy Discovery for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Loyalty, fate, and lust are at war. As passion ignites, morals will blur, and the unavoidable road to heartbreak just might be their undoing.
Mars's girlfriend Cianna has been distant, and no matter how hard he tries to communicate, she just pulls further away, always distracted by her phone. His attempts at addressing the problem are met with resistance and frustration, that is, until Cianna notices how he reacts to seeing another woman, Nyla, in the car stopped next to theirs. When he sees Nyla time and time again, finally meeting her at a masquerade event, the instant connection between them is palpable. Nyla has recently reconnected with an old flame, but she cannot ignore the spark between herself and Mars. However, they are not the only pair succumbing to temptation, and when the truth is revealed, multiple betrayals will devastate everyone involved.
Landing on Mars by Ashley Howard is raw, emotional, and intense. More than a novel about infidelity, this story examines human nature and what drives us in our relationships with other people. Ashley Howard’s prose offers wisdom and impactful insight throughout the narrative. I found this book impossible to put down, and I was shocked by the twist ending. This powerful debut promises a sequel, which I am already yearning for–I cannot wait to find out what happens next. The ending is what elevated this book to a 5-star read for me. The main characters are multi-faceted and intriguing, and even the minor characters are filled with depth and a surprising level of maturity. The subject matter may be difficult for some readers, but it is realistic, and the author handles it expertly.
Due to explicit sexual content, I would recommend Landing on Mars to an adult audience. While those triggered by stories about cheating might want to avoid this novel, I would recommend it to anyone who loves books in which you become emotionally invested in morally grey characters and grapple with wanting them to have a happily ever after while also wanting them to be held accountable for their actions. This book delivers on both fronts.
Audience: adult
Trigger warnings: infidelity, serious injury, gaslighting, toxic relationship
Recommended for fans of: forbidden romance, morally grey characters, love triangle
Publisher's Synopsis:
When Mars and Nyla’s forbidden connection ignites, will they risk everything for a chance at something greater than love? Explore their tumultuous journey as passion collides with duty, testing the limits of desire and commitment.
When the lives of Mars Price and Nyla Porter collide, it sets off a chain reaction of longing, passion, and heartache. Mars, a formidable figure of success and ambition, finds himself trapped in a web of uncertainty, his restless void growing with each passing day. His relationship with his estranged girlfriend, Cianna, is on the brink of crumbling, leaving Mars desperate for connection.
Enter Nyla, a small business owner with a heart full of hurt and a rule she holds dear. From the moment their paths cross, an undeniable force pulls them together, magnetizing their souls in a way neither of them can fully comprehend. With each stolen glance and lingering touch, Nyla senses a connection so profound it leaves her breathless. However, the odds are stacked against them. Mars knows he should honor his commitments, but the allure of Nyla's presence becomes too much to resist. Bound by duty, expectations, and the guilt of craving something deeper, Mars battles the true desires of his heart.
Nyla, on the other hand, guards her emotions fiercely, having learned the hard way about the perils of life. Despite feeling an intense connection to Mars, her practical side warns against crossing boundaries and hurting others in the process. But as their chemistry intensifies and sparks of forbidden temptation ignite, Nyla finds herself contemplating the risks and rewards of following her heart.
Amidst this emotional rollercoaster, both Mars and Nyla must grapple with choices that could either grant them everything they desire or irrevocably shatter everything they’ve always known. Risking everything, they embark on a journey where the line between right and wrong blurs, unveiling untold truths and the power of desire. As secrets unravel and blurred lines deepen, Mars and Nyla are faced with unyielding challenges that test the core of their characters. Will they succumb to the intoxicating allure of their connection, throwing caution to the wind? Or will they choose the safe path, remaining loyal to the lives they've carefully constructed? More importantly, what happens when fate and desire collide?
Source:
Reedsy Discovery
©Ashley Howard: November 10, 2024
Edition: Digital ARC
482 pages
Connect with Ashley Howard: https://www.authorashleyhoward.com
Read Landing on Mars on Kindle Unlimited!: https://amzn.to/4fkifKX
Disclaimer: By clicking the link above, you will be directed to Amazon.com through my affiliate link. Should you decide to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This commission helps to cover costs associated with running this blog.
★★★★★
🌶🌶🌶
This is an editorial review written for Reedsy Discovery
Review:
First, I would like to thank the author and Reedsy Discovery for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Loyalty, fate, and lust are at war. As passion ignites, morals will blur, and the unavoidable road to heartbreak just might be their undoing.
Mars's girlfriend Cianna has been distant, and no matter how hard he tries to communicate, she just pulls further away, always distracted by her phone. His attempts at addressing the problem are met with resistance and frustration, that is, until Cianna notices how he reacts to seeing another woman, Nyla, in the car stopped next to theirs. When he sees Nyla time and time again, finally meeting her at a masquerade event, the instant connection between them is palpable. Nyla has recently reconnected with an old flame, but she cannot ignore the spark between herself and Mars. However, they are not the only pair succumbing to temptation, and when the truth is revealed, multiple betrayals will devastate everyone involved.
Landing on Mars by Ashley Howard is raw, emotional, and intense. More than a novel about infidelity, this story examines human nature and what drives us in our relationships with other people. Ashley Howard’s prose offers wisdom and impactful insight throughout the narrative. I found this book impossible to put down, and I was shocked by the twist ending. This powerful debut promises a sequel, which I am already yearning for–I cannot wait to find out what happens next. The ending is what elevated this book to a 5-star read for me. The main characters are multi-faceted and intriguing, and even the minor characters are filled with depth and a surprising level of maturity. The subject matter may be difficult for some readers, but it is realistic, and the author handles it expertly.
Due to explicit sexual content, I would recommend Landing on Mars to an adult audience. While those triggered by stories about cheating might want to avoid this novel, I would recommend it to anyone who loves books in which you become emotionally invested in morally grey characters and grapple with wanting them to have a happily ever after while also wanting them to be held accountable for their actions. This book delivers on both fronts.
Audience: adult
Trigger warnings: infidelity, serious injury, gaslighting, toxic relationship
Recommended for fans of: forbidden romance, morally grey characters, love triangle
Publisher's Synopsis:
When Mars and Nyla’s forbidden connection ignites, will they risk everything for a chance at something greater than love? Explore their tumultuous journey as passion collides with duty, testing the limits of desire and commitment.
When the lives of Mars Price and Nyla Porter collide, it sets off a chain reaction of longing, passion, and heartache. Mars, a formidable figure of success and ambition, finds himself trapped in a web of uncertainty, his restless void growing with each passing day. His relationship with his estranged girlfriend, Cianna, is on the brink of crumbling, leaving Mars desperate for connection.
Enter Nyla, a small business owner with a heart full of hurt and a rule she holds dear. From the moment their paths cross, an undeniable force pulls them together, magnetizing their souls in a way neither of them can fully comprehend. With each stolen glance and lingering touch, Nyla senses a connection so profound it leaves her breathless. However, the odds are stacked against them. Mars knows he should honor his commitments, but the allure of Nyla's presence becomes too much to resist. Bound by duty, expectations, and the guilt of craving something deeper, Mars battles the true desires of his heart.
Nyla, on the other hand, guards her emotions fiercely, having learned the hard way about the perils of life. Despite feeling an intense connection to Mars, her practical side warns against crossing boundaries and hurting others in the process. But as their chemistry intensifies and sparks of forbidden temptation ignite, Nyla finds herself contemplating the risks and rewards of following her heart.
Amidst this emotional rollercoaster, both Mars and Nyla must grapple with choices that could either grant them everything they desire or irrevocably shatter everything they’ve always known. Risking everything, they embark on a journey where the line between right and wrong blurs, unveiling untold truths and the power of desire. As secrets unravel and blurred lines deepen, Mars and Nyla are faced with unyielding challenges that test the core of their characters. Will they succumb to the intoxicating allure of their connection, throwing caution to the wind? Or will they choose the safe path, remaining loyal to the lives they've carefully constructed? More importantly, what happens when fate and desire collide?
Source:
Reedsy Discovery
©Ashley Howard: November 10, 2024
Edition: Digital ARC
482 pages
Get to know Ashley:
A little about me...
A true native New Yorker, I am a passionate writer at heart. My love for coffee runs deep, and I take great pleasure in being a cinnamon spice lover. I have a great sense of “the knowing.” I’m known for being companionable, rational, having a big heart, always ready to spread knowledge, and a huge advocate for creativity.
You'll always find me...
Cozy at home with my fiancé and our two beautiful boys, Westin and Noah. Everyday, I wake up romanticizing my mornings by enjoying a warm cup of coffee. It’s rare for me to go even a day without diving into my book. Reading is my safe space. Offers me a perfect escape from the constants of life. I find inspiration in every little detail around me. For me, stillness is important. It allows me to reflect and recharge. I love being creative, and my mind is constantly filled with ideas about the next story I'm going to write. I require frequent brain dumps to relieve my mind from all the captivating ideas swirling in my head. I find beauty in the chaos by appreciating the small moments nestled in the in-between of life's grand moments.
Connect with Ashley Howard: https://www.authorashleyhoward.com
Read Landing on Mars on Kindle Unlimited!: https://amzn.to/4fkifKX
Disclaimer: By clicking the link above, you will be directed to Amazon.com through my affiliate link. Should you decide to make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This commission helps to cover costs associated with running this blog.
Follow me on Instagram and Goodreads!
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