ARC Review | ASHES by Steven Manchester

Ashes by Steven Manchester

Published by Story Plant

February 21, 2017

Contemporary Fiction

Buy the book on Amazon

Summary:

Middle-aged brothers Jason and Tom Prendergast thought they were completely done with each other. Perceived betrayal had burned the bridge between them, tossing them into the icy river of estrangement. But life and death has a robust sense of irony, and when they learn that their cruel father has died and made his final request that they travel together across the country to spread his ashes, they have no choice but to spend a long, long car trip in each other s company. It s either that or lose out on the contents of the envelope he s left with his lawyer. The trip will be as gut-wrenching as each expects it to be . . . and revealing in ways neither of them is prepared for.

At turns humorous, biting, poignant, and surprisingly tender, ASHES puts a new spin on family and dysfunction with a story that is at once fresh and timelessly universal.

My thoughts... 

As you know, if you have followed this blog for very long, I am a fan of Steven Manchester's work.  I have read nearly all of his books and I always enjoy them very much.  This was no exception. This book was a little different than the last few of his that I have read in that there is no hint of romance to be found.  Other than that aspect, it's very on par with the rest of Steven's books.  It's very heartfelt and full of subtle messages that hit you right in the feels.

Jason and Tom Prendergast are estranged brothers who are brought back together when their father dies.  His will states that they will not get what's been left to them until they travel across the country to spread his ashes in Seattle.  The brothers haven't spent any real time together for more than 30 years; truth be told they hate each other almost as much as they hated their father so this is bound to be a miserable trip.  As they travel they are forced to relive some horrific moments of their childhood that they really just want to forget.  They move closer to resolving their differences and to forgiveness the closer they get to Seattle. They never expected what they find when they get there, but, will it be enough to mend their long forgotten relationship?

At first I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, but in the end I did really enjoy in and just like all the others it did make me cry.  There is just something in Steven's writing that gets me every single time!

XOXO, 

Shelly

*Disclaimer: I was provided with a copy of this book courtesy of the publisher in exchange for my honest review.*