Asher (Inked Brotherhood #1) by Jo Raven

ABOUT THE BOOK

Now eighteen, Audrey returns to her hometown for the first time after the accident – the car crash that took her dad and scarred her for life. She’s here to start again. Go to college and have fun. Make new friends. Get over the past.

But the past won’t let go. Asher is here – her first kiss, her first heartbreak. More handsome and distant than ever, he’s still the boy who used to be her best friend. That was before he changed into someone she hardly knows anymore – the boy who started getting into fights and gave her the cold shoulder for years.

Asher isn’t what she needs. In fact, she hates him and should try her best to keep away from him. Yet her body doesn’t seem to care about how she feels, and maybe, just maybe this time her body got it right. Not that she has much of a choice. Asher draws her like a bright flame, and if she isn’t careful, she’ll burn.

And that may not be such a bad thing after all…

MY REVIEW

Scars aren’t only skin deep and Asher and Audrey are proof of that.

Asher’s tragic life is heart wrenching and lonely. He’s trying to survive a life full of beatings and lost jobs while keeping his friends out of it as much as he can. Asher’s pride is a poison that almost gets him killed, but Audrey’s compassion and persistence are what he needs to start a new life.

Asher’s portrayal is raw and realistic as a young man who has nothing to lose and is willing to do anything to get out of the hell hole he exists in. His selflessness and unwavering determination to shield his loved ones from harm is admirable. When he hits rock bottom, it’s satisfying to see how many people turn up for him though a little late for some.

Though Audrey’s role offers hope and compassion for Asher, there are moments where her character falls short, as her apparent lack of awareness about Asher’s struggles is unbelievable. She came across as selfish and immature as she blew off Asher for stupid reasons.

Secrets and misunderstandings keep the plot going as Asher fights to keep his head above water while Audrey tries to help the only boy she’s ever loved. However, the romance was uneventful and the unexplored brotherhood theme that the series is based upon is disappointing.

The story had great promise, but just wasn’t for me. I wanted to see more romance between Asher and Audrey, and I was running out of interest toward the end.