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Cold Like Ash
Self-proclaimed loner Ash arrives at university nervous to be away from home for the first time, but at a first-night party he’s swept into a surprise connection with charismatic horror movie fanatic Ezra. The two form a whirlwind bond fuelled by gory makeup workshops and late-night Xena: Warrior Princess marathons, one which leads to an unlikely but thrilling friendship group.
But when his new friends don’t approve of an intense romance with his English classmate Jonah, and Ash’s insecurities mount, a dark cloud threatens to overwhelm him. Caught between desire and companionship, can Ash balance the two? Now that he’s finally found a deep connection, will he lose it if he makes choices Ezra doesn’t agree with? And are they really kindred spirits if their friendship is so conditional?
The debut novel of a bright new voice in queer fiction, Cold Like Ash is an emotional university drama about balancing the human need for validation with self-acceptance, and the importance of valuing the defining first friendships we choose for ourselves.
But when his new friends don’t approve of an intense romance with his English classmate Jonah, and Ash’s insecurities mount, a dark cloud threatens to overwhelm him. Caught between desire and companionship, can Ash balance the two? Now that he’s finally found a deep connection, will he lose it if he makes choices Ezra doesn’t agree with? And are they really kindred spirits if their friendship is so conditional?
The debut novel of a bright new voice in queer fiction, Cold Like Ash is an emotional university drama about balancing the human need for validation with self-acceptance, and the importance of valuing the defining first friendships we choose for ourselves.
- GenresAdult
328 pages, Paperback
Published May 3, 2022
1 person is currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 13, 2022
Cold Like Ash is a fresh, fierce queer story that tackles the jolting complexities of friendship, first love, and self-discovery. Max Deacon’s powerful debut novel gives us the perspective of main character Ash, a Xena: Warrior Princess-loving guy embarking on his first year at university. Ash appears timid and quiet, boasting the qualities of any first-year English major attempting to adjust to campus life and follow his mother’s advice to make new friends. During the first week, Ash meets Ezra, his foil in almost all things, but the two soon morph into almost instant best friends. As they become closer and make the acquaintance of lovers Sam and Haz, Ash finds himself at peace with his new friend group.
However, Ash’s walls of contentment are soon breached when an irresistible boy named Jonah begins locking eyes with him in their shared English seminar. As Ash becomes smitten with Jonah, he soon learns that Jonah is not yet out to his football friends, and when Ash approaches him in public, Jonah treats him as if he isn’t there. Ezra raises all the red flags, but Ash, already wishing for some time away from a needy Ezra, contemplates the meanings of his intense desire for Jonah. As emotions run rampant and friendships become strained, Ash attempts to forge the best of both worlds without sacrificing his own self-worth. This plight, however, proves to be much more difficult than at first thought.
This story is told so eloquently and realistically through Ash’s voice. The author’s writing style contributes greatly to the smooth pacing and careful consideration of the characters as they figure out their own way through university. The reader feels the chaotic weight of emotions that Ash demonstrates as he tries to work through several situations with no clear solution. He is a main character that the reader at times gets angry with then empathizes with as the story progresses. Similarly, Ezra, Sam, Haz, and even Jonah are loved and despised at alternating times, demonstrating incredible usage of character traits.
Altogether, this novel is a great account of what it means to adjust to a new routine, but also the amount of mental strength and courage it takes to sustain new friendships and traverse the unknown regions of desire. This novel inspires many positive, but realistic messages of what it means to stay true to oneself without harboring the intention of hurting others.
I am so grateful for having been given the opportunity to read Max’s debut novel and I am so excited to see what else may come from him in the future!
However, Ash’s walls of contentment are soon breached when an irresistible boy named Jonah begins locking eyes with him in their shared English seminar. As Ash becomes smitten with Jonah, he soon learns that Jonah is not yet out to his football friends, and when Ash approaches him in public, Jonah treats him as if he isn’t there. Ezra raises all the red flags, but Ash, already wishing for some time away from a needy Ezra, contemplates the meanings of his intense desire for Jonah. As emotions run rampant and friendships become strained, Ash attempts to forge the best of both worlds without sacrificing his own self-worth. This plight, however, proves to be much more difficult than at first thought.
This story is told so eloquently and realistically through Ash’s voice. The author’s writing style contributes greatly to the smooth pacing and careful consideration of the characters as they figure out their own way through university. The reader feels the chaotic weight of emotions that Ash demonstrates as he tries to work through several situations with no clear solution. He is a main character that the reader at times gets angry with then empathizes with as the story progresses. Similarly, Ezra, Sam, Haz, and even Jonah are loved and despised at alternating times, demonstrating incredible usage of character traits.
Altogether, this novel is a great account of what it means to adjust to a new routine, but also the amount of mental strength and courage it takes to sustain new friendships and traverse the unknown regions of desire. This novel inspires many positive, but realistic messages of what it means to stay true to oneself without harboring the intention of hurting others.
I am so grateful for having been given the opportunity to read Max’s debut novel and I am so excited to see what else may come from him in the future!
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 8, 2022The writing style in this book ultimately wasn’t for me and that’s okay!!
March 4, 2022
A whirlwind of friendship, first crushes and relationships, heartbreaks and college life, Cold like Ash is a must read.
Cold like ash deals with friendship, first crushes, heartbreaks, first relationships and everything in between while balancing college life. A book that kept me in my seat and made me feel so good.
The characters are lovable, especially Ash. Ezra acts mysteriously, but is a sweet guy. Haz and Sam have my heart, these two deserve to be together. Absolutely hated Jonah, even though he is a cute guy.
The way the author described things in an artistic manner, making sure it had an impact on the reader and the characters alike, preparing us the readers for the scene that follows, predictable or not, is truly appreciated.
Sweet, sad, heart touching is how I felt when I read this book and I'm so glad I read it! Cannot wait to rea d more books by the author.
Cold like ash deals with friendship, first crushes, heartbreaks, first relationships and everything in between while balancing college life. A book that kept me in my seat and made me feel so good.
The characters are lovable, especially Ash. Ezra acts mysteriously, but is a sweet guy. Haz and Sam have my heart, these two deserve to be together. Absolutely hated Jonah, even though he is a cute guy.
The way the author described things in an artistic manner, making sure it had an impact on the reader and the characters alike, preparing us the readers for the scene that follows, predictable or not, is truly appreciated.
Sweet, sad, heart touching is how I felt when I read this book and I'm so glad I read it! Cannot wait to rea d more books by the author.
March 17, 2022
I've just finished this ARC from the lovely @max.deacon.books
I got definite vibes of Alice Osman, so if you like her books I'd give this debut a go. It's beautifully written, with engaging characters. It's nice to get a UK-set LGBTQA+ novel, too - the US and Canada definitely seem to be producing more in this genre at the moment.
I got definite vibes of Alice Osman, so if you like her books I'd give this debut a go. It's beautifully written, with engaging characters. It's nice to get a UK-set LGBTQA+ novel, too - the US and Canada definitely seem to be producing more in this genre at the moment.
November 23, 2022
“Cold Like Ash” by Max Deacon
Max and I have been following and like each other posts for a minute now, and when I found out Max published a book I just new I had to support them.
Now into the review, the characters…Ash, Ezra, Sam, Haz, Jonah, Charlotte, and Theo. Out main person is Ash, and I saw so much of myself in Ash, they are an introvert, very to themselves and take another person to get them out of their shell…that’s Ezra this out going, load and proud kinda person. Ash and Ezra meet the first night at a bar near campus, and we’ll the just hit it off. Then the meet Sam and Haz a package deal since they are a couple, and they are opposites as well.
As you read you realize Ash like a boy in his English class, his name is Jonah and well Ash starts to obsess about him and tells the boys about it. They kinda shoot the idea down on Ash when they find out Jonah is closeted and might be using him…well maybe he does. With that being said Ash is starting to get annoyed with the group and starts to make excuses to stay away from them and spend time with Jonah, who if we are going to be honest seems off….well let’s just say when Jonah got into the mix everything went to hell in a high basket. They all break away from each other and aren’t friends anymore….
Let’s just say them breaking apart does destroy Ash and just become this hollow percent of what he was. Charlotte, who we do meeting briefly through out comes becomes more prominent and helps Ash get out of this rout they are in…she pushed Ash to fix his friendships with the boys, Ezra, Sam, and Haz. Then when it comes to Theo well he comes in towards the end of the book and well let’s just say they become someone special for Ash, but how special? Get to reading!
Max thanks for writing this book, I loved it so much, it made me think of myself so many times and how I feel to this day honestly.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🏳️🌈
Max and I have been following and like each other posts for a minute now, and when I found out Max published a book I just new I had to support them.
Now into the review, the characters…Ash, Ezra, Sam, Haz, Jonah, Charlotte, and Theo. Out main person is Ash, and I saw so much of myself in Ash, they are an introvert, very to themselves and take another person to get them out of their shell…that’s Ezra this out going, load and proud kinda person. Ash and Ezra meet the first night at a bar near campus, and we’ll the just hit it off. Then the meet Sam and Haz a package deal since they are a couple, and they are opposites as well.
As you read you realize Ash like a boy in his English class, his name is Jonah and well Ash starts to obsess about him and tells the boys about it. They kinda shoot the idea down on Ash when they find out Jonah is closeted and might be using him…well maybe he does. With that being said Ash is starting to get annoyed with the group and starts to make excuses to stay away from them and spend time with Jonah, who if we are going to be honest seems off….well let’s just say when Jonah got into the mix everything went to hell in a high basket. They all break away from each other and aren’t friends anymore….
Let’s just say them breaking apart does destroy Ash and just become this hollow percent of what he was. Charlotte, who we do meeting briefly through out comes becomes more prominent and helps Ash get out of this rout they are in…she pushed Ash to fix his friendships with the boys, Ezra, Sam, and Haz. Then when it comes to Theo well he comes in towards the end of the book and well let’s just say they become someone special for Ash, but how special? Get to reading!
Max thanks for writing this book, I loved it so much, it made me think of myself so many times and how I feel to this day honestly.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🏳️🌈
May 6, 2022
I adored this gay YA/new adult novel! It's told over Ash's first year at university - finding his people, getting crushes, the highs and lows of nights out, singing the Muppet Christmas Carol soundtrack on the night bus. The idea about whether friends or romantic partners are more important is so interesting - I haven't found that in many other books. Five stars!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews