We Danced Among Shadows by Ashley Dill: Book Review

 **ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

The Book

“If he took dancing from you, take it back. Every chance you get.”

Six years after losing his wife, Jesse Holmes has dedicated his life to his son and Meadowbrook Ranch. And he’s determined not to let grief or the bottle rule him ever again. But his foundation shakes when a ranch wedding stirs painful memories. On the cusp of a relapse, he finds comfort in a guest who stirs something else entirely—feelings he doubted he’d ever have again.

Hollie Aldridge appears to have it all—a rich husband, two beautiful daughters, and a luxurious lifestyle. But she’s keeping secrets. Isolated by long term abuse, Hollie doesn’t know how to reach out for help. When her husband leaves her, she fends for herself to keep the peace, protect her girls, and manage her family’s expectations.

Masking her grief, she flies to Texas for her sister’s wedding, hoping to avoid drama at all costs. Yet five minutes after she steps off the airplane, she’s thrown into crisis with a handsome cowboy whose wide-open vulnerability cracks her fortress walls. Stealing away after the wedding, they share a dance. And the memories of him haunt her for weeks to come.

When Hollie returns to the ranch to stay for the summer, Jesse’s unflinching pursuit turns her world upside down. But opening her heart requires exposing the betrayals she has protected for so many years. Will their connection be another secret she keeps hidden in the dark? Or the dawn of her healing?

We Danced Among Shadows, is a single dad, cowboy romance set in Central Texas and the second installment of Meadowbrook Ranch—an emotional series about trauma, healing, and love amid crisis.

The Author

Ashley Dill is a contemporary romance author who lives with her four children and husband in the Upstate of South Carolina. As a busy homeschooling mom she wakes before the sun to write her stories! Her debut novel, HOLD BACK THE RIVER, is set where she grew up in Middle Tennessee.

Connect with Ashley on

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleydillauthor

Instagram: https://instagram.com/ashleydill_author?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Book Review

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin? If you're looking for a lighthearted romance... this isn't it. But if you're looking for a book that will absolutely wreck you before putting your heart back together, there are truly none better than Ashley Dill's books. She has such a beautiful way of writing about trauma and healing... I truly cannot even find the words to describe how much I love them that will actually do them justice. Each one of her books becomes an instant favorite and sticks with me long after the final pages. This one was no exception. Right from the start, the undeniable chemistry between Hollie and Jesse drew me in. Their story is told through multiple timelines, all beautifully woven together to reveal this story and all its heartache at just the right moment. There were so many layers to this story, and so many past hurts that Hollie and Jesse had to work through, but there was such a beautiful sense of healing by the end, and I absolutely loved every single moment with these two. If you love emotional cowboy and/or single parent romances, this is one you absolutely will not want to miss... just be sure to keep those tissues handy, you're absolutely going to need them.

We Danced Among Shadows is a closed-door romance with steamy kisses and fade to black. It does have stronger language than Ashley's previous books- mostly mild/moderate but it does have one use of the f-word as well. It is the second book in the Meadowbrook Ranch series. While I would recommend reading the previous book first, I do think that this could be enjoyed as a standalone as well. 


You can purchase your copy here: https://amzn.to/4sHWPic