Rebuilding Romance from Ruins

Emberwood #3

by Nicole Campbell

Genevieve Johnson's life is officially a mess. Twenty-six, divorced, and drowning in bills, she knows she needs to shake things up. What she doesn’t need is to catch feelings for Danny Vega, her inked-up, hot-as-hell friend who treats relationships like they're the plague. He’s the last person who should be stirring up those butterflies in her stomach. Or at least that’s what she keeps telling herself.

Danny Vega lives by one keep things simple. He’s all about the here and now, no strings, no complications. Which is why he’s determined to ignore his ill-advised thoughts about Gen. Therefore, moving in together to split rent and solve their money issues should be no big deal. Except the more time they spend together, the harder it gets to ignore their chemistry.

As they tiptoe the line between friendship and something more, old scars threaten to resurface. Can they overcome the past, or will their chance at building something real burn down before it even starts?

307 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 10, 2024

About the author

I tell stories that make me feel like I'm not the only one who thinks the world is a crazy, scary, beautiful place. I hope that my readers feel it too. I also love doughnuts. Too much, in fact. And 90s music and my husband and my son and my feisty little dog :). Do drop me a line here or on social media- I love to talk books.

@nicolecampbellbooks on IG

Reviews

[Nicole Campbell]

This book wraps up my Emberwood stories, and I have such a soft spot for Gen and Danny. (And absolutely no soft spot at all for Penn). I hope their story makes you believe in second chances and people finding each other at exactly the right time.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

One again Nicole has written a highly relatable and captivating story. Nicole's approach to storytelling is magnificent, sensitive, warm, and cozy, with the perfect amount of spice.

Friends to lovers, swearing in Spanish, and a 'bad boy' carving tiny pumpkins for preschoolers? Yes, please. Yes yes yes please.

This book, the third and final instalment of the Emberwood series, focuses on Gen and Danny, and features lots of appearances of the other Emberwood characters (whom I just adore). Gen is trying to detangle herself from her marriage to Penn, who is, well.. he's a dickbag. Unfortunately, due to his jerk nature, Gen now fully believes she isn't worthy in virtually every aspect of her life.

Danny to the rescue! They are more like acquaintances at the start of the story, with both having attended Happy Hour with the other Emberwood folks, but they end up throwing themselves together out of a bit of necessity for them both. What results is a fun, cozy story of finding love after divorce, and opening oneself up to all the possibilities life has to offer. I have renewed optimism!

Thank you to Nicole for the eARC, and for writing one of the most engaging trilogies I've ever read.

[Vanessa Hilario Mata · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Friend to Lovers romance is a magnificent read! Genevieve and Danny friendship become steamy and so much more! Enjoyed reading and a must read!

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️

This series has touched on some sensitive issues along the way, but as always, Nicole approaches everything with sensitivity and grace. Book three in the series is no exception. It was such a lovely way to end the Emberwood series but I have to say I am going to be sad that it’s over. I really enjoyed all of these characters and how their lives and friendships fit neatly together and being from small town Ohio myself I loved all of the local(ish) references.

We met Gen and Danny in the first two books of the series and I was excited to get to their story.

Gen is a newly divorced preschool teacher and Danny the emotionally mature and tattooed handyman. Cue the perfect small town romance duo.

When each of our main characters find themselves in a financial strain they decide that becoming roommates could be a quick solution. Starting as friends, then no strings…..but quickly wanting ALL.THE.STRINGS! I love their easy interactions, how they hold space for each other’s feelings, and genuine want to support one another. Gen is encouraging of Danny’s dreams and ambition for moving forward in his career and Danny helps to bring Gen back to life after her marriage ended (Let’s all agree that Penn can eat dirt.)

The overall theme that it’s ok to be unsure and vulnerable at times as we navigate through life , and the right people will find and appreciate you at the right moments is just so sweet and heartwarming.

The multiple epilogues made my heart so happy and was the perfect way to wrap everything together in a sweet little bow.

If you need me, I’ll be out shopping for the perfect tarot deck as a souvenir for finishing this series!

[Dana Sessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a perfect way way to end the Emberwood Series! Nicole Campbell has a wonderful way with words and brought Gen and Danny's story to life in more ways then one. Having already been introduced to Gen and Danny in the first two books of the series, we dived right into their story. Being recently divorced and drowning in bills, Gen knows she has to make some changes and fast! What she wasn't expecting was Danny coming full force into her everyday life and making quite the impact. She was only expecting to split the rent and save some money, not fall hard and fast for Danny. Although Danny had the same intentions of saving money with their new arrangement, it was becoming harder and harder to ignore what was right in front of him. At first, they keep to working on a friendship but that soon proves to be too hard and then start to cross the line into something more. Gen and Danny learn to trust each other and watch their friendship turn into so much more even with the few hiccups they encounter.

This was a fantastic read! I highly recommend along with the first two books in the series.  Nicole Campbell is a terrific writer and is able to bring her characters to life in way that makes you feel like you know them personally and are there in the middle of it all, routing for the characters 
to have their happy ending.

[Courtney Gamble · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the right things....💖

Gen is a 26 yr old preschool teach by day and aspriring romance writer, fresh out of the most toxic relationship, sets out to pick up the pieces of her life and relearn what it's like to feel truly loved.....and then one night changes it all.

Danny is the local handyman and playboy, struggling to help his sister and niece and make ends meat himself. Then, the night of Sam and Jesse's wedding, he offers to drive Gen home after a little too much to drink, only to find said toxic ex waiting for her.

Finally, letting go of the past and embracing the future and happiness they find solace in each other, rewriting what love can look like when you let it happen!

[Meesh Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who typically reads dark romance, this series has been my favorite to read in between the dark themes.

Every single one of Nicole’s books have been fun, spicy, and extremely relatable. But this one? As someone who was in an extremely toxic relationship and very shortly after found my own Danny, I felt this in my soul.

Finally getting to see Gen succeed and be happy, and seeing Danny go from player to domestic was amazing.

I’m not even a fan of the pregnancy tropes at the end, but this one was so fitting and sweet, another hurdle for Gen to finally cross after suffering from infertility (another thing we have in common)

If I could rate this a million stars I would!!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rebuilding Romance From Ruins was such a fantastic way to end the Emberwood series. We know Gen and Danny from the first two books and I was excited to read their story. Gen needs a roommate and Danny could use one to save money. What starts off as flirty roommates turns into no strings that end up with all the strings attached. Danny is so supportive and loving towards Gen and understands she is helping from grief and trauma. They have a few surprises thrown their way, good and bad. Can they make it work?

[Jamie Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a great book! I had loved the glimpses of Danny and Gen that we had gotten in previous books, so I was so happy that they got their own story. I love them together! Not only was their chemistry scorching, but they were just so good for each other. Danny was so sweet and supportive of Gen. He really helped her come out of her shell and find herself again after her horrible controlling ex Penn. And Gen helped him realize that it’s okay to open up and let yourself be vulnerable again. This was another great book in the Emberwood series, and I absolutely loved it!!

[Luvleepati · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️

💜small town
💜witchey stuff
💜friends to lovers
💜close proximity
💜found family

This book wraps up the Emberwood stories and it was a fantastic way to end it. OMG I love Gen and Danny together and how his family just took into her, it was amazing. We were able to meet and getting to know both of them in the previous 2 books. I really did enjoy this book and was sorry for it to end.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this may have been my least favorite in the series, it was still a great read! Watching the relationship between Gen and Danny unfold is truly an adventure! Make sure to add this one to your TBR…but first go learn about Jesse and Sam in book one of the series!

Read this book if you like
💛 short chapters
💛 dual pov
💛small town romances
💛forced proximity

bonus points for the pretty covers!

[Haley Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet ending for the Emberwood crew!

Gen and Danny’s love story was nothing short of wonderful. I love a good friends to lovers to more story and grew the biggest soft spot for these two and their love.

[Jessica Harden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an incredible story. The plot unfolds in an unexpected way with twists and turns I was not expecting. This is a fantastic book to end the Emberwood series. I recommend reading all three books because they are wonderfully written and fun to read.

[edna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this series!

Gen and Danny were so perfect. I love the dynamic between them and they just felt so real. Forced proximity is my new favorite trope!

Danny Vega is the new perfect book boyfriend 😍😍

[Coco Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories from Emberwood never disappoint. I enjoyed Gen and Danny's story. I think every woman needs a "Danny" in her life!

[Pamela Winkowski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last in the series from Nicole. Love the chemistry between Gen and Danny! Great read

[Nina Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible way to end the series. 10/10 must read!