This book was an absolute rollercoaster. It pulled so many emotions from me. The magic system was great.. witches and vampires, what’s not to love. Detective with vampire smuggling ring, I was so glad to receive this to review. It was everything you love in a crime urban fantasy. I really lived this one. I fell in love from the beginning and kept me Turing pages to late in to the night

I enjoyed this story with all the characters that were within this book. The main characters were Ember Clarke and Theo.

Ember Clarke lives in Chicago and works at the supernatural police department as a detective. Her boss assigns a job that she has to find out what has been happening to people who have gone missing. What she finds surprises her.

Theo is a vampire. He and some other vampires have made a place under the city to live. His leader has been wanting humans people from above so they can feed from them. He is not happy with this way.

This was a fun story to read. It had action, adventure, and suspense throughout. There were a few giggles within.

I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. This is my honest, unbiased opinion.

Thank you so much for this arc! This was my first time.readijg this author and I loved this story! I will definitely be reading more from Hazel!

Like Salt and Ash by Hazel Marie had well-developed characters and a plot that was engaging. This book was a great read. I highly recommend!

**Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the e-ARC. All opinions expressed are voluntary and my own.**

I'm not always in love with urban fantasies but this one really worked for me. Ember was stubborn without being annoying and it wasn't her only personality trait. I enjoyed the witches and vampires and the way that magic system worked together.

I really liked this story and can't wait for book 2. It had a great plot and the romance was great. I liked the main characters a lot. I cant wait to see the way the rest of the story goes. Thank you for the ARC!

A perfect book for the spooky season.

It's a mystery with Vampires and a dash of romance and witchery.

I loved how each character was introduced and then got to see and experience their growth. The plot was fast-paced and interesting. There wasn't a dry or dull moment in the book.

My favorite thing about this book was the setting. I don't always enjoy urban fantasy because it can be disjointed when reading it. This one nails it and I was completely engaged with where the characters were and could Visualize their surroundings period the book starts out in a modern day. Chicago and then transfers to Elithia, the vampire city, that is a reflection of Chicago. It merges the two seamlessly and I wasn’t taken out of my reading headspace once.

I really need to know how this phenomenal supernatural urban fantasy is missing the hype it so deserves. This slow burn, enemies to lovers fantasy features a strong heroine and an absolute cinnamon roll of a hero who are forced to rely on each other as they navigate the dangerous underground vampire world of Elithia.
When Detective Ember Clarke’s ex-girlfriend is kidnapped and taken from Chicago to the underground world of Elithia, Ember knows she must go after her, even if her hatred for vampires can cloud her judgement. It is that judgement she must rely on as she is thrust into a world of human trafficking and a city rife with political tensions. When vampire Theo rescues Ember from a dangerous situation with a deadly vampire, she hesitantly places her trust in the one person who can help her destroy the trafficking ring and remove the corruption from Elithia for good.

I absolutely adored this book and am eagerly anticipating book 2! The story set a good pace and the action progressed the plot seamlessly. There were instances where the plot could have moved at a slower pace or details could have been expanded upon, but overall this supernatural novel is not one to miss.

*Thank you to Xpresso Book Tours and Netgalley for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
**Review also posted on Barnesandnoble.com

Truthfully, I was not expecting to fall into this world so quickly and so full heartedly. If you love magic, supernatural, with a mix of modern day/real world this is definitely worth the read! I love reading different takes on vampires and vampire lore and there were some twists that I thoroughly enjoyed. This was truly a joy to read and the spicy-ness towards the end was HOT. I have so many questions...I look forward to a sequel if there is one someday!! Thank you Hazel Marie, NetGalley, and Lake Country Press & Review for allowing me to read this ARC.

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

This was so good! If you like vampires, magic, witches, or if you're just craving a really good urban fantasy romance this is for you! Like Salt and Ash follows our FMC, Ember, a Chicago Supernatural Police Department detective. Her witchy abilities to read intentions and emotions make her one of the best at her job. When her friend gets taken by vampires Ember blames herself and makes it her mission to get her back. And, of course, chaos ensues.

This book was unputdownable. Real life responsibilities? Don't know them. So if you're trying to be productive maybe don't read this, because it will suck you in and you will be held captive until you're finished reading. Everything from the characters to the world-building was perfection. Ember and Theo are the cutest little crime fighting duo. I love them individually but also love them together. The romance in this book was done SO WELL. There was the perfect amount of flirty angst between them, and it even had some spice. I wish there would have been maybe an epilogue to show them living in a new Elithia, with the changes implemented that Theo and Ember were fighting for. It would have been a very satisfying ending to see it come full circle, but even without that I really enjoyed this book. Maybe that means we'll get a sequel so we can see how their new little world unfolds and how Ember will fit into it?? I can only hope!

Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Do you like:

Strong FMC
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Urban Supernatural Fantasy
Vampires
Supernatural Detectives
Females in Law Enforcement
Enemies to Lovers

Then you will not be able to put this book down!
From the very first sentence the the very last, this book was an absolute RIDE.
The world Hazel Marie built is both enchanting, terrifying, and thrilling. The worldbuilding is unmatched and is one of the main reasons I loved this book so much.

The story was engaging the entire time and it flowed effortlessly from chapter to chapter. I was purely entertained and has helped me form a new love with urban fantasy backdrops.

If I could give this book a million stars, I would.

Step into the enchanting world of "Like Salt and Ash," where urban fantasy takes a thrilling turn and leaves readers mesmerized. This gripping novel introduces us to Detective Ember Clarke, a strong-willed protagonist haunted by her tragic past involving vampire-induced horrors. The story unfolds as Ember discovers an underground city where innocent humans are abducted and coerced becoming unwilling blood donors.

At first glance, Ember is determined to distance herself from this case, refusing to become entangled in the world of vampires. However, fate intervenes when her former partner is captured, forcing Ember to confront her deepest fears and venture into the unknown. In a twist of irony, she forms an unlikely alliance with a vampire, challenging her beliefs and pushing the boundaries of what she thought possible.

"Like Salt and Ash" is a masterful blend of suspense, supernatural elements, and undeniable chemistry between Ember and her unexpected ally, Theo. As a lover of gripping narratives and complex character dynamics, this urban fantasy gem left me spellbound. Its inclusion on your list of must-reads is undoubtedly well-deserved.

What truly sets this book apart is its portrayal of Ember as a fiercely independent and resilient female lead. Her unwavering determination to save those she cares about captivates readers, making her a compelling heroine worth rooting for. Equally noteworthy is the character of Theo, whose charm and compassion provide a refreshing counterpoint to the darkness surrounding them.

The author's ability to seamlessly weave together urban fantasy tropes and supernatural intrigue is commendable. With each page, the reader becomes immersed in the dark underbelly of a trafficking ring, eagerly following Ember and Theo on their dangerous mission. The plot twists and turns, keeping readers on the edge of their seats and craving more.

As I reached the final pages of "Like Salt and Ash," I found myself yearning for answers and eagerly awaiting the next installment. The unresolved questions and lingering anticipation speak volumes about the author's ability to create a world that captures the reader's imagination.

In conclusion, "Like Salt and Ash" is a truly captivating urban fantasy novel that brings a fresh perspective to the genre. With its unforgettable characters, heart-pounding suspense, and supernatural allure, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking an engaging and original tale. Prepare to be enthralled by Ember's journey through darkness, where enemies become allies and love defies all odds.

Like Salt and Ash snapped up my attention from the very first page. A fantasy crime novel? A smart-as-a-whip witch detective? A vampire smuggling ring? Yes, please!

I devoured the opening scene – a delicious interrogation that showcases Hazel Marie’s world-building and the wiles of our main character – and was hooked. What soon follows is a fraught undercover mission into a secret vampire city; a brooding love interest with a soft-gooey center; and a web of supernatural politics.

The detective work soon slips by the wayside, so I still haven’t found my long-desired blend of crime-drama and fantasy. But Like Salt and Ash does a good job of pulling you into the world of a vampire-human rebellion and presents an enemies-to-lovers romance that will appeal to popular ‘romantasy’ fans (he has tattoos, loves black, but has more morality than Rhysand, ladies and gents!)

The chapters are short; the scenes jumping from point A to B swiftly, and the characters quickly want best-friend hugs after a couple of days of knowing each other. Admittedly, I wanted things to be slightly more drawn out. It’s efficient, but that means any tension building is relieved just as you start to be drawn in. It seems to be edging more towards romance than mystery, and I wanted Ember to have more agency in the plot.

But even though it wasn’t the genre I expected, I loved the world and romance. I was invested – I loathed the antagonists, I was rooting for one particular (swear word) to be taken down by Ember’s fury, and I’m still so curious about the threads that have been left just slightly unraveled enough to keep my hopes up for future books. I’ll be watching to see if a tasty sequel-fish or vampire takes a bite of them.

6/10 stars

Ember is a detective in the Chicago Police Department supernatural unit, and she has a big problem with vampires, for obvious reasons since they killed her parents. But when someone from her past is taken to the underground vampire city, she’ll have to face her nightmares and venture to Elithia to find her. Once there she discovers an ever darker plot and must work with the vampires to outwit their leader.

Like Salt and Ash feels like a cross between a detective novel and The Vampire Diaries. I’d also compare it to the earliest Anita Blake novels. All of these are things I love, and LSAA falls neatly in that category alongside them.

LSAA has a touch of darkness, but not enough to be like “wtf did I just read”, vampires, cool magic, and just enough romance to keep you hooked. We also have vampire politics, witches, and a handful of cool side characters. It’s a really quick read that will you keep you hooked until the end. (Omg the ending?!)

Like Salt and Ash is a great read for any time of year, but the Halloween release date is perfect timing. It has that sort of chilly autumnal feel that’s perfect for a cup of (spiked preferably) tea. I really enjoyed this and I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Also. THEO. I love him and I need more of him.

Thanks to Lake Country Press and Hazel Marie for the ARC!

Are you looking for a book that has strong FMC witch detective? This is for you! Ember is a witch in the Chicago Supernatural Police Department and she’s forced to take a new case when her ex goes missing. She’s to go undercover in a secret city composed of vampires, the exact being she hates. She ends up with a vampire named Theo and they partner up to end the regime that has allowed humans to be enslaved and trafficked.

The FMC was a little over the top with her impulsiveness and reluctance to accept any help, but her reasoning isn’t unfounded due to her last trauma. This enemies turned lovers happened a lot quicker than I would have liked. I personally love more tension between characters, but the transition is nice without it!

This book made me feel optimistic, like Ember and Theo could change the world side by side! I like that the author addresses trafficking in a real lens, but didn’t get too in-depth or morbid. It was essential to the plot, but didn’t drag it down. The author had a nice way of explaining it.

What's not to love about a well written romance with some of my favourite tropes. It's very easy to do Enemies to lovers Badly but Hazel Marie did it perfectly.

Anyone who loves urban fantasy with a touch of the traditional paranormal will love this book

A must read! An enemies to lovers with a sassy/stubborn powerful witch FMC that can detect others feelings/intentions and hates vampires. The MMC is a cinnamon roll and absolute perfection. Ember and Theo work together to take down an underground blood donor trafficking ring. I'm a sucker for stories about taking down trafficking organizations, but this one definitely delivered! Add it to your spooky reads list if you love:

Urban Fantasy/Supernatural
Vampires and Witches
Enemies to Lovers
Strong FMC
Cinnamon Roll MMC
Trafficking Ring Takedown

I will most definitely be keeping an eye out for this author in the future. I need to know what happens next!

I really liked this book, it has some incredible worldbuilding that transports you into a dark world of magic, vampires, human slavery, and fairies all underneath the city of Chicago. This is the story of Ember, a witch who is a detective for the Chicago Paranormal Police Dept.

After Ember’s ex-girlfriend disappears, she is determined to try to find her. After investigating the cause of her disappearance, we learn that she was abducted by vampires. Ember hates this due to a vampire killing both her parents as a child. Despite this, Ember swallows her fear and anxiety in order to follow all leads that lead to her ex. Unfortunately, while undercover, she gets captured and enslaved herself by vampires and taken to a vampire city under Chicago. Whilst enslaved she gets acquainted with a kindhearted vampire by the name of Theo who is against taking human “donors” against their will.

From the moment Ember and Theo met there was an attraction, however as they get to know each other while trying to fight the politics within their setting they come to grow closer despite Ember’s conflict against vampires.

The tropes you will find in this book are enemies to lovers, forced proximity, different worlds.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was really a page turner and loved the character development. I just wish that Ember’s character wasn’t so impulsive, however given her background I understand why she would be. In my opinion Theo was excellently written and my favorite character in the book. All in all a great spooky read for the Fall.

Thank you NetGalley and Xpresso Book Tours for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. I found it fast paced and I loved the mix of the real world and the supernatural world.

I thought that Ember was a strong main character, who grew a lot throughout the book. She came to realise that just because someone does something bad it doesn’t mean everyone is the same. Her back and forth with Theo was sweet and funny, I loved how much they grew to care for one another.

I felt like the ending was a little rushed given the long build-up. However, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what the author writes next. I hope it’s another story about Ember!