Mrs. Nash's Ashes

By: Sarah Adler

Narrated by: Mara Wilson

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

A New York Public Library Best Book of 2023!

A starry-eyed romantic, a cynical writer, and (the ashes of) an elderly woman take the road trip of a lifetime that just might upend everything they believe about true love.

Millicent Watts-Cohen is on a mission. When she promised her elderly best friend that she’d reunite her with the woman she fell in love with nearly eighty years ago, she never imagined that would mean traveling from D.C. to Key West with three tablespoons of Mrs. Nash’s remains in her backpack. But Millie’s determined to give her friend a symbolic happily-ever-after, before it’s (really) too late—and hopefully reassure herself of love’s lasting power in the process.

She just didn’t expect to have a living travel companion.

After a computer glitch grounds flights, Millie is forced to catch a ride with Hollis Hollenbeck, an also-stranded acquaintance from her ex’s MFA program. Hollis certainly does not believe in happily-ever-afters—symbolic or otherwise—and makes it quite clear that he can’t fathom Millie’s plan ending well for anyone.

But as they contend with peculiar bed-and-breakfasts, unusual small-town festivals, and deer with a death wish, Millie begins to suspect that her reluctant travel partner might enjoy her company more than he lets on. Because for someone who supposedly doesn’t share her views on romance, Hollis sure is becoming invested in the success of their journey. And the closer they get to their destination, the more Millie has to admit that maybe this trip isn’t just about Mrs. Nash’s love story after all—maybe it’s also about her own.

A Most Anticipated Summer Read by Today ∙ Barnes & Noble ∙ BookRiot ∙ GoodReads ∙ Culturess ∙ and more!

©2023 Sarah Adler (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“I laughed. I sobbed. I loved it! Soft, sweet, and utterly enchanting, Mrs. Nash’s Ashes by Sarah Adler is a delightfully funny and poignant romance that sticks with you like a warm and gooey cinnamon roll.”—Ashley Poston, New York Times bestselling author of The Dead Romantics

"Debut author Adler combines heat and sweet in this charmingly offbeat rom-com....Adler’s well-drawn characters leap off the page, and she handles difficult topics with grace. She also shows off her comedy chops in some laugh-out-loud road trip mishaps…This delightful debut is sure to find fans.” —Publishers Weekly

“With a road trip, only one bed, and giant misunderstandings, Adler perfectly deploys her novel’s abundant romance tropes. Alternating between Millie’s and Mrs. Nash’s stories, this laugh-out-loud funny contemporary will have readers swooning over and cheering for Millie and Hollis....Adler’s delightful opposites-attract debut is perfect for fans of Tessa Bailey and Christina Lauren.” —Library Journal (starred review)

Incredible!!

I found this incredibly heart warming, captivating, sweet, and well written. It was a perfect summer read!

Loved!

A lovely story! I was so engrossed that I got upset when the conflict was finally unveiled and had to take a break.
After consideration I find no real flaws with the characters' behavior except that Hollis was too perfect.

Cute, fun and sexy, a great read!

exceeded every expectation

I loved everything about this book. Both main characters. Both love stories. The adventures and mishaps. Plus it was crazy sexy without that part taking over the story. Can’t wait for another from the author.

This was delightful.

This book was so great. A nice escape and an easy listen. Loved the characters.

A truly perfect book

Honestly, I have no notes. This book was so lovely, funny and charming, I’m truly so sad it’s over.

Slow and different

The current day main characters are odd. Female protagonist describes herself as “weird” which I guess is accurate but not in a way I found relatable. She comes across as not having adult decision-making capacity or basic problem solving abilities. Narration is pretty flat but the character’s emotions are all over the place. The love story of side characters that happened in the past was cute.

Wonderful!

A few authors that I follow recommended this book, and I’m so glad they did! Beautifully written, sweet, funny, and even a little steamy. I love a grumpy-guy, plucky-gal story, but this was so much more!

It’s a great story about meeting people and being open to opportunities.

The characters are very relatable in real life. I loved the connection between two people not related from two different generations that are decades apart.

Heartbreakingly sweet

Simply so sweet and touching of a story with very unique characters who are real and not too sweet

Perfectly Sweet & Touching

Absolutely delightful, with a whole lot of heart and perfectly seasoned spice. Plus having Maura Wilson narrate a book about a former child star? Master stroke.