From Dust (Portland, ME, novels Book 1)

Heartbreaking but inspirational read, real emotions and realistic scenario. I can only imagine the pain of this happening with a support system so to go through it being blamed more than you already blame yourself is unimaginable. To have people who supposedly love you, tell you it's your fault and you are no good and for one of them to actually treat you like dirt by their own behaviour I wanted to scream at them. Syd has been on the streets for years finally finding a place that has a small amount of shelter but is in an area that gives her a bit of calm and peace, her main issue is finding food. I loved Viv, how she took a look at Syd and trusted her, befriended and helped, without knowing a thing. This wasn't an easy or quick fix story, it is full of pain and starts fairly dark, but as everyone gets to know each other lightness starts creeping in, there are more smiles and even laughter pushing the shadows away. Twists and turns stop it from being simple, there are some characters trying to cause trouble. It's emotional turmoil affecting all of them and has the story being a real rollercoaster. I was gripped and empathised with the main characters, I loved Syd and her strength, even at her very lowest point she still faught back, not only that she helped others, even some who wished her ill. I've had this story on my kindle ever since it released only just getting around to reading it, in some ways I wish I'd read it earlier but since I know there are more to the series and I have then as well I'm glad I waited, coz now I get to dive straight into the next book. Fabulously written full of sensitivity and feeling, definitely a book to reccomend.

Firstly let me say it's at time like these that I realise I'm too generous or not discerning enough when awarding 5 stars because I'm seeing now that there are 5 star books and there are FIVE STAR books. "From Dust" is the latter and I'm sorry that my stars are indistinguishable from other stars given to other great books, but books not as great at this.We all hit on books from time to time that strike a cord and linger beneath the memories retained in our past. It was with a strange irony that I read the notes from the author first and saw she'd known a family who had lost a child in a tragic similarity to the book, because so do I and I was curious but entirely trusting in Ms Barkers ability not to just treat the topic gently and carefully but also with a realism that I've not seen another author handle as beautifully as the author. Realism is a trademark of Ms Barkers in all her books...even if its grief. If one can find a strange beauty in reading about Birds loss its been wonderfully found with great respect in this story.If you want a powerful story to challenge you emotionally, please read. If you're looking for a fun teasing summer romance, move on. This isn't it. This is where the big girls come out to read because this book is for the grown ups who know what it is to cry over sick kids, lose yourself in worry, then count your blessings that you can look at the end of a rotten day and look forward to tomorrow because its part of life's puzzle. It's not a hearts and flowers romance...its a mother clawing her way back from a horror no parent should experience to a strong man ( I'm not using the world alpha as its become as irritating to me as bimbo its so over used now) who has his own worries and real life problems, but who saw her and loved her, not despite her past but regardless of it. Gunner was simply a good man. A strong man able and willing to carry her load until she was able to. This is not a kleenex story...its a kleenex story with a journey through grief despair and endless endless hope provided by Gunner and his kids to a sweet decent woman who had never known kindness despite her privileged life. Please trust me when I tell you, this book will raise your bar of expectations when it comes to your next read. It's probably the closest I've come to finding the most perfect book in this genre.

From Dust is a contemporary romance that covers quite heavy issues that can be hard to read about but the characters make it so worth it. This was such an emotional roller coaster ride. Initially the reader doesn’t know exactly what Syd has been through, and once you do, it will rock you as much as it did her!I’m not going to say anything else about this book or it’s characters. It’s one of those books that will make you feel many emotions many of them raw, but no amount of words could express how it made me feel- so you need to find your own emotions. I am very positive that you won’t be disappointed, that once you’ve opened this book and begun the journey that this author Freya Barker leads you through- it’ll become a firm favourite to read over and over again. Enjoy.

f I could give this 10 stars I would.After reading the ebook of this amazing story, I purchased the paperback version because I loved it so much.I can honestly say after finishing the story that I feel honoured to have been given the chance to read such an awesome book.The story begins with Sydney (Syd) who is living in a disused hut behind a pub called the Skipper which does offer her some shelter from the elements, but she is emaciated and has to stoop to foraging in their bins for food. Syd is alone, all because of a tragedy that struck and forced her to leave everything behind her, to help her forget the pain and the suffering.One one of Syd's scavenging trips into the Skippers bins, she hears a voice pleading to her "please don't", little did she realise at that moment in time the voice she heard would have such an impact on how her life would change from that moment on.Omg I cried so hard reading the first few pages, the writer pulls you deep into an emotional void, you cannot help but care, pity, hope and pray that Syd gets a better life.I really am reluctant to divulge anything about this book it is too precious and you really do have to read it, no amount of words could describe how this story made me feel, I think this is one I will remember forever, absolutely freaking awesome is not even close to how I felt about it.