Sarah Adler’s rom-com pairs a sunshiney optimist with a grumpy writer on a chaotic drive from Washington, D.C. to Key West, with three spoonfuls of an elderly friend’s ashes tucked in a backpack. It sounds zany, yet the humor is wrapped around a heartfelt exploration of found family, grief, and the kind of love story that can change how you see your life.
The setup
Millicent Watts-Cohen promised her best friend, Mrs. Nash, a symbolic reunion with the woman she fell for in the 1940s. When flights melt down, Millie hitches a ride with Hollis Hollenbeck, an acquaintance known for razor dry quips and a firm disbelief in happily ever after. Detours pile up. Small towns embrace them. There are quirky B&Bs, accidental only-one-bed situations, and an unexpected emotional pull that puts Millie’s sunny certainty at odds with Hollis’s guarded realism.
What the book does well
- Grumpy x Sunshine chemistry: The banter crackles and the slow thaw feels earned. Readers who love sharp one-liners, flirty push and pull, and a few well-timed open door moments will be happy.
- Dual love stories: The present-day romance is interlaced with a moving queer love story from the past. Those glimpses deepen the stakes of Millie’s promise and give the road trip a soulful compass.
- Tone balance: Adler keeps things buoyant without dodging hard topics. Grief has weight here, but optimism has agency too.
- Cinematic pacing: Episodic stops offer set pieces that feel made for a rom-com movie. Think roadside diners, oddball festivals, and a community of strangers who nudge the couple forward.
What might not work for everyone
- Quirk tolerance: Millie’s voice is bright and idiosyncratic. If you prefer understated heroines, her relentless optimism may feel extra.
- Single POV: We live in Millie’s head. Readers who want alternating chapters from Hollis might miss direct access to his internal shifts.
- Big declarations on a short timeline: This is a romance that believes in catalyst moments. If you need long courtships or strictly realistic timelines, the intensity can feel swift.
- Grief content: The historical storyline can be emotionally heavy. Some readers will find it cathartic. Others may feel wrung out by the end.
Characters to love
- Millie: Former child actor, chaotic good, loyal to a fault. She treats kindness as a practice, not a posture.
- Hollis: Prickly at first, secretly soft. Watching him move from cynicism to care is part of the reward.
- Rosie and Elsie: Their decades-old connection reframes what lasting love can mean and why Millie’s mission matters.
Themes and takeaways
- Promises as love in action: Honoring Mrs. Nash’s wish anchors the comedy to something true.
- Found family: The story suggests that family is built by showing up, not only by blood.
- Hope with teeth: Optimism is not naivety. It is a choice that costs effort, and this book treats it as such.
Read if you liked
- The Happy Ever After Playlist for banter and travel hijinks
- One Day in December for earnest romantic beats
- Letters to Juliet for the past-present love thread and search for closure
Verdict
Mrs. Nash’s Ashes is warm, witty, and surprisingly poignant. It delivers laughter and swoon while giving real space to loss and legacy. If you enjoy road trip romances with heart and a touch of history, this is an easy recommendation.
Want to read it: Buy Mrs. Nash’s Ashes on Amazon
