Finished Reading October 20, 2021

4 Stars ( )

Pure perfection

What do you do when you are in forced isolation? Drop everything that you were previously doing and read the newest release from this amazing author. Even if I wasn't in the midst of this seriously chaotic time, I would still stop everything I was doing for the words of this author. I own every book that she has written and this might be one of my favorites.

I adored how the author not only created this book as a way to unite with her fans and also to offer solace in a time that the majority of people are feeling scared, disheartened, or lonely. She is a queen for a reason. Having been along for the ride and watched everyone as they helped create these characters from their names down to their animals was exciting. I have to say that she took the comments to heart because these characters are truly magic. As always, I fell in love with how real and authentic the characters are. I feel what they feel. I fell in love with the secondary characters and cannot wait to see this series expand. They all offered something. I found moments to laugh, to be concerned, to feel anger, and sadness but, moreover, I found reasons to hope. They, and this story, were joy personified.

A huge thanks to this author for not only this book and the start of a new series but also for spreading kindness. The fact that she made this book free for her fans shows how amazing she is and how much she truly cares. ( )

First thing is at the time I write this review this book is free.

It is a gift from the author to her readers as the world deals with Covid-19.

It can be downloaded here https://www.kristenashley.net/titles/after-the-climb/

It is a second chance romance.
It starts with the heroine going to visit the Hero on request of last wishes of a friend who committed suicide.
The instructions are for them to open a box together and read the letter together.

The letter explains that the dead friend had plotted to part them when they were together and lied that the heroine cheated.

In KA books esp in her early ones, usually the Hero will be unkind or even extremely cruel to the heroine for a few chapters then realise he has misunderstood a situation or is just flat out wrong and then decide to go for a future with her and win her back.

In this book within a chapter and a half maybe he sees the error of his ways.

What gets me is, does the actions of a man when he thinks you've crossed him reveal a side of his personality that would make someone cautious to get involved with them?
He has cut her off for 28 years, wouldn't listen to her pleadings and denials and when she arrives before discovering the contents of the letter is visibly cold to her and as soon as he realises he instantly changes.
I find this behaviour worrysome.
I'm not saying if you believed a girl/boy friend cheated you don't have the right to be hurt etc but it's the change in demeanor without fully being able to deal with the situation in the first place.
Let's hope she doesn't upset him again in the future!!

Also his actions are sort of excused as it's said and they both agree that they were too young anyway for that big a love and if that hadn't broken them up then them pursuing their careers etc would have.
This is infuriating.
It would have been very different to have an amicable break up or to drift apart than have a boyfriend treat you the way the Hero treats this heroine.
He was brutal in his believing his friend over her.
So much so neither of them got over it, so how is it okay?

There were endless descriptions of the cabin, the Hero built.
The author is a fan of Yellowstone TV show and she even mentions it but we get several accounts of decor, types of wood, wall hangings etc.....

The daughter of the heroine has been in France for a time so we get the constant french expressions......

The animals I think at times had more of a plot than the main characters.
Her cat is transported from her home and lives happily in a hotel room, my cat would never put up with this.

They are endlessly rich, her a movie star, he's a business man.
So is champagne and spa treatments, fancy outfits and labelled clothing and shoes.... Did I mention the cabin from Yellowstone?

Too much.

The story had potential but it seemed as if there would be angst then it was resolved before it even really began.
There were exes on both sides but everyone was happy, kids on both sides and all celebrating Xmas together.
Come back the days when we had a good old bitchy ex causing all sorts of havoc.

There were no intimate scenes other than the Hero and heroine.

During separation they were both married, had children divorced and dated in-between.

It was okay but it felt like a bit of a hard slog after 40%.
I skipped the endless descriptions, so boring.
And I couldn't wait for it to end.
Thank goodness it was free.

There are endless secondary characters introduced for future books in series which the author may or may not write if she doesn't get distracted by something else.

HEA.
Let's hope she doesn't upset him and he doesn't refuse to listen and shut her out again. He had his reasons but still.....


Next book is the daughter, Chloe.
She has already got on my nerves.
Super high maintenance. Needs a good slap. ( )