This was an okay read for me. I was mostly uninterested in the mystery elements and kinda skimmed those sections. The MCs have a few arguments and squThis was an okay read for me. I was mostly uninterested in the mystery elements and kinda skimmed those sections. The MCs have a few arguments and squabble over things to emphasize their individual strengths of spirit. I would have preferred some sweeter moments between the two to build upon their relationship other than a horse ride and a sex scene. But that's me.
Overall, it was okay and a nice read on a day where I didn't want to do much other than read romance....more
A biased 4 stars. This book was likely more of a 3 for me, but since I adore the characters in this book and loved book 3 of this series, I bumped thiA biased 4 stars. This book was likely more of a 3 for me, but since I adore the characters in this book and loved book 3 of this series, I bumped this book up to a 4.
I'm a big fan of the heroine, Lottie. She is smart, independent and quick-witted. It's nice to read a historical romance where the heroine has a solid backbone and bonus points for Lottie having a checkered past. Lottie grew up with a notorious criminal and as a result, bears the burden of his sins.
Enter Owen Renderwell.
Twelve years ago, as part of a deal to avoid prison, Lottie's father worked with Owen Renderwell, who was a police officer at the time. Lottie ends up working with Owen as well and uses her aptitude for cryptography to aid Owen. While working together, the two fall for one another -- though they never admit their feelings (this is all off page by the way). Stuff happens which leads Lottie to feeling deeply betrayed by Owen, leaving her hurt and bitter. Fast forward to the present and the two are brought together again in hopes that Lottie can help Owen solve a mystery. What unfolds is a decent story involving a second-chance love story of sorts.
Personally, the relationship between Owen and Lottie seemed to drag a bit. They seemed to move past any grudges rather quickly but didn't get to the actual romance till much later. The mystery also went on several chapters too long for my tastes and I got a little sleepy during all the cryptography chatter. While the book could have been shorter, it was an overall enjoyable story. I especially liked the MCs and their friends and family. I will definitely be reading book 2....more
I genuinely love this book!!! It's a historical romance wrapped in a cat and mouse type mystery that's not dark or hard to follow. I am truly baffled I genuinely love this book!!! It's a historical romance wrapped in a cat and mouse type mystery that's not dark or hard to follow. I am truly baffled by the lack of popularity for this book because it is so darn good! The characters are multidimensional and extremely likeable, the banter is perfect and not smothering and the storyline is fun and paced well. I was highly entertained from beginning to end.
I do not remember why I started with the last book in this series before the others, but thankfully it can be read as a standalone. I will happily be reading the other two books as well as checking out this new-to-me-author's other works.
I’m torn on how to rate this book�.. very, very torn.
I wanted to LOVE this book. See, growing up, I adored soap operas. My mom watched a lot of them aI’m torn on how to rate this book�.. very, very torn.
I wanted to LOVE this book. See, growing up, I adored soap operas. My mom watched a lot of them and having been her shadow, I ended up immersed in the daytime storylines. Reflecting on my childhood, I realize that soap opera content was not suitable for children, but that didn’t stop me watching nor kept me from rooting for Billy and Reva to finally stay together on Guiding Light (for those of you who don’t know, Reva was played by the same actress who guest starred on Designing Women as Charlene’s childhood bff who later was a victim of domestic abuse � again � not an appropriate show for children, but I loved that one as well). ANYWAY, I loved soaps, both the daytime and nighttime variety. I devoured the totally ridiculous and over the top storylines and fan girl-ed hard over the fashion, hair and makeup choices (growing up, I wanted to be the costume designer on a soap opera set � that’s how much I loved it all). So, given my love of soaps, it seems natural that I would love Linda Howard novels, as her plots appear to be soap-opera adjacent.
Unfortunately, I can’t rate After the Night higher than 3 stars. While the book had aspects that I enjoyed (mainly the OTT drama), there wasn’t enough relationship development between the MCs for me to love the book. The hero was a lust-filled volcano that was ready to erupt every time he encountered Faith but not before insulting her. Worse, was the hero’s appearance. Look, I’m not particularly vain and I don’t have a “type� when it comes to a romance hero’s looks but I cringed every time I read a description of Gray. His huge physique coupled with his long dark locks and shiny earring kept conjuring images of these fellows:
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and
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…â¶Ä¦â¶Ä¦â¶Ä�................................
I’m sorry, I just can’t. Gaston and Seagal immediately douse the fire-factor in this book. Faith (our heroine), did not overcome a childhood filled with abuse, neglect and poverty to then have to settle for a HEA with freakin� Gaston. No self-respecting woman that owns THREE branches of a travel agency should have to settle for that douche.
Also worth mentioning was the creepy lust the twenty-two hero felt for the heroine when she was FOURTEEN. Gross. Puke. Insert all the throw-up emojis. That was totally inappropriate and unnecessary.
Putting those things aside (and hopefully forever forgotten), this book was okay. I definitely see myself reading more of Linda Howard and thankfully she has like 30 books to choose from, so I’m guessing I will be a bigger fan of a different book. ...more
A big thank you to my GR friend, Just Josie for recommending this book to me! I needed something to pull me out of a hellish book slump and requestedA big thank you to my GR friend, Just Josie for recommending this book to me! I needed something to pull me out of a hellish book slump and requested a book with amnesia (because if anything can get me reading again, it’s a romance read with amnesia) and Just Josie suggested Waterfall Effect.
This book was an enjoyable read! I mostly liked the characters and the story. I think the relationship between Aurora and Jaxon should have been fleshed out more�. more angst to drive the plot and their relationship would have helped. The inner dialog needed some variation because it was mostly on a constant repeat cycle of their past issues.
Speaking of the past�.. is it just me or is it SUPER weird that the author didn’t delve into the trauma that Aurora faced when she was seventeen???? Like, she was kidnapped, presumably tortured and almost murdered and the author only mentions it in a surface-type of way. And Jaxon and Aurora BARELY discuss it.
It’s weird. Totally weird.
Also weird is the fact that Jaxon makes a KIDNAPPING JOKE to Aurora and she laughs.
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Yet, when her bff/boyfriend Scott expresses concern at her lack of communication and fears she may be “dead in a ditch,� Aurora almost rips him a new one.
Aurora also engages in other confusing behavior, such as ignoring strange noises coming outside of her cabin in the woods. Instead of calling for help or investigating, Aurora just ignores the would-be murderer and turns off the lights and goes to sleep. At another time, her cell phone dies and Aurora doesn’t bother getting another one and is content to stay alone, deep in the woods, with strange noises and shadows appearing semi-regularly.
I mean, girls in dumb horror movies have been written with more brains than Aurora, but I guess it worked for the sake of the plot.
What didn’t work for me was alllllllll the art talk.
Jaxon’s an artist. He teaches art. He sells art.
And guess what?
Aurora is also an artist.
And they talk about art. A lot. Like in almost every chapter.
Reading about art over and over and OVER had me feeling a certain way.
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I give zero fucks about art. Whether it’s a painting of Starry Night or dogs playing poker, I just don’t care. I’ve been to art museums and galleries and they all bore me to tears. Maybe that makes me low brow and/or stupid. I don’t care. I’m not into it and I don’t pretend to be into it. So having both an artist hero and an artist heroine was a little much for me.
As was Jaxon’s nickname for Aurora.
“Waterfall Eyes.�
Okay, first off�. That’s NOT A NICKNAME. It’s not an accepted/known endearment and it’s not catchy. It’s kind of a mouthful to say. Try saying it three times. I’ll wait.
…â¶Ä¦â¶Ä¦â¶Ä¦â¶Ä¦â¶Ä¦â¶Ä�...
…â¶Ä¦â¶Ä¦â¶Ä¦â¶Ä¦â¶Ä¦â¶Ä¦â¶Ä�.
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Did you cringe or roll your eyes? I did both.
Second thing... Jaxon doesn't even call Aurora 'Waterfall Eyes' because she has blue eyes the same shade as waterfalls (which she does) but because her eyes light up when she sees a waterfall.... ...more
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