I was settin’ up to live a good life, the kinda life I’d fought hard to deserve.
With a good woman––the best woman––at my side, a degree under my belt, and the whole world at my feet, I was livin’ the kinda happily ever after usually denied the rebellious and the criminal. I’d turned my back on that kinda life, thinkin’ I needed that clean, wholesome kinda happy.
Then the devil came dressed in … the wings of an angel and took someone from me.
And I realized I was wrong.
There was no clean and wholesome for a man like me with poetry in his heart and outlaw in his blood. The life I’d been livin’ was only purgatory, holding me over until the time came for me to descend into Hell and pick up the tarnished crown that awaited me.
I was condemning my woman to a life of violence, blood, and heartache, but I had to hope she’d step up and finally be the rough and tumble queen to my Fallen MC king.
After the Fall can be read as a stand-alone romance, but you first meet the couple in Lessons in Corruption (The Fallen Men, #1)
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I finished this read a few days ago, and I am still blown away that this read invoked. Cress and King’s love was never in question for me and I had a hard time getting through 50% of the book because that is all it was their unending love and devotion that they had for one another, and I found it repetitive. Then you get it, Everything clicks into place about why their love was needed to be shown, and it just runs down your face in a torrential downpour. I am talking hiccup sobs. FOr this author to affect me on such an emotional level with one of my favorite couples, Bravo, standing ovation.
A story full of passion, heartache, romance and action. An emotional roller coaster that will leave you wanting for more!
This book stars off at about the same time as Good Gone Bad and then extends past it so I don’t want to say too much so it isn’t spoilery for both books. But oh my was this one good. Giana gave us all the feels with this one. King is once again confirmed as one of the best book boyfriends ever. I also love how much Cress has grown and developed in an Old Lady. She definitely has grown a steel rod in her back and I freaking love it. I love how devoted these two are to each other. Makes me all mushy inside. But then Giana had to go and break our hearts. I was bawling entirely too much in the end of this book. Thankfully she puts us back together but I felt a bit cheated in that. I would have liked to see the return so we could see everyone’s reaction especially Daddy Zeus – but still a fantastic read that I put off because I was scared and that I am kicking myself for waiting too long to read. Highly recommend this one if you loved King and Cress like I did.
4.5 Stars
This book was wonderful. I loved it. We finally get King’s POV and it was so freaking beautiful and poetic. He stole my heart so easily. King is the deepest alpha male I have ever read. He is alpha without being an asshole and he isn’t afraid to express his feelings and claim his women. I want more men like King in literature and I want one in my life. King and Cress are in a league of their own and this book takes them to a whole new level. We are getting deeper into the MC life style and it will have your blood pumping. Giana will have you screaming at your kindles one moment and swooning so hard the next. This book is wild. It is equal parts sexy and angsty, while also being violent and gritty. Like most of Giana’s works she makes you feel EVERYTHING. It is beautiful and tragic. I cried and laughed and I had to fan myself a couple of times. This story is epic. I would put it down because I didn’t want to read too fast just to pick it back up moments later because I just couldn’t leave this world. You have to read this book! “After The Fall” was the perfect addition to this series. It shows what true love and loyalty really means. It was everything. I am so in love with the Fallen MC.
This book – WOW!! I have no words to be honest. These characters have lodged themselves deep in your soul after you had read the previous books. This one is like no other. These words, characters and storyline absolutely suck the breath right out of you.
King is the man. He lives to take care of Cressida is his page. They are total alphas who will not let anything between them and their women and club. This story is a rollercoaster of every emotion. The humor. The tears. The emotions. An unbelievable book that will make you life this author that much more.
Completely speechless!! I don’t know how this author is able to write such amazing stories but she never let’s us readers down. After The Fall took me on such an exciting rollercoaster ride, I never wanted it to end yet at the same time I couldn’t wait to see where the story went. I loved every single moment of this book.
3.5 Stars
Whilst it’s always great to dive back into the world of the Fallen, I’m a little conflicted with my thoughts on After the Fall. I have to say the story itself was beautifully written, King’s poems to Cressida were swoon worthy, in fact the majority of the book had a rather lovely lyrical feel to it.
The problem I had was I didn’t feel like the first two thirds of the story really told us anything new about this couple. They’re still madly in love, their chemistry and steamy times are off the scale and King worships Cressida and the ground she walks on. Whilst it was lovely to see that his support and adoration allowed her to be her true self, to move forward with strength and confidence, none of this was really a surprise to me.
I was also a little disappointed, as after the cliffhanger at the end of Good Gone Bad, I hoped this book would pick up the story and dive back in where it left off with the action packed scenarios we’ve come to expect of this series. That’s not the case here and in fact it took quite some time to catch up with the events in that previous book. It wasn’t until the last third that I started to have a sense of foreboding, that “something wicked this way comes” and I got those edge of the seat moments, the danger and drama I was craving. I must admit, there were parts towards the end of the book that moved me to tears. I do absolutely adore the emotions, the love, that sense of friendship and family that’s infused throughout the story, and even more so in the aftermath of some dark and tragic events. These bikers may be unorthodox and unconventional, but they’re family all the same. As King himself says;
“Family isn’t in the blood. It’s the echo of each name That sounds with the beat of your heart”
After the Fall may be a mixed bag for me, but I still very much enjoy this author’s writing style, her fallen men and their women and I’m excited to see what life has in store for them all next.
I’ve never struggled to write a review for any of Giana’s books as much as I’ve struggled with this one! I loved Lessons in Corruption but After the Fall slayed me! Pretty sure I’m still recovering weeks later.
I forgot how much I’ve missed my Fallen Men until I read the companion poetry book, King of Iron Hearts, and even more after reading AtF. I can’t even begin to explain the myriad of emotions AtF put me through and made me feel and I already gave up on writing a proper review because nothing I say would do it any justice but I just had to mention how much I adored this book especially the second half. I pretty much wanted to highlight entire chapters!
I’m also thrilled we finally got King’s POV which was everything on its own but CRESS!! For me Cress truly shined in this book. Seeing their evolutions both as a couple and individuals was very rewarding and what really made the book all the more great. We needed this book because even though some might have been satisfied with how Lessons in Corruption ended, it was obvious they still had a lot of growing up to do and obstacles to overcome as individuals and a couple.
That being said, one of my absolute favourite things that we got in After the Fall was all the hints we got for future couples in the series.. One in particular I’m dying for! Ok, who am I kidding, all of them really. CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK IN THE SERIES!!!
“Hope that my sacrifice would ensure the happily ever after I’d once promised my wife. I’d found what I loved, and I was only too willin’ to let it kill me.”
*** 5 KING OF IRON STARS ***
King Kyle Garro is one of my all-time favorite book heroes. I was surprised, yet elated, when G Darling announced that After the Fall would be about King and his true love, Cressida. Many years have passed since Lessons in Corruption. Entrance has become more corrupt, allies have been made, new characters have made a presence, yet the Garro men continue to protect their loved ones and each of their Fallen brothers like their own….AND I WAS CONSUMED WITH EVERY SECOND AND PAGE OF THIS BOOK!!!!
I absolutely love the man that King has grown into – his love and passion for Cress can be felt searing off the pages; he is rough around the edges, yet oh so sensitive and romantic. This biker/poet has grown into a man who has earned the respect of the Brotherhood, and the unwavering devotion and love of his girl, Cress. The inner battle he faces to protect those he loves while also taking what he wants is one that haunts him. But as the corrupt police of Entrance continue to threaten King and his Fallen family, the answers become more clear to him to what he must do. He never wavered. He stood up to his elders. He challenged those with power. And he protected his love like a roaring lion. I wanted to stand up and cheer for him so many times.
My dear Cressida….oh this girl has come into her own!!! She has come so far, and I couldn’t help but stand in her corner every single second of this book! She is my idol. She is fearless, determined, passionate, and will protect her own like no other Mama Bear. Her love for King is endless, and I found myself at times wishing and daydreaming for a love like theirs. The sacrifices and depths they each go to for the other brought tears to my eyes several times throughout their story.
While there are surprises, twists and turns and quite a bit of suspense throughout this book; what kept me glued to the pages was King and his passionate character – his poems, his loyalty, his fight, his sex appeal, and his possessiveness and fierce protective nature. King Kyle Garro is not the young man we met in LiC, but is now a man capable of leading the Fallen MC Brotherhood and claiming his true love’s heart and soul. I was enamoured by him – totally and completely enraptured, and I didn’t want this story to end. I am counting down until the next book in this series because I am no where near read for this world and these characters to end. Well done once again G Darling!!!
This was an amazing read for us as it was intriguing and gripping and full of tons of romance and so many great and down right love-able characters.What a compelling emotional read that was filled with love,laughter,devotion,suspense,family and sacrifices .It’s really hard and impossible not to love the men of the Fallen Men series as they are rough and rugged and dangerous but, the compassion and love and possessiveness and the way they love their women is “oh”, so endearing and addictive making us women who don’t have a man like Zeus or King wanting for one of our own.
This story was one emotional roller coaster with lots of ups and downs and twists and turns it was also about forgiveness and family bonding and love and the lengths one is willing to go to to protect and save the ones they love.
Cress and King are some of our top favorite characters in this series.We love that we have been part of their journey to finding their happily ever after together and how their love and happiness has only grown and become stronger and we love the little poems King stills writes his Queen showing her how much he loves her on a regular basis.I really loved Cress even more this time around as this women has done a complete 180 from the women we originally met but, she still has managed to have kept those sweet blushes of hers along the way.We saw just how strong and determined and protective she has become of her Fallen family she is truly a Fallen Old Lady and a true Queen.My heart broke for her and that of her family and I was devastated just like the rest of them of what this brotherhood and family was dealing with and going through.
Lou and Zeus we love you as well your love is like a fairy tale and we still like seeing it and feeling it. Lionel we are sorry your dad is such a douche!Nova when the heck are you going to settle down? Inquiring minds want to know…lol
Overall this story was heart felt and gripping and emotional and one that will not be easily forgotten and even hours after reading this story we were still reeling from it.For us that is what we love the most that an authors writing was that compelling and that emotional and that heart-felt that hours later even days later that had you still thinking about the story that you just read and making it hard to move on to another one.
“A highly compelling read and highly recommended !”
“We loved it from beginning to end and everything in between ! ”
“If we could give this story more than 5 stars we would !
Top Read of 2020!
When you are going back through your highlights and get that choked up feeling in your throat – that’s how passionate I am about this book.
The written words must come from a place of a woman who is well loved.
How else could she express the feelings of her characters so brilliantly?
King. The Biker Poet. He holds my heart.
Cress. Bone of his bone.
“Happily-ever-after doesn’t hafta mean nothin’ ever goes wrong”.
This is a true LOVE story.
Are y’all tired of me telling you how amazing Giana Darling is?
Because I feel like you guys don’t understand when I tell you she writes the MOST amazing books I’ve ever read.
Most people fall in love with authors like Emily Brontë, or Jane Austen and for good reasons, they’re amazing authors.
But Giana Darling is my favorite. Every time, with every book of hers I always feel like I’ve been dying of dehydration and her words are the springs I want to drink from.
I have never once been disappointed by a book of hers. She gives absolutely everything to these books and it shows.
King was my first character of Giana’s that I ever read (lessons in corruption). I loved getting back into his and Queenie’s head. It was everything I didn’t know I needed.
Giana will always and forever be one of my favorite authors and I will continue reading every single thing she writes.
My journey with Giana Darling books started with the most beautiful and dangerously tempting MC story about King and Cress relationship in Lessons of Corruption which I totally fell in love with.
So you can imagine my eagerness to come back once again into their world. Fast action, mysteries with suspense and all twists and turns in the book made me captivated deeply to the story like hell. And those two, my favorite heroes who knock me off my feet with their amazing relationship, devotion and fight for each other.
They’ve changed but their love grew even stronger. King is one of book boyfriends I adore. He is a combination of every woman dreams. So tender but rough on the edges, dangerous but sensitive and handsome like rebellious God. His romantic soul was equal with his dangerous attitude. He need to face up his enemies, whom were lurking from the shadow, and protect those who he loves. Cress is his iron queen, fearlessly standing by his side, with support and determination, showing what true love and loyalty means.
There is no way you will be able to walk away once you started to read this story.
Author Giana Darling made a great job! Her story was well thought and written and I truly recommend this story for every mc romance lover.
ALLLLL the feels, every single one!! Best book of 2020 so far!!
Just when you think you cannot love King and Cressida any more, you read this one and your heartstrings are pulled. I loved seeing all of The Fallen here and the tears of joy, lost, and heartbreak. I am so in love with these guys and cannot wait to see what else is planned for them.
As much as I love King and Cress…. this one did not do it for me the same as all of the other Fallen Men stories. I wanted to LOVE this story. Unfortunately that was not the case. Without spoiling and giving too much away….. there were may of the parts that felt completely forced into the book and not at all natural. For me it took a bit too long to get into the story. There was a prologue that grabbed your attention immediately, but then the start of the book just kind of fell flat for me. I did stick with 4 stars because once I got pulled into the story, it pulled out emotions from me…. and yes I did cry. But in general it just didn’t hit me the same as the previous books. But I do still look forward to the next book.
Another amazing read!
What a ride! I can’t even! This story took me in so many places I wouldn’t have thought possible. I have loved every story this author has written and they just continue to get better and better!
I absolutely love that we got more of this couples story. Even though I know we got their beginning, but they definitely had more story to share with us. King and Queenie really shine in this Fallen Man series. I want more, more, more. Please keep bringing us more men and women in this MC famiy. Bring it on!!!
OMG what a brilliant book.
We all know Giana is fantastic with her storytelling and this is no exception, she has absolutely delivered as we knew she would. She has a fantastic way with her words and has you sucked in from the very first line, a typical giana characteristic.
I was thrilled when we discovered we were going to be back again with King and Cressida and it was fantastic to catch up with all of The Fallen family again.
This is your typical Fallen story. It was hot as hell (smoking), full of sexy bad boys, corruption and drama combined with incredible deep romantic love.
I dont want to say anymore, I dont want to give anything away.
I give After the Fall an outstanding 5 stars. Giana is the bomb. That is why she is one my my unicorns.
Ecstatic to discover that GD was revisiting one if my fave book couples. Fall is more emotional and swoony compared to the hot and heavy LIC. It matches the evolution of Cress and King’s relationship well. I also felt like GD had a much stronger grasp of who Cressida was- fitting bc Cress spends much of the book asserting her new self as an iron queen. From steamy (Lessons In Corruption), to dramatic (Welcome to the Dark side), to suspenseful (Good Gone Bad) to reflective (After the Fall), I’m excited to see where Darling takes the Fallen Men next.
When I read a book and I want to know what will happen next but my heart is not sure that it wants to know, it is a damn good book!
Giana Darling writes in such as a way that you just have to keep reading.
After the Fall picks up four years later from Lessons In Corruption. King and Cressida are even more in love with each other. Their relationship is strong, but it has some new tests to go through. The twists and turns will have your emotions all over the place. However, this MC family always find ways to pull each other up, show love and bond.