Gorgeous. Sweet. Funny. He made me feel things that I’ve never felt before. In just one short week over Spring Break, I began to fall in love. That is until it all fell apart. Now, here I am, three years later and I’ve moved on, at least that’s what I told myself until he came crashing back into my life. Things have changed. I’ve changed, and there’s something he doesn’t know. He wants me to give … me to give us another chance. I try to fight it, but it’s not long before all of those same old feelings come rushing back. I know he feels it too. I can see it every time he looks at me. I can feel it every time he touches me.
It feels like I’m missing something though, like there’s something that he’s not telling me. Something that has the potential to tear it all apart. After all, it’s not easy when you fall in love with your best friends’ father. I didn’t stand a chance after we met.
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What was supposed to be a vacation away from the daily grind becomes so much more when Lani and her best friend’s father Damon become closer than they should. Trying to keep their romance under wraps only works for so long until Molly finds out and blows a gasket. So this leave Damon needing to choose between a possible soulmate and the love of his daughter. His choice not only leaves Lani out in the cold but she walks away from their short romance with a secret all of her own. Can a freak reunion bring the two back together? Or will the secret Lani has been hiding be too much to overcome. Filled with heavy emotion and loads of angst this was definitely a page turner. While I loved Lani and tolerates Damon it was Molly that I wanted to reach into the book and slap upside the head.
This book came to me at just the right time. I’ve been in this taboo phase lately but I’ve struggled to find something I really liked. After We Met was a great story that checked all my boxes.
There were definitely some WTF moments and I didn’t really care much for one of the characters (although, I don’t think she was meant to be liked), but overall I found it to be a good read. I especially liked watching Lani change and grow. When we meet her she’s young, but as the story progresses (she’s still young) she becomes independent when it counts and vulnerable when she’s allowed to be.
This is definitely a story about forgiveness, but it’s also about acceptance and learning that sometimes love finds you when you least expect it. It was a little different for this author but I hope she continues to step out of her comfort zone and give us more stories like this one.
~ Kimberly Anne
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This book gave me serious whiplash, but not necessarily in a bad way. I started out not really liking Lani. Although I couldn’t pinpoint exactly why, she seemed immature (duh, she’s a college kid) and a little too timid for an affair with an older man. After Sophie is born she’s like another person (another duh, parenthood does that), protective and completely in love with her daughter. Molly was just as immature in the beginning, if not more. I get being upset at finding your dad involved with your best friend. But the hypocrisy was too much, as she was also seeing an older man. Molly definitely redeemed herself and went above and beyond to try and right an all around mess of a situation.
Now Damon. I loved him at first, age gaps have never bothered me. Then I hated him for not stepping up, but I thought I got over it when he initially explained himself. Turns out I didn’t get over it. I guess I just don’t understand his course of action. He worried more about his daughter’s feelings than stepping up and facing the consequences of his actions. Even though he did the right thing in the end and I genuinely felt he loved Lani and Sophie, I just can’t wrap my head around his choices. I love how this book kept my interest, there were more than a few unexpected twists and the HEA I was rooting for from the beginning.
Evan has always been one of my favorite authors from day #1. A taboo, twists and turns, beautiful, older man, younger woman book. My best friend’s Dad, to be exact type of book but, so good.
This book is rollercoaster of emotions. Lanie never intended to fall for her best friend’s dad. When everything is exposed, hearts are broke and friendships are ruined. This book will have you feeling everything and this author did an amazing job on this book. I hope everyone gets a chance to read this.
Thank goodness I was reading at home the angsty. This book was well written with amazing characters definitely a page turner. I enjoyed reading this book.
***This is coming from someone who really doesn’t care for this trope at all***
How to even begin…the beginning of this book was a turn off for me only because of the large age difference. It just a personal thing that I don’t care for. BUT, BUT, BUT, when I take myself beyond that, everything falls into place.
Lani was young and naive when she met Damon. Instant heat and longing but forbidden. Her best friends father. Taboo but maybe she will be ok with it. You can’t help who you fall for right? Wrong, so wrong and everything falls apart. Pushed away, ignored, hated, she feels it all.
This is the point where I lost it on Damon. He went from hot and steamy to douche-canoe on the largest level. Childish and self-centered were words that surrounded his name. I wanted to strangle him.
Years have passed. Lani is holding on, surviving. Then she sees him again. He’s shocked, he never thought he would see her again and he realizes that he doesn’t want to let go, that he never should have. He pushes and she relents. She never got over him but she’s cautious. There’s a secret, it’s a big one, and it could cause plenty of damage. They could lose it all. Reactions will show us the truth for the future.
Despite my cringe over the trope, it did suck me in. Evan has a way with storytelling that you leaves you wanting just one more page. This story is definitely no different. Damon came close to redeeming himself but I think he’s got a few more years of groveling in his future.
I usually don’t enjoy this type of story line, but I have loved all the books this author has written so I gave this story a chance and I loved it. The relationship these characters had drew me in immediate and made this book hard to put down. This is definitely a must read.
Oh this one pulled at my heartstrings. Lani and Molly meet their freshman year of college. One Spring break they go down to Florida to stay with Molly’s dad, Damon, former model and now bar owner.
The sparks fly, the clothes fly, feelings get hurt, comments get made, phone calls ignored, friendships destroyed and new life made.
Can apologies be made and accepted? Can relationships be mended and started? What will it take for everyone to get the happliy ever after?
I love the instant attraction between Lani and Damon but I was upset with Damon afterwards. I rooted for Lani to perserve and make a life for herself afterwards. Lani went down to Florida with her best friend, Molly, for spring break and they were staying with Molly’s father, Damon. Damon can’t believe how attracted he is to Lani but since he is old enough to be her father, he tries to stay away. Lani can’t believer the attraction she has for Damon and can’t figure out what to do. But their attraction is hard to resist and they give into it. Until Molly finds out and that destroys both relationship for Lani – her relationship with Molly and her relationship with Damon.
Lani is so hurt by how she was treated by both Damon and Molly and after trying to reach out to them so many times, she decides to move on with her life. Three years later, fate throws Molly into Lani’s way when Molly starts teaching at the same school as Lani. Molly is still hostile and can’t seem to get past what happened. When Damon comes to visit Molly for the school carnival, both Damon and Molly got hit with such a big surprise when they see Lani.
Lani at this point is so hurt by the 2 people that she cared for some much that she is protecting herself and her loved ones. But she must deal with Damon even though her feelings for him didn’t change and their attraction is too strong that they both work through their issues. But something from the past haunts Damon and he wants to tell Lani but is afraid of losing her. When Lani finds out what Damon did, she can’t believe that he would do what he did. Damon must decide if he really loves Lani and if so, he has to prove how deep his feelings are for her and make sure that she believes him. He also knows he can’t ever hurt Lani again.
I absolutely LOVED After We Met! I related so well with Lani and her falling in love with an older man. I wanted to hate Damon and Molly for the way they treated Lani, but I also understood where they were coming from. It’s not often I find a book that has me sympathizing with every character.
This story pulled me in with the blurb but kept me reading because I fell in love with the characters. One more chapter turned into me finishing the book around 2:00 am.
I loved this booked… lani and damon were meant to be… The age difference was weird at first but I grew to love the whole story.. Thank you for another great book…
When Lani and her best friend Molly’s father, Damon, are unable to deny the chemistry between them it is Lani who pays the price. When Molly finds out about their relationship Lani is exiled from both their lives despite her attempts to contact them.
Years later fate brings Molly and Damon back into Lani’s life. Damon has moved forward with his life without skipping a beat while Lani was left to handle the aftershocks with only her mother for support. Lani has a secret that has Damon wanting a secret chance and just when it seems like they might finally have their chance at a happy ever after we find out that Damon has a secret of his own that could ruin everything.
I enjoyed the evolution of both of Lani and Molly’s characters as the story progressed and although I liked Damon I didn’t love him.
This book gives you all the emotions and feels you need and want in a book. Lani and Damon’s story is beautiful.
Lani falls in love with her best friend’s dad and it all turns out bad. Damon is scared of losing his daughter so he sends Lani out. Molly (Lani’s friend) is so upset.
The characters are so well developed and because of that I was left with lots of emotions and fell in love with Lani’s character.
Lani is the single mom that is working hard to maintain and provide for her daughter. Damon is the guy to turn his back on Lani to save his relationship with his daughter. He kept a big secret that who knows is anyone will forgive him.
Awesome story and great romance.
For me this was a book about love and loss and then love again, how could you not love a second/third chance romance. what do you do when you go on vacation with your best friend and fall inlove with her father, both Lani and Damen knew it would not end well, but how you not fall head over heals with someone you are so attracted to. For lani she knew the risk but was willing to take it. Damen wasn’t looking for anything serious, just a night or two of fun, or will fate have a way of screwing it up for them. Molly finds herself walking in on her Dad and Lani and has the biggest fit. could they realationship be more straned, after going their seprate ways and three years could they have a shot at happiness? could they put the past in the past and move on to the present? I don’t want to give spoilers away and it’s so hard for me not to say what happened with the three of them. but omg I couldn’t put this book down. I read it in a day. Loved that it did have a HEA and i would say give it a chance you will love it also
Going into this story, it was not what I expected from reading the blurb but oh what a sweet surprise it was! I loved the storyline and the concept and how it mended your heart in the long run. You cannot help who you fall in love with and that happens to Damon and Lani. Even though it wasn’t right in some aspects, you cannot control that. Their passion was amazing. But that knife in the heart man. I was so upset for Lani. I felt it to my core. I wanted to throw things at both Damon and Molly but they did redeem themselves in the long run. But man, Lani has a heart of gold to put up with that stuff.
Overall, this was a very raw story that hit me hard. I felt for Lani because I was in her shoes myself at times but things didn’t end so well for me like it did for her. I have adored Evan Grace’s words for a while now, and this one blew me away. The flow and the character build to the concept, this is one story I could not put down. I highly recommend it!
This could be described as a spring/winter romance. Lani was young but she grew up quickly when Damon dumped her and then she found out she was pregnant. Damon seemed very immature considering he was divorced and had a daughter, Molly, Lani’s age.
Molly didn’t take Lani and her father’s relationship well. Molly really couldn’t be blamed completely for her attitude in the beginning as Lani was her best friend and Molly was weirded out when she found her best friend with her father but Molly held a grudge for years and was extremely rude to Lani when they met years later working at the same school.
Years later when Lani and Damon met again, Lani knew she still loved Damon but she tried to keep her distance from him as it still hurt so much to see him and know he didn’t try to defend their previous relationship and just sent her away. The up and down trials between Lani and Damon were hard on Lani and took it’s toll but love worked out in the end and Molly regretted her previous horrid behavior and Lani and Molly became close again.
After We Met by Evan Grace
5 Stars
OMG! Wow! What an emotional roller coaster! Kept my interest throughout and wanting more and more! I didn’t want it to end!
“I love that both Mom and Grandma have showered my daughter with love. From the looks of it, they don’t have much, but they have that… love.”
“F***, I don’t deserve her love, but I’m selfish enough to take it.”
“It feels good to see my mom get her own happily ever after because I don’t know anyone who deserves it more than she does.”
A Must Read!!
After We Met is a roller coaster, highly emotional read that had me fully invested in the outcome of Damon and Lani’s story. I honestly feel like Lani is the hero of this story. She was dealt a really crappy hand and for her it just kept getting worse, she lost so much and still had to fight through it alone…or mostly.! But this girl is strong and did it!
Now the cause of every bit of her pain is back and she can’t process what’s being asked of her. But Damon isn’t done with his secrets and they may be what finally breaks her completely…
I can not recommend this book enough, it is a definite must read but be prepared for the emotions to consume you!!
Do not make plans because this is a story that you will read in one afternoon or evening. I started reading and next thing I knew several hours had passed. Lani and Damon’s story pack some emotional punches that are a mix between what the heck and hot and steamy. Highly recommended second chance romance. I loved every minute of this story and hope that everyone gets a chance to read it.