According to Riley Mae Floss, life is a ten-page menu of possibilities. As the owner of a cupcake shop in small-town Missouri, she thrives on candies and rainbows and spreading joy every chance she gets. Even her hair is the color of bubble gum. Life is just the way she likes it, so why would she want anything to change now?But when a tornado rips into Riley Mae’s southern town and destroys … destroys nearly everything in its path, her happy little life changes in less than forty-two seconds. Buildings gone. Homes carried away. People missing or even dead. Her bakery a shell of what it once was; also her life. Riley Mae’s picture-perfect world is shattered, and everyone she cares about has been hurt in the process.
According to insurance adjuster Chad Gamble, life always works out exactly the way it’s supposed to…for other people. As for him, life is a bit of a crapfest—one where he never wins the prize, makes the starting team, or gets the girl. He’s straight-laced, suit-and-tie, all-business, and sees the world for the color it is: muted gray with a little black around the edges.
So when Chad Gamble walks into Riley Mae’s ruined bakery to “assess the damages”—his words, not hers—he has no intention of getting bogged down by sentimental nonsense. Sparks immediately start to fly, and not the good kind. Who does this pushy, pink-haired chick think she is, treating him like an outsider when all he came to do was help? He can’t figure out why the locals like her so much.
Or worse, why he can’t stop thinking about her.
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The Aftermath by Amy Matayo is book 2 in the Love in Chaos series. I absolutely adored book 1 in this series, The Waves. I had great anticipation for this book and was not disappointed! I love that this book picks up the characters from the last book, but it can still be read as a standalone novel. This book could not be more different from the first book in the series in its setting and circumstances. However, it is absolute chaos that throws lives into upheaval and that is exactly the same as the first book. I love the characters in this book, I love the community that is found in the midst of disaster. I think no on writes a love story quite like Ms Matayo. She writes great romance. Overall, I was absolutely amazed by this book and I highly recommend it. I eagerly anticipate the next book in this series!! I received a digital copy of this book from the author with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own. I also purchased a copy.
Amy Matayo is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine! Her well-shaped characters and engaging storylines keep me coming back for more. Today, the second book in Matayo’s Love in Chaos series released.
The Aftermath continues the storyline of Chad Gamble (whom we met in book #1, The Waves). Chad hears about a tornado that rips through a small town in Missouri and hops on a plane to see how he can help. In his quest to help the destroyed town get back on its feet, Chad meets cupcake bakery owner Riley Mae Floss.
Riley Mae’s shop was destroyed in the tornado, and Chad, in his capacity as an insurance adjuster, offers to help. These two mix like oil in water throughout the story. However, they both work in their own ways to help this small Missouri town get back on its’ feet. As they both try to help, they continue to be drawn towards each other.
I absolutely loved reading Riley Mae and Chad’s story. I could see the characters in my mind’s eye as I read. With real emotion and an impactful storyline, The Aftermath shares a meaningful story about how people react to disasters, and how they can rebuild their lives in spite of them. Both Chad and Riley Mae have to learn to set aside past experiences that have greatly shaped how they think now. As they change their own thought patterns, they are drawn to one another, and the community they are serving.
Once I started reading The Aftermath, I couldn’t put it down!
I received a copy of this book from the author. This review is my own, honest opinion.
The Aftermath (Love In Chaos Book 2) is an absolute MUST read!! Amy Matayo is an expert at developing characters that are deep, realistic, and very quickly become like friends. I finished this in one sitting because I could not put it down. I had to know the rest of the story between Chad and Riley Mae! The incredible depth of feeling developed in these two characters and the others that survived the tornado is incredible. The community that binds together to make it through is inspiring. And, the hope that you are left with after reading is real. Matayo is a gifted author that has a magical way of mixing pain and hurt with hope and love to create a story that is relatable, but doesn’t leave you in a pit of despair. The reader is left with the hope of love and friendship which in the end is greater than all. I am thankful to have been given and advance copy of The Aftermath. The opinions I share are all my own. I can not wait until book #3 in this series!
The Aftermath is a romance, but it really got me thinking about how fragile our lives are, how things can turn on a dime, and how we so easily presume a certain predictability and stability to life that has no firm basis in reality.
Chad was a great character. He didn’t come off as the most likable guy in The Waves, and the author did a good job of allowing the reader to see how his personality developed and letting him acknowledge his own weaknesses and peculiarities. Riley and her men-can’t-be-trusted baggage was a good match for him.
I expected a bit more drama between the main characters instead of the slow, steady burn delivered. In The Aftermath, the drama comes courtesy of the tornado that sets the story in motion – literally – and I think that’s where the story shines.
Amy Matayo’s books are always readable. That sounds like a backhanded compliment, but I mean it in the best way. The books flow – as this one does – with easy dialogue and seamless transitions. It’s one of those harder-than-it-looks skills.
I’m looking forward to seeing where the next book, which presumably features country music superstar Teddy Hayes, takes us!
Wa-hoo! I love reading books by Amy Matayo! It is always so exciting when I sit down and get to open to that first page that will start me on a roller coaster of emotions with characters I will grow to love.
This book was so good. So full of grit and charm. There is tragedy and adversity with struggle around every turn. It’s in those moments of struggle, when things seem to be at their worst, that the core of who we are really emerges. Riley is, at her core, generous and compassionate. She sees human need and gives of herself, whatever she can, to fill those empty places even when she is breaking apart too. I absolutely loved her.
“Rescuing people isn’t always about pulling them from the depths. Sometimes it’s about being there, being present, letting someone know you care without words or platitudes or even heroic acts of courage. Sometimes the most courageous thing you can do is just listen without walking away.”
And Chad? He really is a man who shows up. Whatever the motivating factor, he shows up and acts like a man. A good man. Yes, please.
I loved the sparks. I loved the cupcakes. I loved the sense of triumph in tragedy. I loved seeing characters from the previous book in this series. I loved the love. The growing, palpable love. I was so invested, from beginning to end.
Once again, Amy Matayo wrote a book that I could not put down! I loved the first book in this series, but, Chad was a little annoying in that book. So I was pleasantly surprised to see that she was able to turn him around in this book, without ignoring his faults from book 1. This is another must read from Amy. You don’t need to read the first book to enjoy this one, but by all means read that one too. It is just as good!
I received an advance reader copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
I say this a lot, and I mean it every time I do…but this time I’m saying it with a little more passion and emphasis than usual. This book had me at chapter one (and then two, and then three). Because that’s when I felt it. The quiet before the storm, the chaos in the middle of it, and the depth of sadness after. I felt every word.
Throw in a cute little five-yr-old, a hip & snarky grandmother I’d like to adopt as my own, and two memorable characters–one of which, surprisingly, has a head of cotton candy-pink hair, and the other’s a stuffed-shirt who’s not afraid to get his hands dirty–and you’ve got a recipe for a sweet story with a hell of a lot of heart.
Watching Riley and Chad come into their own, both separately and then as a couple, was a gentle reminder that no matter what happens in life, it’s important to embrace the here and now. The world needs to be reminded of that, from time to time. And what better way than through Matayo’s raw description of a tornado’s aftermath, witty dialogue exchanges, and a hefty helping of peanut butter and chocolate cupcakes?
I love how Amy Matayo can write stories around the true life, hard circumstances. This is an amazing story of hard times and triumph with a bit of personal connection when you didnt even know you were looking.
I received and advanced reader copy of this book and was able to read before the full release. This book walks through the connection made between two people that have suffered in their lives before they ever met and how a Tornado ripped through a small town bringing them together unexpectedly. Will they each be able to learn from their pasts and move forward or is there just too much damage, are you ready to find out?
I loved Amy Matayo’s third book in The Love in Chaos series. Teddy’s story was my favorite in this series. He and Jane’s reactions to the horror they faced was believable, and their attraction to each other and their beginning love store was fulfilling. I highly recommend this book.
Bakery! Chaos! Cupcakes! Oh my!! This story has a little bit of everything. Happiness, sadness, courage, hope and love. Amy Mayato always has a way of transporting me into the characters world. And the bonus in this story is cupcakes!!! All The Cupcakes! No seriously, this book is a must read!
Riley Mae hasn’t been handed the best cards in life, but she’s sweet to the core and I loved the descriptions of her creative cupcakes at her bakery. This sugar-laden world came to a screeching halt when a massive tornado rips through town and I must say, I was chilled to the bone. Matayo does a great job of describing the fallout and I was swirled away and transported smack in the middle of Springfield, MO. My sister doesn’t live far from there and I found myself getting upset, thinking about what my sister must be facing, only to realize–this is just a book! But it was that realistic
As an insurance man, Chad follows disaster, but the trail of help, hope, and light he leaves behind makes him one super amazing man! He goes above and beyond with his job responsibilities and his personality makes him perfect to diffuse any situation…except for those involving Riley Mae…because of his awkward compliments.
You’d think with all the devastation around, there would be no time for sparks, but that’s completely wrong. A complete, yet subtle, attraction is fueled with good intentions, misunderstandings, a darling little girl, and lots and lots of cupcakes.
Even though there are some serious situations the characters find themselves in, the goodness, selflessness, and light radiating through these pages warmed my heart and slapped a smile on my face.
PS Can Teddy’s story be next?
Content: mild romance with some light innuendo; mild-moderate moments of peril, danger, violence; mild+ language (mostly at the beginning)
*I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel centered around a natural disaster, but Amy Matayo did a stunning job writing a story of the aftermath of a tornado. Being from California, I’ve only heard about tornadoes, and I had no concept of the destruction they could cause. Some scenes in this book were hard to read, because even though it was fiction, I’m aware that real people have been through similar tragedies. The author made me feel for her characters. Riley Mae was dealt some rough situations, and I fell in love with Chad as he came alongside her and helped however he could. I won’t spoil the ending, but after the heavier parts, I was quite satisfied. This is a great series if you like romance but want a little more “edge of your seat” reading. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
Amy Matayo has done it again with The Aftermath, the second in her Love in Chaos series.
Riley Mae likes what she’s doing. She gets the chance to spread a little sunshine with her cupcakes and goodies in Springfield, Missouri. She likes adding personal touches for each of her customers, and she faces the world with a smile on her face and her hair dyed bubble-gum pink. All that changes in an instant when her town is devastated by a tornado.
Chad Gamble is the insurance adjuster who comes into town to take stock of the damages. He’s used to living in his brother Liam’s shadow and seeing good things happen…to other people. He never gets the girl or wins the prize, he just tries to do the right thing.
Neither of them know it, but they both carry a lot of hurt due to their life experiences. The tornado and its aftermath bring them together, and as sometimes happens, sparks fly in unexpected places. Can they work through the baggage of the past, pain inflicted on them by others, to find their own happy ending?
This book, y’all. Romance is not my normal jam. I’m a sci-fi/fantasy/mystery girl. But I enjoyed The Waves so much, I jumped at the chance to read an early copy of The Aftermath. And it does not disappoint. Ms. Matayo writes real, relatable characters that seem like people you could know in real life. They aren’t perfect, they don’t always say and do the right thing. They mess up, and they struggle to redeem themselves. You want to hug them, and you cheer for them, and you want to smack them. Ms. Matayo’s words create a world that you become part of when you read her books.
And I can so relate to Riley Mae. When she says, “So many are hurt, and all I want to do is bake something”? YES, girl. I understand that desire to provide comfort through food. I love Riley Mae. I also like that we get to see more of Chad in this book. We first met him in The Waves, and he was kind of a whiny prat, not really very likable. If you’ve read The Waves, I think you’ll understand (and like ) Chad a lot more after reading The Aftermath.
The Aftermath is a quick read, and a worthwhile one. I’m anxiously awaiting the next book in this series!
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from the author. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t like.
I had high hopes for this story with a strong dramatic opening, but it became a bit slow and disconnected to me. I was hoping for more action and a little more romance. I have enjoyed reading all of Amy Matayo’s books and will continue to be a fan; however, The Aftermath was not my favorite. I received an advanced reader copy of this book and all opinions are my own.
I went into this book expecting it to be a continuation of Dillon and Liam’s story. Although they are mentioned briefly here and there, and Liam even makes an appearance, this story isn’t about them at all. This picks up with Liam’s brother Chad after he watches his brother engage the girl he hoped to be with someday. Always feeling inferior and like he never lives up to his father’s expectations, Chad seeks for something to go his way.
As an insurance adjuster, Chad is drawn to a small town in Missouri after a tornado rips through causing devastation as far as the eye can see. In a series of unexpected events, Chad meets spunky cupcake shop owner Riley Mae. Riley is very skeptical of men and a bit brass at times to say the least.
I love how Amy Matayo has created a series where characters weave in and out of one another’s stories. Riley’s character is so raw that I believe many readers will relate well to her. I really enjoyed this one as much as the last one and can’t wait to see where the third story takes us!
**I received an advanced reader copy of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.
Amy Matayo does such a good job of drawing you into the story. I didn’t want to put the book down until I finished it. THE AFTERMATH is my new favorite of her books! Living near Tornado Alley, I appreciated her story of finding good people doing good deeds in times of tragedy and who doesn’t love some romance! I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher. This review is my own opinion.
Amy always writes page-turning, clean romance that makes a reader think.
Fantastic read. Reminds me of Kelly Oram’s writing style. I hope the author will write Teddy’s story next.
There’s a special bond that can form between people who have been through a disaster or traumatic event together. Chad doesn’t show up until immediately after the tornado, and it’s almost as if he’s seeking that feeling in his volunteering and work. He and Riley form that bond as an unlikely pair as they share in helping the people and community recover. With large catastrophes the statistics can sometimes lose meaning, but Riley and Chad find purpose in “rescuing” one person at a time, and to those individuals their efforts mean the world. I loved how the random meeting between Chad and Riley develops into friendship and deepens throughout the story, despite their initial hang-ups. The narration of their inner reflections is more thoughtful and profound than your usual contemporary romance, and this is something I love about this author’s writing style.
(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)
I am a huge Amy Matayo fan and loved The Aftermath. This is the second book in a series, but it can easily be read as a stand-alone, but it is really fun to be see the continuation of the secondary characters from the first book. I laughed and I cried, so that pretty much his all my favorite spots where I thought I was both funny and touching. I loved the quirky characters! I was a bit hesitant with Chad because sometimes he is frustrating and annoying, but he also is frustrated and annoyed with those characteristics and hey, don’t we all feel that way about ourselves at times? I got to know him better as the book went on and really felt like I understood him. I plain just really liked Riley’s spunkiness and grit. The whole story really gave me something to think about too. If your whole town is ravaged by a tornado, you really find out what you value and what you need to do to keep going. I can’t wait for the third book!