What Comes After (Ten Hours, #2)

I’ve been axiously awaiting this book, ever since I finished “Ten Hours”. However, I also wanted to savor Abel’s story, so I did take a little longer than usual to read it. This book was everything I hoped it would be. My heart broke for him, after finishing “Ten Hours”. I wanted so badly for Abel to get his “happily ever after”. “What Comes After” did not disappoint. It can be read as a standalone. However, I encourage readers to read “Ten Hours” first. You’ll get his whole background story before reading this book.
When we meet Abel in “What Comes After” he is having a difficult time readjusting to his life, after the events that happened in “Ten Hours”. He has a wonderful, caring family who want to help him during this time. He meets Peyton when he least expects it. When he’s taking part in one of his brother’s weddings. It’s beautiful to see him come alive & back to his fun-loving self, as he starts on this unexpected journey with another one of a kind woman. It’s also heartbreaking to see him struggle with this new found second chance at happiness.
Peyton is cautious when they first meet. However, the more she learns about his past, and as time goes by, she can’t help but fall in love with him. I loved that she was willing to give Abel a chance to see where this journey would take them. I also loved that she could, in some ways relate to his tragic past. I also hurt for her for doubting she would make an imprint on his heart.
Two of Abel’s family members stood out more to me than the others. Claire and Aunt Claudia. I loved that they both were his voice of reason, as he waded through his feelings & emotions for both Finley and Peyton. She had a great support system too. I loved her dad & stepmom. It was very unselfish of Abel to be honest with Peyton about the possibility or lack there of, for a future together. I loved how Melissa brought his story full circle with his past & just enough tidbits of his life with Finley to help the reader.
I would definitely recommend this book to those like me, who eagerly awaited Abel’s story. I would also recommend this to any fans of her writing. Also to those readers, who are fans of second chance romances. I know this isn’t the typical book for that troupe. I believe it could be considered for that distinction. I’m excited to see what Melissa will write next.

I love/hate this story. Love because with just reading this chacarters you will love and cry and it just means that it was that good and hate because you can’t stop crying for just the tinys bit well reading them. Abel what can I say about this man if you have read Ten Hours you would know what he went through with his first love the loss he had to live through. I’m just happy that we got a second one of him going through his pain but also finding and having a second chance at finding love and all that life had to offer him. Peyton she was just the perfect woman for him she had her strength her kindest and also the love that will help heal Abel. she was just perfect for him love them both love the story love the journey they had to take it was just a perfect read.

Three years later, Abel is still having a hard time getting over losing Finley. But at least he feels ready to return back to Chicago, even if it will be hard to go all the places where her ghost will haunt. He’s become extremely close with Finley’s sister Claire, she’s his rock, and vice versa, it’s only through her that he feels ready to come back at all.

Peyton isn’t much for dating and she’s definitely not into one night stands, no matter how hard her roommate Henna is trying to hook her up. But when she meets Abel, something is different, she’s drawn to him in an unexplainable way. But they can’t have a relationship, he’s still in love with his wife, and she can’t compete with a ghost.

So I had mixed feelings about Peyton in What Comes After, she starts off as such a strong and confident woman, but then she grows insecure and oblivious. Henna is repeatedly saying things like “One of these days you’re going to get out of your own way and let yourself try to be happy.” because Peyton really is her own biggest obstacle.

She’s pretty oblivious to any sort of signals Abel gives off, no matter how unintentional they are. I also don’t like how she caved into his “I don’t want strings” business, (which he was completely honest about his inability to move forward from the start) because Toppen spent a good deal of time laying the groundwork for Peyton staying celibate for the sake of not wanting one-nighters, but then she flips and as okay. So for me, Peyton isn’t a strong character at all, but Peyton and Abel together? Wonderful!

It was a hard road for them, but what I really liked about Payton, was that even though she was insecure about Finley, she accepted that he would always love her, and then was able to come to the conclusion that there was room in his heart for both of them. I feel it was Abel who started to cave first as far as his feelings towards Payton because he would say the sweetest things, even if he was in denial about it all. I think he deserved the happily ever after and he gets that with Payton. The two of them are adorably so good for each other.

Touching, especially at the end. Two kindred souls with a strong immediate attraction. Abel was open to being friends. I loved when he finally accepted his heart was big enough for a second love. Peyton had the strength to move on from her past and was willing to take a chance on Abel. I loved her acceptance of his past though she did have some doubts. I recommend this story.

I received a copy of this story through Enticing Journey Book Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.

Oh wow…Ten Hours really did me in and brought out all my emotions and made me an emotional wreck. So starting What Comes After was like ripping off the band-aid of those old scars. All those emotions came flowing right back just like they did in the end of Ten Hours. I was so excited to get more of Abel’s story because his and Finley’s journey really touched me and has stayed with me all this time. I just had to know if he would get a HEA after all the pain and heartache that he has gone through. I thought that I couldn’t love Abel anymore than I did from the last book, but I was so totally wrong. This book was everything and more. Now this is a stand alone and can be read as such, but it has so much more depth to it when Ten Hours is read before in my opinion.

Melissa Toppen did another exceptional job on sweeping me off my feet with this beautiful emotional journey of Abel’s. Loved, Loved, Loved!!!

Happy Reading Everyone!!!

Fall in love with Abel all over again!
I didn’t think my heart would ever recover from Ten Hours. What Comes After was exactly what I needed to repair that crack. I didn’t realize how much it needed to be mended until reading it.
Abel and Peyton are two souls that share the same shade. Peyton is headstrong and independent which is exactly what may help Abel overcome his vulnerability. Abel…Oh Abel…my heart still ached for him. He was exactly as I remembered him, the stuff book boyfriends are made of. Only now we get to watch his light come shining back through the pit of despair he has been hiding in. I was able to see him smile and laugh and truly be happy again. I loved and admired every bit of his journey from past to present to future.
“Count each day as a blessing and never take for granted a single moment you have with the people you love”
The end did move rather quickly but, in a way, I felt it needed to be done that way. This book was about closure and finding it in your heart to move forward with peace and acceptance. I felt all those feelings and held my kindle close to my heart when finished.
You really should read Ten Hours before venturing into What Comes After but it isn’t absolutely necessary. Though, I think reading and experiencing all those feelings for yourself is well worth the read.

Melissa Toppen has shown her characters in such great light. I love this story. Abel story starts in Ten Hours and continues in What Comes After. As Abel tries to put his life back together after his world falls apart three years ago. He is now moving back to Chicago just in time for his brother’s wedding. Payton is in the wedding party and starts to break through Abel’s wall. I laughed, cried, and rooted for him and Payton.

The cover is freaking stunning. I loved this book from start to finish. After the last book I needed this one to mend my heart. It gave me the closure I needed and also a fresh new look at the future for these characters. Death doesn’t control your life. Grief can be consuming but allowing yourself to fully experience it will heal your soul. This book takes you on an incredible journey of love and healing that you won’t want to miss. The characters are easy to relate to and the writing draws you in immediately. Keep tissues handy.

Awesome read! Grab it!

A great story

The characters were so great and the chemistry between the two main characters was scorching hot.

This book was filled with action, suspense, intrigue and twists and turns with a great ending.

I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.

I received an author’s copy and have left an honest review