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Sela Gordon, the shy owner of a Tennessee general store, finds safety in solitude. But if anyone can pierce her protective shell it’s the handsome, mysterious ex-military man living alone in the wilds of Cove Mountain. For two years, he’s kept his distance—until the day he appears to warn her that a catastrophic solar storm capable of taking down the power grid is coming. Now, Sela must find the courage to become the leader Wears Valley needs.
Bitter experience has taught Ben Jernigan it’s best to look out for number one. For two years the former soldier has lived in a self-imposed exile, using a top-notch security system to keep people away. But he had to let Sela know about the impending threat—and now the quiet and undeniably sexy woman is making it too easy for him to lower his guard.
As panic spreads, Sela and Ben discover that in the dark, cut off from the outside world, there’s no more playing it safe—in life or in love.
Genre: romantic suspense
Publication date: March 2020
Mature content: yes
Review: I loved reading After Sundown. I actually read it in less than two days and I stayed up late to finish it. I found the plot original - and end-of-the-world-as-we-know-it story but with a twist, as the trigger even is a solar storm that shuts down all electronics, communications and electrical grids. Something that we expect never to happen and for which we are all terribly unprepared.
Notwithstanding the fact that I couldn't put down the book, I did have one issue with it, right from the first page: we seem to fall into the middle of a story that is already on-going. There's little introduction to the characters, and there's almost zero build-up to the main event. It's true that it's supposed to be an unexpected event, but even so...
As a consequence, there's no build-up in the romance between Sela and Ben either. We're told they've known each other for years but never exchanged more than a couple of words despite the attraction between them. And then, when they do finally get together, it seems like they're in a business agreement rather than in a romance. He dictates the terms and she follows, even though we are made to believe she has overcome her timid nature in order to lead the community during the tough times they are experiencing. I did not feel them fall in love - rather, they fell into a routine, and little else.
So, four stars for a compelling, partly original story, and for depicting well the different ways in which people deal (or are unable to deal) with an event of such magnitude. Could have been better romance-wise.
Happy readings!
Notwithstanding the fact that I couldn't put down the book, I did have one issue with it, right from the first page: we seem to fall into the middle of a story that is already on-going. There's little introduction to the characters, and there's almost zero build-up to the main event. It's true that it's supposed to be an unexpected event, but even so...
As a consequence, there's no build-up in the romance between Sela and Ben either. We're told they've known each other for years but never exchanged more than a couple of words despite the attraction between them. And then, when they do finally get together, it seems like they're in a business agreement rather than in a romance. He dictates the terms and she follows, even though we are made to believe she has overcome her timid nature in order to lead the community during the tough times they are experiencing. I did not feel them fall in love - rather, they fell into a routine, and little else.
So, four stars for a compelling, partly original story, and for depicting well the different ways in which people deal (or are unable to deal) with an event of such magnitude. Could have been better romance-wise.
Happy readings!
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