nini_w's review against another edition
2.0
An okay read. It could have been a good read if the male lead wasn’t an unlikable, unrepentant, misogynist and pedophile. While I didn’t like the female lead, she wasn’t a particularly bad character, but she could have been better. The cringe, cliche scenes were badly written and the author couldn’t seem to stop slipping in sexual assault masked as roughness into the storyline. All in all I liked the idea of the book but the execution was abysmal.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
After the Night
4 Stars
12 years ago, Faith Devlin’s mother and Gray Rouillard’s father disappeared together. Struggling to make a way for herself, Faith overcomes the poverty and social censure of her childhood to become a successful business woman. When a disturbing fact about her mother comes to light, Faith returns home to the rural town of Prescott, Louisiana to face the demons of her past and the anger of the only man she has ever loved, Gray Rouillard. Can Gray and Faith overcome the obstacles and find common ground together?
Many reviewers have focused on Gray’s cruel and abusive treatment of Faith and as someone particularly sensitive to this type of hero, I had prepared myself for the worst. Surprisingly, I found myself not only disagreeing with these reviewers’ assessments, but actually sympathizing with Gray’s perspective. Howard is very skilled at presenting his point of view and given the circumstances surrounding his father’s betrayal, Gray’s reaction is definitely understandable if not quite acceptable.
Faith is a charming heroine and her spirit and strength of character comes to the fore as the story progresses. Unlike those readers who disliked Faith for her tendency toward forgiving Gray’s attitude and behavior, to me, she has tremendous backbone and stands her ground with him over and over despite her feelings for him. She is tenacious and determined to prove herself both to Gray, the town and herself.
The mystery is secondary to the romance and the villain and motivation are very obvious as there are only one or two plausible suspects. Nevertheless, there are some exciting scenes and the resolution is satisfying.
In sum, a fantastic read from an author who is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine. She sure knows how to write a steamy sex scene :0)
4 Stars
12 years ago, Faith Devlin’s mother and Gray Rouillard’s father disappeared together. Struggling to make a way for herself, Faith overcomes the poverty and social censure of her childhood to become a successful business woman. When a disturbing fact about her mother comes to light, Faith returns home to the rural town of Prescott, Louisiana to face the demons of her past and the anger of the only man she has ever loved, Gray Rouillard. Can Gray and Faith overcome the obstacles and find common ground together?
Many reviewers have focused on Gray’s cruel and abusive treatment of Faith and as someone particularly sensitive to this type of hero, I had prepared myself for the worst. Surprisingly, I found myself not only disagreeing with these reviewers’ assessments, but actually sympathizing with Gray’s perspective. Howard is very skilled at presenting his point of view and given the circumstances surrounding his father’s betrayal, Gray’s reaction is definitely understandable if not quite acceptable.
Faith is a charming heroine and her spirit and strength of character comes to the fore as the story progresses. Unlike those readers who disliked Faith for her tendency toward forgiving Gray’s attitude and behavior, to me, she has tremendous backbone and stands her ground with him over and over despite her feelings for him. She is tenacious and determined to prove herself both to Gray, the town and herself.
The mystery is secondary to the romance and the villain and motivation are very obvious as there are only one or two plausible suspects. Nevertheless, there are some exciting scenes and the resolution is satisfying.
In sum, a fantastic read from an author who is rapidly becoming a favorite of mine. She sure knows how to write a steamy sex scene :0)
melmball92's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
hyebitshines's review against another edition
3.0
This was totally and thoroughly a Harlequin-type romance, but I enjoyed it for what it was. But also, the scene in the beginning of grown cops and the hero leering at the fourteen-year-old heroine: nah. NAH. You can definitely see the slightly antiquated setting and writing style by the pay phones, use of directories and physical maps, and the author’s tendency to use the “for” sentence structure, for this is a proper book. A bygone era, a bygone romance
alisonb's review against another edition
4.0
This is my first time reading Linda Howard.
Based on this book she is a great story teller. This story had grit, heart break, and characters who had a lot to overcome.
I don’t care for Gray’s character altogether, but he had his moments.
Faith was a great character! I thought she was going to be a bit TSTL with Gray, but she used restraint until it made sense in the story for her to let go.
The subplot of the mystery was well done, albeit predictable. I liked how it didn’t overwhelm the building and healing of relationships.
I read a lot of books each year (approx. 450-500), and I don’t think this one will be easy to forget.
Based on this book she is a great story teller. This story had grit, heart break, and characters who had a lot to overcome.
I don’t care for Gray’s character altogether, but he had his moments.
Faith was a great character! I thought she was going to be a bit TSTL with Gray, but she used restraint until it made sense in the story for her to let go.
The subplot of the mystery was well done, albeit predictable. I liked how it didn’t overwhelm the building and healing of relationships.
I read a lot of books each year (approx. 450-500), and I don’t think this one will be easy to forget.
zenithharpink's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. I really liked this romance, and I remember enjoying it a lot the first time I read it, years ago. I especially appreciated that time spent in providing context for their love story-it wasn't some measly 5 page paragraph that basically just established that the two love birds had known each other for years and were destined to be together. Real effort was made to convey the STORY.
The depth of this story is much more than many other romances out there, and even for Linda Howard's body of work, this book had more depth than usual. It was a very pleasurable read, not entirely unpredictable, but definitely a solidly enjoyable roller coaster ride.
The only deduction I can give is the physicality of Gray when Faith and Gray first come back into each other's lives. He was a little too physically dominating for my taste, but he (eventually) won me over. Besides that, I found Monica tiring (I always do!)-she was unnecessary and forgettable.
I recommend to any looking for a fun contemporary romance read, with some HOTNESS, or any fans of Linda Howard-regardless of whether or not you've already read this book.
The depth of this story is much more than many other romances out there, and even for Linda Howard's body of work, this book had more depth than usual. It was a very pleasurable read, not entirely unpredictable, but definitely a solidly enjoyable roller coaster ride.
The only deduction I can give is the physicality of Gray when Faith and Gray first come back into each other's lives. He was a little too physically dominating for my taste, but he (eventually) won me over. Besides that, I found Monica tiring (I always do!)-she was unnecessary and forgettable.
I recommend to any looking for a fun contemporary romance read, with some HOTNESS, or any fans of Linda Howard-regardless of whether or not you've already read this book.
clarissep's review against another edition
3.0
This might be a case of "it's not you, it's me".
Linda Howard novels are, for me, heavier on the romance than the suspense. This one actually started out really intriguing, and had the twisted makings of a rather compelling family drama, but ultimately I managed to guess the answers to the questions. Maybe she dropped too many hints. I will admit though that there's some really twisted family dynamics in play here. Makes you feel really bad for the main characters. That said, I still failed to connect with the characters. The romance wasn't exactly that convincing to me, and I can't even call it steamy. It's just... okay. I didn't feel very strongly when they finally get together. You know how some books don't have these really graphic sex scenes but still manage to draw out the emotional/physical connection between the characters so so well? (Loreth Anne White's 'The Dark Bones' comes to mind.) I didn't feel that here at all.
I think the previous Linda Howard book I read ('Kill and Tell') is better overall, in terms of both romance and suspense. But really to me they're both just okay, 3-star books. I loved the setting of both though.
I think it's safe to say Linda Howard isn't an author that's for me.
Linda Howard novels are, for me, heavier on the romance than the suspense. This one actually started out really intriguing, and had the twisted makings of a rather compelling family drama, but ultimately I managed to guess the answers to the questions. Maybe she dropped too many hints. I will admit though that there's some really twisted family dynamics in play here. Makes you feel really bad for the main characters. That said, I still failed to connect with the characters. The romance wasn't exactly that convincing to me, and I can't even call it steamy. It's just... okay. I didn't feel very strongly when they finally get together. You know how some books don't have these really graphic sex scenes but still manage to draw out the emotional/physical connection between the characters so so well? (Loreth Anne White's 'The Dark Bones' comes to mind.) I didn't feel that here at all.
I think the previous Linda Howard book I read ('Kill and Tell') is better overall, in terms of both romance and suspense. But really to me they're both just okay, 3-star books. I loved the setting of both though.
I think it's safe to say Linda Howard isn't an author that's for me.
hannas_heas47's review against another edition
5.0
Well I have been waiting weeks to get my hands on this book and it was worth every second....and every penny. There's always a trashy family in every town in America, In Prescott, Louisiana the Devlins are it! This book was written in 1995, back when they put the hot and sexy man on the inside cover. Now a days they sprawl the man on the front cover. This is a lovely story with tragedy around every corner, and thrilling sexual chemistry between the characters. I love this author and this book didn't disappoint!
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
3.0
To tell you the truth, from all the reviews I'd read, I was expecting a lot more than this.
First of all, I was expecting a world of angst and that didn't happen. Sure, there was a lot of drama. So much so that it really felt like a soap opera I was watching. However, drama does not angst make, per se.
Sure, Faith loved Gray all her life, even when he kicked her out from her sad little home when she was a kid in the middle of the night. Sure she was back to town after years of being away and he was pissed with that. Sure, he wanted her sexually Sure, Faith fought the attraction. But when push came to shove, everything happened surprisingly easily for them. One moment they were pissing each other off and the other it was all happiness and plans of a life together.
Also, there were some things I didn't like. The beginning of the book, for example. I didn't mind 11-year-old Faith full of wonder and wishful thinking, marvelling at 19-year-old Gray's beauty. I didn't mind how she went out of her way just to catch a few glimpses of him. But I found disturbing her having sexual thoughts about him. I sure found disturbing 22-year-old Gray and pretty much every adult male having sexual thoughts about 14-year-old Faith.
More, I didn't like how Gray and every Rouillard kept treating Faith like trailer trash for the sins of her family. I hated how she was seen as a whore again and again. Gray was always thinking she had found some guy she let jump her in exchange for money. Monica and Noelle called her whore and slut every time. Excuse me, but from where I stand the Rouillards were a family of whores, not poor Faith.
At last, the mystery part was very predictable. I knew from pretty early on who was to blame for all the drama going on and I didn't like that.
All in all, the writing was alright and this is a good summer book to spend a few hours without too much effort, but everything else was forgettable to me.
constant_reader_19's review against another edition
4.0
Although this was a completely addictive story and the characters were just awesome, I’m going with 4 stars for two reasons. 1. I figured out “whodunnit” 2. It ended too abruptly.