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Hope #4
Love After All
In the latest novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Hope Burns, a woman discovers that the man she least expects is exactly what she needs…
High school math teacher Chelsea Gardner has the perfect plan. She’s tired of dating all the wrong men, and after years of frustration, she’s developed a foolproof list of requirements for finding “The One.”
Bar owner Sebastian “Bash” Palmer finds Chelsea beautiful, smart and fun, but he thinks her list is ridiculous and unnecessary. Intent on proving Chelsea is looking for love in all the wrong ways, he offers to help her find the “perfect” man.
Chelsea knows Bash isn’t the right guy for her—he barely meets one of her criteria—but there’s something about the charismatic man that has her yearning for things that are most definitely not list approved.
Because sometimes, a relationship that looks totally wrong on paper can turn out incredibly right…
High school math teacher Chelsea Gardner has the perfect plan. She’s tired of dating all the wrong men, and after years of frustration, she’s developed a foolproof list of requirements for finding “The One.”
Bar owner Sebastian “Bash” Palmer finds Chelsea beautiful, smart and fun, but he thinks her list is ridiculous and unnecessary. Intent on proving Chelsea is looking for love in all the wrong ways, he offers to help her find the “perfect” man.
Chelsea knows Bash isn’t the right guy for her—he barely meets one of her criteria—but there’s something about the charismatic man that has her yearning for things that are most definitely not list approved.
Because sometimes, a relationship that looks totally wrong on paper can turn out incredibly right…
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2015
202 people are currently reading
2511 people want to read
About the author
Jaci Burton
153 books8,294 followersJaci Burton is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling, award-winning author of over 85 books. She lives in Oklahoma and when she isn’t on deadline (which is often), she can usually be found wrestling with her uncooperative garden, wrangling her dogs, watching an unhealthy amount of television, or completely losing track of time reading a great book. She’s a total romantic and longs for the happily ever after in every story, which you’ll find in all her books.. Visit her website at www.jaciburton.com for excerpts, book information and contests.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
April 4, 2015
4 I-Have-A-List Stars
Love After All is a standalone novel and is the 4th book in the Hope Series. Lately I have been reading books out of order. I’ve read a few Jaci Burton books and she’s known for the Play by Play series. You would think Love After All is milder than the Play by Play series, but it’s not.
Love After All is a feel-good- happy steamy novel. It’s a cross between a comical chick-lit and new adult read. It’s a good book to read in between the serious ones.
Chelsea is tired of dating losers. She wants a husband and her plan is to date guys, but these guys must follow her list. If they don’t then she isn’t going to waste her time on them.
Perfect Guy List
1. Never married
2. Has to be a suit and tie kind of guy
3. Has to work a 9-5 job
4. No crazy ex-girlfriends
5. Likes fine dinning and good wine
6. Hates sports
7. Must want at least two kids
8. Must love animals
9. Doesn’t spend all his time at the bar
10. Perfect vacation is somewhere warm and tropical
Bash is a bar owner. He’s a divorced single guy and doesn’t follow Chelsea’s list. Being burned in the past, he isn’t going to jump into a serious relationship any time soon. Bash thinks Chelsea’s list is a bit silly so he plans to find the perfect guy for her.
Chelsea is a bit quirky. She has spunk and her list is kind of ballsy. I get it, when you are at a certain age, it’s time to settle down. I find her list more comical than anything else. The List isn’t the whole focal point of the book, it’s there to add a little tension.
The interaction between Chelsea and Bash is really cute. They act more buddy buddy and the chemistry is adorable. He teases her and she’s really firm on what she wants in a man. Of course the attraction is apparent and they start to cross boundaries they set up between themselves.
I like the overall storyline. I like the small town setting. The dog is even cute! Bash’s ex adopted a dog to impress Bash and since Bash and her are no longer together, she dropped the dog on Bash and left. It was really funny.
It’s a cute book with a few ha ha moments. Worth a try if you are Jaci fan.
An ARC was provided
AMAZON
Love After All is a standalone novel and is the 4th book in the Hope Series. Lately I have been reading books out of order. I’ve read a few Jaci Burton books and she’s known for the Play by Play series. You would think Love After All is milder than the Play by Play series, but it’s not.
Love After All is a feel-good- happy steamy novel. It’s a cross between a comical chick-lit and new adult read. It’s a good book to read in between the serious ones.
Chelsea is tired of dating losers. She wants a husband and her plan is to date guys, but these guys must follow her list. If they don’t then she isn’t going to waste her time on them.
Perfect Guy List
1. Never married
2. Has to be a suit and tie kind of guy
3. Has to work a 9-5 job
4. No crazy ex-girlfriends
5. Likes fine dinning and good wine
6. Hates sports
7. Must want at least two kids
8. Must love animals
9. Doesn’t spend all his time at the bar
10. Perfect vacation is somewhere warm and tropical
Bash is a bar owner. He’s a divorced single guy and doesn’t follow Chelsea’s list. Being burned in the past, he isn’t going to jump into a serious relationship any time soon. Bash thinks Chelsea’s list is a bit silly so he plans to find the perfect guy for her.
Chelsea is a bit quirky. She has spunk and her list is kind of ballsy. I get it, when you are at a certain age, it’s time to settle down. I find her list more comical than anything else. The List isn’t the whole focal point of the book, it’s there to add a little tension.
The interaction between Chelsea and Bash is really cute. They act more buddy buddy and the chemistry is adorable. He teases her and she’s really firm on what she wants in a man. Of course the attraction is apparent and they start to cross boundaries they set up between themselves.
I like the overall storyline. I like the small town setting. The dog is even cute! Bash’s ex adopted a dog to impress Bash and since Bash and her are no longer together, she dropped the dog on Bash and left. It was really funny.
It’s a cute book with a few ha ha moments. Worth a try if you are Jaci fan.
An ARC was provided
AMAZON
July 22, 2015
Originally posted on The Book Nympho
Quick summary
Chelsea Gardner is a pretty, single high school math teacher who's frustrated in her search for the perfect man. So, she created "The List" to outline all the attributes a man must have before she'll go out on a date. Sebastian (Bash) Palmer owns a bar, is commitment shy and doesn't even come close to Chelsea's list but yet the two of them can't avoid their strong attraction. And, their personalities seem to connect, too.
What I enjoyed
As Bash and Chelsea have danced around each other for some time, their pairing was inevitable. I liked how their relationship sort of came together organically through conversations at the bar and other encounters. The physical attraction just simmers as they get to know each other better, challenging what they believe about each other. It's a nice, intelligent romance.
About the narration
I also loved the narration, which distinguished the characters really well. Saskia Maarleveld's tone seemed perfect for the story and certainly helped make the romance even more enjoyable.
The bottom line
I had high expectations for Chelsea and Bash's story and this met them. Having earlier characters appear in meaningful roles just put a bow on a really nice reading experience. And, the next book was teed up perfectly.
(I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)
Quick summary
Chelsea Gardner is a pretty, single high school math teacher who's frustrated in her search for the perfect man. So, she created "The List" to outline all the attributes a man must have before she'll go out on a date. Sebastian (Bash) Palmer owns a bar, is commitment shy and doesn't even come close to Chelsea's list but yet the two of them can't avoid their strong attraction. And, their personalities seem to connect, too.
What I enjoyed
As Bash and Chelsea have danced around each other for some time, their pairing was inevitable. I liked how their relationship sort of came together organically through conversations at the bar and other encounters. The physical attraction just simmers as they get to know each other better, challenging what they believe about each other. It's a nice, intelligent romance.
About the narration
I also loved the narration, which distinguished the characters really well. Saskia Maarleveld's tone seemed perfect for the story and certainly helped make the romance even more enjoyable.
The bottom line
I had high expectations for Chelsea and Bash's story and this met them. Having earlier characters appear in meaningful roles just put a bow on a really nice reading experience. And, the next book was teed up perfectly.
(I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review)
nope
June 18, 2018Not even going to bother looking through reviews. The blurb was informative enough. “A LIST” for what to look for the perfect man. Please... 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄
Smart women know these “lists “ are stupid and don’t work
I read reviews after all just to make sure the pattern is followed: Yep... unlikable female mc
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Smart women know these “lists “ are stupid and don’t work
I read reviews after all just to make sure the pattern is followed: Yep... unlikable female mc
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
May 11, 2015
Chelsea is in search of the perfect man. She’s made her list and she checks it twice -or more- against every guy she meets. The one thing she knows for sure is Bash does not meet the list requirements, at all. Which is fine by Bash. Because, despite the chemistry, Chelsea doesn’t exactly cut it on his “list” either. He is willing to help Chelsea out with finding her “perfect” man though; after all, what are friends for.
The premise for this book is fairly cliche. Girl is in search of the “perfect” man and has compiled a list to define that man. The man who has all of her attention though is the antithesis of what her list has defined. He in turn is interested in her but has to figure out how to get around the list. I already have several books with this same plot on my shelves and found myself disappointed with encountering it again. There are pros to this book however. The characters are very well developed since they have evolved across the Hope series and the story is consistent with the overall theme or the series ( think “Friends” except everyone gets an HEA). Chelsea, however, is high maintenance to read and annoyingly indecisive if not whiny. Half of the book concerns her endless loop of Bash “not being compatible with her list, but he’s hot”. The utterly sexy Bash finally takes matters into his own hands and pretty much owns the remainder of the book. If he hadn’t, there would have been no HEA and I probably wouldn’t have been able to finish the book.
For those who enjoy this particular storyline the book will be fairly easy to read with its moderate pace and length. Fans of Jaci Burton will probably be happy revisiting their old favorites from the series. I found it not to be one of her better endeavors and would be hard-pressed to read it again.
- Leila
The premise for this book is fairly cliche. Girl is in search of the “perfect” man and has compiled a list to define that man. The man who has all of her attention though is the antithesis of what her list has defined. He in turn is interested in her but has to figure out how to get around the list. I already have several books with this same plot on my shelves and found myself disappointed with encountering it again. There are pros to this book however. The characters are very well developed since they have evolved across the Hope series and the story is consistent with the overall theme or the series ( think “Friends” except everyone gets an HEA). Chelsea, however, is high maintenance to read and annoyingly indecisive if not whiny. Half of the book concerns her endless loop of Bash “not being compatible with her list, but he’s hot”. The utterly sexy Bash finally takes matters into his own hands and pretty much owns the remainder of the book. If he hadn’t, there would have been no HEA and I probably wouldn’t have been able to finish the book.
For those who enjoy this particular storyline the book will be fairly easy to read with its moderate pace and length. Fans of Jaci Burton will probably be happy revisiting their old favorites from the series. I found it not to be one of her better endeavors and would be hard-pressed to read it again.
- Leila
December 6, 2016
Writing a list and checking it twice... didn't work!
So you would think writing a list of what you want in a man and what you don't want in a man would work. Yeah it didn't. At least not for these two. It DIDNT work. Beautiful high school teacher Chelsea loves her Life very orderly she's a high school math teacher so everything always adds up. You know 1+1 is 2. 2×2 is four and so on. Her dating life sucks so she decides to write a list of things she would prefer in her man. Sounds simple enough. Well enter stage right Sebastian. Hey gorgeous bar owner who happens to be all man 24 /7 However he has a phobia when it comes to relationships. You know bad marriage bad divorce he wants no parts of it ever again. Now imagine having a less that you're checking twice and your high school friend that you've known all of your life. and that would be Sebastian of course he decides to help her out and finding a man and of course he striking out left and right. The great thing about their friendship is that they realize slowly but surely that what they've been looking for can be found in the other person. I have to say I really love Jaci Burton and her style of writing and I'm sure you will too I definitely recommend this five-star book to you.
So you would think writing a list of what you want in a man and what you don't want in a man would work. Yeah it didn't. At least not for these two. It DIDNT work. Beautiful high school teacher Chelsea loves her Life very orderly she's a high school math teacher so everything always adds up. You know 1+1 is 2. 2×2 is four and so on. Her dating life sucks so she decides to write a list of things she would prefer in her man. Sounds simple enough. Well enter stage right Sebastian. Hey gorgeous bar owner who happens to be all man 24 /7 However he has a phobia when it comes to relationships. You know bad marriage bad divorce he wants no parts of it ever again. Now imagine having a less that you're checking twice and your high school friend that you've known all of your life. and that would be Sebastian of course he decides to help her out and finding a man and of course he striking out left and right. The great thing about their friendship is that they realize slowly but surely that what they've been looking for can be found in the other person. I have to say I really love Jaci Burton and her style of writing and I'm sure you will too I definitely recommend this five-star book to you.
March 26, 2015
"Burton injects the story with realism that hits the heart of readers."
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
Read this review in its entirety at Fresh Fiction
May 2, 2015
This series has been enjoyable as a nice change up from fast and furious and lots of drama. It's so laid back and easy going with its small town setting, group of friends, the dog characters, and their personal barriers to romance.
In this story, Bash and Chelsea get their story. Both characters are very familiar secondary characters from the beginning of the series. While I liked this story, I wasn't nearly as taken with it as others in the series.
As to being part of a series that is based on a core group of friends and their extended relations and acquaintances, I would suggest getting it in order. There are secondary story lines continuing from the other books (which I love the follow up on the other characters) and characters' situations that are laced through the story a great deal. The reader would definitely get the idea that they were missing out.
The story opens with Chelsea determined to do something about her difficulty finding the right guy and getting on with having her own lasting relationship and family. People have told her that she's too picky, but she will not settle just for the sake of settling and be miserable like her mom. Nope, her solution is to put together a list that will lead her to the perfect man. Unfortunately, Bash Palmer, bartender and so way far from being her ideal of the perfect guy, is the one who catches her eye. As hard as she tries to ignore chemistry and stick to going out with guys who meet the list requirements, it is Bash who is on her mind and makes her heart race.
Bash decided never again after his ex divorced him and left because he couldn't be the guy she wanted him to be. He focused on his business goals and kept it casual where women are concerned. He's happy for his friends finding love, but doesn't think it's for him. While he has a crazy ex-girlfriend who dumps a little dog on him and the fiery Chelsea Gardner letting him know that he doesn't even hit one item on her list of the perfect guy. It's a good thing he doesn't think much of her silly list and decides not to fight the attraction they share.
As I said, this is an easy going story and I felt I already knew the characters well. This one didn't quite have the impact of others in the series. It was cozy and sleepy with only a few blips on the scanner. I confess that I wanted to love it more, but ended up with just like. The device of the List wasn't interesting enough a conflict for me and actually was the reason I didn't like this one as much.
I've never given it much thought before and I've read other books that use a list as a device, but for some reason- and maybe its because of the stuff she put on it- I was actually angry at the presumption and immediate exclusivity of such a list. I know the author cunningly made sure that Bash missed every single point on that list, but was still as delicious a guy as they come. However, I wonder if the author also made it so that while Chelsea was on the hunt for Mr. Perfect that the list also served to accentuate her own flaws at the same time. It was painful to read how someone who is genuinely interested, like Bash, would feel if they were rejected because of something like 'doesn't wear suits', 'hasn't always been single', 'doesn't have a 9-5 job', 'doesn't eat at fancy restaurants or like wine', and so on.
The characters rated somewhat higher with me particularly Bash. He truly did have a reason to be reserved about getting into anything serious. His dad and he didn't have a relationship so he was alone other than friends and his ex made it clear that he wasn't good enough as he was. He's not super ambitious or flashy so he knows he can't compete. Bash, his bar, his cute little dog and his enjoyment of simple pleasures and being with his friends is a great guy. I was rooting for him as his good qualities made Chelsea's perfect men seem stale by comparison because he was her match and he could create some sizzling heat between them with just a direct look or a sensual kiss. It didn't hurt that he protected her, showed her how to let her hair down and have fun, and loved on a little orphaned dog that he never wanted.
"You know, Chelsea, sometimes you have to go with your gut. And sometimes what's between a man and woman has nothing to do with a list, or what's in your head." He picked up her hand and laid it on his chest. "It's what's right here. It's that feeling of chemistry, that sensation of 'Wow, if I don't kiss this person right now, I Might. Just. Explode." pp. 23-26 Bash from Love After All
Chelsea is on the high-strung side. She's a girly girl with decided opinions and she can't see a good thing even when he plants a perfect kiss right on her ready lips. Her Perfect Man list was amusing to her friends in the 'oh isn't the silly girl so cute with her little unrealistic list' sort of way. Honestly, that list drove me a bit nuts because it really was silly. I get her motives for writing it- she's frustrated, scared of getting with the wrong guy and she wants something good. And personally, I think its a very good idea to have standards like sharing the same values, having a strong moral compass, loyal, etc. but that wasn't what this was.
I wasn't enamored with Chelsea and I wanted to like her. She's a high school math teacher, with good taste in food and clothes, she's a good friend, and she's goal-oriented, but since this story was focused not so much on those things as a list that pretty much set up every guy's faults based on exterior packaging, she lost respect points. She earned them back as she set her list aside to give something real a chance.
I enjoyed catching up with all the other couples including the long scenes that were Logan and Des' wedding and the South Padre Island trip with Molly and Carter. With each book, I was never quite ready to let go of the couple in the story so its great that I don't have to as they are prominently show-cased in each new book. I look forward to Reid and Samantha's story.
All in all, it was pleasant and good for a lazy afternoon cozy read. The setting, the cute animals, the circle of friends, and the low amount of drama are a hit Contemporary Romance fans who enjoy gently paced stories with some spicy romance scenes should give this small town romance series a try.
My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
In this story, Bash and Chelsea get their story. Both characters are very familiar secondary characters from the beginning of the series. While I liked this story, I wasn't nearly as taken with it as others in the series.
As to being part of a series that is based on a core group of friends and their extended relations and acquaintances, I would suggest getting it in order. There are secondary story lines continuing from the other books (which I love the follow up on the other characters) and characters' situations that are laced through the story a great deal. The reader would definitely get the idea that they were missing out.
The story opens with Chelsea determined to do something about her difficulty finding the right guy and getting on with having her own lasting relationship and family. People have told her that she's too picky, but she will not settle just for the sake of settling and be miserable like her mom. Nope, her solution is to put together a list that will lead her to the perfect man. Unfortunately, Bash Palmer, bartender and so way far from being her ideal of the perfect guy, is the one who catches her eye. As hard as she tries to ignore chemistry and stick to going out with guys who meet the list requirements, it is Bash who is on her mind and makes her heart race.
Bash decided never again after his ex divorced him and left because he couldn't be the guy she wanted him to be. He focused on his business goals and kept it casual where women are concerned. He's happy for his friends finding love, but doesn't think it's for him. While he has a crazy ex-girlfriend who dumps a little dog on him and the fiery Chelsea Gardner letting him know that he doesn't even hit one item on her list of the perfect guy. It's a good thing he doesn't think much of her silly list and decides not to fight the attraction they share.
As I said, this is an easy going story and I felt I already knew the characters well. This one didn't quite have the impact of others in the series. It was cozy and sleepy with only a few blips on the scanner. I confess that I wanted to love it more, but ended up with just like. The device of the List wasn't interesting enough a conflict for me and actually was the reason I didn't like this one as much.
I've never given it much thought before and I've read other books that use a list as a device, but for some reason- and maybe its because of the stuff she put on it- I was actually angry at the presumption and immediate exclusivity of such a list. I know the author cunningly made sure that Bash missed every single point on that list, but was still as delicious a guy as they come. However, I wonder if the author also made it so that while Chelsea was on the hunt for Mr. Perfect that the list also served to accentuate her own flaws at the same time. It was painful to read how someone who is genuinely interested, like Bash, would feel if they were rejected because of something like 'doesn't wear suits', 'hasn't always been single', 'doesn't have a 9-5 job', 'doesn't eat at fancy restaurants or like wine', and so on.
The characters rated somewhat higher with me particularly Bash. He truly did have a reason to be reserved about getting into anything serious. His dad and he didn't have a relationship so he was alone other than friends and his ex made it clear that he wasn't good enough as he was. He's not super ambitious or flashy so he knows he can't compete. Bash, his bar, his cute little dog and his enjoyment of simple pleasures and being with his friends is a great guy. I was rooting for him as his good qualities made Chelsea's perfect men seem stale by comparison because he was her match and he could create some sizzling heat between them with just a direct look or a sensual kiss. It didn't hurt that he protected her, showed her how to let her hair down and have fun, and loved on a little orphaned dog that he never wanted.
"You know, Chelsea, sometimes you have to go with your gut. And sometimes what's between a man and woman has nothing to do with a list, or what's in your head." He picked up her hand and laid it on his chest. "It's what's right here. It's that feeling of chemistry, that sensation of 'Wow, if I don't kiss this person right now, I Might. Just. Explode." pp. 23-26 Bash from Love After All
Chelsea is on the high-strung side. She's a girly girl with decided opinions and she can't see a good thing even when he plants a perfect kiss right on her ready lips. Her Perfect Man list was amusing to her friends in the 'oh isn't the silly girl so cute with her little unrealistic list' sort of way. Honestly, that list drove me a bit nuts because it really was silly. I get her motives for writing it- she's frustrated, scared of getting with the wrong guy and she wants something good. And personally, I think its a very good idea to have standards like sharing the same values, having a strong moral compass, loyal, etc. but that wasn't what this was.
I wasn't enamored with Chelsea and I wanted to like her. She's a high school math teacher, with good taste in food and clothes, she's a good friend, and she's goal-oriented, but since this story was focused not so much on those things as a list that pretty much set up every guy's faults based on exterior packaging, she lost respect points. She earned them back as she set her list aside to give something real a chance.
I enjoyed catching up with all the other couples including the long scenes that were Logan and Des' wedding and the South Padre Island trip with Molly and Carter. With each book, I was never quite ready to let go of the couple in the story so its great that I don't have to as they are prominently show-cased in each new book. I look forward to Reid and Samantha's story.
All in all, it was pleasant and good for a lazy afternoon cozy read. The setting, the cute animals, the circle of friends, and the low amount of drama are a hit Contemporary Romance fans who enjoy gently paced stories with some spicy romance scenes should give this small town romance series a try.
My thanks to Penguin Group for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
September 25, 2016
Review courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales
Quick & Dirty: A teacher and a bar owner looking for love in all the wrong places.
Opening Sentence: “Chelsea Gardner sat at the No Hope at All Bar, waiting for her friends.”
The Review:
Chelsea is a math teacher who has just made her list of the perfect guy, too bad Bash doesn’t fit any of the qualifications. Despite the massive spark between them, Chelsea is determined to date the right guy for a change. Bash is determined to help despite the fact that he really doesn’t want too, he would rather be igniting the fire between them. Failed dates after failed dates, finally pushes Chelsea to ask Bash for a no strings attached relationship.
As they fall into bed, will Bash be able to move past his past and embrace a real relationship? Chelsea thinks nothing of it at first, but as he continues to pull out all the stops while wooing her, she begins to realize she is falling for him. Bash knows he is in deep, but he can’t seem to make himself walk away. Until that moment she confesses how she feels and he freezes. Will he be able to convince Chelsea he made a mistake?
This is a solid series, and the best part is you really don’t have to read the others to follow along. It does help as Emma, Molly, and Dez are all in this book. However, you won’t be lost if this is the first one you pick up. I really enjoyed this one, although for the most part the series does seem to focus on main characters that don’t necessarily fit together. The chemistry was undeniable between Chelsea and Bash, and it was so sweet to see them first fight it and then give in. I wasn’t that shocked when he messed it up, that is kind of standard in most romance novels. However, without spoiling it, it was super cute how he reached out to her to try and fix his mistakes.
This might just have been my favorite of the series. I loved Chelsea, she was so down to earth and straight forward. And Bash was a total character, totally flirting with her while setting her up on dates. I think I also kind of love the town of Hope, it is such a cute small town, complete with the gossips, hot ranchers, and a major love of animals! So if you are looking for a series with some serious appeal not just in characters, but with everything, then look no further!
Notable Scene:
“He didn’t know what was wrong with him. He knew he was in love with her, but her saying the words to him first had caused a knee-jerk reaction of fear and flight. Knowing you’re in love with someone and actually saying the words out loud were obviously two different things. He’d reacted badly. More than badly. He’d hurt her, and that’s the last goddam thing he’d ever wanted to do Chelsea. This was why he never got involved. He wasn’t good with relationships. Hasn’t he learned that with Cathy? He should have kept his distance from Chelsea, should have kept dating the same women he’d dated before.”
FTC Advisory: Jove/Penguin provided me with a copy of Love After All. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
Quick & Dirty: A teacher and a bar owner looking for love in all the wrong places.
Opening Sentence: “Chelsea Gardner sat at the No Hope at All Bar, waiting for her friends.”
The Review:
Chelsea is a math teacher who has just made her list of the perfect guy, too bad Bash doesn’t fit any of the qualifications. Despite the massive spark between them, Chelsea is determined to date the right guy for a change. Bash is determined to help despite the fact that he really doesn’t want too, he would rather be igniting the fire between them. Failed dates after failed dates, finally pushes Chelsea to ask Bash for a no strings attached relationship.
As they fall into bed, will Bash be able to move past his past and embrace a real relationship? Chelsea thinks nothing of it at first, but as he continues to pull out all the stops while wooing her, she begins to realize she is falling for him. Bash knows he is in deep, but he can’t seem to make himself walk away. Until that moment she confesses how she feels and he freezes. Will he be able to convince Chelsea he made a mistake?
This is a solid series, and the best part is you really don’t have to read the others to follow along. It does help as Emma, Molly, and Dez are all in this book. However, you won’t be lost if this is the first one you pick up. I really enjoyed this one, although for the most part the series does seem to focus on main characters that don’t necessarily fit together. The chemistry was undeniable between Chelsea and Bash, and it was so sweet to see them first fight it and then give in. I wasn’t that shocked when he messed it up, that is kind of standard in most romance novels. However, without spoiling it, it was super cute how he reached out to her to try and fix his mistakes.
This might just have been my favorite of the series. I loved Chelsea, she was so down to earth and straight forward. And Bash was a total character, totally flirting with her while setting her up on dates. I think I also kind of love the town of Hope, it is such a cute small town, complete with the gossips, hot ranchers, and a major love of animals! So if you are looking for a series with some serious appeal not just in characters, but with everything, then look no further!
Notable Scene:
“He didn’t know what was wrong with him. He knew he was in love with her, but her saying the words to him first had caused a knee-jerk reaction of fear and flight. Knowing you’re in love with someone and actually saying the words out loud were obviously two different things. He’d reacted badly. More than badly. He’d hurt her, and that’s the last goddam thing he’d ever wanted to do Chelsea. This was why he never got involved. He wasn’t good with relationships. Hasn’t he learned that with Cathy? He should have kept his distance from Chelsea, should have kept dating the same women he’d dated before.”
FTC Advisory: Jove/Penguin provided me with a copy of Love After All. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.
May 14, 2017
Good combination of friends to lovers and opposites attract. Chelsea is a high school math teacher and one of a group of friends. She's seen several of them fall in love and wants that for herself. But after years of dating guys that just don't work out, she has developed a list with her requirements for the "perfect man". If she sticks to that, surely she'll find the man that can give her the future she wants.
Bash is a member of the same group of friends. He owns the bar No Hope at All. Having been married and divorced once when he was younger, Bash has no desire to make the same mistake. He keeps his relationships strictly casual. He finds out about Chelsea's list and thinks it's ridiculous, but Chelsea is a friend so he offers to help.
Bash and Chelsea have been friends for a long time. Like her other friends, he teases her about her list, but he does introduce her to a couple guys that meet her criteria. Unfortunately for her, there's absolutely no chemistry with these "perfect" men. But there is amazing chemistry between Chelsea and Bash. They are thrown together during events for Logan and Des's wedding (Hope Ignites) and their sparks burn hotter. Bash knows that Chelsea is looking for something permanent, which isn't him, but he really wants her. Chelsea knows that Bash doesn't do commitments and he doesn't match any of her requirements, but he sure gets her motor running. She thinks that her fascination with him is interfering with her ability to connect with other men, so she proposes a quick fling to get each other out of their systems.
I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. Bash is a really nice guy and more complex than Chelsea gives him credit for at first. She begins to see him differently when an ex-girlfriend dumps a dog on him. The closer she gets to him, the more she tries to remind herself that he doesn't match her list. But though the head agrees, the heart and body are ready to toss out the list. I really enjoyed seeing Bash basically court her, though he didn't realize that's what he was doing at first. There are some really sweet and romantic scenes between theme, as well as some really steamy ones. Each of them finally realizes their feelings, but when Chelsea speaks of hers, Bash panics and pushes her away. He knows immediately that he screwed up, but fixing the problem proves to be harder than he expected. I loved the support that Chelsea got from their friends, and ached for her pain at the split. I really enjoyed seeing how Bash had to work to get his chance to make things right. His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic.
I liked seeing more of the gang of friends. The lead up to Logan and Des's wedding was great. There were plenty of chances to see what everyone is up to. I also liked the scene with Luke and Logan's brother Reid, as they all consult about renovating an old building in the town. I'm looking forward to his story. I also loved the little dog, Lou, and how quickly she and Bash took to each other. It was pretty sweet to picture the big tough guy with the little bitty dog.
Bash is a member of the same group of friends. He owns the bar No Hope at All. Having been married and divorced once when he was younger, Bash has no desire to make the same mistake. He keeps his relationships strictly casual. He finds out about Chelsea's list and thinks it's ridiculous, but Chelsea is a friend so he offers to help.
Bash and Chelsea have been friends for a long time. Like her other friends, he teases her about her list, but he does introduce her to a couple guys that meet her criteria. Unfortunately for her, there's absolutely no chemistry with these "perfect" men. But there is amazing chemistry between Chelsea and Bash. They are thrown together during events for Logan and Des's wedding (Hope Ignites) and their sparks burn hotter. Bash knows that Chelsea is looking for something permanent, which isn't him, but he really wants her. Chelsea knows that Bash doesn't do commitments and he doesn't match any of her requirements, but he sure gets her motor running. She thinks that her fascination with him is interfering with her ability to connect with other men, so she proposes a quick fling to get each other out of their systems.
I enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. Bash is a really nice guy and more complex than Chelsea gives him credit for at first. She begins to see him differently when an ex-girlfriend dumps a dog on him. The closer she gets to him, the more she tries to remind herself that he doesn't match her list. But though the head agrees, the heart and body are ready to toss out the list. I really enjoyed seeing Bash basically court her, though he didn't realize that's what he was doing at first. There are some really sweet and romantic scenes between theme, as well as some really steamy ones. Each of them finally realizes their feelings, but when Chelsea speaks of hers, Bash panics and pushes her away. He knows immediately that he screwed up, but fixing the problem proves to be harder than he expected. I loved the support that Chelsea got from their friends, and ached for her pain at the split. I really enjoyed seeing how Bash had to work to get his chance to make things right. His big moment at the end was sweet and romantic.
I liked seeing more of the gang of friends. The lead up to Logan and Des's wedding was great. There were plenty of chances to see what everyone is up to. I also liked the scene with Luke and Logan's brother Reid, as they all consult about renovating an old building in the town. I'm looking forward to his story. I also loved the little dog, Lou, and how quickly she and Bash took to each other. It was pretty sweet to picture the big tough guy with the little bitty dog.
June 28, 2015
No big review here...
I loved "Bash"--he was funny, sexy, and perceptive.
I thought Chelsea's insistence on her "list" for the perfect man was crazy. Couldn't she see that Bash was perfect for her?
This was a quick, one day read, and very enjoyable. That fact that Chelsea and Bash were long time friends made the romance more believable. Just wished that Chelsea would've wised up sooner.:)
I'm loving this series!
4 stars
I loved "Bash"--he was funny, sexy, and perceptive.
I thought Chelsea's insistence on her "list" for the perfect man was crazy. Couldn't she see that Bash was perfect for her?
This was a quick, one day read, and very enjoyable. That fact that Chelsea and Bash were long time friends made the romance more believable. Just wished that Chelsea would've wised up sooner.:)
I'm loving this series!
4 stars
July 25, 2016
Bash's reaction to Chelsea's ILY was stupid and contrived. I would have rather had a condom tear resulting in a accidental pregnancy or some other vehicle since evidently we needed a dramatic moment to get us to the end of the story. But him backpedaling and making the stupid remark about her finding someone special to love...ugh...I almost threw the book against the wall. I was really liking it until that stupidity popped up. Hence my rating.
October 12, 2015
2.5 stars. I had been looking forward to Bash's book and he didn't disappoint, but I couldn't get over what a moronic bitch Chelsea was. Her ridiculous list was juvenile and her way of picking apart Bash's character because he didn't make her list was annoying.
up-next
April 12, 2015ARC provided by publisher in exchange of honest review
Full review to come
Full review to come
May 23, 2019
Reviewed for Romancing the Readers Blog: https://romancingthereaders.blogspot....
As you can see by the date that this one has taken me a while to get to. Unfourtunly it was that I haven't gotten a chance to read it, it's more likeI've tried over and over to get into it and couldn't. So finally I forced myself to sit down and read it. I have 4 other books after this one that goes with the series.
I will admit that I just skimmed read it. I just did enough to understand the story, but not enough to read every line. I just couldn't. The funny part is that she's an author that I really enjoy. Usually. I did like Bash a lot. I thought he was a great guy who spent a lot of time thinking about the future of his business. He wanted more for his life and didn't mind putting in the hours to make it happen.
He also was willing to take in a dog that was dropped in his lap by an ex. Since it wasn't what you'd call a manly man's dog I was pleasantly surprised that he kept it.
It was Chelsea who made the book suck for me. I tried and tried to like her but I just couldn't. She was...I can't even come up with one good word about her and the bad ones shouldn't be said. She just rubbed me the wrong way. She acted like she was all that and everyone, mostly Bash, was beneath her. You could do worse than being with a man who ran his own business and took in animals.
She's the reason it's taken me so long to read the story. I kept picking it up and reading a little bit and stopping when she became too much and let it sit for another month or two. It was killing me so I finally had to do it and finish it.
Now I'm free to move on to the next book in the series. I will give myself a few weeks just so that I can forget about this one.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
https://twitter.com/Romancingreader
As you can see by the date that this one has taken me a while to get to. Unfourtunly it was that I haven't gotten a chance to read it, it's more likeI've tried over and over to get into it and couldn't. So finally I forced myself to sit down and read it. I have 4 other books after this one that goes with the series.
I will admit that I just skimmed read it. I just did enough to understand the story, but not enough to read every line. I just couldn't. The funny part is that she's an author that I really enjoy. Usually. I did like Bash a lot. I thought he was a great guy who spent a lot of time thinking about the future of his business. He wanted more for his life and didn't mind putting in the hours to make it happen.
He also was willing to take in a dog that was dropped in his lap by an ex. Since it wasn't what you'd call a manly man's dog I was pleasantly surprised that he kept it.
It was Chelsea who made the book suck for me. I tried and tried to like her but I just couldn't. She was...I can't even come up with one good word about her and the bad ones shouldn't be said. She just rubbed me the wrong way. She acted like she was all that and everyone, mostly Bash, was beneath her. You could do worse than being with a man who ran his own business and took in animals.
She's the reason it's taken me so long to read the story. I kept picking it up and reading a little bit and stopping when she became too much and let it sit for another month or two. It was killing me so I finally had to do it and finish it.
Now I'm free to move on to the next book in the series. I will give myself a few weeks just so that I can forget about this one.
Follow me on:
https://www.facebook.com/RomancingThe...
https://twitter.com/Romancingreader
April 9, 2015
Rhayne's review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews
Chelsea and Bash take readers on a journey filled with humor, passion, sexy and sincere heartwarming love.
Chelsea has constructed a ten-point list to help her find the perfect guy. She is tired of dating the wrong men and is convinced if she finds a guy that meets all her criteria, she will live happily ever after.
Bash and Chelsea hang in the same circle of friends. He’s liked her for a while and would love to have a chance to get to know her better. However, he knows about her list and knows he needs her to give it up and concentrate on her feelings instead of a piece of paper. They definitely have chemistry, but there are still so many differences.
I will be honest and say it took me a while to really warm up to Chelsea. She came across like a snob at times and her perfect man list went from a great concept for a book to horribly annoying at times. Luckily, Bash was the complete opposite and was strong enough to pull the story forward. Towards the end it comes together well and I did end up really loving them as a couple.
Opening a new Hope series book is like returning to your favorite vacation spot. Everything is familiar, you are reconnected with the characters you left behind and you get to watch a new love enfold. Even though this story really belongs to Chelsea and Bash there is a lot of interaction with the old cast that entwines beautifully within. We get to see Des and Logan’s wedding and we reconnect with all the other characters we’ve come to know and adore.
There are a lot of openings for future books in this series. I love that she introduces multiple scenarios and leaves you excited and intrigued on who we get to read about next. If you haven’t had a chance to start this series, I highly recommend it. Each book is original with a splash of sexy, a splash of conflict and an extra splash of happily ever after.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
Chelsea and Bash take readers on a journey filled with humor, passion, sexy and sincere heartwarming love.
Chelsea has constructed a ten-point list to help her find the perfect guy. She is tired of dating the wrong men and is convinced if she finds a guy that meets all her criteria, she will live happily ever after.
Bash and Chelsea hang in the same circle of friends. He’s liked her for a while and would love to have a chance to get to know her better. However, he knows about her list and knows he needs her to give it up and concentrate on her feelings instead of a piece of paper. They definitely have chemistry, but there are still so many differences.
I will be honest and say it took me a while to really warm up to Chelsea. She came across like a snob at times and her perfect man list went from a great concept for a book to horribly annoying at times. Luckily, Bash was the complete opposite and was strong enough to pull the story forward. Towards the end it comes together well and I did end up really loving them as a couple.
Opening a new Hope series book is like returning to your favorite vacation spot. Everything is familiar, you are reconnected with the characters you left behind and you get to watch a new love enfold. Even though this story really belongs to Chelsea and Bash there is a lot of interaction with the old cast that entwines beautifully within. We get to see Des and Logan’s wedding and we reconnect with all the other characters we’ve come to know and adore.
There are a lot of openings for future books in this series. I love that she introduces multiple scenarios and leaves you excited and intrigued on who we get to read about next. If you haven’t had a chance to start this series, I highly recommend it. Each book is original with a splash of sexy, a splash of conflict and an extra splash of happily ever after.
Review copy provided for an honest review.
August 3, 2016
2 stars – Contemporary Romance
July 14, 2015
Loved Bash & Chelsea's book :)
February 24, 2019
There's just something about finding the "one", who's been right in front of you the whole time.
Chelsea was searching for Mr. Right, a man who fit her list of requirements. Yes, an actual list. She and Bash had always had an attraction to one another, but he, by no means, was the list-man, and after a failed marriage, he wasn't ready to give his heart to someone, who would not accept him as is.
This was the light and fun read I was looking for. Bash and Chelsea had the chemistry and banter down pat, and I really enjoyed watching her eyes open wider to see beyond her list and recognize Bash for the wonderful, big-hearted man he was. Oh, and Lulu, I really enjoyed the addition of a little dog for a rough around the edges guy.
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Chelsea was searching for Mr. Right, a man who fit her list of requirements. Yes, an actual list. She and Bash had always had an attraction to one another, but he, by no means, was the list-man, and after a failed marriage, he wasn't ready to give his heart to someone, who would not accept him as is.
This was the light and fun read I was looking for. Bash and Chelsea had the chemistry and banter down pat, and I really enjoyed watching her eyes open wider to see beyond her list and recognize Bash for the wonderful, big-hearted man he was. Oh, and Lulu, I really enjoyed the addition of a little dog for a rough around the edges guy.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
April 4, 2015
This was my first Jaci Burton book – I know that’s weird right? I don’t know, I’ve always loved her covers but my trusted contemporary romance sources never really raved so I never grabbed them.
Sidenote – this is a book 4 in a companion series – I don’t feel you have to read the full series in order to get into these.
Anyway, this one caught my interest of course… There’s a dog on the cover…. And a dude, who owns a bar, so I was in.
Chelsea Gardner is tired of dating the wrong kind of guys… she’s got a list of things required in “The One” and she isn’t going to settle for anything less.
Sebastian or “Bash” (The bar owner!) is intrigued by Chelsea – she’s smart and beautiful but he thinks this list is ridiculous, and he’s prepared to prove her completely wrong, because he doesn’t fit the ideal man of Chelsea’s imagination but he’s determined to prove that he’s perfect for her.
So… if I’m being honest, I wasn’t blown away or anything by this. The writing is good, the story is fun and light and the sexy stuff is sexy… but it’s predictable and it wasn’t really anything that would have me yelling into the void about how amazing it was.
I don’t know what it was, I just never connected on the level that I need in order to be invested in these characters lives. In fact, for me, it was just one of those books that I found that I read and then moved on to the next. Nothing about it stood out.
I know that isn’t exactly a glowing review, but sometimes, for me, contemporary romance just falls into that category where you find yourself entertained while you’re reading it and then when you’re done it gets quickly forgotten. This is just one of those cases.
If you’re looking for something light and sexy, something with some fun banter and a story about finding love in a place you least expect… definitely check this one out!
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Sidenote – this is a book 4 in a companion series – I don’t feel you have to read the full series in order to get into these.
Anyway, this one caught my interest of course… There’s a dog on the cover…. And a dude, who owns a bar, so I was in.
Chelsea Gardner is tired of dating the wrong kind of guys… she’s got a list of things required in “The One” and she isn’t going to settle for anything less.
Sebastian or “Bash” (The bar owner!) is intrigued by Chelsea – she’s smart and beautiful but he thinks this list is ridiculous, and he’s prepared to prove her completely wrong, because he doesn’t fit the ideal man of Chelsea’s imagination but he’s determined to prove that he’s perfect for her.
So… if I’m being honest, I wasn’t blown away or anything by this. The writing is good, the story is fun and light and the sexy stuff is sexy… but it’s predictable and it wasn’t really anything that would have me yelling into the void about how amazing it was.
I don’t know what it was, I just never connected on the level that I need in order to be invested in these characters lives. In fact, for me, it was just one of those books that I found that I read and then moved on to the next. Nothing about it stood out.
I know that isn’t exactly a glowing review, but sometimes, for me, contemporary romance just falls into that category where you find yourself entertained while you’re reading it and then when you’re done it gets quickly forgotten. This is just one of those cases.
If you’re looking for something light and sexy, something with some fun banter and a story about finding love in a place you least expect… definitely check this one out!
Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
September 17, 2015
If you need a pick me up read, you definitely need to read this series. The books in the Hope series are sweet and sexy and with each installment you fall in love with the characters and the overall cast a little bit more. Jaci Burton is definitely one of my go to authors to get me out of a book slump because I’m guaranteed to get a story full of heart that will sweep me off my feet.
That’s exactly what I loved about LOVE AFTER ALL. I was quickly swept off my feet. Both Chelsea and Sebastian “Bash” became dear to me almost right away. I loved her confidence, I loved her list and search for the perfect man. I loved HIS confidence and the fact that even though he doesn’t think he wants a relationship, he’s not scared to go after Chelsea who so obviously wants that. Their relationship progresses with a perfect pace. They develop a friendship that is full of sexual tension, and I gobbled up every second.
I’m almost positive there is no way Jaci Burton can write a book that I don’t love. She’s just that good at telling stories and making you care about the characters, that you get lost in it every single time. LOVE AFTER ALL is about finding love when and where you least expect it. And not fighting it. Being honest about your feelings. I loved that in these characters! This goes down as another great installment in this series and definitely (as always) leaves me dying for more. If we could only get her to write faster to satisfy our needs!
*ARC provided by publisher
November 28, 2015
Quickie--Ahh how could you NOT love this guy?! He's hot, sexy, has a little dog he's smitten with. He's pretty much perfect. smh at Chelsea for not picking that up sooner. Had a good time with these two and her "list".
April 4, 2015
Originally published at The Book Pushers
Love After All explores three fairly common romance tropes in an interesting story involving characters with a lot of heart.
OK, so it’s obvious I liked it, but what is it?
The title “Love After All” fits to a T (also the tees that the hero frequently wears fit pretty awesomely too). This is combination of the “sex into romance” trope and the “friends into lovers” trope rolled into one.
Chelsea Gardner is a high school math teacher, and has been for about ten years. She’s excellent at her job and loves it. She’s also built a good life for herself in Hope with her friends as he support network. But her friends have been busy finding their happily ever afters, Jane with Will in Hope Smolders, Emma and Luke in Hope Flames (reviewed here), and Molly and Carter in Hope Burns (reviewed here). Chelsea is oh-so-happy for her friends, but she wants that same kind of happiness for herself.
And the guys she’s been dating have not so much been losers as just not right for her. So she decides to make a list of the qualities she needs in a perfect man. Of course everyone tells her that there is no such thing as a “perfect man”. (There’s no such thing as a perfect woman either, but that doesn’t need to be on Chelsea’s list.)
Unfortunately for Chelsea, the man who sets her heart (and other parts) fluttering gets absolutely no points on her “perfect” list. Bash Palmer owns the local bar, No Hope at All. He loves teasing Chelsea, but is completely aware that Chelsea is looking for a relationship, and he’s only interested in casual flings. But since he and Chelsea are part of the same circle of friends, they keep circling around each other. And even though Bash knows about, and teases Chelsea about, her infamous list, he can’t resist playing with fire.
They drive each other crazy. Chelsea wants Bash, but knows he isn’t into anything except owning his bar for the long haul. Bash wants Chelsea, but knows that he isn’t what she’s looking for in the long term, and he isn’t interested in the long term.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Bash. He’s just not the suit-wearing, non-sports-loving, fancy restaurant liking, non-camping guy with a 9-to-5 job that Chelsea thinks she wants. But she doesn’t feel any sparks when she dates some perfectly nice guys who fit her list to a T.
She decides that her off-the-charts chemistry with Bash is responsible for her inability to click with anyone else. So she works her way around to another trope that has an interesting way of starting a romance – she thinks that if they have sex and “get it out of their systems” she’ll be able to move on to someone who will be perfect for her.
The only problem is that that particular idea never works. You can’t unring that bell, you can’t un-know what you know. And what Chelsea and Bash discover is that the sex is pretty much perfect.
They can’t get enough of each other. Even more, they can’t get over each other. So Bash offers something that he swore he’d never do again. He asks Chelsea to try this dating thing that they keep avoiding. And it’s all fantastic. They have a terrific time together, both in and out of the sack. It’s all fantastic, until they make the marvelous mistake of falling in love with each other. Then they nearly throw it all away.
While I talked about three tropes at the beginning, these particular storylines are used frequently and for a reason – done well, they make a terrific love story. They work pretty darn well in Love After All.
Unlike the previous book, I did not want to shake Chelsea until her teeth rattled. While the things on her list may sound superficial, Chelsea herself isn’t. She’s not a 20-year-old making a list with no basis in reality – she’s a woman in her early 30s who has figured out what does and doesn’t work for her. She also happens to be naturally inclined to make lists. I can see where she’s coming from, even if I personally find her method a little odd.
And she’s right about Bash at the beginning, in a pretty important way. Bash has only had casual relationships, but LOTS of them, for quite a long time. He was married and divorced pretty young. It was a mistake that he refuses to repeat, so he always keeps things casual.
Whatever one may think of the items on Chelsea’s list, she is self-aware enough to know that she is looking for a relationship and not casual sex. Bash hasn’t done anything except casual sex in years. He’s a terrific guy, and a good friend, but he’s been pretty clear that he isn’t relationship material.
Everything changes when one of his exes stomps into the bar and hands him a chihuahua. The human bitch only got the dog to impress Bash. Now that he’s out of her picture, she wants shed of the dog, and drops poor Lulu in Bash’s lap – almost literally. He renames the poor little thing Lou and gives her a home. Surprising both himself and Chelsea. He may have thought of himself with a dog, but always something big. Lou is a little tiny thing who thrives under Bash’s care. She thinks she’s a big dog and she’s adorable.
The more Bash falls in love with the dog, the more that Chelsea sees that there is a LOT more to Bash than she thought.
In addition to the romance, one of the great features of this story, and the Hope series, is the way that it focuses on women’s friendships. It’s not just that it is great to see what the characters from the other books are doing, but these women love and take care of each other, have fun together and support each other and occasionally give one another a kick in the pants when it’s needed.
In the end, I liked Love After All better than either Hope Ignites (reviewed here) or Hope Burns, but not quite as much as the first book in the series, Hope Flames.
I give Love After All a very solid and enjoyable B.
Love After All explores three fairly common romance tropes in an interesting story involving characters with a lot of heart.
OK, so it’s obvious I liked it, but what is it?
The title “Love After All” fits to a T (also the tees that the hero frequently wears fit pretty awesomely too). This is combination of the “sex into romance” trope and the “friends into lovers” trope rolled into one.
Chelsea Gardner is a high school math teacher, and has been for about ten years. She’s excellent at her job and loves it. She’s also built a good life for herself in Hope with her friends as he support network. But her friends have been busy finding their happily ever afters, Jane with Will in Hope Smolders, Emma and Luke in Hope Flames (reviewed here), and Molly and Carter in Hope Burns (reviewed here). Chelsea is oh-so-happy for her friends, but she wants that same kind of happiness for herself.
And the guys she’s been dating have not so much been losers as just not right for her. So she decides to make a list of the qualities she needs in a perfect man. Of course everyone tells her that there is no such thing as a “perfect man”. (There’s no such thing as a perfect woman either, but that doesn’t need to be on Chelsea’s list.)
Unfortunately for Chelsea, the man who sets her heart (and other parts) fluttering gets absolutely no points on her “perfect” list. Bash Palmer owns the local bar, No Hope at All. He loves teasing Chelsea, but is completely aware that Chelsea is looking for a relationship, and he’s only interested in casual flings. But since he and Chelsea are part of the same circle of friends, they keep circling around each other. And even though Bash knows about, and teases Chelsea about, her infamous list, he can’t resist playing with fire.
They drive each other crazy. Chelsea wants Bash, but knows he isn’t into anything except owning his bar for the long haul. Bash wants Chelsea, but knows that he isn’t what she’s looking for in the long term, and he isn’t interested in the long term.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with Bash. He’s just not the suit-wearing, non-sports-loving, fancy restaurant liking, non-camping guy with a 9-to-5 job that Chelsea thinks she wants. But she doesn’t feel any sparks when she dates some perfectly nice guys who fit her list to a T.
She decides that her off-the-charts chemistry with Bash is responsible for her inability to click with anyone else. So she works her way around to another trope that has an interesting way of starting a romance – she thinks that if they have sex and “get it out of their systems” she’ll be able to move on to someone who will be perfect for her.
The only problem is that that particular idea never works. You can’t unring that bell, you can’t un-know what you know. And what Chelsea and Bash discover is that the sex is pretty much perfect.
They can’t get enough of each other. Even more, they can’t get over each other. So Bash offers something that he swore he’d never do again. He asks Chelsea to try this dating thing that they keep avoiding. And it’s all fantastic. They have a terrific time together, both in and out of the sack. It’s all fantastic, until they make the marvelous mistake of falling in love with each other. Then they nearly throw it all away.
While I talked about three tropes at the beginning, these particular storylines are used frequently and for a reason – done well, they make a terrific love story. They work pretty darn well in Love After All.
Unlike the previous book, I did not want to shake Chelsea until her teeth rattled. While the things on her list may sound superficial, Chelsea herself isn’t. She’s not a 20-year-old making a list with no basis in reality – she’s a woman in her early 30s who has figured out what does and doesn’t work for her. She also happens to be naturally inclined to make lists. I can see where she’s coming from, even if I personally find her method a little odd.
And she’s right about Bash at the beginning, in a pretty important way. Bash has only had casual relationships, but LOTS of them, for quite a long time. He was married and divorced pretty young. It was a mistake that he refuses to repeat, so he always keeps things casual.
Whatever one may think of the items on Chelsea’s list, she is self-aware enough to know that she is looking for a relationship and not casual sex. Bash hasn’t done anything except casual sex in years. He’s a terrific guy, and a good friend, but he’s been pretty clear that he isn’t relationship material.
Everything changes when one of his exes stomps into the bar and hands him a chihuahua. The human bitch only got the dog to impress Bash. Now that he’s out of her picture, she wants shed of the dog, and drops poor Lulu in Bash’s lap – almost literally. He renames the poor little thing Lou and gives her a home. Surprising both himself and Chelsea. He may have thought of himself with a dog, but always something big. Lou is a little tiny thing who thrives under Bash’s care. She thinks she’s a big dog and she’s adorable.
The more Bash falls in love with the dog, the more that Chelsea sees that there is a LOT more to Bash than she thought.
In addition to the romance, one of the great features of this story, and the Hope series, is the way that it focuses on women’s friendships. It’s not just that it is great to see what the characters from the other books are doing, but these women love and take care of each other, have fun together and support each other and occasionally give one another a kick in the pants when it’s needed.
In the end, I liked Love After All better than either Hope Ignites (reviewed here) or Hope Burns, but not quite as much as the first book in the series, Hope Flames.
I give Love After All a very solid and enjoyable B.
September 11, 2017
2.5*
See my review for Hope Flames, that goes for all the books in this series ;)
See my review for Hope Flames, that goes for all the books in this series ;)
June 19, 2018
Love the story line......... and the friends, and the loves
March 31, 2015
Love After All by Jaci Burton is the 4th book in her wonderful Hope series. Chelsea Gardner is our heroine in this story, as it begins with her writing her list for finding the perfect man. Chelsea has not has success in meeting Mr. Right, and now she has set high standards for what she expects him to be. As she sits by the local bar, waiting for her friends. Bash Palmer, the owner of the bar, spies her writing something. Teasing her, he tries to find out what she is doing. But Chelsea doesn’t bite and hides the list. Of course, Bash being known as a womanizer and workaholic would automatically not meet Chelsea’s standards on her list. He is a friend within her group of friends, but the wrong man to date.
Bash does find and read the list, and decides to play along and help Chelsea find someone who would be meet her requirements. Chelsea’s friends, who are either married or engaged laugh at her list, not to mention they think Bash is great, and would be great for her.
What follows is a fun charming story of Chelsea dating different men, who meet what she is looking for, but there was no chemistry. While she continues to search, Bash and her become even better friends, with benefits. Bash is fun loving, handsome, sexy, and has no interest in any kind of permanent relationship, having had a bad experience in marriage. In a short time they start a sizzling relationship that is not meant to be anything more than fun and sexual. They had so much chemistry together, as it was off the wall. But both refused to look further then the fling they thought it was.
Their friends were the ones who saw what was happening between them, though they were stubborn and blind to their feelings. Chelsea at first was a little annoying with that list, but it was nice to watch her slowly fall hard for Bash, as no one she met was able to give her the feelings she had with Bash.
Bash knew early on how he also was falling in love with Chelsea, but his fears of anything more scares him. They both have a blast with each other, not to mention the flaming sex. When Chelsea acknowledges her feelings, it will be Bash who will panic and hurt her.
Will Bash and Chelsea overcome their issues? Will their friends help them see the light? You will have to read this fun story to find the answers. Love After All continues the trend of fun, hot sexy romances, friendships in Hope. I love the camaraderie between towns friends and family. You can’t go wrong reading anything by Jaci Burton.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
Bash does find and read the list, and decides to play along and help Chelsea find someone who would be meet her requirements. Chelsea’s friends, who are either married or engaged laugh at her list, not to mention they think Bash is great, and would be great for her.
What follows is a fun charming story of Chelsea dating different men, who meet what she is looking for, but there was no chemistry. While she continues to search, Bash and her become even better friends, with benefits. Bash is fun loving, handsome, sexy, and has no interest in any kind of permanent relationship, having had a bad experience in marriage. In a short time they start a sizzling relationship that is not meant to be anything more than fun and sexual. They had so much chemistry together, as it was off the wall. But both refused to look further then the fling they thought it was.
Their friends were the ones who saw what was happening between them, though they were stubborn and blind to their feelings. Chelsea at first was a little annoying with that list, but it was nice to watch her slowly fall hard for Bash, as no one she met was able to give her the feelings she had with Bash.
Bash knew early on how he also was falling in love with Chelsea, but his fears of anything more scares him. They both have a blast with each other, not to mention the flaming sex. When Chelsea acknowledges her feelings, it will be Bash who will panic and hurt her.
Will Bash and Chelsea overcome their issues? Will their friends help them see the light? You will have to read this fun story to find the answers. Love After All continues the trend of fun, hot sexy romances, friendships in Hope. I love the camaraderie between towns friends and family. You can’t go wrong reading anything by Jaci Burton.
Barb
The Reading Cafe
February 3, 2019
Die Heldin wurde mir leider bis zum Schluss hin nicht sympathisch...
September 22, 2015
Jaci Burton's Hope series is one of my favorite small town romance series. The characters are all so lovable and I just can't get enough of them. While I was definitely super excited to FINALLY have Bash's story, I didn't love Chelsea as much as I thought I would.
High school math teacher Chelsea Gardner knows exactly what she wants in her perfect man, and bartender Sebastian "Bash" Palmer definitely does not qualify. While he may not match up to her list, the chemistry between Bash and Chelsea is undeniable. Bash thinks that Chelsea is crazy for having "the perfect man" and sets out to prove just that by setting her up with men who do meet her criteria. Chelsea finds that the men who look good on paper don't even compare to how Bash makes her feel…but can she give into her feelings when she knows Bash is all wrong for her?
I have been waiting for Bash's book ever since the first book of this series and, I've got to say, I wasn't a huge fan of this one. It was just so…slow. I didn't really like Chelsea and her in-your-face attitude that was constantly mentioned. She was your typical "fiery redhead" who wore heels all the time and I just didn't find myself caring for her. She constantly talked about how she just didn't feel anything for the guys that seemed perfect for her, and I didn't really care. I got where she was coming from, but her personality just didn't gel with me.
Bash, though, was awesome. I loved how he adopted an adorable little dog and actually really bonded with her. Bash knew that he wasn't the perfect man and was still dealing with the pains of his divorce where he couldn't fit the mold his ex-wife had wanted him to fill. I just wanted Bash to know that he was perfect the way he was and deserved his own happiness! I think that it was a bit cliche how he ran away at one point because he was "scared," but overall he was my favorite part of this book.
While I adore this series, Bash's story did not live up to my expectations. Chelsea was not my favorite and I didn't find myself relating to her. While we are both teachers, she was up half of the night all the time and I didn't see her as a realistic teacher…but maybe that's just me. In the end, Love After All was a let down compared to the great beginning books of this series.
High school math teacher Chelsea Gardner knows exactly what she wants in her perfect man, and bartender Sebastian "Bash" Palmer definitely does not qualify. While he may not match up to her list, the chemistry between Bash and Chelsea is undeniable. Bash thinks that Chelsea is crazy for having "the perfect man" and sets out to prove just that by setting her up with men who do meet her criteria. Chelsea finds that the men who look good on paper don't even compare to how Bash makes her feel…but can she give into her feelings when she knows Bash is all wrong for her?
I have been waiting for Bash's book ever since the first book of this series and, I've got to say, I wasn't a huge fan of this one. It was just so…slow. I didn't really like Chelsea and her in-your-face attitude that was constantly mentioned. She was your typical "fiery redhead" who wore heels all the time and I just didn't find myself caring for her. She constantly talked about how she just didn't feel anything for the guys that seemed perfect for her, and I didn't really care. I got where she was coming from, but her personality just didn't gel with me.
Bash, though, was awesome. I loved how he adopted an adorable little dog and actually really bonded with her. Bash knew that he wasn't the perfect man and was still dealing with the pains of his divorce where he couldn't fit the mold his ex-wife had wanted him to fill. I just wanted Bash to know that he was perfect the way he was and deserved his own happiness! I think that it was a bit cliche how he ran away at one point because he was "scared," but overall he was my favorite part of this book.
While I adore this series, Bash's story did not live up to my expectations. Chelsea was not my favorite and I didn't find myself relating to her. While we are both teachers, she was up half of the night all the time and I didn't see her as a realistic teacher…but maybe that's just me. In the end, Love After All was a let down compared to the great beginning books of this series.
April 18, 2015
I always love coming back to the town of Hope and all the wonderful and quirky characters that reside there. Bash and Chelsea haven’t had a lot of page time in previous books so it was nice to learn more about them and watch their love story unfold.
While I did enjoy the story, I had issues with both characters and if I wasn’t frustrated with one, I was certainly frustrated with the other; Chelsea and her damn list for one. That girl is something else. She’s tired of dating losers and has devised a list of criteria for her idea of the perfect man. Bash overhears her talking about her list and wants to “help” her find the perfect man. That’s got DISASTER stamped all over it.
Bash and Chelsea have flirted in the past and they do have a great amount of chemistry but since he doesn’t meet ANY of the criteria on her perfect man list, she immediately dismisses him. Not to mention the fact that she reminds herself at every turn how much he isn’t the perfect man for her.
Well, Bash doesn’t make it any easier on us readers. He is divorced and spends the majority of his time working at the bar he owns in Hope. He is content to have casual relationships and even though he thinks Chelsea is hot, he knows she’s a relationship kind of girl and steers clear of her…or tries to anyway. It seems destiny has something else in store for Bash and Chelsea.
Despite my mini rant about the characters, the story was highly entertaining. There is a much-anticipated wedding and we see a bit more of Reid, Luke and Logan’s brother. His book is next and I’m looking forward to learning more about the youngest McCormack brother. I absolutely loved Bash’s dog, Lou. The animal aspect of the series is awesome and I love how well the animals compliment the characters and give a fun dynamic to the stories.
Jaci Burton is a favorite author of mine and I’d recommend any of her books!
***I was gifted an eBook copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***
While I did enjoy the story, I had issues with both characters and if I wasn’t frustrated with one, I was certainly frustrated with the other; Chelsea and her damn list for one. That girl is something else. She’s tired of dating losers and has devised a list of criteria for her idea of the perfect man. Bash overhears her talking about her list and wants to “help” her find the perfect man. That’s got DISASTER stamped all over it.
Bash and Chelsea have flirted in the past and they do have a great amount of chemistry but since he doesn’t meet ANY of the criteria on her perfect man list, she immediately dismisses him. Not to mention the fact that she reminds herself at every turn how much he isn’t the perfect man for her.
Well, Bash doesn’t make it any easier on us readers. He is divorced and spends the majority of his time working at the bar he owns in Hope. He is content to have casual relationships and even though he thinks Chelsea is hot, he knows she’s a relationship kind of girl and steers clear of her…or tries to anyway. It seems destiny has something else in store for Bash and Chelsea.
Despite my mini rant about the characters, the story was highly entertaining. There is a much-anticipated wedding and we see a bit more of Reid, Luke and Logan’s brother. His book is next and I’m looking forward to learning more about the youngest McCormack brother. I absolutely loved Bash’s dog, Lou. The animal aspect of the series is awesome and I love how well the animals compliment the characters and give a fun dynamic to the stories.
Jaci Burton is a favorite author of mine and I’d recommend any of her books!
***I was gifted an eBook copy from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. All conclusions reached are my own***
March 30, 2015
If you need a pick me up read, you definitely need to read this series. The books in the Hope series are sweet and sexy and with each installment you fall in love with the characters and the overall cast a little bit more. Jaci Burton is definitely one of my go to authors to get me out of a book slump because I'm guaranteed to get a story full of heart that will sweep me off my feet.
That's exactly what I loved about LOVE AFTER ALL. I was quickly swept off my feet. Both Chelsea and Sebastian "Bash" became dear to me almost right away. I loved her confidence, I loved her list and search for the perfect man. I loved HIS confidence and the fact that even though he doesn't think he wants a relationship, he's not scared to go after Chelsea who so obviously wants that. Their relationship progresses with a perfect pace. They develop a friendship that is full of sexual tension, and I gobbled up every second.
I'm almost positive there is no way Jaci Burton can write a book that I don't love. She's just that good at telling stories and making you care about the characters, that you get lost in it every single time. LOVE AFTER ALL is about finding love when and where you least expect it. And not fighting it. Being honest about your feelings. I loved that in these characters! This goes down as another great installment in this series and definitely (as always) leaves me dying for more. If we could only get her to write faster to satisfy our needs!
*ARC provided by publisher
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April 28, 2015
Love After All is the fourth installment in the Hope Series. I adore this series about a small town in Oklahoma. This is the story of Chelsea and Bash.
Bash Palmer is the owner and operator of the local bar in Hope. He spends all of his time married to work. He doesn't have time for dating much less a relationship.
Chelsea Gardner is looking for the perfect man. And she has a list to help her a long the way. She's tired of dating and wants a man to settle down with like the rest of her friends.
Bash and Chelsea have known each other for years, hanging with the same circle of friends. Bash is sexy and sweet but definitely doesn't conform to the list that Chelsea has. The two are good friends, with Bash joining in on teasing Chelsea about her list, like the rest of their friends.
The problem is that Bash and Chelsea have mad chemistry together. With the impending wedding of their friends, the two have been thrown together for a number of things and since no one is coming close to Chelsea's list, the two decide to try the "friends with benefits" route. And before you know it... it's turning into so much more. But what about Chelsea's list?
I think this one was probably my favorite out of the series. Although I say that with each one that come out. This is a series I could never tire of and hope that we get to see more from the fine folks of Hope, OK.
Bash Palmer is the owner and operator of the local bar in Hope. He spends all of his time married to work. He doesn't have time for dating much less a relationship.
Chelsea Gardner is looking for the perfect man. And she has a list to help her a long the way. She's tired of dating and wants a man to settle down with like the rest of her friends.
Bash and Chelsea have known each other for years, hanging with the same circle of friends. Bash is sexy and sweet but definitely doesn't conform to the list that Chelsea has. The two are good friends, with Bash joining in on teasing Chelsea about her list, like the rest of their friends.
The problem is that Bash and Chelsea have mad chemistry together. With the impending wedding of their friends, the two have been thrown together for a number of things and since no one is coming close to Chelsea's list, the two decide to try the "friends with benefits" route. And before you know it... it's turning into so much more. But what about Chelsea's list?
I think this one was probably my favorite out of the series. Although I say that with each one that come out. This is a series I could never tire of and hope that we get to see more from the fine folks of Hope, OK.
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