Love After Dark

Gansett Island #13

by Marie Force

Paul Martinez has been run ragged by the demands of managing the family’s landscaping business and his mother’s battle with dementia. It’s been so long since he had sex, he can’t remember the last time. The arrival of nurse Hope Russell brought some badly needed help to Paul and his brother Alex in managing their mother’s illness, but Hope’s presence has sparked a whole new problem for Paul—lusting after one of his employees, something his late father would never condone.

Hope and her young son Ethan badly need this second chance on Gansett Island, and she’s determined to make her new job work for both of them. Kissing her boss, however, was not part of the plan. The more time she spends with Paul, the more she admires the way he cares for his mother and the attention he pays to her son. But when Paul finds out about her shameful past, will he still want her and Ethan in his life?

Come back to Gansett Island to find out what’s going on with all your favorite characters, including Mac and Maddie, Seamus and Carolina and the rest of the Gansett crew. Weeks before Alex and Jenny’s long-awaited wedding, Alex begins to worry that his bride is getting cold feet—or is something else going on? It’s September on Gansett where the days are cool, bright and sunny and the nights are hot and sexy!

Gansett Island Reading Order
Maid for Love (Mac & Maddie)
Fool for Love (Joe & Janey)
Ready for Love (Luke & Sydney)
Falling for Love (Grant & Stephanie)
Hoping for Love (Evan & Grace)
Season for Love (Owen & Laura)
Longing for Love (Blaine & Tiffany)
Waiting for Love (Adam & Abby)
Time for Love (Daisy & David)
Meant for Love (Jenny & Alex)
Chance for Love, A Gansett Island Novella (Jared & Lizzie)
Gansett After Dark (Owen & Laura)
Kisses After Dark (Shane & Katie)
Love After Dark (Paul & Hope)
Celebration After Dark (Big Mac & Linda)
Desire After Dark (Slim & Erin)
Light After Dark (Mallory & Quinn)
Victoria & Shannon (Episode 1)
Kevin & Chelsea (Episode 2)
A Gansett Island Christmas Novella
Mine After Dark (Riley & Nikki)
Yours After Dark (Finn & Chloe)
Trouble After Dark (Deacon & Julia)
Rescue After Dark (Mason & Jordan)

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Fiction, Adult, Family

320 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 18, 2015

About the author

Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Gansett Island, Fatal, Treading Water, Butler Vermont and Quantum.

Her books have sold more than 12 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Speigel bestseller in Germany.

Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news.

Join Marie’s mailing list on her website at marieforce.com for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Follow her on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/MarieForceAuthor and on Instagram at www.instagram.com/marieforceauthor/. Contact Marie at marie@marieforce.com.

Reviews

[Anniebananie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nachdem ich mit Band 19 in die McCarthys-Reihe gestartet bin, habe ich mich nun Band 13 gewidmet, da ich auch dieses netterweise als Rezensionsexemplar zur Verfügung gestellt bekommen habe :)
Ich muss sagen, dass die Reihenfolge echt nicht so wichtig ist, da permanent so viele Personen und Beziehungen eine Rolle spielen, das man vermutlich eh nie den perfekten Überblick behalten kann. Zumindest geht es mir so.
Ich mochte in diesem Band unsere beiden Protagonisten und auch das Thema um das es ging echt gerne. Umso trauriger war ich, dass sich gut die Hälfte des Buches gar nicht um unsere beiden Protagonisten dreht. Allerdings sind die Charaktere um die es stattdessen geht nicht weniger sympathisch!
Die Geschichte ist wieder eher seicht und vorhersehbar, dennoch brachte sie mich an einigen Stellen zum Schmunzeln aber auch zum Augenrollen :D
Das Ende war mir dann - wie immer - too much, dennoch freue ich mich wenn ich mit Band 14 der Reihe wieder nach Gansett Island reisen kann :)

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's been a while since I visited Gansett Island. This series has always been one of my go-to's when I just want a good old pick me up and dose of the feel goods with a cast of characters whose stories continue to evolve even when they're not at the forefront. For me, picking up Love After Dark was like meeting up with an old friend; it's been a while, but it seems like just yesterday that we were together.



Book 13 in the series sees Paul Martinez and Hope Russell fight and fail over crossing the employer/employee line. As is pretty much the norm between the characters in this series, both fall hard and fast and not without a little smattering of angst and inner turmoil added into the mix. And in Paul and Hope's case, her time on the island has an expiry date; as the nurse hired to oversee Paul's mum's care, once his mum moves into a care-facility, Hope's work will be done.

"I’m having highly indecent thoughts, and all of them involve you."

It was fairly predictable but that mattered not as it did exactly what I wanted and left me with the aforementioned feel-goods. I do think that due to the sheer number of characters certain appearances serve little purpose other than to inject a sexy scene and remind you they're there, and there does appear to be an over-abundance of pregnancies, but on the whole I am pleased to see Marie has slimmed down just how many character revisits she slots in with greater focus on a select few.

"This island is known for its healin' powers."

All in all another lovely visit to the island and I certainly won't be leaving it as long next time.

[Anne OK · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Beta Reader)

Another amazing entry in the McCarthys of Gansett Island Series. Paul and Hope's story tempts and entices fans and readers with all those "feels" that we demand in our romance. If you loved Alex, you'll be just as drawn to his brother, Paul - maybe even more so.

So, prepare to take a tour of the island for revisits with old friends, too. Fall arrives on Gansett, the pumpkins are ready to pick, and the fun is just beginning. This book is guaranteed to bring hours of all the things we love best about Gansett Island and the residents who keep us begging for more.


FULL REVIEW CLOSER TO RELEASE DATE: August 18th

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall rating: 4 stars!

Triggers:
Cheating: No
Love triangle: No
Sex with om/ow: No
Intimate pasts: Paul (hero): He definitely isn't a virgin. He pretty much dated from time to time. There are really no details whatsoever other than the fact that he does want a wife and family of his own someday. Due to his mom being sick with Dementia and Paul trying to keep his dad's business afloat since his death, he also mentions that he has no idea when the last time he had sex was. Hope (heroine): If I am not mistaken, her ex husband (who is a bastard in jail for doing something pretty horrible) was her first and only sexual partner.
OW/OM drama: None
Push/pull: There is a LITTLE. Hope has her own issues when it comes to men because of what her husband did to her. Paul knows what he wants and that's Hope and her son. But I feel like at first, when Hope pushed him away, Paul was willing to just move on. She WAS his employee after all and Paul does make a date with someone else. The date ends up canceling even though he knows he would have cancelled it anyway. The date was with some girl in town who he met awhile ago - even though there was no spark on either end. So it was no big deal, but I was hoping he would have just fought back for Hope. Then when Hope seems to give him a chance, she makes a comment about NOT wanting to get re-married and that causes Paul to want to take another step back. It all works out and they communicate pretty quickly, so that's good. But still. I guess I am used to a little alpha male sometimes and Paul was not LOL.

HEA: Yes, it was very sweet, but I would have loved to see them a few years down the line.

Marie Force is pretty much a go to author for me. When I am in a rut sometimes, I just pick up one of her books. I find that even though her series KIND OF build on each other, it's still easy for me to pick right up wherever I want. I believe I only read 1 or 2 books in this particular series. I enjoyed catching up with old characters and I do love the side character romances as well. (Erin and Slim) SO CUTE! I also love that for the most part, Marie Force heroes aren't manwhores. Which is also awesome!

This was a pretty decent read. I would have loved for more scenes with Paul and Hope's son, but there were some sweet ones.

[Ela's Welt der Bücher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wieder ein toller Band über die Bewohner von Gansett Island, den ich genossen habe. Ich werde trotzdem nur noch die Kurzgeschichte lesen und dann etwas Pause machen und in ein paar Monate weiterlesen.
4 Sterne

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely the best series EVER!

Marie Force.....as long as you continue to wow your fans with trips to Gansett Island to visit my favorite family, I will continue to spread the word to others living under a rock and have no clue what they're missing out on! I have told numerous friends about this series and they're all as wild about Gansett as I am.

It was wonderful reading about Hope & Paul and so heart wrenching about his mom; I have seen up close and personal the devastation Alzheimer's can cause in a family.

Alex and Jenny were so cute together and Alex really stepped up for Jenny; what a grand romantic gesture!

Mack and Maddie and Tiffany and Blaine are still my favorite couples but I'm intrigued by the future romantic pairings going on. Kudos to the author for the great new installment of my McCarthy clan and friends!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love this series and always look forward to returning to Gansett Island.

This is a sweet and light story with heartfelt moments but it just didn't hold my interest.

I found myself skimming Paul's story (partly because Hope annoyed me) and was more interested in the other couples and their lives.



While not my favorite book in the series, I look forward to finding out more about Slim and Erin and the rest of the fun group.

[E-Reader Addict · Rating 4 out of 5]

At this point, I’m bound and determined to listen to this whole series. And I’m not gonna lie…by now, all these stories are starting to run together because the basic storyline of just about every book is the same: wounded heroine/hero moves to Gansett Island and falls in love with a native Gansett Islander. And they live happily ever after!

But this story, about Paul and Hope, hit different. Paul and his brother have been dealing with the rapid decline of their mother due to dementia. A couple books back, they hired nurse Hope (who moved from the mainland with her 7 year old son in tow) to care for their mother. Hope, of course, has her own baggage she’s hoping to leave on the mainland.

Maybe it was the new narrator, maybe this was just a more emotional story, whatever it was had me tearing up multiple times and I was anxious to get back to the audiobook to see how things would play out (even if I DO know we’ll get to the HEA eventually!).

There was one typical - yet highly annoying - part of the story that had me knocking off a star. The ladies are planning a bachelorette party and tell the husbands they’ve hired strippers, which makes the guys all go caveman, angry idiots. And readers were “treated” to the chest thumping conversations with “their women” about four times. It got annoying after the second time.

Otherwise, this story was one of my favorites so far!

[Dawn ♥ romance · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed another installment in this steamy soap opera series. It had the right balance between the current romance and checking in with characters from previous books. I like when kids are added to the plot and the heroine's son was a good one. Paul is attracted to their nurse Hope who they hired to take care of his mother who has dementia.

[Sherry L · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun visit back to Gannett Island with the 13th installment( is it really possible??). What I love about this series is that with each book, we get to see so many of the island inhabitants and get to check in with new parts of their lives. It's what I like to compare to watching a weekly serial on television. You become invested in the island and the people and the places. They become completely familiar .

Paul and Hope are up this time in Love After Dark. We see that Paul's developed some serious feelings towards his mom's care giver Hope. He's even starting to fall for Hope's young son Ethan. He's watched his brother Alex fall in love and start to settle into a new part of his life with a future wife and is looking to start a family of his own. With so many of their friends following this very same path Paul recognizes that his life is lonely.

Their story was a calmer love story with little turns and not as much build up as in past stories. There were much deeper themes through out this one as Paul and Alex's mother is declining in health with the Dementia that she is suffering from. Also we met in a previous book Carolina and Seamus' neighbor Lisa, who has stage 4 cancer that is beyond the measures of medicine. So there are some real issues at hand in these characters lives. The people of Gannett pull together for those in need and it was a heart warming and heart wrenching in the same.

I have to say that I enjoyed the check ins with the rest of the crew almost more than I did with Paul and Hope. I feel that we may get to be more connected to them as these books continue to come out. I felt a special pull to Carolina and Seamus' story throughout this one. It really made me grow to like them even more as a couple. That's what each one of these books do, draw you further into the connection with each of these characters.

As a special treat, we get to see Big Mac and (Voodoo Mama- I love this nickname!!) Linda in a novella set to come out on December 1 of their story Celebration After Dark. Mac and Linda are set to celebrate 40 years of marriage and we will get to see where it all started. Looking forward to my next trip to the island!

Happy Reading~ Sherry

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[Debbie Oxier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally back on the island and while it was good catching up with all the characters, didn't think Paul's story was as good as his brother, Alex's. I liked Hope well enough but thought she paled in comparison to some of the other Gansett heroines. Could only give this one three stars.

[Gjones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really deserves more than five stars, it was fantastic !!!! I loves this series but this was one of my favorites!!!

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this series and each character. Every time I read book with this characters I feel like I'm going home. A great series that is filled with romance. I recommend this series!

[Melody Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really great read. This was one of the best of this series. I plan to write more once I reread 'Love After Dark.'

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to getting to Paul’s story after getting to know him and all he was going through in Alex and Jenny’s book I couldn’t wait to see him get his slice of happy. Sadly it wasn’t what I was hoping for. I didn’t want to see Paul have to chase and work so hard to get his happy after all he’d already had to go through up until this point. Then top that off with so much crap from other people instead of focus on them, it let me down.

I could have gotten through the rest of this entire series without ever having anything more out of EliSabeth unfortunately there was quite a bit of this twit in this one. Oddly in this one she was all about Jared’s money and spending it, after hating it so much before hmmm funny that.

Then there was the get together where the stripper bullshit came up, really. I was hoping the guys would hire some strippers and see how they liked it, I’m guessing they wouldn’t. I suddenly remembered one of the many reasons I do not care for Sydney during that whole conversation. I have no issues with strippers or strip clubs, I have been there WITH my husband many times, I do however find no humor in disrespecting your spouse….I don’t give a shit if it’s a “prank” or not I don’t find it humorous, I find it ridiculously childish and it took up way too much of this book.

To say this one really disappointed me would be an understatement. Between all the crap that took over Paul’s story and Hope being such a twit at times, it was too much. Then on top of that more characters were piled on with more story lines and I’m over it. I loved the beginning of this series and liked the rest of them well enough that I didn’t want to give it up. But I’m tapping out, it’s just dragging on and on with just way too much to keep up with and not enough of the substance that there was in the beginning for me. I really like this author’s writing and storytelling as well as most of her characters, also the fact that there is an array of different ages and personalities, sadly none of them are just happy to be together without procreating which is getting to be overload for me too, but at this point there is just too much in each book. It’s to the point they are not really standalones to me and there is no way I could pick up one of these as a new release after not reading them back to back and have a clue what the hell was going on with so many things going on all at once (and there’s way too many books now to re-read at every new release). It’s sad because this series was so good but I think all good things must and should come to an end but obviously there’s no chance of that happening here unless you jump off the crashing train yourself.

[Nancy Stopper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to Gansett Island! For fans of the MacCarthys and all of their friends, it's been long overdue. The author has been teasing us with Paul and Hope's story for a while now, so I was excited to actually read it. Before I jump into the story, I need to comment on the cover. The author actually used a real-life newlywed couple as her cover models for Paul and Hope. They are a perfect fit for Paul and Hope! I could just picture them as I read their story. It makes their love feel more real because we KNOW it's real!

Paul and Hope are the feature of Love After Dark. Their love story is delightful. Hope is a single mother and feels the pressures of putting her child first, even at the sake of her own love. She can't get involved with her boss because she needs her job. But we all know that you can't fight love, and it's not long before Paul and Hope are involved. I was heartbroken for Paul and Hope as their relationship progresses and they decide, somewhat mutually, to go their separate ways. Thankfully, Paul has a good confidant in his brother, Alex, who smacks him upside the head and helps him realize what he needs to do to get his happily-ever-after.

The author also includes a difficult storyline - dementia in a family member. Paul and Alex are dealing with the decline of their mother, which was what brought Hope into their lives initially. The author provides a sensitive and emotional look into the family struggles of living with a patient with dementia. My heart broke for Paul, Alex and Hope as they made tough decisions regarding her care.

In typically Marie Force fashion, she gives us a check-in with many of our favorite residents of Gansett Island. And for the benefit of readers NEW to Marie Force, I will warn you right now. The residents of Gansett Island are very happy. I mean VERY happy. Maybe a better way to describe it is "sexually satisfied". The residents of Gansett Island have sex. A lot of sex. All the time, anywhere (can we say Blaine and Tiffany). If you aren't interested in a sneak peak in the sexual habits of some of our favorite Gansett Island residents, this book isn't for you. For the lovers of sensual contemporary romance that tugs at your heartstrings and makes you smile, you'll love Love After Dark.

[Lisa Foyles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back for more

I love this series. I really do the characters are fun and intriguing, mysterious and oh so sexy. It is always nice to come back to the island and catch up. With that said I felt a little let down with this book. Don't get me wrong the writing style was still superb but I felt that Paul and hope's story was overshadowed by so many other things going on in this book. I know we have met a lot of characters and really do want to stay connected with them. However I didnt get a strong sense of bonding taking place with these two. It felt rushed and almost forced into the storyline. There was just so much going on in this book that poor Paul and Hope took a back burner. We had a funeral, Carolina and Seamus trying to come to terms with becoming parents, a bachelor party in which the women antagonize the men and of course thrash it. A wedding, plans for a senior center to be built on the island, uncle Kevin trying to come to terms with his impending divorce, possibly a romance blooming in the future for him. One lighthouse keeper being rescued in the middle of the night by one smoother operator, doctor visits, anniversary planning and that's just a small sample of everything that took place inside of this book that by the way ends with 38 minutes still left in the book. The other 10% is advertisement for upcoming books.
Don't get me wrong I'm not being ugly toward Marie I love this series and will definitely read the next book I just HATE that this series has gotten so big that the main characters take second place to all the other town folks.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 5 out of 5]

Vikki's Musings

I really liked Paul and Hope's love story! They are perfect for each other. She was so good with Paul and Alex's mother as she sinks further into her dementia. This one is an emotionally-charged book from start to end. It was sad that their mother couldn't attend Alex and Jenny's wedding, but it was what was best for all of them. Other than Marion not being able to attend, they had a wonderful wedding.

Paul's preparation for his proposal stole my heart, so romantic! No wonder he finally gets Hope to accept so they can have their happy ending, not only for them but for Ethan as well, loved his reaction to the news!

Again, it was great to find out what is happening in this huge cast of character's lives. I'm not sure how Marie keeps them all straight, but she does it brilliantly. If you haven't read this series, do yourself a favor and start with Maid For Love, but be prepared, this series is soooooo addicting. Happy reading!

[Chanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's always a pleasure to visit the Gansett Island and catch up with all the wonderful residents. The author did an excellent and realistic job dealing with the very emotional situation facing Alex and Paul. Their dedication and love for their ailing mother was so moving. Many of us have or will be in the terrible situation when we become the "parent" to our parents, and it is not a good place to be. Good bless the real "Hopes" that care for the eldry in our nation. So I was cheering for Paul and Hope.
I sure needed the the laughs the ladies and their "strippers" provided after shedding many tears over Paul's mother and also the death of the young, single mother.
Once again, I cheer Ms. Force for giving us love scenes between characters of all ages. Too many authors, must think that sex ends at 50, but I am here to tell you, it does not.4.5

[Yolanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yayyyyyyyy I went back to Gansett Island absolutely love this series it just gets better and better and you get to catch up with the rest of the gang that live there.

If I had a place I wanted to live it would be there among them lol

It is beautiful written and leaves the memory of the island and making it grow within your mind what the island and its habitants live each house has a different life different character but together its the Island.

this series does deserve more than five stars you laugh you get emotional and the characters of Gansett come alive.

I guarantee you can not put the book down get a drink curl up in your comfy chair and get ready for Gansett Island :)

[Tanya Mayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this story. It brought out all my emotions. At times I was just laughing and smiling and then next it I had tears in my eyes. I love that I got to visit and catch up on past characters. Paul and Hope gives you HOPE that you can find the love of your life and that just because something bad happen in your past doesn't mean you can't open your heart again to find true love. Marie Force books always puts me right there I can visualize all the places and I love it. Looking forward to the next book.

[Dorel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 13th book's story line was sad & loving. I really liked the hot & steamy scenes. Some parts of this story made me cry. I really liked how this story taught me what dementia was & gave me insight of how it affects the person & the family. I really liked Hope's character. I also really liked Paul's character. I felt sorry for Paul & Alex. I was very happy Alex & Jenny. I enjoyed reading the updates on the characters in this series. I really liked the ending. I'm really loving this series keep up the good work Ms. Force.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew I would love Paul and Hope as much as I love going back to this series. This book was so much fun, I didn't want it to end, which is why I probably thought it ended too abruptly. Paul was sweet and the patience he showed Hope, his mother and towards his many responsibilities made him even better. Hope went through a lot which understandably made her wary, for her and her son. Her strenght and dedication made her amazing. A great read as always from Marie :)

[Chessela Helm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tearjerker time on Gansett. This story was really sweet and you can't help falling in love with these two before and after they fall in love themselves. I enjoyed how this story played out with their fear of compromising their working relationship. It's a great journey. Start with 1 to really get the most from this series, but keep reading, because they are all winners.

[Lori Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hope this series never ends! I love catching up with all my Gansett favorites. Paul and Hope's story was very sweet, but had plenty of steam mixed in too. And of course Mac and Maddie are always good for a laugh! Keep it coming, Marie, keep it coming.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
I enjoy these books because they're an easy read with little drama, and sometimes that's just what I need. Paul and Hope's story has a little more umph than the other stories, but it was still fairly light and a nice, easy read.

[Carla Krissinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed. However after 12 books plus a few novellas of listening to the same narrator, I had to remove this from my audio and pick up the book and read. Not that Felicity Munroe was a poor narrator, she just wasn't Gansett's voice. Bring back Holly Fielding please

[Jo Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always great to catch up with everyone on the island. Paul and Hope are a wonderful couple, and I loved their story, however they were almost overshadowed by Erin and Slim, Julie and Alex and Sheamus and Caro. I can never get enough of Mac and Maddie - love those two!!!!

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the main characters but ended up rating 3 stars only because I did not enjoy the rest of the guys role and actions during the party in this story. Without that i' d give it a 4.3. I really expected better of them.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. This is #13 and gets better with each story. Looking forward to more.