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A New City Story #8
After My Before
Disabled is beautifulIt’s been a decade since Nia survived a motorbike crash, and now a disabled sex worker in her thirties, she is absolutely never having a relationship. Ever. But after breaking up with her best friend, she’s unbearably lonely.When she meets the enigmatic Kit, and an old crush, Tino, these two best friends set her on a path of found family, friendship, and the best sex imaginable, but love?Nia puts old ghosts to rest, embraces life again without ever compromising herself in this polyamorous happy ever after.
This book contains mature themes and content. Please use the 'look inside' feature for link and QR code to content notes.
This book contains mature themes and content. Please use the 'look inside' feature for link and QR code to content notes.
141 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 27, 2021
2 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Stefanie Simpson
24 books76 followersCoffee addled, twitter addicted, A disabled romance author based in the UK, Stefanie Simpson has written multiple contemporary romances as well as fantasy romance.
Most of her work contains angst, healing and conflict. Expect strong adult content and themes, language, explicit material, love and a HEA.
Most of her work contains angst, healing and conflict. Expect strong adult content and themes, language, explicit material, love and a HEA.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 1, 2022
Nia is truly a standout character. I loved her whole vibe, how unapologetic she is when it comes to her own needs and how she isn't afraid to be abrasive or confrontational to appease others. She got her shit figured out and I love that about her.
We don't learn as much about Kit (and even less about Tino). They are both similarly headstrong and no-nonsense types that work really well together. Their frank discussions about sex, kink and accomodating Nia's disability were a breath of fresh air. And I just love that her job as a sex worker was never questioned or put to the ultimatum - the book deals heavily with ableism from other people, so I was happy that this wasn't a point of contention.
I thought the exploration of their poly dynamic was also well done but I wouldn't have minded more moments between them, more insights into their lives - the book does not feel overloaded, I just would have loved a 100 more pages to get deeper into it all.
Which leads me to my main "problem" and the reason for my low rating: the writing. The entire stoy is written in short sentences with little emotional heart behind it, it's perfunctory and blunt. While it does fit Nia's attitude to a certain degree, it really holds the reader back from getting invested when more like a step-by-step walkthrough of her daily activities than a story that dips and flows from one scene to another.
The very bland style without purple prose or other stylistic choices doesn't appeal to me. It stopped me from feeling more for these characters in the end which is so important in a romance.
We don't learn as much about Kit (and even less about Tino). They are both similarly headstrong and no-nonsense types that work really well together. Their frank discussions about sex, kink and accomodating Nia's disability were a breath of fresh air. And I just love that her job as a sex worker was never questioned or put to the ultimatum - the book deals heavily with ableism from other people, so I was happy that this wasn't a point of contention.
I thought the exploration of their poly dynamic was also well done but I wouldn't have minded more moments between them, more insights into their lives - the book does not feel overloaded, I just would have loved a 100 more pages to get deeper into it all.
Which leads me to my main "problem" and the reason for my low rating: the writing. The entire stoy is written in short sentences with little emotional heart behind it, it's perfunctory and blunt. While it does fit Nia's attitude to a certain degree, it really holds the reader back from getting invested when more like a step-by-step walkthrough of her daily activities than a story that dips and flows from one scene to another.
The very bland style without purple prose or other stylistic choices doesn't appeal to me. It stopped me from feeling more for these characters in the end which is so important in a romance.
July 27, 2021
I have to be honest when I say I am well and truly floored at this book.
When I first heard tell of Stefanie Simpson writing a romance with both polyamory AND nonbinary rep, I have to admit to a startling amount of anticipation. I was hooked. Every little tidbit she teased left me wanting more (which, of course, is the point of said tidbits) and I was up early this morning to make sure it had safely hit my Kindle and was ready for me to dive into.
I'll start off with the little stuff that really made me smile. I am always endlessly pleased to see characters mentioned or that make cameos from other books, so you can imagine how giggly I was when I saw mention of Ryan and Em (The Way Home), and couldn't contain full on amusement at Elliot's and Wystan's (Chasing Elliot) appearance as well. Also, a great line popped up, ending with "and you endeavour to deserve her," that gave me all sorts of Sense and Sensibility vibes, whether it was meant to or not.
All right, with the cutesy stuff out of the way, we can get into the real meat (*snicker*) and potatoes of this book.
IT.
IS.
AMAZING.
Simpson has unmatched ability to tell a story from the disabled perspective in truly raw form, unaltered for the abled gaze. There's no pandering here, no attempting to appease the able-bodied reader. Instead she thrusts away the ridiculousness of ableism and gives us one hell of a story. Compelling, emotional, and with the poly HEA that some readers only dream of.
We have Nia, a disabled sex worker (sex workers being another group of marginalized people who should not be) who finds herself in a situation she never dreamed of. She finds herself falling for not only the new and sometimes stoically mysterious Kit and her old crush, the soft and lovable Tino. Through her journey into polyamory, we are shown the pains of the past that hold Nia back, along with the strength and vitality of the new bonds she forges.
Friendship. Family. Love. LGBTQIAP+ rep. Disabled rep. Steam. This book has it all.
I will be honest, there is a LOT of steam. A lot, a lot. And none of it disappoints. Just please read the author's advisory before diving in.
When I first heard tell of Stefanie Simpson writing a romance with both polyamory AND nonbinary rep, I have to admit to a startling amount of anticipation. I was hooked. Every little tidbit she teased left me wanting more (which, of course, is the point of said tidbits) and I was up early this morning to make sure it had safely hit my Kindle and was ready for me to dive into.
I'll start off with the little stuff that really made me smile. I am always endlessly pleased to see characters mentioned or that make cameos from other books, so you can imagine how giggly I was when I saw mention of Ryan and Em (The Way Home), and couldn't contain full on amusement at Elliot's and Wystan's (Chasing Elliot) appearance as well. Also, a great line popped up, ending with "and you endeavour to deserve her," that gave me all sorts of Sense and Sensibility vibes, whether it was meant to or not.
All right, with the cutesy stuff out of the way, we can get into the real meat (*snicker*) and potatoes of this book.
IT.
IS.
AMAZING.
Simpson has unmatched ability to tell a story from the disabled perspective in truly raw form, unaltered for the abled gaze. There's no pandering here, no attempting to appease the able-bodied reader. Instead she thrusts away the ridiculousness of ableism and gives us one hell of a story. Compelling, emotional, and with the poly HEA that some readers only dream of.
We have Nia, a disabled sex worker (sex workers being another group of marginalized people who should not be) who finds herself in a situation she never dreamed of. She finds herself falling for not only the new and sometimes stoically mysterious Kit and her old crush, the soft and lovable Tino. Through her journey into polyamory, we are shown the pains of the past that hold Nia back, along with the strength and vitality of the new bonds she forges.
Friendship. Family. Love. LGBTQIAP+ rep. Disabled rep. Steam. This book has it all.
I will be honest, there is a LOT of steam. A lot, a lot. And none of it disappoints. Just please read the author's advisory before diving in.
July 16, 2022
I enjoyed the representation, and there was a moment of angst that made me cry, but I didn’t like this nearly as much as Lay Me Down in Ivy by the same author. It was very kinky and kind of nicely soft, even though it has a consensual non-consent scene in it.
August 20, 2021
A really enjoyable story of three people finding the love and support they need, and also learning how to show it.
Love the disability rep, and the mostly-great consent for the D/s relationship.
I say mostly because although the first two MCs negotiate the terms of the D/s, apparently they left off the question of "ok if anyone else joins" because Kit basically springs this on Nia, really flooring her and setting off her feelings of insecurity.
But anyway, the other thing I loved is that Nia is a person that thinks that love and affection and an HEA isn't for her, it's for other people. She has sadly just accepted this. And I think this point of view is underrepresented in romance and I'm so glad that more people can see themselves reflected in Nia than in the typical confident heroine.
Love the disability rep, and the mostly-great consent for the D/s relationship.
I say mostly because although the first two MCs negotiate the terms of the D/s, apparently they left off the question of "ok if anyone else joins" because Kit basically springs this on Nia, really flooring her and setting off her feelings of insecurity.
But anyway, the other thing I loved is that Nia is a person that thinks that love and affection and an HEA isn't for her, it's for other people. She has sadly just accepted this. And I think this point of view is underrepresented in romance and I'm so glad that more people can see themselves reflected in Nia than in the typical confident heroine.
March 2, 2022
A very enjoyable romance that was refreshing in it's straightforward discussions of sexuality, disability, and gender. I especially enjoyed the relationship negotiation and dealing with the emergence of a polyamorous relationship.
This was my first book by this author but I'll definitely be looking for more of her work in the future.
This was my first book by this author but I'll definitely be looking for more of her work in the future.
November 30, 2021
This book is something truly special. It so artfully weaves together sexiness, polyAm, kink, non-binary rep, and disability rep in such a vivid and compelling way. Absolutely beautiful.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews