Noah and Willow know not to mix business with pleasure. They've both been burned in the past, he thinks she's too young, and she definitely shouldn't hook up with her boss. So, they don't. Instead, they build a friendship, while fighting an obvious attraction.
But when Noah's called back East after a natural disaster that threatens his home and the loved ones he left behind, he's forced to face his past with Willow by his side.
Will their turbulent pasts hold them back from giving into fate? Or will the two of them realize that they've been each other's calm before the storm?
4.5 Stars by Jen Skewes
This is the second book in this series. If you read Man of My Dreams this is Noah's book. If you haven't read it please be aware that this review may contain a spoiler. In MOMD Noah was the guy that lost the girl. Now after reading it I was 100% team Declan. It wasn't that I didn't like Noah because I did. But I just happened to like Declan more. Either way when Ms. Andrews announced that she was writing Noah's story I couldn't have been more excited. I could not wait to get my hands on this book. When I was done reading I messaged Faith to tell her how amazing this story was and how much I fell for Noah. She did his character proud and did not disappoint at all.
It has been five years since Noah left his hometown due to a job offer. But it was also to escape the hurt he felt from losing Mia to her husband. He's been with women over the years but nothing has ever been serious. He's been hurt once and has no intentions of giving his heart away again. Nope. He's been there and done that, only for it to be crushed. But meeting Willow may just change things for him.
Willow is his employer and a woman that his friend Blaze has been trying to get him to take out. But there are so many reasons why dating Willow is wrong. One being their professional relationship and two being he can't give her what she deserves. No matter how much of a connection they have they agree to just become friends. But we know being friends is always easier said than done. Especially when there is a mutual attraction and of course when feelings start to come into play. But these two must decide if taking their relationship to the next level is worth the risk.
I don't want to go into any more detail because I want you to feel and experience it all on your own. I loved this book for so many reasons. First I just fell in love with the characters. Noah was a bit rough around the edges in the beginning but I think it's because he had his guard up because of his past. But I still fell in love him. The things he said and did had me swooning. He is a sweet and sexy man with a heart.
And Willow, all I can say is that I had a huge "girl crush" on her. I loved her from the beginning. There is a scene wih them in a bar and it was that moment that I knew I would love her. She has some issues from her past that she was still dealing with but she was trying to move on, but sometimes her insecurities got in the way. She is just one of those heroines that as a reader you can completely relate to.
As a couple these two were perfect together. They were sexy and sweet. And the way they got together, that first moment.....sigh. Loved it! They had their ups and downs and at one moment I wanted to knee Noah where it hurts and may have even questioned my love for him. But of course I forgave him easily because I understood where it all came from. I didn't agree with his actions but I understood I loved them and was rooting for them all the way.
This book made me feel it all with Noah and Willow. I love a book that gives you all of the feels and this one did just that. From their happiness to their pain. I felt it. This book deals with an emotional topic and Faith Andrews did one hell of a job with the way it was handled. Everything about it felt real and true to life. There was never a moment where any part of this story felt over the top. The feelings and moments between the characters were genuine and real. I got so caught up in their life and their feelings that it felt like I was going through it with them. And the end! Oh My God lets talk about the end. It was just perfect and the exact reason why this book felt so real. You will understand when you read it. But everything about the epilogue just made me melt inside. And left me with a Noah and Willow hangover.
MOMD was Faith's debut novel and the first book that I read of hers. I have since read every one of her books and loved them all. I love watching her grow as a writer. Because each book just keeps getting better and better. With each book she manages to bring out my emotions even more. And After The Storm is no different. This had it all and in the end I was sad to see it was over. Another amazing story.
Excerpt
Tilting her head and curling her
hair between her fingers, her gorgeous mouth forms a megawatt smile “Wow. Every
time I learn something new about you, I’m more and more impressed.”
She’s flirting, I’m not an idiot,
but I don’t want to lead her on so I change the subject. “How about you? Were
you born in California? I know you went to college out here from your resume,
but—”
“There is no but,” she interrupts.
“I have the most unexciting life imaginable. I was born and raised in Del Mar.
I have two younger brothers, parents divorced when I was little, and Dad lives
in Oregon with his new wife, Marcy. I went to college close to home to help Mom
with the boys, and Sloane has been my best friend since fifth grade. That’s me
in a nutshell. Boring, plain, uneventful. No one cares about keeping up with this Jones.”
I can’t quite read her. She rambled
it off so quickly it almost sounds rehearsed. I have nothing else to go on, so
I can’t tell if she’s hiding or avoiding something. I don’t pry, because I
don’t like talking about my past either. And because of that, I’ve learned to
always make small talk and keep the attention off me with flattery.
“I find it hard to believe that there’s
anything boring about you, Willow Jones. You’re beautiful and smart and you
have the whole world ahead of you.” Nice!
Now I sound like her father. It just came out without thinking. I meant it as a
compliment—a not too forward one—but by the wearied look on her face, I can
tell she took it the wrong way. Damn,
this woman brings me close to choking on my own tongue. What the hell?
“I guess you’ll just have to take
my word for it since you seem to avoid me every chance you get.” She looks down
again, making it impossible to read her face. She was flirting and I misled her
with my goo-goo eyes.
Fuck!
She found a way to catch me off guard and now I have to backtrack to fix this
mess. Getting involved with a co-worker—or any woman right now—just isn’t on my
to-do list. “I’m not avoiding you, Willow. I’m just not the guy for you.” I
can’t say it’s not taking serious willpower to stay away. It’s hard to always
be the good guy. Where the hell is Tori
when I need her? I need to be bad. Very, very bad.
Instead of deterring her, my
dismissal makes her bolder. Or maybe it’s the second vodka and cran. Willow
pouts—intentionally, for sure—and those pretty, glossy lips snatch my
attention. It’s so fucking sexy that my dick grows hard against my zipper and I
shift in my seat so I don’t bring notice to the bulge in my pants. “Blaze
warned me about you, you know.”
“Oh, really?” Now I’m curious.
“Please enlighten me on the bullshit my friend’s fed you.” Blaze means well,
but he always shares a little too much.
Willow laughs, exposing the smooth
skin of her neck as her head falls back. What I wouldn’t give to taste that
spot right there. Stop tempting me,
Willow. You’re making this—and me—harder than it has to be.
She points a finger in my face,
waving it around. “You see, if you’d accept my invitation to lunch once in a
while, I could fill you in on all the bullshit
he’s told me. But until I hear it from you, I’m forced to believe him.”
“Oh come, on. You’ve been working
for me long enough to know I almost never take a lunch break. I eat on the site
most days. That’s if I even get the chance. And like I said, I’m not the guy
for you.” Keep saying it. It’s bound to
sink in.
About
the Author
Faith Andrews lives in New York where she is happily
married to her high school sweetheart. They have two beautiful daughters and a
furry Yorkie son, Rocco. If she isn’t listening to Mumford and Sons or busy being a Dance
Mom, her nose is in a book or her laptop. She’s a sucker
for a happily ever after and believes her characters are out there living one
somewhere . . .
Social
Media Links:
Website ---> http://www.authorfaithandrews.com
Facebook ---> https://www.facebook.com/authorfaithandrews
Goodreads ---> http://www.goodreads.com/AuthorFaithAndrews
Twitter ---> https://twitter.com/jessicafaith919
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