A good book with an unusual focus (in a bad way)

So. I get that in a book where a married man falls in love with someone else, there needs to be some concern for his wife's happiness. I get it. And I appreciate that Summer Devon doesn't go the easy way of making her a harridan, as though she deserves the betrayal. But I didn't expect the novel to spend about 80% of the time agonizing over this, 5% of it on the actual M/M romance, and the rest of the time on a mystery which anyone paying attention can solve the moment the culprit is introduced (though the motive, which ends up being pretty dumb, is ambiguous until the end, and the less said about the way the culprit is caught, the better). I don't think I've ever read an M/M romance where the romance took up such a small portion of the overall whole, and the happiness of a secondary character (one whom, I confess, I didn't care much about, even if I didn't wish her actual harm) is dwelt on so heavily and is dragged out so lengthily that you might as well have called this book an M/F romance with a small side of M/M. I'm not talking about sex scenes--actually the number and level of explicitness of the sex scenes was perfect--I'm talking about the actual relationship between the two ostensible main characters, I say "ostensible" because despite the fact that he's prominent in the first third of the book, I ended the novel not knowing that much about Jenks, to the point where I actually just had to open up another window with the summary so I could look up his name because I forgot it. I'm writing this review as the last few minutes of the novel play out in the background because I honestly couldn't care less about the two of them as a couple. There was so little development of their romance compared to Griffin worrying about his freaking wife.

I almost get the impression that Ms. Devon felt guilty for writing a story that's essentially about a guy cheating on his wife. So it's not enough that he doesn't REALLY cheat on her, per se, and it's not enough that the wife isn't entirely innocent herself. Devon has to focus on her to the point where the rest of the book suffers. In my opinion, if you feel guilty enough about what you're making your protagonist do that you eclipse his own story with that of another character, you should come up with another plot and write that book instead. By the time the subplot about Griffin's marriage was FINALLY over, the entire rest of the novel, which should have been the climax, felt like a long dénoument, and even then the wife intruded a bit.

Which is a shame because the setting is well-done (a rarity in these period romance novels), the writing is great, and the narration from Mark James is top notch. The bottom line is, I'm not going to return this, and I'm going to give the author another chance, but I can't imagine I'll ever want to suffer through listening to this again.

3 people found this helpful

A great historical novel!

Every time I read a new Summer Devon historical novel I fall more and more in love!

After the Storm is a sweet book about finding one’s way in life, discovering and owning who you are and what you want.
Jenks and Griffin have an instant connection, and are brought nearer by trying to find out the truth about Griffin’s assault, which brought him to Jenks’s doorstep.

After the storm is a well-plotted, intriguing and interesting book, and Mark James’s narration enhances the experience tenfold, as usual!

2 people found this helpful

Great characters

I really enjoyed this historical romance. Jenks and Griffin were both good men in difficult situations, and I loved watching them grow closer and begin to make each other happy. The mystery of who attacked Griffin was interesting, and the glimpses of Jenks' former lover Mutt were great. There were sad moments, but overall the story was positive and hopeful. The narrator did a wonderful job of making this book even better. I loved it!

1 person found this helpful

Feel, don’t think

I found both men to be gentle and sweet.

"Be as honest as you can. Hurt as few people as possible but don’t be afraid of life.”

Jenks is a kind man who is left to take care of the animals of his lover who has passed away. Finding Griffin not only makes his life a little more interesting, since now there is a possible crime to solve, but also brings a little light to his life as he helps Griffin discover new desires.

This story is pleasant, entertaining, with light suspense and a little twist.

I read this story first and though I did enjoy it, the audiobook version is way better. Mark James does an exceptional job and brought the characters to life much more than my imagination could have when just reading. He has such a pleasant voice. I love the way the emotions come through in Mark James’s narration.

1 person found this helpful

Mark James increased my enjoyment of this book!

This has happened to me in the past. I've read a book and really liked it but then get to listen to the audiobook and LOVE it. Mark James performance of After the Storm absolutely increased my enjoyment of a really good story by Summer Devon. His voice is so pleasing to listen to and he gets all of the inflections and pacing just right. I hope he plans on recording many more books.

Below is the original review I posted when I read the book a couple of months ago.

***
I love historical MM romance stories!

I have many books by Summer Devon in my digital library and have listened to several as audiobooks. After the Storm is the first one I've actually read (as opposed to listening to) and I liked it a lot.

Historical MM stories always break my heart a little because of how the MCs (main characters) have to hide themselves. Yes, I know that contemporary MM characters sometime also feel the need to hide but it usually isn't for fear of being arrested and possibly killed.

Jenks was left to care for his dead lover's animals and doesn't have much of a life. He finds James nearly drowned in the river one morning and everything changes.

James is married to a lovely woman but there is no passion between them and both of them are unhappy. After he is saved by Jenks he realizes why he's not happy with his wife.

There is a great mystery in this love story: who knocked James out and left him in the river to die? The story takes many twists and when the culprit is revealed I was totally surprised. I liked how the problem regarding James unhappy marriage was resolved.

This was a really great novella; if it comes out as an audiobook I will be ready and eager to experience the story all over again.

An advanced copy of this audiobook was generously provided to me by the author but my review was voluntary and not influenced by the author.

1 person found this helpful

Awesome

"Be as honest as you can. Hurt as few people as possible but don’t be afraid of life.”

I enjoyed listening to this entertaining, offbeat , whodunit, historical MM romance.

Mark James delivered a great narration. His different characters voices were distinctive and appealing. His performance did justice to this lovely story. He even gave Griffin and Jenks voices that matched the ones in my head.

After the Storm is a slow burn, sweet, engaging and witty story with little to no angst and/or drama. It is also low on steam ; the two times heroes were intimate , sexy times were PG-13 yet very passionate and romantic . Didn't even mind, when it faded it to black.

This is a character driven story were both heroes experience lots of personal and emotional growth. They went from being paralyzed by fears and doubts, to breaking out their mental straight jackets , to finally reach their HEA. Their journey was satisfying and refreshing listen.

I loved the entire cast of characters from the MC and secondary characters to the funny and quirky menagerie of pets .

I recommend this historically accurate audiobook to all lovers of MM time period , romance fiction .

Historical Romance

This story is a historical romance. Grif wakes up in the water and has little recollection of how he ended up there - Jenks finds him and brings him in. Jenks has been on his own caring for his deceased lovers pets. They work together to find who may have tried to kill Grif, falling along the way. Its a short sweet slow burn story.

Narration by Mark James was great.

You make my world colorful and alive again

Summer Devon + Narrator Mark James = Eargasms! 😁🔥😉 Seriously though, when it comes to MM historical romances, Summer Devon has always done right and this is yet another win and an enjoyable listen! 💜

Jenks has been living a half life since his lover passed away. In a very eccentric home with the pets he acts as a caretaker, Jenks no longer knew the meaning of life. Life is so monotonous and dull and unchanging. Until one misty morning, he discovered and rescued a half-dead man in the river he always go to row and exercise. Griffin is kind, handsome and definitely Jenks’ type. Except the man had no idea how he fell into the river, soaking wet and look half dead and very much married. Griffin also has been living a lie and a half life. Although he loves his wife as a friend, he has no physical desires towards her. And as a result, his marriage has been difficult and unhappy for awhile. And he argued with his wife and went for a walked and fell into the river and luckily barely alive? That can’t be just coincidence and mere luck. Meanwhile, his savior and rescuer seems too much appealing and scrumptious. If Griffin wants to know who wants him dead, he has to work with his savior Jenks who can possibly become more than his life saver.

Although this is a historical romance, I would say this story is much more heavy on the plot and world building than the actual romance. ☺️ Yes, the attraction, UST and romance was there. However, the story focuses much more on the mystery and thriller aspect of who was the killer. And you will be gobsmacked when you finally found out who. 😱 I think Jenks and Griffin is made for each other and are definitely adorable together. ❤️ The epilogue was lovely. And I love how everything was untangled in the end. And as always, needless to say, Mark James did an excellent job narrating this lovely story. 👏 Highly recommended to those who love their romances with some mystery/thriller aspect in it. 😊



4 you make my world colorful and alive again stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️








Audio rating

Story - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Performance - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall - 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Love!!

Summer Devon has been becoming my favorite historical romance author. Just these stories have away to make me love them everytime. Jenks and Griffin's is so sweet about finding love and being you. Then I am just absolutely in love with Mark James narration. He just pulls me into the story even more. I just fall for this story. Love it!

How did I get here...

The story starts when Jenks finds a man floating in the river close to where he lives. That man is James Griffin from London. Neither Jenks or Griffin know how Griffin ended up miles from his home after being bashed in the head. Did he have an accident or was it more sinister. Jenks and Griffin search for answers to what really happened the night of Griffin's disappearance from home but they also have to decide where their future will take them "after the storm". I really enjoyed this story and the narration by Mark James. Highly recommended.

I received an arc in exchange for my honest review.