The Aftermath - Book Review

By R.J. Prescott

Synopsis

Cormac “The Hurricane” O’Connell’s star is on the rise. Billed as the most promising young boxer of his generation, his new career is taking him to places he never dreamed. But O’Connell only needs one thing in life: his wife. In her final year of college, Em cannot follow him around the world but together they make it work. Just when everything they ever wanted is on the horizon, the past resurfaces to haunt them, and O’Connell realizes that justice might not be a part of his happy ever after. He couldn’t protect Em once before, but in the aftermath of the hurricane, he will make sure that never happens again.

Review

THE AFTERMATH is another great read from R.J. Prescott and continues on with Con and Emily’s story from THE HURRICANE. Em’s abuser is awaiting trial, but that doesn’t stop him from taunting her from jail. And with the trial coming up, she’s being forced to recount everything that was done to her and it really takes its toll. But she’s not dealing with it alone anymore; she now has Con by her side and he will do anything to protect her.

It’s rare to find a book where both the male and female leads win me over in equal measure. This is one of those rare books because both Con and Em are amazing. Despite all that she’s endured, Em has the strength to place her trust in not just one person, but several people. She gives Con a real purpose in life and makes him a better man⎯a man he never thought he could be. And Con? He makes her feel safe, protected and cherished, something she hasn’t had for a very long time. She is his heart and he is her safe haven, and they compliment each other perfectly.

Con: “Happy birthday, baby.”
Em: “Best birthday ever.”
Con: “How do you know? You’ve only just woken up.”
Em: “Because it’s the first birthday I’ve ever woken up with you.”

THE AFTERMATH is told in Con’s POV, with the epilogue being told in Em’s. Now that Con and Em have their HEA, the series has been left open for Con’s friends to get their own stories. His friends, Tommy, Kieran and Liam, are great and their camaraderie and wicked banter really help lighten up what could have been a very dark story. The paintball scene? Hilarious. I didn’t want to put this book down and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author in the future.