After the Fall

2.75

In which Nathan, Mike's receptionist from Where Nerves End takes us on an extended tour of Tucker Springs visiting with other characters from the series. It's not painful per se but ... it also doesn't make a romance.

Nathan and Ryan meet after an accident on the trails. Nathan is on horseback and Ryan on a bike. Needless to say Nathan doesn't come out on top. One broken leg and hand later and Ryan is exercising Nathan's horse as a bit of atonement. It turns out that Nathan needs help with more than his horse and Ryan is willing and able to lend a hand. The two get along like gang busters and L. A. Witt goes to great lengths showing them banter, hang out, and generally have a good time. But did I believe this was the beginning of a grand romance? Not really. Two nice, young, and good looking guys feeling a little lust that can surely develop in to love? Sure. That works.

This could've worked much better as a novella, but I guess contractual obligations demand a certain book length and that just watered down a simple story. A simple story can be good. Right. Powerful. This was not.

The obstacle that put in doubt a future for MCs was kind of contrived and silly. Previous bitter break-ups. Boo hoo. Nathan was fun and funny but his out-of-nowhere control issues just didn't ring true. On the other hand I liked Ryan very much: quiet but assertive, shy but bold, inexperienced but no one's fool.

I didn't hate it and I guess it works as a recap of the rest of the series and the set-up for the next/last book. If you're doing the series you can read this in a couple of hours and it won't hurt you.