Seven years is a long time to live behind the protection and safety of high thick walls. Kiera Mason is ready to re-enter society. Starting over with family she hardly knows, a new name, new city, new uncertainty of what her future holds. It’s never as easy as they say. Loss of everything she knows to be true, even who she is or was.
Jacob O’Malley local playboy, Harley riding, tattoo covered owner of a dive bar in downtown Charleston. Jake is content floating through life, bedding who he chooses, never committing. He has never been an emotional type, but when Whitney Anson’s cousin walks into the picture, Jake has met his emotional awakening in the blue eyes of Vivian Anson.
When hot-shot architect Alex West rolls into Charleston to work for Budreau Anson, Whitney decides she’ll let her “serviceman” Jake off the hook for cutting her off to pursue her cousin.
Alex West has no interest in Whitney and her superficial ways, he zeros in on Vivian.
Whitney Anson has been dethroned by her cousin Vivian, and the spoiled socialite isn’t having any of it. She’ll find a way be get what she wants even if it means creating havoc on the ones she holds near and dear. After all, she is the princess of Charleston, or so she thinks.
With all tragedies, they happen so fast, too fast to the point you doubt your own memories about the event. It’s never the same, you are never the same after tragedy strikes and you look death in the face and survive to tell your tale, especially when you look in the mirror and are reminded of the horror you endured.
Lies, secrets and superficial exteriors.
People have three faces, one you show the world, one you show your family and close friends, and your true face that you only show yourself.
Renee’s Review:
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review for Stephanie’s Book Reports.
Before reading After August I had never read a book written by Angela March. I’m so glad this book fixed that little problem for me.
Kiera has lost everything in her life that mattered to her. She has spent seven years in the place she feels the safest. The time though has come to get back to living her life and overcoming the great obstacles in front of her. She’s moving in with her Aunt Kitty and Uncle Ben and their two children Chad and Whitney in Charleston, South Carolina. Hoping to get back to her art, and life in general Kira seems to have high hopes but at the same time still has work on herself to do.
Entering a new city she meets Lincoln a family friend and her running partner. Alex West, a hot shot architect working for her Uncle Ben. Last but not least is Jake, local bar owner whose hot tattooed and rides a Harley. Can Kiera aka Vivian start a new life with her extended family and find her way in her life to a fulfilling and happy future?
This book is absolutely amazing!! It is full of twist and turns you never in a million years will see coming. Kiera has to be one of the strongest female characters I’ve read about in a long time. I admired her so much because she could have just given up and stayed where she was instead of being brave and facing life again. Her Aunt Kitty has cared for her since she needed someone too and seems to have a fairly decent relationship with Kiera but is a little to controlling and likes things done the way she likes them. She also loves her pills and alcohol but has the worst mother daughter relationship with her own daughter Whitney I do believe I’ve ever read about. Whitney is horrible I wouldn’t speak to anyone ever the way she speaks to her Mom and boy oh boy is she very jealous of Kiera. She’s the ultimate love to hate character. Chad the son is carrying around a huge secret and is he a fashion snob. Then there’s the guys that come into Kiera’s life. Lincoln is the first she meets and becomes her running mate in the mornings. He is very interested in Kiera but Kiera is not to interested in him. Jake is the tattoo wearing bar owning hottie that she first sees with her cousin Whitney in very compromising positions. Last but not least is Alex West, hot shot architect that comes to Charleston to help Uncle Ben with the building of townhouses down near the beach. He’s hot and he’s cocky because he is very much wanted for his work talents. Kiera certainly has lots of choices and I love who she ended up with.
It’s a journey of self discovery. Finding yourself again after you’ve lost everything. Picking up the pieces and moving on. It’s thought provoking and at times my heart would break for Kiera. It’s got twists and turns you never see coming and it just adds that much more to the book. Buckle up and grab this book and enjoy the ride.
Carla’s Review:
*I was given a copy of this book as a gift from Stephanie’s Book Reports in exchange for an honest review.
After surviving a fire that claimed the lives of her parents, Kiera Mason retreats behind the walls of a mental hospital called Beckers. She remains there for seven years. Her Dr. now feels like she has all of the coping skills she will need in order to reenter society. The plan is to move in with her aunt’s family in Charleston, South Carolina. Once there, she meets some new people-some are nice while others are not. For example, her cousin Whitney is the perfect definition of a snob, and she treats people terribly. Then their is her Aunt Kitty who drinks a lot and pops a lot of pills. She seems to care for Kiera but only when Kiera does exactly what she wants her to do. Oh and we can’t leave Linc out. When Kiera first meets Linc she likes him. He seems nice. She soon learns that he is your typical rich kid who loves his preppy clothes. He, like Whitney, thinks that he is better than everyone. From the first time he sees Kiera, Linc is very attracted to her. The problem is that Kierra sees him as just a friend. Next up is Jacob O’Malley. He has a reputation as a man whore, drives a harley, and is covered in tatoos. Kiera is instantly attracted to him. While Jake has always jumped from one woman to the next, he wants more with Kiera. Finally, Kiera meets Alex West. He is a hot shot architect who has had his fair share of women. He also seems to have a way of always pissing Whitney off. Whitney is enraged that all of these men are interested in Kiera. Whitney is not about to lose her title as the princess of Charleston to anyone especialy Kiera. Whitney decides to create a lot of havoc thinking it will get Kiera to leave.
The only man Kiera is interested in is Jake. Just as they get together and begin to form a relationship, all heel break loose. Will Jake fight for Kiera, or will he revert to bad habits and find someone new?
I loved, loved this story! Kiera was a great character! She was s strong genuinely nice and compassionate person. Now Whitney? I wanted to smack some sense into her. My favorite thing about this book was the advice Kiera’s mother gave to her when she was younger. Her mother said that People have three faces. One they show the world. One they show their family and friends. One they only show themselves. Isn’t that the truth? If you are looking for a great read which also happens to have a great heroine, this is the book for you! Great job, Angela March!!
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