Tabs’ review of After The Hurt by Shana Gray
Contemporary Romance published by Loveswept 29 Mar 16
I picked this book up because I love me a good reconciliation romance. Unfortunately, this story did not work for me at all. The entire conflict could have been resolved with an apology and a freaking conversation. But no, instead we get to watch two immature people dance around each other, constantly guess wrongly at what the other is thinking or doing, and just be general grade-A morons.
Pepper has returned after disappearing for six months following the sudden loss of her mother. The key to a “returning home” story, to me, is humility and regret. I want to feel like the character who left is really sorry for the hurt they caused with their disappearance and regrets their actions. Pepper never utters the words “I’m sorry.” She’s so damned selfish. Everything is about what she wants and what she needs. This irritates.
Pepper’s lover, Tank, does not greet her return with open arms. He was devastated by her disappearance and his inability to locate her, so he’s shored up his heart and hunkered down to concentrate on the opening of his restaurant. He’s pissed that she’s back and tells her up front that he’s done with her. He’s lying, of course, to both of them.
Both Pepper and Tank are incredibly immature. They both want to know what the other is thinking and where their head is at. Do they ask? Or when finally asked, do they give a straight answer? That would be a no on both counts. Pepper claims to fight for Tank and then proceeds to do nothing except “not leave.” Tank hides things from Pepper, for her own good, and then makes her feel like an idiot when he dismisses concerns she has that HE, HIMSELF, HAS ALREADY HAD AND ADDRESSED. They’re both terrible.
I am usually able to find something that I like about a book. I was not able to do that in this case. I disliked the third-person head hopping of the writing. I disliked the characters. I disliked the cringe-worthy major sex scene (“Mr. Hefty”, anyone?). I disliked the stupid-crazy ex plot and the lazy suspense plot. I disliked the whole thing.
Grade: D
Summary:
Pepper Chapman refuses to throw in the towel. Six months ago, she made the biggest mistake of her life. Blinded by grief after her mom’s death, Pepper abandoned the man she loves. Now she wants a second chance at everything she gave up: strong hands driving her to ecstasy . . . a deep voice whispering naughty promises in her ear . . . the future they’d planned since they were teenagers. So Pepper comes home looking for forgiveness, ready for a new beginning—if he’s willing to give her a shot.
Retired MMA star Tank Sherman may be used to low blows, but Pepper’s emotional sucker punch left him reeling. Trying to ignore the pain and forget the pleasure of her body beneath his, Tank is prepared to ring the final bell on their relationship. Then Pepper shows up out of the blue, radiating pure sex. But Tank won’t let himself get hurt again, and that means resisting the heat that still burns between them. Because if he takes Pepper back, he knows he’ll never be able to let her go again.
No excerpt available.
