What do you think?
Rate this book
The Morning After
One photo changes everything...
A mortifying incident in her youth has shaken sense into Cara Byrne. No more bad-boys. No more getting arrested. Instead, hard work and good behaviour has earned her a job teaching at the local Boys Secondary School, and a proposal from a worthy man. So what if he doesn't exactly light her fire - surely passion is overrated?
When her friend since childhood, Ethan Quinn, storms back into the small Irish village he left to pursue a career as a Hollywood action hero, she's stunned to discover she's as susceptible to his lethal charm as every woman in the world. And when a compromising photograph floods the media of them in a clinch, her almost fiancé reveals his true colours, CarEthan starts trending on twitter, and she loses her job, could anyone blame her if she accepts his invitation to hide out at his Malibu beach house?
Ethan loves women, but never lets his girlfriends into his heart. He's failed at being there in the past, and won't put his heart on the line for anyone, ever again. But Cara's a different matter - and when passionate attraction is added to his friendship with the one person he's always confided in, he's thrown for a loop. Cara's lost everything, and like it or not, he's responsible. There's no fighting the attraction that blazes between them - but when the month long affair is over, will he ever be able to let her go?
A mortifying incident in her youth has shaken sense into Cara Byrne. No more bad-boys. No more getting arrested. Instead, hard work and good behaviour has earned her a job teaching at the local Boys Secondary School, and a proposal from a worthy man. So what if he doesn't exactly light her fire - surely passion is overrated?
When her friend since childhood, Ethan Quinn, storms back into the small Irish village he left to pursue a career as a Hollywood action hero, she's stunned to discover she's as susceptible to his lethal charm as every woman in the world. And when a compromising photograph floods the media of them in a clinch, her almost fiancé reveals his true colours, CarEthan starts trending on twitter, and she loses her job, could anyone blame her if she accepts his invitation to hide out at his Malibu beach house?
Ethan loves women, but never lets his girlfriends into his heart. He's failed at being there in the past, and won't put his heart on the line for anyone, ever again. But Cara's a different matter - and when passionate attraction is added to his friendship with the one person he's always confided in, he's thrown for a loop. Cara's lost everything, and like it or not, he's responsible. There's no fighting the attraction that blazes between them - but when the month long affair is over, will he ever be able to let her go?
159 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2012
102 people are currently reading
1060 people want to read
About the author
Sally Clements
31 books234 followersI write romance from sweet to steamy, and I'm a hybrid author: both traditionally published and indie.
MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE IS HERE
https://www.amazon.com/Sally-Clements...
MY FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE IS HERE
https://www.facebook.com/SallyClement...
MY WEBSITE IS HERE
http://sallyclements.com/
MY TWITTER IS HERE
https://twitter.com/sallywriter
My Books:
SWEET SERIES:
MY AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE IS HERE
https://www.amazon.com/Sally-Clements...
MY FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE IS HERE
https://www.facebook.com/SallyClement...
MY WEBSITE IS HERE
http://sallyclements.com/
MY TWITTER IS HERE
https://twitter.com/sallywriter
My Books:
SWEET SERIES:
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
February 26, 2012
Not bad, not great. A cute, light, frothy friends to lovers romance. I had trouble buying the romance, but the rest of the story was cute. Hollywood movie star caught in a compromising position with an old friend. If you can overlook silly dialogue, and just want a light romance read it could work.
August 7, 2015
Celebrity/commoner trope and a friends to lovers romance. Ethan was a stand out guy. No over-inflated ego. No over the top dramatics. Just a down to earth guy.
Part of the story takes place in Ireland, where both Ethan and Cara are from. It’s nice to ‘visit’ different places while reading.
Part of the story takes place in Ireland, where both Ethan and Cara are from. It’s nice to ‘visit’ different places while reading.
April 12, 2012
2.5 stars. Not bad, just nothing special. I wasn't buying into the friends-to-more storyline and the ending felt a bit rushed. If you're looking for an uncomplicated fluffy read, this should fit the bill.
February 3, 2015
No está mal,pero la historia ha sido contadas ya tantas veces que no aporta nada nuevo. Pero está bueno para pasar el rato.
May 22, 2012
Posted on Romancing the Book's blog
Reviewed by Maria
Review Copy Provided by the Author
You’ll get two for the price of one here – a lovely romance and a trip to Ireland. As an expat Irish woman who misses the ‘ould sod’, I found this book quite a treat. I enjoyed reading about people with surnames like Quinn and Byrne – I grew up among people with surnames like that! But even if you’re not Irish, there’s no need to feel left out. Love, as we know, is a universal emotion. The love scenes are written in romantic language. The heroine is an assertive character who will not be pushed around – fantastic! The hero? I could almost see him. In fact I probably know him. An Irish lad all right. I enjoyed the humour too. This romance has a lot of humour. Another Irish trait.
It’s hard to get a respectable reputation back when you’ve had a brush with notoriety in your teens. Irish people have long memories and over there, ten years is not a long time. But Cara Byrne did it. She crawled back from a near scandal and got a job as a teacher in a secondary school run by the Church. When a series of slightly tragic-comic events land her name up again in scandalous lights, such as being photographed in the tabloids in the arms of a Hollywood bad boy (in her underwear!) it’s time to leave town for a while. But out in Hollywood, her relationship with her old pal Ethan Quinn takes a different turn. Ethan is a tough guy with a reputation to match, a hero in the Sly Stallone mold. Is this love? Or friendship carried away? Can they make it as a couple? I’m not telling, you’re going to have to read the book to find out. And enjoy every word.
Favorite Quote: ‘He’d always been her friend. Strong, reliable and caring, rather than sexy, dangerous and available.’
‘He was too valuable a friend to fall in love with.’
Reviewed by Maria
Review Copy Provided by the Author
You’ll get two for the price of one here – a lovely romance and a trip to Ireland. As an expat Irish woman who misses the ‘ould sod’, I found this book quite a treat. I enjoyed reading about people with surnames like Quinn and Byrne – I grew up among people with surnames like that! But even if you’re not Irish, there’s no need to feel left out. Love, as we know, is a universal emotion. The love scenes are written in romantic language. The heroine is an assertive character who will not be pushed around – fantastic! The hero? I could almost see him. In fact I probably know him. An Irish lad all right. I enjoyed the humour too. This romance has a lot of humour. Another Irish trait.
It’s hard to get a respectable reputation back when you’ve had a brush with notoriety in your teens. Irish people have long memories and over there, ten years is not a long time. But Cara Byrne did it. She crawled back from a near scandal and got a job as a teacher in a secondary school run by the Church. When a series of slightly tragic-comic events land her name up again in scandalous lights, such as being photographed in the tabloids in the arms of a Hollywood bad boy (in her underwear!) it’s time to leave town for a while. But out in Hollywood, her relationship with her old pal Ethan Quinn takes a different turn. Ethan is a tough guy with a reputation to match, a hero in the Sly Stallone mold. Is this love? Or friendship carried away? Can they make it as a couple? I’m not telling, you’re going to have to read the book to find out. And enjoy every word.
Favorite Quote: ‘He’d always been her friend. Strong, reliable and caring, rather than sexy, dangerous and available.’
‘He was too valuable a friend to fall in love with.’
February 24, 2012
This was one of those books that when you read the blurb you think "I'll give it a try" and hope for the best. I'm glad I tried it.
Ethan and Cara have been best friends forever. They've seen each other through thick and thin. And while the Atlantic Ocean separates them most of the time, they are still there for each. So when Ethan spies Cara's boyfriend being overly friendly with a woman in a local bar in Ireland, he takes it upon himself to punch said boyfriend and make sure the boyfriend knew he was going to be an ex very soon. Ethan is then on a mission to find Cara to make sure she knew that the man who proposed to her was out cheating on her. When he finds her, she's stuck in a Winnie-the-Pooh costume in nothing but her underwear. As he helps her out, a photog snaps a couple of shots of them in a compromising position. It's one of those photos that changes everything for Ethan and Cara.
The change from best friends to lovers played out exactly like I'd imagine the scenario playing out. They both have these feelings they aren't sure the other one is feeling as well. They both decide to throw caution to the wind and move the relationship forward. And finally they both realize they feel much more than friendship for the other but can't read how the other is feeling and are scared to find out what they feel isn't reciprocated. And while there wasn't any surprise to how the story evolved, the characters were very down to earth and likeable that you hoped the path to get to their HEA was an easy one.
Ethan and Cara have been best friends forever. They've seen each other through thick and thin. And while the Atlantic Ocean separates them most of the time, they are still there for each. So when Ethan spies Cara's boyfriend being overly friendly with a woman in a local bar in Ireland, he takes it upon himself to punch said boyfriend and make sure the boyfriend knew he was going to be an ex very soon. Ethan is then on a mission to find Cara to make sure she knew that the man who proposed to her was out cheating on her. When he finds her, she's stuck in a Winnie-the-Pooh costume in nothing but her underwear. As he helps her out, a photog snaps a couple of shots of them in a compromising position. It's one of those photos that changes everything for Ethan and Cara.
The change from best friends to lovers played out exactly like I'd imagine the scenario playing out. They both have these feelings they aren't sure the other one is feeling as well. They both decide to throw caution to the wind and move the relationship forward. And finally they both realize they feel much more than friendship for the other but can't read how the other is feeling and are scared to find out what they feel isn't reciprocated. And while there wasn't any surprise to how the story evolved, the characters were very down to earth and likeable that you hoped the path to get to their HEA was an easy one.
July 31, 2012
The Morning After is definitely suitable for a Lifetime movie. It has that will they, won’t they drama that’s patented on Lifetime. This is one of the few romance novels that take its cue firmly in the present day.
This novella definitely takes place in the present day. I recently joined twitter. Ethan and Cara trending and having their own hashtag added to the appeal of this novel. But in ten years will that aspect make this novel dated.
This isn’t one of those all-consuming romantic love stories. It’s a love story, about two lifelong friends developing into something more. Where people are consumed with that epic Romeo and Juliet it’s nice to read about the simple love story Sally Clements has crafted in this novella.
I’ve read more romance novel this year. The things they all have had in common are their blurbs. They made me want to read them. ‘One photo changes everything...’ it drew me in from the start.
It’s a short read that can be finished in one sitting. It surprised me at how quickly I finished. Actually I would consider it a novella more than a novel.
This novella definitely takes place in the present day. I recently joined twitter. Ethan and Cara trending and having their own hashtag added to the appeal of this novel. But in ten years will that aspect make this novel dated.
This isn’t one of those all-consuming romantic love stories. It’s a love story, about two lifelong friends developing into something more. Where people are consumed with that epic Romeo and Juliet it’s nice to read about the simple love story Sally Clements has crafted in this novella.
I’ve read more romance novel this year. The things they all have had in common are their blurbs. They made me want to read them. ‘One photo changes everything...’ it drew me in from the start.
It’s a short read that can be finished in one sitting. It surprised me at how quickly I finished. Actually I would consider it a novella more than a novel.
May 25, 2013
2.5 Stars
Slightly far fetched and just like most other "best friend I don't care of you're famous" kind of stories.
No real drama or climax. Everything just seemed to be packed in a nice little plot box.
Slightly far fetched and just like most other "best friend I don't care of you're famous" kind of stories.
No real drama or climax. Everything just seemed to be packed in a nice little plot box.
September 10, 2017
2.5 stars
Writing this review a few days after finishing the book, I can only give it two stars since I realized that I actually have a bit of a hard time recalling what it was about.
It was not bad, just nothing special, and I wasn't really able to buy the friends-lo-lovers storyline.
Writing this review a few days after finishing the book, I can only give it two stars since I realized that I actually have a bit of a hard time recalling what it was about.
It was not bad, just nothing special, and I wasn't really able to buy the friends-lo-lovers storyline.
April 11, 2012
What happens when sparks fly between a Hollywood heartthrob and his childhood best friend? Fireworks and lots of trouble! :)
May 8, 2012
Enjoyable read, like a M&B Presents but better in that it was a familiar story but written more warmly and realistically with great characters.
May 1, 2013
A nice quick romantic read but it does finish too soon at 92% I would of liked a better ending a quick what happened next, but this is my opinion.
April 1, 2012
Ever wondered what would happen if you were photographed with a celebrity and the media thought you were an item? Do you fantasize about a Hollywood affair?
Cara and Ethan have been friends for years, without a twinge of anything else until sparks fly at the most inopportune moment. When Ethan helps Cara out of a couple of jams, suggestive pictures end up tabloid fodder since he’s now a Hollywood star. Cara loses her job as a teacher, and worries she’ll never teach again. Feeling protective, Ethan brings her to Malibu to look after her. But he’s also aware of his growing feelings.
They ultimately succumb to their feelings with eyes wide open; they know the other’s faults, but also know they’d never hurt each other. I wanted these two to make it, to build on their tight connection and newfound passion.
Usually I complain when a romance rushes too much in the beginning and doesn’t make me believe two characters are falling for each other. I believed in these characters… I just wanted more story for them, an ending as well-paced and interesting as the beginning. This ending felt rushed.
The writing is engaging, the characters well-developed, and the love scenes sexy. All that was lacking was a bit more satisfying lead up to the conclusion. But please read and enjoy and see if you agree with me about the last quarter of the book. I’m happy to be wrong.
Rating: 3.5 stars
(For GoodReads and Amazon, I rated it 4 stars, since it was closer to a 4 than a 3.)
Cara and Ethan have been friends for years, without a twinge of anything else until sparks fly at the most inopportune moment. When Ethan helps Cara out of a couple of jams, suggestive pictures end up tabloid fodder since he’s now a Hollywood star. Cara loses her job as a teacher, and worries she’ll never teach again. Feeling protective, Ethan brings her to Malibu to look after her. But he’s also aware of his growing feelings.
They ultimately succumb to their feelings with eyes wide open; they know the other’s faults, but also know they’d never hurt each other. I wanted these two to make it, to build on their tight connection and newfound passion.
Usually I complain when a romance rushes too much in the beginning and doesn’t make me believe two characters are falling for each other. I believed in these characters… I just wanted more story for them, an ending as well-paced and interesting as the beginning. This ending felt rushed.
The writing is engaging, the characters well-developed, and the love scenes sexy. All that was lacking was a bit more satisfying lead up to the conclusion. But please read and enjoy and see if you agree with me about the last quarter of the book. I’m happy to be wrong.
Rating: 3.5 stars
(For GoodReads and Amazon, I rated it 4 stars, since it was closer to a 4 than a 3.)
February 11, 2012
The Morning After has given me a day of guilty pleasure - I read it in one sitting. A friends to lovers story, Ethan and Cara's changing relationship had me gripped until the very end of the book. A delightful contemporary romance with paparazzi intrusion, Twitter trending, lots of steamy sex and a beach house in Malibu. Great stuff!
March 7, 2012
I enjoyed the basic story, I love it when the friends finally fall for each other!! :) I felt as if it ended suddenly, Cara had issues with trying to be proper that weren't really resolved, she left Ethan for that reason...I didn't feel that was tied up. Could just be me...I would still suggest this romantic read. Ethan was a hot bad boy that kept me entertained and wanting to read more.
May 16, 2012
Who knew publicity could be a good thing. This is a whirlwind love.story about two best friends who come to fall in love. I did enjoy this book but the speed was so abrupt that it left you to wonder about characteristics of the characters. I think the story could've uses a bit more volume, but I digress I did really enjoy this story.
March 9, 2012
Cute, fun & fast read! I'm almost as intrigued by the background characters as I am by the main characters. Ethan's brother, Sean, would be a great character for a future novel. Lots of material here!
May 12, 2012
Very charming story. I liked the characters very much. A must read!
January 21, 2021
I like to rate books for what they are and while there wasn't anything that really set this book apart from the rest of the pack and there are a few things that could be improved upon at the end of the day I really enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more of the author's books. It's a perfect read for a bubble bath and bottle of wine.
Cara and Ethan have been best friends since they were very young. I like that their friendship has continued, despite the distance between them, rather than the typical "they lost touch" of so many of the "my best friend became a famous actor/athlete/etc" stories out there. There was no jealousy or hard feelings. If I'm honest I'm just a little tired of the adversarial relationship trend in the books I've read lately and this was refreshingly sweet.
Cara is something of a hot mess in life but things seem to be taking a turn for the better, good job, steady boyfriend, until it all comes crashing down around her. I love that she didn't fall apart. I really connected with her, she was kind, warm, funny, loyal and not insecure, dramatic or a pushover.
Ethan was an excellent match for her, he was slightly more guarded with his heart but not obstinately so. He was protective without being controlling, mature, kind, generous. I would have preferred a more gradual "I love her" realization since that seemed to happen immediately after they fell into bed together. I'm a big fan of the trigger that flips the switch from 'love' to 'in love'.
Things I wish had been included;
- Cara's cheating ex getting his comeuppance.
- Better resolution for how they intend to be together now that they've decided they can't live with each other (not an epilogue that takes place at sometime in the future, those are so irritating and overdone). The book ended a little abruptly for me, not a cliffhanger but not all tied together nicely.
- Cara starting a kick-ass new career or job.
- Ethan landing a career changing role because Cara encouraged him to audition for something he didn't think he'd get (a little self-doubt would have added a layer and plot thread that would have enriched the story).
I'm happy I gave this one a shot and if you're looking for a light quick feel-good story you'll probably enjoy it too.
Cara and Ethan have been best friends since they were very young. I like that their friendship has continued, despite the distance between them, rather than the typical "they lost touch" of so many of the "my best friend became a famous actor/athlete/etc" stories out there. There was no jealousy or hard feelings. If I'm honest I'm just a little tired of the adversarial relationship trend in the books I've read lately and this was refreshingly sweet.
Cara is something of a hot mess in life but things seem to be taking a turn for the better, good job, steady boyfriend, until it all comes crashing down around her. I love that she didn't fall apart. I really connected with her, she was kind, warm, funny, loyal and not insecure, dramatic or a pushover.
Ethan was an excellent match for her, he was slightly more guarded with his heart but not obstinately so. He was protective without being controlling, mature, kind, generous. I would have preferred a more gradual "I love her" realization since that seemed to happen immediately after they fell into bed together. I'm a big fan of the trigger that flips the switch from 'love' to 'in love'.
Things I wish had been included;
- Cara's cheating ex getting his comeuppance.
- Better resolution for how they intend to be together now that they've decided they can't live with each other (not an epilogue that takes place at sometime in the future, those are so irritating and overdone). The book ended a little abruptly for me, not a cliffhanger but not all tied together nicely.
- Cara starting a kick-ass new career or job.
- Ethan landing a career changing role because Cara encouraged him to audition for something he didn't think he'd get (a little self-doubt would have added a layer and plot thread that would have enriched the story).
I'm happy I gave this one a shot and if you're looking for a light quick feel-good story you'll probably enjoy it too.
March 15, 2018
Me encantó la reseña de la novela y por eso me animé a leerlo. Me reí con los primeros capítulos y más en la escena en que Ethan la salva de morir ahogada en el disfraz de Winnie Pooh. Me imaginé a los paparazzi metiéndose en medio de ellos para saber sobre Cara y lo que se ha empezado a creer sobre ellos, ya que Ethan tiene fama de rompecorazones, fama que se ha ganado desde que se hizo actor. Me gusto como Cara y Ethan se llevan bien siendo amigos y como él se preocupa por ella. Odié al ex de Cara. Sin embargo creo que tenía mucha expectativas con esta novela y esperé demasiado. Y lo que conseguí fue decepcionarme con la manera en la que empieza tan rápido su relación y otras cosas que leí. Mi valoración 3/5.
Read
June 5, 2022Cute and quick
A few places that were literally the same lines from previous chapters. Wrapped up faster than I expected. The twist with Juliet was fantastic. Her dilemma of staying with him verse fixing her life was pretty realistic imo. Especially if she'd only just got away from her parents. Was a little unrealistic that no one seemed to acknowledge the serious time difference when calling back and forth, but eh. Some grammer and word placement errors but not bad enough to take away from the story.
A few places that were literally the same lines from previous chapters. Wrapped up faster than I expected. The twist with Juliet was fantastic. Her dilemma of staying with him verse fixing her life was pretty realistic imo. Especially if she'd only just got away from her parents. Was a little unrealistic that no one seemed to acknowledge the serious time difference when calling back and forth, but eh. Some grammer and word placement errors but not bad enough to take away from the story.
June 16, 2022
Quick Story
Best Friends. Ethan and Cara have been friends since school. He’s a successful actor and she’s a school teacher. An unfortunate series of events has her losing her job and plastered in the news. Ethan has her fly to Malibu to escape the press and their friendship takes a turn. This was a cute friends to lovers story with an HEA.
Best Friends. Ethan and Cara have been friends since school. He’s a successful actor and she’s a school teacher. An unfortunate series of events has her losing her job and plastered in the news. Ethan has her fly to Malibu to escape the press and their friendship takes a turn. This was a cute friends to lovers story with an HEA.
November 25, 2017
A fun little read. I just wish it had been longer so we got even more tension and more from the characters throughout. Still good though!!!
March 28, 2018
Sweet read
What a great sweet and funny read. True love and true friendship. They were meant to be together.
This was my first book by this author, will be reading more.
What a great sweet and funny read. True love and true friendship. They were meant to be together.
This was my first book by this author, will be reading more.
May 15, 2020
Not my usual type of book. This was a free kindle read. Cute, predictable story - very easy read. I enjoyed it. I loved the characters too.
March 19, 2021
This book was so short it took around an hour to read, if that....
July 3, 2021
Leído en Octubre 2015
Me gustó bastante
Me gustó bastante
August 2, 2012
I always wondered what happens to high school best friends when one becomes super famous (actor, musician, politician) when they grow up. Cara and Ethan were childhood best friends, they still are as adults because they kept their pants zipped (Note to the the young-ones! This is how you keep friends for the long term). But because of a series of mishaps with documented photographs thanks to the fact that everyone has a camera on their phones this days, Cara has her life ruined in one day. She breaks up with her boyfriend, gets publicly embarrassed and then fired from her great teaching job in Ireland. Ethan Quinn, friend and also super acting star feels like this is all his fault so he invites her to his home in Malibu, California to lie low until someone else's scandal takes the spotlight off of sweet Cara Byrne.
They fall for each other (do you hear the sound of zippers opening? ...Zzzzzip!) and they work out a new life together. I love a cute best friend find love scenario.
128 pages and kindle freebie
2 and half stars
They fall for each other (do you hear the sound of zippers opening? ...Zzzzzip!) and they work out a new life together. I love a cute best friend find love scenario.
128 pages and kindle freebie
2 and half stars
April 5, 2013
This is my first read by Sally Clements. Smooth read and quick. Ethan and Cara have been best friends forever. They've seen each other through thick and thin. They are separated most of the time, different states, however when Ethan sees Cara’s boyfriend too friendly with another women, he punches him and says I’m going to make sure you will be Cara’s ex-boyfriend real soon.
When Ethan finally finds Cara to inform her of what her boyfriend was up to, he finds her in a costume only wearing underwear underneath, she is stuck in the costume. Ethan helps her out, just as someone takes a picture of them in a certain position. Oh no!
However, this is a good thing. Exactly what you think will happen, happens. They both have feelings for each other than just their lifetime friendship. They know how to protect each other without either one getting hurt. They bond, they struggle, there is pain and of course many awkward situations.
These characters in the story are down to earth, relaxed, no surprises. This was a great story - one I could and probably will read again.
When Ethan finally finds Cara to inform her of what her boyfriend was up to, he finds her in a costume only wearing underwear underneath, she is stuck in the costume. Ethan helps her out, just as someone takes a picture of them in a certain position. Oh no!
However, this is a good thing. Exactly what you think will happen, happens. They both have feelings for each other than just their lifetime friendship. They know how to protect each other without either one getting hurt. They bond, they struggle, there is pain and of course many awkward situations.
These characters in the story are down to earth, relaxed, no surprises. This was a great story - one I could and probably will read again.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews