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After Mrs Hamilton
Golden Crown Literary Society Award winner - After Mrs. Hamilton - a twisting tale of sex, secrets, and obsession.
Clo is leading a loveless life as a high class escort for women. She's always had a dream of the ideal partner, but after a bad experience with love when she was young, figures she is better off on her own. Right now, she's supposed to be meeting her best friend. But tonight, Clo has to work.
It's early evening and Mrs. Hamilton waits for an escort on the balcony of her London hotel suite. It's cold, and she feels ice in her veins that has nothing to do with the chilly air. Too much pain, betrayal, and lost desire. What is she thinking, that the touch of a stranger will heal her broken past? But her appointment is with Clo, and the touch of this beautiful young woman lights torches Mrs. Hamilton didn't know she carried. Clo doesn't even feel like a stranger. She feels dangerously like someone Mrs. Hamilton wants to know.
But love, passion, and desire never seem to know the right time, or place. Neither do secrets, especially when everyone's keeping them, as call girl Clo and her friends are about to find out. From London to Oxfordshire, the past collides with the present with repercussions no one could imagine or will ever forget.
Clo is leading a loveless life as a high class escort for women. She's always had a dream of the ideal partner, but after a bad experience with love when she was young, figures she is better off on her own. Right now, she's supposed to be meeting her best friend. But tonight, Clo has to work.
It's early evening and Mrs. Hamilton waits for an escort on the balcony of her London hotel suite. It's cold, and she feels ice in her veins that has nothing to do with the chilly air. Too much pain, betrayal, and lost desire. What is she thinking, that the touch of a stranger will heal her broken past? But her appointment is with Clo, and the touch of this beautiful young woman lights torches Mrs. Hamilton didn't know she carried. Clo doesn't even feel like a stranger. She feels dangerously like someone Mrs. Hamilton wants to know.
But love, passion, and desire never seem to know the right time, or place. Neither do secrets, especially when everyone's keeping them, as call girl Clo and her friends are about to find out. From London to Oxfordshire, the past collides with the present with repercussions no one could imagine or will ever forget.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 21, 2012
86 people are currently reading
1807 people want to read
About the author
Clare Ashton
16 books1,615 followersClare Ashton loves writing sapphic stories. Whether it’s a romcom or mystery, there’s always a queer woman about. With gorgeous settings, from the hills of Wales to college halls of Oxford, every book is a travel destination from the comfort of an armchair. Best known for her award-winning, sunny romance, Poppy Jenkins, and rollercoaster family drama, The Goodmans, Clare has a new series that captures the best of both and more, with Meeting Millie kicking off The Oxford Romance series.
Clare lives in the UK with her wife and kids and can be found spending too much time on social media – https://linktr.ee/clareashton
Clare lives in the UK with her wife and kids and can be found spending too much time on social media – https://linktr.ee/clareashton
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 202 reviews
September 8, 2022
2022 re-read: Still the best. 🌟
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This book was captivating from the start, and ended like a fireworks finale. It's definitely one of the most skillfully written books i've read this year. You learn about one character at a time, and when that character is revisited, you acquire more pieces to the puzzle of their lives and family. For a good part of the book, i found myself having to go back and re-read what i knew of each character up to that point, and i admit i had a difficult time keeping track of whose mother did what, and who knew them or someone they knew up to that point. It got a little complicated for a while... but man was it worth keeping track of once all of the pieces started falling into place! The fact that the author had the imagination and skill to balance all of these little interwoven stories, fascinated me. I find myself having moments where i'll be thinking of the story and another revelation dawns on me; like "oh my god, that was from when she was a kid! AHA!" I have already read it a second time, just to appreciate all of the sly groundwork and clues that were layered throughout.
Several touchy taboo subjects were broached; which, if they were in the description, i might not have read the book. But they were handled so well that you couldn't help but relate to each character as if you were feeling what they felt, struggling with the same passion and turmoil that they were. And when shocking facts started arising, i doubt anyone can help but saying "Oh.my.god..."
It also contained a few hot scenes that were not just sex, but pure passion and emotion. When Clo is on her knees sobbing, leading into one of the most emotional sex scenes, i just had chills. And in another scene, the author even made a full out fist fight seem hot and passionate. (...or maybe it was just me)
The author gets 6 stars for developing characters that oozed personality and emotion.
She gets another 6 for the amazing plot.
There were either no typos, or i was too into the story to notice.
And finally, the ending gets a surprising 5 stars from me. Surprising, because i usually don't like abrupt endings. But this is the only story i can actually say, i'm glad she did not revisit the relationships in the future. One particular relationship, deserved it's privacy and tact. I wish them well, but i don't want to know. Read this book and see what you think. And it's sure to do just that: make you think.
warning: do not read other reviews that hint at spoilers. Knowing certain things in advance would greatly take away from this story. Just read the book.
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This book was captivating from the start, and ended like a fireworks finale. It's definitely one of the most skillfully written books i've read this year. You learn about one character at a time, and when that character is revisited, you acquire more pieces to the puzzle of their lives and family. For a good part of the book, i found myself having to go back and re-read what i knew of each character up to that point, and i admit i had a difficult time keeping track of whose mother did what, and who knew them or someone they knew up to that point. It got a little complicated for a while... but man was it worth keeping track of once all of the pieces started falling into place! The fact that the author had the imagination and skill to balance all of these little interwoven stories, fascinated me. I find myself having moments where i'll be thinking of the story and another revelation dawns on me; like "oh my god, that was from when she was a kid! AHA!" I have already read it a second time, just to appreciate all of the sly groundwork and clues that were layered throughout.
Several touchy taboo subjects were broached; which, if they were in the description, i might not have read the book. But they were handled so well that you couldn't help but relate to each character as if you were feeling what they felt, struggling with the same passion and turmoil that they were. And when shocking facts started arising, i doubt anyone can help but saying "Oh.my.god..."
It also contained a few hot scenes that were not just sex, but pure passion and emotion. When Clo is on her knees sobbing, leading into one of the most emotional sex scenes, i just had chills. And in another scene, the author even made a full out fist fight seem hot and passionate. (...or maybe it was just me)
The author gets 6 stars for developing characters that oozed personality and emotion.
She gets another 6 for the amazing plot.
There were either no typos, or i was too into the story to notice.
And finally, the ending gets a surprising 5 stars from me. Surprising, because i usually don't like abrupt endings. But this is the only story i can actually say, i'm glad she did not revisit the relationships in the future. One particular relationship, deserved it's privacy and tact. I wish them well, but i don't want to know. Read this book and see what you think. And it's sure to do just that: make you think.
warning: do not read other reviews that hint at spoilers. Knowing certain things in advance would greatly take away from this story. Just read the book.
February 15, 2018
Extraordinary. I don't think Clare Ashton got the memo about the formula for romance novels. After Mrs Hamilton is complicated with the emphasis spread over four main characters whose stories are constantly alternating from foreground to background. All the other characters are integral to the story rather than just being sounding boards, matchmakers or comedic foils. I loved the darkness and the tangled web the characters found themselves wriggling in.
I found myself completely immersed in the story and characters to the point that I was supporting and condoning behaviour that I'm sure I would usually find a little off. Ashton's characters are never simple and I think it's the complexity that makes the story so powerful. As with all the novels I've read by Ashton, this is beautifully written. Even in amongst all the pain and delving into the taboo there was still a moment I was laughing out loud.
Not everyone will like this and if it's light and fluffy with neatly tied bows that you're after, this is not it.
I found myself completely immersed in the story and characters to the point that I was supporting and condoning behaviour that I'm sure I would usually find a little off. Ashton's characters are never simple and I think it's the complexity that makes the story so powerful. As with all the novels I've read by Ashton, this is beautifully written. Even in amongst all the pain and delving into the taboo there was still a moment I was laughing out loud.
Not everyone will like this and if it's light and fluffy with neatly tied bows that you're after, this is not it.
March 22, 2018
**Reread March 21, 2018.
Wow. I almost forgot what a twisty, angst-filled and wonderful book Ashton gave us with After Mrs. Hamilton. I remembered one of the twists because it is so unsettling, completely forgot the others. If you’ve never given this a look I highly recommend it. You won’t be disappointed. **
A pleasure to read. It was nice to have older characters those of us "of a certain age" could relate to and not just the usual beautiful thirty year old heroines. Fran the movie star worrying about her sagging skin made her very real to the reader. Fascinating twists and reveals added depth to the usual girl meets girl, falls for girl, misunderstanding happens followed by great makeup sex formula we too often see in lesfic and romance in general.
Looking forward to reading anything Ashton writes in the future. I bet even her grocery lists have deep hidden secrets!
Wow. I almost forgot what a twisty, angst-filled and wonderful book Ashton gave us with After Mrs. Hamilton. I remembered one of the twists because it is so unsettling, completely forgot the others. If you’ve never given this a look I highly recommend it. You won’t be disappointed. **
A pleasure to read. It was nice to have older characters those of us "of a certain age" could relate to and not just the usual beautiful thirty year old heroines. Fran the movie star worrying about her sagging skin made her very real to the reader. Fascinating twists and reveals added depth to the usual girl meets girl, falls for girl, misunderstanding happens followed by great makeup sex formula we too often see in lesfic and romance in general.
Looking forward to reading anything Ashton writes in the future. I bet even her grocery lists have deep hidden secrets!
February 20, 2013
This is what I have been looking for in lesfic since I started reading lesfic. This is what I have been wanting to read every time I have been disappointed by so many lackluster romances that flood the market. I felt the same way when I read Fingersmith by Sarah Waters; an almost immediate, desperate need to devour more stories with complicated characters that made me ache with sadness while making me indescribably happy.
If I could I would give it 4.5 stars, so it gets rounded to 5. Any issues I have with it are greatly outnumbered by it's awesomeness.
If you want my full review, it's at C-Spot Reviews
If I could I would give it 4.5 stars, so it gets rounded to 5. Any issues I have with it are greatly outnumbered by it's awesomeness.
If you want my full review, it's at C-Spot Reviews
March 23, 2019
Absolutely loved it
This is not a light read. Its so intense and an emotional rollercoaster. It made me exhilarated, sad, desperate and happy.
This story is like a web, secrets..secrets and more secrets and they are all connected.
Writing is just fantastic. Clare Ashton did magic. And.....I just loved it.
This week I read 2 books from Clare Ashton , both didn't disappoint me, both 5* worth. And Thank you so much @Bugs for suggesting this.
This is not a light read. Its so intense and an emotional rollercoaster. It made me exhilarated, sad, desperate and happy.
This story is like a web, secrets..secrets and more secrets and they are all connected.
Writing is just fantastic. Clare Ashton did magic. And.....I just loved it.
This week I read 2 books from Clare Ashton , both didn't disappoint me, both 5* worth. And Thank you so much @Bugs for suggesting this.
May 5, 2016
A heart-warming intense and complicated story.
This is a heart-warming romance but not an ordinary sweet romance. Even far from it. It grabs hold of my heart and I couldn't let it go. I went through a whirlwind of emotions. There is a lot of pain, betrayal, lost and love. A complicated story of intertwined families, friendships, consequences and revelations of dark secrets. There happened a lot to mull over. The plot was very surprising. The only thing I found a little disappointing was that the story of Susan and Laura felt like incomplete, unfinished. I would liked to have known what was their next step together. That is just a minor thing. I'm glad that I've read this book and It was more than worth it. It is beautifully written and the storyline is very strong, profound and detailed.
This is a heart-warming romance but not an ordinary sweet romance. Even far from it. It grabs hold of my heart and I couldn't let it go. I went through a whirlwind of emotions. There is a lot of pain, betrayal, lost and love. A complicated story of intertwined families, friendships, consequences and revelations of dark secrets. There happened a lot to mull over. The plot was very surprising. The only thing I found a little disappointing was that the story of Susan and Laura felt like incomplete, unfinished. I would liked to have known what was their next step together. That is just a minor thing. I'm glad that I've read this book and It was more than worth it. It is beautifully written and the storyline is very strong, profound and detailed.
March 18, 2022
Goodness me... So many events intertwined in the lives of all the characters in After Mrs. Hamilton that went back to over two decades ago. I must admit though that I was a little bored when I first read After Mrs. Hamilton, especially the initial pages... But it grew on me over time and I liked it as I read it further. Going back to the past and present can be confusing at times but not a deal-breaker for me. I had an OMG moment at about the 82% mark, a scenario which I’ve never read before which really got me a little dumbfounded... Like really? Did Ms. Clare Ashton really go there with this book? How is that going to be resolved? And that ending... a little too abrupt for my liking.
After Mrs. Hamilton is not your typical romance book but still an intriguing read nonetheless and one which may not sit well with some readers.
Available in Scribd
After Mrs. Hamilton is not your typical romance book but still an intriguing read nonetheless and one which may not sit well with some readers.
Available in Scribd
June 27, 2016
Achingly beautiful.
I was nailed, riveted in reading. I felt as I need to embrace the characters to protect them from all that suffering. Expecially Clo. Not only her, but expecially her, so sweet, so frail and yet so disperately wanting to live again.
But I liked the conclusion. I loved that Clo has been the key to their understanding. Actually even my understanding. I didn't understand Susan's reaction until Clo explained it to me.
Wow, I'm quite tired. It has been quite a powerful experience!
I was nailed, riveted in reading. I felt as I need to embrace the characters to protect them from all that suffering. Expecially Clo. Not only her, but expecially her, so sweet, so frail and yet so disperately wanting to live again.
But I liked the conclusion. I loved that Clo has been the key to their understanding. Actually even my understanding. I didn't understand Susan's reaction until Clo explained it to me.
Wow, I'm quite tired. It has been quite a powerful experience!
August 11, 2014
Note: This book is best enjoyed without spoilers. I did not mention any but my review might hint at them. So, read at your own risk :-)
What a small world...no, more like, what a teeny tiny world. You go out into the world, play the field, etc etc. and after a decade or two of fruitless search, frustration and heartbreak, you finally find the love of your life up in ....(beep...sorry no spoilers)
That is the premise of this book. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I love almost everything about the book... the beautiful prose, the wonderful character insights, the plot developments, the character interactions, and of course, the sizzling sex.
My only beef with the book is it requires a major suspension of disbelief. There was just one coincidence too many, making the whole plot seem too contrived. Maybe if it were just one couple, but both couples? (Perhaps if the author had written two separate books instead of constantly switching between the two couples... Both of the relationships are so complicated and minefield-ridden, I think the author could have explored them in more detail (eg. Fran & Clo's attraction, Amelia's feelings toward Clo's job, etc). At the very least, it would have been much easier for me to keep track of the mothers, fathers and assorted relatives and their respective shenanigans! 8-))
The resulting angst and drama was delicious though, so I had to shut down that logical part of my brain and just enjoy the story. Halfway through the book, I was already dreading Laura's predicament. And I'm glad the author did not shirk from taking that part of the story to where it needed to go.
P.S. I wonder if the author has the recipes to the wonderful pastries in the book, or knows where to buy them in case I get a chance to visit London someday. :)
What a small world...no, more like, what a teeny tiny world. You go out into the world, play the field, etc etc. and after a decade or two of fruitless search, frustration and heartbreak, you finally find the love of your life up in ....(beep...sorry no spoilers)
That is the premise of this book. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read. I love almost everything about the book... the beautiful prose, the wonderful character insights, the plot developments, the character interactions, and of course, the sizzling sex.
My only beef with the book is it requires a major suspension of disbelief. There was just one coincidence too many, making the whole plot seem too contrived. Maybe if it were just one couple, but both couples? (Perhaps if the author had written two separate books instead of constantly switching between the two couples... Both of the relationships are so complicated and minefield-ridden, I think the author could have explored them in more detail (eg. Fran & Clo's attraction, Amelia's feelings toward Clo's job, etc). At the very least, it would have been much easier for me to keep track of the mothers, fathers and assorted relatives and their respective shenanigans! 8-))
The resulting angst and drama was delicious though, so I had to shut down that logical part of my brain and just enjoy the story. Halfway through the book, I was already dreading Laura's predicament. And I'm glad the author did not shirk from taking that part of the story to where it needed to go.
P.S. I wonder if the author has the recipes to the wonderful pastries in the book, or knows where to buy them in case I get a chance to visit London someday. :)
January 16, 2025
I don't think I've ever been this disappointed in a book before. That's not to say it's the worst book I've ever read... Clare Ashton is quite a good writer, and I had fallen in love with her novel "That Certain Something". That's why I expected so much more from After Mrs Hamilton.
I don't even know where to begin.
Maybe by saying that this book is so full of intertwined stories and unbelievable coincidences, that the story is unrealistic to the point of being absurd. I'll make a list of all the things that I disliked:
- Mrs Hamilton, Fran, Francoise Desmarais, and the nice lady from Clo's childhood. It was obvious they were all the same, but I don't understand what it really adds to the story? Not only do I find the love at first "sight" with Mrs Hamilton quite unbelievable, I also don't understand at all how Clo falls in love with Fran who she's supposedly talked to a couple of times. It all happens too fast. And the crush on Fran the actress sounds almost ridiculous. If the idea behind the book was to give the impression of linked destinies between Fran and Clo whose lives have been intertwined almost forever, it didn't work for me. I didn't get the impression of them being soul mates or anything like it. I didn't believe it. There are hardly any scenes with both women that would explain their growing feelings for each other, and their first kiss happens completely out of the blue. The whole "mystery" plot feels like an excuse used for entertainment purposes only.
- Laura and Susan first running into each other in a bar (1st coincidence), having never met before but having a friend (Clo) in common, fall in love, then discover they are sisters. WHAT? I'm sorry but I just couldn't not gag. I wish Clare Ashton wouldn't have delved into something so weird as incest.
- Oh and their mother, Isabelle, is actually the woman who accidentally killed Fran's son! Wow. It never keeps coming. But what's the point if not to make the reader laugh with incredulity?
- I'm usually not bothered with age difference in relationships, but in this one I found it deeply disturbing, because Fran actually knew Clo as a BABY, when Fran already had a son. And from that scene on I just couldn't get past that fact. Maybe because I also think Fran is depicted more like a wise 70 year old (the age of Catherine Deneuve by the way) than a 55 year old. She talks like a grandmother, she dresses like someone from another time. Women in their mid fifties are a lot more modern than this! I love the character of Clo, I find her quite mesmerising, but she's still much younger than Fran and I can't quite understand what makes the latter fall in love with her. Is it her giddy self? her crazy annoying fan behaviour? her cooking skills? her eyes? I needed something real that I couldn't find.
- The fact that there were 2 parallel romantic stories (Laura and Susan vs Fran and Clo) made each story that bit more flat. It feels like instead of putting 100% of her energy on both stories, the author gave only 50% to each. I would have preferred a focus on ONE love story so that it was done well.
But what am I saying? the romance was completely ruined by all the other messy stuff surrounding it, anyway.
- I just don't understand how Clo could not recognise Mrs Hamilton right away when meeting Fran. I mean, was the hotel room so dark that they couldn't see what the other looked like? And even if that was the case, wouldn't Clo recognise Mrs Hamilton's VOICE? a voice she listened to ALL NIGHT and ridiculously fell in love with? What about the madam? When she sees that Francoise Desmarais is in London in a magazine and tells Clo about it, doesn't she remember actually sitting with that same woman a few weeks (months?) before with a cup of coffee? THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
- Ehm, I'm sorry Clare Ashton but as a French girl, I assure you that French friends absolutely do NOT kiss each other on the lips as greeting. Not as goodbye either. We kiss people on the cheek!
I don't even know where to begin.
Maybe by saying that this book is so full of intertwined stories and unbelievable coincidences, that the story is unrealistic to the point of being absurd. I'll make a list of all the things that I disliked:
- Mrs Hamilton, Fran, Francoise Desmarais, and the nice lady from Clo's childhood. It was obvious they were all the same, but I don't understand what it really adds to the story? Not only do I find the love at first "sight" with Mrs Hamilton quite unbelievable, I also don't understand at all how Clo falls in love with Fran who she's supposedly talked to a couple of times. It all happens too fast. And the crush on Fran the actress sounds almost ridiculous. If the idea behind the book was to give the impression of linked destinies between Fran and Clo whose lives have been intertwined almost forever, it didn't work for me. I didn't get the impression of them being soul mates or anything like it. I didn't believe it. There are hardly any scenes with both women that would explain their growing feelings for each other, and their first kiss happens completely out of the blue. The whole "mystery" plot feels like an excuse used for entertainment purposes only.
- Laura and Susan first running into each other in a bar (1st coincidence), having never met before but having a friend (Clo) in common, fall in love, then discover they are sisters. WHAT? I'm sorry but I just couldn't not gag. I wish Clare Ashton wouldn't have delved into something so weird as incest.
- Oh and their mother, Isabelle, is actually the woman who accidentally killed Fran's son! Wow. It never keeps coming. But what's the point if not to make the reader laugh with incredulity?
- I'm usually not bothered with age difference in relationships, but in this one I found it deeply disturbing, because Fran actually knew Clo as a BABY, when Fran already had a son. And from that scene on I just couldn't get past that fact. Maybe because I also think Fran is depicted more like a wise 70 year old (the age of Catherine Deneuve by the way) than a 55 year old. She talks like a grandmother, she dresses like someone from another time. Women in their mid fifties are a lot more modern than this! I love the character of Clo, I find her quite mesmerising, but she's still much younger than Fran and I can't quite understand what makes the latter fall in love with her. Is it her giddy self? her crazy annoying fan behaviour? her cooking skills? her eyes? I needed something real that I couldn't find.
- The fact that there were 2 parallel romantic stories (Laura and Susan vs Fran and Clo) made each story that bit more flat. It feels like instead of putting 100% of her energy on both stories, the author gave only 50% to each. I would have preferred a focus on ONE love story so that it was done well.
But what am I saying? the romance was completely ruined by all the other messy stuff surrounding it, anyway.
- I just don't understand how Clo could not recognise Mrs Hamilton right away when meeting Fran. I mean, was the hotel room so dark that they couldn't see what the other looked like? And even if that was the case, wouldn't Clo recognise Mrs Hamilton's VOICE? a voice she listened to ALL NIGHT and ridiculously fell in love with? What about the madam? When she sees that Francoise Desmarais is in London in a magazine and tells Clo about it, doesn't she remember actually sitting with that same woman a few weeks (months?) before with a cup of coffee? THIS DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.
- Ehm, I'm sorry Clare Ashton but as a French girl, I assure you that French friends absolutely do NOT kiss each other on the lips as greeting. Not as goodbye either. We kiss people on the cheek!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2018
This is a very unique book. Ashton took on some very tough and touchy subjects. I still don't really know what I think. I had trouble keeping track of the characters for much of the book. I am planning to reread it in the next few weeks and I will have more thoughts at that time.
For now, I give it 5-stars for very good writing and absolutely unique story.
For now, I give it 5-stars for very good writing and absolutely unique story.
November 7, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this book. It's something between "not exactly terrible" and "I wouldn't put myself through reading it again".
I liked Clo and Fran's story more because their characters felt more fleshed out. I felt mostly annoyed with Susan and Laura's plot line and their bizarre family connection mainly because their characters were much less developed. And then their story was left in the dust without real closure so what was even the point of all the twists and revelations. There were several absurd and convoluted moments. It was quite a bit of a mess to be honest..
I liked Clo and Fran's story more because their characters felt more fleshed out. I felt mostly annoyed with Susan and Laura's plot line and their bizarre family connection mainly because their characters were much less developed. And then their story was left in the dust without real closure so what was even the point of all the twists and revelations. There were several absurd and convoluted moments. It was quite a bit of a mess to be honest..
March 23, 2018
I think this one will stick with me for a long time. I started to figure out early on that all of the characters were somehow tied, but I truly didn't anticipate what the big reveals would be.
2018 reread: I loved it even more this time. I knew what was going to happen, but I loved seeing how she layered all of the twists in from the very beginning, foreshadowing everything. Beautifully done and a reminder of what a masterful author Clare Ashton is.
2018 reread: I loved it even more this time. I knew what was going to happen, but I loved seeing how she layered all of the twists in from the very beginning, foreshadowing everything. Beautifully done and a reminder of what a masterful author Clare Ashton is.
June 4, 2017
A re-read of Clare Ashton's "After Mrs. Hamilton" has Book Club Buddy Dani suitably blown away. For me, re-reading it has only reaffirmed my love for this book and the author.
March 11, 2018
What a read. I was pleased to note that this story was nonformulaic which in my opinion made it awesomely good. The main characters were so likeable and multidimensional which was refreshing. This read has some aspects that may be difficult to digest. I felt challenged to read, acquire information about how the characters ended up in the situations they were in and then decide how I felt. But most importantly, I was forced to think about and process how Laura, Clo, Susan, and Mrs. Hamilton have chosen to deal with what life presented them and think about how best to reconcile those issues. We make good and obvious choices and sometimes we make what we perceive at the time is the best decisions. What do you do and how do you respond when you feel broken?
July 12, 2019
I honestly don't know how I feel at the moment about this... umm... a little mind f***ed...
Ashton's writing is beautiful as always. I honestly dont know how to rate or review this book... I have no idea how to feel about it. I dont even know what I feel, to be honest
Yeah... I don't know...
Ashton's writing is beautiful as always. I honestly dont know how to rate or review this book... I have no idea how to feel about it. I dont even know what I feel, to be honest
Yeah... I don't know...
April 27, 2022
I enjoyed this well written and thoughtful work. It was easy to lose yourself in the relationship developing. Some great descriptions of certain ‘first’ experiences. Recommended.
July 31, 2019
Oh. My. GOD…This book was epic!
Clo, and her friend Laura whose lives are both dramatically change when they two women come along and become a part of their lives, that emotionally changes them forever. An interwoven sequence of events, and past secrets make an intricate story of how lives can be altered, and connected even if it is unknown at the time of meeting.
Where to start! Literally loved every second of this book and was drawn in and hooked from the very beginning. It is slow to start, but that builds lots of intrigue, and had me wondering and questioning what would happen next. Each character in the fabulous cast has their part to play in adding to the mystery, creating uncertainty, and giving this book a lovely noir feel. I was literally able to see the imagery as I read, as if the story were playing out as a black and white movie, in homage to those Hollywood greats of the golden era, and with all the glamour too.
I was facilitated by intricately woven web that formed this plot, and by the end on the edge of my seat as all was revealed!!! The balance between each characters story was just write, and gave enough for the reader to be able to connect with each and every one of them on an emotional level. Absolutely brilliant.
I have never read a book where I felt like I did reading this. I was conflicted, my moral conscious telling me how this should be received, and my heart saying ‘shut up! You know you love this twisted plot!’ and it’s true. So addicted. It was very realistic, and yet completely absurd at the same time, but that’s life; always something waiting to surprise you!
I genuinely can’t fault this book! It is slow burn, intimate, tension building, thrilling, exciting, and yet so deliciously dark in some ways, that I just can’t help but love it!!!
Loads of chemistry between the characters, especially Fran and Clo who were definitely my favourites. I mean who doesn’t love an age gap romance, and Fran is so elegant I instantly fell in love with the very idea of her. Clo was such a mess I could relate, and her crush on Fran, hot damn did I get the instantly attraction, and the obsession. Laura and Susan were a very different dynamic, but that connection between them was so emotionally charged I was totally invested in them.
You just gotta read this, and make up your own mind, but I LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!!!
Clo, and her friend Laura whose lives are both dramatically change when they two women come along and become a part of their lives, that emotionally changes them forever. An interwoven sequence of events, and past secrets make an intricate story of how lives can be altered, and connected even if it is unknown at the time of meeting.
Where to start! Literally loved every second of this book and was drawn in and hooked from the very beginning. It is slow to start, but that builds lots of intrigue, and had me wondering and questioning what would happen next. Each character in the fabulous cast has their part to play in adding to the mystery, creating uncertainty, and giving this book a lovely noir feel. I was literally able to see the imagery as I read, as if the story were playing out as a black and white movie, in homage to those Hollywood greats of the golden era, and with all the glamour too.
I was facilitated by intricately woven web that formed this plot, and by the end on the edge of my seat as all was revealed!!! The balance between each characters story was just write, and gave enough for the reader to be able to connect with each and every one of them on an emotional level. Absolutely brilliant.
I have never read a book where I felt like I did reading this. I was conflicted, my moral conscious telling me how this should be received, and my heart saying ‘shut up! You know you love this twisted plot!’ and it’s true. So addicted. It was very realistic, and yet completely absurd at the same time, but that’s life; always something waiting to surprise you!
I genuinely can’t fault this book! It is slow burn, intimate, tension building, thrilling, exciting, and yet so deliciously dark in some ways, that I just can’t help but love it!!!
Loads of chemistry between the characters, especially Fran and Clo who were definitely my favourites. I mean who doesn’t love an age gap romance, and Fran is so elegant I instantly fell in love with the very idea of her. Clo was such a mess I could relate, and her crush on Fran, hot damn did I get the instantly attraction, and the obsession. Laura and Susan were a very different dynamic, but that connection between them was so emotionally charged I was totally invested in them.
You just gotta read this, and make up your own mind, but I LOVED LOVED LOVED IT!!!
October 6, 2021
Waoh.
This is a bit overwhelming, the probability seems unrealistic and I just kept saying the F word on a number of occasions.
Ordinarily I believe this could easily have produced two separate novels rather than the weave which really felt overwhelming. All the same, this kept me rivetted to the pages.
This is a bit overwhelming, the probability seems unrealistic and I just kept saying the F word on a number of occasions.
Ordinarily I believe this could easily have produced two separate novels rather than the weave which really felt overwhelming. All the same, this kept me rivetted to the pages.
January 19, 2015
Just fantastic. Truly wonderful. Very well written and the twists and reveals were so well done.
I highly recommend this book.
I highly recommend this book.
August 7, 2016
WOW! What a roller coaster ride of emotions and secrets.
June 29, 2019
Sorry, but this book isn't for me. I had to push myself to finish it, hoping for a satisfying ending, but no, I didn't get that either.
It's listed under romance genre, but it's actually more drama; family drama to be exact. I had problems with the direction the story went. I was already halfway through the book and I still found myself wondering where the story's going. The arcs were all over the place and don't seem to lead anywhere. The "secret" was dragged on for so long just for the sake of it.
If there's anything I hate most about what characters do, it's the unfounded and false assumptions they make about what the other must feel toward them. "Oh, she must hate me... etc., etc." - Blech, I'm sick of it.
It's hard to review this book and list the things I did not like and disliked about it without spoilers, so I'm just gonna go ahead and rant about them below:
Above all else, WTH was that ending? It's like the author grew tired of her own book, so she just went on and ended it abruptly.
For the taboo subject, I think this book should come with a warning. Don't get me wrong. I do admire Clare Ashton and her writing style. I'm so glad her more recent works are miles better than this tragedy. Go read The Goodmans (one of my favorites) or Poppy Jenkins. Skip this one, or read at your own risk.
It's listed under romance genre, but it's actually more drama; family drama to be exact. I had problems with the direction the story went. I was already halfway through the book and I still found myself wondering where the story's going. The arcs were all over the place and don't seem to lead anywhere. The "secret" was dragged on for so long just for the sake of it.
If there's anything I hate most about what characters do, it's the unfounded and false assumptions they make about what the other must feel toward them. "Oh, she must hate me... etc., etc." - Blech, I'm sick of it.
It's hard to review this book and list the things I did not like and disliked about it without spoilers, so I'm just gonna go ahead and rant about them below:
Above all else, WTH was that ending? It's like the author grew tired of her own book, so she just went on and ended it abruptly.
For the taboo subject, I think this book should come with a warning. Don't get me wrong. I do admire Clare Ashton and her writing style. I'm so glad her more recent works are miles better than this tragedy. Go read The Goodmans (one of my favorites) or Poppy Jenkins. Skip this one, or read at your own risk.
December 1, 2021
I tried four times to read this book. Each time I got lost in the exquisitely rendered physical and emotional details and the large cast of characters. I found myself distracted by the language, sometimes so perfect it could be poetry. Tig Ashton can turn a phrase! But the details also clogged the story line at points. This was an early book for this author. We all tend to overwrite in the beginning.
Today, I finally finished, staying up till the wee hours to get to the end. Once I got into the story, I just couldn't stop. Like other readers, I would have liked more resolution for one pair of characters. I loved the darkness, the secrets and lies, and perfectly described generational differences. Glad I never gave up on this one. It was well worth it!
Today, I finally finished, staying up till the wee hours to get to the end. Once I got into the story, I just couldn't stop. Like other readers, I would have liked more resolution for one pair of characters. I loved the darkness, the secrets and lies, and perfectly described generational differences. Glad I never gave up on this one. It was well worth it!
February 2, 2021
We’re kind of bamboozled by this book. It is completely out of any boundaries and expectations set for lesroms. It is twisting, twisted and throbs with secrets clawing to get out. It is intense and entirely immersive.
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
Read the full review @ https://bestlesficreviews.blogspot.co...
July 13, 2023
Three women with a life story tangled in knots. They don’t know it, not yet.
I am still reeling from the unearthed secrets exposed. After Mrs Hamilton is like Game of Thrones level of secrets and deception, so deep and convoluted minus the dragons and White Walkers, of course. The first part was “normal” enough, leading me to a false sense of security and then slowly but surely, the shoe drops, and then another, then another. I also appreciate the subtle injection of humour. I laughed out loud at small tidbits in the story that kept it light, somewhat. Clare Ashton sure knows how to spin a web of stories around and around. Very different from the rest of her novels.
I am still reeling from the unearthed secrets exposed. After Mrs Hamilton is like Game of Thrones level of secrets and deception, so deep and convoluted minus the dragons and White Walkers, of course. The first part was “normal” enough, leading me to a false sense of security and then slowly but surely, the shoe drops, and then another, then another. I also appreciate the subtle injection of humour. I laughed out loud at small tidbits in the story that kept it light, somewhat. Clare Ashton sure knows how to spin a web of stories around and around. Very different from the rest of her novels.
January 30, 2021
Usually I take notes during reading of a book, which I at the end, put together into my reviews. This book gave no such opportunities until I was well into a third of the book because it’s so exciting and suspenseful and yet so mysterious that I had troubles figuring out what it was really about. Not in the confusing way but in the “OMG, this book is amazing” - way! It kept me glued to every page yearning to figure it out. There are two parallel scenarios being told and both are immensely interesting and captivating. Well, two is not really the objectively correct way to number the stories in this books as all the scenarios are connected through the characters.
In one of these scenarios the Mrs Hamilton shows up to a meeting and ends up ordering an escort for the night even though that was not the reason of her meeting. Then she spends the said night just talking to the young woman who shows up to her hotel room. The second scenario is about a young woman doctor who even though apparently a lesbian had married her best male friend after graduating from college. She is adopted and going through a range of emotions in her search for her biological parents. What links the stories in the beginning of the book is the young escort, who is friends with the doctor.
What I loved about this book is how complicated and real and grey - as opposed to black or white - the characters are: Laura, the doctor married to Josh recognizes more and more that maybe the marriage to “a nice man” was not the best idea, even more so when she fantasizes about women while said husband makes love to her.
Clo, the escort has a good life. Or that’s what she thinks until she meets Mrs Hamilton one night and the woman’s embrace as a “good bye” reminds her, she misses love, emotions, connections and a real relationship. All of which she had given up as she couldn’t understand “why else would someone say (things they don’t mean in a relationship)”.
Susan, a friend of both Clo and Laura, has to live every day with the fact that she looks very much like her mother who took her own life when Susan was six. So Susan is almost every day being reminded of that loss, which she hasn’t fully processed yet herself.
And these are just the obvious, on the surface things that the reader is presented with. Below all these traumas, decisions, mistakes and the likes lies such a complex layer to all these personalities and to the characters’ connections with each other, their stories - internal and circumstantial that I am getting used to so perfectly from Ashton. This book was like peeling an onion (the good king, whatever that is), every layer and every page giving me a glimpse into another angle of understanding these amazingly complex, real, raw and beautifully human characters. The entire book reminded me of “The Goodmans”, which is my personal favorite of Ashton’s. But this book is much more raw, painful and hard to accept.
One may make the mistaken assumption that this book is a heavy read with the suspense and the layers and all the stories that keep one glued to every page. It’s anything but. It flows and makes the reader turn one page after the other for hours on end. The emotional journey is powerful, but this is one of those books one will not easily forget and therefore so worth it! Actually it’s a book I will never forget. And I personally will always take the emotional roller coaster of a great book over a light read.
All I can say is that “After Mrs Hamilton” is one of those great books I will always hope I get from Ashton even if it’s only one a year. Or even rarer... Please Clare, don’t make it any rarer 🥺🥺😁😊
In one of these scenarios the Mrs Hamilton shows up to a meeting and ends up ordering an escort for the night even though that was not the reason of her meeting. Then she spends the said night just talking to the young woman who shows up to her hotel room. The second scenario is about a young woman doctor who even though apparently a lesbian had married her best male friend after graduating from college. She is adopted and going through a range of emotions in her search for her biological parents. What links the stories in the beginning of the book is the young escort, who is friends with the doctor.
What I loved about this book is how complicated and real and grey - as opposed to black or white - the characters are: Laura, the doctor married to Josh recognizes more and more that maybe the marriage to “a nice man” was not the best idea, even more so when she fantasizes about women while said husband makes love to her.
Clo, the escort has a good life. Or that’s what she thinks until she meets Mrs Hamilton one night and the woman’s embrace as a “good bye” reminds her, she misses love, emotions, connections and a real relationship. All of which she had given up as she couldn’t understand “why else would someone say (things they don’t mean in a relationship)”.
Susan, a friend of both Clo and Laura, has to live every day with the fact that she looks very much like her mother who took her own life when Susan was six. So Susan is almost every day being reminded of that loss, which she hasn’t fully processed yet herself.
And these are just the obvious, on the surface things that the reader is presented with. Below all these traumas, decisions, mistakes and the likes lies such a complex layer to all these personalities and to the characters’ connections with each other, their stories - internal and circumstantial that I am getting used to so perfectly from Ashton. This book was like peeling an onion (the good king, whatever that is), every layer and every page giving me a glimpse into another angle of understanding these amazingly complex, real, raw and beautifully human characters. The entire book reminded me of “The Goodmans”, which is my personal favorite of Ashton’s. But this book is much more raw, painful and hard to accept.
One may make the mistaken assumption that this book is a heavy read with the suspense and the layers and all the stories that keep one glued to every page. It’s anything but. It flows and makes the reader turn one page after the other for hours on end. The emotional journey is powerful, but this is one of those books one will not easily forget and therefore so worth it! Actually it’s a book I will never forget. And I personally will always take the emotional roller coaster of a great book over a light read.
All I can say is that “After Mrs Hamilton” is one of those great books I will always hope I get from Ashton even if it’s only one a year. Or even rarer... Please Clare, don’t make it any rarer 🥺🥺😁😊
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2013
Wow... Wow...
Having started this book about 36 hours ago, it has consumed me for this entire period. Read this until 2.30 in the morning, then hurried home from work to finish it just now.
What a fantastic read. Well worth it's recent Goldie nomination.
Loved the characters, particularly Fran and Clo.
Loved the way it left you guessing/fearing the entire time (right up to the last page).
Loved the fact that it was likely that all the characters were in some way mixed in this big secret from the past.
Loved that the story telling was handled so well the revelations were precisely that, and didn't feel like a writerly (?) exercise in playing with the reader's emotions.
Loved the quality of the dialogue and realness of the emotions and reactions.
Loved the fact that while I have read some very good books in the past 12 months, I have a feeling that this one will stay most vividly in my memory for some time. In fact I am looking forward to having an opportunity to re-read this shortly, so that I can enjoy the writing again after my initial headlong rush to find the truth behind the secrets.
Loved the food - I want to know where i can get a treacle sponge ball.
I loved this book (if you hadn't already guessed!).
Not a usual romance, certain elements (if taken in isolation) would not usually be my cup of tea, but in the hands of this author have be combined to make a truly original, and superb entry in the Lesfic genre. Rather like Clo's shortbread.
Read it now, you will not regret it.
Having started this book about 36 hours ago, it has consumed me for this entire period. Read this until 2.30 in the morning, then hurried home from work to finish it just now.
What a fantastic read. Well worth it's recent Goldie nomination.
Loved the characters, particularly Fran and Clo.
Loved the way it left you guessing/fearing the entire time (right up to the last page).
Loved the fact that it was likely that all the characters were in some way mixed in this big secret from the past.
Loved that the story telling was handled so well the revelations were precisely that, and didn't feel like a writerly (?) exercise in playing with the reader's emotions.
Loved the quality of the dialogue and realness of the emotions and reactions.
Loved the fact that while I have read some very good books in the past 12 months, I have a feeling that this one will stay most vividly in my memory for some time. In fact I am looking forward to having an opportunity to re-read this shortly, so that I can enjoy the writing again after my initial headlong rush to find the truth behind the secrets.
Loved the food - I want to know where i can get a treacle sponge ball.
I loved this book (if you hadn't already guessed!).
Not a usual romance, certain elements (if taken in isolation) would not usually be my cup of tea, but in the hands of this author have be combined to make a truly original, and superb entry in the Lesfic genre. Rather like Clo's shortbread.
Read it now, you will not regret it.
August 21, 2016
This was billed as a sexy romance with possible kink. Nope. Not even vaguely. I’d go as far as saying that the marketing blurb misrepresented the book.
And it was dull, falling into tedious for a lot of it.
It started ok, but then just went south. I kept thinking that the character of Mrs Hamilton would come back, but no. There were a bunch of characters who wandered into the narrative, and then wandered out, for no apparent reason. It felt like a poor ensemble piece for much of it.
There were two main characters early on, both of whom had inexplicably horrible upbringings. Then a bunch more came on the scene, also suffering the same fate. It felt like a cliché writ large for most of the book. I wondered whether the author thinks all lesbians must have awful childhoods, or if she just thinks all characters must be tortured souls.
The plot was more Days of Our Lives than anything I’ve read for a long time. In order to make that appear to be interesting, the author cut up the stories and delivered it piecemeal to make it harder to follow, presuming that this would make it more suspenseful, or interesting. What it did was make it even more of a chore to read.
I forced myself to get to the end so I could write a review to warn people. That’s how bad it was.
And it was dull, falling into tedious for a lot of it.
It started ok, but then just went south. I kept thinking that the character of Mrs Hamilton would come back, but no. There were a bunch of characters who wandered into the narrative, and then wandered out, for no apparent reason. It felt like a poor ensemble piece for much of it.
There were two main characters early on, both of whom had inexplicably horrible upbringings. Then a bunch more came on the scene, also suffering the same fate. It felt like a cliché writ large for most of the book. I wondered whether the author thinks all lesbians must have awful childhoods, or if she just thinks all characters must be tortured souls.
The plot was more Days of Our Lives than anything I’ve read for a long time. In order to make that appear to be interesting, the author cut up the stories and delivered it piecemeal to make it harder to follow, presuming that this would make it more suspenseful, or interesting. What it did was make it even more of a chore to read.
I forced myself to get to the end so I could write a review to warn people. That’s how bad it was.
September 20, 2024
HOLY FUCKING CHRIST. I LOVED IT. At the start, it was difficult for me to handle and there are so many resolutions that I wanted that didn't happen. Between Lauren, Susan and Clo. Between Lauren and Susan (And fucking God, what happened to them.) And for Peter's sake It took me longer to realise that Fran was Mrs. Hamilton. I was so happy. But the whole triangle with this book was so mesmerising and amazing.
It was like different stories but at the same time connected. So it was actually Lauren and Susan's mother's fault that Fran stopped acting but also Clo's mother's fault too... Jesus. It was captivating.
It was like different stories but at the same time connected. So it was actually Lauren and Susan's mother's fault that Fran stopped acting but also Clo's mother's fault too... Jesus. It was captivating.
March 2, 2016
I am honestly at a loss for words. However, there’s so much to say about After Mrs Hamilton… I just don’t know where to start. I am in love with this book. I could honestly start re-reading it right now. Actually, I feel like I must. I was so eager to reach to end, to connect the dots, to understand what was going… I feel like I might have rushed the reading. I now need to slow down and give Clare Ashton’s words their time because they bloody deserve it.
Speaking of Clare’s words, her writing is exceptionally visual. As I wrote about That Certain Something, it truly feels like you are watching a film. Better yet, it feels like you are living the film. And this one in particular is absolutely stunning. Even though the writing is rather simplistic in terms of flair, I can feel the texture of Fran’s coat under my fingertips, I can smell her perfume, I can taste Clo’s mini treacle toffee puddings with sauce inside… incredible indeed. It’s as if her words made a pact to dress plainly alone and stand glamorously together. It’s… enchanting. For some reason it makes me think of melted chocolate.
You will perhaps not find me quoting from this book, but you will certainly find me talking about these characters. They are so strong in my mind. The portraits Clare Ashton painted of them don’t falter, not even for a moment. They truly exist and are incredibly human. And the way they all come together… Sigh. It’s quite an experience.
I read something interesting about the intricate events that take place in this book. Someone called them unbelievable coincidences. I believe it was meant as negative feedback, but to be honest it sounded to me more like a standing ovation. For isn’t unbelievable coincidence a term we use when something not expected happens and/or surprisingly works out? To be quite honest, I am in awe of how Clare Ashton made it all work out in the end. I think I would have gotten lost writing this novel.
After Mrs Hamilton has everything. There’s mystery, desire, there’s grief, there’s love… and they come together beautifully, leaving an imprint that I believe will last for quite some time.
Speaking of Clare’s words, her writing is exceptionally visual. As I wrote about That Certain Something, it truly feels like you are watching a film. Better yet, it feels like you are living the film. And this one in particular is absolutely stunning. Even though the writing is rather simplistic in terms of flair, I can feel the texture of Fran’s coat under my fingertips, I can smell her perfume, I can taste Clo’s mini treacle toffee puddings with sauce inside… incredible indeed. It’s as if her words made a pact to dress plainly alone and stand glamorously together. It’s… enchanting. For some reason it makes me think of melted chocolate.
You will perhaps not find me quoting from this book, but you will certainly find me talking about these characters. They are so strong in my mind. The portraits Clare Ashton painted of them don’t falter, not even for a moment. They truly exist and are incredibly human. And the way they all come together… Sigh. It’s quite an experience.
I read something interesting about the intricate events that take place in this book. Someone called them unbelievable coincidences. I believe it was meant as negative feedback, but to be honest it sounded to me more like a standing ovation. For isn’t unbelievable coincidence a term we use when something not expected happens and/or surprisingly works out? To be quite honest, I am in awe of how Clare Ashton made it all work out in the end. I think I would have gotten lost writing this novel.
After Mrs Hamilton has everything. There’s mystery, desire, there’s grief, there’s love… and they come together beautifully, leaving an imprint that I believe will last for quite some time.
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