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The After #2
After Yesterday
Surviving the virus was one thing, surviving humanity after is another.
Rachel Davenport has always liked things ordered and neat, so when the Sy-V virus decimated the world around her, she was left reeling. With winter closing in and danger everywhere she turns, the last thing she needs is the unexpected arrival of her former high school sweetheart—a man who left her without so much as a goodbye.
When James O’Connor crossed the country to declare his love for Rachel, the girl he left behind eight years ago, he knew he’d have a fight on his hands. But the girl he left has become a woman he struggles to recognize. As the apocalypse forces him to balance his morality against Rachel’s determination, can he cross the chasm growing between them?
As humanity crumbles around them and survival becomes everything, James and Rachel must choose between what is smart, and what is right.
The stakes are higher than ever… can love survive a second chance?
---
Author’s note: After Yesterday is the second book in The After series of post-apocalyptic romance novels. If you love reading stories by Kate L. Mary, Kate Morris, T.L. Payne and Kyla Stone, then you will love this series.
After Yesterday is a standalone story with no cliffhangers and a HEA, however will be enjoyed further by reading the other books in the series. Possible trigger warnings for violence against women and consensual rough sex; this is mature content written for 18+ readers - there is unsavory language and gratuitous sex. Lots of it.
Rachel Davenport has always liked things ordered and neat, so when the Sy-V virus decimated the world around her, she was left reeling. With winter closing in and danger everywhere she turns, the last thing she needs is the unexpected arrival of her former high school sweetheart—a man who left her without so much as a goodbye.
When James O’Connor crossed the country to declare his love for Rachel, the girl he left behind eight years ago, he knew he’d have a fight on his hands. But the girl he left has become a woman he struggles to recognize. As the apocalypse forces him to balance his morality against Rachel’s determination, can he cross the chasm growing between them?
As humanity crumbles around them and survival becomes everything, James and Rachel must choose between what is smart, and what is right.
The stakes are higher than ever… can love survive a second chance?
---
Author’s note: After Yesterday is the second book in The After series of post-apocalyptic romance novels. If you love reading stories by Kate L. Mary, Kate Morris, T.L. Payne and Kyla Stone, then you will love this series.
After Yesterday is a standalone story with no cliffhangers and a HEA, however will be enjoyed further by reading the other books in the series. Possible trigger warnings for violence against women and consensual rough sex; this is mature content written for 18+ readers - there is unsavory language and gratuitous sex. Lots of it.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2022
135 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Jacqueline Hayley
13 books45 followersJacqueline picked up her first Mills & Boon novel when she was 14, and fell head over heels in love with the romance of a happily-ever-after.
Sweet Valley High just couldn’t compete after she got hooked on plucky heroines and dashing heroes.
She has a Bachelor Degree in Print Journalism but, having always been tempted to embellish the facts of a story, decided she was more suited to writing works of fiction.
She writes in between wrangling two daughters and her very own tall, handsome husband. *wink wink*
IG | www.instagram.com/jacquelinehayleyrom...
FB | www.facebook.com/jacquelinehayleyromance
Sweet Valley High just couldn’t compete after she got hooked on plucky heroines and dashing heroes.
She has a Bachelor Degree in Print Journalism but, having always been tempted to embellish the facts of a story, decided she was more suited to writing works of fiction.
She writes in between wrangling two daughters and her very own tall, handsome husband. *wink wink*
IG | www.instagram.com/jacquelinehayleyrom...
FB | www.facebook.com/jacquelinehayleyromance
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
not-finished
June 9, 2024DNF at 37%
There were a lot of side characters. I had a hard time getting into it. Probably will come back to this later.
There were a lot of side characters. I had a hard time getting into it. Probably will come back to this later.
March 1, 2023
I need to catch my breath before I can write a review........
July 4, 2025
Me estoy preguntando si continuar con la serie…
•Mi opinión puede contener Spoilers.
•Esta destinada a ser un descargo personal no para que alguien más lea pero si lo haces y te ofende, me disculpo porque sé lo que es que te guste un libro y otros lo critiquen.
After Yesterday de Jacqueline Hayley Serie The After libro 2
Argumento:
Sobrevivir al virus fue una cosa, sobrevivir a la humanidad después es otra.
A Rachel Davenport siempre le ha gustado el orden y la limpieza, así que cuando el virus Sy-V devastó el mundo que la rodeaba, se quedó tambaleándose. Con el invierno acercándose y el peligro a todas partes, lo último que necesita es la llegada inesperada de su antiguo amor de la secundaria, un hombre que la dejó sin siquiera despedirse.
Cuando James O'Connor cruzó el país para declarar su amor por Rachel, la chica que dejó atrás hace ocho años, sabía que tendría una pelea en sus manos. Pero la chica que dejó se ha convertido en una mujer a la que le cuesta reconocer. Mientras el apocalipsis lo obliga a equilibrar su moralidad contra la determinación de Rachel, ¿podrá cruzar el abismo que crece entre ellos?
Mientras la humanidad se desmorona a su alrededor y la supervivencia se convierte en todo, James y Rachel deben elegir entre lo que es inteligente y lo que es correcto.
Hay más en juego que nunca... ¿podrá el amor sobrevivir a una segunda oportunidad?
Mi humilde opinión:
Romance postapocalíptico, durante un virus mortal, novios de la secundaria, segunda oportunidad.
El segundo libro continua donde dejó el anterior, las amigas de Mac son capturadas por los hombres del alcalde, Chloe, Kat, Rachel junto con James y Quinn, y obligados a trabajar en las casas de los infectados, limpiándolas y quemando cadáveres. El invierno implacable ha llegado al pueblo y ellos deberán escapar de los planes del alcalde y la banda de moteros que aun los acecha.
Dios mío, yo no podía creer la maldad de algunas personas del pueblo y de un alcalde que solía ser gentil y justo, que gente que se conoce de toda la vida trate a los suyos de una forma tan vil era una locura. Fue terrible de leer las acciones y actitudes de algunos.
Rachel y James fueron novios desde la escuela, él de pronto se fue del pueblo dejándola en el baile de graduación. Pasaron ocho años y James volvió para recuperarla pero aunque Rachel todavía tiene sentimientos por él lo detesta por lo que le hizo. Antes de que intente arreglar las cosas entre ellos un virus mortal ataca y de repente son prisioneros del alcalde del pueblo. Cuando vuelven la banda de los moteros y le exigen al pueblo que entreguen el whiskey, el alcalde los encierra para ver si puede negociar y entregarles a Kat, Rachel y chloe. Cuando logran todos escapar a duras penas, se reúnen por casualidad con Mac, Jake y los demás, todo el grupo que se había quedado junto en el libro anterior. Se enteran también que volaron el hotel donde se hospedaban los motociclistas con todos ellos dentro.
Todavía me maravillo que encuentren momentos para hacer cosas que no deberían en medio de una emergencia con el virus y el pueblo convirtiéndose en el enemigo. Por ejemplo, cuando se encuentran con Cassie y Stephen, protagonistas de la precuela, se pusieron a hacerle preguntas a los chicos en lugar de atender rápidamente a James que estaba en estado de shock por la hipotermia tras escapar del pueblo. Y algunos planes eran extremos, como envenenar a las personas que tomaron el pueblo para recuperar Sanford así liberar a las que están amenazadas por el alcalde. Se cuestiona mucho la moral de todos. James no puede creer que Rachel hable de matar gente a sangre fría y no quiere ser parte de eso. Yo también me querría alejar de tanta gente loca si fuera él. Me pregunte si no habría otra manera de hacer las cosas pero nadie parecía tener otro plan de salvar a la gente del pueblo.
Me desespera que el grupo no se termine de organizar y planear para equiparse y defenderse, muchas de las decisiones que toman no son inteligentes. No se arman sabiendo que gente mala podría encontrarlos, no toman precauciones. Por ejemplo, la banda de moteros que quedó con vida los vio porque tenían las luces encendidas! me quería reír, podrían haber evitado la muerte del pobre Zed.
En cuanto al romance, me paso como el libro anterior, no me terminaba de convencer, hay pasión y un drama entre los protagonistas para hacerlo sentido y lindo, pero de nuevo no logro conectar con ninguno de los dos, todo es lujuria, me pasó con Mac y Jake y ahora con Rachel y James.
Enseguida supe que no me iba a gustar James, y eso que le di tiempo a su personaje para que cambie mi parecer. Primero me pregunté porque le tomó ocho años para darse cuenta que se equivocó al dejar a Rachel y que el amor que sentía por ella podía encontrarlo en otro lado. Hasta se comprometió con otra y mientras estaban preparando la boda de pronto se dio cuenta que la única para él siempre iba a ser Rachel?! Me dio pena Leah. James tenia que tener una gran disculpa para que lo perdonara Rachel. Ella tenia razón, no le dio la opción de decidir, de hablar sobre lo difícil que se volvió la situación con su padre. Si su amor era tan especial debió decirle, como su novia lo hubiera entendido pero simplemente se fue y la dejó destrozada. Puedo entender al James adolescente pero al James adulto por qué le tomó tanto tiempo regresar? Cuando comienza a decirle a Rachel que fue un tonto, que se equivocó y que se disculpará en grande, me dieron ganas de golpearlo. Necesité acciones de su parte. Un héroe fuerte, protector, que tome iniciativas. Pero Solo puso excusas, nunca le contó a Rachel sobre Leah, y lo peor fue que volvió a dejar a Rachel cuando las cosas se pusieron difíciles. Es como si no hubiera aprendido nada, ni siquiera lo intentó, la dejó con la excusa de que lo hacia por su bien. Otra vez, sucede un cambio rápido de corazón, James se había ido para no volver esta vez pero se da cuenta que se equivocó y regresa. Rachel lo perdona y todo el asunto de la panadería, el ataque sorpresa y él con la guitarra al final? fue demasiado exagerado, hasta cursi.
Me estoy preguntando si continuar con la serie… la tercera es la vencida?
May 15, 2022
This series just keeps getting better. Rachel's story give a different perspective and to the apocalypse but also the characters trying to survive. Hayley keeps the tension high with confronting scenes worthy of all great post-apocalyptic epics, and eases the tension perfectly with those steamy sex scenes. Can't wait for Book 3.
May 2, 2022
This book was sooooo good - thrilling, tense, action packed, heart-wrenching, and so so so HOT. I loved every single page of it.
What an awesome follow up to book 1 in The After series - and now I can't wait for the next book to continue this adventure!
What an awesome follow up to book 1 in The After series - and now I can't wait for the next book to continue this adventure!
September 10, 2022
The second book starts off a bit before the climax of the first. It's from the point of view of Rachel and James, who were secondary characters in the first book. There is a good recap of what has gone on before. I wasn't lost even when it had been months since I read the first book.
To remind you: Jake and Mackenzie had escaped Sanford, but Rachel, James, and others were still stuck there under Townsend’s cruel dictatorship. There, they were kept prisoner, made to work, and given little food and heat. Rachel and James are stuck together and not getting along.
James and Rachel had been sweethearts in high school, but James left, abandoning Rachel. He returned to Sanford just before the pandemic hit, intent on winning her back. After his betrayal, Rachel grew strong and tough but cold. She needs that strength to get through this apocalypse and fight for what she believes is right. I really liked how badass Rachel was.
Now I knew the Council of male-chauvinists was evil from After Today, but this clinched it for me:
The Council had to die!
Dex, Mackenzie’s dog from After Today, was thankfully alive!
Once again, the action was very well written, and there was a lot of it. There are compelling cliffhangers at the end of chapters and sections. I just raced right along reading this and couldn’t put it down. Some great moments of humor relieve the bleakness of the story.
I liked all the characters and the chemistry between them. The sex scenes, of which there are many, are scorching hot. James is dominant and Rachel is submissive in the bedroom, but it’s only in the bedroom. This was handled well with there being a true partnership in the rest of life. This aspect of sex isn’t so kinky that it needs a trigger warning. There is no non-consent. There is much more story than sex, a good ratio. The plot kept me reading, and the sex spiced it up.
Overall, I loved this. It’s a great follow up to After Today, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
Contains graphic sex scenes. Very hot ones.
Occasional foul language.
3rd person past tense from Rachel and James.
Errors were fixed after I sent them to the author.
284 Pages
$5.99 at Amazon.
I received a copy of this for my honest review.
After Yesterday also contains the novella, The Beginning of the End.
Blurb:
It’s about Cassie and Stephen, the teens we’ve seen in the novels. It covers their experience of the virus break out and the take over of the Council. It’s very short but very good!
To remind you: Jake and Mackenzie had escaped Sanford, but Rachel, James, and others were still stuck there under Townsend’s cruel dictatorship. There, they were kept prisoner, made to work, and given little food and heat. Rachel and James are stuck together and not getting along.
“James could take one for the team,” she offered helpfully. “I wouldn’t mind so much if he got shot.”
He winced. “Harsh, Davenport.”
James and Rachel had been sweethearts in high school, but James left, abandoning Rachel. He returned to Sanford just before the pandemic hit, intent on winning her back. After his betrayal, Rachel grew strong and tough but cold. She needs that strength to get through this apocalypse and fight for what she believes is right. I really liked how badass Rachel was.
“You are such a beautiful, fragile woman,” he murmured, reaching out a finger to run it down the tip of her nose.
“Fragile?” She pulled back, smile slipping.
“Not like a flower,” he hurried to reassure her, mentally kicking himself. “You're fragile in the way a bomb is fragile. Powerful and potent and explosive.”
She narrowed her eyes, thinking. “Okay, I can accept that.”
Now I knew the Council of male-chauvinists was evil from After Today, but this clinched it for me:
Two armed guards would sweep a house first, identifying dead bodies and shooting any pets that had been left behind. When James, anticipating Rachel’s outrage, asked if they couldn’t just release the pets and leave them to their own devices, he’d received a rifle butt between his shoulder blades. They all took that as a no.
The Council had to die!
Dex, Mackenzie’s dog from After Today, was thankfully alive!
James: “Why did I wake up naked, spooning a dog?”
Once again, the action was very well written, and there was a lot of it. There are compelling cliffhangers at the end of chapters and sections. I just raced right along reading this and couldn’t put it down. Some great moments of humor relieve the bleakness of the story.
“Can you believe there was a book in the library on lock picking?” Jake said to Quinn, shaking his head. “Who needs the internet when you have books?”
“These gangs, exactly how fucked up are they?” Even as he asked, James wasn’t sure he wanted to know. Why did it seem like Sy-V had upset the ratio of asshole to normal human beings, with the assholes coming out on top?
I liked all the characters and the chemistry between them. The sex scenes, of which there are many, are scorching hot. James is dominant and Rachel is submissive in the bedroom, but it’s only in the bedroom. This was handled well with there being a true partnership in the rest of life. This aspect of sex isn’t so kinky that it needs a trigger warning. There is no non-consent. There is much more story than sex, a good ratio. The plot kept me reading, and the sex spiced it up.
Overall, I loved this. It’s a great follow up to After Today, and I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
Contains graphic sex scenes. Very hot ones.
Occasional foul language.
3rd person past tense from Rachel and James.
Errors were fixed after I sent them to the author.
284 Pages
$5.99 at Amazon.
I received a copy of this for my honest review.
After Yesterday also contains the novella, The Beginning of the End.
Blurb:
It's the beginning of the end...
Seventeen-year old Cassie is home alone planning her first ever house party, unaware the deadly Sy-V virus has begun to ravage humanity. But when most of her classmates fail to show for the party, she can't contact her parents, and her best friend becomes sick, in the blink of an eye her entire world changes.
Stephen has lived next door to Cassie forever, only as the virus tears their friends and family apart, the boy-next-door suddenly becomes a hero burning brightly in the devastating dark of their new world. But no way could she fall in love. Not at this moment. With this boy. Right?
This novella is a prequel to The After series, which begins with After Today.
It’s about Cassie and Stephen, the teens we’ve seen in the novels. It covers their experience of the virus break out and the take over of the Council. It’s very short but very good!
June 25, 2025
This book was over 200 pages long but had very little depth and content - James our MMC comes back after 8 years to Rachel MMC and to a small town after most of the population died from a virus. She hates him for the whole book even if she wants him and, to spite him, she turns into a mass murderer but it is justified because, you know, it is the apocalypse! It sounds like it should be a very serious moral dilemma and struggle for Rachel but not at all - she is a strong female and he is just trying to be contrary when he points out that killing like 30 people could be morally wrong…
Then he goes and he comes back again. This is really all there is in the story together with some weird and forced dom/sub scenes that are totally out of sync with the chemistry (or lack of) of the main characters.
The story in all fairness makes a little sense.
Then he goes and he comes back again. This is really all there is in the story together with some weird and forced dom/sub scenes that are totally out of sync with the chemistry (or lack of) of the main characters.
The story in all fairness makes a little sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2023
After Yesterday (The After Series Book 2)
I am really enjoying this series. I like most of the characters and the storyline is interesting. There are good guys along with bad guys. I am excited to see whose story is next!
A few warnings: there are references to violence of an intimate nature and to women being harmed or traded, but no actual scenes portraying it. This book also has graphic (consensual) intimate scenes, the ones in this book are somewhat raunchy and portray CONSENSUAL roughness.
I am really enjoying this series. I like most of the characters and the storyline is interesting. There are good guys along with bad guys. I am excited to see whose story is next!
A few warnings: there are references to violence of an intimate nature and to women being harmed or traded, but no actual scenes portraying it. This book also has graphic (consensual) intimate scenes, the ones in this book are somewhat raunchy and portray CONSENSUAL roughness.
July 6, 2023
I'm such a fan of this series! After Yesterday (#2) begins where After Today (#1) finishes, but from the point of view of Rachel and James this time. As Sy-V tears through the world, the only ones left are those who are immune. But can they survive each other?
A gritty, action-packed, steamy apocalyptic ride that barely pauses for breath. I was hooked on every word. The author wasn't afraid to confront certain scenes head on and I appreciated the level of detail, for it made for a totally immersive read. I'm looking forward to book 3!
A gritty, action-packed, steamy apocalyptic ride that barely pauses for breath. I was hooked on every word. The author wasn't afraid to confront certain scenes head on and I appreciated the level of detail, for it made for a totally immersive read. I'm looking forward to book 3!
July 22, 2024
action keeps going
This was a great book, still our survivors are fighting for their lives and humanity. Against known and unknown enemies. Racheal and James story is very good. Shows all romances has hurdles to conquer that part of live and then for survival. Lots of action, fighting for their lives, mystery, few twists and turns didn’t expect. Spice romance and sad moments
This was a great book, still our survivors are fighting for their lives and humanity. Against known and unknown enemies. Racheal and James story is very good. Shows all romances has hurdles to conquer that part of live and then for survival. Lots of action, fighting for their lives, mystery, few twists and turns didn’t expect. Spice romance and sad moments
August 22, 2023
Can’t Go Wrong Romance
I discovered this author by chance and am now working my way through her books. The characters are all well written and the world building is well done.
I am working my way through the series.
Highly recommend !
I discovered this author by chance and am now working my way through her books. The characters are all well written and the world building is well done.
I am working my way through the series.
Highly recommend !
April 12, 2023
good
The people of Sanford are under the grip of a despot in the form of the mayor. Read how they fight to free themselves from his tyranny
The people of Sanford are under the grip of a despot in the form of the mayor. Read how they fight to free themselves from his tyranny
July 8, 2023
My Musings
Love the story, but the sex scenes aren't in the right part and may not even be needed. Still glad I found this series. Happy reading!
Love the story, but the sex scenes aren't in the right part and may not even be needed. Still glad I found this series. Happy reading!
July 28, 2023
An Australian Author, so close to my heart! Aussie Aussie Oi Oi Oi!!
This was a good read and would certainly get more from this author!!
This was a good read and would certainly get more from this author!!
July 24, 2024
This series definitely keeps you turning the page. It's as if the movie outbreak meets the walking dead without the zombies.
June 3, 2025
rushing to book 3, book 2 just as good if not the story is even more intense. loving this series so far.
July 31, 2024
4.5 / 5 stars
I need more.... books that is. After watching The Last of Us on HBO my brain is again stuck on wanting to binge apocalypse book/shows/movies, so it shouldn't surprise you that I'm reading books from my favorite post apocalyptic romance writers.
So I normally don't read many second chance romance trope books just because I am super particular and sometimes the push/pull between the main characters can just frustrate me to no end. That said since I know Jacqueline Hayley writes some spicy end of the world apocalypse books we all know I can't say no even if the second chance book trope isn't my favorite. And guess what, I still loved it. Plenty of thrilling action mixed with a bit of romance, I cannot wait to read the next one.
James- He has a strong sense of morality. I was worried for him just because I knew it was a changed world and I wasn't sure how he would cope with the new reality requiring people to adjust there morals in order to survive.
Rachel- A strong, logical thinker, she also serves as the vet/doctor to the town. It has been fun to see her character development from the first book to this one. In fact it has been interesting to watch each of the character grow and change in this new reality that they are facing.
If you love post apocalypse books with some spicy romance thrown in then I very much recommend giving The After series a read.
I need more.... books that is. After watching The Last of Us on HBO my brain is again stuck on wanting to binge apocalypse book/shows/movies, so it shouldn't surprise you that I'm reading books from my favorite post apocalyptic romance writers.
So I normally don't read many second chance romance trope books just because I am super particular and sometimes the push/pull between the main characters can just frustrate me to no end. That said since I know Jacqueline Hayley writes some spicy end of the world apocalypse books we all know I can't say no even if the second chance book trope isn't my favorite. And guess what, I still loved it. Plenty of thrilling action mixed with a bit of romance, I cannot wait to read the next one.
James- He has a strong sense of morality. I was worried for him just because I knew it was a changed world and I wasn't sure how he would cope with the new reality requiring people to adjust there morals in order to survive.
Rachel- A strong, logical thinker, she also serves as the vet/doctor to the town. It has been fun to see her character development from the first book to this one. In fact it has been interesting to watch each of the character grow and change in this new reality that they are facing.
“You are such a beautiful, fragile woman,” he murmured, reaching out a finger to run it down the tip of her nose.
“Fragile?” She pulled back, smile slipping.
“Not like a flower,” he hurried to reassure her, mentally kicking himself. “You're fragile in the way a bomb is fragile. Powerful and potent and explosive.”
She narrowed her eyes, thinking. “Okay, I can accept that.”
If you love post apocalypse books with some spicy romance thrown in then I very much recommend giving The After series a read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews