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After the Last Breath
Reading the content warning is advised.
What happens after the last breath?
Evangeline and Nolan have both experienced the unimaginable loss of their spouses, leaving them doused in sorrow and grief.
Nolan is now a single father and cowboy, wrangling his responsibilities on a ranch while caring for his grandfather. He does everything possible to nurture his young child.
Evangeline needs a change, so she throws a dart at a map that leads her from New Orleans to Idaho. There, she takes a position as a mortician makeup artist and settles into a Victorian funeral home. Her new roommate? A sassy elderly woman named Belva, who has seen her fair share of heartache.
Belva, who has also endured the loss of her husband, encourages Evangeline to join her at the local widows' club, a quirky crew of old timers and another younger widower who keep each other on their toes.
Then, Nolan walks in.
The two quickly bond and establish a friendship. Sometimes, love doesn’t endure forever. Sometimes, it surprises you when you least expect it. Sometimes, it blossoms when you take a daring step forward.
What happens after the last breath?
Evangeline and Nolan have both experienced the unimaginable loss of their spouses, leaving them doused in sorrow and grief.
Nolan is now a single father and cowboy, wrangling his responsibilities on a ranch while caring for his grandfather. He does everything possible to nurture his young child.
Evangeline needs a change, so she throws a dart at a map that leads her from New Orleans to Idaho. There, she takes a position as a mortician makeup artist and settles into a Victorian funeral home. Her new roommate? A sassy elderly woman named Belva, who has seen her fair share of heartache.
Belva, who has also endured the loss of her husband, encourages Evangeline to join her at the local widows' club, a quirky crew of old timers and another younger widower who keep each other on their toes.
Then, Nolan walks in.
The two quickly bond and establish a friendship. Sometimes, love doesn’t endure forever. Sometimes, it surprises you when you least expect it. Sometimes, it blossoms when you take a daring step forward.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 14, 2025
25 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Mika Rayne
24 books77 followersMika Rayne was cornfed and raised in Iowa. She lived in Colorado and Louisiana for a bit, and now her home is happily in the Rocky Mountains. She loves cooking, running her cleaning business (she has the best clients ever), taking photos, reading, writing, and being a mom. '80s metal, oldies, grunge, and classical music are her favorites. Inspiration for writing is easy since nature is abundant where she lives. She writes all types of romance tropes. Mika loves her little family more than life.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 23, 2025
Very spicy!! But also a very good read about widows and how life goes on.
August 15, 2025
The first two chapters of this book absolutely devastated me in the most gut wrenching way imaginable.
Slowly but surely my heart got healed by the end of the book but all the way through as more revelations came out it broke even further.
I adored the found family elements in this book, they literally made me cry.
The whole book was amazing.
I’d love a whole series with these amazing characters but the epilogues are incredible.
Slowly but surely my heart got healed by the end of the book but all the way through as more revelations came out it broke even further.
I adored the found family elements in this book, they literally made me cry.
The whole book was amazing.
I’d love a whole series with these amazing characters but the epilogues are incredible.
September 2, 2025
4.5/5
I went into After The Last Breathe looking for a cowboy romance with some emotional weight, and Mika Rayne delivered more than I expected. The first two chapters hit like a freight train; grief, betrayal, and loss right up front; but if you stick with it, the payoff is worth it. From there, the book balances heavy themes with warmth, humor, and the kind of slow-burn romance that feels natural instead of forced.
What stood out most to me was how well the grief was written. Nolan and Evangeline process their pain in very different ways, sometimes clashing, sometimes leaning on each other, but it always felt real. The Widows’ Club was also a nice surprise, giving Evangeline a found family and adding some lightness to the story while also dealing with some heavy topics. Belva and Wayne especially felt like the grandparents of the book, helping the main characters through the hardest moments. The mix of settings; from the funeral home to the ranch; hit exactly the cowboy vibe I was after.
The romance itself unfolded at just the right pace. When they first meet at the Widow's Club it sets the stage, and from there the friendship-to-lovers build felt believable and earned. By the end, everyone gets their happy ending, and while I usually prefer things left a little open (personal preference), here it wrapped up perfectly. If you’re after a heartfelt contemporary cowboy romance with some trauma woven in, this one’s worth your time.
I went into After The Last Breathe looking for a cowboy romance with some emotional weight, and Mika Rayne delivered more than I expected. The first two chapters hit like a freight train; grief, betrayal, and loss right up front; but if you stick with it, the payoff is worth it. From there, the book balances heavy themes with warmth, humor, and the kind of slow-burn romance that feels natural instead of forced.
What stood out most to me was how well the grief was written. Nolan and Evangeline process their pain in very different ways, sometimes clashing, sometimes leaning on each other, but it always felt real. The Widows’ Club was also a nice surprise, giving Evangeline a found family and adding some lightness to the story while also dealing with some heavy topics. Belva and Wayne especially felt like the grandparents of the book, helping the main characters through the hardest moments. The mix of settings; from the funeral home to the ranch; hit exactly the cowboy vibe I was after.
The romance itself unfolded at just the right pace. When they first meet at the Widow's Club it sets the stage, and from there the friendship-to-lovers build felt believable and earned. By the end, everyone gets their happy ending, and while I usually prefer things left a little open (personal preference), here it wrapped up perfectly. If you’re after a heartfelt contemporary cowboy romance with some trauma woven in, this one’s worth your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2025
I love when people are in love with each other, even years later of being together and married. Evangeline and Clark are the perfect couple. It breaks my heart at what happens. I don’t know what I would do if what happened to her happened to me. But I have a pretty good idea of what I would do.
How could anyone do that to their child? I feel for Nolan to have to keep an eye on his own son around his wife, the mother of his son. Nolan is a rancher, cowboy and a father. My heart breaks for Nolan and what he is going through. I know what he is going through to a point.
Some people have the nerve to talk shit on something they have no clue about. Some people have the nerve to show up like they never left your life. Don’t blame Nolan for being pissed off and angry. Belva got Evangeline to go to a local widow’s club/meeting. I don’t know what it’s like to lose a spouse and I hope I won’t ever have to find out.
Evangeline won’t ride in any vehicles because of what happened. She rides a bicycle everywhere she needs to go. I laughed at two sentences in the book because they were funny. Here are the sentences that had me laughing: Touch my bike and I might cut a bitch. Besides, I embalm people for a living, so come at me, bro. That is something I would say.
Can I have a Nolan? He is such a gentleman and a sweetheart. He seen Evangeline cry and gave her a handkerchief to use. Nolan is another book boyfriend of mine. Evangeline is drunk and she just texted Nolan. This book has my emotions all over the place.
One minute I’m laughing, the next I’m mad and then I’m sad and so on and so forth. I feel for Nolan and Evangeline, I’ve been crying for them, I feel there pain like it’s my own. The stuff they do and say makes me laugh so fucking much. I just want to go inside this book and hug Nolan, Evangeline and Nolan’s grandfather Wayne. The deaths of everyone they love.
I just read something that has me fuming, well I read a couple things to make me fume. The first thing is Nolan’s wife Lana trying to unalive their kid and trying to unalive her husband. And what happened to Greyson’s husband, who was beaten to death. I don’t get why people have to hate on her LGBTQ+ community. I will support anybody and be happy for them on whoever they want to be with.
If you treat me good I’ll treat you good. If you treat me like crap, I’ll treat you like you’re dead and gone. This book made me want to go through this book and do some unimaginable things to some people. I was fuming for some of the stuff that happened in this book. She did an amazing job on this book.
Go show this author the love, respect and support cause she definitely deserves it. Please be kind when leaving a review. Don’t be mean and hateful. Don’t tell anyone not to read a book because you don’t like it, just because you don’t doesn’t mean someone else won’t. Not everyone likes the same books and that is perfectly fine.
How could anyone do that to their child? I feel for Nolan to have to keep an eye on his own son around his wife, the mother of his son. Nolan is a rancher, cowboy and a father. My heart breaks for Nolan and what he is going through. I know what he is going through to a point.
Some people have the nerve to talk shit on something they have no clue about. Some people have the nerve to show up like they never left your life. Don’t blame Nolan for being pissed off and angry. Belva got Evangeline to go to a local widow’s club/meeting. I don’t know what it’s like to lose a spouse and I hope I won’t ever have to find out.
Evangeline won’t ride in any vehicles because of what happened. She rides a bicycle everywhere she needs to go. I laughed at two sentences in the book because they were funny. Here are the sentences that had me laughing: Touch my bike and I might cut a bitch. Besides, I embalm people for a living, so come at me, bro. That is something I would say.
Can I have a Nolan? He is such a gentleman and a sweetheart. He seen Evangeline cry and gave her a handkerchief to use. Nolan is another book boyfriend of mine. Evangeline is drunk and she just texted Nolan. This book has my emotions all over the place.
One minute I’m laughing, the next I’m mad and then I’m sad and so on and so forth. I feel for Nolan and Evangeline, I’ve been crying for them, I feel there pain like it’s my own. The stuff they do and say makes me laugh so fucking much. I just want to go inside this book and hug Nolan, Evangeline and Nolan’s grandfather Wayne. The deaths of everyone they love.
I just read something that has me fuming, well I read a couple things to make me fume. The first thing is Nolan’s wife Lana trying to unalive their kid and trying to unalive her husband. And what happened to Greyson’s husband, who was beaten to death. I don’t get why people have to hate on her LGBTQ+ community. I will support anybody and be happy for them on whoever they want to be with.
If you treat me good I’ll treat you good. If you treat me like crap, I’ll treat you like you’re dead and gone. This book made me want to go through this book and do some unimaginable things to some people. I was fuming for some of the stuff that happened in this book. She did an amazing job on this book.
Go show this author the love, respect and support cause she definitely deserves it. Please be kind when leaving a review. Don’t be mean and hateful. Don’t tell anyone not to read a book because you don’t like it, just because you don’t doesn’t mean someone else won’t. Not everyone likes the same books and that is perfectly fine.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 17, 2025
What a touching story. I knew it was going to put me through the wringer, but it was worth every tear. Nolan and Evangeline are adorable. I really loved this book.
July 25, 2025
Second Chance love
Beautifully written story about loss but getting a second chance to love and find happiness in tragedy. The characters are wonderfully written. The oldies had me laughing so hard at times. Not to say there weren't tears too. The book was a great read, so glad I came across it.
Beautifully written story about loss but getting a second chance to love and find happiness in tragedy. The characters are wonderfully written. The oldies had me laughing so hard at times. Not to say there weren't tears too. The book was a great read, so glad I came across it.
May 2, 2025
I love love loved this book. Nolan and Evangeline have my heart. Its a wonderful small town romance filled with all the feels and a super hot teddy bear of a cowboy. The Author had me laughing, crying, and kicking my feet. The characters are realistic and believable and oh so easy to love! You find yourself cheering for them and their relationship as well as the whole found family that they find in this small town. I highly recommend this 5 star book. Enjoy!
April 23, 2025
I laughed, I cried, I blushed, I bought a hard copy for my bookshelf 🥰
June 3, 2025
The first few chapters had me in tears. The things Nolan and Evangeline had to go through in order to find each other... Plus all the old people had me in stitches. It was a great read and spicy.
August 2, 2025
After the Last Breath is a deeply moving widowed-cowboy romance that delivers an emotional punch while never losing sight of the hope and humor that make healing possible. Rayne masterfully weaves emotional depth mixed with levity, offering readers a story that’s both heart-wrenching and unexpectedly uplifting. The novel explores heavy emotional themes of widowhood and grief, which may be intense for some readers. Yet, instead of overwhelming the narrative, these themes are handled with care and compassion, and the emotional payoff is paired with warmth and humor to balance it out. Whether through Evangeline’s quirky roommate, Belva, or the heartfelt moments of connection between characters, there's always a flicker of light in the darkest places.
Rayne’s author’s tone is a perfect blend of tenderness and sass. Her ability to make readers cry one moment and laugh the next gives the book a rich emotional texture that feels both authentic and earned. The slow-burn romance unfolds naturally, grounded in mutual grief, respect, and the cautious reopening of hearts. What truly makes this novel shine are its well-rounded characters. From Nolan—the gentle, grieving cowboy dad—to the supportive cast of widows, each character is complex, flawed, and beautifully human. Their individual journeys add depth to the story and reinforce the central theme: love and life can bloom again, even after unimaginable loss. Overall, After the Last Breath is a poignant, comforting, and refreshingly real romance. For readers drawn to stories of second chances, small-town charm, and emotional healing, this one is not to be missed.
Rayne’s author’s tone is a perfect blend of tenderness and sass. Her ability to make readers cry one moment and laugh the next gives the book a rich emotional texture that feels both authentic and earned. The slow-burn romance unfolds naturally, grounded in mutual grief, respect, and the cautious reopening of hearts. What truly makes this novel shine are its well-rounded characters. From Nolan—the gentle, grieving cowboy dad—to the supportive cast of widows, each character is complex, flawed, and beautifully human. Their individual journeys add depth to the story and reinforce the central theme: love and life can bloom again, even after unimaginable loss. Overall, After the Last Breath is a poignant, comforting, and refreshingly real romance. For readers drawn to stories of second chances, small-town charm, and emotional healing, this one is not to be missed.
June 3, 2025
My heart. That is all. Great read.
November 2, 2025
Really enjoyed the take on grief and finding love again.
August 31, 2025
I have fallen in love with this book! Nolan and Evangeline have an amazing love story, they went through so much before they found each other. But once they found each other it was absolutely breathtaking the story that was told. Mika did an amazing job of showing that even in life when we have grief that there's always a happier ending. And even though Nolan and Evangeline went through so much in this book the outcome was amazing and I'm so happy. Mika is an indie author that writes books that you can feel in your soul. Yes I cried a lot in this book The emotions was up and down but at the end it was all worth it! Mika out did herself once again!!
December 23, 2025
After the Last Breath had an emotionally compelling premise, but the execution completely missed the mark for me. A story centered on grief, loss, and second chances needs careful, skilled writing to carry that weight. Unfortunately, the writing here made it impossible for me to stay immersed. The prose often felt clunky, repetitive, and awkward, pulling me out of scenes that were clearly meant to be deeply emotional.
The tone also felt wildly inconsistent. Tragedy, trauma, humor, and romance were mashed together without smooth transitions, making serious moments feel unintentionally melodramatic or even uncomfortable. Instead of subtle emotional buildup, the book relied heavily on telling rather than showing, with excessive inner monologue and overwrought descriptions that dulled the impact of what should have been powerful scenes.
This book clearly resonated with many readers, and I can see the idea of a heartfelt story buried underneath. For me, the poor writing quality, uneven pacing, and lack of emotional nuance made it an exhausting and frustrating read. A stronger editor and tighter storytelling could have made a huge difference.
The tone also felt wildly inconsistent. Tragedy, trauma, humor, and romance were mashed together without smooth transitions, making serious moments feel unintentionally melodramatic or even uncomfortable. Instead of subtle emotional buildup, the book relied heavily on telling rather than showing, with excessive inner monologue and overwrought descriptions that dulled the impact of what should have been powerful scenes.
This book clearly resonated with many readers, and I can see the idea of a heartfelt story buried underneath. For me, the poor writing quality, uneven pacing, and lack of emotional nuance made it an exhausting and frustrating read. A stronger editor and tighter storytelling could have made a huge difference.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews