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Weathering Doves Harbor #1
After the Storm
Audra Hart thought she’d never shake the dark clouds of her past. After years of feeling trapped in an abusive relationship, she’s finally free-- but the storm inside of her still rages. Seeking comfort, Audra finds herself in the last place she ever expected, in the arms of Roman, her best friend’s older brother.
Roman Dawkins has always been focused on getting one person’s attention, Audra. Now he has it but not in a way he ever expected. When she shows up on his front porch, crying and soaked from the rain, he has an instinctual need to protect her.
The bond they form in the aftermath of the storm turns quickly into a spark neither of them can ignore. If only it were that simple though. With the past nipping at their heels and the weight of their secret growing heavier, they must decide whether to keep their feelings hidden or risk rocking the boat for a chance at happiness.
After the Storm is a Best friend's brother, small coastal town, found family, spicy romance filled with healing and swooning.
Roman Dawkins has always been focused on getting one person’s attention, Audra. Now he has it but not in a way he ever expected. When she shows up on his front porch, crying and soaked from the rain, he has an instinctual need to protect her.
The bond they form in the aftermath of the storm turns quickly into a spark neither of them can ignore. If only it were that simple though. With the past nipping at their heels and the weight of their secret growing heavier, they must decide whether to keep their feelings hidden or risk rocking the boat for a chance at happiness.
After the Storm is a Best friend's brother, small coastal town, found family, spicy romance filled with healing and swooning.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2025
15 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
June 2, 2025
Thank you so much Jensen Kate for making me part of your ARC team 🥺🤍
I am not usually a contemporary fluffy romance reader. I like my books dark. But this book y’all 😭 I finished in one sitting, that’s how good it was.
I was also a little sceptical when I read so many people writing that it is YA but don’t let that deter you!
In my opinion the only reason someone might say it’s YA is because adresses trauma in a more gentle way (no gory details) and focuses more on the delicate balance between aftercare and “tough” love (using quotations because even that is done in such a gentle way).
The story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The writing flows so beautifully I don’t even know how to describe it. 🥹
While there is both trauma and drama, it is not the over the top petty and unnecessary kind that is usually what makes the genre unenjoyable for ME.
The relationship development between the MCs is so seamless and realistic it left feeling all warm and fuzzy (and made me realize I’m a sucker for the friends to lovers trope 🤭 which it makes sense seeing as my own relationship started that way)
I particularly appreciate the fact that it’s not insta love and instead happens over months without it even being a slow burn 🥺
I love how Roman, even though he’s been in love with her since he was a kid, did nothing but be her friend. Literally never tried a goddamn thing, never hinted, never pushed, never expected anything from her!!! Which is so so so refreshing especially when you remember that we live in a world where men loooove to throw around the the word “friendzoned” 😒
I love how all he cares about was making her feel safe, cared for, loved, empowered and in control!!
The internal conflicts Audra goes through are written in such a relatable way it reminded me a lot of my younger self 🥲
Lastly, the spice was absolutely scrumptious 🤭❤️🔥 and focused beautifully on the importance of consent and shifting power dynamics in romantic relationships.
I am not usually a contemporary fluffy romance reader. I like my books dark. But this book y’all 😭 I finished in one sitting, that’s how good it was.
I was also a little sceptical when I read so many people writing that it is YA but don’t let that deter you!
In my opinion the only reason someone might say it’s YA is because adresses trauma in a more gentle way (no gory details) and focuses more on the delicate balance between aftercare and “tough” love (using quotations because even that is done in such a gentle way).
The story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. The writing flows so beautifully I don’t even know how to describe it. 🥹
While there is both trauma and drama, it is not the over the top petty and unnecessary kind that is usually what makes the genre unenjoyable for ME.
The relationship development between the MCs is so seamless and realistic it left feeling all warm and fuzzy (and made me realize I’m a sucker for the friends to lovers trope 🤭 which it makes sense seeing as my own relationship started that way)
I particularly appreciate the fact that it’s not insta love and instead happens over months without it even being a slow burn 🥺
I love how Roman, even though he’s been in love with her since he was a kid, did nothing but be her friend. Literally never tried a goddamn thing, never hinted, never pushed, never expected anything from her!!! Which is so so so refreshing especially when you remember that we live in a world where men loooove to throw around the the word “friendzoned” 😒
I love how all he cares about was making her feel safe, cared for, loved, empowered and in control!!
The internal conflicts Audra goes through are written in such a relatable way it reminded me a lot of my younger self 🥲
Lastly, the spice was absolutely scrumptious 🤭❤️🔥 and focused beautifully on the importance of consent and shifting power dynamics in romantic relationships.
April 17, 2025
4 stars - this is how you write a debut!! Thank you for the ARC <3
This story follows Audra and Roman in Dove's Harbour:
Audra:
See I'm really happy to see an FMC as the grumpy in the grumpy x sunshine relationship. AND the fact that she isn't 16 is also a win (woooooo). I actually really like her character, she's complicated and I actually was upset with her reactions to some of the situations, but that's what made it good because her entire story is so complicated. I love when authors actually make their characters very human.
Roman:
The definition of a cinnamon roll MMC. We love men who support and adore their women, and this is exactly who Roman is. He's so caring and understanding and patient that it almost felt too good to be true. He's such a mature character and it was really great to see Audra finally have someone like that.
The Plot:
The only part that seemed to good to be true was buying a house (in this economy??), but all jokes aside, this was a really sweet story with very dynamic characters. Each character has a strong personality of their own and it was great to see those relationships explored.
Tropes:
- Small Coastal Town
- Best Friend's Brother
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Found Family
- It's Always Been You
This story follows Audra and Roman in Dove's Harbour:
Audra:
See I'm really happy to see an FMC as the grumpy in the grumpy x sunshine relationship. AND the fact that she isn't 16 is also a win (woooooo). I actually really like her character, she's complicated and I actually was upset with her reactions to some of the situations, but that's what made it good because her entire story is so complicated. I love when authors actually make their characters very human.
Roman:
The definition of a cinnamon roll MMC. We love men who support and adore their women, and this is exactly who Roman is. He's so caring and understanding and patient that it almost felt too good to be true. He's such a mature character and it was really great to see Audra finally have someone like that.
The Plot:
The only part that seemed to good to be true was buying a house (in this economy??), but all jokes aside, this was a really sweet story with very dynamic characters. Each character has a strong personality of their own and it was great to see those relationships explored.
Tropes:
- Small Coastal Town
- Best Friend's Brother
- Grumpy x Sunshine
- Found Family
- It's Always Been You
April 18, 2025
Today I finished the very first (of what I hope to be MANY) ARC reads. After The Storm by Jensen Kate came to me at just the time I needed to read it. I’m a woman who loves a healing journey as well as a good romance and this book provided both. While it carries some heavy themes, After The Storm maintains that warm hug of a feeling a good book can give you and I found that I enjoyed reading it quite a lot.
I * immediately * fell for the MMC, Roman, who illustrated beautifully that love doesn’t have to be intense and over the top; it can instead be patient, steadfast, and gentle. He knows what he wants and is willing to wait for it— even when things aren’t going how they want for him in the moment. He continues to be a supportive, loving, genuine person and friend while the woman he loves is healing. May I manifest such a man 🙏🏻
With that being said, the author was certainly liberal in seasoning the story with delicious spice and “touch her and die” energy and I*AM*HERE*FOR*IT! (Readers, DO stick around for the epilogue, trust me on this one! 😘)
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Jensen Kate’s debut novel and I’m looking forward to reading her future writings!
I * immediately * fell for the MMC, Roman, who illustrated beautifully that love doesn’t have to be intense and over the top; it can instead be patient, steadfast, and gentle. He knows what he wants and is willing to wait for it— even when things aren’t going how they want for him in the moment. He continues to be a supportive, loving, genuine person and friend while the woman he loves is healing. May I manifest such a man 🙏🏻
With that being said, the author was certainly liberal in seasoning the story with delicious spice and “touch her and die” energy and I*AM*HERE*FOR*IT! (Readers, DO stick around for the epilogue, trust me on this one! 😘)
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed Jensen Kate’s debut novel and I’m looking forward to reading her future writings!
May 8, 2025
This was such a heartwarming romance with the cutest HEA!
Audra, the FMC, no other way to describe her but as resilient. Strong. Relatable, yet different in so many ways. I loved being in her mind and experiencing her heartache & growth throughout this story.
Roman, the MMC, was the ultimate golden retriever/cinnamon roll. Cherished and practically worshiped the ground she walked on. We really got to FEEL his infatuation and unconditional love for her in his POV chapters. He was all in from day one.
Ares, Ravyn, Beck, the parents, Kat - all lovable side characters with banter and strong friendships. I simply ate it up.
If you want a romance that is both fluffy and raw with emotion. One that creates misty eyes in sympathy, pride, and just pure love. I implore you to read this book!🖤
Audra, the FMC, no other way to describe her but as resilient. Strong. Relatable, yet different in so many ways. I loved being in her mind and experiencing her heartache & growth throughout this story.
Roman, the MMC, was the ultimate golden retriever/cinnamon roll. Cherished and practically worshiped the ground she walked on. We really got to FEEL his infatuation and unconditional love for her in his POV chapters. He was all in from day one.
Ares, Ravyn, Beck, the parents, Kat - all lovable side characters with banter and strong friendships. I simply ate it up.
If you want a romance that is both fluffy and raw with emotion. One that creates misty eyes in sympathy, pride, and just pure love. I implore you to read this book!🖤
May 30, 2025
I'm so grateful to the author for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. I always want to support debut indie authors, but unfortunately, this book just didn't work for me. I struggled to connect with the characters and stay engaged with the story overall.
Audra (the female main character) was the biggest struggle for me. I completely understand that she’s recovering from a traumatic, abusive relationship, and I want to be sensitive to that. Still, I had a hard time watching the way she treated Roman throughout the book. She often leaned on him emotionally or physically (asking him for comfort, rides, or kisses), only to shut him out or react with coldness afterward. I found myself wishing for more communication and emotional growth from her, because Roman didn’t deserve to be pushed and pulled like that.
Roman is definitely a kind, caring love interest and the kind of guy who will drop everything for the person he loves. But unfortunately, he didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Beyond being deeply in love with Audra and loving to surf, I didn’t get much sense of who he was. I love a “green flag” hero, but I still need him to have personal depth, interests, and flaws outside the relationship.
The Ares situation (Audra’s best friend and Roman’s brother) also didn’t work for me. The story hinges a lot on the idea that their relationship needs to be kept secret because Ares might be upset, but honestly, he doesn't seem like someone who would react that badly. It made all the secrecy feel unnecessary, and their decision to keep things hidden for so long became frustrating.
Structurally, the writing felt a bit underdeveloped in places. Scenes were often short and lacked emotional or descriptive depth, and transitions between moments were abrupt, which made the pacing feel clunky. I also wish we had gotten more payoff around Audra’s passion for marine rescue, because it’s mentioned, but never really explored in a meaningful way. Does she want to continue working in administration for a marine rescue for the rest of her life? Go back to school? Change careers? I would have appreciated seeing the characters develop interests and goals outside of the romance. Similarly, the plot with her ex felt unresolved. It just faded away, leaving a major loose end. Also, how were these characters affording a huge oceanfront house on the salaries of a surf shop owner and a marine rescue admin? It doesn't add up.
Overall, this book had some promising themes such as healing, emotional safety, and supportive love, but I needed more development in the characters, relationships, and plot to feel fully invested. I'm still grateful I had the chance to read it and wish nothing but support for the author.
Audra (the female main character) was the biggest struggle for me. I completely understand that she’s recovering from a traumatic, abusive relationship, and I want to be sensitive to that. Still, I had a hard time watching the way she treated Roman throughout the book. She often leaned on him emotionally or physically (asking him for comfort, rides, or kisses), only to shut him out or react with coldness afterward. I found myself wishing for more communication and emotional growth from her, because Roman didn’t deserve to be pushed and pulled like that.
Roman is definitely a kind, caring love interest and the kind of guy who will drop everything for the person he loves. But unfortunately, he didn’t feel fully fleshed out. Beyond being deeply in love with Audra and loving to surf, I didn’t get much sense of who he was. I love a “green flag” hero, but I still need him to have personal depth, interests, and flaws outside the relationship.
The Ares situation (Audra’s best friend and Roman’s brother) also didn’t work for me. The story hinges a lot on the idea that their relationship needs to be kept secret because Ares might be upset, but honestly, he doesn't seem like someone who would react that badly. It made all the secrecy feel unnecessary, and their decision to keep things hidden for so long became frustrating.
Structurally, the writing felt a bit underdeveloped in places. Scenes were often short and lacked emotional or descriptive depth, and transitions between moments were abrupt, which made the pacing feel clunky. I also wish we had gotten more payoff around Audra’s passion for marine rescue, because it’s mentioned, but never really explored in a meaningful way. Does she want to continue working in administration for a marine rescue for the rest of her life? Go back to school? Change careers? I would have appreciated seeing the characters develop interests and goals outside of the romance. Similarly, the plot with her ex felt unresolved. It just faded away, leaving a major loose end. Also, how were these characters affording a huge oceanfront house on the salaries of a surf shop owner and a marine rescue admin? It doesn't add up.
Overall, this book had some promising themes such as healing, emotional safety, and supportive love, but I needed more development in the characters, relationships, and plot to feel fully invested. I'm still grateful I had the chance to read it and wish nothing but support for the author.
April 29, 2025
*huge thank you to the author for the arc*
I wish we could give half stars- because this is definitely a 3.5 star read from me.
Before you get it twisted, it’s an excellent debut from a young author!
---
The book:
Punch me in the face with that dedication why don’t you?!
As a general rule, I *adore* a grumpy female main character paired with a cinnamon roll male lead—and Audra and Roman absolutely delivered. Audra’s emotional journey and Roman’s unwavering, long-standing love were heartfelt and beautifully intertwined.
That said, I did have a few challenges with the writing. The narrative tended to *tell* rather than *show*, which made certain moments feel less impactful. I found myself understanding what the characters were feeling, because it was explicitly said on page in the moment, but not always *feeling* it alongside them.
The family dynamics also felt off. For characters who are in their 20s, they both seemed very dependent on their parents- much like they would be if they were in high school. In all honesty, if you told me they were in high school the whole time, the voice/tone would make more sense.
Interestingly, Roman’s voice came through more clearly than Audra’s—a rarity that isn’t inherently negative, but it did throw off the balance of the story at times.
Many of the issues I had seem to stem from a debut author still growing into her voice. There were moments where the writing felt hesitant, as if the author was holding back from fully stepping into her potential.
Still, this was a solid debut, and I’m definitely a fan of Jensen Kate now. I’m excited to see what she writes next!
---
Quotes I swooned over:
“She can call me whatever she likes as long as she’s smiling in my passenger seat when she does it.”
Fucking ruined. There is no coming back from this. It’s this—us—or nothing.
I wish we could give half stars- because this is definitely a 3.5 star read from me.
Before you get it twisted, it’s an excellent debut from a young author!
---
The book:
Punch me in the face with that dedication why don’t you?!
As a general rule, I *adore* a grumpy female main character paired with a cinnamon roll male lead—and Audra and Roman absolutely delivered. Audra’s emotional journey and Roman’s unwavering, long-standing love were heartfelt and beautifully intertwined.
That said, I did have a few challenges with the writing. The narrative tended to *tell* rather than *show*, which made certain moments feel less impactful. I found myself understanding what the characters were feeling, because it was explicitly said on page in the moment, but not always *feeling* it alongside them.
The family dynamics also felt off. For characters who are in their 20s, they both seemed very dependent on their parents- much like they would be if they were in high school. In all honesty, if you told me they were in high school the whole time, the voice/tone would make more sense.
Interestingly, Roman’s voice came through more clearly than Audra’s—a rarity that isn’t inherently negative, but it did throw off the balance of the story at times.
Many of the issues I had seem to stem from a debut author still growing into her voice. There were moments where the writing felt hesitant, as if the author was holding back from fully stepping into her potential.
Still, this was a solid debut, and I’m definitely a fan of Jensen Kate now. I’m excited to see what she writes next!
---
Quotes I swooned over:
“She can call me whatever she likes as long as she’s smiling in my passenger seat when she does it.”
Fucking ruined. There is no coming back from this. It’s this—us—or nothing.
April 27, 2025
Reading After the Storm felt like receiving a warm hug I didn’t know I needed.
I am a SUCKER for the whole “it’s always been you” trope, especially when paired with real life issues such as DV survivors and anxiety. The way Roman was so gentle and patient with Audra was refreshing to read. 🥹
There was so much about this book that was so fun but I’ve gotta say my favorite thing about it was the amazing way Audra worked through everything. It wasn’t easy and mistakes were made but that made it REAL.
Romans definitely my 2nd favorite thing though ;)
Who doesn’t love a good teddy bear book boyfriend every now and then? I know I sure do 🙂↕️
🖤I was gifted an ARC copy of After the Storm and all opinions are entirely my own🖤
I am a SUCKER for the whole “it’s always been you” trope, especially when paired with real life issues such as DV survivors and anxiety. The way Roman was so gentle and patient with Audra was refreshing to read. 🥹
There was so much about this book that was so fun but I’ve gotta say my favorite thing about it was the amazing way Audra worked through everything. It wasn’t easy and mistakes were made but that made it REAL.
Romans definitely my 2nd favorite thing though ;)
Who doesn’t love a good teddy bear book boyfriend every now and then? I know I sure do 🙂↕️
🖤I was gifted an ARC copy of After the Storm and all opinions are entirely my own🖤
May 5, 2025
So much real, that it leaves you feeling raw.
This one has the capacity to smack you right in the feels, with it’s relatable characters and life choices and situations.
There is a sweet story in here though, one that captured my attention early on, and kept it through out as the story tackled and brilliantly represented some very real topics.
Audra and Roman were superb, and you can’t help but become invested in their story as it unfolds.
I will never regret reading this book!
This one has the capacity to smack you right in the feels, with it’s relatable characters and life choices and situations.
There is a sweet story in here though, one that captured my attention early on, and kept it through out as the story tackled and brilliantly represented some very real topics.
Audra and Roman were superb, and you can’t help but become invested in their story as it unfolds.
I will never regret reading this book!
May 19, 2025
2.5 rounded up.
Audra has finally broken up with her abusive ex and is in search of her best friend to support her while she's terrified and alone. Instead of her best friend answering the door, his older brother does, and its the start of something she never expected.
*****
For a debut novel, this one started out really well. The author has a grasp of her voice, but it started to fall off as it became apparent that she needs to work on the age and maturity of her characters to reflect who they are in the book. Throughout most of the novel until we finally get their current ages, I struggled with the idea that these were adults in their twenties and not teenagers. Their lives revolved around living with their parents, vacationing with their parents, going to house parties, and sneaking around when one parent was away for work. It felt so odd for young adults in a romance book world, when you'd usually expect them to be house or apartment sharing, or living on campus.
I also wasn't sure how I felt about Audra being so incredibly emotionally rough on Roman. The constant back and forth made me not cheer for their relationship at certain points, as I was just waiting for her to pull away again. Even then, Audra deciding to keep secrets and hide things felt very immature and odd, as did Ares reaction to her dating. He went off the rails and then did a 180 when she called him out, and it was baffling. The constant reassurance in the book that he didn't have feelings for her felt weirdly unnecessary as it was obvious, and he had the emotional bandwidth of a wet rag.
From there we had some consistency issues as well, Beck was mentioned as a second father figure, but also an employee to Roman. It threw me for a lot of the book when he'd party with them and goof off as I was picturing an older man, until we were told they went to school together. I found it so weird for him to see a peer as a father figure and not another brother figure. We also never really get any closure on what happens to her ex. He's used in multiple scenes to show he's devolving and then he's just not an issue anymore.
All in all, it was an okay book, but there needed to be a lot more structure into who the characters were, consistency in how they acted, as well as how that related to how people their age should act. There's definitely potential for future books though, and the author seemed to set 2 more books up within this novel itself.
*****
Thank you to the author Jensen Kate, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Audra has finally broken up with her abusive ex and is in search of her best friend to support her while she's terrified and alone. Instead of her best friend answering the door, his older brother does, and its the start of something she never expected.
*****
For a debut novel, this one started out really well. The author has a grasp of her voice, but it started to fall off as it became apparent that she needs to work on the age and maturity of her characters to reflect who they are in the book. Throughout most of the novel until we finally get their current ages, I struggled with the idea that these were adults in their twenties and not teenagers. Their lives revolved around living with their parents, vacationing with their parents, going to house parties, and sneaking around when one parent was away for work. It felt so odd for young adults in a romance book world, when you'd usually expect them to be house or apartment sharing, or living on campus.
I also wasn't sure how I felt about Audra being so incredibly emotionally rough on Roman. The constant back and forth made me not cheer for their relationship at certain points, as I was just waiting for her to pull away again. Even then, Audra deciding to keep secrets and hide things felt very immature and odd, as did Ares reaction to her dating. He went off the rails and then did a 180 when she called him out, and it was baffling. The constant reassurance in the book that he didn't have feelings for her felt weirdly unnecessary as it was obvious, and he had the emotional bandwidth of a wet rag.
From there we had some consistency issues as well, Beck was mentioned as a second father figure, but also an employee to Roman. It threw me for a lot of the book when he'd party with them and goof off as I was picturing an older man, until we were told they went to school together. I found it so weird for him to see a peer as a father figure and not another brother figure. We also never really get any closure on what happens to her ex. He's used in multiple scenes to show he's devolving and then he's just not an issue anymore.
All in all, it was an okay book, but there needed to be a lot more structure into who the characters were, consistency in how they acted, as well as how that related to how people their age should act. There's definitely potential for future books though, and the author seemed to set 2 more books up within this novel itself.
*****
Thank you to the author Jensen Kate, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 19, 2025
ARC Review✨
Book comes out May 15 2025!!!
THE WAY THIS MAN IS SO SO SO GENTLE WITH HER🥺
ROMAN IS LIKE SO HOTTTTTT
AUDRA BEING SUCH A STRONG QUEEN LOVEEE HER
Blurb
Audra Hart thought she’d never shake the dark clouds of her past. After years of feeling trapped in an abusive relationship, she’s finally free— but the storm inside of her still rages. Seeking comfort, Audra finds herself in the last place she ever expected, in the arms of Roman, her best friend’s older brother.
Roman Dawkins has always been focused on getting one person’s attention, Audra. Now he has it but not in a way he ever expected. When she shows up on his front porch, crying and soaked from the rain, he has an instinctual need to protect her.
The bond they form in the aftermath of the storm turns quickly into a spark neither of them can ignore. If only it were that simple though. With the past nipping at their heels and the weight of their secret growing heavier, they must decide whether to keep their feelings hidden or risk rocking the boat for a chance at happiness.
quick side note✨
This book had the best anxiety rep was truly amazing and felt so real and done so well! this Book does cover some heavy topics but they are handled so beautifully!
Thoughts✨
AHHHHH okay so like I adored this book!The plot was fantastic !! I loved watching Audra heal from her abusive ex and watching her find herself and let other people in and realizing that she could have the type of love she deserves was just AHHH So sweet! NOW Roman the way this man truly would give her everything she wanted and more AHHH he was so protective and supporting of her like he was truly obsessed with her. I loved watching his character development and just watching him be happy at the end!! AHHH LOVED
I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it!!!
Thank you so much Author Jensen Kate for an ARC copy of this book!!
Book comes out May 15 2025!!!
THE WAY THIS MAN IS SO SO SO GENTLE WITH HER🥺
ROMAN IS LIKE SO HOTTTTTT
AUDRA BEING SUCH A STRONG QUEEN LOVEEE HER
Blurb
Audra Hart thought she’d never shake the dark clouds of her past. After years of feeling trapped in an abusive relationship, she’s finally free— but the storm inside of her still rages. Seeking comfort, Audra finds herself in the last place she ever expected, in the arms of Roman, her best friend’s older brother.
Roman Dawkins has always been focused on getting one person’s attention, Audra. Now he has it but not in a way he ever expected. When she shows up on his front porch, crying and soaked from the rain, he has an instinctual need to protect her.
The bond they form in the aftermath of the storm turns quickly into a spark neither of them can ignore. If only it were that simple though. With the past nipping at their heels and the weight of their secret growing heavier, they must decide whether to keep their feelings hidden or risk rocking the boat for a chance at happiness.
quick side note✨
This book had the best anxiety rep was truly amazing and felt so real and done so well! this Book does cover some heavy topics but they are handled so beautifully!
Thoughts✨
AHHHHH okay so like I adored this book!The plot was fantastic !! I loved watching Audra heal from her abusive ex and watching her find herself and let other people in and realizing that she could have the type of love she deserves was just AHHH So sweet! NOW Roman the way this man truly would give her everything she wanted and more AHHH he was so protective and supporting of her like he was truly obsessed with her. I loved watching his character development and just watching him be happy at the end!! AHHH LOVED
I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it!!!
Thank you so much Author Jensen Kate for an ARC copy of this book!!
May 5, 2025
4.5⭐️
Thank you to Jensen Kate for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! And a huge congratulations on your debut novel!
I want to start off by saying this book has some tough subjects so please check your trigger warnings. But they are written in such a way that brings light to them without dismissing them or glorifying them.
We first meet our FMC Audra as she is escaping her abusive ex. When she realizes that her best friend Ares lives closer, she runs to his house for comfort. But instead of Ares, she finds his older brother Roman. Roman immediately draws her into a hug and holds her until she talks about what happened. From there, a friendship is developed, with Audra confiding in Roman while simultaneously hiding the truth from her friends. When bigger feelings develop and the relationship progresses, Audra has a lot of thinking to do, especially when it comes to her long time friend.
I absolutely adored every second of this book. I am a sucker for an it’s always been you trope and Roman is the true definition of that. The way that pretty much everybody knew since middle school except Audra was iconic. Romans protective nature and caring demeanour was exactly what Audra needed. Sure there was some miscommunication happening but it never lasted longer than a chapter. I also struggled with the believability of the characters being in their mid 20s. With the majority of them living at home even though they owned their own businesses, it was a little bit weird, but overall didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.
So many sweet moments and the tension between the two of them even after a couple kisses was perfection.
Honestly for a debut novel, this was astounding, and I can’t wait to read more!
Thank you to Jensen Kate for the eARC in exchange for my honest review! And a huge congratulations on your debut novel!
I want to start off by saying this book has some tough subjects so please check your trigger warnings. But they are written in such a way that brings light to them without dismissing them or glorifying them.
We first meet our FMC Audra as she is escaping her abusive ex. When she realizes that her best friend Ares lives closer, she runs to his house for comfort. But instead of Ares, she finds his older brother Roman. Roman immediately draws her into a hug and holds her until she talks about what happened. From there, a friendship is developed, with Audra confiding in Roman while simultaneously hiding the truth from her friends. When bigger feelings develop and the relationship progresses, Audra has a lot of thinking to do, especially when it comes to her long time friend.
I absolutely adored every second of this book. I am a sucker for an it’s always been you trope and Roman is the true definition of that. The way that pretty much everybody knew since middle school except Audra was iconic. Romans protective nature and caring demeanour was exactly what Audra needed. Sure there was some miscommunication happening but it never lasted longer than a chapter. I also struggled with the believability of the characters being in their mid 20s. With the majority of them living at home even though they owned their own businesses, it was a little bit weird, but overall didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.
So many sweet moments and the tension between the two of them even after a couple kisses was perfection.
Honestly for a debut novel, this was astounding, and I can’t wait to read more!
April 15, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️
Highly impressed in this debut!
This book was beautifully done and did a wonderful job showcasing hard topics like DV with grace and empathy. It was also rooted in realism. It tackled a very complicated situation and grounded it in reality which I find really refreshing. It’s not glorified. It’s not quickly solved. It’s realistic and I think will help people who are dealing with it themselves to not be discouraged.
Audra and Roman are so delightful. I loved watching her confidence come back to her and found it so relatable how she just wanted to get back to who she was before her ex. I think anyone who’s been through the wringer with a relationship can relate to that and trying to mend fences of friendships that suffered as a result.
Roman was utterly delightful. Well-rounded, charming, and just the right level of protective and empowering. I really loved his friendship with Beck. It was fun and hilarious and I need to know more about whatever happened with Levina.
Getting to spend time in Doves Harbor honestly made me wish I could run away to the little surf shop by the sea. I can’t wait to dive into it more as the series progresses.
A giant thank you to Jensen Kate for the ARC!
Highly impressed in this debut!
This book was beautifully done and did a wonderful job showcasing hard topics like DV with grace and empathy. It was also rooted in realism. It tackled a very complicated situation and grounded it in reality which I find really refreshing. It’s not glorified. It’s not quickly solved. It’s realistic and I think will help people who are dealing with it themselves to not be discouraged.
Audra and Roman are so delightful. I loved watching her confidence come back to her and found it so relatable how she just wanted to get back to who she was before her ex. I think anyone who’s been through the wringer with a relationship can relate to that and trying to mend fences of friendships that suffered as a result.
Roman was utterly delightful. Well-rounded, charming, and just the right level of protective and empowering. I really loved his friendship with Beck. It was fun and hilarious and I need to know more about whatever happened with Levina.
Getting to spend time in Doves Harbor honestly made me wish I could run away to the little surf shop by the sea. I can’t wait to dive into it more as the series progresses.
A giant thank you to Jensen Kate for the ARC!
May 11, 2025
A bright, budding romance develops between a young woman trying to recover from a traumatic and toxic relationship and her best friend’s brother, who is there to give her all the support and time to heal. Starting off with a heavy topic/scene, the plot further draws the reader in as Audra works on discovering herself again, and Rowen proves that he is a protective and kind hero. The reverse grumpy x sunshine trope shines as the MMC is the best cinnamon roll, with his pining and falling first (the patience in Rowan is unmatched!). I also thought the villain character arc was written well, the spice appropriate and I appreciated the found family/friendship attention with the side characters.
Thanks to the author for the eARC
Thanks to the author for the eARC
May 18, 2025
Fun, best friends brother romance with lots of yearning.
From the first page the author had me invested. The FMC is having the worst day, spiralling and she finds solace in the person she lasts expects. A juicy way to start!
The MMC is SUCH a solid guy. As their history is revealed, the yearning in his chapters is SO good.
Drama, confusion and some really sweet and spicy moments ensue.
The friendship dynamic was a bit much for me coming across a bit juvenile and codependent. Other than that, I really enjoyed reading this book. Ultimately, it was uplifting and full of tender moments showcasing that for the right person you will never be too much.
I received an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
From the first page the author had me invested. The FMC is having the worst day, spiralling and she finds solace in the person she lasts expects. A juicy way to start!
The MMC is SUCH a solid guy. As their history is revealed, the yearning in his chapters is SO good.
Drama, confusion and some really sweet and spicy moments ensue.
The friendship dynamic was a bit much for me coming across a bit juvenile and codependent. Other than that, I really enjoyed reading this book. Ultimately, it was uplifting and full of tender moments showcasing that for the right person you will never be too much.
I received an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
May 20, 2025
I rarely claim book boyfriends or fall in love with fictional characters, but oh my heavens... Roman is on another level. This man is like perfection put into a human form. This story is heartwrenching, but a true depiction of what it can be like for someone to leave a terrible relationship. It wasn't a clean straight forward happy ever after there were setbacks and challenges, but he never faltered. He waited this many years and after having a small taste of what he could have he was more protective and desperate than ever.
April 15, 2025
Audra and Roman’s story hit so close to home for me. Their chemistry literally jumped off the page, and I’m a total sucker for an “it’s always been you” kind of love. I fell hard for all the characters, every one of them felt so real and easy to love. I’d been in a bit of a slump, but I devoured this book in one sitting. I could not put it down.
May 9, 2025
This book has such great representation of mental health!! This is a dual POV book that follows Audra and Roman. It’s a very heartfelt book that will bring out all the feelings!!
Tropes:
🌊 Best friends brother
🪸 DV survivor representation
🌊 Small coastal town
🪸 Dual POV
🌊 Anxiety representation
🪸 Cinnamon roll MMC
🌊 “It’s always been you”
Tropes:
🌊 Best friends brother
🪸 DV survivor representation
🌊 Small coastal town
🪸 Dual POV
🌊 Anxiety representation
🪸 Cinnamon roll MMC
🌊 “It’s always been you”
May 15, 2025
Spice Level: 3/5 – Open Door; Hot but no crazy theatrics in the bedroom.
Thank you so much to the author for including me in the ARC team!!
This was a comforting, low-angst read featuring the classic "best friend’s older brother" romance. While the overall plot was fairly predictable, it was executed with a level of care that made it feel engaging and sincere. As a South Carolina native, I really appreciated the attention to setting—this author absolutely nailed the charm and atmosphere of downtown Charleston, and the depiction of life in a small town just outside the city felt incredibly authentic. That sense of community (and number of house parties) is something found frequently in our coastal areas.
Audra is healing from a past abusive relationship over the course of this novel, and Roman is exactly what she needs—patient, kind, and unwavering in his support. Their relationship builds with care and trust, and with no third-act breakup, the story feels safe, steady, and mostly drama-free.
I want to commend the author in her handling of their first sex scene. It wasn't overdone or idealized—it reflected the real, sometimes complicated experience of intimacy for a woman dealing with anxiety, without going to in depth that you lose the romance novel feelings. It brought a layer of emotional realism to their relationship that made it even more heartfelt.
As a debut novel, this was a strong start. I’m excited to see how the series unfolds, especially with Ares and Katrina, and Beck and Levina’s stories coming up. I’m also really looking forward to watching this author grow and evolve with each book.
Thank you so much to the author for including me in the ARC team!!
This was a comforting, low-angst read featuring the classic "best friend’s older brother" romance. While the overall plot was fairly predictable, it was executed with a level of care that made it feel engaging and sincere. As a South Carolina native, I really appreciated the attention to setting—this author absolutely nailed the charm and atmosphere of downtown Charleston, and the depiction of life in a small town just outside the city felt incredibly authentic. That sense of community (and number of house parties) is something found frequently in our coastal areas.
Audra is healing from a past abusive relationship over the course of this novel, and Roman is exactly what she needs—patient, kind, and unwavering in his support. Their relationship builds with care and trust, and with no third-act breakup, the story feels safe, steady, and mostly drama-free.
I want to commend the author in her handling of their first sex scene. It wasn't overdone or idealized—it reflected the real, sometimes complicated experience of intimacy for a woman dealing with anxiety, without going to in depth that you lose the romance novel feelings. It brought a layer of emotional realism to their relationship that made it even more heartfelt.
As a debut novel, this was a strong start. I’m excited to see how the series unfolds, especially with Ares and Katrina, and Beck and Levina’s stories coming up. I’m also really looking forward to watching this author grow and evolve with each book.
May 14, 2025
I am do happy to have gotten to be apart of this ARC team ❤️
This love story is so beautiful and handles all of the topics really well. I hope I get to see more books from this author (specifically about some certain side characters in this book👀). Before you read though please check the trigger warnings but I highly suggest this book looking for a sweet romance
This love story is so beautiful and handles all of the topics really well. I hope I get to see more books from this author (specifically about some certain side characters in this book👀). Before you read though please check the trigger warnings but I highly suggest this book looking for a sweet romance
April 17, 2025
I don’t think I have ever read a book so fast. This book was such an easy read and kept my attention so well. I went from crying to smiling like an idiot. I fell in love with Roman in the first chapter! The way you feel every emotion the characters are feeling is why I fell in love with reading in the first place. Being able to transport to another world and get out of your head is my favorite part of reading and this book definitely did that! I finished it in less than 24 hours because I just couldn’t put it down, I one hundred percent recommend this book!
May 15, 2025
it’s been so long since i’ve read a book with characters that felt as real as Roman and Audra.
heart wrenchingly beautiful and sickeningly sweet, the character development throughout this book was top notch and seeing them navigate through problems both together and on their own had me clutching my chest and hiding behind my fingers as i read.
SUCH a good read!
heart wrenchingly beautiful and sickeningly sweet, the character development throughout this book was top notch and seeing them navigate through problems both together and on their own had me clutching my chest and hiding behind my fingers as i read.
SUCH a good read!
May 15, 2025
After the storm is such a beautiful story filled with heartache, trauma, healing, friends, and love. This book tackles and focuses on healing and how love should feel. I adored the characters in this book! Especially Roman, gosh he made me swoon!!! I think my favorite part was that Roman never forgot anything Audra said. Loved this book!
April 28, 2025
ARC Read‼️
Omg I just finished After the Storm and I’m obsessed!!! I only got like 4 hours of sleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I still can’t believe this was Jensen's debut novel. It was that good. Audi’s journey broke me in the best way, and the character growth felt so real and raw. Roman being there to pick up her broken pieces was just ✨chef’s kiss ✨. And Roman?? Literal cinnamon roll. The way he cared for Audra when she didn’t even want to open up had me melting. Overall…..I LOVED IT!!!!!
Omg I just finished After the Storm and I’m obsessed!!! I only got like 4 hours of sleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I still can’t believe this was Jensen's debut novel. It was that good. Audi’s journey broke me in the best way, and the character growth felt so real and raw. Roman being there to pick up her broken pieces was just ✨chef’s kiss ✨. And Roman?? Literal cinnamon roll. The way he cared for Audra when she didn’t even want to open up had me melting. Overall…..I LOVED IT!!!!!
May 7, 2025
Spice rating: 2
Recommend to someone who is looking for a protective cinnamon roll MMC and a FMC dealing with trauma.
Grumpy sunshine
"It’s always been you”
He washes her hair
DV survivor
Anxiety rep
Hurt & Comfort
Best friend’s brother
Secret relationship
He remembers everything
Dirty mouth, MMC
“Use your words”
Fun time in a Jeep
FMC is emotional runner
The relationship between these two is grounded in finding a safe place. Roman turns out to be Audra’s unexpected safe space when she needed one the most.
While Audra struggles to understand her new feelings And trying to find herself again after being in an abusive relationship, Roman is living his dreams come true because he has been into Audra since forever.
Unfortunately, the circumstances that’s bring them together createa a lot of baggage for their relationship. Between the DV Audra endured with her ex-boyfriend and having to hide their relationship from Romans brother/Audra’s best friend their relationship turns out to be an uphill battle. We really get to see Audra struggle with the psychological damage her ex caused her. She didn’t magically get over it just because she was in a new relationship.
The story itself is great. We get a complete circle when it comes to their relationship. Build up, conflict and happy ending.
Unfortunately, I felt there were some loose ends and underdeveloped aspects to the story.
We don’t really get much into who Audra is outside of her relationships. She has a job at a sea life rescue but we don’t really get the why she works there or if she’s still in school. On the other hand we have a whole backstory on Roman. To me he was the main character.
There is also the loose end of the ex boyfriend. We never really finds out what happened to him. He’s a major on page character, then he’s gone.
Audra’s mom was an issue for me. She’s definitely an absentee mom, I get she works to give her daughter a good life but I expect more once she was finally on page with dialogue.
The epilogue spicy scene was also a bit out of character for Roman in my option.
There is also a part of the story where Audra recounts events to someone and it just felt like an out of place summary for me as a reader. I think it could have been removed and just mentioned that she tells the friend everything.
There is the set up for a second and possibly third book that is not very discreetly added in. I’ll probably read the second book to see how the author has developed. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be able to read this ahead of the release date as an ARC reader.
Recommend to someone who is looking for a protective cinnamon roll MMC and a FMC dealing with trauma.
Grumpy sunshine
"It’s always been you”
He washes her hair
DV survivor
Anxiety rep
Hurt & Comfort
Best friend’s brother
Secret relationship
He remembers everything
Dirty mouth, MMC
“Use your words”
Fun time in a Jeep
FMC is emotional runner
The relationship between these two is grounded in finding a safe place. Roman turns out to be Audra’s unexpected safe space when she needed one the most.
While Audra struggles to understand her new feelings And trying to find herself again after being in an abusive relationship, Roman is living his dreams come true because he has been into Audra since forever.
Unfortunately, the circumstances that’s bring them together createa a lot of baggage for their relationship. Between the DV Audra endured with her ex-boyfriend and having to hide their relationship from Romans brother/Audra’s best friend their relationship turns out to be an uphill battle. We really get to see Audra struggle with the psychological damage her ex caused her. She didn’t magically get over it just because she was in a new relationship.
The story itself is great. We get a complete circle when it comes to their relationship. Build up, conflict and happy ending.
Unfortunately, I felt there were some loose ends and underdeveloped aspects to the story.
We don’t really get much into who Audra is outside of her relationships. She has a job at a sea life rescue but we don’t really get the why she works there or if she’s still in school. On the other hand we have a whole backstory on Roman. To me he was the main character.
There is also the loose end of the ex boyfriend. We never really finds out what happened to him. He’s a major on page character, then he’s gone.
Audra’s mom was an issue for me. She’s definitely an absentee mom, I get she works to give her daughter a good life but I expect more once she was finally on page with dialogue.
The epilogue spicy scene was also a bit out of character for Roman in my option.
There is also a part of the story where Audra recounts events to someone and it just felt like an out of place summary for me as a reader. I think it could have been removed and just mentioned that she tells the friend everything.
There is the set up for a second and possibly third book that is not very discreetly added in. I’ll probably read the second book to see how the author has developed. I’m thankful for the opportunity to be able to read this ahead of the release date as an ARC reader.
April 16, 2025
Thank you to the author for gifting me an e-book ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. After the Storm will be released on May 15th.
⭐⭐⭐ 3 stars (with an unofficial extra half star!)
After the Storm follows Audra Hart, a young woman finally free from an abusive relationship but still struggling with the emotional aftermath. When she unexpectedly finds herself on the doorstep of Roman Dawkins, her best friend's older brother, during a rainstorm, something shifts between them. Roman has secretly had feelings for Audra for years, and now he has the chance to be her safe harbor. As their connection deepens, they must navigate not only the shadows of Audra's past but also the complications of their relationship potentially affecting the people they care about most.
Now for some of the tropes:
☑️Best Friend's Brother
☑️Found Family
☑️It's Always Been You
☑️Small Coastal Town
☑️DV Survivor Rep
There's something so deeply satisfying about watching a character rebuild themselves after trauma, and Jensen Kate's debut novel captures this journey with remarkable authenticity. The small coastal town setting creates the perfect backdrop for this story of healing and new beginnings. I could practically feel the salt in the air while reading!
What really stands out in After the Storm is the representation of Audra's experience as a domestic violence survivor. Audra's thought processes, fears, and gradual steps toward trust feel genuine and age-appropriate for a young woman in her early twenties. There's no magical overnight healing here, just messy, realistic growth.
And Roman? Give me a "been-in-love-with-you-forever" hero ANY day! His protective nature never crosses into controlling territory, which is exactly what Audra needs. The way he balances being supportive without trying to "fix" everything showcases some refreshingly mature emotional intelligence.
While there were a few plot points that could have been more thoroughly developed, they didn't significantly detract from my overall enjoyment of the central romance.
For a debut novel, I'm genuinely curious to see how her writing evolves with future books!
⭐⭐⭐ 3 stars (with an unofficial extra half star!)
After the Storm follows Audra Hart, a young woman finally free from an abusive relationship but still struggling with the emotional aftermath. When she unexpectedly finds herself on the doorstep of Roman Dawkins, her best friend's older brother, during a rainstorm, something shifts between them. Roman has secretly had feelings for Audra for years, and now he has the chance to be her safe harbor. As their connection deepens, they must navigate not only the shadows of Audra's past but also the complications of their relationship potentially affecting the people they care about most.
Now for some of the tropes:
☑️Best Friend's Brother
☑️Found Family
☑️It's Always Been You
☑️Small Coastal Town
☑️DV Survivor Rep
There's something so deeply satisfying about watching a character rebuild themselves after trauma, and Jensen Kate's debut novel captures this journey with remarkable authenticity. The small coastal town setting creates the perfect backdrop for this story of healing and new beginnings. I could practically feel the salt in the air while reading!
What really stands out in After the Storm is the representation of Audra's experience as a domestic violence survivor. Audra's thought processes, fears, and gradual steps toward trust feel genuine and age-appropriate for a young woman in her early twenties. There's no magical overnight healing here, just messy, realistic growth.
And Roman? Give me a "been-in-love-with-you-forever" hero ANY day! His protective nature never crosses into controlling territory, which is exactly what Audra needs. The way he balances being supportive without trying to "fix" everything showcases some refreshingly mature emotional intelligence.
While there were a few plot points that could have been more thoroughly developed, they didn't significantly detract from my overall enjoyment of the central romance.
For a debut novel, I'm genuinely curious to see how her writing evolves with future books!
May 10, 2025
**ARC Review**
For a debut novel, Jensen Kate did such a good job with this! It was emotional, sweet and comforting. You have a young girl that has been broken and hurt trying to find her way out of the storm that became her life. Never did she think that it would be with the love, support and affection of the one person she never thought possible. Audra really found her peace and safety with Roman. He was that simple presence she needed. That kind, comforting and patient person to help her feel grounded and stop all the noise in her head. This book also had such a feeling of family too, where all anyone wanted to do was protect her.
Overall this one was a 4 ⭐️ read for me.
Can we appreciate for a second how adorable it is when the mmc has been absolutely besotted with the fmc for such a long time and has just been waiting for her to catch up 🥰 THIS IS ROMAN TO A T! Even cuter when he has always gushed about her to his best friend and then gets so excited when little moments start happening between them. He is adorable and no one can convince me otherwise. He was the perfect calm, quiet and sensitive person for Audra after all she had been through. I loved the way their relationship bloosomed throughout the book.
"It’s always been her. There’s no one else for me."
Audra went through such growth in this book. She went from being such a shell of the person she used to be and feeling like she was on the outside looking in, to finding her voice and finding the confidence in herself to be okay with the fact that she has changed. She became more confident as the book went and found her strength again. And she did it all with Roman loving and supporting her along the way. He helped her heal but also helped her to learn what real, true love can really look and feel like.
"After the storm, when everything settled, I realized that Roman hadn’t just helped me heal— he has shown me that love isn’t just survival, but the bliss in finding someone who brings you peace."
Thank you so much to Jensen Kate for giving me the chance to ARC read this 🙌
For a debut novel, Jensen Kate did such a good job with this! It was emotional, sweet and comforting. You have a young girl that has been broken and hurt trying to find her way out of the storm that became her life. Never did she think that it would be with the love, support and affection of the one person she never thought possible. Audra really found her peace and safety with Roman. He was that simple presence she needed. That kind, comforting and patient person to help her feel grounded and stop all the noise in her head. This book also had such a feeling of family too, where all anyone wanted to do was protect her.
Overall this one was a 4 ⭐️ read for me.
Can we appreciate for a second how adorable it is when the mmc has been absolutely besotted with the fmc for such a long time and has just been waiting for her to catch up 🥰 THIS IS ROMAN TO A T! Even cuter when he has always gushed about her to his best friend and then gets so excited when little moments start happening between them. He is adorable and no one can convince me otherwise. He was the perfect calm, quiet and sensitive person for Audra after all she had been through. I loved the way their relationship bloosomed throughout the book.
"It’s always been her. There’s no one else for me."
Audra went through such growth in this book. She went from being such a shell of the person she used to be and feeling like she was on the outside looking in, to finding her voice and finding the confidence in herself to be okay with the fact that she has changed. She became more confident as the book went and found her strength again. And she did it all with Roman loving and supporting her along the way. He helped her heal but also helped her to learn what real, true love can really look and feel like.
"After the storm, when everything settled, I realized that Roman hadn’t just helped me heal— he has shown me that love isn’t just survival, but the bliss in finding someone who brings you peace."
Thank you so much to Jensen Kate for giving me the chance to ARC read this 🙌
April 17, 2025
TW: DV, anx!ety, PTSD, dad left, Ab*se
I very much enjoyed this book. Audra has just gotten herself out of an ab*sive relationship and walks to her best friends house to find his brother being the only one home. Roman can tell she shouldn’t be alone and offers to stay with her.
Roman has been in love with Audra since he met her in middle school but he knows that she will need time and does everything to help her heal and never push her. This is truly the perfect example of a man written by a woman. (10/10 you will fall for this complete and utter gooey cinnamon roll in a man shaped body suit)
Roman would let Audra use him as a door mat at any time and probably smile and say thank you. But don’t get me wrong. He can and will hurt anyone who so much as looks at Audra wrong. Be still my heart.
Anyway. Audra predictably has some PT$D and escaping an ab*sive ex is not always as easy as “just leaving” and it was refreshing to see a book talk about this. Leaving does not always just make the person leave them alone and the constant fear and anx!ety that Audra has to live with was well done.
She turns to Roman because he helps her quiet the noise and he’s just happy to be near her at all. Again. I’m pretty sure he’s actually just a gooey cinnamon roll in a human suit!
They are grumpy/sunshine in the cutest way.
The themes are heavy and the healing is not linear. Her problems don’t disappear just because Roman says it’s in the past.
Tropes: he falls first, best friends brother, friends to lovers, he rescues her, he baths her, soothes her after a panic att*ck, he comforts her after a nightmare, grumpy/sunshine, reverse grumpy/sunshine, “i love you”/“say it again” touch her and I’ll mess you up
Spice:🌶️.5
Steam:🔥🔥🔥
Sweetness:💗💗💗💗
Best friends who stole the show: 🥰
I very much enjoyed this book. Audra has just gotten herself out of an ab*sive relationship and walks to her best friends house to find his brother being the only one home. Roman can tell she shouldn’t be alone and offers to stay with her.
Roman has been in love with Audra since he met her in middle school but he knows that she will need time and does everything to help her heal and never push her. This is truly the perfect example of a man written by a woman. (10/10 you will fall for this complete and utter gooey cinnamon roll in a man shaped body suit)
Roman would let Audra use him as a door mat at any time and probably smile and say thank you. But don’t get me wrong. He can and will hurt anyone who so much as looks at Audra wrong. Be still my heart.
Anyway. Audra predictably has some PT$D and escaping an ab*sive ex is not always as easy as “just leaving” and it was refreshing to see a book talk about this. Leaving does not always just make the person leave them alone and the constant fear and anx!ety that Audra has to live with was well done.
She turns to Roman because he helps her quiet the noise and he’s just happy to be near her at all. Again. I’m pretty sure he’s actually just a gooey cinnamon roll in a human suit!
They are grumpy/sunshine in the cutest way.
The themes are heavy and the healing is not linear. Her problems don’t disappear just because Roman says it’s in the past.
Tropes: he falls first, best friends brother, friends to lovers, he rescues her, he baths her, soothes her after a panic att*ck, he comforts her after a nightmare, grumpy/sunshine, reverse grumpy/sunshine, “i love you”/“say it again” touch her and I’ll mess you up
Spice:🌶️.5
Steam:🔥🔥🔥
Sweetness:💗💗💗💗
Best friends who stole the show: 🥰
April 23, 2025
*I was given an ARC from the author. All opinions are honest and my own.*
If you were in the mood to be swept off your feet by a kind, steady, emotionally, intelligent MMC - look no further. Roman is the kind of character that romance novels were made for - he is swoon worthy without being an annoying puppy dog following the FMC around. 1000% approved.
Our FMC, Audra, has a lot going on from the jump. Her tumultuous previous relationship has done a number on her mentally, and she makes understandable mistakes as a result. My only complaint about her is that she is fairly emotionally, immature, and behaves like it in some of the interactions we see her have. This may be annoying to me because I am no longer a 20 something, and I don’t approach relationships the way that kids do anymore! 😂 her reactions and reasoning, while understandable, made me want to shake her sometimes.
There were themes of domestic violence that I thought were very sad, and very well done. Her trauma felt relatable and real.
Warning! If you aren’t comfy with spicy scenes, you may want to cover your eyes for the back half of the book 😂
There are a couple of secondary characters that feel like they’re going to get their own books upcoming. And honestly, I’m looking forward to their stories. I appreciate Audra’s mixed gender friendships - and how there was no complications beyond the plot points. Roman’s best friend Beck was very interesting, and I would love to see more of him. I think he might also have his own story To tell.
Overall, this was an easy, fun read - absolute brain candy in the best way.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
(Suuuuper smoky, but nothing off the chain)
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5
Would absolutely read the rest of the series and would recommend to the romance lovers TBR!
If you were in the mood to be swept off your feet by a kind, steady, emotionally, intelligent MMC - look no further. Roman is the kind of character that romance novels were made for - he is swoon worthy without being an annoying puppy dog following the FMC around. 1000% approved.
Our FMC, Audra, has a lot going on from the jump. Her tumultuous previous relationship has done a number on her mentally, and she makes understandable mistakes as a result. My only complaint about her is that she is fairly emotionally, immature, and behaves like it in some of the interactions we see her have. This may be annoying to me because I am no longer a 20 something, and I don’t approach relationships the way that kids do anymore! 😂 her reactions and reasoning, while understandable, made me want to shake her sometimes.
There were themes of domestic violence that I thought were very sad, and very well done. Her trauma felt relatable and real.
Warning! If you aren’t comfy with spicy scenes, you may want to cover your eyes for the back half of the book 😂
There are a couple of secondary characters that feel like they’re going to get their own books upcoming. And honestly, I’m looking forward to their stories. I appreciate Audra’s mixed gender friendships - and how there was no complications beyond the plot points. Roman’s best friend Beck was very interesting, and I would love to see more of him. I think he might also have his own story To tell.
Overall, this was an easy, fun read - absolute brain candy in the best way.
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
(Suuuuper smoky, but nothing off the chain)
Stars: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25/5
Would absolutely read the rest of the series and would recommend to the romance lovers TBR!
May 8, 2025
Thank you to Jensen Kate for an eARC of this book! All thoughts expressed are my honest opinion.
Tropes/representation areas:
- Best Friend’s Older Brother
- He falls first
- He takes care of her (sickness/hungover/etc.)
- Slight forced proximity
- Domestic violence survivor (DV occurs off page but is vaguely referenced multiple times)
- Anxiety
- Dual POV
- She’s the grumpy, he’s the sunshine
- Beach living/coastal vibes
Overall, I really enjoyed this read and the story! One thing I thought was different was the representation of 20-something’s living with their parents; as someone who has experience with moving back in with my parents as an adult/in my 20s, that was nice to read about, especially as in recent years it’s been more common for those in their 20s to spend some time back in parents’ houses, even if they do have successful jobs, like Roman does, but might be in a period of transition in other areas of life. I was a bit surprised that 3 of them all still live with parents, but appreciate the rep of 23/24 year olds living back home.
I loved how far gone Roman is/“down bad” for her from the very beginning! Just how much he tries to protect her/be her safety net and listens to literally every word she says! This is one of those situations where I think real-life men could benefit from reading a book like this!
Finally, there is really only one thing I questioned (it’s not a con, just something I wasn’t sure about)-discussing the possibility of going to therapy is brought up once that I can recall? It’s possible there’s something I missed or am not able to recall, that’s just something that stood out to me because it seems a little like a missed opportunity to me.
Tropes/representation areas:
- Best Friend’s Older Brother
- He falls first
- He takes care of her (sickness/hungover/etc.)
- Slight forced proximity
- Domestic violence survivor (DV occurs off page but is vaguely referenced multiple times)
- Anxiety
- Dual POV
- She’s the grumpy, he’s the sunshine
- Beach living/coastal vibes
Overall, I really enjoyed this read and the story! One thing I thought was different was the representation of 20-something’s living with their parents; as someone who has experience with moving back in with my parents as an adult/in my 20s, that was nice to read about, especially as in recent years it’s been more common for those in their 20s to spend some time back in parents’ houses, even if they do have successful jobs, like Roman does, but might be in a period of transition in other areas of life. I was a bit surprised that 3 of them all still live with parents, but appreciate the rep of 23/24 year olds living back home.
I loved how far gone Roman is/“down bad” for her from the very beginning! Just how much he tries to protect her/be her safety net and listens to literally every word she says! This is one of those situations where I think real-life men could benefit from reading a book like this!
Finally, there is really only one thing I questioned (it’s not a con, just something I wasn’t sure about)-discussing the possibility of going to therapy is brought up once that I can recall? It’s possible there’s something I missed or am not able to recall, that’s just something that stood out to me because it seems a little like a missed opportunity to me.
May 15, 2025
[ARC review]
THIS IS HOW A DEBUT SHOULD BE WRITTEN 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you so much Jensen Kate for having me on your ARC team! I don’t read contemporary romance as much as I used to (these days I live for the dark and twisted books 😭), but I still dip into the fluffy stuff here and there for ARC reading—and I’m SO glad I picked this one up.
This book was everything. It was emotional, heartwarming, and so beautifully written that I flew through it in one sitting. I was completely captivated from beginning to end. The story had the perfect balance of trauma and healing, love and pain, comfort and tension.
The relationship development between the main characters was so well done—it felt authentic, natural, and gave me ALL the warm fuzzies 🥹. I especially loved that it wasn’t insta-love, but also didn’t drag as a slow burn. The pacing was just right. The friends-to-lovers vibe was executed flawlessly and made me realize (again) how much I adore this trope.
Roman stole my heart. The way he loved Audra so patiently and unconditionally? Ugh. We need more characters like him. He didn’t push or expect anything from her, he just loved her fiercely and quietly until she was ready. That kind of tenderness is rare and so refreshing.
And let’s talk about the spice! It was absolutely delicious and meaningful! It wasn’t just thrown in for the heat; it served a purpose, highlighting the importance of trust, consent, and emotional safety in intimate moments. Jensen nailed the balance between sensuality and softness, and it made everything feel so real and respectful. 🔥
This debut was an absolute gem. I laughed, I cried, and I melted. After the Storm hit every note I was hoping for and more. I’m so excited to see where her writing takes her next!
THIS IS HOW A DEBUT SHOULD BE WRITTEN 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Thank you so much Jensen Kate for having me on your ARC team! I don’t read contemporary romance as much as I used to (these days I live for the dark and twisted books 😭), but I still dip into the fluffy stuff here and there for ARC reading—and I’m SO glad I picked this one up.
This book was everything. It was emotional, heartwarming, and so beautifully written that I flew through it in one sitting. I was completely captivated from beginning to end. The story had the perfect balance of trauma and healing, love and pain, comfort and tension.
The relationship development between the main characters was so well done—it felt authentic, natural, and gave me ALL the warm fuzzies 🥹. I especially loved that it wasn’t insta-love, but also didn’t drag as a slow burn. The pacing was just right. The friends-to-lovers vibe was executed flawlessly and made me realize (again) how much I adore this trope.
Roman stole my heart. The way he loved Audra so patiently and unconditionally? Ugh. We need more characters like him. He didn’t push or expect anything from her, he just loved her fiercely and quietly until she was ready. That kind of tenderness is rare and so refreshing.
And let’s talk about the spice! It was absolutely delicious and meaningful! It wasn’t just thrown in for the heat; it served a purpose, highlighting the importance of trust, consent, and emotional safety in intimate moments. Jensen nailed the balance between sensuality and softness, and it made everything feel so real and respectful. 🔥
This debut was an absolute gem. I laughed, I cried, and I melted. After the Storm hit every note I was hoping for and more. I’m so excited to see where her writing takes her next!
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