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And Then Everything Changed
One moment took everything. Another offers a chance to begin again.
Four years after losing her husband, Asha still struggles to step back into the life she once loved. Attending Unity in Grief has been her one constant—until the day a new face shatters her carefully built walls. Cole, burdened by the weight of his own loss and a failing restaurant, stirs something in Asha she thought was gone hope.
An unexpected friendship blooms into something deeper, Asha and Cole discover an undeniable bond—one strengthened by shared sorrow and the quiet belief that maybe healing is possible after all. But when a painful connection between their pasts comes to light, everything they’ve built teeters on the edge.
In a journey woven with heartbreak and second chances, Asha and Cole must decide if love can rise from the wreckage—or if some wounds are too deep to mend.
In the aftermath of loss, can two broken hearts find their way back to the light?
Four years after losing her husband, Asha still struggles to step back into the life she once loved. Attending Unity in Grief has been her one constant—until the day a new face shatters her carefully built walls. Cole, burdened by the weight of his own loss and a failing restaurant, stirs something in Asha she thought was gone hope.
An unexpected friendship blooms into something deeper, Asha and Cole discover an undeniable bond—one strengthened by shared sorrow and the quiet belief that maybe healing is possible after all. But when a painful connection between their pasts comes to light, everything they’ve built teeters on the edge.
In a journey woven with heartbreak and second chances, Asha and Cole must decide if love can rise from the wreckage—or if some wounds are too deep to mend.
In the aftermath of loss, can two broken hearts find their way back to the light?
354 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 10, 2025
46 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
J. Nichole
64 books197 followersJ. Nichole is an African American Romance author who lives in the Northern Virginia area with her real-life muse, her husband, and her outer body heartbeats, her daughter & son. When she's not battling the hustle and bustle of the DMV, she's enjoying both sketchy and fancy restaurants with her husband, and experiencing life as a child again with her kids.
Find her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok: by_jnichole on all the things!
Find her on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok: by_jnichole on all the things!
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 28, 2025
And the everything changed
This title was perfect for this story and for these characters. This story showed that in the blink of an eye, everything can change, good, bad or indifferent. This story took me on a range of emotions and was analogous to sunshine coming after a thunderstorm. In the beginning, Asha and Cole both were going through the storm and not really seeing a way through. While Asha was determined to eventually get to the other side, Cole struggled with getting past his guilt and anger, which made it hard for him to heal because he was avoiding thinking long and deep about his loss. A little more than halfway through this story, you could feel the clouds start to part and could anticipate the sunshine after the storm.
It was interesting how Asha and Cole’s paths aligned even before actually meaning and discovering the depth of their connection. While the journey was hard a times, I enjoyed taking this journey with Cole and Asha and seeing them get to find joy and happiness again and allow the sunshine to take over. This story was one heavy with grief, but the central theme is that there will eventually be better days and to not give up on finding them.
I appreciated the care the author took in telling this heavy story. It was paced nicely and written very well and had me anticipating that sunshine and rainbow at the end of every storm and that’s what I received by the end of this story.
This title was perfect for this story and for these characters. This story showed that in the blink of an eye, everything can change, good, bad or indifferent. This story took me on a range of emotions and was analogous to sunshine coming after a thunderstorm. In the beginning, Asha and Cole both were going through the storm and not really seeing a way through. While Asha was determined to eventually get to the other side, Cole struggled with getting past his guilt and anger, which made it hard for him to heal because he was avoiding thinking long and deep about his loss. A little more than halfway through this story, you could feel the clouds start to part and could anticipate the sunshine after the storm.
It was interesting how Asha and Cole’s paths aligned even before actually meaning and discovering the depth of their connection. While the journey was hard a times, I enjoyed taking this journey with Cole and Asha and seeing them get to find joy and happiness again and allow the sunshine to take over. This story was one heavy with grief, but the central theme is that there will eventually be better days and to not give up on finding them.
I appreciated the care the author took in telling this heavy story. It was paced nicely and written very well and had me anticipating that sunshine and rainbow at the end of every storm and that’s what I received by the end of this story.
June 25, 2025
Grieving
This novel was an excellent example of people grieving and moving forward. It was a beautiful second chance love story that many people who never move forward in their grief may never experience. The writing was excellent and touching. I never loss a spouse but losing my grandson and my father brought grief to my doorstep. I always remember them both with love. They will never be forgotten.
This novel was an excellent example of people grieving and moving forward. It was a beautiful second chance love story that many people who never move forward in their grief may never experience. The writing was excellent and touching. I never loss a spouse but losing my grandson and my father brought grief to my doorstep. I always remember them both with love. They will never be forgotten.
July 7, 2025
I started this book without reading the blurb or hearing the synopsis. J Nichole is one of my authors that I just read whatever they have out. This was not what I expected at all but it did not disappoint. She handled the subject of grief and loss so beautifully. Everything felt real. The emotions of the characters and their journeys were very realistic. They were not rushed to heal or rushed to have a happy ending and I enjoyed that. Once again another great book.
June 19, 2025
More please!
Loved Asha and Cole’s story although it was more about them grieving than them finding love. I enjoyed reading about how they processed their grief and feelings. I would have liked more on their love story but was still satisfied at the end. Would like to read more about their life together but in my mind, they will live happily ever after.
Loved Asha and Cole’s story although it was more about them grieving than them finding love. I enjoyed reading about how they processed their grief and feelings. I would have liked more on their love story but was still satisfied at the end. Would like to read more about their life together but in my mind, they will live happily ever after.
September 24, 2025
Love after loss
What a beautiful journey you took us on. Finding your footing after deep loss can seem like such an insurmountable feat. This story poignantly portrays the story of two people treading the waters of their grief push through to find new joy and all the emotions that comes along with it. Definitely worth the read and the "gems" you'll collect.
What a beautiful journey you took us on. Finding your footing after deep loss can seem like such an insurmountable feat. This story poignantly portrays the story of two people treading the waters of their grief push through to find new joy and all the emotions that comes along with it. Definitely worth the read and the "gems" you'll collect.
June 27, 2025
The story was very emotional and carefully written. I'll say more later. 4.5 stars.
October 25, 2025
Great read!!!!
October 29, 2025
This book was so beautiful and heartbreaking. It gutted me and made laugh and smile too. Loved it.
November 16, 2025
A Healing Love
I've cried, laughed and been angry with this story. Cole and Asha had a hold on me. This story is very healing for people going through grief.
I've cried, laughed and been angry with this story. Cole and Asha had a hold on me. This story is very healing for people going through grief.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews