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After Hours
A workplace, fake-dating romance novel with mischief, stalking, and an FMC that is not afraid to wedgie someone when called for. Welcome to The Dinner Club Series, from the author of the reverse-kidnapping romantic comedy, The Unseen.
What do you get when you cross a boss with a metaphorical stick up his butt and an office manager who catches him stalking his patients?
A wildly chaotic, painfully public fake relationship—complete with moral fine print and a clause about “stalking patients only under extreme circumstances.” (And yes, a seagull attack totally qualifies.)
Dr. Alfie Adams is one meltdown away from losing everything he’s worked for. His obsession with control, and, okay, light stalking, might finally tank his career. Enter Mia bold, unpredictable, and far too good at pushing his buttons. She’s determined to keep him professionally afloat... at least until she gets that reference.
But when Alfie’s public profile gets them both caught in a lie, they’re forced to fake a relationship until things blow over. Which is fine, except Alfie keeps stalking patients, Mia starts stalking Alfie, and somewhere along the way, things get a little too real.
She’s already survived one life-uprooting disaster, and she’s not about to let it happen again. Even if her unfairly hot, devastatingly kind boss is making her fall for him.
Turns out love isn’t listed in the employee handbook, but if it were, Alfie and Mia would be breaking every rule in it.
What do you get when you cross a boss with a metaphorical stick up his butt and an office manager who catches him stalking his patients?
A wildly chaotic, painfully public fake relationship—complete with moral fine print and a clause about “stalking patients only under extreme circumstances.” (And yes, a seagull attack totally qualifies.)
Dr. Alfie Adams is one meltdown away from losing everything he’s worked for. His obsession with control, and, okay, light stalking, might finally tank his career. Enter Mia bold, unpredictable, and far too good at pushing his buttons. She’s determined to keep him professionally afloat... at least until she gets that reference.
But when Alfie’s public profile gets them both caught in a lie, they’re forced to fake a relationship until things blow over. Which is fine, except Alfie keeps stalking patients, Mia starts stalking Alfie, and somewhere along the way, things get a little too real.
She’s already survived one life-uprooting disaster, and she’s not about to let it happen again. Even if her unfairly hot, devastatingly kind boss is making her fall for him.
Turns out love isn’t listed in the employee handbook, but if it were, Alfie and Mia would be breaking every rule in it.
- GenresRomanceFake Dating
497 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2025
46 people are currently reading
252 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
December 12, 2025
Yes! More please
I love her writing style. Its the perfect blend of rom com with darker themes without being dark dark. I love Dr Alfie he is damaged but puts in the work and changes. I need more from Ali Roberts! I need the whole Dinner Club Series soon. Please and Thank you
I love her writing style. Its the perfect blend of rom com with darker themes without being dark dark. I love Dr Alfie he is damaged but puts in the work and changes. I need more from Ali Roberts! I need the whole Dinner Club Series soon. Please and Thank you
December 22, 2025
Ali Roberts just keeps getting better and better! I loved the characters in this, it was at times hilarious but also heart warming and very romantic! I can't wait for the next one!!
December 21, 2025
Another novel by Ali that I couldn’t put down!
Dr. Alfie’s story did not disappoint! His relationship with Mia, understanding why he does what he does. Knowing Mia’s backstory. The plot twist, I wasn’t expecting that! Amazing!
Dr. Alfie’s story did not disappoint! His relationship with Mia, understanding why he does what he does. Knowing Mia’s backstory. The plot twist, I wasn’t expecting that! Amazing!
January 25, 2026
The twist DID get me and I had a silly time, but you are gonna have to be a little delulu to get through this one.
December 22, 2025
The first of the dinner club series!!! Who’s going to be in the second!!! THE PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW!!!
What a spectacular release for the outstanding Author Ali Roberts.
The comic timing and sexual tension keeps you turning page after page.
Ali you are amazing!!!
What a spectacular release for the outstanding Author Ali Roberts.
The comic timing and sexual tension keeps you turning page after page.
Ali you are amazing!!!
December 7, 2025
After reading The Unseen, I could not wait for this book to come out! Alfie and Mia had me cracking up in this book so many times, pun intended for this one.
Mia has been working for Alfie, or Dr. Adams, for three years now and she’s always had a crush on him. What Mia doesn’t know is that Alfie has also been harboring feelings for her. When stalking one of his patients goes bottoms up, these two pretend to date, at least until Mia is done with school.
I cannot tell you how many times I really laughed out loud in this book. The referencing back to the first time Mia caught him and the fact that Alfie was a little scared of Mia, was perfect. I loved that Mia was upset that he wasn’t stalking her but didn’t know that he really was.
The chemistry between them was delicious. I love build up and yearning. These two yearned for each other until it finally boils over. Alfie was the most patient man, waiting for Mia to be truly sure it was him she wanted.
Both characters are truly so thoughtful of each other in this book. And they are both in the field of psychology so it’s a no brainer but still it could have gone a totally different way. Alfie was, like I said before, the most patient man. He wanted to make sure when they finally stopped pretending, it was something Mia was ready for.
The side characters in this book were also amazing. Annie is my favorite, even though she is just a kid in this book, she had some of the best lines. Dinner Club had some of my favorite parts too. I loved getting to read about Alfie’s friends and imagining where their storyline is going.
Mia has been working for Alfie, or Dr. Adams, for three years now and she’s always had a crush on him. What Mia doesn’t know is that Alfie has also been harboring feelings for her. When stalking one of his patients goes bottoms up, these two pretend to date, at least until Mia is done with school.
I cannot tell you how many times I really laughed out loud in this book. The referencing back to the first time Mia caught him and the fact that Alfie was a little scared of Mia, was perfect. I loved that Mia was upset that he wasn’t stalking her but didn’t know that he really was.
The chemistry between them was delicious. I love build up and yearning. These two yearned for each other until it finally boils over. Alfie was the most patient man, waiting for Mia to be truly sure it was him she wanted.
Both characters are truly so thoughtful of each other in this book. And they are both in the field of psychology so it’s a no brainer but still it could have gone a totally different way. Alfie was, like I said before, the most patient man. He wanted to make sure when they finally stopped pretending, it was something Mia was ready for.
The side characters in this book were also amazing. Annie is my favorite, even though she is just a kid in this book, she had some of the best lines. Dinner Club had some of my favorite parts too. I loved getting to read about Alfie’s friends and imagining where their storyline is going.
January 13, 2026
Ali Roberts is such a fresh and funny new writer! I didn't love this book as much as I loved The Unseen, but it was really entertaining and quirky, with relatable characters. I'm interested in what she does with the rest of the series. I really liked how she explored psychology and the role of psychologists, and found her writing very emotionally intelligent.
My major criticism is that she desperately needs a good editor. Her writing is strong, but it could be much better with smoother transitions and fewer inner monologues, which are often lengthy and repetitive. She needs to learn to show, not tell, more. I felt the plot progression and elements of suspense were often overshadowed by the book's overwriting and lack of editing. The book didn't necessarily need to be nearly 500 pages. One minor criticism is that I hated the over-reliance on alcohol for socialising at the Dinner Club.
My major criticism is that she desperately needs a good editor. Her writing is strong, but it could be much better with smoother transitions and fewer inner monologues, which are often lengthy and repetitive. She needs to learn to show, not tell, more. I felt the plot progression and elements of suspense were often overshadowed by the book's overwriting and lack of editing. The book didn't necessarily need to be nearly 500 pages. One minor criticism is that I hated the over-reliance on alcohol for socialising at the Dinner Club.
February 7, 2026
I'm not sure about turning territorial alpha MMC after all these years, I understand his reasoning why he kept himself away from her but still,,,
Also, Alfie is a dog name for me, I'm sorry I don't know where this comes from lol.
“Mia, please. I’m begging you. I know you’re only twenty-eight. But I’m thirty-five.”
I need him. And not as a therapist
;;;
deamorski
Also, Alfie is a dog name for me, I'm sorry I don't know where this comes from lol.
“Mia, please. I’m begging you. I know you’re only twenty-eight. But I’m thirty-five.”
I need him. And not as a therapist
;;;
deamorski
January 13, 2026
perfect
Read it immediately after The Unseen and couldn’t get enough. The way Ali makes her characters real and complex and solves their inner issues within the plot is truly astounding.
Had my heart in my throat reading through the last part.
Can’t wait for other books to come out.
Read it immediately after The Unseen and couldn’t get enough. The way Ali makes her characters real and complex and solves their inner issues within the plot is truly astounding.
Had my heart in my throat reading through the last part.
Can’t wait for other books to come out.
January 1, 2026
Okay so the Fake-Dating trope is done again and again but WOW, I felt this was done in such a fantastic way that the fake dating wasn’t the main point, there was so much development around the characters and the TWIST, I genuinely didn’t see coming. I loved seeing (reading) Austin and Olivia and I’m super excited about the rest of the characters and can’t wait to read more about them.
This is the second book released by Ali Roberts and again (like the first, The Unseen) I was laughing out loud within a few pages.
I had gone off romance books for a while, turning to much darker books because I felt that plot was missing however that is NOT the case with this book, I was gripped and fell so hard for Dr Alfie and Mia I wanted to know everything about them. This is easily one of the best romance books I’ve ever read, an emotional rollercoaster with genuinely loveable main characters and fantastic friends that I can’t wait to read more about!
This is the second book released by Ali Roberts and again (like the first, The Unseen) I was laughing out loud within a few pages.
I had gone off romance books for a while, turning to much darker books because I felt that plot was missing however that is NOT the case with this book, I was gripped and fell so hard for Dr Alfie and Mia I wanted to know everything about them. This is easily one of the best romance books I’ve ever read, an emotional rollercoaster with genuinely loveable main characters and fantastic friends that I can’t wait to read more about!
January 3, 2026
So glad to have another book by Ali to get stuck into!! An incredibly witty read - I can’t wait for the rest of the dinner club series!
February 6, 2026
🫤I had high expectations for this book. I honestly thought it would be even better than book one. Sadly, it wasn’t. The story doesn’t flow. Many pages repeat the same thing in about twenty different ways. I kept thinking, yes, I get it, please move on.
Both main characters are adults, but they really don’t act like it. A psychologist who behaves this confused and childish feels very odd. The back-and-forth banter didn’t make me laugh, and the wedgie joke definitely didn’t. Who thought that was a good idea.
There are also many editing mistakes. At one point Austin suddenly turns into Alfie. That was… impressive.
I stopped halfway through. I might try again later, because I hate not finishing a book, but for now I’m done. I thought I had found a new favorite author, but this one was a disappointment. Read at your own risk.
I had high expectations for this book. I honestly thought it would be even better than book one (Unseen). Sadly, it wasn’t. The story doesn’t flow. Many pages repeat the same thing in about twenty different ways. I kept thinking, yes, I get it, please move on.
Both main characters are adults, but they really don’t act like it. A psychologist who behaves this confused and childish feels very odd. The back-and-forth banter didn’t make me laugh, and the wedgie joke definitely didn’t. Who thought that was a good idea.
There are also many editing mistakes. At one point Austin suddenly turns into Alfie. That was… impressive.
I stopped halfway through. I might try again later, because I hate not finishing a book, but for now I’m done. I thought I had found a new favorite author, but this one was a disappointment.
Read at your own risk ⚠️
Both main characters are adults, but they really don’t act like it. A psychologist who behaves this confused and childish feels very odd. The back-and-forth banter didn’t make me laugh, and the wedgie joke definitely didn’t. Who thought that was a good idea.
There are also many editing mistakes. At one point Austin suddenly turns into Alfie. That was… impressive.
I stopped halfway through. I might try again later, because I hate not finishing a book, but for now I’m done. I thought I had found a new favorite author, but this one was a disappointment. Read at your own risk.
I had high expectations for this book. I honestly thought it would be even better than book one (Unseen). Sadly, it wasn’t. The story doesn’t flow. Many pages repeat the same thing in about twenty different ways. I kept thinking, yes, I get it, please move on.
Both main characters are adults, but they really don’t act like it. A psychologist who behaves this confused and childish feels very odd. The back-and-forth banter didn’t make me laugh, and the wedgie joke definitely didn’t. Who thought that was a good idea.
There are also many editing mistakes. At one point Austin suddenly turns into Alfie. That was… impressive.
I stopped halfway through. I might try again later, because I hate not finishing a book, but for now I’m done. I thought I had found a new favorite author, but this one was a disappointment.
Read at your own risk ⚠️
January 22, 2026
OMG the word vomit that Mia has in chapter 3 is the most amazing thing I’ve ever read. I could not stop laughing and had to read it 3 times. The wedgie scene will go down in history. Mia is the BEST! And Dr. Alfie, oh my Dr. Alfie. I thought that I absolutely love Austin from The Unseen, but holy god, Dr. Alfie is 100 times better. And that’s saying something big because Austin was amazing. Mia’s mouth through the first part of the book had me laughing so hard with the way she would purposely tease Alfie. And their relationship through the whole book was just the cutest, I just couldn’t get enough. He’s so scared of her and in love with her the whole time. Now he did some things wrong and yes I screamed at my Kindle, “WTF Alfie!” But he made up for it in the best ways. The plot twist hit me about 85% in and OMG! Well done. 👏 Golf clap to you. Chefs kiss 💋 and all.
Because did I see that coming: absolutely not.
Was it the best twist: ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY!
I’ve absolutely fell in love with Dr. Alfie and Mia, stalker shenanigans and all. I’m sad it’s over but can’t wait to see what’s next. Jonesy?
One thing that I’ve truly loved about this book and The Unseen is the cast of characters that have come along with it. I can’t wait to read about the rest of the Dinner Club. And kinda hoping the maybe just maybe there will be a few books about the friends and family in TX.
Because did I see that coming: absolutely not.
Was it the best twist: ABSO-FUCKING-LUTELY!
I’ve absolutely fell in love with Dr. Alfie and Mia, stalker shenanigans and all. I’m sad it’s over but can’t wait to see what’s next. Jonesy?
One thing that I’ve truly loved about this book and The Unseen is the cast of characters that have come along with it. I can’t wait to read about the rest of the Dinner Club. And kinda hoping the maybe just maybe there will be a few books about the friends and family in TX.
February 7, 2026
4,25 ✨
This book was so much f*cking fun to read.
Despite being almost 500 pages, I flew right through it.
I loved Alfie and Mia.
Both individually and as a couple.
Mia was definitely my queen though. Such a baddie.
The chemistry between those two was just top tier.
Their banter was great and their yearning & s*xual tension was absolutely palpable.
They also just had so much unconditional support and empathy for each other.
They weren’t perfect and both of them gave each other grace and understanding in moments were the other let trauma lead their actions.
All their friends were wonderful too.
I feel like most people who liked Lights Out would like this book too.
They are very different for sure but they give off similar vibes.
This book was so much f*cking fun to read.
Despite being almost 500 pages, I flew right through it.
I loved Alfie and Mia.
Both individually and as a couple.
Mia was definitely my queen though. Such a baddie.
The chemistry between those two was just top tier.
Their banter was great and their yearning & s*xual tension was absolutely palpable.
They also just had so much unconditional support and empathy for each other.
They weren’t perfect and both of them gave each other grace and understanding in moments were the other let trauma lead their actions.
All their friends were wonderful too.
I feel like most people who liked Lights Out would like this book too.
They are very different for sure but they give off similar vibes.
January 20, 2026
DNF at 20% I was lied to by TikTok again and there was supposed to be a funny “wedgie” scene. This book felt like it was started 1/3 the way through the story and never found its pace. Chemistry was lacking and banter was boring.
February 4, 2026
cute but sloppy
I really enjoyed the story but I was disappointed in the writing. There were A LOT of sloppy errors and some of the romance was cringey and just too much for what these characters were. Overall I enjoyed it but it was definitely not as well written as book 1.
I really enjoyed the story but I was disappointed in the writing. There were A LOT of sloppy errors and some of the romance was cringey and just too much for what these characters were. Overall I enjoyed it but it was definitely not as well written as book 1.
January 4, 2026
It was a fun read overall! I loved MIA the most. a good one sitting read. the banter and yearning was just top tier!
January 27, 2026
hot-daddy-academic-professor vibes, but he’s only 35.
he’s a little control freak, a little kinky, with some slutty little tortoiseshell glasses.
that’s all you need to know, go read it!
he’s a little control freak, a little kinky, with some slutty little tortoiseshell glasses.
that’s all you need to know, go read it!
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews