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The Time After Now
Every Picture Tells.
If Olivia hadn’t done what she did, would Drew still be alive?
Twenty years after the love affair Olivia never got over, Drew dies suddenly on a shoot in Iceland, taking with him the promise to guard their intimate photos.
When the images resurface with an anonymous threat of exposure, Olivia’s picture-perfect suburban life is thrown into jeopardy. How can she keep playing the flawless barrister’s wife if her past of avant-garde art, warehouse raves, drugs, and debauchery comes to light?
Desperate for counsel, she prepares to confide in her best friend but Miriam needs support with her own challenges, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Can Olivia outrun her past to protect her future, or will she be forced to reconcile the vibrant oil painting she once was with the fading watercolour she’s become?
An Own Voices portrayal of disability examining the ripple effects of decisions made in our youth.
If Olivia hadn’t done what she did, would Drew still be alive?
Twenty years after the love affair Olivia never got over, Drew dies suddenly on a shoot in Iceland, taking with him the promise to guard their intimate photos.
When the images resurface with an anonymous threat of exposure, Olivia’s picture-perfect suburban life is thrown into jeopardy. How can she keep playing the flawless barrister’s wife if her past of avant-garde art, warehouse raves, drugs, and debauchery comes to light?
Desperate for counsel, she prepares to confide in her best friend but Miriam needs support with her own challenges, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Can Olivia outrun her past to protect her future, or will she be forced to reconcile the vibrant oil painting she once was with the fading watercolour she’s become?
An Own Voices portrayal of disability examining the ripple effects of decisions made in our youth.
343 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 2026
About the author
Anne Freeman
4 books48 followersAnne Freeman writes award-winning contemporary fiction about women who are stuck in life and the extraordinary ways they shake themselves loose. Her stories are always engaging and sometimes funny with thrilling adventures, sexy escapades and friendships that uplift. Her hobbies include referring to herself in third person and making her family guffaw.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
September 5, 2026
OUTSTANDING!
It has been years since I pulled an all-nighter to finish a novel and that's exactly what I did with The Time After Now. I stayed up until 5.30am because I couldn't put it down.
Anne weaves a compelling, poignant tale drawn from her own voices experience living with type 1 diabetes. The characters are richly drawn and suck you into their lives and the depiction of friendship between strong women is a delight.
I absolutely LOVED this special novel.
Highly recommend.
It has been years since I pulled an all-nighter to finish a novel and that's exactly what I did with The Time After Now. I stayed up until 5.30am because I couldn't put it down.
Anne weaves a compelling, poignant tale drawn from her own voices experience living with type 1 diabetes. The characters are richly drawn and suck you into their lives and the depiction of friendship between strong women is a delight.
I absolutely LOVED this special novel.
Highly recommend.
August 29, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5 stars
𝙸𝚗𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚗 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 - 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝟸𝟺𝚑𝚛𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚎𝚡𝚊𝚌𝚝!
𝙰 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚗𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚐𝚒𝚊 𝚝𝚑𝚎 ’𝟸𝟶 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚐𝚘’ 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚢 𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝟸𝟶’𝚜 - 𝚘𝚑 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎!
𝚂𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚜𝚘 𝙸 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚢𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚍𝚒𝚐𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚋𝚑 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝙸 𝚜𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑 - 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚍!
𝙰 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙, 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝, 𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚜, 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢, 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚐𝚎, 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚗𝚎'𝚜 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎!
𝙰 𝚋𝚒𝚐 𝚏𝚊𝚝 𝚈𝙴𝚂 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚖𝚘𝚒!
𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐈 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 ’𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞’ & 𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭.
𝙸𝚗𝚑𝚊𝚕𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚞𝚝𝚢 𝚒𝚜 𝚊𝚗 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝 - 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝟸𝟺𝚑𝚛𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚎 𝚎𝚡𝚊𝚌𝚝!
𝙰 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚠𝚑𝚒𝚜𝚔𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚠𝚊𝚢 𝚝𝚘 𝚊 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚗𝚘𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚐𝚒𝚊 𝚝𝚑𝚎 ’𝟸𝟶 𝚢𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚜 𝚊𝚐𝚘’ 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚋𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚋𝚊𝚌𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚢 𝚍𝚊𝚢𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚖𝚢 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎 𝟸𝟶’𝚜 - 𝚘𝚑 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎!
𝚂𝚘 𝚖𝚞𝚌𝚑 𝚜𝚘 𝙸 𝚏𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍 𝚖𝚢𝚜𝚎𝚕𝚏 𝚍𝚒𝚐𝚐𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚞𝚙 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚎 𝚑𝚒𝚝𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚖𝚢 𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚛𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚠𝚎𝚛 𝚕𝚊𝚜𝚝 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚋𝚑 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚊𝚋𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚐𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚘𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚋𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝙸 𝚜𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚕𝚎 𝚒𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚊 𝚗𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚛𝚘𝚝𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚌𝚑 - 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚠 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚍!
𝙰 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚢𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚝𝚑 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝚏𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚗𝚍𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚙, 𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚍𝚊𝚗𝚌𝚒𝚗𝚐, 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝, 𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚕𝚘𝚟𝚎𝚜, 𝚏𝚊𝚖𝚒𝚕𝚢, 𝚖𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚒𝚊𝚐𝚎, 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚝𝚑 𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚐𝚐𝚕𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚗𝚎'𝚜 𝚙𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚒𝚘𝚗 𝚝𝚘 𝚋𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚔 𝚏𝚛𝚎𝚎!
𝙰 𝚋𝚒𝚐 𝚏𝚊𝚝 𝚈𝙴𝚂 𝚏𝚛𝚘𝚖 𝚖𝚘𝚒!
𝐏𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄: 𝐈 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 ’𝐬𝐮𝐛𝐣𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞’ & 𝐦𝐲 𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐬 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐈 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭.
July 5, 2026
The Time After Now is the latest offering from the effervescent Anne Freeman, it is no secret I am one of Anne’s greatest champions and have followed her book writing journey from its conception. At the centre of the story is Olivia, whose carefully managed suburban life is threatened when intimate images from a long-ago relationship resurface after the death of her former lover.
Olivia is a complex character, a wife, mother, friend, artist and woman living with an invisible disability. This layered portrayal gives the novel depth, especially as Olivia reflects on the freedom of raves and the party lifestyle of her younger years.
Olivia’s bond with her friend Miriam adds tenderness, showing how female friendships can be both a refuge and a source of courage when life becomes overwhelming. The story’s treatment of chronic illness is another important element, offering insight into the physical, emotional and social challenges of living with type 1 diabetes.
This is something very close to me as two of my nearest and dearest also suffer with this debilitating condition and I have seen how it rules your life whether your diagnosis was in childhood or as an adult. There is no escape and it is a truly dreadful affliction to manage every single hour of every single a day without respite.
The Time After Now is an emotionally rich and engaging read. It blends elements of romance, family drama and self-discovery while asking meaningful questions about choice, shame and forgiveness. Readers who enjoy character-driven fiction with emotional depth, strong female relationships and moral complexity are going to eat this one up.
The Time After Now has Anne laid bare on its pages, it is raw and honest and the perfect book for any reader. I cannot recommend it highly enough, all the stars and then some.
Huge thanks to Anne and @hawkeyepublishing for my early reading copy.
Olivia is a complex character, a wife, mother, friend, artist and woman living with an invisible disability. This layered portrayal gives the novel depth, especially as Olivia reflects on the freedom of raves and the party lifestyle of her younger years.
Olivia’s bond with her friend Miriam adds tenderness, showing how female friendships can be both a refuge and a source of courage when life becomes overwhelming. The story’s treatment of chronic illness is another important element, offering insight into the physical, emotional and social challenges of living with type 1 diabetes.
This is something very close to me as two of my nearest and dearest also suffer with this debilitating condition and I have seen how it rules your life whether your diagnosis was in childhood or as an adult. There is no escape and it is a truly dreadful affliction to manage every single hour of every single a day without respite.
The Time After Now is an emotionally rich and engaging read. It blends elements of romance, family drama and self-discovery while asking meaningful questions about choice, shame and forgiveness. Readers who enjoy character-driven fiction with emotional depth, strong female relationships and moral complexity are going to eat this one up.
The Time After Now has Anne laid bare on its pages, it is raw and honest and the perfect book for any reader. I cannot recommend it highly enough, all the stars and then some.
Huge thanks to Anne and @hawkeyepublishing for my early reading copy.
August 28, 2026
This book took me back to my carefree 20's nights out until the wee hours with my friends, having a fantastic time being young and free with so many opportunities at your feet. That feel of first love, forged friendships and self discovery it was a blast.
We follow along on Olivias journey in her 20's her first love and the decision she made back then she doesn't realise the true impact they will have on her down the track.
Fast forward Oliva to mid life she's married, kids her dream job everything on the surface is all she could wish for. She finds out Drew her first love, passed away overseas all the memories start rushing back, her first love. her world starts to implode as the impact of the loss sets in and she tries to reconcile what happened
The look behind the curtain understanding in Olivia's type 1 diabetes diagnosis how it impacted her day to day understanding the importance of looking after herself, eating, checking bloods it was eye opening insight that I truly have a new appreciation for.
Anne has poured herself into this book and it is written all over these pages, so refreshing, heart breaking , joyful and absolutely hilarious at times. I enjoyed the two POVs of Liv in her 20's the free spirit, clubbing, hanging out with her mates to the now contrast of her life, the choices and decision made through that life experiences.
very enjoyable experience. Thank you so much to Anne and the team at Hawkeye publishing for my Copy of this book and the lovely package...
We follow along on Olivias journey in her 20's her first love and the decision she made back then she doesn't realise the true impact they will have on her down the track.
Fast forward Oliva to mid life she's married, kids her dream job everything on the surface is all she could wish for. She finds out Drew her first love, passed away overseas all the memories start rushing back, her first love. her world starts to implode as the impact of the loss sets in and she tries to reconcile what happened
The look behind the curtain understanding in Olivia's type 1 diabetes diagnosis how it impacted her day to day understanding the importance of looking after herself, eating, checking bloods it was eye opening insight that I truly have a new appreciation for.
Anne has poured herself into this book and it is written all over these pages, so refreshing, heart breaking , joyful and absolutely hilarious at times. I enjoyed the two POVs of Liv in her 20's the free spirit, clubbing, hanging out with her mates to the now contrast of her life, the choices and decision made through that life experiences.
very enjoyable experience. Thank you so much to Anne and the team at Hawkeye publishing for my Copy of this book and the lovely package...
July 10, 2026
Olivia is living the quintessential middle aged life, happily married, has two kids, and a fraction of her dream job
When she learns her first love Drew, has passed away overseas, a flood gate of memories emerges for the love that wasn’t meant to be, threatening to derail her simple and regimented life
And to add to this sad time, her oldest, most dearest friend Miriam who she is desperate to confide in, is fighting her own horrible health battle
Liv attempts to soldiers on, trying to keep the noise out, but always looking out for everyone else, and doing what she believes is right.. But what is it going to cost her?
This fabulous and powerful story has so many interesting and important layers. I couldn’t put it down! Devouring it in a day 🙌
Olivia’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis and life post the diagnosis was heartbreaking and eye opening. This debilitating condition never rests. There were points in the book I was yelling at Olivia to stop, eat, check her bloods.. understanding her need to look after everyone else, but wanting to remind her to self care too
I loved the dual time lines. The rave/ clubbing moments were eye opening and vivid, but so important showing Liv now vs then in her twenties.
Liv is such an engaging character, she had me in her corner very early on. She is a force and a friend for life.
Perfectly paced, a unique and raw story that will stay with you
Thank you a million to Anne Freeman & Hawkeye Publishing for my gifted copy
When she learns her first love Drew, has passed away overseas, a flood gate of memories emerges for the love that wasn’t meant to be, threatening to derail her simple and regimented life
And to add to this sad time, her oldest, most dearest friend Miriam who she is desperate to confide in, is fighting her own horrible health battle
Liv attempts to soldiers on, trying to keep the noise out, but always looking out for everyone else, and doing what she believes is right.. But what is it going to cost her?
This fabulous and powerful story has so many interesting and important layers. I couldn’t put it down! Devouring it in a day 🙌
Olivia’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis and life post the diagnosis was heartbreaking and eye opening. This debilitating condition never rests. There were points in the book I was yelling at Olivia to stop, eat, check her bloods.. understanding her need to look after everyone else, but wanting to remind her to self care too
I loved the dual time lines. The rave/ clubbing moments were eye opening and vivid, but so important showing Liv now vs then in her twenties.
Liv is such an engaging character, she had me in her corner very early on. She is a force and a friend for life.
Perfectly paced, a unique and raw story that will stay with you
Thank you a million to Anne Freeman & Hawkeye Publishing for my gifted copy
August 19, 2026
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
The Time After Now by Anne Freeman is engaging and raw with emotional depth, it’s truly a special read and I really enjoyed the mystery of it.
The story is set in the present and in the past of the main character Olivia as a young adult and then somewhat twenty years later.
We see Olivia in the present as a suburban wife, mother and artist living with an invisible disability. I admired how the author draws on her own life experience living with type 1 diabetes and has woven it authentically into such a meaningful part of the story.
Olivia’s first love Drew from twenty years earlier dies on a shoot overseas, a man she has always loved and never got over. Olivia wonders if it’s her fault he died because of what she had done.
Her life is upended when she starts receiving intimate photos taken by Drew from her youthful partying days digitally through a Facebook account and then blackmail.
I loved the nostalgia and the friendship Olivia had with her best friend Miriam and how they supported each other through their health journeys and dark times.
A beautiful exploration of first love, mystery, Melbournes 2000’s rave scene and second chances that the author has put her heart and soul into. Highly recommend.
Publication Date 26 August 2026
Publisher Hawkeye Publishing
Thank you so very much to the lovely Anne Freeman & Hawkeye Publishing for a copy of the book.
The Time After Now by Anne Freeman is engaging and raw with emotional depth, it’s truly a special read and I really enjoyed the mystery of it.
The story is set in the present and in the past of the main character Olivia as a young adult and then somewhat twenty years later.
We see Olivia in the present as a suburban wife, mother and artist living with an invisible disability. I admired how the author draws on her own life experience living with type 1 diabetes and has woven it authentically into such a meaningful part of the story.
Olivia’s first love Drew from twenty years earlier dies on a shoot overseas, a man she has always loved and never got over. Olivia wonders if it’s her fault he died because of what she had done.
Her life is upended when she starts receiving intimate photos taken by Drew from her youthful partying days digitally through a Facebook account and then blackmail.
I loved the nostalgia and the friendship Olivia had with her best friend Miriam and how they supported each other through their health journeys and dark times.
A beautiful exploration of first love, mystery, Melbournes 2000’s rave scene and second chances that the author has put her heart and soul into. Highly recommend.
Publication Date 26 August 2026
Publisher Hawkeye Publishing
Thank you so very much to the lovely Anne Freeman & Hawkeye Publishing for a copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Once again, Anne Freeman has written a powerful and original tale with her newest novel, The Time After Now, which brings readers on a journey of mystery, grief, love, regret, and just a little bit of partying and drugs.
The narratives leaps between Olivia’s past as a colourful, carefree, young adult, and her present where she finds herself having faded into a self-critical, bleached portrait of the vibrant woman she once was.
Twenty years after their relationship, Olivia finds out her first love, man of few, but important words, Drew Reznik, has passed away, and she grieves his loss for a second time.
But when an enigmatic extortionist, hiding behind the Facebook of her departed lover, begins blackmailing her with scandalous pictures of her past-self, Olivia is forced to appease their torment, lest she shatter the illusion of her perfect suburban life, and derail her husband, Alistair’s, career.
Freeman’s writing is a banquet of divine imagery; one you can engorge yourself on without ever feeling full.
The Time After Now weave themes of past and present, of losing oneself and rediscovering identity in a new and no-less-important stage of life and tying these into the importance of femininity in all its sensual glory, and self-love.
Anne has an innate understanding of existing as a woman in this world, and she wholly translates these inherent womanly experiences through her writing.
She expertly captures the intricacies of motherhood and gives readers an organic glimpse into the world and woman behind the word “mum”. Olivia is an artist, lover, friend, wife, diabetic, raver, and of course, Mumma to two gorgeous children.
And it wouldn’t be an Anne Freeman novel without some of the best female friendship representations ever found in literature. The relationship between Olivia and her best friend, Miriam, is one of the most rewarding elements of the book that will have readers tearing up over their unyielding love for each other as they fight their individual battles.
Beyond being an exceptional fictional tale, the book also serves as educational, offering a beautiful, nuanced portrayal of living with type 1 diabetes. Freeman skilfully conveys not only the daily physical and emotional challenges, but also the social ramifications of living with a chronic illness, including judgement, scrutiny, and misunderstanding by others.
The Time After Now elegantly depicts how the seeds of choice in our lives grow and impact our futures. It is a book that everyone can find in themselves to relate to in one way or another, and is not a story to be missed.
The narratives leaps between Olivia’s past as a colourful, carefree, young adult, and her present where she finds herself having faded into a self-critical, bleached portrait of the vibrant woman she once was.
Twenty years after their relationship, Olivia finds out her first love, man of few, but important words, Drew Reznik, has passed away, and she grieves his loss for a second time.
But when an enigmatic extortionist, hiding behind the Facebook of her departed lover, begins blackmailing her with scandalous pictures of her past-self, Olivia is forced to appease their torment, lest she shatter the illusion of her perfect suburban life, and derail her husband, Alistair’s, career.
Freeman’s writing is a banquet of divine imagery; one you can engorge yourself on without ever feeling full.
The Time After Now weave themes of past and present, of losing oneself and rediscovering identity in a new and no-less-important stage of life and tying these into the importance of femininity in all its sensual glory, and self-love.
Anne has an innate understanding of existing as a woman in this world, and she wholly translates these inherent womanly experiences through her writing.
She expertly captures the intricacies of motherhood and gives readers an organic glimpse into the world and woman behind the word “mum”. Olivia is an artist, lover, friend, wife, diabetic, raver, and of course, Mumma to two gorgeous children.
And it wouldn’t be an Anne Freeman novel without some of the best female friendship representations ever found in literature. The relationship between Olivia and her best friend, Miriam, is one of the most rewarding elements of the book that will have readers tearing up over their unyielding love for each other as they fight their individual battles.
Beyond being an exceptional fictional tale, the book also serves as educational, offering a beautiful, nuanced portrayal of living with type 1 diabetes. Freeman skilfully conveys not only the daily physical and emotional challenges, but also the social ramifications of living with a chronic illness, including judgement, scrutiny, and misunderstanding by others.
The Time After Now elegantly depicts how the seeds of choice in our lives grow and impact our futures. It is a book that everyone can find in themselves to relate to in one way or another, and is not a story to be missed.
September 18, 2026
Twenty years after the love affair Olivia never got over, Drew dies suddenly, taking with him the promise to guard their intimate photos. When the images resurface with an anonymous threat of exposure, Olivia’s picture-perfect suburban life is thrown into jeopardy. How can she keep playing the flawless barrister’s wife if her past of warehouse raves, drugs, and debauchery comes to light? Desperate, she tries to confide in her best friend Miriam, but Miriam faces her own challenges. Can Olivia outrun her past to protect her future, or will her secret life destroy her?
Gosh, there are so many elements to love in this book. I was hooked right from the premise - the T1D (Type-1 Diabetes) representation, the 'what-ifs' of past choices, and the journey of growing up.
I love that Olivia isn't a perfect character - her flaws and past mistakes shaped the person she becomes later in the story. She was forcibly ripped out of her party-loving youth when the diagnosis arrived, forced to reshape her entire life simply to survive.
I really connected with Liv. I understood her motivations and decisions, even the ones I disagreed with. I also loved the way Anne wrote the relationships in this book, both romantic and platonic. Liv having such strong backing in Miriam was wonderful (everyone needs a Miriam!), and their bond ended up being the true ride-or-die (platonic) love story in the book.
Liv’s diagnosis experience was so vivid that it transported me straight back to a real-life experience watching a close family member discover her own T1D. Anne captured that scene with such authenticity, and I hope the readers feel it. It's no wonder Anne was made an ambassador for Diabetes Australia! I hope this story helps educate people about the realities of living with T1D.
This book is filled with complex characters that could trigger hours of discussion. It’d make a fantastic book club pick, as I can already picture the conversations it will spark. This story showcases Anne’s growing maturity as a writer, and it's one that will stay with me for a long time. It definitely warrants a re-read down the track!
(Thanks to Anne Freeman for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
Gosh, there are so many elements to love in this book. I was hooked right from the premise - the T1D (Type-1 Diabetes) representation, the 'what-ifs' of past choices, and the journey of growing up.
I love that Olivia isn't a perfect character - her flaws and past mistakes shaped the person she becomes later in the story. She was forcibly ripped out of her party-loving youth when the diagnosis arrived, forced to reshape her entire life simply to survive.
I really connected with Liv. I understood her motivations and decisions, even the ones I disagreed with. I also loved the way Anne wrote the relationships in this book, both romantic and platonic. Liv having such strong backing in Miriam was wonderful (everyone needs a Miriam!), and their bond ended up being the true ride-or-die (platonic) love story in the book.
Liv’s diagnosis experience was so vivid that it transported me straight back to a real-life experience watching a close family member discover her own T1D. Anne captured that scene with such authenticity, and I hope the readers feel it. It's no wonder Anne was made an ambassador for Diabetes Australia! I hope this story helps educate people about the realities of living with T1D.
This book is filled with complex characters that could trigger hours of discussion. It’d make a fantastic book club pick, as I can already picture the conversations it will spark. This story showcases Anne’s growing maturity as a writer, and it's one that will stay with me for a long time. It definitely warrants a re-read down the track!
(Thanks to Anne Freeman for a gifted review copy)
See my bookstagram review.
October 5, 2026
💜The Time After Now by Anne Freeman💜
I was so lucky to win this book in a giveaway from the lovely @mybedside_books - thank you so much 🙏🏼
I absolutely loved this book! 😍There was something so wonderfully messy and human about Olivia’s story. We are taken between the person she once was and the woman she has become, and I loved exploring all those layers of identity, regret, love, friendship and the choices that can follow us decades later.
The premise immediately pulled me in. A past love, intimate photographs, an anonymous threat and a seemingly perfect life beginning to unravel. But what really stayed with me was the emotional depth underneath it all. This is so much more than a story about secrets coming back to haunt someone. It is about asking ourselves whether the life we have built is actually who we are, and whether we can ever truly leave our younger selves behind 🙈
I also cannot praise the diabetes representation enough 🥹💙 It was truly one of my favourite aspects of the book. Type 1 diabetes was portrayed with such authenticity and nuance, and I really appreciated how the realities of living with it were incorporated throughout the story. It felt genuine, lived-in and so incredibly respectful. We love an own voices representation of invisible disability! Something I’d love to see more of.
This book gave me secrets, complicated relationships, difficult choices, emotional friendships and characters who felt wonderfully imperfect. It made me think about the person I’ve been, the person I am and all the little decisions that connect those two versions of self.
Beautifully written, emotionally layered and filled with characters who stayed with me long after I turned the final page. Loved loved loved 😍 and meeting @annefreemanwrites a couple weeks ago was truly the icing on the cake! She is just wonderful and everyone should read her books now! 🥰
QOTD: Have you won any giveaways lately, or what was the best thing you have won in the past?
#thetimeafternow #annefreeman #bookreview #aussiebookstagrammer #books
I was so lucky to win this book in a giveaway from the lovely @mybedside_books - thank you so much 🙏🏼
I absolutely loved this book! 😍There was something so wonderfully messy and human about Olivia’s story. We are taken between the person she once was and the woman she has become, and I loved exploring all those layers of identity, regret, love, friendship and the choices that can follow us decades later.
The premise immediately pulled me in. A past love, intimate photographs, an anonymous threat and a seemingly perfect life beginning to unravel. But what really stayed with me was the emotional depth underneath it all. This is so much more than a story about secrets coming back to haunt someone. It is about asking ourselves whether the life we have built is actually who we are, and whether we can ever truly leave our younger selves behind 🙈
I also cannot praise the diabetes representation enough 🥹💙 It was truly one of my favourite aspects of the book. Type 1 diabetes was portrayed with such authenticity and nuance, and I really appreciated how the realities of living with it were incorporated throughout the story. It felt genuine, lived-in and so incredibly respectful. We love an own voices representation of invisible disability! Something I’d love to see more of.
This book gave me secrets, complicated relationships, difficult choices, emotional friendships and characters who felt wonderfully imperfect. It made me think about the person I’ve been, the person I am and all the little decisions that connect those two versions of self.
Beautifully written, emotionally layered and filled with characters who stayed with me long after I turned the final page. Loved loved loved 😍 and meeting @annefreemanwrites a couple weeks ago was truly the icing on the cake! She is just wonderful and everyone should read her books now! 🥰
QOTD: Have you won any giveaways lately, or what was the best thing you have won in the past?
#thetimeafternow #annefreeman #bookreview #aussiebookstagrammer #books
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
[ARC review]
Oh gosh, I finished this one three days ago and I’m still kind of buzzing with how much it got under my skin. I loved so many aspects and when I turned the last page I was left with all of the afterglow (the thinking and the feelings) that a great book will gift a reader.
First of all, I absolutely loved the structure of the story. We are along for the ride with central character Liv, a talented artist. When we meet her she is in her early 20s. By the following chapter we are meeting her again, 20 years later. The novel continues like this, alternating seamlessly between Liv’s then and now. The chapters are taut and totally delicious. They spring off the page and the transition between Liv’s life as it was ‘then’ and as it is ‘now’ feels effortless (there is no ‘wait, what’s going on, I’m lost?’). It is executed so, so well.
Another triumph of this book (IMHO) is the dual depiction of Liv. As a woman in my late 40s I am conscious of the complete metamorphosis I’ve undergone at different points in my life, and I was really struck by how well drawn both versions of Liv were here. She is the same person, yes, but also totally different as she navigates these two distinct phases of her life. Her story as a woman, and as a creative, touched so many parts of me. It was authentic and deep and beautiful.
Ok, so I haven’t included the usual story summary in this review because, well, you can get that from the blurb. I know that what I want from a review is an eye into the ‘experience’ a book gave the reader, so that’s what I’ve focused on.
What I also loved about this novel:
- The artistry and depth that side characters brought to the story (I’m looking at you Sketchy Dave and Lydia)
- The world building - I loved being dropped into the rave/club scene with Liv and her motley group of friends.
Read The Time After Now. Now!
Oh gosh, I finished this one three days ago and I’m still kind of buzzing with how much it got under my skin. I loved so many aspects and when I turned the last page I was left with all of the afterglow (the thinking and the feelings) that a great book will gift a reader.
First of all, I absolutely loved the structure of the story. We are along for the ride with central character Liv, a talented artist. When we meet her she is in her early 20s. By the following chapter we are meeting her again, 20 years later. The novel continues like this, alternating seamlessly between Liv’s then and now. The chapters are taut and totally delicious. They spring off the page and the transition between Liv’s life as it was ‘then’ and as it is ‘now’ feels effortless (there is no ‘wait, what’s going on, I’m lost?’). It is executed so, so well.
Another triumph of this book (IMHO) is the dual depiction of Liv. As a woman in my late 40s I am conscious of the complete metamorphosis I’ve undergone at different points in my life, and I was really struck by how well drawn both versions of Liv were here. She is the same person, yes, but also totally different as she navigates these two distinct phases of her life. Her story as a woman, and as a creative, touched so many parts of me. It was authentic and deep and beautiful.
Ok, so I haven’t included the usual story summary in this review because, well, you can get that from the blurb. I know that what I want from a review is an eye into the ‘experience’ a book gave the reader, so that’s what I’ve focused on.
What I also loved about this novel:
- The artistry and depth that side characters brought to the story (I’m looking at you Sketchy Dave and Lydia)
- The world building - I loved being dropped into the rave/club scene with Liv and her motley group of friends.
Read The Time After Now. Now!
Review of advance copy received from Author
📸 🎵A wonderful story 🎵📸
I loved the themes of first love, the past and the impact diabetes can have on a person’s life.
👩💻 Plot in a nutshell: Twenty years after a passionate first love, Olivia’s past comes back when photos are sent to her as blackmail. Said first love, Drew, has suddenly died and someone has it out for Olivia. As she tries to protect the life she’s built, we see more of what happened between them and the decisions that have shaped her life since. Central to the plot is Olivia’s diabetes and the huge impact the disability has on her life.
💬 My thoughts: I absolutely loved this. It’s been a while I’ve stayed up late to finish a book!
Liv was such a vivid character and I thought she was brought to life so well. The switching between past and present really worked seamlessly.
I also really liked how diabetes and disability were woven into the story. I honestly didn't know much about diabetes before reading this, and I loved learning more about it through a story that was also genuinely thrilling and full of twists.
The ending was probably one of my favourite parts. I really liked the twist and thought the resolution was done so well. It managed to bring everything together without feeling rushed or overly neat.
My only real drawback was Alastair. I didn't always understand some of his choices or quite get where he was coming from, but that was a small thing in a book I otherwise absolutely loved.
This is one of those books where I finished it and immediately wanted to tell someone about it!
📬 Is this for you?
If you like stories about first love, secrets, complicated relationships and the ripple effects of choices made in the past, with a good twist along the way.
Thanks to Anne Freeman and Hawkeye publishing for the ARC. What a privilege!
I loved the themes of first love, the past and the impact diabetes can have on a person’s life.
👩💻 Plot in a nutshell: Twenty years after a passionate first love, Olivia’s past comes back when photos are sent to her as blackmail. Said first love, Drew, has suddenly died and someone has it out for Olivia. As she tries to protect the life she’s built, we see more of what happened between them and the decisions that have shaped her life since. Central to the plot is Olivia’s diabetes and the huge impact the disability has on her life.
💬 My thoughts: I absolutely loved this. It’s been a while I’ve stayed up late to finish a book!
Liv was such a vivid character and I thought she was brought to life so well. The switching between past and present really worked seamlessly.
I also really liked how diabetes and disability were woven into the story. I honestly didn't know much about diabetes before reading this, and I loved learning more about it through a story that was also genuinely thrilling and full of twists.
The ending was probably one of my favourite parts. I really liked the twist and thought the resolution was done so well. It managed to bring everything together without feeling rushed or overly neat.
My only real drawback was Alastair. I didn't always understand some of his choices or quite get where he was coming from, but that was a small thing in a book I otherwise absolutely loved.
This is one of those books where I finished it and immediately wanted to tell someone about it!
📬 Is this for you?
If you like stories about first love, secrets, complicated relationships and the ripple effects of choices made in the past, with a good twist along the way.
Thanks to Anne Freeman and Hawkeye publishing for the ARC. What a privilege!
May 5, 2026
What an absolute honour for me to have the incredible privilege of being one of the first Bookstagrammers to read a copy of Anne’s new book!
With a character by the name of Sketchy Dave, this was always going to be an entertaining read.
Delightfully told in a dual timeline I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. I also really liked the side story with Miriam and her health battle as well as the main character being a woman trying to deal with so much whilst facing the ongoing debilitating condition of type 1 diabetes.
Anne speaks from the heart and really made me realise just how difficult life is when you have to constantly be checking your blood sugar levels and watching not just every single thing you eat but also how often and your entire lifestyle. I’ve had experience with one of my children battling an “invisible” disease and it is really difficult to explain to people what day to day life you have to endure when, from the outside you look so “normal”.
This story was fabulous and I can’t wait for more of you to read it so I can talk about who I loved and who I despised.
Anne, you really are an extraordinary person and I wish you all the best with this - as much as I loved your previous works, this one has raised the bar even higher. It’s fabulous 💜💛💜💛💜💛💜💛
Thanks for trusting me with an early copy of your new book baby! A massive thank you for mentioning myself and some of my booksta buddies in your acknowledgments, what a thrill!
The Time After Now is set to be released 26 August 2026. Pre-order your copy via the Hawkeye website now.
With a character by the name of Sketchy Dave, this was always going to be an entertaining read.
Delightfully told in a dual timeline I couldn’t turn the pages quickly enough. I also really liked the side story with Miriam and her health battle as well as the main character being a woman trying to deal with so much whilst facing the ongoing debilitating condition of type 1 diabetes.
Anne speaks from the heart and really made me realise just how difficult life is when you have to constantly be checking your blood sugar levels and watching not just every single thing you eat but also how often and your entire lifestyle. I’ve had experience with one of my children battling an “invisible” disease and it is really difficult to explain to people what day to day life you have to endure when, from the outside you look so “normal”.
This story was fabulous and I can’t wait for more of you to read it so I can talk about who I loved and who I despised.
Anne, you really are an extraordinary person and I wish you all the best with this - as much as I loved your previous works, this one has raised the bar even higher. It’s fabulous 💜💛💜💛💜💛💜💛
Thanks for trusting me with an early copy of your new book baby! A massive thank you for mentioning myself and some of my booksta buddies in your acknowledgments, what a thrill!
The Time After Now is set to be released 26 August 2026. Pre-order your copy via the Hawkeye website now.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
My goodness.
I finished this book while on holidays with my family, and I genuinely needed a moment to process my thoughts.
Anne Freeman has poured her heart and soul into these pages, and I don’t think I’ve ever resonated with a character quite like I did with Olivia.
Olivia is a warm and affectionate soul. She’s a mum of two, a wife juggling family life, and an artist reflecting on the woman she was twenty years ago.
Because who doesn’t think about the person they used to be?
Twenty years earlier, Olivia was meant to move to London with the love of her life, Drew, until a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes changed everything.
Now happily married with two children, Olivia has built a beautiful life. But when Drew tragically dies, intimate photographs they shared resurface, and someone is determined to destroy everything she has.
Anne’s portrayal of Type 1 diabetes is incredibly honest and authentic. Diagnosed herself in her early twenties, her lived experience shines through every page. Thank you, Anne, for raising awareness of Type 1 diabetes and educating me about a condition I knew very little about.
Told across the past and present, this novel explores love, loss, the dreams we leave behind, and the lives we might have lived.
This is without a doubt one of my favourite reads of the year.
Pre-order your copy now. It hits shelves on August 26, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Thank you to Hawkeye Publishing and Anne Freeman for this gifted ARC. Olivia’s story will stay with me forever.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I finished this book while on holidays with my family, and I genuinely needed a moment to process my thoughts.
Anne Freeman has poured her heart and soul into these pages, and I don’t think I’ve ever resonated with a character quite like I did with Olivia.
Olivia is a warm and affectionate soul. She’s a mum of two, a wife juggling family life, and an artist reflecting on the woman she was twenty years ago.
Because who doesn’t think about the person they used to be?
Twenty years earlier, Olivia was meant to move to London with the love of her life, Drew, until a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes changed everything.
Now happily married with two children, Olivia has built a beautiful life. But when Drew tragically dies, intimate photographs they shared resurface, and someone is determined to destroy everything she has.
Anne’s portrayal of Type 1 diabetes is incredibly honest and authentic. Diagnosed herself in her early twenties, her lived experience shines through every page. Thank you, Anne, for raising awareness of Type 1 diabetes and educating me about a condition I knew very little about.
Told across the past and present, this novel explores love, loss, the dreams we leave behind, and the lives we might have lived.
This is without a doubt one of my favourite reads of the year.
Pre-order your copy now. It hits shelves on August 26, and I can’t recommend it highly enough.
Thank you to Hawkeye Publishing and Anne Freeman for this gifted ARC. Olivia’s story will stay with me forever.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is onemof those books that will stay with you long after reading.
From the first chapter I was somehow transported to my teenage/early 20's years.
Those heady nights of dancing, drinking, and thinking that life couldn't get better.
(The nostalgia this book brings is very real, so be ready!)
And then somehow, life changes and our world pivots.
Your vivid portrayal of nights with friends, and a love that overtakes everything, had me so invested in Liv's life and what could have been.
And how those simple and easy decisions that seemed so harmless then, now create such big problems.
All through this book, there is a beautiful balance of now and then, heartache, yearning, love lost, reality, and the ever present cloud that hangs over a choice or two made so long ago.
I ached over Liv & Drew, their story touched my heart in a deep way.
And Liv's heartbreak felt so tender and real.
Actually everything felt real in this book.
(That one message to Drew had me in big, fat tears 😢)
But what really struck me with this book was the chronic illness representation throughout.
How a condition changes everything about you and who you are.
How on a daily basis everything has to be considered to get through.
Liv's life now and then will resonate deeply with so many readers, on so many levels.
And that is a hard yet wonderful way of writing, to be so emotionally present in the pages and have the reader feel it all as well.
I cannot recommend this book enough, it surprised me in many ways,and I love that about books.
This will proudly sit on my favourite's shelf from now on.
From the first chapter I was somehow transported to my teenage/early 20's years.
Those heady nights of dancing, drinking, and thinking that life couldn't get better.
(The nostalgia this book brings is very real, so be ready!)
And then somehow, life changes and our world pivots.
Your vivid portrayal of nights with friends, and a love that overtakes everything, had me so invested in Liv's life and what could have been.
And how those simple and easy decisions that seemed so harmless then, now create such big problems.
All through this book, there is a beautiful balance of now and then, heartache, yearning, love lost, reality, and the ever present cloud that hangs over a choice or two made so long ago.
I ached over Liv & Drew, their story touched my heart in a deep way.
And Liv's heartbreak felt so tender and real.
Actually everything felt real in this book.
(That one message to Drew had me in big, fat tears 😢)
But what really struck me with this book was the chronic illness representation throughout.
How a condition changes everything about you and who you are.
How on a daily basis everything has to be considered to get through.
Liv's life now and then will resonate deeply with so many readers, on so many levels.
And that is a hard yet wonderful way of writing, to be so emotionally present in the pages and have the reader feel it all as well.
I cannot recommend this book enough, it surprised me in many ways,and I love that about books.
This will proudly sit on my favourite's shelf from now on.
October 22, 2026
Hi Anne and readers. 3 nights. 3 glorious nights of engrossed nothing else exists reading. And watery eyes at the end.
This book borrows from you: it sips and nibbles bits of who you are, who you've met, where you've been, what you know, and recrafts that into something so familiar you are sure you know the characters, the plots, the scenes. You live them as you read. Re-live them. Anne is such a world crafter. You feel that if you stepped into this world, you would be greeted as familiar and welcomed and take up your role in the story. It is that realistic. The characters are not puppets. They are people.
And as you read, it all starts to tumble down hill, gathering pace and energy and tension and anxiety. All falls naturally into place. Nothing is excessive, useless, unnecessary. (Even the Labrador peaks through only twice. Which is enough... 😉) And then once all is in place - and you really have no idea what that is - you exclaim: 'OMG! Noooooo!' as it all comes to a perfectly surprising! but believable conclusion (because these are real women and men and kids people after all, not comic super people!).
I was naturally sad when it ended. I want to know what happens next! And isn't that the hallmark of something special, that you miss the characters? You have feelings for them, they are that palpable. You want them to live on. I think tomorrow I will feel melancholy. But then I will turn to see Anne's beaming face and feel uplifted! Ready to consume more works.
Thank you Anne. Truly. Andrew K.
This book borrows from you: it sips and nibbles bits of who you are, who you've met, where you've been, what you know, and recrafts that into something so familiar you are sure you know the characters, the plots, the scenes. You live them as you read. Re-live them. Anne is such a world crafter. You feel that if you stepped into this world, you would be greeted as familiar and welcomed and take up your role in the story. It is that realistic. The characters are not puppets. They are people.
And as you read, it all starts to tumble down hill, gathering pace and energy and tension and anxiety. All falls naturally into place. Nothing is excessive, useless, unnecessary. (Even the Labrador peaks through only twice. Which is enough... 😉) And then once all is in place - and you really have no idea what that is - you exclaim: 'OMG! Noooooo!' as it all comes to a perfectly surprising! but believable conclusion (because these are real women and men and kids people after all, not comic super people!).
I was naturally sad when it ended. I want to know what happens next! And isn't that the hallmark of something special, that you miss the characters? You have feelings for them, they are that palpable. You want them to live on. I think tomorrow I will feel melancholy. But then I will turn to see Anne's beaming face and feel uplifted! Ready to consume more works.
Thank you Anne. Truly. Andrew K.
October 1, 2026
The Time After Now is told in two timelines: Now and 20 Years Ago.
Young Liv, beautiful, talented, madly in love, and little reckless, is brutally shifted from her lifestyle after a devastating discovery. Shocked by the new life rules and the routine she needs to follow to look after herself, she decides to free Drew, the love of her life, from their relationship and from her, as she thought, wrecked life.
Twenty years later, Olivia aka Liv is in a loveless marriage to a successful barrister, with two children she adores, when she hears that Drew, whom she never stopped loving, was killed on a photoshoot in Iceland. The guilt and remorse are intense. She can’t stop asking herself—would he still be alive if they stayed together? And then a blackmailer in possession of her intimidating photos from twenty years ago contacts her and threatens to reveal them to public and destroy her picture perfect life.
You read and your heart hurts, then you read more and the things get a little better, then you’re scared for what comes next, and you turn and turn the pages, waiting for a resolve when another twist happens. Perfectly planned and impeccably executed, it will keep you on the edge of your seat till its very end. The writing is so precise and vivid that I saw it all unfolding as in a movie.
Young Liv, beautiful, talented, madly in love, and little reckless, is brutally shifted from her lifestyle after a devastating discovery. Shocked by the new life rules and the routine she needs to follow to look after herself, she decides to free Drew, the love of her life, from their relationship and from her, as she thought, wrecked life.
Twenty years later, Olivia aka Liv is in a loveless marriage to a successful barrister, with two children she adores, when she hears that Drew, whom she never stopped loving, was killed on a photoshoot in Iceland. The guilt and remorse are intense. She can’t stop asking herself—would he still be alive if they stayed together? And then a blackmailer in possession of her intimidating photos from twenty years ago contacts her and threatens to reveal them to public and destroy her picture perfect life.
You read and your heart hurts, then you read more and the things get a little better, then you’re scared for what comes next, and you turn and turn the pages, waiting for a resolve when another twist happens. Perfectly planned and impeccably executed, it will keep you on the edge of your seat till its very end. The writing is so precise and vivid that I saw it all unfolding as in a movie.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Big thanks to Anne and Hawkeye Publishing for sending us a copy to read and review.
Superstar author Anne Freeman has said that her ‘blood sweat and tears’ have gone into this book and without a doubt you can feel that and so much more.
The Time After Now is a raw, honest, emotional and empowering read.
When Drew dies, Olivia’s feelings resurface for her one true love.
Twenty years ago their relationship was over with one wrong decision.
Their past was a love that’s never forgotten, drugs, partying and booze became their norm.
Now married to Alistair and living with a chronic condition she confides in best friend Miriam, asking the hard questions.
Is Olivia’s past about to make a lasting impression in the present……
While this story is a work of fiction, Anne draws on her own life for inspiration and comes in spades.
There is so much to adore from her writing and storytelling.
The tale as a whole is powerful, heartfelt, inspiring, decadent, unique and encouraging.
From cover to cover, the words bring you all the feels and pulls the strings deep within the soul.
A delightful but heart wrenching narrative that will win hearts across the country.
Superstar author Anne Freeman has said that her ‘blood sweat and tears’ have gone into this book and without a doubt you can feel that and so much more.
The Time After Now is a raw, honest, emotional and empowering read.
When Drew dies, Olivia’s feelings resurface for her one true love.
Twenty years ago their relationship was over with one wrong decision.
Their past was a love that’s never forgotten, drugs, partying and booze became their norm.
Now married to Alistair and living with a chronic condition she confides in best friend Miriam, asking the hard questions.
Is Olivia’s past about to make a lasting impression in the present……
While this story is a work of fiction, Anne draws on her own life for inspiration and comes in spades.
There is so much to adore from her writing and storytelling.
The tale as a whole is powerful, heartfelt, inspiring, decadent, unique and encouraging.
From cover to cover, the words bring you all the feels and pulls the strings deep within the soul.
A delightful but heart wrenching narrative that will win hearts across the country.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Time After Now pulsates with tension from the opening page and delivers a superbly crafted contemporary story of love, loss, regret, and personal reclamation. Short chapters drive the pace as we learn about the hopes and dreams of Liv’s youthful, glam, carefree, rave-filled early years, through to twenty years later, when, as a wife and mother, she finds the impulsive decisions of her past coming back to haunt her. I loved the author’s heartfelt exploration of what it means to take responsibility for yourself, unapologetically own the past, and, in short, to grow up. I also love a book I can classify as five-star ‘edu-tainment.’ The peek into the 90s rave scene was an eye-opener, but even more so was the exploration of the challenges of living with a chronic condition like Type One Diabetes. I found that side of the story both memorable and moving. Hats off to Anne for bringing this into the light. Like Anne’s other novels, The Time After Now is distinctive, pacey, lives on the edge and is thus memorable. I have read and rated the book before official publication, but it was not a promotional copy.
September 1, 2026
⚡️An electric read!
Thank you to @annefreemanwrites for providing me with a copy of #TheTimeAfterNow it’s her best yet!
💜
Meet Olivia, who used to have big artistic dreams, loved hard, and enjoyed warehouse raves and drugs. Now a suburban mum of two and barrister’s wife, she’s rocked by news that the love of her life, Drew is dead and someone is threatening to share the intimate photos he took of her.
💜
This book is a pacey read with its split timeline, short chapters, and growing threats. It’s also a special read that’s not only entertaining it’s an own voice story that should be applauded. It’s brave, it’s bold and unique.
I love the way #Annefreeman writes and continues to blow my mind with prose that are so annotatable I didn’t know whether to stop and underline or stay with the ticking plot.
The invisible disability of having type 1 diabetes floods the pages of this book. It’s a catalyst that Anne shares, opening her soul to her readers like never before.
If you love domestic suspense, this one is not to be missed!
P.S. If you’d like to know more about Anne and how she wrote her third novel, check out my chat with her on Kelly’s Writerly Q&A Podcast!
Thank you to @annefreemanwrites for providing me with a copy of #TheTimeAfterNow it’s her best yet!
💜
Meet Olivia, who used to have big artistic dreams, loved hard, and enjoyed warehouse raves and drugs. Now a suburban mum of two and barrister’s wife, she’s rocked by news that the love of her life, Drew is dead and someone is threatening to share the intimate photos he took of her.
💜
This book is a pacey read with its split timeline, short chapters, and growing threats. It’s also a special read that’s not only entertaining it’s an own voice story that should be applauded. It’s brave, it’s bold and unique.
I love the way #Annefreeman writes and continues to blow my mind with prose that are so annotatable I didn’t know whether to stop and underline or stay with the ticking plot.
The invisible disability of having type 1 diabetes floods the pages of this book. It’s a catalyst that Anne shares, opening her soul to her readers like never before.
If you love domestic suspense, this one is not to be missed!
P.S. If you’d like to know more about Anne and how she wrote her third novel, check out my chat with her on Kelly’s Writerly Q&A Podcast!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Liv, a wife, mother and artist has her life upended when her boyfriend she was with in her 20s dies suddenly and intimate photos he had taken of her are threatened to be released.
This was a great book, the chapters were short and sharp and jumped back and forth between Liv in the current day and back in her early 20s. I felt really engaged in the story and was hanging on both the past and present storylines.
The characters were vivid and I really enjoyed the friendship between Liv and her best friend Miriam.
Liv having diabetes was weaved into the story so well and I felt like it really added to the stakes. The struggle to manage her health along with juggling life, motherhood and the threats she was receiving kept me hooked and connected to the character.
As a woman in my 40s, the flashback chapters made me feel nostalgic for my own youth and made me contemplate what my life is like now vs 20 years ago.
I think this book will resonate with readers and Anne Freeman has written a real winner here.
This was a great book, the chapters were short and sharp and jumped back and forth between Liv in the current day and back in her early 20s. I felt really engaged in the story and was hanging on both the past and present storylines.
The characters were vivid and I really enjoyed the friendship between Liv and her best friend Miriam.
Liv having diabetes was weaved into the story so well and I felt like it really added to the stakes. The struggle to manage her health along with juggling life, motherhood and the threats she was receiving kept me hooked and connected to the character.
As a woman in my 40s, the flashback chapters made me feel nostalgic for my own youth and made me contemplate what my life is like now vs 20 years ago.
I think this book will resonate with readers and Anne Freeman has written a real winner here.
August 19, 2026
Anne Freeman's The Time After Now was one of my most anticipated novels of 2026 and it exceeded my expectations in every way. Raw, honest, emotional but also joyful and free, I was thinking about main character Liv long after the last page was turned.
Written in two timelines, we follow Liv in the 2000s as she parties, creates and plans for her future and then twenty years later when she's married with two children and feeling increasingly dissatisfied with her life choices. Anne has vividly captured Liv's youthful spirit and contrasted this with her current reality. Liv also has regrets about letting the love of her life, Drew, get away and when she finds out he has died, it sets her off thinking about what could have been. When she then starts receiving nasty messages about some intimate photos she allowed Drew to take she needs to try and prevent them being made public and possibly ruining her life.
I loved the detail that Anne included about Type 1 Diabetes and hearing the reality from someone living with this disease. There were so many things I learnt from reading Anne's novel and I feel like I have a much better understanding of how dangerous and debilitating T1D really is.
However, more than lost love, diabetes and blackmail, this book is also about the lifelong friendship between Liv and Miriam. Two women who have each other’s backs through everything and whose loyalty and love for one another never waivers. Their bond was an absolute highlight.
The Time After Now is a book about the sacrifices we make for love and how these choices shape the trajectory our lives take and I did not want it to end. Congratulations Anne on this absolutely brilliant novel. It’s deserving of all the stars.
Written in two timelines, we follow Liv in the 2000s as she parties, creates and plans for her future and then twenty years later when she's married with two children and feeling increasingly dissatisfied with her life choices. Anne has vividly captured Liv's youthful spirit and contrasted this with her current reality. Liv also has regrets about letting the love of her life, Drew, get away and when she finds out he has died, it sets her off thinking about what could have been. When she then starts receiving nasty messages about some intimate photos she allowed Drew to take she needs to try and prevent them being made public and possibly ruining her life.
I loved the detail that Anne included about Type 1 Diabetes and hearing the reality from someone living with this disease. There were so many things I learnt from reading Anne's novel and I feel like I have a much better understanding of how dangerous and debilitating T1D really is.
However, more than lost love, diabetes and blackmail, this book is also about the lifelong friendship between Liv and Miriam. Two women who have each other’s backs through everything and whose loyalty and love for one another never waivers. Their bond was an absolute highlight.
The Time After Now is a book about the sacrifices we make for love and how these choices shape the trajectory our lives take and I did not want it to end. Congratulations Anne on this absolutely brilliant novel. It’s deserving of all the stars.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I was one of the very lucky readers who got to read an ARC of Freeman's latest book and it it is a real page turner. Told along two timelines, it is an edge of your seat read that sends a chill down your spine. What happens when decisions you made twenty years ago risk your now polished and perfect life? Protagonist, Olivia, finds herself on a razor's edge when she learns that intimate photos with a now deceased past lover are in the hands of someone intent on doing her harm
Freeman’s book explores so many hot button issues ranging from recreational drug use, work life balance, dealing with chronic illness and how women usually bear moral blame for any sexual exploits should they ever be exposed in a public forum. This novel would make for an explosive book club read and probe at the very heart of what it means for a woman to stand up for and own the decisions she makes about her life.
Freeman’s book explores so many hot button issues ranging from recreational drug use, work life balance, dealing with chronic illness and how women usually bear moral blame for any sexual exploits should they ever be exposed in a public forum. This novel would make for an explosive book club read and probe at the very heart of what it means for a woman to stand up for and own the decisions she makes about her life.
August 27, 2026
Anne Freeman’s third novel, The Time After Now, is a raw and powerful exploration of chronic illness, midlife and the ripple effects of the decisions we make in our youth.
While fictional, the novel draws on Anne’s own lived experience with type 1 diabetes and her youth immersed in Melbourne’s post-millennial rave scene. Her protagonist, Liv, is not only lovable but deeply relatable. We all have those sliding-door moments – whether they involve our career, relationships or health – and the novel’s dual timeline makes for a captivating exploration of the question: What if?
Not only is this an important and timely portrayal of disability, but it also has all the warmth, humour and spice Anne is renowned for. What I enjoyed most were the strong female friendships, the tender and loving relationship between Liv and her children, the nostalgia of revisiting Melbourne’s past, and the exciting twists I never saw coming.
Bravo, Anne Freeman – you’ve done it again!
While fictional, the novel draws on Anne’s own lived experience with type 1 diabetes and her youth immersed in Melbourne’s post-millennial rave scene. Her protagonist, Liv, is not only lovable but deeply relatable. We all have those sliding-door moments – whether they involve our career, relationships or health – and the novel’s dual timeline makes for a captivating exploration of the question: What if?
Not only is this an important and timely portrayal of disability, but it also has all the warmth, humour and spice Anne is renowned for. What I enjoyed most were the strong female friendships, the tender and loving relationship between Liv and her children, the nostalgia of revisiting Melbourne’s past, and the exciting twists I never saw coming.
Bravo, Anne Freeman – you’ve done it again!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What a wonderful job Anne Freeman does in portraying contemporary women living their ordinary, but extraordinary, lives.
Their friendships, loves, relationship highs & lows, and how much stronger women are together.
Throw in a mystery, and the own voices depiction of living with Type I diabetes, and this is a powerful and moving story that will entertain as much as it will educate.
I can't recommend adding this book to your Wishlist, or even better, pre-ordering it, as it is definitely a book you should be reading if you enjoy contemporary fiction.
And if you don't already love contemporary fiction, this one might be the read that converts you.
Anne approaches life with passion, laughter, and determination and her personality shines brightly in her books.
Thanks to the Publisher for the Advanced Reading Copy of this book
Their friendships, loves, relationship highs & lows, and how much stronger women are together.
Throw in a mystery, and the own voices depiction of living with Type I diabetes, and this is a powerful and moving story that will entertain as much as it will educate.
I can't recommend adding this book to your Wishlist, or even better, pre-ordering it, as it is definitely a book you should be reading if you enjoy contemporary fiction.
And if you don't already love contemporary fiction, this one might be the read that converts you.
Anne approaches life with passion, laughter, and determination and her personality shines brightly in her books.
Thanks to the Publisher for the Advanced Reading Copy of this book
June 29, 2026
The Time After Now by Anne Freeman
5 🌟
I truly loved this book, reading Olivia’s story in many ways pulled me back to my 20’s making my way through life in Melbourne.
Beautifully written story of lost love, disability, decisions made in youth, grief, friendship, heartbreak, marriage, motherhood, cancer, Melbourne party scene, passion and creative spirit.
For me the most impactful lesson was learning self-forgiveness is about acknowledging our mistakes, accepting them, and moving forward with kindness and grace.
Dual timeline, set in Melbourne.
Twenty years after the love affair Olivia never got over, Drew dies suddenly on a photo shoot in Iceland. If Olivia hadnt done what she did, would Drew still be alive?
The Time After Now is an Own Voices portrayal of disability examining the ripple effects of decisions made in our youth.
5 🌟
I truly loved this book, reading Olivia’s story in many ways pulled me back to my 20’s making my way through life in Melbourne.
Beautifully written story of lost love, disability, decisions made in youth, grief, friendship, heartbreak, marriage, motherhood, cancer, Melbourne party scene, passion and creative spirit.
For me the most impactful lesson was learning self-forgiveness is about acknowledging our mistakes, accepting them, and moving forward with kindness and grace.
Dual timeline, set in Melbourne.
Twenty years after the love affair Olivia never got over, Drew dies suddenly on a photo shoot in Iceland. If Olivia hadnt done what she did, would Drew still be alive?
The Time After Now is an Own Voices portrayal of disability examining the ripple effects of decisions made in our youth.
July 27, 2026
The Time After Now by Anne Freeman ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
An Australian author writing about Melbourne women navigating life across two points in time.
Liv and Miriam’s friendship is the heart of the book. The way it stretches and bends across time, the way they drift and find each other again. I connected most with Miriam, but found myself recognising moments in both characters — the choices they made, the ones they didn’t, and how little we think about the ripple effect on the people around us.
Anne Freeman really set the scene across every page. I felt like I was in the story, standing in front of the DJs twenty years ago.
There’s a touch of her own life woven through the pages and that comes through in the honesty of it.
An Australian author writing about Melbourne women navigating life across two points in time.
Liv and Miriam’s friendship is the heart of the book. The way it stretches and bends across time, the way they drift and find each other again. I connected most with Miriam, but found myself recognising moments in both characters — the choices they made, the ones they didn’t, and how little we think about the ripple effect on the people around us.
Anne Freeman really set the scene across every page. I felt like I was in the story, standing in front of the DJs twenty years ago.
There’s a touch of her own life woven through the pages and that comes through in the honesty of it.
Review of advance copy received from Author
4.5 stars
I was so glad I could read this over the weekend and become immersed in this story. Following a "then and now" format, we learn that Drew, Olivia’s lost love from 20 years ago has suddenly died. Old feelings resurface and cracks start to show in Olivia's picture perfect life.
What I love the most about this book is the diabetes rep. It's real and vulnerable, and it's clear that Anne draws on her own lived experience with T1D to shine a vital light on this chronic condition. Woven throughout the story is the emotional and psychological impacts of adjusting to such a big lifestyle change and a future that was never in the plan.
As you know, my daughter has a chronic condition also and I really appreciate representation in books like this. Chronic illness never takes a day off, no matter what else is going on in life and this book depicted this so well.
My verdict: raw, emotional and real with a hint of mystery.
I was so glad I could read this over the weekend and become immersed in this story. Following a "then and now" format, we learn that Drew, Olivia’s lost love from 20 years ago has suddenly died. Old feelings resurface and cracks start to show in Olivia's picture perfect life.
What I love the most about this book is the diabetes rep. It's real and vulnerable, and it's clear that Anne draws on her own lived experience with T1D to shine a vital light on this chronic condition. Woven throughout the story is the emotional and psychological impacts of adjusting to such a big lifestyle change and a future that was never in the plan.
As you know, my daughter has a chronic condition also and I really appreciate representation in books like this. Chronic illness never takes a day off, no matter what else is going on in life and this book depicted this so well.
My verdict: raw, emotional and real with a hint of mystery.
October 19, 2026
Anne Freeman has hit her stride with The Time After Now, delivering a 5-star read I couldn’t put down!
Liv was once a vibrant up-and-coming artist, but now she’s a mother of two stuck in a stagnant marriage. When photos from her past resurface and threats are made to release them, the two timelines interweave in a breathless dance that spiral towards the inevitability of Drew’s fate and Liv’s diagnosis—one she’ll carry for the rest of her life—as she’s forced to reckon with her choices, regret and nostalgia for the woman she once was.
Anne’s lived experience is a driving force behind this story, and that intimate knowledge bleeds onto the page. The Time After Now is raw, emotional and as dynamic as a rave dance floor.
Liv was once a vibrant up-and-coming artist, but now she’s a mother of two stuck in a stagnant marriage. When photos from her past resurface and threats are made to release them, the two timelines interweave in a breathless dance that spiral towards the inevitability of Drew’s fate and Liv’s diagnosis—one she’ll carry for the rest of her life—as she’s forced to reckon with her choices, regret and nostalgia for the woman she once was.
Anne’s lived experience is a driving force behind this story, and that intimate knowledge bleeds onto the page. The Time After Now is raw, emotional and as dynamic as a rave dance floor.
October 21, 2026
5 stars for a Melbourne based story.
What a powerful read. What starts out as walk down memory lane, coupled with the stark reality of life as a forty something, the story suddenly becomes one of questioning the what ifs and looking at how the decisions made then effect the now.
I loved the style of writing, the dual timelines to give us a complete picture, and so much intrigue that I couldn’t stop until I had the answers.
I absolutely fell in love with the strong, powerful female characters, because there is nothing more important in life than friendship and sisterhood. I also love how a disability such as type 1 diabetes is explored and this book shows the true reality of what daily life looks like when navigating this.
I laughed, I cried, and my heart is all warm and fuzzy
What a powerful read. What starts out as walk down memory lane, coupled with the stark reality of life as a forty something, the story suddenly becomes one of questioning the what ifs and looking at how the decisions made then effect the now.
I loved the style of writing, the dual timelines to give us a complete picture, and so much intrigue that I couldn’t stop until I had the answers.
I absolutely fell in love with the strong, powerful female characters, because there is nothing more important in life than friendship and sisterhood. I also love how a disability such as type 1 diabetes is explored and this book shows the true reality of what daily life looks like when navigating this.
I laughed, I cried, and my heart is all warm and fuzzy
October 29, 2026
Such an authentic, touching, read. The joy and heartbreak could be felt in every word.
I love a book that can make me cry, and damn it, this one had me in tears in the first 50 pages!! But there was an underlying theme of hope that prevented it from being depressing.
It was so multilayered, with diabetes management, parental pressures, family issues, cancer concerns, drug addiction, Melbourne rave scene, friendships, art, and more, that there was never a dull moment and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. It was all brought together seamlessly with a very satisfying end (which also made me cry).
And I learned so much about type 1 diabetes! Very interesting to see how complicated it is and what people go through (including the awful comments people make).
A great book!!
I love a book that can make me cry, and damn it, this one had me in tears in the first 50 pages!! But there was an underlying theme of hope that prevented it from being depressing.
It was so multilayered, with diabetes management, parental pressures, family issues, cancer concerns, drug addiction, Melbourne rave scene, friendships, art, and more, that there was never a dull moment and I couldn't wait to find out what happened. It was all brought together seamlessly with a very satisfying end (which also made me cry).
And I learned so much about type 1 diabetes! Very interesting to see how complicated it is and what people go through (including the awful comments people make).
A great book!!
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