Henley and Mason : And Then It Happened

by Alyssa Milani

Spin-off from the Library Love Notes Series, Notes of the Past.

After two years in Montreal, Mason is still heartbroken from his split with Wren Downing. But when he crosses paths with the wild Henley Miller, everything shifts. For the first time, Mason is ready to embrace his bisexuality, and maybe even open his heart again.
Henley's life is anything but simple. With deep ties to a motorcycle club and secrets he’s not ready to face, coming out isn’t just personal, it’s dangerous. As their connection deepens, both men must confront who they are, what they want, and how far they're willing to go for love.
What if the person who sets you free is trapped himself?

208 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 18, 2026

Reviews

[Michaela]

I KNEW THIS WAS GOING TO BE GREAT! Don’t get me wrong, Henley tested my patience a few times but I also understood his fear. Also, I would hate (but also live for) the drama this relationship causes because holy moly would family gatherings be awkward.

[Yugie Caroline]

I read this book because I had wanted to witness for myself how Mason would finally find his lasting happiness after enduring a terrible heartbreak with his ex-girlfriend. That heartbreak happened in the book Notes of the Past, where Mason had been the rejected party in a love triangle he never saw coming. Of course I'd been happy then for the MCs of that book that they achieved their happy ending, but my heart had also gone out for Mason because he had loved Wren faithfully and genuinely. So when word came out that a book with Mason finally finding his person was going to come out, there was no way I was going to miss it. How could I when that person was Mason's ex's brother-in-law, Henley? The potential family dynamic of that alone was enough to make me giddy with anticipation for the book!

And what a lovely story it was. The romance in it was just perfect - from the fated meeting, the instant connection, and the electrifying attraction between two people who were at the same time waiting for just the right person to come into their lives and change it for the better.

More than that, it was also a beautiful story about finding the courage to finally come out to the world. Both Mason and Henley had been hiding the truth about themselves for so long that it was preventing them from becoming fully happy. I'm glad that when they finally did come out, the author chose to show the ideal response from their family and close friends: one of acceptance and warm welcome. I truly wouldn't have wanted it any other way, though I know in reality that is something not everyone who comes out about their true sexuality experiences. But perhaps with every passing day, the acceptance gets easier for more and more people. I can only hope that there will be a day soon when the norm would be full acceptance of anyone's sexuality, and what will become deviant are those who continue to cling to outdated tradition and bigoted beliefs.

I am supremely grateful to be among the early readers of this book by having been granted a free review copy. I offer this honest review fully voluntarily.

[Sarah Reapz]

For myself this is the most anticipated, deserved and so excited for this beautiful spin off from notes of the past.

For Mason and Henley story.
If you read notes of the past then you know why Mason needed a separate story.
With that I can finally breathe a sigh of relief, ah, you finally fixed my broken heart with this.
Mason, gorgeous Mason is a walking green flag of a man, with such a big beautiful heart. I want to hug him so much I enjoyed seeing his side of things after the events in the other book, more about him and his softer side and his dominant side there's nothing I don't love about him.
Henley, wow what can I say he's just as amazing just a scaredy cat, I don't blame him especially with the life he had, we get more history from him which made me love him more than I already did.

And the spicy scenes with these two, holy hell it got hot in here, seeing these two together is pure ecstacy that it felt they'd always been this way with each other 🤤 they truly belong together.

Some challenges along the way though but worth the wait.

Thank you for the chance to have an ARC for this, I'm so grateful I got to see this story unfold ❤️

[Steph Reader]

Henley & Mason: And Then It Happened by Canadian indie author Alyssa Milani is a spin-off of her book Notes of the Past. It is a fast burn, bi-reawakening, one-night-stand to more, MM romance. 

This book could be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading Notes of the Past first, as this book feels like Mason's continued storyline and you get to meet both characters there first. 

I loved the insta attraction in this book. And the chemistry between Henley and Mason. I also loved that when they were together, they felt free to be who they were and enjoy their lives. 

Their shared friend/family connection/history played a big part in this story, as did Henley's job and his fear of how his love for Mason would affect his and his loved ones' safety. 

After seeing Mason be dumped by who he thought was his future in Notes of the Past, I was very happy to see him get his HEA. I also really enjoyed getting to return to Beaver Creek and seeing the characters from Notes of the Past again. Wren and Mason had a special bond, so I was happy to see them stay in touch and continue being friends, and it was wonderful to see Henley further develop a relationship with his brother, nephew and future sister-in-law.

I am now intrigued to read Milani's Stowaway series, which is the story of the charter Henley is part of. I do love when authors interconnect their books like this. 

"the right person allows me to embrace who I am. And I hope one day, he'll embrace the man that he is, too."

[Destiny | _readingwithdee_]

Tropes:
🩵Coming Out
🩵Bi-Reawakening
🩵One-Night Stand
🩵Happenstance
🩵Biker MMC
🩵Fast Burn

Henley & Mason and then it happened, was the most anticipated sequel to Notes of the Past for me. Meeting these two characters in that initial story, and then being left wondering what comes next for them, had me counting down the seconds until I could pick up their book. I have to say that it didn’t disappoint.

This books overall vibe and storyline was not what I was expecting, but I’m far from mad about it. The author didn’t shy away from initiating the spice early on, the stakes were much higher, and I liked the little gang affiliations that were added. Who doesn’t like one of their MMC’s to be a bad boy, but like also a sweetheart?

It was nice to further get to know Henley and Mason, and it was beautiful to see them swoon for one another despite the obstacles that got in their way. I’m also glad that I got to revisit beaver creek and some of the characters there (Wren, Lawson and Noah). I love happy endings, and there sure were many in this one.

[erikoreads]

When I first came across Mason and Henley in Notes of the Past, I was so intrigued by both of them. Then I saw there was going to be a spinoff story. Yay! And I was so lucky to get an eARC, thank you Alyssa!

🍻 Mason and Henley don’t know who each other are when they meet at a dive bar, after the events of Notes of the Past. Henley is the big bro of the MMC in NotP, and Mason is the FMC’s ex… 👀 messy? Well, there is ✨more✨ than connections to the characters in NotP. But spoilers? 🤷🏻‍♀️ Probably, so I won’t say more 🤐

💕 There’s a lot for both characters to work through, and I enjoyed watching both of their character arcs. I also enjoyed Wren, Lawson and Noah making a reappearance in this story too.

[Aimee]

I loved seeing sweet Mason get his love story and happily ever after. He was such a lovable character in Notes from the Past.

This is truly an insta-love story, and it was so beautifully done! They were so perfectly matched right from the start and clearly were meant to be together regardless of either's past!

I adored that they both found families to love them as they are and that they both came to love themselves more throughout the story too!

Alyssa really has a gift when it comes to spicy scenes, and this book did not disappoint!

Thank you, Alyssa, for the advanced copy of this story. I really loved every single moment!

[Jess Pierce]

What if he is everything, but you can’t have him?

If you read Notes of the Past, you don’t want to miss out on two familiar characters that are sure to steal your heart.

Henley and Mason are the fast burn, yearning, angsty couple you have been looking for. From their first meeting sparks turn to flame and their lives aren’t the same. Their story is one of finding your true self and finally becoming the person that makes you happy.

When I read these characters in Notes of the Past, I immediately wanted more, And Then It Happened. Don’t miss out on Henley, Mason, and the love of a lifetime.

[Jaqueline Doldersum]

This book is about Henley and Mason. Henley is part of a biker gang. Not ready to come out. And Mason works in the IT and is bisexual.

I would recommend reading Notes of the Past first. If you want to read this book. I got a feeling. After reading this book. It all comes full circle.

I felt for the struggle Henley was having. How scared he was. How he was torn of having a family of his own. And being there for his biker family. You should think. That by now, it doesn't matter who you love.

Mason thought he would never find anyone. After his relationship with Wren. When he finally does. It all slips through his fingers. But he doesn't give up.

[Nifer Waters]

4⭐3.5🌶️ ARC Dual POV First Person 220pgs
Spin off from Notes of the Past
🇨🇦 Author, settings, and characters
Henley and Mason
Both MCs were in Notes of the Past, but never met. Here we get deeper into their individual histories and get to see into their thoughts. So happy that Mason gets his HEA. He's sweet guy, and I was sad in Notes of the Past.
He continues to be a great guy in this story.
Henley has aot going on, between his present and past, that plays into his waffling about what he wants vs what he thinks is best.

[Sarah Barry]

Loved this follow up book from the library series. Mason has moved on ish in Montreal with his new job but still carrying the weight of his break up with Wren to find a hot Henley in a bar one night, thinking it would just be a one night stand. The sweetness and heat from these two is amazing. They do struggle as Henley isn’t ready to come out as he fears for everyone’s safety after an incident at one of the clubs. Mason doesn’t give up on his as Wrens wedding to Lawson is looming and they will both be in attendance. They do get a HEA in the end.

[Sidney]

Wholesome and hilarious!

Alyssa Milani gives us another book to obsess over! The development of each character makes it so easy to fall in love with each of these characters so when they get together you're rooting for them through the whole journey. Love the crossover with the Stowaway series characters (if you haven't read these you NEED TO-- such a gem). Highly recommend. This was such an emotional rollercoaster of a book (in the best ways)!

[Amber]

After reading Notes Of The Past, I was hoping for Mason and Henley to get their happily ever after. This was a fast paced one night stand to more. Meeting in a bar, the sparks flew. Both Henley and Mason knew they met someone that would change their lives. Henley is scared to come out to his MC Club and family but Mason knows he's worth the wait.

[Jennifer]

This was spicy, with some good chemistry, and I loved all the coincidences. It made for such an interesting story!

[PrettyLadyMaine Writes]

Manson heart got broken by Wren in the previous book from the library series “Note of the past” Wren got pregnant and her child father left to fight for his country. He didn’t know she was pregnant. Wren moved on with Mason.

Wren dated Mason for 7 months they were happy but haven’t had sex together. Wren child father came back home after finding out he’s a father he wanted to be in his child life as well as get Wren back.

Wren finally gives in and sleeps with Mason while her son and her child father is downstairs sleeping from the sleepover they all had. Mason knew it felt different after sharing his body with Wren. Wren wasn’t connected to Mason so she broke up with him.

Manson meets Henley at the bar they hit it off.

Henley is Lawson brother Wren child father. No one knows Henley is gay and he’s in Mason bed.

Thanks for the ARC

[Dawn Smit]

Oooh this was a fun spicy MM romance 😍

I'm so happy that Mason - from Notes of the Past book - got his own story after he left Beaver Creek, he definitely deserved it and this was such a perfect one

The angst and the fear Henley and Mason faced was emotionally heartbreaking and beautifully written and the banter and spice was 🔥 these two were destined for each other

Thank you Alyssa for the ARC and for giving us this much needed story and the HEA 💕

❤️ How I Rate Books
⭐ didn't like it
⭐⭐ it was ok
⭐⭐⭐ I liked it
⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved it!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing! Will reread!