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9 days and 01:32:25
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Monarch Ranch #1
Afterglow
Not yet published
Expected 25 Sep 26Win a free print copy of this book!
9 days and 01:32:25
3 copies available
U.S. only
Leanne Kole is the brazen and focused eldest daughter, always handling obstacles with ease. When her life is turned upside down the same day her sister gets engaged, she sets her own feelings aside to help plan the wedding. Now the big day is here, and all she wants to do is get through the weekend unscathed. Unfortunately, standing in her way is Bryce Butler, the bull-headed event coordinator who turns out to be more than she expected.
Bryce Butler loves his job at Monarch Ranch, but occasionally a client makes him want to tear his hair out. This time that client is Leanne Kole—sister of the bride and pain in the ass extraordinaire. He expects the weekend to be difficult, but what he doesn’t see coming is a blonde bombshell who finds her way under his skin in more ways than one.
When Bryce and Leanne give into their explosive chemistry, they assume they’ll never see each other again after the wedding is over. But best-laid plans are made to be thwarted, and a positive pregnancy test now ties them together.
Can Bryce and Leanne overcome the antagonistic way their relationship started in order to embrace a future they both desperately want? Or will they allow their insecurities and anxieties, brought on by their own pasts, to stand in the way?
Bryce Butler loves his job at Monarch Ranch, but occasionally a client makes him want to tear his hair out. This time that client is Leanne Kole—sister of the bride and pain in the ass extraordinaire. He expects the weekend to be difficult, but what he doesn’t see coming is a blonde bombshell who finds her way under his skin in more ways than one.
When Bryce and Leanne give into their explosive chemistry, they assume they’ll never see each other again after the wedding is over. But best-laid plans are made to be thwarted, and a positive pregnancy test now ties them together.
Can Bryce and Leanne overcome the antagonistic way their relationship started in order to embrace a future they both desperately want? Or will they allow their insecurities and anxieties, brought on by their own pasts, to stand in the way?
- GenresRomance
350 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 25, 2026
About the author
J.A. Forde
6 books182 followersHi there! I’m J.A. Forde
Author of swoony romances full of real characters you can’t help but root for.
When I’m not writing you’ll find me with my nose stuck in a book... Or more realistically, you’ll find me chasing my two kids, spending time with my husband, and helping our household to thrive.
I am an avid reader though and adore the way I can get lost in a world outside my own every time I flip those pages.
I never thought I’d write a book. Never thought I’d have a story to tell. But lo and behold, here I am, and I have never loved an adventure more!
Author of swoony romances full of real characters you can’t help but root for.
When I’m not writing you’ll find me with my nose stuck in a book... Or more realistically, you’ll find me chasing my two kids, spending time with my husband, and helping our household to thrive.
I am an avid reader though and adore the way I can get lost in a world outside my own every time I flip those pages.
I never thought I’d write a book. Never thought I’d have a story to tell. But lo and behold, here I am, and I have never loved an adventure more!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
September 9, 2026
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of Afterglow!
I had previously read The Love Along The Way series by JA Ford and really enjoyed it! I liked the characters, writing, and fade to black romance so I was excited to hear she was coming out with a new series set in Montana.
While surprise pregnancy is not my favorite trope, I do think it can be done well and overall, Ford’s Afterglow was enjoyable and she wrote the trope well.
I enjoyed the setting, Montana is one of my favorite places on earth so it’s always fun to read books set there. I do feel like it was pretty vague and didn’t give me real Montana vibes but it was still easy to envision while reading.
Bryce was a wonderful MMC and the way he loved and cared for Leanne was so good! Leanne on the other hand…I really needed her to be a little more direct and trusting. I understand that she has previous hurt but give the guy a chance!! She was not my fave but her family was amazing, Bryce’s too! Loved them all.
I think my biggest qualm with this story comes from the spice. In her previous stories, Ford wrote fade to black SO WELL so I was really disappointed to hear she was adding spice. I thought about declining the ARC because of that and the fact that she said it was crucial to the set up of the story. But a friend said it was worth the read and while I enjoyed the story for the most part, the spice really took away a lot.
I’m just not a fan of when the characters are constantly talking about their bodies and how much they want to do it 🫠 and the language was so unnecessary.
SO all that to say, proceed with caution. I can see a lot of people enjoying this story but you will not have the same experience as her other stories due to spice and language.
OH and the Elk at the end?! Could not handle that 😆 maybe it’s because I read this right after a 5 star, fade to black, cowboy romance but it just felt cringy and unbelievable.
Okay done now!
I had previously read The Love Along The Way series by JA Ford and really enjoyed it! I liked the characters, writing, and fade to black romance so I was excited to hear she was coming out with a new series set in Montana.
While surprise pregnancy is not my favorite trope, I do think it can be done well and overall, Ford’s Afterglow was enjoyable and she wrote the trope well.
I enjoyed the setting, Montana is one of my favorite places on earth so it’s always fun to read books set there. I do feel like it was pretty vague and didn’t give me real Montana vibes but it was still easy to envision while reading.
Bryce was a wonderful MMC and the way he loved and cared for Leanne was so good! Leanne on the other hand…I really needed her to be a little more direct and trusting. I understand that she has previous hurt but give the guy a chance!! She was not my fave but her family was amazing, Bryce’s too! Loved them all.
I think my biggest qualm with this story comes from the spice. In her previous stories, Ford wrote fade to black SO WELL so I was really disappointed to hear she was adding spice. I thought about declining the ARC because of that and the fact that she said it was crucial to the set up of the story. But a friend said it was worth the read and while I enjoyed the story for the most part, the spice really took away a lot.
I’m just not a fan of when the characters are constantly talking about their bodies and how much they want to do it 🫠 and the language was so unnecessary.
SO all that to say, proceed with caution. I can see a lot of people enjoying this story but you will not have the same experience as her other stories due to spice and language.
OH and the Elk at the end?! Could not handle that 😆 maybe it’s because I read this right after a 5 star, fade to black, cowboy romance but it just felt cringy and unbelievable.
Okay done now!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2026
Having never read anything by this author before, I really had no idea what to expect going into this one. I was also buzzing because this was my first ever ARC! 4.5⭐️
Leanne finds herself helping to plan her sister’s wedding after her own life takes a turn, while Bryce is the events coordinator at the ranch where the wedding is taking place. They don’t exactly get off to the best start, especially after their rather…tense emails in the lead-up. When they finally meet and realise who they’ve been dealing with, it’s safe to say they don’t like each other. Everyone knows it, too. THE TENSION!!!
I was giggling within about two chapters and thinking, yep, this is definitely going to be an enemies-to-lovers situation (very loose on the enemies haha!)
HE TURNED UP FOR HER!!! Swooooon! We love a man who shows up and continues to do so.
I really loved seeing the relationship evolve, especially because neither of them expected it and, in their own ways, neither thought they deserved it. It was such a lovely story, such an easy read!
I went into this with no expectations and came away knowing I’d happily pick up another book by this author. I loved the way she writes!
Leanne finds herself helping to plan her sister’s wedding after her own life takes a turn, while Bryce is the events coordinator at the ranch where the wedding is taking place. They don’t exactly get off to the best start, especially after their rather…tense emails in the lead-up. When they finally meet and realise who they’ve been dealing with, it’s safe to say they don’t like each other. Everyone knows it, too. THE TENSION!!!
I was giggling within about two chapters and thinking, yep, this is definitely going to be an enemies-to-lovers situation (very loose on the enemies haha!)
HE TURNED UP FOR HER!!! Swooooon! We love a man who shows up and continues to do so.
I really loved seeing the relationship evolve, especially because neither of them expected it and, in their own ways, neither thought they deserved it. It was such a lovely story, such an easy read!
I went into this with no expectations and came away knowing I’d happily pick up another book by this author. I loved the way she writes!
September 11, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
If a book starts with a one night stand that turns into an accidental pregnancy, I already know I’m probably going to enjoy it. Afterglow did not steer me wrong!
I loved both Leanne and Bryce. They had both been through so much, and they were honestly perfect for each other. Leanne was feisty, her ex can kick rocks, and Bryce was the ultimate walking green flag. He was there for her every step of the way and is going to make one hell of a baby daddy and partner.
I loved the found family aspect, and the side characters were just as lovable. I can’t wait to continue this series!
If a book starts with a one night stand that turns into an accidental pregnancy, I already know I’m probably going to enjoy it. Afterglow did not steer me wrong!
I loved both Leanne and Bryce. They had both been through so much, and they were honestly perfect for each other. Leanne was feisty, her ex can kick rocks, and Bryce was the ultimate walking green flag. He was there for her every step of the way and is going to make one hell of a baby daddy and partner.
I loved the found family aspect, and the side characters were just as lovable. I can’t wait to continue this series!
September 3, 2026
Thank you to J.A. Forde for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinions!!
I love nothing more than an accidental pregnancy trope in a book! I love the tension and uncertainty and the back and forth between the main characters. I love when they deny their attraction which is so pointless because you wouldn’t be in the situation if there wasn’t any there.
Leanne and Bryce are perfect examples of this! They went from being completely annoyed and outwardly bickering with one another to raw dogging it in an empty cabin during a rehearsal dinner. Leanne thinks she can’t get pregnant because her douche bag of an ex refused to consider he might have a medical issue. But as fate would have it, she ends up knocked up. She and Bryce now must navigate their relationship alongside becoming parents for the first time.
I really loved how these two mature adults handled this precarious situation but I do wish Bryce would have come clean about his past earlier because he seemed so insistent on communicating with Leanne that it did seem out of character. I also enjoyed how their families came together to support them both!
I love nothing more than an accidental pregnancy trope in a book! I love the tension and uncertainty and the back and forth between the main characters. I love when they deny their attraction which is so pointless because you wouldn’t be in the situation if there wasn’t any there.
Leanne and Bryce are perfect examples of this! They went from being completely annoyed and outwardly bickering with one another to raw dogging it in an empty cabin during a rehearsal dinner. Leanne thinks she can’t get pregnant because her douche bag of an ex refused to consider he might have a medical issue. But as fate would have it, she ends up knocked up. She and Bryce now must navigate their relationship alongside becoming parents for the first time.
I really loved how these two mature adults handled this precarious situation but I do wish Bryce would have come clean about his past earlier because he seemed so insistent on communicating with Leanne that it did seem out of character. I also enjoyed how their families came together to support them both!
September 12, 2026
This is my favorite J.A. Forde book to date. The writing, these characters, the depth in each of their storylines was done so well.
I miss Leanne and Bryce so much already. I felt all of their emotions as they navigated their relationship and its challenges. & I had no idea how much I would love an accidental pregnancy trope!!
Thank you to the author for my #gifted copy! Being a part of your journey and watching you grow as an author has been really cool.
I miss Leanne and Bryce so much already. I felt all of their emotions as they navigated their relationship and its challenges. & I had no idea how much I would love an accidental pregnancy trope!!
Thank you to the author for my #gifted copy! Being a part of your journey and watching you grow as an author has been really cool.
September 8, 2026
This is my first book by J.A. Forde and I loved it! Afterglow is a beautiful, sometimes frustrating, sometimes heartwarming story about accidental pregnancy, grief, healing, and dislike turning into lust before developing into love.
Bryce is one of the best book boyfriends I have read in a while. He's sexy, in touch with his feelings, knows what he wants (Leanne! closely followed by the baby), vulnerable, and grieving his losses, although it's been a while and so he makes room in his heart and his life for Leanne and their baby. He initially dislikes Leanne intensely because of how she's treated him while they were working together to organise her sister's wedding, but all that changes when they finally meet in person... or at least, he discovers that a bit of good hate sex can be very satisfying! I looked forward to reading chapters from his POV.
Leanne has been burned badly by her ex and the timing of that burning means she's been horrible to Bryce ever since she got dragged into organising her sister's wedding at Bryce's ranch. Once she lowers her walls and starts to let Bryce in, she realises that not all men are like her ex. I found her hard to like at first and she hides her vulnerability by becoming angry and pushing people away. That said, she grew on me as the book progressed and her loyalty to her family, and ability to change her attitude over time, really gave her character depth.
The banter between Leanne and Bryce was entertaining! The side characters also really added to the story and I think we've been given a hint of who the next book will be about... I liked less that it was obvious what was going to happen in the third act. While Leanne may have overreacted at times to hide her vulnerability, by the time the third act rolled around I had gotten a bit frustrated with the hole that Bryce had dug for himself and so felt that Leanne's reaction was entirely justified. That said, the book is so well written that I still sympathised with Bryce for having dug it in the first place.
I read this book in less than 24 hours and will definitely put any future books in this series on my TBR. Many thanks to J.A. Forde for the ARC!
Bryce is one of the best book boyfriends I have read in a while. He's sexy, in touch with his feelings, knows what he wants (Leanne! closely followed by the baby), vulnerable, and grieving his losses, although it's been a while and so he makes room in his heart and his life for Leanne and their baby. He initially dislikes Leanne intensely because of how she's treated him while they were working together to organise her sister's wedding, but all that changes when they finally meet in person... or at least, he discovers that a bit of good hate sex can be very satisfying! I looked forward to reading chapters from his POV.
Leanne has been burned badly by her ex and the timing of that burning means she's been horrible to Bryce ever since she got dragged into organising her sister's wedding at Bryce's ranch. Once she lowers her walls and starts to let Bryce in, she realises that not all men are like her ex. I found her hard to like at first and she hides her vulnerability by becoming angry and pushing people away. That said, she grew on me as the book progressed and her loyalty to her family, and ability to change her attitude over time, really gave her character depth.
The banter between Leanne and Bryce was entertaining! The side characters also really added to the story and I think we've been given a hint of who the next book will be about... I liked less that it was obvious what was going to happen in the third act. While Leanne may have overreacted at times to hide her vulnerability, by the time the third act rolled around I had gotten a bit frustrated with the hole that Bryce had dug for himself and so felt that Leanne's reaction was entirely justified. That said, the book is so well written that I still sympathised with Bryce for having dug it in the first place.
I read this book in less than 24 hours and will definitely put any future books in this series on my TBR. Many thanks to J.A. Forde for the ARC!
September 2, 2026
✨ ARC REVIEW ✨
I’ve loved everything I’ve read from this author, so honestly… it was no surprise that she delivered another heartfelt story that completely worked its way under my skin. 🥹❤️
I love a book that makes me FEEL things. The kind that breaks you down a little, lets you sit in all those messy emotions, and then somehow puts you back together again. And this one absolutely did that.
The initial animosity between these two was borderline hilarious. The sass. The tension. The absolute attitude between them. I was giggling one minute and emotionally wrecked the next. And yes…there were definitely more tears than giggles, but both the happy and sad kind. 🥹
I don’t typically gravitate toward the surprise pregnancy trope, but I thought it was done so incredibly well here. It never felt like the trope was there just for drama, the story surrounding it was genuinely beautiful, and I loved watching these characters navigate grief, healing, love, and everything that came with it.
And for this being her first open-door romance… 👀🔥 the spice absolutely delivered.
Country boy + city girl? ✔️
One night stand? ✔️
Only one tent? 👀✔️
Antagonists to lovers? ✔️
Surprise pregnancy? ✔️
Later-in-life MCs? (Late 30’s)✔️
Grief + healing? ✔️
A whole lot of sass and tension? ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY.
This was heartfelt, emotional, and just the kind of romance I love getting completely lost in. Another winner from an author who continues to prove that I will happily pick up anything she writes. ❤️📚
I’ve loved everything I’ve read from this author, so honestly… it was no surprise that she delivered another heartfelt story that completely worked its way under my skin. 🥹❤️
I love a book that makes me FEEL things. The kind that breaks you down a little, lets you sit in all those messy emotions, and then somehow puts you back together again. And this one absolutely did that.
The initial animosity between these two was borderline hilarious. The sass. The tension. The absolute attitude between them. I was giggling one minute and emotionally wrecked the next. And yes…there were definitely more tears than giggles, but both the happy and sad kind. 🥹
I don’t typically gravitate toward the surprise pregnancy trope, but I thought it was done so incredibly well here. It never felt like the trope was there just for drama, the story surrounding it was genuinely beautiful, and I loved watching these characters navigate grief, healing, love, and everything that came with it.
And for this being her first open-door romance… 👀🔥 the spice absolutely delivered.
Country boy + city girl? ✔️
One night stand? ✔️
Only one tent? 👀✔️
Antagonists to lovers? ✔️
Surprise pregnancy? ✔️
Later-in-life MCs? (Late 30’s)✔️
Grief + healing? ✔️
A whole lot of sass and tension? ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY.
This was heartfelt, emotional, and just the kind of romance I love getting completely lost in. Another winner from an author who continues to prove that I will happily pick up anything she writes. ❤️📚
September 8, 2026
Stayed up way too late to finish this book but it was worth it. I knew from the sneak peeks we got that I would love this book. I don’t normally love a pregnancy in books, but this one felt more like a love story that was happening that just so happened to have a pregnancy involved.
Parts were absolutely heartbreaking, but oh my gosh was this such a good read. Completely hated Craig, but he was her ex for a reason right. Bryce I feel is what every woman dreams up when she thinks of what makes a well rounded man, but also he sounds like he’s attractive af too 😂. I loved Leanne as well, but it took me a minute to fully be on her side. Her strength though was something I absolutely loved.
Parts were absolutely heartbreaking, but oh my gosh was this such a good read. Completely hated Craig, but he was her ex for a reason right. Bryce I feel is what every woman dreams up when she thinks of what makes a well rounded man, but also he sounds like he’s attractive af too 😂. I loved Leanne as well, but it took me a minute to fully be on her side. Her strength though was something I absolutely loved.
September 13, 2026
I LOVED THIS BOOK
It was an entertaining and quick read. It had a lot more emotional depth than most accidental pregnancy books and that’s what I loved most about it. I felt for the characters, their fears and insecurities because they were so relatable. Being able to see them heal from their pasts made me so happy for them!
Thank you J.A Forde for this ARC, I devoured it!!
It was an entertaining and quick read. It had a lot more emotional depth than most accidental pregnancy books and that’s what I loved most about it. I felt for the characters, their fears and insecurities because they were so relatable. Being able to see them heal from their pasts made me so happy for them!
Thank you J.A Forde for this ARC, I devoured it!!
September 7, 2026
Thank you so much J.A. Forde for the ARC of this book! I absolutely loved this book! I loved Leanne and Bryce and I loved their story! This pulled on my heart strings and think this might be the third accidental pregnancy book that I have read and I have also given 5 stars! I LOVE BRYCE WITH MY WHOLE HEART! 💞
September 6, 2026
Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted ARC. All opinions are my own.
After reading J.A. Forde's "Love Along the Way" series, I knew I'd love this new series just as much, and I was right. This book was fantastic and made me feel all the feels.
Leanne and Bryce's chemistry, the one night consequences neither of them expected, and the way they had to work through their own pasts to embrace a future together, it all came together beautifully. This is exactly the kind of romance that pulls you in and doesn't let go.
I would highly recommend everyone add this to their TBR. This one is going to be a favorite for a lot of readers.
After reading J.A. Forde's "Love Along the Way" series, I knew I'd love this new series just as much, and I was right. This book was fantastic and made me feel all the feels.
Leanne and Bryce's chemistry, the one night consequences neither of them expected, and the way they had to work through their own pasts to embrace a future together, it all came together beautifully. This is exactly the kind of romance that pulls you in and doesn't let go.
I would highly recommend everyone add this to their TBR. This one is going to be a favorite for a lot of readers.
September 3, 2026
⭐️ARC REVIEW⭐️I cannot say enough good things about this book; my heart swooned the entire time! Bryce is such an incredible man and Leanne is the strong, independent woman so many strive to be. The dynamic between the two of them was refreshing and so entertaining that I was hooked in chapter 1. Trauma, spice, banter, support, and love. I will definitely be reading this again. Five enthusiastic stars!
August 27, 2026
All the stars for J.A. Forde’s latest, Afterglow 😍
I originally read the starting premise of this book in the Heartstrings & Haunts anthology, and I’m pretty sure as soon as I finished her part I messaged her begging for more from Leanne and Bryce. And boy did she deliver with this story!
I have no idea what she put into this book, but this book hit me RIGHT in the feels. Bryce and Leanne are in such a unique situation, but you can’t help but root for them the whole time. And Bryce is just such a green flag that I guarantee you will fall in love with him too.
I feel for Leanne. The dedication of this book says it’s for “the eldest daughters. The highly independent, emotional anchors, holding the weight of the world on your shoulders. This one’s for you.” And if that right there doesn’t give you Leanne’s personality in a nutshell. And Bryce is honestly the perfect answer for her.
Now the big question…did Bryce finally upset my ranking of J.A. Forde’s leading men and dethrone Breck? I fear he may have 😅 At the very least he is sharing the top spot.
Thank you so much to J.A. Forde for an advanced copy of this amazing story!
I originally read the starting premise of this book in the Heartstrings & Haunts anthology, and I’m pretty sure as soon as I finished her part I messaged her begging for more from Leanne and Bryce. And boy did she deliver with this story!
I have no idea what she put into this book, but this book hit me RIGHT in the feels. Bryce and Leanne are in such a unique situation, but you can’t help but root for them the whole time. And Bryce is just such a green flag that I guarantee you will fall in love with him too.
I feel for Leanne. The dedication of this book says it’s for “the eldest daughters. The highly independent, emotional anchors, holding the weight of the world on your shoulders. This one’s for you.” And if that right there doesn’t give you Leanne’s personality in a nutshell. And Bryce is honestly the perfect answer for her.
Now the big question…did Bryce finally upset my ranking of J.A. Forde’s leading men and dethrone Breck? I fear he may have 😅 At the very least he is sharing the top spot.
Thank you so much to J.A. Forde for an advanced copy of this amazing story!
September 7, 2026
*thank you J.A Forde for the ARC!!*
4.5⭐️ accidental pregnancy is one of my favorite tropes so I am sooo picky about how an author writes it and this was SOO well written!! I absolutely loved how we got the whole pregnancy and it wasn’t just “oh I’m pregnant” *4 chapters later* “I had a baby” like we got the whole thing!!
This book was just so good, i throughly enjoyed reading it! The struggles and the love!! Bryce really did fall first and fall HARD!! He just loved so much.
Out September 25th!! Definitely recommend for a cute accidental pregnancy!! 🧡🧡
4.5⭐️ accidental pregnancy is one of my favorite tropes so I am sooo picky about how an author writes it and this was SOO well written!! I absolutely loved how we got the whole pregnancy and it wasn’t just “oh I’m pregnant” *4 chapters later* “I had a baby” like we got the whole thing!!
This book was just so good, i throughly enjoyed reading it! The struggles and the love!! Bryce really did fall first and fall HARD!! He just loved so much.
Out September 25th!! Definitely recommend for a cute accidental pregnancy!! 🧡🧡
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this title via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Afterglow follows Leanne and Bryce as they navigate an unexpected pregnancy after an initial meeting where hot heads prevailed and led to one very steamy encounter.
First and foremost, I absolutely love the title, and the cover is *chef's kiss*. The story is beautifully written, the characters are relatable and believable, the chemistry is off the charts, and the supporting characters are the kind of people who make you want to pull up a chair and join them for a family dinner.
I've been a sucker for the accidental pregnancy trope since I was young, newly married, and trying desperately to have my first child. I could really relate to Leanne's struggle with fertility, which is touched on in the book, and it made it easy for me to celebrate her pregnancy despite the circumstances in which it came about.
I also experienced hyperemesis during all of my pregnancies, so it was really nice to see that represented early in the book. It's something that isn't acknowledged nearly enough in romance, or even contemporary fiction in general, and I appreciated the glimpse into just how difficult it can be.
While I had a feeling I knew where the story was heading, particularly with history seeming to repeat itself, the way everything unfolded still felt earned. The development of Leanne and Bryce's romantic relationship wasn't rushed; it felt natural and believable. By the end, I was completely invested in them and rooting for their happily ever after.
After reading this book, I honestly wish I could spend a week at Monarch Ranch. The setting is so immersive that I could picture every little detail, right down to the butterflies.
And don't even get me started on "little butterfly."
Overall, I rated this 5 stars because it was incredibly well written and developed. The characters were likeable and relatable, the chemistry and spice were perfect for this kind of story, and the setting was so beautiful that I didn't want to leave. I would happily read more from J.A. Forde.
Afterglow follows Leanne and Bryce as they navigate an unexpected pregnancy after an initial meeting where hot heads prevailed and led to one very steamy encounter.
First and foremost, I absolutely love the title, and the cover is *chef's kiss*. The story is beautifully written, the characters are relatable and believable, the chemistry is off the charts, and the supporting characters are the kind of people who make you want to pull up a chair and join them for a family dinner.
I've been a sucker for the accidental pregnancy trope since I was young, newly married, and trying desperately to have my first child. I could really relate to Leanne's struggle with fertility, which is touched on in the book, and it made it easy for me to celebrate her pregnancy despite the circumstances in which it came about.
I also experienced hyperemesis during all of my pregnancies, so it was really nice to see that represented early in the book. It's something that isn't acknowledged nearly enough in romance, or even contemporary fiction in general, and I appreciated the glimpse into just how difficult it can be.
While I had a feeling I knew where the story was heading, particularly with history seeming to repeat itself, the way everything unfolded still felt earned. The development of Leanne and Bryce's romantic relationship wasn't rushed; it felt natural and believable. By the end, I was completely invested in them and rooting for their happily ever after.
After reading this book, I honestly wish I could spend a week at Monarch Ranch. The setting is so immersive that I could picture every little detail, right down to the butterflies.
And don't even get me started on "little butterfly."
Overall, I rated this 5 stars because it was incredibly well written and developed. The characters were likeable and relatable, the chemistry and spice were perfect for this kind of story, and the setting was so beautiful that I didn't want to leave. I would happily read more from J.A. Forde.
September 16, 2026
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review of this book.
First off, thank you to the author for the ARC!
To preface, I am not a fan of the surprise pregnancy tropes.
I love that it is set in MT. As a resident of this beautiful state, I love to read how others portray it.
The book’s whole timeline is centered around the progress of an accidental pregnancy.
Leanne is not a nice person. She treats Bryce like s*** for most of the book. Which honestly makes the initial hate shag a bit unbelievable. Especially if we are to believe that Bryce is such a nice guy with all of these deep emotional wounds, why would he sleep with someone who is so rotten to him solely based on her appearance. That first meeting at the beginning of the book felt rushed with not quite enough character development to make any sort of connection believable.
Once you get past the initial conception scene and jump forward to her finding out she is pregnant, and Bryce showing up for her, you get to learn more about them as individuals…slowly.
The vague hinting at what happened to Bryce’s wife and even the fact that there even was a baby involved in this mysterious accident took a long time to come into play. Too long. I did not like the he kept it from her for so long... even for the 3rd act breakup scene. That being said, she never asked Bryce about himself. Probably because she isn’t a nice person and was too selfish to think about it.
We find out pretty quickly what has made Leanne so upset because Bryce asks her. There are only small details that continue to come out later throughout the story of her jerk ex, but she is the one that seems to be the “victim” of a rough past throughout the whole book.
Overall:
-Plot is fine.
-FMC isn’t great.
-MMC is well written and likeable.
-Both of their families are great.
-Setting is nice-could be more developed.
-I would recommend to anyone who likes the accidental pregnancy trope or maybe enemies to lovers (even though it was more like rude strangers to parents).
First off, thank you to the author for the ARC!
To preface, I am not a fan of the surprise pregnancy tropes.
I love that it is set in MT. As a resident of this beautiful state, I love to read how others portray it.
The book’s whole timeline is centered around the progress of an accidental pregnancy.
Leanne is not a nice person. She treats Bryce like s*** for most of the book. Which honestly makes the initial hate shag a bit unbelievable. Especially if we are to believe that Bryce is such a nice guy with all of these deep emotional wounds, why would he sleep with someone who is so rotten to him solely based on her appearance. That first meeting at the beginning of the book felt rushed with not quite enough character development to make any sort of connection believable.
Once you get past the initial conception scene and jump forward to her finding out she is pregnant, and Bryce showing up for her, you get to learn more about them as individuals…slowly.
The vague hinting at what happened to Bryce’s wife and even the fact that there even was a baby involved in this mysterious accident took a long time to come into play. Too long. I did not like the he kept it from her for so long... even for the 3rd act breakup scene. That being said, she never asked Bryce about himself. Probably because she isn’t a nice person and was too selfish to think about it.
We find out pretty quickly what has made Leanne so upset because Bryce asks her. There are only small details that continue to come out later throughout the story of her jerk ex, but she is the one that seems to be the “victim” of a rough past throughout the whole book.
Overall:
-Plot is fine.
-FMC isn’t great.
-MMC is well written and likeable.
-Both of their families are great.
-Setting is nice-could be more developed.
-I would recommend to anyone who likes the accidental pregnancy trope or maybe enemies to lovers (even though it was more like rude strangers to parents).
Review of advance copy received from Author
I received an Advanced Reader Copy from the author in exchange for an honest review of this book.
This was the first book I have ever read by J.A. Forde and I will say I was hooked by her social media tags for this story. I may be one of the rare ones, but I really enjoy the accidental pregnancy trope. I think it shows how people deal with really tough situations and I think can really show what love can be. I also love babies so there's that.
I think the romance was done very well in this. It was really a love story for people who believe in connections at first sight/interaction. I really enjoyed the MMC, Bryce, and how he really was a self-aware character. He had been through something terrible but had done just about everything any normal human being could to get to where he was. For the FMC, Leanne, I could also really connect with her. She had a different issue to get over and as a woman dealing with infertility, I can sympathize with her fears and where her head may have been at when she felt the way she did. On the same token, I also was a little annoyed with how she approached that aspect and it felt a little naive - I know its for the story, but it was one small annoyance for me.
The spice level in this was really good too. It wasn't graphic but to me sexy in the best way that shows what two compatible people can have together. And from what I understand, Forde typically writes fade to black scenes, so these scenes were really well done.
I think everything was really well written and it is a lovely romance and gives you everything you want out of it when reading a story like this. I did hope for a little more warm, fuzzy feelings, and that OMG *insert giggles and feet kicking** and while I didn't get that to the level I wanted, it was still really enjoyable.
Thank you so much to J.A. Forde for the opportunity to review this. I will definitely be checking out more of her titles!!!
This was the first book I have ever read by J.A. Forde and I will say I was hooked by her social media tags for this story. I may be one of the rare ones, but I really enjoy the accidental pregnancy trope. I think it shows how people deal with really tough situations and I think can really show what love can be. I also love babies so there's that.
I think the romance was done very well in this. It was really a love story for people who believe in connections at first sight/interaction. I really enjoyed the MMC, Bryce, and how he really was a self-aware character. He had been through something terrible but had done just about everything any normal human being could to get to where he was. For the FMC, Leanne, I could also really connect with her. She had a different issue to get over and as a woman dealing with infertility, I can sympathize with her fears and where her head may have been at when she felt the way she did. On the same token, I also was a little annoyed with how she approached that aspect and it felt a little naive - I know its for the story, but it was one small annoyance for me.
The spice level in this was really good too. It wasn't graphic but to me sexy in the best way that shows what two compatible people can have together. And from what I understand, Forde typically writes fade to black scenes, so these scenes were really well done.
I think everything was really well written and it is a lovely romance and gives you everything you want out of it when reading a story like this. I did hope for a little more warm, fuzzy feelings, and that OMG *insert giggles and feet kicking** and while I didn't get that to the level I wanted, it was still really enjoyable.
Thank you so much to J.A. Forde for the opportunity to review this. I will definitely be checking out more of her titles!!!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you so much to J.A. Forde for giving me an ARC copy of 'Afterglow'! I would like to mention that this review is required to be spoiler free, so it will me shorter than my other reviews, so I would just like to mention that. Also, I just wanna say that I LOVE me a personalized book!
To start with, I just wanna say that I am an absolute sucker for accidental pregnancy/one-night-stand books, cause I just love the tension and forced proximity about it, so what happened between Bryce and Leanne, especially because neither of them really knows what to do with the situation at first. Leanne is independent and very focused on her career, while Bryce is more guarded and has a lot of his own baggage, so watching them slowly figure each other out was probably my favourite part.
I liked that their relationship wasn’t instantly perfect either, and I say that about a lot of slow burn books because it's just so much more evident in those books, I mean... IT'S SLOW BURN. There’s a lot of tension and awkwardness at first, and they have to actually get to know each other instead of suddenly becoming a couple because there’s a baby involved. Bryce was definitely a highlight for me — protective and caring without completely taking over Leanne’s life (although I do think that he was a bit overprotective at a point in the story, but it gets better).
There’s also more emotional depth than I expected with both of their pasts, and I felt like the family drama took a little away from the actual plot, but it still felt like a pretty easy and addictive romance to read. I would say that if you read a lot of accidental pregnancy books, some of the plot is a little predictable and I would say that the pregnancy influenced the chemistry more than the actual chemistry did, if that makes sense, but this is definitely a good one if you like accidental pregnancy, forced proximity, protective MMCs, and a relationship that develops gradually.
To start with, I just wanna say that I am an absolute sucker for accidental pregnancy/one-night-stand books, cause I just love the tension and forced proximity about it, so what happened between Bryce and Leanne, especially because neither of them really knows what to do with the situation at first. Leanne is independent and very focused on her career, while Bryce is more guarded and has a lot of his own baggage, so watching them slowly figure each other out was probably my favourite part.
I liked that their relationship wasn’t instantly perfect either, and I say that about a lot of slow burn books because it's just so much more evident in those books, I mean... IT'S SLOW BURN. There’s a lot of tension and awkwardness at first, and they have to actually get to know each other instead of suddenly becoming a couple because there’s a baby involved. Bryce was definitely a highlight for me — protective and caring without completely taking over Leanne’s life (although I do think that he was a bit overprotective at a point in the story, but it gets better).
There’s also more emotional depth than I expected with both of their pasts, and I felt like the family drama took a little away from the actual plot, but it still felt like a pretty easy and addictive romance to read. I would say that if you read a lot of accidental pregnancy books, some of the plot is a little predictable and I would say that the pregnancy influenced the chemistry more than the actual chemistry did, if that makes sense, but this is definitely a good one if you like accidental pregnancy, forced proximity, protective MMCs, and a relationship that develops gradually.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 9, 2026
3.75 ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Why I started:
“For the eldest daughters. The highly independent, emotional anchors, holding the weight of the world on your shoulders. This one's for you.”
Why I stayed: the hate sex. Just kidding, that’s not the only reason.
First, thank you to J.A. Forde for the ARC opportunity, you made this book nerd a happy woman. This is actually my first read from Forde & I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.
I know this book comes with a surprise/accidental pregnancy which isn’t necessarily a trope I’m a fan of, but I also don’t mind them when they’re well written. This is one of those times. Add to the fact that the MMC immediately steps up despite their situation is a little swoony. “You never have to make your feelings small with me.” gahhh, where is he in real life though.
The “faulty” mention absofuckinglutely killed me. I’ve had similar words thrown me before as well & fuck if it don’t bring back that old hurt. Once Bryce & Leanne start opening up to each other, I really enjoyed the banter between the two & the shared connection they have. I super appreciate their ages, I’m in my mid 40s & felt I could relate more to the characters because they weren’t angsty 20 year olds. I also really liked that the characters decided to try a friendship first, rather than the author dumping them into an insta-love type deal which I personally am not a fan of. The spice in this is pretty tame, which I don’t mind at all, I don’t need straight up smut in all of my books and liked that it was more real. All in all this was a really cute read & I really hope it will be a continued series because I’m very intrigued with Becca & a certain gentleman I shall leave un-named.
Why I started:
“For the eldest daughters. The highly independent, emotional anchors, holding the weight of the world on your shoulders. This one's for you.”
Why I stayed: the hate sex. Just kidding, that’s not the only reason.
First, thank you to J.A. Forde for the ARC opportunity, you made this book nerd a happy woman. This is actually my first read from Forde & I’m looking forward to reading more of her work.
I know this book comes with a surprise/accidental pregnancy which isn’t necessarily a trope I’m a fan of, but I also don’t mind them when they’re well written. This is one of those times. Add to the fact that the MMC immediately steps up despite their situation is a little swoony. “You never have to make your feelings small with me.” gahhh, where is he in real life though.
The “faulty” mention absofuckinglutely killed me. I’ve had similar words thrown me before as well & fuck if it don’t bring back that old hurt. Once Bryce & Leanne start opening up to each other, I really enjoyed the banter between the two & the shared connection they have. I super appreciate their ages, I’m in my mid 40s & felt I could relate more to the characters because they weren’t angsty 20 year olds. I also really liked that the characters decided to try a friendship first, rather than the author dumping them into an insta-love type deal which I personally am not a fan of. The spice in this is pretty tame, which I don’t mind at all, I don’t need straight up smut in all of my books and liked that it was more real. All in all this was a really cute read & I really hope it will be a continued series because I’m very intrigued with Becca & a certain gentleman I shall leave un-named.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I’ll admit that I approached Afterglow with a little caution because accidental pregnancy is not usually a trope I particularly love. As it turns out, I really didn’t need to worry, because, as I always seem to do with J.A. Forde’s books, I absolutely inhaled this one in a day.
Bryce and Leanne are wonderfully well-rounded characters, and I loved getting to know them and watching their relationship develop. They’re both incredibly lovable, and there’s a real sense of depth to their stories beyond the romance itself.
The pregnancy is naturally a major focus of the book, but I really appreciated the respectful and thoughtful way it was handled. It never felt like the trope was being used carelessly, and the story gave space to the complicated emotions surrounding it.
There are some heavier themes throughout the book, including previous abusive relationships, infertility, previous infant loss, and the loss of a spouse. These are important parts of the characters’ histories and are handled with care.
And then there’s the setting, which, as anyone who has read J.A. Forde before will know, is always one of the stars of the show. Monarch Ranch absolutely lived up to that tradition. I loved the atmosphere and sense of place, and I’m already invested in this world after book one.
Afterglow is the first book in the Monarch Ranch series, and it was another reminder of why J.A. Forde is an automatic-read author for me. I can go into one of her books unsure about a particular trope and somehow come out the other side having devoured the entire thing anyway. 😂
I’m very excited to see where the Monarch Ranch series goes from here.
Afterglow releases September 25. Thankyou to the author for providing an advance copy for review.
Bryce and Leanne are wonderfully well-rounded characters, and I loved getting to know them and watching their relationship develop. They’re both incredibly lovable, and there’s a real sense of depth to their stories beyond the romance itself.
The pregnancy is naturally a major focus of the book, but I really appreciated the respectful and thoughtful way it was handled. It never felt like the trope was being used carelessly, and the story gave space to the complicated emotions surrounding it.
There are some heavier themes throughout the book, including previous abusive relationships, infertility, previous infant loss, and the loss of a spouse. These are important parts of the characters’ histories and are handled with care.
And then there’s the setting, which, as anyone who has read J.A. Forde before will know, is always one of the stars of the show. Monarch Ranch absolutely lived up to that tradition. I loved the atmosphere and sense of place, and I’m already invested in this world after book one.
Afterglow is the first book in the Monarch Ranch series, and it was another reminder of why J.A. Forde is an automatic-read author for me. I can go into one of her books unsure about a particular trope and somehow come out the other side having devoured the entire thing anyway. 😂
I’m very excited to see where the Monarch Ranch series goes from here.
Afterglow releases September 25. Thankyou to the author for providing an advance copy for review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
New to me Author JA Forde.
I've been drawn to Contemporary Romance a lot more recently and this exceeded my expectations.
I had tears multiple times throughout this book, both happy and sad.
I loved this book .. it was soo refreshing reading mature adults .. the incorporated spice was perfect 👌🏼 not too much in relation to the plot and STEAMY!
I've come across reviews that this author typically steers towards fade to black, I'm so glad she didn't apply it to this book - it was perfect and honestly I wouldn't change a single thing about it.
Two profoundly vulnerable adults, who've experienced such life altering events, finding their feet in new territory whilst dealing with the events of a one-night-stand and the repercussions of it .. supporting, bonding and evolving into a beautiful love story.
It was tender and wholesome and honestly made me feel so much.
Paced perfectly, with realistic relationship development between the mcs Leanne and Bryce.
Craig's a dxk! Hate him!
Note; this book focuses on a pregnancy after a one-night-stand and incorporates the pregnancy development throughout.
And also Grief of loved ones, with a triggering event for Bryce (yes, i sobbed for him, he's perfect okay! I love him 🥹)
Leanne was such an enjoyable character to read. She's fiesty and the fire doesnt dull albeit on one occasion I was questioning her reaction but then I probably would have reacted the same in her shoes - self preservation and all that.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would read it again
Also I really really really want a book on Becca and Will - THERE'S A STORY THERE I CAN FEEL IT!
I've been drawn to Contemporary Romance a lot more recently and this exceeded my expectations.
I had tears multiple times throughout this book, both happy and sad.
I loved this book .. it was soo refreshing reading mature adults .. the incorporated spice was perfect 👌🏼 not too much in relation to the plot and STEAMY!
I've come across reviews that this author typically steers towards fade to black, I'm so glad she didn't apply it to this book - it was perfect and honestly I wouldn't change a single thing about it.
Two profoundly vulnerable adults, who've experienced such life altering events, finding their feet in new territory whilst dealing with the events of a one-night-stand and the repercussions of it .. supporting, bonding and evolving into a beautiful love story.
It was tender and wholesome and honestly made me feel so much.
Paced perfectly, with realistic relationship development between the mcs Leanne and Bryce.
Craig's a dxk! Hate him!
Note; this book focuses on a pregnancy after a one-night-stand and incorporates the pregnancy development throughout.
And also Grief of loved ones, with a triggering event for Bryce (yes, i sobbed for him, he's perfect okay! I love him 🥹)
Leanne was such an enjoyable character to read. She's fiesty and the fire doesnt dull albeit on one occasion I was questioning her reaction but then I probably would have reacted the same in her shoes - self preservation and all that.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would read it again
Also I really really really want a book on Becca and Will - THERE'S A STORY THERE I CAN FEEL IT!
Review of advance copy
Afterglow is a book that you simply cannot put down! The story follows Bryce, an events coordinator at Monarch Ranch, and Leanne, who is planed her sister Jenna's wedding at the ranch. After months of clashing over decisions through email, their mutual dislike immediately spills over in person when they finally meet. However, the electric attraction between them is undeniable, leading to a one-night stand and an unexpected pregnancy.
Bryce and Leanna's relationship is messy, frustrating, and deeply emotional. Leanna keeps her walls firmly up due to her relationship, which explains so much about how she treats Bryce early on. Bryce pulled at my heartstrings throughout the entire book. He is truly everything an eldest daughter needs: caring, protective, emotional, and so deeply thoughtful. When he told her, "You never have to make your feelings small with me," I fell even harder for him. But it was his internal thought: "She’s used to putting everyone else first… but who puts her first? Me. I will put her first." that pulled my heartstrings straight through the book. Where can I find a man like him in real life?! As an eldest daughter myself, all we want is to be seen like that. This book brought me so many tears - happy tears because Bryce sees her and says all the right things, and sad tears for everything he went through in his past.
I keep a list of romance books with eldest daughter FMCs (I have about 10 so far), and Afterglow just took the absolute #1 spot. An absolute top-tier favorite!
Bryce and Leanna's relationship is messy, frustrating, and deeply emotional. Leanna keeps her walls firmly up due to her relationship, which explains so much about how she treats Bryce early on. Bryce pulled at my heartstrings throughout the entire book. He is truly everything an eldest daughter needs: caring, protective, emotional, and so deeply thoughtful. When he told her, "You never have to make your feelings small with me," I fell even harder for him. But it was his internal thought: "She’s used to putting everyone else first… but who puts her first? Me. I will put her first." that pulled my heartstrings straight through the book. Where can I find a man like him in real life?! As an eldest daughter myself, all we want is to be seen like that. This book brought me so many tears - happy tears because Bryce sees her and says all the right things, and sad tears for everything he went through in his past.
I keep a list of romance books with eldest daughter FMCs (I have about 10 so far), and Afterglow just took the absolute #1 spot. An absolute top-tier favorite!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Afterglow is an accidental pregnancy enemies to lovers story about Bryce and Leanne. Bryce is an event coordinator who organizes the wedding for Leanne’s sister, and Leanne is a scorned woman whose boyfriend of six years dumped her the same day her sister got engaged. She got roped into coordinating the wedding, and consequently the emails between her and Bryce are snarky. However, when they family meet right before the wedding, sparks and insults fly, and they end up spending the night in one of the ranch’s glam tents. Leanne believes that she can’t get pregnant, so it doesn’t matter that they don’t have a condom, only six weeks later when she feels constantly sick, she ends up taking a test, and it comes back positive. She contacts Bryce, and they decide to keep the baby, figuring out how to coparent.
Afterglow is a beautifully written story about two people with insecurities and past trauma. Their feelings shift slowly from friendship to love as the baby grows inside Leanne. Little by little they also learn about each other’s pasts and family dynamics. Even though this book is a rom com with HEA, I’d also categorize it as feelgood. For me, the first half of the book was four stars, but at some point it shifted to five stars, and I ended up devouring the last ten chapters in one sitting.
Read this if you’re into
📖 small-ish town
📖 one night only
📖 only one glamping tent
📖 accidental pregnancy
📖 grilled cheese
📖 enemies to friends to lovers
📖 opposites attract
📖 MCs in their late 30s
📖 slow burn
📖 past grief, healing
🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Afterglow is a beautifully written story about two people with insecurities and past trauma. Their feelings shift slowly from friendship to love as the baby grows inside Leanne. Little by little they also learn about each other’s pasts and family dynamics. Even though this book is a rom com with HEA, I’d also categorize it as feelgood. For me, the first half of the book was four stars, but at some point it shifted to five stars, and I ended up devouring the last ten chapters in one sitting.
Read this if you’re into
📖 small-ish town
📖 one night only
📖 only one glamping tent
📖 accidental pregnancy
📖 grilled cheese
📖 enemies to friends to lovers
📖 opposites attract
📖 MCs in their late 30s
📖 slow burn
📖 past grief, healing
🌶️🌶️
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I saw that JA Forde had a new book releasing and requested it instantly on NetGalley - having NO idea what it was about. And lemme just tell you, she absolutely blew me away! Hands down, my favorite of hers (I’ve only read one other so far, still working on her backlog) - but this one wins.
Definitely read the trigger warnings. I could see how this one could hurt some people, so protect yourself!
We follow Bryce, who’s a wedding planner on a ranch. It just so happens to be his in-law’s ranch, who refused to let him go (for his own good) after their daughter (his wife) died, while pregnant. It’s been like six years, but grief is still grief. And Bryce is great at his job, loves what he does, and is trying to just make it through life.
Enter this wedding. He’s been working with the bride’s sister and she’s a ZILLA. Leanne. Why? She’s also an event planner. And she lowkey had an engagement called off - though she never really told her family why, or the story behind it. They don’t even know she’s hurting.
Long story short, after a one night stand during the wedding weekend between these two. She assumed she couldn’t have babies after struggling to conceive with her ex-fiance, so we get an accidental pregnancy.
We get these two trying to make this work by being friends. Because as you can imagine, it’s super triggering for Bryce, having lost his wife and their baby. But he’s so so sweet. Brings her grilled cheeses weekly. Super supportive. Legit - I wanted him, lolol.
A huge thank you to JA Forde and NetGalley for an eARC in return for an honest review.
Definitely read the trigger warnings. I could see how this one could hurt some people, so protect yourself!
We follow Bryce, who’s a wedding planner on a ranch. It just so happens to be his in-law’s ranch, who refused to let him go (for his own good) after their daughter (his wife) died, while pregnant. It’s been like six years, but grief is still grief. And Bryce is great at his job, loves what he does, and is trying to just make it through life.
Enter this wedding. He’s been working with the bride’s sister and she’s a ZILLA. Leanne. Why? She’s also an event planner. And she lowkey had an engagement called off - though she never really told her family why, or the story behind it. They don’t even know she’s hurting.
Long story short, after a one night stand during the wedding weekend between these two. She assumed she couldn’t have babies after struggling to conceive with her ex-fiance, so we get an accidental pregnancy.
We get these two trying to make this work by being friends. Because as you can imagine, it’s super triggering for Bryce, having lost his wife and their baby. But he’s so so sweet. Brings her grilled cheeses weekly. Super supportive. Legit - I wanted him, lolol.
A huge thank you to JA Forde and NetGalley for an eARC in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to the author for the #gifted copy!
Title: Afterglow
Author: JA Forde
Publication Date: September 25, 2026
Format Read: ebook
*Please check your trigger warnings (this had one of mine & I want your heart to be prepared.
I have been with Forde since book one, and when I tell you I have always loved her books, I mean it, but she has taken her writing to the next level with this prose. The writing felt seemless and comparable to so many of my favorite books.
Raise your hand if you also have a loving relationship with your spouse, but may also call each other names (raises hand) because if so this book is FOR YOU. The banter and name calling mixed with the sweetness and caring is such a real life feel to it and made it so easy to read.
It was a prime example of side characters being involved the perfect amount did the overshadow the story? No, but they added so much depth to the story (waiting on book number two... because I need a M x W story ASAP).
There was such a beautiful element to Bryce & Leann in this story. Them finding themselves, their relationship, and how they fit together.
Also, as heavy as the book felt at times with themes of grief, suprise pregnancy, and a horrible ex. Forde brought so much levity with love, OPEN DOOR SPICE (helllooooo & thank you mam), and some humor too (those Christmas shirts lol).
Title: Afterglow
Author: JA Forde
Publication Date: September 25, 2026
Format Read: ebook
*Please check your trigger warnings (this had one of mine & I want your heart to be prepared.
I have been with Forde since book one, and when I tell you I have always loved her books, I mean it, but she has taken her writing to the next level with this prose. The writing felt seemless and comparable to so many of my favorite books.
Raise your hand if you also have a loving relationship with your spouse, but may also call each other names (raises hand) because if so this book is FOR YOU. The banter and name calling mixed with the sweetness and caring is such a real life feel to it and made it so easy to read.
It was a prime example of side characters being involved the perfect amount did the overshadow the story? No, but they added so much depth to the story (waiting on book number two... because I need a M x W story ASAP).
There was such a beautiful element to Bryce & Leann in this story. Them finding themselves, their relationship, and how they fit together.
Also, as heavy as the book felt at times with themes of grief, suprise pregnancy, and a horrible ex. Forde brought so much levity with love, OPEN DOOR SPICE (helllooooo & thank you mam), and some humor too (those Christmas shirts lol).
Review of advance copy received from Author
ARC review:
This was my first pregnancy trope book and I absolutely loved it!
I’m such a sucker for books that make you feel everything because they stay with me the most obviously. I love getting in my feels unexpectedly. This book made me laugh, angry some times, but also sad for the characters, and in the end had me tearing up. I loved nothing more than a happy ending. This book delivered.
And Bryce was my favorite. He was the perfect book boyfriend. He was a gentleman the entire way through, and my heart really hurt for him and everything he had experienced. I just wanted the best for him.
Being pregnant with my first baby while reading this made Leanne’s pregnancy journey even more special to follow. Pregnancy is such a beautiful, exciting, and unknown experience, so it was really neat reading about her progression while experiencing my own pregnancy at the same time. Probably also why I was more emotional too reading this. Lol
I will say, there were some parts that were really sad and honestly difficult to read. Pregnancy can already feel like such an unknown and emotional journey, so I could definitely see some of these parts being a tough read for someone who has experienced loss. I think it’s worth going into this book knowing that there are some heavier moments.
This was my first pregnancy trope book and I absolutely loved it!
I’m such a sucker for books that make you feel everything because they stay with me the most obviously. I love getting in my feels unexpectedly. This book made me laugh, angry some times, but also sad for the characters, and in the end had me tearing up. I loved nothing more than a happy ending. This book delivered.
And Bryce was my favorite. He was the perfect book boyfriend. He was a gentleman the entire way through, and my heart really hurt for him and everything he had experienced. I just wanted the best for him.
Being pregnant with my first baby while reading this made Leanne’s pregnancy journey even more special to follow. Pregnancy is such a beautiful, exciting, and unknown experience, so it was really neat reading about her progression while experiencing my own pregnancy at the same time. Probably also why I was more emotional too reading this. Lol
I will say, there were some parts that were really sad and honestly difficult to read. Pregnancy can already feel like such an unknown and emotional journey, so I could definitely see some of these parts being a tough read for someone who has experienced loss. I think it’s worth going into this book knowing that there are some heavier moments.
Review of advance copy received from Author
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
I’ll be the first to admit that when I see accidental pregnancy in a trope, I usually think, oh no, here we go again. But not this time. This book had me hooked from beginning to end.
❤️ What I loved:
• Leanne & Bryce’s banter at the beginning. It immediately pulled me in and made me wonder why Leanne had such an attitude toward Bryce. What was she hiding?
• Bryce’s vulnerability — it added so much depth to his character.
• Their slow reconnection and how they truly got to know each other before becoming intimate again.
• The unwavering family support from both sides. It made the emotional moments land even harder.
🤷♀️ What I could’ve done without:
There’s very little I would skip, but maybe Leanne’s over‑the‑top reaction when her family finds out she’s pregnant. She tends to run from difficult situations often, and this was another moment where it felt a bit much.
And her reaction to discovering Bryce had hidden Sam’s existence and death—understandable, but still a bit extreme.
⭐ Final Thoughts
Overall, I devoured this book. What a fantastic way to kick off the Monarch Ranch series. Now I’m wondering…will Rebecca’s books be next?
I’ll be the first to admit that when I see accidental pregnancy in a trope, I usually think, oh no, here we go again. But not this time. This book had me hooked from beginning to end.
❤️ What I loved:
• Leanne & Bryce’s banter at the beginning. It immediately pulled me in and made me wonder why Leanne had such an attitude toward Bryce. What was she hiding?
• Bryce’s vulnerability — it added so much depth to his character.
• Their slow reconnection and how they truly got to know each other before becoming intimate again.
• The unwavering family support from both sides. It made the emotional moments land even harder.
🤷♀️ What I could’ve done without:
There’s very little I would skip, but maybe Leanne’s over‑the‑top reaction when her family finds out she’s pregnant. She tends to run from difficult situations often, and this was another moment where it felt a bit much.
And her reaction to discovering Bryce had hidden Sam’s existence and death—understandable, but still a bit extreme.
⭐ Final Thoughts
Overall, I devoured this book. What a fantastic way to kick off the Monarch Ranch series. Now I’m wondering…will Rebecca’s books be next?
Review of advance copy received from Author
Thank you for the ARC copy! I just finished After Glow by J.A. Forde and let me tell you, it was good. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The characters start out SO sassy. Our main man Bryce starts out by calling Leanne the Wicked Witch of Montana which had me cackling. The sexual tension starts immediately. As the older sister, Leanne needs her sister’s wedding to go off without a hitch but things heat up after the reception and a phone call from Leanne’s ex. Fast forward a few weeks and Leanne finds out that she’s pregnant. From here our characters get closer, start to breakdown walls and build a relationship. The author does a great job of building tension, having a balanced give and take between the two characters. They don’t fall in love immediately (or at least admit it out loud). The pacing was well done and I really enjoyed this book. The characters are fierce, funny, kind and show so much growth which I feel like very realistic when you’re in this kind of situation and becoming and parent. It was the perfect sweet romance to break up some of the fantasy I’ve been reading. I look forward to seeing what else J.A. Forde comes out with.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2026
ARC REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I loved Bryce and Leanne. Their relationship was messy, emotional, frustrating at times, and so good to watch unfold. Going from genuinely not liking each other, to attraction, to suddenly having to figure out what a surprise pregnancy means for both of them gave this story so much to work with.
They are both carrying their own hurts and scars, and I really liked seeing them slowly work through those while also figuring each other out. Bryce, though… I adored him. He is such a golden retriever, acts-of-service kind of guy and absolutely book boyfriend material. He is officially being added to my list.
I struggled with Leanne a little in the beginning, but the more I got to know her, the more I understood her and really came to love her.
Accidental pregnancy is usually not a trope I reach for, but I thought it was handled so thoughtfully here. It never felt thrown in just for drama. The way Bryce and Leanne navigated it felt emotional, complicated, and really beautiful.
And I believe this is J.A. Forde’s first open-door romance and girllll… it was GOOD. 🔥🔥🔥
I really loved this story and already cannot wait for book two. Add Afterglow to your TBR immediately.
Thank you so much to J.A. Forde for the ARC and for letting me read Bryce and Leanne’s story early!
I loved Bryce and Leanne. Their relationship was messy, emotional, frustrating at times, and so good to watch unfold. Going from genuinely not liking each other, to attraction, to suddenly having to figure out what a surprise pregnancy means for both of them gave this story so much to work with.
They are both carrying their own hurts and scars, and I really liked seeing them slowly work through those while also figuring each other out. Bryce, though… I adored him. He is such a golden retriever, acts-of-service kind of guy and absolutely book boyfriend material. He is officially being added to my list.
I struggled with Leanne a little in the beginning, but the more I got to know her, the more I understood her and really came to love her.
Accidental pregnancy is usually not a trope I reach for, but I thought it was handled so thoughtfully here. It never felt thrown in just for drama. The way Bryce and Leanne navigated it felt emotional, complicated, and really beautiful.
And I believe this is J.A. Forde’s first open-door romance and girllll… it was GOOD. 🔥🔥🔥
I really loved this story and already cannot wait for book two. Add Afterglow to your TBR immediately.
Thank you so much to J.A. Forde for the ARC and for letting me read Bryce and Leanne’s story early!
September 7, 2026
This was my first J.A. Forde book and I was not disappointed!
The first book in the Monarch Ranch series brings us Bryce & Leanne. She’s the feisty sister of the bride who has been giving Bryce the runaround as he coordinated the wedding at the ranch. A one-night stand leads to an accidental pregnancy and two people finding their way through their past trauma with each other.
LOVED: the chemistry between them. That they didn’t rush into a relationship because of the baby. He was all in. When they were honest with each other, it was so mature and respectful. Their families. Christmas night sweaters!
THINGS I COULD HAVE LEFT: Bryce holding out on his full past. He said it like 1000 times that he needed to come clean, but never did. I just felt like it didn’t match with the man who did all the other green flag things.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I loved the writing and the characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
📖: arc team
The first book in the Monarch Ranch series brings us Bryce & Leanne. She’s the feisty sister of the bride who has been giving Bryce the runaround as he coordinated the wedding at the ranch. A one-night stand leads to an accidental pregnancy and two people finding their way through their past trauma with each other.
LOVED: the chemistry between them. That they didn’t rush into a relationship because of the baby. He was all in. When they were honest with each other, it was so mature and respectful. Their families. Christmas night sweaters!
THINGS I COULD HAVE LEFT: Bryce holding out on his full past. He said it like 1000 times that he needed to come clean, but never did. I just felt like it didn’t match with the man who did all the other green flag things.
I can’t wait to read the rest of the series. I loved the writing and the characters.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
📖: arc team
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