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Afterimage
Thea Voss and Morgan Ashford are experts. Thea at leaving; Morgan at waiting.
Thea needs the world to look. She's won major awards for photographic essays on the forgotten victims of conflict and disaster. Victims everyone else would rather turn away from. The price is a life constantly in motion. Thea has nowhere, and no one, to call home.
Morgan fights wildfires that grow fiercer every season, doing all she can to preserve the land. But pulling people from the flames, saving as many as she can, is her self-imposed duty to atone for the one she failed to protect.
Thirteen years ago in high school, they were inseparable: Morgan, the star cross-country runner, and Hannah, the photographer on the scene to capture her every win. On Hannah's eighteenth birthday, Morgan waited on her porch while her best friend came out to her family. Hannah had planned to deliver a second confession to Morgan that night. Instead, she vanished without a goodbye.
In the years of silence that followed, Hannah Devlin forged a new life for herself as Thea Voss.
Recovering from a bullet wound, Thea takes what should be a less stressful assignment: covering the victims of a wildfire. But it’s burning next to the hometown she has never once returned to. The same fire Morgan is fighting.
Now, two women who can face the cruelest brutalities of humanity and nature are forced to face each other and the guilt they both carry. They must learn to see past the afterimage that burned into each of them the night Hannah disappeared. The love it hides will require each of them to do the one thing they’ve never done.
Morgan will have to ask, and Thea will have to stay.
Sapphic romance • Second chance • Slow burn • Secret identity • Firefighter × war photographer • Small town • Dual timeline • HEA
Thea needs the world to look. She's won major awards for photographic essays on the forgotten victims of conflict and disaster. Victims everyone else would rather turn away from. The price is a life constantly in motion. Thea has nowhere, and no one, to call home.
Morgan fights wildfires that grow fiercer every season, doing all she can to preserve the land. But pulling people from the flames, saving as many as she can, is her self-imposed duty to atone for the one she failed to protect.
Thirteen years ago in high school, they were inseparable: Morgan, the star cross-country runner, and Hannah, the photographer on the scene to capture her every win. On Hannah's eighteenth birthday, Morgan waited on her porch while her best friend came out to her family. Hannah had planned to deliver a second confession to Morgan that night. Instead, she vanished without a goodbye.
In the years of silence that followed, Hannah Devlin forged a new life for herself as Thea Voss.
Recovering from a bullet wound, Thea takes what should be a less stressful assignment: covering the victims of a wildfire. But it’s burning next to the hometown she has never once returned to. The same fire Morgan is fighting.
Now, two women who can face the cruelest brutalities of humanity and nature are forced to face each other and the guilt they both carry. They must learn to see past the afterimage that burned into each of them the night Hannah disappeared. The love it hides will require each of them to do the one thing they’ve never done.
Morgan will have to ask, and Thea will have to stay.
Sapphic romance • Second chance • Slow burn • Secret identity • Firefighter × war photographer • Small town • Dual timeline • HEA
660 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2026
About the author
Heather Grey
3 books6 followersHeather Grey is a sapphic romance author with a theater background, a weakness for slow-burn love stories, and a coffee habit she has no intention of addressing.
She writes about women who fall in love in the spaces between: between scenes, between breaths, between who they've been and who they're becoming. Her characters are messy, tender, and a little too stubborn for their own good.
She lives in New York City with her girlfriend, who is her own perfect partner, and no Samoyed. She considers that last part extremely temporary.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 30, 2026
4,75⭐️
*Afterimage* is a powerful, long, and intense book. It takes you to various dangerous places where people are doing important work, despite the risk of getting hurt or, worse, killed. And it all begins in their youth; they didn’t plan this life—circumstances drove them to take it on.
The story begins with a bang, as Hannah is kicked out of her home on her 18th birthday after coming out to her parents. She not only left her home but also left behind her best friend Morgan, her secret love—a decision she never fully got over. Hannah had to change her name to have a chance at a new life. It’s heartbreaking to witness her struggles as a homeless young woman, but also heartwarming when she finally finds help and is able to trust someone again. Thirteen years later, as an award-winning, world-class war photographer, she returns home for the first time—for an assignment—and is in for a big surprise.
We also get Morgan’s story: in high school, she was a cross country runner and wanted to attend a prestigious sports university. But life happened, and everything turned out differently than expected. Anger, guilt and also love are the strongest emotions she feels when she thinks of Hannah. She regrets not having told her the truth back then. Thirteen years later, she is one of the best fire station captains in her home region.
The story features two well-structured timelines: the present and the years-long journey and development of the two teenagers up to the present day. It flows very smoothly and is well written. Through it, we get to know how and why the two young girls have developed into the strong, accomplished women they are today. The characters gain depth as we follow their growth. Both women are complex, with rough edges and quirks; they make bad decisions, and they do many things right. They both care more for others than for themselves and sacrifice even love and happiness. But maybe—just maybe—one day they can forgive themselves and find the happiness and love they deserve together. Very important are also the secondary characters, you will love them all.
The scenes depicting the battle against wildfires are thrilling. Also fascinating was to witness how Thea (former Hannah) the photographer is working. Since I’m a photographer myself, I especially liked the description of her work; the photos mentioned in the story were described so well that I could see them in my mind’s eye. The story gripped me from the very beginning. My heart ached for the two young women as they were torn apart by impending adversity. How a parent can kick a child out of the house just because they love differently will forever remain a mystery to me. And I can only thank, again and again, all the aid organizations that tirelessly try to get children and young people off the streets. And thanks also to all the firefighters, journalists, and photographers who risk their lives in the line of their jobs.
Congratulations, Heather Grey, on a fantastic, heartfelt story. Highly recommended.
ARC provided by the Autors in exchange for an honest review
*Afterimage* is a powerful, long, and intense book. It takes you to various dangerous places where people are doing important work, despite the risk of getting hurt or, worse, killed. And it all begins in their youth; they didn’t plan this life—circumstances drove them to take it on.
The story begins with a bang, as Hannah is kicked out of her home on her 18th birthday after coming out to her parents. She not only left her home but also left behind her best friend Morgan, her secret love—a decision she never fully got over. Hannah had to change her name to have a chance at a new life. It’s heartbreaking to witness her struggles as a homeless young woman, but also heartwarming when she finally finds help and is able to trust someone again. Thirteen years later, as an award-winning, world-class war photographer, she returns home for the first time—for an assignment—and is in for a big surprise.
We also get Morgan’s story: in high school, she was a cross country runner and wanted to attend a prestigious sports university. But life happened, and everything turned out differently than expected. Anger, guilt and also love are the strongest emotions she feels when she thinks of Hannah. She regrets not having told her the truth back then. Thirteen years later, she is one of the best fire station captains in her home region.
The story features two well-structured timelines: the present and the years-long journey and development of the two teenagers up to the present day. It flows very smoothly and is well written. Through it, we get to know how and why the two young girls have developed into the strong, accomplished women they are today. The characters gain depth as we follow their growth. Both women are complex, with rough edges and quirks; they make bad decisions, and they do many things right. They both care more for others than for themselves and sacrifice even love and happiness. But maybe—just maybe—one day they can forgive themselves and find the happiness and love they deserve together. Very important are also the secondary characters, you will love them all.
The scenes depicting the battle against wildfires are thrilling. Also fascinating was to witness how Thea (former Hannah) the photographer is working. Since I’m a photographer myself, I especially liked the description of her work; the photos mentioned in the story were described so well that I could see them in my mind’s eye. The story gripped me from the very beginning. My heart ached for the two young women as they were torn apart by impending adversity. How a parent can kick a child out of the house just because they love differently will forever remain a mystery to me. And I can only thank, again and again, all the aid organizations that tirelessly try to get children and young people off the streets. And thanks also to all the firefighters, journalists, and photographers who risk their lives in the line of their jobs.
Congratulations, Heather Grey, on a fantastic, heartfelt story. Highly recommended.
ARC provided by the Autors in exchange for an honest review
October 9, 2026
This was a very emotional read. Full of angst and self discovery. Hannah/Thea is thrown out of her house at 18 after coming out to her family on her birthday. She runs to SanFransico and learns to become a professional photographer. Thea is sent all over the world to document civil unrest, wars, famine, poverty. Her best friend Morgan grows up missing her and decides to become a firefighter and smoke jumper. The book details their lives over 13 years when they meet up again during a forest fire.
I loved the raw emotion that was expressed by both main characters and by all the great supporting cast. My favorite side character was Callie, what an awesome person she was and a best friend to Morgan. And Dina at the youth shelter was so wise and kind.
This was the perfect read for me, the length and detail provided a complete storyline. I’ll remember this one for a long time. This was my first book by this author and I plan on reading more of her work. Thanks to Sandra for recommending it me.
I loved the raw emotion that was expressed by both main characters and by all the great supporting cast. My favorite side character was Callie, what an awesome person she was and a best friend to Morgan. And Dina at the youth shelter was so wise and kind.
This was the perfect read for me, the length and detail provided a complete storyline. I’ll remember this one for a long time. This was my first book by this author and I plan on reading more of her work. Thanks to Sandra for recommending it me.
September 29, 2026
A really lovely story, between a photojournalist and a forest firefighter. Best friends during high school but separated for 13 years. From the very beginning there was a lot of sadness in the story. A dual first person POV with dual timelines alternating between the past and the present, it charts the story between Thea Voss and Morgan Ashford and the love they held for each other for more than a decade.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, from beginning to end.
I received a free ARC from Booksirens
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, from beginning to end.
I received a free ARC from Booksirens
October 4, 2026
Disappointing
This probably deserves more of a 2-2.5 star review, but I gave it only 1 for a good reason. That reason being, emotional suffering.
There’s nothing more disappointing than seeing an author plot and plan a entire wonderful story that could’ve been award winning good, only for them to enlist the use of an AI bot for either writing parts of it, or to do the editing. It’s in the rhythm of the writing, the way one can recognise an accent. The tired similes, the listings of 3s, the stilted and robotic dialogue where the tones of all the characters sound entirely indistinguishable… many things point to it. And it’s just so bloody disappointing. Like a child prodigy succumbing to drink in adulthood instead of living up to their potential. It was such a good plot idea and it could’ve been something, only to become nothing.
You’re good (at least as far as the plot itself goes). But damn it, you could’ve been bloody incredibly.
Also, this should not have been over 600 pages. I was close to DNFing this book at around 86%. So many redundant paragraphs! Hell, entire chapters! And the airport part? Holy shit it was so so bad…
This probably deserves more of a 2-2.5 star review, but I gave it only 1 for a good reason. That reason being, emotional suffering.
There’s nothing more disappointing than seeing an author plot and plan a entire wonderful story that could’ve been award winning good, only for them to enlist the use of an AI bot for either writing parts of it, or to do the editing. It’s in the rhythm of the writing, the way one can recognise an accent. The tired similes, the listings of 3s, the stilted and robotic dialogue where the tones of all the characters sound entirely indistinguishable… many things point to it. And it’s just so bloody disappointing. Like a child prodigy succumbing to drink in adulthood instead of living up to their potential. It was such a good plot idea and it could’ve been something, only to become nothing.
You’re good (at least as far as the plot itself goes). But damn it, you could’ve been bloody incredibly.
Also, this should not have been over 600 pages. I was close to DNFing this book at around 86%. So many redundant paragraphs! Hell, entire chapters! And the airport part? Holy shit it was so so bad…
Review of advance copy
Thea Voss is a war photographer who never stops moving, and Morgan is a wildfire fighter carrying thirteen years of guilt over the girl who vanished the night she came out to her. When a wildfire assignment forces Thea back to the hometown she fled as Hannah Devlin, the two women who once loved each other are pulled back into the same fire, literally and emotionally.
What struck me most is how the book takes its time. It's told in parts that weave past and present together, and I found myself completely absorbed, planning to stop after part one and suddenly deep into part three before I noticed. The way it explores how our actions ripple into other people's lives is beautifully done: shame, anger, and the fear of loving or being loved again all shape these two women in ways that feel painfully real. It's so easy to see these patterns in someone else, much harder to recognize them in yourself, and the story captures that slow, difficult reckoning with real tenderness. It also shows what can come from that recognition, how fighting for someone else and allowing yourself to be vulnerable, believing you're worth that fight, might be the most important thing you can do. And it doesn't shy away from how the choices we make in life are so often rooted in feeling not worth it, or believing we should have done things differently, and the price we pay for that. A truly gorgeous, emotional read that stayed with me.
What struck me most is how the book takes its time. It's told in parts that weave past and present together, and I found myself completely absorbed, planning to stop after part one and suddenly deep into part three before I noticed. The way it explores how our actions ripple into other people's lives is beautifully done: shame, anger, and the fear of loving or being loved again all shape these two women in ways that feel painfully real. It's so easy to see these patterns in someone else, much harder to recognize them in yourself, and the story captures that slow, difficult reckoning with real tenderness. It also shows what can come from that recognition, how fighting for someone else and allowing yourself to be vulnerable, believing you're worth that fight, might be the most important thing you can do. And it doesn't shy away from how the choices we make in life are so often rooted in feeling not worth it, or believing we should have done things differently, and the price we pay for that. A truly gorgeous, emotional read that stayed with me.
October 18, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I really liked this book. Lots of raw emotions, but overall really good.
I really liked this book. Lots of raw emotions, but overall really good.
October 24, 2026
Many thanks to author Heather Grey and BookSirens for this amazing ARC opportunity. I am thrilled to share my honest review.
Wow. Just wow! What an incredible book this was. I have been left forever changed after reading this book. This is my first book by Heather Grey and I was immensely impressed, I cannot wait to read what she creates next. Afterimage was a deeply emotional, intense, powerful and moving sapphic love story that got under my skin and nestled its way into my heart. I was immediately captivated by this incredible story and grew more and more connected to the characters, their plight, their lives and their love with every passing page. Afterimage was a profound and hauntingly beautiful romance that absolutely wrecked me in the very best way.
We meet Hannah at 18 as she finds the courage to come out to her mom, younger sister and bigoted abusive father. She is brave in a way I could have only dreamed to have been at her age and I was immediately impressed with her. Life is hard and people can be awful, a lesson she learns as she is forced to flee her home with nothing but her camera, a duffle bag and some stolen money her little sister shoves into her hands and she bids her sister a tearful goodbye. She is in love with her best friend, Morgan, and in an effort to protect her from her fathers threats, absconds into a life of terror and uncertainty. Hannha took my breath away. She finds her way to San Francisco and embarks on a journey to reinvent herself into Thea Voss. Through struggle, fear, sacrifice, determination and some help from the kindest of souls, she succeeds. Like a Phoenix from the ashes, Thea emerges as an award winning, world famous war photographer who can capture human suffering, shines light on injustice and brings the darkness to light better than anyone. Now, Thea took my breath away. But she never forgot her mom, her sister, herself…and most definitely not Morgan who she left waiting for her in every sense of the word.
Morgan Ashford was also in love with Hnanag but just couldn't find the courage to admit it…even to herself. When Hannah leaves without a word and never returns, she is forever changed. Some things impact us and some things transform us. Morgan took that pain and decided she would never choose the cowardly way out ever again. She becomes a badass wildland firefighter and quickly rises the ranks amongst the best in her field. She lives to save people from danger and is willing to sacrifice herself every time. Morgan too, took my breath away.
This story follows the lives and journeys of Thea and Morgan as they lose each other, embrace their unique talents and become two of the most extraordinary women this world has ever seen, suffer a myriad of trials, tribulations and traumas and find each other once again. It is a story of overcoming the worst of times, the most dire of circumstance, the truest of pain to find the light again. The romance is delicate, tender, beautiful and intricately woven into the lives of Thea and Morgan. It remains at forefront despite following our girls through 13 years apart because it is their love for each other that remains burning in their hearts and drives them to be the very best of themselves no matter the situation. They never let each other go, not in their hearts, and at times it was like they were living lives of punishment or maybe penance in order to honor one another and make up for feelings of failing each other when they were really just kids. It was a joy to read about Thea and Morgan, their struggles and their triumphs. I never doubted their love for one another and watching them find each other and choose a life together was so incredibly satisfying. I never doubted them for a minute and yet I was moved to tears when they reunited and again when they finally expressed their love intimately. I was a downright mess when they put their hearts on the line, their fears aside and embraced the truest thing either of them has ever known…their love for each other. Their happy ending might have been one of the most deserved and most satisfying I have ever read.
I was blown away by the writing in this book. It is evocative, emotional and wonderfully immersive. I always felt as though I was right there alongside Thea and Morgan and that is truly a testament to Heather Grey. The world building was done to perfection and Grey paints such a vivid literary picture that my heart rate raced as though I was a teenager forced from her home in the middle of the night, in the midst of a wartime photo op or thrust into wildlane forest fire. The dialogue was so engaging and made me feel even more connected to Thea and Morgan in so many ways, not just to them as a couple but to them as strong and fierce women. Grey created a story that was so multifaceted and multilayered that I was completely wrapped up in each word. The characters are complex, flawed, beautiful, real and wonderfully enigmatic. I became very attached to Thea and Morgan and developed a strong admiration for them both. They continue to dance around in my mind and I find myself randomly and frequently thinking about them and this incredible story. Bravo Miss Grey!
Heather grey is a master of her craft and this entire book has left an emotional literary afterimage within me and I find my mind constantly drifting back to Thea and Morgan. The book is over 600 pages and yet I am genuinely saddened that it's over. I miss Thea and Morgan and would have happily read more about them following them into their golden years, if given the chance. This is a wonderful sapphic love story about courage, overcoming adversity, embracing who you are and one of the most epic loves I've ever read. I cannot recommend this enough and encourage anyone looking for a beautiful and emotional story of love, life, hardship and triumph to read this immediately. I cannot wait to read what Heather Grey creates next.
Wow. Just wow! What an incredible book this was. I have been left forever changed after reading this book. This is my first book by Heather Grey and I was immensely impressed, I cannot wait to read what she creates next. Afterimage was a deeply emotional, intense, powerful and moving sapphic love story that got under my skin and nestled its way into my heart. I was immediately captivated by this incredible story and grew more and more connected to the characters, their plight, their lives and their love with every passing page. Afterimage was a profound and hauntingly beautiful romance that absolutely wrecked me in the very best way.
We meet Hannah at 18 as she finds the courage to come out to her mom, younger sister and bigoted abusive father. She is brave in a way I could have only dreamed to have been at her age and I was immediately impressed with her. Life is hard and people can be awful, a lesson she learns as she is forced to flee her home with nothing but her camera, a duffle bag and some stolen money her little sister shoves into her hands and she bids her sister a tearful goodbye. She is in love with her best friend, Morgan, and in an effort to protect her from her fathers threats, absconds into a life of terror and uncertainty. Hannha took my breath away. She finds her way to San Francisco and embarks on a journey to reinvent herself into Thea Voss. Through struggle, fear, sacrifice, determination and some help from the kindest of souls, she succeeds. Like a Phoenix from the ashes, Thea emerges as an award winning, world famous war photographer who can capture human suffering, shines light on injustice and brings the darkness to light better than anyone. Now, Thea took my breath away. But she never forgot her mom, her sister, herself…and most definitely not Morgan who she left waiting for her in every sense of the word.
Morgan Ashford was also in love with Hnanag but just couldn't find the courage to admit it…even to herself. When Hannah leaves without a word and never returns, she is forever changed. Some things impact us and some things transform us. Morgan took that pain and decided she would never choose the cowardly way out ever again. She becomes a badass wildland firefighter and quickly rises the ranks amongst the best in her field. She lives to save people from danger and is willing to sacrifice herself every time. Morgan too, took my breath away.
This story follows the lives and journeys of Thea and Morgan as they lose each other, embrace their unique talents and become two of the most extraordinary women this world has ever seen, suffer a myriad of trials, tribulations and traumas and find each other once again. It is a story of overcoming the worst of times, the most dire of circumstance, the truest of pain to find the light again. The romance is delicate, tender, beautiful and intricately woven into the lives of Thea and Morgan. It remains at forefront despite following our girls through 13 years apart because it is their love for each other that remains burning in their hearts and drives them to be the very best of themselves no matter the situation. They never let each other go, not in their hearts, and at times it was like they were living lives of punishment or maybe penance in order to honor one another and make up for feelings of failing each other when they were really just kids. It was a joy to read about Thea and Morgan, their struggles and their triumphs. I never doubted their love for one another and watching them find each other and choose a life together was so incredibly satisfying. I never doubted them for a minute and yet I was moved to tears when they reunited and again when they finally expressed their love intimately. I was a downright mess when they put their hearts on the line, their fears aside and embraced the truest thing either of them has ever known…their love for each other. Their happy ending might have been one of the most deserved and most satisfying I have ever read.
I was blown away by the writing in this book. It is evocative, emotional and wonderfully immersive. I always felt as though I was right there alongside Thea and Morgan and that is truly a testament to Heather Grey. The world building was done to perfection and Grey paints such a vivid literary picture that my heart rate raced as though I was a teenager forced from her home in the middle of the night, in the midst of a wartime photo op or thrust into wildlane forest fire. The dialogue was so engaging and made me feel even more connected to Thea and Morgan in so many ways, not just to them as a couple but to them as strong and fierce women. Grey created a story that was so multifaceted and multilayered that I was completely wrapped up in each word. The characters are complex, flawed, beautiful, real and wonderfully enigmatic. I became very attached to Thea and Morgan and developed a strong admiration for them both. They continue to dance around in my mind and I find myself randomly and frequently thinking about them and this incredible story. Bravo Miss Grey!
Heather grey is a master of her craft and this entire book has left an emotional literary afterimage within me and I find my mind constantly drifting back to Thea and Morgan. The book is over 600 pages and yet I am genuinely saddened that it's over. I miss Thea and Morgan and would have happily read more about them following them into their golden years, if given the chance. This is a wonderful sapphic love story about courage, overcoming adversity, embracing who you are and one of the most epic loves I've ever read. I cannot recommend this enough and encourage anyone looking for a beautiful and emotional story of love, life, hardship and triumph to read this immediately. I cannot wait to read what Heather Grey creates next.
October 12, 2026
Oh, this book really got to me! ❤️ A second chance sapphic romance about two women who were once inseparable, spent 13 years apart, and still carry the hurt and love they never managed to leave behind? I was hooked.
I loved the dual timelines, which let us see Thea and Morgan grow from teenagers into the complicated, accomplished women they are today. Their story is heartbreaking at times, and you can feel how much guilt, grief, and unresolved feelings they’ve carried over the years. Neither character is perfect, and that’s what made them feel so real to me.
I also loved how their careers as a war photographer and a firefighter were woven into the storyThe wildfire scenes added plenty of tension, while the emotional side of their journey kept me invested. And the supporting characters were such a great addition!
This is a beautiful, emotional slow burn about forgiveness, healing, and finding your way back to the person you never truly stopped loving. My heart ached for these two, and I was rooting for them to finally get the happiness they deserved.
If you love sapphic romance, second chances, dual timelines, and an emotional story with a satisfying HEA, definitely add AfterImage to your TBR This was a lovely read, and I’m so glad I picked it up.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I loved the dual timelines, which let us see Thea and Morgan grow from teenagers into the complicated, accomplished women they are today. Their story is heartbreaking at times, and you can feel how much guilt, grief, and unresolved feelings they’ve carried over the years. Neither character is perfect, and that’s what made them feel so real to me.
I also loved how their careers as a war photographer and a firefighter were woven into the storyThe wildfire scenes added plenty of tension, while the emotional side of their journey kept me invested. And the supporting characters were such a great addition!
This is a beautiful, emotional slow burn about forgiveness, healing, and finding your way back to the person you never truly stopped loving. My heart ached for these two, and I was rooting for them to finally get the happiness they deserved.
If you love sapphic romance, second chances, dual timelines, and an emotional story with a satisfying HEA, definitely add AfterImage to your TBR This was a lovely read, and I’m so glad I picked it up.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
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September 28, 2026Beautiful, emotional, and completely absorbing.
AfterImage by Heather Grey pulled me in from the beginning and kept me invested all the way through. I loved the way the story balances romance, emotion, and character development without letting any one element overwhelm the others.
The characters feel genuine and layered, and their connection develops in a way that feels believable rather than rushed. There’s a wonderful emotional tension throughout the story, and I found myself really caring about what happened to them.
Heather Grey does a great job creating those little moments that stay with you after you’ve finished reading. The writing is engaging, the chemistry is compelling, and the emotional payoff makes the journey worthwhile.
Definitely a book I’m glad I picked up, and one I would recommend to anyone looking for a heartfelt romance with characters you can really connect with.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
AfterImage by Heather Grey pulled me in from the beginning and kept me invested all the way through. I loved the way the story balances romance, emotion, and character development without letting any one element overwhelm the others.
The characters feel genuine and layered, and their connection develops in a way that feels believable rather than rushed. There’s a wonderful emotional tension throughout the story, and I found myself really caring about what happened to them.
Heather Grey does a great job creating those little moments that stay with you after you’ve finished reading. The writing is engaging, the chemistry is compelling, and the emotional payoff makes the journey worthwhile.
Definitely a book I’m glad I picked up, and one I would recommend to anyone looking for a heartfelt romance with characters you can really connect with.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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October 11, 2026The latest book of Heather Grey Afterimage is a heartbreaking story of two young ladies. We see them girl to two strong woman both having gone through tough things. Which cost them to have PTS. I haven't read a story that broke my heart like Heather did, I recommend to have some tissues ready. How can I say young brave lady that she had to overcome a lot of issues throughout her life. Her trusty camera has followed her since teenage to adulthood.
Morgan had to become an adult without her best friend. Hannah, however, she did have a support of her other friend Callie. Callie House supported Morgan more than once through the years. Giving her great advice.
After some time later, Hannah and Morgan meet again. They have to learn how to be friends again. I truly recommend this story is unique, heart warming, emotional with a happy ending.
I received an advance copy. I left freely my review.
Morgan had to become an adult without her best friend. Hannah, however, she did have a support of her other friend Callie. Callie House supported Morgan more than once through the years. Giving her great advice.
After some time later, Hannah and Morgan meet again. They have to learn how to be friends again. I truly recommend this story is unique, heart warming, emotional with a happy ending.
I received an advance copy. I left freely my review.
October 8, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Afterimage is a book about second chances and growing into your own person when the odds were not in your favour. Following the current lives of Thea and Morgan, and taking us through the past events that shape their current lives, this is a book with deep emotional moments and main characters that are very well developed and have us root for an happy ending.
I highly recommend this book, especially for those who are attracted to books because these give us a window into the characters' minds - you won't be disappointed! It made me cry at some points, but it also made me hopeful that (at least in fiction) we can overcome the hand we're dealed and find a happy ending.
Afterimage is a book about second chances and growing into your own person when the odds were not in your favour. Following the current lives of Thea and Morgan, and taking us through the past events that shape their current lives, this is a book with deep emotional moments and main characters that are very well developed and have us root for an happy ending.
I highly recommend this book, especially for those who are attracted to books because these give us a window into the characters' minds - you won't be disappointed! It made me cry at some points, but it also made me hopeful that (at least in fiction) we can overcome the hand we're dealed and find a happy ending.
October 2, 2026
I am not one to shy away from long books (in fact, I prefer them) but Afterimage was a LONG book. This is not a criticism but a warning that it's a long book with a sloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow burn. SLOW.
Don't get me wrong, I wanted Morgan and Hannah/Thea to get their HEA as soon as they saw each other after years and years but boy howdy did we take the long route to get there.
On the bright side, the story had enough runway to really develop the characters and get inside their heads which I very much enjoyed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Don't get me wrong, I wanted Morgan and Hannah/Thea to get their HEA as soon as they saw each other after years and years but boy howdy did we take the long route to get there.
On the bright side, the story had enough runway to really develop the characters and get inside their heads which I very much enjoyed.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 6, 2026
Involving
This is a new writer for me which is always a pleasure to find. It's very emotional and involving, flowing chapters between two young teenagers and their lives ad adults. One a famous photographer and the other a decorated fire-fighter, there's gripping scenes on both accounts, trauma in their lives during the years apart, very beautifully described which draws you into the story. I enjoyed other characters we meet and the romance re kindled is 🔥 and sweet, it's a long book which is a plus for me, looking forward to others from this writer.
This is a new writer for me which is always a pleasure to find. It's very emotional and involving, flowing chapters between two young teenagers and their lives ad adults. One a famous photographer and the other a decorated fire-fighter, there's gripping scenes on both accounts, trauma in their lives during the years apart, very beautifully described which draws you into the story. I enjoyed other characters we meet and the romance re kindled is 🔥 and sweet, it's a long book which is a plus for me, looking forward to others from this writer.
October 23, 2026
Excellent book; compelling read. I loved this book. I was riveted from beginning to end. The book has great characters, an excellent plot, and is VERY well written. Obviously heavily researched, as the fire scenes especially are detailed and informative. Deals with real problems; unsympathetic, (cruel) parents, homelessness and living on the streets. How “thrown away” young people, must struggle to survive. I laughed, I cried, my heart sank and soared. Great job, Heather Grey. I have downloaded her other two books, and can’t wait to dig in.
October 23, 2026
First story I have read from Heather Grey and it was good. This story is longer than the average read which I enjoyed. It was fully fleshed out. Both main characters stories were explored and it had a great supporting cast. It was a tough read at the start as it reminded me of my youth when times were much different to today. However I know these struggles still exist in some countries. Bravo Heather. Loking forward to reading more of your stories.
October 5, 2026
Stunning
This is possibly the book of 2026, I was crying through of half of it because of the buttons it pushed and places in my life it poked. Heather's writing lays out a beautiful romance with true damaged people yet still manages an HEA that chops happy onions. This is a do not miss .
This is possibly the book of 2026, I was crying through of half of it because of the buttons it pushed and places in my life it poked. Heather's writing lays out a beautiful romance with true damaged people yet still manages an HEA that chops happy onions. This is a do not miss .
October 7, 2026
I got to read an advanced copy of this and gotta say Heather does slow burns like no other. Thea and Morgan left such and impression that months later, I can still remember their story. Don’t go in expecting fluff…this was a gut wrenching story of 2 people separated by society norms and time and they work so hard to deny their feelings… but a heart wants what it wants doesn’t it?
September 29, 2026
Heather has written a good story about the life of a smoke jumper. I wish there were more stories like this one. The way she tells about Thea’s life and relationship with her father shows us how some kids are treated in our community. I enjoyed reading this story and I think you will too.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
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