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After Raya
Laramie is forced to start her life over when her best friend and sometimes lover, Raya, cuts her off without warning. As she rebuilds, Laramie slowly begins to understand that Raya has been abusing her for years. Now that she is free of the abuse, she is able to build a better life with new friends and even finds a new love with the vibrant and beautiful dancer Zoe, who is everything Raya was not. But then Raya decides she wants her back. Can Laramie truly break free to have the life she and Zoe deserve, or will Raya keep her claws in her forever?
- GenresLGBT
333 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 11, 2015
14 people are currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Arnold
14 books58 followersI grew up in Illinois, two blocks from my local library. I read pretty much whatever I could get my hands on, and when the story I wanted wasn't there, I made it up. I don't remember a time when I wasn't making up stories, but I believe I was 6 when I began writing them down. I still have the unicorn notebook that I wrote my first stories in! By the time I was 8, the stories became a regular escape. When school was boring or unpleasant, I retreated into my head and dealt with the situation by either narrating it or inventing a better one. Each doll I owned had an elaborate backstory in my mind.
In seventh grade, I won first place in a school contest for the best scary story, the prize being a gift certificate for the fall book fair. I was pretty thrilled about that, but I didn't really become disciplined about writing my stories down until towards the end of high school. In my first year of college, I began writing my first novel, though I never quite finished it. That didn't matter though; I was finally in the habit of writing on a daily basis, and this habit enabled me to start and finish multiple novels in the following years.
In 2004, I graduated from the University of Illinois with an education degree. I have spent the years since working in a day care, being a substitute teacher, and working as a special education TA. I never stopped finding the time to write though, and eventually I decided it was time to share those stories with the public!
Currently I am focused on writing, but may teach again in the future. I have an old house with lots of books, a spoiled cat named Lily Belle, and an obsessive interest in Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.
Visit me here: facebook.com.MichelleArnoldbooks
https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Arnol...
In seventh grade, I won first place in a school contest for the best scary story, the prize being a gift certificate for the fall book fair. I was pretty thrilled about that, but I didn't really become disciplined about writing my stories down until towards the end of high school. In my first year of college, I began writing my first novel, though I never quite finished it. That didn't matter though; I was finally in the habit of writing on a daily basis, and this habit enabled me to start and finish multiple novels in the following years.
In 2004, I graduated from the University of Illinois with an education degree. I have spent the years since working in a day care, being a substitute teacher, and working as a special education TA. I never stopped finding the time to write though, and eventually I decided it was time to share those stories with the public!
Currently I am focused on writing, but may teach again in the future. I have an old house with lots of books, a spoiled cat named Lily Belle, and an obsessive interest in Doctor Who, Harry Potter, and Star Wars.
Visit me here: facebook.com.MichelleArnoldbooks
https://www.amazon.com/Michelle-Arnol...
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 3, 2017
Good book
This was a really intense book dealing with abuse in a way most people probably don't often consider. It was really well done and I enjoyed the love story.
This was a really intense book dealing with abuse in a way most people probably don't often consider. It was really well done and I enjoyed the love story.
June 5, 2017
When I found this in the back pages of the Kindle Unlimited lesfic catalog with no reviews and what looked like public domain cover art, my expectations weren't high. I'm happy to say I underestimated Ms. Arnold.
This is a story about what comes after domestic abuse, rather than the abuse itself. The angst, while present, isn't too incredibly dark. Although there are some flashbacks that are very difficult to read, the emphasis is more on living in the present than on dwelling upon the past.
Part of me kept expecting some Glenn Close/Fatal Attraction melodrama to pop up, but that really wasn't the book's purpose, and I was grateful for that. This was primarily a book about day-to-day living, rebuilding and loving. There are no car chases, no two-dimensional villains stalking the protagonist in dark alleys (though there are a couple of confrontations). There's damage, recovery and life.
Some readers might find this book slow, but I actually admired its pacing. This was a slow book in some ways, but the relationship between the two main characters developed very naturally. There didn't seem to be a strict adherence to hitting story beats or maximizing rising and falling actions; it felt as if the author's primary focus was on character rather than plot, and that really worked for me here.
I enjoyed this one a lot.
This is a story about what comes after domestic abuse, rather than the abuse itself. The angst, while present, isn't too incredibly dark. Although there are some flashbacks that are very difficult to read, the emphasis is more on living in the present than on dwelling upon the past.
Part of me kept expecting some Glenn Close/Fatal Attraction melodrama to pop up, but that really wasn't the book's purpose, and I was grateful for that. This was primarily a book about day-to-day living, rebuilding and loving. There are no car chases, no two-dimensional villains stalking the protagonist in dark alleys (though there are a couple of confrontations). There's damage, recovery and life.
Some readers might find this book slow, but I actually admired its pacing. This was a slow book in some ways, but the relationship between the two main characters developed very naturally. There didn't seem to be a strict adherence to hitting story beats or maximizing rising and falling actions; it felt as if the author's primary focus was on character rather than plot, and that really worked for me here.
I enjoyed this one a lot.
March 4, 2018
This book really hit home for me because it dealt with recovery from an abusive, codependent relationship. Arnold did an amazing job of capturing the aspects of denial and fear that come along with recovery. It is hard to feel like you are good enough for anyone or that you deserve better and this book did an amazing job at expressing this. At it's base it is a romance but a healing one that is multi dimensional. I think this goes up with one of the most poingant books I have read and I highly recommend it.
June 18, 2019
Excellent book looking forward to reading other books by this author.
May 6, 2023
Well written, realistic and immersive story
This is an excellent story detailing one young woman’s emergence from an abusive relationship. The author shows us how someone can manipulate and confuse, mixing control and cruelty with love and attention.
I also appreciate how well defined and pivotal the protagonist’s best friend and other characters are, and how they add to the message of how important this support and the “right” kind of love can be. Laramie may have experienced a terrible introduction to love, but it doesn’t keep her from holding onto hope and an open heart. Very uplifting story and message, and a great read!
This is an excellent story detailing one young woman’s emergence from an abusive relationship. The author shows us how someone can manipulate and confuse, mixing control and cruelty with love and attention.
I also appreciate how well defined and pivotal the protagonist’s best friend and other characters are, and how they add to the message of how important this support and the “right” kind of love can be. Laramie may have experienced a terrible introduction to love, but it doesn’t keep her from holding onto hope and an open heart. Very uplifting story and message, and a great read!
March 10, 2021
The worst days can be the best thing for you
A story about a woman who is trying to get through the moment after being discarded by her best friend not knowing that it is this horrible time is the catalyst to begin the best parts of her life.
A story about a woman who is trying to get through the moment after being discarded by her best friend not knowing that it is this horrible time is the catalyst to begin the best parts of her life.
November 29, 2025
this book is a bit slow in places but overall it’s a decent read
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews