Always April

The Reed Brothers #9.6

by Tammy Falkner

This short story was originally published in the anthology "Forget Me Not: Charity Anthology Supporting Alzheimers and Brain Health"

This is not a full length book. It's a 12,000 word short story.

You probably love to hate her. She's the woman who broke Matt's heart and inspired that awesome letter in MMM. But whatever happened to her? Find out about the crazy dream that made her ditch her unfaithful husband in Scotland, and let's give her some closure, shall we? (Matt has a pretty big cameo in this one!)

Genres: Romance, Novella, Contemporary, New Adult, Contemporary Romance, Short Stories, Adult

58 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 26, 2015

About the author

Tammy Falkner lives on a farm in a lovely, sprawling little town in rural NC with her beekeeper husband and a house full of boys, a few dogs, and a cat or two (or five – who has time to count?). As half of the Lydia Dare team, she has co-written ten books, including the Westfield Wolves series and the Gentlemen Vampyre series. A huge fan of Regency England, she often wonders what other kinds of magical, mythical and strange creatures might live and interact within the ton. Exploring the theory that the fae can walk between Regency England and their own land, Tammy spends as much time as possible with the lords and ladies of society, horse-drawn carriages, and elegant balls. Now add to that some faeries, a little murder, a bit of mayhem, and a troublesome garden gnome, and you have her exciting new series. She hopes you enjoys her world as much as she does.

Also writes as
Lydia Dare

Reviews

[Fanny · Rating 2 out of 5]

Always, April es la ultima novela corta de la serie The Reed Brothers creada por Tammy Falkner y tiene como protagonista a April ( ex novia de Matt ).
Reconozco que si tenia ganas de leer esta historia era porque pertenecia a una saga que he disfrutado mucho leyendo, no porque me interesara leer sobre April, personaje que nunca me agrado en los libros anteriores.
Aun asi debo decir que en lo que cabe se me hizo entretenida, esta bien para pasar el rato pero en varias ocasiones me parecio un poco inverosimil y precipitada.

2.5 Estrellas!

[-C- · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story.
"Beauty fades. So do feelings. Life changes. People divorce. Life goes on."
“Feelings don’t fade. They change and they grow. But they don’t fade into nothing. Ever. Unless there was no feeling there to begin with.”

[25 Readings Or More · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great novella! We all pretty much hated April, but she redeems herself in this book!

[BookLover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this short story! I had forgotten who April was until her past was revealed. I loved her story about finding forgiveness in herself and allowing herself to be happy. Her flashbacks to the airport and encounter with a stranger were truly enjoyable. And George’s grandmother was hilarious. Great story

[Nanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I still don't like April, but it was a nice tale. I love reading about Matt though :)

[Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars.

Never really liked April so even though George was a good guy I still didn't care for her.

[Saunders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this was short I really got into the story. First read of Tammy Falkner. I will be reading her again.

[Eteline Rangel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tengo que decir que esta antología estuvo bastante interesante, pero no sé si al ser tantas historias y tan cortitas que hubieron cosas que me confundieron dentro de su desarrollo o si es que simplemente hubo relatos que no me gustaron mucho o para nada, pero también hubieron otras que si me gustaron tanto que me emocionaron e hicieron suspirar para ser honesta.

Voy a darle un 3.5 ESTRELLAS

[Fernanda Herbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡OH DIOS!

Odiaba a April. En serio lo hacía, el error que cometió al destrozar el corazón de Matt me hizo odiarla, invitarlo a su boda me hizo odiarla más, ir a su casa llorando en su noche de bodas porque necesitaba a alguien, hizo que sintiera pena al ver que estaba sola. Leer sobre su viaje a Escocia y lo infeliz que es con el bastardo de su marido (ex'bff de Matt) me hizo darme cuenta que todos en algún momento cometemos un error, que, en ése momento no lo vemos así, pero al mirar atrás es muy notorio.

April ya había sufrido lo suficiente al tener a un marido como él, que no la respetara como mujer principalmente, y sí, esperaba que se deshiciera de él lo más rápido posible y encontrara a su "forever and always" .

Estuve más de diez meses tratando de conseguir éste libro, y aunque fue demasiado corto (Sí, quería más de April) me recordó la razón porque The Reed Brothers Series es una de mis favoritas. Espero con ansias I'M IN IT .

“That’s my wife, Sky. She’s my everything. I have no doubt that you and I could have been happy, April, if what happened between us had never happened, if you had never cheated. But my life with Sky…it’s all I ever wanted. It’s so much more than what we had.”

“I understand why you want to hurt me, Matt—”

“That’s just it, April, ” he says softly. “I don’t want to hurt you. I never did. I just wanted to love you. Then I met her and I knew what real love was. I didn’t know until then.” He stares hard at me. “Why are you here?”

“I want absolution.”

“I can’t absolve you. Only you can do that. But I forgive you. I forgave you a long time ago. Life works out the way it’s supposed to. Are you all right?” he asks. “Has something happened?”
“Yeah.” I sigh. Then I meet his gaze and stare into his blue eyes. “I fell in love.”
He startles. “Oh. Well, that’s good.” He smiles and I see only happiness within him for me. No hatred. No animosity. Of course, this is Matt. He is goodness and light and all things wonderful.

“You used to hate me.” He nods.

“I did for a while. I won’t lie.” He scrubs a hand across his mouth like he’s wiping away a smile. Then he grows serious. “I don’t hate you anymore.”

“But you don’t love me anymore, either.” I watch his face closely.

“I love Sky with all that I am.” He stops and stares at me and I know that he’s telling the truth. Finally, I smile.

“Good.”

[Dali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still with her signature writing style, Tammy Falkner’s “Always April” is a very different kind of story than what she’s previously written and I loved it.

We still have that humor and wit I love about Tammy, we also have a happy ending. But Always April is only told from April’s point of view but alternates from present to past. And it’s about a character I didn’t know all that well and hadn’t realized I’d like to know more about.

Do you remember the girl that broke up with Matt Reed while he was fighting cancer? Yep, that’s the same April. Her life has not been easy or kind. As she recounts her journey towards happiness in order for her tattoo artist to create her piece, we get to live through her wrong turns, her bad and good stops. I really liked the people she met along the way and loved where she ended up, in a place where she sought forgiveness and got it.

Always April is a beautiful short read about understanding and forgiveness with a bit a drama and lots of love, sexiness and humor Tammy Falkner style.

[Jeannine Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't really remember April all that well, I pretty much just knew the basics. It's an...interesting story, certain parts I really liked but overall it felt a little strange to me, I'm not sure why. Still, I thought it was a nice addition to the series.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Always April" by Tammy Falkner is a sweet, sentimental love story about mistakes, forgiveness, and starting over. It ties into the Reed Brothers Series, but works as a stand alone. I love anything to do with the Reed Brothers, so this was a treat.

[Jenny Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very sweet, very entertaining, very charming story....
And then I remember it's about April.
April who cheated on Matt and left him so broken I didn't think he'd survive it.
April who left him with his friend when he had cancer.
April who was so selfish in other books, I found it impossible to find one redeeming quality about her.
I didn't blame Friday and Paul for being mean to her, she absolutely deserved it.

In this one, it's a short story about a last-ditch effort with her husband to save their marriage.
When her husband doesn't come back to the hotel until morning with the lipstick of someone else
on his collar, she's finally done.
"If he'll cheat with you, he'll cheat on you".... I love this quote because it's so true lol
I couldn't even feel bad for her because it was a bed that she'd made herself.
You lay down with dogs, you're bound to get up with fleas.

I did love George, I thought he was charming and maybe a little crazy, but meeting his grandma, who I also
adored.... you know he comes by it honestly. I would've picked someone better for him than April though...
But he seems happy with her, so.... whatever.
I was glad she didn't try to play the victim. I wouldn't have been able to handle that.
She didn't make excuses for doing what she did to Matt, or even make excuses for why she stayed
with her cheating husband after knowing he cheated on her ALLLLL the time.
She owned up to her mistakes and that was admirable.... I just wish I could've gotten past it
so I could've been happy for her. Instead, I was just glad for George....
Not my favorite, but only because I hold a mean grudge and I don't like April.... the story itself was very cute.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
This book is a short novella. This book is Matt Reed’s ex, April’s story. Although I hated April in the other books she was briefly in, I liked her in this story. I liked that she realised what she had lost. She didn’t try to cause trouble, she just wanted forgiveness.
I liked that April got rid of Kenneth. I liked how she met her new man. I liked the chemistry between her and George. Despite my previous dislike for April, I am glad she got her happily ever after.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and a nice read. Although you don’t have to read this book as part of a series, I would recommend you do.

[Kristi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trigger warning for Drunk Driving.
This story was a little different than the other novellas. The other novellas starts out boy meets girl then girl falls in love with boy. It does not start out that way. This one was completely different. They still fall in love but going through it. That is not what it was mostly about. It was unexpected and so good to read.
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[Roma · Rating 2 out of 5]

2 -okay-estrellas

*SPOILER ALERT*

Historia corta de April, la ex de Matt

Soy de esas personas que siempre quiere más cuando se trata de puntos de vista y siempre he amado un buen arco de redención, pero la verdad es que no creo que con April fuera necesario escribir su pequeña historia de amor.

No quedé satisfecha en ningún sentido. Todo es demasiado rápido y no disfruté más que el hechod e que Matt la superó por completo.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know how April treated Matt was really horrible... but after reading this book - I kind if like April and I am happy she found her happy ending and was able to clear the air with Matt too... a sweet read but very short.

[Heike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how to rate this one....

Somehow I liked it, but somehow it was just stupid so I guess 4 for the part I liked and 1 for the stupid I didn’t like..... that would be 3 stars for this one? No idea.....

[Jena Hemsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I hated April in Matt's book, I have to say that I apreciate Tammy giving het redemption. Even the villains of our story aren't 100% evil, and every one should have a chance to change their life and fall in love.

[Lynne Garlick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Again, I read this one in an anthology and it kind of wraps up all the loose ends for April.
Yeah, you remember her!!! Can she redeem herself, does she deserve what she got? Who knows?!
Well, I do, because I have read this and I am still split on it. But this is still a great read!

[Priscila Andres · Rating 3 out of 5]

La verdad que no me apetecía leer algo sobre April después de lo que le hizo a Matt. Pero, siento que pago por lo que hizo. Y merecía encontrar un final feliz.
Está entretenida.

[sara ♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this story about April’s redemption!! So happy she had her closure

[Kristeena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know not many like April but this was a good mini-book for her. I think the author Tammy Falkner showed some growth in April. Worth buying and reading. I great addition to the Reed Family Books.

[Anna · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Stars

Quick read. When it was mentioned that Matt would be a big part of the book I expected more not mentions and some memories. April is alright. I don't care for her like I do the other women that belong to the Reed brothers :)

[Jeraca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this novel through the "Forget Me Not" anthology that Tammy Falkner came up with to support Alzheimer's and Brain Health corporations. This was my individual review for this novel:

Always April by Tammy Falkner 5 stars
This was a great novel. Falkner once again took something that happens in every day life and makes the reader see it in a different life. April needed to get forgiveness for her past sins with Matt, especially when she seems Kenneth in a whole new light. But Matt didn't have to give her forgiveness because she needed to give it to herself. I loved the tattoo that she got with her new story of her love-ever-after. Of course I loved it - Tammy Falkner wrote it :)

[Seanang · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as part of the Forget Me Not anthology. April will never be one of my favourite characters, but I love how Tammy was able to write her in a sympathetic light. She got her HEA without impacting on Matt's life. I loved how, at the end of the story, she really wanted Matt to look back at her as he walked away but he didn't. That just showed how he had moved on past the role she had once held in his life. She was able to reach for her own forgiveness for what she had done and move on in her own life as well.

[M · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another short read and it is April’s story. She tried to work out her marriage to Kenneth but he continued to cheat. So this is her love story with George. It was a good story but not my favorite. I still don’t care much for April. I think I’m with Friday and the Reed brothers on this one. 😉 You first meet April in Maybe Matt's Miracle. I did like to see a couple of the Reed’s in this short novella.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this short story couldn't put it down. April is full of regret for cheated on Matt Reed and wants to ask for his forgiveness. She goes to the tattoo shop looking for Matt and after they talk she decides to get a tattoo. While she is getting ready to get the tattoo she tells Karla the woman who is auditioning to be an artist on the show her whole story about Matt, Kenneth her husband and George.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this short story. I was glad that April managed to find forgiveness and forgive herself for the mistakes of her past. I also liked that she found a good guy. Plus the appearance of Matthew Reed is also a bonus.