Aftershock

Shaken #2

by K.G. MacGregor

Book Two in the Shaken Series
Finally at peace with the mistakes of her disastrous first marriage, Anna Kaklis is ready to experience love again, and Lily Stewart is the woman she will fight to keep forever. As she gathers her courage to go to the next level with Lily, she is suddenly handed the reins of Premier Motors. It’s an irresistible opportunity, and Lily’s support is crucial. Believing she has it, Anna throws herself into her long-cherished dream of building the family business into a powerhouse empire.

Anna’s good fortune thrills Lily, but the demand on Anna’s time does not—the sacrifices required for Anna’s success grow more and more difficult to make. Inevitably, Lily’s lifelong insecurities leave her feeling a distant second best. When tragedy strikes, her old habits take over.

If life was perfect and the future a sure thing, Anna and Lily would walk off into the sunset together. Instead, they stand on shaky ground. Anna will fight to keep Lily forever, but what can she do when the fight isn’t hers?

In this second book of The Shaken Series, 2007 Lambda Literary award winner KG MacGregor continues the compelling tale of two women who discover that real love has no limits.

The SHAKEN series was originally published as a single volume by BookEnds Press. Portions of the trilogy have been changed substatially in this new form.

Genres: Lesbian, LGBT, Romance, Lesbian Fiction, Lesbian Romance, Contemporary, Adult

224 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2008

About the author

A former teacher and market research consultant, KG MacGregor holds a PhD in journalism and mass communication. Infatuation with Xena: Warrior Princess fanfiction prompted her to try her own hand at storytelling in 2002. In 2005, she signed with Bella Books, which published the Goldie Award finalist Just This Once. Her sixth Bella novel, Out of Love, won the 2007 Lambda Literary Award for Women's Romance, and the 2008 Goldie Award in Lesbian Romance. In 2009, she picked up Goldies for Without Warning (Contemporary Romance) and Secrets So Deep (Romantic Suspense).

Other honors include the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Royal Academy of Bards, the Alice B. Readers Appreciation Medal, and several Readers Choice Awards. An avid supporter of queer literature, KG currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the Lambda Literary Foundation.

KG MacGregor divides her time between her homes in Miami and Blowing Rock, North Carolina. When she isn't writing, she's either on a hiking trail, a golf course, or if she's really lucky, a cruise ship.

Reviews

[Lex Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.50 Stars. With book 5 coming out this month I’m trying to catch up on the rest of this series that has been sitting on my shelf for… well let’s just say I had to literally dust this copy off:) I loved the whole earthquake that led to a pretty sweet friends to lovers romance in the first book. This book was more about the drama. I’m all about mixing it up to keep a series interesting but I don’t know if I loved this storyline. The characters spent a lot of time apart which I’ve never big on. The book still holds up for being over a decade old aside from a few obvious things. In the end I still liked this and the characters, just not as much as book 1. Hopefully I can get the next two read in time.

[Rain G · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book got me "Shaken" from the inside.

This one was not about shaken  walls, bricks, ceilings or floors as the 1st book of the series.

This book was about moving things deep inside. As abandonment, grief,  adictions, insecurities, darkness, and what I use to love  the most: second chances in life.

I do love stories where  people struggle with their own demons, hit the bottom and then get the strength to reinvent themselves.

This was one of those books I couldn't stop  turning its pages till the end.

4.5*

[Heinerway · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic.

[Netgyrl (Laura) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ - the angst almost killed me

You guys, I did it!! I pushed through the angst and made it through to the very nice HEA. But I can’t lie, it was not fun. I know Lily was going through a very rough time but I was annoyed with some of the leaps she made in her head about Anna’s thoughts and motivations. The writing was terrific and the fact that I know the next book is a lot more on the happy side gave me the fortitude to continue through the pain.

On to the next book!!

[Yvi K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok.. I didn't expect that.. this book had me on an emotional Rollercoaster..

It deals with substance abuse, abandonment issues, work-life balance, death of a loved one..

These are subjects I can relate to and I feel the author did a great job incorporating them into the story.

After reading book 1 I never expected that the author would lead me to such dark places, but I'm glad she did.. any story that makes me feel so intensely is an automatic 5 star rating.. looking forward to book 3.. :)

Side note:

As far as I'm aware this series was originally a xena fanfic..
I love fanfiction.. I don't even want to imagine where wlw fiction would be without it..

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this one a lot more with this re-read. MacGregor took a lot more time to flesh out the characters and really get into their problems. Before I didn't love it as much, cause it really is a bit of a downer, but I very much appreciated it this time. I think it's great to see a relationship go through real-life issues that affect so many, but come through stronger in the end.

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book developed the characters we met in the first of the Shaken series. I felt the addiction theme was handled in a way that didn't make the outcomes obvious, and as I've never experienced the issues Lily and Anna faced on the book, it made me sympathise with how slowly situations can change into major issues. Very good read.

[Orcbard · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's no secret I LOVED the first book but this sequel feels like a TV drama that takes 3 episodes to do the work of 1.
I suppose it's a realistic depiction of alcoholic addiction. Realistic, but not that entertaining to read. There are some fluffy moments and I still love the two characters though.

[Cece S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Y’all!!! This is the hardest most beautiful love story I’ve ever read! I’m literally using my head as a punching bag at the fact I’ve waited this long to start reading this series! Absolutely amazing and I can’t wait to start book 3 (in the AM)

[Sam’s Sapphic Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think what I struggled most with this book was that it was the second in a series and it has been a long period between reading the two. The lack of love for both characters tells me though that it wouldn’t matter if I read them closer together.

I got bored pretty quickly on, and both characters annoyed me a lot. I don’t have much to say because I truly don’t remember much of the first book, but there could’ve been more. You do get to see a lot of growth between the two MCs, but I was honestly frustrated most of the time. I’m going to give it a 3 because it was written well, but it just couldn’t keep my attention.

[Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a bit darker than the first. I love these characters so much that I'm glad to continue the journey. Every other sequel I've read in a series tells the story of the two main characters blissfully happy, sometimes even secondary to plot line or new characters. This was the first sequel that continued the love story. It showed how life stresses can complicate and challenge relationships. We got to see their love story again, with an honest look at real struggles couples have. The only think I would have loved more is again better communication between these ladies. More dialogue. They have to talk to each other more. I'm reading this series through. Can't wait for the next book.

[Katia M. Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read the first in this series quite some time ago and enjoyed the danger and emotional stressors in that book. This one not so much. It tried to deal with the very complex problem of alcoholism and the effects that can have on an individual and their relationships. A 230 page book isn't a lot of space to go into those very torrid waters and I felt that some things were dealt with a little simplistically or were resolved without much difficulty. I sill enjoyed the read, but it felt like it could have been so much more than it was.

[Cheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit different from the online version. Very good.

3/29/13 - finished a second read and it's my least favorite of the series but that's because the subjects are pretty depressing. It's a good story and I'm not sorry to have been witness to the difficulties that Anna and Lily go through. It's nice to see that not everything is sunshine and rainbows for the couple.

7/18/14 - Doing a re-read

[Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. Oh, how I hate Lily. What a self absorbed and needy ass. Despite my hatred of her this book was much better to me than book one because the plot was so damn good. I loved all of the angst and drama. It felt realistic. I empathized with Lily and her drinking problem but the way that she and everyone around her tried to make Anna out to be the bad guy in that situation was awful. Anna had done nothing wrong except try to get her some help. Anna is a better person than me because I would’ve left Lily’s ass with the way she was acting a fool. No ma’am. However, the ending was fantastic and I was back to rooting for their relationship. Mess. I’m such a mess. I really liked this despite wanting to shake Lily for 98.7% of it. Glad I finally got around to this and I will definitely be continuing on sooner rather than later.

[wren4777 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably my favourite of this series - I really liked that Lily's alcoholism has actual, severe consequences on her life that she has to learn to deal with. Also, I appreciated that she gave a proper apology to Anna for how she treated her, rather than treating it like a both-sides-were-in-the-wrong situation.

[mariel R.a · Rating 3 out of 5]

si bien empezo bien.. a mitad del libro cayo en picada.. con mas relleno que el anterior.. redunda mucho en la situacion entre Anna y Lilly y bueno.. el final tan abruto.... sin duda el 1ero me gusto mas.. vamos a ver como son los otros 2.. q faltan..

[Kathleen Wills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aftershock is a brutally honest look at how deeply alcoholism can impact the lives of everyone involved. But the journey back is poignant and frank. I simply sat in awe as Anna refused to lose Lily.
It was as beautiful as it was blunt. Tender and tenacious. Loved it.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is an old saying about the strongest trees growing on the windiest hills. I do believe that trials and struggles lead to personal growth. Lily and Anna could be much stronger by facing and overcoming challenges. Here's hoping...

[silvia ackerbauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great characters, tough struggles with a few funny moments to help you through. Recommend continue series.

[Leighane · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars)

[Em Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emo read and it was good, this is a great series.

[Margaret L. Hedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great.

I really enjoyed Aftershock. It’s beautifully written. Yes, it’s fiction. But there are a lot of life lessons in the book. So please, remember, be gentle with yourself.

[Joseph · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful, realistic, true love romance.

[Nila Shankari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Characters were a lot more real and relatable in this book. And I loved how the progress of relationship is shown.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! The story of Anna and Lily continues! The honeymoon phase has slowly come to an end. Now we get to see what I consider is the best part of any romantic relationship.
Relationships are enormously complex and require patience, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance, vulnerability, understanding and respect.
Can Anna and Lily face the test of time?

Anna has been given the opportunity to grow the family business and take her career to new heights! However, sacrifice comes before success!
Can Lily handle her insecurities of coming in second to Annas career?
Can Anna face seeing Lily hit rock bottom? You'll have to read and find out!

MacGregor really pulled at my heart strings with this second book. The story was dreary and full of real-life lessons, angst and realistic dialogue. I found myself so drawn into the story. One minute I was stressing right alongside Anna and the next I was cheering on Suzanne and Sandy for calling Lily out on her obnoxious behavior.


The last chapter of the book was hilarious and intense. It made the rollercoaster so worth it!
True love prevails once again!
I am looking forward to reading the third book!

[Fae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like I'm reading the story of an alcoholic trying to get out of her addiction with part romance in it. While there are a lot of depressing moments, and not everything is fluffy/ mushy, I wish there could be a kind of intimacy where they don't have to find themselves in the moment of passion most of the time. Stuffs like cuddle in bed all day, massage, gift to each other during job, visit one another, or anything regarding their emotional feelings toward one another. Though, I supposed this is more realistic?

While it states that this book is where their love is test and reaffirmed, I feel like the relationship between Lily and Anna grow further apart and one-side. Yes, Lily's feeling for Anna definitely grow, but I'm not so sure about the other way around. The struggles seem to be Lily's part alone.
Yes, Lily is funny, loyal, compassionate etc, but I was hoping for some kind of concrete thing that Lily can show her love to Anna. I believe shaken #3 is my answer.

PS: the image of Lily crawling through the doggy door cracked me up.

[Gill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Following on from Without Warning, this continues the story of Anna and Lily and is streets ahead of most lesfic in having its characters deal with difficult issues such as commitment, loss, and addiction, in believable ways.

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first was better. This was a bit heavy for what I wanted, but sobering as well (not to make a pun).

[Kathryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5-