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After Hours #1
After Hours
Alex Michaels is a successful manager for a Wall-Street financial firm and lives in a beautiful hi-rise apartment overlooking Central Park. Anyone looking in from the outside would say Alex has it made, especially his working-class parents who wanted more for their only son. Nick is working his way through graduate school with dreams of becoming a teacher so he can help kids like himself. With his parents cutting him off and leaving him with nothing but a student apartment and low self-esteem, he's determined to make something of himself in spite of them. Even Nick's club friends think Alex is too good for him, but Alex keeps showing Nick how worthy he is. Alex learns a lot from Nick, too--how not to give up on his dreams.
- GenresM M RomanceGayRomance
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 9, 2018
2 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Emjay Haze
11 books27 followersEmjay Haze is a Pennsylvania girl living in a Virginia world, growing up
in the Philadelphia suburbs and moving to Northern Virginia to follow her
now husband of twenty-plus years. She has two kids in college, a year-old
puppy named Max, a black-and-white cat named Tux, a gecko named Rex,
a yellow tang called Reggie, and we hear the eels are coming this week.
The family pastime is baseball, specifically the Nationals. She’s also a huge
Redskins fans and loves classic rock.
Emjay graduated with a degree in Creative Writing in 2015 after realizing it
was the only thing she really wanted to do.
She has a wide and diverse work
history in the fields of travel, hotel management, high-tech communications,
web development, real estate, and the nonprofit health care industry where
she has held positions such as travel agent, hotel concierge, web programmer,
Realtor, account manager, and many, many others, giving her a varied and
unique set of experiences that she draws upon in her stories and characters.
She fell in love with the m/m romance genre after discovering the world
of fanfiction several years ago and hasn’t looked back. Her family keeps
asking when she’ll write something they can read, but she’s still having too
much fun with her boys.
Her goal is to broaden the minds of those who might not normally pick up
a gay romance because it’s more about the person than the sexuality. She’ll
take you on a roller-coaster journey, but you’ll always get a happy ending.
in the Philadelphia suburbs and moving to Northern Virginia to follow her
now husband of twenty-plus years. She has two kids in college, a year-old
puppy named Max, a black-and-white cat named Tux, a gecko named Rex,
a yellow tang called Reggie, and we hear the eels are coming this week.
The family pastime is baseball, specifically the Nationals. She’s also a huge
Redskins fans and loves classic rock.
Emjay graduated with a degree in Creative Writing in 2015 after realizing it
was the only thing she really wanted to do.
She has a wide and diverse work
history in the fields of travel, hotel management, high-tech communications,
web development, real estate, and the nonprofit health care industry where
she has held positions such as travel agent, hotel concierge, web programmer,
Realtor, account manager, and many, many others, giving her a varied and
unique set of experiences that she draws upon in her stories and characters.
She fell in love with the m/m romance genre after discovering the world
of fanfiction several years ago and hasn’t looked back. Her family keeps
asking when she’ll write something they can read, but she’s still having too
much fun with her boys.
Her goal is to broaden the minds of those who might not normally pick up
a gay romance because it’s more about the person than the sexuality. She’ll
take you on a roller-coaster journey, but you’ll always get a happy ending.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 14, 2018
First time I read from this author. The blurbs sounded interesting : Alex is a financial manager successfully climbing the professional ladder, but lonely and unsatisfied as he would have preferred being a chef. One night at a club, he meets Nick, a bartender, on his way to become a teacher. The attraction is instant and mutual and will lead both of them to fulfil their dreams.
This is a very easy romance, with no angst and all the pieces needed for an HEA quickly fitting together.
I’m not a fan of extreme : this was too candid and descriptive for my personal tastes. Everything and everyone were hot, amazing and incredible and I couldn’t help but noticing the repetition of these adjectives.
This book wasn't for me, not even a little bit, but it would surely fit for readers looking for a sweet and light romance, with blushing MCs surrounded by giggling instant friends.
** A copy of “After hours” was kindly provided to me by the publisher “NineStar Press” via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review**
This is a very easy romance, with no angst and all the pieces needed for an HEA quickly fitting together.
I’m not a fan of extreme : this was too candid and descriptive for my personal tastes. Everything and everyone were hot, amazing and incredible and I couldn’t help but noticing the repetition of these adjectives.
This book wasn't for me, not even a little bit, but it would surely fit for readers looking for a sweet and light romance, with blushing MCs surrounded by giggling instant friends.
** A copy of “After hours” was kindly provided to me by the publisher “NineStar Press” via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review**
April 1, 2018
I love this cover. It's gorgeous and tasteful. My mom wouldn't raise her eyebrows at it. Which is good because I read this book over the Easter weekend, with tons of family around. With that said, the actual story was HOT! Absolutely not something I want to talk to my mom about.
The book starts out by introducing us to Alex, a Wall Street hotshot who has dreams of being a chef. Alex has a good life, but he's not fulfilled or happy. Until he meets Nick, that is. Nick is working at the gay nightclub After Hours to fun his education. Both characters were well developed, we learned a lot about their past, present and what they want for the future.
However, especially as far as Nick's story was concerned, I wish we didn't learn so much from the narrator. Nick has quite that track record when it comes to his past, and it's left him some self-worth and self-esteem issues. I would have loved to see him explain his hang-ups to Alex instead of just getting enough information to empathize.
Something I always appreciate in books is when there's a healthy cast of secondary characters. This author managed that task beautifully. We got to know a whole network of people from Alex's neighbor Eydie and her granddaughter Andrea, to the owners of a pizza place, to both Alex and Nick's coworkers.
Now let's talk about what really matters - the steamy bits. They were well written, obviously consensual, and sometimes creative. There was an awful lot of shower sex. The author managed to capture the sexy parts of the relationship without neglecting the realities of life. Sometimes, you're just too tired, sometimes work and other responsibilities keep you from spending all your time with that other person. I thought it was awesome that the author included those real-life problems in her book.
There were a couple things I didn't like. The main one being some scenes were repetitive - ever time Nick slept at Alex's place they had shower sex, every time Alex went to work with Nick he helped him dress. Early on they do the whole, 'I think I'm falling in love with you,' thing, then wonder if it's ok to think of the other as a boyfriend. It just didn't fit for me. Nonetheless, they were small issues and didn't take away from the rest of the book.
Overall, After Hours was a well written and engaging book. It was a sweet story about falling in love and finding yourself. It's sure to leave you with a smile on your face.
The book starts out by introducing us to Alex, a Wall Street hotshot who has dreams of being a chef. Alex has a good life, but he's not fulfilled or happy. Until he meets Nick, that is. Nick is working at the gay nightclub After Hours to fun his education. Both characters were well developed, we learned a lot about their past, present and what they want for the future.
However, especially as far as Nick's story was concerned, I wish we didn't learn so much from the narrator. Nick has quite that track record when it comes to his past, and it's left him some self-worth and self-esteem issues. I would have loved to see him explain his hang-ups to Alex instead of just getting enough information to empathize.
Something I always appreciate in books is when there's a healthy cast of secondary characters. This author managed that task beautifully. We got to know a whole network of people from Alex's neighbor Eydie and her granddaughter Andrea, to the owners of a pizza place, to both Alex and Nick's coworkers.
Now let's talk about what really matters - the steamy bits. They were well written, obviously consensual, and sometimes creative. There was an awful lot of shower sex. The author managed to capture the sexy parts of the relationship without neglecting the realities of life. Sometimes, you're just too tired, sometimes work and other responsibilities keep you from spending all your time with that other person. I thought it was awesome that the author included those real-life problems in her book.
There were a couple things I didn't like. The main one being some scenes were repetitive - ever time Nick slept at Alex's place they had shower sex, every time Alex went to work with Nick he helped him dress. Early on they do the whole, 'I think I'm falling in love with you,' thing, then wonder if it's ok to think of the other as a boyfriend. It just didn't fit for me. Nonetheless, they were small issues and didn't take away from the rest of the book.
Overall, After Hours was a well written and engaging book. It was a sweet story about falling in love and finding yourself. It's sure to leave you with a smile on your face.
April 15, 2018
II was only able to get through Chapter Eight. I felt like all the characters were terrible and/or offensive stereotypes. One in particular that sticks in my mind is the dialogue of the janitor. I felt like I was taken back to the 1950's. Even the "harem" of women were exaggerated personalities.
Aside from the above, a lot of what I read was repetitive. For example, Alex's parents' disapproval of his wanting to go to culinary school was mentioned way too many times. And the implication that enjoying cooking and being a chef was somehow a less-than-manly was very off putting.
**Copy provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and impartial review.**
Aside from the above, a lot of what I read was repetitive. For example, Alex's parents' disapproval of his wanting to go to culinary school was mentioned way too many times. And the implication that enjoying cooking and being a chef was somehow a less-than-manly was very off putting.
**Copy provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest and impartial review.**
April 2, 2018
This is a sweet story, low on angst, heavy on sex, complete with rimming and oozing butt cracks. For a minute, the sexual content reminded me why I prefer MF over MM, then on reflection I realised that's not true.
Regardless of sexual orientation, it's how an erotic scene is written that either does or don't appeal to me. I wouldn't find the term, come oozed out of her pussy, anymore erotic than reading about come oozing out of an arsehole.
As dirty as the sex scenes were, these two spent 'a lot' of time cleaning up, because who wants to fall asleep with come drying on them? Ironically, not cleaning up would seem more realistic to me. Honestly, who can be bothered jumping in the shower when basking in the afterglow?
Sex aside, the side character are wonderful. Andrea stole my heart.
Although the deity doesn't make an appearance, God is mentioned 120+ times.
Regardless of sexual orientation, it's how an erotic scene is written that either does or don't appeal to me. I wouldn't find the term, come oozed out of her pussy, anymore erotic than reading about come oozing out of an arsehole.
As dirty as the sex scenes were, these two spent 'a lot' of time cleaning up, because who wants to fall asleep with come drying on them? Ironically, not cleaning up would seem more realistic to me. Honestly, who can be bothered jumping in the shower when basking in the afterglow?
Sex aside, the side character are wonderful. Andrea stole my heart.
Although the deity doesn't make an appearance, God is mentioned 120+ times.
April 28, 2018
A Joyfully Jay review.
3.5 stars
This is a light, sweet story about two men in love. There’s no drama, no angst, no conflict at all. Every misunderstanding is quickly talked out, with the few almost-arguments being diffused with apologies, explanations, and maturity. Nick and Alex talk about their feelings, make certain their partner is happy, express themselves with words, and act like two adults who happen to be had over heels in love with each other. It’s pure, unadulterated adult fluff.
To be honest, I was bored by this book. Every now and then there were hints that the story might go somewhere other than the bedroom (there was a lot of time spent in the bedroom!), such as when Alex pondered culinary school, or when Dan, a work friend of Nick’s, resented the idea of Nick having a boyfriend, but every possible unpleasantness was smoothed over as characters communicated and made their feelings clear, and every possible plot thread just lay around doing nothing. It was like sitting in a car, trying to get the engine to turn over. A lot of noise, but no movement.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
3.5 stars
This is a light, sweet story about two men in love. There’s no drama, no angst, no conflict at all. Every misunderstanding is quickly talked out, with the few almost-arguments being diffused with apologies, explanations, and maturity. Nick and Alex talk about their feelings, make certain their partner is happy, express themselves with words, and act like two adults who happen to be had over heels in love with each other. It’s pure, unadulterated adult fluff.
To be honest, I was bored by this book. Every now and then there were hints that the story might go somewhere other than the bedroom (there was a lot of time spent in the bedroom!), such as when Alex pondered culinary school, or when Dan, a work friend of Nick’s, resented the idea of Nick having a boyfriend, but every possible unpleasantness was smoothed over as characters communicated and made their feelings clear, and every possible plot thread just lay around doing nothing. It was like sitting in a car, trying to get the engine to turn over. A lot of noise, but no movement.
Read Elizabeth’s review in its entirety here.
December 12, 2021
This was surprisingly hard for me to get into. I think part of that was Alex. Here is a grown man, who has a successful job, albeit one he hates, and he is still letting a bunch of his co-workers boss him around and pressure him to go clubbing. He mentally complains about these woman over and over again, and yet he still listened to them pressure him about finding a guy and encouraging his to hit on his boss. Ew. Alex wasn’t a very likable character for me.
Nick was quite enjoyable. He was funny and sweet. He certainly complimented Alex well. He’s just working his way through school on his way to becoming a teacher when he meets Alex. There are several meetings between them before they actually take anything outside of the club.
I kind of liked that this was a story just following two guys falling in love. So many books use some pop up drama at 70% to insert conflict into the story. We don’t get that here. What we do get is a sexy little story of Alex and Nick making the foray into love. It’s low angst and sweet over all.
*I received a copy of this book from NineStar Press and this is my honest review.
Nick was quite enjoyable. He was funny and sweet. He certainly complimented Alex well. He’s just working his way through school on his way to becoming a teacher when he meets Alex. There are several meetings between them before they actually take anything outside of the club.
I kind of liked that this was a story just following two guys falling in love. So many books use some pop up drama at 70% to insert conflict into the story. We don’t get that here. What we do get is a sexy little story of Alex and Nick making the foray into love. It’s low angst and sweet over all.
*I received a copy of this book from NineStar Press and this is my honest review.
April 16, 2018
Alex works on wall street, but is relatively miserable. He doesn't love his job, and he really wants to be a chef. The only reason he isn't a chef is because his parents wanted him to do something bigger with his life. He likes his co-workers and is a great leader; he's good at his job. He just doesn't love it. Nick is a grad student working toward being a teacher. He is also a waiter at a gay club. He doesn't have a relationship with his family anymore, but he is working towards his dream and loving it. Nick and Alex connect immediately, and are looking for the same thing-a relationship.
There was a light overall feel to the book, and pretty much no angst. I was waiting for something bad to happen once we hit 50-75% but it never came. It was a book where Alex and Nick fell in love, communicated, and worked together. The secondary characters (the girls from the office, Andrea, and Mrs. T) were awesome. I enjoyed them a lot.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC received from IndiGo Marketing & Design
There was a light overall feel to the book, and pretty much no angst. I was waiting for something bad to happen once we hit 50-75% but it never came. It was a book where Alex and Nick fell in love, communicated, and worked together. The secondary characters (the girls from the office, Andrea, and Mrs. T) were awesome. I enjoyed them a lot.
I am voluntarily reviewing an ARC received from IndiGo Marketing & Design
April 14, 2018
After Hours is a M/M romance with lots of graphic sex scenes, minimal angst and a HEA.
Alex is a successful manager in a Wall Street investment firm. He has what most people would describe as the perfect life: well paid job, a fancy apartment not far from Central Park and family who care about him. However Alex is not truly happy. His dream is to be a chef but as this is something his parents discouraged when he was a teenager he has done what they wanted and entered the business world. He’s also lonely. He doesn’t have many friends in New York and his sex life is not existent.
Nick on the other hand is pursuing his dream to become a teacher. Whilst in graduate school, he needs to pay his own way after being cut off by his parents. He does this by working multiple jobs, one of which is as a waiter in the gay club, After Hours, which is where he meets Alex.
After several meetings between the two, full of innuendo and flirting they eventually start dating and fall in love.
There were a few things about the story that I wasn’t a fan of. First of all nothing much really happens. We pretty much just follow Alex and Nick through their relationship and the self doubts they both have to overcome to be together.
Secondly I thought there were parts of the story that were very repetitive. We hear repeatedly about Alex’s parents making him go to business school rather than culinary school and about the fact that Nick has slept around in his past.
The third thing I didn’t really like was the stereotypical gay man behaviour that is reinforced in this story (mainly that gay men are promiscuous).
Having said all of that, those issues aside, the book was mainly well written even though the pacing was a little slow. The characters are very well developed and we learn a lot about them as people as well as their confidence issues, insecurities, hopes and dreams.
There is also a great surrounding cast of characters that enhance the story without detracting from it. I particularly liked Andrea and her grandmother.
The one thing that does stand out about this story is the hot sex scenes between Alex and Nick. These are mostly well written, although a little repetitive at times (multiple shower sex scenes are included).
All in all this book was good but not great which is why I would rate it 3 stars.
Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.
Alex is a successful manager in a Wall Street investment firm. He has what most people would describe as the perfect life: well paid job, a fancy apartment not far from Central Park and family who care about him. However Alex is not truly happy. His dream is to be a chef but as this is something his parents discouraged when he was a teenager he has done what they wanted and entered the business world. He’s also lonely. He doesn’t have many friends in New York and his sex life is not existent.
Nick on the other hand is pursuing his dream to become a teacher. Whilst in graduate school, he needs to pay his own way after being cut off by his parents. He does this by working multiple jobs, one of which is as a waiter in the gay club, After Hours, which is where he meets Alex.
After several meetings between the two, full of innuendo and flirting they eventually start dating and fall in love.
There were a few things about the story that I wasn’t a fan of. First of all nothing much really happens. We pretty much just follow Alex and Nick through their relationship and the self doubts they both have to overcome to be together.
Secondly I thought there were parts of the story that were very repetitive. We hear repeatedly about Alex’s parents making him go to business school rather than culinary school and about the fact that Nick has slept around in his past.
The third thing I didn’t really like was the stereotypical gay man behaviour that is reinforced in this story (mainly that gay men are promiscuous).
Having said all of that, those issues aside, the book was mainly well written even though the pacing was a little slow. The characters are very well developed and we learn a lot about them as people as well as their confidence issues, insecurities, hopes and dreams.
There is also a great surrounding cast of characters that enhance the story without detracting from it. I particularly liked Andrea and her grandmother.
The one thing that does stand out about this story is the hot sex scenes between Alex and Nick. These are mostly well written, although a little repetitive at times (multiple shower sex scenes are included).
All in all this book was good but not great which is why I would rate it 3 stars.
Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for providing a copy. All opinions are my own and provided willingly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2018
3.5 STARS!!!
After Hours was a good romance read. I enjoyed all of the characters in this book and there were quite a few. However, they were enjoyable characters that will give you more than a few laughs as you read this story. This was a sweet, steamy romance read with a little bit of drama and great chemistry between Alex and Nick, who are the main characters. I was truly expecting a little more drama because this was a little too sweet. I was just waiting for something to happen because I honestly expected a little more than a light but steamy romance read from a book with this title. There were moments where it seemed like a buildup for drama was going to happen and then it just fizzled out. The story was a little slow in some parts but overall, it was a good read and I would give another book from this author a try. Even though it wasn't a 5 star read for me, I would still recommend readers that enjoy a good M/M romance read to give this book a try.
After Hours was a good romance read. I enjoyed all of the characters in this book and there were quite a few. However, they were enjoyable characters that will give you more than a few laughs as you read this story. This was a sweet, steamy romance read with a little bit of drama and great chemistry between Alex and Nick, who are the main characters. I was truly expecting a little more drama because this was a little too sweet. I was just waiting for something to happen because I honestly expected a little more than a light but steamy romance read from a book with this title. There were moments where it seemed like a buildup for drama was going to happen and then it just fizzled out. The story was a little slow in some parts but overall, it was a good read and I would give another book from this author a try. Even though it wasn't a 5 star read for me, I would still recommend readers that enjoy a good M/M romance read to give this book a try.
April 7, 2018
Nick meets Alex when he comes in to the club where he is working. He cannot help but feel the good looking guy seems sweet. Then he finds out he is everything.
Alex has found himself living a good life without any happiness. He has a lot to be grateful for, but not what he has always wanted. When he meets a man who is following his own dreams, he second guesses where he is and where he is going.
This book was like a chapter out of a persons life. I felt like I was watching it take place. I loved the sexy times since they were full of heat. The banter was cute, and the pace of the story was good. These characters give us a good solid read.
***This ARC copy was given in exchange of an honest review, by Netgalley and its publishers.
Alex has found himself living a good life without any happiness. He has a lot to be grateful for, but not what he has always wanted. When he meets a man who is following his own dreams, he second guesses where he is and where he is going.
This book was like a chapter out of a persons life. I felt like I was watching it take place. I loved the sexy times since they were full of heat. The banter was cute, and the pace of the story was good. These characters give us a good solid read.
***This ARC copy was given in exchange of an honest review, by Netgalley and its publishers.
April 11, 2018
After Hours,By Emjay Haze
So it seems the first one in a serie.
It is a sweet ,low angst or drama read.
with a large set off side characters.
Being the first book in a serie,much of the book spend on.
setting up the scene and characters.
The pace of the story was slow and there is too much telling.
It takes to chapter 7 to get to know Nick.
It is mostley Alex we get to know.
Both guys where nice and sweet.
but I found it somehow lacking in the steamy scene`s.
don`t matter how much shower seks there is.
Sexy scene`s are somewhat repetitive.(boring)
but overall it is a nice sweet "romantic'" book.
I enjoyed reading it.but no re-read for me.
arc is provided trough netgalley
So it seems the first one in a serie.
It is a sweet ,low angst or drama read.
with a large set off side characters.
Being the first book in a serie,much of the book spend on.
setting up the scene and characters.
The pace of the story was slow and there is too much telling.
It takes to chapter 7 to get to know Nick.
It is mostley Alex we get to know.
Both guys where nice and sweet.
but I found it somehow lacking in the steamy scene`s.
don`t matter how much shower seks there is.
Sexy scene`s are somewhat repetitive.(boring)
but overall it is a nice sweet "romantic'" book.
I enjoyed reading it.but no re-read for me.
arc is provided trough netgalley
April 8, 2018
After Hours by Emjay Haze is the story of Alex and Nick.
Alex looks to have it all rising to the top with a great apartment but Alex has another dream that he would like to go for. Nick is a hard working guy trying to make it through Grad School and also working at the "After Hours" club to earn money.
Alex sees how dedicated Nick is to work toward his dream job and that makes Alex thinks to maybe start working toward what he wants to do also.
This was actually a sweet easy read romance!
Alex looks to have it all rising to the top with a great apartment but Alex has another dream that he would like to go for. Nick is a hard working guy trying to make it through Grad School and also working at the "After Hours" club to earn money.
Alex sees how dedicated Nick is to work toward his dream job and that makes Alex thinks to maybe start working toward what he wants to do also.
This was actually a sweet easy read romance!
May 10, 2018
DNF at 20%
I just could not with these two MC's.
I just could not with these two MC's.
April 23, 2022
I enjoyed it at first but then there was no plot really. Nothing to keep me engaged, I basically skip read the whole second half.
Read
May 13, 2018My Review
Goodreads needs a DNF tag!
Goodreads needs a DNF tag!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews