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Reluctant Hearts #1
After This
A steamy contemporary romance about what happens when a charming executive discovers that sometimes you can mix business with pleasure . . .
Alec Mason’s job as VP of public relations for his family’s successful real estate company is perfect for the charismatic playboy who’s been named one of Houston’s most eligible bachelors the last five years running. But now, instead of the cushy job he’s used to, Alec has been shipped off to Colorado to close a crucial deal on a run-down racetrack sitting on a prime piece of real estate worth millions.
Unfortunately, the one thing standing in the way isn’t the property owner, it’s his prickly daughter—who’s not only smart and snarky, she’s also the sexiest woman Alec’s ever met.
Sage Wells doesn’t care how hot or charming Alec Mason is. To her, he’s just the latest vulture to darken her family’s door, promising big payouts in exchange for walking away from their struggling dirt track. But without the Rocky Mile Raceway, Sage has no idea who she is—something a rich kid like Alec can’t possibly understand. The only problem is, Alec keeps showing her that he’s more than meets the eye.
When the two of them finally give into their attraction, it becomes clear what’s really at stake.
Their hearts.
Alec Mason’s job as VP of public relations for his family’s successful real estate company is perfect for the charismatic playboy who’s been named one of Houston’s most eligible bachelors the last five years running. But now, instead of the cushy job he’s used to, Alec has been shipped off to Colorado to close a crucial deal on a run-down racetrack sitting on a prime piece of real estate worth millions.
Unfortunately, the one thing standing in the way isn’t the property owner, it’s his prickly daughter—who’s not only smart and snarky, she’s also the sexiest woman Alec’s ever met.
Sage Wells doesn’t care how hot or charming Alec Mason is. To her, he’s just the latest vulture to darken her family’s door, promising big payouts in exchange for walking away from their struggling dirt track. But without the Rocky Mile Raceway, Sage has no idea who she is—something a rich kid like Alec can’t possibly understand. The only problem is, Alec keeps showing her that he’s more than meets the eye.
When the two of them finally give into their attraction, it becomes clear what’s really at stake.
Their hearts.
- GenresRomance
Kindle Edition
Published April 22, 2020
6 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Liora Blake
14 books230 followersLiora is a contemporary romance author living in Colorado. She writes because it's what she's always wanted to do, she writes novels because she likes to tell the whole story, and she writes romance because a happily ever after is the best kind of story to tell.
Note: Liora is not active on social media and does not maintain an author website. And while she would like to claim that's because she's been busy doing Very Important Things, it's more likely that she's just watching Gilmore Girls again.
For rights inquiries, please contact The Bent Agency.
Note: Liora is not active on social media and does not maintain an author website. And while she would like to claim that's because she's been busy doing Very Important Things, it's more likely that she's just watching Gilmore Girls again.
For rights inquiries, please contact The Bent Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
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August 6, 2020I could connect neither with the story nor the characters and felt detached from the race track and the real estate business. Dnf @ 23%
Read
September 11, 2025I’m not going to rate this as I didn’t finish it. I just couldn’t get into it. May come back to it another time.
May 5, 2020
There’s nothing that causes me stress quite like a highly anticipated book. What if it’s not what I’m looking forward to reading? What if I’m totally let down? What if I hate it and the author finds out because I had a weak, impatient fan-girl moment and emailed her to find out exactly when the book would be released and she replied and told me she thinks my Goodreads reviews are well-written and insightful and then emailed me back to let me know the book had been released, but I have to be honest and say I didn’t like it, how do I DO THAT???
So when I found out After This was finally...FINALLY...released, I did a happy squeal, hit that one-click buy button at lightning speed, then hesitated to start reading. Because of the above mentioned fears. And because don’t we all need good, fun, lighthearted books right now to balance out the pandemic-laden stress?
Really, I shouldn’t have been concerned. Because when the world went sideways in the middle of March I started rereading my favorite books...the ones I knew would take my mind to a better, happy place. The first series I reached for was Ms. Blake’s Grand Valley series which always gives me all the warm fuzzies and happy sighs. Reading After This just reminded me all over again exactly why I love Liora Blake’s books SO MUCH.
Mason Enterprises is a powerful, family-owned retail real estate business located in Houston, Texas. They have their sights set on a run-down, family-owned dirt race track in what was once north-of-Denver podunk, Colorado. But now, due to urban sprawl, the land where the race track sits is prime retail-store location and Mason Enterprises wants it - badly. When their initial attempt at purchase fails, the company knows they need to try again using a different angle.
Alec Mason is the man sent to finish the ruthless job of talking the uninterested Wells family into giving up the land that’s been in their family for 50 years. Problem is...his job is the fun stuff like PR and fundraising events. Closing deals is NOT his deal. He’s more bleeding heart than pit bull. And Sage Wells, owner’s daughter and the woman running the show at Rocky Mile Raceway, is both bark AND bite.
“We might have more in common than we think.”
“Oh, like the same yacht dealer?” I say dryly. “Do we both like that chateau de whatever wine? The one with the fruity, leggy, snooty, smoky notes of blueberries and Mallomars? Or maybe we have a shared love for spending the holidays in a Swiss chalet with the Kardashians?”
(Sidenote: is it just me, or is anyone else thoroughly amused when people make fun of wine descriptions?)
As much as Alec knows how important this deal is to the future of Mason Enterprises, the more time he spends with Sage, the more he begins to truly like her and the business they run at the race track. Before he knows it, Alec wants to be the one to make the deal so he can make sure Sage and her family get the best deal. And maybe, just maybe, he’ll be able to sell her on him.
Sage is more than just her looks or her attitude and so much more than the woman I first met who refused to be swayed by my charm. She’s...everything.
Add in the pleasant surprise at the ending that the reader gets more story towards “happily ever after” than what we usually get from Ms. Blake, and After This was pretty much storytelling perfection. (The heart-eyes romance reader in me likes my stories to end up firmly in HEA territory, which is not what I felt we got in the Grand Valley series. It didn’t end up bothering me too much because the rest of the Grand Valley stories were so damn good, but it was nice to get a little glimpse of what Alec and Sage would be doing when the book ended!)
There are so many things I love about Liora Blake’s books. At the top of the list: hilarious, witty banter among the characters.
Next...no one does actual, real-life conflict like Ms. Blake. There’s no unnecessary, trumped-up angsty drama, convoluted miscommunications, or people being dumb. Sure, there was a little bit of Sage getting in her own way of happiness here, but how do two people who have deep ties to where they work and live get to have a happily-ever- after together? Read a Liora Blake book and you’ll find out!
Ms. Blake also has the best characters. I love her heroines - who are strong, smart, and resilient in the face of challenges, but just vulnerable enough to need a partner. And I love the heroes - who are manly and macho (without all the chest pounding/grunting you get from alpha males), are just a tiny bit cocky and overconfident, but still kind and sweet and want to be the heroine’s partner.
I also love the relationship development in Ms. Blake’s stories. There’s no insta-love, no hopping into bed at first wink. Sage and Alec get to know each other, find out who the other is, then decide they want to be together. Sure, letting your hormones rule is exciting and all, but real romance is taking your time. Ms. Blake is a master at showing how two people who have very different personalities, and different lives, can fall in love. Watching the relationships develop is beautiful, and heartfelt, and most of all - fun.
Mostly, I love Ms. Blake's books because they make me laugh, and I feel good reading them.
So YAY! I didn’t have to write a scathing review.
Actually, I may have gone a little overboard on my gushing. Do I care? Nope. I will gush all day about Liora Blake books. They are worthy of all the accolades. And I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Of course, I’ll have to put on my big girl panties and practice being patient though, I suppose...
So when I found out After This was finally...FINALLY...released, I did a happy squeal, hit that one-click buy button at lightning speed, then hesitated to start reading. Because of the above mentioned fears. And because don’t we all need good, fun, lighthearted books right now to balance out the pandemic-laden stress?
Really, I shouldn’t have been concerned. Because when the world went sideways in the middle of March I started rereading my favorite books...the ones I knew would take my mind to a better, happy place. The first series I reached for was Ms. Blake’s Grand Valley series which always gives me all the warm fuzzies and happy sighs. Reading After This just reminded me all over again exactly why I love Liora Blake’s books SO MUCH.
Mason Enterprises is a powerful, family-owned retail real estate business located in Houston, Texas. They have their sights set on a run-down, family-owned dirt race track in what was once north-of-Denver podunk, Colorado. But now, due to urban sprawl, the land where the race track sits is prime retail-store location and Mason Enterprises wants it - badly. When their initial attempt at purchase fails, the company knows they need to try again using a different angle.
Alec Mason is the man sent to finish the ruthless job of talking the uninterested Wells family into giving up the land that’s been in their family for 50 years. Problem is...his job is the fun stuff like PR and fundraising events. Closing deals is NOT his deal. He’s more bleeding heart than pit bull. And Sage Wells, owner’s daughter and the woman running the show at Rocky Mile Raceway, is both bark AND bite.
“We might have more in common than we think.”
“Oh, like the same yacht dealer?” I say dryly. “Do we both like that chateau de whatever wine? The one with the fruity, leggy, snooty, smoky notes of blueberries and Mallomars? Or maybe we have a shared love for spending the holidays in a Swiss chalet with the Kardashians?”
(Sidenote: is it just me, or is anyone else thoroughly amused when people make fun of wine descriptions?)
As much as Alec knows how important this deal is to the future of Mason Enterprises, the more time he spends with Sage, the more he begins to truly like her and the business they run at the race track. Before he knows it, Alec wants to be the one to make the deal so he can make sure Sage and her family get the best deal. And maybe, just maybe, he’ll be able to sell her on him.
Sage is more than just her looks or her attitude and so much more than the woman I first met who refused to be swayed by my charm. She’s...everything.
Add in the pleasant surprise at the ending that the reader gets more story towards “happily ever after” than what we usually get from Ms. Blake, and After This was pretty much storytelling perfection. (The heart-eyes romance reader in me likes my stories to end up firmly in HEA territory, which is not what I felt we got in the Grand Valley series. It didn’t end up bothering me too much because the rest of the Grand Valley stories were so damn good, but it was nice to get a little glimpse of what Alec and Sage would be doing when the book ended!)
There are so many things I love about Liora Blake’s books. At the top of the list: hilarious, witty banter among the characters.
Next...no one does actual, real-life conflict like Ms. Blake. There’s no unnecessary, trumped-up angsty drama, convoluted miscommunications, or people being dumb. Sure, there was a little bit of Sage getting in her own way of happiness here, but how do two people who have deep ties to where they work and live get to have a happily-ever- after together? Read a Liora Blake book and you’ll find out!
Ms. Blake also has the best characters. I love her heroines - who are strong, smart, and resilient in the face of challenges, but just vulnerable enough to need a partner. And I love the heroes - who are manly and macho (without all the chest pounding/grunting you get from alpha males), are just a tiny bit cocky and overconfident, but still kind and sweet and want to be the heroine’s partner.
I also love the relationship development in Ms. Blake’s stories. There’s no insta-love, no hopping into bed at first wink. Sage and Alec get to know each other, find out who the other is, then decide they want to be together. Sure, letting your hormones rule is exciting and all, but real romance is taking your time. Ms. Blake is a master at showing how two people who have very different personalities, and different lives, can fall in love. Watching the relationships develop is beautiful, and heartfelt, and most of all - fun.
Mostly, I love Ms. Blake's books because they make me laugh, and I feel good reading them.
So YAY! I didn’t have to write a scathing review.
Actually, I may have gone a little overboard on my gushing. Do I care? Nope. I will gush all day about Liora Blake books. They are worthy of all the accolades. And I can’t wait for the next book in the series. Of course, I’ll have to put on my big girl panties and practice being patient though, I suppose...
August 3, 2020
It started with a dnf after 30%.
The first half of the book was a lot of boring monologues, back and forth games and a headache for me.
But than, this couple stayed with me all day long and I got curious and went back.
Long story short, 4.5 stars and an excellent book 🤗 .
Racing romances is among my favorite books, so that's a bonus here. Especially when the heroine is the driver and the owner of the racing track.
Strong and independent heroine with a backbone of steel. With a full mouth and a LOT of attitude.
She was just a total badass 😎
Hero who's Wearing his heart for the heroine all over the place and calls his woman a lioness??
Sigh...
He was very strong character himself and from a family of real estate moguls who wanted to buy the said race track.
I like this author and I'm waiting for Cody's and Becca's book.
The first half of the book was a lot of boring monologues, back and forth games and a headache for me.
But than, this couple stayed with me all day long and I got curious and went back.
Long story short, 4.5 stars and an excellent book 🤗 .
Racing romances is among my favorite books, so that's a bonus here. Especially when the heroine is the driver and the owner of the racing track.
Strong and independent heroine with a backbone of steel. With a full mouth and a LOT of attitude.
She was just a total badass 😎
Hero who's Wearing his heart for the heroine all over the place and calls his woman a lioness??
Sigh...
He was very strong character himself and from a family of real estate moguls who wanted to buy the said race track.
I like this author and I'm waiting for Cody's and Becca's book.
Read
September 10, 2020[did not finish] stopped at chapter 12, was bored out.
May 18, 2020
Steamy comfort read
If you’re looking for an enjoyable, low angst read, this one satisfies. The love scenes are really well written as well. I did find myself more curious about relationships between supporting characters than the hero and heroine, so I’m hoping the next book in the series is even better.
If you’re looking for an enjoyable, low angst read, this one satisfies. The love scenes are really well written as well. I did find myself more curious about relationships between supporting characters than the hero and heroine, so I’m hoping the next book in the series is even better.
July 3, 2020
3.5 stars!
This is the story of a family (Wes - the father , Cody and Sage - his children) who owns a race track in a place that's desired by a lot of big companies, thanks to its positioning and its value. However, the Wells family doesn't intend to sell the place. That's where Alec Mason, from Mason Enterprises, makes his appearance. His mother asks him to go there and convince the family to sell the track to Mason Enterprises. However, Alec is distracted by the beauty and brains of Sage and his trip becomes more than just a business one.
I liked this book, it was an easy and quick read, quite entertaining. I enjoyes reading about Sage, because she seems a really nice and strong person, always fighting for what she loves. Even though at first I didn't like Alec, because he was obviously made to look as a rich man who gets whatever he wants, he is now like that at all. His relationship with Sage develops in a really nice way and I loved how much he supported her through everything that she was going.
If you want to read something light and enjoyable, this book is for you.
This is the story of a family (Wes - the father , Cody and Sage - his children) who owns a race track in a place that's desired by a lot of big companies, thanks to its positioning and its value. However, the Wells family doesn't intend to sell the place. That's where Alec Mason, from Mason Enterprises, makes his appearance. His mother asks him to go there and convince the family to sell the track to Mason Enterprises. However, Alec is distracted by the beauty and brains of Sage and his trip becomes more than just a business one.
I liked this book, it was an easy and quick read, quite entertaining. I enjoyes reading about Sage, because she seems a really nice and strong person, always fighting for what she loves. Even though at first I didn't like Alec, because he was obviously made to look as a rich man who gets whatever he wants, he is now like that at all. His relationship with Sage develops in a really nice way and I loved how much he supported her through everything that she was going.
If you want to read something light and enjoyable, this book is for you.
July 29, 2020
5 Cranky Stars
This book was phenomenal. I hated the main guy Alec Mason for the first couple of chapters. I thought he was one of those guys who is used to getting his way 24/7. Then he meets Sage, and his world tilts.
There were moments throughout the book that made me laugh out loud. The characters and their witty back and forth banter are what stood out to me. Sage is strong and not weak willed at all. As for Alec, lets just say that he will surprise you. I loved the character dynamic, the dialogue, and how they handle all the drama. It’s a nice change of pace to read a book that trims away the unnecessary drama. This book is amazing. I will definitely recommend it to others.
This book was phenomenal. I hated the main guy Alec Mason for the first couple of chapters. I thought he was one of those guys who is used to getting his way 24/7. Then he meets Sage, and his world tilts.
There were moments throughout the book that made me laugh out loud. The characters and their witty back and forth banter are what stood out to me. Sage is strong and not weak willed at all. As for Alec, lets just say that he will surprise you. I loved the character dynamic, the dialogue, and how they handle all the drama. It’s a nice change of pace to read a book that trims away the unnecessary drama. This book is amazing. I will definitely recommend it to others.
July 28, 2020
Sage's family business sits on prime real estate that Alec's family business wants. Now it's up to Alec to close the deal. But as Alec and Sage spend more and more time together, he finds she's a lot more important than her land. Will Alec be forced to choose between Sage and his deal?
This is a fun, steamy read. I liked Alec and Sage together, and I loved her family and the rest of the secondary cast. I hope the rest of the series is as good as this one. If so, I will definitely be reading.
ARC via Xpresso Tours for an honest review.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews