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Aftershock
Aftershock by Jill Shalvis released on Aug 24, 2001 is available now for purchase.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 1, 2001
17 people are currently reading
740 people want to read
About the author
Jill Shalvis
389 books13.8k followersJill Shalvis is a NYT, USA Today, and Amazon Top 100 bestselling author of small-town romance and romcoms, known for big feels, found family, and plenty of shenanigans.
If you love small-town chaos, meddling friends and neighbors, sizzling chemistry, and heroes who fall hard for the one woman they absolutely did not plan on, you’re in the right place. Jill’s books blend laugh-out-loud moments with emotional gut punches, slow-burn tension, and deeply earned happily ever afters.
She writes the stories she loves to read: small-town romance and romantic comedies packed with heart, heat, second chances, grumpy/sunshine sparks, and the kind of found-family vibes that make you want to move right into the pages. Many of her series are perfect for binge-reading, and a number of her books are available in Kindle Unlimited and at major retailers.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably plotting new ways to torture her characters, avoiding laundry, or daydreaming about fictional men and the strong, complicated women who bring them to their knees—and then making them work for it.
You can follow Jill here on Goodreads to keep up with new releases, add her books to your shelves, and discover which small town you want to get lost in next.
If you love small-town chaos, meddling friends and neighbors, sizzling chemistry, and heroes who fall hard for the one woman they absolutely did not plan on, you’re in the right place. Jill’s books blend laugh-out-loud moments with emotional gut punches, slow-burn tension, and deeply earned happily ever afters.
She writes the stories she loves to read: small-town romance and romantic comedies packed with heart, heat, second chances, grumpy/sunshine sparks, and the kind of found-family vibes that make you want to move right into the pages. Many of her series are perfect for binge-reading, and a number of her books are available in Kindle Unlimited and at major retailers.
When she’s not writing, she’s probably plotting new ways to torture her characters, avoiding laundry, or daydreaming about fictional men and the strong, complicated women who bring them to their knees—and then making them work for it.
You can follow Jill here on Goodreads to keep up with new releases, add her books to your shelves, and discover which small town you want to get lost in next.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
April 24, 2013
Heartwarming sweet read. Loved Dax McCall & Amber and the whole McCall family. This would have been 5 stars read for me if we could have seen the reunion between Amber and her estranged father and/or had an epilogue.
*Thanks to Karla for the recommendation, totally enjoyed it. You know me too well my friend!! :)
*Thanks to Karla for the recommendation, totally enjoyed it. You know me too well my friend!! :)
August 7, 2011
The heroine Amber is looking around a property she is trying to sell when an earthquake hits, lucky for her Fire Inspector Dax, the hero, is also in the building. When the building starts to fall down around them he helps keep her safe and calm while they are trapped. Both of them believe there is no chance of them getting out alive, one thing leads to another and they end up making love. They do manage to get out when they are rescued, Dax tries to see Amber again but Amber, embarrassed by her actions, flees. A year later and a chance encounter brings them face to face again, Dax's initial pleasure in seeing Amber again is crushed when he realises she gave birth to his daughter and never told him. Dax makes it clear that he will be a part of his daughters life and they agree to a shared custody schedule. Dax realises this isn't enough and that he also wants to be with Amber but she is hesitant to get involved with him for fear of losing control and getting hurt.
I really, really enjoyed this book. The plot is actually quite original, to have two virtual strangers that haven't even seen each other in the light become intimate is, perhaps, a risky subject but it makes you think about just what you would do in a life or death situation. Both character are well developed and complex enough to keep you interested. I particularly liked that the heroine was more complex that the hero, and how the hero really wanted to help her open up. The writing is wonderful and really draws you into the book, I read this in one sitting!
Recommended.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
I really, really enjoyed this book. The plot is actually quite original, to have two virtual strangers that haven't even seen each other in the light become intimate is, perhaps, a risky subject but it makes you think about just what you would do in a life or death situation. Both character are well developed and complex enough to keep you interested. I particularly liked that the heroine was more complex that the hero, and how the hero really wanted to help her open up. The writing is wonderful and really draws you into the book, I read this in one sitting!
Recommended.
Originally posted at http://everyday-is-the-same.blogspot....
September 2, 2017
Just what I needed. This is light and sweet and doesn't try to be what it's not. No wonder I love Jill Shavis so much - she does this right!
January 18, 2016
I wanted to read something that was light, easy and romantic, so when I came across a Jill Shalvis book I couldn't help myself. This was the perfect escapist read and it ticked all the right boxes for a romance/Harlequin book.
The male protagonist, Dax, was irresistible: gorgeous, decent guy with principles, loving dad, and willing to do whatever necessary to conquer our heroine. I mean where else would you find such a guy, but in romance novels. I don't care much for bad guys, and Dax sure isn't one.
Amber, his love interest, is cold and unable to deal with emotions.But Dax warms his way into her bed and heart.
Perfect summer/beach read, or winter/in bed, under the blankets read, as it was the case for me.
The male protagonist, Dax, was irresistible: gorgeous, decent guy with principles, loving dad, and willing to do whatever necessary to conquer our heroine. I mean where else would you find such a guy, but in romance novels. I don't care much for bad guys, and Dax sure isn't one.
Amber, his love interest, is cold and unable to deal with emotions.But Dax warms his way into her bed and heart.
Perfect summer/beach read, or winter/in bed, under the blankets read, as it was the case for me.
October 4, 2013
Amber Riggs is a horrible, horrible person.
I got a good ways through this book and I want to punch myself in the face for putting myself through that. I was hoping she would redeem herself, but 60% of the way through, we hadn't had a single character development aside from pregnancy. And I don't really think that counts.
I won't give a rating to a book I DNF because I'm just not into the story. For me to give 1 star to a book I didn't finish, there has to be something that I absolutely hated and found offensive.
Amber Riggs is that something.
I got a good ways through this book and I want to punch myself in the face for putting myself through that. I was hoping she would redeem herself, but 60% of the way through, we hadn't had a single character development aside from pregnancy. And I don't really think that counts.
I won't give a rating to a book I DNF because I'm just not into the story. For me to give 1 star to a book I didn't finish, there has to be something that I absolutely hated and found offensive.
Amber Riggs is that something.
June 24, 2010
3 1/2 stars. This was a light, fun read. Dax is a dream worthy hero! I love a hero who is passionate about all of his feelings and expresses himself as such. Amber left a little to be desired, but I accepted her faults.
Over all, I'd recommend this book. It's my first by Ms. Shalvis, but I don't think it'll be my last.
Over all, I'd recommend this book. It's my first by Ms. Shalvis, but I don't think it'll be my last.
October 14, 2014
Really terrible book. I was excited to see Jill Shalvis had a book come out this past summer that I missed. We'll, it must have been a rerelease of an early book. It was awful. Must worse than those new romance authors that you can read for free. Jill Shalvis, I want my money back! The main character was so one sided that she came across as the horribly selfish and the guy came across as a saint. And their names? Amber and Dax? Horrible names.
June 11, 2010
2* means it was okay, and that's what it was: okay. I generally enjoy Jill Shalvis, but this was obviously an early work, short and not well fleshed out. Plus, I hate the whole "secret baby/keep child away from father" thing. Hate it!
May 18, 2014
Two-haiku review:
They're trapped together
Have sex after bad earthquake
Meet a year later
Early Shalvis book
Limited by Harlequin
Wish it were longer
They're trapped together
Have sex after bad earthquake
Meet a year later
Early Shalvis book
Limited by Harlequin
Wish it were longer
February 26, 2018
Another great book by Jill Shalvis. Amber and Dax are caught in a empty warehouse when a 6.5 earthquake happens. They think that they are going to die during the aftershocks. A year later, Amber is taking her three month old daughter in for a check-up when she sees Dax again. Dax is there with one of his sisters, and goes to talk to Amber. That is when he discovers the baby is his.
July 4, 2020
After years finally read this and I enjoyed it. Amber drove me little nuts though and breastfeeding should not be in books. It's wrong and gross. My opinion don't need a response to that. At least by end Amber came to get senses and agreed to marry Dax. She shouldn't have kept Taylor from him that's for sure it was horrible. He's a great dad and now they can be a family.
April 4, 2018
This came in The Feisty Firefighters Bundle. I almost didn't read it. But I am glad that I did. As usual, Shalvis has an interesting premise with a twist on both the one torrid night of sex and the secret baby themes. Characters were not quite as believable as they usually are.
August 20, 2017
Fluff - but not as good of character development as I would have wanted. Underwhelming
October 30, 2018
Nice and pretty, though improbable. Dax is a dream of a man. She is a fine lady.
March 15, 2019
When a soft hearted fire investigator hookups with up military mans daughter a baby n a strategic courtship are within their future. Loved meeting the family of this firefighter
October 10, 2021
Had me from the first chapter to the end.
June 28, 2022
3.5 stars
Cute and refreshing to see a new plot from her. I could've done without the heavy sap at the end, but overall I really enjoyed this one.
Cute and refreshing to see a new plot from her. I could've done without the heavy sap at the end, but overall I really enjoyed this one.
October 27, 2016
A feel good read!!
July 20, 2020
As with pretty much all Jill Shalvis books I read, I absolutely adored this one. I really appreciated that, though Dax was angry he didn't find out about Taylor until she was 3 months old, he was able to see Amber's point of view and didn't try to punish her for it. His focus instantly became Taylor and having a good relationship with her mother for Taylor's sake. Having one protagonist continually trying to punish the other because of some wrong can get old really fast. Overall, a wonderful story. I'm only sad I didn't get to see Amber and Taylor's meet up with Amber's father. The book features a HEA ending and no cliffhanger.
January 31, 2013
The beginning of this book sucked me in and the stakes that got raised by the third chapter kept me turning the pages. But then things started to fall apart for me and I've figured out why...
The premise of this book is a charming fire inspector, Dax, and an uptight real estate agent, Amber, get trapped in a dilapidated building during an earthquake. During those few hours of near death experiences they give into temptation and have coitus (I've been watching too much Big Bang Theory!). Afterwards, they get separated. Well, not really. She runs away from the scene, and then further away to Mexico. Once there she discovers she's pregnant. During the "aftershocks" both try in a lackluster manner to find each other with poor results. A year later, they bump into each other in the pediatrician's office. Big surprise for Dax!
All of that was fantastic! Dax is carefree with no attachments, but still responsible. Amber is a hot mess of insecurity because of her upbringing and she has low self esteem. That's a major reason for her not trying too hard to contact Dax, as well as for dodging his later attempts at becoming a family. And let me tell you, she dodges, ducks, and dives. She's mean, she's standoffish...she's a total Bitch to him. Yet he keeps coming back for more. That's what drove me absolutely insane. I have never met a man who would take that abuse and top it with some serious insecurities, low self esteem, and daddy issues. Shalvis may have brought me around if there had been more inner monologue over it. But there wasn't. A lot of their inner monologues, at this point in the book, focused on their activities and not their wounds or the reasons behind their wounds. Character growth didn't happen until 90% and by then I just didn't care.
The premise of this book is a charming fire inspector, Dax, and an uptight real estate agent, Amber, get trapped in a dilapidated building during an earthquake. During those few hours of near death experiences they give into temptation and have coitus (I've been watching too much Big Bang Theory!). Afterwards, they get separated. Well, not really. She runs away from the scene, and then further away to Mexico. Once there she discovers she's pregnant. During the "aftershocks" both try in a lackluster manner to find each other with poor results. A year later, they bump into each other in the pediatrician's office. Big surprise for Dax!
All of that was fantastic! Dax is carefree with no attachments, but still responsible. Amber is a hot mess of insecurity because of her upbringing and she has low self esteem. That's a major reason for her not trying too hard to contact Dax, as well as for dodging his later attempts at becoming a family. And let me tell you, she dodges, ducks, and dives. She's mean, she's standoffish...she's a total Bitch to him. Yet he keeps coming back for more. That's what drove me absolutely insane. I have never met a man who would take that abuse and top it with some serious insecurities, low self esteem, and daddy issues. Shalvis may have brought me around if there had been more inner monologue over it. But there wasn't. A lot of their inner monologues, at this point in the book, focused on their activities and not their wounds or the reasons behind their wounds. Character growth didn't happen until 90% and by then I just didn't care.
August 26, 2024
I'm on a mission to read all of my previous books to review them. I honestly don't know if I would have picked this book up now with my current book taste. It matches my Harlequin phase of reading, especially my old love of the secret baby trope. My first thought though while reading this was how big is this desk meant to be?
Amber and Dax were uptight vs emotional. I didn't particularly care about them separately or as a couple. I appreciate the effort to include difficult plot points like the traumatic experience of getting caught in an earthquake, and a horrific fire. But it lacked depth, I felt like their sex scene was described more vividly than getting trapped, and there was no resolution on the fire. Dax is hunting for an arsonist that murdered over 20 people including children and babies. Then the book just ends?
The sex scenes were okay, I felt uncomfortable with a couple of scenes where he intiates sex while she's asleep. She wakes up halfway through the sex scene having thought it was a dream. It just felt icky.
I didn't hate it so I feel like I can't give it a single star, but I'd say this a low two star rating.
Amber and Dax were uptight vs emotional. I didn't particularly care about them separately or as a couple. I appreciate the effort to include difficult plot points like the traumatic experience of getting caught in an earthquake, and a horrific fire. But it lacked depth, I felt like their sex scene was described more vividly than getting trapped, and there was no resolution on the fire. Dax is hunting for an arsonist that murdered over 20 people including children and babies. Then the book just ends?
The sex scenes were okay, I felt uncomfortable with a couple of scenes where he intiates sex while she's asleep. She wakes up halfway through the sex scene having thought it was a dream. It just felt icky.
I didn't hate it so I feel like I can't give it a single star, but I'd say this a low two star rating.
November 30, 2014
The first part of this book that focused on both Dax and Amber before they were rescued from the crumbling building were good. We had a very protective Dax, keeping Amber safe and helping to keep her calm even as aftershocks kept bringing more of the building down over their heads.
The second part, well, it needed a bit more character development.
Dax was a wonderfully sweet and sensitive man who really wore his heart on his sleeve and had a very tender side. Amber on the other hand was cold and stand-offish and really needed more work for us to really understand what made her like she is. We needed more internal dialogue as to her emotions and her thinking process and she constantly felt like a cold character pushing Dax away until the end.
I doubt any man would have put up with her hot and cold personality for that long.
I could however have done with an epilogue as the issues with Ambers father were never really resolved and the issue was not properly closed.
A sweet story none the less.
The second part, well, it needed a bit more character development.
Dax was a wonderfully sweet and sensitive man who really wore his heart on his sleeve and had a very tender side. Amber on the other hand was cold and stand-offish and really needed more work for us to really understand what made her like she is. We needed more internal dialogue as to her emotions and her thinking process and she constantly felt like a cold character pushing Dax away until the end.
I doubt any man would have put up with her hot and cold personality for that long.
I could however have done with an epilogue as the issues with Ambers father were never really resolved and the issue was not properly closed.
A sweet story none the less.
July 29, 2016
When an earthquake happens, two strangers find themselves huddled beneath a desk and, faced with the uncertainty of surviving, succumb to some life-affirming passion. When fate brings them back together again, along with the product of their passion, Amber and Dax are forced to confront their issues and deal with the aftershocks of their affair.
This was a good read. There was lots of tension, a bit of heat, and a sexy firefighter. Dax was a great character and I loved his family. Amber had lots of issues and at times I really wanted to smack her, but that just added to the tension that surrounded her and Dax’s relationship. A great second-chance romance story!
Read as part of the Feisty Firefighters Bundle.
This was a good read. There was lots of tension, a bit of heat, and a sexy firefighter. Dax was a great character and I loved his family. Amber had lots of issues and at times I really wanted to smack her, but that just added to the tension that surrounded her and Dax’s relationship. A great second-chance romance story!
Read as part of the Feisty Firefighters Bundle.
September 3, 2010
Earthquakes are a way of life for those of us who have lived in So. California for years. So I was immediately "at home" with the trauma and upset that such an occurrence could cause. That Dax and Amber found each other in that setting did not surprise me at all. Thus the story was a realistic outgrowth of circumstances that many of us have come to recognize and understand. It was especially interesting to see Amber work through the early "training" she received from her "emotionally unavailable" dad--his own disappointments translating into some pretty sick thinking and responding to life on the part of his daughter. Loved Dax. This is another great Shalvis story and one that will be a re-read for me in the months to come.
January 16, 2014
Amber and Dax meet during and Earth Quake where they are trapped together under a desk, and have hot 'were probably going to die so lets enjoy this' sex. once they are rescued Amber takes off when Dax is giving his report to the police with every intention of contacting him later. One year and no contact later Amber and Dax run in to each other at the pediatrician where Amber is taking there daughter Taylor to have a check up. Emotions fly as Amber try's to work past her childhood insecurities and Dax try's to make his way in to Amber's heart!
So not the best book in the world, though I LOVE Dax's family. Amber can get a little annoying in her single mindedness but over all I give it a 3 star... maybe 3.5
So not the best book in the world, though I LOVE Dax's family. Amber can get a little annoying in her single mindedness but over all I give it a 3 star... maybe 3.5
June 27, 2011
2.5 stars
This was just okay. I would have enjoyed it more if the heroine Amber hadn't been such a one-dimensional character.
Given her complete lack of friends and family, I found it hard to believe she could have a successful real estate career. That career demands social contacts and networking and Amber seemed to have none of that. She was closed off and distant. And taking an entire year off to go live in Mexico and then jumping right back into her job? Ridiculous.
I never understood what the hero Dax saw in her.
This was just okay. I would have enjoyed it more if the heroine Amber hadn't been such a one-dimensional character.
Given her complete lack of friends and family, I found it hard to believe she could have a successful real estate career. That career demands social contacts and networking and Amber seemed to have none of that. She was closed off and distant. And taking an entire year off to go live in Mexico and then jumping right back into her job? Ridiculous.
I never understood what the hero Dax saw in her.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 30, 2011
This is such a "Harlequin Temptation". They really do have a particular flavour to the stories in this line, and I can't say I'm really enthused about the stories in this line.
I read this because I am eagerly awaiting the next addition to Lucky Habor (book #3) and was hoping it would have the same flavour. I really can identify Jill Shalvis in this writing, but that's at war with the Harlequin Temptation flavour. So in the end this felt like it should have been a short story but was stretched out to a full length book.
From now on I'll just patiently wait for Lucky Harbour.
I read this because I am eagerly awaiting the next addition to Lucky Habor (book #3) and was hoping it would have the same flavour. I really can identify Jill Shalvis in this writing, but that's at war with the Harlequin Temptation flavour. So in the end this felt like it should have been a short story but was stretched out to a full length book.
From now on I'll just patiently wait for Lucky Harbour.
September 6, 2014
2.5
The part where H/h met and had their fling while stuck under the rubbles during the earthquake was 4-stars. The sex scene was really atmospheric and sexy. Up to when they met again and H realized that he's a father was 3-stars. After that the book became 2-stars - the mutual denial while H/h flirted with each other was dragged out way too long. After he told her he loved her and took her to see his family, there was just no single reason she should continue to distrust him while being totally attracted to him. Their banter became contrived.
The part where H/h met and had their fling while stuck under the rubbles during the earthquake was 4-stars. The sex scene was really atmospheric and sexy. Up to when they met again and H realized that he's a father was 3-stars. After that the book became 2-stars - the mutual denial while H/h flirted with each other was dragged out way too long. After he told her he loved her and took her to see his family, there was just no single reason she should continue to distrust him while being totally attracted to him. Their banter became contrived.
April 14, 2015
Jill Shalvis has the uncanny ability to dig deep into the emotions of damaged characters and take you along for the ride. Aftershock was an emotional roller coaster, from the beginning where the characters face their mortality to the aftermath, when they realize they've stumbled onto something much bigger than a moment of impulse. As always, Ms. Shalvis delivers a heart-wrenching, soul-baring, emotion-jerking story that leaves you yearning for "the perfect man" who can see past the damaged facade into the woman hiding inside.
January 11, 2016
Caught in a building that crashes during an earthquake, Amber Riggs and Dax McCall survive. In the passion of the moment, they celebrate being alive. Dax tries to find her, but Amber has fled. Her father's opinions of women and their so called bad behavior have marked her life. Dax and Amber accidentally meet at a doctors office. He is there with his pregnant sister and sees Amber with a baby. His 3 month old baby girl, Taylor. Trust is a major issue of Amber, her mother left and her father has controlled her life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews