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After Hours #2
Fire We Make
A spark can easily become a flame….
Kenya Whitmore is a lawyer with a fast paced life and no time for love. Her last relationship ended four years ago and she is more than happy to spend time with friends and take care of her own needs. Her world is turned upside down when British IT manager Sydney Foster comes in to work at her office. Sydney represents everything Kenya has been looking for in a woman and more.
Focused, driven and ambitious Kenya knows she’s the full package. So when she sets her sights on Sydney she is sure she’ll get her woman. When obstacles prove that it won’t be as easy as she thought, Kenya has to decide if Sydney is someone worth fighting for.
This is a F/F romantic short standalone story. The series is connected by theme and not characters so can be read out of sequence. Intended for mature audiences.
After Hours Series
A touch, a glance, a conversation you wish would never end. You never know when love will take over and sweep you off your feet and it can happen in the most unexpected places. Join our ladies as they find love at work but discover that after hours is when the real fun begins….
Kenya Whitmore is a lawyer with a fast paced life and no time for love. Her last relationship ended four years ago and she is more than happy to spend time with friends and take care of her own needs. Her world is turned upside down when British IT manager Sydney Foster comes in to work at her office. Sydney represents everything Kenya has been looking for in a woman and more.
Focused, driven and ambitious Kenya knows she’s the full package. So when she sets her sights on Sydney she is sure she’ll get her woman. When obstacles prove that it won’t be as easy as she thought, Kenya has to decide if Sydney is someone worth fighting for.
This is a F/F romantic short standalone story. The series is connected by theme and not characters so can be read out of sequence. Intended for mature audiences.
After Hours Series
A touch, a glance, a conversation you wish would never end. You never know when love will take over and sweep you off your feet and it can happen in the most unexpected places. Join our ladies as they find love at work but discover that after hours is when the real fun begins….
Kindle Edition
First published October 8, 2019
39 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
About the author
Ava Freeman
19 books67 followersAva Freeman writes contemporary romance that centers the Black queer woman’s experience. Through her stories, she strives to give readers rich, complex characters that always find their happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 6, 2020
So cute..
This was such a cute romance. I can't even begin to explain why I enjoyed it so much. I think that Freeman just in general is a really great writer and has the ability to capture the chemistry between their characters. I really enjoyed seeing Kenya as a powerful attorney in this firm and the fact that she was a black woman with a position of power in this firm. And then you add Sydney who is a black woman in a power of position in the tech industry. So I like that they placed both of their main characters in positions where they are in power. Everyone knows that I'm a huge stickler for chemistry whenever I read romance books and there was a lot of chemistry between Kenya and Sydney. They got along so well. They were attentive to each other's needs and I like that they had this conflict of attempting to figure out how to workout a long distance relationship. And it was so nice to see that both characters were so committed to making their relationship work. I think sometimes it's easy to think that people should give up on long distance relationships. I think overall this was just a fun part of the series and I just really really liked the main characters. They both just had this easy going spirit. And it made it more fun to read about their experiences with one another. And not to mention the sexy scenes were pretty steamy. I didn't see any of the characters from the 1st book so I'm not sure if the series needs to be read in order. But so far this is probably going to be my favorite book.
This was such a cute romance. I can't even begin to explain why I enjoyed it so much. I think that Freeman just in general is a really great writer and has the ability to capture the chemistry between their characters. I really enjoyed seeing Kenya as a powerful attorney in this firm and the fact that she was a black woman with a position of power in this firm. And then you add Sydney who is a black woman in a power of position in the tech industry. So I like that they placed both of their main characters in positions where they are in power. Everyone knows that I'm a huge stickler for chemistry whenever I read romance books and there was a lot of chemistry between Kenya and Sydney. They got along so well. They were attentive to each other's needs and I like that they had this conflict of attempting to figure out how to workout a long distance relationship. And it was so nice to see that both characters were so committed to making their relationship work. I think sometimes it's easy to think that people should give up on long distance relationships. I think overall this was just a fun part of the series and I just really really liked the main characters. They both just had this easy going spirit. And it made it more fun to read about their experiences with one another. And not to mention the sexy scenes were pretty steamy. I didn't see any of the characters from the 1st book so I'm not sure if the series needs to be read in order. But so far this is probably going to be my favorite book.
January 4, 2021
If I have a complaint is that this was too short. Wanted more of Kenya’s story. Loved that she was lonely, but not desperate. Both characters were likable, especially Sidney. Really liked the natural pace of their low angst love story.
February 5, 2020
4 stars. God, I'm loving this series. Two black women falling in love? What more could I possibly ask for? These are short and romantic and super sexy and steamy. The characters feel authentic and real. Sydney is Jamaican and Kenya is African American and I loved the discussion and talks about Sydney's culture. The ending was adorable and I loved their chemistry. Another great read in this series.
January 15, 2020
3.5 stars. Thoughts to come.
January 22, 2020
rep: Black lesbian mcs
April 11, 2021
This book was so darn gooodddddd! I absolutely adored Kenya and Sydney. So much Black Girl Magic in this book. Kenya is 35 and she is a boss. One of the top lawyers in her firms. Sydney is the IT director for the Law firm’s London location. Seeing two Black women at the top of their fields warmed my heart. To see them adored, congratulated and respected was just a joy to see. I loved the relationship that Kenya had with her friends. It’s obvious that they care for each other even when sometimes a form hand is needed. Okay, the chemistry between Kenya and Sydney was thick! What impressed me was the way that Kenya relaxed and allowed Sydney another side of herself. It’s like Sydney knew what Kenya needed to just go with the flow. I liked that. They had a lot in common and it complimented each other. I was worried about the small hiccup that they had but I’m glad that it was handled in a mature way. No drama, but great communication. The sex scenes were good. Nothing over the top or super steamy but ai enjoyed it. The storyline just worked for me. It didn’t happen much but I enjoyed the quick conversation they had about the differences of being Black in America Vs England. Being an immigrant i related to that. I also loved the quick touch on her Caribbean heritage. This book showed the work that goes into long distance relationships and how sometimes it pays to do the work because something beautiful can be on the other side. We got a HFN and i know i say this a lot but i wish this was a full length book. I really enjoyed this and recommend for anyone looking for a black lesbian romance with two boss babes who instantly clicked.
March 13, 2024
The only reason I’m giving 4 stars is because of how short it was :( for this being a short & quick read though, I really loved the progression of Kenya & Sydney’s relationship. This is my second read of Ava Freeman; she’s gained a fan in me for sure.
October 20, 2025
i kept waiting for the ‘fire’ part of the fire we make. still waiting, actually.
🌶️: explicit & open door | tropes: workplace romance, mutual pining | representation: black, sapphic
🌶️: explicit & open door | tropes: workplace romance, mutual pining | representation: black, sapphic
January 19, 2020
😍
I love that I’ve found this author. I have been starved of stories that has characters that I could relate to — professional women of color who are gay. I love the characters, setting, dialogue, and the HEA.
I love that I’ve found this author. I have been starved of stories that has characters that I could relate to — professional women of color who are gay. I love the characters, setting, dialogue, and the HEA.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews