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The After Party
Three women form an unbreakable bond in a sexy, suspenseful, and adventurous novel about empowerment and sisterhood through thick and thin.
Venus McGee, Draya Carter, and Jackie Benson are coworkers with a lot in common. They’re smart, independent, driven, and deserving of recognition—certainly more than they’ve been handed by a demoralizing boss. He’s the topic of conversation at their impromptu get-together after the company holiday party, where the threesome fantasizes about a life without him. There has to be an alternative to taking a deep breath and sucking it up. There is. It’s just not the one they expected.
When morning comes, Venus, Draya, and Jackie are blindsided by murder—a twist of fate that brings a startling new challenge to the table and forces them to navigate a hair-raising detour they never saw coming. For better and (unless they can help it) for worse, it’s going to turn their world upside down. What starts as a necessary bond of mutual trust soon morphs into an empowering and galvanizing friendship that Venus, Draya, and Jackie need now more than ever.
Venus McGee, Draya Carter, and Jackie Benson are coworkers with a lot in common. They’re smart, independent, driven, and deserving of recognition—certainly more than they’ve been handed by a demoralizing boss. He’s the topic of conversation at their impromptu get-together after the company holiday party, where the threesome fantasizes about a life without him. There has to be an alternative to taking a deep breath and sucking it up. There is. It’s just not the one they expected.
When morning comes, Venus, Draya, and Jackie are blindsided by murder—a twist of fate that brings a startling new challenge to the table and forces them to navigate a hair-raising detour they never saw coming. For better and (unless they can help it) for worse, it’s going to turn their world upside down. What starts as a necessary bond of mutual trust soon morphs into an empowering and galvanizing friendship that Venus, Draya, and Jackie need now more than ever.
351 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 9, 2021
809 people are currently reading
3809 people want to read
About the author
A.C. Arthur
185 books919 followersAC Arthur has worked as a paralegal in every field of law since high school, but her first love is and will always be writing romance. She’s written and won awards for her acclaimed Donovans and Shadow Shifters contemporary and paranormal romance series. Under her pen name, Lacey Baker, she created the quaint small town of Sweetland and wrote the novelization for the Original Hallmark Channel Movie, A Gingerbread Romance.
After years of hosting reader appreciation events, AC created the One Love Reunion, an event designed to bring readers and authors together to celebrate their love of books.
AC resides in Maryland with her family, where she’s currently working on her next book…or watching Criminal Minds.
After years of hosting reader appreciation events, AC created the One Love Reunion, an event designed to bring readers and authors together to celebrate their love of books.
AC resides in Maryland with her family, where she’s currently working on her next book…or watching Criminal Minds.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
February 21, 2025
Not my usual type of read but I really enjoyed my time with Jackie, Venus and Draya. There's just something about reading a tale of growing friendship between women with a background of a jerk getting his final comeuppance that's good for the soul.
February 2, 2022
Loved this book! Lots of good laughs, a little spice and some mystery. Perfect combination!
November 22, 2021
OMG, this book had some real Lucy and Ethel moments in it, most of them probably shouldn't have been funny, but they were. At the start, it seemed like Venus, Draya and Jackie were reluctant friends, work friends at that. Working for the same company with a horrible boss. Their musings at the Christmas party was all in good fun, it wasn't until the morning came and Draya got dragged into a mess that things got a bit crazy.
From there it seemed like for every 1 thing that they did that was normal, 2 or 3 crazy things happened that really made you wonder why they bothered to do anything the day after the Christmas party. The more that things spun out of control, the more that these women realized they could really depend on each other and that it was a good thing.
By the end of the book when everything was resolved, you can tell that the friendship that was forged in crisis will be here to stay and that all the women are the better for it.
From there it seemed like for every 1 thing that they did that was normal, 2 or 3 crazy things happened that really made you wonder why they bothered to do anything the day after the Christmas party. The more that things spun out of control, the more that these women realized they could really depend on each other and that it was a good thing.
By the end of the book when everything was resolved, you can tell that the friendship that was forged in crisis will be here to stay and that all the women are the better for it.
May 2, 2024
This one isn’t so bad but I think it’s a bit dragged on wayyy too much. But I love seeing the girls forming their friendship throughout the story. And I was tearful at the last bit of the book.
Currently reading
November 16, 2021This book is not for me. It seems to paint a stereotypical picture of young Professional African American women who behave in a negative, alcoholic, ghetto fabulous lifestyle. I regret purchasing this book, and I am an avid reader, but this is a tacky depiction of women of color.
January 27, 2023
it started off fantastic, but turned into a romance book with really gross, weirdly written sex scenes.
February 21, 2022
I get what the Author is trying to do with the story line. It eventually all came together at the end of the story. It was just a super slow read. If you stick until the end of the book you will be happy you finished. Just trust you have to stick to it. I did enjoy the laughs I had in the book also. Other parts of the book I really could relate to.
I love the friendship of all the women at the end of the book, made me smile. I thought, “This is what the Author wanted us to see as a whole. I see the point of what the Author was trying to show us all along.”
I love the friendship of all the women at the end of the book, made me smile. I thought, “This is what the Author wanted us to see as a whole. I see the point of what the Author was trying to show us all along.”
March 14, 2022
I started this book without knowing anything other than the audible is narrated by Bahni Turpin. By the time we got to the dead body I was beyond surprised! I just wasn’t expecting THAT type of turn of events. The characters were super relatable, the plot twists are entertaining and I found myself regularly laughing out loud.
I definitely recommend.
I definitely recommend.
September 16, 2024
I have this title a 3.8 🌟🌟🌟. Here's my review.
Characters
🎧 Venus, Lead Project Coordinator
🎧 Jackie, The facilities manager
🎧 Drea, Accounting
🎧 Rufus, The boss that everyone hates
FIRST OBSERVATIONS
🎭 I like that the story was set in Baltimore, which is relatable regarding (because I'm an hour away) the area and how gentrification has affected certain locations there.
🎭 All the women are successful professionals who care about their work and try to balance that with their personal lives.
🎭 All the ladies have a mutual dislike (hatred) for their boss, who, in one way or another, harassed them, bullying, and made sexual passes.
THE SHORT OF IT
The story is about three coworkers, Venus, Jackie, and Drea, who are aquatinted because they occasionally eat lunch together, but they are not good friends. At a Christmas party, they sit with one another, and all have the same sentiment: they hate Rufus.
After Venus has an encounter with Rufus over a project, they decide to take the party back to her condo (The Afterparty), where they pass the douche (yes, I said it) and talk about different ways to kill Rufus. This part was really funny because, let’s face it, we’ve all had moments with people at work, and maybe we wouldn’t wish them dead, but maybe just that they never returned.
Fast-forward…Drea gets a call from Rufus in the early morning that he needs to see her immediately so they can fix an accounting problem. And yes, he is blackmailing her, so she goes, but when she gets there, she finds Rufus dead.
She calls Venus and Jackie to the house to figure out what to do and NOT be accused of a crime. From there, the story begins as these ladies try to avoid being suspects in the murder. Through this ordeal, they form a bond with one another and come out better, even with the drama of personal relationships, work, and family pressures.
WHY BUT WHY
💨 I’m all for supporting my culture and giving characters spice, and I will always support these authors, but mannerisms and all those tropes we can do without.
💨 The characters (each one) all drove me crazy at some point because we can’t seem to get out of the way of ourselves and do what needs to be done.
ENDING
This ending fell flat for me because, typically, in a mystery novel, the reveal is told in a room of people who have something to do with the story or from one person’s perspective. I only had an hour left on my audiobook, and the killer still hadn’t been revealed.
In this story, you learn who the killer(s) is in a general conversation at a Christmas party. Then they introduced a whole new character as the killer, and I was like …what??? There could have been a different type of execution and a better way to reveal the ending.
Characters
🎧 Venus, Lead Project Coordinator
🎧 Jackie, The facilities manager
🎧 Drea, Accounting
🎧 Rufus, The boss that everyone hates
FIRST OBSERVATIONS
🎭 I like that the story was set in Baltimore, which is relatable regarding (because I'm an hour away) the area and how gentrification has affected certain locations there.
🎭 All the women are successful professionals who care about their work and try to balance that with their personal lives.
🎭 All the ladies have a mutual dislike (hatred) for their boss, who, in one way or another, harassed them, bullying, and made sexual passes.
THE SHORT OF IT
The story is about three coworkers, Venus, Jackie, and Drea, who are aquatinted because they occasionally eat lunch together, but they are not good friends. At a Christmas party, they sit with one another, and all have the same sentiment: they hate Rufus.
After Venus has an encounter with Rufus over a project, they decide to take the party back to her condo (The Afterparty), where they pass the douche (yes, I said it) and talk about different ways to kill Rufus. This part was really funny because, let’s face it, we’ve all had moments with people at work, and maybe we wouldn’t wish them dead, but maybe just that they never returned.
Fast-forward…Drea gets a call from Rufus in the early morning that he needs to see her immediately so they can fix an accounting problem. And yes, he is blackmailing her, so she goes, but when she gets there, she finds Rufus dead.
She calls Venus and Jackie to the house to figure out what to do and NOT be accused of a crime. From there, the story begins as these ladies try to avoid being suspects in the murder. Through this ordeal, they form a bond with one another and come out better, even with the drama of personal relationships, work, and family pressures.
WHY BUT WHY
💨 I’m all for supporting my culture and giving characters spice, and I will always support these authors, but mannerisms and all those tropes we can do without.
💨 The characters (each one) all drove me crazy at some point because we can’t seem to get out of the way of ourselves and do what needs to be done.
ENDING
This ending fell flat for me because, typically, in a mystery novel, the reveal is told in a room of people who have something to do with the story or from one person’s perspective. I only had an hour left on my audiobook, and the killer still hadn’t been revealed.
In this story, you learn who the killer(s) is in a general conversation at a Christmas party. Then they introduced a whole new character as the killer, and I was like …what??? There could have been a different type of execution and a better way to reveal the ending.
October 12, 2021
Venus, Draya, and Jackie are coworkers without much in common, besides their shared hatred of their boss, Rufus. But after they bond at an office holiday party, Rufus turns up in a pool of blood and they must team up to avoid suspicions from the cops.
This was marketed to me as similar to 9 to 5. And while it does have some of those elements, it doesn't have quite the same wild antics. It does, however, have memorable characters, steamy romances, an unpredictable mystery plot, and interesting commentary on being a woman in the workplace. It had a little bit of everything, and I enjoyed the ride!
Thanks to Montlake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This was marketed to me as similar to 9 to 5. And while it does have some of those elements, it doesn't have quite the same wild antics. It does, however, have memorable characters, steamy romances, an unpredictable mystery plot, and interesting commentary on being a woman in the workplace. It had a little bit of everything, and I enjoyed the ride!
Thanks to Montlake for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
March 25, 2023
I wanted to enjoy this book, but nope it just bored me. For these women to be heads of their department and in their 30’s they seem to make stupid choices.
Read
January 25, 2022Fun story!! I definitely did not guess any of the mystery components ahead of time but also sometimes they felt a little random?? think i have spoiled myself by reading a looooooot of lit fic, which tends to reveal plot points and information in a sort of more subtle/understated way?? not sure if Those are the right words and I don’t want to overgeneralize but I find myself feeling a little judgy of styles that are more blunt I guess. idk I had fun reading it and i think it was good and I congratulate the author on their hard work and very sweet friendship development but it’s not my fave thing I’ve ever read. Been noticing this whole distaste for blunter styles cause I’ve been reading more chick-lit/romance and I’m still having trouble putting words to it exactly
October 7, 2024
Getting drunk and talking about killing your boss is crazy 😂😂 this little work friend group is funny.
Rufus trifling as hell. Using his power over his employees. DIRTYYYY. Getting caught up in the house while your boss is murdered???? Excuse me. Ok Draya is def the slow friend 😭🫤🫤
Malik… Venus. Jackie.. Karlie. My mind was racing 😂
So much was unpacked in this book!
Rufus trifling as hell. Using his power over his employees. DIRTYYYY. Getting caught up in the house while your boss is murdered???? Excuse me. Ok Draya is def the slow friend 😭🫤🫤
Malik… Venus. Jackie.. Karlie. My mind was racing 😂
So much was unpacked in this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2025
This one had a good plot and fun characters, but it took me a long time to really get into it—and even longer to finish. It wasn’t bad, just didn’t fully hook me the way I hoped.
There were definitely parts I enjoyed, and I’m glad I finished it, but overall it felt a bit slow for me. A decent read, just not a favorite.
There were definitely parts I enjoyed, and I’m glad I finished it, but overall it felt a bit slow for me. A decent read, just not a favorite.
November 6, 2022
A sassy and hip story about three women with nothing in common becomes friends after they find their boss murdered. Meet Andrea, Jackie and Venus. They each work for the same company but their boss is a true butt head. The story is funny not because of the situations they find themselves in. It’s because the responses made in each situation and sometimes just because. There are a few puff sessions but overall an okay read.
December 10, 2021
Great read with excellent characters. I loved how the three very different women came together. 4.5 rounded up. :)
November 29, 2024
2.5 rounded up.
This is an enjoyable novel about friendship, and it touches on heavy topics. It moves very slowly, though. It definitely should've been shorter.
This is an enjoyable novel about friendship, and it touches on heavy topics. It moves very slowly, though. It definitely should've been shorter.
May 10, 2022
I really enjoyed this one. Characters were relatable. I liked how these women came from different backgrounds but at the same time they had similar experiences.
December 16, 2021
Okay -- so that promotions on Facebook got me. I saw this show up in my feed like a ga-zillion times and I had to get it. We all have those great work buddies but could your friendship survive murder? Child, I had a few good chuckles with this one. I really like books that explore the bonds of female relationships and this did not disappoint.
December 12, 2021
Enjoyed it, some moments of repetitive description (the warmth). the story was more about the friendships forged then the actual whodunnit. Listened with audible, the performance was great.
January 9, 2022
Am a sucker for books about femme friendship. Am a sucker for books about found family. This one was perfect and hit me right in the feelings.
March 1, 2022
I wish I had a time machine…
July 2, 2023
Three coworkers share a mutual hate for their despicable womanizing boss. One night after a company party they playfully fantasized about how they would each take him out, little did they know someone beat them to the punch. But who? The events that follow morph their relationship from a few women who occasionally share a lunch table to a true sisterhood. The women each have been undervalued or cast aside at some point though out their lives, but they each show they when it comes down to it they can hold their own and hold it down for those closest to them. That is if they ever let anyone close.
A little mystery mixed with a tale of friendship, and sprinkled with a dash of romance. Each of the three women discover who they truly are and what they want out of this crazy life.
A little mystery mixed with a tale of friendship, and sprinkled with a dash of romance. Each of the three women discover who they truly are and what they want out of this crazy life.
August 8, 2025
Book review 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
The After Party at A.C. Arthur
“Y’all, come quick! I just found our boss dead in his foyer and I need help hiding his body!”
This book had me from the cover! I was laughing out loud at my desk while reading this book! The beginning had me thinking they all were stupid ass hell and had no sense, but it quickly escalated and turned into one of my favorite books this year! Drags, Venus and Jackie reminds me of my girls and I! One call, that’s all 🤭🤣
Add to your tbr if you want to laugh!!!
#goodreads #bookrecommendation #bookreviews
The After Party at A.C. Arthur
“Y’all, come quick! I just found our boss dead in his foyer and I need help hiding his body!”
This book had me from the cover! I was laughing out loud at my desk while reading this book! The beginning had me thinking they all were stupid ass hell and had no sense, but it quickly escalated and turned into one of my favorite books this year! Drags, Venus and Jackie reminds me of my girls and I! One call, that’s all 🤭🤣
Add to your tbr if you want to laugh!!!
#goodreads #bookrecommendation #bookreviews
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 27, 2026
The only reason I didn’t straight up dislike this book are the characters. I really enjoyed reading about these three very different women being brought together by life and deciding to stick with each other, love each othwr and unwaveringly support each other. Also liked seeing the relationships they have (or don’t have) with their families, and how each one of them handles herself and her circumstances.
I could absolutely have done without everything else, ESPECIALLY the plot. The murder timeline was so corny and silly. I was glad it was slow moving at the end because it meant it was sometimes forgotten or at least easily ignored when it wasn’t front and center. I hope the author knows that she writes fantastic characters amd that their exploration stands strong without some silly plot to pad it the edges. Just my two cents as someone who could consume character driven books for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
I could absolutely have done without everything else, ESPECIALLY the plot. The murder timeline was so corny and silly. I was glad it was slow moving at the end because it meant it was sometimes forgotten or at least easily ignored when it wasn’t front and center. I hope the author knows that she writes fantastic characters amd that their exploration stands strong without some silly plot to pad it the edges. Just my two cents as someone who could consume character driven books for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
June 22, 2023
I liked the concept for this more than the execution. I like the characters and there was definitely some really great moments and the way the author built the mystery making suspicion fall on multiple different people. This was just a little slow. It had trouble holding my attention and I couldn’t focus on the storyline at points. I did really like that there’s a really good found family subplot.
March 24, 2022
3.5 stars.
November 30, 2021
SUSPENSEFUL
Three ladies that became friends through a killing. What a exciting and page turning story. I finished this book in three days. When I tell you the bond these ladies developed over someone trying to frame them was amazing. The way she described her characters you say I have a friend like that. The workplace drama that turns into a who done it is amazing. If you want a really good suspense story this is it.
Three ladies that became friends through a killing. What a exciting and page turning story. I finished this book in three days. When I tell you the bond these ladies developed over someone trying to frame them was amazing. The way she described her characters you say I have a friend like that. The workplace drama that turns into a who done it is amazing. If you want a really good suspense story this is it.
November 12, 2021
It’s said that a harrowing experience can bring people closer. That’s exactly what happens to three co-workers – Venus, Draya, and Jackie – on the night of their company Christmas party. None of them expected what was to come in the morning, but when they’re all implicated in a murder, they decide to band together instead of leaving each woman to herself. Will they be able to find the real killer before one of them goes to jail?
Although coming from very different backgrounds, the three women share a lot of common qualities. They’re hard workers, smart, driven, and loyal to a fault. These things, as well as a mutual dislike of their boss, Rufus, are what bond the women together initially, but as the investigation progresses, they find love and support from each other as well as from surprising sources.
Of the three, Jackie was my favorite. I wanted to take her home and feed her and let her know that she had a safe place to hang out. She also felt to me like the best developed character, although the other two were complete, too. Venus was relatable to me in the way that she felt she always had to act in a way that wouldn’t harm her father’s political careers. Although neither of my parents were ever politicians, I do understand the whole ‘don’t embarrass me’ environment that she grew up in, and felt she had to adhere to as an adult. Draya was the one I had the hardest time relating to; however, I loved her spirit. There wasn’t anything that was going to stop her from getting whatever she wanted, and I can admire that.
At times, the murder mystery took a back seat to the budding friendship between the women, which was okay with me. As much as I love a good mystery, these three were a riot when they were together. The author does a good job of dropping little breadcrumbs here and there about the murder. Watching the girls make the connections, find the information, and figure out the truth was well worth the wait. I would even enjoy a follow up book about the three and where they are a year or two after all this ended, simply because they were so much fun to be around.
Although coming from very different backgrounds, the three women share a lot of common qualities. They’re hard workers, smart, driven, and loyal to a fault. These things, as well as a mutual dislike of their boss, Rufus, are what bond the women together initially, but as the investigation progresses, they find love and support from each other as well as from surprising sources.
Of the three, Jackie was my favorite. I wanted to take her home and feed her and let her know that she had a safe place to hang out. She also felt to me like the best developed character, although the other two were complete, too. Venus was relatable to me in the way that she felt she always had to act in a way that wouldn’t harm her father’s political careers. Although neither of my parents were ever politicians, I do understand the whole ‘don’t embarrass me’ environment that she grew up in, and felt she had to adhere to as an adult. Draya was the one I had the hardest time relating to; however, I loved her spirit. There wasn’t anything that was going to stop her from getting whatever she wanted, and I can admire that.
At times, the murder mystery took a back seat to the budding friendship between the women, which was okay with me. As much as I love a good mystery, these three were a riot when they were together. The author does a good job of dropping little breadcrumbs here and there about the murder. Watching the girls make the connections, find the information, and figure out the truth was well worth the wait. I would even enjoy a follow up book about the three and where they are a year or two after all this ended, simply because they were so much fun to be around.
November 29, 2021
The question is who did it?
Draya, Venus, and Jackie are unlikely friends. They find themselves connected because of a mutual dislike of a couple of people. This is a good story of sisterhood and acceptance. It has its fair share of mystery and death. Each lady has some really bad things happen but in the end they are sisters forever. Good read..good to the last word.
Draya, Venus, and Jackie are unlikely friends. They find themselves connected because of a mutual dislike of a couple of people. This is a good story of sisterhood and acceptance. It has its fair share of mystery and death. Each lady has some really bad things happen but in the end they are sisters forever. Good read..good to the last word.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews