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After Everyone Else
From the acclaimed author of Before Anyone Else comes a captivating new novel about the lengths we will go to protect the ones we love.
Bailey thought she'd gotten her happy ending. She is married to the man she loves, she has started a family, and her design business is flourishing. But when Bailey's ex-husband, a famous TV chef, is found murdered with her DNA all over his apartment and body, she is suddenly facing murder charges in a high-profile case. Already burdened by the demands and challenges of marriage, motherhood, and her career, Bailey now must do everything she can to prove her innocence. But it's the ones she thought would surely be on her side--her enigmatic lawyer and her husband--who might be doubting her innocence the most.
Alternating between the past and present, After Everyone Else chronicles the grip of the past, the challenges of forgiveness, and the resilient love we save for the person we love after everyone else.
Bailey thought she'd gotten her happy ending. She is married to the man she loves, she has started a family, and her design business is flourishing. But when Bailey's ex-husband, a famous TV chef, is found murdered with her DNA all over his apartment and body, she is suddenly facing murder charges in a high-profile case. Already burdened by the demands and challenges of marriage, motherhood, and her career, Bailey now must do everything she can to prove her innocence. But it's the ones she thought would surely be on her side--her enigmatic lawyer and her husband--who might be doubting her innocence the most.
Alternating between the past and present, After Everyone Else chronicles the grip of the past, the challenges of forgiveness, and the resilient love we save for the person we love after everyone else.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 22, 2022
5 people are currently reading
2742 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
June 23, 2022
Bailey and Griffin are truly a couple to be envied. They are madly in love, respect and value each other #couplegoals
Everything is seemingly perfect with them and their young adult daughter until Bailey is accused is murdering her ex husband. Her DNA is eveywhere and she's on a mission to prove her innocence.
Alternating between past and present, this story had me glued to my seat. I loved hearing of their young marriage and raising their daughter in the past. I was also completely intrigued by the mystery of the dead ex husband. Their marriage wasn't always so picture perfect and there were some significant road bumps in their relationship with each other and their daughter.
As someone's whose dream is to open a restaurant some day, I was completely fascinated by Bailey's job as a restaurant designer. From discussions of fabric, to layout, to light fixtures to barware, I was mesmerized.
Everything is seemingly perfect with them and their young adult daughter until Bailey is accused is murdering her ex husband. Her DNA is eveywhere and she's on a mission to prove her innocence.
Alternating between past and present, this story had me glued to my seat. I loved hearing of their young marriage and raising their daughter in the past. I was also completely intrigued by the mystery of the dead ex husband. Their marriage wasn't always so picture perfect and there were some significant road bumps in their relationship with each other and their daughter.
As someone's whose dream is to open a restaurant some day, I was completely fascinated by Bailey's job as a restaurant designer. From discussions of fabric, to layout, to light fixtures to barware, I was mesmerized.
June 21, 2022
I love Leslie Hooton and this book proves why! It alternates between the past and present which is my favorite kinda book anyway, we get a look into the earlier years when Bailey and Griffin are first married and the arrival of their daughter to the present which leads us to the current situation of the murder investigation. I love Leslie’s writing and how she writes her characters, this is a family drama that I got caught up in quickly with a dash of murder mystery on the side which was just perfect. This book can be read as a stand alone but I also highly recommend reading Before Anyone Else to connect with Bailey as well.
You do not want to miss this book, order your copy now! Out June 28th!!!
You do not want to miss this book, order your copy now! Out June 28th!!!
July 2, 2022
After Everyone Else is another wonderful book by the very talented Leslie Hooton. This is my third book by this fabulous author and I think it’s my favorite!!! This can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend you read Before Everyone Else to get a better feel and understanding of the characters. I love the writing style of Ms. Hooton and she does not disappoint in this one. Told in dual timelines, past and present, this is Bailey’s and Griffin’s story and it is a fascinating one. This compelling story flows from through the timelines very smoothly and makes reading it a delight!!! This captivating story has family drama at its best, mystery and murder. It will show just how far someone will go to protect their love ones. A beautifully written story that should not be missed. I highly recommend it!!!
Thank you Leslie Hooton and Turner Publishing for the honor to receive an advanced copy of this enticing book in exchange for my honest review.
#aftereveryoneelse #lesliehooton #arc #turnerpublishing
Thank you Leslie Hooton and Turner Publishing for the honor to receive an advanced copy of this enticing book in exchange for my honest review.
#aftereveryoneelse #lesliehooton #arc #turnerpublishing
July 1, 2022
Bailey's ex husband, a Chef, is murdered and she's a prime suspect. She's quite busy and has to now focus on proving her innocence.
As a foodie, I enjoyed the restaurant/design themes. The story is told in a THEN and NOW format which can be helpful especially in mysteries, ideally moving the story along quicker. AFTER EVERYONE ELSE balances murder mystery with relationship/family drama pretty well, yet lengthy. This book was too long at 325 pages. There was A LOT of dialogue throughout which hindered the pace of the read. This author's writing style was choppy. I came away neutral on Bailey's character; she certainly held strong ties to her family and was a protector. Her type career was interesting and fostered a nice distraction.
Overall it was a solid 3 star read but perhaps if the author focused on either mystery or family drama it would've delivered better - been shorter and moved faster for this reader. Having too much jam-packed in the story makes it all a jumble somehow if not done well.
The cover of this book is so busy - much like the story itself. It took me a few tries to delve deeply into this read. I usually prefer books to grab me from the first page, or first chapter because I'm such a picky/mood reader and this one took several chapters for me to sink in.
Thank you to Wunderkind PR for bringing this author to my attention and sending me an ARC to read and review.
As a foodie, I enjoyed the restaurant/design themes. The story is told in a THEN and NOW format which can be helpful especially in mysteries, ideally moving the story along quicker. AFTER EVERYONE ELSE balances murder mystery with relationship/family drama pretty well, yet lengthy. This book was too long at 325 pages. There was A LOT of dialogue throughout which hindered the pace of the read. This author's writing style was choppy. I came away neutral on Bailey's character; she certainly held strong ties to her family and was a protector. Her type career was interesting and fostered a nice distraction.
Overall it was a solid 3 star read but perhaps if the author focused on either mystery or family drama it would've delivered better - been shorter and moved faster for this reader. Having too much jam-packed in the story makes it all a jumble somehow if not done well.
The cover of this book is so busy - much like the story itself. It took me a few tries to delve deeply into this read. I usually prefer books to grab me from the first page, or first chapter because I'm such a picky/mood reader and this one took several chapters for me to sink in.
Thank you to Wunderkind PR for bringing this author to my attention and sending me an ARC to read and review.
June 13, 2022
After Everyone Else by Leslie Hooton is a highly recommended family drama.
Bailey has just been charges with the murder of her ex-husband. She knows she is innocent and can explain all the DNA evidence, but she is also concerned that someone she loves, either her husband of 23 years Griffin or their daughter, Charlie, is responsible for the death. This novel is about the intricacy and challenges of marriage and motherhood and the lengths Bailey will go to protect the ones she loves.
The narration alternates between chapters set in the past, which cover when Bailey and Griffin are first married, the arrival of Charlie, and their life leading up to the current situation, and chapters from the present, which cover the murder investigation. Frankly the current now chapters are not as interesting and don't hold the weight of the before chapters. The murder charges, although starting out the novel, are really more of an afterthought when actually reading. The true focus of the novel is the story of the family.
The quality of the writing is quite good and the plot and actions flows smoothly while reading. This is really more of a family drama/chick lit than murder mystery, so keep that in mind if you are looking for a novel featuring an intricate mystery and investigation. The interest and appeal are found in the family history and the investigation is simply an extension of the story of the family. After Everyone Else follows a previous novel, Before Anyone Else which also features Bailey's life. I felt like After Everyone Else worked as a stand alone, however I haven't read the first novel.
If you are looking for a tense, compelling murder mystery, pass this one by. If you appreciate women's fiction and family dramas that cover a span of years, this might be an excellent choice for you.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Turner Publishing Group.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/0...
Bailey has just been charges with the murder of her ex-husband. She knows she is innocent and can explain all the DNA evidence, but she is also concerned that someone she loves, either her husband of 23 years Griffin or their daughter, Charlie, is responsible for the death. This novel is about the intricacy and challenges of marriage and motherhood and the lengths Bailey will go to protect the ones she loves.
The narration alternates between chapters set in the past, which cover when Bailey and Griffin are first married, the arrival of Charlie, and their life leading up to the current situation, and chapters from the present, which cover the murder investigation. Frankly the current now chapters are not as interesting and don't hold the weight of the before chapters. The murder charges, although starting out the novel, are really more of an afterthought when actually reading. The true focus of the novel is the story of the family.
The quality of the writing is quite good and the plot and actions flows smoothly while reading. This is really more of a family drama/chick lit than murder mystery, so keep that in mind if you are looking for a novel featuring an intricate mystery and investigation. The interest and appeal are found in the family history and the investigation is simply an extension of the story of the family. After Everyone Else follows a previous novel, Before Anyone Else which also features Bailey's life. I felt like After Everyone Else worked as a stand alone, however I haven't read the first novel.
If you are looking for a tense, compelling murder mystery, pass this one by. If you appreciate women's fiction and family dramas that cover a span of years, this might be an excellent choice for you.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Turner Publishing Group.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2022/0...
June 29, 2022
Happy Pub Day @lesliehooton 🎉. After Everyone Else is an entertaining family drama, with sprinkles of mystery and romance laced through out. I went into this novel with an open mind and no expectations as it was my first time reading a book by Leslie Hooton. I am happy to say I was pleasantly surprised; the book was just as fantastic as the cover! I also thoroughly enjoyed the authors witty and thoughtful writing style. She addresses real life issues, such as addiction, loss and marital strife, with sensitivity and tact.
After Everyone Else is told in dual time lines, now and then, which I always enjoy. The story is written from the point of view of Bailey. A very successful Interior designer who is happily married to her soulmate Griffin, and mother to Charlotte. Bailey’s life is bliss. That is until her ex-husband was found murdered and her DNA is discovered all over the crime scene.
No spoilers from me. Go grab a copy of this beautifully written story. Thank you to @wunderbookspr and @lesliehooton for my arc of After Everyone Else, in exchange for my honest review.
After Everyone Else is told in dual time lines, now and then, which I always enjoy. The story is written from the point of view of Bailey. A very successful Interior designer who is happily married to her soulmate Griffin, and mother to Charlotte. Bailey’s life is bliss. That is until her ex-husband was found murdered and her DNA is discovered all over the crime scene.
No spoilers from me. Go grab a copy of this beautifully written story. Thank you to @wunderbookspr and @lesliehooton for my arc of After Everyone Else, in exchange for my honest review.
June 28, 2022
…”It won’t be just us anymore. I have loved you, Griffin, before anyone else, and I know I will love you after everyone else. Let’s go meet our baby because we have the chance to love it before anyone else.”
“You’re real. And you’re my whole world.”
“Maybe we were all beautiful disasters.”
“Epic love is not about never having rough patches—it’s about getting through those rough patches together.”
“It’s astonishing how time and weathering can bring out the true beauty of things.”
“You don’t have to let me go. Not all the way. I’ll always hunt sea glass with you.”
“Maybe , with time and weathering, we become beautiful like sea glass.”
Leslie did it again! This sequel to Before Anyone Else was everything I wanted and more.
To be back with Bae and Griffin was everything. I loved seeing their journey through marriage and children. I could relate so much.
Leslie’s writing reminds me of home. I find it so soothing. I was so happy to be in her world. I can’t wait for the next one!
“You’re real. And you’re my whole world.”
“Maybe we were all beautiful disasters.”
“Epic love is not about never having rough patches—it’s about getting through those rough patches together.”
“It’s astonishing how time and weathering can bring out the true beauty of things.”
“You don’t have to let me go. Not all the way. I’ll always hunt sea glass with you.”
“Maybe , with time and weathering, we become beautiful like sea glass.”
Leslie did it again! This sequel to Before Anyone Else was everything I wanted and more.
To be back with Bae and Griffin was everything. I loved seeing their journey through marriage and children. I could relate so much.
Leslie’s writing reminds me of home. I find it so soothing. I was so happy to be in her world. I can’t wait for the next one!
September 25, 2022
Thanks to the publisher for this arc. I hate that I didn’t love this one. When I read the synopsis I was expecting more of a murder mystery - but that was such a small part of this book. This was more of a family drama. I just couldn’t relate to the characters at all.
It wasn’t bad, overall, it just wasn’t for me.
It wasn’t bad, overall, it just wasn’t for me.
June 29, 2022
I love the depth, and emotion this author gives to characters as well as the writing style. You get to know the characters through the past and as the book progresses it eventually connects with the present. It was a little surprising to see the story focused on the past more than the present murder but that didn’t bother me. There were cliffhangers at the end of some of the chapters and plenty of drama to keep me engaged. I loved how descriptive the setting and food was. I could picture the restaurants and practically taste the food. Overall a great read.
Thank you @lesliehooton and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.
Thank you @lesliehooton and @suzyapprovedbooktours for the gifted copy.
September 2, 2022
My favorite of Leslie’s books! The relationships in this book are so deep and complex. I can’t recommend this book enough! 💙
July 31, 2022
Leslie Hooton is such a treasure, and her books always feel like a warm hug from your southern auntie.
I absolutely loved diving back into the world of Bailey and Griffin in this book that serves as a prequel to Before Anyone Else. The back and forth timeline between past and present was a great device to help the story flow, and I was entirely invested equally in the young parenting years and the murder investigation. Bae and Griffin feel like old friends, so this book was like coming home.
Leslie writes in such a relatable, engaging style that you just can’t help but to devour the book in nearly one sitting. I kept flipping the pages, laughing and biting my nails, wanting to know what happened next.
This is a mix of Southern fiction, murder mystery, and family drama, all rolled into something that is readable enough that I’d call if a beach read.
I have to preorder all of Leslie’s books because she’s one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to see what she writes next! Please check this one out - it was just released last week!
I absolutely loved diving back into the world of Bailey and Griffin in this book that serves as a prequel to Before Anyone Else. The back and forth timeline between past and present was a great device to help the story flow, and I was entirely invested equally in the young parenting years and the murder investigation. Bae and Griffin feel like old friends, so this book was like coming home.
Leslie writes in such a relatable, engaging style that you just can’t help but to devour the book in nearly one sitting. I kept flipping the pages, laughing and biting my nails, wanting to know what happened next.
This is a mix of Southern fiction, murder mystery, and family drama, all rolled into something that is readable enough that I’d call if a beach read.
I have to preorder all of Leslie’s books because she’s one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to see what she writes next! Please check this one out - it was just released last week!
July 10, 2022
Just finished this “stand alone sequel” as the author calls it – After Everyone Else. This revisits the same characters from her first book – Before Anyone Else, which explores the concept of BAE – the one person you turn to who is there for you no matter what, and they stand by you no matter what. For Bailey, a restaurant designer, her BAE is her brother’s best friend Griffin. Bailey’s brother Henry, their dad and Griffin all own/work in several successful restaurants. In After Everyone Else, Baily and Griffin are “middle agers” with a “let’s see how far I can push the envelope” daughter Charlie. When Bailey’s ex-husband is found murdered and her fingerprints are found all over his apartment and the murder weapon, she must decide how far she will go to protect the ones she loves. Both her husband and daughter have reason to have murdered her ex, but if they are guilty, will they speak up, or will they let her take the blame? Written in a dual time-line, the reader sees the story progress from Bailey’s point of view, from the early years of marriage and motherhood (which Bailey is woefully underprepared and has no confidence in herself as a mother), to the present day when she’s charged with the crime. As Bailey struggles with her marriage, her rebellious daughter, and proving her innocence she realizes “sometimes we have great sadness and disappointment and it can sit side by side with something that brings us joy. We have to be grateful to both and dwell on the joy.” What a lovely quote from the book – and it so well sums up what’s at the heart of this book. We always can find hope – we just have to look for it really hard sometimes.
Absolutely loved this book and devoured it in a few days’ time! Although I don’t think you have to read the first one to enjoy the second, personally I think you will enjoy the book more if you have read Before Anyone Else. Treat yourself to both books – you won’t be disappointed!
Absolutely loved this book and devoured it in a few days’ time! Although I don’t think you have to read the first one to enjoy the second, personally I think you will enjoy the book more if you have read Before Anyone Else. Treat yourself to both books – you won’t be disappointed!
May 29, 2022
Bailey’s ex-husband Elliot has been murdered. The bad news? Bailey’s DNA was found on his body, and all over his apartment. Suddenly Bailey is the main suspect. This book jumps between current day as Bailey faces a murder charge, and the last 23 years of her life with Griffin and their daughter Bailey.
Ok I think might be my favorite Leslie Hooton book! She always has really well thought out characters that are facing life's struggles, but something about this one really connected with me. I loved catching up with the crew Bailey, Griffin, and Henry, but seeing Bailey through motherhood was so special. The relationship between mother and daughter is a beautiful thing, but can also be met with so much turmoil. I speak from experience that the relationship is not always smooth sailing, but my heart just broke for Bailey as she faced the anger from Charlie. I liked the murder aspect, but I also liked that it was kind of the side story. It starts as the main focus, but the main focus really ended up being Bailey, Griffin, and their family through the years. As I said about Before Anyone Else, I just adored the design aspects. Reading about Bailey designing restaurants and the passion and way she wove designs together just filled my heart with joy, I could picture the designs! I feel like we all need to see Leslie show off her design skills, because she writes them perfectly! I truly enjoyed re-visiting Bailey and Griffin, and know you will to, so be sure to add this one to cart before pub day on the 28th!
Ok I think might be my favorite Leslie Hooton book! She always has really well thought out characters that are facing life's struggles, but something about this one really connected with me. I loved catching up with the crew Bailey, Griffin, and Henry, but seeing Bailey through motherhood was so special. The relationship between mother and daughter is a beautiful thing, but can also be met with so much turmoil. I speak from experience that the relationship is not always smooth sailing, but my heart just broke for Bailey as she faced the anger from Charlie. I liked the murder aspect, but I also liked that it was kind of the side story. It starts as the main focus, but the main focus really ended up being Bailey, Griffin, and their family through the years. As I said about Before Anyone Else, I just adored the design aspects. Reading about Bailey designing restaurants and the passion and way she wove designs together just filled my heart with joy, I could picture the designs! I feel like we all need to see Leslie show off her design skills, because she writes them perfectly! I truly enjoyed re-visiting Bailey and Griffin, and know you will to, so be sure to add this one to cart before pub day on the 28th!
July 26, 2022
This book explores Bailey and Griffins married life and life as parents. One night while trying to protect her daughters name, causes Baileys life to go up in shambles. Her ex husband is murdered and Baileys DNA is all over the crime scene. While dealing with the case, Bailey thinks back about her life as a wife and mom. Where did she go wrong? Could she have been a better mother? A better wife? And we are left guessing…who really killed Elliott?
My thoughts:
I think this author is very talented in building a world that seems realistic. Griffin is my favorite character in the duology. Bishop was a good small side character too. I loved seeing in my mind the places Bailey created. The parenting relationships were realistic and it’s something many parents struggle with: work and home life balance. One thing that bugged me though was that Bailey always had a drink around those that struggled with addiction, or worried about addiction. I liked the ending. It was like you were surprised but at the same time, not really. It made sense even if I didn’t suspect it. I feel like a lot of Baileys issues wouldn’t have been a problem if she opened up more and was honest. But the way she is written, it’s so believable and real. Like a normal person. The story unfolded as if it happened to a real person. Overall it was a good book with great story building and description….it was just a tad slower flow than compared to the other stories of hers I’ve read.
My thoughts:
I think this author is very talented in building a world that seems realistic. Griffin is my favorite character in the duology. Bishop was a good small side character too. I loved seeing in my mind the places Bailey created. The parenting relationships were realistic and it’s something many parents struggle with: work and home life balance. One thing that bugged me though was that Bailey always had a drink around those that struggled with addiction, or worried about addiction. I liked the ending. It was like you were surprised but at the same time, not really. It made sense even if I didn’t suspect it. I feel like a lot of Baileys issues wouldn’t have been a problem if she opened up more and was honest. But the way she is written, it’s so believable and real. Like a normal person. The story unfolded as if it happened to a real person. Overall it was a good book with great story building and description….it was just a tad slower flow than compared to the other stories of hers I’ve read.
May 26, 2022
Thank you. LESLIE and Turner Pub
for my complementary copy. Just because it was gifted doesn't effect my opinions all opinions are my own!
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After Everyone Else
Author @lesliehooton
Pub date June 28th 2022
Women's Fiction
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Short Synopsis:
From the acclaimed author of Before Anyone Else comes a captivating new novel about the lengths we will go to protect the ones we love.
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Bailey thought she’d gotten her happy ending. She is married to the man she loves, she has started a family, and her design business is flourishing. But when Bailey’s ex-husband, a famous TV chef, is found murdered..
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Thoughts : I've now read all three books the talented Leslie Hooton has written. After Everyone Else can be read as a stand-alone. However I recommend to read Before Anyone Else. As After Everyone Else is a follow up on Bailey and her life . It was really lovely to see familiar characters again. And , it was interesting seeing a mystery involved In this story as well This story was very witty , and just a charming story .I enjoyed it and I highly recommend Leslie's books if you're a fan of Women's Fiction. Not only are her books so beautiful on the outside. They each give a fresh and beautiful story on the inside . Looking forward to see what else Leslie comes up with !
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October 14, 2022
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
I haven’t read the book that comes before this one–Before Anyone Else–yet not having that prequel knowledge did not detract at all from my reading experience. I knew exactly who the characters were and what was going on at all times, in large part to the before and now sections that are provided, giving the reader plenty of background information from the past that blends in nicely with the present.
Bailey is the quintessential career woman, attempting to balance her livelihood with her family life. I appreciated the inward reflections she has, never really sure if she made the right decisions where her husband and daughter are concerned. This type of uncertainty provides a lot of fuel where the murder charges are concerned. It becomes a case of whodunnit, and you don’t know for quite some time who the murderer really is–it could still be Bae, or her husband, or maybe even her daughter. In the end, the culprit is someone I didn’t expect, so that was a nice surprise. It’s always fun to read a mystery and not have it spelled out for you.
Mixed in are the estranged relationships going on between Bae and her family, along with the turbulence her daughter experiences. As a mother of a teenage son, I couldn’t help but really feel for Bae and what she's going through while trying to help her daughter, but due to their strained relationship, her daughter doesn’t feel it’s authentic or real. There is way too much damage there, giving us a whole other layer of things that goes beyond the murder charges.
Bae is reeling from the past, while her daughter is trying to navigate the present. How are those two scenarios related to Bae’s indictment, and what will happen when the truth is finally revealed? It was an emotional, harrowing revelation. While I may not have read the prequel to After Everyone Else, I have read another of Leslie Hooton’s novels, The Secret of Rainy Days (reviewed here), and I can tell you–both books are fantastic! It was well worth the read.
I haven’t read the book that comes before this one–Before Anyone Else–yet not having that prequel knowledge did not detract at all from my reading experience. I knew exactly who the characters were and what was going on at all times, in large part to the before and now sections that are provided, giving the reader plenty of background information from the past that blends in nicely with the present.
Bailey is the quintessential career woman, attempting to balance her livelihood with her family life. I appreciated the inward reflections she has, never really sure if she made the right decisions where her husband and daughter are concerned. This type of uncertainty provides a lot of fuel where the murder charges are concerned. It becomes a case of whodunnit, and you don’t know for quite some time who the murderer really is–it could still be Bae, or her husband, or maybe even her daughter. In the end, the culprit is someone I didn’t expect, so that was a nice surprise. It’s always fun to read a mystery and not have it spelled out for you.
Mixed in are the estranged relationships going on between Bae and her family, along with the turbulence her daughter experiences. As a mother of a teenage son, I couldn’t help but really feel for Bae and what she's going through while trying to help her daughter, but due to their strained relationship, her daughter doesn’t feel it’s authentic or real. There is way too much damage there, giving us a whole other layer of things that goes beyond the murder charges.
Bae is reeling from the past, while her daughter is trying to navigate the present. How are those two scenarios related to Bae’s indictment, and what will happen when the truth is finally revealed? It was an emotional, harrowing revelation. While I may not have read the prequel to After Everyone Else, I have read another of Leslie Hooton’s novels, The Secret of Rainy Days (reviewed here), and I can tell you–both books are fantastic! It was well worth the read.
July 2, 2022
Told in the ‘then and now’, this is a family drama that deals with love, addiction, and parenting dynamics. It also has a bit of mystery in it.
This has most of the same characters as BEFORE ANYONE ELSE, but can certainly be read as a stand alone. I actually listened to BEFORE and that really enriched this story for me.
The ‘then’ part of this book begins close to when BEFORE ends which is when two of the main characters, Bae and Griffin, get married.
The ‘now’ part of the book begins as Bae is being arrested for the murder of her ex-husband, Elliot over 20 years from where the ‘then’ part starts.
These timelines merge as we see how Bae and Griffin’s life progressed and what brought them to this point.
A huge part of this book is about Bae and Griffin’s daughter, Charlotte. Bae grapples with her work-motherhood balance throughout this read and how her choices have affected Charlotte.
The reader also gets to enjoy beautiful design and food descriptions as Bae is a restaurant designer and Griffin is a restaurateur.
This book has some of the best quotes that I’ve read. One of my favorites is when Bae is comparing forgiveness to a banana. That explanation is one I will carry around with me from now on.
Another beautiful read from Leslie!
This has most of the same characters as BEFORE ANYONE ELSE, but can certainly be read as a stand alone. I actually listened to BEFORE and that really enriched this story for me.
The ‘then’ part of this book begins close to when BEFORE ends which is when two of the main characters, Bae and Griffin, get married.
The ‘now’ part of the book begins as Bae is being arrested for the murder of her ex-husband, Elliot over 20 years from where the ‘then’ part starts.
These timelines merge as we see how Bae and Griffin’s life progressed and what brought them to this point.
A huge part of this book is about Bae and Griffin’s daughter, Charlotte. Bae grapples with her work-motherhood balance throughout this read and how her choices have affected Charlotte.
The reader also gets to enjoy beautiful design and food descriptions as Bae is a restaurant designer and Griffin is a restaurateur.
This book has some of the best quotes that I’ve read. One of my favorites is when Bae is comparing forgiveness to a banana. That explanation is one I will carry around with me from now on.
Another beautiful read from Leslie!
January 27, 2023
Do you enjoy walking on the beach and finding sea glass? If you’ve never done this, tell me about your current read?
I saw this book while scrolling Instagram and commented on the post. I’ve mentioned before that I love the beach and finding sea glass is something that I love to do. When the author responded to my comment, I moved it immediately to the top of my tbr list – so thank you @lesliehooton!
Bailey thought she’d gotten her happy ending. She is married to the man she loves, she has started a family, and her design business is flourishing. But when Bailey’s ex-husband, is found murdered with her DNA all over his apartment and body, she is facing murder charges in a high-profile case. Already burdened by the demands and challenges of marriage, motherhood, and her career, Bailey now prove her innocence. But it’s the ones she thought would surely be on her side—her enigmatic lawyer and her husband—who might be doubting her innocence the most.
This book had delightful blasts of present amidst the past information. Bailey’s relationship between her and her daughter really resonated with me. Bailey recognized it wasn’t the relationship she wanted, so she did everything in her power to change that. I can admire that so much and it made me really like Bailey. I also enjoyed the relationship between Bailey and her husband. It was so real and honest. There were just so many things to enjoy about this one. I listened to this one.
I hope you check this one out if you are in the mood for a truly touching and moving read – it was published June 28th 2022.
#AfterEveryoneElse #LeslieHooton #literaryfiction #friendship #KeylightBooks #contemporaryfiction #booksarefun #Booksbooksbooks #alwaysreading #blookfluencer #goodreads #bookworm #reading #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookstagrammer #bookcommunity #bookstagram #bookaddiction #bookadict #bookreview #ReadersofInstagram #igreads #bookblogger #netgalley #bookaddiction #booksonbooksonbooks #bookaholic #libby #romance
I saw this book while scrolling Instagram and commented on the post. I’ve mentioned before that I love the beach and finding sea glass is something that I love to do. When the author responded to my comment, I moved it immediately to the top of my tbr list – so thank you @lesliehooton!
Bailey thought she’d gotten her happy ending. She is married to the man she loves, she has started a family, and her design business is flourishing. But when Bailey’s ex-husband, is found murdered with her DNA all over his apartment and body, she is facing murder charges in a high-profile case. Already burdened by the demands and challenges of marriage, motherhood, and her career, Bailey now prove her innocence. But it’s the ones she thought would surely be on her side—her enigmatic lawyer and her husband—who might be doubting her innocence the most.
This book had delightful blasts of present amidst the past information. Bailey’s relationship between her and her daughter really resonated with me. Bailey recognized it wasn’t the relationship she wanted, so she did everything in her power to change that. I can admire that so much and it made me really like Bailey. I also enjoyed the relationship between Bailey and her husband. It was so real and honest. There were just so many things to enjoy about this one. I listened to this one.
I hope you check this one out if you are in the mood for a truly touching and moving read – it was published June 28th 2022.
#AfterEveryoneElse #LeslieHooton #literaryfiction #friendship #KeylightBooks #contemporaryfiction #booksarefun #Booksbooksbooks #alwaysreading #blookfluencer #goodreads #bookworm #reading #bookstagram #bookblogger #bookstagrammer #bookcommunity #bookstagram #bookaddiction #bookadict #bookreview #ReadersofInstagram #igreads #bookblogger #netgalley #bookaddiction #booksonbooksonbooks #bookaholic #libby #romance
July 24, 2022
I’m back with my second Leslie Hooton book this month! After Everyone Else is the sequel to Before Anyone Else and it’s got that storytelling charm that I always enjoy from Leslie’s books.
Bailey and Griffin have been married for years, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The book starts off with Bailey being accused of murdering her ex-husband. The story is filled with drama, tragedy, and the strength it takes to overcome life’s biggest challenges.
Overall, I enjoyed this one! It was cool to be able to see the relationship between Bailey and Griffin after reading the first one. It was far from a perfect marriage, and that was hard for me to swallow. I wanted my happily ever after and that’s it. But it was great to see how hard they worked and the trials they had to overcome.
I also liked that there was a bit of a mystery with this one of finding out who killed Elliott, the ex-husband. I had a few guesses but didn’t figure it out, which is always fun.
I will say that this one felt a bit on the longer side and it was very dialogue heavy. But I’m happy that I was given the chance to read both books!
I received a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Bailey and Griffin have been married for years, but it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. The book starts off with Bailey being accused of murdering her ex-husband. The story is filled with drama, tragedy, and the strength it takes to overcome life’s biggest challenges.
Overall, I enjoyed this one! It was cool to be able to see the relationship between Bailey and Griffin after reading the first one. It was far from a perfect marriage, and that was hard for me to swallow. I wanted my happily ever after and that’s it. But it was great to see how hard they worked and the trials they had to overcome.
I also liked that there was a bit of a mystery with this one of finding out who killed Elliott, the ex-husband. I had a few guesses but didn’t figure it out, which is always fun.
I will say that this one felt a bit on the longer side and it was very dialogue heavy. But I’m happy that I was given the chance to read both books!
I received a gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 17, 2024
If you loved Leslie’s first book, Before Anyone Else, you’re in for an absolute treat with this sequel. This book is so unique in giving us the life after the happy ending in book one. You get to read about how even a perfect match can have their ups and down. This book takes you on a 23 year roller coaster going from past to present on how a marriage evolves s and the impact a child has on a marriage. There’s a murder mystery element with a small twist that adds a touch of suspense. This read was fantastic!
Bailey is charged for the murder of her ex husband. She knows it wasn’t her, but could it be her husband Griffin? Or her daughter, Charlie? Well in that case cuff her now because she would take the fall for them before she lets her loved ones go to jail! Before we learn who the true killer is, Ms. Hooton takes you from present to the past starting when Bailey first got pregnant with Charlie to her current predicament. We get to see the ups and downs of her relationship with her husband Griffin and their daughter Charlie. This is raw beauty in book form and I just couldn’t get enough of it. Leslie we need a 3rd book ASAP!
Bailey is charged for the murder of her ex husband. She knows it wasn’t her, but could it be her husband Griffin? Or her daughter, Charlie? Well in that case cuff her now because she would take the fall for them before she lets her loved ones go to jail! Before we learn who the true killer is, Ms. Hooton takes you from present to the past starting when Bailey first got pregnant with Charlie to her current predicament. We get to see the ups and downs of her relationship with her husband Griffin and their daughter Charlie. This is raw beauty in book form and I just couldn’t get enough of it. Leslie we need a 3rd book ASAP!
May 30, 2022
This book is a great reminder that even those who are meant to be together and truly love each other go through ups and down in their relationship.
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All relationships are work, but sometimes [as Bailey found out] the ones that should flow easily challenge us the most. As a mother of three teenage children, I completely understand the difficulties, heartbreaks, and fear Bailey faced parenting Charlie.
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I absolutely loved the murder mystery added to this book. It was quite a change in pace from the first book, but I devoured every page of it.
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Although this story *could* stand on its own, I highly recommend reading 𝙱𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝙰𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝙴𝚕𝚜𝚎 first. If you start with this book you will not only miss out on a great story, but also the character and relationship building that led up to 𝙰𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝙴𝚕𝚜𝚎.
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Leslie Hooton has quickly become one of my favorite authors, and I promise you won't regret picking up any of her three books. Pre-order this one today!
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A special thank you to the author & her publishing team for sending me a copy of this book to review 🖤
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All relationships are work, but sometimes [as Bailey found out] the ones that should flow easily challenge us the most. As a mother of three teenage children, I completely understand the difficulties, heartbreaks, and fear Bailey faced parenting Charlie.
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I absolutely loved the murder mystery added to this book. It was quite a change in pace from the first book, but I devoured every page of it.
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Although this story *could* stand on its own, I highly recommend reading 𝙱𝚎𝚏𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝙰𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝙴𝚕𝚜𝚎 first. If you start with this book you will not only miss out on a great story, but also the character and relationship building that led up to 𝙰𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙴𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝙴𝚕𝚜𝚎.
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Leslie Hooton has quickly become one of my favorite authors, and I promise you won't regret picking up any of her three books. Pre-order this one today!
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A special thank you to the author & her publishing team for sending me a copy of this book to review 🖤
July 21, 2022
It’s always refreshing to read a well written, beautiful Women’s fiction novel. Leslie Hooton is back with another & delivers us just that with this amazing novel. It is filled with beautifully chiseled characters and page turner of a plot line. I enjoyed every minute of this one!
Can you imagine being charged with a murder you know you didn’t commit? Yea neither can I, but that’s where Bailey found herself in this one. I loved every minute of her whirlwind, roller coaster, twist and turn filled story. Bailey’s story alternated between past and present, and shed light on her relationships in her life, while she was trying to prove her innocence. I loved how gripping it was!
Once again, Hooton delivers a whopper of a story! It’s absolutely captivating and kept me hooked from page one! And, can I just say, I adore Hooton’s covers?! They are awesome! Four stars & hats off to the author! Can’t wait to read another!
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
Can you imagine being charged with a murder you know you didn’t commit? Yea neither can I, but that’s where Bailey found herself in this one. I loved every minute of her whirlwind, roller coaster, twist and turn filled story. Bailey’s story alternated between past and present, and shed light on her relationships in her life, while she was trying to prove her innocence. I loved how gripping it was!
Once again, Hooton delivers a whopper of a story! It’s absolutely captivating and kept me hooked from page one! And, can I just say, I adore Hooton’s covers?! They are awesome! Four stars & hats off to the author! Can’t wait to read another!
* I received a complimentary copy of this book from the Author/Publisher and was under no obligation to post a review, positive or negative.*
July 22, 2022
𝗔𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗘𝗹𝘀𝗲 opens like a classic mystery, with Bailey Edgeworth being arrested for the murder of her ex-husband. Her DNA is all over her ex’s apartment and his body! This doesn’t look good, but Bailey knows she must protect those she loves, or it will shatter her world.
The story becomes much more than a murder mystery as you keep reading. The narrative bounces back and forth from “then and now.” It shares the intricacies of Bailey’s life with her current husband, Griffin. We get a look into their marriage and her relationship with her daughter. It shows how Bailey struggled with balancing motherhood and her career as a restaurant designer.
Leslie Hooton writes with southern charm and captures family dynamics so well. I loved these characters; they were funny yet flawed and relatable. Watching Bailey try to navigate her daughter’s issues made this book emotional and real for me, feeling that mother’s guilt. Mystery, family drama, and great characters make this a must-read.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @lesliehooton for a spot on tour and a gifted copy.
The story becomes much more than a murder mystery as you keep reading. The narrative bounces back and forth from “then and now.” It shares the intricacies of Bailey’s life with her current husband, Griffin. We get a look into their marriage and her relationship with her daughter. It shows how Bailey struggled with balancing motherhood and her career as a restaurant designer.
Leslie Hooton writes with southern charm and captures family dynamics so well. I loved these characters; they were funny yet flawed and relatable. Watching Bailey try to navigate her daughter’s issues made this book emotional and real for me, feeling that mother’s guilt. Mystery, family drama, and great characters make this a must-read.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @lesliehooton for a spot on tour and a gifted copy.
July 25, 2022
Bailey and Griffin are back in this exciting new book from Leslie Hooton. Only it’s over twenty years later! Bailey and Griffin are married but have experienced a few ups and downs. They have a beautiful daughter, ultra-successful careers, and maybe a few secrets. When Bailey’s first husband is murdered, Bailey’s DNA is all over the crime scene and she is arrested. But Bailey is not talking. Did she do it? If she didn’t, does she know who did? How far would you go to protect someone you love?
Leslie Hooton is truly becoming a favorite author! Her beautiful descriptions, flawed characters, and the family dynamics she adds to her books make them PERFECT for a beach read (or even for a rainy day read)! I was hooked from the first page and I read this book in just over a day! This can be read as a stand-alone book but I recommend reading BEFORE ANYONE ELSE first!
My sincere thanks to wunderbookspr for my beautiful gifted copy! My thoughts are my own.
Leslie Hooton is truly becoming a favorite author! Her beautiful descriptions, flawed characters, and the family dynamics she adds to her books make them PERFECT for a beach read (or even for a rainy day read)! I was hooked from the first page and I read this book in just over a day! This can be read as a stand-alone book but I recommend reading BEFORE ANYONE ELSE first!
My sincere thanks to wunderbookspr for my beautiful gifted copy! My thoughts are my own.
July 4, 2022
Leslie’s second book was my favorite book of 2021 and will be a forever favorite for me. I subsequently read and loved her first book, Before Anyone Else, and was delighted when her third book came out last month. After Everyone Else is the continuation of Bailey’s story and I was so happy to be back “in touch” with Bailey.
Bailey is such a fun character - - talented, witty, driven, creative and so much more. I loved reading about her marriage and motherhood adventures and her continued professional success. Bailey designs fabulous restaurants so an added bonus was reading about beautiful spaces and delicious meals and drinks.
The murder mystery was such a unique angle and kept me guessing until the end!
Leslie’s writing is as warm and inviting as she is and I simply cannot get enough.
Bailey is such a fun character - - talented, witty, driven, creative and so much more. I loved reading about her marriage and motherhood adventures and her continued professional success. Bailey designs fabulous restaurants so an added bonus was reading about beautiful spaces and delicious meals and drinks.
The murder mystery was such a unique angle and kept me guessing until the end!
Leslie’s writing is as warm and inviting as she is and I simply cannot get enough.
August 8, 2022
Well what a story! Author Leslie Hooton does a wonderful job alternating between the past and present of the Edgeworth/Hardwick lives to describe a story of love, loss and fear.
Bailey Edgeworth is arrested for her ex-husband’s murder, for whom she has had little to no contact to, for over twenty years. The issue is, she isn’t sure who there is to blame. Is it her recovering alcoholic daughter or her husband who she was just on the brink of divorce with?
Hooton writes between altering time lines to show the family dynamic, drama, and how they all got to this place they see themselves.
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I truly enjoyed this book and the way Leslie Hooton pulls at your heart strings, making the me never wanting to stop turning the pages! The whole book comes full circle and makes me LOVE the cover even more (you gotta read it to understand it!!). This familial drama is something you need to get your hands on!
Bailey Edgeworth is arrested for her ex-husband’s murder, for whom she has had little to no contact to, for over twenty years. The issue is, she isn’t sure who there is to blame. Is it her recovering alcoholic daughter or her husband who she was just on the brink of divorce with?
Hooton writes between altering time lines to show the family dynamic, drama, and how they all got to this place they see themselves.
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I truly enjoyed this book and the way Leslie Hooton pulls at your heart strings, making the me never wanting to stop turning the pages! The whole book comes full circle and makes me LOVE the cover even more (you gotta read it to understand it!!). This familial drama is something you need to get your hands on!
January 28, 2024
I loved last year’s The Secret of Rainy Days, and adored Before Anyone Else which first introduced us to Bailey, Griffin and Henry. I was so happy to spend time with them again.
Only now it’s 23 years later, and on top of her strained relationship with daughter Charlie, Bailey’s ex-husband has been murdered. And Bailey is the number one suspect, putting new strains on her marriage and her family.
Told through alternating timelines, we see what life has been like for Bailey- her successful design career, her fears that she’s a horrible mother, and her relationships with husband Griffin and her brother Henry. I loved the family dynamics and how it dealt with addiction and its ramifications with honesty and compassion. The murder mystery was almost secondary to the rest of the story. Another winner.
If you’ve read and enjoyed Leslie’s previous two books, this one is for you!
Only now it’s 23 years later, and on top of her strained relationship with daughter Charlie, Bailey’s ex-husband has been murdered. And Bailey is the number one suspect, putting new strains on her marriage and her family.
Told through alternating timelines, we see what life has been like for Bailey- her successful design career, her fears that she’s a horrible mother, and her relationships with husband Griffin and her brother Henry. I loved the family dynamics and how it dealt with addiction and its ramifications with honesty and compassion. The murder mystery was almost secondary to the rest of the story. Another winner.
If you’ve read and enjoyed Leslie’s previous two books, this one is for you!
June 18, 2022
What a fun, surprising story this domestic family drama murder mystery was! What a mash-up! I really enjoyed it!
Oh, poor Bailey! She's just trying to live her life when her ex-hubby is murdered and she's the number one suspect! While she's the one under the spotlight, she has her own secret concerns about who may have killed her ex, and they are her loved ones!
I really appreciated how this story of family relationships, motherhood, and marriage had a murder mystery woven into it! I would definitely recommend this one for women's fiction readers. The murder mystery is the bonus, but this is truly based around family dynamics. Another great story from Leslie Hooton!
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
Oh, poor Bailey! She's just trying to live her life when her ex-hubby is murdered and she's the number one suspect! While she's the one under the spotlight, she has her own secret concerns about who may have killed her ex, and they are her loved ones!
I really appreciated how this story of family relationships, motherhood, and marriage had a murder mystery woven into it! I would definitely recommend this one for women's fiction readers. The murder mystery is the bonus, but this is truly based around family dynamics. Another great story from Leslie Hooton!
I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.
August 22, 2022
Leslie Hooton once again made it hard to put this book down! I was quickly drawn back into Bailey’s life and felt her pain as a mom. Although motherhood looks different for each, the angst of “could I have done this better?” is always in the back of (my) mind at least. So I was eager to see if Bailey would have to pay dearly for her daughter’s situations. The plot twists kept me unsure until the end!
And the fun of reading about color palettes on plates and walls and the mention of Atlanta favorites like Alon’s kept me literally hungry for more. Hooton is talented beyond just plot lines. I wonder if every room in her house is vivid with color and pattern or if secretly she is a decorator as well!
Great job on this book! I look forward to the next.
And the fun of reading about color palettes on plates and walls and the mention of Atlanta favorites like Alon’s kept me literally hungry for more. Hooton is talented beyond just plot lines. I wonder if every room in her house is vivid with color and pattern or if secretly she is a decorator as well!
Great job on this book! I look forward to the next.
November 2, 2023
Kept me on the edge of my seat and portrayed alcoholism very well but the ended just didn’t do it for me :( it was set up for a perfect ending and i feel like it fell flat. Well written though and I loved Bailey and griffins love.
“Families are not born. They don’t just happen. They are stitched together over time. They are stitched together with each decision that is made. To get married. To have a baby. To buy a house. And they are fortified by memories.”
“You need to sit with failure. Failure can be a gift. Failure can be freeing. It gives you another chance to do things differently and maybe even make it better. You need to let it transform you into something better. Because failure can transform your life just like beauty can”.
“Families are not born. They don’t just happen. They are stitched together over time. They are stitched together with each decision that is made. To get married. To have a baby. To buy a house. And they are fortified by memories.”
“You need to sit with failure. Failure can be a gift. Failure can be freeing. It gives you another chance to do things differently and maybe even make it better. You need to let it transform you into something better. Because failure can transform your life just like beauty can”.
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