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Before & After
"A great read and so appropriate to these times." - Amazon Reviewer
"There is a calmness in this book ... that leaves you wanting more ... this is one I will re-read many times." - Amazon Reviewer
When the world changes overnight, Aspen has her own, immediate, world to protect.
Her horses, her land, and the business she’s been building are all threatened by the shutdown and the virus causing it.
For years Aspen’s been wishing long-lost love, Dob, would return, and now – living alone, with so much responsibility on her shoulders – would be the perfect time for him to come back and help her out.
Or would it?
While the news calls for a return to normal, Aspen’s begins to question whether that’s what she wants. The pandemic might be giving Aspen the chance to make new decisions, new choices, a fresh start, if only she can find the courage to embrace them.
"There is a calmness in this book ... that leaves you wanting more ... this is one I will re-read many times." - Amazon Reviewer
When the world changes overnight, Aspen has her own, immediate, world to protect.
Her horses, her land, and the business she’s been building are all threatened by the shutdown and the virus causing it.
For years Aspen’s been wishing long-lost love, Dob, would return, and now – living alone, with so much responsibility on her shoulders – would be the perfect time for him to come back and help her out.
Or would it?
While the news calls for a return to normal, Aspen’s begins to question whether that’s what she wants. The pandemic might be giving Aspen the chance to make new decisions, new choices, a fresh start, if only she can find the courage to embrace them.
214 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 29, 2026
The Before: A life completed by Dob, Aspen's boyfriend.
The After: A life filled with wondering about Dob's disappearance, while living with the new normal of the pandemic.
This is a gentle meandering tale. While there are plot twists, the story heads in a fairly predictable yet satisfying way. It will speak loudest to those of us who weathered the COVID-19 storm alone. And, if you are a horse lover, you'll find yourself embracing it.
There is one intimate scene - just a heads-up for those who prefer no physical relations in their readings.
The After: A life filled with wondering about Dob's disappearance, while living with the new normal of the pandemic.
This is a gentle meandering tale. While there are plot twists, the story heads in a fairly predictable yet satisfying way. It will speak loudest to those of us who weathered the COVID-19 storm alone. And, if you are a horse lover, you'll find yourself embracing it.
There is one intimate scene - just a heads-up for those who prefer no physical relations in their readings.
June 9, 2026
Omg I’m so happy 😭😭😭😭 what a beautiful book what beautiful characters (except DDS)
This is my kind of perfect story, I have no words.
The development of our FL? Her list of happy things? 😭😭😭🫰🏻🫰🏻🫰🏻 and no frills just real life.
Can’t recommend enough
This is my kind of perfect story, I have no words.
The development of our FL? Her list of happy things? 😭😭😭🫰🏻🫰🏻🫰🏻 and no frills just real life.
Can’t recommend enough
January 17, 2022
This is my first read of a book taking place during this nightmare of a pandemic. Ms Robins has once again created a great, albeit difficult, read. She so well described the reality we all live in, whilst (ugh, I must be ancient, I am, using a word like whilst) providing us with a thoroughly enjoyable storyline.
Happy to see high praise in a review by Linda Schantz, one of my favorite authors. Yes, Ms Robins relates how amazing Canada and Canadians, are and have been handling this crisis. Wish I could say the same for the US and my fellow Americans. I am so ashamed of how this country has been since 2016 in so many ways, I yearn to move to Vancouver. Sorry, I digress.
I highly recommend this book, and anything else from this highly talented author.
Happy to see high praise in a review by Linda Schantz, one of my favorite authors. Yes, Ms Robins relates how amazing Canada and Canadians, are and have been handling this crisis. Wish I could say the same for the US and my fellow Americans. I am so ashamed of how this country has been since 2016 in so many ways, I yearn to move to Vancouver. Sorry, I digress.
I highly recommend this book, and anything else from this highly talented author.
June 14, 2026
I liked the romance between John and aspen and love that aspen runs after a farm from her late aunt who died and love that aspen takes care of horses and this during a pandemic and love that aspen as family such as bree and her family and aspen is close with cleo bree oldest daughter. Aspen still thinks about dob her ex who ghosted her at bree’s wedding and then dob turns up at the farm and aspen is torn between John and dob but I do like that dob does help out aspen with the farm and I like that this a quick short sweet romance. And I liked the ending with John turning up at the horse farm in Canada with his friend wife Natalie who is pregnant and need somewhere to relax and they get along and John and aspen are together at the end.
Second chances
Unexpected connection
Under 95 pages
Read as an ebook
Closed door
Second chances
Unexpected connection
Under 95 pages
Read as an ebook
Closed door
June 21, 2026
Good
Good, this story is about self discovery and figuring out what is really important in life and making good choices.
Good, this story is about self discovery and figuring out what is really important in life and making good choices.
June 8, 2026
Cute story about finding true love during the pandemic
May 17, 2026
lovely
A lovely second chance romance about finding what we really love and need in our lives and leaving the past behind, set in the early stage of the pandemic. I enjoyed reading about Aspen’s emotional journey to true love. Even though I know very little about training horses, her work with the animals is understandable and I enjoyed reading the vivid descriptions of the island.
POV: 1st person (Aspen’s), present tense
Spice level: low, though there’s some allusions to sex with a former lover and one short, not very descriptive moment of physical intimacy
A lovely second chance romance about finding what we really love and need in our lives and leaving the past behind, set in the early stage of the pandemic. I enjoyed reading about Aspen’s emotional journey to true love. Even though I know very little about training horses, her work with the animals is understandable and I enjoyed reading the vivid descriptions of the island.
POV: 1st person (Aspen’s), present tense
Spice level: low, though there’s some allusions to sex with a former lover and one short, not very descriptive moment of physical intimacy
July 3, 2020
It's a slice of life on an island farm during the pandemic. There's romance and daily routine. Aspen and the rest of the world learn what's most important. She chooses based on what makes her happiest.
It's no epic love story as was Meg and Jared, but there's comfort in interacting with horses and neighbors, making maple syrup, and renovating a cabin.
It's no epic love story as was Meg and Jared, but there's comfort in interacting with horses and neighbors, making maple syrup, and renovating a cabin.
July 11, 2020
Another beautifully-written book by Tudor. I wasn't sure I wanted to read a book about the pandemic while living it, but I shouldn't have worried! It was very soothing and uplifting and really, a lovely tribute to this country of ours (Canada!). I hope Tudor writes more fiction for adult readers, because I only wish it had been longer and more in-depth.
September 30, 2020
A new today
Aspen hears about the pandemic and what it is likely to happen. I liked the way that she was experiencing the emotions that millions of people felt too. The characters seemed believable and authentic. I liked the horses and the way that they were involved in the plot.
Aspen hears about the pandemic and what it is likely to happen. I liked the way that she was experiencing the emotions that millions of people felt too. The characters seemed believable and authentic. I liked the horses and the way that they were involved in the plot.
July 5, 2020
Timely Read
A great read and so appropriate to these times. More love story than horse book it was still a great read.
A great read and so appropriate to these times. More love story than horse book it was still a great read.
November 6, 2020
I liked Jared & Meg's book. This was a new author for me. And a great book during these times. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
April 10, 2024
This was a cute, quick read. If you're a horse lover, you'll likely enjoy this even more as quite a bit of the story is about training and their care.
May 17, 2026
Fun lighthearted read
April 8, 2023
I just happened upon this book while looking through KindleUnlimited options (text only). It had high ratings, was fairly short, so I figured I'd give it a try. It was quite cute. Unique in that it is the first book I've read that takes place during the Covid pandemic. It's part of the storyline and setting, but not the main point of the book. The "Before&After" actually has multiple meanings, and the pandemic is just one.
This was first person/present tense. Aspen is our MC. The before/after is addressed first thing in the prologue. She had a boyfriend who mysteriously took off during a friend's wedding. No warning, no explanation. Now she's living her life, running a little farm, boarding horses, offering rental stays.
Chapter one starts at the grocery store ... debating on whether or not to buy toilet paper. This is right when the pandemic is just beginning (March2020). Now that it's three years later, the pandemic panic has passed, while Covid is still a concern (and I just caught it for the first time last month) it's not the terror, or the unknown, that it was back then. It was really interesting to me to be taken back to that time.
But this story isn't about the pandemic - there's very little sickness even coming into play. It drives the story forward a bit, pushing a resolution to what had been left unanswered. It's basically a journey of self-discovery, and a romance.
One thing bugged me a bit at the start. I didn't know WHERE this was taking place. On an island. Okay ... where? A couple words were dropped with the British spellings (ie centre) so I figured it was England, or Australia? Finally figured out it was Canada. The name of the island was never given (or if it was, I missed it). There was some dissatisfaction at the start because of this, I didn't enjoy this little mystery of figuring out where this was happening (not that it really mattered).
I'm not really into horses, and this is a bit heavy in the horse descriptions, storyline, verbage. OTTB ... had to look that up.
There were a few things I wondered if they were incorrect ... capraesque, didn't come up with a dictionary definition when I checked, did when I Googled. If it had been written Capra-esque I would have understood the meaning. It was mentioned people going through "eboy" withdrawal ... should it be Ebay, or is is there something eboy people are addicted to? Bree "was done university" ... should it be "with university"? I know that non-US verbage will say to go "to hospital" or "to university" rather than going "to the hospital" ... but just "was done university" sounded odd to me. I had never heard of "supply teaching" but figured it meant substitute teaching and Googled to verify that. Hadn't ever heard that term before. I had never noticed that Double Stuf Oreos ... that Stuf does only have one F on the package!
Probably not one I would recommend, due to the sexual scenes. Nothing Harlequin bodice-ripper or super explicit, but just a little beyond what I'd feel comfortable giving up thumbs up to my mom ;)
This was first person/present tense. Aspen is our MC. The before/after is addressed first thing in the prologue. She had a boyfriend who mysteriously took off during a friend's wedding. No warning, no explanation. Now she's living her life, running a little farm, boarding horses, offering rental stays.
Chapter one starts at the grocery store ... debating on whether or not to buy toilet paper. This is right when the pandemic is just beginning (March2020). Now that it's three years later, the pandemic panic has passed, while Covid is still a concern (and I just caught it for the first time last month) it's not the terror, or the unknown, that it was back then. It was really interesting to me to be taken back to that time.
But this story isn't about the pandemic - there's very little sickness even coming into play. It drives the story forward a bit, pushing a resolution to what had been left unanswered. It's basically a journey of self-discovery, and a romance.
One thing bugged me a bit at the start. I didn't know WHERE this was taking place. On an island. Okay ... where? A couple words were dropped with the British spellings (ie centre) so I figured it was England, or Australia? Finally figured out it was Canada. The name of the island was never given (or if it was, I missed it). There was some dissatisfaction at the start because of this, I didn't enjoy this little mystery of figuring out where this was happening (not that it really mattered).
I'm not really into horses, and this is a bit heavy in the horse descriptions, storyline, verbage. OTTB ... had to look that up.
There were a few things I wondered if they were incorrect ... capraesque, didn't come up with a dictionary definition when I checked, did when I Googled. If it had been written Capra-esque I would have understood the meaning. It was mentioned people going through "eboy" withdrawal ... should it be Ebay, or is is there something eboy people are addicted to? Bree "was done university" ... should it be "with university"? I know that non-US verbage will say to go "to hospital" or "to university" rather than going "to the hospital" ... but just "was done university" sounded odd to me. I had never heard of "supply teaching" but figured it meant substitute teaching and Googled to verify that. Hadn't ever heard that term before. I had never noticed that Double Stuf Oreos ... that Stuf does only have one F on the package!
Probably not one I would recommend, due to the sexual scenes. Nothing Harlequin bodice-ripper or super explicit, but just a little beyond what I'd feel comfortable giving up thumbs up to my mom ;)
October 19, 2023
This tale set at the start of the pandemic lockdowns, requires a young woman to consider what really and truly makes her happy, and who is involved in her happiness. The ex-boyfriend she hasn't seen in years reappears on the island for a safe haven. She'll rent him a loft, but her days are filled with training young horses to work, tapping trees for maple sap, painting a cabin, and the support of her friends and neighbours. So - what does her heart need?
I enjoyed the read, which nicely recalls the ominous news, the somewhat panicky buying and adjusting, the sliding of days and requirement to destress. Of course, I love the horses. Tudor Robins writes horses really well, providing just the lockdown many of us would have loved.
This is an adult book, or mature young adults could read it, but it's not intended for kids.
This is an unbiased review.
I enjoyed the read, which nicely recalls the ominous news, the somewhat panicky buying and adjusting, the sliding of days and requirement to destress. Of course, I love the horses. Tudor Robins writes horses really well, providing just the lockdown many of us would have loved.
This is an adult book, or mature young adults could read it, but it's not intended for kids.
This is an unbiased review.
July 12, 2026
Es una historia bastante corta para distraerte un rato, y sino quieres adentrarte en libros más complejos, ya que la escritura es simple, al igual que la trama, sentí que le faltó profundizar más en la trama, en crear un mejor ambiente, al ser muy corto siento que no permite que te encariñes tanto con los personajes, pero algo que sí me gustó fue el romance, agradezco la elección de la persona porque siento que estamos acostumbrados a leer parejas donde se perdonan todo, pero aquí si veo un crecimiento en el personaje que a pesar del miedo que tiene por decidir mal o verse nublada por sus sentimientos, decide lo que realmente piensa que es mejor para ella.
July 9, 2022
I got a free copy of this book to review, but that in no way clouds this review. I have read all of Tudor’s books and enjoyed each and every one of them. This book was no exception. In Before and After Aspen deals with the onset of the Covid pandemic, while also trying to deal with the re-emergence of an old love. This book brought hope into a subject (the pandemic) that often turns dark and I felt more hopeful after reading it.
August 4, 2022
This was a rather surprising book. I thought it may be a bit rough as it was dealing with the pandemic but it was rather interesting and calm to read through this. I am looking forward to more from Tudor.
November 6, 2022
wet cute take on the pandemic
At first I had a hard time getting into this book but I really like how open minded it was. I felt like I got a whole different view of the pandemic and how it affected other people. Highly recommend.
At first I had a hard time getting into this book but I really like how open minded it was. I felt like I got a whole different view of the pandemic and how it affected other people. Highly recommend.
September 26, 2020
Lovely and so extraordinary to read a novel about the period we've just entered - and are still in.
May 27, 2026
DNF. Couldn't get into it
June 22, 2026
The ending was really strange. What is a premier? I didn't get that at all. The author assumed you knew what she was talking about at the end and all through her horse training.
March 18, 2024
A very good romance book
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. The pandemic was such exact description of how we all reacted to it. The animals shared in the book were so much fun. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. The pandemic was such exact description of how we all reacted to it. The animals shared in the book were so much fun. I enjoyed this book from start to finish.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews