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After December
May-December love is sweet… but December doesn’t last forever.
Tim Davis always knew he’d likely outlive his older husband. He just thought they’d have more time. He also never imagined that their final years together would revolve around a grueling and protracted battle with cancer. Eighteen months later, he’s still coming to terms with his loss and his new life. Where does he go from here?
Alex Ouellette is drowning in grief and survivor’s guilt, constantly reliving the moment his world stopped. Then a friend suggests that a change of scenery and the company of men who’ve been through similar losses could do him some good. Alex is dubious, but he agrees to go.
Neither man has high hopes for this widowers’ retreat. Grief and loneliness have been constant and unwelcome companions, though. At this point, they’ll try anything.
The last thing either anticipates when they get there? A powerful spark of attraction.
Friendship blooms. Then more. They bond over their grief, but also find joy, laughter, and a connection neither expected to ever feel again. As their broken worlds collide, both Tim and Alex finally have unexpected hope that there’s life after loss.
But grief’s dark clouds are never far behind, and the past could be the one thing standing in the way of a happy future.
After December is a 120,000-word standalone gay romance novel.
Tim Davis always knew he’d likely outlive his older husband. He just thought they’d have more time. He also never imagined that their final years together would revolve around a grueling and protracted battle with cancer. Eighteen months later, he’s still coming to terms with his loss and his new life. Where does he go from here?
Alex Ouellette is drowning in grief and survivor’s guilt, constantly reliving the moment his world stopped. Then a friend suggests that a change of scenery and the company of men who’ve been through similar losses could do him some good. Alex is dubious, but he agrees to go.
Neither man has high hopes for this widowers’ retreat. Grief and loneliness have been constant and unwelcome companions, though. At this point, they’ll try anything.
The last thing either anticipates when they get there? A powerful spark of attraction.
Friendship blooms. Then more. They bond over their grief, but also find joy, laughter, and a connection neither expected to ever feel again. As their broken worlds collide, both Tim and Alex finally have unexpected hope that there’s life after loss.
But grief’s dark clouds are never far behind, and the past could be the one thing standing in the way of a happy future.
After December is a 120,000-word standalone gay romance novel.
423 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 3, 2022
About the author
L.A. Witt
221 books2,796 followersL.A. Witt and her husband have been exiled from Spain and sent to live in Maine because rhymes are fun. She now divides her time between writing, assuring people she is aware that Maine is cold, wondering where to put her next tattoo, and trying to reason with a surly Maine coon. Rumor has it her arch nemesis, Lauren Gallagher, is also somewhere in the wilds of New England, which is why L.A. is also spending a portion of her time training a team of spec ops lobsters.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
Authors Ann Gallagher and Lori A. Witt have been asked to assist in lobster training, but they "have books to write" and "need to focus on our careers" and "don't you think this rivalry has gotten a little out of hand?" They're probably just helping Lauren raise her army of squirrels trained to ride moose into battle.
Visit her website at http://www.gallagherwitt.com/.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
October 21, 2022
Long, depressing and somewhat boring and yet beautifully written and profound. I knew going in that it will be about grieving and such but I could have done with less pages ; it was too long of a grieve fest (423 pages!!)
The first 40% was pretty good, and I think the reader who lost a loved one will benefit from reading this book (felt like a therapeutical book ) but then it started to drag, to be repetitive and nothing was happening.
I liked it, though. It’s sweet (or bittersweet more precisely) and the bits of romance scattered between the weepy moments were cute.
The first 40% was pretty good, and I think the reader who lost a loved one will benefit from reading this book (felt like a therapeutical book ) but then it started to drag, to be repetitive and nothing was happening.
I liked it, though. It’s sweet (or bittersweet more precisely) and the bits of romance scattered between the weepy moments were cute.
November 1, 2022
Not an easy read, it was full of mourning for your soul mate and learning to cope and find love again. ❤💔❤ It read like real story with all the family drama and emotions to go with it, I absolutely loved it!
October 21, 2022
This is a romance set in incredible sadness, grief, and ultimately healing. Tim and Alex meet at a ten-day retreat for grieving widowers. Tim lost his husband to a long bout of cancer about 1 1/2 years prior. Alex lost his husband a year prior in a car accident that also resulted in injury for Alex. Tim takes one look at Alex and his libido rises for the first time since his husband's death, although he doesn't expect to act on the attraction. Both men are still in incredible pain, but they establish a friendship and then some physical connections. This book tracks a slow and painful process, navigating family and friends, career challenges, survivor's guilt, PTSD, and grief that is slow to abate. Neither man expected to find love so soon in the process and the love sits with sadness. This book handles the loss of a spouse and its aftermath with a beautiful second chance at love. In a lot of books in the genre, there are large age-gaps, but no discussion about what happens as the relationships mature and one spouse dies. This book takes a deep dive at that situation with some positivity when love comes around again.
October 30, 2022
A Good Story
Some of this book took place in West Virginia, my home state. I loved reading this story. I loved the characters they were wonderful. The story was well written, and had a great story line.
Some of this book took place in West Virginia, my home state. I loved reading this story. I loved the characters they were wonderful. The story was well written, and had a great story line.
May 10, 2023
If I were to be charitable, I would say that the repetition in this is a literary device to show the non-linear progression of grief. However, in practice I think this needed a really hard red pencil, it should have been about half the length - when you get bored with the main characters, who met at a retreat for grieving widowers, because of their grief... it's just not working. It also feels like big chunks have been lifted from guides for group therapy - if you are grieving or a loved one is, you may find it valuable but it comes across as a bit didactic.
December 31, 2022
A sweet happy ever after amidst the turmoil of loss. I really enjoyed the experience.
March 4, 2026
What an emotional read!! LA Witt!! Stunning 🤩
May 14, 2026
I am loving this. It is beautiful.
October 20, 2022
5 stars. This book was an emotional roller coaster. I couldn’t put it down. I felt so deeply for Alex and Tim. I love how the author managed to portray how each person deals with grief differently and, really, there’s no “right way” to grieve.
December 3, 2022
An unexpectedly poignant romance novel about two men who have each lost their husbands. They meet at a retreat for widowers, but with both of them still grieving, is there a chance they can remember what happiness can feel like and possibly find it with each other?
Quite a few other reviewers mentioned that it was long and they found it a slog, or depressing. Maybe because I'm an older woman who married in my 50s, but I found it beautiful and real. These are men who have been and are still going through the worst experiences of their lives, yet they see something in each other that helps them believe that eventually they can each be happy again. Yes, there are great sexytimes, but also a lot of good communication as they try to navigate their lives and their budding romance. There are family dynamics (both healthy and toxic), PTSD episodes, breakdowns, and awkward situations. There are nightmares and times of crippling self doubt, frank conversations about family and societal expectations, and most of the characters see some sort of therapist.
I sometimes get frustrated with some romance novels, as so much would be easier if the protagonists actually made an effort to talk to each other!!! This is pretty much the polar opposite of that.
This book resonated with me as an honest and mature love story, between two men who have been through hell but learn that it's an easier climb forward when you're with someone who 'gets it'. Even though their experiences are different in some important ways, their finding common ground and supporting each other, both through their individual journeys and their growth as a couple.
So grab yourself a box of tissues and settle in for a moving story about imperfect people in a difficult situation who still believe that love is possible.
Quite a few other reviewers mentioned that it was long and they found it a slog, or depressing. Maybe because I'm an older woman who married in my 50s, but I found it beautiful and real. These are men who have been and are still going through the worst experiences of their lives, yet they see something in each other that helps them believe that eventually they can each be happy again. Yes, there are great sexytimes, but also a lot of good communication as they try to navigate their lives and their budding romance. There are family dynamics (both healthy and toxic), PTSD episodes, breakdowns, and awkward situations. There are nightmares and times of crippling self doubt, frank conversations about family and societal expectations, and most of the characters see some sort of therapist.
I sometimes get frustrated with some romance novels, as so much would be easier if the protagonists actually made an effort to talk to each other!!! This is pretty much the polar opposite of that.
This book resonated with me as an honest and mature love story, between two men who have been through hell but learn that it's an easier climb forward when you're with someone who 'gets it'. Even though their experiences are different in some important ways, their finding common ground and supporting each other, both through their individual journeys and their growth as a couple.
So grab yourself a box of tissues and settle in for a moving story about imperfect people in a difficult situation who still believe that love is possible.
October 29, 2022
it’s a journey
I wish I had read a book such as this twenty years ago when I experienced a significant personal loss in my life. The story may be fictional but so much of it resonates with me. It’s poignant and well written. Many memories flooded my brain as I read the pages.
The journey we take has many angles and both good and bad things happen. We grieve for people we lose but we strive to honor their memory by moving forward which is exactly what they would choose for us. Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting or losing them totally. They are within us but there’s also room for new arrivals if and when they appear.
I was comforted by how the two characters dealt with their respective losses. Some steps forward and a few back but in the end the movement was onwards and not backwards — it’s a journey you don’t want to take but sometimes life doesn’t always turn out the way you’d like.
I wish I had read a book such as this twenty years ago when I experienced a significant personal loss in my life. The story may be fictional but so much of it resonates with me. It’s poignant and well written. Many memories flooded my brain as I read the pages.
The journey we take has many angles and both good and bad things happen. We grieve for people we lose but we strive to honor their memory by moving forward which is exactly what they would choose for us. Moving forward doesn’t mean forgetting or losing them totally. They are within us but there’s also room for new arrivals if and when they appear.
I was comforted by how the two characters dealt with their respective losses. Some steps forward and a few back but in the end the movement was onwards and not backwards — it’s a journey you don’t want to take but sometimes life doesn’t always turn out the way you’d like.
October 31, 2022
Omg, get out the tissues!
Ms. Witt never fails to engage me in her stories. This one hits closer to home as my own nephew has recently lost his own December partner in a tra
gic accident. There is no way to express all those feelings of rage, sorrow ,depression, a sense of loss so profound. I can only hope that my own family is able to support him with the grace and understanding that was exhibited by the characters in this story.
Ms. Witt has given us a love story of two men still grieving the loss of their respective husbands. The journey takes as ..well as long as it takes..but with love, compassion and understanding ..they come out together ..and stronger than ever. This story will show some of the highs and lows of loss..it reminded me that everyone heals at their own pace. Peace Be
Ms. Witt never fails to engage me in her stories. This one hits closer to home as my own nephew has recently lost his own December partner in a tra
gic accident. There is no way to express all those feelings of rage, sorrow ,depression, a sense of loss so profound. I can only hope that my own family is able to support him with the grace and understanding that was exhibited by the characters in this story.
Ms. Witt has given us a love story of two men still grieving the loss of their respective husbands. The journey takes as ..well as long as it takes..but with love, compassion and understanding ..they come out together ..and stronger than ever. This story will show some of the highs and lows of loss..it reminded me that everyone heals at their own pace. Peace Be
January 24, 2026
This. Was. Beautiful.
I've owned this book since I first purchased it (I automatically one-click any book released by L. A. Witt), shortly after its release. I can't believe I never read this, yet it sat in my BB Kindle library for years!
At any rate, I was going over books by my favorite authors, reading blurbs to see if I remembered each story, and this one didn't trigger any. Alex and Tim's story blew me away. Their slow, painful struggles with grief and subsequent ups and downs; their discovery that chemistry for someone else besides their deceased husbands still worked; and their determined, conscious efforts to make their relationship work ~ all were beautifully written, told with such grace and realistic empathy that tears were impossible to hold back.
Thank you for such a brilliant and lovely story. It deserves five thousand stars.
I've owned this book since I first purchased it (I automatically one-click any book released by L. A. Witt), shortly after its release. I can't believe I never read this, yet it sat in my BB Kindle library for years!
At any rate, I was going over books by my favorite authors, reading blurbs to see if I remembered each story, and this one didn't trigger any. Alex and Tim's story blew me away. Their slow, painful struggles with grief and subsequent ups and downs; their discovery that chemistry for someone else besides their deceased husbands still worked; and their determined, conscious efforts to make their relationship work ~ all were beautifully written, told with such grace and realistic empathy that tears were impossible to hold back.
Thank you for such a brilliant and lovely story. It deserves five thousand stars.
November 27, 2022
After December comes the new year
Compassionate, loving, caring, full of good truths about how to deal with the loss of a spouse. The story moved slowly, as did the healing.
Well done. All characters were developed well, staying true to themselves while struggling with varying grief scenarios.
Having lost my spouse about three years ago I know all the steps through which they were carefully moving, always knowing there could be an explosion around the next turn.
I can tell you, if you're just beginning your journey, it does get better, easier to look forward. The relationship changes, it doesn't disappear, leaving you with a void, but is now more fond memories with so much less pain.
Compassionate, loving, caring, full of good truths about how to deal with the loss of a spouse. The story moved slowly, as did the healing.
Well done. All characters were developed well, staying true to themselves while struggling with varying grief scenarios.
Having lost my spouse about three years ago I know all the steps through which they were carefully moving, always knowing there could be an explosion around the next turn.
I can tell you, if you're just beginning your journey, it does get better, easier to look forward. The relationship changes, it doesn't disappear, leaving you with a void, but is now more fond memories with so much less pain.
January 17, 2023
from grief to second chance at love
This was an emotional read about two widowed gay men who are having such a hard time coming to grips with their loss and how to move forward. Tim and Alex have tried group sessions that didn’t really work and go to a Grief Retreat in a cabin in the woods.
Tim felt something the moment he saw Alex and though their losses were different their grief was the same and they understood to a point what each other was going through. It wasn’t all easy going and they both struggled with starting a relationship when their husband’s were still so vivid in their minds.
Tim also had step children to think about and how they would react to seeing him with someone who wasn’t their dad.
I think it was a beautiful story about grief, second chances at love and friendships formed. Everyone deals with grief differently and it was portrayed here in such a way that you could feel what Alex and Tim were going through. Great story and so refreshing to read something different for a change.
This was an emotional read about two widowed gay men who are having such a hard time coming to grips with their loss and how to move forward. Tim and Alex have tried group sessions that didn’t really work and go to a Grief Retreat in a cabin in the woods.
Tim felt something the moment he saw Alex and though their losses were different their grief was the same and they understood to a point what each other was going through. It wasn’t all easy going and they both struggled with starting a relationship when their husband’s were still so vivid in their minds.
Tim also had step children to think about and how they would react to seeing him with someone who wasn’t their dad.
I think it was a beautiful story about grief, second chances at love and friendships formed. Everyone deals with grief differently and it was portrayed here in such a way that you could feel what Alex and Tim were going through. Great story and so refreshing to read something different for a change.
October 22, 2022
perfect.
I was a little chary of buying this book, since I have personally been through both of the central situations. No spoilers! This is LA Witt’s forte though…. She can skate the line so well. And yes, that’s a hockey joke, even though I don’t think I’ll ever be into sports (sorry). For anyone grieving, for anyone with PTSD, you don’t have to be as scared of this literature as you might be. Anyway, don’t discount it, because it’s a human, compassionate, honest story. And yes, there’s an HEA. Always helps!
I was a little chary of buying this book, since I have personally been through both of the central situations. No spoilers! This is LA Witt’s forte though…. She can skate the line so well. And yes, that’s a hockey joke, even though I don’t think I’ll ever be into sports (sorry). For anyone grieving, for anyone with PTSD, you don’t have to be as scared of this literature as you might be. Anyway, don’t discount it, because it’s a human, compassionate, honest story. And yes, there’s an HEA. Always helps!
October 22, 2022
Okay
Disclaimer...I usually love anything this author writes but...
This story just didn't do it for me. I liked the characters, I thought the grief was really well dealt with. But the story as a whole left me feeling apathetic. I didn't FEEL the grief, the sadness, the love. And if there's one thing L.A. Witt usually makes you do, it's feel. There were a few times I nearly quit reading. The epilogue was sweet though.
Disclaimer...I usually love anything this author writes but...
This story just didn't do it for me. I liked the characters, I thought the grief was really well dealt with. But the story as a whole left me feeling apathetic. I didn't FEEL the grief, the sadness, the love. And if there's one thing L.A. Witt usually makes you do, it's feel. There were a few times I nearly quit reading. The epilogue was sweet though.
October 24, 2022
*openly sobbing*
Goodness, the number of times this book literally had me silently sobbing. I lost my grandmother five months ago, and - like Tim and Alex - the grief is ever present. Seeing my pain in these two characters was heart wrenching, but it was also a relief. Tomorrow is another day. So grateful that Ms. Witt decided to tackle this subject head on while still giving us that perfect happy ending!
Goodness, the number of times this book literally had me silently sobbing. I lost my grandmother five months ago, and - like Tim and Alex - the grief is ever present. Seeing my pain in these two characters was heart wrenching, but it was also a relief. Tomorrow is another day. So grateful that Ms. Witt decided to tackle this subject head on while still giving us that perfect happy ending!
December 4, 2022
Living and Loving with Grief
Tim had lost his husband after a battle with cancer, Alex had lost his husband after a car accident. Both were directed to attend a grief counseling retreat to help them through the process. Meeting someone during this time wasn't in their plans, but it happened. Both had to help each other get through their grieving process. They fought their darkest hours together. I loved their journey.
Tim had lost his husband after a battle with cancer, Alex had lost his husband after a car accident. Both were directed to attend a grief counseling retreat to help them through the process. Meeting someone during this time wasn't in their plans, but it happened. Both had to help each other get through their grieving process. They fought their darkest hours together. I loved their journey.
October 19, 2022
Emotional and beautiful
Wow what an emotional book. I couldn't put it down. This book deals with grief and loss so sensitively. Two grieving widows find love unexpectedly. This is a hard read at times but there was also warmth and joy. Lots of steamy scenes. I couldn't put it down. 5 stars
Wow what an emotional book. I couldn't put it down. This book deals with grief and loss so sensitively. Two grieving widows find love unexpectedly. This is a hard read at times but there was also warmth and joy. Lots of steamy scenes. I couldn't put it down. 5 stars
October 29, 2022
I have start Reading this book with a little anghst because I'm where Alex and Tim are. The author described all with delicacy and correctness, nothing that I haven't feel and the happy end give me hope to find love again. Only thing that I don't liked was the lenght, also if throught the pages I can read the passions of mrs Witt for hokey and drawing.
December 7, 2022
Why I felt the need to read this after my mother recently died, God only knows. It was beyond sad. And moving. I loved both the main characters, but have to add it felt a tad too long. It felt dragged out in the middle, but I didn't once think I needed to stop. I liked reading about their ways of dealing with grief. But longer than it needed to be. So three stars.
August 6, 2023
Tim & Alex both end up going to a widowers’ retreat, as they try to deal with the loss that their partners. Although they are trying to get over their grief, they end up finding joy & a spark between them that neither of them expected.
This was a bittersweet story of how there can be life after loss. Quite realistic, too… Great story.
This was a bittersweet story of how there can be life after loss. Quite realistic, too… Great story.
October 21, 2022
just beautiful
An amazing journey down a road that so many face treated with such compassion and empathy. Absolutely wonderful story of Alex and Tim’s struggles. Thoroughly recommended!
An amazing journey down a road that so many face treated with such compassion and empathy. Absolutely wonderful story of Alex and Tim’s struggles. Thoroughly recommended!
July 30, 2026
oh look a book where the deceased mc doesn't get shit on or villainised, halle-fucking-lujah
urgh it annoys me so damn much, all of sudden the dead mc is the biggest problem on the planet just to make the new love interest look worthy, gives me the biggest ick, its so irritating, makes me hate all of them,
didn't happen here thank god,
urgh it annoys me so damn much, all of sudden the dead mc is the biggest problem on the planet just to make the new love interest look worthy, gives me the biggest ick, its so irritating, makes me hate all of them,
didn't happen here thank god,
October 24, 2022
DNF @ 43%, start of the post-retreat portion of the book—and I’m done: It’s boring and repetitive
November 12, 2022
This was a hard read for me. I didn’t really connect with the MCs and it felt very slow. Most of LA Witt’s books have been a consistent good reads, but this one was just ok for me.
December 16, 2022
Two widowers get together at a retreat. Tugged at the heartstrings.
April 17, 2023
Sometimes it could be a bit boring but the book was ameizing just what you could expect by seeing the book I really enjoy reading it.
May 17, 2023
I read an awful lot of books. I haven't read anything that had me so involved in a very long time. The story of Tim and Alex is something that could happen to any of us. I heartily recommend it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews