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After The Music
It all started as a joke. Sabina was only pretending to be engaged to her best friend, millionaire Al Thordon. Al had talked her into this scheme as a way to trick his older brother, Thorn. Al had no choice but to lie. And to make Sabina his accomplice.Sabina thought that it would be for just one night. When Thorn accused her of being a gold digger, Sabina just laughed it off. She didn't think of the repercussions--that Thron would dig up her long-buried secrets. Revealing them now would destroy everything she'd worked so hard to out behind her. But she couldn't let her best friend down, could she?
Mass Market Paperback
First published March 25, 1998
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About the author
Diana Palmer
1,038 books3,096 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
Diana Palmer is a pseudonym for author Susan Kyle.
(1)romance author
Susan Eloise Spaeth was born on 11 December 1946 in Cuthbert, Georgia, USA. She was the eldest daughter of Maggie Eloise Cliatt, a nurse and also journalist, and William Olin Spaeth, a college professor. Her mother was part of the women's liberation movement many years before it became fashionable. Her best friends are her mother and her sister, Dannis Spaeth (Cole), who now has two daughters, Amanda Belle Hofstetter and Maggie and lives in Utah. Susan grew up reading Zane Grey and fell in love with cowboys. Susan is a former newspaper reporter, with sixteen years experience on both daily and weekly newspapers. Since 1972, she has been married to James Kyle and have since settled down in Cornelia, Georgia, where she started to write romance novels. Susan and her husband have one son, Blayne Edward, born in 1980.
She began selling romances in 1979 as Diana Palmer. She also used the pseudonyms Diana Blayne and Katy Currie, and her married name: Susan Kyle. Now, she has over 40 million copies of her books in print, which have been translated and published around the world. She is listed in numerous publications, including Contemporary Authors by Gale Research, Inc., Twentieth Century Romance and Historical Writers by St. James Press, The Writers Directory by St. James Press, the International Who's Who of Authors and Writers by Meirose Press, Ltd., and Love's Leading Ladies by Kathryn Falk. Her awards include seven Waldenbooks national sales awards, four B. Dalton national sales awards, two Bookrak national sales awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award for series storytelling from Romantic Times, several Affaire de Coeur awards, and two regional RWA awards.
Inspired by her husband, who quit a blue-collar manufacturing job to return to school and get his diploma in computer programming, Susan herself went back to college as a day student at the age of 45. In 1995, she graduated summa cum laude from Piedmont College, Demorest, GA, with a major in history and a double minor in archaeology and Spanish. She was named to two honor societies (the Torch Club and Alpha Chi), and was named to the National Dean's List. In addition to her writing projects, she is currently working on her master's degree in history at California State University. She hopes to specialize in Native American studies. She is a member of the Native American Rights Fund, the American Museum of Natural History, the National Cattlemen's Association, the Archaeological Institute of Amenca, the Planetary Society, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia Sheriff's Association, and numerous conservation and charitable organizations. Her hobbies include gardening, archaeology, anthropology, iguanas, astronomy and music.
In 1998, her husband retired from his own computer business and now pursues skeet shooting medals in local, state, national and international competition. They love riding around and looking at the countryside, watching sci-fi on TV and at the movies, just talking and eating out.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 158 reviews
August 21, 2023
2.5
I know when I start Diana Palmer book what to expect. Overbearing jerk of a hero. Young, innocent woman (usually a virgin). But sometimes her books 'call to me' and I have to read them! This one was no exception. He was a fucking ass. She was a bit immature and innocent!
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. And the fashion in the books!! LOL. Horrendous. I am sure I will dip in now and again when I need a bit of 80's cheese!!!
I know when I start Diana Palmer book what to expect. Overbearing jerk of a hero. Young, innocent woman (usually a virgin). But sometimes her books 'call to me' and I have to read them! This one was no exception. He was a fucking ass. She was a bit immature and innocent!
It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. And the fashion in the books!! LOL. Horrendous. I am sure I will dip in now and again when I need a bit of 80's cheese!!!
October 15, 2020
Typical delicious Diana Palmer, all the right ingredients mixed and served just the way I prefer it-hot and spicy served with dollops of angst and sweetness.
The cold cruel hero who bucks and fights his fate to the bitter end and the h, an amazingly perfect balance of strong and sweet, sassy and sensitive. Both have a bad past and are commitment wary, but on meeting have a magnetic attraction and affinity-both physical and emotional. But circumstances play spoilsport.
She is in a pretend relationship with his younger brother to act as a red herring, so as to protect his real lady love from the disapproval of the domineering big brother. The controlling big bro wants lil brother to marry an oil heiress etc.
Now as i said the H/h have an immediate and incendiary chemistry. But she cannot act on it (well, at least she tries not to!) as he is the ‘brother-in-law to be’ and he is anyways a misogynist who is hell bent on breaking the ‘engagement’. So he tries bribes, seduction and lastly threats but nothing works. All this interspersed with sharp n sweet banter and making out sessions.So as a last resort, he does something really terrible and enhances the angst to a satisfying heart achy level. Lovely lovely!
Then she has this accident and hurts herself. So who comes to the rescue but..? Our repentant H does his delayed heroship bit -taking care/charge of her cum grovel till the delicious hea!
So even if the story is predictable,it's the entertaining and achingly sweet chemistry between the two which makes this story special.
*Sigh* I can read this again and soon!
The cold cruel hero who bucks and fights his fate to the bitter end and the h, an amazingly perfect balance of strong and sweet, sassy and sensitive. Both have a bad past and are commitment wary, but on meeting have a magnetic attraction and affinity-both physical and emotional. But circumstances play spoilsport.
She is in a pretend relationship with his younger brother to act as a red herring, so as to protect his real lady love from the disapproval of the domineering big brother. The controlling big bro wants lil brother to marry an oil heiress etc.
Now as i said the H/h have an immediate and incendiary chemistry. But she cannot act on it (well, at least she tries not to!) as he is the ‘brother-in-law to be’ and he is anyways a misogynist who is hell bent on breaking the ‘engagement’. So he tries bribes, seduction and lastly threats but nothing works. All this interspersed with sharp n sweet banter and making out sessions.So as a last resort, he does something really terrible and enhances the angst to a satisfying heart achy level. Lovely lovely!
Then she has this accident and hurts herself. So who comes to the rescue but..? Our repentant H does his delayed heroship bit -taking care/charge of her cum grovel till the delicious hea!
So even if the story is predictable,it's the entertaining and achingly sweet chemistry between the two which makes this story special.
*Sigh* I can read this again and soon!
January 6, 2018
Thank you GR reviewer friends. Based on the reviews I was expecting a train wreck of epic proportions and I got it. What surprised me was how much I loved it.
The hero is a low-down, dirty dog who tries to drag the heroine through hell, but she rises above it and inflicts such emotional and psychic damage on the hero it is epic. Well done. The heroine does what few heroines in romances ever do, she holds her head up high and confronts her situation head on. No whining, no kvetching, no whimpering. Cold, hard, cat can't-scratch-it-steel spine.
I bought his remorse and I bought the grovel. Here's hoping he can keep it up.
Oh what the hell, I'm bumping it to 4 stars.
The hero is a low-down, dirty dog who tries to drag the heroine through hell, but she rises above it and inflicts such emotional and psychic damage on the hero it is epic. Well done. The heroine does what few heroines in romances ever do, she holds her head up high and confronts her situation head on. No whining, no kvetching, no whimpering. Cold, hard, cat can't-scratch-it-steel spine.
I bought his remorse and I bought the grovel. Here's hoping he can keep it up.
Oh what the hell, I'm bumping it to 4 stars.
March 19, 2017
Even on re-read this one packs quite a wallop.
Opera/rock star heroine is scrappy and generous and emotionally scarred by a turbulent childhood. Oilman hero is stern and hard and emotionally scarred by a turbulent childhood. The heroine sees their similarities immediately and that's why I liked her. She fought the hero with the knowledge they could be friends. The hero, in order to protect his brother (and his own vulnerable feelings) sets his revenge scheme in motion out of duty rather than hate. The fact that they both liked each other underneath all of that raging lust is what makes the angsty final third of the book so fraught. The stakes were so high and they both crashed spectacularly.
The hero's grovel is everything a grovel should be - it shows his remorse and a new understanding of both characters. That DP packed so much characterization and story into 187 pages is a testament to tight writing and shows just what a category can deliver.
Opera/rock star heroine is scrappy and generous and emotionally scarred by a turbulent childhood. Oilman hero is stern and hard and emotionally scarred by a turbulent childhood. The heroine sees their similarities immediately and that's why I liked her. She fought the hero with the knowledge they could be friends. The hero, in order to protect his brother (and his own vulnerable feelings) sets his revenge scheme in motion out of duty rather than hate. The fact that they both liked each other underneath all of that raging lust is what makes the angsty final third of the book so fraught. The stakes were so high and they both crashed spectacularly.
The hero's grovel is everything a grovel should be - it shows his remorse and a new understanding of both characters. That DP packed so much characterization and story into 187 pages is a testament to tight writing and shows just what a category can deliver.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2012
4.5 Stars
A good friend (Yes that's you Erika ☺ ) recommended this one to me as it is one of her all time favourites and I can honestly see why. She warned me that it didn't really have any sex scenes which if I am honest if it had not been recommended by a friend that would have put me off as I do like a bit of steam in the books that I read. Having said that I don't mind occasionally provided the sexual tension is there between the H & h and we are not fobbed off with silly fluffy words. Anyway I started reading this with the thought that I would probably end up lifting my eyebrows and wondering why on earth I was reading it but I continued to trust my friend's judgement and I so glad that I did. There are reviews out there that explain the plot and story line so no need for me to re-hash.
I did find the writing a bit dated but then it was originally published in 1985 so I suppose this was to be expected. We did get treated to a good amount of sexual tension as Thorn and Sabina instantly felt the sizzle between them, and there were several scenes with some very heavy petting but there were 2 things that stopped Thorn from actually having sex with her - Firstly Sabina was engaged to his brother and secondly he knew she was a virgin. Of course he didn't know that the engagement was a cover for his brother to actually marry the woman he loves (Sabina's best friend) and I think that if he did know then the fact that she was a virgin would not have stopped him as he desperately wanted her.
Up to this point I felt this book was a typical Harlequin, this story had been told many times which didn't make it a great deal different apart from the fact that the writing was excellent and I am sure was outstanding in its day. It was that well written that we did feel that we knew those characters. We knew that Sabina was a really likeable, sincere and kind person and we loved her personality and spirit. We also knew that although the Thorn was a bit of a brute (Notice my use of a very 70's/80's word - nowadays he would be called a Pig LOL), he was also quite a tortured soul in that he had never really been loved for himself and that women/people were only ever attracted to him for his money and therefore had no real friends. The only person he loved was his brother and he was determined to protect him from Sabina as she was obviously a gold-digger and he would do whatever was necessary!
Throughout the story we learnt that the Sabina had had a hard and horrible life but we were never told the details, and although we knew that the Thorn would try and use this against her to try and break up the engagement, it was still an extremely moving scene. I actually had tears in my eyes and had a sniffle or two even though I knew it would somehow turn around and they would get their HEA.
Yes, I did find it outdated but I did think that the writing was excellent and I probably would have given it a ranking of between 3.5 to 4 stars but those last few chapters were so moving and so well written and full of angst which I love, I couldn't help myself and upgraded that rating to 4.5 stars. Over the years it has been re-issued several times and feel that it is a shame that it wasn't bought a bit more up-to-date. By this I mean words & settings and definitly not having the H smoking or lighting up a cigarette in every single scene, not necessarily to add sex scenes as I felt they were not really needed and there was loads of sexual tension. If it had been then I honestly think that I would have automatically given it an outright 5 stars which is something I very rarely do for a Harlequin!
A good friend (Yes that's you Erika ☺ ) recommended this one to me as it is one of her all time favourites and I can honestly see why. She warned me that it didn't really have any sex scenes which if I am honest if it had not been recommended by a friend that would have put me off as I do like a bit of steam in the books that I read. Having said that I don't mind occasionally provided the sexual tension is there between the H & h and we are not fobbed off with silly fluffy words. Anyway I started reading this with the thought that I would probably end up lifting my eyebrows and wondering why on earth I was reading it but I continued to trust my friend's judgement and I so glad that I did. There are reviews out there that explain the plot and story line so no need for me to re-hash.
I did find the writing a bit dated but then it was originally published in 1985 so I suppose this was to be expected. We did get treated to a good amount of sexual tension as Thorn and Sabina instantly felt the sizzle between them, and there were several scenes with some very heavy petting but there were 2 things that stopped Thorn from actually having sex with her - Firstly Sabina was engaged to his brother and secondly he knew she was a virgin. Of course he didn't know that the engagement was a cover for his brother to actually marry the woman he loves (Sabina's best friend) and I think that if he did know then the fact that she was a virgin would not have stopped him as he desperately wanted her.
Up to this point I felt this book was a typical Harlequin, this story had been told many times which didn't make it a great deal different apart from the fact that the writing was excellent and I am sure was outstanding in its day. It was that well written that we did feel that we knew those characters. We knew that Sabina was a really likeable, sincere and kind person and we loved her personality and spirit. We also knew that although the Thorn was a bit of a brute (Notice my use of a very 70's/80's word - nowadays he would be called a Pig LOL), he was also quite a tortured soul in that he had never really been loved for himself and that women/people were only ever attracted to him for his money and therefore had no real friends. The only person he loved was his brother and he was determined to protect him from Sabina as she was obviously a gold-digger and he would do whatever was necessary!
Throughout the story we learnt that the Sabina had had a hard and horrible life but we were never told the details, and although we knew that the Thorn would try and use this against her to try and break up the engagement, it was still an extremely moving scene. I actually had tears in my eyes and had a sniffle or two even though I knew it would somehow turn around and they would get their HEA.
Yes, I did find it outdated but I did think that the writing was excellent and I probably would have given it a ranking of between 3.5 to 4 stars but those last few chapters were so moving and so well written and full of angst which I love, I couldn't help myself and upgraded that rating to 4.5 stars. Over the years it has been re-issued several times and feel that it is a shame that it wasn't bought a bit more up-to-date. By this I mean words & settings and definitly not having the H smoking or lighting up a cigarette in every single scene, not necessarily to add sex scenes as I felt they were not really needed and there was loads of sexual tension. If it had been then I honestly think that I would have automatically given it an outright 5 stars which is something I very rarely do for a Harlequin!
September 20, 2020
2.5 stars
This read like a Harlequin Romance. And ooops, now that I actually checked it is one lol
Not that there is anything wrong with that, because I indulge from time to time. All the amnesia, secret babies and a**hole billionaires are calling to me.
That being said, I went into this expecting something else. I also didn't notice that it was very short, that would have tipped me off.
I will say that I did like the dialogue between Sabina and Thorn. Sure, they were a bit OTT but she had some good lines I enjoyed. Verbal sparring was like a sport in this book, those two would qualify for the Olympics.
Now, I didn't buy their love. But their lust, yeah totally.
Now, everyone is saying how the hero is such a big jerk blah blah, and yeah sure he was BUT Sabina was supposed to be "engaged" to Al, the hero's brother (even if it was all a ruse - Thorn didn't know, only Sabina and Al knew). Now putting myself in his place, if my sister's fiancee was throwing lusty gazes at me and melting when I approach, making it clear that he'd like to do the naked stuff then yeah, I'd become a jerk too. I'd punch that jerk and do everything to expose him because that's despicable.
So, in my opinion, Sabina should have gotten off her high horse because she brought it upon herself. If she wanted to help Al maybe she should have played the part of faithful fiancee.
Also, I hated how she was portrayed like such a Mary-Sue, I mean seriously, she was giving away all her money and she was poor herself.
Whatever, this was short and slightly enjoyable but nothing to write home about.
This read like a Harlequin Romance. And ooops, now that I actually checked it is one lol
Not that there is anything wrong with that, because I indulge from time to time. All the amnesia, secret babies and a**hole billionaires are calling to me.
That being said, I went into this expecting something else. I also didn't notice that it was very short, that would have tipped me off.
I will say that I did like the dialogue between Sabina and Thorn. Sure, they were a bit OTT but she had some good lines I enjoyed. Verbal sparring was like a sport in this book, those two would qualify for the Olympics.
Now, I didn't buy their love. But their lust, yeah totally.
Now, everyone is saying how the hero is such a big jerk blah blah, and yeah sure he was BUT Sabina was supposed to be "engaged" to Al, the hero's brother (even if it was all a ruse - Thorn didn't know, only Sabina and Al knew). Now putting myself in his place, if my sister's fiancee was throwing lusty gazes at me and melting when I approach, making it clear that he'd like to do the naked stuff then yeah, I'd become a jerk too. I'd punch that jerk and do everything to expose him because that's despicable.
So, in my opinion, Sabina should have gotten off her high horse because she brought it upon herself. If she wanted to help Al maybe she should have played the part of faithful fiancee.
Also, I hated how she was portrayed like such a Mary-Sue, I mean seriously, she was giving away all her money and she was poor herself.
Whatever, this was short and slightly enjoyable but nothing to write home about.
December 15, 2017
Ok, I love a heroine who can give the jerk as good as she got!
Heroine had a rough life and she was illegitimate.
She was also pretending to be her best friends fiancée as he was engaged to her other best friend and was worried that his brother wouldn't approve of it.
Hero is of course the bastard brother, who decides to teach the heroine a lesson, and announces the heroines birth details in front of half the elite society.
Heroine didn't back off, gave him a piece of her mind and told him exact how many different kind of bastard he was and trust me hero paid for his sins.
Good grovel and good mental punishment.
However 2 stars down because seriously hero was not sorry enough. He kept on saying he didn’t know. WTF did he not know? And also he blamed heroine for pretending to be engaged to hero’s brother.
What irked me was that hero said he’d have been happy for his brother and his fiancée because he liked her.
There was literally NO difference between the two girls, so why was the heroine not good enough for the brother?
And heroine had to spill out the sob story of her life to gain sympathy and earn pity of the hero to be finally good enough for him?
So what if she was just an illegitimate child of an average prostitute without the heart wrenching details? Would that have made hero’s actions justified?
NO ONE, not even the heroine called him out on that.
When he asked her to marry him anyone with half a brain would have asked if I’m good enough for you why wasn’t I good enough for your brother?
Why do romance authors assume just because I prefer this genre I lack in intellect?
Heroine had a rough life and she was illegitimate.
She was also pretending to be her best friends fiancée as he was engaged to her other best friend and was worried that his brother wouldn't approve of it.
Hero is of course the bastard brother, who decides to teach the heroine a lesson, and announces the heroines birth details in front of half the elite society.
Heroine didn't back off, gave him a piece of her mind and told him exact how many different kind of bastard he was and trust me hero paid for his sins.
Good grovel and good mental punishment.
However 2 stars down because seriously hero was not sorry enough. He kept on saying he didn’t know. WTF did he not know? And also he blamed heroine for pretending to be engaged to hero’s brother.
What irked me was that hero said he’d have been happy for his brother and his fiancée because he liked her.
There was literally NO difference between the two girls, so why was the heroine not good enough for the brother?
And heroine had to spill out the sob story of her life to gain sympathy and earn pity of the hero to be finally good enough for him?
So what if she was just an illegitimate child of an average prostitute without the heart wrenching details? Would that have made hero’s actions justified?
NO ONE, not even the heroine called him out on that.
When he asked her to marry him anyone with half a brain would have asked if I’m good enough for you why wasn’t I good enough for your brother?
Why do romance authors assume just because I prefer this genre I lack in intellect?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 29, 2017
"Listen to me, you half-baked adventuress," he said suddenly. "I'm not having my brother taken over by a wild-eyed rock singer with eyes for his bankbook!" Moving toward her, he reached into his vest pocket, caught her roughly by the arm, and stuffed a piece of paper into the valley between her high breasts. "You take that and get the hell out of my brother's sight. I make a bad enemy. Remember it!"
He escorted her to the door and shoved her out of his office. "I'll make your apologies to my mother," he added sarcastically. The door slammed shut behind her.
I just can't get enough of this book. After The Music is the most frequently re-read novel I have so far.
Meet the heroine, Sabina Cane. She's an amazing young woman who has no family left, a survivor from a horrible past. Despite what she had been through, she's a brave, kind, and loving person. She's also a woman with a huge fighting spirit and she works hard for living. With her beautiful voice, she's trying to reach success as a rock singer. She loves to help her friends. So when her bestfriend Albert Thorndon, needs something to divert his older brother's attention, Sabina agrees to play a charade. Her past taught her one thing, a rich bastard man is the kind of man she would never, ever get involved with. A man like Thorn.
Hamilton Regan Thorndon III is a survivor from a bitter past. He has become a cold-blooded tycoon and a heartless lover. The only person he loves is his younger brother. Thorn would do anything to protect the only family that still matters to him. His past taught him one thing, never, ever trust a woman. Especially gold digger kind of woman like the rock singer Al introduced to Thorn as his girlfriend. But Thorn won't let them go any further. He would seduce her to become his. Otherwise, he would destroy her. And then the game started.
I was emotionally involved by the strong characters. Thorn was devilish but Sabina knew how to push him off limits. Sabina was fearless but Thorn knew her weakness. They argued until emotions exploded, they shared kisses and fell deep into temptations, they touched and passions burned. They tried really hard to ignore their feelings and it hurted them.
Lots of romance books with the same theme, but this one IMHO was one of the very best. It was captivating. Diana Palmer surprised me because although there were so many sexual contacts between Thorn and Sabina, they have never gone too far. Some readers wouldn't like this book because of it, but some would still love it. The plot twist made me gasped in surprise. After the Music brought me joy, laughters and tears. I loved this book so much. A fascinating read and one of my all time favorites.
February 17, 2014
I have this categorized under romance (I think)......
This was my very first DP novel.
For being a romance addict, that's quite a statement. I have always avoided this author because she has a reputation of writing singularly ruthless, "bad ass", abusive heroes. Though, I love a "bad boy" hero, I stop at abusive. There is nothing sexy or loving about abuse, no matter how you sugar coat it. So I picked this one up, with great hesitation and trepidation.
Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. (poor DP, you have such a bad rap) Typical to the genre, the hero had his share of asshat, dysfunctional moments, but he also had a lot of depth that is atypical of these heroes. Also, the heroine could "dish" it right back which made for some fun moments. The author did a great job of writing an intelligent man who had more between the "ears" than his "legs". (Always a good trait to have in a hero). This one just happened to be a little wounded because Mama never stayed too long between the same bedsheets, and his fiancé dumped his sorry ass for Daddy whose pocketbook was larger than his. Consequently, hero ran around with a chip on his shoulder larger than the state of Texas, but who could blame him?
All in all, this worked for me on the romance front. Especially the long "grovel" at the end. I thought it was absolutely appropriate and commensurate to the crime committed. However, I ended up rating this only 3 stars because the passion between the two just felt "forced". I thought the author went out of her way to push the envelope and write some "naughty" sex scenes, which ended up feeling tasteless rather than passionate. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a prude, BUT there was just some special chemistry missing between these two that left me cold.
This was my very first DP novel.
For being a romance addict, that's quite a statement. I have always avoided this author because she has a reputation of writing singularly ruthless, "bad ass", abusive heroes. Though, I love a "bad boy" hero, I stop at abusive. There is nothing sexy or loving about abuse, no matter how you sugar coat it. So I picked this one up, with great hesitation and trepidation.
Surprisingly, it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. (poor DP, you have such a bad rap) Typical to the genre, the hero had his share of asshat, dysfunctional moments, but he also had a lot of depth that is atypical of these heroes. Also, the heroine could "dish" it right back which made for some fun moments. The author did a great job of writing an intelligent man who had more between the "ears" than his "legs". (Always a good trait to have in a hero). This one just happened to be a little wounded because Mama never stayed too long between the same bedsheets, and his fiancé dumped his sorry ass for Daddy whose pocketbook was larger than his. Consequently, hero ran around with a chip on his shoulder larger than the state of Texas, but who could blame him?
All in all, this worked for me on the romance front. Especially the long "grovel" at the end. I thought it was absolutely appropriate and commensurate to the crime committed. However, I ended up rating this only 3 stars because the passion between the two just felt "forced". I thought the author went out of her way to push the envelope and write some "naughty" sex scenes, which ended up feeling tasteless rather than passionate. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a prude, BUT there was just some special chemistry missing between these two that left me cold.
December 3, 2021
Yes! Delicious, intense, nonstop angsty goodness, packed from start to finish into a category-length book. No spies-like-us nonsense or rom-sus diversions; the tight focus on our MCs keeps the intensity and pacing taut. Heroine is a keeper, hero is DP vintage cruel emotionally, but the tender love scenes show Diana doing what she does best (and while ze prose, it may tinge purple, she does write hot and emotional love scenes). Our scrappy yet vulnerable heroine in this one is an up and coming soft-rock singer but DP clearly isn't a huge fan of pop music, since the callouts are to a Puccini aria and this old chestnut from Me and My Gal (hero says the heroine makes him think of it; even calls her "tulip" as an endearment), which made for good listening during my reading of the story. No filler, no distractions from the romance--for me, a vintage keeper from DP. Preeti and other fave reviewers have all the deets.
August 5, 2015
Edited on 6th August, 2015
I cannot believe the number of times I have added :') to this review. Have I become less immature in these past 2 years? Please tell me that I have. Please.
I loved this book so much. It was full of hair-wrenching angst and sweetness and...*sob* Now this is the Diana Palmer I love! :') ♥ Even though the heroine wasn't a typical DP heroine, even though I usually like less..um, feisty heroines, I found myself loving Sabina. She had such a big heart, was strong and independent and fell completely head over heels for the hero. God DAMN, Diana Palmer. She always gives me what I want from a story. Doesn't she know how much I like a heroine who's not afraid to admit her love for the hero? :')
The hero was so deliciously cruel :3 I even hated him for a while, but, as always, he was a wonder at grovelling. Oh how I love a good Diana Palmer grovel! It was so sweet and intense. I'm sure if I was a crier, I would have cried at their HEA. *sniffle*
I loved the sexual attraction between the two as well. *shiver* Like I said, Diana Palmer knows how to give it to you good.
The story was a meh story, it was really typical. I didn't care much for the rock singer theme (or the opera singer theme for that matter). The side characters' romance was cute and fluffy. And as usual, DP's writing was up to the mark. I love this woman :')
I cannot believe the number of times I have added :') to this review. Have I become less immature in these past 2 years? Please tell me that I have. Please.
I loved this book so much. It was full of hair-wrenching angst and sweetness and...*sob* Now this is the Diana Palmer I love! :') ♥ Even though the heroine wasn't a typical DP heroine, even though I usually like less..um, feisty heroines, I found myself loving Sabina. She had such a big heart, was strong and independent and fell completely head over heels for the hero. God DAMN, Diana Palmer. She always gives me what I want from a story. Doesn't she know how much I like a heroine who's not afraid to admit her love for the hero? :')
The hero was so deliciously cruel :3 I even hated him for a while, but, as always, he was a wonder at grovelling. Oh how I love a good Diana Palmer grovel! It was so sweet and intense. I'm sure if I was a crier, I would have cried at their HEA. *sniffle*
I loved the sexual attraction between the two as well. *shiver* Like I said, Diana Palmer knows how to give it to you good.
The story was a meh story, it was really typical. I didn't care much for the rock singer theme (or the opera singer theme for that matter). The side characters' romance was cute and fluffy. And as usual, DP's writing was up to the mark. I love this woman :')
October 19, 2022
Re-read Oct 2022 (and several other times)
The one book to pull me out of my slump. But that fails. Cuz I’m a puddle of starry eyed passionate love, unable to go back to life. Sigh. If only DP would serve justice and write an epilogue.
——————————————————-////
What kind of witchcraft is this. I DEMAND AN EPILOGUE.
Clearly I’m late to the show and my friends have excellent reviews here so I’ve not much to add. Except that the book rearranged my soul but left me high and dry. I’ve been telling anyone who’d even look at me today to go take a hike, so I could stop holding my breath and get to the end. If there’s any one book gnawing for an epilogue: I’d nominate this one. Why DP. WHY.
One of the best books I’ve read imho. Not a single page goes without gripping you in with vicious pulsating sparring between the mc’s.
The h, Sabina is sweet and forgiving and has her own back. She’s left for the wolves when her best friends, who want to marry each other, use her as a prop for warding off the evil antagonist in their love story, the older brother, the oil baron!
While Sabina is faking her feelings for her friend, she’s spurring extreme dislike, intrigue, lust and eventually the incapacitating mad love of the evil brother Thorn. Thorn has been fooled once and he’s armoured himself never to be bothered by something as petty as love and feelings again. He’s truly unprepared for the kind of ammo Sabina puts up against him. And he comes down crashing. The best, most realistic grovel I could imagine in my deepest dreams.
Well. This book will be a forever favorite! Words fail me.
The one book to pull me out of my slump. But that fails. Cuz I’m a puddle of starry eyed passionate love, unable to go back to life. Sigh. If only DP would serve justice and write an epilogue.
——————————————————-////
What kind of witchcraft is this. I DEMAND AN EPILOGUE.
Clearly I’m late to the show and my friends have excellent reviews here so I’ve not much to add. Except that the book rearranged my soul but left me high and dry. I’ve been telling anyone who’d even look at me today to go take a hike, so I could stop holding my breath and get to the end. If there’s any one book gnawing for an epilogue: I’d nominate this one. Why DP. WHY.
One of the best books I’ve read imho. Not a single page goes without gripping you in with vicious pulsating sparring between the mc’s.
The h, Sabina is sweet and forgiving and has her own back. She’s left for the wolves when her best friends, who want to marry each other, use her as a prop for warding off the evil antagonist in their love story, the older brother, the oil baron!
While Sabina is faking her feelings for her friend, she’s spurring extreme dislike, intrigue, lust and eventually the incapacitating mad love of the evil brother Thorn. Thorn has been fooled once and he’s armoured himself never to be bothered by something as petty as love and feelings again. He’s truly unprepared for the kind of ammo Sabina puts up against him. And he comes down crashing. The best, most realistic grovel I could imagine in my deepest dreams.
Well. This book will be a forever favorite! Words fail me.
July 16, 2016
I just loved this book even when the hero was a jerk I still liked him.
A swoon worthy hero and a sassy heroine what a winning combo.
They both have issues but when he goes to her in the hospital and takes her home, my heart just melted.
But the most powerful scene when he tell her he knows about her mother after she sings for him at his party, I was in tears.
Was it was awesome!
Read it and see.
The most powerful emotional read by DP without sex.
A swoon worthy hero and a sassy heroine what a winning combo.
They both have issues but when he goes to her in the hospital and takes her home, my heart just melted.
But the most powerful scene when he tell her he knows about her mother after she sings for him at his party, I was in tears.
Was it was awesome!
Read it and see.
The most powerful emotional read by DP without sex.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 20, 2019
What can I say about this one that hasn't already been said. The H is a really horrible piece of work and he does something pretty unforgivable to the h. He deserved to rot in hell quite honestly and although he pulls of a pretty good grovel. I wanted to see him grovel about 47% more. Quite honestly he deserved the punch in mouth not his brother! The h forgave faaar to easily!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2014
Rock star Sabina Cane had a crappy childhood. She doesn't want anyone knowing about her business or trying to socialize with her. She doesn't want to repeat the same mistakes her mother made in her past. She doesn't want marriage or love or commitment. I admired her inner strength and her struggle to remain positive and find the light despite her broken heart.
Thorn is also haunted by his past. He does his best to push people away from getting to know him. He wasn't expecting his brother's fiance, the feisty Sabina, to make him feel all the things he refused to feel. He tries to seduce her and ends up hurting and publicly humiliating her in the worst way possible. He really had to grovel to get her to accept his heartfelt apology. Super romantic, emotional read! Diana Palmer is simply the best!
Thorn is also haunted by his past. He does his best to push people away from getting to know him. He wasn't expecting his brother's fiance, the feisty Sabina, to make him feel all the things he refused to feel. He tries to seduce her and ends up hurting and publicly humiliating her in the worst way possible. He really had to grovel to get her to accept his heartfelt apology. Super romantic, emotional read! Diana Palmer is simply the best!
April 21, 2017
"After the Music" is the love story of Thorn and Sabina.
Sabina is a barely surviving, locally famous rockstar who spends her time enjoying whatever she has in life and helping her down on luck neighbors.
When one of her closest friends and manager needs her help to fool his rigid and stubborn brother Thorn until he can marry his secretary Jessica- she decides to be his pretend fiancé.
Thorn is prejudiced and is rude- but Sabina is a strong heroine who fights fire with Fire. Instant attraction between the two but he goes beyond limits to hurt her.. and then grovels and repents.
Heavy dose of angst in this sweet love story.
Safe
3.75/5
Sabina is a barely surviving, locally famous rockstar who spends her time enjoying whatever she has in life and helping her down on luck neighbors.
When one of her closest friends and manager needs her help to fool his rigid and stubborn brother Thorn until he can marry his secretary Jessica- she decides to be his pretend fiancé.
Thorn is prejudiced and is rude- but Sabina is a strong heroine who fights fire with Fire. Instant attraction between the two but he goes beyond limits to hurt her.. and then grovels and repents.
Heavy dose of angst in this sweet love story.
Safe
3.75/5
October 23, 2024
My God this book was awful. I skimmed to get to the “betrayal” and then had to DNF around 90%. At that point the H still hasn’t been nice to the h. But she looooooves him. 🙄 They’ve known each other for like a week and he’s treated her like a gold digging whore the whole time.
I paid $4.99 for this book and I have never regretted a purchase more. For the first time ever, I permanently deleted a book from my Kindle that I paid for. I don’t even want to remember this crap exists.
I paid $4.99 for this book and I have never regretted a purchase more. For the first time ever, I permanently deleted a book from my Kindle that I paid for. I don’t even want to remember this crap exists.
February 12, 2018
i knew this was a sure thing. All the the reviews said it and indeed i loved this book. I really liked Sabina she was kind and likable and held her head high. The reveal scene.. omg!!!! she was on fire. Thorn was cruel sometimes..the more i read the more i pitted him..in his case is true the saying "no one can hurt you more than you hurt yourself".
The aftermath of his trying to drag her was the best.. he loses some business, he loses his acquaintances. The grovel was great -you go boy!!! grovel away!!!
The aftermath of his trying to drag her was the best.. he loses some business, he loses his acquaintances. The grovel was great -you go boy!!! grovel away!!!
July 12, 2021
So, that was good.
The heroine is a unicorn, that is a virgin rock singer.
She pretends to be the girlfriend of hero’s younger brother, because he’s in love with her bf, but he’s afraid that his brother won’t approve. So he throws the heroine in the middle. She and the hero meet and it’s insta lust. He doesn’t approve of her engagement with his bro because he thinks she’s a gold digger and he wants her for himself, as a mistress of course. He threatens her. I can understand his POV because she’s responding to his kisses in a very shameless way, that is not so good since she’s supposed to be in love with hero’s brother.
He plans to ruin her, and during a party for their engagement he reveals her dirty little secret: her mother was a prostitute.
The heroine, whose shame for this awful secret was really great, is shattered and reveals in front of everyone that her mother was beaten to death by one of her clients, and that she was never engaged to his brother, but was only helping him because he was afraid of him.
Then she obviously leaves and goes back to her career.
The hero, realizing how much he misjudged the heroine, and how much he loves her, tries to make amends and really really grovels.
It was a very emotional book, there’s much passion and feeling; the hero is a bastard snob and male chauvinist, but eventually he suffers very much and my sadistic side enjoyed it very much.
I liked it and I think I’ll read it again.
The heroine is a unicorn, that is a virgin rock singer.
She pretends to be the girlfriend of hero’s younger brother, because he’s in love with her bf, but he’s afraid that his brother won’t approve. So he throws the heroine in the middle. She and the hero meet and it’s insta lust. He doesn’t approve of her engagement with his bro because he thinks she’s a gold digger and he wants her for himself, as a mistress of course. He threatens her. I can understand his POV because she’s responding to his kisses in a very shameless way, that is not so good since she’s supposed to be in love with hero’s brother.
He plans to ruin her, and during a party for their engagement he reveals her dirty little secret: her mother was a prostitute.
The heroine, whose shame for this awful secret was really great, is shattered and reveals in front of everyone that her mother was beaten to death by one of her clients, and that she was never engaged to his brother, but was only helping him because he was afraid of him.
Then she obviously leaves and goes back to her career.
The hero, realizing how much he misjudged the heroine, and how much he loves her, tries to make amends and really really grovels.
It was a very emotional book, there’s much passion and feeling; the hero is a bastard snob and male chauvinist, but eventually he suffers very much and my sadistic side enjoyed it very much.
I liked it and I think I’ll read it again.
September 30, 2018
“You worry me."
"Why?" she asked, rising gracefully. "Because I know how to track deer?"
"Because you don't fit any mold I've ever seen," he said, lifting his chin and scrutinizing her. "Because I want you. I could almost hate you for making me vulnerable, even physically.”
How can someone can be physically vulnerable without physical threat? But of course the Harveyland is full of emotional freaks. 🙄
The H was not as cruel as the other DP heroes and as usual it was tearjerker book for me.
"Why?" she asked, rising gracefully. "Because I know how to track deer?"
"Because you don't fit any mold I've ever seen," he said, lifting his chin and scrutinizing her. "Because I want you. I could almost hate you for making me vulnerable, even physically.”
How can someone can be physically vulnerable without physical threat? But of course the Harveyland is full of emotional freaks. 🙄
The H was not as cruel as the other DP heroes and as usual it was tearjerker book for me.
July 2, 2021
I would have given this 5 stars as it was pretty satisfying, but I was a little peeved with the h at the end... er rather peeved that the author made her become an 1950's bastion of family values.
But anyways, it was still worth reading. Just the right amount of angst, but no doormat tendencies for Sabina. Thorn was a jerk, of course, I mean this is a DP book after all. But Sabina was no slouch and gave as good as she got. And when he was being a jerk she would call him by his full name which he hates, Hamilton Regan Thorndon the Third.
Sabina is good friends with Thorn's younger brother, Albert and Albert is in love with his assistant who is Sabina's good friend. BUT Albert is afraid to tell Thorn because he's 10 years older and very opinionated and austere. SO instead he has Sabina pretend to be his fiance to act as a smoke screen while he makes plans to elope with his assistant.
There's instant chemistry between Sabina and Thorn but he has preconceived notions of what kind of person Sabina is because she sings for a rock band.
It was pretty apparent that most of Thorn's problem with Sabina's being engaged to his brother was because he wanted Sabina for himself. But he just couldn't admit it until it was too late.
But of course it wasn't too late but he had to work at it to getback into her good graces. She has to obligatory brush with death and then pages of sweet making up. But in a pretty PG way.
Safety is good
Why I was disappointed with the ending
But anyways, it was still worth reading. Just the right amount of angst, but no doormat tendencies for Sabina. Thorn was a jerk, of course, I mean this is a DP book after all. But Sabina was no slouch and gave as good as she got. And when he was being a jerk she would call him by his full name which he hates, Hamilton Regan Thorndon the Third.
Sabina is good friends with Thorn's younger brother, Albert and Albert is in love with his assistant who is Sabina's good friend. BUT Albert is afraid to tell Thorn because he's 10 years older and very opinionated and austere. SO instead he has Sabina pretend to be his fiance to act as a smoke screen while he makes plans to elope with his assistant.
There's instant chemistry between Sabina and Thorn but he has preconceived notions of what kind of person Sabina is because she sings for a rock band.
It was pretty apparent that most of Thorn's problem with Sabina's being engaged to his brother was because he wanted Sabina for himself. But he just couldn't admit it until it was too late.
But of course it wasn't too late but he had to work at it to get
Safety is good
Why I was disappointed with the ending
September 30, 2018
There are a lot of really accurate reviews, and what makes this a really good book is that it's a chance to see a Diana Palmer H experience legitimate consequences for his behavior, but at the same time, you really can see that he loves her despite his jerkiness.
January 9, 2024
Well, it’s Diana Palmer, so you know…
1. It’s very dated.
2. It’s completely over the top.
3. The hero is a d!ck.
4. No sane person would fall for the above mentioned d!ck.
At least she has some semblance of a backbone and their confrontation in public is very dramatic.
1. It’s very dated.
2. It’s completely over the top.
3. The hero is a d!ck.
4. No sane person would fall for the above mentioned d!ck.
At least she has some semblance of a backbone and their confrontation in public is very dramatic.
May 14, 2018
I don't think I would have forgiven the love interest for what he did
November 26, 2018
A beautiful DP experience with a tough cookie H and a feisty and sweet h with loads of tugs to heartstrings. The tension between Thorn and Sabrina as they get close is so thick and hot that you feel scorched by their passion. I loved how much H has to suffer and grovel to win her back.
A peculiar thing I've been noticing in my recent DP reads is that her characterization of her heroes is much different than their age. Like what 34-year old uses sentences like this to describe himself,
A peculiar thing I've been noticing in my recent DP reads is that her characterization of her heroes is much different than their age. Like what 34-year old uses sentences like this to describe himself,
"Forget it. I must be going soft in my old age. "It's evident that her editors forced her to reduce the age gap when DP herself probably preferred having her heroes near 40 and her heroines under 25. I wish Ms Palmer was allowed to keep that age gap as she does them so beautifully and I absolutely adore her May-December touches to her stories. And damn all those talk of having children and no epilogue.
February 16, 2014
“It is a risk to love.
What if it doesn't work out?
Ah, but what if it does.”
― Peter McWilliams
Some of us are afraid to love, afraid to get hurt and we clam up and shut ourselves inside a hollow shelf , refusing anyone to come near us, denying love.
But love is a gamble and if you don't take the risk you might miss out on the most awesome feeling in the world.
Sabine and Thorn were two such people hiding behind their masks, refusing to let anyone near them. Some may feel that Thorn, the hero was cruel and abusive. I believe it was a sham. His rough demeanor hid a lonely, vulnerable man who was afraid to love and be loved. I am glad Sabine saw right through him and was not afraid to love him and take a risk.
This was such a wonderful book and it has reinstated my belief in love, true love. There was nothing extraordinary about the storyline. But it was so well written and tugged at my heart strings and made me shed some tears. I am definitely going to re read this again sometime when I to reinstate my belief in love.
One of my favorites.
What if it doesn't work out?
Ah, but what if it does.”
― Peter McWilliams
Some of us are afraid to love, afraid to get hurt and we clam up and shut ourselves inside a hollow shelf , refusing anyone to come near us, denying love.
But love is a gamble and if you don't take the risk you might miss out on the most awesome feeling in the world.
Sabine and Thorn were two such people hiding behind their masks, refusing to let anyone near them. Some may feel that Thorn, the hero was cruel and abusive. I believe it was a sham. His rough demeanor hid a lonely, vulnerable man who was afraid to love and be loved. I am glad Sabine saw right through him and was not afraid to love him and take a risk.
This was such a wonderful book and it has reinstated my belief in love, true love. There was nothing extraordinary about the storyline. But it was so well written and tugged at my heart strings and made me shed some tears. I am definitely going to re read this again sometime when I to reinstate my belief in love.
One of my favorites.
July 25, 2021
4.5 stars.
I'm still riding the high that was this book! The MCs were perfectly matched and the story was deliciously angsty. I loved the h Sabina, she's just about perfect. Our H, Thorn was a huge manwhore but for some crazy reason I didn't mind it. I'm sure it was the writing. DP let's us know about his history with women but doesn't rub it in our face.
The story brought out so much emotion and the grovel at the end was just enough. I believed in their romance and their HEA. I really loved this one!
I'm still riding the high that was this book! The MCs were perfectly matched and the story was deliciously angsty. I loved the h Sabina, she's just about perfect. Our H, Thorn was a huge manwhore but for some crazy reason I didn't mind it. I'm sure it was the writing. DP let's us know about his history with women but doesn't rub it in our face.
The story brought out so much emotion and the grovel at the end was just enough. I believed in their romance and their HEA. I really loved this one!
August 5, 2015
Rating: 4 stars for Sabina! and not to forget Thorn ;)
Finished reading: August 4 2015
The story in itself isn't really different from many of DP's other novels, however Sabina's personality and the banter between the hero and heroine is what really sets this book from DP's other works.
Sabina was… FIERCE and always ready for battle with our hero. 'She rides?' Thorn laughed mockingly. 'She sure does,' Sabina said with a deliberate vacant smile. 'She even speaks all by herself, without help.'
Gosh I love her!! and DP too ;)
The chemistry between them.
She's no shrinking violet and neither is she the doormat, that most DP heroines are. All in all she's amazeballs!! I loved the banter between Thorn and Sabina, like cat and dog really.
Finished reading: August 4 2015
The story in itself isn't really different from many of DP's other novels, however Sabina's personality and the banter between the hero and heroine is what really sets this book from DP's other works.
Sabina was… FIERCE and always ready for battle with our hero. 'She rides?' Thorn laughed mockingly. 'She sure does,' Sabina said with a deliberate vacant smile. 'She even speaks all by herself, without help.'
Gosh I love her!! and DP too ;)
The chemistry between them.
She's no shrinking violet and neither is she the doormat, that most DP heroines are. All in all she's amazeballs!! I loved the banter between Thorn and Sabina, like cat and dog really.
January 23, 2019
read this even though I'm not a DP fan because it fit the theme I was looking for. He done her wrong and then had to grovel to get back in her good graces. This was decent. I think because honestly DPs earlier stuff is better than her later stuff. The heat between the H/h was good and believable. But some of the events seemed a bit of a stretch. The thing which he did to get her to break up her engagement to his brother just made him look like a fool which is not really something I like for my heroes. And furthermore, it was just asinine that he even thought anyone would care. She's a rock musician whose mother was a high class prostitute. Really who cares?
July 9, 2019
This is a story which compelled me when I first read it in 1986, I’ve read it many, many times and I still find it compelling. H is an ass, jerk, narrow minded and h is shy, innocent, unable to play his mind games. As most romance novels, h had a traumatic childhood and H has relationship issues. I’ve read this over 20 times, I enjoyed it!
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