- These are 2 of the 4 books known in this series.
- It is originally a Wattpad series, but was published.
- It is a lot more ADULT than some other books on here, I don't recommend anyone under 16 read it.
- It is an adult romance so it does have some raunchy parts, but I wouldn't classify it as Erotica which is what some bookstores have done (incl. mine).
- These were originally 1D fanfics (I would of hated that), but before publishing, were extended and altered to be there own stories.
These were books that I read within 24 hours. I absolutely loved these 2 and am looking forward to book 3 & 4 when it they come out in December and January next year. I loved the realness of this series. Without further adeu, here are my reviews :)
Book 1 - After 5 out of 5 I absolutely loved this book, it was not at all what I expected. It had such a raw view on romance and the difficulties of growing up that so many fancy-prancy books don't have. Basically Tessa starts college very prim and proper, with a 4.0GPA and a perfect boyfriend back home. She starts hanging out with the 'wrong crowd' and more importantly Hardin, who is pushing her away one second and kissing her the next. Tessa's world is flipped as she realizes the real her is brought out by this pierced and tattooed bad boy but she can't deny the passionate bond between them. They both bring out the best and worst in each other and have one of the rockiest on/off relationships I have ever seen in a novel. It is adult romance, so beware of raunchy 'sex' scenes and such, but I thought it made the book that much more real and exciting. I loved the entire character progression and the pros and cons we got to see in every character. This book has a very dense character base, but Miss Todd manages to explain each and every one amazingly, making sure no character is simply 'there' but serves a purpose. |
The end of the book had me crying, the massive plot twist came as such a shock I sat for like 10 mins shell shocked. But as I scanned back, I realised the clues were there - highlighting how amazing Anna Todd is in her plot building.
The amazing literary work in this book is phenomenal, making it a crime to be housed on the romance shelf. It is so poetic and deep that I was crying when Hardin started reciting 'Wuthering Heights'.
An absolute masterpiece of a first book that most authors only dream of.
Book 2 - After we Collided 4 out of 5 This book basically follows on directly from book 1, like by a minute. Which I found very clever because we didn't miss a second of the bombshell of the last few pages of book 1. Basically this book shows Hardin and Tessa trying to pick up the pieces of their relationship after they shattered in book 1. I can't say much without spoiling it - but lets just say Tessa has to learn to trust Hardin again, and if she truly loves him. This book also flips between Hardin and Tessa's POV which it didn't in Book 1. I loved this because we can truly see the change in Hardin through his emotions and views making it a truly dynamic read. I didn't give it a 5 simply because I felt at times they were together and then apart again and then together and apart. It started to frustrate me and I had to push on a bit - as if they were never together for more than a few weeks. This book truly heightens the difficulties and worries each have in their relationship and throws in some curveballs like - parents, love triangles and missed text messages. Each side character also had a progression, sometimes giving you a breather from the difficulties and tears of their relationship. |
I feel as if this novel is much more even than book 1 - Hardin was often to blame in After and now that he's changed, their issues stem from both Tessa and Hardin adding that much more depth to their companionship and difference.
Keep going Anna Todd,
Job well done !!
Hayley xx