AFTER ALL is the third and last book in Kristen Proby’s “Romancing Manhattan” series. This book has the classic “single father” and “boss/employee” romance tropes. Nora Hayes has worked as high-priced attorney Carter Shaw’s assistant for years – covering the time they were both married to other people as well as when his wife died from cancer. Now, both being single, they are looking at each other with a fresh perspective and unable to escape a blooming mutual attraction.
This story is told from alternating perspectives, which helps give the reader more insight into the main characters. Unlike the previous books in this series, there is no shadowy villain or suspenseful subplot. Any drama or obstacles to this relationship come from normal issues that come up in a new relationship, or from pre-existing relationship baggage. Although not physically present, Carter’s late wife is a presence in AFTER ALL through letters she wrote that are meant to be read after her passing. Initially, everybody is cautious because of Carter’s preteen daughter Gabby. Traditionally, in these situations, it can be a tough road with a child sizing up a potential stepparent. In this case, Gabby knows and likes Nora, but she does throw a few curveballs at this couple over the course of the book. Things get hot and heavy between Nora and Carter quickly, but they have known each other for years. The meat of this story, for me, deals with each of their expectations and their struggle to communicate. At times, it’s as though Carter expects Nora to read his mind to know how he feels. I often find myself more sympathetic to the hero in a romance, but in AFTER ALL I was “Team Nora” all the way. Carter isn’t a jerk by any means, but he is a little slow making certain realizations. However, both main characters are realistically flawed and contribute to the drama. What separates AFTER ALL from other stories with a male boss/female employee dynamic are the complexity of the characters.
AFTER ALL has family highs and lows, complex characters, and plenty of passion. Carter’s family makes great sounding boards for the hero and heroine, add a little levity to some scenes. I like that another way Nora and Carter could connect was by commiserating over their difficult relationships with their parents. I’m glad that Kristen Proby doesn’t try and “Pollyanna” those family relationships and have any kind of artificial saccharine resolution. The epilogue in this book is a nice wrap-up for longtime fans of this series. I look forward to reading Kristen Proby’s next book.
The last sizzling novel in Kristen Proby's Romancing Manhattan series finds a widower falling deeply in love again with a woman who has scars of her own.
When Carter Shaw’s wife died five years ago, he was left to pick up the pieces not only of his own broken heart but also that of his devastated eight-year-old daughter, Gabby—leaving him with no time for anything else, let alone dating. But recently, Carter has noticed women again and soon even begins dating. No one has stuck around for long, mostly thanks to one very angry Gabby.
Nora Hayes has worked as Carter’s assistant for years. Recently divorced herself, Nora spends many hours at the office and helping Carter with his daughter whom she adores. Despite loving her job and being wrapped up in the Shaw family, Nora’s never given her handsome, kind workaholic boss a second thought, especially in the romance department.
But then the snowstorm of the century hits, and Nora finds herself stranded at work with Carter overnight. And suddenly, she sees Carter in a whole new, sexy light. The sadness that’s lived in his eyes for so long has now been replaced with pure, unadulterated lust—and Nora isn’t quite sure what to do about it. For after the pain of her divorce, she never thought she would give love a second chance.
Carter and Nora have always believed in never combining business with pleasure. But how can they possibly deny the all-consuming chemistry between them...?
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