Reviews

After the Storm by Lexi Blake

jenafyre's review

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5.0

All I can say is WOW! After the Storm: Midseason Episode 1 (Rising Storm) by Lexi Blake picks right up and where the last season ends. We are shown the aftermath of distruction that Dakota's revelation leaves in its wake.

Ginny and Dakota are the talk of the town, but each young woman decides to handle things much differently.

Ginny seeks to make amends, trying to make things right with Jacob's family, trying to make things right with her best friend Brittney Rush, trying to make things right with Logan. She realizes that she was scared, and ashamed of the circumstances that lead her to where she is now. Realizing that she needs to take responsibility for her actions she makes it her mission to apologize, not make excuses, and to try and let the people that she hurt know how truly sorry that she is. I think that her discussion with Brittney and Logan at the end of this installment was so touching. And the reaction that she receives from each is unexpected for her, and I think, in a way, will help Ginny and the rest of them, one day, find closure and maybe friendship again.

Dakota on the other hand, is left to wonder why everyone is so bitter and angry at her. She is after all the one that outed the good Senator. She thinks that she should be celebrated, not shunned, she feels like she is the hero in all of this, instead of the one person that destroyed so many lives, hopes, dreams and families. No matter how much her family and the one person that still speaks to her tries to explain the reasons that she went about this whole thing all wrong, she still thinks only of herself. Not the fact that she has put her mother and her family in danger of losing everything, not the fact that she herself has now lost everything, her job, her apartment, and her reputation is in the toilet.

Logan is so angry with Ginny and has every right to be, she lied to him, she kept secrets from him when he layed himself open to her over and over again. He is not sure he can get past it, but when he sees Ginny hurting, when she needs comfort and someone to hold her together after her confrontation with Brittney, he is there with his strong arms to hold her up, to lend comfort and compassion. I think that he was surprised by Ginny showing up, surprised that she truly listened to him, is trying to make amends for what she did. I think, I hope, there is hope for these two in the future.

Brittney is so angry with her father and feels betrayed by Ginny. But I think that the confrontation that Ginny and Brittney had needed to be done. Ginny offered no excuses for what she did, admitting that she was wrong, admitting that she knew that she was wrong, taking responsibility for her actions. Letting Brittney know that she was not going to run, not going to hide, that she was not looking for anything from her family, she was willing to do anything to make that clear to them. Also letting Brittney know that she would always be there for her, no matter what, that she would always be sorry for her actions and praying that one day they could be friends again. I think that Brittney was such a surprise in her response to Ginny, promising that nobody would every try to harm Ginny's baby, and if her father tried, he would have to go through her to do it. It is a testament to the love and friendship that these two young women have for each other.

I loved this first new episode of the Rising storm series and look forward to more to come, because you know for sure, the dust has not settled and things will get worse before they get better.

pattyfgd's review

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4.0

Giving us a glimpse of the aftermath of Dakota's storm, we now see how this revelation affects the town. The Rush family is torn apart, between the senator's reputation taking a hit, Payton's nonchalance towards the news and the way the kids handle it, there is a lot of repair that needs to be done. Ginny is now faced with town ridicule, her reputation as a liar and seducer of the senator causes her to lose Logan, her family facing the much dissension and town whispers. And the Salt family who has been through the loss of their son, now has more loss to deal with as well as their own reputation. This storm has yet to pass and with Paul Boehmer continuing to narrate the story, we will begin to see the havoc that it has created. Looking forward to season 2!

norwayellesea's review

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4.0

I can't tell you how happy I am that there are two mid-season episodes in the Rising Storm series. Season One was highly addictive and this first new episode whets my appetite for more.

The morning after Dakota Alvarez dropped the bombshell, there are mixed feelings amongst many residents of Storm, Texas as the consequences of the revelations are exposed. The aftershocks affect many people; not just the Salt and Rush family.

Ginny Moreno has lost everything, but the baby she is carrying is safe...what will she do? Logan Murphy is devastated by Ginny's lies. Brittany Rush sees her family in a different light, but not in a positive way.

But behind every dark cloud, is a small ray of sunshine! Marisol Moreno speaks some words of wisdom to her younger sister, whilst Patrick Murphy is the voice of reason as he deals with his brother's bitterness.

In another corner of Storm, a damage control plot is being hatched to clear Sebastian Rush's name! Marylee Rush gives us a glimpse of the ruthless, formidable woman she is as her determination to eventually see her son become Governor of Texas will hold no bounds.

What I love about this series is the seamless switch from one episode to another. It's been some months since the end of Season One yet I was able to pick-up right where the last episode Thunder Rolls ended. Lexi Blake lulls us into a false sense of security as we feel compassion and maybe a little sympathy for Ginny. Then. Bang, we are reminded that there are other secrets still to be exposed and revenge to be taken in this fast paced drama-fest!

If you love soap operas...think Dallas/Dynasty, Storm, Texas is a place you'll want to discover. I can't wait to read the next instalment, setting the scene for Season Two in the Autumn.

4 stars

***arc received via Ink Slingers PR***

emma71662837's review

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4.0

Great instalment to tide us over to the next season. Loving the drama and its amazing how quickly you can get back into the story

jasmyn9's review

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3.0

Midseason one picks up the aftermath of Dakota's big Founders Day revelations. Lives were torn apart, notably the Rush kids and Ginny Moreno. Ginny's lie of omission (sort of) has the entire town turned against her.

But, this might be a good thing for Ginny's maturity levels. She turns around quite a corner and does what needs to be done - even though it had to be incredibly hard. Some of her apologies go well - so not so well. But none of them seem to repair the rift between her and Logan.

Dakota, on the other hand, continues to think that everything revolves around her. As the Rushes rally their forces against her, her life takes a turn for the worse and she blames the results of her actions on everyone but herself.

I nice pick up, but I felt that things stalled just a tad. But you can see more clouds on the horizon, and you never know what's going to happen next.

ellesea's review

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4.0

I can't tell you how happy I am that there are two mid-season episodes in the Rising Storm series. Season One was highly addictive and this first new episode whets my appetite for more.

The morning after Dakota Alvarez dropped the bombshell, there are mixed feelings amongst many residents of Storm, Texas as the consequences of the revelations are exposed. The aftershocks affect many people; not just the Salt and Rush family.

Ginny Moreno has lost everything, but the baby she is carrying is safe...what will she do? Logan Murphy is devastated by Ginny's lies. Brittany Rush sees her family in a different light, but not in a positive way.

But behind every dark cloud, is a small ray of sunshine! Marisol Moreno speaks some words of wisdom to her younger sister, whilst Patrick Murphy is the voice of reason as he deals with his brother's bitterness.

In another corner of Storm, a damage control plot is being hatched to clear Sebastian Rush's name! Marylee Rush gives us a glimpse of the ruthless, formidable woman she is as her determination to eventually see her son become Governor of Texas will hold no bounds.

What I love about this series is the seamless switch from one episode to another. It's been some months since the end of Season One yet I was able to pick-up right where the last episode Thunder Rolls ended. Lexi Blake lulls us into a false sense of security as we feel compassion and maybe a little sympathy for Ginny. Then. Bang, we are reminded that there are other secrets still to be exposed and revenge to be taken in this fast paced drama-fest!

If you love soap operas...think Dallas/Dynasty, Storm, Texas is a place you'll want to discover. I can't wait to read the next instalment, setting the scene for Season Two in the Autumn.

4 stars

***arc received via Ink Slingers PR***
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