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kristinreadsalot's review against another edition
1.0
I really wanted to love this book; it had all of the elements I look for in a genre: strong female lead, urban corporate setting, and a confident, powerful love interest. Even with all of those things, the writing just felt flat to me. I did not find myself rooting for the romance or the characters and they were not as multi-faceted as I was hoping they would be. There was so much the author could have done with Gia and her backstory with her family, but instead all we got was lead who acted more like a doormat than a heroine. Jax seemed to have no personality at all other than anger and horniness. There was nothing that made me find him endearing or even likable. Ultimately, there was nothing gripping about the plot or the characters to make me want to continue reading the series.
rellimreads's review against another edition
2.0
Audible Escape. When I went to write this review I noticed that Afterburn & Aftershock are on my “read” shelf from over 3 years ago. At that time I didn’t write detailed reviews and I barely recognize this story ~ so I can’t say what I thought then or why I finished it.
First ~ this is NOT two books for one credit. These are two novellas (short ones at that) that together barely count as a complete book.
Second ~ Amy McFaddon. I don’t know what is going on here. I own 20 books with her as the narrator and have listened to more via Overdrive. She’s always been great. I *think* the issue is that Gia is described as having an Brooklyn accent that comes and goes. So that’s what McFadden does. Unfortunately, it’s incredibly distracting and as a listener I just become stuck trying to figure out what’s going on with that horrible accent.
Third ~ Gia, Gia, Gia. You admit that Jax dated you for 5 weeks then disappeared for no reason and with no contact for two years. Now he comes along and wants to start back up, says he can’t/won’t give you more than sex, *might* explain what happened before but not until you have sex at least a few more times, etc. Why are you putting up with this?
Fourth ~ Jax. You say you missed her, nothing you’ve done proves it. You say she’s perfect, yet you’re vague and won’t even try to commit. Vague. I guess it’s supposed to be mysterious and intriguing, but it’s infuriating and borders on emotional abuse/manipulation.
Obviously this is all from Gia’s POV, but nothing has happened in the first 35% of this book to make me root for this couple.
I would have demanded a refund if I spent a credit on this and even “free” on Audible Escape, I can’t force myself to finish it.
First ~ this is NOT two books for one credit. These are two novellas (short ones at that) that together barely count as a complete book.
Second ~ Amy McFaddon. I don’t know what is going on here. I own 20 books with her as the narrator and have listened to more via Overdrive. She’s always been great. I *think* the issue is that Gia is described as having an Brooklyn accent that comes and goes. So that’s what McFadden does. Unfortunately, it’s incredibly distracting and as a listener I just become stuck trying to figure out what’s going on with that horrible accent.
Third ~ Gia, Gia, Gia. You admit that Jax dated you for 5 weeks then disappeared for no reason and with no contact for two years. Now he comes along and wants to start back up, says he can’t/won’t give you more than sex, *might* explain what happened before but not until you have sex at least a few more times, etc. Why are you putting up with this?
Fourth ~ Jax. You say you missed her, nothing you’ve done proves it. You say she’s perfect, yet you’re vague and won’t even try to commit. Vague. I guess it’s supposed to be mysterious and intriguing, but it’s infuriating and borders on emotional abuse/manipulation.
Obviously this is all from Gia’s POV, but nothing has happened in the first 35% of this book to make me root for this couple.
I would have demanded a refund if I spent a credit on this and even “free” on Audible Escape, I can’t force myself to finish it.
kckburns's review against another edition
4.0
Quick read. Really enjoyed it like I do most of Sylvia's books. I would recommend it
lmmountford's review against another edition
4.0
Have you ever read Miss Day's Bared to you? If so, you'll love these short stories. If not, it's a great introduction to Miss Day's work.
This story is kind of a shorter, more light-hearted version of her Crossfire Series, just with less sex and Over Top Drama and shorter than any one of those books.Great for a light-hearted Summer read.
This story is kind of a shorter, more light-hearted version of her Crossfire Series, just with less sex and Over Top Drama and shorter than any one of those books.Great for a light-hearted Summer read.
ameserole's review against another edition
3.0
I think they were new York accents... and it kind of reminded me of my family.. which also ended up annoying me at the same time? I don't know.. I blame work, again.
Afterburn & Aftershock was an interesting audio to listen to yesterday. The main character kind of reminded me of one of my aunts.. once she started talking in her "normal" accent. In it, you will meet Gianna and Jackson. They used to date.. or sleep with each other.. or something like that. Then they actually started to sleep with one another. It was definitely a second chance at love, if you ask me.
Now they had some "drama" in this book that I guess could be called interesting (in a way) but it was predictable and kind of boring to listen to. I just feel like it was mostly drawn out and I kind of just wanted them to admit that they loved each other, get married, and have lots of babies.
Eventually that happened and they also started to grow on me. The ending was cute enough that it left me satisfied but I'm mostly happy that it's over. On to the next book..
Afterburn & Aftershock was an interesting audio to listen to yesterday. The main character kind of reminded me of one of my aunts.. once she started talking in her "normal" accent. In it, you will meet Gianna and Jackson. They used to date.. or sleep with each other.. or something like that. Then they actually started to sleep with one another. It was definitely a second chance at love, if you ask me.
Now they had some "drama" in this book that I guess could be called interesting (in a way) but it was predictable and kind of boring to listen to. I just feel like it was mostly drawn out and I kind of just wanted them to admit that they loved each other, get married, and have lots of babies.
Eventually that happened and they also started to grow on me. The ending was cute enough that it left me satisfied but I'm mostly happy that it's over. On to the next book..
laura_devouring_books_crumpets's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly the Book is Moreish.... Sylvia days writing is exceptional as allways....
Why 3 stars?
I could not stand the characters.....
Gia - she seems to always be looking for confrontation... and has no Patience.... Jax is her ex she was with for 5 weeks... I have had longer relationship with a bottle of gin than that..... They get back together and she wants they whole shebang all his secrets... and as his not willing to divulge she asks a journalist.... i mean WTF
Jax - He has dozens of secrets and acts in Bizarre ways, i couldn't understand him.... He goes from Full on stalking to distancing himself for weeks on end for something he could have done with her... it was all a bit confusing....
Still the Author set the stage - the familiy's and side characters perfectly i loved the rowdy Italian Family and then the stuck up Political one - Oil and water but they worked!!!!
Why 3 stars?
I could not stand the characters.....
Gia - she seems to always be looking for confrontation... and has no Patience.... Jax is her ex she was with for 5 weeks... I have had longer relationship with a bottle of gin than that..... They get back together and she wants they whole shebang all his secrets... and as his not willing to divulge she asks a journalist.... i mean WTF
Jax - He has dozens of secrets and acts in Bizarre ways, i couldn't understand him.... He goes from Full on stalking to distancing himself for weeks on end for something he could have done with her... it was all a bit confusing....
Still the Author set the stage - the familiy's and side characters perfectly i loved the rowdy Italian Family and then the stuck up Political one - Oil and water but they worked!!!!
wallflowerreader_l's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately this book wasn't for me. I couldn't connect to the characters at all. I found their arguments repetitive,the same things kept happening again and again.
This wasn't what I thought the story would be like so I'm a bit disappointed.
This wasn't what I thought the story would be like so I'm a bit disappointed.
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
A great read from Sylvia Day that includes the two novellas, Afterburn and Aftershock. Gia may be the youngest of four siblings and the only daughter but living with three older, over protective, brothers has taught her how to fight for what she wants. She has the experience of working in her family’s successful restaurant but she really wants to gain experience learning from one of the sharpest businesswomen in New York, Lei. Working for Lei gives Gia the edge she needs to help propel their line of restaurants but a blast from her past can send that success down the drain. Gia never forgot the weeks she spent in Jax’s arms but losing him hurt too much to try again. But with their attraction steaming up the kitchen Gia knows that she’ll have to fight if she wants to be happy. Jax comes from an uber successful family and doesn’t want to put Gia in the spotlight but she teaches him that when it comes to love together than can make anything possible. Great, fun, sexy read!
anasatticbookblog's review against another edition
3.0
Afterburn & Aftershock by Sylvia Day
Narrated by Amy McFadden
2 novellas, sexy standalone.
I had Afterburn/Aftershock on my Kindle for a few years and never got around to it; but being a Passionflix member, I had to read it before I watched the movie. Still not able to fit it in my schedule, I finally grabbed the audiobook.
“You could never hide from me, Gia. I’d recognize you blindfolded.”
Gia is an Italian New Yorker with a family that owns an Italian restaurant. She grew up in the industry and really wants to make a name for herself on the business end. A year after the man she was falling for just ghosted on her, she applied to be mentored by one of the top women in the restaurant industry, using that heartbreak to help get the position of her dreams.
A year later, one of the biggest restaurant deals she has ever worked on hits a snag. And that snag is Jackson Rutledge, the guy who broke her heart. At first she pretended not to know him and she thought he didn’t recognize her (wtf? It’s only been 2 years and they spent a whole summer together) but he certainly remembered, and he was ready to pick up right where they left off.
My body didn't care that he'd dumped me without a word. It wanted Jax. Desperately…
Despite them being on opposite sides of this deal, there was no denying the chemistry between them, and there was no shortage of sexy times. But she needs more than that this time.
“I’m on to you, Jackson Rutledge.” My voice was low and hard, unwavering. “I’m going to figure you out.”
There was surprisingly a lot of story in this duet. There is a lot on the restaurant business end of things, which I found very interesting. Gia was a strong businesswoman, but when it came to Jax, she lost her edge.
“I wasn’t me when I was in bed with him; I was his. Willing and ready to do whatever he wanted, to take whatever he chose to give me, knowing he would make me come again and again…”
Likes:
- •I liked that she was an Italian New Yorker with a typical Italian family.
- •I really liked the restaurant business part of the story.
- •There was plenty of hot sex.
Dislikes:
- •She would constantly say she wouldn’t give in to him and 2 minutes later they were boinking.
- •I never really felt their connection. Perhaps if we had a scene when they were originally together I would have liked it better.
- •It seems older (and it is, it’s from 2013/2014) but it seems like it was one of those books that rode on Fifty’s popularity.
The Narration:
I grew up in aNew York Italian neighborhood. My husband is a NY Italian. The narrator did a good, but over-the-top New York accent and I think it detracted a little from the story. It just never lets you get past the accent. I may have enjoyed reading it more.
The Down & Dirty:
I had a little trouble getting past the too-thick NY accent so I don’t think I really fell in love with it. It was a good, quick, sexy listen with a strong businesswoman and a super rich, powerful, Dominant man. My favorite parts were actually reading about the restaurants more than the romance. I enjoyed it, but I didn’t love it.
Rating: 3.25 Stars, 4.25 Heat, 4 Narration
Purchase AfterBurn & AfterShock (Book)
The Movie Review:
Afterburn and Aftershock are on Passionflix or you can rent or buy on Amazon. Passionflix does a great job of keeping details from the original stories and following them closely and I loved that they got all the important stuff in. The movie didn’t quite get into the business end as much, but enough to know what is going on. The casting threw me a little at first, but she was actually perfect for Gia. I felt that he was a bit too boyish for Jax, but he grew on me. I think this is a great movie to watch whether you read the books first or not. Plus it was fun seeing her cameo!
Movie Rating: 4.25 Stars, 4 Heat
Purchase or Rent AfterBurn & AfterShock (Movie)
knygu_skaitytoja's review against another edition
3.0
Apie knyga ... na knygoje nebuvo nei jokio įvykio, nei konflikto, nei apkritai jokio knygos veikėjų lūžio. Tiesiog buvo istorija apie kažką ir tuo pačiu apie nieką. Negaliu pasakyti kodėl šios autorės knygos yra taip labai mėgstamos, tačiau tai ne pirmoji mano jau skaityta autorės knyga ir negaliu nieko gero apie ją pasakyti. Knyga beveik padaryta „copy paste“ nuo knygos „50 pilkų atspalvių, kas labiausiai manau ir nuliūdino ją skaitant. Knyga perskaityta, tačiau kažką ar galėčiau papasakoti kas vyko joje – abejoju. Ji liko tiesiog tarp perskaitytų, nes ilgą laiką stovėjo namie lentynoje.