I’ve been a huge fan of Linda Howard’s for years now, and I re-read my favorites novels by her every few years or so. I actually just re-read Mr. Perfect for a group buddy read – which is my all time favorite by her!! No surprise here that I’m always looking forward to a new book by her. Unfortunately they aren’t being released as often as I would like. Lucky me, this year’s collaboration with Linda Jones was right up my alley.
After Sundown – Linda Howard, Linda Jones
After Sundown by Linda Howard, Linda Jones
Sela Gordon, the shy owner of a Tennessee general store, finds safety in solitude. But if anyone can pierce her protective shell it’s the handsome, mysterious ex-military man living alone in the wilds of Cove Mountain. For two years, he’s kept his distance—until the day he appears to warn her that a catastrophic solar storm capable of taking down the power grid is coming. Now, Sela must find the courage to become the leader Wears Valley needs.
Bitter experience has taught Ben Jernigan it’s best to look out for number one. For two years the former soldier has lived in a self-imposed exile, using a top-notch security system to keep people away. But he had to let Sela know about the impending threat—and now the quiet and undeniably sexy woman is making it too easy for him to lower his guard.
As panic spreads, Sela and Ben discover that in the dark, cut off from the outside world, there’s no more playing it safe—in life or in love.
ARC generously provided in exchange for an honest review.
After Sundown – Linda Howard, Linda Jones
MY THOUGHTS
This book was right up my alley. Even though I’m not a big fan of YA dystopian novels, I really enjoy them when they are adult fiction novels. I’m actually reading or should probably say listening to a dystopian duet by Tosca Lee, The Line Between – and I’m hooked. Either way, let’s get back to After Sundown.
After Sundown was a wonderful surprise for me. Beside me devouring the novel in one-sitting. It’s definitely a book I would recommend, especially if you like slow burn, and grumpy and broody heroes.
As I said, this book was a total surprise for me, not only because I didn’t’ read the blurb but also by how well it was researched. The plot was pretty straight forward, a solar storm was coming and it would destroy the power grid on earth. Even though the hero was prepared, nobody else was. And that’s when it all became fascinating.
It boggled my mind what was all necessary to survive a solar storm. All the things I take for granted each and every day. And how the world as its known would just stop to exist from one second to the other. No more grocery store, gas station, warm water, and washing machine. No more hospitals and medications. It got scary if I thought too long about it all. So I stopped thinking and just enjoyed the book.
Because there was much to enjoy.
I was fascinated by all the preparations that Sela thanks to Ben was able to get done. And of course the way the community came together, and helped each other. But of course it wasn’t without danger. Fear can make people rapid. And when survival instincts kick in, everyone fights for themeselves. And then there is also just plain greed. But all in all, the novel was less brutal and scary as it could have been, just because of the topic. The authors kept it well balanced, since it’s being marketed as romantic suspense. Either way, I loved it.
And I absolutely adored the ending.
But in the end, what makes this novel different from a Linda Howard novel, is that there wasn’t enough dialogues for my taste, which is kind of her trademark. The banter, the wit, the snark. With this being a slow burn, and a dystopian novel, the research and preparation was the highlight of the book. And because of it there wasn’t much interaction between Ben and Sela in the first half of the novel. And without interaction, there isn’t the signature dialogue that I love so much. Nevertheless, I can see myself reading it again, because I’m such a sucker for this kind of novel.
4.25 stars
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After Sundown – Linda Howard, Linda Jones
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