Jack Valentini isn’t my type.

Sexy, brooding cowboys are fine in the movies, but in real life, I prefer a suit and tie. Proper manners. A close shave.

Jack might be gorgeous, but he’s also scruffy, rugged, and rude. He wants nothing to do with a “rich city girl” like me, and he isn’t afraid to say so.

But I’ve got a PR job to do for his family’s farm, so he’s stuck with me and I’m stuck with him. His glares. His moods. His tight jeans. His muscles.

His huge, hard muscles.

Pretty soon there’s a whole different kind of tension between us, the kind that has me misbehaving in barns, trees, and pickup trucks. I’ve never done anything so out of character—but it feels too good to stop.

And the more I learn about the grieving ex-Army sergeant, the better I understand him. Losing his wife left him broken and bitter and blaming himself. He doesn’t think he deserves a second chance at happiness.

But he’s wrong.

I don’t need to be his first love. If only he’d let me be his last.  

 

 

“I didn’t throw the pie.” Oh sweetheart you should have thrown the pie. He deserved it.

Margot Thurber Lewiston has led a sheltered life. She isn’t spoilt. Yes her family has money but she works for a living and knows what she wants from life.

Sconehenge was just the beginning. Don’t listen to what Thurber women should or shouldn’t do. Be the Margot you want to be. Under normal circumstances

It was utterly out of character. I. Margot Thurber Lewiston, pride myself on my ability to control my emotions. Maintain grace under pressure. Keep calm and carry the fuck on.

But these aren’t normal circumstances. We just need to work on your aim then you’re good to go. After dealing with her ex when I read the following

He wore a pink button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up, and it was tucked into a pair of white shorts with kelly green whales’ embroidered whales on them too, in multiple colors. My eyes lingered on his familiar Sperry deck shoes. No socks. Where did she find this douche?

I nearly puked in my mouth when I read this. Really girl get with the program here.

I really liked Margot. She is strong, sassy, and smart and has the patience of a saint when it comes to Jack. She is so accepting of Jack’s past. I respected her for it. Not everyone would have been able to do that. She leaves Detroit for a while to take on a PR job for her company Shine PR as a favor to a friend.

Valentini Farms needs to be spruced up a bit well actually a lot. Pete & Georgia & Brad are up for it. The middle brother Jack? Not so much.

Jack has his life on hold. It has been three years since his wife died and he feels he doesn’t deserve a second chance at happiness. He tortures himself with what could have been and what should have been. He wants everything to stay the way it is and for it to never change. Holding on to a memory is never a good thing.

After two stints in the Army he can’t sleep all he wants to do is farm. He sleeps with the light on. The farm just isn’t doing too well at the moment. Enter Margot with Shine PR. Sparks fly all the reasons not to get involved are there he’s a client, he still wears his wedding band and he doesn’t want her here. You can’t deny the chemistry. A fling turns into more.

Jack gives himself no reprieve, no redemption, no second chance but then again he didn’t want one. He is rude, grouchy and a big grumpy bear.

I made a face. “A softie? I’m not sure I like the sound of that.” “Don’t worry, Farmer Frownypants, your secret is safe with me.” She patted my leg. “I won’t tell anyone how sweet you really are.”

And I loved him even the tortured soul that he was and even that it is self-inflicted and that he wants to die in a pool of pity. But beneath the prickly layers of grief and bitterness is a big heart.

There second encounter isn’t much better than the first during her jog she realizes that she needs to pee badly but gets distracted.

Jutting unto the lake was a short wooden dock, on which stood Jack Valentini, dripping wet and buck fucking naked.

I was driven by one gut instinct: I needed a better view. Couldn’t agree more woman get up that tree. Pronto.

He wants the farm to stay the way it was when Steph was still alive. To not lose her memory but he is making everyone else around him suffer. Pete and Georgia have a dream and Jack finally gives them a shot. Brad wants to be bought out because he isn’t interested in farming at all. They have been patient but their patience is running out.

To prove that Margot knows what she is talking about they enter a battle of wills. Teach her what he does so that she can prove herself.

“Get the eggs, we have work to do.” “Won’t they get mad?” She looked around the coop, nervously eyeing the hens about our feet. “No. They’re used to it.” “OK” She reached in and took out two eggs, then laid them gently in the basket. “I did it!” she said, smiling proudly.

“Reach beneath her and take the eggs.” I struggled to keep my eyes off her ass. “I don’t think I should. She’s giving me the evil eye.” “Jesus Christ. Move, I’ll do the rest.”

However much he doesn’t want Margot after the scorching against the tree sex it can’t be turned off. He can’t keep his hands of her and they only have a limited amount of time with one another.

“Don’t go home tomorrow, Margo,” he said tightening his arm around me. “Please don’t go.”

Margot wants happiness and with money you can’t get that at Bloomingdale’s. It wasn’t about promises it was about having a chance. After his major screw up he finally comes to his senses. He is scared

The idea that she could feel something for me. The hope that all would be forgiven. The promise of a new life. A new beginning. A new love.

After We Fall is the second book that I have read by Ms. Harlow. I can say for sure that it won’t be my last either. What I liked was that it was not a replacement of the first love but finding their last love together instead. Ms. Harlow creates a beautiful story full of ups and downs. It’s not glossy, it’s not shallow it is deep and raw but there is still a good balance between the seriousness of the book and the banter that the main characters have with one another.

I will read Ms. Harlow’s other books I just need time.

I certainly recommend reading this book.