Aftermath

It's been a while since I read the first book in the series, so I had to reacquaint myself with Maddie, Syd, David, Michael, and the others by skimming through Jericho. Aftermath is a good "peek at what happens between the pages" of Jericho, but it's not on the same level as the original story. The blurb pretty much sums up what to expect with Aftermath, so I'll go the 'ole two likes and a wish route with my review. Like #1: The Storm - Even though it was only a chapter long, the realistic build-up of the storm was a gripping, page-turning series of events. Mother Nature has a way of raising Cain, which caused me to fear the worst for a few of Jericho's likeable, well-known citizens. Like #2: Deb Carson and her brand new, fire engine red Camaro - Yep, I feel ya Debs! I'm a sucker for classic muscle cars. I'd be thoroughly pissed if I knew that the neighbors in my small town were harboring parts of my beloved car; it's ungodly—Food Bonanza and Bixby Bowladrome be damned. Wish: Character development - With the exception of Roma Jean, there isn't much character/relationship development with this story. Sure, emotions are there (tears were shed and tempers were lost), but something is missing. Perhaps it's because of Henry. There wasn't enough…I don't know…substance to chew on when it came to him. Simply put, I just couldn't connect with him nor the circumstances surrounding his situation.

It is said in reviews, and at the beginning of the book itself, that Jericho doesn't have to be read before this one. This book stands alone. However, i 100% recommend reading Jericho first for a couple of reasons. I personally liked Jericho better than this book. It had more action, hotter romance, and getting to know all of these people for the first time just can't be beat. So if you truly can't afford both, i'd go with Jericho for sure. And if you can't afford buying this one as well, ask for it for christmas. It's worth it. There is intelligent and witty dialog throughout the whole book. Maddie's dry sense of humor is the best i've seen. The references to other books and fictional characters and other subtle 'family' jokes, make you feel like you are on the inside track with these people and understand the joke when the others in the room don't. (that's another reason to read Jericho first. Some of those jokes refer back to that book). I didn't find it as 'laugh out loud funny' as Jericho, but that might be because i expected it. Or because i just finished Sidecar, which has some absolutely laugh until you cry stories. But it was still extremely enjoyable. This book though, absolutely mastered tugging on heart strings. I'd say there are several parts in this book that will have the sturdiest of you blubbering and sniffling. So be sure to stuff tissues under your pillow before you start reading. As with Jericho, you get a nice long story for your money, a beefy 300 pages or so, but at no point did it seem to drag on for me. The author's writing is just fluid and enjoyable. Again, this book isn't as action packed as the first, no killers (other than a rampant bull, the violence is limited to a food fight between two older women dressed to the nines (definitely the funniest scene in the book!), and there are practically no sex scenes worth mentioning. But i still enjoyed it, and recommend it. But only after you read the book that brought the people in this community into existence. The author would be foolish, if she doesn't spot the excellent opportunity she has created by the end of this book, to offer a book 3 of the Jericho series. A book that no doubt her readers will want. Where Maddie and Syd take the next logical step (that i actually expected throughout this book), and where we get to see more of Charlie and Roma Jean (who could have a book all her own).