Unfortunatelly this one was a DNF (did not finish) for me.
I just could not for the life of me get into the story. I gave it a far shot (25%) but something didn't click for me. Also the transitions between characters were a bit off and the story was very but very slow paced.
I understand this was my fault because this is a sequel and I did not read the first one (also consider adding this information on goodreads please) which would make sense with why we're thrown into the story so suddenly.

I still appreciate very much the opportunity to read this book early. Thank you so much.

The one after the one is slightly predictable. Charlie is still grieving the loss of her husband after 4 years (understandably) and she’s afraid to move on with her life. This book was a cute, good read.

After understanding that this book is a sequel to a previous book I realized why the beginning of the book was so confusing. You are dropped immediately into the story where I assume the first book left off. This is definitely not a sequel you can read as a stand-alone and if I'm honest it wasn't a sequel that was needed.

Charley doesn't even seem remotely interested in Ricky and yet the reader is meant to believe they are in love? Als0 at the start I felt sorry for Charley but half way through I thought she was a b word. It's everyone else's problem not hers. If I was Tara I would have stopped being friends with her. Charley shouldn't have a business she cant run. She never thinks of Tara. The way friendship is written in this book is just awful and poorly written. I was hoping Tara would ask for her money back and be done with Charley. Charley gets so many second chances from so many people and she does not deserve them.

The saving grace that is this book is Pam and her story (well until the ending - it got boring).

The ending was rushed and honestly I can't believe Charley get a dog. You keep reading hoping she'll be more responsible but does she? No.

The book was okay in some parts but overall I wouldn't recommend it. I'll give it 2 stars purely for Pam's story which kept me mostly interested.

A really emotional read. Charley's husband has gone - will she be able to move forwards and is there such a thing as the one after the one?

This is the sequel to ‚After The One‘. With the financial and unpaid for physical help of her mother-in-law Pam and her mates Angie, Tara and Nisha, thirtysomething widow Charley has opened a Prosecco-themed gift shop. The tale details Charley’s everyday tribulations and rather unworldly naive attempts at making a succes or God beware a profit from the shop while overanalysing her almost perfect relationship with her doormat of a boyfriend Ricky to the extent of giving him the boot. Charley‘s self-righteous attitude eventually riles her pals (and most probably the reader)…will Charley see the light in time to salvage all the relationships she bungled?

The story was a formulaic and predictable, as I often find books in this genre to be, but I don't regret having read it. It was a quick read and while none of the characters were exactly complex (not that I was expecting them to be), it was enjoyable for what it is. I'd recommend it for a nice, brainless (and I don't mean that in a bad way!) vacation/escapism read.

Grief is a powerful emotion and Charley, still grieving the loss of her husband after four years, is afraid to make any changes or move forward with her life. Charley’s mother-in-law Pam is also forced to make some changes in her life when she discovers her husband has been unfaithful. But circumstances force Charley and Pam to forge a new future.

Well, firstly I was sent the previous book instead of this through NetGalley, so had to rush through this one.

I'm glad I did read the first in hindsight (and perhaps sending that out first was an intentional mistake from the publisher), but even then I wasn't particularly engrossed in this story at any point. I think the characterisation of Charley changed (and not in a good way) and honestly, the two stories could have really been condensed into one story. My biggest problem was that I assumed, given that it was classed as romance, we'd get more of Charley and Ricky. As it was, it felt more focused on Pam and Charley. I was ultimately left a bit underwhelmed.

*Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to leave an honest review*

A cute read! I liked getting to know Charley and all of her girlfriends. They each had a different impact on her life, and helped her discover what she really wants to do with her life. Nothing super special, but a cute friend-rom-com type novel.

I truly was not a fan of this one, I think my hopes were so high but unfortunately it just did not take off for me , I finished it just hoping it would get better but never did. I dont even feel these people were in love

Sadly as much as I wanted to like this book, it was not my favorite. It was a SLOW read, and although I stuck with it to the end, it never hit its stride for me. I would categorize this book as more of a friendship story than a romance. I really didn't care less whether the couple ended up together in the end.

Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The One After the One by Cass Lester
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Start date: May 19, 2022
Finish date: May 23, 2022
Pub date: May 26, 2022

Thank you Canelo and NetGalley for my copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

In this sequel to After the One, we revisit our beloved characters, Charley and Pam. If you read my review for that, you’ll recall I called Charley “such a likeable character”. While Pam was as likeable as ever, Charley was downright frustrating in the sequel. She was stubborn, whiney, a poor communicator, and was unwilling to admit when she was wrong. If she didn’t like what her friend and business partner, Tara, suggested, she would complain about her to other people, instead of talking with her directly. Her attitude throughout this whole book was very immature.

I enjoyed Pam’s storyline throughout this, and appreciated her being a voice of reason to Charley. Pam and Charley’s relationship is so sweet, I loved the two of them together. I do feel like this could have benefited from less repetition from the first book - I personally remembered each character well, and it just wasn’t necessary. The storyline was cute and it was nice to see what happened to Pam, Charley, and both of their groups of friends, next. If you enjoyed the first one, definitely give this a read, though be prepared to find Charley a bit different than she was before.

The One After the One is fast paced story of friendship, love, and second chances. It's a beautifully written book with characters you can't not warm to and care about. I really enjoyed reading.

The One After the One, Cass Lester
May 26, 2022, Canelo

Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In the interest of full disclosure, I had previously posted an accidental review of this book, when, in fact, it was the predecessor, After the One.

Refreshingly, neither of these books by Cass Lester, starring young widow Charley and her mother-in-law Pam, focus on romantic love. While Charley does find love with bike store owner, Ricky, the bulk of the actual romance takes place between the two books.

Charley and Pam continue navigating the world in the aftermath of the death of Charley's husband and Pam's son, Josh. They learn that they are worthy of love, friendship, success and happiness. This voyage of self discovery does lead to hiccups in Charley and Ricky's relationship, and while there is a happily ever after -- the most important theme, to me, is that Pam and Charley know that life must go on and that they are deserving of happiness.

#arc #netgalley #canelo #bookstagram #casslester @cass_lester_writer @netgalley #bookstagrammer #raedunnmug @thewrightstuffchics #aldipjs #aldinerd #avacadopjs

This book was really enjoyable. I liked the writing style and the different characters that were in the novel. The writing was very beautiful as well.

How do you know if they’re The One (after The One)?
I was immediately hooked. A fast paced, effortlessly quick read where the pages just turned themselves and I was engaged throughout, mission accomplished.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.

Easy to read, I liked this book.

This wasn't a good read for me. I did not connect with the plot nor the characters. I give a book about 20% of the way in before I quit and unfortunately that was the case with this one.

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

After The One is a story of grief, love, hope and friendship. Especially finding love and friendship unexpectedly.

Charley & Pam's relationship was god gifted. I adored them so much.
Along with Pam, there were so many supportive friends who were there for Charley in every step of the way.

Looking forward to the sequel. Fans of Forever Interrupted by TJR, this one's just for you.

I had a hard time with this one. Not sure if it’s the MCs inner voice or the topic but I couldn’t connect. Disappointed because I was looking forward to this one.

DNF at 15%