Customer Reviews

Aftershock (Shaken Series)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A good sequel maintains the tone of the original, versus trying to "outdo" the previous book by being more shocking, bigger, better, and ultimately introducing elements of the ridiculous. It treats the characters we've come to love and know with respect, versus creating manipulative situations just to keep the story going, or causing the protagonists to create their own uncharacteristic drama. A good sequel feels like a natural progression, breaking new ground with the characters and their lives.

Aftershock is a good sequel. A minor complaint of mine about Without Warning was that it ended too abruptly, but that was all right because I knew there were at least two more books in the series. Aftershock alleviates that annoyance well. We're returned in this book to the lives of Lily and Anna over a year after they first got together. Anna suddenly assumes a larger amount of responsibility at her family's Premier dealership as her father decides to finally retire, leaving her as CEO. Nearly simultaneously all her plans for growth become possible much sooner than she'd ever imagined as several other dealerships in the region go up for sale in an opportunity too good to pass up.

Unfortunately, this means working long hours, and making sacrifices in her life in order that her brother-in-law can be there for his wife and son. Lily is something of a workaholic herself, so maintains an understanding attitude. But she finds herself falling into self-destructive patterns, exacerbated by childhood insecurities, as some unhappy personal events in her life shake her foundations, and she unhappily turns to alcohol.

Anna struggles to be a supportive partner, while hiding their problems from the rest of the family, and finally has to make some tough decisions in order to stop enabling Lily. Lily finds herself drowning in her out-of-control life, and it takes extreme personal courage and the help from some friends to begin fighting her addiction. The compassionate and seemingly realistic ways these issues are handled makes what could be a very difficult story (read: a downer, something I don't necessarily like in my romantic, escapist fiction) end up being a very touching and life-affirming continuation of the lives of Anna and Lily.

An excellent novel. Can't wait for the next one.

It is no secret to anyone who has read my reviews that I love KG MacGregor (her work that is). She has never written a book I haven't liked. That said, I found this one a little hard to swallow. As it was originally published as part of "Shaken," this installment truly added to the story. However, as a stand-alone book it seems a little isolated. By that I mean it deals with alcoholism and workaholism, but otherwise doesn't take the protagonists, Anna and Lily, forward. For that reason, I won't go into any more detail in this review.

Note - I'm looking forward to installment 3 of the "Shaken" series (I think it's called "Small Packages"). One has to read "Aftershock" to bridge the gap between "Without Warning" and the final book. However, don't expect any revelations or peace from this second book in the series.

This book was received in a timely manner and was in excellent condition. All of which met my expectations. I have had no bad experiences with Amazon.

Intense followup to the author's terrific romance novel 'Without Warning' where - two women - 29 year old Anna Kaklis ("whose perfectly planned life never included falling in love with another woman--is thrown for a loop, but she doesn't doubt her heart") and 30 year old Lily Stewart ("abandoned too many times by people she trusted--won't let herself believe that Anna's love will endure"). They met during a earthquake in Los Angeles where they were trapped in a collapsed shopping mall and escape together.

This second novel finds them one year later. Anna is happier than she has ever been. Lily is wondering if Anna wants forever. Anna is given her dream job that requires her to work 12 hour days and Saturdays. Lily suffers a tragic loss that leads to all her insecurities taking control of her life. What follows is a very intense story where Lily does alot of growing up and Anna does her best to make sure Lily survives.

Still providing the laugh out loud moments we expect with this author and very passionate romance, this is a novel that shows it is not always happily ever after - right away.

Don't miss the fabulous third story in the series 'Small Packages'.

or miss the author's other novels
Mulligan
Worth Every Step
The House on Sandstone
Just This Once
Secrets So Deep
Sumter Point
Out of Love - 2007 Lambda Literary Award winner

The events in this book are after but there is little shock. After surviving an earthquake together, the relationship between Anna and Lily has evolved into a commitment that to all outward appearances is a happy one. However, Lily is extremely insecure and those insecurities appear over very small issues. When Anna suddenly is offered the opportunity of a lifetime to manage a car dealership and then take control of other ones, she is working long hours and comes home exhausted.
Despite her words of support, Lily is not happy with the situation and her insecurities begin to dominate her life, so her solution is to begin damping them down with alcohol. Their relationship is severely tested, there are arguments and the limits of their relationship are tested.
It is very difficult to create an engaging book based on petty insecurities in a relationship for it is hard for all but the most insecure of people to identify with them and the storyline quickly becomes predictable. Anna is working late again so you know Lily is going to pound down a few drinks. The point is quickly reached where the reader just wants to say either "Grow up" or "Get over it" to the expressions of insecurity. MacGregor does not reach of the level of channeling Lily's insecurities into a storyline that keeps your attention, the tensions of the relationship between Anna and Lily are not that interesting.