After Midnight by Sarah Grimm
Contemporary Romance
September 30, 2011
E-Book
Wild Rose Press
Reviewed by Mandi
Isabeau Montgomery was a child prodigy. Able to hear a song just once and be able to play it on the piano, she became a widely know musician at a very young age. At the age of twelve, she was involved in a serious car accident that took the life of her mother and severely injured Isabeau. Worse, she was taken from her step father Thomas’s home, the only father she ever really knew, and given back to her biological father. At the age of seventeen when her biological father dies, she drags herself back to Thomas, a broken girl.
Now as an adult, Isabeau no longer plays or composes music. It’s in her head, screaming to get out, but she can’t get over what happened in the past and allow the music to come out. She owns a small bar in New York city, and this is where she meets Noah Clark. Noah is the lead singer for the Black Phoenix, a band that is trying to make a comeback. Noah is entranced with Isabeau, who brushes off his advancements. But there is something about her he can’t shake. When his band decides to record their next album in New York, he has the time to get to know her and eventually lower her defenses. But it is a long journey for Isabeau to let someone into her life in an intimate manner, but Noah won’t give up.
After Midnight is the first I’ve read of Sarah Grimm and I was pleasantly surprised. This book is very low-key and kind of melancholy but still has some nice sexual tension and subsequent romance scenes. Isabeau is in so much emotional pain in this book. She can’t get over her mother’s death, her time spent with her biological father or the fact she can’t, or won’t play music anymore. Throughout the book the music is just pounding in her head, and the tension comes across well.
The heart of this book is really just Isabeau and Noah learning each other. Noah doesn’t have as much drama in his past, accept some alcohol abuse when his band first breaks up. Otherwise, he is a solid man for Isabeau to lean on – as she slowly learns to trust him. While most of this book is just focused on their blooming relationship, there is enough tension between them that I never found myself bored.
The one thing I didn’t enjoy in this book is the small suspense part. There are some random threats to Isabeau and as the reader it is pretty obvious who is behind them. I felt like this didn’t fit into the story well. I would have been just as happy without it included.
Otherwise, this is a nice romance book. A little on the slower side, but with a sensual romance and a nice developing relationship.
Rating: B-
Recent Reviews:
Book Lovers Inc – 5/5
Goodreads
Mandi- Thank you for taking the time to read and review After Midnight. I’m glad you enjoyed it! :-)
Slower as in romance slower? Cos that I do like, it feels more real :)
Yes – it takes awhile for the romance to build – although there is nice tension and great romance scenes.
But also just slower because the pace of the book is not super fast. But as I said, it never got boring or anything.
Oh I’m so reading this one!!! I love tormented heroines that are gifted and because of trauma they can’t deal with that gift or passion, even though they really want to. And then comes the understanding hero and helps them get through their issues and pain! Oh I just love it!!!! And the hero is a musician? That’s such a plus! Does he wear leather pants? Or is he more like the poetic, conservative type? I don’t really care, I’m so in!!
Omg..this book is for you then!!
And he MIGHT wear leather pants..I can’t remember but he is definitely that “type” oh hero. Not poetic. SUPER sexy!
Hope you enjoy!!!
Interesting review Mandi, I’ll put it on my wishlist.
I like the sounds of this one- musicians, romance.