After The Rain by Daisy Harris (Fire and Rain #2)
M/M Contemporary Romance
160 pages
Released: February 11, 2014
Samhain
Reviewed by Helyce
Henri Serre has not made very good choices where the men in his life are concerned. Preston, his boyfriend of about a year, tells Henri that he’s met someone else and in a blink Henri finds himself sleeping on the couch at his best friends studio. When he goes to collect the last of his things from Preston’s apartment, thinking Preston might just ask him to come back, he couldn’t have been more wrong.
Logan has known that he was gay for a while now, though coming to terms with it and breaking up with this girlfriend of five years has weighed heavily on him. Now that’s he’s taken that first step, however, he’s anxious to move forward and explore his options. He doesn’t quite know how or where to start; so when a coworker invites him to join him and his boyfriend and some friends on a camping trip Logan figures he’s got nothing to lose.
When Logan first meets Henri he really likes what he sees, but Henri is a bit cold and hardly welcoming. Henri has his reasons and Logan is hardly his type, but when circumstances keep pushing these two together, they find an uneasy friendship. But something is holding Henri back from just letting go and Logan is determined to figure out why.
After The Rain is an adorable story of two young men thrown together by chance but who eventually find something more than just a weekend hook-up. Logan is hoping that the gorgeous guy he has the luck of sharing a tent with is going to be interested in fooling around. He’s newly out and anxious to explore sex with a man and he would be all over Henri if he’d just give Logan a sign. But Henri is still hurt and angry about his recent breakup and if that wasn’t enough, Preston’s parting gift to Henri is the news that he may have been exposed to an STD. Though Henri’s initial test is negative, he has to retake it in three weeks to be sure.
But it’s not long before Henri starts to notice little things about Logan that he likes. Not only the physical aspects but his kindness, his sense of humor, and his caring nature. These are attributes new to Henri who had always seemed to gravitate to guys who were superficial and didn’t always treat him with respect. It’s not long before he finds himself letting down that wall he’s put up between them, letting Logan know exactly what’s been going on in his head, and giving in to their mutual attraction.
This story read a bit like a New Adult for me. It may have been because I kept getting the feeling of Logan’s innocence and vulnerability. He’s naive as well and though it was cute it reminded me how young these men were. Though Henri is definitely the more experienced here, his vulnerability comes through also. He’s made some really poor choices in his previous relationships and he’s totally unprepared for Logan who treats him, maybe for the first time, with respect. I loved this aspect of the story; Henri coming to the realization of what he’d missed by dating such superficial men, thinking that was what would make him happy. That he could have so much more and give so much more as well. That said, there is a bit of insta-love here. Logan may have experienced a long term relationship, but with Henri being his first male lover, the rush to “I love you” after a long weekend again reminded me of their youth.
At the same time, these two have to deal with a very grown up issue with the possibility of Henri being exposed to an STD. This issue is handled well here, with Henri being honest and upfront from the beginning. I appreciated how the author dealt with the issue in this story and the expression of the emotions involved as well as the safety concerns. It wasn’t glossed over in any way.
Ms. Harris has become a favorite m/m author to me. I adore her ability to give me a story that on the surface seems light and sexy but when you pay attention gives you an emotional content that is moving. It’s evident in this story as we watch Logan and Henri find their way. I look forward to the next in this series which will feature Michael, Henri’s best friend.
Rating: B
Goodreads l Author Website l Series Guide
This sounds really good! I rather like when the real world intervenes, and kudos to the author for the STD plot line. Totally realistic.
Hi Sarina! I like where this series is going-interesting (though young) characters. And yes, STD plot I thought was handled well.
Mmmm love the cover. I haven’t read this author yet. Emotional vulnerability mixed with reality and self discovery. Looking forward to checking this out.