Aftershock (Afterburn & Aftershock)

WOULDA been a 5 star if we didn't have the 5 month release delay. COULDA spent the 5 months on character/story development. SHOULDA released these as ONE book! This story of Gia & Jax COULDA been so much MORE! However, as we have come to expect, Ms. Day's bedroom/foyer/hotel suite/any flat surface (but no limo) sex scenes are steamy & right up there with the best. Loved Gia's journey figuring out Jax but it had potential to be so much more than written! Ms. Day, you are capable of delivering so much MORE than this.

As always Ms Day writes very well. A short novel but has substance. I miss her writing as I anxiously await her last 2 novels from the Crossfire series so this was great to temporarily feed my addiction.

I love Sylvia's books and she didn't disappoint in this one. I like how complex her characters are. And how the situations in her books relate to real situations in life that we try to keep under wraps.

I've never read these types of books however these were recommended by a friend and I read them both in two days. Looking for more good read now. It left me wanting the third book. (Reason for 4 stars)

This series is really good of course I love the Crossfire series more. Can't wait for the next of either of these series though Silva Day is an amazing aurthor. I would recommend this book to everyone that like the Fifty Shades of Gray or the Crossfire novels.

Actually 2.5 ?. Well this story could have been told in one book, but oh well. Which is how I felt about Gia. Sylvia do you have a proclivity towards immature, flighty women? I'm speaking of a well known heroine in another series. Does Eva ring a bell? While at least Gia never wavered in her love for Jax (unlike Eva), it was hard to relate to her and therefore I wasn't vested in her character and plainly put, just didn't care. Jax was the reason I gave 2.5 ?.

Jax it's just so HOT. Alpha male all the way. The closest to Gideon I've found. And Gianna rules. A strong, confident, hardworking woman. Love him, love her. Just wished it was a longer reading. Need more of them

This is the second disappointing release from Sylvia Day (the last being the third crossfire book). For the longest time, she was my favorite author, but now I'm not so sure anymore. Parts of this book were incoherent, parts were great, and parts were meh. My issue with the book is the drop off at the end. What happened? It feels like she pulled an all nighter to finish the last 2-4 chapters. The ending was way too fast to resolve the issues between Jax & Gia, and I'm not entirely sure this book gave us closure. That being said, it was loosely tied in with the crossfire series with the mention of Deanna, so I have a feeling there might be more about Gia & Jax in those books.

I really enjoyed reading this book both flows easily into one another I believe in strong womans and I like it when we fight for our believes and how love can conquer all call me romantic but I really enjoy this kind of books I really recommend her great job congratulations

I find it hard to believe this is the same writer who wrote the Crossfire series. both books were equally bad. Too much about Gia's job and too much senseless drama between her and Jax. I found myself skipping pages trying to get to the good part but it never came.

I absolutely love Afterburn and Aftershock! To me they will become "timeless classics" in years to come! They are everything in a hot romance novel you need! Not to mention Jax Rutledge is steamy SOB that any woman would want to devour!

If you like Crossfire, you will like this book. It's the EXACT SAME story line. Girl meets powerful man, powerful man takes control, powerful girl fights back, they take on the world, etc etc. Rather than spending her time on this why can't we just get books 4 and 5 of Crossfire? Also, why 2 books? just put 2 short books together. Glad I didn't read them until both were available. It would not have been worth the wait for the second book.

For me it was a really long prologue. I'm not one to criticise someone's work I mean she put thought into writing the book and things but I think it really wasn't worth the hype. Sylvia keep writing books but please think carefully before you decide to have a sequel to some of these books and if you gonna have a pap sequel make sure it's released as early as possible so ppl don't pine for it for nothing.

So, in book one, Jax was made to be the bad guy. After reading book 2, Gianna (Gia) really was the bad guy. I mean seriously, how many freaking times can you sabotage your own relationship with the guy you supposedly have loved for years. Gia was a whiny little brat who ran when things got tough for her. She isn't strong, she is a big cry baby. Just when things would be going good, she would say something to Jax or get mad at him over stupid stuff. Jax should have just broken up with her and ran....she is going to make his life a living hell....... Seriously, I'm done with you Sylvia Day. I read better free books than this.

After reading the Crossfire Series, I expected so much more from this author. Not much here to talk about. Ms. Day failed miserably with this story. (There isn't much of one) Would not recommend. Diff not worth the $$.

Not sure if it was worth the wait. It seems SD really has a knack for stringing us along. I wasn't even that anxious for this book but did note the release date jumped five more months than intended. Don't even get me started on how frustrated I am over the Crossfire series. I hope the next installment of that is more satisfying than this read. It wasn't bad. I liked Jax n Gia. I read it in 2 1/2 hours. It was a lot of build up for the book equivalent to a tasty snack.

Such a terrible book! No storyline whatsoever, and the character's personalities were so poorly developped that I did not at any point care aboit what was going on in the story. A total waste of my time and money. I don't understand how this book could even be published in the first place! I could write a better book!!

“I’ve always seen white picket fences in your eyes when you look at me. I was positive I wasn’t that guy. I was wrong. One of these days, when you’re ready, I’ll give that dream to you. And you’re going to give me a gorgeous little girl or two with your dark curly hair and smiles that slay me.”

Sylvia Day is one of my favourite authors, period, and owns me with the fact that she is the one of the only romance authors that I can stand. I loved the Crossfire series and naturally, I'd made it my mission to read as much as I can get my hands on from her. No one writes a steamy romance like her and I was more than ready to swoon and trip over myself for the sexual chemistry that would surely cut the air.

Afterburn was sadly underwhelming--it was decent enough, but still not the greatest. Day can do so much better than the underdeveloped story of Jax and Gia. Sure, it's a steamy short story but it lacks the quality of warmth and soul that Day is known for. Importantly, her novels are usually more than just lust-over-me sorts of gems. There are characters who have so much depth and life breathed into them, you can't help but to fall head over heels for them. Afterburn was not one of those and sadly Aftershock is worse. I couldn't believe this was written by Sylvia because it lacked so, so much of what I've come to love about her words and it just left me feeling a bit disgruntled and confused.

It was kind of sloppy and all over the place.

Because of the fact that it is, in fact, a short story, I'm a little more forgiving towards its faults. I just know that Day can do better than Aftershock in particular and that's what puts me off most from it at the end of the day. While it's not a horrible story by any means--it is fueled by sexual tension and a lot of romance--it isn't something that I'd ever pick up again. Even the killer sex scenes and solid characters can't save it from itself.

Thoroughly dull and highly disappointing. I felt like I was constantly waiting for something--anything--to happen or change but it never came about.

I read this duet because they’re being made into a movie for Passionflix, which I’m really excited about. I figured as a founding member I should read the books that have been chosen so far. I wanted to like these books as I do enjoy Sylvia Day’s writing. I think I would have enjoyed them more if there had been more. These were too short to really delve into the history that Gia and Jax had with each other.

I think the love story would have been more powerful if we had been able to see how they were during those 5 weeks, two years ago, instead of being told about it. I feel like that would have given me a better understanding of where their emotions were coming from since they were such strong emotions. Otherwise, the books were enjoyable. I loved Gia and her family more than anything. She and Jax were hot together of course and Sylvia Day definitely knows how to write a steamy sexy scene.

I can’t wait to see how these books are translated onto the screen.

I liked the first novella, but this one fell a little flat to me. I thought there would be some character growth, but there wasn't much at all.

Basically, Gia and Jax would fight, she would try to talk to him and say she wasn't going to have sex with him. But 5 seconds after seeing him, they were going at it like rabbits.

There was more sex than storyline. Yes, we did get some answers. But I didn't really feel the connection behind the bedroom with these two.

Don't get me wrong, I love a hot and steamy scene, but I want them to progress the story. These really didn't do that.

It was still an okay read though.

This was the best ending I could have asked for! I was on pins and needles trying to figure out who it was going to end and praying for a happy one! Day did a great job of keeping me on my toes and constantly trying to guess what was going to happen. I had been dying to know Jax's secret since the first book and I could have never even imagined it was what it turned out to be, it was even better than I hoped. It explained so much about his character and the need he felt to push away Gia and protect her even though he loved her.

This was just an amazing book! I wanted more but at the same time the ending was so perfect I wouldn't want to mess that up. You won't be disappointed.

I won't just leave a one start review, because Sylvia Day does write well. However, to say that this book (and, really, the two mini-books constitute just ONE book) is a disappointment is an understatement. Having just finished reading it, I'm glad of only two things. One, that I waited until the price was reduced to $1.99 for both and, two, that I waited until the second book was already published so I didn't have to wait for the sequel, which ultimately was a HUGE disappointment.

If you like the Crossfire series (and I did, up until book 4), you'll like many elements of this book. So much of it is repetitive, that you'll feel right at home. What didn't I like? The completely unrealistic idea that Jax left Gia so that she'd demonstrate her drive to get him back. What woman would pursue a man after a 5 week relationship, other than a few phone calls (which she did)? That woman would take the hint that she'd been dumped and move on. Then, when he re-enters her life, there's all this unnecessary drama that just isn't explained. Like Eva in all of the Crossfire books, Gia's first reaction is to run away. Tiresome.

Finally, after the big climax, Jax disappears for two weeks and that's okay? Whatever. Stupid book, stupid plot. Not even worth $1.99. So dumb I actually skimmed the latter sex scenes, that's how bored I was with this book.

~Reviewed by FRANCESCA & posted at Under the Covers Book Blog

AFTERSHOCK concludes the story of Gia and Jax. As this is part of the COSMO RED HOT READS, I think it fits perfectly with the “fun and fearless female” theme. Gia is a strong heroine for sure and she showed us some more of that in this part. I have to admit that she handled some of the things that Jax threw her way better than I would’ve.

I really enjoyed the first part of this story and thought the hero was beyond hot. In AFTERSHOCK though, he comes across as a bit of a jerk and a dominant ass (and not in the way you might want him to be). Yes, he’s still extremely hot (panty-melting hot!!!) but I literally wanted to bash his head against the wall sometimes.

As much as this part had a lot of issues thrown in that built up the emotions, the resolution felt rushed. I wanted to see Jax beg and grovel a bit more. He could’ve done a better job at that. An easy forgiveness and easy HEA sometimes can leave me just unsatisfied and I think that’s a bit of what happened with this one for me. Which I’m bummed about because I really liked these characters and the general storyline the author was going for!

I would definitely recommend, if you haven’t picked up the “parts” of this story, pick up the full length novel. I do believe that by having this release in two parts and with so much time apart it took something away from the continuity of the story. As a reader, it was hard to remember some details and I was a bit confused at times about what was going on until it later on clicked. I think if you read it all in one sitting you might find you enjoy it more and some things might even bother you less.

*Review copy provided by publisher

AFTERSHOCK (AFTERBURN 2) by SYLVIA DAY

I have been waiting for this second installment of this 2-part work of Sylvia Day from the moment I finished Afterburn. There is no doubt that Sylvia Day is one of the best authors of the erotic romance genre. She knows how to keep you entertained til the very last word of her book and want more. She knows how to simply write a romantic and kinky love scene that you would actually want to be in that scenario. And she definitely knows how to entice her readers and just torture them with all the waiting for what’s next in her books. She is really good and I love her work and that is why I am so thrilled when this book came out. It took months of waiting but the day has finally come and I read it in one sitting. However, my expectations was so freakin enormous that Aftershock didn’t come to par with what I was expecting.

Book 2 was a cliffhanger, yes? But I was hopeful and excited to read this book because I felt like what Gia & Jax have in book 1 was amazing and that book 2 will give the answers to the mystery of Jax Rutledge and what’s holding him to to finally settle. No doubt that Gia & Jax’s chemistry and connections is still there and more palpable in this book but what confused me is that the answers I was waiting to be answered is not there. The whole why and what was not clearly stated. It seems like it was shadowed in this book and the storyline was buried somewhere. There was too much going on in Jax’s life that it’s like he is the only one who knows what’s happening. And then it was over.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Sylvia and her books but Aftershock was not what I was expecting. It didn’t wow me like the first one. I enjoyed it yes but it left me disappointed.

3 1/2

Ok this book was horrible. Mostly because of Gia.
***Spoilers ahead***

It made me not even want to finish the book. This woman who claims she's in love with Jax who was the "bad guy", was really the bad guy herself. I've never seen a woman manipulate a relationship the way she did. It was utterly ridiculous. The part where she called a reporter to find out information about Jax, when let's be honest, she could've used Google, but no she wanted to get down to the nitty gritty, basically almost costed him and his family their careers. It would've been a huge scandal. And seriously, who in their right mind calls a reporter to dig up information for a political family. She might as well just have posted their social security numbers and bank account information in every news paper in the world. Gia is dumb plain and simple. She hurt her own family, for her own selfish gain. Putting boyfriend before family Gia? The people who have clearly always been there for you? Not cool. Had someone fired even though she was just doing her job.
Then there seems to be missing parts. Jax left for 2 weeks. There was no explanation as to why he left until much later. To sum this up, Jax deserves better. She's too much drama, she's too whiny and basically I can't deal with her asinine crap anymore.

So…it ended just like that…it was much shorter than first part and I still think it should have been in one book. My kindle was on 83% reading target and the story ended and the rest were some questionnaire regarding the relationship (which I didn't bother reading). There were still something untold in this one, like I didn't understand what Jax would plan to do in future if he was walking out of family business? Or did I miss anything? And Chad's sister who showed up at the end, what about her? And then Ian and Jax had some business relationship…what was that about?

Overall, it was a good romance to read (although too short) but I still enjoyed it. I liked how Jax settled down all his demons in order to prefer the life he wanted to spend with Gia rather than going after his family fortune which tells us that love always stays on top.

At the beginning of AS, Gianna and Jax’s relationship is progressing rather quickly and both are adjusting. Gianna is very likeable as a female lead. She’s dedicated to her career, has a great relationship with her family and most importantly she has no problem standing up for herself. She’s a girl who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and tell Jax exactly what she needs from him. She also has no problem giving the cold shoulder when needed. When a certain secret from Jax’s past is revealed, the two must decide if they’re strong enough to stick it out. The epilogue is short and sweet and will leave you satisfied. But I wouldn’t mind more of their story.

As complicated as Jax was he was a softy. I loved his stubbornness, but I also loved that he was willing to change for Gia. I think from the first book to this one he grew as a person. And loving Gia and seeing how much she loved him, and the willingness in her heart to support him made him a better man. I definitely loved this short series.

**Spoiler alert**

I was BARELY tolerating Gia to begin with, but when she tipped off the reporter who then decided to run the big expose' about Jax's family...that's when I actually deleted the book from my Kindle. I got the download for free, thankfully. I found myself actually disliking both Gia and Jax but kept reading, hoping it would get better. It didn't get better.

Just re-read Afterburn to bring myself up-to-date before reading Aftershock. I liked the Crossfire series but loved these two books much more. Lots of steamy sex and an interesting storyline. I liked that they were both strong individuals and although there was a big difference in a social-economic sense they seemed to be on a level playing feed with the one being less money rich being rich with a loving family. Sylvia, I liked the way you wrote the sex scenes in a more loving and respectful manner than Crossfire. The desire coming from a more mature loving place. I hope you will write more "hot" books of this nature!!

1st, let me say that the story itself was good. I like Jax and Gia together. I like the progression of their story and how we learned more about him and why he left her to begin with, and how he was trying to protect her. With that being said, Sylvia, what in the world is going on with you?! I read this on my kindle and at 85% the story is over and it goes into some ridiculous Cosmo quizes, I'm 38 years old, i don't do those quizes. They're dumb! The finish of this book was rushed and it seems that you just wanted to end it rather than complete the story. We could've gotten a little more into their life, but instead we get to take a quiz. Why not add a "Dear Abby" question and answer to it or maybe 10 ways to have hotter sex?? IF I WANTED THAT, I'D BY COSMO. I THINK ME AND SYLVIA ARE BREAKING UP! FIRST CROSSFIRE AND NOW THIS ... WE HAD A GOOD RUN, ITS YOU NOT ME

I borrowed this from the library, after reading the first one in March (the library only had the first one at the time). My memories of it are a bit foggy, so it took me a while to catch up. This really should have been one novel instead of two novellas.

I liked that Gia was not a doormat, her strength was her best quality. Jax was always being mysterious and secretive, I'm still not sure I wanted them to end up together.

All in all a decent read, but nowhere near as good as Ms. Day's Crossfire series.

I love Sylvia Day. Although this two book series is too short, it is just what you need. Aftershock continued the story began in Afterburn and like the first book it is fun and sexy. It has a HEA so for me it was perfect.

“Gia." Jax caught my upper arm as I moved to pass him. "I've got this. Don't stress."
"Easy for you to say." I told him, my chin lifting. "You don't have anything on the line."
His jaw tightened. "I love you. I've got everything on the line.”

Sylvia Day is one of my favorites Authors I really loved Afterburn and I waited so long for Aftershock and I liked it , but to me it was missing something it felt rushed . Don't get me wrong the book is good and it has a nice ending but it lacked the WOW It made my heart race I want to read it over and over factor that Afterburn and the Crossfire Series have . I hate to do this to Sylvia her other books truly rock , but waiting a long , long, long time for it truly sucked .

I was really disappointed in the length of the book. The story jumped from one bump in the relationship to the next bump without helping us understand the development of Jackson and GIa's relationship before issues arose. I don't understand why they would want to stay together. I don't think great sex is enough.
The biggest issue I has was in chapter 7. It starts with Gia's friend talking about how she'd like to get a piece of Gia's brother, then Gia's THOUGHTS turn to her lack of privacy since dating Jackson, then her friend suddenly speaks up to sympathize with her?!?! Where did that come from? Perhaps my e-library copy wasn't edited before it was released to the library, but that seems doubtful. This book needed someone to be its champion.

I really liked the story. I thought it was written really well. I was not a fan of the ending. I really thought it ended way to quickly and kinda left you a little hanging. Not to much thought in the ending. But all in all I loved the two book series. Sylvia Day is a great author. Must buy series

The story was to short and rushed. I wanted more from the story, but I felt like it was thrown together just to put a book out. It's lacking and I don't like half the book being question I answer to find out what kinda man I attract. I can go buy a magazine if I want to answers questions like that. I loved Jax and Gia.

It was boring, there were spelling errors and it seemed rushed to me. Such a shame, so much talent but it seems she is just getting lazy. I will think twice before ever purchasing a book from her again. Sigh!

This was a good follow up to Afterburn. I enjoyed the story, but I did feel that most of it seems rushed and kind of pushed together. I like Gia and Jax but just wished we could have gotten a little more in depth into them as a couple.

I read the rest of the series. I am a sucker for a happy ending. The characters got into some trouble in this second book. They were sort of realistic about their reactions to the conflicts happening around them.

I liked this book much better than Afterburner. Mostly because it brought out all the secrets and the past that should have been shared earlier. I was happy that this book actually had a conclusion to it.

Sylvia Day, you can write! Unfortunately, this missed the mark for me. The characters are strong, but the story wasn't deep enough and didn't go anywhere. Please, find that fabulous writer again and give us another book to stay up all night for.

I'm not sure I could have been so forgiving of Jax at times but I enjoyed the the book. Gia was strong and did what was necessary for her to keep her man. The ending was the HEA that I was hoping for.

I was really looking forward to the sequel to Afterburn. Most Sylvia Day books have been misses for me, but I loved Afterburn. This was a huge letdown. The story just fizzled out. Pretty disappointed in it.

I enjoyed the conclusion to the Jax and Gia love story. I also like that Sylvia shed more light on the reporter Deanna that was introduced in the Crossfire series. I also like the close bond between Gia and her family. That's real stuff. I do wish she could have gone more into the Jax character. The ending did seem a little rushed.