***4 'Passion Over Performance' Stars*** 
 Talk about being hooked from the very first page. That prologue had me NEEDING to know how everything would turn out. That Emmett and Alyssa would get their HEA because it just wouldn't be fair if they didn't and, as always, Ms. Halle delivered. While After All is about two people finding love, it's so much more. It's about them working through their issues and finding who they are at their very core so that they can not only give their hearts to another and trust that they won't bruise, but also that they can accept another hearts into their care, have their backs and make them stronger. 
 Emmett...yes, he's a scoundrel and a man-child but I loved him. His life hasn't been easy, but he's persevered and come out alive, even if a little battered and has chosen to wrap himself in kevlar. He definitely had his moments, but there was an honesty to him and when you looked close enough, you could see that he could be a good man with a good heart when given a chance (and at times a swift kick in the arse.) 
 I had a bit of a time with Alyssa. I loved her in Before I Ever Met You and was totally psched when it was announced that she would be getting her own HEA, but things didn't start out the way I thought they would. She was prickly, and I have no issue with that at all, but there was just something that made it hard for me to be #TeamAlyssa right away. But as the story progressed and we got to see under the prickly, my ambivalence towards her lifted and I found that what I loved about her when I first met her was back and that I was rooting for her to achieve all that she wanted. 
 A fake relationship between "enemies" playing out under the bright flashing lights of the paparazzi? What could go wrong? Or better yet, what could go right? I have to say that Emmett and Alyssa's journey was a fun one because the more they tried to keep their distance from each other the closer they got, and most of the time it was done unconsciously which gave it a realistic and tangible feel. They were fun, flirty, snarky and oh so smexy...I mean Emmett is...yeah. The big 'ole blow up was one that made sense but I was firmly #TeamEmmett and loved the grand gesture that put them back on the road to getting the HEA they both deserved. 
 Ms. Halle brought her A game with After All and I loved watching Emmett and Alyssa confront their demons and evolve as the story progressed. Catching up with Will and Jackie, as well as Ted and Tiffany, was fun. But my absolute favorite was Carla. She was everything, especially towards the end. I wanted to high five her and make special brownies for her. But all in all, this was a great read and I wouldn't have a problem spending more time with characters down the road. 
 ~ Copy provided by the author & voluntarily reviewed ~