Ever since I can remember I've has a soft spot for boy bands. Growing up reading N*Sync and Backstreet Boys fanfiction, boy band fanfics are one of my favourite guilty pleasures. Needless to say I was beyond excited to read Anna Todd's After series which began as a One Direction fanfic. Now revised, expanded and consisting of characters with original names, After tells the story of Tessa and Hardin (known throughout the fandom as #Hessa). 
 (After): Straight A student Tessa is at college to learn and isn't interested in the parties or other extracurricular activities students are indulging in. But then she meets Hardin. He's rude, tattooed and spends most nights partying to the early hours at his frat house. Despite their differences (and the fact Tessa has a boyfriend) they can't resist the chemistry between them. Sparks are flying out of control and sooner or later someone is going to get burnt. 
 (After We Collided): Things between Tessa and Hardin were going so well.... they had overcome so much but then the truth came out. Not knowing who to trust or where to turn, Tessa has lost everything. Trying to repair her life isn't easy especially when Hardin is always there - whether in person or in Tessa's memory. Tessa won't let herself be taken advantage of again and needs to decide if her future will include Hardin or if she is going to leave him behind forever. 
 After reading the first two books in this series I can definitely see why they have captured the attention of so many readers. Tessa and Hardin's story is incredibly passionate and emotional. They face many ups and downs with drama around every corner. There is a lot of excitement and things between the two of them are never boring. Their relationship is one I think many people would consider the ultimate in romance however it was a little too exhausting for my taste. The constant fighting, making up and then fighting again cycle is one I consider to be fairly toxic and if this was a relationship between people I knew in real life - I'd be calling for an intervention! Whilst this is not the most healthy relationship, I think that might add to the appeal. Sometimes we just want to read about people who are worse off than we are. And plus - the sexual tension just grows with each spectacularly intense make up scene. 
 After isn't just another bad boy meets good girl story. There's quite a bit going on and despite these books being so big, the pages just fly by. Tessa having a boyfriend, Harding having his own romantic rivals, their families and other obstacles give this book and edge over others in the genre. Hardin may be the brooding tattooed type but there is more going on beneath the surface. I enjoyed getting to know the enigma which is Hardin and to see his different sides. Tessa was a little frustrating for me because I found her somewhat hypocritical at times and I couldn't quite see why everyone she met was so enamoured with her but I did enjoy reading her story. I'm excited to see where Ms. Todd takes her characters in the next two books in this series. 
 If you are a fan of the romance in books like Beautiful Disaster by Jamie Maguire, you may consider checking out the After series. After is an interesting take on the good girl/bad boy trope with more to the characters than initially meets the eye. There is intense sexual tension (with some rather spectacular passionate scenes) and many interesting developments after Tessa and Hardin face many obstacles throughout their relationship. 
 Thanks to Simon and Schuster Australia for providing me with a copy of After We Collided for review.