The Conclusion to the Hanover Falls Series: After All by Deborah Raney

After All (Hanover Falls, Book 3)
by Deborah Raney
Copyright 2012
Howard Books
ISBN: 9781416599951

About the book:
Eighteen months after the tragic Grove Street Fire took the life of her husband, David, and four other heroic firefighters, Susan Marlowe thinks she’s finally beginning to heal. But then she discovers that David carried a secret to his grave. A secret that changes everything she thought their marriage had been. For the sake of their sons, can Susan forgive the unforgivable?

Andrea Morley lost her closest friend in the fire. But she has no right to mourn him. Instead, she must forever grieve in silence—because her dearest friend was someone else’s husband.

Peter Brennan carries the weight of the world on his shoulders. As Hanover Falls’ fire chief, he was responsible for the brave firefighters who lost their lives that awful November night. Can he ever shake the feeling that he should have somehow prevented the tragedy? As he tries to rebuild the team at Clemens County’s Station 2, it seems he might find comfort in the arms of the woman he least expected.



My Thoughts:
After three novels featuring the members of Clemens County Fire Station 2 and their families following a tragic fire at the Grove Street Homeless Shelter I'm sad to see this series end but I'm happy to say it ends on a high note. While not my favorite book of the series After All is a fitting conclusion to a series full of bittersweet moments.

Susan Marlowe's life is dedicated to running the new Hanover Falls's homeless shelter so much so that unbeknownst to her her husband turned to another woman. Peter Brennan, chief at Station 2 is feeling the stress of his job more so than ever after the fire that took the lives of a handful of his finest firefighters. Both Susan and Peter are a bit wary of each other but come together in the face of even more problems involving the homeless shelter and its residents.

With her trademark style of writing that pulls at your heartstrings Deborah Raney crafts a wonderful story of loss and love. Susan and Peter's growing feelings towards each other developed naturally and gradually that nothing felt forced or contrived. However Andrea Morley, the local fire inspector's story didn't quite mesh well for me. From what we were told about her past I would have the thought the story would have taken a completely different turn than what it did. I don't want to give anything away but I really think Bryn's story (Almost Forever) concluded wonderfully and very realistically. Throwing in the twist to the story with Andrea and Zeke in this book just didn't sit well with me because it felt forced, like everything had to end perfectly for all the "good" characters in the series. As I said earlier, I loved reading Susan and Pete's story, especially their mutual appreciation for a good, raspberry Tootsie Pop but the ending just wasn't what I thought it would be. I love Deborah's stories however and will continue to read whatever this talented woman writes!


To learn more about the author and this series visit HER WEBSITE!

~ My Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars ~

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for review from Howard Books. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*