After We Collided - Review

After We Collided (After #2)

By: Anna Todd

Published: November 25, 2014 by Gallery Books

688 pages

Genre: New Adult, Romance, Contemporary

Source: Personal Kindle Library

(Goodreads / Amazon)

Summary:

Tessa has everything to lose. Hardin has nothing to lose...except her. AFTER WE COLLIDED...Life will never be the same. #HESSA

After a tumultuous beginning to their relationship, Tessa and Hardin were on the path to making things work. Tessa knew Hardin could be cruel, but when a bombshell revelation is dropped about the origins of their relationship—and Hardin’s mysterious past—Tessa is beside herself.

Hardin will always be...Hardin. But is he really the deep, thoughtful guy Tessa fell madly in love with despite his angry exterior—or has he been a stranger all along? She wishes she could walk away. It’s just not that easy. Not with the memory of passionate nights spent in his arms. His electric touch. His hungry kisses.

Still, Tessa’s not sure she can endure one more broken promise. She put so much on hold for Hardin—school, friends, her mom, a relationship with a guy who really loved her, and now possibly even a promising new career. She needs to move forward with her life.

Hardin knows he made a mistake, possibly the biggest one of his life. He’s not going down without a fight. But can he change? Will he change...for love?

MY REVIEW:
Much like my review of book one, After, I couldn't put this book down! I even stayed awake for 4 hours in the middle of the night to keep reading - 2:30am-6:30am - just because I couldn't get Tessa and Hardin's story out of my head!

Be sure to check out my review of book one. If you haven't read these books yet I'd suggest stopping now. I tend to be very careful with my reviews on purpose because I don't want to give anything away from the reader, but it's very hard to write reviews on series books without revealing more to the story.

Tessa and Hardin perhaps find themselves in a better position in their relationship for much of the first half of the book. Even though they still drive each other insane, and they fight and makeup what feels like constantly, for much of the book they seem to be headed in an overall more positive direction. But then, as they are known to do, their communication is lacking, Hardin refuses to really open up about his feelings, and Tessa always assumes the worst so we see a downward spiral occur which tears them apart.

Tessa, as is true to her character and also my feelings over her decisions in book one, tends to react out of anger in a way that she knows will hurt Hardin the most. Hardin, as is true to his character, just closes himself off and reacts to hurt by lashing out with hateful, angry words. It's a viscous cycle they seem to fall into. From an outside perspective, we can see the train wreck about to happen from a mile away. But yet, their connection is so incredibly intense that you are cheering them on to finally get to a healthy and stable place. All along the way wondering if that's ever going to be possible for the two of them. Are they really just two different to make a strong relationship last?

It's exhausting - Tessa constantly questioning Hardin's true motives, though it's fair for her to feel that way at times. Then again, she chose to forgive him. And when true forgiveness is given, though one doesn't forget, they also have to choose not to throw it up in the person's face anymore as a way to hurt or threaten. This is one area of their relationship that lacks maturity. Hardin sees blind rage when he feels threatened by any other male showing attention to Tessa. He views the majority of guys they know as ones that want to take advantage of her. All except for Landon, his step brother, who thankfully he learns to confide in eventually and seek advice from. That's a huge step for Hardin. He's closed off, secretive and distrusting. Letting anyone in, even just a friend, is incredibly hard for him.

Book two brings out some very negative reactions in Tessa. She does more of the hurting than Hardin at times. It's like a merry-go-round of hurt on both sides. When it's good though, it's sooooo very good!

In book two we also see Zed more. His true colors have yet to be determined. On one hand he seems like a genuine friend to Tessa. But on the other hand, he seems to have his own agenda. Determining what that really is, is not so easy.

This book brought me in just as deeply as book one and captured my attention and adoration even more for these characters. For that alone, I'm giving it my top rating. I finished and immediately said I NEED MORE and so I dove right into book three.

Top Favorite Quotes:
"...you're everything to me! You're my breath, my pain, my heart, my life!"

"The best thing about reading is to escape from your life, to be able to live hundreds of even thousands of different lives."

"If you aren't affected somehow, even in the slightest bit, you aren't reading the right book."

Despite everything he has done, I feel like home in this flawed boy's arms.

No matter how hard I fight it, I need him. I need to be close to him, I need him to comfort me, to challenge me, to annoy me, to kiss me, and to love me.

This tattooed, rude, angry boy has gotten under my skin and into my heart, and I know that no matter how hard I try, I can't get him out.

But sometimes you have to choose to let things go, to move on.

...change takes time and nobody can erase their past.

"Just because he can't love you the way you want him to doesn't mean he doesn't love you with everything he has"

Language: 3 (high)
Mature Content: 3 (high)
Final Rating: 5