Reviewed by Cheryl K
TITLE: Everything After
SERIES: Bad Beginnings #1
AUTHOR: Opal Andrews
PUBLISHER: self-published
LENGTH: 423 Pages
RELEASE DATE: November 3, 2025
BLURB:
One reckless night, one forgotten condom, and a shared moment of panic bring Jamison and Henry into each other’s lives for what was supposed to be a brief, responsible follow-up. Just a few months of check-ins. Just a precaution. Just grown-ups doing the right thing.
But it’s hard to stay emotionally detached when you’re the only person who understands what the other is going through. Somewhere between anxious texts and bonding over cats, something softer, deeper starts to take root.
They’re not calling it a relationship. Not yet. But maybe—just maybe—it’s becoming more than a one-night stand.
Everything After is a heartwarming hurt/comfort MM romance featuring a twink with a faux-hawk, an anxious (human) bear, four nosy cats, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed HEA.
REVIEW:
I am always up for reading new indie authors. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I loved this book by Opal Andrews. This book was brilliantly crafted and tackled a very tough subject even in this day and age. I will post the trigger warnings here, but please make sure you read them and you won’t be trigged by anything in this wonderful story.
This book does contain subject material some people may find objectionable or triggering. Please read the warnings below and, if you think this book isn’t right for you, skip it with no guilt!
Content warnings (beware spoilers):
open-door sex between consenting
adult men unprotected sex
sex while intoxicated (both parties)
STI anxiety
characters with HIV
mental health crisis
The world building for this story was really well done. From the aspects of HIV to the mental health issues, to Henry and Jamison’s lives – we get a wonderfully woven story that tugs at the heartstrings.
The character development was fantastic. The main characters were very detailed and brilliantly crafted. The subject matter in this book becomes a character of its own and is handled with grace and sincerity. Opal also doesn’t skimp on her side characters’ details. We get in-depth glimpses at the best friend and the sibling of each character. Oh, did I mention, there are cuddly cats along for the ride.
What I genuinely appreciate is how Opal handles this story line. She weaves a beautifully crafted story about HIV and what happens after one reckless night of sex. This is a tough topic to discuss and deal with even in this day and age. But at the heart of this story is not only the love of a good man, but also the emotional toll that occurs from circumstances beyond our control. As we follow Henry and Jamison to battle against the odds, I found myself fighting, crying, loving and laughing right along with them as they fight through their challenges. This book deals with some heavy subject matters, but manages to incorporate a lot of sass, and some loveable moments as well. One of my favorite parts of this book was the way Henry, Jamison, Jamal and Charlotte communicate through text messages. It added a wonderful depth of conversation, that was more than just dialogue. It was insightful into all of the aforementioned characters.
Will Henry and Jamison get there HEA? I usually like to have a few of these questions, but one will have to do as any more would give the story away and then you, my fabulous reader, would have no reason to buy this book.
I highly recommend this first story from indie author Opal Andrews. So much so that you really should run to your favorite eBook purchasing site and grab up this story. I am so looking forward to the next book in this series.
Till next time…
RATING: 
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