When Beth and Nick meet at university, there is an instant connection. What starts off as a friendship quickly simmers into something more - an exciting, inevitable flirtation. But just when they are teetering on the edge of falling deeply for each other, a devastating fire wrenches them apart, their relationship irrevocably altered as they both try to figure out what happens next.

From here, the story follows Beth and Nick as they head in different directions, dipping in and out of each other's lives but never coming back to the missed moment of many years earlier. Structurally different but tonally similar, David Nicholls' One Day is a natural point of comparison, as readers are drawn into the will they-won't they friendship between the male and female lead. Author Charlotte Rixon does an admirable job of establishing the dynamic between Beth and Nick in a very short period of time, which is the key to the narrative being successful: the reader has to believe that the connection between two teenagers is strong enough to endure not only the tragedy but everything which keeps them apart over the subsequent years, and believe it I did. The way in which the two leads are drawn back to each other over and over again, but struggle to overcome the tarnishing of what should have been the beginning of their relationship, is a compelling driving force for the narrative. Will they ever find their way back to each other?

Rixon sensitively explores the different ways in which grief and trauma can haunt us; Nick cannot untangle his feelings for Beth from the guilt he feels at not having been there when the fire broke out in their halls of residence, while the attraction Beth felt for Nick now seems tasteless in light of what has happened. Other themes tackled include family, distance and domestic violence; Rixon should be commended for writing a horribly believable depiction of what it is like to be a male victim of abuse at the hands of a partner.

Overall, After the Fire is a tender, poignant story of first love, loss and finding yourself. Thank you to NetGalley and Aria & Aries for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book definitely has comparisons to other things I’ve read in the past - one day being one of them. I found it hard to connect with the characters and just wanted to bang their heads together…

A solid 3.5 star read… The premise and concept this story sounded promising but I found myself unfortunately struggling to connect with either of the main characters.
Ever since meeting at university, Nick and Beth instantly connected but a tragedy causes them both to spend years running from the past and each other.
I adored "Love, Rosie" and wanted to love this one but … The runaround through out this whole book was a little frustrating for me as a reader. Too much miscommunication not enough chemistry..l I just didn't feel it. I was rooting for them initially but as soon as the fire happened it was just a not meant to be kind of vibe unfortunately. Nick was annoyingly in denial, Beth should have moved on and relished in her own success.
Just wasn't my favourite, but all in all an easy, cozy read!
Thank You to NetGalley, Aria publishing and author Charlotte for an e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Wow….i absolutely devoured this book and couldn’t put it down…..it’s reminiscent of One Day, except perhaps more likeable, relatable characters and more dramatic settings…..following the story of two people who met at uni and circumstances kept them apart and also together. LOVED it!

📱E-Book Review📱

After The Fire
Charlotte Rixon

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

This is the first time I've come across this author, although looking now, I realise this should have been impossible!
Having loved this so much though, I'll definitely be checking out more in the near future!

I loved that we followed this story over the dual timelines which allowed us to live the past in relative real time.
This totally immersed me on many occasions and I was living this tragic love story with Beth and Nick.

As we glimpse the now timeline, I was on edge the whole way wondering (at first) what it was that caused the dynamics we see between them now - and then rooting for them and hoping that things would progress and give them that happy ending.

The writing style was so compelling and pulled me in right from the first page and didn't let go until the last line.
The characters jumped off the page and were so relatable - this made it so easy to take them into my heart and I have to admit to having missed them after finishing!

I loved this so much - such an emotional read which gave me One Day vibes - I can't wait to read more from this author.

I thought this book was amazing and it really had me hooked. The author's unique approach allowed the writing to be very captivating. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for a new read.

I really enjoyed this. There was, perhaps, a bit of similarity between this storyline and One Fine Day, but with a sadder undertone and not as happy go lucky. Very very enjoyable, kept me interested right to the end.

I enjoyed this book. Nick and Beth meet in their first week at uni and feel an instant connection. Before their relationship even gets started, a fatal fire occurs in their hall of residence. Nick is filled with at not being able to save the victim and leaves university. The two keep in touch over the years, very much in the One Day mould, supporting each other through life experiences. It was easy reading and tugs at the heart strings, though you really want to bang their heads together at times!!
Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
Copied to Goodreads.

always enjoy Charlotte's books as really solid, no-nonsense, gripping fiction. Like her other work, After The Fire is really emotionally charged and has characters you really feel for. I would probbaly class it as a romance but it's certainly not cheesey.



With thanks to Head of Zeus for the ARC

After the Fire is a real tearjerker that follows Beth and Nick, two students who survived a fire in their university accommodation and still find themselves tangled up in the impact it left behind years later.

As their friendship spans over the following decade, we experience Beth and Nick deal with guilt, trauma, and the effects of their pasts. This is a book about love, loss, and the enduring power of human connection, and I absolutely loved it.

A ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read!

*Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Nick and Beth's relationship is filled with suspense, wrapped in a “will they, or won’t they” tension that keeps you hooked. The narrative unfolds in distinct sections, capturing their swift, passionate connection followed by a heart-wrenching tragedy that separates them. The book takes you through the aftermath over the years, offering a deeply thought-provoking exploration of their lives.

Charlotte handles themes like loss, domestic violence, mental health, and grief with remarkable sensitivity, enhancing the story's depth. Each time I reflect on After The Fire, I find new aspects to admire. It's a book that invites multiple readings for a fuller appreciation.

If you're in search of a story that is real, raw, and compelling from start to finish, I highly recommend this one. I thoroughly enjoyed the emotional journey it offered and am eagerly anticipating Charlotte’s future works.

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The author has done it again! Her book last year was one of my reads of the year and this one is no different. It has suspense, an ever lasting friendship and guilt like no other, I loved it!

Excellent read, very well written about the aftermath effects of a fire in halls of residence on all concerned. I had all types of emotions whilst reading this book. Brilliant 👏🏼 👏🏼

"After the Fire" by Charlotte Rixon is a poignant and emotionally charged novel that delves into the aftermath of tragedy and the resilience required to rebuild life in its wake. Rixon's writing is both raw and lyrical, capturing the deep complexities of loss, grief, and the struggle to find hope and healing.

The story centers around characters whose lives are irrevocably changed by a devastating fire. As they navigate the ruins of their past and the uncertainty of their future, Rixon expertly explores themes of survival, redemption, and the enduring power of human connection. Each character is intricately developed, with their own unique journey of coming to terms with what was lost and what remains.

Rixon's narrative weaves together the personal and the universal, making "After the Fire" not just a story about a specific tragedy, but a broader exploration of how people cope with life-altering events. The novel is filled with moments of deep introspection, as well as a sense of hope that underscores the possibility of new beginnings even in the darkest of times.

"After the Fire" is a compelling and moving read, perfect for those who appreciate stories that tackle difficult subjects with sensitivity and grace. Charlotte Rixon has created a powerful narrative that will stay with readers long after the final page, reminding them of the strength of the human spirit and the importance of finding light even after the fire has burned.

I loved the authors first book and this was exactly the same level of incredible!!! The tension, the writing, the plot, the characters. I really enjoy this type of story where we follow the characters after an event. Will always read more by this author!

Oh how I love these kinds of stories! After the Fire is a delicious tale of first love, but first love that is hit by tragedy and consequently takes a long winding road. Following these characters and their lives was both wonderful and painful. I wanted them to be together so badly. Comparisons to Talking at Night and One day are worthy. Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this wonderful read!

This is a right place/wrong time romance book that’ll rip your heart right out of your chest - if that’s the kind of thing you’re into then I highly recommend!

After The Fire follows Beth and Nick who meet in university halls but a tragic incident means their lives will soon change forever. We follow the pair in the years following as they fall in and out of touch, and grow together and apart.

Both Beth and Nick are clearly head over heels in love with each other but it’s never the right time for them to be together, and this can make for quite painful reading at times. My heart was actually hurting in parts but it’s a realistic portrayal of grief and suffering and takes us through all the stages instead of rushing a love story.

It’s a beautifully written book that reminded me a bit of Talking At Night by Clare Daverley which I also really liked. The only reason it’s not a five star is because I wish it had been slightly longer and not ended as quickly as it did, it did feel slightly rushed in the final chapters.

God, I absolutely love stories of first loves - the intensity, the drama, the effect it has on the rest of your life! - and 'After The Fire' from Charlotte Rixon is a total winner. The comparisons to 'One Day' are well-deserved.

Beth and Nick are in the same student flat at university (in fact, her first ever sighting of Nick was walking into their shared bathroom and getting an eyeful!). Beth has arrived a few weeks late following an ongoing bout of illness, and is trying to make friends with her new flatmates -as well as Nick, she's also sharing with Rosa and Anna, best friends from way back when. Nick and Anna have already started up a relationship, so when Beth feels a spark of chemistry between her and Nick, she does her best to ignore it. Its harder than she thought though, its such a strong pull calling her to Nick and she is fairly sure that he feels the same way. He even goes to watch her in drama club read-throughs - he's got it bad.

Nick breaks up with Anna and invites Beth out for a midnight walk - god, these scenes were so delicious, filled with the anticipation of what is going to happen, but neither of them wanting to make the first move. Just as they have their first kiss, which is every bit as amazing as they'd both hoped, they spot a fire raging through their flat - and the aftermath of what happens changes their lives forever.

Nick drops out of university and moves away. Beth completes her drama degree and starts to piece together a living as an actor. They both start other relationships and build their own lives. When Beth breaks up with a long term partner, the only person she wants to talk to is Nick. And so they rekindle their friendship, tentatively building connections again but both aware that they can only ever be friends.

The story is told from both Beth's and Nick's perspective; by hearing their internal thoughts, you can feel the ongoing longing and need for the other, but also the fear that they can never restart that very first relationship with all of its promise of a brighter future.

Charlotte Rixon has created such a wonderful book, it doesn't shy away from thornier issues of mental health and domestic abuse but it is told in a supportive empowering way. Definitely one I will be recommending.

And before I go -congratulations to the cover designer, I love those colours together and the design was so eyecatching.

Beth and Nick meet in the first week at university, become fast friends and soon fall in love. But their happily ever after is derailed after a fire tears through their accommodation block in the first term, killing one of their flatmates.

After the Fire by Charlotte Rixon charts the highs and lows of their relationship for the next fourteen years. The highs: Getting their degrees. Finding their feet in their careers. Finding love elsewhere. The lows: The bumps of new adulthood. Medical emergencies. Career changes. They remain friends throughout, but the timing for one or the other is never right to continue their love affair.

Over the years, Beth becomes a successful (but sad) actress living in Los Angeles and London, injecting some much-needed glamour into the proceedings. Nick starts to work for a hedge fund, ending up overworked and rich (but also sad).

The dual narrative structure—switching between Beth and Nick—allows the reader to take in the full picture. This clever device also means the story never gets stale. The novel doesn’t shy away from bigger issues, either, including hoarding and domestic violence, which are sensitively handled.

Much like the beloved novel One Day by David Nicholls, readers get to see all the twists and turns of their relationship through the years. The question of 'Will They or Won’t They Get Together’ hangs in the air for all fourteen years. You’ll have to read this lovely book until the end to find out what happens.

I really enjoyed this one.
I loved the premise. How one event can change the course of someone's lives.
The way that Rixon writes character is just excellent. The two protagonists in this book are just so real. They are characters with flaws, yet you love them and they drive the plot forwards.

You can clearly see how Charlotte Rixon has been influenced by other books and rom coms but it is a love letter to them as this book still feels so original despite using some of the classic troupes.

Really enjoyed this, and look forward to seeing what Rixon does next!