The After Hours by Aspen Andersen

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 2.5/5

I’m going to be honest, I’m not sure how I feel about this one … but I have just learned that it isn’t a standalone, which makes it a little easier to digest the all of the plot holes and unresolved storylines that are bugging me so much about this read.

Sloane Becker was really pushing my buttons. The way she reacted to everything was very childish and immature. She didn’t handle any of these situations correctly. She truly could have made things so much easier on herself if she had just told Adrian what was going on from the beginning. It genuinely makes no sense why she didn’t, especially before she knew Eric was Lunai. Like oh yeah, this crazy redhead attacked me in a coffee shop then vanished into thin air, no biggie. That doesn’t feel like something I should maybe mention when I’m being told I have time traveling powers. I also don’t understand how Eric didn’t immediately figure out what was going on when Sloane described Alicia. That seemed pretty obvious to me, but I digress.

I’m very confused about Sloane and Eric’s relationship. We never actually see them fall for each other. We’re just told that future Sloane is making jumps back to see him where they fall in love, but we only ever get to see one of those jumps, and that jump is in the middle of their relationship when they’re already in love. There’s no information given about why Sloane was making these jumps. We also never hear anything else about Eric’s future jumps that are supposedly some kind of heinous crime and disrupt the entire space-time continuum. Seemed like kind of an important detail. We know that’s what killed Alicia, but Eric is fine for whatever reason.

I’m also not totally sure that the science checks out here with the time travel theory the author used. Yeah, obviously, you can’t change the past blah, blah, blah, but the science of stops, slips, and after hours may not actually check out. I’m no physicist, but Marvel explained it best, IMO. This is, however, fiction and probably close enough.

Also, why did Sloane keep getting in trouble for her uncontrollable slips when Adrian was the one refusing to train her and give her all the necessary information? How else is she supposed to be able to control it? And to put her on probation and kick her out of the sanctuary when there’s a murderer on the loose felt very counterproductive. Wouldn’t that just make her a target and cause them even bigger problems down the line? Why would you not just confine her to the sanctuary where she is 1. safe and 2. can’t make any more jumps that will disrupt the pattern. They then turned around and did the exact same thing that they were yelling at Sloane for. It just made no logical sense other than to further the plot, which is a big pet peeve of mine.

The ending is what really tanked the rating for me. I was at like a high 3, maybe 4, before that. Now, this was before I knew there was going to be another book, but it made me feel like I had just wasted a huge chunk of time on this book. I did not like the ending. There were some questions that I feel like needed at least somewhat of an answer in this book and then maybe expanded on in the next one. It felt like there were loose threads just floating around all over the place, which is not an ideal way to end a book. I get the appeal of wanting to drive the sequel, but to me the story suffers for it.

I will say, this book was very well written. I really liked the author’s style and was actually super invested in the story once it got going. It did take until about 25% in to pick up, but that’s not a terrible percentage. I didn’t hate this book. I honestly might even read the sequel because I do think the premise and characters the author built are very interesting and worth exploring. I just wish a few major things had been done differently.

Thank you to NetGalley, Aspen Andersen, and CamCat Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions stated are my own!

#NetGalley #TheAfterHours

This is one of those books in which there's a lot of action and way too many things going on that sometimes it's hard to keep track on them. The characters were, at times, interesting, but, then, quite dull. The many rules and information about their ''condition'', and the timelines, were quite confusing to the point that I sort of lost interest. But, overal, it was entertaining and I liked the ending. Thank you to CamCatBooks and NetGalley for sending me this ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and CamCat Books for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

“Gotcha,” I lied. -> a quote from the book but also a good summary of me keeping up with the time travel aspects of the book (which I say with love, because even though I love it, I always struggle with that. If you’re a fan of Star Trek: Voyager, know that I very much identify with Janeway’s temporal mechanics headaches.)

This fantasy time travel book was a wild ride. Right from the beginning it was mysteries upon mysteries upon mysteries. I absolutely love that it just jumped right into the plot, and that it definitely cannot be accused of having too much exposition up front because I was just as baffled as the FMC when things started going sideways (which I do mean as a positive, because I love a good suspense plot).

This book has so much going for it - ooky spooky powers, many delicious options for romantic interest (though some that definitely were sus at the beginning), and a very strange collection of people that each added their own layer to the abounding mysteries. Even as we start getting some answers, there are many questions that get left open, mysteries that build, and exciting twists. Everything builds and builds to a pulse-pounding climax and an ending that is absolutely mind-bending.

I still honestly can’t decide if I hate or love the ending. As a person who loves HEA, it was disappointing, but I also do enjoy a classic Twilight Zone cliffhanger twist. (And to be clear, this was not advertised to me as a romance, so my disappointment over the lack of HEA is firmly my problem.) The ending will definitely live with me for awhile, but I also knocked a star off my rating due to my conflicted feelings over it.

Readers beware the following triggers: attempted SA, bullying, stalking, violence, murder.

After Hours was different than what I expected. I didn’t re-read the synopsis between the time I requested the ARC and when I read it, so I was not expecting the time-traveling element. I felt the first part of the book was confusing and took too long to reveal some relevant plot details. By the time I got to Part 2, I wondered if the way the first part was written was intentional to make the reader feel as off-balance as the FMC. The story came together after that though.

The time traveling was done well, with a bit of a Back to the Future Part II vibes, but without the comedy. There was a blend of Sci-fi, mystery, and deeply personal stakes that kept me invested all the way through.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book, but all opinions are my own.

I was intrigued with the description of this book.
However I found it a bit frantic and Sloane seemed to have so many versions of herself it was confusing at times.
She made some strange decisions, but I guess if you were pushed into this world maybe you wouldn't always stop and think.
Erik was an interesting character.
The book is definitely showing why we can't manipulate time. If we could it would be insane everyone would be in multiple timelines. In the wrong hands it would be terrifying.
This ends on a cliff-hanger but turned out not to be my kind of book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Sloane Becker is haunted by the events of one night one year ago-the night her friendship with her best friend ended. But when strange things start to happen around Sloane, she realizes that she has the ability to manipulate time-even travel back to that terrible night.

Time travel, romance, a mystery, and magical powers? Sign me up! Off the bat, I was sucked in and Aspen’s storytelling is absolutely phenomenal! I never knew where it was going and my jaw was on the floor multiple times. The chemistry between Sloane and Eric was so gripping due to the time-traveling aspect.

The time-traveling confused me for a second but once I got it, I was hooked and the twists had my heart racing. This was so fun, thrilling and mysterious! Aspen outdid herself😍

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

ARC Review!


( You can’t change the past. Or at least, you shouldn’t. )

As always I loved it! One thing about me I go for books I know I’ll love especially when it comes to arcs. What might be one’s cup of tea may not be someone else’s cup and that’s okay. But this right here is something worth giving a try I was told when I was younger don’t say you don’t like something till you try it and now that’s all I live by lol

This is a different type of fantasy for me it’s not about fae or anything in that area. But wait hold on I’m gonna tell you what it is about. Time travel! That’s right you heard me time travel just when think you know what’s going on bam! Something changes and you don’t know anything.

I really enjoyed this story it’s packed with so many things from each character and the plot twist I for sure didn’t see coming. It’s written very well and gives you a sense of feeling connected to the characters from what’s going on within the story.

This gave me the feeling of that one tv show about time traveling that use to be one on CW but this is a lot better

Rating: 2-3/5 stars

I think this story had a very promising concept and I had expectations going into it that impacted my reading experience. There were a lot of moving parts and some aspects that really drew me in, but by part two, I was confused with some of the world building elements of the plot. Maybe I'll reread it another time, but I would still recommend this to fans of the sci-fi/time travel genre and looking for something with a lot of twists and mystery.

I feel a bit bad giving this book a rating because it just really, really wasn’t for me. Maybe when there’s an audiobook I’ll have an easier time with it? I’m willing to try again but currently it’s just not working, and despite the fact that the book doesn’t come out until March, it’s already been archived and my book is set to expire today, so I won’t have the chance to try again until later. Very odd on netgalley’s side—I’ve never seen a book end this far in advance of publication, but I wanted to leave my review before I lose the opportunity

I need the next book now! This was a very nejoyable read and it had me in it's grip the entire time. Thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

If you liked Loki's Time Variance Authority but wanted more drama and darker twists, this book is for you!

The After Hours is a true page-turner with an unexpected ending that left me hoping for a sequel. With a cast of complex characters, I never knew who to trust. Andersen makes time travel easily digestible by layering visits to one pivotal night in Sloane Becker's life. With a side of well-paced romance and a big helping of secrets, I devoured this book!

Oh. My. Goodness. I'm not normally a sci-fi reader, and time travel plots usually give me a headache trying to understand them, but this? THIS knocked it out of the park!

Andersen managed to create a beautiful story revolving around time travel in a way that was so easy to digest, and so many twists and turns that I truly did not see coming. Sloane is such a strong FMC, and so relatable with the choices she makes along the way.

There were some grammatical errors and typos, but honestly it didn't take away from the book that much. I wish I could've stopped time to read this book in it's entirety in one go, after hours be damned, but late nights had to suffice. Definitely recommend people give this book a shot who don't normally read these types of books - you will be pleasantly surprised and in for the ride of your life.

**Thank you to NetGalley for allowing me to review. This book will be published on March 4th, 2025**

UM, people NEED to read this book. It was one of my fastest reads because of how engrossed I was.

Writing time travel can be tricky, but Aspen Anderson writes it so accessible that you’re not confused or lost on what’s happening. The mechanics is fun, but abusing that power is PUNISHING. We have our FMC, Sloane Becker, in our every day world before she learns of her abilities to travel. This gives her an opportunity to not only fix one awful night, but also learn other truths along the way—like who is that hot coworker of hers? What REALLY happened that night? Who is this unhinged baddie trying to kill her? Where did her powers come from? What secrets are being kept by other Lunai? What happens when the Pattern is disrupted?

Having many versions of yourself in the same time period is tricky. Sloane weaving through that is a great display of her resilience and her flaws/mistakes. Luckily, she has friends who help her navigate her new reality.

And we need book 2 because of THAT cliffhanger!!!!

Anyway, thanks to SFWA for the NetGalley ARC!

I'm not normally one that goes for time-travel books, but this is a fast-paced story that explained it all so well that I am tempted to keep giving these books a shot!

We meet Sloane and her family during her school break, and after a few chapters the punches keep coming and they don't stop. While at first there are a lot of questions hovering about her relationships, and of course the time travel, the author did a great job of unraveling it (or rather, confirming it because to me it was fairly obvious what one of the relationship issues was) and giving a pretty easy-to-follow explanation of how those who have the time travel ability get said ability, and how they are affected by it—math formulas included!

Sloane did aggravate me at times, but after reminding myself of her history and that she was 19 and trying to figure things out in real time with me, I kind of understood why she was being driven to make certain choices. Still aggravating, though. The MMC was written to feel endearing, but honestly I didn't have strong feelings for or against him. Just mid, really. I felt more invested in her best friend's storyline. I do think that the villain was pretty well-written—suitable creepy, and yet I felt a tiny inkling of sympathy for them.

The story ends on a cliffhanger, and I am interested to keep reading to see where all it goes. I have a lot more to learn about Sloane, her future self, and the other characters that I met in this book.

Some stars do get deducted because of some grammatical issues. The writing is sometimes choppy, which in my current line of work is very distracting for me.

<i>Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.</i>

I really enjoyed this romance novel and how it worked with the scifi element that I was looking for. I thought the storyline worked well overall and was engaged with what was happening. I thought Aspen Andersen wrote this well and had me immersed with the world and the characters.

✰ 2.75 stars ✰

“The Future is unwritten. The Pattern is less forgiving.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ With a tagline like The past doesn't haunt us - it hunts us, it certainly delivered in that aspect. And while the idea behind the time traveling concept was not too original and a bit convoluted at times - ie difficult to keep up with - the concept of The After Hours, itself was an intriguing notion, one which I'm curious to see how it will play out in the next book. 🥺

Yes, it does end on a cliffhanger. And what a cliffhanger it was. 😟

“. .. you can end up hurting them or yourself or both, because you just feel this immense need to be one with them. Your soul longs to be in one place.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The odd thing is, though, that the writing was very --- not campy, but pulpy. Like it read like a pulp thriller I would be watching a teen flick, where the action and dynamics move at such a swift pace that you have to literally keep up with the hasty momentum of it. 🫣 The first person perspective also had something to do with the unnerving feeling I had - not to mention how hasty and impractical, if not impulsive decisions nineteen-year-old Sloane Becker made at times. 'Everything comes at a price.' Not that I blame her, considering how she was suddenly thrust into this strange and unpredictable change to her life, but still... There was like this crazy insane rush to the dialogue and interactions that I felt like I was watching a movie in descriptive detail. 🍿

Odd explanation for the writing style, but that's how it came off at times.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Despite its length, it was also a very quick read. It helped because literally the time jumps and the time skips were where the character development was taking place, centering from Sloane's graduation night - an unforgettable, but cataclysm night with her best friend, Tom, that led to major turns of the story, her mysterious meet-up with the cute intern, Eric at her father's law firm - 'The things I do for you, Sloane Becker.', and her stumble into a world of Lunai and Jumpers, with a crazed huntress on the loose, desperate to wipe out Sloane as not only her victim, but her prey, as well. She was --- a character... 😥 But, the reason behind her behavior was also interesting - one swayed by how we cannot escape time, how we long to control it, for our own sake. It doesn't excuse her deranged behavior, but it ties into how she was losing something that made her become the person she was... A lame excuse, in theory, but it is something to think about... 🤔

“Sun-singed skin.
Star-filled skies.
Fluttering leaves on a warm breeze.
Sprinkles of balmy raindrops.

I could have stayed in Eric’s transitional state forever.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ We do have an interesting cast of characters introduced, but I don't think they've really become fleshed out enough to make me care enough for them, or feel their threat enough. as more mysterious details about themselves were slowly brought up as the story progressed. Eric and Tom, even Justin were likeable characters, but I'm not yet at the point to see what part they'll play in Sloane's future. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 Sloane, herself was a protagonist who was too easily swayed by her emotions. I thought it was interesting how easily she accepted how she was granted the power to manipulate time, and how conveniently the story simply became about this whole other world she never knew about - power-hungry for her newfound capabilities and deciding for herself what was best. 'I knew I had to be really careful moving forward. But I’m hungry for that rush.' Her actions were fueled by her intense emotions, which was unique, but also at times, very rash, which made me dislike her a bit. She sometimes comes off a bit rude and emotionally unpredictable, but her heart seems like it is in the right place. 🙆🏻‍♀️

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I think where the story excelled was how it depicted how precarious meddling with time was. How we can have multiple versions of ourselves existing in one plane and that in itself is enough to dissolve the past-present- and future. Sloane's desperation to ease the pain of past events, without remorse or resolve for her own self, was a double-edged sword. It was hard to sometimes discern the difference between which timeline the characters existed in, but in the end, it was clear that things have changed - for the worse. What only matters now is how exactly Sloane will come out of it that makes me only slightly curious as to how it will play out. 😥

Oh, and kudos on a stunning cover, definitely played a part in alluring me towards it. 🤌🏻

*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

✰ 2.75 stars ✰

“The Future is unwritten. The Pattern is less forgiving.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ With a tagline like The past doesn't haunt us - it hunts us, it certainly delivered in that aspect. And while the idea behind the time traveling concept was not too original and a bit convoluted at times - ie difficult to keep up with - the concept of The After Hours, itself was an intriguing notion, one which I'm curious to see how it will play out in the next book. 🥺

Yes, it does end on a cliffhanger. And what a cliffhanger it was. 😟

“. .. you can end up hurting them or yourself or both, because you just feel this immense need to be one with them. Your soul longs to be in one place.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The odd thing is, though, that the writing was very --- not campy, but pulpy. Like it read like a pulp thriller I would be watching a teen flick, where the action and dynamics move at such a swift pace that you have to literally keep up with the hasty momentum of it. 🫣 The first person perspective also had something to do with the unnerving feeling I had - not to mention how hasty and impractical, if not impulsive decisions nineteen-year-old Sloane Becker made at times. 'Everything comes at a price.' Not that I blame her, considering how she was suddenly thrust into this strange and unpredictable change to her life, but still... There was like this crazy insane rush to the dialogue and interactions that I felt like I was watching a movie in descriptive detail. 🍿

Odd explanation for the writing style, but that's how it came off at times.

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Despite its length, it was also a very quick read. It helped because literally the time jumps and the time skips were where the character development was taking place, centering from Sloane's graduation night - an unforgettable, but cataclysm night with her best friend, Tom, that led to major turns of the story, her mysterious meet-up with the cute intern, Eric at her father's law firm - 'The things I do for you, Sloane Becker.', and her stumble into a world of Lunai and Jumpers, with a crazed huntress on the loose, desperate to wipe out Sloane as not only her victim, but her prey, as well. She was --- a character... 😥 But, the reason behind her behavior was also interesting - one swayed by how we cannot escape time, how we long to control it, for our own sake. It doesn't excuse her deranged behavior, but it ties into how she was losing something that made her become the person she was... A lame excuse, in theory, but it is something to think about... 🤔

“Sun-singed skin.
Star-filled skies.
Fluttering leaves on a warm breeze.
Sprinkles of balmy raindrops.

I could have stayed in Eric’s transitional state forever.”

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ We do have an interesting cast of characters introduced, but I don't think they've really become fleshed out enough to make me care enough for them, or feel their threat enough. as more mysterious details about themselves were slowly brought up as the story progressed. Eric and Tom, even Justin were likeable characters, but I'm not yet at the point to see what part they'll play in Sloane's future. ❤️‍🩹❤️‍🩹 Sloane, herself was a protagonist who was too easily swayed by her emotions. I thought it was interesting how easily she accepted how she was granted the power to manipulate time, and how conveniently the story simply became about this whole other world she never knew about - power-hungry for her newfound capabilities and deciding for herself what was best. 'I knew I had to be really careful moving forward. But I’m hungry for that rush.' Her actions were fueled by her intense emotions, which was unique, but also at times, very rash, which made me dislike her a bit. She sometimes comes off a bit rude and emotionally unpredictable, but her heart seems like it is in the right place. 🙆🏻‍♀️

‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ I think where the story excelled was how it depicted how precarious meddling with time was. How we can have multiple versions of ourselves existing in one plane and that in itself is enough to dissolve the past-present- and future. Sloane's desperation to ease the pain of past events, without remorse or resolve for her own self, was a double-edged sword. It was hard to sometimes discern the difference between which timeline the characters existed in, but in the end, it was clear that things have changed - for the worse. What only matters now is how exactly Sloane will come out of it that makes me only slightly curious as to how it will play out. 😥

Oh, and kudos on a stunning cover, definitely played a part in alluring me towards it. 🤌🏻

*Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Yoooooo! This book is out of bounds! Set in California in and outside of our time Sloane has acquired the ability to move throughout time but has no idea where this ability came from. There is a magic sanctuary, a love struck, heartbroken, crazy villan, and a soft love story. This is all sub context to the non stop action! It was like reading something from the Marvel Universe! AND THE ENDING!! The ending was not expected, not what I wanted, but it was accepted. It definitely left my jaw on the floor! Maybe a book 2 on the horizon??

I devoured this book in one day...I couldn't put it down!

Thank you Aspen Anderson for writing to phenomenal, imaginative book! Thank you Netgalley, Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America | CamCat Books, for providing me with the ARC and allowing my voluntary honest review!

Sloane is an ordinary girl living an ordinary life in Los Angeles - complete with a summer internship at her dad's law firm and a crush on the cute older guy at the office. But one day, everything literally stops...and Sloane realizes that she is more powerful than she could have ever known.

There was a certain amount of wish fulfillment that I felt reading this book - Sloane is able to use her powers to protect herself from some horrific trauma. The book had incredibly strong female characters - from Sloane to her young friend Maddie to action mom Malina to cheerleader with heart of gold Rebecca. I really enjoyed those relationships as much as the romance. I also really appreciated the unique world building - this was very different to most fantasy or superhero books I've read.

I will say that because the world is so creative and unusual, I wish the book had eased into the world building a bit more - the fantasy elements are not really present until 1/4 of the way through the book and then a lot of information is thrown at the reader at once. There were a lot of details that I would need to re-read to enjoy more thoroughly. The book ends on a cliffhanger, and I will definitely be interested in the sequel and am excited to see how this author grows and develops.