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.

I just recently finished "The After Hours" by Aspen Andersen. The book will be published on March 4, 2025.



I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I was intrigued with the plot line - time traveling, romance, intrigue, murder - I mean that is what all books should be made of.



The story goes into depth on how this "supernatural abilities" came about and what it entails -and the rules that go along with using them.



I really do not want to give to much away - the one group of beings that have this power has supposedly wiped out by a battle with another group - well it turns out that there was one more person until she "jumps" to the future and gives her power to a girl, Sloane, that we meet in her present.



Sloane has a lot of baggage of her own - and the book shows her trying to deal with it - with jumps back to the past, but then there will be like three or four "hers" in the past so it gets complicated. Also, when you start jumping to much it takes time off your life.



Basically, at the end, she is going to be accused of murder, that the actual killer is actually dead, and has been for at least five years - the evil chick from the side that everyone thought was dead.



I really didn't like the ending - maybe there was no way to tie it up that Sloane had a happily ever after - and it had to end the way it did - which is sad. I guess I like to think that there are happily ever afters and that often isn't the case.



I would give this book a solid four - it got a little complicated to me with the whole "supernatural ability" description - I also wish the other group that wasn't the bad group had actually sat and talked to Sloane - maybe there would have been another outcome.



Thank you so much for allowing me to review the book!

I gave this book 4 stars because I really liked this story. The After Hours is such a good story to read on a cosy rainy day. Lovely book.

"The After Hours" by Aspen Andersen is a novel that navigates the intricacies of human connection and emotional vulnerability, set against the backdrop of an engaging nighttime atmosphere. Andersen’s writing is filled with raw, evocative prose that captures the struggles of the protagonist’s inner world as they grapple with their personal dilemmas. The emotional depth of the characters is impressive, especially in their quieter, more reflective moments, which are amplified by the book’s setting—a world that seems to exist between wakefulness and dreams. There is an undeniable allure in the way the author portrays fleeting moments of clarity amidst chaos.

However, while the novel certainly succeeds in creating a mood of introspection, there are aspects of the plot that feel somewhat underdeveloped. At times, the narrative’s pacing can drag, as it lingers too long in moments of self-exploration that do not advance the story significantly. This slower pace may lose some readers’ attention, as the plot can feel repetitive in its focus on existential musings without offering enough momentum to keep the stakes high. Additionally, while the characters' emotions are vivid, some may find the character arcs a bit too predictable, missing opportunities for more profound development.

That said, "The After Hours" is a thoughtful exploration of solitude and self-discovery, offering glimpses into the complexity of human emotions and the beauty found in quiet moments. Aspen Andersen’s ability to capture a mood and evoke powerful imagery is commendable, and readers who appreciate introspective, character-driven stories will likely find much to enjoy in this novel. While not without its flaws, the book offers a reflective and gentle journey, one that may resonate deeply with those seeking stories that delve into the human experience, albeit with a slower, more contemplative pace.