Week 23 Reviews: Glitterland, Aftermath

From Goodreads:

From the acclaimed author of Boyfriend Material comes a deeply emotional romance about heartbreak, hope, and learning to love against all the odds.

Once the golden boy of the English literary scene, now a clinically depressed writer of pulp crime fiction, Ash Winters has given up on hope, happiness, and—most of all—himself. He lives his life between the cycles of his illness, haunted by the ghosts of other people's expectations.

Then a chance encounter throws him into the path of Essex-born Darian Taylor. Flashy and loud, radiant and full of life, Darian couldn't be more different...and yet he makes Ash laugh, reminding him of what it's like to step beyond the boundaries of his anxiety. But Ash has been living in his own shadow for so long that he can no longer see a way out. Can a man who doesn't trust himself ever trust in happiness? And how can someone who doesn't believe in happiness ever fight for his own?

In the past, the universe is a glitterball I hold in the palm of my hand.

In the past, I am brilliant and I am happy and my every tomorrow is madness.

In the past, I am soaring, and falling, and breaking, and lost.

And now, there is only this.

From Goodreads:

A moment of homecoming for Ash and Darian...

Immediately after the events of Glitterland, Ash and Darian return to Ash's flat and explore everything that's changed... and everything that's stayed the same.

My Review:
I had a really fantastic time reading these books! I've really enjoyed Alexis Hall's other books, and I've gotten some of the later books in the series from NetGalley, so I had to check out the beginning of the series, and I really enjoyed the story of these two! 

First off I'll say, I don't think audiobooks with English accents are for me. I like to get as much book read in as little time as I can, so I've worked my way up to 3, 3.5 speed. Which is good and all, but when there's things like accents, and then I have a hard time understanding what is being said, and absorb less of the story.

Glitterland, well, Ash is a bit of a mess. He's depressed, and doesn't really have a direction for his life. Then he meets Darian and chaos ensues, because he hasn't dealt with his issues, and has a hard time letting Darian in his life. But I'm glad that he was given another chance.

Aftermath was really great, to get more time with these two, and see a bit more of them together and happy, which they both need after the bumps that they've went through before this. It was just so enjoyable to read! 

Loved reading these books and I can't wait to continue on with this series! 

Author: Alexis Hall
Series: Spires Universe #1, 1.5
Read: June 7th, 7th, 2024
Source: Library 
Reason Why: Love her writing and it sounded good, and it's a Prequel & Sequel Challenge 2024 Book! 
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca, Riptide Publishing
Published: January 17th 2023, October 28th 2013

Glitterland:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars

Aftermath:

5/5 Hearts

5/5 Books

5/5 Stars