Review: "After Dark" by M. Pierce (Night Owl #3)

Note: This ARC was provided by St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Since I'd met Hannah, I wrote only about Hannah. That beautiful woman...my sweet little bird. Love is hysteria, and summer makes it worse. Heat spreads the fever. Madness."

Matt Sky and Hannah Catalano are dealing with the aftermath of Matt's much publicized return from the dead and news of their sudden engagement. The first one is surprisingly easier to handle than the second one, what with both of them seeing it from two very different viewpoints. There's still a lot that Hannah does not know about the man she's fallen hopelessly in love with, and while she's been consistent about being there for him in any kind of circumstance, Matt's unsure she'll still feel the same once she learns the dark thoughts he has inside of him, especially when it comes to her and what he wants to do to her.

Matt's involvement with Hannah's work at Granite Wing Agency, the sudden appearance of a woman sharing tidbits about Matt's sexual fetishes, and the unexpected turn of events regarding their respective siblings are only adding on to everything else going on with Matt and Hannah. They've been keeping too many secrets from one another and the lack of communication has cost them before. There's no question that Matt loves Hannah and Hannah loves Matt but will that ever be enough for these two to be absolutely committed to one another and to finally be content and at peace for the rest of their lives together?

After Dark is the third and final (gasp!) book in the highly popular Night Owl trilogy by bestselling author M. Pierce. After everything they've been through, I so wanted these two to have their happily ever after, but I knew that it wasn't going to be as simple as them running off to the nearest chapel, tying the knot, having babies, and finally giving dear Laurence somebunny to share his cage with. No, nothing comes easy for Night Owl and Little Bird, but then, that's why they're so damn addictive in the first place. This series is a personal favorite, and while I'm sad it's come to an end, I am more than satisfied with its conclusion.

Both Hannah and Matt have a terrible tendency of keeping things from each other, but for such an intelligent woman, her naïveté has a history of making things more complicated for their relationship. Suffice it to say that there were a lot of moments I was feeling rather frustrated with her throughout the three books, but I also must point out that there relationship truly does continue to evolve. The changes in them as individuals and as a couple are more distinct in this third book. You can really see that there's a maturity that's come about and an openness that leads to mutual trust and respect between them.

This book was what I was expecting. It had snark, angst, humor, and that Matt Sky-patented dirty sweetness. But this final book in a much beloved trilogy also had more than what I was expecting. There were surprises in there--some that broke my heart, others that made me smile. To expect Matt and Hannah to do exactly what you think they should and for their story to head in one straight direction would be insulting to them and to the author, M. Pierce. After Dark has been so worth the wait and the Night Owl trilogy is an all-time favorite for me. Both this last book and the entire series get five stars. ♥

Release Date: 24 March 2015

Date read: 24 March 2015

Learn more about author M. Pierce here.

Grab a copy of After Dark on Amazon | B&N | Kobo.

Check out my reviews for the other books in the Night Owl trilogy:
Night Owl (book one) - five stars
Last Light (book two) - five stars