Review: Aftermath by L.A. Witt (Vino & Veritas #5)

Note: An advanced reader copy (ARC) was provided by Heart Eyes Press.

L.A. Witt was one of those authors who inclusion in Sarina Bowen's World of True North book universe had me giddy with excitement. I've read my fair share of Witt's books in the past, so I know how talented of a writer she is, thus, there was good reason for my excitement. Aftermath is Witt's contribution to the Vino & Veritas series, and it's the fifth addition to the collection. Readers are introduced to Brent Weyland and Jon Norquist. The former is a twenty-nine-year-old former hockey player whose career abruptly came to an end after a horrific accident; the latter is a forty-one-year-old single father who's a massage therapist moonlighting as a singer and musician twice a week at Vino & Veritas. Both are dealing with the loss of their respective dreams and plans for the future. Will they be able to come up with new plan--one that involves a future together?

This story held such promise. I'm someone who loves angst, and I love L.A. Witt's brand of storytelling. Brent and Jon were two men who were at a crossroads and had been stuck in neutral for quite a while. As their story plays out, it's easy enough to see that these are good guys who deserve love and happiness in their lives--their very own happily-ever-after TOGETHER. And I'm all for having main characters struggle and fight for that HEA. However, in the case of Brent and Jon's story, I was the one who struggled at times. There were moments where I felt as if they were going around in circles, and things were dragging on a wee bit longer than necessary. I understand that with issues like theirs, resolutions don't come easily nor quickly, but goodness, my frustration got the better of me a few times. That isn't to say Witt's writing wasn't up to snuff. The story was ultimately inspiring and moving, and both characters were endearing. It just fell short of my own admittedly lofty expectations because I know how talented of an author Witt is and has proven to be time and again. Still, Aftermath is a 3.5-starred Vino & Veritas read.

Release Date: 29 March 2021

Date Read: 28 March 2021

Learn more about L.A. Witt.

Pre-order Aftermath on Amazon.