After All by Kristen Proby

The last sizzling novel in Kristen Proby's Romancing Manhattan series finds a widower falling deeply in love again with a woman who has scars of her own.

When Carter Shaw’s wife died five years ago, he was left to pick up the pieces not only of his own broken heart but also that of his devastated eight-year-old daughter, Gabby—leaving him with no time for anything else, let alone dating. But recently, Carter has noticed women again and soon even begins dating. No one has stuck around for long, mostly thanks to one very angry Gabby.

Nora Hayes has worked as Carter’s assistant for years. Recently divorced herself, Nora spends many hours at the office and helping Carter with his daughter whom she adores. Despite loving her job and being wrapped up in the Shaw family, Nora’s never given her handsome, kind workaholic boss a second thought, especially in the romance department.

But then the snowstorm of the century hits, and Nora finds herself stranded at work with Carter overnight. And suddenly, she sees Carter in a whole new, sexy light. The sadness that’s lived in his eyes for so long has now been replaced with pure, unadulterated lust—and Nora isn’t quite sure what to do about it. For after the pain of her divorce, she never thought she would give love a second chance.

Carter and Nora have always believed in never combining business with pleasure. But how can they possibly deny the all-consuming chemistry between them...?

Book 3
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Also Available on Audiobook

Amazon US  ~  Audible US  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance, Friends-to-Lovers
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Nora is an amazing woman. She's strong, smart, doesn't take guff from anyone, and knows that she is doing well. Despite having a less than stellar personal life, she knows that her divorce was for the best. Nora works non-stop and while she knows that she will never meet anyone this way, she loves what she does. Helping Carter and his amazing daughter, Gabby, is not a chore. Even with office drama all around her, Nora tries her best to do her job and not entertain the gossip.

Carter was a mess when his wife died. He wasn't ready to be a single parent. He knows that he relies heavily on Nora, but she's been his right hand for so long. When he realizes that he finds Nora attractive, he's not sure what to do about it. His best friends offer their council, but ultimately, it's up to Carter to make that first step.

These two have chemistry and a relationship that goes beyond the boss-assistant relationship. But there are still things that they don't know about each other. It was fun watching them figure out how to navigate their newfound attraction. Proby writes them so well and their emotions just jump off the page.

This book made me laugh, cry, scream in frustration, and leap for joy. I love this series and I really enjoyed this one. You'll fall in love with Carter and Nora.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆☆
This is the third book in the series, and such a beautiful story on which to end the trilogy. I would highly recommend that you read them in order, because they are just so good, and the story does build from one book to another, even if the romance centres around a different couple. It would be good for you to see Gabby, as well as Carter and Nora as supporting characters, before delving into the extreme goodness that is this book.

I loved that Nora is a strong independent woman who is prepared to show her feelings, be honest with her mother even when she is so hurt by her attitude, and is strong when faced with some tough love decisions. She is selfless, but not perfect, she has been so devoted to working hard for Carter, that when presented with two new friends in London and Sienna, she embraces the change and acknowledges what she has been missing. She is a mature, intelligent, and clearly, rather gorgeous woman. Kristen Proby writes women with great style and aplomb (let's overlook Mary in HR for now!!), and Nora is another of her leads that I know I would love to sit down with, a glass of wine in hand, and have a chat.

Carter is also a lovely guy, and yet even he can make some stupendous errors. Thankfully he has a great pair of friends and is prepared to put the work in – so we remain confident that he will sort out his messes and get the girl. So many lovely touches along the way, and some very hot encounters to keep the temperature high.

Great story – no, I am not going to tell you what happens – enjoy the book! I do promise that you will laugh, cringe, and probably shed a tear or two... but all so worthwhile!


Mary Jo – ☆☆☆☆
This was an enjoyable read. I always hate coming to the end of a series, but this one delivered in so many ways.

You could get the usual trope of a secretary of being secretly in love with her boss for years, but that is not that story. Here, Nora is one independent woman who has had her ups and downs, love and divorce, yet is the mainstay of Carter's work life. She doesn't mind helping him with his daughter, Gabby. Gabby is a bright spot in Nora's life, she knows that Gabby has gone through the wringer – losing her mother to cancer – before the age of 10.

Carter is feeling lots and lots of guilt. It's been five years since he lost his wife to cancer, and now he's seeing Nora in a different light. She's good, kind, and very supportive of his daughter. He's also attracted to her a way that he hasn't been since he met his wife.

One night changes everything for them. They agree to give it a chance, but each of them knows that only Gabby can give this relationship the approval they need to make them a true family.

Also Available in the Romancing Manhattan Series

Book 1
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Also Available on Audiobook

Amazon US  ~  Audible US 
Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our All the Way post.

Book 2
Buy Links

Amazon US  ~  Amazon UK  ~  Amazon Au  ~  Amazon Ca
B&N  ~  Google Play  ~  iTunes  ~  Kobo

Also Available on Audiobook

Amazon US  ~  Audible US  ~  Google Play  ~  Kobo

For reviews & more info, check out our All It Takes post.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby is the author of the bestselling With Me in Seattle, the Big Sky and the Fusion series. She makes her home in Montana with her husband and two cats.

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Reviewers on the Wicked Reads Review Team were provided a free copy of After All (Romancing Manhattan #3) by Kristen Proby to read and review.