Review: Before and After You by Hope Ellis

Before and After You by Hope Ellis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was provided an ARC via Smartypants Romance, all opinions are my own.

I loved Leigh and Walker together.  While it took them both a little while to come to terms with what they were feeling for each other and their baggage, it was well worth the wait.  I also really enjoyed that they each had their convictions about their respective professions.  Leigh was so passionate about her job at the hospital and the personal relationships she builds with her patients and their families.  Walker wants to keep the legacy of the bank that his grandfather built and be an upstanding pillar of the community, but he also wants to pursue his passion of flipping houses.  There is quite a bit of drama on both sides as Leigh's hospital is being privatized by a company whose reputation is not particularly great.  Walker is dealing with some family drama as his younger sister Tavia has come home and wants to implement new changes to the bank that he doesn't feel their customers are ready for and that fit their brand.  Sidenote, I really hope we get Tavia's story, I'm super anxious to find out what she's dealing with and if she is able to find her way within her family.

While both Leigh and Walker are dealing with work stress, they both want nothing to do with a relationship.  Walker doesn't see himself ever settling down, but his friends and family think he just hasn't found the right woman yet.  Leigh doesn't trust relationships after her divorce.  She has plenty of family drama as well.  You have to read the book to fully understand the depth of her trust issues and why she feels the way she does about relationships and love.  When Walker ends up renovating her duplex and he ends up moving in with her because of the renovations, the end up growing closer.   What is supposed to be a one time thing ends up turning into something more that neither of them expected.  

This has a moderate level of steam.  There are some decent steamy scenes, but there are just the right amount.  Walker and Leigh had great conversations and good banter.  I also loved the side characters.  The Leffersbee family is great as is Leigh's sister and brother-in-law.  There were lots of serious moments, but there were some comedic ones woven in throughout.  I really enjoyed watching Leigh and Walker develop both together and apart.  While Walker's decision making was suspect, he finally came around.  I really like how this wrapped up and leave room open for more books about the family.  I like how we got some resolution about Leigh's family drama and potential to know about what is going on with Tavia.  

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