
By: Alice Keelen
Narrators: Gail Shalan; Benjamin Crow
Duration:13 Hrs 27 Min
ISBN: 9781666675054
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: 01/21/2025
Format: Audio/e-book
My Rating: 5 Stars+
Best of #BookTok
With her trademark angst and emotion, Alice Kellen, international bestselling new adult romance author of All That We Never Were and All That We Are Together, tells the romantic story of how a chance encounter can last a lifetime.
Two people who live worlds apart cross paths on the streets of Paris and everything they never knew was missing is suddenly found in a magnetic stranger in this emotional new adult romance from the international bestselling author of All That We Never Were and All That We Are Together.
Ginger Davies is on the boring and predictable track to take over the family business in London, but she craves so much more from life. Rhys Baker is a DJ from America, incapable of staying still anywhere, loving his vagabond lifestyle but restless and unsatisfied, always seeking more adventure.
When the two meet by chance in Paris their bond is instantaneous. Living worlds apart, their daily contact becomes the brightest spot in both their lives. Without Rhys, Ginger will never break free to pursue her dreams. Without Ginger, Rhys spirals into risky behavior, until an irresistibly passionate summer in Spain changes everything and they both have to choose their own path forward. Even if it means the desperate heartbreak of leaving each other behind.
For readers of Colleen Hoover, Ana Huang, and Elle Kennedy, Only After We Met will leave you lovestruck with:
an unforgettable meet-cute
opposites attract
angsty, star-crossed lovers fated to be together
adventure across Europe
long distance friendship and romantic letters


My Review
Alice Kellen, an internationally bestselling new adult romance author, shares a poignant story of a chance encounter that lasts a lifetime, ONLY AFTER WE MET. In this remarkable, witty, emotional, and moving story of love in all forms, she explores all sides of love and how love can grow even from a distance.
Audiobook...
Firstly, romance usually is not my cup of tea, as most of you know. (I guess I am too cynical in my old age) preferring literary or thrillers and some historical, memoirs, etc. The main reason I purchased the audio (and the book) was—I just listened to 3 audiobooks narrated by one of my favorite narrators, Gail Shalan. I knew I had to listen when she told me she was narrating in her British accent for this book. (I had just finished Ace, Marvel, Spy, in which Gail also nailed the British accent). Top audiobook 2025.
And wow, was I pleasantly surprised and shocked by this novel? I loved it! ONLY AFTER WE MET is much more than a romance; it is full of life's difficult lessons, one of loss, disappointment, heartbreak, growth, experience, and wisdom (like reading a Catherine Ryan Hyde book which I am a huge fan). Ultimately, it is uplifting and full of hope.
Gail Shalan's performance was stellar! She was the perfect voice for Ginger, and her passion shines through elevating the novel. I could not stop listening! Her acting and storytelling skills were front and center. Intense, you could feel every emotion of this couple, and I was hanging on to her every word. You will laugh and cry. Your heart will break and be put back together again. In addition, Benjamin Crow was also fantastic as Rhys (perfect fit for this personality), and the two were in total sync, as were the characters. This is a 5-star + audiobook performance! Highly recommend.
BTW: Upcoming: I'm thrilled to announce Gail will be my first narrator interview on Feb 1 as part of my new #AudioElevatorSeries (under the monthly #AuthorElevatorSeries collection). We'll be delving into the behind-the-scenes of ONLY AFTER WE MET, sharing some fun facts, discussing three other January audiobooks she narrated, her upcoming projects, and more about this multi-talented storyteller, actor, and puppeteer (inside the booth and behind the mic). Be sure to check out my blog for this exclusive interview.
This book is a testament to the transformative power of literature and storytelling. It's a reminder that stepping out of our comfort zones and exploring new genres can lead to magical discoveries, just as I found in ONLY AFTER WE MET.
Now, back to the book...
About...
Ginger Davies is on the boring and predictable track to take over the family business in London, but she desires so much more from life. She has dreams. Will she get derailed, or will her life be enriched by a chance meeting?
Rhys Baker is a DJ from America, incapable of staying still anywhere, loving his vagabond lifestyle but restless and unsatisfied, always seeking more adventure. Then, he meets Ginger. But he must face his demons.
The two meet in Paris at the subway (ticket area), and from here, they become close friends and pen pals (email pen pals). They both look forward to hearing from one another daily, sharing their days and evenings. Still as close friends.
Both learn from one another. Are they better together or apart? Rhys can spiral out of control, whereas Ginger has to think about her future and what she wants and does not want things getting in the way. She has to make a decision.
Even if they leave one another behind, will they connect again and be in a better place for love?
When you meet a person, there's no way of knowing all at once that they'll turn your world upside down—in the blink of an eye.
For Ginger, it happened one freezing night in Paris when she was trying to buy a ticket for the subway.
She had just broken up with her boyfriend and thought she was being a rebel by buying the first ticket she could find, but she had no place to stay.
Rhys has an American accent. He is a talker. The kind that could stay up all night rolling over whatever was in his head and never getting bored. He is a traveler. Impulsive. He lives for today. Ginger thinks of longer-term plans. She is focused.
She did not know then that her life was about to change. That Rhys would be a before and after. Their paths would join them forever.
Rhys calls her Ginger Snap. He thinks she is funny. She is English. Living in London. While the Seine flowed to their left in Paris, they walk under the starless night sky and full moon.
From there, they would be forever joined as friends. Could there be more?
From alternating POVs: Ginger and Rhys
Part One: Meeting. Friendship. Chance.
Part Two: Trust. Pause. Abyss.
Part Three: Success. Independence. Searching.
Part Four: Love Madness. Skin.
Part Five: Dreams, Forks in the Road. Beginnings.
Part Six: Destruction. Ruins. Solitude.
Part Seven: Hope. Life. Promises.
Epilogue: Somewhere between Paris and the Moon
My thoughts...
ONLY AFTER WE MET is a beautifully written novel that will resonate with many readers and is full of wit and humor. The characters are authentic, and their experiences with life's messiness, relationships, and the challenges of love, coupled with emotional childhood and family baggage, are all too relatable. It is a poignant love story of the power of friendship and chance meetings.
A powerful and insightful exploration of complex human relationships, delving into the nuances of friendships, romance, family dynamics, and more.
I enjoy books that make you think, feel, and reflect, and ONLY AFTER WE MET did just that. The writing is lyrical, and the pacing and prose are flawless. The usage of emails and a few phone calls long distance added a bit of nostalgia (funny I am saying this, but all people do these days is short texting), barely forming a sentence, so this seemed like what we used to do - letter writing.
This book reminds me of another audiobook, A Forty Year Kiss (2/4/25) review coming... a poignant love story. Another couple married and separated, and 40 years later in their 60s, they find one another again, but they were two people who had been hurt (one an alcoholic), set in their ways, from different economic and financial means. There was destructive behavior, and now forced to change, grow, forgive, and learn to make their way back to one another and a chance at redemption and second chances. Oftentimes, people have to be apart and grow to be mature enough to appreciate the other.
In the theme of love growing at a distance, this book and ONLY AFTER WE MET are two that cross as literary fiction/contemporary romance, and both have a strong takeaway message. I highly recommend the audiobooks of these two if you are looking for a Valentine's read that is not all perfectly wrapped with a bow but filled with life's messiness and wisdom.
I am highly impressed with this author and look forward to reading more of her books. Thank you, Gail, for recommending it and for your superb and moving performance. I am so in love with your British accent.
Recs...
For fans of Colleen Hoover, Sarah Jio, Jo Jo Moyes, Rebecca Serle, Katherine Center, Sally Hepworth, and readers who enjoy complex relationships - contemporary romance and family dynamics blended with literary fiction with a strong thought-provoking takeaway message.
I purchased the ebook and the audiobook and highly recommend them!
The author resides in Valencia, Spain, and you will enjoy the European adventure from Paris, Spain, and more. I would love to see a movie based on this book.
@JudithDCollins #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Jan 21, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars +

About the Author
Alice Kellen is an international bestselling author of romantic fiction. She writes stories with universal, crossover themes such as love, friendship, insecurities, losses and longing for a brighter future, connecting with younger and older readers alike. She lives in Valencia, Spain with her family. WEBSITE