Reviewed by Aubrey
Review copy provided by author
I love reading first novel of new authors. I always feel I may be reading something that could possibly be something great and change the way we look at the world. After All is Said and Done is an excellent first novel with all the qualities I enjoy. Strong characters that really know who they are; that interact with their friends in a way that is interesting and keep you guessing.

This novel opens up with two couples that are on the verge on making it or breaking up. Gavin cheated on Sarah with Jessica who is married to Ethan. All 4 are Doctors in a busy hospital. Gavin and Jessica together as cardiologists and Sarah and Ethan run a clinic inside the hospital together. Both couples are reeling after the affair between Gavin and Jessica comes out in the open. The story has a lot of strong issues it deals with- betrayal, deceit, alcoholism, parenthood, abuse, etc.

The novel reads a little bit like a soap opera or an episode of Grey's Anatomy but not in a bad way. The characters are real and are dealing with real life characters. Ethan is an alcoholic and cannot admit to it. Jessica is pregnant with Gavin's baby and Ethan and Sarah don't know. I couldn't stop reading because I really got to know these characters. I felt sorry for Sarah who was a strong woman who was the victim of circumstance. I was drawn to Ethan because I have many people in my family who are alcoholics and I wanted to see how Buchanan dealt with the issue. Her betrayal was very realistic right down to the ever present denial of the alcoholic even having a problem. He did bug me at times because I wanted to shake him and say "Get over yourself!".

I do prefer to have much more romance in my novels than this novel had. It was more of women's fiction than the typical romance novel. It did have a "happy ever after" ending that was sweet and not expected. I enjoyed the fact that the characters showed their emotions and had to learn in their own ways how to deal with the problems they had in life. Even though I do enjoy more romance I did like the way the characters were so much more well developed and had more depth than most novels out today.

The only thing that bugged me a bit about this novel is that it seemed very poorly edited. There were a lot spelling and grammar mistakes. At first it wasn't so bad but as more and more appeared it got frustrating. I get mistakes happen and I've seen them in more famous authors but it was getting a bit over the top. It took away from my reading pleasure. It won't stop me from reading the prequel to this novel Seasons of Darkness. ( )

Two couples who seem to have it all. Two sets of physicians who, unfortunately, can’t seem to heal themselves. One tiny baby in the midst of chaos he couldn’t even begin to understand. Five lives torn apart.
In After All is Said and Done, Belinda Buchanan touches on many topics. Fidelity is one and there was a serious lack of that prior to the beginning of this tale. Honesty? Out the window. Secrets? Went with honesty.
Jessica Harrington had an affair with her husband’s clinic partner’s hubby. They have moved past that with the soon to appear baby Jess is expecting. Ethan, Jess’ husband is content in his free clinic work and Sarah Williams, his clinic partner has forgiven her husband, Gavin as well. Until something happens that changes all their lives forever – the baby. Ryan comes a tad early but is fine. The adults aren’t so lucky.
Ryan is Gavin’s son. A one-night stand long after the affair supposedly ended. Everyone wants him but Ethan most of all. His own childhood was not pleasant and he has longed for a child ever since he first saw Jessica. The betrayal changes him in ways no one expects.
This is a long book. I stayed up all night because I just had to see the end. The characters are very well thought out and the writing is superb. The ending is a total surprise and I closed the last page feeling that, finally, all was well. Enjoy! ( )