Before and After by Anna Hackett [Review]

Before and After (Langston Hotels #2) by Anna Hackett
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 16, 2025

Langston Hotels
1. Night and Day
2. Before and After - Paperback | Kindle
3. Never and Always

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Fury Brothers
1. Fury

Anna Hackett
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

I never expected to become a single mom. Back in my Colorado hometown, all I have time for is work and raising my grieving nephew.
I don’t have time for a man.
Especially a tall, dark, and broody one.

Allie
I’ve swapped city life for small town. Designer suits for a housekeeping uniform. And don’t get me started on my lack of sleep. But I’d do it all again in a heartbeat to take care of my nephew.

Now my life revolves around running hotel housekeeping at the Langston Windward and taking care of my kiddo.

Oh, it also involves trying to avoid our cold, scowling, ex-military head of security. Everywhere I turn, I see Caden Castro and his muscled body and inky-black eyes.

And every time I see him, he’s watching me.

Caden
As head of security for Langston Hotels, my job is to fly in, upgrade security, then fly out. Since I left the military, I keep my life simple and avoid distractions.

Works helps me escape the memories and guilt that never go away.

Except, since I came to Windward, all I can think about is Allie Ford.

It isn’t just her long legs and lean body, it’s her fierce attitude and spirit. But she’s a hard-working single mom, and I’m a man with nothing to offer.

Then a group of dangerous guests into extreme sports arrive. They have trouble written all over them, and when Allie gets sucked into that trouble, it changes everything.

Whatever line I have to cross, I’ll do it to keep her safe.

Thoughts on Before and After: Allie and Caden are up and these two SPARK off one another. She thinks he's grim and broody and he thinks he's too damaged to slide into her and her nephew's life. Which is all sorts of wrong and Allie is determined to show Caden just that.

To be fair, it takes a while before Allie will even admit that she maybe sort of likes Caden's intensity. He's got that brooding thing down and he's dedicated to keeping those around him safe (which is definitely not a bad thing) and he drives her a little crazy. But he also listens. He surprises her with her favorite chocolate and doesn't mind spending time with her nephew. When all that focus swings to her it's overwhelming in the best way.

As for Caden, he has some issues he needs to deal with. He might like everything about Allie, but he tries to keep his distance to keep himself from falling for her. Which has a ZERO PERCENT SUCCESS RATE since he falls and falls hard. Plus, he kinda adores her solemn, grieving nephew which works nicely because those two are a package deal.

A group of unsavory individuals, a couple of steamy kisses, a little danger, Halloween costumes, a man who knows a good woman when he meets her (even if he fights it), and a lady who absolutely did not expect to fall for the broody security expert who lights her up. *thumbs up*