Books As You Know It: Blog Tour: After Hours by Claire Kennedy {Review+Giveaway}

After Hours
by Claire Kennedy
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: June 16th 2015
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rate: 3 STARS

Synopsis:

Isa, Xavi, Peter, and Finn know that a job at the high-end Waterside Cafe isn't just about waiting tables. It's about the gossip, the hook-ups, the after-hours parties and, most of all, it's about Tips.

Tips--the high-stakes game based on dares. Whoever completes the most dares wins the collected money. A sum that could change a wasted summer into a Summer to Remember.

Isa is the new girl with an embarrassing secret, and as long as she stays on top of her game, she sees no reason why anyone could ever find out.

Xavi will do anything for the money...absolutely anything.

Peter, Xavi's stepbrother, has been in love with her for years, and he thinks the game is the perfect time to confess his feelings.

Finn is in the game just for the thrill. He has enough tips coming in to keep him happy...even if those tips come with some conditions.

From seduction to stealing to threats, the dares are a complete free-for-all, and only the best can win.

The sophisticated Waterside Cafe is anything but classy behind the scenes...and things are about to get dirty.

Things really do get dirty in After Hours and was really not as I expected it to be. There was a lot more drama and less romance and more character development than I thought there would be. It was funny and interesting to see all the dares and the way Tips worked. I didn't realize that the book was going to be in 4 different point of views until I read it. I'm not entirely sure how I felt about that because it really does give you an insight on all the characters and their motives for everything they do but at the same time it felt a bit extra during different parts of the story.

Because it is in 4 different point of views, there really wasn't a "main character" even though you could have technically called Isa the MC. I loved the way all the characters connected in the story and how the whole thing plot worked out because it intertwined their own stories into one. I, personally, would have really liked more of a development between Isa and Finn's relationship or a more concrete ending for them. Peter and Xavi's relationship was definitely interesting and a roller coaster at that (I would have gone crazy if I was one of them). All the characters are so different that you just see how their lives contrast and juxtapose one another.

As for the game itself, well let's just say it definitely is high risk but there is lots of cash involved. It's kind of crazy to see the things people will do for the money and it's surprising to know how long the game lasted without any issues or complications. Also side note, Rico's a creeeeeep (shudders).

A story about relationships (romantic, friendship, employer/employee, etc.) and characters dealing with their own issues/dreams, After Hours is a book for those looking for a good contemporary read that will give you an insight on different types of people in the world. Happy Readings!

Claire Kennedy is a pen name for author Amanda K. Morgan. She is a freelance writer living in Nashville, TN. She covers events and works as a technical writer when she isn't working on her YA novels.

At age 15, Amanda finished her first novel and continued to write in college, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in English and an emphasis in Creative Writing.

Amanda is an avid volleyball player and spends time playing both indoors and out. When Amanda isn't writing, she enjoys being entirely too busy and trying new things. Endeavors as of late include appearances in music videos, TV, and movies, rock climbing, and attending as many concerts and shows as her schedule allows.

Amanda headed up the Do The Write Thing for Nashville Project (with co-organizers/authors Victoria Schwab and Myra McEntire), which tapped some of the biggest authors, editors, and agents in the industry for an online auction that raised over $70,000 for Midsouth flood relief.

For more information on Amanda's freelance or technical writing, contact her.