Words According to Me

After is a story about Tessa who is attending college for the first time. She is roomed with a girl (Steph) who befriends her. Hardin is Steph’s friend and at first, Tessa doesn’t think he likes her. Two parties and a game of Truth and Dare changes that. Tessa and Hardin are on a collusion course where both their lives will change forever.  I give this story 2 stars, mainly because the writer delivers a twist that I never saw coming. While I can appreciate Anna Todd has given readers a unique fanfiction, I was surprised by the issues this series glossed over. I never understood how Hardin could beat up people and no get arrested. I also couldn’t wrap my head around Tessa and her endless forgiveness. The endless fights and getting back together gave me whiplash. I wanted to see Hardin change, to grow up, to evolve, however it didn’t feel like that ever happened. As far as a wattpad novel though, I can respect it for the work it is.

There is an increasing trend in YA and NA romances featuring girls who fall in love with “Bad Boys”.  Readers want the dangerous, sex-driven boy who can’t live without their girl. The boy who finds lust and anger go hand in hand. The bad boy who isn’t afraid to tell the girl he can’t be without her even if that means hurting her over and over again.  There is a reason why readers find this content so engaging. It is because readers love the bad boy redeeming arc. Psychologically our minds tell us that when a person treats us bad and then becomes nicer over time our relationship has grown, it has evolved. So, when the bad boy starts off as a rude, angry, ass then becomes the boyfriend who appears devoted to the girl, readers find it appealing material to read. There is also the fact that readers like to believe love can change a person, make them behave better. In an idealistic world it would be great if the serial cheater stopped cheating for the girl he just met. I personally don