Just a fun, light hearted, fast paced story. It’s hysterically funny while still having an element of seriousness, but more than once I found myself laughing out loud at the shenanigans Stef was bound to unearth no matter where he was. While this is a fun love story at heart, it is also a story about family and determination that is told with the author’s usual dry, witty sense of humour and three dimensional characters.

Calmes did a great job of making sure that the history I missed was still conveyed throughout this story. I had not read or listened to the first book in this series, but I assure you, I never felt like I was missing anything.

It’s whether or not Stef can keep his activities a secret from Rand, and make it home in one piece. The issues isn’t whether or not Stef and the guys can save the ranch. Animosity and ignorance run deep, and Stef is about to get a crash course in wranglers, ropers and bull riding. Not wanting to put anything else on Rand’s plate right then, Stef rounds up some of the hands and heads off to the rodeo to try and save the day, Prada boots and all! While the hands at the ranch have not only accepted the relationship between their former ornery boss and his outgoing boyfriend, they welcome it, not everyone at the rodeo has the same outlook on things. Then Stef gets a call from an annual rodeo and learns that if the ranch doesn’t participate, they loose part of their land rights. But Rand’s more traditional family is still having reservations about the relationship, so when several of them show up at the ranch, with a leggy lady in tow to “temp” Rand, it doesn’t end well. Stefan and Rand are adjusting well to their life on the ranch now that Stef has taken a job closer to home so that he can spend his nights at the ranch with Rand. If you could rename After the Sunset, what would you call it? His cave man mentality might have been off putting were I reading the story, but Crisden gave him this gruff, domineering tone with that sexy southern drawl, and that coupled with his attitude made him a very endearing character.

Which character – as performed by Sean Crisden – was your favorite? Stefan! He is unapologetic and fierce and loyal and really enjoyed following his antics throughout the story. Hell yes! It was just so much fun, I laughed out loud more than once, and Sean Crisden did a fantastic job telling this story. Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

After the Sunset by Mary Calmes