shadesofreds
After the Chaos
A Red's Bar Novel | Book One
Some storms break you. Others bring you home.
Eli Mercer knows chaos. It's followed him his whole life-through every song he's written, every stage he's played, and every scar he's tried to hide. He's spent years building walls and perfecting the art of keeping people at a distance. But when freelance photographer Tessa James shows up at one of his gigs with sharp eyes and a stubborn streak, everything starts to unravel.
Tessa doesn't believe in forever-not after losing everything once already. She's built a life on her own terms, one frame at a time. But Eli? He's a mess she never saw coming. And maybe, just maybe, he's the kind of mess she's willing to fight for.
What starts as a job capturing his band turns into something deeper-late-night conversations, stolen glances, and a slow, aching pull neither of them can resist. But Eli's past isn't finished with him, and Tessa's afraid to trust anyone with her heart again.
As their worlds collide and old wounds reopen, they'll have to decide: can they weather the storm together, or will the chaos tear them apart?
AFTER THE CHAOS is a slow-burn, emotional romance about finding peace, learning to trust, and choosing love-even when it's terrifying.