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TL;DR: Tessa Young starts college as a careful, high-achieving student with a sweet hometown boyfriend and a mother with high expectations. Then she meets Hardin Scott, a rude, tattooed British student with a dark side. Their relationship is intense, passionate and stormy, and it pulls Tessa away from everything she thought she wanted.
Table of Contents
After at a Glance
| Author | Anna Todd |
| First published | 2014 |
| Type | Romance |
| Best for | readers who want a dramatic, addictive college romance |
After is the first novel in Anna Todd's After series, published in 2014. It began as a story on Wattpad that gained over a billion reads and was adapted into a film series starting in 2019. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes sexual content, emotional manipulation, toxic relationships and alcohol.
Main Characters
- Tessa Young: A serious, hardworking college freshman.
- Hardin Scott: A rebellious, moody student.
- Noah: Tessa's hometown boyfriend.
- Steph: Tessa's roommate, who knows Hardin.
- Landon: Tessa's kind friend and Hardin's stepbrother.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
College
Tessa arrives at Washington Central University, where she shares a room with Steph, who has tattoos and wild friends. One of them is Hardin, who is rude and mocking. Tessa is annoyed by him but also drawn to him. She meets Landon, a kind student, who becomes a good friend.
Attraction
Tessa and Hardin argue constantly, but they also kiss. She feels guilty about Noah. Hardin is hot and cold, sometimes sweet and sometimes cruel. Tessa learns that Hardin's father is the university's chancellor and that Landon is Hardin's stepbrother. She sees Hardin's softer side, including his love of books.
Choosing Hardin
Tessa breaks up with Noah, angering her mother. She moves closer to Hardin. They begin a passionate relationship, and Tessa has her first sexual experiences with him. Hardin opens up about his troubled childhood and anger. Tessa believes she can help him change.
The bet
Tessa learns that Hardin's friends made a bet that he could take her virginity. Hardin admits that the bet was real but says that he truly fell in love with her. Tessa is shattered and humiliated. She feels she has given up everything for someone who lied to her.
After
Tessa breaks up with Hardin and tries to rebuild her life. She is heartbroken and confused. Hardin begs for forgiveness. The book ends with their relationship in pieces, setting up the next book in the series, After We Collided.
5 Key Takeaways
- Intense attraction is not the same as healthy love.
- Honesty matters in relationships.
- People can be complex and contradictory.
- Leaving home can change a person.
- Trust is easy to break.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- You should not have to change yourself for someone else.
- Red flags are worth noticing.
- Self-respect is important.
Who Should Read After?
Read After if you enjoy dramatic, intense romance stories. It suits adults.
About Anna Todd
Anna Todd (born 1989) is an American author who wrote After on her phone and posted it on Wattpad, where it became one of the most-read stories ever. It was originally fan fiction inspired by the band One Direction. The series includes five books, and Todd has also worked as a film producer.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of After:
- Is Tessa and Hardin's relationship healthy?
- Why is Tessa drawn to Hardin?
- What does the bet reveal about Hardin?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether After is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of After, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes, if you like emotional drama, though many readers criticize the relationship as toxic.
Check price of After on Amazon
What to Read Next
- After We Collided by Anna Todd: the second After book
- Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James: another intense romance born from fan fiction
- It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover: a romance about a complicated relationship
Frequently Asked Questions
What is After about?
A good student falls for a rebellious boy in college.
Who wrote it?
Anna Todd, in 2014.
Where did it start?
On Wattpad, as fan fiction.
Who is Hardin Scott?
A rude, troubled college student.
What is the bet?
Hardin's friends bet he could take Tessa's virginity.
Is there a film?
Yes, a film series starting in 2019.
Is it a series?
Yes, five books.
What age is it for?
Adults.
How long is it?
About 580 pages.
Is it explicit?
Yes, it includes sexual content.
Is the relationship healthy?
Many readers say it is toxic.
What comes next?
After We Collided.
Why is it so popular?
Its drama and online origins created a huge, loyal fan base.
Who are the main characters in After?
The main characters are Tessa Young, Hardin Scott, Noah, Steph and Landon. Tessa Young: A serious, hardworking college freshman. Hardin Scott: A rebellious, moody student. Noah: Tessa's hometown boyfriend.
Is After worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want a dramatic, addictive college romance. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.