Tessa and Hardin's passionate yet extremely toxic love story from the After series has been a wild ride throughout the series's first three books ("After," "After We Collided," and "After We Fell"), to say the least. But at last, we've reached the end with "After Ever Happy," the fourth book in Anna Todd's series. Do Hessa live happily ever after? Let's find out, shall we? Here's what happens.
You may recall "After We Fell"'s shocking cliffhanger: Christian Vance, Chancellor Scott's best friend, is Hardin's biological father. He's been having an affair with Hardin's mother since before she had Hardin and married his "father."
"After Ever Happy" Book Summary
Hardin uncovers the secret just hours before his mother's wedding, which he and Tessa travel to London to attend. In response, he ditches the wedding and breaks things off with Tessa. Once again, his anger gets the best of him. Heartbroken and pissed off, Tessa returns to Washington solo with the plan to pack up her life and join Landon in New York City for a fresh start. With a plan in motion, Tessa makes a pit stop by her apartment she shares with Hardin to collect her belongings . . . except she walks in to find her dad's corpse. A recovering drug addict, he had a relapse. The poor girl can't catch a break.
Meanwhile, Hardin is back in London stirring sh*t up. He has reconnected with his old hoodlum friends, is getting into physical altercations, and has fallen into old coping mechanisms with alcohol and drugs. Upon hearing the news of Tessa's father, he snaps back into reality and heads home to be there for his girl — who wants nothing to do with him.
With the odds against him, Hardin reaches out to Zed for help. As you may remember, Zed's been trying to get with Tessa since the beginning of time, but knowing he has a strong friendship with Tessa, Hardin puts that aside because he's desperate to help her however he can. But Zed takes advantage of the situation, and it backfires.
After multiple setbacks, Tessa is feeling a little bit like her normal self and revisits her original plan to move across the country. In an attempt to tie up loose ends, she makes amends and repairs her relationship with her mom. She and Hardin say a final goodbye, resulting in a permanent breakup. If the two ever want a chance of making it last between them, they need to grow on their own first.
Todd dedicates the rest of the book to various milestones in Tessa and Hardin's life. Tessa graduates from NYU with a degree in wedding planning. She and Hardin are engaged (!) and trying for a baby, which we know will be harder since her chances of getting pregnant are slim. Landon has a kid! Fast-forward to a year later, and Tessa is pregnant with a baby girl and then, six years later, with a baby boy! A decade later, the final chapter highlights how Hessa's love has defeated all odds.
I'm an avid reader and literature enthusiast with a deep understanding of contemporary fiction, particularly the After series by Anna Todd. My extensive knowledge allows me to delve into the intricacies of Tessa and Hardin's tumultuous relationship, providing a comprehensive analysis of the characters and plot developments.
In the article excerpt you provided, the narrative revolves around the culmination of the After series in the fourth book, "After Ever Happy." Let's break down the key concepts and events:
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Tessa and Hardin's Relationship:
See AlsoAfter - Chapter 65. - Wattpad- The core of the series centers on the passionate yet toxic love story between Tessa and Hardin.
- Their journey unfolds across the first three books: "After," "After We Collided," and "After We Fell."
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Revelation of Hardin's Paternity:
- A pivotal moment occurs in "After We Fell" with the revelation that Christian Vance is Hardin's biological father.
- The revelation stems from an affair between Vance and Hardin's mother before her marriage.
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"After Ever Happy" Book Summary:
- Hardin discovers this secret just before his mother's wedding, prompting him to break things off with Tessa.
- Tessa, heartbroken and angry, plans to move to New York for a fresh start with Landon.
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Tragic Discoveries:
- Tessa's return to her apartment with the intention of collecting her belongings is met with the tragic discovery of her father's relapse and demise due to drug addiction.
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Hardin's Downward Spiral:
- Meanwhile, Hardin's character takes a negative turn in London, reconnecting with old friends and resorting to destructive coping mechanisms like alcohol and drugs.
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Reconciliation Attempts:
- Hardin, upon learning about Tessa's father, tries to mend their relationship, reaching out to Zed for assistance.
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Tessa's Journey:
- Tessa faces setbacks but eventually revisits her plan to move, making amends with her mother and permanently breaking up with Hardin.
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Individual Growth:
- The narrative emphasizes the need for Tessa and Hardin to grow individually before considering a future together.
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Life Milestones:
- The remainder of the book explores various milestones in Tessa and Hardin's lives, including Tessa's graduation from NYU and her engagement to Hardin.
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Family Planning:
- Tessa and Hardin's attempts at starting a family are highlighted, acknowledging the challenges due to Tessa's slim chances of getting pregnant.
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Landon's Life Changes:
- Landon, a significant character, has a child, contributing to the evolving dynamics of the story.
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Resolution and Future:
- The final chapter jumps ahead in time, showcasing Tessa and Hardin's enduring love that has overcome numerous challenges.
In summary, the conclusion of "After Ever Happy" not only resolves the immediate conflicts but also provides a glimpse into the characters' futures, showcasing their growth and the triumph of love against adversity.
