After We Collided (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Anna Todd |
| Products | Young adult romance novel |
After We Collided is a 2014 American novel targeting young adult romance readers, authored by Anna Todd and published through Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster. This work serves as the second installment in the After series. A cinematic version premiered on October 23, 2020.
Background
Similar to the initial novel, After We Collided began as fanfiction on Wattpad, originally titled After 2.
Plot
Following her realization of Hardin's manipulative behavior, Tessa ends their relationship to concentrate on her education and mend ties with her mother Carol and former boyfriend Noah. She also secures employment at VP (Vance Publishing), where a coworker named Trevor shows romantic interest.
Hardin, feeling betrayed by his friends—particularly Molly's involvement in the breakup—commits to self-improvement. He makes amends with his father Ken and embraces Landon as both a brother and friend.
While in Seattle celebrating a book release, Tessa becomes intoxicated, mistakenly kisses a stranger she envisions as Hardin, and contacts him. Hardin arrives to see her, leading to an awkward meeting involving Trevor at Tessa's hotel room. Subsequently, Tessa initiates intimacy with Hardin; they share a passionate encounter and declare their love.
The following morning brings conflict over their relationship status. Tessa describes their night as a mistake and asks Hardin to leave after he falsely claims he was with Molly during the time she kissed the stranger.
At work, Trevor inquires if Tessa has feelings for Hardin; she acknowledges this but cites unresolved personal challenges as obstacles.
Three months later, during a visit to her mother, Tessa reveals she has temporarily ended things with Hardin due to his anger problems and intends to avoid romantic involvement for now. Carol expresses support for her choice.
A text from Hardin later causes Tessa to have a minor car accident. Hardin finds her and escorts her to the hospital, where she confronts him about his dishonesty regarding Carly, a woman he spent the night with.
They later visit a tattoo studio where Hardin acquires new tattoos. On their return trip, they encounter a homeless man who is revealed to be Tessa's father Richard.
Characters
- Tessa Lynn Young – A driven 19-year-old American majoring in English Literature and interning at Vance Publishing. She has straight dirty blonde hair, blue-grey eyes, tan skin, and is Hardin’s intermittent girlfriend. Born December 19, 1994.
- Hardin Allen Scott – A rebellious 20-year-old studying English Literature at WSU. Notable features include dark curly hair, green eyes, tan complexion, multiple facial piercings, full tattoo sleeves, and an on-again-off-again relationship with Tessa. Birthday: February 5, 1993.
- Trish Powell – Mother of Hardin.
- Christian Vance – CEO of Vance Publishing; Tessa’s employer and Kimberly’s boyfriend.
- Kimberly – Receptionist and assistant at Vance Publishing; Christian’s partner and friend to Tessa.
- Carol Young – Tessa’s controlling mother.
- Noah Porter – Childhood best friend and former boyfriend of Tessa.
- Trevor Mathews – Accountant employed at Vance Publishing.
- Ken Scott – Hardin’s father and chancellor at Washington Central University.
- Karen Scott – Ken’s new wife and mother of Landon.
- Landon Gibson – Best friend of Tessa; stepbrother to Hardin; English Literature student at WCU.
- Zed Evans – Friend and rival of Hardin in a wager; love interest of Tessa; student at WSU.
- Steph Jones – Bold red-haired WSU student; friend of Hardin; former roommate of Tessa; girlfriend of Tristan.
- Molly Samuels – Pink-haired antagonist; ex-friend-with-benefits of Hardin; WSU student.
Film
The announcement of a movie version of After We Collided came in May 2019. Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin returned to portray Tessa and Hardin, respectively. The movie premiered on October 23, 2020.
Graphic novel
In July 2021, it was revealed that the book series would be transformed into graphic novels, with artwork by Pablo Andrés.