Reviewer: Bayjb Signed [Report This]
Date: September 09, 2020 05:45 pm Title: Nowhere Near

Ermergerd I got so excited to see this updated too. Honestly. And the ending this was FANTASTIC. I almost don't even know what I hope happens next. Complex feelings!! I want to feel bad for those kids but man, they really screwed everyone over and now put JAM in serious trouble. The end line of the chapter was so fantastic too. The whole scene of Pam being brought up and Jim seeing her, really really fantastic (not given what's happening but you know what I mean).

But I'm not sure what you mean by not making this go on forever, honestly I hope this doesn't end.

Author's Response: Complex feelings is exactly reaction I was hoping for! I am trying to portray the layers of complexity of a story like this and the ever-present question of the moral grey area. Thank you so much! 

Reviewer: JennaBennett Signed [Report This]
Date: September 08, 2020 04:25 am Title: Nowhere Near

“Dwight’s ring” Oh. I thought Pam’s pendant hit hard, but this is absolutely gutting.

Boy. Boy. Boy. Toby is the curse that just keeps on giving.
Pam. Oh Pam. This is coal walk Pam all over - determined and courageous no matter the outcome. As always, my heart is in my throat reading this and I’m so damn worried for them both.
“Sometimes bad decisions are the only decisions to make” I feel that.

“his entire life fell with a roaring crash and landed spectacularly in the pounded dirt in front of him.” This is not good.

Ohgodohgodohgodohgodohgod

Author's Response: I hope all of the strands are starting to tie together and makes sense. I wanted Dwight's ring to be the little push that drives him out there and Pam's courage, that we don't always get to see, be the little push that drives her to go out there as well. All will end well, even if the road is a bit bumpy. ;)

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed [Report This]
Date: September 07, 2020 06:45 pm Title: Nowhere Near

Oh sweet merciful crap. Like I said, last chapter was just the calm before the storm. I know we have your promise that nothing happens the the JAM family, but still that ending.

I see two very interesting reactions between Jim and Pam. Jim almost losing it. Understandable too. Pam nervous but walking into the vipers nest with courage and defiance.

Something else I just realized as well. There's a bit of a time jump in this chapter. Between the time Pam leaves the Farm and Jim getting dumped out of the truck at Mac's place, there could be several hours in between. Time enough for Pam to have seen what happened to Jim, form a plan, go back to the farm and get that plan set up maybe? I hope so. After all back Before Pam was just as quick on her feet as Jim was and at times more devious too.

Please don't make us wait to god-awful long for the resolution to all this. Phenominal writing as always.

Author's Response: The promise stands although they won't escape entirely unscathed. I hope the wait was manageable. :)

Reviewer: BigTuna Signed [Report This]
Date: July 29, 2020 10:07 am Title: A Coward Might Call it a Conscience, a Liar Might Call it the Truth

This chapter was beautiful all over, but this line stood out to me. “ The frailty and ugliness of humanity on full display, retching among the ruins and emptiness of the planet.” So good! You turn phrases so beautifully. And I really loved seeing a bit of Brian’s world! Great job as always!

Author's Response: Thank you BT, as always! Your reviews mean so much. <3

Reviewer: JennaBennett Signed [Report This]
Date: July 12, 2020 12:54 am Title: A Coward Might Call it a Conscience, a Liar Might Call it the Truth

“it was the woman and the baby, both she knew no longer existed” Umm... Yeah, that’s a hard nope from me. That does not bode well at all...
Oh I’m glad - if that’s the right word - that it’s no-one they know.

“Ask me how I know” How you still manage to make to laugh in this world of angst is a skill in itself.

Ah, the male ego. Sure, go into town without telling anyone, Mike. That seems like an excellent idea.

Interesting to see Mike’s convictions start to shift with the impending danger pressing closer.

“She turned her ear to his chest as if she was contemplating his very soul and he hoped she knew it was hers.” Well, that’s not the most romantic thing I’ve ever read or anything.

"Well, it's too late, he has one." Oh how I love protective brother Jim.

“I don't think I could breathe in a world without you in it." Cool. Cool, cool, cool, cool, cool.

“This was the farthest and longest he had been away from Pam since Before and he felt her absence like a dull ache in his bones.” The way they love each other is the stuff of legends. This is basically a soulmates AU and you can’t convince me otherwise.

“Love and fear come in equal measure, she realized with clarity. One cannot exist without the other.” That’s very profound for a Sunday afternoon. But like, you’re not wrong.

“feeling like a butterfly had landed” YES. Get it girl.

This story. Oh my god, this story. It’s the finest of wines, it just keeps improving and improving and with each chapter you pull us in deeper. I love it so.

Author's Response: Thank you so much, Jenna! I'm glad you are still enjoying it. I have a feeling my long-windedness and rambling might have lost some people along the way, so it thrills me that you still love it so. :) I'm so glad you picked up on the butterfly reference! I wasn't sure if anyone would. Thank you! 

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed [Report This]
Date: July 11, 2020 11:00 am Title: A Coward Might Call it a Conscience, a Liar Might Call it the Truth

Please tell me that somewhere, somehow Phillip got a copy of "Fellowship of the Ring" Dwight had lying around and has determined he wants to be a Hobbit. Breakfast, second breakfast, brunch, elevensies, lunch, tea, supper, dinner, dessert, second dessert. I can so clearly envision Jim and Pam being equally proud and bemused at his antics. Great way to add a bit of levity there.

Always a bit of a hazard heading to Tent City. You're right, this time the trip seems just a tad more perilous. Lots of tension and I'm glad they made it back unscathed. Especially if there's someone in their midst up to no good.

Nice bit adding in Isabel coming to Brian. It's been a slow journey for them. Seems like a healing journey too. Lovely that they can continue that journey together.

Likewise lovely to evsion Pam and Jim coming back together. You write their connection so very well.

Kind of seems like the calm before the storm. I'm really glad has the vision to try and get reinforcements while he can. I've got a feeling the Farm will need them.

Author's Response: I hadn't thought of that scenario but that would be a really funny tie-in with Dwight. You are right, there are indeed some difficult times ahead. Thanks for reviewing! 

Reviewer: nicemorningtoo Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: July 10, 2020 11:01 pm Title: There's Nothing I'm Planning to Take

"A sound that reached the ears of another." I haven't finished reading the chapter yet but when I tell you that this sentence literally made my heart stop, I'm not joking. I really thought that Mac had gotten into the cellar somehow and I was terrified. I had to stop reading for a couple minutes to regain my composure, only to find out it was Toby being a creep lol. This story is every bit as good as everyone says it is and I can't wait to keep reading.

Author's Response: I'm so glad you liked that part. I wasn't sure how making Toby a villain would be received, but I knew he would fit perfectly in what I had planned for the betrayal. Thanks for letting me know your thoughts! 

Reviewer: BigTuna Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: June 19, 2020 06:30 pm Title: The Birth and Death of a Day

This was such a lovely chapter. Even though they’re in After and things are obviously less than ideal, it felt so lovely and normal and sweet and a great representation of how important it is to have people around you that you love. And Jim and Mike’s confrontation was excellently written. I have no trouble believing that Jim would absolutely do anything to protect his family and that’s his driving motivation. Great chapter, as always!

Author's Response: Thank you so much BT for your review, as always!

Reviewer: JennaBennett Signed [Report This]
Date: June 18, 2020 02:53 am Title: The Birth and Death of a Day

“paperclip ornaments” - that hits right in the feels. It’s so very early JAM.

There’s already so much that’s amazing going on in this story, but now you’ve given me my new favorite slow burn. Isabel and Brian and the unresolved sexual tension coming in strong.

“You. Me. Dysfunctional paper company.” I hope this was the exact phrase Greg Daniels used when he pitched the show. Truly.

Oooh. Okay. I feel like this knife has a great deal of importance given its titular role...

I’m with Jim. What is ideology compared to protecting your loved ones... It kind of shows how lucky Mike has been in this universe to have not had to made that choice yet.

I feel like this chapter sets up the background for a whole lot of possible drama to come. That lingering ominous tone still waits in the wings...

Author's Response: Thank you as always, Jenna! Welcome to the Brisabelle club. I believe AG is in charge of snacks. ;)

Reviewer: warrior4 Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: June 17, 2020 07:08 pm Title: The Birth and Death of a Day

First, foremost, and of course most importantly, paperclip ornaments. Bit of nod to canon there in regards to Office Olympic medals? I though it was cute. Nice way of still decorating even though things are much more scares and practical.

Lovely Jim and Pam banter. Nice to see shades of the JAM we know and love from Before.

Love that Isabel and Brian are getting closer. That she's the one to move to him and rest her head on his shoulders is lovely to envision. She's starting to trust him. Great way to keep that going.

Oh Jim, there you go being just the perfect match for Pam. Seriously there's nothing better than having the woman you love just lunge at you after a gift like that. In my case it was ball room dancing lessons. That was a good Christmas. But seriously, it's just so absolutely perfect. Likewise Pam's gift to him. Things to remind them of the people they were Before and the things they loved. Nice way to stay sentimental and sweet.

I also really like Jim giving her the boot knife. Something tells me that knife is going to be very significant later in this story.

I get why Jim is the way he is with Mike. Jim's family is his world. As you so eloquently put it, he'll stop at nothing to make sure his world is defended. To think there would be a chance that something could happen, after everything that's happened After, yeah I get why Jim's back is up. Still Mike seems like a decent guy. Likewise Jim is also a decent guy and Larissa can probably more than hold her own against her brother. At the same time Jim has laid down the challenge if you will, so Mike will have to step up.

Fantastic writing as always.

Author's Response:

Thank you Warrior! 

 I'm glad you picked up on all the little inclusions and I'm glad, you too, seemed to have an enjoyable Christmas. 

 Thanks as always for your review!

Reviewer: DoomGoose Signed [Report This]
Date: May 31, 2020 09:47 pm Title: Holding On and Letting Go

Well, shame about Toby but I cant say that he didn't set himself up for that. Him giving the radio over was a dreadful bonus, but maybe the crew will catch on and change channels or something? Maybe it's batteries will die? I dunno, that's just my whishful thinking trying to defuse Chekhov's gun I suppose.

Seeing Jim the conflicted leader was a nice moment, because I can totally see that happening and it just felt so in character for the world you've built for them.

Glad that the baby turned out ok.

Looking forward to what Mac pulls next, the salt exchange was all a little suspect, so maybe he'll make it into a subscription plan, Salt As A Service.

Deleted my review to edit and add:

Huge missed opportunity to call this chapter Goodbye Toby.

I just cracked myself up at midnight sitting in bed, my roommates think I need help.

Author's Response:

Haha these are all great comments! Thank you so much for the review! 

You know, I don't think Toby thought the whole walkie thing through, and that's very unfortunate. 

Oh, and I hope your roommates don't think you are too crazy. It was only midnight after all.  :)

Reviewer: BigTuna Signed 1 [Report This]
Date: May 31, 2020 08:53 pm Title: Holding On and Letting Go

Ugh this was all so tense and heartbreaking and beautifully written! I kind of want to save up all the other chapters so I can binge read and get all the twists and turns and revelations in one go. Again, Mac is so well written! Not your usual bad guy because you needs a bad guy, but a fleshed out villain who actually has some twisted sense of why the way he’s behaving is justified. Ugh, again. So good!

Author's Response:

Thank you BT, so much! I'm kind of with you on reading something in one big take as opposed to little bits at a time. What I can promise you is that, it is all about 80% finished since I don't write linear fashion. I wrote the last couple of chapters first and jump around even though it's laid out in my mind. Hopefully, that means you won't have to wait too long. ;)

Thanks for your review!