Unfortunately I couldn't connect with this book. I understand it's half memoir, half self-help book but the way it is presented and the writing simply weren't for me. I think it would've been a lot better if the author chose only one thing to write: a memoir or a self-help book about healing.

After the Rain is a semi-autobiography infused with affirmations. I appreciate the authors vulnerability and honesty. Alex went through a lot of trials and came out on the other side a more positive person. Chapters are short and to the point.

A lengthy guide of lessons based on the author’s experiences, including affirmations. The lessons were useful. Personally though, I found the book a little longwinded, perhaps because I didn’t connect with the author’s style of writing, I wasn’t drawn to hearing her experiences. I seem to be in the minority though judging by other reviews left on Netgalley. I’m grateful to Netgalley and publisher for giving me the opportunity to try the book.

This book was a breath of fresh air. Like a sigh released that I didn't even know I'd been holding. Somehow, when I turned the last page, I felt lighter. Cleansed. Restored. After the Rain could not be a more appropriate title. I waited half a year to read it, but my expectations were well exceeded. I truly loved everything about this book. The writing was poetically beautiful and spiritually impactful. And don't even get me started on the layout and design. (FLAWLESS!) This is one of those touchstone works I just know I'll return to again and again.

I found out about Alexandria Elle on a self-care blog and started following her. This book is beautiful, open, and so relatable. What she wrote felt so close to me and what I have experienced as a girl becoming a woman. It can give you strength in knowing many share these experiences.

This really resonated with me, I think because of the author's personal stories and overall sincerity. There are plenty of corny self-help books out there where the author purports to have it all together, and they got there by, ahem, washing their face or something, but Alexandra Elle demonstrates that caring for yourself is a process that requires humility and grace and is ongoing.

This book does have meditations; it does have that vapid millennial self-help vibe on the surface. However, this book really has substance and I love it. Because of the prompts and meditations, it's something you can go back to every day.

I stumbled across Alexandra Elle on Instagram (@alex_elle) a few weeks ago and found myself touched by her words. Her posts were perfect and precise, cutting straight through my bullshit to softest, most vulnerable parts of me. It’s like she knew exactly what I needed to hear. I immediately sent her posts to my friends, who loved them as well.

When I saw that her new book After the Rain was available on NetGalley, I was excited beyond words. I came eager for experiences similar to what I had found on her Instagram: revelatory insights, radical reframings. But I realized fairly quickly that this book isn’t exactly that—and for good reason. These are gentle reminders, as the title so aptly states. As such, I found that its content was not particularly new or revelatory to me. The nature-themed metaphors and Rupi Kaur-like affirmations were less my cup of tea, but I still thought the book so beautiful overall, instilling a sense of much-needed peace in me.

After the Rain is split into 15 lessons, including my favourites, “Identity,” “Soothing the Suffering,” “Family,” “Healing,” “Comparison,” “Dedication,” and—the chapter that hit me the hardest—“Acceptance.” When Elle speaks of her complex and deep love for her family—a family laden with memories, history, traumas, joys, loss, growth—it spoke to me, a bicultural person who has had to navigate similarly complicated and ambivalent relationships.

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In her words, I discovered nuggets of wisdom about love, loss, and acceptance. Through her writing, I feel more at peace in the knowledge that I can hold adversity and still feel joy.

All I hope is that you read After the Rain and find this—peace, wisdom, acceptance—too.

Multiple short stories and manifestos in self love and struggles and how to embrace life and loving yourself, even when the worst is being dealt to you. Highly recommend. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Beautiful book! I'm a huge fan of Alex Elle and have been looking forward this book for a while now. After the Rain is part-memoir / part-self help. I enjoyed reading about Elle's journey from self-discovery to self-acceptance to self-love and forgiveness. The book includes a plethora of helpful "gentle reminders" and positive affirmations that I will refer to for years to come. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this eARC and giving me the opportunity to review this prior to its official release. I will be purchasing this book when it comes out.

After the Rain is described as "part-memoir, part-guide" that a reader can read to inform their own own personal development while learning more about Alexandra Elle. I discovered Alex Elle on Instagram from her beautiful collection of poems and her writing in this book reflects that background. She writes beautifully and is open and honest about her own experiences such as admitting she was typically not a great employee. This candor is refreshing and made the book an interesting read. I also enjoyed the reflection questions at the end of the chapters and her poetic quotes. Overall I find this a good read for anyone that enjoys her style of writing and wants to learn more about her background.

Thank you to Netgalley, Chronicle Books, and the author Alexandra Elle for the ARC of After the Rain in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
#AftertheRain #NetGalley

Little nuggets and reminders on all things I'm life. A book you can go back to for little truth nuggets.

It's just like the sub-title says, gentle reminders for healing, love and self-care and comes with little nuggets of the times the author caught on her 'aha' moments.
Thanks Netgalley for the eARC.