I have complicated feelings about this book. The concept hooked me, and there were, ultimately, some scenes of beauty, grace, and depth. I was charmed by the scene of Arnold at the animal shelter, liked the relationship between Amber and her younger sister, Melissa, and found the revelation of what had brought Amber back both moving and fitting.

There were also several major problems. Chief among was the narrative's execrable treatment of Dina, the former friend Amber had ditched. Dina is Black. This is incredibly relevant for what's to come.

Point the first: Did Forman really think it was a good idea to constantly associate one of her two (2) Black characters that strongly and consistently with animals? And I don't mean in the 'wants to be a vet' sense. Did none of her authenticity readers cringe at that, even a little bit? Seriously? Sure, little girls pretending to be animals together is a cute anecdote in a vacuum. But there are connotations! And Amber keeps bringing it up, to the point of making it a motif. They could have just as easily pretended to be fairies, or aliens, or skaters at a roller derby. WTF?

Secondly, despite how horribly Amber has treated her in the past (more on that later,) Dina sticks by her side, loyal and steadfast, an accessory to this white chick's tears. She is Good and Forgiving, and the narrative doesn't care to give her internality beyond that. This is made worse by certain deeply spoilery revelations late on in the book, which further cement how much the narrative does not care about Dina's pain.

Speaking of Amber. While she was an okay character in her own right, the constant shilling of her in flashback chapters made me resent her more than anything else. I understand how people would valorize her after her death, sure. But before? That's just lazy writing. For most of the book, I just saw her as the most mid person ever, even as I found her <i>situation</i> interesting.

Then, I found out what she did to Dina in the process of friend-ditching her. The book continued to paint Amber as 'mid but growing,' but at this point and with this information, I could only see her as either a wretched idiot or a complete monster.

Beyond that, I found that Forman went for far too many low-hanging fruit to establish her emotional stakes. Of course Amber thinks her high school boyfriend, Calvin, is her One True Love. Of <i>course</i> they have the Huge Guy/Tiny Girl dynamic going, and no one will shut up about it. (I'm actually kind of angry, I used to find that dynamic cute, but it's been used so frequently and infantalizingly in recent books, it does nothing but annoy me now.) There's so much more, all of it cliche, all of it spoilery.

Actually, let me talk about Calvin in a bit more depth. I found myself hating his guts, and not for the reasons Forman seemed to remotely intend. To wit, he was a creeper. What else can I call a twenty-five year old guy who tries to have sex with a seventeen year old?

And yes, Amber's still seventeen, no matter how many times she/Forman try to introduce the ambiguity of 'is she seventeen or twenty-four?' She has not aged physically, emotionally, or experientially, since the day she died. She's seventeen.

The closest Calvin has to an excuse is that he was drunk off his ass at the time, and thought he was hallucinating. To be fair, the scene was written in such a jerky and abrupt manner, I had to reread it several times, just to make sure it actually happened, myself. Still. It was gross. Moreover, it was not brought up again, not discussed as something Calvin feels remorse for, and not challenged by the narrative. Seriously?

I don't get the sense that Forman was writing in bad faith. I can't imagine she intended the subtext After Life manifested. But by god, that's what wound up on the page, and maybe someone in the editing process should have pointed it out before now. With this in mind, I will round up my 1.5 star rating to a 2 instead of rounding it down to a 1. But truly, I had to weigh this decision.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books/Quill Tree Books for the free ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions within are my own.

Gayle Forman's After Life is pitch-perfect., even if I suspected how it would end. The plot moved well, the characters were believable. Hard to believe it is a YA novel, as it has much to teach adults, too.

I wasn't quite sure what direction this novel was ultimately going to take but I became very invested in this story and how all the characters lives are interwoven and connected. This was a really emotional book that really makes you think about what's important and how people impact your life.

For Amber, it’s another normal day riding her bike home after school. When Amber’s mother sees her, however, that normalcy crumbles because it turns out Amber has been dead for seven years. So why is she suddenly back now? Chapters alternate with both characters and timeline, allowing the reader insight into the impact of Amber’s death as well as the events leading up to it. After Life is an emotional and at times dramatic examination of how a family and community is affected by a tragedy.

I found that After Life was a quick read, as the alternating chapters kept me invested in the story though it takes a minute to get used to the rhythm as it alternates not just between characters but also timeline. The story is about the relationships Amber has with various people, and I enjoyed the relationship between Amber and her sister Melissa the most. When she was alive, Amber viewed her little sister as annoying and weird; now Melissa is a 16 year old who is the calm influence of the family and guides Amber even when she herself does not know what is going on. It’s a sweet relationship and it steadily grows as both girls navigate this strange turn of events.

Not all of the characters or relationships are consistent, though. Some of the side characters are one-dimensional (particularly best friend Casey) and others do not seem to have a real reason to be part of the story (the photographer, Nick). The story veered a little too close to melodrama for me; no spoilers but as the book reached its conclusion, the connections between characters and final reveals were too neatly wrapped up for my liking.

After Life would appeal to teen readers who enjoy a little drama and emotional storytelling. For us cynical adults, it may be a harder sell but for fans of John Green or Forman’s popular novel, If I Stay, this would be a must-read for them. Thank you Quill Tree Books for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.



Content warnings: death and grief.

Amber arrives home from school on her bike, like usual. When her mom lays eyes on Amber, she screams. This is how After Life by Gayle Forman begins and, though readers may be able to puzzle out what the book is about, it does take a while to get there.

The journey of a family after a sudden death is well laid out, but the book itself is not as good as I was expecting. As Amber figures out what has happened, the author goes back and forth in time with different characters. The conclusion is rushed and is not fully realized, with incomplete character development a big part of that issue. Overall, though After Life is a quick read, it is just not as good as many of the other works by this author. Teenage readers might be able to relate to Amber and what she goes through, but the story just does not have enough realism to make me want to recommend it.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy by NetGalley and the publisher. The choice to read and review this book was entirely my own.

The book started out strong with a clear plot despite the multiple timelines. It was and engaging story that I looked forward to picking up.

However, the last 20 percent or so felt rushed with muddled timelines. It almost felt unfinished or like multiple authors were writing without conferring with one another. The ending, which nice in idea didn't feel very satisfying. I think it could have used a little more time to finesse.

🚲Poignant look at one teen death's aftermath😪

4.5🌟 stars
After Life had so much heart as it highlighted the longer-term reactions and effects of teen Amber's senseless death in a road accident. It's so poignant the way she and her sister Melissa interact, and though there were moments that almost brought me to tears, the overall effect was positive and inspirational.

Her parents, sister and boyfriend, all have different reactions that come to a head when Amber suddenly turns up on her bike one day seven years after her death. Although the reason for her showing up and revealing herself to her loved ones was never clear to me, I was really caught up in it and the repeated theme that someone has to die for others to live. Not literally, but the need to come to terms and continue on in the aftermath comes through. These characters felt flawed and real. And the suspense of wondering exactly who caused the fatal accident that took Amber's life: kept me wondering right through the climax.

I liked the multiple POV the author used; it really gave insight into how each voiced character, even some whose lives just briefly touched Amber's, remembered her and coped (or floundered) with her death. And I especially liked how the story resolves itself and all of the voiced characters end up coming together at the end.

I had not been familiar with Gayle Forman's body of work but I'd love to read more from her. I can easily see why the easy writing style and the ideas she conveys would attract younger readers and adult.

Thanks to Quill Tree Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

Review shared with Goodreads, Bookbub, Waterstones, Barnes & Noble, kobo and Google Play on 1/7/25.

A book that should be read by adults as well as YA, Gayle Forman does a stellar job with this unusual and reflective novel.

I have read this others other works and loved it. This was no different. I just love her writing style and how she makes you feel so much in a book. I really liked the emotion behind this story.

Gayle Forman's After Life is a compelling exploration of loss, family, and the deep bonds that connect sisters. From the moment I started reading, I found it impossible to put down, finishing the book in nearly one sitting. Its easy flow and captivating narrative pulled me in, making it a story I couldn't help but devour.

The plot centers around Amber, who mysteriously reappears at her family's home seven years after being presumed dead. This shocking return sets the stage for an emotionally charged journey that delves into the complexities of grief, forgiveness, and rediscovering family ties.

Forman masterfully portrays the dynamic between Amber and her younger sister Missy, capturing the nuanced relationship of sisterhood with raw authenticity. The emotional weight of their reconnection is palpable, reflecting the pain of loss and the joy of reunion. Additionally, the parallel story of their mother, Gloria, and her own sister further enriches the narrative, highlighting the enduring power of familial bonds across generations.

What stands out most in After Life is its ability to evoke deep emotions while maintaining an accessible and engaging style. It's a poignant reminder of how loss can reshape relationships and how love, even when fractured, has the power to heal.

After Life is a beautifully written novel that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the complexities of family dynamics. It's a heartfelt read that lingers long after the final page.

Gayle Forman deftly navigates the space of grief and loss, of wondering what impact our lives will have -- and all the quiet ways our lives connect with each other. She manages to navigate these big ideas in ways that feel very relevant and pressing to teenager's lives, never talking AT them, but building a picture, scene by scene. I do think this might be one that adults enjoy more, but solid writing and character development all around.

I haven’t read this author in a while, although I loved her If I Stay series. This book has a bit of that same feel to it, with a daughter that had supposedly died when a car hit her bicycle. We don’t know that at the beginning of the story however. We just read about Amber riding her bike home from school at the end of her senior year. But when she shows up, no one is home. However when someone does come home, it is shocking, and it’s because to them, she died 7 years ago.

So Amber has to figure out what exactly is going on. Why is she back? Things of course have changed so much in those 7 years. Her parents are divorced, a common occurrence when a child dies. Her 10 year old sister is now the same age she was or the same age she thinks she is now. Her boyfriend seems to have become completely different from what she remembers. And her aunt, who used to be her mom’s best friend has left the country and hasn’t been back. An old friend of hers that she did something mean to when they were younger because she wanted to move on to new friends seems to be there for her now as well.

But that’s when I got the hint that maybe it was more than just her being back from the dead. Her friend Dina said she couldn’t go in somewhere with Amber, and I was thinking that was weird. Was Dina alive? Or was Dina not allowed to go into that place because her mother was a cop, so obviously she’d keep her away from unsafe people/places?

When we got Amber’s POV it was in first person. But there were other people in the book we got their POV in 3rd person. Such as her sister. Some people who seemed kind of random too. A teacher, a school photographer, etc. The way those people filled in the story was good, and all the little connections that seemed random were perfect. I really liked how it all fit together at the end, making the story more than just a girl back from the dead, and adding some philosophical aspects to the story. Even getting a mystery solved by all these little puzzle pieces and seemingly unrelated connections.

I definitely can’t wait to share this one with my students, and I could see it being a possible Gateway nominee in a year or two!

Amber Crane (17) rides her bicycle home like she usually does, but when she gets home things aren't normal. Boxes are packed with her name on them, her mother freaks out, screaming and in shock, and that is when a blue-haired teenager, Melissa, tells her she died 7 years ago. Melissa, or Missy - her younger sister - explains to Amber how and when she died and then tries to calm their hysterical mother. Their father shows up and Amber's life, or unlife, or whatever it might be, gets even stranger. The book can get a little confusing as it jumps timelines, viewpoints, and the person's connection to Amber. Amber and Melissa both shine in their voices, but the adult sections - such as when their parents met - tend to take away from the story about Amber and why she has returned. Though an enjoyable book with intersting twists and turns about what happened to Amber and why she's back, it gets muddled and a bit confusing.

When I saw this book on NetGalley I was very intrigued since I’ve read quite a few books by Gayle Forman. The description fascinated me since I’ve always been curious on what happens in the after life. I loved this book, it’s very real and raw and something different from what I’ve read before. This book is about Amber Crane who passes away after getting hit by a car on her way home from school. It talks about what happened to her family and how grief impacted them in different ways. For some people Amber and her presence stayed with them close by, for others they shut down her memory to avoid the pain, and for others who didn’t know Amber very well find meaning in her death. For anyone who has lost a loved one or even if you haven’t I would highly recommend this book! 5 star rating for me! Thank You NetGalley, Harper Collin’s Children Books, and Gayle Forman for an early copy of this ebook in exchange for my honest review! Publishing date of January 14, 2025.

AFTER LIFE by Gayle Forman reminds me of the YA books I read when I was a teen. The tone of the book and its characters feel very steeped in the past. I don't want to knock the book because I honestly did enjoy it, but I don't think the teens of today would have the same kind of feelings and motivations that Forman's teens do in this book. For instance, I can't imagine a Gen Z teen saying "I FOREVER LOVE YOU" to their significant other, especially when they have just come back from the dead. The idea of any teen I know doing that makes me chuckle. Those eighties, nineties, and early aught YA titles by the likes of Judy Blume and Laurie Halse Anderson tackled the tough topics that few other authors dared face. We wouldn't have HEARTSTOPPER or THE FAULT IN OUR STARS without them. AFTER LIFE tackles tough issues too, and it is a lovely book, but I don't think it is as relevant to today's teens as some other titles you might pick up for the young adult in your life. That being said, grab a tissue or two if you decide to read it and sniffle throughout the whole book like I did.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the ARC of AFTER LIFE in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a beautiful and touching story that dealt with the many ways people grieve, even in the same household. I liked that it touched on how some people will turn to religion/against religion but still kept it very neutral and did not center religion.

Very interesting premise, I don't know how I would react if someone came back from the dead knowing you'd have to grieve them again eventually.

For the moods I selected hopeful, emotional, and reflective. Amber was killed in a hit-and-run while on her bike years prior, but one day surprises her Mom and sister (and then dad and former boyfriend) by showing up at the house.

Each person has a different reaction to seeing Amber again. Calvin reacts with lust and then disgust/terror, Melissa handles the situation with grace and hope, and Mom and Dad go back and forth on how to feel and move forward after Amber's very public death. Casey, the best friend, was very unlikable throughout the entire book. She has SOME degree of realization toward the end of the book, but I wish that if she was going to be a part of the book, she was more than a villain. I do think that teens/young adults will resonate with a lot of this book, and it isn't too dark or detailed for school librarians to be overly concerned about challenges based on content. I would recommend adding this to both public and school library collections!

BOOK: After Life
AUTHOR: Gayle Forman
PUB DATE: January 7, 2025, by Quill Tree Books
PAGES: 272
RATING: 4 stars
GENRE: Contemporary Fiction
A H U G E Thank You to @netgalley, @QuillTreeBooks, and the author for gifting me an advanced digital in exchange for my honest review!

QUICK & SPOILER-FREE REVIEW: This is the second book I’ve enjoyed by Gayle Forman. She has a way of telling a story and tugging at your heartstrings. I found myself drawn into the bond between Amber, her family, and those in Amber’s life. This is a beautiful look into what happens to those affected when someone passes away yet returns without explanation. I definitely recommend this one.

It's been years since I have read a Gayle Forman novel, but after finishing this one in just two days, I am reminded why her stories always resonate with me. The premise of this book is jarring: Amber, a 17-year-old who was killed in a hit-and-run bicycle accident, suddenly pedals home to her house 7 years later, bewildering her sister Missy, shocking her bereaved mother, and overjoying her faithless father. Why has Amber come? How is this happening? And how has her death affected not only her family, but those who knew and loved her, and those casual bystanders who were somehow deeply impacted by her death? Forman weaves this tale from Amber and multiple others' perspectives through short, fast-moving chapters that explore how grief shapes and shifts and connects others.

Every time I questioned the verisimilitude in this one, Forman would somehow weave in answers to my questions, asking me to instead wonder at how we grieve and to focus more on the Jewish saying of "May their memory be a blessing" (which she writes about in the Afterword). As someone who has experienced death and grief two-fold this year, I left feeling uplifted and grateful for the blessings of my loved ones' memories.

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the e-Arc. This one is out January 7th, and I think anyone who has experienced grief will enjoy this one, when they are ready for it.

This story is thought provoking and touching. This book will pull at your heart strings. It covers the complexities of grief and strength. Even though this book is YA I think anyone will read it and be touched. Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for the advanced e-arc.
5 stars