Forman is a master storyteller, and I adore her books. The After Life was no exception. A fantastic story about family, sisters, parents, and more. I devoured it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. Five stars.

This book appears to be a quick read, but it’s also one of the most compelling reads, especially for grieving people who might imagine seeing their loved ones come back to life as if they had never gone. It’s heart-wrenching and thought-provoking, moving between different timelines to show different perspectives and emphasize that death affects not only the one who passed away but also the people left behind to deal with longing and grief.

Throughout the journey, readers pick up the puzzle pieces and position them to get the full picture. Amber, a 17-year-old valedictorian with a bright future ahead of her, big dreams, a lovely family, a devoted boyfriend, and close friends, dies in a hit-and-run accident while riding her bike. Seven years later, she returns to her house on the same bike as if she’s stuck at the moment she left. She’s still 17, trying to adjust to the changes and understand how drastically things have moved on, and how her loved ones have been torn apart by her absence.

Her mother barely looks at her face, rejecting her existence, while her dad is over the moon with happiness, declaring her return a miracle and starting to believe in a higher power even though he’s an atheist. Her nerdy sister Melissa is now her age and might be the only one approaching Amber’s comeback in a more mature way than their parents.

But what about her boyfriend Calvin? Why did he drop out of school and let guilt consume him? Why is her estranged friend Dina the only one supporting her, while her so-called best friend Casey is nowhere to be seen?

Why has Amber returned? Will her stay be permanent, or is she home to complete unfinished business? Can she fix things for her loved ones who are truly struggling with her loss? Can she correct her mistakes and find closure for herself?

Overall, this is a heartfelt concept discussing grief and moving on with your life after irreplaceable losses. It’s a strong tearjerker, and I highly recommend keeping a roll of napkins nearby while reading.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children’s Books for sharing this powerful YA fantasy novel’s digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This book reminds me of the TV show Cruel Summer. Like it's just got a similar vibe I can't fully explain. Constantly going between different time periods, all coming together to tell a singular story.

This was a hard read. Not because it was difficult to read, I actually flew through it. But because it's a hard concept to deal with. Like what would you do if a person who died 7 years ago showed back up in your life? How could you explain the damage from their death? How could the person that died even understand it fully? It's an interesting concept because this isn't a coma patient waking up 7 years later. This isn't a person that went missing or was kidnapped showing up 7 years later. This is someone that actually died. No doubt. Gayle Forman has always done a really good job of writing from a place of grief. I loved If I Stay and Where She Went.

So I think this is a well written view of the aftermath of grief and how we all wish we could somehow fix it, even years later. And because death doesn't impact one person, it makes a difference on everyone, with no real way to tell or understand why people cope the way they do. I think what she's done here is really unique and a story worth reading.