The After Wife

by Melanie Summers

Women's Fiction Silver Medal Winner, Reader's Favorite Awards 2020. From bestselling author Melanie Summers, comes a heartfelt and uplifting tale of love, loss, and letting go...

After losing her husband, writer Abigail Carson has all but given up on life. Having spent the last year cocooned in her Manhattan apartment, Abigail is suddenly forced to find a new home where she can stretch her dwindling savings. Intent on isolation, she moves to a tiny village in Nova Scotia where she’ll have no one to interrupt her solitude. Little does Abigail realize that small-town life offers far less privacy than the big city. With neighbors knocking on the door bearing homemade treats and invitations, Abby soon finds herself immersed in the lives of the people of South Haven. She forms an unlikely friendship with Liam Wright, the handyman renovating her dilapidated cottage, and his daughter, seven-year-old Olive. As the dark cloud engulfing Abigail lifts, she starts to think she may have found love again. But just as Abigail is ready to leap, she discovers Liam carries with him a shocking secret that will ultimately cause everything to unravel. Abigail must decide if she will turn away from his pain or open her heart in the most hopeless of circumstances.

Insightful, heartwarming, and filled with hope, The After Wife reminds us of the importance of human connection and the inseparable nature of love and survival.

Genres: Romance, Audiobook, Contemporary, Fiction, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Womens Fiction

392 pages, Paperback

First published January 10, 2020

About the author

Melanie Summers is a multi-award-winning, Amazon best-selling author of romantic comedies and women’s fiction. She’s written over thirty books for people who have 'had it up to here' with the real world and need to laugh, feel good, and sigh happily. When she’s not writing or reading, she's usually out for a walk with her two adorable dogs, hanging out on the beach with her husband and their three teenagers, or curled up on the couch for family movie night. Melanie resides on Vancouver Island, Canada where her life goal is to become one of those fabulous people who take daily ice baths in the ocean. So far, she can get in up to her ankles, which is not awful, thank you very much.

Melanie Summers also writes under the name M.J. Summers

Reviews

[Nina (ninjasbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very emotional. The main character was a bit frustrating at times, but she at least developed and became more mature.

[TeriLyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

**The After Wife generously provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.**

4 "Those are cold, hard facts of love." Stars

This book really is something. It kept me engaged and glued to the pages. To review it is difficult because I really enjoyed most of it, even the hard parts, but the ending threw me a bit and left me a little unsatisfied. Despite that, because I believe it's just personal preference, this story resonates with me on many different levels. A women's fic novel about a 39 year old widow, from her point of view, who upends her life for an isolated change in a new environment who slowly ends up rediscovering herself, her feelings on love and life, and the choices she made as a young woman. Aiding in this life shift is a man who became her fast friend and confidant and his young, curious daughter.

The heroine's slow burn type of development felt organic and true as people don't suddenly see the light after 15 years and how she takes those mottled feelings and reshapes them into something she can live with and understand really struck a chord. The male main character was perfectly understanding, patient, and kind despite his own personal tragedy and subsequent growth. There's hope in the pain and love in the banter. The small town setting lends itself nicely to the story and really just fits. There are some truly special and touching moments with the aforementioned child that really make you think and want to believe in the unfiltered faith that children hold close.

This author is new to me and I really enjoyed her storytelling style. The chapters are short and the writing tight and concise without a lot of superfluous detail but still packing a lot of meaning and emotion. The After Wife isn't your typical romance story in style or structure. It's about loving and understanding one's self to truly give to another and understand them. The ending is one that I think I love to hate but that's the beauty of a well written, engaging story.

[ItaPixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so curious to read The After Wife because it's so different from Melanie Summers' previous works and I wasn't disappointed.
Hours after I have closed this book it's still difficult for me to write a review because whenever I think to this story the only thing I want to do is to curl up in a fetal position and cry, but I'll try because it deserves to be shared and recommended to all people who love beautiful, emotional, heartbreaking, humorous and realistic tales.

Abby has lost her husband of 15 years and the sorrow and grieving are too much to bear in the house they shared in New York so she decides to move to a little canadian village. Here our heroine will meet a lot of people who'll try to be part of her life even if she'd like to be left alone. But her plans to live like a hermit are ruined by a charming builder and his lovely daughter.

I liked Abby with her flaws, her fear to let love in again is so relatable but sometimes you have to take a leap and find out what life brings you in order to feel alive.

.

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading a book by this author, but it certainly won't be my last. I loved everything about this book, the story was excellent and heartwarming, the characters were exceptionally done. Highly recommend! I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this great book.

[Vale198 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stelle

All’inizio l’ho trovato lento e un po’ noioso poi quando è subentrata Olive ha iniziato a piacermi, sono rimasta un po’ delusa sul l’epilogo, speravo in qualcosa di più e conoscere come sarebbe finita dopo tanta sofferenza per entrambi.

[⁺₊✧ MYRA ✧₊⁺ · Rating 4 out of 5]

finally a non-toxic romance with an engaging story and great character development

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew when I started this book that it might be a different kind of “happy-ever-after” romance but wow what a story! I had guessed the plot twist at a point when Abby and Olive were together and was sad to see I was correct. This story had me in tears so many times (especially chapters 22 and 23). I loved the three main characters. I loved to read a so realistic story. I loved that Abby chose the right choice. I would love to read a second book with these same characters… a kind of life later, how life continued years from now.
There were a few little tidbits I noted that irked me somewhat but it didn’t ruin the story or take away from the 5stars. They were just kind of pet peeves of mine that I would have shared if I had been a proofreader. 🤷🏼🤷🏼

[Robin Bielman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It's going on my list of all-time favorites. Heartbreaking and real and funny and truly fantastic writing. Abby, Liam, and Olive are characters that will stay with me for a long time to come.

[Ayekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worst book hangover ever..... I loved this story so much. This isn't women's fiction-it's women's real life. Melanie, you are a rock star.

Full review coming

[Sunny (Kindles & Wine Book Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful story written by Melanie Summers. The difference in Abigail from the beginning to the conclusion of The After Wife was amazing. The self-discoveries she made with the help of the little Canadian town, in particular, Liam and Olive, were well-written. The parallels in Liam and Abby’s life were notable, yet how they handled them was vastly different. The contrast was real and had such an impact on the transformations that took place, especially in Abby. So many characters brought her clarity and I enjoyed the depth developed for each person.

Wow, just wow!

[Yna from Books and Boybands · Rating 5 out of 5]

The After Wife was a surprising read — a good one at that. It is a story about a widow living with grief who decided to find a new beginning in a small town. From here, she meets new people, finds new reasons to go on, and sees herself falling in love again. Her journey was filled with hope, though there are sad days. Overall, it is a wonderful story.

This new find from Melanie Summers is definitely a fun one! Grab it if you're in the mood for some self-love!

[Letty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Melanie Summers is a new author to me, and after reading this book, I'm thinking I'll be reading more of her books. I was pleasantly surprised with this book. I don't know why I didn't think I'd love it, thought it'd be another okay Hallmark-ish type book. Yeah, it could possibly be a Hallmark movie and that's fine. Okay, I admit I do watch Hallmark movies and like most of them, predictable as most of them are, but putting that aside now, this book was heartwarming but bittersweet, and I just loved everything about it. It's about a woman dealing with the tragic loss of her husband, starting over in not only a different town but a different country, and learning to trust others and have the courage to find love again. I loved Ms. Summers' writing style. There's some witty and humorous dialogue that I really enjoyed, and the characters were lovely and so relatable. This is definitely a must read.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.

[Jackie D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not crying you're crying-
Phew, that was a wringer!
One of those beautifully devasting hearts wide open raw stories I wanted to hate, but I just couldn't!
Emotionally charged, brimming with chemistry, laughs, broken hearts and the savagery of ripping off the bandage, to find time doesn't heal all wounds, life isn't always fair and last but not least " thats the way love goes " --- for all the *ahem* 9O's folks around!
An all-encompassing story that feels like it needed to be written!
I encourage all to grab a box of tissues, your choice of beverage, and settle in for a heart squeezer that has turned my world on its axis!

[Betsie Erickson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Happily ever after....

This book....

If I didn't cry every day anyway this book would have left me in bed for days.

I fell in love with the characters from the beginning. The book was slow but a fun story and all of a sudden it wasn't! It stopped being slow and stopped being fun all at the same time and I couldn't stop reading it, I had to know! I was thinking 'there's no time for the ending to be natural and logical as well as happy. Well, curveball!

The After Wife was so good. I hope Melanie Summers finds a sequel in her head somewhere because I am not done with their story.

I received an advanced copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Judging by the many glowing reviews, I must be missing something. I found the story predictable and full of cliches. The contractor guy with the blue eyes, the successful author whose best friend is her literary agent. Right. The writing is skilled and smooth, but the story for me lacks depth. I did not find the story emotional, which means I was not really pulled in, did not feel sad. And I'm a rather emotional person who cries when I watch animal videos and ads.

[Mindy Martinez Borda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author has destroyed me with this book... My soul can't take it... Anyone who has experience what Abby has gone through with Isaac and Liam will love and hate the story in equal amounts. I applaud the author for writing such a heartfelt story... It's a book everyone, and I really mean everyone, should read.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. I laughed and chuckled and was so touched the entire ride through. Then I cried just a little. I was mesmerized by Olive, who stole my heart. I really hope there’s a next chapter to continue their story. It was real and yet magical.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounding up to 4 Stars

For me, this was the right book at the right time. A beautiful look at grieving and moving on.

[Ivet ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

tohle bylo tak roztomilé

(ale konec mě celkem naštval)

[M.A.P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent the book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The premise of this book sounded great. A great little read filled with atmosphere, healing, and a Hallmark worthy love story.

Firstly, and this is not a spoiler, this is not a Hallmark worthy love story, the author basically tells you this in the opening note to the reader! Not all stories have a happily ever after and this book may or may not have one of those, so be prepared.

The After Wife focuses on Abbie Carson, a young widow who after more than a year of grieving quite privately, ups and leaves the place where she feels like everyone knows her business for a place where she can get a fresh start and no one will know her! Only she's moving to a small maritime town and is basically the talk of it even before she arrives!

Abbie is grieving still, both for the loss of her husband and for the loss of herself and her work. She's bitter and uninterested in any kind of help beyond having her new and very rustic home fixed up. Now naturally the man, Liam, who can fix it up is easy on the eyes and tragically single. BUT hold on, remember this isn't a Hallmark movie so where your mind just went probably isn't where this story goes! Ok, it probably does in a way but it's deeper, it's more heartbreaking and it's far more nuanced than what Hallmark dishes out. (Thank goodness!)

While I found this book dragged at times I can honestly say the writing was good enough that I didn't really dwell on that. It's beautifully written and absolutely heartbreaking, even the happy times broke my heart because there was always that underlying reason of why the happy times were occurring.

This is a book for fans of women's fiction, books like Evvie Drake Starts Over (one of my favourites) and The Overdue Life of Amy Byler and charming characters and locations.

[Penelope Peters · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. This is less a romance than it is a coming-of-age story, except the person coming-of-age is in her 40s and widowed and has moved lock, stock, and barrel to the Canadian wilderness after her husband dies and leaves her alone in New York City, where she can't afford to live.

Instead, Abigail uses the opportunity to start fresh - by doing what she'd always planned to do with her late husband, retiring to a country cottage, where hopefully she can start writing again. She does - eventually - but she also learns about what she gave up when she married, and in learning that, learns to find herself again.

That she also finds herself falling for the cute widowed contractor with the cute kid is really more of a side-plot than the actual storyline. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed that part too, but I really, really loved Abigail. She made poor choices sometimes - but it was always clear that she was making them with the best, if flawed, intentions, and she was always sympathetic.

The book has an HFN ending, because one main character (not Abigail) has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, which is definitely going to impact Abigail's life. But I would dearly love to read what happens to them, and how they deal with the next challenge in their lives, and see them overcome it and find each other again.

This is my second book by Melanie Summers. I really wish I'd started with this one, because it's absolutely the strongest of the two, so much so that I couldn't believe that they were written by the same person. I will definitely be on the lookout for more of her books again.

[KDRBCK · Rating 5 out of 5]

The After Wife by Melanie Summers is a full length, stand alone novel. This is a new to me author and oh boy I'm so glad I gave this book a try.
The After Wive is an emotional read, - have tissues at hand and consider you warned, I had more than one ugly cry.
Meet Abby Carson. She's a 39 year old widow who's still grieving the loss of her beloved husband. To top it off she has to move - so why not start over. She moves from Manhattan to a village in Canada, new scenery, new people, new house, new everything. But she's still the same woman.
Then she meets Liam Wright, a single dad and contractor. Liam also had to endure a lot, sorry not sorry - no spoilers here. Only so much, karma is no friend of his. The story is a slow burn, raw and gritty. I was captivated from the start and I read the whole book, cover to cover in one sitting, I couldn't put it down.
Reading about Abby and Liam's fate was absolutely heart wrenching, gutting. I connected with the characters and I could feel all their emotions in the words, their devastation, their love, their heartbreak.
The writing is more than excellent and the storyline is exquisite.
The After Wife is a book that stays with you. I read it a bit ago and the story and the characters are still in my head. They stubbornly stay, and I like it.
The After Wife is one of the few books that had an impact on me. I highly recommend the book, 5+ Stars.

[Ashley Rifendifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best romance book I've ever read. I liked it because it was more of an imperfect love story which made it more realistic. It seemed like a story about real people (not typically romanticized characters who you would never find in real life) and it wasn't a picture perfect story either. The only thing I wished were different is more insight into the dynamic between the 2 focal characters because I felt like I didn't truly see what their relationship became. If you're looking for a non-cheesy romance book I definitely recommend.

[Sharon Hopper · Rating 2 out of 5]

What?

Well, I really didn’t like the main character all that much. She was actually a bit of a b****. There is a fine line in writing a woman who is tough and in your face without resorting to meanness. I did like that the story wasn’t sappy and Abigail’s relationship with Olive. I felt manipulated at the end of the story and didn’t care for that at all. Walt Whitman, the cat, was my favorite character. All in all, quite a depressing read.

[Tracce D'Inchiostro blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5

Due anime spezzate, ognuna con il dolore di una perdita insanabile da affrontare. Abby è una scrittrice di successo che decide di lasciare New York per trasferirsi in una cittadina canadese. Il suo obiettivo è la solitudine e l'isolamento, ma ben presto dovrà fare i conti con gli abitanti del luogo e una casa fatiscente da ristrutturare. In questa occasione conosce Liam, un tuttofare che si propone di aiutarla. Lui è un uomo affabile, ma allo stesso tempo schivo, padre di una meravigliosa bambina di otto anni che cresce da solo. Il rapporto tra i due è sin da subito amichevole e particolare, senza mai però che si valichino certi confini. In fondo il dolore e i sensi di colpa non si diradirano con facilità, e questo è un qualcosa che, per motivi diversi, accomuna entrambi.
La vicinanza di Liam e Olive riportano Abby a ricominciare a scrivere e a mettere al loro posto tanti pezzi della sua vita: lei inizierà a porsi domande sulle sue scelte, sul rapporto col marito, sulla sua famiglia e sui suoi desideri. Imparerà a conoscere una se stessa inedita e inaspettata, spontanea, che cerca di essere più onesta e smette di trincerarsi dietro muri di bugie a cui si convince di credere cecamente per non fare soffrire chi ha attorno. E quando i sentimenti non potranno più essere nascosti e ignorati una notizia inaspettata potrebbe distruggere ancora una volta l'equilibrio faticosamente raggiunto.
Devo dire che è il primo romanzo che leggo di questa autrice e mi ha lasciato piacevolmente sorpresa. È una lettura molto profonda che parla di lutto e perdita, di difficoltà da superare, di cadute, ma di quella forza necessaria a farci risalire la china e a vivere un giorno alla volta.
È una storia di amicizia e sostegno reciproco, di dolcezza vista dagli occhi di una bambina unica nella sua diversità ed eccentricità (in modo positivo), nella sua fantasia e voglia di credere in ciò che la fa stare bene. È una storia di coraggio e bilanci, che fa riflettere e porre domande. Ci sono le incomprensioni e i rapporti da ricostruire, c'è il mettersi nei panni dell'altro e il capirsi con uno sguardo.
Ho apprezzato molto i protagonisti, anche quelli secondari che danno vivacità alla trama. La rendono più leggera e movimentata, a tratti anche divertente. Lo stile e i capitoli sono molto scorrevoli: è un romanzo che ho divorato.
Piccolo neo, insignificante a mio avviso, è il finale. Mi spiego meglio: lo trovo molto adatto a tutta la costruzione delle vicende e alle scelte dei personaggi; è solo che mi sarei aspettata qualcosa di meno nebuloso e più definito. Ripeto è una giusta conclusione, ma mi sarebbe piaciuto avere una certezza sulla fine della storia. Questo comunque non inficia assolutamente le sensazioni positive che mi ha lasciato.

Lo consiglio a:
A chi ama le storie emozionanti, fatte di lotta, di risalite, di sopravvivenza e speranza. Storie di tenacia e seconde occasioni, di un amore che viene descritto sotto diversi punti di vista.

[Jan McClung · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book of a "love story" that I have read in years. I started reading that genre in my late teens to late 20's. The books became all the same no matter the author or what publishers put out the book. I am 66 years old and this book caught my attention because it was about those who lost their first spouse and whether to reach out willing to be hurt again by opening your heart to love. It sounded different because getting over grieving is difficult and can't be predicted.

Abigail Carson is forced to leave her funky grieving when she is forced to sell her house and leave Manhattan New York. She can no longer afford her Co OP after her husband dies. She doesn't want to move near her family in Portland. She needs to blaze her own trail...not be her mother. On a whim of faded memories, she buys a cottage on the coast of Canada in the town called South Haven. She believes she can fade away and maybe resume her romance author writing career. The small town will give her a way to hide from her memories. It is hard to write about love when you have lost your way during your spouses death.

Liam Wright gets the job of remodeling the cottage that she had been bought sight unseen. He also lost his wife and baby son and is left with a young daughter. Abby believes she has it easier in mourning only her husband. Liam has to fake strength because he has a daughter. Liam and Abby seem to barely be able to stand each other. They have been hiding their hurts behind blunt humor and lies...they begin to melt the ice around each other's hearts. Forced to see the reality of their existence behind hurts and lies. No rose colored glasses allowed!

This author tells a tale that causes you to laugh and cry. I related to their hurts. I read this book all night. I couldn't stop crying. My life will not forget this story...the characters...little Olive, Liam's seven year old daughter is the one who will break your heart. She needs a mother but has a wonderful father, but no friends, no close relatives. The town won't settle for just letting Abby waste away in her grief. Everyone wants to hear her story. Everyone knows her business. If your heart is covered in ice and hurts, read this book. It's like Psalms and heals the brokenhearted. It renews my faith in people.

[Dana K · Rating 3 out of 5]

{3.5 stars}

The After Wife is the story of Abby, a recently widowed writer who is forced into making a new start when she can't afford her apartment following her husband's death. She takes a giant leap and moves to a fixer upper in a small town in Canada. She wants to be left alone in her grief and find her way back to her writing. The nosy neighbors in the town have other ideas, they embrace her right away and practically force her to immerse herself in their attentions. In a familiar trope, she is thrown together with a handsome contractor while he is fixing her house and she begins to wonder if her life is over after all.

Abby’s journey reminds me in a lot of ways of Mel’s in Virgin River. The town is full of lovely people, the love interest becomes a friend first, there is a lot of focus on grief and finding a path forward after loss. There were times where I was annoyed with Abby’s behavior but I understand the need for the arc in her behavior. There is a twist at the end that I didn’t expect so while the book sounds like it follows a pretty popular trope, it just may surprise you.

Thanks to Netgalley for advanced access to this novel and apologies it took me so long to get to it! All opinions above are my own.

[Opinioni Librose · Rating 5 out of 5]

CONTINUA: https://www.opinionilibrose.it/2021/0...
Cari lettori, ho letto per voi in anteprima “La persona che resta” di Melanie Summers, pubblicato in Italia da Darcy Edizioni. È uno di quei libri cui si stenta ad avvicinarsi a causa del tema, ma che nascondono sempre una grande forza e molte sorprese.

Abigail, la protagonista, è una donna rimasta vedova. La perdita dell’amato marito l’ha praticamente distrutta, svuotata di ogni voglia di vivere. Non riesce a trovare conforto neppure nel lavoro che tanto ama. Abigail è infatti una scrittrice affermata, che dopo la scomparsa del marito non è riuscita più a buttare giù nemmeno una parola. Tutto viene stravolto ancora una volta, quando decide di lasciare Manhattan e trasferirsi in una piccola cittadina canadese. Intraprenderà un viaggio non solo sulle lunghe strade che la porteranno in una nuova casa, ma neanche nelle vie nascoste dello spirito dove riscoprirà sé stessa e la vita.

[Amy Ingalls · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh out loud, then got me all choked up. I fell in love with this little family, cat and all. I loved that it was as much about Abby finding herself as it was about her finding love.

[Leggere Romanticamente · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stelline

Recensione sul blog qui --> https://www.leggereromanticamente.com...