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After Home
With a friend like Felicia, Beth should have known she was never really going to settle into the quiet life of a widow. But now, five years after her husband's death, she's managed to make a simple life for herself, despite problems with her teenage daughter. However, things in the small-town community Beth thought would be a sleepy haven for her are about to get a lot more interesting.
227 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2013
289 people are currently reading
368 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 26, 2022
This was a slow pace book for me. It would have definitively taken me longer to finish it if I wasn't under a deadline. This is a book about a woman Beth who found and married the love of her life early. Unfortunately, it ends early as well. Beth is now trying to navigate a new life that she didn't plan with the lost of her husband. Change is constant and death is certain but it can throw a curve ball into your life when it's unexpected. Everyone has expectations of how people should act after a death especially how a spouse and mother should be.
This is a deep book but it was enough to keep me interested. And though I didn't really connect with Beth I did connect with the idea (that seems like the wrong word to use) with losing a love one before you think you're ready. Like when you in your 70s you're still no ready but you may not be thrown for such a loop, you know. The ending was the same ol' but I wasn't made at it. All in all a decent read with a subject matter that I don't read often.
This is a deep book but it was enough to keep me interested. And though I didn't really connect with Beth I did connect with the idea (that seems like the wrong word to use) with losing a love one before you think you're ready. Like when you in your 70s you're still no ready but you may not be thrown for such a loop, you know. The ending was the same ol' but I wasn't made at it. All in all a decent read with a subject matter that I don't read often.
February 11, 2022
A good family story
This story is heartwarming as well as a true depiction of what mothers and children deal with when going through the “growing up” process. From Ireland to the U.S., this’s a family that’s gone through loss and coming back together again.
This story is heartwarming as well as a true depiction of what mothers and children deal with when going through the “growing up” process. From Ireland to the U.S., this’s a family that’s gone through loss and coming back together again.
October 12, 2016
Loved It
Relationships - mothers, daughters, sons ,lovers, and friends - intertwined in a small town as healing and wholeness work in two women, a divorcee and a widow.
Relationships - mothers, daughters, sons ,lovers, and friends - intertwined in a small town as healing and wholeness work in two women, a divorcee and a widow.
August 17, 2021
A family's life is turned upside down due to the untimely death of the husband/father. The story is about everyone accepting change and going forward, however that looks for each individual.
There are a few places where the story almost becomes sappy but then evens out.
I did find the personality of the main character to be tiresome, after awhile. Beth overthinks, second guesses, and analyzes everything, looks, comments, anything. I wanted to say "settle yourself down, already."
It is not an intense book full of wisdom but the reader gets the gist of surface emotions and pain, change, acceptance, love. But nothing is explored deeply. The novel is a lighter read, mostly predictable.
I give it three stars because it did hold my attention. It is not great but good enough to recommend it if you want a quick read.
There are a few places where the story almost becomes sappy but then evens out.
I did find the personality of the main character to be tiresome, after awhile. Beth overthinks, second guesses, and analyzes everything, looks, comments, anything. I wanted to say "settle yourself down, already."
It is not an intense book full of wisdom but the reader gets the gist of surface emotions and pain, change, acceptance, love. But nothing is explored deeply. The novel is a lighter read, mostly predictable.
I give it three stars because it did hold my attention. It is not great but good enough to recommend it if you want a quick read.
April 3, 2020
Beautifully done
One woman's fight to find her identity after losing the love of her life. The difficulty of trying to be her authentic self while trying to remain the mother her children expected her to be. The fight to establish a home away from the man who was the embodiment of home to her. The courage to face an uncertain future having experienced an almost perfect past. The stamina to push against the very ones who should have been cheering her on. The ability to grab her second chance at happiness with grace...this is what I found happening in this book and I must say it was beautifully done.
One woman's fight to find her identity after losing the love of her life. The difficulty of trying to be her authentic self while trying to remain the mother her children expected her to be. The fight to establish a home away from the man who was the embodiment of home to her. The courage to face an uncertain future having experienced an almost perfect past. The stamina to push against the very ones who should have been cheering her on. The ability to grab her second chance at happiness with grace...this is what I found happening in this book and I must say it was beautifully done.
June 28, 2019
Letting love in again
This story was well written and the characters stood on their own. I could relate to Beth as a widow and to her again when she found love when she was least expecting it. The camaraderie between Beth and her best friend was special and the adult children’s thoughts and actions were true to form. It was a pleasure to see the growth between the children and the love grow between the widow and divorcee. I highly recommend this family and feelings story.
This story was well written and the characters stood on their own. I could relate to Beth as a widow and to her again when she found love when she was least expecting it. The camaraderie between Beth and her best friend was special and the adult children’s thoughts and actions were true to form. It was a pleasure to see the growth between the children and the love grow between the widow and divorcee. I highly recommend this family and feelings story.
August 4, 2017
Good book but started off very slow!
I enjoyed the storyline. Started off so slow I almost closed it. Once I got into the story it picked up but still doesn't move very fast. Just need to adjust to the way the author tells her story.
I enjoyed the storyline. Started off so slow I almost closed it. Once I got into the story it picked up but still doesn't move very fast. Just need to adjust to the way the author tells her story.
April 18, 2018
Eh. I started out liking this book, but as it progressed, the writing became sloppier. I found the use of mild profanities annoying. A woman calling her knitting club friends (all older women) bitches? Who talks like that? Didn’t find that realistic. Predictable ending, totally cliché.
July 23, 2018
Droll
I am positive the author invested blood, sweat and tears in this novel, but not my cup of tea. So slow moving and boring. I closed up at chapter 6. Nothing happening. Did not finish the book.
I am positive the author invested blood, sweat and tears in this novel, but not my cup of tea. So slow moving and boring. I closed up at chapter 6. Nothing happening. Did not finish the book.
April 27, 2020
Second Chances
Enjoyed all the characters as they played out. From young adult children, to middle age parents, to older adult women all melding together to make for an enjoyable read.
teen
Enjoyed all the characters as they played out. From young adult children, to middle age parents, to older adult women all melding together to make for an enjoyable read.
teen
August 9, 2022
Surprising
At the start of this book I was debating making it a DNF but I slowly got into it and throughly enjoyed all of Beth's ups and downs with her children. Plus the knitting group gave me a chuckle, the gossiping old ladies.
At the start of this book I was debating making it a DNF but I slowly got into it and throughly enjoyed all of Beth's ups and downs with her children. Plus the knitting group gave me a chuckle, the gossiping old ladies.
July 28, 2018
Very good
It has been quite a while since I have found a book to just enjoy. A little wordy but worth the time!
It has been quite a while since I have found a book to just enjoy. A little wordy but worth the time!
August 6, 2018
Just So So
I kept reading this book hoping it would finally come alive for me. Just did not want to give up, but expectations did not improve for me.
I kept reading this book hoping it would finally come alive for me. Just did not want to give up, but expectations did not improve for me.
October 29, 2018
Love within a family
Enjoyed reading this story of a family that survived death , relocation and new love. Very realistic and kept my interest right until the end!
Enjoyed reading this story of a family that survived death , relocation and new love. Very realistic and kept my interest right until the end!
June 26, 2019
Love this book could not stop reading it.
Great book here 😊😁👍
Loved it.just to short will read more
Store line was great loved the people too ❤️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Great book here 😊😁👍
Loved it.just to short will read more
Store line was great loved the people too ❤️♥️♥️♥️♥️
March 19, 2020
Loved this book! I believe this is what a lot of widowed or divorce people think and/or go thru with there children!
November 8, 2022
This started out really slow and I almost gave up on it without finishing. However I am glad I stuck with it. It won't be a book I remember years down the line, but it was a nice read.
November 3, 2016
11/2/16
October 16, 2016
Time to find your own happiness
All parents have to make decisions for their children and their self. To accept the fall out and results is the story. This book is as true to life as ever written.
All parents have to make decisions for their children and their self. To accept the fall out and results is the story. This book is as true to life as ever written.
March 18, 2017
Don't know why I read the whole thing, except I am on vacation with very little reading material available. A widowed woman of 5 years goes through ridiculous angst about getting back into life and dating, worrying about the reactions of her grown children, who treat her like crap.
January 9, 2017
This is an interesting book, and there were some things that I really liked and other things that seemed somewhat 'cheesy' to me. The plot with adults dating after losing a spouse to death or divorce is very familiar in this day and age, and the strong reactions of teenagers or grown children to their parents wanting to spend time with other adults in a dating relationship is also common. I think what bothered me the most about the book and what made it less enjoyable to me was its predictability. The happily ever after for all the characters in the story just didn't seem realistic to me. I also didn't get the feeling that I really got to know Beth, Wyatt, Felicia, Elsie, Finn, or Matt very well. Jennifer (aka Bubbly) was probably the best developed character. Here is a quote from the book which I really did love and it just added a warm spot to the reading of the book.
"Beth paused and took in the fact that Elsie was actually listening for once. “Your dad made Ireland home for me. Jack was my home. As long as I could rest my head on his shoulder, I was home. But after he died, the question became, ‘What do you do after home? What do you do when that’s suddenly gone?’”
Crafton, Carrie (2013-11-20). After Home (p. 176). Carrie Crafton. Kindle Edition.
Of course, after going back and reading it once more, I realized that it was this quote that gave the book its name 'After Home', and I did contemplate the thought over for some time. I am sure that there are many men and women out there who think that same thought when they lose a loved one. What does one do when they are suddenly gone?
This is a good story which I am sure has been and will be enjoyed by many, and I am happy that I had the pleasure of reading it, and that one thought will keep the story in my memory. Thanks Carrie Crafton.
"Beth paused and took in the fact that Elsie was actually listening for once. “Your dad made Ireland home for me. Jack was my home. As long as I could rest my head on his shoulder, I was home. But after he died, the question became, ‘What do you do after home? What do you do when that’s suddenly gone?’”
Crafton, Carrie (2013-11-20). After Home (p. 176). Carrie Crafton. Kindle Edition.
Of course, after going back and reading it once more, I realized that it was this quote that gave the book its name 'After Home', and I did contemplate the thought over for some time. I am sure that there are many men and women out there who think that same thought when they lose a loved one. What does one do when they are suddenly gone?
This is a good story which I am sure has been and will be enjoyed by many, and I am happy that I had the pleasure of reading it, and that one thought will keep the story in my memory. Thanks Carrie Crafton.
February 11, 2017
Nice story about finding yourself after a major life change. A little slow at times, but enjoyable.
October 23, 2016
Life after a death in the family
This is a book about how a grieving woman eventually gets her life back on track. She even reconciles with her daughter who blames her for uprooting her and her brother after their father's death. It is the story of friendship and of making new friends.
This story was more of a 3.5 star read for me. I got kind of tired of the drama of the characters. After awhile it seemed like a bad soap opera. However, it ended on a good note which saved it in my opinion.
This is a book about how a grieving woman eventually gets her life back on track. She even reconciles with her daughter who blames her for uprooting her and her brother after their father's death. It is the story of friendship and of making new friends.
This story was more of a 3.5 star read for me. I got kind of tired of the drama of the characters. After awhile it seemed like a bad soap opera. However, it ended on a good note which saved it in my opinion.
October 12, 2016
One of the best stories I have ever read!
This story, with all the twists, turns, ups and downs, was a page turner for me. This story speaks of love, loss, forgiveness and best of all...hope! I love how Carrie Crafton intertwined the characters and their stories. I highly recommend this book!
This story, with all the twists, turns, ups and downs, was a page turner for me. This story speaks of love, loss, forgiveness and best of all...hope! I love how Carrie Crafton intertwined the characters and their stories. I highly recommend this book!
October 13, 2016
Something about a porch...
There's something about a book where the porch plays a prominent role. Porches like that symbolize warmth, friendship and family, and if those things are lacking, the porch will work it's charms. This book is no exception. A pleasant read, especially on a wonderful porch on earth summer days. The porch worked it's magic!
There's something about a book where the porch plays a prominent role. Porches like that symbolize warmth, friendship and family, and if those things are lacking, the porch will work it's charms. This book is no exception. A pleasant read, especially on a wonderful porch on earth summer days. The porch worked it's magic!
January 13, 2017
First three quarters of novel moved too slowly
The last quarter of the novel I finally found ground to finish. I almost threw the book away several times. I found Elsie a bit difficult to take at times. Actually, all the characters were flawed but in weird ways. I wanted everyone to grow up.
The last quarter of the novel I finally found ground to finish. I almost threw the book away several times. I found Elsie a bit difficult to take at times. Actually, all the characters were flawed but in weird ways. I wanted everyone to grow up.
November 4, 2016
I was disappointed in this book as it never went anywhere. The characters were flat and the story was insipid. I have a hard time giving up on a book once I've started it, but this was not a good choice for me.
December 12, 2016
Terrific adult characters
Beth is trying to make anew life as a widow in Michigan. She spent her married years in Ireland but, moved back to the States after her husband's death. She gets involved in her new home town and meets a man.
Beth is trying to make anew life as a widow in Michigan. She spent her married years in Ireland but, moved back to the States after her husband's death. She gets involved in her new home town and meets a man.
January 5, 2017
Better than I thought it was going to be after reading the first couple of chapters. I'm not usually into romance type books, but in this one the characters really developed well as the story went along. A pleasant surprise.
May 11, 2016
Nice but...
Nice people, setting and writing in general. I just got tired of everything being analyzed to death. It made me tired, and I stopped after a hundred pages. Sorry.
Nice people, setting and writing in general. I just got tired of everything being analyzed to death. It made me tired, and I stopped after a hundred pages. Sorry.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews