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Taylor After Normal
Taylor Gair lives and breathes lacrosse.
He's always dreamed of going pro, and after the death of his best friend, he has poured himself into the game with steadfast dedication. As far as he's concerned, nothing will deter him from achieving his goal. Not the concussion he suffered last year, and certainly not his mom's announcement that things are getting serious with her boyfriend.
But as the new season starts, Taylor finds himself wrestling with fatigue and other symptoms that are becoming harder to ignore.
Facing an uncertain future, Taylor finds himself confronting his beliefs, the anger that's blinded him for years, and the relationships he stands to lose.
He's always dreamed of going pro, and after the death of his best friend, he has poured himself into the game with steadfast dedication. As far as he's concerned, nothing will deter him from achieving his goal. Not the concussion he suffered last year, and certainly not his mom's announcement that things are getting serious with her boyfriend.
But as the new season starts, Taylor finds himself wrestling with fatigue and other symptoms that are becoming harder to ignore.
Facing an uncertain future, Taylor finds himself confronting his beliefs, the anger that's blinded him for years, and the relationships he stands to lose.
306 pages, Paperback
Published January 31, 2025
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 3, 2025
Taylor After Normal by Emma Katherine Le Mere
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Healthy. The word is etched into my brain like a foreign language I can’t quite grasp. I used to be healthy.”
I knew this book back when it was just an idea! I have seen TAN at its rawest and truest form. I have helped brainstorm, I have been a line editor (unofficially), and I have been a beta reader. I have seen scenes be changed, or cut all together. This book is so much more than just a book; it is a multiverse with the amount of work and layers it has to it. So, when Emma asked me to help format her debut, you better believe I was thrilled to have another piece of my soul tied to such a masterpiece. I have known Emma as far back as the start of my teens, and believe me, sometimes that feels like a lifetime ago. Watching her grow up has been so surreal, and I am thankful to have a friend that has lasted such a long time to see me at that point in my life as well. We are both so different now…but are we really?
Taylor After Normal starts out with the best quote that you will find throughout the entire novel. I first read it in recovery from COVID. I was one of the individuals to get really sick from the pandemic. I may not be a diagnosed chronic, but fluctuating and living with a shot immune system for more than four years has given me a bout of sympathy for the chronically ill community that I did not have before. It is a very touching opening line, and I think anyone and everyone will find something that relates to them within it, which is what makes it so touching.
Now, for the actual review now that my spiel is out of the way, haha.
Taylor After Normal is about a young guy named Taylor Gair. Taylor is a lacrosse player (Teen Wolf Era baby!), Swiftie (As is the writer if you cannot tell. Fun fact, I am not a Swifty originally, but Style was, and still is, my favorite song. Emma included it as the first track mentioned on page just for me! I love her for that.), searching Christian, and yep, chronically ill.
“Healthy.
That word sometimes feels like a deep longing, reminiscent of what used to be, out of touch and distant, referencing a time before the pills and the tests and endless appointments. A time when I could play the most aggressive lacrosse game and still have more to give, before I had to be carried to my car by someone I swore I would always hate. Funny how things change. Funny how I’ve changed.”
The illness started out slowly, showing up in the form of headaches, fainting spells, and exhaustion. Not soon after, Taylor is diagnosed with POTS. Cutoes to the author for doing her research and being very informative on the subject.
“It became harder and harder to try to ignore what was going on with me. I struggled to hide it while practicing, even though I desperately wanted to.”
Taylor eventually loses his place as team captain due to his condition. He loses a spot on the team, period. Between that and his mom’s new boyfriend, who comes with emotionally challenging baggage in the form of an autistic son, Taylor’s world is crumbling around him faster then he can handle. Nothing is the same. Nothing is the way it should be. Nothing is normal. And it never will be again. Taylor is consumed by his anger, by the unfairness of a disorder forced upon him. I understood him in that regard. To be controlled by something out of your control is the most challenging thing I think I will ever have faced in my lifetime. But who am I to make a claim like that anyway? The question is, can Taylor find a way to have a new normal, or is his life over before it even begins? Can he find a way to grow as a human?
This was a harder book to digest because of the topics covered, especially if you have experienced some of this stuff first hand, but a great read none-the-less. The words make you think, and they stay with you long after you have indulged them.
Peace was my FAVORITE character in this world! If you want to join a petition, message me. Maybe if I get enough signatures, Emma will include a special little scene I asked for in the back of the hardback she plans on releasing at some point in the near future… *hint hint, wink wink* It’s a fantastic scene! And if she refuses *mock mad face* I will write it myself and sell it for a killing. I kid, I kid. Or do I? Anyway, not relevant. Peace is so adorable it pains me. His smile could probably melt most girls to the floor, and if it doesn’t, his personality totally does. Peace is the equivalent of a human teddy bear! His nickname for Eames? Elite! Also, the scene at the end of the book where he says he is going to go to technical school? *squeals* I love him so much. There were not nearly enough scenes involving him, and I am forever going to be begging Emma for him to have his own book.
“Peace attempted to give a toast but had apparently forgotten to write it down so it was a little all over the place, though it still had a lot of heart. That’s the way most things were with Peace.”
My second favorite character would have to be Daisy. She’s outrageously talented! I know she is probably average by service dog standards, but it was still a cool niche detail to experience on paper.
Side note involving the book itself/the preorder gift: The physical copy turned out so pretty!! A lot of tears, sweat, and sleepless nights when into the creation, both on my side as well as the author’s. It did not come out completely in line with the original idea, but it is perfect in its own right. I can’t wait to get my copy! The preorder incentive was equally as stunning; it is an art print of Taylor, Eames, and Peace-making friendship bracelets. The little details are on point, fantastic, and really bring life to the whole image! I will treasure mine forever.
This was a fantastic debut for a new and upcoming indie author. I look forward to seeing what she cooks up next!
Good job, Emma. Good job.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Healthy. The word is etched into my brain like a foreign language I can’t quite grasp. I used to be healthy.”
I knew this book back when it was just an idea! I have seen TAN at its rawest and truest form. I have helped brainstorm, I have been a line editor (unofficially), and I have been a beta reader. I have seen scenes be changed, or cut all together. This book is so much more than just a book; it is a multiverse with the amount of work and layers it has to it. So, when Emma asked me to help format her debut, you better believe I was thrilled to have another piece of my soul tied to such a masterpiece. I have known Emma as far back as the start of my teens, and believe me, sometimes that feels like a lifetime ago. Watching her grow up has been so surreal, and I am thankful to have a friend that has lasted such a long time to see me at that point in my life as well. We are both so different now…but are we really?
Taylor After Normal starts out with the best quote that you will find throughout the entire novel. I first read it in recovery from COVID. I was one of the individuals to get really sick from the pandemic. I may not be a diagnosed chronic, but fluctuating and living with a shot immune system for more than four years has given me a bout of sympathy for the chronically ill community that I did not have before. It is a very touching opening line, and I think anyone and everyone will find something that relates to them within it, which is what makes it so touching.
Now, for the actual review now that my spiel is out of the way, haha.
Taylor After Normal is about a young guy named Taylor Gair. Taylor is a lacrosse player (Teen Wolf Era baby!), Swiftie (As is the writer if you cannot tell. Fun fact, I am not a Swifty originally, but Style was, and still is, my favorite song. Emma included it as the first track mentioned on page just for me! I love her for that.), searching Christian, and yep, chronically ill.
“Healthy.
That word sometimes feels like a deep longing, reminiscent of what used to be, out of touch and distant, referencing a time before the pills and the tests and endless appointments. A time when I could play the most aggressive lacrosse game and still have more to give, before I had to be carried to my car by someone I swore I would always hate. Funny how things change. Funny how I’ve changed.”
The illness started out slowly, showing up in the form of headaches, fainting spells, and exhaustion. Not soon after, Taylor is diagnosed with POTS. Cutoes to the author for doing her research and being very informative on the subject.
“It became harder and harder to try to ignore what was going on with me. I struggled to hide it while practicing, even though I desperately wanted to.”
Taylor eventually loses his place as team captain due to his condition. He loses a spot on the team, period. Between that and his mom’s new boyfriend, who comes with emotionally challenging baggage in the form of an autistic son, Taylor’s world is crumbling around him faster then he can handle. Nothing is the same. Nothing is the way it should be. Nothing is normal. And it never will be again. Taylor is consumed by his anger, by the unfairness of a disorder forced upon him. I understood him in that regard. To be controlled by something out of your control is the most challenging thing I think I will ever have faced in my lifetime. But who am I to make a claim like that anyway? The question is, can Taylor find a way to have a new normal, or is his life over before it even begins? Can he find a way to grow as a human?
This was a harder book to digest because of the topics covered, especially if you have experienced some of this stuff first hand, but a great read none-the-less. The words make you think, and they stay with you long after you have indulged them.
Peace was my FAVORITE character in this world! If you want to join a petition, message me. Maybe if I get enough signatures, Emma will include a special little scene I asked for in the back of the hardback she plans on releasing at some point in the near future… *hint hint, wink wink* It’s a fantastic scene! And if she refuses *mock mad face* I will write it myself and sell it for a killing. I kid, I kid. Or do I? Anyway, not relevant. Peace is so adorable it pains me. His smile could probably melt most girls to the floor, and if it doesn’t, his personality totally does. Peace is the equivalent of a human teddy bear! His nickname for Eames? Elite! Also, the scene at the end of the book where he says he is going to go to technical school? *squeals* I love him so much. There were not nearly enough scenes involving him, and I am forever going to be begging Emma for him to have his own book.
“Peace attempted to give a toast but had apparently forgotten to write it down so it was a little all over the place, though it still had a lot of heart. That’s the way most things were with Peace.”
My second favorite character would have to be Daisy. She’s outrageously talented! I know she is probably average by service dog standards, but it was still a cool niche detail to experience on paper.
Side note involving the book itself/the preorder gift: The physical copy turned out so pretty!! A lot of tears, sweat, and sleepless nights when into the creation, both on my side as well as the author’s. It did not come out completely in line with the original idea, but it is perfect in its own right. I can’t wait to get my copy! The preorder incentive was equally as stunning; it is an art print of Taylor, Eames, and Peace-making friendship bracelets. The little details are on point, fantastic, and really bring life to the whole image! I will treasure mine forever.
This was a fantastic debut for a new and upcoming indie author. I look forward to seeing what she cooks up next!
Good job, Emma. Good job.
February 1, 2025
Okay go ahead and rip my heart out.
I think i cried for about 80% of this book. I just want to give Taylor a hug.
God this book hurt so much and in all the right ways. And the character growth of Taylor was just beautiful.
Seriously! This is a must read!
I think i cried for about 80% of this book. I just want to give Taylor a hug.
God this book hurt so much and in all the right ways. And the character growth of Taylor was just beautiful.
Seriously! This is a must read!
June 24, 2025
First I wanted to say how absolutely amazing this story is! I would recommend this to a teen for sure and the journey Taylor goes through. It was emotional and beautifully written. I’ve been wanted to read this for a while and I’m so glad I did. Taylor is a boy on the lacrosse team that post concussion has some issues going on. We see him navigate that with mom dating, grieving a friend, learning to forgive the bully that hurt his friend before her death and playing lacrosse while sick. My best friend has pots so I understand it fully. I was so ecstatic to see such great representation of pots and in a more for lack of better term kid friendly way. It’s hard to understand but the author does a wonderful job taking us through the emotions and the journey with Taylor. Also eames having autism was special
To me as a mom with children that have autism. It was the perfect addition so great job! I can’t recommend it enough and I’m so in love with it!! I hope everyone reads this and just loves Emma and her writing as much as I do!!!
To me as a mom with children that have autism. It was the perfect addition so great job! I can’t recommend it enough and I’m so in love with it!! I hope everyone reads this and just loves Emma and her writing as much as I do!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2025
Taylor was looking forward to earning an athletic scholarship for college. He was the lacrosse team captain and a stellar student and player, until he found himself struggling to keep up. He actually fainted, but didn't tell anyone. Finally he could no longer keep his symptoms hidden from his coach, or his mom. Trips to the doctor finally lead to a diagnosis that changed his whole life. The author manages to weave in many other interesting threads, dealing with his mom's love interest, autism, ADHD, the death of his best friend and more. She did a good job of putting a light on learning to live with chronic disease, without sugar coating it. As a first time author, Emma gets an "atta girl" from this fellow author!
November 10, 2025
Great book. characters were very relatable.
March 13, 2025
Peace.
That is the only word that I have for you. He is the most relatable guy ever and takes on the role of humorous third wheel that we all know and love. The author's affection for this character shines through really well, and it is great to see a character that brings humor and warmth to the table in a book that has some heavier themes. Styles vibes anyone? 😁
Emma Katherine really captured the relatability of Taylor’s experience—the anger, the loss, and the search for a new normal. It was a hard read, and at times I found myself in tears. The author really takes you on an emotional rollercoaster with this book, and I am looking forward to reading more from her. I have a feeling that Taylor After Normal is just the beginning for Emma Katherine Le Mere!
That is the only word that I have for you. He is the most relatable guy ever and takes on the role of humorous third wheel that we all know and love. The author's affection for this character shines through really well, and it is great to see a character that brings humor and warmth to the table in a book that has some heavier themes. Styles vibes anyone? 😁
Emma Katherine really captured the relatability of Taylor’s experience—the anger, the loss, and the search for a new normal. It was a hard read, and at times I found myself in tears. The author really takes you on an emotional rollercoaster with this book, and I am looking forward to reading more from her. I have a feeling that Taylor After Normal is just the beginning for Emma Katherine Le Mere!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews