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After Life
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Expected 30 Dec 25"After Life is a masterful tale about a family coping with loss, showing the way grief affects us and people we don't even know in ways we don't see. Once I met Amber and her family, I didn't want to let them go." -—Brigid Kemmerer, New York Times bestselling author of Carving Shadows into Stone
"Forman is a master at making her readers fall in love—with a girl whose life is over, with a community of people in a small town who are barely surviving her loss, and with the incredible, surprising way everyone's stories knit together into a heartbreaking and hopeful whole." —E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars and Genuine Fraud
One spring afternoon after school, Amber arrives home on her bike. It’s just another perfectly normal day. But when Amber’s mom sees her, she screams.
Because Amber died seven years ago, hit by a car while on the very same bicycle she’s inexplicably riding now.
This return doesn’t only impact Amber. Her sister, Melissa, now seven years older, must be a new kind of sibling to Amber. Amber’s estranged parents are battling over her. And the changes ripple farther and farther Amber’s friends, boyfriend, and even people she met only once have been deeply affected by her life and death. In the midst of everyone’s turmoil, Amber is struggling with herself. What kind of person was she? How and why was she given this second chance?
This magnificent tour de force by acclaimed author Gayle Forman brilliantly explores the porous veil between life and death, examines the impact that one person can have on the world, and celebrates life in all its beautiful complexity.
"Forman is a master at making her readers fall in love—with a girl whose life is over, with a community of people in a small town who are barely surviving her loss, and with the incredible, surprising way everyone's stories knit together into a heartbreaking and hopeful whole." —E. Lockhart, author of We Were Liars and Genuine Fraud
One spring afternoon after school, Amber arrives home on her bike. It’s just another perfectly normal day. But when Amber’s mom sees her, she screams.
Because Amber died seven years ago, hit by a car while on the very same bicycle she’s inexplicably riding now.
This return doesn’t only impact Amber. Her sister, Melissa, now seven years older, must be a new kind of sibling to Amber. Amber’s estranged parents are battling over her. And the changes ripple farther and farther Amber’s friends, boyfriend, and even people she met only once have been deeply affected by her life and death. In the midst of everyone’s turmoil, Amber is struggling with herself. What kind of person was she? How and why was she given this second chance?
This magnificent tour de force by acclaimed author Gayle Forman brilliantly explores the porous veil between life and death, examines the impact that one person can have on the world, and celebrates life in all its beautiful complexity.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 7, 2025
521 people are currently reading
15708 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Forman
31 books25.1k followersAward-winning author and journalist Gayle Forman has written several bestselling novels for young adults, including the Just One Series, I Was Here, Where She Went and the #1 New York Times bestseller If I Stay, which has been translated into more than 40 languages and in 2014 was adapted into a major motion picture.
Gayle published Leave Me, her first novel starring adults in 2016 and her latest novel, I Have Lost My Way, comes out in March of 2018.
Gayle lives with her husband and daughters in Brooklyn.
Gayle published Leave Me, her first novel starring adults in 2016 and her latest novel, I Have Lost My Way, comes out in March of 2018.
Gayle lives with her husband and daughters in Brooklyn.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 882 reviews
June 19, 2024
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.
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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.
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dnf
December 2, 2024DNF - 30%. I wanted to read this for old times' sake, but it just proved I've outgrown this type of YA novel.
January 12, 2025
It's been a while since I've read a Gayle Forman book and I think that this was one a good lesson in grief, but I struggled with some of the character dynamics.
What Worked: This was definitely an intriguing read where readers meet a main character who is supposedly back from the dead and is clueless about her death. Obviously, her interactions with her family don't go too well. Forman is gifted in writing about death and grief and After Life is no different. She carefully and thoughtfully illustrated how both of these things impact individuals. How it can draw people closer to things like faith or tear them away from relationships. It also has this "everything impacts everything" feel to it that serves as the basis for a lot of my own personal beliefs. I also appreciated that there was an acknowledgment of how death is perceived culturally. It changes how we interact with loved ones who have made their final transition.
What Didn't Work: I wish that Amber wasn't so obsessed with connecting with her boyfriend, but it makes sense that she would search for him considering she doesn't remember dying. There was also a weird situation with a friend that I didn't see coming and I didn't like it. It was horrible and she remained a self-righteous character that I just couldn't see myself rooting for in the end.
Overall, this was a solid read. I think it was definitely written in a way that I've known Gayle Forman to tackle tough topics.
What Worked: This was definitely an intriguing read where readers meet a main character who is supposedly back from the dead and is clueless about her death. Obviously, her interactions with her family don't go too well. Forman is gifted in writing about death and grief and After Life is no different. She carefully and thoughtfully illustrated how both of these things impact individuals. How it can draw people closer to things like faith or tear them away from relationships. It also has this "everything impacts everything" feel to it that serves as the basis for a lot of my own personal beliefs. I also appreciated that there was an acknowledgment of how death is perceived culturally. It changes how we interact with loved ones who have made their final transition.
What Didn't Work: I wish that Amber wasn't so obsessed with connecting with her boyfriend, but it makes sense that she would search for him considering she doesn't remember dying. There was also a weird situation with a friend that I didn't see coming and I didn't like it. It was horrible and she remained a self-righteous character that I just couldn't see myself rooting for in the end.
Overall, this was a solid read. I think it was definitely written in a way that I've known Gayle Forman to tackle tough topics.
May 27, 2025
♡ good idea.. great idea even, but bad execution ♡
2.5/5 rounded up⭐️
the blurb of the book was very enticing. i found myself thinking about this book for weeks before finally reading it.. a family navigating the challenges of their presumably dead daughter returning?? the concept had so much potential!! but the story felt very rushed and i would’ve liked more insight on amber’s life before death to get the full impact.
📖 pace: more of a slower burn, there aren’t many twists but the book definitely makes you reflect on your own life. i did find myself a bit uninterested at some times. this is a shorter read though, perfect for a short trip or lazy day!!
👥 characters: i LOVED Melissa, she seems like such a sweet soul.. i HATED the boyfriend (Calvin) and the “best friend” Casey.. not only were the characters undeveloped but they also came off as awful people in this story. they honestly feel like supervillains.
🤩 tropes: resurrection, small town secrets, family bonds, sisterhood
overall, i wish there was more depth and emotional layering (because there were SO MANY opportunities for such), especially concerning the characters. it was really hard to like some of them when we meet them through the lens of after amber’s death. i love the idea of this book and the tinge of mystery!
2.5/5 rounded up⭐️
the blurb of the book was very enticing. i found myself thinking about this book for weeks before finally reading it.. a family navigating the challenges of their presumably dead daughter returning?? the concept had so much potential!! but the story felt very rushed and i would’ve liked more insight on amber’s life before death to get the full impact.
📖 pace: more of a slower burn, there aren’t many twists but the book definitely makes you reflect on your own life. i did find myself a bit uninterested at some times. this is a shorter read though, perfect for a short trip or lazy day!!
👥 characters: i LOVED Melissa, she seems like such a sweet soul.. i HATED the boyfriend (Calvin) and the “best friend” Casey.. not only were the characters undeveloped but they also came off as awful people in this story. they honestly feel like supervillains.
🤩 tropes: resurrection, small town secrets, family bonds, sisterhood
overall, i wish there was more depth and emotional layering (because there were SO MANY opportunities for such), especially concerning the characters. it was really hard to like some of them when we meet them through the lens of after amber’s death. i love the idea of this book and the tinge of mystery!
August 24, 2024
** I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher, because I am a librarian and librarians are awesome **
Hello again, Goodreads. I'm still catching up on my vacation read reports.
I'm a bit torn about this one, because I've traditionally had all the hearts for Gayle Forman (If I Stay! The sobbing!). I don't know if it's because I'm picking this up as a Firmly Middle Aged Person, or if teen lit has changed that much in the past 15ish years but...this kind of felt like reading a book written in 2010. Or reading a Jodi Picoult book. Neither of which I have a problem with, but either books have become more progressive or my reading tastes have, and I am just not up for a book where .
IDK I just feel like the whole book is Heterocentric White Girl Problems and Sex Makes Bad Things Happen and maybe I'm not as okay with that being fed to teens as I used to be. But also I probably would have eaten this up when I was 15?
Also be prepared for a story where Wrongs are Righted and Everyone Learns Something In the End.
Hello again, Goodreads. I'm still catching up on my vacation read reports.
I'm a bit torn about this one, because I've traditionally had all the hearts for Gayle Forman (If I Stay! The sobbing!). I don't know if it's because I'm picking this up as a Firmly Middle Aged Person, or if teen lit has changed that much in the past 15ish years but...this kind of felt like reading a book written in 2010. Or reading a Jodi Picoult book. Neither of which I have a problem with, but either books have become more progressive or my reading tastes have, and I am just not up for a book where .
IDK I just feel like the whole book is Heterocentric White Girl Problems and Sex Makes Bad Things Happen and maybe I'm not as okay with that being fed to teens as I used to be. But also I probably would have eaten this up when I was 15?
Also be prepared for a story where Wrongs are Righted and Everyone Learns Something In the End.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2025
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 the revelation that
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 situation interesting.
Then, I found out what she did to Dina in the process of friend-ditching her. . Was Amber brain dead long before she died? Assuming this book takes place in the present, did Forman think Amber wouldn't have internet for easy information retrieval back in the 20-teens? Was she actually a complete monster, while the book continued to paint her as 'mid but growing'?
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 is her One True Love. Of course 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.)
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.
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.
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 the revelation that
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 situation interesting.
Then, I found out what she did to Dina in the process of friend-ditching her. . Was Amber brain dead long before she died? Assuming this book takes place in the present, did Forman think Amber wouldn't have internet for easy information retrieval back in the 20-teens? Was she actually a complete monster, while the book continued to paint her as 'mid but growing'?
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 is her One True Love. Of course 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.)
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.
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.
February 8, 2025
I was completely captivated by this YA book. It was a really quick, and emotional read with a touch of magic! It was really interesting reading from each different character about how Amber's death affected them. This is a story about grief, and how you manage to move on after such great losses. I definitely teared up a few times thinking about people I've lost in my life. A very thought provoking read.
Thank you @booksparks and the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!!
Thank you @booksparks and the publisher for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own!!
February 26, 2025
TITLE: After Life
AUTHOR: Gayle Forman
PUB DATE: 01.07.2025
I absolutely love the premise of After Life by Gayle Forman about a young woman named Amber given a second chance, when she comes back home alive to her family seven years later after having died. It is a compelling and heart wrenching story about grief and loss, and the way our lives are affected. I loved learning about Amber, her family, and beyond through the different point of view and timeline - the way the story unfolded was beautiful and sheer perfection. I could read this book over and over again. Fantastic!
AUTHOR: Gayle Forman
PUB DATE: 01.07.2025
I absolutely love the premise of After Life by Gayle Forman about a young woman named Amber given a second chance, when she comes back home alive to her family seven years later after having died. It is a compelling and heart wrenching story about grief and loss, and the way our lives are affected. I loved learning about Amber, her family, and beyond through the different point of view and timeline - the way the story unfolded was beautiful and sheer perfection. I could read this book over and over again. Fantastic!
February 6, 2025
DNF after Amber sees her boyfriend for the first time after her death. Dude does not question, just yeets himself over a counter and tries to get straight into her pants.
It’s been Seven Years…..
He’s in his mid twenties….
She has not aged…….
Bro sees his dead high school girlfriend and his first thought is smash.
It’s been Seven Years…..
He’s in his mid twenties….
She has not aged…….
Bro sees his dead high school girlfriend and his first thought is smash.
October 14, 2025
2.5 stars
Not sure why I felt so compelled to pick up this book up after swearing not to read any more novels by this author 7 years ago. My opinion remains the same. This story is too sentimental to be actually good, and this sentimentality was especially hard because it was aimed towards people I actively disliked. A quick read though.
Not sure why I felt so compelled to pick up this book up after swearing not to read any more novels by this author 7 years ago. My opinion remains the same. This story is too sentimental to be actually good, and this sentimentality was especially hard because it was aimed towards people I actively disliked. A quick read though.
April 2, 2025
I LOVE Gayle Forman and she created something truly unique and special with After Life. I seem to be reading a lot of rather emotional books lately and this was another that definitely pulled at my heartstrings. Amber’s death destroyed her parent’s marriage, and this story takes a good long hard look at grief and how it effects people differently. There is also the mystery of who actually killed Amber in the first place, since her death was a hit and run.
I relished the way Forman blended different viewpoints with different timelines and built such a short book (only 261 pages) into such a thought-provoking and complex read. The audiobook is the perfect accompaniment to the book and I enjoyed listening to Gail Shalan, Jade Wheeler & Andrew J. Andersen tremendously. I actually had to listen to a couple of sections more than once when I got to the end because I wanted to make sure I fully understood what had happened and 💔 This was a sad, but healing story all at the same time and I loved every short minute of it.
Read this if you are looking for a touch of magic, an exploration of loss and grief, and a side of picking up the pieces after tragedy.
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I relished the way Forman blended different viewpoints with different timelines and built such a short book (only 261 pages) into such a thought-provoking and complex read. The audiobook is the perfect accompaniment to the book and I enjoyed listening to Gail Shalan, Jade Wheeler & Andrew J. Andersen tremendously. I actually had to listen to a couple of sections more than once when I got to the end because I wanted to make sure I fully understood what had happened and 💔 This was a sad, but healing story all at the same time and I loved every short minute of it.
Read this if you are looking for a touch of magic, an exploration of loss and grief, and a side of picking up the pieces after tragedy.
Audiobook Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
February 6, 2025
|1.5 Stars|261 Pages|Ages 14+|YA|
I genuinly hope after life is not like this.
Sadly, this book did not live up to the stunning cover. I am so let down because the premise and cover were both AMAZING. I had no clue how everything was going to add up, but I knew that the concept of the book was so cool. Girl who died 7 years ago is suddenly alive again? Let's freaking go! But the execution of the book was what ruined the book. I think that I'm just not a fan of Gayle Forman, because this is the 2nd book of hers that I've read all the way through (I've dnfed two) and I've struggled with the same things both time-that dang execution.
My first issue with the execution and writing. Why the hell in every one of her books are the teenagers so sex driven? Your telling me this girl has been dead for 7 years and the first thing she does is go, see her bf, strip in front of him, and ask him why he won't have sex with you? So sorry, that should've been WAY further in the book, not 56 pages in. Homegirl spends .00001 seconds wondering why she's alive again but wastes no time wondering when she can go find and bang her boyfriend. So happy to see that she's got her priorities straight.
Second, there was so much name dropping it put Onyx Storm to total shame. Between the POV swaps and not explaining who everyone was, I felt too confused to even be able to take the book in and really think about anything. Rather, I was trying to figure out why I was in a 17 year old girls head at one moment but a 60+ year old mans the next. But we don't exactly know how these character's lives over lap or why they matter until THE VERY END! And I get it, it was supposed to be a beautiful circle of life or something, but there should have been more context rather than a random chapter about a character and their tragic backstory, without it applying to the real plot of the book.
My final issue was the overall writing of the book. The tone didn't match with what was being said most of the time, and it threw the whole vibe off. I'm just very disapointed in the book overall, but at least it had a cute cover! ToT
"'Tell him what?'
'That I forever love him.'"
I genuinly hope after life is not like this.
Sadly, this book did not live up to the stunning cover. I am so let down because the premise and cover were both AMAZING. I had no clue how everything was going to add up, but I knew that the concept of the book was so cool. Girl who died 7 years ago is suddenly alive again? Let's freaking go! But the execution of the book was what ruined the book. I think that I'm just not a fan of Gayle Forman, because this is the 2nd book of hers that I've read all the way through (I've dnfed two) and I've struggled with the same things both time-that dang execution.
My first issue with the execution and writing. Why the hell in every one of her books are the teenagers so sex driven? Your telling me this girl has been dead for 7 years and the first thing she does is go, see her bf, strip in front of him, and ask him why he won't have sex with you? So sorry, that should've been WAY further in the book, not 56 pages in. Homegirl spends .00001 seconds wondering why she's alive again but wastes no time wondering when she can go find and bang her boyfriend. So happy to see that she's got her priorities straight.
"Life is what's happening while your busy making other plans."
Second, there was so much name dropping it put Onyx Storm to total shame. Between the POV swaps and not explaining who everyone was, I felt too confused to even be able to take the book in and really think about anything. Rather, I was trying to figure out why I was in a 17 year old girls head at one moment but a 60+ year old mans the next. But we don't exactly know how these character's lives over lap or why they matter until THE VERY END! And I get it, it was supposed to be a beautiful circle of life or something, but there should have been more context rather than a random chapter about a character and their tragic backstory, without it applying to the real plot of the book.
My final issue was the overall writing of the book. The tone didn't match with what was being said most of the time, and it threw the whole vibe off. I'm just very disapointed in the book overall, but at least it had a cute cover! ToT
"My Miracle"
April 20, 2025
4,5☆
Literally sobbed while finishing this book 😭 I loved the mix of magical realism and contemporary themes. The way this was written was also very interesting, and I loved getting glimpses into the lives of multiple people around Amber in multiple timelines.
Literally sobbed while finishing this book 😭 I loved the mix of magical realism and contemporary themes. The way this was written was also very interesting, and I loved getting glimpses into the lives of multiple people around Amber in multiple timelines.
March 5, 2025
I‘m crying while I’m typing this review and honestly I’m so speechless rn.
This book touched my heart and soul in a way that no one would understand. I’m a person ( and also a Christian ) that believes that our dead loved ones always surround us and that they send us signs.
That’s why this one is my favorite quote of the book :
"If you pay attention, you can see that miracles are everywhere. In a sunrise. In a bicycle accidentally locked to another. In the way that memory and love and belief can keep a person around long after they’re gone."
NO ONE TALK TO ME RN.
I have to say that it took me some time to understand the book fully since SO MUCH happened at the ending but woah.
I love the message, I love the forgiveness and I love how love conquers death in this book.
My soul is healing. ❤️🩹
What an amazing book.
This book touched my heart and soul in a way that no one would understand. I’m a person ( and also a Christian ) that believes that our dead loved ones always surround us and that they send us signs.
That’s why this one is my favorite quote of the book :
"If you pay attention, you can see that miracles are everywhere. In a sunrise. In a bicycle accidentally locked to another. In the way that memory and love and belief can keep a person around long after they’re gone."
NO ONE TALK TO ME RN.
I have to say that it took me some time to understand the book fully since SO MUCH happened at the ending but woah.
I love the message, I love the forgiveness and I love how love conquers death in this book.
My soul is healing. ❤️🩹
What an amazing book.
November 5, 2024
I received an ARC of this book so i could consider adding it my library's collection and I'm glad I did. Gayle Forman's After Life is a fast paced, thought provoking read about relationships, grief, and memory. The characters were interesting and believable, and the multiple storylines wove together seamlessly. I'm definitely adding this to my library's collection and will recommend it to patrons who are looking for books about family and grief and as well as teens looking for quick, contemporary reads but are open to a little magical realism.
January 23, 2025
An interesting YA novel about a high school student who dies in a hit and run accident.
November 1, 2025
This was basically a sweet story about grief. It wasn’t amazing but it wasn’t terrible! I thought the characters and plot were good but it def could have been better!
January 4, 2025
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!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
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!
Review first posted on Lisa Loves Literature.
February 23, 2025
Ughghghghg.
I don't know how I feel about this.
Gayle Forman was the queen of a certain type of sentimental contemporary YA novel back in 2009 with 'If I Stay' - about a young woman who survives as her family die in a car accident, and as she's hanging on suspended in the after-life of a coma her boyfriend gradually pulls an 'Orpheus and Eurydice' and pulls her back to the land of the living with his music and love ... a few years later, John Green really perfected this recipe with the release of 'The Fault in Our Stars' in 2012 and it always felt a *little* bit like Forman got pipped at the post, considering how mega huge and heartbreaking her original heartbreak YA had been (just a shame that the movie adaptation in 2014 starring Chloë Grace Moretz was a pretty big flop and painfully underwhelming in every way - and released the same year as Green's far superior 'The Fault in Our Stars' movie adaptation too.)
Forman really excelled at this kind of storytelling - heartbreak 'all the feels' YA contemporary romance (also with the 'Before Sunrise'-esque 2013 series 'Just One Day') ... but she never quite got back to the heights of 'If I Stay' fame even though I think some of her later books are just as (if not more) brilliant (her adult fare, 'Leave Me' was superb, in my opinion).
So 'After Life' kinda feels like she's trying to recapture her 2009 fame with this overly-sentimental and somewhat underwhelming novel about a girl coming back from the dead, and featuring vignettes of all the lives she touched in life, and even more in death. Honestly, it's giving move 'Crash' 2004 movie that I do not think was the intended vibe ...
Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for sentiment, but this felt to me very dated and painfully twee at a time when I feel like YA is craving more complexity.
I don't know how I feel about this.
Gayle Forman was the queen of a certain type of sentimental contemporary YA novel back in 2009 with 'If I Stay' - about a young woman who survives as her family die in a car accident, and as she's hanging on suspended in the after-life of a coma her boyfriend gradually pulls an 'Orpheus and Eurydice' and pulls her back to the land of the living with his music and love ... a few years later, John Green really perfected this recipe with the release of 'The Fault in Our Stars' in 2012 and it always felt a *little* bit like Forman got pipped at the post, considering how mega huge and heartbreaking her original heartbreak YA had been (just a shame that the movie adaptation in 2014 starring Chloë Grace Moretz was a pretty big flop and painfully underwhelming in every way - and released the same year as Green's far superior 'The Fault in Our Stars' movie adaptation too.)
Forman really excelled at this kind of storytelling - heartbreak 'all the feels' YA contemporary romance (also with the 'Before Sunrise'-esque 2013 series 'Just One Day') ... but she never quite got back to the heights of 'If I Stay' fame even though I think some of her later books are just as (if not more) brilliant (her adult fare, 'Leave Me' was superb, in my opinion).
So 'After Life' kinda feels like she's trying to recapture her 2009 fame with this overly-sentimental and somewhat underwhelming novel about a girl coming back from the dead, and featuring vignettes of all the lives she touched in life, and even more in death. Honestly, it's giving move 'Crash' 2004 movie that I do not think was the intended vibe ...
Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for sentiment, but this felt to me very dated and painfully twee at a time when I feel like YA is craving more complexity.
December 19, 2024
I loved this one and I am over here sobbing. This book is about a seventeen year old who died and comes home 7 years later. Her mom of course screams when she sees her. Amber has no idea that she died seven years ago. Her little sister is now almost her age. Amber gets to see the changes that happened to people because of her death. But while bad things obviously happened after she died, good things have come about too. We see the ripple effect of her life and death. Amber sees that she was not always the nicest friend and sister. She thinks her life and death did not matter but we get to see other people's perspectives and how their life changed for the better because of her life and death. I enjoyed the book so much. Beautiful things can come out of tragedies. The chapters are short so it is a quick read. I thought I had things figured out but I did not. Gayle Forman mentions at the end that in Judaism when a person dies they will say "May their memory be a blessing."
I want to add that Amber dies while being hit by a car while riding her bike. I had a death in the family the same way and I certainly thought about that while reading. But the memories are definitely a blessing.
-Suddenly, coming back from the dead doesn't seem like a miracle so much as a curse. Because dead people don't have to see how much destruction they left in their wake. And me, I've got quite a body count going.
-Was Virginia Woolf right? You have to subtract something to add something?
I want to add that Amber dies while being hit by a car while riding her bike. I had a death in the family the same way and I certainly thought about that while reading. But the memories are definitely a blessing.
-Suddenly, coming back from the dead doesn't seem like a miracle so much as a curse. Because dead people don't have to see how much destruction they left in their wake. And me, I've got quite a body count going.
-Was Virginia Woolf right? You have to subtract something to add something?
January 15, 2025
Going in, I was anticipating this to be like Forman's older stuff. Which was kinda correct, as this could totally have been written in 2010.
My biggest gripes with this book were:
- the huge guy/tiny girl trope
- the reunion scene between amber and calvin, and the author trying to tell us she's actually 24, when she's undoubtedly still 17
- how forgiving everyone was
My biggest gripes with this book were:
- the huge guy/tiny girl trope
- the reunion scene between amber and calvin, and the author trying to tell us she's actually 24, when she's undoubtedly still 17
- how forgiving everyone was
April 28, 2025
“somewhere out there is life, starting and ending and ending and starting. melissa was right. life. death. we don’t know. we can never know. we can just have faith.” 5 ⭐️ i’m sobbing so hard because this book was so beautiful i love reading about perspectives of death and afterlife and this was just both sweet and bittersweet to read about and i loved it so much 🥹
June 4, 2025
I enjoyed AFTER LIFE much more than I expected. Filled with flawed characters Gayle Forman gripped me from the first page and I’m still thinking about the story hours after finishing.
January 6, 2025
Pensive, poignant, and incredibly heart-tugging!
𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 is a tragic, beautiful, moving novel that takes you into the lives of the Crane family, whose worlds are irrevocably changed and once again turned upside down when the family member who was taken from them in a fatal accident seven years ago suddenly reappears.
The prose is eloquent and intense. The characters, including all the supporting characters, are complex, conflicted, and wounded. And the plot, told from multiple perspectives, is a sobering, emotional tale of life, love, loss, family, friendship, grief, guilt, acceptance, self-preservation, and faith.
Overall, 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 is another compelling, touching, reflective tale by Forman that does a remarkable job of highlighting humanity's weaknesses and emotional fragility while also reminding us that we have the power to keep those we lose alive through our thoughts, memories and enduring love.
𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 is a tragic, beautiful, moving novel that takes you into the lives of the Crane family, whose worlds are irrevocably changed and once again turned upside down when the family member who was taken from them in a fatal accident seven years ago suddenly reappears.
The prose is eloquent and intense. The characters, including all the supporting characters, are complex, conflicted, and wounded. And the plot, told from multiple perspectives, is a sobering, emotional tale of life, love, loss, family, friendship, grief, guilt, acceptance, self-preservation, and faith.
Overall, 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐋𝐈𝐅𝐄 is another compelling, touching, reflective tale by Forman that does a remarkable job of highlighting humanity's weaknesses and emotional fragility while also reminding us that we have the power to keep those we lose alive through our thoughts, memories and enduring love.
June 9, 2025
It was a nice heartwarming read about grief, family and learning about our mistakes. It has one of favorite sibling relationships I read in a while, I hope Melissa gets her own book one day.
December 30, 2024
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!
GR SYNOPSIS: One spring afternoon after school, Amber arrives home on her bike. It’s just another perfectly normal day. But when Amber’s mom sees her, she screams. Because Amber died 7 years ago, hit by a car while on the very same bicycle she’s inexplicably riding now. This return doesn’t only impact Amber. Her sister, Melissa, now seven years older, must be a new kind of sibling to Amber. Amber’s estranged parents are battling over her. And the changes ripple farther and farther Amber’s friends, boyfriend, and even people she met only once have been deeply affected by her life and death. In the midst of everyone’s turmoil, Amber is struggling with herself. What kind of person was she? How and why was she given this second chance?
This magnificent tour de force by acclaimed author Gayle Forman brilliantly explores the porous veil between life and death, examines the impact that one person can have on the world, and celebrates life in all its beautiful complexity.
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.
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!
GR SYNOPSIS: One spring afternoon after school, Amber arrives home on her bike. It’s just another perfectly normal day. But when Amber’s mom sees her, she screams. Because Amber died 7 years ago, hit by a car while on the very same bicycle she’s inexplicably riding now. This return doesn’t only impact Amber. Her sister, Melissa, now seven years older, must be a new kind of sibling to Amber. Amber’s estranged parents are battling over her. And the changes ripple farther and farther Amber’s friends, boyfriend, and even people she met only once have been deeply affected by her life and death. In the midst of everyone’s turmoil, Amber is struggling with herself. What kind of person was she? How and why was she given this second chance?
This magnificent tour de force by acclaimed author Gayle Forman brilliantly explores the porous veil between life and death, examines the impact that one person can have on the world, and celebrates life in all its beautiful complexity.
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.
January 13, 2025
4.5*
I flew through After Life, needing to know how things were going to work out, because I cared so very deeply for the characters. Obviously, this is incredibly emotionally provocative and thought provoking. I mean, what the heck would you do if someone you loved and missed dearly came back? And on the flip side, what the heck would you do if it was you coming back? There is a bit of a spiritual tone to this one, too. A bit religious, but not preachy- more of a "having faith" discussion, which I really welcomed as I was (am) dealing with a lot of my own questions on the subject.
The story obviously deals with a lot of sadness and grief, but there is such a hopeful undertone to the story. I loved the connections the book makes too, which sounds vague and that is because I mean it to sound vague. Just read the thing if you want to know, I promise you won't regret doing so! This is such a lovely story about family and grief and trying to pick up the pieces after the unimaginable. Just beautiful.
Bottom Line: This one got me right in the feels as only Ms. Forman can. I found the whole thing to be both heartbreaking and wonderfully hopeful.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
I flew through After Life, needing to know how things were going to work out, because I cared so very deeply for the characters. Obviously, this is incredibly emotionally provocative and thought provoking. I mean, what the heck would you do if someone you loved and missed dearly came back? And on the flip side, what the heck would you do if it was you coming back? There is a bit of a spiritual tone to this one, too. A bit religious, but not preachy- more of a "having faith" discussion, which I really welcomed as I was (am) dealing with a lot of my own questions on the subject.
The story obviously deals with a lot of sadness and grief, but there is such a hopeful undertone to the story. I loved the connections the book makes too, which sounds vague and that is because I mean it to sound vague. Just read the thing if you want to know, I promise you won't regret doing so! This is such a lovely story about family and grief and trying to pick up the pieces after the unimaginable. Just beautiful.
Bottom Line: This one got me right in the feels as only Ms. Forman can. I found the whole thing to be both heartbreaking and wonderfully hopeful.
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
January 23, 2025
Amber Crane had her whole life in front of her. It was a gorgeous day right before her graduation and she was enjoying a bike ride down the hill to her house. All that changed in a split second when she got into a biking accident that killed her. Time passes and then one day, seven years later, she shows up at her house. Her mother can't believe it (and is in shock - do you blame her?) and her sister, now much older, can't quite believe she is "home" as well. Things are different though. Her mother seems different, her parents' relationship isn't the same, Missy isn't the same either (she has blue hair!), and what happened to her boyfriend with whom she shared so many plans? Amber tries to figure out what brought her here and has come to realize how her death has impacted the people around her; even people she never met. After Life by Gayle Forman has her signature emotional style that will have readers flipping the pages to find out what happened to Amber and why she is back.
Read the rest of my thoughts here:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
Read the rest of my thoughts here:
http://www.confessionsofabookaddict.c...
February 3, 2025
I am speechless. My eyes are still wet. I just finished the book. It was perfect in all of the ways. The story, the way it was told. I loved it so much.
I will surely re-read this book and this time I'll take notes of the quotes I loved along the way. This book was so good. I have to thank Adam Silvera for sharing a story about it on Instagram, that's how I knew about that book. Looks like I have another Gayle Forman book in my all time favourites.
I will surely re-read this book and this time I'll take notes of the quotes I loved along the way. This book was so good. I have to thank Adam Silvera for sharing a story about it on Instagram, that's how I knew about that book. Looks like I have another Gayle Forman book in my all time favourites.
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