What do you think?
Rate this book
Even After Everything
Dani and Ashley, two childhood best friends, are inseparable–until life pulls them apart.
The pair are devastated when Dani’s family moves across the world, leaving Ashley to navigate middle school–and every challenge that comes with it–on her own. Distance and time threaten to unravel what they’ve held so tightly to. Still, new traditions, long distance phone calls, and shared grief keep them tethered–even when growing up begins to blur the past and fray the edges of what they once were.
As they grow into adulthood, their love for one another is tested by more than just distance. Beginning at their tender heartache in middle school and spanning into the raw grief of adult life, this novel is a moving portrait of friendship, trauma, and the ways we carry one another.
Can their friendship endure–even after everything tempts them to give up?
The pair are devastated when Dani’s family moves across the world, leaving Ashley to navigate middle school–and every challenge that comes with it–on her own. Distance and time threaten to unravel what they’ve held so tightly to. Still, new traditions, long distance phone calls, and shared grief keep them tethered–even when growing up begins to blur the past and fray the edges of what they once were.
As they grow into adulthood, their love for one another is tested by more than just distance. Beginning at their tender heartache in middle school and spanning into the raw grief of adult life, this novel is a moving portrait of friendship, trauma, and the ways we carry one another.
Can their friendship endure–even after everything tempts them to give up?
- GenresRomance
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2025
5 people are currently reading
183 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 11, 2025
This book delivers a highly intense, profoundly moving, and deeply sentimental exploration of friendship—specifically, the unbreakable bond between Ashley and Dani. From the moment they meet as children, the two seem like inseparable twins of the soul, despite coming from dramatically different worlds.
Ashley grows up in what feels like a picture-perfect, Hallmark-worthy middle-class family—a warm, supportive household with loving parents who are still hopelessly in love with each other, unafraid to show it, and a younger brother, Sam, who adores his big sister’s best friend so much that he follows them around like a puppy. It’s the kind of family that laughs together at dinner, celebrates birthdays with too much cake, and comforts each other during rough days.
Dani’s family couldn’t be more different. They’re wealthy, polished, and always hosting elegant soirées to climb higher in the social and business elite. Her parents love status and opportunity more than they seem to love slowing down to spend time with their daughters. For Dani, Ashley’s home feels like the definition of a “real” family—the kind she longs for but doesn’t have.
When Dani’s parents decide to open a luxury resort in the Bahamas and move away from Michigan, both girls are heartbroken. They’ve spent every day together for years, sharing secrets, sleepovers, and summers that felt endless. Even as middle schoolers, their friendship feels like a lifeline.
You might expect long distance to weaken their bond, but it doesn’t—not even a little. The phone calls, visits, and constant sharing of their lives keep the thread between them alive. Over the years, they endure separations, reconciliations, and life-changing tragedies that repeatedly test their friendship. This isn’t just a story about two girls—it’s about the way love, grief, betrayal, and forgiveness shape us as we grow. Could they survive the heartbreaks, the secrets, the lies, the unimaginable losses, and still call each other “best friend” at the end of it all?
What makes this story remarkable is its unflinching honesty. The author doesn’t shy away from showing the darker, messier side of life: death, grief, parental neglect, abortion, underage drinking, sex, trauma, rape, PTSD—it’s all here, handled with a rawness that feels true rather than exploitative.
The characters themselves are flawed, complicated, and achingly real. Dani, in particular, is fascinating: from the outside, she seems like she has it all—beauty, charm, intelligence, wealth, even an inheritance of a luxury hotel empire at a young age. Yet beneath the gloss, she’s lonely, aching for connection, and often makes reckless, selfish decisions that sometimes made me want to shake her. She lives like a princess in a castle but longs for the warmth of Ashley’s kitchen table.
Ashley, on the other hand, emerges as the more grounded and engaging character. She shoulders enormous responsibilities—helping her grieving mother, caring for her hormonal younger brother, processing her own losses—while facing the guilt and pain of a friendship strained by distance, tragedy, and adulthood’s brutal realities.
The book unfolds chronologically, mapping the evolution of their friendship from childhood innocence to the heavy burdens of growing up. The short, tightly written chapters keep the pacing sharp and addictive—you’ll be hooked from the very first scene of a young girl protesting her best friend’s move to the Bahamas all the way to the bittersweet, heartwarming conclusion.
But here’s where I had one reservation: the entire story focuses heavily on their teenage years and early twenties, packing an almost overwhelming number of tragedies into such a short time frame. Some of Dani’s decisions, especially regarding consent and relationships, left me unsettled—not because they weren’t realistic, but because I wished the story had given these characters more time to process, evolve, and mature. Similarly, Ashley faces life-altering decisions at an age when most of us were still figuring out who we were.
I kept wishing for a sequel—or at least a continuation that followed these women into their thirties, forties, even fifties, letting us see how time, marriage, children, and middle-aged crises would shape and perhaps soften them. Instead, the book compresses grief, betrayal, love, and forgiveness into a tight span of years, giving us reactions rather than long-term growth.
Still, despite this, the novel is a stunning debut—bold, unflinching, and emotionally resonant. The honesty, the flawed humanity of the characters, and the exploration of friendship’s resilience outweigh any minor pacing issues. This is a story that lingers in your mind long after you close the book, and I can’t wait to see what this author creates next.🤓📚
medium blog
instagram
facebook
twitter
Ashley grows up in what feels like a picture-perfect, Hallmark-worthy middle-class family—a warm, supportive household with loving parents who are still hopelessly in love with each other, unafraid to show it, and a younger brother, Sam, who adores his big sister’s best friend so much that he follows them around like a puppy. It’s the kind of family that laughs together at dinner, celebrates birthdays with too much cake, and comforts each other during rough days.
Dani’s family couldn’t be more different. They’re wealthy, polished, and always hosting elegant soirées to climb higher in the social and business elite. Her parents love status and opportunity more than they seem to love slowing down to spend time with their daughters. For Dani, Ashley’s home feels like the definition of a “real” family—the kind she longs for but doesn’t have.
When Dani’s parents decide to open a luxury resort in the Bahamas and move away from Michigan, both girls are heartbroken. They’ve spent every day together for years, sharing secrets, sleepovers, and summers that felt endless. Even as middle schoolers, their friendship feels like a lifeline.
You might expect long distance to weaken their bond, but it doesn’t—not even a little. The phone calls, visits, and constant sharing of their lives keep the thread between them alive. Over the years, they endure separations, reconciliations, and life-changing tragedies that repeatedly test their friendship. This isn’t just a story about two girls—it’s about the way love, grief, betrayal, and forgiveness shape us as we grow. Could they survive the heartbreaks, the secrets, the lies, the unimaginable losses, and still call each other “best friend” at the end of it all?
What makes this story remarkable is its unflinching honesty. The author doesn’t shy away from showing the darker, messier side of life: death, grief, parental neglect, abortion, underage drinking, sex, trauma, rape, PTSD—it’s all here, handled with a rawness that feels true rather than exploitative.
The characters themselves are flawed, complicated, and achingly real. Dani, in particular, is fascinating: from the outside, she seems like she has it all—beauty, charm, intelligence, wealth, even an inheritance of a luxury hotel empire at a young age. Yet beneath the gloss, she’s lonely, aching for connection, and often makes reckless, selfish decisions that sometimes made me want to shake her. She lives like a princess in a castle but longs for the warmth of Ashley’s kitchen table.
Ashley, on the other hand, emerges as the more grounded and engaging character. She shoulders enormous responsibilities—helping her grieving mother, caring for her hormonal younger brother, processing her own losses—while facing the guilt and pain of a friendship strained by distance, tragedy, and adulthood’s brutal realities.
The book unfolds chronologically, mapping the evolution of their friendship from childhood innocence to the heavy burdens of growing up. The short, tightly written chapters keep the pacing sharp and addictive—you’ll be hooked from the very first scene of a young girl protesting her best friend’s move to the Bahamas all the way to the bittersweet, heartwarming conclusion.
But here’s where I had one reservation: the entire story focuses heavily on their teenage years and early twenties, packing an almost overwhelming number of tragedies into such a short time frame. Some of Dani’s decisions, especially regarding consent and relationships, left me unsettled—not because they weren’t realistic, but because I wished the story had given these characters more time to process, evolve, and mature. Similarly, Ashley faces life-altering decisions at an age when most of us were still figuring out who we were.
I kept wishing for a sequel—or at least a continuation that followed these women into their thirties, forties, even fifties, letting us see how time, marriage, children, and middle-aged crises would shape and perhaps soften them. Instead, the book compresses grief, betrayal, love, and forgiveness into a tight span of years, giving us reactions rather than long-term growth.
Still, despite this, the novel is a stunning debut—bold, unflinching, and emotionally resonant. The honesty, the flawed humanity of the characters, and the exploration of friendship’s resilience outweigh any minor pacing issues. This is a story that lingers in your mind long after you close the book, and I can’t wait to see what this author creates next.🤓📚
medium blog
August 4, 2025
I devoured this book in a single day. ❤️ From the very beginning, it pulled me in and didn’t let go. It was one of those books where I couldn’t wait to find out where all the characters would end up, but I also never wanted it to end.
The writing is honest, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. It brought me right back to my own middle school years—those awkward, uncertain times filled with quiet insecurities and a constant search for approval from peers. As the girls grew, I could imagine my younger self growing with them.
What struck me most was how much this story made me think. The characters felt incredibly authentic and were people I would want to know in real life. It’s one of those reads that lingers long after you finish. Incredibly proud of this new author and her book debut! Can’t wait to read what Danielle Collins crafts next.
The writing is honest, heartfelt, and deeply relatable. It brought me right back to my own middle school years—those awkward, uncertain times filled with quiet insecurities and a constant search for approval from peers. As the girls grew, I could imagine my younger self growing with them.
What struck me most was how much this story made me think. The characters felt incredibly authentic and were people I would want to know in real life. It’s one of those reads that lingers long after you finish. Incredibly proud of this new author and her book debut! Can’t wait to read what Danielle Collins crafts next.
August 24, 2025
Wow! I loved riding along with these two BFFs. Such a touching story that had me in all the feels. Fantastic debut novel from Danielle Collins I can’t wait to see what’s next from her!
October 11, 2025
Loving each other through life's ups and downs; true definition of friendship ❤️
September 20, 2025
I absolutely love this book,it is truly a story for all ages and it held my interest throughout. I recommend it for anyone who loves a great story.
August 6, 2025
a great read
Even after Everything is a tribute to friendship and the love and heartache that makes it so amazing. A story that brings laughter, tears and reflection on relationships past and present.
Even after Everything is a tribute to friendship and the love and heartache that makes it so amazing. A story that brings laughter, tears and reflection on relationships past and present.
November 18, 2025
I didn’t want it to end!
A great story about female friendship throughout the years! Beautifully written, by a beautiful author! Can’t wait for Danielle’s next book!
A great story about female friendship throughout the years! Beautifully written, by a beautiful author! Can’t wait for Danielle’s next book!
September 1, 2025
Loved it!
I was hooked and read it in a day! Loved the characters and their friendship. Can’t wait for the next Danielle Collins book!
I was hooked and read it in a day! Loved the characters and their friendship. Can’t wait for the next Danielle Collins book!
August 3, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A story that lingers long after the last page.
“Even After Everything” isn’t just a coming-of-age story – it’s a mirror held up to what it really means to grow up too fast, to carry grief that feels too heavy for your years, and to cling to friendship as the only thing keeping you from drowning.
Danielle Collins writes with a rare kind of honesty – the kind that makes you remember your own first heartbreak, the first time the world showed its cruelty, the first moment you realized childhood doesn’t last forever. This book doesn’t shy away from the hard truths: the loss of a father, the shattering impact of violence, the way tragedy steals innocence and time.
But at its heart, this is a story about two friends fighting for each other when the world keeps trying to tear them apart. It’s messy, it’s beautiful, it’s devastating – and it will stay with you long after you finish.
If you’ve ever loved someone so fiercely that no distance, no trauma, no heartbreak could break that bond… this book will find you.
November 27, 2025
Wow!!
First off, I’m so impressed with Danielle’s writing on her debut novel. She definitely has the gift for telling a very readable story. I never lost interest. There were sections of the story where I couldn’t put the book down.
Ashley and Dani seem like very real people, which helped me to become more invested in their relationship as well as their personal struggles. Their friendship is so normal. Danielle really nailed how a relationship that begins in youth transcends time and space and evolves.
I also really cared about her supporting characters, especially Sam. Ashley’s mom struck a nerve as well. Her grieving process was something that I could relate to. Dominic was not a character that I enjoyed, but I don’t think the reader is supposed to like him.
The plot was creative. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me interested. I also enjoyed the non-linear timeline.
I would, and hopefully will, read another book written by this author. I believe as her writing career grows she will only get better.
First off, I’m so impressed with Danielle’s writing on her debut novel. She definitely has the gift for telling a very readable story. I never lost interest. There were sections of the story where I couldn’t put the book down.
Ashley and Dani seem like very real people, which helped me to become more invested in their relationship as well as their personal struggles. Their friendship is so normal. Danielle really nailed how a relationship that begins in youth transcends time and space and evolves.
I also really cared about her supporting characters, especially Sam. Ashley’s mom struck a nerve as well. Her grieving process was something that I could relate to. Dominic was not a character that I enjoyed, but I don’t think the reader is supposed to like him.
The plot was creative. There were plenty of twists and turns that kept me interested. I also enjoyed the non-linear timeline.
I would, and hopefully will, read another book written by this author. I believe as her writing career grows she will only get better.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews