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Everything That Follows
Caught in the backwash, they have lost control of their lives... For fans of Megan Abbott and Chris Bohjalian comes a novel of moral complexity about friends who must choose between self–preservation and doing the right thing in the wake of a fatal boating accident. Set in the moody off–season of Martha's Vineyard, Everything That Follows is a plunge into the dark waters of secrets and flexible morals. The truth becomes whatever we say it is... Around midnight, three friends take their partying from bar to boat on a misty fall evening. Just as the weather deteriorates, one of them suddenly and confusingly goes overboard. Is it an accident? The result of an unwanted advance? His body disappears quickly, silently, into the dark water. The circumstances are murky, but what is clear is that the other two need to notify the authorities. Minutes become hours become days as they hesitate, caught up in their guilt and hope that their friend has somehow made it safely to shore. As valuable time passes, they find themselves deep in a moral morass with huge implications as they struggle to move forward and live with their dark secret.
384 pages, ebook
First published May 1, 2018
45 people are currently reading
1568 people want to read
About the author
Meg Little Reilly
4 books148 followersMeg Little Reilly is the author of the novels THE MISFORTUNES OF FAMILY, EVERYTHING THAT FOLLOWS, and WE ARE UNPREPARED. She is a writer at Bennington College, an essayist, public radio commentator, and outdoors enthusiast. Prior to writing novels, Meg worked in national politics and the White House. She holds a B.A. from the University of Vermont and an M.A. from the George Washington University. These days, she lives in rural Vermont with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
April 19, 2018
Everything That Follows was a pretty easy and quick read :).
Three friends Kat, Hunter, and Kyle are having a party at a bar and decide to take the party onto Hunter's boat. Unfortunately, Kyle falls overboard on this rainy night.... Where did his body go? Is it lost in the dark waters or did he somehow get himself to safety?
Kat and Hunter are struggling with the aftermath of figuring out what happened to Kyle on that rainy night. Or.. do they both really know and are struggling with their inner demons?
I was definitely hooked in the beginning to this one and it slowly went down hill from there. I felt a little annoyed by the constant theme of the book which was panic/paranoia. I don't do well with this in characters and sometimes I feel like authors have the entire book surrounded by this emotion. I think it unfortunately takes away from the actual plot.
I had some issues with the alternating perspectives in the novel as well. All of a sudden the author would switch to second person out of nowhere.. which drove me nuts!
I also felt the ending seemed a little bit too perfect for my liking... But, I'm glad I was able to experience a new author :).
Overall, 3 stars on this one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for the advanced arc.
Published to GR: 4/18/18
Publication date: 5/1/18
Three friends Kat, Hunter, and Kyle are having a party at a bar and decide to take the party onto Hunter's boat. Unfortunately, Kyle falls overboard on this rainy night.... Where did his body go? Is it lost in the dark waters or did he somehow get himself to safety?
Kat and Hunter are struggling with the aftermath of figuring out what happened to Kyle on that rainy night. Or.. do they both really know and are struggling with their inner demons?
I was definitely hooked in the beginning to this one and it slowly went down hill from there. I felt a little annoyed by the constant theme of the book which was panic/paranoia. I don't do well with this in characters and sometimes I feel like authors have the entire book surrounded by this emotion. I think it unfortunately takes away from the actual plot.
I had some issues with the alternating perspectives in the novel as well. All of a sudden the author would switch to second person out of nowhere.. which drove me nuts!
I also felt the ending seemed a little bit too perfect for my liking... But, I'm glad I was able to experience a new author :).
Overall, 3 stars on this one.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for the advanced arc.
Published to GR: 4/18/18
Publication date: 5/1/18
May 17, 2018
3.5 stars - rounding to 4.
I'm having a hard time putting this really in a thriller category. I think psychological suspense may work for this but for some reason I keep leaning more towards the contemporary side. One fatal accident and the decision to not call the authorities lead to disruptions in their relationships, work lives and within themselves.
This is a moderately paced book and the author does a fantastic job putting you into Kat's mind and she struggles with her conscious throughout. Kat and Hunter saw Kyle fall over the edge of the boat during a stormy night and did nothing. Sean, Kat's boyfriend, suspects something is going on with Kat and Hunter... after all there is a certain intimacy in sharing such a large secret. But not everything is as it seems. Keeping secrets, however, has a way of manifesting into every aspect of your life. Is there any way to get past this feeling? Paranoia sets in and now everyone is the enemy.
I really did enjoy the atmosphere of this book. I struggled with Kat and Hunter throughout their process. What I didn't quite understand was Ashley - I did enjoy her role in the book but felt towards the end it all was just a bit too... easy? If you've read the book then I think you'll know what I mean.
A character driven novel that focuses on the mental gymnastics that one tends to do when one lie piles on top of another. Suitable for those looking for a lighter "thriller". Two roads diverged... which path would you take?
Thank you to Mira for this copy in return for my honest opinion :)
I'm having a hard time putting this really in a thriller category. I think psychological suspense may work for this but for some reason I keep leaning more towards the contemporary side. One fatal accident and the decision to not call the authorities lead to disruptions in their relationships, work lives and within themselves.
This is a moderately paced book and the author does a fantastic job putting you into Kat's mind and she struggles with her conscious throughout. Kat and Hunter saw Kyle fall over the edge of the boat during a stormy night and did nothing. Sean, Kat's boyfriend, suspects something is going on with Kat and Hunter... after all there is a certain intimacy in sharing such a large secret. But not everything is as it seems. Keeping secrets, however, has a way of manifesting into every aspect of your life. Is there any way to get past this feeling? Paranoia sets in and now everyone is the enemy.
I really did enjoy the atmosphere of this book. I struggled with Kat and Hunter throughout their process. What I didn't quite understand was Ashley - I did enjoy her role in the book but felt towards the end it all was just a bit too... easy? If you've read the book then I think you'll know what I mean.
A character driven novel that focuses on the mental gymnastics that one tends to do when one lie piles on top of another. Suitable for those looking for a lighter "thriller". Two roads diverged... which path would you take?
Thank you to Mira for this copy in return for my honest opinion :)
October 7, 2020
After celebrating her biggest sale yet as a glassblower, Kat sets sail with two acquaintances to continue the celebratory night aboard the Martha’s Vineyard waters. As a storm set in, one of the sailors is sent overboard following a tussle. The remaining two make their return to land while struggling with the decision to report what had just occurred out on those dark waters. Ultimately, they decide to keep the secret amongst themselves to avoid any potential speculation that their involvement was more criminal than accidental. The mental strain of such a large secret will alter their lives forever.
EVERYTHING THAT FOLLOWS was an easy read but it had a hard time completely hooking me in. I also had a difficult time categorizing this as a thriller. I would consider this in the contemporary genre due to this novel lacking true thrills and suspense. Meg Little Reilly has written a character-driven novel. I really enjoyed being in Kat’s head and enjoyed the characterization of her character and that of Hunter’s. Ashley, who is portrayed as a bit of a villain who is slighting unattached from reality, was a character I believe was set out not to be as likable, and for this reader, that was achieved.
Some of the events that occur throughout this novel were a bit implausible making it difficult for me to fully get into the story. Its moderate pace could have picked up a bit if some information, such as the details on glass blowing, were left out. I also found the last quarter of this novel to be a bit deflated, but still oddly satisfying. My largest grumble was that it seemed far too easy for this story to end this way. You’ll get what I’m trying to say here when you reach the back cover. Likewise, I was left wondering what the heck happened to our pal Ashley? How did this character just bow out and ceased her obsession to find the truth behind what happened to Kyle? Ashley wasn’t painted to be the type of person to just “drop it” and move on so this lacked believability for me and seemed like a “cheap way out.”
I believe this would be a great read for book clubs and would also suggest this to readers who enjoy more contemporary dramas over true thrillers. This definitely had a summer feel and would be a fun beach read. This is my first book by Meg Little Reilly and I would be interested in trying a future title of her in the future.
Many thanks to Meg Little Reilly and Mira Books for a free advanced readers copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
EVERYTHING THAT FOLLOWS was an easy read but it had a hard time completely hooking me in. I also had a difficult time categorizing this as a thriller. I would consider this in the contemporary genre due to this novel lacking true thrills and suspense. Meg Little Reilly has written a character-driven novel. I really enjoyed being in Kat’s head and enjoyed the characterization of her character and that of Hunter’s. Ashley, who is portrayed as a bit of a villain who is slighting unattached from reality, was a character I believe was set out not to be as likable, and for this reader, that was achieved.
Some of the events that occur throughout this novel were a bit implausible making it difficult for me to fully get into the story. Its moderate pace could have picked up a bit if some information, such as the details on glass blowing, were left out. I also found the last quarter of this novel to be a bit deflated, but still oddly satisfying. My largest grumble was that it seemed far too easy for this story to end this way. You’ll get what I’m trying to say here when you reach the back cover. Likewise, I was left wondering what the heck happened to our pal Ashley? How did this character just bow out and ceased her obsession to find the truth behind what happened to Kyle? Ashley wasn’t painted to be the type of person to just “drop it” and move on so this lacked believability for me and seemed like a “cheap way out.”
I believe this would be a great read for book clubs and would also suggest this to readers who enjoy more contemporary dramas over true thrillers. This definitely had a summer feel and would be a fun beach read. This is my first book by Meg Little Reilly and I would be interested in trying a future title of her in the future.
Many thanks to Meg Little Reilly and Mira Books for a free advanced readers copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
April 30, 2018
I received this book from Harper Collins Canada for an honest review. This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it. Die hard thriller/suspense fans might find this book a little tame for them but it kept my interest throughout. Three people go out on a boat at night and only two come back. Did the third person make it to shore on their own? That is what Kat and Hunter hope for. There are various reasons why they don’t go immediately to the police for help and once that decision is made their lives are never the same. The characters in this book are all flawed and this affects their morality or lack thereof. I love character driven novels and these characters had so much dysfunction and ambivalence to right and wrong that I really had to see how this story would end. There were so many different choices and paths they could have taken at various times throughout the book. I kept second guessing them thinking “don’t do that” practically from the first page. The ending was a bit simplistic but it still worked for me. I think this book would be great for book clubs as there are a lot of discussion points. Overall a great read for me.
April 30, 2018
After a night of celebration, three friends go out on a boat in Martha’s Vineyard.
But only two return.
Kyle has gone overboard and Kat and Hunter cannot rescue him in the blinding storm.
But, instead of reporting the “accident” the two return to land telling themselves that Kyle will be able to swim to shore.
They don’t really believe that, but Hunter Briggs, son of US Senator Briggs, cannot risk harming his Dad’s chance at reelection with another scandal, and he is only 4 months removed from a stint at Rehab.
Can they really just go on as if nothing as happened when his body is discovered on a nearby beach.?
When others are getting close to discovering what they did or didn’t do that night?
Could you live with that secret?
I had not read anything by Meg Little Reilly before but she has a way of setting the scene which had me picturing the blinding rain, and hearing the boats slapping against the docks.
You may think that you have read a similar story before...privileged son, getting away with a crime..yet, this story felt fresh. The characters seemed real. The emotions raw.
Would the police ever ask who Kyle left the bar with that night? Did anyone see them ?
You can find out on May 1, 2018 when this title is released.
I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher and author for the ARC that was provided to me in exchange for my candid review!
But only two return.
Kyle has gone overboard and Kat and Hunter cannot rescue him in the blinding storm.
But, instead of reporting the “accident” the two return to land telling themselves that Kyle will be able to swim to shore.
They don’t really believe that, but Hunter Briggs, son of US Senator Briggs, cannot risk harming his Dad’s chance at reelection with another scandal, and he is only 4 months removed from a stint at Rehab.
Can they really just go on as if nothing as happened when his body is discovered on a nearby beach.?
When others are getting close to discovering what they did or didn’t do that night?
Could you live with that secret?
I had not read anything by Meg Little Reilly before but she has a way of setting the scene which had me picturing the blinding rain, and hearing the boats slapping against the docks.
You may think that you have read a similar story before...privileged son, getting away with a crime..yet, this story felt fresh. The characters seemed real. The emotions raw.
Would the police ever ask who Kyle left the bar with that night? Did anyone see them ?
You can find out on May 1, 2018 when this title is released.
I would like to thank Netgalley, the publisher and author for the ARC that was provided to me in exchange for my candid review!
June 4, 2018
This is a case of what would you do? Or shoulda, woulda, coulda. Three people go out on a boat after drinking on a stormy nigt. What could go wrong? Well needless to say only 2 come back. They decide to keep things to themselves and then low and behold their lives begin to unravel.
June 5, 2018
RATING: 2 STARS
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
(Review Not on Blog)
I finished this book...one star.
The characters felt real enough that I disliked a few...one star.
There were so many moments I was like "what?!?". Like when someone (who is drunk and just tried to make the moves on me) goes accidentally overboard, my first instinct would be to cover it up, not. Well, that is what Girl (sorry I already forgot her name) does. She then let's another guy (her boyfriend's bff) who was also there (drunk and passed out until after the action) talk her into not reporting it, bribe her with his father's political money to keep quiet. Then some random girl, whose name may be Ashley, becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the dead guy. Oh wait, she for some reason gets a job and now doesn't care. The Girl tells her boyfriend because he thinks she is having an affair with his best friend. Now boyfriend is struggling with inner turmoil knowing how a man died but can't tell the police. If this intrigues you, you may like the book, some people enjoyed it. I just was too annoyed with people in this book as their motivation wasn't even strong.
(I received an ARC from the NETGALLEY)
(Review Not on Blog)
I finished this book...one star.
The characters felt real enough that I disliked a few...one star.
There were so many moments I was like "what?!?". Like when someone (who is drunk and just tried to make the moves on me) goes accidentally overboard, my first instinct would be to cover it up, not. Well, that is what Girl (sorry I already forgot her name) does. She then let's another guy (her boyfriend's bff) who was also there (drunk and passed out until after the action) talk her into not reporting it, bribe her with his father's political money to keep quiet. Then some random girl, whose name may be Ashley, becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth behind the dead guy. Oh wait, she for some reason gets a job and now doesn't care. The Girl tells her boyfriend because he thinks she is having an affair with his best friend. Now boyfriend is struggling with inner turmoil knowing how a man died but can't tell the police. If this intrigues you, you may like the book, some people enjoyed it. I just was too annoyed with people in this book as their motivation wasn't even strong.
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August 15, 2018Fascinating premise. How would your life change if you were keeping an unbearable secret? Two friends wrestle with this question--and their sanity--in an off-season Martha's Vineyard.
As in her debut We Are Unprepared, Reilly paints a realistic picture of encroaching environmental disaster as natural forces mimic human actions.
As in her debut We Are Unprepared, Reilly paints a realistic picture of encroaching environmental disaster as natural forces mimic human actions.
April 7, 2018
3 stars | Blog
Everything That Follows was a nice and quick read. The premise of the story—a party resulting in a death that even the witnesses don't know whodunit—engaged me from the start.
Note: For some reason I went into this thinking it was a thriller, when really it was more of contemporary, and I have since adjusted my rating accordingly.
While the beginning captured my interest, the rest was a little less engaging. Nonetheless, it held my attention enough for me to journey with the characters to the very end through their ups and downs, internal and external conflicts and their dealings with the morality of what they witnessed or even, what they might have done themselves.
My favourite part of the book has to be its cast of characters. We mainly follow Kat (look, it's me!) and her friend Hunter. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing their relationships grow. One thing that I found the author did a good job of with the characters was capturing their emotions. Especially panic. Panic, panic, and panic for everyone!
I'm glad the storyline, especially with the friendships, went down the path it did and it's certainly one part that kept me in the novel the whole time!
With that being said, I did have some issues with the book. Namely, the writing. There was something off about it, that made it a clunky read at times. There were also second-person perspective changes that were sudden and unexpected. Thankfully, there weren't too many of those, but when they were present, they were indeed noticeable. In addition, the ending seemed too…perfect, for lack of a better word. While I did enjoy it, I thought I should point that out for those who don't particularly like books like that.
Ultimately, I would recommend this novel for those who are interested in character-driven novels with characters who are struggling in a morally gray world. If you're looking for a thriller/suspense of sorts, another book might be a better choice.
Received an ARC via Goodreads Giveaway. Quotes are subject to change in the final copy.
“She had done nothing, which was a choice in itself.”
Everything That Follows was a nice and quick read. The premise of the story—a party resulting in a death that even the witnesses don't know whodunit—engaged me from the start.
Note: For some reason I went into this thinking it was a thriller, when really it was more of contemporary, and I have since adjusted my rating accordingly.
While the beginning captured my interest, the rest was a little less engaging. Nonetheless, it held my attention enough for me to journey with the characters to the very end through their ups and downs, internal and external conflicts and their dealings with the morality of what they witnessed or even, what they might have done themselves.
My favourite part of the book has to be its cast of characters. We mainly follow Kat (
I'm glad the storyline, especially with the friendships, went down the path it did and it's certainly one part that kept me in the novel the whole time!
With that being said, I did have some issues with the book. Namely, the writing. There was something off about it, that made it a clunky read at times. There were also second-person perspective changes that were sudden and unexpected. Thankfully, there weren't too many of those, but when they were present, they were indeed noticeable. In addition, the ending seemed too…perfect, for lack of a better word. While I did enjoy it, I thought I should point that out for those who don't particularly like books like that.
Ultimately, I would recommend this novel for those who are interested in character-driven novels with characters who are struggling in a morally gray world. If you're looking for a thriller/suspense of sorts, another book might be a better choice.
Received an ARC via Goodreads Giveaway. Quotes are subject to change in the final copy.
March 3, 2019
Can’t remember the last time I read a book I despised so much. Almost DNF, and skimmed the last fifteen pages or so of the book. Bizarre relationships and awful people throughout. Angry I wasted my time on this, should have stopped while I was ahead. 🤦🏽♀️
August 31, 2024
Although the premise of this book could’ve been really good it just dragged on a lot.
It wasn’t horrible. It wasn’t fantastic. It could’ve been more.
It wasn’t horrible. It wasn’t fantastic. It could’ve been more.
May 26, 2018
I don't know who wrote the synopsis for the book, but I wish they had written the actual story. The synopsis had me waiting with anticipation for my library to get a copy in. The story had me yawning and coming thisclose to giving up halfway in.
I forced myself to keep reading until the end because I was so sure something good would have to happen. I was wrong. Everything that Follows is billed as Mystery/Suspense, but I didn't get those kind of vibes.
The synopsis was misleading as Kyle, the guy who went overboard, was not really a friend of the other two people on the boat. It seemed implausible that Hunter, the other guy in the trio could have been passed out drunk during the unwanted advance Kat received, but was suddenly wide awake just in time for the perpetrator to head overboard during a storm.
After the incident, Hunter and Kat stumble around in a daze wondering what really happened aboard the boat. It was all rather yawn worthy and the two got on my nerves.
Later on a bunch of stuff about glass blowing was thrown in on top of a character named Ashley coming to town to investigate mudslides or what have you. She quickly became obsessed with finding out what happened to Kyle after his body was found. She felt that Kat, Hunter, and Kat's boyfriend Sean were keeping secrets from her about the death, and she had a chip the size of a mountain on her shoulder about being left out of things.
I swear at some point my eyes must have glazed over because I don't know what the heck happened to Ashley. It was like she vanished, but I can only assume she didn't and I somehow managed to miss that part of the story. ???
Boring with a side of who cares? That sums up the book for me.
I forced myself to keep reading until the end because I was so sure something good would have to happen. I was wrong. Everything that Follows is billed as Mystery/Suspense, but I didn't get those kind of vibes.
The synopsis was misleading as Kyle, the guy who went overboard, was not really a friend of the other two people on the boat. It seemed implausible that Hunter, the other guy in the trio could have been passed out drunk during the unwanted advance Kat received, but was suddenly wide awake just in time for the perpetrator to head overboard during a storm.
After the incident, Hunter and Kat stumble around in a daze wondering what really happened aboard the boat. It was all rather yawn worthy and the two got on my nerves.
Later on a bunch of stuff about glass blowing was thrown in on top of a character named Ashley coming to town to investigate mudslides or what have you. She quickly became obsessed with finding out what happened to Kyle after his body was found. She felt that Kat, Hunter, and Kat's boyfriend Sean were keeping secrets from her about the death, and she had a chip the size of a mountain on her shoulder about being left out of things.
I swear at some point my eyes must have glazed over because I don't know what the heck happened to Ashley. It was like she vanished, but I can only assume she didn't and I somehow managed to miss that part of the story. ???
Boring with a side of who cares? That sums up the book for me.
May 25, 2018
Thanks to MIRA Books for the free copy in exchange for my honest review!
Despite having her other book sitting on my shelf, EVERYTHING THAT FOLLOWS was my introduction to Meg Little Reilly. I had heard good things about her other book so I was excited to jump into this new thriller. I will say that I wouldn't classify this as a thriller - probably more along the lines of a drama or suspense novel. I think that will definitely help with the reading experience going into it with that in mind!
Three friends are partying and enjoying each other, after a night of drinking they decide to head back to their boat. When one of them goes overboard and disappears into the water, the other two hesitate to call the authorities for rescue. They simply hope that he has come ashore safely. When that doesn't happen, they decide to keep this dark secret to themselves.
This book dives into the consequences as well as the mental strain the characters experience because of this secret. One choice and one event can forever alter your life, and once the paranoia sets in things start to go downhill. This book keeps a good pacing, but it's anything crazy fast. If you're looking for a lighter suspense novel then this would be the perfect choice!
I give this 3.5/5 stars - rounded up for rating
Despite having her other book sitting on my shelf, EVERYTHING THAT FOLLOWS was my introduction to Meg Little Reilly. I had heard good things about her other book so I was excited to jump into this new thriller. I will say that I wouldn't classify this as a thriller - probably more along the lines of a drama or suspense novel. I think that will definitely help with the reading experience going into it with that in mind!
Three friends are partying and enjoying each other, after a night of drinking they decide to head back to their boat. When one of them goes overboard and disappears into the water, the other two hesitate to call the authorities for rescue. They simply hope that he has come ashore safely. When that doesn't happen, they decide to keep this dark secret to themselves.
This book dives into the consequences as well as the mental strain the characters experience because of this secret. One choice and one event can forever alter your life, and once the paranoia sets in things start to go downhill. This book keeps a good pacing, but it's anything crazy fast. If you're looking for a lighter suspense novel then this would be the perfect choice!
I give this 3.5/5 stars - rounded up for rating
December 2, 2018
On a stormy night, after midnight, three friends take their party out onto a boat. As the weather continues to get worse, one of them somehow falls overboard and his body disappears quickly into the water. Everyone was drinking and how he went overboard in the first place is murky. The other two hope that their friend had swum to shore and refuse to go to the authorities. As time goes by and police find his body onshore, they struggle to move forward, keeping their secret from their friends and family.
There were so many great reviews on this book, but right from the beginning I was unsatisfied by the writing. I wanted to be interested and wanted to like the characters, but I just felt like at their age they should know better and I just couldn’t comment with their stories in the beginning. I found the book went very slowly and there was little to no action within the entire novel. I had to slog through this book and I honestly thought about marking it DNF. In the end, I am glad that I didn’t because I did enjoy the ending a lot more than I thought I would and I enjoyed how they came to terms with what happened and how to deal with it.
There were so many great reviews on this book, but right from the beginning I was unsatisfied by the writing. I wanted to be interested and wanted to like the characters, but I just felt like at their age they should know better and I just couldn’t comment with their stories in the beginning. I found the book went very slowly and there was little to no action within the entire novel. I had to slog through this book and I honestly thought about marking it DNF. In the end, I am glad that I didn’t because I did enjoy the ending a lot more than I thought I would and I enjoyed how they came to terms with what happened and how to deal with it.
May 11, 2018
3.5 Stars
December 19, 2019
Everything That Follows was...not what I was expecting. I was expecting a thriller and instead, I got a bunch of annoying characters making the worst decisions and then trying to justify them all wrapped up with a horrible ending! It was really just a bunch of characters worrying about what they did for however many pages this book is. Some spoilers ahead.
This is the story of Kat, Sean, and Hunter and how they deal with a boating accident. This story starts off with Kat and Hunter going off on a boat with a new bartender after a night of drinking. Kat is dating Sean, has been for years, but still lives by herself and goes off with their friend Hunter and the bartender she was flirting with earlier? Okay. So Kat is drunk and a bit of an unreliable narrator as she doesn't accurately remember what happens. She thinks she pushed the guy overboard when he was sexually assaulting her, but Hunter thinks he is the one who did it. They both feel really guilty, but of course, Hunter is the f-up in his family and his dad is a politician so he doesn't want to go to the police and report what happened, so Kat doesn't. And then we start the forever long Kat agonizing about what they didn't do. She starts going crazy, doesn't sleep, doesn't leave her house, and keeps making poor decisions. Eventually Sean is dragged into it all and then it is will he tell? Things get trickier when the body shows up and they are on pins and needles seeing if someone will come to arrest them.
We also have Ashley, a grad student finishing her PhD on coastal erosion. She sleeps with Hunter one night who promptly kicks her out and then she befriends Sean and tries to sleep with him. She is also sure that the body didn't wash up the way the cops think because of the currents and such, and that Hunter, Sean, and Kat are all keeping secrets from her and it has something to do with the dead guy! And she is going to take them down! At first I thought she was alright, just doing more research and trying to help out the police and didn't know Sean's maybe ex was involved, but once you get her point of view I absolutely hated her. She was crazy. Like she was only doing this because Hunter kicked her out after sex and so she wanted to get back at him. Then when Sean rebuffs her efforts to sleep with her she loses it and is determined to take them all down. Because she is petty like that. Ugh.
Now the book is written in this detached kind of way. I never really felt like I was in the story, just reading how everyone is dealing with what is going on. What people are thinking and doing and all that, but from an outside perspective. It was alright, but not my favorite style. Now, for the most part, the story was okay. I didn't like anyone in it, well maybe Sean's mom and daughter were okay, but everyone else was annoying. I never understood why Kat was even with Sean as she didn't seem to care for him as much as she should. It was more like she wanted to belong to a family and they took her in when she got there so she stayed with him. But anyway, it was an alright story. I was really curious how it was all going to end. I was hoping something would happen. Maybe Ashley made some headway in proving they did something, maybe the cops just figured it out, or maybe Kat just lives her life and goes crazier and crazier until she is insane or something. But nope. Instead we have her go on this voyage to take her hush money (Hunter's dad wanted to pay her to make sure she kept quiet forever) to the dead guys mom, then she comes back and gets drunk before telling her friends she is back, gets picked up by the cops when she is stumbling home and pretends to sleep on their bench while they conveniently get the tox results back from the dead guy and find that he had drugs in his system case closed. So then they can all live happily ever after, so she writes Sean a note how he was so important to her and she loved him, but they can't move on from this, then runs off into the sunset with Hunter. Yep, apparently they are together now and they live happily ever after. It was...I didn't want a happily ever after. They were horrible people and didn't deserve to just forget about what they did and go on like nothing happened. Did not like. At least not the way it was written that everything suddenly wrapped up perfectly nice with a bow so suddenly. Oh, and Ashley got her dream job while Kat was delivering the hush money so she let it all go. Hurray!
This is the story of Kat, Sean, and Hunter and how they deal with a boating accident. This story starts off with Kat and Hunter going off on a boat with a new bartender after a night of drinking. Kat is dating Sean, has been for years, but still lives by herself and goes off with their friend Hunter and the bartender she was flirting with earlier? Okay. So Kat is drunk and a bit of an unreliable narrator as she doesn't accurately remember what happens. She thinks she pushed the guy overboard when he was sexually assaulting her, but Hunter thinks he is the one who did it. They both feel really guilty, but of course, Hunter is the f-up in his family and his dad is a politician so he doesn't want to go to the police and report what happened, so Kat doesn't. And then we start the forever long Kat agonizing about what they didn't do. She starts going crazy, doesn't sleep, doesn't leave her house, and keeps making poor decisions. Eventually Sean is dragged into it all and then it is will he tell? Things get trickier when the body shows up and they are on pins and needles seeing if someone will come to arrest them.
We also have Ashley, a grad student finishing her PhD on coastal erosion. She sleeps with Hunter one night who promptly kicks her out and then she befriends Sean and tries to sleep with him. She is also sure that the body didn't wash up the way the cops think because of the currents and such, and that Hunter, Sean, and Kat are all keeping secrets from her and it has something to do with the dead guy! And she is going to take them down! At first I thought she was alright, just doing more research and trying to help out the police and didn't know Sean's maybe ex was involved, but once you get her point of view I absolutely hated her. She was crazy. Like she was only doing this because Hunter kicked her out after sex and so she wanted to get back at him. Then when Sean rebuffs her efforts to sleep with her she loses it and is determined to take them all down. Because she is petty like that. Ugh.
Now the book is written in this detached kind of way. I never really felt like I was in the story, just reading how everyone is dealing with what is going on. What people are thinking and doing and all that, but from an outside perspective. It was alright, but not my favorite style. Now, for the most part, the story was okay. I didn't like anyone in it, well maybe Sean's mom and daughter were okay, but everyone else was annoying. I never understood why Kat was even with Sean as she didn't seem to care for him as much as she should. It was more like she wanted to belong to a family and they took her in when she got there so she stayed with him. But anyway, it was an alright story. I was really curious how it was all going to end. I was hoping something would happen. Maybe Ashley made some headway in proving they did something, maybe the cops just figured it out, or maybe Kat just lives her life and goes crazier and crazier until she is insane or something. But nope. Instead we have her go on this voyage to take her hush money (Hunter's dad wanted to pay her to make sure she kept quiet forever) to the dead guys mom, then she comes back and gets drunk before telling her friends she is back, gets picked up by the cops when she is stumbling home and pretends to sleep on their bench while they conveniently get the tox results back from the dead guy and find that he had drugs in his system case closed. So then they can all live happily ever after, so she writes Sean a note how he was so important to her and she loved him, but they can't move on from this, then runs off into the sunset with Hunter. Yep, apparently they are together now and they live happily ever after. It was...I didn't want a happily ever after. They were horrible people and didn't deserve to just forget about what they did and go on like nothing happened. Did not like. At least not the way it was written that everything suddenly wrapped up perfectly nice with a bow so suddenly. Oh, and Ashley got her dream job while Kat was delivering the hush money so she let it all go. Hurray!
February 14, 2019
This started off OK. I liked the premise, but a lot of the plot and character development was a stretch. The majority of the book is the snail's pace at which a self-absorbed, grating, and frankly nutso woman tries to dig her way into a town and into business that has nothing to do with her and doesn't impact her in any way. My questions were - this girl was a student, but who the hell was supervising her "research" initiatives? Why was no one monitoring the samples she was taking (was this even legal?) and the digging she was doing into other goings-on about the town that had nothing to do with her school-work? Why did she even care about other people's business that doesn't impact her other than because she was a nosy creep.....if that was her whole motivation, it needed flushing out. The character was written like a 12 year old girl playing Nancy Drew to be honest. I tried to put myself in the shoes of someone trying to find out some illicit information.....I wouldn't be going around bragging to everyone I met (like librarians who ask if I need anything) about how I'm about to discover something huge and everyone will know about it. Like.....what? That doesn't add up. And what REALLY doesn't add up is that she just all of a sudden didn't care anymore.....wait, what?
I thought Kat had a bit more depth to her as a character than Ashley, but not quite fully up to her potential. Hunter was 100% one-dimensional.
Then the whole back-and-forth of Kat and Sean, Kat and Hunter, Hunter and Ashley, Sean and Ashley. That felt pretty trite and like filler-fluff. Especially when they all went on a road trip together? That was cringey and I'm not sure what the point of that was.
Truthfully the more I read the less I liked this. It had potential too.
I thought Kat had a bit more depth to her as a character than Ashley, but not quite fully up to her potential. Hunter was 100% one-dimensional.
Then the whole back-and-forth of Kat and Sean, Kat and Hunter, Hunter and Ashley, Sean and Ashley. That felt pretty trite and like filler-fluff. Especially when they all went on a road trip together? That was cringey and I'm not sure what the point of that was.
Truthfully the more I read the less I liked this. It had potential too.
May 29, 2018
I just can't get past the implication here that a woman should feel guilty when a man who attempts to sexually assault her dies, whether by accident or design. The reaction to the situation by most of the characters involved is insulting and disgusting, and I can't believe this was written by a woman. Do better, Ms. Reilly. I can't believe you put this out into the world, especially given the current culture in America.
June 6, 2018
Sins. Survival. Sacrifice.
Life is chilly but normal in Martha's Vineyard during the off season. Two friends, glass-blower Kat and wildly rich Hunter, decide to continue celebrating the first day of off season by heading out on Hunter's boat for a late-night ride. Kyle, the new bartender on the island, accompanies them. Although inebriated, the three start their offshore party enjoying one another and the frigid air—until Hunter passes out drunk and Kyle's intentions for Kat turn sinister.
When Kyle refuses to hear the word no, Kat defends herself and suddenly Kyle goes overboard, his terrified eyes the last thing Kat sees—the one thing she continues to see each night in bed. But was it Kat who shoved Kyle, or was it Hunter when he came to her rescue? To stay out of prison, Hunter insists they go back home. After all, Kyle probably swam back to shore. Right?
Kat relents under the pressure but doesn't sleep a wink. Her boyfriend of six years and the son to her boss, Sean, knows nothing about what happened that night. As the news of Kyle's body washing ashore hits TV screens, Sean doesn't become suspicious. Rather, it's the intense feuds and strange reactions he sees between his girlfriend and Hunter that raises his eyebrows: was Kat cheating on him?
As Sean contemplates this potential affair, there is one islander who becomes suspicious of Kyle's death: Ashley, a woman whose whole life revolves around the ocean, its tides, and its specks of sand. How could Kyle have washed up where he did? He died somewhere else, according to the tides and her research.
Who really shoved Kyle overboard? Is there more going on between Kat and Hunter? And will Ashley ruin everyone's lives if she keeps snooping around?
Meg Little Reilly throws a punch with this psychological thriller. Reminiscent of Mary Kubica's and Ruth Ware's novels, Everything That Follows delivers with powerful plot twists, dynamic characters, and the big question: what does self-preservation mean to each individual faced with murder?
*I received a copy of this book from the publicist in exchange for an honest review*
Life is chilly but normal in Martha's Vineyard during the off season. Two friends, glass-blower Kat and wildly rich Hunter, decide to continue celebrating the first day of off season by heading out on Hunter's boat for a late-night ride. Kyle, the new bartender on the island, accompanies them. Although inebriated, the three start their offshore party enjoying one another and the frigid air—until Hunter passes out drunk and Kyle's intentions for Kat turn sinister.
When Kyle refuses to hear the word no, Kat defends herself and suddenly Kyle goes overboard, his terrified eyes the last thing Kat sees—the one thing she continues to see each night in bed. But was it Kat who shoved Kyle, or was it Hunter when he came to her rescue? To stay out of prison, Hunter insists they go back home. After all, Kyle probably swam back to shore. Right?
Kat relents under the pressure but doesn't sleep a wink. Her boyfriend of six years and the son to her boss, Sean, knows nothing about what happened that night. As the news of Kyle's body washing ashore hits TV screens, Sean doesn't become suspicious. Rather, it's the intense feuds and strange reactions he sees between his girlfriend and Hunter that raises his eyebrows: was Kat cheating on him?
As Sean contemplates this potential affair, there is one islander who becomes suspicious of Kyle's death: Ashley, a woman whose whole life revolves around the ocean, its tides, and its specks of sand. How could Kyle have washed up where he did? He died somewhere else, according to the tides and her research.
Who really shoved Kyle overboard? Is there more going on between Kat and Hunter? And will Ashley ruin everyone's lives if she keeps snooping around?
Meg Little Reilly throws a punch with this psychological thriller. Reminiscent of Mary Kubica's and Ruth Ware's novels, Everything That Follows delivers with powerful plot twists, dynamic characters, and the big question: what does self-preservation mean to each individual faced with murder?
*I received a copy of this book from the publicist in exchange for an honest review*
May 2, 2018
Everything That Follows by Meg Little Reilly is a recommended character driven novel.
It is finally the off-season in Martha’s Vineyard and Kat Weber, a glass artist, has just sold a large piece of art, so a celebration is in order. Kat, her boyfriend Sean Murphy, and their friends, including Hunter Briggs, head off to the local bar and begin drinking. Around midnight they all leave the bar. Sean heads for home, but as Hunter and Kat do the same, the bartender, Kyle, runs up to join them and wants the party to continue. They don't know him, but the three decide to continue the party out on Hunter's boat.
The drinking continues and, as the weather begins to turn, some altercation happens, resulting in Kyle falling in the water, but the actual events that led up to it are fuzzy due to their inebriated condition. Hunter and Kat head back under the assumption that Kyle will swim to shore. They will report the accident when they get back to shore. And, once they reach the shore they decide they'll do it in the morning, after they have had time to sober up.
But, when the morning comes, things change again. Hunter Briggs is the son of US Senator Briggs and any scandal will not only hurt his Dad’s chance at reelection, but he just got out of rehab four months ago - boating under the influence will also send him to jail. Nothing has been heard from Kyle, but surely he made it to shore, didn't he? Can Kat and Hunter live with their secret?
Once Kat and Hunter decide to not tell anyone about the accident, some other things happen and an annoying, grating character is introduced. We also get to know more about Kat, Hunter, and Sean. Sean is also an annoying grating character. Actually, in-between some very interesting scenes that have little to do with the dilemma, almost all of the characters can be annoying.
Everything That Follows is a novel that will transition nicely for an easy-to-read summer novel. It is not a thriller or full of any heart-stopping action. Now, Reilly did a nice job introducing her moral dilemma and developing her characters, but she had a tough time plotting the story and keeping a smooth flow to the narrative. You do have to accept that the premise of the story, the moral dilemma, would exist in the first place.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of MIRA Books.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/0...
It is finally the off-season in Martha’s Vineyard and Kat Weber, a glass artist, has just sold a large piece of art, so a celebration is in order. Kat, her boyfriend Sean Murphy, and their friends, including Hunter Briggs, head off to the local bar and begin drinking. Around midnight they all leave the bar. Sean heads for home, but as Hunter and Kat do the same, the bartender, Kyle, runs up to join them and wants the party to continue. They don't know him, but the three decide to continue the party out on Hunter's boat.
The drinking continues and, as the weather begins to turn, some altercation happens, resulting in Kyle falling in the water, but the actual events that led up to it are fuzzy due to their inebriated condition. Hunter and Kat head back under the assumption that Kyle will swim to shore. They will report the accident when they get back to shore. And, once they reach the shore they decide they'll do it in the morning, after they have had time to sober up.
But, when the morning comes, things change again. Hunter Briggs is the son of US Senator Briggs and any scandal will not only hurt his Dad’s chance at reelection, but he just got out of rehab four months ago - boating under the influence will also send him to jail. Nothing has been heard from Kyle, but surely he made it to shore, didn't he? Can Kat and Hunter live with their secret?
Once Kat and Hunter decide to not tell anyone about the accident, some other things happen and an annoying, grating character is introduced. We also get to know more about Kat, Hunter, and Sean. Sean is also an annoying grating character. Actually, in-between some very interesting scenes that have little to do with the dilemma, almost all of the characters can be annoying.
Everything That Follows is a novel that will transition nicely for an easy-to-read summer novel. It is not a thriller or full of any heart-stopping action. Now, Reilly did a nice job introducing her moral dilemma and developing her characters, but she had a tough time plotting the story and keeping a smooth flow to the narrative. You do have to accept that the premise of the story, the moral dilemma, would exist in the first place.
Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of MIRA Books.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2018/0...
March 24, 2018
Really enjoyed this story about what happens during a drunken night aboard a boat in Martha’s Vineyard among 3 acquaintances, when only 2 return to shore and all that happens in the aftermath of the situation. Lots of food for thought about the moral dilemma that each of the characters face and how they deal with it. I thought all of the characters were well drawn and were easily relatable. Quick, page turner that I highly recommend. I think this would make an excellent book club book.
Thanks to Mira Books and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read an advance digital review copy!
Thanks to Mira Books and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read an advance digital review copy!
March 28, 2018
Again this is what I love about Goodreads It allows me to get a chance to read books I would not normally read,and takes me out of my comfort zone as a result in the last few months I have read many wonderful books !
Everything That Follows was a compelling and exciting read ,It is set in Martha's Vineyard,Present day. It's mainly about three friends who begin partying at a bar ,then go out on a boat one fall Misty evening...suddenly the weather becomes bad and one of them fall's overboard... Was it an accident ? or the result of an unwanted encounter.... before they can do anything to help the body disappears quickly into the water....
They should have reported the accident right away,however the hours turn into days, and they begin to find themselves in a tangled web which they do not find easy to carry this huge burden of guilt every day and it begin's to hinder their lives. The only thing I did not like was the over use of the F... word !!!
Everything That Follows was a compelling and exciting read ,It is set in Martha's Vineyard,Present day. It's mainly about three friends who begin partying at a bar ,then go out on a boat one fall Misty evening...suddenly the weather becomes bad and one of them fall's overboard... Was it an accident ? or the result of an unwanted encounter.... before they can do anything to help the body disappears quickly into the water....
They should have reported the accident right away,however the hours turn into days, and they begin to find themselves in a tangled web which they do not find easy to carry this huge burden of guilt every day and it begin's to hinder their lives. The only thing I did not like was the over use of the F... word !!!
February 20, 2023
Fast-paced thriller with a simple but compelling plot about a fatal accident and the choices afterwards and how they affect people. I couldn’t wait to find out how this story ended. It was interesting to see how the different characters reacted and dealt with the same event and their thought process throughout it.
March 20, 2020
Unlikeable characters, frivolous plot, complete lack of suspense, poor writing, superfluous characters ... this books reads like a first draft that should have been edited down to a (very) short story.
December 10, 2018
When faced with a moral choice, most of us like to imagine that we’d do the right thing, whatever the consequences. But in the panic of the moment, it’s all too easy for self-preservation to win out. That’s what the characters in EVERYTHING THAT FOLLOWS, Meg Little Reilly’s suspenseful second novel, discover after a tragic accident leads to a man’s death.
Kat, a glassblower living on Martha’s Vineyard, has just made her first big sale, and she’s celebrating. The summer is over and the tourists have gone home, which means the locals finally have their “kingdom” to themselves again. After a night of drinking, Kat, her friend Hunter, and a new acquaintance, Kyle, take an ill-advised nighttime sailing trip. Kyle makes an unwelcome pass at Kat, and in the hazy, confusing confrontation that follows, he goes overboard.
The rest of this quick-moving, character-driven novel spools out from this one, tragic event. It’s not giving too much away to say that Hunter and Kat most definitely do not do the right thing after Kyle disappears, for reasons that are understandable, if hardly justifiable. The mystery of what really happened on the water slowly takes over their lives (Both Kat and Hunter have different recollections of the event, and it turns out neither is exactly correct.) Kat becomes obsessed with finding out everything she can about Kyle, a bartender who only recently had arrived on the Vineyard. Meanwhile, Hunter, the ne’er-do-well son of a powerful Senator, is just trying to keep his life together. (The disaster on the boat and the ensuing cover-up is reminiscent of the real-life Chappaquiddick incident.) Sean, Kat’s good-guy boyfriend, gets roped in too, once she and Hunter confess what really happened after he left them at the bar that night.
A resort town in the off-season can be an unsettling place, with the quaint, once-bustling streets having the feel of, as Reilly notes, “an abandoned carnival in a horror movie.” It’s the ideal setting for a claustrophobic novel of suspense, and Reilly uses this island location, a place where “the borders between you and the land start to blur,” to its full effect. Aside from the eerie vacantness that settles when the happy vacationers head home, there’s the isolation from the mainland and the unpredictable and sometimes nasty weather, where storms can blow up suddenly and the landscape can change dramatically overnight.
Reilly’s interest in the natural world, and the way humans are often at the mercy of it, isn’t surprising. Her 2016 debut, WE ARE UNPREPARED, concerned a young couple whose marriage breaks down in the face of a catastrophic super-storm, and was lumped in with the burgeoning genre of “cli-fi,” or climate fiction. While there’s no looming threat of global meltdown in her second novel, Reilly hasn’t abandoned environmental themes entirely. This time, it’s insidious coastal erosion that’s the threat, with the glass studio where Kat lives and works in imminent danger of collapsing into the sea. It’s a not-so-subtle reminder that even seemingly solid ground is “shifting and eroding imperceptibly all the time,” with the potential to wreak havoc on our lives.
The setup for EVERYTHING THAT FOLLOWS is compelling, and Reilly deftly illustrates how a single moral crisis can expose dangerous fault lines in lives and relationships. But when the book veers into more traditional thriller territory, it’s less successful. Reilly injects extra drama into the narrative by introducing Ashley, a Tracy Flick-esque grad student studying coastal erosion who develops a strange obsession with Kat, Hunter and Sean. Ashley knows enough about ocean currents to realize that Kyle’s body didn’t enter the water where the police think it did. As she worms her way, through chance and persistence, into the friends’ lives, she also realizes they’re hiding something, and she’s determined to figure out what it is.
“[E]ager, probing, desperate Ashley” emerges as the story’s villain, threatening to expose the trio’s secrets, but she’s so thinly sketched she never rises above caricature. The weak excuse Reilly provides to explain her behavior doesn’t quite hold water, and the resolution of her quest to uncover the truth is unsatisfying.
The conclusion is also a bit too neat, and Kat and Hunter, two basically decent people who have done a terrible thing, get off awfully easy in the end. Kat, who at one point tries to convince herself that “self-preservation [is] justifiable, even moral,” spends much of the book attempting to come to terms with her actions on the night of Kyle’s death. The ending she gets doesn’t seem to do justice to the weight of her struggle.
Reviewed by Megan Elliott
Kat, a glassblower living on Martha’s Vineyard, has just made her first big sale, and she’s celebrating. The summer is over and the tourists have gone home, which means the locals finally have their “kingdom” to themselves again. After a night of drinking, Kat, her friend Hunter, and a new acquaintance, Kyle, take an ill-advised nighttime sailing trip. Kyle makes an unwelcome pass at Kat, and in the hazy, confusing confrontation that follows, he goes overboard.
The rest of this quick-moving, character-driven novel spools out from this one, tragic event. It’s not giving too much away to say that Hunter and Kat most definitely do not do the right thing after Kyle disappears, for reasons that are understandable, if hardly justifiable. The mystery of what really happened on the water slowly takes over their lives (Both Kat and Hunter have different recollections of the event, and it turns out neither is exactly correct.) Kat becomes obsessed with finding out everything she can about Kyle, a bartender who only recently had arrived on the Vineyard. Meanwhile, Hunter, the ne’er-do-well son of a powerful Senator, is just trying to keep his life together. (The disaster on the boat and the ensuing cover-up is reminiscent of the real-life Chappaquiddick incident.) Sean, Kat’s good-guy boyfriend, gets roped in too, once she and Hunter confess what really happened after he left them at the bar that night.
A resort town in the off-season can be an unsettling place, with the quaint, once-bustling streets having the feel of, as Reilly notes, “an abandoned carnival in a horror movie.” It’s the ideal setting for a claustrophobic novel of suspense, and Reilly uses this island location, a place where “the borders between you and the land start to blur,” to its full effect. Aside from the eerie vacantness that settles when the happy vacationers head home, there’s the isolation from the mainland and the unpredictable and sometimes nasty weather, where storms can blow up suddenly and the landscape can change dramatically overnight.
Reilly’s interest in the natural world, and the way humans are often at the mercy of it, isn’t surprising. Her 2016 debut, WE ARE UNPREPARED, concerned a young couple whose marriage breaks down in the face of a catastrophic super-storm, and was lumped in with the burgeoning genre of “cli-fi,” or climate fiction. While there’s no looming threat of global meltdown in her second novel, Reilly hasn’t abandoned environmental themes entirely. This time, it’s insidious coastal erosion that’s the threat, with the glass studio where Kat lives and works in imminent danger of collapsing into the sea. It’s a not-so-subtle reminder that even seemingly solid ground is “shifting and eroding imperceptibly all the time,” with the potential to wreak havoc on our lives.
The setup for EVERYTHING THAT FOLLOWS is compelling, and Reilly deftly illustrates how a single moral crisis can expose dangerous fault lines in lives and relationships. But when the book veers into more traditional thriller territory, it’s less successful. Reilly injects extra drama into the narrative by introducing Ashley, a Tracy Flick-esque grad student studying coastal erosion who develops a strange obsession with Kat, Hunter and Sean. Ashley knows enough about ocean currents to realize that Kyle’s body didn’t enter the water where the police think it did. As she worms her way, through chance and persistence, into the friends’ lives, she also realizes they’re hiding something, and she’s determined to figure out what it is.
“[E]ager, probing, desperate Ashley” emerges as the story’s villain, threatening to expose the trio’s secrets, but she’s so thinly sketched she never rises above caricature. The weak excuse Reilly provides to explain her behavior doesn’t quite hold water, and the resolution of her quest to uncover the truth is unsatisfying.
The conclusion is also a bit too neat, and Kat and Hunter, two basically decent people who have done a terrible thing, get off awfully easy in the end. Kat, who at one point tries to convince herself that “self-preservation [is] justifiable, even moral,” spends much of the book attempting to come to terms with her actions on the night of Kyle’s death. The ending she gets doesn’t seem to do justice to the weight of her struggle.
Reviewed by Megan Elliott
May 5, 2018
***Received an Advanced Readers Copy for a Blog Tour in exchange for an honest review***
This is definitely a novel I really enjoyed. I have always been a big fan of anything suspense involving a group of characters revolving around one event which means uncovering the truth behind everything. For me it really sets a dark, heart pounding fear as I read, diving into the lives of the fictional characters. As the reader, you live the story with them, almost like the detective looking in. I love suspense reads!
Everything The Follows has such a gripping synopsis, one that I could not in the right mindset pass up. Three friends, Kat, Hunter and Kyle are continuing their bar party on Hunter's boat. After some interesting events leading up to the fact that Kyle falls overboard during a storm, leaving Kat and Hunter to deal with the aftermath of what just happened.
Where is Kyle's body? Did he swim ashore, did he drown? Did they push him off? Is Kat and Hunter murderers? Do they go to the cops?
So many swirling questions around this one moment is what starts such a gut wrenching domino effect on their lives. I was definitely hooked at the jump, following mostly Kat's perspective of her inner turmoil of the event, plus getting Hunter in the mix was enough to ruffle my feathers. Getting tidbits of the night, their secrets growing with each person they interact with, especially Hunter's best friend who happens to be Kat's boyfriend, Sean.
The constant panic paranoia of the characters, especially with Kat really made the most of it for me. I was inside her head the entire time, she really struggled the most from that night. Not only by her own personal demons but the push and pull of Hunter and Sean in the mix was enough to make any person's head spin. I also really liked Hunter, including his faults.
Aside from the fact that I did enjoy this novel there are some things that irk me. Some of the supporting cast did not connect for me. One particular was Ashley. Though I do overall understand her purpose, it was just for a better part of the novel I feel she was a means of conflict additive for the purpose of what was really going on between Hunter and Kat. She more or less helped escalate the drama on that front, plus involving herself in the circle with the group felt misplaced. Felt she was more add on character for a convenience of plot, but for me she was really overly involved.
This of course leads me to the ending. After so many supporting cast were involved climatic drama between Kat and Hunter as well as Kat vs Sean vs Hunter, characters started to drift off to what seemed like a quick ending to such an explosive story. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the ending, but I felt that maybe something else was missing - I can't quite put my finger on it, but something was in fact missing. I will still admit though I did enjoy the ending placement of where the characters were in their life, just that middle pickle prior to just felt lacking - maybe it was just too put together for an end result.
Overall, I liked it. I think personally I liked the development of each characters dynamics as the issue continues to become a nagging bitch in their heads. Struggling with their own knowledge of the truth for what really happened to Kyle really took a toll on the group of friends on a massive level. There was closure, and then there wasn't. Which to me made a huge difference on how I perceived the characters because it was believable. Honestly, when an accident like this happens and you react as Kat and Hunter did, how do you grow, how do you move forward from that? Really the moral compass of the characters is what gripped me the most.
Honestly it had a certain level of irky, twist your gut kind of plot that undoubtedly kept me hooked through the end. I couldn't put it down. Aside from my pet peeves, I honestly enjoyed it. I was excited to find a new author to keep a look out for!
This is definitely a novel I really enjoyed. I have always been a big fan of anything suspense involving a group of characters revolving around one event which means uncovering the truth behind everything. For me it really sets a dark, heart pounding fear as I read, diving into the lives of the fictional characters. As the reader, you live the story with them, almost like the detective looking in. I love suspense reads!
Everything The Follows has such a gripping synopsis, one that I could not in the right mindset pass up. Three friends, Kat, Hunter and Kyle are continuing their bar party on Hunter's boat. After some interesting events leading up to the fact that Kyle falls overboard during a storm, leaving Kat and Hunter to deal with the aftermath of what just happened.
Where is Kyle's body? Did he swim ashore, did he drown? Did they push him off? Is Kat and Hunter murderers? Do they go to the cops?
So many swirling questions around this one moment is what starts such a gut wrenching domino effect on their lives. I was definitely hooked at the jump, following mostly Kat's perspective of her inner turmoil of the event, plus getting Hunter in the mix was enough to ruffle my feathers. Getting tidbits of the night, their secrets growing with each person they interact with, especially Hunter's best friend who happens to be Kat's boyfriend, Sean.
The constant panic paranoia of the characters, especially with Kat really made the most of it for me. I was inside her head the entire time, she really struggled the most from that night. Not only by her own personal demons but the push and pull of Hunter and Sean in the mix was enough to make any person's head spin. I also really liked Hunter, including his faults.
Aside from the fact that I did enjoy this novel there are some things that irk me. Some of the supporting cast did not connect for me. One particular was Ashley. Though I do overall understand her purpose, it was just for a better part of the novel I feel she was a means of conflict additive for the purpose of what was really going on between Hunter and Kat. She more or less helped escalate the drama on that front, plus involving herself in the circle with the group felt misplaced. Felt she was more add on character for a convenience of plot, but for me she was really overly involved.
This of course leads me to the ending. After so many supporting cast were involved climatic drama between Kat and Hunter as well as Kat vs Sean vs Hunter, characters started to drift off to what seemed like a quick ending to such an explosive story. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the ending, but I felt that maybe something else was missing - I can't quite put my finger on it, but something was in fact missing. I will still admit though I did enjoy the ending placement of where the characters were in their life, just that middle pickle prior to just felt lacking - maybe it was just too put together for an end result.
Overall, I liked it. I think personally I liked the development of each characters dynamics as the issue continues to become a nagging bitch in their heads. Struggling with their own knowledge of the truth for what really happened to Kyle really took a toll on the group of friends on a massive level. There was closure, and then there wasn't. Which to me made a huge difference on how I perceived the characters because it was believable. Honestly, when an accident like this happens and you react as Kat and Hunter did, how do you grow, how do you move forward from that? Really the moral compass of the characters is what gripped me the most.
Honestly it had a certain level of irky, twist your gut kind of plot that undoubtedly kept me hooked through the end. I couldn't put it down. Aside from my pet peeves, I honestly enjoyed it. I was excited to find a new author to keep a look out for!
April 28, 2020
I really liked this dramatic and suspenseful novel, but not quite as much as The Misfortunes of Family and We Are Unprepared, by the same author. I'm not sure why that is so, but think that the characters were not as real to me as in the other novels, and that I found it difficult to relate to some of their behaviors and abilities (constant drinking to excess and glass blowing) as well as to their impulsive and ill-thought decisions.
Kat (Katherine) is the main character in the novel, along with Hunter, Sean, Kyle, Sean's mother, and Ashley. The setting is Martha's Vineyard, an island off Cape Cod. Kat landed there seven years before the story's beginning, bringing with her the baggage of an unhappy childhood and unstable mother. She becomes the apprentice of Orla, a widow who is a glass blower and the proprietor of a gift shop. Kat and Orla's son Sean, a divorced dad, have a steady but uncommitted relationship. Kat and Orla share responsibility for the shop, with Kat surpassing Orla with her skills at glass blowing. Hunter is a peripheral character at the beginning of the novel; he is the privileged son of a U.S. senator facing re-election. Hunter has a history of alcohol and drug abuse, and he treads a fine line of embarrassing his father at all times, especially on this small island where everyone's business travels, especially in the off-season. Kyle is a drifter of sorts, having relocated to the Vineyard from his native Florida, and tending bar at one of the island's bars.
Late one night, Kat, Hunter, and Kyle take Hunter's boat out into the ocean, and an excess of alcohol and hormones combine to ignite a tragic accident, which is handled exactly the wrong way.
The remainder of the novel is devoted to "everything that follows," as the title indicates.
I loved the ending of this novel, which I did not predict. I also think that Reilly painted a perfect picture of the Cape and islands. I live on the Cape, and Reilly got the raw weather, the chilly rains, the erosion, and the dominance of nature over people just right. In her acknowledgements, she says that she loves Massachusetts...so do I!
Reilly incorporates politics in the three novels, which is understandable since she worked in the White House before becoming a novelist. I find it fitting that she combines family dramas with New England politics. New Englanders enjoy politics, almost as much as clam chowder and oyster crackers!
Kat (Katherine) is the main character in the novel, along with Hunter, Sean, Kyle, Sean's mother, and Ashley. The setting is Martha's Vineyard, an island off Cape Cod. Kat landed there seven years before the story's beginning, bringing with her the baggage of an unhappy childhood and unstable mother. She becomes the apprentice of Orla, a widow who is a glass blower and the proprietor of a gift shop. Kat and Orla's son Sean, a divorced dad, have a steady but uncommitted relationship. Kat and Orla share responsibility for the shop, with Kat surpassing Orla with her skills at glass blowing. Hunter is a peripheral character at the beginning of the novel; he is the privileged son of a U.S. senator facing re-election. Hunter has a history of alcohol and drug abuse, and he treads a fine line of embarrassing his father at all times, especially on this small island where everyone's business travels, especially in the off-season. Kyle is a drifter of sorts, having relocated to the Vineyard from his native Florida, and tending bar at one of the island's bars.
Late one night, Kat, Hunter, and Kyle take Hunter's boat out into the ocean, and an excess of alcohol and hormones combine to ignite a tragic accident, which is handled exactly the wrong way.
The remainder of the novel is devoted to "everything that follows," as the title indicates.
I loved the ending of this novel, which I did not predict. I also think that Reilly painted a perfect picture of the Cape and islands. I live on the Cape, and Reilly got the raw weather, the chilly rains, the erosion, and the dominance of nature over people just right. In her acknowledgements, she says that she loves Massachusetts...so do I!
Reilly incorporates politics in the three novels, which is understandable since she worked in the White House before becoming a novelist. I find it fitting that she combines family dramas with New England politics. New Englanders enjoy politics, almost as much as clam chowder and oyster crackers!
May 3, 2018
kfforever
Reviewed by Anna Green on behalf of KFF
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I am totally blown away. A psychological drama set in Martha’s Vineyard with seemingly ordinary characters thrown into a moral dilemma.
There are three main characters in this story: Kat, Sean and Hunter. Kat and Sean are in a relationship and Hunter is their friend. Kat’s past defines her character. When that “incident” happened, her actions and her choice altered the dynamics of this trio’s relationship.
Sean has a teenage daughter from a previous relationship, lives in Martha’s Vineyard and the type who will never leave his hometown. He is forever linked to this place. He has been in a relationship with Kat for more than five years. He got to know her when she drifted into town and became his mother, Orla’s apprentice glass blower.
Hunter is the son of a powerful political figure, privileged but completely ignored by his father. He has undergone rehab for his overindulgent lifestyle. His friendship with Kat and Sean developed when he arrived in the island to keep a low profile and not draw attention to his father’s campaign in the upcoming elections.
Martha’s Vineyard the setting of this story plays a big role in this book. I love the author’s way of setting the mood of the book through the town’s quirky character, the locals and the events that followed. This author’s writing style is different than I am used to but it doesn’t mean that I didn’t like it, in fact I love it! She creates characters that are so empathetic. This tale is about self-preservation and redemption. It challenges your moral compass, makes you think deep and dig deep inside your heart. It made me question myself if I would have done the same, maybe or maybe not. I cannot tell you because you might judge me. One thing I can tell you is that you should read this book. Highly recommended!
Reviewed by Anna Green on behalf of KFF
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I am totally blown away. A psychological drama set in Martha’s Vineyard with seemingly ordinary characters thrown into a moral dilemma.
There are three main characters in this story: Kat, Sean and Hunter. Kat and Sean are in a relationship and Hunter is their friend. Kat’s past defines her character. When that “incident” happened, her actions and her choice altered the dynamics of this trio’s relationship.
Sean has a teenage daughter from a previous relationship, lives in Martha’s Vineyard and the type who will never leave his hometown. He is forever linked to this place. He has been in a relationship with Kat for more than five years. He got to know her when she drifted into town and became his mother, Orla’s apprentice glass blower.
Hunter is the son of a powerful political figure, privileged but completely ignored by his father. He has undergone rehab for his overindulgent lifestyle. His friendship with Kat and Sean developed when he arrived in the island to keep a low profile and not draw attention to his father’s campaign in the upcoming elections.
Martha’s Vineyard the setting of this story plays a big role in this book. I love the author’s way of setting the mood of the book through the town’s quirky character, the locals and the events that followed. This author’s writing style is different than I am used to but it doesn’t mean that I didn’t like it, in fact I love it! She creates characters that are so empathetic. This tale is about self-preservation and redemption. It challenges your moral compass, makes you think deep and dig deep inside your heart. It made me question myself if I would have done the same, maybe or maybe not. I cannot tell you because you might judge me. One thing I can tell you is that you should read this book. Highly recommended!
May 11, 2018
Great read by Meg Little Reilly!!!
I love a book that is thought provoking, something that will make me think outside of the box, and Reilly definitely made me do that!
Kat, Sean, and Hunter are out celebrating after Kat sold a piece of artwork. What begins as a night of celebration ends in tragedy. It will completely change the relationship they have with one another. Nothing will ever be the same!
Kat and Sean have been a couple for years. Kat has made great strides in overcoming her dysfunctional childhood, and she enjoys her life in Martha’s Vineyard. She and Sean are very different. She isn’t from the island, and he is tied to it, showing no interest in leaving. He has rules and boundaries he lives by, and she feels safe with those. However, is that who she really is deep down inside her soul? She wants to be there, yet a part of her doesn’t feel like she really belongs.
Hunter is there trying to keep a low profile. He is the son of a powerful U.S. Senator who is up for re-election. Hunter hasn’t always been the best son, but he is trying his best to not to affect his father’s chances of re-election.
Hunter, Kat, and Kyle, the new bartender, decide to go out Hunter’s boat after Sean leaves to go home. Kat doesn’t realize that her choice to go out is a tragic mistake until it’s too late. This is where the lines of right and wrong become blurred.
I loved the way Reilly writes. She does it in a way that draws you completely into the story. I felt like I was right there with Hunter and Kat from the very beginning. I could picture the setting clearly in my mind. She also has a way of making me empathize with the characters that I might not really have empathized with before. If you are in the mood to read a book that will challenge the way you think about certain things, I highly recommend this one!
***READ AND REVIEWED FOR DEVILISHLY DELICIOUS BOOK REVIEWS***
I love a book that is thought provoking, something that will make me think outside of the box, and Reilly definitely made me do that!
Kat, Sean, and Hunter are out celebrating after Kat sold a piece of artwork. What begins as a night of celebration ends in tragedy. It will completely change the relationship they have with one another. Nothing will ever be the same!
Kat and Sean have been a couple for years. Kat has made great strides in overcoming her dysfunctional childhood, and she enjoys her life in Martha’s Vineyard. She and Sean are very different. She isn’t from the island, and he is tied to it, showing no interest in leaving. He has rules and boundaries he lives by, and she feels safe with those. However, is that who she really is deep down inside her soul? She wants to be there, yet a part of her doesn’t feel like she really belongs.
Hunter is there trying to keep a low profile. He is the son of a powerful U.S. Senator who is up for re-election. Hunter hasn’t always been the best son, but he is trying his best to not to affect his father’s chances of re-election.
Hunter, Kat, and Kyle, the new bartender, decide to go out Hunter’s boat after Sean leaves to go home. Kat doesn’t realize that her choice to go out is a tragic mistake until it’s too late. This is where the lines of right and wrong become blurred.
I loved the way Reilly writes. She does it in a way that draws you completely into the story. I felt like I was right there with Hunter and Kat from the very beginning. I could picture the setting clearly in my mind. She also has a way of making me empathize with the characters that I might not really have empathized with before. If you are in the mood to read a book that will challenge the way you think about certain things, I highly recommend this one!
***READ AND REVIEWED FOR DEVILISHLY DELICIOUS BOOK REVIEWS***
May 3, 2018
Reviewed on behalf of KFF
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I am totally blown away. A psychological drama set in Martha’s Vineyard with seemingly ordinary characters thrown into a moral dilemma.
There are three main characters in this story: Kat, Sean and Hunter. Kat and Sean are in a relationship and Hunter is their friend. Kat’s past defines her character. When that “incident” happened, her actions and her choice altered the dynamics of this trio’s relationship.
Sean has a teenage daughter from a previous relationship, lives in Martha’s Vineyard and the type who will never leave his hometown. He is forever linked to this place. He has been in a relationship with Kat for more than five years. He got to know her when she drifted into town and became his mother, Orla’s apprentice glass blower.
Hunter is the son of a powerful political figure, privileged but completely ignored by his father. He has undergone rehab for his overindulgent lifestyle. His friendship with Kat and Sean developed when he arrived in the island to keep a low profile and not draw attention to his father’s campaign in the upcoming elections.
Martha’s Vineyard the setting of this story plays a big role in this book. I love the author’s way of setting the mood of the book through the town’s quirky character, the locals and the events that followed. This author’s writing style is different than I am used to but it doesn’t mean that I didn’t like it, in fact I love it! She creates characters that are so empathetic. This tale is about self-preservation and redemption. It challenges your moral compass, makes you think deep and dig deep inside your heart. It made me question myself if I would have done the same, maybe or maybe not. I cannot tell you because you might judge me. One thing I can tell you is that you should read this book. Highly recommended!
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and I am totally blown away. A psychological drama set in Martha’s Vineyard with seemingly ordinary characters thrown into a moral dilemma.
There are three main characters in this story: Kat, Sean and Hunter. Kat and Sean are in a relationship and Hunter is their friend. Kat’s past defines her character. When that “incident” happened, her actions and her choice altered the dynamics of this trio’s relationship.
Sean has a teenage daughter from a previous relationship, lives in Martha’s Vineyard and the type who will never leave his hometown. He is forever linked to this place. He has been in a relationship with Kat for more than five years. He got to know her when she drifted into town and became his mother, Orla’s apprentice glass blower.
Hunter is the son of a powerful political figure, privileged but completely ignored by his father. He has undergone rehab for his overindulgent lifestyle. His friendship with Kat and Sean developed when he arrived in the island to keep a low profile and not draw attention to his father’s campaign in the upcoming elections.
Martha’s Vineyard the setting of this story plays a big role in this book. I love the author’s way of setting the mood of the book through the town’s quirky character, the locals and the events that followed. This author’s writing style is different than I am used to but it doesn’t mean that I didn’t like it, in fact I love it! She creates characters that are so empathetic. This tale is about self-preservation and redemption. It challenges your moral compass, makes you think deep and dig deep inside your heart. It made me question myself if I would have done the same, maybe or maybe not. I cannot tell you because you might judge me. One thing I can tell you is that you should read this book. Highly recommended!
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