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After She Left
Abigail Gibson is gone. The morning after Christmas Day, she walks out of her home in the leafy suburbs of Westchester, New York, leaving behind a strange note on the kitchen table… and her ten-year-old son, Sam.
When her sister Gillian gets the call, she can barely believe it. Abigail has always been a little, well, unreliable, but she hasn’t done anything like this in a decade--not since Sam was born.
Now Gillian’s left taking care of Sam while she waits for news of Abigail’s whereabouts. But things aren’t so great in Gillian’s home either, where her husband’s odd behavior and late nights out are giving her doubts she thought she'd never have.
Meanwhile as Abigail shows no signs of re-appearing, Gillian is forced to confront the two big questions: what secrets is her sister hiding…and is she ever coming back?
The answers will upend her world...
When her sister Gillian gets the call, she can barely believe it. Abigail has always been a little, well, unreliable, but she hasn’t done anything like this in a decade--not since Sam was born.
Now Gillian’s left taking care of Sam while she waits for news of Abigail’s whereabouts. But things aren’t so great in Gillian’s home either, where her husband’s odd behavior and late nights out are giving her doubts she thought she'd never have.
Meanwhile as Abigail shows no signs of re-appearing, Gillian is forced to confront the two big questions: what secrets is her sister hiding…and is she ever coming back?
The answers will upend her world...
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2021
4131 people are currently reading
1685 people want to read
About the author
Claire Amarti
5 books165 followersHi there! I’m an author who writes suspense stories about ordinary women – women like the ones we all know and love – who find out that their ordinary lives may not be quite so ordinary after all! My hope is that you will root for them, fear for them, and find yourself holding your breath when the action starts to get a little hairy!
When I’m not writing, I can be found strolling the streets of Brooklyn, New York City, my adopted home, dodging pigeons and traffic. I moved here a little over eight years ago from Ireland, and never looked back. To me there’s nothing more wonderful than that feeling of finding – or making! – a new home, that mixture of excitement at finding a place in the world, and the comfort of being able to come back to it time and again. That’s what reading feels like for me… and for you too I suspect! And it's what I love about writing. A good book should be a home too: a place where you can trust that you’ll find a wonderful adventure, and then land safe and sound at the end of it all, ready to do it all again another day!
When I’m not writing, I can be found strolling the streets of Brooklyn, New York City, my adopted home, dodging pigeons and traffic. I moved here a little over eight years ago from Ireland, and never looked back. To me there’s nothing more wonderful than that feeling of finding – or making! – a new home, that mixture of excitement at finding a place in the world, and the comfort of being able to come back to it time and again. That’s what reading feels like for me… and for you too I suspect! And it's what I love about writing. A good book should be a home too: a place where you can trust that you’ll find a wonderful adventure, and then land safe and sound at the end of it all, ready to do it all again another day!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 236 reviews
May 1, 2022
I read Amarti’s Silent Daughter. It was another kindle freebie some time ago. It was decent enough, a perfectly decent midrange thriller of the sort of thrillers that are so popular these days. Then I found this book as a freebie and figured it would be more of the same. But no…should have read the small print.
Granted, it is designed to seem the same, from cover to title to even the book’s structure. It’s one of those…your sister is gone thrillers. Only after she left…there’s not much. Because, dear readers, this isn’t a thriller.
Aha, Amarti fooled us. Or at least, didn’t warn us adequately.
What this book is, really, is a Lifetime movie rendered as women’s fiction. Not literature, mind you – women’s fiction at its estrogen-soaked lachrymose ubersincerity is seldom if ever that. Ok, well, let the emotional manipulation proceed.
And to think, I was pissed off just to find out it was one of those mommy thrillers. And it isn’t even a freaking thriller. Although, very mommy-heavy.
The protagonist has a nice life but can’t get pregnant and despite not having tried for all that long and despite not being that old she is FREAKING out about it.
Meaning her entire life is about having or not having a baby.
Meaning her sister’s disappearance is hugely inconvenient.
Now she’s stuck babysitting her precocious ten-year-old nephew who talks like an adult and has a very obvious OCD. She doesn’t notice it, of course, because her mind is so far up her uterus.
Instead, she thinks about babies, babies, babies. And occasionally about where her sister gone off to.
And the entire plot hinges on taking DNA tests – one of the dumbest latest trends of the discretion-free era. And some family secrets. And, to no one’s surprise, it’s ALL about kids.
So yeah, it’s kind of tedious. Even though Amarti is actually a pretty decent writer and knows a thing or two about drawing the readers in.
The only likeable character is the ten-year-old. The rest of the novel is just flopping emotions emoting all over the place driven by the potent desire to breed at all costs.
So yeah, now you know. Tricky mismarketing ploy to dress this weeper into a thriller. That's a pregnancy frock, people, not a trench coat. Pass.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
Granted, it is designed to seem the same, from cover to title to even the book’s structure. It’s one of those…your sister is gone thrillers. Only after she left…there’s not much. Because, dear readers, this isn’t a thriller.
Aha, Amarti fooled us. Or at least, didn’t warn us adequately.
What this book is, really, is a Lifetime movie rendered as women’s fiction. Not literature, mind you – women’s fiction at its estrogen-soaked lachrymose ubersincerity is seldom if ever that. Ok, well, let the emotional manipulation proceed.
And to think, I was pissed off just to find out it was one of those mommy thrillers. And it isn’t even a freaking thriller. Although, very mommy-heavy.
The protagonist has a nice life but can’t get pregnant and despite not having tried for all that long and despite not being that old she is FREAKING out about it.
Meaning her entire life is about having or not having a baby.
Meaning her sister’s disappearance is hugely inconvenient.
Now she’s stuck babysitting her precocious ten-year-old nephew who talks like an adult and has a very obvious OCD. She doesn’t notice it, of course, because her mind is so far up her uterus.
Instead, she thinks about babies, babies, babies. And occasionally about where her sister gone off to.
And the entire plot hinges on taking DNA tests – one of the dumbest latest trends of the discretion-free era. And some family secrets. And, to no one’s surprise, it’s ALL about kids.
So yeah, it’s kind of tedious. Even though Amarti is actually a pretty decent writer and knows a thing or two about drawing the readers in.
The only likeable character is the ten-year-old. The rest of the novel is just flopping emotions emoting all over the place driven by the potent desire to breed at all costs.
So yeah, now you know. Tricky mismarketing ploy to dress this weeper into a thriller. That's a pregnancy frock, people, not a trench coat. Pass.
This and more at https://advancetheplot.weebly.com/
November 26, 2021
This was a fast and engaging read, focused on Gillian, who is in high stress mode dealing with trying to get pregnant when her sister Abigail disappears. Gillian and her husband Oliver end up caring for Abigail’s 10 year old son Sam while trying to figure out where she went. Note that the book is definitely much more of a family drama than a mystery.
The characters in this book are all likeable and believable- while I sometimes felt frustrated with Gillian's decision-making, it still felt real. The dynamic between her and Sam was fun to read. The story itself moves at a fast clip and uses the interactions between the characters to build out the sense of who they are, rather than a lot of internal monologue. The twist in the book is a surprise, and does a good job at tying together different opinions/experiences on the same topic, which was really well done and gives the reader authentic perspectives from various POVs.
The end of the book ties everything together nicely and leaves no loose ends. I enjoyed the story (as I have Amarti's other books) and recommend it to those who enjoy this genre. Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of this book!
The characters in this book are all likeable and believable- while I sometimes felt frustrated with Gillian's decision-making, it still felt real. The dynamic between her and Sam was fun to read. The story itself moves at a fast clip and uses the interactions between the characters to build out the sense of who they are, rather than a lot of internal monologue. The twist in the book is a surprise, and does a good job at tying together different opinions/experiences on the same topic, which was really well done and gives the reader authentic perspectives from various POVs.
The end of the book ties everything together nicely and leaves no loose ends. I enjoyed the story (as I have Amarti's other books) and recommend it to those who enjoy this genre. Thanks to the author for providing me a copy of this book!
December 14, 2022
This is what I’m starting to know: that we can bury the truth as deep as we like, but that, like heat or rot, truth rises. It always rises.
This wasn’t quite what I was expecting – but turned out to be a surprisingly good treat. Amarti is a new-to-me-author and I enjoyed her writing which was thoughtful, smooth and easy to follow. I’ll certainly be adding her name to my author watchlist.
Complications, secrets and lies between family members fill this story with emotional twists and turns. The characters for the most part draw your concern and affection. It’s a rollercoaster ride from start to finish.
The ending was what I hoped for, and the author wrapped everything up believably and with hope for a positive and happy future.
January 28, 2022
Good story that held my attention all the way through it. A lot happens in the last part of the book, so the suspense builds and there are some revelations I didn't expect.
The young boy, Sam, was my favorite character. He has some issues that developed after the death of a grandparent. Although they seem obvious to an outsider, he was able to keep them hidden from his parents until the home situation makes it more apparent.
There is a lot of character growth throughout the story. I liked the family dynamics and the secrets revealed. Especially how each member dealt with it in their own way.
This book was selected by an in-person book club. I'll add more here if anything more is revealed by the other members during our discussion. New-to-me author and I purchased this book in digital. I will read more of this author's work based on this book.
Review by Dorine ~ more reviews coming at my blog, TheZestQuest.com and reposted here when I do that. New year resolution -- not all books I review will be on my blog. Some will be summarized here and just noted at my blog monthly in an effort to catch up on my reviews. Thanks in advance for following me there and here.
The young boy, Sam, was my favorite character. He has some issues that developed after the death of a grandparent. Although they seem obvious to an outsider, he was able to keep them hidden from his parents until the home situation makes it more apparent.
There is a lot of character growth throughout the story. I liked the family dynamics and the secrets revealed. Especially how each member dealt with it in their own way.
This book was selected by an in-person book club. I'll add more here if anything more is revealed by the other members during our discussion. New-to-me author and I purchased this book in digital. I will read more of this author's work based on this book.
Review by Dorine ~ more reviews coming at my blog, TheZestQuest.com and reposted here when I do that. New year resolution -- not all books I review will be on my blog. Some will be summarized here and just noted at my blog monthly in an effort to catch up on my reviews. Thanks in advance for following me there and here.
February 3, 2022
**4.5 Stars**
Brief Synopsis: Abigail is impulsive, erratic, and unpredictable. Now she’s missing, but she’s ran away before. Something doesn’t feel right this time though. She left no clues as to why and it’s odd that she would leave her 10 year old son behind. Gillian (Abigail’s sister) is determined to figure out what’s going on.
Thoughts: This is an intriguing, fast-paced read with enough red herrings to keep you engaged and guessing. The characters feel realistic and the storyline is mostly believable (two things I appreciate in my books). Everyone seems to have a secret, but some of the secrets are bigger than others. I thought the narrative surrounding OCD, infertility, and marital issues was woven together perfectly.
Thank you to Claire Amarti for a gifted copy of this book. I can’t wait for the next one!!
Brief Synopsis: Abigail is impulsive, erratic, and unpredictable. Now she’s missing, but she’s ran away before. Something doesn’t feel right this time though. She left no clues as to why and it’s odd that she would leave her 10 year old son behind. Gillian (Abigail’s sister) is determined to figure out what’s going on.
Thoughts: This is an intriguing, fast-paced read with enough red herrings to keep you engaged and guessing. The characters feel realistic and the storyline is mostly believable (two things I appreciate in my books). Everyone seems to have a secret, but some of the secrets are bigger than others. I thought the narrative surrounding OCD, infertility, and marital issues was woven together perfectly.
Thank you to Claire Amarti for a gifted copy of this book. I can’t wait for the next one!!
May 9, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this book. I had stopped reading 3 books before I started this because I was so bored, so this was a refreshing change since it pulled me in right away. It started with the fact that the main character's sister left a note for her husband and 10-year old son that she had to leave but didn't include an explanation. I kind of expected it to be a psychological thriller, but it was actually a family story of troubled sisters, the boy and both husbands.
On the con side, I didn't enjoy the main character. I found her annoyingly obsessed with one thing in her life and couldn't see past it to have empathy for anyone else. There actually weren't many characters that I liked except her deceased father and maybe her sister's son. I also didn't like the abrupt ending. I feel like it set the scene for a sequel.
Finally, as always, I found the editing distracting at times. In particular, they referenced The Bridges of Madison County and how wonderful Robert Redford was in it. I love me some Robert Redford, but it was Clint Eastwood who was in the movie. Someone should have caught that.
On the con side, I didn't enjoy the main character. I found her annoyingly obsessed with one thing in her life and couldn't see past it to have empathy for anyone else. There actually weren't many characters that I liked except her deceased father and maybe her sister's son. I also didn't like the abrupt ending. I feel like it set the scene for a sequel.
Finally, as always, I found the editing distracting at times. In particular, they referenced The Bridges of Madison County and how wonderful Robert Redford was in it. I love me some Robert Redford, but it was Clint Eastwood who was in the movie. Someone should have caught that.
October 23, 2022
Are you my mother?
Secrets have a way of keeping certain things from happening but they also have a way of not allowing trust, forgiveness, and healing to bring people closer from happening. We all have them. None of us are perfect. But how can keeping them ever be what is truly best?
There is still much confrontation happening in this story that the safety and security of family seems to be contacted with the just quit and walk away mentality of society today.
It was tense, torturous, and hard to read at times. It wasn't what I expected but I did like the resolutions to each of the family conflicts that had arisen as secrets were exposed and families were changed forever.
Secrets have a way of keeping certain things from happening but they also have a way of not allowing trust, forgiveness, and healing to bring people closer from happening. We all have them. None of us are perfect. But how can keeping them ever be what is truly best?
There is still much confrontation happening in this story that the safety and security of family seems to be contacted with the just quit and walk away mentality of society today.
It was tense, torturous, and hard to read at times. It wasn't what I expected but I did like the resolutions to each of the family conflicts that had arisen as secrets were exposed and families were changed forever.
January 24, 2023
Easy Read, But Too Predictable
The author addresses three relevant issues in this book.
1. Mental illness in a child - I liked the fact that the author dealt honestly, yet gently with OCD in a child. It was treated with respect.
2. Infertility - Also, the problem of infertility and IVF was given a very realistic storyline.
3. DNA testing - The Pandora's Box that DNA testing sometimes opens is addressed realistically. I personally know two people who found out that their Dad was not their biological father through DNA testing and what chaos that caused in their family.
However, the story was very predictable. Sam had the reasoning of a 12 year old and not a 10 year old. But I did like the Epilogue. It brought closure without fluff.
The author addresses three relevant issues in this book.
1. Mental illness in a child - I liked the fact that the author dealt honestly, yet gently with OCD in a child. It was treated with respect.
2. Infertility - Also, the problem of infertility and IVF was given a very realistic storyline.
3. DNA testing - The Pandora's Box that DNA testing sometimes opens is addressed realistically. I personally know two people who found out that their Dad was not their biological father through DNA testing and what chaos that caused in their family.
However, the story was very predictable. Sam had the reasoning of a 12 year old and not a 10 year old. But I did like the Epilogue. It brought closure without fluff.
November 8, 2022
Lots of ups and downs, family drama, and unexpected turrns.
December 7, 2022
A good book a little drawn out
April 9, 2023
Story about family feelings and secrets. Story line covers infertility,martial issues and OCD. Characters really held my interest. Fast read.
January 8, 2023
Good use of foreshadowing with a twist I did not see coming. Got a bit preachy the final chapter or so but all in all a very good read.
January 7, 2022
Very slow and hard to get into.. I didn't find myself sitting on the edge of my seat for the twist.. I want to read the other books by Claire but now I'm wondering if it will be a waste of time.
April 14, 2022
Positive Notes: For the most part, the premise the book is well constructed. The character development of the two sisters, the primary protagonists, is solid. I enjoyed the primary characters. Since the plot is suspenseful, I returned to the book several times a day. I appreciated the large print too.
Challenges: With limited depth or insight into the lives of the minor characters, at times, their actions are difficult to comprehend or believe. Perhaps if one or two of the minor characters were eliminated, the storyline would resinate more with the reader. If one is looking for an easy, enjoyable, relatively light, insightful, thoughtful book, then, I recommend,'After She Left.'
Challenges: With limited depth or insight into the lives of the minor characters, at times, their actions are difficult to comprehend or believe. Perhaps if one or two of the minor characters were eliminated, the storyline would resinate more with the reader. If one is looking for an easy, enjoyable, relatively light, insightful, thoughtful book, then, I recommend,'After She Left.'
January 3, 2022
This was so depressing that I nearly gave up. About halfway through it started getting interesting so I stuck it out. I give it 3 stars for being somewhat intriguing but not going to say I like it much.
December 19, 2021
This is the first book I’ve ever given a low rating. I just couldn’t get interested. I know a lot of people loved it. I am going to try another of her books though.
April 6, 2022
I think the author had a checklist of related topics she wanted to explore - and tell us how we should think and feel about them. So in addition to being boring, it was preachy. Not for me.
April 16, 2023
This book was not what I expected. I was expecting a thriller and got women lit with a dash of a thriller sprinkled in. I did fully enjoy the read as it was well written and engaging enough to read in an afternoon. The storyline flowed, and the characters were fleshed out enough to keep me invested in their tale.
The story is told through the POV of Gillian. A woman in her 30s who desperately wants a baby with her husband, Oliver. One day, Gillian wakes up to a call from her mother saying her sister, Abigail, has taken off to places unknown while Abigails husband, Dennis, is out of the country. Suddenly, she finds herself with her nephew Sam.
With the help of her SIL, Dinah, she tries to navigate this taste of parenthood. But the longer Sam is with them, the more it seems like her family is keeping secrets. Including her BIL Jeff.
*Abigail has found a secret she is running to.
*Their mom has a secret she's been running from
*Sam has a secret he can't hide
*Oliver has a secret he is trying to hide
*Jeff seems to know the secrets
*Dinah secret is that she's pregnant
*Gillian doesn't have any secrets but is desperately trying to find out the truths in her family's webs.
*Dennis is just plain angry.
This book was a roller coaster of emotion with a few twists along the way for good measure.
The story is told through the POV of Gillian. A woman in her 30s who desperately wants a baby with her husband, Oliver. One day, Gillian wakes up to a call from her mother saying her sister, Abigail, has taken off to places unknown while Abigails husband, Dennis, is out of the country. Suddenly, she finds herself with her nephew Sam.
With the help of her SIL, Dinah, she tries to navigate this taste of parenthood. But the longer Sam is with them, the more it seems like her family is keeping secrets. Including her BIL Jeff.
*Abigail has found a secret she is running to.
*Their mom has a secret she's been running from
*Sam has a secret he can't hide
*Oliver has a secret he is trying to hide
*Jeff seems to know the secrets
*Dinah secret is that she's pregnant
*Gillian doesn't have any secrets but is desperately trying to find out the truths in her family's webs.
*Dennis is just plain angry.
This book was a roller coaster of emotion with a few twists along the way for good measure.
November 8, 2022
First thought: Interesting enough at first. I thought this book would be very similar in plot and twists as many others. Luckily it wasn’t. Also, disappointingly another book with the main character having fertility issues and reminding the reader chapter after chapter after chapter. I also wouldn’t classify this as a “gripping emotional page turner with a raise” but we’ll see
Final thought: the twists were not what I expected but still weren’t that interesting. The cliff hangers at the end of chapters fell flat. Book just became boring half way through with mediocrity. I felt everything was surface level, the reader was never able to fall in love with characters and therefore didn’t care what happened to them. It got better towards the end but still…..probably could have been a DNF but that’s not my style. Definitely not a page turner or suspenseful or an a-ha moment and maybe it’s not supposed to be so it was average.
Final thought: the twists were not what I expected but still weren’t that interesting. The cliff hangers at the end of chapters fell flat. Book just became boring half way through with mediocrity. I felt everything was surface level, the reader was never able to fall in love with characters and therefore didn’t care what happened to them. It got better towards the end but still…..probably could have been a DNF but that’s not my style. Definitely not a page turner or suspenseful or an a-ha moment and maybe it’s not supposed to be so it was average.
November 29, 2022
Very readable
A thoughtful study in how secrets and lies can poison families when they eventually come to light.
Gillian’s sister Abigail, always a bit unpredictable, ups and leaves her husband and son without warning nor explanation. Yet bit by bit, those reasons surface, and decisions taken decades earlier come home to roost, bringing with it uncomfortable home truths and new choices to be made.
I was uncertain starting the book, as Gillian’s grappling with her infertility almost went too far for me. But then the story opened up and went into a different direction than I expected, and was so well written that I was compelled to continue reading, finishing it in one sitting.
I liked that Abigail’s relationship with Lorna wasn’t dressed up in rose-tinted prose. That Sam was so well drawn. And that Gillian has more than fertility issues to challenge her, making her more than one dimensional.
A recommended read.
A thoughtful study in how secrets and lies can poison families when they eventually come to light.
Gillian’s sister Abigail, always a bit unpredictable, ups and leaves her husband and son without warning nor explanation. Yet bit by bit, those reasons surface, and decisions taken decades earlier come home to roost, bringing with it uncomfortable home truths and new choices to be made.
I was uncertain starting the book, as Gillian’s grappling with her infertility almost went too far for me. But then the story opened up and went into a different direction than I expected, and was so well written that I was compelled to continue reading, finishing it in one sitting.
I liked that Abigail’s relationship with Lorna wasn’t dressed up in rose-tinted prose. That Sam was so well drawn. And that Gillian has more than fertility issues to challenge her, making her more than one dimensional.
A recommended read.
December 1, 2021
After She Left was so hard to put down! A wonderful novel about how one defines family and their many struggles which is very relatable. There are so many twists and turns. When I thought I knew what was going to happen, Claire Amarti introduced an unexpected twist. Such an amazing read!
There were characters that, based on their actions, I was not fond of. However, by the end of the book, you realized what events led up to that character doing/acting that way. That made me more appreciate those characters and better understand where they were coming from. It all made perfect sense.
This is a great book. Claire Amarti is an up and coming author that deserves great praise for her books.
I loved reading her “A Letter From The Author” at the end of this book.
An amazing author! Thank you, Claire, for sharing your book with me.
There were characters that, based on their actions, I was not fond of. However, by the end of the book, you realized what events led up to that character doing/acting that way. That made me more appreciate those characters and better understand where they were coming from. It all made perfect sense.
This is a great book. Claire Amarti is an up and coming author that deserves great praise for her books.
I loved reading her “A Letter From The Author” at the end of this book.
An amazing author! Thank you, Claire, for sharing your book with me.
October 24, 2022
Not a suspense novel in the way the term is used. A nice book that touched on psychology 101 points and that blood relations does not always make family. That should be in caps since it was a biggie here. Additional points made included information on OCD, the ever present “emotional abuse”, divorce, adoption,IVF, and a whole gambit of repercussions from doing popular DNA tests. The bit about Abigail looking at apartment and agent checking her wedding ring finger ( trying to make another social point made me wonder if this was a book from the ‘80s for a moment). The story wouldn’t have existed if the characters spoke to each other and shared ( another point made). A pleasant book that keeps you quickly reading.
November 10, 2022
Abigail Gibson walks out one day and leaves her 10-yr old son Sam with her husband in New York. But her husband is called away on a humanitarian emergency. Gillian, Abigail’s sister is left to take care of her nephew. Gillian has problems of her own and wonders if her sister will ever return. Abigail finally calls from Miami and says she has found her birth mother. Gillian, her mother and Sam fly to meet Abigail in Miami. No one knew that Abigail was adopted except for their mother. Abigail finds out that her birth mother is actually their father’s younger sister and she is dying of cancer. Abigail and Gillian’s husbands join them in Miami and find out more family secrets. I really enjoyed this women’s psychological fiction novel.
November 20, 2022
I really enjoyed reading _After She Left_ by Claire Amarti. I stayed up reading way too late the past two nights, but I needed to finish it! Because I am in a family with more adopted cousins and siblings than biological ones, I was very interested in the different ways families and individuals handled that concept. Amarti's characters were all developed, often bringing names to mind you already know. The topics of divorce, IVF and OCD were also presented realistically, while sharing useful information about the topics and various approaches within the story.
I enjoyed reading this book and was a bit disappointed there wasn't a sequel so I knew if the characters were successful with the changes happening in their lives. I plan to continue reading more books by this author.l
I enjoyed reading this book and was a bit disappointed there wasn't a sequel so I knew if the characters were successful with the changes happening in their lives. I plan to continue reading more books by this author.l
May 1, 2022
Family is important ,even if messy
This is about family and all the mess that it involves. Gillian wants a baby but so far hasn't conceived. Then gets a call from her brother in law, who says her sister, Abigail, has disappeared and he has a business trip he has to gas to go on. So Gillian and Oliver take in their nephew Sam. Then things get worse and everything seems to be falling apary. Can Gillian and Oliver find the answers to their problems and surprises.? Can Abigail overcome the reasons for taking off and her feelings? Can any of them survive the upheaval in their lives and find peace? Definitely a great read
This is about family and all the mess that it involves. Gillian wants a baby but so far hasn't conceived. Then gets a call from her brother in law, who says her sister, Abigail, has disappeared and he has a business trip he has to gas to go on. So Gillian and Oliver take in their nephew Sam. Then things get worse and everything seems to be falling apary. Can Gillian and Oliver find the answers to their problems and surprises.? Can Abigail overcome the reasons for taking off and her feelings? Can any of them survive the upheaval in their lives and find peace? Definitely a great read
November 30, 2022
After she left brings us a interesting approach to mental health, DNA, personal identity and family bond. Although I have a little trouble categorizing this book (because it is not a thriller or romance) the book brings to the surface simple adult issues that many readers can empathized with. I wished the author would have pick one defined area and explore the characters through this lens. The relationships are imperfect (as they should be) but feel almost artificial. Quick read but it is more apt toward older audiences since a younger reader could get bored with some of the topics brushed on here.
January 22, 2023
This is a nice rainy day book. In fact, I read the bulk of it during rare Southern California rains. I think the author almost tries too hard to make the story relay or say something profound. There are a couple of statements, perhaps, worth highlighting. For the most part, it is about a family dealing with multiple crises and coming through having learned more.
The title is a misnomer. It might apply to a secondary character but that wouldn't warrant the title.
Still, the story is engaging and pleasant enough read. Its not laborious nor is it in any manner a romance. It is simply contemporary fiction.
The title is a misnomer. It might apply to a secondary character but that wouldn't warrant the title.
Still, the story is engaging and pleasant enough read. Its not laborious nor is it in any manner a romance. It is simply contemporary fiction.
February 24, 2023
This book has been on my tbr for a while. It had a great premise - one sister disappears and no one knows what happened to her. The story unraveled differently than I expected. Once the reason for the disappeared is revealed, the story takes a different turn. This was more domestic fiction than suspense. The family dynamics between all the characters were interesting. They all held biases and preconceived ideas about each other.
I didn't care for the storyline between Gillian and her husband Oliver. I thought something else was being implied by the author, but the twist was too much. I get why the author added it, but the timing didn't give it enough time to have a bigger impact.
I didn't care for the storyline between Gillian and her husband Oliver. I thought something else was being implied by the author, but the twist was too much. I get why the author added it, but the timing didn't give it enough time to have a bigger impact.
May 15, 2024
AFTER SHE LEFT is a women’s fiction/domestic drama about two sisters: Gillian, who is the steady, quiet dependable sister, and Abigail, who is the older sister and has a history of erratic behavior. Gillian is called when Abigail disappears and her husband can’t look after their son, and her mother asks her to watch 10-year-old Sam indefinitely. I liked the story line with Sam’s mental health issues and thought that was well done. Gillian is struggling with infertility and wants to explore IVF. The story takes some surprising turns when we learn why Abigail has disappeared and genetic testing plays a role. I enjoyed this book and found it engaging as a women’s fiction read. I would have found this too slow-paced to be called a thriller. But for a relaxing women’s fiction read, it was perfectly enjoyable. 4/5 stars.
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