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After the Sirens
When Cate’s parents derail her perfect NYC life with their monumentally ill-timed divorce, she kind of loses it. By the time she gets it together, she’s in Miami with no friends and none of the classes and activities she imagined for her senior year of high school. So, she decides to blow it all up. Do something that defies everyone’s expectations. A chance encounter with an EMS crew at the scene of an accident leads her to start training as an EMT while riding the city ambulances at night. Admittedly, she doesn’t understand any of this world. Not the people, not the rules, not the sense of humor. But she hangs in and surprises herself with some previously unknown talents and even a little gut instinct. The more EMS takes over her life, the more she questions whether going back to New York and back to her old life is really what she wants. Until her complicated relationship with Adrian, a high school classmate and fellow EMT, leads her to take bigger and bigger risks to find the life she was meant to lead. Together they try to figure it all out—high school, friends, parents, the future … and how to be an EMT and not kill anyone.
276 pages, Hardcover
First published June 13, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
July 13, 2023
If you’ve ever pondered the idea of becoming a paramedic or an EMT, this book could help you in the decision. You’ll either think, “Wow, that’s for me!”, or “No way could I do that!”.
The novel follows the life of Cat, a seventeen-year-old who has been plucked from her life in Manhattan and dropped into Miami, Florida for her senior year, because of her parent’s divorce. She’s at loose ends, letting her mother push her from one activity to another, all of which would look good for college admissions. After assisting EMTs after a freak accident at a riding school, Cat thinks she’s found something that’s worth throwing herself into. She signs up to be a junior assistant in a rescue unit, with little idea what she will be experiencing on those late-night ambulance rides…
Red Flags/Trigger Warnings:
Frequent vulgar language, scenes of underage drinking, and suggestions of teen sex, though nothing is graphically described.
A main character’s sibling has committed suicide before the book starts, and details are discussed. Some of the situations the EMTs have to deal with are quite intense; suggested police brutality; some family members become combative when their relative dies. Might be disturbing for some readers.; this book is definitely not for younger readers.
The novel follows the life of Cat, a seventeen-year-old who has been plucked from her life in Manhattan and dropped into Miami, Florida for her senior year, because of her parent’s divorce. She’s at loose ends, letting her mother push her from one activity to another, all of which would look good for college admissions. After assisting EMTs after a freak accident at a riding school, Cat thinks she’s found something that’s worth throwing herself into. She signs up to be a junior assistant in a rescue unit, with little idea what she will be experiencing on those late-night ambulance rides…
Red Flags/Trigger Warnings:
Frequent vulgar language, scenes of underage drinking, and suggestions of teen sex, though nothing is graphically described.
A main character’s sibling has committed suicide before the book starts, and details are discussed. Some of the situations the EMTs have to deal with are quite intense; suggested police brutality; some family members become combative when their relative dies. Might be disturbing for some readers.; this book is definitely not for younger readers.
April 7, 2023
This was good! I really liked the premise, with the junior EMT program and the different characters all finding their ways into it in different ways. The calls were interesting; I know it's how EMS works -- that you don't always find out the end of the story -- but I'd have liked to see a little more followup on some of the bigger issues at play with the police interactions. That said, I did enjoy watching Cate learn that it's OK to change her path. We need more stories telling people it's OK to do that.
February 25, 2025
I absolutely loved the raw honesty of the main character in this story. The novel delves deep into the complexities of a strained mother-daughter relationship, highlighting how family dynamics profoundly shape a young adult's life. With its emotional depth and unfiltered truths, this book offers a poignant and relatable exploration of love, tension, and personal growth within a family.
May 25, 2023
After the Sirens is the perfect YA novel that blends high school angst with the mature and real world pressures of EMS and EMT. Fans of YA will enjoy Cate as she grows through her new family dynamic, adjusts to a new state, and prepares for life after high school. I especially appreciate the author incorporating her own unique background in emergency services. The realistic medical storylines of nighttime ambulance rides in some way mirror the various transitions the characters experience during the day and after the sirens.
April 1, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the advanced reader's copy!
I wouldn't necessarily classify this as new adult, I think it's pretty firmly in the young adult category.
Cate is uprooted during her senior year of high school after her parents have divorced. Her mom has taken her from NYC to Miami. On her first day she's already garnered the attention of popular boy Adrian, who punches out one of his friends after he makes a joke about Cate killing herself.
After this incident Cate's mom makes her join an afterschool activity at a local horse camp. It's there that she witnesses an incident where an ambulance is called. Once the ambulance gets there she notices Adrian as one of the EMTs. Cate decides her parents aren't the only ones who can blowup her life and she decides to shake things up by joining the Junior EMS program.
The program ends up changing her perspective on life and what she wants out of it. The story is really a coming of age about breaking out of your expected path.
In all honesty it was a good book, but I think it would have been stronger without the romantic storyline. Adrian honestly just felt like fodder and it just didn't feel fleshed out to. I felt the ending was realistic and I enjoyed the friendships she made along the way, I just felt like the story could have explored Cate's familial relationships and future more.
I wouldn't necessarily classify this as new adult, I think it's pretty firmly in the young adult category.
Cate is uprooted during her senior year of high school after her parents have divorced. Her mom has taken her from NYC to Miami. On her first day she's already garnered the attention of popular boy Adrian, who punches out one of his friends after he makes a joke about Cate killing herself.
After this incident Cate's mom makes her join an afterschool activity at a local horse camp. It's there that she witnesses an incident where an ambulance is called. Once the ambulance gets there she notices Adrian as one of the EMTs. Cate decides her parents aren't the only ones who can blowup her life and she decides to shake things up by joining the Junior EMS program.
The program ends up changing her perspective on life and what she wants out of it. The story is really a coming of age about breaking out of your expected path.
In all honesty it was a good book, but I think it would have been stronger without the romantic storyline. Adrian honestly just felt like fodder and it just didn't feel fleshed out to. I felt the ending was realistic and I enjoyed the friendships she made along the way, I just felt like the story could have explored Cate's familial relationships and future more.
March 4, 2023
This was a very satisfying read. Cate is forced to move to Miami with her mother after her parents' divorce. She doesn't understand why she couldn't live with her dad to finish up her senior year in New York. To make things worse her new school does not offer the same academic and extra-curricular activities that her old school did. With no friends and nothing to look forward to Cate decides to step completely out of the box and live a life that she never dreamed of. She decides to join the junior EMT program and quickly learns how fascinating and exhilarating it can be to ride along on ambulance runs. She gets into a text competition with another junior EMT from her school, Adrian, to see who could share the most interesting stories from their shifts. After a slow burn the romance between the two develops and strengthens. This coming-of-age novel has a strong and well researched story line that will appeal to teens. It's easy to connect with the characters in this book and it's a joy to watch the resolutions unfold at the end. Thanks Net Galley for allowing me to access an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2023
Cate has been uprooted from New York and the only home and school she’s known to Miami with her mom after her parents’ divorce. She went from AP everything to unknown classes as a Senior and she finds herself floundering.
A short-lived volunteer job ends after Cate witnesses an incident where an ambulance is called and popular classmate, Adrian, is on scene as a junior EMT. She decides that’s it - she’s going to join the same program to shake things up.
This was an interesting book that was more skewed as YA than New Adult. The romance between Cate and Adrian was so-so and I don’t think it was as needed. Cate’s coming of age journey and being a junior EMT was so much better than the romance. I liked the secondary characters and especially her hospital crew that Cate interacts with the most.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this eARC. After the Sirens is out now.
A short-lived volunteer job ends after Cate witnesses an incident where an ambulance is called and popular classmate, Adrian, is on scene as a junior EMT. She decides that’s it - she’s going to join the same program to shake things up.
This was an interesting book that was more skewed as YA than New Adult. The romance between Cate and Adrian was so-so and I don’t think it was as needed. Cate’s coming of age journey and being a junior EMT was so much better than the romance. I liked the secondary characters and especially her hospital crew that Cate interacts with the most.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this eARC. After the Sirens is out now.
June 3, 2025
This is a really good story about a teenage girl whose life is completely changed when her mom and dad get divorced, and her mom decides to move from NYC to Miami to go to graduate school. Her mom and dad make her move with her mom. So, she is forced to face her senior year in a brand new place, against her wishes. She’s able to reassess her life plans and make a new plan thanks to all the new things she experiences in Miami. There are some tough things that are addressed in the book, but there’s really no bad language (at least none I remember) and no sexual stuff. There is some implied sexual stuff, but nothing raunchy or inappropriate for teens. Although some of the issues are unresolved in the end, it’s a very good story.
February 12, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and Blackstone for access to an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
There was a lot to love about this book! Ms. Farrell creates a unique, interesting setting in the world of a teenage EMT and writes both Miami and New York very well. Additionally, she maintains a strong voice in writing the characters, There is a certain, singular energy to the story that feels really powerful. I will be on the lookout for future titles from this author!
There was a lot to love about this book! Ms. Farrell creates a unique, interesting setting in the world of a teenage EMT and writes both Miami and New York very well. Additionally, she maintains a strong voice in writing the characters, There is a certain, singular energy to the story that feels really powerful. I will be on the lookout for future titles from this author!
February 22, 2023
4.5/5 stars! The author has a history as an EMT and it really shows in this exciting book about figuring out who we are and how we can grow. I really liked how in-depth this book was about life as an EMT without making it jargony or boring. Cate was relatable as a teenage girl and I think a lot of readers would connect with her.
I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
July 9, 2025
Cate is forced to move from NYC where she attended an elite private school, to Miami, where she enrolled in a public school. Her parents were divorcing, and her life was blown apart - so why not blow it up more? She blows off the SAT's, meets a cute boy with lots of money but a lot of family drama of his own, and starts EMT school. Cate had no idea how much she could grow and change in a year. A nice "coming-of-age" story.
April 17, 2023
Fascinating peek behind the scenes of EMT's and EMT training. I believe it's billed as an adult book but I would call it YA. A good coming of age story with a sweet romance. Thank you NetGalley and Blackstone publishing for an ARC of this
July 10, 2023
I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Sharon Farrell.
This book will appeal to young adults wanting to know more about the inside working of the life of Emergency Medical Technicians but it is so much more than that.
This is a well written and engaging young adult book. A coming of age story with great character development as these late teens mature and search for their passion in life while struggling with decisions about the trajectory they are currently on and whether this is their true north. I’ll be buying this book for my granddaughter to read.
This book will appeal to young adults wanting to know more about the inside working of the life of Emergency Medical Technicians but it is so much more than that.
This is a well written and engaging young adult book. A coming of age story with great character development as these late teens mature and search for their passion in life while struggling with decisions about the trajectory they are currently on and whether this is their true north. I’ll be buying this book for my granddaughter to read.
August 26, 2025
Have you ever read a book where there are descriptions but absolutely no emotion? That’s this book. There was a lot of opportunity to make the reader feel something but instead it just drones on like it’s an attorney stating facts. But if you want to become an EMT, you might learn something.
June 19, 2023
Somewhere between 2.5-3
July 21, 2023
Ms Farrell captured teen angst perfectly. She knows her EMT stuff too. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and look forward to reading more from this author.
December 5, 2023
I enjoyed learning about Cate's story: how her world fell apart, dealing with her parent's divorce & having to a life-changing move to Miami from Manhattan for her senior year. She took a leap of faith to try something completely unexpected to learn about the EMT program. It was fun watching Cate try to figure out where she belongs in the world. Definitely a YA book; I would have loved this book as a high schooler.
February 27, 2025
This was quite a boring one .
May 20, 2025
Very meh. I thought it would be more action-packed.
September 17, 2025
Good choice for Juniors and Seniors as it deals with a lot of the uncertainity that comes with looking to choose your futute.
March 13, 2023
A brilliant read that does an incredible job of encapsulating the teenage experience. Seventeen-year-old me would have felt seen reading this (well, seenish—my childhood was nowhere near as dramatic). Sharon Farrell's voice is hilarious; ironic, dry, and punchy in just the right doses.
Cate is a privileged New Yorker whose plans for her senior year get derailed when her parents divorce and her mom moves them both to Miami. Angry and adrift, with fewer credentials to make her an appealing candidate at her dream college, Barnard, Cate witnesses a horrible accident that sets her on an unexpected course. She enrolls in a junior EMT training program and begins riding the city ambulance at night. For once in her life, Cate has no clue what is expected of her. Aside from, of course, trying not to kill anyone in her new role. But as she draws closer to graduation, Cate also realizes she's not so sure what she expects of herself.
The coming-of-age story is authentic and exciting, and for fans of YA, I can't recommend this title more highly. I also learned a lot of interesting facts about EMS! Not surprised in the least to discover that Farrell trained as an EMT herself.
Cate is a privileged New Yorker whose plans for her senior year get derailed when her parents divorce and her mom moves them both to Miami. Angry and adrift, with fewer credentials to make her an appealing candidate at her dream college, Barnard, Cate witnesses a horrible accident that sets her on an unexpected course. She enrolls in a junior EMT training program and begins riding the city ambulance at night. For once in her life, Cate has no clue what is expected of her. Aside from, of course, trying not to kill anyone in her new role. But as she draws closer to graduation, Cate also realizes she's not so sure what she expects of herself.
The coming-of-age story is authentic and exciting, and for fans of YA, I can't recommend this title more highly. I also learned a lot of interesting facts about EMS! Not surprised in the least to discover that Farrell trained as an EMT herself.
May 25, 2023
After the Sirens is the perfect YA novel that blends high school angst with the mature and real world pressures of EMS and EMT. Fans of YA will enjoy Cate as she grows through her new family dynamic, adjusts to a new state, and prepares for life after high school. I especially appreciate the author incorporating her own unique background in emergency services. The realistic medical storylines of nighttime ambulance rides in some way mirror the various transitions the characters experience during the day and after the sirens.
May 14, 2024
It's been a while since I read a YA book so grounded in a familiar world, but this definitely made the career-oriented high schooler in me very happy! These main characters are trying to figure out their place in the world, and their journey doing just that is a wonderful experience. Thoroughly enjoyed this easy read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews