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alizalondon's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second book I read (today) with a nearly-identical premise just because the previous one was so bad. And it was better—the characters were good (I’m so glad we actually got a POV chapter with the actual main character), there wasn’t a romantic relationship that magically healed all the trauma, and it showed recovery as a long, slow path. I honestly didn’t buy Caroline and Ethan’s friendship as anything but people who play music together, and I was looking for a little more oomph, particularly with regards to Caroline’s brother Dylan, but overall not bad.
kice7788's review against another edition
5.0
since I still have no power because of Irma I got some great reading in. loved this one. thought some of the writing was childish and seemed like it was easy to figure out what was going to happen but other than that it was great. just wish that it kept going or got into some other things.
girlinthepages's review against another edition
3.0
I've really come to love Jennifer Mathieu's books, as she always takes a touch topic and deals with it in a "quieter" way- what I mean is her books aren't over-hyped, shout from the rooftop how special they are because they deal with a traumatic issue monstrosities. Rather I get the feeling that Mathieu writes and researches for herself and then sends her books out into the world hoping they resonate with readers. Afterward is no exception, as it tackles the topic of kidnap and abuse, alternating from two very different POVs- that of Ethan, a survivor, and Caroline, the sister of a survivor. The narrative never really has big, shocking, traumatic reveals, rather it focuses on the recovery of the victims after they've been found with glimpses into the horrors they've encountered through therapy sessions. I liked the portrayal of therapy in this book as it showcases how Ethan has to really grow to become comfortable with it, and how it's not a miraculous "quick-fix" type of solution. I also appreciated the acknowledgement of how resources for victims after encountering a trauma such as a kidnapping are not necessarily created equally, and Ethan's access to those resources is very different from Caroline's family's access. It's heartbreaking but it's realistic.
Afterward only comes in at 3 stars for me for a few reasons, the largest being that I found Caroline to be such an unlikable character. Yes, she was a huge advocate for her brother and dealt with a very dysfunctional home life, but she was so abrasive and judgemental of Ethan, especially because of the fact that his family has money (which I'm not really sure if they did by the end of the book because it's mentioned that his parents spent a TON of their personal money, including their retirement savings, on continuing the years-long search to find him. Draining your 401K is no joke.) I also wish there had been more insight into the initial kidnapping to help better explain some of the trauma Dylan and Ethan are working to overcome, though I know the book's main focus, being titled Afterward, is the aftermath of the kidnappings.
Overall: A thought-provoking, unique read, but not my favorite book by Mathieu.This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
Afterward only comes in at 3 stars for me for a few reasons, the largest being that I found Caroline to be such an unlikable character. Yes, she was a huge advocate for her brother and dealt with a very dysfunctional home life, but she was so abrasive and judgemental of Ethan, especially because of the fact that his family has money (which I'm not really sure if they did by the end of the book because it's mentioned that his parents spent a TON of their personal money, including their retirement savings, on continuing the years-long search to find him. Draining your 401K is no joke.) I also wish there had been more insight into the initial kidnapping to help better explain some of the trauma Dylan and Ethan are working to overcome, though I know the book's main focus, being titled Afterward, is the aftermath of the kidnappings.
Overall: A thought-provoking, unique read, but not my favorite book by Mathieu.This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
kawarwick's review against another edition
5.0
I love this author! She has done it again - another new and unique storyline for a YA novel.
staceyhust88's review against another edition
4.0
Originally Posted At
www.thebookishloner.com
Afterward is the amazing story of two families that are given a second chance with loved ones they feared were lost for good. It’s the dream ending for families who have had to experience their own abduction story. And while the return of Ethan and Dylan seems like the perfect ending, it’s just the beginning for this story. The road Ethan and Caroline travel, each with their own trials, is not a smooth one. Yet, they are quite lucky to have each other, even if it seems like their pairing would cause more problems than good.
Mathieu does an excellent job weaving the before and afters together. We don’t spend a lot of time in the past, aside from watching as Ethan heals through vivid flashbacks, but it’s enough to paint an unhappy picture of what the two boys had to go through before their rescue. Mathieu keeps the subject matter PG for the most part but the story itself could serve as a trigger for some so use your own judgement before reading.
I was sucked into the story and invested in Ethan’s healing and for the most part as the story drew to an end I felt the satisfaction in knowing that our characters would be okay. I do wish that we could have had a more definitive answer for Dylan but I know that the book was too short to really dive in deep with his healing journey. This is definitely the type of book that has me holding my babies a little tighter as I tuck them in at night.
www.thebookishloner.com
Afterward is the amazing story of two families that are given a second chance with loved ones they feared were lost for good. It’s the dream ending for families who have had to experience their own abduction story. And while the return of Ethan and Dylan seems like the perfect ending, it’s just the beginning for this story. The road Ethan and Caroline travel, each with their own trials, is not a smooth one. Yet, they are quite lucky to have each other, even if it seems like their pairing would cause more problems than good.
Mathieu does an excellent job weaving the before and afters together. We don’t spend a lot of time in the past, aside from watching as Ethan heals through vivid flashbacks, but it’s enough to paint an unhappy picture of what the two boys had to go through before their rescue. Mathieu keeps the subject matter PG for the most part but the story itself could serve as a trigger for some so use your own judgement before reading.
I was sucked into the story and invested in Ethan’s healing and for the most part as the story drew to an end I felt the satisfaction in knowing that our characters would be okay. I do wish that we could have had a more definitive answer for Dylan but I know that the book was too short to really dive in deep with his healing journey. This is definitely the type of book that has me holding my babies a little tighter as I tuck them in at night.
debi_g's review against another edition
4.0
"I hate how in high school you're stuck in a group and when you really later you probably belonged in another one, it's too late to change because you're already who you are" (85).
"It's weird that there are people out there who actually go to Harvard. It sounds like going to Mars" (147).
"The thing about Moments is that when you try to have them, you can't. They only sneak up on you when you don't expect them" (276).
For it's fresh perspective (afterward rather than during), I highly recommend this story for fans of Room or Stolen or other fictional accounts of kidnapping and captivity and its aftermath for survivors and their families.
I adore the character of Dr. Greenberg.
"It's weird that there are people out there who actually go to Harvard. It sounds like going to Mars" (147).
"The thing about Moments is that when you try to have them, you can't. They only sneak up on you when you don't expect them" (276).
For it's fresh perspective (afterward rather than during), I highly recommend this story for fans of Room or Stolen or other fictional accounts of kidnapping and captivity and its aftermath for survivors and their families.
I adore the character of Dr. Greenberg.
grahamlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I was lucky enough to get an ARC of this title at the Texas Library Association. I've been a fan of Mathieu since The Truth About Alice and this is her best title yet. I can't wait to recommend this to my students when it's released in the fall. It's a great contemporary fiction about a difficult topic and dealt with in a realistic, honest, and respectful way.
jacieandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Very interesting, I was so excited to see a book that isnt just the action of the story but how people continue to live after such trauma. I would have loved to have a bit more information about the brother, even if it is only observations. Autism is such an interesting and varying disease, the thought of adding trauma on top of it was very intriguing. Great read.
cjsjellybean's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book but it was way too simple for me. I feel like the simplicity would be good for a younger audience however the subject of being abducted for several years might be frightening for too young of a reader. I never felt super connected to either of the two main characters which was rather disappointing. Sure, they were likable, but I didn't feel very attached. The book held my attention and I definitely found myself wanting to read every night which is great. However, I felt like things were flowing nicely at the end - I pressed the turn page button on my Kindle - and the book was over. It felt very abrupt and I didn't like that things didn't really wrap up. I know the book is called "Afterward" and is mainly about after the kidnapping, but I would have liked to have learned a little more about Ethan and Dylan's time being away.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.
cupcakegirly's review against another edition
4.0
This was one of those rare times when a book affected me both as a reader and as a parent.
Much like Jennifer Mathieu's two previous books, The Truth About Alice and Devoted, this story was difficult to read at times. It was awkward, uncomfortable, and the rawness of Ethan and Caroline's emotions hurt. But it's also story filled with forgiveness, healing, and hope.
Much like Jennifer Mathieu's two previous books, The Truth About Alice and Devoted, this story was difficult to read at times. It was awkward, uncomfortable, and the rawness of Ethan and Caroline's emotions hurt. But it's also story filled with forgiveness, healing, and hope.