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guardianofthebookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
Grade: D
An e-galley was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: After loving Jennifer Mathieu's sophomore novel, I had high hopes for Afterward. Unfortunately, these hopes were not met.
I spent most of the book pissed off at Caroline and her parents, and I didn't connect with Ethan, so I didn't enjoy his chapters either. The character relationships were tremulously built. Mathieu wrote Rachel and Lauren's friendship so well in Devoted that I expected more from the developing friendship between Caroline and Ethan. I wasn't impressed by the narration or plot. The ending came about so quickly, and it didn't feel complete. I felt like so much of the plot was unresolved and like none of it really mattered.
I appreciated what Mathieu tried to do with the grayness of kidnappings. I liked Ethan's therapist; he was probably the best character out of the handful that held importance to the narrative.
There was a lot of foul language, and drug use and underage drinking were treated very casually.
The Verdict: Honestly, this is probably a book you should leave off your TBR list.
An e-galley was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for review consideration.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: After loving Jennifer Mathieu's sophomore novel, I had high hopes for Afterward. Unfortunately, these hopes were not met.
I spent most of the book pissed off at Caroline and her parents, and I didn't connect with Ethan, so I didn't enjoy his chapters either. The character relationships were tremulously built. Mathieu wrote Rachel and Lauren's friendship so well in Devoted that I expected more from the developing friendship between Caroline and Ethan. I wasn't impressed by the narration or plot. The ending came about so quickly, and it didn't feel complete. I felt like so much of the plot was unresolved and like none of it really mattered.
I appreciated what Mathieu tried to do with the grayness of kidnappings. I liked Ethan's therapist; he was probably the best character out of the handful that held importance to the narrative.
There was a lot of foul language, and drug use and underage drinking were treated very casually.
The Verdict: Honestly, this is probably a book you should leave off your TBR list.
wellreadrebel's review against another edition
3.0
Was originally 5 stars, going to drop it down because of a slightly off portrayal of autism, (people with ASD are not broken), and the fact that the author puts autism speaks as a reliable source, which it is not. Not by a long shot.
kelleybean1981's review against another edition
4.0
While this isn't my favorite book by this author (I didn't like the ending very much), I still think she's possibly my favorite new-to-me author. Sort of reminds me of John Green, which is a huge compliment.
endlessreader's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. I was highly underwhelmed by Afterward despite its intriguing premise. I've always been interested in how those who have suffered through a kidnapping cope with everything that's happened after they've been rescued. Unfortunately, Afterward left me slightly cold.
My main issue with it was Caroline. She was such an unlikable character and oftentimes downplayed what Ethan went through just because he came from a family that could provide extensive therapy. I also don't understand why she was deemed important enough to become a secondary narrator. She didn't go through the kidnapping and most of her inner thoughts had little to do with her kidnapped brother, so I just didn't see the point of her.
I also never really connected with Ethan. Maybe I would have had the book been solely about him, but while I felt sympathy for what he went through, I never really clicked with him. Also, the author had him use the word "guilty" way too many times. I understand that a character like that would feel guilty, but a synonym should have been used once or twice.
In the end, I just wasn't a huge fan of Afterward. I never clicked with any of the characters and for such a short book, it did have moments where it lagged. The ending was also abrupt. I say skip it.
My main issue with it was Caroline. She was such an unlikable character and oftentimes downplayed what Ethan went through just because he came from a family that could provide extensive therapy. I also don't understand why she was deemed important enough to become a secondary narrator. She didn't go through the kidnapping and most of her inner thoughts had little to do with her kidnapped brother, so I just didn't see the point of her.
I also never really connected with Ethan. Maybe I would have had the book been solely about him, but while I felt sympathy for what he went through, I never really clicked with him. Also, the author had him use the word "guilty" way too many times. I understand that a character like that would feel guilty, but a synonym should have been used once or twice.
In the end, I just wasn't a huge fan of Afterward. I never clicked with any of the characters and for such a short book, it did have moments where it lagged. The ending was also abrupt. I say skip it.
thebookishaustin's review against another edition
4.0
This book was:
1. Sad.
2. Funny.
3. Heart-wrenching.
4. Heart-warming.
5. Hopeful.
6. Intriguing.
1. Sad.
2. Funny.
3. Heart-wrenching.
4. Heart-warming.
5. Hopeful.
6. Intriguing.
ladyseraph14's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
I really enjoy seeing victims of abuse/trauma work through everything and get better in literature; this book delivers wonderfully in that respect. I also liked the family dynamics and the message in Afterward.... but other than that I felt kinda meh. The plot was okay but predictable. The characters sometimes came across as flat ("I play this role but I have no other thoughts or interests other than that) and had chunky bits of dialogue at times. It's worth reading, but it lacks that something extra to make it memorable or a favorite or a 4*.
I really enjoy seeing victims of abuse/trauma work through everything and get better in literature; this book delivers wonderfully in that respect. I also liked the family dynamics and the message in Afterward.... but other than that I felt kinda meh. The plot was okay but predictable. The characters sometimes came across as flat ("I play this role but I have no other thoughts or interests other than that) and had chunky bits of dialogue at times. It's worth reading, but it lacks that something extra to make it memorable or a favorite or a 4*.
inkdrinkerpdx's review against another edition
3.0
Caroline’s little brother is kidnapped and when he is rescued, Ethan, was also rescued. Ethan has been living with the kidnapper since he was a child and is now 16 years old.
This story was slow going but still intense. My only problem was I wish we got a process of healing with Caroline’s little brother, who is autistic. I enjoyed Ethan’s healing progress and his friendship with Caroline.
This story was slow going but still intense. My only problem was I wish we got a process of healing with Caroline’s little brother, who is autistic. I enjoyed Ethan’s healing progress and his friendship with Caroline.
lady_maverick's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
I really enjoy seeing victims of abuse/trauma work through everything and get better in literature; this book delivers wonderfully in that respect. I also liked the family dynamics and the message in Afterward.... but other than that I felt kinda meh. The plot was okay but predictable. The characters sometimes came across as flat ("I play this role but I have no other thoughts or interests other than that) and had chunky bits of dialogue at times. It's worth reading, but it lacks that something extra to make it memorable or a favorite or a 4*.
I really enjoy seeing victims of abuse/trauma work through everything and get better in literature; this book delivers wonderfully in that respect. I also liked the family dynamics and the message in Afterward.... but other than that I felt kinda meh. The plot was okay but predictable. The characters sometimes came across as flat ("I play this role but I have no other thoughts or interests other than that) and had chunky bits of dialogue at times. It's worth reading, but it lacks that something extra to make it memorable or a favorite or a 4*.
marquessa17's review against another edition
4.0
I am so happy that I read this book, it was an unexpected surprise. It is told from the perspective of Ethan who was kidnapped when he was 11 but has now returned home 4 years later and also from Caroline the older sister of another boy that was also taken. Ethan's perspective was my favorite and I thought that the parents depiction was very well done. I will definitely have to check out the other books by the author.