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kyliehughes's review
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mshore47's review
4.0
Very heavy and emotional but I loved the characters and seeing them heal throughout the story.
readmoreyall's review
5.0
Three narrators try to navigate life “after”.
Grief manifests itself in many ways and I think Woodfolk does a masterful job of portraying the different ways we grieve. We are all someone in this book. If you don’t see yourself in this, you didn’t read closely enough.
It was really beautiful. I have many students who carry grief on their shoulders and haven’t found ways to start letting go and I think this could be one of “those books”—the book that helps a kid change and grow and move forward. It brought me to tears in honest ways...no cheap shots to the gut.
Thank you netgalley for access to this book.
Grief manifests itself in many ways and I think Woodfolk does a masterful job of portraying the different ways we grieve. We are all someone in this book. If you don’t see yourself in this, you didn’t read closely enough.
It was really beautiful. I have many students who carry grief on their shoulders and haven’t found ways to start letting go and I think this could be one of “those books”—the book that helps a kid change and grow and move forward. It brought me to tears in honest ways...no cheap shots to the gut.
Thank you netgalley for access to this book.
aksimplegirl89's review
4.0
This book brought up a lot of emotions from the loss of my love and partner. I cried many many times during this book. Such a good read
spacechocolatecat's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emilias_library's review against another edition
4.0
wow. Loved the book a lot and the way it talks about grief is beautiful. My one complaint is because every character lost someone close to them it was difficult at times to separate them and actually figure out who’s who.
indecisivesailorscout's review
4.0
See my full review on Diana Prince Reviews!
Ashley Woodfolk’s debut novel, The Beauty That Remains (out March 6th) is about 3 teenagers who are each coping with the tragic, sudden deaths of their closest confidants, and how their stories of grief and the struggles of moving forward from loss interweave. For a debut novel, Ashley has a way with words that immediately triggers an intense emotional connection with each of these main characters and their loved ones who have died, while also being honest and not pulling any punches with the realities of living and learning to heal in the aftermath of death. It’s also incredibly diverse, with all of the main 3 and their side characters feeling individually fleshed out and well developed throughout the novel. I especially loved the use of media such as old Instagram posts, Twitter, and vlogs to connect us deeper into the background of each death and define the history between Autumn, Shay, and Logan. Although the pacing felt slow at certain moments, and it took a significant bit of time before the big tangled web of plot worked its way into a cohesive narrative, this debut was powerful, visceral, and bittersweet in all the best ways. The tears I shed were well worth every moment.
Ashley Woodfolk’s debut novel, The Beauty That Remains (out March 6th) is about 3 teenagers who are each coping with the tragic, sudden deaths of their closest confidants, and how their stories of grief and the struggles of moving forward from loss interweave. For a debut novel, Ashley has a way with words that immediately triggers an intense emotional connection with each of these main characters and their loved ones who have died, while also being honest and not pulling any punches with the realities of living and learning to heal in the aftermath of death. It’s also incredibly diverse, with all of the main 3 and their side characters feeling individually fleshed out and well developed throughout the novel. I especially loved the use of media such as old Instagram posts, Twitter, and vlogs to connect us deeper into the background of each death and define the history between Autumn, Shay, and Logan. Although the pacing felt slow at certain moments, and it took a significant bit of time before the big tangled web of plot worked its way into a cohesive narrative, this debut was powerful, visceral, and bittersweet in all the best ways. The tears I shed were well worth every moment.
rachelbookdragon's review
3.0
A story of friendship, music, and grief, told from three perspectives from this who have lost loved ones in the same community, united by a love of music. It was a nice reflection of grief and growth through pain, and the bumpy healing process. I wasn’t blown away, but it was well-written. Just less plot than character focused and I got a little lost swapping between the 3 characters with the audiobook and am sure didn’t appreciate the different formats the book hosted due to that. The audiobook was well acted.
moeboutuncoated's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I would tell any therapist or a person looking to help someone through grief to give a copy
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Car accident, and Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, Mental illness, and Suicide