Anyone who’s had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It’s all about Before and After. What I’m talking about here is the ka-pow, shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy.
Sixteen-year-old Laurel’s world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel’s life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss—a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.
Jennifer Castle’s debut novel is a heart-wrenching, surprisingly witty testament to how drastically life can change in the span of a single moment.
One of the most surprising reads 0f 2011 for me! I will admit it, but when I read the synopsis, I thought to myself "This just going to be another If I Stay by Gayle Forman". But it's actually an original story inside itself!
Laurel was a great character. I felt the emotions she felt, and when you read the novel, you honestly feel like you're on the journey with Laurel, it's incredible! I honestly couldn't believe it when I found that this is Jennifer Castle's debut novel!
Jennifer's writing style was amazing. It was descriptive and moving, and that's something rare to find in a debut novel! The Beginning of After really was heart-wrenching and it teaches you to appreciate the things in life that you have, because they can suddenly be taken away from you in a heartbeat.
If you're looking for a tear jerker story, great writing style, and a lesson to learn at the end of the book, I highly recommend The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle.
The Beginning of After:
Expected Publication Date: September 6, 2011
Format: Online ARC
Publisher: HarperTeen
Average Rating: 3.92 stars
Page Count: 432 pages
Rating: 5/5 stars
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