Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Waterbrook Press (A Division of Random House Inc) (2017), 352 pages
Description
Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman boards the train, takes her seat, and moments later a fiery explosion rips through the frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city's transit system. One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost. A year later, Autumn Manning can't remember the day of the bombing and she is tormented by grief--by guilt. Twelve months of the question constantly echoing. Why? Why? Why? Searching for answers, she haunts the lives of the victims, unable to rest. Paul Elliott lost his wife in the train bombing and wants to let the dead rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to cause more pain for his loved ones. He wants normalcy for his twelve year-old daughter and young son, to see them move beyond the heartbreak. But when the Elliotts and Autumn are unexpectedly forced together, he fears she'll bring more wreckage in her wake.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member SheilaDeeth
What might it be like to be the sole survivor pulled from the wreckage of a train, or the widowed father of a rebellious girl, or the teacher whose own life no longer models the rules he's taught so well? Author Katie Ganshert explores these and other social issues in the story of a woman trying to
Life After is a novel of our times, but a powerful portrayal of human need for all times. Wounded relationships, unbalanced memories, love, betrayal and loss all play their part. And behind it all, smoothly nuanced and very naturally portrayed, are those deep questions of faith. Good God? Bad world? Why?
Perhaps the real question to ask is how. How do people rebuild their lives? How do they forgive? How do they move on? And how does belief in a good God fit with the sorrows of this world? Life After investigates all of these through the convincing tale of very real, very normal characters—no heroes here, and no heavy mourning either, but an enjoyable story of pleasing characters, filled with romance, loss and hope.
Disclosure: Blogging for books provided this book and I offer my honest review.
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pick up the pieces, while a hurting child throws more pieces in her way. Revelations are nicely timed. Faith is convincingly nuanced and never pain-free. Easy answers are hard to find, and broken lives are difficult to mend. The blend of diary, past and present, and convincing points of view draws readers in. Quiet mysteries build to deep questions and dark fears. And quiet humanity is a stronger theme than the whims of a terrorist.Life After is a novel of our times, but a powerful portrayal of human need for all times. Wounded relationships, unbalanced memories, love, betrayal and loss all play their part. And behind it all, smoothly nuanced and very naturally portrayed, are those deep questions of faith. Good God? Bad world? Why?
Perhaps the real question to ask is how. How do people rebuild their lives? How do they forgive? How do they move on? And how does belief in a good God fit with the sorrows of this world? Life After investigates all of these through the convincing tale of very real, very normal characters—no heroes here, and no heavy mourning either, but an enjoyable story of pleasing characters, filled with romance, loss and hope.
Disclosure: Blogging for books provided this book and I offer my honest review.
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LibraryThing member Virginia51
The first thing I want to say about this book is WOW. I loved it. I did not want to put this down because I had to finish. This really does show the different feelings people go through after a severe trauma. My favorite quote was "Wasn't it enough that death could snatch away life so quickly? Did
That to me says a lot. I received this book from Katie Ganshert for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
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it really have to do so without warning? Without any rhyme or reason? A thoughtless, avaricious grab at whoever happened to be standing in the way?" That to me says a lot. I received this book from Katie Ganshert for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
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LibraryThing member VeraGodley
Reading Life After is like taking a peek into the souls, hearts, minds, and lives of people. People who have been through a massive life changing event that shatters them to their very core. It is being enveloped in the emotions and heart wrenching hurt that they experience minute by minute and day
Being the sole survivor of a horrific bomb blast in the city's train, Autumn feels and experiences the "why me" feelings of survivor guilt. And then there are those she is now learning to know, people who are now in her circle of acquantaince experiencing daily life who lost their loved ones in the same train explosion.
As the story unfolds new friendly relationships bloom and coping mechanisms begin to fall in place. However, the story is not just about people coming to terms and accepting what has happened to those lost in the bombing, it is about the difficulties they face in living their lives with their own personal shortcomings and interacting with family and friends.
Katie Ganshert's writing style is fresh and compelling. This is not a book to skim through. Even though it is a work of fiction, there is a wealth of wisdom and insight to be gleaned from the reading of this story.
Quotes to ponder from Life After:
"We worship a God who might not give us the miracle, but He will always give us the comfort."
“I guess that’s what life is...a whole bunch of little moments that don’t seem significant or life-altering at the time, but when you look back...they become the most profoundly beautiful things.”
"I'm not the most religious man. But I do believe in God. And the last I checked, He's the one in charge."
“Maybe comfort wasn't to be found in the why. Maybe comfort was to be found in the who. A God who wept."
"You know what I've learned about God?" ... "Circumstances don't dictate who He is."
“I guess that’s what life if, though, isn’t it? A whole bunch of little moments that don’t seem significant or life-altering at the time but when you look back...” She shook her head. “I don’t know. They become the most profoundly beautiful things.”
“This man had shown her a piece of his soul. A jagged, ugly, honest piece that was raw and bleeding and unlovely. A piece of his soul that matched a piece of hers.”
“She was a broken woman falling for a broken man who had a broken past and two beautiful, broken children.”
DISCLOSURE: As a member of Katie Ganshert's launch team, I received an Advance Reader's Copy to facilitate a review of the book. Opinions are simply my own and are freely given without compensation. Published by: WaterbrookMultnomah Publishing.
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by day.Being the sole survivor of a horrific bomb blast in the city's train, Autumn feels and experiences the "why me" feelings of survivor guilt. And then there are those she is now learning to know, people who are now in her circle of acquantaince experiencing daily life who lost their loved ones in the same train explosion.
As the story unfolds new friendly relationships bloom and coping mechanisms begin to fall in place. However, the story is not just about people coming to terms and accepting what has happened to those lost in the bombing, it is about the difficulties they face in living their lives with their own personal shortcomings and interacting with family and friends.
Katie Ganshert's writing style is fresh and compelling. This is not a book to skim through. Even though it is a work of fiction, there is a wealth of wisdom and insight to be gleaned from the reading of this story.
Quotes to ponder from Life After:
"We worship a God who might not give us the miracle, but He will always give us the comfort."
“I guess that’s what life is...a whole bunch of little moments that don’t seem significant or life-altering at the time, but when you look back...they become the most profoundly beautiful things.”
"I'm not the most religious man. But I do believe in God. And the last I checked, He's the one in charge."
“Maybe comfort wasn't to be found in the why. Maybe comfort was to be found in the who. A God who wept."
"You know what I've learned about God?" ... "Circumstances don't dictate who He is."
“I guess that’s what life if, though, isn’t it? A whole bunch of little moments that don’t seem significant or life-altering at the time but when you look back...” She shook her head. “I don’t know. They become the most profoundly beautiful things.”
“This man had shown her a piece of his soul. A jagged, ugly, honest piece that was raw and bleeding and unlovely. A piece of his soul that matched a piece of hers.”
“She was a broken woman falling for a broken man who had a broken past and two beautiful, broken children.”
DISCLOSURE: As a member of Katie Ganshert's launch team, I received an Advance Reader's Copy to facilitate a review of the book. Opinions are simply my own and are freely given without compensation. Published by: WaterbrookMultnomah Publishing.
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LibraryThing member debkrenzer
Wow, you get on a train with 22 other people sit down, open your book or whatever you do on the train. Next thing you know your waking up in a hospital. It's weeks later and you find out that there was a bomb detonated on your train car and you survived. The only one out of 23 people.
A year later
This is a story of Autumn. She still visits the graves of those 22 people. She broke up with her fiancee right after she came out of her coma. She can't remember anything about the explosion. The last thing she remembers happened two weeks before. She spends most of her waking hours in her apartment watching TV, putting together jigsaw puzzles and assembling a scrapbook with articles and information about the people with her on the train. She never knew them or their names before. She does now.
I could not put this book down. Between all the secrets and everyone holding back, and wondering why they were acting like they were, it was killing me. I had to know. And, then the stories of the survivors talking about their missed loved ones. Those were killing me.
An absolutely poignant, beautiful, mesmerizing story that I am so glad that I got to read. This is one that will haunt me (in a good way) for a very long time.
Thanks you Blogging for Books for allowing me to read and review this book. I loved it!!!
A year later
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and you still haven't got over the guilt. Why me? Why did I survive? This is a story of Autumn. She still visits the graves of those 22 people. She broke up with her fiancee right after she came out of her coma. She can't remember anything about the explosion. The last thing she remembers happened two weeks before. She spends most of her waking hours in her apartment watching TV, putting together jigsaw puzzles and assembling a scrapbook with articles and information about the people with her on the train. She never knew them or their names before. She does now.
I could not put this book down. Between all the secrets and everyone holding back, and wondering why they were acting like they were, it was killing me. I had to know. And, then the stories of the survivors talking about their missed loved ones. Those were killing me.
An absolutely poignant, beautiful, mesmerizing story that I am so glad that I got to read. This is one that will haunt me (in a good way) for a very long time.
Thanks you Blogging for Books for allowing me to read and review this book. I loved it!!!
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LibraryThing member tmurrell
Autumn boards a train and minutes later wakes up in a hospital with no memory of what happened after she left work. She is the lone survivor from the crash, caused by a bomber. She's racked with survivor guilt and can't seem to get past the thought of all of the people who didn't make it like she
I absolutely loved this story. The emotions were so raw, the drama so real. The author did a great job of pulling me into the story and I couldn't put the book down. The authenticity made me feel like each scene was actually happening as I read. The characters were flawed, wounded, and yet likeable. The plot was incredibly original and well thought out. The author wove so many inspirational and faith based messages into the story, but I didn't once feel overpowered or preached at. I have no idea what genre this story would be placed in, but I do know that it is a story that I will be recommending to everyone, regardless of their reading preferences. It's just that good.
I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.
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did. Her obsession leads her to a family that lost their wife and mother on the train that day. To complicate matters, she was initially mistaken for this woman and Paul, the husband, had come to identify her at the hospital. Paul just wants to move on, Autumn is stuck in time. The two are force to work together and as they do, healing happens.I absolutely loved this story. The emotions were so raw, the drama so real. The author did a great job of pulling me into the story and I couldn't put the book down. The authenticity made me feel like each scene was actually happening as I read. The characters were flawed, wounded, and yet likeable. The plot was incredibly original and well thought out. The author wove so many inspirational and faith based messages into the story, but I didn't once feel overpowered or preached at. I have no idea what genre this story would be placed in, but I do know that it is a story that I will be recommending to everyone, regardless of their reading preferences. It's just that good.
I received a copy of this book. All thoughts expressed are my own.
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LibraryThing member mootzymom
Autumn lives with survivor's guilt that threatens her existence and miraculous survival of Tragedy on the Tracks. With terrorism and crazy people threatening our safety everyday this novel was very contemporary and thought provoking. As Autumn resurfaces to life you are struck by how complex grief
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and loss is for each person who suffered loss that day. Show Less
LibraryThing member texicanwife
When a bomb rips through an e-train in Chicago, Autumn Manning survives the attack. But she suffers from a severe case of survivor guilt. And she questions 'Why?' over and over again.
Autumn begins to search out the families of the twenty-two individuals who died in the fiery crash. She meets Paul
This is one of those books you don't want to put down. You are taken through the gamut of emotions, even if you want to put the book down, you simply can't. You are so embroiled in the tale that you must keep on reading. Through the good. Through the bad. Through the loss. Through the pain. And more.
Ganshert is another excellent storyteller. She puts you in the leading role. And all I can say is hold on tight. It's a wild ride. And worthy every moment spending reading this novel.
I give it five stars,
a big thumbs up,
and my recommendation.
You can purchase the book on Amazon.com. The hardback copy retails for $35.95 and qualifies for free shipping and handling; the paperback retails for $9.27, plus shipping and handling, and the Kindle version is $9.99.
This reviewer read the Uncorrected Proof, and as such the final printing may differ slightly than the version reviewed here.
****DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Amazon Vine in exchange for a fair and impartial review. The opinions above are solely those of this reviewer and may not reflect those of other reviewers.
Autumn begins to search out the families of the twenty-two individuals who died in the fiery crash. She meets Paul
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Elliott, who is overly cautious of Autumn, for the sake of protecting his daughter and son, who lost their mother in the attack.This is one of those books you don't want to put down. You are taken through the gamut of emotions, even if you want to put the book down, you simply can't. You are so embroiled in the tale that you must keep on reading. Through the good. Through the bad. Through the loss. Through the pain. And more.
Ganshert is another excellent storyteller. She puts you in the leading role. And all I can say is hold on tight. It's a wild ride. And worthy every moment spending reading this novel.
I give it five stars,
a big thumbs up,
and my recommendation.
You can purchase the book on Amazon.com. The hardback copy retails for $35.95 and qualifies for free shipping and handling; the paperback retails for $9.27, plus shipping and handling, and the Kindle version is $9.99.
This reviewer read the Uncorrected Proof, and as such the final printing may differ slightly than the version reviewed here.
****DISCLAIMER: This book was provided by Amazon Vine in exchange for a fair and impartial review. The opinions above are solely those of this reviewer and may not reflect those of other reviewers.
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LibraryThing member juliecracchiolo
I was intrigued by Life After’s dust jacket. There is a fascinating picture of an elevated train juxtaposed by an old-fashioned lamp. I was hooked when I read the back copy:
Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman
boards the train, takes her seat, and moments
the frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city’s transit system.
One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost.
The Prologue does a great job in capturing that moment without going into a lot of detail…it works perfectly. It lets the reader know that this is a story of survival, not of the horrific event the Chicago media dubbed, “Tragedy on the Tracks.”
The plot line then moves forward one year. Autumn Manning is the “One life spared.” She is still dealing with survivor’s guilt. She spends her days and nights virtually bound to her apartment, flicking through Netflix, doing jigsaw puzzles, and pouring over the other passengers’ obituaries that she has organized in a binder. When she does go out, she visits the graves of the deceased. She’s even been getting letters from one of the victims’ daughter, Reese Rosamund Elliott.
With the one year anniversary of the tragedy quickly approaching, the city was to erect a memorial to those who perished. One of the people is Vivian Elliott. She left behind an 11-year-old daughter, a seven-year-old son, and a loving husband. Or so the world thought. Paul was a psychiatrist who did work with his church. He is known as the Marriage Doctor.
One day, without warning, Reese goes to visit Autumn. It’s weird for Autumn, and even weirder for Paul Elliott. The Elloitt’s and Autumn are forced together, and whether that swings good or bad most often depends on the day.
Life After has many layers that are slowly revealed as the story progresses, yet Ganshert’s flow is steady and easy. This had the potential to be an incredibly sad, depressing story, but in Ganshert’s hands, it becomes an uplifting story about the power of forgiveness.
I stayed way past my bedtime a couple of nights; I just had to discover what happened next. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and can’t wait to read more of Ganshert’s work. Life After receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.
Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman
boards the train, takes her seat, and moments
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later a fiery explosion rips throughthe frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city’s transit system.
One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost.
The Prologue does a great job in capturing that moment without going into a lot of detail…it works perfectly. It lets the reader know that this is a story of survival, not of the horrific event the Chicago media dubbed, “Tragedy on the Tracks.”
The plot line then moves forward one year. Autumn Manning is the “One life spared.” She is still dealing with survivor’s guilt. She spends her days and nights virtually bound to her apartment, flicking through Netflix, doing jigsaw puzzles, and pouring over the other passengers’ obituaries that she has organized in a binder. When she does go out, she visits the graves of the deceased. She’s even been getting letters from one of the victims’ daughter, Reese Rosamund Elliott.
With the one year anniversary of the tragedy quickly approaching, the city was to erect a memorial to those who perished. One of the people is Vivian Elliott. She left behind an 11-year-old daughter, a seven-year-old son, and a loving husband. Or so the world thought. Paul was a psychiatrist who did work with his church. He is known as the Marriage Doctor.
One day, without warning, Reese goes to visit Autumn. It’s weird for Autumn, and even weirder for Paul Elliott. The Elloitt’s and Autumn are forced together, and whether that swings good or bad most often depends on the day.
Life After has many layers that are slowly revealed as the story progresses, yet Ganshert’s flow is steady and easy. This had the potential to be an incredibly sad, depressing story, but in Ganshert’s hands, it becomes an uplifting story about the power of forgiveness.
I stayed way past my bedtime a couple of nights; I just had to discover what happened next. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and can’t wait to read more of Ganshert’s work. Life After receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.
I received this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for this review.
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LibraryThing member SarahGraceGrzy
I am blown away.
I think this may be my favorite book of 2017.
I saw this on my sister-in-law's bookshelf, picked it up, read the prologue, and was immediately hooked. As soon as I got home, I grabbed it from my library, and couldn't wait to dig in. This is the first novel I have read by Katie
Firstly, it's rather interesting to note that this book is basically futuristic - published in April 2017, it is actually set in April - July 2017. So, the author was writing about events that would "happen" (It's still fiction) in a matter of months. I've never read a book set in the near future like this, so it was kind of mind-blowing.
Secondly, characters. Oh. My. Goodness. Such heart, beauty, and raw honesty wrapped up in a book character like this I have not seen before. Autumn was the perfect character - not that she *was* perfect, but that she was a flawed human being trying to cope in the aftermath of a tragic accident, and trying to move past her own issues and make an impact in others' lives. Paul was an equally perfect character; I just love everything about him. I loved the fatherdaughter story line with him and his daughter, Reese. So, so sweet. Reese's character arc was also fantastically done. And Tate was just plain adorable. I have never experienced such a tragic event as these characters did, but I found my self empathizing and relating to them nonetheless, which speaks well to the author's writing ability. Characters make or break a story for me. And Ganshert nailed them.
As previously mentioned, Ganshert's writing style is unforgettable, and stunningly beautiful. Poetic and elegant, yet simple and heartfelt. It was what drew me to read the book in the first place. If you took out the amazing characters, and the original story line, (not to mention the gorgeous cover!), I would still read more of this author's works.
The story was arresting and original, and very thought-provoking. The way Ganshert revealed bits and pieces of the plot slowly, all down the last chapters was lovely and intriguing, and not at all frustrating, as it can often be. The theme of beauty from ashes was phenomenal, as was using the symbol of a phoenix. The sweet and subtle romance woven ever-so-gently throughout was just delightful. I absolutely loved it.
All in all, this is a book I highly enjoyed, and would give 10 stars, if I could. I will definitely be re-reading this in the future, and checking out more of this marvelous author's works.
CONTENT NOTE: Due to rather adult themes, I would recommend this for ages 16 .The crux of the story has to do with a bombing on a train, during which 22 lives were lost. This book deals somewhat heavily with loss, and grieving loved ones. Also, infidelity and adultery are semi-main themes, but handled in a very tactful and non-graphic way.
I think this may be my favorite book of 2017.
I saw this on my sister-in-law's bookshelf, picked it up, read the prologue, and was immediately hooked. As soon as I got home, I grabbed it from my library, and couldn't wait to dig in. This is the first novel I have read by Katie
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Ganshert, and will most certainly not be the last. She has an unforgettable writing style, and writes just as unforgettable characters. This is the kind of book that leaves you clutching it to your chest, not wanting to let the story go. Firstly, it's rather interesting to note that this book is basically futuristic - published in April 2017, it is actually set in April - July 2017. So, the author was writing about events that would "happen" (It's still fiction) in a matter of months. I've never read a book set in the near future like this, so it was kind of mind-blowing.
Secondly, characters. Oh. My. Goodness. Such heart, beauty, and raw honesty wrapped up in a book character like this I have not seen before. Autumn was the perfect character - not that she *was* perfect, but that she was a flawed human being trying to cope in the aftermath of a tragic accident, and trying to move past her own issues and make an impact in others' lives. Paul was an equally perfect character; I just love everything about him. I loved the fatherdaughter story line with him and his daughter, Reese. So, so sweet. Reese's character arc was also fantastically done. And Tate was just plain adorable. I have never experienced such a tragic event as these characters did, but I found my self empathizing and relating to them nonetheless, which speaks well to the author's writing ability. Characters make or break a story for me. And Ganshert nailed them.
As previously mentioned, Ganshert's writing style is unforgettable, and stunningly beautiful. Poetic and elegant, yet simple and heartfelt. It was what drew me to read the book in the first place. If you took out the amazing characters, and the original story line, (not to mention the gorgeous cover!), I would still read more of this author's works.
The story was arresting and original, and very thought-provoking. The way Ganshert revealed bits and pieces of the plot slowly, all down the last chapters was lovely and intriguing, and not at all frustrating, as it can often be. The theme of beauty from ashes was phenomenal, as was using the symbol of a phoenix. The sweet and subtle romance woven ever-so-gently throughout was just delightful. I absolutely loved it.
All in all, this is a book I highly enjoyed, and would give 10 stars, if I could. I will definitely be re-reading this in the future, and checking out more of this marvelous author's works.
CONTENT NOTE: Due to rather adult themes, I would recommend this for ages 16 .
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LibraryThing member vickimarie2002
Wow! I am very surprised at how much I enjoyed this book! It was a real life look at how people deal with tragedies differently. And of course, there are plenty of twists and turns in here that makes everything you thought you knew, flip upside down. I think the characters were well developed and I
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enjoyed them all, except Vivan's mother, of course! It's definitely worth the read. There is a lot of religious and faith talk involved. Show Less
LibraryThing member kbranfield
4.5 stars.
Life After by Katie Ganshert is a poignant yet ultimately uplifting novel of healing and new beginnings.
One year after surviving a train bombing that took the lives of the other twenty-two passengers on board, Autumn Manning is struggling with survivor's guilt and post traumatic stress
While Autumn cannot let the tragedy go as she searches for answers, marriage counselor Paul Elliott's wife Vivian died in the attack and he wants nothing more than leave the past in the past. However, his twelve year old daughter Reese is haunted by her mother's death and she has turned to Autumn for help in coping with her loss. With Autumn and the Elliot family bound by tragedy, is there any way they can help each other heal the wounds from the heartbreaking events from that fateful day?
Autumn positively radiates pain and sorrow as she tries to make sense of why she lived when so many others lost their lives in a senseless act of violence. Hampered by her inability to remember the events of the day, she also cannot make sense of her complicated feelings toward her now ex-fiancé Seth Ryker. She is now facing serious financial repercussions from her decision to quit her lucrative career after she physically recovered from the wounds she sustained in the bombing. The recent one year anniversary of the deadly attack is an unexpected emotional setback and she finally gives in to her family's pleas to seek professional assistance. Autumn is stunned when Reese suddenly shows up on her doorstep, but it is coming face to face with Paul that deeply affects her.
Paul is hoping the one year anniversary of the bombing will finally be the turning point in his family's grieving process. He is growing increasingly concerned as Reese's behavior begins to deteriorate. His once loving daughter has turned into a stranger as she lashes out at him and her little brother Tate. But it is not until she runs away then begins shutting him out that Paul becomes truly worried about her. He has compelling reasons to try to put the death of his wife behind him but is his desire to move forward harming his daughter? Is Paul being unreasonable after he implores Autumn to stay away from his family?
Life After is a deeply affecting novel that is quite thought-provoking. The characters are beautifully developed with realistic imperfections and strengths that make them easy to relate to. There is a spiritual aspect to the storyline but it is quite understated and perfectly complements the other elements of the plot. Katie Ganshert broaches difficult subject matter in a sensitive manner and the topics will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned God's plans. This emotionally compelling novel delves into some tough issues without becoming overly dark or depressing and is ultimately quite gratifying. It is an absolutely heartwarming journey of healing that will linger in readers' hearts and minds long after the last page is turned.
Life After by Katie Ganshert is a poignant yet ultimately uplifting novel of healing and new beginnings.
One year after surviving a train bombing that took the lives of the other twenty-two passengers on board, Autumn Manning is struggling with survivor's guilt and post traumatic stress
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disorder (PTSD). Unable to face taking public transportation, she now works from home only leaving her apartment when absolutely necessary. Despite being unable to remember the bombing or the events of the fateful day, Autumn suffers from horrible nightmares. Obsessed with trying to understand why her life was spared, her life eventually intersects with the family of one of the bombing victims.While Autumn cannot let the tragedy go as she searches for answers, marriage counselor Paul Elliott's wife Vivian died in the attack and he wants nothing more than leave the past in the past. However, his twelve year old daughter Reese is haunted by her mother's death and she has turned to Autumn for help in coping with her loss. With Autumn and the Elliot family bound by tragedy, is there any way they can help each other heal the wounds from the heartbreaking events from that fateful day?
Autumn positively radiates pain and sorrow as she tries to make sense of why she lived when so many others lost their lives in a senseless act of violence. Hampered by her inability to remember the events of the day, she also cannot make sense of her complicated feelings toward her now ex-fiancé Seth Ryker. She is now facing serious financial repercussions from her decision to quit her lucrative career after she physically recovered from the wounds she sustained in the bombing. The recent one year anniversary of the deadly attack is an unexpected emotional setback and she finally gives in to her family's pleas to seek professional assistance. Autumn is stunned when Reese suddenly shows up on her doorstep, but it is coming face to face with Paul that deeply affects her.
Paul is hoping the one year anniversary of the bombing will finally be the turning point in his family's grieving process. He is growing increasingly concerned as Reese's behavior begins to deteriorate. His once loving daughter has turned into a stranger as she lashes out at him and her little brother Tate. But it is not until she runs away then begins shutting him out that Paul becomes truly worried about her. He has compelling reasons to try to put the death of his wife behind him but is his desire to move forward harming his daughter? Is Paul being unreasonable after he implores Autumn to stay away from his family?
Life After is a deeply affecting novel that is quite thought-provoking. The characters are beautifully developed with realistic imperfections and strengths that make them easy to relate to. There is a spiritual aspect to the storyline but it is quite understated and perfectly complements the other elements of the plot. Katie Ganshert broaches difficult subject matter in a sensitive manner and the topics will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned God's plans. This emotionally compelling novel delves into some tough issues without becoming overly dark or depressing and is ultimately quite gratifying. It is an absolutely heartwarming journey of healing that will linger in readers' hearts and minds long after the last page is turned.
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Awards
Christy Awards (Nominee — General Fiction — 2018)
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
352 p.; 8.2 inches
ISBN
1601429029 / 9781601429025