After Anne (Coming Home to Brewster) [Paperback]

Roxanne Henke (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0736909672 | ISBN-13: 978-0736909679 | Publication Date: March 15, 2002

When Anne Abbot moves to Brewster, Olivia Marsden takes an immediate dislike to the newcomer. Anne’s perkiness really rankles, and Olivia finds the open way she talks about her faith very annoying.
 Overwhelmed with the prospect of making a good impression in this, her fifth town in eight years of not-so-happy marriage, Anne prays for a deep friendship and finds herself drawn to cool, aloof Olivia.

One day, Olivia faces a family emergency and turns to Anne for help. In one evening, the two become fast friends. The fledgling friendship deepens when Anne is diagnosed with breast cancer. Misunderstandings, the shadow of death, and a beautiful new life play out in the alternating voices of the main characters.

After Anne marks the first of an exceptional new novel series. Readers will be drawn to the intimacy of Libby and Anne's narratives and inspired by their story of friendship, forged by fire and inspired by God.

Product Details

• Paperback: 468 pages
• Publisher: Harvest House Publishers (March 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0736909672
• ISBN-13: 978-0736909679
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (32 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #562,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm a small-town 'girl.' (Rural North Dakota to be exact.)

It's a good place to write from, distractions--like coffee shops and bookstores--are at a minimum. So are stop lights and shopping malls. All that adds up to more time to write.

My life-long dream was to write ONE book...I never dreamt about a second book, much less a third, fourth, or fifth! Just goes to show God can dream much bigger than we can.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an inspiring story!, November 11, 2003

By 

Busy Mom (Ohio) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: After Anne (Coming Home to Brewster) (Paperback)

I don't know how I got this copy of After Anne ~~ but however I got it, I am so glad I read it! This is one of my all-time favorite read ~~ much to my surprise!

I didn't realize this is an inspirational book ~~ normally, I don't read those because of poor writing but this book has exceeded all expectations. It is a story of two women who became friends in an unlikely way. It is a discovery of truths on one woman's part and the facing of uncertain future on the other woman's part. It is an exploration of friendship and love that only two women can experience ~~ they became closer friends than sisters.

This story is rich in details ~~ Olivia is a mom and a banker's wife. She endures trouble with her teenage son and pretween daughter when she meets Anne. Anne is a soon-to-be mom in her late 20s who discovers a lump on her breast. Together, they share their lives. Their friendship is the one that every woman secretly dreams of having ~~ and while it strengthens Anne's walk with God, it introduces God and his word to Olivia. However, that is done in a beautifully-written way, not a preachy way. Anne lived her faith. Olivia learns about it just from watching Anne.

I just love this book ~~ I relate to Olivia so well though my babies aren't grown yet. I relate to Anne and her fears and uncertainities of the future ~~ and it's just a beautiful, heart-warming story. It is definitely one of the best-written stories on friendship that I have ever read. It makes me think of my best friend and our friendship over the years. It also makes me look at my children differently ~~ they too will grow up like Olivia's children did. I also appreciate the little things in life more ~~ you just never know what to expect ~~ and how fast time is.

This is a definite book to buy for your best friend or wife or daughter. It's not emotionally mushy though in some places you will need a kleenex. It is just beautifully-written ~~ and so true. It makes you stop and think. It is one of the must-reads for the coming year if not tomorrow.

11-11-03

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A story of real friendship., July 20, 2002

By 

Julie Lovisa (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: After Anne (Coming Home to Brewster) (Paperback)

This Christian based novel is the story of Olivia Marsden and her best friend Anne Abbott. When they first meet, Olivia takes an instant disliking to Anne, but eventually overcomes her first impression to forge a strong and loving friendship with her. Anne has a strong faith and forces Olivia to take a hard look at herself and her relationships with her family and other friends.

While Anne is pregnant with her first child, she finds a lump in her breast and this discovery will deepen the bonds between the women as they struggle together for hope and healing. An excellent subplot (though it's a little too easily resolved) involves Olivia's son and drug use. The story is told in the alternating voices of Olivia and Anne, so though the book looks long, the chapters are short...however, it was by no means an "easy" read as it is such an emotional story.

You will not expect the ending to this book and I won't give anything away except to say, cherish those you love now before you no longer have the chance.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An enthralling page-turner from beginning to end!, April 2, 2002

By 

Cathy Elliott "Crafting Mysteries & Suspense" (Northern California, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: After Anne (Coming Home to Brewster) (Paperback)

When I started to read After Anne, I didn't expect to care so much about the characters or get so caught up in the story. But from the first lines, I was hooked. This is a powerful tale about two women who form a bond that is tried by fire. In the end, friendship comes out the victor and is worth the price paid.

Roxanne Henke's first novel is written with honesty, humor and bravery. It is purely fiction, but the premise of the book is based on the author's real-life experience of losing her dearest friend to breast cancer. I can only imagine what it took to revisit those tender times in order to give the reader the details and insights that blanket the story in reality. It's no wonder I felt as if I had read a biography rather than a novel - it seemed so real.

This wonderful book is the first in the Coming Home to Brewster series and it is SO good, I cannot wait for the next one! If you want a really gripping read, I recommend After Anne. You'll look far to find a better one. Happy reading, everybody.