Customer Reviews

After

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When I came home Friday from the hospital I had the most wonderful surprise - A book from and by my friend Kristin Harmel- AFTER. I was in bed and read AFTER from cover to cover. I would have read it without interruption but I had to take a break to sleep. I have read and loved all of her books and was so excited to read this - preparing to laugh and be amazed at the quirky characters and incredible imaginative situations in which they found themselves. I loved all of her characters but I couldn't exactly relate to most because I believed I lacked the ingenuity and zest to be spontaneous and funny - but they did become my friends.
AFTER is a different book- an exceptional book, a truly wonderful book that will remain in your memory long after you finish it. Be prepared to cry- there is humor of course, but I think this is Kristin at her very best. It is so real. Kristin takes the various stages of grief and applies them to each character differently- as it would be in real life. We all deal with grief differently but we have to go through the stages before we can go on living. Kristin even shows how well meaning friends have no clue what to say or how to treat the grieving.
The main character is Lacey. She blames herself for the accident that takes her father because she was late getting dressed and if she had been prompt she feels the accident would not have happened. She becomes the perfect daughter and sister- trying to hold her family together and deal with each of her siblings and mother's grief. I can relate in part to Lacey as I tried to become the Mom with my sister when our Mother was taken away. I did all the coking and sis did all the cleaning. Our Mother didn't die but she lost her parental rights, was incarcerated and was essentially dead to us. No one knew what to say to us. I can't even imagine what life would have been like if we had lost my Dad.
This is not merely a young adult or chic lit book- it is appropriate for all ages. It is a perfect and necessary book for anyone who has lost a loved one or has had a horrible and disastrous turn in their life. They will relate to it- and will learn from it. It is essentially a beautifully written "How To Deal With Grief" - a compelling guide. In those grief occasions, we feel alone and think no one understands. That is true. At the time of grief it helps to talk to friends who have experienced the same situation. This is what Lacey organized. Kristin bases a part of the beginning healing on a real organization started by someone like Lacey.
I love how Kristin wove one of my favorite rock singers, Star Beck, into the narrative on several occasions. Star is a friend of mine. I was with her when she was waiting tables. You too can have Star as one of your best friends. Just read Kristin's WHEN YOU WISH. Every one of Kristin's books contains wonderful friends you will love and remember.
This is actually one of the best books I have ever read.

There are so many of us who have had that day; that absolutely perfect day that, in one second, turns into the most horrendous nightmare we could possibly imagine. This author has given the world a story for all age groups; a story that teaches us what happens when life takes joy away, and the wonderous feelings we can achieve when life offers happiness to us once again.

In After, Lacey is taking her time upstairs, fixing her hair and putting on makeup - pretty much doing exactly what any teenage girl would do, while making her two brothers and father wait for her down below. When she finally saunters down the stairs, her brothers roll their eyes and her father offers her that smile...that smile that only a father can give to you, letting you know that you are the one and only girl on the entire planet (besides your mother) who he loves with all his heart. Unfortunately, that smile was one of his last, as a drugged-out driver plows through a stop sign and changes Lacey and her family's life forever.

Lacey took the blame immediately. (If it weren't for her stalling that morning then the accident never would've happened, and her father would still be with them.) As the family begins to crumble, Lacey takes on the role of nurse, angel, and nanny to her mother and brothers. She also must fight the strange looks that she gets in school from friends and teachers, as they try to console her. She feels almost like an alien when people offer her hang-dog expressions and whispers behind her back. In addition, Lacey's best friend has found her first "love" and has decided to spend most of her time with her boyfriend. She, too, has difficulties at home. Although her father is very much alive, her parents are going through a divorce and her mother and father have become changed people right before her eyes.

The author superbly shows how grief can affect every personality differently. In Lacey's household, Mom begins to stay at work very late - doing her high-profile lawyer routine so she can stay away from the house that has so many memories of the man she loved with all her heart. The youngest brother, Trevor, becomes absolutely quiet - choosing to immerse himself in his pet and reruns of The Crocodile Hunter. The oldest brother, Logan, decides to date one of the snootiest cheerleaders in school, and drink himself under the table, trying to forget the man he used to look up to. And Lacey? Well...she becomes the worrier for her family's troubles. She achieves straight A status in school and tries very hard to befriend people who need her help, while feeling alone at all times. One day, Sam Stone, a new kid, walks into the school. Sam is a young man with his own issues, with "eyes like the sea right before a storm." As they begin to talk, Lacey soon discovers that Sam could be her life raft - the one person who could save her from drowning in the hopelessness that has her by the throat.

This book was based on a wonderful organization in Atlanta, Georgia called Kate's Club. A young woman began the Club when she had a loss of her own and wanted to 'build' a place where children could go and talk to others who have felt the same kind of pain that they experienced when losing a loved one. Not only is this book a wonderful way to cope with loss, it also allows people of all ages to work through the pain and anguish that happens when life takes a sudden turn for the worst.

This was very special to me, personally. I also grew up in small town New England, where everyone had known everyone else since birth. I also was unfortunate enough to lose my father. Although I was not as young as Lacey, the pain was still very real. And having to learn that my father was still with me, could still see his granddaughter grow up, and I could still talk to him, took a long time to find within myself. Therefore, I want to thank this author for writing a story that all ages, types, backgrounds, etc. can read, and understand that they're not alone; that there are others out there in the universe who can help you through the rough times.

Until Next Time,
Amy Lignor, [...] Reviewer

i dont really like reading very much... when i read this book i couldn't stop... it is the best book i have ever read in my entire life. Trust me, you'll LOVE it.

A sweetly told story of a teenaged girl's struggle to survive the unexpected death of her father, After, was a quick subtle read.

There was a fair share of angst, as one would expect from a story based on the loss of a parent, but it wasn't of the hang-wringing, over wrought into hysterical depression variety. It was understated and for a book of short length paced very well. Surprisingly, Harmel was able to deep dive into the subject matter with ease and tremendous focus despite the book's brevity. Kudos to her skill as a writer.

To do so she created a unique plotline with the invention of Lacey's community service type endevor. I don't want to spoil what that endeavor was here, but it seemed to me to be a productive and healthy way to work through the emotion and loss she was feeling. A further advantage was the addition of a cadre of support characters. None of which felt unecessary or took on too much focus.

That is, except Sam. As the object of Lacey's affection the new boy in town was a kindred spirit directly upon his arrival in her life. Bonding with Lacey over a shared sense of loss the two became fast friends that blossomed into more. But wait, there may be a bit more to it than the typical boy meets girl, boy and girl fall for each other, and boy and girl live happily every after. Again, I'm not going to spoil the finer and most intriguing points of the story, but I will say that as the relationship develops and you get invested in it, there is a pretty powerful punch waiting along the way. It was good too!

I've made not qualms about being a fan of Kristin Harmel's. I've read all but one of her books and loved each. After is no exception, it is a fantastic read and one that may help a child who has lost a parent deal with the aftermath in a positive and constructive way.

It has been a year since Lacey Mann's father died in a car accident. Her family, however, continue to put the pieces back together. Lacey's mom loses herself in her work. Lacey's younger brother, Tanner, barely speaks, and Logan, Lacey's older brother, constantly parties with his girlfriend. As for Lacey, she secretly blames herself for the accident. Lacey was the one that took too long to get ready that morning. Maybe if she wasn't purposely trying to be annoying her dad would still be alive. As Lacey attempts to make everything better, she finds a way to reach out to other students who have lost a family member. Along the way, she also meets Sam...

Kristin Harmel's novel After takes a common plotline, a dead family member, and puts a unique twist on it. Most of the grief-related books I have read were very intense. Given the subject matter, this seems like a given. I mean, a book about grief has to intense, right? Well, as I read After, I learned that grief-related books do not have to be intense. While, I certainly would not call After a light-hearted read, the novel was much lighter than I expected. I thought this was a pleasant change from the typically heart-wrenching grief novels.

One major problem I had with After was that parts of the novel felt a bit contrived. Throughout the novel, Lacey tries to keep her composure, and she pretty much succeeds. This did not really seem believable. I would have enjoyed having a more flawed protagonist. I also think, that between Lacey and Logan, Logan was the more interesting character. I felt that seeing his way of dealing with grief (or not dealing with it) was much more interesting than Lacey's story. Last, Sam just seemed too good to be true. Sam recently moved to Lacey's town. He doesn't drink. He's a nice guy. He's been through a situation similar to Lacey's. I mean, really, what are the chances of that?

Title: After
Author: Kristin Harmel
Grade: B
Ideal Audience: Girls, 12-16

Summary: Lacey lives a completely normal life, with a fun family and friends that she likes. However, life as she knows it is turned upside down when her dad dies in a car crash. Now, ten months later, she is trailed by a feeling of guilt. What if she had quickened her pace when walking to the car? What if she had skipped the mascara? What if she had cried out a second earlier when she saw the car coming?

Meanwhile, other aspects of Lacey's life are falling apart. Her mom is completely uninvolved in anything besides her work, and Lacey is worrying nonstop about her two brothers. Her best friend is pulling away from her and spending all of her time with her boyfriend, and Lacey can't help but feel neglected.

Soon, though, Lacey is given the opportunity to make things change for the better. She has met Sam, and the two are connecting in a way Lacey could never have before dreamed about. Furthermore, she has started a sort of support group with other kids at school whose parents have died. Although things are suddenly looking up, inwardly, Lacey knows she will soon have to face the reality of her dad's death.

My thoughts: Kristin Harmel brings us immediately into Lacey's story, and it never wavers from start to finish. However, despite the sturdy plot, it becomes almost painfully corny in several sections in the middle, giving off the impression that Harmel is trying too hard. Nevertheless, the characters are all expertly formed, and readers can see that they and their motivations are multi-layered.

Girls in middle school and high school will enjoy After. Although it is a short read, the novel is touching, and Harmel is able to intertwine light humor with the darker, heavier parts.

Sixteen-year-old Lacey had her life turned upside down one Saturday morning, when a routine trip for breakfast with her dad and two brothers turned tragic. Just minutes from their house, Lacey's father was killed and Lacey was seriously hurt in a car accident that no one could have predicted.

Lacey has spent the last year of her life blaming herself and trying to hold her family together. She tells herself that if only she hadn't taken as long getting ready or didn't spend time deliberately teasing her brothers, then maybe her father would be alive today.

When a new boy named Sam arrives at school, the last thing Lacey wants is for him to tell her he understands. No one really knows unless they've lost a parent. So how can this new boy act like he understands her when she knows he doesn't?

Despite what she's telling herself, Lacey really likes Sam and wants to give him the benefit of the doubt. But juggling her own grief and a relationship is a lot harder than she thought. Especially when she's asked to comfort fellow student Kelsi, who just lost her mom.

Then one day, Lacey comes up with the idea to start a club for all of the other kids in school who have lost a parent. They don't need to discuss death; all they need to do is get together and have some fun. Lacey wants to create a place where they don't feel so different from everyone else. A place where everyone actually does understand what it's like to lose a parent.

As the club grows and Lacey falls for Sam, will she be able to put her father's death behind her and trust that the future will be okay?

A heart-wrenching story full of wonderfully crafted characters, AFTER is a book that readers will enjoy until the very last page.

Reviewed by: Angela S.

"I wondered for a second if I was dying. Far away I could
hear Logan yelling and Tanner crying but I couldn't hear
Dad.Why couldn't I hear Dad?"

Lacey's life used to be normal. She had two parents who
loved her and two brothers to annoy her, everything was as
it should be. Then one day a tragic accident changed it
all and her dad was gone forever. the months that follow
the accident are extremely hard for Lacey and her family.
Her mom had become an alcoholic, Logan has changed into a
different person, Tanner won't speak and Lacey believes
it's all her fault. Everything seems to be deteriorating
until two good things come into Lacey's life. 1.Support
group for kids who have lost a parent and 2. Sam Stome.
Sam has also lost his father. Can he bring Lacey out of
the guilt trip she is taking or will he just make
everything a whole lot worse?

This book is AMAZING!
Kristin Harmel has done an excellent job telling Lacey's
story just enough to make me want to turn the page to find
out more. This story would appeal to anyone. It has all
the components to a great story: Tradegy, family and
romance. I finished this book in one sitting and by the
end of the book I had cried numerous times. Amazing story
and excellent writing. Brava Kristin Harmel!

Reviewed by a young adult student reviewer
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I read about this book in People magazine, and was instantly drawn to it because I had lost my dad at age fifteen. It isn't often that I had seen books pertaining to this topic, and I thought it was really interesting and effectively covered feelings and emotions conveyed in the loss of a parent.
Definitely recommend!