A review by areadingrose
Everything After by Jill Santopolo

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I think part of the beauty in second chance romances is seeing the evolution and growth of characters. This book I fear is missing that smooth transition. Emily is either music Emily or therapist Emily. I didn’t feel the transition or the assimilation of these versions of who she is. 

I think this book does a wonderful job of highlighting the incredibly challenging dynamics of child loss however that should be included in a warning or in the synopsis in some way. A book that struggles with such difficult topics but is under the guise as a romance is not the best. 

I didn’t dislike this book as much as I disliked the light we lost. However I think it has a lot of similar issues. Where a woman defines her character based on the personalities of the men in her life rather than defining herself on her own terms. When Emily finally starts trying to figure out what she truly wants it turns out it’s just a compilation of the only men she’s ever loved in her life at the same time, I’m not convinced it has anything to do with her. 

This review feels harsh but I think it’s deserved.