A review by hello_ned
Afterlove by Tanya Byrne

emotional funny hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I really needed to read another sapphic romance book, and this has really satisfied me. I read this in about 2 days. Laughed, squeeled, kicked my feet, curled into a ball and shed a single tear.

4.25 as I have some qualms, but overall a very enjoyable read.

The bads
  • The "after" felt quite underdeveloped for me.
    after she dies,
    the book pools into a puddle. It's not as central to the story as it proposes itself to be. The "rules" of the world seem a little half-baked and empty. It was a lukewarm ending, as if it was a happy "good" ending, but also unsatisfying. Which maybe is the point. But if we are going down the path of closure, I would have wanted more
    romantic poppy-Ash time.
  • I definitely understand why she can't seek out her family, but they're not even mentioned much in the After. 
  • The Reaper characters were also underdeveloped. I found it hard to differentiate them, and didn't care much for them either.
    after Poppy dies, which was a little shocking and confusing,
    nothing else happens. Its just an 11 month time skip. I kind of wish there was more about the acceptance and the other characters.

The loves
  • Byrne has such a wonderful, beautiful way of describing emotions. She can pinpoint exactly how something feels, which is really special, especially for me- a queer immigrant. I often felt this really fuzzy feeling in my chest, thinking "yes! That's exactly how I feel, it's finally been put into words!" Even things I dont exactly relate to, I can really feel them. 
  • This is a very diverse book, lovingly written in the perspective of a brown person. I love how Ash talks about her home, and their smells, and the sentimental jangles of her mum's bracelets as she claps roti. It feels like a warm, long hug.
  • I loved the intensity of their relationship. The fire of someone's first sapphic romance. How everything feels new, and bright, and cosy, and scary, and how everything is theirs, and how there's so much hope. 
  • I feel a part of their family. The dialogue is so natural, their characteristics so thoughful and distinctive. Which is why the 'After' was a bit disappointing in contrast.
  • The end, where she
    goes to sit outside her flat, looks up at the window and sees the silhouette of her mum, and feels like her mum knows that she's okay,
    made me cry so hard. 

I'd say I thoroughly enjoyed the first half, the second half a little less so. This book has a lot of love and meaning, and I enjoyed the acknowledgements at the end. 
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