Amber Crane isn't supposed to be here.
One spring afternoon Amber cycles back home, flying down the hill. But when Amber's mom sees her, she screams: Amber died seven years ago. Her sudden, impossible return sends shockwaves rippling outwards to her family, friends, and boyfriend; even to strangers she met just once who were marked by her life and loss. But above all Amber has her own questions: why has she been brought back? What could possibly justify this miraculous second chance?
Amber Crane is a 17-year-old girl who is riding her bike home when death suddenly knocks on her door. Seven years have passed since that tragedy impacted the Crane family, as well as all the people who loved Amber. One day, a miracle occurs: Amber is riding her bicycle home again. But when she arrives, it seems nobody is there, even though there are several signs that her family is in the house. So—of course—she starts calling out loudly for them. However, her mom ignores her, and her little sister, now 17 years old, calls their dad and tells Amber the truth: Amber died seven years ago in a hit-and-run accident.Nothing makes sense to Amber. But there is something on her mind: if everything the girl who claims to be her little sister is saying is true… what has happened to her boyfriend, Calvin? That is why she feels her mission is to figure out how to meet Calvin again and show him that she is alive and still loves him. In the process, she will discover that many things have changed in the lives of the people she once loved.
"...because love and loss are the flip sides of the same coin."
Have you ever wondered what happens after we die? Is there a second life? Or is it true that some people can move their souls into another body? Or that we can become ghosts and visit those we love to let them know how much we care—or those we hate to give them a “good” scare?
Personally, this "afterlife" is a topic that attracts me a lot. I love reading about it and exploring how people’s beliefs can shape the future of every culture. After all, something we all know is that when ideas are repeated often enough, they eventually become part of our collective beliefs, and, in the end, part of our culture.
I picked up this book in one of those casual moments in life. When I first read the synopsis, I felt it was exactly the kind of story I needed when I wanted a break. In fact, it was a fast read; however, I must admit that I was pretty disappointed.
The story is indeed intriguing, but unfortunately its structure feels considerably ambiguous. I couldn’t connect with Amber at all. Actually, I felt that her love story with Calvin was a bit forced. Characters like Nick also seemed unnecessary and a bit too much—perhaps the author had another purpose for including them, or maybe she simply wanted to add “something.” I also didn’t understand why so many characters ended up with partners who were somehow connected to the tragedy. To be honest, I never quite understood whether I was reading a contemporary love story or a thriller.
Most of the time, I felt like I was reading a Wattpad story with great potential to become a book. But what a surprise when I found out that the author is actually an established writer! I think that was the exact moment when my disappointment grew.
Nevertheless, there are some good aspects to this novel. One of them is the way Forman attempts to show the different ways people grieve. She also explores how, sometimes, what we really need is clarity about our identity, and how second chances can be important. The novel suggests that the afterlife might not be a place, but something connected to memory, love, and the impact we leave on others.
Personally, I would have loved to learn more about Missy—Amber’s little sister—instead of delving so deeply into characters like Arnold.
In other words, After Life is Forman’s way of showing us what it means to live, forgive, and let go.
Now, would I read Forman again? I don't think so. Would I recommend this book? Perhaps to readers who enjoy reflective stories about grief and second chances. However, if you are looking for a clearly structured plot or a strong emotional connection with the characters, this book might leave you with mixed feelings, like it did for me.
"But love needs to be spent, lavished, not squandered."
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