Review + #Giveaway: THE HEREAFTER by Jessica Bucher (College Paranormal Romance)
About the Author
Jessica Bucher is long-time lover of stories about young love and characters who are larger-than-life. It’s why she was swept off her feet by a soldier who stole her away to travel the world. Thirteen years later, they have two (almost three) children and more stamps in their passports than they can count. Seeing the world has inspired many stories and novels, though The Hereafter is Bucher’s debut. She is a Creative Writing graduate, blogger, yoga teacher, music lover and member of the Ansbach Writers Group.
Review by eKelly
Just…Wow. Have the aspirin ready because you’re in for a serious book hangover after reading this.
THE HEREAFTER by Jessica Bucher is Young Adult/Crossover standalone fantasy romance.
Jessica Bucher is a new author to me. I saw this title offered on NetGalley, and the description of the book sounded so different I wanted to check it out.
From the blurb I knew to expect something unconventional, and boy did I get it.
Nin and Dylan have no recollection of their deaths. They are “living” in the hereafter, where they seem to be the only two around, existing not in heaven or hell but some place else. For what seems like an entire summer, they explore their world and experience all the things they didn’t do in life. Slowly memories of the events leading up to their deaths come back to them. With each memory, a wedge drives itself between their friendship and blossoming love. THE HEREAFTER is a journey through Nin and Dylan’s past, present, and future, and the possibiliy of changing fate.
First I must say that I am recommending this book to everyone I know. EVERYONE. It’s fantastic! I’m shortening this review because I don’t want to say too much and ruin the wonder of this reading experience with any spoilers. There is not one single thing I didn’t like about this story. I was so engrossed in this book and in the characters that I finished reading this in 1.5 days by ignoring my job during the day and ignoring my family in the evening. The writing is amazing, but it’s the characters and the deep connection I felt to these characters that made this book stand out. The romance between Nin and Dylan is incredibly classy and contained heart-melting moments I wanted to last and last! Every time Dylan told Nin something romantic, I just melted. for example: “I came to say that I’ve seen your face everyday of my life since I was six. Every moment of my life, you’ve been with me. I don’t think you really lost me. You see, I’ve been waiting for you my entire life.” Swoon!
The story is told in alternating points of view (Nin and Dylan.) It also alternates in time, weaving episodes from the past when both were alive, with the present in The Hereafter. Nin and Dylan’s heartbreaking childhoods and the events that lead up to their tragic deaths were especially intriguing. There is no cliffhanger in this story, and the plot elements wrap up very nicely and in the best possible way.
Read this book!
Seriously, read this book!
Though THE HEREAFTER is shelved under YA/teen romance, I think it reads more New Adult/College Romance, and due to the language, adult situations, and implications, I would recommend this for mature teens only, with a dramatic lean toward 18 years old and over.
THE HEREAFTER earns 5 North of Normal Stars!
Featured Giveaway
$10 Amazon Gift Card
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Other Current Giveaways
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I want to see my cat Adrina who just died a couple months ago, my cat K.T. who died when I was a kid, my great-grandmother Jean, my great-grandfather Bob, and my grandfather, Bob, who I never got to meet.
My granmother who I loved dearly.
I hope to meet my sweet baby who I lost…
I don’t believe in an afterlife, but if there is one I would hope to reunite with family and beloved pets.
I hope to meet Jesus.
I hope to reunite with my family that has passed on, and Jesus of course.
Wow, so many to meet when It’s my time. I hope God and all my friends, family and pets are there to greet me at those pearly gates!
My father and jesus
I hope to meet my grandparents and parents again along with my BFF of 30 years who passed away unexpectedly awhile back.
My father is waiting to greet me.
My Granddaddy
In heaven I hope to meet all my loved ones and my fur babies.
I’d love to meet my father again.