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It could have been me.

Snow whirls around an elevated train platform in Chicago. A distracted woman boards the train, takes her seat, and moments later a fiery explosion rips through the frigid air, tearing the car apart in a horrific attack on the city’s transit system. One life is spared. Twenty-two are lost.

A year later, Autumn Manning can’t remember the day of the bombing and she is tormented by grief—by guilt. Twelve months of the question constantly echoing. Why? Why? Why? Searching for answers, she haunts the lives of the victims, unable to rest.

Paul Elliott lost his wife in the train bombing and wants to let the dead rest in peace, undisturbed and unable to cause more pain for his loved ones. He wants normalcy for his twelve-year-old daughter and young son, to see them move beyond the heartbreak. But when the Elliotts and Autumn are unexpectedly forced together, he fears she’ll bring more wreckage in her wake.

In Life After, Katie Ganshert’s most complex and unforgettable novel yet, the stirring prose and authentic characters pose questions of truth, goodness, and ultimate purpose in this emotionally resonant tale.

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My Thoughts

Life After is going straight to my all-time favorites shelf. This story is so engaging, I’m pretty sure I actually climbed inside and landed in Autumn’s life. My reader heart is completely smitten with this book. Y’all, this is a soul-deep twitterpation! Are you following just how big I book love Life After? BIG BOOK LOVE! ????

Autumn Manning is the sole survivor of a highly publicized tragedy yet the weight of living through such heart crushing destruction leaves her overwhelmed with survivor’s guilt. I especially appreciate the way Autumn recognizes her odd and marginally obsessive behaviors and strives to replace them with a healthy dose of journaling. Her journaling methods make me want to give it a go and y’all know how I feel about writing! #swoof

Paul Elliott has a couple of the most endearing kids I think I’ve ever read and he is a stupendous daddy despite the family’s loss and circumstances. I’m not saying he’s perfect or he does everything right (Paul has a twelve-year-old daughter, we all know it’s impossible to do everything right when kids are that age) but Paul is observant and involved. He wants his kids to know they are loved and cherished and he purposefully pursues and guards their hearts.

Both Autumn and Paul have supportive (sometimes pushy) family and friends who are present and concerned for them and the Elliott children. All the characters are beautifully flawed and authentic while the story weaves through some of life’s toughest questions while pointing readers to the Comfort amid the chaos of this world.

I requested the opportunity to read and review this title through the publisher. The opinions expressed are my own.

About the Author

Award-winning author, Katie Ganshert, graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison with a degree in education and worked as a fifth-grade teacher for several years before staying home to write full-time. She was born and raised in the Midwest, where she lives with her family.

When she’s not busy penning novels or spending time with her people, she enjoys drinking coffee with friends, reading great literature, and eating copious amounts of dark chocolate. You can learn more about Katie and her books by visiting her website or following her on social media.

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