Book Review: The Beginning of After by Jennifer Castle

The Beginning of After
Author: Jennifer Castle
Reading Level: YA
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Released: September 6th 2011
Review Source: Harper Teen
Available: Amazon

Summary: (from goodreads) Anyone who's had something truly crappy happen to them will tell you: It's all about Before and After. What I'm talking about here is the "ka-pow," shake-you-to-your-core-and-turn-your-bones-to-plastic kind of crappy.

Sixteen-year-old Laurel's world changes instantly when her parents and brother are killed in a terrible car accident. Behind the wheel is the father of her bad-boy neighbor, David Kaufman, whose mother is also killed. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Laurel navigates a new reality in which she and her best friend grow apart, boys may or may not be approaching her out of pity, overpowering memories lurk everywhere, and Mr. Kaufman is comatose but still very much alive. Through it all there is David, who swoops in and out of Laurel's life and to whom she finds herself attracted against her better judgment. She will forever be connected to him by their mutual loss--a connection that will change them both in unexpected ways.

Jennifer Castle's debut novel is a heart-wrenching, surprisingly witty testament to how drastically life can change in the span of a single moment.

Where should I start with this amazing heartfelt book? I will start with the cover which by the way is beautiful and goes perfectly with the storyline. This book was beautifully written and the story had me crying and thinking that this is something that could happen to any one of us.

Laurel is a junior in high school and full of life. She is a straight “A” student and has everything going for her. One night she and her family are on their way to their neighbor’s house and after dinner they decide to all go out to get some ice cream. Laurel doesn’t want to go and asks to go home instead. That was the last time she would see her mom, dad and little brother alive. Mr. Kaufman was the only one that survived but is now in a coma. David, Mr. and Mrs. Kaufman’s son had also decided not to go with them that night and just like Laurel, lived. Luckily for Laurel, her grandmother came to stay with her and took care of her, but poor David had lost his mom in the crash and his dad was in the hospital on life support and no one to help him with this tragedy. Now Laurel has to try to move on with her life and try to accept that her family is gone. The only problem is that it’s pretty hard when you are surrounded by things that trigger memories of the people she loved the most. Laurel keeps all her thoughts and emotions to herself and doesn’t let anyone know what’s she’s thinking, not even her best friend Meg. But for some reason, the only person she feels close to and comfortable with is David.

This story is filled with emotions. I will admit that I cried and laughed at times. I loved Laurel and felt every emotion she went through. It must be horrible to lose your family like that. Jennifer Castle wrote an amazing story that captured my heart. The Beginning of After is one of those books that open your eyes and makes you appreciate your loved ones because you never know if that they will be gone tomorrow. I totally recommend this book and I will definitely read more books by Jennifer Castle.