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libbydunc4's review against another edition
1.0
Skimmed it, wasn't bad, I just had forgotten what had happened in the last book and didn't like how the main characters from the previous novel were portrayed.
Might pick it up again, but wasn't in the mood.
Might pick it up again, but wasn't in the mood.
paragraphsandpages's review against another edition
2.0
First off, I would like to thank the publisher and author for providing me this ARC to review. Please note that the version I read was an advanced copy, and certain events/language may be changed in the published edition.
Stars (Out of 10): 3.5/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: This book fell really flat for me. The description seemed fairly interesting, where this girl, Eden, had leftover “magic” and connection to the other and could use that to possibly communicate to this other girl in a coma, but bring it back. However, I never felt this plot was even well explored, because the romance and family drama plots seemed to take over. In addition, almost all characters lacked continuity, with their personalities, if they had one, all over the place, and changing to fit the situation, not the situation changing to fit the characters.
The Good: A semi unique plot, not necessarily a concept I’ve seen before.
The Bad: Flaky characters, a random on and off romance, actually writing and scenes felt jumpy and unplanned (ex: Eden has tantrum/breakdown in middle of the hospital, five paragraphs later they randomly decide to go bowling?)
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: By far my least favorite thing about the book. No one seemed realistic, all just seemed to be instruments of a random/jumpy plot, making their personalities ever changing as well. For example, who even is Eden? Is she the mean girl that teases her friends at lunch? Is she the rebellious girl that goes to clubs with her friends, drinks, and randomly proclaims her love to one of them? Is she the bleeding heart, claiming Joe as her “one great thing” after a month together? Is she the flirt who, even in serious situations, needs to comment on various attractive aspects of Joe, claiming she agrees and likes anyone who says they appreciate him? Or is she secretly all of these things, and just changes when it would create the most drama in a situation? It would be more manageable if only the main character was like this, and could be marked down as “finding herself.” But every single main character was like this! From brother to love interest, no one seemed to be able to keeping a personality.
The Plot: While somewhat unique, I felt it wasn’t explored as well as it should have been. The book seemed to focus instead on the on and off relationship of Joe and Eden (from kisses to random disappearances I guess?), and the family/friend drama of Eden coming back from a coma, and not liking and wanting to be a part of her friend group. Honestly, this book could have been much better had the whole “connection to the other side and saving Jaz” not been a plot, since that was not even developed well enough to be interesting now, and those words could have been used to develop characters and the other plots.
The Favorite Character: Of all the ones truly explored, none. However, Eden’s mom seemed nice.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
Stars (Out of 10): 3.5/10 Stars
Overall Thoughts: This book fell really flat for me. The description seemed fairly interesting, where this girl, Eden, had leftover “magic” and connection to the other and could use that to possibly communicate to this other girl in a coma, but bring it back. However, I never felt this plot was even well explored, because the romance and family drama plots seemed to take over. In addition, almost all characters lacked continuity, with their personalities, if they had one, all over the place, and changing to fit the situation, not the situation changing to fit the characters.
The Good: A semi unique plot, not necessarily a concept I’ve seen before.
The Bad: Flaky characters, a random on and off romance, actually writing and scenes felt jumpy and unplanned (ex: Eden has tantrum/breakdown in middle of the hospital, five paragraphs later they randomly decide to go bowling?)
SPOILERS BEGIN HERE
The Characters: By far my least favorite thing about the book. No one seemed realistic, all just seemed to be instruments of a random/jumpy plot, making their personalities ever changing as well. For example, who even is Eden? Is she the mean girl that teases her friends at lunch? Is she the rebellious girl that goes to clubs with her friends, drinks, and randomly proclaims her love to one of them? Is she the bleeding heart, claiming Joe as her “one great thing” after a month together? Is she the flirt who, even in serious situations, needs to comment on various attractive aspects of Joe, claiming she agrees and likes anyone who says they appreciate him? Or is she secretly all of these things, and just changes when it would create the most drama in a situation? It would be more manageable if only the main character was like this, and could be marked down as “finding herself.” But every single main character was like this! From brother to love interest, no one seemed to be able to keeping a personality.
The Plot: While somewhat unique, I felt it wasn’t explored as well as it should have been. The book seemed to focus instead on the on and off relationship of Joe and Eden (from kisses to random disappearances I guess?), and the family/friend drama of Eden coming back from a coma, and not liking and wanting to be a part of her friend group. Honestly, this book could have been much better had the whole “connection to the other side and saving Jaz” not been a plot, since that was not even developed well enough to be interesting now, and those words could have been used to develop characters and the other plots.
The Favorite Character: Of all the ones truly explored, none. However, Eden’s mom seemed nice.
This review can also be found on my blog: https://paragraphsandpages.wordpress.com/
duartepatri's review against another edition
4.0
3 1/2 stars.
Since I loved the first book I thought I was going to like this one just as much but unfortunately I didn't.
I guess the main problem was Eden herself, she didn't feel relatable or even likeable, she didn't feel nice in the first book and I couldn't grow fonder of her in this one either.
I am not saying the book is not good, it is beautifully written and I think that it portrais a very sensitive subject, death is never easy to talk about and the author did a very good job of making it a bit less painful and scary.
Estelle Laure has picked my interest and I'll be definitely reading her upcoming books eagerly.
Since I loved the first book I thought I was going to like this one just as much but unfortunately I didn't.
I guess the main problem was Eden herself, she didn't feel relatable or even likeable, she didn't feel nice in the first book and I couldn't grow fonder of her in this one either.
I am not saying the book is not good, it is beautifully written and I think that it portrais a very sensitive subject, death is never easy to talk about and the author did a very good job of making it a bit less painful and scary.
Estelle Laure has picked my interest and I'll be definitely reading her upcoming books eagerly.
booksandladders's review against another edition
4.0
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book and decided to review it. This in no ways affects my opinion.
Full review to come tomorrow as part of the blog tour!
Full review to come tomorrow as part of the blog tour!
clubby's review against another edition
5.0
made me cry +1 running total=4
wow this book made me bawl like a baby
wow this book made me bawl like a baby
khairun_atika's review against another edition
3.0
But Then I Came Back is the first Estelle Laure book I read, although I have been meaning to read This Raging Light. Still, the premise of a girl waking up from her coma after being in the In Between is not something you can read without being caught up with the emotions. Eden Jones had to reprogram her life, learning more about what she truly wants out of life, and finds herself trying to solve the mystery of Jaz, the girl she met when she was In Between. I was more immersed in her journey of self-discovery than the romance, and it is the coming of age aspect of the book that made it engaging. It is sad, funny, hopeful and exciting, filled with promises of what's to come.
blakehalsey's review against another edition
5.0
As expected, I lapped up every single word of Laure's second novel. She is a master of voice and knows how to turn a damn phrase better than anyone I've ever read. No lie. This book is a fascinating look at life after death, life during life, and first love. A must-read.
fatinallen's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nessa_8l's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book very interesting because it talked about life after death or rather in between life and death. It talked about fate and destiny and beliefs in life and I’ve been wondering that for way to long. I feel as though this book taught me that there’s no need to know the answers to those questions because it’s impossible to find them in a lifetime so why do i have the need to know the answers. It might be because I’m curious but curious killed the cat, right? I need to get over it and live my life to the fullest because I have no idea if I’m going to hit my head and fall into a coma.
Edens and Joes relationship is so adorable even though the way they met wasn’t ideal but it was fate. I don’t really like that Eden and Lucille wasn’t as close though but I guess that’s what happens when your best friend dates your brother.
Edens and Joes relationship is so adorable even though the way they met wasn’t ideal but it was fate. I don’t really like that Eden and Lucille wasn’t as close though but I guess that’s what happens when your best friend dates your brother.
abbyreads8's review against another edition
5.0
But Then I Came Back is the sequel to Estelle Laure’s absolutely stellar debut novel This Raging Light. It takes on a new tone, though, shifting its narration to Eden, the best friend of the previous book’s narrator.
Eden is a prima ballerina with big dreams of dancing professionally in New York City. All of that changes when she has an accident and almost drowns in a creek, causing her to fall into a long coma with slim chances of ever waking up again. When she defies the odds and opens her eyes, everyone seems to think that she’s a miracle. But Eden feels as though she’s the exact opposite. Through her recovery, she finds solace in her fascination with another coma patient on the floor and Joe, the boy who stands outside that patient’s room every day, watching.
Although this book is linked to This Raging Light, it would be fairly easy to pick up But Then I Came Back without reading the former. You might be a bit confused about a few minor details, but there wouldn’t be too much confusion.
Simply stated, I really enjoyed this book and being able to follow Eden’s story more extensively, beyond that of her side character gig in the first book. Eden’s character is deeply complex, and Laure did a phenomenal job of realistically tackling the challenges and effects of a near-death experience. The growth that Eden show was messy and real, something that I found very endearing throughout the novel.
4.5 STARS
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Eden is a prima ballerina with big dreams of dancing professionally in New York City. All of that changes when she has an accident and almost drowns in a creek, causing her to fall into a long coma with slim chances of ever waking up again. When she defies the odds and opens her eyes, everyone seems to think that she’s a miracle. But Eden feels as though she’s the exact opposite. Through her recovery, she finds solace in her fascination with another coma patient on the floor and Joe, the boy who stands outside that patient’s room every day, watching.
Although this book is linked to This Raging Light, it would be fairly easy to pick up But Then I Came Back without reading the former. You might be a bit confused about a few minor details, but there wouldn’t be too much confusion.
Simply stated, I really enjoyed this book and being able to follow Eden’s story more extensively, beyond that of her side character gig in the first book. Eden’s character is deeply complex, and Laure did a phenomenal job of realistically tackling the challenges and effects of a near-death experience. The growth that Eden show was messy and real, something that I found very endearing throughout the novel.
4.5 STARS
Disclaimer: I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.