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jeanz's review
2.0
Did Not Finish
Wasn't what I thought it was and had more sexual elements and explicit sexual language etc than I though suitable or my blog.
I'd say I'm not a prude but the language and the way the sexual content was going left me cold and bored. I think the book should have a warning about the content and have an 18+ rating maybe.
Having said all that I did like how the book was paced and the writing of the normal content within it.
Wasn't what I thought it was and had more sexual elements and explicit sexual language etc than I though suitable or my blog.
I'd say I'm not a prude but the language and the way the sexual content was going left me cold and bored. I think the book should have a warning about the content and have an 18+ rating maybe.
Having said all that I did like how the book was paced and the writing of the normal content within it.
ctorretta's review
5.0
This is one of those books that reminds me why I still love to read about zombies or apocalyptic stories. If it’s done right there can be so much depth not only to the story but also, and here is the most important part, the characters.
And after reading zombie books you get a feel straight away if it’s going to be something that you’re going to like from the get go. For me this book was one where I knew instantly that I was going to like it. It starts and I really didn’t know if Emily and Song were going to make it. They were struggling hard. And sadly that’s what I loved about it. There are too many zombie books out there where the main characters get away too easily and I’m always left wondering exactly why they had so many supplies prior to, or why they decided to keep themselves locked in a bunker… etc. In this one, however, it felt completely real, chillingly so, while Emily searches for shelter, and then hurts her arm when she slips and falls. This is only maybe 5% into the book and my heart was already palpitating!
And it just gets better from there. I could feel her plight from the beginning so when they meet Aaron I’m worried but also hopeful because they really do not have a choice.
This is absolutely fantastic and fans of books and shows like the Walking Dead should fall in love with this and with the writing. Cannot wait to read more from Laila and L.C.
4.5/5
And after reading zombie books you get a feel straight away if it’s going to be something that you’re going to like from the get go. For me this book was one where I knew instantly that I was going to like it. It starts and I really didn’t know if Emily and Song were going to make it. They were struggling hard. And sadly that’s what I loved about it. There are too many zombie books out there where the main characters get away too easily and I’m always left wondering exactly why they had so many supplies prior to, or why they decided to keep themselves locked in a bunker… etc. In this one, however, it felt completely real, chillingly so, while Emily searches for shelter, and then hurts her arm when she slips and falls. This is only maybe 5% into the book and my heart was already palpitating!
And it just gets better from there. I could feel her plight from the beginning so when they meet Aaron I’m worried but also hopeful because they really do not have a choice.
This is absolutely fantastic and fans of books and shows like the Walking Dead should fall in love with this and with the writing. Cannot wait to read more from Laila and L.C.
4.5/5
r4ch4elreads's review
4.0
Disclosure: I received a copy of After Life Lessons from the author (as part of the “Apocalypse Whenever” Group) in exchange for an honest review.
I loved the setting and pacing right from the start; and although there isn’t a lot of action and very little zombie involvement, the story keeps progressing nicely. It took me a while to really feel for the characters, which is in no way a bad thing – I think my investment in them grew, as their relationship grew. Emily is doing the best she can in the roughest of circumstances and I really didn’t want Aaron to gallop in on his white horse to save the day… The balance of trust and mistrust is handled delicately throughout. This is most certainly character driven.
If you’re looking for an all-out Zombie story, you won’t find it here, but if you want a more subtle tale about the struggle to survive then give this a go.
krysreads's review
4.0
Via Black 'n Write Review
My final thoughts:
I wasn’t sure what to anticipate after reading After Life Lessons, but it certainly didn’t include what I finished reading today. Please let me explain:
This book is very post-Apocalyptic slash zombies, and the commencement is on a cold last leg of winter storm. Originally the main characters were Emily and her toddler-age son, Song. They were trudging through this storm on an abandoned road trying to find shelter. Later on these two are found by a ex-military paramedic, Aaron, who falls in love with Emily and the story starts being about this couple and the inner demons their both fighting. Aaron has some serious baggage even Emily couldn’t combat with. Seriously, it sounds like it would be mushy and lovey dovey, it is, but it has zombies in it! Which makes the story sound all the more exciting. Although I was somewhat put-off by the language (P.S. NOT acceptable for kids/teens) the story transitioned from very serious situation to the constant tos and fros of the characters of “eff” this, “eff” that, and “eff” yous – I just wasn’t expecting the language, you get used to it after a while lol
This is a very interesting read, I was happy that the author took the time to contact me even if the genre was a little out of my general league, and I would recommend this book to anybody who’s into zombies and love stories… not zombie-love stories.. that’s just gross and I just had a mental image that I need to go douse my brain with kerosene.
- Krys
My final thoughts:
I wasn’t sure what to anticipate after reading After Life Lessons, but it certainly didn’t include what I finished reading today. Please let me explain:
This book is very post-Apocalyptic slash zombies, and the commencement is on a cold last leg of winter storm. Originally the main characters were Emily and her toddler-age son, Song. They were trudging through this storm on an abandoned road trying to find shelter. Later on these two are found by a ex-military paramedic, Aaron, who falls in love with Emily and the story starts being about this couple and the inner demons their both fighting. Aaron has some serious baggage even Emily couldn’t combat with. Seriously, it sounds like it would be mushy and lovey dovey, it is, but it has zombies in it! Which makes the story sound all the more exciting. Although I was somewhat put-off by the language (P.S. NOT acceptable for kids/teens) the story transitioned from very serious situation to the constant tos and fros of the characters of “eff” this, “eff” that, and “eff” yous – I just wasn’t expecting the language, you get used to it after a while lol
This is a very interesting read, I was happy that the author took the time to contact me even if the genre was a little out of my general league, and I would recommend this book to anybody who’s into zombies and love stories… not zombie-love stories.. that’s just gross and I just had a mental image that I need to go douse my brain with kerosene.
- Krys
ltg584's review
3.0
This book caught me off guard. I was expecting a zombie novel, just like every other zombie novel in the horde of zombie novels. Instead, I got a story about a journey, about letting go of the past and making new connections for the future. It’s about family, love and forgiveness. And it is about survival, not just physically but mentally as well.
There aren’t a ton of zombies, so if that’s what you’re expecting, you’ll end up being disappointed. This is primarily a romance, with a lot of emotions. I love that there is a ton of dialogue, since it allowed me to connect with the characters. The potential downfall to this dialogue is that the authors made it very realistic. That means that it’s full of ummm and uhhh and a lot of … Yes, it’s very much the way we speak, but it’s hard to read at times. There is also lots of crying, and a lot of apologies. 61 to be exact. I’m thinking of making them honorary Canadians. ;)
Even though the book is heavy on romance, it definitely isn’t insta-love! Emily and Aaron really have to work for their tenuous relationship, and I’m left wondering if they’ll ever truly make it work, or even if it’s worth it. It’s very love/hate. Emily struggles with survivor’s guilt, and she is constantly battling with how to live in this new world. She tries to protect her son, Song. I really appreciated his role in the story. He wasn’t an overwhelming presence, but he did put into question a child’s role in the apocalypse.
The writing style isn’t something I would normally touch on in a review, but in this case it’s worth mentioning. The story is told in a 3rd person omniscient POV, and it took me some time to get used to it. Usually, you would see separate chapters being told, each from a different character, and some sort of break between the voices. In this case, it flips back and forth between the characters all within the same chapter. It threw me for a bit of a loop. By the second half of the book, I had adjusted and fell into the story completely. The pace picked up, and the story left off on a high note. I’m curious to see where the series goes from here.
A copy of this book was provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
There aren’t a ton of zombies, so if that’s what you’re expecting, you’ll end up being disappointed. This is primarily a romance, with a lot of emotions. I love that there is a ton of dialogue, since it allowed me to connect with the characters. The potential downfall to this dialogue is that the authors made it very realistic. That means that it’s full of ummm and uhhh and a lot of … Yes, it’s very much the way we speak, but it’s hard to read at times. There is also lots of crying, and a lot of apologies. 61 to be exact. I’m thinking of making them honorary Canadians. ;)
Even though the book is heavy on romance, it definitely isn’t insta-love! Emily and Aaron really have to work for their tenuous relationship, and I’m left wondering if they’ll ever truly make it work, or even if it’s worth it. It’s very love/hate. Emily struggles with survivor’s guilt, and she is constantly battling with how to live in this new world. She tries to protect her son, Song. I really appreciated his role in the story. He wasn’t an overwhelming presence, but he did put into question a child’s role in the apocalypse.
The writing style isn’t something I would normally touch on in a review, but in this case it’s worth mentioning. The story is told in a 3rd person omniscient POV, and it took me some time to get used to it. Usually, you would see separate chapters being told, each from a different character, and some sort of break between the voices. In this case, it flips back and forth between the characters all within the same chapter. It threw me for a bit of a loop. By the second half of the book, I had adjusted and fell into the story completely. The pace picked up, and the story left off on a high note. I’m curious to see where the series goes from here.
A copy of this book was provided by the authors in exchange for an honest review.
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