A review by becca_osborn
Afterlove by Tanya Byrne

emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Ash has had a hard time on the love scene until she meets Poppy...and dies in a freak accident just months later. Now as a new reaper, she is surrounded by death and is constantly remembering what could have been...until she realizes Poppy can actually see her...and recognizes her.
Tanya Byrne has done the WORK, y'all. The way she speaks about both love and death makes it clear that she has experienced deep love and deep loss. Reading about her experiences and the community that has surrounded her in the midst of her losses made me really want to have a cup of coffee with the author someday. <3 The way she was able to tell such a beautiful story amidst such a heaviness is really something special. The tragedy around Poppy and Ash ripped me apart. Dev and Esen were delightful characters, and I especially loved Esen's character arc. The way that Tanya captured Poppy's death was so gentle - it reminded me of the way C.S. Lewis captured death at the end of The Last Battle - it was warm and calm and natural. I also loved the intertwining of Carl Sagan and his work as well.
This is a powerful book - it might be YA, but it's for everyone. 
I would recommend to anyone who has grieved or lost - maybe not if the loss is fresh, but add it to your list.