Julia DeSmit can't wait for her life to begin. After her mother leaves when Julia is nine years old, she's raised by an unassuming, gentle father a...
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Nov 14, 2007
Michelle
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My review:
The following section contains one of the most beautiful concepts I've read in a Christian novel.
(It seemed like a strange thing to say, but with every repetition she drove a tiny seed of hope further into my heart. I almost didn't want it there--hope is not a promise, merely a wish, a yearning for something that may never materialize--but it sank down deep where I could not extract it and began, even in that moment, to put down fragile roots.
It was More...
The following section contains one of the most beautiful concepts I've read in a Christian novel.
(It seemed like a strange thing to say, but with every repetition she drove a tiny seed of hope further into my heart. I almost didn't want it there--hope is not a promise, merely a wish, a yearning for something that may never materialize--but it sank down deep where I could not extract it and began, even in that moment, to put down fragile roots.
It was More...
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May 25, 2011
Josee
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This is a good story about Julia DeSmit's struggle to find her place and her path amidst abandonment and death by her mother and father, respectively (her mother left when she was 9, her father died when she was 15). While she's raised by her grandmother, she still seeks acceptance, which is hard for her to find. She's not super outgoing, she feels like she doesn't fit in, and she's socially awkward. Her only friend is her next door neighbor Thomas, and he knows she sees him more than a friend,
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Apr 21, 2011
Sam
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Dec 02, 2011
Klaudyna
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Feb 25, 2011
Amanda
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Glenn Beck spoke at my college graduation last spring and I've since been following him on Facebook. On Valentine's Day, he shared that his wife Tania and several of his staff members hadn't been able to put this book down and that for a limited time it is free for the Kindle on Amazon. He said, "Fair warning, while it may not cost you any money, it will definitely cost you some sleep." Well, Glenn, it did cost me some sleep last night and now it's going to cost me some money! After re
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Apr 13, 2011
Catherine
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Wow. This is one of those books that left me breathless. I need to preface this by saying Ms. Baart is lucky there IS a sequel, otherwise this review might not be pretty. As an author myself, I'm quite selective in what I read. I download a lot of stuff to my iPad. Not everything makes it into my TBR or AM READING pile. I sifted through a couple of choices before I hit on After The Leaves Fall. I'm not sure what it was that hooked me. This is not your average let's all be good Christians and pre
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Jan 04, 2012
Kelly
rated it:
I loved this book and the main character. I didn't realize it was a Christian fiction book until I added it here on Goodreads, but the story and the prose had hooked me enough by then I was willing to give it a chance. Luckily, the book did not disappoint with a heavy-handed, didactic message. Quite the opposite, in fact. The story was genuine, and the anger and struggles of faith were the authentic struggles of everyone as they grow up. The Goddy part didn't come until the very end, and while i
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Mar 03, 2011
Jamie (LadyJai)
rated it:
I heard this on one of my talk shows I listen to, said his wife and staff members couldn't put it down and it was offered free on Amazon Kindle on Valentine's Day. I had no idea what this book was about. But I wanted to read it anyway.
Once I started, I was sucked in. The main character was real and down to earth. Her mom left, her dad died, and she went to live with her grandmother on a farm in some small town. Her life turned upside down and semi-bitter, her faith became questionab More...
Once I started, I was sucked in. The main character was real and down to earth. Her mom left, her dad died, and she went to live with her grandmother on a farm in some small town. Her life turned upside down and semi-bitter, her faith became questionab More...
Feb 19, 2011
Jody
rated it:
I started out LOVING this (free on Kindle!) book...then it started to not go anywhere. Once instance has bugged me throughout the book. Julia is painfully unsocial & while away at college twice has an opportunity to make a friend...1st day of class a girl is kind enough to curl Julia's hair for her with her curling iron. But Julia forgets to get her name..or did she just forget it? Then she sees her again while popping popcorn & is invited to join their group for TV watching. Again..doesn't
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May 11, 2011
Cindy
rated it:
Wow, I just didn't really connect with Julia or her problems. I got tired of hearing her complain. Every time she got a chance to create more drama in her life, she made the wrong choice. Every time she could have acted like a mature adult, she blew it. So don't care what happens to her.
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Apr 05, 2011
Sonia
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This is a great coming of age story about a young girl struggling to find her identity when it seems the whole world is against her.
It is Christian fiction, but I assume only because the God and the bible are mentioned more than just in passing. As someone who freely reads Christian fiction, I know not everyone is as open to the genre, so I feel it needs to be said that this book is not so much about faith in God as it is in having faith in oneself and in the family that we are given More...
It is Christian fiction, but I assume only because the God and the bible are mentioned more than just in passing. As someone who freely reads Christian fiction, I know not everyone is as open to the genre, so I feel it needs to be said that this book is not so much about faith in God as it is in having faith in oneself and in the family that we are given More...
Apr 16, 2011
Ivy
rated it: 
Nicole Baart's AFTER THE LEAVES FALL was strikingly mediocre, moreso because of the writing itself than because of the story. At approximately the 40% point, the writing deteriorates - specifically, there is far too much exposition ('telling' / narration), and unnecessary clarifications of the main character's thoughts. Again, too much exposition. I only finished the book because I wanted to see whether or not the main character would end up with the character I hated.
In summary, th More...
In summary, th More...
Feb 04, 2011
Robin
rated it:
Truly enjoyed this author's beautiful and often poetic writing style. The book was a quick read, probably more along the lines of a young adult selection, but, being much older than that, it still drew me in. The main character was real enough, she could easily be someone you know or have met along the way. Personally, having been a child of divorce with an almost non-existent father of my own, I could naturally relate to the pains, emotions, and thought processes so deftly displayed in this sto
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Mar 01, 2011
Becca
rated it:
This book was just OK. It started out rather slow, giving barely enough detail to get you involved with the characters. When it changed from Part 1 to Part 2, I felt like I was reading a completely different book. There was no lead-in to Part 2, and it seemed as though Part 1 was left unfinished.
Overall, this book is all about a girl's teenage angst. I guess you're supposed to feel sorry for her, but I couldn't. What she was going through was mostly typical boy and friend trouble with her More...
Overall, this book is all about a girl's teenage angst. I guess you're supposed to feel sorry for her, but I couldn't. What she was going through was mostly typical boy and friend trouble with her More...
Mar 06, 2011
Tanya
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
To view it, click here
Mar 07, 2008
Laura
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An intriguing beginning, but the plot soon sinks into predictability and the characters become more shallow and underdeveloped as the story progresses.
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Apr 10, 2011
Diana
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I liked this book, but not enough to read the next one. The main character, while you care about her and sympathize with her in every aspect of her life, unfortunately was a bit unlikable to me. Julia has nearly everything go wrong for her that can... abandoned by her mother, loving father dies during her teen years, boy trouble, school trouble and extreme loneliness. Maybe my life has been too simple to relate to her, but it frustrates me when a character refuses to create friendships. I've rea
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Mar 10, 2011
Mindy
rated it:
I got this as a free kindle download and wasn't sure what to expect, but I really enjoyed it.
Spoiler Alert;
I love how after all of the pain and loneliness and mistakes the main character finds her way and makes this statement: "Janice left, my father died, and Grandma will follow. Who is my constant? Who will walk with me when everyone else has faded to the background to a place where they exist in little more than carefully preserved memories? There is some More...
Spoiler Alert;
I love how after all of the pain and loneliness and mistakes the main character finds her way and makes this statement: "Janice left, my father died, and Grandma will follow. Who is my constant? Who will walk with me when everyone else has faded to the background to a place where they exist in little more than carefully preserved memories? There is some More...
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Nov 29, 2010
Joni
rated it:
I thoroughly enjoyed this coming of age book - it totally tugged at my heartstrings and I found myself with eyes so filled with tears I couldn't read the words on the page.
I don't know if I would have liked it as much if I weren't feeling so lonely at the moment. I was totally relating to the main character and her lack of anyone to talk to and feeling like there really isn't anyone who cares (even when there is). It is so easy sometimes to forget our support system and feel all alon More...
I don't know if I would have liked it as much if I weren't feeling so lonely at the moment. I was totally relating to the main character and her lack of anyone to talk to and feeling like there really isn't anyone who cares (even when there is). It is so easy sometimes to forget our support system and feel all alon More...
Apr 06, 2011
Kavyen
rated it:
The book was an emotional read. There were a lot of complex emotions that were dealt with realistically. I expected the book to leave me depressed because of all the tragedies in Julia’s life but strangely it dint. I landed up adoring the strength that Julia exhibits with the help of her grandma.
Anyone who has faced a few tragedies in life would deeply relate to Julia and sympathize with her. She is genuine and reacts to people and situations just as any of us would – sometimes strong, More...
Anyone who has faced a few tragedies in life would deeply relate to Julia and sympathize with her. She is genuine and reacts to people and situations just as any of us would – sometimes strong, More...
Aug 12, 2011
Leslie
rated it:
This was a page-turner for me. It had me wiping tears at some parts. I have to say I did not like the way it finished. To me it wasn't a redemptive enough ending - too much of a melancholy end. With that said it did make me want to keep reading so I have already downloaded and started the next in the series, Summer Snow.
Nicole Baart creates beautiful images with her descriptive writing. She does a fabulous job describing life, nature, people, etc. More...
Nicole Baart creates beautiful images with her descriptive writing. She does a fabulous job describing life, nature, people, etc. More...
Mar 27, 2011
Cassie
rated it:
***SPOILERS***
Another great read by a Christian author. I was captivated in the first chapter when she writes:
"He was buried on a rainy day in October, and I remember the sound of the raindrops on the lid of the sleek black casket and how it seemed like music to me. The pastor was doing his best to make sorrowful and occasion that seemed anything but--the leaves on the trees above us were burnt amber, the consoling sky around us was velvety gray, and the rain was singi More...
Another great read by a Christian author. I was captivated in the first chapter when she writes:
"He was buried on a rainy day in October, and I remember the sound of the raindrops on the lid of the sleek black casket and how it seemed like music to me. The pastor was doing his best to make sorrowful and occasion that seemed anything but--the leaves on the trees above us were burnt amber, the consoling sky around us was velvety gray, and the rain was singi More...
Dec 26, 2008
Jill
rated it:
Review by Gigi Hoffman
Julia DeSmit hasn’t had the easiest life. Her mother deserted her when she was nine and her father died when she was fifteen. The only people left are Thomas, her best friend and first love, and her loving grandmother. But when Thomas falls for someone else, leaving Julia with a broken heart, she decides to get away and discover the real world by going to college.
College seems like a great escape and a new beginning, but it’s not all it was cracked More...
Julia DeSmit hasn’t had the easiest life. Her mother deserted her when she was nine and her father died when she was fifteen. The only people left are Thomas, her best friend and first love, and her loving grandmother. But when Thomas falls for someone else, leaving Julia with a broken heart, she decides to get away and discover the real world by going to college.
College seems like a great escape and a new beginning, but it’s not all it was cracked More...
Jan 24, 2008
"In her promising debut novel, Baart writes compellingly about a young girl's struggle with loss, love, identity and faith... Sparkling prose makes this new novel a welcome addition to inspirational fiction."
Publisher's Weekly
"Debut author Baart's writing is evocative and beautiful "
Romantic Times
“After the Leaves Fall is a novel that soars with significance.”
Joyce Handzo (In the Library Reviews)
“Beautifully and sensitive More...
Publisher's Weekly
"Debut author Baart's writing is evocative and beautiful "
Romantic Times
“After the Leaves Fall is a novel that soars with significance.”
Joyce Handzo (In the Library Reviews)
“Beautifully and sensitive More...
Feb 08, 2011
Melissa
rated it:
Having a Kindle, I download lots of freebies. As most Kindle users know, that means lots (and LOTS!) of Christian fiction. I read a fair amount - it's my mindless filler reading. I rarely put it on GoodReads because it's not "real" reading to me - just filler.
This book was different. It wasn't the best book every - it's fairly routine coming of age stuff. But the writing is lovely. I really enjoyed it and would actually pay money to read something else by they author. If you More...
This book was different. It wasn't the best book every - it's fairly routine coming of age stuff. But the writing is lovely. I really enjoyed it and would actually pay money to read something else by they author. If you More...
Mar 08, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
I liked this book -- can't really decide between three and four stars. Obviously I leaned a little more to three than four. I thought the author did a very nice job with character development. I really liked how she told a "real," coming-of-age story without crude language or graphic details. It was a story that kept my interest. Was a little disappointed at the quick/too-soon ending, but I always want a good story to keep going....
Jun 02, 2011
Rene
rated it:
This story will clench your heart! It's about a young girl whose Mom leaves her and her Dad when she is only 9 years old. Then, at the age of 15 her Dad dies. She moves in with her kind and caring Grandmother who does the best she can at raising a teenager who has had no direction or motivation. It's a story of a young woman who attempts to define herself and gets into heartbreak and trouble along the way. I'm anxious to read the follow up to this book!
Mar 03, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
Great great read. This is not the typical book for me to read. But I was completely hooked. I realated to the main character, Julia so much. I think I have found a new author to love. Very well written. (I just wish she found another word to love than wry. LOL) After staying up all hours of the early morning finishing the book I very quickly downloaded book 2, Summer Snow. Highly highly recommend.
May 27, 2011
Melissa
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This is the first book in a three-part series. I fell in love with Baart's storytelling after the very first page. The prose is gorgeous, visceral, and rings of truth. I've never emotionally connected with a book character the way I have with Julia DeSmit. Though the events in her life don't mirror mine, I relate to her on so many levels. This is a re-reader, for sure.
Mar 13, 2011
Chandler
rated it:
I saw this being offered for free on the Kindle on Valentine Day through Glenn Beck's Facebook page and thought what the heck. The story is gripping and sad. The main character is a kind of enigma because of all the things that have happened to her during her childhood, which ultimately shapes her future. It is a Christian based book with a good message. Good read.
