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After Life Lessons: Book One

(After Life Lessons #1)

Laila Blake (Goodreads Author),

L.C. Spoering

3.66 · Rating details · 120 ratings · 46 reviews

Hulking shadows emerge out of the chaotic flurries of the blizzard. Something is dying, and so they come, like vultures.

After months of struggling south to escape the zombie-infested remains of New York, a snowstorm traps 23-year old artist, Emily, and her son in an abandoned gas station. Starving and desperate, they encounter Aaron, an Army medic on a mission of his own, ...more

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Published April 8th 2014 by Lilt Literary (first published April 5th 2014)

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Apr 15, 2015 Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: post-apoco-loco, zombies

I picked this one up because I signed up to review the second book in this series and I'm such a fan of the killer zombie books!

If you are expecting a book about gore and zombies coming out of the woodwork - this book is NOT for you. Instead this book deals with the relationships built from the zombie apocalypse.

Yeah, part of me believes the heroine in this story is annoying and a complete bitch with blinders on but as the book progresses, she becomes more likable and starts making the right dec ...more

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Jun 23, 2014 Two Nerds With Words rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Book Review by Nicole McCurdy for Bex 'n' Books
Disclosure: This ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an HONEST and not necessarily positive review.

I’m going to jump right in here and say that I am in fact in the desperately unpopular minority that just could not get into The Walking Dead. I have absolutely nothing against zombies, vampires, werewolves or wee ghosties, but I need the story to progress, I need something to keep me hooked so I tried to go into this zombie apocalypse wit Book Review by Nicole McCurdy for Bex 'n' Books
Disclosure: This ebook was provided by the author in exchange for an HONEST and not necessarily positive review.

I’m going to jump right in here and say that I am in fact in the desperately unpopular minority that just could not get into The Walking Dead. I have absolutely nothing against zombies, vampires, werewolves or wee ghosties, but I need the story to progress, I need something to keep me hooked so I tried to go into this zombie apocalypse with an open mind.
After Life Lessons is a book set in 2016 in a zombie infested USA and tracks the constant struggle for survival of Emily a young British woman and her American son Song. Along the way they meet and befriend ex-soldier Aaron, a fiercely loyal, gun-toting Georgia born boy.
So…Right now, all I want to do is gush about this book; like make a bullet-point list in huge bold capital letters why you should read this novel and send your thank you cards to me after for recommending the awesomeness of it and secondly to the authors for actually writing it. It’s simply got everything going for it and then some. It has a depth of emotion, action and drama that rivals the Marianas Trench- a feat that is often difficult to portray in books of this nature, it’s mostly gore and battle but no substance, certainly not with this one. Believe it or not it’s a zombie novel with heart.
The characters of Emily and Song are so damaged and isolated when we first meet them barely hanging on to their lives by a thread when they’re rescued by Aaron on a gasoline run and so begins a steady paced journey of survival and heroics and learning to let go of the past and embrace a new uncertain future in a bitter world run rampant with death and destruction. Emily is superb and for once the fact that she is British shines through in her language but not in a stereotypical cockney or posh accent, the writer’s have it nailed perfectly. Her letters to her boyfriend ‘Letters from Abandoned Places’ lets us inside her sad and very candid thoughts, the things she thinks but could never say aloud but somehow make you love her more. You champion her and her young son, willing for their survival against the odds. A stunning heroine to admire, written to perfection with flaws and bravery intertwined.
Aaron was a great complex hero, saving people and delivering supplies in order to feel useful and needed rather than for reward, often feeling a little lonely and unwanted. Sometimes he was quite stoic and pensive, reflecting on the world at large inwardly rather than rambling on to fill silence. He’s terrific with Song; we see a tender side to him, as well as with Emily and how they both navigate through their growing feelings for one another in a very uncertain climate as both of them cling to ghosts of their pasts.
These two writers are golden together, one hundred percent. After Life Lessons had some truly creepy, goose-bump inducing moments and plenty of zombie gore and axe usage with a few laughs interspersed to lighten the tension. If you’re looking for a well written and imaginative zombie romance then this book is definitely for you. I can’t wait to read the next book After Life Lessons 2.
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Jan 30, 2014 Lindsay rated it liked it

Shelves: review

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 emotion 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.

...more

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Apr 06, 2014 Ava rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fav-read-of-all-time

5 survival and lovely stars.
The beginning of this book was The walking death crossing with the movie ... I can't really remember its name something like the end of the earth artic blatz with jake gyllenhal (the spelling is really wrong). but the focus wasn't on the walking death but about 2 peoples first and then 3.
The first two were Emmy and her son, Song. They both lost and waiting for someone at least the boy. but as the story moved on, I learnt about the man who was missing. he was the dad. ...more

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Feb 10, 2014 Robert rated it it was amazing

Really great novel!
there's so much to unravel. First off: if you're only looking for horror or action, you might wanna go look somewhere else. But if you like a complex story with great characters and realistic events, you should definitely buy this book. Where World War Z goes into the world-wide economic and political struggle of a zombie apocalypse, After Life Lessons focus is on the smaller, human struggle. There's no teenagers or crazy stuff – just two adults and a child who have to find a ...more

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Apr 07, 2014 Helena Ison rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Writing Style:

These ladies sure make one phenomenal team! Their writing draws you in quickly and refuses to let you go! So make sure you have an entire evening dedicated to reading if you pick up this book because you won't want to put it down!

My Opinion:

I want to start off by saying that out of all paranormal creatures zombies rank lowest on my list of favorites. I have tried repeatedly to read various zombie themed books and one after another they made it to my CNF list. (Could Not Finish) I Writing Style:

These ladies sure make one phenomenal team! Their writing draws you in quickly and refuses to let you go! So make sure you have an entire evening dedicated to reading if you pick up this book because you won't want to put it down!

My Opinion:

I want to start off by saying that out of all paranormal creatures zombies rank lowest on my list of favorites. I have tried repeatedly to read various zombie themed books and one after another they made it to my CNF list. (Could Not Finish) I gave After Life Lessons a chance because I am smitten with both of the authors and everything I've read from both has yet to disappoint me. That being said, After Life Lessons was the first zombie book that I actually was able to finish reading and enjoyed!

I truly wasn't expecting this book to floor me like it did! This book changed my perception of the zombie genre all together. This book has a new take on the classic Zombie Apocalypse, one I find to be far more realistic to how people would respond during a zombie out-break. Most representations are filled with too much drama, cruelness, and far-out crazy antics that make the overall story hard to relate to. I find that the way the characters react in this book represents how people would really handle this type of disaster. They show the true gritty emotions; fear, love, courage, regret, and compassion. This book also has a perfect balance of zombie scenes placed throughout it. It's about so much more than just zombies, trust me.

Emily and Aaron are a definite power-couple. They are like day and night, but they fit together great. Opposites really do attract, I suppose. They have so many obstacles to face but always make it through them because they have each other. They understand each other in such a profound way, if only everyone could have a chance to be in a relationship like theirs. It goes both ways, when it's going bad.. It's really damn horrible but when it's going good... It's just amazing! As a warning, when these two are alone things tend to get steamy, so make sure to keep a fan near to help with the spike in temperature.

After Life Lessons put my emotions one hell of a ride that I'm not sure I'll ever recover from. It drained me physically and mentally, but I consider that to be a good thing. Any book that can have that much of an impact on me has to be special. This book has everything you could ever want in a novel... action, humor, romance, and sex. I could barely stumble out of my bed after one particular scene... oh the shock and horror I experienced. I can't share details of that scene here because it would spoil the plot. So if you're curious you will just have to read this fantastic book for yourself. Just prepare yourself because you will hit some bumps in the road that will leave you stunned.

To Read or Not To Read?
Without a doubt, READ! Like hurry and go get your copy and read it today! ...more

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Feb 15, 2014 ★Moonrise rated it really liked it

Ever since their world fell apart, and was overrun by zombies, Emily and her son have been been on the run, hiding out, and scavenging for food and shelter. And these zombies are no slow movers... they are fast, and they attack anything and everything in their path with such ferocity that little is left behind.

Emily misses Sullivan, who was with them not long ago as they made their way out of New York City, by way of the storm drains. She continues to write to him, as a means of coping with the Ever since their world fell apart, and was overrun by zombies, Emily and her son have been been on the run, hiding out, and scavenging for food and shelter. And these zombies are no slow movers... they are fast, and they attack anything and everything in their path with such ferocity that little is left behind.

Emily misses Sullivan, who was with them not long ago as they made their way out of New York City, by way of the storm drains. She continues to write to him, as a means of coping with the loss and isolation. Now huddled in the back room of a gas station, Emily senses time is running out. Her young son, Song, has taken ill and is burning up with a fever. As she watches her child sleep, a car pulls into the gas station parking lot. Barricading the back room door as best she can, she awaits her fate...

Aaron has been living better than most. With an operational van, and supplies from the army base where he was stationed, he stays on the move at all times, helping where he can. Looking for the tank switch that will allow him to access the station's reserves, he tries to pry open the back room door... Emily is armed (although she has been out of bullets for some time), and desperate. But when she sees Aaron, face-to-face, her fears take the backseat, and she pleads for his help. A former Army Medic, Aaron knows Song is in bad shape. He agrees to help them with medication, safety, and a brief reprieve from danger. But their journey is only beginning.

This was a captivating story with an absorbing plot. I enjoyed it from the beginning! The characters face many obstacles, and have to overcome not only the basics of survival but the trials and tribulations of getting to know one another under dire circumstances. They are thrown together in a fast and furious manner. And all three characters are dealing with personal struggles and loss, that only starts to come out as things get comfortable.

Although I fully understood Emily's need to put Song's well being in the forefront, the dialogue surrounding his day to day experiences was excessive. I wanted to know more about the relationship developing between Emily and Aaron! Overall, the story was fresh and well written. There was romance in the mix, and lots of room for more to come!

Visit our blog to learn more: http://www.moonrisebookblog.com/2014/...
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Apr 09, 2014 Rabid Readers Reviews rated it really liked it · review of another edition

The author, Laila Blake, gave me a copy of this novel in exchange for my review.

When I first read the description for “After Life Lessons,” I was intrigued. Blake and Spoering have written a story of the human experience in impossible times that just happens to feature zombies as the element of danger in those impossible times. How insignificant do the little tragedies of daily life seem in a world where you may not survive beyond the next day?

Once the story gets going it is a beautiful tale ...more

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Apr 10, 2014 Suzanne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read2review

3.5 stars.

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review by the “Lovers of Paranormal” Group on Goodreads.com

The book is set in a post-apocalyptic world after a virus has turned most of the earth’s population into Zombies. I love the Walking Dead TV series and this book very much reminded me of that in the sense that it's very character driven. I loved the fact that the main focus was often on the day to day experiences and we get to see how the characters go on this journ ...more

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Jun 05, 2014 Holly Douglas rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommended to Holly by: Paranormal and Contemporary Group

I was asked for my honest opinion.

A world ravaged by a virus a woman with a small boy traveling to find a safe place. All that life affords before the virus hit is gone, a love, a home and now all that is left is her son, she is barely hanging on in the middle of a snow storm.
What a way to start a book captured my interest completely. The journey of heartbreak, of not wanting to but having to depend and trust someone for help. As the reader,Laila Blake had me feeling all of Emily frustration, ...more

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Apr 21, 2014 Beth (^v^)/ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romantical, paranormal, i-see-dead-people, first-in-series, lop-review

I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review by the “Lovers of Paranormal” Group on Goodreads.com.

3 1/2 Stars - Post-apocalyptic/dysfunctional fun

I don't do zombies, but I decided to give this book a go. I was pleasantly surprised.

The story begins with Emily and her son, Song's journey to find somewhere safe in a zombie-ridden wasteland that the US had become. She comes across Aaron, another survivor. Together, they embark on a journey to find physical and mental safety. ...more

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Jan 28, 2014 BDSM newbie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: need-to-get

This book was amazing. The writers really transported me into their world. I love every moment of it even when I had to reach for the tissues.

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Jan 18, 2014 Mak rated it really liked it

Visit the blog tour & enter for a chance to win an apocalypse survival set! Ends April 28th

I was generously provided an advanced e-book copy of After Life Lessons from the Authors/Publisher. This has no affect on my review process.

After Life Lessons was a romance story, first and foremost. If you are looking for "brains" and romance like I was, be forewarned that while this does include a fair amount of zombie violence- it wasn't what I was expecting.... and that's a good th
Visit the blog tour & enter for a chance to win an apocalypse survival set! Ends April 28th

I was generously provided an advanced e-book copy of After Life Lessons from the Authors/Publisher. This has no affect on my review process.

After Life Lessons was a romance story, first and foremost. If you are looking for "brains" and romance like I was, be forewarned that while this does include a fair amount of zombie violence- it wasn't what I was expecting.... and that's a good thing. It tackled issues that one might face given the chance of survival in this situation.

In the beginning we find Emily and her son Song walking along the snow covered road virtually on the brink of freezing to death. They find a gas station to hide out in as a last attempt to stay alive. This is where we meet an intimidating stranger, Aaron, who later becomes Emily's love interest. What I found so unique about this story compared to other adult romance novels I have read was that there was no instant attraction. Emily's feelings for the stranger and his interaction with her son and his inevitable involvement in their lives (because there was no one else around) was believable. With the small "adventures" they had on the road trying to survive the elements their relationship grew slowly. Emily's past unravels throughout the story all while she finds out information little by little on her companion, Aaron and what it means to be alive in this new world.

I found Emily a little bit aggravating. At times she was so trapped in the past; she was fretting about things that ultimately didn't matter. I know this was a complicated romance (with brilliant growth), however, Emily caused problems with her constant anxiety over her dead fiance. Major problems. Her attitude almost caused all of their deaths and she was all over the place with her emotions afterwards; apologizing and then causing bigger problems for herself and Aaron later on. Her actions were believable, yet I didn't feel that they were entirely appropriate for an apocalypse, especially with a young son to watch over.

When Emily wasn't fretting over "real-world" issues rather than "gone-to-shit world" issues she was a clever character. Her slow-burning romance with Aaron was adorable and believable. She was able to bug him enough throughout their "adventures" to have him fall in love with her and unveil his secrets. Aaron was a strong male character-non violent and caring with a military past. Perfect for an apocalyptic romance, I think.

The writing kept the story going at a nice pace, the story wasn't too predictable, and I found myself caring for the characters despite their shortcomings.

The ending was entertaining. Everything happened so fast. I really appreciated it after such a low zombie count. I am looking forward to reading the next installment. I want to know what happens next... and if I have predicted what might happen for the future of Emily, Song, and Aaron! ...more

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Apr 27, 2014 Chocolit Chick rated it liked it · review of another edition

There are some great cookies out there, am I right? But we all know that some…say, an oatmeal cookie…go from being a standard sugar fix to a mouth-watering treat with just the right addition of a little somethin’-somethin’. Whether you prefer raisins or chocolate chips in that oatmeal is up to personal taste (by now you should be well aware of where my vote is cast), but without one or the other, it’s just another cookie. That’s where I found myself while reading After Life Lessons by Laila Blak There are some great cookies out there, am I right? But we all know that some…say, an oatmeal cookie…go from being a standard sugar fix to a mouth-watering treat with just the right addition of a little somethin’-somethin’. Whether you prefer raisins or chocolate chips in that oatmeal is up to personal taste (by now you should be well aware of where my vote is cast), but without one or the other, it’s just another cookie. That’s where I found myself while reading After Life Lessons by Laila Blake and L.C. Spoering. It was more than oatmeal, but it didn’t hit the chocolate high I was looking for.

The opening pages of this NA zombie romance immerse the main character, Emily, in a blinding snow storm, trying to find shelter before the elements—and the undead—catch the hapless pair of mother and son. There is no question the two emerging authors of this novel get things off to a gripping start. And once our co-tagonist, Aaron, shows up to lend a hand, the trio continue to find themselves in perilous situations that rival that other tasty storytelling treat on TV, The Walking Dead.
Once the action subsides, however, the authors try a new slant on the genre by adding the recipe variable of sexual situations. If you’re up for that variation, no worries, but it’s the conversations between the co-tagonists that turn things into a bland mix. Aaron and Emily would start a conversation that would turn monosyllabic ending with one or the other walking away in a huff, but…er, why? The dialogue bordered on bland, and I found myself two or three bites into a chapter where I would have to stop and say, “What the hell did I just eat?” There was way too much narrative spent on Emily hung up on a lost love in a world that didn’t leave time for those kind of parameters any more.

Luckily, that’s right around when the zombies would come back into the fray, and all was engaging in the story again. This cookie isn’t for the palettes of those easily offended as the recipe contains considerable variables (see above), but it’s worth sitting down to enjoy with a glass of milk all the same.
...more

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Apr 18, 2014 Kelly rated it liked it · review of another edition

3.5 stars.

I think this book is fairly unique in style: it’s a zombie-apocalypse tale yes, but that is more the setting than the story itself. It is a romance too, although more gritty and internal than paranormal romances tend to be. The cover art and internal formatting (done by Laila, I believe) is also lovely. Makes me wish I had a color kindle to read on. :)

I liked how the story focused on the characters’ personal struggle to survive and showed us the day-to-day life of only a few people. F 3.5 stars.

I think this book is fairly unique in style: it’s a zombie-apocalypse tale yes, but that is more the setting than the story itself. It is a romance too, although more gritty and internal than paranormal romances tend to be. The cover art and internal formatting (done by Laila, I believe) is also lovely. Makes me wish I had a color kindle to read on. :)

I liked how the story focused on the characters’ personal struggle to survive and showed us the day-to-day life of only a few people. For Emily, her step-son, Song, is always foremost in her mind, even as her relationship with Aaron develops. There are several letters shared in the novel as well, written by Emily to Song’s father, and they show her true feelings about her loss and situation in a way she never expresses aloud. A really nice touch to the story, I thought.

While I enjoyed the storyline and setting, I didn’t get much out of the dialogue. The conversations were awkward from the beginning, and at first I accepted that it was hard for people in those times to open up and really converse smoothly, but I felt at some point that should have improved a lot more. I couldn’t see clearly how Emily and Aaron would grow to understand each other well without having deeper conversations than they did.

This might be a picky criticism too (other reviews didn’t mention it) but I disliked that the character point-of-views kept head-hopping. When the views are mixed, it makes stories more passive because we’re always in someone’s head, rather than observing or experiencing the events through one person’s eyes. I think this book would be far smoother to read in only Emily’s point-of-view; it felt more like her story overall.

Despite the few issues I mentioned, it was an enjoyable read. The ending of the book was quite strong with well-balanced action and emotion, and it played out in a satisfying way. As this book is part of a developing series, I’m looking forward to reading more stories with different types of characters. ...more

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Jan 20, 2014 Krys (Krys Reads) rated it really liked it

Shelves: reviewed, ebook, 2014

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-mi ...more

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Jan 18, 2014 Chris Torretta rated it it was amazing

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 w ...more

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Jan 31, 2014 KathyAnne rated it it was ok

I really struggled to finish this one... I just wasn't feeling the romantic connection between Emily and Aaron. They were constantly apologizing to each other for things that just weren't important. There was definitely an excessive use of the word sorry.
Because this was more focused on their day to day conversations, interactions etc... and less on the zombies... it was not as engaging as I'd hoped. With them being dirty all of the time it just kind of killed the romance mood for me. I doubt I ...more

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Jan 25, 2014 Mummy's Naughty Corner rated it it was amazing

Shelves: arc, m-f, kindle, romance, r2r, favourites, zombie

Arc received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Cover :- 4 stars
Sex/steaminess :- 4 stars
Story line :- 5 stars
Characters :- 5 stars
Overall rating :- 4.5 stars

Personal rating :- 5 stars

Book Pairing:- M/F
Did it give me a book hangover :- No
Is this a review book or personal read :- Review read

Why I chose this book?

I was asked by one of the authors to review the book.

What I liked about this book.

* The description was perfect.
* The writing transported me.
* I'm left wanting more.

What I d ...more

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Mar 20, 2014 Deborah Cordes rated it it was amazing

A complex and moving tale, After Life Lessons will stay with you long after you finish the last page. I guarantee you will never look down an empty stretch of road the same way again. I was quite taken with the emotional depth of the characters and the beautiful writing. The fact that this novel was created by two authors working as a team makes it even more special, since it's difficult to meld two different minds into one "voice." Five stars! ...more

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Apr 19, 2014 Melissa rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2014

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review.

Let me start by saying I am not one for zombie/apocalyptic stories, but if the stories were wrote like this I would be first in line for them. The characters have depth and are relatable and the storyline was flawless! Once started I found it hard to put down! I would recommend this to anyone who just loves a well written story!

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May 29, 2014 InD'tale Magazine rated it liked it

Shelves: genre-paranormal-urban-fantasy, rating-3-star, genre-sci-fi, 2014-june-july

This zombie tale is realistically based, in that it’s limited the why’s and how’s, only telling what a normal person would know, which isn’t much.

Read full review in the 2014 June/July Double Issue of InD’tale Magazine. ...more

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Apr 10, 2014 Ariella rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review for LoP. Emily is trying to find a safe place from the zombies. Her son song is getting sick. Arron found Emily and Song and help them. This book is amazing.

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May 13, 2014 Danielle Knight rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: r2r-challenge

I was given this book in exchange for an honest review Lovers of Paranormal LOP. This author has a wonderful writing style. The characters are creatively done. You can relate to the characters which I love. This author is worth your time. Great read all around. Thanks!

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Apr 26, 2014 Nancy (The Avid Reader) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

Emily and Song her son or more accurately her boyfriend's son but she calls him her son and he calls her Emmy. Emily has been taking care of Song since he was two years old when his mother brought him to Emily and her boyfriend and just left him with them. Emily loves and cares for Song as if he is her own child. She always has and always will. She will protect him with her life. Sullivan was bitten by a zombie; he gave his I received a free copy of the book from the author for my honest opinion.

Emily and Song her son or more accurately her boyfriend's son but she calls him her son and he calls her Emmy. Emily has been taking care of Song since he was two years old when his mother brought him to Emily and her boyfriend and just left him with them. Emily loves and cares for Song as if he is her own child. She always has and always will. She will protect him with her life. Sullivan was bitten by a zombie; he gave his life so that Emily and Song could live. Sullivan was a musician and was hardly ever at home. Emily and Song miss him so, so much.

Just when they have just about made it to the end of their own road they meet this man who was a medic in the Army, Aaron. Aaron has been going around the country trying to help out different people who have made new homes in different places or their own homes, safe places hopefully away from the zombies. Aaron goes from place to place gathering up supplies that he thinks these people needs and he takes the supplies to them. Aaron takes Emily and Song with him.

Emily and Song both fall in love with Aaron and want him to stay with them and not leave. Song is so tired of everybody leaving him so it upsets him when he thinks Aaron is going to leave them and of course he blames Emmy. The one person that has been a constant in his life and the one he loves the most. He is hurting and being so young he doesn't know how to handle it. He has lost his dad and everyone he has ever known except Emmy. Emily is only twenty-three years old herself and is very young to be raising a child one her own much less a child that is not even hers. Emily is a very strong and mature woman to be able to take care of such a young child. You can just tell by the way she talks to and deals with Song that she has a very big heart with a whole lot of love to go around. She is so young herself to have gone through what she has experienced and felt. She loved Sullivan very much for someone so young.

Now Emily and Song have both fallen in love with Aaron and neither one of them are sure if they are going to get to keep him in their lives. Is he going to be just like Sullivan? Is he going to be gone most of the time and then maybe come by to see them when he is in town just to bring them the supplies they need? Can Aaron lay down his past and all that haunts him to stay with Emily and Song to be a family? Can they both stop running away long enough to have the love and life they both and all three deserve?

Want to know the answers to all of these questions? Well then I recommend that you grab your copy now to find out what they all decide to do. You will not be disappointed as I was not. I loved reading Emily, Song and Aaron's stories and about their lives and would like to know more about them. Although I do wish that there would have been more zombies and they would have had more zombies to have fought. But all in all I would have to say that After Life Lessons was a great read.
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Feb 26, 2014 ysar rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: free-copy, dystopian, romance

Emily is living a mother's worst nightmare. The world she knew is gone, replaced by fear, constant running and hiding, and struggling just to survive. Some sort of plague has taken over, turning so much of the population into fast-moving, violent zombies that those who are left hardly stand a chance. And now her son is sick, in terrible need of medical attention, and the old gas station in which they hide can't possibly protect or save them.

Luck has been on Aaron's side. He has a van that ru Emily is living a mother's worst nightmare. The world she knew is gone, replaced by fear, constant running and hiding, and struggling just to survive. Some sort of plague has taken over, turning so much of the population into fast-moving, violent zombies that those who are left hardly stand a chance. And now her son is sick, in terrible need of medical attention, and the old gas station in which they hide can't possibly protect or save them.

Luck has been on Aaron's side. He has a van that runs, supplies from the base where he was stationed, and the mental fortitude to stay ahead of the killing horde. He's been helping people as he can, but the last thing he expects to find in a deserted gas station is a desperate mother pleading for his help. A medic, he knows the boy needs more than just a few aspirin. And so begins their journey.

This was a captivating story with an absorbing plot. I enjoyed it from the beginning! The characters face many obstacles, and have to overcome not only the basics of survival but the trials and tribulations of getting to know one another under dire circumstances. They are thrown together in a fast and furious manner. And all three characters are dealing with personal struggles and loss, that only starts to come out as things get comfortable.

But... Song, Emily's son, is a major part of the story, but I could have done without the constant reminder. While it makes perfect sense that he would be Emily's number one concern, too much of the story focused on whatever Song was up to, as opposed to what was happening around them and between Emily and Aaron. In some ways, it felt like filler in an otherwise captivating tale.

You know how I hate violence and gore, right? So while the occasional zombie story might catch my attention, I don't often pick them up and read them. This one, however, struck me as a bit different, featuring a single mother instead of the usual young teens, and a zombie horde that may be the most frightening I've read about yet.

The first in a series of books, After Life Lessons may not zip through to a happily ever after (that's to come in a future book, I'm sure), but it still offers up plenty of entertainment and emotion. The characters have been thrown together in a terribly frightening world, all experiencing profound loss and terrible struggles. They're relying on each other before they really even know each other, and the relationship that begins to grow is a bright spot in an otherwise dark reality.

For zombie fans, this series looks like it's going to be a big win, and for those of us who can do without the blood, it's still an incredibly entertaining read. The characters are refreshingly mature, and while the general premise may be common, the depth of story is a rare find.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Jun 18, 2014 Sara Snider rated it liked it

Shelves: indie

After Life Lessons is an interesting, dysfunctional kind of love story, and with zombies to boot. Sort of. Despite the zombie-apocalypse setting, the zombies themselves don’t play a particularly large roll. So if you’re looking for a book with a lot of zombie action, then this isn’t the book for you.

What I enjoyed most in this book was the beginning, when Emily was so broken and detached from the world. I should have liked her journey into finding love again, but that part for me just wasn’t as After Life Lessons is an interesting, dysfunctional kind of love story, and with zombies to boot. Sort of. Despite the zombie-apocalypse setting, the zombies themselves don’t play a particularly large roll. So if you’re looking for a book with a lot of zombie action, then this isn’t the book for you.

What I enjoyed most in this book was the beginning, when Emily was so broken and detached from the world. I should have liked her journey into finding love again, but that part for me just wasn’t as compelling. I think my biggest problem with this book is I’ve had a difficult time separating myself from what it could have been. “No creature is more dangerous than hope,” is what it says on the cover. For me, that brought up images of a character afraid to trust, afraid to feel hope for fear of losing it again. It makes it sound like hope is the true nemesis, rather than the zombies. And so, when Emily began regaining her trust and her hope in life, I kept expecting something to happen that would take that from her. I wanted that to happen, because I wanted to see how she would cope. But it never did, not in any meaningful way.

What this book focuses the most on is the relationship between the two main characters, Emily and Aaron. While the interaction between them was interesting for the most part, the whole thing just felt kind of shallow. I mean, it’s essentially the end of the world. Neither Emily nor Aaron has had much human contact since everything went down. It seems kind of inevitable that they would develop strong feelings for one another. So when they did, it didn’t really feel significant or important. Maybe I’m just not convinced that the characters really did love one another, and instead mistook their own need for each other to survive as love. And that’s OK, really. Honestly, in that situation, I don’t think anyone would be able to tell the difference.

Despite the book being not quite what I expected, and despite some awkward narrative moments (“sorry” was spoken so much that it lost all meaning by the end) it was still an interesting book and fairly easy to read. And even though I kept rooting for someone to die, I still cared about the characters for the most part. They are flawed and sometimes annoying, but that is what makes them real. That, I think, is where the real strength in this book lies.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Feb 20, 2014 Carrie rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, prizes-requested, new-adult, read-2014

Everything has changed. Emily and her son Snow are wondering through a blizzard in search of safety. But hope for survival comes from an unlikely source. Aaron has a need to do the right thing, luckily for Emily and Snow, the right thing includes helping them. For two adults used to being on their own, their interactions remind each other of the world they left behind. But is the promise of a future together enough to overcome the demons of their past?

I am a fan of zombie movies and books. But Everything has changed. Emily and her son Snow are wondering through a blizzard in search of safety. But hope for survival comes from an unlikely source. Aaron has a need to do the right thing, luckily for Emily and Snow, the right thing includes helping them. For two adults used to being on their own, their interactions remind each other of the world they left behind. But is the promise of a future together enough to overcome the demons of their past?

I am a fan of zombie movies and books. But out of all of them, I love the Walking Dead the most. It's not zombie and gore, but is character driven. And that is one of the things that drew me to After Life Lessons. Yes, there are zombies and our heroes have several encounters with them, but this is a character driven novel.

Emily has been through a lot in her lifetime. Driven by her artist soul, she doesn't fit in with her parent's lifestyle. She fled to New York where she met a musician and fed the side of herself she's kept hidden until then. When you put it like that, she seems to soft and carefree. Yet as she travels with Aaron and Snow, we learn just how strong she really is. She has her wounds that have damaged her psyche, but despite that, she is determined to do whatever is necessary to protect her son and the fragile confidence he is displaying.

Aaron has all the survival skills and muscle needed for the post-apocalyptic world thanks to his army background. With his kinds heart, he is quick to offer help to Emily and Snow. But as he grows to know them, and we learn about his past, we learn more about the man, than I think even he is aware of.

The story itself follows the two of them as the travel to find a safe place. On the way they must confront more than just zombies, they must work through their own inner road blocks. One of the things I liked best about this book was Emily's letters. She writes several times to Sullivan about how she feels and what is going on in her life. They are letters straight from her heart, and offer a glimpse into her soul. As things change for her, her letters change. The letters are more than expressing her inner feelings, they are a form of healing.

After Life Lessons is good story about characters overcoming their fears and self doubt.
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Mar 06, 2014 Kirke rated it liked it

Shelves: review

Living in Zombieland isn't the most fun. It means you are constantly on the run, living in fear and going on survival mode. Emily has been travelling South for months now with her young son and when he gets sick, she fears this might truly be the end. Luckily they run into Aaron. He's a former army medic and pretty much essential now for their survival. The man even has a car, which is about as rare as finding non-infected humans.

They form an alliance and decide to start travelling together. Now ...more

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Apr 10, 2014 Kirke rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: review

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Read 4 Review: Survival Post-Apoc Love story R2R	9	44	Oct 21, 2014 11:37AM
Lovers of Paranor...: R2R {431} After Life Lessons COMPLETED	29	132	Oct 16, 2014 12:36PM
Goodreads Librari...: Co-authored series	6	31	Sep 12, 2014 03:41PM
Apocalypse Whenever: (closed) June Giveaway #1: After Life Lessons by Laila Blake (10 ebooks)	35	108	Jun 22, 2014 09:22AM
Goodreads Librari...: Different Cover	6	49	May 25, 2014 10:53AM