Such a great book !

I was looking for a modern love story after enjoying a long, and lengthy read of a classic novel. I wanted something more modern and easy to read, but still have characters you wanted to love and hate. ‘After’ has this in spades. I’d seen the movie and loved the story, so thought this would suit me well. ‘After’ beautifully shot, brilliantly acted, great music, with the incredibly intense and passionate relationship between Tessa and Hardin. The book was a lot more different to the film, but took nothing away from either. I wasn’t expecting as much sex as there was in the book, however felt it was a necessary part to seeing Tessa connect with Hardin, and grow more confident in their relationship. I’ve seen quite a bit of negativity towards Anna Todd’s portrayal of the characters, and it’s negative effect on her Teen demographic. I would have to disagree here as there are lots of truths and real emotion to Tessa and Hardin’s relationship. Despite it being seen through Tessa’s eyes, I could see Hardin’s vulnerability and raw struggle to do what’s right. He grows to love her and tries to show her this in the only way he can. Themes of looking beyond a persons appearance, standing up for yourself against peer and parental pressure, and being careful to protect yourself from emotional and physical harm are all here. Teens can read this and think what would I do in this situation, would I stay at a party of someone I hardly knew? This is not the only book teens are going to read, and if it encourages them to read Wuthering Heights, or Pride and Prejudice, then all the better. Then they will seen that there is no such thing as a faultless character. My daughters are too young for this book, but when they are of age I would recommend they’d read it for themselves and discuss what life lessons we could learn from Tessa and Hardin’s modern and imperfect love. Now I have ‘After We Collided’ ready for the next engrossing instalment.

The ‘after’ film was my favourite for so long so I had to read the book. I loved the book so much more because there is so many added bits, more depth to Hardin and Tessa’s relationship and more information about Hardin’s past which helps you to understand why he is the way he is which isn’t in the film. I would 100% recommend this book if you like the ‘I hate everyone in the world but you’ kinda concept.

I wish I knew where to start, apart from what I read in the blurb I knew nothing about this story. Then I mentioned After in a tweet and suddenly I’m being told that what I’m reading glorifies abuse, features rape and is based around One Direction. Panic set in, how can I do this, it goes against everything I’ve ever read, seriously I’m about to read a book about One Direction! Now let’s get this out there, I am not a One Direction fan, my knowledge stretches to knowing that the curly haired one dated Caroline Flack. The truth is I don’t care who the characters were originally based around, because this book is a work of FICTION. I feel I need to address the rape and abuse allegations that flit around social media regarding this book. Within the pages of After you are pulled into a story of love, now this isn’t the Disney love story we grew up believing in but then again we also don’t have genies living in lamps. What Anna Todd has created is a story of love that’s so consuming the characters can’t control their emotions, BOTH characters use things against each other and in some cases their love and hate divide walks a very fine line. There is no glorifying of abuse or rape within the pages of After, Todd has captured the emotions and thoughts of Tessa Young our main protagonist in ways that allow us to see the inner turmoil she at times experiences. Tessa is about to embark on a new life at college. leaving behind her mother and boyfriend Noah, But college doesn’t introduce Tessa to like minded people, instead she meets roommate Steph, a tattooed party lover who has a whole crowd of friends she is willing to share. One of these being Hardin, a guy who manages to get under Tessa’s skin. I’m torn on how to describe the characters because I didn’t particularly like Hardin or Tessa. At times they both annoyed me and there are moments where I hated Hardin and everything he did. That being said there is a great mix of characters throughout this story, from the manic Molly to the loveable Landon and let’s not forget nice Noah. But despite my lack of love for the characters I could not put this book down, it was the emotion that drove this book for me and it’s that which has left me desperate to read more. There are elements of this book that shocked me, facts that disgusted me but hand on heart I loved it. With its short chapters this 592 page story is definitely a quick read, there was life before this book and then there was everything AFTER!

I love to read books and collect them, I happened about this series due to the release of the movie soon and decided to read them, I feel in love with the characters immediately. It is honestly one of the best series I have read and I don't not say that lightly. I know some people have disagreements with the series due to Hardin, and I would recommend you read some people's thoughts that would be considered negative to get a full view of what you'd be getting into, but...I would honestly whole heartedly recommend you this book. Read it, you won't regret!