I buddy read with coworkers and my Mom very often. We have mentioned that everyone in things we have read lately seem to be 20 years old and in perfect health. I enjoyed that this book was written with an older character in mind. I enjoyed the three generations of women and the secrets that they were all hiding.. This book does a great job of describing women's relationships with their family members

I am so disappointed that I didn't get to this on time. I really wanted to read it and it's not at my local library. So saddened, but thank you for the early access!

The story was okay and somehow I had a slow pace on reading. I managed to finish it though, the story was good

St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of After the Fall. I voluntarily chose to review this book and my opinion is freely given.

When an accident at home robs Honor of her independence and forces her to accept help from her widowed daughter-in-law, Jo, will the temporary living conditions offer the pair an opportunity to finally get to know each other? Will being with her only granddaughter, Lydia, as well as Jo's two children from her second marriage, give Honor the family that she did not know she was missing?

I really liked aspects of this story, from Jo's steadfast dedication to Honor's reluctance to accept help. The progression from adversaries to family was realistically drawn and I could not help but root for the pair to work out their differences. Had the author stuck strictly to the conflict between the woman, I would have given this book higher marks. The part of the story that seemed forced and trendy had to do with Lydia. Without spoilers, all I will say is that the side plot felt orchestrated, leading the story to the eventual conclusion. Overall, I liked After the Fall, so I would recommend it to other readers.

Really enjoyable read. Good characters and a Good story. Well worth a read. Think others will enjoy.

I honestly could tell by the writing of the first 2 chapters that it wouldn't be a good fit for our box and had to put it down. I may read it again in the future!

I absolutely loved this book. I had never read any of Julie's book before and I am now going to go back and read her other books. There is so much more to this book than just a three generational saga. I found all the characters are likable and I could relate to all of them. All three of main characters have secrets they are keeping from each other and not wanting to give the story away, I will say there is so much more to their stories than there first appears to be. I highly recommend this book as a must read.

I almost gave up on this one as it was a little slow-paced for me to start with. I am glad I didn't though because the second-half was great.

Recommended book and worth sticking with, 4 stars from me.

After the fall by Julie Cohen.
When an unfortunate accident forces Honor back into the lives of her widowed daughter-in-law, Jo, and her only granddaughter, Lydia, she cannot wait to be well enough to get back to her own home. However, the longer she stays with Jo and Lydia, the more they start to feel like a real family. But each of the three women is keeping secrets from the others that threaten to destroy the lives they’ve come to know.Honor’s secret threatens to rob her of the independence she’s guarded ferociously for eighty years.Jo’s secret could destroy the “normal” family life she’s fought so hard to build and maintain.
Lydia’s secret could bring her love—or the loss of everything that matters most to her.One summer’s day, grandmother, mother and daughter’s secrets will be forced out in the open in a single dramatic moment that leaves them all asking: is there such a thing as second chances?
This was a fantastic read with brilliant characters. A moving and emotional read. I really felt for Lydia. Highly recommended. 5*. Netgalley and St Martins press.

DNF.

A thousand apologies. I just could not get into this book, and I am so sorry. I did not leave a review on any platform.

I really enjoyed this witty novel that was filled with so many different emotions. The different generations all trying to get along and learn more about each other kept me interested. I appreciated the realistic way Cohen portrayed their situation and thought she did so in a very eloquent way. Very heartwarming story!

This book was an unexpected pleasure for me. I don’t know what I actually thought this book was about…but I was bowled over with the characters, the story and the myriad of emotions. This is some amazing writing. I was so wrapped up in EACH character. It was like I was right there with them experiencing the same feelings.

Honor is a cranky old woman who takes a pretty bad spill. She moves in with Jo and her family. Honor is irritable and hard to get along with for many reasons. Basically, she is hurt on many levels. Not only does she hurt because she is getting old and cannot do what she once did, but the hurt over her son’s death….stays with her forever and affects the way she relates to everyone around her.

Jo is a special woman. Not only is she raising three children by herself, she takes in her mother-in-law after the fall. She is one of the most giving characters and has the patience of a saint…Many times I wanted to YELL for her because she wouldn’t lose her temper and temper-losing was so warranted. There is a part in this book where Jo just has a doozy of a day! As a mother, I remembered what it was like. I almost got as stressed as Jo did. But don’t worry, she handled it like a trooper. I would’ve lost it on the first episode of poop!! Very well written and her feelings came right off the page to me!

Lydia is Jo’s daughter and Honor’s only granddaughter. She is pulled in many different directions. I am not about to give her story away. Just know, she is much tougher than she appears.

This story was an absolute treasure for me in many ways! Highly recommend if you need a book to get totally absorbed!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review

This book moved a too slow to keep my attention. Lydia's point of view, while offered great internal conflict, also trivialized eating disorders. This, too, was a major turnoff for me. However, this book is great for someone looking for a slow burn to read on a rainy afternoon.

The blurb:
A poignant, beautifully heartbreaking novel about what it means to be family, the ties that bind us, and the secrets that threaten to tear us apart.
When an unfortunate accident forces Honor back into the lives of her widowed daughter-in-law, Jo, and her only granddaughter, Lydia, she cannot wait to be well enough to get back to her own home. However, the longer she stays with Jo and Lydia, the more they start to feel like a real family. But each of the three women is keeping secrets from the others that threaten to destroy the lives they’ve come to know.
Honor’s secret threatens to rob her of the independence she’s guarded ferociously for eighty years.
Jo’s secret could destroy the “normal” family life she’s fought so hard to build and maintain.
Lydia’s secret could bring her love—or the loss of everything that matters most to her.
One summer’s day, grandmother, mother and daughter’s secrets will be forced out in the open in a single dramatic moment that leaves them all asking: is there such a thing as second chances?

I’m not going to say anything about this book for fear of giving spoilers. It made me smile, laugh at times and also made me cry. 4*

Funnily enough I had actually seen the opening line for this book on a weekly meme where the blogger in question (I’m so sure I know who posted, but I’ve been searching and searching and I honestly cannot find the post. It’s driving me loco so if anyone can help I’d beyond appreciate it and will update this post) puts the opening line of a book out there to see if people would find it enough of a hook to reel them in and make them read. My answer was a resounding ‘yes!’ (exclamation mark very much necessary)

‘The last stage of Honor Levinson’s life began at the top of the stairs in her home in North London.’

Honor, or ‘Doctor Levinson,’ as she prefers to be known, is a strong, feisty, independent eighty year old, who detests shows of emotion or weakness of any kind and so does not take kindly to playing the part of elderly patient after a fall from the top of the stairs (brilliantly done) in her home. Honor was an excellent character, who had me from the start, pointing out the realities of getting old, where you feel exactly how you did when you were younger, but those around you treat you as they would a child, or worse than. This was skillfully backed up by a trip back in time, and some old letters, where we found out Honor’s tragic backstory.

We were treated to numerous point of views, all in third person, always a plus for me; that of Honor of course, then Jo, her daughter in law, who’s putting a brave face on the absence of two father’s for her children, one passed (we are put on tenter hooks to find out how), one who has run off with the twenty one year old au pair. Jo learned from her mother, who had MS, that one should always grasp onto the silver linings for dear life, and the result is a positivity of magnanimous proportions, and some ‘mom-lit’ type incidences which provided respite in a book that erred on the slightly greyer side at times. Jo has two young children from her second marriage, and also the lovely Lydia, who tells her story with the accompaniment of a diary that shares how difficult a time she is having as a teenager having not yet come out. Her thoughts, insights and actions really made me feel for her, they were beautiful and heartbreaking and I worried.

After The Fall is the story of a family that was collapsing in on itself, where each woman (or girl), was an island, struggling to find their place, not realizing who they need to help them. I enjoyed it and looked forward to seeing what would happen when secrets were revealed and everyone had to face up to their issues. I especially enjoyed the second half of the book, where things evened out for me, not even in terms of becoming more positive, but just where there seemed to be a little more action, although I have no doubt some people will disagree. I know this is probably an odd review, but it’s a difficult book in that respect, as I enjoyed it as I read, and looked forward to what was going to happen, but found it difficult to place, possibly as I read so many out and out romantic comedies. As well as this it didn’t leave a lasting impression after I finished, which surprised me. It will, however, be a real treat for some out there, with excellent characters, tangible descriptiveness and a storyline that carries you with it. Thanks to St Martin’s press and Netgalley for the book in return for an honest review.

Rating: 4/5

After the fall was a great book, we are introduced to three generations of women and the secrets within the family. Will be looking out for more books by Julie Cohen.

I really loved this book, I thought the characters were so real and developed - the story felt well told and really believable.
I especially loved the development of Honour, it was a beautiful unfurling of a character.

i would absolutely recommend this book, Julie writes beautifully - and this is a worthy successor to Dear Thing.

After the fall

This is my first book by Julie Cohen and I have to say its one of the most beautiful and thought provoking books I've ever read. Having just finished it I can still feel tingles down my spine.

The book begins by an elderly lady, Doctor Honor Levenson falling down the stairs and breaking her hip, we find out that she lives alone and is rushed off to hospital.

The story then switches to a single mum called Jo who has a teenage daughter called Lydia from her first marriage and two younger children from her second marriage, she is trying her best to raise her children and trying not to hold a grudge against the au pair her second husband ran off with.

Then we switch to Lydia's point of view, she is about to do her GCSE's and is suffering from the usual teenage angst but also whilst trying to deal with her sexuality. She also still carries grief from her father's death.

Then we discover that the link between the three women is that Honor is Jo's first husband's mother and Lydia's grandmother. Jo is surprised to find that Honor put her down as next of kin as the two women had never really got on.

Jo is a lovely character who always thinks of other people but Honor doesn't appreciate this, even though Jo invites her to live with them until she recovers. When Honor realises she can't afford a private nurse she reluctantly takes up Jo's offer.

Lydia is my favourite character, at first she seems really popular, cool and level headed but then just one embarrassing slip causes her world to be turned upside down. Having a teenage daughter myself I know how realistic the scenario is and how fragile our teenagers are. I thought that the subject of mental health was handled very sensitively and responsibly.

The story unfolds by switching to each of the three women's points of view and I found the characters were so well written that I was able to immediately feel the pain and joy that each of them went through even though they were three different generations.

The story really explores the feelings of guilt that one has both by being a mother and a daughter and always wondering if you are doing the right thing.

The relationship between all three women grows as they begin to understand and appreciate their differences and maybe come to realise that in some ways they are not so different after all. One of the observations I think the book highlights is that how we are all pulled in different directions by the various relationships we have with people, be it friends, daughters, mothers, lovers.

A beautifully written heart wrenching story with wonderfully complex characters that gradually learn to fit together.

Thank you to Transworld for the ARC which I have reviewed voluntarily.

I found this book a little slow to get into but once I got going I found it to be a very good read and I really enjoyed it. I have already recommended this book to others

This story starts with Honor Levinson's fall down her stairs. And then everything after that is 'after the fall' which makes this the perfect title for this book. Three generations of women are forced to live together, as they come to depend on each other for comfort and support. It isn't an easy road to go down since they are all keeping their own little secrets, from each other and from everyone else around them.

Can their relationships handle the lies? Can they learn to be there for each other? Or will life just go back the way it was 'before the fall'?

I enjoyed this story immensely. This is exactly the kind of story I love. I love reading about female characters who have to work through issues as they learn to lean on the other strong women around them. I love taking their journeys with them. Honor, Jo, and Lydia are all great characters and I loved watching them change as they come to realize what's important in life.