I couldn't quite get into this book for some reason. The characters were very depressing to me, and caught in downward cycles. I didn't get invested enough to care how they made their ways out because I wasn't connected or invested. I'll keep an eye on this author for future books though.

Right after the Weather was a character driven book, but I was left wanting more of a plot. As it was it was hard to get through, especially in e-book format.

This was a bittersweet novel about vulnerability, redemption, love and loss. The story was beautifully written and very heartfelt. I thought writer had a great take on very deep, and sad hardships ppl face in the real world.

This book was just way too over-written for me, and I couldn't connect to the material in any way. It sounded like an interesting premise, but the writing just didn't work for me at all. I probably won't be picking up another book from this author in the future.

I did not finish Right After the Weather because I cannot stand when a work of fiction gets heavily political. If I want that, I'll choose a book about politics or with politics at its core, like a book about the CIA's inner workings or something. I read to escape the 24/7 politics everywhere climate we live in these days.

That said, had this book not leaned so heavily on politics I might have finished it. The writing was okay and the story pulled me in.

Would I recommend this book? No.

I love Carol Anshaw's writing and want to read all of her other books now!
The setting is unique and interesting - Cate, the protagonist, is a set designer in Chicago who gets a chance to design a set for an off Broadway production. I liked her thoughts about interior decorating and enjoyed her shopping trips to buy just the right piece to make the audience identify with the play. We get inside of Cate's head and learn about her motivations and experience life with her in a way that makes you understand the differences between people.
The characters are eccentric, especially Cate's father, who is a color specialist for the automotive industry, but endearing. It was easy for me to relate to them.
I loved the backdrop of the 2017 presidential election and Cate & her friends response to it.
The horrific event that happened took me completely by surprise, but were written about with such sensitivity and depth that Carol Anshaw has become my new favorite writer!

This book was ok. I enjoyed the premise but it was hard for me to get into. The characters seemed well developed but I ended up skimming a lot of it.

Right after the Weather is an affecting, perceptive novel that takes us into the life of Cate, a middle-aged, lesbian, set designer whose life is riddled with disappointment and multiple, complex relationships that are strained and never fully satisfying. The characters are multilayered, frustrated, and dissatisfied. And the somber plot is a reflective tale with a side of violence that’s full of life, loss, infidelity, forbidden love, familial dynamics, friendship, assault, and the instability caused by the 2016 election. This was a good book that made me think quite deeply about my own life and those around me.

Thank you for the opportunity to read this title. Unfortunately, it is not for me. Since I didn't finish it, I will not post a review on Goodreads. Thanks again and best of luck!

Definitely not what I thought this would be.



I also tried reading this book multiple times. I read that first chapter at least three times, but I couldn't get into it. It just wasn't for me. That's why I waited so long to write a review. I hate to be negative. about someone's hard work.

Right After the Weather by Carol Anshaw 

Cate is a 40-ish set designer living in Chicago. Her ex husband, from long ago, is living in her spare room, she is being stalked by her ex Dana and she has a budding relationship with Meredith. Cate is funny, scatterbrained, and a good friend. It's when we are in her head, hearing her every thought, that we get to see that Cate isn't as sweet and non judgmental as we thought she was. Still, even her inner thoughts can be funny if not a bit, or a lot, hypocritical.

Cate is really a very lucky 40-ish woman despite her unhappiness with how much of her life is progressing. She has parents and an ex husband who can bolster her financially and in many ways she seems to be able to hold off becoming the adult most people need to be at the age of 40. Then, into Cate's life comes a violent event, one that she is very much a part of and Cate feels shattered. 

As much as I enjoyed some of the book, it never really went anywhere. We don't get resolutions for much of anything which can be like real life, sometimes. But when reading a novel, it'd be nice to have a sense of something moving forward. I guess Cate is going to keep floundering through life, second guessing herself, but being semi okay. 

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

This one was a slow burn for me. Overall a very sobering book with some great themes, but in the end I would give it a 3/5. Thank you netgalley for the arc.

A surprising story of friendship in the face of violence, and how far we might be pushed to protect those we care about it. Memorable characters and complex relationships.

I was gifted this book by the publisher as they saw I had recently read Ask Again Yes and said this was similar.

Unfortunately I didn’t love that book and so I wasn’t able to fully invest in this one either. I should’ve passed on this one, and that’s my fault for saying yes.

But I tried reading this book multiple times and I couldn’t make it past the first few chapters. I think this is just a case of me not being the right audience for this particular book, as well as the writing style just being so hard to get into. I was so incredibly bored that I am officially giving up after making it about a hundred pages in.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

This was a very slow, plodding tale. I could not connect with Cate, the main character. Though the author developed her life and portrayed her well. But there was just not enough ooomph for me to say that I enjoyed the book. I think the fact that it took so long to get to the plot, was discouraging.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

Sadly, this title did not work for me. The premise was very promising, but I had to put it down. The characters did not work for me. I recognize this is my opinion and this title could easily work for someone else.

The writing in this book is beautiful - Anshaw's sentences are lyrical and she creates a vivid atmosphere. Unfortunately, the plot was sorely lacking. The characters don't draw you in and the ending left me totally unsatisfied. I'll definitely read more from this author but hope that next time there's more substance with the style.

Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for an ebook to review.

This book has a pretty dark plot line, but as always, the author's writing is immersive and at times, quite beautiful.

While I enjoyed this, it was not at all what I expected. Then again, if you were to ask me what I expected, I don't even know if I could tell you. The hardest thing for me with this book is that I couldn't relate to any of the characters. I think I also went into this book thinking it'd be a much deeper read. For me, it seemed like a read that didn't go much further than the surface level, though there seemed to be plenty of opportunities to delve deeper. It was an okay read, but not one I'd recommend