I should have known.

The blurb compared this to a meeting of Sadie and We Were Liars, two of my most favorite YA books ever. Sadie STILL guts me, years later. I can't think about that book without wanting to cry. Liars was such an emotional punch also.

Still, I should have known.

This book is...fine. It's not the greatest YA mystery/thriller I've ever read, mainly because there isn't really a mystery.

Teddy and Izzy are twins. Teddy loves Bottomrock Lake, the place she's worked a lifeguard every summer for years. One late night last summer Izzy and Toby were at the lake together and had a race of sorts - Izzy would swim across the lake, Toby would run around it, and they would see who was fastest.

Toby won by default - Izzy never came out of the lake.

Izzy drowning is something Teddy can't take seriously. Izzy was a strong, accomplished swimmer and Olympic hopeful. Drowning makes no sense. There's also the issue of her missing passport. But what could Izzy have possibly wanted to disappear from? On the verge of adulthood, so many possibilities before her, disappearing makes as much sense as drowning.

This summer Toby comes to work at the lake as well. Teddy is suspicious of him, the last person to see her sister alive for sure. Teddy practically drives herself crazy trying to figure out what secrets he may know about her sister, things Teddy never knew.

Sounds fantastic, no? It could have been. But the Sadie/Liars comparisons did it no favors. My expectations were probably too high. There's just something so horrible and gritty and beautiful and traumatic about Sadie that I will never be able to put into words. Those same feelings are not here at all, because the only thing the stories really have in common is a missing/dead sister. Everything Sadie goes through to find answers, Teddy's journey does not compare to that at all. That doesn't mean there isn't grief, but it's something totally different and I can't explain it.

A lot of reviewers have commented on the pace of the novel and their frustration with it. That didn't bother me at all, it was kind of a slow burn and for me it works. I think it worked to the author's advantage, because that's how grief works. Some days nothing happens, and some days everything happens.

The novel is told from Teddy's point of view, as she talks to Izzy, trying to work out what really happened that night. Overall I think this does a good job in showing Teddy's growth throughout the book, as she learns more and more about Izzy - apparently twins do have secrets from each other, something Teddy never considered.

I would definitely recommend this book to those who enjoy the genre. But please ignore the Sadie/Liars comparison to fully enjoy it for its own worth.

For fans of we are liars, this YA mystery revolving around a girl searching for her missing sister. Lots of twists and turns.

"After You Vanished" by E. A. Neeves is a compelling novel that delves into themes of loss, grief, and the search for closure. The story follows a young protagonist dealing with the mysterious disappearance of a loved one, exploring how this absence affects them personally and within their community.

The narrative is expertly crafted, drawing readers into the emotional struggles of the characters. Neeves effectively portrays the complexity of grief and its various manifestations, making the characters' experiences relatable and impactful. The protagonist's journey is not only about finding the missing person but also about self-discovery, as they confront feelings of helplessness and longing.

A notable feature of "After You Vanished" is the author's ability to create a haunting atmosphere. The vivid descriptions immerse readers in the story's world, with the setting reflecting the characters' internal conflicts. This enhances the emotional depth of the narrative.

Character development is another strength of the novel. Neeves introduces a diverse cast of characters, each dealing with their own forms of loss and uncertainty. The relationships among them are complex, highlighting the intricacies of human connections in the face of tragedy. As the protagonist interacts with others affected by the disappearance, readers see how loss can both unite and divide people.

The story's pacing is well-balanced, combining suspense with introspection to keep readers engaged. As the protagonist uncovers the mystery of the vanishing, the revelations are both surprising and thought-provoking, encouraging readers to reflect on their own experiences with loss and the quest for understanding.

"After You Vanished" is a powerful novel that explores the depths of grief and the human experience. E. A. Neeves has crafted a story that resonates on multiple levels, inviting readers to consider the complexities of love, loss, and the desire for closure. This book is a must-read for those seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally rich narrative that lingers long after the final page. Neeves' debut is a remarkable exploration of how we cope with absence and seek meaning in the aftermath of tragedy.

I felt this book was a little long, but it was good! I loved the way it was written and the romance mixed in with the mystery was a nice touch on this coming-of-age story.

Teddy is left with nothing but questions when her twin vanishes at Bottomrock Lake. A year later Teddy returns to lifeguard at the lake and is shocked when she sees that Toby will also be a lifeguard. Toby is the last person know to have seen her sister. As she begins to get close to him on a quest for answers, she finds herself not hating him at all and they join forces to try and figure out what happened to Izzy.

This is a beautifully written young adult novel that deals with some very heavy topics. My heart hurt for Teddy, for Izzy, for Toby, for all that Izzy left behind. The mystery of what happened to Izzy had me hooked until the very last page.

I had a hard time with this story. Most of the time, I couldn't figure out what it was trying to be. Is it a mystery? Is it a drama that delves heavily into grief? I still can't tell you.

This is something I could not get hooked on. I don't think I will be purchasing this for my teen collection, unfortunately.

Teddy’s twin sister goes missing after a midnight swim. Did she disappear or drown? As the story unfold and Teddy tries to find out what happened to her sister, we find out Izzy’s secrets and Teddy falls in love. This story kept my attention and I will recommend to all my high school students.

This story reads like a letter written from one lost sister to another. Teddy is lost without her twin sister Izzy that disappeared roughly 10 months ago after a midnight swim at Bottomrock Lake, the only other person there that night, Toby, was cleared of any involvement in your disappearance. Teddy is struggling with being alone, with navigating her new life and new friendships with Toby without you around, as well as stricter parents and the pitying looks from everyone she meets. Teddy never gave up hope that you hadn't died that night, that instead you ran away to the Australian Outback and was hiding out there waiting for Teddy to come find her. But as the summer draws on, Teddy discovers more about herself, about Toby, and about your disappearance, but never enough for the complete picture.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book, and the tag line "for fans of Sadie" were spot on (Sadie is one of my favorite books). It had the mysterious "what happened" vibe through the whole book and you were truly wondering what happened until the very last page with the very final reveal that tied everything up with a neat little bow. I was glad that this ended with a solid ending that put a clear stamp on what truly did happen and we weren't left with any mysteries to what happened to Izzy. I also really loved that this book felt like it was a letter to Izzy from Teddy, I think that really pulled me into the story too. There is just something about this that is keeping me from rating it 5 stars and I don't know what it is. Maybe it's that I guessed a large plot point early on (though the author did have me second guessing myself at lots of times throughout the story and even convinced myself that I was wrong, even though I did eventually end up being right), or maybe it was that the K reveal was a little under dramatic to what I had hoped it would end up being, or maybe it was even that the big reveal of what truly did happen at the end of the story was sort of....far fetched? I don't want to say any spoilers so I won't say much more, it just didn't read as possible so I had to suspend my disbelief (I felt like) to understand what truly happened. And none of those things were major to me, I just don't think it made for a true 5 star read? It was so close, a solid 4.5, just not quite enough for me to push it to that final 5 star resting place.

This book seemed to take forever to finish. It was marketed as "Sadie" meets "We Were Liars" but the comparision was a disappointment.

This book was a beautiful portrayal of the anxieties and thought processes that occur when you lose someone you love. When Teddy's twin, Izzy, goes missing after meeting her best friend on the beach for a night swim, she's convinced that she merely ran away and is waiting for Teddy to do their camping trip together in New Zealand. As Teddy looks for clues, she comes to terms with the many things she didn't know about her sister, all while growing closer to her best friend that was there the night of her disappearance. Definitely check the trigger warnings for this book but I think it's a wonderful YA thriller with beautiful descriptions of love, sisterhood, and grief.

A gripping mystery that dives (excuse the pun) into the complex relationship between twin sisters, and the effect on one when the other disappears. Teddy and Izzy both had their last summer of high school ahead of them when Izzy suddenly disappeared without a trace. The police seem to have given up their investigation, and the girls' parents have put Izzy to rest, at least in their minds if not physically. But this isn't good enough for Teddy as she seeks out the truth behind her sister's disappearance and the events that led up to it.

This is a perfect mystery thriller for teens. It's setting is a typical American lakeside town, with a summer camp feel to Teddy's job at the lake and her relationships with fellow lifeguards there. The plot unfurls in good pace which makes for a gripping read.

Librarian lowdown:
- this is an older YA so there is reference to sex, drugs and alcohol
- implications of sexual abuse
- murder and grief

I loved this. This is a story of grief and loss and finding love in a time when you least expect. Definitely a favorite of mine.

Teddy’s twin sister Izzy went missing under relatively unexplained circumstances. She was with her friend, Tobias, at the lake, and just never came home.

A year later, and Teddy still doesn’t quite know what to make of it. She thinks Izzy may have run away, and knows Tobias is the only person who would know what happened… and hates him for it. So when the two end up working together, she really doesn’t wanna like him.

But while everyone else seems to think Izzy is dead, Tobias is willing to help Teddy look into the circumstances around Izzy’s disappearance, and the two start to spend a lot of time together.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced, thrilling mystery, this isn’t it. Things are uncovered slowly, and ultimately Teddy has to come to terms with the fact that there’s so much she didn’t know about her twin’s life.

It’s not really like the movie Stand By Me, but it gives the same energy: a summery story about a tragic event that’s ACTUALLY just a coming-of-age story. It’s there in the title; there’s a reason it’s not called When You Vanished or Why You Vanished. It’s about Teddy dealing with the aftermath.

So I hope that distinction helps!! It’s a really compelling character-based story with a sweet relatively slow burn romance, the pacing is great, and the ending only slightly felt like a gut punch. Teddy is a great character who hyperfixates and makes bad decisions and I loved reading from her POV, especially because the story is in second person, told to Izzy.

After You Vanished was a great read!
The characters and plot felt very true to young adults instead of creeping into more adult territory. I enjoyed trying to piece together exactly what happened to Teddy's sister Izzy, and I found myself feeling like one of the characters in the story. I'm excited to add this one to our collection for our avid readers.

Something strange is going one. Someone goes for a midnight swim and never comes out, their body never found. This is the beginning of the mystery contained within the book. Excellently written, this is a must read for all mystery fans.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. Part coming of age, part mystery, the in-between of summer. The characters grow and have reasonable interactions. The mystery is in the past, but it is always clear what is then and what is now. A good summer read.

i was shocked this was a debut!! what a banging thriller, so dramatic and tense just as i like it 🥰 my heart just broke for teddy who genuinely just wanted to find out what happened to her twin 🥺

It's been nearly a year since Teddy's twin sister, Izzy, waded into Bottomrock Lake for a late-night, friendly competitive swim and never returned from the water. Teddy has always refused to accept what everyone else believes. There's no way that Izzy drowned. She was a swimmer on the fast-track to the Olympics, and, if she did die in that lake, where is her body? Why was her passport missing along with the camping equipment she recently purchased? Something else had to have happened, and Teddy is determined to find out what it was and where her sister disappeared to.

Toby was the last person to see Izzy alive since he was the one she invited out to the lake that night. Did he have something to do with it? Does he know more than he's saying? While Teddy blames him, she needs answers only he may have. What she doesn't expect is that he might turn out to be more than just a link to her sister's disappearance. Together, the two will spend the summer working together in an effort to sift through the secrets of the days and weeks leading up to the night Izzy vanished.

After you Vanished by E. A. Neeves has a very smooth and quiet way of pulling the reader in. There are some twists, but they don't come with a jaw-dropping intensity. That's not to say they don't have a bit of a bite because each new revelation deepens Teddy's grief as she realizes maybe they weren't as close as she thought. This has more of a true-to-life, very believable feel to it. Because of that, I was drawn to the characters, both those trying to heal from what they believe is the loss of Izzy and those hoping to find evidence that points to a different story, one where she isn't forever lost at the bottom of a lake.

Unfortunately, I think that this book was promoted in the wrong way. It is not the "Sadie" and "We Were Liars" it was touted as. Not in the slightest. I think that gave readers who picked it up based on those comparisons an expectation that couldn't be reached. It gave me more "13 Reasons Why" vibes with the exception that rather than the "gone girl" telling the story, it's Teddy's POV as she writes directly to Izzy like she's keeping a journal to share with her when she returns.

I received an egalley of this book and have chosen to write this unbiased review.

I loved the narration of this book. Teddy's sharing what is going on with her missing sister really brings the mysterious nature to the text. I found this to be far more focused on the exploration of self and understanding emotions than a mystery though. The plot is well-paced, well-developed, and contains a great setting. I found myself invested in Teddy's journey throught the story and enjoyed learning about different information discovered along the way. Neeves does a great job at touching on really deep subjects in a way that doesn't weigh down or overtake the story, but handles them with care and focus. I'd suggest this to students and friends alike.