It has taken me some time to get the courage to read this book about loss and grief. I lost three of my family members over the course of three months and the past two years have felt like I’ve been going through the motions at time and barely able to give myself a chance to grieve. This book helped me to see that grief is a beast of its own and that you have to face it head on so that it doesn’t get the best of you.

After the mother of four dies suddenly, her husband, children and best friend are left to find a way forward. Over the course of the next year, Annie is ever-present in their minds, helping to navigate life without her.

The book was emotional at times and gave me hope to hold onto when I’m feeling like life is just too much. While I found myself going along the journey with this family, I did find it difficult to connect at times. This is my first read by the author, and I am curious to try others.

Thank you to Anna Quindlen, Random House and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book for an honest review.

"After Annie" by Anna Quindlen is a touching exploration of grief, family dynamics, and the complexities of love following a significant loss. Quindlen, renowned for her insightful storytelling and rich character development, crafts a narrative that resonates with emotional depth and authenticity, making it a compelling read for those interested in the human experience.

The story centers on the impact of Annie’s death on her family, particularly focusing on her mother, who must navigate the turbulent waters of grief and the evolving relationships within the family. Quindlen’s portrayal of the mother’s journey is both heartbreaking and relatable, capturing the rawness of loss and the myriad emotions that accompany it. Her evocative writing allows readers to feel the weight of sorrow while also suggesting the possibility of healing and hope.

Character development is brilliant in "After Annie." Each family member deals with their grief in unique ways, and Quindlen explores their struggles with sensitivity and nuance. The characters are well-rounded and complex, reflecting the intricacies of human relationships. As they confront their pain and attempt to support one another, readers witness their growth and the gradual process of coming to terms with their loss.

The pacing of the novel is deliberate, allowing for moments of introspection and reflection that enhance the emotional impact of the story. Quindlen expertly balances the heaviness of the subject matter with moments of warmth and humor, creating a narrative that feels authentic and relatable. The interactions between family members are rich with subtext, revealing the tensions and bonds that exist even in the face of tragedy.

Themes of love, resilience, and the enduring nature of family are central to the narrative. Quindlen emphasizes the importance of connection and communication as the family navigates their grief, reminding readers that healing is a journey that often requires vulnerability and openness. The exploration of how love can persist even after loss adds a layer of depth to the story, making it a powerful meditation on the human experience.

"After Annie" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel that showcases Anna Quindlen’s remarkable talent for storytelling. With its rich character development, poignant themes, and heartfelt exploration of grief, this book is a must-read for anyone who has experienced loss or seeks to understand the complexities of family relationships. Quindlen has crafted a narrative that lingers in the heart and mind, inviting readers to reflect on their own lives and the enduring power of love. This novel is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of holding on to those we love, even when they are no longer with us.

Annie dies. In a sad and tragic way and what we see is the aftermath of how her family and friends continue living and processing life after Annie has passed. Through a series of flashbacks and life moved on we see the beautiful ways people connect and how one processes grief.

I really enjoyed this book. While a somber topic, it never felt too heavy for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the gifted e-ARC.

I have read and loved every book by Anna Quindlen, and she remains one of my favorite authors. Her ability to capture the complexities of the human condition and elevate the ordinary into something extraordinary is unparalleled. After Annie is no exception—it’s a poignant and deeply moving exploration of a year in the lives of those left behind after the sudden death of a woman just shy of forty.

Told from three perspectives—Ali, the 13-year-old daughter; Bill, the grieving husband; and AnneMarie, the best friend—the story follows their attempts to navigate life after Annie’s death. Ali is forced to mature far too quickly, while Bill faces his own struggles in stepping up as both a parent and a person. At its heart, the book is about what happens to a family, both biological and chosen, when the person who held them together is suddenly gone.

Quindlen doesn’t shy away from heavy themes like sexual abuse, addiction, and death, but she handles them with sensitivity and grace. After Annie is beautiful in its simplicity—a raw, honest look at love, loss, and the messiness of life in between. It’s a testament to Quindlen’s talent and another reason why I’ll always return to her work.

After Annie” is a narrative story that focuses on the Browns family and best friends first year without Annie. Annie dies suddenly from a brain aneurysm and leaves behind her husband and children to cope with their loss.
Annie’s husband initially feels lost but gradually begins to navigate life without her. Their eldest daughter, Ali, takes on responsibilities, managing household chores and caring for her younger siblings.
Slow read for me. I didn’t feel the emotions. I felt I was being told how I should feel. No connection to the characters 🤷🏻‍♀️
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Pub Group for the ARC read in exchange for my review.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

Life is messy and it definitely is not easy. Annie Brown dies unexpectedly from an aneurism, leaving her husband Bill with no mother to their four children, no support for him, and her best friend, Annemarie without her rock. This novel covers the year after her death, how everyone copes with loss, or does not, and learns to live with the new normal.

This novel made me laugh, cry, and feel all the feels in between. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thank you to netgalley.com for this ARC.

I had never read any books by this author although she was familiar to me.

This book was heartbreaking and sad throughout....it seemed like a very realistic portrayal of the aftermath of friends and family dealing with the unexpected death of the young mother of the family. It showed how everyone deals with grief differently.
It was nice to see the growth of the characters as time went on.

Will definitely be looking into the back catalog of this author.

This is a story about Annie and what she left behind. She died suddenly while finishing making dinner, her kids at the table. She was 30.
What transpires following this is a story about her family and best friend navigating life without her.

I did enjoy this book. It was very hard for me to read, having lost people close to me in recent years. It pulled at my heart.
It moved very slowly, but again, I am not sure if it was me or the book itself.

Thank you to NetGalley for this free reader in exchange for an honest review. I have read several books by this same author and each time I am impressed with how poignant her stories are. This one was heartfelt and profound and I am glad I read it.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for providing me this Digital Advanced Readers Copy of the book!

I adore Anna Quindlen and had the pleasure of meeting her at a book signing for this novel. Her stories are so full of heart. You won't be sorry!

Title: After Annie
Author: Anna Quindlen
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: February 27, 2024

I received a complimentary eARC from Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Fluid • Resonant • Heartfelt

📖 S Y N O P S I S

When Annie Brown dies suddenly, her husband, her children, and her closest friend are left to find a way forward without the woman who has been the lynchpin of all their lives. Bill is overwhelmed without his beloved wife, and Annemarie wrestles with the bad habits her best friend had helped her overcome. And Ali, the eldest of Annie’s children, has to grow up overnight, to care for her younger brothers and even her father and to puzzle out for herself many of the mysteries of adult life.

Over the course of the next year what saves them all is Annie, ever-present in their minds, loving but not sentimental, caring but nobody’s fool, a voice in their heads that is funny and sharp and remarkably clear. The power she has given to those who loved her is the power to go on without her. The lesson they learn is that no one beloved is ever truly gone.

💭 T H O U G H T S

When I read the synopsis for After Annie I knew I wanted to read it and that it would likely be a book for me. I am surprised this was my first Anna Quindlen book, although I do have several others on my TBR.

Told in four seasonal sections, the narrative follows Annie's husband, children, and best friend for the first year following her sudden death. Although this is a quiet and simplistically written story, it explores the complexities of grief in such a beautiful manner. Through various perspectives it demonstrates how people grieve and navigate life in the after differently. I particularly appreciated the inclusion of Annemarie's (Annie's best friend) perspective because the death of a beloved friend is often overshadowed and overlooked as evidenced within the story.

Each of the characters is flawed in their own way, making them all relatable. As the novel navigates each of their plotlines individually it adds depth to the story, all while circling back to Annie. I will say the grandmother was absolutely harsh and awful - I am glad she was eventually put in her place.

Ultimately, After Annie is a hopeful narrative about finding a way forward, embracing the love that endures, and learning to live life even if its not the life you'd envisioned. There are many small moments sprinkled throughout that allow for reflection. The slower pace and character driven plot won't be everyone's cup of tea, yet it definitely worked for me. I look forward to reading more of Anna Quindlen's work down the road.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• character driven storylines
• exploring grief
• messy families

⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, death of partner, grief, medical trauma, mental illness, addiction, drug abuse, drug use, pregnancy, miscarriage, blood, sexual abuse, sexual assault, domestic abuse, child abuse, pedophilia, infidelity, eating disorder, toxic relationship

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"They were all floating in some in-between where nothing seemed real and nothing seemed right. Waiting for the rest of life, whatever that was, a future that felt like a betrayal."

"Maybe grief was like homesickness, something that wasn’t just about a specific person, but about losing that feeling that you were where you belonged, even if where you belonged seemed as everyday as brushing your teeth."

"You need to let them know that sadness shouldn't lead to silence."

I loved the focus on the best friend. How often, when we lose someone, do we focus on only the family. Friendship, especially female friendship, is so intense and I love that it had a place here.

In the opening chapter, Annie Brown, a young wife and mother of four, suddenly dies of a brain aneurysm while cooking dinner. The novel proceeds to explore the effect of Annie's death on her loved ones, focusing particularly on Annie's best friend, Annemarie, a recovering narcotics addict, Annie's oldest daughter Ali, who takes on a caretaking/household manager role at the young age of 14, and Annie's husband Bill, who immerses himself in his work as a plumber to avoid dealing with the realities of his wife's death. This is a sad and beautiful book exploring lots of heavy topics; not just grief, but trigger warnings abound for miscarriage, addiction, and sexual abuse of a child. Because of this, it won't be for everyone, but I loved it. Anna Quindlen is a gifted writer who put words to such specific emotions and situations, particularly in friendship and motherhood.

Annie dies in the opening scene; the story is about how her "typical" middle-class family (husband, 4 young kids) is affected. As such, I went in not expecting much of a plot, and maybe that's why a general lack of "plot" didn't bother me. This is character-study type of story, analyzing the effects of trauma on a family. Because of the beautiful, visceral writing, I found myself tearing up often and rooting for the family to pull themselves together. This novel will likely not appeal to people who want *more*! But I loved it, perhaps because I have kids and often had irrational stay-up-all-night fears of dying and leaving them motherless at a young age, and because I really enjoy Anna Quindlen's writing.

I would recommend to all my mom friends who want a tearjerker!

I am a fan of Quindlen's work and have read a great deal of it, but this novel felt somewhat flat. I don't think it would work well for teaching in a college classroom.

This book will break your heart over and over again, but still manage to put it back together again with hope and love. So many trigger warnings - sudden death, cancer, incest, miscarriage, and drug use. Although we cover all of these hot topics, nothing really happens in the year after Annie Brown's death, except everything happens. After Annie is a book about grief, but also about coming of age, both as an adolescent, a spouse, a best friend, and family. Highly recommended although it is a not an easy read if you have lost a loved one recently. Quick and highly impactful read.

When Annie Brown passes away unexpectedly from a brain aneurysm, her husband Bill is left to pick up the pieces, while simultaneously caring for their four young children. As the year passes, the family struggles to find their new normal. Ali, the oldest child, takes on a mothering role for her younger siblings, while Bill juggles work with mourning the loss of his wife. Annie's best friend, Annemarie, also struggles with her new normal. For so long, Annie has been her touchstone, seeing Annemarie through some of her darkest days. As time goes on, the family begins to rebuild without its matriarch, and ultimately a sense of hope emerges from the ashes of such a terrible loss.

In the vein of most of Quindlen's books, this book was so beautiful and raw in its simplicity. We witness a family's heartbreak, and then have a front row view into how they rebuild and come together stronger than ever. I breezed through this novel, and it was a nice change from the typical genres that I read. If you are a fan of Quindlen you have probably already read this, but if you are new to her as an author, I would highly recommend this read.

I have always ALWAYS been a fan of Anna. This book though, broke me.

So usually when the focus on a book is grief, most of the books I read have all been about the grief leading up to the death (Firefly Lane, Wrecked, and more). After Annie kicks into gear AFTER Annie dies.

Even though Annie has died, her spirit lives on in the book and she is truly a main character even though we hear nothing from her. Witnessing how her family and friends cope with losing her is both heartbreaking and inspiring at the same time.

Its a deep read and it brought out all sorts of emotions as I read it. This book speaks of healing and it focuses on loss and on healing and accepting the new normal.

Side note: This would be a fantastic boo kclub read.

This was a very heavy book but really tugs at your heartstrings. The story follows the grieving process of three people and how Annie's death affected each of them and how they came together with each other, as daughter, husband and best friend of Annie. Honestly, I loved how Anna handled each of these characters and showing how hard it was to talk about Annie and to see how Ali as the oldest had to take over as caregiver of her siblings because her dad had trouble. We follow their lives over the course of a year, and I loved the development of them, a quick read but definitely grabs your heart right from the beginning. There are a ton of tears to be had through the reading of this story.