What Comes After by Katie Bayrel is a thought-provoking yet often frustrating exploration of the afterlife, blending elements of satire, mystery, and family drama. Set in the absurdly bureaucratic Paradise Gate, the story follows Mari, a 16-year-old who must confront her shortened life and work through her complicated relationship with her mother in a system that resembles a twisted, influencer-packed purgatory. While the world-building is imaginative, drawing comparisons to The Good Place and Black Mirror, the execution sometimes falls short. The pacing is uneven, and key plot elements, like Mari’s death and the afterlife's mysterious rules, can feel repetitive or lost in the shuffle. However, the themes of forgiveness and self-reflection are compelling, and the mystery of the afterlife’s deeper secrets keeps readers engaged. Despite some narrative hiccups, it’s a unique, heartfelt read that will resonate with those interested in unconventional takes on the afterlife.

Afterlife, but make it a capitalist, influencer-packed, propaganda-filled hellhole.

What Comes After is an absurd yet heartfelt story about life, death, and whatever comes in between.

Set in Paradise Gate, a community for recently deceased non-believers who are given 90 days to become better people and earn ascension, this book weaves elements of satire and mystery with heartbreakingly complicated family dynamics. At its heart, What Comes After is about forgiveness, growth, and, most of all, the love that drives us to do better.

Right from the start, the afterlife system shown in this book is so absurd it’s hard not to laugh at all the weird, nonsensical details. I’m sure I missed a few easter eggs here and there, rushing to take it all in and uncover the secrets of this odd place.

Finally, the storybuilding, although better as an idea than in execution, definitely deserves all the comparisons to Black Mirror and The Good Place.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group for accepting my request for an ACR of this book!
“…I'm not that brave. I wasn't trying to be a hero."
"Oh, honey." She reaches for my knee. "Real heroes don't try. They just do.
1.75/5
Having just finished rewatching The Good Place prior to reading this book, I was really excited to go into a story that interpreted the afterlife. Which I did enjoy Bayerl’s take on the afterlife, and how the system was difficult, I had a hard time really getting into it because of the main character. I just couldn’t get past how Mari would act and reflex on her actions.

Book:
WHAT COMES AFTER by Katie Bayerl
Thank you Netgalley and PenguinTeen for the Earc (April 29)

Review:
2⭐
There were so many times I wanted to DNF this.
WHAT COMES AFTER follows Mari, who wakes up and learns she's dead. At first, she doesn't know what happened to her, but with all the speculation, she eventually learns. Couple that with her mother, [redacted] and the fact that everything isn't as it seems, Mari is on a roller coaster of drama in her afterlife.
I wasn't a fan of WHAT COMES AFTER. It wasn't as captivating as I would have liked, and it didn't hold my attention the way a book of this stature.could have. Like the potential was way up high and the execution fell flat to me. When updating Goodreads, around the halfway point, I described this as almost bipolar. For some instances, I was intrigued by what was going on (what happened to Mari, who did it, etc). More often than not, though, I was bored (when Mari's memories were nonstop talk, the "Youga", etc.). Honestly, the most interesting part was the end when all those revelations about the Ever After were made...

thank you to netgalley for the arc!

i really wanted to like this novel because of the comp to the good place, but it fell flat for me, unfortunately. i wasn't super into the narrative voice and i felt like the novel tried to tackle a lot of issues (neglectful parents, fame/influencers, being self aware) but did all of them half-heartedly. i also wish there were less flashbacks and was confused about the tone of the novel; at some parts it came off satirical but it was tonally inconsistent for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books for the opportunity to read What Comes Next by Katie Bayeryl in exchange for my honest review.

In What Comes Next, Mari finds herself in a suburban-like purgatory called Paradise Gate. Her primary challenge is reconciling with her deeply flawed mother, Faye, who proves as much of a hindrance in death as she did in life.

Katie Bayeryl introduces an intriguing concept with the layered world-building of Paradise Gate—a setting complete with expressive arts classes, vibe trackers, and grief scarves, all meant to propel souls toward ascension. However, despite this creative backdrop, the pacing falters. The novel often drifts between Mari’s flashbacks of her difficult relationship with Faye and her present-day struggles in the afterlife, with the backstory arriving in fragments that feel repetitive and ultimately less impactful as the story progresses.

While potentially appealing to some, the introduction of romantic tension feels unnecessary. This subplot meanders without adding depth to Mari’s character arc or the central themes, creating moments that slow down the story rather than propel it forward.

Despite its creative setting, What Comes Next struggles to maintain momentum. Ultimately, while the novel explores important topics relevant to teenagers—such as communication, self-reflection, and resilience—its execution leaves parts of the story feeling sluggish and disjointed.
Those drawn to quirky depictions of the afterlife and stories centered on mother-daughter relationships may find What Comes Next worth exploring. However, readers seeking a more gripping or consistently paced read might come away from this book with mixed feelings.

I didn't really care for this. Maybe I was expecting something different or I missed something. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

What Comes After by Katie Bayerl is a darkly comedic journey through the afterlife that feels like a blend of The Good Place and Sign Here (novel by Claudia Lux).

The story follows Mari, a recently deceased teenager who finds herself in an unusual suburban paradise called Paradise Gate, a limbo-like realm where the recently dead with no specific beliefs confront their unresolved issues. And for Mari, her biggest issue just happens to be her mother, Faye—whose failures and chaos shaped Mari's life in ways she’s not quite ready to forgive.

The book takes on the afterlife with humor, and I loved seeing it unfold through a teenager’s perspective. Bayerl’s portrayal of Paradise Gate, with its blend of Youga classes, “vibe trackers,” and various afterlife rules, brings a light-hearted yet insightful tone to the big questions Mari faces about forgiveness, love, and letting go. I loved that soap operas and reality TV make their way into the afterlife.

Though I found the pacing a bit slow at times, the book’s emotional depth and its thought-provoking message made it worth the read. The exploration of Mari's relationship with her mother is both raw and realistic, touching on themes of forgiveness and self-acceptance that resonate deeply. I would have loved to see more glimpses of the other characters’ past lives, as these perspectives could have added even more richness to the story.

Overall, What Comes After is a good read that blends humor, introspection, and an unusual twist on the afterlife. Bayerl’s take on the journey beyond is sure to appeal to anyone who enjoys a thoughtful yet darkly humorous exploration of life, death, and the bonds we carry even after we're gone.

Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Group for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Katie Bayerl’s “What Comes After” transports you to Paradise Gate, a quirky, unsettling afterlife where sixteen-year-old Mari has ninety days to make sense of her untimely death and confront the turbulent relationship she had with her mother, Faye. This darkly humorous, thought-provoking novel dives deep into themes of forgiveness and the messy complexities of family bonds. This is a book that younger readers will enjoy as they may relate to Mari, especially in regards to her strained relationship with her mother.

At its core, the story is about Mari's journey of self-discovery and healing. She’s a resilient protagonist whose determination to find peace and understanding is both touching and powerful. Through Mari’s perspective, Bayerl deftly explores the depths of unresolved pain and love, especially as Mari struggles to reconcile her mother’s many shortcomings with the enduring bond that ties them together. This intense mother-daughter dynamic is captivating, capturing both the frustration and the longing that define complicated relationships.

The world-building in “What Comes After” is imaginative and layered. Paradise Gate offers a satirical take on purgatory, complete with grief scarves, vibe trackers, and mysterious classes designed to help souls “ascend.” Bayerl cleverly uses these elements to add levity to the heavy themes of forgiveness and closure. The details are vibrant and intriguing, though at times the pacing slows, particularly after the revelation of Mari’s death. While the plot occasionally meanders, the allure of Paradise Gate and the looming sense of rebellion keeps you invested in the mystery.

Fans of “The Good Place” will likely appreciate the book’s blend of dark comedy and heartfelt introspection. Although the pacing could be tighter, “What Comes After” is a unique take on the afterlife, filled with rich themes and a relatable protagonist grappling with her own unfinished business. With its memorable characters, offbeat humor, and exploration of family and forgiveness, Bayerl’s novel offers a reflective, captivating journey for readers intrigued by life’s what-ifs and afterlife’s what-might-bes.

I received a free copy of, What Comes After, by Katie Bayerl, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Mari is 16 and she is dead, she never thought much of dying or the afterlife, before she died. Mari and her mother did not have the best relationship at all. I could not get into this book at all.

What Comes After is a rift of The Good Place. The afterlife is not quite what 16-year-old Mari expects. Not only does she have to come to terms with her shortened life, but she, begrudgingly, has to be a part of her incompetent mother's redemption period in death.

While I feel that there are some important themes for teenagers, including the importance of talking to others, self-reflection, and having positive boundaries with the toxic people around us, the pacing of this novel was such that I didn't finish it. The backstory of Mari and her mother, Faye, came in small drizzles and eventually felt inconsquential and repetitive. Similarly, the balance between the world-building of the afterlife along with the conflict has many passages limping along.

While I am a fan of a good reveal and would like to see how Jethro sorts into the story, I just cannot keep trudging along.

I certainly hope this hellish landscape is not what is in store for me in death, or it will feel beyond eternal.

2.5 stars

This books is sort of like The Good Place meets Divergent but add the Gen Z ness of how your vibes are doing. It lagged a bit, and I'm truly shocked that it took so long to figure out how Mari died and she wasn't written like a 16 year old at all. I get we were supposed to feel badly for Faye but I had a hard time doing so and felt even worse for Mari when she tried to take on more blame. I wish we spent more time with Larisa and Jethro but it was a fine YA exploration of the after life

This was such a great story! Creative and interesting, I couldn’t put it down. Everything about the afterlife was so vivid and charmingly detailed. The characters were phenomenal. I finished this story quickly, owing to how well it was written. The protagonists were especially well done. I loved the many interwoven stories and scenes. Mari was the best character, so much of what she is doing and saying is relatable, being that she tied to hold down the complex story. This book will change your definition of life and family. Definitely read this one, you will love it!

This is a complex and at times confusing five-star read. Its one of those stories, that not everyone will agree with, as it challenges what comes next, and the karmic balance of the afterlife, Mari is a complex character, and a very deep young person, maybe she is that way as she has faced so much challenge in her before, and maybe its as she faces so much challenge in the after. Having a complex relationship with your mum can be a troubling place to be, sometimes people don’t understand where you are coming from, if you have a perfect relationship with your mum then this maybe too far, but if you ever had a row with them, then you will understand Mari and how unsettled she is, not only does she know how troubled they are, but she has to deal with that with everyone watching and able to pick it all apart, able to see it shone at them in clips, so not only does she have her own judgement, but that of others as well, it adds some real depth and complexities to this story, and made it a truly compelling read for me.

I really love the concept and plot of this, and it starts out really promising. I struggled a bit with the pacing, it felt inconsistent and slow at times. The characters and world building are all great.

With a plot that takes place just after the main character’s abrupt and somewhat mysterious death, I was expecting a fairly dark narrative. I was not prepared for the depth of societal commentary and reflection that was developed over the course of the novel.

This felt like a long novel, one in which you can really take your time and get drawn into the lives (or afterlives) of the characters, which some teens will adore.

I received an ARC of this novel from NetGalley.

I really enjoyed What Comes After by Katie Bayerl. It was a ver interesting premise and I enjoyed it a lot!

I could NOT put this down. I was so drawn in by Mari's journey, her tenuous relationship with her mother, the underpinings of a romance after death, and the ins and outs of what comes after. I was supremely invested and each new chapter had me hooked. An amazing read that you don't want to pass on!

Katie Bayerl’s *What Comes After* is a deeply moving, multilayered story that explores grief, healing, and the strength of human connections in the aftermath of a tragedy. This contemporary young adult novel centers around the lives of three main characters—Amelia, her best friend Leah, and the vibrant yet tragic figure, Jimmy—whose lives are intricately tied together by love, secrets, and ultimately, loss.

Bayerl’s writing is poignant and richly descriptive, drawing the reader into the raw emotional landscape that Amelia navigates. The prose is often lyrical, making the book feel almost poetic at times, yet grounded in the heavy realities of loss, betrayal, and the complex nature of friendships. The alternating perspectives in the story offer a deeper glimpse into the emotional lives of the characters, particularly Amelia and Jimmy, and make the novel’s mysteries even more gripping.

Amelia’s character development is particularly compelling. Initially, she is overwhelmed by her grief and her need to find out the truth, but as the story progresses, she grows into someone who can not only face the past but also make peace with it. The way Bayerl handles the themes of forgiveness, redemption, and self-discovery is sensitive and realistic, which will resonate with readers.

One of the novel's key strengths is its treatment of relationships, especially the nuances of friendship and love. Amelia’s relationship with Leah is depicted in flashbacks, painting a picture of a deep, complicated friendship that is far from perfect. The tension between what Amelia thought she knew about Leah and what she discovers after her death adds depth to the story, forcing the reader to confront the idea that we can never fully know the people we love.

The novel does an excellent job of showing that healing comes in unexpected forms and from unexpected people. Amelia’s journey is not just about uncovering the truth about Leah’s death, but about finding a way to move forward with her own life, to make sense of a world without her best friend.

However, the novel occasionally drags in places, particularly in the middle, where the focus shifts heavily towards introspection and slows the momentum of the plot. Some readers might find the resolution to the mystery of Leah’s death somewhat predictable, but the emotional payoff in the end makes up for it.

Overall, What Comes After is a beautifully written exploration of grief, loss, and the enduring power of love and friendship. Katie Bayerl’s debut novel is a compelling read that will linger with readers long after they’ve turned the final page, offering them a profound look into the ways in which we navigate the painful yet necessary process of saying goodbye and moving forward.

This book was really well done, it had that concept that I was looking for and was invested in what was happening with the characters. It was dark and had a message going on, I was hooked from the first page and enjoyed how everything was written. Katie Bayerl was able to create a great story and was glad I got to read this.