Anna Todd

I have never finished a book and felt simultaneously violated, enraged, and morally exhausted in quite this way. Every single character is unlikable on levels previously thought unattainable by human imagination, and the “plot” reads like a checklist of toxic relationship clichés mashed together in an aggressive blender. The pacing is so cataclysmically bad that every twist feels preposterous, every dramatic pause feels like emotional waterboarding. I can say with complete certainty show more that after finishing this, I officially banned the author from my TBR for life. To quote myself in a moment of clarity: what in the Harry Styles toxic fanfiction hell did I just waste part of my finite Earth time on? show less

Jesus fucking Christ.

Like "Waiting for Godot" has been described as a play in which nothing happens, After is a novel in which nothing happens, nobody changes, and everything takes place in a bland void only with less than a fraction of the artistry.

It is a laughable tale about a toxic relationship between two imbeciles who learn nothing, do nothing of import, and say obnoxious shit with such deadly seriousness that I can't help but look forward to seeing the movie actors try and deliver show more these lines without sounding like aliens.

I can't overstate how there was no PLOT. This wasn't a novel, it was a collection of incoherent power fantasies featuring a girl who loves the idea of being with someone Hot and Brooding, but the girl knows so little about relationships that the best she can do is conflate clinginess and desperation with passion. The book is a steaming heap of muddled and bizarrely adolescent garbage pulled straight from the cerebral cortex of someone whose sexiest fantasy is "Man hurts me and then I get to leave him and he is so sad he begs me to stay and in my infinite grace I forgive him." The narrative would have been strengthened SIGNIFICANTLY with the sudden and unexplained introduction of a nonsense dramatic plot point like a bomb threat at the school or a subplot about ghosts haunting the frat houses.

It was bad. Everyone in this book is exceedingly unpleasant and deserves one another as a result.

Positive things about the book: As far as I could tell there were no grammatical or spelling errors. show less

This story was emotional and beautifully written, and it truly stayed with me. Ry, a young woman living with chronic illness, spends her summer in Majorca, finally learning to embrace her own life. Her journey of self-discovery, first love, and the courage to break free from her overprotective mother was both heartfelt and inspiring. Julián, the local fisherman she encounters, is both infuriating and irresistible, and the chemistry between them is simply electric. The setting was absolutely show more breathtaking; Todd made Majorca feel vibrantly alive. I truly loved how the book approached themes like illness, mental health, and identity with such honesty and care. It serves as a touching reminder to live fully and love deeply, even when times of uncertainty arise. It’s a genuinely moving summer read. show less

This is the powerful conclusion to the trilogy. Karina and Kael’s journey is both heart-wrenching and hopeful as they grapple with Kael's PTSD and Karina's anxiety while striving to hold onto their love. The return of a disruptive figure from their past adds tension, forcing them to confront their deepest fears. Todd masterfully portrays the challenges of military life and trauma, bringing authenticity to their struggles. The ending, while leaving some questions unanswered, is show more thought-provoking and true to the series' emotional depth. Fans of the series will find this final installment compelling and a fitting tribute to Karina and Kael’s resilient love story. show less