Review: After the Party by Lisa Jewell

Goodreads: Eleven years ago, Jem Catterick and Ralph McLeary fall in love. They thought it would be for ever, that they'd found their happy ending. Then two became four, a flat became a house. Romantic nights out became sleepless nights in. And they soon found that life wasn't quite so simple any more. Now the unimaginable has happened. Two people who were so right together are starting to drift apart - Ralph is standing on the sidelines, and Jem is losing herself. Something has to change. As they try to find a way back to each other, back to what they once had, they both become dangerously distracted - but maybe it's not too late to recapture happily ever after.

Kritters Thoughts:  What a roller coaster ride.  This sequel begins many years after Ralph's Party ends.  Ralph and Jem are now living together with children - not happily, but so so.  The book hops between Ralph's and Jem's points of view, which I adored. 

A story that was heart wrenching but honest.  Being someone that is in a relationship and has been in one for awhile and although we don't have children, we are currently partners raising a pup.  I could understand the rut that one may find themselves in and how people change and with them changing the relationship must change as well. 

The one thing I missed from the first book was the many characters that had stories that were interlocking.  I wish there was just a little more of the previous tenants on Alamanac Road.  The new characters were entertaining, but I missed continuing their stories along with Jem and Ralph's.

A great story that follows the couple that you will fall in love with from Ralph's Party.  I will never spoil the ending, but I believe that this book will keep you hooked until the end.

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Pages: 498

July-Sept 2011 Challenge:

Check out the other stops on the blog tour:
Aug. 17 - Nicole @ Forbidden Reviews
Aug. 18 - Heather @ Proud Book Nerd
Aug. 19 - Cindy @ Oodles of Books
Aug. 20 - Andrea @ A Chick Who Reads
Aug. 22 - Lisa @ Books in the Burbs
Aug. 23 - Molly @ Reviews by Molly
Aug. 24 - Rebecca @ Beck's Book Picks


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from the author in conjunction with Crazy Book tours.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.