Review: The After Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer

The After Wife by Gigi Levangie Grazer 

Publisher: Ballantine Books

Pages: 320

Format: eARC 

Buy the Book: Amazon 

Goodreads:  L.A. is no place for widows. This is what forty-four-year-old Hannah Bernal quickly discovers after the tragic death of her handsome and loving husband, John. Misery and red-rimmed eyes are little tolerated in the land of the beautiful. But life stumbles on: Hannah’s sweet three-year-old daughter, Ellie, needs to be dropped off at her overpriced preschool, while Hannah herself must get back to work in order to pay the bills on “Casa Sugar,” the charming Spanish-styled bungalow they call home.
 
Fortunately, Hannah has her “Grief Team” for emotional support: earth mother and fanatical animal lover Chloe, who finds a potential blog post in every moment; aspiring actress Aimee, who has her cosmetic surgeon on speed dial; and Jay, Hannah’s TV producing partner, who has a penchant for Mr. Wrong. But after a series of mishaps and bizarre occurrences, one of which finds Hannah in a posh Santa Monica jail cell, her friends start to fear for her sanity. To make matters worse, John left their financial affairs in a disastrous state. And when Hannah is dramatically fired from her latest producing gig, she finds herself in danger of losing her house, her daughter, and her mind.





Kritters Thoughts:  Who would have thought that a book that centers around the first year in a widow's life would be so light and entertaining?  Right in the beginning we meet a great couple - Hannah and John, but right after meeting them the reader learns that John is killed in an accident leaving Hannah to raise their daughter, Ellie.  Hannah was the career woman, while John stayed home with Ellie, so this is a complete life change for Hannah, one that is going to take a lot of support from her friends.


Her friends were such a great comedic relief for the book.  I could picture my friends and they way they surrounded her and helped her in their own unique ways, every girl needs a friend who will take you to the spa or one who will try to get you out again.  Each friend had their own issue, so it was refreshing to see a truth in that just because you have something affect your life, your friends lives are still going on, they don't automatically stop and revolve around you.  I may have lost a few, but I just loved her friends!  


I fell in love with Ellie from the beginning.  I think the author did an honest job of betraying how a young child would react to losing a parent - her moments at school made me ache for the years that she will have without her dad by her side.


This may sound weird, but I think this lighthearted, quirky read would be perfect to throw in your pool bag this summer.  With so much comedy, this book deals with a downer issue in an unique way.  




Rating: perfect beach read


Ebook Challenge 2012: 34 out of 25  


GR July-Sept 2012 Challenge:  It's All The Rage


Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Rare Bird Lit and Random House.  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.