Review: Hereafter by Tara Hudson

Title: Hereafter

Author: Tara Hudson

Publisher: HarperCollins

Age Group: Young Adult

Category: Paranormal Romance

Pages: 404 (Hardcover)

Rating: 5 out of 5

Source: Won

Goodreads Summary:

Can there truly be love after death?

Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she's dead. With no recollection of her past life—or her actual death—she's trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.

Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world . . . forever.

My Thoughts:
I'm in love.  Tara Hudson explains the tragic and terrifying death of a eighteen year old girl named Amelia.  The only thing she knows about is her name, the way she died, and the fact that no one else can see her.  Until Joshua.  The night she finds his body in the river is the night that begins to unfold all of the mysteries behind her own past life, death, and afterlife.

Joshua is a sweetheart.  He desperately tries to find Amelia after he's released from the hospital and soon comes to realize that they share a unique connection.  Strangely, every time they touch a current of electricity shoots through their bodies.  The beginning of their relationship also happens to trigger a series of flashbacks from Amelia's life.  After all of the years she's wandered High Bridge looking for the truth, Joshua seems to be the one that releases the answers.

And then there's Eli, the 70's rocker dude that's been stalking her for years, leaving all of her questions unanswered.  What part does he play in her life- er- death?  He seriously gives me the creeps.  Eli shows her the netherworld she'd be trapped in if it weren't for him, letting fear wash over her until she understands what he wants to do with her.  She does exactly the opposite and helps others from repeating the horrible accident that ended her life.

I wanted to zoom through this book but I forced myself to take my time.  I didn't want it to end and I'm glad it doesn't have to!  Needless to say, I'm quite excited for the next books in the series.  The way Hudson writes about drowning makes your own breath catch in your lungs until you're forced to gasp for air.  Luckily, unlike Amelia, you don't get a mouth full of water.   Did I mention how much I adore this cover?  It's even more gorgeous in person.  Thank you, Tara, for sending me this amazing book!

                                                         Hereafter deserves a 5 out of 5

Thanks for stopping by!  Have you read this book yet?  What are your thoughts?  Did you like it as much as I did?  Leave a comment, link your reviews, whatever you want!