Afterward, Bristol Vaudrin
Afterward, Bristol Vaudrin
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Afterward

Author: Bristol Vaudrin

Narrator: Hope March

Unabridged: 6 hr 25 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tortoise Books

Published: 03/04/2025


Synopsis

In an unnamed city, a young woman deals with an unspeakable tragedy, and her boyfriend’s subsequent hospitalization.Torn from her normal routines—coffee, sex, barhopping, and disc golf—she finds herself in an unfamiliar world of hospital visits and doctor’s appointments, all while navigating an unexpected move to a new apartment and enduring the disapproval of her boyfriend’s mother, as well as the gossip of her friends and coworkers. (Plus the suspicious looks of strangers, and the unbearable strain on her credit card…and did we mention the gossip of her friends and coworkers?) Along the way, she meets every obstacle with…well, not grace, exactly. In fact, pretty much the opposite of grace. Maybe more like bitchiness, truth be told. And all the while, the aftereffects of the tragedy cast a pall over everything she does—and threaten to destroy everything she has.Bristol Vaudrin’s fascinating debut novel is an engrossing and darkly comedic read with an unforgettable narrator/protagonist. Watching her struggles—real, imagined, and in-between—we too must choose between kindness and judgment, between condescension towards someone who simply doesn’t have a clue, and empathy with a person struggling to deal with something we all must face: the desire to hold on to the things we enjoy when the world around us changes in ways we didn’t expect.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Jenredstar on March 10, 2025

I highly recommend that you grab Bristol Vaudrin's debut novel! It's a hilarious and relatable read with a protagonist thrown into chaos, dealing with hospital visits and the eye rolls of everyone around her. Vaudrin delivers dark humor and real-life struggles that will have you laughing and cringing......more

Goodreads review by Susan on March 07, 2025

This book is a rollercoaster of emotions—raw, funny, and painfully real. The main character isn’t perfect, but that’s what makes her so relatable as she stumbles through loss, gossip, and way too many decisions to make. It’s a sharp, honest look at how messy life can get, and I couldn’t put it down.......more

Goodreads review by Sean on February 26, 2025

The realistic portrayal of optimism and hope despite lingering sadness is compelling. The decisions the protagonist makes along her journey is a reminder that we are unprepared for the hardest times. Bristol does a great job of painting a picture of struggle and recovery when happiness is fleeting.......more

Goodreads review by Book on March 20, 2025

Bristol Vaudrin’s Afterward is a raw and gut-wrenching novel that pulls readers into a world of emotional turmoil, relationships strained by tragedy, and the quiet, lingering pain of grief and identity. The story follows Lauren Delgado as she grapples with the aftermath of a traumatic event involvin......more

Goodreads review by Reader on March 10, 2025

I’m so glad I discovered this book! From the moment it arrived, I could hardly put it down, devouring it almost in one sitting. The story pulled me in completely with its fun, witty, and richly detailed narrative. I found it deeply relatable, especially in its portrayal of being by a loved one’s sid......more