Unfortunately I did not finish this book before it was archived and I am gutted as the little bit I read was gripping!

Wow! This book absolutely shattered me by the end I sobbed throughout the last 20% or so. This is so beautifully written and deals with such a hard topic so well and honestly I think everyone should go into this not knowing much. This had me hooked from the very first page and I couldn't put it down such a great story about friendships, families, young love and how everyone deals differently with grief. Highly highly recommend picking this one up.

Another easy 4.5 star read from me - this year truly has been treating me. It's important to note that I read half on an aeroplane and the other half on the beach, skewing my perspective by how happy and relaxed I felt, but I think this book would hit just as much had I been sat in bed with my PJs on listening to the rain - or eating beans on toast on a Monday morning staring out at the grey sky.

It's that sort of book. Easy. Timeless. Poetic.

I loved the characters. I loved the beachy, nondescript setting - and the mundanity of every day life in Elk's house. I loved the quirky names. The subplots of illness and grief. I was starting to wonder where on earth the plot structure had trotted off to until I read the final few chapters, hit in the gut by an epic, but completely wonderful and logical, twist.

Jenny Valentine's description, character observation, and gorgeous language is something far more YA authors need to take inspiration from. The quality and depth of writing should not change when you write for a teenage audience, instead of an adult one. This is exactly why so many teenagers are going to adult fiction prematurely, and it's so wrong.

I absolutely recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick, heartfelt read, especially in the summertime... and I can't wait to read more of her work.

Thank you to NetGalley for the copy.

This book gripped me right from the beginning. The language used in the book is not particularly advanced as it is written from the perspective of a youngster, but there is a poetic feeling to it

Us in the Before and After is not just a story of sorrow but also a testament to resilience and the unshakeable bonds of friendship. It’s a fast-paced, heart-wrenching read that will leave a lasting impression, recommended for anyone looking for a deeply emotional and thought-provoking novel.

A tear jerking, heart breaking book that showcases what Jenny Valentine does best. My students are going to devour this - although I may need to restock my tissue box before they do.

This book broke my heart but it was a beautiful ride filled with friendship and young love. The ending came so out of pocket I really was caught off guard, it hit me pretty hard, i wont lie tears were shed.

I loved this with my whole heart, its a book about loss, acceptance, denial and what comes after.

Sadly this didn't have an archive date and has archived before I was able to download it.
I was really looking forward to reading it, good luck to the author.

Jenny Valentine’s observational writing is perfect. The little movements we make, the way we see the world, the way we think about ourselves and each other. It’s all there beautifully laid bare on the page. It’s brilliantly visual, like reading really good theatre.
Bold, political, unswerving in its honesty, and painfully beautiful.
Valentine has a way of taking the most heartbreaking, life changing moments and examining them, opening them up, laying them out and saying look. This happened. It was awful. But it will be okay. She helps you process the world through relatable characters and flawless writing. A beautiful exploration of grief and finding the strength to take the first step forward. “Sometimes it is the broken things that hold the world together”

Us in the Before and After is a beautiful story about lost love and friendships. We follow the story of Elk, Mab and their families as they grapple with a new normal. It’s impossible to talk too much about this book without going into spoilers and I don’t intend on doing that.

I loved the dynamic and the evolution of the two characters and how we get to see a glimpse of them before and after the events that take place during the book. Their friendship is lovely to read about and they felt like a realistic portrayal of teenagers. I also liked the inclusion of their brothers, France and Knox, and how the story impacted them. There are scenes that will rip your heart out and ones that will make you question life and what’s truly important.

There were some lighthearted moments in the midst of the grief which added to the story, mainly from the main character’s best friend, Mab. I think it’s important to note how useful this character is in the plot to show how people have different perspectives on life. Not taking things too seriously during sad times can be a reality in how some people cope with loss.

I thought the descriptions of grief were so powerful. There’s a scene where Elk and Mab talk about mental health, how one should let go of the negative thought like a balloon. But the main character’s balloon lands on the ceiling, not quite flying away as intended. In some ways, descriptions like these felt similar to reading poetry because of the lyrical tone of the writing.

This is one of those books you’ll need a box of tissues at hand. I enjoyed reading about Elk and her journey from past to present. There were moments I found to be a bit predictable but that didn’t hinder my enjoyment in the slightest. It’s a fantastic fast-paced read, one I will be recommending to everyone of all ages.

Even though it is for a younger audience there is no denying the rawness to show the levels of grief and loss in a honest way. Such a beautiful read overall.

4.5 Stars.

I really enjoyed this.

It's important to note that this is aimed more at a younger audience. It's a fantastic read about loss, grief, and friendship.

Jenny Valentine has always been fantastic when it comes to writing about people. I know that probably sounds silly (aren't all books about people?) - but the way she does it has always been special. Her writing here feels poetic at times, and I love the way she describes things. She's especially talented when it comes to grief - and the way she covers that in this story is beautiful.

The plot hooked me in very quickly - I don't want to post spoilers, but I was constantly finding myself wondering what was going to happen next. The twist later in the book was, for me at least, completely unexpected. I loved it.

My only reason for deducting half a star was that at times, I found the jumping between times a little confusing - but that all made sense by the end.

I would definitely recommend this.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing this ARC. This is my honest review.

This book gripped me right from the beginning. The language used in the book is not particularly advanced as it is written from the perspective of a youngster, but there is a poetic feeling to it. It is a perfect book for KS3 students.

Jenny Valentine has been one of my favourite authors since Finding Violet Park was published in 2007. I’ve enjoyed all her books (Broken Soup is my favourite), and was so excited to see that she’s back with a new YA book this year.

Us in the Before and After is written in typical Jenny Valentine style; it’s pacey, beautiful, and endlessly quotable. I actually sent several lines to my friend in the hope they might help with what she’s currently going through, which just goes to show how well-written this book is. It’s a subtle meditation on grief and loss, and I’ve personally taken a lot from it that I hope might help me too.

Valentine’s characters, Elk, Mab, France, and Knox, are ones I instantly took a liking to. The page count may be short and the chapters fleeting, but these four characters all stole my heart in one way or another. Whether it be Knox with his five-year-old innocence, France’s missing sock story, or Mab and Elk’s unwavering friendship, I loved them all and was happy to stay entwined in their lives.

I’ve been purposely vague in this review, as I really don’t want to give anything away about the story and how it progresses. It starts with a friendship and a tragedy, and ends with an understanding of life, death and everything inbetween. As usual I didn’t guess what was happening, or what heartbreak the author had up her sleeve, so I was duly surprised by the time I got to the final page. Sometimes it pays off to be an unwittingly obtuse reader!

As with all Jenny Valentine’s books, my only complaint is that I wish they were longer. I do think it would take away the succinctness of her stories, but I would selfishly love to prolong my stay in her worlds, even if it meant I was even more of a mess by the end of them.

If you’ve never heard of Jenny Valentine before, and you’ve never had the pleasure of reading one of her books, now’s your chance. Us in the Before and After will appeal to YA and adult readers alike, and I hope it gets all the book love it deserves.

4.5/5.