Every Beat After by Sara B. Larson starts out swinging with some crazy dialogue and a lot of intense emotions. It is almost comical and feels a bit unrealistic, until you think about how often people overreact to things and say very similar things. In the end, it becomes realistic dialogue. The author does a great job of carrying banter between characters.

The book is lighthearted in some ways and extra heavy emotionally in others. It is something of a roller coaster and laced with genuine characters. The best part of the story is how incredibly reliable and faithful all of the friends are. They really pull one another through the hardest times.

Those looking for an emotionally turbulent yet poignant romance will be excited to read this. The story flows pretty smoothly, but on occasion, it feels as though the author has lost herself in her character’s grief. Normally this would be considered a negative, but in this instance, it serves to illustrate the depth of the distress being experienced.

Review of an Advance Reader’s Copy Provided by the Publisher

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language: None

Violence/Gore: Character references a time when a man threw stuff and broke it; a person describes an engine exploding and a person dying as a result.

Sex/Nudity: Characters kiss and embrace.

Mature Subject Matter:

Death of a family member, serious health conditions.

Drug/Alcohol Use:

Characters mention they do not consume alcohol; a person indicates he was drunk in the past.