Taylor Before and After by Jennie Englund

ThisIn journal entries alternating between two timelines—before and after a tragic accident—this heartfelt coming-of-age story follows the year that changes one girl’s life forever.

Before, Taylor Harper is finally popular, sitting with the cool kids at lunch, and maybe, just maybe, getting invited to the biggest, most exclusive party of the year.

After, no one talks to her.

Before, she’s friends with Brielle Branson, the coolest girl in school.

After, Brielle has become a bully, and Taylor’s her favorite target.

Before, home isn’t perfect, but at least her family is together.

After, Mom won’t get out of bed, Dad won’t stop yelling, and Eli...

Eli’s gone.

Through everything, Taylor has her notebook, a diary of the year that one fatal accident tears her life apart. In entries alternating between the first and second semester of her eighth-grade year, she navigates joy and grief, gain and loss, hope and depression.

How can Taylor pick up the pieces of what used to be her social life? How can her house ever feel like home again after everything that’s happened? And how can she move forward if she can’t stop looking back?
(From the book blurb)

My thoughts:
This well-written and extremely touching book has two alternating timelines: before ('Fall') and after a tragic car accident ('Winter'). The narrative form of journal entries responding to writing prompts is unusual and allows you a direct access to Taylor's feelings and perceptions.  Despite the tragedy marking Taylor being a rare occurence, the issues covered by this book are relatable: complex social relationships and murky waters of popularity/acceptance, friendships, families dealing with loss and changes, grief and many others.
Taylor's story is extremely realistic and will remind you of drama and dilemmas that go with growing up and learning how to navigate this complicated world.

Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher (Imprint) for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.