“The Life That Follows elegantly traces Owen’s path from grief to healing, and the remarkable and often surprising ways that losing a loved one shapes and reshapes the human spirit . . . Hartshorn deftly manages the novel’s various plot threads, from the depiction of Owen’s journey through trauma and sorrow, to the twists and turns of a suspenseful courtroom drama . . . a profoundly empathetic and keenly observed meditation on how the human spirit can endure . . . [Hartshorn has] a marvelous ear for realistic dialogue and witty banter. His beautifully crafted novel, The Life That Follows, is steeped in sadness, but is ultimately a hopeful story of resilience and survival.” –  4.8 of five stars

~ IndieReader

“Owen McGivney finds himself suddenly directionless and grieving when life doesn’t work out as he’d planned. As he interacts with three newcomers to his life, Owen undergoes a journey of acceptance and hope . . . David Hartshorn has crafted a truly compelling and intricately penned drama that is sure to warm the hearts of all who read it . . . [the novel] is hopeful when discussing the most distressing aspects of life, love, and loss . . . and beautifully realized human connections are at the center of the tale . . . A palpable sense of hope runs like a lifeblood through the core of this novel . . . .” 5.0 of five stars

~K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite

David Hartshorn’s slice-of life novel, The Life That Follows, presents readers with a window into life so clear it shines like reflective glass. This story skillfully illustrates human experience and relationships across multiple generations . . . witty and entertaining . . . poignant and ultimately positive.”

~ A. Davis for Independent Book Review

“David Hartshorn writes beautifully of love shared and lost, and where to go afterwards when life events take a wrong turn. . . This is not only a story of aging and loss, but also the resiliency of both the young and old. . . Hartshorn brings hope for a better tomorrow.” 5.0 of five stars

~ C. Nguyen for Readers’ Favorite

“I am glad to give The Life That Follows by David Hartshorn a perfect score of five out of five stars. This well-executed novel is laden with life lessons and will make readers reflect on their lives . . . I am glad I discovered David Hartshorn, and I look forward to reading more of his books.”

~ H. Akoth for Online Book Club

“The Life That Follows is a cleverly plotted and intelligently written novel . . . Themes of loneliness, human connection, and the quest for meaning are skillfully developed . . . [the author’s] prose is searing, crisp, and beguiling . . . Each narrative move is executed with confidence, each scene crafted with clarity and filled with intriguing details . . . The Life That Follows is a delightful read with many lessons about human connection.” Five out of five stars

~ R. Dzemo for The Book Commentary

“The Life That Follows is a cleverly plotted, character-led novel with a memorable cast of characters . . . It’s not often I find a book as compelling as this, and I very much hope the author will keep on writing. Five out of five stars.

~ The Wishing Shelf

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