Are you fascinated by tales of romance between the living and the ghost? Then dive into this series, starting with book one, Hereafter.
Title: Hereafter
Author: Tara Hudson
Genres: Fantasy > Paranormal > Ghosts
Read Format: Kindle Edition
Total Pages: 1,220
Reading Date: 15th February 2025 – 23rd February 2025
The reading order – How to Read Hereafter Trilogy by Tara Hudson
- 1 Hereafter
- 2 Arise
- 3 Elegy
Hereafter
Can there truly be love after death?
Drifting in the dark waters of a mysterious river, the only thing Amelia knows for sure is that she’s dead. With no recollection of her past life, or her actual death, she’s trapped alone in a nightmarish existence. All of this changes when she tries to rescue a boy, Joshua, from drowning in her river. As a ghost, she can do nothing but will him to live. Yet in an unforgettable moment of connection, she helps him survive.
Amelia and Joshua grow ever closer as they begin to uncover the strange circumstances of her death and the secrets of the dark river that held her captive for so long. But even while they struggle to keep their bond hidden from the living world, a frightening spirit named Eli is doing everything in his power to destroy their newfound happiness and drag Amelia back into the ghost world … forever.
My thoughts…
I finally get to read this book after leaving it on my Kindle, eating up memories on the device for years, and I wish I hadn’t waited so long! It was a delightful read: easy, entertaining, fun, and sweet.
Amelia, the protagonist in the story, prefers ignorance, avoiding the truth about her death, perhaps believing that what she doesn’t know can’t hurt her. However, this changes when she rescues a boy with striking midnight-blue eyes, triggering a cascade of resurfacing memories, senses, and truths.
The story unfolds slowly, revealing fragmented flashbacks that serve as pieces of a puzzle, which I constantly try to guess about the events that led to Amelia’s death.
Joshua, the male protagonist, thankfully demonstrates a persistent drive to uncover the truth. His collaboration with the initially reluctant Amelia eventually leads them to the answers they seek.
Along their journey to uncover the truth, their relationship slowly blossoms, though not without challenges. Driven to protect Joshua, Amelia faces a tough choice when the antagonist, Eli, attempts to enlist her into becoming his assistant in collecting souls, threatening harm to Joshua if she refuses. Furthermore, they also face Ruth, Joshua’s grandmother and a seer, who poses a threat to Amelia through exorcism.
Towards the end of the story, glimpses of Eli’s superiors hint at a more formidable force at play in Hereafter. One that we might read in the next book, perhaps? I seriously have no clue what to expect next!
Maybe with Amelia’s other abilities beginning to emerge, we might get to explore these powers in the next book. What role will she play in the afterlife? Will she succeed in finding her father? Will she find herself allied with Ruth and the other Seers, or will they attempt to exorcise Amelia again?
The biggest question is: can they truly make their relationship succeed and find their happily ever after? If so, how?
Arise
Every second he spent with me, every instant he touched me was like a slow-working poison… I had to end this, now.
When dark spirits threaten to hurt the people Amelia cares for most, she will do whatever it takes to protect them.
Joshua has his own reasons for meeting Amelia at the New Orleans St Louis Number One cemetery at midnight.
Together they will join in a powerful ritual – both knowing that once Amelia steps inside the Voodoo Circle, everything will change, forever.
My thoughts…
I enjoyed this second book even more than the first because of the increased pace and the exciting setting of New Orleans during Amelia’s Christmas break with Joshua’s family.
The introduction of other younger seers and Alex, a boy who can also see Amelia, immediately raises questions about whether they are friends or foes.
Adding to the intrigue in the story is a series of nightmares Amelia is having, plus a threat to Joshua’s safety, which might mean the end of their relationship. The final push might be the unsanctioned Voodoo spell, which changes something in Amelia.
When Amelia meets with another kind like her, are they the solution to the problem? By running away with them to protect Joshua?
Although Amelia hasn’t had the chance to formulate a plan to find her father, the loss of her friend Gabrielle could be the catalyst that finally pushes her to get into the netherworld. Though this isn’t hinted at by the end of book two, I’m hopeful it will be a key plot point in the final instalment!
I’m also speculating that Amelia’s fire/light power might be a gift from higher beings, granting Amelia the power to protect and guide the wandering souls to the afterlife. 
I can’t wait to read the conclusion to the story!
Elegy
A stalker ghost, misguided Seers, and spellbinding wraiths—Amelia Ashley has faced them all. Now her greatest hope is to spend the rest of her afterlife with her living boyfriend, Joshua. But the demonic forces return to give her an ultimatum: turn herself over to the darkness or watch them murder one living person per week until she does.
Amelia fears she might really be doomed until the forces of light give her another option. She can join them in their quest to gather souls, with a catch: Once she joins them, she can never see Joshua again.
Faced with impossible choices, Amelia decides to take her afterlife into her own hands—and fight back.
My thoughts…
We’ve reached the final book of the series, where we can finally learn how Amelia is tackling the demon threat and whether the star-crossed lovers will be together in the end or not.
But, those who are very well invested in the couple may find the bittersweet ending somewhat disappointing, as the epilogue lacks a sense of complete resolution.
It would have been lovely if the epilogue had focused on Amelia and the fates of others from the other side after the battle, perhaps even hinting at a future reunion between Amelia and Joshua!
Nevertheless, this series is worth reading if you enjoy light-hearted romance stories featuring ghosts and don’t mind a bittersweet conclusion.
