The After Wife

A Novel

By: Gigi Levangie Grazer

Narrated by: Kathe Mazur

Gigi Levangie Grazer, the New York Times bestselling author of The Starter Wife, returns with a hilarious and spirited tale of love—both lost and found.

L.A. is no place for widows. This is what forty-four-year-old Hannah Bernal quickly discovers after the tragic death of her handsome and loving husband, John. Misery and red-rimmed eyes are little tolerated in the land of the beautiful. But life stumbles on: Hannah’s sweet three-year-old daughter, Ellie, needs to be dropped off at her overpriced preschool, while Hannah herself must get back to work in order to pay the bills on “Casa Sugar,” the charming Spanish-styled bungalow they call home.

Fortunately, Hannah has her “Grief Team” for emotional support: earth mother and fanatical animal lover Chloe, who finds a potential blog post in every moment; aspiring actress Aimee, who has her cosmetic surgeon on speed dial; and Jay, Hannah’s TV producing partner, who has a penchant for Mr. Wrong. But after a series of mishaps and bizarre occurrences, one of which finds Hannah in a posh Santa Monica jail cell, her friends start to fear for her sanity. To make matters worse, John left their financial affairs in a disastrous state. And when Hannah is dramatically fired from her latest producing gig, she finds herself in danger of losing her house, her daughter, and her mind.

One night, standing in her backyard under a majestic avocado tree, in the throes of grief, Hannah breaks down and asks, “Why?” The answer that comes back—Why not?—begins an astounding journey of discovery and transformation that leads Hannah to her own truly extraordinary life after death.

Praise for The After Wife

“Fans of Lolly Winston, Mary Kay Andrews, and Jennifer Weiner will especially enjoy Grazer’s newest.”—Booklist

“Hilariously funny and profoundly wise, The After Wife is for anyone who’s ever been married or widowed, in debt or in love. I could not put it down: a fabulous read!”—Nancy Thayer, author of Island Girls

“A charming tale of a grieving forty-ish widow—and the wacky friends who love her.”—Los Angeles Times

“A book that is part Jacqueline Susann, part Real Housewives . . . Gigi Levangie Grazer [is a] Jimmy Choo’ed-out satirist.”—National Post

“Fans of The Starter Wife will be equally charmed with The After Wife.”—Library Journal

“Grazer’s entertaining satire is sure to spice up any occasion.”—Publishers Weekly

Critic reviews

“Fans of Lolly Winston, Mary Kay Andrews, and Jennifer Weiner will especially enjoy Grazer’s newest.”—Booklist

“Hilariously funny and profoundly wise, The After Wife is for anyone who’s ever been married or widowed, in debt or in love. I could not put it down: a fabulous read!”—Nancy Thayer, author of Island Girls

“A charming tale of a grieving forty-ish widow—and the wacky friends who love her.”—Los Angeles Times

“A book that is part Jacqueline Susann, part Real Housewives . . . Gigi Levangie Grazer [is a] Jimmy Choo’ed-out satirist.”—National Post

“Fans of The Starter Wife will be equally charmed with The After Wife.”—Library Journal

“Grazer’s entertaining satire is sure to spice up any occasion.”—Publishers Weekly

it got me through Hurricane Sandy

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Well, I didn't have any power for a week but I did have this book, it was a good distraction.

Would you recommend The After Wife to your friends? Why or why not?

Well, it was funny, I liked all of the characters in it.

Have you listened to any of Kathe Mazur’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I really enjoyed Kathe's performance on this. I am going to look her up to see what else she has done, she did a wonderful job.

Did The After Wife inspire you to do anything?

Look up more Gigi Levangie Grazer books. Again, it made me laugh at times. It was a very sweet and funny story.

Funny & Very Entertaining!

I laughed and could not put this novel down. An outrageous look at life in from the eyes of a middle class class woman who suddenly loses her husband. In walk a cadre of friends to help she and her daughter transition. But his death opens a portal where she sees and hears spirits of the dead. She loses her husband and her job. If you excuse the four or five #&@## words, you’ll truly enjoy. The book is a highly recommended keeper! ....I’m sure glad my husband and family moved out of the State a long time ago!!!

The After Wife

What did you love best about The After Wife?

The psychic ability to comunicate with the spirits the widow acquired after her husband's death. It was fascinating the way the author presented it,.

What other book might you compare The After Wife to and why?

Sylvia Brown's "The Adventures of a Psychic" and her other books.

What does Kathe Mazur bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Emotion.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Struggle in life and irony.

Any additional comments?

No.

laughter and cried

what a beautiful book well written made me laugh and cry . I just was so in a hurry to finish it. so glad she got closer at the end .

Best yet

This is the third book I have read by Gigi Levangie Grazer, and it was by far the best yet!! The story was entertaining, funny, tear jerking and had some memorable characters (loved Jay). She just keeps getting better.