Tomorrow Comes: An Emma Story

Get out the tissues, because Tomorrow Comes: An Emma Story will make even the most steel-hearted person cry. The book is about a 19-year-old girl named Emma. She’s spunky, vivacious, and full of life…that is, until she unexpectedly dies in her sleep. With no explanation as to why she died, her family struggles with feelings of sadness and loss. However, what they don’t know is that Emma’s spirit lives on in a place called After. For awhile, Emma doesn’t even realize that she has died; it takes the appearance of a familiar deceased relative to make her understand that although After looks similar to where she used to live, it’s much different. As Emma starts to understand her place in this new afterlife, she pushes the limits of her abilities and watches over her family.

What makes Tomorrow Comes especially heart-wrenching is that it is based on a true story. Donna Mebane, the author, had a daughter named Emma who died in the same way. The book seems to be a result of how she coped after Emma’s death: by imagining another world for Emma, one in which she can still be herself – happy, vibrant – Mebane was able to move past her grief. Despite the fictional elements of Emma’s spiritual world, only someone who has experienced loss could write such heartfelt words. It took an act of incredible bravery to publish something so personal, and therefore open it up to critique from others.

The book has many different chapters, each one with a different person’s point-of-view. At times, the inexperience of the author shows through (for example, she chooses to use italics instead of quotes, which can be somewhat confusing); however, the story holds its own strongly enough that the reader will likely be able to see past these writing flaws.

With its honesty, beauty, and hopeful outlook, Tomorrow Comes: An Emma Story will resonate with anyone who has ever lost a close friend or family member.