The Light We Lost Review!

Hi everyone! These last two days I read The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo. I stumbled upon this ARC copy in the cutest way possible-- at a small book shop connected to a cafe downtown. It was wrapped up in brown paper, and had just the smallest of synopses on the front. Not knowing what I was getting, I donated $6 to the Pajama Program (check it out here! It is a wonderful charity, we love it! http://pajamaprogram.org ), and I then received this beautiful book!

The blurb on the front from Delia Ephron says, "Extraordinary...an emotional roller coaster".

And that could not be more accurate.

This novel is beautiful.

Typically, I shy away from novels written in the first person (I/you), because I don't necessarily want to be a character in the novel. But in this case, it works. It was the most perfect choice, as "being" Lucy makes for a wonderful connection to the story and the characters.

Speaking of Lucy, this novel follows her throughout 13 years of life and love, and how her college age romance with Gabe Samson, a passionate photojournalist, influences her life continuously. The reader gets to see her romance with Gabe, the affect of his leaving, how Darren, the calm hearth fire, wins over her heart even though wildfire Gabe keeps trying to make a reappearance, and how she finally connects to Gabe again at a stunning conclusion to this work.

This novel is filled with the ups and downs of life, and is entirely real: there are fights, tears, colds, and the Fecal Incident Levels (something all mothers and babysitters will understand). There are promotions, marriages, babies, and romantic getaways, and the ever-coursing love between Lucy and Gabe.

While this novel did not end completely as I wanted it to, it had a conclusion that brought tears to my eyes. A happy ending it is not, but it is an ending that sparks hope for the readers like me, who pined after a romantic ending.

This novel was beautiful: the chapters are short but filled with life and love, the characters are developed and human, and the plot is...perfect. Jill Santopolo's romantic novel is one I would read until it was falling apart. It is perfect for a sunny summer morning or a rainy summer night, and I would recommend it to anyone and everyone.

12/10 Stars ⭐️

#ReviewsbyEllie