The Light We Lost. By Jill Santopolo.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
My First Book of the Year!
Jill Santopolo poses an elegant narrative around two people looking in very different places for that one elusive answer…
Friend: You ok? Me: The ending. The Light We Lost. It’s just… so…blubber… sad!
Format: Hardcover|Vine Customer Review of Free Product
I am reviewing The Light We Lost. By Jill Santopolo. Here are my thoughts:
^ This is totally not what I was expecting. Maybe I thought it would a love story based around how a couple met at the time 9/11 happened. Yes. It is. But staying together and having a happy ever after? Hmm. Nope. You don’t get that, and this becomes very clear from the onset. In fact, the very way this has been written in a past tense, makes that awfully clear the protagonist is telling us something that has already happened. This in itself made for a tantalising read. The story could have gone anywhere. Not knowing what would happen between them, when at times their lives were so different and far apart, is probably why I enjoyed this more than I thought I would.
^^ This story revolves around two lost souls, Lucy and Gabriel (Gabe) Samson who first meet during the Twin Towers terror attacks, and watch the horror unfold right in front of their eyes. Did fate bring these two together for a reason?
^^ Throughout the book we follow their relationship and learn how that first meeting on that fateful day effected them for the rest of their lives. Imagine being witness to something so horrifying. Surely it would affect you. Perhaps you’d want to live your life as if every day is your last, or you’ll go the other way and blame yourself for not being able to do anything to help. Even when you couldn’t have at the time. Survivors guilt, I think they call it.
^ These are the sort of issues, this couple face. You know they should be together, but they both need different things, so their lives are never as simple as you think they’re going to be.
^ I enjoyed how the author allowed this couple to search for what they wanted out of life, but they never truly forgot, or even stopped loving each other. Whenever they did meet, well, it was never the right time. Yet something in the universe, a powerful source, kept drawing them back into each other’s paths. Even when they’d both long gone their separate ways. Is it destiny? Or chance?
Overall: Well, who’d of thought the first book of the year would reduce me to tears? I kind of saw the ending coming, but when I reached those last few pages I found it much more emotional than expected. Jill Santopolo poses an elegant narrative around two people looking in very different places for that one elusive answer: What if?
These are my thoughts on Goodreads as I was reading this book:
January 3, 2018 – page 321
97.87% “Omg. Did this makes anyone else cry? 😭😭😭😭😭😭”
December 28, 2017 – page 280
85.37%
December 27, 2017 – page 209
63.72%
December 25, 2017 – page 173
52.74% “Snatching time here and there to read this. :)”
December 24, 2017 – page 127
38.72% “Gosh! I love the way this one is written, it’s so different. Just when I think I’ll put it down, the last few sentences of each chapter make me want to read more…”
December 23, 2017 – page 79
24.09% “Gosh! I love the way this one is written, it’s so different. Just when I think I’ll put it down, the last few sentences of each chapter make me want to read more…”
December 23, 2017 – page 37
11.28% “This is NOT what I expected! This is a romance with a difference. It’s not all hearts and flowers I can tell you!”
December 22, 2017 – Shelved
December 22, 2017 – Started Reading
Authors Needing Reviews Goodreads Group!
Authors and Reviewers ~ Join our Alternative-Read.com friends 
Ninja Foodi StaySharp Knife Block with Integrated Sharpener, 5-Piece Knife Set includes Chef Knife, Bread Knife, Slicing Knife, Utility Knife, Paring Knife, Stainless Steel K32005UK
£169.99 (as of December 6, 2023 15:47 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Willow WUCFZ48W 48cm Under Counter Freezer
5% Off
Furby Furblets Luv-Lee Mini Electronic Plush Toy
£9.99 (as of December 6, 2023 14:54 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
One Dark Window: the gothic and spellbinding fantasy romance sensation (The Shepherd King)
The Killer’s Christmas List: The instant bestseller: a gripping new festive detective crime thriller novel with a chilling twist, from winter 2023
£0.99 (as of December 6, 2023 15:01 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Burn for Me: A Hidden Legacy Novel
£0.99 (as of December 6, 2023 15:30 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
The Seven Year Slip: The new laugh-out-loud rom-com from the New York Times bestselling author of THE DEAD ROMANTICS
£3.99 (as of December 6, 2023 15:49 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Kindle (2022 release) Essentials Bundle including Kindle - 16GB, Without Ads, Blue, Amazon Fabric Cover and Power Adapter
£142.97 (as of December 6, 2023 15:41 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Kindle Scribe (16 GB), the first Kindle and digital notebook, all in one, with a 10.2" 300 ppi Paperwhite display, includes Basic Pen + Kindle Unlimited
£249.99 (as of December 6, 2023 19:52 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Oh, it made you cry! I love when a story is written so well that it makes me cry. I will be checking this out!
I hope you enjoy it, too! 😉
And have a good blubber lol