The Light We Lost: Reese's Book Club (A Novel)

Jill Santopolo

May 2017 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

The New York Times Bestseller and A Reese’s Book Club Pick
 
“This love story between Lucy & Gabe spans decades and continents as two star-crossed lovers try to return to each other…Will they ever meet again? This book kept me up at night, turning the pages to find out, and the ending did not disappoint.”—Reese Witherspoon

“One Day meets Me Before You meets your weekender bag.”—The Skimm

“Extraordinary.”—Emily Giffin

He was the first person to inspire her, to move her, to truly understand her. Was he meant to be the last?

Lucy is faced with a life-altering choice. But before she can make her decision, she must start her story—their story—at the very beginning.

Lucy and Gabe meet as seniors at Columbia University on a day that changes both of their lives forever. Together, they decide they want their lives to mean something, to matter. When they meet again a year later, it seems fated—perhaps they'll find life's meaning in each other. But then Gabe becomes a photojournalist assigned to the Middle East and Lucy pursues a career in New York. What follows is a thirteen-year journey of dreams, desires, jealousies, betrayals, and, ultimately, of love. Was it fate that brought them together? Is it choice that has kept them away? Their journey takes Lucy and Gabe continents apart, but never out of each other's hearts.

This devastatingly romantic debut novel about the enduring power of first love, with a shocking, unforgettable ending, is Love Story for a new generation.
 
“It's the epic love story of 2017.”—Redbook

Ratings and reviews

This review was written by Marie for a guest review post on Ever After Book Reviews blog: My heart is in a thousand pieces. There are stories like this one that stay with you for a very long time. I am honestly not sure if this one will ever leave me. This is a beautifully poignant telling of two souls that are forever connected through fate. But it’s the choices they make in this life that bring them to this heartbreaking and unforgettable end. I thought really long and hard about how I would review this book. I toyed with giving away some of the story, mentioning things that I liked/disliked. Ultimately, I couldn’t decide the best way to convey my thoughts on this book. It’s unlike anything that I have ever read before. It shattered me. Absolutely paralyzed me to the point that for about 2 weeks after reading it, I was unable to read anything else. This book changed me. It truly did. And for that, I will be eternally grateful. ***I voluntarily read a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own***

I hated this book. The main character is honestly a villain. Don't get me wrong the book is well written but I personally hate it.

Is this my absolute favorite book I ever read? No. Is it even in my top ten? Probably not. Was it a truly amazing book that deeply affected me? Yes. This book, while I initially felt that it dragged a lot, encompassed what real human life is. It's not realistic to always have something incredible or exciting happen. And the author captured the realness of small, happy moments along with the deep pain of true tragedy. Out of every book I've ever read, this one felt the most real. I almost felt like I was intruding on the Lucy's (the main character) life and innermost thoughts. It's not the most exciting page turner(which I don't think that defines a good book anyways) I've ever read, but it was beautiful for what it did. I highly recommend. Five stars because it was an incredible book, though warning it just might not be everyone's cup of tea.

About the author

Jill Santopolo received a BA in English literature from Columbia University and an MFA in writing from the Vermont College of Fine Arts. She's the author of three successful children's and young-adult series and works as the Associate Publisher of Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group. Santopolo travels the world to speak about writing and storytelling. She is the New York Times bestselling author of More Than Words and The Light We Lost, a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick. She lives in New York City.