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happilywilted's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is another occurrence of me absolutely living for books rated three stars by the general public. I’ve come to expect that these are the ones for me, because it’s happened so frequently. For some reason they just hit for me.
This was a joy to read and obviously I’m going to continue reading what this author has published.
This was a joy to read and obviously I’m going to continue reading what this author has published.
inescapably's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
setaian's review against another edition
4.0
Many years earlier, the Sutton's and the van Cleve's fought a range war which resulted in deaths on both sides. Now the hostilities have ended but the enmity remains.
When Trey van Cleve returns from war broken and crippled he means to make peace with his father and then leave. But after meeting a mysterious woman in a darkened courtyard he finds himself drawn back in the hopes of meeting her again.
Deborah Sutton has chosen her lot. She would rather be single and lonely than ever trust a man. But Trey manages to break through her defences.
Into the Light takes a while to get going. I was 40% into the book and not all that much had happened. But the measured pace works for the book and I found myself enjoying it for the depth of detail as much as the story.
When Trey van Cleve returns from war broken and crippled he means to make peace with his father and then leave. But after meeting a mysterious woman in a darkened courtyard he finds himself drawn back in the hopes of meeting her again.
Deborah Sutton has chosen her lot. She would rather be single and lonely than ever trust a man. But Trey manages to break through her defences.
Into the Light takes a while to get going. I was 40% into the book and not all that much had happened. But the measured pace works for the book and I found myself enjoying it for the depth of detail as much as the story.
nelsonseye's review against another edition
4.0
May upgrade later, but I wasn't as into this book as others. I wish they'd married sooner.
tucker4's review against another edition
4.0
**3.5**
I got a little scared in the beginning of this as I had assumed that Deborah was the daughter of Caleb and Norah from Beautiful Bad Man. The revelation that Deborah was molested by her father when she was seven would have turned an amazing hero from one book into the worst kind of villain in this one. Which was traumatizing. Luckily I figured everything out.
Deborah was one of the little girls from Beautiful Bad Man that Caleb and Norah rescued from their father after their mother (Caleb's cousin) died. Deborah and her sisters then went to live with their uncle Jason and his wife Emma. All of this played out in Beautiful Bad Man and, I never realized, set the stage for this book. Into the Light starts eighteen years later.
Caleb and Norah from Beautiful Bad Man actually have a significant part in this book and it was great to read about them again. It was also interesting seeing Caleb from an outsider's perspective. BBM is from Norah and Caleb's POVs and so you get the perspective from two people with a history as they fall in love. In Into the Light all views of Caleb are from people outside his immediate family and so for once we see him how most people see him - a reformed, still slightly dangerous, hard, reserved man. It was very interesting seeing him from the outside. And kind of funny. The people of Hubbell have come to accept him after so many years of living among them, so that now they view his slightly dark side as almost quirky (i.e. the whole thing about cleaning his rifle before the shooting contest - this won't make sense out of context I realize, but I loved this detail about him)
I think one of the reasons I liked ITL as much as I did was because of Caleb and Norah again. I didn't find Deborah and Trey as lovable as them, and yet a story by Ellen O'Connell is still better than most. Though I didn't fall in love with the MCs, I could still appreciate the thoughtful characterizations of both, but particularly of Judith (the beginning being much stronger than the end IMO).
Different from any of O'Connell's previous books, this one had a mystery element to it, which drove a large part of the story.
Ultimately it was a good story, but not one of O'Connell's strongest. I would recommend anyone reading this to first read BBM (although not necessary, the story is much stronger with the background) or if they already have, to refresh themselves on all of the characters. All of Caleb's cousins and their families reappear in this story, as well as the Van Cleves and other lesser, supporting characters. Things will read a lot smoother with a clear understanding of the Sutton family tree.
I got a little scared in the beginning of this as I had assumed that Deborah was the daughter of Caleb and Norah from Beautiful Bad Man. The revelation that Deborah was molested by her father when she was seven would have turned an amazing hero from one book into the worst kind of villain in this one. Which was traumatizing. Luckily I figured everything out.
Deborah was one of the little girls from Beautiful Bad Man that Caleb and Norah rescued from their father after their mother (Caleb's cousin) died. Deborah and her sisters then went to live with their uncle Jason and his wife Emma. All of this played out in Beautiful Bad Man and, I never realized, set the stage for this book. Into the Light starts eighteen years later.
Caleb and Norah from Beautiful Bad Man actually have a significant part in this book and it was great to read about them again. It was also interesting seeing Caleb from an outsider's perspective. BBM is from Norah and Caleb's POVs and so you get the perspective from two people with a history as they fall in love. In Into the Light all views of Caleb are from people outside his immediate family and so for once we see him how most people see him - a reformed, still slightly dangerous, hard, reserved man. It was very interesting seeing him from the outside. And kind of funny. The people of Hubbell have come to accept him after so many years of living among them, so that now they view his slightly dark side as almost quirky (i.e. the whole thing about cleaning his rifle before the shooting contest - this won't make sense out of context I realize, but I loved this detail about him)
I think one of the reasons I liked ITL as much as I did was because of Caleb and Norah again. I didn't find Deborah and Trey as lovable as them, and yet a story by Ellen O'Connell is still better than most. Though I didn't fall in love with the MCs, I could still appreciate the thoughtful characterizations of both, but particularly of Judith (the beginning being much stronger than the end IMO).
Different from any of O'Connell's previous books, this one had a mystery element to it, which drove a large part of the story.
Ultimately it was a good story, but not one of O'Connell's strongest. I would recommend anyone reading this to first read BBM (although not necessary, the story is much stronger with the background) or if they already have, to refresh themselves on all of the characters. All of Caleb's cousins and their families reappear in this story, as well as the Van Cleves and other lesser, supporting characters. Things will read a lot smoother with a clear understanding of the Sutton family tree.
ela_35's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I liked that this book had more side characters and more things seemed to happen.
These main characters were fine but I think I preferred Cal and Norah.
I didn’t like Deborah’s youngest sister and I didn’t really like her aunt either. The sister was spoilt and everyone let her get away with it. Trey’s whole family was horrible and I didn’t like how they were all sort of excused at the end.
Judith, Deborah’s other sister, was the best character and I would have really liked to see a book about her. She was funny and I liked how she talked with other people.
This book was good but it wasn’t quite what I wanted. I’m curious to read Jamie’s book but I’m a bit worried that I’m not going to like Caroline.
koops333's review
3.0
I really enjoy this author, but I just think the Sutton Family books aren't for me. I DNF'ed the first one and this one just didn't sit right with me on some aspects.
mainly
The story was a little ho hum, but I enjoyed it enough to give it 3 stars.
mainly
Spoiler
how the subject of Deborah's childhood trauma was dealt with. I didn't like that it seemed that everyone knew what happened but kept pushing her to get married anyways. And the fact that Cal called her 'damaged' really sucked. I get it's historical romance, but the idea that everything would be fixed if she just got married was a little to insincere to me- and that fact thats what ended up happening made me feel some type of way...reading that love scene was awkward and felt like she wasn't exactly ready.. so theres that.The story was a little ho hum, but I enjoyed it enough to give it 3 stars.
emmiegreadsbooks's review
3.0
I love love LOVE Ellen O'Connell... but this was not my favorite work by her. I love her great mix of suspenseful scenes and wonderful love scenes. Usually, the characters in her books marry early on and we get to see their love grow. In this story, we get to know the characters individually - and the relationship comes much, much later.
I never really fell in love with the characters in this book. The "click" never really happened for me. I did enjoy getting to see Cal and Norah again, though!
I never really fell in love with the characters in this book. The "click" never really happened for me. I did enjoy getting to see Cal and Norah again, though!
tracity's review
4.0
I didn’t like as much as the first book but enjoyed this, still an author I will explore.