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lyndi_rivers's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Transphobia
Minor: Animal cruelty
julianairving's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
charlieafahl's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, and Transphobia
darkhorseash's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
I enjoyed this book; the timeline jumps in terms of the narrative didn't feel out of place and felt like they added to the story rather than just exposing all the secrets of it. The characters were quirky but in a way that they felt like real people, not caricatures. My one real complaint was that the final sort of revelation section felt like it wrapped up way too quickly; it would've benefited, I think, from another few pages at least just to be allowed to feel the enormous weight of both the twist and the culmination of the main plotlines. But overall, I found it very well-written and I especially enjoyed Vega's mentality towards Crystal and the people in it changing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Transphobia
dmackreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This is one of those books where everything comes full circle, comes together, and just makes sense. Other than being written in 3rd person, I absolutely loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Transphobia, and Pregnancy
sizzlesteaks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Incest, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal cruelty
jacqueline234's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
bookmarkedbybecky's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What I really enjoyed:
✨Generational Trauma - heavy topics without being heavy-handed.
✨Small Town Vibe - portrayed beautifully as the community pulls together to help Vega! Everyone is “family” in Crystal, OH.
✨Supporting Characters: Eve, Heff, Carl, Betty, and even Tera, all showing different ways of love and support. These characters are the light amongst the darkest of situations, secrets, and trauma.
Overall, A Light In The Forest is a great character-driven novel that blends drama and mystery. The story contains a few topics that could be triggering, so please review before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Domestic abuse, Incest, Sexual violence, and Transphobia
velsbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
4.0
A very beautiful and emotional book about a younger mother fleeing an abusive and toxic relationship in hope of a peaceful new life.
The book was very well written and a lot of thought went into the story. The main subject of the main character's toxic and abusive relationship felt pretty heavy and I was rooting for a better life for Vega and her little baby Riley. The story follows two intertwining timelines which were very easy to follow. Getting to know more about Eve was my favourite part of the story. She was a kind and strong side character and was so supportive of Vega. The whole character cast was diverse and I loved to see some people change their outlook on life.
This was a great book of found family and helping those in need.
The book was very well written and a lot of thought went into the story. The main subject of the main character's toxic and abusive relationship felt pretty heavy and I was rooting for a better life for Vega and her little baby Riley. The story follows two intertwining timelines which were very easy to follow. Getting to know more about Eve was my favourite part of the story. She was a kind and strong side character and was so supportive of Vega. The whole character cast was diverse and I loved to see some people change their outlook on life.
This was a great book of found family and helping those in need.
Thank you to Melissa Payne, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, and Blood
morethanmylupus's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Vega and her baby run away from her abusive partner. She hides in a town her mother once lived in but where Vega has never been. Mourning her mother and scared of her partner finding her, she finds a town of people who become a found family - and some bullies who try to run her out of town.
This is billed as "emotional and suspenseful" but I'd say it was more emotional than suspenseful. It's a beautiful story of found family, what makes us who we are, living and honoring our true selves, and standing up for each other. While there is a mystery at the heart of the novel, that part is largely predictable and felt more like a subplot than the primary focus.
Please check TW on this one - particularly for transphobia.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This is billed as "emotional and suspenseful" but I'd say it was more emotional than suspenseful. It's a beautiful story of found family, what makes us who we are, living and honoring our true selves, and standing up for each other. While there is a mystery at the heart of the novel, that part is largely predictable and felt more like a subplot than the primary focus.
Please check TW on this one - particularly for transphobia.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to review this book ahead of publication. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Transphobia