brittneybrusso's review
4.0
A cute and harmless teenage love story perfect for Christmas. I read a review that said it was like reading a Taylor Swift story... and that does describe it pretty well.
klarisse_13's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
sunsess's review
3.0
This was like a fanfic author's first attempt at an original novel. What I mean to say is that it had the heart and soul of a really good story, I laughed at parts and gushed my heart out at others, but this was missing a lot of the mechanics. I found the time skips spent no time establishing themselves, the author focused on minute descriptors, and a lot of the thoughts and opinions of the characters were bluntly stated through the main character's narration. The main character actually got a lot of unwarranted focus besides that. A lot of the plot points were resolved the same way: with Sierra having one more argument with the other characters till they relented.
But, as I said, it was a sweet read! I kind of wish the story had focused more on Devon and Heather's relationship, but this isn't a critique. I just really liked them and their dynamic. I didn't see the ending coming but I was so happy for it!
Two and a calf out of five cows. Maybe three. I'm undecided. I tend to be harsh when it comes to technical critiques. Not that I have any right to, as editing is my Achilles heel, but tis what it tis.
But, as I said, it was a sweet read! I kind of wish the story had focused more on Devon and Heather's relationship, but this isn't a critique. I just really liked them and their dynamic. I didn't see the ending coming but I was so happy for it!
Two and a calf out of five cows. Maybe three. I'm undecided. I tend to be harsh when it comes to technical critiques. Not that I have any right to, as editing is my Achilles heel, but tis what it tis.
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
2.0
Finished reading: December 23rd 2016
“People think what they want. That's what I've had to accept," he says. "I can fight it, but that's exhausting. I can feel hurt about it, but that's torture. Or I can decide it's their loss.”
Spoiler
I realized the other week I had been completely neglecting my Holiday themed reads this year, so this is me making up for that. I didn't have too many Christmas themed stories on my TBR pile, but I've seen What Light around and I decided to give it a go. I read Thirteen Reasons Why last year and I was thoroughly impressed by it, so I had high hopes for this story as well. Unfortunately, I ended up being quite disappointed by What Light even though I should have known the purpose of this story would be completely different. I couldn't help but feeling What Light was basically a whole lot of cheesiness, cliches and drama wrapped in shiny paper and Christmas lights to make it appropriate for the Holiday season. I liked the idea of the Christmas tree lot and the family returning to it every year. The prose was also easy to read and the pace is quite fast. But there was just SO MUCH DRAMA everywhere! It almost felt like an overdose, and not in a good way. Part of the problem might just be me though, and I'm sure contemporary romance fans will probably enjoy the story a lot better than I did. Just make sure what you sign up for...
Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Orgeon, and every year they pack up and move to California to sell their trees during the season. Sierra spends most of her time in Oregon along with her two best friends, but whenever she is in California her life is completely different. She has another best friend there and it means that leaving one place always means missing the other... And this particular Christmas, something else will complicate her situation even further. Sierra meets Caleb at her Christmas tree lot, and even though her best friend had initially encouraged her to date, she doesn't seem to approve of Caleb... Are the rumors around Caleb's past true?
If you are looking for a sappy and drama-filled Christmas read, you will probably enjoy What Light a lot better than I did. It is quite fast-paced and easy to read, but I personally found there was just too much drama going on for it to be a feel-good Christmas read. It just all felt a bit too exaggerated and I'm not sure up until what point it was actually credible. I have to confess I didn't connect to the characters either... It might have just been me, but unfortunately I wasn't a fan of this story.
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
charmaineac's review
4.0
What a cute story! Sierra and Caleb had such a sweet romance. This was a classic first-love story.
I was pretty surprised because I expected something weighty like Thirteen Reasons Why. It's been so long since Jay Asher has been on the scene, and I didn't expect something so light and fluffy! But really, you'd have to be a grinch not to enjoy this story.
My main gripe was that Caleb and Sierra didn't really go through any major trials and tribulations. She heeded all warnings. They had a dark cloud over their heads, but *poof* it was gone in an instant. What happened to them? There was so much build up about the future, and we never got to see it. Their families were great, they were super into each other, and had great friends.
Also, Heather and Devon's relationship annoyed me. Gurl, you need to be honest with yourself! And dude, don't send such mixed messages. It's such a shame to think about the relationships that fall apart because people don't try.
That trampoline scene though? That was everything I never even realized I wanted. :)
I was pretty surprised because I expected something weighty like Thirteen Reasons Why. It's been so long since Jay Asher has been on the scene, and I didn't expect something so light and fluffy! But really, you'd have to be a grinch not to enjoy this story.
My main gripe was that Caleb and Sierra didn't really go through any major trials and tribulations. She heeded all warnings. They had a dark cloud over their heads, but *poof* it was gone in an instant. What happened to them? There was so much build up about the future, and we never got to see it. Their families were great, they were super into each other, and had great friends.
Also, Heather and Devon's relationship annoyed me. Gurl, you need to be honest with yourself! And dude, don't send such mixed messages. It's such a shame to think about the relationships that fall apart because people don't try.
That trampoline scene though? That was everything I never even realized I wanted. :)
pollyroth's review
I am struggling to connect this version of Jay Asher with the Asher who wrote [b:Thirteen Reasons Why|29844228|Thirteen Reasons Why|Jay Asher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496655158s/29844228.jpg|2588213]. Thirteen Reasons Why was packed with emotion and tear-inducing scenes between characters who defied their stereotypes. What Light is...well none of these things. It's just so extremely cliche, I'm having trouble wrapping my mind around it. A 16-year-old girl falls for the guy with the bad rep, all while knowing she'll only have a month with him? Nothing original, nothing interesting, nothing exciting. To be fair, if you read the summary, that is what is advertised. But I expected more of Jay Asher...
ninjaduck2000's review
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
cmercedes51's review against another edition
5.0
I think I enjoyed this more than his other book, [b:Thirteen Reasons Why|29844228|Thirteen Reasons Why|Jay Asher|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1496655158s/29844228.jpg|2588213]. It was light-hearted with a great backstory. Sierra is from a evergreen tree farm in Oregon, working with her family that sells their trees each holiday season in California. It is a tradition that she loves, although each year she misses her friends back home. This year is unique, because there's a chance they may not go back to California the next year. Sierra does her best to make this the most memorable holiday yet... and then she meets Caleb. Caleb is an attractive boy with a past... who buys Christmas trees. Yes, trees in the plural form.
The book was cute and romantic and funny, but I also read some sad parts too. I enjoyed the characters and the family that Sierra comes from. Her parents were sweet and caring and her friends were great.
The book was cute and romantic and funny, but I also read some sad parts too. I enjoyed the characters and the family that Sierra comes from. Her parents were sweet and caring and her friends were great.
kemendraugh's review
2.0
Welp I came here hoping for some fluffy Christmas times and boy was I disappointed. It was so CLOSE? Hence two stars instead of one. But hey now let's not just assume it's everyone else's problem they're worried your bf
I'd feel a lot better if Caleb had continued being in some anger management therapy. We all have off days. We don't all grab a knife to attack an eleven year old.
Also you're a bad friend, Sierra.
Spoiler
ATTACKED HIS SISTER WITH A KNIFE because it's been YEARS since he did that so he's totally changed, right?I'd feel a lot better if Caleb had continued being in some anger management therapy. We all have off days. We don't all grab a knife to attack an eleven year old.
Also you're a bad friend, Sierra.
cammaleahh's review
5.0
Loved the characters and the plot. His book really got me into the Christmas mood. I highly recommend this book if you want to read something short,cute and sweet during the holidays.