Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - A Light in the Forest

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

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dmackreads's review against another edition

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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.

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sizzlesteaks's review against another edition

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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

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jacqueline234's review against another edition

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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

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bookmarkedbybecky's review against another edition

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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.

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velsbooknook's review against another edition

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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.

Thank you to Melissa Payne, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

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morethanmylupus's review against another edition

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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.

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