kbucheit's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
mariethelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This was so cute! A perfect Christmas read! Im so happy I picked it up during Christmas-break. I love Sierra and Caleb! Also Abby is adorable!
sundeviljewels's review against another edition
4.0
Listened to this, and it is a nice change from 13 Reasons Why. Cute, quick YA read.
wiebkebickel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
brittany_tellefsen's review against another edition
5.0
Rating 4.5/5 but I am rounding up!
Seeing the low average rating for this book hurts my heart a little because I loved it so much! I am actually really surprised by how much I loved this story.
Sierrah and her family own a Christmas tree Farm in Oregon. Each year, after Thanksgiving, they head down to California to sell their trees on a Christmas tree lot for one month and enjoy the company of friends they see only once a year. But this time, Sierra has also started to notice a boy. His name is Caleb and he doesn't have the best reputation, but every instinct she has tells her to give him a chance. Not only does she see beyond his past, she stands up for him to those who have failed to do so themselves and what results is a beautiful and sweet Christmas love story that left me in tears by the end
This books blew me away and was such a refreshing surprise. Though it was quite similar to many YA contempory romances, there were so many marks I felt this book hit wheras many others have missed. But before we get into what this book did right, let's get my one gripe out of the way.
Jay Asher has a habit of creating the most bizarre and unrealistic reasons for drama and strife. That was one of my main complaints with 13 Reasons Why as well. I had a hard time believeing a teen girl would kill herself over many of the reasons he gave.
On a similar note, there are rumors and drama surrounding Caleb because of something he did in a moment of anger. When the "big reveal" happens, it seems both completely out of character but also, not as traumatic as it was built up to be. It was so out of character from the Caleb you come to know fairly quickly that, as a reader, I had a hard time believing it possible. I don't want to spoil anything, but even though what Caleb did was not all that terrible, it seems to show a very volatile and dangerous side to him which he never showed before or after that event. That is why it is hard to believe. And it really didn't make any sense
But ultimately that was my only true gripe. Now the good stuff!
First, can we talk about the setting? How much more Christmas can you get then setting a holiday novel on a Christmas tree lot? I loved that aspect as that is not normally found in books, even Christmas related ones. It added a nice touch and made the book very atmospheric. I could pretty much smell the pine.
Secondly, I found Caleb to be such a charming and sweet cinnamon roll of a love interest. I admit to swooning a bit. When he and Sierra were first getting to know eachother, It seriously brought back my own memories of past relationships where everything is fresh and new. It also reminded me of the pain that comes with a long distance relationship and having to say goodbye to the person you love for an extended period of time. I totally teared up at the end and if a book does that to me, it is a solid read.
I also thought this was a phenomenal example of pretty healthy and present relationsips. Sierrahs parents are together and an active part of her life. This book explores some of the struggles they have watching their daughter fall in love when she will have to leave. She has solid friends both in Oregon and California that completely have her back. And her and Caleb's relationship was respectable as well. They didn't even kiss for the first time until they had been together for a couple weeks.
I have heard people call this book "insta lovey" but I did not get that impression at all. Yes, Sierra and Caleb only have about four weeks together before she has to leave, but they spend a good deal of time together in those four weeks, get to know eachother very well and build a solid relationship in a short period. And again, they don't even kiss for quite a while.
Perhaps I am just looking at this from personal experience. My fiance and I said "I love you" to eachother after a bout of month of dating and we are now three years-in and about to get married. And half of those three years were spent in a long-distance relationship. So anyone who says this was insta-love or not realistic or will never last, obviously have never experienced it.
All in all, I absolutelt loved this short, sweet, heartwarming book. I am so glad I picked this up and recommend for anyone who loves contenporary or holiday romance.
Seeing the low average rating for this book hurts my heart a little because I loved it so much! I am actually really surprised by how much I loved this story.
Sierrah and her family own a Christmas tree Farm in Oregon. Each year, after Thanksgiving, they head down to California to sell their trees on a Christmas tree lot for one month and enjoy the company of friends they see only once a year. But this time, Sierra has also started to notice a boy. His name is Caleb and he doesn't have the best reputation, but every instinct she has tells her to give him a chance. Not only does she see beyond his past, she stands up for him to those who have failed to do so themselves and what results is a beautiful and sweet Christmas love story that left me in tears by the end
This books blew me away and was such a refreshing surprise. Though it was quite similar to many YA contempory romances, there were so many marks I felt this book hit wheras many others have missed. But before we get into what this book did right, let's get my one gripe out of the way.
Jay Asher has a habit of creating the most bizarre and unrealistic reasons for drama and strife. That was one of my main complaints with 13 Reasons Why as well. I had a hard time believeing a teen girl would kill herself over many of the reasons he gave.
On a similar note, there are rumors and drama surrounding Caleb because of something he did in a moment of anger. When the "big reveal" happens, it seems both completely out of character but also, not as traumatic as it was built up to be. It was so out of character from the Caleb you come to know fairly quickly that, as a reader, I had a hard time believing it possible. I don't want to spoil anything, but even though what Caleb did was not all that terrible, it seems to show a very volatile and dangerous side to him which he never showed before or after that event. That is why it is hard to believe. And it really didn't make any sense
But ultimately that was my only true gripe. Now the good stuff!
First, can we talk about the setting? How much more Christmas can you get then setting a holiday novel on a Christmas tree lot? I loved that aspect as that is not normally found in books, even Christmas related ones. It added a nice touch and made the book very atmospheric. I could pretty much smell the pine.
Secondly, I found Caleb to be such a charming and sweet cinnamon roll of a love interest. I admit to swooning a bit. When he and Sierra were first getting to know eachother, It seriously brought back my own memories of past relationships where everything is fresh and new. It also reminded me of the pain that comes with a long distance relationship and having to say goodbye to the person you love for an extended period of time. I totally teared up at the end and if a book does that to me, it is a solid read.
I also thought this was a phenomenal example of pretty healthy and present relationsips. Sierrahs parents are together and an active part of her life. This book explores some of the struggles they have watching their daughter fall in love when she will have to leave. She has solid friends both in Oregon and California that completely have her back. And her and Caleb's relationship was respectable as well. They didn't even kiss for the first time until they had been together for a couple weeks.
I have heard people call this book "insta lovey" but I did not get that impression at all. Yes, Sierra and Caleb only have about four weeks together before she has to leave, but they spend a good deal of time together in those four weeks, get to know eachother very well and build a solid relationship in a short period. And again, they don't even kiss for quite a while.
Perhaps I am just looking at this from personal experience. My fiance and I said "I love you" to eachother after a bout of month of dating and we are now three years-in and about to get married. And half of those three years were spent in a long-distance relationship. So anyone who says this was insta-love or not realistic or will never last, obviously have never experienced it.
All in all, I absolutelt loved this short, sweet, heartwarming book. I am so glad I picked this up and recommend for anyone who loves contenporary or holiday romance.
annaleloe's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
joanasilva_19's review against another edition
3.0
3.5⭐
Tinha este livro na minha lista desde o início do ano, mas como se passa no natal, esperei até Dezembro para o ler para assim entrar no espírito natalício.
"Aquela luz" conta-nos a história de Sierra que todos os anos, após o dia de Ação de Graças vai para a California, para ajudar no negócio de venda de árvores de natal da família, e fica lá até ao dia de natal. Lá reencontra-se com a sua amiga Heather e o namorado desta, Devon, mas também conhece novas pessoas. Uma delas, Caleb, que esconde segredos e tem um passado que ainda o assombra. Apesar de ter todos os sinais para se afastar, Sierra quer saber mais sobre este rapaz. Será que teremos aqui um romance natalício?
Não foi o melhor livro que li, mas ajudou a entrar neste espírito de Natal e esperava um romance fofinho e foi isso que tive. No início, achei o livro um pouco aborrecido, mas mal o Caleb nos foi introduzido, a história ficou bem mais interessante. A escrita do autor também me dificultou a leitura, no sentido em que no início não me conseguiu envolver na história, mas à medida que fui lendo, fui-me habituando.
Foi um livro que não foi mau, mas também não foi assim tão bom. Serve para passar o tempo e para entrar nesta quadra natalícia.
Tinha este livro na minha lista desde o início do ano, mas como se passa no natal, esperei até Dezembro para o ler para assim entrar no espírito natalício.
"Aquela luz" conta-nos a história de Sierra que todos os anos, após o dia de Ação de Graças vai para a California, para ajudar no negócio de venda de árvores de natal da família, e fica lá até ao dia de natal. Lá reencontra-se com a sua amiga Heather e o namorado desta, Devon, mas também conhece novas pessoas. Uma delas, Caleb, que esconde segredos e tem um passado que ainda o assombra. Apesar de ter todos os sinais para se afastar, Sierra quer saber mais sobre este rapaz. Será que teremos aqui um romance natalício?
Não foi o melhor livro que li, mas ajudou a entrar neste espírito de Natal e esperava um romance fofinho e foi isso que tive. No início, achei o livro um pouco aborrecido, mas mal o Caleb nos foi introduzido, a história ficou bem mais interessante. A escrita do autor também me dificultou a leitura, no sentido em que no início não me conseguiu envolver na história, mas à medida que fui lendo, fui-me habituando.
Foi um livro que não foi mau, mas também não foi assim tão bom. Serve para passar o tempo e para entrar nesta quadra natalícia.
khairun_atika's review against another edition
4.0
This is a lovely and heartwarming story about families, Christmas traditions and first love. Sierra has two different homes - one in California and one in Oregon, where she would stay during the festive season to help her parents at their Christmas tree farm. It is a beautiful place to work at, as she watches the true joy in everyone who bought the trees. This is where she meets and forms an inexplicable, instantaneous attraction to Caleb. Caleb and Sierra learn about opening up and trusting others, falling for each other despite the remaining time they have as Sierra has another home to get to. It is a beautiful story to get lost into, full of love and hope.
simone_marie's review against another edition
2.0
I sort of enjoyed this book because it was so realistic. Sierra's family owns a tree farm in California(they live in Oregon) and they stay there during the holidays to run it. While there Sierra meets Caleb who intrigues her at first sight. There relationship progresses though Caleb has a tough past/baggage. I enjoyed the fact that the main characters weren't "cookie cutter" narratives that plague many YA romance novels. Somehow the characters and their relationship still felt unrealistic and far fetched. Caleb wasn't overly romantic or always had the right words to say. This book sounds like at a good idea in theory but when you actually read it you were disappointed. Sierra was annoying because she ditched her friend's play for Caleb, ignored Caleb's past in a concerning way and was immature. I did think that Sierra's parents were kind of annoying and sometimes the plot was slow. Overall don't go out of your way to read this book.
hyebitshines's review against another edition
2.0
Mediocre, bland. Those were the feelings that kept coming to mind as I read *winces*
I didn't understand the attraction between Sierra and Caleb, despite my easily shakable heart. Caleb's "enormous mistake" somehow didn't carry that much of an impact... and I don't know. Everything felt so neat and cut-out. The latter half of the book revolves around unnecessary angst over whether a long-term relationship between Sierra (the ever pessimist) and Caleb (who holds onto Sierra, his true lurve) will e-ver work out. /I think I'm starting to pick up on the little tell-tales of when a male author writes in the perspective of a female./
However, this is a easy read and it did help me through my long and dry reading slump.
Dear Jay Asher, I do like you, I really do. This one just wasn't for me ; u ;
I didn't understand the attraction between Sierra and Caleb, despite my easily shakable heart. Caleb's "enormous mistake" somehow didn't carry that much of an impact... and I don't know. Everything felt so neat and cut-out. The latter half of the book revolves around unnecessary angst over whether a long-term relationship between Sierra (the ever pessimist) and Caleb (who holds onto Sierra, his true lurve) will e-ver work out. /I think I'm starting to pick up on the little tell-tales of when a male author writes in the perspective of a female./
However, this is a easy read and it did help me through my long and dry reading slump.
Dear Jay Asher, I do like you, I really do. This one just wasn't for me ; u ;