A review by lucymhubbard
The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

emotional sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

I did not like this book. I felt it was gratuitously sad but I might just not be accustomed to this type of book. I thought both Darren and Gabe were very flawed but ultimately as a reader I felt let down that most of the book focused on the romance that felt secondary and less exciting. I'm going to spoil stuff so if you are reading this review having not read the book maybe avoid. Gabe obviously valued his career and that's why he couldn't prioritize their relationship, and as much as that hurt it is better he do that than drag her along and compromise her dreams. He valued her so much more as a person, with passions and aspirations, than Darren did. Darren wanted a wife and she just fit the bill for him. Personally, I do not believe love exists without respect, and Darren does not respect her. He did not respect her job and expected her to be this wifebot and while we kinda move on from that in the book I don't think he ever grew away from that. I wanted the narrator to have more self respect, maybe I am being hard on her but she took Darren's disrespect in stride when I really think it should be a deal breaker. Gabe says his parents divorced because his dad did not respect his mother's career and passions, and he says he would never do that to Lucy. But Lucy lets Darren do that to her. I don't know if this was an intentional on the author's part or not. I think this whole idea of passionate first love and stable lasting love is very depressing. Maybe because I am young and I don't know anything abt love. But Lucy settles big time for a guy who doesn't actually value her as a person, and that is not settling for a stable lasting love!!! That is settling for a dumbass investment banker who doesn't respect women. I am leaving a long review bc I have a lot on my mind while reading this book. Don't let me discourage you from reading. If you like these tearjerker books I am sure you will eat this up, I felt like it was disappointing in a lot of ways. I felt like we spent most of the book focusing on love story between people who don't actually love eachother and probably shouldn't have gotten married.  I am disappointed  in Lucy, we are name twins therefore we share a certain kinship, she should have cheated on Darren more. She should have dated that hot scientist guy. She should have found a new man every time she left the house. She should have hooked up with Gabe whenever he was in the same continent as her. Lucy you could have been slanging but you stayed with Darren who I don't like for you. Sorry this is long, I had a lot to get off my chest.