Reviews

All Is Bright by RaeAnne Thayne

bwilhoite8's review

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

4.0

becca1909's review against another edition

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3.5

this was fine didn’t feel very christmassy but was still a cute romance, would have probably enjoyed it more if i’d read the others but didn’t know it was part of a series till 10% in.

katgent's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

loverofromance's review

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hopeful relaxing

4.0

 All Is Bright was such an endearing audiobook that I just fell so quickly in love with. I adored the way that this one was written. Of course, RaeAnne Thayne is always such a fun author to writes, especially for Holiday Romances. I found this story so well and adored the way that it was handled especially in reference to the disabilities that were handled. It was so atmospheric to the Christmas season, so I really enjoyed the way it was portrayed. I had a blast seeing the manner in which this author wrote the romance. The romance that developed between these two was so charming and I was so hooked within their story. While not my favorite from this author, it definitely is a solid Holiday romance to warm your heart! 

snipinfool's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Sage McKnight was a talented architect from California who was hired by Mason Tucker to redesign his home in Colorado. Mason was injured in a helicopter accident that left him using crutches or a wheelchair to get around. Sage and Mason worked on the home for many months requiring extensive changes and sometimes discussions on the best way to achieve what they both envisioned. The home was almost complete. Sage was in town and wanted see the house in person. Sage hoped Mason would be open to featuring his home on her YouTube channel, Homes for All. There she showcased homes she redesigned to fit the special needs of the homeowner. Mason was fiercely private about his and his young daughter's lives and declined. While Sage respected his decision, she didn't stop hoping he would change his mind.

This was book eight in the Hope's Crossing series. I love, love a book series and have read all of this one. Sage and Mason's story was so good. I loved both of the main characters. It was good to touch base some of the others characters from past books. A secondary romance between Taryn and Charlie, characters from a previous book, continued here as well. RaeAnne Thayne's books are always cozy reads to me and this one was no exception. If there are additional books in the series, I will be adding those to my TBR.

kentuckybooklover's review

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emotional inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

5.0

aspiro27's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

3.5

jcwlib's review

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

3.75

allingoodtime's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 This book takes place in Hope’s Crossing and, although not listed as part of the series as of now, it is a continuation of the stories in books 2 and 3, Woodrose Mountain and Sweet Laurel Falls. You don’t have to have read those books to enjoy this story, but if you have read them and wonder whatever happened to the “kids” (young adults really) in those stories, here you go.

Sage takes center stage in this book. There is a bit of Taryn and Charlie and we get some resolution when it comes to the two of them. Their story is important, but not central to this book. My thoughts are the author wanted to give the Taryn/Charlie fans some closure and it was natural to include them in this book in order to do so.

Just like her biological father, Sage is making a name for herself as an architect. She also has a YouTube channel that features the homes she has modified and/or built to help those with mobility issues. She uses any income she generates from that show to help those who cannot afford the modifications they need to their homes. That’s why she’s excited to have a famous pro baseball player in her hometown who hired her to revamp his home to address his new situation. But Mason doesn’t want anyone’s pity and isn’t willing to include his home, even without going on camera himself.

Mason has a lot to work through. He lost his pregnant wife and a good friend in a terrible accident, one he alone survived. On top of that, he has a wonderful young daughter who lost her mom. Here they are almost two years later trying to make a fresh start in a new place. Understandably, he doesn’t want to draw attention to himself, they’ve been through a lot. He underestimates the warmth (and pushiness) of Hope’s Crossing. Soon he and his daughter are fully immersed in this small community, and he’s finding himself looking forward to each new day for the first time in a long time. Most of that is thanks to Sage and her no-nonsense way.

This is a beautiful story filled with sweet romance and new beginnings. Sage has worked through the problems she had throughout the years and has grown into a confident and compassionate adult. That helps her to hold her own when faced with Mason’s ornery side, she knows his bite comes from the pain and loss he has suffered. Yet she won’t let him bully her or make her feel less than when his walls fly back up. This attitude of hers helps to chip at those walls of Mason’s until there is a place for them to meet and agree and fall in love.

I honestly didn’t know I needed a book about Sage, Taryn, and Charlie until I read this story. I’m so glad the author decided to revisit Hope’s Crossing. It was a truly lovely story.

**I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely** 

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