Reviews

A Light in the Forest by Melissa Payne

jpeace514's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-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? Yes

2.5

carsons's review against another edition

emotional hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

lyreadsbooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

hva's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Transphobia

one_more_book's review against another edition

5.0

This was a difficult read for me, but well worth the extra effort it took. Vega Jones escapes from an abusive boyfriend, taking their two-month-old son, Riley, with her. All she knows is that she has to get far away as fast as possible. The only place she can think of to regroup is from a postcard of her late mother's depicting Crystal, Ohio, a nothing town full of bullies from what little her mother would tell her.

Vega and Riley find not only refuge, but also friends that become family, a town that takes care of its own. These concepts are unfamiliar to Vega as she and her mother were always travelers or vagabonds moving from town to town helping women escape abusive situations all the while never making friends or any connections anywhere.

Throughout this book you read about abusive relationships and sexual abuse which makes it a difficult read. The message that comes through this novel is that there is a light, an end with possibilities and connections one never expected.

positivelyyarnie's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful inspiring sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, and Murder

tayvenshay's review against another edition

adventurous dark reflective tense 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? It's complicated

4.25

nicole83's review against another edition

3.0

It was a good book. It took me a bit to get into it, and it also took me a little longer than normal to read. I knew what was going to happen before getting to the end.

jl_readsallthebooks's review against another edition

4.0

A story about family, community, and support. Told from several character a point of view and bouncing back and forth from 1995 to 2021, we hear the story of trauma and how a young girl, young boy, and community reeled, supported, and grew from it. Somewhat predictable, but great story telling! Book #19 in 2023

meganreads78's review against another edition

5.0

This is my first five star book of the year! This was just incredibly heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time. The characters were all incredibly complex and interesting to read about and the writing was great. I’d definitely recommend this!