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anamustacho's review
5.0
This was such a sweet, short read. Those grannies were funny.
God, I feel the love; family, friends.
And most importantly..I think I read this at the right time. I'm having a rough time as well and I am trying to figure everything out, just like the main character is. Although, who isn't right? But in this case it is the fase we have to go through when we reach that age.
Truly loved it.
God, I feel the love; family, friends.
And most importantly..I think I read this at the right time. I'm having a rough time as well and I am trying to figure everything out, just like the main character is. Although, who isn't right? But in this case it is the fase we have to go through when we reach that age.
Truly loved it.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
I adore e-short stories! Sarah is a wonderful author (I just discovered with her new book “The Best of Us” (a 5 star), which I read first, so diving into reading her other previous books. (I usually start with new ones which pull me into the author and then start backwards).
Being in the online media world, front covers are a big draw as well as reading works of my favorite authors---especially with e-books, as the crisp colors are so appealing since you do not have the typical print front cover to view. All Is Bright has a feel good, rich front cover just as Love Accidently) especially if you live in South Florida where you never see snow. E-stories are very short-- you can start at midnight, get teased and a “preview” of what is to come, plus they are inexpensive.
The story grabs you from the beginning as Elise who still thinks about her childhood sweetheart Griff, a guy she has dated most of her life and chose not to marry him when he asked as she felt the spark was just not there.
Now eight months later she arrives in her hometown Chicago on Christmas Eve and hears a voice from the past (Griff’s mother) while at the grocery store. (she loved this family and has presents for them). She is so nervous and worse she invites her to their home and gets the news, Griff is engaged to someone else (Isle from Love Accidently, e-short story).
She is in town to see her Nana (love this woman), as laughed so hard---she is in a senior home and there are all sorts of humorous women friends. Elise has a heart to heart with her Nana about how disturbed she is about Griff marrying someone else. (You read about Isle in Love Accidently).
Stepping into Griff’s parents’ home brought back all her memories of her past love. A charming story about coming home for the holidays and discovering all sorts of gifts. Look forward to reading more from this author!!!
Being in the online media world, front covers are a big draw as well as reading works of my favorite authors---especially with e-books, as the crisp colors are so appealing since you do not have the typical print front cover to view. All Is Bright has a feel good, rich front cover just as Love Accidently) especially if you live in South Florida where you never see snow. E-stories are very short-- you can start at midnight, get teased and a “preview” of what is to come, plus they are inexpensive.
The story grabs you from the beginning as Elise who still thinks about her childhood sweetheart Griff, a guy she has dated most of her life and chose not to marry him when he asked as she felt the spark was just not there.
Now eight months later she arrives in her hometown Chicago on Christmas Eve and hears a voice from the past (Griff’s mother) while at the grocery store. (she loved this family and has presents for them). She is so nervous and worse she invites her to their home and gets the news, Griff is engaged to someone else (Isle from Love Accidently, e-short story).
She is in town to see her Nana (love this woman), as laughed so hard---she is in a senior home and there are all sorts of humorous women friends. Elise has a heart to heart with her Nana about how disturbed she is about Griff marrying someone else. (You read about Isle in Love Accidently).
Stepping into Griff’s parents’ home brought back all her memories of her past love. A charming story about coming home for the holidays and discovering all sorts of gifts. Look forward to reading more from this author!!!
jbarr5's review against another edition
4.0
All is Bright by Sarah Pekkanen
What first attracted me to this book is the cover with snow and a woman just sitting enjoying the quiet of the snow falling.
Have read and enjoyed Sarah's other works.
This one is about Elsie and she's home to tend to her grandmother because her father and his new wife are traveling and it's Christmas and she doesn't want her to be alone.
Griffin and her had dated many times over the years and when they broke up she was more sorry to end it with his mother than him.
She does pay his parents a visit and is there when he calls to inform them of his engagement to Ilse. It breaks her heart even more as she arrives at her grandmother's assisted living facility and
the others in her group help her get over the loss. Best of Us is also featured with a sample at the end.
Loved the story and wanted it to last a lot longer...
4 star rating
What first attracted me to this book is the cover with snow and a woman just sitting enjoying the quiet of the snow falling.
Have read and enjoyed Sarah's other works.
This one is about Elsie and she's home to tend to her grandmother because her father and his new wife are traveling and it's Christmas and she doesn't want her to be alone.
Griffin and her had dated many times over the years and when they broke up she was more sorry to end it with his mother than him.
She does pay his parents a visit and is there when he calls to inform them of his engagement to Ilse. It breaks her heart even more as she arrives at her grandmother's assisted living facility and
the others in her group help her get over the loss. Best of Us is also featured with a sample at the end.
Loved the story and wanted it to last a lot longer...
4 star rating
kdurham2's review against another edition
5.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
A short and sweet holiday read that was perfect for the season. It was a simple reminder to treasure those who are near whether they are our true family or a new family that has surrounded you. I have a traditional family that I enjoy celebrating holidays with, but I also have an extended family of friends that I hold just as close throughout the year.
A short and sweet holiday read that was perfect for the season. It was a simple reminder to treasure those who are near whether they are our true family or a new family that has surrounded you. I have a traditional family that I enjoy celebrating holidays with, but I also have an extended family of friends that I hold just as close throughout the year.
bwilhoite8's review
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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
3.0
I really like the writing style of this author. It was real easy to read and kept my interest. The way it finished kinda threw me off but was thought provoking. It was actually a little sad. How you've been in a relationship your whole life with someone to realize they're not the one but you lose the family members that you love.
purrfectpages's review against another edition
This is a hard book to "rate" considering it was so short. Despite its shortness, however, the story managed to pull me in, leaving me wanting more. I suppose this is a testament to Pekkanen's writing. Looking forward to reading more by this writer!
emlickliter's review
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
All Is Bright by Sarah Pekkanen - A soul-searching Christmas time short! Happy Holiday Reading!
sarahelisewrites's review
4.0
A soft Christmas short story about a girl realizing family can be found in other people's homes.
jacque18's review against another edition
2.0
This was a very, very short story - more of lure to get you to read two samples of her forthcoming book. Nonetheless, it was a nice little story, and I'm sold on reading her next book. So, mission accomplished, Ms. Pekkanen.