Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by kelly_inthe419
A Light in the Forest: A Novel by Melissa Payne
4.0
When A Light in the Forest opens, Vega Jones is living with her young son and boyfriend Zach. Her mother has died recently, and Vega feels adrift and trapped in an abusive relationship. She musters the courage to leave and heads with her son to the small rural Ohio town her mother left years ago for reasons unknown to Vega.
I liked Vega's character and was happy to see her grow in tenacity and courage in ways she didn't think she had in her. She is supported by shop owner Eve as well as Carl and Mary, and local nice guy Heff. But the community also harbors residents who are extremely (and perhaps stereotypically rural SE Ohio) homophobic and hostile.
I did find some of the writing choppy and repetitive, even a bit preachy at times. The story arc was somewhat predictable as well. But I love stories of found family and second chances, and this one checks that box easily with warmth and tenderness.
Possible triggers: domestic violence, sexual abuse, animal cruelty, homophobia, near-death experience
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my complimentary ebook of A Light in the Forest.
I liked Vega's character and was happy to see her grow in tenacity and courage in ways she didn't think she had in her. She is supported by shop owner Eve as well as Carl and Mary, and local nice guy Heff. But the community also harbors residents who are extremely (and perhaps stereotypically rural SE Ohio) homophobic and hostile.
I did find some of the writing choppy and repetitive, even a bit preachy at times. The story arc was somewhat predictable as well. But I love stories of found family and second chances, and this one checks that box easily with warmth and tenderness.
Possible triggers: domestic violence, sexual abuse, animal cruelty, homophobia, near-death experience
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my complimentary ebook of A Light in the Forest.