A review by izasballad
Blue Light Hours by Bruna Dantas Lobato

2.0

“Blue Light Hours” is a quick and heartwarming story about a Brazilian woman navigating her first year in America, while staying connected to her mother in Brazil through Skype calls. It delves into the themes of loneliness and adulthood, and the evolving mother-daughter relationship all held promise.

I wanted to like this book– I was excited about the premise of the book. I wouldn’t say this is a bad book; it just lacked depth. While I enjoy reading mundane narratives and melancholic slices of life, this book felt flat. The characters, despite the focus on their connection, felt one-dimensional. The dialogue between them that was intended to be natural came across as forced rather than authentic. The complexity of mother-daughter relationships and the inner turmoils of the characters could have been explored better. While the prompts did spark a reflection on the importance of the small moments– the mundane– in our lives, it didn’t deliver the emotional depth I wanted. Nevertheless, I am still excited to explore more books written by the author in the future. This book will be out on October 15, 2024. Thanks to Netgalley, Grove Atlantic, and the author for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review!