The Light We Lost: Reese's Book Club
The New York Times Bestseller and A Reese’s Book Club Pick
“This love story between Lucy & Gabe spans decades and continents as two star-crossed lovers try to return to each other…Will they ever meet again? This book kept me up at night, turning the pages to find out, and the ending did not disappoint.”—Reese Witherspoon
“One Day meets Me Before You meets your weekender bag.”—The Skimm
“Extraordinary.”—Emily Giffin
He was the first person to inspire her, to move her, to truly understand her. Was he meant to be the last?
Lucy is faced with a life-altering choice. But before she can make her decision, she must start her story—their story—at the very beginning.
Lucy and Gabe meet as seniors at Columbia University on a day that changes both of their lives forever. Together, they decide they want their lives to mean something, to matter. When they meet again a year later, it seems fated—perhaps they'll find life's meaning in each other. But then Gabe becomes a photojournalist assigned to the Middle East and Lucy pursues a career in New York. What follows is a thirteen-year journey of dreams, desires, jealousies, betrayals, and, ultimately, of love. Was it fate that brought them together? Is it choice that has kept them away? Their journey takes Lucy and Gabe continents apart, but never out of each other's hearts.
This devastatingly romantic debut novel about the enduring power of first love, with a shocking, unforgettable ending, is Love Story for a new generation.
“It's the epic love story of 2017.”—Redbook
“This love story between Lucy & Gabe spans decades and continents as two star-crossed lovers try to return to each other…Will they ever meet again? This book kept me up at night, turning the pages to find out, and the ending did not disappoint.”—Reese Witherspoon
“One Day meets Me Before You meets your weekender bag.”—The Skimm
“Extraordinary.”—Emily Giffin
He was the first person to inspire her, to move her, to truly understand her. Was he meant to be the last?
Lucy is faced with a life-altering choice. But before she can make her decision, she must start her story—their story—at the very beginning.
Lucy and Gabe meet as seniors at Columbia University on a day that changes both of their lives forever. Together, they decide they want their lives to mean something, to matter. When they meet again a year later, it seems fated—perhaps they'll find life's meaning in each other. But then Gabe becomes a photojournalist assigned to the Middle East and Lucy pursues a career in New York. What follows is a thirteen-year journey of dreams, desires, jealousies, betrayals, and, ultimately, of love. Was it fate that brought them together? Is it choice that has kept them away? Their journey takes Lucy and Gabe continents apart, but never out of each other's hearts.
This devastatingly romantic debut novel about the enduring power of first love, with a shocking, unforgettable ending, is Love Story for a new generation.
“It's the epic love story of 2017.”—Redbook
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✨ Summarized by Bookclubs AI
Readers say *The Light We Lost* offers a quick, engaging read with emotionally charged themes about love and loss, resonating especially with its 9/11...
3.00 stars. Read this book within 24hrs, so very quick read. The book was engaging and I was more invested after the first part of the book, after when Lucy and Gabe first meet. 9/11 was a strange time for many- there was confusion, anger, hate, sadness, etc- so I give Santopolo a pass here while others may not.
The writing style, more pervasive in the first part of the book, was irritating IMO. It was like reading a elementary schooler trying to write a novel- "you did... i did...". The sentences were short and Santopolo utilized unimaginative basic vocabulary. Not sure that I really liked any of the male characters, love interests, in the book. If these are the men we would need to choose from, then I'd rather be alone... Artificial insemination would be a good option, if I wanted kids.
The writing style, more pervasive in the first part of the book, was irritating IMO. It was like reading a elementary schooler trying to write a novel- "you did... i did...". The sentences were short and Santopolo utilized unimaginative basic vocabulary. Not sure that I really liked any of the male characters, love interests, in the book. If these are the men we would need to choose from, then I'd rather be alone... Artificial insemination would be a good option, if I wanted kids.
Let’s start with the positives:
Quick read
A true storytelling book
And honestly, I need this to be turned into a movie because I already have the perfect cast in mind.
My Gabe:
My Lucy:
My Darren:
Now the negatives (spoilers):
When did cheating become the answer?!?
Luce… 99% of her problems could’ve been solved if she just spoke up! Like, my gosh did she just enjoy living in misery and longing for Gabe?!
Her dream was to be a kids’ TV producer, yet the supposed love of her life offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to travel the world and she declined, only to think about him every day since? MENTAL.
I knew the ending from the start, and as usual, disappointed but not surprised.
And seriously… why is there a second book?!
Quick read
A true storytelling book
And honestly, I need this to be turned into a movie because I already have the perfect cast in mind.
My Gabe:
My Lucy:
My Darren:
Now the negatives (spoilers):
When did cheating become the answer?!?
Luce… 99% of her problems could’ve been solved if she just spoke up! Like, my gosh did she just enjoy living in misery and longing for Gabe?!
Her dream was to be a kids’ TV producer, yet the supposed love of her life offered a once-in-a-lifetime chance to travel the world and she declined, only to think about him every day since? MENTAL.
I knew the ending from the start, and as usual, disappointed but not surprised.
And seriously… why is there a second book?!
no. just no. i had to keep checking where i was in the book and how many chapters i had left bc i was that bored. 1.75 ⭐️
i was very hesitant starting off with this book since it was trying to have this love story while 9/11 is happening. I also didn't like that Lucy was justifying her actions because of Linda. However, i think this book does a wonderful job showing how powerful and beautiful love is. My favorite part of this book is when love was compared to types of fire. Gabe was her wildfire and always will be. Wonderful book and i hope others enjoyed it as much as me.
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