From Carpinteria, California, we left.In Arizona, we barely spoke.In New Mexico, I gave him a promise that I knew I couldn’t keep.In Texas, we slept under the stars.In Oklahoma, he told me a story I wouldn’t soon forget.In Louisiana, he gave my soul a voice.Between Arkansas and Mississippi, we took full advantage of an opportunity.In Tennessee, I studied his face.In Kentucky, he introduced me to … face.
In Kentucky, he introduced me to his parents.
In Ohio, he found my heart.
In West Virginia, we drank whiskey and told ourselves that truths are better left untold.
In Maryland, we felt the weight of the night.
In Pennsylvania, his wife called.
And in New York, I asked myself one question:
Would he be able to let me go when it was time?
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It’s hard to say much about this story and not get into a summary. I don’t want to do that. Catherine and Luke’s story is A LOT. It is just so enjoyable to go on this adventure with them, and the writing is simply gorgeous.
This is a discovery story. This is a story about life, and love, and good and bad and ugly. A road trip is an excellent plot device and story driver, and it just is so perfect for this literal character journey.
You will have all the feels. They will not all be good feels. You will close your reading device and stare off into space, trying to absorb and reckon with these words.
Cannot recommend highly enough – each book I read by this author just gets better!
Luke and Catherine’s story is so captivating and REAL!! I haven’t cried this much since Me Before You and that book literally ripped my heart out. I devoured every page of The Light We See, and I still wanted more. This story was about self-discovery, change, life and even in loss you can get more from life than you ever expected.
Outstanding!!
The journey of Catherine and Luke was one that I will soon not forget! The story line itself was one that I will keep in my heart for everything that these two went through especially Catherine having to harbor a secret to protect those she loves was one selfless act on her behalf.
Luke, oh my god this man! After everything he has been through himself and finding his true love was amazing.
The traveling journey from one end of the country to the other was one true experience. Catherine got to find out a lot more than she bargained for about Luke and she found herself mesmerized by this beautiful man. She met a lot of people that were close to Luke and what they meant to him and vice versa.
Prepare yourself for the tears this story will bring you because I’m not kidding, you will have tears.
This is a tear jerker and one that I think you will enjoy.
Wow. Wow. Wow. I’ve read almost all of J. Lynn Bailey’s other books, and have loved them all, but this one? My gosh, this one had my full attention and my whole heart before it was even over. This needs to be made into a movie- and it will end up being one of the greatest love stories. Ever.
I’d heard a lot of positive things about J. Lynn Bailey’s books, and it finally got to the point that I simply had to see it for myself. The thing is, I didn’t see it; rather, I experienced how much of an inspiring author she is, and I have her latest novel, The Light We See, to thank for that. I wasn’t quite prepared for the story that she told between the proverbial covers. With authors I’m more familiar with, I have some idea of what to expect most of the time, but with Bailey being a new-to-me author, I was going in with nothing more than recommendations I’d received and reviews that I’d read and a curiosity piqued by the intriguing blurb of her novel. Not all risks are worth taking, but when it comes to this author and her novel, it was a risk that I have absolutely no regrets of ever choosing to take.
I don’t think I have the words to properly convey how wondrous this novel is. It is, indeed, heartrending, yet very much heartfelt. Luke and Cat’s love story is a reminder, and it’s one that seems to be a continuing theme among my current crop of favorite reads for 2019: It’s not about the beginning or the end; it’s about the journey. When these two meet, they’re nothing more than strangers, but it’s oftentimes the ones you don’t expect to alter the trajectory of your life that end up doing so. While I’m actively stopping myself from divulging too much, I will allow myself to offer up a bit of advice before you start reading this book: make sure you have tissues with you. Trust me, you’ll need them. The Light We See is one of the most unforgettable love stories you will ever read. Five-plus stars.
Luke and Catherine’s journey is so much more than them falling in love. It’s a relationship that we see from the beginning until the bitter end. It’s a journey of their souls. It’s a trip where they fall in love but also learn so much more from their experience.
Two people who we think have nothing in common but are meant to be. Meeting the most important people in Luke’s life along the way gives Catherine another view of exactly who Luke really is.
Just a beautiful story of love, truths, connections and reconnections, forgiveness and soul altering love. J. Lynn Bailey has given us a story that will stay with you forever. A beautiful retelling of these two that broke me and put me back together within the pages of the book.
J. Lynn Bailey is quickly becoming a must-read author for me. No need to even read the synopsis, I just have the faith in her that whatever she writes, I will love.
Absolutely one of my 2019 favorite books!
4 STARS
It’s all about the journey! The journey through the present while revisiting the past. To heal and grieve the life that came before and to welcome what’s left ahead. Wow, this author does an incredible job of keeping me captivated and thinking I know what this book is all about, then…BAM…she catches me off guard. All I can say is this book brought me to tears.
“The light we see,
Meant for you and me.
Pieces of me you put together,
Made me stronger,
Us stronger,
We were made for one another.”
The Light We See by J. Lynn Bailey is a MUST read and will join the ranks of the BIBLIO-ELITE!!!
This was an amazing experience! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book but I sure got more than I bargained for. All I can say without giving away the experience for someone else is to read it. It’s a heartbreaking emotional story that will stick with you for a while. Have tissues and literally”enjoy the ride”.
Thank you for the privilege of reading this book! Well done
“And we forget that love is a verb, not a noun”
This book deserves more than 5 stars…let’s start there….that quote stood out to me and one I will not forget.
I LOVE this book so much! Luke and Catherine are amazing, well written characters. I can’t think of them and NOT cry. My heart still aches at their story….their story apart and their story together. Their story before, during and after. Let that sink in.
I don’t think I have cried as much as I did after reading Standing Sideways. The Light We See will definitely break you, how can it NOT after certain circumstances leave no other way for these characters.
This is where I just break down….it’s the reminder of the Catherines and Lukes out in the world. Once you read this book you’ll understand. I can’t say much without giving away (which I don’t want to do) but what they have to face reminds me that there are people in the real world dealing with what the characters did in the book. It just absolutely breaks me to know there are many Fionas and James out there too. It’s a reminder of the crappy hand lots are dealt.
As I was reading, Luke’s words were so profound that I felt he truly makes an impact with living life, loving hard and laughing out loud. I highlighted certain quotes that touched my heart I felt as if he were speaking directly to me. I only hope it does the same to others.
Catherine, my heart hurts for her. I’m so glad that she was able to find some type of peace with her situation. Her journey was not easy but her survival skills amaze me.
If you’ve read J Lynn Bailey then you’re familiar with her writing style. Her writing in The Light We See didn’t make me feel as if I were reading fiction or romance. I felt as if I were friends with these characters and having a reunion and getting caught up on life. The Light We See isn’t just about 2 characters connecting….no, it’s about forgiveness, acceptance, regrets, love, friendship, family, truths and living. It’s not just about Catherine and Luke but all the other characters we meet along on the journey.
“When you look back on this life, when you’re old and gray, you’ll give yourself the gift of forgiveness.”
And now I’m crying, again
This book deserves more than 5 stars…let’s start there….that quote stood out to me and one I will not forget.
I LOVE this book so much! Luke and Catherine are amazing, well written characters. I can’t think of them and NOT cry. My heart still aches at their story….their story apart and their story together. Their story before, during and after. Let that sink in.
I don’t think I have cried as much as I did after reading Standing Sideways. The Light We See will definitely break you, how can it NOT after certain circumstances leave no other way for these characters.
This is where I just break down….it’s the reminder of the Catherines and Lukes out in the world. Once you read this book you’ll understand. I can’t say much without giving away (which I don’t want to do) but what they have to face reminds me that there are people in the real world dealing with what the characters did in the book. It just absolutely breaks me to know there are many Fionas and James out there too. It’s a reminder of the crappy hand lots are dealt.
As I was reading, Luke’s words were so profound that I felt he truly makes an impact with living life, loving hard and laughing out loud. I highlighted certain quotes that touched my heart I felt as if he were speaking directly to me. I only hope it does the same to others.
Catherine, my heart hurts for her. I’m so glad that she was able to find some type of peace with her situation. Her journey was not easy but her survival skills amaze me.
If you’ve read J Lynn Bailey then you’re familiar with her writing style. Her writing in The Light We See didn’t make me feel as if I were reading fiction or romance. I felt as if I were friends with these characters and having a reunion and getting caught up on life. The Light We See isn’t just about 2 characters connecting….no, it’s about forgiveness, acceptance, regrets, love, friendship, family, truths and living. It’s not just about Catherine and Luke but all the other characters we meet along on the journey.
“When you look back on this life, when you’re old and gray, you’ll give yourself the gift of forgiveness.”
And now I’m crying, again.
I received an ARC copy for an honest opinion.
J Lynn Bailey surpassed my expectations once again.
Be ready to tune everything out; work, food, kids, life. You will not want to put this book down.
The feeling of love in this story will hit your soul. Cat and Luke’s journey fills you with hope, love and heartbreak.
This is a story that completely drags you in, makes you fall in love with the characters and demands you don’t put it down until the last page. THEN, leaves you wishing for more while tears leak out.
This is the Must Read that you will compare all other books to, and find them lacking.
Just when I think J. Lynn Bailey can’t get any better she writes another book. After reading Lilies on Main I thought to myself, this will be my favorite book by her forever. And then I was proven wrong. This book is my favorite now and I will never make the mistake of saying forever because as long as Bailey is writing I fully expect to be blown away by what she comes out with next. The best part? Her writing just gets better and better with every book. This is why I love her so much. She is growing as a writer and the anticipation of where she goes next is exciting.
Everything about this book was just pretty damn perfect to me. The setting, the characters, the feelings. Just everything. This journey was heartfelt, heartbreaking and everything in between. There is sadness, laughter, fear, hope and above all love. Love pours off these pages and grabs on to you without ever letting you go.
If you haven’t given J. Lynn Bailey a chance I don’t know what you’re waiting for. I’m so glad I took that chance and I have a forever auto buy author.
Oh my heart, I am still reeling from this book! I have almost read every book by this author so I knew going in that I would end up in an emotional mess but with a smile on my face. This one had me beyond an emotional mess. I was sobbing so hard at the end, it was to the point that my pups even looked over their shoulders (they didn’t comfort me though). The journey that these two go on is full of discovery, revelations, growth, and everlasting love. Their story is both beautiful and so heartbreaking. Even though this would not have been a book I would normally gravitate to, I honestly can say that I do not regret it.
Wow! This is truly an amazing book!
It’s captivating, sexy, intense
& emotionally moving.
J. Lynn Bailey, never fails to deliver.
Catherine Luke’s story will pull all
your heartstrings.
It’s well-written & has beautifully developed characters with some
intense & incredible scenes.
It will draw you in, from the very beginning,
& keep you reading till the end.
MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!