After surviving a life-threatening illness, Bailey Honeycutt is struggling to find his footing in his life and in his career. With a bold decision to step out of the spotlight, he crosses an ocean to return to school in search of something to fill the void. It turns out it might not be a what so much as a who that can pull him out of the darkness.Brie Freeman is on the five-year plan and, after … and, after one man almost ruined her future, she’s finally back on track. As soon as her degree is in her hands she’ll be free to move to the United States and pursue her dream job as a curator, but she never planned on an encounter with Bailey Honeycutt.
They’ll each have to let go of their pasts to fully embrace a chance at the future, but what happens when the past won’t let go?
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A Captivating & Heartfelt Story & Listen
A Light in the Dark (Survival of the Fittest)
By: Christina Kirby
Narrated by: Emily N. Kirk
Series: The Survival of the Fittest Series, Book 2
This is an amazing story, it grabbed my attention right from the start and captivated it for the entire book. It is my first book written by Christina Kirby and it will not be my last. I enjoyed her writing style and the characters and storylines she created, they are realistic, easy to relate to and connect with. Even though this is the second book of “The Survival of the Fittest” series I was able to enjoy it on its own, all pertinent details were included and I never felt lost or like I missed something. I will go back for the first book only because I loved this one so much and want to know more about the band as well as Oliver Honeycutt and Alexis Hightower’s story. This book is Bailey Honeycutt and Brie Freeman’s story, Bailey’s leukemia is in remission and he is taking a break from the band to attend Oxford University in the UK. It is something he always wanted to do and this may help him get out of the funk he is in. Brie Freeman is in her last semester at Oxford finishing up her graduate program, she also gets to teach a freshman art class. And one of her students is none other than the guitar playing performer who she accidentally spilled coffee. Brie has no time for complications or relationships, she has her life planned out, finish school and head to NY to become a curator, she also has an ex who is blackmailing her. Bailey and Brie get each other, she can not get involved with a student, it would put her career and degree in jeopardy, Bailey knows this and is willing to wait for the semester to end. But Brie’s ex is determined to get what he wants at Brie’s expense, Bailey jumps in to save her but then the unthinkable happens and he winds up running back to the states, leaving it all behind. I loved how everything played out in this book, the story is beautifully plotted with plenty of drama, a touch of angst, some twists, lots of heartfelt and emotional moments and a wonderful romance. I hated that Bailey ran and his thinking that he was doing her a favor by leaving, but I was glad he finally saw the light and the error of his ways. Christina Kirby, thank you for the wonderful story and emotional rollercoaster ride.
And for the narration, Emily N. Kirk is a talented voice artist. She did a nice job portraying the characters, bringing the characters to life and humanizing them, giving each their own distinct voice and personality. She was fabulous performing the different voices, accents and all, as well as capturing the characters emotions which could be heard in her performance. She is an entertaining storyteller and I am sure as she narrates more book her timing, pacing and nuances will get better and better. Thank you for the great listen
ARC received from author for an honest review
Firstly, I love this cover -and I am not usually one to pay much attention to covers at all.
Up until a couple of weeks ago, I had not heard of Christina Kirby. In the past 3 days I have read both books of her Survival of The Fittest series, and have added another author to my long list of series I need more of.
Whilst you could read A Light In The Dark as a stand alone, there is quite a bit you will miss about the main guy Bailey, as a lot played out in A Face In The Crowd – and besides, why would you want to miss any of it.
Carrying on a couple of years after A Face In The Crowd, Bailey’s – and the rest of Survival Of The Fittest – life has changed so much.
I adored Bailey in book one, but boy did I just love him in A Light In The Dark.
I liked that this was not the usual rock star story. It is a rock star “on a break” story, struggling to find what he really wants from life.
Enter Brie. I like her. She has not time for distractions, has her life all planned down to the minutiae.
They are so different, yet so perfect for each other and I couldn’t help but hope for them to be something.
A Light in The Dark was an easy read. It made me laugh, it made me tear up, the characters frustrated me, but made me fall for them.
Beautiful story, wonderful characters, I read this book in one sitting, as I just couldn’t put it down.
Now I am impatiently waiting for the next in this series.