2019 IAN Outstanding Fiction Winner for LGBTQ Fiction Not a Cliff HangerHis world was water and rhythm. Hard work and drive kept Royal O’Connell one step ahead of his competition. His spot on the swim team, keeping his scholarship, was the only plan that mattered. His world was ebony and ivory. Natural talent and ambition set Camden Morgan apart from the other music majors. His dedication scoring … the other music majors. His dedication scoring him a full ride.
Normally, their paths would have never crossed….
But when Royal meets his best friend’s new roommate, his big plan and Camden’s controlled environment faces a variable that could destroy it all.
Attraction.
The world they live in had no room for error. That undeniable pull between them was dangerous and neither one of them could’ve prepared for the choice they’d have to make.
Love isn’t always an easy road and, when everything they’ve worked for is on the line, they’ll have to decide if being together is worth the risk.
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This was a really sweet and real feeling MM romance. While there was some drama, the overall feel of the story was easy and sweet. I love how both Royal and Camden’s relationship evolved. It wasn’t easy for them but they both put in the work and that made this a really beautiful read. The secondary characters were also great. I can’t wait to see what’s going to come next. When you read the blurb you get a great sense of that you will get with this story so I’ll end the review by saying that you you are not sure of MM is your thing, give this story a chance. To me it feels like it would be perfect for a first time MM reader. Now I really need to read the series that is about Royal and Indie’s family. They have been on my TBR for ever so this may be the push I needed. 4 stars #2OCCJD
A beautiful love story that has all the feels. You will enjoy it from beginning to end as you follow their journey to over obstacles for their happiness. It pulled at my heartstrings. It’s a amazing read.
AM Johnson knows exactly how to write emotion pure and simple. Let There Be Light is a beautiful telling of two people in love and wanting nothing more than to just be together. This truly stole my breath away.
I’ll be honest and say this might be for everyone considering it’s MM context, which is fine, but if you are at all curious pick this up because at the end of the day AM Johnson wrote the most beautiful story about love and finding yourself even when it’s completely unexpected. I truly believe anyone can relate to these characters and love them as I have.
-Mackenzie.
Beautiful, soul-searing story. You can help but fall in love with both boys: Royal’s courage in his uncertainty, Camden’s yearning to break out of his solitude and the amazing way they complete each other. It was great to see the O’Connell family strong and solid, and so loving I teared up a couple of times. I’ll never forget Royal and Camden
This is Book 1 in the “Twin Hearts Duet” and after finishing this story I will remember it for a long time. I really loved this deep, powerful and moving story!
They say that when you are looking for love, it never comes but when you don’t, it arrives when you less expect it! This is the case between Camden and Royal. Meeting each other will change their lives forever and they will need to discover each other and at the same time, fight with a society that sometimes can be harsh and narrow minded.
This is a wonderful love story with great characters and beautifully written.
I cannot wait to reading the second book in this series!
This is the first book in the Twin Hearts Duet, a spinoff of Possession (Avenues Ink Series). This is the story of Camden and Royal, Declan and Paige’s son (twin of Indie). Their story is so beautifully written, like a poetry, with so much sensitivity. Their chemistry is strong and beautiful. The secondary characters are also great! I love Kai and Indie so much! This story is totally breathtaking. I love, love it! And I love the Epilogue! Now, I can’t wait for the second book in the Duet, Seven Shades of Love, Indie and Kai’s story. I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I am at a lost for words with how beautifully written this story was. It was poetic and effortlessly so that I tumbled down the rabbit hole, one perfect quote after another- absorbing all love and feelings that this book encompasses. I loved how beautifully broken Camden was, watching him flourish while Royal shined his brighter than bright light all over his life. I loved getting to dabbling back in the Avenues Ink world. I read and read and read until I hit the end, enjoying ever minute of it. Then I wanted to beg for more- more of the SPC world, way more Royal and Camden, and way way way more Indie and Kai. Bring on book 2 please.
Words cannot do justice to this beautiful and heart-wrenching love story. I’m just blown away with the intricate layers and sensitive details that were described in this tale. This book will definitely stay with me forever, as it’s made a home in my heart and given me all the feels.
Let There Be Light is a story of two men struggling to come to terms with their attraction to one another. Camden and Royal’s relationship was definitely one I have never read about before. It was unique, it was perfect and it was written just to suit these two characters. Characters with the world against them and the people who are meant to stand by them the most, being the most hurtful. I was just hooked to the very end.
It was my very first read from this author and now I’m sold on her beautiful words that have resonated with me. My emotions were all over the place, from laughing to crying and getting angry and frustrated but overall this love is endless, so it was definitely worth the highs and lows.
A.M. Johnson has truly outdone herself with this story. Her words, the story, everything about it is simply perfect. Watching such a pure and true love develop between these beautiful souls was so wonderful to experience. Royal and Camden captured one another’s heart, just as they captured a piece of mine.
Let There Be Light is one extraordinary and beautiful story, that I won’t soon forget.
(Oh, and let me just say Kai is amazing. I adore that man.)
Let There Be Light is a beautiful story that takes you through the journey of Royal and Camden’s love. Faced with a love that is considered wrong in the eyes of many, they bring you to tears showing us that Love is Love and it doesn’t matter who you love. When it’s real it’s beautiful.
Royal’s parents we meet in the first book of the Avenues Ink Series, Possession. Their story was beautiful and emotional, and getting to see their son and see what an amazing man he has turned out to be also brought out emotions in me that I did not expect.
Camden’s past is one filled with loneliness and meeting Royal set him on a path that brought him not just love but family. They bring the best out of each other and overcome fears of not being accepted. This story is one that completely takes up residence in your heart and won’t ever leave. A.M. Johnson is one of my absolute favorite authors and Let There Be Light is probably one of my top favorites of her books to date.
This book is a MUST read! You will fall in love with this story and these characters and never want this story to end. I CAN NOT WAIT for Indie’s story. LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!!
5 Cranky Stars
Do you hear that? That is my heart releasing a happy sigh. Let There Be Light is a coming of age, finding your true self, and tackling the hatred of the world tale. Camden is an accumulation of all the words that Royal has collected over his lifetime and Royal is the greatest symphony Camden has ever played.
Royal has always had a good life. His parents Declan and Paige have raised their kids in bright colors and love. Royal along with his other half his twin sister Indigo set off to tackle college together. Royal is on a swimming scholarship. All he feels he has time for is keeping his grades up and beating his previous times. He has never truly dated anyone and figured it was a product of comparing everyone to the love between his parents. When he catches a pair of green eyes belonging to the quiet roommate of his best friend Kai he starts to feel the stirrings of something. Royal has never considered he might be gay. He hopes the boy who plays the piano so beautifully is the one he is destined to love.
Camden hasn’t had a good life. Oh, sure on the outside is the perfect family. He attends college for music. His dream is to compose and play piano. He has talent by the truck load, but his parents don’t approve of having a gay son. He hides in his room with his keyboard and just tries to go unnoticed. When Kai brings a friend over, he is drawn to him. Royal makes Camden want to be out and proud, but years of emotional abuse makes him stay hidden. He strikes up a tentative friendship that develops into more. Camden finds himself a better stronger person when he’s with Royal. He explores his true self within the safety of Royals arms. He finds a family he has always wished for in the O’Connell clan.
She has done it again. I believe A.M. Johnson could write me a grocery list and I’d be like yes, this woman is magic. I felt like I slowly fell in love with Camden just how Royal did. Immediately yet slow. This is another slow burn. There is no in your face sex scenes and I felt that was refreshing. I loved the presence of Declan and Paige and how they just went ok we can deal with this as long as our son is happy. I love how Royal is so protective of Indie. It’s not in the typical brother sister way but as a we are soul mates kind of way because after all they are twins. I like how he didn’t struggle too hard with his sexuality. Camden my dear sweet boy you have my heart. His parents need to be pushed off a cliff, but I hold out hope for his dad. I admire Camden and his resilience yet he is broken and just needs to be loved.This book was filled with aww shucks moments, tender kisses and fierce loyalty. I highlighted so many quotes in this book and that is something I hardly do. To quote Royal “You’re kind of perfect” and so is this book.
This book was so well written. Simply amazing. The main characters, Camden and Royal came alive and I fell in love with them both. Their story warmed my heart and sometimes it broke my heart but I wouldn’t want it any other way. They face both acceptance and scorn but they never lost faith in each other. I already miss them and want more Camden and Royal. Read this book. You will not regret it.
Love. Plain and simple, that’s what this book is about. It’s not just about the love of a couple, but also love within a support system…family and friends. Love is hard enough to navigate, add in society’s pressure to be be a certain way and it seems near impossible. That struggle is something Royal and Camden face…together.
This coming of age m/m book was beautifully written. The author’s poetic words really bring this story to life and I swear I could feel what the characters were feeling. It is a book that leaves you sighing at the end and leaves an imprint on your heart.
It’s no secret I like this author’s work, but I was a little nervous about reading this. I typically steer clear of this type because I have a hard time relating to coming of age books. I’m so glad I decided to give it a chance. It made me forget any preconceived idea I had and I quickly got lost in the words. Plus there’s the added bonus of cameos from previous characters. All in all, the writing was stunning and I enjoyed it.
Like with every book that I’ve read by this author,
I like taking my time reading and absorbing
all her words. This book left me thinking and
feeling so many things. One of the the main things
for me is that I didn’t see anything other than love
being just love, no matter what. I think it was
flawlessly done, and sometimes we’re lucky to see the
magic that was created between the words.
Camden and Royal’s story will definitely stay with me.
Can’t wait for “Seven Shades of You
(Part 2 in The Twin Hearts Duet)
AM Johnson does it again with Let There Be Light. I usually don’t read M/M, but this book is written so beautifully I couldn’t bring myself to put it down. Camden and Royal’s story is an exquisitely crafted and emotional story about fighting for love.
In Let There be Light, Johnson tackles a coming of age and sexual orientation plot which brings with it a plethora of deeper thematic ideas. Royal is one of the off to college teens in the O’Connell bloodline. His parents share the love of a lifetime, and his twin sister is his closest confidant. He craves the love he’s grown up surrounded by in his parents and aunts and uncles, but nothing has come across his path to warrant a declaration of love and commitment as he heads off to college.
He’s dated one girl, but they were good friends. The connection was sweet but not everlasting. Leave it to fate when Royal finds the one. The one who makes his heart beat in a way which opens his world to a new set of notes; a color spread which brightens his world. While he was brought up to believe love is love, the world is not as open minded as the arms which welcome him in and make his life whole.
Johnson tackles the elephant in the room and slays the beast when she pens the words behind the story of Royal and Camden. She nailed the stigmas, the societal norms, the judgements, the self-analysis, and more when she danced across each word, each note, and each beat of the best love story of the year thus far. This is the one that captured my soul as a lover, a mother, and a believer that love is the light that guides us all in the end.
“Love sinks its teeth into your heart and you’ll do anything to be its victim.”
And just like love, this masterpiece sunk deep into my heart, forever etching the story of Royal and Camden into my memory. I was slowly savoring this book, completely immersing myself into the charm of every single word, knowing very well from the start that only AM Johnson could deliver such a wonderful and powerful story in such a poetic way. I don’t think there could have been a more fitting title – Let There Be Light is a beacon in the literary world on so many levels. From the inspiring main characters, the supportive friends and family, the amazing relationships as well as the brilliant writing, you cannot help but feel the radiating light beaming from this book.
There is so much more to be said, but nothing captures my thoughts and feelings as well as the simple elegance of AM Johnson’s prose “You’re kind of perfect.” Because this book IS perfect.
This was my first book by A M Johnson. It was absolutely beautifully written. A coming out book if you will.
Royal and Indie who are siblings and twins, go off to college. Royal is a swimmer and on the swim team. Indie is a painter. Royal becomes friends with Kai the swim team captain. Royal meets Camden who is Kai’s roommate. There is an attraction there but neither are sure about it and very unsure if it feels right. Camden is a music major and is all about beats and tempo. Camden is also the quite type. Royal is more into books and big words. Royal finds a way to get Camden out of his shell and interact with other people. They start going places with each other but want to hide their relationship. The attraction to each other deepens. Both are tired of hiding their felling because they don’t want to get kicked out of school. The holidays were coming and kids were going back home. Camden’s parents didn’t invite him home but Royal did. They both finally come out about being gay and a fight starts with another swim team member. My heart was breaking for Camden and the way his parents were treating him. I was really happy he had Royal by his side. A real love story between two men and their being gay. This was truly a heartfelt book that I enjoyed.
Heartfelt and sweet.
A.M. Johnson is on a special list of mine called “Favorite Authors”. She writes beautifully and always presents us with a genuine narrative. From page one I knew LTBL was going to be amazing. Spoiler alert: it was even better!
Royal and Camden’s love story is precious. Their connection, the slow burn, their firsts, it was all flawless. Seeing them falling in love and fighting for who they are, made this one of my favorite reads of this year.
The secondary characters were as captivating as Royal and Cam. Indie, the kindest soul I’ve ever met, Kai with his alpha attitude and Corbin’s lack of filter and poor timing, were also part of what made the first book in the Twin Hearts Duet so extraordinary.
Let There Be Light is a story about love, friendship, family and acceptance, written with so much care, you can’t help but feel protective of those two amazing boys.
I can’t wait for book 2. I can’t wait to feel all warm and fuzzy again. I can’t wait for another book hangover. And I can’t wait for you to read it too.
Royal and Camden. Camden and Royal. GAH!!! There was simply no way I could not be as emotionally invested as I was. These two seemed liked such opposites, but I think that’s what made them fit so perfectly with each other–like slotting into those spaces that would make the other whole. And then there was Indie who may have her own issues to deal with but there’s no denying how much she loved her brother, and the same goes for the rest of the O’Connell clan who I loved seeing again in this book. Let’s not forget Kai Carter, Camden’s roommate and Royal’s team captain and closest friend. I’m sensing a whole lot of angst for both him and Indie in book two, and I’m already getting antsy for it. If I haven’t said this before in my past reviews for A.M. Johnson’s books, this woman’s gift for writing–whether it be fiction or poetry–appears to have no bounds. There’s a lyrical–pun intended–nature to her writing that I live for, and I love that her stories are angsty yet injected with lighthearted moments. Case in point: Let There Be Light, one of the most unforgettable and stellar books of this year. Five-plus stars times infinity.