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What Light by Jay Asher is such an amazing Christmas book! The story is all about a girl who spends a bit of time every year working on her family’s tree farm. The setting is so original and really triggered some memories for me, and there are some moments in the book that are a little more serious. I absolutely loved this book and would consider it a must-read for the Christmas season.
Title: What LightAuthor: Jay Asher
Publisher: Razorbill
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: October 11, 2016
Rating:
Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it's a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other.
Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life eclipses the other.
By reputation, Caleb is not your perfect guy: years ago, he made an enormous mistake and has been paying for it ever since. But Sierra sees beyond Caleb's past and becomes determined to help him find forgiveness and, maybe, redemption. As disapproval, misconceptions, and suspicions swirl around them, Caleb and Sierra discover the one thing that transcends all else: true love.
What Light is a love story that's moving and life-affirming and completely unforgettable.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Book Review: What Light by Jay Asher
What Light is the perfect festive story. This book is about a girl with basically two different lives: her normal life and her life at her family’s Christmas tree farm during the holidays. I loved reading about Sierra’s different friends and lifestyle over Christmas and what it’s like to have a Christmas tree farm. Though getting to go up north each holiday season, may seem like fun, Sierra can’t really get attached to anyone since she’s only there for a short time. Things get very dramatic, which pretty heartbreaking, yet entertaining.
❀ Christmas Tree Farm Setting
I adored the Christmas tree farm setting in What Light! Something about tree farms is just so magical and really gets me in the festive mood. Reading about the hot drinks and the constant smell of trees made me wish it was December already. This setting is also very original, since I certainly haven’t read any book set on a tree farm like this one.
❀ Second Chances Theme
Although What Light is a Christmas story, there are still some darker aspects in the book. There is a big theme of second chances and not judging someone based on rumours. I really enjoyed this since the drama and conflict make the story more believable. Not everyone’s holidays are 100% cheerful and this book really demonstrates that. If you are the kind of person that prefers a little more serious contemporary, this is the book for you.
❀Perfect for Winter
What Light by Jay Asher is a Christmas book about life on a tree farm during the holidays. I loved the original setting and the more serious topics in the book. This is the perfect book for the upcoming winter season and I would definitely recommend it.
About Jay Asher
Jay Asher‘s debut YA novel, Thirteen Reasons Why, has appeared regularly on the New York Times bestseller list for the past nine years. It has sold over 2.5 million copies in the United States alone and is currently in production to be a 13-part series on Netflix. His second YA novel, The Future of Us, was coauthored with Printz Honor winner Carolyn Mackler. He is also the author of What Light. His novels have been translated into 35 languages.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ Canadian YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, & professional bibliophile.
I can’t read your review because I haven’t read my ARC yet, but I wanted to see your rating. I’m glad you liked it. I’ll be back to compare notes! 🙂
I am sure that you will love it! I have done the same thing. I like to know ratings, but save review reading until I can form my own opinions. <3
Great review! I really loved this book. It was just what I needed.
It really is such a fun and lighthearted book! <3
I’ve never really read a Christmas novel but I love the sound of this one😊
This one was just plain sweet, even with the darker back story. It is definitely the perfect holiday read!
I couldn’t agree more! <3
I’m so glad you liked it. This is one of my most-wanted ARCs, so if you didn’t like it, I’d be crushed.
I hope you love it too! <3
Great review! I like the setting too and it sounds like a really good read.
Caleb sound like one the unfortunate people that is on the wrong side of anger.
The cover grabbed my attention, and then when i heard it was from the author thirteen reasons why i knew id probably be very intrigued by the plot. thats for the review, it definitely sounds good!
That cover is so perfect, isn’t it? I am certain that you will enjoy this book as well! 🙂
This sounds really good. I have read Thirteen Reasons Why which I liked, but was so disappointed with The Future of Us so have been wary of trying another.
I hope that this is one book that you enjoy, Sue! 🙂
I enjoyed this book, too! I especially liked the fact that it took place on a Christmas tree farm. So fun.
I have this one on my tbr; I love books set around Christmastime!
Nice book cover and the book sounds interesting.