Light of the Fire: A Novel

by Sarahlyn Bruck

In this heartrending story about healing from past mistakes, two estranged friends face the twenty-year-old accident that forced them apart—and the consequences of the secret that still haunts them.

Twenty years ago, an out-of-control prank ended in an accident that destroyed the high school gym and threatened the futures of star athletes Beth and Ally. They move on with their lives carrying their secret while someone else is blamed, but the years reveal that no one truly comes out unscathed.

Now, both women are at a crossroads: Beth returns to her hometown after a concussion ends her professional soccer career, and a surprise pregnancy disrupts Ally’s idyllic family. The only thing either of them are sure of is their desire to mend their estranged relationship.

But the old friends aren’t just battling new problems when their former classmate Jordan begins to investigate the crime for which his father was convicted. As their secret comes back around to threaten their futures once more, Beth and Ally will have to decide whether to run away from the truth again or face it once and for all..

Genres: Fiction, Contemporary

Audio CD

First published January 23, 2024

About the author

Sarahlyn Bruck writes contemporary, book club fiction—slice-of-life stories with heart and humor centered on friendships and family. She is the award-winning author of three novels: Light of the Fire (2024), Daytime Drama (2021), and Designer You (2018). When she’s not writing, Sarahlyn moonlights as a full-time writing and literature professor at a local community college. Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, she now lives in Philadelphia with her family.

For the latest book news, events, and announcements, check out her website and subscribe to her newsletter. Follow her on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky at @sarahlynbruck.

Reviews

[Jordyn Roesler | Sorry, Booked Solid · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ahh, man... I wanted to enjoy this book! I was really intrigued by the premise and was hoping to find a hidden gem of an emotional book to recommend... but my enjoyment just decreased further and further as I continued the book. Again I think the premise is good and the characters were interesting to read about - but nothing. happened. From page 1 we know exactly what happened 20 years ago and what secrets each character has been keeping, so it was a really anticlimactic experience waiting for the other characters to catch up and all of the secrets to be revealed to each other. Once they were, the way everyone reacted seemed unrealistic and blown out of proportion for a relatively low-stakes situation. This book reminded me of The Dilemma by B.A. Paris, so if you enjoyed this one then you may consider giving this a try. But if you disliked that one, then stay far far away from this book!

Featured in this reading vlog: https://youtu.be/yEPQ2h79HGM?si=RrkSY...

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light of the Fire is a compelling novel of redemption and remorse. Twenty years ago, Beth and Ally pull a prank at school that inadvertently has devastating results. There is property damage, but there are also ramifications for another family, causing pain and heartache. Twenty years later, Ally remains in their hometown, building a new life with her family; while Beth has been playing professional soccer. An injury to Beth that curtails her career, along with a health crisis, sends Beth back to the place she has spent her life avoiding. Now, they’re each at a crossroads, when the events from two decades ago come back to haunt them. Beth and Ally are complex characters whose lives have been challenging, and they are at a crossroads with their own consciences as well as their friendship as they embark on a path that is likely to have tragic repercussions. I liked that the author didn’t sugarcoat their guilt and their uncertainty. They each have a lot at stake if the truth comes out—but are they brave and strong enough to deal with the consequences of not only their actions, but also the lies they’ve told for so long, and that they continue to tell? This is a complicated story, with so many factors swaying the difficult decisions to be made.

[Lauren Parvizi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A touching story about the power of friendship, Light of the Fire follows two former high school best friends as they reunite in adulthood and finally face the ripple effects that followed a devastating choice they made as teenagers. There’s an appealing combo of soccer, nostalgia, family, small town vibes, and romance, too, but at its heart, this is a book about facing our mistakes. Bruck’s
characters remind us that sometimes taking responsibility requires forgiving ourselves first.

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: LIGHT OF THE FIRE
AUTHOR: Sarahlyn Bruck
PUB DATE: 01.23.2024

I love a good story about redemption and amending past mistakes, and Bruck’s latest LIGHT OF THE FIRE is a heartrending story through the point of views of three people -Beth, Ally, and Jordan. It’s about past mistakes, friendships, families, and owning your truth and being given a second chance. I found the story enjoyable and a quick read that I enjoyed over a weekend.

[Amanda Alviz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A heartwarming story about mistakes, friendship, love, family and redemption. Told from 3 perspectives of Beth, Ally, and Jordan we find out what it’s like to tell the truth and be given a second chance. I loved the friendship between Beth and Ally. The small town feel of the setting added a nice touch to the storyline. The romance between Jordan and Beth is raw and emotional. A really enjoyable story about second chances and forgiveness.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping novel about two best friends who made a terrible mistake as teenagers and then tried to bury the past, which also meant burying their friendship. I was drawn in by the relatable characters and layered plot, which includes romance, mystery, and an exploration of the subtle scars left by untold secrets.

[Christy Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

There was a lot going on in this book and it was a real page turner for me. It worked well for the story to be told in three POV and each character’s story was compelling. Beth and Ally were best friends for many years then estranged for many years and it’s amazing that they could both keep such a big secret for nearly 20 years. I love a good second chance story and was glad for the friends to be reunited. The writing was wonderfully descriptive and I could clearly picture and almost feel the small town dynamics.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC from Lake Union Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I appreciated the honesty of this story. Ally and Beth’s friendship, and the family dynamics were my favorite parts of the novel. I do look forward to reading more from Sarahlyn Bruck.

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light of the Fire is a powerful story about second chances, friendship and redemption. An enthralling and moving story with well developed characters with a touch of suspense that it was impossible to put down.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝗲 by Sarahlyn Bruck released January 24, 2024.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...

[Karen Miles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Sarahlyn Bruck, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for an ARC of "Light of the Fire" in exchange for my honest review.

Beth and Ally, best friends and teammates, are the only two females on the high school soccer team. Facing bullying and harassment from the other members of the soccer team, they plan a prank that ends up destroying the school's gym and the lives of the janitor, falsely accused of the crime. Beth and Ally choose to keep the secret of what truly happened and move on with their lives.

Twenty years later, Beth and Ally are estranged but meet up again when Beth returns home after a forced retirement from professional soccer and to take care of her father with a debilitating stroke. Ally, a mother of two, with a new live-boyfriend, has been successful in building up her own company..never revealng their 20 year old secret. Enter Jordan, son of the janitor falsely accused, who is managing his estranged father's care due to onset of Alzheimers. Jordan begins to investigate the school's gym destruction to provide justice to his father whose life was ruined when he was falsely accused.

Told in three POVs (Beth, Ally, and Jordan), this book deals with issues of friendship, family, new love, guilt, and being accountable for own actions. Overall this book was enjoyable. I did not feel a strong connection to Beth and Ally, mostly as I could not feel that these women were truly sorry for the damage they caused to not only the school but to the man's life who was destroyed. The ending of the book felt rushed and did not provide enough of a tie-up to feel the book resolved its intention.

[Debbie Rozier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this drama that had a little suspenseful feel to it.

The book is told in three points of view (Beth, Ally, and Jordan) and divided into three parts (three consecutive seasons)

The book really deals with friendship, family, and how secrets from the past can catch up to you. Beth and Ally accidentally burned down their high school gym during a prank gone wrong in 1999 and the school’s custodian gets the blame. The two girls have always kept the secret.

Twenty years pass and Beth has moved away to become a soccer star. Her career has ended and she has to unexpectedly return home because her dad has had a stroke. Ally never left town and has started and run a successful travel soccer league all while being a single parent. She has a new relationship and now a baby on the way.

Jordan went to high school with Beth and Ally and his dad was the school custodian during the fire. Jordan is a reporter. Even though he has been estranged from his father; he now feels like his dad didn’t accidentally burn the gym down. Jordan begins his own investigation which puts Beth and Ally on edge.

I think the most interesting part of the book is that the root of the fire happens because Beth and Ally are the only two girls on their high school soccer team and are bullied by the boys. The fact that there wasn’t a girls team for them to play on in 1999 blew my mind.

I also thought the suspense building to see if Jordan would find out what actually happened about the gym fire enhanced the other dramatic elements to the story. Beth finds a love interest in Jordan which just keeps the story layered.

[Kendra Gaines · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
I’m a sporty girl and even though I’ve never played competitive soccer the premise of this story intrigued me. The best friends going their separate ways and then reuniting was a great call by the author- it really made you want to root for the healing of their relationship. The hint of mystery that the fire investigation added bumped it up a star for me too. The only criticism I have is how things ended I felt there should have been a bit more conflict from the community.
Overall a fun book that I really enjoyed reading.
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story line. Great discussion book-
How do the bad choices we make when young affect our futures?
How long do you keep a secret, until the secret owns you?
Honesty, transparency, and how that impacts relationships.

[Lynette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! It’s a story about two friends with a long-held secret. The secret has serious repercussions on the lives of others. I couldn't put it down!

[Sarah Bowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is told through the eyes of Beth, Ally, and Jordan.
Beth and Ally, the only girls in their high school's boy soccer team accidentally set a fire that burns down the school gym and Jordan's dad, the janitor, is blamed.
Now 20 years later when Beth's dad suffers a stroke, she reconnects with Ally in their hometown.

There's not much mystery as we find out early on what happened, but what I loved about this book was how each woman eventually owns up to the truth. It's heartbreaking but also understandable of how the town reacts to the truth. Even though the circumstances are not great, I liked to see these two reconcile. I also was heartbroken at how Jordan's poor Dad was treated when it couldn't even be totally proven at the time where the fault laid and even more so knowing he's now suffering from Alzheimer's.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book about two friends who accidentally started a fire when in high school. Ally and Beth kept their secret for over 20 years. Beth comes back to town when her Dad has a stroke. So much happens from that point on.
While I enjoyed the story I did think it was a bit slow moving. It felt like too much time was spent in their heads. It did seem rather unfair that more didn’t come out as to what was really the cause of the fire.

[Likestotravel · Rating 4 out of 5]

An emotional book of life, change, regret, parenting, caregiving, love and deception. Light of the Fire has it all! An enjoyable but tormenting read of how young lives go wrong and find paths back to good.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Sonya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book speaks to anyone familiar with high school drama - regardless of interest in sports. Well developed, relatable characters with realistic family challenges and successes. A great story.

[Marina Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2⭐️

This book at first for me was kind of interesting but not at the same time, and then I got to 40% in and this book had me sucked in! This book made my anxiety rise, had me smiling at my kindle, and I even started crying at the end!

I honestly feel like I need another book to this 😭 I need more!! I need to know what happens next, how they go on! I need itt 😫

[maureenmanns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

I really enjoyed this book could put it down a wonderful story from the very beginning to the very end worthy of five stars.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

The storyline was great! But what didn't work for me was that there were too many characters with their own chapter.
The cover of the book was absolutely beautiful and the title itself was what made me want to read it.
A wonderful plot that kept me going because I wanted to see what the outcome would be for Beth and Ally.
What I also liked was how the author shows us how a prank can be not so good that hurts other people.
It can also follow you for the rest of your life. That's how karma is.
It will eat eat and eat at you until eventually it wears you down.
Forgiveness is the main theme of this story. Forgiving yourself is the first step in moving forward.
I loved Jordan. He was my favorite character. He's proof that people can grow and change if we let it by forgiving others even though it's very hard at times or not at all.
Again, I just wish this story was written straight through instead of different characters' POV. It can get confusing. I feel like when u get into Beth's storyline real good then we jump over Jordan's or some other character. For this reason I'm giving it 4 stars. I still will recommend it to others.
My thanks to Netgalley and Lake Union for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Giselle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read with deep themes.

[Linda Zagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sarahlyn Bruck , the Author of “Light of the Fire” has written a memorable, intense, and thought-provoking novel. The genres for this well-written novel are Contemporary Fiction, Family and Friends and Fiction, with a feeling of suspense. I appreciate how the author emphasizes the danger of past secrets, and how this can affect the past, present and future. This is also a novel about second chances, forgiveness, loyalty, betrayal, communication honesty, and searching for the light of the truth. Life is an adventure where you have to make peace with the past, to deal with the present and future.

The author vividly describes when the two main characters were coming of age, and years later when they were adults. The characters are described as complex, complicated, and confused. Beth and Ally were best friends in High School, and shared their love for soccer. Some of the boys feeling intimidated with the girls being on a team, would taunt and tease them, and locked them in one of the closets, until a custodian freed them. Twenty years ago, there was a fire in the high school gymnasium, and someone is blamed. Only Beth and Ally know what really happen, and keep it a secret. The two friends become estranged for years.

In the present time, Beth has a serious concussion which may end her professional career in soccer. Her father has a stroke and she has to go back to her home town. Ally has two teenage daughters, a boyfriend, and some unexpected news. Both women become friends again, and realize when another student, Jordan, a Journalist comes to town to find out the truth about the fire, they have make a decision about the past.

I highly recommend this emotional and thought-provoking novel to others.

[Roberta Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the beginning we know the defining event in three peoples lives.

From these three people we learn how the event affects them during the twenty after.

The book deals with the people in the middle of their lives…at a point when each is faced with a major change…dealing with an aging parent, lose of a career, new relationship, raising and birthing of children.

After living with a lie, a reveal, the aftermath, and life goes on.

We all have secrets maybe not of this magnitude but they haunt us. This book deals with how we go on with life.

[MELISSA CORTEZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

GREAT STORY

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story of true friendship, forgiveness and honesty. Everyone deserves a second chance.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story, you quickly get to know main characters. 2 young women must deal with their past, raw emotions tell the story

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. Two estranged friends get back in touch after twenty years. Beth has a season ending concussion from soccer and comes back to her hometown to care for her father who has a stroke. Ally, her best friend, in high school is divorced with 2 teenagers and never left their hometown. Ally and Beth were the only 2 girls on the boys soccer team in high school and endured many pranks from the boys on the team, Jordan was the ball boy on the team. The story is told by Beth, Ally and Jordan’s point of views.

This would make a wonderful bookclub discussion book about mistakes, consequences, secrets, friendship, redemption and acceptance. Can you tell the truth or keep secrets?

Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Sarahlyn Bruck for the arc copy of this book for my honest review.

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a story of secrets, consequences, and finally redemption for estranged friends Ally and Beth. What they did twenty years ago has come back to haunt them and it was really interesting seeing the long term effects of a teen prank gone horribly wrong. This book also touched on parental elder care and even had a little romance. An intriguing read that will keep you turning the pages to see how it all works out.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a digital ARC from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this novel. I appreciated Ally and Beth’s friendship, and their families. I appreciated how the decisions they made as teens impacted their adult lives. I look forward to reading more from Sarahlyn Bruck.