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[(When Light Breaks)] [By (author) Patti Callahan Henry] published on
New York Times bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry delivers a novel that explores the power of lasting love through the connected stories of two women from opposite sides of the sea.Twenty-seven-year-old Kara Larson is bogged down in the stress of planning her elaborate wedding to a professional golfer. Still, to fulfill the requirements of the Palmetto Pointe Junior Society, she makes time in her busy schedule to visit an elderly woman at a nursing home facility. Soon she finds herself mesmerized by the singsong Irish lilt of ninety-six-year-old Maeve Mahoney as Maeve recounts the rambling story of her first love back in Ireland. Or, Kara begins to wonder, is she really retelling an ancient tale of myth and legend? Waiting for the story to unfold in bits and pieces, and trying to discern the underlying truth, Kara is drawn in—and driven to remember her own first childhood neighbor Jack Sullivan. Gradually she realizes that before she embarks on her new life, she must find out how her own story—with Jack—will end.“About all the things that make us worthy as human beings—integrity, honesty, and living the life you are meant to live.…A triumph!”—Dorothea Benton Frank“A passionate, unforgettable novel of self-discovery, regret, and the illuminating power of love.”—Mary Alice Monroe
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First published January 1, 2006
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About the author
Patti Callahan Henry
39 books6,674 followersPatti Callahan Henry is a New York Times, Globe and Mail, and USA Today bestselling author of sixteen novels, including her newest, The Secret Book of Flora Lea. She’s also a podcast host of original content for her novels, Surviving Savannah and Becoming Mrs. Lewis.
She is the recipient of The Christy Award “Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for Becoming Mrs. Lewis. She is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast. Patti also was a contributor to the monthly life lesson essay column for Parade Magazine. She’s published in numerous anthologies, articles, and short story collections, including an Audible Original about Florence Nightingale, titled Wild Swan narrated by the Tony Award winner, Cynthia Erivo.
A full-time author, mother of three, and grandmother of two, she lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband, Pat Henry.
She is the recipient of The Christy Award “Book of the Year”; The Harper Lee Distinguished Writer of the Year and the Alabama Library Association Book of the Year for Becoming Mrs. Lewis. She is the co-host and co-creator of the popular weekly online Friends and Fiction live web show and podcast. Patti also was a contributor to the monthly life lesson essay column for Parade Magazine. She’s published in numerous anthologies, articles, and short story collections, including an Audible Original about Florence Nightingale, titled Wild Swan narrated by the Tony Award winner, Cynthia Erivo.
A full-time author, mother of three, and grandmother of two, she lives in Mountain Brook, Alabama with her husband, Pat Henry.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews
July 22, 2017
Didn't really care for this book; it seemed to take forever to develop a story line. The characters were
vague and a bit unbelievable. Loved the previous book of hers,,Art of Keeping Secrets.
vague and a bit unbelievable. Loved the previous book of hers,,Art of Keeping Secrets.
July 19, 2011
This is not a book I will remember, but it was a pleasant read. An easy book, read in about a day, that provided a nice diversion in these hot summer days when you can't do anything more strenuous than sit in an air conditioned room and read a book.
May 31, 2024
Story reminds us of how hard it is to lose a mother early in life. Not having her present to help with many of life's big decisions. The main character also struggles with how to determine if the love she is committed to is the life long love that will be there for her through the years ahead.
July 7, 2018
A new author for me, Patti Callahan Henry has written a really sweet love story about following our hearts, not everyone else's expectations. Set in the South Carolina low country, the story follows Kara as she is planning her wedding, while trying to balance a challenging and full life of career, family, and social obligations. She meets 96-year-old Maeve in a nursing home who encourages Kara to think about her choices while Maeve reflects on her own.
I read this book in one sitting. I loved the message, the characters, and so encourage everyone with a soft spongy heart like mine to read it.
I read this book in one sitting. I loved the message, the characters, and so encourage everyone with a soft spongy heart like mine to read it.
October 22, 2016
Can the Past Haunt Your Future?
The next novel in our Pink Escape series is When Light Breaks by Patti Callahan Henry. This story asks the question can the past change the future? Is it worth investigating? Follow along this story set in South Carolina.
Synopsis:
Kara Larson is a manager for the country club. She works with Pros on the golf tour. She met her fiancé Peyton through her work with the PGA. She feels that she has everything she ever wanted. Then the benefit fundraiser comes along that will follow the tour stop of PGA. Shelly needs a band for this event. Then there is Mave's story of her first love. Kara keeps up her visits to this lady to fulfill her Junior League committment. One night her fiancé suggests this band that is very popular. The main members of the band are Jack and his brother. Shelly and Jack grew up together in her old neighborhood. Will this band solve all her problems? Will this change her future?
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this novel. Patti Callahan Henry has another gem of a novel in When Light Breaks. The characters are likeable. The occupation of the main character working with the PGA is interesting. This occupation is not one that I familiar with. It really added to the story. Then there was Mave's story of her first love. The reader will find her story interesting and how it relates to the plot. The plot was not predictable. I wondered who she would choose Jack or Peyton? Or who would break off the engagement? A good story keeps you guessing to the end!
Another wonderful tale set in the lowcountry!
The next novel in our Pink Escape series is When Light Breaks by Patti Callahan Henry. This story asks the question can the past change the future? Is it worth investigating? Follow along this story set in South Carolina.
Synopsis:
Kara Larson is a manager for the country club. She works with Pros on the golf tour. She met her fiancé Peyton through her work with the PGA. She feels that she has everything she ever wanted. Then the benefit fundraiser comes along that will follow the tour stop of PGA. Shelly needs a band for this event. Then there is Mave's story of her first love. Kara keeps up her visits to this lady to fulfill her Junior League committment. One night her fiancé suggests this band that is very popular. The main members of the band are Jack and his brother. Shelly and Jack grew up together in her old neighborhood. Will this band solve all her problems? Will this change her future?
My Thoughts:
I enjoyed this novel. Patti Callahan Henry has another gem of a novel in When Light Breaks. The characters are likeable. The occupation of the main character working with the PGA is interesting. This occupation is not one that I familiar with. It really added to the story. Then there was Mave's story of her first love. The reader will find her story interesting and how it relates to the plot. The plot was not predictable. I wondered who she would choose Jack or Peyton? Or who would break off the engagement? A good story keeps you guessing to the end!
Another wonderful tale set in the lowcountry!
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July 3, 2018I found Kara to be way too emotional about everything, and I didn't think the character of Peyton was fleshed out enough for the important role he played. Most of the secondary characters needed more substance when little hints just kept being dropped about them.
January 8, 2026
loved it!
A good love story, sweet, happy, no trash, and it’s located in the beautiful Lowcountry of SC where I live!
A good love story, sweet, happy, no trash, and it’s located in the beautiful Lowcountry of SC where I live!
June 9, 2014
“When Light Breaks” isn’t the most original book I have ever read. You know by the end of the second chapter what is going to happen. But, I do think the book’s theme of following your heart is very true to life…and a lesson that all of us need to learn.
I enjoyed Henry’s writing style. It was clean and easy to read. I also LOVE reading books set in the Low Country. So, I do find myself reading a lot books set along South Carolina/Georgia coast. (Pat Conroy is a favorite author.)
And there is definitely effective use of symbolism with the water, canoes, swamps, and nature. In fact, Kara starts out as a very unlikeable character. .
So, if you are looking for that perfect beach or poolside book that will make you smile and feel good about life… “When Light Breaks” is definitely one to consider.
I enjoyed Henry’s writing style. It was clean and easy to read. I also LOVE reading books set in the Low Country. So, I do find myself reading a lot books set along South Carolina/Georgia coast. (Pat Conroy is a favorite author.)
And there is definitely effective use of symbolism with the water, canoes, swamps, and nature. In fact, Kara starts out as a very unlikeable character. .
So, if you are looking for that perfect beach or poolside book that will make you smile and feel good about life… “When Light Breaks” is definitely one to consider.
August 10, 2011
I chose this read for three reasons: the age of the main character, the Irish connection, and inspiration. It's important to follow your heart, to listen to that, to stop to listen. Kara is happy to marry a wealthy golfer but she's always thoughtful of her teenage sweetheart. A "perfect" life can't be planned because it's life's unexpected turns that guarantee that happiness...if you take the chance.
August 7, 2008
A nice light summer read. This is the second book by her I have read. It wasn't as good as Between the Tides, but still a book I really enjoyed the characters and wanted to know them and their story.
September 17, 2012
"Powerful stories between women of different generations - inspiring - as our hearts communicate thru stories...first love, romance, Irish angels - great author and storyteller - making the characters come alive! "
October 29, 2017
I'm not generally a reader of chick lit or romance novels; however, I am a sucker for Lowcountry novels. I think this is teh first book I've read by Patricia Callahan Henry and it won't be the last, if her work is as good as this one.
November 6, 2013
Reminded me of what I love about Nicholas sparks novels
July 26, 2016
Predictable story but still a great read. great beach book.
July 3, 2017
Control, beliefs, loyalty, plays a great role in Kara's life. Circumstances slowly give Kara the opportunity to change. Likeable story, will read more of Patti Callahan Henry novels.
June 1, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
This is a book off of my momma’s shelf that she thought would interest me. It was definitely a bit predictable, but still enjoyable for the most part.
This is a book off of my momma’s shelf that she thought would interest me. It was definitely a bit predictable, but still enjoyable for the most part.
January 9, 2026
up for a southern romance?
Ms Henry writes a nice romance story, good southern characters and mannerisms from South Carolina’s low country. After having recently finished a very intense book, it was enjoyable to find a lighter read.
While the tale is predictable, she wove some lovely Irish folklore, Irish history to help navigate through the main character’s unsettled teenaged first love.
Ms Henry didn’t want to make any one character a bad guy, one that would have made a personal decision easier by being complicit. In a way, it made the story more realistic as there were no “white hat, black hat” characters.
The only real criticism I would voice for this particular type of story is the confusion I had understanding the main character’s family status. It feels, in the beginning that the family must be of lower socio-economic status by proximity to neighbors. I’ll not give away storyline here, but years later, that social and economic status was significantly changed yet the address did not. That was a bit confusing. Sometimes a detail would be added to project that status that seemed trite, for lack of a better adjective; an example was describing a pillow that was not important to the story but the “down” pillow thrown in to show a higher economic status seemed silly for the narrative. Nitpicking? Probably, but there were references throughout that simply seemed to be added to give reference to a society standing that may have better been shown by mannerisms.
Overall, I enjoyed the easy reading, the interesting insight into planning pro-golfing takes and the Irish heritage of Ms Henry’s work.
Ms Henry writes a nice romance story, good southern characters and mannerisms from South Carolina’s low country. After having recently finished a very intense book, it was enjoyable to find a lighter read.
While the tale is predictable, she wove some lovely Irish folklore, Irish history to help navigate through the main character’s unsettled teenaged first love.
Ms Henry didn’t want to make any one character a bad guy, one that would have made a personal decision easier by being complicit. In a way, it made the story more realistic as there were no “white hat, black hat” characters.
The only real criticism I would voice for this particular type of story is the confusion I had understanding the main character’s family status. It feels, in the beginning that the family must be of lower socio-economic status by proximity to neighbors. I’ll not give away storyline here, but years later, that social and economic status was significantly changed yet the address did not. That was a bit confusing. Sometimes a detail would be added to project that status that seemed trite, for lack of a better adjective; an example was describing a pillow that was not important to the story but the “down” pillow thrown in to show a higher economic status seemed silly for the narrative. Nitpicking? Probably, but there were references throughout that simply seemed to be added to give reference to a society standing that may have better been shown by mannerisms.
Overall, I enjoyed the easy reading, the interesting insight into planning pro-golfing takes and the Irish heritage of Ms Henry’s work.
October 2, 2017
I have to give this 5 stars, because if you read this book, really read it with your heart, the message is so much deeper than the plot. The lessons that Maeve gives are invaluable lessons and words of wisdom gained from years of experience and great loss. I hope that if you read the book you choose to open your heart to the messages Maeve gives throughout story because at least one of them is meant just for you and where you find yourself in life's great journey.
"Your reason will understand the story on one level, your spirit will understand it on another...and you must understand both. All of our lives we must chose between what others define us to be and who we were meant to be, but this struggle is not a safeguard from sorrow. I believed my parents - believed in who they said I should [be]. But I wish I had the chance to choose otherwise, before it was too late. But it is not too late for you. Base your choices on what you believe, on who you truly are."
"Your reason will understand the story on one level, your spirit will understand it on another...and you must understand both. All of our lives we must chose between what others define us to be and who we were meant to be, but this struggle is not a safeguard from sorrow. I believed my parents - believed in who they said I should [be]. But I wish I had the chance to choose otherwise, before it was too late. But it is not too late for you. Base your choices on what you believe, on who you truly are."
August 1, 2025
Loves this book and its message passed down thru generations to prick the heart awake to listen to its hints as to what belief’s one has that form the choices of our lives.
Kara about to marry the “ catch” Peyton and have all the things and lifestyle she is caught up in busyness until asked by an elderly woman she volunteers to visit some profound queations.
Pushed aside again by busyness and assumptions that Mauves story isnt true she also misses the love of her whole life- childhood friend Jack.
Fav quotes in this books are/ “ all our lives we must choose between what others define us to be and who we are meant to be”
And “ I must be careful what I believe because it defines who I am. “
And finally “ I could no longer fill my life with meaningless noise in a meager attempt to soothe my heart with cheap substitutes”
Profound!
Kara about to marry the “ catch” Peyton and have all the things and lifestyle she is caught up in busyness until asked by an elderly woman she volunteers to visit some profound queations.
Pushed aside again by busyness and assumptions that Mauves story isnt true she also misses the love of her whole life- childhood friend Jack.
Fav quotes in this books are/ “ all our lives we must choose between what others define us to be and who we are meant to be”
And “ I must be careful what I believe because it defines who I am. “
And finally “ I could no longer fill my life with meaningless noise in a meager attempt to soothe my heart with cheap substitutes”
Profound!
January 12, 2026
I thought this book was terrible. it got great reviews....Usually i borrow books from the library but mine didn't have this title so after reading glowing reviews i thought "buy it". I bought the digital version. things didn't make sense at times. for example early on in the book she has a busy day and after dinner, then goes to work, has dinner and finally goes to sleep, putting two days and an evening into 24 hours. also she complains about being constantly busy, never having anytime and never letting anything slip up, but kara has constantly time to see friends and forgets about work related obligations. then there was too much emphasis on the money Kara comes from, her clothes, everything just reeks of a privilege. and the mother...telling her children to follow the whisper in their heart (or something like that) what does that even mean. ending is totally predictable which i am kicking myself that i didn't predict it before i bought and read the book.
October 12, 2025
Kara, a 27 year old woman living in SC meets Maeve and elderly Irish woman who tells her a fascinating story about a former love of hers. She asks Kara who was her first love and to go find him. However, she is engaged to marry a pro golfer and all the plans for the upcoming wedding have been put in place. So, why is she thinking about Jack Sullivan, the boy she kissed when she was 14?
I found the book predictable and it did not hold my interest. There was a lot about professional golfing and golf tournaments. The only part of the book I liked was the times when Kara visited Maeve in the nursing home and listened to her stories about life in Ireland. Maeve did have some sage advice and made Kara think about love and what is important in life.
I found the book predictable and it did not hold my interest. There was a lot about professional golfing and golf tournaments. The only part of the book I liked was the times when Kara visited Maeve in the nursing home and listened to her stories about life in Ireland. Maeve did have some sage advice and made Kara think about love and what is important in life.
August 2, 2020
When I brought this home from the library, I felt like I had already read it and almost put it down, but decided to keep on-- I quickly realized that it was because it was the prequel to a Christmas paper back story I just read in December. It was fun to read the 'back-story' of the couple who married in The Perfect Love Song.
I was introduced to this author by the late Dorothea Benton Frank when she recommended The Bookshop at Water's End, since then I've read a few books by her and really enjoy her writing, as well as her low-country ties.
I was introduced to this author by the late Dorothea Benton Frank when she recommended The Bookshop at Water's End, since then I've read a few books by her and really enjoy her writing, as well as her low-country ties.
January 6, 2021
When light breaks is a sweet story about love and doubt. The theme of this book is 'FOLLOW YOUR HEART' and talks about clashes between the mind and the heart, the facts and the emotions, the knowledge and the feelings. The language is simple and easy. And there is definitely an effective use of symbolism with the water, canoes, swamps, and nature.
Kara is happy to marry a wealthy golfer but she's always thoughtful of her teenage sweetheart. A "perfect" life can't be planned because it's life's unexpected turns that guarantee that happiness...if you take the chance. 🌴
Kara is happy to marry a wealthy golfer but she's always thoughtful of her teenage sweetheart. A "perfect" life can't be planned because it's life's unexpected turns that guarantee that happiness...if you take the chance. 🌴
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 16, 2021
This was written 15 years ago and comparing this to her latest, Surviving Savannah, you can see the evolution and maturity that has taken place in her writing. Still, after reading several very heavy books in a row, this was a welcome relief. It's a nice story with some depth and the promise of a happy ending. It hold up well though you can tell it was written in the early mid 2000's as a contemporary novel with now dated historical references. Being born in Charleston myself, I am also a sucker for stories set in the low country of SC.
December 15, 2019
I love how this author expands on and makes relatable the main characters conflicted journey to 'enlightenment' while solving a mystery. I also love that with each book we learn about the mystique of the low country, culturally as well as geographically. The fairy tale endings are enjoyable but in my mind not probable. As all stories must end and I have never written a book cannot imagine a better ending. I will enjoy reading all of this authors books.
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July 29, 2020Over I enjoyed the book. It is a light and fast vacation read.
One issues with it, small, just a pet peeve of mine...
The main character is described as thin and losing weight due to being oh so busy.
If it keeps up her wedding dress will be too large by the time of wedding…
This “oh so thin. Oh so pretty” angle, is so trite to me.
I get its fiction, but as a reader I always find these ridiculous angles that paint women’s “looks” into her bigger issue as trite.
One issues with it, small, just a pet peeve of mine...
The main character is described as thin and losing weight due to being oh so busy.
If it keeps up her wedding dress will be too large by the time of wedding…
This “oh so thin. Oh so pretty” angle, is so trite to me.
I get its fiction, but as a reader I always find these ridiculous angles that paint women’s “looks” into her bigger issue as trite.
November 13, 2022
The best part of this book was the description of the marshes and ebb/flow of the tides and rivers. It was so very predictable that I dozed off several times while reading. I have read this same story many times before (different names and places) and there was nothing new to make me really enjoy this book. I haven’t read any other works by this author so I cannot comment as to her style of writing. Was truly happy when I got to the end.
June 29, 2025
I just discovered Patti Callahan Henry and have fallen in love with her books. This was a moving tale of discovering who you really are, what lives in your heart vs the versions bestowed upon us by family and friends. Listen to your heart for the hints that will lead the way. After reading the first couple of chapters I was pretty sure I knew how the book would end, but following the journey from point A to point B was a delightful trip!
August 8, 2019
I'm stingy with stars because so few books are really worthy! However, 3 stars says "I liked it." I did like it. Didn't love it. Very formulaic & predictable but exactly what I needed for a two day beach read that didn't require much from me! I would place this on a "beach reads" list. I also love anything set in South Carolina, so that was a plus.
February 23, 2024
I read this book in High School (over 10 years ago) and it’s still my favorite book of all time. I’ve read it at least 7 times since then and I still love it as much as I did the first time. Idk what it is, I just love everything about it so much. Holds so many memories from different phases of my life.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 170 reviews