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The Light in the Wound #1
The Light in the Wound
Affected by her parents’ highly publicized divorce, Isabel grows up isolated and alone, with a resolve to never fall in love and repeat their mistakes.
When Jesse Cain enters her life, she falls hopelessly in love with him, and every sadness she’s ever felt is washed away by his intensity and passion. But people change as they grow up. Things can never stay the same forever.
Jesse and Isabel fight to stay together, determined to hold on to what they once had. Isabel wonders if a second love can ever be enough to make her forget her first.
*Kindle version also available
When Jesse Cain enters her life, she falls hopelessly in love with him, and every sadness she’s ever felt is washed away by his intensity and passion. But people change as they grow up. Things can never stay the same forever.
Jesse and Isabel fight to stay together, determined to hold on to what they once had. Isabel wonders if a second love can ever be enough to make her forget her first.
*Kindle version also available
372 pages, Paperback
First published July 23, 2013
About the author
Christine Brae
7 books943 followersChristine Brae, is a full time career woman who thought she could write a book about her life and then run away as far as possible from it. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same story to tell. Christine is the author of six (6) books and the recipient of literary awards.
Christine Brae also publishes under her real name, Anna Gomez. Her latest project, Moments Like This, is the first in a series of five books, co-authored and co-produced for film and tv, with actor, Kristoffer Polaha.
She is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin Literary Management.
Christine Brae also publishes under her real name, Anna Gomez. Her latest project, Moments Like This, is the first in a series of five books, co-authored and co-produced for film and tv, with actor, Kristoffer Polaha.
She is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin Literary Management.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 389 reviews
February 5, 2014
FREE TODAY 2-5-14
U.S. LINK: http://amzn.com/B00E3UCQ8W
SPOILER FREE REVIEW -mature content reader discretion is advised.
4.5 STARS out of 5
Genre:Contemporary Romance
FULL REVIEW POSTED: 9-11-13
The light in the Wound is Isabel Amarra’s emotional journey and it spans from her childhood to womanhood. I loved this book; It was very up close and personal as far as writing styles go. Annnd you kinda feel like Isabel is personally telling you her story, if that makes any sense.
First things first let me tell you, I read the prologue and was left SHOCKED
What a way to open a book. I immediately had to know more.
Why?
How?
He, WHO IS HE???
Again, WHY?
After I picked my jaw up off the floor I was able to continue this beautiful and at times heartbreaking love story. Readers are taken on a ride as young Isabel grows from young girl to woman. Growing up with a famous mother automatically put Isabel and her sisters in the spotlight. When her family is suddenly ripped apart by her parent’s highly publicized divorce, Isa is split apart from her sisters.
Isa is sent to live with her maternal grandparents while her two sisters live with her paternal grandparents. There are reasons I will not say from fear of spoiling it.. But trust me the issues and reasons why certain things occur runs deep. It is not until Isa is older..I think it was around age 17, were she decides to go live back home with her mother. Much to the dismay of her grandparents.
Reuniting with her mother and sisters is exactly what Isa needs. This is also when she meets Jesse Cain. Jesse is well loved by the ladies at school; he could have any girl he wants. So it comes as a surprise to Isa when he asks her out.
The relationship between these two is absolutely adorable. At first.. They are together for many years and during the course of the relationship readers get to see the changes that come due to Jesse and his insecurities.
You gradually start to see the outgoing, caring, and fiercely independent Isa change and you will not like it.
Eventually they part ways and Isa moves on to Alex. She has known Alex for years. He is everything she needs and he loves her so much. So much you can feel his love and the strong hold it has as you read because it’s reaching out of the pages to envelope you. I LOVE ALEX!
“I don’t need weeks or months or years to figure out what my future might be like with you. I need weeks and months and years to be with you.” –Alex
*SWOON*
Jesse is not happy about Isabel and Alex; he is still in love with her and hopes to win back her heart.
Isabel is conflicted she loves Jesse he was her first everything yet she feels Alex is who she needs to be with. The better of the two.. How do you choose? Yes, Jesse had his faults but he is willing to do any and everything to make it work.
GAH.
Alright folks here’s the kicker I barely skimmed the surface with this review. There is so much SO SO SO MUCH MORE to this book. Relationships or the lack there of in some cases are briefly touched upon Mother/daughter Father/daughter Sister/sister Husband/wife. It also explores wealth and all that can come with it. I am anxious for book 2 I have questions and I wonder if book2 will shed some light. I highly recommend this book!
My Ratings
Characters- Lovable and charming
Writing Style- Good
Plot/Storyline- Journey from youth to adult and all the issues you can face PLUS MORE
Steam Factor- Medium/Moderately Steamy
Overall- I enjoyed it! READ THE BOOK!
Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
For more reviews got to http://realitybites-letsgetlost.blogs...
U.S. LINK: http://amzn.com/B00E3UCQ8W
SPOILER FREE REVIEW -mature content reader discretion is advised.
4.5 STARS out of 5
Genre:Contemporary Romance
FULL REVIEW POSTED: 9-11-13
The light in the Wound is Isabel Amarra’s emotional journey and it spans from her childhood to womanhood. I loved this book; It was very up close and personal as far as writing styles go. Annnd you kinda feel like Isabel is personally telling you her story, if that makes any sense.
First things first let me tell you, I read the prologue and was left SHOCKED
What a way to open a book. I immediately had to know more.
Why?
How?
He, WHO IS HE???
Again, WHY?
After I picked my jaw up off the floor I was able to continue this beautiful and at times heartbreaking love story. Readers are taken on a ride as young Isabel grows from young girl to woman. Growing up with a famous mother automatically put Isabel and her sisters in the spotlight. When her family is suddenly ripped apart by her parent’s highly publicized divorce, Isa is split apart from her sisters.
Isa is sent to live with her maternal grandparents while her two sisters live with her paternal grandparents. There are reasons I will not say from fear of spoiling it.. But trust me the issues and reasons why certain things occur runs deep. It is not until Isa is older..I think it was around age 17, were she decides to go live back home with her mother. Much to the dismay of her grandparents.
Reuniting with her mother and sisters is exactly what Isa needs. This is also when she meets Jesse Cain. Jesse is well loved by the ladies at school; he could have any girl he wants. So it comes as a surprise to Isa when he asks her out.
The relationship between these two is absolutely adorable. At first.. They are together for many years and during the course of the relationship readers get to see the changes that come due to Jesse and his insecurities.
You gradually start to see the outgoing, caring, and fiercely independent Isa change and you will not like it.
Eventually they part ways and Isa moves on to Alex. She has known Alex for years. He is everything she needs and he loves her so much. So much you can feel his love and the strong hold it has as you read because it’s reaching out of the pages to envelope you. I LOVE ALEX!
“I don’t need weeks or months or years to figure out what my future might be like with you. I need weeks and months and years to be with you.” –Alex
*SWOON*
Jesse is not happy about Isabel and Alex; he is still in love with her and hopes to win back her heart.
Isabel is conflicted she loves Jesse he was her first everything yet she feels Alex is who she needs to be with. The better of the two.. How do you choose? Yes, Jesse had his faults but he is willing to do any and everything to make it work.
GAH.
Alright folks here’s the kicker I barely skimmed the surface with this review. There is so much SO SO SO MUCH MORE to this book. Relationships or the lack there of in some cases are briefly touched upon Mother/daughter Father/daughter Sister/sister Husband/wife. It also explores wealth and all that can come with it. I am anxious for book 2 I have questions and I wonder if book2 will shed some light. I highly recommend this book!
My Ratings
Characters- Lovable and charming
Writing Style- Good
Plot/Storyline- Journey from youth to adult and all the issues you can face PLUS MORE
Steam Factor- Medium/Moderately Steamy
Overall- I enjoyed it! READ THE BOOK!
Now go forth and read. Then come tell us about it on Goodreads!
For more reviews got to http://realitybites-letsgetlost.blogs...
July 31, 2013
This review was posted at Angie's Dreamy Reads!
As I sit to write this review tears are streaming down my face and my heart is bursting, but aching intensely at the same time. This book was gut wrenching and one I'll never forget. There's nothing on earth like a love story (I'm a romance junkie) but a love story and a story about finding oneself along the way is not only breathtaking but incredibly thought provoking. There are so many lessons we learn in life. So many hurts, heart aches and bruises we gather and collect along the way but if in the end we come out learning that those hardships are worth it and there’s happiness, joy and wisdom on the other side then at the end of the day every trying, intense and painful moment is worth it. This book has taught me an invaluable lesson about reading, character development and also plot. That lesson is, "don't judge a book until you know the full story and have read that final page." I was too quick to judge, too harsh and because of that I almost missed out on one of the best books I've ever read. There are so many bits and pieces to this incredible book. So many facets to this brilliant journey that I strongly recommend you read it and give it a chance. It's painful, intense, beautiful, and honest, one of my favorite reads of 2013. If you're looking for something that goes a little deeper, stirs your thoughts and pulls on you emotionally... then this is it. It's a book that leaves you uncomfortable, a little squirmy inside but it's honestly hard to put down. There's a love triangle, angst, a troubled home life for this woman but also joy. I don't know how to describe it. It's memorable. It's incredible. It's brilliant. It's a book that sits on my favorite’s shelf.
When I picked up the book I was immediately intrigued. I started the prologue and thought "Oh Lord, this is going to get intense" and it stayed with me the whole book. I was literally dreading the moment where it'd be reintroduced in the story. It set the tone and it was an angsty tone. I knew that we were going to be tortured emotionally. Issy (Isabel) starts out in present tense and we think that's what we're going to get throughout the book but that's not the case. We travel back in time and are taken on a journey throughout her life. It starts from the time she's a little girl, through her teenage years, all the way into adulthood. I don't want to give plot to you. I want you to travel the same road I did. Have a fresh perspective that I had. I don't want you to have any preconceived notions about what's going to happen. I will tell you the basics. Issy’s childhood is not the greatest. Her mother and father get divorced and Issy is taken away from her sisters and her mother. There are a lot of things that happen in this time. A very poignant time in this little girl’s life. A time where her experiences are molding her, turning her into the woman she would soon become. When Issy's a little bit older she returns home to her mother. While there she meets Jesse. **sigh** Jesse is immediately smitten with her and the connection they share is instant. There's just something special there. Something that Issy is drawn to. They both stay together for years and are each other's first loves. While dating several things start taking place and Issy slowly loses her independence, fun spirit and sense of self. Alex comes in there somewhere (not telling you were...lol) and shows her genuine friendship and love. He teaches and shows her things that she needs to learn. The story is honestly GORGEOUS. There's so much to it. I wish I could sit and write out every detail for you but I won't. You need to EXPERIENCE this!!!
Isabel's character was a love/hate for me. I started out loving her, being intrigued and then slowly started getting angry. She kept doing things that drove me nuts. I know at one point in my status update I said "What's the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results." It drove me mad and there was a point that I wanted desperately to give up on her. To wash my hands, walk away and say, "No thanks, I'm done, I can't torture myself like this anymore!" But I couldn't! I couldn't give up on her. There’s something about her spirit and soft hearted self that had me. The story at that point had already started burrowing deeply into my heart and I was addicted. I can say with everything in me that I am so glad I hung in there. She turned into one of my most beloved female characters. I have never seen a character blossom and bloom right before my eyes like she did. Her choices in the beginning, the constant back and forth and her giving Jesse the benefit of the doubt did upset me. And at a certain point in the book my internal emotions were a complete wreck. I felt sick and I wasn't sure I could keep reading BUT she did something in the book that changed the entire course of the story for me and I was BEYOND proud of her. At the end I stepped back, took a day or two and thought about Issy, what I loved about her. She's strong, independent and brilliant, warm, caring, she’s a woman who has learned from her experiences and made the RIGHT choices even though they were painful. She learned along the way and it reflected in her life later on. I was honestly so impressed and proud of her. She is definitely a character that in my eyes is unforgettable. I loved her.
Also in the book you'll meet Jesse which is Issy’s first love. Jesse is a go getter, over achiever and an all-around good guy. The problem with Jesse is that he has something to prove. He never feels he's good enough for Issy and in doing that he becomes excruciatingly controlling and at times is very demanding. Jesse wasn't my favorite. I knew early on that I wasn't a huge fan. Several things he started doing just got under my skin. But Issy loved him, needed him and craved him and it tore my heart in two. I wanted her happy and she thought she was happy with Jesse. She thought she needed him and it killed me to see this girl feel like this boy was her salvation. Jesse is a good guy, he just has his priorities wrong. He doesn’t know how to be selfless. He’s definitely hot, a little alpha and can be sweet and attentive but I think my heart settled on Alex almost immediately and Jesse just never cut it. .
Alex...I was TEAM ALEX!!! Alex is a man that loves unconditionally. He's a safer love than Jesse’s. He's understanding, sexy, sweet and loves Issy like no one else. He starts out as a friend to her. He's there whenever things get tough. When things go wrong. He wants nothing more than to make her happy, see her loved and have her successful. He loves her so much that he'd give up everything just to be with her. He's the perfect definition of REAL love. A love that doesn't hurt, abuse, take for granted. A love that nurtures, treasures, adores and gives freely. He's AMAZING. Absolutely incredible and I just love him. Issy’s journey is anything but pretty and it really hurt to see all that Alex had to go through for her.
Love's never easy. It really isn’t and the heart wants what the heart wants right? It doesn't care if it’s healthy, if it's good for you. The heart can be a dangerous thing and it can lead you ways that can be truly destructive. As you grow and learn, you learn about different kinds of loves, friendships and relationships. This is what this book is really about! Issy learns about unhealthy loves and healthy ones. She learns that with the right love the wounds that you carry can be healed. Love is a brilliant, strong and wonderful thing. Which love will Issy choose? Which love can Issy live without? This is the journey you take through the book. It’s absolutely remarkable. I loved each and every moment.
Overall like I said. This is an unforgettable and gratifying read. I really think if you hang in there and pay attention to the story you’ll get a good lesson and also a very heartwarming and emotional story. I know this is something that I will carry with me for a long time to come. A book I would go back and re-read. I loved it. Loved every angsty, torturous minute. I would HIGHLY recommend it
My rating is 5 +++ STARS.
As I sit to write this review tears are streaming down my face and my heart is bursting, but aching intensely at the same time. This book was gut wrenching and one I'll never forget. There's nothing on earth like a love story (I'm a romance junkie) but a love story and a story about finding oneself along the way is not only breathtaking but incredibly thought provoking. There are so many lessons we learn in life. So many hurts, heart aches and bruises we gather and collect along the way but if in the end we come out learning that those hardships are worth it and there’s happiness, joy and wisdom on the other side then at the end of the day every trying, intense and painful moment is worth it. This book has taught me an invaluable lesson about reading, character development and also plot. That lesson is, "don't judge a book until you know the full story and have read that final page." I was too quick to judge, too harsh and because of that I almost missed out on one of the best books I've ever read. There are so many bits and pieces to this incredible book. So many facets to this brilliant journey that I strongly recommend you read it and give it a chance. It's painful, intense, beautiful, and honest, one of my favorite reads of 2013. If you're looking for something that goes a little deeper, stirs your thoughts and pulls on you emotionally... then this is it. It's a book that leaves you uncomfortable, a little squirmy inside but it's honestly hard to put down. There's a love triangle, angst, a troubled home life for this woman but also joy. I don't know how to describe it. It's memorable. It's incredible. It's brilliant. It's a book that sits on my favorite’s shelf.
When I picked up the book I was immediately intrigued. I started the prologue and thought "Oh Lord, this is going to get intense" and it stayed with me the whole book. I was literally dreading the moment where it'd be reintroduced in the story. It set the tone and it was an angsty tone. I knew that we were going to be tortured emotionally. Issy (Isabel) starts out in present tense and we think that's what we're going to get throughout the book but that's not the case. We travel back in time and are taken on a journey throughout her life. It starts from the time she's a little girl, through her teenage years, all the way into adulthood. I don't want to give plot to you. I want you to travel the same road I did. Have a fresh perspective that I had. I don't want you to have any preconceived notions about what's going to happen. I will tell you the basics. Issy’s childhood is not the greatest. Her mother and father get divorced and Issy is taken away from her sisters and her mother. There are a lot of things that happen in this time. A very poignant time in this little girl’s life. A time where her experiences are molding her, turning her into the woman she would soon become. When Issy's a little bit older she returns home to her mother. While there she meets Jesse. **sigh** Jesse is immediately smitten with her and the connection they share is instant. There's just something special there. Something that Issy is drawn to. They both stay together for years and are each other's first loves. While dating several things start taking place and Issy slowly loses her independence, fun spirit and sense of self. Alex comes in there somewhere (not telling you were...lol) and shows her genuine friendship and love. He teaches and shows her things that she needs to learn. The story is honestly GORGEOUS. There's so much to it. I wish I could sit and write out every detail for you but I won't. You need to EXPERIENCE this!!!
Isabel's character was a love/hate for me. I started out loving her, being intrigued and then slowly started getting angry. She kept doing things that drove me nuts. I know at one point in my status update I said "What's the definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over expecting different results." It drove me mad and there was a point that I wanted desperately to give up on her. To wash my hands, walk away and say, "No thanks, I'm done, I can't torture myself like this anymore!" But I couldn't! I couldn't give up on her. There’s something about her spirit and soft hearted self that had me. The story at that point had already started burrowing deeply into my heart and I was addicted. I can say with everything in me that I am so glad I hung in there. She turned into one of my most beloved female characters. I have never seen a character blossom and bloom right before my eyes like she did. Her choices in the beginning, the constant back and forth and her giving Jesse the benefit of the doubt did upset me. And at a certain point in the book my internal emotions were a complete wreck. I felt sick and I wasn't sure I could keep reading BUT she did something in the book that changed the entire course of the story for me and I was BEYOND proud of her. At the end I stepped back, took a day or two and thought about Issy, what I loved about her. She's strong, independent and brilliant, warm, caring, she’s a woman who has learned from her experiences and made the RIGHT choices even though they were painful. She learned along the way and it reflected in her life later on. I was honestly so impressed and proud of her. She is definitely a character that in my eyes is unforgettable. I loved her.
Also in the book you'll meet Jesse which is Issy’s first love. Jesse is a go getter, over achiever and an all-around good guy. The problem with Jesse is that he has something to prove. He never feels he's good enough for Issy and in doing that he becomes excruciatingly controlling and at times is very demanding. Jesse wasn't my favorite. I knew early on that I wasn't a huge fan. Several things he started doing just got under my skin. But Issy loved him, needed him and craved him and it tore my heart in two. I wanted her happy and she thought she was happy with Jesse. She thought she needed him and it killed me to see this girl feel like this boy was her salvation. Jesse is a good guy, he just has his priorities wrong. He doesn’t know how to be selfless. He’s definitely hot, a little alpha and can be sweet and attentive but I think my heart settled on Alex almost immediately and Jesse just never cut it. .
Alex...I was TEAM ALEX!!! Alex is a man that loves unconditionally. He's a safer love than Jesse’s. He's understanding, sexy, sweet and loves Issy like no one else. He starts out as a friend to her. He's there whenever things get tough. When things go wrong. He wants nothing more than to make her happy, see her loved and have her successful. He loves her so much that he'd give up everything just to be with her. He's the perfect definition of REAL love. A love that doesn't hurt, abuse, take for granted. A love that nurtures, treasures, adores and gives freely. He's AMAZING. Absolutely incredible and I just love him. Issy’s journey is anything but pretty and it really hurt to see all that Alex had to go through for her.
Love's never easy. It really isn’t and the heart wants what the heart wants right? It doesn't care if it’s healthy, if it's good for you. The heart can be a dangerous thing and it can lead you ways that can be truly destructive. As you grow and learn, you learn about different kinds of loves, friendships and relationships. This is what this book is really about! Issy learns about unhealthy loves and healthy ones. She learns that with the right love the wounds that you carry can be healed. Love is a brilliant, strong and wonderful thing. Which love will Issy choose? Which love can Issy live without? This is the journey you take through the book. It’s absolutely remarkable. I loved each and every moment.
Overall like I said. This is an unforgettable and gratifying read. I really think if you hang in there and pay attention to the story you’ll get a good lesson and also a very heartwarming and emotional story. I know this is something that I will carry with me for a long time to come. A book I would go back and re-read. I loved it. Loved every angsty, torturous minute. I would HIGHLY recommend it
My rating is 5 +++ STARS.
September 12, 2013
This story was so heart-breakingly beautiful that you will want to demolish the shit out of it!
and when you do.. once you close the book..sit there and think on it for a bit..
You will want to go back and read it again!
I picked this up on Amazon without reading the blurb or any other reviews so everything about it was a surprise.
I can't believe this was a debut novel! I absolutely adored it!
If you are anything like me you will be hooked from the prologue..
what?
how?
who?
when?
why?
but mainly
who is HE
and then we are straight back to the present... without knowing who the HE is again!
This is the story of Isabel, her family life and mainly about her relationships with Jesse and Alex.
Isabel and Jesse have instant off the charts chemistry!
They have a relationship for 7 years.
They are each others everything!
So what could go wrong? I hear you asking.. well a lot of things.
Jesse is insecure due to Isabels beauty and her wealth.
All he wants is to be the best for Isabel, it's just that it will take time.. and hard work...
all Isabel wants is Jesse but he is changing, while he is still her world he is controlling and dominating and absent...
"The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too."
Isabel and Alex are friends and have been since she returned to live with her family.
We see their relationship grow from friends to lovers over the years.
but when Jesse comes back in the picture reminding her of their past, and of their love. Stating he is willing to do anything what will she do?
"Why didn't you chose me, Isabel? Why? Why can't you? Can't you see how much I love you? Choose me. Choose. Me."
Can she just forget her first love? to pursue happiness with her second?
"Jesse was the hot flame that torched my heart, while Alex is the ever-glowing coal the keeps the fire burning, steady and unwavering.
You'll have to read it find out!
Ok so the storyline, the timeline, the characters everything about this book was awesome and I even liked the ending! I have BARELY touched the surface as to what goes on this book, as I want you to read it and FEEL it!
I'm scared about a second book though... As I said I liked the ending.
I was happy with it...
GAH I don't know what will happen in a second book!! But I do know I will be there on release day waiting to find out!
So go on give a debut author a chance... I dare you too!
May 30, 2015
5 Who do I pick Stars
I started this book a few hours ago and only put it down for a few minutes to get a shower - that is how invested I was in these characters and this story.
I was a bit leery about switching genres and if I would be able to find a book that would hold my attention after being on a Zombie Apocalypse phase. I couldn't have gotten luckier than starting with a book like this.
The characters are perfectly developed...Ms Brae is amazing at drawing out everything single emotion I hold in my heart. I went from hating characters to loving them - to changing my mind so many times with how I wanted the story to progress...My heart was torn in two and the one character who I really thought I hated....I ended up crying for them.
Now, that being said - I am going to skip the next book in this series. Not because I don't like Ms. Brae's writing but because at this time, I loved how the first book ended and I want to continue to have happy thoughts...see because I think I may be off the general bandwagon with this...but I am rooting for the other team and I'm sorry, but I peeked at the spoilers for the next book. So, I don't want to be disappointed.
I started this book a few hours ago and only put it down for a few minutes to get a shower - that is how invested I was in these characters and this story.
I was a bit leery about switching genres and if I would be able to find a book that would hold my attention after being on a Zombie Apocalypse phase. I couldn't have gotten luckier than starting with a book like this.
The characters are perfectly developed...Ms Brae is amazing at drawing out everything single emotion I hold in my heart. I went from hating characters to loving them - to changing my mind so many times with how I wanted the story to progress...My heart was torn in two and the one character who I really thought I hated....I ended up crying for them.
Now, that being said - I am going to skip the next book in this series. Not because I don't like Ms. Brae's writing but because at this time, I loved how the first book ended and I want to continue to have happy thoughts...see because I think I may be off the general bandwagon with this...but I am rooting for the other team and I'm sorry, but I peeked at the spoilers for the next book. So, I don't want to be disappointed.
July 13, 2013
***Received ARC from the Author in exchange for an honest review ***
7/12/2013
Review to Come : But let me just say for now that this book was such an amazing and emotional story. This story truly sucked me in, I didn't want to put it down.
7/13/2013
I first want to say that I feel totally honored that I was given an ARC of this book from the author.
You know when you finish a book that it is going to be one that sticks with for a long time....well The Light in the Wound is one of those books. This book will forever live in my head. The emotions that this book exudes was beyond amazing. The author made this book feel so realistic. Every feeling that Isabel felt during this journey I felt with her. This was a book that made me think what I would do in this situation. I would like to think I would make the right choice but I just don't know.
I don't want to say to much more because it would truly spoil this story but I will say that this was a book about first loves, loves lost and then found, and truly about realizing what is the best for yourself.
I was 100% happy with how this book ended. I felt that the book flowed really well and that by the end we get closure on this story. I will also say that this was one of the cleanest books I have read in a long time, when it comes to grammar and editing. I didn't notice any misspelled words or wrong words used. Let me tell you that is really refreshing.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an emotional love story about first loves and making the right decision.
I thought this was a wonderful debut novel!!!
7/12/2013
Review to Come : But let me just say for now that this book was such an amazing and emotional story. This story truly sucked me in, I didn't want to put it down.
7/13/2013
I first want to say that I feel totally honored that I was given an ARC of this book from the author.
You know when you finish a book that it is going to be one that sticks with for a long time....well The Light in the Wound is one of those books. This book will forever live in my head. The emotions that this book exudes was beyond amazing. The author made this book feel so realistic. Every feeling that Isabel felt during this journey I felt with her. This was a book that made me think what I would do in this situation. I would like to think I would make the right choice but I just don't know.
I don't want to say to much more because it would truly spoil this story but I will say that this was a book about first loves, loves lost and then found, and truly about realizing what is the best for yourself.
I was 100% happy with how this book ended. I felt that the book flowed really well and that by the end we get closure on this story. I will also say that this was one of the cleanest books I have read in a long time, when it comes to grammar and editing. I didn't notice any misspelled words or wrong words used. Let me tell you that is really refreshing.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for an emotional love story about first loves and making the right decision.
I thought this was a wonderful debut novel!!!
October 3, 2013
Overall, I really appreciated the story and message.
First love vs second love - the differences between the two and how to choose what is right for yourself. Isa struggled with this throughout the story, and at times it seemed redundant. That said, it was understandable - first love has a special kind of magic, even if it was an unhealthy relationship.
When we are young we can be so narrow-sighted. Jesse was consumed with trying to prove himself and Isa only wanted to please him. And Alex was the best friend waiting. Jesse was controlling, driven, and at times very sweet (I still wanted to punch him in the throat a few times). Alex was patient and understanding. The relationships between these three span about 15 years, there is angst, heartbreak, anger, and loss - but also hope, love and truth.
These characters frustrated me, but i could relate. Last 10-15% this story was the strongest for me and the emotion was so genuine that I felt it through the pages.
I loved that Splendor in the Grass was referenced, it has always been one of my favorite movies - and this book had that feel.
First love vs second love - the differences between the two and how to choose what is right for yourself. Isa struggled with this throughout the story, and at times it seemed redundant. That said, it was understandable - first love has a special kind of magic, even if it was an unhealthy relationship.
When we are young we can be so narrow-sighted. Jesse was consumed with trying to prove himself and Isa only wanted to please him. And Alex was the best friend waiting. Jesse was controlling, driven, and at times very sweet (I still wanted to punch him in the throat a few times). Alex was patient and understanding. The relationships between these three span about 15 years, there is angst, heartbreak, anger, and loss - but also hope, love and truth.
These characters frustrated me, but i could relate. Last 10-15% this story was the strongest for me and the emotion was so genuine that I felt it through the pages.
I loved that Splendor in the Grass was referenced, it has always been one of my favorite movies - and this book had that feel.
What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind...
August 13, 2013
Mesmerizing, emotionally charged debut novel. Christine Brae had me enthralled with her beautifully written prologue, and it only got better with each word that followed. Simply stunning. Loved every minute of this.
Full review to follow.
Full review to follow.
April 15, 2015
4.5 Beautiful Light Stars!!!
"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart." - Marcus Aurelius
Have you ever been caught between two loves? Genuine ones. Both of which you love with every shred of your being. Neither of which you can imagine your life without. Well, that is what this amazing book, The Light in the Wound is about. This is Isabel's story of transitioning from childhood to womanhood and of choosing between her first love and her second chance at love, who also happens to be her best friend.
Well, first of all, thank GOD that I waited until book 2, His Wounded Light was out before embarking on reading this story!! As I sit here with tears running down my face, I can say two things with the utmost certainty. First, this is one of the best "love triangle" love stories that I have ever read! And second, this book deserves soooooo much more acclaim and recognition than it has received! So, if you haven't read this yet....read it!!!
The only thing that I struggled with here was that there was a lot of telling me vs. showing me. I know that this comes with growing as a writer, and that this was Christine's first book. But it does occur more than a few times where a statement is made and it comes across as coming out of nowhere because it hasn't been developed into the story at all; it is just being stated, and you just have to be like, oh ok.
That was really it though. I otherwise, LOVED this story! I love when I story grabs you and immerses you into its world, and that is what this book does.
My Castings:
That PROLOGUE!!! OH GOD, that prologue! It is just one page long, but long enough that it instantly grabbed me and pulled me into the story. It's a snippet from the future, to Isabel's wedding day. It immediately leaves you wondering...who? what? WTF?! For the whole book, I was wondering when that scene was going to come into play, and when it did, I was shocked!! Because the people that I had assumed were involved were not the ones that actually were!
Following this bomb, the story begins 10 years in the future for a brief amount of time. We know that Isabel is married, but we don't know to whom. We also know that she has just experienced a huge loss. After this, the story goes back into her past. We follow Isabel through her childhood, and through her parents' highly publicized and nasty divorce. Her mother is one of those characters who the phrase "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" was pretty much coined after. She loves her children deeply and wants to be a good mother, but her life is perpetually a hot mess and so is she. Isabel therefore, has to assume the role of leader and caretaker many times throughout her late childhood and into adolescence. She hopes that her mother can change and be better but she accepts when she cannot.
"I loved her, but I swore to never be like her. - Isabel
So, I will just go ahead and get this out of the way now and tell you that I am TEAM ALEX ALL THE WAY!!!! REGARDLESS, I swooned over both of these guys! Yep, Isabel is pretty much the luckiest bitch in the world to have had the love of both of these gorgeous, passionate, accomplished, devoted men. ;) I felt the magic when she met both of them (at separate times and I will not tell you which one she met when). I also sympathized with both Alex and Jesse at different times.
HOWEVER, for me, as the outsider, the choice was very clear the whole time. Yes, these characters are all really young when these love stories begin, so they make a lot of mistakes. But still, one of them loves her in his way. And his way is possessive, demeaning, and isolating. And she takes it, and takes it, and takes it because she is blinded by her love for him, and needs the validation in her life that (she feels) only he can give her.
“The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.” -Isabel
He ignores her until it's convenient. And then she walks away!!! She finally FINALLY walks away!! I was running around my house doing a happy dance!!! But does she stay away? Can she stay away? He is sorry, or so he says. Time passes. He has changed...again, or so he says. What does she do? He doesn't know how to let her go. He can't accept the fact that she is trying to move on. I don't want to go into too much more detail than that because I don't want to give anything away.
“Never accept a counteroffer. If they weren't good to you the first time, they've lost their chance to gain your loyalty and trust. What makes you think it will be better the next time?” -Betty <---YES BETTY, YESSS!!! I wanted to reach into my iPad and high-five your ass!! Truer words have never been spoken, girlfriend!!
"I learned from my own experience that no one's words of wisdom are as good as your own. Burning your hand once is the only way you'll ever remember never to touch an open fire."
This book will keep you guessing THE ENTIRE time!! Even at the very end, when I was 99% sure of what was going to happen, I really still didn't know. They both love her and she loves both of them, despite their flaws. But Isabel is also very confused and has other feeling besides love wrapped up in her feelings for one of these men like guilt, obligation, fear....gah, OK! I will shut up now before I give it all away!! I will just say, that by the end, the lines of outsider and participant were graying for me, because I was crying for BOTH of these men EQUALLY!!!
I want to be owned. Being owned means never being alone. - Isabel
I identified SOOO much with Isabel. I went through something very similar to what Isabel experiences with her parents' divorce and the fallout after, and it too shaped my life. I can just say that, I think that everything that she went through was genuine because, I went through so much of the same. Yes, I still wanted to choke her at times, but I understood her struggles.
Another thing that made this story so special for me was this... this is the author's dedication:
"For my husband. If I were to do this all over again, I would still choose YOU."
Just wow!! To know that this is based on her own story to whatever degree, just blew me away. That takes an incredible amount of courage!! I know I couldn't do it.
And again, this is more than a love story. The part at the end
Is this an emotional story? Yes. Will you want to choke one or all of these characters several times throughout the story? Yes. But, the journey is so worth it, and so beautiful. It was impossible to put down, hi-jacked my thoughts and emotions for the last three days, and is one of the most beautiful stories about love, life, and growing up that I have ever had the pleasure of reading!! There were things that frustrated me about these characters. And little things here and there that I could've done without. For example, the continuous focus on Isabel's wealth and privilege. I just really don't care about that and makes me sometimes lose my connection with a MC. In this case it didn't but...like I said, just could've done without it. But in the end, this story made me FEEL a myriad of emotions and also made me stop and really THINK. Any book that can do that? Especially with as much as I read? Is greatness...hands down!
I will be thinking about Isabel, Alex and Jesse for a long time to come.
"My wound is finally healed. There may be a scar but it serves its purpose to remind me of the undeniable love that we once had. A love I'll never forget." - Isabel
I am immediately jumping into His Wounded Light next and I cannot wait!!!
"Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart." - Marcus Aurelius
Have you ever been caught between two loves? Genuine ones. Both of which you love with every shred of your being. Neither of which you can imagine your life without. Well, that is what this amazing book, The Light in the Wound is about. This is Isabel's story of transitioning from childhood to womanhood and of choosing between her first love and her second chance at love, who also happens to be her best friend.
Well, first of all, thank GOD that I waited until book 2, His Wounded Light was out before embarking on reading this story!! As I sit here with tears running down my face, I can say two things with the utmost certainty. First, this is one of the best "love triangle" love stories that I have ever read! And second, this book deserves soooooo much more acclaim and recognition than it has received! So, if you haven't read this yet....read it!!!
The only thing that I struggled with here was that there was a lot of telling me vs. showing me. I know that this comes with growing as a writer, and that this was Christine's first book. But it does occur more than a few times where a statement is made and it comes across as coming out of nowhere because it hasn't been developed into the story at all; it is just being stated, and you just have to be like, oh ok.
That was really it though. I otherwise, LOVED this story! I love when I story grabs you and immerses you into its world, and that is what this book does.
My Castings:
That PROLOGUE!!! OH GOD, that prologue! It is just one page long, but long enough that it instantly grabbed me and pulled me into the story. It's a snippet from the future, to Isabel's wedding day. It immediately leaves you wondering...who? what? WTF?! For the whole book, I was wondering when that scene was going to come into play, and when it did, I was shocked!! Because the people that I had assumed were involved were not the ones that actually were!
Following this bomb, the story begins 10 years in the future for a brief amount of time. We know that Isabel is married, but we don't know to whom. We also know that she has just experienced a huge loss. After this, the story goes back into her past. We follow Isabel through her childhood, and through her parents' highly publicized and nasty divorce. Her mother is one of those characters who the phrase "the road to hell is paved with good intentions" was pretty much coined after. She loves her children deeply and wants to be a good mother, but her life is perpetually a hot mess and so is she. Isabel therefore, has to assume the role of leader and caretaker many times throughout her late childhood and into adolescence. She hopes that her mother can change and be better but she accepts when she cannot.
"I loved her, but I swore to never be like her. - Isabel
So, I will just go ahead and get this out of the way now and tell you that I am TEAM ALEX ALL THE WAY!!!! REGARDLESS, I swooned over both of these guys! Yep, Isabel is pretty much the luckiest bitch in the world to have had the love of both of these gorgeous, passionate, accomplished, devoted men. ;) I felt the magic when she met both of them (at separate times and I will not tell you which one she met when). I also sympathized with both Alex and Jesse at different times.
HOWEVER, for me, as the outsider, the choice was very clear the whole time. Yes, these characters are all really young when these love stories begin, so they make a lot of mistakes. But still, one of them loves her in his way. And his way is possessive, demeaning, and isolating. And she takes it, and takes it, and takes it because she is blinded by her love for him, and needs the validation in her life that (she feels) only he can give her.
“The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.” -Isabel
He ignores her until it's convenient. And then she walks away!!! She finally FINALLY walks away!! I was running around my house doing a happy dance!!! But does she stay away? Can she stay away? He is sorry, or so he says. Time passes. He has changed...again, or so he says. What does she do? He doesn't know how to let her go. He can't accept the fact that she is trying to move on. I don't want to go into too much more detail than that because I don't want to give anything away.
“Never accept a counteroffer. If they weren't good to you the first time, they've lost their chance to gain your loyalty and trust. What makes you think it will be better the next time?” -Betty <---YES BETTY, YESSS!!! I wanted to reach into my iPad and high-five your ass!! Truer words have never been spoken, girlfriend!!
"I learned from my own experience that no one's words of wisdom are as good as your own. Burning your hand once is the only way you'll ever remember never to touch an open fire."
This book will keep you guessing THE ENTIRE time!! Even at the very end, when I was 99% sure of what was going to happen, I really still didn't know. They both love her and she loves both of them, despite their flaws. But Isabel is also very confused and has other feeling besides love wrapped up in her feelings for one of these men like guilt, obligation, fear....gah, OK! I will shut up now before I give it all away!! I will just say, that by the end, the lines of outsider and participant were graying for me, because I was crying for BOTH of these men EQUALLY!!!
I want to be owned. Being owned means never being alone. - Isabel
I identified SOOO much with Isabel. I went through something very similar to what Isabel experiences with her parents' divorce and the fallout after, and it too shaped my life. I can just say that, I think that everything that she went through was genuine because, I went through so much of the same. Yes, I still wanted to choke her at times, but I understood her struggles.
Another thing that made this story so special for me was this... this is the author's dedication:
"For my husband. If I were to do this all over again, I would still choose YOU."
Just wow!! To know that this is based on her own story to whatever degree, just blew me away. That takes an incredible amount of courage!! I know I couldn't do it.
And again, this is more than a love story. The part at the end
Is this an emotional story? Yes. Will you want to choke one or all of these characters several times throughout the story? Yes. But, the journey is so worth it, and so beautiful. It was impossible to put down, hi-jacked my thoughts and emotions for the last three days, and is one of the most beautiful stories about love, life, and growing up that I have ever had the pleasure of reading!! There were things that frustrated me about these characters. And little things here and there that I could've done without. For example, the continuous focus on Isabel's wealth and privilege. I just really don't care about that and makes me sometimes lose my connection with a MC. In this case it didn't but...like I said, just could've done without it. But in the end, this story made me FEEL a myriad of emotions and also made me stop and really THINK. Any book that can do that? Especially with as much as I read? Is greatness...hands down!
I will be thinking about Isabel, Alex and Jesse for a long time to come.
"My wound is finally healed. There may be a scar but it serves its purpose to remind me of the undeniable love that we once had. A love I'll never forget." - Isabel
I am immediately jumping into His Wounded Light next and I cannot wait!!!
October 28, 2013
“I’d like to think that a love that develops and grows is a love that lasts a lifetime.
I’m hard pressed to say anything negative about this book. To then read that it’s a debut novel I’m even more shocked. Christine Brae, I applaud you.
To me, nothing is better than picking up a book and then relating to it. And yes, this can mean relating in negative ways. So many people can tell you to read a self-help book, but honestly, what better way for a book to help you than to read just a regular book and find it relatable. And therein lies my experience with The Light in The Wound.
This book addresses First Love and True Love and in my mind, loyalty. That which most of us either experience one or the other or we experience both, or perhaps maybe we haven’t experienced yet. I can tell you, in the end, I have no idea what the hell I’ve experienced. I felt mind fucked, but in a good way? Is that possible? I mean, I’m questioning a lot in my life lately as it is, so why not question this all important area.
The book is about Isabel. She’s our main character and narrator. She’s telling the story of her life and honestly, it’s like she was sitting on my bed telling me her story. I felt like she was a real person in my life. We are taken back to her life as a young girl and we see her family dynamic. Her parents are divorced while she is young and in the end, she’s separated from her sisters in the custody agreement. She lives with her mother who is a few fries short of a happy meal. She’s a former socialite/model, married several times over and with plenty of other issues.
Isa maintains stability in her life by looking at what her mother has become and resolving never to be her. BUT, she continually is there for her mother when need be. Loyalty is one of Isa’s key personality traits.
“There is something to be said about a child’s loyalty to her mother, no matter what the circumstance may be. There is unconditional love that forgives no matter how much hurt is thrown your way. There is relentless hope that a person can change and a compelling belief that things can only get better. There is acceptance.”
During her high school years, Isa meets two boys, Jesse & Alex. Both of whom grow to be stunning young men vying for Isa’s attention. Isa is hopelessly devoted when she’s dating. She’s with her first boyfriend for 7 years. There’s so much in that relationship that you see is wrong. Only Isa is so blinded by her love for him that she goes along with it. He becomes “That guy”…you know him, most if not all of us have met him.
“What I’m saying is please, no makeup, fitted blouses or short skirts to school. Okay? Only with me. Only when we’re alone.”
This man, he’s so absorbed with bringing himself up to Isa’s level in society when she could care less. To her that’s not how love is defined. It certainly didn’t do well for her parents. And yet, he can’t stop. His only concern is ambition and becoming successful so her family will accept him.
“I had become shy and withdrawn, insecure and jealous.”
Well of course. She lost herself. Her relationship was so one sided as her grandmother brought up when she said “When will he start prioritizing you Isabel?”
After awhile, things change, the first love is gone and Isa does a lot of soul searching and dating, but the first love never really goes away. He’s always in and out of her life through the years. And she lets it happen.
“Never accept a counteroffer. If they weren’t good to you the first time, they’ve lost their chance to gain your loyalty and trust. What makes you think it will be better the next time?” WOW. I mean, HOLY WOW. I need to share this with every girl I know. Every guy I know. I, myself, need to live by this.
She also takes a lot of input from her sisters and friends and wisely, she takes it but it’s something that she says that really is thought provoking.
“I know you’re both speaking to me from experience. But, do we ever really know how things might turn out in the future? All we have is today. There are always going to be consequences to our choices, whether they turn out to be good or bad.” Holy cow. YES Isa…my god, you speak truth.
In the end, when the chips are down, Isa must choose. She has to choose between someone who owns her heart and someone who “could” own her heart if only she’d let him. She certainly owns his.
“The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.”
I’m hard pressed to say anything negative about this book. To then read that it’s a debut novel I’m even more shocked. Christine Brae, I applaud you.
To me, nothing is better than picking up a book and then relating to it. And yes, this can mean relating in negative ways. So many people can tell you to read a self-help book, but honestly, what better way for a book to help you than to read just a regular book and find it relatable. And therein lies my experience with The Light in The Wound.
This book addresses First Love and True Love and in my mind, loyalty. That which most of us either experience one or the other or we experience both, or perhaps maybe we haven’t experienced yet. I can tell you, in the end, I have no idea what the hell I’ve experienced. I felt mind fucked, but in a good way? Is that possible? I mean, I’m questioning a lot in my life lately as it is, so why not question this all important area.
The book is about Isabel. She’s our main character and narrator. She’s telling the story of her life and honestly, it’s like she was sitting on my bed telling me her story. I felt like she was a real person in my life. We are taken back to her life as a young girl and we see her family dynamic. Her parents are divorced while she is young and in the end, she’s separated from her sisters in the custody agreement. She lives with her mother who is a few fries short of a happy meal. She’s a former socialite/model, married several times over and with plenty of other issues.
Isa maintains stability in her life by looking at what her mother has become and resolving never to be her. BUT, she continually is there for her mother when need be. Loyalty is one of Isa’s key personality traits.
“There is something to be said about a child’s loyalty to her mother, no matter what the circumstance may be. There is unconditional love that forgives no matter how much hurt is thrown your way. There is relentless hope that a person can change and a compelling belief that things can only get better. There is acceptance.”
During her high school years, Isa meets two boys, Jesse & Alex. Both of whom grow to be stunning young men vying for Isa’s attention. Isa is hopelessly devoted when she’s dating. She’s with her first boyfriend for 7 years. There’s so much in that relationship that you see is wrong. Only Isa is so blinded by her love for him that she goes along with it. He becomes “That guy”…you know him, most if not all of us have met him.
“What I’m saying is please, no makeup, fitted blouses or short skirts to school. Okay? Only with me. Only when we’re alone.”
This man, he’s so absorbed with bringing himself up to Isa’s level in society when she could care less. To her that’s not how love is defined. It certainly didn’t do well for her parents. And yet, he can’t stop. His only concern is ambition and becoming successful so her family will accept him.
“I had become shy and withdrawn, insecure and jealous.”
Well of course. She lost herself. Her relationship was so one sided as her grandmother brought up when she said “When will he start prioritizing you Isabel?”
After awhile, things change, the first love is gone and Isa does a lot of soul searching and dating, but the first love never really goes away. He’s always in and out of her life through the years. And she lets it happen.
“Never accept a counteroffer. If they weren’t good to you the first time, they’ve lost their chance to gain your loyalty and trust. What makes you think it will be better the next time?” WOW. I mean, HOLY WOW. I need to share this with every girl I know. Every guy I know. I, myself, need to live by this.
She also takes a lot of input from her sisters and friends and wisely, she takes it but it’s something that she says that really is thought provoking.
“I know you’re both speaking to me from experience. But, do we ever really know how things might turn out in the future? All we have is today. There are always going to be consequences to our choices, whether they turn out to be good or bad.” Holy cow. YES Isa…my god, you speak truth.
In the end, when the chips are down, Isa must choose. She has to choose between someone who owns her heart and someone who “could” own her heart if only she’d let him. She certainly owns his.
“The most painful thing is losing yourself in the process of loving someone too much, and forgetting that you are special too.”
July 15, 2013
4.5 Stars <3 <3 <3
I’ll be honest with all of you. After reading the prologue I set the book down and growled. I wanted to throw it out my window. And I wish I could tell you why, but I can’t it will be a spoiler and I HATE spoilers. Needless to say I came back the next day and started chapter one. I wanted to know what happened, but if what I thought happened did happen I was going to be one extremely pissed off person. And because I can’t explain myself you’re going to think I’m insane, but there it is.
There are some things in life, in marriage, in relationships that I just cannot tolerate. I won’t. And even though they happen and for numerous reasons and are a real raw aspect of life I just can’t read about them. It’s too much for me. I feel like strangling someone.
So since I didn’t really know what did or didn’t happen I continued. Kudos to Christine Brae for that lest sentence in the prologue. It swallowed me whole. And for those of you who begin and feel this way… CONTINUE. JUST. DO. IT.
Overall the book read a lot like present-day storytelling and then past diary reflection. It’s not written in this way, but that’s how I absorbed it. And for this book it worked.
Isa and Jesse and Alex. Isa and Jesse and Alex. Isa and Jesse and Alex.
That pretty much sums up my turmoil throughout reading. And since I went in with no expectations of what was going to happen, I was biting my nails until the last chapter. Even AFTER we got resolution, there was still potential for dissolution. And that potential scared the crap out of me.
The book is an in-depth, personal look into the life of a young woman named Isabel. It showcases her entire life from childhood up until early adulthood. Her fears, her heartaches, her family problems, her relationship problems, her friendships, her loses and her successes. I read it in two sittings and that speaks volumes about the flow and drive of the story. She kept me wanting more.
There were portions of the story here and there that felt weighted and unnecessary. Moments where she fell into telling me instead of showing me, but these are aspects of writing that become cleaner and cleaner as the author becomes more seasoned. I have high hopes for her and her future works.
The title, while ambiguous before reading it, made so much sense after and I think was the perfect choice. The story is truly a Light in all of Isa’s Wounds.
I believe many women will read this and relate to Isa on some level. Whether it be her sordid family past, the unfortunate feeling of not knowing your own worth, her tumultuous and often gut-wrenching relationship with her mother or the simple fact of not knowing what to do when your heart loves two people. Truly loves two people.
Although I wasn’t swept off my feet by beautiful prose or tear inducing dialogue, I was enraptured by the characters, the story and the turmoil. It simply held me. And heaven help me if I’m not a wee bit in love and entranced by Alex – Jesse – Alex – Jesse – Alex – Jesse – Alex … the man who eventually won her whole heart. Not just pieces.
Job well done. Fantastic debut novel.
I’ll be honest with all of you. After reading the prologue I set the book down and growled. I wanted to throw it out my window. And I wish I could tell you why, but I can’t it will be a spoiler and I HATE spoilers. Needless to say I came back the next day and started chapter one. I wanted to know what happened, but if what I thought happened did happen I was going to be one extremely pissed off person. And because I can’t explain myself you’re going to think I’m insane, but there it is.
There are some things in life, in marriage, in relationships that I just cannot tolerate. I won’t. And even though they happen and for numerous reasons and are a real raw aspect of life I just can’t read about them. It’s too much for me. I feel like strangling someone.
So since I didn’t really know what did or didn’t happen I continued. Kudos to Christine Brae for that lest sentence in the prologue. It swallowed me whole. And for those of you who begin and feel this way… CONTINUE. JUST. DO. IT.
Overall the book read a lot like present-day storytelling and then past diary reflection. It’s not written in this way, but that’s how I absorbed it. And for this book it worked.
Isa and Jesse and Alex. Isa and Jesse and Alex. Isa and Jesse and Alex.
That pretty much sums up my turmoil throughout reading. And since I went in with no expectations of what was going to happen, I was biting my nails until the last chapter. Even AFTER we got resolution, there was still potential for dissolution. And that potential scared the crap out of me.
The book is an in-depth, personal look into the life of a young woman named Isabel. It showcases her entire life from childhood up until early adulthood. Her fears, her heartaches, her family problems, her relationship problems, her friendships, her loses and her successes. I read it in two sittings and that speaks volumes about the flow and drive of the story. She kept me wanting more.
There were portions of the story here and there that felt weighted and unnecessary. Moments where she fell into telling me instead of showing me, but these are aspects of writing that become cleaner and cleaner as the author becomes more seasoned. I have high hopes for her and her future works.
The title, while ambiguous before reading it, made so much sense after and I think was the perfect choice. The story is truly a Light in all of Isa’s Wounds.
I believe many women will read this and relate to Isa on some level. Whether it be her sordid family past, the unfortunate feeling of not knowing your own worth, her tumultuous and often gut-wrenching relationship with her mother or the simple fact of not knowing what to do when your heart loves two people. Truly loves two people.
Although I wasn’t swept off my feet by beautiful prose or tear inducing dialogue, I was enraptured by the characters, the story and the turmoil. It simply held me. And heaven help me if I’m not a wee bit in love and entranced by Alex – Jesse – Alex – Jesse – Alex – Jesse – Alex … the man who eventually won her whole heart. Not just pieces.
Job well done. Fantastic debut novel.
October 25, 2013
The Light in the Wound is an amazing read! Lord I have read a ton of books in my lifetime but never ever have I ever been so slammed in the heart by a book. This book I could relate to it is my life and as I was reading it I was totally there reliving things I have done and said and been through for the past twenty years. I laughed and I cried and I screamed at my kindle and at one point I just thought I was not going to be able to finish it because it struck a nerve but I read on and believe me Issy has a better ending than I do so I was so happy about that.
We meet Isabel whose parents are going through a very nasty publicized divorce. As a result of this pending divorce Issy is sent away to boarding schools and her grandparents home and back. It is when she is finally back home that she enrolls in school and meets Jesse. She has sworn off any kind of love because she does not want to end up like her parents and she does not want to suffer any more loss. So when she and Jesse get close and she falls for him she is surprised because she sworn off love. But Jesse is different and he loves Issy and Issy is head over heels in love with him.
But then things change and Jesse becomes controlling and starts to take things from her like her new friends and her ability to make decisions. Jesse even goes so far as to take the one love and passion she has and that is horse back riding. Jesse turns out to be a selfish controlling bastard and he takes over Issy's life. Jesse pays attention to her when he sees fit and gives her whatever he wants to and when he feels like being rude he is to Issy. The only person he has not run off is Issy's friend Alex.
Lord I love Alex because he is what a true boy/man should be. Alex loves Issy and he is willing to wait for her to open up her eyes and see what she has right in front of her. So when Issy has had enough and Jesse has pushed her to the point she breaks it off with him. She and Alex then start to build a stronger friendship that turns to love but Issy is closed off and only going through the motions to get over Jesse. She still loves Jesse and if he would take her back she would go to him.
Issy and Alex have a long battle ahead of them because Jesse has had an epiphany and wants Issy back and ALex is about to fight to the death for the girl he loves. Will Issy turn her back on ALex and go back to Jesse? Will Alex be able to keep Issy and gain her heart? This book is such a roller coaster of emotions that you will need a box of tissues for this one!
We meet Isabel whose parents are going through a very nasty publicized divorce. As a result of this pending divorce Issy is sent away to boarding schools and her grandparents home and back. It is when she is finally back home that she enrolls in school and meets Jesse. She has sworn off any kind of love because she does not want to end up like her parents and she does not want to suffer any more loss. So when she and Jesse get close and she falls for him she is surprised because she sworn off love. But Jesse is different and he loves Issy and Issy is head over heels in love with him.
But then things change and Jesse becomes controlling and starts to take things from her like her new friends and her ability to make decisions. Jesse even goes so far as to take the one love and passion she has and that is horse back riding. Jesse turns out to be a selfish controlling bastard and he takes over Issy's life. Jesse pays attention to her when he sees fit and gives her whatever he wants to and when he feels like being rude he is to Issy. The only person he has not run off is Issy's friend Alex.
Lord I love Alex because he is what a true boy/man should be. Alex loves Issy and he is willing to wait for her to open up her eyes and see what she has right in front of her. So when Issy has had enough and Jesse has pushed her to the point she breaks it off with him. She and Alex then start to build a stronger friendship that turns to love but Issy is closed off and only going through the motions to get over Jesse. She still loves Jesse and if he would take her back she would go to him.
Issy and Alex have a long battle ahead of them because Jesse has had an epiphany and wants Issy back and ALex is about to fight to the death for the girl he loves. Will Issy turn her back on ALex and go back to Jesse? Will Alex be able to keep Issy and gain her heart? This book is such a roller coaster of emotions that you will need a box of tissues for this one!
August 22, 2013
5++++ stars
February 5, 2014
FREE right now!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/18NjBIP
B&N: http://bit.ly/N2GEbF
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1eU7qcx
We all know that Authors put themselves into their books. Not only their blood, sweat and tears, but a lot of times they write about something that may have happened in their life. I was excited when Christine told me about her debut novel The Light in the Wound and honored when she asked me to host her blog tour. When we talked about this book, it was obvious to me how important and close to her heart this story and the characters are to her. Christine told me that she had a story to tell and she wanted to share it. Christine has made no secret in recent interviews when asked how she was inspired to write this story….her inspiration for this book came from real life experiences that she wanted to share with women of all ages who have encountered similar situations at one point in their life. I can’t imagine the courage she needed to be able to share this story with us ….. family secrets revealed, a love triangle and life-changing decisions where “her” heart was on the line. I was so honored to hold her hand through this tough process of waiting to hear what everyone was going to think and say about her story and the characters so dear to her heart. I am happy to say that after hearing reactions and seeing the reviews, Christine has definitely delivered with this debut novel!
You know how I say sometimes in my reviews that I felt like I was reading a friend’s diary?!? Well, this time that was literally what I was doing and it was handed over to me with permission. As always, I felt I had to tell you this so you could experience the book the same way that I have. Of course, I have the slight advantage of knowing Christine through my blog before reading her book. So, I do know the “type” of person that “Isabel” would become. BUT, I did not know how the book was going to end, who she was going to choose or the journey she took to get there.
(Christine’s Dedication, which after reading this book made my eyes tear up)
Now, let me tell you what I thought about the book! Without giving anything away, when I read the prologue (it starts off in the past), I think my jaw hit the floor! What? What did she just say???? Ok, truth be told, NOW she had me hooked! I had to find out the What? Why? and How! What I thought I would be getting with The Light in the Wound and what I actually read, were two very different things. Most importantly, this story is Isabel’s journey! However, there is a love story that just may break your heart, and you all know I am a sucker for a love story! Christine did an amazing job with this debut novel and captured perfectly what that “all consuming” love is like. I know I have watched many friends “lose” themselves in a relationship. Hell, I have even experienced it! But, what you can hope is that they, you, me, these characters… “find” themselves again too!
We begin the journey with Isa in her childhood years (to truly understand Isa and the choices she makes throughout the book, you need to see where she is coming from by hearing about her background, her upbringing, her family). I am not going to lie, but more prepare you, I know a lot of you will be frustrated with Isa and the choices she makes. I am hoping there are no spoilers that you have read anywhere…. because, as always, I want you to go into the book openly and blindly! My advice to you, finish the book before you make your decision if you like it, love it or or even if you think you know what is going to happen. I myself can say just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next ……BAM! Along Isa’s journey we watch her struggles, a rollercoaster with her self-esteem, her heartbreak (and yours may too), her loyalty and ethics are tested and in the end sit on the edge of your seat as a BIG decision has to be made. I had no clue what was going to happen in the end.....I was waiting for the twists when one was not coming and then getting the twists and turns where I did not think there would be one!
Christine’s writing is beautiful and I was impressed that this is her first novel, which leaves me very excited to see where more experience will take her! Although this story was written to be a stand-alone ….. maybe just maybe by popular demand, you may just see some other points of view in the future. Pick this one up today and find out if second love can ever be enough to make you forget your first.
Thank you Christine for sharing your story with us and for putting your trust in me to help spread the word!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/18NjBIP
B&N: http://bit.ly/N2GEbF
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1eU7qcx
We all know that Authors put themselves into their books. Not only their blood, sweat and tears, but a lot of times they write about something that may have happened in their life. I was excited when Christine told me about her debut novel The Light in the Wound and honored when she asked me to host her blog tour. When we talked about this book, it was obvious to me how important and close to her heart this story and the characters are to her. Christine told me that she had a story to tell and she wanted to share it. Christine has made no secret in recent interviews when asked how she was inspired to write this story….her inspiration for this book came from real life experiences that she wanted to share with women of all ages who have encountered similar situations at one point in their life. I can’t imagine the courage she needed to be able to share this story with us ….. family secrets revealed, a love triangle and life-changing decisions where “her” heart was on the line. I was so honored to hold her hand through this tough process of waiting to hear what everyone was going to think and say about her story and the characters so dear to her heart. I am happy to say that after hearing reactions and seeing the reviews, Christine has definitely delivered with this debut novel!
You know how I say sometimes in my reviews that I felt like I was reading a friend’s diary?!? Well, this time that was literally what I was doing and it was handed over to me with permission. As always, I felt I had to tell you this so you could experience the book the same way that I have. Of course, I have the slight advantage of knowing Christine through my blog before reading her book. So, I do know the “type” of person that “Isabel” would become. BUT, I did not know how the book was going to end, who she was going to choose or the journey she took to get there.
(Christine’s Dedication, which after reading this book made my eyes tear up)
Now, let me tell you what I thought about the book! Without giving anything away, when I read the prologue (it starts off in the past), I think my jaw hit the floor! What? What did she just say???? Ok, truth be told, NOW she had me hooked! I had to find out the What? Why? and How! What I thought I would be getting with The Light in the Wound and what I actually read, were two very different things. Most importantly, this story is Isabel’s journey! However, there is a love story that just may break your heart, and you all know I am a sucker for a love story! Christine did an amazing job with this debut novel and captured perfectly what that “all consuming” love is like. I know I have watched many friends “lose” themselves in a relationship. Hell, I have even experienced it! But, what you can hope is that they, you, me, these characters… “find” themselves again too!
We begin the journey with Isa in her childhood years (to truly understand Isa and the choices she makes throughout the book, you need to see where she is coming from by hearing about her background, her upbringing, her family). I am not going to lie, but more prepare you, I know a lot of you will be frustrated with Isa and the choices she makes. I am hoping there are no spoilers that you have read anywhere…. because, as always, I want you to go into the book openly and blindly! My advice to you, finish the book before you make your decision if you like it, love it or or even if you think you know what is going to happen. I myself can say just when I thought I knew what was going to happen next ……BAM! Along Isa’s journey we watch her struggles, a rollercoaster with her self-esteem, her heartbreak (and yours may too), her loyalty and ethics are tested and in the end sit on the edge of your seat as a BIG decision has to be made. I had no clue what was going to happen in the end.....I was waiting for the twists when one was not coming and then getting the twists and turns where I did not think there would be one!
Christine’s writing is beautiful and I was impressed that this is her first novel, which leaves me very excited to see where more experience will take her! Although this story was written to be a stand-alone ….. maybe just maybe by popular demand, you may just see some other points of view in the future. Pick this one up today and find out if second love can ever be enough to make you forget your first.
Thank you Christine for sharing your story with us and for putting your trust in me to help spread the word!
July 25, 2013
4.5 Alarm Bell Stars
Do you hear that? Yes. That clanging sound. It's Alarm Bells. The Alarm Bells everyone around Isabel should have been hearing. Why can they not hear them? I heard them loud and clear from all the way over here in Texas.
The story begins with a Kick Ass Prologue. I was hooked. I was intrigued. I want to know the who, the why, the what the hooey happened to get to THAT point where the prologue takes us.
Isabel's parents are super rich, super self-indulgent, and super non-involved in their children's lives. Issy has spent a lot of time alone. She was shipped off to boarding school, her grandparents house, basically any place that her mom did not have to be involved. When Issy takes a stand and decided to move back home and go to school with her friends, she meets Jessie. Jessie is a cute baseball player who quickly turns into a controlling cute baseball player.
Jessie tells Issy what to wear. He takes away her one passion, riding horses. Are you hearing Alarm Bells yet? I am. Issy realizes what is happening, but she is so in need of validation that she allows it.
By this time, I had noticed more changes in the way I saw myself. I had become shy and withdrawn, insecure and jealous.
As Jessie exerts more control, Issy lets him. She is desperate to be important to someone.
I want to be owned. Being owned means never being alone.
Alarm Bells yet? Yeah I thought so. This is not the Alpha-Male-I-Will-Take-Care-of-You controlling. This is something much darker. He ignores her until it is convenient. He isolates her from almost everyone in her life.
One of the few friends she has left is Alex. Alex is of her social circle. He is in the background waiting for his chance with Issy. When Issy and Alex finally break up. Issy is broken. Alex tries to help her put back the pieces. But she keeps that wound open. She seems to enjoy keeping that wound open. She picks at it. Alarm Bells.
As the story unfolds you get the back and forth of Issy, Alex and Jessie. It is so unhealthy. Dr Ruth would have a lot to say about this. MTV would have a field day. Issy is in need of some major therapy or the next in line to get a reality show. Either way, she is has some issues. Everyone gets hurt. Everyone is wounded. Which one of the wounded will she end up with? You know there is a wedding coming up. It was in the Prologue. But who is she is wedding and who is she walking away from?
And the actual wedding scene? The one that follows that prologue? I was whispering No No No. Did she hear me? Will she allow the past to repeat itself or can she move on?
I learned from my own experience that no one's words of wisdom are as good as your own. Burning your hand once is the only way you'll ever remember never to touch an open fire.
Nice words, but can she take her own advice? She has temptation, a very sexy temptation, put in front of her right up until the very end.
Let's prove to the world that first love's can last a lifetime
Still with the Alarm Bells. Ms Brae has created a tale of co-dependence, unhealthy relationships, and hopefully redemption. And you have a hard time putting it down. I wanted Isabel to be with the right guy but I didn't trust her to make that decision. That's it..I didn't trust Isabel to make the right choices because has so little experience with making the right choices. So many concerns. And bells. Lots of bells.
7/24/13 Footnote: I changed by rating to 4.5 stars because I can not get this book out of my brain!
Do you hear that? Yes. That clanging sound. It's Alarm Bells. The Alarm Bells everyone around Isabel should have been hearing. Why can they not hear them? I heard them loud and clear from all the way over here in Texas.
The story begins with a Kick Ass Prologue. I was hooked. I was intrigued. I want to know the who, the why, the what the hooey happened to get to THAT point where the prologue takes us.
Isabel's parents are super rich, super self-indulgent, and super non-involved in their children's lives. Issy has spent a lot of time alone. She was shipped off to boarding school, her grandparents house, basically any place that her mom did not have to be involved. When Issy takes a stand and decided to move back home and go to school with her friends, she meets Jessie. Jessie is a cute baseball player who quickly turns into a controlling cute baseball player.
Jessie tells Issy what to wear. He takes away her one passion, riding horses. Are you hearing Alarm Bells yet? I am. Issy realizes what is happening, but she is so in need of validation that she allows it.
By this time, I had noticed more changes in the way I saw myself. I had become shy and withdrawn, insecure and jealous.
As Jessie exerts more control, Issy lets him. She is desperate to be important to someone.
I want to be owned. Being owned means never being alone.
Alarm Bells yet? Yeah I thought so. This is not the Alpha-Male-I-Will-Take-Care-of-You controlling. This is something much darker. He ignores her until it is convenient. He isolates her from almost everyone in her life.
One of the few friends she has left is Alex. Alex is of her social circle. He is in the background waiting for his chance with Issy. When Issy and Alex finally break up. Issy is broken. Alex tries to help her put back the pieces. But she keeps that wound open. She seems to enjoy keeping that wound open. She picks at it. Alarm Bells.
As the story unfolds you get the back and forth of Issy, Alex and Jessie. It is so unhealthy. Dr Ruth would have a lot to say about this. MTV would have a field day. Issy is in need of some major therapy or the next in line to get a reality show. Either way, she is has some issues. Everyone gets hurt. Everyone is wounded. Which one of the wounded will she end up with? You know there is a wedding coming up. It was in the Prologue. But who is she is wedding and who is she walking away from?
And the actual wedding scene? The one that follows that prologue? I was whispering No No No. Did she hear me? Will she allow the past to repeat itself or can she move on?
I learned from my own experience that no one's words of wisdom are as good as your own. Burning your hand once is the only way you'll ever remember never to touch an open fire.
Nice words, but can she take her own advice? She has temptation, a very sexy temptation, put in front of her right up until the very end.
Let's prove to the world that first love's can last a lifetime
Still with the Alarm Bells. Ms Brae has created a tale of co-dependence, unhealthy relationships, and hopefully redemption. And you have a hard time putting it down. I wanted Isabel to be with the right guy but I didn't trust her to make that decision. That's it..I didn't trust Isabel to make the right choices because has so little experience with making the right choices. So many concerns. And bells. Lots of bells.
7/24/13 Footnote: I changed by rating to 4.5 stars because I can not get this book out of my brain!
February 1, 2014
I just finished The Light in the Wound and I really enjoyed it. This was a sweet story about love and choosing what is best for you. Isabel has famous parents and they end up divorcing causing Isabel to grow up pretty fast and take on a lot of responsibilities. Her and her sisters split up and she goes with her mothers parents while her sisters go with their father’s parents. She eventually goes abroad to a different school and then decides that she is done with that and moves back with her mom. By this time, I think mom has married a couple of times since she lived there but she still has taken on a lot. She starts going to school with her sisters and here is where she meets Jesse and Alex. Jesse, she meets first, they become good friends and then boyfriend/girlfriend. She then meets Alex and they become best friends. Jesse has a control problem and wants Isabel to follow his lead and worry about what he needs to do to better their life. They are together for 7 years when Isabel finally has enough. Jealousy whether it is on his part or hers, it had finally taken a toll on her. Keep in mind there were a couple of times where they had a break, during one of those breaks, she ends up with Alex. Alex has been with her through thick and thin and one thing leads to another and they have a night together. You find out that Alex is in love with her, has been for a long time. She is not ready to go back to that and decides that it is best to just be friends. She goes eventually goes back to Jesse and is happy but knows that she is missing something. She cannot quite put her finger on it until she finds out that Alex is thinking about marrying his new girlfriend. This is it. She is in love with Alex. Do you choose your first love that has been through all your firsts? Do you choose your best friend that lets you be you? You will have to read and see...
I really enjoyed this story. I’m usually not into love triangles because of cheating and lying but this was done in a different way and I was happy with that. Jesse is demanding and possessive, sometimes being to much but he does love Isabel. Alex is so sweet and loyal and really does love Isabel. This is a hard choice and I don’t blame her for her conflicting decisions that she ends up making. Isabel is such a sweet girl, is always thinking about others so when the most important decision has to be mad, she has to make the best for her. And what a decision it was. I really wish I didn’t read the spoilers because I knew who she was going to choose and if I didn’t read them, I would have been on pins and needles. I loved how she started the story and how it ended and I am excited to know that there will be more.
There is a lot more to the story, her mother, her sisters, her friends and I loved that about that it was just not just centered on them. I can tell you though that it is a beautiful story and my heart broke for Isabel in the end. I do not know if I can handle the next one but will definitely read it.
Story 5
Sex 3.5
Overall 5
Reviewed by Shay for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
I really enjoyed this story. I’m usually not into love triangles because of cheating and lying but this was done in a different way and I was happy with that. Jesse is demanding and possessive, sometimes being to much but he does love Isabel. Alex is so sweet and loyal and really does love Isabel. This is a hard choice and I don’t blame her for her conflicting decisions that she ends up making. Isabel is such a sweet girl, is always thinking about others so when the most important decision has to be mad, she has to make the best for her. And what a decision it was. I really wish I didn’t read the spoilers because I knew who she was going to choose and if I didn’t read them, I would have been on pins and needles. I loved how she started the story and how it ended and I am excited to know that there will be more.
There is a lot more to the story, her mother, her sisters, her friends and I loved that about that it was just not just centered on them. I can tell you though that it is a beautiful story and my heart broke for Isabel in the end. I do not know if I can handle the next one but will definitely read it.
Story 5
Sex 3.5
Overall 5
Reviewed by Shay for Crystal’s Many Reviewers
January 8, 2014
Wow. Okay, I know I'm late to the party but I'll make up for it with enthusiasm, rest assured. I'll start from the beginning, (that's a good place to start, right?). The prologue is explosive. Seriously. And then I spent the rest of the book trying to piece together the facts and feelings and trying to work out just how the hell the lead character, Isabel, got to that point.
The writing is of a narrative style, in first person and like one is telling a story. This works for many reasons; it's informative, allowed me to connect with Isabel, and you really get a sense of the time passing. There are no fillers, just snippets of important events.
Not once does the plot follow how I imagined it to. It is a stark contrast to the usual romance novels. There is no boy meets girl, they fight, they make up and live happily ever after. There are twists and turns, highs and lows, and many options for Isabel.
Isabel herself is someone I shouldn't feel a connection to. Her life is so vastly different to my own that I shouldn't be able to understand her issues, but I found myself intrigued by the difference rather than put off by it. And where she talks about designer clothes and polo club, you still know that it is her family that is most important to her, not her lifestyle.
You should read this novel if you want something different, something true and heartfelt. If you want to be taken on a journey across the world and back. If you want a romance where the pieces don't fit perfectly together, where the characters have to work at their happy ever afters rather than finding them easily, this is for you.
The writing is of a narrative style, in first person and like one is telling a story. This works for many reasons; it's informative, allowed me to connect with Isabel, and you really get a sense of the time passing. There are no fillers, just snippets of important events.
Not once does the plot follow how I imagined it to. It is a stark contrast to the usual romance novels. There is no boy meets girl, they fight, they make up and live happily ever after. There are twists and turns, highs and lows, and many options for Isabel.
Isabel herself is someone I shouldn't feel a connection to. Her life is so vastly different to my own that I shouldn't be able to understand her issues, but I found myself intrigued by the difference rather than put off by it. And where she talks about designer clothes and polo club, you still know that it is her family that is most important to her, not her lifestyle.
You should read this novel if you want something different, something true and heartfelt. If you want to be taken on a journey across the world and back. If you want a romance where the pieces don't fit perfectly together, where the characters have to work at their happy ever afters rather than finding them easily, this is for you.
July 23, 2013
Whoa. Fabulous.
Let me start out by saying, I'm not into flowery, rainbows and unicorns, everything is fabulous books. I don't particularly care for chick flicks. I was SO relieved to find this book is far from that. It is just angsty enough without feeling like the author tore my heart out and stomped on it. The characters are relatable (either I could relate to them or I knew someone like them...) and throughout the book, you can feel them growing up and changing - definitely not one dimensional characters.
I liked Isabel. There, I said it. I know some people found her indecisiveness to be off-putting, but it didn't bother me as much as some female characters that have acted in a similar way in other books. I feel like I understood why she was indecisive (as much as I wanted to smack her for making poor decisions sometimes). With her mother as an example and the kind of upbringing she received, I decided she was allowed to have some major fumbles. Especially since she seemed to learn from her mistakes eventually.
Jesse was extremely frustrating and anxiety inducing. I know people like him and I knew she needed get away from him. I was very skeptical that he would ever change.
Alex *sigh*. Everyone needs and deserves an Alex in their life.
Oh! And how could I forget! Holy, hot sexy times!! Some fantastic scenes peppered in here and there. I need a fan to cool off...
Fantastic book! Very well written, considering this is the author's debut novel. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future books from Brae!
Let me start out by saying, I'm not into flowery, rainbows and unicorns, everything is fabulous books. I don't particularly care for chick flicks. I was SO relieved to find this book is far from that. It is just angsty enough without feeling like the author tore my heart out and stomped on it. The characters are relatable (either I could relate to them or I knew someone like them...) and throughout the book, you can feel them growing up and changing - definitely not one dimensional characters.
I liked Isabel. There, I said it. I know some people found her indecisiveness to be off-putting, but it didn't bother me as much as some female characters that have acted in a similar way in other books. I feel like I understood why she was indecisive (as much as I wanted to smack her for making poor decisions sometimes). With her mother as an example and the kind of upbringing she received, I decided she was allowed to have some major fumbles. Especially since she seemed to learn from her mistakes eventually.
Jesse was extremely frustrating and anxiety inducing. I know people like him and I knew she needed get away from him. I was very skeptical that he would ever change.
Alex *sigh*. Everyone needs and deserves an Alex in their life.
Oh! And how could I forget! Holy, hot sexy times!! Some fantastic scenes peppered in here and there. I need a fan to cool off...
Fantastic book! Very well written, considering this is the author's debut novel. I will definitely be keeping an eye out for future books from Brae!
July 27, 2013
TALK ABOUT HEART-SHATTERING, GUT-CHURNING EMOTIONAL TURMOIL!
Let's prove to the world that first love's can last a lifetime.
I was bawling and crying my eyes out the entire time I'm reading this book. I couldn't put it down. It's really a snap in my face because it hurts so much to see someone you loved in a very long time that you actually put your heart out to open, just to give it back you in broken pieces and then after all that went through, you still cared and craved for that love because that's what first love is all about. You can never changed what you feel to that person because deep inside, it's always going to your firsts even though it was wounded and left you into sorrow. It hurts so much to see two men that deeply loves you that I'm so torn between Jesse and Alex. It's like your dark and light altogether.
But the one thing that I most fell in love with this story? It's how it made me realize that every mistakes happen for a reason. You should learn from them and do not regret. You love, you hurt, you love again even though you're scared. This is a truly wonderful story and I can't give more details about it because I want you to be the one to read it. It's great and my tear soaked pillow is the indication that this book will get you lost and it will ripped your heart slowly into pieces. Damn I'm such a masochist for pain. But a real good kind of pain.
Let's prove to the world that first love's can last a lifetime.
I was bawling and crying my eyes out the entire time I'm reading this book. I couldn't put it down. It's really a snap in my face because it hurts so much to see someone you loved in a very long time that you actually put your heart out to open, just to give it back you in broken pieces and then after all that went through, you still cared and craved for that love because that's what first love is all about. You can never changed what you feel to that person because deep inside, it's always going to your firsts even though it was wounded and left you into sorrow. It hurts so much to see two men that deeply loves you that I'm so torn between Jesse and Alex. It's like your dark and light altogether.
But the one thing that I most fell in love with this story? It's how it made me realize that every mistakes happen for a reason. You should learn from them and do not regret. You love, you hurt, you love again even though you're scared. This is a truly wonderful story and I can't give more details about it because I want you to be the one to read it. It's great and my tear soaked pillow is the indication that this book will get you lost and it will ripped your heart slowly into pieces. Damn I'm such a masochist for pain. But a real good kind of pain.
July 29, 2013
This book gave me so much emotion all in one reading. I got hurt, sad, I swooned, I understood the meaning behind FIRST LOVE & TRUE LOVE.
It was so confusing for Isabel to love and to be loved by two men. Even I was so confused on who to root for. I'm not really sure if it is really a happy ending. Some may say that it's not and some may say that it is. That Isabel has chosen the right one. Actually, I felt kind of conflicted because I do believe in "love at first sight" and the whole "first love never dies". It's true but sometimes true love has the upper hand from the first love especially if that love is the appropriate thing and healthy for you.
I can't help but wonder though, did this story take place in the Philippines. The author's description was a bit vague regarding the locations on this story. But Cebu being mentioned in the beginning and Greenbelt as well near the end, I just couldn't help but wonder. Anyways, if you guys want a heart breaking story full of drama, then this is for you.
Reading this may teach you a thing or two about first love and true love altogether in one reading.
It was so confusing for Isabel to love and to be loved by two men. Even I was so confused on who to root for. I'm not really sure if it is really a happy ending. Some may say that it's not and some may say that it is. That Isabel has chosen the right one. Actually, I felt kind of conflicted because I do believe in "love at first sight" and the whole "first love never dies". It's true but sometimes true love has the upper hand from the first love especially if that love is the appropriate thing and healthy for you.
I can't help but wonder though, did this story take place in the Philippines. The author's description was a bit vague regarding the locations on this story. But Cebu being mentioned in the beginning and Greenbelt as well near the end, I just couldn't help but wonder. Anyways, if you guys want a heart breaking story full of drama, then this is for you.
Reading this may teach you a thing or two about first love and true love altogether in one reading.
December 30, 2015
2.5 stars
The heroine drove me crazy.And the writing style didn't really work for me.
December 10, 2016
5 STARS
“I'm going to spend every night of my life kissing away your memories of him. I'm going to find places he never kissed and our first times will be a thousand times sweeter than your first times with him. Isabel you are the love of my life.
Ugh I Loved This book so much Christine Brae Really Knows how to play with a girls emotions I cant even write a proper review because I must go on now And read book two.
What I loved About The Book
I loved How Christine Really took me through a roller coaster ride of emotions and I still enjoyed the book. Sometimes when I read A book about a main character and their emotions are all over the place I tend roll my eyes and say girl get over it. But with these characters I really understood why They did what they did through the whole book. There was never a dull moment and I couldn't stop reading until I knew what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed this book and this author is an amazing story teller. Now on on to book 2.
“I’ve learned that giving your heart away to someone is the bravest thing you can ever do. The one moment that it’s cherished, no matter how brief, can help it to survive a lifetime.”
“I'm going to spend every night of my life kissing away your memories of him. I'm going to find places he never kissed and our first times will be a thousand times sweeter than your first times with him. Isabel you are the love of my life.
Ugh I Loved This book so much Christine Brae Really Knows how to play with a girls emotions I cant even write a proper review because I must go on now And read book two.
What I loved About The Book
I loved How Christine Really took me through a roller coaster ride of emotions and I still enjoyed the book. Sometimes when I read A book about a main character and their emotions are all over the place I tend roll my eyes and say girl get over it. But with these characters I really understood why They did what they did through the whole book. There was never a dull moment and I couldn't stop reading until I knew what was going to happen next. I really enjoyed this book and this author is an amazing story teller. Now on on to book 2.
“I’ve learned that giving your heart away to someone is the bravest thing you can ever do. The one moment that it’s cherished, no matter how brief, can help it to survive a lifetime.”
March 23, 2015
What a beautifully written story that tackles so many questions concerning love, loss, growing up, going on, overcoming, looking back and making a life worth loving. There is nothing light or easy when reading this, however. The characters are so deftly explored that they bury into the readers psyche, wrap around every person's experience and pour in their emotions until we can't close them off. I found myself contemplating Isebel's choices, Alex's love and Jesse's obsession long after that last page was turned. Amazing accomplishment, Ms. Brae!
Want to Read
March 12, 2014★ FREEBIE & SALE ALERT ★
'The Light in the Wound' and 'His Wounded Light', by Christine Brae
This another series that I haven't read, but have heard lots of great things about. Apparently it is a stunning début duet that is guaranteed to make you cry!
Right now, book #1 is FREE and book #2 is on SALE for just £1.79/$2.99.
The Light in the Wound (The Light in the Wound, #1)
~ FREE ~
UK AMAZON: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E3UCQ8W
US AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E3UCQ8W
His Wounded Light (The Light in the Wound, #2)
~ ON SALE ~
UK AMAZON: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00H6SO28U
US AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H6SO28U
'The Light in the Wound' and 'His Wounded Light', by Christine Brae
This another series that I haven't read, but have heard lots of great things about. Apparently it is a stunning début duet that is guaranteed to make you cry!
Right now, book #1 is FREE and book #2 is on SALE for just £1.79/$2.99.
The Light in the Wound (The Light in the Wound, #1)
~ FREE ~
UK AMAZON: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00E3UCQ8W
US AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00E3UCQ8W
His Wounded Light (The Light in the Wound, #2)
~ ON SALE ~
UK AMAZON: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00H6SO28U
US AMAZON: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H6SO28U
May 25, 2021
The Light in the Wound by Christine Brae is an emotional book that perfectly captures the realities of life, in every aspect of it. It narrates the story of Isabel Amarra’s life from childhood till womanhood. It was very realistic because every joy, sadness, insecurity, fear, heartache, pain, regret and success of hers were bared in this story. It doesn't just focus on her romantic relationships but it also delved in into a picture of what some families go through.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Full review posted on my blog. :)
Rating: 4.5 stars
Full review posted on my blog. :)
August 27, 2013
4 Emotional, made me ugly cry stars!
This book is going to be a mighty hard review for me. It had me UP and then DOWN… then UP and then DOWN.
This story is not only a gut wrenching romance, it is about family, mothers, sisters, absent fathers, marriage, divorce, following footsteps….
Currently I am a FREAKING BASKETCASE! And it had nothing to do with the freaking love triangle that made me want to rip my hair out! Throw my E-reader and contact Christine Brae and ask her how she didn’t end up murdering all 3 of them!!!
The part that made me cry was the love between Isa and her mother… you don’t acknowledge it, you FEEL IT. You think she’s a crap mother and she is in some ways BUT she did her best with what she had. She was raised spoiled and got everything she ever wanted. We all know some people like that! Princesses that are so selfish and self consumed they don’t see what is right in front of them! Can you blame someone for being a product of their environment? Can you blame that same person for falling into the same trap and then trying to break out of the mould???
“Even if she was never really a permanent fixture in my life, her persona influenced who I became and what I wanted out of life. Somehow those moments, despite being brief episodes, left a mark enough to inspire me to change the course of my family’s history.”
As a mom, this part of the story seriously hurt my heart. It broke it. In many many ways… I think of being a single mom before my amazing husband swooped in and saved our lives… I hope my son takes and understands to profound measures a mother goes through for their children’s happiness. Christine Brae! You breathed that LOVE into this part of the book! I bow to you!
The rest of the story was Isa, Jesse, and Alex….
Isa- I so wanted to beat you sometimes… like really, I really did when it came to the men in your life! A first love, a need to be loved is bad medicine. Especially when you lose yourself somewhere in there… and Isa totally lost herself in her need to be loved.
Jesse- GAH- as hot as he was I couldn’t like him… I just couldn’t. He ALMOST made me stop reading the book. His selfishness knew no bounds… and to have love and lost it… I am so glad that you felt it. SO.GLAD.THAT.YOU.FELT.IT
Alex- GREAT NAME :) – you also angered me! Because I felt that you didn’t fight for Isa with all your heart. You let things happen, you allowed altered courses in all 3 of your lives. All is fair in love and war. In the end you got your woman and you deserved her! Because you LOVED with your WHOLE ENTIRE BEING! And that you felt from the moment you were introduced.
“You have my whole heart. It doesn’t matter if someone had it before you. He didn’t deserve it. You do. All of it. I’ll marry you tomorrow, if it means that much to you.”
” Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given, never forgotten, never let it disappear.” John Lennon
Mare~BFA SUPREME
This book is going to be a mighty hard review for me. It had me UP and then DOWN… then UP and then DOWN.
This story is not only a gut wrenching romance, it is about family, mothers, sisters, absent fathers, marriage, divorce, following footsteps….
Currently I am a FREAKING BASKETCASE! And it had nothing to do with the freaking love triangle that made me want to rip my hair out! Throw my E-reader and contact Christine Brae and ask her how she didn’t end up murdering all 3 of them!!!
The part that made me cry was the love between Isa and her mother… you don’t acknowledge it, you FEEL IT. You think she’s a crap mother and she is in some ways BUT she did her best with what she had. She was raised spoiled and got everything she ever wanted. We all know some people like that! Princesses that are so selfish and self consumed they don’t see what is right in front of them! Can you blame someone for being a product of their environment? Can you blame that same person for falling into the same trap and then trying to break out of the mould???
“Even if she was never really a permanent fixture in my life, her persona influenced who I became and what I wanted out of life. Somehow those moments, despite being brief episodes, left a mark enough to inspire me to change the course of my family’s history.”
As a mom, this part of the story seriously hurt my heart. It broke it. In many many ways… I think of being a single mom before my amazing husband swooped in and saved our lives… I hope my son takes and understands to profound measures a mother goes through for their children’s happiness. Christine Brae! You breathed that LOVE into this part of the book! I bow to you!
The rest of the story was Isa, Jesse, and Alex….
Isa- I so wanted to beat you sometimes… like really, I really did when it came to the men in your life! A first love, a need to be loved is bad medicine. Especially when you lose yourself somewhere in there… and Isa totally lost herself in her need to be loved.
Jesse- GAH- as hot as he was I couldn’t like him… I just couldn’t. He ALMOST made me stop reading the book. His selfishness knew no bounds… and to have love and lost it… I am so glad that you felt it. SO.GLAD.THAT.YOU.FELT.IT
Alex- GREAT NAME :) – you also angered me! Because I felt that you didn’t fight for Isa with all your heart. You let things happen, you allowed altered courses in all 3 of your lives. All is fair in love and war. In the end you got your woman and you deserved her! Because you LOVED with your WHOLE ENTIRE BEING! And that you felt from the moment you were introduced.
“You have my whole heart. It doesn’t matter if someone had it before you. He didn’t deserve it. You do. All of it. I’ll marry you tomorrow, if it means that much to you.”
” Love is a promise, love is a souvenir, once given, never forgotten, never let it disappear.” John Lennon
Mare~BFA SUPREME
October 19, 2014
I read the reviews of all my trusty book buds and thought "oh, wow, I need a book to make me cry". Well, I didn't cry. I honestly didn't know how to rate the book when I finished. Did I love it? Was I just "meh" about it? **Don't assume this means I didn't like it. Keep reading!** Let me try to explain.
I felt somewhat detached from the MC on several levels. Isabel was born into a very afluent family. I was not. Her life consisted of retail therapy, Polo clubs, fancy dinners with Senators and the President of her country. Again, I couldn't relate. Family member who was a source of embarassment and stress in Issy's life (in her case, her mother): Ok, I can relate somewhat to this.
At first, the back and forth annoyed me. I love you today. Please let me go tomorrow. So on and so forth. Fast forward eight hours and it just hit me: "Hey, do you remember Gary and Mark in the 9th grade?" Yeah, I went back and forth and back and forth between the two. I was madly in love with Gary, but Mark was older and had a car, so I thought I could be in love with him. But Gary was so cute!! What to do?!?! So, now, here I am finding myself suddenly relating with Isabel. Young love, new love, all-consuming love...it's a force to be reckoned with. (Oh, and, graduation night, I was crying over Gary because he'd gotten another girl pregnant and was getting married. Three years later, he still held the power to make me cry my eyes out.) So, it isn't unrealistic to go back and forth. It isn't unheard of to have an ember smoldering beneath the surface of your heart for someone, even though you've moved on.
Love is something you have to work to maintain. Sometimes you don't fall in love, you grow in love. Is one more real than the other? Does one hold more merit than the other? Nope. I don't think so. I loved Gary with all that I had to offer....at that point in my life. It was as real to me as anything could have been. Looking back now (many, many years later), I am absolutely in love with my husband. I went through rough relationships and thought I'd never find my happily ever after. But, love prevailed in my case.
Now, Isabel....well, you'll have to read the book to find out what happens with her. I won't tell you that.
Overall, after much deliberation (and little work), I have decided that I enjoyed this book. I rather enjoyed the simplicity of it. It wasn't a mind bleep . I didn't have to think really hard to follow the plot. It was written well. It was a relavent subject matter. It was about real life, which is full of ups and downs.
As a debut novel, I think this author did an exceptional job. I look forward to reading her future work.
I felt somewhat detached from the MC on several levels. Isabel was born into a very afluent family. I was not. Her life consisted of retail therapy, Polo clubs, fancy dinners with Senators and the President of her country. Again, I couldn't relate. Family member who was a source of embarassment and stress in Issy's life (in her case, her mother): Ok, I can relate somewhat to this.
At first, the back and forth annoyed me. I love you today. Please let me go tomorrow. So on and so forth. Fast forward eight hours and it just hit me: "Hey, do you remember Gary and Mark in the 9th grade?" Yeah, I went back and forth and back and forth between the two. I was madly in love with Gary, but Mark was older and had a car, so I thought I could be in love with him. But Gary was so cute!! What to do?!?! So, now, here I am finding myself suddenly relating with Isabel. Young love, new love, all-consuming love...it's a force to be reckoned with. (Oh, and, graduation night, I was crying over Gary because he'd gotten another girl pregnant and was getting married. Three years later, he still held the power to make me cry my eyes out.) So, it isn't unrealistic to go back and forth. It isn't unheard of to have an ember smoldering beneath the surface of your heart for someone, even though you've moved on.
Love is something you have to work to maintain. Sometimes you don't fall in love, you grow in love. Is one more real than the other? Does one hold more merit than the other? Nope. I don't think so. I loved Gary with all that I had to offer....at that point in my life. It was as real to me as anything could have been. Looking back now (many, many years later), I am absolutely in love with my husband. I went through rough relationships and thought I'd never find my happily ever after. But, love prevailed in my case.
Now, Isabel....well, you'll have to read the book to find out what happens with her. I won't tell you that.
Overall, after much deliberation (and little work), I have decided that I enjoyed this book. I rather enjoyed the simplicity of it. It wasn't a mind
As a debut novel, I think this author did an exceptional job. I look forward to reading her future work.
March 14, 2014
Now, I never give reviews. But this one desperately needed it. I want to give this book 0 stars. Hell, minus 0 stars.
I do not understand what the majority of these readers found romantic.
Jesse was an emotionally abusing, manipulative horrible person.
Alex was a moron and manipulative.
Isabel was like a whiny four year old who really needed a slap round the face so she could realise that those two 'men' are absolute pricks.
I have never felt so angry whilst reading a book. It was awful. I skimmed the last 30% because I had had enough of Isabel's bullshit. And Jesse. Don't even get me started.
I suppose spoilers. Although it's hardly spoiling anything decent.
What the hell is this book and how did it ever get published?
If anyone finds this romantic then they need their head examined. Nothing in this book was romantic. The characters were emotionally abusive and manipulative and if you find that romantic then I feel sorry for you. I need to go cleanse my mind.
I will probably add more at a later date but at the moment I am too distraught to even think about this book.
Emotional abuse is not o-fucking-kay.
I do not understand what the majority of these readers found romantic.
Jesse was an emotionally abusing, manipulative horrible person.
Alex was a moron and manipulative.
Isabel was like a whiny four year old who really needed a slap round the face so she could realise that those two 'men' are absolute pricks.
I have never felt so angry whilst reading a book. It was awful. I skimmed the last 30% because I had had enough of Isabel's bullshit. And Jesse. Don't even get me started.
I suppose spoilers. Although it's hardly spoiling anything decent.
What the hell is this book and how did it ever get published?
If anyone finds this romantic then they need their head examined. Nothing in this book was romantic. The characters were emotionally abusive and manipulative and if you find that romantic then I feel sorry for you. I need to go cleanse my mind.
I will probably add more at a later date but at the moment I am too distraught to even think about this book.
Emotional abuse is not o-fucking-kay.
August 25, 2013
A compelling, emotional read
To me it read like a diary about Isabel's life experiences, her feelings, hurts, needs, wants, heartache, loss, her messed up upbringing and losing herself in the process..
Her need to pretend at such an early age that she came from a normal family..
The love of two men (First Love vs Second love)
First Love she wasn't enough.."I would give up anything and everything to be with him"..
The other she was his everything..
Beautifully written, from the very first page you are pulled into the story of the reality of Isobel's life, recommended read..
To me it read like a diary about Isabel's life experiences, her feelings, hurts, needs, wants, heartache, loss, her messed up upbringing and losing herself in the process..
Her need to pretend at such an early age that she came from a normal family..
The love of two men (First Love vs Second love)
First Love she wasn't enough.."I would give up anything and everything to be with him"..
The other she was his everything..
Beautifully written, from the very first page you are pulled into the story of the reality of Isobel's life, recommended read..
September 14, 2013
This was a really great book. I went into this one with high expectations and I am glad to say it delivered. I totally recommend this book.
The good
1) Alex i loved him he was such a great character
2) The last 40% of this book was fantastic i love how it resolved the love triangle situation
3) This was the authors debut novel. Very impressed. Her ceiling as an author is very high
I really liked the format of the book. The prologue was fantastic. I loved the titles of each chapter, really made understanding the book a lot easier
The bad
1) The first half of the book could have been streamlined a bit. It went into to much detail some of which wasn't necessary
July 14, 2013
3 1/2 stars!
The depth of Isabel's life was profoundly changing for her. She wants to be loved - to even be, "owned." Not too difficult to understand when her parents, who are filthy rich, want little to do with her, and that sentiment goes for her siblings as well. Uh huh, their self indulgence does serious damage to Isabel's confidence and self worth. So when she moves back home from boarding school and meets Jesse, a baseball player...things seem to be looking up for her. Well, until he becomes so controlling it's obvious to the reader and they find themselves shouting the word, "NOOOO" at their Kindle. (Yeah...that's a bad sign.)
Enter Alex. A true friend to Isabel and also someone who loves her from a far. (Let the de-programming begin.) Slowly, Alex shows her what sincere, caring love is all about. She likes it, even knows she needs it, but a part of her heart still belongs to her first true love. Dysfunctional or not...
This was a good story. The prologue was awesome and had my eyes glued to the Kindle screen for the first several pages. Although, I will say that Brae's style of heavy foreshadowing was a bit confusing for me at times and I felt with each step back, the book's flow was affected for me personally. That said, for a first time author, uh...wow!!
The depth of Isabel's life was profoundly changing for her. She wants to be loved - to even be, "owned." Not too difficult to understand when her parents, who are filthy rich, want little to do with her, and that sentiment goes for her siblings as well. Uh huh, their self indulgence does serious damage to Isabel's confidence and self worth. So when she moves back home from boarding school and meets Jesse, a baseball player...things seem to be looking up for her. Well, until he becomes so controlling it's obvious to the reader and they find themselves shouting the word, "NOOOO" at their Kindle. (Yeah...that's a bad sign.)
Enter Alex. A true friend to Isabel and also someone who loves her from a far. (Let the de-programming begin.) Slowly, Alex shows her what sincere, caring love is all about. She likes it, even knows she needs it, but a part of her heart still belongs to her first true love. Dysfunctional or not...
This was a good story. The prologue was awesome and had my eyes glued to the Kindle screen for the first several pages. Although, I will say that Brae's style of heavy foreshadowing was a bit confusing for me at times and I felt with each step back, the book's flow was affected for me personally. That said, for a first time author, uh...wow!!
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