The Southern Lights

by Amanda Townsend

Where are you from? A simple question with a complicated answer for Aurora. Having moved between countries and cultures her whole life, the mixed-race Australian begins university in Bristol determined to feel settled. As she begins to navigate the trials of university life she meets Teddy Talbot, the only child of Lord and Lady Trentbridge, and Aurora finds herself unwittingly welcomed into an elite set.

Teddy is tall, charismatic and gorgeous, with a line of girls in his wake. Aurora sees him for what he arrogant, disarming and dangerous. She intends to keep him at a distance, but as friendships form around them and Teddy’s focus centres on Aurora, that becomes increasingly difficult.

Identity, sisterhood and reputation are all called into question and Aurora finds out just how difficult it is to be vulnerable when you’re only beginning to discover who you are.

Strap in, ‘The Southern Lights’ is the first book of The Light Saga ….

Genres: Romance

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 29, 2024

Reviews

[Allie Ch. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book for me was perfection. From the witty and funny Oscar Wilde quotes at the begging of every chapter to the character development and build up of the love interest’s relationship. I was soo invested in the friendships and there was not a dull or unnecessary moment in this book. It’s a start to finish story. The only thing that was a bit strange for me was the odd change from first to third POV in the middle of some chapters but it didn’t happen very often.

[Anna Videsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely devoured this book! I could not but it down. It’s not just an enemies to lovers story, it has all the friendship drama and university life details that I crave. Such a feel good book with interesting characters and huge personalities. Will make you laugh and cry and smile!!!

[Sabi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not normally into romance books, I usually read thrillers, but this book is sooooo much more than just a romance. It’s about love, acceptance, intolerance, class, race and friendship. And of course the enemies to lovers romance is top notch. I’m so lucky to have found this beautiful book it’s such a hidden gem!!

[Niamh Currie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was EVERYTHING to me. This changed my view on how romances should be. All romances should all be like This one, I will never get enough of it. I’m sick of the insta love bullshit in so many corny romances these days. This book had yearning and passion and devotion. It was what old romances used to be like. the characters were thoughtful and deep and very three dimensional. Teddy and Aurora had beautiful tension and a beautiful storyline. The way they came together was perfectly paced and so worth the wait for teddy who pined after her the whole book basically. I really identified with aurora because when you’ve been hurt before you don’t want to let people who seem like they might hurt you again, a playboy like Teddy, but he proved himself to her and she eventually let him in. 100000000000% recommend if you love well written romances that are cringey but still make you giggle and kick your feet.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t often write reviews but I couldn’t help myself with this book. I bought this book on a whim after seeing a TikTok about it and am so pleased to say it did not disappoint! The characters were so beautifully written and well-rounded. The romance itself is everything!! It’s a slow build (enemies to lovers) but the tension is great! The sub plot and other storylines perfectly depict the struggles of uni life (especially at a largely posh uni), and create such a good balance to the story. It’s rare to find a truly realistic depiction of this sort of uni life and I felt so represented in this book- for that I am so grateful!
I can’t wait to see what this author brings out next!

[Phoebe Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down! Such a lovely read from start to finish; it has the perfect combination of romance, angst and drama, whilst breaking down the barriers of class, race, bullying and harrassment. It is a feel-good book that transports you somewhere far away but also keeps you grounded at the same time, a little bit of reality in a world of make-believe. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for Book 2!!

[callie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Luke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended

[soph · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was okay i didn’t like that it was in 3rd person, it was sometimes confusing but i love teddy

[gigi ⋆ ˚｡⋆౨ৎ˚ · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 🌟

[g · Rating 1 out of 5]

too snoozefest for me im sorry

[Susannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow wow wow

This romance book has everythingggggg I love.
Enemies to lovers - check
Tension - check
Personal growth and friendships - check
Coming of age - check
A boy whose obsessed with his girl - check
One bed trope - check check check

And no third act break up!!!!!

It gave me major normal people mixed with Maxton Hall vibes and the aesthetic of the book was my favourite of books I’ve read.

Teddy was swoon worthy and I LOVED seeing their relationship progress from the beginning and seeing it take off on the sky trip.

I will be rereading this as soon as possible.