Last Light over Galveston

by Jennifer L. Wright

Amid the 1900 Galveston hurricane, one woman’s perseverance is tested in this captivating story from the author whose work has been called “intelligent and arresting” ( Foreword Reviews ) and “historical fiction as it is meant to be told” ( Library Journal ).

I walked until I could go no farther, until open water was all I could see.

Galveston, Texas. September 1900. Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York’s Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage—and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home—Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston’s office of the US Weather Bureau.

Then in one fateful day, Kathleen’s fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can’t run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline’s belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she—and those she loves—are to survive.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook, Christian, Christian Historical Fiction

372 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2025

About the author

Jennifer Wright has been writing since middle school, eventually earning a master's degree in journalism from Indiana University. However, it took only a few short months of covering the local news to realize that writing fiction is much better for the soul--and definitely way more fun. A born and bred Hoosier, she was swept off her feet by an Air Force pilot and has spent the past decade traveling the world and, every few years, attempting to make old curtains fit in the windows of a new home.

She currently resides in New Mexico with her husband, two children, one grumpy dachshund, and a herd of overly demanding guinea pigs. 

She is a member of ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers Association) and her second novel, 'Come Down Somewhere,' is a semi-finalist for a 2023 Carol Award in the Historical Fiction category.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

📷 Blurb 📷
“Galveston, Texas. September 1900. Only months ago, Kathleen McDaniel returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York’s Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But one horrific event shattered her picturesque life. Now she has fled as far as the train line and a pocketful of money would take her, finding refuge at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care for their young charges and prays her past will not find her. Despite her tenuous standing at the orphanage—and the grief and betrayal that drove her from home—Kathleen slowly begins to make friends. There is Emily, the novice nun she rooms with; Maggie, the tempestuous young girl who only bonds with Kathleen; and Matthew, a kind, handsome man recently employed by Isaac Cline at Galveston’s office of the US Weather Bureau.

Then in one fateful day, Kathleen’s fragile new life begins to crack as it becomes clear that she can’t run far enough to escape the reach of her former life. Meanwhile, as troubling news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Matthew holds fast to Cline’s belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. But as darkness falls on the island, Kathleen must gather her courage and reach for a strength beyond her own if she—and those she loves—are to survive.”

🌊 My Thoughts 🌊
I knew I was in for a treat when I saw that Jennifer L. Wright had written a book about a historical event I hadn’t heard of. I thoroughly enjoyed “Come Down Somewhere,” so I was super excited when my request was approved to read this gem of a novel. 🥰

I will admit, Kathleen did get on my nerves from time to time (maybe because she was flawed like most humans are, I don’t know 😅), but besides that, I really did enjoy this book. History was one of my favorite subjects in school, so learning about an event that took place in a state where I live in added to my enjoyment. The faith elements also made me stop and ponder about my relationship with God, and to see what I need to work on to help that relationship flourish. ❤

But, gosh, it’s so sad what happened to the beautiful city of Galveston in 1900. I can’t imagine what it was like to experience something like that. I’ve been in an earthquake and have been near tornadoes, so I know that slight distrust and quaking fear of the power of Mother Nature. But I think Wright did a splendid job capturing the event with imagery and the power of words to move the characters and the plot forward. If I said it once, I’ll say it again: historical fiction is one of the best genres out there.

I highly recommend this book, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I did. ☺

Thank you to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own. 📕

❗ Content Warnings ❗
Death, grief, blood, & some violence

#LastLightOverGalveston #NetGalley

[Karren Sandercock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kathleen McDaniel returns home to New York from finishing school in Switzerland, she’s looking forward to seeing her father and she notices two things when she arrives he’s preoccupied and the staff are no longer friendly. He’s building a dam in the Hudson Valley, he’s trying to make a profit and Kathleen's shocked to discover he doesn’t care about the migrant workers, the conditions they live and work in and everything goes wrong when she tries to help.

Kathleen flees, finding refuge at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, where she helps the nuns care of the children and prays her past will not catch up with her. Kathleen forms a friendship with Emily her roommate and a novice, Maggie Sherwood one of the orphans and secretly with Matthew Richter.

Matthew, is employed by Mr. Cline at Galveston’s office of the U.S. Weather Bureau a new facility and way of tracking the climate. Isaac and Matthew know a storm is approaching from the Gulf of Cuba and are confident that Galveston is safe until the wind hits and the tide starts to rise.

I received a copy of the Last Light over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright from Tyndale and Edelweiss Plus in exchange for an unbiased review. The dual timeline narrative is set between May and September 1900, and looks at the lead up and what happened during and after the hurricane and from the points of view of Kathleen, Maggie and Matthew.

As I was reading about the storms arrival, the descriptive writing really made me feel like I was in Galveston, imagine being stuck on an island and with no higher ground and scared of the unknown and for yours and others lives.

Mother Nature proves that Galveston is not protected or immune from hurricanes, the worst happens and you’re taken on a journey, about survival, courage, strength and the will to live. My favourite quote “I walked until I could go no farther, until open water was all I could see.”

Five stars from me, fascinating and captivating faith based historical fiction and I highly recommend.

[Amanda (BookLoverAmanda) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last Light Over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright
4.5 / 5
Blog Post: https://bookloveramanda.blogspot.com/...


What a moving, emotional read. This was my first book by Jennifer and will not be my last. I really enjoyed the way she can pull you in to the story and you feel like you are right there in the midst of what the characters are going through. I cried. I felt such empathy. And I learned so much about this moment in history.

This is surrounding the most devastating hurricane that occurred in 1900 in Galveston, Texas. We follow Kathleen McDaniel who returns to New York after finishing school in Switzerland. A horrific event happens and she flees into hiding....she finds refuge and safety at St. Mary's Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island. She makes friends at St. Mary's, Sister Emily, Mother Camillus, Maggie and Matthew. Matthew is a handsome man who works for Isaac Cline at the US Weather Bureau.

This is dual timeline so we follow Kathleen's life 6 months in New York with her family before she flees to St. Mary's and then the events during the hurricane in Galveston. This is a survival story through and through. I knew nothing of this hurricane and this taught me so much about what the people of Galveston endured. It was tragic. Heartbreaking. The author really pulls you in and you feel such empathy during those moments. While it's a tough read, it's an important read. No matter the devastation, we still see God at work and Kathleen finds Him in between the heartache.

I did find some of the timeline back and forth pieces took me out of the story sometimes since I was more invested what was going on in the current timelines with the hurricane but by the end, I loved seeing what transpired and what the reasons were for her leaving NYC.

Overall, I highly recommend this book. Be prepared for an emotional journey.

Thank you to TLC Book Tours, Tyndale House Publishers and Jennifer L. Wright for a complimentary copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.

Content: death, hurricane devastation, hurricane victims, child and parental death, grief, toxic parent situation.

[Staci · Rating 5 out of 5]

1900 New York and Galveston, Texas

Spectacular! An engaging fictional story line combined with rich historical details about the devastating hurricane of 1900 that hit Galveston Island. The glimpses at meteorological methods used in 1900 were fascinating.

Kathleen's tale unraveled in stellar fashion and I was equally drawn to both parts of her life: Kathleen as a high society young lady in New York and Annie, an orphan in Galveston. The bridge between the spring of 1900 and September of 1900 offered insight into Kathleen's heart and mind.

Favorite quotes:

"God has to tear down all the distractions, all the lies in our lives, in order for us to see the truth. To see that after everything else is gone, He's still there."

"And yet whatever it was I felt for him was not nearly as strong as my love for myself and my position."

My gratitude to publisher Tyndale House for a complimentary NetGalley copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and all opinions expressed are my own.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars
Such a unique story about a devastating hurricane that hit Galveston Texas in 1900. We follow Kathleen as she is hiding from her past in an orphanage. We have 2 timelines learning about her past and following Kathleen as she fights for survival.

[Joanne | wellreadcoffeeaddict · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This world is not our home. You see, I wanted to live my life in service to Him; He wanted to teach me to live it in Him.

Sometimes God has to tear down all the distractions, all the lies in our lives, in order for us to see the truth. To see that after everything else is gone, He's still there."

I have never read a book from Jennifer Wright before, and as my first, Last Light Over Galveston had me completely engrossed. I had such a hard time putting it down! And since I wasn't aware of the history before reading, the suspense of what was to come was felt on every page.

This book is based on the true events of the 1900 Galveston Hurricane. Kathleen McDaniel, the main character, returns home from finishing school abroad to find her father changed, distant and preoccupied. He intends to build a dam in the Hudson Valley, and he has plans for Kathleen that will further his own aspirations. When the workers strike and Kathleen discovers all is not as it seems, things go horribly wrong and she's on the run, hiding her identity to save her life. Fast forward several months later, and Kathleen is now in an orphanage, feeling lonely, abandoned, and trying to figure out what's next when disaster strikes once again, leaving destruction and incredible loss in its wake.

It was well worth the months' long wait for my library copy. I will be adding it to my own bookshelf.

"My mam used to tell me. . . it was God who defined us. God who was at the very foundation of who we were, who gave us worth. . . . Well, God's voice is quiet, while the world's is loud, isn't it? And when you hear something loud and often enough, you start to assume it's true, not just for you but for everyone."

[Jamie Gordy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Tyndale House Publishers, and Jennifer L. Wright for allowing me to read and review an eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Kathleen McDaniel ran for her life and ended up in Galveston, TX hiding in a Catholic Orphanage. She is befriended by her nun acolyte roommate, 1 little girl, and a certain young popcorn vendor from Galveston Beach. It is September 1900 and Galveston is about to be surprised by hurricane after being told they can not be hit by this type of storm. They must try to survive some harrowing hours and conditions.

This book was an interesting look at some interesting historical events that were happening at similar times. Jennifer L. Wright took an event that was the deadliest weather event in US history and told us the story through the lens of a fictional character. She did a tremendous job of weaving fictional characters with real people like Isaac Cline, the head meteorologist of the Texas office of the US Weather Bureau, who thoroughly missed that a hurricane was headed for Galveston. Where the story fell just a tad short for me was in the way the timeline switched back and forth. Another minor thing was the way the ending happened in the epilogue. Also, the faith felt a little bit “in time of need only” or way late in the book. All that being said, this is a well told historical fiction story and it caused me to do more research. As a Gulf Coast resident, who lives only a few hours from Galveston and one who has survived a couple of hurricanes (2 in 1 summer- although not nearly to this degree), this book makes me so thankful for modern weather predictions.

If you enjoy Christian historical books based on real events, you will enjoy this one. If lighter faith bothers you or you are triggered by weather events this might not be the book for you.

#LastLightoverGalveston #NetGalley

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Get ready for a front row seat into the depths of a hurricane when meteorology was in its infancy. To say that Jennifer Wright describes what it was like to be caught in a hurricane in Last Light Over Galveston is putting it much too tamely. She vividly depicts the event so that I felt I was right there with Kathleen in the midst of the disaster.
In this dual time novel, we see what led Kathleen to flee from her life of privilege, hop on a train and only stop when she was at the end of her money. She finds refuge with nuns at an orphanage but still grapples with where her life goes from there. She finds purpose in helping the orphans and befriends Matthew, a meteorologist helping to gather data and give weather reports. It was fascinating to learn about this topic and how it impacted the event in 1900.
While the hurricane is the main part of the story, the characters are what give it life. They show faith and resiliency in the face of death. “Sometimes God has to tear down all the distractions, all the lies in our lives in order for us to see the truth. To see that after everything else is gone, He is still there.”
This book is not to be missed.
A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Tyndale through NetGalley. All opinions are mine alone.*

[Bree · Rating 5 out of 5]

•𝐀𝐑𝐂 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰•

{𝑳𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑳𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝑶𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝑮𝒂𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒏}

🐚 Release Date: August 12, 2025 🐚
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Jennifer L. Wright creates some of the deepest and most touching stories I have ever had the privilege of reading! I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this story when I first discovered it, but I was even more eager to read it after having recently visited Galveston for the first time. This was such an immensely powerful story, one made even more impactful because of my recent visit to the story’s location. I’m a sucker for a good sad story and, therefore, I absolutely adored this book and struggled to put it down! You’ve been warned…

Wow…just wow!! This story was incredibly intense and transformative in all of the best ways! I love how the book began in the middle of the story and slowly put together the puzzle of Kathleen’s life as it progressed. Those are the best types of books in my opinion, the type that just throw you into the story and then gradually explain everything as you continue to read.

“𝚆𝚎 𝚑𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚝𝚘 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚒𝚍𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚟𝚘𝚒𝚌𝚎 𝚠𝚎 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗 𝚝𝚘. 𝚆𝚑𝚘 𝚒𝚜 𝚝𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚑. 𝙱𝚎𝚌𝚊𝚞𝚜𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚗𝚜𝚠𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚍𝚎𝚝𝚎𝚛𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚎𝚜 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚠𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝚊𝚛𝚎 . . . 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚠𝚎 𝚌𝚊𝚗 𝚋𝚎.”

Kathleen’s character faced some tough choices after she returned home from finishing school. The friends she’d met at finishing school had awakened within her a fervor to use her life to help people and truly make a difference, but her father had other plans in store for her. As time went on, Kathleen became increasingly more aware of the absolute depravity of life that some people faced, and through that, she became burdened with a hard decision. Fear is a powerful tool and the biggest of hindrances—what is the cost of bravery worth?

“𝙽𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚒𝚜 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚊𝚝𝚑𝚜𝚘𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚊 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚑 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚍𝚘𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚗𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛.”

After having fled from her home, Kathleen ended up at the St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, and through time spent there, she learned some incredibly valuable life lessons. But after disaster struck yet again, everything Kathleen knew and held dear was once more put to the test, requiring a courage and strength that only the Lord could provide.

𝚂𝚘𝚖𝚎𝚝𝚒𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝙶𝚘𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚎𝚊𝚛 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚍𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚛𝚊𝚌𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜, 𝚊𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚗 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚕𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚜, 𝚒𝚗 𝚘𝚛𝚍𝚎𝚛 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚝𝚛𝚞𝚝𝚑. 𝚃𝚘 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚊𝚏𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚢𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚎𝚕𝚜𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚐𝚘𝚗𝚎, 𝙷𝚎’𝚜 𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎.

The tragedies that ravaged the people of Galveston were beyond horrific. My heart shattered and wept as I read their tale of devastation. Jennifer did a terrific job at bringing this story to life and making me feel as though I was right there, experiencing life with the characters. It was amazing, but it also made the pain that much more poignant.

“𝚆𝚑𝚎𝚗 𝚠𝚎 𝚜𝚞𝚏𝚏𝚎𝚛, 𝚒𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚖𝚒𝚗𝚍𝚜 𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚝, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚕𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚗𝚘𝚝 𝚘𝚞𝚛 𝚑𝚘𝚖𝚎.”
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I received a complimentary arc of this book from NetGalley and Tyndale House Publishers. All opinions listed are purely my own.

[Heidi Gorecki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love it when I read a historical fiction and learn about a major, but not-well-known event for the first time. This book essentially deals with 2 historical events - the dam project on the lower Hudson Valley and the horrendous working conditions and subsequent strike and militia state at the dam, and the Galveston, TX Hurricane which is apparently the deadliest natural disaster in US history.

I’ve often wondered with the weather and how much of a lead on prediction and radar we have, what it would have been like years ago to all the sudden find yourself in the midst of a storm - big or small - and have no idea it was coming. I thought this book did an excellent job of portraying that, as well as what it could have been like to live thru such a catastrophic event. The description and detail was well done and sucked you into Kathleen’s experience.

The Dam, while not quite as focused on and detailed as the hurricane, still gave a transparent look at the workers’ conditions and the greed of others that caused them. I thought it was handled well, contrasting how selfishness and greed affects others but also the battle that can be to put aside our own comfort for someone else.

I liked the characters of Kathleen and her friends. She was relatable and had a great progression of finding her footing and learning about herself. And Wesley, Matthew and Emily and their grace for her were well done and endearing.

Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are mine.

[Nikki Akerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️this book will take you through rough waters literally and figuratively. I enjoyed the two timelines and how they forged together in unsuspecting ways. It is a story of loss and a story of gain. I enjoyed the faith element which started out small and ended strong.

[Sara Hickman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Close to 5 stars for me. This is my first novel by Jennifer L Wright so I was unsure what to expect from her writing. I was pleasantly surprised with her ability to create scenery I could "see" while reading and make me feel the emotions of the characters. In the beginning, I had no idea how the two timelines (about 4-5 months apart) would intersect. Kathleen as part of society in New York and her in Galveston seeking refuge in a convent seem disjointed. By the end of the novel, I was able to see how Wright joined the two together and it didn't seem as unusual as when I started reading it.

I appreciated the pages with actual messages from the weather service at the time of the flood. As someone who lives close to Western North Carolina, this put into perspective what a resident might have felt when Hurricane Helene came through. The unpreparedness for the amount of destruction that would be experienced. The devastation, looting, unrest, and lawlessness after the flood waters receded. It was all so well crafted and pulled on my heart-strings.

I would recommend this to other readers, but the caveat that one should go into the novel knowing that not all of the novel is set in Galveston at the time of the flood.

Thanks to Tyndale House Publishers and NetGalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Blessing Bloodworth (naptimereaders) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kathleen is a woman on the run - both from her past and from an impending hurricane. Told in flashbacks to the past, you’ll discover what made Kathleen need to disappear and what placed her currently in the path of danger on the island of Galveston. It’s a story of one woman’s conviction of what’s right, of resilience in the face of danger, and of valuing others for their humanity.

I found the environment of the hurricane and the Union conflicts to be a bit too stressful for me in my current phase of life 😂 I think it felt too high stakes for my enjoyment. I also felt like a few things Kathleen did or thought weren’t consistent across the board to her character. It’s probably a Me-issue, but I personally had a hard time truly connecting to the characters and the story.

If you love reading fiction books about lesser known events in history, this book is for you! It’s a historical fiction that isn’t dry, but expertly weaves the accurate details into an engaging story. There’s even a sweet thread of romance for those who like a little love in the middle of the adventure.

😇occasional references to faith and God’s care
💋a sweet romance
🤐no language
⛔️ Content Warning: severe weather, child abandonment

Thank you to @tyndale for a complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

“Sometimes God has to tear down all the distractions, all the lies in our lives, in order for us to see the truth. To see that after everything else is gone, He’s still there.”

Last Light over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright tells the story of a powerful, life-altering storm that made landfall over a century ago. I first learned about the 1900 Galveston hurricane, one of the deadliest natural disasters in US history, this past January while reading another novel (A Writing Upon the Sand by J.M. Kirkley), and I remain deeply moved by what I learned. I can’t fully comprehend living through this level of devastation – not hunkered down in a storm shelter (because there were none) but literally being swept away, separated from your loved ones, and trying desperately to survive. I’m so thankful for historical fiction because it teaches me things that school didn’t and puts me in the shoes of those who experienced these moments in the past that continue to impact the present. It’s why I was eager to read Last Light over Galveston – to get another perspective on the same event through a new set of faces and personalities whose lives were affected. And Wright keeps us on the edge of our seat with Kathleen’s intense fight for her life – and her humanity – as the storm rages around her.

It also spotlights the New Croton Dam project in the lower Hudson Valley, something else I knew nothing about. What ties these two events on opposite sides of the United States together is the protagonist – Kathleen McDaniel (aka ‘Annie’). I loved how Wright switches back and forth between the build-up to Kathleen’s running away from New York and her time hiding out in Galveston. Both seasons shaped her, both seasons swept the rug out from under her, both seasons made her stronger. The poignant parallels between these two defining events in her life made this story even more meaningful and teach us some important spiritual truths in the process.

“When we suffer, it reminds us that this life is short, and this world is not our home.”

But Kathleen is not alone in this story. Across these pages you will meet other characters who will leave a lasting imprint on your heart. Wesley, a photographer who wants to make a difference in the face of injustice. Emily, a novice nun who opens her room at St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum to Kathleen and offers her the gift of friendship. Maggie, a spirited little girl who bonds with Kathleen over everyone else at the orphanage. Matthew, a kindhearted popcorn vendor who idolizes Isaac Cline, the chief meteorologist at the office of the US Weather Bureau in Galveston. Like Kathleen, these characters are all more nuanced than first appears at the surface. And each one has a meaningful role to play in the story, whether they wrench out your heart or put it back together. The message they have for us – of weighing the voices we listen to, of determining those who speak truth versus those who don’t – hits just as timely now as it did in 1900.

Bottom Line: Last Light over Galveston by Jennifer L. Wright is a moving combination of history, faith, and survival, bringing the 1900 Galveston hurricane to life through layered characters who feel real (even the ones who are purely fictional) and relatable. Jennifer L. Wright not only vividly immerses readers in the storm’s devastation, she also highlights the quieter struggles that shape purpose and belief. It’s easy to place yourself in the story, thanks to Wright’s transportive voice, and I encourage you to let yourself feel the emotions that will surface, to put yourself in Kathleen’s shoes and let it shape you too. Through Kathleen’s journey – and the people who impact it – the author engagingly reminds us of the resilience of the human spirit and the steady presence of God in the midst of chaos. A gripping tale of survival and surrender that lingers long after the last page.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Katja Labonté · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars (4/10 hearts). I was very interested in learning about the Galveston hurricane and the weather bureau of 1900—historical information and unknown (to me) tragedies being two of my favourite reading subjects. The book fell into pretty even categories of likes and dislikes for me. The characters never grabbed me, but Maggie was super cute and for some weird reason Annie reminded me of Maria from The Sound of Music??? Probably because of her living in a catholic orphanage run by nuns, haha, though she wasn't catholic herself. Anyways, her whole dual timeline (present and a year in the past) was interesting—I preferred the hurricane side of things, and the past didn't end up at all like I assumed from the first few chapters, but I enjoy reading about her standing up for the immigrant workers being taken advantage of. I thought the hurricane chapters were very well done—many books gloss over the tragedies and focus on the afterwards, while this story spent most of its time focussing on the moment-by-moment events in the tragedy and wrapped up satisfactorily but briefly afterwards. Overall, while more sombre, it was a good book, and I remember liking the message at the end.

*I received a complimentary copy of this book for promotional purposes. I was not required to write a positive review. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.*

[PhyllisRBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This uniquely told dual-time novel features the same heroine in the year 1900: with different locations and a few months apart. The storyline quickly unfolds with masterful clues and pacing that compel the reader to find out what happened to “Annie” and what caused her to flee New York and travel to the “end of the line” in Galveston, Texas.

This is a story of resilience, highlighting spiritual themes of deciding who you are and whose you are, where worth is found, doing the right thing, and learning to trust after being betrayed by someone you love. Here are a couple of my favorite quotes:

“All my life I’ve been surrounded by people who told me my identity was determined by where I was born, who my parents were, how much money I had in my pockets. But my mam . . . my mam used to tell me that wasn’t true. She said it was God who defined us. God who was at the very foundation of who we were, who gave us worth.”

“When we suffer, it reminds us that this life is short, and this world is not our home. You see, I wanted to live my life in service to Him; He wanted to teach me to live it in Him. I loved God, but I’d been believing so many wrong things. About myself, about others.” She shook her head. “Sometimes God has to tear down all the distractions, all the lies in our lives, in order for us to see the truth. To see that after everything else is gone, He’s still there.”

Wright’s secondary characters are worth mentioning since they are all so endearing-a young but wise roommate dedicated to God and her calling, an immigrant worker wanting to make things right by fighting for a better work environment, wages and shelter, a feisty eight year old orphan and a courageous man of science who sells popcorn for a smile.

This is not my favorite audiobook by Sarah Zimmerman. Although she is consistent in voice, it sounded just a bit mechanical.

This book is suitable for teens and older with no inappropriate intimate scenes and no bad language. I received this book from the author/publisher free of charge, with no expectation of a positive review.

[Laura (kroosreadsandreviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was deep and moving. The weaving of the story between the time in New York and the time in Galveston was interesting and unique. When all of the stories came together, it left me in awe.

My initial thoughts were: I loved that one part was set in an orphanage; the relationship between Annie and Maggie was so special; I was looking forward to the mystery in the story.

My initial thoughts continued to keep me engaged in the story.

You will enjoy this story if you enjoy historical fiction, mystery and the juxtaposition between the rich and the poor.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

[Sheila (sheilasbookreviewer) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cover of Last Light Over Galveston drew me in before I'd even read the synopsis. It weaves a historical tale across two timelines, jumping between New York and Galveston in different time periods. It follows the troubled socialite Kathleen, also known as Annie, as she struggles to endure after a brutal storm. Parts of her hidden past surface bit by bit, stirring up real tension. This is a tale of hanging on, of tapping inner power no one knew was there, and spotting hope amid total gloom. Kathleen's path holds a steady grit that pulled me in. I appreciated how her trust in God builds over the pages, and how she finds her value with divine aid—especially clear by the end of the book.

I knew nothing about the 1900 Galveston hurricane before picking up this book. The vivid sketches of Galveston drew me right in, along with ties to Isaac Cline, the top weather expert at the Texas U.S. Weather Bureau office. I wished there had been more details about the orphans and nuns from the convent and school because they stole my heart early on, especially the cute Maggie. The book sparked my own deep dive into the 1900 Galveston Hurricane, known as the worst natural disaster in U.S. history. It claimed 8,000 to 12,000 lives. That Category 4 beast hit land on September 8, 1900, with 145 mph winds and a 16-foot surge that drowned the flat island town. All that chaos showed what Kathleen could achieve in her world and helped her believe in herself.

The pace drags in spots, more than I'd like. Still, it's a gripping slice of historical Christian fiction. This true-to-life novel packs peril and shows the storm's full fury. You'll get pulse-racing action mixed with calm, thoughtful pauses that hit home as Kathleen's story is told. 
This is a 3.5-4 star read for me.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Galveston in 1900, a young woman finds herself on the run from her powerful, unsavory father and finds her way into the Orphan’s Asylum on Galveston Island. Set close to the beach, she is able to watch the tides rolling in and out each day.

She has arrived afraid and full of secrets. Her name is Kathleen McDaniel, from a wealthy family, but evidently one that is driven by greed. Kathleen adopts another name in the hopes for father will not find her. As the summer comes to an end, she has made a few friends and has begun to learn more about the ocean and its weather patterns.

By September it becomes obvious a big storm is headed towards Galveston. Kathleen has met Isaac Cline of the US weather bureau and right away he realizes he underestimated the storm. This was a sobering read coming so soon after the devastating flooding that hit the Texas Hill country on July 4th. I think the power of water is often underestimated, but history has proven that it is a danger that needs to be taken seriously.

Told in two timelines, one from Kathleen’s home in New York, and the other in Galveston, once Kathleen arrives there and endures the hurricane. Luckily for Kathleen, those dearest to her manage to survive, but the town is devastated by the deaths and damage.

Galveston is such a unique place, rich in history and diversity, with citizens who are survivors and strong in so many ways. Many thanks to NetGalley and Tyndall House Publishers for allowing me to read an advance copy. I really enjoyed the book and am happy to review and recommend to other readers.

[Amanda Geaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose Last Light over Galveston because my cousin, who lives in Texas and narrowly avoided flooding during Hurricane Harvey, often vacations in Galveston. I had no prior knowledge of the 1900 hurricane or the history behind it. Jennifer L. Wright weaves a dual timeline that shifts between Kathleen McDaniel’s life in New York and her time at St. Mary’s Orphan Asylum on Galveston Island, gradually revealing why she fled her home. The author keeps the tension high by ratcheting up the threat of the approaching storm and the suspicion of being pursued. The storm’s vivid, immersive depiction and its devastating aftermath are enough to prompt me to want to read more books by this author. Amid the chaos, Kathleen’s tender bond with Maggie, a spirited young orphan, captured my heart. This tension-filled, emotionally gripping historical suspense novel shines with themes of resilience and redemption. Five stars.

[Kristi W - Book Love By Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I’m sorry I lied to you. It was wrong. But I never meant to hurt you. I hope you believe that. I just . . . I’m lost, Matthew. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do, where I’m supposed to go. I don’t know where I belong. I don’t even know who I am.”

An amazing story of strength, perseverance, finding your worth in God, and love. This story is inspired by a true event and is a little heavy because of the devastation involved.

Kathleen is hiding from her past. She is resilient and brave. I enjoyed the chapters that took us back to the events leading up to her arriving in Galveston. All I’ll say about that time is be prepared for Wesley. I loved Kathleen’s relationship with Maggie and her time with Matthew. Matthew is persistent and full of sunshine. I loved how he pursued a friendship with Kathleen, “Not Nun” 🤣, even when she turned him away. Their time during the hurricane was heart-pounding. Kathleen’s search in the aftermath was very emotional. And my heart was very thankful for the Epilogue!

Two more quotes:
“Sometimes God has to tear down all the distractions, all the lies in our lives, in order for us to see the truth. To see that after everything else is gone, He’s still there.”

But who I truly was, my worth and value, lay deeper, inside my inmost being, where my Creator had lovingly stitched me together.

This ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley. I was not required to give a positive review, rating and opinions are my own.

[April · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! The characters were well developed and the storyline had just enough mystery to make me want to keep reading.

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer L. Wright combines historical fact with eloquent fiction to create a rich and compelling novel in her upcoming release, Last Light Over Galveston. Centering around the life of debutante turned runaway Kathleen McDaniel as she hides for her life in a Galveston orphanage in the fall of 1900, this novel dances about the topics of social responsibility and identity until everything collides in full force. Wright’s characters are spunky and flawed, her setting developed so well that the reader is fully immersed, to the point that I might have checked once or twice to make sure my feet were not wet. Kathleen’s struggles are understandable, her longing for home familiar, and her flaws relatable. The supporting characters are well developed, pulling at the heartstrings just as I am sure the author intended. And when nature proves that Galveston is not actually immune to hurricanes, all comes to a climax that will leave the reader gasping for air and anticipating the next nail in the coffin until the point that the delicious conclusion is revealed.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley, the publisher, or the author in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

[Kelsey Vang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, that was exceptional. In fact, I was engrossed from the very first page.

The pacing of this novel was torturously masterful. As the storyline jumped between past and present you were being led on the most agonizing journey to find out what happened. The glimpses back in time to reveal what had happened in New York to cause Kathleen to leave were just enough to keep you going. I plowed through this book wanting to find out what happened and what would happen. Major applause to the author for how she structured it all.

And I really liked the writing. It balanced well in giving information, while also being pleasing to read. Not full of poetic fluffiness, but with some really beautiful lines nonetheless.

The drama of the actual hurricane literally made my heart pound. It was so stressful! Almost too stressful! It got so hectic at a couple points that I felt disoriented. But overall it really captured the ugly, horrific moments of a hurricane, and its aftermath too. There was so much death and destruction, but I'm glad she didn't gloss over anything.

And here’s another thing I really appreciated. It wasn’t a Christian novel that had little preachy paragraphs mixed in at random points. The main character really did struggle with her belief. She really did make mistakes. There were things that did not wrap up with a perfect bow. Promises that weren’t kept. People that were fallible and who trusted in the wrong thing. Not everyone got a happy ending either.

I love when a book is based off of a true historical event. And I love it even more when it makes me do a deep dive into said event after finishing. I hadn't really heard of the Galveston hurricane before I read this book, and I'm glad to have learned about it from reading this.

A couple small critiques:
- If anything, the main character's pivotal faith moment might have been made a little too small in the grand scheme of the book.
- I wasn't extremely compelled by the relationship between Kathleen and Matthew. I wish there would have been a few more interactions between them before the hurricane began to establish their friendship. It also didn't help that you naturally compare their relationship with the one Kathleen had with Wesley, and I thought that relationship was 100% more interesting. So it probably just suffered from comparison.

P.S. I was going to throw the book across the room if we did not get some closure on Matthew by the end. So glad that we did!

[Julie Biles · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this dual timeline, historical fiction novel, Jennifer Wright takes her readers on a sweeping journey into a world 125 years ago when meteorology was in its infancy to a day and a storm that is known as the most deadly natural disaster in recorded history. September 8, 1900, began innocently in the seaside town of Galveston, Texas. Isaac Cline, resident meteorologist for the U. S. Weather Bureau, confidently believed that massive storms could not hit the Texas coast. As disturbing news about a storm crossing the Gulf from Cuba swirls in the Weather Bureau offices, Cline holds fast to his belief that no hurricane can touch Galveston. He was wrong, not only in science but in expressing his interpretation to the vulnerable residents of Galveston. Thousands died and this thriving seaside city was virtually washed away and wiped off the map. Wright's depiction of Isaac Cline is much more critical than that of Erik Larson in his nonfiction work, Isaac's Storm. I was struck by how well Wright wove the science of meteorology throughout her narrative.

In the parallel story, the protagonist has returned from finishing school in Switzerland to her family home in New York’s Hudson Valley with a future of promise and privilege set before her. But her picturesque life is decimated by greed and evil and ultimately by another disaster. She flees this life and her family. She lands in Galveston weeks before the devastaing storm and this setting is the major focus of the novel.

For readers who enjoy learning history as it is imprinted on the canvas of human lives and relationships, this is an excellent read!

[kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Galveston, Texas - the last stop before the Gulf of Mexico and as far as Kathleen McDaniel can run from her former life. The safety Kathleen thought she had found at the St. Mary's Orphan Asylum comes crashing down around her though as a historic hurricane slams into Galveston. Kathleen must do all that she can to ensure her survival from this storm as well as the storm of her past.

I remember watching a documentary on the Galveston hurricane when I was in middle school, so I was really excited to learn that Jennifer L. Wright had written a historical fiction book about it. Let me tell you, this book absolutely did not disappoint. I was holding my breath and sitting on the edge of my seat from the time the storm first started making its way into Galveston up until the final pages of this book. Though this is an event that occurred nearly 125 years ago, the detail and vivid descriptions that Wright provides almost makes you feel like you're there with the characters. Not only did the scenes with the storm itself hold a lot of suspense, but this book was structured so perfectly that even the chapters where more of Kathleen's past is revealed had a high level of suspense to them.

Last Light over Galveston was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025. My only regret with reading it is that I read it so early in the year that I don't get to look forward to reading it this summer!

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Definitely my favorite read of the year so far!

What a beautiful story about loss and hope weaved into historical events of the past in such a way that you feel every event! I live about 1.30 hours from Galveston and have visited many of the spots mentioned in this book. Moody Mansion, the museum about the hurricane, and the strand are all places that I grew up with on our annual trips to Galveston. It made this book come to life even more for me. I did not know much about the Hudson River Dam project and now I need to look that up.

Kathleen was such a great character. As she navigates her feelings and thoughts about her family problems and her life, we learn so much about growth in our faith from her. Her experiences really made you feel as if you were there. The story was woven so seamlessly that I enjoyed both aspects of the story very much.

I can't wait to read another Jennifer L. Wright book as this is the first of her books I have read.

"All opinions are my own. I received this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review."

[Alyssa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! I'm a bit speechless by this beauty of a story! If you enjoy heart-wrenching WWII novels, you need to read this one! The best thing, is that this heart-wrenching story isn't centered around WWII, it's about the Galveston Hurricane in 1900. Clara Barton gets an appearance, and the story is so beautifully written. Last Light over Galveston is written in a dual timeline, but a short timeline. At the beginning I thought the two timelines were about two different characters, but come to learn pretty quickly, it's the same main character! Character development was great. The romance was subtle, sweet, and clean. The ending though.... yeah, my heart was in a puddle! I can't give anything away because you just need to read and experience it for yourself!!. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and author for an advanced e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Erica Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

So the first thing that drew me to this book was the setting. Growing up in Texas we learned about the Galveston Hurricane in history but like most kids I don’t think I really understood what the disaster entailed. This book was so engaging and I fell in love with the writing style and the characters. Kathleen or Annie as she’s called for most of the book is such a strong character and I was rooting for her throughout the book. I enjoyed the flashbacks as we were finding out more of her back story and almost wanted more. I devoured the chapters as we were finding out what she ran away from. Overall, I would say if you love historical fiction and finding out about pieces of history that not everyone knows about I would highly recommend this book. So engaging I would recommend to everyone.

[Vicki F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my! I can still feel the power of the storm. The waters rising and crashing, the wind...so strong, the struggle to survive. Jennifer L. Wright's "Last Light over Galveston" reveals the total destruction during and following the hurricane of 1900.

Flashing back about six months before the hurricane, the main female character experiences another struggle and runs for her life, ending up in Galveston. The full extent of Annie's/Kathleen's past is revealed through these flashbacks while showing her current struggles in the present. Resilience, faith, the struggle to survive are all components in this breathtaking novel.

Releases Aug. 12th. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.