Between Shadows and Light:

by Leah Omar

When Birdie relocates to a charming small town to assist in running the nursing home her mother manages, she’s seeking a fresh start. But instead of finding peace, she faces a looming financial crisis that threatens the residents she’s grown to love—and her own livelihood. As she fights to save the nursing home, Liam, the charismatic but guarded grandson of one of her favorite residents, arrives in town, offering his help.

As Birdie and Liam work together, their connection deepens, but Birdie’s past unresolved issues holds her back from taking a chance on love. Torn between the possibility of a future with Liam and the emotional scars she hasn’t yet healed, Birdie must find the strength to face her fears and open her heart.

In Between Shadows and Light , a story of love, healing, and second chances, Birdie must will she overcome her past and take a chance on happiness, or will her unresolved fears keep her in the shadows?

257 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 1, 2024

About the author

Leah Omar is an author from Minnesota, and as long as she could remember, has been an avid reader and writer. Her debut novel, A Labor of Love, lived in her mind for years before she put pen to paper. Leah is a lover of all romance novels but set out to create compelling stories that tackle the complexities of relationships.

Leah has a bachelor’s of art in communications and English literature and a master’s degree in business administration. She now calls Minneapolis home, which she shares with her husband and two children. In her free time, Leah enjoys traveling the world and learning about different cultures, reading and writing, and spending time with those she loves best.

As a writer, Leah is devoted to giving her readers contemporary love stories that make us remember that we have more similarities than differences, and that love can conquer all. She loves to interact with readers, so feel free to reach out. 

Reviews

[Sara Weber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I am one of Leah’s biggest fans and am always excited when she has a new book. I was excited to learn that this books returns to Wheaton—the small town where everybody knows your name. Living in a suburb of Phoenix in “real life” a part of my heart longs for that type of community and I am thankful to Leah for providing that in her books. She develops her characters so well that I catch myself as my heart can relate to someone or something on such a deep level. I already cannot wait for the next book.

[Beckie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not love the start of this at all in the way the nursing home is described. There were a few more statement and sentiments like that and I had my mind set on not liking this, but it really turned out so good and I liked it! Only a couple good steamy scenes but I'd like to have a Liam in my life!

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

This felt like a warm sad consoling hug, the kind you get from someone you know you don’t have much time left with. It felt like healing.

[Elise Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really sweet book, and another one that I've enjoyed from The Between Series by this author. I'd highly recommend, and I love the Care Center as a backdrop.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My sincere thanks to Leah Omar for giving me the opportunity to read Between Shadows and Light. I give my unbiased opinion of it in the following review.

Between Shadows and Light is the fourth book in a series of standalone romances that take place in Wheaton, Minnesota. In this story we follow Birdie and Liam.
Birdie is a nurse at the Wheaton Nursing Home where Liam's grandparents reside. Birdie's lives with her mom who has been hired to try and turn the failing nursing home around. Liam shows up for the summer after losing a big-time finance job in New York City. He can't wait to get back to New York but wants to help Birdie and her mom figure out a way to save the home so that his grandparents don't have to move away from their family and friends. Birdie is drawn to Liam but doesn't want to risk getting involved if he is going to be leaving, but can she resist the growing attraction between the two of them?

I really liked this book. Some parts of it hit really close to home because my mother lives in a nursing home and is suffering from dementia like a few of the characters. I also live very close to the area described in the book and know how difficult it is for smaller communities to keep important facilities like nursing homes afloat. Finding a place for a loved one who needs special care is difficult. I also know how hard the nurses and other staff work at nursing homes. Staff numbers go up and down and the work is not for everyone. It is so important that the workers know that they are valued. The romance between Birdie and Liam endured a few bumps in the road but had a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to more from Leah Omar and am curious who may be the next character to get a happy ever after in Wheaton.