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Light in the Dark: A Small Town Grumpy Sunshine Romance
In Three Rivers, the unexpected seems to travel faster than the town gossip.
I’m a Three Rivers boy, born and bred. I know pretty much everyone who lives here, and they know me. They know all the juicy gossip about me, too…such as what happened between me and my high school sweetheart twelve years ago, an event that changed the course of my life irrevocably. Everyone in Three Rivers knows the story. What they don’t know? The truth.
In the intervening years, I’ve all but given up on love. I run Crowe Construction, and I hang out with my buddies. If you ask my younger brother Riley, though, he’ll say all I do is work and be grumpy.
I’m not that grumpy, I’m…reserved. Fine. Maybe a little grumpy.
So, when I quite literally almost crash into the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen—one who doesn’t know my story—it feels like the seeds of possibility have been planted in my heart again.
The only issue is she’s drowning in grief. It lives in her unique silver eyes. It’s woven through everything she does. So while I’m dreaming of her siren’s body and long platinum hair, she’s lost in mourning. My feelings won’t go away, even though I’m trying to give her space to sort herself out.
The problem is, the heart wants what it wants, and my heart is set on Ember James.
* * *
I didn’t intend to stop in Three Rivers; I didn’t intend to stop anywhere. But after my husband, Dutchie, died of a particularly vicious and fast-moving form of cancer, ending our career as van-life vloggers, I just…couldn’t go on without him. The appeal of the open road—the only home I’ve ever known—is tarnished. I’m stuck.
Also, I’m literally my 1967 Volkswagen bus died, leaving me stranded in Three Rivers and at the mercy of a man I describe as “Kayce Dutton on steroids.” Impressively muscled, you might say. Gorgeous. Rugged. Mysterious. Reserved.
I can’t stop thinking about him. Wanting him. Which is…weird. Because I’m not over my husband. I’m drowning in grief while gripped by a disorienting and powerful attraction to this tall, handsome, golden-haired man who haunts my dreams.
I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. I can’t seem to move on, and I can’t get Felix out of my head. Or my heart. I can’t stop craving his hands…and other parts of him. Even though the rest of me is riddled with guilt for even trying to move on from the love of my life.
Three Rivers may hold the answers. The people seem to accept me. They show me love and generosity. They save my life when a terrible accident changes everything.
Between Felix’s hangups over something that happened twelve years ago and my sorrow, guilt, and confusion, Felix and I struggle to find the path to happily ever after. Chemistry isn’t the problem—that’s off the charts. It’s just…everything else that’s the issue.
Will the past continue to keep us apart, or…
Does redemption flow in small towns like Three Rivers?
I’m a Three Rivers boy, born and bred. I know pretty much everyone who lives here, and they know me. They know all the juicy gossip about me, too…such as what happened between me and my high school sweetheart twelve years ago, an event that changed the course of my life irrevocably. Everyone in Three Rivers knows the story. What they don’t know? The truth.
In the intervening years, I’ve all but given up on love. I run Crowe Construction, and I hang out with my buddies. If you ask my younger brother Riley, though, he’ll say all I do is work and be grumpy.
I’m not that grumpy, I’m…reserved. Fine. Maybe a little grumpy.
So, when I quite literally almost crash into the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen—one who doesn’t know my story—it feels like the seeds of possibility have been planted in my heart again.
The only issue is she’s drowning in grief. It lives in her unique silver eyes. It’s woven through everything she does. So while I’m dreaming of her siren’s body and long platinum hair, she’s lost in mourning. My feelings won’t go away, even though I’m trying to give her space to sort herself out.
The problem is, the heart wants what it wants, and my heart is set on Ember James.
* * *
I didn’t intend to stop in Three Rivers; I didn’t intend to stop anywhere. But after my husband, Dutchie, died of a particularly vicious and fast-moving form of cancer, ending our career as van-life vloggers, I just…couldn’t go on without him. The appeal of the open road—the only home I’ve ever known—is tarnished. I’m stuck.
Also, I’m literally my 1967 Volkswagen bus died, leaving me stranded in Three Rivers and at the mercy of a man I describe as “Kayce Dutton on steroids.” Impressively muscled, you might say. Gorgeous. Rugged. Mysterious. Reserved.
I can’t stop thinking about him. Wanting him. Which is…weird. Because I’m not over my husband. I’m drowning in grief while gripped by a disorienting and powerful attraction to this tall, handsome, golden-haired man who haunts my dreams.
I don’t know whether I’m coming or going. I can’t seem to move on, and I can’t get Felix out of my head. Or my heart. I can’t stop craving his hands…and other parts of him. Even though the rest of me is riddled with guilt for even trying to move on from the love of my life.
Three Rivers may hold the answers. The people seem to accept me. They show me love and generosity. They save my life when a terrible accident changes everything.
Between Felix’s hangups over something that happened twelve years ago and my sorrow, guilt, and confusion, Felix and I struggle to find the path to happily ever after. Chemistry isn’t the problem—that’s off the charts. It’s just…everything else that’s the issue.
Will the past continue to keep us apart, or…
Does redemption flow in small towns like Three Rivers?
398 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 23, 2025
111 people are currently reading
62 people want to read
About the author
Jasinda Wilder
157 books12k followersJasinda Wilder is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than 100 titles including the #1 Amazon bestseller Falling Into You, the Audie Award-winning (best audiobook) Alpha, and the beloved, 17-book Badd Brothers series. She and her husband Jack Wilder have sold more than 7 million copies and have been translated into more than 20 languages worldwide. You can find them at their fairy tale cottage by a lake somewhere in Michigan with their 6 kids, 5 dogs, 2 cats, 2 bunnies, and way too many ducks and chickens.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 29, 2025
Light in the dark, 2nd book in the Three Rivers series, was a little different than what I expected.
Felix and Ember, individually, have a complicated past. Which I am going to say, grab some tissues. I enjoyed their story. I loved their chemistry, but because of their past, there were moments it ran hot and cold. So much so, it had frustrating moments. However, when they lay things out, the unfolding, you understand why it took this route.
Light in the Dark is a GREAT story, the only issue I had was that I am not a fan of slow burn. It's a personal preference. This story is worth reading.
Felix and Ember, individually, have a complicated past. Which I am going to say, grab some tissues. I enjoyed their story. I loved their chemistry, but because of their past, there were moments it ran hot and cold. So much so, it had frustrating moments. However, when they lay things out, the unfolding, you understand why it took this route.
Light in the Dark is a GREAT story, the only issue I had was that I am not a fan of slow burn. It's a personal preference. This story is worth reading.
June 5, 2025
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Ember and Felix
I loved these two. Both just living their lives after heartbreak. Trying to live and get on with their lives.
Finding each other just may help. It’s not easy. Ember will need Felix like she has never needed anyone before.
Ember and Felix
I loved these two. Both just living their lives after heartbreak. Trying to live and get on with their lives.
Finding each other just may help. It’s not easy. Ember will need Felix like she has never needed anyone before.
May 26, 2025
This one is a very slow burn and you just have to go with it. Both Felix and Ember have issues that they need to work out and end up doing so with each other. While there are times they don't talk, their relationship the elephant in the room, they also have some very frank talks about their issues as they work through them. It was interesting to see that the other person both times realized the "bad" that they person talked about and how that wasn't their fault. And as much as this frustrated me at times, you knew it was the right thing for them. Because once they decided, they were all in and their future was bright!
June 10, 2025
Great emotional read
Yeah, Jasinda did her thing with Felix book. OMG, the emotional rollercoaster I was on outside of my laughs.
The storyline was extra heavy from both ends. Who would have thought. Read this and get in your feels.
Yeah, Jasinda did her thing with Felix book. OMG, the emotional rollercoaster I was on outside of my laughs.
The storyline was extra heavy from both ends. Who would have thought. Read this and get in your feels.
May 26, 2025
Great book!
Felix and Ember' story is dramatic, sensual, and so real! Riveting! Couldn't put the book down. Excellent character development! And a story that will make you laugh and cry. Second book in the series. Highly recommend reading this book. KU
Felix and Ember' story is dramatic, sensual, and so real! Riveting! Couldn't put the book down. Excellent character development! And a story that will make you laugh and cry. Second book in the series. Highly recommend reading this book. KU
May 26, 2025
This was a great book!
I have really enjoyed this Author's books for some time now. This was and the one prior were both amazing. This author has a way with words and characters that really bring them to life. I really loved it. It's a must read. 💖💖💖
I have really enjoyed this Author's books for some time now. This was and the one prior were both amazing. This author has a way with words and characters that really bring them to life. I really loved it. It's a must read. 💖💖💖
June 16, 2025
aww
Loved this book. The characters and their stories are so unique and interesting. Loving this series. Can’t wait to see what happens next. Highly recommend
Loved this book. The characters and their stories are so unique and interesting. Loving this series. Can’t wait to see what happens next. Highly recommend
June 17, 2025
Book 2 was good, with a peek from book 1
Book 2 was good, and we get a peek from characters in book 1. They are standalone books but it is better to read the first one.
Book 2 was good, and we get a peek from characters in book 1. They are standalone books but it is better to read the first one.
June 25, 2025
Loving the Three Rivers men and the small town life. Ember was a wild card with a intense past that I was not expecting. Well written as always. Anther hit from Jasinda!
May 29, 2025
Started and stopped this book 45 pages in. It was too much, I was too offended, and there were too many things I tried to overlook in efforts to continue reading.
I’m all for describing how the characters appear in a story and it’s OK that the main female character has big boobs. But I don’t want nor need to hear about it every other sentence.
The main female character described herself with large breasts. Her tits are so large they are falling out of her bikini and the main male character sees part of her nipple. He then goes on to describe her excessively large breasts in his head and when talking to his brother about her. He actually gestures with his hands to describe just how large her chest is, like a 14-year-old middle schooler would, even though we’re supposed to believe he’s a 32-year-old man. It is even commented on how all he does is stare at her chest on more than one occasion.
And she giggles like it’s funny.
Gross.
People are attracted to all sorts of characteristics. Hair color, eye color, weight, height, body shape, etc, and it is perfectly acceptable to admire large breasts. But overly fixating and commenting on a woman’s chest is just creepy.
And this book was too creepy for me.
I’m all for describing how the characters appear in a story and it’s OK that the main female character has big boobs. But I don’t want nor need to hear about it every other sentence.
The main female character described herself with large breasts. Her tits are so large they are falling out of her bikini and the main male character sees part of her nipple. He then goes on to describe her excessively large breasts in his head and when talking to his brother about her. He actually gestures with his hands to describe just how large her chest is, like a 14-year-old middle schooler would, even though we’re supposed to believe he’s a 32-year-old man. It is even commented on how all he does is stare at her chest on more than one occasion.
And she giggles like it’s funny.
Gross.
People are attracted to all sorts of characteristics. Hair color, eye color, weight, height, body shape, etc, and it is perfectly acceptable to admire large breasts. But overly fixating and commenting on a woman’s chest is just creepy.
And this book was too creepy for me.
July 7, 2025
This chick needs therapy…
The problem with this book is that I absolutely could not relate to the characters. I can appreciate the feeling of loss, having gone through it myself. But I simply can’t understand some of the feelings this woman experienced. For example, the panic attacks are completely foreign to me, as are any assaults. I can feel the rejection very easily, but the use of drinks and drugs are also alien. I see them as a weakness.
Anyway, this woman needed therapy in my opinion. Grief counseling at the very least. She was so lost…
KU read, not as good as book 1, but that’s just my experience.
The problem with this book is that I absolutely could not relate to the characters. I can appreciate the feeling of loss, having gone through it myself. But I simply can’t understand some of the feelings this woman experienced. For example, the panic attacks are completely foreign to me, as are any assaults. I can feel the rejection very easily, but the use of drinks and drugs are also alien. I see them as a weakness.
Anyway, this woman needed therapy in my opinion. Grief counseling at the very least. She was so lost…
KU read, not as good as book 1, but that’s just my experience.
August 28, 2025
Enjoyable solid story
The story is great and the writing awesome. The characters are almost too good of that makes sense. I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars just because the back and forth internal and external conversations about the relationship just were a little long. I wasn’t really convinced in the end that they were the right couple - maybe just the right timing couple. But, with that still a good story.
The story is great and the writing awesome. The characters are almost too good of that makes sense. I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars just because the back and forth internal and external conversations about the relationship just were a little long. I wasn’t really convinced in the end that they were the right couple - maybe just the right timing couple. But, with that still a good story.
June 8, 2025
Okay, Ember has some major emotional baggage. So does Felix, but healing comes when you least expect it. I admit my favorite character is Faye; I would totally hang with her!!! Excellent book, lots of angst and emotions, but you can handle anything with the right friend group and someone who can see the inner you.
June 11, 2025
Ember and Felix's story really pulls at your heart strings. This is a slow burn love story that is extremely well written. The characters are well defined and relatable. And of course Three Rivers sounds like a beautiful place for romance to bloom. Simply an amazing book. I highly recommend this book and this author.
June 30, 2025
I love Felix and Ember's story. It's gut wrenching and I cried and cried and cried, but I savoured every moment. This si what happens when you grieve and I could sadly see myself in Ember. Maybe that’s why I loved it so much. This author has a way of breaking and mending my heart all at the same time.
Beautiful story
Beautiful story
December 18, 2025
Jasinda Wilder has a knack for creating characters who tug at the heartstrings of the human experience. Again, she hits this story out of the park. This entire series has been a wonderful and easy read. I would recommend this book for someone who wants to get into a story on a wonderfully stormy afternoon. Two thumbs up!
January 13, 2026
Loved this book!
Jasinda’s writing is so relatable and has such rich, likable characters…hot and spicy off the charts! I fall in love with every one of her men. It’s great that she keeps the stories going from book to book so there is continuity as the story progresses. Never disappointed with her work!
Jasinda’s writing is so relatable and has such rich, likable characters…hot and spicy off the charts! I fall in love with every one of her men. It’s great that she keeps the stories going from book to book so there is continuity as the story progresses. Never disappointed with her work!
May 28, 2025
Light in the Dark is book 2 in the Three Rivers series by Jasinda Wilder. This book is Ember and Felix’s story. This is a romance that will make you cry and make you smile. It is their journey of love and healing. I loved this book and highly recommend it.
May 30, 2025
I liked this book for two seconds before I got annoyed. I wanted to punch ember in the face because how annoying she was. We get it you’re scared, shut up already and go to therapy.
Could not stand her or Felix.
Could not stand her or Felix.
June 30, 2025
Wrecked in the best way!
These Three Rivers men are perfection! They have hearts of gold and love so deep. Ember has endured enough tragedy for 10 people. Their story is heart wrenching but also beautiful.
These Three Rivers men are perfection! They have hearts of gold and love so deep. Ember has endured enough tragedy for 10 people. Their story is heart wrenching but also beautiful.
August 27, 2025
This is the second book in the Three Rivers series. It is the story of Builder Felix Crow and flower child Ember James. Ember is a young widow and Felix has been a loner since a traumatic event 15 years ago. Their attraction is undeniable but the road to happiness is not easy.
June 24, 2025
Reading Ember & Fee's story is the build you up throughout their journey and seeing that amazing HEA tied up that you need. I loved this couple and being in Three Rivers again!
June 30, 2025
so so good
really enjoyed it
love after loss
so hard to put yourself out there again
this book is all the feels
really enjoyed it
love after loss
so hard to put yourself out there again
this book is all the feels
August 26, 2025
This book swept me away with its raw emotion, sizzling chemistry, and the kind of small-town magic that makes you want to pack your bags and move to Three Rivers. Felix and Ember are two beautifully broken souls whose paths collide in the most unexpected way, and what follows is a journey of healing, longing, and undeniable attraction.
The writing is rich with heart and heat—perfectly balancing tender grief with passionate desire. The characters are layered and real, each carrying emotional baggage that makes their connection feel earned and deeply human. Felix’s quiet strength and Ember’s vulnerability create a dynamic that’s both magnetic and moving.
If you love stories with:
• 🛠️ A rugged, emotionally guarded hero
• 🚐 A heroine on the run from heartbreak
• 💔 Deep emotional stakes and personal growth
• 🔥 Off-the-charts chemistry
• 💞 A satisfying arc with just the right amount of angst
…then this one’s for you.
It’s the kind of romance that makes you ache, swoon, and root for love to win—even when the odds feel stacked against it. No spoilers, but if you’re a fan of a good third-act shake-up (and the sweet redemption that follows), you’ll be very satisfied
The writing is rich with heart and heat—perfectly balancing tender grief with passionate desire. The characters are layered and real, each carrying emotional baggage that makes their connection feel earned and deeply human. Felix’s quiet strength and Ember’s vulnerability create a dynamic that’s both magnetic and moving.
If you love stories with:
• 🛠️ A rugged, emotionally guarded hero
• 🚐 A heroine on the run from heartbreak
• 💔 Deep emotional stakes and personal growth
• 🔥 Off-the-charts chemistry
• 💞 A satisfying arc with just the right amount of angst
…then this one’s for you.
It’s the kind of romance that makes you ache, swoon, and root for love to win—even when the odds feel stacked against it. No spoilers, but if you’re a fan of a good third-act shake-up (and the sweet redemption that follows), you’ll be very satisfied
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews