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The Love We Found
The long-awaited follow-up to the Reese’s Book Club pick and New York Times bestselling global phenomenon The Light We Lost: a thrilling love story about the roles fate and choice play in shaping a life
It’s been ten years. In case you’re out there somewhere—in case you’re listening, I’m here. And I have so much to tell you.
It’s been nearly ten years since Gabe’s been gone when Lucy finds a tiny piece of paper in a box of his old photos. An address in Rome. Why did Gabe keep it, and what was he doing in Italy? Lucy buys a last-minute ticket. Impulsive, but Gabe always brought that out in her.
Lucy’s journey to uncover Gabe’s secret leads her to Dr. Dax Amstrong, a New Yorker in Italy working with an NGO. His broad shoulders and sad, intense eyes draw Lucy in. His touch reaches her in a forgotten place—one that no one has neared since Gabe.
But her old life awaits, along with an earth-shattering decision—whether she and Darren should tell their son Samuel the truth about his real father. How can Lucy move forward while she’s rooted in regret? Fate broke her heart in the past. Can finding new love set her free?
It’s been ten years. In case you’re out there somewhere—in case you’re listening, I’m here. And I have so much to tell you.
It’s been nearly ten years since Gabe’s been gone when Lucy finds a tiny piece of paper in a box of his old photos. An address in Rome. Why did Gabe keep it, and what was he doing in Italy? Lucy buys a last-minute ticket. Impulsive, but Gabe always brought that out in her.
Lucy’s journey to uncover Gabe’s secret leads her to Dr. Dax Amstrong, a New Yorker in Italy working with an NGO. His broad shoulders and sad, intense eyes draw Lucy in. His touch reaches her in a forgotten place—one that no one has neared since Gabe.
But her old life awaits, along with an earth-shattering decision—whether she and Darren should tell their son Samuel the truth about his real father. How can Lucy move forward while she’s rooted in regret? Fate broke her heart in the past. Can finding new love set her free?
1 pages, Audio CD
First published March 18, 2025
957 people are currently reading
24948 people want to read
About the author
Jill Santopolo
35 books3,505 followersJill Santopolo is the author of the The Light We Lost, the Alec Flint Mysteries, the Sparkle Spa series, and the Follow Your Heart books. She holds a BA in English Literature from Columbia University, an MFA in Writing for Children from the Vermont College of Fine Arts, and a certificate in Intellectual Property Law from NYU. Jill is also the Editorial Director of Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group. When she’s not writing or editing, Jill is a thesis advisor at The New School in their MFA program in Writing for Children and Young Adults and is on the faculty of the Columbia Publishing Course. Jill has traveled all over the U.S.—and to Canada and Europe—to speak about writing and storytelling. She lives in New York City.
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Twitter: @jillsantopolo
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,356 reviews
March 18, 2025
*SPOILER FREE* WILL NOT RUIN THE FIRST BOOK
In “The Light We Lost”, Lucy is faced with a life-altering decision.
But, before she can make that decision, she will reexamine her love story with Gabe-one SHE feels is Epic.
Lucy and Gabe met as seniors at Columbia University on 9/11. And, on that day, they decided that they wanted their lives to mean something, no matter what…
EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF BEING TOGETHER
Now, it’s ten years later, and we get to find out what has happened in Lucy’s life after the DECISION. (No spoilers here!)
Has it turned out as you may have imagined when the first book ended? Now, you will get the chance to find out.
Have you ever read a sequel and felt like the main character didn’t feel like the same person? I have, but thankfully that is NOT the case here! Jill Santopolo has written Lucy with the SAME Voice as before-and has written what I feel would be a very AUTHENTIC life trajectory for her. I was immediately drawn back into her World from page one!
Life is MESSY, and people are IMPERFECT, and this sequel will give you much to discuss. I never expected we would get to see what happened next-but, I am glad we did!
A buddy read with DeAnn-who may have felt differently! Be sure to watch for her review for additional insight!
If you enjoyed the first-you won’t be disappointed! If you haven’t read it yet- you will want to start there! Review for “The Light We Lost”: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thank You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
In “The Light We Lost”, Lucy is faced with a life-altering decision.
But, before she can make that decision, she will reexamine her love story with Gabe-one SHE feels is Epic.
Lucy and Gabe met as seniors at Columbia University on 9/11. And, on that day, they decided that they wanted their lives to mean something, no matter what…
EVEN AT THE EXPENSE OF BEING TOGETHER
Now, it’s ten years later, and we get to find out what has happened in Lucy’s life after the DECISION. (No spoilers here!)
Has it turned out as you may have imagined when the first book ended? Now, you will get the chance to find out.
Have you ever read a sequel and felt like the main character didn’t feel like the same person? I have, but thankfully that is NOT the case here! Jill Santopolo has written Lucy with the SAME Voice as before-and has written what I feel would be a very AUTHENTIC life trajectory for her. I was immediately drawn back into her World from page one!
Life is MESSY, and people are IMPERFECT, and this sequel will give you much to discuss. I never expected we would get to see what happened next-but, I am glad we did!
A buddy read with DeAnn-who may have felt differently! Be sure to watch for her review for additional insight!
If you enjoyed the first-you won’t be disappointed! If you haven’t read it yet- you will want to start there! Review for “The Light We Lost”: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thank You to G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!
October 2, 2024
Imagine my excitement and surprise when I saw this was the sequel to “The Light We Lost” by Jill Santopolo (which if you haven’t read that book, please do yourself a favor and have tissues ready 😭). With that being said, I went into this book with super high expectations and if I’m being honest, I still enjoyed the first book better.
In this story it is ten years later, and Lucy receives a call from Eric Weiss (Gabe’s former editor), to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Gabe’s death. In doing so, Eric wanted some old photos that Gabe took to put into a new book to be published. While going through some of Gabe’s belongings that Lucy kept, she found an address in Italy with a drawing of a young boy on it, and she wasn’t sure why Gabe would have kept this address. With this new information, Lucy flies to Italy to do a little research of her own…
Essentially this book deals with what has been going on in Lucy’s life since the previous book, up to the present day. We learn how Lucy has coped with life, loss, grief, and secrets. I still loved Lucy’s character- but… I just feel that no book can top “The Light We Lost” (so that just might be a me thing).
The chapters in this book were nice and short (my favorite), and I was still left in tears 😭. In fact, I’m starting to think this is the only author who can make me cry ugly tears every time I read one of their stories. So for that, I definitely recommend reading this book (and The Light We Lost).
Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and the author for an ARC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading. Publication date: March 18, 2025
In this story it is ten years later, and Lucy receives a call from Eric Weiss (Gabe’s former editor), to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Gabe’s death. In doing so, Eric wanted some old photos that Gabe took to put into a new book to be published. While going through some of Gabe’s belongings that Lucy kept, she found an address in Italy with a drawing of a young boy on it, and she wasn’t sure why Gabe would have kept this address. With this new information, Lucy flies to Italy to do a little research of her own…
Essentially this book deals with what has been going on in Lucy’s life since the previous book, up to the present day. We learn how Lucy has coped with life, loss, grief, and secrets. I still loved Lucy’s character- but… I just feel that no book can top “The Light We Lost” (so that just might be a me thing).
The chapters in this book were nice and short (my favorite), and I was still left in tears 😭. In fact, I’m starting to think this is the only author who can make me cry ugly tears every time I read one of their stories. So for that, I definitely recommend reading this book (and The Light We Lost).
Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Putnam, and the author for an ARC of this book in which I had the pleasure of reading. Publication date: March 18, 2025
March 26, 2025
It has been nearly ten years since Lucy's decision at the end of The Light We Lost. Now, she is making another decision—an impulsive one...
After looking through a box of Gabe's photographs, Lucy finds a small slip of paper with an address in Rome. Why did he keep this scrap of paper? And why was he in Italy?
Without a second thought, Lucy books a flight from New York City to Rome, not knowing what awaits her when she lands. Or how much her life will change afterward...
The Love We Found feels more family-centric, the characters more mature and settled, and I loved it more. Ten years can make a difference in how one views almost everything, and I found that to be true here with these characters.
A lot of life has happened since the end of The Light We Lost, and Lucy once again speaks to the reader in a first-person narrative, recounting her experiences. Lucy is a beautifully drawn character with strength, empathy, and resilience. She carries the emotional weight of her family on her shoulders. Rarely considering her own needs.
This sequel is packed with prominent themes of hidden truths, family dynamics, confronting the past, and embracing the future. I felt more emotionally connected to the story and its characters this time and cried happy tears more than once.
The Love We Found is an almost perfect sequel to the first book. Be sure to read the first book before you dive into this one to get the full impact of Santopolo's beautiful series.
4.5⭐
Thank you to Shelf Awareness Sweepstakes, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Jill Santopolo for the DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
After looking through a box of Gabe's photographs, Lucy finds a small slip of paper with an address in Rome. Why did he keep this scrap of paper? And why was he in Italy?
Without a second thought, Lucy books a flight from New York City to Rome, not knowing what awaits her when she lands. Or how much her life will change afterward...
The Love We Found feels more family-centric, the characters more mature and settled, and I loved it more. Ten years can make a difference in how one views almost everything, and I found that to be true here with these characters.
A lot of life has happened since the end of The Light We Lost, and Lucy once again speaks to the reader in a first-person narrative, recounting her experiences. Lucy is a beautifully drawn character with strength, empathy, and resilience. She carries the emotional weight of her family on her shoulders. Rarely considering her own needs.
This sequel is packed with prominent themes of hidden truths, family dynamics, confronting the past, and embracing the future. I felt more emotionally connected to the story and its characters this time and cried happy tears more than once.
The Love We Found is an almost perfect sequel to the first book. Be sure to read the first book before you dive into this one to get the full impact of Santopolo's beautiful series.
4.5⭐
Thank you to Shelf Awareness Sweepstakes, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and Jill Santopolo for the DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
March 21, 2025
4.5 “I’m not crying” stars, rounded down. I sure didn’t expect this one to be so moving! I barely even remember “the Light we Lost” and see that I only gave it 3 stars years ago. So, I was very surprised that I really enjoyed this story of Lucy without Gabe and her life & kids, but I really, really did. I read it pretty quickly too & I also really appreciated the short chapters. My only negative was the spice 🌶️ between Lucy & new man Dax, but that was easy to skip past, but I did dock a half star for it. Overall, a really good story and a sequel I didn’t even think I needed, LOL!
Want to read
March 20, 2025
Oooh. Seeing this follow-up on my feed took me by surprise, for I never thought there would be a continuation to Gabe and Lucy's story that felt so real. Seeing who the author was I looked closer on the cover and yes it has had the similarity with the first book and yes the synopsis did confirm my assumption. I hope we have this one here.
A page from the first book The Light We Lost
April 3, 2025
I had just finished a delicious rom-com called “First-Time Caller” by BK Borison with a character named Lucie that I absolutely loved. Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And, I wanted to read this one, because I loved the pre-quel, “The Light We Lost.” Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And, as I was reading this one, I am reminded that the main character’s name is Lucy, too and she is still in the throes of grief over the loss of Gabe, almost 10-years later. So, what is happening here? To me. As I read this one.
Is reading 2 rom-coms in a row a good thing? Or not?
Well, I am grateful for short chapters as I read on. But I keep asking myself…
How am I really feeling about this one?
To be honest, I am feeling dreadful.
Lucy begged to “heal me, please.” And, yes maybe we wanted that for her, too. But her healing journey didn’t come naturally. For me.
I wanted to connect to this novel, because I loved the first story so much. And, it seemed like it was the author’s intention to have readers feel Lucy’s life through ‘love, loss, birth, death, marriage, divorce, success, and the character’s perceived failures.’
But for me, everything felt forced. Her actions. Her reactions. Even her endless discussions with “dead” Gabe. And, even the moment she met Dax, and what came after, didn’t feel natural and meant to be, but instead felt expected. Like, we as readers were just supposed to go along with it. And, be happy and excited and gushy for Lucy. And, that just didn’t happen for me.
I didn’t feel the chemistry. Or the heart. Everything just felt like words tumbling together, that we are supposed to swoon over. And, no matter how hard I tried to get in to those words, I couldn’t feel any of it. The “feels” just weren’t there for me.
With this book, I found myself detached, disappointed, disinterested and anxious to leave. I know I am an outlier here, so please read other reviews.
And, I wanted to read this one, because I loved the pre-quel, “The Light We Lost.” Review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And, as I was reading this one, I am reminded that the main character’s name is Lucy, too and she is still in the throes of grief over the loss of Gabe, almost 10-years later. So, what is happening here? To me. As I read this one.
Is reading 2 rom-coms in a row a good thing? Or not?
Well, I am grateful for short chapters as I read on. But I keep asking myself…
How am I really feeling about this one?
To be honest, I am feeling dreadful.
Lucy begged to “heal me, please.” And, yes maybe we wanted that for her, too. But her healing journey didn’t come naturally. For me.
I wanted to connect to this novel, because I loved the first story so much. And, it seemed like it was the author’s intention to have readers feel Lucy’s life through ‘love, loss, birth, death, marriage, divorce, success, and the character’s perceived failures.’
But for me, everything felt forced. Her actions. Her reactions. Even her endless discussions with “dead” Gabe. And, even the moment she met Dax, and what came after, didn’t feel natural and meant to be, but instead felt expected. Like, we as readers were just supposed to go along with it. And, be happy and excited and gushy for Lucy. And, that just didn’t happen for me.
I didn’t feel the chemistry. Or the heart. Everything just felt like words tumbling together, that we are supposed to swoon over. And, no matter how hard I tried to get in to those words, I couldn’t feel any of it. The “feels” just weren’t there for me.
With this book, I found myself detached, disappointed, disinterested and anxious to leave. I know I am an outlier here, so please read other reviews.
January 1, 2026
my last read of 2025 was a delight!
i really enjoyed this—binged it in 24 hours / 2 sittings and should be a book you pick up if you want something quick.
THE LIGHT WE LOST is one of my favorite romances of all time, and when i saw it was getting a sequel nearly 10 years later, i got nervous but was ofc excited. glad i finally got around to reading it!! i remembered so much from TLWL despite it being 6+ years since i read it. it was so fun to see where Lucy was after everything she went through in TLWL. i loved seeing her work through everything and try to find happiness again.
my fave part about the book was how hopeful it was. Lucy has made a lot of mistakes and put herself in some very challenging positions w the secrets she had kept, but it shows that if you lead with love then forgiveness is possible and you can work and get through anything hard 🧡🧡🧡 and, it’s never too late and you’re never too old to start over and be happy!!!
i’m so happy the way this ended! TLWL has a VERYYYYY sad ending and i was very nervous we’d get that again here but without spoiling… it was a good ending 🫶🏼
PS i’m rating it a 4 but it could be a 4.5 tbh. deff one of my fave romances of 2025! sadly it plays the comparison game to THE LIGHT WE LOST and that’s a 5-star read to me (even a 6-star 🥰) so that’s why this fell a little flat from a 5 in my eyes. but there wasn’t anything “wrong” with it to not get 5, just my own comparison game!
i really enjoyed this—binged it in 24 hours / 2 sittings and should be a book you pick up if you want something quick.
THE LIGHT WE LOST is one of my favorite romances of all time, and when i saw it was getting a sequel nearly 10 years later, i got nervous but was ofc excited. glad i finally got around to reading it!! i remembered so much from TLWL despite it being 6+ years since i read it. it was so fun to see where Lucy was after everything she went through in TLWL. i loved seeing her work through everything and try to find happiness again.
my fave part about the book was how hopeful it was. Lucy has made a lot of mistakes and put herself in some very challenging positions w the secrets she had kept, but it shows that if you lead with love then forgiveness is possible and you can work and get through anything hard 🧡🧡🧡 and, it’s never too late and you’re never too old to start over and be happy!!!
i’m so happy the way this ended! TLWL has a VERYYYYY sad ending and i was very nervous we’d get that again here but without spoiling… it was a good ending 🫶🏼
PS i’m rating it a 4 but it could be a 4.5 tbh. deff one of my fave romances of 2025! sadly it plays the comparison game to THE LIGHT WE LOST and that’s a 5-star read to me (even a 6-star 🥰) so that’s why this fell a little flat from a 5 in my eyes. but there wasn’t anything “wrong” with it to not get 5, just my own comparison game!
October 11, 2024
Let me first say that The Light We Lost holds an honored spot on my favorites shelf. I have recommended it multiple times and have gifted it as well. I LOVE that book. I was actually rereading it via audio this summer (and Jill does a stellar job narrating) when I saw the news of this sequel and I smashed preorder with zero hesitation. My jaw hit my counter when I was approved for the ARC. And then it sat on my kindle for several weeks because I was afraid it would not live up to TLWL. And unfortunately, I was right to be hesitant.
This was...not good. I connected with literally zero characters. The entire story seemed forced. Insta-love is probably my least favorite trope, and there was absolutely no build-up to the relationship with Lucy and Dax. The conflict at the end was completely unnecessary. Absolutely nothing was fleshed out and out of nowhere Lucy brainstorms a new TV show? I'm giving two stars because I did finish it, and I do love Jill Santopolo, but it really could have been a DNF. Once I finished I actually canceled my pre-order.
Also - I never liked Darren and still don't.
This was...not good. I connected with literally zero characters. The entire story seemed forced. Insta-love is probably my least favorite trope, and there was absolutely no build-up to the relationship with Lucy and Dax. The conflict at the end was completely unnecessary. Absolutely nothing was fleshed out and out of nowhere Lucy brainstorms a new TV show? I'm giving two stars because I did finish it, and I do love Jill Santopolo, but it really could have been a DNF. Once I finished I actually canceled my pre-order.
Also - I never liked Darren and still don't.
October 13, 2025
If you haven’t read the first of this series, The Light We Lost, stop reading now.
3.75 stars rounded up.
This is a continuation, ten years later with main character Lucy still reeling from the loss of Gabe.
Three kids later, Lucy is divorced with shared custody of her kids in Brooklyn. She finds in Gabe’s belongings an address in Rome and after a spur of the moment, decides to find out what this mysterious address is.
Along the way in Italy, she meets Dax, a doctor who works with refugees coming into Italy. It’s an instant love affair, naturally.
The entire book we see Lucy speaking to Gabe as if he��s never left. It’s an essential love letter to the man she misses more than anything. We are also reminded that Sam, her youngest is actually Gabe’s kid, when she cheated on her then husband, Darren nine years ago. We don't get to see too much of Lucy's career, which we did in the first book, it's almost an afterthought.
My main caveat of this book was the character development of Lucy’s three kids - Violet, Liam, and Sam, all seemed to be eight years old. They acted like kids most of the time, despite Violet being 14. They were never full fleshed out children, instead they were just general kids, if you get my gist.
While this book will never carry as much weight and depth as its predecessor, it’s simply an easy breezy love story. I wish more of it took place in Italy, as she explores this newfound love with Dax. The question isn't whether she found love, or if love has finally found her.
The Light We Lost explored so much of this unrequited love, taking place over decades. It was as if we were watching these two characters come to life. This sequel takes a step back and is more of a quiet story of how Lucy overcomes her never ending grief. It’s simply closure, not just for Lucy, but for us, the readers who fell in love with the first book.
3.75 stars rounded up.
This is a continuation, ten years later with main character Lucy still reeling from the loss of Gabe.
Three kids later, Lucy is divorced with shared custody of her kids in Brooklyn. She finds in Gabe’s belongings an address in Rome and after a spur of the moment, decides to find out what this mysterious address is.
Along the way in Italy, she meets Dax, a doctor who works with refugees coming into Italy. It’s an instant love affair, naturally.
The entire book we see Lucy speaking to Gabe as if he��s never left. It’s an essential love letter to the man she misses more than anything. We are also reminded that Sam, her youngest is actually Gabe’s kid, when she cheated on her then husband, Darren nine years ago. We don't get to see too much of Lucy's career, which we did in the first book, it's almost an afterthought.
My main caveat of this book was the character development of Lucy’s three kids - Violet, Liam, and Sam, all seemed to be eight years old. They acted like kids most of the time, despite Violet being 14. They were never full fleshed out children, instead they were just general kids, if you get my gist.
While this book will never carry as much weight and depth as its predecessor, it’s simply an easy breezy love story. I wish more of it took place in Italy, as she explores this newfound love with Dax. The question isn't whether she found love, or if love has finally found her.
The Light We Lost explored so much of this unrequited love, taking place over decades. It was as if we were watching these two characters come to life. This sequel takes a step back and is more of a quiet story of how Lucy overcomes her never ending grief. It’s simply closure, not just for Lucy, but for us, the readers who fell in love with the first book.
April 13, 2025
This book is the follow up to The Light We Lost. Lucy is a single mother to three children, juggling their needs, shared custody, etc. The love she had for Gabe is still in her heart, even though it’s been ten years. His publisher is planning a new book release of his photos, ten years later. Lucy’s involvement in planning that event leads her on an impulsive trip to Rome, to see if she can discover more about his life.
While in Rome Lucy meets Dax, who is a doctor who has been doing relief care in that area. They are quickly drawn together, and share traumatic events in their life. Though their time in Rome is brief, they stay in touch and Lucy wonders if she might get a third chance at love.
I’m trying to keep this free from spoilers, not just of this book but also the previous. In some ways this book lags behind the previous for me. But I also think it’s reflective of life and love when you have matured some. The first book is about discovery, making choices for yourself, being impulsive and sometimes selfish. As a parent, life is complicated. Decisions aren’t made just for yourself, but taking the children’s welfare in mind. Past decisions and disappointments affect how you live and move forward.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and seeing where Lucy is in her life and where she is headed. Once again, it’s narrated well. I know others have had varied responses to this book, so it’s always interesting to read a variety of reviews.
While in Rome Lucy meets Dax, who is a doctor who has been doing relief care in that area. They are quickly drawn together, and share traumatic events in their life. Though their time in Rome is brief, they stay in touch and Lucy wonders if she might get a third chance at love.
I’m trying to keep this free from spoilers, not just of this book but also the previous. In some ways this book lags behind the previous for me. But I also think it’s reflective of life and love when you have matured some. The first book is about discovery, making choices for yourself, being impulsive and sometimes selfish. As a parent, life is complicated. Decisions aren’t made just for yourself, but taking the children’s welfare in mind. Past decisions and disappointments affect how you live and move forward.
Overall I really enjoyed this book and seeing where Lucy is in her life and where she is headed. Once again, it’s narrated well. I know others have had varied responses to this book, so it’s always interesting to read a variety of reviews.
Want to read
December 30, 2024The way “The Light We Lost” just ended 😭 I need to start this one immediately. I’m so happy I got this arc just in time lol
✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & Penguin Group Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨
✨Thanks to NetGalley, The Author, & Penguin Group Publishing for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review✨
April 10, 2025
This was phenomenal and I never read the first one but it was satisfying and I will go read it when I can. The writing was incredible. I didn’t know I needed a philosophical and poetical sex scene but i absolutely did. And wow that thing about pruning things from your brain when you have a kid- so true! Loved so much of this. Worth it.
April 14, 2025
2.5 ⭐️⭐️.✨ Sequels are hard and this one just felt unnecessary? I’m not sure if the storyline needed to continue and a lot of this felt forgettable. The plot in the first one is quite sad but had a will they/wont they romance to carry it through — that sadness and melancholy carried through this second one and overall just felt a bit depressing. I wasn’t obsessed with the first one so I’m not sure what I was expecting with this sequel. Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me and I feel like it is one of those books I won’t really think about.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
April 12, 2025
A disappointment can not adequately describe how this book made me feel.
I felt I was in the minority for The Light We Lost - I LOVED that book, immediate five stars. I remember reading it and sobbing, making me reflect on how grateful I am for my personal love story.
When I found out there was a sequel coming, I was excited but tentative because sequels notoriously don't live up to the hype. Well, was that ever the case.
I actually liked the idea that Lucy and Darren divorced after all that happened with Gabe and Samuel. Her finding a new love could have been beautiful if it hadn't been written like you input “make a hallmark movie into a book” in chatGPT. Dax was all of a sudden introduced, had nothing endearing about him, and the smattering of sex scenes were frankly giving me the ick. Maybe the author took a note from Colleen Hoover - that's not a compliment.
I don't know if the author has met children or teenagers before, but I've never in my life met any that speak like that. The constant almost…therapy-speak in the way the characters interacted? It felt so terribly unrealistic. The dialogue was so utterly boring, and that comprised the majority of the book.
Setting the book as if she's talking to Gabe the whole time got tedious af. Every single chapter basically ended with her melancholy reminiscing of Gabe and asking him some weird ass question. There was no substance. We just followed her around as she tried to arrange an art show and randomly came up with an idea for a stupid-sounding kids show.
Also, I have to mention, does the author have an eating disorder, or does she like to live vicariously through her book characters having one? I would actually like a sentence count on how many times this bitch talks about how little she eats. “A spoonful of Nutella for dessert”, “A tiny slice of marshmallow pie, Dax's was four times as big”, “I didn't eat because I was nervous”. Wow, gold medal Lucy, you're SO SMOL AND LITTLE. Barf.
This book is the perfect subject for why a good first book should be left well enough the fuck alone, because this one certainly didn't reflect a single bit of it, unless I'm delulu and have amnesia for what I read the first time.
I felt I was in the minority for The Light We Lost - I LOVED that book, immediate five stars. I remember reading it and sobbing, making me reflect on how grateful I am for my personal love story.
When I found out there was a sequel coming, I was excited but tentative because sequels notoriously don't live up to the hype. Well, was that ever the case.
I actually liked the idea that Lucy and Darren divorced after all that happened with Gabe and Samuel. Her finding a new love could have been beautiful if it hadn't been written like you input “make a hallmark movie into a book” in chatGPT. Dax was all of a sudden introduced, had nothing endearing about him, and the smattering of sex scenes were frankly giving me the ick. Maybe the author took a note from Colleen Hoover - that's not a compliment.
I don't know if the author has met children or teenagers before, but I've never in my life met any that speak like that. The constant almost…therapy-speak in the way the characters interacted? It felt so terribly unrealistic. The dialogue was so utterly boring, and that comprised the majority of the book.
Setting the book as if she's talking to Gabe the whole time got tedious af. Every single chapter basically ended with her melancholy reminiscing of Gabe and asking him some weird ass question. There was no substance. We just followed her around as she tried to arrange an art show and randomly came up with an idea for a stupid-sounding kids show.
Also, I have to mention, does the author have an eating disorder, or does she like to live vicariously through her book characters having one? I would actually like a sentence count on how many times this bitch talks about how little she eats. “A spoonful of Nutella for dessert”, “A tiny slice of marshmallow pie, Dax's was four times as big”, “I didn't eat because I was nervous”. Wow, gold medal Lucy, you're SO SMOL AND LITTLE. Barf.
This book is the perfect subject for why a good first book should be left well enough the fuck alone, because this one certainly didn't reflect a single bit of it, unless I'm delulu and have amnesia for what I read the first time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 18, 2025
Happy publication day 🥳🎉🎧
I find myself in a very strange position here. I hadn’t realised that this title was a sequel, i haven’t read the first book 😩I know I know, where have I been, it’s been added to the tbr, however I felt that the story and the emotion was palpable from the first book. Infact, I was only a couple of chapters in when I knew I’d missed a book. It was like raw grief, I don’t know how else to describe it, and perhaps in missing the first book my words won’t give the author enough credit in that while I obviously now know the outcome of the story, i felt I’d lost out, yet I also felt its spirit entirely.
I’m very unsure on whether I’m adding spoilers, so I’m going to add them just incase.
I can’t speak on how it ties up obviously, but nonetheless I loved The Love We Found, I loved the way it was presented as an anniversary piece, the journey to get to the anniversary was breathtaking and god help me I have two book boyfriends, one from the beyond. I loved the way the story was written conversationally from Lucy to Gabe. I loved how Dax helped Lucy to mend. The person she is, the mother she is, her honesty in her never diminishing love for Gabe. In all honesty I was brimming tears often and I kept forgetting these were fictional characters.
If I hadn’t missed the first book I’m pretty positive this would’ve been a 5 🌟 which is totally on me.
Jill Santopolo writes and narrates this novel with such heart, tenderness and love, genuinely beautiful in every way.
Huge thanks to Harper Collins U.K. audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ELC 🎧
I find myself in a very strange position here. I hadn’t realised that this title was a sequel, i haven’t read the first book 😩I know I know, where have I been, it’s been added to the tbr, however I felt that the story and the emotion was palpable from the first book. Infact, I was only a couple of chapters in when I knew I’d missed a book. It was like raw grief, I don’t know how else to describe it, and perhaps in missing the first book my words won’t give the author enough credit in that while I obviously now know the outcome of the story, i felt I’d lost out, yet I also felt its spirit entirely.
I’m very unsure on whether I’m adding spoilers, so I’m going to add them just incase.
I can’t speak on how it ties up obviously, but nonetheless I loved The Love We Found, I loved the way it was presented as an anniversary piece, the journey to get to the anniversary was breathtaking and god help me I have two book boyfriends, one from the beyond. I loved the way the story was written conversationally from Lucy to Gabe. I loved how Dax helped Lucy to mend. The person she is, the mother she is, her honesty in her never diminishing love for Gabe. In all honesty I was brimming tears often and I kept forgetting these were fictional characters.
If I hadn’t missed the first book I’m pretty positive this would’ve been a 5 🌟 which is totally on me.
Jill Santopolo writes and narrates this novel with such heart, tenderness and love, genuinely beautiful in every way.
Huge thanks to Harper Collins U.K. audio via NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ELC 🎧
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2025
This book struck me as oddly calm. If this had been my own personal story, I would have been anything but calm.
Having adored The Light We Lost, I’m very grateful for this sequel.
Jill Santopolo never disappoints.
Having adored The Light We Lost, I’m very grateful for this sequel.
Jill Santopolo never disappoints.
October 19, 2024
What an amazing sequel to "The Light We Lost!" The story continues with Lucy, her marriage, her kids, and her life after Gabe. This one is equally as emotional!
In the larger sense, for me there was a time for school, a time for romance, a time for mothering. In the smaller sense, month by month, week by week, or day by day, there's a time for work, for play, for creation, for relaxation. the next few weeks really felt like time to concentrate on healing.
This book is so good and will stay with me for some time. I hope the story continues for a third book!
Romance, Beautiful Journey, and Emotional!
4.5 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This book will be released 3/18/25.
In the larger sense, for me there was a time for school, a time for romance, a time for mothering. In the smaller sense, month by month, week by week, or day by day, there's a time for work, for play, for creation, for relaxation. the next few weeks really felt like time to concentrate on healing.
This book is so good and will stay with me for some time. I hope the story continues for a third book!
Romance, Beautiful Journey, and Emotional!
4.5 stars!
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This book will be released 3/18/25.
January 6, 2025
4.5/5
This book was great. I re-read The Light We Lost before reading this one so I was fully remembered everything. This was the perfect follow up for Lucy. It’s well written and I couldn’t put it down. I loved seeing how Lucy’s life progressed and how she was able to get through her grief and find love again. I liked how she stood up for herself to Darren when dealing with a tough subject.
If you liked the first book. You’ll like this book!!!!!
This book was great. I re-read The Light We Lost before reading this one so I was fully remembered everything. This was the perfect follow up for Lucy. It’s well written and I couldn’t put it down. I loved seeing how Lucy’s life progressed and how she was able to get through her grief and find love again. I liked how she stood up for herself to Darren when dealing with a tough subject.
If you liked the first book. You’ll like this book!!!!!
April 9, 2025
A lot of the same emotions. I loved the exploration of challenges of a blended family and raising children. A worthwhile sequel that is worth your time!
Want to read
June 25, 2024I am SO SO Excited!!!
April 8, 2025
I am having the hardest time rating this!!! I loved the first book but I honestly got so sick of hearing about Gabe this time around 😂
September 23, 2024
I never thought I’d ever cry over a book like I did with The Light We Lost and this sequel brought a totally different type of tears. The Light We Lost still holds up as one of my favorites today (it was the first book I ever annotated outside of school and my copy looks way older than it is) and this was no different. I have a lot of thoughts about this one and I’ll write about it more when I can discuss spoilers.
One thing I thought when I finished however was “I can’t wait to reread these when I’m older.” The Light We Lost was the first book I read when I moved to New York and I’ve just now reached the age Lucy was at the beginning of that book. Now, I’m a college graduate and entering a new stage of my life. It’s strange and beautiful and so different to what I once thought. Both novels cover a timeline of over twenty years and I’ve only scratched the 1% of life that I discovered through Lucy.
Lucy as a character stayed with me for weeks, months, years after reading. She was someone I felt deeply connected to as a naive 18 year old. Now, I can see it wasn’t direct connection, but rather an abundance of empathy and seeing what could be a version of me in the future. But I see the now-version of me in her more than I ever did before. I’m struggling to find where I’ll land, tv or book production, but children’s stories is a goal. I have my own doubts when it comes to relationships; the fear that holds me back but knowing it could be something good. The friends in my life that I can rely on and hope to have for decades. New York City and how it became my home.
I’m writing more than I expected to and my notes app is getting a reallllllly long spoiler rant. Anyway, if you couldn’t tell, I loved it.
Thank you Netgalley for the arc!!! I cried when I got it ❤️
One thing I thought when I finished however was “I can’t wait to reread these when I’m older.” The Light We Lost was the first book I read when I moved to New York and I’ve just now reached the age Lucy was at the beginning of that book. Now, I’m a college graduate and entering a new stage of my life. It’s strange and beautiful and so different to what I once thought. Both novels cover a timeline of over twenty years and I’ve only scratched the 1% of life that I discovered through Lucy.
Lucy as a character stayed with me for weeks, months, years after reading. She was someone I felt deeply connected to as a naive 18 year old. Now, I can see it wasn’t direct connection, but rather an abundance of empathy and seeing what could be a version of me in the future. But I see the now-version of me in her more than I ever did before. I’m struggling to find where I’ll land, tv or book production, but children’s stories is a goal. I have my own doubts when it comes to relationships; the fear that holds me back but knowing it could be something good. The friends in my life that I can rely on and hope to have for decades. New York City and how it became my home.
I’m writing more than I expected to and my notes app is getting a reallllllly long spoiler rant. Anyway, if you couldn’t tell, I loved it.
Thank you Netgalley for the arc!!! I cried when I got it ❤️
March 15, 2025
Keeping this spoiler free for those that have not read the first book!
The Love We Found is the highly anticipated follow up to The Light We Lost. It has been ten years since Lucy had to make a life altering decision. In the past 10 years, she has changed and grown up in ways that she never could have imagined. Faced with more hard decisions, Lucy is thrown back into her past. But with those hard decisions comes a light at the end of the dark tunnel.
Review:
4.5 stars
I loved The Light We Lost so much, so when I heard about the publication of The Love We Found I was absolutely thrilled! This simply did not disappoint. There is just something about Jill's writing that sucks me in. Her characters are reliable, their lives are messy, they make bad decisions, and great decisions. I am drawn to the characters in a way that makes me connect to them and feel their emotions so profoundly. Both books in this duet are highly emotional. They are high stakes. They are real. And they are absolutely fantastic. I would read about their lives in 10 plus more books if Jill wrote them.
The Love We Found publishes on 3/18 and is an absolute MUST read!!! I would suggest pushing it to the very top of your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley, Jill Santopolo and Penguin/Putnam's Sons for this ARC of The Love We Found in exchange for an honest review.
The Love We Found is the highly anticipated follow up to The Light We Lost. It has been ten years since Lucy had to make a life altering decision. In the past 10 years, she has changed and grown up in ways that she never could have imagined. Faced with more hard decisions, Lucy is thrown back into her past. But with those hard decisions comes a light at the end of the dark tunnel.
Review:
4.5 stars
I loved The Light We Lost so much, so when I heard about the publication of The Love We Found I was absolutely thrilled! This simply did not disappoint. There is just something about Jill's writing that sucks me in. Her characters are reliable, their lives are messy, they make bad decisions, and great decisions. I am drawn to the characters in a way that makes me connect to them and feel their emotions so profoundly. Both books in this duet are highly emotional. They are high stakes. They are real. And they are absolutely fantastic. I would read about their lives in 10 plus more books if Jill wrote them.
The Love We Found publishes on 3/18 and is an absolute MUST read!!! I would suggest pushing it to the very top of your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley, Jill Santopolo and Penguin/Putnam's Sons for this ARC of The Love We Found in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2025
2.5 rounded down
I did not care for THE LIGHT WE LOST but was desperately looking for an audiobook the other day so I picked up this one 🙃
Tbh I can't say this one was that much better. The instalove had me rolling my eyes and Lucy is still insufferable.
If you loved the first book you'll probably enjoy it 🤷🏻♀️ because these were some of my issues with TLWL.
Thank you PRH Audio for the free audiobook!
I did not care for THE LIGHT WE LOST but was desperately looking for an audiobook the other day so I picked up this one 🙃
Tbh I can't say this one was that much better. The instalove had me rolling my eyes and Lucy is still insufferable.
If you loved the first book you'll probably enjoy it 🤷🏻♀️ because these were some of my issues with TLWL.
Thank you PRH Audio for the free audiobook!
April 15, 2025
The perfect book after The Light We Lost. Jill's books are a must read for me. This story had all the feels.
December 10, 2024
Not as good as The Light we Lost, but still a nice follow up - sure wish I remembered the first one better
April 5, 2025
Unnecessary 2nd book
August 3, 2025
I cried, I laughed, I had so many emotions! Loved this book just as much as The Light We Lost!!!!
September 26, 2024
5/5 stars. Such an incredibly beautifully written story. The Light We Lost was such a heartbreaking yet beautiful story, and also one of my favorites. The Love We Found was the perfect sequel. I love Jill Santopolo’s engaging style of writing - especially the realistic themes she includes in her stories. Truly one of my favorite authors and I can’t wait to read more of her stories.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 31, 2025
This poignant sequel revisits Lucy Carter Maxwell a decade after the events of the first book, The Light We Lost. In this story, Lucy meets Gabe after 9/11. Ten years later, we find Lucy older and more grounded, yet emotionally and spiritually tethered to Gabe, whose presence continues to influence her life. When she discovers a slip of paper with a Roman address among his belongings, it ignites a spark of curiosity within her. Despite knowing that this journey could uncover things she wants to keep buried, she can't resist going. Set in Rome, the narrative is lush and evocative, reflecting the city’s geography and Lucy's inner journey, which is layered with history, beauty, and unanswered questions.
What resonated with me most was the exploration of "what-ifs." This story does not present a traditional love triangle or a dramatic, twisty romance. Instead, it focuses on the small decisions that echo through the years, the evolution of relationships, and how love endures even after someone is gone. It is not about falling in love for the first time; instead, it delves into what happens afterward—the ripples of choices, the weight of memories, and the enduring question: What if?
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
What resonated with me most was the exploration of "what-ifs." This story does not present a traditional love triangle or a dramatic, twisty romance. Instead, it focuses on the small decisions that echo through the years, the evolution of relationships, and how love endures even after someone is gone. It is not about falling in love for the first time; instead, it delves into what happens afterward—the ripples of choices, the weight of memories, and the enduring question: What if?
To listen to my interview with the author, go to my podcast at:
https://zibbymedia.com/blogs/transcri...
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