Light Me Up

by Katie Karambelas

Addy always loved a plan, and hers involved going to the same college and marrying her middle school sweetheart. But when Addy’s mom dies and she’s forced to move to another state, she finds herself boyfriend-less and stuck in a town that’s main source of income is an amusement park.

Lucky for Addy, her new neighbor gets her a job and brings her into a friend group that’s known each other since diapers. But there’s one person in particular Addy can’t seem to stay away from, even when her neighbor warns her against it.

Asher is broody and dangerous, and the completely opposite kind of boy Addy would ever date. But why can’t she keep her eyes off him every time he enters a room?

Feeling torn between the boy she left behind and the one who starts to see her for the person she’s becoming, Addy finds herself on a rollercoaster of emotions.

Can one summer alter the course of your forever? Addy is about to find out.

Genres: Romance, Young Adult

360 pages, Paperback

Published April 27, 2026

Reviews

[Amity Bailey]

4.5 ⭐️

This YA romance was one that tugged at my heart strings. A story full of grief, friendships, change, and learning to find yourself through the struggle. This one was a beautiful coming of age story that truly highlights the struggles that come with teenage life while dealing with impossibly tough situations!

Asher & Addy were both such loveable characters who were dealing with trauma & struggling with their mental health. I loved the way these two together helped each other heal and found understanding in the cards life had dealt them.

This book was heartfelt, emotional, and also showed the fun & carefree side mixed in with the hard times. I loved seeing family leaning on each other while all dealing with their grief in different ways.

As an elder sister, this book hit me right in my feels. Showcasing the responsibility that comes with being the oldest sibling, while also battling your own demons.

Thank you Katie for the opportunity to read your story. This one was heavy at times, but one that resonated with me deeply. Grief comes in so many forms & in waves. There is no one way to get through those moments & this story held true to that. This was a beautiful story that I highly recommend!

[Natalie Cupid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received an Advance Reader Copy through Netgalley. YA Romance which I found to be a little too YA for me. I didn’t really relate to any of the characters deeply but the book was still an emotional journey dealing with a lot of grief aspects and losses and coming of age.

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recieved an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.

Ally recently lost her mother, and as a consequence her father moves Ally and her little sister from Charleston to his home town. While adjusting to her loss, Ally also has to contend with getting a new job, supporting her sister, and juggling new friendships. Then there's the boyfriend she left behind, and the mysterious boy catching her eye in her new town.

This book was right up my street. My own writing tackles some similar themes, so I was excited to read this. Ally is a likeable lead, and her conflicts all felt genuine for a 17YO to be facing. Asher had all the bad boy tension that you would want in an edgy MMC. But I didn't enjoy this story as much as I hoped I would. Kat, the neighbour that Ally befriends, acted out of character in the second act compared to how she was in the first and third acts, and it felt forced in order to make one scene happen. It means when Ally is hurt, she feels like she is too forgiving too quickly. And I really hate when the few female characters involved in a story are at odds, especially for a book based in the formative years. Likewise, the scene involving Kat's boyfriend felt like it wasn't handled well, it was more about the fight and Asher being a white knight than about what Ally was experiencing. The act involved was talked about very casually, and the gratuitous drug and alcohol usage had little to no consequences which felt like a poor message for a YA book. By all means have teens drinking in a book, but mixing with prescription drugs or overdosing on said drugs are also areas that need careful handling and more consequences than a car stuck in a ditch. Likewise the arson scenes felt forced and not well considered, and again, Ally accepts Asher because of what he needs despite the fact her life is far more complicated with him in it.

I also felt like the therapy sessions felt superfluous to the story, they repeat the chapter or lead into the next but add nothing except that Ally is, understandably, in therapy. This is mentioned in the prose, so it really added nothing.

Despite my complaints, it was readable, and a decent telling of the teen experience, and gives a good narrative on the types of love we experience in our lifetimes, from first loves and puppy loves to enduring love, familial and friendship loves.

[mar · Rating 1 out of 5]

reading of advanced copy received from netgalley

1.5 stars.

*insert man freeing himself from shackles picture* IM FINALLY FREE I COULD CRY 😭😭😭

i started this book almost FOUR weeks ago and let me just preface this review by saying it put me in the worst reading slump known to mankind which i'm aware was completely self inflicted but i'm nothing if i'm not determined.

this story follows a teenage girl named addy who's recently suffered the loss of her mother and has to move away from her hometown to LANCASTER COUNTY PENNSYLVANIA. that's just so funny to me because no one would ever willingly move there but that's besides the point. basically her dad moves her and her little sister to the middle of nowhere and addy leaves her bf of like 5 years behind to live with the amish people. addy ends up meeting this boy on her first day and his name is asher he's our mmc. she also meets this girl named kat WHO I HAVE SOME THINGS TO SAY ABOUT.

i went into this book expecting a cute ya story about a girl who learns to love life again and she happens to meet a bad boy along the way. and while it could be argued that this is what happened all the major events that happen in this book just seemed shallow and underdeveloped to me. both addy and asher suffer from chronic mental health conditions but other than them showing each other their prescription bottles, they don't go into any more details about BDP or anxiety. i'm not even joking when I say that 90% it's revealed that the mmc is basically a pyromaniac? how are we supposed to sympathize or relate to characters whose stories aren't fleshed out??

the only thing that these characters do in this entire book is go out at bonfires. istg every other chapter is just people throwing shade at each other during a bonfire. you need to talk to someone? bonfire. you need to fight someone? bonfire. you need to make someone jealous? bonfire. idk man I was getting irrated but I blame the author for setting her story in LANCASTER COUNTY because honestly what else is there to do besides bonfire. they do bonfire like ken does beach.

anyways, when i really got irritated with this book is when the all the characters go to a concert in philly (shoutout to my hometown!!) and addy's friend kat, who I mentioned before, invites her college aged boyfriend with them. said college aged boyfriend tries proceeds to sneak into addy's hotel room and tries to R*PE her before the mmc fights him off. and kat, instead of yelling at or reporting her predator bf, SHE DECIDES TO SAY ADDY WAS LYING??? AND THAT HER PREDATOR BF WOULD NEVER DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT??? if i was addy I would've dropped her ass so quickly it would've had her dizzy. but no. she lets kat throw shade at her at the BONFIRE and then becomes buddy buddy with her again bc her predator bf slept with another girl. like i know lancaster has a population of five and a half people but really?? addy babe you need to find better friends.

overall this book was forgetful and lacked any emotional depth that would've made it have a lasting impact on me, personally. no hate whatsoever to the author btw. the writing was good and i feel with more time she may put out a novel that's stronger than this one.

[libbie! ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

NET GALLEY ARC - 3.5 ✨⭐️

I really enjoyed this book… you truly can never go wrong with a YA romance, and this one completely delivered for me. I fell in love with these characters almost immediately; they felt so easy to root for and genuinely unforgettable. The good girl × bad boy dynamic was done perfectly, and I absolutely loved how protective he was of her it added so much tension and heart to their relationship.

I ended up reading this in one sitting because once I started, I couldn’t put it down. The writing hooked me right away and made the story flow so effortlessly that I just wanted to keep turning the pages. Every moment pulled me in more, and I was fully invested from beginning to end. This was such a fun, emotional, and addictive read, and I’m honestly so excited for everyone else to experience it.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5 ⭐️

What initially interested me with this book was that it was supposedly loosely based off of Hershey/Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and Hershey Park. I grew up in the same area, so I needed to see if there were any similarities. There were honorable mentions and details that I found entertaining as someone who knows the area well.

Overall, this was an endearing YA story about mental health, grief, and finding yourself throughout later adolescence. Not my usual genre but found it to be a pretty good read. Thank you Katie Karambelas and NetGalley for providing this e-ARC. All opinions are my own.

#LightMeUp #KatieKarambelas #NetGalley #ARC

[Zøe Haslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ Light Me Up by Katie Karambelas - Quick Overview
• Genre: YA Contemporary Romance
• Themes: Grief, friendship, family, childhood sweethearts, falling in love, self-discovery, anxiety
• Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Recommended for fans of: Jenny Han, Morgan Matson, K. L. Walther

“The way I feel when I’m around you terrifies me.”




Summary
In the midst of grieving her mom’s passing, Addy is forced to leave behind her life, her “forever” (a.k.a. Nate, her childhood sweetheart), and her friends to move to a small town in another state and start over. Making new friends isn’t too difficult, but developing feelings for Asher—the bad boy everyone has warned her about—while still holding on to Nate just might be.

💭 My Thoughts
This story had me hooked from the very first line in the blur to the last page. Katie Karambelas tackles tough topics—teenage drinking, mental illness, attempted abuse, arson, and grief—with care and respect, weaving them seamlessly into the characters’ growth. It’s emotional, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down. And full of quotes that can either melt your heart or tear it apart:

“What if I don’t remember her? What if we leave and I can’t recall all the details that make her her?”

Despite being set in a small town, this story isn’t about the setting—it’s all about plot and character development. Chapter after chapter, we come to know Addy more deeply as she navigates grief, anxiety, and the fear of existing in a world where her mom is no longer there. We watch her try to be a good daughter and a supportive big sister while making new friends (Kat and Tucker) and holding tightly to Nate despite the confusing feelings Asher stirs in her.

Moreover, in her therapy sessions, Addy is challenged to become who she is meant to be, to try new experiences and to let go of limiting beliefs. As the summer unfolds, she struggles to release the past—everything that once felt safe and familiar, and what she believed was forever—and embrace the uncertainty instead. Because:

“Your life is a series of moments, Addy. The plan isn’t ruined. There can’t be a true plan because we don’t know what will happen next. All we can do is do the best with what we have.”

Without a doubt, one of the things I enjoyed most about this novel was Addy’s new best friend, Kat. From the moment they meet, the two form a strong bond that is seriously challenged throughout the book (as most friendships are in real life), but ultimately survives it all.

Another thing I truly enjoyed was how Addy connects with her dad’s family—her grandmother and his siblings. Moving to this small town ultimately rewards her with the most unexpected surprise: a version of her mom she never knew. It’s here that, far from losing her mom for good, Addy ends up finding her again amidst her grief.

________________________________________
💕Falling for the Bad Boy… That Might Just Be Worth It

Contrary to her better judgment, and despite Kat’s strong warnings about falling for Asher—a bad boy with a real reputation—Addy can’t help but feel the chemistry between them every time they meet.

As much as she tries to fight it and focus on Nate instead (solid Nate, endgame Nate), Asher is just as drawn to her as she is to him. But the night he climbs into her room and shares his secrets, Addy realizes he’s hurting just as deeply as she is. And more than that, he seems to understand her in a way no one else can:
“Losing a parent makes you tough. You lose half of yourself.”

As the days go by and they spend more time together—at work and later in the evenings with the rest of the senior crew—Asher and Addy begin to recognize their feelings for each other. Feelings Addy tries to fight, ignore, and push away, while Asher distracts himself by hooking up with other girls. Feelings Addy never experienced with Nate. Strange, new emotions that terrify them both. Feelings that aren’t going anywhere…

And with Kat’s theory that there are two kinds of boys in the world, Addy can’t help but wonder:
“Is he truly the boy who started the fire or is he the one who will run in and save me?”

Far from the cliché bad-boy stereotype, Asher is a complex character—flawed, yet full of tenderness, potential, and capable of redemption. Throughout the book, he faces emotions he cannot fully comprehend, but it’s the way he rises to challenges, protects and supports Addy, and takes responsibility for his sometimes enormous mistakes that makes us root for him every step of the way.


________________________________________
❤️ What I Loved the Most

• Kat and Addy’s friendship
• The characters’ development
• The pacing of the story
• Asher’s complexity and the way he challenges everything Addy thought she wanted
• Olivia’s thought-provoking questions
• Addy’s newfound friends and family________________________________________
💔 What Didn’t Work for Me

Honestly? I can’t think of anything. I will admit there were moments when I wanted to strangle certain characters (I’m looking at you, Kat… and you too, Asher), but the way everything unfolds in the end is flawless and only strengthens the bonds between the characters.

________________________________________
✨ Favorite Quotes
• “If we leave, we’re leaving every place my mom touched, every memory we made with her. The reminders wouldn’t be staring me in the face every day. It would mean truly moving on with my life… without her.”
• “What if I don’t remember her? What if we leave and I can’t recall all the details that make her her?”
• “Losing a parent makes you tough. You lose half of yourself.”
• “Life is about the experiences you have with people. Nothing else matters.”
• “You can’t be ready to share your life with someone until you truly know who you are.”
• “I’m on a high now and I don’t want to come back down.”
• “Is he truly the boy who started the fire or is he the one who will run in and save me?”
• “Your life is a series of moments, Addy. The plan isn’t ruined. There can’t be a true plan because we don’t know what will happen next. All we can do is do the best with what we have.”
• “The way I feel when I’m around you terrifies me.”


________________________________________
🌍 Vibes / Tropes
• Childhood Sweetheart vs. New Love
• New Girl / Fresh Start
• Falling for the bad boy
• Life-Changing Summer
• Small town
________________________________________
📚 Similar Books
• Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson (finding yourself through new experiences)
• The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han (growing up, love triangle, self-discovery)
• Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry (bad boy, emotional trauma, slow burn)
________________________________________
🎯 Final Verdict
Light Me Up is a fantastic story about self-discovery, navigating grief, coping with anxiety, forming lasting friendships, letting go of the past (like Addy and Nate), feeling all the emotions for the bad boy, and—simply—growing up. It’s sweet, sad, tough, thought-provoking, nostalgic, knee-melting, and at times… absolutely infuriating!
________________________________________
💬 Reader Question
Have you read Light Me Up or any other books by Katie Karambelas? What did you think? Would you recommend it?

[Haley Hanchin · Rating 4 out of 5]

absolutely loved this book so much

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book follows the story of a teenager girl who has to handle the grief of her mother’s death while dealing with issues a 17 year old would with fitting in, romance, and more. Overall, I loved the writing in this book especially the way the author described every scene making imaging it so much easier and the book a really easy read to follow along. I especially loved the writing within the griefs portrayal and how each family member dealt with it in a different way. I finished this book in one sitting and I was really invested to know more as the story was unfolding. One of my favorite things about the book is how the fmc is outspoken regarding her boundaries whether that is not wanting to continue a conversation or feeling uncomfortable in a specific situation which is a quality every teenager should learn. Now for the things I didn’t like. First off, I didn’t like how conversations around alcohol mixing with medical or driving under the influence held no regard and was passed on as something teenagers do, which is true; however, I would’ve liked seeing consequences for this. I also didn’t like the therapy sessions as it felt like the therapist wasn’t really helpful and was just there. Lastly , I wish there would’ve been a longer gap before she got into the relationship in order to build herself while also giving asher time to recover and start working on himself to earn her, but that would require the book to be longer which maybe wasn’t plausible. Overall, I loved reading this book especially it being YA, yet not afraid to talk about topics that many teenagers have to deal with while also shedding light on mental illnesses.

[Steph L · Rating 4 out of 5]

E-ARC provided by the author.

Vibes
Upper YA /Na Crossover
Small Town
Bad Boy MMC
Mental Health Rep
Anxious FMC

4.5/5 or 8.71/10

Characters-9

I don't read a ton of YA anymore, but I still like keeping up with new YA coming out, especially from Indie and self published authors. One of the best things about Light Me Up was the characters. I enjoyed Addie, and for the most part, I enjoyed Asher. I loved the fact that Addie was in therapy, and that there were breaks in the story showing how she was getting help dealing with her mother's passing. Addie needed friends when she needed to uproot her life after her dad needed to move to PA. I'm glad she found people who she could build a community of friends.

Setting-9

The small town in Light charmed me Me Up. I grew up in a town similar to the one in the book, so it felt a little like home. I loved all the places in this book, and how you got to see the characters just being teens.

Writing-9

There are moments in this book that surprised me. Some plot points this were handled with care and heart. I loved how easy the writing style was to get into. The book was paced well, and kept my attention due to the writing style.

Plot-8

This was not my favorite story I've ever read. I did enjoy moments of the story, and there were fun moments of this I loved. Some things that made this an Upper YA/NA crossover that I didn't love. They were handled with care, and you are warned about them going in, but it still took away from the story for me.

Enojyment-9

Overall, I enjoyed this for what it was, and I would like to read more from the author.

[AC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light Me Up is an emotional, coming-of-age romance that blends grief, identity, and first love into a story that feels both messy and heartfelt. Set against the backdrop of a summer in a new town, it leans into themes of change, healing, and figuring out who you are when everything you thought your life would be suddenly shifts.

Addy begins the story very structured, someone who has always had a clear plan for her future, but after the loss of her mother and being forced to start over in a new town, that sense of control is completely shaken. Watching her navigate that uncertainty and slowly open herself up to new experiences was one of the more compelling aspects of the book.

Asher is the classic opposite of everything she thought she wanted, broody, guarded, and a little dangerous, but their connection feels natural after he climbs to her room and reveals his secret to her. There’s a strong sense of attraction mixed with hesitation, especially as Addy is still tied to the life she left behind.

The pacing is fairly steady, though it leans more into emotional development than plot. The way grief is described not only by the main characters, but also by Addy’s sister and her father is heartbreaking. There’s a learning curve for all of them.

Overall, Light Me Up is an emotional read that focuses on growth, love, and learning to let go of the life you thought you wanted in order to embrace something new.

[Amanda Shinner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Netgalley arc 🤍

Light Me Up is a solid 3-star read for me—an emotional young adult romance that isn’t afraid to touch on heavier topics like grief and mental health.

At its core, the story explores the death of a parent and how that loss shapes the main character’s relationships and sense of self. The romance element adds a softer layer, giving readers something hopeful to hold onto amid the heavier themes. It definitely leans toward a younger audience, but it still tackles some hard-hitting issues in a way that feels accessible.

One aspect I appreciated was how therapy was woven into the story. It helped normalise seeking help and added depth to the character’s emotional journey. That said, it started to feel repetitive after a while, with similar beats being revisited without much new development.

The portrayal of anxiety—and particularly the use of medication—was interesting, though at times it felt like it was presented more as a mask than a meaningful tool for growth, which could have been explored with more nuance. As someone with anxiety, I resonated but also found the main character used meds as a way out not as a tool.

Overall, Light Me Up is an engaging YA read with heartfelt moments and important themes, even if it doesn’t fully capitalise on the complexity of the issues it introduces

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light Me Up is an adorable yet emotional coming-of-age YA read that I truly enjoyed. Katie Karambelas does a great job blending themes of grief and mental health, handling them with care while still capturing the messy reality that comes with both. The story doesn’t shy away from heavier topics like loss and anxiety, which adds depth and authenticity.

Addy is a relatable and well-developed FMC. Watching her grow as she navigates grief, change, and new relationships was one of my favorite parts of the book. Her journey feels realistic, and her emotional evolution is handled with a lot of care. The tension between holding onto her past (her ex-boyfriend back home) and learning to embrace who she’s becoming adds meaningful conflict and strengthens her character arc.

Asher is the broody, guarded love interest who slowly reveals more beneath the surface. Both he and Addy are carrying their own trauma, and their shared understanding creates a strong emotional connection. I really enjoyed watching their relationship unfold—it’s sweet, complicated at times, and very grounded in emotion.

Overall, Light Me Up is a heartfelt YA romance that balances emotional depth with a tender coming-of-age story. I’d definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven romances with real emotional weight.

Thank you to Katie Karambelas and NetGalley for the ARC!

[Mrs Holm Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Cutes Journey to Adulthood, we follow Addy as she navigates the complexities of love and loss. The narrative captures the bittersweet essence of puppy love, showcasing relationships that seem destined to last forever but ultimately evolve as Addy matures.

Set against the backdrop of a new town, Addy encounters fresh challenges and friendships that push her to embrace change. She learns to take risks, acknowledging that life is rarely straightforward or predictable. The arrival of Asher, a potential love interest, and Kate, her new best friend, adds layers to her journey, illustrating the beauty of new connections.

Throughout the story, Addy also strives to maintain a healthy relationship with her father and babysitter, all while processing the grief of losing her mother. This poignant narrative beautifully captures the transformation from adolescence to young adulthood, highlighting the resilience and growth that come with life's unpredictable journey.

It's a touching story that resonates with anyone who has experienced the trials and triumphs of growing up.

[ana rita ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

✨️this is my review of an advance copy received from netgalley✨️

first of all, i don't know what katie karambelas put in this book, but i was addicted!
from the start, addy's story is complex, but realistic. as much as i keep questioning her decisions, i also know she's a teenager grieving, while trying to do her best. that being said, this book is full of drama, trauma and making mistakes, while looking to make the right choices.
even if i didn't especially like how the story was going, i made space for the characters not to be perfect, especially at seventeen.
i guess that, one step at the time, addy proved that she could survive the worst thing that could have ever happened to her, but also that she didn't have to do it alone. the relationships (friendships, sisterhood and father/daughter) showed effort and care, even if they did do the right thing all the time at their first try.

in conclusion, this book if for the eldest daughters who grew up feeling like the world was on their shoulders, while all they were trying to do was survive, one day at a time.

[Almie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

I am not typically a YA reader, grabbing YA maybe once or twice a year… but I am glad to have received this YA as a ARC.

The good? MH representation and normalization. There are diagnoses, medications and a therapist in there. I do love seeing these represented. And muddling through the grief process? I feel it was very well written and described. A good representation of how different this process was for each character. There are friendships forged, family connections established and a coming of age story. Then there’s the love story. Addy and Asher really take you on a push pull journey, with a lesson on acceptance for us all.

There is A LOT of drinking scenes in this one. And yes, teens, but would have loved to read some of these moments as sober moments (like the wedding, for example) I had moments of, really? drinking again? Have not yet realized how this is negatively impacting y’all? ☺️

Thanks for the opportunity to read this one! I’m working backwards and on to Before we Break soon.

[Shelby Willeford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Netgalley Review 3.75

Alright yall! Light Me up is YA book based on two characters currently high school aged. Addy lives in Charleston, but her dad uproots her life and moves their to Pennsylvania. Why you may ask? Her mom died and her dad can no longer stand to be in the same town.

Addy struggles with mental health and anxiety, so moving away from her comfort zone is super hard to overcome. She meets new friends and even starts working at an amusement park with the, during the summer before senior year.

Insert Asher. Neighborhood bad boy with lots of baggage. Addy is drawn to him. She is curious about him. She can't seem to stay away even though she has a "boyfriend" back home.

Will Addy accept her new life in a new town with new people? Will Asher show a side of himself no one else knows?

This was a cute book that touched heavily on mental health and how characters cope. It was refreshing to see as I even found myself in Addy at one point in house excruciating anxiety makes me feel.

-Good girl/Bad boy
-Highschool characters
-Will they/won't they?
-Anxiety disorder
-Family baggage

[Brittany Speight · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐️

Light Me Up is a beautiful coming of age story, full of grief, growth, and major life changes. Addy is a type A, eldest daughter with a plan for everything, especially her future. Then the unexpected happened, and everything changed.

Grief isn't linear; you have good days and days where you feel like you'll never escape your sadness, and Katie captures that emotional complexity well.

It's easy to get comfortable in a routine or a relationship and feel like everything will crumble if things change. In reality, sometimes the happy ending is moving on, even if it rips your heart out. This part of the story really hit home for me, and was a gentle reminder that grief comes in waves.

Addy and Asher have the kind of relationship where they can sit in silence together, and lean on each other as they work through their trauma.

I loved that Katie included therapy sessions throughout the book - mental health is not talked about often enough, and seeing this in a YA novel was refreshing.

Tropes:
✨good girl/bad boy opposites attract
✨found family
✨small town summer romance
✨no spice
✨mental health rep
✨grief rep
✨eldest daughter FMC
✨tattoos & trauma MMC

[Katie Karambelas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, the book I spent many years writing and editing after my own mom died is out in the world (in a review capacity, at least). Maybe you’ll love it. Maybe you’ll hate it. But I hope, more than anything, that if you’re grieving the loss of your own parent that you’ll feel seen in the way that I wished to be.

This book is near and dear to my heart for a lot of reasons. Asher is the boy you want to fix. Addy is the girl trying so hard not to be broken. They both just need a little help- and maybe they can find that in each other. Or maybe they need to figure it out for themselves.

I hope you enjoy this piece of my heart. Because what is writing if not bleeding a bit onto the page?

I’ll leave this review space for you, but if you ever need someone to tell you that your mom is proud of you… my inbox is always open. 🩷🫶🏻

[Kali dePreaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Light Me Up by Katie Karambelas absolutely lives up to its name—it sparks, it burns, and it leaves you glowing long after you turn the last page.

From the very first chapter, I was completely pulled in. The chemistry is electric, the emotional tension is perfectly paced, and the character development feels authentic and layered. Every interaction crackles with depth—nothing feels forced or surface-level.

What truly sets this book apart is the balance between heart and heat. It’s not just a romance—it’s a story about vulnerability, growth, and what it means to truly see (and be seen by) someone. The writing is immersive and emotionally resonant, making it impossible to put down.

If you love romance that delivers swoon-worthy moments and emotional payoff, this one is a must-read. Five glowing stars from me. ✨

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Addy has her life planned out: go to college and marry her middle school sweetheart. After the death of Addy's mom, her dad moves the family to another state where she feels like she's 'just a tiny fish here, thrown into the wrong pond'. She attempts to learn how to fit into her new life, by learning that change is not always a negative force. Addy is torn between closing the door on grief and trying to never let go of her old life.

Light Me Up tackles grief and change in a beautiful way. The cast of characters are wonderfully written, with a thoughtful representation of how grief is experienced. In particular, Addy's navigation of grief and change is written sensitively and realistically.

The therapy chapters complement the main story arc in a fitting way, showing how Addy chooses to navigate her new life.

I hope this novel helps a YA reader navigate some difficult experiences <3

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was so adorable!

I honestly expected to be annoyed that she was leaving her boyfriend for Asher but I felt the complete opposite. I ended up rooting for her and Asher so fast. I actually wish we got to see more of them and I would be so down for a second book, especially one from Asher's POV.

I also loved that not only did we get to experience the relationship between her and Asher grow, but we got to watch Addy grow as a person too. I thought the therapy chapters were such a unique idea. I loved those parts.

In addition, I love how Asher and Kat ended up becoming friends with Sofia and Diego. The found family concept was so cute. Add Tucker to that and I think we would have the cutest friend group ever. I totally think Kat and Diego would be a great couple and could have their own book too. I would definitely read that.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asher and Addy’s story was a sweet, albeit convoluted coming of age story.
Both dealing with loss or trauma, and for some reason, they have a connection. She’s torn between him and her (ex)boyfriend back home and it leads to plenty of back and forth and confusion.
Now, Kat’s character was strange - the difference in the ‘acts’ was so large that I wasn’t sure what was going on. And Asher, was so damaged, yet heartbreakingly vulnerable that you just wanted some kind of happiness for him.

You could feel the confusion, doubts and worry. The author did a great job of conveying the YA aspect… I enjoyed it, and I appreciated that while it’s a HEA, it’s more of a HFN, leaving it more open-ended for their future.

[Meredith Fulbright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the most perfect YA romance I have read in a while. It wasn't afraid to touch on heavier topics like grief and anxiety. This book yanked at my heartstrings, and I was crying every other page. This book was quite literally written for eldest daughters. It captured the struggle of balancing all of your responsibilities and the stress of wanting everything to go perfect. Another thing I really liked was how much therapy was involved. Instead of constantly having Addy (FMC) in therapy sessions we had chapters that would occur every so often that included small snippets of the therapy session. Genuinely one of the rawest books I have read in a while and the tears were absolutely worth it.

[Aurelia]

DNFed around 70 ish percent in, I just couldn't take it anymore 😭
I can of course see why people would like it, it is a clean, ya, small town romance that goes really deep into discussions about grief, loss, and the healing journey that follows.
SPOILERS AHEAD!
I don't think I'm allowed to criticize the plot itself as I DNFed it, but the thing that I couldn't get over is the almost cheating trope caused by the FMC.
Yes, you can argue that technically her and her boyfriend from her previous town were technically "on a break", and they are all teenagers, they are bound to be messy. I can acknowledge that it was a part of the FMC's healing journey and aided her in her attempts to move on from the loss of her mother. But cheating, no matter how justified it is, is just something I cannot look over.

[Meghan Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful story of a teen traversing some of life's more difficult situations and showing us all that its okay to admit things aren't the way we had hoped but that its not always a bad thing that they aren't! The love story between Addy and Asher really pulled at my heartstrings and had me rooting for them through it all! This author did such a great job representing some tougher subject matter with respect and dignity! Would recommend for anyone who resonates with any of the subject matter in this book, as well as anyone who loves a realistic representation that life and love aren't always perfect but are always worth it!

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

very real dipiction of managing the challenges of grief, mental illness, teenage life in a smaller town.

loss of a loved one
great sister relationship
good girl x bad boy
mental illness


small spoiler



i didnt like the therapist at all, i didnt find those chapters lead much to the plot and i did not find the therapist actually understood greif and anxiety.

also i understand Addy was trying to help her dad with her sister, but he very much parentified her and ignored her struggles.

overall i really liked the progression of the characters through the book, it showcased real life challenges in a very good way.

[Tiffany Rosado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light Me Up by Katie Karambelas 💜

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I feel Katie did an incredible job showing how someone navigates grief and mental health challenges. It was strong representation of grief for even adults. While I quite enjoyed the story, Asher lacked depth for me to feel like he deserved Addy. The FMC Addy, while it reads young adult for the story, she harnessed much more maturity at times and I really enjoyed reading her journey.

This is a knock out of the park for young adults trying to navigate all the challenges brought up.

#LightMeUpKatieKarambelas #NetGalley

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh wow this was such a great book. Got me in all of the feels! Starts out with Addy talking about her anxiety since the death of her mom. Then she has to leave her hometown and boyfriend for a place she doesn’t know. Once in Pennsylvania, she has to meet new friends and deal with grief and loss and figuring out life. There were ups and downs and lots of typical teen angst. But I loved the mental health rep. And Asher’s abuse and issues with his family hit home as a child psychiatrist. I really loved how this ended and truly think anyone with teens and anyone who remembers being a teen with angst read this book. Absolutely loved it Katie!

[Kasey Connors-Beron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of Light Me Up thanks to the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my god my heart. I feel a bit speechless on how to review this book without spoilers. I loved all the main characters (female and love interests). The growth that the characters go through is wonderfully paced. I loved the therapy scenes because they provide good context on that development. The internal conflict in the main character is hard to read at times because you get transported into the book. Definitely recommend