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Sunlight Burning at Midnight
Starting out in life as a young wife and mother, you never imagine the ways your hopes and dreams might be completely shattered. For Jessica and her husband Jason, a series of unrelenting heartbreaks struck, beginning with their baby's diagnosis with a life-changing disability. Just a few short years later, thirty-three-year old Jason lay in a hospital bed, battling a Glioblastoma brain tumor. And within the span of six years of marriage, Jessica became a widow left alone to care for their four young children, including one with special needs. But the story doesn't end there. In the midst of storm after storm, Jessica stubbornly clung to God, and she found him to be faithful. Enter Ryan Ronne, a young widower and father of three. Ryan had also lost his spouse to brain cancer-in fact, around the same time Jessica's husband, Jason, had succumbed to the disease. Just as the idea of sunlight burning at midnight sounds impossible, so it seemed unlikely anything beautiful could arise from their devastation. But a new love story emerged, along with a combined family that now numbers eight children. As featured on the Today Show, theirs is an inspiring and encouraging story of faith. Here, Jessica Ronne tells her riveting story of finding hope amid havoc, and of the surprising ways that pain often commingles with joy.
- GenresBiography
192 pages, Paperback
Published November 10, 2016
9 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
About the author
Jess Ronne
4 books18 followersI’m an author, speaker, podcast host at Coffee with Caregivers, documentary producer at caregiverdoc.com & founder of The Lucas Project—a non-profit dedicated to providing recognition & respite for special needs families. My husband & I live in Michigan with our 8 children, including our son Lucas who has profound special needs. My story has been shared on The Today Show, Daily Mail & Huffington Post & is detailed in my memoir Sunlight Burning at Midnight. To follow the ongoing saga I can be found at www.jessplusthemess.com or purchase my latest book, Blended with Grit and Grace. Book #3 releases Feb 2023.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 4, 2017
I found this author and book via Instagram, and was a bit astounded when I did. She has lived through an experience eerily similar to my mothers--young wife of four young children loses husband to brain cancer. She is then remarried within a year's time to a fellow widower who himself has children.
Because of the similarities, I had to buy Jessica's book and read it.
While I was intrigued to read Jess's story because of the seemingly personal connection I have to it, I was not overly impressed with the actual writing. Having read a handful of other memoirs in the last couple years, I have learned that I am drawn to a more poetic telling of one's life. And, while Jessica has some profound statements of lessons learned, wisdom gained, character forged sprinkled throughout the book, it is written more factually which is less appealing to me.
That said, I do think Jessica's story and this book would be incredibly meaningful and helpful to a number of people who have or are caring for children with chronic medical needs, people who have watched a spouse battle cancer and lost that spouse to cancer, people who have endured seasons of suffering upon suffering, bad news upon bad news. Jessica has lived through quite a lot, and her willingness to write it all out for the potential that it might help someone else is commendable.
Because of the similarities, I had to buy Jessica's book and read it.
While I was intrigued to read Jess's story because of the seemingly personal connection I have to it, I was not overly impressed with the actual writing. Having read a handful of other memoirs in the last couple years, I have learned that I am drawn to a more poetic telling of one's life. And, while Jessica has some profound statements of lessons learned, wisdom gained, character forged sprinkled throughout the book, it is written more factually which is less appealing to me.
That said, I do think Jessica's story and this book would be incredibly meaningful and helpful to a number of people who have or are caring for children with chronic medical needs, people who have watched a spouse battle cancer and lost that spouse to cancer, people who have endured seasons of suffering upon suffering, bad news upon bad news. Jessica has lived through quite a lot, and her willingness to write it all out for the potential that it might help someone else is commendable.
March 25, 2021
Jessica Ronne's story is real, raw, and relevant to anyone who is praying for the healing of a loved one.
I sped though the 142 pages in three sittings, waking up on the last day in the wee hours of the morning to finish the final chapters because I wanted to find out what happened. The photos included allows the reader to emotionally connect to the family.
The author does not candy coat her life and even tells about times when her faith and her actions appeared incongruent, leaving the beauty of her humanity on full display. The spiritual growth she experienced and conveys to the reader during the time period covered by this memoir was well worth the time spent reading.
I received my copy of the book from the author.
I sped though the 142 pages in three sittings, waking up on the last day in the wee hours of the morning to finish the final chapters because I wanted to find out what happened. The photos included allows the reader to emotionally connect to the family.
The author does not candy coat her life and even tells about times when her faith and her actions appeared incongruent, leaving the beauty of her humanity on full display. The spiritual growth she experienced and conveys to the reader during the time period covered by this memoir was well worth the time spent reading.
I received my copy of the book from the author.
June 1, 2017
Beautiful and Honest
A beautiful and honest account of life and death. The well written story is a reflection of faith, new perceptions and a testament to love and family. Just keep living also sounds like a good name for a book about falling in love again and blending families (hint hint) 🌷🌸
A beautiful and honest account of life and death. The well written story is a reflection of faith, new perceptions and a testament to love and family. Just keep living also sounds like a good name for a book about falling in love again and blending families (hint hint) 🌷🌸
October 28, 2017
When you marry your sweetheart young, you expect to spend many decades together. When you are pregnant a second time, you expect everything to be as perfect as it was the first time. But as much as she wanted a “normal life”, Jess Ronne’s life was anything but “normal”.
Jess brings us into her world as it spins more and more out of her control. We feel her stress and uncertainty. We feel her desperation as she prays, believes and confesses her way through her second pregnancy; a pregnancy in which the baby has been given a death sentence. Jess and her husband are not giving up on this baby, no matter what! But this is just the beginning of a very bumpy road to come.
Through her life with a disabled child, failing finances, more babies and finally a terminally ill husband, Jess shows us a living, redemptive grace. She demonstrates that in spite of extreme stresses, God’s grace really does enable you to keep going- one step at a time. Her story encourages us to keep going. These events are not “difficult” or “challenging”, they are down-right Hard, but Jess finds she can “just keep livin!”. And she wants us to know we can “keep livin”, too.
This book could be called, “Beauty for Ashes”. Even through the hardships and heartbreaks, God truly does birth something good. This story is tragic and heartbreaking yet made beautiful by the presence of God. It’s real and sometimes raw. However, instead of leading us to question God, it points us to God’s faithfulness.
Our own impossible, exhausting situation might be very different from Jess’s, but this is a testimony to faith and the grace of God making a way where there seems to be no way. Faith grows, and grace is given in our ordinary lives. Jess lets us know that is especially true in the extraordinary times. Jess’s story reminds us of the goodness of God even in the midst of our dark times.
“Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys.” This quote from Madeleine L’Engle, sums up Sunlight Burning at Midnight! There is joy. There is hope.
In Sunlight Burning at Midnight, I think you’ll find encouragement for whatever life is throwing your way. I came away more inspired to keep on keeping on and keep on believing God!
Jess brings us into her world as it spins more and more out of her control. We feel her stress and uncertainty. We feel her desperation as she prays, believes and confesses her way through her second pregnancy; a pregnancy in which the baby has been given a death sentence. Jess and her husband are not giving up on this baby, no matter what! But this is just the beginning of a very bumpy road to come.
Through her life with a disabled child, failing finances, more babies and finally a terminally ill husband, Jess shows us a living, redemptive grace. She demonstrates that in spite of extreme stresses, God’s grace really does enable you to keep going- one step at a time. Her story encourages us to keep going. These events are not “difficult” or “challenging”, they are down-right Hard, but Jess finds she can “just keep livin!”. And she wants us to know we can “keep livin”, too.
This book could be called, “Beauty for Ashes”. Even through the hardships and heartbreaks, God truly does birth something good. This story is tragic and heartbreaking yet made beautiful by the presence of God. It’s real and sometimes raw. However, instead of leading us to question God, it points us to God’s faithfulness.
Our own impossible, exhausting situation might be very different from Jess’s, but this is a testimony to faith and the grace of God making a way where there seems to be no way. Faith grows, and grace is given in our ordinary lives. Jess lets us know that is especially true in the extraordinary times. Jess’s story reminds us of the goodness of God even in the midst of our dark times.
“Faith is what makes life bearable, with all its tragedies and ambiguities and sudden, startling joys.” This quote from Madeleine L’Engle, sums up Sunlight Burning at Midnight! There is joy. There is hope.
In Sunlight Burning at Midnight, I think you’ll find encouragement for whatever life is throwing your way. I came away more inspired to keep on keeping on and keep on believing God!
March 5, 2018
If you've ever feared the worst, if you've ever woken up in the middle of the night in a panic because of all the things that could go wrong-- this is the book you need.
It can all go wrong and you will still survive.
Jessica Ronne has lived it, told us all about it, and your life will change because of it.
It can all go wrong and you will still survive.
Jessica Ronne has lived it, told us all about it, and your life will change because of it.
November 30, 2017
This book is raw, makes your burdens feel light, reminds you there is always hope. God is at work, healing, in His perfect way. Everything has another side, and you can walk through it. By sharing the ongoing reality that unfolds in her (author) life, hope is found. Redemption occurs. God is still present and accepts you for who you are. No matter her perspective in each trial, Jess Ronne journals and prays that God would heal and help. And through it all, she recognizes and shares how Gods hand was bringing beauty from the darkness, and preparing her for each season of life and living. If you want encouragement that you can “keep livin” through anything, this memoir will be that for you. Thankful that I was given a copy in exchange for an honest review. It’s a book that I know many whom it will benefit, and I needed this perspective in my own search for the sunlight burning at midnight. It’s a testimony of truth and shows Gods glory beyond and in life’s messes.
November 2, 2017
I received an e-mail to join a launch party for this book. I quickly skimmed the synopsis and said I would give it a try. I devoured this book in two days. It would have been less, had it not been so emotionally taxing.
Jess Ronne is a mother who has been through it. From worrying her child wasn't going to make it, to losing her husband at the ripe age of 33, she is no stranger to grief. She made it through with her faith in God to guide her.
I must admit I'm the first person to throw books about faith away, I'm too angry and confused over a few things to be fully accepting of God right now, but reading these books make me feel a little better. Only slightly a bit jealous, because I know it takes a brave person to hold onto faith in trying times. I never once wanted to put this book down, though. I never felt as if Jess was shoving her faith down my throat, but simply showing how God helped her through two of her hardest moments throughout life.
"I realize now that I use anger to express every other emotion I was feeling. Anger was safe. Anger clouded the pain, the anguish, the tears. Anger was something that could be directed at someone or something."
Through the whole book, that sentence was the one that resonated with me. I do too, Jess. One day I hope I'll be able to find faith, or something else to cling to that helps me get over that. I can only aspire to one day be as faithful as Jess is to God. I was in awe of her strength, and her ability to admit when things were less than okay. This book will stick with me for the rest of my life. I loved it.
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased view. All opinions herein are of my own and are not swayed by any outside factors.
Jess Ronne is a mother who has been through it. From worrying her child wasn't going to make it, to losing her husband at the ripe age of 33, she is no stranger to grief. She made it through with her faith in God to guide her.
I must admit I'm the first person to throw books about faith away, I'm too angry and confused over a few things to be fully accepting of God right now, but reading these books make me feel a little better. Only slightly a bit jealous, because I know it takes a brave person to hold onto faith in trying times. I never once wanted to put this book down, though. I never felt as if Jess was shoving her faith down my throat, but simply showing how God helped her through two of her hardest moments throughout life.
"I realize now that I use anger to express every other emotion I was feeling. Anger was safe. Anger clouded the pain, the anguish, the tears. Anger was something that could be directed at someone or something."
Through the whole book, that sentence was the one that resonated with me. I do too, Jess. One day I hope I'll be able to find faith, or something else to cling to that helps me get over that. I can only aspire to one day be as faithful as Jess is to God. I was in awe of her strength, and her ability to admit when things were less than okay. This book will stick with me for the rest of my life. I loved it.
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased view. All opinions herein are of my own and are not swayed by any outside factors.
May 20, 2021
I sought this book out because I am a grandmother to a boy with special needs. I am always interested to see how other people cope with the incredible challenges of parenting a child with disabilities.
I was a little disappointed by the book for that reason. It seemed like there was very little in there about parenting her special son. A lot of time was spent on the pregnancy itself, and I understand that the fact that he survived past birth was a miracle. But I wish she would have spent a little more time telling us about what life is like with Lucas.
Her husband's diagnosis and extended illness came shortly after Lucas was born, so maybe she needed to focus on his care so much that her son's situation was a sub-plot in the drama of her life. And maybe I am being selfish by wanting to hear more about it.
Either way, Jessica Ronne has endured much more in her young life than most people ever have to. She infuses her book with lots of Scripture and honest reflections on God's will, which forced me to think about His will in relation to my own struggles.
I am so happy that she was able to find love and happiness again. I hope this one will last a long long time.
I was a little disappointed by the book for that reason. It seemed like there was very little in there about parenting her special son. A lot of time was spent on the pregnancy itself, and I understand that the fact that he survived past birth was a miracle. But I wish she would have spent a little more time telling us about what life is like with Lucas.
Her husband's diagnosis and extended illness came shortly after Lucas was born, so maybe she needed to focus on his care so much that her son's situation was a sub-plot in the drama of her life. And maybe I am being selfish by wanting to hear more about it.
Either way, Jessica Ronne has endured much more in her young life than most people ever have to. She infuses her book with lots of Scripture and honest reflections on God's will, which forced me to think about His will in relation to my own struggles.
I am so happy that she was able to find love and happiness again. I hope this one will last a long long time.
October 4, 2018
Author Jessica Ronne's book is beautifully written, her journal entries give you a true picture of the enduring faith and hope she experienced in the midst of some deeply sad life events. It makes your heart pinch for she and her family and glory in how strong her faith-walk is during several heart-breaking occurrences.
In reading this book, you come to admire this strong person and it gives you a deeper appreciation for this narrow thread that we have called life, it is in short, a wonderful, moving book.
In reading this book, you come to admire this strong person and it gives you a deeper appreciation for this narrow thread that we have called life, it is in short, a wonderful, moving book.
November 5, 2017
For those wishing for a different answer…
For those who have asked why…
For those who have cradled heartbreak and felt shattered dreams…
For those who hope through pain…
Jessica’s shares her journey with honesty. Her story is beautiful because she allows readers into her heart, the pain and the hope alike. She doubts, wrestles and pleads. She clings to her faith and the God she knows to be good. We are assured that not having all the answers can be a holy response.
For those who have asked why…
For those who have cradled heartbreak and felt shattered dreams…
For those who hope through pain…
Jessica’s shares her journey with honesty. Her story is beautiful because she allows readers into her heart, the pain and the hope alike. She doubts, wrestles and pleads. She clings to her faith and the God she knows to be good. We are assured that not having all the answers can be a holy response.
November 8, 2017
Jessica shares her personal testimony of God's faithfulness through times when things are going well and there is plenty but also through those times where there are struggles, pain, and trials. She is beautifully transparent and raw as she pours her heart out in this book. It doesn't matter where you are in life, this is a treasure of a read. You will be blessed!
November 25, 2017
Truly an incredible book. As a student under the teaching of Mrs.Ronne, I️ find it truly inspiring to see her walk with an unshakable faith. She will never understand how much her book has helped me. Although the struggles may be completely different...I️ still find comfort knowing God is always there to lean on.
January 17, 2018
Beauty from Ashes!
What an amazing story of Faith, and of what big things God will do if we remain steadfast in our faith. Our Heavenly Father will never let us down. He will bring beauty from ashes, we need just believe. I loved this story. Thank you for sharing your life and your heart.
What an amazing story of Faith, and of what big things God will do if we remain steadfast in our faith. Our Heavenly Father will never let us down. He will bring beauty from ashes, we need just believe. I loved this story. Thank you for sharing your life and your heart.
January 22, 2023
Jess Ronne leads you on an honest and relatable account of her journey. Whether it is an emotional high or low, she eloquently relays her time on the mountain tops or the valley low in such a way that it is extremely approachable to the reader.
December 29, 2025
Reading this book was like having Jess speak directly to me. Hearing this story from her perspective was inspiring, heartbreaking, and rejuvenating all at once. Knowing Caleb and his family personally made it so much more real.
April 19, 2018
Heartbreaking but also uplifting. Beautifully written! Amazing story!
April 2, 2019
I enjoyed this book...
November 4, 2021
Beautiful redemption story...
"Just keep livin'..."
"Just keep livin'..."
March 21, 2022
I fell in love with Jess and her story.
July 31, 2024
Hard to find the words to describe how sad, yet inspiring, this book is.
September 28, 2024
Memoir from a special needs mom. I appreciated her candor about all that she has been through.
June 6, 2025
3.5. I feel sorry for the author who has lived through a lot. It’s hard for me not to judge getting engaged within 5 months.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews