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How the Light Gets In
From the highly acclaimed author of The Outcast and The Alliance comes an engrossing novel about marriage and motherhood, loss and moving on.
When Ruth Neufeld's husband and father-in-law are killed working for a relief organization overseas, she travels to Wisconsin with her young daughters and mother-in-law Mabel to bury her husband. She hopes the Mennonite community will be a quiet place to grieve and piece together next steps.
Ruth and her family are welcomed by Elam, her husband's cousin, who invites them to stay at his cranberry farm through the harvest. Sifting through fields of berries and memories of a marriage that was broken long before her husband died, Ruth finds solace in the beauty of the land and healing through hard work and budding friendship. She also encounters the possibility of new love with Elam, whose gentle encouragement awakens hopes and dreams she thought she'd lost forever.
But an unexpected twist threatens to unseat the happy ending Ruth is about to write for herself. On the precipice of a fresh start and a new marriage, Ruth must make an impossible decision: which path to choose if her husband isn't dead after all.
When Ruth Neufeld's husband and father-in-law are killed working for a relief organization overseas, she travels to Wisconsin with her young daughters and mother-in-law Mabel to bury her husband. She hopes the Mennonite community will be a quiet place to grieve and piece together next steps.
Ruth and her family are welcomed by Elam, her husband's cousin, who invites them to stay at his cranberry farm through the harvest. Sifting through fields of berries and memories of a marriage that was broken long before her husband died, Ruth finds solace in the beauty of the land and healing through hard work and budding friendship. She also encounters the possibility of new love with Elam, whose gentle encouragement awakens hopes and dreams she thought she'd lost forever.
But an unexpected twist threatens to unseat the happy ending Ruth is about to write for herself. On the precipice of a fresh start and a new marriage, Ruth must make an impossible decision: which path to choose if her husband isn't dead after all.
373 pages, Paperback
First published March 5, 2019
237 people are currently reading
3146 people want to read
About the author
Jolina Petersheim
11 books563 followersJolina Petersheim is a best-selling author pursuing beauty and truth, one word at a time. Her five published novels have received wide critical acclaim as well as numerous accolades including wins and nominations for prestigious industry awards, starred reviews, spots on year-end “Best Of” and on seasonal “Top 10” lists. In addition, her non-fiction writing has been featured by many print and online outlets. Jolina and her husband share the same unique Amish and Mennonite heritage that originated in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, though they now hobby homestead in the mountains of Tennessee with their four young daughters. Visit her at ModernMarmee/Substack.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews
March 17, 2019
Oh. My. Word.
I haven't had this visceral of a reaction to a final plot twist since reading the last book in Jessica Dotta's Price of Privilege series.
And that is all I will say because I don't want to be spoilery. But this book was beautiful in about a hundred ways. The emotional roller coaster was worth every moment and I'll be thinking about it for days and days and days... 💗💗💗💗💗
I haven't had this visceral of a reaction to a final plot twist since reading the last book in Jessica Dotta's Price of Privilege series.
And that is all I will say because I don't want to be spoilery. But this book was beautiful in about a hundred ways. The emotional roller coaster was worth every moment and I'll be thinking about it for days and days and days... 💗💗💗💗💗
March 6, 2019
“But a life well lived wasn’t meant for safety; a life well lived meant flinging your heart into the void.”
I don’t know that I’ve flung my heart anywhere these days. I often feel overwhelmed and completely inadequate for a role that, most of the time, I’m still sure I’m supposed to be in. It’s during these times that I tend to read books like I breathe air. Books that give me hope, books that encourage me to do a little heart flinging now and then, even if it’s not the grandest gesture, even if it’s just a small thing. Jolina Petersheim is one of those few and far between authors that write words that connect with me on a soul-deep level. No matter what the storyline, her words do exactly what I mentioned above – they remind me of life’s goodness, they remind me that I’m not alone, and they infuse me with hope.
How the Light Gets In is a contemporary retelling of the story of Ruth. It’s not a direct line drawn in every aspect of the story, but the heart of the story is there. In this story, Ruth is widowed, and ends up developing a deep and close relationship with her mother-in-law, Mabel. As Ruth attempts to move on, letters and memories of her time with her husband, Chandler, intersperse with the present day storyline. The picturesque Wisconsin farm, with its cranberry bogs and charming cabins, makes a wonderful back-drop for both Ruth’s heart-wrenching plight, but most importantly, her hard-won healing.
I loved the realism within these pages, as well as the secondary characters – Elam, Mabel, little Sophie and Vi, and even Chandler, all flavor this story with emotion and heart. At first the plot ebbs and flows, then escalates, until a powerful reveal left me reeling. I’m honestly still not sure how I feel about it – I’ve thought about it off and on for the past two days, and sometimes my mind changes each time I think about it. This is a great story to drive conversations, what-ifs, and if-onlys. I think it’s the mark of a brilliant writer when the reader is still thinking about and contemplating the story days later. Truly my emotions were all over the place – my heart wanted certain things when my mind said otherwise. The characters touched me that deeply.
How the Light Gets In is a compelling and surprising character-driven story, filled with organic faith and realistic hope. It gently demands that the reader pays attention, that the reader answers Ruth’s questions as they resonate within their own hearts. Do yourself a favor and read the author’s note; its poignant connection to the story resonated with me deeply.
If you haven’t read any of Jolina Petersheim’s novels, I highly recommend you pick one of her books up without delay!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher - I was not required to post a review, and the view expressed here is my honest opinion.
I don’t know that I’ve flung my heart anywhere these days. I often feel overwhelmed and completely inadequate for a role that, most of the time, I’m still sure I’m supposed to be in. It’s during these times that I tend to read books like I breathe air. Books that give me hope, books that encourage me to do a little heart flinging now and then, even if it’s not the grandest gesture, even if it’s just a small thing. Jolina Petersheim is one of those few and far between authors that write words that connect with me on a soul-deep level. No matter what the storyline, her words do exactly what I mentioned above – they remind me of life’s goodness, they remind me that I’m not alone, and they infuse me with hope.
How the Light Gets In is a contemporary retelling of the story of Ruth. It’s not a direct line drawn in every aspect of the story, but the heart of the story is there. In this story, Ruth is widowed, and ends up developing a deep and close relationship with her mother-in-law, Mabel. As Ruth attempts to move on, letters and memories of her time with her husband, Chandler, intersperse with the present day storyline. The picturesque Wisconsin farm, with its cranberry bogs and charming cabins, makes a wonderful back-drop for both Ruth’s heart-wrenching plight, but most importantly, her hard-won healing.
I loved the realism within these pages, as well as the secondary characters – Elam, Mabel, little Sophie and Vi, and even Chandler, all flavor this story with emotion and heart. At first the plot ebbs and flows, then escalates, until a powerful reveal left me reeling. I’m honestly still not sure how I feel about it – I’ve thought about it off and on for the past two days, and sometimes my mind changes each time I think about it. This is a great story to drive conversations, what-ifs, and if-onlys. I think it’s the mark of a brilliant writer when the reader is still thinking about and contemplating the story days later. Truly my emotions were all over the place – my heart wanted certain things when my mind said otherwise. The characters touched me that deeply.
How the Light Gets In is a compelling and surprising character-driven story, filled with organic faith and realistic hope. It gently demands that the reader pays attention, that the reader answers Ruth’s questions as they resonate within their own hearts. Do yourself a favor and read the author’s note; its poignant connection to the story resonated with me deeply.
If you haven’t read any of Jolina Petersheim’s novels, I highly recommend you pick one of her books up without delay!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher - I was not required to post a review, and the view expressed here is my honest opinion.
April 5, 2019
Drop what you're reading and start this book! The writing is so beautiful. The story so poignant. The setting and characters feel real enough to reach out and touch. I can relate to Ruth in some ways. I think every wife and mother probably can. The deep love you have for your kids and how you want to protect them from life's pain and heartache. The stress that family life can bring when you lose focus. I also felt very strong emotion for Elam and Chandler. Both men are amazing characters. I read the Author's Note and was a little surprise to find out that this is a loosely based retelling of Ruth in the Bible. I didn't draw a parallel in my mind but can see it now. I recommend this to all reader's of Women's Fiction! Go READ It!
February 22, 2019
A beautifully written, simple and heartfelt story about grief and forgiveness, marriage and motherhood, How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim surprised me. I didn’t know what to expect out of this book, because having read the premise first, I was a little put off, since it felt like the entire plot and twists were revealed in that short blurb, but was I wrong! Don’t let it fool you either, the blurb has nothing on the whole story. They say never judge a book by its cover, let me add – never judge a book by its premise either!
Twenty nine year old Ruth’s world comes crashing down when a terrorist bomb destroys a hospital in Afghanistan, killing everyone inside within minutes including Ruth’s husband and father-in-law, who were both working as doctors without borders for a relief organization. Overcome with grief, and not able to fathom how her life took such a huge wrong turn, Ruth accepts her mother-in-law’s invitation to travel to Wisconsin, to bury both the deceased, and stay for a while among the close-knit Mennonite community, which her late husband, Chandler belonged to. Chandler’s cousin, Elam welcomes them in their home and offers Ruth with a temporary job at his cranberry farm.
As Ruth struggles with her daily life of trying to cope with the sudden loss of her husband and raising her two young girls all by herself, she finds unexpected solace in this foreign land. She discovers she likes working the land on the farm and also gradually finds herself on the path of healing and acceptance, and is grateful for the kindness and understanding of the community.
Parallel to Ruth’s present life story, we also get glimpses of the past – how Ruth met Chandler, how they fell in love, how they married and had the girls, how the relationship progressed, their highs and lows in the relationship, everything until the day Chandler left for Afghanistan – and all this is in the form of letters, which I personally thought was a wonderful intimate touch to the story.
The second part of the story is where the twist happens, and Ruth needs to pick one of two nearly impossible choices. What she picks and why, is an excellent topic for an epic book club discussion, because every individual’s decision and their respective right and wrong would be based on a number of factors – how they deal with grief, how they recover, how easily they forgive, if they do so at all, their priorities, their heartbreak and their own personal redemption. There’s no right or wrong when there are only two ways and they both hurt someone. I’d just leave it at that.
But wait, just when you think you know how the story ends, there’s that final twist, and I was baffled by how the author suddenly changed directions. Truthfully, I was still okay with how she chose to wrap-up Ruth’s story, but I am positive there will to be a great divide among the readers over this ending. People will either strongly agree or disagree, and you need to read the book to find out which side you’re on.
One last thing I’d like to mention is that towards the end, there’s an extremely touching and personal author’s note, where Jolina Petersheim talks a bit about her own life struggles that inspired her to write this story. Make sure you don’t miss that, it provides a deeper insight into what instigated Ruth’s story.
Overall, How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim is a beautiful, heartfelt contemporary that’ll invoke too many emotions, but will ultimately leave the reader healed.
For more reviews visit my blog Booktimistic - Books, Outdoors & Optimism
** An ARC was provided by Tyndale House and TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
Twenty nine year old Ruth’s world comes crashing down when a terrorist bomb destroys a hospital in Afghanistan, killing everyone inside within minutes including Ruth’s husband and father-in-law, who were both working as doctors without borders for a relief organization. Overcome with grief, and not able to fathom how her life took such a huge wrong turn, Ruth accepts her mother-in-law’s invitation to travel to Wisconsin, to bury both the deceased, and stay for a while among the close-knit Mennonite community, which her late husband, Chandler belonged to. Chandler’s cousin, Elam welcomes them in their home and offers Ruth with a temporary job at his cranberry farm.
As Ruth struggles with her daily life of trying to cope with the sudden loss of her husband and raising her two young girls all by herself, she finds unexpected solace in this foreign land. She discovers she likes working the land on the farm and also gradually finds herself on the path of healing and acceptance, and is grateful for the kindness and understanding of the community.
Parallel to Ruth’s present life story, we also get glimpses of the past – how Ruth met Chandler, how they fell in love, how they married and had the girls, how the relationship progressed, their highs and lows in the relationship, everything until the day Chandler left for Afghanistan – and all this is in the form of letters, which I personally thought was a wonderful intimate touch to the story.
The second part of the story is where the twist happens, and Ruth needs to pick one of two nearly impossible choices. What she picks and why, is an excellent topic for an epic book club discussion, because every individual’s decision and their respective right and wrong would be based on a number of factors – how they deal with grief, how they recover, how easily they forgive, if they do so at all, their priorities, their heartbreak and their own personal redemption. There’s no right or wrong when there are only two ways and they both hurt someone. I’d just leave it at that.
But wait, just when you think you know how the story ends, there’s that final twist, and I was baffled by how the author suddenly changed directions. Truthfully, I was still okay with how she chose to wrap-up Ruth’s story, but I am positive there will to be a great divide among the readers over this ending. People will either strongly agree or disagree, and you need to read the book to find out which side you’re on.
One last thing I’d like to mention is that towards the end, there’s an extremely touching and personal author’s note, where Jolina Petersheim talks a bit about her own life struggles that inspired her to write this story. Make sure you don’t miss that, it provides a deeper insight into what instigated Ruth’s story.
Overall, How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim is a beautiful, heartfelt contemporary that’ll invoke too many emotions, but will ultimately leave the reader healed.
For more reviews visit my blog Booktimistic - Books, Outdoors & Optimism
** An ARC was provided by Tyndale House and TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. **
March 4, 2019
In typical Jolina Petersheim style, the writing is simply spectacular. Marriage and specifically how one approaches marital strife is the main topic of How the Light Gets In.
The characters and setting are well crafted. The novel delivers more than one plot twist. I had to take some time to reflect after finishing the novel to process what I'd just read.
How the Light Gets In is a unique and thought provoking novel by the talented Jolina Petersheim. My gratitude to publisher Tyndale for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
The characters and setting are well crafted. The novel delivers more than one plot twist. I had to take some time to reflect after finishing the novel to process what I'd just read.
How the Light Gets In is a unique and thought provoking novel by the talented Jolina Petersheim. My gratitude to publisher Tyndale for a complimentary copy of the novel. I was not required to post a review and the opinions expressed are my own.
October 14, 2021
Well, this has been on my reading shelf way too long. I am glad I finally got to read it, it was definitely an emotional read.
The story of Ruth, her daughters Sofia and Vivianne, move to Wisconsin with her mother-in-law after their husbands were both killed in Afghanistan. The home was of her husband's cousin, Elam, a cranberry farmer. How learning to love ones self, is just as enduring as loving the person you have chosen to spend your life with.
As much as I liked Chandler and Ruth's story, I really disliked Chandler as being selfish and conceited. I really liked the story of Elam and Ruth, it seemed so natural.
I received this as a Goodreads Giveaway and thank them for this reading.
The story of Ruth, her daughters Sofia and Vivianne, move to Wisconsin with her mother-in-law after their husbands were both killed in Afghanistan. The home was of her husband's cousin, Elam, a cranberry farmer. How learning to love ones self, is just as enduring as loving the person you have chosen to spend your life with.
As much as I liked Chandler and Ruth's story, I really disliked Chandler as being selfish and conceited. I really liked the story of Elam and Ruth, it seemed so natural.
I received this as a Goodreads Giveaway and thank them for this reading.
March 6, 2019
Here's the deal... I cannot talk about this book at the level I want because of spoilers. I mean, I know I could click the HIDE REVIEW BECAUSE OF SPOILERS button but then you might be curious about the spoilers and I tried so hard to read this ASAP to avoid spoilers, I feel like keeping them out will encourage you to do the same.
This is just going to be my thinking aloud. Some people are going to think my experience lessens what is happening on the page. I tend to think that the more perspectives we offer to round out the layers and layers of this piece, the more chance we have to reaching a holistic conclusion about its power as a form of thoughtful literary engagement.
Because this is a thoughtful novel that is a worthy addition to this year's Christian fiction offerings and wielded by a talented pen. Petersheim is consistently a word smith of great skill whose inimitable voice is matched only by her great heart. 'How the Light Gets In' is not merely a story--- but a rumination on love and duty and our expectations versus God's expectations of us.
How do we backtrack out of a rash decision whose tentative conclusion brings us close to personal wholeness and happiness?
I have no experience in marriage or raising a family but I encourage those who are the same to read it anyways... because of its universal treatise on relationships as a whole. And our view of God as a whole.
I am a sucker for a Ruth retelling. It is my favourite Bible story and I always love to see how people work it into modern parallels and parables. Indeed, there is a resonant Biblical cadence here: not only in the slow and twisting plot pieces that are at times gut wrenching and immensely sad, but also because Petersheim so expertly immerses us into the timeless traditions of the Mennonite communities in Wisconsin. The working of the cranberry marshes is a perfect canvas to stand in for the gleaning the Biblical Ruth does in Boaz's field.
This book instills a great sense of loss: loss of a person, loss of self. When Ruth gives up her passion for art and literature and identity in exchange for her husband's noble work, I found myself absolutely wrenched. Why should *his* dedication to his calling trump hers? Even if her calling doesn't mirror the magnanimous sacrifices of his medical pursuits? Does choosing to follow your own path and God given desires for your talents make you selfish? or just human. Later, when Ruth encounters a kindred spirit who understands on a deeply passionate level what art and literature mean to her---even while exercising his own daily sacrifices on a smaller but still meaningful scale, the reader ponders how and when we are to know what is right for us. God doles equal grace, human nature doles several doubts.
When sacrifice becomes selfish. When people think they are putting something about themselves and how the missing puzzle pieces get jumbled.
This is a book that inspires the reader to look to God. To put aside what we think we deserve in pursuit of a Higher Opinion. Indeed, the much-talked about conclusion to this tale, leaves the careful reader wondering if these actions are really undertaken out of a sense of love---or duty. And, to ruminate on how Christ will fit into the cracks between---the slices unseen---beyond the page.
I actually found this a cautionary tale that inspires readers to think about their relationships intentionally against their own dreams. Is it enough to swap because love and marriage and children seem the right step at a certain point in life? For one character, her early and relatively quick marriage left her unhappy when she was confronted with what she truly wanted after maturing through a few seasons of life.
Is her happiness less than her children's automatically? Or is there a way that had she waited for the right man she could have had both . For there is another character that fits her so wholly and represents a type of sacrifice born of selflessness. It is a sheer genius that pits two main characters against each other while never making them archetypal. Turning tropes on their ears through a funnel of beautiful language and resonant scenes is what makes Petersheim---long known for infusing literary softness into strong inspirational narratives-- the perfect person to dissect this.
This is the most interesting and introspective use of the Ruth story I have ever encountered ( and I have paid my fictional dues when it comes to this story). The threads of the story sew up this light, gorgeous tapestry and yet the relationships--not the characters-- are where we find the archetypes.
For right or wrong ( I am still ---and this is the power of the book---thinking about this), I cannot decide if I enjoyed the fact that one character was so greatly lacking while the other was so obviously suited to the heroine. Or, if it was an intentional way of showing how love for children and sense of duty allows us to settle for second best.
We leave the characters without certainty. We wonder if the people we have shared page time with will find solace beyond their doing the right thing. How one trick of providence and circumstance can take us steps back in happiness. How the heroine will ever find true contentment.
But this is not a story about a happy ending on a human scale. This is a story that pleads with us to trust God's voice and we hope--- even as so much happens beyond our visual interaction with what is happening on the page, that He intervenes to make sense of our limited knowledge and our complicated decisions.
Part of me thinks a little more nuance on this level would loan a more complicated reaction when we reach the crux of the story. While the obvious preference of the author for one character then makes the sacrifices to duty and honour for another character all the more startling. And dreams are clung to and lost and I only hope that the second-best dreams that the characters fall back on flourish into something wonderful.
But Ruth-- oh Ruth-- you gave up so much by not taking the time to get to know yourself outside of a relationship. It makes me want to tug Ruth close and say--go learn who you are before you can become a part of a unit... another person cannot make you happy, another person will not fulfill you. Why not learn God's purpose first and then grow with another? ( but then we wouldn't have a book)
I only have one tiny little beef with the book that is so beyond superficial it might not even bear mentioning--- but I am mentioning it anyways:
there is no true threshing floor scene in this homage to its Biblical antecedent and I think it might have made for an interesting scene. Also, that's just me being selfish because BOAZ is my jam, yo! ;)
And on that completely rachel-y note, I conclude:
I don't quite know where I stand with this story....
I know where I stand with the book, of course. It is a meditative and deeply moving construction of doubt and grace and hope and loss underscored by all-too-human feelings made deeply human and altogether resplendent due to the insane competence of the author winding the twists and turns of a poetically symbolic tale.
I hope Jolina Petersheim enjoys all of the awards she is going to win.
If this isn't a CT Book of the Year, I will throw jelly bellys
Let's Quote it Up:
"Elam's cabin was an ode to natural beauty and wonder-- and she loved imagining him--large boned, capable Elam--out in the woods or in the cranberry fields, gathering these small treasures and tucking them into his pockets to keep them safe."
"Why do you say such things?"
"I'm not just saying it, Ruth, I know it. Because like him [God], I only see you through love."
"And yet she remembered [his] gift. Her art studio. A room of her own when she didn't have a roof to her name. The thoughtfulness touched her in a way few gifts had, and she knew it was more than a gift to her. It was proof he wanted more than the fulfillment of his dream for a family, but that he also wanted to make her own dreams come true."
"Meanwhile, above them, the moon and stars t urned their gazes to the clear black sky"
"Their afternoon shadows touched as they stretched across the land."
"Each medium opened a world to him not confined his tongue"
"Loss -- like anger-- like love---produces reactions corresponding with personality"
This is just going to be my thinking aloud. Some people are going to think my experience lessens what is happening on the page. I tend to think that the more perspectives we offer to round out the layers and layers of this piece, the more chance we have to reaching a holistic conclusion about its power as a form of thoughtful literary engagement.
Because this is a thoughtful novel that is a worthy addition to this year's Christian fiction offerings and wielded by a talented pen. Petersheim is consistently a word smith of great skill whose inimitable voice is matched only by her great heart. 'How the Light Gets In' is not merely a story--- but a rumination on love and duty and our expectations versus God's expectations of us.
How do we backtrack out of a rash decision whose tentative conclusion brings us close to personal wholeness and happiness?
I have no experience in marriage or raising a family but I encourage those who are the same to read it anyways... because of its universal treatise on relationships as a whole. And our view of God as a whole.
I am a sucker for a Ruth retelling. It is my favourite Bible story and I always love to see how people work it into modern parallels and parables. Indeed, there is a resonant Biblical cadence here: not only in the slow and twisting plot pieces that are at times gut wrenching and immensely sad, but also because Petersheim so expertly immerses us into the timeless traditions of the Mennonite communities in Wisconsin. The working of the cranberry marshes is a perfect canvas to stand in for the gleaning the Biblical Ruth does in Boaz's field.
This book instills a great sense of loss: loss of a person, loss of self. When Ruth gives up her passion for art and literature and identity in exchange for her husband's noble work, I found myself absolutely wrenched. Why should *his* dedication to his calling trump hers? Even if her calling doesn't mirror the magnanimous sacrifices of his medical pursuits? Does choosing to follow your own path and God given desires for your talents make you selfish? or just human. Later, when Ruth encounters a kindred spirit who understands on a deeply passionate level what art and literature mean to her---even while exercising his own daily sacrifices on a smaller but still meaningful scale, the reader ponders how and when we are to know what is right for us. God doles equal grace, human nature doles several doubts.
When sacrifice becomes selfish. When people think they are putting something about themselves and how the missing puzzle pieces get jumbled.
This is a book that inspires the reader to look to God. To put aside what we think we deserve in pursuit of a Higher Opinion. Indeed, the much-talked about conclusion to this tale, leaves the careful reader wondering if these actions are really undertaken out of a sense of love---or duty. And, to ruminate on how Christ will fit into the cracks between---the slices unseen---beyond the page.
I actually found this a cautionary tale that inspires readers to think about their relationships intentionally against their own dreams. Is it enough to swap because love and marriage and children seem the right step at a certain point in life? For one character, her early and relatively quick marriage left her unhappy when she was confronted with what she truly wanted after maturing through a few seasons of life.
Is her happiness less than her children's automatically? Or is there a way that had she waited for the right man she could have had both . For there is another character that fits her so wholly and represents a type of sacrifice born of selflessness. It is a sheer genius that pits two main characters against each other while never making them archetypal. Turning tropes on their ears through a funnel of beautiful language and resonant scenes is what makes Petersheim---long known for infusing literary softness into strong inspirational narratives-- the perfect person to dissect this.
This is the most interesting and introspective use of the Ruth story I have ever encountered ( and I have paid my fictional dues when it comes to this story). The threads of the story sew up this light, gorgeous tapestry and yet the relationships--not the characters-- are where we find the archetypes.
For right or wrong ( I am still ---and this is the power of the book---thinking about this), I cannot decide if I enjoyed the fact that one character was so greatly lacking while the other was so obviously suited to the heroine. Or, if it was an intentional way of showing how love for children and sense of duty allows us to settle for second best.
We leave the characters without certainty. We wonder if the people we have shared page time with will find solace beyond their doing the right thing. How one trick of providence and circumstance can take us steps back in happiness. How the heroine will ever find true contentment.
But this is not a story about a happy ending on a human scale. This is a story that pleads with us to trust God's voice and we hope--- even as so much happens beyond our visual interaction with what is happening on the page, that He intervenes to make sense of our limited knowledge and our complicated decisions.
Part of me thinks a little more nuance on this level would loan a more complicated reaction when we reach the crux of the story. While the obvious preference of the author for one character then makes the sacrifices to duty and honour for another character all the more startling. And dreams are clung to and lost and I only hope that the second-best dreams that the characters fall back on flourish into something wonderful.
But Ruth-- oh Ruth-- you gave up so much by not taking the time to get to know yourself outside of a relationship. It makes me want to tug Ruth close and say--go learn who you are before you can become a part of a unit... another person cannot make you happy, another person will not fulfill you. Why not learn God's purpose first and then grow with another? ( but then we wouldn't have a book)
I only have one tiny little beef with the book that is so beyond superficial it might not even bear mentioning--- but I am mentioning it anyways:
there is no true threshing floor scene in this homage to its Biblical antecedent and I think it might have made for an interesting scene. Also, that's just me being selfish because BOAZ is my jam, yo! ;)
And on that completely rachel-y note, I conclude:
I don't quite know where I stand with this story....
I know where I stand with the book, of course. It is a meditative and deeply moving construction of doubt and grace and hope and loss underscored by all-too-human feelings made deeply human and altogether resplendent due to the insane competence of the author winding the twists and turns of a poetically symbolic tale.
I hope Jolina Petersheim enjoys all of the awards she is going to win.
If this isn't a CT Book of the Year, I will throw jelly bellys
Let's Quote it Up:
"Elam's cabin was an ode to natural beauty and wonder-- and she loved imagining him--large boned, capable Elam--out in the woods or in the cranberry fields, gathering these small treasures and tucking them into his pockets to keep them safe."
"Why do you say such things?"
"I'm not just saying it, Ruth, I know it. Because like him [God], I only see you through love."
"And yet she remembered [his] gift. Her art studio. A room of her own when she didn't have a roof to her name. The thoughtfulness touched her in a way few gifts had, and she knew it was more than a gift to her. It was proof he wanted more than the fulfillment of his dream for a family, but that he also wanted to make her own dreams come true."
"Meanwhile, above them, the moon and stars t urned their gazes to the clear black sky"
"Their afternoon shadows touched as they stretched across the land."
"Each medium opened a world to him not confined his tongue"
"Loss -- like anger-- like love---produces reactions corresponding with personality"
June 17, 2019
Well, I'm gobsmacked! Seriously speechless. This book was everything I didn't expect it to be and that ending!!!! I'm still coasting on the shock waves and it's been a week since I reached the end. A week of mulling over plot points and characters, wondering if I'd actually read what I...well, read! lol And how do I possibly compose a review without revealing spoilers? I'm stymied.
How the Light Gets In is profound and moving. A raw and honest exploration of grief. And Ruth's grieving is all the more difficult because of her broken marriage. The agony of not being able to go back and change things or have the opportunity to go forward and fix things makes for a heart-wrenching read. But it's also a story that embraces the wonder and hope of new beginnings; of learning from the past in order to build a better future.
But be forewarned -- there are plot twists galore and Petersheim delivers them with the kind of impeccable pacing that left me reeling. Left hook after left hook until my head was spinning! So many rich layers -- from setting to characters to that wicked pummel-me-senseless storyline. Phew! Prepare to be caffuzled and addlepated by the time you finish!
How the Light Gets In is profound and moving. A raw and honest exploration of grief. And Ruth's grieving is all the more difficult because of her broken marriage. The agony of not being able to go back and change things or have the opportunity to go forward and fix things makes for a heart-wrenching read. But it's also a story that embraces the wonder and hope of new beginnings; of learning from the past in order to build a better future.
But be forewarned -- there are plot twists galore and Petersheim delivers them with the kind of impeccable pacing that left me reeling. Left hook after left hook until my head was spinning! So many rich layers -- from setting to characters to that wicked pummel-me-senseless storyline. Phew! Prepare to be caffuzled and addlepated by the time you finish!
March 6, 2019
How the Light Gets In filled my heart with love and hope. This book is beautifully written, emotionally-driven, and unputdownable from the first page to the last. I was completely immersed in Ruth’s story, through her grief, her love for her children, her hope for her future. Ruth’s journey is heart-wrenching, as she is faced with impossible choices that will hurt the people she loves the most. I read this book through many tears, my heart aching for Ruth, her daughters, and the two men she loves, Elam and Chandler.
January 28, 2019
Simply Stunning. Those are the first words that come to mind when thinking of How the Light Gets In. Those words are quickly followed by "maddening," "heartbreaking," and "impossibly difficult."
When Ruth's husband Chandler is killed in a bombing in Afghanistan, her mother-in-law Mabel invites her and her young daughters to stay with Mabel's Old Order Mennonite relatives. Adrift in a completely foreign world, Ruth soon comes to appreciate the simple, unconnected-with-the-outside-world life Mabel's relatives lead, and she also forms a friendship and then more with her husband's cousin Elam. With Elam, Ruth feels treasured, and she quickly discovers she wants to build a life with him.
Ruth is faced with heartbreaking decision after heartbreaking decision as she tries to raise her two daughters without Chandler, but with two people she never imagined as a major part of her life in Mabel and Elam, and she also must work through her feelings of anger and abandonment brought on both by Chandler's absence during life and his untimely death. Then there are her feelings for Elam, a gentle, sweet bachelor who adores her and cares for her daughters.
And here's where this review becomes difficult. There are so many twists in this novel that saying any more would be too spoilerish. So I'll just say this: keep reading. When Ruth's life turns upside down, keep reading. When she begins making decisions that have you wanting to scream at her, keep reading. And when your heart is breaking, keep reading, clear to the end. Some readers may not appreciate how the book ends, but I thought it was perfect.
This book would be such a great book club selection: the novel brings up so many questions of right and wrong and "What would I do?" that it would make for wonderful discussion. And I have a feeling that readers will either love or loathe the ending. I fall in the love camp (because I had big feelings about where the story was headed, and I felt it resolved wonderfully), but I could easily see someone hating it. And now I really need one of my friends to read it, so I can talk about all of those big feelings I can't talk about here.
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
When Ruth's husband Chandler is killed in a bombing in Afghanistan, her mother-in-law Mabel invites her and her young daughters to stay with Mabel's Old Order Mennonite relatives. Adrift in a completely foreign world, Ruth soon comes to appreciate the simple, unconnected-with-the-outside-world life Mabel's relatives lead, and she also forms a friendship and then more with her husband's cousin Elam. With Elam, Ruth feels treasured, and she quickly discovers she wants to build a life with him.
Ruth is faced with heartbreaking decision after heartbreaking decision as she tries to raise her two daughters without Chandler, but with two people she never imagined as a major part of her life in Mabel and Elam, and she also must work through her feelings of anger and abandonment brought on both by Chandler's absence during life and his untimely death. Then there are her feelings for Elam, a gentle, sweet bachelor who adores her and cares for her daughters.
And here's where this review becomes difficult. There are so many twists in this novel that saying any more would be too spoilerish. So I'll just say this: keep reading. When Ruth's life turns upside down, keep reading. When she begins making decisions that have you wanting to scream at her, keep reading. And when your heart is breaking, keep reading, clear to the end. Some readers may not appreciate how the book ends, but I thought it was perfect.
This book would be such a great book club selection: the novel brings up so many questions of right and wrong and "What would I do?" that it would make for wonderful discussion. And I have a feeling that readers will either love or loathe the ending. I fall in the love camp (because I had big feelings about where the story was headed, and I felt it resolved wonderfully), but I could easily see someone hating it. And now I really need one of my friends to read it, so I can talk about all of those big feelings I can't talk about here.
Disclosure of material connection: I received this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review, and the opinions expressed are my own.
February 26, 2019
4.5 Stars
HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN is a story of pain, loss, and hope as a mother with two young children loses her father, father-in-law, and husband within a few months. It's a story of family, forgiveness, and healing, with strands of faith and romance woven throughout.
This was such a bittersweet, heartbreaking, but beautiful story! I absolutely adored these characters, from Ruth and her brokenness, to her mother-in-law Mabel, to Ruth's sweet girls, to Elam and his tenderness, and to Chandler who was doing the best he knew. I couldn't help falling in love with them all. This story was so well written, with twists and turns (one that was very surprising that I would have liked to have been extended quite a bit at the end). It is a retelling of the biblical story of Ruth, but the author did a wonderful job in really making this story her own, and in making a Mennonite story work for me. It pulled on all my emotions, broke my heart, and then healed it. It also had so many little pieces of wisdom that prompted some self-reflection.
"For wasn't it easier to be someone's knight in shining armor, halfway around the world, than to participate in the unsung day-to-day efforts required of child-rearing and marriage?"
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a story that was well worth the read. The bittersweet moments were well balanced with sweet and heartfelt ones, with characters readers will love, and a story all can relate to in one way or another. Definitely recommended for inspirational romance readers!
Content: Some suggested content between a married couple, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.
HOW THE LIGHT GETS IN is a story of pain, loss, and hope as a mother with two young children loses her father, father-in-law, and husband within a few months. It's a story of family, forgiveness, and healing, with strands of faith and romance woven throughout.
This was such a bittersweet, heartbreaking, but beautiful story! I absolutely adored these characters, from Ruth and her brokenness, to her mother-in-law Mabel, to Ruth's sweet girls, to Elam and his tenderness, and to Chandler who was doing the best he knew. I couldn't help falling in love with them all. This story was so well written, with twists and turns (one that was very surprising that I would have liked to have been extended quite a bit at the end). It is a retelling of the biblical story of Ruth, but the author did a wonderful job in really making this story her own, and in making a Mennonite story work for me. It pulled on all my emotions, broke my heart, and then healed it. It also had so many little pieces of wisdom that prompted some self-reflection.
"For wasn't it easier to be someone's knight in shining armor, halfway around the world, than to participate in the unsung day-to-day efforts required of child-rearing and marriage?"
In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a story that was well worth the read. The bittersweet moments were well balanced with sweet and heartfelt ones, with characters readers will love, and a story all can relate to in one way or another. Definitely recommended for inspirational romance readers!
Content: Some suggested content between a married couple, but clean.
Source: I received a complimentary ARC from the publisher, which did not require a positive review nor affect it in any way.
May 3, 2019
This book began as a beautifully told story, and ended as a permanent part of my heart. There are rare stories where you can palpably feel the author’s heart in between the lines, and this is one of them. It is a heartbeat of courage, wisdom, grit, and compassion, all wrapped up in a tale just as exquisitely multi-faceted. It wasn’t just the plot twists that got to me (though—oh, my! Rarely have I ever been so taken in—deliciously so—by plot twists! I stopped and audibly said: “WHAT. No. Way.” …and then proceeded to devour the book to wrap my head around the unfolding story and see how a seemingly impossible situation could be resolved). No, not the incredible plot twists alone. Nor the expertly-woven plot itself, nor just the stunning prose. But the sense that the author, weaving this story, is doing so to cheer you on. To give you a mirror, to use the story to reflect upon your own life, and to see where you might delve deeper, be braver, love stronger.
I rarely cry as I read, but there is a scene—without saying too much (in order to avoid spoilers) which involves the playing of a piece of music during a very special dance—that had me choked up and shedding tears at the incredible depth of layers in the characters, in the scene. My heart was broken and full all at once. And just when I’d thought it couldn’t be fuller…came Part Three of the novel.
That’s all I’ll say, for fear of giving too much away. But oh, my. What a story. What a beautiful, truly light-filled story. One I shall never forget.
January 17, 2019
I have such mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, it is a beautifully written story about grief and forgiveness. After her husband and father-in-law are killed overseas, Ruth comes to the US to bury them and live with her mother-in-law to try to heal herself and her two daughters. She is able to take the time to reflect on her marriage. She discovers a lot of truths about her marriage to Chandler and is able to reconcile her feelings on it. The characters were compelling, especially the quiet Elam. They were probably my favorite part of the whole book.
What I struggle with is the direction that the author took in the last third of the book. It just didn't sit well with me. Given everything, I'm not sure I would have chosen the same path that Ruth did. It's kind of hard to explain without giving anything away. I guess I felt a little set up. I didn't care for the twist at all. Overall, I would recommend trying this one out. It's one I think you need to judge for yourself.
What I struggle with is the direction that the author took in the last third of the book. It just didn't sit well with me. Given everything, I'm not sure I would have chosen the same path that Ruth did. It's kind of hard to explain without giving anything away. I guess I felt a little set up. I didn't care for the twist at all. Overall, I would recommend trying this one out. It's one I think you need to judge for yourself.
April 13, 2019
Halfway through this book, I thought, How can this story possibly end well?
I was right, it couldn't.
Three stars because it was nicely written and interesting, but three stars feels a little generous because I finished it angry. And I don't like fiction that ends with me grumpy. Possibly more of a personal issue than a book issue, but nonetheless...
I was right, it couldn't.
Three stars because it was nicely written and interesting, but three stars feels a little generous because I finished it angry. And I don't like fiction that ends with me grumpy. Possibly more of a personal issue than a book issue, but nonetheless...
March 9, 2019
A book about impossible circumstances, How the Light Gets In forced me into uncomfortable places, broke me, then put me back together again. I knew from reading other reviews that there was going to be a twist at the end, so naturally I was guessing what would happen throughout the entire book. I was nowhere close in my guesses, and still very surprised by the ending. Surprised, and absolutely satisfied. This was my first book I read by Jolina, but I'm looking forward to more.
March 1, 2019
First, let me say that this is the first traditional Christian fiction title I've read in years. As a teenager, I devoured every word authors like Francine Rivers, Beverly Lewis, Janette Oke wrote. After college, my thirst for the neat and sweet stories of the Christian fiction genre lessened. Over the last decade, it has dissipated altogether.
I happened upon Jolina Petersheim through a friend's recommendation and decided to give How the Light Gets In a shot for old times' sake. After muddling through the first few chapters (which struck me as typical of the genre), I was captivated by the time I turned the page to begin Part 2.
Having finished the last half of the book in one sitting, I find myself writing this review a mere ten minutes after turning the last page and experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. I am shocked, angry, mesmerized, and satisfied. My heart is pounding and my brain fuzzy from the literary whiplash I just experienced.
Any reader who has finished a book with an unexpected ending and simultaneously wanted to shout victoriously and throw the book across the room knows this reaction is the mark of an author's job well done, a testament of skill and mastery of storytelling.
All in all, I am glad I stuck with How the Light Gets In and definitely recommend it to Christian fiction readers.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher.
I happened upon Jolina Petersheim through a friend's recommendation and decided to give How the Light Gets In a shot for old times' sake. After muddling through the first few chapters (which struck me as typical of the genre), I was captivated by the time I turned the page to begin Part 2.
Having finished the last half of the book in one sitting, I find myself writing this review a mere ten minutes after turning the last page and experiencing a whirlwind of emotions. I am shocked, angry, mesmerized, and satisfied. My heart is pounding and my brain fuzzy from the literary whiplash I just experienced.
Any reader who has finished a book with an unexpected ending and simultaneously wanted to shout victoriously and throw the book across the room knows this reaction is the mark of an author's job well done, a testament of skill and mastery of storytelling.
All in all, I am glad I stuck with How the Light Gets In and definitely recommend it to Christian fiction readers.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher.
Read
June 17, 2019This novel had me turning the pages way past my bedtime. A riveting story with exemplary character development, How the Light Gets In is written with skill and had one of the biggest plot twists I've ever read. There is no way I could have guessed the ending. No wonder this book has created quite a stir--and that is all I will say without giving anything away!
March 5, 2019
How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim is my first book by this author--but I hope to read more.
This beautiful story begins when Ruth Neufeld's husband and father-in-law are killed in a bombing overseas. Ruth's mother-in-law invites her to travel to Wisconsin with her and her two daughters to bury their men within the Wisconsin Mennonite Community. Elam Albrecht, her husband's cousin, invites them to stay at his cranberry farm through the harvest.
Ruth's marriage was broken and not doing well before her husband died, but she doesn't feel like she can share those details with anyone. She finds both solace and healing in this new place--and perhaps new love with Elam. But will Ruth get the happy ending she hopes for?
How the Light Gets In is one of the most intriguing novels that I have read lately. Petersheim kept me turning pages quickly and it kept me guessing until the end with some twists and turns. I read the book mostly within a span of two days, in spite of other real-life stuff to do in between. I found the story to not only keep my interest but to inspire me to consider my own marriage. By the end of the book, I was considering how to best reflect God in my life and to better pray for my husband and our marriage. I especially like fiction books that encourage me to live a better life through the story I just read. How the Light Gets In would make a great book for a book club discussion. The author has questions in the back of the book for a group to use. Of course, I always like to read them for my own personal reflection too.
I received a copy of this book from the author and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
This beautiful story begins when Ruth Neufeld's husband and father-in-law are killed in a bombing overseas. Ruth's mother-in-law invites her to travel to Wisconsin with her and her two daughters to bury their men within the Wisconsin Mennonite Community. Elam Albrecht, her husband's cousin, invites them to stay at his cranberry farm through the harvest.
Ruth's marriage was broken and not doing well before her husband died, but she doesn't feel like she can share those details with anyone. She finds both solace and healing in this new place--and perhaps new love with Elam. But will Ruth get the happy ending she hopes for?
How the Light Gets In is one of the most intriguing novels that I have read lately. Petersheim kept me turning pages quickly and it kept me guessing until the end with some twists and turns. I read the book mostly within a span of two days, in spite of other real-life stuff to do in between. I found the story to not only keep my interest but to inspire me to consider my own marriage. By the end of the book, I was considering how to best reflect God in my life and to better pray for my husband and our marriage. I especially like fiction books that encourage me to live a better life through the story I just read. How the Light Gets In would make a great book for a book club discussion. The author has questions in the back of the book for a group to use. Of course, I always like to read them for my own personal reflection too.
I received a copy of this book from the author and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review.
April 17, 2019
Really?? REALLY!? come on now 😤
March 2, 2019
It is not often that I receive a book for review and finish it within less than 48 hours. However, "How The Light Gets In," is a rare exception. This powerful contemporary retelling of the Biblical story of Ruth moved me to tears, encouraged my heart and left me breathless with a plot twist I never expected.
Ruth Neufeld has received the shock of her life: her husband Chandler and her father in law, both doctors with Physicians International, have been killed in a bombing while serving overseas. Ruth brings her two young daughters to Wisconsin to stay with Chandler's extended family on their cranberry farm. Elam, Chandler's cousin, encourages them to involve themselves in the community around them as they harvest the cranberries. Through the friendship and encouragement Elam and her mother in law Mabel provide, Ruth begins the process of grieving the loss of her husband and reminisces on a marriage with cracks that grew into crevasses. As she begins to move on, tentatively seeking the possibility of a romance with Elam, Ruth's existence is flipped on its axis by an event no one could see coming.
Ruth must choose between a new, fulfilling relationship and the unexpected--a long distance call that brings another question--what if Chandler is still alive? As Ruth weighs her options and considers her family's future, which life will she choose? I will not give away any more, just suffice to say there is a HUGE plot twist that will shift your perceptions.
Jolina Petersheim writes in a way I can only describe as lyrical. Her descriptors are lovely and the world she creates comes into stark view as the reader continues the novel. I absolutely adored the characters and their relational waltz. Please also do not miss the Author's Note at the end of the book. Petersheim writes honestly, with a vulnerability that expresses the struggles of marriage and family in a relatable way. Life rarely ends up how we expect, and "Where The Light Gets In," is a wonderful reminder of all the possibilities set before us. We have an active role to play in our own stories. Are we willing to do the work to make them stories worth telling?
I was thankful to be an early reader (I read it in less than 2 days, people!!) and was not required to leave a review. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Tyndale House for the ARC.
Ruth Neufeld has received the shock of her life: her husband Chandler and her father in law, both doctors with Physicians International, have been killed in a bombing while serving overseas. Ruth brings her two young daughters to Wisconsin to stay with Chandler's extended family on their cranberry farm. Elam, Chandler's cousin, encourages them to involve themselves in the community around them as they harvest the cranberries. Through the friendship and encouragement Elam and her mother in law Mabel provide, Ruth begins the process of grieving the loss of her husband and reminisces on a marriage with cracks that grew into crevasses. As she begins to move on, tentatively seeking the possibility of a romance with Elam, Ruth's existence is flipped on its axis by an event no one could see coming.
Ruth must choose between a new, fulfilling relationship and the unexpected--a long distance call that brings another question--what if Chandler is still alive? As Ruth weighs her options and considers her family's future, which life will she choose? I will not give away any more, just suffice to say there is a HUGE plot twist that will shift your perceptions.
Jolina Petersheim writes in a way I can only describe as lyrical. Her descriptors are lovely and the world she creates comes into stark view as the reader continues the novel. I absolutely adored the characters and their relational waltz. Please also do not miss the Author's Note at the end of the book. Petersheim writes honestly, with a vulnerability that expresses the struggles of marriage and family in a relatable way. Life rarely ends up how we expect, and "Where The Light Gets In," is a wonderful reminder of all the possibilities set before us. We have an active role to play in our own stories. Are we willing to do the work to make them stories worth telling?
I was thankful to be an early reader (I read it in less than 2 days, people!!) and was not required to leave a review. All opinions are my own. Thank you to Tyndale House for the ARC.
March 5, 2019
I’m a few chapters in and already hooked! I’ve heard about the plot twist at the end and that readers are left dazed! Can’t wait to see how this story unfolds!
My advance copy was given to me by Tyndale House Publisher.
My advance copy was given to me by Tyndale House Publisher.
February 3, 2019
Ruth and Chandler met while doing missionary work. He is a doctor like his father. They have a whirlwind marriage and almost immediately adopt a little girl. Soon after they have a daughter of their own. Chandler loves Ruth but he is a restless sort and needs to be out helping others so he leaves his small family and goes off with his dad to work at a hospital in Afghanistan. Ruth is left alone to care for two small children. And to worry.
Then comes word that both men have died in a bombing and Ruth and her mother in law return to the family cranberry farm to bury their men. Ruth and her girls find solace within the Mennonite community despite their being outsiders. She also finds herself drawn to Chandler’s cousin, Elam.
As they have nowhere else to go, they decide to stay on for a bit to get their bearings and Ruth and Elam find they have much in common. But Ruth doesn’t want to feel what she is feeling for another man – she and Chandler may have been having problems but she loved her husband. She and Elam take it slow but can’t deny the feelings they have for one another. Ruth’s mother in law is all for the burgeoning relationship – her son is dead and she wants Ruth and her granddaughters to be cared for and happy.
But what if Chandler were still alive?
That question fills the second half of the book and there is a very big twist that I did not see coming that was a delightful way to end this thought provoking novel on love, marriage and family. Ms. Petersheim takes her time in telling her story moving back and forth in time to show how Ruth and Chandler met, fell in love and married.
The relationship between Ruth and Elam also develops as might in real life. I fully understand the lightning that can hit when you find love. I agreed to marry my husband after 6 weeks of dating. The dual love stories are very different and both are treated as the unique tales that they are. Ruth is the center around which every other character spins and she is at once complex and very simple – she is a woman who wants to be loved for who she is.
This was a very enjoyable book to read despite the sad themes. It is, overall a love story and sometimes there is nothing quite so satisfying as a love story. All good ones have conflict for despite the desire for all things to go smoothly and easily. We know that life is not a fairy tale. I generally enjoy Amish/Mennonite fiction as it takes me back to the visits to Lancaster, Pa. I would make with my family and then my husband.
Overall a good read with real characters. A twist at the end that I did not see coming that turned the whole book upside down. It makes you rethink the whole story.
Then comes word that both men have died in a bombing and Ruth and her mother in law return to the family cranberry farm to bury their men. Ruth and her girls find solace within the Mennonite community despite their being outsiders. She also finds herself drawn to Chandler’s cousin, Elam.
As they have nowhere else to go, they decide to stay on for a bit to get their bearings and Ruth and Elam find they have much in common. But Ruth doesn’t want to feel what she is feeling for another man – she and Chandler may have been having problems but she loved her husband. She and Elam take it slow but can’t deny the feelings they have for one another. Ruth’s mother in law is all for the burgeoning relationship – her son is dead and she wants Ruth and her granddaughters to be cared for and happy.
But what if Chandler were still alive?
That question fills the second half of the book and there is a very big twist that I did not see coming that was a delightful way to end this thought provoking novel on love, marriage and family. Ms. Petersheim takes her time in telling her story moving back and forth in time to show how Ruth and Chandler met, fell in love and married.
The relationship between Ruth and Elam also develops as might in real life. I fully understand the lightning that can hit when you find love. I agreed to marry my husband after 6 weeks of dating. The dual love stories are very different and both are treated as the unique tales that they are. Ruth is the center around which every other character spins and she is at once complex and very simple – she is a woman who wants to be loved for who she is.
This was a very enjoyable book to read despite the sad themes. It is, overall a love story and sometimes there is nothing quite so satisfying as a love story. All good ones have conflict for despite the desire for all things to go smoothly and easily. We know that life is not a fairy tale. I generally enjoy Amish/Mennonite fiction as it takes me back to the visits to Lancaster, Pa. I would make with my family and then my husband.
Overall a good read with real characters. A twist at the end that I did not see coming that turned the whole book upside down. It makes you rethink the whole story.
December 13, 2019
"There is a crack, a crack in everything. That's how the light gets in."
Ruth Neufield's life has not only cracked, but there is a gaping hole where her future used to be. Travelling to Wisconsin with her two young daughters, she buries her husband's remains alongside those of her father-in-law, after the two were tragically killed in an overseas act of terroism. Settling into a Mennonite community there, Ruth and her widowed mother-in-law try to overcome sadness and grief, while accepting the hospitality of Elam Albrecht, her husband's cousin and a prosperous cranberry farmer.
It's in this quiet little corner of the world that Ruth begins to walk the road of recovery, not only away from the wounds of a disappointing marriage, but towards the hope of a new kind of tomorrow . . . and then it happens. . . . the unthinkable theft of her happiness.
To say that this book bulges with emotional triggers is an understatement, for the unique plot structure leads the reader along a path that seems almost impossible to navigate, and yet too captivating to abandon. And then the light comes in, shining its brightest through all the cracks and broken places. What a stunning story!
Ruth Neufield's life has not only cracked, but there is a gaping hole where her future used to be. Travelling to Wisconsin with her two young daughters, she buries her husband's remains alongside those of her father-in-law, after the two were tragically killed in an overseas act of terroism. Settling into a Mennonite community there, Ruth and her widowed mother-in-law try to overcome sadness and grief, while accepting the hospitality of Elam Albrecht, her husband's cousin and a prosperous cranberry farmer.
It's in this quiet little corner of the world that Ruth begins to walk the road of recovery, not only away from the wounds of a disappointing marriage, but towards the hope of a new kind of tomorrow . . . and then it happens. . . . the unthinkable theft of her happiness.
To say that this book bulges with emotional triggers is an understatement, for the unique plot structure leads the reader along a path that seems almost impossible to navigate, and yet too captivating to abandon. And then the light comes in, shining its brightest through all the cracks and broken places. What a stunning story!
March 1, 2019
What a roller coaster of emotions throughout this read, rooting for one and then the other, and most you don’t see coming.
This is a book that once you have consumed it, you now want to reread and savor more slowly.
From the beginning the author has the character showing love and compassion to those less fortunate, and thus for this couple they have their first child within days of their marriage.
The love of a mother for her children abounds here, and thus the center for the story. Sacrifice, but keep on reading, surprises abound.
Make sure to read the Author’s Notes at the end, you can see how she writes with such compassion and love.
I received this book through the Publisher Tyndale, and was not required to give a positive review.
This is a book that once you have consumed it, you now want to reread and savor more slowly.
From the beginning the author has the character showing love and compassion to those less fortunate, and thus for this couple they have their first child within days of their marriage.
The love of a mother for her children abounds here, and thus the center for the story. Sacrifice, but keep on reading, surprises abound.
Make sure to read the Author’s Notes at the end, you can see how she writes with such compassion and love.
I received this book through the Publisher Tyndale, and was not required to give a positive review.
March 31, 2019
If I was part of a book club, I'd suggest How the Light Gets In without hesitation. The writing is gorgeous, the story compelling, and the ending . . . spellbinding! I'd say more, but this is a book that needs to be read in order to be fully experienced.
Recommended for lovers of literary fiction, women's fiction, and fiction in general. This heartfelt story was a joy to experience.
Recommended for lovers of literary fiction, women's fiction, and fiction in general. This heartfelt story was a joy to experience.
May 1, 2019
A real page turner! This was a beautifully written story about impossible circumstances. Throughout the story, I felt my heart breaking and pulled in different directions. I will be thinking about this story for a long time!
March 1, 2019
This book is outstanding in every way! Beautifully written and stunning! Jolina's Petersheim's literary voice is unique. I rode the figurative roller-coaster of emotions as my heart broke for Ruth in this story filled with multiple twists and turns. After the unexpected death of her husband, Ruth seeks refuge with her husband's extended Mennonite family. Ms. Petersheim gives us a story of the journey from grief to healing. Not only is Ruth grieving the loss of her husband, she is also grieving the loss of a broken relationship.
Through a series of journal entries and letters, the broken pieces of the past are slowly revealed. Jolina Petersheim expertly reveals the light of God's love in this story of heartbreak, love, hope and forgiveness. The reader will be challenged by soul-searching. I found myself immediately immersed in Ruth's story. But it was when she learned to forgive, to find hope, that I found the tears flowing.
Faced by a couple of moral dilemmas, I was unsure of how I wanted the story to end. While my heart wanted one ending, I knew another would be better. Please don't peek ahead to the last page, the ending is so much more satisfying if you wait.
Petersheim's books are not a light, feel-good read. You will find yourself challenged, but possibly a better person. I believe the title How the Light Gets In can apply to how this light that can be shed on our lives as well. I find I think about Petersheim's stories, her characters and dilemmas, long after the last page has been read. Her stories will remain on my keeper shelf.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Through a series of journal entries and letters, the broken pieces of the past are slowly revealed. Jolina Petersheim expertly reveals the light of God's love in this story of heartbreak, love, hope and forgiveness. The reader will be challenged by soul-searching. I found myself immediately immersed in Ruth's story. But it was when she learned to forgive, to find hope, that I found the tears flowing.
Faced by a couple of moral dilemmas, I was unsure of how I wanted the story to end. While my heart wanted one ending, I knew another would be better. Please don't peek ahead to the last page, the ending is so much more satisfying if you wait.
Petersheim's books are not a light, feel-good read. You will find yourself challenged, but possibly a better person. I believe the title How the Light Gets In can apply to how this light that can be shed on our lives as well. I find I think about Petersheim's stories, her characters and dilemmas, long after the last page has been read. Her stories will remain on my keeper shelf.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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April 22, 2019What an incredible, incredible, surprising book. Petersheim writes with tenderness and power, taking her reader on an emotional ride that reaches the full spectrum of feeling. True to life characters, spot on dialogue, SHOCKING plot line...this book is master level writing.
Highly recommend for those who enjoy Christian fiction on the more literary side.
Highly recommend for those who enjoy Christian fiction on the more literary side.
February 26, 2019
Well, this is complicated.
First, full disclosure- I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which I always love sharing and frankly, would have given for free.
Second, there is a lot to love about this book. The author has a writing style that is so compelling she made me as the reader actually FEEL the weight of the very difficult choice Ruth had to make. The exploration of family dynamics and what it truly means to love someone and the sacrifices you make for love... This was all so well done.
Pseudo-Spoilers below:
That being said, there is a final twist in the last chapter of the book, and I was NOT a fan. I felt cheated as a reader. Your mileage may vary. I guess it's a testament to the author's skill that she was able to make me so angry on behalf of fictional characters!
First, full disclosure- I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion, which I always love sharing and frankly, would have given for free.
Second, there is a lot to love about this book. The author has a writing style that is so compelling she made me as the reader actually FEEL the weight of the very difficult choice Ruth had to make. The exploration of family dynamics and what it truly means to love someone and the sacrifices you make for love... This was all so well done.
Pseudo-Spoilers below:
That being said, there is a final twist in the last chapter of the book, and I was NOT a fan. I felt cheated as a reader. Your mileage may vary. I guess it's a testament to the author's skill that she was able to make me so angry on behalf of fictional characters!
October 30, 2024
Re-read October 2024, 5+ years after my first review
I knew I read this book, and I knew I liked it a lot because it left an impact on my psyche. However, it didn’t leave an impact on my memory. All I could recall was how awestruck I was with it. So for a while now I've wanted to reread it. This time it took me a couple days to get through it because I had to underlined often (which is far less satisfying in a Kindle book, to tell you the truth, than a paper book). In my first review, I didn’t write what I normally do, which is some sort of synopsis. Often I hide my reviews because I'm told by other reviewers that I give too much away. Well, apparently I gave so little away that my review couldn’t jog my memory.
Blah blah blah… on to what I thought.
Again, this made such an impact on me. I have to get the audiobook. The narrator is the same narrator who narrated A Different Blue. Tavia Gilbert was so amazing that I turned right around and listened to the entire book all over again. Something I think I’ve only done twice. I can’t wait to listen to this book because, yes I want to turn right around and read it again.
As before, I don’t want to give anything away and, as before, the ending sent me reeling. The description on the top of this page is sufficient.
My only issue with Miss Petersheim is she doesn’t write enough. All of my reviews for her books are five stars, and I don’t give those out lightly. She’s that good.
**********************************************
August 2019…Whew! I'm a little bowled over by this book.
First of all, Ms. Petersheim has to be one of my favorite authors now. I've read all her fiction books and they’re nothing short of extraordinary. She truly has a gift. Her wisdom and ability to reason out situations and solutions is more like a seasoned counselor than a fairly young author. I am so impressed!
Second, I can't imagine how I can describe this book except in glowing emotions rather than by a glowing synopsis because there are three parts where everything changes for Ruth. Saying much about it would give away the amazing progression of Ruth's story.
But the ending!! At first I was like, "Wait...what?? No..." I even reread sections to make sure I read that right. But then it settled in me and I could accept it like a friend. Loved it.
So, although (for my own sake) I often describe details about a book in order for me to be able to look back on my reviews to remind myself of what a book was about... in this case, I will forgo that as this book is just too good.
How the Light Gets In is thought provoking when it comes to marriage and troubles that may crop up. Love is a choice, and communication is essential, especially non-accusatory communication. Loved what Ruth "did", no matter how hard that decision was.
Lots to think about.
I highly recommend this book.
I knew I read this book, and I knew I liked it a lot because it left an impact on my psyche. However, it didn’t leave an impact on my memory. All I could recall was how awestruck I was with it. So for a while now I've wanted to reread it. This time it took me a couple days to get through it because I had to underlined often (which is far less satisfying in a Kindle book, to tell you the truth, than a paper book). In my first review, I didn’t write what I normally do, which is some sort of synopsis. Often I hide my reviews because I'm told by other reviewers that I give too much away. Well, apparently I gave so little away that my review couldn’t jog my memory.
Blah blah blah… on to what I thought.
Again, this made such an impact on me. I have to get the audiobook. The narrator is the same narrator who narrated A Different Blue. Tavia Gilbert was so amazing that I turned right around and listened to the entire book all over again. Something I think I’ve only done twice. I can’t wait to listen to this book because, yes I want to turn right around and read it again.
As before, I don’t want to give anything away and, as before, the ending sent me reeling. The description on the top of this page is sufficient.
My only issue with Miss Petersheim is she doesn’t write enough. All of my reviews for her books are five stars, and I don’t give those out lightly. She’s that good.
**********************************************
August 2019…Whew! I'm a little bowled over by this book.
First of all, Ms. Petersheim has to be one of my favorite authors now. I've read all her fiction books and they’re nothing short of extraordinary. She truly has a gift. Her wisdom and ability to reason out situations and solutions is more like a seasoned counselor than a fairly young author. I am so impressed!
Second, I can't imagine how I can describe this book except in glowing emotions rather than by a glowing synopsis because there are three parts where everything changes for Ruth. Saying much about it would give away the amazing progression of Ruth's story.
But the ending!! At first I was like, "Wait...what?? No..." I even reread sections to make sure I read that right. But then it settled in me and I could accept it like a friend. Loved it.
So, although (for my own sake) I often describe details about a book in order for me to be able to look back on my reviews to remind myself of what a book was about... in this case, I will forgo that as this book is just too good.
How the Light Gets In is thought provoking when it comes to marriage and troubles that may crop up. Love is a choice, and communication is essential, especially non-accusatory communication. Loved what Ruth "did", no matter how hard that decision was.
Lots to think about.
I highly recommend this book.
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