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How the Light Gets In
Since her sister’s tragic death, seventeen-year-old Callie Ryan has basically given up. Her grades have plummeted, she’s quit her swim team, and she barely recognizes the people her parents have become.
When she returns to her aunt’s run-down coastal Victorian one year after Chloe’s death, Callie resigns herself to a summer of guilt and home renovations. She doesn’t expect to be charmed by the tiny coastal town or by Tucker Morgan, a local boy brimming with sunshine.
But even as her days begin to brighten, Callie’s nights are crowded with chilling dreams, unanswered questions, and eerie phenomenon that have her convinced she’s being haunted. Will Callie be able to figure out what her sister is trying to communicate before it’s too late?
When she returns to her aunt’s run-down coastal Victorian one year after Chloe’s death, Callie resigns herself to a summer of guilt and home renovations. She doesn’t expect to be charmed by the tiny coastal town or by Tucker Morgan, a local boy brimming with sunshine.
But even as her days begin to brighten, Callie’s nights are crowded with chilling dreams, unanswered questions, and eerie phenomenon that have her convinced she’s being haunted. Will Callie be able to figure out what her sister is trying to communicate before it’s too late?
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 6, 2019
17 people are currently reading
3733 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
September 26, 2019
This was perfectly fine, but nothing special. Meh.
February 26, 2020
Hi -- I wrote this. :-)
November 8, 2019
3.5 stars.
Katy Upperman's new book, How the Light Gets In , is a story of grief, recovery, letting others in, and learning to forgive—especially yourself.
It’s been nearly a year since Callie’s younger sister Chloe died, and she and her family are still the worse for wear. The two were inseparable for so long. Callie has quit swimming and avoids social contact, spending her days getting stoned and blaming herself for what happened, while her mother spends most days in a depressed, alcohol-soaked haze.
With summer approaching and her father at his wits' end, Callie is given an ultimatum: go to a wilderness survival camp and straighten herself out or go live with her aunt in the small town of Bell Cove and help her get her house ready to become a B&B. While it seems like an easy choice, Bell Cove is where everything happened with Chloe last summer, and Callie isn't quite sure she's ready to reopen those wounds. But it's still better than living in the wilderness!
"Sometimes, I'm desperate to remember, to dissolve into remembering. Sometimes, I want to light my memories on fire, so they burn until nothing's left but ash and despair."
Callie arrives, hurting, resentful, and just wanting to stay in bed for the summer. She doesn’t count on the persistence of her aunt or the appearance of Tucker, a handsome local guy hired to work in the house’s garden. Tucker’s easy, carefree charm is able to make some cracks in Callie’s armor, although she tries not to let herself be vulnerable. But Tucker’s family has secrets of their own.
As Callie fights her attraction to Tucker and her guilt and sadness about Chloe, she doesn’t count on chilling encounters with what appears to be a ghost. Is it Chloe? Will Callie get the chance to resolve the unfinished business she and her sister have? What does this ghost want?
I liked this story very much but thought the mystical, spiritual elements didn’t work as well as everything else. I felt that part of the story dragged everything else down although I understood the point. At its core, this is a story about recovering from grief and finding hope again, and that's what I enjoyed the most.
Upperman is a great writer and I’ll definitely want to read more of her books.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Katy Upperman's new book, How the Light Gets In , is a story of grief, recovery, letting others in, and learning to forgive—especially yourself.
It’s been nearly a year since Callie’s younger sister Chloe died, and she and her family are still the worse for wear. The two were inseparable for so long. Callie has quit swimming and avoids social contact, spending her days getting stoned and blaming herself for what happened, while her mother spends most days in a depressed, alcohol-soaked haze.
With summer approaching and her father at his wits' end, Callie is given an ultimatum: go to a wilderness survival camp and straighten herself out or go live with her aunt in the small town of Bell Cove and help her get her house ready to become a B&B. While it seems like an easy choice, Bell Cove is where everything happened with Chloe last summer, and Callie isn't quite sure she's ready to reopen those wounds. But it's still better than living in the wilderness!
"Sometimes, I'm desperate to remember, to dissolve into remembering. Sometimes, I want to light my memories on fire, so they burn until nothing's left but ash and despair."
Callie arrives, hurting, resentful, and just wanting to stay in bed for the summer. She doesn’t count on the persistence of her aunt or the appearance of Tucker, a handsome local guy hired to work in the house’s garden. Tucker’s easy, carefree charm is able to make some cracks in Callie’s armor, although she tries not to let herself be vulnerable. But Tucker’s family has secrets of their own.
As Callie fights her attraction to Tucker and her guilt and sadness about Chloe, she doesn’t count on chilling encounters with what appears to be a ghost. Is it Chloe? Will Callie get the chance to resolve the unfinished business she and her sister have? What does this ghost want?
I liked this story very much but thought the mystical, spiritual elements didn’t work as well as everything else. I felt that part of the story dragged everything else down although I understood the point. At its core, this is a story about recovering from grief and finding hope again, and that's what I enjoyed the most.
Upperman is a great writer and I’ll definitely want to read more of her books.
See all of my reviews at itseithersadnessoreuphoria.blogspot.com.
You can follow me on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/the.bookishworld.of.yrralh/.
Read
May 24, 2020
August 7, 2019
***Actual Rating: 4/5 Hauntingly-Forgiving Stars***
As a massive fan of YA Contemporary Romance, I'm fully aware of Katy Upperman and all her previous, highly anticipated works. Kissing Max Holden and The Impossibility of Us sound unbelievably intriguing to me, and I'm constantly guilty about not having read either of them earlier. Thankfully (and much to my surprise,) I got a perfect opportunity to actually read, enjoy, and share my thoughts about her upcoming novel, How the Light Gets In, with all of you, and for that, I'm truthfully grateful.
That being said, How the Light Gets In is the first book of Katy's I've read, and I'm really glad it does not let me down. Not knowing what to expect, I experience this book--yep, head-on experience--with an open mind and wide eyes. My first impression on this book is, interestingly, not the author's writing style, nor the uniqueness of the characters' personality; instead, what lures me deeper in the story is the all-so-unexpected supernatural/paranormal/ghost-like element, a.k.a. the ghost of Callie's (the female protagonist's) late baby sister, Chloe.
There, I said it, the otherworld (Ha! Pun intended!) feature that I most definitely didn't see coming. I don't know why, but when I picture Katy's books or the stories she may create, they won't include something so...spiritual or slightly superstitious. Not trying to stray from the topic, despite the fact that Chloe's everlasting ghost catches me off-guard in the entire story, I actually appreciate her role in making Callie's life better and more whole.
When Callie lost her sister to a pretty girlish, slightly juvenile cause, she was devastated. Never would Callie expect her dearest sister to be gone so simply, as if their sisterhood was nothing but fleeting moments. The most touching part of this book is how strong the bond between Callie and Chloe is even when one of them ceases to exist. And the cherry on top? There's a slowly built romance for Callie and the new boy, Tucker Morgan, a happy-go-lucky who seems to bear as much burden as she does deep down.
All in all, How the Light Gets In is all about dealing with losing a beloved someone while struggling/managing to piece yourself together somehow. Callie and Chloe's story makes me believe in--not necessarily ghosts--spirits more and that perhaps, communicating with the lost one through some supernatural means can actually help seeking forgiveness. All I want to say is that this book certainly is a meaningful read, and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do. :)
***Thanks to Xpresso Tours and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**Initial Reaction after finishing the book: July 14th, 2019**
Hummm, I think I'm still haunted by this story even after finishing it a couple of days ago. Truthfully, never did I ever expect Katy Upperman would create a seemingly young adult contemporary story with quite a lot of paranormal elements, but I wasn't disappointed! I mean, I finally got the chance to read Katy's books, considering how amazing her previous works looked, so I couldn't complain anything. :)
Full review to come but before that, I still recommend you give this book a try even though there's some supernatural phenomenon.*SPOOKY*
As a massive fan of YA Contemporary Romance, I'm fully aware of Katy Upperman and all her previous, highly anticipated works. Kissing Max Holden and The Impossibility of Us sound unbelievably intriguing to me, and I'm constantly guilty about not having read either of them earlier. Thankfully (and much to my surprise,) I got a perfect opportunity to actually read, enjoy, and share my thoughts about her upcoming novel, How the Light Gets In, with all of you, and for that, I'm truthfully grateful.
That being said, How the Light Gets In is the first book of Katy's I've read, and I'm really glad it does not let me down. Not knowing what to expect, I experience this book--yep, head-on experience--with an open mind and wide eyes. My first impression on this book is, interestingly, not the author's writing style, nor the uniqueness of the characters' personality; instead, what lures me deeper in the story is the all-so-unexpected supernatural/paranormal/ghost-like element, a.k.a. the ghost of Callie's (the female protagonist's) late baby sister, Chloe.
There, I said it, the otherworld (Ha! Pun intended!) feature that I most definitely didn't see coming. I don't know why, but when I picture Katy's books or the stories she may create, they won't include something so...spiritual or slightly superstitious. Not trying to stray from the topic, despite the fact that Chloe's everlasting ghost catches me off-guard in the entire story, I actually appreciate her role in making Callie's life better and more whole.
When Callie lost her sister to a pretty girlish, slightly juvenile cause, she was devastated. Never would Callie expect her dearest sister to be gone so simply, as if their sisterhood was nothing but fleeting moments. The most touching part of this book is how strong the bond between Callie and Chloe is even when one of them ceases to exist. And the cherry on top? There's a slowly built romance for Callie and the new boy, Tucker Morgan, a happy-go-lucky who seems to bear as much burden as she does deep down.
All in all, How the Light Gets In is all about dealing with losing a beloved someone while struggling/managing to piece yourself together somehow. Callie and Chloe's story makes me believe in--not necessarily ghosts--spirits more and that perhaps, communicating with the lost one through some supernatural means can actually help seeking forgiveness. All I want to say is that this book certainly is a meaningful read, and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do. :)
***Thanks to Xpresso Tours and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
**Initial Reaction after finishing the book: July 14th, 2019**
Hummm, I think I'm still haunted by this story even after finishing it a couple of days ago. Truthfully, never did I ever expect Katy Upperman would create a seemingly young adult contemporary story with quite a lot of paranormal elements, but I wasn't disappointed! I mean, I finally got the chance to read Katy's books, considering how amazing her previous works looked, so I couldn't complain anything. :)
Full review to come but before that, I still recommend you give this book a try even though there's some supernatural phenomenon.
Read
May 4, 2020This summer is all about learning to be a perennial.
Ever since her little sister's untimely death, Callie has basically given up. The two were peas in a pod, and now she can't get through the days without getting stoned.
So when her father sends her to help her aunt fix up a run down home for the summer, Callie is less then thrilled. She wants to be left alone, to grieve in her own way. But what if a possibly paranormal return trip to Bell Cove and a charming boy could shatter the darkness that has fallen over Callie's life?
A story of loved ones here and not. A tale of sunshine banishing the shadows of the soul.
Trigger warning for drug abuse, grief, loss of a sibling/child, underage drinking, suicide, mention of abandonment, and injury.
Hostile and frustrated, Callie was consumed with anger. Nothing like the girl she used to be, the former swimmer was lost in a life without her sister. Bitter negativity was built like a wall around her broken, vulnerable soul, attempting to keep her guilt in and other people out. Scared and emotionally scarred, it was wonderful to see the normal (and not so normal) ways she tried to heal.
From a mother there but not, to a father unsure how to handle anything anymore, to an aunt who wasn't afraid to be candid about everything, Calli wasn't alone in her pain over losing Chole. Although they didn't get much on page time, they each embodied a different way grief manifests itself. Calli's memories made it impossible not to see all the ways starry eyed Chloe had touched the family's lives.
One of the most well written relationships in the book was that of the Ryan sisters. The ways their friendship, love, betrayls, their history, their very sisterhood changed and crept through these pages was artfully done. Though our relationship has several key differences, these two very much reminded me of my sister and myself.
Sometimes we just need those people who are determined to not let us wallow in our sadness. Sweet Tucker Morgan was a local boy with a relentlessly kind heart. Carrying his own troubles, he (with the help of some very cute cats) met Calli's pessimism with no judgements and patience. Encouraging, safe, and trusting, I adored the chemistry these two had. They didn't heal each other, so much as they help each other to begin to heal.
When someone dies, it's not just them who are gone. Pieces of those who loved them die, at least temporarily, and even if those pieces come back, they're never quite the same. Hauntingly powerful waves of emotion crashed through Katy Upperman's book, almost large enough presences to be characters themselves. Pleasantly paced, How the Light Gets In was a chilling tale of sisters, love, and living in the aftermath of loss. Although it's paranormal aspects grew kind of lackluster, its saddeningly sweet focus on recognizing pain, the difficulty of putting yourself back together, moving on, forgiveness, and forgiving yourself was fantastically done. Aided by some gorgeously descriptive passages, hope quietly sprouted, reminding us to come back again, just like the perennials around Bell Cove. While the lovely ending made me cry, I enjoyed this contemporary.
Will you let How the Light Gets In into your life?
Ever since her little sister's untimely death, Callie has basically given up. The two were peas in a pod, and now she can't get through the days without getting stoned.
So when her father sends her to help her aunt fix up a run down home for the summer, Callie is less then thrilled. She wants to be left alone, to grieve in her own way. But what if a possibly paranormal return trip to Bell Cove and a charming boy could shatter the darkness that has fallen over Callie's life?
A story of loved ones here and not. A tale of sunshine banishing the shadows of the soul.
Trigger warning for drug abuse, grief, loss of a sibling/child, underage drinking, suicide, mention of abandonment, and injury.
Hostile and frustrated, Callie was consumed with anger. Nothing like the girl she used to be, the former swimmer was lost in a life without her sister. Bitter negativity was built like a wall around her broken, vulnerable soul, attempting to keep her guilt in and other people out. Scared and emotionally scarred, it was wonderful to see the normal (and not so normal) ways she tried to heal.
From a mother there but not, to a father unsure how to handle anything anymore, to an aunt who wasn't afraid to be candid about everything, Calli wasn't alone in her pain over losing Chole. Although they didn't get much on page time, they each embodied a different way grief manifests itself. Calli's memories made it impossible not to see all the ways starry eyed Chloe had touched the family's lives.
One of the most well written relationships in the book was that of the Ryan sisters. The ways their friendship, love, betrayls, their history, their very sisterhood changed and crept through these pages was artfully done. Though our relationship has several key differences, these two very much reminded me of my sister and myself.
Sometimes we just need those people who are determined to not let us wallow in our sadness. Sweet Tucker Morgan was a local boy with a relentlessly kind heart. Carrying his own troubles, he (with the help of some very cute cats) met Calli's pessimism with no judgements and patience. Encouraging, safe, and trusting, I adored the chemistry these two had. They didn't heal each other, so much as they help each other to begin to heal.
When someone dies, it's not just them who are gone. Pieces of those who loved them die, at least temporarily, and even if those pieces come back, they're never quite the same. Hauntingly powerful waves of emotion crashed through Katy Upperman's book, almost large enough presences to be characters themselves. Pleasantly paced, How the Light Gets In was a chilling tale of sisters, love, and living in the aftermath of loss. Although it's paranormal aspects grew kind of lackluster, its saddeningly sweet focus on recognizing pain, the difficulty of putting yourself back together, moving on, forgiveness, and forgiving yourself was fantastically done. Aided by some gorgeously descriptive passages, hope quietly sprouted, reminding us to come back again, just like the perennials around Bell Cove. While the lovely ending made me cry, I enjoyed this contemporary.
Will you let How the Light Gets In into your life?
June 27, 2019
RATING - 5 STARS
CW - death, suicide, and self-harm
(suicide/self-harm very minimal)
Wow...where do I begin?
I had the pleasure of reading this book early (Thank you Swoon Reads!!), as I have with all of Katy Upperman's works, and am feeling so blessed that I get to hype this book up in hopes of you all buying it when it comes out (August 6th!!).
This is a haunting tale of Callie, whose sister has recently passed, as she returns to the seaside town of Bell Cove to help her Aunt Lucy renovate an old inn (with lots of secrets!!)
This book has everything I could have wanted - beautiful writing, interesting characters (layered, developed, sweet characters), a lovely setting, and ghosts (no, really, ghosts!).
What really made me love this book, and *usually* why I give books 5 stars, is how real these characters felt to me. The main character and all the side characters had very authentic character arcs and feelings! They made decisions that seemed real - there wasn't any unnecessary drama to keep the plot moving. Everything made SENSE.
Another aspect of this novel I loved was the setting. I've been so in love with these lazy beach town settings with small-town politics and secrets. The setting with the mix of lots of different plotlines (and timelines) made for a quick and interesting read. The contrast between the secret of what happened to Callie's sister, a missing girl from long ago (okay it was 1999 but still), and the mysterious happenings in the house made this such a page-turner.
There's obviously a romance and it's absolutely lovely, I think my favorite couple from Katy's books. There are lots of sweet moments, but mixed with the perfect amount of angst and emotional turmoil which makes it interesting!
I hope you'll check this book out when it hits the shelves - I don't want this to slide into the background! Preorder, request at your library, post on Twitter - anything will help! Just know I loved it and I think you guys will too!
CW - death, suicide, and self-harm
(suicide/self-harm very minimal)
Wow...where do I begin?
I had the pleasure of reading this book early (Thank you Swoon Reads!!), as I have with all of Katy Upperman's works, and am feeling so blessed that I get to hype this book up in hopes of you all buying it when it comes out (August 6th!!).
This is a haunting tale of Callie, whose sister has recently passed, as she returns to the seaside town of Bell Cove to help her Aunt Lucy renovate an old inn (with lots of secrets!!)
This book has everything I could have wanted - beautiful writing, interesting characters (layered, developed, sweet characters), a lovely setting, and ghosts (no, really, ghosts!).
What really made me love this book, and *usually* why I give books 5 stars, is how real these characters felt to me. The main character and all the side characters had very authentic character arcs and feelings! They made decisions that seemed real - there wasn't any unnecessary drama to keep the plot moving. Everything made SENSE.
Another aspect of this novel I loved was the setting. I've been so in love with these lazy beach town settings with small-town politics and secrets. The setting with the mix of lots of different plotlines (and timelines) made for a quick and interesting read. The contrast between the secret of what happened to Callie's sister, a missing girl from long ago (okay it was 1999 but still), and the mysterious happenings in the house made this such a page-turner.
There's obviously a romance and it's absolutely lovely, I think my favorite couple from Katy's books. There are lots of sweet moments, but mixed with the perfect amount of angst and emotional turmoil which makes it interesting!
I hope you'll check this book out when it hits the shelves - I don't want this to slide into the background! Preorder, request at your library, post on Twitter - anything will help! Just know I loved it and I think you guys will too!
June 30, 2020
All those adjectives and adverbs! Normally, I don't mind them. Here, you were tripping all over them - everywhere. The over-use of these descriptors got in the way of the flow, the suspense, the drama - you name it, it was sandwiched between and adverb and/or an adjective each and every time!
I truly do understand the temptation to use a shiny five syllable word - in my misguided youth, I did this myself, trying to impress my teachers. I used to memorize a new word from the dictionary every day as a kid, back in prehistoric times, when you had hard cover dictionaries with those thumb notches or tabs. But I have mended my ways! Now, I grit my teeth whenever I see the word "myriad." (Just too much!)
To me, this story moved very slowly. Yup, I got it. Callie's depressed. Her sister is dead. My question: did the author really have to describe every tiny detail of each room, outfit, etc. Okay, yes, I am exaggerating a bit, but that tiny print would have been unnecessary had the writer or the editor realized that we really didn't need that much description of just about everything.
This book made many reviewers weep. I was not one of those unhappy few: my sorrow was provoked by entirely different reasons. Obviously, this book was not meant for my jaded eyes.
I truly do understand the temptation to use a shiny five syllable word - in my misguided youth, I did this myself, trying to impress my teachers. I used to memorize a new word from the dictionary every day as a kid, back in prehistoric times, when you had hard cover dictionaries with those thumb notches or tabs. But I have mended my ways! Now, I grit my teeth whenever I see the word "myriad." (Just too much!)
To me, this story moved very slowly. Yup, I got it. Callie's depressed. Her sister is dead. My question: did the author really have to describe every tiny detail of each room, outfit, etc. Okay, yes, I am exaggerating a bit, but that tiny print would have been unnecessary had the writer or the editor realized that we really didn't need that much description of just about everything.
This book made many reviewers weep. I was not one of those unhappy few: my sorrow was provoked by entirely different reasons. Obviously, this book was not meant for my jaded eyes.
March 25, 2024
This was a surprising read. Surprising in the sense of the story but not surprising in the plot reveals because to be honest, one of the major reveals meant to be a surprise is easily predicted by the foreshadowing and groundwork that was laid down early in the book.
It was also a different read when it came to Callie's sister's death (this is not a spoiler because it's the first line of the book's description). I'm going to keep it vague here but I haven't seen this...direction...taken often and certainly not in contemporary fiction. I actually think it was done really well and found myself getting emotional at the end of the novel (you'll know when if you read it).
There were a few things that were intentionally left unanswered at the end of the novel which I'm on the fence about. I appreciate the author leaving it open ended and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions but I think there may be just TOO much left unanswered. However; with that being said, I wouldn't say that there's enough curiosity to warrant a prequel novel to address that story nor would I necessarily want one. I just think that the story could have benefited with more answers regarding certain characters and their relationships.
***I received a physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
It was also a different read when it came to Callie's sister's death (this is not a spoiler because it's the first line of the book's description). I'm going to keep it vague here but I haven't seen this...direction...taken often and certainly not in contemporary fiction. I actually think it was done really well and found myself getting emotional at the end of the novel (you'll know when if you read it).
There were a few things that were intentionally left unanswered at the end of the novel which I'm on the fence about. I appreciate the author leaving it open ended and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions but I think there may be just TOO much left unanswered. However; with that being said, I wouldn't say that there's enough curiosity to warrant a prequel novel to address that story nor would I necessarily want one. I just think that the story could have benefited with more answers regarding certain characters and their relationships.
***I received a physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
August 18, 2019
(4.5 stars) | Blog | Twitter | Instagram | My stop on the blog tour and review can be found here at Booked J.
As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for participating in the blog tour/my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.
To explain this novel, spoiler free, is difficult. At its core, it is certainly a tale of grief. It's gorgeous and haunting in more ways than one. This isn't a light, easy-breezy contemporary, so proceed with caution. If you aren't keen on novels with flawed characters, jarring truths and exploration of pain, this novel is likely not for you.
Fair warning: it won't be for everyone. Fortunately, it was right up my alley and all but consumed me. I will definitely be diving further into Katy Upperman's backlist in the future. Just... wow. Wow.
What a beautifully written, thought-provoking read. How the Light Gets In is, first and foremost, a truthful novel about grief and how one lives with it, with a twist. (The twist is in the synopsis, but, I'm still not going to touch base on it in my review so you can experience it at first read.)
And, in the case of our main character, Callie, how some of us virtually shut down in the face of loss. In a lot of ways, this novel hit me in the same ways that Lurlene McDaniel's books hit me as a teenager, only this felt more raw and timely. I appreciate the frankness in it that came with.
In fact, How the Light Gets In was poignant, packed to the brim with emotionally charged moments and true-to-life characters. Tissues are essential to the reading process for this one. When it comes to How the Light Gets In, it gets down to the rougher parts of growing up and dealing with grief. Upperman allows little hints of real life into her prose and it works wonderfully with the narrative, creating a balance of something ordinary and alive.
We touch base on so much in so little time. Death of a loved one. Guilt. Drug abuse and dependency. Love. And so much more. We even have a little nod to another genre, which I won't spoil too much beyond the fact that it is in the synopsis but, well, you'll see when reading.
The struggles of Callie, and her desire to block out the pain in various ways and push everyone away, her abrupt change in personality, as she suffers from something similar to survivor's guilt, is most certainly at the forefront of the novel. It is realistic and something I found easily to connect with, considering I haven't always had the best ways of coping with tragedy myself--I was able to see parts of me in her and that's always a brilliant note to be made.
We do have light spots in between. These light spots truly usher us into Upperman's title. How the Light Gets In is exactly as described in its name, and that is a wonderful thing. I thought the entire plotline was written in a deeply compelling way. I found myself smiling at the inclusion of a softie named Tucker, who serves as Callie's love interest, and I really enjoyed the renovations that happened in this novel re: Callie's Aunt's house.
It's heartbreaking, but hopeful. It's intense, but charming. It's challenging, but it's worthwhile.
Upperman paints a crystal-clear picture of Callie and what makes her tick. Or, rather, what's made her entire life come to a screeching halt. It takes a lot for some of us to feel sympathetic towards difficult characters, but I found her acting-out-shutting-down-leave-me-alone treble to be incredibly realistic. There are so many ways to tackle grief in fiction and this is definitely an accurate representation of how someone like Callie processes it. How the Light Gets In is strong because of Callie's struggles and weaknesses, and ultimately her journey.
It is more than just a coming of age story and exploration of loss. And it's definitely a must-read.
As always, a copy of this book was provided by the publisher or author in exchange for participating in the blog tour/my honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way.
To explain this novel, spoiler free, is difficult. At its core, it is certainly a tale of grief. It's gorgeous and haunting in more ways than one. This isn't a light, easy-breezy contemporary, so proceed with caution. If you aren't keen on novels with flawed characters, jarring truths and exploration of pain, this novel is likely not for you.
Fair warning: it won't be for everyone. Fortunately, it was right up my alley and all but consumed me. I will definitely be diving further into Katy Upperman's backlist in the future. Just... wow. Wow.
What a beautifully written, thought-provoking read. How the Light Gets In is, first and foremost, a truthful novel about grief and how one lives with it, with a twist. (The twist is in the synopsis, but, I'm still not going to touch base on it in my review so you can experience it at first read.)
And, in the case of our main character, Callie, how some of us virtually shut down in the face of loss. In a lot of ways, this novel hit me in the same ways that Lurlene McDaniel's books hit me as a teenager, only this felt more raw and timely. I appreciate the frankness in it that came with.
In fact, How the Light Gets In was poignant, packed to the brim with emotionally charged moments and true-to-life characters. Tissues are essential to the reading process for this one. When it comes to How the Light Gets In, it gets down to the rougher parts of growing up and dealing with grief. Upperman allows little hints of real life into her prose and it works wonderfully with the narrative, creating a balance of something ordinary and alive.
We touch base on so much in so little time. Death of a loved one. Guilt. Drug abuse and dependency. Love. And so much more. We even have a little nod to another genre, which I won't spoil too much beyond the fact that it is in the synopsis but, well, you'll see when reading.
The struggles of Callie, and her desire to block out the pain in various ways and push everyone away, her abrupt change in personality, as she suffers from something similar to survivor's guilt, is most certainly at the forefront of the novel. It is realistic and something I found easily to connect with, considering I haven't always had the best ways of coping with tragedy myself--I was able to see parts of me in her and that's always a brilliant note to be made.
We do have light spots in between. These light spots truly usher us into Upperman's title. How the Light Gets In is exactly as described in its name, and that is a wonderful thing. I thought the entire plotline was written in a deeply compelling way. I found myself smiling at the inclusion of a softie named Tucker, who serves as Callie's love interest, and I really enjoyed the renovations that happened in this novel re: Callie's Aunt's house.
It's heartbreaking, but hopeful. It's intense, but charming. It's challenging, but it's worthwhile.
Upperman paints a crystal-clear picture of Callie and what makes her tick. Or, rather, what's made her entire life come to a screeching halt. It takes a lot for some of us to feel sympathetic towards difficult characters, but I found her acting-out-shutting-down-leave-me-alone treble to be incredibly realistic. There are so many ways to tackle grief in fiction and this is definitely an accurate representation of how someone like Callie processes it. How the Light Gets In is strong because of Callie's struggles and weaknesses, and ultimately her journey.
It is more than just a coming of age story and exploration of loss. And it's definitely a must-read.
August 20, 2019
I’m not entirely sure what I was expecting going into this, but I know it wasn’t what I read.
Throughout the novel I never connected to Callie or any of the other characters. It doesn’t take a lot for me to get emotionally invested, but for some reason that never occurred with this book. No one seemed captivating enough to gather my attention long enough for me to care about what would happen to them.
I wasn’t expecting the ghost aspect of the story to be as prominent as it was. Of course because of the synopsis, it was going to be present, but it was a lot and didn’t really do much for me as a reader. Maybe that is one of the reasons I never seemed to care for any of the characters, especially Callie.
The one thing I did find intriguing was the mystery surrounding Stewart house and the old, hidden away items that Callie found while working on the house. That story captured my attention instantly and I was looking forward to the moments when we would be able to learn more about the past inhabitants of Stewart House and Bell Cove.
Overall this book was just ok for me. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible either. I was never invested with any of the characters or their stories and come my end of the year wrap up, I probably won’t remember much.
Throughout the novel I never connected to Callie or any of the other characters. It doesn’t take a lot for me to get emotionally invested, but for some reason that never occurred with this book. No one seemed captivating enough to gather my attention long enough for me to care about what would happen to them.
I wasn’t expecting the ghost aspect of the story to be as prominent as it was. Of course because of the synopsis, it was going to be present, but it was a lot and didn’t really do much for me as a reader. Maybe that is one of the reasons I never seemed to care for any of the characters, especially Callie.
The one thing I did find intriguing was the mystery surrounding Stewart house and the old, hidden away items that Callie found while working on the house. That story captured my attention instantly and I was looking forward to the moments when we would be able to learn more about the past inhabitants of Stewart House and Bell Cove.
Overall this book was just ok for me. It wasn’t great, but it wasn’t terrible either. I was never invested with any of the characters or their stories and come my end of the year wrap up, I probably won’t remember much.
October 6, 2020
"Guilt is a vulture. Guilt picks me apart. Guilt never, ever flies away."
How the Light Gets In follows Callie, who is spending her summer in a sleepy beach town after the tragic death of her sister in the same location a year earlier. I wasn't expecting the haunting element, but there certainly was one. Callie was a good main character, and she certainly grew over the course of the story as she faced her suppressed grief. The love interest (Tucker) was fine, if a little dull. He felt very formulated, and their romance developed too quickly. The few other side characters were mostly well written, and there were some touching moments. The plot was iffy, and I felt that the conflict resolved way too quickly. The writing was good, as was the atmosphere this book created. Overall, this novel was fine, but nothing memorable.
How the Light Gets In follows Callie, who is spending her summer in a sleepy beach town after the tragic death of her sister in the same location a year earlier. I wasn't expecting the haunting element, but there certainly was one. Callie was a good main character, and she certainly grew over the course of the story as she faced her suppressed grief. The love interest (Tucker) was fine, if a little dull. He felt very formulated, and their romance developed too quickly. The few other side characters were mostly well written, and there were some touching moments. The plot was iffy, and I felt that the conflict resolved way too quickly. The writing was good, as was the atmosphere this book created. Overall, this novel was fine, but nothing memorable.
August 17, 2019
Wow.
Just wow.
This story grabbed me from the beginning and still hasn't let go, even though I finished reading it last night. Katy has a way with words. Her writing is gorgeous but even more than that, she infuses so much emotion in the way she writes.
The bond between Callie and Chloe was so strong and the grief Callie feels jumps right out of the page. Every character is fleshed out. Every character feels real. Every character feels like someone you just had a conversation with.
Like Tucker. Tucker is my new book crush. He's sweet and funny and charming. He's got goals and he's dealing with his own loss and his own past.
Oh and then there's the setting, the little beach town, the B&B, the pool and the sand and the water and the poppies. It's there. You can feel the sand under your feet and smell the flower. Because Katy could write a Master class on how to use setting in a novel.
The paranormal element was so well weaved into the story. To me, it worked perfectly.
And what I really need is more of Tucker and Callie and more of Drew and Brynn!
Just wow.
This story grabbed me from the beginning and still hasn't let go, even though I finished reading it last night. Katy has a way with words. Her writing is gorgeous but even more than that, she infuses so much emotion in the way she writes.
The bond between Callie and Chloe was so strong and the grief Callie feels jumps right out of the page. Every character is fleshed out. Every character feels real. Every character feels like someone you just had a conversation with.
Like Tucker. Tucker is my new book crush. He's sweet and funny and charming. He's got goals and he's dealing with his own loss and his own past.
Oh and then there's the setting, the little beach town, the B&B, the pool and the sand and the water and the poppies. It's there. You can feel the sand under your feet and smell the flower. Because Katy could write a Master class on how to use setting in a novel.
The paranormal element was so well weaved into the story. To me, it worked perfectly.
And what I really need is more of Tucker and Callie and more of Drew and Brynn!
July 18, 2019
Real rating: 4,5 stars.
Katy Upperman is becoming one of my favorite ya contemporary authors. This book left me with all the emotions and ahhh. definitely recommending it. <3
Full review coming soon!
Thank you to MacMillan International for the ARC of this book. This did not, in any way, influenced my thoughts and rating.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bloglovin'
Katy Upperman is becoming one of my favorite ya contemporary authors. This book left me with all the emotions and ahhh. definitely recommending it. <3
Full review coming soon!
Thank you to MacMillan International for the ARC of this book. This did not, in any way, influenced my thoughts and rating.
My Blog - Drizzle & Hurricane Books - Twitter - Bloglovin'
October 9, 2020
Hello, Hey, how are you?
It’s Friday! I am so excited for the weekend, I intend to read a lot (I am hoping to get time to finish Permanent Record and Majesty), play more Animal Crossing, and watch The Haunting of Bly House. I have been so excited for Bly House, so I can not wait to binge watch it this weekend, read a bunch and maybe even treat myself to some ice cream! This week, I have been on a reading roll, and I finished another book! I was scrolling through Hoopla one night and came upon How the Light Gets In as an audio book, I had a lot of borrows left and I needed a new audio book after I finished Roomies. Without even reading the summary, I decided to give this one a try!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Callie is seventeen and she is having a bad year, okay it’s more than a year, Callie is giving up on everything. Her sister died suddenly last summer and since than Callie has started smoking, disobeying her parents, quit the swim team and is now doing poorly in school. When her parents catch her smoking again one day, they decide it’s time for something to change, they sit Callie down and tell her she is going to spend the summer with her Aunt, helping her fix up a big old house she bought. Callie has been to the house before, her and her sister were there last summer but this time feels so different. As summer begins at her Aunt’s house Callie begins to become friendly with the guy her Aunt hired to help with the yard work, he is slightly older than Callie but very charming and really helps to distract her from her sadness and guilt. But no matter how settled Callie gets whenever night comes haunting dreams and a potential ghost make an appearance. Can Callie figure out what is going on and return home at peace?
I honestly had no idea where this book was going but I really enjoyed my time with this story. Since I had not read the summary before starting this book, I had no idea that it was going to be at least in part paranormal/spooky, and I really enjoyed that surprise! The story behind Callie’s Aunt’s house was incredibly interesting and I constantly wanted to know more about the house and the old owners. If you have read this book, I would love to know what you think!
Goodreads Rating: 4 stars
It’s Friday! I am so excited for the weekend, I intend to read a lot (I am hoping to get time to finish Permanent Record and Majesty), play more Animal Crossing, and watch The Haunting of Bly House. I have been so excited for Bly House, so I can not wait to binge watch it this weekend, read a bunch and maybe even treat myself to some ice cream! This week, I have been on a reading roll, and I finished another book! I was scrolling through Hoopla one night and came upon How the Light Gets In as an audio book, I had a lot of borrows left and I needed a new audio book after I finished Roomies. Without even reading the summary, I decided to give this one a try!
SPOILERS AHEAD
Callie is seventeen and she is having a bad year, okay it’s more than a year, Callie is giving up on everything. Her sister died suddenly last summer and since than Callie has started smoking, disobeying her parents, quit the swim team and is now doing poorly in school. When her parents catch her smoking again one day, they decide it’s time for something to change, they sit Callie down and tell her she is going to spend the summer with her Aunt, helping her fix up a big old house she bought. Callie has been to the house before, her and her sister were there last summer but this time feels so different. As summer begins at her Aunt’s house Callie begins to become friendly with the guy her Aunt hired to help with the yard work, he is slightly older than Callie but very charming and really helps to distract her from her sadness and guilt. But no matter how settled Callie gets whenever night comes haunting dreams and a potential ghost make an appearance. Can Callie figure out what is going on and return home at peace?
I honestly had no idea where this book was going but I really enjoyed my time with this story. Since I had not read the summary before starting this book, I had no idea that it was going to be at least in part paranormal/spooky, and I really enjoyed that surprise! The story behind Callie’s Aunt’s house was incredibly interesting and I constantly wanted to know more about the house and the old owners. If you have read this book, I would love to know what you think!
Goodreads Rating: 4 stars
October 14, 2019
I was pretty intrigued by the premise of this novel, because in the past I’ve read similar stories to this one and really enjoyed, so I went with pretty high expectations into it, and overall I felt okay about it. It was quite a generic book, and though it had some elements that I really enjoyed, I also had my issues.
The plot wasn’t as unique as I thought it was. It was quite a typical YA book that dealt about the loss of a loved one. It had also some mystery going on that was keeping me interested, which I appreciate, but I would say the majority of the novel was focused on the romance and building a relationship between our main character and her love interest.
The book is told from Calliope’s POV, with some jumps between past and present, and though I found that a bit helpful for the reader to gathered more information about our protagonist and her relationship with her sister and her ex, I found it quite confusing at times those flashbacks, because there wasn’t anything that let me know I was reading something that happened in the past (some italics…), and at times I didn’t know if what I was reading was happening in the past or the present.
When it comes to the characters, I think they were okay. I absolutely adored Tucker and think he was such a cute and supportive love interest, and I really enjoyed the dynamics between him and Calliope, but I guess when it comes to our protagonist I was expecting much more. Since it’s a book that dealt with mental health, I was expecting to see it more present in the novel, and I was sadly disappointed. The book was more focused on the romance, and I feel Calliope’s development wasn’t really there during most of the book, and only I could see that in the last two or three chapters.
However, the romance was pretty well done. I liked how it wasn’t an insta love-y type of romance, but the author took her time to build a connection between those characters, which I so appreciated. I also enjoyed that evolution, though it’s true there were certain moments where it was a bit cheesy for my liking.
Something that I noticed and wasn’t the biggest fan of was how the side characters were barely there. Calliope’s parents were barely in the story and only appear so she could have an inner monologue or to add something to her arc, and that pretty much happened with the rest of the characters, which was so sad. I wanted to see more relationships apart from the romance, and I feel that was the only one that stood out.
Overall, I think this book was okay and wasn’t bad, but I’ve read others that I absolutely loved more than this one. It had its pros and its cons, so even though I enjoyed some parts of How the Light Gets In, there were other issues that made me lower my rating a bit.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn’t change my opinion whatsoever. All thoughts are my own.
Actual rating: 2.5 ★
Thank you Macmillan and Swoon Reads for the ARC
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The plot wasn’t as unique as I thought it was. It was quite a typical YA book that dealt about the loss of a loved one. It had also some mystery going on that was keeping me interested, which I appreciate, but I would say the majority of the novel was focused on the romance and building a relationship between our main character and her love interest.
The book is told from Calliope’s POV, with some jumps between past and present, and though I found that a bit helpful for the reader to gathered more information about our protagonist and her relationship with her sister and her ex, I found it quite confusing at times those flashbacks, because there wasn’t anything that let me know I was reading something that happened in the past (some italics…), and at times I didn’t know if what I was reading was happening in the past or the present.
When it comes to the characters, I think they were okay. I absolutely adored Tucker and think he was such a cute and supportive love interest, and I really enjoyed the dynamics between him and Calliope, but I guess when it comes to our protagonist I was expecting much more. Since it’s a book that dealt with mental health, I was expecting to see it more present in the novel, and I was sadly disappointed. The book was more focused on the romance, and I feel Calliope’s development wasn’t really there during most of the book, and only I could see that in the last two or three chapters.
However, the romance was pretty well done. I liked how it wasn’t an insta love-y type of romance, but the author took her time to build a connection between those characters, which I so appreciated. I also enjoyed that evolution, though it’s true there were certain moments where it was a bit cheesy for my liking.
Something that I noticed and wasn’t the biggest fan of was how the side characters were barely there. Calliope’s parents were barely in the story and only appear so she could have an inner monologue or to add something to her arc, and that pretty much happened with the rest of the characters, which was so sad. I wanted to see more relationships apart from the romance, and I feel that was the only one that stood out.
Overall, I think this book was okay and wasn’t bad, but I’ve read others that I absolutely loved more than this one. It had its pros and its cons, so even though I enjoyed some parts of How the Light Gets In, there were other issues that made me lower my rating a bit.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. This doesn’t change my opinion whatsoever. All thoughts are my own.
Actual rating: 2.5 ★
Thank you Macmillan and Swoon Reads for the ARC
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August 14, 2019
Rating: 4.5 Stars
It had been a year since she visited her aunt in Bell Cove, since she had that fight with her sister, since her sister died. After a painful period of mourning Chloe's death, Callie found herself back where her nightmare began, and it seemed as though her nightmares were bleeding into her waking hours when reminders of her sister began popping up. Was her sister reaching out to her from the beyond? Was she trying to tell her something? Could Callie finally come to terms with her sister's death?
I am a Katy Upperman fan. Her two previous books were exactly the type of novels I would pick up. That was why I had no problem going slightly outside my normal reading zone for this one, and I sure am glad I did, because this is now my favorite Upperman book.
How the Light Gets In was about the grief, pain, and guilt felt, when people lose a loved one. It was about the way those left behind deal with the gaping hole in their lives due to that person's absence. It's about them finding the strength to move forward without that person by their side. I, for one, thought Upperman did a magnificent job exploring the emotional impact associated with losing someone, and she really delivered the feels. Callie's heartache and pain of missing her sister coursed through me, but so did the joy Callie felt, when she fondly remembered her.
I will admit, I wanted to read this book because (1) Katy Upperman wrote it, and (2) it dealt with grief and loss, but there was so much more that kept me glued to the pages. Aside from Callie's healing journey, there was a bit of a small town mystery, a fantastic romance, and a touch of the supernatural. Upperman took all these elements, and wove them together spectacularly.
Obviously, the romance stood out for me, but it was largely due to how much I adored Tucker. He came across as happy-go-lucky, affable, and always UP. It sort of shocked me, that my inner cynic didn't rebuff him, but Upperman gave him many layers, and it was something beyond that shiny veneer that called to me. He was utilized very thoughtfully in this story, which really took it to the next level for me, and he definitely earned a place on my beloved hero list.
Once again, Upperman has presented me with a story, that took me through a large array of emotions, while, in the end, leaving me filled with happiness and joy.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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It had been a year since she visited her aunt in Bell Cove, since she had that fight with her sister, since her sister died. After a painful period of mourning Chloe's death, Callie found herself back where her nightmare began, and it seemed as though her nightmares were bleeding into her waking hours when reminders of her sister began popping up. Was her sister reaching out to her from the beyond? Was she trying to tell her something? Could Callie finally come to terms with her sister's death?
I am a Katy Upperman fan. Her two previous books were exactly the type of novels I would pick up. That was why I had no problem going slightly outside my normal reading zone for this one, and I sure am glad I did, because this is now my favorite Upperman book.
How the Light Gets In was about the grief, pain, and guilt felt, when people lose a loved one. It was about the way those left behind deal with the gaping hole in their lives due to that person's absence. It's about them finding the strength to move forward without that person by their side. I, for one, thought Upperman did a magnificent job exploring the emotional impact associated with losing someone, and she really delivered the feels. Callie's heartache and pain of missing her sister coursed through me, but so did the joy Callie felt, when she fondly remembered her.
I will admit, I wanted to read this book because (1) Katy Upperman wrote it, and (2) it dealt with grief and loss, but there was so much more that kept me glued to the pages. Aside from Callie's healing journey, there was a bit of a small town mystery, a fantastic romance, and a touch of the supernatural. Upperman took all these elements, and wove them together spectacularly.
Obviously, the romance stood out for me, but it was largely due to how much I adored Tucker. He came across as happy-go-lucky, affable, and always UP. It sort of shocked me, that my inner cynic didn't rebuff him, but Upperman gave him many layers, and it was something beyond that shiny veneer that called to me. He was utilized very thoughtfully in this story, which really took it to the next level for me, and he definitely earned a place on my beloved hero list.
Once again, Upperman has presented me with a story, that took me through a large array of emotions, while, in the end, leaving me filled with happiness and joy.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
September 14, 2020
"Guilt is a vulture.
Guilt picks me a part.
Guilt never, ever flies away."
Have you ever been in a reading slump before? Where you pick books that you think will bring you out from that funk but those don’t seem to work? I was there for the past few weeks. So I’ve picked something unconventional for getting over that slump and this definitely did the trick.
From the start, I knew that this was going to be the book that saves me because it reminded me of one of my favorite Katie McGarry books. Plus it made me forget about my own demons lurking in the shadows.
Losing a loved one is always hard to deal with. Everything you see or touch will bring back fond memories of the time you spent with that loved one. Callie is going through just that at a very young age. One night, her younger sister goes missing and the family learns the heartbreaking news the very next day. That Chole has passed away. After that, Callie's world crumbles around her. She quits the swim team, lets her grades plummet, disassociates herself from everything and everyone, and pushes the boy she fell for far, far away.
Her Dad is terrified to see her travel down this destructive path, so he gives her two options for the summer. Attend a summer camp or go to a small coastal town and help her Aunt renovate an old victorian home. Not really ecstatic about either option, she chooses to stay with her Aunt all summer.
Once Callie gets to the small town, she's moody and closes up. Not letting anyone into her life but that all changes once she meets Tucker. Tucker is the boy that her Aunt has hired to take care of the lawn and other various locations outside on the property. There's an instant connection but she doesn't allow him to get her to open up just yet.
Then something mysterious happens, her sister's belongings keep popping up in random locations. And then one night she spots her walking in the grass in the same yellow dress that she was buried in. She's now convinced that she's being haunted by her late sister. Will Callie finally find the closure she's looking for?
How the Light Gets In was a decent book. I wasn't expecting all the ghostly happenings, plus the secrets to the victorian house and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. This was the exact read that I needed to pull me out of my reading slump. I'm really excited to read more books by this author, she has a lot of heart and you can tell that she has more stories to bring to this world.
Guilt picks me a part.
Guilt never, ever flies away."
Have you ever been in a reading slump before? Where you pick books that you think will bring you out from that funk but those don’t seem to work? I was there for the past few weeks. So I’ve picked something unconventional for getting over that slump and this definitely did the trick.
From the start, I knew that this was going to be the book that saves me because it reminded me of one of my favorite Katie McGarry books. Plus it made me forget about my own demons lurking in the shadows.
Losing a loved one is always hard to deal with. Everything you see or touch will bring back fond memories of the time you spent with that loved one. Callie is going through just that at a very young age. One night, her younger sister goes missing and the family learns the heartbreaking news the very next day. That Chole has passed away. After that, Callie's world crumbles around her. She quits the swim team, lets her grades plummet, disassociates herself from everything and everyone, and pushes the boy she fell for far, far away.
Her Dad is terrified to see her travel down this destructive path, so he gives her two options for the summer. Attend a summer camp or go to a small coastal town and help her Aunt renovate an old victorian home. Not really ecstatic about either option, she chooses to stay with her Aunt all summer.
Once Callie gets to the small town, she's moody and closes up. Not letting anyone into her life but that all changes once she meets Tucker. Tucker is the boy that her Aunt has hired to take care of the lawn and other various locations outside on the property. There's an instant connection but she doesn't allow him to get her to open up just yet.
Then something mysterious happens, her sister's belongings keep popping up in random locations. And then one night she spots her walking in the grass in the same yellow dress that she was buried in. She's now convinced that she's being haunted by her late sister. Will Callie finally find the closure she's looking for?
How the Light Gets In was a decent book. I wasn't expecting all the ghostly happenings, plus the secrets to the victorian house and I really enjoyed that aspect of the story. This was the exact read that I needed to pull me out of my reading slump. I'm really excited to read more books by this author, she has a lot of heart and you can tell that she has more stories to bring to this world.
Read
August 7, 2019Graded By: Stephanie
Cover Story: Look At This Photograph
BFF Charm: Meh
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Dig Deeper
Bonus Factor: Small Towns
Factors: Ghosts, Mysteries
Relationship Status: Support Group Acquaintances
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Look At This Photograph
BFF Charm: Meh
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Dig Deeper
Bonus Factor: Small Towns
Factors: Ghosts, Mysteries
Relationship Status: Support Group Acquaintances
Read the full book report here.
August 22, 2019
Actual Rating: 3.5/5
This is my first book from Katy Upperman, but I can safely say that I will be coming back for more.
How the Light Gets In mixes contemporary charm with paranormal mysticism built on the bittersweet foundations of love, loss, and grief. Emotion-charged straight off page one, this story is set to tug, pull and pluck at your heartstrings and leave you contemplating just how precious moments with your loved ones truly are.
I enjoyed this book a whole lot even though it took a while before I really got into it. Once I did though, there was no turning back. I fell in love with the setting, the characters, and their relationships, at the honesty and realness with which the author portrayed grief and loss in this story.
Real and honest
How the Light Gets In showed grief with an almost visceral realness – how people’s handling of it differs in varying ways, how sometimes grief and loss can drive a person to grab at whatever thing will make the pain go away no matter how temporary, and how you can still mourn and search for someone even if they’ve long been gone…even if you’ve never known them.
I felt for Callie, her mother and father, and Lucy. Losing a sister – a daughter, someone who has so much more ahead of them – is a tough loss that took something from all of them.
I felt for Tucker. Having lost his mother without even knowing her, and having a father who’s reluctant to even tell him a smidge about the woman who bore him left him with questions and made him mistrustful.
As someone who has lost a number of loved ones, this one is something that deeply resonated with me. Grief plays a crucial role in the plot of this story. It is a delicate topic, but one handled well and with much sensitivity.
Read the full review on my blog In Between Book Pages.
This is my first book from Katy Upperman, but I can safely say that I will be coming back for more.
How the Light Gets In mixes contemporary charm with paranormal mysticism built on the bittersweet foundations of love, loss, and grief. Emotion-charged straight off page one, this story is set to tug, pull and pluck at your heartstrings and leave you contemplating just how precious moments with your loved ones truly are.
I enjoyed this book a whole lot even though it took a while before I really got into it. Once I did though, there was no turning back. I fell in love with the setting, the characters, and their relationships, at the honesty and realness with which the author portrayed grief and loss in this story.
Real and honest
How the Light Gets In showed grief with an almost visceral realness – how people’s handling of it differs in varying ways, how sometimes grief and loss can drive a person to grab at whatever thing will make the pain go away no matter how temporary, and how you can still mourn and search for someone even if they’ve long been gone…even if you’ve never known them.
I felt for Callie, her mother and father, and Lucy. Losing a sister – a daughter, someone who has so much more ahead of them – is a tough loss that took something from all of them.
I felt for Tucker. Having lost his mother without even knowing her, and having a father who’s reluctant to even tell him a smidge about the woman who bore him left him with questions and made him mistrustful.
As someone who has lost a number of loved ones, this one is something that deeply resonated with me. Grief plays a crucial role in the plot of this story. It is a delicate topic, but one handled well and with much sensitivity.
Read the full review on my blog In Between Book Pages.
March 25, 2020
The book about a seventeen-year-old Callie who lives in Seattle together with her parents. After the tragic death of her younger sister, Chloe, Callie couldn’t find her place in the world and live the life she had until this moment. She gave up on all her dreams and goals. She gave up all her friends, school, swimming, and her old life away. Her parents couldn’t accept the fact that their little daughter died. Her mother started to drink and completely distance herself from them. Callie instead of alcohol used weed to handle the pain and guilt she felt.
Her dad couldn’t tolerate it anymore. When the summer came, he gave her to choose between a Montana wilderness camp for troubled teens or summer in Bell Cove with her Aunt Lucy. The camp wasn’t an option, so despite the circumstances of her sister's death she chose summer with her aunt. The purpose of it is to help her aunt in the renovation of her house, but for her dad, it is for her to recover. It wasn’t an easy task for her to go back to the place where she lost her sister. She had a problem with sleeping and communicating with her aunt. In the first week, she meets Tucker, who is working for Lucy and taking care of the yard. Callie from the beginning tried to keep him on distance but with time it was harder than she thought it might be.
Besides arguments between Callie and her aunt, everything went smoothly but only until weird things started to happen. Someone was watching her and playing with her. It started with open doors but later on her sister’s belongings suddenly appeared in her room. There were two possibilities for how to explain this: the house is haunted or her sister tried to communicate her.
Another book and another wonderful story. The main character Callie is a wreck when we first meet her. She doesn’t feel a need to continue the life she used to live. She is surrounded by guilt and pain. The only thing she wanted was to go back in time and stop her sister from running away. At first, she cannot see her dad’s purpose of sending her away, but with the time she recovers. Work with her aunt and spending time with Tucker. Callie is a very complex character. It’s difficult to understand her way of thinking and her choices. Besides all her mistakes I like her, she is a strong girl and even if it’s hard; she fights to win her life back. Love helped her with it.
This story is heartbreaking but also beautiful. It shows that our life doesn’t end when the tragedy happens; We still have a chance to live our life even if it’s hard. There is always someone who will bring light to our life. We just need to let someone help us and let the light in.
I would like to thank FFBC, NetGalley and Swoon Reads for including me in this blog tour and giving me a chance to read this amazing book!
Her dad couldn’t tolerate it anymore. When the summer came, he gave her to choose between a Montana wilderness camp for troubled teens or summer in Bell Cove with her Aunt Lucy. The camp wasn’t an option, so despite the circumstances of her sister's death she chose summer with her aunt. The purpose of it is to help her aunt in the renovation of her house, but for her dad, it is for her to recover. It wasn’t an easy task for her to go back to the place where she lost her sister. She had a problem with sleeping and communicating with her aunt. In the first week, she meets Tucker, who is working for Lucy and taking care of the yard. Callie from the beginning tried to keep him on distance but with time it was harder than she thought it might be.
Besides arguments between Callie and her aunt, everything went smoothly but only until weird things started to happen. Someone was watching her and playing with her. It started with open doors but later on her sister’s belongings suddenly appeared in her room. There were two possibilities for how to explain this: the house is haunted or her sister tried to communicate her.
Another book and another wonderful story. The main character Callie is a wreck when we first meet her. She doesn’t feel a need to continue the life she used to live. She is surrounded by guilt and pain. The only thing she wanted was to go back in time and stop her sister from running away. At first, she cannot see her dad’s purpose of sending her away, but with the time she recovers. Work with her aunt and spending time with Tucker. Callie is a very complex character. It’s difficult to understand her way of thinking and her choices. Besides all her mistakes I like her, she is a strong girl and even if it’s hard; she fights to win her life back. Love helped her with it.
This story is heartbreaking but also beautiful. It shows that our life doesn’t end when the tragedy happens; We still have a chance to live our life even if it’s hard. There is always someone who will bring light to our life. We just need to let someone help us and let the light in.
I would like to thank FFBC, NetGalley and Swoon Reads for including me in this blog tour and giving me a chance to read this amazing book!
November 11, 2025
I adore ghost stories. There's something magical and atmospheric about reading a ya novel that enraptures me through hauntings and restless spirits. I almost skipped reading this story because of the first page: Callie is smoking pot in her bathroom which plays into the plot. Her dad ships her off to her aunt's manor in Oregon for the summer in hopes Callie will reconnect with herself before her senior year. The whole family is shattered over the death of Callie's sister the year prior. Some could say this is why Callie smokes pot. To cope. But that isn't the case. Her ex-boyfriend/neighbor was a pot smoker and despite Callie saying she doesn't want a foggy head due to being part of the swim team, she quickly changes her mind and becomes a pot addict. This happens months prior to her sister's death when she first hangs with Isaac.
The plot revolves around Callie helping her Aunt Lucy renovate the manor she bought into a Bed and Breakfast Inn, falling into instant love with the hot landscaper named Tucker, and being haunted by her dead sister. The haunting would have been believable except for one key factor. The only time Callie could see her sister was after she got high on pot. Did she really talk with her sister's ghost or was it a fabrication of her drugged up mind? It's up to the reader to decide.
I wish this differed from the majority of ghost stories out there. The story became a hallucination mixed with fights and instant attraction where an average girl nabs the attention of the hottest guy on Earth.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
The plot revolves around Callie helping her Aunt Lucy renovate the manor she bought into a Bed and Breakfast Inn, falling into instant love with the hot landscaper named Tucker, and being haunted by her dead sister. The haunting would have been believable except for one key factor. The only time Callie could see her sister was after she got high on pot. Did she really talk with her sister's ghost or was it a fabrication of her drugged up mind? It's up to the reader to decide.
I wish this differed from the majority of ghost stories out there. The story became a hallucination mixed with fights and instant attraction where an average girl nabs the attention of the hottest guy on Earth.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2019
Callie reluctantly returns to her aunt's home on the coast a year after her younger sister's death. Expecting to spend her summer wallowing amidst home renovations and pot smoke, Callie is mesmerized by a local boy and the creepy noises that seem to find her in the night.
I really, really loved this. It helps that this took place on the Oregon Coast, *swoon*. This was a great summer romance that didn't overshadow the incredibly strong and dark main plot. Katy Upperman is really great when it comes to a romance that also offers some depth.
To begin with, I loved that Callie smoked pot. Kind of odd, I know, but I feel like it's something that is barely ever talked about in YA. Drinking is one thing but so many teens smoke pot, especially with it becoming legal in so many states. Honestly, I feel like nowadays people will use marijuana or CBD products more often than drink alcohol—but that's just my opinion. Callie's journey with smoking was an important aspect of the novel; she starts by using it as a way to self-medicate and as she starts to move through her grief she finds she doesn't need to smoke.
I'm not that well-versed in mystery, but I thought that part of the plot was really strong as it went simultaneously with the supernatural aspect of the story. The book in general felt really reminiscent to We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.
I really, really loved this. It helps that this took place on the Oregon Coast, *swoon*. This was a great summer romance that didn't overshadow the incredibly strong and dark main plot. Katy Upperman is really great when it comes to a romance that also offers some depth.
To begin with, I loved that Callie smoked pot. Kind of odd, I know, but I feel like it's something that is barely ever talked about in YA. Drinking is one thing but so many teens smoke pot, especially with it becoming legal in so many states. Honestly, I feel like nowadays people will use marijuana or CBD products more often than drink alcohol—but that's just my opinion. Callie's journey with smoking was an important aspect of the novel; she starts by using it as a way to self-medicate and as she starts to move through her grief she finds she doesn't need to smoke.
I'm not that well-versed in mystery, but I thought that part of the plot was really strong as it went simultaneously with the supernatural aspect of the story. The book in general felt really reminiscent to We Were Liars by E. Lockhart.
December 29, 2018
Whoo buddy! This book gave me ALL THE FEELS. This book is going to be such a hit! There's something for everybody! Mystery romance, ghosts, suspence! A perfect beach read and it totally made me choke up at the end. This book was definitely what I needed to finish out 2018. Can't wait to see it on the shelf!
August 25, 2019
This was a really great read with a touching plot, great character development, real and important themes, and a ridiculously cute romance. Another fantastic read from Katy Upperman!
Full review on my blog: https://picturethisliteraturecom.word...
Full review on my blog: https://picturethisliteraturecom.word...
August 22, 2019
Full review on: FLIPPING THROUGH THE PAGES
Actual rating: 4.5 Stars
This story is about Callie who is not coping well with the death of her sister which happened recently. To make her condition better, Callie’s father sends her to her aunt Lucy to spend her summer vacation with her in a small beach town where she was supposed to help her aunt with the renovation of her inn.
I love reading stories about sisters and this book was no exception. Though we don’t get to know Chloe in the ongoing story, Katy Upperman has done a beautiful job of showing her story through flashlights and backstories. She was as much a part of the story as the rest of the characters were. Their bond was so strong even when Chloe was not there with Callie. Of course, there were grudges and misunderstandings and I liked how the author has achieved this with the paranormal mystery theme.
I loved the setting. I am a sucker for small beach town stories where life is usually lazy and slow-moving. Small towns with secrets make this story a page-turner. The plot was fast-moving and all the things perfectly made sense. There are different sub-plots going on like mystery behind the death of Callie’s sister, the mystery behind a missing town girl and the mysterious happenings in the house. This is a haunting tale (involve a ghost!) which was I nice twist to the story. All these things keep the story interesting till the end.
The romance was beautiful and it was so well done. Katy writes her couples in a beautiful way. There were so many sweet moments and I rooted for them so badly. The romance was not the cheesy kind. It was mixed with the perfect amount of emotions as well as angst. Tucker Morgan was a kind of happy-go-lucky boy, always having a smile on his face. But deep down he had the same amount of burden as Callie had.
This story is heartbreaking but also beautiful. They are so many important themes discussed in this book. It is about dealing with grief and how to overcome it. It shows that our life doesn’t end if we face some tragedy or if someone is no more in our life. We still try to live our lives in a way that there is always tomorrow. We should accept the help that is coming our way and should let the light in.
All in all, How the Light Gets In was an amazing read and I would definitely recommend this. It is packed with a lot of emotions, swoon-worthy romance and amazing characters with a paranormal mystery angle and would definitely keep you hooked till the end. It is about grief and guilt and how to overcome it. And if you love stories set in small beach towns, don’t miss this book.
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Actual rating: 4.5 Stars
This story is about Callie who is not coping well with the death of her sister which happened recently. To make her condition better, Callie’s father sends her to her aunt Lucy to spend her summer vacation with her in a small beach town where she was supposed to help her aunt with the renovation of her inn.
I love reading stories about sisters and this book was no exception. Though we don’t get to know Chloe in the ongoing story, Katy Upperman has done a beautiful job of showing her story through flashlights and backstories. She was as much a part of the story as the rest of the characters were. Their bond was so strong even when Chloe was not there with Callie. Of course, there were grudges and misunderstandings and I liked how the author has achieved this with the paranormal mystery theme.
I loved the setting. I am a sucker for small beach town stories where life is usually lazy and slow-moving. Small towns with secrets make this story a page-turner. The plot was fast-moving and all the things perfectly made sense. There are different sub-plots going on like mystery behind the death of Callie’s sister, the mystery behind a missing town girl and the mysterious happenings in the house. This is a haunting tale (involve a ghost!) which was I nice twist to the story. All these things keep the story interesting till the end.
The romance was beautiful and it was so well done. Katy writes her couples in a beautiful way. There were so many sweet moments and I rooted for them so badly. The romance was not the cheesy kind. It was mixed with the perfect amount of emotions as well as angst. Tucker Morgan was a kind of happy-go-lucky boy, always having a smile on his face. But deep down he had the same amount of burden as Callie had.
This story is heartbreaking but also beautiful. They are so many important themes discussed in this book. It is about dealing with grief and how to overcome it. It shows that our life doesn’t end if we face some tragedy or if someone is no more in our life. We still try to live our lives in a way that there is always tomorrow. We should accept the help that is coming our way and should let the light in.
All in all, How the Light Gets In was an amazing read and I would definitely recommend this. It is packed with a lot of emotions, swoon-worthy romance and amazing characters with a paranormal mystery angle and would definitely keep you hooked till the end. It is about grief and guilt and how to overcome it. And if you love stories set in small beach towns, don’t miss this book.
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Facebook | Ko-fi |Amazon
August 3, 2019
The book pulled me in with its plot arc. I knew I was in for an emotional read. Callie had lost her sister exactly one year ago in the ocean current of Bell Cove, and the guilt hadn't left her. There were events and words and arguments preceeding her sister's death which shook her sanity even today. She came back to Bell Cove to help her aunt Lucy with the renovations of the Stewart House which had its own mystery. Tucker brought in romance like a breath of fresh air.
My first book by Katy Upperman, and the prose with its beautiful writing pulled me in. Who amongst us can judge the quantity of grief or how we chose to deal with it? Callie initially chose to escape her pain by smoking pot when she started seeing the spirit of her dead sister Chloe. The plot was developed in the way the two sisters formed a fragile bond knowing that there were stealing slivers of time from the tapestry of fate. Some things have to be laid to rest before before both of them could find peace.
I loved the way the author has combined emotions with paranormal mystery. The love between the sisters was so palpable that reading their conversations brought a lump to my throat. Their pain in being separated came through. But there were grudges and misunderstandings too. I liked how the author slowly unfurled the story of what happened that night, taking care to maintain the wholeness of the story. Romance with Tucker was great, but there was a past too connected to the house.
This was Callie's story and how she dealt with her pain. Love, loss, hope, forgiveness were the four gentle breezes that swirled like waves of color down the story making it move from darkness to light. A poignant tale of dealing with a devastating loss and allowing the light in to start living again.
My first book by Katy Upperman, and the prose with its beautiful writing pulled me in. Who amongst us can judge the quantity of grief or how we chose to deal with it? Callie initially chose to escape her pain by smoking pot when she started seeing the spirit of her dead sister Chloe. The plot was developed in the way the two sisters formed a fragile bond knowing that there were stealing slivers of time from the tapestry of fate. Some things have to be laid to rest before before both of them could find peace.
I loved the way the author has combined emotions with paranormal mystery. The love between the sisters was so palpable that reading their conversations brought a lump to my throat. Their pain in being separated came through. But there were grudges and misunderstandings too. I liked how the author slowly unfurled the story of what happened that night, taking care to maintain the wholeness of the story. Romance with Tucker was great, but there was a past too connected to the house.
This was Callie's story and how she dealt with her pain. Love, loss, hope, forgiveness were the four gentle breezes that swirled like waves of color down the story making it move from darkness to light. A poignant tale of dealing with a devastating loss and allowing the light in to start living again.
March 23, 2020
Grief is a funny thing. It brings sadness, anger, guilt, shame and and jumbled feeling of being lost. When you lose a person that helps tether you to this world, you drift for awhile. I don't particularly like my brother all the time, but he's my big brother and the only other person who survived our childhood with me. I can't imagine a world he doesn't exist. Callie lost that person a year ago, her younger sister Chloe, and there are questions left unanswered. Back in the town that trauma occurred is opening scabs that haven't even begun to heal, while she stays with her Aunt. Tucker is the handsome young man she wasn't expecting, but needs more than she realizes. Tucker has his own questions and grief that lays scattered all over his hometown. Katy Upperman crafted a story that brings so much light and love. I fell in love with The Impossibility Of Us and I couldn't be happier to recommend her latest to everyone I know.
April 5, 2022
GHOSTS!
GRIEF!
BETRAYAL!
I went into this HOPING that there would actually be spooky things happening like the description says and not some bait and switch that seems to happen a lot. And I wasn't let down!
There are ghosts. And maybe murder? Definitely death.
It's not a spooky story.
It's not supposed to be.
It's about grief and how to move on.
4 stars! 4 shining stars for not making her grief be the reason she is seeing things, and letting there be an ACTUAL GHOST haunting her.
GRIEF!
BETRAYAL!
I went into this HOPING that there would actually be spooky things happening like the description says and not some bait and switch that seems to happen a lot. And I wasn't let down!
There are ghosts. And maybe murder? Definitely death.
It's not a spooky story.
It's not supposed to be.
It's about grief and how to move on.
4 stars! 4 shining stars for not making her grief be the reason she is seeing things, and letting there be an ACTUAL GHOST haunting her.
May 4, 2021
Hard to put down.
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