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By the Light of Embers
This book is no longer in print.
382 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2019
324 people are currently reading
2005 people want to read
About the author
Shaylin Gandhi
9 books389 followersShaylin Gandhi first fell in love with love stories when she started stealing grown-up books off her mother’s bookshelf at the age of ten. By twelve, she’d perfected the art of reading under the covers by flashlight, and in high school, she attempted her first novel. She now writes from the mountains of Golden, Colorado, where she lives with her husband and identical twin daughters. When not finagling words onto paper, Shaylin can be found hiking, scheming up ways to earn another passport stamp, or ingesting enough coffee to power a small city.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
May 9, 2019
Two confessions to start off my review. First, oftentimes I just click a request on Netgalley without reading the synopsis and I do remember thinking this was a fantasy. Second, I am shocked this book is not getting a bit more buzz.
By the Light of Embers is a historical romance that takes readers to 1950's Louisiana. Lucia Lafleur and her best friend, Gretchen have recently graduated from college in Pennsylvania and return to Lucia's hometown for summer break. Lucia is hell bent on becoming a doctor like her father, but her fiancee has given her an ultimatum- him or medical school. In the midst of all this decision making, family matters and matters of the heart in that summer will shape Lucia's future.
I absolutely adored this book and its characters. Especially Lucia who was definitely a woman who wanted more than her society deemed. Also bestie Gretchen hooked me from the first chapter. I loved how she and Lucia supported each other even when they feared each other's decisions. By the Light of Embers deals with relationships, love, racism, and gender equality. The storyline was compelling and I really hope that more buzz emerges for this book. Personally, I cannot wait to see what Shaylin Gandhi writes next!
Publication Date 09/05/19
Goodreads Review 09/05/19
Thanks to Netgalley and Briar Rose Publishing for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
By the Light of Embers is a historical romance that takes readers to 1950's Louisiana. Lucia Lafleur and her best friend, Gretchen have recently graduated from college in Pennsylvania and return to Lucia's hometown for summer break. Lucia is hell bent on becoming a doctor like her father, but her fiancee has given her an ultimatum- him or medical school. In the midst of all this decision making, family matters and matters of the heart in that summer will shape Lucia's future.
I absolutely adored this book and its characters. Especially Lucia who was definitely a woman who wanted more than her society deemed. Also bestie Gretchen hooked me from the first chapter. I loved how she and Lucia supported each other even when they feared each other's decisions. By the Light of Embers deals with relationships, love, racism, and gender equality. The storyline was compelling and I really hope that more buzz emerges for this book. Personally, I cannot wait to see what Shaylin Gandhi writes next!
Publication Date 09/05/19
Goodreads Review 09/05/19
Thanks to Netgalley and Briar Rose Publishing for a digital galley in exchange for an honest review.
November 3, 2021
Lucia Lafleur is working as a candy striper at a hospital while studying at Penn College, she has a few run arguments with Sebastian Banner, her father’s a well known doctor in Louisiana and she’s always wanted to follow in his footsteps. She’s engaged to Kip O’Neill, their getting married in October and Lucia hasn’t told him she’s been accepted into the Pennsylvania School of Medicine.
Kip expects her to marry him, not have a career and raise his children. She travels home with her best friend Gretchen, she has never been to the South and Lucia’s still deciding what she’s going to do about Kip and his ultimatum? Gretchen notices on the train how people of color are treated differently in the South, they still have segregation and some people are extremely racist.
Lucia and Gretchen are invited to a masquerade ball at Inverness plantation, and Gretchen has fun creating their costumes and taking photo's. The Moore family own Inverness, father Richard and son Robbie are both racist, dangerous and Robbie takes a shine to Gretchen. Lucia meets Nicholas Fletcher, he’s a dark skinned scholar, poet and works for the Moore’s.
Lucia and Nick share a love of reading, they both admire Oscar Wilde and his literary masterpieces. It’s extremely risky for Nicholas to be seen with a white woman, he could be killed and they meet in secret. Tension is rife in Louisiana, Lucia realizes how dangerous it is for Nicholas, she wants them to both leave and has she left it too late?
By the Light of Embers by Shaylin Ganghi is a story about living in the American South during the 1950’s, attitudes haven't changed towards colored people since the Civil War, and Lucia discovers the pain of forbidden love, and it can either destroy you or make you stronger. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, Lucia’s a feisty character and she has a positive influence on Dr. Banner, and four stars from me.
Kip expects her to marry him, not have a career and raise his children. She travels home with her best friend Gretchen, she has never been to the South and Lucia’s still deciding what she’s going to do about Kip and his ultimatum? Gretchen notices on the train how people of color are treated differently in the South, they still have segregation and some people are extremely racist.
Lucia and Gretchen are invited to a masquerade ball at Inverness plantation, and Gretchen has fun creating their costumes and taking photo's. The Moore family own Inverness, father Richard and son Robbie are both racist, dangerous and Robbie takes a shine to Gretchen. Lucia meets Nicholas Fletcher, he’s a dark skinned scholar, poet and works for the Moore’s.
Lucia and Nick share a love of reading, they both admire Oscar Wilde and his literary masterpieces. It’s extremely risky for Nicholas to be seen with a white woman, he could be killed and they meet in secret. Tension is rife in Louisiana, Lucia realizes how dangerous it is for Nicholas, she wants them to both leave and has she left it too late?
By the Light of Embers by Shaylin Ganghi is a story about living in the American South during the 1950’s, attitudes haven't changed towards colored people since the Civil War, and Lucia discovers the pain of forbidden love, and it can either destroy you or make you stronger. I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, Lucia’s a feisty character and she has a positive influence on Dr. Banner, and four stars from me.
May 24, 2019
It's 1954 in Louisiana, twenty-two-year-old Lucia Lafleur is a white woman who while her friends dream of girlhood crushes,poodle skirts and sock hops she has much more lofty expectations for herself. Becoming a doctor like her father and following in his footsteps.
Her intended gives her an ultimatum, it's either him or studying medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Like it is expected of her at the time, women are to be homemakers and look after the children that come with marriage. She doesn't accept this as her lot in life but does go along with it, it's what's expected after all. Returning home to Louisiana she doesn't expect much that summer. Back home she is deeply contemplating what decision to make she isn't expected to do much besides be a genteel lady,gossip and sip sweet tea. When she meets a gentle soul, a poet who is a man of color who is intellectual and a balm to her soul she befriends him. You have to remember this is the 1950's racial tensions and inequality are running rampant in the south.
This love of literature soon blossoms into something forbidden and bewitching.
My heart bled reading this. A colored man was hung just for picking up a white woman's handkerchief and tapping her elbow to give it back to her. Where do you go when the law thinks they are above the law? Who is responsible for this hanging? That's right, the sheriff and his cronies. They are just saving the reputation of the lady they say, right!
This "secret" 1950's southern romance is destined to fail. How do I know that? Because in the 1950's interracial relationships were not "allowed". If you were run out of town you were one of the lucky ones. The consequences were usually much worse. I knew a tragedy was going to happen in this book. I just didn't know when or how and when it did my heart was just ripped apart!
I will have a hard time concentrating on another book after this one. This one will stay with me for a long time.
Published May 9th 2019 by Briar Rose Publishing.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley through Briar Rose Publishing. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
Please check out my reviews on my blog https://cnnamongirl.wixsite.com/websi...
Her intended gives her an ultimatum, it's either him or studying medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Like it is expected of her at the time, women are to be homemakers and look after the children that come with marriage. She doesn't accept this as her lot in life but does go along with it, it's what's expected after all. Returning home to Louisiana she doesn't expect much that summer. Back home she is deeply contemplating what decision to make she isn't expected to do much besides be a genteel lady,gossip and sip sweet tea. When she meets a gentle soul, a poet who is a man of color who is intellectual and a balm to her soul she befriends him. You have to remember this is the 1950's racial tensions and inequality are running rampant in the south.
This love of literature soon blossoms into something forbidden and bewitching.
My heart bled reading this. A colored man was hung just for picking up a white woman's handkerchief and tapping her elbow to give it back to her. Where do you go when the law thinks they are above the law? Who is responsible for this hanging? That's right, the sheriff and his cronies. They are just saving the reputation of the lady they say, right!
This "secret" 1950's southern romance is destined to fail. How do I know that? Because in the 1950's interracial relationships were not "allowed". If you were run out of town you were one of the lucky ones. The consequences were usually much worse. I knew a tragedy was going to happen in this book. I just didn't know when or how and when it did my heart was just ripped apart!
I will have a hard time concentrating on another book after this one. This one will stay with me for a long time.
Published May 9th 2019 by Briar Rose Publishing.
I was given a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley through Briar Rose Publishing. Thank you. All opinions expressed are my own.
Please check out my reviews on my blog https://cnnamongirl.wixsite.com/websi...
July 18, 2019
That was when it came to me: life is pain. It’s what you do with that pain that’s important. You can either let it destroy you, or let it make you strong.
This was my first book to read by this author. It certainly won’t be my last. The beautiful way that Ms. Gandhi tells a story is worthy of being a one click author to me.
This story is set back in the 50’s. I admire Lucia and her willingness to see how things were so wrong. When things back then were clearly black or white. No mixing the two…ever. This would result in lynching and more horrifying, death.
Travel in time with the soon to be female doctor as she returns home to Louisiana for the summer before starting medical school. Her father a very successful doctor and her mother who is a very successful drinker. Back then women weren’t to be anything but a good wife, good cook and good housekeeper. Wanting to change the way females are regarded, Lucia wants so bad to follow in her father’s footsteps.
When she is home, she friends a wonderful poet who speaks so beautifully to Lucia. Something she has never felt when a man has talked to her previously. Nicholas is a very kind and loving man. But also very big and very scary to those who don’t know him. But for years, Nicholas has looked after Lucia. Its only now, that Lucia has stumbled into confronting Nicholas the conversations begin.
This story at times is very hard to read as it just upsets me how people were treated back then. I wanted at times to shank some people in this book! Absolutely loved the writing and will look for the next book written by this author!
March 18, 2019
By the Light of Embers by Shaylin Gandhi is an incredibly beautiful historical romance. It's 1954 and Lucia Lafleur is working as a candy striper in a hospital. She dreams of being a doctor, just as her father is, but knows that marriage and children are what both society and her fiancé Kip expect of her. When she receives an acceptance letter to medical school, she is elated. However, Kip does not feel the same way. He gives her an ultimatum: marriage or medical school. Knowing she must make an impossible choice, she escapes for the summer to her parents' home in Louisiana with her friend Gretchen. She reconnects with Nicholas, whom she had met in childhood, a black man who works for a local wealthy family but dreams of being a poet. While their initial interactions are based on their shared love of literature, it quickly turns into something more. They fall into a deep powerful love that is also forbidden. 1950s Louisiana is rife with racial tension as races are segregated and a man is lynched simply for touching a white woman because he wanted to return her dropped handkerchief. As the summer draws to a close, Lucia and Nicholas want to be together but don't know how. Lucia seemingly must make a choice between her head and her heart; before she can make a choice, the cruelty that is life makes one for her.
By the Light of Embers is a stunning historical romance. Gandhi transports the reader to a time that is not that far away but achingly (and heartbreakingly) familiar. While I think it would have been easy for the romance to become cliche or cheesy, the romance between Lucia and Nicholas was passionate and beautifully written. Every interaction between the two was well-crafted and lovely to read. I also think that Gandhi's character development was exemplary as she created multi-dimensional characters that I grew to love (and in some cases, hate). The ending broke me a little bit but I also knew that something heartbreaking was going to happen as Gandhi created an impending sense of doom throughout the book. While I may have not chosen the happy ending that Gandhi wrote, I was happy that Lucia found some happiness and was able to achieve her dream of being a doctor.
I don't tend to gravitate to historical romances but if there are books that move me as much as By the Light of Embers did, I am willing to give the genre a closer look! I really enjoyed this book and I hope to see more from Shaylin Gandhi!
4.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and Briar Rose Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
By the Light of Embers is a stunning historical romance. Gandhi transports the reader to a time that is not that far away but achingly (and heartbreakingly) familiar. While I think it would have been easy for the romance to become cliche or cheesy, the romance between Lucia and Nicholas was passionate and beautifully written. Every interaction between the two was well-crafted and lovely to read. I also think that Gandhi's character development was exemplary as she created multi-dimensional characters that I grew to love (and in some cases, hate). The ending broke me a little bit but I also knew that something heartbreaking was going to happen as Gandhi created an impending sense of doom throughout the book. While I may have not chosen the happy ending that Gandhi wrote, I was happy that Lucia found some happiness and was able to achieve her dream of being a doctor.
I don't tend to gravitate to historical romances but if there are books that move me as much as By the Light of Embers did, I am willing to give the genre a closer look! I really enjoyed this book and I hope to see more from Shaylin Gandhi!
4.5 stars. Thanks to Netgalley and Briar Rose Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 4, 2019
“Black. Colored. Negro. All just words, fences to remind us how different we were supposed to be. Labels meant to keep us apart. Yet Nicholas understood me better than Kip ever had, and the way he touched me felt like a gift.”
This book was beautiful and poignant and absolutely heartbreaking. The plot gripped me from the very beginning as I dived into the book and engrossed myself in the lives of these characters. The setting was written in such a way that I felt like I was there in Louisiana right alongside Lucia. Speaking of Lucia, she was a great main character to be in the mind of. She was honest, straightforward, smart, a romantic at heart, and unflinchingly 100% herself. I could appreciate her desire to be a doctor and the struggle to stand out in a male dominated field. It was was a pleasure to watch her grow as a character. At the beginning she seemed all set in her convictions about what she wanted to do, who she was going to marry, her anger against her mother, and it turned out that not everything was as simple and planned out as she thought, especially after she met Nicholas.
Nicholas. Oh sweet, Nicholas. I was very happy to see the romance in the book had an African American male as the male interest when I first noticed this book. Nicholas was a beautiful soul, and by seeing him the way Lucia saw him, I felt connected to this gentle man. It’s horrendous to read about how white people only saw black people (especially men) as brutes and violent beings, but this story clearly demonstrated who was the sadist and villain, and that was not him. It was easy to see why Lucia loved him so much and vice versa as well. They truly felt like they were soulmates on an intimate level.
I also enjoyed the storyline between Sebastian (a cranky yet somehow endearing doctor) and Lucia. Their friendship was an unexpected yet pleasant addition. The other characters as well all added something to this story, whether their actions were good or bad, they all played their part in making this story gripping, realistic, and haunting.
I received this ARC from NetGalley. All opinions stated are my own.
This book was beautiful and poignant and absolutely heartbreaking. The plot gripped me from the very beginning as I dived into the book and engrossed myself in the lives of these characters. The setting was written in such a way that I felt like I was there in Louisiana right alongside Lucia. Speaking of Lucia, she was a great main character to be in the mind of. She was honest, straightforward, smart, a romantic at heart, and unflinchingly 100% herself. I could appreciate her desire to be a doctor and the struggle to stand out in a male dominated field. It was was a pleasure to watch her grow as a character. At the beginning she seemed all set in her convictions about what she wanted to do, who she was going to marry, her anger against her mother, and it turned out that not everything was as simple and planned out as she thought, especially after she met Nicholas.
Nicholas. Oh sweet, Nicholas. I was very happy to see the romance in the book had an African American male as the male interest when I first noticed this book. Nicholas was a beautiful soul, and by seeing him the way Lucia saw him, I felt connected to this gentle man. It’s horrendous to read about how white people only saw black people (especially men) as brutes and violent beings, but this story clearly demonstrated who was the sadist and villain, and that was not him. It was easy to see why Lucia loved him so much and vice versa as well. They truly felt like they were soulmates on an intimate level.
I also enjoyed the storyline between Sebastian (a cranky yet somehow endearing doctor) and Lucia. Their friendship was an unexpected yet pleasant addition. The other characters as well all added something to this story, whether their actions were good or bad, they all played their part in making this story gripping, realistic, and haunting.
I received this ARC from NetGalley. All opinions stated are my own.
February 25, 2019
I had the pleasure of reading an early version of this book! It is a truly heart breaking and poignant read.
Usually I'm quite jaded when it comes to novels about couples in love. But Nicholas' and Lucia's story just tore me apart. The entire novel led up to an end that left me with a grief so sharp. At the same time the ending was so hope filled.
The author did an excellent job at coloring hardship and grief with brilliant shades of beauty.
Usually I'm quite jaded when it comes to novels about couples in love. But Nicholas' and Lucia's story just tore me apart. The entire novel led up to an end that left me with a grief so sharp. At the same time the ending was so hope filled.
The author did an excellent job at coloring hardship and grief with brilliant shades of beauty.
May 21, 2019
Thank you to Shaylin Gandhi and Goodreads.com I won this book in a Giveaway.
WOW ! One of the best stories I've read all year. Extremely well written, easy to follow along and your emotions follow along with it. Honors a very taboo subject in history and brings to light the differences that were faced between white and black, men and women, north and south, education and love. This story is one that will stay with me for a long time and I definitely recommend it !
WOW ! One of the best stories I've read all year. Extremely well written, easy to follow along and your emotions follow along with it. Honors a very taboo subject in history and brings to light the differences that were faced between white and black, men and women, north and south, education and love. This story is one that will stay with me for a long time and I definitely recommend it !
May 28, 2019
A gripping read by Shaylin Gandhi, filled with intrigue, heartbreak, the emancipation of women and the struggles of a mixed race relationship in the 1950s. The story builds to a crescendo and I could imagine this as a movie. This is one author to watch! Thanks to Netgalley the author and publishers for a copy of this book.
March 1, 2019
Shaylin Gandhi transports the reader to what can feel like another world but in fact is America during the summer of 1954. Set in Louisiana during the segregation of the races By the Light of Embers mixes romance with the racial tensions of the period to create a fantastic historical romance that leaves the reader hooked on every word. While creating a beautiful fictional narrative Gandhi doesn't fully detach from the real world as she includes actual historical moments, like the Supreme Court decisions and the Mason-Dixon Line, which creates a wonderfully immersive novel that just doesn't disappoint.
The protagonist is extremely easy to connect with; she wants only the best for herself and those around her, without jeopardizing her own dreams. Her spunky determined yet extremely caring attitude will just make the reader fall in love with her instantly. The author has ensured that Lucia, the protagonist, has her own story, her own wants and desires beyond the romantic pathway she travels down. This is a refreshing addition to the historical romance genre, especially as Lucia's main dream and ambition is to become a doctor like her father. In a period where women are generally expected to fill one role, the housewife, the choice to have her strive for more is brave storytelling and adds another interesting and engaging level to the novel.
Gandhi could have chosen an easier romantic pathway for Lucia, such as staying with her fiancé, but she chose to be brave and pair her with Nicholas, a black man. Wrapping the story around their love juxtaposed with the hatred the rest of the world has for his race and their coupling. Even though she is placed in a period that just wouldn't accept her love for a black man as a reader the overwhelming desire and hope is for them to achieve everything they want, to live a life together with true love. The author crafts a tale of forbidden love with parallels to some of the greats but her unique writing style and skill elevates the tale to new heights.
By the Light of Embers starts in an unconventional way, this solidifies in the reader's mind that this novel isn't going to be a run of the mill historical romance. The beginning coupled with addition of a pen pal narrative between two unlikely blossoming friends makes this novel stand out against the crowd and a true delight to read. However, Gandhi doesn't stop there; rather than following the genre's trend and giving the reader a traditional happy ever after ending she gives one final twist and gives the reader an unconventional, yet still happy, ending.
To say that the action and danger that runs throughout the book in nail-bitingly good just doesn't do it justice. Many a sleepless night will come from reading this book, the reader's telling themselves just one more chapter and devouring more and more of the tale. With bated breath they will read on, falling deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole and enjoying every moment of it.
Overall, Gandhi's passion and creativity spills forth onto every page of this book and it has created a truly magnificent and brave narrative that will be remembered for years to come.
The protagonist is extremely easy to connect with; she wants only the best for herself and those around her, without jeopardizing her own dreams. Her spunky determined yet extremely caring attitude will just make the reader fall in love with her instantly. The author has ensured that Lucia, the protagonist, has her own story, her own wants and desires beyond the romantic pathway she travels down. This is a refreshing addition to the historical romance genre, especially as Lucia's main dream and ambition is to become a doctor like her father. In a period where women are generally expected to fill one role, the housewife, the choice to have her strive for more is brave storytelling and adds another interesting and engaging level to the novel.
Gandhi could have chosen an easier romantic pathway for Lucia, such as staying with her fiancé, but she chose to be brave and pair her with Nicholas, a black man. Wrapping the story around their love juxtaposed with the hatred the rest of the world has for his race and their coupling. Even though she is placed in a period that just wouldn't accept her love for a black man as a reader the overwhelming desire and hope is for them to achieve everything they want, to live a life together with true love. The author crafts a tale of forbidden love with parallels to some of the greats but her unique writing style and skill elevates the tale to new heights.
By the Light of Embers starts in an unconventional way, this solidifies in the reader's mind that this novel isn't going to be a run of the mill historical romance. The beginning coupled with addition of a pen pal narrative between two unlikely blossoming friends makes this novel stand out against the crowd and a true delight to read. However, Gandhi doesn't stop there; rather than following the genre's trend and giving the reader a traditional happy ever after ending she gives one final twist and gives the reader an unconventional, yet still happy, ending.
To say that the action and danger that runs throughout the book in nail-bitingly good just doesn't do it justice. Many a sleepless night will come from reading this book, the reader's telling themselves just one more chapter and devouring more and more of the tale. With bated breath they will read on, falling deeper and deeper down the rabbit hole and enjoying every moment of it.
Overall, Gandhi's passion and creativity spills forth onto every page of this book and it has created a truly magnificent and brave narrative that will be remembered for years to come.
May 9, 2019
I won the kindle edition of this book in a Goodreads giveaway and cannot wait to read it!
August 3, 2021
Audio Review:
By the Light of Embers (A Powerful Novel) is a complex story with a climactic plot. The world building settings and descriptions are detailed and vivid. The writing style is compelling and the characters are fleshed out and maturity builds. The author captures the Era and history of the time and intricately weaved moments based on history.
Kimberly M. Wetherell narration vocally expressed the characters emotions and thoughts. Her inflection was smooth and easy listening. Her voice changed per character. Overall well done.
Audiobook Obsession 🎧
By the Light of Embers (A Powerful Novel) is a complex story with a climactic plot. The world building settings and descriptions are detailed and vivid. The writing style is compelling and the characters are fleshed out and maturity builds. The author captures the Era and history of the time and intricately weaved moments based on history.
Kimberly M. Wetherell narration vocally expressed the characters emotions and thoughts. Her inflection was smooth and easy listening. Her voice changed per character. Overall well done.
Audiobook Obsession 🎧
June 5, 2019
---4.5 Stars---
This book tells a beautiful forbidden love story of two people that are caught in the wrong place and the wrong the time. Although this book is written in an elegant and graceful style, it does not hold back on the grim and revolting details of the tragedies these characters face.
I found myself emotionally caught up in the characters and cheering for both Lucia and Nicholas!!
It was not hard to connect and form an emotional bond with the main characters!! They were well-developed, relatable, and genuine.
Lucia is smart, strong, brave, caring, good-natured, and determined. She has dreams of becoming a doctor and following in her father’s footsteps. However, when her fiancé, Kip, gives her the ultimatum of being his wife or a doctor – her plans and dreams are turned upside down and she decides to return home to Louisiana for the summer with her Best Friend, Gretchen, to consider her options. Although, I personally want to think the spirited girl in Lucia wanted to just toss Kip to side right then and there for even making such a demand, but this was different times, this was the Deep South in 1954 and women rarely held professional jobs – they were expected to be homemaker’s. They were to marry, have kids, and stay at home. Lucia wanting to be a doctor was unheard of. And no “real” husband would want his wife out of the house all day. But Lucia wanted more out her life, she was driven, and that’s probably another reason I loved her and easily clicked with her.
I really enjoyed Nicholas and his story. He was sweet and gentle and the way he was with Lucia was precious. They were adorable together!!
I also liked Sebastian and appreciated how understanding, kind, considerate, patient, attentive, and respectful he is.
Unfortunately, what seems unimportant to me, but is a huge plot point and a big deal in the Deep South in the 1950’s is that Lucia was White and Nicholas was Black – therefore, this was a forbidden relationship. A relationship that if found-out could carry several different penalties – such as being ran out of town, jail, and/or death.
There is a particular troubling scene with a misunderstanding where a kind, Black gentleman is trying to return a woman’s handkerchief that she dropped, and he is actually lynched for inappropriately touching her when he was only trying to get her attention. It was highly taken out of context, but I don’t doubt something like that occurred back then. And it is utterly disturbingly to read about such terrible struggles that transpired during that era. Although we may not exactly be hanging Black men anymore, I’m not sure we’ve totally learned from history as we are still in many ways dealing with racism, discrimination, and hatred. And unfortunately, this bigotry is still very present in today’s political and criminal domain.
The author provided several thought-provoking and compelling passages throughout this book!
Mrs. Gandhi’s writing style is superb! She wrote so many passages with such powerful detail. Several times I found myself completely captivated in the story!
One particular passage really stuck with me:
“Maybe there is a God. I’ve never believed in one because I couldn’t reconcile myself to the idea that a loving deity would create a world filled with tragedy. But now I know that, if he does exist, suffering is his greatest gift to us. It’s the keen edge of loss that lends our lives such meaning…”(Gandhi 425).
Wow!! I think many of us have battled with how could a God put us through some of the toughest days of our lives or how could he take a loved one from us or why would he possibly allow 9/11 to have happened?? Most people usually answer it’s always a test and you’re never given more than you can handle. I was intrigued about this way of looking at tragedies as a gift and how loss gives us meaning in our lives. It is a fascinating take on this topic and it’s definitely something to explore and think more on.
I love the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing this book. It was clear she was very familiar and well-versed on the culture, customs, and traditions of the Deep South in the 1950’s. The author provided so much detail and such vivid descriptions it made the scenes easy to picture.
Mrs. Gandhi went above and beyond in her research and it strongly shows in her writing. She was able to find a way to add significant historical references that provided an authentic ambience to the book.
At first, I honestly felt like there were some easily predictable scenes. However, I was pleasantly caught off guard as there were quite a few unexpected twists and turns that even I didn’t see coming!
Even though when you knew there was going to be heartbreak and tragedy around the corner, I still couldn’t stop turning the pages!!
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all historical woman’s fiction readers will like this book, too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
This book tells a beautiful forbidden love story of two people that are caught in the wrong place and the wrong the time. Although this book is written in an elegant and graceful style, it does not hold back on the grim and revolting details of the tragedies these characters face.
I found myself emotionally caught up in the characters and cheering for both Lucia and Nicholas!!
It was not hard to connect and form an emotional bond with the main characters!! They were well-developed, relatable, and genuine.
Lucia is smart, strong, brave, caring, good-natured, and determined. She has dreams of becoming a doctor and following in her father’s footsteps. However, when her fiancé, Kip, gives her the ultimatum of being his wife or a doctor – her plans and dreams are turned upside down and she decides to return home to Louisiana for the summer with her Best Friend, Gretchen, to consider her options. Although, I personally want to think the spirited girl in Lucia wanted to just toss Kip to side right then and there for even making such a demand, but this was different times, this was the Deep South in 1954 and women rarely held professional jobs – they were expected to be homemaker’s. They were to marry, have kids, and stay at home. Lucia wanting to be a doctor was unheard of. And no “real” husband would want his wife out of the house all day. But Lucia wanted more out her life, she was driven, and that’s probably another reason I loved her and easily clicked with her.
I really enjoyed Nicholas and his story. He was sweet and gentle and the way he was with Lucia was precious. They were adorable together!!
I also liked Sebastian and appreciated how understanding, kind, considerate, patient, attentive, and respectful he is.
Unfortunately, what seems unimportant to me, but is a huge plot point and a big deal in the Deep South in the 1950’s is that Lucia was White and Nicholas was Black – therefore, this was a forbidden relationship. A relationship that if found-out could carry several different penalties – such as being ran out of town, jail, and/or death.
There is a particular troubling scene with a misunderstanding where a kind, Black gentleman is trying to return a woman’s handkerchief that she dropped, and he is actually lynched for inappropriately touching her when he was only trying to get her attention. It was highly taken out of context, but I don’t doubt something like that occurred back then. And it is utterly disturbingly to read about such terrible struggles that transpired during that era. Although we may not exactly be hanging Black men anymore, I’m not sure we’ve totally learned from history as we are still in many ways dealing with racism, discrimination, and hatred. And unfortunately, this bigotry is still very present in today’s political and criminal domain.
The author provided several thought-provoking and compelling passages throughout this book!
Mrs. Gandhi’s writing style is superb! She wrote so many passages with such powerful detail. Several times I found myself completely captivated in the story!
One particular passage really stuck with me:
“Maybe there is a God. I’ve never believed in one because I couldn’t reconcile myself to the idea that a loving deity would create a world filled with tragedy. But now I know that, if he does exist, suffering is his greatest gift to us. It’s the keen edge of loss that lends our lives such meaning…”(Gandhi 425).
Wow!! I think many of us have battled with how could a God put us through some of the toughest days of our lives or how could he take a loved one from us or why would he possibly allow 9/11 to have happened?? Most people usually answer it’s always a test and you’re never given more than you can handle. I was intrigued about this way of looking at tragedies as a gift and how loss gives us meaning in our lives. It is a fascinating take on this topic and it’s definitely something to explore and think more on.
I love the in-depth amount of research the author did while constructing this book. It was clear she was very familiar and well-versed on the culture, customs, and traditions of the Deep South in the 1950’s. The author provided so much detail and such vivid descriptions it made the scenes easy to picture.
Mrs. Gandhi went above and beyond in her research and it strongly shows in her writing. She was able to find a way to add significant historical references that provided an authentic ambience to the book.
At first, I honestly felt like there were some easily predictable scenes. However, I was pleasantly caught off guard as there were quite a few unexpected twists and turns that even I didn’t see coming!
Even though when you knew there was going to be heartbreak and tragedy around the corner, I still couldn’t stop turning the pages!!
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend it! I think all historical woman’s fiction readers will like this book, too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading - you won't be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
April 20, 2019
A poignant and powerful read, By the Light of Embers, by Shaylin Gandhi, is set in 1954 in the height of the Jim Crow era in the Southern United States. Lucia Lafleur has spent the last four years in Philadelphia attending university. On graduation, she and her best friend Gretchen Perry head south of the Mason-Doxin line to spend the summer in Bellefontaine, Louisiana at Lucia's parents home. With a backdrop of sprawling plantations and small town charm, Lucia's laidback summer plans quickly unravel around her.
While in school Lucia is a candy-striper who consistently has problems due to her toeing the line between propriety and arrogance at work, with one doctor in particular. In her personal life, everything seemed perfect. She has a wonderful fiance in Kip O'Neill, a law student with a bright future. They plan to marry, but acceptance to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine puts Lucia on a path she didn't expect. Kip's ultimatum of him or medical school stuns Lucia, and she requests time to think about it.
On returning home she receives the strangest letter from the doctor whom she regularly butted heads with in Philadelphia, only to find out that he is a former colleague of her father. As she begins regular communications with Dr Sebastien Banner, Lucia comes to see him as a wonderful resource, sounding board, and ultimately a mentor in life as he begins to open himself up to her, and she to him. She discovers there is much more to the hateful, angry, drunk doctor than she thought there was.
Lucia also quickly finds herself in a precarious situation when returning to her childhood sanctuary in the swamps of Bellefontaine, only to find her place inhabited by none other than Nicholas Fletcher, part of the army who keep Inverness, the sugar plantation owned by the Moore family, and the son of the man Lucia found lynched in the swamp when she was thirteen. While Lucia knew, and was unnerved by, Nicholas as a child, he now scares her as a man. Towering over six-foot-five-inch with broad shoulders and thick muscles, skin as dark as iron, and unnerving golden eyes, Nicholas Fletcher is "now a fully grown man who looked like he could tear up an oak by it's roots," but who "stood proud, and whose weird honey eyes shone with shrewd intelligence." Lucia can't help but be drawn to him, while also trying to avoid him. You see, she may run around in trousers and dungarees, and have dreams of becoming a doctor, but she is still well aware of the impropriety in associating with colored men, especially when alone.
As the summer ebbs on, Lucia and Nicholas walk a careful line of developing their relationship, while also having to ensure no one becomes aware of its existence. Lucia is in a tough spot, wanting to spill her secret to Gretchen, while being unable to - as Gretchen is being pursued by the son of the owner of Inverness, and one slip of the tongue could get Nicholas killed. Feeling their friendship drifting apart but being unable to figure out a way to rectify the problem while still maintaining her secret, the girl's summer is nothing like they thought it would be.
Stepping off the train from progressive Philadelphia back into the segregation and lynch-happy culture of Bellefontaine, Lucia and Gretchen's eyes are opened to the still existing bigotry, hatred, and superiority felt of the white man. By the Light of Embers is both a sad and horrifying read. To imagine that these exact events occurred regularly just sixty years ago is hard to fathom. But it is also relative in the current political and social sphere, where race is a regular hot-button issue. An issue we thought had been put to bed with desegregation and Rosa Parks, but that had just been swept under the rug, kept quiet but never fixed. Biracial couples still face judgment from their peers across the country, people of color still face backlash when they stand up for themselves to authority figures, for demanding to be treated equal to their white counterparts, for demanding the police not use excessive force simply due to their skin color. Racism is still an issue across the country, and while the KKK doesn't operate in the open as it once did, the prejudice is still there, built into much of the institution. By the Light of Embers is a stark reminder of where we were not so long ago, and how we could hurtle back towards that if we are not careful. I highly recommend this read when it hits shelves.
While in school Lucia is a candy-striper who consistently has problems due to her toeing the line between propriety and arrogance at work, with one doctor in particular. In her personal life, everything seemed perfect. She has a wonderful fiance in Kip O'Neill, a law student with a bright future. They plan to marry, but acceptance to the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine puts Lucia on a path she didn't expect. Kip's ultimatum of him or medical school stuns Lucia, and she requests time to think about it.
On returning home she receives the strangest letter from the doctor whom she regularly butted heads with in Philadelphia, only to find out that he is a former colleague of her father. As she begins regular communications with Dr Sebastien Banner, Lucia comes to see him as a wonderful resource, sounding board, and ultimately a mentor in life as he begins to open himself up to her, and she to him. She discovers there is much more to the hateful, angry, drunk doctor than she thought there was.
Lucia also quickly finds herself in a precarious situation when returning to her childhood sanctuary in the swamps of Bellefontaine, only to find her place inhabited by none other than Nicholas Fletcher, part of the army who keep Inverness, the sugar plantation owned by the Moore family, and the son of the man Lucia found lynched in the swamp when she was thirteen. While Lucia knew, and was unnerved by, Nicholas as a child, he now scares her as a man. Towering over six-foot-five-inch with broad shoulders and thick muscles, skin as dark as iron, and unnerving golden eyes, Nicholas Fletcher is "now a fully grown man who looked like he could tear up an oak by it's roots," but who "stood proud, and whose weird honey eyes shone with shrewd intelligence." Lucia can't help but be drawn to him, while also trying to avoid him. You see, she may run around in trousers and dungarees, and have dreams of becoming a doctor, but she is still well aware of the impropriety in associating with colored men, especially when alone.
As the summer ebbs on, Lucia and Nicholas walk a careful line of developing their relationship, while also having to ensure no one becomes aware of its existence. Lucia is in a tough spot, wanting to spill her secret to Gretchen, while being unable to - as Gretchen is being pursued by the son of the owner of Inverness, and one slip of the tongue could get Nicholas killed. Feeling their friendship drifting apart but being unable to figure out a way to rectify the problem while still maintaining her secret, the girl's summer is nothing like they thought it would be.
Stepping off the train from progressive Philadelphia back into the segregation and lynch-happy culture of Bellefontaine, Lucia and Gretchen's eyes are opened to the still existing bigotry, hatred, and superiority felt of the white man. By the Light of Embers is both a sad and horrifying read. To imagine that these exact events occurred regularly just sixty years ago is hard to fathom. But it is also relative in the current political and social sphere, where race is a regular hot-button issue. An issue we thought had been put to bed with desegregation and Rosa Parks, but that had just been swept under the rug, kept quiet but never fixed. Biracial couples still face judgment from their peers across the country, people of color still face backlash when they stand up for themselves to authority figures, for demanding to be treated equal to their white counterparts, for demanding the police not use excessive force simply due to their skin color. Racism is still an issue across the country, and while the KKK doesn't operate in the open as it once did, the prejudice is still there, built into much of the institution. By the Light of Embers is a stark reminder of where we were not so long ago, and how we could hurtle back towards that if we are not careful. I highly recommend this read when it hits shelves.
March 14, 2019
By the Light of Embers by Shaylin Gandhi is the story of a young woman who must fight against the prejudice and societal expectations of the 1950s. It’s 1954 and Lucia Lafleur is a college graduate, engaged and just got accepted to medical school. Before heading home for the summer, her fiancé gives her an ultimatum: him or medical school. She heads home to Bellefontaine, Louisiana with her friend, Gretchen. Soon she befriends Nicholas Fletcher, a man from her childhood and someone she was supposed to stay away from. But Nicholas is unlike any man she has known, and she can’t help be drawn to him despite the danger. As their friendship blooms into something more, she realizes she is heading down a road that her hometown may not be ready for. Which man will she chose: the safe, logical one or the man who matches her passion and intelligence? Does she follow her heart or her dream?
By the Light of Embers is a story I wasn’t expecting. From the description I knew it was a story of a white woman and a black man in a relationship which was not acceptable in the South. As I read and was swept away by the passionate love story of Lucia and Nicholas, the drama of prejudice of those around them and the building of events which led to an amazing climax. The book didn’t end the way I thought it would, but it was a satisfying ending, wasn’t farfetched and just fit the story. It was a suspenseful and exciting story up to the very last page. I was so engrossed in the story that I didn’t realize it was coming to an end! I highly recommend By the Light of Embers!
By the Light of Embers
will be available May 9, 2019
in eBook
By the Light of Embers is a story I wasn’t expecting. From the description I knew it was a story of a white woman and a black man in a relationship which was not acceptable in the South. As I read and was swept away by the passionate love story of Lucia and Nicholas, the drama of prejudice of those around them and the building of events which led to an amazing climax. The book didn’t end the way I thought it would, but it was a satisfying ending, wasn’t farfetched and just fit the story. It was a suspenseful and exciting story up to the very last page. I was so engrossed in the story that I didn’t realize it was coming to an end! I highly recommend By the Light of Embers!
By the Light of Embers
will be available May 9, 2019
in eBook
May 10, 2019
By the Light of Embers penned by talented author, Shaylin Gandhi is one insightful, heartwarming, intelligent read but heartbreaking story.
This challenging narrative has been well written with vivid language, visuals, and rich characters. By the Light of Embers has a rich history focusing on the period dating back to the 1950s. The racial issues were distinctive teleporting the reader into a world of oppression, fear, and injustices which the younger college-educated generation often found difficult to swallow. The rich dialogue touched my heart.
The character development was powerfully crafted. The settings were full-bodied and vibrant load with plenty of sensory elements. I fell in love with the main characters and the supporting cast members because they were strong and yet sometimes ruthless.
There were many life lessons embedded within the pages of this poignant novel about racial issues, women's issues surrounding having the women confronted with deciding between love or career.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and post an honest review .
This challenging narrative has been well written with vivid language, visuals, and rich characters. By the Light of Embers has a rich history focusing on the period dating back to the 1950s. The racial issues were distinctive teleporting the reader into a world of oppression, fear, and injustices which the younger college-educated generation often found difficult to swallow. The rich dialogue touched my heart.
The character development was powerfully crafted. The settings were full-bodied and vibrant load with plenty of sensory elements. I fell in love with the main characters and the supporting cast members because they were strong and yet sometimes ruthless.
There were many life lessons embedded within the pages of this poignant novel about racial issues, women's issues surrounding having the women confronted with deciding between love or career.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and post an honest review .
May 8, 2019
I want to give absolutely no spoilers here and the description of the book is plenty of info to get anyone interested in this book. This story is so beautifully written and completely engulfs you in this relationship between Lucia and Nicholas. The character development is incredible and the tale of Lucia pulls you into the very near (yet somehow distant) past when things weren’t what they are today. The writing is very descriptive and makes you feel like you are right there living the story along with the characters. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a hauntingly deep story of love and heartache as well as those looking for a fantastic book in general.
June 1, 2019
This exquisite story is a stunning achievement! FIVE INCOMPARABLE STARS!
Of the millions of writers in the world, only a few qualify as a word-painter: "a writer of vivid or graphic descriptive power" (Merriam-Webster). Ms. Gandhi has earned a place in this select group. Her highly descriptive brush strokes of people, places and time--liberally sprinkled with similes and metaphors--paint a vivid picture of the dark world of Louisiana's racial bigotry in 1954. She pulls the reader right into that world, living every minute of the story with the characters. By the Light of Embers is much more than a book. It's a heart-stopping, unforgettable experience.
I won't go into plot details, because nothing should spoil your enjoyment of this gem. It's a tender love story with swirling undercurrents of violence and murder. Facing a choice between medical school and marriage, Lucia Lafleur goes to her parents' home in Louisiana in the summer of '54 to make her decision. There she meets and falls in love with Nicholas Fletcher, a beautiful black man (she's white). Believing their love is stronger than society's rules, they resolve to escape to Philadelphia together, where they can marry and raise the baby they've created.
I ached for them and their impossible situation. I held my breath, hoping for a happy ending. I read to the end of Chapter 58 and stopped for a few days, afraid the ending would shatter me. I was right. It did. I finished the book last night, and my heart is broken. I can't stop the tears even now, a day later. I'm actually grieving over their loss.
No book is perfect, of course. Lucia receives a number of letters from Sebastian--a recovering alcoholic--in which he describes his actions in Greece during World War II. In my opinion, these rather lengthy epistles add little to the story and interrupt the flow of the main plot--the growing love between Lucia and Nicholas. Even so, this is one of the best books I've ever read, and I've read thousands.
If you are looking for a Happily Ever After ending, you won't find it here. You will find exquisite writing, flawless editing and proofreading, and a wonderful story of abiding love that will grab your emotions and touch your heart. And it's all wrapped up in a gorgeous cover! Highly recommended!
Of the millions of writers in the world, only a few qualify as a word-painter: "a writer of vivid or graphic descriptive power" (Merriam-Webster). Ms. Gandhi has earned a place in this select group. Her highly descriptive brush strokes of people, places and time--liberally sprinkled with similes and metaphors--paint a vivid picture of the dark world of Louisiana's racial bigotry in 1954. She pulls the reader right into that world, living every minute of the story with the characters. By the Light of Embers is much more than a book. It's a heart-stopping, unforgettable experience.
I won't go into plot details, because nothing should spoil your enjoyment of this gem. It's a tender love story with swirling undercurrents of violence and murder. Facing a choice between medical school and marriage, Lucia Lafleur goes to her parents' home in Louisiana in the summer of '54 to make her decision. There she meets and falls in love with Nicholas Fletcher, a beautiful black man (she's white). Believing their love is stronger than society's rules, they resolve to escape to Philadelphia together, where they can marry and raise the baby they've created.
I ached for them and their impossible situation. I held my breath, hoping for a happy ending. I read to the end of Chapter 58 and stopped for a few days, afraid the ending would shatter me. I was right. It did. I finished the book last night, and my heart is broken. I can't stop the tears even now, a day later. I'm actually grieving over their loss.
No book is perfect, of course. Lucia receives a number of letters from Sebastian--a recovering alcoholic--in which he describes his actions in Greece during World War II. In my opinion, these rather lengthy epistles add little to the story and interrupt the flow of the main plot--the growing love between Lucia and Nicholas. Even so, this is one of the best books I've ever read, and I've read thousands.
If you are looking for a Happily Ever After ending, you won't find it here. You will find exquisite writing, flawless editing and proofreading, and a wonderful story of abiding love that will grab your emotions and touch your heart. And it's all wrapped up in a gorgeous cover! Highly recommended!
May 9, 2019
I genuinely don't know any other way to describe this book than to say it's beautiful. The writing is beautiful. The story is beautiful. The characters are beautiful. I just loved it. It transported me to a different place, and I was heart-broken when it ended and I had to come back to reality. More, please!
March 9, 2019
This is a very well written tale of romance in an age when racism was rampant in the south. When I finished this book, I sat thinking about many things, but mostly about how it would have felt if this story had happened to me. This book is a serious look at love in all of its different forms and how love affects people. I am so glad that I chose to get this book when it was on a BookFunnel promotion because this is one that will stay with me for a while. I cannot wait to see what else Shaylin Gandhi writes because she is one I will definitely follow.
April 25, 2019
By the Light of Embers is an alluring historical novel about a young woman who is beyond her time . The heroine, Lucia Lafleur is faced with the choice of following her dreams of being a medical doctor or losing her finance forever. While contemplating her decision, Lucia spends the summer of 1954 in her home state of Louisiana with her family and her best friend, Gretchen. As she forbiddingly falls in love with an old acquaintance, Nicholas, Lucia realizes just how much hatred runs through her childhood town, a realization that could cost them both their lives.
What I love about this novel is that it is such an an empowering tale for woman everywhere. Lucia fights for her dreams. She fights against racism and social injustices. She stands up for herself and her wants and her needs. And within ALL the conflict, Lucia stays true to herself. What better lesson for women out there then to be true to oneself?
I want to preface by saying that I really enjoyed this story. It was well written with great character development and wonderful descriptions. However, there are one too many subplots occurring throughout the novel that makes it a bit too soapy for historical fiction. This novel, in my opinion, borders the romance genre. BUT, although there are so many subplots, I did appreciate how each subplot ties nicely into the ending.
For more, visit jennifermitchellbooks.com
What I love about this novel is that it is such an an empowering tale for woman everywhere. Lucia fights for her dreams. She fights against racism and social injustices. She stands up for herself and her wants and her needs. And within ALL the conflict, Lucia stays true to herself. What better lesson for women out there then to be true to oneself?
I want to preface by saying that I really enjoyed this story. It was well written with great character development and wonderful descriptions. However, there are one too many subplots occurring throughout the novel that makes it a bit too soapy for historical fiction. This novel, in my opinion, borders the romance genre. BUT, although there are so many subplots, I did appreciate how each subplot ties nicely into the ending.
For more, visit jennifermitchellbooks.com
July 28, 2021
Applause!! Bravo!
Gandhi brought three worlds together; The North, the deep south and Greece and then added the life of an immigrant. Raw and real and so full of truth. Can not say enough. Brilliantly written.
Gandhi brought three worlds together; The North, the deep south and Greece and then added the life of an immigrant. Raw and real and so full of truth. Can not say enough. Brilliantly written.
June 1, 2019
I rarely give a 5-star rating. To me a 5-star rating only comes when a book is well-written, has well-defined characters, has a great storyline and leaves us with something after we turn the last page. That’s a pretty big order and yet this book delivers. There have been plenty of books I enjoyed but this was almost overwhelming. The only possible fault I could find was that I’m not sure its title represents what it's about. I also don’t know if the title matters one bit. Having said that, to give you an idea what I think this book is about...the setting is in the South. The South at a time that races were still separated and young black children did not necessarily even have a school. A time many white people thought only white people were worthwhile. It’s about a young woman who wants to be a doctor when women were never doctors; they were supposed to stay at home and have babies. No questions asked. It’s also about love and caring and genuine kindness and horrid meanness. Maybe that’s a picture of life.
Ghandi built her characters to be perfectly picturable. Sounds like a silly word but what I mean is everyone involved, both the good and the bad characters, were ones I could visualize in my mind. So real I could create a picture. But it wasn’t just the characters that kept my attention so much. The storyline kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read.
My summary will not give this book as many kudos as it needs, but this is a beautifully written book that will hold your attention from cover to cover. It has action, happiness, and sadness and evokes thoughts we all should think on even today.
Ghandi built her characters to be perfectly picturable. Sounds like a silly word but what I mean is everyone involved, both the good and the bad characters, were ones I could visualize in my mind. So real I could create a picture. But it wasn’t just the characters that kept my attention so much. The storyline kept me turning the pages as fast as I could read.
My summary will not give this book as many kudos as it needs, but this is a beautifully written book that will hold your attention from cover to cover. It has action, happiness, and sadness and evokes thoughts we all should think on even today.
June 16, 2019
Beautiful love story
A forbidden friendship, a faltering engagement, secret love, the small mindedness of some men, all combine to come to a head in this story set in the1950s south. Well written and edited, fine piece of work.
A forbidden friendship, a faltering engagement, secret love, the small mindedness of some men, all combine to come to a head in this story set in the1950s south. Well written and edited, fine piece of work.
May 31, 2019
I almost hate to use these words because they are so pedestrian, but this novel is beautiful and powerful. I'm afraid I am at a loss for better words to describe it, especially considering the elegantly stunning prose this novel contains. I even found myself saving certain characters quotes and descriptions, which I almost never do, because the words were so beautiful.
In addition to the beautiful language, the author weaves a tale of love, friendship, devotion, racism, and history reminiscent of some of the great classics about the pre-Civil Rights era in the South. I was transported back to my elementary school through high school years when I first read those novels and now want to read them again. This one deserves its place on the shelf next to them. It's worthy of reading and discussing, especially in our current climate.
I loved all of the characters, even the despicable ones. Without them, the story would not be complete. They are extremely well-written and developed and all go through a growing process, at least in our eyes. Some of them are going to definitely surprise you. There are definite twists and turns in the plot as the multiple layers are pulled back and revelations are made. And so much emotion. I am just so impressed by this book.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
In addition to the beautiful language, the author weaves a tale of love, friendship, devotion, racism, and history reminiscent of some of the great classics about the pre-Civil Rights era in the South. I was transported back to my elementary school through high school years when I first read those novels and now want to read them again. This one deserves its place on the shelf next to them. It's worthy of reading and discussing, especially in our current climate.
I loved all of the characters, even the despicable ones. Without them, the story would not be complete. They are extremely well-written and developed and all go through a growing process, at least in our eyes. Some of them are going to definitely surprise you. There are definite twists and turns in the plot as the multiple layers are pulled back and revelations are made. And so much emotion. I am just so impressed by this book.
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review.
June 4, 2019
True Love never dies
Love is something given, not received . The best Summary this book could ever received.. #1 on my summer list.
Love is something given, not received . The best Summary this book could ever received.. #1 on my summer list.
February 21, 2019
Heart-breaking ~ Beautiful ~ Haunting
tl: dr: Society often puts boundaries on love even if hearts don't.
This beautifully written tale shares the story of an African-American poet who falls for a white female medical student in 1950s Lousiana. That set up basically should allude to the truth and sadness of the tale. The story is well-paced with beautiful literary passages. It is one of those books that makes you sad but happy you read it. I would mention that there are certain triggers, particularly about racial prejudice. But, the characters, and the love story, make this tear-jerker worth reading.
4.5
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
tl: dr: Society often puts boundaries on love even if hearts don't.
This beautifully written tale shares the story of an African-American poet who falls for a white female medical student in 1950s Lousiana. That set up basically should allude to the truth and sadness of the tale. The story is well-paced with beautiful literary passages. It is one of those books that makes you sad but happy you read it. I would mention that there are certain triggers, particularly about racial prejudice. But, the characters, and the love story, make this tear-jerker worth reading.
4.5
Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Seema Rao Write : Instagram| Blog| Twitter|
February 21, 2019
I got an ARC, and it is hauntingly beautiful. I read across many genres, but this is the first time a love story really gripped me and refused to let go. The prose, the characters, the scenery, the themes, ugh. So good.
Currently reading
February 21, 2019Preordered at Amazon $3.99
pub date May 9, 2019
Briar Rose Publishing
pub date May 9, 2019
Briar Rose Publishing
May 20, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. It keep me up late at night to see what was going to happen. Broke my heart to read about the cruelty of the 1950's for black American's. Bigotry was high in the South and it did not take much to get you killed if you were a Negro. Also the bigotry of a women knowing her place and not having a career is show cased in this book. Author Shaylin writes a strong book of those times and give character Lulu and Nicholas a love that is supposedly wrong in that time period in the South. Written masterfully and with sensitivity this book will be on the charts for a long while. Really touched my heart.
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