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Between the Lighthouse and You
A debut middle-grade novel about a town that can receive messages from the dead, and the young boy and girl who form an unlikely friendship to contact their lost loved ones and face their grief―perfect for fans of the New York Times –bestselling Wish by Barbara O'Connor.
Alice Jones’s mother died in a boating accident. Well, that’s what everyone says. Alice doesn’t believe them―her mother’s body was never recovered off the coast of Aviles Island, and Alice has always thought she might still be out there somewhere. Then Alice discovers that the residents of Aviles know how to communicate with loved ones who have died. If Alice can go there and try to contact her mother, she might have all the answers she needs.
For generations, Leo Mercury’s family has been in charge of the Aviles Island lighthouse, and Leo himself is determined to take after his beloved grandfather and be a Lighthouse Keeper one day. When nosy Alice Jones shows up for the festival, asking questions about the tidings that outsiders shouldn’t, Leo knows it’s up to him to protect the island’s traditions. But he starts to realize that he and Alice may actually want the same things―and together, they can believe in the impossible, even if no one else will.
Between the Lighthouse and You is an emotional, heartwarming story about love, grief, and letting go.
Alice Jones’s mother died in a boating accident. Well, that’s what everyone says. Alice doesn’t believe them―her mother’s body was never recovered off the coast of Aviles Island, and Alice has always thought she might still be out there somewhere. Then Alice discovers that the residents of Aviles know how to communicate with loved ones who have died. If Alice can go there and try to contact her mother, she might have all the answers she needs.
For generations, Leo Mercury’s family has been in charge of the Aviles Island lighthouse, and Leo himself is determined to take after his beloved grandfather and be a Lighthouse Keeper one day. When nosy Alice Jones shows up for the festival, asking questions about the tidings that outsiders shouldn’t, Leo knows it’s up to him to protect the island’s traditions. But he starts to realize that he and Alice may actually want the same things―and together, they can believe in the impossible, even if no one else will.
Between the Lighthouse and You is an emotional, heartwarming story about love, grief, and letting go.
Unknown Binding
First published January 1, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
February 13, 2022
This book was a heartwarming read.
I absolutely loved the Mercury family and all of the lighthouse histories they told! The mystery and surprise of the tidings made for a fun story.
I would highly recommend. :)
I absolutely loved the Mercury family and all of the lighthouse histories they told! The mystery and surprise of the tidings made for a fun story.
I would highly recommend. :)
April 23, 2025
Alice is having a difficult time accepting the fact that her mother is truly gone. She convinces her dad to go to the island where her mom was when she drowned, convinced that she will find her there alive. My heart aches for Alice! I liked that the story was told from two perspectives - Alice and Leo, who lives on the island. While their lives are vastly different, they find that they have a lot in common. Loved every minute of it!
August 10, 2022
⛵🌊✨Between the Lighthouse and You✨🌊⛵
Aviles Island is special, it can receive messages from the dead and the Mercury family are one of the few people who know about this. Ever since Leo's Gumpa (Grandpa) died he's been searching for messages and clues that there is an afterlife. Alice Jones' mother died on a trip to Aviles Island and Alice wants answers. Her father believes bringing her to the island will finally be able to bring her closer, but Alice wants to find the truth about what happened. Together, the two reluctantly work and find that both of the people who passed are connected, and together they will find out about the magic of the island.
I've tried contemporary fantasy before and didn't enjoy it, but I liked this book. I have learned that it's not that I hate a trope, rather it's the way it's written. I liked the plot line of the story. The writing was interesting and had me reading it quickly.
The characters and moral of the story were all written out well. This deals with the struggle of grief and moving on, all packed in an adventure. Alice needed closure the most, and Leo was lonely and mad, seeking a way to communicate with his Gumpa again. The contemporary fantasy mixed in with a good message about moving on was enjoyable.
✅PLOT
✅CHARACTERS
Aviles Island is special, it can receive messages from the dead and the Mercury family are one of the few people who know about this. Ever since Leo's Gumpa (Grandpa) died he's been searching for messages and clues that there is an afterlife. Alice Jones' mother died on a trip to Aviles Island and Alice wants answers. Her father believes bringing her to the island will finally be able to bring her closer, but Alice wants to find the truth about what happened. Together, the two reluctantly work and find that both of the people who passed are connected, and together they will find out about the magic of the island.
I've tried contemporary fantasy before and didn't enjoy it, but I liked this book. I have learned that it's not that I hate a trope, rather it's the way it's written. I liked the plot line of the story. The writing was interesting and had me reading it quickly.
The characters and moral of the story were all written out well. This deals with the struggle of grief and moving on, all packed in an adventure. Alice needed closure the most, and Leo was lonely and mad, seeking a way to communicate with his Gumpa again. The contemporary fantasy mixed in with a good message about moving on was enjoyable.
✅PLOT
✅CHARACTERS
March 26, 2025
“I asked questions a long time ago, Alice. Lots of questions. About weather conditions, tides, survival rates in the ocean. And each answer came back to one. Your mom wasn’t alive. It’s not a time I want to relive. And from the bottom of my heart, I hate to see you experience that pain.”
I'm not sure what to think about this book. I know it's a middle school book which is fine. But Alice, the FMC, drove me nuts. Her mom's been dead for years and she refuses to accept it. She thinks her mother is alive at sea.
After finding notebooks about a project her mom was working on she convinces her family to vacation on an island to hopefully participate in an island ritual to speak to her mom.
I understand that this book is about grief but I want to scream at Alice at times. It sucks her sister doesn't remember their mom and calls the step-mom mom but that doesn't mean her mom is alive. I wish she would just accept it. Her poor dad can't move on fully I feel like since his daughter won't. The story is heartbreaking. I did love Leo though. He tells her the legends and joins her on her quest.
Overall not a bad novel, but I fear Alice will never fully move on from her mom's death. Especially with that ending.
"Shoulder to shoulder, as we watch the light pan to the north, I see a glow on the horizon. It’s almost as if another lantern is flashing, far away in some there-not-there place, signaling that love shines bright enough across space and time to guide people home."
I'm not sure what to think about this book. I know it's a middle school book which is fine. But Alice, the FMC, drove me nuts. Her mom's been dead for years and she refuses to accept it. She thinks her mother is alive at sea.
After finding notebooks about a project her mom was working on she convinces her family to vacation on an island to hopefully participate in an island ritual to speak to her mom.
I understand that this book is about grief but I want to scream at Alice at times. It sucks her sister doesn't remember their mom and calls the step-mom mom but that doesn't mean her mom is alive. I wish she would just accept it. Her poor dad can't move on fully I feel like since his daughter won't. The story is heartbreaking. I did love Leo though. He tells her the legends and joins her on her quest.
Overall not a bad novel, but I fear Alice will never fully move on from her mom's death. Especially with that ending.
"Shoulder to shoulder, as we watch the light pan to the north, I see a glow on the horizon. It’s almost as if another lantern is flashing, far away in some there-not-there place, signaling that love shines bright enough across space and time to guide people home."
May 28, 2022
A beautiful novel from a friend and local colleague. Set on a mythical island off the coast of Florida, Between the Lighthouse and You explores death, family, and friendship in a way that is completely unique and reminds us that those who are gone are never really gone and that our connections with one another may be built upon loss and growth in our own lives. The story follows a young girl named Alice who convinces her family to travel to Aviles Island in search of a message from her deceased mother. Aviles is a magical island where each year Tidings arrive on the shore from dead loved ones, and messages may be sent back to those same loved ones. Alice befriends the descendant (grandson) of the lighthouse keeper who has taken up his grandfather's trade, and the two try to connect with their mother/grandfather once more as they share in their grief. An excellent book for late elementary, early middle school aged readers (and their parents!)
March 14, 2022
This book had a lot of the feels and is full of anticipation. The author’s use of words brought me directly into the book with descriptions like - “My own hair feels stiff, like it belongs on one of Willa’s hand-me-down-from-Viv Barbies”. Everyone who has had a Barbie knows exactly what that hair feels like! My favorite quote from the book, said by Leo’s mom on page 89, “Sometimes, you make decisions that are right in the moment, but two seconds later need rethinking. Sometimes, there is no right decision. Sometimes, things just happen, and you have to deal with them.” The book last a star because immediately following the climax it seemed to lose steam and felt awkward and struggled to wrap up all the loose ends. And I was disappointed the dad never wanted to listen to the tape. It seems counter to the growth they had gone through as a family.
February 6, 2022
“The ocean will show you the power of patience and time, if you let it.”
“My heart is full when he touches his head to mind. In trying to find my mom, I found my dad.”
Loved the focus on the multitude of both misunderstandings and connections over the losses - even within Alice’s own family. Adored the Mercury family! And Clara had my heart, too. Being the big sister of the siblings in my own family, I related to the feelings Alice had when realizing Clara’s loss was even greater since she’d had less time with their mom and Clara sort of lost Alice as she dove into her grief, too.
Grateful for closure with the loss of my own dad, too. Can’t imagine all the wondering that some people face. Truly a tragedy of its own.
“My heart is full when he touches his head to mind. In trying to find my mom, I found my dad.”
Loved the focus on the multitude of both misunderstandings and connections over the losses - even within Alice’s own family. Adored the Mercury family! And Clara had my heart, too. Being the big sister of the siblings in my own family, I related to the feelings Alice had when realizing Clara’s loss was even greater since she’d had less time with their mom and Clara sort of lost Alice as she dove into her grief, too.
Grateful for closure with the loss of my own dad, too. Can’t imagine all the wondering that some people face. Truly a tragedy of its own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 3, 2022
An intricate story of family, love, persistence, loss, and growing up.
Alice is convinced that the people who searched for her missing mother must have missed something. She has spent the intervening six years poring over her mother’s research and writings to get to the bottom of her mysterious disappearance. She is sure that she can and will find her mother, if she can just go there and be present during the same phenomenon that caused her mother’s disappearance.
There are many layers of this story—the townspeople who only allow islanders to participate in the annual phenomenon, her family’s need to move on from the terrible loss, her sister’s worries, her father’s worries, her father’s girlfriend’s openness and love to support Alice.
Alice is convinced that the people who searched for her missing mother must have missed something. She has spent the intervening six years poring over her mother’s research and writings to get to the bottom of her mysterious disappearance. She is sure that she can and will find her mother, if she can just go there and be present during the same phenomenon that caused her mother’s disappearance.
There are many layers of this story—the townspeople who only allow islanders to participate in the annual phenomenon, her family’s need to move on from the terrible loss, her sister’s worries, her father’s worries, her father’s girlfriend’s openness and love to support Alice.
April 29, 2022
Alice has spent six years grieving her mother, who was lost at sea, convinced she was still out there somewhere. The plot thickens as Alice discovers her mother was researching a magical phenomenon on a tiny Florida island where messages from dead loved ones wash up on shore every year for family members are collected by the lighthouse keeping family and delivered to their addressees. Alice decides this is how she will find her mother. Danger and crying ensue. I think a middle school girl who is deep into her feelings might enjoy this.
March 12, 2024
This book is a great book! In this day and age it’s hard to keep kids entertained but this book does a pretty good job! Even though the suggested age is 8-12 I personally think that it’s even a good book for YA, and grown adults! This book brings a great message that is hard to find in other books, and features very unique and inspiring story. I actually met the author at a local bookstore and she was very nice and kind. Writing has been in my family but she encouraged me to use it to the best I possibly can. I would definitely suggest checking out this book. ✨🌊👦👧🍾📼🛶🌊🔆✨
April 21, 2021
There are a lot of things to love about this book. The premise is really interesting: a town in which you can send "tidings" or messages to dead loved ones is such a creative idea. I think the book starts off a little slow. I found myself thinking about other things instead of engaging in the story. Also, I felt really disconnected from Alice until the end of the story. I really, really enjoyed the Mercury family. I thought they were fascinating and pretty funny.
October 16, 2023
Poignant!
This book transcends generations and would be captivating for adolescents and adults alike. It is a a heart-rending quest to make peace with the passing on of loved ones and a moving double coming-of-age tale. The characters are very relatable, and the subtle undertones of magic have a soothing effect that lends hope to tragedy. I listened on Audible, and the narrators bring the story to life in a beautiful way. I can’t recommend it enough.
This book transcends generations and would be captivating for adolescents and adults alike. It is a a heart-rending quest to make peace with the passing on of loved ones and a moving double coming-of-age tale. The characters are very relatable, and the subtle undertones of magic have a soothing effect that lends hope to tragedy. I listened on Audible, and the narrators bring the story to life in a beautiful way. I can’t recommend it enough.
September 13, 2022
I enjoyed how this book dealt with grief and trauma. I also really enjoyed the family relationships between each character and how well developed the characters were. The situation and conflicts felt authentic and I loved the small touch of magical realism. Overall the book is very young, but it handles these big topics beautifully.
May 15, 2023
A wonderful story that pulls at your heartstrings and transports you to an unspoiled island where the impossible can be possible. I enjoyed the narration from alternating perspectives and the magical elements that are intertwined. The book deals with loss and healing in a sensitive and age-appropriate way and offers a hopeful ending.
January 20, 2024
Really love this book. First of all, it was beautifully written. Descriptions made me feel like I was there. The pacing was great due to the changes in POV. It all kept me turning the pages. It was heartfelt, and the characters were so believable. Issues of grief, friendship, and family were explored with care, perfect for the age group.
April 25, 2024
This book honestly was one of the best things I've ever read, it makes me not want to read another book for the next few months because they won't be as good as this. I loved the fact that it didn't end with Alice and Leo dating because so many books these days are just romance. Book was so good I signed back into my old goodreads account to type this
July 16, 2025
This is a warm book, full of heart and the unconditional love/support of family and true friends. Alice has a compassionate agency and finds herself in seeking her mother after mysteriously disappearing. A quiet read full of a teen’s journey through grief via magic and light told in an important story. Kudos, Michelle 💛💫
February 9, 2022
The setting of this book is as much a character as the people, with the lighthouse and its purpose figuring hugely in the heartwrenching tale in which a girl deals with her grief over her mother with the help of a boy whose grandfather is also gone from this plane.
April 18, 2022
This beautiful novel alternates between two young people, each grieving the loss of someone they love. What ties them together? An island off the Florida coast with a unique ability to communicate with the dead.
January 12, 2025
This book took me on a captivating journey to Aviles Island where I met the amazing characters Alice and Leo. Lee's writing is fantastic and captivates the reader straight away. The theme is universal and one we all wish to be true. To speak with lost loved ones. I highly recommend this book.
February 19, 2022
I thought the book was really sweet, but alas nothing new for me.
March 14, 2022
Great storytelling!
It has been a long time since I have been a young adult reader. So happy I read this book, it leaves me wanting to read more from this author.
It has been a long time since I have been a young adult reader. So happy I read this book, it leaves me wanting to read more from this author.
April 18, 2022
Such a sweet story! I loved the alternating voices and the relationships between characters.
April 26, 2022
This was a really sweet story, and I loved it a lot. :)
June 2, 2022
This is a great book!
July 9, 2022
I enjoyed the history and magical happenings surrounding the Mercury family lighthouse keepers and the town folks. It's a fun heartfelt story loss, love, friendship and finding peace.
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September 27, 2024Lee provides an in-depth understanding of how kids deal with loss.
January 25, 2025
Heartwarming book. 📕
April 26, 2022
Alice's mother disappeared 6 years ago when she was out in a boat off Aviles Island and she can't help feeling like her mother is still out there. Aviles Island has a unique tradition where every year during the "tidings" loved ones who have passed are able to send messages to their living family still on the island, who can send messages back to the dead, through message in a bottle type post. Alice is desperate to send a message and prove her mom is still there and begs her dad to take the family on a trip. Along the way Alice finds some answers and also realizes how in her search for her mom, she was leaving the rest of her family behind. Heartwarming, touching and thoughtful. I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews