Outer Banks: Lights Out

by Alyssa Sheinmel

An original YA novel based on the hit Netflix series, Outer Banks, written by New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Sheinmel, featuring JJ and John B in a brand-new, high-octane adventure

It’s spring break in the Outer Banks, and the islands are swarming with rich tourists. The last thing JJ and John B want to do is spend their week watching Kooks in action, so they plan a fishing getaway to the notoriously dangerous Frying Pan Shoals—nicknamed “Graveyard of the Atlantic” for good reason.

Turns out they aren’t the only adventure-seekers at sea. Soon after they set sail, the friends run into the captivating Savannah, who hitches a ride aboard the HMS Pogue when the weather worsens and her boyfriend leaves her stranded. As a violent storm sets in, the three realize the only place to safely ride out the squall is a creepy, abandoned hotel on the shoals’ lighthouse platform. Or is it abandoned? It doesn’t take long for the three teens to realize they may not be alone. . . .

Further complicating the life-or-death adventure is a mounting attraction between JJ and the secretive Savannah—the closer JJ gets to her, the more he realizes he’s playing with fire. Even if they get out of the shoals alive, can a Pogue–Kook romance survive the high-stakes shores of the Outer Banks?

Genres: Young Adult, Summer, Romance, Adventure, Summer Reads, Mystery, Fiction

288 pages, Hardcover

Published November 23, 2021

About the author

Alyssa Sheinmel is the New York Times bestselling author of several novels for young adults, including A Danger to Herself and Others and Faceless, as well as the adult novel Such Sheltered Lives. Alyssa grew up in Northern California and New York, and currently lives and writes in New York. Follow her on Instagram @alyssasheinmel or visit her online at www.alyssasheinmel.com.

Reviews

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Look I’ll be honest, I’m obsessed with the show, Outerbanks. I loved this book because I love the characters of the show and it portrayed them well. I loved the different perspectives from JJ and JohnB… and I read the chapters in their voices. If I didn’t watch and/or love the show, I don’t know that I would have liked this book at all. So if you’re an OBX fan, 100% read this. If not, you should go watch the show, love it, and then read this. #pogueforlife

[ashton whited · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite basic, very Wattpaddy if that makes sense. Probably hard to read it considering OBX is my favorite show.

[Xanthe · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't my favorite book I read this year but it was a fun and easy read, Would definitely read again.

[Sarah Lamont · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure how this got approved by Netflix and published...I'm all for fanfiction (because that's what this is!) and writers doin' their thing but...excluding not only ALL the female characters, but every character of colour (as far as I'm aware, this story does not include Pope) and ESPECIALLY the WOC is highkey disgusting. No one wants to read a story that is essentially recycled John B/Sarah but not nearly as interesting. Please, don't read this. If you wanted to read fanfiction, there are plenty of incredible fan-written stories all over the internet. Do not give your money to this book.

[Ava Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

If I am being totally honest, the writer did NOT transfer these characters onto the page well. And Savanah? GOT ON MY LAST NERVE!!!! SHE WAS SO ANNOYING!

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Maybe 3 if I’m being generous.

I was kind of disappointed to be honest. I like how it switches between John B and JJ’s perspectives throughout.
One thing that really bugged me about the writing was the repetition of points on the same page. I understand repeating scenes from different perspectives but having characters say the same thing literally two lines after they last sad it is really frustrating to read.
The “relationship” between savannah and JJ was cliché and kind of fanfic(y). It was played out in attempt to be cute I guess but it was a bit cringey. I don’t know if that’s just me?

Outer Banks is great because it’s action-packed and there’s plot twists left right and centre, but the plot in the book was sort of vague and felt like there wasn’t necessarily a point to it.

I mean it was easy to read but I don’t think I’d read it again.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This reads like a 90s Hardy Boys mystery. Full of adventure and a little over the top, but fun anyway. The repetitive dwelling on John B’s dad and the class divide between Kooks and Pogues definitely harmed the pacing, though. They are both major themes of the show, but repeated far too much here for the needs of the story. I loved the friendship between characters and the author really nailed the voice differentiation between John B and JJ. It was a fast read, with plenty of stakes raises and new adventures, and kept my interest. Hope the show gets renewed for S3!

[1209maus hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 ⭐️

Ich liebe es 😍 es war einfach so entspannend und ich habe JJs Sicht so sehr geliebt und das ich es auf französisch gelesen habe hat irgendwie das ganze Buch noch besser gemacht. Obsessed

[emmalee · Rating 2 out of 5]

i think this is the lowest i have ever rated a book. it was TERRIBLE.

i felt like i was reading a wattpad fanfiction the whole book. the love story was cringey and annoying, all of the characters were annoying and i wanted to scream every five seconds.

also there’s this weird plot hole where kiara somehow knows the love interest at the beginning of the book but then at the end she doesn’t know her at all. makes no sense. i was waiting for it to be explained how they were acquainted for the whole book but then kiara is all like “what’s her name? georgia?” and it just didn’t make sense.

this book made me want to punch jj every 10 seconds, and jj is my favorite character in the show. but his povs were annoying, and tiring to read. plus the whole love story w savanna was not only predictable but cringey and annoying. it made me lose any love for jj. plus he and savanna kissed at times that no one would ever consider kissing and it was awkward and annoying and not cute and i hated it. plus he fell head over heels for her after one day and it was just so dumb and unlike him to me.

so basically, i wouldn’t recommend this unless you want to read a literal wattpad fanfiction.

[Jule · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very mixed feelings. VERY MIXED. It was fun but I also wanted to throw the book across the room. But it was fun.

[Agata Kochanowska · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Netflix series is much more intriguing and interesting than this book. There's no excitement and no mystery like in the series and to me it was plain boring.

[t · Rating 3 out of 5]

no spoilers my loves 🤍

this book was okay. i have a bad obsession with outer banks the show so when i heard they had a book i bought it immediately and was exited to read it! so after it sat on mu bookshelf for 2 weeks i decided to read it. it was a really quick read but it gave me fanfic vibes and i will tell you i didn’t spend $15 just for something i could read on wattpad. some good things about this book is i love the fact we get to learn more about what happens before the tv show. i also loved as much as this was a jj fanfic how we see through john bs eyes and how much he misses his father. all together this isn’t the best book but its okay

[Makayla Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author got the characters down!!! I love the build up to the start of the show. I just wish the new character Savannah wasn't so much like Sarah. I liked how important Kiara was in JJ life. I would be down to read another one of these. Pogues forever!!!

[allie :) (taylor’s version) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5✰ i love obx but this just didn’t hit

[Aerica w!!!!! · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a whole joke in the funniest way possible. I loved the show but this felt like i was reading something about 12 year olds. I’ve never seen worse writing in my life. This book was split between two povs: John B and JJ. John B’s perspective was nothing but whining and complaining about everything. I enjoyed JJ’s perspective more but his povs became cringey and unbearable as his interest in Savannah continued. Speaking of Savannah: Can someone explain to me why she was here? Like what was the point of making Savannah if she was just going to be a copy of Sarah. Why not just have Sarah be trapped with them and develop her and John B instead? It just didn’t make any sense. Savannah was completely unbearable and I skimmed through most of her parts. Also explain to me why Kiara and Pope weren’t in most of this??? They easily could have come along on the adventures. There was no point in them not being there. This book just lacked everything and was so cringey I wanted to cry. If y’all are fans of the show either stay far away from this book or read for a good laugh AT it.

[Lele Montgomery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Update: 10/17/2023

Alright, so after reading this in 2023 I have to read it again after just getting a copy of it not an eBook this time, but now I have the paperback version as well as the audiobook just to make sure I can switch between them whenever I have to.
I did read this last year but I wasn´t really into it and also skipped a lot inside the book because I wasn't having it.
Now lets see how it will go this time, because actually there's a second book coming in November and I have to make sure to get it, but to read this before it comes out.
Gonna let you know soon how I liked it:

[yvette ★ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did in fact enjoy reading this book, but since the main characters in this book are John B and JJ, Big John felt like one too. In every chapter he comes back which annoyed me, a lot. But overall its fun to read and especially when you've watched the show and want to have another 'adventure'

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the definition of "so good for no reason". Normally, switching first person perspectives is a pet peeve of mine, but as this is fan-fiction it made it feel like I was watching the show. I believe it's set shortly before season one and the author really nails the characters' voices. As a JJ girl this book did me good. Might be the most fun I had reading all year.

[jenna · Rating 3 out of 5]

super cute in the start, loved the pouges storyline and john b and jj friendship in the book BUT didnt like savannah and jj AT ALL
it didnt make sense when they literaly knew eachother for not even a full day LMAOO

[Brooke Creighton · Rating 1 out of 5]

My cousin bought this not me

[Shelby McDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

a good beach read! it was a little fanfiction/wattpaddy and didn’t really wow me but it was a good little palette cleanser!

[Olivia Muré · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ducoup j'ai vraiment aimé ce livre, l'écriture et bien réalisé, les lignes sont bien espacé ce qui fait que la lecture est vraiment agréable on a les deux pdv et des personnages de Jj et de John B ce qui est très cool.
Ce qui m'a un peu déçu c'est que je m'attendais pas à si peu d'action personnellement je pensais qu'il y aurait beaucoup plus d'aventure mais en globalité le livre était vraiment bien.

[Nele]

Little bit dissapionted in this book! I perfer the tv series. But it was a quick read tho. Overall it was like a fanfiction book and that's why it read so quickly.

[Skye · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars

[Evie Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

read in a whole day!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good! I love outerbanks and I like this book because it wasn’t a story from the show. Honestly the ending wasn’t my favorite, but I respect it. If you are an outerbanks fan, then I definitely recommend reading this book. It’s so intriguing and over-all just such a good book. For anyone wondering, it is clean. I recommend this book to anyone who loves the show!

[jacelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

so it was Good but I felt like it just ended Really abruptly, like there could’ve been 1 or 2 hundred More pages, so it Just didn’t like satisfy/fulfill me. Also the only reason I gave it A 3 and not a 2 is cause of the huzz JJ 😮‍💨

[Szolshi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5
A niech stracę
Było fajne
Edit: znalazłam lepszą książkę od tej

[brooklyn vidlak · Rating 2 out of 5]

you guys are allowed to roast me i deserve it

[anna · Rating 1 out of 5]

"En fait, je prends conscience que mon meilleur
ami ne s'incrustait pas dans ma famille quand il
nous suivait à la pêche. JJ faisait partie de ma famille."

"Quand on s’est retrouvés tous les deux dans le phare, elle m’a demandé pourquoi je ne voulais pas quitter les Outer Banks et m’éloigner de ma famille. La vérité, c’est que mon père n’est pas ma seule famille. Ma famille, ce sont les Pogues. Ici et maintenant."

"Mais quand je repense à l’hôtel, je revois surtout les familles en train de dîner ensemble au restaurant. Il n’avaient peut-être pas l’air de s’amuser, mais il y avait quelque chose de… paisible. Quelque soit ces gens, et si ennuyeuse soit leur vie, ils ne rentreront pas dans un taudis ce soir, et ils ne seront pas accueillis par un père comme le mien."