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A Light in the Forest
From Melissa Payne, bestselling author of The Night of Many Endings, comes an emotional and suspenseful novel about the weight of secrets and the healing power of friends and family.
Vega Jones escapes an abusive relationship with nothing but her two-month-old baby and the van she grew up in. Her destination is a small Ohio town her late vagabond mother left years ago. It’s one full of nobodies, her mother warned. That makes it the ideal refuge for Vega to lie low, feel safe, and maybe learn more about a past her mother never spoke of.
Vega warms to the town and to new acquaintances like Heff, the young deputy and artist who prefers his yard art to actual policing, and empathetic Eve, a local farmer whose near-death experience gave her more than just her life back. But even in this welcoming community, there’s an undercurrent of something unsettled, talk of a tragedy that unfolded in the woods years ago, and a mystery connected to Vega in ways she couldn’t have anticipated.
As a mother on the run and following a path of mounting risks and illuminating secrets, Vega discovers that even during the darkest of times, there’s light in unexpected places.
Vega Jones escapes an abusive relationship with nothing but her two-month-old baby and the van she grew up in. Her destination is a small Ohio town her late vagabond mother left years ago. It’s one full of nobodies, her mother warned. That makes it the ideal refuge for Vega to lie low, feel safe, and maybe learn more about a past her mother never spoke of.
Vega warms to the town and to new acquaintances like Heff, the young deputy and artist who prefers his yard art to actual policing, and empathetic Eve, a local farmer whose near-death experience gave her more than just her life back. But even in this welcoming community, there’s an undercurrent of something unsettled, talk of a tragedy that unfolded in the woods years ago, and a mystery connected to Vega in ways she couldn’t have anticipated.
As a mother on the run and following a path of mounting risks and illuminating secrets, Vega discovers that even during the darkest of times, there’s light in unexpected places.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 13, 2022
3981 people are currently reading
10282 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Payne
6 books699 followersMelissa Payne is the bestselling author of five novels, including The Wild Road Home and A Light in the Forest. After an early career raising money for nonprofit organizations, Melissa began dreaming about becoming a published author and wrote her first novel. Her stories feature small mountain towns with characters searching for redemption, love, and second chances. They have been three-time Colorado Book Award finalists and Colorado Authors League 2020 and 2023 winners for mainstream fiction. Her upcoming novel, In the Beautiful Dark, will be released April 22, 2025. Melissa lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with her husband and three children, a friendly mutt, a very loud cat, and the occasional bear. For more information, visit www.melissapayneauthor.com or find her on Instagram @melissapayne_writes.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 734 reviews
April 16, 2025
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On: The Book Review Crew Blog
Melissa Payne writes yet another story that made me feel so many emotions. This one really broke my heart at times it was so raw and painful. I felt so much for these characters and what they lived through.
Vega was very brave to go out on her own to find a safe place to land, and a wonderful place (for the most part) she did find. Many issues were on topic during this read, domestic abuse, LGBTQ hate, animal cruelty, and just plain nastiness. I felt bad that Vega grew up thinking all men were bad, her mother did her a disservice there, especially since she has a son of her own to raise.
I enjoyed the past and present timelines and the differing points of view in each chapter. The characters were varied, some you love and some you love to hate. I liked that about this story because it made the town and its inhabitants feel real.
This was such an inspiring story and an interesting tale in that eventually everything weaves together in the end and all questions are answered and I loved the theme of community and that family isn't always blood.
I cannot write a review without mentioning the amazing cover for this book, it is so eye-pleasingly beautiful and fits well with the story inside.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Melissa Payne, and Lake Union Publishing for the giving of the ARC.
#ALightintheForest #NetGalley
Melissa Payne writes yet another story that made me feel so many emotions. This one really broke my heart at times it was so raw and painful. I felt so much for these characters and what they lived through.
Vega was very brave to go out on her own to find a safe place to land, and a wonderful place (for the most part) she did find. Many issues were on topic during this read, domestic abuse, LGBTQ hate, animal cruelty, and just plain nastiness. I felt bad that Vega grew up thinking all men were bad, her mother did her a disservice there, especially since she has a son of her own to raise.
I enjoyed the past and present timelines and the differing points of view in each chapter. The characters were varied, some you love and some you love to hate. I liked that about this story because it made the town and its inhabitants feel real.
This was such an inspiring story and an interesting tale in that eventually everything weaves together in the end and all questions are answered and I loved the theme of community and that family isn't always blood.
I cannot write a review without mentioning the amazing cover for this book, it is so eye-pleasingly beautiful and fits well with the story inside.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Melissa Payne, and Lake Union Publishing for the giving of the ARC.
#ALightintheForest #NetGalley
January 1, 2023
Sort of started reading this book knowing I had other stuff to do, but every time I went to get up, another little twist kept my interest. Until lastly, I just fell in love with the ending, and it tied up all the loose ends in a beautiful bow!
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 21, 2024
Melissa Payne returns following The Night of Many Endings with her latest, A LIGHT IN THE FOREST —a gripping, emotional story of a woman's search for solace for herself and her child while discovering mysterious secrets of her past and finding new friends.
A heartrending story about the power of friendship during the most challenging moments in life.
Vega resides in Colorado and is on the run with her two-month-old baby Riley, escaping her abusive boyfriend, Zach. She heard her mother's voice in her head telling her to RUN!
She has no clue where to go, but she has a postcard from her mother's belongings in a small town in Ohio. She sets out to find this place and seek safety.
Her mother was quite the bohemian, and they spent her childhood in a van traveling, helping other women escape abusive men with new identities. If only her mother were alive now to help her.
The two of them were female vigilantes in a world of abusive men. Vega had grown up seeing the truth of what happened behind closed doors. They always kept moving, never staying anywhere long enough to make friends. So she has no one.
Her mother never talked about her father. She was always cryptic.
Of course, Zach is tracking her, so she must get rid of her phone. She must try and reach this town called Crystal in the hills of Ohio.
Her mom, Renee, had said it was a nothing town full of nobodies, which sounded like the perfect place to hide.
Vega finds an apartment for rent over a shop and meets various people and friends. But there is still something unsettling— a past tragedy from years and a mysterious connection.
From past to present, as a young mother on the run, she learns there is light in unexpected places. I enjoyed the supporting characters, shop owner Eve, Carl and Mary, and the local guy, Heff, who all became like family.
A novel of perseverance, survival, and friendship. A blending of domestic suspense, mystery, and women's friendship.
In the end, Vega discovers that even during the darkest times, there’s light in unexpected places. I enjoyed the two timelines and learning about the mom and the town's past.
For fans of authors: Suzanne Redfearn, Elizabeth Berg, and Catherine Ryan Hyde. (all favorites)
Some dark topics are explored: trauma, domestic abuse, violence, sexual abuse, animal cruelty, homophobia, and near-death experience.
An inspiring story, wonderfully written and full of profound observations about life. Community and family are only sometimes blood-related, and you often find second chances where you least expect them. Look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to #LakeUnion and #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Dec 13, 2022
Dec 2022 Must-Read Books
A heartrending story about the power of friendship during the most challenging moments in life.
Vega resides in Colorado and is on the run with her two-month-old baby Riley, escaping her abusive boyfriend, Zach. She heard her mother's voice in her head telling her to RUN!
She has no clue where to go, but she has a postcard from her mother's belongings in a small town in Ohio. She sets out to find this place and seek safety.
Her mother was quite the bohemian, and they spent her childhood in a van traveling, helping other women escape abusive men with new identities. If only her mother were alive now to help her.
The two of them were female vigilantes in a world of abusive men. Vega had grown up seeing the truth of what happened behind closed doors. They always kept moving, never staying anywhere long enough to make friends. So she has no one.
Her mother never talked about her father. She was always cryptic.
Of course, Zach is tracking her, so she must get rid of her phone. She must try and reach this town called Crystal in the hills of Ohio.
Her mom, Renee, had said it was a nothing town full of nobodies, which sounded like the perfect place to hide.
Vega finds an apartment for rent over a shop and meets various people and friends. But there is still something unsettling— a past tragedy from years and a mysterious connection.
From past to present, as a young mother on the run, she learns there is light in unexpected places. I enjoyed the supporting characters, shop owner Eve, Carl and Mary, and the local guy, Heff, who all became like family.
A novel of perseverance, survival, and friendship. A blending of domestic suspense, mystery, and women's friendship.
In the end, Vega discovers that even during the darkest times, there’s light in unexpected places. I enjoyed the two timelines and learning about the mom and the town's past.
For fans of authors: Suzanne Redfearn, Elizabeth Berg, and Catherine Ryan Hyde. (all favorites)
Some dark topics are explored: trauma, domestic abuse, violence, sexual abuse, animal cruelty, homophobia, and near-death experience.
An inspiring story, wonderfully written and full of profound observations about life. Community and family are only sometimes blood-related, and you often find second chances where you least expect them. Look forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you to #LakeUnion and #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Dec 13, 2022
Dec 2022 Must-Read Books
January 28, 2023
If I never hear “NDE” again in my life…. It’d be too soon
October 12, 2022
This is a tough, dark book that tries too hard. Vega is running from an abusive husband. She has a two-month old with colic, a tiny bit of money, and an old postcard that holds some tie to her late mother's background.
There's a lot of man-hate here, especially at the beginning of the story. There is also a strong agenda that preaches throughout the novel, constantly beating readers over the head with its insistence on how to think and feel instead of just telling the story and letting readers make up their own minds. The author has obvious writing skills, but this was a complete miss for me.
Not family friendly due to profanity, domestic violence, references to incest, and violence.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book. Opinions are mine.
There's a lot of man-hate here, especially at the beginning of the story. There is also a strong agenda that preaches throughout the novel, constantly beating readers over the head with its insistence on how to think and feel instead of just telling the story and letting readers make up their own minds. The author has obvious writing skills, but this was a complete miss for me.
Not family friendly due to profanity, domestic violence, references to incest, and violence.
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book. Opinions are mine.
January 18, 2023
A Light in the Forest
By: Melissa Payne
A moving story of a young mother who escapes an abusive relationship. Vega Jones grew up with her mother living in a van and not living in one place too long. Their mission was to help women escape abusive relationships. Years later as Vega mom dies she meets a man and has child. Unfortunately she finds herself in a similar situation and takes the van and her two-month-old baby and escapes.
Vega has a keepsake of her mother’s which leads her to a small town in Ohio. She wants to find out more about her mother and the town’s people offer Vega and her child a new start. This town has a cast of characters which makes for a very interesting story.
This novel goes from the past to the present as we find out about Vega’s moms childhood and Vega now navigating her life while trying to be the best mother. The baby’s father is hunting for them both. Does he find them? Does Vega find the home she has always longed for?
Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, Get Red PR and author Melissa Payne for this heartwarming novel. This novel is out December 13, 2022.
#netgalley, #getredpr, #lakeunionpublising, #melissapayne, #bookreview, #bookstagram,
By: Melissa Payne
A moving story of a young mother who escapes an abusive relationship. Vega Jones grew up with her mother living in a van and not living in one place too long. Their mission was to help women escape abusive relationships. Years later as Vega mom dies she meets a man and has child. Unfortunately she finds herself in a similar situation and takes the van and her two-month-old baby and escapes.
Vega has a keepsake of her mother’s which leads her to a small town in Ohio. She wants to find out more about her mother and the town’s people offer Vega and her child a new start. This town has a cast of characters which makes for a very interesting story.
This novel goes from the past to the present as we find out about Vega’s moms childhood and Vega now navigating her life while trying to be the best mother. The baby’s father is hunting for them both. Does he find them? Does Vega find the home she has always longed for?
Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, Get Red PR and author Melissa Payne for this heartwarming novel. This novel is out December 13, 2022.
#netgalley, #getredpr, #lakeunionpublising, #melissapayne, #bookreview, #bookstagram,
January 14, 2023
Really bad narration…
The storyline isn’t terrible but I do question the believability of the setting. Ohio almost reads southern in the descriptions and that is far from truth. This is further enhanced with the absolutely ridiculous drawl the narrator uses. What’s worse is the accents change throughout. It makes a minor problem in the book a glaring issue when you listen. I really can’t recommend this book. It was laughable and excruciating to listen.
The storyline isn’t terrible but I do question the believability of the setting. Ohio almost reads southern in the descriptions and that is far from truth. This is further enhanced with the absolutely ridiculous drawl the narrator uses. What’s worse is the accents change throughout. It makes a minor problem in the book a glaring issue when you listen. I really can’t recommend this book. It was laughable and excruciating to listen.
May 7, 2023
3.5 stars
✅ Likeable main character with a gritty attitude who buckles down and does what needs to be done to survive.
✅ Small town setting where everyone knows your name. Especially when you’re new in town.
✅ Held the suspense nicely and I wasn’t expecting one of the twists.
✅ Pigs with attitude that roam the town…and feature in dreams. Sounds weird (and cryptic) but it worked nicely with the plot.
✅ Diversity done right, just as part of the natural flow of the story.
✅ Likeable main character with a gritty attitude who buckles down and does what needs to be done to survive.
✅ Small town setting where everyone knows your name. Especially when you’re new in town.
✅ Held the suspense nicely and I wasn’t expecting one of the twists.
✅ Pigs with attitude that roam the town…and feature in dreams. Sounds weird (and cryptic) but it worked nicely with the plot.
✅ Diversity done right, just as part of the natural flow of the story.
September 20, 2022
⚠️TW: this book mentions domestic abuse, near death experiences, transphobia, animal cruelty, homophobia, sexual abuse ⚠️
I was able to get an ARC of this book from NetGalley and in return give it my honest review. What drew me to this book is definitely the cover art. I'm 100% the type of reader who judges books by the cover. Sorry not sorry. Here's some thoughts while reading, along with my overall opinion:
Most women who are in abusive relationships don't see the red flags at first.. abusers are strategically good at hiding it..
She should get rid of that phone, if he bought it for her he can probably track her.
Was Vega's mom running from her dad?
I'm assuming that nothing town full of nobodies and bullies is where Vega's dad is..
Had a sister? I wonder if Renee's sister is the one who had been abused and the reason Renee took care of abused women.. maybe the nowhere town turned the other cheek when it happened...
Heff seems like a decent guy.. maybe someone she can connect with since she said he's not much older than her..
It's sad that she believes all men are the same because of her experience watching her mom help women in bad situations and then Zach..
What if that girl who left, Donna, was Renee and she changed her name so nobody could track her down?? They said 25 years ago, and Vega is 24..
Ooh. I like how we get to see a little bit of Eves POV.
Carl and Betty encouraged Eve to leave town?
Hopefully we learn more about Eve and her dad's past..
Could Eve be related to Vega?
Sounds like Vega has PPA - the thoughts of Riley getting hurt
Maybe Vega's dad WAS a good one, maybe he died? Or maybe he didn't know Renee was pregnant and she left before he found out?
Heff was able to calm Riley down. I wonder how long it'll take for her to trust him...
"A phoenix will change your life" - I wonder if one of Vega's tattoos is a pheonix...
Hmmm. Another prediction/possibility.. maybe Renee wasn't from Crystal.. maybe she helped Eve out when she escaped Crystal and that's how she got the post card.
How often are Eves knowings correct? Could it be possible for them to change?
Maybe the boy on the bus is Vegas dad? We don't know how old Renee was when she got pregnant..
Donna was sexually abused? This was stated after her thinking about her dads hot breath "She'd rather take his fists, but she never had a choice"
Was Ethan the owner of the girl clothes and makeup?
Is the bus the reason Renee lived in the van? Reminder of that time?
Oooh.. Ethan is Eve.. makes sense about when Carl stopped at "E-" when he came over to the farm and met Eve..
The girl and dad that went missing, maybe Donna and Ethan killed Donna's dad and then she ran away?
The kid beaten to a bloody pulp was probably Ethan..
The animal cruelty made me sick to my stomach. My mother-in-law owns pet pigs, the thought of someone doing that to one of her babies makes me nauseous.
Eve, back when she was Ethan tried to stop Donna's dad from hurting her? Maybe that's how she was beaten?
Okay, so Donna, still my guess it's Renee, isn't from Crystal.. but Ethan is, so maybe him being beaten is the reason she calls it a nothing town full of nobodies and bullies.
I'm thinking they killed Donna's dad and threw his body in one of the old mining holes.
Vega isn't used to men being kind, she's very thrown off by Heff..
The reason nobody knows Renee Jones is because it's Donna...
Betty and Carl are such good people. Helping kids in need.
I'm hoping we find out what happened to Beth..
I really hope Eves "knowings" aren't set in stone.
I'm thinking that since Renee said she had a sister, I think Beth either got abused so much she committed suicide, or her daddy abused her to the point of no return..
Eve had that vision of a little girl hiding under the bed before/during her NDE, that was possibly Donna hiding from her dad?
It makes me sick that Donna's mom just let the abuse happen, and then got angry at Donna when she did something about it.
I think I like Tera's character, I hope she's around more.
"Unreliable second sight" so 🤞🏻 fingers crossed Heff doesn't die
An Amber Alert?! He doesn't even take care of his son, what does he think will happen if he gets Riley back? Vega would go to jail or if Zach convinced everyone she's mentally unstable, a hospital...
Vega has a pheonix tattoo!!!!!
Oh no, was Vega conceived by Donna's dad? Renee said her dad was a good man.. did she just say that you protect her?
Donna is Renee!!
Betty and Carl looked at Donna like a daughter, so that kinda makes Vega a granddaughter of sorts.
I'm intrigued by Eves thought that Vega is Beth.. that would be a very interesting twist.
If Vega was Beth, she would be older than 25 though.. because Beth was old enough to stand when Donna ran away because it talked about her hiding behind their mom's legs when the mom held the gun at Donna...
JJ burned Eves barn 😡
Maybe Ethan is Vegas father... but does Eve not remember having sex with Donna?
Poor Donna and Ethan. He doesn't know how to explain to her why he didn't enjoy their moment, and she felt rejected by him.
The animals got out of the barn before it burned down!!
Zach is going to find Vega.. I think he might be able to trace her phone from the picture she sent of Riley..
I think Zach is in town and I think he might be who shoots Heff.. and I still think that Eve is Vegas father..
!!! Tera just told her that she's Vegas dad!!
I love how all the women helped with Zach after he shot Heff.
Okay, so overall thoughts are, I liked it. I didn't love it, but that's more so a me issue and not a Melissa Payne issue. I decided to read a book out of my comfort zone with the one, I'm typically a rom-com or fantasy type of reader. But I thought it was well written and enjoyed it for a book I wouldn't typically pick for myself.
Things I enjoyed about this book:
- multiple POV, some people don't like books that bounce between characters, I personally love hearing from multiple perspectives
- Vega learns not all men are abusive when she meets Heff and Carl
- that we got closure with what happened to Donna's dad and her sister
- the author left the ending open enough that the reader could decide for themselves if Vega and Heff ended up together
Things I could do without:
- the animal cruelty
- how often Vega kept saying she didn't need help, everyone needs help every so often
I was able to get an ARC of this book from NetGalley and in return give it my honest review. What drew me to this book is definitely the cover art. I'm 100% the type of reader who judges books by the cover. Sorry not sorry. Here's some thoughts while reading, along with my overall opinion:
Most women who are in abusive relationships don't see the red flags at first.. abusers are strategically good at hiding it..
She should get rid of that phone, if he bought it for her he can probably track her.
Was Vega's mom running from her dad?
I'm assuming that nothing town full of nobodies and bullies is where Vega's dad is..
Had a sister? I wonder if Renee's sister is the one who had been abused and the reason Renee took care of abused women.. maybe the nowhere town turned the other cheek when it happened...
Heff seems like a decent guy.. maybe someone she can connect with since she said he's not much older than her..
It's sad that she believes all men are the same because of her experience watching her mom help women in bad situations and then Zach..
What if that girl who left, Donna, was Renee and she changed her name so nobody could track her down?? They said 25 years ago, and Vega is 24..
Ooh. I like how we get to see a little bit of Eves POV.
Carl and Betty encouraged Eve to leave town?
Hopefully we learn more about Eve and her dad's past..
Could Eve be related to Vega?
Sounds like Vega has PPA - the thoughts of Riley getting hurt
Maybe Vega's dad WAS a good one, maybe he died? Or maybe he didn't know Renee was pregnant and she left before he found out?
Heff was able to calm Riley down. I wonder how long it'll take for her to trust him...
"A phoenix will change your life" - I wonder if one of Vega's tattoos is a pheonix...
Hmmm. Another prediction/possibility.. maybe Renee wasn't from Crystal.. maybe she helped Eve out when she escaped Crystal and that's how she got the post card.
How often are Eves knowings correct? Could it be possible for them to change?
Maybe the boy on the bus is Vegas dad? We don't know how old Renee was when she got pregnant..
Donna was sexually abused? This was stated after her thinking about her dads hot breath "She'd rather take his fists, but she never had a choice"
Was Ethan the owner of the girl clothes and makeup?
Is the bus the reason Renee lived in the van? Reminder of that time?
Oooh.. Ethan is Eve.. makes sense about when Carl stopped at "E-" when he came over to the farm and met Eve..
The girl and dad that went missing, maybe Donna and Ethan killed Donna's dad and then she ran away?
The kid beaten to a bloody pulp was probably Ethan..
The animal cruelty made me sick to my stomach. My mother-in-law owns pet pigs, the thought of someone doing that to one of her babies makes me nauseous.
Eve, back when she was Ethan tried to stop Donna's dad from hurting her? Maybe that's how she was beaten?
Okay, so Donna, still my guess it's Renee, isn't from Crystal.. but Ethan is, so maybe him being beaten is the reason she calls it a nothing town full of nobodies and bullies.
I'm thinking they killed Donna's dad and threw his body in one of the old mining holes.
Vega isn't used to men being kind, she's very thrown off by Heff..
The reason nobody knows Renee Jones is because it's Donna...
Betty and Carl are such good people. Helping kids in need.
I'm hoping we find out what happened to Beth..
I really hope Eves "knowings" aren't set in stone.
I'm thinking that since Renee said she had a sister, I think Beth either got abused so much she committed suicide, or her daddy abused her to the point of no return..
Eve had that vision of a little girl hiding under the bed before/during her NDE, that was possibly Donna hiding from her dad?
It makes me sick that Donna's mom just let the abuse happen, and then got angry at Donna when she did something about it.
I think I like Tera's character, I hope she's around more.
"Unreliable second sight" so 🤞🏻 fingers crossed Heff doesn't die
An Amber Alert?! He doesn't even take care of his son, what does he think will happen if he gets Riley back? Vega would go to jail or if Zach convinced everyone she's mentally unstable, a hospital...
Vega has a pheonix tattoo!!!!!
Oh no, was Vega conceived by Donna's dad? Renee said her dad was a good man.. did she just say that you protect her?
Donna is Renee!!
Betty and Carl looked at Donna like a daughter, so that kinda makes Vega a granddaughter of sorts.
I'm intrigued by Eves thought that Vega is Beth.. that would be a very interesting twist.
If Vega was Beth, she would be older than 25 though.. because Beth was old enough to stand when Donna ran away because it talked about her hiding behind their mom's legs when the mom held the gun at Donna...
JJ burned Eves barn 😡
Maybe Ethan is Vegas father... but does Eve not remember having sex with Donna?
Poor Donna and Ethan. He doesn't know how to explain to her why he didn't enjoy their moment, and she felt rejected by him.
The animals got out of the barn before it burned down!!
Zach is going to find Vega.. I think he might be able to trace her phone from the picture she sent of Riley..
I think Zach is in town and I think he might be who shoots Heff.. and I still think that Eve is Vegas father..
!!! Tera just told her that she's Vegas dad!!
I love how all the women helped with Zach after he shot Heff.
Okay, so overall thoughts are, I liked it. I didn't love it, but that's more so a me issue and not a Melissa Payne issue. I decided to read a book out of my comfort zone with the one, I'm typically a rom-com or fantasy type of reader. But I thought it was well written and enjoyed it for a book I wouldn't typically pick for myself.
Things I enjoyed about this book:
- multiple POV, some people don't like books that bounce between characters, I personally love hearing from multiple perspectives
- Vega learns not all men are abusive when she meets Heff and Carl
- that we got closure with what happened to Donna's dad and her sister
- the author left the ending open enough that the reader could decide for themselves if Vega and Heff ended up together
Things I could do without:
- the animal cruelty
- how often Vega kept saying she didn't need help, everyone needs help every so often
December 12, 2022
**ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
I really liked the deserted small-town setting of this book. The characters were interesting but I couldn't really relate or connect to them. I thought the story was interesting and there were a couple of twists that I saw coming. I enjoyed how the main character Vega found a home in the town of Crystal while she was running away with her baby. Also, the support of the characters who she meets in this town was everything. I especially loved Eve and her big heart.
The mystery in this story was well done, and I looked forward to discovering if I was right about certain things. The writing was great and the story was easy to follow and understand. Overall, I thought A Light in the Forest was nice and the author did a good job of keeping me intrigued until the end.
I really liked the deserted small-town setting of this book. The characters were interesting but I couldn't really relate or connect to them. I thought the story was interesting and there were a couple of twists that I saw coming. I enjoyed how the main character Vega found a home in the town of Crystal while she was running away with her baby. Also, the support of the characters who she meets in this town was everything. I especially loved Eve and her big heart.
The mystery in this story was well done, and I looked forward to discovering if I was right about certain things. The writing was great and the story was easy to follow and understand. Overall, I thought A Light in the Forest was nice and the author did a good job of keeping me intrigued until the end.
February 1, 2023
If I could give a book a standing ovation, it would be A Light in the Forest.
I had read The Night of Many Endings, previously and knew instantly that I loved Melissa Payne's writing style. When I heard the word that she would be releasing another book, I knew without a doubt in my mind I had to have it.
I never read the synopsis, I wanted to go in not knowing a thing and be able to feel the suspense of each surprise. However, I did want to know more about Payne, so I feverishly stalked the internet to learn a little more about this talented breakthrough author. Fun fact, Melissa refers to her cat as being "a very loud cat" , I chuckled a bit when I read that. I also, have a very loud fur-child.
So as I snuggled up with my very large fur ball and my book, I was one happy girl.
This book is going to break the internet...
I was instantly thrown into a suspenseful page turner that had grabbed my attention early on and set the bar for what was to come. The character development was executed with perfection. The twist was a doozy and left me breathless.
Here is a little teaser for you :
Vega Jones escapes an abusive relationship with nothing but her two-month-old baby and the van she grew up in. Her destination is a small Ohio town her late vagabond mother left years ago. It’s one full of nobodies, her mother warned. That makes it the ideal refuge for Vega to lie low, feel safe, and maybe learn more about a past her mother never spoke of.
Vega warms to the town and to new acquaintances like Heff, the young deputy and artist who prefers his yard art to actual policing, and empathetic Eve, a local farmer whose near-death experience gave her more than just her life back. But even in this welcoming community, there’s an undercurrent of something unsettled, talk of a tragedy that unfolded in the woods years ago, and a mystery connected to Vega in ways she couldn’t have anticipated.
As a mother on the run and following a path of mounting risks and illuminating secrets, Vega discovers that even during the darkest of times, there’s light in unexpected places.
I had read The Night of Many Endings, previously and knew instantly that I loved Melissa Payne's writing style. When I heard the word that she would be releasing another book, I knew without a doubt in my mind I had to have it.
I never read the synopsis, I wanted to go in not knowing a thing and be able to feel the suspense of each surprise. However, I did want to know more about Payne, so I feverishly stalked the internet to learn a little more about this talented breakthrough author. Fun fact, Melissa refers to her cat as being "a very loud cat" , I chuckled a bit when I read that. I also, have a very loud fur-child.
So as I snuggled up with my very large fur ball and my book, I was one happy girl.
This book is going to break the internet...
I was instantly thrown into a suspenseful page turner that had grabbed my attention early on and set the bar for what was to come. The character development was executed with perfection. The twist was a doozy and left me breathless.
Here is a little teaser for you :
Vega Jones escapes an abusive relationship with nothing but her two-month-old baby and the van she grew up in. Her destination is a small Ohio town her late vagabond mother left years ago. It’s one full of nobodies, her mother warned. That makes it the ideal refuge for Vega to lie low, feel safe, and maybe learn more about a past her mother never spoke of.
Vega warms to the town and to new acquaintances like Heff, the young deputy and artist who prefers his yard art to actual policing, and empathetic Eve, a local farmer whose near-death experience gave her more than just her life back. But even in this welcoming community, there’s an undercurrent of something unsettled, talk of a tragedy that unfolded in the woods years ago, and a mystery connected to Vega in ways she couldn’t have anticipated.
As a mother on the run and following a path of mounting risks and illuminating secrets, Vega discovers that even during the darkest of times, there’s light in unexpected places.
December 12, 2022
review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2022/1...
The story is about belongingness, acceptance, resilience, courage, past trauma, community, family, and friendship. There are many trigger topics like, domestic violence, sexual abuse, animal cruelty, near-death experience, homophobia, and transphobia.
Writing is gripping, emotive, and heartfelt with dual timelines and multiple perspectives. Past was set in 1995 told from Donna’s POV making the plot more dark, mysterious, and atmospheric while present was told from Vega and Eve’s POV and there is warmth and tenderness along with anxious feeling in this part. I loved past chapters more and it was interesting to compare past and present setting of Crystal.
This is #characterdrivenstory and there are many characters here. Vega, Eve and Donna are the heart of the story.
There are so many emotional moments that got tears in my eyes but at the same time there is tenderness and warmth as well. All serious topics were handled sensitively. Mystery wasn’t very hard. One point that kept me flipping pages was what happened to Donna and her father.
Why 4 stars - Some dialogues and parts, to be specific, Vega’s desperation to settle down and part that explained her situation.
Overall, this is emotive, heartbreaking and touching small-town fiction with gripping plot and lots of heavy topics. The previous two books I read by the author- Memories in the Drift and The Night of Many Endings are the best.
The story is about belongingness, acceptance, resilience, courage, past trauma, community, family, and friendship. There are many trigger topics like, domestic violence, sexual abuse, animal cruelty, near-death experience, homophobia, and transphobia.
Writing is gripping, emotive, and heartfelt with dual timelines and multiple perspectives. Past was set in 1995 told from Donna’s POV making the plot more dark, mysterious, and atmospheric while present was told from Vega and Eve’s POV and there is warmth and tenderness along with anxious feeling in this part. I loved past chapters more and it was interesting to compare past and present setting of Crystal.
This is #characterdrivenstory and there are many characters here. Vega, Eve and Donna are the heart of the story.
There are so many emotional moments that got tears in my eyes but at the same time there is tenderness and warmth as well. All serious topics were handled sensitively. Mystery wasn’t very hard. One point that kept me flipping pages was what happened to Donna and her father.
Why 4 stars - Some dialogues and parts, to be specific, Vega’s desperation to settle down and part that explained her situation.
Overall, this is emotive, heartbreaking and touching small-town fiction with gripping plot and lots of heavy topics. The previous two books I read by the author- Memories in the Drift and The Night of Many Endings are the best.
December 20, 2023
I rarely quit a book but this was one. So much repetition!
January 25, 2023
Zero stars. Just not for me.
This book took me weeks to read because I needed to give myself a break before continuing another godawful chapter.
Repetitive, dull, highly predictable, and very poorly written. Has Payne ever held a conversation with a real person? It certainly doesn’t seem like it. The conversations are stunted and often incoherent. The story was not an accurate representation of the LGBTQIA+ community in my opinion. Heff was irritating beyond comprehension and the 4000+ mentions of Eve’s “NDE” drove me nearly to my end. Multiple spelling and grammatical errors. This book was just frustrating all over.
October 1, 2023
Hey did you know Eve had a near death experience????? There were way too many references to her NDE. It ruined an otherwise good story for me. And the narrator?? What a grating irritating voice.
April 30, 2023
Vega Jones grew up travelling the roads in a van with her mother, Renee. Each and every location they landed in was an opportunity to assist those vulnerable women who were seeking a way out of abusive relationships.
When Vega became a mother, she found herself trapped in the same tortuous situation. Thanks to her upbringing, Vega eventually escaped with her two month old, Riley, in tow.
An old postcard and photograph led Vega to the tiny mountain town of Crystal, a place where her mum stayed for a stint during teenage hood. Despite warnings that the area was full of nobodies and bullies, Vega immediately felt at ease. Becoming fast friends with quirky Eve, sweet Heff and kindly elderly couple Carl and Betty, it soon becomes apparent that her mother had cast an incorrect view on the mostly accepting and welcoming town.
However, trouble brews whilst Vega settles in and learns more about her late mother. The Harrison family are those type that are afraid of the LGBTQ community and lash out at poor Eve at every chance. Angry at how her new friend is being mistreated, Vega steps in- creating more tension for herself as she tries to retain her distance from her horrible ex.
A Light in the Forest was a beautiful story that packed a punch with many hard hitting and topical issues. Compassion oozes from the pages: evident mainly from Eve, Heff, Carl and Betty. The abandoned school bus in the woods and Eve's premonitions caused by a near death experience gave this a magical kick that just enhanced the reading experience.
The plot weaves slowly but splendidly. It didn't take me too long to figure out the connections everyone had with each other, but it was still pleasing to find that I was correct.
I'll be reading more from Melissa in the future!
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
When Vega became a mother, she found herself trapped in the same tortuous situation. Thanks to her upbringing, Vega eventually escaped with her two month old, Riley, in tow.
An old postcard and photograph led Vega to the tiny mountain town of Crystal, a place where her mum stayed for a stint during teenage hood. Despite warnings that the area was full of nobodies and bullies, Vega immediately felt at ease. Becoming fast friends with quirky Eve, sweet Heff and kindly elderly couple Carl and Betty, it soon becomes apparent that her mother had cast an incorrect view on the mostly accepting and welcoming town.
However, trouble brews whilst Vega settles in and learns more about her late mother. The Harrison family are those type that are afraid of the LGBTQ community and lash out at poor Eve at every chance. Angry at how her new friend is being mistreated, Vega steps in- creating more tension for herself as she tries to retain her distance from her horrible ex.
A Light in the Forest was a beautiful story that packed a punch with many hard hitting and topical issues. Compassion oozes from the pages: evident mainly from Eve, Heff, Carl and Betty. The abandoned school bus in the woods and Eve's premonitions caused by a near death experience gave this a magical kick that just enhanced the reading experience.
The plot weaves slowly but splendidly. It didn't take me too long to figure out the connections everyone had with each other, but it was still pleasing to find that I was correct.
I'll be reading more from Melissa in the future!
🌟🌟🌟🌟✨/5
April 7, 2023
Moving story
Vega is a young mother who flees one night after being beaten by her husband. She has an old picture from her mother that has the place Crystal on it. Vega goes to the small town aiming to stay just a day and to try and find out more about her own mother who'd been on the end helping abused women all her life.
A slow paced book but very well written and great character description.
The story is engrossing because you want to know more about who Vega really is, who was her mother.
For me the pace was a bit slow for more of halfway but...it did start to pick up. Hence four v five stars.
Overall I did like the book, characters and plot and the ending left me feeling pleased how it ended.
Kerry Kennedy Author
Vega is a young mother who flees one night after being beaten by her husband. She has an old picture from her mother that has the place Crystal on it. Vega goes to the small town aiming to stay just a day and to try and find out more about her own mother who'd been on the end helping abused women all her life.
A slow paced book but very well written and great character description.
The story is engrossing because you want to know more about who Vega really is, who was her mother.
For me the pace was a bit slow for more of halfway but...it did start to pick up. Hence four v five stars.
Overall I did like the book, characters and plot and the ending left me feeling pleased how it ended.
Kerry Kennedy Author
May 21, 2024
An enjoyable book and the first book I've read with a POV from a trans person, which was enlightening. I thought the story was good, but I really loved the sense of community and family as Vega puts pieces of her life together with the help of Eve, Heff, and Carl & Betty.
February 22, 2024
I was really torn between 4 and 5 stars for this book. It really is a 4.5 book for me. But as I wouldn't re-read it... it's a four-star rating. However, it is really, really good and I enjoyed it a lot. The writing style is totally my thing and the content/plot was more than interesting. I'll be on the lookout for more books by this author.
March 12, 2024
I initially chose this book because I thought the cover was pretty, but I was immediately captivated by Vega’s story and didn’t want to put it down. There is a lot going on in this book but the author does a beautiful job of weaving together the different story lines. Some of it was really hard to read so please check the trigger warnings in this one before you dive in. Though it was hard to read some of it, I am glad I read it. It is a beautiful story of a mom overcoming a whole lot and I will always read stories like that.
December 1, 2022
So, so good! Had me at the first chapter! Don’t want to say best book yet, but definitely one of my favorites of hers! Highly recommend!
September 12, 2022
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union for the eARC.
A wonderful, emotional read with a cast of great characters that made me quite emotional at the end. I loved baby Riley and really felt for him and his colic.
The cover was terrific too, it really added something to the story.
There are triggers: domestic violence, gender hate and animal cruelty, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book, it was handled sensitively.
Definitely recommended!
A wonderful, emotional read with a cast of great characters that made me quite emotional at the end. I loved baby Riley and really felt for him and his colic.
The cover was terrific too, it really added something to the story.
There are triggers: domestic violence, gender hate and animal cruelty, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the book, it was handled sensitively.
Definitely recommended!
April 13, 2024
Thank you netgalley and publisher for this ARC. Unfortunately i could not finish this book. I DNFed halfway through. It just wasn’t for me. I felt the storyline drug on and I was getting bored with it. I could not connect with the characters at all.
January 8, 2023
The story itself had such potential but so many negative stereotypes and very woke.
February 15, 2023
This was a mess of a book. Not sure what was more annoying, the over-obvious plot, the repetitive action, or the sing-song narrator.
December 30, 2022
I'm a huge fan of Melissa Payne's books. They always draw me in and tear at my heart. The Night of Many Endings was one that kept me turning the pages. This one is the same. Pulled me in and held me captive until the very ending.
Favorite line:
ALL THESE YEARS HELPING OTHERS, AND WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO IT, SHE HADN'T LEARNED HOW TO HELP HERSELF.
This book has a few things going on but is very easy to follow. It's told from two different time periods and two different people. Back in 1995 by Donna who is a runaway. Her dad has been abusing her horribly and she can't take it anymore. Then we jump ahead to 2021 and meet Vega who has left an abusive relationship. She has a two month old baby boy and is on the run from her boyfriend.
Vega and her mother traveled around all over the place helping women escape abusive relationships. Renee, Vega's mom, didn't have much faith in most men. They meant trouble and were usually abusive. At least that was what she had learned in life. She taught her daughter to help others. To not take things off of men. Pretty much to be strong. But Vega was not strong alone. After her mom died she didn't know what to do. She had always been with her and they had always traveled everywhere helping others. To be alone was a bit scary for her so when she met Zach she did not see the warning signs. When things went south though she heard her mom saying for her to RUN!!! Run she did. All the way to Crystal, Ohio. She had found the name of this town on a picture of her mom when she was just a kid. A young teen.
Vega hopes to learn something about her mom here in Chrystal but no one seems to know her at all. The people in this town are pretty good though. Eve owns a coffee house and rents Vega an apartment. Heff is the local part time cop and yard artist and somewhat of a realtor. Mostly it seems he helps others. Eve has a farm and is a trans. Some people in this town hate her. Others accept her as she is. She is from Crystal but was gone for many years. Vega and Crystal become fast friends.
A lot happens in this story and you will meet a lot of not so nice people. There is a bit of animal abuse. Just once but still. It was not nice to read but I understand why the author added it. There is homophobia and sexual abuse too. There are some people you will love to hate and some that will make your heart feel full. A couple will grow on you. Parts of this story brought some big tears to my eyes. How a town came together to help touched my heart. How you find out who some of these people are related made me shed some tears. There are also a couple of parts that made me laugh out loud. Not a lot though. The cat fight was funny in its own way. No cats involved. You'll have to read it!
This is a beautifully written story. It will capture your heart and hold on to it throughout. Some parts will make you gasp. Some will make you feel the person's pain. It will have you scratching your head trying to figure out how people can have so much hatred in their hearts while others have so much love. So much to give. So much kindness even in the face of hate. I adored Vega even though she did get on my nerves a few times. Eve I loved. She was awesome. Heff was just good looking and kind. Betty and Carl were the perfect couple. Even Jane came around finally. Each of these people will leave a mark on your heart. If you let them.
This world needs more love and understanding. Less judgement and hate. This book made me see things that I don't usually see. Understand some things that I just never thought much about. Maybe I should. Maybe we all should. We definitely need to learn to love each other without name calling and labels. Life's just too short for it.
Thank you #NetGalley, #MelissaPayne, #LakeUnionPublishing for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.
5 huge stars. A very high recommendation. Read it. Shed a few tears. Understand that we all can't be the same.
Favorite line:
ALL THESE YEARS HELPING OTHERS, AND WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO IT, SHE HADN'T LEARNED HOW TO HELP HERSELF.
This book has a few things going on but is very easy to follow. It's told from two different time periods and two different people. Back in 1995 by Donna who is a runaway. Her dad has been abusing her horribly and she can't take it anymore. Then we jump ahead to 2021 and meet Vega who has left an abusive relationship. She has a two month old baby boy and is on the run from her boyfriend.
Vega and her mother traveled around all over the place helping women escape abusive relationships. Renee, Vega's mom, didn't have much faith in most men. They meant trouble and were usually abusive. At least that was what she had learned in life. She taught her daughter to help others. To not take things off of men. Pretty much to be strong. But Vega was not strong alone. After her mom died she didn't know what to do. She had always been with her and they had always traveled everywhere helping others. To be alone was a bit scary for her so when she met Zach she did not see the warning signs. When things went south though she heard her mom saying for her to RUN!!! Run she did. All the way to Crystal, Ohio. She had found the name of this town on a picture of her mom when she was just a kid. A young teen.
Vega hopes to learn something about her mom here in Chrystal but no one seems to know her at all. The people in this town are pretty good though. Eve owns a coffee house and rents Vega an apartment. Heff is the local part time cop and yard artist and somewhat of a realtor. Mostly it seems he helps others. Eve has a farm and is a trans. Some people in this town hate her. Others accept her as she is. She is from Crystal but was gone for many years. Vega and Crystal become fast friends.
A lot happens in this story and you will meet a lot of not so nice people. There is a bit of animal abuse. Just once but still. It was not nice to read but I understand why the author added it. There is homophobia and sexual abuse too. There are some people you will love to hate and some that will make your heart feel full. A couple will grow on you. Parts of this story brought some big tears to my eyes. How a town came together to help touched my heart. How you find out who some of these people are related made me shed some tears. There are also a couple of parts that made me laugh out loud. Not a lot though. The cat fight was funny in its own way. No cats involved. You'll have to read it!
This is a beautifully written story. It will capture your heart and hold on to it throughout. Some parts will make you gasp. Some will make you feel the person's pain. It will have you scratching your head trying to figure out how people can have so much hatred in their hearts while others have so much love. So much to give. So much kindness even in the face of hate. I adored Vega even though she did get on my nerves a few times. Eve I loved. She was awesome. Heff was just good looking and kind. Betty and Carl were the perfect couple. Even Jane came around finally. Each of these people will leave a mark on your heart. If you let them.
This world needs more love and understanding. Less judgement and hate. This book made me see things that I don't usually see. Understand some things that I just never thought much about. Maybe I should. Maybe we all should. We definitely need to learn to love each other without name calling and labels. Life's just too short for it.
Thank you #NetGalley, #MelissaPayne, #LakeUnionPublishing for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.
5 huge stars. A very high recommendation. Read it. Shed a few tears. Understand that we all can't be the same.
January 30, 2023
This book was a suspenseful and emotional story about the weight of secrets and the healing power of friends and family – if you will, finding the light in the forest. Vega grew up on the road with a mother who kept them moving after being abused by her father and ignored by her mother, taught Vega how to do handiwork, and who provided help for women who had been abused. After her mother passed, Vega entered into a relationship with Zach and found herself pregnant. Unfortunately, Zach is an abusive and manipulative man whose behaviors cause Vega to head out with the baby on the run. She lands in Crystal, a place her mother said was “full of nobodies and bullies.” What she ultimately found was a place that had better than just bullies where she hopes to find more about her mother, give herself a new start. Can it be her home? Will she be able to secure more information about her mother? The story is character-driven and told from several points of view – Vega (mostly in the present) and Donna in the past living in Crystal. Are they somehow related? How does Donna fit into Vega’s story? What Vega discovers is a “found family”, community, belongingness, acceptance, and courage among the people who live in this town. There are backstories that contribute to understanding the entire story of Vega’s mom, and the author weaves them together for a very satisfying book. A very interesting and moving story.
January 18, 2023
Vega Jones doesn’t know how she got here. She grew up watching her mother help women escape abusive relationships. Since her mother passed away, she’s been so lost she finds herself with an awful man. She takes her infant son and flees. With no where to go, she heads for the small Ohio town that her mother grew up in. It’s a small town and Vega finds herself feeling safe there amongst the kind people. But there is something unspoken, unsettled there and Vega soon finds her self connected in ways she never imagined.
I love books set in small towns! The people in this town quite honestly reminded me of the tv show from a few years ago called The Village, where all the neighbors looked out for each other. In this book, Vega meets Eva, Heff and Betty and quickly is enveloped in their fold. These people take care of each other more like family. I was so taken with their strong bond. And the way Vega’s story weaves into theirs was so perfect.
Thank you to Melissa Payne and @getredpr for the ARC! This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly 😊
I love books set in small towns! The people in this town quite honestly reminded me of the tv show from a few years ago called The Village, where all the neighbors looked out for each other. In this book, Vega meets Eva, Heff and Betty and quickly is enveloped in their fold. These people take care of each other more like family. I was so taken with their strong bond. And the way Vega’s story weaves into theirs was so perfect.
Thank you to Melissa Payne and @getredpr for the ARC! This review will be shared to my Instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly 😊
September 21, 2024
Harrowing yet hopeful.
I've found it really hard to rate this. The story of Vega was heartbreaking. The descriptions of domestic abuse were graphic and totally believable. The book dealt with that sensitively and with care. It had a trans woman , Eve, who faced such adversity and transphobia from small-minded , stereotypical bible belt townspeople , and again, this was handled well and with care. The issues in this book are very real, and the first 75% was excellent. I was full of tension, and it kept me guessing . However, it became repetitive in places. The ending did not get the time it needed, and that's sadly what marked it down from a solid 5 star to 3.5 for me.
I've found it really hard to rate this. The story of Vega was heartbreaking. The descriptions of domestic abuse were graphic and totally believable. The book dealt with that sensitively and with care. It had a trans woman , Eve, who faced such adversity and transphobia from small-minded , stereotypical bible belt townspeople , and again, this was handled well and with care. The issues in this book are very real, and the first 75% was excellent. I was full of tension, and it kept me guessing . However, it became repetitive in places. The ending did not get the time it needed, and that's sadly what marked it down from a solid 5 star to 3.5 for me.
April 20, 2025
Predicable but cute! 3.5⭐️
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