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A Brighter Flame
She’s always wanted a sense of belonging. The last place she expects to find it is home.
Vale Lightner’s dreams turn to ash when the Pittsburgh bar she owns goes up in flames. Just like the past she escaped, very little seems salvageable. Facing unavoidable change, Vale returns to her hometown of Philadelphia to stay with her grandmother.
She knows that returning also means facing everything she left a mother and stepfather who shunted her into the background from the day they married, and her charmed and favored half sister, Blythe, who has abandoned a perfect marriage and is now at a crossroads of her own. Everyone has their secrets, and this reunited family racked by them is about to reach a crisis point.
For a mother and her two daughters, this reunion is a chance for closure, newfound love, and forgiveness. As each of them reassesses her own memories of the past, only the truth can bring them together—in ways that could last forever. From the bestselling author of The Passing Storm comes a poignant novel about family secrets, healing, and the hope of second chances.
Vale Lightner’s dreams turn to ash when the Pittsburgh bar she owns goes up in flames. Just like the past she escaped, very little seems salvageable. Facing unavoidable change, Vale returns to her hometown of Philadelphia to stay with her grandmother.
She knows that returning also means facing everything she left a mother and stepfather who shunted her into the background from the day they married, and her charmed and favored half sister, Blythe, who has abandoned a perfect marriage and is now at a crossroads of her own. Everyone has their secrets, and this reunited family racked by them is about to reach a crisis point.
For a mother and her two daughters, this reunion is a chance for closure, newfound love, and forgiveness. As each of them reassesses her own memories of the past, only the truth can bring them together—in ways that could last forever. From the bestselling author of The Passing Storm comes a poignant novel about family secrets, healing, and the hope of second chances.
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 27, 2022
814 people are currently reading
14427 people want to read
About the author
Christine Nolfi
23 books4,056 followersChristine Nolfi is the award-winning and bestselling author of seventeen novels. Look for her 2025 release, The Secret Library of Hanna Reeves.
Other works include her 2024 release A Heart Like Home; A Brighter Flame, selected by She Reads as a best book club pick and The Passing Storm, cited by Publishers Weekly as “Tautly plotted, expertly characterized, and genuinely riveting” and gold medal winner in general fiction, International Book Awards.
Earlier works include The Road She Left Behind, a top book club pick by Working Mother and Parade magazines; the award-winning Sweet Lake Series: Sweet Lake, The Comfort of Secrets, and The Season of Silver Linings; Second Chance Grill, highly recommended by The Midwest Book Review and Treasure Me, recognized by the Next Generation Indie Awards. The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge was cited by The Midwest Book Review as “Poignant and powerful, as much a saga of learning to survive, heal, and forgive as it is a chilling crime story, unforgettable to the very end.”
A native of Ohio, Christine now resides in South Carolina with her husband.
Other works include her 2024 release A Heart Like Home; A Brighter Flame, selected by She Reads as a best book club pick and The Passing Storm, cited by Publishers Weekly as “Tautly plotted, expertly characterized, and genuinely riveting” and gold medal winner in general fiction, International Book Awards.
Earlier works include The Road She Left Behind, a top book club pick by Working Mother and Parade magazines; the award-winning Sweet Lake Series: Sweet Lake, The Comfort of Secrets, and The Season of Silver Linings; Second Chance Grill, highly recommended by The Midwest Book Review and Treasure Me, recognized by the Next Generation Indie Awards. The Tree of Everlasting Knowledge was cited by The Midwest Book Review as “Poignant and powerful, as much a saga of learning to survive, heal, and forgive as it is a chilling crime story, unforgettable to the very end.”
A native of Ohio, Christine now resides in South Carolina with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 262 reviews
June 26, 2022
Nowadays, it seems like we find ourselves sitting in the midst of a scorched Earth. Bad news swirls around constantly. Can we still the winds even for a few moments? Perhaps A Brighter Flame presents a bit of a reprieve.
Vale Lightner knows only too well the uncertainty of certain things. She and her father, Bo, had gone into business together. That's how Pittsburgh shared in the opening of their new bar, Crafty Cocktail. Bo had a talent for creating new and innovative drinks that brought the customers in and Vale hovered 'til the wee hours ready to lock up. At twenty-nine, Vale thought that things were on an upswing.
That is until everything went up in smoke. Yup, Bo's creativity had its limits. When the flames hit the Crafty Cocktail and brought it into a pile of rubble, his skipped insurance payments flowed to the surface. Vale hit the road to her grandmother Iris' house in Philadelphia in order to find solid ground for a while. Little did she know that terra firma may be out of reach.
Christine Nolfi presents her novel lined with the issues of family and relationships. The electrical current of both packs quite the charge. Vale finds that her half-sister, Blythe, has already taken residence in one of Iris' guestrooms. She's having marital problems and the details are nobody's business. Iris will be having tests at the local hospital with a diagnosis undetermined. And the girls' mother, Audrey, and her husband are off to Aruba. Vale hasn't seen them in years.
Sometimes it's almost refreshing to rummage around in other people's problems. Nolfi implements humor and hidden secrets to make this one come alive. We're caught up in A Brighter Flame because of the constant movement of this storyline. She has a talent for crafting characters who seem so real and so human.....perhaps they even resemble those in your own circles. And we'll learn that that darkness in the tunnel we find ourselves in may only be temporary. Someone, the one we least expect, may just be carrying a Bic at the ready.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Christine Nolfi for the opportunity.
Vale Lightner knows only too well the uncertainty of certain things. She and her father, Bo, had gone into business together. That's how Pittsburgh shared in the opening of their new bar, Crafty Cocktail. Bo had a talent for creating new and innovative drinks that brought the customers in and Vale hovered 'til the wee hours ready to lock up. At twenty-nine, Vale thought that things were on an upswing.
That is until everything went up in smoke. Yup, Bo's creativity had its limits. When the flames hit the Crafty Cocktail and brought it into a pile of rubble, his skipped insurance payments flowed to the surface. Vale hit the road to her grandmother Iris' house in Philadelphia in order to find solid ground for a while. Little did she know that terra firma may be out of reach.
Christine Nolfi presents her novel lined with the issues of family and relationships. The electrical current of both packs quite the charge. Vale finds that her half-sister, Blythe, has already taken residence in one of Iris' guestrooms. She's having marital problems and the details are nobody's business. Iris will be having tests at the local hospital with a diagnosis undetermined. And the girls' mother, Audrey, and her husband are off to Aruba. Vale hasn't seen them in years.
Sometimes it's almost refreshing to rummage around in other people's problems. Nolfi implements humor and hidden secrets to make this one come alive. We're caught up in A Brighter Flame because of the constant movement of this storyline. She has a talent for crafting characters who seem so real and so human.....perhaps they even resemble those in your own circles. And we'll learn that that darkness in the tunnel we find ourselves in may only be temporary. Someone, the one we least expect, may just be carrying a Bic at the ready.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Lake Union Publishing and to Christine Nolfi for the opportunity.
July 30, 2022
4 stars
Disaster strikes for Vale Lightner when the bar she co-owns with her father Bo goes up in flames. Even worse she then learns Bo has failed to pay the insurance premium. What should she do now? She knows without question that her life needs to change so she goes back to Philadelphia to stay with her Nana Iris so she can reflect on her future. However, in returning to her hometown she has many demons to face especially her troubled, if not tumultuous relationship with her mother and stepfather who favour her half sister Blythe. Blythe seems to have it all but like her half sister with whom she has a difficult relationship, she is also at a crossroads in her life. Can the sisters find solutions to their issues and repair the past?
This is a burn through (sorry!) read as it’s very well written, the storytelling is lively and authentic and you become caught up in Vale and Blythe lives. I genuinely find this one hard to put down. The family dynamics and estrangements are done extremely well, you sense the undercurrents and can’t fail to spot the overt issues. These are complex relationships, it’s easy to see how and why they go wrong but they become characters you invest in. Vale initially seems spiky, Blythe seems to be a primadonna but eventually you see beneath the front they are putting up. Nana is the wonderful glue that pulls it all together.
The author takes us into some difficult and emotional areas but all are handled with sensitivity and understanding. It ends on a good note and warms your heart.
This is my first Christine Nolfi but it won’t be my last.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Lake Union for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
Disaster strikes for Vale Lightner when the bar she co-owns with her father Bo goes up in flames. Even worse she then learns Bo has failed to pay the insurance premium. What should she do now? She knows without question that her life needs to change so she goes back to Philadelphia to stay with her Nana Iris so she can reflect on her future. However, in returning to her hometown she has many demons to face especially her troubled, if not tumultuous relationship with her mother and stepfather who favour her half sister Blythe. Blythe seems to have it all but like her half sister with whom she has a difficult relationship, she is also at a crossroads in her life. Can the sisters find solutions to their issues and repair the past?
This is a burn through (sorry!) read as it’s very well written, the storytelling is lively and authentic and you become caught up in Vale and Blythe lives. I genuinely find this one hard to put down. The family dynamics and estrangements are done extremely well, you sense the undercurrents and can’t fail to spot the overt issues. These are complex relationships, it’s easy to see how and why they go wrong but they become characters you invest in. Vale initially seems spiky, Blythe seems to be a primadonna but eventually you see beneath the front they are putting up. Nana is the wonderful glue that pulls it all together.
The author takes us into some difficult and emotional areas but all are handled with sensitivity and understanding. It ends on a good note and warms your heart.
This is my first Christine Nolfi but it won’t be my last.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Lake Union for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
September 27, 2022
Vale Lightner had moved to Pittsburgh to join her father Bo in a joint venture, owning a bar. The hours were long and hard but Vale loved the positive vibes of owning her own business and working hard to get ahead. But the night the bar burnt down, completely unsalvageable, was when Vale's direction changed. Learning devastating news, Vale drove the five hours to Philadelphia and her grandmother's home. She had always known her Nana had her back, unlike her mother and step-father, as well as her half sister Blythe. Vale would work out her future somehow...
When Vale realised Blythe was also at their Nana's house, she was shattered. The bitterness and snarky attitude that had flowed around the sisters' lives would be ongoing - but Vale knew she would prefer not to be on the outer with Blythe. Anyway, why was she there? She was married, had been for the past three years - was their marriage in trouble? Could the sisters put aside their differences and mend their relationship, or was it far too late for that?
A Brighter Flame by Christine Nolfi is a heartwarming, poignant novel of secrets, lies and second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I was sure I would. I've read this author before and always loved the experience. Believable, well-written characters, and good settings, A Brighter Flame is one I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When Vale realised Blythe was also at their Nana's house, she was shattered. The bitterness and snarky attitude that had flowed around the sisters' lives would be ongoing - but Vale knew she would prefer not to be on the outer with Blythe. Anyway, why was she there? She was married, had been for the past three years - was their marriage in trouble? Could the sisters put aside their differences and mend their relationship, or was it far too late for that?
A Brighter Flame by Christine Nolfi is a heartwarming, poignant novel of secrets, lies and second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I was sure I would. I've read this author before and always loved the experience. Believable, well-written characters, and good settings, A Brighter Flame is one I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2022
“Sometimes it’s the little things that make you stop and question what you’re doing. If you’re making the wrong decision”.
Christine Nolfie understands our paths are filled with obstacles. A tumultuous childhood can lead to life long self doubt….(leaving an over-whelming number of weeds needing to be pulled from the garden)….
A deceitful wrongdoing in a marriage can cause feelings of extreme guilt, fear of never being forgiven….
….a few mistakes can lead to feelings of inadequacies.
And….
sometimes it takes it takes one’s business “The Crafty Cocktail” to go up in smoke… to open the doors—clear the air—for honest transformation and healing.
The synopsis — [book blurb] — perfectly describes the context for “A Brighter Flame”.
But it’s the juicy details—the characters - the vibrating sentences - the wealth of emotions - poignant moments of insights - that will take you away from your own life for a few hours — as this story is just too hard to resist.
A complicated relationship between sisters, between mothers and daughters, between family damages - between sensuous love - “A Brighter Flame” is filled with captivating, imperfect characters. The novel hooked me from beginning to end.
And…..
Sometimes……
…. it’s a little things in book - little sections - small insignificant paragraphs to the totality of a story — we find ourselves endearing.They trigger a memory or emotion in us.
“On Thursday afternoon, Vale returned from Green Iris to find her laundry hamper empty. Her freshly washed jeans and blouses were arranged and neat stacks on her bed. That night, she went out with Emmett to the Israeli restaurant. She brought home a slice of cheesecake for her grandmother—Iris’s favorite—and a box of chocolate-and-currant rugelach for Blythe. It seemed a victory when the lure of sweets prodded Blythe from her bedroom, where she’d been camped out listening to the more tragic songs from Motown’s classic playlist”.
As we take a journey with Christine’s textured storytelling—we examine emotional pain. As demons are faced, this story shows authentic possibilities in removing the poison -
showing ways one might begin to forgive those we have wronged — or wronged us —letting go of resentments — and no longer needing to beat oneself or others up —
This page turning - easy to read engrossing story - is a luscious an uplifting tale of personal redemption….forgiveness being the key to inner peace and freedom.
Christine Nolfie shines a beautiful light on the power of healing….
….I felt the heat and light emanating from the flame on every page.
I hold a very special spot in my heart for Christine Nolfie.
I read several of her books when Christine first started out. She writes moving intelligent women’s fiction.
It’s been a few years since picking up one of her books — but I’ve been following her growth with a warm heartfelt feeling inside.
They don’t make better human beings than a Christine…. a woman who adopted 4 children (all healthy, beautiful thriving adults today).
I knew Christine before she wrote her first book - loved our friendship…
And my god — this she is talented!!
She has written more books in a shorter period of time than I’ve read and reviewed books….
She is a ‘book-writing’ powerhouse queen!! I kid you not.
Anything I can do — Christine can do better, and faster!!!
I couldn’t admire Christine Nolfie more —
a very “Glass is Half Full” person!! Yep—she shines the light on possibles….making me believe that sometimes wishes really do come true.
I’m genuinely moved by this book - (yes, maybe a little over-zealous— but it’s been awhile since I’ve re-visited Nolfie-land - and loved it)…so appease me.
And/ yet….I think everyone of my woman friends would fully enjoy their time with this book as much as me. It’s LIFE!
The storytelling has an uncanny ability to let the human dilemmas play themselves out.
I cared for the characters - their predicaments and challenges —
As for Christine Nolfie ……
she is a compassionate, irresistible, writer with genuine dexterity. Her stories make me talk to myself……and think about life from many points of view.
A bread & butter comfort novel.
Christine Nolfie understands our paths are filled with obstacles. A tumultuous childhood can lead to life long self doubt….(leaving an over-whelming number of weeds needing to be pulled from the garden)….
A deceitful wrongdoing in a marriage can cause feelings of extreme guilt, fear of never being forgiven….
….a few mistakes can lead to feelings of inadequacies.
And….
sometimes it takes it takes one’s business “The Crafty Cocktail” to go up in smoke… to open the doors—clear the air—for honest transformation and healing.
The synopsis — [book blurb] — perfectly describes the context for “A Brighter Flame”.
But it’s the juicy details—the characters - the vibrating sentences - the wealth of emotions - poignant moments of insights - that will take you away from your own life for a few hours — as this story is just too hard to resist.
A complicated relationship between sisters, between mothers and daughters, between family damages - between sensuous love - “A Brighter Flame” is filled with captivating, imperfect characters. The novel hooked me from beginning to end.
And…..
Sometimes……
…. it’s a little things in book - little sections - small insignificant paragraphs to the totality of a story — we find ourselves endearing.They trigger a memory or emotion in us.
“On Thursday afternoon, Vale returned from Green Iris to find her laundry hamper empty. Her freshly washed jeans and blouses were arranged and neat stacks on her bed. That night, she went out with Emmett to the Israeli restaurant. She brought home a slice of cheesecake for her grandmother—Iris’s favorite—and a box of chocolate-and-currant rugelach for Blythe. It seemed a victory when the lure of sweets prodded Blythe from her bedroom, where she’d been camped out listening to the more tragic songs from Motown’s classic playlist”.
As we take a journey with Christine’s textured storytelling—we examine emotional pain. As demons are faced, this story shows authentic possibilities in removing the poison -
showing ways one might begin to forgive those we have wronged — or wronged us —letting go of resentments — and no longer needing to beat oneself or others up —
This page turning - easy to read engrossing story - is a luscious an uplifting tale of personal redemption….forgiveness being the key to inner peace and freedom.
Christine Nolfie shines a beautiful light on the power of healing….
….I felt the heat and light emanating from the flame on every page.
I hold a very special spot in my heart for Christine Nolfie.
I read several of her books when Christine first started out. She writes moving intelligent women’s fiction.
It’s been a few years since picking up one of her books — but I’ve been following her growth with a warm heartfelt feeling inside.
They don’t make better human beings than a Christine…. a woman who adopted 4 children (all healthy, beautiful thriving adults today).
I knew Christine before she wrote her first book - loved our friendship…
And my god — this she is talented!!
She has written more books in a shorter period of time than I’ve read and reviewed books….
She is a ‘book-writing’ powerhouse queen!! I kid you not.
Anything I can do — Christine can do better, and faster!!!
I couldn’t admire Christine Nolfie more —
a very “Glass is Half Full” person!! Yep—she shines the light on possibles….making me believe that sometimes wishes really do come true.
I’m genuinely moved by this book - (yes, maybe a little over-zealous— but it’s been awhile since I’ve re-visited Nolfie-land - and loved it)…so appease me.
And/ yet….I think everyone of my woman friends would fully enjoy their time with this book as much as me. It’s LIFE!
The storytelling has an uncanny ability to let the human dilemmas play themselves out.
I cared for the characters - their predicaments and challenges —
As for Christine Nolfie ……
she is a compassionate, irresistible, writer with genuine dexterity. Her stories make me talk to myself……and think about life from many points of view.
A bread & butter comfort novel.
October 10, 2022
It is easy to see why Christine Nolfi is one of my favourite authors. Her gift of storytelling makes it a delight to pick up one of her books and become totally captivated for hours on end.
A Brighter Flame is a moving story about family (past and present), secrets, forgiveness, healing and the hope for second chances.
A Touching Story!
Thank you to NetGalley, Christine Nolfi and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
A Brighter Flame is a moving story about family (past and present), secrets, forgiveness, healing and the hope for second chances.
A Touching Story!
Thank you to NetGalley, Christine Nolfi and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.
November 10, 2022
TITLE: A BRIGHTER FLAME
AUTHOR: Christine Nolfi
PUB DATE: 09.27.2022 Now Available
Christine Nolfi writes an emotional and complex family drama about a mother and their two daughters, which reminded me of my own relationship with my mother and my more favored sister.
A BRIGHTER FLAME is an uplifting and hopeful read about a family torn apart by their own narrative - I found the characters compelling and I was invested in their struggles and challenges. Once I got started it was hard to put this book down. Nolfi is such a great writer that is able to pull the readers in and in a thoughtful and poignant way. Just like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, so is to new beginnings for this family.
I really enjoyed this read!
AUTHOR: Christine Nolfi
PUB DATE: 09.27.2022 Now Available
Christine Nolfi writes an emotional and complex family drama about a mother and their two daughters, which reminded me of my own relationship with my mother and my more favored sister.
A BRIGHTER FLAME is an uplifting and hopeful read about a family torn apart by their own narrative - I found the characters compelling and I was invested in their struggles and challenges. Once I got started it was hard to put this book down. Nolfi is such a great writer that is able to pull the readers in and in a thoughtful and poignant way. Just like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, so is to new beginnings for this family.
I really enjoyed this read!
November 21, 2023
This book was just what I love. A wonderful story of family and coming together, growth and second chances. I just loved it.
September 9, 2024
THE GOOD:
A story of forgiveness and redemption, with happy endings for all.
Clean fiction with no vulgarity, steamy sex scenes, or diversity checklist bingo.
Some fun insights into professional baseball.
THE BAD:
I honestly have nothing bad to say. It didn’t grab onto me emotionally as strongly as a book rated Five Stars would, but that’s my only “complaint”.
CONCLUSION:
Proves it’s never too late to forgive or to start over. Recommended.
A story of forgiveness and redemption, with happy endings for all.
Clean fiction with no vulgarity, steamy sex scenes, or diversity checklist bingo.
Some fun insights into professional baseball.
THE BAD:
I honestly have nothing bad to say. It didn’t grab onto me emotionally as strongly as a book rated Five Stars would, but that’s my only “complaint”.
CONCLUSION:
Proves it’s never too late to forgive or to start over. Recommended.
May 23, 2023
I am honestly surprised at all the rave reviews for this book. I do think that the author has excellent prose but there seems to be so much judgement on women who drink, or have one night stands or adoption and not being able to have your own biological child. The one night stand judgement annoyed me but when it came to the storyline of Blythe not being able to have a child and then couldn't tell her husband and wanted to divorce him because she couldn't have his children is when I really started to turn on this story. Nonsensical and having Vale save the day by becoming a surrogate? Putting her life on hold (after already falling in love with a man after two weeks of dating but please don't get me started there). Did I somehow get bamboozled reading a book promoted by Bookspark? I believe I did.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2022
4.5 Stars
A Brighter Flame by Christine Nolfi is a compelling story of family secrets, reconciliation, and second chances.
Thanks #NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing for a complimentary e ARC of #ABrighterFlame upon my request. All opinions are my own.
Vale Lightner is devastated the night the Pittsburgh bar she owns (with her father) goes up in flames. Out of desperation and anger at her father (whose carelessness may have caused the fire), she decides to return to her hometown of Philadelphia and stay with her grandmother until she can come up with a plan to salvage her life. Returning home has its own trauma as Vale doesn’t have a great relationship with her mom and stepdad or her half-sister, Blythe. How will she put her life back together?
I enjoy a complicated family drama with complex and complicated characters as long as it’s not too dark, overwhelming, or hopeless. In this heartwarming and page-turning story, Christine Nolfi creates a realistic and memorable cast of characters with relatable problems. I found it unputdownable as I invested in the characters, their relationships, and their dilemmas. A hopeful conclusion focuses on reconciliation and healing.
It seems that so much of life depends on support we receive or don’t. In A Brighter Flame, I love the support that the grandmother gives to each granddaughter, providing unconditional love, understanding, a sense of “home,” and a safe place to land. Vale provides invaluable support to a neighbor who is a single mom and her daughter. Emmett is extraordinarily and tenderly supportive of Vale, and Blythe also has the loyal support and understanding of her popular, major league baseball husband.
Although there’s a romance brewing between Vale and Emmett, (closed door) romance is not the main focus of this story. I love a side of romance in a story with thoughtful and substantial themes as it provides some lightness.
Thoughtful and poignant themes include recovering from loss, sibling rivalry, sisters and mother/daughter relationships, second chances, reconciliation, support, misunderstandings, misconceptions, blended family, secrets, infertility, forgiveness, resentment, family loyalty, and grandparent/granddaughter relationships.
I enthusiastically recommend A Brighter Flame for fans of page-turning and poignant women’s fiction, for readers who love stories about sisters and complicated family relationships, and for book clubs.
Content Consideration: Infertility
For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published.
A Brighter Flame by Christine Nolfi is a compelling story of family secrets, reconciliation, and second chances.
Thanks #NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing for a complimentary e ARC of #ABrighterFlame upon my request. All opinions are my own.
Vale Lightner is devastated the night the Pittsburgh bar she owns (with her father) goes up in flames. Out of desperation and anger at her father (whose carelessness may have caused the fire), she decides to return to her hometown of Philadelphia and stay with her grandmother until she can come up with a plan to salvage her life. Returning home has its own trauma as Vale doesn’t have a great relationship with her mom and stepdad or her half-sister, Blythe. How will she put her life back together?
I enjoy a complicated family drama with complex and complicated characters as long as it’s not too dark, overwhelming, or hopeless. In this heartwarming and page-turning story, Christine Nolfi creates a realistic and memorable cast of characters with relatable problems. I found it unputdownable as I invested in the characters, their relationships, and their dilemmas. A hopeful conclusion focuses on reconciliation and healing.
It seems that so much of life depends on support we receive or don’t. In A Brighter Flame, I love the support that the grandmother gives to each granddaughter, providing unconditional love, understanding, a sense of “home,” and a safe place to land. Vale provides invaluable support to a neighbor who is a single mom and her daughter. Emmett is extraordinarily and tenderly supportive of Vale, and Blythe also has the loyal support and understanding of her popular, major league baseball husband.
Although there’s a romance brewing between Vale and Emmett, (closed door) romance is not the main focus of this story. I love a side of romance in a story with thoughtful and substantial themes as it provides some lightness.
Thoughtful and poignant themes include recovering from loss, sibling rivalry, sisters and mother/daughter relationships, second chances, reconciliation, support, misunderstandings, misconceptions, blended family, secrets, infertility, forgiveness, resentment, family loyalty, and grandparent/granddaughter relationships.
I enthusiastically recommend A Brighter Flame for fans of page-turning and poignant women’s fiction, for readers who love stories about sisters and complicated family relationships, and for book clubs.
Content Consideration: Infertility
For more reviews visit my blog www.readingladies.com where this review was first published.
October 30, 2022
A Brighter Flame is a story full of secrets, lies, and miss understandings that lead to the definite separation of a family that makes a big reef between sisters and even with her own mother casting her aside and making her feel all her life like a pest thinking always the other parent were the evil one when it was not.
Vale returns to her past after she and her father lost what seemed to be the life for both of them, she didn't expect to find any back stories or redemption while she was helping her grandmother but life has a funny way of bringing things from the past to make you aware how wrong you were or to bring the truth to the surface to finally make peace with your family and yourself.
A complicated family drama that will have you in your seat, not knowing what will happen next and mostly seeing how the main character fights to recover what she lost by lies, mistakes, and past agendas that only brought many tears and sadness.
Vale was a great character I really felt like she had the opportunity to redeem what she lost and finally make peace with herself and her sister and family in general.
Great book and story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy of A Brighter flame in exchange for an honest review.
Vale returns to her past after she and her father lost what seemed to be the life for both of them, she didn't expect to find any back stories or redemption while she was helping her grandmother but life has a funny way of bringing things from the past to make you aware how wrong you were or to bring the truth to the surface to finally make peace with your family and yourself.
A complicated family drama that will have you in your seat, not knowing what will happen next and mostly seeing how the main character fights to recover what she lost by lies, mistakes, and past agendas that only brought many tears and sadness.
Vale was a great character I really felt like she had the opportunity to redeem what she lost and finally make peace with herself and her sister and family in general.
Great book and story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy of A Brighter flame in exchange for an honest review.
February 13, 2024
My Review
🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
A brighter flame.
By Christine Nolfi.
This is a well written story..
Highly recommend it to others.
Vale,
Living with her father CO Owning the crafty cocktail Bar, Until it goes up in flames one night. And then everything changes for vale and her father.
Iris,
Vales grandmother has news and requires vale
To come to Philadelphia, for a visit.
Says she's having some test done. So concerned about her grandmother. She hits the road.
Vale Has a surprise when she arrives at her grandmother's home.
Vale,
Learns things about her Parents.
Things that she probably didn't want to know but found out.. Sometimes over hearing things aren't always fun... Sometimes knowing your parents and the things From their past should stay in the past..
I honestly enjoyed this story it was a great read.
Thank you Christine Nolfi..
Thank you for this Early Read.
All Thoughts are my own in this review.
Christine Nolfi
Thank you.
🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
A brighter flame.
By Christine Nolfi.
This is a well written story..
Highly recommend it to others.
Vale,
Living with her father CO Owning the crafty cocktail Bar, Until it goes up in flames one night. And then everything changes for vale and her father.
Iris,
Vales grandmother has news and requires vale
To come to Philadelphia, for a visit.
Says she's having some test done. So concerned about her grandmother. She hits the road.
Vale Has a surprise when she arrives at her grandmother's home.
Vale,
Learns things about her Parents.
Things that she probably didn't want to know but found out.. Sometimes over hearing things aren't always fun... Sometimes knowing your parents and the things From their past should stay in the past..
I honestly enjoyed this story it was a great read.
Thank you Christine Nolfi..
Thank you for this Early Read.
All Thoughts are my own in this review.
Christine Nolfi
Thank you.
May 18, 2023
Perhaps the most cliche, over-written, unrealistic book I’ve ever picked up. I can handle one or two quirky names in a book, but every single character? Bo, Blythe, Vale, Detta, Natty, Booker… it truly felt like a story about adult life written by a 13 year old.
I got 80 pages in and decided life was too short to persist - wish I could get that time back 🤣
I got 80 pages in and decided life was too short to persist - wish I could get that time back 🤣
October 20, 2022
Vale has a complicated history with her family and she distanced herself from them. She started a new life for herself and she opened a bar. One fateful day her bar is destroyed by fire. She needs to get back on her feet and she starts by moving in with her grandmother. While Vale is down and out, her family enters back into her life and she is resistant to the reunion. She always felt like she was pushed into the background because of her half sister. Her mother wants to start the healing process to bring her family together and Vale is reluctant about the idea. A story about the complexities of family relationships and second chances with interesting characters.
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this review copy, I received this review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Disclaimer: Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this review copy, I received this review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 24, 2022
In 𝐀 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐦𝐞, Vale Lightner has her dreams burn to the ground when a fire consumes the bar her father and her own. Returning to her hometown to be with her grandmother, Vale realizes she is opening herself up to old family wounds.
I love how Christine Nolfi writes her characters. They feel real and tangible, even relatable.
If you enjoy complicated family dramas, you need to read this book. Vale has conflicts with her parents and half-sister, but her grandmother is a gem. Her grandmother understands how to show unconditional love and support to Vale and her sister.
A side of romance provides a sweet reprieve from the deeper themes of family conflict, sibling rivalry, secrets, and forgiveness.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @amazonpublishing for a spot on tour and a gifted copy
I love how Christine Nolfi writes her characters. They feel real and tangible, even relatable.
If you enjoy complicated family dramas, you need to read this book. Vale has conflicts with her parents and half-sister, but her grandmother is a gem. Her grandmother understands how to show unconditional love and support to Vale and her sister.
A side of romance provides a sweet reprieve from the deeper themes of family conflict, sibling rivalry, secrets, and forgiveness.
Thank you @suzyapprovedbooktours and @amazonpublishing for a spot on tour and a gifted copy
September 20, 2022
Family dynamics can be tough. What we remember in our minds, isn’t necessarily what really happened.
Vale has had a tough life. Estranged from her Mother and step sister, owns a bar with her Father. Until life and unexpected circumstances step in. She returns home to Philadelphia and her much loved grandmother to try to figure things out, only to find her stepsister there with her own set of problems. Can they help each other? Can they become a family again? Loved the characters, even thru their issues, watching their hard exteriors crack was satisfying. Adored Nana…a matriarch every family should have. Dysfunctional family facing the truth and changing the dynamics.
Thanks to Ms Nolfi, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
Vale has had a tough life. Estranged from her Mother and step sister, owns a bar with her Father. Until life and unexpected circumstances step in. She returns home to Philadelphia and her much loved grandmother to try to figure things out, only to find her stepsister there with her own set of problems. Can they help each other? Can they become a family again? Loved the characters, even thru their issues, watching their hard exteriors crack was satisfying. Adored Nana…a matriarch every family should have. Dysfunctional family facing the truth and changing the dynamics.
Thanks to Ms Nolfi, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
August 24, 2022
When the bar that she co-owns with her father burns to the ground, Vale is devastated, and goes to stay with her grandmother while she’s figuring out what to do next. When she arrives, she discovers that her estranged sister is also staying there. Years of betrayal and hurt exist between Vale and her sister Blythe, as well as a strained relationship with her mother and stepfather. This compelling family drama is filled with secrets and painful memories, and I was so caught up in the characters and their stories that I could barely put this book down. I’m always drawn to stories about sisters, and the relationship between Vale and Blythe was filled with complications, as they each searched for new beginnings, and tried to retain the closeness they shared when they were younger.
October 19, 2022
Christine Nolfi has done it yet again and brought us a great story with Brighter Flame. This story is a well written tale of family secrets, forgiveness, and relationships.
Vale owns a bar in Pittsburgh, but after one tragic night, when the place literally goes up in flames, everything begins to shift and change for her again. Vale returns to Philadelphia to stay with her Nana Iris, only to discover that her half sister, Blythe is also staying there. Now is the time for Vale to face her past in order to move forward into her future.
I really enjoyed this book, and Christine's writing style always gives us unique storylines that manage to touch on a lot of personal and relatable issues. I can see myself being a fan of Christine's for many years to come!
Vale owns a bar in Pittsburgh, but after one tragic night, when the place literally goes up in flames, everything begins to shift and change for her again. Vale returns to Philadelphia to stay with her Nana Iris, only to discover that her half sister, Blythe is also staying there. Now is the time for Vale to face her past in order to move forward into her future.
I really enjoyed this book, and Christine's writing style always gives us unique storylines that manage to touch on a lot of personal and relatable issues. I can see myself being a fan of Christine's for many years to come!
September 12, 2022
This book is written well. Even though I have no experience in parenting/surrogacy/etc. the novel was written in such a manner that I grew invested in the characters and cared about what happened to them. I appreciated how realistic they were - the problems they faced are actually REAL problems that can happen to REAL people. Vale was a great main character, but Emmett had my heart!
October 19, 2022
What makes a family tick?
There are so many different kinds of families; so many different personalities within a family. Sometimes, families are full of love, caring and sharing; but, sometimes they are full of loneliness, jealousy, bickering and downright hatefulness! Healing and honesty isn't easy but can be accomplished if everyone is willing to try.
There are so many different kinds of families; so many different personalities within a family. Sometimes, families are full of love, caring and sharing; but, sometimes they are full of loneliness, jealousy, bickering and downright hatefulness! Healing and honesty isn't easy but can be accomplished if everyone is willing to try.
April 26, 2023
Ahhhhhh I decided to treat myself to the Mother’s Day box from @onceuponabookclubbox and was not disappointed! This book was so good and heartfelt. I loved the ending (I get emotional a lot now that I’m a mom) 😅.
October 19, 2022
Very nice sisters story set in Philly.
October 16, 2022
Christine Nolfi does it again! I love how she writes with such a wealth of emotion. While this is technically a "family drama", it comes to life so much better than your typical read. It makes you feel. It makes you question what you would do if you were in the characters shoes. Literally couldn't put this book down!
May 14, 2023
This was a good story about love, and forgivness of yourself and others. It was given to me as the book in The Once Upon a Book club by my son and daughter in law. I loved this gift so much!!
June 29, 2022
This is a fabulous book!
In fact it is so good that I read 90% in a day and then realized I was almost finished, so waited until today to complete the last 10%.
I needed to slowly say so-long to everyone.
I am positive that anyone who opens "A Brighter Flame" will love it as I did!
Two sisters, Vale and Blythe both have spent so many years feeling angry, jealous,and hurt.
They have not spoken to each other in many years. Who is to blame? Can they ever salvage their relationship?
Their loving Grandma who adores them both will do anything to bring them back home and try to work her magic to make them realize that family is everything. "Choose to live in the present." This is one of the best quotes to reflect that it is time to move forward.
This story has love, family heartbreak, grit and hope!
Thanks you to Christine Nolfi for allowing me to preview her novel and provide my own review.
In fact it is so good that I read 90% in a day and then realized I was almost finished, so waited until today to complete the last 10%.
I needed to slowly say so-long to everyone.
I am positive that anyone who opens "A Brighter Flame" will love it as I did!
Two sisters, Vale and Blythe both have spent so many years feeling angry, jealous,and hurt.
They have not spoken to each other in many years. Who is to blame? Can they ever salvage their relationship?
Their loving Grandma who adores them both will do anything to bring them back home and try to work her magic to make them realize that family is everything. "Choose to live in the present." This is one of the best quotes to reflect that it is time to move forward.
This story has love, family heartbreak, grit and hope!
Thanks you to Christine Nolfi for allowing me to preview her novel and provide my own review.
June 28, 2022
Christine Nolfi tackles so many difficult issues in this one. Well researched, as always, and well written. Her characters are well defined and multidimensional, making them frustrating, infuriating and in the end mostly lovable. The story line weaves and winds, drawing all of the characters, at first very fractured and then finally woven together. A wise grandmother, a confused and somewhat broken and shallow mother and two daughters, with different fathers, growing up in the same house but not entirely. One nurtured, one left to drift. In the end, I wished the story would continue on, wanted even more. I would highly recommend this one.
As always, many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced reader copy, in exchange for my honest review
As always, many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advanced reader copy, in exchange for my honest review
September 28, 2022
When Vale's bar, The Crafty Cocktail, burns down in Pittsburgh she goes back home to stay with her grandmother, Iris, in Philadelphia. She doesn't know when she arrives that her step-sister Blythe has been staying with Iris. They have never really gotten along. Vale felt her mother and Step-father, Grant, always treated Blythe better. Will these two come together and works things out and become family again?
This was my first book by Christine Nolfi and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed this story about family. It was filled with real life situations and I appreciated that. I did think it ended perfectly, and I would recommend this to those who enjoy a good book about family with a little romance added in.
This book will be shared to my Instagram blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future
This was my first book by Christine Nolfi and it did not disappoint. I really enjoyed this story about family. It was filled with real life situations and I appreciated that. I did think it ended perfectly, and I would recommend this to those who enjoy a good book about family with a little romance added in.
This book will be shared to my Instagram blog (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future
September 27, 2022
A Brighter Flame is a book I could not put down. I identified with the characters in many ways. The character Vale and her sister Blythe were a little like my sister and me and it caught me unaware. The story is about two sisters who are estranged. Vale, the older sister, lives in another town working with her dad. Blythe is younger and married. Both converge on their grandmother and the fireworks begin.
This book delves into sister relationships like none I have read. It really stuck with me. I ended the book feeling like I needed to hug my sister. It's a very emotional and heartwarming book. I highly recommend reading it!
I was privileged to be offered this book by the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley. Thank you.
This book delves into sister relationships like none I have read. It really stuck with me. I ended the book feeling like I needed to hug my sister. It's a very emotional and heartwarming book. I highly recommend reading it!
I was privileged to be offered this book by the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley. Thank you.
July 12, 2022
A Brighter Flame is a true testament to the fact that you can always come home. Blythe and Vale are half sisters who grew up in the same house but couldn't be more different. Life has driven a wedge between them sending them scattered physically and their relationship estranged. Their relationship has been marred by the memories they share between them. There is only one person who can bring them together, Nana. This is a book that will make you question if your memories can always be trusted.
October 22, 2022
This was a good heartfelt read about sisters. We have all had our sibling spats and Vale and Blythe had plenty of them, and couldn't be two different people. Vale took off from home as soon as she could and has had struggles her whole life with jobs, men and her father. Blythe has come across as the perfect daughter and is now married to a world famous baseball pitcher- go figure. Vale left and never looked back and Blythe didn't invite her to the wedding or any other part of her life. Their grandmother Iris has always had a house of refuge and this time the two of them have converged at the same time, and Iris is bound and determined to fix the sister bond that seemed to never have been there, as well as find out what each of them are running from. Confronting the past may be where the answers lie to get these two to realize that sisters are meant to be there for each other and that some truths need to be brought to light. Thank you to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite and to the author for the free novel.
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