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The Light We Lost cover art

The Light We Lost

By: Jill Santopolo
Narrated by: Jill Santopolo
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Summary

Two people. One choice. What if?

Every love story has a beginning....

It's 11th September 2001. Lucy and Gabe meet in New York on a day that will change their lives - and the world - forever. As the city burns behind them, they kiss for the very first time.

Over the next 13 years, they are torn apart, then brought back together, time and time again. It's a journey of dreams, of desires, of jealousy, of forgiveness - and, above all, of love.

As Lucy is faced with a devastating choice, she wonders whether their love is a matter of destiny or chance.

What if this is how their story ends?

Me Before You meets One Day in this passionate debut novel, The Light We Lost, an epic love story about the heartrending decision that one woman must make....

Now translated into 28 languages.

©2017 Jill Santopolo (P)2017 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"A stunning book, perfect and unputdownable." (Jill Mansell)
"Emotional and heartbreaking. I predict a global tissue shortage. The Light We Lost will definitely join the ranks of books that make you weep." (Sarah Morgan, best-selling author of Miracle on 5th Avenue)
"Stunning." (Liz Fenwick, author of Under a Cornish Sky)
"An affecting and beautifully-written story about love and missed chances, and how global events can change the course of a single person's life." (Julie Cohen, author of Together)
"Jill Santopolo's extraordinary debut novel The Light We Lost enchanted and compelled me." (Delia Ephron, New York Times best-selling author of Siracusa)

What listeners love about The Light We Lost

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hated every word

most cliched book imaginable. self indulgent. couldn't have cared less about the main character. spoilt and privileged and not remotely interesting

9 people found this helpful

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broke my heart thought provoking real

broke my heart, truly thought provoking and just how real love is. I could relate to the characters

5 people found this helpful

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Disappointing!

Dull, self-indulgent & predictable chick-lit! Managed to listen to the end as I hate to give up on a book but it was hard work! Very disappointing.

2 people found this helpful

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Good story ruined by the author’s terrible reading

Great story but the audio book could’ve been greatly improved by a better reader. The authors narration is a little annoying at times. Would also like to have seen a final chapter wrapping up the second thread of the story with Darren.

1 person found this helpful

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Occasional cheese fest, but a light listen

This book at times is American corny, but I still somehow made it to the end and even at times enjoyed it.
Much of the dialogue between the main characters is like listening to a straight to TV film. And, although being young is about being idealistic and making your mark in the world, I didn't like either of them and their constant wanging on 'I want to make a difference in this world' 'my art is so desperately important because I don't trust people to take the pictures that need to be taken in conflict zones'. Saying that, the scene setting was good, the storyteller on audible was great and I listened to the end and was somewhere deep down a little moved. Average. Don't go expecting better than average. unless you're American in which case this might totally rock your world.

1 person found this helpful

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Very good

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Got frustrated at the characters decisions and the ending was abrupt. I wanted to know what happened when she went home

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utter rubbish

long boring love story where our protagonist seems to think their story is unusual. most first loves feel like that. the twist was screamingly obviously from fairly early on. I only persisted because it was for book group.

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  • WP
  • 06-10-22

Read to discover more about NYC but there was so much to it

I Read to discover more about NYC but there was so much to it and I really enjoyed this whole book.

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One of my best reads this summer

If you think you found the light, then you will definately enjoy this book. So beautifully written!.

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Wonderfully moving

Just loved the book. So beautifully written and moving. Definitely recommend and you will love the narration as it feels so authentic

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  • Leigh Preston
  • 29-08-19

Brilliant!

I absolutely loved this book. It is an easy read but keeps you in suspense throughout. I am not big on love stories but this one was the exception!

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  • Jane
  • 23-10-17

Not a masterpiece but good, wholesome chic-lit

This story of the power of first loves and the difficult choices that life forces us to make, is honest, personable and often times uncomfortable. Lovers of quick weekend reads will be captivated by a carefully thought out storyline and well-developed characters.

If you can get through the medical inaccuracies, the tedious American drama, questionable morals and quite possibly the worst British accent Audible has ever produced, I would recommend this beautifully written story of true love, redemption, and submersive passion.

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