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boggremlin's review
2.0
Really enjoyed the historical aspect—Cole writes excellent, intense scenes that really bring home the struggles of the Civil Rights movement—but I just did not dig the romance. I enjoyed both of the characters, though. I’ve noticed this about Cole, though: her historical writing and research is so, so good, and I’m so into that aspect that I don’t feel as invested in the relationship.
hooklings's review
4.0
What a lovely read. It’s quite short so the characters aren’t quite as fleshed out as I would have liked, but the historical context added depth. I wish there were more romances set in this era.
tessisreading2's review
4.0
Excellent - as always, with Cole - but hampered by the short length; the romance storyline jumps from the leads reunited and in early dating stages to deeply romantically involved without showing us much of that organic growth. Note that the epilogue deals with miscarriage and work to pass Roe v. Wade, which I found sad in the wake of its overturning.
clpaige's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
wanderlust_romance's review against another edition
5.0
－ＢＯＯＫ ＲＥＶＩＥＷ－
Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole
I am SHOOK. How?! How was there so much story packed into this 78 page novella? ALYSSA COLE! That’s how. With so much at stake, Let It Shine managed to do find just the right balance between meaningful storytelling, character development, and romance.
The story follows Sofronia (Sofie) Wallis as she sheds the armor of the good girl / dutiful daughter persona she adopted after her mother’s death. Moved by the escalating violence against nonviolent civil rights activists and the Freedom Rides, she begins attending Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee meetings. And it’s there that she is reunited with Ivan Friedman, a childhood friend/acquaintance from the Jewish household her mother used to work in as a housekeeper. Their chemistry sparks, and it’s so good. They both understand the risks inherent in and the systemic roadblocks to their connection.
As a romance set in the 1960s, there is a historically accurate use of language, which means that racist and antisemitic verbiage and views are included on page. There is a lot of heaviness and hope woven through this story, and it’s done in a way that does not promote YT saviorism
Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole
I am SHOOK. How?! How was there so much story packed into this 78 page novella? ALYSSA COLE! That’s how. With so much at stake, Let It Shine managed to do find just the right balance between meaningful storytelling, character development, and romance.
The story follows Sofronia (Sofie) Wallis as she sheds the armor of the good girl / dutiful daughter persona she adopted after her mother’s death. Moved by the escalating violence against nonviolent civil rights activists and the Freedom Rides, she begins attending Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee meetings. And it’s there that she is reunited with Ivan Friedman, a childhood friend/acquaintance from the Jewish household her mother used to work in as a housekeeper. Their chemistry sparks, and it’s so good. They both understand the risks inherent in and the systemic roadblocks to their connection.
As a romance set in the 1960s, there is a historically accurate use of language, which means that racist and antisemitic verbiage and views are included on page. There is a lot of heaviness and hope woven through this story, and it’s done in a way that does not promote YT saviorism
ellabynight's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
mindfullibrarian's review
5.0
Fabulous historical romance (novella) set in 1960s Virginia featuring the Civil Rights movement and the love between a Black woman and a Jewish man. I will read ANYTHING Alyssa Cole writes because she has never once let me down. The audio version from Audible is fabulous.
pn_hinton's review
5.0
It's hard to write a long review over short story but I'll try to highlight a few key points.
--The history here was very accurate and, for me, a little more easily digestible than 'An Extraordinary Union', which was harder for to read because of the Civil War setting. I know that may seem odd but at least with this one, knowing the time and place and knowing what 1967 would bring made it a bit easier to read. I do need to finish the read of the Loyal League series though at some point.
-- I loved the old friends to lovers set up. I loved it even more that there were hints that their mothers knew before they did, in the snippets of history.
-- Food can always be a quite unifier.
-- Everything was wrapped up in a believable way. Racism didn't just end and there were still some tensions surrounding their relationship. But, again with the court case of 1967, they were able to get married and try to start a family which made me smile.
--The history here was very accurate and, for me, a little more easily digestible than 'An Extraordinary Union', which was harder for to read because of the Civil War setting. I know that may seem odd but at least with this one, knowing the time and place and knowing what 1967 would bring made it a bit easier to read. I do need to finish the read of the Loyal League series though at some point.
-- I loved the old friends to lovers set up. I loved it even more that there were hints that their mothers knew before they did, in the snippets of history.
-- Food can always be a quite unifier.
-- Everything was wrapped up in a believable way. Racism didn't just end and there were still some tensions surrounding their relationship. But, again with the court case of 1967, they were able to get married and try to start a family which made me smile.