Reviews

Let It Shine by Alyssa Cole

ladysadiereads's review

5.0

Sofronia is the perfect daughter. She excels at college, doesn’t rock the boat and always has dinner ready on time. Until she can’t bury her fury any longer. Ivan can take a punch but Sofie knocks him flat - and despite all the reasons and ways they can’t be together - he knows there isn’t anyone else for him.

Honestly, I don’t know where to start with this novella. It is hands down five stars for me. It is brilliant from the first word to the last. (Note: if you get this novella, make sure you have the extra story - No Valley Low.) There is so much heart and struggle packed into this story and it seems like it wouldn’t do it justice - but that is just wrong. Ms. Cole has these two characters who had childhood crushes on each other meet as adults as they both struggle with the injustice that surrounds them and the distance they both have with their fathers. There is a great sense of humor and irony in the middle of such a sad story. I can’t recommend this one enough.

torilovesheas's review against another edition

4.0

Here’s the thing: this is an uncomfortable read and it *should be*. Often times, even growing up in the home state of Parchman, the Freedom Summer Murders, and Emmett Till, I forget that the Civil Rights Movement was a BATTLE. And that’s my fault. Alyssa Cole combines an endearingly sweet multicultural romance between two childhood friends with the backdrop of the fight for Civil Rights. And it made such an emotional punch of a story that STILL felt hopeful amid characters fighting for basic rights and being treated like literal trash. I loved how Cole points out that you can still have empathy for imperfect people and shows how different (but still its own kind of horrible) the Black/Christian FMC’s struggle is from the White/Jewish MMC’s. And they’re so sweet together as a couple. I loved seeing Sofronia finding herself and what she wants and how Ivan is all in for his girl.

CW: antisemitism, racism, violence, racially motivated violence, sexual harassment, slurs, infertility, violence to protesters, violence resulting in miscarriage (side character)

panagiota21's review

emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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

5.0

ifoundtheme's review against another edition

3.0

A good book for this moment, light in many ways but also scratching the surface of the multifaceted courage of civil rights protestors.

ekateclark's review

emotional hopeful sad 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

5.0

sarful's review against another edition

4.0

Such a rich and beautifully layered novella set in midst of the Civil Rights Movement. I love these kinds of stories of ordinary people doing extraordinary things because justice needs to be for all. Plus, it's a romance. Near perfection.

emilybordelovewrites's review

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring

sm_almon's review

adventurous challenging inspiring sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A lovely (if quick) read. 

jnalmon's review

3.0

I wish this book was a bit longer, there was a lot of plot in a short book and a few of the storylines could have been extended to give us more of these rushed pieces.

nymeria_reads's review

dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

It shouldn't have tried to be a full length novel without being one