A review by franuary
This Raging Light by Estelle Laure

4.0

Five months ago, Lucille's father was institutionalized for attacking her mother. Now the mother has disappeared on an extended "vacation," leaving 17-year-old Lucille to care for her little sister and maintain the household on her own. Frightened by the thought of losing her sister to child services and unsure when her mother might return, Lucille hides her mother's absence from friends and neighbors and starts working in a slightly shady Hooters-esque restaurant to make ends meet. It's a terrible time to fall in love, but her best friend's brother, Digby, has become suddenly irresistible, and Lucille soon finds herself under his spell.

I admired Lucille's strength and resilience, and felt that in many ways, she would be an excellent role model to teens reading this book. The lengths she goes to to make sure she doesn't lose guardianship of her sister are truly inspiring. However, I found the romance angle troubling.

Spoiler

Digby has a girlfriend throughout his relationship with Lucille, and it made it difficult to truly root for them. Their love was presented as genuine, but it's also founded on lies, and doesn't Lucille have enough disappointment in her life already? I wanted to strangle this dude.

Still, I think teens reading this book would be into the love triangle, and the not-quite-wrapped-up ending leaves room for a sequel. Recommended to Sarah Dessen fans.

I received this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group and to NetGalley for the advance copy!