My mind is blown! This book was freaking amazing! It kept me wondering and speculating the whole time. When the big secret was revealed I was like oh my goodness why didn't I realize it sooner. It's a page turner and everyone should read this book! Heck, I'm going to read it a 2nd time to see where and how I missed things.

The Juniper bed and breakfast at Oak Creek has secrets. The guests that stay there are a motley crew of the flotsam and jetsam of life, thrown together in a house poisoned by years of hate and neglect.

Fifteen year old Catherine meets Elliott when he spends the summer months with his aunt and uncle to escape his warring parents. Their love and friendship blooms but Elliott is ripped away when she needs him most.

Two years later Elliott's back to claim his girl but she is in the clutches of the Juniper. Worked ragged to please the guests that stay and keep the secrets inside.

The way Jamie McGuire wrote this story is superb. The Juniper is a living and breathing thing, a bit like Tarryn Fisher’s Eating House in Marrow. It is sinister with a sense of foreboding. I guessed the secret of the house at around 30% in, but was still enthralled at how it would reveal itself. I was definitely not disappointed.

The dedications at the end of the book will make me smile all week!

Wow, what a book! I loved it...Elliott and Catherine are so well written. This is a great choice as a mystery, a love story, and more!

Jamie McGuire’s “Beautiful Disaster” is one of my all-time favorite YA books. Travis & Abby will forever hold a special place in my heart. I was very excited to receive “All the Little Lights”, thank you NetGalley, Montlake & author Jamie McGuire for a free advanced copy for an honest review.

The first time Elliott Youngblood spots Catherine Calhoun, he’s just a boy with a camera, and he’s never seen a sadder and more beautiful sight. Both Elliott and Catherine feel like outcasts, yet they find an easy friendship with each other. But when Catherine needs him most, Elliott is forced to leave town.

Catherine and Elliot’s relationship in one word, sweet, the book itself in one word, weird. Every person I spoke to about this book I used that word over and over again…. Weird. That being said, I truly enjoyed “Warrior” Catherine & Elliott’s story. I could not read fast enough, I just had to know what that “weird” element was. I had so many ideas running through my head, and I so did not figure it out (so frustrating!). That “weird” reveal at the end was brilliant! Bravo Jamie! This story had more suspense and mystery surrounding the characters than any of her other books.

This is also a story about the effects of bullying, being judged by the color of your skin, your culture, and who your friends may be. But, it’s also about loyalty, protectiveness, and the resilience to overcome every adversity. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys YA books.

And on a side note; please don’t go into this thinking it’s going to be like any of the Maddox series books, because IT IS NOT. Just enjoy this very different ride, because that’s what it is.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I've read Ms. McGuire's Beautiful Disaster series in the past, but this was a little different. Usually I'm able to figure out the ending halfway through but with this one, I was never quite sure I had it right until the end. It has some great twists and turns.

This is also a very clean read, with very little profanity or sexual content so I will be buying this for my high school library.

When I first started this one, I wasn't sure where it was going to lead. By the end, I was in a pool of my feels and tears - It was awesome!

Catherine grew up in a tiny town where not much has happened since her family ruined the water and now everyone hates her. She keeps to herself, having nobody but her father who really understands her.

When Elliot comes to stay with his aunt in order to take some time away from his home life, he doesn't expect to meet the girl that will change everything for him.

When tragedy strikes for Catherine, and Elliot is sent back home, the two struggle without each other. Catherine and her mother run their home-based inn. The only Inn in town, few people come and go and it's up to Catherine to keep it running smoothly. When Elliot finally returns, he must win back Catherine's affection. This proves more difficult as she has a secret that has her putting up strong walls to let anyone in, even Elliot,

While slow in the beginning, it quickly picks up and has you at the edge of your seat trying to find out what Catherine is hiding. Elliot and Catherine's story is beautiful and tragic ... You'd think McGuire had some kind of theme with her couples or something, but she writes soul mates in such a poetic way that you cannot help but fall in love with every word she writes.

Characters that are so strong and engaging in this book, it was so hard to have to put it down. Jamie McGuire writes so well that you feel the whole story and at times it is very heartbreaking. Elliott will give up everything for Catherine, the love he feels for her is displayed in everything he does.

Catherine's life is not what it should be, her loss is devastating, what she has to live with both at home and school tears you apart, her strength is such that a much weaker person would definitely have their spirit broken.

This book pulls many different emotions from you and the ending is so unexpected, you will certainly be surprised at it.

An unforgettable read and one I am sure I will revisit in the future.

Thanks to Netgalley and Montlake Romance for the opportunity to read and review this book. Well worth more than 5*.

A coming-of-age story filled with romance and mystery written by the incredible Jamie McGuire? Count me in. All the Little Lights has been at the top of my most-anticipated list since I first heard of it several months ago, so finally having it in my hands is very exciting. Like, so exciting I cracked it open immediately and read it over the course of two days. It's a different sort of novel from Jamie McGuire and though the story isn't entirely unique, it is unique in the way it unfolds and how it is told. Snubbed due to her family's dark history with the small town Catherine is left with few friends and the inability to share what goes on inside the walls of the crumbling mansion turns B&B. Elliott can't escape the racism he faces due to his heritage, but he can be the bigger man and he tries to be for Catherine despite her insistence that he keep away. Told from the perspective of Elliott and Catherine, All the Little Lights tell the story of two students who are anything but ordinary and the discrimination they face growing up in an old-fashioned small town.

Oh my heart, I have such a hard time with bullying and mean girls and reading about it was even worse, because I couldn't do anything for Catherine. Luckily, there is Elliott in this novel and his wise, determined, and strong character rescues her despite her attempts to rebuff him. Of course, he can't save her from everything and that is what makes this novel so great, it's real. Like is said so often on the news, we never know what is going on in someone's home and behind the walls they hide behind and Catherine is such a prime example of this. She works hard in school, she attempts to keep up with all the household duties, she manages to welcome space into her life for Elliott and his push at her having other friends, but she also sags under the weight of the secrets she keeps and the loyalty she has to them. Her past, her present, her beliefs of what her future may be, make this novel very heavy. My heart hurt for her and then for her and Elliott as they faced in-home and out-of-home challenges with their parents and the mean students who had been raised with hate in their hearts. I appreciated the heaviness as well though and Jamie McGuire wrote about the topics perfectly. There is light in this novel though, like their sweet friendship turned relationship and the fierce protectiveness Elliott has for her and really for anyone being picked on. I enjoyed Catherine coming out of her self-made shell and embracing love, laughter, and help for the first time since she was a little girl. The novel is both sweet and mature, the perfect blend for this YA/NA fangirl.

I know, I'm raving about this novel, but I really liked the story of youth being wise beyond their years due to the battles they face growing up. It's so realistic and with all the bullying we see in the world, very relevant. I think Jamie McGuire is brave to take on the subject of discrimination in a small town, because despite the realness of it the world does like to deny it. The mystery too is very realistic and is an unfortunate reality for many, I just wish I hadn't guessed it so early on. I think I've read just one too many books with a similar storyline so it wasn't a big shock to me, however I like that the explanation of the mystery was saved until the very end. It'll leave unsuspecting readers shocked and I think that'll make it an even better novel for them.

All the Little Lights is such a great novel from Jamie McGuire and one that will stay with readers long after the close the cover on the pages. It is novel that embraces the struggles youth face and the hope that life can become what you so want it to be for yourself. I highly recommend this novel and can't wait to hear what others think of it.

3.5-4 stars.

I haven't read a Jamie McGuire book since Red Hill, so I had zero expectations regarding this story.
Overall, I enjoyed the very character driven plot although, it did drag in quite a few places and needed a little more to move the story forward.
I did figure out the "twist" very early on as it held similarities to a few recent movies that tackled a similar plotline, but it didn't alter my enjoyment, only left me waiting for the big reveal to finally happen.
I liked some of the subjects JM tackled including racism, stereotypes, small-minded, small-town hierarchy and ideology, and thought that those parts were well done.
I think this sits very well within the YA market, and expect teen readers to devour this from start to finish. As a more mature reader, I needed a little more from the story.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing me an early copy via Netgalley. Reviewed by Jay at CBB.

Young love can be hard enough, but when you're outcasts in your community with hard lives at home, everything can feel like it's against you. Finding that one person to get through the struggles with can be your saving grace.

Elliott and Catherine meet in a small town when, escaping his family home life, Elliott spends summers with his Aunt and Uncle. Forming a strong bond and friendship the two find they are kindred spirits. As they get older that friendship grows stronger and deeper blossoming into love. One tragic event tears them apart and it's years before they find each other again.

Things have changed for both of them. Elliott has grown stronger and from a boy to a man. His love for Catherine not waning in the slightest, he works hard to right a wrong and win her back. Catherine has grown stronger too as her world seems to crumble with the weight of secrets and lies she protects. Finding their way back to one another isn't always easy and even when faced with, what seem like insurmountable events around them, they fight, and they keep on fighting until the end.

I LOVED Elliott and Catherine. I loved them as individuals, as friends, and as a couple. Both smart, fierce and full a perseverance, even when faced with troubles, these two were fighters through and through.

I will say around the 30% mark I figured out what was going on. The deeper into the story and the more mysterious things became before they unraveled, the more my theory stuck with me. I was going to be pretty upset if I had been wrong and I thought I would even be disappointed being right, having figured it out so early on, but I was right...and I wasn't disappointed. The end starts to unravel perfectly, drawing you deeper and deeper. I even got a bit choked up for a moment as things became quite intense and emotions were running high.

All the Little Lights was a wonderful read. One of my favorite McGuire books that I've read since Beautiful Disaster.

I wasn't really sure what to expect from this book before I started reading it, might have helped to read the blurb, but I didn't. What I got was good and really hard to talk about without spoiling things.

The one thing that really made me like the book was the relationship between Elliott and Catherine. For some reason I loved that Elliott secretly took pictures of Catherine way before they met. Yes that could come off as creepy, but they were kids and he was smitten. I loved how he was purposely late to dinner due to the first time of seeing Catherine, that he gave her the space to work through her loss.

Later after they started talking they were at that awkward teen stage where you realize boys and girls, where friends are now boy/girlfriends. They didn't really define anything but you could see where things were headed. It's just too bad that life stepped in and screwed things up for them both.

I loved how determined Elliot was to let Catherine know she was important to him, that he made choices that lead him to be around her more, that despite everything that happened he loved her. Catherine was so prickly at first, but just by being himself and there to help broke through Catherine's walls. I loved that Elliot made Catherine feel safe, that he wanted more for her, to find friends, to have a normal life.

The last bit at the end shocked me, totally didn't see that coming even as you knew something was off in the house. I really didn't think it was going to be as bad as it was. I was glad that once the secret came out Catherine could breathe a bit easier, that she could be the kid again.

The ending made me smile, loved that Catherine got to see the depth of devotion that Elliott had to her and that they were starting their lives in a brand new way.

I don’t want to give too much away but read. this. book.

It isn’t your typical YA romance what so ever. It’s light but also dark in ways.

I loved the characters and was instantly drawn to each of them. This is my first experience reading Jamie McGuire’s writing and it’s beautiful.

Go buy this book right now!!

What a wonderful book! I was immediately drawn into the characters and felt connected to them right away. The author's style of writing is such that it keeps you on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next, and when it is likely to happen. Do not walk to pick up this book, RUN!

OH. MY. GOD.

This awesome read by Jamie McGuire and I cannot believe I didn't see it coming.

Damn this book was good.

But let me tell you one thing, you are not going to get a more honest, more vague review than the following.

So at first glance this story sounds like your typical high school romance book where long time lovers have to overcome distance and time. You know the normal stuff.

And for the most part it is, but then there is the mystery that surrounds Catherine and that is when things get juicy.

All the Little Lights gets 3.5 out of 5 stars in my review book.

Let me tell you a little something about this book, and I do mean "a little" because I won't be able to tell you much of what happens in the story because that would be like a major spoiler and I don't want to do that.

(That's what I meant when I said, the "more honest, more vague" at the introduction of this post.)

The end is so twisted and it hits out of nowhere and lets you thinking, "how did I not see this before?" I seriously was flabbergasted at how the main secret was reveal. It is quite the secret. Or maybe I was not able to read between the lines. I just was not expecting it.

So because I was not expecting the conclusion of this story there were things I just didn't understand and that kind of made me not enjoy the story in some ways (that's why the 3.5 and not 4 or 5.)

It drag a little in some parts and then there is the unrealistic way Elliot felt about Catherine from the moment he meets her. It was a little overdone in my point of view and a bit stalkerish.

Also there are chapters that feel out of place that feel like they add nothing to the story, but then when you get to the end you understand why they did add to the story. It's so twisted I swear.

I do have to keep this post short just because I really can't tell you much without giving you clues of how this story ends.

All the Little Lights touches the mental illness issue shining a whole new light on how not only the person with the problem has a hard time, but how it affects others around them. Mental health problems sometimes are easy to see, but those living with the affected person might not know how to get the help they need or are scared to get them help.

In this story, though you see how it affects the lives of everyone in the story, you don't get to see how bad it affects them until the very end and then a hundred things you thought were annoying or stupid even make so much sense.

All the Little Lights is so wonderfully written that it keeps you second guessing every single time you think you know what the secret is and then when you finally find out what it is, you will not have seen it coming.

For real.

Over all this story is an amazing read with beautiful love story, a secret so insane that even when you think you know what it is, you are probably wrong and an ending leaves you with hope that though life can be hard and unfair, there is always a little ray of sunshine, whether that sunshine comes in the form of a friend, a romantic relationship or just your own courage to do what you have always been afraid of and seek help.

I encourage you all to pre-order it, it's a wonderful read.

I received an ARC copy of this book from NetGalley.

My honest review... I am at a loss for words. This is the type of book that you cannot really say any details in your review without giving away the story line.

I will say this... It was hands down one of the best books I have read in a while and you must read it. Your jaw will drop - Jamie is a master at creating characters and story lines where you feel like you are right there and know the characters and she definitely did that again with this book.

I want more Elliot and Catherine although I am fairly certain their story is over. And that doesn't mean there is a cliffhanger or anything - you definitely get full closure at the end - I just loved them so much I want more (surprise surprise Jamie always does that me !!)

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher on Netgalley

I was so excited to read this book, and it is exactly what I needed to read this week. As a fan of Jamie McGuire’s Maddox books, I did not know what I was getting into with this YA romantic murder mystery. I was nervous that her type of writing style would not fit the storyline, but let me say: I was super wrong in my worries. This book was awesome!

It’s definitely a “deeper” YA book than others. We’re presented with Catherine and Elliot, who after many years apart are brought back together. Catherine believed that Elliot left her after her father’s death because things got too real, but it’s not the case at all, so when he’s back he has to win her back. This aspect of the story did not drag on as long as I thought and hoped, but we do see a bit of Abby and Travis in Elliot’s attempts—they were obviously a lot more toned down into the sweeter side, since their age group, but still super romantic. As I reflect back, I do want to make it clear that them getting back together was not rushed at all, and it was done in a great way. Just personally, I wished it was a bit longer. But I do see her reasons why of course. Their mending of the relationship allowed for the second half of the book to occur; the troubles they face as a couple and thus the blame for murder.

Catherine was a fun and wonderful female protagonist. I enjoyed how real she is, how much she cared for her mother, and how she worked toward keeping her mother calm and there with her. She is strong for the amount she had to take onto her teenage shoulders. I loved reading about her protectiveness for her family, but also how she opened up after time to the teacher and to Elliot.

I was just fascinated with Elliot and his story actually. For race reasons, he was an outcasted child and his family wasn’t wholly popular, but when he returns as a football star, race no longer matters in a small town like that because of the talent he brings to the team. Instantly he becomes popular and all the girls want to hang out with him and the guys invite him to the parties. But for Catherine, he continues being the outcast by dating the outcast. He doesn’t care about his new status, only her. And I think he’s a beautiful and deep character that has literally been on both sides of the social ladder.

As for the plot, like I said earlier, I enjoyed it so much. I enjoyed the first half—the falling in love stuff, and also the second part—the mystery. I did suspect the killer, and I had my suspicions about what Catherine was hiding. But the guest thing really took me by surprise and that’s all the hints/spoilers I will give there.

Thank you to the publishers for allowing me to read this! I already can’t wait for Jamie’s next YA book!

***5 not what you expect stars***** This book is different but I loved everything about it. Definitely recommend it.

5 Stars!!!!

**I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review **

Let's keep this simple and spoiler FREE!

I absolutely LOVED All The Little Lights. This is completely different than your typical Jamie McGuire book, but this book is amazing, and so tragically Beautiful. My heart was left hurting but in such a perfect way. This book left me with my mind reeling. Hands down All The Little Lights is a book I will forever carry with my.

Like I said I don't want to spoil anything for anyone, because that's one of the best parts about this book. You won't see that plot twist coming. The characters I loved and I felt so many different emotions for them.

Words can't even begin to form properly when I think about this book but I will say it again, I Loved this story!! It may not be everyone's cup of tea and that's alright, but for many I think you'll truly enjoy reading this story.

I can't wait for release Day and to see fellow book lovers talking about this story.
Jamie you have delivered such a unique story and I loved every word!! <3

I've been sitting at my computer desk trying to figure out how to start this review? It's not that I didn't like the book, it's that it actually hits extremely close to home. Maybe that's why I liked it so much. Maybe that's why I'm ranking it so high. Maybe. But, it's also because this was beautifully told story. One that I can actually see becoming a movie.

Elliott isn't your typical kid. From a very young age he's had to deal with parental issues, finding refuge at his aunts house during the summer months. It's during one of those months that everything changed. It's the summer that he found "the one". The one girl who stole his heart at eleven years old. The one he will do anything to save.

Catherine is a bit of an outcast. Mainly due to family history, but that doesn't seem to matter. She's spent years trying to forget the neighbor she became friends with one summer. The same summer her dad died. The same summer that everything seemed to change. Now he's back. And despite rekindling the friendship, there are just some things that she can't tell him. Secrets that will effect everything she's spent the last two years keeping quiet.

I'm not gonna lie. There were times that I felt this story dragged on a little too long. Mainly in the beginning during the "building" chapters. But once I hit the half way mark, it couldn't put this down. I just KNEW that there was a reason I needed to finish this and find out what's happening. I'm so glad I did.

I have to admit. I shed tears. The secret? Yeah, it's pretty big. And this is where it hits home. My dad had the same secret. So maybe a few of those tears were shed for him too. But this story was more than the secret. It's about love. True, raw and undeniable love. Even the side characters got to find love again. And THAT is why this got such a high rating.

reviewed by Chris

This was unusual, a ya that had a romance holding everything together, but the romance wasn't the most interesting part of this story for me.

Let me explain.

The story had a dark, creepy vibe to it and for the longest time, I couldn't figure out if it was a pnr or a thriller or....idk. It was most intriguing.

I won't spoil it, but finally the penny dropped at around half way in and then it all began to make more sense. Guessing the big central mystery did detract from the jaw dropping reveal that came later, but it was still a big moment. Admittedly, I have read this particular theme before, which is probably what tipped me off tbh, but it's unusual and makes for some fab tension. Eventually.

For that was the big downer with this story. It was kinda slooow.

I enjoyed it, but I didn't love it - it was just too slow for me, with the story seeming to drag at a few points. It's a shame really as the sense of foreboding and jeopardy combined with that obsessive first love should've had me hooked, but I'm afraid I lost interest too many times to stay in a continual state of excitement. On reflection, I think there was perhaps too much going on and everyone had too many issues - Elliot's home situation, the Masons, the promises, the bullying...I think it all kind of overshadowed the tension and slowed the pace a little too much.

If you're looking for something a little different, a little darker, something that will keep you guessing then this may suit you. Complete story.