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.

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.

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.

This book was nothing less than amazing. I can’t wait for everyone to read it. They’ll love it....I’d expect nothing less from anything written by Jamie McGuire. Her books always draw me in and leave me wanting more. You meet Elliot and Catherine when they’re just kids, but circumstances takes them away form each other. Can true love always find a way and reunite 2 hearts? Can true love survive a secret? Secrets always come to light. This book is an emotional read...it had all the feels I crave as a reader. I never saw it coming....

5 “I’ve been tricked” stars!

When I learned that Jamie McGuire would publish a new book I requested this one immediately and …crossed my fingers. I was really overjoyed when I learned I could read it because:

The cover is so pretty 😀 ;
I had a good feeling and so far my intuition never misled me.

Now that it’s all read and done I can honestly say that it was totally different from what I expected and from what I had read from Jamie so far.

First of all there is one major ingredient in this book: the atmosphere.

I got a gothic vibe from the story and it was a constant companion. Always present, weighting on my thoughts. Surprisingly right from a book happening in Oklahoma and not in a Scottish castle! The reason for this feeling is an additional unanimated character: Catherine’s big, old and spooky house. This house is filled with whispers and creaking noises. The Juniper is looming ominously throughout the book filling the pages with a constant tension. What secrets are hidden within these walls?

Second important element: the secret.

When I was reading Catherine and Elliott’s story I found it sweet, cute and somewhat angsty but I was headed toward 4 stars. The “I liked it very very much but I did not get my wow factor”. Then I learned Catherine’s secret and I was BLOWN AWAY! I nearly feel off my chair!

I had been tricked all along. Blinded. Totally and utterly blinded!!!

So now I want to bow to Jamie McGuire because she wrote a really unique and grave story.


But the worst is …. I CAN’T TELL YOU!
Of course if I explain the secret all your fun will go away and that’s a big no no!


So let’s get back to a mini plot summary (think Mini Moy summary) and develop the main characters.

Catherine’s family has been wealthy decades ago but their business had poisoned the town and now she and her mom are considered like pariah. They are responsible for every illness striking the town’s people.

Catherine will be constantly bullied and lonely.

Elliott Youngblood is part native American and met Catherine while he was young, up in a tree to catch great pictures. He saw her at a very sad time when little Catherine had to bury her dog in her backyard.

From that first glimpse Elliott fell for Catherine. He really fell hard for her but she didn’t saw him before years as he visited his aunt and uncle every summer, needing a breath from the constant fighting between his parents.

When they properly met Elliott had braces, glasses and was all gangly.

“ “I know. I’m Elliott. Want to walk down to Braum’s with me for an ice-cream cone?” He was half a head taller than me, but by the looks of it, we weighed the same. His arms and legs were too long and skinny, and he hadn’t quite grown into his ears. His high cheekbones protruded enough to make his cheeks appear sunken, and his long, stringy hair didn’t help the appearance of his oval face.”

They soon became friends. Catherine was not alone anymore. They spent a wonderful summer together that ended dramatically.

When Catherine lived the worst day of her young live Elliott had to leave suddenly without saying goodbye.

Can you imagine what Catherine felt?

Betrayed and lonely. Rejected once more. These were her feelings.

When Elliott came back years later ….let’s just say that he had much groveling to do.

This story about loyalty and love.

Elliott’s loyalty to Catherine. His utter devotion to her. He was protective. He would have given his life before letting her be hurt.

Catherine’s loyalty to her mom. I have never read about a more dedicated daughter to her mother. Her mother was fragile and Catherine had to protect and care for her constantly. She had no happy childhood or carefree teenage years.

Catherine’s mom loyalty to the family house. She could not bear to be parted with this family inheritance even if it was in dire need of repairs and they had no money to care for it. This huge and menacing house dragged them down.


This was a story about abuse, be it from bullies, from neglect by parents or by physical blows.

This was a story about saving you and helping others.

You can’t help others if you are trapped. You can’t get someone out of quicksand if you’re stuck in it, too,”

This is a story about difference and racial issues.

In this small town many people would treat Elliott badly because he was part First Nation or native kid. Elliott had to grow a thick skin and to let it go. But of course once he became the football star all was forgiven and people did not see his skin color anymore! I’m always angry when I read such hypocrisy! I consider someone’s worth not based on his skin color, religion or gender but I will rank him based on his actions. There are good and bad people in every culture. The same you have smart and idiots in every religion. To say witnessing such hypocrisy made my blood boil is an understatement!

And on that topic I so loved that quote!

“My uncle John says people can only make us angry if we let them, and if we let them, we give them power.” “That you either get good at rising above and meeting ignorance with education, or you get really good at being bitter.”


I loved both main characters but Catherine was harder to really connect to. As he holds her secret close she held the reader at arm’s length. Hard to connect with someone who wants to be left alone for fear of having her secret unraveled! Yet I had so much compassion for that poor girl who shouldered so many responsibilities alone! When I discovered the truth I was horrified!

Elliott Youngblood on the other hand was very easy to fall for. He was a handsome giant who preferred hitting trees when he was angry than risk hurting someone.

Elliott is dedicated, protective, smart, artsy, handsome, courageous and loyal. The perfect her for this young adult novel.

To conclude I would say that Jamie tackled very difficult topics with an absolute mastery in the storytelling. When you’ll reach the end of the book you’ll realize that Jamie spoke about a very sensitive and not so well-known topic in a realistic and skilled fashion.

Recommend it? Without a doubt and please go on with the book, don’t DNF because you’ll miss the whole purpose of the story.

*******************************

Another favorite quote because it happened when Presley bullied Catherine constantly and Elliott defended her (it was sooo good)

“You know why you’ll never outgrow the need to make others feel like shit so you can feel better, Presley?” She narrowed her eyes at him, watching him like a snake ready to strike. Elliott continued, “Because it’s a temporary high. It never lasts, and you’ll never stop because it’s the only happiness you’ll ever have in your sad, pathetic life that revolves around manicures and highlighting your hair. Your friends? They don’t like you. No one ever will because you don’t like yourself. So every time you give Catherine a hard time, she’ll know. She’ll know why you’re doing it, just like your friends will know. Just like you’ll know that you’re overcompensating. Every time you throw insults Catherine’s way, it’s that much less of a secret.” He made eye contact with each clone and then Presley. “Have the day you deserve.”

Once again a huge thank you to Montlake Romance for its trust.

This book took a whole 180 on me and now my emotions are all over the place. I'm writing this review hours after reading this book but I still cannot process what happened.
For some people this book might start slow but believe me, you will not be disappointed. I actually liked the starting because I found it cute how Elliott and Catherine met each other when they were young and all- those parts were really really cute.
This book made me sad and happy and wow it was just so friking good!!

I am a long time Jamie McGuire fan. Beautiful Disaster was one of the few books I've stayed up all night reading, and read entirely in one sitting. I've read everything she's written since. I really wanted to love All the Little Lights.

Unfortunately I just could not get into this story no matter what I did. I was just so bored. It was easy to set the book down for days at a time and never wonder what was going to happen next. Yes, there was a huge twist ending. But slogging through everything needed to get to it just wasn't worth it.

The writing felt very stilted and distanced me from the characters. It almost felt like a summary or an outline of what should go on in the book without the emotion and character development added. A lot of things that seemed like they would be very interesting were glossed over, and things that were definitely mundane and boring were focused on instead. Early on she glossed over the characters getting to know each other by saying "they talked about everything' and then we have to sit through several scenes of them randomly wandering around town doing absolutely nothing of interest instead of actually seeing the characters get to know one another.

I wish I had loved this one, but sadly this just wasn't the book for me. I can't think of anyone I would recommend this to.

To say I’m stunned is an understatement comparable to watching a meteor fall from the sky and slam into the ground right in front of you.

The book started off slowly almost dreamily from the first moment a young Elliott Youngblood spots Catherine Calhoun from his perch in a tree. Sweetly he wins her over though it takes him two summers before he racks up the courage to approach her.

When tragedy strikes, the best friends are separated. Two years later, Elliott returns but things have changed dramatically for Catherine.

Elliott had my sympathy and adoration from the start. He deals with racial prejudice and his bickering parents with seeming maturity as he fights for control of his rage.

Nothing riles Elliott except slurs against Catherine, whom he is deeply protective over and earnest in his attempts to regain her trust.

The love and guidance of his Aunt and Uncle are bright spots in Elliott’s life, and they became two of my favorite support characters especially because Aunt Leigh gives him a camera which is the lens he first views Catherine.

Catherine, on the other hand, is moody and apprehensive which makes me want to shake her silly. Why is she always so nervous? Why can no one step inside her home? Who are the returning guests to the inn? It’s exhausting to read her thoughts, and her initial rebuffs of Elliott and Madison, the quirky girlfriend of Elliott’s football buddy Sam, made me frustrated and annoyed all at once.

By the time all is revealed — and chillingly done at that — I’ve no doubt my jaw was agape and eyes bugged out. Well done Jamie McGuire!

All the little lights touched on many sensitive topics — bullying, prejudice, racial profiling, mental health, domestic abuse —but deftly woven into the storytelling without being preachy. I liked that Elliott’s positivity and strength gave a hopeful tone despite the heaviness of the subtext.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for the ARC from one of my favorite authors. McGuire never disappoints her reader fans!

I keep going back and forth with this book. I’m not quite sure how to rate it. I liked the story, but I thought it could have been shortened a bit. I liked the characters, but at times they annoyed me. I like Jamie’s writing, but this writing was different than anything I’ve read prior to this book. The first half of the book took me awhile to get into, but it picked up in the later half. I think with a few tweaks it could be a solid 4 Stars, but right now it’s a 3-3.5 for me.

First time reading this author and am so happy I did. I really enjoyed the book awesome story with a surprise at the end. Thanks for the chance. Excellent

Thankyou to Jamie McGuire and Netgalley for the arc a lovely read with painful parts! I would definitely recommend reading Catherine’s and Elliouts journey!

The first time I read Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire… I was enchanted. I knew it in my heart that for as long as I live, I would love this author’s work. That was 7 years ago. I screamed for joy when I received this ARC..
All the Little Lights is bloody good!

I am going to write this review a little backward by saying that THAT ending? Oh Lord! That was not what I was expecting. I like to keep my reviews spoiler free but at the same time, give a little glimpse, a little anticipation to the readers. So, I will say this… I was trying to be all smart and Sherlock Holmes like, trying to figure out the mystery… Nope. I wasn’t even close to being a “Sha” much less the Sherlock. All the Little Lights is mysterious and absolutely brilliant!

Catherine and Elliot are strong characters and I loved reading about them.

All the Little Lights encapsulates the story about the coming of age between two young adults, the struggle of living in a society where people treat you differently because of the your caste, colour and heritage, the innocence of friendship, the beauty of a blossoming relationship, the protectiveness of a loved one and the struggle and beauty of loyalty.

There is no denying that this book is gripping from the get go. There were moments where the pace was a little slow but the end result… the end result, my friends, is worth it.

I really hope you give this book a chance because Jamie McGuire can truly do no wrong. All the Little Lights is mysterious, sweet, heart breaking yet hopeful.