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.

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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.

Elliott & Catherine.

The book starts with 10 year old Elliott spending the summer at his aunt's house because his parents are constantly fighting.

While playing around with his new camera he sees Catherine for the first time behind the huge house she lives in with her parents. But it isn't until he's back the summer when they're both 15 that they talk for the first time.

His parents are still fighting all the time and her parents.... It's difficult.

Elliott and Catherine become the bestest of friends that summer. He helps her stand up to the bitchy mean girls. They're having a great time walking all over town to take pictures, they talk, they just spend time outside of the house. Until Elliott has to leave again - at the most traumatic moment in Catherine's life. And she's very mad at him for that.

But it wasn't his fault - and when he finally comes back to her - to go to school in town and be the school's star quarterback - she's still mad at him and things at her house are even weirder!

But of course Elliott didn't wait two years to see her again, to give up that easily!

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Oy! That was ... adorable and heartbreaking and sweet and innocent and exciting and mysterious!

An amazing book. I didn't really expect such a huge story.
It was so full of ... things!

First love. First losses. Depression. Racism. Hate. Bullying. Excitement. Fear. Lonliness. Anger. Mystery. Love. Hope.

We hope all through the book that those two will end up happily ever after at a college somewhere far away... but of course it's not that easy. They still have a long while to go before we can even think about a happy end.

And everything is so mysterious too!!! What the heck is happening at Catherine's house? What's that all about?!

And we're pretty sure some people or events will make even more problems for our darlings along the way!

Ugh - I just wanted to fast forward to the end to find out if everything would turn out amazing for Catherine & Elliott!

Amazing Young Adult romance! A very mature young adult story with lots of problems from so many different points - a really complex book! But there's also lots of hope and love - so much love. Elliott is just the most adorable young man - the way he loves that girl!

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I just loved the book! I loved both Catherine and Elliott so much and I wouldn't mind seeing this as a Netflix show one day!


[About the HASHTAG PLOT TWIST! Oy!!!!! It happens at 89% and I felt sooo stupid - I had no idea. NONE! I almost fell off the couch laughing at myself! My mom would've known all along - she's an expert thriller reader! I really did not expect that! Huh! And what did her mom say to her at the end??? We won't tell anyone??? WHAT??!??!☺☺☺ (hide spoiler)]

I haven't read a book from Jamie McGuire in years so I didn't know what to expect from this.This was definitely an interesting and unique story!I find myself captivate in the story!I was hooked from the first pages.

Catherine and Elliot are both unique characters.Their relationship was sweet.I don't want to give anything away from the story.I think it's better to go in this one blind, it will make it more enjoyable!I enjoyed the premise of the book.It has great suspense and I was curious to see what will happen next.There is a mystery around the characters and I loved it.The only reason this wasn't a 5 stars was the fact that it was a little bit slow in some parts and also some things was strange.

Overall, it was an interesting story and I'm glad I had the chance to read it!

I haven't read a book from Jamie McGuire in years so I didn't know what to expect from this.This was definitely an interesting and unique story!I find myself captivate in the story!I was hooked from the first pages.

Catherine and Elliot are both unique characters.Their relationship was sweet.I don't want to give anything away from the story.I think it's better to go in this one blind, it will make it more enjoyable!I enjoyed the premise of the book.It has great suspense and I was curious to see what will happen next.There is a mystery around the characters and I loved it.The only reason this wasn't a 5 stars was the fact that it was a little bit slow in some parts and also some things was strange.

Overall, it was an interesting story and I'm glad I had the chance to read it!

Mind=blown. I have never read anything like this...especially from Jamie McGuire. I love her and everything she writes, and this was no exception.
I figured out the twist about 1/2 way through, but it was fun to see if I was correct. I would recommend this book to even the toughest book critics.

I love Jamie McGuire’s books and this one did not disappoint. Catherine and Elliot spent one summer together two years ago before Catherine’s world came crashing down around her. Now Elliot’s back and he’s determined to win her forgiveness for leaving. Catherine wants nothing more than to have Elliot in her life but the mystery of what is happening at home is preventing them from moving forward. McGuire weaves a compelling story without making the reader tear their hair out at what we don’t know and it’s a wonderfully delivered plot twist.

This is the first book by Jamie McGuire that I haven’t loved! I am so disappointed in myself. I wanted to enjoy it, I wanted to be sucked in and enthralled by the mystery of the story but I just couldn’t.

Unfortunately, I didn’t feel the pull to keep on reading deep into the night, desperate to know the “secret’. I felt like story dragged a bit at times.

Sadly, I DNF’d at 45%. The plan is most certainly to finish the book, intrigued to see how the story continues. But for the time being, I will be leaving at 45%.

An intriguing YA story that grips you from the start. Great character development and a hidden element that keeps you hooked until the end. Highly recommend this book.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I’m still reeling from what I’ve just read. All The Little Lights is haunting, and heartbreakingly astounding. My heart aches for Catherine with every word I read. I wanted so much for her as I was reading, she felt like a good friend who was in trouble and needed help.

Jamie McGuire Captured the essence of the characters perfectly creating a profoundly dark and heartbreaking story. Extremely well written and detailed, each character in this book felt vividly real. I could picture each character perfectly and at times I felt like my skin was crawling.

I wish I could give this more than 5 stars because it has left me utterly mystified. This is a book that you will not be able to put down. This is a story that will haunt you, and elicit emotions you didn’t think yourself capable of having for fictional characters. Do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR, Pre-Order it, and once it comes read it and savor it. Every last word. Because it will be a book you remember.

2.5 stars

This is the first book I've read by McGuire. I've heard good things about her books, but this wasn't quite what I was expecting. It dragged a bit too much for me, though it did pick up by the end. However, it was a bit too late, in my opinion. The mystery wasn't as compelling as I had hoped. This book deals with topics that could be a trigger for some readers (such as mental illness, racism, bullying, and domestic abuse).

Longtime fans of McGuire will likely enjoy her latest release.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley, but I wasn't required to leave a positive review.

All the Little Lights was a magnificent coming of age story with a twist. This YA themed book also held much more serious issues than the normal high school drama. I adored the relationship between Catherine and Elliott. It was a sweet, respectful friendship that turned in to more. Elliott's protectiveness was sweet while she took care of him as well. I read this book in one day (staying up very late) because it captivated me from moment one.
Catherine is a sweet, shy, smart girl who has a stressful home life that only becomes significantly worse when her father is no longer around. Elliott is the boy who visits his aunts in the summers and is automatically drawn to Catherine and seeks out a friendship with her which eventually becomes more. Elliotts mom takes him away when Catherine needs him the most and they two do not see each other again for years. When they reunite they are both different people; Catherine mentally and emotionally and Elliott physically. After some resistance, Catherine realizes the friend she has and cant turn him away no matter how much she wants to. Their souls are drawn to each other. Their loyalty and desire to protect the other, however, may ultimately be their demise. She doesn't want to hold him back but she cannot leave her home and her mother. He is willing to throw away his future to stay with her, but she wont let him. When their world begins to crash around them they cannot help but stick by one another though. Will Catherine's secrets tear them apart? Will Elliott'a mom convince him that Catherine is no good for him? Or will love and devotion win out?

What a lovely story covering first love and high school teen drama, as well as being sweet, it also had some, in my mind, angsty chapters, it definitely kept me on my toes. The story follows Elliott Youngblood and Catherine Calhoun who bond as youngsters when Elliott spends summers at his Aunt’s home in Catherine’s hometown of Oak Creek. A town full of small minded people with chips on their shoulders. That aside they bond and become lifelong friends until tragedy strikes and the two only men in Catherine’s life desert her, leaving her alone with a mother too tied up in her own life to be bothered by Catherine. At the age of 17 Elliott ups and leaves his family home so that he can be with Catherine in Oak Creek, but Catherine’s been keeping secrets at their bed and breakfast, secrets she doesn’t want anyone to ever find out. Can Elliott earn Catherine’s trust and break down her walls? I was on tender hooks throughout waiting for what? I didn’t know, the funny thing is, that when it happened I wasn’t as affected as I was expecting. Not make any sense? I apologise, not a lot I can say without giving the game away. Suffice to say, I had a lot of theories, but I’ve got to say I was way off base with most of them. The writing was faultless, the story, brilliant. The first half did however drag a little, I’m so glad that I stuck with it though, I couldn’t put the last chapters down, I was hanging on every word. I was provided with an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is my honest review.