This book tugged at all my teenage heartstrings! Young me would have absolutely devoured this book, wept like a little baby and tried to relate every aspect of her life to the MC.

Adult me still really enjoyed it. I thought it was a sweet story that dealt with some difficult topics, like loss, starting over, finding yourself, but still managed to keep it light-hearted and an easy read.

The part I enjoyed most was the MC’s love of photography! I took photography in high school and the book took me right back to those days in the darkroom, developing my pictures. All that was missing from my experience was a cute boy to swoon over.

This book is perfect for fans of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or Sarah Dessen!

One of the most surprising reads from Penguin Teen's recent ARC blast.

This is equally entertaining and emotional - the development of Mary's character is notable given the circumstances she faced in her life.

The topics discussed in this book (dealing with grief, trigger warning for death of a parent, and alcohol) are handled well and seems realistic.

Overall, a bumpy ride but I enjoy because it has semblance to the reality we live in. Will buy a finished copy.

RATING: 4stars

4.5⭐️

Thank you Penguin Teen for sending me and ARC of this book. Nine months after her dad dies, Mary’s mom moves her and her sister Bea to live in New York. This book was so amazing! I loved it. It was such a cute romance, and I loved how it also deals with heavier topics like grief. The further in the book I got, the more I loved it! This book was so good, and I think everyone should read it.

thank you penguin teen for an arc of this book in exchange for my honest review.
first off, wow! i wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as i do. as the book progressed, i started to love it more and more. it was an amazing read that dealt with so many important topics, like dealing with grief.
the romance in this novel was SO GOOD!! it was a rollercoaster for sure, but in all the best ways.
i read this book digitally, and i already want to pick up a physical copy so i can reread it and annotate it… that’s how i know i really loved a book!!
please read this book! it’s amazing

tw: parental death, grief, alcohol

"There's a strange awareness to having a crush, especially one you know you shouldn't be having. It's the feeling - the hope - that at any moment that person could be watching you . . . And they start to look different too. Soft focus blurs out all the weird and ugly parts. All you see are perfect details, like the freckle on the back of a wrist, a soft earlobe. Sometimes, it almost looks like they're glowing."

Mary, or Marigold, is dealing with an abrupt move to New York from California. Her mom's taken her and her sister, Bea, to live with an aunt after their father's death. Mary feels like she's floating through life, and the only way she can capture moments and make them feel real is through a camera. With college applications looming and a new place to figure out, she's struggling to find her footing. Then she meets Jesse, a cute fellow photographer with a darkroom. The only problem is that Mary can't quite seem to let go of Bennet, the boy she kissed just before she left California.

The author draws an intimate portrait of three different ways of dealing with grief - rebellious Bea, withdrawn Mary and their mother, who builds a new life through work. The supporting characters are great, too. Jesse has a heart of gold and just wants Mary to be okay. Sam's equally lovable as the popular nerd left behind by all her older friends, who are on to bigger and better things.

This is a slow build book, with the beautiful notes starting out soft at first, then building to a crescendo as the romance catches on and Mary's family finds different ways to deal with the unraveling of their world. The author shows you the beauty of the world through Mary's photographer eyes, revealing all the feelings Mary can't quite find her way to put into words. This beauty of a book draws you in and feeds your soul.

I highly recommend this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Teen for the advance review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Nine months after her father dies, Mary moves from her beloved Los Angeles to a small town in New York. She's having a hard time letting go of her old life but at the same time starts making connections in her new one. The worst part is that she's starting to forget her dad.

Catch the Light does a good job of mixing the mourning process with a dash of romance. The majority of the book deals with Mary's complete upheaval from her life in California but it throws in little moments of happiness and growth throughout. Jesse is absolutely adorable and does a good job at keeping her accountable but also letting her make mistakes. At times I did want to shake some sense into Mary, however, I knew she couldn't see clearly since she hadn't properly let go of the past. I loved the photography aspect of their relationship. They had different styles but could still relate to each other in a way no one else could. I also think this book has one of the most realistic sibling relationships. For me, this was a 4/5.

If you like playing with light in photography, have ever moved away from you childhood, or want to see realistic sister relationship, this is the one for you.

I received a digital copy of this book free from Penguin Young Readers Group and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This. Was. Incredible. I laughed, I cried, I felt all the feelings. If this is not on your list, PICK IT UP!! It's the perfect companion to the fall weather.