Vale Lightner had moved to Pittsburgh to join her father Bo in a joint venture, owning a bar. The hours were long and hard but Vale loved the positive vibes of owning her own business and working hard to get ahead. But the night the bar burnt down, completely unsalvageable, was when Vale's direction changed. Learning devastating news, Vale drove the five hours to Philadelphia and her grandmother's home. She had always known her Nana had her back, unlike her mother and step-father, as well as her half sister Blythe. Vale would work out her future somehow...

When Vale realised Blythe was also at their Nana's house, she was shattered. The bitterness and snarky attitude that had flowed around the sisters' lives would be ongoing - but Vale knew she would prefer not to be on the outer with Blythe. Anyway, why was she there? She was married, had been for the past three years - was their marriage in trouble? Could the sisters put aside their differences and mend their relationship, or was it far too late for that?

A Brighter Flame by Christine Nolfi is a heartwarming, poignant novel of secrets, lies and second chances. I thoroughly enjoyed it, as I was sure I would. I've read this author before and always loved the experience. Believable, well-written characters, and good settings, A Brighter Flame is one I recommend highly.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

A favorite author of mine, this book didn’t disappoint. As usual, A Brighter Flame had wonderful characters that provide an interesting story of a complex family with complex problems.
Vale and Blyth are half sisters that have hated each other since early on, competing for their mother’s attention, with Blyth winning out as the perfect daughter. Vale deprived of her mother’s love and attention, desperately seeks to fill the void from her “devil may care” father Bo, who is in and out of her life infrequently., until they go into business when Vale is in her early 20’s. When a fire destroys their bar, she goes home to Philadelphia to her grandmother, the rock of the family, that has always given Vale the love that she has craved. With Vale back, the hostilities between Vale and Blyth are rekindled and Grandma is left to referee.
This is a story of family dynamics and conflicts and the collateral pain for everyone involved. I loved the book and agree it’s another Christine Nolfi gem. My thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Vale Lightner is like so many others, in that she doesn't feel that she quite fits in with her family. She is also constantly struggling to "fit in" various work environments. Vale is estranged from her mother, stepfather, and half-sister. The only "family" she currently has a relationship with is her father and maternal grandmother, but she strives to maintain those relationships no matter what. Sadly, Vale's relationship with her father is tottering on the edge as they deal with their jointly-owned bar burning down. Vale isn't quite sure what she wants to do with her life at this point, but owning another bar and returning to Philadelphia isn't it. Vale is forced to accommodate her grandmother, who seems to be dealing with a major health issue. Returning to Philadelphia isn't her first, second, or third choice, but she is used to starting over. This time around, she has to do it with her half-sister watching. As Vale begins to deal with the memories of her past, she comes to realize that there is a thin line between what we remember and what actually happened. Is it possible her relationship with her mother, stepfather, and half-sister were built on misperceptions? Is it possible for her to craft a new relationship with her sister? Vale has to decide if she's willing to start over with her family. Can she forgive them as she seeks forgiveness for her own mistakes and start anew?

"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way." Tolstoy

I found A Brighter Flame by Christine Nolfi to be a fast-paced and engrossing read. Vale was all-too-familiar in that she doesn't feel like she quite fits in with her family. Vale is struggling on so many levels. She has to contend with the idea that her father is irresponsible and will never quite grow up and be the parent she wants. She is tormented by the idea that her mother didn't really want to keep her but refused to give up custody to an irresponsible parent. She worries that her grandmother might be seriously ill. Vale also comes to the realization that her sister is dealing with just as many issues as she is and the only way to rebuild that relationship is by being the "big sister" her younger sister wants and needs. I won't even get into the whole budding romance with her neighborhood pharmacist. I thought all of the characters were not only realistic but realistically flawed. Some were idealistic, others were pessimistic, and others were realistic with a touch of idealism. There aren't any "bad guys" in this story, just a family filled with flawed individuals trying to make a way the best way they know how.

I have a huge list of "favorite" authors but only a handful that I will buy any and everything they write. Christine Nolfi is in both categories. A Brighter Flame is a multi-faceted multigenerational story that portrays relationships with all of their flaws. Each character is struggling with something major and it is only when they voice their struggles and fears that they are capable of moving forward with the help of family and friends. A Brighter Flame is not just about family or second chances, it is also about forgiveness, acceptance, and growth. If you can't tell, I enjoyed A Brighter Flame. Even though I was afforded the opportunity to read this early via a digital review copy, I pre-ordered a digital copy for my personal library and a print copy for my 87-y.o. mother (she loves reading Christine Nolfi books almost as much as I do). If you're interested in reading a well-written contemporary story about family, hope, love, and second chances, then I strongly encourage you to go and get a copy of A Brighter Flame for yourself (I can't wait to reread this one!).

Happy Reading, y'all!

A Brighter Flame by Chrstine Nolfi is an emotional, compelling read that I really enjoyed immensely.

I love stories about forgiveness and family. No one is perfect and sometimes it just feels like you don't fit in. I can relate to that. I have felt that most of my life, so this book really pulled me in.

This story was so inspiring, emotional and heartwarming. I loved every single word.

You never know what will happen when you take a chance on love, whether that be romantic love or family love.

Fractures can be repaired with work. The characters are so authentic and well fleshed out that really added to the complexity of this wonderful story.

Vale and Blythe are half-sisters who have been estranged for years. Through a bit of deception, they find themselves both taking refuge at their grandmother's house. Misperceptions from their growing-up years start coming to light and give them hope for a brighter future. The author has created characters and a story that reflect many of the issues today's families face. Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an advance copy to read and review.

A Brighter Flame is a book I could not put down. I identified with the characters in many ways. The character Vale and her sister Blythe were a little like my sister and me and it caught me unaware. The story is about two sisters who are estranged. Vale, the older sister, lives in another town working with her dad. Blythe is younger and married. Both converge on their grandmother and the fireworks begin.

This book delves into sister relationships like none I have read. It really stuck with me. I ended the book feeling like I needed to hug my sister. It's a very emotional and heartwarming book. I highly recommend reading it!

I was privileged to be offered this book by the author, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley. Thank you.

A Brighter Flame by Christine Nolfi.
Vale Lightner’s dreams turn to ash when the Pittsburgh bar she owns goes up in flames. Just like the past she escaped, very little seems salvageable. Facing unavoidable change, Vale returns to her hometown of Philadelphia to stay with her grandmother. She knows that returning also means facing everything she left behind: a mother and stepfather who shunted her into the background from the day they married, and her charmed and favored half sister, Blythe, who has abandoned a perfect marriage and is now at a crossroads of her own. Everyone has their secrets, and this reunited family racked by them is about to reach a crisis point.
A really good read. I loved the family drama. This is my first book by this author. But it won't be the last. 5*.

This book, I will be talking about it for a while. The family dynamics have something that everyone can relate to. While hopefully, you will not relate to all of it, there will probably be something that you can relate to. There are family secrets, misunderstandings, siblings at odds, a mother on the outside looking in, and a grandmother who just wants her family to get along and is willing to be sneaky to get them all in the same room. Iris is the hero, she is the grandmother who tricks, nicely, her granddaughters to both come to stay with her, who puts her daughter in the same room as her granddaughters to try to mend those fences, and who loves them all 100%.



Vale and Blythe are half-sisters, but the only sisters each of them has. There have been so many misunderstandings in their relationship that they no longer talk but are now thrown together to help Iris. I enjoyed that their relationship was not instantly mended. They had to fight it out, talk it out, and see that each of them is not perfect. Both girls have problems in their lives and can use a friendly ear to help them find their ways. When things got tough, they ended up sticking together to help each other out.

Christine Nolfi wrote a book that I had a hard time putting down. I quickly became invested in the character's lives and had high hopes for where this story would go. Christine took it even farther than I expected and I love the ending. I will definitely talk about this book to all my friends and recommend everyone purchase their own copies.

4.5 Stars

A Brighter Flame by Christine Nolfi is a compelling story of family secrets, reconciliation, and second chances.

Thanks #NetGalley #LakeUnionPublishing for a complimentary e ARC of #ABrighterFlame upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Vale Lightner is devastated the night the Pittsburgh bar she owns (with her father) goes up in flames. Out of desperation and anger at her father (whose carelessness may have caused the fire), she decides to return to her hometown of Philadelphia and stay with her grandmother until she can come up with a plan to salvage her life. Returning home has its own trauma as Vale doesn’t have a great relationship with her mom and stepdad or her half-sister, Blythe. How will she put her life back together?

I enjoy a complicated family drama with complex and complicated characters as long as it’s not too dark, overwhelming, or hopeless. In this heartwarming and page-turning story, Christine Nolfi creates a realistic and memorable cast of characters with relatable problems. I found it unputdownable as I invested in the characters, their relationships, and their dilemmas. A hopeful conclusion focuses on reconciliation and healing.

It seems that so much of life depends on support we receive or don’t. In A Brighter Flame, I love the support that the grandmother gives to each granddaughter, providing unconditional love, understanding, a sense of “home,” and a safe place to land. Vale provides invaluable support to a neighbor who is a single mom and her daughter. Emmett is extraordinarily and tenderly supportive of Vale, and Blythe also has the loyal support and understanding of her popular, major league baseball husband.

Although there’s a romance brewing between Vale and Emmett, (closed door) romance is not the main focus of this story. I love a side of romance in a story with thoughtful and substantial themes as it provides some lightness.

Thoughtful and poignant themes include recovering from loss, sibling rivalry, sisters and mother/daughter relationships, second chances, reconciliation, support, misunderstandings, misconceptions, blended family, secrets, infertility, forgiveness, resentment, family loyalty, and grandparent/granddaughter relationships.

I enthusiastically recommend A Brighter Flame for fans of page-turning and poignant women’s fiction, for readers who love stories about sisters and complicated family relationships, and for book clubs.

Content Consideration: Infertility

A Brighter Flame by Christine Nolfi is a very well written and captivating story. This is a beautifully written story of family and learning to forgive and love again. A very real story of two sisters, Ms. Nolfi uses very vivid descriptions of the characters and the plot to entice you to keep turning the pages. She will emotionally connect you to this wonderful story. You will feel all sorts of emotions with this one, from happiness to sadness. A heartwarming story with secrets, drama, misunderstandings and loyalty. Coming from a family of all girls, five of us, I was able to relate to this one right away. I highly recommend you get to know these two strong women…..and their fiiesty Nana, Christine Nolfi will not disappoint with this one.

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and Christine Nolfi for an advanced copy of this wonderful book in exchange for my honest opinion.
#netgalley #lakeunionpublishing. #christinenolfi. #abrighterflame #arc

Christine Nolfi, the author of “A Brighter Flame” has written a memorable and thought-provoking novel. The genres for this novel are friendship fiction, family fiction, sister fiction, and women’s romance fiction. The author describes her colorful and dramatic characters as complex and complicated. In this novel, there are secrets, betrayals, dysfunctional family dynamics, and unanswered questions. I appreciate that Christine Nolfi discusses important topics such as infertility, communication, the importance of family, friends, and neighbors, forgiveness, second chances, hope, and love.

Vale’s dreams literally go up in smoke, when the bar that she and her dad owned together is destroyed by fire. Vale realizes that she has to make decisions when she is told that her dad didn’t renew the insurance. Vale speaks to her grandmother and realizes that she can help her grandmother out.

Blythe, Vale’s half-sister is distraught and faced with a terrible situation, so she heads to her grandmother’s house to decide how to handle her situation. Blythe isn’t sharing why she is so upset with her grandmother. Her husband is a baseball player that has to travel.

Both Blythe and Vale share the same mother but have been estranged for quite a while. Vale has been avoiding seeing their mother and has resentment. Can you imagine when both sisters discover that they are visiting at the same time? Could this be an opportunity for healing their relationship, and making new memories? Can this be a time for forgiving, and second chances?

I love the way that Christine Nolfi vividly describes the characters, events, plot, and scenery. I felt emotionally connected to both sisters. I highly recommend this wonderful and heartfelt book to others.

I loved this book! I felt like it really highlighted that everyone's paths are not always going to go the way you think. My only complaint would be that some of the events that occurred in the last 25% of the book could have happened sooner to provide more of the end of the story.

This book touches upon different aspects of family and how people interact with one another. One healthy or unhealthy relationship can have a significant impact on members of the family and how they view themselves and others. I was so happy to read about Blythe and Vale repairing their relationship and working through problems they had since childhood.

This book takes you into the lives of two sisters.. Christine Nolfi has a way with words that makes you feel for each of the characters. The hurt and pain they feel and how much they miss out on because of it. This book truly shows how families who don’t communicate can end up losing each other. When all is said and done each person has to grow from it or keep letting it hold them back. The ending is so well written. I really enjoyed reading this book. I received a copy on Netgalley but the review is my own.

Predictable storyline. A bit too much excusing of poor parenting.

This entire family needs therapy.

Wow “A Brighter Flame” by Christine Nolfi is a heartwarming story about family, love and second chances. Wow what an awesome book it is, I wish I could give it more than 5 stars. I picked it up to only read a couple of chapters and 4 hours later I had read the whole book, I just couldn’t put it down. Imagine having a good life and then something happens to change everything in your world. At least when things go wrong you can always go home. Out of something bad it opens a door to some healing and forgiving. This book is a very well written book about just that. I’m not going to tell you the story you need to read it. The twists in the story will keep you engaged until the end. It is one of Christine Nolfi’s best books yet. This is a must read book.

Vale Lightner, hasn't had the best life, and when she wakes up to a fire at her business, she really doesn't know what she will do from here. Her Nana is going to be having tests done, but doesn't say what for, so Vale decided to go back to visit her Nana.
Her half-sister Blythe, who she has never got along with, is also there. As the days go by, the sister's start to talk. One night they went out to a game, and left early, and Blythe took the keys and said they weren't going anywhere until Vale told her why she hated her growing up. As they start to open up, they discovered their memories were different. Vale started remembering things, which led her to confronting her parents, and the truth finally comes out.
Their childhood memories, held them back from becoming who they were meant to be. As they begin to open up, they discover that life is starting to change for them. They have to decide do they want to stay in the past, deal with the past and move forward to see what life has to offer them,
This is a family that held secrets, didn't talk about things going on, and just tried to move on from them. That worked for a lot of years, but we see what really happens when it does happen. We also see what happens when they open up and work on forgiving, understanding, and letting go of who they were to see who they are now.
I received an ARC from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley.

All Too Real Story Of Sisters And Family. Finishing this book early on my own brother's birthday, when between the three brothers we actually have at least some similar events happening in our own lives as what the sisters go through here has been... interesting. Even for those without such a direct personal connection though, this is a strong tale of sisters, family, suppositions, realities, and learning to love and forgive even after years apart and deep misunderstandings. Yet again Nolfi does a tremendous job with the topics she chooses to write about, and while somewhat rare in some cases, everything she includes here is all too real for at least some people. This is a fictional story of real heartbreak and of real ways of finding oneself even at times when others think that you either have it all or have nothing at all, and Nolfi manages to explore these ideas with her usual skill. Yet again a great book for any readers who may be new to her, even if the ultimate topic is yet another publisher-directed fad. :) (Seriously, without giving the topic at hand away, let's just say that there have been at least a handful of books also from Amazon Publishing covering it in their own ways over the last couple of years in particular. :D) Still, read *this* one. Nolfi puts her own spin on it and really emphasizes the full family with all of its benefits and detriments, and she really pulls everything off quite well. And hey, guys... there's even some minimal baseball in here. (Though Phillies, *really*, Christine? #GoBraves #ChopOn!) Very much recommended.

Family dynamics can be tough. What we remember in our minds, isn’t necessarily what really happened.

Vale has had a tough life. Estranged from her Mother and step sister, owns a bar with her Father. Until life and unexpected circumstances step in. She returns home to Philadelphia and her much loved grandmother to try to figure things out, only to find her stepsister there with her own set of problems. Can they help each other? Can they become a family again? Loved the characters, even thru their issues, watching their hard exteriors crack was satisfying. Adored Nana…a matriarch every family should have. Dysfunctional family facing the truth and changing the dynamics.

Thanks to Ms Nolfi, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.

A Brighter Flame is the third standalone novel by Christine Nolfi following her three multiple book series. While author Thomas Wolfe professed “You Can Never Go Home Again”, Ms. Nolfi’s stories show that often you can. And when you do, you just might be able to heal those parts in great need of healing.

Vale Lightner has awakened to learn her future has burned to the ground. The bar she moved to Pittsburgh to open with her estranged father, Bo, has gone up in flames as have her hopes and dreams for the future. With nothing to hold her, Vale responds immediately when her beloved Nana, Iris McLintock, asks her to come be with her for a series of medical tests. The real test is whether Iris can heal her family, half sisters Vale and Blythe, her daughter Audrey and second husband Grant, and Blythe’s tabloid worthy marriage to sports star Booker.

This is such a beautifully written, well plotted story. The characters are so well drawn and the intertwining stories of their lives captivating. I very much enjoyed this novel and definitely recommend it!

I admit I am a sucker for books about sisters. Having said that, this was a great story about difficulties in step sisters and overcoming that. No matter what our ages, I know my sisters will always be my best friends. This was a very nice story about family and how no one is perfect. Things happen and words get said. This is about real life stuff. Loved it and was lucky enough to get an early copy from Netgalley.