This debut novel really packed an emotional wallop. Not only was it about the death of a young man, only in his thirties, but it also contained themes of addiction, rape, and PTSD trauma.

First off, the protagonist, Maggie Dobrescu, was a woman of about my own age, so I could really identify with her. Having lost her son after his many years of alcohol abuse, she blames herself. For Maggie has a long-held secret. A secret that she shared with her son Kyle. She now believes, perhaps correctly, that keeping this dark secret led to the PTSD and the alcohol abuse that Kyle used to deal with it.

Shortly after Kyle's death, Maggie learns that Kyle had a daughter. She is a complete wreck in the weeks following Kyle's passing. She isn't sleeping or eating properly and her family are becoming more and more worried about her. Maggie is desperate to find out the identity of Kyle's daughter and meet with her.

In addition to hearing from Maggie, we also hear from Kyle in the months before his death. We learn that he has only recently found out that he fathered a daughter some eighteen years previously. He meets up with the girl and tries valiantly to be a better man for her. He attends AA and goes to a rehab facility. Concurrently, we hear from Ally, Kyle's daughter. All her life she wondered about her biological father, but it was only on her eighteenth birthday that her mother finally revealed his name.

With authentic characters and dialogue, this novel was a heart-rending look at how one person's addiction can impact on an entire family. The book was set in the Chicago area of Northern Illinois, but really it could have been anywhere. The themes running throughout are universal.

The only character that I couldn't understand or really identify with was Ally's mother, Hannah.

The ending provided a 'gasp' moment. If you like emotional reads with authentic characters and problems, then you will enjoy this impressive debut novel. Recommended!

Y'all, this book!

THE HINT OF LIGHT is a tense, emotional family drama that examines the impacts of shared trauma, and the impact of the decisions we make (for better or worse) on those we love most.

How far will a mother go to protect her only child? How can a child shoulder the weight of a parent's secrets and not buckle beneath them?

Kisska not only weaves together the complexities of family relationships and turmoil, she brings us deeper into the internal struggles of the characters, what they love most and what they've lost, and what they still stand to lose.

Get your tissues and settle in... amazing read!!

This was a tough one for me at first, but ONLY because as the mother of boys (now young men), it struck deep. I love how Kisska handles the nuances of being a parent (and a child) with tact and honesty, not making anything black and white. My heart ached for the characters in this book, and I appreciated the complex questions that were posed to them: where does one person's culpability end and another's begin? Who should shoulder the burdens inherent in raising a child? I always enjoy multi-POV books, and I highly recommend this one!

This book was sad, kind of dark and full of suspense. I felt the emotions of the main character and was so interested in her story. 5 stars!

Thank you Netgalley. What an emotional rollercoaster of a story. It's hard to believe this is only a debut it's so well done. The story is told from Past and Present and it really keeps you engaged. Subjects of addiction can be hard for some people to read. Highly recommend

I received a Digital Reader Copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Please check trigger warning if you are sensitive to certain topics.

This was an amazing book about addiction, love and family. The chapters in this book alternate between before and after. It shows how mother's love will go through great lengths to protect her child, What happens if she makes a wrong choice? What happens if your child dies and you question the reason? Such an amazing book with a an ending I didn't see coming!

After the sudden death of her son, Kyle, Margaret Dobrescu is left reeling. Her husband and daughter don’t understand why Margaret can’t seem to cope and move on with her life, but a secret she has buried for decades causes her to feel responsible for his alcoholism and ultimately his death. A few days after the funeral, Margaret learns that Kyle had a secret daughter and sets out to meet her in hopes of healing and moving forward.

This story is told from various perspectives: Margaret, Kyle, and Kyle’s daughter, Ally. It is not told in chronological order, instead alternating between before and after Kyle’s death. The timelines were easy to keep track of, and even though this isn’t a mystery or thriller in any way, I liked how it kept me guessing what would happen next. This is a beautiful story about grief, addiction, and a mother’s unconditional love. While each character could be frustrating at times, they were realistic and dynamic characters who I rooted for. The only character I didn’t particularly like was Ally’s mom, and the epilogue only made it worse. Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, and Kristin Kisska for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I received a Digital Reader Copy from Lake Union Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

The author included a content warning at the beginning of the novel. Readers should make sure to take a look at it before they read the novel.

This is a beautifully written, heartbreaking look at what addiction can do to a family. The alternating chapters of Before and After, and how truths unfold in each chapter made this story relatable. I also appreciated the multiple points of view.

This was an emotional rollercoaster of a book. Told in alternating points of view, the story unfolds little by little. While I thought this was a good story, there was something about the ending that didn't work for me. I would read another by this author.

I could believe this well written novel was by a debut author. The story show experience and really connected with me, the reader. This story is told in multiple POV and before and after. The event at the center of the book is the death of Kyle. This is a true contemporary fiction book centered around family and people struggling through hard times. I read this book in a day because I didn’t want to put it down. I was drawn in to the characters and invested in their lives. A great story!!

I adored this novel by debut author Kristin Kisska. Hint of Light is at its core a book about the bond between mothers and their children and all the complications that come with that fierce love. Kisska weaves together multiple POVs as well as timelines to reveal a story that touches on grief, family, and second chances. I could not put this book down.

ℝ𝔼𝕍𝕀𝔼𝕎- THE HINT OF LIGHT by Kristin Kisska

Format: Digital
Length: 298 pgs
Pub date: August 29, 2023
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing

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Thank you to Kristin Kisska and Lake Union Publishing for my #gifted digital (via @Netgalley) arc copy.

🌅𝙱𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚏 𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚘𝚙𝚜𝚒𝚜:
Kristin Kisska has written a powerful novel about alcoholism, secrets, death and its aftermath in a family, redemption, and forgiveness. Kyle has been an alcoholic for over twenty years. He suddenly dies and his mother Margaret blames herself. Shortly after his death secrets begin to unfold. The most surprising is that Kyle has a daughter, Ally. Margaret begins a relentless search to find the girl who is a supposed piece of her beloved son. But, what other secrets will unravel in the meantime?
Told in dual timelines, before and after, and in the multiple viewpoints of Kyle, Margaret, and Ally, the story begins to unfold.

🌅𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
This was such a moving story. I love when books really connect with you. Sadly, this one connected on a VERY personal level. I’m the daughter and stepdaughter of two alcoholics. It cost me a relationship with my father and it cost me my stepfather’s life. So I really understood Ally AMD Margaret’s views as I’ve been both the daughter and in some ways the parental figure as I had to take care of my stepfather when he was at his worst. (Why is review time always therapy time for me?? 🤣) There is help out there, on both sides of the spectrum.
Ok, back to the book… I think the characters were beautifully written. They had depth of character, their thoughts were true to the situation, and the emotions were right on point. My only drawback, and why I took a half-point off, was the epilogue. I saw it coming and yet still it disappointed me. I think it could’ve been left out or explained differently. Otherwise, I adored this book.

Read if you liked:
🍸When a Man Loves a Woman (movie)
🥃28 Days
🍺Flight
🍶The Girl on the Train- Paula Hawkins & movie
🍷Shadow Tag- Louise Erdich
🍹The Flight Attendant- Chris Bohjalian & series on Max

Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is an emotional look at how far a mother will go to protect her child from what she perceives as a threat. It also covers the impact that undisclosed trauma can have on a person. Thirdly, it walks you through the emotional roller coaster of a family living with an alcoholic. In reading the blurb, the 'gut punch' description is very accurate.

Kyle is an alcoholic that has led his family on an up and down cycles of sobriety. Presently he is sober and dealing with another DUI while trying to find another free bed in rehab. One night, Kyle has trouble breathing and is rushed to the hospital. After being quickly released, he falls and dies from his injuries. Margaret his mother, grieves his loss the only way she can. She learned that Kyle has a daughter so Margaret sets on the path of trying to locate her granddaughter.

Told from alternating timelines by multiple narrators, this is a fast paced story that will take you on an emotional ride. Its an engrossing tale and worth the read!

Highly recommend!

The Hint of Light is a heartbreaking tale about addiction and how it affects not only the addicted, but those around them.

This book centers on the Dobrescu family. Thirty seven year old Kyle has struggled with his addiction to alcohol for most of his life. In an out of rehabs and promising stints of sobriety that don’t stick, his family is at their wits end. Haunted by demons he doesn’t ever discuss, Kyle has instead learn to cope by crawling inside of a bottle.

The unthinkable happens when Kyle learns he has a teenage daughter, Ally. Their relationship fragile, and his sobriety even fragiler, they carefully navigate what they mean to one another. Scorned by Kyle years ago, Ally’s mother, Brooke forbids her from having any contact with her father. But given that Ally is eighteen she can do as she pleases, although she still does so discreetly.

Then suddenly, Kyle dies, the obvious diagnosis being succumbing to his disease. But with six months sober under his belt and his newfound daughter giving him something to live for, both his mother, Margaret and his daughter refuse to believe this as the truth. And as Margaret discovers Kyle fathered a child in the wake of his death, she’s only all the more determined to find her, and bring a piece of her son home.

The Hint of Light is a commanding debut from @kristinkisskaauthor. Far from an easy read due to acts of violence and scenes of alcoholic dissonance, Kisska paints a powerful portrait of the lengths a mother goes to in order to protect her child. Most of this book read like women’s fiction, until the final act’s suspenseful and unexpected twist that I’m still unsettled over. But, if A Hint of Light is a hint of things to come, I’d read more of this author’s work in the future.

This book was not for me. I tried to read this on more than one occasion and it didn’t grab me.
I have nothing else to say about this book

I was drawn to the synopsis of this story, as I often enjoy domestic stories, especially stories where a new family member is discovered. I made it about 33% through the book, and decided not to continue. The author had a great story idea, but they did not follow-through on the execution. I believe that this book could benefit from being more tightly edited. There are too many ideas that keep repeating themselves. For example, we are told multiple times that Kyle loves vodka, that it is his drug of choice and he drinks a liter a day, etc, etc. The concept of children failing to launch gets repeated, the mom wanting to steal the urn keeps being repeated. Instead of enjoying the story, I kept thinking “yes, you have said that already a few pages ago”. I do think this book has strong potential with some additional edits. I appreciate the opportunity to review this book. Because I did not finish, I will not be posting the review on Goodreads. I am giving the book two stars for a strong story idea and solid potential.

A beautifully written book exploring the bond between Mother and Son, a Mother's need to protect her child at all costs and the devastating consequences of getting it wrong.

Margaret, Kyle and Ally tell the story through "before and after" timelines. These three characters were so well written, I had empathy for them all, and was desperate for the happy ending that I knew couldn't happen (not a spoiler, we know Kyle is dead).

Margaret and Hannah are both devoted to their children and will do whatever it takes to keep them safe. Margaret's horrific ordeal, when it is revealed, is heartbreaking - my heart broke for her and for Kyle, and for the decision she now knows she should have made, back then.

Kyle's alcoholism storyline was sensitively written and I loved the peeks of sober Kyle, although I felt desperately sad to think of how different his life could have been, had he had the support he had needed as a young teenager.

The ending was a big gut-punch of a shock - I totally didn't see that coming!

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Kristin Kisska and Lake Union for an ARC in return for my honest review.

Wow, readers who love an unsuspected ending will enjoy this story. Told in a three person dialogue, readers will see the depths of what happens when secrets are buried. Love, guilt and the road to healing; this story has it all. Meaningful story with unforgettable circumstances. Highly recommended!

STARS; 4.5
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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The storyline did not prepare for this heart wrenching tear jerker of a book. I cried while I was reading it(especially the ending). I was not prepared for thSTATS: 4.5nexpected twist and everything else.
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While this book was very heartbreaking, it was also a very, very good book. The book started with the death of Kyle, Maggie's son and we had three POVs and dual timelines involving Maggie, Kyle and Ally. This book was fast paced and I finished it in record time.
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I'm glad I learnt about Alcoholism, this is the first time I'll be reading about an addict firsthand. While I still don't fully understand Alcoholism, I gained a little insight into the condition
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I wish I could say more, but I don't want to give spoilers. But I already guessed what Maggie went through while she could have handled things differently, I don't blame her because she had trauma to deal with too. But, I understood her, my heart broke for her too, I wished the times were different.
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This book was worth it and it was just very beautiful and you should read it.

The Hint of Light is a fascinating and heartbreaking story of a mother, her son, and his daughter. Margaret loses her son, Kyle, and learns he had a daughter. This begins Margaret's crusade to find her granddaughter. Margaret has questions about the circumstances surrounding her son's death and as she embarks on her journey to not only find her granddaughter, but the truth about what happened that night.

I struggled to like Margaret. I don't have children so it's hard for me to know how I would act in such a situation. She seemed a bit obsessive.

The story is told from three viewpoints - Margaret, Kyle's and his, daughter, Ally.

I love her Kristin Kisska told each character's story and how the overarching story unfolded. Kyle was asked to keep a gut wrenching secret for his mother, one that led to his alcoholism. It makes a parent think about the load they often make their children carry.

I particularly enjoyed Kyle and Ally's story. I wasn't a fan of the ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the advanced copy.

#NetGalley #TheHintofLight