⭐️⭐️.💫/5. The Love We Found by Jill Santopolo. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this advanced reader copy. Publication date is 3/18/25. This is a sequel to the Reese Witherspoon hyped novel, The Light We Lost. I read that one recently. It’s the one with the 9/11 meet-cute story. 😬. I found the protagonist Lucy to be incredibly selfish and she hasn’t really changed in this novel. Lucy is a single mom, living in a massive Brooklyn brownstone with her three children, the youngest being the product of her affair with photojournalist Gabe, the main love interest in the first novel. She’s divorced from Darren, and they are sharing custody. Gabe’s former publisher wants to do a retrospective gallery show of Gabe’s photographs. Lucy hops of a plane to Italy to do some research. There she meets the handsome NY doctor, Dax. Of course, nothing with Lucy is easy. Everything is complicated, and quite frankly, do we really care? Then there’s the drama about whether they will tell her youngest who is really his dad. Again, I didn’t like the main character, and that made both of these novels hard for me. Romance isn’t my thing! #eh #netgalley #thelovewefound #bookstagram #bookgram #reading #jillsantopolo #bookworm #whatiread #skipthisone #romance #goodreads

I did really like The Light We Lost and how it wasn’t your typical romance. I think it ended perfectly and we didn’t need this sequel. What bugged me the most were the kids actually. At times they spoke and acted like adults and then the next chapter they were like toddlers. It didn’t make sense to me. Overall I just didn’t think there needed to be more to this story.

Thank you, NetGalley, for this arc.
I loved the first book, maybe not as much because Lucy’s complicated love triangle was having me feel mixed emotions towards her. Now that it’s 10 years later, I can see how conflicted she was in the past and she has been making better decisions. I truly enjoyed each chapter and it was pretty suspenseful towards the end, just like the last book was. I definitely appreciate the closure I got from this book. I hardly ever like the second book more than the first, but I just felt full circle on this one!

Han pasado 10 años desde la muerte de Gabe y Lucy sigue igual de obsesionada, incluso creo que más, ya que, debido a su muerte, de repente lo coloca en un pedestal, como si él fuera la mejor persona. Todos sus recuerdos son ahora solo momentos bonitos, en los que Gabe jamás hizo nada malo.

Sin duda, estuvo mejor que el anterior, pero aún así, ella sigue cayéndome mal. Aquí vemos cómo enfrenta el hecho de que Sammy fuera hijo de Gabe, y la verdad me dio mucha pena Darren, porque la cobarde no le dijo que no era su hijo biológico hasta meses después de su nacimiento. Eso sí, me gustó cómo él reaccionó al decir que era su hijo y que nada cambiaría eso.

Finalmente, después de estar sola por años, de repente conoce a alguien de quien se enamora a primera vista. Esta parte del libro me fue indiferente.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I eat up anything written by Jill Santopolo, so I was thrilled for a chance to read and review “The Love We Found.” To read the sequel to “The Light We Lost?” It’s Christmas morning.

We pick up with Lucy ten years later who is approaching the tenth anniversary of Gabe’s death. While looking through Gabe’s belongings for pictures, she discovers an address to a place in Rome. Of course, she is going to board a flight to follow this lead. But what she discovers is much more than more information on who Gabe was. And of course, what happens in Italy leads Lucy to realize you can have more than one love.

“The Love We Found” tenderly focuses on grief and how to move forward after such a heart-aching loss. There isn’t as much movement forward in this novel as there is character exploration. I struggled a lot with remembering what happened in the first book (which I should have reread before starting this one). Like many sequels, this book is not as good as the original but you will still enjoy it.

Four out of five stars.

Thanks to the author, the publisher and Net Galley for a chance to read this book.

It’s been almost five years since I read the first book in this series, and I honestly couldn’t believe how quickly I was able to slip back into the world and the characters I’d loved so much. The first book touched me deeply, and even after all this time, I can still remember the emotions it stirred up. So, when I picked up this sequel, I was beyond excited to see what would happen next. I wasn’t disappointed—it was just as gripping and heartfelt as the first.

The healing process in this book really stood out to me. It felt deeply personal, and I could relate to it in ways I wasn’t expecting. Life isn’t perfect, and I don’t expect stories to be either. The ups and downs of the characters made me feel like I wasn’t alone in my own struggles. I love how impulsive decisions, even when they don’t lead to the best outcomes, still move people forward.

It was comforting to watch the characters grow and change, even through their mistakes. I saw a part of myself in their choices—acting on impulse, even though I know sometimes it’s not the best solution. Yet, like them, I keep moving forward, learning from those moments. The story stayed with me long after I finished, reminding me of the emotional depth and personal growth I experienced while reading.

I love this cover! The book was just okay. To be honest, I think it would have been better if I had just read the first book, but I read the first book when it first came out (and I LOVED it) and so it had a huge disconnect for me. It just didn’t live up to the expectations that I had for it. It was still a decent story, but I probably would have enjoyed it more right after the first one and would highly recommend reading them together.. I love watching the main character come into her own and finding her own way, but it fell a little bit flat, I still enjoy Jill Santopolo and would happily read another one of her books in the future.

Thanks NetGalley and G.P. Putnam’s Sons for the ARC.

While this book was not as good as The Light We Lost, I enjoyed seeing Lucy 10 years after Gabe's death. It did not have quite the same pull at my heartstrings, and due to the years between publication, I had to go back and review The Light We Lost a little bit to remember what was going on. I would have liked to see a little more recap regarding the last book woven into the beginning of this one, simply due to the years between reading.

I thought this was the perfect sequel to one of my favorite books, The Light We Lost! I finally picked up TLWL after having it on my shelf for a while and was WRECKED. I needed more after reading it and perfectly enough, I happened to stumble upon the fact that a sequel was coming and immediately ran to NetGalley to request it. I thought this was the perfect wrap up to the story and as with TLWL, I sped through it and just loved it. I loved the character development and just being back in their world. Very well done sequel and I think all TLWL lovers will enjoy this one as well!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Putnam for my early digital copy for my honest thoughts and review.

I had no idea this was a follow up lol and the way i screamed when i realized. I thought this was going to be a sad sad book but im glad ot was not

Jill Santopolo’s The Love We Found is a thoughtful exploration of love and self-discovery, with moments of emotional depth that resonate. While some characters shine, others feel underdeveloped, and the pacing can be uneven.

I was so happy to be able to read a continuation of Lucy’s journey after all these years. I absolutely loved “The Light We Lost”, and coming back to this storyline did not disappoint.

As someone who rarely reads romance, I cannot explain the chokehold these books have on me! I first read The Light We Lost on a long plane ride, and it's been a comfort read for me ever since - I think everyone can relate to the questions the book explores, the what-ifs, roads not taken, and trade-offs. I recommended it to my mom, and she was sure Lucy would have taken one path forward, whereas I thought she'd choose differently. I never thought we'd know - so when I saw that Santopolo had written a sequel (!) I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. (By the way, my mom was right!)

Was the plot a little predictable? Sure. Were the characters earnest to the point of disbelief at times? OK, yes. But did I absolutely freaking love it? Also yes! I devoured this sequel and am glad it exists. I especially loved seeing how Lucy's friendships have evolved over time - I loved that they weren't static - and. most of all, how she and her children interact. My favorite scenes weren't the romance ones, but the family-centric ones that took place around her dinner table.

My normal sweet spot is post-apocalyptic literary fiction, and this is decidedly not that, but when I'm looking for a cozy blanket of a book, I'll return to this one, and I'll recommend it to anyone looking for something warm, hopeful, and with heart. Thanks to Penguin Group Putnam and NetGalley for the ARC!

The Love We Found by Jill Santopolo was such a balm after so many years to revisit these characters. I loved the follow up, so happy for these characters I fell in love with so long ago.
Well done!

Review Link coming soon.

This is the follow up to The Light We Lost. I was nervous about this, as most sequels to popular books have been disappointing. But I really liked this! The main story revolves around her finally dealing with her grief and being honest about her youngest son being Gabe’s. And while Gabe is dead, he is a major part of this book - she’s saying everything to him.

There was a romance, too. I liked Dax, but it was a little insta-lust/love. I liked their connection, based off their pasts. I cringed when he met her children, but otherwise was glad they got their HEA.

"The Love We Found" is an emotional and engrossing sequel to Jill Santopolo's bestselling novel "The Light We Lost." In this captivating tale, readers are reunited with the complex and relatable characters they grew to love in the first book, as they navigate new challenges, heartbreaks, and ultimately, a chance at redemption.

Santopolo's evocative prose beautifully captures the intricate nuances of love, loss, and the life-altering choices we make in the face of adversity. As the story unfolds, readers are drawn deeper into the characters' lives, sharing in their triumphs and setbacks as they grapple with the consequences of their past decisions and the possibilities of the future.

"The Love We Found" is an absorbing and poignant exploration of the human heart's capacity for love, forgiveness, and growth. Fans of "The Light We Lost" will undoubtedly be captivated by this emotional rollercoaster of a sequel, while newcomers to Santopolo's work will be drawn in by her compelling storytelling and deeply relatable characters.

In short, "The Love We Found" is a must-read for anyone who appreciates powerful and emotional narratives that delve into the complexities of the human experience. Prepare to be swept away by Jill Santopolo's beautifully crafted tale of love, loss, and the enduring power of second chances.

I read this on the plane and am so glad people weren't next to me because I was crying so much especially towards the end as a mom and a working mom at that. I felt so much of the sacrifices and things that feel like an uphill battle for women. There were a few parts though where I was going what happened to Darren and Lucy, do what's right for you! The Darren I thought I had known in the first book seemed to feel different and much more unlikeable!

In this book though, I also loved the depth of all the different relationships that were developed especially showing that step parents can work together well, different parenting styles, how amazing siblings can be with each other, how perceptive kids can be, and how meeting the right person at the right time can really be part of our healing journeys.

If you like the Eat, Pray, Love kind of journey for Lucy, this is it and a beautiful one at that!

Thank you netgalley for the arc copy of the love we found in exchange for my honest review. This much anticipated sequel to the light we lost did not disappoint. If you did not read the light we lost then I recommend making sure you read it before this book and also before my review. The book is written semi conversationally to Gabe who died in the light we lost. I just loved the writing style of this novel. I could feel all the feelings of our main character and narrator Lucy. Lucy has 3 children and an ex husband and is complicatedly still grieving Gabe 10 years after his death. This novel is her journey of self discovery and fixing some of the wrongs of her past though she couldn't fix them all. Well done four stars

I read this so fast!! I was so eager to see how Lucy's story would end

I was a little disappointed overall it just felt there was such a rush to finish off her story line and give her a happy ending. I wanted complex and depth and it was just a tad flat for me and my expectations.
It was very well written and I love the themes that Jill has included in her books to make them relevant to todays world.

I had no idea there was a sequel to The Light We Lost and was so grateful to get to read this one early. I originally read The Light We Lost last year when I rediscovered my love of reading and I still think about that book to this day. I was worried this sequel would end up being unnecessary and a big let down, however for me it was the exact opposite. I really like the way it is told in the second person pov just like the first one.

I loved seeing how Lucy's life changed over the 10 years and it was interesting to see how they handled Samuel's parentage. By the end of this I was crying. I have already told my bookclub about this one!