Not what I expected, but ended up really enjoying it!

Callie is sentenced to spend the summer helping renovate her Aunt’s new Bed & Breakfast after a year of getting high and failing school. Last summer, she and her younger sister were at her Aunt’s together, until her sister died. While there, Callie unexpectedly connects with a boy named Tucker, and with her sister Chloe’s ghost.

I think I must’ve tuned out of the synopsis before getting to the paranormal portion. I was a bit surprised when I started reading that there was a ghost storyline and that it was a pretty significant portion of the book. At first, it irritated me because I had been expecting a sweet contemporary YA romance, but then it grew on me. I started to like the mystery aspect of not knowing the full story behind how Callie’s sister Chloe died and learning about it through their interactions.

Tucker, of course, was great. He had his own issues he was dealing with, but I loved that they didn’t stop him from connecting with Callie and from being there for her. I was a bit surprised by how quickly he seems to open up to her emotionally, but it was nice to see. I think I’m used to seeing young male characters be a bit stand-offish in their expression of their feelings and it was nice to see that he didn’t bullshit or play games.

I also liked the slow growth that Callie had. It was a nice balance seeing her fight with her guilt and her grief and seeing her start to get back to her old self. I also liked seeing the contrast between her interactions with her Aunt Lucy versus her interactions with Tucker.

Another aspect I appreciated was that every character in this story had flaws, both the adults and the teenagers. One of the things that I think a lot of adults forget is that young readers need to have adult characters that have flaws and can work on them. I think as a teen I would have appreciated seeing that her parents had issues too and that they started to work on them, not just that they wanted Callie to work on her issues.

I ended up enjoying this book a lot more than I thought it would. I think I my rating for this one actually leans a little bit more towards the 3.5 star rating, but because I don’t know if it’s one I would re-read, I rounded down to a 3. I appreciated the mystery aspects to it even though it wasn’t what I originally thought I was getting myself into. I enjoyed Upperman’s writing and really liked the characters. Tucker and Callie were sweet together and, even though I’m repeating myself, I enjoyed watching their growth. While I didn’t end up getting to read this book at the cabin, I think it’s the perfect vacation read. It has a little bit of everything and I think anyone can find something to enjoy in this book.

The protagonist, Callie lost her sister tragically and is grieving throughout the novel. I really enjoyed the stages of grief shown in the book. It was both heartwarming and tragic all at the same time. Callie has been rebellious ever since losing her sister and her father makes her go to her aunt's house during the summer. She is expected to help her aunt fix her old home to turn into a B&B.

Of course, like any young adult contemporary, she ends up meeting a boy and falling in love. While she is helping her aunt restore the old beach house, Callie begins to see signs of her sister. Almost as if she is being haunted by her. I really enjoyed watching Callie grow as a character and go through the stages of grief. She learns how to laugh and smile again. The book shows how important it is to see that life does, in fact, go on even if you never truly forget the person you lost.

The book really hit home for me seeing how depressed Callie became. How she used weed to numb out. The depression of her mother and her isolating. It was all very well developed. I very much enjoyed the authors writing style and will be picking up more of her books after this one. I wasn't much a fan of the love interest but it's very hard for me to ship romances in books. So I don't fault the author for this. Romance isn't huge for me.

There is some mystery with the book because you don't know exactly how Callie's sister died right away. I enjoyed this aspect very much. The summer setting made it all the more interesting. All we get in the beginning is that the death took place at the house the prior summer. I loved seeing the mystery unfold. Adding the paranormal aspect was also different but equally enjoyable. The book only had some minor flaws but overall it kept my attention and was enjoyable. If you like summer easy contemporary reads you should pick this one up!

This is my first book from Katy Upperman, but I can safely say that I will be coming back for more.

How the Light Gets In mixes contemporary charm with paranormal mysticism built on the bittersweet foundations of love, loss, and grief. Emotion-charged straight off page one, this story is set to tug, pull and pluck at your heartstrings and leave you contemplating just how precious moments with your loved ones truly are.

I enjoyed this book a whole lot even though it took a while before I really got into it. Once I did though, there was no turning back. I fell in love with the setting, the characters, and their relationships, at the honesty and realness with which the author portrayed grief and loss in this story.
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Real and honest

How the Light Gets In showed grief with an almost visceral realness – how people’s handling of it differs in varying ways, how sometimes grief and loss can drive a person to grab at whatever thing will make the pain go away no matter how temporary, and how you can still mourn and search for someone even if they’ve long been gone…even if you’ve never known them.

I felt for Callie, her mother and father, and Lucy. Losing a sister – a daughter, someone who has so much more ahead of them – is a tough loss that took something from all of them.

I felt for Tucker. Having lost his mother without even knowing her, and having a father who’s reluctant to even tell him a smidge about the woman who bore him left him with questions and made him mistrustful.

As someone who has lost a number of loved ones, this one is something that deeply resonated with me. Grief plays a crucial role in the plot of this story. It is a delicate topic, but one handled well and with much sensitivity.

Small-town charm

I don’t usually mind a story’s setting much. I trust the author to build her story, its world, place her characters in the setting she deems will best serve her narrative. For this one though, I just couldn’t help but fall in love with Bell Cove and it’s coastal small-town charm. There’s just something magical, at the same time eerie about it especially thinking the paranormal elements this novel has. It’s just perfect!

A ghost story & a mystery

This was a bonus I never expected to get from this book. Yes, the blurb hinted at a bit of a ghost story, but that’s selling it short. It plays a slightly bigger role and totally gives this story an added dimension. The inclusion of small-town mystery – the intrigue and rumors surrounding it included – was a welcome and fresh addition.

Family, friendship & love

It wasn’t an immediate connection, but I grew to adore Callie. There’s a vulnerability in her at the same time that there is a hidden, undiscovered strength. Tucker, meanwhile, first appeared to be Callie’s opposite – the bright sunshine to her gloomy raincloud. As the story progressed though, I just couldn’t help but see how much similarities they have – they’ve both lost people, both still grieving. It was beautiful reading how they discover these similarities bit by bit and use it as a common ground to begin something new that’s just for both of them.

Another thing I loved was Callie’s, and by extension Tucker’s, interaction with the rest of the characters in this book, most especially with Lucy because she’s one of my favorites. More than an aunt, she’s like an older sister for Callie, and like her, is also swallowed up in guilt after Chloe’s death (although she copes with it in a different way.)
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Overall, How the Light Gets In is an enjoyable read that perfectly blends summer romance and paranormal mystery. It has its flaws, yes. It starts slow, and at times it meanders through unneeded introspection. But there’s much more to love in this one that I overlooked them and focused on the good stuff instead. I’d definitely recommend this to YA contemporary readers who love a bit of mystery (and a ghost story).

How the Light Gets In by Katy Upperman is a book you can pair with a soft sunrise, a warm drink, and a cozy reading corner. It's a story that starts off with the dark twilight hours where shapes are indistinguishable hues of blues and purples. Through the process of reading the book, tendrils of light begin to illuminate the surrounding world that comprised of our protagonist, Callie's, loss. In the final pages of the book, a warm sunrise fills the pages so that the inky emotions of sadness, and grief, give way to a lighter, more hopeful world.



If anything, Upperman's latest work shows us how the process of going through all of life's profound emotions - through warmth and heartache - is just how the light gets in.



How the Light Gets In was a lovely contemporary read that is perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes. This is a story that pays tribute to the bonds of sisterhood between Callie and Chloe while also presenting a moving testimony to the strength of love, forgiveness, and hope.

What I liked

I definitely liked the mystery this novel had to offer. You don’t know how Callie’s sister died exactly and the reason why. Meaning that you have to play Sherlock Holmes a bit. Which I liked a lot. Plus there were ghosts! My paranormal lover side loved this.

The writing style was great as well. The sentences were short, fluid and comprehensible. The author had a beautiful way to describe what her main character felt, saw, thought, and so on. I could imagine myself being Callie for a while. I felt like being the main character in How the light gets in and what reader doesn’t like that feeling?

The storyline was a pretty good one. It had the perfect setting and everything was perfect in it. I don’t remember reading other books about a sister bond as strong as it was in this one. I even shed some tears, just to tell you how sad and amazing this book was at once.

What I didn’t like

For my personal tastes, the book was too long and it dragged a bit at some parts. But otherwise, it was a great story!

Overall, How the light gets in is an important read that everyone should have read at least once in their life! There is no fixed age range for this book. You can read it at any point in your life!

I had read Katy Upperman's Kissing Max Holden a few years back, so I was super happy to be part of the blog tour for How the Light Gets In!

why I adored this book:
-The setting. The book takes place in Bell Cove, and I just couldn't get enough of it. I love beach towns like Bell Cove, and I love reading books with settings like this, especially in the summer.
-It was a mix of paranormal with contemporary. I haven't read a book like this before, but I think that it worked perfect, given the plot. I really didn't think that there was going to be this paranormal element, but there was! I don't want to say too much about it because I'd love for you to be able to experience it yourself.
-Callie's relationship with Tucker. I really loved him! He was so charming and their relationship was utterly sweet. Their romance felt 100% real to me.
-This book kept my attention all the way through. Sometimes, a book gets a bit boring at times, but I can say that I stayed fully invested the whole time I was reading.

Honestly, I think that if you're looking for a contemporary that's out of the norm for YA contemporaries, then this is your book! It was a very engaging read and I feel like now I really have to check out The Impossibility of Us because it's the one book by Upperman that I haven't read yet!

Thank-you for providing me with a digital copy of this! Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to read this before it was archived. It is still something that I would be interested in, I just have to find the time to dedicate to it. Perhaps someday I will find the time!

Thank-you again for sending an ARC of this my way!

I became Katy‘s fine since I read The Impossibility of Us last year and so I was eager to read her next book, When the Light Gets In. I am glad that I wasn’t disappointed. This book had everything that I love in a contemporary- Small beach town setting, super cute romance, sisters bonding and interesting characters.

This story is about Callie who is not coping well with the death of her sister which happened recently. To make her condition better, Callie’s father sends her to her aunt Lucy to spend her summer vacation with her in a small beach town where she was supposed to help her aunt with the renovation of her inn.

I loved the setting. I am a sucker for small beach town stories where life is usually lazy and slow-moving. Small towns with secrets make this story a page-turner. The plot was fast-moving and all the things perfectly made sense. There are different sub-plots going on like mystery behind the death of Callie’s sister, the mystery behind a missing town girl and the mysterious happenings in the house. This is a haunting tale (involve a ghost!) which was I nice twist to the story. All these things keep the story interesting till the end.

I love reading stories about sisters and this book was no exception. Though we don’t get to know Chloe in the ongoing story, Katy Upperman has done a beautiful job of showing her story through flashlights and backstories. She was as much a part of the story as the rest of the characters were. Their bond was so strong even when Chloe was not there with Callie. Of course, there were grudges and misunderstandings and I liked how the author has achieved this with the paranormal mystery theme.

The romance was beautiful and it was so well done. Katy writes her couples in a beautiful way. There were so many sweet moments and I rooted for them so badly. The romance was not the cheesy kind. It was mixed with the perfect amount of emotions as well as angst. Tucker Morgan was a kind of happy-go-lucky boy, always having a smile on his face. But deep down he had the same amount of burden as Callie had.

This story is heartbreaking but also beautiful. They are so many important themes discussed in this book. It is about dealing with grief and how to overcome it. It shows that our life doesn’t end if we face some tragedy or if someone is no more in our life. We still try to live our lives in a way that there is always tomorrow. We should accept the help that is coming our way and should let the light in.

All in all, How the Light Gets In was an amazing read and I would definitely recommend this. It is packed with a lot of emotions, swoon-worthy romance and amazing characters with a paranormal mystery angle and would definitely keep you hooked till the end. It is about grief and guilt and how to overcome it. And if you love stories set in small beach towns, don’t miss this book.

Callie and Chloe spent last summer visiting their recently divorced Aunt Lucy and helping transform her new historical house into a bed and breakfast. Then Chloe died tragically. Callie has spent the past year in a haze - mostly of her own creation - and her dad has had enough. He gives Callie a choice for this summer: go to Montana wilderness camp or spend another summer in Bell Cove, Oregon working with her aunt. It doesn't seem like much of a choice, so Callie decides to return to Bell Cove, her aunt, and her memories. Unusual dreams and old house sounds are unnerving, but Callie doesn't seem so far away in Bell Cove. Tucker, a local boy who is working on Lucy's yard, helps Callie feel again. As Callie works on the house and uncovers some of its history, she learns how to manage her feelings in a productive way. But to move on Callie has to face some harsh truths about Chloe's death and her part in it, or neither of them will be able to move on. Readers will feel the blanket of guilt and grief that covers Callie's life and the hope that healing brings.

THOUGHTS: Upperman skillfully combines a subtle mystery with the paranormal and the unbreakable bond between sisters. The sweet romance brings hope and lightens the tone of the novel. Recommended for high school libraries where compelling stories or romance are popular.

"It’s just too hard. I get it—I do. It’s torture for my parents, looking at me every day, an older, blonder version of the daughter who was taken from them. No wonder Dad’s exhausted, losing weight, tense. No wonder Mom can’t wade out of her merlot sea. They lost one daughter, but that doesn’t mean they won’t set the other loose for the family’s greater good."

Callie is shutting down and her father has sent her back to her aunt’s home in Sitka, Oregon, to see if she can heal from what happened to her sister last year. When mysterious things start happening in a house full of secrets and death, can she deal with her guilt and figure out what her sister is trying to tell her?

I enjoyed the relationship between Callie and Tucker. His patience and understanding is just what she needs to open up about the tragedy that happened a year ago. Also, Aunt Lucy is a quirky character who has suffered a loss as well and her struggles to help her niece is commendable.

The death of a loved one is a difficult subject to cover and the author does an exemplary job describing the emotions and thoughts of the characters. This young adult novel is a one-sitting read. Recommend highly!

Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley, Fantastic Flying Book Club, and Swoon Reads for this free copy. All quotes in this review are taken from the Advanced Reader Copy and may change in final publication.

Content Warnings: Drug Abuse, Alcohol Abuse, Suicide, Possible Murder/Suicide, Parental Abandonment, Death, Depression, Grief, Teenage Pregnancy

Wow, I can’t get over what I read. It was truly an amazing novel, and I think Upperman did an amazing job with this story. I’m slowly becoming a fan of contemporary, and this book really turned me on to try more contemporary books.

-The Characters-
Callie Ryan is the protagonist in this novel. She is dealing with immense depression, grief, and guilt over the death of her younger sister Chloe. It has almost been a year since Chloe died in Bell Cove, and Callie feels extremely guilty that she was not able to save her sister. She is a broken girl, resorting to smoking weed to dull her senses, and the loss of her sister has completely broken her. This story is about her journey to start living again, although for the longest time she has not allowed herself to be happy because of the guilt she harbors over what happened to Chloe.

“Usually I’m Callie, but it’s my full name, Calliope, pronounced sternly, when I’ve done something to upset him. He saves Cal for the times he’s feeling lighthearted, or when he’s trying to force lightheartedness.” Callie, Chapter 2

Tucker Morgan is the boy she meets in Bell Cove at her aunt’s house. He was hired by Aunt Lucy to be her landscape specialist (yard boy) and help turn the outside of the Stewart House into something wonderful. He is a college student that is also hiding some dark feelings, but is extremely respectful of Callie’s space and moods, and is constantly making sure she moves at her pace. He is a swimmer like Callie and Chloe, and that’s one of the things they share in common.

“Tucker Morgan. Lucy hired me as her landscape specialist, known also by its less glamorous title: yard boy.” Tucker’s first words to Callie, Chapter 6

Aunt Lucy is the new owner of the Stewart House, and Callie’s guardian over the summer. She was with Callie trying to find Chloe the night that she died, and she is also going through some emotional trauma from her divorce from her ex-husband. She does her best to try to get Callie to open up and talk about her feelings, and is patient with Callie’s outbursts and foul treatment of her during the summer.

Chloe and Isaac are mentioned during some flashbacks that Callie has, and while Issac plays an important role in the summer that Chloe died, we don’t really get to see much of him. It is important to note that he was a good guy during that summer, and was extremely understanding of Callie and never forced her to do anything she didn’t want to do.

We also meet other minor characters such as Drew and Brynn (Tucker’s best friends), Shirley (Lucy’s book club buddy), and Benjamin (Tucker’s dad) while in Bell Cove, with Callie’s mom and dad making brief phone call appearances.

-The Plot-

Callie is dealing with the loss of her sister Chloe, but it’s clear that the entire Ryan family is falling apart. Callie resorts to getting high to mask the pain, her grades dismal and quitting the swim team. She’s not herself after Chloe dies, and it’s understandable. When Callie’s dad finds her high in her bathroom yet again, he gives her a decision to make. She can either go to a behavior modification camp in Montana, or go help Aunt Lucy with the Bed & Breakfast renovations in Bell Cove. Knowing that the last time Callie ever saw her sister alive was in Bell Cove, she’s hesitant to go back there, but since she made a promise that year, she ends up choosing Bell Cove.

While she works on the renovations with her aunt, she starts to question whether she’s being haunted by Chloe, because her sister’s things keep showing up in her room or in other parts of the house for her to find, along with red poppies. She does whatever she can to communicate with her sister, because all she wants to do is see her again.

During this, she starts to get to know Tucker, who has also been dealing with grief of his own, and they come to an understanding and end up developing a friendship. For the first time since Chloe died, Callie is able to laugh again, to smile, and to be happy. She learns how to move on, and how to keep living, even if she has been punishing herself to never feel happy again.

-My Likes-

I really like how Upperman made it clear that Tucker and Issac were the kind of boys that would ask for consent before doing anything with Callie. Callie would almost be surprised when Tucker doesn’t kiss her right away, or move faster than she’s ready to, but she also appreciates it. This concept of consent during any kind of relationship is so important and I rarely see that in novels lately, so it’s always refreshing to see that.

“He squeezes my hand. “Is this all right?” I nod because I don’t trust my voice to remain steady. But it is all right. Better than all right.” Chapter 24

“…but when he whispers, “You’re sure?” I nod without hesitancy, because yes, I am very, very sure. Chapter 46

The initial contact between Brynn (a girl, and Tucker’s best friend) and Callie went so much better than I hoped for. Immediately, Brynn was warm and welcoming, and wanted to spend girl time with Callie. She wanted her to feel a part of Bell Cove, and there was no instance of girl on girl fighting over a guy, or at all, just because they were the two main girls in Tucker’s life. That was seriously refreshing, and I love female friendships that start from the get go.

Brynn huffs. “Ignore me? You’re the one who’s been hogging the new girl. Did it ever occur to you that maybe I’d like some female company after hanging out with the two of you for so long?” Brynn to Tucker when she first meets Callie, Chapter 18

This is also kind of small, but I liked it. Isaac is part Korean, and Drew “could have a Polynesian background.” Drew’s last name is Taupo, which originates from New Zealand, so Callie was close but never confirmed.

I also liked that while Callie made an assumption about Drew in the beginning, she was able to learn from that and make a better judgment on his character after actually talking with him and getting to know him. She didn’t allow her first impressions to cloud her judgment forever.

“Maybe it’s the regret I feel at having judged him unfavorably when now he’s being so decent.” Chapter 44

-My Dislikes-

I’m upset that it’s over?

Also some minor grammatical errors here and there, but I trust they will be fixed upon publication.

-Final Thoughts-

I think the way that Upperman handled Callie’s grief and depression was really great. I could feel it in my bones. Every time Callie ended up falling asleep in the middle of the day, just exhausted from barely doing anything, I could relate to her because I go through that all the time. The way that Upperman showed Callie coming out of her grief and learning to let someone like Tucker in was fabulous. I was rooting for Callie to come to terms with the fact that Chloe was dead, but that it wasn’t her fault. I just really liked this book.

Additional Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book is SO good!!! How the Light Gets In is a perfect mix of YA contemporary, romance and paranormal. This haunting tale is about Callie who has lost her sister almost a year ago and she doesn’t know how to live on. Her father can’t see her spiraling so he sends her to live with her Aunt Lucy in Bell Cove, to help her renovate an old inn. When Callie arrives at the old inn, she meets a guy called Tucker Morgan and her dead sister.

I’m not a believer in paranormal but I’ve seen people go to seances where they hope to communicate with their dead loved ones. It is said it helps bring peace and perhaps, closure. I don’t normally write my musings in my reviews but this book hit me hard. I know the feeling of wanting so badly to talk to a dead loved one for one last time. Katy Upperman has beautifully written characters dealing with the death of a loved one while piecing themselves back together. From the quiet small town with its secrets to the mysterious incidents in the house to Callie and Tucker’s romance felt real. It felt as if the book ended too soon.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book if you love Katy Upperman’s books, YA contemporary with a twist, romance with some angst, small towns with lots of secrets, and relatable characters. Please pre-order this order this book or request at your nearest library or borrow it from someone!! You won’t regret reading this.

Thanks to the publisher for gifting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Please note that this book may be triggering for some readers due to a tragic death and the grief behind it.

The story itself is on the darker side dealing with grief from the loss of a sister. But there’s a surprising twist when her ghost visits leaving a haunting, supernatural feel which I loved reading. From there, we are thrown into a mysterious tale surrounding her death.

This is a great YA contemporary that will stay with you long after putting the book down. I gave this one 4 out of 5 stars, and recommend it to those who like a touching, slightly haunting story with an emphasis on sisterhood.

But don’t think it’s all darkness as the plot is balanced with a comforting romance.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It wasn't an easy ready because it wasn't your typical YA contemporary that is filled to the brim with your cute swoon-worthy moments. Instead, we follow Callie as she tries to find her way through her grief. The writing does an amazing job of conveying her emotions. The plot pulls you in and makes you believe that what is happening is real and tangible. I also loved how the characters were accessible and felt real. Thank you so much to Xpresso Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

I wasn’t sure what to expect from How the Light Gets In. The description made it sound like an emotional contemporary, with brushes of slow and sweet romance. I thought it was gonna have a slightly dark, gothic atmosphere because of the shroud of death. I never expected it to fully incorporate a paranormal story-line: which I loved. You get the best of both worlds in this compelling book!

I was also immediately taken by Callie’s emotional rawness. When the book starts, it’s been about a year since she lost her best friend and partner in crime, her slightly younger sister, Chloe. Callie’s life took a complete nose-dive after she lost her sister. She stopped caring about school, extra-curriculars, friends, and pretty much, life in general. Her dad non-negotiably suggests that she spend the summer at her aunt’s up-and-coming coastal B & B, to heal (himself and her). You see, it’s not just Callie pushing people away. Her parents, especially her dad, have ostracized her because of her slightly-older resemblance to their deceased daughter.

The other thing I really loved about this book is the descriptive writing. It’s beautiful; atmospheric and addicting.

Long story short, if you love: coming-of-age stories with real and raw characters, sweet budding romances that don’t take over the story, and actual paranormalcy, then you should definitely grab this book!

***Actual Rating: 4/5 Hauntingly-Forgiving Stars***

As a massive fan of YA Contemporary Romance, I'm fully aware of Katy Upperman and all her previous, highly anticipated works. Kissing Max Holden and The Impossibility of Us sound unbelievably intriguing to me, and I'm constantly guilty about not having read either of them earlier. Thankfully (and much to my surprise,) I got a perfect opportunity to actually read, enjoy, and share my thoughts about her upcoming novel, How the Light Gets In, with all of you, and for that, I'm truthfully grateful.

That being said, How the Light Gets In is the first book of Katy's I've read, and I'm really glad it does not let me down. Not knowing what to expect, I experience this book--yep, head-on experience--with an open mind and wide eyes. My first impression on this book is, interestingly, not the author's writing style, nor the uniqueness of the characters' personality; instead, what lures me deeper in the story is the all-so-unexpected supernatural/paranormal/ghost-like element, a.k.a. the ghost of Callie's (the female protagonist's) late baby sister, Chloe.

There, I said it, the otherworld (Ha! Pun intended!) feature that I most definitely didn't see coming. I don't know why, but when I picture Katy's books or the stories she may create, they won't include something so...spiritual or slightly superstitious. Not trying to stray from the topic, despite the fact that Chloe's everlasting ghost catches me off-guard in the entire story, I actually appreciate her role in making Callie's life better and more whole.

When Callie lost her sister to a pretty girlish, slightly juvenile cause, she was devastated. Never would Callie expect her dearest sister to be gone so simply, as if their sisterhood was nothing but fleeting moments. The most touching part of this book is how strong the bond between Callie and Chloe is even when one of them ceases to exist. And the cherry on top? There's a slowly built romance for Callie and the new boy, Tucker Morgan, a happy-go-lucky who seems to bear as much burden as she does deep down.

All in all, How the Light Gets In is all about dealing with losing a beloved someone while struggling/managing to piece yourself together somehow. Callie and Chloe's story makes me believe in--not necessarily ghosts--spirits more and that perhaps, communicating with the lost one through some supernatural means can actually help seeking forgiveness. All I want to say is that this book certainly is a meaningful read, and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do. :)

***Thanks to Xpresso Tours and the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.***

I love Katie Upperman. I always have and this book didn't disappoint. I love her characters and the way she writes. She writes about stories that hit close to home and this is by far one of my favorite books.

This book was so good.

Having to experience what Callie experienced in this novel is something that no one should ever have to face. This book was written so well, with such a strong plot line and character development. The book had a texture of suspense to it that made you wonder what Callie was going to face next. The element of love in this story provided a light in Callie's darkness. It helped to lighten up the novel and took an edge off of the emotional toll that the reader was experiencing with Callie. I am so glad and honored that I had a chance to do an early review of this novel.

This will not be the last book I read from Katy Upperman!

2 reviews

4 stars
Callie has suffered with guilt for over a year. You see, her sister died, and Callie believes she is to blame. She returns to her aunt's house, where it happened. Meeting a boy turns out to be the second most crazy thing. Suddenly, Chloe is all around her.

Mostly supernatural, with some romance, this book kept me guessing and wanting to read more.


4.5 stars
How the Light Gets In by Katy Upperman was nothing I expected, and I liked it! The story is an easy read with a great plot, but if you think you have it figured out and you've read a book like this before, think again.

Callie Ryan is blaming herself for her sister's death and has basically checked out of life. She quit the swim team, isn't keeping her grades up, and feels guilty for what happened. Now, she is spending her summer at her aunt's home where it all happened. She didn't expect to meet a boy who interests her and she sure as heck didn't expect to see her sister again, well, her sister's ghost. There is more than meets the eye here, and you have to read it to find out the truth.

This was an intriguing story with characters you want to know. Add on top of that a great plot that has you turning page after page, and you have a must-read book. 4.5 stars and I highly recommend you one-click this book today. You won't be disappointed.

This book was so hauntingly tragic and beautiful. It fully encapsulates the feelings of loss and pain that come from losing a loved one, coupled with the guilt of wishing that last day had been different. Callie is a character that is hard to love, both within the book and as a reader. She’s sullen, withdrawn, and mean at times, although you know that it’s because she is hurting so much. Everything about the emotions felt so raw and real. I think that’s what drew me into this story, even though it’s not the usual type of thing that I read. You want to see if Callie can find healing. Katy Upperman makes you see past Callie’s behavior and want to see her come back to herself.

Now let’s talk about Tucker. Everyone should have someone like Tucker in their lives. He is battling his own demons, but he is also genuine and sincere. And really cute. I loved how he was always there for Callie, even at the beginning of their relationship when she was pushing him away. He gave her her space, let her set the tone, and was always there when she needed him. And he bought her a kitten! How can you not love a guy who buys you a kitten! Their relationship felt very natural and organic. I was so glad that they were able to find happiness with each other.

Also, everyone needs an eccentric Aunt Lucy who is fixing up a B&B. She was awesome and I adored her.

There is a paranormal element to this story, that of Callie’s sister, Chloe, appearing as a ghost. Chloe needs closure and Callie has to help her find it, even if it means losing her sister all over again. It was heartbreaking, but at the same time, helped both sisters heal and move on.