Cover Image: The Lighthouse

The Lighthouse

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Member Reviews

I found this story somewhat hard to get into. However, the story came together with Amy and Ryan in their adventure.

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Step into the enchanting world of "The Lighthouse" by Christopher Parker, where mystery dances with romance under the glow of a long-forgotten beacon. Oh, how this tale whisked me away from the ordinary to the extraordinary!

From the moment I dipped my toes into the story's waters, I found myself caught in a delightful whirlwind of secrets and surprises. Picture Seabrook, a quaint town alive with chatter about its suddenly illuminated lighthouse—oh, the gossip it stirs!

Christopher Parker spins a yarn that feels straight out of a modern fairy tale, brimming with twists, turns, and unexpected magic. As the plot unfurls amidst the cozy setting of small-town America, there's an air of mystery that tingles with anticipation.

Now, let's talk characters! Amy and Ryan, our intrepid protagonists, are like old friends met anew. Together, they journey through shadows and light, discovering truths about themselves and each other beneath the lighthouse's watchful gaze.

Parker's prose is a symphony of elegance and charm, painting Seabrook and its lighthouse in hues of wonder and intrigue. Amid themes of love, loss, and the quest for belonging, the story whispers messages of hope and resilience.

Oh, and a round of applause for Braden Wright's masterful narration in the audiobook version! His voice breathes life into the characters, making them dance across the imagination with grace and flair.

In the end, "The Lighthouse" is a treasure trove of mystery and romance, waiting to be discovered by those with a taste for adventure and a heart open to the whimsical wonders of storytelling. So, dear reader, let yourself be swept away on this magical journey—I promise, you won't regret it!

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This book was archived before I was able to download it onto my phone and I'm unable to leave a review.

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2 out of 5 stars

I am usually really good about finishing audiobooks even if I don't like them because I go through them so fast but this was not the case for this book. I had to restart this multiple times and I still don't know what happened in this. It's been a long while since I read this because I feel bad but I just couldn't get into the story but I know a lot of people love this.

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A lovely book. An atmospheric setting and enjoyable magical realism. Very sweet, relaxing, and enjoyable.

The narrator's Canadian-ish accent was a bit distracting, however, for a tale that takes place in Oregon.

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A light, uplifting read that’s great for anyone looking for a little love story, a little mystery, and a happy ending. Although there are sad elements to it with the deaths of multiple characters’ loved ones, there’s ultimately a pleasant reckoning in closure that takes place which leaves the reader feeling hopeful. The book takes place primarily in a small town on the Oregon coast which turns out to be a great setting for the events in the book. There are horses, which makes it all the better for me! The relationships between family members in the book are moving but ultimately in a positive way although saddening at times. There are some fantastical/supernatural elements to the book, so fans of magical realism may appreciate the way the plot unfolds. This is the author’s first book, and you can sometimes tell in the way the dialogue is drawn out, but overall, it’s a well-written debut!

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big pass for me. I didn't even. finish it. I would recommend if you don't mind slower books but I need. fast paced novel to keep me interested and this one missed the mark.

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A seemingly perfect small town, full of eerie circumstances and inexplicable people and events. A budding romance under a fog of mystery. I greatly enjoyed how the author wove this tale of magical realism.

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A roller-coaster ride of a book! I'm a lighthouse fanatic so anything set in or around a lighthouse has my attention. Did the audio version of this book and narration was amazing!

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I've already reviewed the ebook version of The Lighthouse, which I've pasted below. I requested both in the hopes I would be approved for one of them, and I was approved for them both. The narrator did ok, but his voices for the female characters didn't work for me, especially when one of these females was near tears or crying. He sounded like a high school boy making fun of an emotional girl, rather than an emotional girl. I didn't like that. I'm super surprised with the narrator choice, honestly. He didn't sound like Amy at all.

The Lighthouse reads as a YA novel, so be forewarned since the book has been marketed as adult fiction. Amy is an 18-year-old girl, who has recently lost her mom and has a very strained relationships with her dad. There are strong themes of grief and loss, which were hard for me read. I read to be happy, and did not realize when I requested this book that it would be so heavy and sad. I was intrigued by the mystery, but the characters and their interactions left things feeling flat and monotonous for me. The romance is very simple and immature, and was not as sweeping and "deeply romantic" as the synopsis had me hoping for. Essentially, The Lighthouse was not what I had expected (or was told I was going to get), and I ultimately would not recommend it.

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The Lighthouse is not my usual novel. It has a contemporary, American setting, there are no bonnets on the women, and the men do not wear cravats. Jane Austen is nowhere to be seen or heard. However, there was something about the book’s description (and I confess, the captivating cover art) which drew me in. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but what was delivered is unique indeed.

Writing a review of The Lighthouse is no simple task, as its surprises are one of the reasons that the story is compelling and mysterious. To offer any spoiler material would certainly ruin the novel’s impact for future readers. I will submit that Christopher Parker has written an interesting story, one that I would almost categorize as a fairy tale, although no true fairies are involved. I did have to “check my theology at the door” a little bit, but I in no way found the story to be spiritually offensive. It’s a whimsical world in which these characters live. While it’s true-to-life in many senses, there are elements that take the narrative beyond the norm as well.

Author Christopher Parker’s writing is well done, and I must confess that for some time I wasn’t able to put a finger on the hidden aspect of the novel’s premise. It just felt like something was “off”, but it was an indeterminate quality. Eventually pieces began to fall into place, and it made for a compelling set of circumstances in the lives of the characters. The subjects of pain and grieving are central to the story, but such heavy matters are handled in a compassionate way.

I wish I could say more about The Lighthouse. In fairness to those who have yet to read it, I must resist the urge to reveal more. Christopher Parker has crafted a thoroughly original tale that I enjoyed very much. There is just a touch of colorful language and romance, but overall the novel can appeal to all readers. In conjunction with a print copy, I also listened to the audiobook presentation of the novel, and narrator Braden Wright offers an excellent performance.

Although this review is short, I do offer an enthusiastic endorsement of The Lighthouse. Well-written and unexpected, it was a pleasure to discover and savor.

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The narrator was very good. He conveyed the characters emotions very well. He made the story come alive. The reason why I am giving it three is because the story was not what I had expected.

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I received this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. I tried listening to this audiobook twice. Unfortunately, The Lighthouse wasn't interesting enough to keep my attention.

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*received for free from netgalley for honest review* 4.5. wow this book just went in so many directions lol, i knew something was up but didn't know what until shortly before it was said in the story lol, would reread but it's long lol

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See my review for the physical book. I requested both by accident. I was not a fan of the book & didn’t finish it. It’s not a reflection on the book or the author, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

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Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher/author for providing me with an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was exactly what I wanted it to be! I loved it. I will make sure to check out other books by this author. When I requested this I was just intrigued by the concept of it and I loved how it turned out. This story had a great plot and if you have read this and enjoyed it, This was so much. It was such a great story. I would say give this one a try. I will continue to follow this author. Way to go to this author for not letting me down.

I highly enjoyed the narrator of the audiobook. Kept me listening.

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I was expecting more of a thriller/mystery but this had elements of magical realism and romance and seemed a bit more YA than i realized.

It was a bit of a slow build as well. It take a bit of a twist tho! Wasn’t Expecting the direction it went to.

I wasn’t loving the narrator for the female perspective also. I think this should have been two narrators.

I’ll say i didn’t love this one but i didn’t hate it. Just a bit different. It was interesting tho.

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Great story. It has enough twists to keep you interested. Just when you think you have the story figured out, another twist happens that changes the story.

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The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker may well be one of the best stories I have ever experienced! This story has notes of Twilight Zone, Ground Hog Day, and The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, and I absolutely loved it to the point it took me a few days before I could engage with the next book on my TBR stack.

Amy Tucker, 19, lost her mother a few weeks earlier to a distracted driver. Her father, Kevin, who is a state police officer, is also suffering but is very concerned about his daughter’s withdrawal. Kevin’s brother suggests he take a simple out of town mission to close a case and take a despondent Amy along to try to reconnect. Amy agrees.

The evening of their arrival, Amy decides she needs some space and takes a walk down by the shore in the shadow of the town’s deserted lighthouse. Instead of feeling better, she feels worse upon her return. If she could just get a good night’s sleep! With the help of her father’s sleeping pills and a nice hot bath, it is sleep she will get.

But then she is awakened to an overflowing tub and a strange young man. She screams and he takes off. Amy then cleans up her mess and falls into a deep sleep. But the next day she feels bad about her treatment of him and seeks him out to apologize, then spends a wonderful day with him.

However, things aren’t adding up or making sense and she cannot figure out where her father has gone. As the story unfolds, the reader will be brought into a surreal time and place. One where it is now up to Amy to do the saving.

This story is beautiful and haunting. The characters are so well drawn and the setting is beautifully described. And the well woven plot is so unexpected! I very much enjoyed this book and I wholeheartedly recommend it!

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Amy is struggling with her grief from losing her mother. Her relationship with her father, a respective police officer, is strained. To try and reconnect with his daughter, he takes her to the quaint town of Seabrook, while he wraps up a missing person report.
Ryan, is a young man, who is working his family's farm and trying to survive and make ends meet day to day. Dealing with his father's illness, he is also struggling emotionally. These two characters meet after an accidental overdose and establishes an unexpected connection.
I adored this book! It gave me all the feels and touched my heart! There were times were the grief Amy was experiencing was so overwhelming. Christopher Parker does an excellent job of portraying the grief and how it affects us emotionally and physically. How an unexpected connection can save your life!
I love the mystery around the town Seabrook and the lighthouse! It reminds me of one of those little New England towns that you read about!

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