I had no idea where this journey would take me. Have novels written around a lighthouse theme run their course? Apparently not, at least not in the hands of Christopher Parker. Parker makes this as fresh as if he was the only one to ever use this element as a novel's centerpiece. In his debut novel, Parker makes me glad he found his voice and put pen to paper. This is an exceptional first published work.

Lots of 'feels' and reveals in this book. From the beginning, this mystery/thriller has a ghostly tone that keeps you on edge- not in a creepy way. More a restlessness and keeps you wondering.

The Lighthouse is full of romance and self-discovery. Amy and Ryan lead the way through the interesting ménage of characters you can't but help, welcoming in to your heart.

Very glad I had the chance to enter this Seabrook community and sort my way through all that is reality and that which is imagined. Loved the connection with the horses as well.

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Beacon press for this advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

II listened to the audiobook version of this book and the narrator, Braden Wright deserves a 5 star rating for his performance.

This is a bit tricky to review. I feel as though the synopsis did not accurately describe this book. My main issue is that this book centered around death of a family member and grief. I personally don’t like to read those types of stories.

I’m going to give some positive things about this book before I look at more of what I didn’t like. I’d say the actual writing is very good. E have a dual pov between Amy and Ryan. Amy is in Seabrook with her dad following the death of her mother, We learn about the death in the first couple of pages, so this is not a spoiler. Ryan owns a ranch with his father outside of Seabrook. The magical realism was done well, and the story moves fairly quickly.

What I’d did not like. I did not like the fact that the synopsis doesn’t mention the fact that the main storyline is about death and grief. The characters were a bit flat and it leaned on the instalove side of things. I do understand why it felt like that and it does make sense for the storyline. I didn’t like the twist at the end and I did not find it as romantic as the synopsis says it is.

The ending also was a bit of let down for me. However, objectively speaking, it’s not bad and I think some people will enjoy it. I think there is an audience for this book who will truly enjoy it. It’s a quick book that is character driven and supposed to be heartwarming. It’s not a bad book at all. It just wasn’t what I was expecting. I do think it’s worth a read and I will probably check out more books by the author in the future.

The Lighthouse
Christopher Parker

Description:
"Enchanting, mysterious, and deeply romantic, The Lighthouse follows a young woman's breathtaking journey far from home to discover where she truly belongs.

Something strange is happening in Seabrook. The town's lighthouse — dormant for over thirty years and famously haunted — has inexplicably started shining, and its mysterious glow is sparking feverish gossip throughout the spooked community.

Amy Tucker is only visiting for the night and has no plans to get caught up in the hysteria, but that changes when she meets Ryan, the loyal, hard-working son of a ranch owner who lives on the outskirts of town.

Their chance encounter turns into an unforgettable weekend, and against the backdrop of the lighthouse-obsessed town, the two of them forge a deep connection, opening their hearts, baring their souls, and revealing secrets long kept hidden.

But as they grow closer, and as the lighthouse glows ever brighter, a startling discovery about Ryan leaves Amy questioning everything she thought she knew. To uncover the truth about her new friend, Amy will need to enter Seabrook’s ominous tower, where waiting inside she will not only find the reason why fate has brought them together… but a shocking secret that will change the course of their lives forever."

Review:
My first audiobook! Maybe they'll grow on me but as for right now, I'll stick with the written word. I find when the narrator does both male and female voices, it's a bit creepy.

But, I did enjoy this story. In his debut novel, author Christopher Parker gives us good characters and beautiful scenery - can't go wrong with a lighthouse on the Oregon coast. The first half of the book does not prepare you for the surprising twists & turns of the second half. Lots of grief and heartbreak but also love and redemption.

Check this book out - you won't be disappointed!

I was gifted this advance copy by NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Amy is struggling after losing her mom when her dad invites her on a quick business trip. He needs to let a family know they are closing a missing persons case. But when she meets Ryan she finds someone she can relate to again. The town is trying to figure out how the old abandoned lighthouse is shining again and Amy worries when she can’t find her dad and Ryan suspiciously ends up with the necklace her mother gave her. A local girl, Chloe helps her find her way back to what she knows.

I really enjoyed this book!

I am thankful for the electronic copy of the book that I received from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a beautiful story about loss and love. The narrator creates a great world that is so believable. It brought tears to my eyes while I was absorbed in the story. There is action, mystery, magic and love, all the greatest components for a truly great story!. Amy is the heroine who meets a young man called Ryan who she meets during a moment one evening on a visit to a town called Seabrook with her father. Amy and Ryan are strong characters who have had sad events in their lives before they meet, so they make a deep connection to each other, having so much in common.
Braden Wright makes the characters come.alive with his different voices. His feeling in the words that he reads make it such an emotional story . I loved it so much!!. I will listen to this many times!. I'm sure there will be lots I missed the first time around!!. I highly recommend that you buy this book!!!
Many thanks to Netgalley for the free ARC book for an honest review.
#Beaconpress #christopherparker #bradenwright

Excellent read! This audio book is winning combination- entertaining, creative and mysterious. I really enjoyed that the book wasn’t predictable and kept you wanting to push forward to unearth the secrets that are lurking in the dark.

The Lighthouse gives the reader some new twists as we embark on this journey with Amy through grief and loss. It’s fascinating to see how the story unfolds and what elements are connected by the author. Lots of interesting perspectives and ideas formulated in this book.

#JourneyToSeabrook #NetGalley

Amy is struggling with the death of her mother. And Her dad just doesn’t know how to deal with it. So, they head out for a short trip hoping to reconnect. Amy has a chance encounter with Ryan and it changes her whole world!

Ryan is an all around good guy! He is struggling to keep the family ranch going after his father’s stroke. It is so much harder than he ever thought possible. He absolutely stole my heart. And Amy is so sad and in desperate need for help that Ryan ends up being her saving grace in more ways than one!

I am all over the place about this novel. I swear…I cried, I laughed and I wanted to throw something. I am still so attached to all these characters! Ryan is my absolute favorite…and I do not want to give anything away…but you better have tissues ready!

The narrator, Braden Wright, is one of my all time favorites. He does an excellent job with all the voices and emotions.

Need a good story which gives you all the feels…THIS IS IT! GRAB YOUR COPY TODAY!

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I didn't love this one. It was a little too out there for my tastes. Part story about family and grief and the loss of loved ones, part romance, part ghost story. I definitely didn't see the twists coming though. Recommended for fans of Nicholas Sparks. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my ALC,

"The Lighthouse" by Christopher Parker is a debut novel of Magical Realism.

On the Pacific Coast in Seabrook, OR, a lighthouse, bordered-up many years ago and rumored to be haunted is the backdrop of this story. A one-day romance between Amy Tucker and Ryan Porter, who are unknowingly brought together, is the centerpiece of everything that takes place.

Amy and Ryan are both struggling with life challenges. Amy is broken by the tragic death of her mother. Ryan is shattered by his father's devastating illness. Their unexpected connection brings a welcome distraction for both of them.

When the old lighthouse mysteriously begins to glow brighter and brighter, what could it mean? Is it a sign of something to come? Is it real or imagined?

Character driven and emotional, this story will touch your heart. The author gives authenticity to how deeply grief and hardship can impact one's life both physically and mentally.

This story reads and feels like a YA novel and would definitely appeal to this younger audience. The overly simplistic dialog between Amy and Ryan, the light-romantic tone, and the lacking maturity level of these two main characters are all strong examples of the YA genre.

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Braden Wright. His voice is deep, he reads beautifully and his voicing of male characters is engaging. It has been my experience when a male narrator is voicing female characters, it doesn't translate well to the listener. It detracts the listener, while the addition of a female narrator would not.

3.5 stars for the story, 3 stars for the audiobook averaging to 3.25 stars. I enjoyed this author's creative story and look with interest at what he comes up with next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Beacon Press Limited and Christopher Parker for an ALC of this book. It is my pleasure to give my honest and voluntary review.

3 1/2 stars

I am a reader who loves a book that speaks to my soul. I truly thought this would be one of those books. However, The Lighthouse wasn't quite what I expected. It was a good book. It's a sweet romance. A love story that speaks to not just romantic love but to the power of love for one's family and friends.

The book introduces us to Amy, an eighteen year old young woman who is dealing with the recent loss of her mother. Amy is devastated. In losing her mother, she is not only grieving a parent, but also a friend. She is adrift in her grief and struggling to find her way through. Her father, Kevin is unsure how to help her.

The Lighthouse is a good book, it just never felt like a great one to me. I was never completely sucked in to the point that I had to see what happened next. I did think the storyline was a good one. It had some creative elements. I liked that there were some twists and mystical elements. Unfortunately, the story drug on for me a bit, but the message it sent was a good one.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The narration of The Lighthouse was good, but not great. It was a male voice for everything and very much felt like the book was "being read to me" the majority of the time. I didn't feel that it lent anything special to the book. At the same time, it also didn't take away from it. I would give the audio a 3 1/2 star review.

I loved this!
I really wasn't expecting all that this book throw at me.. A mystery finely woven with magic and romance, sprinkled with paranormal.
Very well written, and deeply emotional in places. I was pulled in by the story and held In place till the end by the characters .
A lovely story of love, loss, faith and family.
I highly recommend this book,


I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Lighthouse was a debut novel by Christopher Parker. I would categorize it more as a Y. A. genre. It was slow especially in the beginning. The Lighthouse explored family relationships, death, friendships, trust, parent/child relationships, letting go and romance. I listened to the audiobook that was read by Braden Wright. I found his voice annoying at times and felt that he was not the best fit to portray some of the characters in The Lighthouse. I was rather disappointed in his overall performance.

Amy Tucker was an eighteen year old young woman when she lost her mother in a tragic car accident. She and her father, Kevin, were both grieving but they did not know how to help each other. They had been estranged for a long time. Kevin was a police detective and his work kept him away from home. His involvement in Amy’s life had suffered as a result. Every time, Amy’s father, Kevin, tried to talk to Amy they usually ended up fighting instead. Kevin’s brother, also a police detective, convinced Kevin to investigate a missing person’s case out of town. It might be just what father and daughter both needed to start to repair their relationship.

Amy and her father arrived in the seaside town of Seabrook and checked into their hotel. Shortly after their arrival, Amy went for a short walk and discovered the Lighthouse that was a landmark in this town. The Lighthouse was old and in need of major repairs. It appeared to be abandoned and closed up. When Amy got back to the hotel, she went to the room her father had gotten for them. Her father was not there so Amy decided to take a bath. The next thing Amy witnessed was a strange man shaking her shoulders and trying to wake her up. He claimed he had noticed water seeping into the hall and was just trying to help. I found Amy’s reaction to this invasion unsettling. The next day, Amy went to thank the stranger for saving her and waking her up. She apologized for her behavior the day before and for the way she spoke to him. Amy learned that the stranger’s name was Ryan and that he was a rancher. Amy and Ryan end up spending the entire day together. They felt an instant attraction and comfort with each other. Both Amy and Ryan were able to help each other heal, let go and get on with their lives.

There were parts I really liked about The Lighthouse and parts that made me shake my head in disgust. I did enjoy the ending. Amy’s dialogue seemed to me very childish in parts. It did not sound like the way an eighteen year old woman would talk. I was not a big fan of the supernatural elements either. Overall, I was more disappointed in The Lighthouse than thrilled with it.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Lighthouse by Christopher Parker in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Written to keep your interest, keep you guessing and keep you rooting for love you win. Hard to put down, just one more chapter but not wanting to know you are nearing the end. Vividly written to place myself in the lighthouse, on the beach, in the story. When the truth comes out you want to change it but you still root for the characters. Touching, emotional look into life’s issues and tragedies.

My thoughts: Upon selecting this book, I didn’t realize it had elements of magical realism, fantasy & paranormal activity. I have tried to broaden my scope into these genres so I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this story. It starts off with young Amy who finds herself struggling with the recent death of her mother. She meets a young many named Ryan while on an overnight business trip with her dad. Their first encounter will set the tone for the remainder of the book and for me to wade my way through an entirely different style of storytelling. The characters are likable and well developed so this is what enabled me to stay with until the end! I’m so glad I was able to finish im this book and enjoy it!

A beautifully told enchanting story,that grows on you and begins to unfold. Magical realisism, with some truly lovely imagery, that deals with lonliness, loyalty and loss, sad and at other times funny., set in the small seaside town of Seabrook.
Just now and again there are some disappointments in the use of what feelt like cliched dialogue but other times the telling was full of insight and particularly realistic to that between a grieving teen and her somewhat absent father.
I finished the bookvery quickly as I was always wanting to know what was going to happen and there are plenty of surprises and twists on this journey. The final wind up of the story, although done well, was a little bit of a disappoint to me.
I listened to an audiobook version and the found the voice of narrator, Braden Wright mesmerisingly suited to the story.
Suited most likely to YA. I
Thank you to Net Galley & Beacon Press for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book and give it a fair review.
I look forward to reading more by Christopher Parker.

Thanks #netgallery for this book in exchange for an honest review. This is not my typical book so I was unsure how much I would enjoy it. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the characters and didn't find the "story in the story" over the top.

I loved the premise of this book, and tucked into it eagerly, expecting to be completely absorbed. For me, the story chugged along and I had to force myself to keep reading to the end. I liked the characters, but thought the romance between Amy and Ryan felt forced, and in particular Amy's reaction to Ryan after the bathtub incident was so unbelievable - and upsetting, actually - that I almost stopped reading. Perhaps this book might be more accurately categorised as YA rather than adult.

I read the print version of this book and listened to the audiobook, and really enjoyed the narrator's voice and representation of the story.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this debut novel, we follow Kevin and Amy Tucker, father and daughter who have never been close, trying to come to terms with the unexpected death of their wife/mother. Kevin is a police officer and he decides to take a case to have something to think about other than the loss of his wife. The case Kevin is working requires him to go out of town and he thinks is a good idea to take his daughter with him, to get close and reconnect with her.

They decide to do this trip together, to this small seaside town of Seabrook. The book is very descriptive and the reader can picture very well this charming little town by the cost with a lighthouse. It is interesting to see the symbology of the lighthouse as a beacon of hope, representing safety, guidance and salvation.

So Amy goes with her father to Seabrook and she meets Ryan who has also lost his mother and they can relate with each other on a different level. They are also romantically attracted to each other. Ryan helps Amy realize that life needs to go on, life is hard but there are still little moments in which a person can find happiness. Besides this romantic relationship with these two characters, the book is about grief, love, going on, and letting it go. There is also a little bit of spookiness.

The Lighthouse is a well written debut novel, with a unique storyline and an unpredictable ending. This will be a great read for Nicholas Sparks fans. I am looking forward to read more books written by this author.

Thank you netgalley and publisher for this free arc of The Lighthouse.

If you are after a feel-good ghost story this Halloween, then this is it. After losing her mother, Amy accompanies her detective father to the town of Seabrook where he is investigating a missing persons case. There she meets a rancher, Ryan, and they spend a beautiful day together. But something is a bit off about Seabrook. People keep staring at her, random people know her name, and the crumbling, inoperative lighthouse begins to shine again.

I prefer my ghost stories a little darker, but if you like romance with a hint of supernatural mystery then The Lighthouse is for you.

The beam from the derelict and haunted lighthouse in Seabrook has been dark for decades. The night Kevin Tucker and his daughter Amy arrive in town it lights up. Kevin and Amy are on a mission to close a case from the state police, but also spend time together after losing a wife and mother. Amy is truly distraught after losing her mother and her dad has been distant due to his job and own pain.

Ryan runs the local dude ranch where tourists can come ride a horse for the day. Ryan is in trouble, he has been ignoring the past due notices from the bank. He now has 3 days before the family ranch is foreclosed on. Worse yet, he hasn't told his ailing father that they are in debt.

Ryan and Amy meet under less than desirable circumstances, yet their stories intertwine in this fun and interesting story. I got the privilege of listening to the audio version of the book and found the narrator easy to listen to. He did a good job and I will look forward to future narrations from him. Thank you #NetGalley for allowing me to give my honest and voluntary opinion of #TheLighthouse. I truly enjoyed it.