Thank you to NetGalley, Melissa Payne, and LakeUnionPublishing for an eARC of A Light in the Forest. This is the first novel I have read by Melissa Payne, and I enjoyed it. I will give a trigger warning for domestic abuse, abuse to animals, and LGBTQ+ phobia.

A Light in the Forest follows Vega as she runs from her abusive husband to the town of Crystal, where her late mother had spent some time as a teenager. Vega and her mother had been nomads while she was growing up, always on the move and helping women get away from their own abusive husbands, so it's surprising (even to Vega) that she didn't see the warning signs with her own husband. When she gets to Crystal, she's immediately welcomed to the small town by almost everyone, but she's leery about opening up to anyone due to her background. Slowly, Eve and Heff, and Betty and Carl get Vega to trust them, and they become friends, which Vega has never had before. But you can't run forever, and sometimes you run to things that you don't mean to, and things catch up to them all. Can they keep each other, and the town, safe?

Vega is relatively likable. I was frustrated with her sometimes because she wouldn't say or do something simple that would make her life easier, or give her answers. She went to Crystal to find out about her mother, but didn't seem to be putting much effort into that. I had to keep telling myself that because they moved around constantly, Vega doesn't know how to trust people or open up to them, plus not wanting anyone to know she was hiding from her husband. Eve, Heff, Betty, and Carl are (for the most part) your typical small town people. They're kind, caring, and willing to do whatever is necessary to help others, although they have some secrets of their own.

All in all, a well written novel with multiple viewpoints and timelines. The story weaves well between present and past, leaving breadcrumbs to the local mystery. You want Vega to learn to love these people and this town, letting them into her life. I would recommend if you like stories about friendship and building your own family.

Thank you to Lake Union and NetGalley for early access to the new read. This may be my favorite I’ve read off of NetGalley this far. Hands down a five star read for me. This book was so well written, and the characters so well developed I couldn’t wait to see each of their stories play out. I found myself not wanting the book to end because I wasn’t ready to be done with these characters. The handing of delicate traumas was so meticulously and carefully done all while providing hopeful outcomes was masterful. I can’t wait to purchase my own copy of this one to have on my shelves and share it with friends and family.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Intrigue and mystery..the protagonist runs away from her abusive partner…with her baby..secrets…running…hiding…fear…abuse…all of these elements makeup this sad story..gifted author..l

I wasn’t quite sure how I was going to like A Light in the Forest. It has a very unusual plot. I’m so glad I kept on reading. Talk about unique and eccentric characters!
Moral of the story is even though you may be going through the darkest time of your life, there can be a second chance waiting for you around the corner.
A beautiful heartwarming story. There are heartbreaking moments throughout the story so be prepared to get a bit emotional.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Light in the Forest
Author, Melissa Payne
Available now!

Thank you, @getredpr, Melissa Payne, #lakeunionpublishing, and @netgalley for my #gifted e- arc and for my #gifted arc! I loved The Night of Many Endings, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read Payne's latest novel!

An emotional and mysterious novel about the power of families - the ones we're born into and the ones we choose - of healing, love, and so much hope. My heart hurt for Vega's situation, but her growth and character went through such an inspirational journey of self-discovery and resilience that I couldn't help but feel proud of her in the end.

Set in a small town filled with an amazing cast of complex and flawed characters that grip and draw the reader right in from the beginning, A Light in the Forest explores domestic violence, single parenting, child abuse, and identity. These heavy issues are written with empathy and insight that forge memorable connections between the characters as well as allow for growth and a better understanding of oneself and each other.

After reading The Night of Many Endings and A Light in the Forest, Melissa Payne is now an auto- buy author for me! Her beautiful themes of family, hope, and second chances are a few of my favorites.

Vega Jones grew up constantly on the move with her mother, helping women escape their abusive relationships everywhere they went. Now that her mother is gone, Vega is humiliated to find herself with an abusive husband after everything her mother taught her. She escapes with her two-month-old son to a town in Ohio with ties to her mother's past. As she becomes closer to the people in this small community, she learns more about the secrets of her mother's past.
This beautiful cover caught my eye and I realized it was written by an author I've enjoyed before. With strong messages against domestic violence, child abuse, and homophobia, I found myself really connecting with the characters and feeling their pain. When the pieces start to fall in place with the alternating past and present chapters, I was flying through the pages to find out what really happened.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author, for an ARC of this book, in exchange for an honest review.
I found "A Light In The Forest" by
Melissa Payne to be an addictive, interesting & well written story that pulled me in right away & didn't let me go until its final page.
The subject matter was dark & disturbing but the author was able to tell a story that was hopeful & heartwarming.
I enjoyed the author's writing style, how she told the story by connecting her 3 main characters through alternating chapters & timelines.
I would love to read another book by Ms. Payne.

Without giving too much away I found this to be a fast paced, absorbing and compelling read. The story flowed really well, there were lots of plot twists to keep my attention. The further I read with this book, the better it got and I enjoyed it more. I think the author has set the bar high here. Will look forward to the next book and hope it is as good as this one. Overall 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book gave me all the feels. An emotionally powerful story of when past secrets collide with the present where people come together from abusive histories and join together to heal and love. It sheds light on the horrible truth of how some people treat those they do not understand and how the pattern of abuse is cycled through generations. A story that no matter the horrors faced on a journey through life, there is always a light in the forest by those that are there to pull you into their arms, love you and keep you safe. Tragedy and abuse suck but sometimes it takes those things for beauty and light to shine. This was an amazing, beautiful, and at times, hard to read story of truth of hardships, love and accepting others as they are with a dash of suspense. Be sure to check the triggers before reading, but I highly recommend adding this one to your list.

What a beautiful depiction of what it means to be a good human. Truly this book was incredibly inspiring and also gripping. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to see how this story ended. I loved the small town of Crystal and getting to meet the people there that spend their days opening their hearts and their homes in an effort to make a difference. Payne’s writing is beautiful and this books message is one that will stick with me for some time - some people are so use to hate, they don’t know what to do with kindness. Kindness is always the option.

The book started off slowly but I found the plot more interesting as I read on.

Vega takes her baby and runs away, ending up in a small town. With no family or friends to rely on, Vega gradually surrounds herself with caring people.

There is a mystery which adds interest and kept my attention.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the chance to read this book. This is my honest review

I really liked the deserted small-town setting of this book. The characters were interesting but I couldn't really relate or connect to them. I thought the story was interesting and there were a couple of twists that I saw coming. I enjoyed how the main character Vega found a home in the town of Crystal while she was running away with her baby. Also, the support of the characters who she meets in this town was everything. I especially loved Eve and her big heart. The mystery in this story was well done, and I looked forward to discovering if I was right about certain things. The writing was great and the story was easy to follow and understand. Overall, I thought A Light in the Forest was nice and the author did a good job of keeping me intrigued until the end.

TW: domestic & (mentions of) sexual abuse, homophobia

Payne again delivers a beautiful work of hurt, healing, and finding yourself. It is great example of starting over, finding home, and finding family. I empathized with a lot of the characters in this book, and shook my head at others. They were complex, flawed, but ultimately human. Vega would do anything she could to protect her baby and she finds people who would do anything to protect her. I was invested in the story as the dual timeline allows the reader to view what happened in the past that created who these characters are in the present and how they are intertwined without knowing it. I will always read a book by this author.

Vega is on the run from her abusive boyfriend. She flees to a small town in Ohio, where eventually her backstory and her mother’s becomes crystal clear.
Several story lines run parallel fir the majority of the book until their intersection allows readers to piece it all together. Readers learn the story behind Vega’s mother’s history and why they lived a vagabond life.
I figured out several of the major plot points.
I liked the animals the best in the story, especially the sneaky, escapist artists swine,

This is a slow-burn story that was good but didn't wow me. I appreciated how the topic was handled and the found family element. I also liked the writing as I felt as anxious as Vega and felt for her when she longed for her mom's advice.

This was a touching read that engaged me to the end, even though I felt that the 3rd person prevented me from connecting with Vega fully. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I want to say thanks to the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book!

It was lovely and I just adore small town dramas! And this one didn’t disappoint

I’d love to know more about the author

DNFing. The plot had potential to be interesting but I can’t really connect with it. Be careful if you’re a sensitive reader— lots of trigger warnings.

Well this is a five star for me, which I haven't read one of in a while. There are alot of things to unpack here. I absolutely could not put this down and when I did I was thinking about it. I will be thinking about this book for a long time. The story was clever and original. The way it was told left me on the edge of my seat, and there were definite twists I was not prepared for I already wish I could read this again for the first time.

A Light in the Forest
By: Melissa Payne

A moving story of a young mother who escapes an abusive relationship. Vega Jones grew up with her mother living in a van and not living in one place too long. Their mission was to help women escape abusive relationships. Years later as Vega mom dies she meets a man and has child. Unfortunately she finds herself in a similar situation and takes the van and her two-month-old baby and escapes.

Vega has a keepsake of her mother’s which leads her to a small town in Ohio. She wants to find out more about her mother and the town’s people offer Vega and her child a new start. This town has a cast of characters which makes for a very interesting story.

This novel goes from the past to the present as we find out about Vega’s moms childhood and Vega now navigating her life while trying to be the best mother. The baby’s father is hunting for them both. Does he find them? Does Vega find the home she has always longed for?

Thank you NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing, Get Red PR and author Melissa Payne for this heartwarming novel.
#netgalley, #getredpr, #lakeunionpublising, #melissapayne, #bookreview, #bookstagram, #stamperlady50, #booksconnectus

This is the second book I have read of Melissa Payne and A Light In The Forest deals with some sensitive issues

Trigger warning--domestic abuse, homophobia, transphobia

Vega had enough of her abusive relationship with Zach that she decides to leave him for good and moves to a small town in Ohio where her own mother had left many years ago. While settling down, Vega meets many interesting people--Heff, Eve, Ethan and so on and soon, she gets used to live in the small town and trying to build a life in the town. Meanwhile, in 1995, a girl named Donna is leaving the house from an abusive house and tells the story of how she left the town.

I thought this was a good story. The writing was really gripping and engaging. and there were some parts in my opinion that was too emotional and heartbreaking to read. I do like the switch of POVs between present day and past in 1995. The story itself teaches about the value of friendship and community and so overall, I enjoyed reading the book. Though in my opinion this wasn't as good as her first book, I enjoyed this book as it was a touching and emotional story. Worth four stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.