10 years since we left off with The Light We Lost - and I will say, you must have read this book in order to truly feel the impact with this one! Because it is impactful!

10 years of grief, and hen a phone call comes - his former editor wants to publish a book of all of his photography to commemorate the anniversary of his death. When Lucy goes through his belongings she comes across an address in Italy that she doesn't know anything about.

She then travels to Italy, and what results is a stunning novel about grief, hope, and the healing that comes slowly and overtime - you're never the same as before a great loss, but you can learn to live with it. The communication between all of the characters, and the gorgeous strength shown will really appeal to anyone that knows grief.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Penguin Group Putnam for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ebook.

After the emotional rollercoaster of The Light We Lost, I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Love We Found, but I’m happy to say that this sequel exceeded my expectations in a way I didn’t anticipate. While the first novel left me frustrated with the protagonist, Lucy, and her seemingly selfish actions, the sequel gave me the space to appreciate her growth—something I didn’t expect to happen.

The Love We Found takes place nearly a decade after Gabe’s death, as Lucy uncovers a hidden clue in his belongings that leads her on an impulsive journey to Rome. This journey of discovery not only unravels Gabe’s past but also brings Lucy face to face with Dr. Dax Armstrong, an emotionally complex man who challenges her to move on while still honoring her past.

What I truly appreciated about this book is the way Lucy’s character evolves. In the first book, her behavior often felt self-centered, and to me, her "love" felt like obsession--with Gabe everything came across as unhealthy. However, in this second installment, we see Lucy’s emotional growth in a more grounded way. Her struggles with guilt, isolation, and the heavy burden of loss felt raw and relatable. It wasn’t easy to watch, but it felt real. I especially liked how Santopolo addressed Lucy’s healing process. As painful as it was, her journey toward finding peace with her past and learning to communicate her feelings better was both powerful and realistic.

Another standout aspect of this novel was the focus on hope and love after loss. The relationship dynamics, especially Lucy’s growing connection with Dr. Armstrong, were more mature and grounded than I initially expected. It wasn’t a whirlwind romance but rather a slow, meaningful build that emphasized emotional intimacy and self-acceptance. It was clear that Lucy had made progress since the first book, and I appreciated that the story didn’t rush into a perfect love story, but allowed time for the healing process to unfold.

The most satisfying part of the novel, though, was the conclusion. After everything Lucy had gone through—dealing with the past, facing the possibility of new love, and the looming decision about telling her son the truth about his father—the ending was full of peace and hope. It felt earned, not rushed.

The Love We Found is a powerful continuation of Lucy’s journey. While the first book felt more like an exploration of obsession (I know *it's a romance but hard disagree*) , this one focuses on healing, growth, and ultimately, the importance of hope and communication in relationships. If you were frustrated by Lucy in the first book, you’ll likely find her transformation in this sequel both redemptive and satisfying.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a copy of The Love We Found. I really liked this book. I read immediately after the light we lost and everything that didn’t work for me in the first book, DID work for me in this one. I loved the short chapters, it always makes it easier to follow along. The firsthand pov, the second (or third?) chance at love. It has heartbreak but also hope for Lucy’s story.

I absolutely loved this book — the perfect sequel offering a close to a story that I loved so many years ago.

The Light We Lost is one of my absolute favorite romance novels, and ever since, I’ve read Jill Santopolo’s books as soon as she releases a new one. I never imagined I’d be lucky enough to get a follow up to TLWL!

In anticipation, I re-read The Light We Lost, which was interesting because I’m in such a different place in life than I was when I originally read it, and it definitely had a different resonance. While the sequel definitely stands on its own, I would recommend reading (or re-reading) TLWL first, as it will be more rewarding to take the full journey. Here, Santopolo writes beautifully of a lifelong love that transcends grief.

I forgot how much I really enjoy a good Contemporary Romance and leave it to Jill Santopolo to remind me.
I listened to the audio of this book and man it was so good. I love that she Narrates the book herself. It makes it where you can truly feel the book through her eyes.
Lucy grows so much through out this book and I loved hearing her story.
Plus this actually had a little spice not a lot but a little.

Great book
Great Narration

A beautiful sequel but felt unnecessary. I unfortunately did not connect with the main characters. If you've read The Light we Lost then definitely pick this one up to see the story continue!

I was so excited to read this after loving The Light We Lost so much. After finishing this, I feel like a sequel was so unnecessary. It didn't add anything to the story. I didn't feel connected to the main characters like I did in the first book. After ten years, there wasn't any good character development. I felt so emotionally connected to the first book and this one I didn't. At times, it was really hard for me to focus on the story. I'm still a huge fan of Jill Santopolo and will always read her work.

This sequel to The Light We Lost picks up 10 years after the book left off, continuing many of the original storylines. While I enjoyed Lucy as a character in the first book, I found her a little insufferable at times in this one. The romance between Lucy and Dax had strong insta-love vibes and felt somewhat forced. Although the plot was fairly predictable, it was still a pleasant and easy read.

This is the sequel to The Light We Lost. That book broke me and I still think about it to this day. This takes place 1o years after that one. While it didn't leave me in pieces like the last one did, I did enjoy this one. Lucy is a difficult character to like and she wasn't much better in here. She made a lot of questionable decisions. However, I do think these were incredibly hard decisions that most people would never be faced with. She goes a lot into her past with Gabe in this one as well. It felt like he was still there. I loved the new man, Dax. This book really gave a lot of closure and I would recommend it.

2.5 ⭐️⭐️.✨ Sequels are hard and this one just felt unnecessary? I’m not sure if the storyline needed to continue and a lot of this felt forgettable. The plot in the first one is quite sad but had a will they/wont they romance to carry it through — that sadness and melancholy carried through this second one and overall just felt a bit depressing. I wasn’t obsessed with the first one so I’m not sure what I was expecting with this sequel. Unfortunately this one wasn’t for me and I feel like it is one of those books I won’t really think about.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

This novel is beautifully written, blending past and present with heartache and hope. Lucy’s emotional conflict-between holding on and letting go-feels deeply human and relatable. The Italian setting adds a touch of magic, while the twist surrounding her son Samuel adds emotional depth and stakes.

Perfect for fans of Jojo Moyes or Rebecca Serle, this story reminds us that love lost can sometimes lead us exactly where we need to be. A bittersweet, heartfelt read.

I had unsuspectingly picked up the light we lost years ago. And it positively wrecked me in the best of ways so imagine my utter delight to pick up a sequel?!

A perfect continuation of Lucy's story 10 years after Gabe's death. A story that is thoughtful, emotional, a little adventurous, and honoring of everything I loved about the first book.

Thank you Netgalley and PENGUIN GROUP Putnam for the ARC in exchange for my review!

4.5 Stars!

"The Love We Found" is Jill Santopolo's follow-up to her hugely popular "The Light We Lost" and takes readers on another journey with Lucy, ten years after the conclusion of the first book. After finding a mysterious address in a box of Gabe's belongings, Lucy sets out to explore a piece of Gabe's past while balancing the challenges of motherhood, including the dilemma of whether her son Sammy should know the truth about his father. This sets off a chain of events that helps Lucy to find love again and to move forward from her grief.

As she uncovers Gabe’s secret, she travels to Italy and she encounters Dr. Dax Armstrong, a native New Yorker in Italy working with a non-governmental organization. Lucy and the doctor become involved over two days in Italy though they promise to renew their acquaintance when he cycles back to New York.

For seven years, Lucy has been divorced from Darren with whom she shares three children. She had been unfaithful to Darren, having shattered their marriage with the information that their youngest child Samuel was not biologically Darren’s.

This story is basically learning to leave your past behind and move forward. Lucy has struggled moving forward for quite some time. The characters are well drawn and I was rooting for each individual one. The struggles and growth of her three kids after learning a long held secret was well written.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC and also to author Jill Santopolo for writing an incredible story of love, grief and motherhood.

I reread The Light We Lost right before reading this book and I'm so glad I did because many storylines continue right after the first one ends. I did enjoy Lucy in the first book but by the second found her insufferable at times. This story has major insta-love between Lucy and Dax and it felt forced. The story felt predictable and I'm just not sure it needed to be told.

This was a pretty good book but do yourself a favor an read the first book before starting this one. I did not realize it was second in a series when I started it. All in all, decent writing but also not my favorite genre.

This is the long-awaited sequel to the Reese Witherspoon book Club pick and Bestselling book, The Light We Lost. It's been ten years since Gabe has been gone when his best friend contacts Lucy about an art exhibit they are putting on with his works as a commemoration. While looking for photographs, Lucy finds a piece of paper in a box of photos. It is an address in Rome and she cannot resist buying a plane ticket for one last connection to Gabe.

She is led to Dr. Dax Armstrong, a New Yorker living in Italy. Her connection with him is immediate and she begins to feel things she has not felt since she met Gabe.

Call me crazy, but I have been waiting for this book for years. I have my thoughts on both Darren and Gabe, but Dax was the one I have been waiting for all this time! If you loved The Light We Lost, this is a must-read. And if you have not read it, what are you waiting for?

This book was like a sigh of relief. It was so satisfying to get some resolution for Lucy. In The Light We Lost, the romance is so very powerful and the reader is left with so much heartbreak. And now the author has decided to let us journey with Lucy as she heals. I think readers will be satisfied with the ending. The author does a great job of giving us an ending without tying too neat of a bow on it. And I love that the author shows us that humans are capable of loving different people in different ways and that different doesn’t have to be a competition.

This book maybe wasn’t quite as emotional as the first but I really enjoyed it and am so glad I had the opportunity to read it.

I loved this book. I read the first one "The Love we Lost" a long time ago and it has stayed with me all these years. I am grateful Santopolo produced a second volume, and that she waited long enough for it to be worthwhile!

“I’d had a wound, Gabe, for a decade. You had been my wound. And I needed to be healed, to be free, to live my life without your ghost beside me. It was time.”

Sequel to THE LIGHT WE LOST, I was looking forward to loving this, but it just didn’t hit me as powerfully as the first book. That one had me in tears. This one just skimmed the surface for me. I’m not quite sure why… the topics covered were all spot on, characters were great, storyline continuation made sense, conflicts felt real, but I didn’t feel the emotional connection between Lucy and Dax like I did with Lucy and Gabe. Dax felt too good to be true and their insta-love felt forced. I wanted it to be real so much for Lucy but it wasn’t as soulful. It was a tough act to follow, though. I mean, I definitely wanted to find out how things worked out, but I expected depth and it felt a bit flat for me.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!