This book looked so welcoming (cover) and the plot seemed interesting, so I picked it up.

The story seemed really insta to me, and almost one sided. More like an addiction. My heart went out to Laurel and what she went through, but Brayden.... I don't honestly know what to think of him. His need to control the situation, and lashing out in fear and anger? One of the best outcomes, in my opinion for Brayden was his relationship with her teacher (like a mentor or parent). Weird, but made since.

I received this ARC for a fair review.

This book was truly inspiring. Laurel went through so much and her journey from start to finish was nice to read about. Laurel went through things that nobody her age should have to go through, and although it took a while she came out on top. To me Brayden was very lost and didn’t really know how to handle a lot of things, but his growth in the end really made me happy to read about. I do wish we got a playlist because they are fun, especially in books where music is so popular. I felt as though there were some slow parts and some parts that moved to fast. I wish we got an epilogue or just more in the ending because it was kind of sudden. Overall I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to any young people struggling.

I was really looking forward to reading this because the blurb made it sound exactly like my kind of story. While it had some sweet moments, I found it lacking in depth, both in the characters and the overall plot.

The story leans heavily into the love-at-first-sight trope, which can be charming, but it felt a bit rushed here. I think if the book had been a little longer, the relationship between Laurel and Brayden could have been more developed, and the story more fleshed out.

Brayden was a bit frustrating for me. Some of his actions and comments came across as selfish, and there was one thing he said to Laurel in anger that really bothered me. It felt unforgivable and really took me out of the story.

That said, this is still a quick and easy read. Readers who enjoy light romance with a bit of angst might still find it enjoyable. It just wasn’t quite the right fit for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Evernight Teen for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an entertaining read that I finished in a few hours.
A well written story that kept me hooked from the very beginning.
The characters draw you in and keeps you flipping the pages.
The characters were all realistic and very well developed.
I really enjoyed the writing style. I found myself hooked, turning the pages.

‘The Truth about Fireflies’ by Sasha Hibbs is deeply moving. Such an unputdownable read!

This YA novel is a tribute to young love, trust, second chances, and hope.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the e-ARC of this unforgettable novel.

Sasha has crafted such an unexpected (yet welcomed!) breath of fresh air. Brayden and Laurel's story is completely gripping and chock-full of so much heart.

this is such a book that does indeed bury deep into your emotions. Sasha sure does know how to write the pace, the way the writing flowed and the way the writing made me feel proved that. i certainly felt this was apt for YA readers but didn't feel too young even for an old fogie like me, and instead made me feel a little of wonder back to those years.
we are bought Brayden and Lauren in this novel who appear as opposite as they could be. but that is until we meet them come together and come together they do with such a connection its hard for either them nor the reader to deny. Braydn knows where his future lies. its in football and his path is all there ready for him. isn't it? Laurel is a musical talent but oh so much more than that. but she also carries something else. something else the weighs upon her? but love finds a way to bring them together and as they explore this we get to see their tender connection, we get to feel their first loves which is ever encompassing and passionate. but growing up still happens and is still happening to our pair. and they go through suddenly having someone else in their minds,hearts, worlds and thats not easy to navigate. because you cant always hold everything together or communicate the right thing in the right way. but you want to chose them,but also arent quite sure of the balances of things. and with them thinking the same things for their own side of things you suddenly have choices, lessons, thoughts and mixed emotions. and Sasha gives us all this in a beautifully wrapped story. this story shines like fireflies like little glimmers of hope and wonder. like the fragile nature of love sometimes or our hearts. especially when you are young and often these things you face can feel all encompassing and powerful in a whole different set of ways.