04 Mar Book Review: The Light We Lost by Jill Santopolo

Some love stories are about happy endings. Others are about the choices that haunt you, the roads not taken, and the moments that define who you become. The Light We Lost falls squarely into the latter category. It’s an emotional, introspective novel about first love, destiny, and the complicated decisions that shape our lives. If you’re looking for a tearjerker that makes you question everything about love and fate, this one will hit you hard.

What’s it about?

Lucy and Gabe meet in New York City on September 11, 2001, on a day that changes both of their lives forever. Amidst the chaos and uncertainty, they share a moment of connection that feels profound and unforgettable. From the start, it’s clear that their relationship is more than just a chance encounter—it feels destined, cosmic, meant to be.

But life is rarely that simple. Gabe is a passionate, ambitious photojournalist with dreams of capturing stories that matter, while Lucy is a driven, creative woman who longs for a life filled with purpose and love. Their relationship is intense, consuming, and deeply romantic, but they are pulled in different directions.

When Gabe decides to pursue his career overseas, following his calling to document global conflicts, Lucy is left behind. Heartbroken but determined to move forward, she builds a new life, marries another man, and starts a family. But she never truly lets go of Gabe.

Through letters, memories, and imagined conversations, Lucy reflects on the love she lost and the choices that changed her life. She questions whether she settled for comfort instead of passion, whether she chose security over destiny. The story explores the idea of soulmates, the power of first love, and the pain of knowing that sometimes love isn’t enough.

As Gabe’s career takes him to dangerous places, Lucy is haunted by the possibility of losing him forever, even though he’s already gone from her daily life. She grapples with guilt, longing, and the realization that moving on doesn’t always mean letting go.

What This Chick Thinks

It’s a love story, but it’s not a romance

If you’re expecting a traditional love story with a happily-ever-after, this isn’t that book. It’s more about memory, reflection, and the way one person can shape the course of your entire life. The relationship between Lucy and Gabe is messy, complicated, and full of contradictions. They love each other fiercely, but they also hurt each other deeply.

The book is written in the form of Lucy speaking directly to Gabe, which gives it an intimate, confessional feel. It’s raw, vulnerable, and often heartbreaking. You get the sense that she’s trying to make sense of everything, trying to understand why her life turned out the way it did.

Lucy is relatable but also frustrating

Lucy is a beautifully flawed character. She’s passionate, emotional, and deeply introspective. Her journey is about figuring out who she is, what she wants, and what she’s willing to sacrifice for love. But she also makes decisions that are maddening, and her obsession with Gabe sometimes feels selfish, especially considering the people she’s hurting along the way.

Her relationship with Darren, the man she marries after Gabe leaves, is one of the most complicated aspects of the book. Darren is steady, loyal, and loves Lucy unconditionally, but she never fully commits to him because she can’t let go of Gabe. This makes her a sympathetic but flawed narrator, and not everyone will agree with her choices.

The writing is beautifully emotional but occasionally melodramatic

Jill Santopolo has a gift for writing about love in a way that feels deeply authentic. There are passages in this book that are so beautifully written, they make you pause and just feel the weight of the words. The emotions are raw, intense, and unfiltered, capturing the messy reality of love and loss.

That being said, some parts feel a little too dramatic, almost like they’re trying too hard to be poetic. There are moments where the narration borders on sentimental, and a few lines that feel more like quotes from a love letter than natural dialogue.

It will hit you hard if you’ve ever lost someone you loved

This book is incredibly powerful for anyone who has experienced the lingering pain of lost love. It’s about the kind of relationship that changes you, even if it doesn’t last. The book dives deep into the idea of soulmates, destiny, and the question of whether one great love can define your entire life.

It also raises complex questions about choice and regret. Did Lucy do the right thing by letting Gabe go? Did she settle for less by marrying Darren, or did she find a different kind of happiness? The book doesn’t give easy answers, and it’s that ambiguity that makes it feel so real.

Final Thoughts

The Light We Lost is a beautifully written, deeply emotional novel that explores the complexities of love, choice, and destiny. It’s about the people who leave an indelible mark on us, the ones we carry with us even when they’re no longer part of our lives.

It’s a love story that feels painfully real, capturing the highs of passion and the lows of heartbreak. It’s not an easy read, and it will leave you questioning your own choices and the paths you didn’t take. But if you’re in the mood for something introspective and heartbreaking, it’s absolutely worth the emotional rollercoaster.

Rating: 8.5/10

Try it if you like

• One Day by David Nicholls – Another love story that spans years, exploring how one relationship can shape a lifetime.
• Me Before You by Jojo Moyes – A romantic but heartbreaking story about love, loss, and the choices we make.
• The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger – A non-linear love story that plays with memory, destiny, and the impact of one person on your life.