Light Emerging Through the Darkness
Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Source: Purchased
In the second installment of her contemporary Austen-inspired series Abigail Reynolds brings readers back to the charming seaside village of Woods Hole, Massachusetts and paints a love story full of passion and pathos. A story about second chances, finding happiness, and healing. In Morning Light readers are introduced to Annie Wright, a widowed young woman with a sad and painful past, and Jeremy Matthiesen, a man who, after ten years of forced separation, is back again in Annie’s life and trying to tear down the barriers that surround her heart.
Since Annie is neighbors with Cassie and Calder (the hero and 
heroine from Pemberley By the Sea/The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice) readers can expect to see a lot of them and the Westing clan in this novel. I enjoyed “staying in touch” with Cassie and Calder as well as witnessing the new drama and developments in their lives. I found that it worked well to have a second prominent story-line in this novel and that Abigail Reynolds divided her time between the two couples quite successfully and skillfully.
To me, Morning Light, felt like an homage to Anne Elliot (no, this story is not a modern-day Persuasion). I found many similarities between Annie Wright and Anne Elliot – they are both independent thinkers; they both know what it feels like to be overlooked and undervalued; they both are quiet, motherless, and constantly showing selfless concern for others. I think Annie Wright and Anne Elliot are cut from the same cloth and while Annie was not persuaded by others to give up the love of her life – she did persuade herself that she was unloved and that Jeremy was untrustworthy.
What I also loved about Morning Light was that it surprised me…there were a couple of shocked gasps and “oh-my-goodness-I-did-not-see-that-coming” moments. And as is her nature, Abigail Reynolds throws in plenty of misunderstandings and miscommunications for our couple to suffer through, I quite enjoyed the tension and angst of it all! I also appreciated bearing witness to Annie’s sad past and pain, it lent a deeper understanding to her character and created a beautiful story of healing and overcoming grief.
One thing I am especially enjoying about this series is that it is reflective of Abigail Reynolds. Woods Hole, marine biology, dogs, art, psychiatry, a character who writes novels – it was fun to spot all the parallels, professions, and interests various characters shared with the author.
Evocative, empathetic, and extremely readable – Morning Light is a beautifully deep and emotional read! I think I love Abigail Reynolds’s contemporary romances just as much as I do her Pride and Prejudice variations! Looking forward to my next visit to Woods Hole!
Warning: This book has several romantic scenes and is recommend for Mature Audiences only.
Recommendation: Read Pemberley By the Sea/The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice before reading Morning Light.
It seems to be a perfect suggestion for enjoying a nice time!. And I love the title, it´s so inspiring…Thanks, Meredith!
The title is very fitting. Glad you found the review helpful, Teresa!
Hi Meredith. Do you need to have read ‘The Man Who Loved Pride & Prejudice’ before reading this one? I have ‘Morning Light’ but not the other.
Hi Ceri! I know your question is directed at Meredith, but I couldn’t resist popping in with my opinion too. I’ve read them both and loved them. If you don’t really plan to read the first one then you could eek by on just reading this one and have very little trouble following the story. If you have plans to read the first one then this one is spoilerish for it because there are still threads from the first book that continue into this one.
Thanks for the reply Sophia, that’s exactly what I wanted to know!
Thank you for bringing this up! I forgot to mention it in my review! ACK! (will fix) Sophia is absolutely right and she says it perfectly. You’ll want to read these stories in order. 🙂
Thanks for the lovely review. I got both books from Audible for my move from TX to NC since its a rather long drive. Can’t wait to get to know these characters better!
Thanks,
Liz
Oh fun! That will definitely enliven your trip! Where are you moving to in NC? I’m in NC! 🙂 Hope the transition goes well for you!
I’m glad you enjoyed this one, Meredith. I did too. I agree that it is a mild connection to Persuasion, but its still a wonderful story.
I liked finding the Persuasion connection – it was subtle but thoughtful. 🙂 Happy to hear you saw the connection too!
I loved this one. I’m glad we got to see a little more of Cassie and Calder, too, and I soooooo look forward to more Woods Hole novels. I never really wanted to visit that area of the country til I read The Man Who Loved P&P. Now I think I would love it.
I know, right? Abigail does a magnificent job with vividly describing the beauty and charm of Woods Hole! I can easily understand why she moved there – it sounds lovely!
Sound like a story I would enjoy 🙂
If you are fan of modern adaptations, I’d definitely recommend it! 😀
I read the first one. I loved your review.
Thank you, Sue! I’m looking forward to the third book in this series – I wonder if it will draw from another novel by Jane Austen – that would be cool!
Great review- I have read both and enjoyed them although I find the romance is just not the same as in the historical books where they have more build up and anticipation. They were well written and fun reads and I will always read anything Abigail writes!!
Hi Joy! Yes, there definitely some differences between these and the variations. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed these books as much as I did!
I’m glad you really enjoyed this one. I bought it awhile back but haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I did put it in the stack I hope to read on my upcoming staycation, though. 🙂
It does seem like it has a Persuasion-feel to it, which is what attracted me to it.
Oooh! A staycation? That sounds like fun! I would be like you and indulge in lots of reading on my staycation! 🙂 I hope you enjoy Morning Light as much as I did!