
Member Reviews

Valerie Fraser Luesse does it again! Her latest novel, The Light on Horn Island, combines history, mystery, and multi-generational relationships to create a thought-provoking story with characters that will win your heart. Set amidst the backdrop of the Mississippi Gulf Coast, the story centers on Edie Gardner, a young woman who has faced a profound loss that sends her back to the comfort of her grandmother’s house and her beloved Horn Island. Luesse captures the region perfectly with the sights and the flavors described. I am very familiar with the area (my husband is a south Mississippi boy) and I felt I was cruising the highway and visiting all the picturesque towns that make up the region. Mystery abounds, including a very mysterious shop owner, as Edie and the other women navigate loss, regret, guilt, and hope for the future. My husband was a child when Hurricane Camille hit Biloxi, and he has shared memories of the devastation. Luesse does a great job of sharing the personal stories of victims and survivors alike. My favorite part of the novel is the relationships the author creates between the women. Long time friendships are heralded and new paths forward are forged — it’s an homage to women of all generations building each other up and having each other’s backs.
I highly recommend The Light on Horn Island. This book can be savored anywhere and at all times, although it would be perfect read on a porch with an ice cold drink and a view of the water. 😉
Highly Recommended.
Great for Book Clubs.
Audience: Adults.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a beautifully written book. I loved it from the very first page!

With a beautiful, sweetly southern island setting, this story captivated me from the get-go.
I loved the characters, and their southern gentility and manners.
This is a story about relationships, forgiveness, second chances, and yes, love.
Disclaimer: I receive complimentary books from various sources, including, publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. I am not required to write a positive review, and have not received any compensation. The opinions shared here are my own entirely. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

I have really enjoyed Valerie Fraser Luesse's books that I have read in the past. While The Light on Horn Island is a very good story I did not love the element of fantasy in the book., as I prefer realistic fiction. I loved the romance and family drama but the story line about the mysterious light was too fantastical for my reading preferences. However, that did not keep me from finishing the book and I LOVED the ending and the closure it offered. By the end I loved the characters and wanted Cajun food including grits (which I don't even enjoy)! I would recommend this book to anyone who loves discovering people's stories and want a happy ending!

I've read Luesse's work before, so I knew I was in for a treat with this read. And as I've come to expect from her novels, this one was rich with characters that felt like family. Poignant moments are never overplayed or understated; they're simply presented for the reader to acknowledge. Perhaps that's one of my favorite parts of reading a Luesse novel. The author lays the groundwork for a heartfelt story, with silver linings and gray griefs and the nuances in between, while treating her readers like they're emotionally intelligent enough to fill in the blanks.
I love the settings of a Luesse novel. I always feel like I'm in the south. And I loved Edie! I loved her heart and her struggles. I loved the Ten Spots and Punk and Cole. I loved Charly and Connor and their story. I just truly enjoyed this book. I couldn't read it quickly. I wanted to take my time with it because it felt like sitting among friends and catching up.
If you like southern fiction or slow-and-steady reads that are character-driven, definitely give this one a try!
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley. All expressed opinions belong to me.

Edie can no longer stand being in New York, there's too many memories and she can't get over that she feels she should have done something more for her best friend. Grief is a heavy load and Edie heads back to where she always felt safe, her grandmother Punk's house in Mississippi. A place where she was always loved, learned a lot about life and found her first love. With the help of Punk's friends "the 10 spot" as they are called, they get Edie out of the house to a new shop. This shop is ran by a mysterious man who seems to know just what people need. Giving Edie a journal and question game, she doesn't realize how much this will help her get through things. Edie and the 10 spot start working through these questions, and realize the depth of feelings and beliefs that these bring out. Many secrets and unknowns about each other come to light as well as lessons from other's past experiences. Meanwhile Edie has decided to settle here, and through her grief she realizes that her god mother is also experiencing what she is. Through this game, Edie has come to learn a lot about the others as well as herself and a mystery that will connect her back to her first love. This was such a good heartfelt read. I loved the scenery and the characters that were brought to life in this story. Thank you to the author and Revell Fiction for the complementary novel. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

Loved the story and the charming characters. Edie is going to stay with her grandmother, Punk, after the death of Edie's best friend. She is feeling a bit lost and needs her grandmother's love. While there, her grandmother's best friends liven things up. When Edie's god mother comes for a visit, everyone can see that she is having some difficulties. When they go to a place called the Trove, the owner gives Edie a game for them to play. A question is asked, and each person gives an answer. Some of the questions bring up happy things and some bring up sad things. As they play, some secrets come out. There are some things that can be changed, and some things just have to stay as they are, but Edie is determined to help her god mother. Can she find her god mother's lost love? Is it even possible after all these years?

How to write a review that has taken me through every gamut of human emotion...well, not EVERY, but a lot of them. Plus, I got to practice my southern accent in my head!
I've always been a little envious of those people who have a group of close friends, whether they've grown up with them or just had that connection. Edie has that in her grandmother's friends. These women are highly entertaining and had me laughing several times. Their banter is just so engaging and fun. But they also can bring out each other's deepest dreams, thoughts, and emotions.
I laughed with this story and I cried with the characters. I felt deep empathy and tremendous grief. I got goosebumps and I prayed for the characters-far more than a couple times!
If you enjoy women's fiction with a little bit of "what if?", then you definitely want to read this book.

I admit, I don’t usually read or like contemporary fiction, but The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse was an exception! I enjoyed it quite a bit.
My favourite part was the relationships between the old ladies. They were so wise, sweet, spunky, and lovable! I really enjoyed how the confessions game brought out so much depth and emotional vulnerabilities.
I also loved the atmospheric setting! The island sounded like such a breath taking place to live, and the antique shop was a nice touch to the story.
Lastly, I liked the journey the protagonist, Edie, went on. I think this book will resonate with people who have experienced the loss of a loved one as Edie had.
My only criticism is that the love interest was a little too flawlessly perfect. I understand that he wasn’t supposed to be a main part of the story, but I feel like he still could have been flesh out a bit more.
Overall I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It had a few supernatural twists I wasn’t expecting, but I think it fit the story. I’d definitely recommend to christian contemporary fiction fans!
***I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to leave a positive review.

There is an unexplained aura that surrounds you as The Light on Horn Island begins. It’s clear that Edie is struggling with something that is so heavy that she uproots her life and runs to the place where her heart has always been, costal Mississippi with her beloved grandmother.
With the vibes of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, I felt all the emotions that come with revisiting the past, facing our true selves, and bravely facing the future. The power of truth, love, and support is so incredibly inspiring. Edie’s grandmother, Punk, and her friend group are such a breath of fresh air and bring a lightness to an otherwise heavier narrative. Being in my 40s, the future can loom dark, but these women show that you can roll with the punches no matter what age and find joy in the little things. And don’t give up…never give up.
This novel is truly the best beach read as the pace is snappy and easily kept my interest. When I did have to begrudgingly put it down, when I picked it back up, I was immediately back into that world.
There are truly no words for how much I enjoyed this novel. It fed my love of historical fiction, the weather, contemporary Christian fiction, and sweet romance, all wrapped up in a tale of friendship, sisterhood, and the inspiring power of love. The whole exhibition itself is so powerful and really brought the entire story home. Facing the horrors of the past to finally heal and move on to a brighter future is a searing vision I won’t soon forget.

Goodness me, this was such a good book. Highly entertaining. Would definitely recommend to others, that's for sure!

The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse is such a delightful story.
Set in Mississippi, Edie Gardener's loss of a beloved friend, sends her home to her grandmother, Punk. The Ten Spots surround her with love and encouragement. The sisters, Sugar, Cookie and Coco are the balm to sooth her grieving heart. With good creole food and the Gulf, Edie sets out to photograph Horn Island. But there is a mystery on the Island. A light that appears at night that no one knows where it comes from.
Cole Donovan was a summer romance that Edie had never forgotten. When she runs into him again, they recreate the teenage romance that had captured her heart. Edie meets a shopkeeper that offers her a job cataloguing photos of Hurricane Camille, she jumps at the chance. A difficult task as she interviews many of the survivors.
This is a beautifully told Southern story that will touch your heart and stay with you. The characters were deep and well defined and the storyline well written. A good clean story, very engaging.
I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Take all the southern charm of the sea, southern ladies, and the food and you'd have The Light on Horn Island. This was a delightful read by Valerie Fraser Luesse. My favorite part of the book was the Ten Spots group. Punk and her crew encapsulated all the different stereotypes of a southern woman. The descriptions of the food Punk and Sugar make in the novel made my mouth water. Sugar's exaggerated use the southern drawl had me chuckling. With the way Luesse wrote, I could feel the ocean breeze and the thunderstorms rolling in.
Leni seemed to be a huge driving force for Edie to come home, but I feel like that plot line was sort of incomplete. I don't remember actually reading what the illness was. Same with Charley. I would have loved to have read more about what her future looked like and the moment she and Connor found each other. That seemed sort of rushed.
This novel reminded me a little bit of the TV show Touched by an Angel. While it never explicitly states that Jason is an angel, the flash of light made sense at the end.

I enjoyed this one! I think my favorite part was getting to know the group of older ladies that Edie spent time with. Along with her warm & welcoming grandma, three spunky & eccentric ladies modeled what it looks like to live life alongside each other through the ups and downs. I loved the setting that came to life off the page: the gulf coast with all its beauty and charm, the southern dishes featured and down-right praised, and the slow pace of life.
I would’ve like to understand a bit more of Edie’s backstory; she was a relatable narrator, which would have been even stronger with a little more depth given to her past. There is a strong supernaturally speculative element that emerges. This wasn’t my favorite, but it didn’t overtake the story.
If you love southern fiction, a story about the strength found leaning on those you love, and the 90s-show “Touched by An Angel”, this was a clean character-driven story to get lost in!
😇: Christian publisher (Revell)); some spiritually supernatural elements
💋: a sweet & simple kiss
🤐 : no language
⛔️ CW: hurricane trauma, veteran ptsd referenced
Thank you to @revell for the complimentary book in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

At times, this story was quite enjoyable but often, it was a bit of a slog - frustratingly predictable, flippant, even trite. All of the main characters were upper class white who pretended to be average folk, to a fault. There were a few side characters who worked hard for a living, and three servants who were likely persons of color but this was not stated. In fact, the author was a bit coy about describing them and it was this lack of detail that confirms the suspicion because she is effervescently descriptive about nearly every other character in the book.
This really leaves a bad taste in the mouth, y’all. No black characters except the three servants in a state with the highest black population in the nation; where nearly 40% of the population is black, and in the specific areas named in the book at least 30% are persons of color. (The US Census is your friend, y’all.)
Then there is the language: southernisms drip off the page, and to a fellow southerner seem pretty exaggerated. The author could definitely tone down the “Shug” speak, with the “gaw-uh-geous” and the pearl-clutching. Most of the characters, in fact, are caricatures - the grandmother, oddly nicknamed “Punk”, whose biscuits and gumbo are to die for; the tall, worldly-wise and devil-may-care Coco, and all of the male characters are “beautiful boys.”
One thing I was grateful for is that the religious references are more subtle than usual in “Christian fiction.” They don’t hit the reader over the head, and could be overlooked or even ignored and the plot wouldn’t really change. Even the obvious angel character was interesting rather than “holy.” Thank goodness.
The formatting is atrocious and absolutely must be fixed before the books is released. From the viewpoint of someone who has edited and correctly formatted ebooks - this was distracting and I can’t imagine that this would not irritate some readers.
Still, even with its flaws - and there are many - I didn’t hate this book, and didn’t want to throw it across the room. It mostly didn’t insult my intellect. The clearly researched history of Hurricane Camille added much to the value of the book and assisted in preventing the book from being a time-waster. Some of the characters were lovable (some were very forgettable). The plot was predictable but the author took care to add details that make it interesting and most of the characters were at least somewhat relatable.
Two and 3/4 stars rounded up to three because of these last points. Thanks to NetGalley and Revell for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse
5 Stars!
Reading this book felt like stepping back in time to memories with my grandparents and great grandparents - so many beautiful days gone by. It feels like sweet tea, magnolias, front porch sittin' southern storytelling that will stick with you forever. This was my first book by Valerie, and now I need to read ALL of her other books.
Set in Mississippi, Edie returns home to her beloved grandmother after the loss of her friend in New York. This setting is very warm and familiar as a southern gal in Tennessee myself. The author portrays small town southern life in such rich detail, while also honoring the wisdom of our grandparent's generation.
We see the heart of this story lie in the relationships of Edie and her grandmother, a tight-knit group of friends and family. Long buried secrets and stories come to light in this book. Her grandmother introduced her to the antique shop and many of her friends there and we see Edie reconnect with someone from her past also.
ALL of the characters in this were phenomenal. We heard their stories from Hurricane Camille in 1969 as well, which added such a layer of depth to the story and gave me a huge respect for those that have went through these hardships. The Lord was all over this story too, with the added character of Jason. He was very memorable and interesting how Valerie tied that together in the end. Warmed my heart!
One of my friends and I chatted about this story and how it was like puzzles we were trying to figure out along the way - between tracking down survivors from the hurricane and trying to figure out the light on the island - it was just great all around.
Overall, SO glad I read this book. Highly also recommend the audiobook because the narration had great southern accents too.
Thank you to Revell for a copy to honestly read and review. All thoughts are my own.
Content: Clean, no language, grief, attempted suicide mentioned, mental health struggles, depression mentioned once, hurricane survival stories and loss of loved ones in that discussion

In The Light on Horn Island, author Valerie Fraser Luesse has penned an inspiring tale that depicts the beauty of friendship, the virtue of grace, and the power of redemption. Set in a cozy town located on the coast of Mississippi, the story mimics the warmth of the weather and the pleasant breeze of the coast, as the novel wraps itself upon the heart of the reader like a welcoming embrace.
After experiencing a devastating loss, primary character Edie Gardner, leaves the city life in New York and returns to her grandmother’s hometown in Mississippi. There, she is surrounded by the love of her grandmother ‘Punk’, the delightful Southern cuisine, and the joy that Punk’s three best friends elicit by their amusing personalities and humorous antics. Edie finds fulfillment while healing from grief with the acquirement of a work assignment that evokes healing to a community devastated by a horrible storm thirty years prior. In addition, a previous friend reenters her life and fills it with a joy that could only come from a reunited love. All of this and more transpire that makes this uplifting tale sparkle with hope, renewal, and faith.
A cast of vibrant characters and an engaging storyline make The Light on Horn Island unforgettable. The plot is well paced, and the prose is full of life and spiritual wisdom. There is also adequate Christian faith content in the story that points to the significance of God’s grace in our lives. The touch of romance, Christian spiritual elements, and the amusing dialogues made this a thoroughly enjoyable read that I highly recommend. Undoubtedly, I look forward to reading more work by the author.

Poignant, inspiring, & a lovely group of supportive women who cheer each other on in finding love & closure. Set in the early 2000’s, The Light on Horn Island completely drew me in with its Southern charm & endearing characters. The sweet second chance romances set against the backdrop of the mysterious Horn Island were hope-filled, & induced many happy sighs.
Edie Gardner is returning home to reconnect with “The Ten Spots,” the nickname given to her grandmother & her three friends. After experiencing the tragic death of her friend in New York, she’s looking for peace & new opportunities in the small Mississippi town where she experienced first love. When she meets Jared, the mysterious owner of The Trove, her talent for photography & curation take on new meaning as she discovers stories from 1969 Hurricane Camille, which devastated the area. As she unravels the past, she also unravels old stories & heartaches from her grandmother & her friends.
Part mystery, part romance, & women’s fiction, this story was utterly addicting. I loved the unique, quirky, charming Ten Spots. As Edie is trying to find faith & meaning in her life, they’re there to help her reconnect with a past love & offer their sage advice. I loved unraveling the stories of the hurricane survivors & the mysterious Jared who provided a delightful religious angle to the story. The strange light that appears on Horn Island added another layer of mystery. I loved Cole & Edie & their second chance at love. It was fun seeing The Ten Spots making sure that they succeed this time. I also loved Charly’s story & her finally finding answers & love.
This is a beautiful story with humor, romance, faith, & delightful characters who feel so real & familiar. The author did a fantastic job bringing this small Mississippi setting to life. I loved the symbolism & vivid descriptions.
Highly recommend! This is my first book by Valerie Fraser Luesse & I can’t wait to read more. I received an advanced copy from the publisher without expectation of a review. All opinions are completely my own & voluntarily provided.

The first line in this book had my attention. Any story that begins by talking about how good pimento cheese is, has to be a good book. And it was!
The more I read of this story, the more I wanted to read. The cast of characters are unforgettable and the way they form their own little family full of laughs and disagreements warmed my heart throughout.
Each woman in this story has something heavy they are dealing with, some form of healing that needs to take place. Learning about each one’s story and how it had shaped the rest of their life had me so invested in this story. I love that the truths were revealed through playing an antique Victorian parlor game.
The setting, Mississippi and Louisiana, the food, the people, the relationships. Every single part of this story was so well done. That ending, well you better read this book to get that ending. It’s worth it!
Thank you to Revell for the copy of this book. All views are my honest opinion.

This was such a fun beach read for me. The pace was fast enough to always keep me interested, but slow enough to feel relaxing.
I loved the multigenerational feel in this book. From young to old a group of women bond in a friendship with each other. They accept and attempt to understand each other and help each other process life’s disappointments and trauma.
Edie makes a big life change and decides to stay with her grandmother on coastal Mississippi as she reflects on loss and what she wants out of life. Her grandmother’s friends help her work out and accept her grief. Her Godmother then comes to visit and Edie learns of her grief and trauma when a project Edie is working on brings old feelings and memories to the surface.
I loved the multigenerational aspect of the book. We all have so much to learn from each other. Old from young and young from old. I loved their sisterhood of love and compassion that facilitated healing.
I also liked learning about a historic hurricane and the effects it had on the people in the area. I’ve never lived in hurricane regions and it was my first glimpse into how they affect a community.
If you love second chance romance, multigenerational friendships, and Christian themes of healing from trauma, this is the book for you! It was a delight to read and I am grateful to the publisher for a copy of the book to read.