Review: How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim

Honestly, when I finished the book, I didn’t know how to feel. I gave it some time, went back and read the last chapter again, then I felt at a cautious ease. I don’t want to give anything away but the third part of the book into it’s conclusion. left me a bit rattled because of the invested interest the journey takes you on. Despite this, overall it was a beautiful story that delve into grief and working yourself towards finding that affirmation that it’s ok to move forward without feeling guilty.

How the Light Gets In, introduces us to Ruth, who is trying to put her life together after the news of the death of her husband and father in law. Her marriage prior to hearing this news wasn’t the best it could be and now having to mourn what was and could’ve been really have taken it’s toll. At the request of her mother in law, they set out to Wisconsin to bury her husband and temporary reside with a relative to deal with their grief.

Elam, recluse and shy, found it to be a challenge and a blessing. After the loss of his mother, he found it hard to open his heart to anyone. When his aunt and Ruth extended their stay through the harvest, there was something that drew him to Ruth that he hadn’t felt in a long time. As time passed and Ruth got in a rhythm of living again, she unexpectedly felt something stir within whenever Elam was around. As time started to heal her wounds, a friendship began to blossom between the two. Inspiring each other, Elam helped give her the seeds to plant and grow something in her that made her find a purpose. Then something happens that might change the path she is on like the poem of the fork in the road. Her path will be the determinate of her fate.

Overall, this was a beautifully written book that will definitely have you glued to the pages. This journey of grief led her down a path that she dealt with it in her own way that when you get to the end, you may or may not agree with something major that happens. I’m definitely on the fence with how I feel based on how it ended because I felt a certain way regarding the path of Ruth and Elam and then two things happen that just really make the book stand out. I’m really curious about the feedback on this book. This was one that I couldn’t stop reading and hope you will add this to your tbr list.