Season of Shadow and Light in Aussie Readers

Feb 03, 2015 Brenda rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015-release, aussie-authors, net-galley, contemporary-fiction, read-on-kindle, own-read, arc

Paige and Robert’s marriage was a little rocky – two years prior Paige had lost a longed for baby son and suffered a postpartum stroke which still affected her. Nana Alice and six year old daughter Matilda kept her sane but Paige couldn’t say the same about Robert – their lives had drifted apart and Paige was unhappy. When the opportunity arose, she informed Robert that she, along with Nana Alice and Mati would have a two week holiday in a quaint little boatshed in a bush town called Saddleton – Paige and Robert’s marriage was a little rocky – two years prior Paige had lost a longed for baby son and suffered a postpartum stroke which still affected her. Nana Alice and six year old daughter Matilda kept her sane but Paige couldn’t say the same about Robert – their lives had drifted apart and Paige was unhappy. When the opportunity arose, she informed Robert that she, along with Nana Alice and Mati would have a two week holiday in a quaint little boatshed in a bush town called Saddleton – leaving Robert to his privileged and boring life in Sydney.

But along the way the long, hot and dreary drive had turned into a challenge – they became lost due to floodwaters closing various roads and ended up in an even smaller bush community called Coolabah Tree Gully – and that was where Paige found they were stuck. Flooded roads forced them to seek accommodation in the local pub – they couldn’t return to Sydney; they couldn’t move on to Saddleton – but was it fate they had ended up in Coolabah Tree Gully?

Nana Alice was tense and stressed. She loved her daughter Paige and granddaughter Mati deeply; but the secrets she was hiding, and had been hiding for decades were wearing her down. And now, here in this unexpected place she felt trapped. She had to get her little family away from there; away before the trust between Paige and Nana Alice turned to dust…

As Mati and Paige fell in love with the local area; the horses, the friendly neighbours, the animals and birds – and seven year old Liam bonded immediately with Mati – Alice could feel the pressure mounting. Paige could see Alice was troubled but couldn’t prize it from her – she was moody; first bubbly and happy, then angry and depressed. Paige was confused – her beloved Nana Alice was never like this. What would be the outcome? Would Alice keep her secrets?

Season of Shadow and Light is another enjoyable contemporary novel by Aussie author Jenn J McLeod. It is a story of family; of betrayal and trust; of secrets and lies. But ultimately it is a story of forgiveness and love. I have no hesitation in recommending this novel to all lovers of contemporary fiction, along with the author’s previous two “Season” novels.

With thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my copy to read and review.
...more

14 likes · Like · see review

Feb 06, 2015 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

Shelves: aussie-author, netgalley-reviews, arc-are

"Light can illuminate truth, let us see things we might otherwise unknowingly pass by in the dark. It can also illuminate the signs that will allow each of us to find the road to forgiveness, to trust, to hope, to belief and to the future."

An engaging story of secrets and lies, of trust and betrayal, of family, friendship and forgiveness, Season of Shadow and Light is Jenn J McLeod's third novel of contemporary fiction set in rural New South Wales.

Unhappy and frustrated after a difficult few yea ...more

11 likes · Like · see review

Jun 06, 2015 Helene Young rated it it was amazing

I've finally had some time to myself to finish Jenn J McLeod's latest release. With Season of Shadow and Light she's crafted another heartfelt story with memorable characters, an evocative setting and plenty of twists and turns in the plot to keep me guessing. She tackles difficult themes with a deft touch. You won't be disappointed. ...more

7 likes · Like · see review

Apr 14, 2015 Kat at Book Thingo marked it as did-not-read

Shelves: australian-authors, vomit-list, romance-dealbreaker

Not a romance. (Apparently there's a bit of controversy about my vomit list. It's a list of books that include at least one vomit scene. It does NOT mean this book made me sick. Longer explanation here: Embracing the porcelain goddess - vomit in romance fiction. It kills my joy that I even have to explain this.) ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Mar 18, 2015 Tien rated it really liked it

Shelves: australia, own, australian-author, arc, womens-lit

This is my first Jenn J. McLeod and I was a little intimidated with the size (almost 500 pages!) after finishing 2 books which were slow to pick up. However, I was hooked by Season of Shadow and Light by page 3 and I, seriously, said out loud, “thank God!” I don’t know if anyone else found this but I was intrigue by the randomly-kinda-creepy incident; it probably had something to do with the reference to ‘long lost love’. Yep, I’m another sappy reader ;)

Season of Shadow and Light is more than ju This is my first Jenn J. McLeod and I was a little intimidated with the size (almost 500 pages!) after finishing 2 books which were slow to pick up. However, I was hooked by Season of Shadow and Light by page 3 and I, seriously, said out loud, “thank God!” I don’t know if anyone else found this but I was intrigue by the randomly-kinda-creepy incident; it probably had something to do with the reference to ‘long lost love’. Yep, I’m another sappy reader ;)

Season of Shadow and Light is more than just romantic love. It is also a tale of familial love; of loving someone so much that you would do everything to protect them. But what does protecting them mean? Is it best to keep a secret as such? Is it best to manoeuver for a ‘normal’ family life to ensure the least disruption all around?

Paige has had a pretty tough time in the last 2 years; recovering from a stroke and a miscarriage which basically terminated her career, she’s no longer sure of her identity. There seems to be a conspiracy that drove Paige to go on a holiday in a small-in-the-middle-of-nowhere town but which found her in woop woop town instead. The most unlikely circumstance found Paige with her daughter, Matilda, and Nana Alice living at a place where the long-kept secret is threatened to unravel. You really can’t keep much of a secret in a small town.

Aiden was firstly introduced as a grump but surely, everybody’s entitled to a bad mood now and again. After receiving the biggest blow of betrayal, Aiden had no other choice but to return home. As Paige and Aiden are thrown in together more and more, it was patently clear that they found in each other a best friend. I’ve really enjoyed the easy interaction between Paige and Aiden.

Nana Alice was not enjoying this trip at all. She didn’t want to go but neither could she let Paige go without her. She was tense pretty much the whole time and her attitude with Paige was hot and cold. Alice always thought honesty is the best policy so this secret is weighing her down but yet she’s promised to keep it. I found Alice to be the most interesting character in this book; a very tightly-held together lady but this lady’s got some pluck!

There were a number of perspectives in Season of Shadow and Light, Paige’s primarily but there were snippets of Aiden, Alice, and another’s in the last part of the story. It was pretty easy to distinguish the perspectives by the feelings they exude –each of their voices were unique and their feelings real. I was quickly drawn into the story (page 3, remember) and it was told a good even pace until nearly the end. I found the ending a bit rushed but I guess after 450 pages, you need to wrap it up.

Season of Shadow and Light is a cleverly woven tale with each thread being laced tightly together, some with fancy knots, with no loose thread left behind (even the ‘random incident’ had a resolution!). If enjoy a story of self-discovery, of betrayal and healing, of lies and trust, I’d recommend Season of Shadow and Light.

Thanks to Simon & Schuster Australia for copy of book in exchange of honest review ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Apr 22, 2015 Helen rated it really liked it

I did really enjoy this story although not like the romances that I would normally read this one is beautifully written the setting is lovely and the characters rich and full of life and very real. This one is a real page turner (no pun intended you will have to read the book ) on an emotional journey to find answers to secrets that have been kept for many years and for one person should she keep the secret or tell and maybe help the living :) And with such a happy ending this is a book to read.

1 like · Like · see review

Aug 27, 2015 Janine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: for-review

What a wonderful book, I had not read anything by this author before and was pleasantly surprised. I loved the way you gradually got to know the three main characters in alternating chapters, the author did a great job of letting you into their lives and thoughts over a period of time and circumstances. Paige is recovering from a devastating stillborn son and her husband's infidelity and goes on a road trip with her 'other mother' Nana Alice who has kept a secret about Paige's early life. When t ...more

1 like · Like · see review