Sierra wants to understand. Caleb hopes for redemption. Together, they could find love – if they have the courage to accept it.
‘What Light’ talks about the feeling of first love and forgiveness. It is also about second chances and it never being too late to understand and learn ourselves and others for who they are.
Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her Christmas life in California. And living one means leaving the other. Her character for sure shows the burden of existence which she smartly or poorly carries without a tinge of effort.
An effortless human being now, in my opinion. Her character shows the inner conflict she faces and the choices she has to make: the choices being what is good for her and what she actually wants despite the baggage it may carry.
By reputation, Caleb is not your perfect guy; a mistake committed years ago still haunts him and follows him around like the dark terror stuck unto light which reverses day and time, again and again. He has been paying for his mistake for so long now that the lines have blurred and he just needs a chance to clear them.
Sierra sees beyond the town’s rumours and misconceptions surrounding Caleb and Caleb just needs a chance to be understood and forgiven.
The main theme surrounding the plot is the love that Sierra and Caleb share.
It is fresh and sweet. Even in the midst of suspicions, misunderstandings and disappointments swirling around them, they let themselves be vulnerable and embrace their inner turmoil.
I loved the fact that they gave each other the chance to understand themselves and each other even when all the odds were against them. Caleb believes that everyone is allowed a bad day but only starts believing in the former, after he meets Sierra.
“I like Caleb. I like him even more every time I see him. And this can only lead to disaster.”
Sierra knows that being with Caleb will not be the easiest thing. It terrifies her yet she allows herself to trust in her feelings for him and give THEM a chance.
“People think what they want. That’s what I’ve had to accept,” he says. “I can fight it, but that’s exhausting. I can feel hurt about it, but that’s torture. Or I can decide it’s their loss.”
Caleb had learnt how to deal with the ghosts of his past mistakes; it followed him everywhere in loud whispers and mocking gazes. Until Sierra, he cared what she thought about him and did not want his past to affect his time with her. He cared and trusted her enough to tell her the truth about himself.
The novel offers a realistic depiction of teenage love. Sierra has a good heart and wants to help Caleb move on from his past while Caleb is charitable and regretful of his tainted past. It gives an insight onto the sweet and heartfelt emotions of being in love for the first time. The book is perfect for readers looking for a light hearted yet aching tale of love and friendship mixed with the Christmas magic.
- Alisha Desai
F.Y.B.A
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