I have liked Lisa Wingate for a while and have really wanted to read another book by her. This is now, I think, my 4th. And I have a couple others downloaded on my nook which I am excited about. One thing about her books - there is a lot of substance to them! They are not light fluffy, easy reading, romance books. Her books give you a lot to think about and make you wonder "What would I do in her situation?" and I did just that.This one being about teen drug abuse in a private school and eating disorders, not exactly a light read, but even with the intense subject this book really flowed nicely. Lisa's story telling is great and she really knows how to keep it interesting.I loved the characters in this book! I saw one person's review that said she could not connect with the characters??? I did not find this to be true at all! I had no problems connecting with Julia.Julia, the young guidance counselor has a great personality. I love the way she is "all for the kids" and goes way out of her way to help even one, because she believes that every kid matters, and they shouldn't be overlooked.I also loved Keiler - "Former foster kid looking for love, brain tumor survivor, Santa Claus enthusiast, NYU grad, and Mr. Science, masquerading as a guitar playing ski bum with a broken foot." oh my word! How can you not love him?Then there's Dell - Teen girl who lost her mom to drugs and never knew who who father was. Trapped in a place she thinks she doesn't deserve. Has loving foster parents but isn't convinced their love is unconditional.I loved this quote from the book - "Grandma Rose says the secret to a good life isn't getting what you want; its learning to want what you get."THE ALL-IN-ALL -All in all this is very clean (no sex, no swearing) I wouldn't really call it a "Christian book" it did mention God and praying but it was just a real nice clean very beautifully written story. And I loved the ending! Again another person's review said "WARNING!!! This is a christian Fiction!!" LOL this made me laugh. Like you have to warn some one that this might mention the G word, gasp! I wonder if that same person would have such a warning for sexual content. I commented on their review "I wouldn't really call this Christian Fiction - I would call it a clean fiction that mentions God a few times.I think teen girls or adult women would enjoy this book.
First book I've read by Wingate. The characters are life like, descriptions of physical appearance brings them to live in my mind. This book reads like a movie. I thought it would be a light read, and although it was at times superficial day to day experiences it isn't until the reality sets in that there is more to these people than we first perceive. The demons that Julia, or Ms. C as she is referred to by her students, deals with during her daily interactions with those around her are real. I only wish that the ending was better. Although it seemed to sew up nice and neat in some ways, it seemed rushed. Once I have committed to a book it is a shame that the ending is shortened. I'm sure this book isn't for everyone, but give it a try.
What do You think about Drenched In Light (2006)?
I think that this book is my favorite Wingate book so far. I simply couldn't put it down. The story follows Julia, a former ballet dancer whose career is cut short due to a life-threatening eating disorder. After she "recovers" she becomes a guidance counselor at a middle school and befriends Dell Jordan, who is living with Karen and James from "The Language of the Sycamores" and struggling to fit in at her elite arts school.The format is the same as Wingate's previous books: homespun wisdom and advice, a coming-of-age and finding your place in the world, and family ties. As Grandma Rose communicated with Kate through the written journal, Dell communicates with Julia by writing essays. As Dell finds her voice, so does Julia.Kate and Ben make an appearance in the novel, as does the engaging Keilor Bradford.I enjoyed Julia's voice. I could relate to her struggles with her family as their love and concern grew to smothering and stifling. The story comes together, predictably again, at the end. I read it in a day. It was compelling enough that, predictable or not, I simply had to find out what happened.A delightful, insightful read.
—Holly (2 Kids and Tired)
On the surface this appears to be a light, breezy contemporary read concerning a young woman who is still settling into mainstream life. Then Wingate brings in tough issues like bulimia, teen drug addiction, the pressures of the school system, and the search for identity. She weaves all this into a likable plot filled with distinct characters without being didactic, which is the mark of a talented writer. While this is the fourth in a series it stands alone, which also shows the author's ability to overlay a previous storyline with a new one.
—Cricket Muse
I have read several Lisa Wingate books. I read them, because they are clean. The endings are satisfying. They have messages of growth. Sometimes, they do get tedious. This book was not my favorite Wingate book. I did not relate to the main character. I also found that I was not surprised by the twists in the story. Because of the clean, positive message, you wont' feel bad about sharing it with your mother or daughter. But you won't be challenged intellectually by the story line. I read it on the beach. That was about right. Also, I bought this book used. That was about right, as well.
—Skylar Hatfield
