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TheLisaD
October 31, 2024
Another great story from Shannon!
Whenever Shannon releases a new book, it’s a cause for excitement, as she consistently brings her characters to life in such a vivid way. To Be Loved is no exception. From the very beginning, the chemistry between the characters is palpable. Shannon masterfully conveys that instant, intangible connection, and her skillful writing ensures the reader feels it right along with them.
Our main character, Norah, carries a profound backstory—she’s been through a lot before this story even begins. Shannon handles Norah’s history with sensitivity, honoring her experiences without allowing the plot to become solely about loss and moving forward. Instead, the story focuses on two people who share a powerful connection and the journey they embark on to explore where it might lead.
Adding to the depth of the narrative is Gemma, whose presence brings a sense of calm to Norah amidst her emotional struggles. Gemma truly lives up to her name, becoming Norah’s anchor in a storm of emotions, and their bond adds another layer of warmth to the story.
One of the joys of Shannon’s series is that they often feature characters previously mentioned in passing, allowing readers to delve into new perspectives while exploring a familiar world. Though I hadn’t read the other books in the series, I found To Be Loved fully enjoyable as a standalone story—a testament to Shannon’s talent for creating an immersive, self-contained narrative. Well done, Shannon!
To Be Loved is the third book in the Lighthouse Lovers series, and a bit more serious than the others. Norah, widowed but (unbeknownst to almost anyone else) pregnant through IVF with her husband's baby, is rooming for the summer with Gemma, a traveling nurse and her best friend's college roommate. The two develop a friendship and very quickly start crushing on each other, but Norah is confused by her feelings and is still struggling with grief over the loss of her husband.
Both of the women are really lovely, and Gemma is so gentle with and understanding of Norah. If only we could all find someone like her. I did find this installment to be a bit more dependent on having read the previous books, and there were some grammatical errors that will hopefully be fixed, but overall I really enjoyed it.
I received a free ARC from BookSirens, but my review is unbiased and left voluntarily.
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Michelle Romero
January 22, 2025
"Exceptionally Well-Written"
"Powerful Message"
Norah has suffered great loss. Her soulmate love of her life has left this world leaving her completely devastated and empty. There is one more part of him left and she does what she can to become a mom. During her journey she meets the most unlikely compainon in Gemma. Could she truly ever be happy after the loss she has suffered. Wonderfully written romance!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"A powerful exploration of Love & Loss!"
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CissasBookEnds
October 16, 2025
The story was very cute and the angst gave it a real life vibe. I really enjoyed watching these two slowly fall in love while dealing with real world issues.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I just loved Norah and Gemma
What an amazing story! Such a page turner! The question is, is there love after a loss? Wait til you find out. From the time Norah and Gemma meet til the end, their friendship just grows.
Gemma is in town for a friend’s wedding. She’s also got a job at the hospital for a few months. She’s staying with Norah who is living there and who is a friend also. Norah works at a bookstore. Their friendship takes off from there. They get along great. They both love to read, and most nights just hang out reading on their kindles. Norah is keeping something though from Gemma. When she tells her, how will she react? Will this put a stop to what could possibly be happening between them? Wait til you find out. After all, Norah has never been with a woman. The end is amazing and I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book.