The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse

Book cover image for The Light on Horn Island

The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Revell (April 29, 2025)

REVIEW BY PRISCILLA BETTIS

The Light on Horn Island is a Christian, Southern, women’s-fiction story. This book! I loved it, and it bored me. First, the lovin’ part: Luesse infuses the story with Southern charm, quintessential Southern characters, precious multi-generational friendships, and an angel.

Luesse also writes wonderful descriptions that root the reader in Biloxi, Mississippi. When Edie, the main character, arrives in Biloxi, we read:

I pulled into one of those great old stores with clapboard siding and a tin roof, where the entrance is a cantankerous wooden door pinned shut with a wobbly metal knob, the parking lot is more dust than gravel, and the two Texaco pumps out front have been there since sock hops were all the rage.

-Valerie Fraser Luessa, The Light on Horn Island

Edie may be the only normal name in the story. She’s a twenty-something, single woman who just lost her best friend to cancer and is trying to start afresh. The older women in her life (her grandmother and her grandmother’s friends) have known each other forever. Their names are Punk, Sugar, Cookie, and Coco. Oh, and Pierre, he’s a very large cat. As a group, Punk and ladies are called the Ten Spots. See what I mean about the names?

I can’t ruin it by telling you who the angel is, but the angel’s role in the story is one of those feel-good plot threads sprinkled with uplifting Bible verses. The angel’s story had me crying sappy-happy tears at the end.

But it’s the sappy-happy material that bored me. The characters don’t argue. They are content save for long-ago lost loves and old memories of hurricanes. They eat delicious seafood and grits while chatting and admiring the ocean view. The older women give Edie advice, and she graciously accepts it. If you’re going through a melancholy time in life, this might be the perfect read for you.

On the other hand, if you’re itching for a tension-filled story, The Light on Horn Island may not be for you.

Overall, I loved Luesse’s prose, and I would definitely pick up another of her books, but this particular one wasn’t my cup of (sweet iced) tea. I rate The Light on Horn Island 3.5 fish.

image of three and a half drawn fish by British Museum on unsplash

I purchased the Kindle version of The Light on Horn Island.

41 thoughts on “The Light on Horn Island by Valerie Fraser Luesse”

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  4. Isn’t it an interesting analogy on life that the happy-sappy parts are often boring? Particularly in fiction. However, I for one am ready to be bored in my personal, at least for a little while, but not so much in my reading material. I prefer some conflict. Give me a little tension, or better yet, a-seat-of-your-pants-will-they-survive story. Of course, that’s personal preference and there are some readers who like stories without too much tension. More interested in the characters than a tension filled plot.

    I loved the description you shared from the book. The author paints a vivid picture with few words. I need to study that!

    As always, an informative and interesting review, Priscilla.

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    1. After looking at the early reviews, it seems like a lot of readers like stories without too much tension because I’m in the minority on this one. But I truly did enjoy Luesse’s descriptive passages. Thanks for reading my review and commenting, Marie!🩷

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  6. You have me laughing, Priscilla. Your teasers drew me in, but then I wondered about that “itch” you mentioned. Thumbs up or thumbs down, this was a great review. Thank you!

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  10. I absolutely love that quote, and it draws me into the setting. However, without any conflict or tension, I’ll probably give this one a pass. Thanks for your honest review, Priscilla.

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  14. And you’ve summed up the issue with telling a page-turning tale. Much as we tell ourselves that we just want a lovely tale full of positive vibes and affection – there needs to be some tension and sharpness. After all, there’s always a bit of bite within any group, isn’t there?

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  15. I don’t always have to be on the edge of my seat when reading a book, but the lack of tension between the characters doesn’t sound appealing to me. Thanks for the review, Priscilla.

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  18. Hi Priscilla – great review and it sounds like this book has many things to love about it. I do like books that have characters in conflict because I think they make the story real. Still, for the right time and place, this looks good!

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  19. Hi Priscilla!
    I usually love storieis with angels, but it sounds like there’s almost no real conflict in this one, and to me personally, conflict is a part of what builds a strong plot. It’s such a shame.

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    1. The reviews on Goodreads and Amazon are mostly 5 stars. I guess the majority of readers are not like you and me who need some good conflict. And that’s okay because if we all liked the same books equally, we’d have nothing to discuss at book club meetings.😂 Thanks for commenting, Lena!🩷

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