Let the Light In
Leah stepped up when their dad passed away. At 17, she is the oldest of the three siblings and as their mother fell apart, Leah held them all together. Now, she is
charge of their meagre finances, making sure they have something to eat, and the bills get paid. Once a good student, the pressures of keeping things afloat, making sure her little sister is picked up from school, and checking on her younger brother Charlie; are piling up. Schoolwork is taking a back seat.
She doesn’t resent their mother being holed up in her room all day. Leah knows it is pure grief at losing the love of her life, and she tries to protect her mum by being strong for them all. But there is one thing Leah has for herself – Alex.
He makes her feel like a goddess, and she can’t stop thinking about him. He’s handsome, owns an Art gallery, and makes her feel alive. So what if he is older than her? And married. With a baby.
Charlie wants to help Leah more at home. He can pick up their little sister from school, but whenever he tries to cook something, it’s a disaster. He’s worried what life will be like when Leah goes to university in Edinburgh. How will they cope without her? He marvels at the way Leah seems so strong and capable after their father’s death, when all he could do was hide in his wardrobe, or under his duvet.
Charlie’s escape from his own grief is in drawing. He’s a talented artist, and pours himself and his feelings into his sketchbook. But drawings aren’t helping anyone at home. He longs to feel more in control. When a stranger offers to help, Charlie is wary at first. Soon, it seems that this is all he needed. In fact, it was the worst possible solution.
Each with their secrets, things begin looking up for Leah and Charlie. Or so they think. The secrets find each other and the result is heartbreaking for all.
Written in two viewpoints by two separate authors, the essence of the characters is raw on the page. A brother and sister, still grieving for their father, and without the guidance of their devastated mother – try to navigate the world around them the best they can.
An inappropriate affair, and a deepening spiral of debt threaten to swallow them whole as they keep their secrets close their chests. There is so much heart in this novel as the characters try to do their best by their loved ones, and try to tackle their worries alone.
Let the Light in, refers to so many threads of this story. Mental heath, relationships, money worries, being young carers, and grief, consume these young characters, and it’s only when they let others around them know what is going on, that help can arrive.
Beautifully written and with a positive future for all, Let The Light In is a powerful read.
Authors – Louis Hill & Jenny Downham
Age – 15+
(2025, David Fickling Books, Bullies, Conflict, Crime, Real Life, Family, Grief, Growing up, Love, Romance, Secret, Older guy, Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Art, Drawing, Loan Shark, Community)
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