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Light in the Dark #1
Rae of Sunshine
What I remember the most about that day was that it was completely ordinary. Then with one stupid decision everything fell apart and nothing was ever the same.
Rae Wilder wants nothing but a do over—but life doesn’t work that way. She’s stuck living out the consequences of her actions. At times the burden feels unbearable.
College is supposed to be her second chance.
New place.
New people.
New life.
No one to know what she did.
Despite that, she has still vowed to avoid everyone and everything at all costs.
Unfortunately for her, an accidental run-in with the campus heartthrob, Cade Montgomery, derails that plan.
He’s determined to thaw the ice around her heart and expose the girl she used to be. He wants to show her that life is worth living for and that she really is a Rae of Sunshine.
Rae Wilder wants nothing but a do over—but life doesn’t work that way. She’s stuck living out the consequences of her actions. At times the burden feels unbearable.
College is supposed to be her second chance.
New place.
New people.
New life.
No one to know what she did.
Despite that, she has still vowed to avoid everyone and everything at all costs.
Unfortunately for her, an accidental run-in with the campus heartthrob, Cade Montgomery, derails that plan.
He’s determined to thaw the ice around her heart and expose the girl she used to be. He wants to show her that life is worth living for and that she really is a Rae of Sunshine.
287 pages, Paperback
First published November 23, 2014
339 people are currently reading
3015 people want to read
About the author
Micalea Smeltzer
82 books6,626 followersMicalea Smeltzer is an author from Northern Virginia. Her two dogs, Ollie and Remy, are her constant companions. As a kidney transplant recipient she's dedicated to raising awareness around the effects of kidney disease, dialysis, and transplant as well as educating people on living donation. When she's not writing you can catch her with her nose buried in a book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
April 17, 2019
A favorite to re-read when I want a sweet NA romance.
Loved this book. I have read a few books by Micaela Smeltzer now and this is my favorite. Cade & Rae are such amazing characters. I love the fact that Cade was so patience with Rae. Such a heartwarming story. Recommend if you prefer your romances on the sweeter side.
HEA
Cheating/OW Safe from cheating/ow
Push/Pull
Any couple separation
Angst Level: Low
Heat Level: Low
Loved this book. I have read a few books by Micaela Smeltzer now and this is my favorite. Cade & Rae are such amazing characters. I love the fact that Cade was so patience with Rae. Such a heartwarming story. Recommend if you prefer your romances on the sweeter side.
HEA
Cheating/OW Safe from cheating/ow
Push/Pull
Any couple separation
Angst Level: Low
Heat Level: Low
nope
August 14, 2020Note to self: A heroine that I will have difficulty in connecting with.
I know it is an accident and she didn't mean it but still, I would have a hard time forgiving her.
I know it is an accident and she didn't mean it but still, I would have a hard time forgiving her.
September 20, 2015
May Contain Spoilers!
4.5 Cade stars. great, sweet, heartbreaking read! Cade was so patient and perfect! I love him so much! Rae at first was a little hard to like (understandable) as to why she pushed people away but she was great. Loved Thea too. I would like to read about her. This was a pretty clean romance. A little making out and sex scenes weren't really detailed.
safety : both had one relationship in high school. h is a virgin and H had very few hooks up (no mention of oral skills) .he wasn't a manwhore at all. h did love her ex but it wasn't nothing compared to her feelings for H in fact I felt it was more of a friend /puppy love (for her and H 's high school gf)! She does have memories of her ex. this deals with death .
4.5 Cade stars. great, sweet, heartbreaking read! Cade was so patient and perfect! I love him so much! Rae at first was a little hard to like (understandable) as to why she pushed people away but she was great. Loved Thea too. I would like to read about her. This was a pretty clean romance. A little making out and sex scenes weren't really detailed.
safety : both had one relationship in high school. h is a virgin and H had very few hooks up (no mention of oral skills) .he wasn't a manwhore at all. h did love her ex but it wasn't nothing compared to her feelings for H in fact I felt it was more of a friend /puppy love (for her and H 's high school gf)! She does have memories of her ex. this deals with death .
September 2, 2022
4.5 Stars
This is my second time reading Rae of Sunshine and I can say that I loved it just as much as the first time. <3
Cade is one of my absolutely favorite book-boyfriends. Yes, he can be cocky at first glance but after a while you have to realize that this guy is one of the nicest, kindest and most considerate guys ever. Why can't every guy be like Cade?!
Rae is a great character, too but her constant self-pity was too much - and I only realized that after reading the novel the 2nd time. :D
Anyways, Rae of Sunshine is a super duper cheesy sweet college romance with a message to all of us out there.
I can't wait to start with When Stars Collide!
This is my second time reading Rae of Sunshine and I can say that I loved it just as much as the first time. <3
Cade is one of my absolutely favorite book-boyfriends. Yes, he can be cocky at first glance but after a while you have to realize that this guy is one of the nicest, kindest and most considerate guys ever. Why can't every guy be like Cade?!
Rae is a great character, too but her constant self-pity was too much - and I only realized that after reading the novel the 2nd time. :D
Anyways, Rae of Sunshine is a super duper cheesy sweet college romance with a message to all of us out there.
I can't wait to start with When Stars Collide!
December 2, 2014
Once in a while you one click a book based only on the recommendation of a friend and your world changes. That happened to me with Rae of Sunshine. I, admittedly, have other Micaela Smeltzer books on my kindle, just happily waiting there for me to devour, which I plan to now, but just hadn't yet. But this is about Rae of Sunshine, an amazing, adorable, sweet and emotionally charged college romance.
Rae is a sad and timid girl who has lived through something all parents fear. Her tragic story is one that is far too real in today's society. Rae is stuck in this holding pattern that she's put herself in, not knowing how to deal with the consequences of her past actions. She's secluded herself from everyone, until Cade enters her life. Cade is a force to be reckoned with, for sure. He's charming and determined but patient and kind in his pursuit of Rae. He sees her for more than what she is presenting to the rest of the world and through his perseverance, slowly breaks down the tall and thick walls Rae has built around herself. Rae headed off to college planning to seclude herself from the world, but what she ended up doing was allowing friends in and reminding herself that she wasn't always the quiet and shy loner that she is today.
I absolutely loved everything about Rae of Sunshine by Micaela Smeltzer. It was lovely and heart warming but beyond that, it is exactly what college romance should be about. Two lost souls finding each other and in return, finding themselves in the process. It displays the sweetness of young love but includes the heat and passion that we all love. I adored Rae of Sunshine and can't wait to read the rest of Micaela's work.
Rae is a sad and timid girl who has lived through something all parents fear. Her tragic story is one that is far too real in today's society. Rae is stuck in this holding pattern that she's put herself in, not knowing how to deal with the consequences of her past actions. She's secluded herself from everyone, until Cade enters her life. Cade is a force to be reckoned with, for sure. He's charming and determined but patient and kind in his pursuit of Rae. He sees her for more than what she is presenting to the rest of the world and through his perseverance, slowly breaks down the tall and thick walls Rae has built around herself. Rae headed off to college planning to seclude herself from the world, but what she ended up doing was allowing friends in and reminding herself that she wasn't always the quiet and shy loner that she is today.
I absolutely loved everything about Rae of Sunshine by Micaela Smeltzer. It was lovely and heart warming but beyond that, it is exactly what college romance should be about. Two lost souls finding each other and in return, finding themselves in the process. It displays the sweetness of young love but includes the heat and passion that we all love. I adored Rae of Sunshine and can't wait to read the rest of Micaela's work.
August 9, 2021
Pages: 391
My rating: 3.5 rounded up to 4
I liked the story because the MCs Rae and Cade had both shit to shovel. Thea, Cade’s sister, was a great roommate for Rae. Novalee was a side character. And she seemed to be a little Rebel, the way she wore her hair and because of her ride.
Xander and Jace, Cade friends never made big appearances.
Because of there past their relationship was a slow burn. Cade was very patient with Rae. And Rae was very understanding with Cade. There was no bs drama with breaking up because of different opinions or something like this. It was a slow but good paced story which gave the characters time to make mistake but develop and find out who they are.
Summery: detailed, lot’s of spoiler
September 4, 2019
I actually read the two books available as of now in this series out of order... ;) and by now I mean the moment when I'm actually writing this review, because the third one will be out in a few days ;) so by the time you'll be reading this, there will be three in total ;) so even though they work perfectly well as standalones, I would actually recommend you guys reading them in order... that way, because the core characters appear in both of them, you'll get something a little more extra special, seeing them change over time... of course you can do whatever you want, but I wanted to put it out there, so you'll have all the details, to make an informed decision... ;) now that we have this little explanation out of the way, let me jump straight into telling you all about how amazing this book was :)
I will start with our main couple... Rae is in a very dark place at the beginning of this book... which was quite a shock to me, cause I knew her (from that second book I read before this one) as a totally different person... but I will get to that in a second ;) it's been a little bit over a year since something very horrible happened... unfortunately for you guys, I cannot tell you anything specific about that event, because it's not known from the start, we discover all of the details along the way... but what I can say is that Rae is being crushed by guilt... she's withdrawn, distant and closed off... we meet her on her first day on campus, when she moves into her dorm... my heart was really breaking for her... the whole situation is much too complicated to explain to you guys in just a few sentences, especially since I have to keep it spoilers-free, but Micalea Smeltzer did an amazing job in portraying her... all the emotions running around in her head, influencing her behaviour... it was done just amazingly... :) and Cade... *swoons* I just... I don't have words good enough to describe how much I loved him... :) he definitely wasn't your typical football-college-star-player... oh definitely not... ;) yes, he was confident, but because he hated all the attention and the kind of people it kept bringing to him, there were actually very few people with whom he could act naturally and feel comfortable... and since Rae didn't care about any sports related stuff, she caught his attention from the start... and who says that crashing into someone is a bad way to meet...? ;) and I do mean it in a literal sense, since he literally knocked her to the ground :) I really adored about him the fact, that even though not many people knew that about him, but he had a much more vulnerable side and he also had to deal with some hard stuff... but since we get to know about that waaaaayyyy into the book, no spoilers from me :)
Theirs is a very slow building romance... and I LOVED it :) they actually start as friends :) well, if were being completely honest, Rae is not interested in starting any kind of a relationship, romantic or even a freindship with anyone, but it's hard to really say no to someone named Montgomery... ;) I will explain that in a second :) but he is very persistent, and patient, and with time she realizes that somehow, he got under her skin :) so they begin a friendship... that slowly evolves into something more... and even though I would have not been able to resist Cade for as long as she did, I loved that it took them that much time to get together... I felt it was an honest describtion of someone who really needs to work through stuff on her own, before opening up to another person... they helped each other come to terms with certain stuff in their lives, and what I love the most, is that they confessed to each other about those dark moments before there was more between them... *sighs happily* this book was just sooooo wonderful :) I was rooting for both of them from the start, and it was extremely rewarding to see them change over the course of the months this book takes place... to observe how good they are for each other... and how diferent they both are at the end of this story... :)
When it comes to secondary characters, well... there are definitely some subtle, and then not so subtle suggestions about some future couples... ;) but I don't want to get into that too much, instead I will let you discover all those little things by yourselves... who I want to concentrate on, is Thea... :) this is the moment when I explain that whole it-is-hard-to-say-no-to-someone-named-Montgomery ;) because Thea is not only Rae's roommate in the dorm, she is also Cade's younger sister :) and oh how I adored her :) she's this bubble, open and talkative person :) she and Rae are nothing alike... but somehow, and by that I mean that she kept reaching out to her, Thea and Rae became friends...and she was another person who helped Rae become a person she is at the end of this story ;) I won't say more, only how happy I am that I already had the pleasure of reading her book.. :)
I loved every minute of reading this story... even more so because I actually read the paper edition :) a quick explanation, why that got me all excited... ;) the majority of the books I read are e-books... because I get stories in that format from PR companies, publishers and authors... don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining :) I love reading in general, but I just adore the feel of an actual book in my hands :) so ever since I got a steady income, I am slowly building my library of books, and this one was very high on my wishlist... ever since I read and loved Thea's story, I knew I would have to go back and read this one as well... so why not buy it in paperback? :) now it's on my shelf and I can pet it any time I want ;) but make no mistakes... I would adore this story as much as I did even if I would read it on my kindle ;) the amazing writing style that made me care soooo much about the characters, an emotional and honest story... slow building romance, and all sorts of friendships along the way... *sighs dreamily* this book has no flaws :) I highly recommend it to you guys... go and one clik this perfection right now if you haven't already... and if you already bought it, but it's been waiting on your shelf / e-reader... what are you waiting for?!? go read it NOW ;) especially since it's currently FREE on Amazon :)
XOXO
A
I will start with our main couple... Rae is in a very dark place at the beginning of this book... which was quite a shock to me, cause I knew her (from that second book I read before this one) as a totally different person... but I will get to that in a second ;) it's been a little bit over a year since something very horrible happened... unfortunately for you guys, I cannot tell you anything specific about that event, because it's not known from the start, we discover all of the details along the way... but what I can say is that Rae is being crushed by guilt... she's withdrawn, distant and closed off... we meet her on her first day on campus, when she moves into her dorm... my heart was really breaking for her... the whole situation is much too complicated to explain to you guys in just a few sentences, especially since I have to keep it spoilers-free, but Micalea Smeltzer did an amazing job in portraying her... all the emotions running around in her head, influencing her behaviour... it was done just amazingly... :) and Cade... *swoons* I just... I don't have words good enough to describe how much I loved him... :) he definitely wasn't your typical football-college-star-player... oh definitely not... ;) yes, he was confident, but because he hated all the attention and the kind of people it kept bringing to him, there were actually very few people with whom he could act naturally and feel comfortable... and since Rae didn't care about any sports related stuff, she caught his attention from the start... and who says that crashing into someone is a bad way to meet...? ;) and I do mean it in a literal sense, since he literally knocked her to the ground :) I really adored about him the fact, that even though not many people knew that about him, but he had a much more vulnerable side and he also had to deal with some hard stuff... but since we get to know about that waaaaayyyy into the book, no spoilers from me :)
Theirs is a very slow building romance... and I LOVED it :) they actually start as friends :) well, if were being completely honest, Rae is not interested in starting any kind of a relationship, romantic or even a freindship with anyone, but it's hard to really say no to someone named Montgomery... ;) I will explain that in a second :) but he is very persistent, and patient, and with time she realizes that somehow, he got under her skin :) so they begin a friendship... that slowly evolves into something more... and even though I would have not been able to resist Cade for as long as she did, I loved that it took them that much time to get together... I felt it was an honest describtion of someone who really needs to work through stuff on her own, before opening up to another person... they helped each other come to terms with certain stuff in their lives, and what I love the most, is that they confessed to each other about those dark moments before there was more between them... *sighs happily* this book was just sooooo wonderful :) I was rooting for both of them from the start, and it was extremely rewarding to see them change over the course of the months this book takes place... to observe how good they are for each other... and how diferent they both are at the end of this story... :)
When it comes to secondary characters, well... there are definitely some subtle, and then not so subtle suggestions about some future couples... ;) but I don't want to get into that too much, instead I will let you discover all those little things by yourselves... who I want to concentrate on, is Thea... :) this is the moment when I explain that whole it-is-hard-to-say-no-to-someone-named-Montgomery ;) because Thea is not only Rae's roommate in the dorm, she is also Cade's younger sister :) and oh how I adored her :) she's this bubble, open and talkative person :) she and Rae are nothing alike... but somehow, and by that I mean that she kept reaching out to her, Thea and Rae became friends...and she was another person who helped Rae become a person she is at the end of this story ;) I won't say more, only how happy I am that I already had the pleasure of reading her book.. :)
I loved every minute of reading this story... even more so because I actually read the paper edition :) a quick explanation, why that got me all excited... ;) the majority of the books I read are e-books... because I get stories in that format from PR companies, publishers and authors... don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining :) I love reading in general, but I just adore the feel of an actual book in my hands :) so ever since I got a steady income, I am slowly building my library of books, and this one was very high on my wishlist... ever since I read and loved Thea's story, I knew I would have to go back and read this one as well... so why not buy it in paperback? :) now it's on my shelf and I can pet it any time I want ;) but make no mistakes... I would adore this story as much as I did even if I would read it on my kindle ;) the amazing writing style that made me care soooo much about the characters, an emotional and honest story... slow building romance, and all sorts of friendships along the way... *sighs dreamily* this book has no flaws :) I highly recommend it to you guys... go and one clik this perfection right now if you haven't already... and if you already bought it, but it's been waiting on your shelf / e-reader... what are you waiting for?!? go read it NOW ;) especially since it's currently FREE on Amazon :)
XOXO
A
April 12, 2023
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! Very sweet, emotional, honest love story. YA. I love how the two main characters are each other's lights in the darkness.
Spice 🌶
Spice 🌶
October 29, 2020
This is a sweet romance with a somewhat unique twist. Rae is tormented by her past and the guilt she feels about something that happened not too long ago. Usually in these books the guilt is misplaced. It's often survivor's guilt or another similar irrational emotion that the love interest must help her to overcome. However, in Rae of Sunshine what happened was her fault. She should feel guilty about what she did.
This adds a bit of a grey morality to the book that I quite enjoyed. While what she did was a mistake (a foolish one!), and not at all intentional, her guilt is well-placed. I would have liked for the novel to have been a little darker as a result.
This adds a bit of a grey morality to the book that I quite enjoyed. While what she did was a mistake (a foolish one!), and not at all intentional, her guilt is well-placed. I would have liked for the novel to have been a little darker as a result.
December 10, 2014
I absolutely loved this book I wish there was a second one. I read this in 3 hours I couldn't put it down. Great read <3
July 7, 2022
Review to come!
December 28, 2018
Se amate i new adult universitari, vi consiglio questa dolce ed emozionante lettura!
October 26, 2018
First off, I did really love this story! On that note, I would have given this story more stars, but I was unable to get over the multiple grammer errors that were repeated. But happiliy I can say over all I did enjoy this book! Plus, I absolutely loved Cade Montgomery!!
September 8, 2016
Rae of Sunshine shows the side of a villain/victim that goes through the consequences of texting and driving.
Rae arrives as a freshman to college. She is not there to make friends, she wants to be alone but her roommate Thea doesn't give up on Rae and tries to befriend her.
One day, Rae gets literally knocked down and Cade is there to help her up since it was his fault she ended up on the floor in the first place. Cade and Thea are siblings and once having met Rae, they make it their own personal goal to befriend Rae and get her out of her shell.
Cade is a very gentle, caring and sweet human being and he is so hot! I mean, he is the quarterback of his college's football team! Cade doesn't like the limelight, he doesn't like being popular. He loves football as a hobby, not for a career like his father wants. He is the one that gives Rae her nickname: Rae of Sunshine. I kept thinking "why is this the title?" Once you keep reading, you find out why :)
Rae is dealing with the consequences of her actions and it has been very hard for her to accept. She blames herself a lot and doesn't want to open up to anybody, not even Cade.
Thea is a young teenager and sweet girl. She is a fun y character and I love that she's always there for Rae even when Rae doesn't want her to be there. Thea is also very hyper and obsessed when it comes to football. I didn't people got that excited...
Novalee is the bad-ass chick that I hope gets her own story because I love her! She has purple hair, drives a motorcycle, wears bad-ass clothes and I love her. Nova is Rae's partner for their photography class' project.
Reading this story has made me think about when I text and drive and how close I have been to getting in an accident. This is a very serious matter and unfortunately, not many people take it seriously.
I loved each character from this story! I already messaged the author to write the stories about the other two "couples" in the series because I really want more. Micalea has a way of writing a very sad, tragic and serious story but balancing it with jokes and happiness. I was in a very sour mood before reading RoS and this book turned my mood around and I was thoroughly enjoying every aspect of this book.
Rae arrives as a freshman to college. She is not there to make friends, she wants to be alone but her roommate Thea doesn't give up on Rae and tries to befriend her.
One day, Rae gets literally knocked down and Cade is there to help her up since it was his fault she ended up on the floor in the first place. Cade and Thea are siblings and once having met Rae, they make it their own personal goal to befriend Rae and get her out of her shell.
Cade is a very gentle, caring and sweet human being and he is so hot! I mean, he is the quarterback of his college's football team! Cade doesn't like the limelight, he doesn't like being popular. He loves football as a hobby, not for a career like his father wants. He is the one that gives Rae her nickname: Rae of Sunshine. I kept thinking "why is this the title?" Once you keep reading, you find out why :)
Rae is dealing with the consequences of her actions and it has been very hard for her to accept. She blames herself a lot and doesn't want to open up to anybody, not even Cade.
Thea is a young teenager and sweet girl. She is a fun y character and I love that she's always there for Rae even when Rae doesn't want her to be there. Thea is also very hyper and obsessed when it comes to football. I didn't people got that excited...
Novalee is the bad-ass chick that I hope gets her own story because I love her! She has purple hair, drives a motorcycle, wears bad-ass clothes and I love her. Nova is Rae's partner for their photography class' project.
Reading this story has made me think about when I text and drive and how close I have been to getting in an accident. This is a very serious matter and unfortunately, not many people take it seriously.
I loved each character from this story! I already messaged the author to write the stories about the other two "couples" in the series because I really want more. Micalea has a way of writing a very sad, tragic and serious story but balancing it with jokes and happiness. I was in a very sour mood before reading RoS and this book turned my mood around and I was thoroughly enjoying every aspect of this book.
October 14, 2016
I really like the world created in this series. I started with book 2 so going back to the beginning was interesting. I enjoyed this relationship and it's unique challenges. I think it was handled well. Looking forward to the 3rd book in the series.
December 17, 2014
:) what an amazing story. You are not going to want to miss this book!!!
Want to read
November 6, 2017FREE on Amazon today (11/06/2017)!
February 21, 2023
4 stars
RTC
RTC
October 16, 2016
4.5 Stars! Rae of Sunshine is a powerful story. For Rae, a strong yet timid young woman who’s lived through a terrible tragedy, it’s about overcoming the past and self-forgiveness. For Cade, a gentle and caring guy, it’s about dealing with a difficult family situation. Both of these characters are damaged by what they’ve seen and what they’ve experienced and this story is about how fate can bring you the right person at the right time and help you move forward.
So much about this story is heartbreaking. The feelings of sadness and guilt that both Rae and Cade dealt with felt so real that I could feel the heaviness in own my heart as well. Yet, there was hope here too. When Cade, quite literally, came barreling into Rae’s life, things changed. They saw in each other the shoulder to lean on that each needed…and they saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I absolutely adored Cade’s tenacity. The fact that he never gave up on Rae, and was patient and so kind with her, just softened my heart. Every person needs a Cade in their life – someone with equal amounts of tenderness, strength, humor, and love to spare. Even as he deals with his own demons, he still focuses on Rae’s needs. Their progression from friendship to more was heart-warming.
This story touched me deeply and I really liked that there weren’t many unnecessary plots just to add drama. The story moved at what some might feel is a slow pace but I don’t think the author could have done justice to Rae and Cade’s story in any other fashion. They needed to come to terms with their lives and make decisions about the future…and couldn’t do that without time. I should also say that I loved the secondary characters, especially Thea and Nova, and I’m looking forward to reading their stories. The friendship between all of these characters can only get stronger and will undoubtedly help them all heal. This is a book that makes you think, that makes you feel and that gives you hope that it’s possible to move forward from your own tragedies. It’s definitely a book you should consider reading!
So much about this story is heartbreaking. The feelings of sadness and guilt that both Rae and Cade dealt with felt so real that I could feel the heaviness in own my heart as well. Yet, there was hope here too. When Cade, quite literally, came barreling into Rae’s life, things changed. They saw in each other the shoulder to lean on that each needed…and they saw the light at the end of the tunnel. I absolutely adored Cade’s tenacity. The fact that he never gave up on Rae, and was patient and so kind with her, just softened my heart. Every person needs a Cade in their life – someone with equal amounts of tenderness, strength, humor, and love to spare. Even as he deals with his own demons, he still focuses on Rae’s needs. Their progression from friendship to more was heart-warming.
This story touched me deeply and I really liked that there weren’t many unnecessary plots just to add drama. The story moved at what some might feel is a slow pace but I don’t think the author could have done justice to Rae and Cade’s story in any other fashion. They needed to come to terms with their lives and make decisions about the future…and couldn’t do that without time. I should also say that I loved the secondary characters, especially Thea and Nova, and I’m looking forward to reading their stories. The friendship between all of these characters can only get stronger and will undoubtedly help them all heal. This is a book that makes you think, that makes you feel and that gives you hope that it’s possible to move forward from your own tragedies. It’s definitely a book you should consider reading!
March 16, 2017
Rae of Sunshine was amazing and definitely reignited my passion for reading Micalea Smeltzer’s books. I loved her writing style and how she told Rae and Cade’s story. It was simple and to the point, but I couldn’t help but be enthralled with everything I read. Rae of Sunshine was at times a heartbreaking and heartwarming story, but I am so glad that I read it and gave it a chance.
Rae and Cade were amazing characters and I really enjoyed reading their story. It took me a little while to warm up to Rae, but once I did I really liked her. She and Cade were a perfect match and I loved the relationship and banter they had with each other. Cade was sweet, funny, considerate, and outgoing. He was the perfect compliment to Rae’s more reserved and distant personality. I would have loved to have read Rae and Cade’s story from both of their POV, but I still enjoyed reading it solely from Rae’s. Rae and Cade both dealt with difficult situations in their lives, but the way they helped each other heal and grow was wonderful and quite eye-opening and awe-inspiring. I would have loved to have seen more romance between Rae and Cade, but what they had was special, and I was very happy with the conclusion to their story. Another aspect I really liked about Rae of Sunshine were some of the secondary characters, namely Thea, Xander, Nova, and Jace. I’m definitely looking forward to reading each of their stories in the books to come in the Light in the Dark series. Micalea did an incredible job telling Rae and Cade’s story and I would highly recommend reading this book and all of her other novels!
For more book reviews and other content, please visit my blog: https://theromancebibliophile.com/
Rae and Cade were amazing characters and I really enjoyed reading their story. It took me a little while to warm up to Rae, but once I did I really liked her. She and Cade were a perfect match and I loved the relationship and banter they had with each other. Cade was sweet, funny, considerate, and outgoing. He was the perfect compliment to Rae’s more reserved and distant personality. I would have loved to have read Rae and Cade’s story from both of their POV, but I still enjoyed reading it solely from Rae’s. Rae and Cade both dealt with difficult situations in their lives, but the way they helped each other heal and grow was wonderful and quite eye-opening and awe-inspiring. I would have loved to have seen more romance between Rae and Cade, but what they had was special, and I was very happy with the conclusion to their story. Another aspect I really liked about Rae of Sunshine were some of the secondary characters, namely Thea, Xander, Nova, and Jace. I’m definitely looking forward to reading each of their stories in the books to come in the Light in the Dark series. Micalea did an incredible job telling Rae and Cade’s story and I would highly recommend reading this book and all of her other novels!
For more book reviews and other content, please visit my blog: https://theromancebibliophile.com/
May 3, 2020
Good read
I really enjoyed this story. Both Cade and Rae have darkness’s in their past and finding each other has helped them heal. Trigger warning because Rae was responsible for a car accident that killed her 2 friends and boyfriend. She looked at her phone and missed a curve. It’s an awful thing and she is devastated by the guilt from it. Cade pursues her and knows from the beginning that he wants a relationship with her. Loved that the main character wasn’t a manwhore.
I really enjoyed this story. Both Cade and Rae have darkness’s in their past and finding each other has helped them heal. Trigger warning because Rae was responsible for a car accident that killed her 2 friends and boyfriend. She looked at her phone and missed a curve. It’s an awful thing and she is devastated by the guilt from it. Cade pursues her and knows from the beginning that he wants a relationship with her. Loved that the main character wasn’t a manwhore.
February 11, 2017
I am going to start this review by stating that I loved the synopsis’s of the other two books in this series (When Stars Collide and Dark Hearts), but something just did not spark my interest when I read the synopsis for this book. I did enjoy it, but it was full of tropes and was VERY predictable. It defiantly followed a typical NA college romance, checking each box as it went along. However, this would be an excellent book for readers who want to get into the NA genre. It was sweet, cute and fluffy.
I thought Smeltzer’s writing was good. It read very easily and flowed together perfectly. I will say that although there were moments that absolutely captivated me, there were also times where I became bored with the story. I knew everything that was going to happen and I also found parts to become slightly repetitive. I still think this was a good book, but compared to others, it just fell a bit short for me.
One thing that I really enjoyed were the characters. Rae, the main female protagonist, had really great character development. The change was very gradual, but it was also drastic. She evolved from being closed off, cold and sometimes rude to being happy, warm and friendly. I really liked Cade, but his character was pretty generic. I loved that he slowly helped Rae forgive herself, but sometimes, his dialogue almost seemed too ‘old’ for his character. He would constantly say phrases that I couldn’t image a male college student saying. It would not have been too bad if it was not constant, but he came off as a walking self-help/inspirational quote book to me.
Not surprising, I fell head-over-heels in love with the secondary characters. Thea would totally be my best friend! And I also really can’t wait to read more from Nova. This book was amazing at setting up the next books in the series and I really do think that this book should be read before the rest of the books.
I enjoyed the romance, but it was also pretty generic. I was happy that it did not feel like insa-love, but their chemistry was instant. I loved how protective Cade was over Rae and all the small, loving gestures he did for her. I LOVED when he would kiss her forehead or grab her knee when he knew she was nervous or upset. I would also consider this book as 'clean' compared to other books I have read. Yes, there is some swearing and one very tame sex scene, but I found it refreshing from all the more 'mature' romance books out there.
Overall, this was a cute, fluffy romance great for new readers in the NA romance genre. I think that more seasoned readers may feel a bit underwhelmed by this story, but I still think that it is a good read. It is very simple and formulaic, which is not always bad since it worked. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the books in this series!
I thought Smeltzer’s writing was good. It read very easily and flowed together perfectly. I will say that although there were moments that absolutely captivated me, there were also times where I became bored with the story. I knew everything that was going to happen and I also found parts to become slightly repetitive. I still think this was a good book, but compared to others, it just fell a bit short for me.
One thing that I really enjoyed were the characters. Rae, the main female protagonist, had really great character development. The change was very gradual, but it was also drastic. She evolved from being closed off, cold and sometimes rude to being happy, warm and friendly. I really liked Cade, but his character was pretty generic. I loved that he slowly helped Rae forgive herself, but sometimes, his dialogue almost seemed too ‘old’ for his character. He would constantly say phrases that I couldn’t image a male college student saying. It would not have been too bad if it was not constant, but he came off as a walking self-help/inspirational quote book to me.
Not surprising, I fell head-over-heels in love with the secondary characters. Thea would totally be my best friend! And I also really can’t wait to read more from Nova. This book was amazing at setting up the next books in the series and I really do think that this book should be read before the rest of the books.
I enjoyed the romance, but it was also pretty generic. I was happy that it did not feel like insa-love, but their chemistry was instant. I loved how protective Cade was over Rae and all the small, loving gestures he did for her. I LOVED when he would kiss her forehead or grab her knee when he knew she was nervous or upset. I would also consider this book as 'clean' compared to other books I have read. Yes, there is some swearing and one very tame sex scene, but I found it refreshing from all the more 'mature' romance books out there.
Overall, this was a cute, fluffy romance great for new readers in the NA romance genre. I think that more seasoned readers may feel a bit underwhelmed by this story, but I still think that it is a good read. It is very simple and formulaic, which is not always bad since it worked. I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the books in this series!
November 25, 2014
Every time I read one of my Micalea’s books, I always get the sense that there is an underlying message. Whether it is about love, living, hope, whatever. I always come away with something and Rae of Sunshine was no exception. This was such a fantastic book with a good storyline and awesome characters.
Rae is a girl who sets off to college trying to escape the consequences of a fateful decision that she made. Her goal is to go to classes and be left alone, no friends. Well sometimes we don’t always get what we want and Rae did not get her wish of no friends. First, she collides into Cade, a star football player at school. Then she meets her new roommate Thea (Cade’s younger sister). These two are determined on getting to know Rae better (for different reasons) and bring her out of her shell. Rae was such a broken character. I felt so bad for her as she lived through the aftermath of a mistake that lead to a tragedy. Micalea does a great job portraying Rae as both the victim and the villain. Her actions had serious effects and I liked that Micalea was able to address the problem of texting and driving. The progression of Rae from the beginning of the novel to the end was fabulous. I loved how Micalea showed the transformation and growth from a broken sad girl to a beautiful loving person. This story was about her and her transformation and it was great. Now, Cade is one of the most caring and sweetest guys out there. The way he carries himself and how he treats Rae and his sister Thea is so beautiful. Just an all-around good guy. He has also suffered tragedy and is living through pain but the way he portrays himself is amazing. The supporting characters of Thea, Xander, Nova, and Jace were great. They brought some laughter into this emotional story. There was a good balance of emotional/intense scenes and laughing/happy ones.
Once again, Micalea gives readers a story that is sweet, emotional, and funny. I loved everything about this book and really enjoyed it. I just hope Micalea gives us more of these characters in the future. An amazing book that you do not want to miss.
Rae is a girl who sets off to college trying to escape the consequences of a fateful decision that she made. Her goal is to go to classes and be left alone, no friends. Well sometimes we don’t always get what we want and Rae did not get her wish of no friends. First, she collides into Cade, a star football player at school. Then she meets her new roommate Thea (Cade’s younger sister). These two are determined on getting to know Rae better (for different reasons) and bring her out of her shell. Rae was such a broken character. I felt so bad for her as she lived through the aftermath of a mistake that lead to a tragedy. Micalea does a great job portraying Rae as both the victim and the villain. Her actions had serious effects and I liked that Micalea was able to address the problem of texting and driving. The progression of Rae from the beginning of the novel to the end was fabulous. I loved how Micalea showed the transformation and growth from a broken sad girl to a beautiful loving person. This story was about her and her transformation and it was great. Now, Cade is one of the most caring and sweetest guys out there. The way he carries himself and how he treats Rae and his sister Thea is so beautiful. Just an all-around good guy. He has also suffered tragedy and is living through pain but the way he portrays himself is amazing. The supporting characters of Thea, Xander, Nova, and Jace were great. They brought some laughter into this emotional story. There was a good balance of emotional/intense scenes and laughing/happy ones.
Once again, Micalea gives readers a story that is sweet, emotional, and funny. I loved everything about this book and really enjoyed it. I just hope Micalea gives us more of these characters in the future. An amazing book that you do not want to miss.
October 17, 2020
Rae of Sunshine (Light in the Dark, #1) by Micalea Smeltzer (2020/10/16)
Rating 2/5 Stars
Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TW: Death Of Loved Ones, Child Abuse, Sexual Assault (almost raped)
This is book one in the Light in the Dark series by Micalea Smeltzer and can be read as a standalone.
This story follows Rae Wilder who is starting college where she is hoping for a second chance. She then meets Cade Montgomery when she gets knocked to ground because of him. She then brushes him off but he is determined to get to know her and wants to show her the beauty in life. Essentially this is a slow burn friends-to-lovers romance.
I did like how the story covered heavy topics like death and abuse, but I didn't really like how it was handled. I felt like it was really hard to connect to the main female character. At times I felt like she was really whiny, and I found her to be very unlikeable. I did however, really like Cade. I liked how he wasn't a stereotypical jock but was actually a really nice guy. I also didn't really feel like there was that much chemistry between the characters because everything felt very forced and underdeveloped.
Unfortunately for me what hindered my enjoyment of the noble was that there was a lot of repetition and at times the characters would say things that really didn't make a lot of sense. I didn’t like how the almost rape scenes were written, it felt like everything was swept under the rug and the characters didn’t really talk about it. I didn't like how everyone just brushed off the horrible event that the heroine was responsible for especially when she should have faced repercussions for it.
I really liked the secondary character. I might give this author another try and read these even though this book wasn't a new all-time favourite of mine.
Overall, I think fans of Kat Singleton’s The Consequence of Loving Me will really enjoy this novel.
Rating 2/5 Stars
Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own.
TW: Death Of Loved Ones, Child Abuse, Sexual Assault (almost raped)
This is book one in the Light in the Dark series by Micalea Smeltzer and can be read as a standalone.
This story follows Rae Wilder who is starting college where she is hoping for a second chance. She then meets Cade Montgomery when she gets knocked to ground because of him. She then brushes him off but he is determined to get to know her and wants to show her the beauty in life. Essentially this is a slow burn friends-to-lovers romance.
I did like how the story covered heavy topics like death and abuse, but I didn't really like how it was handled. I felt like it was really hard to connect to the main female character. At times I felt like she was really whiny, and I found her to be very unlikeable. I did however, really like Cade. I liked how he wasn't a stereotypical jock but was actually a really nice guy. I also didn't really feel like there was that much chemistry between the characters because everything felt very forced and underdeveloped.
Unfortunately for me what hindered my enjoyment of the noble was that there was a lot of repetition and at times the characters would say things that really didn't make a lot of sense. I didn’t like how the almost rape scenes were written, it felt like everything was swept under the rug and the characters didn’t really talk about it. I didn't like how everyone just brushed off the horrible event that the heroine was responsible for especially when she should have faced repercussions for it.
I really liked the secondary character. I might give this author another try and read these even though this book wasn't a new all-time favourite of mine.
Overall, I think fans of Kat Singleton’s The Consequence of Loving Me will really enjoy this novel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2016
DNF. Made it to 56% hoping that Rae would finally provide some insight into what her troubled past was and was really irritated when I did.
First, I hate when there is some mysterious back story and you have no clue what it is but you are supposed to connect and sympathize with the character anyways.
Second, I was starting to feel bad for Rae but was mostly just annoyed. I didn't know what crawled up her butt that she was shutting out this guy who had no real reason to care about her in the first place. He knocked her over and knew she was different from other girls? Maybe he has been knocked over one to many times and hit his head.
Third,
First, I hate when there is some mysterious back story and you have no clue what it is but you are supposed to connect and sympathize with the character anyways.
Second, I was starting to feel bad for Rae but was mostly just annoyed. I didn't know what crawled up her butt that she was shutting out this guy who had no real reason to care about her in the first place. He knocked her over and knew she was different from other girls? Maybe he has been knocked over one to many times and hit his head.
Third,
February 7, 2017
Did I read a different book to everyone else?
There are two reasons I didn't like this book.
1. Assult - There were a couple of instances where some very serious physical assults took place and it was just shrugged off, like what happened was sh it, but what do you do? Um you report it so the fu ckers can't do it again.
2. Things got too happy too quickly. What the MC actually did was quite serious and the people around her are telling her it's not her fault and to move on and live. Ah, shouldn't you be in prison? I just don't think it's as simple as, you made a mistake, now it's time to move on.
That's my opinion anyway. The book wasn't for me.
There are two reasons I didn't like this book.
1. Assult - There were a couple of instances where some very serious physical assults took place and it was just shrugged off, like what happened was sh it, but what do you do? Um you report it so the fu ckers can't do it again.
2. Things got too happy too quickly. What the MC actually did was quite serious and the people around her are telling her it's not her fault and to move on and live. Ah, shouldn't you be in prison? I just don't think it's as simple as, you made a mistake, now it's time to move on.
That's my opinion anyway. The book wasn't for me.
December 5, 2014
Very good
I wasn't sure if I would like this book, but I fell in love with it. Cade and Rae's story made me laugh and sometimes tear up. She realizes that everyone has secrets, no one is perfect, and you have to move on. Cade is that guy who makes you take second chances in life, he just a big teddy bear.
I wasn't sure if I would like this book, but I fell in love with it. Cade and Rae's story made me laugh and sometimes tear up. She realizes that everyone has secrets, no one is perfect, and you have to move on. Cade is that guy who makes you take second chances in life, he just a big teddy bear.
November 30, 2014
Loved it!!!
Another great book by Micalea! The story is about Rae and also about Cade. Them letting go of their secrets and moving forward. I wish the epilogue was further out in time but I will take it . I hope there is something in store for Thea and Xander.
Another great book by Micalea! The story is about Rae and also about Cade. Them letting go of their secrets and moving forward. I wish the epilogue was further out in time but I will take it . I hope there is something in store for Thea and Xander.
December 4, 2014
Great read!
Haven't found a book yet by Micalea that I haven't loved. This is no exception. Powerful storyline, great characters, and amazing writing.
Haven't found a book yet by Micalea that I haven't loved. This is no exception. Powerful storyline, great characters, and amazing writing.
December 18, 2014
such a sweet story! cade. he warms my heart!
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