Play of Light
by
Debra Doxer
Published
December 8th 2014
by Author Self Pub
ARC for Review
Summary
I lived in paradise, and I loved Spencer Pierce.
At fourteen, my life was perfect. The beach was my playground, and the boy who stole my heart lived just around the corner. But perfect never lasts. In one horrifying moment, I lost it all. My family was destroyed, and the boy I believed in turned his back on me. Paradise became a nightmare.
That was five years ago. Everything changed when we moved from our home by the sea. I’ve changed, and I don’t like who I’ve become. I miss the smiling, carefree beach girl who disappeared that terrible night. I want to find her again. I want to face the people we ran from so long ago. Most of all, I have to face Spencer. So I can prove that when he broke my heart, he didn’t break me.
But when I see him again, Spencer Pierce is no longer the boy from my memories. He’s now a man who could devastate me if I let him. He watches me when he thinks I’m not looking. There’s regret written on his face when he’s near. Each time I see him, my heart aches for what might have been, and I think his does too. How can I convince myself I’m over him when I suspect he never got over me?
~ This is a standalone story. ~
Things Are Never Black and White
I first fell in love with Ms Doxer’s writing with her Remedy series. If you haven’t read those you should. Play of Light is a stand alone that will edge its way deep into your heart. I loved the characters and wanted to see them happy. This is a story of young love tormented by problems too big for the little shoulders that harbored them. The secrets Spencer and Sarah shared were to catastrophic for these two to handle. Once the full weight of them were revealed Sarah’s life changed in an instant. I was moved beyond words by what these two had to endure. Not to mention everything they overcame to be where they were 5 years later. Another spectacular book well paced and with very relatable stories the twists and turns of these young lives will have you spinning. If you’re looking for angsty drama you wont find it in these pages…Well, maybe a bit of drama but the main focus was forgiveness and doing the right thing. Sarah’s character was admirable even though some of the decisions she made where difficult her actions were exemplary.
P-ainful, meeting Spencer for the first time was a shock to her system he made Sarah think about things she never had before.
L-ost, five years later Sarah knows she has to go back to face her fears and do what she wasn’t strong enough to do so long ago.
A-stonished, being taken back so quickly by her best friend she all but abandoned surprises Sarah in the best way. She knows how lucky she is to have Riley and doesn’t plan on letting her go anytime soon.
Y-outhful, no longer the boy she once fell in love with but Spencer still has the ability to knock the breath out of her by just being.
O-verpowering, so many memories come rushing back to Sarah and with them the pain of betrayal she felt by those that turned their backs on her.
F-rustration, the subtle comment Spencer makes are about to make Sarah boil over. Confused and scared are not at all what she hoped her trip home would result in.
L-oving, realizing why her and Nate could never be comes as a shock to her especially since Sarah’s feelings have never been reciprocated.
I-nstinctual, something about Sarah has always drawn Spencer like second nature having her back is making him say and do things he wished he had so very long ago.
G-uilt, both Spencer and Sarah have harbored part of the blame for what happened five years ago but acting on what they know is the right thing to do will finally alleviate their demons.
H-elpless, no longer the child she once was Sarah brings the truth of her town to light. Having a voice that is heard makes Sarah feel as though she has found justice. Spencer no longer hiding gives him the opportunity that slipped through his fingers so long ago possible again.
T-ruth, not knowing what would become of their future but knowing it would come by being together provides Sarah and Spencer with a peaceful happiness that only occurs with the other.
Sigh this was such a good story Ms Doxer does not disappoint. The ending was just the way it needed to be. The truth was out about things, and Sarah did right by her family. Facing something so scary should have immobilized her but she was tired of being a victim. Realizing what she did about Spencer wasn’t enough and soon he was by her side doing right by her. I wish this was a little bit longer, but thats just me I like to know how the family pet is doing 10 years later lol. The love in this story was endearing and everlasting. This is one I’m definitely recommending. Getting lost in this wonderful story and pulled along the pages was just too easy. Not to mention the beautiful scenery and art usage, it was absolutely lovely.
Sarah
As a young girl she was told her kindness would change people and never to let it go. I saw so many instances throughout the book… that proved just how true this comment was. Sarah faced something that has tormented her for the past five years. Knowing she wants to move on with her life and actually live she returns home to get a closure she desperately needs. I enjoyed reading about her commitment to love, when she loves she does so fiercely and without conditions. I fell in love with her right away and cheered for her throughout.
Spencer
As a child he lost everything and life took him into another difficult situation. Finding Sarah was like a gift Spencer felt he didn’t deserve. I didn’t necessarily agree with the way he treated her but I understood how painful it was for him. I was floored when he came clean about their past and my heart swelled for him. Regardless of time and distance Spencer’s heart has never changed, Sarah is everything to him and he will never stop fighting for her. I was so happy that he too was able to overcome his demons the love these two share was absolutely beautiful to watch.
4.5 Cancer, Contest, Scholarship, Dunes, House, Riley, Spencer, Girls, Memories, Friends, Birthday, Ballon, Water, Kiss, Love, Art, Music, Gift, Russ, New Chief, Investigation, Headline, A Love the never gave up filled stars!
P-ainful, meeting Spencer for the first time was a shock to her system he made Sarah think about things she never had before.
L-ost, five years later Sarah knows she has to go back to face her fears and do what she wasn’t strong enough to do so long ago.
A-stonished, being taken back so quickly by her best friend she all but abandoned surprises Sarah in the best way. She knows how lucky she is to have Riley and doesn’t plan on letting her go anytime soon.
Y-outhful, no longer the boy she once fell in love with but Spencer still has the ability to knock the breath out of her by just being.
O-verpowering, so many memories come rushing back to Sarah and with them the pain of betrayal she felt by those that turned their backs on her.
F-rustration, the subtle comment Spencer makes are about to make Sarah boil over. Confused and scared are not at all what she hoped her trip home would result in.
L-oving, realizing why her and Nate could never be comes as a shock to her especially since Sarah’s feelings have never been reciprocated.
I-nstinctual, something about Sarah has always drawn Spencer like second nature having her back is making him say and do things he wished he had so very long ago.
G-uilt, both Spencer and Sarah have harbored part of the blame for what happened five years ago but acting on what they know is the right thing to do will finally alleviate their demons.
H-elpless, no longer the child she once was Sarah brings the truth of her town to light. Having a voice that is heard makes Sarah feel as though she has found justice. Spencer no longer hiding gives him the opportunity that slipped through his fingers so long ago possible again.
T-ruth, not knowing what would become of their future but knowing it would come by being together provides Sarah and Spencer with a peaceful happiness that only occurs with the other.
Sigh this was such a good story Ms Doxer does not disappoint. The ending was just the way it needed to be. The truth was out about things, and Sarah did right by her family. Facing something so scary should have immobilized her but she was tired of being a victim. Realizing what she did about Spencer wasn’t enough and soon he was by her side doing right by her. I wish this was a little bit longer, but thats just me I like to know how the family pet is doing 10 years later lol. The love in this story was endearing and everlasting. This is one I’m definitely recommending. Getting lost in this wonderful story and pulled along the pages was just too easy. Not to mention the beautiful scenery and art usage, it was absolutely lovely.
My Favs
Sarah
As a young girl she was told her kindness would change people and never to let it go. I saw so many instances throughout the book… that proved just how true this comment was. Sarah faced something that has tormented her for the past five years. Knowing she wants to move on with her life and actually live she returns home to get a closure she desperately needs. I enjoyed reading about her commitment to love, when she loves she does so fiercely and without conditions. I fell in love with her right away and cheered for her throughout.
Spencer
As a child he lost everything and life took him into another difficult situation. Finding Sarah was like a gift Spencer felt he didn’t deserve. I didn’t necessarily agree with the way he treated her but I understood how painful it was for him. I was floored when he came clean about their past and my heart swelled for him. Regardless of time and distance Spencer’s heart has never changed, Sarah is everything to him and he will never stop fighting for her. I was so happy that he too was able to overcome his demons the love these two share was absolutely beautiful to watch.
My Rating
4.5 Cancer, Contest, Scholarship, Dunes, House, Riley, Spencer, Girls, Memories, Friends, Birthday, Ballon, Water, Kiss, Love, Art, Music, Gift, Russ, New Chief, Investigation, Headline, A Love the never gave up filled stars!
Teaser Pic
About the Author
Debra Doxer was born in Boston, and other than a few lost years in the California sunshine, she has always resided in the Boston area. She writes fiction, technical software documents, illegible scribbles on sticky notes, and texts that get mangled by AutoCorrect. She writes for a living, and she writes for fun. When her daughter asks when she’ll run out of words, her response always is, “When I run out of time.”
Love the review format! And this sounds like a wonderful read with a lot of emotion. I also like how character driven it sounds overall - that's always the most important aspect for me. Glad you liked it, Ria! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, a second chance romance and secret stuff. Enjoyed your review. The book sounds like it will really grab the emotions.
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