What did you do over memorial day weekend? - Had my heart ripped out numerous times with Vivian and Trombello. I was not expecting this to be such an emotional book! But it was and it was beautifully written. I lost count of how many times I cried and how many times I yelled at the characters to make different choices than what they were doing. This book is going to stay in my heart for a long awhile.

A gripping story of love, celebrity, and unspoken realities is "The Secrets of Vivian Snow." The biography of Hollywood icon Vivian Snow is told in hand-drawn postcards set against the backdrop of World War II. The secret to her past is with her confidant, Antonio Trombello. An insightful investigation of familial ties and forgiveness.
Emily's historical fiction venture has been enjoyable, and I am grateful for the extensive study that she did.

Thank you for showing us more of Vivian’s story. It was so well written; I felt her joy, disappointment, longing, and loss. I highlighted so much of this book. This is one of my favorites:

“The little girl processes grief like a butterfly flitting from flower to flower, taking sips of the sadness but mostly remaining in flight away from the loss. I worry what will happen when her wings are tired and she has to sit in the heartache she’s running from.“

Anyone who has run from unprocessed grief will be able to identify with this imagery, and those who haven’t will understand it.

I’ve been enjoying Emily’s foray into historical fiction and appreciate the immense amount of research that was done.

Thank you for sharing your gift!

As a history major who loves a good love story and also suspense…..this book is it! Wow!!!! It was so good! Beautifully written, and so descriptive. The secrets that came with this one were enough to keep me up way past my bedtime. Wonderfully written! Add to your TBR

When We Chased the Light by E. Bleeker, published by Lake Union Publishing is the second book. The previous book is When We Were Enemies and I recommend to read the books in order.
This is a slow burn historical romance and tells Vivian and Antonio's story.
The Hollywood icon and the priest and her confidante exchanged postcards throughout their whole lives and these are now up in an auction.
A beautiful, quiet story, well written and beautifullly told.

I went into reading this book not realizing it was the "rest of the story" to When We Were Enemies. I found that book to be an ok read and unfortunately this one is the same.

I can only describe reading this book as the same as drinking a soda that has gone flat. There is no fizz or bubbles. Just a very slow, bland story that is missing something.

The pace of the book is slow and the story spans decades making it seem like it took longer to read than it did. I also couldn't connect with any of the characters in this book. I just found myself not caring about them as they seemed very one dimensional.

This book isn't horrible but just not a book for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion which I have given.

I absolutely loved this book. Emily Bleeker’s writing style is fantastic and makes this book a must read. I was drawn in immediately to Viviana‘s story. She is a strong and passionate heroine and Emily brings her story to life.!!

This is the back story to Ms. Bleeker's other book, When We were enemies. This tells more of Vivian's story and how her life and stardom came to be. It starts with the premise of the auction of handwritten drawn and written postcards, which were sent to Vivian by Father Trombrello during their lives. My review basically can be summed up by the summary of the book. It was a great read, and I was glad to fill in more of the story. I live not too far from Edinburgh and Camp Atteberry, so that made the story interesting too. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Review coming soon!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC.

Opinions are mine.

Title: A Captivating Journey: A Review of "When We Chased the Light" by Emily Bleeker

"When We Chased the Light" by Emily Bleeker is a poignant and heartfelt novel that explores the complexities of love, loss, and redemption. Set towards the backdrop of the lush Appalachian Mountains, Bleeker weaves a powerful story of resilience, forgiveness, and the enduring bonds of own family.

Pros:
1. Evocative Setting: Bleeker's brilliant descriptions transport readers to the picturesque landscapes of the Appalachian Mountains, immersing them within the splendor and tranquility of nature. The placing serves as a wealthy and atmospheric backdrop for the characters' emotional adventure, including intensity and resonance to the narrative.
2. Compelling Characters: The novel features a various forged of characters, each grappling with their personal personal struggles and demons. From the resilient protagonist, Hannah, to the enigmatic and Finn, Bleeker crafts characters that sense proper and relatable, eliciting empathy and funding from readers.
3. Emotional Depth: "When We Chased the Light" delves into complex topics of grief, forgiveness, and recovery with sensitivity and nuance. Bleeker's exploration of those emotional landscapes is each poignant and profound, providing readers a deeply moving and cathartic analyzing enjoy.
4. Engaging Plot: The novel is driven via a compelling and intricately woven plot that keeps readers captivated from beginning to stop. With its twists and turns, secrets and techniques and revelations, "When We Chased the Light" is a web page-turner that maintains readers guessing until the very last, pleasant end.

Cons:
1. Pacing Issues: Some readers may additionally discover the pacing of the radical to be uneven, with positive sections dragging even as others feel rushed. This occasional imbalance in pacing can detract from the general float of the story and disrupt the immersion of the reader.
2. Predictable Plot Points: While the unconventional is full of sudden twists and turns, a few plot points may additionally sense predictable or formulaic to readers acquainted with the genre. Despite its emotional intensity, the novel on occasion is based on familiar tropes and conventions, which may reduce its effect for some readers.

In end, "When We Chased the Light" is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant novel in order to linger in readers' hearts lengthy once they flip the final web page. With its evocative placing, compelling characters, and attractive plot, Emily Bleeker's present day providing is a ought to-study for fanatics of modern-day fiction.