Light the Lamp (Portland Storm)

He said he loved me, but he didn’t know how I needed to be loved.

Catherine Gayle
Light the Lamp

Format:
ebook

8/21/2020: Updated review from Portland Storm: The First Period (box set of Books 1, 2, 2.5, & 3) on Audible.

Publisher’s Synopsis:
Hockey star Liam Kallen lost his scoring touch when his wife died. Still broken up over her loss, Liam’s darkness overpowers him, but his new team—the Portland Storm—needs him. A chance meeting brings him face to face with Noelle Payne, the most positive and upbeat woman he’s ever met, and his darkness begins to fade.

There’s never been a challenge that Noelle can’t conquer. Brightside optimist to a fault, Noelle refuses to succumb to the luxurious life Liam can give her, as she longs to find deeper meaning and purpose in her life. Now it’s up to Liam to open up and show her that she’s the light he’s needed all along—giving her the greatest purpose of all. He might have saved her, but can Noelle be the light that saves him?

Point of view:
1st person. Alternating perspectives by chapter.

Rellim’s Thoughts:
This is my least favorite book of the series and the one I usually skip when rereading as I struggle both to connect with the main characters and in finding their romance believable. Noelle borders on being psychic/mystic/or some inconsistently defined supernatural empath. It just doesn’t fit with the tone of the series or other characters. She’s homeless and the reasons are ridiculously non-existent other than in some kind of construct in her mind.

This is also INSTA relationship, living together, etc. with no foundation for any kind of meaningful bond between Liam & Noelle. The majority of the book takes place in a week and I just don’t feel like Gayle justified Liam’s feelings/actions or gives any reason to be confident these two have what it takes to make it last.

Narration:
Angel Clark’s narration continues to improve and despite being disappointed in the story – I enjoyed her narration. I appreciate that she uses a slightly different register based on the POV of the chapter.

My Favorite Quotes

He said he loved me, but he didn’t know how I needed to be loved. – Light the Lamp by @Catherine_Gayle #Audiobook narrated by Angel Clark. #SportsRomance #Hockey

He said he loved me, but he He was a handsome man even when he was brooding, but when he was happy it was like a piece of his soul was shining through his eyes and piercing me with his goodness. – Light the Lamp by @Catherine_Gayle #Audiobook narrated by Angel Clark. #SportsRomance #Hockey

Published by rellimreads

Avid reader/listener who has finally decided to turn it all into a blog...

%d bloggers like this: