Love, Lucas - (Love, Lucas Novel) by Chantele Sedgwick (Paperback)

About the Book

Grieving for her older brother Lucas, Oakley Nelson agrees to spend a few months with her mother at Aunt Jo's California beach house, where a notebook of letters from Lucas to Oakley challenges her to feel better and enjoy life, but a budding romance reminds her of the chances Lucas will never have.

Book Synopsis

A Whitney Award Nominee!A powerful story reminiscent of Sarah Dessen and John Green. "A deeply moving tale of unimaginable loss and the redemptive power of love." --Rachel Harris, New York Times bestselling author

When Oakley Nelson loses her older brother, Lucas, to cancer, she thinks she'll never recover. Between her parents' arguing and the battle she's fighting with depression, she feels nothing inside but a hollow emptiness. When Mom suggests they spend a few months in California with Aunt Jo, Oakley isn't sure a change of scenery will alter anything, but she's willing to give it a try.

In California, Oakley discovers a sort of safety and freedom in Aunt Jo's beach house. Once they're settled, Mom hands her a notebook full of letters addressed to her--from Lucas. As Oakley reads one each day, she realizes how much he loved her, and each letter challenges her to be better and to continue to enjoy her life. He wants her to move on.

If only it were that easy.

But then a surfer named Carson comes into her life, and Oakley is blindsided. He makes her feel again. As she lets him in, she is surprised by how much she cares for him, and that's when things get complicated. How can she fall in love and be happy when Lucas never got the chance to do those very same things?

With her brother's dying words as guidance, Oakley knows she must learn to listen and trust again. But will she have to leave the past behind to find happiness in the future?

Review Quotes

"Just as readers think they know how this story is going to end, a big plot twist changes the tale's course. . . . Fans of Sarah Dessen and realistic fiction with a poignant and sad slant will find this an enjoyable read. VERDICT For general purchase, and especially for those school libraries needing realistic fiction." --School Library Journal

"A deeply moving tale of unimaginable loss and the redemptive power of love. Sedgwick masterfully delves into the painful details of losing a loved one, breaking your heart even as her beautiful words stitch you back together. Romance and friendship, true growth and authentic healing, this story blew me away. It takes a special book to bring tears to my eyes and make me swoon." --Rachel Harris, New York Times bestselling author

"Chantele Sedgwick's Love, Lucas, is a beautiful story about finding hope, first loves, and learning to live again after the loss of a sibling. With a fantastic cast, and the gorgeous setting of the California coast, this book is one fabulous read." --Jolene Perry author of The Summer I Found You

"A beautiful, moving novel of loss and love. Sedgwick's elegant prose weave a heart-breaking tale that stays with you long after you have finished the last page." --G. R. Mannering, author of Roses

"An emotional summer of love, hope, and healing! Love, Lucas is easy to adore with Sedgwick's real relationships, sweet romance, and tale of renewal." --Lizzy Charles, author of Effortless With You

"Chantele Sedgwick navigates the dark waters of grief with a deft hand and plenty of heart. Love, Lucas will drag readers under before bringing them back to the surface for a life-saving breath of hope." --Amy Finnegan, author of Not In the Script

About the Author

Chantele Sedgwick is a young adult author, harpist, wife to one and mom to four. She loves fairy tales, happy endings, Kit Kats, and (judging by her bookshelves) buying way too many books. She lives in Roy, Utah, with her family and can usually be found reading, or talking her husband's ear off with her endless supply of book ideas.