
by Micalea Smeltzer
Series: Light in the Dark #1
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Publication Date: November 23rd 2014 by Self-Published
Format: eARC
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Source: Author
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.
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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 know 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.
Check out the giveaway Micalea is hosting at her website:

Genesis
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[…] Review + Giveaway: Rae of Sunshine by Micalea Smeltzer […]
[…] Smeltzer, author of Rae of Sunshine (review here), sent me ALL of this swag. There are around 5 to 10 of […]
[…] | Review #2 REDEMPTION by Randi Cooley Wilson | Review #3 RAE OF SUNSHINE by Micalea Smeltzer | Review #4 POLES APART by Kirsty Moseley | Review #5 UNLIT STAR by Lindy Zart | Review #6 IGNITE by Lily […]
[…] I read Rae of Sunshine, I remember needing this book. I bothered Micalea a lot for this story! When she said she was […]
OMG, I want this book right now! Gotta go get it. Thanks for the lovely review!