Lisa had written another great book! In this book she tackles the sensitive subject of eating disorders. She also brings up substance abuse in schools. I really liked the way the story flowed. The main character Julia had some hard obstacles to overcome and she really needed her support system to help her. "You can't lie about who you are to try to make people love you." In the midst of her troubles she gets the chance to help others who are struggling. "In the process of helping Dell, Julia was finding her way out of darkness. " ( )

I don't know what it is exactly about Lisa Wingate's writing, but she always manages to bring me to tears. "Drenched in Light" did start slowly but I was soon drawn into Julia's life as she battled with her eating disorders, the drug culture of the highly acclaimed school she was working at and her interactions with Dell, a gifted young girl who had issues of her own and didn't feel welcomed at Harrington Performing Arts School.

I loved how Julia and Dell found the inner strength to stand up for what they believed in. They were so relatable and many readers will be able to identify with them. They were flawed, suffered from self-doubt and were struggling with both their past and present, but their friendship helped heal them. In fact, all the characters int his book were well-written and I enjoyed the family dynamics. Overall, "Drenched in Light" was a heartwarming, emotional story with some important life-lessons weaved in along the way. A great read! ( )

rabck from the "D" bookbox; very good. Dell has been adopted by Karen and James & moves to Kansas City, so she can attend an art magnet school. Only when she writes a disturbing essay, she's sent to the counselor's office. Julia is the counselor, who was recently hired, and she's keeping the story of her anorexia and failure as a ballerina secret. But Dell and her story, along with tagging along to Karen's jumpkids inner city program, brings her out of her shell and she finds she's tougher than she thought. ( )

Lisa presents hope and solutions for those struggling with being adopted, and those struggling with addictions. As the main character works through her struggles, she finds that reaching out to others with similar issues, bring healing to her.

Lisa presents information on how to look for those addicted, their stages, their signs, without being like a textbook. She shows the importance of confronting, even when it's yourself, and the need for support.

A heart-warming story that brings answers, but not sealed and simple, as her characters must choose each time.

The answers come within the person, with the support of others...those answers are not always enough. I'm not sure that these kind of deep, internal issues can be solved apart from God's help, but I know support and help from others is essential.

Although I read this one out of order from another in the series, it worked as a stand alone book, but also filled in some background from the book that I had previously read.



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Julia gives up professional dance career, suffered from eating disorder, now lives with her folks who watch her every bite of food, and got a job as a school counselor. Fights for her students, almost loses job, helps Dell in her classes, finds fulfilment.... ( )