A journey that starts in darkness…

Synopsis

Out of darkness, light will shine…

Amy Hardy once lived a life full of colour, but a tragic accident has turned her world to shadows. Determined to embrace her new life, Amy sets off on the famous Compostela pilgrimage, hoping to find light in the darkness and a new path.

Accompanying her on her journey is Luke Patterson a man whose own troubled past casts dark shadows over his life. He’s hoping that guiding Amy will be a distraction from his own troubles.

But as Luke and Amy travel through the stunning scenery of Northern Spain, following in footsteps of those travellers before them, they feel a connection to each other. And as their bond grows, a love story from the distant past emerges before them, forcing them to confront their own secrets, pain and feelings for each other.

Can a story of courage and bravery help them both to emerge from the shadows into the light once more?

Under A Spanish Sky is an enchanting novel about the search for happiness, fulfilment…and above all love.

Please Note: This book was previously published as Chasing Shadows

My review

After an accident, Amy’s world has turned dark, literally. But that doesn’t stop her from going on a pilgrimage to Compostela with a guide. Luke has been a dark place, figuratively speaking, and while initially a bit reluctant, slowly he starts to enjoys Amy’s company. And with having to be her eyes, he starts to see things differently too. The further they are on their journey, the more not only their connection grow, they also feel connected to the people that have walked the paths before them. People, of which even had their own love story. On this journey not only Amy and Luke, but also Luc and Aimée, start to question whether in a world filled with darkness, there will be light again…

I have to admit, that it took some adjustments from my side when I started reading this story. And that is just because I am used to this author having a great series set in Italy. And now being in Spain, was a bit different. But different isn’t bad, is it? Especially when you know the author and he could even write a story set on the North Pole, with only a bear being the main character 😊

I have never been on a pilgrimage myself, and to be honest, it isn’t on my bucket list either. But I do admire people who are doing it, have done it or are planning to do it. And of course the pilgrimage to Compostela is a very famous one!

Being on this journey, cannot be easy. It can be difficult for everyone, but I admired Amy wanting to do it, even with her sight gone. There are extra challenges for her, but I was even in awe of her determination to complete the whole journey, even if her journey is slightly different from the ‘standard’ journey…

I cannot imagine how it feels not being able to see anymore. I think it is also worse losing your sight than never having been able to see at all. I for sure would miss everything I love to see, and being surrounded by darkness all the time. Yet even if that is Amy’s situations, I liked it reading how she makes the best of it. She has had her lows, but she is back in action, so to speak.

Obviously, and I don’t mean this in any way of being disrespectful, Amy cannot go on this journey on her own. Her guide, her chauffeur and her eyes, is Luke.

Luke hasn’t had an easy time in the past, and I could understand his reluctance to help out his friend, who had a friend that needed someone to accompany her on her journey. When you are feeling low, you don’t want other people around you, or people needing to rely on you.

Of course, even if he started this journey with Amy not being all that happy with his life at the moment, he wants to make this as unforgettable as possible for Amy. And while initially his descriptions of the places they are  at, are not what Amy needs, I found it sweet to read how Luke starts to understand what Amy needs to hear, needs to feel.

Being on a journey together also means that you grow closer. And it was just amazing seeing the relationship evolve between Amy and Luke. They started as strangers, brought together by a common friend, they slowly become friends, able to open to each other, talking about things they have been bottling up.

The extra beauty of this book is, beside reading Luke and Amy’s story, is that we get two stories for the price of one.

On the same paths that Luke and Amy are travelling, also Luc and Aimée have been walking centuries ago.

I found it a bit funny, as they had almost the same names as Luke and Amy, but in a way it also made me see in a way an even deeper connection between all the characters.

Luc and Aimée are in a complete different timeline, in a different life than Luke and Amy. Even just between the two of them, things couldn’t be more different. Yet they have a mission in common, in a world where they are being chased.

Luc and Aimée are on a more dangerous journey to Compostela, literally being chased down and fighting for their lives. Yet they stand by each other’s side, no matter what. They protect each other from their enemies.

And that was what I liked reading from their story, the complicity they had, the fact they would be there for each other no matter what. In fact, that is a common thread in the whole story, the bond there is between the main characters.

That connection, that kind of loyalty even, is what makes this a great story to read. There is determination, even strength in all the characters. But there is also kindness, understanding and that deep connection.

In this book we see that no matter how dark the world may look like, literally or figuratively, a journey may bring light back in your life, especially if you are on this journey with the right partner.

Maybe this book is set in a different setting, and this is not only a mental but also a physical journey the characters are going through. Yet no matter the difficulties the characters are going through, the story is filled with that typical ‘T A Williamsism’ that elevates this story into a higher level.