Fireflies in December

I know that there are some negative reviews for this book, but I read this not expecting this book to be this century's War and Peace, To Kill a Mockingbird, Moby Dick, etc. I enjoyed the telling of the story of a friendship of two girls and the differences in their backgrounds. I enjoyed reading and understanding Christian references of the book as it relates to the circumstances of the book. I look forward to reading the other two books in this series.

What a wonderful book! I love the Christian theme running through this book without "preaching" to the reader. The main characters were well evolved and endearing. We read this in our book club for the month of July. I would highly recommend this as an easy feel-good summer read!

This is a beautiful book about love, family, friendship and faith in the time of racial turmoil. It's not the average entertaining "light" read. The story is told beautifully and it will evoke feelings and opinions from the reader. Enjoy!

What a great story... The author really reaches out and grabs you in the first chapter. I think this would be a great book to share with young readers so they can appreciate where we all have all come from. A touching story.

I had seen this book in bookstores, it looked good, but I just wasn't sure & didn't want to spend the money, not knowing. I saw it was free on Kindle & read it in it's entirety last night. Oh my goodness, it is SO good!!! A very easy read & also easy to fall into the story with the characters. I will definitely recommend to others and look for more from the same author!

I LOVED this book. It is my favorite genre, historical fiction set in the 20th century, and loved Jessilynn's strength and curiosity. I was sad to have this end, and I devoured it! I've recommended to all my friends and will spend the rest of the night looking for something to read...but I know it will not be as great as this!
I've never written a review...but want to shout from the mountain tops: THIS IS THE BEST BOOK I'VE READ ALL YEAR!

This is one of those stories where I was transported into a different time and place, could escape my current life and make new friends in the people I was reading about.
It is a well crafted book and the story is gripping.

Liked the narration from a child's perspective, which was not juvenile by any means. Also liked the history lesson on the KKK, albeit a disgusting history but one we can't ignore. The story moved along at a good pace. Kept me interested. Would recommend to anyone looking for a good read.

i normally read mysteries/scifi/romances but thought I would try something different. So glad I did. Valent has a talent for painting word pictures that put the reader right there in the time and place. A brilliant first novel.

The book was great. The writing was awesome. It sparked up conversations between me and my husband about how past was. How interesting and unfortunately sad about how people were treated back in the day, and now it's the complete opposite. I was able to read a sample and i quickly "purchased" (thank you KINDLE and the store cuz it was free) the rest of the book.

I would recommend it to anyone that has an interest of segregation back in the early 1900's especially down south.

again, it was a really really good book.

The main character seems so real, and the witticisms, spot on. Although a little predictable, this tale really was a good read. It provides a view of the horrible racism that existed, and the isolation of some folks that were trying to do the right thing.

I liked best the dialogue that went in everyone,s mind especially Jesselyn's. The portrayal of struggle to understand the significance of events she witnessed as a young but somewhat precocious girl is amazing and quite reveting and mind boggling. They are surreal.

This was a hidden gem!Was very impressed with author's ability to keep story flowing and interest peaked.I am glad I read the sample based off the reader reviews as they were correct with the high rating. Thanks Kindle readers.

Reading Worm says......Good Reading
I was as excited to read this book as I am now for writing this review. The book was ripe for excitement. Jessilyn Lassiter and Gemma's friendship was a never forgetting relationship. I became envied of their friendship as I read further. I especially enjoyed how their personality strengths and weaknesses were brought to the surface. The book hit 5 stars easily with me and is recommended.

I downloaded this book free on Kindle now knowing home much I would enjoy it! It was a great read that was fast paced and kept my attention until the very end. It is set in 1930's and deals with a 13 yr old girl coming of age in the South. I think I am going to have to read the sequel next. Excellent!

Thank god this book was free on the store. The story line captured you on the first page, great story line but the problem is that its way tooooo easy of a read. I felt it was for a 13 year old not an adult, no creativity, no imagery the reading is very straight forward. There isn't any vocabulary... I wish this book was for more of an adult read a harder vocabulary and more imagery. But if you want an easy book to take your mind off things it's the book for you.

This a very inspiring story and makes you want to laugh at times but yet cry at others. It is very uplifiting how people can take the situation that they are given and turn it into something better and make the world right again after a tragic event. Loved this book.

It was a good, wholesome story and was enjoyable. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending as I would have much rather they told what happened to all the characters, especially the main character as she grew. Nonetheless, a good message overall.

I thought this novel was delightful and a very easy read. I thought this was a very nice change from the typical books that I do read. I enjoyed every page and felt that it captivated the atmosphere of the South in the 1930's. I would recommend this to anyone of any age.

This is a very entertainingly written book about a very difficult subject. As the characters move through the pages of a story set in the times of great racial separation, you can't help feeling and reliving some of the problems you have seen in current times, and thank God that they have changed for the better. The characters are are very touching and the book itself provokes many emotions. A very satisfying read.

This was a wonderful story about overcoming racism and the KKK in the south. Stories like this catch my interest because of the history aspect. It was a very interesting story with a lot of twists and turns. I would recommend this to anyone who can appreciate how far we have come from this time in history. Wonderful.

I wouldnt classify myself as an avid reader, but even so, this was a nice read. I recommend it if you dont want a lengthy, overdescriptive or complicated book. Straightforward characters and storyline.

I was sceptical of this book when I first downloaded it onto my Kindle but I sure am glad that I read it. It was the best book I have read in a long time and its not the usual genre of book that I enjoy. I was pleasantly surprised.

Characters are not developed. Little growth or change. What is up with the relationship between the 19 yr old and the 13 yr old. What was his. Affiliation to the family? Such a sad storey. So realistic for the meanness and small minded people of that time period. So hard to look back 50 years or more and be able to understand the angst. I enjoyed this read on a cold winter afternoon. But just two stars.

I downloaded this book because it was FREE. Within the first 10 minutes of reading it I knew that I would be purchasing books 2 and 3. In just over a week I managed to read my way through and form a relationship with the charachters! Now that I am finished I find myself wanting more....these are the best books I have read in a LONG time!

This book was excellent. I loved the time period of the 30's and the way of life. Jennifer Erin Valent is an stunning story teller. The companion book to this one is Cottonwood Whispers, it was also delightful. God is ever present and always working in the lives of each character. Keep them coming Jennifer!

This is a relatively quick read, and while the characters lack depth, it is a rewarding story that serves as a harsh reminder to how incredibly cruel and senseless the world can be. The protagonist is a thirteen year old girl and definitely acts her age, not in a negative way, but in a realistic way. I enjoyed reading it, but agree with another reviewer that The Help has a lot more substance.