The Love We Found

The Light We Lost, Book 2

By: Jill Santopolo

Narrated by: Jill Santopolo

INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER

“No one writes about love like Jill Santopolo.”—#1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune

The long-awaited follow-up to the Reese’s Book Club pick and New York Times bestselling global phenomenon The Light We Lost: a thrilling love story about the roles fate and choice play in shaping a life.

It’s been ten years. In case you’re out there somewhere. In case you’re listening, I’m here. And I have so much to tell you.

It’s been nearly ten years since Gabe’s been gone when Lucy finds a tiny piece of paper in a box of his old photos. An address in Rome. Why did Gabe keep it, and what was he doing in Italy? Lucy buys a last-minute plane ticket. Impulsive, but Gabe always brought that out in her.

Lucy’s journey to uncover Gabe’s secret leads her to Dr. Dax Armstrong, a New Yorker in Italy working with an NGO. His broad shoulders and sad, intense eyes draw Lucy in. His touch reaches her in a forgotten place—one that no one has neared since Gabe.

But her old life awaits, along with an earth-shattering decision—whether she and Darren should tell their son Samuel the truth about his father. How can Lucy move forward while she’s rooted in the past? Fate broke her heart once. Can finding new love set her free?

©2025 Jill Santopolo (P)2025 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

A USA Today Bestseller

A Zibby Owens Most Anticipated Book of the Year

A New York Times Work of Fiction to Read this Spring

"The long-awaited follow-up to Jill Santopolo’s global sensation, The Light We Lost, is here—and it’s another beautiful love story."—Woman’s World

“The Love We Found is a book every woman should read. Jill Santoplo’s stunning follow-up to her smash-hit The Light We Lost is a deeply emotional exploration of our secret lives, innermost desires, and the mistakes that change families forever. No one writes about love, in all its beautiful mess, the way Santopolo does.”—Carley Fortune, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Every Summer After

“The Love We Found is the breathtakingly redemptive love story we’ve been dying for. Exquisitely written, it proves that love is possible again and again. Santopolo writes with such emotional precision that you will feel every heartbeat on every page—her novels are like guided tours of the heart.”—Annabel Monaghan, national bestselling author of Nora Goes Off Script

Loved that there was follow up to light we lost

It was good, a bit slow at times. Very true life story that could actually happen- gave hope

Great true love story

I love that this book was a part two. And where it picked up made sense. I loved all the characters and that in the end true love prevails.

Perfect sequel

As I am attending a book signing tomorrow night, where Jill Santopolo was ll be signing her book, it was uppermost in my mind to experience The Love We Found. Luckily the Audible version, beautifully narrated by the author, is available.

If you haven’t read The Light We Lost please do yourself a favor and read it. It’s an emotional read, which lays the groundwork for this sequel.

So much has happened to Lucy and her family. The family dynamic has been altered and affected each family member. The secret Lucy reveals to her husband Darren haunts her but its revelation will have huge impact.

It’s been 10 years since Gabriel has gone, and Lucy is contacted by his agent wanting to mount an exhibit of his photographs. While going through the boxes of Gabes photos, Lucy finds a scrap of paper with an address in Rome. Curious about who Gabe might know Lucy flies to Rome and while researching his photographs meets Dax.

The Light We Lost is an emotionally charged love story. This perfect sequel also shows us love but with the consequences of keeping secrets.

Another Masterpiece

Jill’s writing, storyline, and narration is perfection. You feel everything while listening to her story. The beauty of love and life, the depth of loss. She is incredible!

A good conclusion to the first

I enjoyed the book. It did seem a lot more spicy than the first one.

So many tears

I can’t say how many times I cried listening to this. It was beautiful and hopeful despite the tragedy of the first book. I love the narration by the author herself. I love the emotional maturity of the characters. I love the sexual descriptions. Just the right amount for of spice for this type of more realistic love. Truly such a wonderful book. Obviously listen or read the first book before this. Bring tissues though.

Binge worthy!

What did I do this weekend? Binged this book! I love that the author reads her own book. This felt like returning to old friends and learning more about them. Tell me there’s another installment in our future ….

Excellent Story

Great book,has everything you want in a book. A must read ,bring a box of tissues.

Was hoping for more

I fell in love with the first title in this series. It broke me to pieces. When I saw a sequel was coming out, I couldn’t wait. It didn’t live up to my expectations and actually cheapened the story from book 1.