Between the Lighthouse and You
"In her first novel, Lee offers an involving, uplifting story about coming to terms with grief and finding a meaningful way to move forward." — Carolyn Phelan, Booklist
"A heartwarming, emotional tale of family, grief, and acceptance."
"This suspenseful story, alternating between Alice’s and Leo’s perspectives, is beautifully written and captures the agony of unresolved grief. Lee provides rich detail on the physical landscape of the island, and each chapter slowly reveals answers to Alice’s many questions, leaving readers eager for more." - Anne Jung-Mathews, Plymouth State Univ. School Library Journal
The Magic of Someday Soon
"Across the girls’ rousing alternating third-person POVs—enlivened by evocative imagery that renders a bustling Floridian setting—Lee (Between the Lighthouse and You) delves deep into themes of family, grief, and home." - Publishers Weekly
"The small town, creative art pieces, and cups of tea are so well described, readers will feel that they are in Maravel themselves ... A cozy read that empowers young people to make connections and remember their past." - Diana Ford, Booklist
"Lee seamlessly weaves light strands of fabulism into the threads of the story. Events that build Zoe and Teddy’s friendship seem tinged with magic, and it’s possible some of it emanates from the tea shop belonging to Dee September, the great-grandmother who only met Zoe as a baby. Her special teas evoke feelings, memories, and sensations. Sometimes the blends choose their own names, hinting at purpose and meaning. The chapters focus on Zoe and Teddy alternately, evoking sympathy and connection with each girl ... Strong, likable heroes, excellent pacing, and gentle humor." - Kirkus Reviews
"Told over the course of just eleven days, with chapters alternating focus between the two girls, this story truly has two equally weighted and compelling protagonists, who are lonely but also both raised by loving and solid single guardians. Grief shows up in different ways here, from Zoe’s fury over not being able to remember her father (and subsequent joy when magical tea gives her a few fractured memories) to Teddy’s fear of sinkholes which is really a fear of being abandoned again. Of course, with the help of Zoe’s grandma’s quirky tea shop, where the labels and flavors change in relation to who is drinking them and what they’re going through, the two new pals manage to save the day and create a new tea blend, appropriately called BFF." - Cassidy Russell, The Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books, Johns Hopkins University Press
