The Only Light Left Burning

By: Erik J. Brown

Narrated by: Andrew Gibson, Barrett Leddy

Length: 12 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

What If It's Us meets They Both Die at the End in this sequel to the beloved postapocalyptic queer YA adventure romance All That's Left in the World by USA Today bestselling author Erik J. Brown.

Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera, Alex London, and Heartstopper by Alice Oseman.

After a long and treacherous journey south, Andrew and Jamie have finally found safety in the Florida Keys. But they soon learn that safety doesn't always mean happily ever after.

Settling into life in the Islamorada colony with other survivors of the bug, Andrew believes they've finally found themselves a home, even a family. But anxious Jamie is less comfortable in their new community and is eager to return north to keep the promise they made to their friend Henri—to bring her to the colony and reunite her with her daughter. Besides, would it really be so bad to find someplace just for the two of them?

When a hurricane and a shocking betrayal force them to leave the colony in search of new shelter, it brings their tensions to a head—and puts them in the path of some old enemies. Andrew and Jamie must set aside their differences to survive once more and find a new home. But what if "home" means different things to each of them?

©2024 Erik J. Brown (P)2024 HarperCollins Publishers

Amazing Sequel!

This sequel offered a fun story with awesome character development—not just for the two protagonists, but also for new and returning character —including a strong transgender character.

Lots of unexpected twists and turns and of course funny and emotional too.

Note to Hollywood: This book and its predecessor will make a great movie or Netflix series!!!!

I love it!!!

I have been waiting for this book since the first and my god it did not disappoint, honestly this is a book where you just wish it could continue forever. I feel like I fell in love with the characters all over again and happy to see them expanding their family. I just can’t say enough good things about this book. Thank you Erik for these wonderful books and I can’t wait for your next work of art!

Wanted more Andrew and Jamie

I LOVED the first book, partly because it was two boys against the post apocalyptic world, slow burning for each other! This one is more like two boys arguing, then being states away from each other the rest of the book. Very little of what I really enjoyed from the first book. So disappointed!

really good follow up to book 1

great narration, really a good story and written well. Brings closure to book one.

Favorite of 2024!

I have been beyond excited for this book….. and let me tell you! It didn’t let me down. No doubt in my mind that it is one of my favorite books of 2024!

Great Second Book!

I loved this story - it has it all: adventure, romance, drama. There is great post-apocalyptic representation too.

I loved this but I’m a little bit confused

The ending is so weird



TLDR Spoilers : Andrew and Jamison I feel like relationship took a backseat.

They never communicated with each other it feels so rushed in the middle like they wanna make it end but the ending feels flat to me I hope there is a book3.

They were complaining earlier how they were able to have sex because they weren’t ready and it felt like it was important to them I thought at the end they could have there special moment but it never comes there are so many characters I can’t keep up.

Great story, however this could have been an email ngl

I loved that we got to see our boys again. I loved how we got this whole other cast of characters who we meet and learn and grow to love - especially you Daphne RIP. What I really disliked was that Andrew just became so annoying to deal with and listen to like omg like at certain points I had to take a break because I just couldn’t deal with Andrew’s character and parts. In all good book I can’t really say if this sequel was justified in its right but what I can say is that I loved the book and the journey we went on with Andrew and Jamie and the found family and friends they made. I think the ending was quite cute of the progressions of the characters - - love how it kind of alludes of the kid as basically the son of Andrew and Jamie so cute.

Not the greatest sequel

If you liked the first book and don’t want to ruin then maybe don’t read this. It’s one of those stories where all the characters needs to do is talk but they either don’t or the story interrupts them from talking. It was fine the first few times but it gets old not even half way through the book. There’s so many characters that it gets hard to keep track. I feel like the extra characters are there just to be there. There’s no emotional attachment to them as a reader. I was so excited to read this sequel but it just kinda disappointed me. The performance of the narrators are mid. I wish they could do more voices to help me keep track on who was speaking sense there was so many characters. In the end just stick to the first book and don’t ruin that love for that book by reading this one.

Surface level entertaining but...

So let me start with I LOVED book 1, and I overall enjoyed book 2. I don't think it was bad or poorly written but it was definitely "safe".

Without directly spoiling anything, there are things I wish were either explored or elaborated on and I wish more risks were taken. The entire book felt very safe and the entire thing was like one giant checklist of tying off the ends of book 1. Any conflict or drama could have easily been resolved with a simple mature heartfelt conversation which made the resolutions that DID happen seem very bland or lack luster. It felt at times like things were resolved way too easily. I really wanted more from this book but overall it was entertaining, had a decent enough ending, and wrapped things up nicely. That being said I much preferred Book 1 and the way you didn't know what was happening or coming for our MC's next! Book 1 could have easily been a stand alone (in fact I thought it was) but I'm happy to have gotten more Jaimie and Andrew content!