The Year of Luminous Love

Look inside
For fans of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, this inspirational novel is set in Tennessee horse country, as well as the historic cities and picturesque countryside of Italy. As the story unfolds, three girls, recently graduated from high school, plan the next phase of their lives while dealing with complicated issues. Author Lurlene McDaniel subtly explores the many types of love--including love for one's family and friends, and intimate love--and the sacrifices the girls face.
© Meghan Green and Jon Lancaster
Lurlene McDaniel began writing inspirational novels about teenagers facing life-altering situations when her son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. “I want kids to know that while people don’t get to choose what life gives to them, they do get to choose how they respond,” she has said. Her novels are hard-hitting and realistic, but also leave readers with inspiration and hope. McDaniel’s bestselling books have received acclaim from readers, teachers, parents, and reviewers. They include The Year of Luminous Love and its companion, The Year of Chasing Dreams; Don’t Die, My Love; Till Death Do Us Part; and many more. Lurlene McDaniel lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Visit her online at LurleneMcDaniel.com and on Facebook and follow her on Twitter at @Lurlene_McD. View titles by Lurlene McDaniel
Seventeen.com, April 10, 2013:
"The Year Of Luminous Love will definitely tug at your heart strings, and will make you so grateful for your friends....If you've ever wanted to start a book club with your friends, this is the read to go for! You'll love it if you're a fan of Eat, Pray, Love. You'll devour this pick!"

Romantic Times Book Review, April 2013:
"The Year of Luminous Love expertly pulls at readers' heartstrings and wrings emotion. Vintage McDaniel!"

Publishers Weekly, April 29, 2013:
"In Tuscany and Rome, the girls encounter worldly men, explore historical sights, and reassess their priorities...The story's themes of escape, freedom, horse riding, and finding love should have a strong pull for romance fans."

Booklist, May 1, 2013:
"McDaniel’s breathless saga takes readers from picturesque Tennessee horse country to sun-washed Tuscan vineyards, all the while establishing characters worth caring about. McDaniel fans won’t want to miss this age-appropriate Eat, Pray, Love—well, it has the eating and the love at least—and they’ll eagerly await the follow-up, The Year of Chasing Dreams."

School Library Journal, May 2013:
"Will tempt teens seeking a dramatic summer read."

About

For fans of John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, this inspirational novel is set in Tennessee horse country, as well as the historic cities and picturesque countryside of Italy. As the story unfolds, three girls, recently graduated from high school, plan the next phase of their lives while dealing with complicated issues. Author Lurlene McDaniel subtly explores the many types of love--including love for one's family and friends, and intimate love--and the sacrifices the girls face.

Author

© Meghan Green and Jon Lancaster
Lurlene McDaniel began writing inspirational novels about teenagers facing life-altering situations when her son was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes. “I want kids to know that while people don’t get to choose what life gives to them, they do get to choose how they respond,” she has said. Her novels are hard-hitting and realistic, but also leave readers with inspiration and hope. McDaniel’s bestselling books have received acclaim from readers, teachers, parents, and reviewers. They include The Year of Luminous Love and its companion, The Year of Chasing Dreams; Don’t Die, My Love; Till Death Do Us Part; and many more. Lurlene McDaniel lives in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Visit her online at LurleneMcDaniel.com and on Facebook and follow her on Twitter at @Lurlene_McD. View titles by Lurlene McDaniel

Praise

Seventeen.com, April 10, 2013:
"The Year Of Luminous Love will definitely tug at your heart strings, and will make you so grateful for your friends....If you've ever wanted to start a book club with your friends, this is the read to go for! You'll love it if you're a fan of Eat, Pray, Love. You'll devour this pick!"

Romantic Times Book Review, April 2013:
"The Year of Luminous Love expertly pulls at readers' heartstrings and wrings emotion. Vintage McDaniel!"

Publishers Weekly, April 29, 2013:
"In Tuscany and Rome, the girls encounter worldly men, explore historical sights, and reassess their priorities...The story's themes of escape, freedom, horse riding, and finding love should have a strong pull for romance fans."

Booklist, May 1, 2013:
"McDaniel’s breathless saga takes readers from picturesque Tennessee horse country to sun-washed Tuscan vineyards, all the while establishing characters worth caring about. McDaniel fans won’t want to miss this age-appropriate Eat, Pray, Love—well, it has the eating and the love at least—and they’ll eagerly await the follow-up, The Year of Chasing Dreams."

School Library Journal, May 2013:
"Will tempt teens seeking a dramatic summer read."

Books for Native American Heritage Month

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month this November, Penguin Random House Education is highlighting books that detail the history of Native Americans, and stories that explore Native American culture and experiences. Browse our collections here: Native American Creators Native American History & Culture

Read more

2024 Middle and High School Collections

The Penguin Random House Education Middle School and High School Digital Collections feature outstanding fiction and nonfiction from the children’s, adult, DK, and Grupo Editorial divisions, as well as publishers distributed by Penguin Random House. Peruse online or download these valuable resources to discover great books in specific topic areas such as: English Language Arts,

Read more

PRH Education High School Collections

All reading communities should contain protected time for the sake of reading. Independent reading practices emphasize the process of making meaning through reading, not an end product. The school culture (teachers, administration, etc.) should affirm this daily practice time as inherently important instructional time for all readers. (NCTE, 2019)   The Penguin Random House High

Read more

PRH Education Translanguaging Collections

Translanguaging is a communicative practice of bilinguals and multilinguals, that is, it is a practice whereby bilinguals and multilinguals use their entire linguistic repertoire to communicate and make meaning (García, 2009; García, Ibarra Johnson, & Seltzer, 2017)   It is through that lens that we have partnered with teacher educators and bilingual education experts, Drs.

Read more