What an absolutely beautiful book!
The writing is amazing and Ellis and Luckys story just feels do real. It is one of the best friends to lovers books I've ever read and it's so full of feelings and it's so romantic without being over the top or cringy. The love between Lucky and Ellis is just pure from the the first page to the last and I'm so happy I found this book and got to read their story.

To Catch a Firefly
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars | 9,049 ratings
Price: 17.46
Last update: 02-19-2025
Top reviews from the United States

5.0 out of 5 stars
Beautifully written
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2024
5.0 out of 5 stars
A beautiful story of love deferred
Reviewed in the United States on May 23, 2024
5 stars!
It’s been a while since a book thoroughly destroyed me, but this one achieved that. Not in a bad way, but in a way that just left me a weeping mess because the story was so beautiful.
Ellis and Lucky are seemingly opposites when they meet as young children in rural Nebraska. We have Lucky, who is outgoing, excitable, and always looking to escape the small town in which they grow up. Ellis, though, is quiet, steady, and at ease with his lot in life. He is content to stay home and care for his ailing mother while Lucky strikes out into the world as a nature magazine photographer.
Although Ellis is neurodivergent and rarely speaks much, he and Lucky have a bond and an understanding. Lucky knows all of the words that Ellis doesn’t say, and the communication between them is (usually) easy for all that. Lucky calls Ellis frequently when on the road, excitedly telling Ellis about his adventures as he travels around the world. The emails that Ellis writes to Lucky in turn, though never sent, are beautiful, though. He expresses all of the care and love that he cannot say in fear of upsetting their close friendship. It takes a while for Lucky to figure out that the true love of his life has been there all along, waiting patiently, but once he does it’s wonderful.
This book is so good and so well-written. If you’re looking for lots of action it may not be for you. This one is character-driven, but we learn to know Ellis and Lucky so well that when they find their happily ever after it is all the more appreciated. Observations made in passing stuck with me, and the truth of them struck home – and at times left me in tears. I loved this book so much, and highly recommend it.
It’s been a while since a book thoroughly destroyed me, but this one achieved that. Not in a bad way, but in a way that just left me a weeping mess because the story was so beautiful.
Ellis and Lucky are seemingly opposites when they meet as young children in rural Nebraska. We have Lucky, who is outgoing, excitable, and always looking to escape the small town in which they grow up. Ellis, though, is quiet, steady, and at ease with his lot in life. He is content to stay home and care for his ailing mother while Lucky strikes out into the world as a nature magazine photographer.
Although Ellis is neurodivergent and rarely speaks much, he and Lucky have a bond and an understanding. Lucky knows all of the words that Ellis doesn’t say, and the communication between them is (usually) easy for all that. Lucky calls Ellis frequently when on the road, excitedly telling Ellis about his adventures as he travels around the world. The emails that Ellis writes to Lucky in turn, though never sent, are beautiful, though. He expresses all of the care and love that he cannot say in fear of upsetting their close friendship. It takes a while for Lucky to figure out that the true love of his life has been there all along, waiting patiently, but once he does it’s wonderful.
This book is so good and so well-written. If you’re looking for lots of action it may not be for you. This one is character-driven, but we learn to know Ellis and Lucky so well that when they find their happily ever after it is all the more appreciated. Observations made in passing stuck with me, and the truth of them struck home – and at times left me in tears. I loved this book so much, and highly recommend it.

4.0 out of 5 stars
Sweet and poignant
Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2024
This was a really sweet lovely coming of age romance. Both Lucky and Ellis are appealing, likable and main characters that you want to have a hea. The Nebraska corn fields and Ellis’s collection of glass were vivid and colorful. This book has one of the best epilogues I’ve read. It was perfect.

5.0 out of 5 stars
Best Friends to Lovers Ever!
Reviewed in the United States on March 12, 2024
Wow! Wow! Wow!
“To Catch a Firefly” has got to be one of the sweetest stories I’ve ever read. Not only one the sweetest, but one the greatest best friends to lovers stories I’ve ever read. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and when it’s as well done as this one it solidifies why.
Ellis and Lucky have been best friends since age 10. Lucky was new to the town. Ellis went over to meet him and the rest was history. What I love so much about this story is how Emmy Sanders really develops the friendship. We really get a feel of how close these two are and how much they mean to each other. She really sets the foundation of an epic friends to lovers.
One thing I would like to highlight. Ellis is on the autistic spectrum, but what I love so much is how his story is not focused on that. As a reader there are hints of him being on the spectrum, mainly his limited verbal speaking. Being on the spectrum is just a small part of who he is. Ellis is just Ellis and I loved that approach to his story. Ellis says so much even with such small amount of words. I absolutely loved how Lucky was able to communicate with Ellis. Even with simple grunts and hums, Lucky knew exactly what it all meant. *swoon*
Ellis and Lucky have my whole heart!
Lucky was so full of life and Ellis knew that their small town was too small to contain Lucky. I loved how Ellis fully embraced Lucky living his life and seeing the world. Even with time and distance, their friendship was solid.
With so much love between these two, romantic feelings were inevitable. My goodness how I loved seeing their relationship bloom to so much more.
I seriously could go on and on about this story. It was incredibly well written. The characters will seriously carve themselves into your heart. The writing, character and plot development were seamless and so well done. I could not put this book down. This was one heck of a swoon worthy romance! Bravo to Emmy Sanders for bringing such incredible characters to life! ????????????????
“To Catch a Firefly” has got to be one of the sweetest stories I’ve ever read. Not only one the sweetest, but one the greatest best friends to lovers stories I’ve ever read. Friends to lovers is one of my favorite tropes and when it’s as well done as this one it solidifies why.
Ellis and Lucky have been best friends since age 10. Lucky was new to the town. Ellis went over to meet him and the rest was history. What I love so much about this story is how Emmy Sanders really develops the friendship. We really get a feel of how close these two are and how much they mean to each other. She really sets the foundation of an epic friends to lovers.
One thing I would like to highlight. Ellis is on the autistic spectrum, but what I love so much is how his story is not focused on that. As a reader there are hints of him being on the spectrum, mainly his limited verbal speaking. Being on the spectrum is just a small part of who he is. Ellis is just Ellis and I loved that approach to his story. Ellis says so much even with such small amount of words. I absolutely loved how Lucky was able to communicate with Ellis. Even with simple grunts and hums, Lucky knew exactly what it all meant. *swoon*
Ellis and Lucky have my whole heart!
Lucky was so full of life and Ellis knew that their small town was too small to contain Lucky. I loved how Ellis fully embraced Lucky living his life and seeing the world. Even with time and distance, their friendship was solid.
With so much love between these two, romantic feelings were inevitable. My goodness how I loved seeing their relationship bloom to so much more.
I seriously could go on and on about this story. It was incredibly well written. The characters will seriously carve themselves into your heart. The writing, character and plot development were seamless and so well done. I could not put this book down. This was one heck of a swoon worthy romance! Bravo to Emmy Sanders for bringing such incredible characters to life! ????????????????

5.0 out of 5 stars
Almost Poetry
Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2024
This is such a well written book. The story flows beautifully and takes you carefully through all the emotions. The characters are deep and wonderfully flushed out. The beauty in the writing, the glasswork and the relationship slips under your skin and sings a siren song so haunting you don’t want to put it down.

5.0 out of 5 stars
Incredible autism rep
Reviewed in the United States on June 4, 2024
I loved this story so much I binged it in a day I couldn’t put it down. THIS is what a friends-to-lovers should feel like. It was so angsty and so sweet and SO spicy. I loved the push and pull and I loved how beautiful the autism rep was. I’d rate this a million stars if I could.

5.0 out of 5 stars
amazing book, characters, story, and love
Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2024
Pick this one up. It’s a great story over many years and phases with two amazing characters. The author’s writing is warm and colorful, and makes you feel everything her characters experience.
One of the characters is neurodivergent and one is an adventurer- both warn and well-written, each faces unique challenges, but as a dual POV book we also get to see and experience the other character through both of their eyes.
I’m certain I will reread this book.
One of the characters is neurodivergent and one is an adventurer- both warn and well-written, each faces unique challenges, but as a dual POV book we also get to see and experience the other character through both of their eyes.
I’m certain I will reread this book.