BOTY Alert - The Bright Years

A MUST READ

As you make your April TBR—The Bright Years by debut author Sarah Damoff—is a book you absolutely must add to it! It’s out 4/22, however, it was dropped this morning as a @bookofthemonth Add-on!

{Thank you to @simonbooks #simonbooksbuddy + @simon.audio for my #gifted copies. This book is told in 3 parts, each from a different POV. 3 narrators (Ferdelle Capistrano, Joy Osmanski, & Lee Osorio) were chosen and it was absolutely the right call. They were phenomenal!}

Multigenerational family dramas are my absolute favorite. Add in secrets and tough, but important issues, and it’s impossible to look away. This is a story of first loves, alcoholism, deep hurts, grief, coming-of-age, and found family. We watch a family deal with repeated generations of tragedy, but one that comes out stronger. Don’t think this story is all dark, my gosh is there brightness too—The Bright Years. I loved the way story was told in 3 parts and 3 POVs. Each building on the previous, feeling like you’re pulling back the layers or unraveling a ball of yarn. I haven’t seen this style so brilliantly executed since I read Real Americans by Rachel Knong last year.

In the prologue we meet Ryan as a child, and his mother, who are fleeing from addiction and abuse. Ryan vows to never touch a drop of alcohol.

In Part One, told by Lillian, we see the moment she falls in love with Ryan. They marry and have a daughter, Georgette (Jet…I LOVE this nickname!) Once Lillian has Jet she can no longer bury the secret that she previously had a child she gave up for adoption. Ryan is hurt that she kept this huge secret and turns to the thing he said he never would—drinking.

In Part Two, told by Jet, we see how her parent’s marriage looked like from a child’s POV. We see her deal with an unthinkable tragedy. We see her lose and a reconnect with a friend, one who maybe is more than a friend. After all she’s been through, can she open up to love?

In Part Three, told by Ryan, we see this story come full circle. It’s heartbreaking, but redeeming.

Of nearly 100 reads so far this year, this is one of the BEST books I’ve read! @sarahdamoff has an auto-buy reader from me!