***3.5 Stars***
This book was very different from any other book I've read by Sawyer Bennett previously. The Hard Truth About Sunshine is a Coming-to-age novel that kind of resembled one of my favorite movies, The Breakfast Club, in that the story follows a group of four misfit individuals who all have their separate issues and aren't exactly all friendly with one another.
The main character is Christopher, who is ex-military and narrowly escapes death's clutches, losing two-thirds of one leg and two fingers on one of his hands when he runs over an IED in his Humvee overseas. His outlook on life is not that great and his capacity to love has been crushed by those that should have loved him unconditionally and been there for him no matter what. He feels less than a man because he isn't whole. When he involuntarily joins his band of misfits, who all are struggling with issues of their own, on a road trip, he starts to re-evaluate his life. The band of misfits includes: Jillian who is slowly going blind, Barb who is suicidal, and Connor who is dying of cancer. Will this group of individuals help each other in the healing process of their issues throughout this journey they are on? Will Christopher learn to love and be optimistic about life again?
The character development and relationships between this group changed drastically from the beginning to the very end and it was a very emotional journey to read about and I may have even shed a tear or two. These people learned so much from and about one another and they ultimately became friends from life when they were practically strangers at the start.
While this book is still considered romance, the romance takes a backseat to the very personal journey that these characters were a part of. This book was emotional, dark, and heavy, with a little bit of romance and lighthearted humor thrown in to round it out. This book wasn't my favorite by the author but it I definitely enjoyed reading it and can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next.
Reviewed by Ashley Zeigler
Despite having narrowly escaped death's clutches, Christopher Barlow is grateful for nothing. His capacity to love has been crushed. He hates everyone and everything, completely unable to see past the gray stain of misery that coats his perception of the world. It's only after he involuntarily joins a band of depressed misfits who are struggling to overcome their own problems, does Christopher start to re-evaluate his lot in life.
What could they possibly learn from one another? How could they possibly help each other to heal? And the question that Christopher asks himself over and over again... can he learn to love again?
He's about to find out as he embarks upon a cross country trip with a beautiful woman who is going blind, a boy with terminal cancer, and an abuse victim who can't decide whether she wants to live or die.
Four people with nothing in common but their destination. They will encounter adventure, thrills, loss and love. And within their travels they will learn the greatest lesson of all.
The hard truth about sunshine...
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2otVjzf
Amazon USA: http://amzn.to/2o1H08u
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