This book had a lot of potential. There was the potential to be funny, to be deep, to be a great book really, but it just fell short in all of these.

The author is a comedian but the level of funniness in the book doesn't demonstrate that.
There are some moments where the author truly could've dove in and explored more, like the conversations with her therapist, and her coming to terms with her depression and anxiety, and yet these key moments were glossed over and it is truly a shame. Sunny is extremely relatable and delving in could've brought this book up a star or two but it just doesn't happen. We are told that Sunny overcomes things but not shown which honestly defeats the purpose of the book. I want to fall in love with Sunny's story and part of it is missing so how can I do that?

This is where I wonder if the failings come from poor writing (perhaps due to time) or from poor editing (not asking the author for more in places that needed it.

Overall it was still an enjoyable read but I wouldn't purchase this item, I would borrow it as I am not sure I would ever reread it.

Sunny's struggle with her mental health, family, her job, her weight, her perceived lack of a future is so relatable that this well writing novel had me wanting to reach out to her to let her know it will all be ok. And yes, it's not always ok but Sunny begins to turn her life around when she recognizes that she's the one who needs to make change for herself, Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's a good read that I enjoyed not only for Sunny but also for the atmospherics,

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC for an exchange for an honest review.
Very good book, recommend it.

I'll be honest: When I started reading Sunny, I wasn't sure where it was going or if I'd be along for the ride. It takes a few chapters to adjust to the book's style, which is largely a sprawling and internal look at Sunny's days trying to manage her barely-diagnosed anxiety and depression, her negative feelings about her body, her lack of self-esteem, and her general sense of aimlessness. At times, the weight of everything can be downright bleak, as it is for so many people in real life.

If I'd read this book even three years ago, I wouldn't have been able to grapple with the fact that there isn't always a point to what's going on with a character like Sunny. But now, as someone who's really been Through Some Shit™ in recent years, I'm sitting here in awe of how well Sukh Ojla captured the feeling of being in your late twenties or early thirties and not quite knowing where you're supposed to go but feeling the expectations of others — while everyone else seems to blaze ahead just fine. It's one of those books that doesn't always feel great in the moment, but I've been staring at a wall for 30 minutes since reading it contemplating my life choices and Sunny's arc. It's that kind of experience.

I don't know if a singular comp could do this novel justice, but it reminds me of TV shows like Insecure, Girls, and Broad City mixed with literary works like Writers & Lovers and You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty.

I hope this is just the beginning of what we see from Sukh Ojla as an author. And I'd love any form of an update on Sunny in the future — I'm always and forever rooting for her!

Sunny
by Sukh Ojla
Sunny seems to be being judged for her size on the outside, not for who she is o the inside. Sunny finally decided to become who she was all along. I was shocked at women shaming and I cheered for Sunny.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mobius Books for this ARC.

2.5 stars for Sunny, I’ll round it up to 3. Sunny’s life is a mess. She’s living back at home, working a job that she hates, and is feeling more removed from her friends than ever. Everyone around her is happy with their relationships and their jobs and Sunny is expected to be the fat-funny friend. She’s under pressure from her family to be an obedient daughter - oh and she’s supposed to get married soon too.

This book was frustrating for me to read at times. I feel a lot of empathy for Sunny. I know what it’s like to struggle to find your place and your people. I know what it’s like to have friends who it turns out aren’t really your friends. Sunny struggles with depression, anxiety, and body issues. But Sunny doesn’t really do herself any favors. The few times she does stand up for herself she almost immediately backslides.

I will say that I know little about Indian culture, but the strained relationship between Sunny and her mother did feel very real to me. I understand there are a lot of expectations and I have to imagine that it’s challenging to open up conservative immigrant parents when you’re a modern thirty-something. I did like the evolution of the mother-daughter relationship and it cheered me up to see her mother come through.

Maybe it’s because I’m not British and some of the humor was lost on me, but I didn’t find this book as amusing as a lot of other readers seemed to. This book was very okay to me. I’ve watched some of Sukh Ojla’s stand up and I will say if she writes another book I will give it a try.

Sunny is in a slump.

After losing her job she’s left London to move back home with her parents and is stuck at a job she hates. She constantly feels not good enough. Judgment seems to come from her parents, friend groups, and extended family.

Tired of feeling not skinny enough, pretty enough, worthy enough Sunny finally starts standing up for herself.