Unfortunately I was unable to download this book before the archive date, so I'm not able to leave a review. I look forward to reading and reviewing books by this author in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of the Sun Seekers by Rachel McRady in exchange for my honest review and opinion. OMG this is the most touching book ever especially if you have a family member dealing with any sort of memory loss. My tip is to read this at home as you are more than likely going to ugly cry and will need kleenex close by!

A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Sen Seekers tackles a heavy subject (dementia) in an unexpected way, through the eyes of 6-year-old Gracie Lynn. Rachel McRady shines a light on how complex the aging brain is and highlights what’s most important, no matter the stage of life. This was a sweet read.

This is a touching story that focuses on dementia and family relationships. The book is presented in the voice of six-year-old Gracie, her mother, and her estranged father. The character development of Gracie was a little unrealistic. The subject matter of dementia is a difficult one to address and the attempt of Gracie’s mom, LeeAnn, to explain the grandfather’s illness demonstrates how difficult it can be. And when you factor in the fact that Gracie’s parents’ marriage is falling apart, there is so much emotional baggage to be dealt with. This is not a light and easy read and there were many aspects that did not appeal to me. But I would definitely encourage you to consider reading it to see if you connect better with the characters and the story line.

Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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Adult
Fiction

This book was way better than what I was anticipating it to be. I usually don’t enjoy an elderly person with little kid storyline just because they’re almost like polar opposites. But in this novel, it worked so good. And being a mother myself, I could only imagine what these two parents who really aren’t super close to begin with had to deal with by coming together and trying to get their child back. It really makes you so sad for the elderly population that is going through this and they’re just trying to hold onto whatever memories that they have while the rest of the world is slowly slipping away. This was a really big eye opening novel and it made me want to call my grandparents who thankfully don’t suffer. Dementia but have them be around myself and my kids as much as possible for in the event that this does happen my kids will always have fond memories of them

This is a sweet book but anxiety inducing for me! Basically two children set off to know who knows what even though they are different ages.


Beautiful story. Heartbreaking. Heartwarming.

Six-year-old Gracie Lynn has a big heart and she wants to save her grandfather who has a worm in his head - at least that’s what her mom had told her as a metaphor for his dementia. Gracie comes up with a plan and helps her grandfather break out of his nursing home. But what’s an adventure for Gracie is her estranged parents’ worst nightmare.

You know that I'm a fan of books that focus on the relationships between children/teens and elderly people. Accordingly, I assumed that I would love Sun Seekers but unfortunately I didn’t. It was a sweet story but also kinda meh. I think the biggest problem for me was that I didn't like any of the characters. And I wasn’t a fan of the ending. I think the story had great potential, but the execution left me wanting more.

Don’t let my review stop you from reading the book…it definitely isn’t a bad book, it‘s just one I won’t be thinking about again.

THE GOOD:
Six-year-old Gracie is a kick in the pants and I adored the chapters told from her point of view. Pitch perfect, fast-paced, energetic stream of consciousness from a lively childlike innocence.
A happy-ending story with a good heart.

THE BAD:
The climax of the tale came off a little flat, emotionally speaking, so therefore seemed a little underwhelming and arbitrary.
“Big John’s” tall tales are fanciful and fun.

CONCLUSION:
A novel about healing, trust, forgiveness, and letting go; backboned by the inherent liveliness of childhood.

3.5⭐️

Six-year-old Gracie Lynn has devised a plan to break her grandfather out of the assisted living facility where he currently resides. She intends to go on an “adventure” with him and follow the sun, hoping their proximity to it would prevent the “worm” in her Grandfather’s brain from waking up because it’s the worm that makes him forget who she is – the simplistic explanation her mother, LeeAnn has provided her to explain her grandfather’s “episodes” resulting from dementia and sundown syndrome. Gracie loves her grandfather and his tall tales of his “adventures.” LeeAnn is wary of John, a result of a deep-rooted resentment stemming from her childhood compounded by his diagnosis and a few “incidents” in the recent past. LeeAnn, separated from her husband and responsible for her father, is raising Gracie alone and often at her wits’ end, also having to deal with the judgment she senses from other mothers in Gracie’s circle of friends. Her relationship with her sister is also strained and Dan, Gracie’s father, loves his daughter and is willing to share responsibility and help LeAnn if only she would let him, despite having since moved on after she left him on account of his infidelity. However, when Gracie and her grandfather disappear, she is compelled to work through her personal issues with her estranged sister, her resentment toward her husband and her own pain, in an effort to find Gracie and John.

Heartbreaking yet hopeful, Sun Seekers by Rachel McRady is an emotional story about family, forgiveness, grief and moving on The narrative is presented from the first-person perspectives of Gracie, LeAnn and Dan and the author does a remarkable job of weaving these voices into a fluid narrative. Gracie is an endearing character and her love and concern for her grandfather would melt your heart and I thoroughly enjoyed her unfiltered thoughts and reactions to the people and events around her. The author does a brilliant job of depicting the complex relationships and tension between the adult characters and the challenges faced by caregivers and the toll it takes on family members. I can’t say either Dan or LeeAnn were particularly likable characters though I could sympathize with their plight and everything they had endured both as individuals and as a couple. The author weaves in lighter moments in the form of John’s entertaining tall tales. I had mixed feelings about the bittersweet ending but overall, I found this novel to be a satisfying read that will touch a chord in your heart.

Many thanks to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Riveting, with rich characters and poetic prose. A good debut.
Many thanks to Alcove Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Sun Seekers, by Rachel McRady, is a novel that shines a light on fractured families, healing, and the resilience of childhood. It's a mixed bag, offering a heartwarming adventure through a six-year-old's perspective alongside the messy struggles of adults grappling with grief, resentment, and forgiveness.
Strengths:
• Gracie's voice: The story shines brightest when narrated by Gracie Lynn, a six-year-old with a big heart, boundless curiosity, and a knack for observation. Her innocent perspective offers insightful commentary on the complexities of the adult world, making her a truly endearing character.
• The power of family: Despite their flaws, the Abernathys are drawn together by a crisis, forcing them to confront their past hurts and navigate the path towards healing. This journey of forgiveness and reconnection is a core strength of the novel.
• Big John's charm: The fantastical stories and tall tales spun by Big John, Gracie's grandfather, add a touch of whimsy and magic to the narrative. His dynamic with Gracie is particularly heartwarming.
Weaknesses:
• Unlikable adults: While Gracie's innocence is captivating, the adult characters often come across as unsympathetic. LeeAnne's constant resentment and Dan's impulsive actions can be frustrating, making it difficult to connect with them emotionally.
• Uneven pacing: The story switches between perspectives, sometimes jarringly. Gracie's chapters flow smoothly, but the adult narratives can feel bogged down by introspection and exposition.
• Suspension of disbelief: Some aspects of the plot, particularly involving Gracie's actions and understanding, require a significant suspension of disbelief.
Sun Seekers is an emotional journey that explores the complexities of family relationships. While the adult characters might not be universally endearing, Gracie's innocent perspective and the exploration of healing and forgiveness make it a worthwhile read for those seeking a heartwarming story with a touch of magical realism.
If you enjoy coming-of-age narratives and stories about the power of forgiveness, Sun Seekers might be worth checking out. However, if you prefer characters you can easily root for and a plot that adheres strictly to reality, this might not be the best fit.

Gracie Lynn is a spunky and inquisitive six year old, who, in many ways, is wise beyond her years. Sick of being told she’s not old enough as an answer to all of her questions and concerns, Gracie finally decides to solve her own problems. This is how Gracie comes up with the plan to help her grandfather to escape the “worm” in his brain, and the nursing home he lives in.

See, in an attempt to help Gracie process what was happening to her grandfather’s brain, Gracie’s mother, Leann tried to simplify his condition- explaining it away as something that happens when the sun goes down. But this explanation soon backfires when by six year old logic, this problem has a simple solution- just keep chasing the sun.

Naturally, after successfully convincing her grandfather to go on this adventure, her family that’s left behind is in panic mode. Now Leann and her estranged husband, Dan are forced to put their differences aside for the sake of securing their daughter’s safety. Soon everyone realizes the consequences of their actions, but the bigger question remains- can they find a solution, and each other, before sunset?

Sun Seekers is a gorgeous first novel by author, @rachelmcrady. It’s a beautifully written tribute to varying aspects of loss- a spouse, a parent, and one’s own innocence. McCrady also does an excellent job at writing tender situations through the eyes of her characters. In particular, I believe readers will be taken by Gracie’s voice and her journey, as well as the delicate aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and its effects. I’m not sure why this book isn’t getting more hype, but consider this your official directive to seek out Sun Seekers, a bright debut from an author I’ll for sure be keeping an eye on.

I really loved the premise of this book, but I could not connect with any of the main characters. All of the adults were whiny and self obsessed. While it shed light on what it is like to care for someone with dementia, it seemed like grief and potentially postpartum (though never mentioned) were something the main character should have just gotten over. I liked Big John’s stories and Gracie’s point of view, even when a bit mature for a six year old!

Thank you Netgalley, Alcove Press and the author Rachel McRady
The story how little six-year-old Gracie is trying to save her grandfather from a worm which is destroying his brain. Gracie is convinced that they are always in daylight then the worm will not come back into her grandfather's brain.
She plans an adventure for her grandfather and her.
I really enjoyed this novel of family, love, family dynamics, and aging.
Recommend
4 stars

A heartfelt and charming family drama debut. A five star read is always great way to kick off my 2024 reading. Highly recommend.

I loved Gracie Lynn's POV. She's a bright, observant six year old but she still is a little girl trying to figure out the world around her. After hearing her mother talk about her grandfather's dementia and sundowning, she concludes that if they just outrun the sun, her grandfather will be fine. So she plans a way to break her grandfather out of his assisted living facility. She knows her mom will not go along with the plan but she also leaves her detective notebook behind so her mom will know they are ok.

Rachel McRady created some wonderful characters dealing with complex relationships full of grief, insecurities, and many past hurts and resentments. The positivity and youthful naiveté of Gracie Lynn balances all the things the adults are dealing with, avoiding, or trying to move past.

I look forward to reading Rachel McRady's next book.

Thank you to Alcove Press and NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this novel. I required to disclose this in my review.

3.5 stars--Sun Seekers is the story of a family, with 6-year-old Grace, her mother LeeAnn, and father Dan as narrators. The family is broken, Dan now has a new family, LeeAnn is tired, and Grace wants to save her grandfather, John, from the 'worm' (dementia) that is wrecking his brain. When Grace and her grandfather leave the home to chase the sun, it rings both her parents together to find the pair as they go on an adventure.

I enjoyed each of the perspectives as they told the story, both present and past. I felt like one theme of this novel was how not communicating with those you love can cause so much heartache and contribute to the disintegration of family relationships, and I felt a lot of empathy for each of the adults in the story. I did think that the nursing home's response (or lack thereof) to the disappearance of John and Grace was a bit unrealistic, and the PTA response verged on silly, as well.

Overall, I would recommend Sun Seekers as a good family relationship story, with multiple perspectives. Be aware, the book does not give an especially encouraging view of dementia and John's story is left largely unresolved.

Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for the digital ARC of Sun Seekers by Rachel McRady. The opinions in this review are my own.

Not my typical book that I enjoy but I really did like this story and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys good stories.

I loved Gracie, the 6 year old granddaughter, who tries to save her grandfather. Didn't love Gracie's Mom and Dad. Felt sympathy for them as they searched for their daughter, but both were rather unlikeable. The book did give more insight into what it might be like to worry so much about finding your daughter. I did finally find something to like about the parents.

I saw that this was for fans of Parenthood so I figured it would be right up my alley. Sadly, it missed the mark. The story is told from the points of view of six-year-old Gracie, her mother LeeAnn, and her father Dan. While I appreciated what Gracie’s character was trying to accomplish, it just didn’t seem believable to me. I was never fully invested in the characters and found myself annoyed most of the time. I think the story had great potential, but the execution left me wanting more.

3.5 ⭐️’s
This book had so much potential, while there were some cute and some heartbreaking scenes, I felt like it missed the mark in some areas. A domestic drama that does touch the heart, but some of the book was just plain silly (the search party) as the reactions weren’t what they should have been and it took on a ridiculous feel. The ending was done well, but the storyline didn’t always ring true. Thank you to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.