This book was a hard read for me. It took forever for me to get into it, but I'm so glad I pushed through.

It gives a glimpse into the lives that surround Jet (Georgette). Her life has been filled with loss, and because of that she's hardened her heart.

Alcoholism is a main character in the story, told unflinching but necessarily so, to really make you understand. It hurt to read about it but man, it would've hurt more if the author had just skirted over it.

I feel like a better person for having read this book. My eyes will now be more open to the pain alcoholism can bring to a person. A family. A life.

Please read this book.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is an amazing gut-wrenching book and the first novel by this author. It is told from the perspective of three family members—husband, wife, daughter. It covers the emotional toll of alcoholism and how it affects not only the alcoholic but family members as well. The entire book is so well written I could feel the heartache of each of the narrators. Their thoughts and actions are well presented and very realistic. I would recommend this book to any adult. I can’t wait to see what this author gives us next! I received an arc of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.

One family. Four generations. A secret son. A devastating addiction. A Texas family is met with losses and surprises of inheritance, but they’re unable to shake the pull back toward each other in this big-hearted family saga perfect for readers of Mary Beth Keane and Claire Lombardo. Wow, a story of reconciliation, I like this genre.

Sarah Damoff's heart-first debut novel will strike a lot of chords for readers. It's primarily concerned with secrets held by parents Lilian and Ryan and how they impact their daughter Georgette.

Damoff handles the damage from these hidden decisions with delicacy and strength. She has an assured hand for a first time novelist, and readers will respond to the emotional rawness of her story. What would have happened if Ryan and Lilian had been honest with each other? Would the outcome have been different? This is a writer to watch.

I received a digital review copy iof this novel in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher.

This is a beautiful book about family, friendship, and love. It tackles some heavy subjects in a tender and thoughtful way, including generational trauma, addiction/alcoholism, death and grief. I read that the author works as a social worker in addition to being a writer, and that made perfect sense considering the subject matter of this book. I found it easy to read. The characters are likeable and the story felt full and rich. There were some sections that felt rushed, but I thought it was well done overall.

Since I attended college in Texas, I’m often drawn to books set there. The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff is a complex, multi-generational Texas family drama that deals with alcoholism, marriage, secrets, and loss. It spans the years 1958 to 2019 and is told from three points of view--husband and wife Ryan and Lillian Bright and their daughter Jet.

The characters struggle with the complications of keeping secrets from each other and with addiction, among other issues. So, no, it’s not a light read. The book gives keen insight into human behavior motivated by shame, regret, fear, and feelings of victimhood. The author also explores friendships, choices, forgiveness, and redemption along the way. It’s painful, touching, and often downright sad, but ultimately hopeful.

Thanks to @netgalley and @simonbooks for an advance reader copy. The book will be published April 1, 2025.

****

Damoff's writing is paced and engaging, and her sense of characterization is spot on. These are well-drawn, original characters and their responses to the world and circumstances moved an elliptical plot along. I was surprised by the nature of the story of addiction and as the son of an alcoholic, was somewhat 'triggered' by the scenes played out mid-novel.
However, the bleakness of the conflict was pretty true to life for those who've battled addiction or lived with addicts as children. There is some hope and grace in Damoff's themes which are interwoven throughout and make this a read worth the effort.

The writing was exceptional, and the story truly tugged at the heartstrings. I loved getting to know each character. A multi-generational tale like this feels both satisfying and all-encompassing. Ryan's struggles evoked sympathy, I felt deep empathy for Lillian, and I understood Jet's perspective. The use of three distinct points of view really elevated the pacing of the narrative. The honesty throughout the story made the characters feel incredibly real.

A beautifully written story that spans from 1979 to 2019 (technically starts in 1958 if you count the prologue) and follows Lillian, Ryan, and their daughter Georgette. Told from each of their perspectives in three separate parts, theirs is the story of how alcoholism tears apart families, but people can put them back together. This novel is full of beautiful reflections on parenthood, secrets, loss, and love.

Review: The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff
Sarah Damoff’s The Bright Years is a moving and intricately woven family saga that delves into the complexities of love, secrets, and intergenerational trauma. Spanning four generations of the Bright family, the novel masterfully captures the emotional landscapes of its characters as they navigate life’s unexpected twists, all while trying to hold on to one another amidst deep-seated personal and familial struggles.

At the heart of the story are Ryan and Lillian Bright, a couple deeply in love yet burdened by secrets that threaten their marriage and the future of their family. Lillian’s hidden past—a son she gave up for adoption—is an unresolved part of her life that shadows her every decision. Ryan, on the other hand, grapples with an alcohol addiction, another secret that erodes the foundations of their relationship. Their daughter, Georgette, is born into this fraught dynamic, and the novel skillfully portrays her coming of age as she witnesses the highs and lows of her parents’ marriage.

Damoff’s decision to explore the family’s story from three different perspectives—Lillian, Ryan, and Georgette—adds depth to the narrative, allowing readers to see the full emotional scope of each character’s inner life. Lillian’s guilt over her hidden son, Ryan’s battle with addiction, and Georgette’s struggle to understand the fragmentation of her family are all rendered with sensitivity and emotional complexity. These alternating points of view also highlight how each generation shapes and impacts the next, creating a rich tapestry of shared trauma, love, and redemption.

As Georgette grows older, her attempts to distance herself from the pain of her parents’ crumbling relationship are heartbreakingly relatable. Damoff paints her as a character torn between wanting to escape her family’s legacy and feeling an inescapable pull back toward them. When Lillian’s son, long lost to the family, reappears years later, Georgette is forced to confront the past she’s tried so hard to leave behind. This search for connection and belonging is central to the novel’s themes, and Damoff handles it with grace, illustrating the messy, often painful process of reconciling with one’s roots.

One of the novel’s strongest aspects is its exploration of how secrets—whether Lillian’s hidden son or Ryan’s addiction—can ripple through generations, affecting relationships and shaping identities. Damoff doesn’t shy away from depicting the emotional toll of these buried truths, but she also shows how love and forgiveness can bring healing, even after years of estrangement. The reconciliation process, particularly through Georgette’s eyes, is tender and nuanced, highlighting the power of grace in the face of long-held family wounds.

While the novel delves into heavy topics like addiction, loss, and familial separation, it is also a story about hope and the enduring strength of familial bonds. The Texas setting provides a warm, grounded backdrop for the narrative, and Damoff’s descriptions of the landscapes, both physical and emotional, bring a vivid sense of place to the story. The emotional beats of the novel feel authentic, with each character’s pain and growth portrayed in a way that resonates deeply with the reader.

Damoff’s writing is thoughtful and measured, particularly in her depiction of Ryan’s addiction and the devastating impact it has on his marriage and daughter. The novel does not gloss over the difficulties of addiction but instead offers a raw, unflinching portrayal of how it affects both the addict and those who love them. However, Damoff also provides moments of hope and redemption, showing how recovery—though arduous—can help mend broken relationships.

Final Thoughts:
The Bright Years is a beautifully written and emotionally resonant family saga that explores the profound impact of secrets, addiction, and reconciliation. Sarah Damoff deftly weaves together multiple generations and perspectives to create a rich, multi-layered narrative about love, loss, and the enduring ties that bind families together. Fans of Mary Beth Keane and Claire Lombardo will appreciate the tender, true-to-life storytelling and the novel’s exploration of how grace and forgiveness can heal even the deepest wounds. It’s a heartfelt, thought-provoking read that will stay with readers long after the final page.

Unfortunately not for me. In a world with SO many books being published, I just don't see this as a must in our collection.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC! In *The Bright Years* by Sarah Damoff, readers are taken through the emotional journey of the Bright family across four generations, each grappling with the heavy legacies of secrets and addiction. At the heart of the story is the marriage between Lillian and Ryan Bright, whose individual hidden struggles—Lillian's undisclosed son and Ryan's alcoholism—eventually shake their fragile family dynamic. Their daughter, Georgette, must navigate the ripple effects of their choices, especially when Lillian’s son reappears later in life. Damoff’s debut novel delicately explores themes of love, forgiveness, and the enduring bonds of family despite heartbreak. It’s a poignant narrative about how family trauma can both divide and ultimately heal those who embrace it.

5 STARS!!! I loved this book. It was brilliantly written and the story was one that affected the heart. I really enjoyed getting to know each of the characters. A story spanning generations is pleasing and all encompassing. I felt sympathy for Ryan, empathy for Lillian, and understanding for Jet. I also enjoyed the three points of view. I think this catapulted the pacing of this story. I appreciated the honesty of this story, and I feel like that it made the characters all the more real. I did not want this book to end; it was that good!!!

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy (releases April 2025).

Holy smokes, this book absolutely wrecked me 🥹😭💔 Told through multiple perspectives (a wife, her daughter, and her husband), this novel spans decades of time and covers a family as they navigate new parenthood and marriage, a crippling addiction that tears them apart, and how death and grief can pull us under. I was blown away by the heart and the raw emotion of this novel, and Damoff’s portrayal of addiction, abuse, forgiveness, hope, and pain was so real and hit very close to home for me.

I will warn readers that if you have a history of family addiction, this one may be difficult to get through. I know I personally had to take several breaks because my own memories were surfacing. However, I am so glad I stuck with it, because the love and redemption amidst the hurt and anger and grief was so artfully portrayed that I was left in awe at the end.

This was a bit reminiscent of Tracey Lange or Mary Beth Keane. A family saga spanning several generations, and a book that reminds us we can break familial cycles, even when it isn’t easy.

This was such a deeply moving read, with well-developed characters that had you rooting for or against them at various times in the story, but that kept you intrigued throughout. While there are three different parts of the book, each a different character's point of view, the author thankfully doesn't go all overly repetitive with the details of duplicative scenes, but instead makes you feel grateful they developed the story and characters so well that it wasn't needed to move the story along. I am glad I read this book though I can't quite give it five stars as I left wanting more, but what, I'm not sure I can put my finger on it and for that I apologize. I spent quite a bit thinking about it, too!

Thank you, Simon & Shuster and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC

I was blown away that this is a debut novel. The Writing style was beautiful and flowed like poetry at points. It showed every perspective from a family crushed my alcohol. As a daughter to a recovering alcoholic I understood Jet completely.

This book was perfection to me. I read it in one sitting. It took me 5 hours.

I loved this book! When I first started reading the book I thought it might be a modern retelling of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn - there are some similarities.

I really fell in love with the characters and their relationships with each other. This would be a good one for book club discussion.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc! Publication date is 4/1/25.

For fans of Ann Napolitano and Claire Lombardo, Sarah Damoff's "The Bright Years" follows father Ryan, mother Lillian, and daughter Jet through decades of heartbreak and resurrection as they navigate addiction, parenthood, adolescence, family, and friendship.

I was worried at first by the fast pace of the novel, particularly from Lillian's perspective as she had many years to cover. However, Damoff covered the high notes of the Brights' lives in a way that I didn't fear I was missing important details along the way.

Some of the historic references, like the Davidians at Waco, could have been removed. Their purpose felt more about establishing timelines and less about how those events' impact on the characters.

I thought the author covered addiction as sensitively, and realistically as possible. Ryan's experience and history felt authentic, and I appreciated Damoff's choice for Ryan to struggle with sobriety for his entire life. That choice felt in service to the reader to keep it honest versus wrapping it up in a neat bow for reviews.

I thought The Bright Years was wonderful and I hope for its success!

4.5 stars! Read this one thanks to the ARC from #Netgalley. I absolutely loved this book. It such realistic problems and lovable characters. Despite the amount of loss there was also so much joy. I know this will be a big hit in 2025! I probably will want to “read” it again, but listen. Can’t believe this was a debut novel.

This book was beautiful! This is a mult-generational, character driven fiction. It is written from 3 different POV, each having a different cadence. It is a beautiful story about love and loss, forgiveness and redemption. It is heartbreaking and hopeful. I think I cried through the last 1/3 of the book.

I can not believe this is a debut novel. I look forward to more by this author.

I loved this book so much, I can not wait to get the hard copy and notate it. The writing is so beautiful without be overtly flowery. I can not wait to read it again.

Thank you to Net Galleyand Simon & Schuster for the ARC.