The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff is one of my most favorite books of the summer. I laughed and cried my way through this novel. The characters are written beautifully in this story of the Bright family told in 3 parts all from a different family members view point which I absolutely loved.
The author has made these characters so real and accessible you can’t put this book down I devoured it.
Sarah Damoff has shown us the story of this family through addiction, loss, and forgiveness. I also loved that it was based in Texas, which gave me an added level of understanding since I knew exactly where the places she had described in her story are.
Looking forward to reading more from this author!

If there were more stars than 5 I would give them! Words escape me on how to describe this book. I will just say that here, there, and everywhere have new meaning to me. In the prelude Sarah Damon’s said “And I believe a good novel can do the same thing as a good social worker: help someone feel a little less alone.” So many thanks to the author for the hours I got to enjoy the characters and the story. Also, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc and a book that I won’t soon forget.

Stunning! Stunning! Stunning! The story starts with Ryan and Lillian Bright, recently married and now with a daughter, Georgette. Neither one has been completely honest about their pasts which include a secret son and an alcohol addiction. It’s also a story of pulling through adversities, love, family and the impact each generation has on the next.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Though she was young, Lillian had already lived a full life before meeting Ryan. She had been in love with a musician, who left her for fame and fortune. Pregnant and alone, she gave up her baby for adoption and settled for years of a quiet, loveless life until she met Ryan. He filled her empty spaces and made her trust in love and men again. However, soon after the birth of their baby girl Jet, Ryan changed. The love he had for them was transferred to the bottle. As Ryan swirled down the path of alcoholism, abuse, and addition, Lillian’s hopes and dreams for their family died.

In their own voices, Lillian, Ryan, and Jet tell their stories of love, pain, disillusion, addiction, betrayal, acceptance, and peace. Even Lillian’s baby boy, born years earlier and now grown with a family of his own, has a role to play in helping to teach the family how to trust again.

This family saga across the generations will make readers think deeply about what it means to love someone “till death do us part.”

Recommended for Adults.

Excellent book! I could not put this book down. I was so engaged with the story and characters and I did not want the book to end. I will be looking for other titles by the author! One of my favorite reads of the year!

What an unbelievably beautiful and heartbreaking story of love, loss, grief, and family. Hard to believe this was the author’s debut novel. I finished The Bright Years last night, with tears streaming down my face, and I’m still feeling all the emotions. I’m almost at a loss for words as nothing I write can do justice to this thoughtful piece. Definitely one of the best I’ve read this year. Highly recommend!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Damoff, and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for my review.

It’s hard to believe this is a debut. “The Bright Years” is brilliant! This heartbreaking, beautiful family saga is going to last with me for a long time, and I do believe it’s on par with the classics. I plan to reread closer to publication day and can’t wait to recommend, especially to my book club. Thanks so much for the opportunity to read in advance!

I read this entire novel in one sitting. It was a beautiful, heartbreaking story that I will recommend strongly. I will say I enjoyed the first half more than the second half but overall this was my favorite read so far this year.

What a stunning debut! I’m not sure I can do justice in my review to this touching, heartfelt novel about loss, love, family and second chances as I’m still completely shattered from finishing this. I wish it could go on forever, just like one wishes for their favorite person to live forever. Read this, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I couldn’t put it down.

Thanks to #netgalley, #simonandshuster, and the author, Sarah Damoff, for this arc ebook to read and review. All opinions are my own.