Description
Step into the early 1990s in the picturesque Irish village of Crossmore, where Lucy feels like an outsider. Surrounded by fierce friendships, the traditional paths of marriage and motherhood simply don’t resonate with her. Even the charm of her childhood friend Martin can’t distract Lucy from her true feelings.
As the summer heats up, an unexpected spark with her school friend Susannah evolves into a passionate and consuming infatuation. They share stolen moments that bring Lucy genuine happiness, but her fear of rejection from a tight-knit, conservative community forces her to lead a double life. With school coming to an end, Lucy faces a critical choice: remain in her familiar surroundings or seek the unknown. Each path is fraught with tension, but only one holds the promise of true fulfillment.
Sunburn beautifully captures the complexity of first love, the anxieties of adolescence, and the struggle to break free from societal expectations. It’s a tender portrayal of a sapphic relationship, reminiscent of the raw emotion found in Megan Nolan’s Acts of Desperation and the evocative summer heat of André Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name. Alongside the powerful themes of love and self-discovery, readers will also appreciate the depth of female friendships explored throughout.
Critically acclaimed and shortlisted for multiple awards in 2023 and 2024, Sunburn is described as:
- A tender and heartfelt coming-of-age tale
- A compassionate examination of the struggle between societal expectations and personal desires
- A deeply moving story that resonates on a universal level
Don’t miss out on this atmospheric and evocative narrative that effortlessly captures the essence of youth, longing, and the complexities of love. Sunburn is sure to become a cherished addition to your reading list.
