The Hard Truth About Sunshine Book Reviews

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The Hard Truth About Sunshine. Very rarely do I highlight passages in a book. This book is full of memorable phrases that I had to mark. It seems nearly the whole story is highlighted. That is probably an exaggeration but not the fact this is a beautiful, hard, wonderfully written story. The story centers around a wounded Marine, a sexual abuse victim, a young man with cancer and a woman who is losing her eyesight who head out on a road trip. It sounds dreary and depressing. While it does have parts that are sad and inevitable, it is also about discovery, friendship, finding a purpose for living and about finding love. There are more than a few places where you will cry, but you will also laugh out loud in others. This story is going to stay with me. These characters. . . Barb, Connor, Jillian and Christopher are unforgettable. Sawyer Bennett takes us on a very different journey from her other works, but it is well worth your time and a very rewarding read.

Wow, just wow!!. I am a die hard fan of Sawyer Bennett's and will read anything she writes. I probably should have read the description for this book before reading it. If you are going into this thinking it will be her normal romance books, it is not. It is heartbreaking and gut wrenching. Most books that I'm told will bring me to tears don't. This book had me ugly crying. Just be forewarned. The book was very difficult to put down and reads very quickly. A broken Marine, a dying boy, a suicidal girl and a girl with an incurable disease, that meet somewhat through chance. Brought together by tragedy, their lives will be forever changed. This is not a hot and steamy romance. It's tragedy with a silver lining, and somewhat of a HEA. You will have an emotional book hangover when you finish reading. The book was amazing, even with the subject matter. Make sure you have a box of Kleenex handy, you will need it. Some of the content may be disturbing for some readers. If I had to do it all over again, I would read it in a heartbeat. It was a amazing story, but it was heartbreaking, keep that in mind. Another book Sawyer Bennett knocked out of the park!! Happy Reading!!

Absolute must read!!. WOW...now that I've gotten past the huge ugly cry this emotionally charged story brought on I am going to try and write a somewhat comprehensible review. First and foremost - if you haven't purchased your copy of this one, go, now, do it!!! Five stars is not nearly enough to describe the story that is contained in this book. It will pull out every emotion contained within you from joy to sadness, from happiness to anger, you will feel something from every single page. I don't want to get into too much of the story because you will want to experience everything yourself as you turn the pages. Just know that even though it will make you cry (yes, even the hardest hearts will cry) it is a story that will leave you with hope. Hope for a brighter tomorrow and the life it contains.

HIGHLY Recommend this book!. Every once in a while you read a book that will really affect you and you can't write the review right away because you need time to process the story. That is what this book did to me. This story is not a typical romance type of story, even though there is a romance. I would probably classify this book as more woman's lit. A group of 4 individuals are in group therapy for different reasons. Two by choice, two forced by the law. Each person is so different and unique but at the same time they all do have something in common...therapy. Mags is their therapy leader.....loved her! The story is told from Christopher Barlow's point of view. Christopher is 26 years old and an ex-marine who was wounded in action and lost one of his legs and two fingers over a year ago. To say Christopher is mad at the world is an understatement. He is one of the people being forced into therapy. Jillian Martel is 21 years old and has depression because of being diagnosed with Kearns-Sayre Syndrome, which means she will eventually be blind. She also has cardiomyopathy because of the eye disease. When Jillian speaks she is always happy and upbeat, something that Christopher is drawn to because of his dark world. Barb Stiles is 24 years old and looks like a goth chick. She is mad at the world and doesn't talk and is being forced into therapy by the law. Connor McCann is almost 18 years old and has alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare form of cancer and only has a few months left to live. He has accepted that he is going to die and wanted to go to therapy just to be around people. The group has to meet each week and are suppose to discuss their feelings. Christopher and Barb never do. Jillian came up with an idea that the group should go on a week long trip to help cross off many of the things on Connor's bucket list before he dies. Mag's agrees to this and if Christopher and Barb go, they will not have to finish the rest of their weeks of therapy. Both of them reluctantly agree as long as Christopher can drive. The main story is about the group's trek out west from North Carolina to the Pacific Ocean. They camp and stay in hotels along the way and they slowly start to open up to each other. Some of the things this group did along the way was funny, sweet, swoon worthy and then down right sad. I just adored how they ended up all becoming good friends. Be prepared for a REALLY emotional ride the last 1/4 of the book....I mean a really good cry....but don't let that stop you from reading this story. It was wonderful and I would highly recommend it...tears and all.

3.5 Stars. The Hard Truth About Sunshine is a heartfelt story, of a few very different people coming together, for the same reason. Christopher was injured, protecting our country. He's become bitter and really doesn't care what anyone thinks about him. He can't let it go, which in turn is turning him into someone he doesn't truly want to be. That is until they all decide to go on a trip. The road trip this four go on is enlightening. Bringing these four souls together. Where they find truths about themselves they didn't know existed. Though the topics are tough and the ending I didn’t expect. Sawyer was able to do this in a beautiful way.  The character development was great with Christopher. You could see his gradual change throughout the story. The only thing is, I didn’t emotionally connect with the characters. I did highly enjoy this story.  Overall, I give this 3.5 (Four) Boundless Stars

Gorgeous.. I am not sure that I have all the words to tell you just how deeply The Hard Truth About Sunshine affected me. This is such a powerful book and it struck my heart in ways that I am still attempting to process. This is emotional story to be sure and when the paths of four people converge in a library reading room, it sets in motion a chain of events from that are life affirming. Four very disparate characters stuffed into a vehicle with their literal and metaphorical luggage on a cross-country journey - What could happen? Amazing things, that’s what. These four people could be any one of us and they serve as a reminder that we can’t see below the surface of the person standing next to us and that a little understanding can go a very long way. It is a privilege to get to know Christopher, Jillian, Barb and Connor, they are each amazing in their own ways, with a strength that defies any amount of measurement. But even more, getting to bear witness to the growth of their friendship is the true measure of this book. Depression, death and suicide are topics that no one wants to talk about, but absolutely need to be discussed --- URGENTLY. There is a mental health crisis in our country, especially among veterans and teens, and we can no longer afford to sweep it under the rug. With The Hard Truth About Sunshine, Sawyer Bennett does an amazing job of shining a light in the dark corners and helping us understand it more than we did before. Empathy should be the default, when it comes to mental illness – not the cold shoulder of judgement. Thank you, Sawyer Bennett for the gift of The Hard Truth About Sunshine. You gave us an unflinching view of these characters that is honest and respectful. It’s not always easy to read, but every moment spent in its pages allows the reader to step into Christopher Barlow’s shoes and see the world through his eyes. It is a journey well worth taking. Laurie’s Rating – Not enough stars in the galaxy. This book is so heartbreakingly good. Please just read it.

I'm not crying. You're crying. (Actually, I'm sobbing). Disclaimer: ARC received in exchange for an honest review Sawyer Bennett's latest novel, The Hard Truth About Sunshine, is quite a departure from her normal fare. More contemporary fiction than romance, this is a story of life, loss, and love. Told from the male perspective of protagonist and wounded ex-marine, Christopher Barlow, The Hard Truth About Sunshine provides a profoundly different perspective on armed service, PTSD, grief, abandonment, and sacrifice. In many ways, this story reads like a John Green novel for a slightly older demographic. It has all of the right ingredients: a quirkily mismatched cast of characters; a road trip; a terminally ill character; a character battling depression and mental illness; and that one plucky character that radiates such irrefutable sunshine and optimism both you the reader and the object of said character's affection can't help but be inspired and changed. Although Christopher reduces his grief group companions to cliches, Bennett never does. Because she doesn't resort to platitudes or didactic drivel, Bennett transcends the burden that comes with writing about heavy, difficult, and ugly subjects. Through the character of Jillian, Bennett gives the reader a healthy dose of perspective and imparts some hard-learned lessons without being saccharin sweet or self-righteous. There's a lot of fundamentally bittersweet insight packed into these pages -- some wisdom that is foreign in concept and some truths that are familiar but maybe forgotten. But truly, this is a story that is going to stick with you for an indeterminable amount of time. It's going to niggle at the back of your brain because the depth and intensity won't be easily forgotten. Bennett writes deftly, with such sincerity and sympathy, and imbues this cast of characters with such wisdom, humanity, grace, and heart that the reader can't help but be affected by their journeys.

The Hard Truth About Sunshine. The first and only book I read by this author was a sweet love story so I was not prepared for this one. Though complete opposites, they were both very well written. I intend to read more of her books for that reason. I love books that make me feel for the characters, and this author certainly knows how to accomplish that.

Hard Truth. Words fail me in trying to explain my reaction to The Hard Truth of Summer by Sawyer Bennett. This is not her usual, sexy novel. It is a story of four misfits who meet in a therapy group, two, who are court ordered, and the cross-country field trip they take. The story is told through Christopher’s voice. Christopher is an angry veteran injured in the line of duty and deserted by his family and girl as he heals. He sees no good in the world around him and in himself. On the journey he is accompanied by a beautiful woman who is going blind, a boy with terminal cancer, and an abuse victim who doesn’t know if she wants to live or die. Four people with nothing in common, encounter adventure, thrills, love and loss as they learn about and from one another. This was an intriguing and interesting story with very authentic characters. Ms. Bennett wrote an excellent story teller capturing the reader in the web of this story. Despite being a difficult story to read, I still highly recommend this book to other readers. I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

Absolutely Amazing!. I am at a loss for words! I have never been moved so much by a book before! So many of the authors I have read have given me the pain in the chest, lump in the throat, tears on the verge of falling, but never have I ever had tears leaking down my face as I sobbed my way through this groups journey. The synopsis doesn’t do it justice. No matter what I write here will do it justice. I went into this book cold. I thought what could happen here. Is this a love story? Well let me tell you so much happened! This is not your typical Sawyer Bennett novel. It is so much more! This is the best thing she has ever written in my opinion. She touches on subjects that are delicate and it is handled with amazing care and in a very realistic way. The story is so well written and smooth that even as you are experiencing all the feels in this book, time just falls away. I lost all track of time. I was taken away by this journey. It was like I was right there experiencing all they went through. There were laugh out loud moments. There were tender falling in love moments! Most of all there were moments that took my breath away. These four people went on an amazing journey and I am so glad that I went along. If you want to read a book that will move you to the core, then this is the book for you.

Read it!. Oh my goodness. I just finished The Truth about Sunshine, and I'm a mess. I knew what I was getting into when I began reading it but I never expected to become so invested in the characters. I felt like I was part of the group. I felt like I was right there with them through their adventures. And the losses hit me just as hard as I expect it hit them. Perfectly executed, thank you for giving me the opportunity to review this book and falling in love with more characters. I will research Connor's and Jillian's illness now because I've become intrigued. I hope you consider writing a small novella about Jillian and Christopher and what happens.

The Hard Truth. I've never written a review, not really felt the desire to. But this book, this book has left me speechless, and every emotion you can feel. I've read Sawyer's books from the beginning & I absolutely love each of her books. This book was so different & when I read the bio before it was released I said to myself, this is going to be a book that is going to change me, bring me to my knees, etc. And it truly did. I myself have a dear friend who is an amputee, so I can see the relation with Christopher's emotions & my friends. I've battled depression, attempts with suicide, etc. I just knew this was going to be a book that was I was going to connect with each character in such a deep way, in such a way I've never connected with one before. And let me tell you, I wasn't ready to have these emotions, to have these feelings. Barb, she was so dear to my heart- because I see a lot of myself in her. Jillian, is who I aspire to be- with her hope, her optimism. Connor, I hope to have the strength and courage he had throughout this story. And Christopher, I'm glad he found his happiness, his sunshine. This book completely rocked my world. I cannot put into words. Thank you Sawyer, truly thank you. For sharing this story & your story of meeting the young marine vet at the airport. ❤️❤️❤️❤️

A Powerful Story That I Won't Soon Forget. I was a little hesitant to start this because I knew it would be different from any Sawyer Bennett book I had read before. I'm so glad I didn't let that stop me though, because this book was amazing. It was a raw and brutally honest look at life, death, and everything in between. The author didn't pull any punches, and topics such as suicide and sexual abuse play key roles in the journey of our characters. The story is told from the point of view of former marine Christopher, who has lost part of his leg and hand and suffers from depression and PTSD. He is so angry and bitter at the path his life has taken, it doesn't seem possible that he will ever climb out of his emotional prison. When he begrudgingly embarks on this cross country bucket list adventure with Jillian, Barb, and Connor, he has no idea how it will change him and everyone involved. This group was like the Breakfast Club meets the Goonies, with a whole lot of anger, depression, and death thrown in. There were certainly heavy times through the book, but there were also moments of much needed levity and humor. I felt the author handled the topics of suicide and sexual abuse honestly and realistically. My heart broke as each character's past and probable future was divulged and was particularly moved by terminally ill Connor. This is a book to be experienced (with tissues ready) and I highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Lance Greenfield as well. His performance is so passionate and moving, that the more emotional scenes were nothing short of incredible. When I finished this book, I kept hearing the song "What Sarah Said" by Death Cab for Cutie in my mind. One line in that song has always stuck out to me - "love is watching someone die, so who's gonna watch you die?" Though a sad sentiment at first glance, I personally feel it's what it means to truly love someone. Standing with them through the pain, set backs, and heartbreak and ultimately as they say goodbye. Like life, not everyone in this story gets a happily ever after, but the underlying message is choice. Choice to let grief overwhelm you. Choice to live what life you have left fully. Choice to leave on your own terms. Choice to open your heart and love and be loved in return. This is a powerful story that I won't soon forget.

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Interesting. This was one of the most interesting books I have read and gives an insight to the depression spectrum & suicide.

Heartbreakingly Beautiful. Beautiful, just beautiful. A complete 180 for Sawyer Bennett, the story follows 4 group therapy patients on a road trip across America fulfilling bucket lists. The story is told from Christopher Barlow's POV, Christopher who is 26, is an ex marine who lost his leg above the knee as well as and a couple of fingers in the line of duty. As well as his loss of limbs, he has many many scars, both physical and emotional, and after being convicted of assault he is given the choice of group therapy or jail. He chooses group therapy. He has no intention of getting involved in the therapy sessions, but when the opportunity arises where he can reduce the number of sessions he attends by taking a road trip with the group which include a 17 year old terminally ill boy (Connor), a 24 year old girl (Barb) who has been abused and is suicidal, and a 21 year old girl (Jillian) who is slowly going blind. Connor and Jillian have become firm friends, and it only takes a few days into the road trip for Christopher to begin to open up to them. In between camping and motels the group finally start to bond and start to open up to each other, even Barb who is the hardest nut to crack, opens up a little. On the way they have adventures visiting places of interest and doing a few crazy things. The story is beautifully written, passionate, heartwarming and so very emotional (it had me laughing one minute and crying the next), it is a book that I have no doubt will stay with me forever. I was provided with an advanced copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Must read. Wow !!! Where do I begin, I guess you need to know this is a very different side to Sawyer Bennett and what an amazing side it is, yes you will ugly cry because this book is an emotional roller coaster ride, it's about a group of misfits taking a trip all suffering from different real life disorders but what this author did was give us a story that deals with issues we don't always want to talk about and she wrote a beautiful,compassionate story.... Four people met at group therapy all are there for different reasons, Christopher a angry disabled veteran, Jillian is losing her sight and possibly her life, Connor is terminally ill and doesn't have long to live and Barb a survivor of sexual abuse but all she wants is to die. What would these four people have in common, well a road trip that is suggested to them by the group councillor brings out the best in each and everyone of them and they become true friends and friends will always help each other sometimes in ways you least expect. This book covers issues most authors would shy away from and Sawyer Bennett not only tacked those issues she gives us a story that's full of hope and optimism, I won't lie I really struggled when it came to reading the final few chapters but it was written so well I was not going to put it down until I had read the final word. A brilliant different book from one of my favourite authors and I hope my few words will encourage you to read The Hard Truth About Sunshine.

The hard truth about sunshine. A must read, insightful story . It will make you stop and think . Well written, once started you will not be able to put it down. Thank you for writing this beautiful tale.

Heartbreakingly poignant and soul shattering.. Heartbreakingly poignant and soul shattering. My emotions are fractured after listening to this story but I need to write a few words. Sawyer Bennett has delivered a brilliant, emotional story of hope and loss, of pain and courage. I was determined not to read this book, well not anytime soon, but instead of reading it I listened to it on audio. This book is confronting on numerous levels but I am eternally grateful that I found the courage to listen. The Truth About Sunshine is burned into my soul. Thank you Sawyer Bennett

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Outstanding. I am out of breath. I have been holding it for what seems like hours. I spent the weekend catching up with Sawyer Bennetts book. They always bring a smile, laughter and smoking out sex. I read four, finishing off the weekend, just now with the hard truth about sunshine. I am crying, there aren't any words, amazing, thoughtful, lovely, touching, sad are just not enough to fully explain this unbelievable story. Eve the acknowledgement at the end, wow. Thank you so much for this book. — feeling emotional.

A powerfully emotional and deeply moving journey that bleeds with raw emotion.. A powerfully emotional and deeply moving journey that bleeds with raw emotion. This story is unlike anything Sawyer Bennett has written before, delivering a sucker punch straight to my heart. It put me through an emotional spin cycle, leaving me drowning in a deep, dark hole overflowing with pain and heartbreak, yet still delivered a life changing message filled with love and hope. I finished this book last night, but it’s nowhere close to be out of my system. It haunted me in my sleep last night, and even as I thought about it driving to work this morning I found fresh tears to cry. The story is told from the point of view of the injured soldier. While attending court-ordered therapy, he forms unlikely attachments and relationships with the three other therapy participants. This band of misfits embark on a dying boy’s “bucket list” journey across the country. There is a little bit of humour and romance and a lot of super-sized emotion. This story truly delivers “all the feels” as well an eye-opening, life changing perspective on life.

Hard Truth About Sunshine. Well done Sawyer! This was not an easy read but I believed in these characters, their struggles and their journey.