Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth - Sapphic Coming-of-Age Romance | Paperback

Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth is a tender and astute portrayal of first love and adolescent anxiety, set against the backdrop of a small Irish village in the early 1990s. Perfect for readers seeking a compelling sapphic coming-of-age story, this novel captures the intensity of young love and the struggle for self-discovery.

The story follows Lucy, who feels out of place in her conservative community and finds herself drawn to her school friend Susannah. As a long, hot summer unfolds, their spark ignites into an all-consuming infatuation, forcing Lucy to navigate a double life and confront the fear of rejection. With the end of school approaching, Lucy must make a difficult choice between two futures, two people, and two places, each path fraught with its own challenges.

Comparisons have been drawn to the emotional depth of Megan Nolan's Acts of Desperation, the evocative atmosphere of André Aciman's Call Me By Your Name, and the exploration of female friendships in Anna Hope's Expectation. This novel is a poignant exploration of identity, tradition, and the courage it takes to embrace one's true self.

Key Features/Benefits:

• A compelling sapphic love story and coming-of-age novel.
• Explores themes of first love, adolescent anxiety, and societal expectations.
• Set in a vivid early 1990s Irish village.
• Praised for its tender and heartfelt narrative.
• Shortlisted for the 2023 Nero Book Award for Debut Fiction and the 2024 Book of the Year: Discover Award by the British Book Awards.
• Longlisted for the Diverse Book Awards 2024 and shortlisted for the Polari First Book Prize 2024.
• Featured as an 'One to Watch in 2023' by the Evening Standard and a 'Best Romantic Summer Reads' pick by The Independent.

Specifications:

• Author: Chloe Michelle Howarth
• Publisher: Verve Books
• Publication Date: 22 June 2023
• Language: English
• Print Length: 288 pages
• Binding: Paperback
• Dimensions: 12.7 x 1.78 x 19.69 cm
• Weight: 1.05 kg
• ISBN-10: 0857308416
• ISBN-13: 978-0857308412

Sunburn is an essential read for anyone who appreciates beautifully written literary fiction that delves into the complexities of love and identity.