Book Review: Because of the Sun by Jenny Torres Sanchez

Title: Because of the Sun
Author: Jenny Torres Sanchez
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Release Date: January 3rd, 2017
Pages: 272
Format: Paperback ARC
Source: Gifted
Age Group: Young Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance

       

From the backyards of suburban Florida to the parched desert of New Mexico, Because of the Sun explores the complexity of family, the saving grace of friendship, and the healing that can begin when the truth is brought to light.

Dani Falls learned to tolerate her existence in suburban Florida with her brash and seemingly unloving mother by embracing the philosophy Why care? It will only hurt. So when her mother is killed in a sudden and violent manner, Dani goes into an even deeper protection mode, total numbness. It’s the only way she can go on.

But when Dani chooses The Stranger by Albert Camus as summer reading for school, it feels like fate. The main character’s alienation after his mother’s death mirrors her own.

Dani’s life is thrown into further turmoil when she is sent to New Mexico to live with an aunt she never knew she had. The awkwardness between them is palpable. To escape, Dani takes long walks in the merciless heat. One day, she meets Paulo, who understands how much Dani is hurting. Although she is hesitant at first, a mutual trust and affection develop between Dani and Paulo, and Dani begins to heal. And as she and her aunt begin to connect, Dani learns about her mother’s past. Forgiving isn’t easy, but maybe it’s the only way to move forward.

Because of The Sun hit me with such strong emotions that I had to keep putting the book down because I could really relate to everything Dani was feeling.

Dani was a character that we can all relate to. We have all felt grief. We have all felt hopeless when we lose someone and don't know what to do with our lives anymore. We have all felt like it's better not to care because the thought of letting anyone else in will destroy us in the end.

Because of the Sun touches on all those emotions we have and Jenny Torres Sanchez did such an incredible job with this story.

Dani struggles with her grief, as we all do. She woke up one day and her mother was mauled by a bear and a few days after the funeral she is sent to live with an aunt she had no idea existed. At first Dani and her aunt hardly said a word to each other but as time went on they both realized they needed each other and I'm so happy the were able to connect as family.

As Dani grieves, I grieved. As Dani cried, I cried. As Dani healed, I healed. The journey to healing and forgiving is a hard road, the grief never fades but slowly our hearts start to heal and we try to make each day count when our love ones aren't here anymore.

Because of the Sun is a book that will always have a special place in my heart because it's a story that hit close to home and it's a story that I needed.