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Sunstruck
Sunstruck | William Rayfet Hunter
1 post | 1 read | 2 to read
WINNER OF THE #MERKY BOOKS 2022 NEW WRITER'S PRIZE It's summer and a young man walks through the gates of a luxurious mansion in the south of France. At the dinner table, the Blakes are waiting for him: Annie, the family matriarch and world-famous singer, her inscrutable husband David and their children, Dot, aloof and rebellious, Lily, the man's carefree university friend, and their enigmatic older brother Felix. Between sun-drenched days spent lounging by the pool and nights blurring into endless, opulent parties far from the reality of life in London, a restless attraction grows between Felix and the man. The possibility to be part of a family - and an entire world - in which he doesn't belong is suddenly within reach. But the idyllic haze of the summer slowly fades as they return to the city. While the man struggles with his troubled past and the challenges of navigating Felix's world as a black, working-class person, Felix is tormented by demons of his own. As their lives spiral out of control, the couple's bond will not only be tested but pulled apart at the seams, altering the course of their lives and the future of those around them. Sunstruck is a dazzling and poignant exploration of race, status and the parts of ourselves we risk losing when we fall in love.
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squirrelbrain
Sunstruck | William Rayfet Hunter
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Lots of reviewers have absolutely loved this book, and I can see why, but it had a couple of issues that, for me, dropped it to a like rather than love.

Our un-named mixed-race MC joins his posh university friend at her family house on the French Riviera and is attracted to her brother Felix. So far, so sexy.

However, I found the study of racism and classism, to be rather obvious and hyperbolic.

And the ending, annoying for 2 reasons 🤦‍♀️⬇️

squirrelbrain 1. From a story perspective it seemed to say ‘stay in your lane‘ and don‘t dare to have ideas above your station, colour or class. 2. From a style perspective, another of those books that just ends suddenly. So much so in this case, that I might pick up the physical book next time I‘m in a bookshop to see if there was a bit missing from my ARC. 3d
TrishB I won‘t rush to get! 3d
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