ARC Review: Rise to the Sun

Today is the (US) publication day of Leah Johnson’s sophomore novel, Rise to the Sun, a summery, sunshiney contemporary romance set at a music festival. If you’re looking for a book to read at the beach, if you’re looking for a book that’ll make you feel as though it’s summer, even as it’s grey and rainy outside, then this is the book for you. And you can pick it up right away!

But if you want a little more reason for reading this, check out this review! You can also follow Leah on twitter (which you absolutely should).

And don’t forget to listen to the mix at the end of this post while you read (or, really, just Joy Oladokun…)!

Three days. Two girls. One life-changing music festival.

Olivia is an expert at falling in love . . . and at being dumped. But after the fallout from her last breakup has left her an outcast at school and at home, she’s determined to turn over a new leaf. A crush-free weekend at Farmland Music and Arts Festival with her best friend is just what she needs to get her mind off the senior year that awaits her.

Toni is one week away from starting college, and it’s the last place she wants to be. Unsure about who she wants to become and still reeling in the wake of the loss of her musician-turned-roadie father, she’s heading back to the music festival that changed his life in hopes that following in his footsteps will help her find her own way forward.

When the two arrive at Farmland, the last thing they expect is to realize that they’ll need to join forces in order to get what they’re searching for out of the weekend. As they work together, the festival becomes so much more complicated than they bargained for, and Olivia and Toni will find that they need each other, and music, more than they ever could have imagined.

Packed with irresistible romance and irrepressible heart, bestselling author Leah Johnson delivers a stunning and cinematic story about grief, love, and the remarkable power of music to heal and connect us all.

Rise to the Sun

Leah Johnson

Goodreads

Rep: Black bi mc, Black lesbian mc, Black sapphic side character
CWs: suspected shooting, revenge porn
Release: 6th July 2021

Rise to the Sun is pretty much the perfect summer read. When I finished this book, I said that the serotonin that Leah Johnson’s books provide is unmatched and I still stand by that. You Should See Me in a Crown was one of the breakout debuts of last year (and a little aside has to be added here, to urge you to read it if you haven’t already), so I was especially excited for Rise to the Sun.

One of the things I love most about Leah Johnson’s writing is that it’s got such a big heart. She creates books full of love and kindness, ones that make you feel as though you’re being wrapped in a warm, safe hug. I think one of my favourite parts is that you go into the book knowing that both the characters and you the reader will be treated with the utmost kindness. I’m not sure just how else to explain it—the only other author that gives me similar vibes in this respect has been Courtney Milan. It’s like, if you’re trying something for the first time, you need a safety net to allow you to make mistakes, it’s that kind of feeling, I think. The characters are allowed to mess up and have space to learn within the pages of the book, and that same kindness extends to you.

On top of this, I also adored both of the leads. Unlike You Should See Me in a Crown, this book is dual POV and I really felt worked very well. The voices of Olivia and Toni both felt distinct and both basically gave you no option but to fall in love with the characters instantly. They’re authentically teenage-feeling, with all those insecurities and intense emotions. It’s one of those books that you can read as an adult and realise you needed as a teen, and also one I’m sure will instantly connect with teen readers.

And they’re supported by a cast of vibrant characters too (with a cameo from someone you’ll be delighted to see, I’m sure!). Sometimes I read books feeling as though the main characters, sometimes rightfully, are the most rounded and the supporting cast are somewhat flat in comparison, but that couldn’t be further from the case here. Just as you’re invested in Olivia and Toni, their problems and budding relationship, so too are you invested in their friends. It’s a book where you can immerse yourself in the characters’ world, almost as though you’re right there next to them.

So, if you hadn’t thought before now of picking this book up, I would urge you to rethink that. Rise to the Sun is easily one of my favourite reads of 2021 so far, and it’s definitely a book that I would recommend without hesitation.

How about you? What are your thoughts on this book?

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