A Love Like the Sun by Riss M. Neilson

Book Excerpt:

"Laniah Thompson is a homebody who craves privacy. Issac Jordan is internet famous and spends his days being followed by paparazzi. She runs a small business with her mom in her hometown, while he runs an international brand.

And they've been best friends since childhood.

When Issac comes home to Providence for the first time in months and discovers Laniah's dream is slipping out of reach as she and her mom struggle to pay the bills at Wildly Green, their natural hair store, she refuses to take a dime from him. And so, he does what any self-respecting best friend would do: tells the world they're dating.

Suddenly, business is booming, and Laniah agrees to his ridiculous plan to pretend to be lovers for the summer. Just long enough to catch an investor's eye and get her dream back on track, he reminds her of how she helped him so many years ago.

Too soon, though, Laniah knows she's playing with fire because for as long as they've been friends, there's an undeniable pull they've never given in to. And as the lines between art and life—accurate and pretend—blur, it becomes harder and harder to see where friendship ends and something else begins...

Told over three sizzling summer months, A Love Like the Sun is about shared history, those who make us our bravest selves, and love in its many forms."
 

Title: A Love Like the Sun
Author: Riss M. Neilson
Publisher: Berkley
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Four
Review:
'A Love Like the Sun

My Perception:

In "A Love Like the Sun" by Riss M. Neilson, we are introduced to the complex and heartwarming story of Laniah and Issac. Childhood best friends, their lives take different paths as they grow up, with Issac achieving internet fame and Laniah running a small business with her mother in their hometown.

The story unfolds as Issac returns home and discovers that Laniah's dream of running their natural hair store, Wildly Green, is in jeopardy due to financial struggles. In a selfless act of friendship, Issac devises a plan to help Laniah by pretending they are dating. This leads to unexpected success for the business but also brings unspoken feelings between the two friends to the surface.

The narrative beautifully explores themes of friendship, self-discovery, and love while shedding light on important issues such as healthcare discrimination faced by black women. The author skillfully weaves together a story that is both relatable and thought-provoking, addressing topics like family dynamics, unconditional love, and overcoming adversity.

Readers should be aware of content warnings, including the death of a parent, medical discrimination, and kidney disease. However, despite the characters' challenges, "A Love Like the Sun" delivers hope and resilience.

Many questions will be answered, like... What will happen to Laniah and Issac's relationship after their summer pretending to be lovers? Will Laniah's dream of running Wildly Green be fulfilled in the end? How will their shared history and undeniable pull affect their friendship and relationship moving forward?

Overall, "A Love Like the Sun" is a compelling and enriching read that offers valuable insights into the complexities of relationships and the strength found in facing life's obstacles.