October Book Club Blog - The Brightest Light of Sunshine

The Brightest Light of Sunshine, by Lisina Coney, is a very good book. That said, the main character has suffered a sexual assault that haunts her and features very prominently in this book. Do be aware of potential triggers with this one.

The Brightest Light of Sunshine is a romance between 22 year-old university student and ballerina, Grace, and Cal, the 30 year-old owner of a tattoo shop. They meet when she walks into his tattoo shop asking about a tattoo. When she chickens out and they bump paths in the future, he teases her about it. Although the mutual attraction they feel is instant, Grace has a traumatic past. She backs away.

Cal happens to be friends with Grace's cousin, and he also warns Cal away from his neice. This angers Cal, but he is diplomatic about it. He figures he would be protective of her, too, and there are a couple of occasions when other guys are putting moves on Grace she doesn't want that he gets the chance to do just that -- come to her rescue.

Grace is surprised to realize she is comfortable with Cal, so she continues spending time with him on a platonic basis. Well, platonic plus some pretty grown up feelings that they both feel guilty about and both work at supressing. Cal comes from a dysfunctional background with an alcoholic mom who neglected him, and he doesn't feel good enough for Grace.

Cal also has a four year old sister who he is basically raising since his mother has not gotten any healthier, and now she has her daughter's deadbeat baby daddy sponging off her, too. He is convinced that he can't have a relationship with any woman since his sister is his priority. When he realizes that Grace is her ballet teacher, though, they end up connecting on multiple levels. Grace likes that he prioritizes his sister. For that matter, she enjoys spending time with him and his sister together.

So, they develop a strong friendship that eventually leads to more. Their relationship becomes a healing journey for both of them in their own ways.

I really loved about three-quarters of this book. In my opinion, it could have been wrapped up at that point. Instead, the author gives an entire chapter to every single possible incomplete piece. Some of these chapters are satisfying, but mainly they start to feel like maybe she still had word count to meet. Just my opinion.

If I had another misgiving about this book, it might be that the sex between the pair gets rougher and rougher as the story goes on. It is always entirely consensual and mutually satisfying, and I suspect it is written this way in an effort to show that Grace has healed after her assault since she loves getting dirty with Cal. I didn't fully buy that a woman who had been deeply traumatized sexually would find aggressive sex comforting -- at least not every time. She doesn't want to appear broken, and doesn't like it that people treat her that way, so maybe that was the point. Cal definitely doesn't treat her like she's broken in the bedroom.

Overall, the treatment of the heavy subject of sexual assault is handled well in this story. The actual assault happens off the page and years before the story takes place. It gives mention to a lot of realities for sexual assault victims. For example, her cousin recommends some reading to Cal, telling him that this is a long journey that can resurface. Cal embraces the offer.

Overall, The Brightest Light of Sunshine is a book I would definitely recommend, and I am glad I had it down for book club.