A Love Like the Sun is my first book by author Riss M. Neilson.

This is a moving, beautiful story about overcoming your fears and also about love and loss. I enjoyed that fact that it was a slow-burn between Laniah and Isaac, who had been friends since childhood. I feel like this really helped to built the connection between the two of them, for the readers.

I think my only complaint about the book was that the ending felt a little rushed. I will definitely recommend to readers and look forward to reading more from this author.

Laniah and Isaac have been best friends since adolescence. And now he's a rising star in the art/ photography/ modeling world and her natural hair/skin care business is struggling. His solution? A picture posted on social media calling Laniah his baby, and a fake relationship. But can Laniah handle being thrust into the spotlight, and the revelation of her feelings for Isaac?

This was written so gently and rhythmically--the cadence was soothing. I never got bored, or tired. From beginning to end, I wanted to know what happened. Slow burns make me anxious but these two were worth waiting for, and I love the way the their story unfolded. The flashbacks were in a good place and they didn't overwhelm the story. These two were affectionate and funny at times, passionate and willing to go to each other without being called. The way Laniah navigated Isaac's vastly different life was nice. She was a bit oblivious and after a while, it grated a little but it was mostly cute. Her friends weren't as funny as I think they were intended to be, but not too distracting and her mother was great.

I will say it bothered me that Laniah kept so many things from this person we're supposed to believe had all her heart. Also, her constant harping on Melinda was weird and grating. I wish she hadn't been quite so tragic--first trying to give the ugly duckling with the hot friend vibes, then the second best to the hot model ex-girlfriend schtick. And her insistence that Isaac's upbringing automatically made HIM the one with the commitment issues when she spent the entire book running away from him was interesting. And there's a third act break-up I didn't understand at all. And the break-up dragged unnecessarily, I thought.

All in all, I did enjoy the book and would read the author again.

I absolutely loved this! I can’t wait to buy it for my library. The characters were complex but realistic and it was written so well. I truly fell in love with this book.

Loved you since forever but you’re my best friend????? Fake dating??? Sexual tension?! This book was beautiful. The bond that our two main characters have is something we all wish we had in real life. The way they have shared a life and need to figure out how they navigate this new space for them. Taking chances and risks to figure out what’s worth it. Must read!

A love like the sun. Sometimes when you grow up together and are best friends. You never realize you are soulmates. This is why you can’t find your true love. They are right beside you

Leniah (Ni) and Isaac have been best friends since childhood. Isaac is an artist who has become a famous influencer and model in Los Angelas and has paparazzi following him everywhere. He comes home to Rhode Island to visit Ni and discovers that her and her mom’s natural hair products store is struggling. He uses his platform to share about her store and suddenly business is booming. He suggests that he and Ni pretend to be in a relationship to attract an investor for their business. Ni struggles with being in the public eye but she goes along with it.

Ni is really sweet and oblivious to the fact that Isaac is in love with her. Isaac dated a model for a while and Ni thinks he is still in love with her. She is just really insecure about herself and I wished they had gotten together sooner. Luckily she has a couple of really good friends that encourage her relationship with Isaac.

I loved when Ni visits Isaac to see his art shows in Los Angelas and she gets to dress up and go out to meet his friends and on another trip to visit him, she meets one of her favorite singers.

There is a character in the story that has a chronic illness with a delayed diagnosis, and it was heart wrenching. The author talks more about this in her notes.

This is a slow burn, childhood friends to lovers story that is really sweet. Thank you to the author, Berkely and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

I was actually drawn in from the second chapter to the point that I didn't put it down until the early morning. The second chapter just gave you enough information that you knew it would be a feel-good, Hallmark-esque romance that you're looking for when you want to shut off your brain. It is a slow burn though.

the way this story unfolds is simply not for me. the heroine lives her live with a practically nonexistent social media presence, and the hero decides to blast her on his high traffic social media platform without her knowledge or consent. I don't think this is the basis for a healthy friendship, much less romantic relationship.

while this is seemingly one small component of the larger story to hang onto, ultimately I was not impressed with the writing or this author's take on childhood friends to lovers with fake dating added into the mix.

✧ DNF 20%

Thank you #partner Berkley Romance for my #gifted copy. My review will be posted on my Bookstagram page closer to pub day.

A Love Like the Sun
By Riss M. Neilson

About: Laniah "Ni" Thompson and Issac Jordan have been best friends since childhood, and the two are no stranger to grief. Isaac spent the latter part of his childhood in foster care following the untimely death of both parents, while Ni subsequently lost her father to heart disease. Their rock solid friendship was their greatest source of comfort, and they remain close to this day.

Though the closest of friends, Issac and Ni couldn't be more different. Isaac is outgoing, free spirited, loves the public eye, and hops around from place to place, never quite able to put down roots, while Ni is a homebody who really values her privacy, and avoids social media at all costs. Issac is a model, artist and social media superstar, rubbing elbows with the rich and famous in California, while Laniah lives in their home state Rhode Island, cleaning hotel rooms and running a small hair product business with her mom, Vanessa. When Issac finds out that Laniah and Vanessa are about to close the doors on their business, he comes up with a plan to use his fame and influence to help his two favorite women stay in business. But will his plan work? Or are things about to get complicated between these two BFFs?

•Childhood friends to lovers
•Fake dating
•Opposites attract
•Slow burn 🔥
•Chronic illness / disability rep
•Grief / loss / heavy themes - check TWs

Thoughts: This book is so special and I loved it! I was seeking an emotional romance novel that pulled me in from the very beginning, so I sampled a handful before settling on A Love Like the Sun. Within the first few pages, I knew it was what I had been looking for, and I devoured it in two days.

The story takes place over one summer, is told in singular perspective (Laniah's POV), mostly from the present, with brief flashbacks to Issac and Ni's childhood. This was a good move, as it helps the reader feel more connected to the MCs.

I'm such a sucker for a childhood friends to lovers. I love that familiarity and the comfort of their shared history. I also love how Neilson navigates their opposing lifestyles and the ways in which fame can bring negativity.

There is a large cast of fantastic side characters here, including tons of great friends, but Ni's relationship with her mama is my fave! These two have such a special bond, and Vanessa is #momgoals. I'd love to read a book starting Vanessa! She deserves her own romance novel. 😉

I loved the inclusion of chronic illness and the ways in which women (particularly women of color) can be misdiagnosed or treated like it's all in their head. This is such an important topic and I hope it starts many conversations amongst readers. I also appreciate the brief commentary on colorism and how this impacts biracial women.

Issac and Ni's romance was tender and wholesome, with a genuine and deep love between them, stemming from years long friendship. the way they cared for one another, putting the others' needs above their own, was so swoony. Their love and respect and maturity within their relationship is something we don't often see in romance novels, so I really appreciate that. And the pining and desire.... 🔥 🥵 Oh how I love a slow burn, with all that build up! While I wouldn't consider this ultra spicy, it does have multiple on page descriptive sex scenes in the last half.

Overall, this is a beautiful, touching romance novel with high stakes and so much depth. While the romance is at the core here, it is more than just a romance novel. The subplots help carry the story and keep the pace going, adding nuance and making for a well-rounded novel easy to get swept away with. I highly recommend A Love Like the Sun for fans of Carley Fortune, Kennedy Ryan and Tia Williams, or anyone who enjoys a romance novel that'll make them feel 💕

It is well written but sort of boring and rather slow. Interesting characters. I stopped after chapter 3 (9%). Three stars for the target audience, four to five for the right readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

I beautiful and heartful debut. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to more by this author!

Magic, amazing, and so poetic. I loved this book from start to finish. I loved its characters even more. Riss M. Nielson is such a beautiful new voice of adult romance. Can’t wait to talk about it more!

A very sweet number. A story of childhood friends to lovers is beautifully written. This book has a lot to offer: chronic illness rep, grief, slow burn and witty dialogue. I did feel like the ending felt rushed and she had to wrap up quicker. If the illness was revealed at the mid way or even 3/4s part and think it would have read more flushed out

An absolutely beautiful, stunning debut! Im such a sucker for friends to lovers romance. This one struck me right in the heart. Perfect for fans of Carley fortune!

What a marvellous debut! Neilson’s breathtaking writing depicts vivid imagery with evocative prose that immerses you in the story and makes you feel every moment in your heart. Reading this book was a reaffirmation in everything that makes me love reading.

A Love Like the Sun is more than a romance. It's a story of love and loss, and fear and learning to live with the insecurity of life. I was really moved by the central story of the main character's health issues, and without giving away the plot, I think that is an incredibly important story that needs to be told. I also really appreciated the story of Laniah's parents and their love and experience of living through illness. The author does a great job of portraying characters who have come to a place of strength, both despite and because of the challenges and losses in their lives. I will highly recommend this to readers of women's fiction and romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

If this isn’t on your tbr for next summer, what are you waiting for? This was childhood friends to fake dating to lovers perfection. Riss has this beautiful way of writing words that engulf you like a warm hug. She wrapped you up and then turned you straight towards the Sun. Isaac and Ni are beautiful. Their story is beautiful. This book is beautiful.

I’m in love with this book. Laniah and Issac are couple goals.

A Love like the Sun is a beautiful story that shows us we can grow into who we’re meant to be, while never leaving the love that sustains us.

I’m blown away that this is Neilson’s debut. I cannot wait to read the trove of writing she blesses us with.

Read if you love:

✨BFFs to lovers
✨Slow burn to explosive chemistry
✨Both coasts (LA & RI)
✨He falls first (she’s oblivious, but in an endearing way)
✨Chronic illness rep— done very well
✨Celeb art scene
✨Witty dialogue
✨Hermit crab as a pet

i enjoyed this book! i like a good friends to lovers and this was a fun read. i liked the characters and the storyline