I really enjoyed this book. I think the author did a good job of tying in the culture of the different periods and generations. I liked that the story was told from different perspectives. This really anchored it in time and also shed more light on what had already happened in the past. I liked that it was redemptive at the end. This really brought it full circle. I felt so many different things reading this book and was very impressed that it is a debut novel. Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley. This was a triumph.

The Bright Years, like real-life, is not always "bright" but riddled with harsh realities. This multigenerational novel beautifully reveals "the good, the bad, and the ugly" of Ryan and Lillian's lives and the lives of those they love. The tale of this little family is told in three parts with Lillian, Ryan, and Jet, their daughter, each sharing their own stories while expertly revealing their hopes, angst, grit, fear, grief, alcoholism, secrets, forgiveness, introspection, and unconditional love.

Sarah Damoff created well developed, believable story line, main, and supporting characters. The strength of Elise (Ryan's mother) is goal-worthy: escaping an abusive alcoholic, creating a loving, caring home for her young son, nurturing his love of photography, and making a good life for them on her own. Elise's strength, wisdom, and love is revealing numerous times as Lillian, Ryan, and Jet's stories unfold. Elise is truly a matriarch.

This is a beautiful gift of literary fiction that has the ability to break your heart yet offers healing, hope, and forgiveness.

This book is wonderfully and poetically written. I loved the different character sections that showed their lives chronologically as they intertwined. The author being a social worker allowed her to write a nuanced view of addiction from multiple perspectives that was sensitive and understanding. Masterful!

3.5 ⭐

I keep finding myself gravitating to family-centered reads, so when I stumbled upon The Bright Years and all the early praise it's receiving, I was intrigued. ⁣
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𝗪𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐄𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝: ⁣
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I loved that Sarah Damoff explored the tough subject of alcoholism in this read and did so through the lens of multiple characters and the passage of time. This added layers and history, which made it feel more authentic. This was an emotional read with themes of family, secrecy, and battling your own demons. I found myself moved by the story. ⁣
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𝗪𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝗪𝐚𝐬𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐌𝐞:⁣
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As much as I enjoyed the premise of this book, I would have loved to have seen it a little more fleshed out. This story has great bones and characters I cared about, but it's a shorter read, and I found it to feel a little rushed, which in turn caused me to struggle to connect with it as much as I believe I could have. At the same time, this was a debut, readers. I'm so impressed by the aforementioned "bones" of this book and find myself excited to see what Sarah Damoff does next. I'll definitely be checking it out!

The Bright Years is gorgeous, shocking, and deeply emotional. I was blown away by the lush, incisive prose and complex family dynamics. I'm not ashamed to admit that I sobbed while reading the last third on a plane. I can't wait for whatever Sarah Damoff writes next!

This is EXACTLY the kind of book I needed in this moment, one filled with heart and depth and meaning. We follow the story of Lillian and Ryan in their early years, when life was so full of possibilities and joy seemed inevitable. But as it often happens, difficulties arise. And life must continue to persist.

The story is told in three different perspectives but following in a linear timeline. Each unique vantage point was equally compelling and provided its own distinctive voice and context. It is a story of hope, grief, joy, second chances and all of the realness that life is constantly bombarded with. The characters are unbelievably well-rounded and fully captured my heart.

I was so enamored by this family's story, and I desperately wanted to know how it played out. There were several unexpected pivots, but the flow and pacing was consistently and artfully executed.

This is a family story that is not to be missed.

Sarah Damoff's <i>The Bright Years</i> was a surprise hit for me, given that the first half was quite slow. It was an interesting take on family drama in that it's not a dry, depressing saga. There are a few twists that really surprised me, including a death that I did not see coming.
In a rare occurrence, I actually liked the second half of the book significantly more than the first half. I much preferred the storyline following Georgette's teenage years and coming of age to the first half, which focuses on Lillian's struggles with Georgette's alcoholic father. The pacing is a touch slow, especially at the beginning.
I think the comparison to Claire Lombardo is appropriate, although I liked this better than The Most Fun We Ever Had (and slightly less than Laurie Frankel's Family, Family, which was similar, but a five star review for me).

I love a good family drama and I was very excited to get my hands on this highly anticipated debut.

I loved the book. I read it in two day and couldn’t put it down.

The story follows three generations through the tragedy and beauty of life. When Ryan was barely 5 years old his mother bravely left an abusive husband and raised Ryan alone. Twenty years later Ryan meets Lillian and they have explosive chemistry. Unfortunately addiction runs in the family and explodes their beautiful family. The storyline follows Lillian and her daughter.

This book is full of some amazingly strong women and harmful men. The themes of child loss, adoption and addiction runs deep through this book. I was raised by an alcoholic mother so I know all too well what the characters are going through. I loved this book and can’t wait to see what she writes next.



Thank you to netgalley for a copy of this book.

I knew from the first page of the foreword that I was going to love this book and I was right.

The Bright Years is a heart wrenching and emotional novel, but probably one of the best I've ever read that highlights the effects of addiction on families. The topic is explored deeply, and with such insight, candor, rawness, and also grace. It is hopeful, but not trite.

I am usually not one to mark up or highlight books, but I found myself highlighting so many phrases and sections in this beautiful prose -- there were so many reflective moments that deeply touched me.

If you have ever loved someone who struggles with addiction, or have any interest in this topic, The Bright Years is bound to shed some light and help you feel seen.

This story moved me to tears. I relate very deeply to the themes of addiction, generational trauma, tremendous grief, but most importantly love and hope. This is very possibly one of the most touching books I’ve ever read. Sarah Damoff writes like she’s written dozens of family drama books before. I can’t believe this is a debut.

I truly can’t believe this is a debut novel! The author did a fantastic job of portraying the heartbreaking lows and the brimming-with-joy highs of life. Lil, Ryan, Jet, & Kendi were all so flawed and raw yet endearing, and I loved each of their characters. So many themes in this story are important to me, addiction being one of them, and I appreciated that it was portrayed in a way that was very humanizing. There were parts of the Bright’s story that ripped my heart apart but others that were able to really put it back together. Sarah’s writing is gorgeous and I already can’t wait to read what she puts out next. I so highly recommend picking this up when it’s released in April.

Sincere thanks to Simon & Schuster for the ARC of this gem.

**A Masterpiece of Storytelling and Character Development**

I rarely find myself at a loss for words when writing a review, but this debut novel has left me utterly speechless. The author has crafted a stunningly beautiful, character-driven family drama that goes beyond the pages to truly resonate with the heart. From the first chapter, I was pulled into the lives of these complex, fully realized characters, each one so intricately woven into the fabric of the family dynamic.

The writing style is nothing short of extraordinary. It’s rare to encounter prose this sharp and elegant, while still being so deeply emotive. Every sentence feels purposeful, every moment earned. The depth of the relationships and the evolution of each character was executed flawlessly, unfolding naturally without ever feeling forced. I found myself utterly immersed in their world, experiencing their joys, heartbreaks, and quiet moments of reflection as if they were my own.

This book is the kind of rare gem that doesn’t just tell a story but leaves an imprint on your soul. It moved me in ways I didn’t expect, and I honestly can't think of a single person I wouldn't want to gift this to. It’s a story about family, love, and the complexities of human connection that will stay with you long after you’ve turned the final page.

I’m even a little envious of those who get to read it for the first time, because this is the kind of book that makes you wish you could experience it all over again with fresh eyes. If this is the author's debut, I can only imagine the heights they’ll reach in their career. This book is a triumph, and I can’t recommend it enough.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the opportunity to read this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest opinions!

EXCUSE ME, THIS IS A DEBUT?? This was stunning. It was emotional without being heavy-handed, and navigated difficult topics delicately and beautifully.

The Bright Years is the story of the Bright family (couple Ryan and Lillian, and their daughter Georgette aka Jet), and how they navigate life after a few revelations shock their family. It is told through three parts and three perspectives, and I could not put it down.

Each character was so *human* and each of their stories so artfully woven together,
that even things I couldn’t relate to felt relatable.

This book is not light, but as the name suggests, it is bright (and I loved what the author did with that theme throughout).

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC of this one! All opinions are my own.

Sarah Damoff, is it weird to say that even before your debut novel hits the shelves, I am anxiously awaiting the next story you’ll tell?
The Bright Years is a beautifully poetic story of family, addiction, forgiveness, love, and loss. The characters are complex and nuanced. The words painted a full picture of the joys and sorrows of life.

I loved every moment of this story. There was beauty even woven between the heartache of it all.

Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Every so often, a debut novel arrives so confident and assured it’s hard to believe it’s the author’s first. Damoff’s remarkable storytelling is deeply informed by her experience as a social worker, offering readers an empathetic and profoundly immersive exploration of alcohol addiction within the framework of a gripping family saga.

Told through a linear timeline from 1958 to 2019, the story unfolds through three distinct and deeply personal perspectives: Ryan (the father), Lillian (the mother), and Georgette (the daughter).

As a child, Ryan fled with his mother from an abusive, alcohol-fueled household. Now an adult, he works as a waiter while pursuing his dream of becoming a painter and gallery store owner. At the local library, he meets Lillian, and the two fall deeply in love, eventually marrying.

But family planning doesn’t come quickly. Lillian harbors a secret: years earlier, at twenty, she gave up a child for adoption, a fact she kept hidden from Ryan until after their marriage. Unprepared for motherhood at the time, Lillian reflects on that time, disclosing, “Sometimes a woman’s choice is between impossible and impossible and impossible, and she just has to make it.”

After enduring the heartbreak of a miscarriage, the couple finally welcomes a daughter, Georgette, who grows up as their only child. Yet the pressures of new parenthood and Ryan’s struggle to support his family through his art gallery weigh heavily on him. Quietly overwhelmed, he turns to drinking, a choice that leads to a life-altering incident. Realizing he is repeating the destructive patterns of his own father, Ryan leaves his family, choosing alcohol over the life he’s built with Lillian and Georgette.

The novel poignantly portrays the passage of time, with birthdays and milestones slipping by in Ryan’s absence while Lillian shoulders parenting responsibilities alone. But Damoff masterfully layers the story with shifting perspectives, revisiting past moments through new angles as the narrative marches forward. As one powerful passage reflects, “Time can wash dirt off a memory until it is revealed as something else entirely.”

While heartbreak abounds, so does hope, as Lillian’s friends and Ryan’s mother provide much-needed support. Damoff skillfully captures the details of each era, seamlessly integrating political events, cultural shifts, and even tender moments like Lillian deciding that a ten-cent text to Georgette—just to say “I love you”—is well worth the cost.

The characters in The Bright Years are richly drawn and achingly human—a family you can’t help but root for. Damoff’s exquisite prose and moving story twist will leave readers awestruck. It’s hard to imagine a “best books of the year” list without this extraordinary debut being at the top of my list this year.

What in the actual world? How is this Sarah's first book? This one left me absolutely gutted. I know it's only January, but I'm already calling this as my best book of 2025. I can't see another book touching me so deeply this year. This one will stay with me for a very long time.

The Bright Years will hit close to home for many people, including myself, as addiction has touched so many families. Loving those with an addiction is not for the weak. It's hard and heartbreaking and can cause irreparable damage. I've never battled addiction, so I've never understood how it can so easily put those we love in a chokehold, but it has claimed several family members and friends over the years. 

This book was so well written. The story flowed so easily that I didn't want to stop reading for one moment. I was an absolute mess by the end.

I have so much respect for Jet. She faces the unimaginable all throughout the story. I wanted to wrap her in a hug and help her through her grief. Unfortunately, grief and fictional characters don't work that way. Grief is a process, and it comes in waves. It can hit at the most unexpected times.

Thank you, Netgalley and Simon & Schuster, for this ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own!

Talk about books that tear your heart to shreds—but I loved every page. A zillion content warnings but also beautifully done. I can't wait to read whatever Damoff writes next.

"The closest I've been to a relationship...is with Joe T. Garcia's enchiladas, and I'm perfectly happy with this."

#thebrightyears might be the best book I read all year. It is SO fabulous. ("We begin to say goodbye as soon as we say hello.") I loved the characters, the story line, the people who populate this novel are so real, fragile and lovely. Ms. Damoff does a terrific job of showing the devastation alcohol can wreak, but not in a preachy or cloying way. I was in tears more than once as I turned the pages. Read it.

P.S. Thanks very much to #netgalley for the ARC.

The Bright Years is the sweet story of a family affected by alcohol. It's told from the perspective of the mom/daughter, Lillian, then the perspective of daughter/granddaughter, Jet, and finally from the perspective of dad/grandfather, Ryan.

Lillian marries Ryan, and has babygirl, Jet. Ryan drinks to self medicate. Lives are hurt, family members pass away, recovery and relapse happen and happen. The story goes back and forth in time, and I did get a little confused at times, and had to go back and reread for clarity. It's a story that tugs on the heart, and blesses the reader at the same time. The ending was bittersweet, and quite satisfying. I loved that the story was set in Ft. Worth, Texas, as I grew up in the area and it was fun reading about places I'm familiar with.

Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review The Bright Years.

It’s not often that I wish a book was longer, but The Bright Years definitely falls into that category. The story was tragic, haunting and beautiful but it also felt very rushed. We span decades and decades and get multiple POVs in the blink of an eye. Major events are simply dropped in which makes it hard to connect emotionally with them. All that being said, this plot and the characters were dynamic and captivating. Pair this book with an emotional support blanket and some tissue.