Sunlight Finds You - a tale of love, heartbreak, and forgiveness during the Cold War era.

In the early period of the Cold War, we meet Nora Chesnow. She lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with her family. The smart, bookish high school student's world changes when she meets and falls for Leonard Lifton, a member of the swim team. Their youthful passion raises concerns for Leonard's disapproving father, who does not want Sara, from a lower-class background, involved in his son's life. With many local boys being deployed to Japan and a conflict in Korea imminent, Sara and Leonard's love story seems destined for disappointment and heartbreak. As the years go by, the one thing that doesn't change is Sara's knowledge that she will never experience a love like the one she shared with Leonard. 

Sunlight Finds You by Laura Moriarty was a deeply emotional book. The author effectively captures the period, highlighting the struggles women faced with limited personal freedoms. You'll be rooting for Sara every step of the way. It's best not to learn too much more about all that the main characters go through in this fifteen-year journey. The gorgeous cover by artist T.S. Harris drew me in and led me to this beautiful, immersive tale of love, pain, forgiveness, and complex family relationships. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to Riverhead Books for the advance. 

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction.

Publication Date: August 4, 2026.

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