Sunburn: Exclusive American Edition with Additional Material

Description: "It's the early 1990 s in the small town of Crossmore, Ireland, and Lucy knows what she's expected to do. Fall in love with the son of the farmer next door, marry him, pray for children, and never, under any circumstances reveal the truth that she doesn't think marriage or motherhood or staying in Crossmore is for her. That the reason she knows this, is because of her close friend, Susannah. For years, Lucy buries her obsession, until one summer, right before graduation, when her friendship with Susannah escalates. Now, Lucy will do anything to keep their secret safe. Their relationship is both the best and worst thing that's ever happened to her Lucy loves Susannah, but every day, it feels like Crossmore, Lucy#25;s mother, and their social mores are closing in. And when Susannah decides she no longer wants to hide, Lucy must make a devastating choice."--Provided by publisher.

Review Quotes: A Chicago Public Library "Best of the Best Books" Pick for 2025
A New Atlantic Indie Bookseller Association Bestseller
A Pacific Northwest Indie Bookseller Association Bestseller
A Vancouver Sun's International Indie Bestseller
A Calgary Herald's International Indie Bestseller
A JULY 2025 INDIE NEXT PICK

"Tackling topics of queer identity, teenage angst, and religious guilt, this romantic novel burns with the intensity and yearning of first love." -- Harper's Bazaar

"Beautifully written ... it's enchanting." --Publishers Weekly

"Absolutely gripping . . . A romantic, funny, and painful exploration of the cost of being true to yourself." --Kirkus Reviews

"A poetic victory, fueled by intense, penetrating prose." --Foreword Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

PRAISE FOR THE UK EDITION
** Shortlisted for the 2023 Nero Book Award for Debut Fiction **
** An Evening Standard 'One to Watch in 2023 **
** An Independent 'Best Romantic Summer Reads' **
** A Book of the Month pick for Diva, Irish Examiner, Novellic & Sainsbury's Magazine **
** A Most Anticipated pick for PinkNews & Queer on the Street **

'Capturing all the intensity of first love, blended with the claustrophobia of small-town life, this debut, inspired by real experience, is tender and raw' --Bookseller

'Intense and all-consuming - like the first love it describes - Sunburn transported me to the heart of summer and the heady days of late adolescence. I won't soon forget Chloe Michelle Howarth's addictive, lushly written debut' --Laura Sims, author, How Can I Help You

'A beautiful coming of age love novel written with an insightful poetical prose, rich with religious allegory and texture which underscores the transformative, spiritual power of first love explored' --Scene Magazine

'This is an often gut-wrenching divulgence into a complex queer story that... painstakingly captures the realities of queerness in 1990s small-town Ireland' --The Gay Saint