This book broke my heart, I loved it and couldn't stop reading it. Was completely enthralled. What a read.

Narrator Sonya draws us into her life struggling with alcoholism and bringing up her son Tommy alone without any support. Her love for Tommy is overwhelming so she resents the interference of people who intervene and whom she deeply resents, especially her father and her neighbour.

She seems to be on an endless downward spiral but her strength of character becomes more and more apparent as she goes through rehab and beyond. The rehab sections are bleak, both physically and emotionally. The régime is strict and some of the staff are uncaring, but Sonya discovers moments of hope and inspiration, especially from Jimmy, a fellow patient who has been in and out of the facility several times.

The character I did not find totally convincing was David. His background is a mystery and there was an undercurrent of nastiness and control from the start. I couldn't quite believe when Sonya asked him to get out of her life that he complied.

I found this novel totally engrossing, full of powerful emotions. I really wanted things to turn out well for Sonya.. I'd love to know what happens next for Sonya, her father, Tommy - and David who I can't imagine staying away for long!

Lisa Harding is certainly an author I want to read more of.

Bright Burning Things is a novel about addiction and recovery, as a single mother tries to create the life she wants for her son. Sonya was once a stage actress in London, loving the thrill of the stage, but now she's back in Ireland, a single mum to Tommy. Her, Tommy, and Herbie, their rescue dog, form a close knit trio, but Sonya can only keep it up by drinking bottles of wine each night, and things are starting to slip from her as she burns the fish fingers and feels like she loves Tommy too much to bear. When her neighbour seems to be spying on her and her estranged father turns up with an ultimatum, Sonya has to try and work out how she can keep Tommy.

This is a powerful look at alcoholism and its impact, especially on a small family without a lot of outside support. Written from Sonya's perspective, the narrative doesn't shy away from difficult emotions, and particularly the time Sonya spends in rehab is very raw, with her not sure what has happened to Tommy. There's still a lot of unanswered questions by the end, especially around Sonya's family and past as her father doesn't want to tell her what really happened and she doesn't find out exactly what Tommy experienced, which people might find frustrating but gives it a sense of reality. Given the type of story, you do almost want to know what would happen after the narrative itself ends, as you become quite invested in Sonya' recovery.

It is probably important to go into this book knowing it is about alcoholism, as addiction is a topic that might be difficult for some people to read about, but it is an intimate look at someone trying to recover and to look after their son, even in somewhat unconventional ways. The book also exposes the ways in which people don't get enough support when they're struggling and how it can be assumed that people have family members or close friends who can provide that support. Bright Burning Things is a gripping and readable book that deals with important topics.

Sonya lives with her son Tommy. She used to be an actress until she had Tommy but now fills that space for excitement and drama with plenty of booze, We first meet them as she runs head long into the sea, leaving Tommy alone on the beach; this is just the first of the bad decisions that come along the way. We follow Sonya as she falls further and further. dragging Tommy with her.
Such an emotion-filled story, with waves of pain and hurt coming through in every page. You want to shake Sonya for her foolishness and cuddle her for comfort at the same time. A fantastically handled story that will certainly make me think twice before re-filling the wine glass!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the chance to read it