This was a really good read once I got my head around the authors style of writing. Sonya is battling addiction and the inner demons of her mind while trying to be the best mother she can be to Tommy. Everything is too overwhelming and everyday life for Sonya is putting her son in danger. I won’t give too much of the story away as that is what the blurb is for. The subject matter is wrote in a heartfelt, realistic manner and I found myself rooting for Sonya. A couple of times I did wonder where the story was going and didn’t quite understand the direction of the story, and I have to say the ending kind of left me hanging, it was a “is that it” moment, though this didn’t take any enjoyment away from the reading of this book. Maybe it’s leaving it open for a sequel.

* Disclaimer I was permitted to read an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review through the NetGalley service *

This is the first book I have read by this author and I am always open to reading new genres or authors.

This book tackles maternal instincts, complex relationships and love and also the powerful and complex emotions and thoughts a person goes through whilst battling addiction, in this case alcohol addiction.

Sonya was once a big star of stage. She is now a single mum to Tommy and their dog Hewbie and later on their cat Marmie. She is also riddled with memories of her childhood and her mother dying when she was a young girl and her father being a very closed down person when it came to showing emotion or discussing her mother.

I don’t want to give to much away and whilst I can see how the book has ended at the right place in some aspects I also feel there is a great potential for a second book.

Would recommend this book despite my mediocre 3 stars as I just didn’t feel it was necessarily written with enough complexity to really understand the characters and their story,

I found this book incredibly powerful and I truly struggled to put it down. Lisa Harding has created in Sonya an incredibly complex character who sheds light on the struggles of addiction and motherhood in such a poignant way. I was struck by the hurt that I was forced to feel while reading Sonya's thoughts while she navigated through her experiences and pushed herself to the limits, determined to create a better life for herself and her son. Although an undeniably upsetting subject matter, I found aspects of this book to be somewhat uplifting. I'm so grateful to have received this ARC in exchange for an honest review and I can't wait for more people to read it and gain a better understanding of the turmoil faced by addicts and the sheer strength that recovery demands.

I found this to be a profoundly moving story of recovery from addiction, and what it means to be a mother.

Sonya used to be an acclaimed actress, but is now a single mother to 4-year-old Tommy, and is struggling to cope. Her own childhood was troubled, with a mother who died young, an unaffectionate (though not unloving) father, and a stepmother straight out of a scary fairy tale. Sonya's emotions have always been volatile, difficult to control - acting was the perfect outlet, but after being abandoned by Tommy's father this is no longer an option for her. Her love for Tommy is one of the bright burning things of the title, intense and overwhelming - others are her anger, her emotional highs, the ease with which she gets distracted. So, egged on by her evil imp, or the wicked fairy as Tommy calls her, she numbs the excessive emotions with wine, necked straight from the bottle, becoming 'blurry' in Tommy's words. As she spirals out of control, neighbours and family become increasingly concerned that she poses a danger to Tommy, and they intervene.

Sonya's time in a rehab facility run by Catholic nuns (the setting is Dublin) is plausibly depicted, as is her journey from denial that she has a problem, to acceptance that she needs help, to the glimmer of hope of new coping skills. I think most adults would admit to generally faking it at least some of the time, and this is the skill Sonya utterly lacks and which she starts to learn, primarily in order to get her beloved Tommy back from social services. The seductive lure of alcohol is only too well described - Sonya's life will undeniably be harder without it, and it is by no means clear at the end that she will manage.

What I found rather less believable was the fact that nobody seems to have ever considered that Sonya's alcoholism is a symptom of a mental health problem which to my untrained eye looks an awful lot like bipolar disorder, particular when it is revealed elliptically that her mother probably had a very similar bright, burning personality. Sonya is also drawn to the wrong kind of man, and she is emotionally mistrustful (with good reason, given the lack of affection and support in her childhood), and overreact to what are probably well-intentioned attempts to help on the part of her emotionally stunted father and the elderly lady across the road who he's paying to keep an eye on her. So it beggars belief that a rehab facility wouldn't have picked up the need for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

I should also spare a few words for the portrayal of Tommy, who is a wonderful child. He is responsible beyond his years - he has to be - but also patently adores his mother even when she is terrifying him, and understands what the drink does to her and seems to forgive her, and has a fantastic lot of fun with her, and becomes a sad shell when he is taken away from her. And the big dog and the ginger kitten are also grand.

This is an unputdownable read which does justice to the complexities of addiction, of motherhood, of emotional development. It deserves a wide audience.

This was a powerful book, an emotional one to read. Story of addiction how easy it is to become addicted and how hard it is to live like that.....very emotional, i love the characters, especially Tommy. Learnt quite a bit from reading this book.

Being the mother of a 3 year old and a 5 year old the premise for this book really interested me,
"Too much love, too much fear, too much longing for the cool wine she gulps from the bottle each night. Because Sonya is burning the fish fingers, and driving too fast, and swimming too far from the shore, and Tommy's life is in her hands."

Loving your child too much, living in fear are totally normal feelings for most mothers, as is needing a glass of wine at the end of the day to cope with the stresses that you've faced. But with Sonya, everything is done to the extreme. Loving your child to the point you almost suffocate him. needing that glass of wine so much that it's gone in one mouthful (followed by 2 further bottles). Sonya's life is spiralling out of control and she's taking Tommy down with her causing her neighbour and her father to intervene.

The entire book is told through Sonya's eyes, we get to experience just what she is seeing and feeling and it is terrifying. For me the thought of potentially losing my child or doing something that would put them in danger would be enough to stop me from progressing down a dangerous path, but when we meet Sonya she is too far gone and the consequences are inevitable.

There are parallels in here with Hansel and Gretel with Sonya likening their neighbour to the witch, but really it was her father and step-mother who reminded me most of their fairy tale counterparts; although Tommy is let down by Sonya I think she is let down the most by her father who seems to have (perhaps not always intentionally) caused her heartbreak throughout her life.

This is a book that plays on your emotions, to see the heartbreak caused by the separation of Sonya and Tommy is very impactful and the journey back to the family dynamic is a tough read

Thank you to Netgalley, Bloomsbury Publishing and Lisa Harding for this ARC in return for my honest review. Emotional and raw, this is such a powerful book. Gave great insight into the mind and suffering of someone with addiction issues. Absolutely gut wrenching and thought provoking. At the start of the book I didn't like Sonya but gradually through getting to know her better I got to like this tragic character.

Wow, this book was a five star for me. It grabbed me from the first page. It’s told from the perspective of single, alcoholic mother Sonya who is doing her best to raise her young son Tommy.

Harding’s writing is amazing, the way that the story is all told from Sonya’s, sometimes drunken, perspective and yet still to be able to see how others view her is very cleverly done.

Right from the start you adore young Tommy and desperately want Sonya to become the mother that he deserves though you are often also fearful for his safety and happiness. I was completely emotionally invested in this story.

The book really made me consider how you approach anyone who has an addiction and the real lack of support there is for those that are single parents who are facing addiction issues.

This book is being published this week and is really worth a purchase. I’m going to be buying copies for friends as their birthdays come around.

Thanks to the publisher who gifted be an ebook arc.

This book is a poignant, gut-wrenching exploration into family ties and addiction. I was gripped from the very beginning and felt every twist and turn of Sonya's turbulent relationship with alcohol and with her son, Tommy. It is hard to read at times because you almost want to grab Sonya through the pages and shake her, but this alone made me admire the writing more, because that is the crux of addiction. A beautiful book.

Thanks to Bloomsbury and Netgalley for ARC.

Sonya is a single mother to Tommy and rescue dog Herbie. Sonya isn't managing, drowning under the weight of addiction, poverty, loneliness and her past but she resents anyone who points it out and she is terrified that something or someone will separate her from Tommy, Something has to change.
This beautifully written novel makes you live every too-bright minute in Sonya's head, going over and over incidents to piece them together and make meaning out of half-remembered moments. The atmosphere can be queasy-making or filled with menace, and although it is harrowing in places, there are moments of beauty and love as Sonya tries to recover her lost self. Astonishing.

Do you ever read a story that is so distressing that it seems a crime to say it was enjoyable? At times this story was so unnerving it made my skin crawl. It's powerful and emotive, and at times the descriptions were so distressing and raw that I could feel my throat clog up.

This story focuses on Sonya, an actress who has since fallen victim to alcoholism and struggles to look after her four-year-old son Tommy and dog Herbie. Things become so bad that soon her father, and a meddling neighbour, are forced to intervene for the sake of Tommy's welfare. During a three month stint on a rehab style course at a local convent, Sonya struggles to detox from alcohol which has been her crutch for so long and is forced to face some harsh realities about her life and her character.

The themes themselves are challenging and Harding is brave in her approach, especially with the way it handles the disintegration of relationships addiction can cause. It's a fascinating look at how damaging an upbringing under the alcoholic influence can be, and there are real moments of distress particularly when Sonya is separated from her son. I loved the visceral and tainted perspective that Sonya had of the world from her own upbringing, and the effect of the 'bad fairy' when she had been drinking was emotional and convincingly handled. There is a delicate hand used to describe the suffering the family encounters and the result is a moving, enchantingly sincere, all-encompassing alive piece of text.

This is both intricately intense and fast-paced, whilst being soothing and sincere at moments, showing how quickly the change and effect Sonya's addiction has on her maternal feelings.

*Thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing UK for the ARC

In "Bright Burning Things" we follow Sonya and Tommy's story. Sonya is an alcoholic, single mother of Tommy, and a train wreck about to happen. Her neighbor and dad, worried about little Tommy, threaten her with calling social services if she doesn't go to rehab. We get to experience rehab with her and her life afterwards, trying to get Tommy back.

I finished this book a few days ago and decided to let it marinate for a few days before writing a review. First of all, it's well written and well researched, which makes it a very uncomfortable read. I can't say I loved it (which is why I'm also not sure what rating I should give here), but it gave me a perspective of what alcoholism can feel like for people who suffer it, and how they experience it. It also made me wonder where Tommy would be best: at home with his mom or being taken care of by someone else, for both his and Sonya's sake.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Bright Burning Things By Lisa Harding. This is a book about a mother called Sonya and her young son Tommy. Sonya has an alcohol problem and this tells they story through her eyes. She finally had no choice to get help or she will lose her son! Does she manage to and how does she cope? This was a book that I didn’t like the main character, then felt sorry for her and in the end i grew to like her. I really enjoyed this book. Another new author to me! #lisaharding #burningbrightthings #netgalley

Bright Burning Things is a gritty and emotionally challenging read that cannot fail to affect the reader as they become engaged with the wonderfully complex and troubled young woman who is the main character in this brilliant story. Sonya loves her young son Tommy fiercely. Along with their loyal canine companion, Herbie, they have a complex relationship. On one hand it's clear they have a strong bond and they laugh and play with abandon. But Sonya is trying to cope with mental ill health, and she does so by guzzling white wine every night. As concerns grow for Tommy's safety, she is sent to rehab by her father. Here she finds kindred spirits, some of whom help her find ways of coping with her rage and anxiety.

Returning home, Tommy is a withdrawn and confused little boy, and this part of the book is so well written. Sonya and Tommy do find their way back to one another and Sonya finds a strength she never knew she had. But it is not an easy transition for either of them.

Overall I really engaged with this book, however, I found the character of David somewhat confusing and he didn't really seem a necessary addition.

Written with great empathy and understanding of complex issues, this was an interesting and heart-felt story.

3.5 stars I did enjoy this book and it dealt with a difficult subject very well. My only issue was that I found it difficult to relate to the main character Sonya. Am glad I persevered with it and enjoyed it in the end

I found myself wanting to pick up this book constantly. I was desperate to know how the story would play out, and what would happen to the main characters.

This was like that feeling when you see a car crash. You can’t help a glance, praying that everything and everyone is ok.

This isn’t a ‘feel good’ book, but an raw and brutally honest look at the life of a single mother who is struggling with life.

I wouldn’t say I enjoyed this book in the typical sense, but I absolutely didn’t want to stop reading it

I would have liked more on some of the relationships the main character had.
Although saying that, I feel the author focused on what was really important to the main character

This book wasn’t my favourite book, but I would
Say it was worth a read if you want a brutally honest book that makes You squirm, makes you hope and also makes you want to go and hug your own children after every reading session.

It’s is definitely thought provoking

NB: I will be reviewing on Amazon on publication day

This review is a complicated one, since I have many mixed feelings about this book.
It is definitely not a genre that I read as often as others, and that might have been one of the reasons I struggled with the story. I see this more as a character study with a not-so-important plot surrounding the main character. Character-driven books can be fantastic, but I personally feel they do need a better-developed plot to supports them.

Our main character, Sonya, is an unreliable narrator. At points, it is a bit jarring to read from her first-person POV. However, it is necessary to truly comprehend what goes on in her head at every different point of the book. Personally, I feel like I should have connected more with her as a character. I cared about what she was going through, but maybe not as much as I should have when it comes to a character like hers. Also, her mental state was never properly explained. There were many hints, but that was it.
Her relationships with other characters that weren't her son felt a bit underdeveloped. Especially at the end of the book, where I feel like we got very easy resolutions to conflicts that had been present all throughout the novel.
There was the option to include some really good social commentary about the situation Sonya and her son were in, but we only get Sonya's confused thoughts about a couple of things that happen to her. And I find that to be a missed opportunity.

Overall, I believe this is a book that can connect a lot with the right people. Those who can truly enjoy a story like this told in this specific kind of way. However, it is not the easiest novel to read and that can make it harder to recommend to others.

Beautifully, achingly written, this book captivated me from the start. With echoes of Shuggie Bain, this book follows a mother and her son Tommy, while she grapples with the grip of alcoholism, and tries to rebuild her relationships. Heart wrenching at times, achingly sad and achingly loving and hopeful.

If I had three words to sum up this book - raw, powerful and emotional. This is an absolute whirlwind of a story and I found myself pulled in all directions for Sonya, single mother from Ireland whose alcoholism is spiralling out of control and her young son Tommy.

The author has a unique way of writing which really brought this heartbreakingly sad story to life. I had a real tug of war of emotions when it came to Sonya - I felt inherently sorry for her and her struggles but also wanted to shake her during the situations where Tommy was in danger. I also absolutely hated David - on the surface, he appeared to be helpful and genuinely seemed to care about Sonya until he suddenly showed his true colours and transformed into a manipulative, patronising and controlling scumbag and I rooted for Sonya when she had enough sense to show him the door. You can clearly see the love that Sonya has for Tommy, their rescue dog Herbie and newly acquired kitten Marmie and I was praying for Sonya to find the strength to shake the ‘bad fairy’ that arrives when the bottle is picked up and be the good mother she knows she can be.

Overall this is a beautifully written emotional rollercoaster of a story which is frighteningly realistic and thought-provoking.

Thank you to NetGalley & Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (UK & ANZ) for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fast-paced story from the start as you race with a young single mother through her rapid downward spiral of alcoholic self-destruction. One of those rare tales where you can empathise with the characters even with no experience of your own. At times it seems like it can never end well - and the end is tough to get to - but there's a redemptive feeling at the end even if tinged with still having a way to go.