Damoff writes about life with such authenticity with observations that’ll rock you and also make you go, ‘ah, there is a sentence for that moment/feeling/mundanity’.

You might be aware from some of my previous reviews that I typically don’t enjoy generational stories as I lack the necessary emotional connection to each character.
This book proved me wrong.

<b>There are two kinds of grief at a wake: grieving the loss of what was and grieving the loss of what wasn’t.
</b>
It primarily follows Ryan and Lillian Bright who are young, crazily compatible, and deeply in love who marry with hidden pasts. We see how this affects their relationship further down the lane as well as their daughter, Georgette (Jet), as they navigate love, loss, and the cycle of generational trauma.

Wow. This was emotional and gripping. Each character had such a unique and distinct inner monologue and voice. Except for maybe the father, Ryan, which is one of my minor critiques, especially considering his pivotal impact on everyone else.

<b>…this is where it starts. We begin to say goodbye as soon as we say hello. Death is a corollary of birth, and to welcome life is to guarantee loss.</b>

The characters make mistake. To ask for forgiveness, refuse forgiveness, return to their vices, try desperately to avoid a cycle.

There was less time spent on the character’s lives towards the end. The narrative and timeframes sped up which lost some of that connection, typically my complaint in generational stories.

I also wish there was more diversity than the problems of typical middle-class white family. However, that was the story the author set out to write, so maybe I shouldn’t criticise that.

<b>The thing about alcoholism is that there’s sickness on both sides. Drink, you’re sick. Don’t drink, you’re sick. A blurred line between medicine and poison.</b>

Overall, I was very impressed by this raw, character study debut with a very engaging writing style.

Absolutely brutal. Brutal. Painful but so, SO beautiful. A novel that will stay with me long after i've put it down. I read this pretty much in one sitting, through a near constant stream of tears. Want a gut-punching, heart-shredding dive into generational trauma, grief, addiction and just life? One that's written in a way that's so emotive, so immersive and relatable, that what's happening on the page feels as though it's happening to you? Pick this up.

This is a stunning debut novel exploring the lasting impact of a toxic relationship, abuse, alcoholism and generational trauma. It could be extremely triggering for some, so please do check content warnings before reading. I found this book to be written well, it is quite fast paced and bingeable, easy to read over the course of a couple of days. I completely understand why this book is receiving a lot of attention and hype at the moment, it really is a remarkable read.

Very moving story touching on relationships and how death, alcohol addiction and learning truths after death change your world

I will never emotionally recover from this book.

Without doubt, my favourite book of the year so far. Sarah Damoff has written a story that feels so raw, honest and deeply human that I found myself completely immersed in this family's lives from beginning to end.

So many complexities within the family dynamics, and several aspects resonated with me personally. The authors shows relationships, mistakes, grief and forgiveness in a way that feels totally believable. There are moments that really shocked me, a lot of loss and heartbreak, but its its also a story full of love.

One of the things I loved most is the reminder that we're not all perfect, but we still have time to make things right. Life isn’t simple, people aren’t always going to be who we want them to be but it’s the ability to love still even knowing this. The book explores the lasting impact of choices and the ways families can both hurt and heal each other.

Sarah's writing is beautiful without ever feeling forced. Every character felt authentic, I felt all the emotions and guess what, a book has finally made me cry.

I'll read anything by Sarah from this point onwards. An unforgettable read

This book was amazing!! Cannot recommend enough! Genuinely is one of my favourite books of the year!!

Lillian and Ryan had such a lovely, challenging and dedicated relationship. And then the relationship between Jet and Kendi was true love- they experienced so much together growing up.

Lillian is an amazingly strong and selfless character and Jet demonstrates her own strength as the story progresses. I particular liked how Jet acknowledged her grief and, in time, the grief of others around her. It was beautifully written.

Thank you to NetGalley and everyone at Swift Press for allowing me to read this copy.

Review - The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff
published by Swift Press
UK republication date - 19th November 2026

Thank you NetGalley, Swift Press and the author for the chance to read and review this amazing book!

This powerful novel covers several heavy topics including addiction, grief, loss and childhood trauma so you need to be in the right frame of mind to pick it up. Its central theme is addiction and how its effects can ripple out across generations. It also explores the dilemma of whether love is worth the inevitable pain of heartbreak and loss. It is a short book but boy does it pack a punch. It is beautifully written and follows 3 POVs all written in the present first person; Lillian, her boyfriend Ryan, and Jet. Their lives are tainted by addiction and loss, but there is also enduring love and unbreakable bonds that are formed.

This book is incredibly sad but I can’t deny the brilliance and poignancy of it. I have only docked half a star for making me sad!!

I would recommend this book, especially if you want to be emotionally wrecked! 😩🥹

I’m still not quite sure if I finished the book or it finished me. The way I sobbed at the end of the book. Sarah Damoff is so wonderfully talented and I love the way this book was written. It absolutely lived up to the expectation I had for it and was so lucky to be gifted this by the insider on Netgalley as an e-arc.

I loved how each chapter was over the span of sometime whether it be a year or two at a time and it kept the book so fast paced but no confusing at all. I felt so deeply connected to all the characters and how the POVs switched when they did. It really gave an amazing insight to the characters and allowed me to understand them all on a deeper level.

The love, hurt, loss, betrayal and everything else in this book was just so much to endure yet I couldn’t look away and NEEDED to know what was going to happen next within this book. I even read on the kindle app on my phone and that is when it is clear to me that the book is top tier!

I done nothing but think about this book when I was not reading it. I urge you - even if this book is outside your scope of books you usually read - to pick this book up and go through everything these characters did.

I don’t know how to explain Damoff’s writing style but it was so clear cut yet deeply meaningful all in one swoop. I will be thinking about thee characters and some quotes for a long time to come!!

I cannot wait to read the Burning side and every other boon to come. I now have a new autobuy author and will rave about Damoff, her writing, everything!

A massive 5 stars!!