Sun to Me Book Review - No Spoilers
I was looking through old photos on my phone yesterday and found pictures from a summer trip years ago. The sunlight in those photos brought back such happy memories of warm days and simple joys. There's something special about sunshine that just lifts your spirits. That feeling of warmth and light came flooding back when I read Sun to Me by Cleopatra Margot. This sweet romance is all about finding someone who becomes your sunshine even on the darkest days.
Plot Summary
Ember Bryant is a former foster child who has built a quiet but fulfilling life in the small town of Balsam Falls. She works at the local coffee shop, volunteers at the library, and runs a popular bookstagram account where she shares her love of romance novels. When she's offered an opportunity to work on an interior design project, she takes a risk and says yes. There's just one catch—she'll be working alongside Graham Del Ray, the VP of Del Ray Development and the grumpy but gorgeous man from the coffee shop who she hasn't been able to stop thinking about for four years. Graham keeps his life neat and orderly, retreating to his country home with its wildflower field when work gets overwhelming. He's been secretly admiring Ember from afar, unable to forget the sunshine girl from the coffee shop. As they work together on the project, their unlikely friendship deepens. The whimsical romantic bookworm and the no-nonsense developer begin to understand each other in ways no one else does. They encourage each other to reach for their dreams and face their pasts. Despite trying to keep things professional, the chemistry between them becomes impossible to deny.
Why I Love This Book
I love how gentle and heartfelt this story is. Ember is absolutely sunshine personified. Despite her difficult past in foster care, she chooses joy and romanticizes her life in the best way. As a bookstagrammer, she's incredibly relatable. Graham is the perfect grumpy hero who falls first and falls hard. I think the way he supports Ember's dreams and sees her worth is so swoon-worthy. Their banter is fun and their friendship feels authentic before it becomes romance. This is a closed-door romance with no explicit scenes, which makes it perfect for readers who want emotional intimacy over physical. The small-town setting is cozy. The found family elements are touching. The chapter names are creative and there are cute bookstagram posts included in the story.
Who Will Like This Book
This book is perfect for readers who love grumpy/sunshine pairings and he-falls-first tropes. If you're a bookstagrammer or book lover, you'll adore seeing Ember's passion for books woven throughout. Fans of small-town romance with found family themes will love Balsam Falls. This is great for anyone who wants a sweet, closed-door romance with emotional depth and no explicit scenes. The writing is heartfelt and the characters deal with real trauma from their pasts. This is the first book in the Del Ray Brothers series, and the ending sets up future stories while providing a satisfying conclusion for Ember and Graham.
⚠️ Trigger warning: past trauma related to foster care system, abandonment issues, family dysfunction.
Tagged As
contemporary romance, small town romance, grumpy sunshine, he falls first, closed door, sweet romance, bookstagrammer FMC, forced proximity, interior design, found family, emotional depth, HEA, Del Ray Brothers series, Nebraska setting.
Steam Level
This is a completely clean, closed-door romance. There are no explicit scenes. The focus is on emotional connection, sweet moments, and the developing relationship between the characters. Perfect for all ages.
