Sunlight Finds You: A Read with Jenna Pick

Praise for Sunlight Finds You

“This sun-drenched novel turns a youthful romance into something richer: a clear-eyed reckoning with self-trust, forgiveness, and the lives we build after the one we wanted slips away.”—Oprah Daily

“In this gorgeous character-driven novel, Nora and Leonard fall in love in lush 1950s St. Petersburg, Fla. But the gulf between their social classes drives them apart. While Leonard goes off to the Korean War, Nora’s faced with an impossible choice that will change their lives forever.”—People

“Moriarty has an unusual gift for voice, a spark that can turn a novel about ordinary events into something compelling…A rich, rewarding slice of history that should remind us how important it is for women to have choices of all kinds.” —Kirkus Reviews (STARRED REVIEW)

“This book’s poignantly written characters and deep discussion points make it a must-purchase.” —Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW)

“After a shocking revelation, the third act barrels toward a conclusion that is by turns heartbreaking and heartwarming. Readers will fall for the delightful and well-rounded Nora and Leonard as much as they do for each other.” —Publishers Weekly

“A poignant story…about desperate choices, secrets, shame, and the assumptions we make when we can’t or won’t communicate.” —Booklist

“[A] slow-burn love story and a family story, wrapped in the tensions and mores of Cold War-era Florida…especially strong in its evocative depiction of what life was like for Florida transplants in the boom years after World War II…a vivid picture of a time that’s recognizable yet seems very far away.” —BookPage

“Sunlight Finds You is a riveting story of young love and battered hope. It’s the kind of book that makes you lean closer, then hold your breath as the beauty and betrayal unfold. I couldn’t stop reading. I couldn’t stop hoping. What an extraordinary novel!” —Ariel Lawhon, New York Times bestselling author of The Frozen River

“Marks a radiant return to Laura Moriarty’s signature terrain: a young woman at a pivotal moment and the far-reaching consequences of a choice made under pressure. What begins as a teenage romance in 1950s Florida becomes an intimate, deeply moving story of separation, sacrifice, and self-determination — and of how early love shapes the lives we carry forward.” —Christina Baker Kline, New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan Train

“I can’t remember the last time I rooted for a character the way I did for Nora in Sunlight Finds You. In an era of rampant sexism, war, and lies, she learns to listen for her own steady voice and follow it. Melodic and daring, this isn’t just a good book–it’s a cancel-your-plans, hold-your-breath, call-your-best-friend kind of book. An absolutely unmissable triumph.”
—Amy Jo Burns, author of Mercury

“Sunlight Finds You illuminates the beguiling power of first love through characters whose teenage choices precipitate lifelong consequences. The story left me breathless with a desire to see these young lovers find a happy ending, while also raising poignant questions about the stigmas dividing families to this day. Laura is one of my must-read authors. Sunlight Finds You proves why she should be yours, too.” —Sarah McCoy, New York Times bestselling author of Marilla of Green Gables


Praise for The Chaperone

“In this layered and inventive story, Moriarty raises profound questions about family, sexuality, history, and whether it is luck or will—or a sturdy combination of the two—that makes for a wonderful life.” —O, The Oprah Magazine

“A mesmerizing take on women in this pivotal era.”—Vogue “Surprising and poignant.” —Entertainment Weekly

“Through Cora the world of early 20th-century America comes alive, and her personal triumphs become cause for celebration.” —People

“Captivating and wise . . . Moriarty gives us a historically detailed and nuanced portrayal of the social upheaval that spilled into every corner of American life by 1922. . . . inventive and lovely.” —Washington Post