Catch the Sun

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars | 2,675 ratings

Price: 18.37

Last update: 08-30-2024


About this item

"Kissing you feels like catching the sun . . . "

At seven years old, Ella Sunbury and Max Manning were inseparable—until life scattered them in different directions, forcing Ella to abruptly leave town. A decade later, she returns for their senior year of high school, moving in across the street from her childhood best friend. But she's not the same girl Max once knew.

She now lives in the shadow of her brother: a notorious felon on death row, convicted of a crime that shook the nation. Reeling from the fallout and shunned by her peers, all Ella wants is to fade into the background.

Max has little room for distractions, juggling responsibilities for a disabled father and a distant twin brother. But Ella's return reignites something within him. He wants to be close to her again, to understand her . . . and to turn their friendship into more.

But as their relationship blossoms, new tragedy strikes, and darkness threatens to tip their delicate balance. In order to find the light, they'll have to navigate the shadows.

And to catch the sun . . . they must first endure the flames.

Contains mature themes.


Top reviews from the United States

Kristi Hart
5.0 out of 5 stars Another beautiful book by Jennifer
Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2024
Deep breaths. This one is tough. Jennifer does it again. She has this amazing way of taking really deep dives and writing amazing characters and complicated storylines that suck you in, grip your heart and destroy you. Then piece by piece she puts you back together. This is another one of her masterpieces.

Ella and Max meet as young kids and begin an instant connection and friendship. They are inseparable, until that day. Ella's parents have other plans and the two are separated for 10 years. Reunited again after Ella moved back with her mom following a terrible tragedy, the two start to rekindle their once innocent friendship. This time, those feelings are more mature and they start to have romantic feelings.

Ella is carrying the heavy weight of her brother's actions. Max is the one in charge of his family and their secrets. The two teens are pulled together as both support and acceptance helps to make them feel some normalcy.

Unfortunately that can't last and their worlds spiral out of control and then collide in an explosive and excruciating way. The only way they see through it is to set their own paths. Healing is painful and while them being apart opens a wound, other ones heal.

The end is a very difficult, hard fought HEA that will warm your heart. I know that I took a very deep breath.

The story is so well written. Jennifer honestly understands trauma, trauma bonding and healing. She writes amazing interconnected stories in the bigger story. Her side characters are fantastic. I know that will think about this book for years to come.
Ashley
5.0 out of 5 stars Spectacular heartbreak!
Reviewed in the United States on July 16, 2024
This book consumed my soul! It was heavy, raw, and heartbreaking. It was very unexpected in just how much it would destroy my heart. I was captivated by Max and Ella's story of love and redemption. This was a highly emotional and angsty story that deserves all the praise!

Max is seriously one of the best characters I have ever met. He was so thoughtful and considerate. He was also so truly pure and genuine. I don't think I have wanted a character to be real as much as I wish Max was. He was absolutely perfect!

Ella was such a sweet girl and wise beyond her years. She was put through unimaginable horrors and understandably had some trouble coming to grips with it all. I liked that even after all she had been through her friendship with Brynn was still so wholesome and rewarding. Brynn and her family were great characters too and I loved all the scenes with them.

I thought I had things figured out then there were major twists and unexpected outcomes that I never saw coming. It kept me on the edge of my seat and glued to the pages. I never wanted to stop reading.

My only critique is that the horse scenes were a little inaccurate. A non horse person wouldn't even notice it but as a horse farm manger myself it was pretty obvious. That said I did love the recognition that the horses got and that Ella dream job is the same as mine. That was pretty cool!

Overall this is a spectacularly written story of young love and overcoming insurmountable odds. It broke my heart to bits before slowly piecing it back together. I would very highly recommend it!
Gina J Martinez
4.0 out of 5 stars A love that hurts but ultimately heals.
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
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**RATING: 4.5

"Catch the Sun" by Jennifer Hartmann is an emotional rollercoaster, a story that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, guaranteed to make your heart race, ache, and laugh. It tells the tale of Ella and Max, two children who meet when they are young but are separated by life, only to reunite ten years later. Both of their lives have been negatively impacted by events involving members of their families. As a result, they’ve each built emotional walls, vowing not to allow love into their lives.

Their reunion becomes a challenge—a journey of softening their hearts, accepting that not everything that happens is their fault, and realizing they don't have to bear the weight of their families' mistakes. Ella is a determined and strong-willed girl who has been deeply hurt by life, while Max was forced to grow up too quickly due to the trauma in his home. Max has learned to be patient, loving, and resilient—qualities that help him earn Ella's trust and love. The way he speaks to her, the things he says, would melt anyone's heart.

This book tells the story of characters who could easily be you and me in real life.

**Key Themes:**

- Coming of age
- Trauma and healing
- Dark themes
- Friends to lovers
- Suspense
- Spice
- Unexpected twists
Customer image
Gina J Martinez
4.0 out of 5 stars A love that hurts but ultimately heals.
Reviewed in the United States on August 20, 2024
**RATING: 4.5

"Catch the Sun" by Jennifer Hartmann is an emotional rollercoaster, a story that is both heartbreaking and heartwarming, guaranteed to make your heart race, ache, and laugh. It tells the tale of Ella and Max, two children who meet when they are young but are separated by life, only to reunite ten years later. Both of their lives have been negatively impacted by events involving members of their families. As a result, they’ve each built emotional walls, vowing not to allow love into their lives.

Their reunion becomes a challenge—a journey of softening their hearts, accepting that not everything that happens is their fault, and realizing they don't have to bear the weight of their families' mistakes. Ella is a determined and strong-willed girl who has been deeply hurt by life, while Max was forced to grow up too quickly due to the trauma in his home. Max has learned to be patient, loving, and resilient—qualities that help him earn Ella's trust and love. The way he speaks to her, the things he says, would melt anyone's heart.

This book tells the story of characters who could easily be you and me in real life.

**Key Themes:**

- Coming of age
- Trauma and healing
- Dark themes
- Friends to lovers
- Suspense
- Spice
- Unexpected twists
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