A stack of books with Review in a box

A stack of books with Review in a box

Title: Sunrise Nights

Author: Jeff Zentner and Brittany Cavallaro

Publisher: Quill Tree Books

Publication date: July 9, 2024

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Summary

Jude is a photographer; Florence is a dancer. They both attend a summer camp for the arts where, at the end of every summer, they have what’s called Sunrise Night. A night where the teens have a chance to explore the city, from dusk until dawn. It’s there where they first meet and seem to have an instant connection. They open up to each other in a way they haven’t to other people.

Instead of keeping in contact outside of summer, they decide to just meet each Sunrise Night and catch up. But each year they come back, they realize there’s a connection they can’t deny. But do they want to take a chance of bringing that magic into the real world? Or will it be ruined?

Review: Sunrise Nights

Thanks to Quill Tree Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Sunrise Nights by Jeff Zentner and Brittany Cavallaro! This is definitely one of my most anticipated releases of the summer, and I’m so happy to say that it met my expectations! It’s got those summer romance vibes, but only takes place over the course of three days. It’s such an interesting premise, and the duo of Zentner and Cavallaro works so well together.

Both Jude and Florence are struggling with their own issues when they meet each other at camp. Jude is struggling with anxiety and dealing with his parents’ divorce. Florence is dealing with a disorder that is causing her to lose her eyesight. We get to see how these things play out over the course of three years, and how they affect both Florence and Jude. I appreciated the care that the authors took in dealing with these issues; also putting the characters emotions at the forefront.

I haven’t read a lot of Cavallaro’s work, but this book might just make me want to pick up one of her other books. Unsurprisingly, Zentner’s writing lends itself to a novel in verse, as his prose is lyrical on its own. They both complement each other so well, and allow both Jude’s and Florence’s voices to shine through.

There’s so much to love about this book, from the romance to the emotions to the adventures that Florence and Jude have. We also get explorations of art and what it means to make art, and the impact that it can have on artists. I seriously loved every moment of this, and I can’t wait to own a hard copy.

5/5 stars

By Amanda

An avid young adult reader and reviewer, I'm also a coffee connoisseur and a playlist curator. Current teen librarian-in-training.