Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth (Paperback)

In the early 1990s, Lucy feels like an outsider in the small Irish village of Crossmore. Though surrounded by close friendships, she struggles with the expectations of a conservative community, where the conventional path of marriage and motherhood looms over her. Even her childhood friend Martin, caring and attentive, cannot fill the emptiness she feels inside.

During a long, sweltering summer, Lucy’s world is transformed when a spark with her school friend Susannah grows into an intense and consuming love. As their relationship deepens, Lucy navigates stolen moments of joy and passion, while concealing the truth from a community that would not understand. Her double life becomes both a refuge and a source of anxiety, as fear of rejection and social scrutiny hangs over her every decision.

With the end of school approaching, Lucy faces impossible choices. She must decide between staying in Crossmore or leaving to forge her own path, between the people who define her past and the one who offers her a chance at authentic happiness. Each option carries its own risks, but only one can give her the life she truly desires.

Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth is a tender, heartfelt exploration of first love, self-discovery, and the challenges of growing up in a tightly knit, tradition-bound community. It captures the exhilaration and vulnerability of adolescent emotions, presenting a story that resonates with anyone who has ever felt torn between who they are and who they are expected to be.