The Burning Side

The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff starts with a house fire in the middle of the night and a marriage already on the edge. From that opening scene, I was completely hooked.

The story follows April and Leo, a couple whose marriage is on the brink of collapse, and weaves in a second marriage that unfolds in a very different direction - showing two versions of what long-term love can look like. It's a character-driven novel, with relationships that feel layered and honest, especially as the characters struggle with forgiveness and moving forward after loss.

I also loved how the author captures small but meaningful moments that make a big impact. The story explores serious topics, but it offers enough hope and redemption to balance the themes.

If you loved The Bright Years, you'll want to pick this one up. I loved them both but feel The Bright Years has a slight edge over this one. It's a great book club pick too, because there's so much to unpack - about marriage, family, and how people try to rebuild after things fall apart.

Readers who enjoy emotional fiction centered on strong character development will likely connect with this one.