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Sunflower Rising
In the country town of Siloah, where no one leaves, and everyone knows your “business,” Summer Hayes wants nothing more than escape. Escape from the monotony and daily life of her hometown. Summer dreams of a life beyond the town limits. Hell, she wants out of the Country, County, and into the gleaming magnetic life that awaits her in university.
However, Siloah has a gravitational pull on its people and Summer is no exception. Like most American Teens, Summer experiences all the tribulations of adolescents. In a town that opposes change at all costs. Summer fights “tradition” with tenacity. Summer’s ambitions and various opinions, in a backwoods town like Siloah, make her the black sheep and social pariah. Summer easily embraces the simmering hostility like she does the scorching Floridian sun.
Summer is a master of running away from her troubles. She does take after her runaway Grandmother, Norma Jean, after all. Summer and her spitfire Grandmother are always stirring the Siloahian pot with their ferocity, independence, and love for escapism. Norma Jean has taught Summer everything she knows about being a woman “made of stronger stuff.” Norma taught her how to never melt under the heat of pressure, but instead mold herself into something unbreakable.
Trouble has its sights on Summer. Trouble comes in the form of boys. Yes, boy’s plural. The golden-haired, human golden retriever, and town football hero, Jameson “Jamie” Graham is determined to win Summer’s heart. However, Summer doesn’t want a boyfriend. She refuses to be trapped in Siloah in the name of “love.”
Double Trouble is Jamie’s best friend, Kayden “KC” Campbell. Summer finds herself thinking more and more about the brooding, mysterious, 6’4” Adonis with hound eyes, who loves reading Classic Literature, and writing poetry when he’s not defending Running back Jamie on the football field as his O-Lineman. Summer finds herself tangled in the webs of these best friends. Falling in love is out of the question. It’s not part of Summer’s “Plan.”
However, Summer will discover coveted secrets that will upheave her entire life and all her goals. Will she pull another Norma Jean and hop on the next train out of town? Or will she stay? Will she dare to fall in love? And if so, then with who? Will Siloah sink its teeth into her like all the others before her and become another Siloah captive?
However, Siloah has a gravitational pull on its people and Summer is no exception. Like most American Teens, Summer experiences all the tribulations of adolescents. In a town that opposes change at all costs. Summer fights “tradition” with tenacity. Summer’s ambitions and various opinions, in a backwoods town like Siloah, make her the black sheep and social pariah. Summer easily embraces the simmering hostility like she does the scorching Floridian sun.
Summer is a master of running away from her troubles. She does take after her runaway Grandmother, Norma Jean, after all. Summer and her spitfire Grandmother are always stirring the Siloahian pot with their ferocity, independence, and love for escapism. Norma Jean has taught Summer everything she knows about being a woman “made of stronger stuff.” Norma taught her how to never melt under the heat of pressure, but instead mold herself into something unbreakable.
Trouble has its sights on Summer. Trouble comes in the form of boys. Yes, boy’s plural. The golden-haired, human golden retriever, and town football hero, Jameson “Jamie” Graham is determined to win Summer’s heart. However, Summer doesn’t want a boyfriend. She refuses to be trapped in Siloah in the name of “love.”
Double Trouble is Jamie’s best friend, Kayden “KC” Campbell. Summer finds herself thinking more and more about the brooding, mysterious, 6’4” Adonis with hound eyes, who loves reading Classic Literature, and writing poetry when he’s not defending Running back Jamie on the football field as his O-Lineman. Summer finds herself tangled in the webs of these best friends. Falling in love is out of the question. It’s not part of Summer’s “Plan.”
However, Summer will discover coveted secrets that will upheave her entire life and all her goals. Will she pull another Norma Jean and hop on the next train out of town? Or will she stay? Will she dare to fall in love? And if so, then with who? Will Siloah sink its teeth into her like all the others before her and become another Siloah captive?
295 pages, ebook
Published May 16, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
June 17, 2023
“Sunflower Rising” takes the number one spot for books with unexpected endings!
Julia James made me fall in love (twice)! She grabbed my heart, filled it with love, and hope. Then, tore it apart leaving me in an emotional hole, and I honestly LOVED IT… haha, I’m okay. Promise.
The love that the author embodies makes you fly. Not only love in the romantic field, but also in friendly and familiar sense. I cannot count the times I cried while reading this. The book does not let you get bored for a second, the development and action is something impressive. Just when you think all is well another bomb falls on you.
I have read books with devastating endings, but none like this. Julia’s way of writing is so astounding that you can never guess the ending. The characters are splendid, the construction of their relationships, and feelings are one of the most moving things I have read lately.
I do not know how to classify this book. The number of themes and tropes it has is something fabulous. “Sunflower Rising” fully deserves 5 stars!
Do you want to fall in love and cry? This is your book. Highly recommended.
Julia James made me fall in love (twice)! She grabbed my heart, filled it with love, and hope. Then, tore it apart leaving me in an emotional hole, and I honestly LOVED IT… haha, I’m okay. Promise.
The love that the author embodies makes you fly. Not only love in the romantic field, but also in friendly and familiar sense. I cannot count the times I cried while reading this. The book does not let you get bored for a second, the development and action is something impressive. Just when you think all is well another bomb falls on you.
I have read books with devastating endings, but none like this. Julia’s way of writing is so astounding that you can never guess the ending. The characters are splendid, the construction of their relationships, and feelings are one of the most moving things I have read lately.
I do not know how to classify this book. The number of themes and tropes it has is something fabulous. “Sunflower Rising” fully deserves 5 stars!
Do you want to fall in love and cry? This is your book. Highly recommended.
July 16, 2023
I absolutely fell in love with this book… the characters, the small town, the storyline… it felt real… and my current heart break feels all too real 💔
I’m going to need a few days to recover 😭 and properly review…
I’m going to need a few days to recover 😭 and properly review…
December 31, 2024
I finished most of this in one night. It was heartbreaking, but amazing! This book had everything in it. Drama, romance, and heartbreak.I cried at the end. I couldn’t believed who died at the end. Everyone needs to read this right now!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2023
Dahlin’ this is such a great book I couldn’t put it down!!!
Summer has a busy life in the small town of Silo with so many colorful people in it, her Grandma was my favorite.
Each character was so entertaining and will remind you of that one “Aunt or Uncle” you had memories of as a kid.
Author Julia James captured the small town atmosphere perfectly.
I would recommend this book for all ages YA and up.
10 out of 10 stars!!
Summer has a busy life in the small town of Silo with so many colorful people in it, her Grandma was my favorite.
Each character was so entertaining and will remind you of that one “Aunt or Uncle” you had memories of as a kid.
Author Julia James captured the small town atmosphere perfectly.
I would recommend this book for all ages YA and up.
10 out of 10 stars!!
April 8, 2025
Well that hurt
I feel like I’ve been punched in my chest and I almost threw my kindle across the room. I’ve been sobbing for the past 30 minutes and my cat is very concerned for my well being. I found this from a tiktok that said I bet it will make you cry. I thought I was up to the challenge, clearly I was not.
I feel like I’ve been punched in my chest and I almost threw my kindle across the room. I’ve been sobbing for the past 30 minutes and my cat is very concerned for my well being. I found this from a tiktok that said I bet it will make you cry. I thought I was up to the challenge, clearly I was not.
June 13, 2023
Sunflower 🌻
I found this book on TikTok. I wasn’t sure what to think but I went for it. It was a very cute read but it broke my heart. I wasn’t expecting to ball my eyes out and I think I’ll be crying for weeks.
I found this book on TikTok. I wasn’t sure what to think but I went for it. It was a very cute read but it broke my heart. I wasn’t expecting to ball my eyes out and I think I’ll be crying for weeks.
July 7, 2023
That ending got me right in the feels ugh I did not expect that. Definitely a must read
September 16, 2025
What I expected and what I got were two completely different things. I wish there was more of this story and also I'm not sure my heart could withstand it if there was.
September 28, 2023
This was such a cute and emotional book. It was a warm welcome for me as I had not read a YA in a very long time before this one. The only issue with this book is that it badly needs a re-edit.
Sweet Hometown that everyone wants to escape kind of story.
Sweet Hometown that everyone wants to escape kind of story.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews