The Fragility of Light

by Heather S. Lonczak

Introducing "The Fragility of Light," Heather S. Lonczak's debut novel—a poignant exploration of mental health, resilience, and the enduring power of familial bonds.
Sunny Zielinski is a beautiful and talented young woman with a promising future. A recent college graduate, Sunny has landed her dream job as a book editor and is soon to be married. Her close-knit family is her strength, particularly her fiercely loving grandparents—Holocaust survivors who helped to raise her.
Following two major losses, Sunny finds herself becoming unhinged. When she experiences her first psychotic break, she is plunged into a place of profound fear and confusion. As her delusions, hallucinations, and mood symptoms take over, Sunny traverses a harrowing journey into the depths of madness. Underlying her despair is the devastating delusion that she is being hunted by the Nazis.
As Sunny attempts to navigate her symptoms, she vacillates between understanding that she has a mental illness and being convinced that the doctors are conspiring against her. Adding to the narrative are Sunny’s relationships with her devoted family, her nebulous history with her mother, and the colorful and often tragic patients she meets along the way. Ultimately, love, determination, and hope emerge as salient aspects of Sunny’s recovery as she struggles to find her way out of the darkness.

Genres: Mental Health

448 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 2, 2024

About the author

Heather S. Lonczak holds a PhD in educational psychology and a master’s degree in clinical psychology. She completed her MA practicum at Western Psychiatric Institute and was awarded a postdoctoral fellowship from the Department of Psychology at the University of Washington. She has extensive experience as a research scientist in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and social work, and is a certified DSM-5 clinical interviewer. She has published numerous peer-reviewed social science articles and ten children’s books aimed at promoting positive youth development and empathy for animals. Dr. Lonczak lives in Seattle with her beloved family and pets.

Reviews

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fragility of Light is a well thought out novel about living with mental illness. Specifically schizoaffective disorder. I requested it from BookSirens because the subject hits close to home. I have much empathy for people inflicted by it and wanted to learn more.

The MC is Sunny. A very bright, beautiful woman who lives with overwhelming anxiety. The author, Heather S. Lonczak does a wonderful job at introducing us to Sunny and her family. She begins by building us a picture of Sunny’s early life and why/how she might have developed her diagnosis.

Heather takes us through Sunny’s first psychotic episode/mental breakdown and how it effected her family. The story is told in first person by three people. Sunny, her love interest, Joshua, and her Father, Peter. Each person shares their point of view. I really liked that. Seeing how it affected each of them personally.

I also liked how Heather described the scenery and what the people were wearing. It seems trivial but it made me feel like I knew the characters better.

The best thing about the book was how it showed that a person, surrounded by a support system, can stay on top of their illness to prevent a relapse. The whole family and her therapist worked together to help Sunny navigate life. It’s unfortunate that everyone with mental illness doesn’t have this support.

The biggest thing I took away from the book is that mental illness is a disease and not a choice. It is mostly genetic and can be brought on by stress. It will not go away. But like any other disease, the patient can be helped with the right medical care and support. The biggest obstacle is getting the patient on board with their treatment. Like any illness people can be in denial and refuse treatment. That’s where support comes in.

This is a wonderful book that should be read by anyone who has a mental illness and people who need to support someone who does.

Many thanks to Heather S. Lonczak and BookSirens for the ARC!!!

[Rachel Kline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ohh, what can I say about this book that will do justice to the beautiful writing?

This is one of those books that grabs you right at the start and does not let go until the end.

Written in three different POV’s you get to read the story as Sunny sees it. Sunny is a recent college graduate and a newlywed. She works for a publishing company and is fiercely protective of her Baba and Papa, who are holocaust survivors. After a life changing loss Sunny experiences a psychotic break where she believes she is being hunted by the Nazi’s.

Joshua is Sunny’s husband, and his love for her is all-encompassing. He grew up with a pretty idyllic childhood so he is very out of his element when Sunny becomes ill, but he wants to badly to understand and to help her recover.

Peter is Sunny’s father, and he is no stranger to mental illness as his first wife (Sunny’s mother) fought long and hard against many different diagnosis. He, along with his wife Linda, Joshua, and Sunny’s best friend work together to get Sunny the best help that they can. The love that they have for her is touching, and brought me to tears a few times.

Following Sunny and her loved ones through this journey ripped my heart apart and stitched it back together. This book was an easy five star rating, and I am so grateful to NetGalley, Ivy Lane Press, and Heather Lonczak for an advance reader copy of this book. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

[Tina Plintz · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!!
I don’t even know how to describe the book to do it justice!
It takes you on a journey thu a families journey thru mental illness.
The writing grabs you and is in so much detail you can actually imagine being there looking at the same things and actually feeling how the characters are feeling. Even the raw emotion. I couldn’t even stop the tears when Sunny lost her grandparents.
I will definitely recommend this to anyone who really wants a gripping story.
Maybe the story hit me a bit more since I have seen how one thing can trigger a schizophrenic episode and my grandparents were in the war. But I could not put this book down. I just wanted to get lost in it.

[Aneesha Shewani · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Heather S. Lonczak’s contemporary novel, “The Fragility of Light,” generational trauma and the fragile state of mental health cast their shadows over the life of Sylvia “Sunny” Zielinski. Sunny’s picture-perfect introverted existence takes a harrowing turn when she starts experiencing psychotic episodes.

Lonczak masterfully portrays mental illness, but not before immersing us in the wholesome experiences of youth—promising careers, love in the air, and a wedding on the horizon. Through her poetic prose, Lonczak transports us to a world steeped in charm and nostalgia, where the scent of lilies mingles with sun-warmed tomatoes still clinging to the vine. Sunny’s encounter with Joshua ignites an idyllic love, and their future seems vibrant.

As Sunny introduces Joshua to her gentle and wholesome family, the foundations of their new life appear unshakable. Yet, lurking in the past are shadows that resurface tragically, rocking their boat. Cracks emerge, and the once sweet and tender narration takes on gray overtones, plunging Sunny and all who love her into a nerve-wracking deluge.

Lonczak intricately weaves Sunny’s story with the perspectives of Joshua and Peter, her father. Both men grapple with the heart-wrenching realization that the one they love dearly is suffering, yet they find themselves powerless to alleviate her pain. Lonczak’s portrayal of their struggle captures the complexities of love and helplessness in the face of mental illness. Despite the recurring nature of shared experiences in the storyline, delving into Joshua and Peter’s tribulations remains relevant. Both men must bear the consequences: Joshua faces a crumbling present, and the future appears fraught with fear. Meanwhile, Peter’s past wounds resurface, raw and bleeding. Their intertwined struggles provide essential context, revealing the impact of generational trauma on their lives.

Lonczak’s novel is crucial to comprehend the impact of grief-stricken depression and the role of genetics in mental health. In brief lucid moments, Sunny glimpses her downward spiral, but the psychotic episodes remain beyond her control. Within her fragile mind, she carries the storm of genetic and generational trauma, unable to prevent the destruction it unleashes.

Skillfully delving into the complexities of trauma and its lingering effects, Lonczak invites readers to discover whether Sunny can battle her demons and whether Joshua’s love and devotion can withstand the searing trial. This novel, with its close exploration of matters of the mind and heart, leaves a lasting impression. Fans of literary fiction will find much to admire in this thought-provoking and emotionally resonant work with strong writing.

[Megan Reads-a-lot · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me longer than normal to get through this book due to the length and heavy nature of it. Trigger warnings include discussion surrounding the Holocaust, genocide, abuse of humans, severe mental illness, and suicide.

We begin the book with Sunny, a 22 year old who is extremely smart with a desire to edit books professionally and whom is engaged to the love of her life, Josh. The book is told in alternating viewpoints from Sunny, Josh, and Peter (Sunny’s father). Soon after the book starts, Sunny experiences her first psychotic break, brought on by the death of her grandparent’s, who helped raise her and with whom she is especially close. Her grandparents are both Holocaust survivors and Sunny has spent years researching and learning all she can about the genocide of her people. As Sunny’s mental health deteriorates, she believes she is being hunted by the Nazi’s. Through Sunny, Josh and Peter’s different viewpoints, the reader learns about the pervasive and debilitating impact severe mental illness has on patients, family and friends alike. As a licensed clinical social worker, I found Sunny’s experiences realistic to what I have seen in a clinical setting.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you for the Advanced Reading Copy from Ivy Lane Press

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This utterly engrossing book is an examination into a specific mental illness, schizoaffective disorder, through the deeply moving, deeply personal accounts of the main character, Sunny; her husband, Joshua, and her father, Peter. Sunny has graduated with honours from her chosen university, has a “perfect job” with a publishing house, loves and is loved by Joshua and Peter, and her grandparents: her Baba and Papa, and she loves and cherishes her cat, Chester. Although she had always been “bookish and shy” and seemed unapproachable to most young men, Joshua was enchanted by her and gradually won her heart.

Sunny’s mother died when Sunny was eight years old. She adored Baba and Papa who were Holocaust survivors and her father’s parents, and she immersed herself in Holocaust literature in order to understand their suffering and their sadness over the loss of their extended families.

It is from this background that Heather Lonczak unfolds the story of Sunny’s illness, in such an interesting way that I found it very hard to tear myself away from the book. It is a long book which also encompasses the lives of Baba and Papa, as well as Gracie, Sunny’s mother. All of this is important in order to understand Sunny’s illness. An interesting aspect to the story from the point of view of someone living outside America is that the costs of medical treatments in that country have to be met by insurance policies which form part of wages packages; whereas Australians who don’t have private health insurance are covered by Medicare.

I read The Fragility of Light as an ebook, thanks to Heather Lonczak and Net Galley but I think it would be perfect as a hard copy; there is so much in it that bears dipping into and re-reading.

Published by Ivy Lane Press.

[BooksAsDreams (Tiffany) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is between 4 and 5 stars. Five stars for addressing the topic of mental health with a rawness that is real and tangible. I would recommend this book to anyone who has experienced mental health issues with family members or anyone wanting to understand it more through lived experiences. Four stars for the repetitiveness of some of the information and not propelling the story forward and staying circular at times.

With themes of family support, mental illness, and overcoming, this is a decent debut novel that I would definitely recommend.

[Bonni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Psychology is a special interest of mine. For this topic, though, I almost always read non-fiction. This fictional account of a woman's descent into mental illness and her process of healing and growth is realistic and insightful. The many contributing factors to the illness as well as the tools for coping are illustrated in such a way that can be supremely helpful to anybody with family or friends experiencing mental illness. Content warnings abound, including profanity and violence, but I don't hold them too high in reference because the main character wouldn't normally think such obscenities. She's appalled by the voices in her head and the violence she imagines.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this novel. My opinions are my own.

[Jeremy Booty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an absorbing, compelling read that kept pulling me farther and farther along. Even though it is a novel, it expresses truths about mental illness that a textbook simply can't. It is told from the viewpoints of the Sunny, the person who has a severe mental illness, her husband Josh and her father Peter.

Sunny gives us a vivid accounting of what the world looks and feels like from the point of view of someone experiencing a psychotic break, To put it simply, it is terrifying, a dark world of no hope. Going beyond that, Lonczak gives us insight into why some people discontinue their medication, the very thing that is helping them.

Josh and Peter"s accounts are equally compelling. Those who care for the severely mentally ill have to live in a world where there is sometimes little hope, treading water with their loved ones and never seeming to make a permanent gain. Even though the accounts of all three characters are harrowing, the book is, at bottom, a hopeful one. Illnesses can be managed. People who have these illnesses can live good lives.

NB. Those readers who might be negatively affected by depictions of suicide or attempted suicide should be forewarned that there are brief passages concerning these things in this book.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was almost a DNF for me. I found the story to be WAY too long and the characters all rubbed me the wrong way. Ultimately, I'm very glad I finished it but I'm not going to say that this, to me, was well written. The story reads like a faux memoir and the characters, particularly Sunny and Joshua, feel very detached from their stories. They tell their stories in separate chapters and they feel somewhat omniscient in the way they relate to what they say. And Sunny and Joshua do not feel like real people. More like, perhaps, archetypes of 'the mentally unstable woman' and 'the madly in love, always forgiving man'. I'm not sure how else to describe them. Joshua in particular is really too good to be true - Mr. Wonderful, 120% devoted to Sunny, throws himself at the altar of love. Again, I enjoyed the story but I'm having a hard time recommending it wholeheartedly.

This ARC was provided by NetGalley and the publisher, the opinions expressed herein are strictly my own.

[Rose Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow!
I’m not sure how to put into words how well written this novel was.
I took a little longer to read, because at times the content was heavy.
I felt like I was reading a true account of a young woman and her struggle with mental illness.
It is told in 3 POVs. Sunny herself, her husband, and her father. I felt like I knew them.
Having such supportive family and friends truly made a difference in her acceptance and her ongoing recovery.
I have much more to say. I am still absorbing it all. I will add more later.
I definitely have a new appreciation for psychiatric disorders and mental health in general.
Thank you NetGalley and Heather Lonczak for the opportunity to read this in exchange of an honest review.
I will be purchasing a hard copy of this one!

[Alexszollo · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE FRAGILITY OF LIGHT: a heartwrenching, gripping story of the burden of identity and illness.
Mental illness has become a topic of great sensitivity nowadays, and I believe wholeheartedly it should be talked about much more, and in a manner that is a hundred percent authentic.
Good thing there are books like Ms. Heather Lonczak's heartwrenching novel, THE FRAGILITY OF LIGHT, which, in my view, is an absolute masterpiece of psychological fiction.
Meet Sylvia "Sunny" Zielinski. A bright young woman, with a bright future, just married, looking to become a book editor. She is funny, brilliant, highly empathetic.. So, what could be in her way?
Well, as it turns out, mental illness. Mental illness that is portrayed in SUCH a memorable manner that I dare anyone to make it a character of a story as poignantly and powerfully as Ms. Lonczak has. You see, Sunny comes from a family of Holocaust survivors, and as soon as she discovers the fate of her grandparents, her psychotic episodes start making her believe she is actually being sought for extermination by Nazis.
I loved the way in which Ms. Lonczak chose to tell the story, from the POVs of Sunny, her husband Joshua, and her father, Peter. This is not a book for everyone, as the subject matter and the manner in which it is approached are really intense. However, for those looking for insight into mental illness, as well as one of the most inspiring and emotional family dramas I have ever read, this book is a must. Ten out of five. A gripping, heartfelt, authentic masterpiece! Thank you, Ms. Lonczak, for writing this gem, and NetGalley for the privilege of reading it!

[Karen Cohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fragility of Light is the story of one woman's descent into mental illness. Such illnesses, while often genetic in nature, are strongly impacted by life events, and an understanding of the life events of the patient is necessary to developing an understanding of how the illness progresses. To do this, the author spends considerable time providing background information about Sunny, the main character, who has what appears to be a perfect life, right up until the symptoms begin - which, from a psychological perspective, is necessary to understanding her experiences, but from a story-telling perspective, means that nothing actually happens for the first quarter or more of the book, which reads more like a diary than a novel. Once events trigger Sunny's illness, however, things begin to move more quickly.

This is a work of fiction; nonetheless, the events surrounding and following the onset of Sunny's illness are filled with reality; there are no polite synonyms, no bleeping out of profanity. The novel is told in the first person, primarily from Sunny's perspective, but with occasional chapters told by her husband and father, who fill in their own perspectives on events. Once the novel passes the introductory information, it moves fairly quickly, but until then, it drags. The writing is occasionally flat and struggles to convey the emotions that accompany events; nonetheless, it was compelling, and readers will want to reach the end and find the outcome, which reaches a conclusion that implies an ending, but leaves it open, as Sunny realizes that her mental illness is an ongoing issue, not something that can be treated and then ignored.

This is a difficult novel to read because of the frank discussion of mental illness, homelessness and how mental illness is a part of that issue, the ultimate outcome of some mental illnesses, and the conditions inside facilities for the mentally ill; therefore, it is recommended for readers 16 to adult.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Maryann Forbes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Occasionally a book will touch you in such a way that you continue to think about it long after finishing it, The Fragility of Light by Heather S. Lonczak, PhD may well be one of those for me. I could hardly put it down, and have been thinking about so much of the book since finishing. The Fragility of Light is a novel focusing on the very bright, beautiful, capable and competent Sunny Zelinski. Life is going well for Sunny: she has a loving family, is planning her wedding to a fiance who adores her, is graduating Magn Cum Laude and is going to start her dream job working as an editor for a publishing house. She has always been goal oriented, and now all of her dreams appear to be her reality. Although successful at almost everything she has tried, Sunny is a sensitive, unassuming young woman, often uncomfortable in social situations.
Sunny's mom, Gracie, a beautiful and flamboyant artist died when Sunny was eight; she was essentially raised by her loving dad, Peter and her warm and wonderful Holocaust surviving grandparents. Baba and Papa die within one month of each other and Sunny's world begins to disintegrate. I don't want to include any spoilers so suffice to say Sunny begins a downward spiral into the dark world of mental illness. The story is told through the eyes of Sunny, her dad and her husband Joshua. It is a very powerful and moving book giving the reader a glimpse into the impact of mental illness on the person, his/her family, friends and the world around them. It can be an emotional read, however I highly recommend The Fragility of Light. 4.5 stars.

[Alisha (booksmellz) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trigger Warnings: mental illness, psychosis, death, mentions of suicide, suicide attempt, mention of living through the Holocaust, generational trauma, parental neglect

Sunny Zielinski has a promising future ahead of her. Recently, she lands a job as an editor and gets married to the love of her life, Joshua. Her close close-knit family is her rock, especially her loving grandparents - Holocaust survivors who helped raise her.

Following two major losses, Sunny finds that she’s losing herself. Then, she experiences her first psychotic break and is dropped into a world of fear and confusion as her delusions, hallucinations, and mood symptoms take over, Sunny is enveloped into madness. As Sunny attempts to navigate her symptoms, she struggles between what is reality and what is her illness, who’s there to help her, and what she needs to do to get better.

Told mostly through Sunny’s point of view, there are chapters with her husband Joshua, and her father, Peter, as they all try their hardest to help Sunny in her road to recovery.

My first words of this were just: Wow. This is definitely not an easy read. This will pull at your heartstrings before it helps you stitch it back together near the end.

The author, Heather S. Lonczak holds a master’s degree in clinical psychology along with a lot of other studies and experiences within the field and this novel shows she knows what she’s talking about. I appreciated how the doctors interacted with Sunny when they were talking to her about her illness and about taking her medicine. They treated her like a real person with an illness and not just the illness itself.

The novel is the slightest bit wordy in my opinion, but all the words help you immerse into Sunny’s life all the more. I especially loved reading Joshua or Peter’s chapters after some intense moments of Sunny’s as they tended to give you more insight of habits or events that Sunny either didn’t realize she was doing, or that she thought no one else would know about.

Overall, this novel is a wonderful look at a family adjusting to a new mental diagnosis. It doesn’t shy around the ugliness that a mental illness can cause and the struggle a family can go through. Highly recommending this novel for those who want to read about an experience of a newly diagnosed woman as she and her family try to find her way out of the darkness.

*Thank you Ivy Lan Press and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to keep reminding myself that this was a novel. It was written so well and absolutely could have been the true story of a young woman and her battle with schizoaffective disorder. Mental disease is horrible for those with it as well as the friends and family of these victims. In this novel, Sunny is a young woman affected by this disease. The author chose to tell the story from Sunny’s perspective as well as those of her father, Peter, and her boyfriend/husband Joshua. It was interesting to hear all of these points of view to better understand the terror of someone who has the disease and believes people are after her (in Sunny’s case, Nazis), and how people who are close to her feel and how they are dealing with it. We follow along on their journey from before Sunny was diagnosed, to her diagnosis and hospitalizations, and through her fight to get through it all. It’s such a sad and horrifying story and I could not read it in one sitting, as I felt too disturbed and had to put it aside every once in a while. That’s how well written it is.
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fragility of Light by Heather S Lonczak is a deep read. A tough read. But one that is done so intricately and so well it absorbs you.

At the heart is Sunny, a Jewish woman in her mid-20’s. She is very curious about everything her grandparents went thru during the Holocaust, and that becomes the background of her story. Sunny begins hearing voices and thinking everyone around her is SS and going to harm her.

Joshua is Sunny’s husband, and Peter is her father. You’ll also read from their POV about what they go thru when Sunny is triggered.

This book has 3 different POV’s, but the transitions are seamless, and you’ll have no difficulty keeping up. I honestly thought this was a true story it was written so well.

[Kaylyn Pautz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for granting me access to the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! This is exactly what I needed. I tend to stick to romantasy books but decided to give this book a try.

The way mental illness is explained and how the author allowed the reader to experience this mental illness was fantastic. Not only do you get to hear about Sunny’s journey, but you get the point of view from her husband and father.

I felt that mental illness was portrayed well throughout the story and the way it caused other lives to spiral helped the reader get a full picture of what was actually going on.

I highly recommend this book. I couldn’t put it down. If you’re looking for a more adult version of Kathleen Glasgow books then this is definitely for you.

[ElizaBeth Marie Trook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It did not grasp me at first but I loved the concept of the story so i kept going and it did not disappoint. I suffer with mental illness myself and the author did an amazing job giving the perspective of everyone involved in the life of someone with mental illness. I truly felt I was pulled into her life and felt like someone else knew what i go through on a daily basis. I will definitely recommend this book to others.

[Matt S Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. I loved every paragraph, every sentence and every word of this masterpiece! I read it in 12 hours, which is a lot for me to do! It had everything and more laid out in the novel! I sure hope There is more to come from this author! I am totally hooked!

[J R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong work that’s very very well focused on mental health in all the best ways. I would recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Wendy Remez · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars-This was a really tough read, emotionally. The amount of detail that the author goes into makes you fully understand what thoughts occupy the mind of someone who is schizophrenic (later diagnosed as schizophrenia-affective because of the mania and depression.) The toll it takes on the loved ones is also explored. I did find that I had to skip a few pages here and there because there was so much detail, which makes the book about an eight hour read. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Lashandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

In "The Fragility of Light" by Heather S. Lonczak, generational trauma and mental health challenges overshadow Sylvia "Sunny" Zielinski's life as she grapples with psychotic episodes. Lonczak skillfully navigates themes of love, family, and mental illness, immersing readers in Sunny's idyllic world before tragedy strikes. Through poetic prose, Lonczak captures the fragility of Sunny's mind and the helplessness felt by her loved ones, Joshua and Peter. The novel delves into the complexities of grief, depression, and genetic predisposition, leaving readers pondering whether Sunny can overcome her demons and if Joshua's love can endure. A compelling and emotionally resonant read, "The Fragility of Light" sheds light on the lasting impact of trauma and the power of love. 4 stars, with a note of repetition at times. Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy to me!

[Kimberley H · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very deep, lengthy story that illustrates the complexities of serious mental illness and the impact on family, as well as the person with the illness. Very well put together and realistic.

[Betsy Braccio · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book from viewpoint of patient and family

Accurate portrayal of mental illness and all that it encompasses. Good reading material for families dealing with mental illness. Well done!

[Andrea · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Fragility of Light is a story of a young woman and her struggles with Schizophrenia.

My take - this is a great story for the very optimistic, gullible person. I say this because I see this as an inaccurate depiction of most person diagnosed and living with Schizophrenia. Though a lighthearted and possibly a story illustrating hope for anyone diagnosed with a serious mental illness, I find it delusional in a way. Wishful thinking of how things are for someone suffering from mental illness, but whereas I don't see this as a truly accurate depiction, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this book to anyone with Schizophrenia or their families, but perhaps I would recommend the book looking for a take on at least a possible depiction of someone's life and that there is hope.

[Brandi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately this was a DNF for me. I could not get into this at all. The characters werent likeable or relatable. I thought the description made the book sound like it would be great but it was lacking for me. The story is too long.
I think the slowness in the first half of the book really makes this difficult for someone to get into, hence other reviews from people ending up DNF'ing or close to DNF'ing.

I think the subject matter is important though. The author does have a lot of knowledge and that shows in the writing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ivy Lane Press - Heather S. Lonczak - IngramSpark for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Room For One Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was quick to read, but I didn't like it. It's a book that helped me better understand mental health and schizophrenia so from an educational standpoint it provided a true glimpse into the intricacies of the disease. However, from a storytelling standpoint, the narrative flopped for me. I felt that the jumping between characters cause a bit of repetitiveness. It felt like a generic want-to-be Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness.

[Amy Renfroe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling and Honest

This is a beautiful, haunting, well written account of a family’s journey into a mental health diagnosis. The narrative reflects the emotions and thoughts of family members and weaves a “fabric” of a life returned to itself through love and commitment. It is thought provoking, compelling, and honest.

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

TLDR:

Interesting idea, but not well written. Overly melodramatic with unrealistic characters. As someone who has suffered from severe mental health issues, I would not recommend this if you want a well-written, realistic portrayal of the experience of mentally ill people.

FULL (spoilers?):

At page 63, I had just about decided to give up, but I thought I should keep going as it was a very interesting idea. I wished I'd stopped at 63. I tried, but it was still a DNF.

There were things about the book that I liked. It appears that the author did her due diligence and research when it came to the presentation of schizoaffective disorder, however, I'm not an expert in so I cannot say if it is accurate. The premise of the story was also very interesting: a woman whose life is just beginning has it derailed by the same illness her mother suffered from, and that was hidden by her father. However, I found the execution lacking.

It took me a while to put a finger on why I really struggled to get into this book, but in chapter six, I worked it out; the amount of exposition, backstory and 'telling' instead of showing is just way too much. I understand that a level of these things is always necessary, but the amount in this book made it hard to remember details, and I found it incredibly difficult to force myself through.

Oftentimes, these exposition dumps were not tied to anything physically occurring in the present and left me feeling unattached to both the story and characters. Chapter 12, for example, is just Joshua telling us a bunch of things that have previously happened and how much he loves his wife, with absolutely nothing to actually tie it to the present storyline. If he walked into their apartment and that caused him to think about how he'd once caught her dancing around that, at least, would've given me something to hold onto, but instead the entire chapter just seems to be floating there, completely detached from the plot.

The dialogue came across as stilted and unnatural. Often, it felt like the characters just said things because that was what was required. Melodramatic is the other way to describe it.

I enjoy unlikable narrators. I don't enjoy shallow, unlikable, unrelatable narrators.
Sunny is not the character you love to hate, and who you want to succeed despite that. She's the character you'd avoid at all costs if confronted with them in real life (please note: I don't think this because of her behaviour caused by her mental health issues, I've suffered from mental illness, and I felt a lot of sympathy for her and her mother in that regard. I didn't like Sunny's character well before anything happened related to her mental illness). It seemed the author was trying to make her come across as a deep thinker and intelligent, but I didn't see it (I physically cringed at the Lolita part). She is peak 'I'm not like other girls' with a dash of r/im14andthisisdeep.

Peter is unsympathetic to the extreme (as well as unrelatable, though not as much as Sunny). How someone whose wife and mother-in-law suffered from mental illness would not be prepared for his daughter to inherit it, and would actually hide it from her, is beyond me. Complete moron.

Joshua is... I don't really have much to say about him other than he is Sunny's husband and he comes across as being unrealistically 'good'. His reactions to her mental health decline seemed very unrealistic, especially considering his reaction to other mental health patients.

Really disappointed that it wasn't better told as it could've been really interesting. As someone who has suffered from severe mental health issues, I would not recommend this book.