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Sunshine
When Harriet takes a job looking after Oliver, an android who looks just like a six-year-old boy, her aim is to earn enough money to leave her wealthy and abusive husband and start afresh. But she wasn’t aware Oliver would be so lifelike, and didn’t expect him to fill the void in her traumatic life. They develop such a close bond that Oliver isn’t merely a robot to her. She sees him as a real boy — one she’s grown to love as her own son.
As the job contract comes to an end, Harriet’s faced with a difficult return Oliver to the company that developed him, or risk everything to keep him while fleeing her husband’s wrath.
Harriet is forced to fight for a love that society insists isn’t real, questioning not only her humanity, but what it means to be a mother.
As the job contract comes to an end, Harriet’s faced with a difficult return Oliver to the company that developed him, or risk everything to keep him while fleeing her husband’s wrath.
Harriet is forced to fight for a love that society insists isn’t real, questioning not only her humanity, but what it means to be a mother.
- GenresScience FictionFiction
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 1, 2025
58 people are currently reading
88 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
May 1, 2025
I've never read anything by this author before. And I feel genuinely honored I got to dive into this one. From the very first page, I was completely drawn into Harriet's world. She takes this job looking after Oliver (who's completely "different" from other kids his age), and you can easily see why she's hoping for a fresh start.
MY READING EXPERIENCE:
Emma Ellis (the author) has created such believable characters that you can't help but get invested.
Seeing Harriet and Oliver's connection grow really touched my heart. Oliver isn't just some machine or an AI! He has this spark that comes through in the story especially in how Harriet interacts with him. And it's contagious! In my opinion as a reader, I also started to see him as more than just a piece of technology. He felt like a character with REAL emotions. I found myself completely rooting for them both. Really hoping everything would be okay for them.
The more you read, the higher the risks become! The futuristic, messed-up world just adds to that feeling of suspense. The dystopian setting makes you feel like ANYTHING could go wrong at ANY moment.
Harriet has to make some unbelievably hard decisions. And you can really feel how much she's struggling. This book really makes you think about WHAT LOVE MEANS, what family means... and even what it means to be human in a world that's rapidly changing.
Without giving away any spoilers (because trust me, you need to experience this for yourself!)....this book tells a powerful HEARTBREAKING sad story about love and how it can keep going even when life throws terrible things at you. If you're looking for a thought-provoking read that will pull you in and maybe even make you shed a tear or two, definitely add this one to your TBR pile!
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NOTE: This is my personal opinion about the book. My goal is to share my experience, not to change anyone's perspective. Thank you to Emma Ellis for giving me the opportunity to read this early (ARC).
MY READING EXPERIENCE:
Emma Ellis (the author) has created such believable characters that you can't help but get invested.
Seeing Harriet and Oliver's connection grow really touched my heart. Oliver isn't just some machine or an AI! He has this spark that comes through in the story especially in how Harriet interacts with him. And it's contagious! In my opinion as a reader, I also started to see him as more than just a piece of technology. He felt like a character with REAL emotions. I found myself completely rooting for them both. Really hoping everything would be okay for them.
The more you read, the higher the risks become! The futuristic, messed-up world just adds to that feeling of suspense. The dystopian setting makes you feel like ANYTHING could go wrong at ANY moment.
Harriet has to make some unbelievably hard decisions. And you can really feel how much she's struggling. This book really makes you think about WHAT LOVE MEANS, what family means... and even what it means to be human in a world that's rapidly changing.
Without giving away any spoilers (because trust me, you need to experience this for yourself!)....this book tells a powerful HEARTBREAKING sad story about love and how it can keep going even when life throws terrible things at you. If you're looking for a thought-provoking read that will pull you in and maybe even make you shed a tear or two, definitely add this one to your TBR pile!
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NOTE: This is my personal opinion about the book. My goal is to share my experience, not to change anyone's perspective. Thank you to Emma Ellis for giving me the opportunity to read this early (ARC).
April 21, 2025
Sunshine is a thought-provoking and engaging story that flows naturally. I really enjoyed the author’s storytelling style. It felt authentic and really makes the characters come to life!
I also loved how the dystopian nature of the setting is slowly revealed over the course of the story.
This was my first time reading Emma’s work, and I was privileged to receive an advance copy for review. I really enjoyed the characters and will definitely be reading the other books in the series to see what’s next for Oliver and Harriet. Highly recommended!
I also loved how the dystopian nature of the setting is slowly revealed over the course of the story.
This was my first time reading Emma’s work, and I was privileged to receive an advance copy for review. I really enjoyed the characters and will definitely be reading the other books in the series to see what’s next for Oliver and Harriet. Highly recommended!
September 12, 2025
Absolutely beautiful story! I've never read a book like this before and I really enjoyed it. Very emotional and moving, especially the bond between Harriet and Oliver. Can't wait to read the sequel!
May 1, 2025
I feel so lucky that I got to read an early copy of Sunshine. Started reading Emma Ellis last year, and was hooked! My favourite genre is Dystopian, and Emma does it so well!
Sunshine is equally as amazing, as her other books. You really feel like you’re there with Harriet and Oliver. Such great characters! Emma really captures a Mothers love. It’s heartbreaking at times, but also tender. Really looking forward to the next book in the series
Sunshine is equally as amazing, as her other books. You really feel like you’re there with Harriet and Oliver. Such great characters! Emma really captures a Mothers love. It’s heartbreaking at times, but also tender. Really looking forward to the next book in the series
April 1, 2025
I was so lucky to get the opportunity to get an advanced copy of thia book and it did not disappoint. Emma writes dystopian worlds so well, this story captures a mothers love and the lengths they will go to. The characters are well written and enjoyable to learn more about, it's definitely a page turner.
April 28, 2025
Thank you Emma Ellis for selecting me to read this ARC.
Genre: Dystopian Science Fiction
📍 Future London
Vibes: 🏙️🧬🤖👩🏻👦🏻💔🚨
Rating: 4.75 ⭐
Tropes: mother-son relationship / resistance movement / personal awakening
⚠️ TW: domestic violence
MY. HEART.
I was concerned when I read the synopsis that I wouldn't understand the mother-son bond as I am a childfree woman. I was more interested by the technological child aspect of the book blurb when I signed up to read this ARC.
The book started off a little slow, but around 60% through, I could not put it down. There are some parts I wish were elaborated on a little more, like Harriet's time in the underground or lower levels, but the book definitely focused on Harriet and Oliver's bond and that is the most important part.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the books in this series -- I need to know how Oliver and Harriet's relationship grows because I am fully invested now. Thank you, Emma.
Genre: Dystopian Science Fiction
📍 Future London
Vibes: 🏙️🧬🤖👩🏻👦🏻💔🚨
Rating: 4.75 ⭐
Tropes: mother-son relationship / resistance movement / personal awakening
⚠️ TW: domestic violence
MY. HEART.
I was concerned when I read the synopsis that I wouldn't understand the mother-son bond as I am a childfree woman. I was more interested by the technological child aspect of the book blurb when I signed up to read this ARC.
The book started off a little slow, but around 60% through, I could not put it down. There are some parts I wish were elaborated on a little more, like Harriet's time in the underground or lower levels, but the book definitely focused on Harriet and Oliver's bond and that is the most important part.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the rest of the books in this series -- I need to know how Oliver and Harriet's relationship grows because I am fully invested now. Thank you, Emma.
April 6, 2025
The book is pretty dark in places and as it goes on you find out more about the trauma the female main character, Harriet, has suffered through out her life. Harriet is really well written character, believing herself to be weak and cowardly, but being just the opposite in her actions. The main theme of the book is mothers love but it explores many other questions too such what is real particularly in the current age of AI, social mobility, and consumer waste.
I got this book as an advance readers copy from the author, and now I can’t read to read the sequel.
I got this book as an advance readers copy from the author, and now I can’t read to read the sequel.
March 30, 2025
I was lucky enough to read an early copy, and I LOVED this book. The author nails the mother’s perspective of love, and it’s such an interesting idea of a dystopian world.
April 17, 2025
I must say that when I saw that this author had another book in the making I jumped at the opportunity to read, and let me tell you I wasn’t disappointed. Reminded me of high-rise mixed with the movie A.I. artificial intelligence, so its like the high-rise, but not quite, because it all takes place in a place that in some way is mixed with, with half under the sun and half below the earth, , again, we go really deep in this world.
Harriet, is a survivor of domestic violence, and not only of her husband… I have a feeling all started way back, when she was just a child, so thread with care, and be prepared for that. Harriet came from very down bellow, she worked hard to leave the bellow and started working in films, and in the meanwhile she got the attention of Anthony and got married to him, at first he was perfect, but he is a narcissist and when things don’t go his way is always the others fault… and since Harriet is there, she is his punching bag… she is starving for love, and she gives all her love to Oliver, an android that learns everything from her, and from what he sees around him… Harried tries to protect Oliver from all abuse from Anthony but even that doesn’t goes unnoticed by Oliver…
funny how Emma does a terrific job in creating a dystopian world where I don’t really want to live, but I really like some of the characters and hate others with passion. I wish I could help Harriet, I wish I could terminate some of the characters, and I got really sad at what some characters did, and another plus this author has is that, her LGBT characters are human, they don’t need to be lesbian, gays or whatever to be important or to be relevant, they’re them, who they love is not who they are. Even our main character Harriet, she is more of a lesbian than a bisexual, but thats for you to learn about her and for me to know.
I can’t wait to read the next book, it ended in a very sad note for me, I was very disappointed with what one character did to Harriet… but again I wont give spoilers, just grab a copy for yourself when this book goes live and see for yourself, its really worthwhile.
I got a free ARC copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
Harriet, is a survivor of domestic violence, and not only of her husband… I have a feeling all started way back, when she was just a child, so thread with care, and be prepared for that. Harriet came from very down bellow, she worked hard to leave the bellow and started working in films, and in the meanwhile she got the attention of Anthony and got married to him, at first he was perfect, but he is a narcissist and when things don’t go his way is always the others fault… and since Harriet is there, she is his punching bag… she is starving for love, and she gives all her love to Oliver, an android that learns everything from her, and from what he sees around him… Harried tries to protect Oliver from all abuse from Anthony but even that doesn’t goes unnoticed by Oliver…
funny how Emma does a terrific job in creating a dystopian world where I don’t really want to live, but I really like some of the characters and hate others with passion. I wish I could help Harriet, I wish I could terminate some of the characters, and I got really sad at what some characters did, and another plus this author has is that, her LGBT characters are human, they don’t need to be lesbian, gays or whatever to be important or to be relevant, they’re them, who they love is not who they are. Even our main character Harriet, she is more of a lesbian than a bisexual, but thats for you to learn about her and for me to know.
I can’t wait to read the next book, it ended in a very sad note for me, I was very disappointed with what one character did to Harriet… but again I wont give spoilers, just grab a copy for yourself when this book goes live and see for yourself, its really worthwhile.
I got a free ARC copy from the author and this is my honest opinion.
October 28, 2025
Snagged this borrow from KindleUnlimited ... text only, no audio available ... and I must admit I'm probably a bit more picky when 'reading with my eyes' because I have so little eye-time, I want it to be worth it. This had a compelling premise, but it just didn't keep me caught up in the story. It was very dark and depressing - a little ironic taking the title into consideration. Domestic violence, sex, proFanity (x33).
The idea of "levels" representing quality of life is one I've encountered before in the YA read The Thousandth Floor ... I really liked that series and all the imaginative futuristic tech - no mechanikids though. While not this same presentation, John Marrs has a futuristic world with some "AI Family" similarities in "The Family Experiment" (which I liked a lot).
Here ... Oliver's dialog was rarely very natural, which of course can be explained away, as he is a robot, and constantly learning.
3rd person - all from Harriet's POV. Present tense. Some memories in past tense. Set in the (futuristic) UK, Britishisms/spellings
Typo? Chapter 3 ... "her heartened heart" .... should be "hardened"??
QUOTE: "Surely, love is love. A parent is a parent, regardless of whether their child is different." And connected to the "love is love" ... while this doesn't have a LGBTQ label on Goodreads, same-sex relationships were very prominent.
I just found myself not really wanting to come back and read more ... I had to push to finish and was glad when I was done. There were some turns I wasn't expecting along the way. My KU subscription has ended, so I don't have easy access to the sequels ... but I don't think I would have continued on anyway.
The idea of "levels" representing quality of life is one I've encountered before in the YA read The Thousandth Floor ... I really liked that series and all the imaginative futuristic tech - no mechanikids though. While not this same presentation, John Marrs has a futuristic world with some "AI Family" similarities in "The Family Experiment" (which I liked a lot).
Here ... Oliver's dialog was rarely very natural, which of course can be explained away, as he is a robot, and constantly learning.
3rd person - all from Harriet's POV. Present tense. Some memories in past tense. Set in the (futuristic) UK, Britishisms/spellings
Typo? Chapter 3 ... "her heartened heart" .... should be "hardened"??
QUOTE: "Surely, love is love. A parent is a parent, regardless of whether their child is different." And connected to the "love is love" ... while this doesn't have a LGBTQ label on Goodreads, same-sex relationships were very prominent.
I just found myself not really wanting to come back and read more ... I had to push to finish and was glad when I was done. There were some turns I wasn't expecting along the way. My KU subscription has ended, so I don't have easy access to the sequels ... but I don't think I would have continued on anyway.
May 12, 2025
Visionary, gripping, and way-too-possibly true
I’m a mother, all my kids grown now. I cannot imagine having to go through what Harriet went through to protect Oliver, a robot child who she must train to be empathetic, like a kind human. But Harriet has her own struggles and her past keeps catching up with her. She has to take ever-increasing risks to protect Oliver and keep herself alive. There were times I cried, times I laughed, and in the end, I can’t say I would’ve done anything differently from Harriet. In a world where we are all figuring out AI and its impact on our life, this chilling tale gives us a picture of how unethical companies could use the tech. Everyone should read this book, if not only to be inspired by Harriet’s love for her very special boy, but also so we know to fight the first inklings of these ideas. Once again, Emma Ellis has written a thoughtful, scarily possible, and deeply endearing dystopian narrative no I cannot wait for the next installment in the series.
Content warnings though are a must in this selfish, power-hungry, dystopian society. Graphic sexual / physical / mental / emotional spousal abuse, other violence in many forms, brief open-door sexual acts between consenting adults of same-sex couples, and physical harm to children.
I’m a mother, all my kids grown now. I cannot imagine having to go through what Harriet went through to protect Oliver, a robot child who she must train to be empathetic, like a kind human. But Harriet has her own struggles and her past keeps catching up with her. She has to take ever-increasing risks to protect Oliver and keep herself alive. There were times I cried, times I laughed, and in the end, I can’t say I would’ve done anything differently from Harriet. In a world where we are all figuring out AI and its impact on our life, this chilling tale gives us a picture of how unethical companies could use the tech. Everyone should read this book, if not only to be inspired by Harriet’s love for her very special boy, but also so we know to fight the first inklings of these ideas. Once again, Emma Ellis has written a thoughtful, scarily possible, and deeply endearing dystopian narrative no I cannot wait for the next installment in the series.
Content warnings though are a must in this selfish, power-hungry, dystopian society. Graphic sexual / physical / mental / emotional spousal abuse, other violence in many forms, brief open-door sexual acts between consenting adults of same-sex couples, and physical harm to children.
April 23, 2025
A powerful story about the love between a parent and child.
Harriet is a strong main character with many positive traits and enough flaws to keep her realistic. I liked how she grappled with many tough choices and you got to see deep into her mind when she was dealing with the hardships in her life. There are strong themes of abusive relationships, which aren’t shied away from, so this can be a big trigger warning for some.
Oliver is a sweet and mature little robot, and like Harriet, you can forget he’s not a human child. I enjoyed how he grew and learnt about the world around him, and how it shaped his actions and personality.
It took me a bit to wrap my head around the geography of the dystopian world, but this didn’t distract from the heart of the story. It’s a futuristic UK where buildings are built up into high rises to avoid the landfill spread across the planet. I liked the way Harriet wants to help the planet in her own way (washing clothes instead of just throwing them away after each use).
The ending came very quickly and had an emotional punch. I’m excited to read the sequel!
Harriet is a strong main character with many positive traits and enough flaws to keep her realistic. I liked how she grappled with many tough choices and you got to see deep into her mind when she was dealing with the hardships in her life. There are strong themes of abusive relationships, which aren’t shied away from, so this can be a big trigger warning for some.
Oliver is a sweet and mature little robot, and like Harriet, you can forget he’s not a human child. I enjoyed how he grew and learnt about the world around him, and how it shaped his actions and personality.
It took me a bit to wrap my head around the geography of the dystopian world, but this didn’t distract from the heart of the story. It’s a futuristic UK where buildings are built up into high rises to avoid the landfill spread across the planet. I liked the way Harriet wants to help the planet in her own way (washing clothes instead of just throwing them away after each use).
The ending came very quickly and had an emotional punch. I’m excited to read the sequel!
April 10, 2025
When the author says it’s a gripping and heartbreaking tale, believe it. I just finished reading this book, and I’m just a bit sad after reading that ending. I definitely hope that book 2 is not as gut wrenching, but knowing Emma Ellis, it will be.
Sunshine is such a great and powerful book about what it means to be a mother, whether the child is human or not. Harriet doesn’t have the happiest life, and decides to look after Oliver, in order to make some money to escape said life. What she doesn’t expect is that she will grow to love her android charge. What follows is a harrowing tale of what a mother will do to protect and stay with her child.
So much emotion, trauma, love…this book is just so good. And Emma Ellis is a master at writing about dystopian worlds, and this one is just gritty and oppressive and the others she’s created. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the rest of this series!
Thank you to the author for the advance reader copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sunshine is such a great and powerful book about what it means to be a mother, whether the child is human or not. Harriet doesn’t have the happiest life, and decides to look after Oliver, in order to make some money to escape said life. What she doesn’t expect is that she will grow to love her android charge. What follows is a harrowing tale of what a mother will do to protect and stay with her child.
So much emotion, trauma, love…this book is just so good. And Emma Ellis is a master at writing about dystopian worlds, and this one is just gritty and oppressive and the others she’s created. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the rest of this series!
Thank you to the author for the advance reader copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
April 26, 2025
Sunshine was a phenomenal read that completely drew me in and had me hooked. This was my first time reading anything within the science fiction or dystopian genres, so I wasn’t sure if I was going to like it, but I absolutely LOVED the story of Harriet and Oliver as well as the social commentary woven throughout!
Emma did a masterful job of creating authentic, nuanced characters. As I read I could feel the fear, hope, grief, and unending love that they experienced. I cheered them on, held my breath with worry, and cried at the heartwrenching decisions they had to make. What a journey.
Thank you Emma for sending me an early copy for review. It was a privilege to be able to read this book, and I’m already antsy to read the next two in the series!
Emma did a masterful job of creating authentic, nuanced characters. As I read I could feel the fear, hope, grief, and unending love that they experienced. I cheered them on, held my breath with worry, and cried at the heartwrenching decisions they had to make. What a journey.
Thank you Emma for sending me an early copy for review. It was a privilege to be able to read this book, and I’m already antsy to read the next two in the series!
April 25, 2025
Emma Ellis excels at writing dystopian fiction that could possibly be reality. It is terrifying and heartbreaking, hopeful and heartwarming. She will make you feel for characters you could never have imagined, in worlds that exist only in nightmares.
Dystopian fiction is one of the toughest, yet most rewarding genres to read. It makes you question your own ethics and morality - but hopefully you will be better for those questions.
Emma’s books are not for the faint hearted - heed the trigger warnings and decide if you’re brave enough to ride this rollercoaster. It is a gripping, absorbing tale that will break and mend your heart.
Dystopian fiction is one of the toughest, yet most rewarding genres to read. It makes you question your own ethics and morality - but hopefully you will be better for those questions.
Emma’s books are not for the faint hearted - heed the trigger warnings and decide if you’re brave enough to ride this rollercoaster. It is a gripping, absorbing tale that will break and mend your heart.
December 14, 2025
This beautifully dark dystopian novel explores the lengths a mother will go to in order to raise a young boy society insists doesn’t deserve humanity. It grapples with inequality, exponential population growth, and what it means to be human in a world determined to forget it.
*Trigger warning: intense depictions of domestic violence.
Perfect for fans of A.I. Artificial Intelligence and The Handmaid’s Tale.
*Trigger warning: intense depictions of domestic violence.
Perfect for fans of A.I. Artificial Intelligence and The Handmaid’s Tale.
August 17, 2025
Great book!
This was a good book. It really starts to pull you in by the first few pages. Although there were a couple of times I wanted Harriet to be bolder, I just had to remind myself that she had trauma and her reactions are a typical response to overcoming that trauma. I can't wait to read book 2.
This was a good book. It really starts to pull you in by the first few pages. Although there were a couple of times I wanted Harriet to be bolder, I just had to remind myself that she had trauma and her reactions are a typical response to overcoming that trauma. I can't wait to read book 2.
May 6, 2025
Wow! As a boy mum I felt this so deeply. It's like an emotional episode of Black Mirror. Heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measure. Oliver is just the most perfect little robot and every bit of their journey had me on the edge of my seat. Can't wait for book 2.
May 23, 2025
I really can't recommend Emma's books enough. Absolutely no spoilers here! I've read all of them so far, the storytelling is wonderful - be prepared, it'll pull at your heart strings and take over your life
May 1, 2025
this was a super unique take on a dystopian England. The world building was well-done and i was hooked the whole time
September 7, 2025
Annoying story of a woman who gets so attached to her 6 year old robot that she can't give him back to the AI company.
January 11, 2026
Sunshine
Loved this book,would give it 10 stars if could , from first page to last brilliant ,onto book 2 now 😊
Loved this book,would give it 10 stars if could , from first page to last brilliant ,onto book 2 now 😊
June 2, 2025
This took me back to the Steven Spielberg's Artificial Intelligence film from the early 2000s. Through a clever blurring of the 3rd person narrator and Harriet you're drawn right into her world and the bond she forms with her robot son, Oliver. It would seem far fetched if you hadn't been on the progression with Harriet. I won't give any spoilers but there were lots of twists & turns, including an ending I didn't predict. Have already downloaded book 2 on KU.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews