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The Burning Side
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5 copies available
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From the author of The Bright Years, the story of April and Leo, a couple on the brink of collapse. When their house goes up in flames, family secrets and thorny histories emerge as they are forced to decide what is worth salvaging.
When April and Leo’s house burns in the middle of the night, they escape with their two young children and the quiet knowledge that the fire is not the only thing threatening their family. They retreat to April’s childhood home in Dallas, where her spirited parents and siblings provide both comfort and complication.
As the family reckons with the aftermath—grief, guilt, logistics, and memories scorched and intact—the fire exposes the cracks already forming in April and Leo’s marriage. The novel unfolds in alternating perspectives: from April, who feels the crushing weight of motherhood, marriage, and self-blame; from Leo, a high school history teacher shaped by a lonely, fractured childhood; from Deb, April’s generous and no-nonsense mother who has to contend with her husband’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis; and from flashbacks that trace April and Leo’s relationship from its earliest days of connection to the devastating decisions that led them here.
A family saga suffused with humor, longing, and heartbreak, The Burning Side is about what we inherit and what we choose, about forgiveness and the ache of being known. It is, above all, about the meaning of home and the costs of long love.
When April and Leo’s house burns in the middle of the night, they escape with their two young children and the quiet knowledge that the fire is not the only thing threatening their family. They retreat to April’s childhood home in Dallas, where her spirited parents and siblings provide both comfort and complication.
As the family reckons with the aftermath—grief, guilt, logistics, and memories scorched and intact—the fire exposes the cracks already forming in April and Leo’s marriage. The novel unfolds in alternating perspectives: from April, who feels the crushing weight of motherhood, marriage, and self-blame; from Leo, a high school history teacher shaped by a lonely, fractured childhood; from Deb, April’s generous and no-nonsense mother who has to contend with her husband’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis; and from flashbacks that trace April and Leo’s relationship from its earliest days of connection to the devastating decisions that led them here.
A family saga suffused with humor, longing, and heartbreak, The Burning Side is about what we inherit and what we choose, about forgiveness and the ache of being known. It is, above all, about the meaning of home and the costs of long love.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 16, 2026
34 people are currently reading
20557 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Damoff
3 books1,319 followersSarah Damoff is the author of the debut novel, THE BRIGHT YEARS, published by Simon & Schuster on April 22, 2025. It was a national bestseller; a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist; Southern Literary Review Book of the Year; and it is being translated into eight languages. Her writing has appeared in Oprah Daily, Porter House Review, Ruminate Magazine, and Open Global Rights, among other publications. She holds a degree in Family Studies and a Child Protection Certification from Harvard University. A Texas native, Sarah lives with her husband and children in Dallas, where she has been a social worker. Her second novel, THE BURNING SIDE, is forthcoming in June 2026.
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January 22, 2026
I know it’s way too early to declare that I’ve found the best book of 2026, but I’m going to say it anyway—and I will stand by it. This book is a MASTERPIECE.
The characterization is so flawless, so deeply human, that every single character feels like someone you know—someone you love. They feel like family members you want to spend time with: firing up the grill for a backyard barbecue, dancing in the kitchen to “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” devouring the pastries Deb lovingly bakes, doing puzzles with Sadie, belting out “Summer Nights” from Grease with Josie, or cuddling sweet little Otto. These people crawl into your heart and stay there.
This book will tear you apart, shatter your heart into a million sharp glass pieces, and leave you crying until you’re certain there can’t possibly be a single tear left to shed. And yet—somehow—it is also comforting, hopeful, and deeply affirming. It reminds you of love, tenderness, and self-worth. It paints a breathtaking portrait of a family that is far from perfect but achingly real: messy, warm, silly, supportive, deeply flawed, and endlessly kind.
The story opens with pure devastation. In the middle of the night, April flees her burning house, clutching her baby in one arm and the book her husband has written in the other. Moments later, Leo emerges from the flames carrying their daughter. Everyone is safe—but nothing else is. April is in shock, because the fire is her fault. She had been boiling pasta when Leo asked for a divorce. In that moment, everything inside her froze. She forgot the stove. She forgot herself. She floated outside her own body and watched as the home they built, the life they shared, and the marriage they nurtured went up in flames together.
With nowhere else to go, April and Leo move into her parents’ home while dealing with the aftermath. Leo hesitates. Living with the Russo family—Deb and Billy—means confronting a truth he’s been avoiding for years: they are the only real family he’s ever known. His own parents abandoned him, leaving him to be raised by an aunt before cutting ties completely. Deb and Billy never treated him like a son-in-law—they treated him like their fourth child, offering unconditional love, protection, and belonging. Walking away from April means walking away from all of them: from Deb, Billy, and from April’s siblings, Josie and Cameron, who became his own family along the way.
As April and Leo try to maintain appearances for the sake of their children, buying time while waiting to learn whether the house can be salvaged, Leo remains determined to end the marriage. April, desperate and heartbroken, begs him to see things from her side. During this fragile time, Deb quietly carries the weight of a painful truth—a serious health issue affecting Billy that she has been shielding the family from in an attempt to protect them. When this reality finally surfaces, it shakes everyone to the core and forces each character to confront what truly matters.
Life, as this book so beautifully reminds us, doesn’t deliver pain or joy in neat packages. Triumphs and tragedies arrive side by side: new job opportunities, unexpected successes, marriage proposals, a child’s magical first visit from the tooth fairy—alongside heartbreak, illness, loss, and unbearable truths. Yet through it all, the bonds of family are tested, stretched, and—sometimes—made even stronger.
Houses can burn. Marriages can fracture. Hearts can break. Memories can fade. Tears will fall. But real love—the kind rooted in trust, loyalty, and deep understanding—can survive even the fiercest storms. The question is: will they survive this one?
There were moments when I wanted to shake both April and Leo and scream at them to stop being so stubborn—especially Leo. I rooted for them with my whole heart. Deb and Billy absolutely stole the show for me: watching them grow, support one another, and face life with quiet strength was profoundly moving.
The final chapters broke me… and then gently put me back together again. I felt everything at once: sorrow, love, reality’s harsh truths, illness, healing, trust, loyalty—and life itself, with all its brutal beauty and unexpected grace.
No more words. This isn’t just my favorite book of 2026 so far—it has already secured a place among my all-time favorite books.
If you don’t read this book—if you don’t buy a copy immediately or at least add it to your TBR—I will personally come to your house and sing “Dream a Little Dream of Me” at full volume until your ears bleed. (I have a lot of travel miles and an Uber discount.) Trust me, my voice is terrible. To avoid this fate, please just buy the book.
(That last sentence was delivered in my most professional customer-service tone.)
Millions of thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with this MASTERPIECE’s digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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The characterization is so flawless, so deeply human, that every single character feels like someone you know—someone you love. They feel like family members you want to spend time with: firing up the grill for a backyard barbecue, dancing in the kitchen to “Dream a Little Dream of Me,” devouring the pastries Deb lovingly bakes, doing puzzles with Sadie, belting out “Summer Nights” from Grease with Josie, or cuddling sweet little Otto. These people crawl into your heart and stay there.
This book will tear you apart, shatter your heart into a million sharp glass pieces, and leave you crying until you’re certain there can’t possibly be a single tear left to shed. And yet—somehow—it is also comforting, hopeful, and deeply affirming. It reminds you of love, tenderness, and self-worth. It paints a breathtaking portrait of a family that is far from perfect but achingly real: messy, warm, silly, supportive, deeply flawed, and endlessly kind.
The story opens with pure devastation. In the middle of the night, April flees her burning house, clutching her baby in one arm and the book her husband has written in the other. Moments later, Leo emerges from the flames carrying their daughter. Everyone is safe—but nothing else is. April is in shock, because the fire is her fault. She had been boiling pasta when Leo asked for a divorce. In that moment, everything inside her froze. She forgot the stove. She forgot herself. She floated outside her own body and watched as the home they built, the life they shared, and the marriage they nurtured went up in flames together.
With nowhere else to go, April and Leo move into her parents’ home while dealing with the aftermath. Leo hesitates. Living with the Russo family—Deb and Billy—means confronting a truth he’s been avoiding for years: they are the only real family he’s ever known. His own parents abandoned him, leaving him to be raised by an aunt before cutting ties completely. Deb and Billy never treated him like a son-in-law—they treated him like their fourth child, offering unconditional love, protection, and belonging. Walking away from April means walking away from all of them: from Deb, Billy, and from April’s siblings, Josie and Cameron, who became his own family along the way.
As April and Leo try to maintain appearances for the sake of their children, buying time while waiting to learn whether the house can be salvaged, Leo remains determined to end the marriage. April, desperate and heartbroken, begs him to see things from her side. During this fragile time, Deb quietly carries the weight of a painful truth—a serious health issue affecting Billy that she has been shielding the family from in an attempt to protect them. When this reality finally surfaces, it shakes everyone to the core and forces each character to confront what truly matters.
Life, as this book so beautifully reminds us, doesn’t deliver pain or joy in neat packages. Triumphs and tragedies arrive side by side: new job opportunities, unexpected successes, marriage proposals, a child’s magical first visit from the tooth fairy—alongside heartbreak, illness, loss, and unbearable truths. Yet through it all, the bonds of family are tested, stretched, and—sometimes—made even stronger.
Houses can burn. Marriages can fracture. Hearts can break. Memories can fade. Tears will fall. But real love—the kind rooted in trust, loyalty, and deep understanding—can survive even the fiercest storms. The question is: will they survive this one?
There were moments when I wanted to shake both April and Leo and scream at them to stop being so stubborn—especially Leo. I rooted for them with my whole heart. Deb and Billy absolutely stole the show for me: watching them grow, support one another, and face life with quiet strength was profoundly moving.
The final chapters broke me… and then gently put me back together again. I felt everything at once: sorrow, love, reality’s harsh truths, illness, healing, trust, loyalty—and life itself, with all its brutal beauty and unexpected grace.
No more words. This isn’t just my favorite book of 2026 so far—it has already secured a place among my all-time favorite books.
If you don’t read this book—if you don’t buy a copy immediately or at least add it to your TBR—I will personally come to your house and sing “Dream a Little Dream of Me” at full volume until your ears bleed. (I have a lot of travel miles and an Uber discount.) Trust me, my voice is terrible. To avoid this fate, please just buy the book.
(That last sentence was delivered in my most professional customer-service tone.)
Millions of thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with this MASTERPIECE’s digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.
Follow me on medium.com to read my articles about books, movies, streaming series, astrology:
medium blog
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I feel so incredibly lucky to be living in a world where I get to experience stories like these. I was lucky enough to arc read Sarah Damoff's debut, The Bright Years, last year (please go read it) and it was my top read of 2025. So imagine my EXTREME excitement when the publisher sent me The Burning Side to arc read as well. I had a little cry and immediately dived back into the world and writing of one of my favorite authors. I know we are only in January but I'm telling you right now, The Burning Side will be in my top books of 2026. This book was everything to me. This book reminded me why I love reading so much and the portrayals of love, grief, happiness, sacrifice, and vulnerability made me sob so many times. This book is a true treasure.
The Burning Side is the story of a married couple, April and Leo, who are on the brink of collapse. The books begins with gut-wrenching devastation as their family home burns in the middle of the night. The scenes of April and Leo running out of the house clutching their children were so visceral and heartbreaking. In the aftermath, April is stuck in time after the fire because she blames herself. The night before Leo tells her he wants a divorce and in a daze of shock April forgets to turn off the stove. One small mistake turns into everything they knew into flames. Now forced to abandon their home, the family finds themselves retreating back to April's parents house in Dallas as they try to salvage not only their home but their marriage.
This book shines in its characterization and the synopsis says it best. "Told in alternating perspectives: from April, who feels the crushing weight of motherhood, marriage, and self-blame; from Leo, a high school history teacher shaped by a lonely, fractured childhood; from Deb, April’s generous and no-nonsense mother who has to contend with her husband’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis; and from flashbacks that trace April and Leo’s relationship from its earliest days of connection to the devastating decisions that led them here." Living with April's parents brings a whole new set of challenges, tension, and complications to the family but I loved getting all the context to each of the characters through their perspectives and the flashbacks.
In the wake of Billy's diagnosis, the family begins to confront and question what really matters. This book reminds us just how fragile, beautiful, and devastating life can be at times. It captures both the complexities and still moments of familial relationships: grilling in the backyard, quiet sacrifices, mornings with the tooth fairy, and unimaginable hardships. Sarah's writing was so honest and respectful to the topics in the book and filled with emotion on every page. The ending chapters absolutely broke me but also made me feel so hopeful. We only get one life to live and this book is a gentle reminder to do just that, live.
Where The Bright Years feels like hit after hit leaving you in a sobbing mess, The Burning Side is a quiet heartbreak that unravels over the course of the book. It is a breathtaking portrayal of a family that is deeply flawed, messy, real but also comforting, warm, silly, and so so supportive of each other in every avenue. It is a beautifully written book that will stay with my forever.
Thank you endlessly to Simon & Schuster and Sarah Damoff for the eARC in exchange for my review. I already have my copy pre ordered and I truly cannot recommend this book enough! Sarah Damoff has solidified herself as of one my all-time favorite authors with The Burning Side and I feel so lucky I got to read this early 💖
-----------------------------------------
update: I GOT THE ARC gonna go sob and read now🥹🥹🥹
SARAH PLEASE IM BEGGING FOR AN ARC!!!
also if you haven’t read her debut, The Bright Years, go do it right now!!!
The Burning Side is the story of a married couple, April and Leo, who are on the brink of collapse. The books begins with gut-wrenching devastation as their family home burns in the middle of the night. The scenes of April and Leo running out of the house clutching their children were so visceral and heartbreaking. In the aftermath, April is stuck in time after the fire because she blames herself. The night before Leo tells her he wants a divorce and in a daze of shock April forgets to turn off the stove. One small mistake turns into everything they knew into flames. Now forced to abandon their home, the family finds themselves retreating back to April's parents house in Dallas as they try to salvage not only their home but their marriage.
This book shines in its characterization and the synopsis says it best. "Told in alternating perspectives: from April, who feels the crushing weight of motherhood, marriage, and self-blame; from Leo, a high school history teacher shaped by a lonely, fractured childhood; from Deb, April’s generous and no-nonsense mother who has to contend with her husband’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis; and from flashbacks that trace April and Leo’s relationship from its earliest days of connection to the devastating decisions that led them here." Living with April's parents brings a whole new set of challenges, tension, and complications to the family but I loved getting all the context to each of the characters through their perspectives and the flashbacks.
In the wake of Billy's diagnosis, the family begins to confront and question what really matters. This book reminds us just how fragile, beautiful, and devastating life can be at times. It captures both the complexities and still moments of familial relationships: grilling in the backyard, quiet sacrifices, mornings with the tooth fairy, and unimaginable hardships. Sarah's writing was so honest and respectful to the topics in the book and filled with emotion on every page. The ending chapters absolutely broke me but also made me feel so hopeful. We only get one life to live and this book is a gentle reminder to do just that, live.
Where The Bright Years feels like hit after hit leaving you in a sobbing mess, The Burning Side is a quiet heartbreak that unravels over the course of the book. It is a breathtaking portrayal of a family that is deeply flawed, messy, real but also comforting, warm, silly, and so so supportive of each other in every avenue. It is a beautifully written book that will stay with my forever.
Thank you endlessly to Simon & Schuster and Sarah Damoff for the eARC in exchange for my review. I already have my copy pre ordered and I truly cannot recommend this book enough! Sarah Damoff has solidified herself as of one my all-time favorite authors with The Burning Side and I feel so lucky I got to read this early 💖
-----------------------------------------
update: I GOT THE ARC gonna go sob and read now🥹🥹🥹
SARAH PLEASE IM BEGGING FOR AN ARC!!!
also if you haven’t read her debut, The Bright Years, go do it right now!!!
Want to read
October 20, 2025Straight to the top of my TBR!!!
January 27, 2026
Another stellar family drama from Sarah Damoff.
Full RTC.
Full RTC.
January 11, 2026
The Burning Side will without a doubt be one of my top (if not THE top) reads of 2026. This was one of those reading experiences that reminded me just why I adore reading so much. Everything felt so authentic, and depicted so many unique forms of grief, happiness, and vulnerability that made me sob. I rarely say this, but I will 100% reread this because I need more time to sit with all of the profound moments tucked into this treasure of a book.
Thank you, Simon & Schuster for the ARC of Sarah’s masterpiece ✨ please, everyone - read this when it’s released in June!
Thank you, Simon & Schuster for the ARC of Sarah’s masterpiece ✨ please, everyone - read this when it’s released in June!
January 2, 2026
Beautiful and devastating. Pre-order this ASAP!
December 16, 2025
This was another beautiful novel by Sarah Damoff and once again she explored themes of family and love with remarkable depth and sensitivity. The story captured the complexities of familial relationships—the quiet sacrifices, enduring bonds, and inevitable hardships that families experience over time. The writing was beautifully crafted, both honest and compassionate, and it conveyed emotion with a subtlety that felt deeply authentic. I found the book profoundly moving and was brought to tears on several occasions. It is a powerful and thoughtfully written reflection on love, loss, and the shared human experience within families. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.
Read
November 16, 2025How do I apply to get an ARC? I don’t know that I’ve ever been so excited for a book to come out. I read The Bright Years earlier this and it is still my top read of all time!!!
Sarah, you commented on my review of that book and it made my whole year! I would be the happiest reader of all time to even be considered for an ARC!
Either way, I CANNOT wait to read this book!!
Sarah, you commented on my review of that book and it made my whole year! I would be the happiest reader of all time to even be considered for an ARC!
Either way, I CANNOT wait to read this book!!
January 27, 2026
Sarah Damoff, quite simply, has a gift.
As she showed us in The Bright Years, she can take a simple, every day story of a family, and turn it into something remarkable. She does it again in The Burning Side, a book that had me up sobbing past my bedtime as I contemplated death and youth and aging and sickness and health and sacrifice and misunderstanding and love and LIFE and all the choices that we make along the way.
April and Leo are young parents on the brink of divorce when they wake to their house in flames. They make it out with their children, then we come alongside them as they consider rebuilding or walking away. As they literally and figuratively sort through the pieces of their life, they also have to face April’s dad’s recent diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer’s and how that impacts the entire family, especially April’s mom, Deb.
This is all woven together seamlessly through POVs from April, Leo, and Deb (past and present) to make a beautiful, thought-provoking story. The characters feel so realistic, the circumstances relatable, the conflict authentic. The writing itself is perfect. The nods to fire throughout the book were BRILLIANT because of course they are (HELLO it’s Queen Sarah we are talking about here).
In short - an incredible book. I (obviously) loved this one and highly recommend pre-ordering it now so that you can have it in your hands the second it comes out in June.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
As she showed us in The Bright Years, she can take a simple, every day story of a family, and turn it into something remarkable. She does it again in The Burning Side, a book that had me up sobbing past my bedtime as I contemplated death and youth and aging and sickness and health and sacrifice and misunderstanding and love and LIFE and all the choices that we make along the way.
April and Leo are young parents on the brink of divorce when they wake to their house in flames. They make it out with their children, then we come alongside them as they consider rebuilding or walking away. As they literally and figuratively sort through the pieces of their life, they also have to face April’s dad’s recent diagnosis with early onset Alzheimer’s and how that impacts the entire family, especially April’s mom, Deb.
This is all woven together seamlessly through POVs from April, Leo, and Deb (past and present) to make a beautiful, thought-provoking story. The characters feel so realistic, the circumstances relatable, the conflict authentic. The writing itself is perfect. The nods to fire throughout the book were BRILLIANT because of course they are (HELLO it’s Queen Sarah we are talking about here).
In short - an incredible book. I (obviously) loved this one and highly recommend pre-ordering it now so that you can have it in your hands the second it comes out in June.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!
January 31, 2026
I enjoyed it and also had a lot of mixed feelings about this one. I’ll start off by saying that I loved Damoff’s debut novel, The Bright Years so much. It was one of my favorites last year.
The Burning Side has the same gorgeous prose with touching moments. It’s very bingeable and had me VERY emotional. There was a LOT explored here from infidelity to postpartum to Alzheimer’s and many other pieces to bring the drama and the captivating storyline.
I loved the parents, Deb and Billy. I shed many a tear over their storyline and POVs and those characters were written beautifully. The realness of their relationship and the bits and pieces we saw over time were so endearing and a testament to the power of enduring love.
My biggest qualm is that I didn’t ever really connect to the main characters that were part of the marriage in crisis, April and Leo. I understand that people aren’t perfect, but these two and their lack of communication were really hard to read. I also felt like we didn’t get to know them well enough, especially Leo.
The juxtaposition between poor Mexican American, Leo, and spoiled white girl, April was hard to read at points, and there were certain times where I didn’t feel like it was handled the best. There was also mention of Chick fil A, Hobby Lobby, and a Back the Blue sticker. I get we are in Texas, but I’m not interested on more attention brought to those things right now.
Overall, a lot to love, and people are going to love it. It just had some hiccups for me.
The Burning Side has the same gorgeous prose with touching moments. It’s very bingeable and had me VERY emotional. There was a LOT explored here from infidelity to postpartum to Alzheimer’s and many other pieces to bring the drama and the captivating storyline.
I loved the parents, Deb and Billy. I shed many a tear over their storyline and POVs and those characters were written beautifully. The realness of their relationship and the bits and pieces we saw over time were so endearing and a testament to the power of enduring love.
My biggest qualm is that I didn’t ever really connect to the main characters that were part of the marriage in crisis, April and Leo. I understand that people aren’t perfect, but these two and their lack of communication were really hard to read. I also felt like we didn’t get to know them well enough, especially Leo.
The juxtaposition between poor Mexican American, Leo, and spoiled white girl, April was hard to read at points, and there were certain times where I didn’t feel like it was handled the best. There was also mention of Chick fil A, Hobby Lobby, and a Back the Blue sticker. I get we are in Texas, but I’m not interested on more attention brought to those things right now.
Overall, a lot to love, and people are going to love it. It just had some hiccups for me.
Want to read
December 14, 2025So excited to see that my fav author has a second book coming! I was so impressed by the Bright Years! I would love an opportunity for an ARC 😍😍😍🙏🏻🙏🏻
January 30, 2026
The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff is a quietly beautiful family drama. Unlike with her first novel, The Bright Side, which ripped my heart out in a more blatant way, Ms Damoff gradually pulled me into this story until the various characters became unforgettable. The characters are written with such depth and in such an authentic way that I found parts of myself in many of them. The way that she explores the themes of motherhood, marriage, health, aging, and death is extraordinary precisely because it is so relatable.
I loved how Ms Damoff showcased that there are always different sides to every story. The novel is told using the alternating perspectives of mom Debra, daughter April, and April’s husband Leo (past and present). The different perspectives gave me a better understanding of their actions and relationships, even when I didn’t agree with their behavior. I identified with April in the way that she was so busy caring for others that she forgot to fill her own cup. And also with Deb whose seemingly perfect marriage was actually built on hard work, dedication, and trust. The way that Deb grew to love her husband over time and willingly sacrifice her dreams of the future after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis was a beautiful tragedy.
I spent a great deal of my reading time highlighting passages full of wisdom and humanity. I found the writing so compelling at times that I had to reread sentences in order to fully appreciate them. I tried my best to take my time and really feel the power of the words. Literary fiction fans, be sure to preorder this unforgettable gem! Available 6/16/26
A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I loved how Ms Damoff showcased that there are always different sides to every story. The novel is told using the alternating perspectives of mom Debra, daughter April, and April’s husband Leo (past and present). The different perspectives gave me a better understanding of their actions and relationships, even when I didn’t agree with their behavior. I identified with April in the way that she was so busy caring for others that she forgot to fill her own cup. And also with Deb whose seemingly perfect marriage was actually built on hard work, dedication, and trust. The way that Deb grew to love her husband over time and willingly sacrifice her dreams of the future after his Alzheimer’s diagnosis was a beautiful tragedy.
I spent a great deal of my reading time highlighting passages full of wisdom and humanity. I found the writing so compelling at times that I had to reread sentences in order to fully appreciate them. I tried my best to take my time and really feel the power of the words. Literary fiction fans, be sure to preorder this unforgettable gem! Available 6/16/26
A heartfelt thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced reader copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
January 31, 2026
•I don’t even know where to begin. Simply put, Sarah Damoff has an amazing way with words. Last year, I read The Bright Years, and that is still a book a recommend to everyone. And now, I’m so happy I’m also able to recommend The Burning Side.
•The story begins with a house fire. April and Leo escape the flames with their two young children and the clothes on their back. And while a house fire is devastating, it wasn’t nearly as devastating as Leo uttering the words “I want a divorce.” hours before the fire.
•After the fire, the family temporarily moves in with April’s parents, who are overcoming their own marital issues. As Leo and April attempt to rebuild not only their family home but their marriage itself, they’re met with heartache, difficult decisions, and an overwhelming number of memories.
•The story bounces around with multiple perspectives from April, Leo, and April’s mother Deb. This book also covers a span of many years, going all the way back to the time when April’s parents met. These flashbacks are vital to understanding the characters as a whole.
•Sarah Damoff writes the complexities of family better than anyone. Her writing is brilliant and showcases the intricacies of life and relationships in a way that makes me want to slow down and appreciate the world around me.
•Thank you Sarah Damoff, NetGalley, and Simon & Schuster for this ARC. It will become available on June 16, 2026. Until then, add this one to your list and count down the days.
•The story begins with a house fire. April and Leo escape the flames with their two young children and the clothes on their back. And while a house fire is devastating, it wasn’t nearly as devastating as Leo uttering the words “I want a divorce.” hours before the fire.
•After the fire, the family temporarily moves in with April’s parents, who are overcoming their own marital issues. As Leo and April attempt to rebuild not only their family home but their marriage itself, they’re met with heartache, difficult decisions, and an overwhelming number of memories.
•The story bounces around with multiple perspectives from April, Leo, and April’s mother Deb. This book also covers a span of many years, going all the way back to the time when April’s parents met. These flashbacks are vital to understanding the characters as a whole.
•Sarah Damoff writes the complexities of family better than anyone. Her writing is brilliant and showcases the intricacies of life and relationships in a way that makes me want to slow down and appreciate the world around me.
•Thank you Sarah Damoff, NetGalley, and Simon & Schuster for this ARC. It will become available on June 16, 2026. Until then, add this one to your list and count down the days.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Netgally and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This was an amazing story about family, love, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness. I loved hearing from all the different characters'and going back and forth in time to give context. I loved the lessons about family and love and how a different perspective can change a story for better or worse.
I loved everything about this book. I will be thinking about it for a long time.
This was an amazing story about family, love, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness. I loved hearing from all the different characters'and going back and forth in time to give context. I loved the lessons about family and love and how a different perspective can change a story for better or worse.
I loved everything about this book. I will be thinking about it for a long time.
January 31, 2026
5⭐️
wowww!!! Just like The Bright Years, the writing was incredible. Sarah Damoff is an amazing author. I loved this story. It was so heartbreaking and while I really didn't relate to it, I was still so invested in every character and their lives. They were all very lovable and the ending was everything I was hoping for💗 such a great book!
wowww!!! Just like The Bright Years, the writing was incredible. Sarah Damoff is an amazing author. I loved this story. It was so heartbreaking and while I really didn't relate to it, I was still so invested in every character and their lives. They were all very lovable and the ending was everything I was hoping for💗 such a great book!
December 30, 2025
This is another emotional, character driven, slice of life novel from Sarah Damoff, the author of The Bright Years, which was one of my top reads of 2025. Her sophomore novel is just as incredible with the same level of propulsive storytelling, authentic characters, and complex family dynamics. The story opens with a dramatic house fire requiring Leo and April, along with their two young children, to seek refuge at April's parents' house. From there, the story alternates perspectives between April, who is trying to figure out how to save her crumbling marriage, Leo, who is grappling with how to heal from a chaotic childhood, and Deb, April's mother who is dealing with her husband's new Alzheimer's diagnosis. I loved the exploration of both marriages and how the novel alternates between past and present to piece together the arc of each relationship. This was such a moving look at the complexities of marriage and had me tearing up several times. I love Damoff's beautiful and accessible writing style and her ability to create characters that will stay with you long after the book is over. I especially loved Deb and watching her navigate relationships with her adult children while also losing her husband to Alzheimer's. This is a story about love, sacrifice, what defines family, how to show up for the people you love, and about dealing with life's inherent challenges. I highly recommend The Burning Side and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Shuster for an advanced copy of this much anticipated book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Shuster for an advanced copy of this much anticipated book.
December 28, 2025
Infinite stars! Two of my favorite books of 2025 were The Bright Years and now an ARC of this 2026 novel. Sarah Damoff is such a talent and has the ability to write flawed characters that we can all resonate with as part of the shared experience of being human as we navigate the complexities of life. I already can’t wait to reread this closer to its release in June!
February 6, 2026
The Burning Side begins with a devastating house fire, leaving wife April running out of their home with one child and husband Leo with the other. Displaced from their home, they move in with April’s parents, Deb and her husband, returning to her childhood home. On the brink of divorce, April and Leo must navigate their fractured marriage while living under one roof with her family—Deb, who is grappling with her husband’s recent Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and April’s younger siblings, who are also navigating changes in their own love lives. This poignant tale explores the long, often messy journey of marriage, showing that life after “I do” is far more complex than a simple happily-ever-after. Sarah Damoff weaves grief, guilt, depression, and illness into this family’s story, examining how the past, present, and future shape the bonds between them.
I can’t get over how complex the emotions, feelings, and thoughts in this book are, and how effortlessly they’re conveyed. Damoff writes deep feeling with such ease, nothing feels overworked or forced, just honest and beautifully clear. The story settles into you quickly and deeply, the kind of book you mean to pace yourself with and then suddenly you’re done, having read it all in one day. Somehow, you find yourself connected to so many of these characters, even the ones you never expected to recognize yourself in. They’re layered and imperfect, and even their worst decisions feel human, shaped by everything that came before them. Damoff is always so good at getting to the root of the “bad” decisions people make, reminding you that life and love are never black and white.
I loved how, once again, Damoff brings in multiple familial perspectives, but this time through an older lens. Similar to her debut, which has the point of views of a married couple and their daughter, this story centers on a married couple alongside the wife’s mother, creating a different generational dynamic while still feeling intentional. She shows how generational trauma can surface within a family and be broken, while also making space for the idea that not everything passed down is harmful; some patterns reemerge as connection, care, and growth. She builds on the familiar idea that life and love have ups and downs by showing that love itself isn’t always consistent or certain. Even within commitment, there is uncertainty, fluctuation, and doubt, and that portrayal felt deeply honest.
This book feels distinctive from others I’ve read because it combines an external disaster, a house fire, with internal relational crises, creating a story that feels entirely fresh and compelling. Damoff crafts this unique beginning while keeping the narrative grounded and believable, even within the fictional scope. Like The Bright Years, I will be recommending this book to everyone. Anyone interested in exploring themselves or their family dynamics would find this story engaging, so essentially, everyone. The Burning Side shows how childhood memories and events shape how we act and feel later in life, and how these patterns continue throughout adulthood. I found myself tearing up multiple times, moved by how thought-provoking and emotionally resonant it was. I truly enjoyed reading this book, and Sarah Damoff continues to remain firmly on my must-read, auto-buy list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with this eARC! Can’t wait for this to release and see Sarah talk in Dallas again!
I can’t get over how complex the emotions, feelings, and thoughts in this book are, and how effortlessly they’re conveyed. Damoff writes deep feeling with such ease, nothing feels overworked or forced, just honest and beautifully clear. The story settles into you quickly and deeply, the kind of book you mean to pace yourself with and then suddenly you’re done, having read it all in one day. Somehow, you find yourself connected to so many of these characters, even the ones you never expected to recognize yourself in. They’re layered and imperfect, and even their worst decisions feel human, shaped by everything that came before them. Damoff is always so good at getting to the root of the “bad” decisions people make, reminding you that life and love are never black and white.
I loved how, once again, Damoff brings in multiple familial perspectives, but this time through an older lens. Similar to her debut, which has the point of views of a married couple and their daughter, this story centers on a married couple alongside the wife’s mother, creating a different generational dynamic while still feeling intentional. She shows how generational trauma can surface within a family and be broken, while also making space for the idea that not everything passed down is harmful; some patterns reemerge as connection, care, and growth. She builds on the familiar idea that life and love have ups and downs by showing that love itself isn’t always consistent or certain. Even within commitment, there is uncertainty, fluctuation, and doubt, and that portrayal felt deeply honest.
This book feels distinctive from others I’ve read because it combines an external disaster, a house fire, with internal relational crises, creating a story that feels entirely fresh and compelling. Damoff crafts this unique beginning while keeping the narrative grounded and believable, even within the fictional scope. Like The Bright Years, I will be recommending this book to everyone. Anyone interested in exploring themselves or their family dynamics would find this story engaging, so essentially, everyone. The Burning Side shows how childhood memories and events shape how we act and feel later in life, and how these patterns continue throughout adulthood. I found myself tearing up multiple times, moved by how thought-provoking and emotionally resonant it was. I truly enjoyed reading this book, and Sarah Damoff continues to remain firmly on my must-read, auto-buy list.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with this eARC! Can’t wait for this to release and see Sarah talk in Dallas again!
January 30, 2026
Wow! After finishing this book, that is the solitary word that comes into my mind. I wish I could more eloquently express the level of feeling that this book evokes in me, but there simply is no way to put onto a page the intensity of my empathic reaction.
Typically I look to thrillers to shock me. But Sarah Damoff has this way of dropping 3-5 words into a seemingly inconsequential chapter and making me gasp out loud. One minute, you’re speeding through a chapter just enjoying the ride, and the next, she drops a little truth bomb on you that completely changes the landscape of the story. It’s a gift she has that not only keeps me interested in what is happening, but often times makes me rethink my entire perspective on the characters or the situations they find themselves in.
This book shows that romantic relationships are hard. That two people coming together and making a life of it is the most beautiful and courageous thing most of us will ever try. That whether things are good, or whether they are bad, it takes two people’s successes and mistakes to make it all happen. That love and resentment are sometimes two sides of the same coin. That sometimes we let the misguided ways we see ourselves become what we believe others see in us. That it’s easy to forget who you are when you are one half of a whole.
The soul of this book is in its depiction of what it means to be a part of a family. It reminds us that what you see on the surface is just a snapshot, and that the layers beneath may be fractured and unsteady. Whether you are related to someone by blood, by marriage, or by choice, family relationships are complicated and difficult. The tides between thriving and tragedy can shift in an instant. But it’s not the storm that’s important, it’s how you weather it together.
I’m not usually one to physically cry while reading a book. I may get teary here and there, but for actual tears to fall is rare. This book got me… more than once and for all different reasons. There are moments of love and levity, of grief and sorrow, of anger and hope, and of beauty and compassion. This book deals with deeply personal and sensitive topics, and it does so with such honesty. The characters are flawed, but they are REAL, and the story is so consuming that it’s easy to forget sometimes that you don’t actually know them.
With Sarah Damoff’s first book, I was a fan, but this one solidifies her status as a must buy author for me. As for The Burning Side, add it to your TBR if you enjoy fully immersive family dramas that will make you feel the full gamut of emotions.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster, and Sarah Damoff for an advance digital copy of this book, and for the extreme honor of being one of the first to review it.
Typically I look to thrillers to shock me. But Sarah Damoff has this way of dropping 3-5 words into a seemingly inconsequential chapter and making me gasp out loud. One minute, you’re speeding through a chapter just enjoying the ride, and the next, she drops a little truth bomb on you that completely changes the landscape of the story. It’s a gift she has that not only keeps me interested in what is happening, but often times makes me rethink my entire perspective on the characters or the situations they find themselves in.
This book shows that romantic relationships are hard. That two people coming together and making a life of it is the most beautiful and courageous thing most of us will ever try. That whether things are good, or whether they are bad, it takes two people’s successes and mistakes to make it all happen. That love and resentment are sometimes two sides of the same coin. That sometimes we let the misguided ways we see ourselves become what we believe others see in us. That it’s easy to forget who you are when you are one half of a whole.
The soul of this book is in its depiction of what it means to be a part of a family. It reminds us that what you see on the surface is just a snapshot, and that the layers beneath may be fractured and unsteady. Whether you are related to someone by blood, by marriage, or by choice, family relationships are complicated and difficult. The tides between thriving and tragedy can shift in an instant. But it’s not the storm that’s important, it’s how you weather it together.
I’m not usually one to physically cry while reading a book. I may get teary here and there, but for actual tears to fall is rare. This book got me… more than once and for all different reasons. There are moments of love and levity, of grief and sorrow, of anger and hope, and of beauty and compassion. This book deals with deeply personal and sensitive topics, and it does so with such honesty. The characters are flawed, but they are REAL, and the story is so consuming that it’s easy to forget sometimes that you don’t actually know them.
With Sarah Damoff’s first book, I was a fan, but this one solidifies her status as a must buy author for me. As for The Burning Side, add it to your TBR if you enjoy fully immersive family dramas that will make you feel the full gamut of emotions.
A huge thank you to NetGalley, Simon and Schuster, and Sarah Damoff for an advance digital copy of this book, and for the extreme honor of being one of the first to review it.
January 1, 2026
SYNOPSIS
Poignant family saga about April and Leo, a couple whose marriage is already crumbling when a house fire exposes deeper issues, while staying with April's parents, who are dealing with April’s father's alzheimer’s diagnosis
OVERALL
After the success and impact of The Bright Years, The Burning Side is solid sophomore novel.
Quick, short chapters & easy, approachable writing & relatable characters that are not only experiencing the high/lows but also the mundanity of it made this a perfect book to start off the year !
While these characters are GOING THROUGH IT (socioeconomic differences, infidelity, cultural differences, abandonment, divorce, mental illness, miscommunication, and more!), everything gets the right amount of space and is handled in a way that feels honest.
And yes, a few characters make some horrible choices, but nothing feels shocking and it felt honest to explore self sabotage and address the old traumas that inform who we are.
But for sure, everyone truly needed to talk and go to therapy SO BAD - i wanted to yell!
And while we see one marriage seemingly crumble, it was incredibly powerful to watch one endure. The story and love of Deb & Billy (april’s parents) was so important in the context of this story and its inclusion was so necessary. I couldn’t get enough.
Only critique? I wish we got to see more of the internal work Leo & April needed to do versus a conversation with Dad and a book from an old student being the straw that broke the camel’s back to get them to communicate. And more conversations with Cameron and Josie would have been great. So similar to my feedback on The Bright Years, I wish we got more pages and more time with these characters!
At its core, this is a story on how quickly/easily/quietly a marriage can end and/or a life can change with a bittersweet ending that will absolutely stick with me and a read that so many will no doubt enjoy this year!
READ FOR
Family Drama
Alternating Timelines & POVs
Themes on Marriage & Love
Thank you to the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Poignant family saga about April and Leo, a couple whose marriage is already crumbling when a house fire exposes deeper issues, while staying with April's parents, who are dealing with April’s father's alzheimer’s diagnosis
OVERALL
After the success and impact of The Bright Years, The Burning Side is solid sophomore novel.
Quick, short chapters & easy, approachable writing & relatable characters that are not only experiencing the high/lows but also the mundanity of it made this a perfect book to start off the year !
While these characters are GOING THROUGH IT (socioeconomic differences, infidelity, cultural differences, abandonment, divorce, mental illness, miscommunication, and more!), everything gets the right amount of space and is handled in a way that feels honest.
And yes, a few characters make some horrible choices, but nothing feels shocking and it felt honest to explore self sabotage and address the old traumas that inform who we are.
But for sure, everyone truly needed to talk and go to therapy SO BAD - i wanted to yell!
And while we see one marriage seemingly crumble, it was incredibly powerful to watch one endure. The story and love of Deb & Billy (april’s parents) was so important in the context of this story and its inclusion was so necessary. I couldn’t get enough.
Only critique? I wish we got to see more of the internal work Leo & April needed to do versus a conversation with Dad and a book from an old student being the straw that broke the camel’s back to get them to communicate. And more conversations with Cameron and Josie would have been great. So similar to my feedback on The Bright Years, I wish we got more pages and more time with these characters!
At its core, this is a story on how quickly/easily/quietly a marriage can end and/or a life can change with a bittersweet ending that will absolutely stick with me and a read that so many will no doubt enjoy this year!
READ FOR
Family Drama
Alternating Timelines & POVs
Themes on Marriage & Love
Thank you to the publisher for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was very excited to see a new book from Sarah Damoff after devouring her debut, The Bright Years, and her newest novel, The Burning Side, did not disappoint.
Set in the present, The Burning Side ricochets between now and the early courtship of Leo & April, with multiple rotating narrators including the aforementioned couple individually, and April's mother Deb (for the most part, with one narrative guest I'll leave a surprise for future readers :)). Their marriage is on the fritz after a series of emotional and physical transgressions from both sides. We enter the story just as their life, literally and figuratively, is on fire. But all is not as it seems. Damoff writes an entire cast of emotionally and morally complex characters to support April & Leo's story. A true master at her craft, she had me wavering in my opinion of the characters, their decisions, and their actions to the very end. We truly do not know all the things going on with someone's life and how seemingly insignificant interactions can have long standing consequences.
As was my experience with The Bright Years, I love the way that Damoff tells a story. What each member of the family was going through really brought up a lot of emotions for me, I loved how Damoff reflects on commitment, forgiveness, and the many different forms and shapes of love using these characters. I highlighted a handful of sentences that articulated beautifully on many of these themes as well. Loved this book and think her many former and new readers will as well!
Thank you to Sarah Damoff, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Set in the present, The Burning Side ricochets between now and the early courtship of Leo & April, with multiple rotating narrators including the aforementioned couple individually, and April's mother Deb (for the most part, with one narrative guest I'll leave a surprise for future readers :)). Their marriage is on the fritz after a series of emotional and physical transgressions from both sides. We enter the story just as their life, literally and figuratively, is on fire. But all is not as it seems. Damoff writes an entire cast of emotionally and morally complex characters to support April & Leo's story. A true master at her craft, she had me wavering in my opinion of the characters, their decisions, and their actions to the very end. We truly do not know all the things going on with someone's life and how seemingly insignificant interactions can have long standing consequences.
As was my experience with The Bright Years, I love the way that Damoff tells a story. What each member of the family was going through really brought up a lot of emotions for me, I loved how Damoff reflects on commitment, forgiveness, and the many different forms and shapes of love using these characters. I highlighted a handful of sentences that articulated beautifully on many of these themes as well. Loved this book and think her many former and new readers will as well!
Thank you to Sarah Damoff, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2026
Wow. Sarah Damoff does it again.👏👏👏
Her debut The Bright Years was my top read of 2025, so The Burning Side was easily my most anticipated book of the year. I genuinely squealed when I got the e-ARC notification… and somehow it still exceeded my expectations.
It’s official: Sarah Damoff is now an auto-read author for me and firmly on my list of favorite authors. There’s just something about the way she tells a story that hits me straight in the heart. She writes from multiple POVs in a way that makes every single character feel real and deeply understood. Even when characters make messy or complicated choices, you get it. You feel where they’re coming from. It honestly left me thinking more about people in real life and the reasons behind the choices we all make.
This story is heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s raw, emotional, and at times completely devastating… but also so grounded and real. The way she writes about marriage, relationships, and parenthood really got to me. I felt so seen in parts of this book, and I couldn’t help but reflect on my own life while watching this family move through the highs and lows of theirs.
There were so many lines that caught me off guard and made me pause just to feel (which is my favorite part of reading). I choked up multiple times… and yes, I fully sobbed at the end.😭
This book is a masterpiece. I truly can’t wait to see where Sarah Damoff’s writing journey goes from here, because I will absolutely be there for all of it. 🙌
Her debut The Bright Years was my top read of 2025, so The Burning Side was easily my most anticipated book of the year. I genuinely squealed when I got the e-ARC notification… and somehow it still exceeded my expectations.
It’s official: Sarah Damoff is now an auto-read author for me and firmly on my list of favorite authors. There’s just something about the way she tells a story that hits me straight in the heart. She writes from multiple POVs in a way that makes every single character feel real and deeply understood. Even when characters make messy or complicated choices, you get it. You feel where they’re coming from. It honestly left me thinking more about people in real life and the reasons behind the choices we all make.
This story is heartbreakingly beautiful. It’s raw, emotional, and at times completely devastating… but also so grounded and real. The way she writes about marriage, relationships, and parenthood really got to me. I felt so seen in parts of this book, and I couldn’t help but reflect on my own life while watching this family move through the highs and lows of theirs.
There were so many lines that caught me off guard and made me pause just to feel (which is my favorite part of reading). I choked up multiple times… and yes, I fully sobbed at the end.😭
This book is a masterpiece. I truly can’t wait to see where Sarah Damoff’s writing journey goes from here, because I will absolutely be there for all of it. 🙌
February 1, 2026
I am soooo grateful to get an arc of this one. Second book by this author that is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
You guys. This book got me in all of my feels. A house fire throws April and Leo’s life into chaos, but what follows isn’t just about loss, it’s about family, love, guilt, and what it means to rebuild when everything has burned down.
April carries the weight of motherhood, Leo wrestles with his past, and Deb, April’s mom, carries her own heartbreak and strength. Damoff’s alternating POVs made every emotional moment hit so raw, and the way memories and present realities weave together felt so real.
This story is warm and heartbreaking. It’s about forgiveness, belonging, and the work of holding onto love. This will not be one to miss.
You guys. This book got me in all of my feels. A house fire throws April and Leo’s life into chaos, but what follows isn’t just about loss, it’s about family, love, guilt, and what it means to rebuild when everything has burned down.
April carries the weight of motherhood, Leo wrestles with his past, and Deb, April’s mom, carries her own heartbreak and strength. Damoff’s alternating POVs made every emotional moment hit so raw, and the way memories and present realities weave together felt so real.
This story is warm and heartbreaking. It’s about forgiveness, belonging, and the work of holding onto love. This will not be one to miss.
February 1, 2026
I read The Bright Years, Damoff’s debut, last year and absolutely *loved* it. When NetGalley was generous enough to also offer me an ARC of this one, I was SO excited, but nervous that it wouldn’t be as amazing.
Well, Sarah Damoff is going to be an auto-buy author for me. Reminiscent of Mary Beth Keane, The Burning Side follows April & Leo, a couple on the brink of divorce whose home burns down. Told through multiple character POVs, this novel touches on some heavy topics such as grief, illness, forgiveness, and the difficulties of marriage. This made me cry, laugh, smile, and everything in between. An absolutely gorgeously written novel that had me highlighting section after section of impeccable prose.
Highly, highly recommend! 👏🏽
Well, Sarah Damoff is going to be an auto-buy author for me. Reminiscent of Mary Beth Keane, The Burning Side follows April & Leo, a couple on the brink of divorce whose home burns down. Told through multiple character POVs, this novel touches on some heavy topics such as grief, illness, forgiveness, and the difficulties of marriage. This made me cry, laugh, smile, and everything in between. An absolutely gorgeously written novel that had me highlighting section after section of impeccable prose.
Highly, highly recommend! 👏🏽
January 29, 2026
THE BURNING SIDE ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. Release Date 6/16/2026. I’m calling it now, this is going to be one of the biggest, best books of 2026. Grab the tissues.
When a fire leaves the Torres family home inhabitable, the young family moves in with Aprils parents. Told from multiple POV, secrets and life continue and unfold in this generational family novel.
This book will make you appreciate life, love, the little things. It will make you realize nothing is too late. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
When a fire leaves the Torres family home inhabitable, the young family moves in with Aprils parents. Told from multiple POV, secrets and life continue and unfold in this generational family novel.
This book will make you appreciate life, love, the little things. It will make you realize nothing is too late. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
January 28, 2026
Sarah has such a way with words. Again, SO many good quotes.
The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff
.
The night that Leo tells April he wants a divorce is the same night their home burns. Now they are living with April’s family while determining what of their home (and future) is salvageable.
.
Last year I read Sarah’s debut book (The Bright Years) and was blown away. It was, hands down, my favorite read of 2025.
Therefore, when The Burning Side landed in my inbox, I was BEYOND excited.
First: I really appreciate the authors note that Sarah includes at the BEGINNING of the story because it helps set the tone for the whole story and gets me in the right mindset.
Second: even though this story touches on infidelity (which I tend to get upset about), it was handled in such a way a thoughtful way.
Third: April’s parents. 🥺😭😭😭😭 I loved them and their story SO SO much. They were the best and seeing through Deb’s eyes how they started to how far they had come was so beautiful and touching.
Fourth: Sarah has SUCH an amazing way with words. The way thoughts were expressed in this story were so powerful to me. I want to remember all of them and so I will again be acquiring a physical copy to highlight and annotate.
.
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Highly recommend both of Sarah’s books. I’m a lifelong fan and am here to support any other books you write, Sarah!
The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff
.
The night that Leo tells April he wants a divorce is the same night their home burns. Now they are living with April’s family while determining what of their home (and future) is salvageable.
.
Last year I read Sarah’s debut book (The Bright Years) and was blown away. It was, hands down, my favorite read of 2025.
Therefore, when The Burning Side landed in my inbox, I was BEYOND excited.
First: I really appreciate the authors note that Sarah includes at the BEGINNING of the story because it helps set the tone for the whole story and gets me in the right mindset.
Second: even though this story touches on infidelity (which I tend to get upset about), it was handled in such a way a thoughtful way.
Third: April’s parents. 🥺😭😭😭😭 I loved them and their story SO SO much. They were the best and seeing through Deb’s eyes how they started to how far they had come was so beautiful and touching.
Fourth: Sarah has SUCH an amazing way with words. The way thoughts were expressed in this story were so powerful to me. I want to remember all of them and so I will again be acquiring a physical copy to highlight and annotate.
.
4.5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 Highly recommend both of Sarah’s books. I’m a lifelong fan and am here to support any other books you write, Sarah!
January 19, 2026
Oh Sarah Damoff your writing peirces my heart, sits with me after I’ve closed the book and makes me feel empathy, compassion, grief, joy and hope.
Another generational story where you feel connected with each member of the family so so deeply.
More detailed review to come closer to release date.
Another generational story where you feel connected with each member of the family so so deeply.
More detailed review to come closer to release date.
February 3, 2026
Thank you @simonbooks for this ARC! I love you forever!!
This releases 6/16/26!!
I don’t even know how to describe this book. It transcends generations and time. It made me nostalgic for a time that hasn’t happened. And for a time that is happening. The raw beauty of love. Love is a choice. And sometimes it’s not an easy one. 😩❤️🩹
What you can expect:
Multi POV (3)
Marriage in crisis
Multi timelines
Parent with Alzheimer’s
Beautiful writing
Nurture vs nature
Motherhood
Wifehood
Fatherhood
This releases 6/16/26!!
I don’t even know how to describe this book. It transcends generations and time. It made me nostalgic for a time that hasn’t happened. And for a time that is happening. The raw beauty of love. Love is a choice. And sometimes it’s not an easy one. 😩❤️🩹
What you can expect:
Multi POV (3)
Marriage in crisis
Multi timelines
Parent with Alzheimer’s
Beautiful writing
Nurture vs nature
Motherhood
Wifehood
Fatherhood
February 1, 2026
This book…I could not put it down. It was real and raw and heartbreaking in so many ways. It was also beautiful and hopeful. Another Sarah Damoff book that will stay with me long after I’ve finished reading it.
January 27, 2026
Sarah just KNOWS how to write. There were multiple POV’s, multiple time lines and I never once felt lost.
I loved this so much and I need MORE.
I loved this so much and I need MORE.
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