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Liquid Sunlight
In the blue holes of Andros Island, something ancient lives. The Bahamian people know it— lthey feel it in the way insects go silent at dusk, in the boats that come back empty, in the children who don't come home. They call it the Lusca. They do not know what it wants. They only know to stay away from the water after dark.
Naomi Anderson has never had the luxury of caution. Sold by her aunt at sixteen into a marriage she didn't choose, she runs the night before the wedding—and falls straight into a blue hole.
What pulls her out is not a man.
A fragile, impossible bond forms between a runaway bride and a creature three hundred years older than mercy. But their love is a heresy the Lusca cannot allow—and Naomi is something neither the darkness nor the warriors hunting it have ever encountered before.
Liquid Sunlight is a Gothic Bahamian Historical Romantasy set in 1930s Andros Island.
Loosely inspired by the true story of Naomi Anderson— who really did run .
Naomi Anderson has never had the luxury of caution. Sold by her aunt at sixteen into a marriage she didn't choose, she runs the night before the wedding—and falls straight into a blue hole.
What pulls her out is not a man.
A fragile, impossible bond forms between a runaway bride and a creature three hundred years older than mercy. But their love is a heresy the Lusca cannot allow—and Naomi is something neither the darkness nor the warriors hunting it have ever encountered before.
Liquid Sunlight is a Gothic Bahamian Historical Romantasy set in 1930s Andros Island.
Loosely inspired by the true story of Naomi Anderson— who really did run .
574 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 25, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 25, 2026
I don’t post reviews. I am typically the person that rates and I keep it moving. HOWEVER, this book had me immersed from start to finish and when I wasn’t reading, I was thinking about what was going to happen next. I’ve yet to encounter a book as beautifully written as this one. The characters, the telling of their stories, the forbidden romance, and the way CMC Brown entwined the history and culture of her island into this story is beyond words. I felt like I was living in the timeframe and on Andros as I read this book. I can’t WAIT for book two. I highly suggest reading it.
July 4, 2026
Liquid Sunlight gave me everything I’ve been craving in fantasy and romantasy. I’ve been on a mission to discover more Black speculative fiction, and I’m genuinely happy I found this book — and this author. It’s marketed as a Gothic Bahamian Historical Romantasy, and while the “gothic” element didn’t fully land for me, the Bahamian historical romantasy absolutely does.That part tracks beautifully.
I loved everything about this book.
Romantasy… but the Plot Is the Real Star
Naomi and Ezra’s forbidden love drives the story, so I understand why it’s labeled romantasy. But honestly?
THE PLOT. OMG.
The action, the villain, the Zemi Order — all of it was so engaging and so well‑crafted that the romance became the thread weaving everything together rather than the main event. I was fully locked in from start to finish.
I know this review is vague, but I’m not spoiling a thing. I went in blind knowing only that it was Bahamian, historical, romantasy and centered on forbidden love — and that made the experience even better.
Worldbuilding That Feels New
If you love fantasy for its worldbuilding, this book is for you.
It’s:
• unique
• refreshing
• expansive
• rooted in Caribbean folklore
• full of mysteries I want more of
I want to know more about the Fathoms, their past lives, the Lusca, and the entire Zemi Order. The Caciques especially - each one feels distinct, with their own story I'm excited to explore.
The Romance
If you like spice in your romantasy, this one doesn’t have it — but the love is sweet, innocent, and deeply felt.
Ezra is absolutely a “touch her and die” MMC.
Naomi is defiant, stubborn, strong, capable — not a weak damsel, even when she’s in danger.
This is book 1 of a four‑part series, so if you only read completed series, keep that in mind.
But for me, book 1 left me satisfied and wanting more — the perfect setup for what’s coming.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy fantasy and want something different — something not rooted in European castles, kingdoms, and familiar tropes — read this.
It’s Black, Caribbean, folkloric, historical, romantic, and imaginative in a way that feels genuinely refreshing.
I loved everything about this book.
Romantasy… but the Plot Is the Real Star
Naomi and Ezra’s forbidden love drives the story, so I understand why it’s labeled romantasy. But honestly?
THE PLOT. OMG.
The action, the villain, the Zemi Order — all of it was so engaging and so well‑crafted that the romance became the thread weaving everything together rather than the main event. I was fully locked in from start to finish.
I know this review is vague, but I’m not spoiling a thing. I went in blind knowing only that it was Bahamian, historical, romantasy and centered on forbidden love — and that made the experience even better.
Worldbuilding That Feels New
If you love fantasy for its worldbuilding, this book is for you.
It’s:
• unique
• refreshing
• expansive
• rooted in Caribbean folklore
• full of mysteries I want more of
I want to know more about the Fathoms, their past lives, the Lusca, and the entire Zemi Order. The Caciques especially - each one feels distinct, with their own story I'm excited to explore.
The Romance
If you like spice in your romantasy, this one doesn’t have it — but the love is sweet, innocent, and deeply felt.
Ezra is absolutely a “touch her and die” MMC.
Naomi is defiant, stubborn, strong, capable — not a weak damsel, even when she’s in danger.
This is book 1 of a four‑part series, so if you only read completed series, keep that in mind.
But for me, book 1 left me satisfied and wanting more — the perfect setup for what’s coming.
Final Thoughts
If you enjoy fantasy and want something different — something not rooted in European castles, kingdoms, and familiar tropes — read this.
It’s Black, Caribbean, folkloric, historical, romantic, and imaginative in a way that feels genuinely refreshing.
September 23, 2026
Liquid Sunlight is a historical-fantasy that focus on the myth of the Lusca, and the love between Naomi - a young Bahamian woman with unsual - and Erza - a fathom of the deep.
Liquid Sunlight combines fantasy with Bahamian elements so smoothly, I almost shed a tear. I would even say there's some science-fiction in this novel as well. The world building that Brown does made me wonder how she kept everything straight. There were so many characters introduced by the middle of the book I wish there was a character list I could have flipped to. It was not distracting but I love being able to remember the details. However Brown does a good job of constantly reminding the reader who is who.
The writing style of the book was very drawing to me. I loved even the sentence structure. There were a few places where it read similar to AI (for me as an educator) but I was assured by the author that all words are her own. Brown includes a glossary for Bahamian words; which I always have mixed feelings about when it comes to authors trying to relay their 'native' language to a foreign audience. It forces you to ask questions about who is this book for? And is it up to the author to always be the one to educate? [BUT these are side notes, not related to the book]. The Bahamian creole was great in the book.
Brown ability to sketch the entire Bahamian archipelago is masterful. She shows the different environments that span the archipelago, and her historical research tickled my brain. The historical facts that Brown weaves in were chef's kiss. I loved the Brown reached back from her own family history to create the story. Bahamian woman boyyy.
The romance unfolded very well. There was a heavy use of flashbacks to illustrate why Naomi and Erza fall in love. I did not totally buy in to the romance, but I did buy in to the plot. The plot was fantastic. The battle scenes were well done. I would love to see this on tv or short series. It would be so fun. I am so annoyed I have to wait around for the second book!! I want it NOW.
Liquid Sunlight combines fantasy with Bahamian elements so smoothly, I almost shed a tear. I would even say there's some science-fiction in this novel as well. The world building that Brown does made me wonder how she kept everything straight. There were so many characters introduced by the middle of the book I wish there was a character list I could have flipped to. It was not distracting but I love being able to remember the details. However Brown does a good job of constantly reminding the reader who is who.
The writing style of the book was very drawing to me. I loved even the sentence structure. There were a few places where it read similar to AI (for me as an educator) but I was assured by the author that all words are her own. Brown includes a glossary for Bahamian words; which I always have mixed feelings about when it comes to authors trying to relay their 'native' language to a foreign audience. It forces you to ask questions about who is this book for? And is it up to the author to always be the one to educate? [BUT these are side notes, not related to the book]. The Bahamian creole was great in the book.
Brown ability to sketch the entire Bahamian archipelago is masterful. She shows the different environments that span the archipelago, and her historical research tickled my brain. The historical facts that Brown weaves in were chef's kiss. I loved the Brown reached back from her own family history to create the story. Bahamian woman boyyy.
The romance unfolded very well. There was a heavy use of flashbacks to illustrate why Naomi and Erza fall in love. I did not totally buy in to the romance, but I did buy in to the plot. The plot was fantastic. The battle scenes were well done. I would love to see this on tv or short series. It would be so fun. I am so annoyed I have to wait around for the second book!! I want it NOW.
August 20, 2026
this was an amazing book
I literally reactivated my Kindle unlimited after three years to read this book. The world building was amazing, character. Interactions were amazing. Grammar, sentence structure, and emotions for expressed very well. I truly have no real negatives about this except towards the end around page 290+ or so spelling of words will get a little jumbled, but it’s not that bad. I fully read the last page expecting the next chapter just for to “be continued” to hit me and I feel devastated. I don’t know how long I can wait, but I am not calmly, not nicely waiting for the second book. I literally finished this book and under 24 hours. That’s how invested I was.
I literally reactivated my Kindle unlimited after three years to read this book. The world building was amazing, character. Interactions were amazing. Grammar, sentence structure, and emotions for expressed very well. I truly have no real negatives about this except towards the end around page 290+ or so spelling of words will get a little jumbled, but it’s not that bad. I fully read the last page expecting the next chapter just for to “be continued” to hit me and I feel devastated. I don’t know how long I can wait, but I am not calmly, not nicely waiting for the second book. I literally finished this book and under 24 hours. That’s how invested I was.
July 19, 2026
Liquid Sunlight
The cover grabbed me but the storyline was pretty good. It wasn't a OMG I can't put this down but it was intriguing enough I had to finish. Looking forward to book 2.
The cover grabbed me but the storyline was pretty good. It wasn't a OMG I can't put this down but it was intriguing enough I had to finish. Looking forward to book 2.
June 23, 2026
I just finished this book and wow! One of my favorite reads ever. I need the next one asap!
October 3, 2026
Liquid Sunlight is an absolutely incredibly written story woven together with excellent pacing, vivid and atmospheric prose, gripping themes, complex and compelling character work and a fresh and unique magic system. From beginning to end I was completely HOOKED with the FMC and MMC and the 1930’s Gothic Bahamian setting. The deep yearning between the FMC and MMC was earth shattering and unlike anything I have come across. The tension was palpable! I was also entirely transfixed in discovering more about the Bahamian folklore/mythology that is the foundation of the magic system. If you want a book that will take you on an incredible adventure filled with HIGH STAKES, sizzling and heart breaking YEARNING and SELF REALIZATION then this is it!!! I cannot get over how amazing this is, highly recommend!!!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews