Suncatcher

by Kayla Faber

It was improbable that Eris and Denny would ever meet: different backgrounds, different families, different lives. Two girls with absolutely nothing in common, unlikely to ever cross paths. That is until Denny becomes Eris’ Knight in a White Transit, rescuing her from a brutal attack.

With selective mutism, multiple injuries, and years worth of trauma, Eris isn’t an easy nut to crack, but that doesn’t put Denny off: despite being polar opposites, she opens up her home and her heart to the stranger and, as the days go by, the two slowly realise they may not be as incompatible as once thought.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance

Unknown Binding

Reviews

[Lady Olenna]

4.5 Stars

For me personally, cosy books are synonymous to “bland”, meaning it lacks emotional turmoil. However, I am reminded yet again that Kayla Faber is a master when it comes to toeing that line. Yes, the story is like wearing pyjamas on a rainy day tucked under a doona with a good book. However, the author injects their prose with much psychological narrative, I honestly wonder if they moonlight as a therapist. There’s no hidden agenda, just plain HEA but never boring, no. Instead, you get a healthy dose of rainbow coloured light through a suncatcher.

“What are they?”
“Suncatchers!”
“So they’re useless on rainy days.”
“They’re not useless! ”
“They’re called suncatchers. We live in a virtually sunless country.”
“The sun will come out at some point! And its light can’t make rainbows going through just any glass! They sort of… need each other to show their best side.”

[Bridie]

This book meant so much to me.

It makes you feel loved and seen. What more could you ask for from a book

Denny & Eris should've made a weird matchup, but they just get each other. They really are one in a million.

I love that Eris made sure Denny knew she didn’t have to change herself, so many people are chameleons in real life, under the impression that to fit in with others, they need to mask who they really are inside, and to find someone who reiterates that actually no, you don’t have to, you can just be yourself, is what we all need in our lives.

[Lez_be_readin_ya]

A Heartwarming Romance That Will Leave Your Heart Full!

This is one of those heartwarming books that leaves you completely satisfied, with a heart so full of love that you’ll be smiling for days afterwards.

This story follows a grumpy Eris and a sunny Denny, and their initial meeting and relationship development were beautifully written and so easy to get lost in. Kayla has this incredible ability to make her stories flow effortlessly, drawing you through the pages so smoothly that you never want the masterpiece to end.

Eris and Denny’s relationship was beautiful from beginning to end. Their slow-burn development was flawlessly executed, and the steamy elements were the perfect addition. Their relationship was captivating and entertaining, with perfectly timed humour that had me smiling throughout.

Kayla is one of those authors where, if she writes it, I’m going to read it—and she never disappoints. Her writing is incredible, engaging, and always entertaining. I honestly can’t recommend this book, or Kayla’s other books, enough. I can’t stress enough just how much I absolutely LOVED this book!

Thank you, Kayla, for another incredible read. ❤️

Star rating. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice rating. 🔥🔥🔥

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.

[Becca Jane]

I am in love with this book's two main characters! Eris and Denny are equal parts sunshine, authenticity, and perfect imperfection!! This book is as emotional as it is heart warming. So much love shared and yet the story doesn't shy away from talking about heavy subjects. So real and raw I loved every second of reading it!!

[fictional sapphic club]

First of all, huge thank you to the author for the arc!

Whenever I’ve tried to explain what the perfect romance book to me would be - THIS is exactly what I was trying to explain. So if anyone ever asked me again, I’ll give them this to read. And if they don’t ask, I’ll still make them read this.

It is more than clear that the author put a lot of thought, love, heart and work into creating each character and the story. The setting and feelings were transported so realistically and in a way, even I could completely feel them and be there.

Each character felt absolutely realistic and the ADHD, Autism and Mutism representation was incredible!
Plus how incredible of an author does someone have to be to have one character not speak a single word for quite a while and make it work so good?! Wow!

I think what I loved most about all of it (aside from the amazing writing of course) was how the characters worked together at all times. Believed what the other one said and communicated about everything, even when it was hard. There was no forced drama between them and just a lot of understanding.
They saw each others, what other people would call a flaw, and instead of being shitty about it, they helped or find ways to make those struggles easier for the other one.

Denny was an absolute sunshine with the biggest heart there is. Yet, she was realistic and someone I could relate to in multiple ways. Seeing how Eris reacted to those things and chose not to shit on her for it healed small parts inside me, I think.

Eris was the opposite of Denny, yet not that opposite. And also absolutely realistic. With her I could too see a few things I could relate to and had similar healing feelings as with Denny.


They made sense together. They didn’t feel like the author forced them together and I cannot scream loud enough about how the warmth was between the soul and the heart before it spread between the legs.
They fell in love with each other instead of each others bodies and as someone who is most likely on the demiromantic spectrum was never able to relate to those characters who started having feelings for someone over how their bodies looked, hips swayed or boobs pressed against a shirt.
This however? These characters I could relate to!

I also loved the storyline surrounding sex. I don’t wanna spoil anything, but that was SO so important and beautifully done 🫶🏻


I feel like this is one of those books everyone should read. Either to feel seen, or to learn.
Might it be to learn about adhd, autism or mental health struggles, healthy communication or just a healthy relationship.
This is a must read, definitely.

Loved every second of it!

[Keeda✨]

This was such a fluffy yearning filled delight!

[Jules ♡]

This book!!!!

It has my whole heart. I was so lucky to be able to read this Arc.
I was sucked in straight away and I couldn't put it down.
Sun Catcher is one of those books you read with constant tears in your eyes. It breaks your heart and then puts it back together. Eris and Denny, sweet neurodivergent babies. It's nice to feel seen and understood.

The characters are beautifully written and you will fall in love with them instantly. The love they share is greater than anything else. The world would be much better if everyone just accepted each other, like everyone in this book

[Jae Alistar]

Love That Lets Your Colors Shine

Suncatcher is about how the right person can find you at exactly the moment you need them, bringing love and comfort into even the darkest corners of your life. Kayla Faber takes some incredibly heavy subjects—abandonment, trauma, abusive relationships, neurodivergence, demisexuality, and self-worth—and somehow infuses the entire story with so much softness and warmth. The darker pieces never overshadow the tenderness. Instead, they make the compassion and empathy at the center feel that much more meaningful.

Eris is all rough edges and self-preservation, shaped by a lifetime of being told she was too much, too sensitive, too difficult, or simply not worth listening to. After learning early on to bottle everything up and “shut up” about her problems, she has spent years relying only on herself , never knowing what it means to have people care for her without wanting something in return. Denny is literally sunshine in human form, but even she has learned to make herself smaller after being repeatedly told she was too much by the people who were supposed to love her. She gives freely, never keeps score, and extends compassion even when she should be protecting herself. Their growth comes from realizing that love doesn’t ask them to be less of themselves but gives them the freedom to finally be more.

Eris and Denny are two sides of the same coin, completely different yet somehow fit together in a way that makes each feel more whole. Eris has never understood how someone could love her without expecting something equal in return, while Denny has spent so much of her life trying to fit herself into whatever shape someone else demanded. Eris learns that accepting help isn't weakness and that being loved isn't a debt she has to repay, while Denny learns she doesn't have to keep her mask on just to remain worthy of love. Their intimate moments are especially tender because that same care carries through them: Eris is patient with Denny's hesitations and lets her set the pace without ever making her feel like she is holding back or failing to be enough. There is so much trust in the way they care for each other, and that makes their connection feel so much deeper than simple attraction.

The story puts both women in situations that start pulling at every thread they’ve used to hold themselves together. Denny’s toxic ex isn't simply an outside obstacle; her presence makes it painfully clear how thoroughly Denny was manipulated into shrinking herself, while also showing just how fiercely Eris will protect those she cares for. At the same time, it never turns healing into a neat transformation. Eris still has to learn how to ask for help, accept kindness, and believe that people can stay without tipping the scale. Denny has to learn that kindness doesn't mean endlessly making herself available to people who take advantage of it. Every challenge pushes them a little closer to understanding that love should make life easier to breathe through, not require either person to erase themselves to keep it.

Suncatcher ultimately feels like a story about finally being seen clearly and realizing that being fully yourself doesn't make you harder to love—it makes the right love possible. It’s a reminder that asking for help isn’t weakness, kindness doesn’t require self-erasure, and the people who truly care about you won’t ask you to change to make them comfortable. Sometimes the safest place to land is with someone who makes it easier to breathe, to take up space, and to see yourself a little more clearly. Sometimes it takes the right person beside you for you to finally see all the colors that were already there.

Thank you SO much to the author for the chance to read this ARC!

Favorite Quotes:
“No one had ever stood up for her like that. Her entire existence so far had been a sequence of kicks in the teeth, figurative and literal. She was used to being by herself, relying on herself, trusting only herself…and now she was putting her life in the hands of a stranger.”

“[H]er skin had the exact same texture of the petals of the roses in her hands, but with a warmth that no rose could dream of.”

“[She] sought her like a sunflower seeking the sun, quietly and unassumingly, always there when she needed her and never expecting anything in return.”

“No one had warned her. She had always felt invincible because pain had never crushed her, but it wasn’t the pain… It was the love. Love crushed people. And maybe she was made of glass. She was willing to risk it.”

“Life is hard enough. The real ones will make it better for you, not worse.”

“I don’t want to lose you.” // “I don't want you to erase yourself to keep me.”

“Suncatchers! The sun will come out at some point! And its light can’t make rainbows going through just any glass! They sort of… need each other to show their best side.”

“Since I've had you in my life, it's like it's easier to breathe. You make me feel less... outnumbered in the world.”

“This is not a competition: my shit doesn’t invalidate yours. You have a right to grieve for whatever hurts you. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

“Help wasn’t always a moral duty or an act of pity. Sometimes it was love asking to be accepted.”

“It didn’t seem possible that two souls that belonged so deeply to each other had ever been apart, unaware of the other’s existence.”

[Cherie • bookshelvesandtealeaves]

4.5 stars

Thanks so much to the author for the eARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was such a beautiful story. Kayla writes characters in a way that just has you hooked from the start. I adored Eris and Denny so much and I loved the ways they grew and changed over the course of this book.

This is very (feral) black cat x golden retriever and I absolutely LOVE that trope. These two are so different from each other, and yet they just work perfectly. They balance each other, they listen to and respect each other, they understand each other intrinsically. They’re just meant to be.

I also really loved the way all the side characters felt like real, fully realised people and not just there to fill a specific role that moves the story forward. They all had their own distinct personalities, lives outside this story.

This book will absolutely tug at your heart repeatedly, might even tear it open a little, but it will fill you with so much warmth and love and sunshine, too.

[Unpopmary]

4.5 ⭐

Suncatcher was one of those hurt/comfort books that leaves you feeling ridiculously giddy even after you've finished it. This was my first time reading this author, but I can already tell you it won't be my last! And for a book that's around 500 pages, it absolutely flew by because I somehow managed to read the whole thing in one sitting.

The way the author wrote these characters was remarkably well done; they felt like real people with believable flaws. I found myself completely wrapped up in their stories and genuinely sympathizing with everything they went through. Usually, I end up connecting with one MC more than the other, but that didn't happen here because the hold Eris and Denny have on me right now is unreal.

Denny was the sunshine of the pair, and I adored her golden retriever energy. She had this enormous heart and was constantly giving her best to the people she cared about, sometimes to the point of overthinking everything she said or did because she cared so much about how she affected others. I also really appreciated how aware she was of her own privilege. She knew she'd grown up spoiled, but that never made her oblivious to the difficulties other people faced. She could have easily been unlikable, but her grounded nature made me root for her from day one.

Eris took a little longer to figure out because she was much more guarded, but my heart ached for her once we started learning about her past. The way she slowly opened her heart to the idea of more than just surviving was truly moving. She spent so long simply trying to make it through each day, so seeing her discover love, happiness, and the possibility of actually living made me so emotional. She deserved every bit of softness she eventually found.

But THE ROMANCE...
This relationship had me in absolute shambles.

What I loved most was how naturally Eris and Denny's connection developed. They truly weren't looking for love (or anything else) when their paths crossed. Instead, their bond grew through all those little, quiet moments where they began understanding each other better than either of them realized.

They're complete opposites, but somehow that made them fit together even better. Eris and Denny were like two puzzle pieces that shouldn't have worked together, yet somehow fit perfectly. Each of them brought something into the relationship that the other was missing, and I loved watching those differences become a source of strength rather than conflict.

And I really appreciated how healthy their communication was.

They respected each other’s triggers. They didn’t try to change one another. They accepted each other’s flaws instead of expecting some perfect version of the other person. Most importantly, they actually talked about their insecurities rather than shutting each other out. As someone who has read far too many third-act breakups that could have been solved with one honest conversation, I was so relieved that Eris and Denny actually communicated.

But what really got me was how deeply healing and restorative their connection became for both of them. They helped each other work through wounds they didn't even realize were still there. They both became better, happier versions of themselves because they met each other...

Finding someone who makes your life feel brighter, who helps you discover colors you didn't know existed, who doesn't "save" you but gives you the safety to finally save yourself... that was Eris and Denny for me.

There were, however, a few things I wish had been explored more.

The demisexual representation was one of the things I was particularly excited about because it’s still relatively uncommon to see it explored in sapphic romance. While Denny’s demisexuality does come up, most of that exploration happens through her internal narration, and I wanted more. Eris seemed to understand what it meant for their relationship, but I really wish we’d gotten an actual conversation between them, especially since I would've loved to see them explore that aspect of their relationship together.

I also felt similarly about Denny's ADHD and Eris's autism. Both seemed relevant to their everyday experiences, so I was surprised that they were mostly limited to brief mentions. I felt like there was so much untapped potential in these aspects that could have added another layer.

Then, the family aspect was one of the most heartwarming parts of the entire book.

Denny’s parents welcoming Eris without judging her past made for such wholesome scenes. Seeing Eris experience a healthier idea of family after growing up with such a complicated relationship with that concept was genuinely touching. That's why, by the end, I was craving more of that cozy found-family energy. Those scenes made the book shine.

Eris's brother was another missed opportunity for me. He was introduced so late, yet the few scenes they shared made me wish we'd gotten to see more of their relationship. There was something incredibly touching about their dynamic, especially considering how much it seemed to mean to Eris.

I loved everything about their journey, but the ending was a tiny bit of a letdown for me personally. Once the storyline with Eris's crazy ex was resolved and Micah suddenly appeared, the epilogue felt a little too abrupt. I really wanted a glimpse of Eris and Denny a few years later, once they'd had time to settle into their relationship and build a life together. After investing so much in their story, I simply wasn't ready for it to end there.

Still, I want to stress that these are minor details rather than major criticisms. The foundation of this book is exceptionally strong, and I already know Eris and Denny are going to stay with me for a long time.

Because Suncatcher isn't simply a romance. It's about hope. It's about resilience. It's about vulnerability and learning that you don't always have to carry everything alone. It's about finally allowing yourself to let go, trusting that there will be someone on the other side ready to catch you.

And honestly, what more could I ask from a love story?

[Andy]

I've been a fan of this author since her very first book and let me tell you she's grown a tremendous amount since then. If you consider she's a native Italian, the depth of her writing is even more impressive.

I'd been chomping at the bit to read this book since the author first started posting about it as a mere idea: right away, the characters of Eris and Denny captured me and I knew their story would be incredible, because I'd seen what Kayla can do with her characters in her previous books.

Turns out my high expectations were widely exceeded.

I had to rewrite this review three times and I'm still not satisfied with it. I really want to do justice to this beautifully woven story and these incredibly human, lovable characters, but I don't think I can. There's just too much to unpack and I feel like there are things that can't be explained, only felt. You won't understand parts of this review unless you've read the book and felt these characters.

I'll start by saying that I didn't like Eris for the first few chapters, and I know, after reading the whole book, that this was the author's intent. Because, if there's something that Kayla is a master of, it's writing flawed characters who make mistakes and learn from them, not always at the first try. A believable, organic growth can always be expected in a Kayla Faber book, and this one was no exception.

At the beginning, we see a very rude and very harsh Eris one one side and the literal ray of sunshine that is Denny on the other and the contrast in pretty garish. Denny has the impulsively generous heart that only someone who grew up with way more than they needed can have. You'd call her naive, at least in the first few chapters; only later you start to see that her kind heart is stronger and braver than it seems. Eris' intent is to take advantage of Denny's niceness, but soon, as their "proximity of convenience" unfolds, she realises the girl's sweet nature is slowly worming its way past Eris' thick shell, despite Eris' best efforts to scare Denny away.

I loved seeing the shift from strangers to flatmates, because it was abrupt and not at all smooth: Eris is aloof and hates human interaction, Denny is sparkly and chatty and has a tendency to get too attached. We're never told, but, chapter after chapter, we recognise (we, neurospicy people and whoever has a little knowledge of the neurodivergent disorders) the symptoms in the two girls: Eris is heavily autistic-coded and Denny ADHD-coded.

As an ADHD woman, I was looking forward to seeing ADHD rep by an ADHD (and autistic) writer and, boy, Kayla knocked it out of the park. I've read a few ADHD/autistic sapphic romances before and never found any genuine sentiment in the representation they offered: stereotypical characters with stereotypical behaviors. By this I'm not saying there isn't a behavioral pattern among neurodivergent people: I'm just saying that there's a difference between showing a disability and doing it justice.

I can't say much about this without spoiling the story, but I just want to stress how beautifully and complexly both autism and ADHD are handled in this book, also, and maybe especially, when they interact with one another. It's not easy to create a believable balance between these two disorders, but Kayla did an amazing job in building a connection between Eris and Denny despite, or maybe because of, their differences.

There is plenty of trauma in both FMCs: Eris with her abusive and neglectful parents, Denny with her people pleasing issues and past narcissistic partners. What I truly loved about this was, besides the depth and gentleness with which these topics were written, was that neither Eris nor Denny pitied themselves or used their trauma as an excuse for some of their behaviors. In fact, both girls make quite a few mistakes along the line, but the openness and mutual trust Kayla built between them allowed them to recover from their slips, take accountability for them, apologize, and grow from their own mistakes. This is a sign of emotional maturity you rarely see in sapphic romance, or romance in general, and I really appreciated the care that the author put in creating two characters who were far from perfect, but so so lovable and relatable.

I also adored, and this may sound problematic, Denny's evil ex, Blake. What a magnificent villain she was! Perfect narcissistic representation: I could feel the cold of her heart and the cruelty in it, the ego that feeds on the next person's struggles and enjoys inflicting emotional pain. Again, can't spoil too much, but that talk with Denny at the bar was an absolute masterpiece. I cried with Denny and I was baffled by it, because I'm not an emotional person. Really beautifully executed.

There is so much love in this book, so much care and tenderness and, yes, so much grief, too, but that's what makes a HEA so sweet and rewarding.

Honorable mentions of characters I also adored: Will (I might be a little bit in love with him), Granma Tansy (we barely see her and in just a few lines she gives us the best and cutest grandma vibes!), Luke and Heather (the parents every kid dreams of), the Jordan Twins (best chaotic duo I've seen in a while).

There was no third act breakup, which I'm sure a lot of readers will appreciate.

Also! That ending?! I see what you're doing there, Kayla! I'm sat, feed me.

[Britt]

Close your eyes and picture this with me: you’re a kid in a candy store and you’ve just been told that you have no budget, that you can have whatever you want. That is what reading this book felt like. It’s like Kayla said: ‘here, dear reader, take this,’ and then hands you the most satisfyingly sweet sapphic romance ever! I’m pretty sure I’ll have this sugar rush for days, maybe even weeks. Everything I could ask for from a book, Kayla wrapped in the prettiest paper and sealed it with the biggest bow.

Denny and Eris’ unrelenting commitment to communicate, to coexist, and then to completely fall blissfully in love made for what I can only call one of the best books I have ever read. Period. My favorite book has sat at the top of my list since 9th grade and nearly two decades later, Suncatcher has taken over the #1 spot.

There is legitimately nothing I did not like about this book. The characters, the story, the banter, the domestic balancing, the intimacy, the sheer audacity Kayla had to put neurodivergence on full display and not being afraid of doing so… it was all so incredibly stunning and perfect.

It read like a romance, but at some points it felt like a therapy session. Like their story, with how beautiful and how intricate it was, sat you down and said: ‘hey, that way you see yourself, it’s not who you are.’ And then it poured sunshine over you and made you feel just a little less invisible, a little less weird, and a little less like a burden.

It reminds you that when you choose a partner in life, it isn’t just about making it work. It’s about being truly seen by that person and that person loving you for exactly who you are. It reminds you that love is about letting your walls down enough to allow yourself to feel the safety of that person’s companionship. It’s not just about making it work, it’s about experiencing life together, with your own autonomy intact. Fitting together like a puzzle and not being formed into whatever feels best like Play-Doh.

Denny and Eris were so different from each other that you kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, for the entire thing to blow up. And then slowly, their dynamic as a couple takes center stage and you watch them start to heal together, fit together, and find blissful happiness. All you want to do is cheer them on as much as the people in their lives do.

There’s a reason I write the cause of divorce as incompatibility so much at work. But these two, nah, these two knew how to be the biggest green flags in each other’s lives, never letting the red ones find their way through the door. They knocked, but they never let them in. And it all started with trust, one of the grandest gifts you can give another person.

If you’re curious about the spice, I’ll just say this. There’s an awfully exquisite reason that those whose brains work a little differently find comfort, peace, and safety by handing themselves over willingly to a partner who knows their needs and boundaries.

This book took me on the most magical emotional journey. There is no denying just how much I fell in love with Eris & Denny and their little love story. Five stars all around. Tens across the board. A perfect 100%. I will treasure being able to experience Suncatcher forever.

This one isn’t meant to be devoured. It’s too magnificent for that. Take your time, feel it, breathe it in, highlight it like a college textbook the way I did. And if you love it just as much as I do, come find me, tell me! I could talk endlessly about the beauty that is this book.

[queerromancereads ♡]

Genre: Sapphic romance, FF
Tropes: Hurt/comfort, grumpy/sunshine, touch her & die, roommates
Rep: Bisexual, lesbian, BIPOC, neurodiversity
Focus: Character focused
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️/5
Warnings: Suicidal ideation, narcissistic abuse, mentions of drugs & alcohol, violence, child abuse & neglect, internalised ableism.

From cosy, sapphic flower-shop charm to brutally honest depictions of poverty and trauma, this book manages to redefine the genre and carve out its own niche space— living up to and smashing sapphic stereotypes simultaneously.

The hurt/comfort vibes are strong here. At first I was a little concerned at the intensity of this— that it could become one character absorbing and fixing trauma— but I needn’t have worried at all. As the story progressed the emotional support became beautifully reciprocal.

The story unfolds from a dual perspective.

We are first introduced to Eris— her story is told with unflinching honesty and sensitivity— the struggles she experiences and the morally questionable decisions she's made are not shied away from. I found her instantly captivating. Defence mechanisms galore, she is a deeply flawed character, who you can't help but to love for her good heart and protectiveness.

Denny is the human equivalent of sunshine— the kind of light some people might find too bright at times. She was an absolute joy to read. Whereas, with Eris we first meet her insecurity and trauma, and then, in time, uncover her soft heart and loyalty, Denny is deeply empathetic and kind hearted from the get go. It takes longer to uncover her insecurities and trauma.

There is some fantastic representation of neurodiversity that is handled very sensitively and felt really affirming to read. It also explored the internalised ableism that can develop when growing up with undiagnosed neurodiversity.

This story felt both like a roommates to lovers slow-burn and a U Haul stereotype simultaneously.

Romantically they work. There's a real grumpy/sunshine dynamic between the two of them. Denny smooths out Eris's rougher edges, and Eris encourages Denny’s self confidence and worth. The touch-her-and-die vibes are kind of ridiculously hot.

A charming sapphic romance that isn't afraid to delve into heavier subject matter, but ultimately radiates queer joy and self worth. One to add to your reading list.

This is a review of an ARC received from the author. I have chosen to leave this voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. Many thanks to the author for the ARC— I enjoyed every second of this read.

[The Sapphic Shelf]

Rating: 4.5
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶

✨ Thank you to Kayla Faber for this ARC! All thoughts are my own. Grab a copy of Suncatcher when it releases on 9/23! ✨

I don’t think I’ve ever read a book that made neurodivergence feel this central to the story, and I say that as the highest compliment! Eris and Denny aren’t characters who happen to have autism and ADHD with a few specific traits sprinkled in to check some kind of box. Their brains are the lens through which they experience the world, and that’s apparent throughout the entire book. The author commits to it fully and pulls it off beautifully. It’s rare to get one main character written with this much care, let alone two. The fact that Eris and Denny get that depth is what truly sets this book apart.

The way the communication unfolds between Denny and Eris, especially in the first half of the book, is some of the best “show don’t tell” writing I’ve read in a long time. I’ll admit that it took me a beat to catch on to what the author was doing, but once it clicked, it clicked, and I found myself rereading earlier sections with new eyes. I can’t say more without spoiling it, but trust that the payoff is worth the patience.

What struck me most was how much care went into every part of this book and the representation it included. As a neurodivergent reader myself, this was the kind of book I’ve been waiting for without knowing it. I lost count of how many times I found myself nodding along thinking “oh, that’s exactly it.” Books like this are few and far between. Yes, they tell our stories, but they go one step further and hand us language for experiences we may not have been able to articulate ourselves.

My one hesitation with the book was the pacing. This was a long one, with a lot packed into a single book. I loved these characters so much that I would’ve loved to have their story spread out over a second book or maybe even a longer series. With so much packed into one book, it sometimes felt like conflicts were resolved quickly, just in time for the next one to surface. I’m really hoping that this isn’t the end of what we see with Eris and Denny because I would happily jump back into their world any day.

TLDR: If you’re looking for a cozy, slow-burn sapphic romance with unmatched neurodivergent representation, put this one on your radar NOW!

[Nora]

This book was a warm hug filled with so much acceptance and love.

there is no other way to describe it, in my opinion. This story and these characters captured my heart like very very few others, and it reached my top 3.

You can feel the love between Denny and Eris while reading this masterpiece, it pours all over the pages (or kindle or whatever other device).
The way they could not be more different but somehow, through acceptance and so much understanding, they fit so perfectly together.

I started being intrigued about this book as soon as Kayla Faber, the author, started teasing it on social media and i just knew I HAD to read it as soon as possible. Safe to say that it did not disappoint and exceeded my already high expectations.

The MCs captured my heart, but also all the supporting cast stole a piece of it.
The acceptance and care that Danny's family showed Eris just because they saw Danny's happiness, the brotherly affection and protectivness of Rocco towards Denny, the gym crew, so fun and chaotic.

I could go on for days praising this book, but i will just end this praising the author for the prose and the english. As a fellow italian, I know it was not your first rodeo, but it must have been challenging to write in a language that is not your native.

I recommend checking TWs because it deals with a lot of heavy topics and mental health conditions, so check those before reading.

I will now paste a few of my favorite lines from this book, because if I had known nothing about this book, some of these would have made me RUN to go read it.

" [...] sometimes she missed the point completely, but it was okay: with her Eris felt like she didn't need to be understood to be understood."

""Eris' stoic facade slipped at Denny's sweet face watching her like just her existing was something extraordinary."

" You ARE (a handful, ndr). But that’s not a you problem, Sunshine. It’s on whoever can’t handle you. And that’s someone you don’t want in your life. Be as big a handful as you like, I can take it"

and finally:
" It didn’t seem possible that two souls that belonged so deeply to each other had ever been apart, unaware of the other’s existence."

Review of ARC provided by the Author

[Gio.reads.sapphic]

If this is your first book form Kayla just know that I am very jealous of you.

I really can't quite express how amazing this book is so just trust me this time okey.

As in all her other books, Kayla manages to infuse the pages with love and comfort despite dealing with darker and less represented topics such as violence, abandonment and various traumas.

A little warning: free yourself from any commitment (including work) because once you start you won't be able to put the book down, you'll be hooked from the very first page. Yeah it's that good!

The MCs are like the two sides of a medallion, even though they are completely opposite, they complement each other perfectly, you'll absolutely fall in love with them.

It's a heartwarming story, full of yearning, longing and so much love and cuteness that you won't know what to do with it. Personally, I would have loved to read this book for the first time during winter, wrapped in blankets and with my ever-present cat close to me - the situation that for me comes closest to the tenderness and security depicted in the story.

Whoever you are, you will feel represented in the book that the latter will become one of your safe havens, if not *the one*.

There are so many representations that if I started listing them all we would all be bored but just to give you a taste of what there is: mental health, astigmatisim,vegetarianism. bipoc, adhd, autism, demisexuality and much more.

If i haven't convined you yet- which I highly doubt- here are some tropes you'll find:
-Opposites Attraction
-Wealth Gap
-Slow Burn
-Strangers to Lovers
-No third act break up
-Forced Proximity
-Touch her and die
-Hurt/ comfort
-Contemporary
-Kinda Ice Queen
-Shower scene
-Grumpy × Sunshine
-Masc bi × demi femme lesbian
-ADHD & Autism rep
-Bipoc & vegentarin MC

Overall it's 5⭐ and 3🔥

CW:unhealthy coping mechanisms, passive suicidal ideation, narcissistic abuse, manipulation, brief and mild noncon, self-destructive behaviours, internalised ableism, mentions of drugs and alcohol, graphic descriptions of parental neglect, child abuse, blood e violence.

[Wren]

The ultimate Grumpy x Sunshine pairing! Eris grew up with a drug dealer dad, an indifferent mother, and a beloved brother who ran away. Always short on cash, pilfering and pickpocketing, all while working physically demanding jobs away from people. Denny grew up with affluence, including inheriting her grandmother’s flower shop. She is the definition of sunshine! But she can also bench your weight in the gym.


When Denny rescues Eris after a nasty fight, they both start to change and share their developing feelings. Eris can’t even speak when they first meet, and Denny’s reaction is obtaining communication cards instead of judging Eris. Truly swoonworthy!


An evil villain plotline involving an ex-girlfriend adds depth, as does learning more about Eris’s checkered past. Denny’s parents offer a layer of warmth and unconditional love that left me melting and wishing to meet them. The writing elicited feelings of deep connection to the characters without being told how to feel (a giant win!)


I related so hard to Denny it hurts. She’s a demi-sexual femme lesbian with a heart of gold (and definitely has ADHD), while Eris is a bisexual baddie who can’t help but add up the monetary value of every single kind act someone bestows upon her (and is probably autistic). This book gave me hope I can find love like this. It reminded me we all deserve love based on who we are, not how we can twist ourselves into someone else’s ideal.

[Tanya]

4.5 Stars

Apparently, all you have to do is whisper grumpy/sunshine sapphic romance in my general direction, and I will come running.

Suncatcher was such a warm, sweet little emotional ambush.

I loved the contrast between the two main characters and how their differences weren’t just there to create cute banter. There was tenderness here. Vulnerability. Hurt/comfort. Those delicious little moments where someone starts quietly learning another person’s soft spots and, instead of poking them, starts protecting them.

That is my weakness!

I also really enjoyed the neurodivergent representation. These women are allowed to be complicated, awkward, overwhelmed, stubborn, loving, messy human beings without the story trying to sand off all their edges. And there is something particularly lovely about watching two people figure out how to love each other in the ways the other person actually needs.

Plus… sapphics. Grumpy/Sunshine. A plant shop. Mutual protectiveness. Kayla Faber, you knew what you were doing! 😂

This wasn't a dramatic, rip-my-heart-from-my-chest kind of romance for me. It was softer than that. It felt cozy. Like finding a patch of sunlight and deciding to stay there for a while.

Thanks to Kayla Faber for gifting me an eARC of Suncatcher. I am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[LFP Reads]

I had high expectations of this book after seeing posts of it on Instagram mentioning representation of ADHD and autism, and I can say Kayla Faber delivered even more than what I expected. This is indeed a slow burn, but one that makes total sense: the characters are SO different that they need to learn how to communicate from the basics -- literally, because of of them spends some weeks not being able to talk.

There are some hard topics on the book, like violence against children, poverty / economic inequality, ADHD and autism, abusive relationships and narcissist people, but there's also a lot of love and comprehension along the story. It was so nice to see how Denny and Eris started to get along and be what the other needed, without even trying to do that. The love between them was just a natural consequence.

And one of the best parts of this book was how the author was able to show how people with ADHD and autism are. I learned A LOT while reading this story!

So if you're looking for a book with some neurodivergence representation, likes a relationship that is built little by little, and does not shy away from hard topics, you should definitely pick up this book! I highly recommend it!

[Anna Demosi]

thank you kayla faber for the chance to arc read this AMAZING book.
i’m gonna be so honest, i have been struggling to write this, and once i finally wrote most of it i accidentally deleted it all😭so here we go again
i have never felt so seen in a book as i did with this. everything about denny resonated so perfectly with me it felt like i was looking in a mirror, from needing to see things to remember them, and talking a LOT, to saying id do something later and then never doing it. everything she did described me so well and i fell for her instantly
i absolutely adored eris, while i didnt relate to her like denny, it’s hard not to love eris. she was so strong and still a genuine good person after being handed a really shitty life. the way she so fiercely stood up for denny and reminded her that she was not the person blake had convinced her she was, she is the kind of person you want in your life.
i loved their relationship every step of the way, and how considerate they were of each others feelings, and how willing they were to compromise, and the way they could tell what the other was saying/ thinking just by a look.
i’m not going to go too into detail about the specifics because i think you should learn about them by reading it, and you will NOT regret it.

[Kate]

I struggled for a few days on what I wanted to say there, but not in a bad way! I want to get my thoughts out here without giving too much away. 

Eris has it hard: growing up in a broken home, living on the streets at a young age, and a couple of hits to her criminal record. 

Denny has it easy: a loving family, no worries, a safe roof over her head. Unlike Eris, she's never had a rough day in her life. 

When these two meet, the connection isn't necessarily instant, but there's immediately something there. Denny is so patient and kind with Eris, while Eris feels like she's taking advantage of Denny to survive. 

As the story continues, you see the subtle shifts in both characters. Eris learns what care and safety truly are, while Denny learns that she can calm down and the world won't end. 

The chemistry was fantastic. How Eris was so patient with Denny as she discovered what she was truly feeling. These two are just so beautiful. 

If you enjoy stories with rich, well-rounded characters and romance that grows with tender care, definitely check this book out! Denny and Eris will steal your heart in the best ways. 

[Ray Ashburner]

I read this masterpiece in one sitting! I have sat on my review for a bit because I really want to find the right words to express how much this book meant to me.

Firstly the representation of disability in this book was incredible! It’s so wonderful to see ADHD written so well and showing so many traits I experience personally was something I didn’t realise I needed! And the ASD rep was on the same level! The characters also really balanced each other out and seeing that bond and ability to support each others needs and adjustments so smoothly was so sweet.

Secondly the hurt/comfort was so tender and sweet and was written in a careful way. It’s one of my favourite tropes when done right and this was done so right, had me kicking my feet!!

The story itself was mostly smooth and didn’t feel slow at any point, we got to see domestic slice of life, and also some higher stakes moments with some drama added in. One note I did have was the build up to the final dramatic moment was slow but then the reveal and solution felt a bit rushed, it was good but I personally wanted more tension!!!

I have been waiting for this book for months and jumped at the chance to read it immediately as I could and it EXCEEDED all my expectations!

Overall really enjoyed reading this and immediately had to read it again.

Ps. I only didn’t like the fact the reason Eris didn’t go to uni was money related. As it’s set in the UK student loans are basically a way to afford Uni and there’s systems set up for people who can’t finance things. It would have been more realistic in my mind if the main reason she didn’t go was related to her ASD or actual grades as school struggles for neurodivergent kids are legit and that we got to actually see some of that evidenced, maybe like more mentions of childhood Eris (this is my personal need for as much detail as possible and not a reflection on the actual book content 🫡)

[Maria]

I loved the start of the book, how Denny is saving Eris, takes her home and is just a miracle of kindness. Denny that has been hurst so much in the past because of her very special ways. Eris is quite a mess, even mute in the beginning, a defence system when too much. To see how these damaged souls from very different backgrounds and social status somehow just click is endearing.

The whole journey how they get to know each other, heal each other and then fall for each other is a great read. They are messy and polar opposites and just intriguing to get to know. That journey could have been the whole book, and it would have been enough for me. Now when Denny’s horrible ex Blake is mixed into the equation it gets a bit too much for me and I struggled to relate at times.

I received a free ARC from the author and leave an honest review voluntarily.

[Emily]

I absolutely loved the autism and ADHD representation in this book. We need so much more of this in sapphic romance.
What really I really loved was how well the heavier topics were handled. Eris is dealing with trauma, selective mutism, and the aftermath of a brutal attack, and the story never minimizes what she’s been through. But somehow it also never loses that warm, feel-good feeling. I loved that balance.
Eris and Denny together just gave me joy. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic, the hurt/comfort, the mutual pining, and especially watching them slowly open up and heal together was so good. Such a sweet sapphic romance with great neurodivergent representation, emotional intimacy, and characters you really want to see find their happiness.

Thank you to the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Kiara]

Reading Suncatcher was an absolute pleasure. From chapter one, I knew I was going to fall in love with Eris and Denny, the dynamic between these two will have you smiling and giddy. I enjoyed seeing how they balanced each other out and how well they flowed together. I didn't expect to relate so much to Denny's personality, but it was amazing to find a character with my same traits and thought processes, I have never related to a character this much! Overall, the story was beautiful, funny, and so easy to get lost in. I couldn't put it down, enjoyed every bit of it, and am yearning for more of Denny and Eris. Thank you for letting me be a part of the ARC team and giving me the pleasure of reading this amazing story. I can't wait to buy a physical copy for my shelf!

[Eel]

A heartfelt story that will put you through the ringer then back together again.

Between ADHD/autism rep, bi and demisexual rep, and POC rep, this intersectional story touches on so many aspects of life and makes you feel it all. Denny's battles navigating daily life with ADHD and her sense of consent as a demisexual made my heart hurt for her. Her struggles with bullying as a light skinned POC even more so. Eris' abusive childhood made her into a heartwrenchingly feral guard dog perfect for her flower shop owner with many rude customers. This story focuses on the characters more than an action packed plot, so if you want to raw dog pure angst and comfort, I would definitely reccomend this book. Will be sending my therapy bill.
All opinions are my own. Thank you Kayla Faber for the ARC!

[Cheyanne Strupp]

Okay, where do you even start? This book will transport you directly into the lives of these main characters instantly. You will see, smell, and feel everything they do. To witness such a natural and believable love story unfold is nothing short of perfection. The representation of undiagnosed autism/adhd and learning to live with it was beautifully done. It's a great story to show that the right person will take the time to learn you and your eccentricities. Your past does not always have to define your future. You are NEVER too much. And you are ALWAYS enough. Sometimes you need that reminder and this story shares that message in such a loving and patient and perfectly paced way.

[Roie_Reads]

Finished in three days cause of life, needed an extra day to recover the pieces of my heart I know I won’t get back (which is perfectly fine). Denny and Eris made me feel SEEN! The emotional whiplash that I went through was a lot.

Everything from Denny working through her feeling to Eris learning how to not be alone, I felt like someone was looking into my life and understand me for the first time. This book gets a complete five stars from me and I need a trophy copy because this will now be a comfort read!! (But also I need to annotate a regular book, which I never do!)

Thank you to Kayla Faber for letting me be an arc reader because I truly, truly enjoyed it!!

[Ric]

I was honored to receive an ARC of this book. I always seem to be taken by the characters in this author’s books and Denny and Eris were no exception. This book was so comforting, I think it should be read with a blanket. Denny is day and Eris is night, but they work. This book took my breath away at times and other times, I’d realize tears were flowing from my eyes. These characters encounter every barrier you can imagine. This book will make you feel seen and I already cannot wait to read it again.

[karen fitzgerald]

What a beautifully different romance. Two neurodiverse people who just fit together even though on paper they shouldn't. This is a low angst but high emotions story that focuses on the synchronicity that comes naturally between two people that are perfect for each other. This is not to say that there is no tension and upset, real and imagined, which seeps in to keep the MCs on their toes. I love the way the Kayler Faber has kept the characters true to their respective traits while still being able to bend and blend them together.