Book Review: Sunshine by Nikki Rae

Sunshine (Sunshine #1) by Nikki Rae
Genre: New Adult (Paranormal Romance)
Date Published: January 28, 2013
Publisher: Self

The Blurb:

18 year old Sophie Jean is pretty good at acting normal. Sure, she’s not exactly happy, but happiness is nothing compared to being like everyone else. She can pretend she’s not allergic to the sun. She can hide what her ex-boyfriend did to her. She can cover up the scars she’s made for herself. Ignore anything. Forget anything. Then Myles enters her life, and he has more than a few secrets of his own. When accident after accident keeps happening to Sophie, she can’t help noticing that he’s everywhere. That he knows too much. That she’s remembering too much.

It’s one thing covering up her own dark past, but does she really need to worry about people finding out just how much Myles likes her? Or that despite how much she doesn't want to repeat past mistakes, she kind of likes him back? Not to mention the fact that she now has to conceal that Myles drinks blood-that he says he’s about four hundred years old.

She almost forgot about that part.

But Sophie has no plans to ruin the normal life she has created for herself. She can deal with this little glitch, no problem. Even if word has gotten around to the wrong vampire about Sophie and Myles, even if she’s putting the few people she loves at risk. Suddenly, those who were monsters before are just people, and the monsters? They’re real. Now being a normal human being is the least of her problems. Now she has to stay alive.

My Review:

Sunshine is the first book in the Sunshine Series by Nikki Rae. This is a book that grabs your emotions. Life hasn't been easy on Sophie, and it goes far deeper and darker than her allergy to the sun. While I wanted her to trust Myles more than she did, and at times I even got frustrated at her for not doing so faster. I had to make myself remember what she has been through, because if she were a real person, there's no way she would trust him or anyone. This made her believable to me. Myles is a sweetheart. He's not like any vampire I've ever read about. He's just so darn normal. He's patient and attentive to Sophie. I just wanted to hug him.  This shouldn't be mistaken for weakness though. Myles can be pretty bada$$ when the need calls for it. He's good for her. This book focused a lot on Sophie's mental and emotional healing. The paranormal/vampire aspect wasn't a constant focal point. In fact, sometimes it was easy to forget about that all together, but I think this is about to change in the next book. The romance isn't instant or easy, but it too, is believable. The story just feels very real. I guess that's because of all of Sophie's emotions and inner turmoil. As a reader, I really felt what she felt. The fear, the anger, the shame, rejection.. hope. Her story grabs at those heart strings, that's for sure. Sunshine was definitely a unique and emotional story. I wasn't sure what to expect from it, but I was pleasantly surprised to find a very well put together story with well built characters that I'm anxious to learn more about. I can't wait for  more by this talented new author! Check out my review of Book two in the Sunshine Series, Sun Poisoned!

Sunshine by Nikki Rae was provided to me by the author for review. The opinions are my own.

Check out my reviews of the books in this trilogy!

Have you read Nikki Rae's other books?

About the Author:
Nikki Rae is a student and writer who lives in New Jersey. When she is not writing, thinking, or reading, she is most likely hanging out with her gecko, Neil Gaiman, drawing in a quiet corner, or drinking tea by the gallon. Sunshine is her first book.

To learn more about Nikki Rae and her books, visit her blog.You can also find her on Goodreads, Facebook, and Twitter.