Some stories are about grand adventures, others about quiet transformations. "Sunset" is firmly in the latter camp—a tale of second chances that unfolds like the slow, beautiful sunsets that frame its narrative.
Sunset by Sharon Sala opens with emotional intensity and the promise of healing. Set in Blessings, Georgia, this is a story of trauma, second chances, and the light that emerges after darkness. While the book begins with strength and heart, its pacing shifts midway through, creating a mixed reading experience that's both memorable and uneven.
Title: Sunset by Sharon Sala
Series: Crossroads #1
Publish Date: May 21, 2024
Genre: Southern Fiction, Women's Fiction, Emotional Reads
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
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My Review
Sharon Sala has delivered another emotionally gripping story that pulled me in from the very first page. What I love most about Sala's writing is how she never shies away from the messy, painful parts of life while still managing to weave hope throughout even the darkest moments. The main character's journey is raw and real, dealing with trauma and healing in ways that feel authentic rather than sugar-coated.
The Rose - the setting where so much of the story unfolds - becomes almost a character itself. There's something magical about how Sala describes this place and the people who find refuge there. It's not just a location; it's a sanctuary where broken people can start to piece themselves back together.
However, I have to be honest about the pacing issues that kept this from being a five-star read for me. The story felt sluggish through the middle section, particularly around the time of Sonny's father's arrest. The momentum that had me so engaged early on slows significantly from there. The growing cast of characters—Heather, Del, Vonnie—all brought dramatic potential that sadly never quite delivered on its promise.
There were several intriguing elements that I wished had been developed more fully. Sonny's visions added a spiritual thread that I hoped would become more central to the story. The magical connection between Sonny and Dancer was fascinating but felt underexplored. Maggie's painting subplot had such potential. These all felt like mini stories within the larger narrative, and while they added texture, they sometimes felt scattered rather than woven together purposefully.
The horse theft subplot created chaos that intertwined various characters' lives, but at times it felt more like a distraction than a driving force. I found myself wanting the story to focus more deeply on fewer elements rather than juggling so many different threads.
That said, the ending does rev back up with major events—the wedding, the art exhibit—that bring emotional satisfaction. Unfortunately, by then the middle section had dulled my overall investment just a bit, even though the payoff was worth the journey.
What really got to me was how Sala handled the healing process throughout. There's no magical cure-all moment where everything becomes perfect. Instead, it's small steps, setbacks, moments of grace, and the gradual understanding that sometimes surviving is its own form of victory. The sunset metaphor running throughout the book is absolutely gorgeous and surprisingly profound.
Still, I didn't give up on this one, and I'm glad I stuck with it. Sharon Sala's writing is strong enough to carry readers through the slower moments, and the emotional payoff is definitely there. The supporting characters, while numerous, each had their own struggles that added depth to the overall narrative.
This book reminded me why Sharon Sala has such a devoted following. She writes with heart and guts, never offering easy answers to complicated problems. It's a novel that could have soared higher if the second act had held the same power as the first, but the strong beginning and satisfying conclusion make it worth the read.
Setting & Atmosphere
Blessings, Georgia comes alive as more than just a backdrop—it's a character itself. Sala captures the rhythm of small-town life beautifully, from the front porch conversations to the way news travels through the community like wildfire. The Rose serves as a perfect metaphor for both shelter and renewal, a place where wounded souls can find safety and start to bloom again.
The southern setting feels authentic without relying on tired stereotypes. You can practically feel the humid air and hear the cicadas through Sala's vivid descriptions. The sunsets that bookend the story create such a powerful sense of place and purpose—they're not just pretty scenery but symbols of hope and divine presence that anchor the entire narrative.
Character Spotlight
Sonny is the heart of this story—a character whose spiritual visions and deep connection to both people and animals makes him feel almost otherworldly at times. His relationship with Dancer adds a magical element that I wished had been explored more thoroughly. There's something special about how Sala writes characters who exist on the edges of the ordinary world.
Pearl brings her own wisdom and strength to the community, representing the kind of character who holds everyone else together while dealing with her own struggles.
But it's Maggie's story that absolutely destroyed me emotionally. Her backstory made me tear up and gave me that proverbial lump in my throat that just wouldn't go away. Her birthday isn't a celebration—it's the day she was found on the doorstep of a fire station at about two weeks old. She doesn't have any known relatives, and all she knows is that no one wanted her, no one came looking for her. She aged out of the foster system carrying that weight of abandonment. When Sonny tells her "I see you, Magnolia, all the way to your soul," it hits differently because she's spent her whole life feeling invisible and unwanted.
Themes
Healing and Second Chances: The central theme explores how people rebuild after trauma, both individually and as a community. Sala doesn't offer quick fixes but shows the slow, often painful process of putting yourself back together.
Faith and Spirituality: Sonny's visions and the overall sense of divine presence add depth to the story, though this element could have been woven more thoroughly throughout the narrative.
Community Support: The way Blessings residents rally around each other reflects the power of chosen family and small-town bonds. It's not always perfect, but it's real and supportive.
Finding Home: Both literal and emotional homes are discovered and created throughout the story, showing that sometimes the place you belong isn't where you started, but where you choose to put down roots.
My Favorite Quote(s)
"And every evening when the sun began going down, I would go out onto the front steps of the Rose, and watch the magic and beauty of the sunsets and tell myself that it was God's apology for every bad, sad thing I'd ever endured."
"I see you, Magnolia, all the way to your soul."
My Final Thoughts
Sunset is heartfelt, complex, and grounded in emotional truth. Though the story loses its footing at times, the beginning and ending provide enough power to leave an impression. Fans of Sharon Sala's Blessings, Georgia series will appreciate the familiar themes of love, pain, and redemption.
Join the Conversation
Have you read Sunset? What did you think of the pacing and all the storylines introduced? Let's chat in the comments!
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