S
Sarah Damoff
The Bright Years
Synopsis
Ryan and Lillian Bright are deeply in love and new parents, but their marriage is built on secrets: Lillian has a son she hasn't revealed, and Ryan struggles with alcohol addiction. Their daughter, Georgette, grows up witnessing their relationship's tumultuous journey. After a devastating event tears their family apart, Georgette tries to escape her past. Years later, when her estranged half-brother seeks his birth family, Georgette must confront her roots, uncover hidden truths, and decide if she can finally embrace love and healing.
Vibe
Genres
Characters
Georgette BrightProtagonist
Ryan and Lillian's daughter, nicknamed "Jet"; as an adult she confronts her family's history when her half-brother reaches out.
Lillian BrightProtagonist
A Fort Worth bank teller who marries Ryan in 1979; she keeps the son she placed for adoption a secret for decades.
Ryan BrightProtagonist
An aspiring artist whose alcohol addiction shapes the family across generations.
Barton BrightonAntagonist
Ryan's abusive father; his violence in Ryan's childhood casts a shadow over the following generations.
Davis CondieSupporting
Lillian's biological son, placed for adoption in 1974; he contacts the family as an adult and Georgette must decide whether to welcome him.
Southern Literary Review Book of the Year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
What awards has The Bright Years won?
The Bright Years was named a 2025 Southern Literary Review Book of the Year (tied with Katherine Scott Crawford's The Miniaturist's Assistant). It was also a 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for Best Debut Novel and an honor book for the Texas Institute of Letters' 2026 Sergio Troncoso Award for Best First Book of Fiction.
Who narrates the audiobook of The Bright Years?
The unabridged Simon & Schuster Audio edition is narrated by a full cast: Ferdelle Capistrano, Joy Osmanski, and Lee Osorio, reflecting the novel's three points of view.