TEST
Maybe at a different time in my life, my slightly cynical self might have given Charlie Sunshine the side eye. But this is April 2020, I’m spending entirely too much time cooped-up with my husband and two boys, and Lily Morton’s brand of sunshine is just what the doctor ordered. Charlie Sunshine is a saccharine-sweet ode to the ever popular friends-to-lovers trope, and it left this Morton fan happy and satisfied. In the second Close Proximity novel, best friends move in together and before long, things take a decidedly naughty turn. Morton shoe-horns in a Big Misunderstanding late in the second half, but it’s a half-hearted effort at best. Charlie Sunshine is a mostly light and lovely story about friends (one of whom struggles with epilepsy) who are the last ones to know they’re meant to be. I liked it – and them – very much.
Charlie Burroughs has a great life. Only twenty-seven years old, he’s got a job he loves (librarian), great friends – especially best friend since childhood, Misha – and a wonderfully supportive family. He’s moving out of the dinghy flat he once shared with Jesse (Best Man), and moving into Misha’s luxurious apartment. He’s got a boyfriend he likes, and by rights, he should be on top of the world. Except he isn’t. Three years earlier, Charlie fractured his skull in a fall; he recovered but was later diagnosed with epilepsy. Early on he struggled with the diagnosis, but rallied. He gave up smoking and drinking, and other behaviors that triggered his seizures (or ‘turns,’ as he prefers to call them), and finally found the right mix of medications to keep them at bay. But eight months before – after nearly a year without a turn – they came back with a vengeance for no discernible reason. Terrified his medical team will recommend brain surgery to try and fix the problem, Charlie’s been avoiding his regular check-ups. He’s exhausted, sore from the falls that accompany his turns, and scared. Trying to keep up his happy and healthy façade with friends and family gets more difficult every day.
Charlie thinks he’s hidden how poorly he’s feeling, but Misha Lebedinsky knows everything there is to know about his best friend. A serial bachelor who flits from lover to lover, the only constants in his life are Charlie, his mom and his twin sisters. Misha doesn’t have room for another serious relationship in his life, and anyway, Charlie’s health is stressing him out. Wary of bringing it up when Charlie seems to be pointedly avoiding discussing it, Misha hopes he’ll finally get his chance now that they’re living together. He’s dreading an upcoming weekend getaway with Charlie’s friend Jamie and Harry, Charlie’s smug and oblivious boyfriend, but since the long car ride might provide an opportunity to talk, he decides not to try to dissuade Charlie from going – even though he looks like he might keel over at any moment. And besides, Misha takes care of Charlie. Wherever he is, Misha is.
The weekend away gets off to a poor start after Harry takes it poorly when Charlie, who isn’t feeling well, tells Harry he’s not in the mood for sex. They break-up, but before Charlie can tell Misha, they’re called to the private dining room for dinner and wind up seated at opposite ends of the table. When one of the guests discovers Charlie is a librarian, and proceeds to complain about the library system and its patrons, Misha is ready to step in, but Charlie easily rebuts the man’s arguments. A miserable Misha waits for the interminable dinner to end, but just when he’s ready to make his escape, he sees Charlie stand and then go abruptly still. He rushes to his side after Harry lets him fall to the floor, and then escorts him back to his room.
The seizure ultimately provides the catalyst for Charlie to confess he hasn’t been seeing his doctor, and once he finally does, it turns out his medicine is the culprit. Misha arranges for Charlie to spend the next six weeks recuperating with his mom in the country, and when they finally reunite – Charlie surprises Misha in the apartment after he’s had a tough day – something about the reconciliation feels different for both men, and marks a change in the relationship.
Six weeks apart after a lifetime in each other’s pockets, and then close proximity… well, you know where this is going. And happily, it doesn’t take Morton long to maneuver these two into bed together, and their first night together surprises them both. Intense, passionate and tender, it just feels right. Misha is a possessive and protective partner who has loved Charlie for years as a friend, and is thrilled (and relieved) by the change in their relationship. He flourishes as one of these two lovebirds, and falls headlong into coupledom. He’s so happy, friends! And he’s so, so, so good to Charlie. Charlie, meanwhile, is similarly smitten, but panics before Misha convinces him they haven’t ruined things. He’s surprised how quickly Misha falls into the relationship, and can’t help but worry Misha will tire of him, and if his health makes him a bad bet. But reader, all of this is window dressing. Charlie and Misha are sexy and hot and sweet and lovely together, and it’s a treat to spend time with them.
Morton usually sets up future stories in her books, and this one is no different. Since they were introduced in Best Man, fans have been waiting for details on the relationship between Felix (Misha’s cousin) and Max, part of the small, tight knit group that Charlie and Misha call friends. Both of them make appearances in this novel, and Felix even plays ‘the fixer,’ after the Big Misunderstanding that helps bring this novel to its conclusion. I’m intrigued by this pair, who clearly have LOTS of unresolved issues. I loved sharp-tongued Bethany, Charlie’s friend and co-worker at the Southwark public library, and Rupert, Misha’s co-worker, who is head over heels gaga for Bethany. Although he only makes a few appearances in this story, Rupert steals his scenes, and when he quizzes Misha about all the reasons he’s rejected so many acquaintances as possible boyfriends for Charlie (in a ridiculous attempt to pretend he doesn’t want him for himself), I was giggling. As per usual, the friendships are lovely, and the secondary cast of characters help our principals find their way to happily ever after. Charlie and Misha’s families are similarly charming. Friends, Morton likes happy families, and I’m here for it! Not everyone needs a skeleton in his closets.
Featuring an appealing cast of characters, funny and sharp dialogue, a moving depiction of someone struggling with and managing a chronic medical condition, and a sticky sweet happily ever after, Charlie Sunshine is a ray of light in this challenging time. If you’re a Morton fan, you’ll love this one. And if you aren’t? You’ll find it hard to resist, too.
Buy it at: Amazon
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Grade: A-
Book Type: Contemporary Romance
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 21/04/20
Publication Date: 04/2020
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
I love romance novels - all kinds.
I love music - some kinds.
I have strong opinions about both and I like to share them.
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Dissenting opinion:
I THINK THAT MODEL IS SUPER HOT AND I AM ‘MORE PLEASE!’ all day long!
Her pinterest boards are great places to see her vision for living spaces, looks, and who she envisioned for each character.
I had fun looking at her pinterest boards yesterday.
I was definitely seeing Clive Owen when I read Zeb!
I also saw Asa looking like Jason Mamoa but of mixed White/AfroCaribbean heritage – more likely in UK, I think.
I’m not sure who most of the others that she posted were!
I hope there is some racial diversity in the leads of the next book as I think that aspect of the series could do with a bit of a boost.
Her ‘visual’ for Henry in Risk Taker was Eddie Redmayne, which I can totally see.
yes!
Hmmmm, not sure about the cover. Reminds me of Liz Hurley’s son a bit. O
I admit this is the first time I’ve looked at one of her covers and thought – nope. Not because of any resemblance, just because the model doesn’t do it for me! /shallow
More like under the water, not just shallow. I am afraid that when I looked at in detail, I found it just incredibly bad art. And that bottom lip is just bizarre.
I think it might be a photo……………………………….
Anyway, it doesn’t do it for me! In the previous book Charlie was described as very blond and very beautiful, causing people to walk into things at the mere sight of him. Ummm.. In the book the freckles on his shoulders are mentioned so they got that bit right – maybe they couldn’t find another blondish model with them!
Anyway, the book is lovely. These books, (of which this is the 8th), are my perfect comfort read for during lockdown. The mixture of snarky humour, angst and pining from the cast of unfeasibly beautiful young men is just what I need. Lily Morton deftly manages to incorporate issues like Charlie’s epilepsy and her sense of place and use of British cultural references is strong. The way the library is portrayed is accurate and of course Misha would live in a converted warehouse on Butler’s Wharf!
Only the first 3 books (Mixed Messages) are on audio at the moment and they are terrific. I’m hoping that the next ones are available soon, especially as ‘Oz’, the first of the Finding Home series, is my favourite book so far.
Joel Leslie has recorded the first in the Finding Home series, and I think it’s due out very soon. There’s been somthing of a logjam at Audible recently, because I think it was ready some weeks ago, but things are starting to trickle through now, so fingers crossed there’s not too much longer to wait! According to the author, after he’s finished that series, he’s down to record Blue Billings.
Yay for the Finding Home series coming soon!
I haven’t read Blue Billings as it’s listed as a ghost story and I’m not into them – or fantasies or paranormals.
The only ones that I’ve read are by KJ Charles because I read everything she writes!
If you’ve enjoyed KJC’s books, then I think you’d like Blue Billings – I think Simon Feximal is scarier!
Yes! And while I suspect they’re supposed to be “bedroom eyes”, I think he just looks a bit dozy!
Yep–I find him anti-attractive.
It hit the spot!
Sometimes I think Lily goes overboard on the loved up friends and family & villainous ex’s…but I was feeling it this time, and it all just totally clicked.
Her audio books are excellent – so no worries when you have to wait!
Yep, the audios are great. I’m actually at the stage where I just wait for them…
Oh, this sounds lovely! Onto the pile it goes!
Great review, Em. I’m woefully behind on my Morton reading – usually by the time I get around to one of her books, the audio is out so I listen to that instead! But this sounds lovely.