Review of "The Sunshine Series" By: Nikki Rae

“Sunshine, Sunshine Series Book 1” By: Nikki Rae
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

In Sunshine, Sophie is an 18 year old trying to just get through life dealing with a dysfunctional family, trust issues and very few friends. Sophie has a medical condition that her mom has been trying to cure her of all of Sophie's life to the point that her current doctor actually does more harm than good. Sophie can't be exposed to sunlight without having severe effects. Sophie takes this medical condition as it is, she doesn't bemoan not being able to do normal outside things like other kids. Her family even calls her Sunshine.

Sophie has also had some trauma in her past. She has blanked out on most all of her past as a kid and on events in her life that have majorly impacted her. She has nightmares about pieces of her past. Sophie is mature and aware enough of who she thinks she is to handle her issues and keep everyone at bay. Sophie is a self taught piano master. The piano allows her to cope with the every day pieces of life that can be overwhelming when added on top of prior tragedy.

Sophie is starting her senior year in high school where she meets the new kid Myles. Myles has his own secrets. Myles tries to win over Sophie and be someone she can trust as a friend. This is hard for Sophie as she peels back the layers letting Myles into her life. Myles only wants her to be happy and to help her stop hurting. As we see Sophie open up and discover more about herself it's almost like Myles is seeing her as the sun rising. Each little bit of her as the sun rays start to brighten in the sky.

Towards the end as Sophie is beginning to be happy and accept Myles in her life she meets Michael who wants to harm her and make sure that she doesn't survive. Micheal and Myles have a past that Myles doesn't explain. Sophie begins a new dynamic with her family due to running into Michael. She tightens her bonds with Myles and manages to graduate with a job already waiting for her to play piano in her band.

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“Sun Poisoned, Sunshine Series Book 2” By: Nikki Rae
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

This is the second book in the series. You won't need to read the first book but it would help to better see Sophie's journey. And you will definitely want to read the third book after finishing this one. Sophie moves to New York after graduating high school to pursue her music career with her best friends in their band.

Sophie has had a hard time growing up and especially her senior year. Combined with her medical condition that she can't be exposed to sunlight without getting severely injured, Sophie finds it much easier to blend in and be normal in New York where nothing is considered strange. New York opens a whole new set of possibilities and friends for Sophie.

Michael, a vampire that wants Sophie dead and painfully to punish her boyfriend Myles, is looking for ways to get to Sophie. Michael plots and uses Sophie’s family and friends to get to her and cause her pain. Michael causes a lot of pain and havoc in Sophie’s life. Sophie gets sick after an attack and must deal with healing, and it’s not going well.

I found myself not wanting to put this book down, to be able to follow Sophie's journey and learn about her, her past and her future along with Sophie. I had to start the next book to finish reading about Sophie and get more answers to all of the questions that the first two books Sunshine and this one Sun Poisoned had me asking.

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“Sun Damage, Sunshine Series Book 3” By: Nikki Rae
Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

This is the third book on the series. It is really helpful to have read at least the second if not the first before reading this one. Sophie is a newly turned vampire. We learn a lot more about what vampires have the ability to do. Sophie is learning to cope with being a new vamp but something isn't right. Sophie isn't reacting the same way that a normal new vampire would.

It is Sophie’s struggle with her new life and dealing with family and friends at the same time that she is convinced Michael is still able to get to her that makes this a good read. There are a lot of threads in this story. We see Sophie and Myles trying to move forward as we learn more about who they are as well as more about Michael. I can’t say more without spoiling too much.

Sun Damage ends in a suitable way that isn’t all glitter and sparkles. I liked that it was different from the run of the mill boy and girl are on the beach and live happily ever after. Real life isn’t that way. I would definitely read another book in this series if there is one.

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