The Darkest Sunrise and The Brightest Sunset by Aly Martinez
Emotional Contemporary Standalone Duet. Must be read together, in order.
ALL THE STARS!!! Wow. I finished The Darkest Sunrise Duet by Aly Martinez yesterday and tried starting 5 different books after. Nothing worked. I’m clearly in the middle of a MAJOR BOOK HANGOVER. I haven’t been this utterly CONSUMED by a story in a really long time, possible years. I can’t remember the last time I read two books in two days. My husband told me I kept saying “Oh My God, this book is so freaking good!” over and over (I remember a few times, but he says it was more like 50).
The Darkest Sunrise Duet is so far out of my comfort zone it’s ridiculous. For goodness sakes, if it says dark in the title, I know it’s not for me. But I was in a book funk and saw some people I trust RAVING about it. Aly will be at Wicked Book Weekend in April, so I grabbed it on impulse without even reading the blurb. I’m so glad; I don’t know if I would have read it had I read the blurb first.
So here is my warning: While this review will be spoiler free and vague, click the link and buy it and read it, then come back and read this to see if we agree. Because going in blind was great. Or just read on for a totally spoiler free review.
Charlotte was completely and totally broken. A hugely successful, workaholic pulmonary Doctor, Charlotte lived in the worst darkness a mother could ever dream of. Until him.
“Hi. I’m Porter Reese.” I didn’t know it yet. But those four simple words changed my life all over again.
Porter immediately recognized the darkness Charlotte tried so hard to hide. He saw his own darkness reflected back in her eyes, and their connection was tangible. Porter was so swoony. A widow with a tragic past and two kids, one with breathing problems, Porter was an amazing dad, but his gentleness and understanding of Charlotte’s darkness made him perfect.
This agreement he set up gave Charlotte the freedom to finally let go and stop faking the fact that she is barely surviving her grief and guilt. Though they had different darkness, they understood each other.
“Our situations were different, but the same shade of black painted both of our souls.”
Yet together, they smiled. Charlotte laughed a real laugh for the first time in 10 years. They were bringing life back to each other.
“Porter might have wanted company in the darkness. But, with a single taste of the warmth, I wanted to bask in the sunlight.”
Right from the beginning, you start to predict what is going to happen, then you doubt yourself more and more, then you think something totally different, and then Aly surprises you and gives you something else. But to tell you the truth, even if I did know the end at the beginning, the journey in this duet was the best part. Watching this couple come alive only when they are together is wonderful. But sadly they can’t really be together. His kids are his #1 priority and she can’t be around kids at all. There are so many obstacles for them to overcome, but together they may be able to overcome some.
“I know who you are, Charlotte. And I know it doesn’t feel like the darkness when we’re together.”
Until darkness descends even further on them.
OMG, my heart. I went through SO MANY EMOTIONS reading this series! I was so crazy engrossed in it, I haven’t read a story so breathlessly in years. I will say, that one or two things bothered me in the second book enough to bring it from a super rare 10 star read to 5+++++ stars (Book 1 is still 10 for me) but it wasn’t enough to take away from the amazing way that Aly just stole my heart with her words.
Likes:
- The writing kept me glued to the pages more than any other recent book I can think of.
- Porter was so freaking swoony, he never pushed too hard, but knew just what she needed.
- So many emotions and ups and downs through the entire series.
- You think you know, then you think again.
- The balance of highs and lows. Just when it gets too heavy, we get a bright spot.
- Older, more relatable characters.
- I love books with kids.
- Despite the emotion, it was still sexy.
Dislikes:
- Though there were a few minor things, they would just be little nitpicks, and they pale in comparison to the positives.
Anna Loomis Russell says
I love your review.
Tricha says
This sounds great would love to read it
Mei ling liu says
Love the reviewa
Ninfa says
Lovely review, can’t wait to read this book and she’s a new author to me too!
Brandi Swendt says
One clicked both. Diving in this weekend. Cannot wait to read
Shelly says
Love this!
Shannon Cole says
OMG!!! I love your review and I cannot wait to read this duet!
I’ve been anxiously awaiting for book 2 so I could enjoy them back to back!!!
I’ve heard so many great things about this read and now that I’ve read your review, I’m definitely ready to dive in!!!
Carolina León says
I’m a fan of this author and I’m happy to see that this duet is everything and more that people expected to be. Thanks?❤
Melissa Jones says
Wow, your review has me even more anxious to read but I’ve got a couple of arc’s up first….aaahhh I want to read this SOOOOO badly!!!
Zuray says
I been hearing amazing things about this can’t wait to read it! Great review ?
Renee Sass says
Great review!
Alayna says
Can’t wait to read these!!!
Joy says
Great review! This is a fabulous duet. I love Porter Reese and had a book hangover too! Aly did an amazing job.
Kim Perry says
Great review! I’ll have to add these to my TBR list!
Carol Burgess says
So AMAZING! Thank you for letting me read your review
Dina S says
enjoyed your review! looking forward to reading it myself now
Jessica says
I can’t wait to read these!!
Jan says
I am super excited to read these! Great review.
Susan says
This book sounds like a must read after reading the reviews I’m definitely going to check out the books I. The series
Marisela Zuniga says
This is on my list to read!! I’ve heard great things too
Riza Pabelonia says
Oh, i love your review. I wanna read the book.
carissa says
great review, I’m moving these up soon
Jackie Uzzell says
Great review, I’m excited to read the duet!
Sylvia Pelletier says
This review is great! Really wanna read this book now
Michelle Monroe says
Great review! Can’t wait to read them, especially now that book 2 is live. I hate waiting. ???
Lori williams says
Congratulations on this 5 star book release ? I have never been so influenced mezmorized and amazed at a review like this before from an author ??? this book is a must-have must want and must read for me so now that I have read your free review I will most definitely be purchasing the paperback and when I am done reading it I will leave my review thank you for sharing with me and giving me such a detailed Insight on this wonderful book that I just cannot wait to get my hands a hold on and start reading it ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤??
Michelle VanDaley says
Awesome Review!
Jennifer says
Now I want to read it even more ?
Misty Hodges says
Wow now I really want to read this! Love the reviews here!
Irma says
I love this review! Can’t wait to read them myself.
Gabriela Rivas says
Great review as always!! I can’t wait to read them!!
Jolanda says
Great review 😀
Tonya Coleman says
Great review! I can’t wait to read these two!
Donna Reynolds says
Great review! Definitely something I need to read!
Lea jerancic says
Love the review! Can’t wait to read the duet!!
Kathy says
Great review! Very tempted by this duet
Andie Reads Books says
Darkest Sunrise series is on my tbr, now it sure moved into the top 🙂 great review 🙂
Nadine says
Sounds a great read. Added on my tbr list.
Betul E. says
Great review!! Can’t wait to read this Duet!
Beckey Deland says
I can’t wait for another great story from Ali M.!
Dawn says
Love the review!
Elizabeth Wells says
Ok now I need to one click. Great review
Kim Brewing says
New to me author – great review 🙂
Sarah W says
Sounds great!
Karina Kantas says
I love your book reviews. They are so well done. Will be sending one of mine in. 🙂
Karina Kantas says
Okay, I just read your not accepting any new requests. I can imagine how long your TBR list is. If you ever open it up again, please let me know. Keep up the awesome work you’re doing.
KK
Christina Osborn says
Wow!! Sounds amazing!! Can’t wait to read.
Heather Merriman says
Awesome review!! I’ve been dying to read this!!
kp says
Can’t wait to read this book!
Hermeen says
Wohooo
Maureen Kropf says
Look forward to the read!
Tashia Jennings says
Can’t wait to read!
Katie Reads says
I keep hearing great things about this duet. It sounds like I really need to read it now!
Ana says
Beautiful review! ?
It’s reviews like this that helps the reader in a great way! So, thank you ?
Diana Doan says
Great review! I love Aly Martinez!
Jessica McIntyre says
Your review is amazing. I need to read this now.
Marcy Meyer says
I’m going in blind, so I didn’t read your review yet. I love that you gave it ‘all the stars’. I’m sure it will be really good.
Tiffany Johnson says
Great review
Myen says
OMG my fingers arent fast enough to do 1click button… thank you for the awesome review 😉
Katrina Dehart says
Sounds so good!
Wendy LeGrand says
LOVE your review!! Just finished The Brightest Sunset last night and still reeling from it. This duet is just so….everything!! I want so much more of their story.
Amanda Marie says
Great review! I loved this duet so much!!! So many emotions!!!
Tina Taylor says
Fantastic review
Katie says
Great review. I’m half way through book 2 and if I wasn’t at a baseball tournament in San Diego (from Seattle) and if my son wasn’t pitching, I’d be reading now. 🙂
Dawn Linne says
Love this author!
Nanci Tink says
Great review!!! I adored these books!!!!
Chelsea Hackert says
Great review. Can’t wait to read it.
Barbara Murray says
Absolutely amazing Duet Series from Aly as always!!!
Cassie Geary says
I love reading your reviews! I I’m looking forward to reading the 2nd book this weekend.
Michelle Abascal Monroy says
OMG I LOVEE your review!!! Can’t wait to read this duet!! I’m so excited
Alisha M says
Great review! Sounds like a great read!
Selena Lanovara-Scott says
Sweet Great Review
Ashley J says
FABULOUS review for an amazing duet. Love that you threw some quotes in there!
Sarah Scholz says
Wow! What a great review ? This sounds like a great duet! I will definitely be adding them to my TBR list ☺️
Loraine Oliver says
Thanks so much fir your review Ana. I got the books will let you know what I think!
Bube says
Woot!
Looking forward to read this duet!
Glad you liked it 🙂
Kat Kenyon says
I so look forward to the book
Melissa says
Love the review
Jessica says
Great Review! I’m really wanting to read these books now!
Maida Khalid says
FAB review, lovely! I absolutely love Aly’s writing. She always manages to draw me in right from page 1. I can’t wait to binge read this duet. Happy you loved it! 🙂 xo
Linda Romer says
Great review! Looking forward to reading this duet! Thank you
Mette Toft says
Holy moly!!! I 1-clicked The Darkest Sunrise after seeing your post on Facebook earlier today. Finished it two minutes ago. I praise my lucky star that the Brightest Sunset is out today, I wouldn’t know what to do if it wasn’t…
Michelle says
Brilliant review
Can’t wait to read thevery books ❤❤
Tara Davis says
Great review! Adding to my tbr
Chris Gutowski says
I love that your negatives were so few that you didn’t mention them! This sounds like a great read. Adding to my tbr list for sure!
Amber Schwartz says
Ah! Sounds so good. I love duets! Added to my TBR 🙂
Diane Carol Kinsella Silvia says
Sounds like a fabulous read.
MJ Symmonds says
I have heard nothing but amazing things about these books. I’m definitely gonna have to get my one click on.
Micky Barnard says
Great review I’m really excited about this duet.
Suzanne Pfannenstiel says
Can’t wait to read it!
Monique Cashmere says
These look awesome! Can’t wait to read them at once.
Thanks for highlighting them and great review.
Ayee Lectura Colectiva says
This story sounds so good and heart breaking, I need to get my hands on it! Thank you for your review!
Sonia says
Great Review
Rachel says
WOW! Loved how you kept it interesting without giving too much away 🙂
Heather Scully says
I am trying, so very hard not to read these at present, cause I know they will gut me entirely and right now that would be THE WORST thing ever, considering where my head is…BUT YOU ARE TEMPTING ME SO HARDCORE! GAH! It’s on my TBR, and I WILL read them. It’s a guarantee, I love Aly’s books. She’s an amazing storyteller. But man…these will kill me. #JustSaying I’ll let you know where to send flowers. No lilies tho. Totally allergic and I hate roses. Lol Freaking temptress… ???❤?
Lupita says
Sounds great!
Clare Flack says
A great review. I shall be reading these soon.
Sandra says
Great review reading book 1 now!
Tammy says
Your review definitely makes me want to read these books!! :0)
Bonnie Collins says
Your review makes me want to read it.
Reannon says
Great Review!
Sarah DeLong says
Great review!
Susan Freestone says
I love your review!!! I wish I could write a review like that.
Santoesha says
This sounds sooo good! Great review I can’t wait to read this now
Nicole Ortiz says
Like your review.
Adding to my wishlist
Terri Hebert says
Great review. Have to add to my TBR !!!
Andra says
I love your review! I look forward to reading the duet. <3
Jennifer O'Connell says
Great review, I love everything by Aly Martinez!
Magdalena Szabelska says
Great review!! Can’t wait to read this Duet!
Lacey Waters says
Your love of this book really shows 🙂 great review!
Jami Birnbaum says
I’ve only heard good things about this duet and after reading your review, makes me want to read it sooner rather than later…
Aurora says
LOVE YOUR REVIEW! THIS IS SUCH AN AMAZING DUET!
Tammy V says
I like when there are highs and lows in a book. Keeps it interesting. Also that he doesn’t push is a big plus for me.
Rebecca says
I can’t wait to read this!
Tori Valenzuela says
Love your review!
Elli Gonzalez says
I want to hold them…:)
Love your review!!