A review by dithkusu
Charlie Sunshine by Lily Morton

3.0

3.5 stars, would be easily 4 stars if I hadn't read all of Lily Morton's other books. I actually liked this better than the first book of this new series with Jesse and Zeb. Charlie and Misha's dynamic was one I liked better as a trope, that of best friends who are oblivious turned lovers. They had more chemistry, and their banter was better, but since I'd read the other books, this felt more like a rehash of her previous series. They're rather too repetitive in plot and premise- there's always oblivious friends to the point you want to bang your head against the wall and all their friends and family are going on about how destined they are for each other and taking bets on their relationship. Then there's the one dimensional jerk ex, some late in the game misunderstanding, one half of the couple being sweeter with a more humanities related job and the other being the career go-getter earner, and lots of description of their family and wealth with their backgrounds. Oh, there's also the connected friends who end up being the next book's subjects, here with cousin Felix and friend Max, probably posh Jamie, so on, dynamics rinsed and repeated. Here at least, I appreciated the element of Charlie dealing with his epilepsy and health problems, the burden he feels to be always that chipper Charlie Sunshine that is his natural sunny disposition, but he does feel angry and sad sometimes, and Misha is there for all his ups and downs. Interesting that Charlie is this gorgeous model hippie who is a librarian, and he has shoulder length hair. TBH, the model on the cover isn't as attractive as the Charlie depicted in the book or the one I've pictured in my head, but eh NBD.