From the bestselling author of Wish Me Home comes a heart-racing tale of resilience and hope.
When Sadie Harlan visits her daughter, Lauren, at her summer internship in Yosemite National Park, it seems like the perfect way to forget about her empty nest and failing marriage back home. But when the two women get lost on what’s meant to be a short hike, they suddenly find themselves fighting for … themselves fighting for their lives.
As they search for food, water, and civilization, they battle injury, exhaustion, and natural predators. Sadie, however, is assaulted by more than just the unforgiving elements. She lost her first child years earlier in a tragic accident, and in her sorrow, she’s pushed everyone away—including her husband. Now, Sadie must face her past through a journey of love, loss, and learning to forgive herself if she and Lauren are to stand a chance at getting out of Yosemite alive. Will a mother’s courage be enough to save them both?
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Relationships are difficult in the best of circumstances, even more so, when there are losses felt throughout a family. When Sadie decides to take a break from her grief and visit with her daughter spur of the moment in California, things begin to change. The mother daughter duo decide to go hiking in the wilderness of Yosemite, quite unprepared. They grapple with their bond, grief over the loss of a family member, and adoption issues, to name a few. All of this, while encountering wild, powerful nature around them. They learn to trust and lean on each other to make it out of a dangerous place and forward to healing.
This story just drew me in. I could feel myself afraid of being lost in the wilderness. And I could also relate to the struggles surrounding parenting and especially parenting an adopted child. I also recommend this book if you love nature because I felt like I was really there, but, also for the excitement and thrill involved in their adventure.
A beautiful, gripping story of a mother’s love and how far she will go to protect her child.
I really connected with the characters in this book. I empathized so strongly with the mother and her feelings of loss and loneliness, as well as her physical issues, and know what it is like to push through and go beyond what you believe you can do.
A wonderful story about the important relationships in our lives the powerful need to communicate and share feelings. Great message on never giving up. Loved this book and couldn’t put it down.
I read this book before publishing and I could not put it down! About the characters…the mother has been battling a devastating depression over the loss of a child some years ago and the ensuing break-up of the marriage; her daughter, who is going to school in another state, has been struggling with the mother’s overprotectiveness since her younger brothers death. Quite by accident on a day trip to Yosemite, they become lost. This is a story of loss, courage, and the overwhelming love of a mother for her child.
Dancing with the Sun is book club gold, a mother-daughter story rife with danger and brimming with second chances and forgiveness. Highly recommended.
Whether facing the natural terrors of Yosemite or the internal pains of an unforgiven past, this mother-daughter story is beautifully written and relatable as one woman faces a mother’s greatest fear—losing yet another child. Kay Bratt delivers on all levels in this emotional and tense story of loss and resilience.
Dancing with the Sun is an evocative story of emotional and physical survival in the harshest of terrains. Mother and wife Sadie Harlan is struggling silently with grief when she and her daughter go missing in Yosemite. Away from the world and focused on keeping her daughter alive, Sadie embarks on an unforgettable journey through loss and guilt to find forgiveness, healing, and strength. Book clubs will love the powerful message of this unique novel.
This beautiful story is strikingly authentic, overflowing with love, and very uplifting! I loved it!! The timing of my reading of “Dancing with the Sun” coincided very closely to the timing of my daughter moving out of our home and into her own place, so that made it all the more poignant to me. Even without that coincidence, though, I know the story still would have resonated with me on many levels – as a mother, a wife and a woman – because it portrays many aspects of motherhood (not only the empty nest aspect) and of a long-standing marriage. Kay Bratt incorporates so much into this book, including loss of a child, adoption, survival, uncertainty, sacrifice, self-judgement, overcoming, forgiveness, and reconnecting. The significance of the title itself is amazing and was something that will stay with me for life! (I strive to and hope to always dance with the sun!) Also, the settings within the book are breath-taking. So much so that I think it would make a great movie, and am sure, if it was one, there would not be a dry eye in the theater! This probably goes without saying considering all that I’ve written in my review, but I’ll say it anyway: I highly recommend reading this book!!
This novel is a story of love, loss, survival, and the coming together again, This book touched my emotions on many levels. I was able to identify with Sadie Harlan as a mother and a wife. The self-isolating struggle of coming to terms with the loss of a child; the struggle to form a strong and loving bond with her daughter while protecting her from the world; and coming to grips with the strain on her marriage all came together to create a captivating story.
The underlying issue is a strong force in the story. The way the story unfolds in the form of the struggle between mother and daughter to survive a nature hike gone awry is rich in emotion and love.
I highly recommend this book, as it is a truly remarkable story. It is very well written with incredible characters.
Thank you #KayBratt for writing this amazing book. Thank you #Netgalley and #LakeUnionPublishing for approving my request. The opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.
This book was very suspenseful, but not in an action way.
Sadie, Lauren’s Mom decides on a whim to fly out to see her daughter where she is studying in California, when Lauren picks her up at the airport, she tells her mom she wants to take her somewhere very special. The special place is Yosemite National Park, where Lauren wants them to take a short hike to a beautiful lake. Sadie is tired from the flight and not really equipped to go on a hike, but Lauren convinces her to go as it is only a mile hike from where they parked, and she has something she wants to tell her mom.
Sadie had not left a note telling her husband where she had gone as they have been a bit estranged and Lauren had not told anyone either of her plans.
And so begins this story of trust, faith, love, grieving and overcoming obstacles out of their control as these two get lost on their hike.
I love stories that delve into the psyche of a person and this one does not disappoint. The mother is suffering still from the lose of one child and trying to hold on to her daughter as she is becoming a woman and wanting to come into her own. This experience that they go through lets the two of them reconnect in a way that lets each see and respect the others points of view.
This book is full of emotions and fears both present and past. A really great read.
This author has been a favorite of mine.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book
LOST & FOUND!
Sadie Harlan is stuck in a rut of isolation. She is alive but only going through the motions since she’s never come to grips with the grief of losing her young son several years ago. Sadie has a beautiful college-aged daughter, Lauren, who has a summer internship at Yosemite National Park. Sadie is going through a particularly dark time and decides to surprise her daughter Lauren with a visit. Lauren is quite shocked to see her Mom as Sadie never does anything spontaneous. Lauren decides to continue on with her plans for a short hike in Yosemite and begs for Sadie to join her.
Their hike begins normally but before too long a storm comes up and in their haste to escape it and find some type of cover, they get horribly lost. Lauren has survival skills but she’s injured. Sadie has no survival skills but she has something even more important going for her – the fierceness of a Mother protecting her young. What transpires during their time of being lost is a time of being found – a mother finding a way to a new relationship with her long awaited for adopted daughter; a daughter finding a way to break down the walls of isolation and finally establishing the relationship she’s always longed for; a mother finding the way to allow her heart to mend and see all the wonderful possibilities in her future; a daughter finding her way to assure her Mother that she will always be there for her; and the two of them finding a way out of the forest in spite of Mother Nature, wildlife, no food or water.
I was provided an ARC of this book by Lake Union Publishers and NetGalley. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
Kay Bratt has written another amazing book with Dancing With the Sun. It brings out all the feels – sadness, anxiety, hope, relief. This novel is a real page turner – I read it in one sitting. It was so easy for me to picture myself lost in the wilds of Yosemite. I look forward to reading more of her books in the future.
This was a beautiful, heart-breaking, and hopeful story that evoked all the emotions in me. Sadie lost herself many years ago, but trudged on, trying to create the perfect life for her daughter. She takes a last minute trip to see her daughter, who convinces her to take a short hike into Yosemite. They set out on what is supposed to be a short trail hike, unprepared for more than a walk around the block. Their quick hike to check out the scenery takes a turn when they get lost. The situation quickly becomes one of survival, and Sadie has to find the strength and the courage to do whatever it takes to make sure her daughter gets home alive. While fighting for their lives, Sadie and her daughter have some intensely emotional and truthful conversations forcing Sadie to confront what her life has become and realize what she has been missing.
This was an amazingly well-written novel that resonated on so many levels. It will make the reader think of how they would react in the same situations, and not just if it is life or death. This is a new author for me and I was impressed with the way she crafted this wonderful novel.
#DancingwiththeSun #LakeUnionPublishers #KayBratt
What a beautiful story! One that brings love, forgiveness and strong women together. Beautiful mother and daughter story. The writing is crisp with detail writing of surroundings and teaming with raw emotions.
Lindas Book Obsession Reviews “Dancing With the Sun” by Kay Bratt
Kay Bratt, Author or “Dancing With the Sun” has written an inspirational, and emotional book filled with love, hope, and courage. The Genre for this novel is Fiction. The timeline of the story is in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events in the story. The author describes her characters as complex and intriguing.
Sadie Harlan is grieving the loss of a child for many years. She keeps to herself, and also keeps herself from getting to close to people in her life. Her daughter Lauren thinks she always seems sad. Lauren is an intern at Yosemite National Park. Sadie decides to visit her daughter there.
At Lauren’s request they take a walk in the trails, and what starts as a quiet walk admiring the beauty of nature turns into a nightmare when they get lost. The both try to use their survival skills so they can be found. While at the mercy of the elements, both Sadie and Lauren have some intense conversations.
When Lauren’s leg gets hurt, Sadie promises she will protect her daughter at any cost. Will Sadie be able to keep that promise? I appreciate that the author discusses, family and emotional support, faith, hope and love. I would recommend this novel to any readers who enjoy an inspirational story of courage, compassion and love. I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Dancing with The Sun was an emotional and inspirational novel about family relationships! I enjoyed the way the characters’ deep emotions and relationships were portrayed. A mother Sadie goes to visit her daughter Lauren in California where she is staying to do her internship. Lauren talks Sadie into taking a short hike in Yosemite National Park. What is supposed to be a short walk to enjoy the scenery soon turns into days where the women are lost in the wilderness. As they struggle to keep their spirits up and try to find their way out, the women come to terms with some things between them. Sadie takes a hard look at her marriage and her relationship with her family. And Lauren gets the courage to really talk to her mother. Both women struggle with the emotions from what has happened in the past. Sadie begins to realize that she has to confront some tough emotions about the loss of her other child if she wants to heal herself and her family.
Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishers and Kay Bratt for this beautiful book.
This story will take you on a journey of the soul. One you won’t soon forget. The love, loss, fear, sadness, emptiness, desperation, determination and much more. There are so many emotions in this story that you will do them all at once and each at it time. I’ve never read a book like this one. It touches on things that made my heart break and heal within minutes. The fear a mother has. The strength she has. The fears and the love. Above all the love. Losing a child is the ultimate pain. What would you do to keep from losing a second child? Sadie knew she had to do whatever it took to make sure Lauren was going to be ok. To ensure that she brought her out of this journey safe and alive. She knew she would never survive the loss of another child. The strength she had while battling the pain, the physical pain she lived with and the pain of the losses she had suffered with for so many years, was beyond comprehension. Her love for Lauren far outweighed the pain she felt. The hunger she felt and the thought of losing the love of her life.
They went through a lot and you will feel the pain they feel. The tears they shed in fear and in letting go of the past. Lauren helped her mother in ways that surprised Sadie. To let go of the pain, as much as a mother can, of the loss of her son so many years ago. The grief she held onto. She learned how to celebrate the child’s short life. And to forgive herself and her husband who she loved more than even she knew at this point. The love was there but the pain was greater. Tom was the love of Sadie’s life and she pushed him away for so long.
The thought of a love dying when it could have been so much stronger. Two people who need each other so much yet blame themselves for the greatest loss of their lives. Can they find their way back to each other or are they destine to be alone. To continue to grieve for each other and the child they lost. Can the daughter they adopted bring them back together through the love they both have for her.
I love when I see the part of a book that tells me why it has the title it has. I have two quotes that I loved: (1) It sounded remarkable if it were true. No wonder the boy had made her fall for him. Jetting her off to France. Watching flowers dancing with the sun. And (2) in the EPILOGUE: after a moment of silence and a few sniffles, Tom cut the seriousness by making them sway, as though they moved to music. Sadie smiled, happiness flooding through her as she realized that for the first time all together, they danced with the sun.
To me that was perfection at it’s best.
At the end is the From the author the story behind the story. A must read after you finish. It’s heartwarming and so touching and explains so much.
It’s such a good book. Rarely do I find one that actually truly touches me like this one did. I’ve loved lots of books but this one was different. It was like nothing I have ever read before. The feelings, the descriptions. It was wonderful. I loved it from cover to cover. And what was written at the end was perfect and so touching. It is hard to find the right words to express but just know it’s my favorite book this year!! Hands down.
This book was truly a beautiful one. The characters are wonderful. You fall in love with them. The scenery is told so you feel like you are there. I felt the wind, rain, cold and love. The love is always the best part. Finding your way back where you belong.
A big, huge, 5 stars for this wonderful book. I loved it from start to finish. Thank you Kay Bratt for writing such a beauty for us.
Dancing with the Sun by author Kay Bratt is an emotional experience set between a mother and her daughter during the three days they are lost in the Yosemite Wilderness area. The heart of this story is about dealing with grief, loss, family bonding, and expectations. I loved the story and how the author brings out the fragility of spirit within the characters of this mother and daughter. Sadie has an important family issue she needs to discuss with her daughter Lauren who is attending university in California. What better time for an impulse visit than for the anniversary date of Laurens adoption?! As Lauren greets Sadie, she decides to take her mom on a short walk/hike to a lake in the Yosemite forest. It should not take long, and Lauren is adamant that they take this opportunity even though Sadie worries about how unprepared they are for an outdoor excursion. Sadie has never come to terms with the death of Jacob, her eleven-year-old son years before. Her marriage has suffered which causes insecurities and a lack of trust. As Sadie wanders the wilderness with an injured Lauren she discovers she is stronger than she ever knew!
A Little note…As a hiker and nature lover, I was appalled at the actions of Lauren and Sadie as they were lost in the wilderness. Lauren showed flagrant disregard for herself and others in hiking into a wilderness area without being familiar with the area, having a map or caring that her mother was not prepared. Lauren seemed very childish for her age. As I read of them continuing to walk headlong, not knowing where they were going, I was saying, “Stop! Stay on a marked path, do not go any further!” LOL 🙂
Publication Date: November 27, 2018
“In Dancing With The Sun, Kay Bratt captures a mother-daughter relationship with an authenticity rarely seen in novels. Highly emotional, heartfelt, and bristling with tension on every page, this is a story not easily forgotten.” – Bette Lee Crosby, USA Today bestselling author.
There is so much more to this story than Sadie and Lauren getting lost on a little hike. There is a mother’s grief for the loss of her first born child and her inability to openly grieve and share this with her family. Sadie is pushed to survival mode and will not let anything happen to this Lauren. The time she is spending with Lauren has broken down walls and helped heal wounds that she didn’t even know were there. I enjoyed this story because sometimes we are put in a situation beyond our control or past our control and you think about what you have in front of you and what’s important in life. It lights a fire in perspective.
The author did a really great job with character development and building the personalities of both Lauren and Sadie. They have a new adventure to start planning…..