I had the pleasure of hosting Sarah Damoff for a YouTube interview. We discuss her debut novel, The Bright Years, which comes out April 22, 2025.

This intergenerational novel packs a powerful punch for such a short story. It takes place over several decades and follows three members of one family. Over the years they face the effects of alcoholism and family secrets. It is deftly heartbreaking and yet hopeful.

In the Interview, Sarah Damoff shares that she worked for years as a social worker and has spent many hours working with foster families affected by addiction. She pulled from these experiences of alcoholism, adoption, divorce, identity, and longing to create the depth, heartbreak and strength of these characters. She says “My only agenda is to tell a beautiful story.” That she did.

The novel is told from three distinct viewpoints, but in a linear fashion that enables us to dive deep into their psyche. There are shocking twists and devastating consequences. This is a stunning debut that highlights how love exists along side pain and loss. Check out the full interview with Sarah on Momma Leighellen’s Book Nook You Tube Channel. We are very excited to announce that Book Friends Book Club has chosen The Bright Years as their May book club pick. Sarah Damoff will be joining us at the end of the month to answer all your questions!

You can learn more about Sarah Damoff on her website. Furthermore, you can find out about Sarah’s upcoming Texas bookstore tour on her Instagram.

Preorder the book here on Amazon or here on BookShop, which supports my local bookstore in Waco, TX – Fabled Book Shop.

Check out other interviews here: And let me know below if you’d like to join our book club!

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