Sunburn

The stream-of-consciousness writing felt like reading a raw diary, perfectly capturing the protagonist's confusion and obsession as she realizes she's gay in a stifling 1990s Irish town full of Catholic trauma. I loved the sapphic romance and the pressure to marry the boy next door, which she defies by dreaming of city life, though the main character was insufferably annoying at times. Supporting characters like her crush and friend were more likable and added emotional depth to the small-town cycle she wants to break. It's a strong read for fans of coming-of-age stories with religious guilt and queer awakening, hitting hard despite the flawed narrator.