Unfortunately this book was not for me. Other readers may enjoy it more, but I could not get into it and ultimately did not finish it.

A couple who met at university and both feeling they had met their soulmate almost immediately married and decided the next stage of their lives was a family. They are in a very successfully band with a group of friends who have been together since University. After trying unsuccessfully for a family they decide to go down the adoption route. This was such a difficult process for Chrissie and Stuart having nearly received a little boy which was “taken away” from them at the last minute. Eventually after a long wait they had the pleasure of have a child called Sunshine. They visit Sunshine with her foster parents several times and Chrissie feels that the foster family are very reluctant to let her go. Eventually Sunshine comes to live with them and all works well. Chrissie is over cautious about everything whereas Stuart feels that Sunshine needs to grow without feeling in a claustrophobic world. Things become strange and Chrissie feels that someone is watching them. Also the foster parents seem to be trying to cause one or two problems to stop Sunshine adapting to her new home. Stuart takes Sunshine and a friend to the park and Sunshine disappears. It all transpires that Sunshine’s grandfather and aunt find out about the child and are determined to have her with them in their strange world of a cult like existence. Sunshine’s mother escaped the life in the commune and the regimented way of life while pregnant and had befriended another person at the commune. She helped make sure that Chrissie and Stuart were the family to have Sunshine as she felt they would be a wonderful fit. When Sunshine is taken Chrissie and Stuart find their relationship reaching the limit – Chrissie blaming Stuart for taking his eyes off Sunshine and Stuart feeling in the depths of despair for it happening. Eventually Sunshine is returned and life returns to normal and all is well. In the midst of this story things are intertwined with secrets between Chrissie’s family which comes to a head and changes the dynamics of her family history. I really enjoyed this book although obviously sad in places. It was fast pacing and I liked the way the story changed through the book between the generations. Definitely with a read

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were really well written and the plot was brilliant. There were plenty of twists and turns and it kept me really interested. Recommended.

This was a slow burn to really get going once it did it held my attention. It is the story of a couple desperate for a child and the stress of going through an adoption, but one the likes of which I would hope others don't have to go through. It really addresses some of the high emotions that go with adoption and how people handle it in their different ways.

Chrissie and Stuart are musicians in a successful band but all Chrissie wants is to be a mother. In March 1997 they get a call from social worker Angela Holt to say they have been matched with a little girl going by the name of Sunshine. This novel takes Chrissy and Stuart on an emotional and at times stressful journey when Sunshine’s past intrudes.

I really enjoyed Jane Sanderson‘s last novel Mix Tape but this isn’t quite in the same league in my opinion. There are parts of the novel that are good but there is way too much going on so you begin to feel it doesn’t know exactly what it’s about.

First of all, the positives. The characterisation is good although there are a lot of characters and some don’t seem necessary. Chrissie and Stuart are likeable and Sunshine is delightful. The difficulties associated with adoption are particularly well done although I do feel that Sunshine slots into her new family way too easily after a few tantrums. The emotions Chrissie feels are well described. The mystery of Sunshine’s background is quite good and there are a number of odd happenings that are perplexing and which deepen the mystery. There are some interesting moments of tension between grown-ups later in the book which you can do feel. Parts of the book are reflective especially on motherhood and these are thoughtfully done. The music elements are enjoyable too.

However, unfortunately you get lost in the convoluted threads. Is it a novel about adoption? Yes, partly. Is it a mystery? Yes, also partly and this covers both Chrissie and Sunshine. Is it about motherhood? Also, yes partly. Is it about love, yes again.

So much that happens I do not find to be realistic or believable as adoptions are of necessity highly controlled and ring fenced for the child’s protection. Actions by one social work in particular make me raise my eyebrows in disbelief. Yes I know it’s fiction but even so.

The book in my opinion loses its way, it’s not on a clearly defined path so it’s hard to understand what the premise is . I think the author is trying to hard to keep the readers attention by throwing in a mystery but actually it achieves the opposite. It would have been much more pertinent and emotional if the theme had just been the adoption. It’s over detailed especially at the start and thus overburdened as a consequence.

Having said the above, I don’t by any means dislike the book but it does frustrate me.
There are sections that are really good but I’m sorry to say I think it’s a book that I’ll forget very quickly.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House U.K. Transworld, Bantam Press for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

Not your usual adoption story, this also has a mystery behind it and it captures your imagination right from the start. Well drawn characters make you feel you actually know them and want a fabulous film this would make.

What a beautiful story. Following the family, the trials and tribulations and some amazing twists along the way

A heartwarming story with an excellent insight into the adoption process. There are lots of ups and downs and I enjoyed it a lot.

Chrissie and Stuart have been trying to adopt for a very long time, and eventually they are paired with a lovely little girl called Sunshine. Sunshine was left at a housing association so nothing is known about her past and where she came from. Strange things start happening which finally uncover Sunshines past. A nice read that did keep me gripped throughout. I did find some of the characters slightly unbelievable, but nonetheless I still enjoyed the story. Thank you netgalley for this advanced read.

Oh, this is such a treat. On the surface its a story about Chrissie and Stuart adopting a child called Sunshine. It's actually about the relationships between a couple, their friends and their family.
The story surprised me because I was expecting either an exploration of how adopting had improved their lives or a story of the difficulties of adoption. It wasn't really either, although both these aspects were there.
There is a great cast of characters and the story whizzes along.

I really enjoyed this story of love, longing and family. It was intriguing - kept finding a quick ten minutes to read a bit more - and kept me gripped as the story unfolded. One to read!

Absolutely compelling from start to finish this book completely captures the anxiety and tedium of the adoption process and beautifully describes the lives of Sunshine and her two families- birth and adoptive.
Definitely one for an afternoon where you have the time to read in big chunks as it is very hard to put down.

A truly beautiful story with lots of emotions running through out. A must read for all that love a family based story full or intrigue and emotions.

Chrissie and Stuart are true soulmates. Their life is full of love, laughter, music and song. The only thing missing is the patter of tiny feet. So when they are chosen to adopt three year old Sunshine, their happiness is complete. But someone is watching and waiting, and when an opportunity arises they are determined to reclaim Sunshine.

I absolutely loved this book. With a compelling storyline and great characters, this was the perfect read from start to finish.

‘Waiting for Sunshine’ by Jane Sanderson focuses on what it means to adopt a child. The author has clearly done her research and parts of this novel feel truly authentic. The reader warms to Chrissie and Stuart, the couple hoping to adopt, and to their daughter Sunshine when she appears. Without resorting to sentimentality, the author is able to create a convincing picture of a small child, perhaps because Sunny’s past is a good deal less traumatic than that of many children put up for adoption nowadays. For the most part she comes across as a pretty normal three-year-old.
Like ‘Mix Tape’, this is a very readable novel. However, I couldn’t help but feel that much of the plot line was unconvincing. The foster parents’ reluctance to let go is understandable but this theme goes a little too far, and the collection of social workers are ‘characters’ rather than living, breathing, horribly busy, stressed people. I just did not believe in Nancy’s role, not least because it would be nigh impossible to achieve what she does. Towards the end of the story when Chrissie’s origins are revealed it feels as if Sanderson had decided that writing about adoption is not enough and that something else dramatic is needed to keep the reader interested. This did the reverse for me.
Jane Sanderson is usually very good at writing about real life; unfortunately, in parts ‘Waiting for Sunshine’ reads like a fantasy rather than a serious exploration of the complexities of adoption.
My thanks to NetGalley and Random HouseUK for a copy of this novel in exchange for a fair review.

A family drama filled with heart, mystery, and all sorts of shenanigans.

Waiting for Sunshine tells the story of Chrissie and Stuart. They are that type of solid couple who are an inspiration to all their friends. They met in college, are in a band together (The Lineman) and have been madly in love ever since. The only thing missing in their life is a baby. After a long battle to adopt, filled with frustration and missed opportunities, they are finally united with their daughter, a beautiful three-year-old named Sunshine, or Sunny for short.

Jane Sanderson weaves together a story that is a lot more than the sum of its parts. What starts as a very straightforward plot, becomes more and more complex when bits of Sunshine's past start to be revealed. Consequently, the toddler's previous life brings forth complications and even explanations from Chrissie's past.

As with Sanderson's previous novel (Mix Tape) Waiting for Sunshine exudes a nostalgic feeling fueled by its music references and even its use of music throughout each chapter. The book is at its best when it describes the evolving relationship between mother, father, and daughter, making you fall for Sunshine's exuberance and happy disposition straight away.

However, it gets convoluted at the halfway mark, when trying to achieve too many things at once, it loses focus of the main story by adding too many elements and side characters. The pacing loses momentum and there are too many descriptions that could have been edited out to make the journey a bit smoother.

Having said that, Sanderson does accomplish (although taking the long road back) bringing all elements together in the end, concluding the book on a heartwarming high note.

I really enjoyed Mix Tape and this is another good read from this author. She writes beautifully, the plot flows well and all the characters are well rounded and believable, especially Sunshine, who is a delight. There are a few criticisms I had which stopped me from giving five stars. It was a little over-romantic, especially at the end which was too prolonged. I also thought that the way both Nancy and Nina let Chrissie down was too similar, and Sunshine's background story was a little far-fetched. However, despite all this I thoroughly enjoyed it.

It took me a while to get into this book, I think mainly because I wasn’t quite sure what sort of story it was going to turn out to be. It almost seemed over before it began- and then it wasn’t! Sunshine was an absolute delight and her joy shone through every page- I really felt this character was developed brilliantly. I didn’t really like Christine or Diana, but that’s not to say they weren’t written well, I just didn’t like them much! In the end i enjoyed this book and am glad I picked it up. There were two stories in one really, which I don’t often like but did work well here