I'm wavering between three and four stars. Reading the epilogue actually helped me sort things out, I think? I was busy dissecting the writing style, and then I saw all the awards Matthew Fults won because of that very style. I kept flip-flopping on whether I appreciated how he built the scene or if I was just putting up with detailed descriptions, like how stove fans work, how a smoker inhales every last bit of a cigarette, and the specific way people put on a shirt. It felt a bit overly detail...

I can absolutely picture this being adapted into a movie. The narrative is perfectly suited for that kind of cinematic treatment. While at its core, it's a story steeped in the grief and loss that war inflicts, it's equally a testament to the incredible resilience of the women who are touched by that loss and grief. It also highlights the vital role that friendship plays in navigating such profound sorrow. A truly moving read. Slava Ukraini! If you are looking for powerful war stories, definitel...

Moving and beautifully written

I absolutely loved "The Sunflower Widows: Ukraine Stories of Hope and Resilience". Matthew Fults' writing is so descriptive and deeply moving. It's genuinely one of the best books I've read in ages. I'm already recommending it to all my friends. It brings the horrors of the war in Ukraine to life, but in a way that makes you really think about the impact of all wars. If you're looking for powerful books to read, definitely pick this one up.

Matthew Fults' *The Sunflower Widows: Ukraine Stories of Hope and Resilience* is a deeply resonant and profoundly relevant book, especially given the ongoing impact of Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This is an honest review based on a complimentary ARC. With the conflict still raging in 2025, reading this novel is an intensely emotional experience. While the characters are fictional, their stories are rooted in a very real and devastating context. The novel centers on three heterosexual coup...

In *The Sunflower Widows: Ukraine Stories of Hope and Resilience*, Matthew Fults weaves together the poignant stories of four women whose lives have been irrevocably changed by the war in Ukraine. Through their individual narratives, the novel explores the complex interplay of grief, love, and resilience that emerges from the shadow of conflict, showing how ordinary individuals cope with extraordinary loss. The book unfolds with the intimate feel of a stage play; its structure, rhythm, and dial...

Matthew Fults's "The Sunflower Widows: Ukraine Stories of Hope and Resilience" is an unexpectedly emotional read, laying bare the reality of war in Ukraine and the lives of those left behind to grapple with grief and devastating loss. From a young couple just embarking on their life together, to an older couple where the husband retired from military service years ago, to a woman who hosts regular gatherings at her farmhouse, providing a safe space for women to connect and share their experience...

This is a quiet read, but an important addition to war literature. It's not just the depictions of war that make it so, but the focus on its far-reaching effects. Each widow loses her husband to a war that isn't of their making. No matter what ‘patriotic’ feelings motivate each man’s decision to join the war, it drives home the fact of ordinary people's forced participation in violence perpetrated by an egotistical maniac who has maneuvered himself into a position of power. The story in "The Su...

A Beautiful Story of Sorrow, Loyalty, and Love

Matthew Fults' lovely writing truly takes you on a journey with these four women as they experience love and loss. *The Sunflower Widows: Ukraine Stories of Hope and Resilience* is both heartbreaking and brilliant. If you're looking for impactful book reviews, this one is a must-read.

Some books hit you hard, in the best way possible. *The Sunflower Widows: Ukraine Stories of Hope and Resilience* by Matthew Fults is one of those. It's deeply emotional, beautifully written, and sticks with you long after you've finished reading it. Consider this your next **book review** must-read.This isn't your typical war story focused on the front lines. Instead, this book zooms in on the women left behind, carrying their grief in kitchens, nurseries, and empty homes. And honestly? That's ...

I'd like to thank Matthew Fults for including me in the advanced reader copy list. To be honest, "The Sunflower Widows: Ukraine Stories of Hope and Resilience" isn't usually the kind of book I go for. I tend to lean more towards thrillers, but I was willing to give this one a shot based on Matthew Fults' previous work. And I'm really glad I did. If you're anything like me and have been watching what's happening in Ukraine, you've probably started to feel numb to it all. You really shouldn't, a...