Reviewed by Taylin
TITLE: Sunflower
SERIES: The Agency #1
AUTHOR: Kayla Halleur
PUBLISHER: Harkaway Publishing
LENGTH: Approx 359 pages
RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2025
BLURB:
Meeting Callum for the first time while being crushed under a hundred pounds of sunflowers was somewhat awkward.
Seeing him flee to the other side of the country because of what he saw in my head was downright humiliating.
I can’t help but feel like my dad should have told me ahead of time that his girlfriend and her son had psychic abilities.
Four long years later and he’s back to watch our parents finally get married, and I’m still wondering what on earth he saw in my head that day.
I never thought going on a blind date would eventually bring the answers I was looking for…
Or that it would completely turn my life upside down…
~~~
Sunflower, the first book in The Agency series, features a young college student, unwittingly dropped into a world he knows nothing about, a psychic that seems to know far more than he’s letting on, and a romance that will be treated like the myths of old in the centuries to come.
Each book in The Agency series features a different couple with their own HEA in an overarching plotline. It is recommended to read the books in order for the most enjoyment.
REVIEW:
The first time Joey encounters his future step-brother, Callum, he is a teenager. He doesn’t expect things to go effortlessly, but their encounter is promising. Then they shake hands, and everything changes. Looking horrified, Callum steps away and, that night, leaves the house, with Joey not knowing what he’s done and thinking the worst. Their subsequent encounter throws Joey through a loop again, turning everything he thought on its head.
Sunflower is the first book of a series, where each couple gets their HEA, but there is an overreaching series arc. Also, it is this author’s debut novel, and to this end, Sunflower is a good tale, showing Kayla Halleur as a future name to look out for.
The story is told in the first person, 90% of which is from Joey’s viewpoint. Sunflower is almost a book of two halves. In the first part, the reader gets to know the characters. The second revolves around the series title, The Agency, which contains people with special powers who help and investigate various individuals. A lot of storytelling gets the reader up to speed on where all the various powers came from. And this is possibly where this author’s rookie element comes in.
The information provided shows that much thought and research went into the tale’s production. It gives depth and the knowledge that elements haven’t been picked out of thin air. Kudos to the author here. However, other than the history used in the current novel that became clearer later, it is a bit of a distraction. I have read many paranormal, scrying, shapeshifter and similar story genres, and I didn’t need to know the origins of the power to enjoy the story. Nevertheless, if some of these elements are used in other novels, perhaps leave some of the reveal for later. The extensive history lessons were lovely tales, but I fear they may have made the book longer than necessary. I understand the enthusiasm and love for one’s characters and the inner need to prove you’ve thought of the whys and wherefores concerning a beloved story, but less could have been more. I’m not saying it shouldn’t have been there, but less comprehensively, it would have been more effective. Less also allows a writer to change future direction without leaving holes in the arc and the reader going, ‘WTF, I thought you said!!!’.
Joey and Callum are lovely characters. Both have edgier sides and are tooth-achingly sweet towards each other. However, for me, Erin was the star. Everyone else paled in comparison. There’s nothing like a momma bear protecting her brood. Awesome. Other members of The Agency look to have fascinating tales to tell, which I suspect will be future subjects.
Overall, Sunflower is an engaging debut novel from a star of the future. The overreaching arc had some twists and turns, which could lead to paths that could blow the minds of The Agency. The author has multiple options. These are interesting times, indeed.
RATING: 
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