Brighter than the Sun

BRIGHTER THAN THE SUN might just be the world's first solarpunk romcom. This whimsical rivals-to-lovers workplace romance is set in a speculative version of San Francisco, where sustainable urban design illustrates real pockets of hope in our warming world. After three years as a corporate cog, Ahana Desari finally has her chance to matter: she's selected to lead her company's $11 million pitch to build California's new life-saving wildfire notification system. The catch? She's forced to team up with Samuel Sterling, the uptight coworker who once dismissed her as "frivolous and destructive," putting words to her greatest insecurities. To win the contract, Ahana and Sam must navigate their clashing personalities as they journey through Northern California on high-speed rail, metrocables, and electric rickshaws. When their boss botches the timeline, their month-long project becomes a one-week sprint. While Ahana confronts her spiraling climate anxiety, Sam must make sense of the religious trauma that complicates his growing desire for Ahana. Will they each be brave enough to prioritize their values—and their budding relationship—over the "safe" and predictable paths laid out for them? Heat level: On a spice-level scale of 1 to 5, this would rank: 4