This is my crafting blog, right? So...why am I posting a book review? Isn't that the reason Science invented Amazon.com - to share all our random thoughts about books and weird "As Seen On TV" monstrosities? Well ok - yes; that's an excellent point. But also, it's my blog, and along with crafting, which of course I adore times-a-million, I like books. And Marvel Movies. And jokes about Chemistry. Oh, and Harry Potter. Anyway...
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I LOVED THIS BOOK. I don’t throw that kinda thing around for just
any book either (especially in cap lock, wow!), so please know it’s
the real deal. Up front notes – I’m trying to avoid serious
spoilers, so most of this review will be general discussion. This is
the second book in a series called “Starstruck”, but it is
absolutely a stand-alone. I read the first book (Rising Star) after I
finished this one, and I did not miss out on a single thing by doing
it that way. Lastly, go grab Rising Star too. You’ll thank me
later.
Back on topic with
Fallen Star...why do I love it? Well, the reasons are many, but the
overarching theme is the relatability and richness of both the
characters and the story. Every aspect from backstory to location
descriptions has an amazing attention to detail that brings it
instantly to life. BUT, it also has excellent pacing; we are in no
way rushed to the finish line (rushing is bad). While you are
IMMEDIATELY invested in Grace and Scott, the threads of each scene
are meticulously woven together to build the not only their romance,
but their lives, and the lives of those around them. Absolutely
unputdownable. Spell-check thinks that’s not a word, so it
obviously hasn’t read this book.
On top of that, I
adore Grace! She’s (again) “real” - driven, strong, smart, and
successful in her OWN right. She doesn’t need saving, and she’s
easy to like. That’s not to say she’s perfect, which is what
MAKES her perfect as a character to root for, laugh with, and love.
Not surprisingly, the same goes for Scott. Perfectly imperfect? I
think that works! When we first meet him, we are privy to some
private struggles that define so much of his character. He’s a
Hollywood mega-star who has fallen out of favor after a public battle
with addiction. Scott is a fantastic example of a person fighting a
battle that you know nothing about, and the (sometimes evil) power of
preconceived notions. The introduction of his struggle & recovery
is exceedingly well done. Of course this is a hot-button topic, and
it’s presented in a positive and realistic way. Throughout the
story you are simply drawn to him. Even when he would make “man”
choices – the kind where you’re talking at your Kindle at 1 AM
saying “Scott...noooooo”. It’s ok, you’re still rooting for
him. Having no personal experience with his particular brand of
demons, I was nevertheless living it right there with him. He broke
my heart and put it back together all at the same time with his
determination to make his second chance a success. I didn’t even
know you could DO that! Team Scott for the win.
Do you remember that
scene in Pretty Woman when Richard Gere asks Julia Roberts “What
happened after (the Prince) climbed up the tower to rescue (the
Princess)?” Julia Roberts says “She rescues him right back.”
Yea….THAT’S it! *all the feels*
I received an ARC in
exchange for an honest review. However, it's not the first of
Susannah's books I've read, and I would have HAPPILY paid for this
book five times over. Just sayin’.
x
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