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jaimejustreadsromance's review
5.0
Surprise, surprise...Lauren Blakely does it again!!!
This book introduces us to William and Jess as the prequel to Stars in Their Eyes.
First of all, William is British, and hot...do you need more of a description than that? Jess is a bit cynical but she is very independent and determined. Together, they are perfect....except it seems that William is keeping a secret.
There was just enough drama and steam to get me really excited and anxious to read more of their story. So, off I go to get my read on.
This book introduces us to William and Jess as the prequel to Stars in Their Eyes.
First of all, William is British, and hot...do you need more of a description than that? Jess is a bit cynical but she is very independent and determined. Together, they are perfect....except it seems that William is keeping a secret.
There was just enough drama and steam to get me really excited and anxious to read more of their story. So, off I go to get my read on.
kimching232's review
3.0
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
A Starstruck Kiss is definitely a refreshing read for me - whereas many books are written from the point of view of a celebrity or a celebrity's love interest, this one focuses on Jess, a paparazzo who is trying to pay her way through college with this job. It's definitely interesting to see things from this perspective mainly because celebrities always hate paparazzi and sometimes even treat them like trash. Whereas paparazzi are always cast aside, this book focuses on them and somehow, gives them lives. Suddenly, they're not merely unknown faces behind the lens of a camera, but people trying to do their jobs right and keep up with life.
Those all said, I was really able to enjoy A Starstruck Kiss. It's light and it has a hint of humor, kind of perfect for the mood that I was in when I read the book. I loved how this was told in dual POVs because I'm a sucker for those. I also loved how both main characters were family people. Mainly, I just loved the idea for this book.
However, I did find things I didn't like here and there, preventing me from giving this a higher rating despite me enjoying it. First, I don't get why everyone Jess knows are connected to showbiz, and have other connections as well! It seemed very unrealistic to me that her family and even her roommate has connections. Second, I was not sucked into the story as much as I would like to. For the first few chapters, I felt really disconnected to the story and I didn't feel compelled to read the book. However, at the last 30% or so of the book, it began picking up and I began loving it! Third, for the first part also, it felt like the story was without purpose and not going anywhere, but I'm glad that it all became good in towards the end.
Everything aside, I would still love to read the next book when I get the time. Luckily for me, I already have a copy in hand, which I got for free from Amazon! Hopefully, I'll get more of a glimpse on the main characters as a person, as I didn't get to in this one.
A Starstruck Kiss is definitely a refreshing read for me - whereas many books are written from the point of view of a celebrity or a celebrity's love interest, this one focuses on Jess, a paparazzo who is trying to pay her way through college with this job. It's definitely interesting to see things from this perspective mainly because celebrities always hate paparazzi and sometimes even treat them like trash. Whereas paparazzi are always cast aside, this book focuses on them and somehow, gives them lives. Suddenly, they're not merely unknown faces behind the lens of a camera, but people trying to do their jobs right and keep up with life.
Those all said, I was really able to enjoy A Starstruck Kiss. It's light and it has a hint of humor, kind of perfect for the mood that I was in when I read the book. I loved how this was told in dual POVs because I'm a sucker for those. I also loved how both main characters were family people. Mainly, I just loved the idea for this book.
However, I did find things I didn't like here and there, preventing me from giving this a higher rating despite me enjoying it. First, I don't get why everyone Jess knows are connected to showbiz, and have other connections as well! It seemed very unrealistic to me that her family and even her roommate has connections. Second, I was not sucked into the story as much as I would like to. For the first few chapters, I felt really disconnected to the story and I didn't feel compelled to read the book. However, at the last 30% or so of the book, it began picking up and I began loving it! Third, for the first part also, it felt like the story was without purpose and not going anywhere, but I'm glad that it all became good in towards the end.
Everything aside, I would still love to read the next book when I get the time. Luckily for me, I already have a copy in hand, which I got for free from Amazon! Hopefully, I'll get more of a glimpse on the main characters as a person, as I didn't get to in this one.
mandy_pandy's review
5.0
This novella is a great introduction to this spin-off series. William is a Hot British Guy (HBG)who has 2 months left on his student visa and wants to stay in America. Jess is a med student who works as a paparazzi to pay for her education. I love the introduction of these characters and the instant chemistry between them. I can't wait to read more!
merlin_reads's review
4.0
William Harrigan definitely falls under the above description. The moment he enters Jess's life, she's completely and utterly thrown off by him. He's charming, handsome, funny, and British. He's also competition for her job as a paparazzi and Jess will do anything in her power to stay away from him. However, based on some of her inner dialogue, I don't believe that control will hold:
Delicious and British.
Damn accents. They nearly obliterated all my finely-tuned control.
His accent will not melt you. His eyes will not hook you.
A Starstruck Kiss is a novella that just introduces us to the characters. A little tease per say. Well, it definitely worked on me and I will be reading the next book in this series to find out what happens.
aboutthatstory's review
5.0
Great introduction to the new series – loved it! This story is told from dual POV's and it was a fun and flirty. I think great foundation was set for what’s to come.
I really liked Jess and was totally intrigued by her job and determination. She seemed so very real to me, they both did. I loved William, he was so sweet and sexy. “Hot. British. Rides a motorcycle.” I was sold! I kept wanting to know what he was up to and what secrets he was keeping, I was definitely invested.
Jess and William together are just awesome. Their banter was excellent and they definitely have chemistry! They had great conversations, there were some really fun parts (loved their texting) and there were some steamy parts as well. Just like the title says, there is a kiss involved and I could totally feel it. Totally swoon worthy! Can't wait for more from these two.
Loved the connections to other books, that always makes me smile. I just found it all highly entertaining and I loved all the movie references as well. Bring on Stars in Their Eyes!!!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
I really liked Jess and was totally intrigued by her job and determination. She seemed so very real to me, they both did. I loved William, he was so sweet and sexy. “Hot. British. Rides a motorcycle.” I was sold! I kept wanting to know what he was up to and what secrets he was keeping, I was definitely invested.
Jess and William together are just awesome. Their banter was excellent and they definitely have chemistry! They had great conversations, there were some really fun parts (loved their texting) and there were some steamy parts as well. Just like the title says, there is a kiss involved and I could totally feel it. Totally swoon worthy! Can't wait for more from these two.
Loved the connections to other books, that always makes me smile. I just found it all highly entertaining and I loved all the movie references as well. Bring on Stars in Their Eyes!!!
Complimentary copy received for honest review.
saunnik's review
2.0
I skimmed a lot of it honestly. Based on the premise, I'm not compelled to read the follow-up
lenoreo's review
3.0
Not bad. Really enjoyed William....very swoony. I was probably a bit biased against it going in b/c I'm not a fan of paparazzi, but it wasn't too bad in that respect. I guess part of me felt that it was repetitive at times, which just seemed more obvious since it was only a novella anyways, so I found myself saying "didn't she just say this exact same thing a few pages ago?" Not enough to suck me into buying the first book basically. So not bad, just not awesome either.
jaimereadsromance's review
5.0
Surprise, surprise...Lauren Blakely does it again!!!
This book introduces us to William and Jess as the prequel to Stars in Their Eyes.
First of all, William is British, and hot...do you need more of a description than that? Jess is a bit cynical but she is very independent and determined. Together, they are perfect....except it seems that William is keeping a secret.
There was just enough drama and steam to get me really excited and anxious to read more of their story. So, off I go to get my read on.
This book introduces us to William and Jess as the prequel to Stars in Their Eyes.
First of all, William is British, and hot...do you need more of a description than that? Jess is a bit cynical but she is very independent and determined. Together, they are perfect....except it seems that William is keeping a secret.
There was just enough drama and steam to get me really excited and anxious to read more of their story. So, off I go to get my read on.
mischievousreads's review
4.0
***ARC courtesy of Season Publishing via Netgalley in exchange for honest review
This is an awesome kickstart to a new series, featuring two college students; Jess Leighton and Will Harrigan, both with hopes of fulfilling a future dream.
Jess is currently saving up money to pay for grad school, and she's working on it by being a papparazzo, snapping pictures of celebrities, young and old, for an agency. This is her only job, and she can't afford to lose it and even slack off. Always on the lookout, she's on alert as to where to find the right celebrity and even has them memorized from flash cards. Yes, that's how serious she is. But the moment she starts sensing competition from the new British hottie, Will Harrigan, who keeps popping up everywhere she tries to do her work, she feels the need to get all territorial.
Will is on the lookout of a permanent job, someone to sponsor his stay in the States in order to shift his soon-to-expire student visa to a working one. And with Jess, he can't stop thinking about his 'American Girl'. All the more to stay in L.A. But Jess has no time for a relationship, she's sure she doesn't need or want one, but this British hottie will surely change her mind.
This is a funny, sexy beginning to this young hot couple and these two has got me hooked. The chemistry and the hilarity between them is just over the top, because for one thing, British men are hot (I have a Will bias). Reading this without the next book in the series, Stars In Their Eyes will make you frustrated because... CLIFFHANGER! This novella will definitely prep you for the steamy and sexy scenes in the next book.
This is an awesome kickstart to a new series, featuring two college students; Jess Leighton and Will Harrigan, both with hopes of fulfilling a future dream.
Jess is currently saving up money to pay for grad school, and she's working on it by being a papparazzo, snapping pictures of celebrities, young and old, for an agency. This is her only job, and she can't afford to lose it and even slack off. Always on the lookout, she's on alert as to where to find the right celebrity and even has them memorized from flash cards. Yes, that's how serious she is. But the moment she starts sensing competition from the new British hottie, Will Harrigan, who keeps popping up everywhere she tries to do her work, she feels the need to get all territorial.
Will is on the lookout of a permanent job, someone to sponsor his stay in the States in order to shift his soon-to-expire student visa to a working one. And with Jess, he can't stop thinking about his 'American Girl'. All the more to stay in L.A. But Jess has no time for a relationship, she's sure she doesn't need or want one, but this British hottie will surely change her mind.
She was lovely. And hot. And feisty. Translation-everything I liked best.All of a sudden, his actions get a wee bit suspicious about him being a paparazzo. And then he tells her that he's got connections that can get them into the hottest and biggest celebrity wedding of all time. How can she ever turn that down? If she's going to want to nab those photos, she's going to have to trust him.
This is a funny, sexy beginning to this young hot couple and these two has got me hooked. The chemistry and the hilarity between them is just over the top, because for one thing, British men are hot (I have a Will bias). Reading this without the next book in the series, Stars In Their Eyes will make you frustrated because... CLIFFHANGER! This novella will definitely prep you for the steamy and sexy scenes in the next book.