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bitchie's review
4.0
Usually, LA Witt's books are chock full of super hot sex. This one, surprisingly enough, wasn't. And surprisingly enough, I loved it anyway.
I really enjoyed watching Levi and Carter get to know each other, and even though the sex didn't happen til nearly 80% into the book, the UST was great. Then once they finally did the deed, it had all the heat that I've come to expect from Witt.
One thing that frustrated me is why Levi cared SO much about what his parents thought. They seemed to be fairly shit parents, so why was he so worried about disappointing them? I'd also liked to have known, were his parents society lushes, or poor drunks, or what. Not much detail was put into the family story other than that they were both alcoholics, on the wagon now, and very judgmental. And I don't even know if Carter HAD parents, they were never mentioned.
Still, all in all, this was a very enjoyable read, about a guy finally coming to the realization that some things (or in this case, someONE) was worth risking his family and his career for.
I really enjoyed watching Levi and Carter get to know each other, and even though the sex didn't happen til nearly 80% into the book, the UST was great. Then once they finally did the deed, it had all the heat that I've come to expect from Witt.
One thing that frustrated me is why Levi cared SO much about what his parents thought. They seemed to be fairly shit parents, so why was he so worried about disappointing them? I'd also liked to have known, were his parents society lushes, or poor drunks, or what. Not much detail was put into the family story other than that they were both alcoholics, on the wagon now, and very judgmental. And I don't even know if Carter HAD parents, they were never mentioned.
Still, all in all, this was a very enjoyable read, about a guy finally coming to the realization that some things (or in this case, someONE) was worth risking his family and his career for.
wilbe's review against another edition
4.0
Sweet truth
I liked this story because it felt real to me. It is a bittersweet happy ending.
Four out of five
I cannot wait to read more in the series!!
I liked this story because it felt real to me. It is a bittersweet happy ending.
Four out of five
I cannot wait to read more in the series!!
jagiaquinto's review
4.0
If I had to sum up my feelings about this book they would be drawn out to an excruciating pace. The romance between Levi and Carter is palpable but they draw it out to about 80% before sex actually happens. Great reveal at the end but would have liked more juicy fun peppered throughout.
ariannemaya's review
4.0
This was such a good story. I loved the slow-build; by the time the conflict was resolved, it was easy to believe that yes, they really were in love, because of the time the author spent establishing that relationship and the friendship that happens between them first. Plus, the tension was sizzling through the whole thing, to the point where I thought that the kiss in chapter 9 was hotter than sex could have been.
It also did a great job of establishing the Bluewater Bay universe. I really enjoyed it.
It also did a great job of establishing the Bluewater Bay universe. I really enjoyed it.
tellingetienne's review
4.0
Witt, LA. Starstruck. Riptide Publishing. November 2014. $16.99. 291p. PB. 9781626491700
Starstruck is the opening novel in Riptide Publishing’s shared world setting of Bluewater Bay, with multiple authors lined up to write novels based in the peaceful town on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula.
Levi Pritchard is a retired action hero; tired of how he had been type-casted and hounded by the media he left Hollywood for the peace of Bluewater Bay, only to have Hollywood follow him to his new home. A book to TV adaption of a popular supernatural series Wolf’s Landing is filming in Bluewater Bay, and the director wants Levi to join the cast. A decision he is not sure he is ready to make when Carter Samuels, the popular –and fiercely out - male lead of Wolf’s Landing comes along to make that decision even more complicated.
A connection flashes between the two men almost instantly, but Levi is closeted and not ready to step out of that space. A deep friendship forms between Levi and Carter over movie nights at Levi’s, but the lingering undercurrent of desire is always there. Between the paparazzi’s lens, studio pressure, and Levi’s complicated family history, the deck is stacked against the two men ever being more than just friends; Carter, understandably, refuses to be Levi’s dirty little secret.
Starstruck is a quick read, but a highly enjoyable one. Levi and Carter make great friends, but it is clear they would make even better lovers. The sexual tension between them is well balanced and drawn out just long enough before it becomes tiring. My biggest complaint is how quickly things seemed to move once I hit the last 1/3rd of the novel, mostly, because I did not want to see the novel end so soon.
LA. Witt is a prolific M/M romance author and Starstruck is a solid offering. It will appeal to readers of New Adult titles, although it itself is not in that genre, as well as those who enjoy M/M novels that are more focused on relationship development over erotica. It would make an excellent addition to a romance novel collection, particularly as an eBook.
Starstruck is the opening novel in Riptide Publishing’s shared world setting of Bluewater Bay, with multiple authors lined up to write novels based in the peaceful town on Washington state’s Olympic Peninsula.
Levi Pritchard is a retired action hero; tired of how he had been type-casted and hounded by the media he left Hollywood for the peace of Bluewater Bay, only to have Hollywood follow him to his new home. A book to TV adaption of a popular supernatural series Wolf’s Landing is filming in Bluewater Bay, and the director wants Levi to join the cast. A decision he is not sure he is ready to make when Carter Samuels, the popular –and fiercely out - male lead of Wolf’s Landing comes along to make that decision even more complicated.
A connection flashes between the two men almost instantly, but Levi is closeted and not ready to step out of that space. A deep friendship forms between Levi and Carter over movie nights at Levi’s, but the lingering undercurrent of desire is always there. Between the paparazzi’s lens, studio pressure, and Levi’s complicated family history, the deck is stacked against the two men ever being more than just friends; Carter, understandably, refuses to be Levi’s dirty little secret.
Starstruck is a quick read, but a highly enjoyable one. Levi and Carter make great friends, but it is clear they would make even better lovers. The sexual tension between them is well balanced and drawn out just long enough before it becomes tiring. My biggest complaint is how quickly things seemed to move once I hit the last 1/3rd of the novel, mostly, because I did not want to see the novel end so soon.
LA. Witt is a prolific M/M romance author and Starstruck is a solid offering. It will appeal to readers of New Adult titles, although it itself is not in that genre, as well as those who enjoy M/M novels that are more focused on relationship development over erotica. It would make an excellent addition to a romance novel collection, particularly as an eBook.
teresab78's review
4.0
Very character driven, and I liked the characters. The slow burn really worked and made the ultimate culmination that much hotter.
I liked the look into them acting and that they were friends first with lots in common.
I liked the look into them acting and that they were friends first with lots in common.
jolie1883's review
4.0
3.5 stars!!
This book melted my cold pessimistic heart in the best way ever, that's why I love reading romance!!!
It always surprises me when an author slows things down so it's almost like the natural flow of reality versus the make believe that it essentially is. This book made it's way into my head and heart (tiny sniffles) and now I'm trying to get through the rest of the series as fast as possible.
So, without the spoilers. Levi is a retired action star who's living in the closet and Carter is a out and proud gay actor who idolizes Levi, so they do the obvious and become friends. Sweet right?
Well they kissed and Carter realizes Levi isn't as straight as he'd want everyone to think. Feelings erupt as the two men are flung together both professionally and physically. Their little secret dance became public fodder though and they're both forced to make some hard decisions on their love for each other.
Loved this book, funny with with a touch of the emotional soul searching journey that I crave.
This book melted my cold pessimistic heart in the best way ever, that's why I love reading romance!!!
It always surprises me when an author slows things down so it's almost like the natural flow of reality versus the make believe that it essentially is. This book made it's way into my head and heart (tiny sniffles) and now I'm trying to get through the rest of the series as fast as possible.
So, without the spoilers. Levi is a retired action star who's living in the closet and Carter is a out and proud gay actor who idolizes Levi, so they do the obvious and become friends. Sweet right?
Well they kissed and Carter realizes Levi isn't as straight as he'd want everyone to think. Feelings erupt as the two men are flung together both professionally and physically. Their little secret dance became public fodder though and they're both forced to make some hard decisions on their love for each other.
Loved this book, funny with with a touch of the emotional soul searching journey that I crave.
readingvoyage's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
agentbird's review
4.0
I enjoyed this one. I don't read a lot of celebrity MC books so the TV-show setting seemed fresh to me. I enjoyed the developing relationship and between the MCs but parts seemed a little too rushed/easy for me to find plausible.