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a_reader_obsessed's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
I found this to be a very touching, realistic story about a man moving on from a huge loss, in a way that all of his friends and most of his family would never expect him to do so.
Travis had long ago buried his attraction to the same sex, having met and fallen in love with his wife. They had a beautiful, happy life together but tragedy struck, leaving Travis a widower. It doesn't really cross his mind to take the next step into dating, until the new vet Wesley catches his eye, and long buried desires start to resurface.
Admittedly, I had my doubts about this story. It didn't start off with a bang, and Travis was not immediately likable. However this slowly grew on me as each new character was introduced, and it showed how Travis and Wesley's burgeoning relationship affected everyone around them.
As a disclaimer, this really had no smex and is quite understated in the UST. Rather it chooses to focus on the evolution of what happens as the truth about these two men is slowly made known. There's no sugarcoating here. Confusion, anger, disbelief, hate, are all present. Not everyone easily accepts this new relationship, but I appreciated the honesty of how such a revelation causes the various problems expected.
Overall, this was a thoughtful look at all players involved when a father is ready to live again, and how his choices affect those closest to him. Despite outside reactions and personal conflicts, for the most part, Travis and Wesley handle their love with grace and dignity. Again a very nice story about finding love when you least expect it, and though no matter how difficult it may be to hang on to, is absolutely worth every single fight and struggle.
I found this to be a very touching, realistic story about a man moving on from a huge loss, in a way that all of his friends and most of his family would never expect him to do so.
Travis had long ago buried his attraction to the same sex, having met and fallen in love with his wife. They had a beautiful, happy life together but tragedy struck, leaving Travis a widower. It doesn't really cross his mind to take the next step into dating, until the new vet Wesley catches his eye, and long buried desires start to resurface.
Admittedly, I had my doubts about this story. It didn't start off with a bang, and Travis was not immediately likable. However this slowly grew on me as each new character was introduced, and it showed how Travis and Wesley's burgeoning relationship affected everyone around them.
As a disclaimer, this really had no smex and is quite understated in the UST. Rather it chooses to focus on the evolution of what happens as the truth about these two men is slowly made known. There's no sugarcoating here. Confusion, anger, disbelief, hate, are all present. Not everyone easily accepts this new relationship, but I appreciated the honesty of how such a revelation causes the various problems expected.
Overall, this was a thoughtful look at all players involved when a father is ready to live again, and how his choices affect those closest to him. Despite outside reactions and personal conflicts, for the most part, Travis and Wesley handle their love with grace and dignity. Again a very nice story about finding love when you least expect it, and though no matter how difficult it may be to hang on to, is absolutely worth every single fight and struggle.
eliezrah's review
4.0
This book is different from most other M/M books I've read, but I definitely enjoyed it. Brandon Witt is a new to me author, and I wasn't sure what to expect. Then The Stars Fall is not your typical low/no angst steamy romance story, so if that's what you're looking for, this isn't the book for you. The sex is all off page, which works in this book. There is also a lot of homophobia. I love how the author had each of the secondary characters have a chapter in their POV as well. It was really well done.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
I received an advanced copy and voluntarily gave my honest review.
pshelling's review
3.0
As much as I liked Wesley, I had trouble dealing with the fact that 90% of Travis's personality is mourning his dead wife. I mean, I know grieving is a process and we all grieve differently, but Travis's grief was excessive to the point that it detracted from my ability to enjoy the story. One of the other strange things is that all the bad and unlikable characters are overweight.
lolly460's review
1.0
I am so disappointed. I expected more from this book. It was way too long and I skipped a lot of it because it was so boring. I honestly couldn't say that there were any part of it I would have called good. sorry but this was just a waste of time.
kristinafh's review against another edition
3.0
This is somewhere between a 2 and a 3 rating. Nothing unique/original about story and the characters were checkbox cliched.
liza5326's review against another edition
4.0
This was a beautiful and moving story about a father of three who is still mourning his wife and the new vet in town. Travis has always known the he was attracted to men, but hid it away to marry the live if his life. Four years after her death, gay vet Wesley moves into town and turns his life upside down. I loved everything about this second chance story except one thing. . . The fade-to-black, off-page sex. We have all this incredible sexual tension, but no pay-off! Other than that, it was a great read
vicki_williams's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
When I think of this book the word “real” immediately springs to mind.
A “real” American small town where homophobia exists and causes pain and fear.
A “real” romance that’s about the family and what it takes to blend new love and a family together.
Emotions that are all too “real” when it comes to love, loss, grief and moving on.
This a a brilliantly written, descriptive, engaging, heartfelt character driven plot with excellent pacing. Wesley and Travis are complex and not without flaws. It’s not an easy path by any stretch of the imagination but they do eventually get their HEA. The cast of secondary characters are vital to the story and each get a POV at some stage throughout the book.
This is slow burn romance, where apart from a kiss or two, the sex is all off page.
When I think of this book the word “real” immediately springs to mind.
A “real” American small town where homophobia exists and causes pain and fear.
A “real” romance that’s about the family and what it takes to blend new love and a family together.
Emotions that are all too “real” when it comes to love, loss, grief and moving on.
This a a brilliantly written, descriptive, engaging, heartfelt character driven plot with excellent pacing. Wesley and Travis are complex and not without flaws. It’s not an easy path by any stretch of the imagination but they do eventually get their HEA. The cast of secondary characters are vital to the story and each get a POV at some stage throughout the book.
This is slow burn romance, where apart from a kiss or two, the sex is all off page.
sarabeckman617's review
3.0
Reader Beware
This book needs to come with a few content warnings - first off LOTS of internalized homophobia and biphobia. Then the external homophobia and liberal use of the queer slurs. Within the first few chapters of the book there is also a sexual assault.
So if you’re looking for a cute small town queer romance this one is probably not for you.
I also felt like the emotional development just wasn’t there. The main characters went from ‘hmm I’m attracted to you and let’s try this dating thing’ to ‘I’ll love you forever’ very fast without giving the reader many emotional stepping stones. All the family bonding moments that would have been cute and emotionally fulfilling were also glossed over in favor of more confrontational scenes with more slurs.
This book needs to come with a few content warnings - first off LOTS of internalized homophobia and biphobia. Then the external homophobia and liberal use of the queer slurs. Within the first few chapters of the book there is also a sexual assault.
So if you’re looking for a cute small town queer romance this one is probably not for you.
I also felt like the emotional development just wasn’t there. The main characters went from ‘hmm I’m attracted to you and let’s try this dating thing’ to ‘I’ll love you forever’ very fast without giving the reader many emotional stepping stones. All the family bonding moments that would have been cute and emotionally fulfilling were also glossed over in favor of more confrontational scenes with more slurs.
royalraspberry's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Violence, Sexual harassment, and Physical abuse
Minor: Alcoholism and Animal death