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A review by readwithbee
Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This review is long overdue. I was privileged to get an eArc of this book but was unable to finish it before pub day on 10/10. Life got in the way and I couldn't read much the last several weeks. But thank you to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the chance to read this.
This book. Holy shit, this book. This is without a doubt one of my favorites of 2023. Which comes as little to no surprise since Felix, Ever after was also a big favorite.
Kacen is an incredible author and this story is just beautiful. It highlights so realistically how trauma can impact relationships. As someone who's worked in mental health for 7 years and has their own struggles, this was so amazing to read. It was amazing to not only read an in depth depiction of trauma and it's impact, but the path to healing. Some nuggets of very legitimate wisdom weaved into this too.
This book was just so incredible. I am so grateful it exists. I feel like this is what some other very big romance authors try to accomplish when using trauma in their books but have definitely not executed well.
This entire book was just a gift. It was so easy to read and to get into the characters. Both the main characters had traits that I could connect to. I wish side characters got a lil more attention but this story wasn't about them. It was so neatly wrapped up too, meaning that there's no lingering expectation for more from these characters even though I loved them so much. I am just over the moon about this.
I desperately need to buy a copy when I can afford it now for my shelves and to lend out.
Kacen definitely knocked it out of the park with this adult queer romance debut.
So, so wonderful.
This book. Holy shit, this book. This is without a doubt one of my favorites of 2023. Which comes as little to no surprise since Felix, Ever after was also a big favorite.
Kacen is an incredible author and this story is just beautiful. It highlights so realistically how trauma can impact relationships. As someone who's worked in mental health for 7 years and has their own struggles, this was so amazing to read. It was amazing to not only read an in depth depiction of trauma and it's impact, but the path to healing. Some nuggets of very legitimate wisdom weaved into this too.
This book was just so incredible. I am so grateful it exists. I feel like this is what some other very big romance authors try to accomplish when using trauma in their books but have definitely not executed well.
This entire book was just a gift. It was so easy to read and to get into the characters. Both the main characters had traits that I could connect to. I wish side characters got a lil more attention but this story wasn't about them. It was so neatly wrapped up too, meaning that there's no lingering expectation for more from these characters even though I loved them so much. I am just over the moon about this.
I desperately need to buy a copy when I can afford it now for my shelves and to lend out.
Kacen definitely knocked it out of the park with this adult queer romance debut.
So, so wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Rape, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse