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A review by rosielovesreading
Beneath the Stars by A.L. Jackson
4.0
Beneath the Stars is a forbidden, older man Rockstar romance, set in the Falling Stars world. It’s only my second novel by Amy, but it will in no way be my last. Once again, I was captivated by her style of writing, so descriptive and so different, hooking you in with teases of what’s to come, enough to keep you interested and guessing, but playing the story out at the perfect speed.
This book is hard to summarise, because there is so much going on that I don’t want to give away. Even though it’s part of an interconnected series, I picked up everything very quickly and it can be read as a complete standalone, and unfortunately I haven’t had time to read books one and two in the series, I will definitely be going back, especially as to how some of the previous characters were such a big part of this book.
Rhys Manning is the last single member of Carolina George, the up and coming rock country band. The only woman who could tempt him away from his playboy ways is Maggie, twelve years his junior and his best friend’s sister-in-law, who is completely off limits, despite their insane chemistry. When Rhys accidentally puts her in danger, he goes off the grid, until 6 months later, they are suddenly living in the room next door to each other at a remote beach house whilst Carolina George records their first album. But it’s clear that Rhys is hiding something from his past which makes him scared of opening up to anyone, and very few people know the truth, on top of keeping his distance as per Maggie’s brother’s threats. Will Maggie be able to get him to open up, and in return, let him in on her own secrets?
Maggie and Rhys were clearly made for each other, but they had to fight external forces, such as Maggie’s brother Royce, as well as their own demons before they could even consider a happy ending. I loved how they could be their complete selves with one another, tell each other their deepest secrets, even if it took them some time, and understood each other on a level that no one else ever had. Their bond was deep, because whilst they helped save each other, they also showed how they could both save themselves.
Maggie had been through so much at such a young age, although it’s not really mentioned in this book, it’s implied. She wanted to do whatever it took to make it right, even though it was in no way her fault. She was so desperate to live her life the way she wanted, after being given what she saw as a second chance, and although she was afraid at some points, she never let that stop her. I loved how much she trusted Rhys, despite being told by everyone, including him, that she shouldn’t and how she let him in in a way she had never experienced with love. Her love for her brother, Royce, and sister-in-law, Emily was so great, and although at the beginning she felt like an outsider to the Carolina George group, by the end she was more than accepted as one of the family, something she had been craving for her whole life
Rhys was a broken soul with a heart of gold. He was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders harbouring guilt which many told him was misplaced, but that never stopped him from trying to atone for what he believed were his sins. He kept himself at a distance from Maggie for so long, despite the feelings he had for her, because he honestly believed whatever he loved, he ruined. My heart broke for this man, because he spent years putting out this jokey, playboy façade, when underneath he was broken. He kept everyone from his real turmoil by putting this mask on, but it was one that Maggie could see straight through, straight to the kind and good man he was, despite how much he tried to convince himself he wasn’t.
Beneath the Stars is a moving and twisted story which hooks you from the start. Amy’s writing is passionate, emotional, and so beautiful. Her descriptions were one of my favourite things about her writing, I could clearly picture every scene and feel every emotion. I devoured this book in one day, desperate to know what happens next. My only comment would be that the ending did feel quite quick and I maybe would’ve liked a bit more explanation, but that maybe just because I wanted to stay in this world and have more from these characters. I would highly recommend Beneath the Stars; Amy’s words are incredible, and she keeps you guessing the twists and turns of Maggie and Rhys’s story until the very last page.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. *
This book is hard to summarise, because there is so much going on that I don’t want to give away. Even though it’s part of an interconnected series, I picked up everything very quickly and it can be read as a complete standalone, and unfortunately I haven’t had time to read books one and two in the series, I will definitely be going back, especially as to how some of the previous characters were such a big part of this book.
Rhys Manning is the last single member of Carolina George, the up and coming rock country band. The only woman who could tempt him away from his playboy ways is Maggie, twelve years his junior and his best friend’s sister-in-law, who is completely off limits, despite their insane chemistry. When Rhys accidentally puts her in danger, he goes off the grid, until 6 months later, they are suddenly living in the room next door to each other at a remote beach house whilst Carolina George records their first album. But it’s clear that Rhys is hiding something from his past which makes him scared of opening up to anyone, and very few people know the truth, on top of keeping his distance as per Maggie’s brother’s threats. Will Maggie be able to get him to open up, and in return, let him in on her own secrets?
Maggie and Rhys were clearly made for each other, but they had to fight external forces, such as Maggie’s brother Royce, as well as their own demons before they could even consider a happy ending. I loved how they could be their complete selves with one another, tell each other their deepest secrets, even if it took them some time, and understood each other on a level that no one else ever had. Their bond was deep, because whilst they helped save each other, they also showed how they could both save themselves.
Maggie had been through so much at such a young age, although it’s not really mentioned in this book, it’s implied. She wanted to do whatever it took to make it right, even though it was in no way her fault. She was so desperate to live her life the way she wanted, after being given what she saw as a second chance, and although she was afraid at some points, she never let that stop her. I loved how much she trusted Rhys, despite being told by everyone, including him, that she shouldn’t and how she let him in in a way she had never experienced with love. Her love for her brother, Royce, and sister-in-law, Emily was so great, and although at the beginning she felt like an outsider to the Carolina George group, by the end she was more than accepted as one of the family, something she had been craving for her whole life
Rhys was a broken soul with a heart of gold. He was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders harbouring guilt which many told him was misplaced, but that never stopped him from trying to atone for what he believed were his sins. He kept himself at a distance from Maggie for so long, despite the feelings he had for her, because he honestly believed whatever he loved, he ruined. My heart broke for this man, because he spent years putting out this jokey, playboy façade, when underneath he was broken. He kept everyone from his real turmoil by putting this mask on, but it was one that Maggie could see straight through, straight to the kind and good man he was, despite how much he tried to convince himself he wasn’t.
Beneath the Stars is a moving and twisted story which hooks you from the start. Amy’s writing is passionate, emotional, and so beautiful. Her descriptions were one of my favourite things about her writing, I could clearly picture every scene and feel every emotion. I devoured this book in one day, desperate to know what happens next. My only comment would be that the ending did feel quite quick and I maybe would’ve liked a bit more explanation, but that maybe just because I wanted to stay in this world and have more from these characters. I would highly recommend Beneath the Stars; Amy’s words are incredible, and she keeps you guessing the twists and turns of Maggie and Rhys’s story until the very last page.
*I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. *