5 STARS! Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller stole my attention from the start with a character so full of flaws and beauty I just had to spend more time with her. Callie sees her world through a veil of jaded innocence. On one end, she's experienced terrible trauma due to a transient life with her mother, leaving her outlook on life a kind of loveless jagged knife. On the other end, she remains a loyal daughter to the one person in her life who should have kept her safe. And you glean all this in the first couple pages. I read this book at breakneck speed because after a tangle with the cops, Callie is rescued from her kidnapping mother and returned to her loving father. Now that she's living the life she always should have had, can she learn how to really live?
I loved traipsing through Callie's gritty world of pain and hope. She never had hope before, but slowly glimmers of possibility are revealed to her and her first reaction is always so pure, but it's her second and third reactions that get her into trouble. She's part exhilaration, part terror. She's lived eons in her seventeen years, and yet sometimes she's such a child. The family her mother forced her to leave behind is plain awesome. The town she returns to is plain cool. I want to go there, be adopted (sorry mom), and find myself a hot diver. Doesn't have to be Alex. Just because he's so beautiful, women of all walks of life stop and drool, so what, right?
If you're looking for an emotional YA contemporary with an edge to it, give Where the Stars Still Shine a try. I have to push Doller's other book too because I still think about Something Like Normal. Both books have flawed characters that draw you in. They both pull at your heartstrings and show regular folk in hard situations. They're both sexy and raw. I only wish Doller already had a long list of books waiting for me to fall in love with because I'm sure I would.
I'm not a contemporary reader myself, but I love hearing the stories and the way they move the readers. It sounds like this one definitely did it's job. I'm so glad you enjoyed it!! Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.
ReplyDeleteI do the same thing with genres I don't typically read, like historical romance and horror. Almost like I vicariously read through their reviews. This book moved me for sure. I just love the way Doller writes. I remember when I was reading Something Like Normal and stopping to see if the author was a man because the MC was male and so authentic. Nope! A woman. The weekend is almost over. Dangit! I hope you had a good one and an even better week, Jaclyn.
DeleteOooo~ I heard this was a good book and wow. It really must be great to receive a 5 from you. :)
ReplyDeleteI really loved it, Ki. I love the way Trish Doller writes. There's reflection, but in a matter of fact way instead of an emotional way, which makes me emotional when I read it. You know what, I haven't had any coffee yet. I'm sure after a cup, I'll sound more coherent.
DeleteDoller is on my tbr list, Robyn. And now I've read your review, she'll be moved up. This does sound emotional but lovely at the same time. I can't imagine being inserted back into a wonderfully 'normal' life after having experienced what Callie has. It seems as though Doller describes it with aplomb. And your review is fantastic. :)
ReplyDeleteHope your week is off to a lovely start! Only one more day til my kids are back in school. *sniff*
Oh, *sniff* I know it's been a blast with the snow and having them around so much. I have John an extra few days because he's super sick, but slowly on the mend. I've been trying to get him to watch all my favorite animated movies. Today was a total failure.
DeleteI know you'll enjoy this book, Brandee! Doller is an amazing writer. She doesn't embellish and yet I feel like I'm right there. Weirdly enough, the YA Where the Stars... is steamier than the NA Something Like Normal.
Happy reading, missy.
Robyn, this sounds like an awesome story! Callie is the kind of heroine I love to read about, flawed but still with that 'rootable' thing that makes me want to know her.
ReplyDeleteIt's always sad to me when a mother is not protecting her child(ren), though, so I might actually cry a bit.
Thanks so much for sharing! I love that you enjoyed Where The Stars Still Shine so much :)
Have a wonderful Wednesday, my friend.
Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews
The mother in this story is so upsetting, but the father, grandmother, cousin, ... lift your spirits. Callie is so rootable. It's not often you get to experience firsts with a jaded, yet innocent character. I did enjoy this read like crazy. I requested my library to purchase this book, and then it sat on my account for months while they processed it. The minute the book was in my hands, I cracked it open and sighed. I just love that!
DeleteHave a wonderful day right back, Lexxie
p.s. You have been on a contemporary romance bender, missy! My TBR list looks like I've abandoned UF and YA!
I have both of these books and am SO excited to read them! It's amazing Doller packed so much into the first two pages. Your review is fantastic! Can't wait to read these! :D
ReplyDeleteDoller is one of my favorite authors now. She gets the age right better than most people who write YA and NA. Oh, there's a book store in Where the Stars... that I know you will just freaking love! I love it. I can't wait for you to read her books.
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