mrsjoylovesbooks's review
3.0
I appreciated the representation of anxiety and the way that it was handled. The behind the scenes of celebrity life was fun too. Unfortunately this book wasn’t a favorite. I was disappointed with the main conflict and I think I should just stop reading novellas because instalove just doesn’t work for me. If you like celebrity romance and quick reads, this may be your style. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for a free digital arc. I have enjoyed Susannah Nix’s King Family series, so I look forward to future books by her.
merada01's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
fiftyshadesofgreymatter's review
4.0
I was gifted this book from NetGalley and I was so happy to receive it because I already adore Susannah Nix’s books. This is a short and sweet story of the romance between an A-list Hollywood starlet and a Hollywood reporter. I would have loved a little more steam between the two characters and a little less time apart, but overall it was a quick and enjoyable read. I plan on reading the rest of the series.
marla_reads's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oh this was a cute little novella! Star Bright features an A-list Hollywood starlet- Kimberleigh and a gossip reporter- Spencer. The two have a complicated history, but when Spencer helps Kimberleigh during a vulnerable moment, they both realize their first impressions of each other may have been totally wrong.
This one is a quick read, totally entertaining, and adorable! The characters both evolve and grow quite a bit in less than two hundred pages. I thought it discussed the struggles of having an intimate relationship in Hollywood in a very realistic way!
And it left me feeling all warm and fuzzy! Precious book! Four stars!
Thank you NetGalley and Haver Street Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
This one is a quick read, totally entertaining, and adorable! The characters both evolve and grow quite a bit in less than two hundred pages. I thought it discussed the struggles of having an intimate relationship in Hollywood in a very realistic way!
And it left me feeling all warm and fuzzy! Precious book! Four stars!
Thank you NetGalley and Haver Street Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.
lisahvk's review
3.0
This book was…just okay. The premise is great and after initial bad impressions of the main characters, they do redeem themselves somewhat. I just found it very difficult to get into the story. The romance felt rushed and not realistic at all. Kimberleigh and Spencer went from hating each other to suddenly jumping into bed and then having a secret relationship. And it simply didn’t work for me.
I really wanted to like this. I realize that it’s supposed to be a novella, but perhaps if the author had tried to fill in some of the many gaps and flesh out the characters and plot line a bit more it would have made more sense. As is, it has potential…but it left me feeling empty.
3 stars.
As always, thanks to NetGalley and Haver Street Press for the ARC. Star Bright will be published April 19, 2022.
I really wanted to like this. I realize that it’s supposed to be a novella, but perhaps if the author had tried to fill in some of the many gaps and flesh out the characters and plot line a bit more it would have made more sense. As is, it has potential…but it left me feeling empty.
3 stars.
As always, thanks to NetGalley and Haver Street Press for the ARC. Star Bright will be published April 19, 2022.
chelseadennreads's review
4.0
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Actress Kimberleigh Cress has made it a habit not to let too many people get close to her, if only to protect herself. As a celebrity gossip reporter, it’s Spencer’s job to try and get celebrities to spill about the juicy parts of their lives. Spencer is the last person Kimberleigh wants to have a panic attack in front of. But when she does, she finds Spencer isn’t the slimy guy she thought he was. He’s actually caring and sweet. And he makes her want to let down her walls and give him her trust.
I started this novella earlier this year but it begins at Christmastime so I thought I would save it to read in December, even though it’s not a Christmas novella. I enjoyed this novella a lot. I love books about celebrities so I was naturally intrigued by this one. This is the first in a series about celebrities and I’m excited to read more of the series.
I enjoyed Kimberleigh and Spencer’s relationship. I feel like you don’t often see celebrity romance books between an actor and a reporter, so I enjoyed the different spin here. Kimberleigh and Spencer both messed up, but I was glad to see that Spencer understood why Kimberleigh reacted the way she did. I also loved the epilogue in this. This is an easy quick read if you’re looking for a romance novella.
4⭐️
I started this novella earlier this year but it begins at Christmastime so I thought I would save it to read in December, even though it’s not a Christmas novella. I enjoyed this novella a lot. I love books about celebrities so I was naturally intrigued by this one. This is the first in a series about celebrities and I’m excited to read more of the series.
I enjoyed Kimberleigh and Spencer’s relationship. I feel like you don’t often see celebrity romance books between an actor and a reporter, so I enjoyed the different spin here. Kimberleigh and Spencer both messed up, but I was glad to see that Spencer understood why Kimberleigh reacted the way she did. I also loved the epilogue in this. This is an easy quick read if you’re looking for a romance novella.
4⭐️
lynseyscott's review
4.0
This was a fun and quick read! I actually wish it would have been longer because it covered a period of about 6+ months through the book and the romance felt a little rushed. I would have liked to read about the development of the main characters and their relationship more, but I realize the nature of the book as a novella wasn’t as conducive for that type of development. I think this also hit home and tactfully discussed the difficulties of relationships when one or both persons are a public figure as far as acting in relationships, trust, public perception, etc.
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the ARC of this book!
Thanks to Netgalley and the author for the ARC of this book!
steffiedoo's review
3.0
Novellas aren't usually top of my tbr list, but I was looking for something fluffy as a palette cleanser after the suspense of Something Wilder and Hollywood felt as far from Utah as I could get on short notice. Starlet Kimberleigh's image is at risk when she has a vulnerable moment in front of a tabloid reporter she doesn't trust. Instead of exposing her, Spencer becomes her rock, and this enemies-to-lovers moves quickly to the lovers stage. The chemistry is great, the mental health elements are well handled, and the portrayal of the isolation of being an A-lister is surprisingly deep and impactful. I liked this little book, it surpassed my expectations!
jenniwren's review
4.0
Did I read this in a day? Yes. I couldn't put it down
4 stars
2 for spice. (it's sparse),
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers Second chance - kinda!
Ending: HEA
CW: Anxiety (panic attacks.) Substance abuse is mentioned by characters. Child Neglect. (off page, Fmc had a tough childhood!)
Kimberleigh is an actress, well known with an ice queen reputation. She has tough walls she hides behind because of her past. She's changed her name and she's lying about her age and boyfriends
Spencer is a celebrity gossip columnist who asked some misogynistic questions so Kimberleigh hates him. After he helps her she changes her mind about him and they embark on a very private relationship. Everything comes to ahead and Kimberleigh thinks he betrayed her. There's some grovelling and it's good because its the Fmc doing it for a change.
4 stars
2 for spice. (it's sparse),
Tropes: Enemies to Lovers Second chance - kinda!
Ending: HEA
CW: Anxiety (panic attacks.) Substance abuse is mentioned by characters. Child Neglect. (off page, Fmc had a tough childhood!)
Kimberleigh is an actress, well known with an ice queen reputation. She has tough walls she hides behind because of her past. She's changed her name and she's lying about her age and boyfriends
Spencer is a celebrity gossip columnist who asked some misogynistic questions so Kimberleigh hates him. After he helps her she changes her mind about him and they embark on a very private relationship. Everything comes to ahead and Kimberleigh thinks he betrayed her. There's some grovelling and it's good because its the Fmc doing it for a change.