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A review by kfriend
Star Bright by Staci Hart
5.0
When I first read the premise of Star Bright, I was intrigued- a story with a Gatsby-meets-Gossip-Girl aesthetic that has the potential to both dazzle and charm, something that sounded so fresh and unique, twinkling in a galaxy of romance stories? Sounds fun! But given the current world reality, I wasn’t sure I’d have the patience for a story that hinged on privileged frivolity and blatant excess…. but that is not this story. This story is anything but frivolous, in fact, it is profoundly self-aware, complex and layered with meaning, with characters that are deep and fascinating and so well-created, with a world that is so vivid and vibrant, the texture of it I can almost feel in my hand. A story with writing so rich and expressive that you are swept away. A story with a poignant and meaningful point of view, with themes so acutely resonant that at its closure I had tears streaming down my face because I felt so touched, so awakened.
Our story’s premise is a clever modernization of the notorious Bright Young Things from the 1920’s, a group of Bohemian socialites who threw fancy costume parties and scavenger hunts, high on life and, well, other stuff. They gathered a near mythic fascination both then a now-journalists zealously covered their antics, famous photographer Cecil Beaton captured their story, and movies and books galore have been inspired by them (don't know of them? Look them up- they are cool). In this contemporary take, the mysterious Cecelia Beaton (cheeky update!) is throwing exclusive, lavish themed parties for a group of NY elites (the new Bright Young Things)- everyone wants to be an insider to the spectacle, the media wants to scoop the secrets, and the police are overly obsessed with shutting them down. Our story opens with journalist Levi being tasked to write a series of pieces on the parties, with the promise of a big promotion if he exposes the true identity of the legendary Cecelia Beaton. He meets BYT member Stella at the first party- SPARKS fly- but he doesn’t want to let her know his real job and ruin his chance at the story. Stella has a secret of her own- she’s Cecelia.
Their connection is easy- natural and unspoken- and despite the mountain of secrets between them and the vast differences in their lifestyles, you can’t help but marvel at how RIGHT they are for each other- the perfect symmetry of their connection. The way Staci builds their chemistry is so fresh and inventive- we have these sweet, authentic moments between them where we piece by piece figure out who they are all in the backdrop of loud, ostentatious, and spectacular parties. Yet, she keeps their relationship so organically developed, so real, and so focused. And, despite my early doubts, these characters are insanely likable-both so humble, compassionate, stoic, and loving. Levi is charismatic and driven by integrity, and Stella is joy personified, so very clever, an endearing optimist that dotes on those she loves. Despite their secrets, their connection is so profoundly beautiful, their love healthy and mature. Sure, we have some conflict, but we don’t have prolonged angst or unnecessary challenges- these are two adults making meaning of their life-changing connection while grappling with the parts of themselves that feel in tension with their romance.
Staci’s writing is some of the most technically magnificent writing I’ve read in a while- this book isn’t just prose, it is a FEELING, and these are not just words, they are poetry, this is art. I’ve always been struck by her incredible ability to create rich, vivid characters within lush, buoyant worlds- this is no exception, the writing is so descriptive you are swept away, the characters voices so distinctly pronounced, their journeys so complex. And the point of view- the thematic expression of this story- is so fresh, so poignant, so deeply moving, and most importantly, so sincere. A theme that is so ironically straight forward, so simple..but it is not easy. This is a story about the power of meaningful connection and the liberating power of committing to live with joy and love. Regardless of who we are, our backgrounds or our means, we all have the basic human need to belong- to something greater than ourselves, with someone that we share something genuine with, authentic with. And sometimes, our greatest barrier is our own selves- our own intentions, our own practices, our own mindsets. Somehow, through the lens of the trivial, decadent parties and through the eyes of characters whose lives most of us will never live, Staci bares the universal longing we all share, parts of our own lives that we should confront- and she does it with such gentleness, with such compassion, with such optimism and hope.
The threads of this story are so beautifully and lovingly woven. When they all thread together in the end, I couldn’t help but be in awe, feel mesmerized by its shining light. I felt rattled and inspired, curious but clear, discontent yet peaceful- like Staci had reached into my heart to give me a gentle jolt, followed by a warm and tender hug. I read this book when my heart was in a dark place-at an emotional low. I, like so many of us, am thirsty to belong. I too sometimes spend more time sloshing around in all the bad, seeking fulfillment in the wrong places, than I do remembering the most basic of truths- that life is a glorious, temporal gift. But I also have agency. Like Stella/Cecelia, I can choose to revel in life’s splendid potential- to intentionally foster real connections with those that matter and to find and spread joy and love, to be aware of life’s bleakness and not let it squash my life. I am not yet Cecelia Beaton- but I want to be.
Our story’s premise is a clever modernization of the notorious Bright Young Things from the 1920’s, a group of Bohemian socialites who threw fancy costume parties and scavenger hunts, high on life and, well, other stuff. They gathered a near mythic fascination both then a now-journalists zealously covered their antics, famous photographer Cecil Beaton captured their story, and movies and books galore have been inspired by them (don't know of them? Look them up- they are cool). In this contemporary take, the mysterious Cecelia Beaton (cheeky update!) is throwing exclusive, lavish themed parties for a group of NY elites (the new Bright Young Things)- everyone wants to be an insider to the spectacle, the media wants to scoop the secrets, and the police are overly obsessed with shutting them down. Our story opens with journalist Levi being tasked to write a series of pieces on the parties, with the promise of a big promotion if he exposes the true identity of the legendary Cecelia Beaton. He meets BYT member Stella at the first party- SPARKS fly- but he doesn’t want to let her know his real job and ruin his chance at the story. Stella has a secret of her own- she’s Cecelia.
Their connection is easy- natural and unspoken- and despite the mountain of secrets between them and the vast differences in their lifestyles, you can’t help but marvel at how RIGHT they are for each other- the perfect symmetry of their connection. The way Staci builds their chemistry is so fresh and inventive- we have these sweet, authentic moments between them where we piece by piece figure out who they are all in the backdrop of loud, ostentatious, and spectacular parties. Yet, she keeps their relationship so organically developed, so real, and so focused. And, despite my early doubts, these characters are insanely likable-both so humble, compassionate, stoic, and loving. Levi is charismatic and driven by integrity, and Stella is joy personified, so very clever, an endearing optimist that dotes on those she loves. Despite their secrets, their connection is so profoundly beautiful, their love healthy and mature. Sure, we have some conflict, but we don’t have prolonged angst or unnecessary challenges- these are two adults making meaning of their life-changing connection while grappling with the parts of themselves that feel in tension with their romance.
Staci’s writing is some of the most technically magnificent writing I’ve read in a while- this book isn’t just prose, it is a FEELING, and these are not just words, they are poetry, this is art. I’ve always been struck by her incredible ability to create rich, vivid characters within lush, buoyant worlds- this is no exception, the writing is so descriptive you are swept away, the characters voices so distinctly pronounced, their journeys so complex. And the point of view- the thematic expression of this story- is so fresh, so poignant, so deeply moving, and most importantly, so sincere. A theme that is so ironically straight forward, so simple..but it is not easy. This is a story about the power of meaningful connection and the liberating power of committing to live with joy and love. Regardless of who we are, our backgrounds or our means, we all have the basic human need to belong- to something greater than ourselves, with someone that we share something genuine with, authentic with. And sometimes, our greatest barrier is our own selves- our own intentions, our own practices, our own mindsets. Somehow, through the lens of the trivial, decadent parties and through the eyes of characters whose lives most of us will never live, Staci bares the universal longing we all share, parts of our own lives that we should confront- and she does it with such gentleness, with such compassion, with such optimism and hope.
The threads of this story are so beautifully and lovingly woven. When they all thread together in the end, I couldn’t help but be in awe, feel mesmerized by its shining light. I felt rattled and inspired, curious but clear, discontent yet peaceful- like Staci had reached into my heart to give me a gentle jolt, followed by a warm and tender hug. I read this book when my heart was in a dark place-at an emotional low. I, like so many of us, am thirsty to belong. I too sometimes spend more time sloshing around in all the bad, seeking fulfillment in the wrong places, than I do remembering the most basic of truths- that life is a glorious, temporal gift. But I also have agency. Like Stella/Cecelia, I can choose to revel in life’s splendid potential- to intentionally foster real connections with those that matter and to find and spread joy and love, to be aware of life’s bleakness and not let it squash my life. I am not yet Cecelia Beaton- but I want to be.