I love the picture I was getting of Jack and Lucy’s characters in my mind, their descriptions made them feel unique set them apart from main characters I’ve read about lately. Where I struggled was with some of the leaps the plot took in their connection and how their relationship progressed. The suspenseful twist toward the end and the happy epilogue left me smiling!

In Oxford Star we meet our main characters Lucy and Jack. Lucy dreams of being a singer, but prioritizes taking care of her family with a more stable career. Jack is a rock star in a band that would prefer to live a quiet life studying the stars (astrophysics). Instead he is hiding his anxiety and panic attacks from the world and trying to push through with his rockstar career. The chemistry between the characters is really well-written as well as the way Jack's mental health is depicted.

After a betrayal, the two are reunited on a plan to Oxford where they will be studying. We get some not really enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, and one amazing bookshop date that I would love to have in real life.

I didn't realize this was a part of a series and I read it like a standalone. I'm sure the side characters would add more to the story with that background. Overall, it's a very cute story. A perfect vacation/ pool side read.

Trigger/Content Warnings:anxiety, panic attacks, loss of a parent, comments on weight and body image, brief gun violence.

I absolutely adored Laura Bradbury's OXFORD STAR. This is a delightful contemporary romance featuring Jack, an anxiety-ridden rock star, and Lucy, whom he "betrayed" four years ago. She never got over it. He's never forgotten her. When they unexpectedly meet again at Oxford University, sparks fly.

Not good ones, alas, as Lucy wants never to see him again. Yet Jack, barely surviving constant panic attacks, sees her as someone he can trust and really love. They've both made decisions to support their families in unhealthy ways. Now they have a chance to change.

I loved their slow burn romance, the beautifully described Oxford setting where she's studying law and he astrophysics, their vibrant skulk (classmates who become their tribe), the authentic way in which the author handles mental health issues (she herself suffers from anxiety). The idiosyncratic characters. The wit. The poignance. Really, EVERYTHING!

OXFORD STAR is highly recommended for anyone seeking a fun romantic escape. Brava, Laura! You are an auto-read author for me now.

I was very excited to read Oxford Star by Laura Bradbury. She is a new-to-me author and I looked forward to getting to know her. Oxford Star was pretty good. It was very light and an easy read; definitely the kind of book you bring to the pool or beach. I kind of thought some of the dialogue was overdone and the book was a little bit overwritten. It dragged a little in the middle and because the main characters spent so much time in their own heads, it just didn’t seem like a lot of character chemistry. I visited the authors website and there are a few other books I’m to check out and I look forward to doing so! Overall the book was decent and I look forward to her others.

Special thanks to Net Galley and Grape books for this advanced reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

*thank you netgalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest review*
THIS BOOK IS INCREDIBLE! A LOVELY QUICK READ :)

This book contains childhood friends to enemies to lovers which I really enjoyed. One is a hardworking, independent, stressed out pre-law student and the other is an anxious, secretly nerdy, rich popstar. I loved seeing their dynamic together and the importance of mental health within this book---especially depicted in a male character.

5/5 stars

Thanks so much to Grape Books and Laura Bradbury for the ARC! Music, rockstars, and steamy romances always make for a good read. I couldn’t get enough of Jack and Lucy’s story! This was an easy quick read for myself and can’t wait to read more from Laura! This is definitely one I would recommend to everyone.

Than ks to Grape Books, Netgalley and the author for an ARC of this book. I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.

This was such a funny, touching and swoony book - I could not put it down. Once I started it in the morning then went to work I read during my breaks and lunch, after work and after dinner because I was enjoying it so much. And now I am sad to have finished and want to read everything by this author ever.

I don't want to give too much away about the plot but this is a second-chance romance. Jack has been in love with Lucy forever but then he kind of stole her dream and left to become a famous musician. Lucy never really forgave him but when they reunite in Oxford they begin to understand each other and Lucy sees herself as Jack as always seen her. I loved the other characters - they were absolutely enchanting. The romance element is the perfect blend between sweet and smoking hot.
I loved it. The end.

A lighthearted romance about young love reconnecting after betrayal and a bit of growing up. Really enjoyed the cast of characters and am looking forward to reading the first book in the series and any sequels.

It was so easy to connect with Lucy, the issues she has shouldered with her family, and her body image. I feel like she's the most fleshed-out of our lead characters as she's easy to relate to and root for from page 1. While Jack is dealing with his own personal issues that make the reader very empathetic towards his plight it's his romance "issues" that have a tendency to pop up at the most inappropriate of times that make him a bit cringy. That being said their chemistry was great and as a couple you want them to have their Happily Ever After.

Other than some typos the story flowed really well even with the curveball at the very end, I'd have liked to see what Prof. Speedman did to Gary in the end just because I can easily imagine her eviscerating him in court. Can't wait to read the sequel and see which of the skulk we get to tag along with next!

Thanks, NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC for an honest review.

Jack and Lucy are two unforgettable characters. Their story has depth, intricacies, and heart. I couldn’t put it down once I started reading! The depth was captivating and wasn’t as predictable as expected from a modern romance novel.

After reading Unlikely Match by Laura, I was excited to read this one (although I never read Oxford Wild). I liked this book and I am glad I read it.

One thing that I didn't like was the drama piece at the end. To me it was just random and I feel like it didn't fit the story. There really was no evidence or scenes that would lead up to this and it was just kind of thrown in. (Don't want to explicitly say what the drama piece was, as to not spoil anything.)

I loved the anxiety rep in this. As someone who deals with anxiety on a daily basis, it is nice to have characters you can relate to, especially when it is accurately represented.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend to Laura Bradbury fans. Also, you can definitely read this without reading Oxford Wild.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

It is a second chance/friends to lovers romance that was a really light, fun and romantic read. I loved the dual POV because in that way I was able to connect and better understand each character with their strengths,flaws and fears.
Lucy was forced to become an adult and take charge of her family at only eleven years old, thus leaving herself and her dreams to disappear under all her responsibilities. From the very first pages it is clear that she has the weight of the world on her shoulders without having the slightest idea of all the things she would be capable of doing if she were just a little more selfish .. and that is why I loved her slow change: page after page you can see Lucy grow up,open up to new possibilities,to love herself and to live.
Jack on the other hand has the life Lucy has always dreamed of and suffers from panic attacks.He is a cinnamon roll of a person who keeps getting manipulated by the people around him a ,starting right from sui parents,and whose mental health is promptly ignored. And that is precisely why Jack finally decides to take charge of his life and pursue what is best for him.
Jack and Lucy together are a spark: in fact, I liked how between squabbles they both grew up revealing themselves to be each other's support: Jack being able to make Lucy see his own potential and Lucy being able to support him during his crises and make him realize that it is not too late to get the life he always wanted.
in short, it was a read that although initially a bit slow was still able to keep me glued to the pages end to end. I loved Lucy and Jack with their growth, but I also loved all the secondary characters who provided a great supporting cast! In addition, all of the issues covered were described in a real and accurate way making it easy to empathize with the characters and find myself moving and smiling with them!

Thanks to Netgalley and Grape Books for the copy.

This was a cute romance!

This book is a kind of second-chance romance between a rock star and the girl he wronged but was in love with since before he was famous. They meet again in the oasis of Oxford University as he is escaping the life that he thought he wanted and she is escaping feeling like the sole responsible for her mum and sister, after her father passed away. The book deals with topics like anxiety, as well as the difficult decision between being pragmatic and following your dreams.

Overall, I thought the book was good, but I thought there was something missing. I couldn't really connect as much as I wanted to the characters. I especially thought the characters that made their circle of friends fell flat for me. However, it's a nice read if you can look past these elements.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grape Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you Netgalley, Laura Bradbury, and publishers for gifting me a copy of Oxford Star in return for my honest review.

3.5/5

TW- Panic Attacks, Anxiety

This book reminded me of a soap opera. Which to me wasn't a bad thing, who doesn't like to just sit back and enjoy some drama? There was so much going on with this book and you honestly did know where it was going to take you next! Again not a bad thing in my eyes. It was a very easy, bingable read that I enjoyed from start to end.

Lusy has decided that the best way to support her family is to take a scholarship and get a law degree from Oxford. On the plane ride over who is sitting next to her but the boy who broke her heart, and her confidence, when he ditched her half an hour before her big audition. Lucy is understandably mad and what she doesn't know is that it is Jack's biggest regret. Lucy is even madder when she finds out that not only is Jack going to be joining her at Oxford he got in due to him being friends with one of the big wigs at the college. Will Lucy get her confidence and start pursuing her dreams of singing? Will Jack overcome his panic attacks and finally start living the life he wants?

The characters were well-written and I could feel how much they each cared for the other. I wasn't sold on the reason why Lucy wasn't following her dreams. I got it but to a point, I just wished she had grown a backbone. Jack was the same, I could feel his pain through Laura's writing and it made me fall in love with him.

I also really enjoyed the secondary characters and I can't wait to go back and read the first book in this series! This did read like a standalone, but I'm looking forward to getting to know some of the background characters that I loved having their own book.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Im going to jump straight into the review. Plotwise, i think it was slow-paced, with a lot of fillers which is great for elaboration aspects. However, some of the fillers felt unnecessary and made the book lengthy. I would love it if it was shorter instead. Next, the characters. Personally i didn't really like Lucy. She's amazing, confident and i do like that about her. But something just rubbed me in the wrong way. Maybe the way she speaks with Jack kinda pissed me off. I understand she had a grudge (which was valid) and hatred against Jack for what he did to her, but the fact that she thought only her that is miserable and Jack has it all makes her look unlikable to me. But other characters made me enjoyed the book so it redeemed that part. I guess I had a different perspective with this one. Nonetheless I did enjoyed the love story.

I loved the "Canadian goes to Oxford" plot in Oxford Wild, so I was really excited to get more of that in Oxford Star. This time we have Newfoundlanders unexpectedly ending up there together, which gives them an opportunity for second chance romance, culture shock for Oxford's ways, and great chances to drop Newfie references (like, did you know there is a town in Newfoundland called Dildo? I've actually been there!).

Lucy and Jack both endeared themselves to me quickly. I identified strongly with Jack's panic and anxiety disorder (his "square" breaths), and need for a career change in part due to his mental health. I really appreciate when this is handled well in fiction and Laura Bradbury does that wonderfully. Lucy's grief journey, self image as a curvy girl, and need to take care of everyone else before herself (even if it means putting aside her own dream) were pain points I loved watching her work through.

The romance was believable and sweet, and the spice was just right. The stargazing night on the roof? Yes, please!

I thought Lucy in the sky with (as) a diamond was a pretty wonderful conclusion.

I will definitely be recommending this book to my audience and look forward to more from Laura Bradbury.

Oxford Star by Laura Bradbury

I received a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for review. My opinions are my own.

5/5 stars

I LOVED this second-chance love story. Could not put it down. If I had the time, I would have finished it in one day. Alas, work called my name, and I begrudgingly finished it in a couple of days.

I loved this story of Lucy and Jack, where they reconnect at Oxford University after a four year hiatus. They had been very close in high school but circumstances had pulled them apart. Jack has since become a pop star while Lucy is a practical woman attempting to earn a law degree. This book chronicles how they end up back together.

Oxford Star had the perfect amount of smut without being overly done, in case sex isn’t your thing.

Loved this book.

Jack and Lucy and Oxford - three central characters! Laura Bradbury has so much obvious affection for these two, and for the city of Oxford and the college experience. The details about college life flesh out this light and charming romance. Not everything works perfectly (there’s a lot going on!) but this steamy and fun romance was a hit for me 🥰

Thanks so very much to NetGalley for the ARC.

This was a cute celebrity romance / enemies to lovers read! It was cute and short, very nicely paced. All of the characters were likable. This is the first book I've read by this author, but it definitely encouraged me to buy her first book so I can get more of the whole skulk (the amazing group of friends). I demolished this book in two sittings (thankfully I had time to read on a plane because I did not want to put this down!). I also loved how there was plus size representation without it being a plot point. I love seeing women like me in books just confidently living their lives. I also loved that this book took place at Oxford, it gave me wanderlust which I love! Thank you to NetGalley for this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 ⭐️!

Wow, what a wonderful and cute romance was it with some healthy dose of emotions and depth.

A world famous Rockstar with millions of adoring fans but secretly struggling with crippling anxiety + a curvy, bold and intelligent heroine who gives as good as she gets and can sing like an angel? I loved this pairing.

Jack and Lucy was so in sync with each other and had a strong connection. I loved how their story progressed and all that romantic gestures of Jack.
And that dreamy friends group they got… sigh! Loved the name for their group-SKULK (a group of fox).

There is something about a story that set in Britain that push all my buttons. I loved the charming way all the British slang, people, geography and alleys were portrayed.
Oh, and I hated Gary!

I didn’t give it full stars because Jack didn’t check on Lucy even once after he got famous, even though they were very good friends and secretly loved each other. Their meeting again was pure coincidence.

Overall a very well written romance with charming backdrop, deep characters, angst, self discovery, friendship and finding love again and fighting for it.

Recommended.

Laura messaged us to offer us an ARC of this book, but we had already got one on netgalley! We were so interested in it. Just look at this cover-Adorable. The setting is Oxford University, a favourite of both Amy and mine. The characters: a famous rock star with crippling anxiety and a plus sized heroine who gave up her dreams to support her family.

This book is fantastic. It’s a rockstar + regular girl, enemies to lovers, fake dating, second chance romance, that’s a slow burn but so spicy. The chemistry between Jack and Lucy is phenomenal! There’s a twist at the end that I never saw coming. Throw in a bookstore sleepover, and stargazing on a roof and I am head over heels for this book.

This is the second book in the Oxford series, but can be read as a stand alone. You know I like to read series out of order. It’s just one of my quirks.