This book has an excellent concept and such good anxiety representation, but really fell flat. I love the idea of a rockstar, who is a secret nerd, hiding away at Oxford for a term. Lucy was a decent attempt at a plus size FMC with a ton of baggage. However, there was no spark in their romance and it felt very forced. The romance scenes themselves were very cringy along with how often Jack got hard at the weirdest things and nearly all the time. The ending was really so forced and odd; it had no place in the story and was just added for drama. Overall, the cringiness of the characters weren’t worth the time I spent reading this. 2.5⭐️, 3🌶

This was such an enjoyable read. Lucy and Jack made such an adorable couple, felt like they're great for each other. One thing I liked the most was that I could feel the betrayal Lucy felt regarding what happened. Lucy is a relatable character and I love the representation she brings to the story and to the readers; Jack has anxiety and I kind of like how he isn't portrayed to be anxious all the time. That's realistic. He can have anxiety and still have a social life. The story was nice overall, and I loved the ending. It really brought us back to the title ❤️ I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy second-chance enemies-to-lovers fake-dating celebrity romance. I enjoyed it fairly well and think it's worth a shot!

Whilst it is a slow burner, the book tour he's on subjects like anxiety and panic attacks in such an informative way it was a beautiful read.

I LOVE famous guy, regular girl trope and was so excited to read this! It was a slow burn and I was just along for the ride. I also enjoyed the representation of anxiety and how the panic attacks were cautiously handled.

3.5 stars

Oxford Star is a light and easy romance story that manages to tackle some not so light and easy issues.

Lucy had dreams of singing professionally but those were thwarted when her friend and crush, Jack, lets her down in a big way. To add insult, Jack is now an internationally famous music sensation and Lucy is stuck trying to support her struggling mom and sister.

Lucy is heading off to Oxford to gain a fast track law degree in the hopes of providing long term security to her family when she encounters Jack again, four years after his betrayal. Forced proximity and friends to enemies to lovers hijinks follow.

This book seemed to drag a bit at the beginning but it picked up in the middle. The ending was a bit "that came out of nowhere" though and was kind of awkward.

The characters were sweet and likeable. I appreciated the inclusion of Jack's battle with panic and anxiety disorder and that Lucy was a realistic size 16 but sexy as hell! These were not your typical romance novel heros/heroines.

Thanks to Grape Books and NetGalley for providing an ARC for my review.

loved the other book from Laura Bradbury and this was another good one. i like where the other book had gone with Oxford and this was a good one. I really enjoyed this and will read more of her books. Go and read it today.

I am a sucker for all things boy band, so when I read the summary of this book, I knew that it was going to be right up my alley! Jack is the star of an international boy band who has a history with Lucy. Jack and Lucy used to sing together and it all ended when Jack didn't show up to Lucy's audition for Canada's Got Talent. Fast forward 4 years and Jack and Lucy coincidentally reunite on an airplane on the way to England where the two plan to study at Oxford. This story has tropes of enemies to lovers, close proximity, fake lovers and of course rock star romance.

I loved this story because it takes a unique twist on the typical love story. The female main character, Lucy, is plus size and the male main character, Jack struggles with anxiety. Throughout the story you get to read about both characters journey to overcome their struggles while also of course, falling in love.

I will say that the ending of this book is a little weird, and I could have done without the little drop of crime. But other than that, this book is another perfect beach read.

It's so difficult to find compelling romance stories set on a college campus, or at least with college-age characters. This coming of age love story included all of my favorite tropes and plot lines: enemies to lovers, mental health rep, a second chance romance (but with protagonists in their twenties for a change!), and fake dating. This novel brings the drama of a high stakes fantasy romance book but keeps it within the bounds of a contemporary story. It's so unusual to find a book with positive and realistic depictions of anxiety from a male character's POV, and that's really what drew me in. Having a plus size heroine who actually holds her own and knows her worth made this book all the more enticing for me. I can't wait to start talking about "Oxford Star" on BookTok!

An absolutely enjoyable read.

Friends to “enemies” to friends to lovers? I loved it.
Had just enough of a pull to keep me reading. The pull between the two characters was good and made me route for them.

If you’re looking for a charming, cozy, modern romance book than look no further. I read the authors note and it confirmed what I suspected while reading, that she knows what it’s like to navigate the world as a size 16 and with panic. It’s the first time in awhile I haven’t cringed at a romance describing mental health and bigger bodies like they are just trends to be talked about.

I really enjoyed the characters, the ode to the east coast of Canada, and the warmth of the characters. The concept of stardom was wholesome and corny in the best way.

Thank you to NetGallery & Laura Bradbury and the publisher for the ARC of this charming story.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Laura Bradbury for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! As someone with anxiety/panic disorder I was really intrigued by the description. The story was enjoyable the whole way through and there were lots of unexpected twists.

Okay, so I love both of these MCs!! We have Lucy, curvy/plus size girl with singing pipes for days who goes to Oxford to get her law degree because it's more practical. We have Jack, her one who got away (but more like went away and broke her heart and trust) to be a rock star but is also at Oxford for a term to study his real academic love: astrology. I've been slowly figuring out that second chance romances are some of my faves because there's already history and chemistry for our MCs and there is often no 3rd act breakup. Loved this book, loved that Laura has first hand knowledge of Oxford (it shows), and love the music aspect. So thankful for this ARC!

There's a line where Lucy thinks to herself how easy her connection with Jack as always been: "There you are. Took you long enough to find me." SWOON!!

Thank you NetGalley and Laura Bradbury for providing me the early copy of this book.

This was a very light-read, sweet and slow-burn romance. A kind of book that definitely can be read in one sitting, which was basically what happened when I started reading it on my flight to London (what are the odds!)

The story follows Jack Seary - a world-famous rock star - may I also add handsome and hot and wanted by millions of women out there, - whose passion is actually astronomy and not singing. When Jack decides to take a small break from his crazy-popular life and dedicate a semester at Oxford to study what he's always wanted, never in his wildest dreams did he imagine he'd encounter Lucy Snow there. A long lost friend who sees him nothing more but a person who destroyed her dreams.

Lucy Snow's dream has always been singing. This is a passion she inherited from her father and the one she was not able to make come true. Actually, no other than Jack himself made it impossible for Lucy, and from that little "incident" she long forbid herself to dream of ever becoming a successful singer.
So when she gets selected to study Law at Oxford for a semester - a great opportunity to be able to provide for and care for her mother and her little sister, - the decision is obvious. Imagine Lucy's surprise when she finds out that the person studying at the same place, during the exact same time, is no other than Jack freaking Seary? How on Earth is she supposed to spend whole eight weeks in his presence?!

TW: death of a parent, panic attacks, anxiety, attempted murder.

Jack deals with panic attacks and anxiety almost on a daily basis, and I liked how this book approached this sensitive subject.
Lucy - very confident, knows her value, strong, definitely not your usual "sunshine" character whom I loved! Yes, Luce!

Overall this was a very cute, second-chance romance and a perfect Sunday read (or, in my case, a perfect flight read - especially when flying to the UK!).

Oxford Star is a perfect follow up book to Oxford Wild. I loved the intertwined characters that are reintroduced to us in this story and carry the same amount of lovability and emotional investment as they did in Wild. Oxford Star is a sweet story of 2 friends and could have been lovers who fell out of touch after a fall out. An out of the blue run in, date bringing them back together where they are forced to hash out the past, and help each other through their personal demons. As they learn who they are now, they realize what life together really means. This book is wonderful written. It is full of love, laughter and spice, you won’t want to miss out!

Thank you NetGalley and Grape Books Books for giving me the chance to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion! This book follows Lucy and Jake (double pov YEAHHHH) who reconnect after not seeing each other for four years due to going to college at the same school. I absolutely loved this story. I felt the chemistry between them and Jake made me blush so much. I would definitely recommend this book if you are looking for a cute romantic book that is also about anxiety and panic attacks, not being yourself because you put other people before yourself and putting yourself under too much pressure because of others

I must admit this was my first rockstar romance read, and it didn't disappoint.
The characters, despite one of them being a worldwide star, are relatable. I found the subject of anxiety treated very well.
The book starts right off too, which I appreciated. The tone is given right off, in those first pages, and the tension builds off it. Their banter is a pleasure to read. I loved Jack and Lucy's dynamic.

The only things that made me give it 4 stars is that I had more trouble understanding Lucy's arc/motivations, and I felt the ending was a little off, to my taste.
It's still a highly enjoyable read!

Review:
A rock star who wants to be a space nerd and should've been a rock star trying to convince herself to be a lawyer have some unresolved issues when they are thrown together at Oxford. I liked the idea of the plot in this book. Lucy and Jack as characters are interesting and compelling with their own wants and motivations, but there are quite few plot holes that made me confused and I kept waiting for the answers to help the story finally make sense. Unfortunately, most of those outstanding questions didn't get answered.
I genuinely enjoyed this read, but some of the plots were outlandish and took me out of the main setting.

Synopsis:
A Harry-Styles-famous rock star takes refuge from crippling panic attacks at Oxford University, only to find himself face to face with the crush whose life he ruined.
JACK: Rock stars shouldn't suffer from debilitating panic attacks, but I'm barely hanging on by my famous fingernails. That's why I leverage the name I despise to study my childhood love of astronomy. Just one term at Oxford? Problem solved. Too bad my pre-stardom life reappears to haunt me in the form of Lucy Snow, the sharp-tongued, opulent-bodied woman I can't seem to forget. This would be the perfect opportunity to make amends for stealing her fantasy four years ago, except Lucy's love for me has turned to loathing. When she refuses my financial help, I have a wonderful, dangerous idea…
LUCY: Jack Seary stole my dream of a singing career and made it his reality. When he trampled my heart, he also taught me a lesson: being selfless and hardworking makes me Cinderella without the goddamn glass slipper. Now this infuriating thief of a man thinks I'll pretend to be his girlfriend to dispel tabloid rumors? Ha!
Oxford Star is an enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, second chance, celebrity / rock star romance with a plus sized heroine and panic / anxiety rep. Brace yourself for a SLOW-BURN (but steamy!) romance that explores the complexity of love, dreams, and redemption under the dreaming spires of Oxford University.

“She was home. She was an irresistible dare. She was a crackling bonfire. We just fit. ‘My shooting star,’ I murmured,“

I was approved for an ARC for this just days before it came out so I wasn’t sure if I’d get to it, but having just finished it I am so glad I did - what a wonderful and delightful book.

Friends to betrayed and reluctant enemies to confidants to friends to fake dating partners to lovers? Add some lovely friends and wild twists? Sign me up.

This was such a sweet and delightful contemporary romance. It’s definitely one I will be recommending to anyone who is willing to listen, because I had such a good time reading it.

Please note - this is a sequel to Oxford Wild though it is not marked as one in a series. I wish I had known that because I did find myself confused wondering why it seemed like I was missing something with Cedar and Alfie, but I look forward to learning their story too.

My only critique of this book is no fault of the story itself - it just really could use a good edit. I believe it is self published? In which case I completely understand why it might still need some love. But there were a lot of typos and missed quotation marks that made me stumble through reading. It really do hope it can get the love it deserves to make it truly perfect.

Despite this, I loved this story. I recommend giving it a chance. Jack and Lucy have a lovely little spot in my heart.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Didn’t love it but didn’t hate it. It had a promising start but after awhile I found that it got a bit boring, still overall a cute rom-com.

Great opener to the book that just sucked me in. Life at the Oxford college was really well described and it felt real and present. Jacks rock star life worked a little less well but still a great read,