Have you ever had a story that kinda just hung in the air after you finish it? Like the last note of a powerful chorus echoing through an auditorium? This was that kind of story for me. There was something so deep and meaningful about the way this author wove God’s pursuit of our hearts with the fantastic stories of light in the darkness that were told to Lucy and Dash. Full review is at my website.

I received this book complimentary as a member of the author’s launch team. I was not required to give a positive review. All of the opinions I have expressed here are honest and my own.

5-stars is not enough for this phenomenal story! I sit here awash in blissful wonder and my words fail to do justice to this light-filled work of art, for a work of art this story truly is! Finely crafted with expert care, filled with the heart and soul of the author who penned it; this author who has clearly allowed God to fill her heart and guide her pen.

Crafted with light and love, this story is one that absolutely can not be missed! This story has woven itself around my heart, and I’m all the better for having experienced and lived this story! These dynamic characters feel like family now and are sure to live in my heart for a long time to come!

(While I received a complimentary digital copy from the publisher, I purchased a print copy of this book for my personal library. I am not required to write a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)

What a fascinating tale. By the time I finished, I absolutely loved how all the pieces fit together. I appreciated the value placed on the life story of each character and how their lives intertwined. There were layers of lessons about forgiveness, sacrifice, truth and God Himself woven within this well researched story of adventure. I especially enjoyed the touches of humor and romance. For each reminder that when you find yourself in the dark, one only needs to look for the light, I am very grateful. Amanda Dykes has truly written a tribute to the power of story and the importance of remembering. I will certainly be recommending this book to individuals, as well as, groups for discussion. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Words cannot aptly describe this fabulous novel that lifts the reader from ordinary days to the height of wonder, adventure, and what many call impossible. The author is a natural storyteller, drawing the reader in with engaging, delightful characters with unplumbed depths and a riveting tale that begins over 200 years ago with a lad, a telescope, a shepherd, and a fiery sprite in East Sussex, England. Ultimately, it is about God, who continues “pursuing you with tenderest grace.”

The watchmaker and story keeper, Simon, and his wife have one daughter, Lucy, raised far different than her peers in the early 21st century. She has more than any girl could want in terms of a loving, close-knit family. Simon spent evenings telling stories and riddles. When she was ten, her family welcomed Dash, an orphan from America who lives with his aunt in the flats Simon is caretaker for. Like Lucy, Dash is very well-read. He is as obsessed with the lights in the sky as Lucy is with maps and oceans. The stories Simon tells mesmerize Dash also, and he becomes like a member of the family. Simon teaches what he knows of the stars and helps them build a telescope.

After the death of her mother, Lucy and her father recover as best as they can. Dash and Lucy are good for each other, special companions. Until the day he did not come at the usual time. The door of the flat he and his aunt lived in was open, and a note for her on the table. His aunt moved them to America, and he would write to her. The hurt and loss cut deeply, and the solitary girl grew into a solitary young woman.

In 1802 East Essex, Frederick is a ten-year-old boy growing up at Edgecliffe Estate. His bitter, angry father, an admiral in a long line of Navy men, was injured and no longer able to serve in the Napoleonic battles. Frederick did not know what it was like to have a friend. He had a glimpse of what a real family was like when he escaped the estate one night and fell asleep. He was found by a shepherd, a tenant of his father, and breakfasted with his wife and daughter. When he collapsed of the fever that killed his mother, the shepherd carried him to the estate. The shepherd later died of the fever, and Frederick determined to find a help his daughter and later, the man of her heart.

This is a novel best enjoyed by slowly savoring, even re-reading, a beautiful Christian classic. One will ponder the beautiful images and ideas of prose that sings, for moments of the sheer wonder we lose in the weariness of daily living. See how lives are entwined from one generation, one century, to those far off in the future.

While I am not always a fan of dual-timeline novels, this author does an excellent job as she glides from one to the other. Each transition between the 19th and 21st century is easy for the reader. Spiritual lessons abound and may be different for each reader. One thing for certain is that most will put this on their “to keep” shelf. I highly recommend this novel to everyone who ponders whether the Lord is present in our lives, who seeks a childlike wonder and adventure, and enjoys historical and contemporary fiction. Reach for the stars and find His hand!

From a thankful heart: I received a copy of this from the author, publisher, and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.

This book took me a little bit to really feel connected but “Oh” once I did I could hardly put it down. I was so wanting to find out what happened next. A split-timeline that was heart-felt. I really was invested with both story lines and by the time it switched I was all “into” which one I was reading. I was really surprised about a certain incident but I don’t want to give too much away. I was so proud of a certain person and I don’t know if I could have done “that”. A love and loyalty as this is hard to find and it really happened with both stories. I loved Dash and Lucy, they were like a breath of fresh air, not too much romance but seemingly just right. The author knew just how to tie these stories together to give us hope and light.
I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and was not required to write a positive review. All opinions are my own.

I’m not sure I can find the words to adequately describe just how beautifully written this novel is. If you have had the pleasure of reading any of this authors work, you already know she is truly gifted. In this dual time line novel she has crafted an amazing story with incredible characters. This book should be read slowly because you do not want to miss one single word that she has written. That was difficult for me to do because I am a fast reader but I truly had to slow down or I found myself going back to read certain paragraphs again.

I loved the strong sense of family and friends throughout but what I loved most of were the finely crafted characters that will stay with me for a long time This was a perfect book to read to escape the heat and everything that is going on in the world right now. Amanda Dykes is an incredible storyteller and one of my must-read authors.
I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley. All onions are my own.

Oh my goodness! This story is beautifully told, the settings, history, and characters coming alive with each sentence. I love Amanda Dyke’s writing and her unique ability to pull readers into the novel with such ease. I don’t think I have ever highlighted so many great quotes in one book! I cried in the first chapter (and several chapters thereafter!) as the characters became so authentic to me almost immediately. I love their achingly realistic backgrounds, their human-like flaws, and their genuine growth in the story. I also really enjoyed the creativity of the storyline and the way the plot flowed together and eventually connected several unique pieces. There are so many layers in the novel and I was easily lost in the tale late into the night as I unpacked its storyline. The spiritual themes and truths are deep and applicable. I loved this book so much and it will definitely be in one of my top reads this year! I highly recommend this novel and cannot wait to see what this author pens next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

After just finishing Set the Stars Alight, I am awestruck at this tale of hope, wonder, and light. The author has a way of wonder with words in this book and her previous novel. I loved her previous novel, Whose Waves These Are, and was anxiously awaiting this new story. I predict this time split novel by Mrs. Dykes is going to be another triumphant success. She is able to weave two different time frames (and stories) together so that the novel transitions smoothly throughout. Readers will be on a race to the finish to determine what is going to unfold. She interweaves inspiration and the Creator throughout the story. One of my favorite quotes was, “When things seem dark, Lucy, that’s when you fight for the light.” In this year of struggles for many people, this is a poignant reminder for us to choose to fight for the light when everything seems dark. She reminds us that God is always there, will never forget us, and is constantly pursuing us. Many times, we only see the darkness, not realizing that our Creator gave us the light in the skies at night to offset the darkness and give us a glimpse of the light for the One who has come and is coming again. The present-day tale focuses on Lucy and Dash, two childhood friends who have been told stories upon stories from her dad. The story in the past is about Frederick Hanford, a known betrayer of England who left behind a mystery that fascinates Lucy. Together they seek to discover how to set the stars alight. I highly recommend this novel! I promise you will not be disappointed!
***I was given a free electronic copy of this book from the publisher. This is my honest opinion. Even though I received this copy free, this is my own opinion.

I don’t even know what to say about this book except it was magical. After reading the first book by this author I had been waiting expectantly for the next one to come out. I didn’t think there was any way she could begin to come close to enrapturing me the way she did with the first book. I was WRONG! It took me way too long to read this book due to work and other stuff getting in the way but once I was captured my life took a back burner. I can’t wait to see what this author does next! She is in my top 5 favorites and is now on my “purchase her books the second you can” with Nicolas Sparks and Charles Martin.

Thank you so much netgalley for the advanced copy of this book. I wasn’t sure how I was going to be able to wait any longer to read it! The review is my own.

I had the privilege of receiving an early e-copy of this book, and it has been such a breath of peace and hope in the midst of a pandemic and unrest from social injustice in our world. Set the Stars Alight doesn’t ignore the reality of the darkness, but this beautiful story nonetheless urges us to “fight for the light,” ultimately because of the God who is “coming, and coming, and coming” for us. From a coastal English farmhouse in the 21st century to the windswept moors and castles of the early 19th, this novel sweeps us away with endearing characters, exquisite prose, and a heart that encourages ours not to give up hope, but join the Creator in “setting the stars alight” with it instead. I loved Amanda’s first novel, Whose Waves These Are, but I think this one has touched my heart even more deeply…or maybe it just is such a story for such a time as this. Pick up a copy of this story…I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

"In a world as dark as this, people forget how to see the light, so we need to remind them by telling the truth, paying attention...setting the stars alight."
Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes takes readers on journey in time. Beginning briefly in 1987 London, moving forward to 2000 London, backward to 1802 Sussex and spending several years in each time frame, finishing up in 2020 Sussex. All in an effort to solve the mystery of a lost ship, you will not become lost in the transitions, but will enjoy your time spent in each era. Along the way, you will meet some unusual characters, and grow to love them as dear friends. A family connected by the past, friends connected in the present. Amanda tells the story in the style of the great authors from days gone by, so much so that sometimes you will wonder if you're reading classic literature. She paints beautiful pictures with her words. You will be caught up in the story as if you are there by the shore, or there at the caretaker's cottage at Candlewick Commons. You will begin to piece together clues to solve the mystery, but when you get to the end, you will never believe where you find the answers. So step into the pages, find out about He who hung the stars and His love for those living beneath them, no matter what century they're in.
*Note, I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own, and a positive review was not required.

#Set the Stars Alight# by Amanda Dykes is an historical , romance and Christian fiction novel. The story is a time split story with the story going back and forth between 2020 and 200 years ago. Frederick lived in the early 1800s. and his story is told . The story in 2020 is with Lucy and Dachel. They grew up together hearing the watchmaker stories from Lucy's father who was a watchmaker. The themes of love, sacrifice, mystery, forgiveness, action are seen throughout the book. The book is carefully researched. The poetry is carefully written adding a special touch to the book. The reader is drawn into the mystery when the reader goes back and forth with the time split story. There are Christian values and character traits are woven into the story. An example of the Christian values and traits is this quote. "God is the pursuer of your heart , Lucy," Dad had said. "He is coming, and coming, and coming after you. In every sunset, in every snatach of birdsong. In everything that stirs deep into you and makes you hungry for bigger things, eternal things. That is Him, pursuing you with tenderest grace. In the places so hard they wring your soul. In the places so beautiful they steal your breath. He is there, filling your soul, giving you breath." It is beautiful that Lucy's Dad took the time to remind her to watch for God's touch and care of her all around her. He cares for us and we often do not stop to see it. I appreciate the author weaving God's love for the character into the story. Thank you to netgalley, the publisher, the author for allowing me to read and review this book. the opinions are my own. The book is well written and a rich story. I hope the book is a success. I look forward to sharing my review on Goodreads, facebook, my blog, Amazon, bookbub. and with church staff.

I really wanted to love this book, but it was just ok. The changing timelines was a lot to follow and the story was very detail-oriented. A few times when skimming I got completely lost--as in, wait, who died?? That being said, the complexity of the story does make it beautiful. I just needed things to be a little more straightforward at times (tired mom here).

But, if you like complex historical fiction Christian romance books you will probably enjoy this book. Just don't skim!

Thanks publishers & Netgally for the free e-arc!

** “The world is dark, so dark we sometimes forget the stars. But they are always there — we need only fight to see these places of brilliant light, these echoes of the truest story. Of a man who gave his life for another — and of a Man, centuries before him, who gave His life for the world. The One who is coming … and coming … and coming after you. Fighting for your heart. Every breath a gift.” **

Sometimes a book so deeply touches your soul, there simply just aren’t words to describe it. Such is “Set the Stars Alight,” a dual time novel by Amanda Dykes.

Hope. Wonder. Light. Coming home. “Set the Stars Alight” is a beautifully lyrical story that follows the lives of two characters — Frederick Hanford, who lived in the early 1800s, and Lucy Claremont, whom we follow from childhood to adulthood in 2020.

When Lucy’s love for the sea, and the desire to find the historic missing ship the Jubilee, brings her back into contact with her childhood friend, star-loving Dash Greene, they come together to search for the missing ship and discover its connection to Frederick, now known as a traitor.

We also follow Frederick’s story, from childhood when he dreams of working on a ship to the day where he is makes the ultimate sacrifice when found guilty of committing treason while serving aboard the HMS Avalon.

Dykes develops wonderful characters and worlds within her novel. Besides Lucy and Dash, she creates a fun and homey seaside farm environment with the intriguing Sophie, Clara and Violette; and from the 1800s, Frederick and his friends Elias and Juliette are plucky and inspirational.

“Set the Stars Alight” tells the story of love, light, sacrifice and hope, while offering deep and amazing themes, like focusing on the steadfast components in life, like the stars; take note of the true and good, while finding the miracles; defeat hopelessness by doing something within your circumstances; grief sneaks out of hidden exits; we don’t always know what to do when something is broken; the God who created the stars and the sea certainly cares for us; and making the impossible possible.

A huge theme of this novel is light — being the light, seeking the light, sharing the light. It reminds us that we need to show people the light (“In a world as dark as ours, we — that is, people — forget how to see the light. So we remind them by telling the truth, fighting the dark, paying attention … setting the stars alight. There are things shining brightly all along, if we will notice.”) It also encourages us to fight for the light when things seem dark.

Dykes writes her latest novel in a beautifully lyrical manner: “Flames — crackling hearth fire in winter months, pirouetting candlelight in the summer” and “ ‘Fabled over time’ — as if stories changed and grew, facts and twists sprinkling upon them like sweet white confectioner’s sugar from Clara’s sifter."

“Set the Stars Alight” is a beautiful, soul-touching story and I loved every minute of it.

Five stars out of five.

Bethany House Publishers provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

A complex split-time tale. A mystery. The tenderest love story between two childhood kindred spirits that eventually blossoms into a forever love. "It was what it meant to be seen. To have one's heart held."

Amanda has written a richly layered story of loss, hope, truth, and wonder. Interwoven throughout are lines of our Father God's pursuit of us, his children. "The God of the stars... He is coming, and coming, and coming after you. Always. The heart of a father who will never forget his daughter." The book illustrates sacrificial love and what it means to forgive.

As with other split-time novels, I found the beginning challenging to make sense of. I plodded along, as I have had to with some of the best literature, including Austen, believing a good story was about to unfold. And this novel delivered beautifully! Ms. Dykes has written an enthralling tale that pulls one in - to its deep treasure of finding light in the darkness. I am happy to recommend this novel - it is one deserving of your attention!

My thanks to Bethany House and NetGalley for an ARC for this my honest review.

Last year I was stunned by the beauty and depth of Amanda Dykes’ writing in Whose Waves These Are (Amazon US & UK). I promoted it as my favorite book for 2019, so I was thrilled to see another release for 2020.

And Set the Stars Alight did not disappoint. Like last year’s release this book spans time, but rather than only going back as far as a living generation it takes us back more than 200 years to the time of the Napoleonic wars weaving connections between the past and the present.

The book is a mystery of sorts: a historical search for a lost ship. Yet, it is also a search for life and family and connection and love. Set the Stars Alight is about the pursuit of dreams, the people that make those dreams matter and the breathtaking beauty of a life lived for the sake of others.

It is a beautifully written and engaging book. I love how it wraps up the framework of the mystery, while leaving a lot to the imagination.

If you are looking for a beautiful and wholesome read then I highly recommend this novel.

And isn’t the cover artwork stunning!

I received a digital pre-release copy of the novel to read for review in exchange for my honest opinion.

In the early 1800s, Frederick grew up as the heir to his family’s estate, but for all its grandeur, his family’s grand house was rather dead inside. His father was singularly minded on preparing him for life at sea and inheriting the estate. Since his mother died, nothing else mattered, including, it seemed, Frederick himself. He learned more about social skills and life from watching and interacting with the shepherds and farmers who worked his family’s land than from his father. Frederick grew up having a strong desire to do the right thing, and was loyal to a fault. So how then did he come to be known in history as a traitor who stole a prison ship and disappeared with a vessel that wasn’t very sea worthy?

In London during the 1980s, a girl named Lucy and her parents befriended an American boy named Dashell who found himself in a new country and suddenly living with distant relatives. Lucy, her mum, and her dad, became like a surrogate family for Dash and poored out on him the love, care, and nurturing he was desperately in need of. From them he learned to dream, find truths in stories, and not be afraid to pursue his passion for the stars. In the present, the years saw Dash and Lucy drift apart through various circumstances, but when she goes to present her proposal to ask for funds to find the missing ship HMS Jubilee that grabbed her attention as a child, Dash suddenly shows up and helps her get extra time to gather evidence to be able to better convince the board to fund her research. Using Dash’s knowledge of the stars, Lucy’s knowledge of archeology, and a little help from a rather secretive guide, they’ve found themselves at Stone’s Throw Farm on the land where the traitor who disappeared with the HMS Jubilee grew up in the early 1800s. What secrets can the land yield that will help Lucy in her quest? Is the story really what it seems? And how will their time together after so many years affect Dash and Lucy?

I could’ve finished this a month ago but I decided to savor this story. Amanda Dykes has just jumped to my insta buy author’s list, and one of the authors I admire most for her way with words and how she weaves themes into her books. I didn’t think she could get better than Whose Waves These Are, but this may be even better! Her writing is consistently magical, rich in characters and themes, and transports you so fully into the characters’ worlds. The whole introduction about Dash and Lucy meeting and growing as children was such a powerfully moving story in itself that I needed a pause afterward to just fully appreciate its beauty and let the emotions settle. You know that phrase “all the feels”? Well this book will give you all the feels. There are moments of deep love, unthinkable tragedy, beauty from ashes, tenderness, anger at injustice, redemption, awkwardness, humor, and righting of wrongs. There are so many deeply moving moments in this book that if you cry easily, you may need 2 boxes of tissues for this book (both for sad and happy tears). I really loved the way the author wove together the stories Lucy’s father told the kids as children, Frederick’s historic tale, and the present mystery of what happened to the HMS Jubilee. It comes together so well. The characters in this book face some very hard things, and they are thoroughly aware that the world is a hard place, but they also end up seeing the way beauty can come from brokenness and that there is hope and redemption in the midst of heartache thanks to the One who holds the world in His hands. The Christian themes are woven intricately through the story but never come off preachy or heavy handed. It’s very natural and artfully done. If you love beautiful writing, emotionally rich stories, and clever weaving of multiple tales into one you’ll definitely want to get your hands on this book. Highly recommended.

Notes on content [based on the ARC]: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a little kiss. Deaths/injuries in war are mentioned but not graphically described, deaths from disease mentioned but also not graphically described, deaths/injuries from accidents mentioned but not graphically described.

I received an ARC of this title from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Pure wonder. That’s the best way to describe the utter brilliance and quiet majesty contained within the pages of this book.

For once I really feel I am at a loss for words. I could go on and detail how I loved the love stories or wax poetic about the writing style or talk about how impressed I was that the author seamlessly connected everything beginning to end. This isn’t one of those books meant to be explained, though. It has to be read, experienced, felt.

Between the story in the present with Lucy & Dash and a story in the past with Frederick, Juliette and Elias, a narrative unfolds that will burrow itself into your heart and blossom there, bringing light, hope and an ache to uncover the simple beauty in the world around us.

For the author this is a true master work. In her author’s note she wonders if the words she types matter and hopes that her words have breathed truth into the life of someone. Well I can reassure you, dear author, you have. Your book reached into my life. This story made me cry, laugh, and smile just when I needed it. Journeying through the lives of these characters brought a warmth to my heart in being reminded of the One who chases after it because, even though they’re fictional, I know the true wonder you wove into their stories is very much real.

I urge everyone to pick up this book. To follow the riddle of the Jubilee with Lucy & Dash. The path of sacrifice and redemption with Frederick. Intersecting and intertwining to create a story bubbling over with awe, reverence and love that will challenge your mind and capture your heart.

Set the Stars Alight is a rich, multilayer story that begins with, Lucy and her parents, a family in London, in modern times and the friendship of a young American boy, Dashel Greene, who has moved around living with one family member and then another. Lucy's parents were his adopted parents and meant so much to him with their rich storytelling that they passed on to Lucy and Dash. After years apart, Lucy and Dash are reunited after her parents have passed. At a time in their careers, their paths crossed. Dash is responsible for that happening.
Two hundred years ago, a couple of young boys are forced to serve on a ship for His Majesty's Navy onboard the HMS Avalon. Their relationship started off in a negative way but they ended up best friends, where one will lay down his life for the other. And a young girl is part of their story.
These two stories are crossed in today's time when Lucy, a marine archaeologist, and Dash, an astrophysicist and forensic astronomer, unite to put their specialties together to find a lost ship, the HMS Jubilee, on the East Sussex coast in England on a small farm with delightful residents.
This is a lovely story about friendship, storytelling, exploration, rich history, puzzles, seeing God's handiwork in the stars, sea, and so much more. I was drawn in and held to the end of this rich story that will stay with you after the book ends. I highly recommend it.
I received a complimentary ARC from Bethany House Publishers through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

To say I was blown away by Amanda Dykes’ first novel would have been an understatement. So it was with eager anticipation that I awaited the release of this book, knowing that I was in for another captivating read. Dykes writes with such beautifully crafted words, drawing the reader in and keeping them entranced till they lose all track of time or life around them. She makes you want to read every word as quick as possible but also want to slow down and savor the way each sentence is composed. She honestly steals my breath at times because I am so intrinsically lost in the story that I forget to even do basic things like breathing. And the way she weaves the past and present together with both the historical and modern day stories is truly a work of art. Each story was so beautifully engaging that anytime I had to switch to the other I felt brief disappointment, only to then become lost in that timeline.
Dash was my favorite kind of hero. Yes there’s something to be said for the strong, take charge, macho types, but if I have my pick I’m always more drawn to the quiet, gentle, slightly nerdy ones. And Dash certainly fit that bill. I was simply in love with his humble unassuming self and the way he quietly loved Lucy. The sharing of stories, the message he sent on that oh so important day, finding her when she needed him but didn’t even know it, and just supporting and encouraging her in his gentle way.
Lucy was easy to love as well, my heart broke for her as she faced the losses in her life but I loved seeing her find hope again and again.
Watching Dash and Lucy’s story unfold was so sweet, two souls that were meant for each other-which was evident from their very first meeting as children.
I loved Frederick too. His journey was anything but easy and I ached for the boy who felt alone. But I admired him so much and the way he found beauty in the ashes. And especially the way he truly lived out John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” I also adored the way Dykes made parallels between Frederick’s story and the gospel story. It was so beautifully woven into his life in a way that was both subtle and glaringly obvious and I don’t know how both of those things are possible simultaneously I just know that they were, like you couldn’t miss it but it also wasn’t beating you over the head. Everything about this story quietly pointed to Christ and his love for us and it was, for lack of a better word, beautiful.
I know this review is long but honestly it barely scratches the surface of my thoughts and love for this stunning story! Amanda Dykes has done it again and I can’t encourage you enough to do yourself a favor and get your hands on this one as soon as possible!