Cover Image: Written in the Stars

Written in the Stars

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Member Reviews

Overview: I’d like to start by saying the art in this cover is super cute. I’m so down for more illustrated covers on romance books. I think I would have enjoyed this much more if the pop culture references weren’t so heavy through out the book. I get it, Elle is “nerdy”. This book isn’t going to age well years down the line when none of these things are relevant and honestly all the Harry Potter references made me physically cringe with all the current drama from the author. This book uses HP references more than once and when JKR is hurting people in the LGBTQ+ community so viciously and without lack of sympathy it just leaves a bad taste in my mouth that this book is supporting that series.

That being said the couple was pretty cute. I thought the dialogue flowed nicely between everyone and all the characters in the book were well defined. Personalities were well developed and I was rooting for Elle and Darcy the whole way through. The astrology parts got a little info dumpy in some parts and there was some repetitive writing, but nothing that took me out of the story. I also really enjoyed that the book immediately opened with humor. It was a light and enjoyable read. Excited to see what else this writer comes out with.

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4.25 stars
While this is not a Pride and Prejudice retelling, I loved seeing these characters in some new tropes. The romance was adorable and I was loving this book until the last fifty pages. Some conversations surrounding the final conflict felt contrived. It was as if the characters were intentionally misunderstanding each other. While that might have been intentional to play up their pride, I found it annoying. I would have loved to see a bit more of their romance at the end instead of ending right after the relationship was fixed.
Overall, a fun book with a great wlw romance but a few execution problems towards the end.

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I did like this book. I think it's a great romance and I loved the queer representation. I think it's important to have that representation not only for those who identify with the characters and want to see themselves in books, but also for those who may not have exposure to people on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum.

The reason I'm not giving this book a high rating could have a lot to do with the fact that it's an ARC and not quite fully edited for final printing. On the one hand, I did like the pacing (with the exception of the abrupt ending) and the character development, but I felt like some of the inner monologues dragged on a bit too long. My BIGGEST pet peeve of the book were the many British-isms sprinkled throughout (like "fringe" for bangs and "piss off" for "fuck off") - I thought this book was set in England for the first part until I realized they were in the US. I'm a little confused by that, and overall it was so jarring that I knocked a whole star off of the rating.

Overall though, it was a good book and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of romance. It's also nice to see characters around 30 and not 22 years old finding a soul mate. So I would recommend it!

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4.5 stars! An absolutely delightful slow burn semi-retelling/semi-improvement on a beloved classic. There were echoes of Pride and Prejudice, but in a modernized and much more relatable way (e.g. "Mrs. Bennett" is more passive aggressive than hysterical). To be honest, I'm not a big Austen fan (Brontes > Austen), but this novel was the best version of her most famous novel that I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I fully intend to reread this during the holiday season! And if Hallmark can go ahead and make this a movie during their December lineup, that would be great.

Normally I refer to rom-coms as guilty pleasure reads, but this one never made me feel that way. I was genuinely invested in both character's lives, and the writing was such high quality that the book had more of a literary fiction read than a traditional romance. Usually these types of books require a certain level of suspension of disbelief - like "oh man the hotel accidentally gave them a room with only one bed even though they explicitly asked for two and it's too late to change it!!!" (*internal eye roll*). Not this book. I understood and could relate to both character's motivations behind everything they did. I often felt I would have made the same decisions were I in their situations - and I loved that. It brought a certain level of intimacy for the reader, like I was a part of their world too instead of just deciphering symbols on a two dimensional surface.

Things I loved:
The use of clever/sharp language in dialogue between characters. Darcy and Elle were both intelligent, well-read, educated women, and it showed.
The Thanksgiving almost-kiss. Good lord I needed a cold shower after that one. The slow burn was done exceptionally well.
We are all made of stardust. My heart!

Things I didn't:
The fact that a certain someone didn't explicitly use the L word at the end. What was said obviously showed it, and it was beautiful, on theme, and in character... but I believe using the L word in addition to the other things said would have supplemented the character growth well.

That having been said, this is a small gripe... I did love the ending and I really enjoyed this read! I couldn't put it down and I'm already looking forward to revisiting it in late November/early December.

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for the ARC! It was a pleasure.

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Written in the Stars is a sapphic romance, which already had me interested. Also, this book has the fake dating trope, which I also enjoy.

This is a solid romance story. It is cute, steamy, and fast-paced.

This is a dual perspective story. One of our main characters career-focused and not interested in falling in love. Our other main character runs a popular astrology twitter account and is looking for her soul mate.

The slow burn of this romance was really appealing. The characters decided to fake date through the holiday season, and during that time, both characters learned to respect each other, even though they are very different people. However, I felt like the main conflict of the story was the result of an over-reaction. Plus, the resolution was rushed.

I received this book in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley and the publisher.

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I really loved this book- great story with quirky, head in the clouds Elle and pretty no nonsense and serious Darcy. After a terrible first date and a plan to “fake it” that goes awry, this was everything you could want in a holiday rom com. Could definitely see this being turned into a hallmark Christmas movie!

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This book is a delightful rom-com that includes so many classic rom-com tropes but never seems stale. Two women are set up on a date, a disastrous first date that includes a very pretentious $56 glass of wine being spilled on a vintage dress. The two women could not be more different, one is an astrologer who is self employed and looking for true love, the other is an actuary who is aggressively climbing the corporate ladder and doesn't believe in love. That disastrous first date leads to a fake relationship designed to get both of their families off their respective backs... but while the relationship is fake, the chemistry is real, and so are the misunderstandings that plague their progress.

This book was so sweet and fun, it was a delightful breath of fresh air. The writing was well done and the story never got boring. I'll be looking for more works by this author.

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I found this book to be very enjoyable. Elle and Darcy were very strong characters and I liked that they were consistent and did not do things out of character. Elle was very firm in her beliefs and what she wanted in terms of a relationship. I found that Darcy had good growth as a character and I like how she became more vulnerable as the story went on. I thought both characters had good backstories and I felt very connected to them and wanted them to end up together despite the fact that I usually don't enjoy the fake dating trope. I thought this book was very well written and the story was fresh even though it was loosely inspired by Pride and Prejudice.

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This was such a sweet book with great writing. I really enjoy a good fake romance and this really hit the mark. I am looking forward to reading more from this author. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Wow! I really loved the writing for this book. Darcy and Elle have a really terrible first date. Despite being physically attracted to one another, they don't seem to have anything else in common. The most important obstacle being that Darcy's not looking for anything serious, while Elle wants a long term relationship. When Darcy's lie to her brother leads to them later faking a relationship together, the two women find themselves falling hard as they spend more time getting to know one another. The author does a masterful job alternating between both Darcy and Elle's POV. I highly recommend this story and give it a 5/5!

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I thought this novel was wonderful. I thought all of the characters - not just the main protagonists - were interesting and relatable. I'd like to give a special nod to the development of Elle, one of the main protagonists. I think she could have easily been portrayed as ditzy and unreliable, but Bellefleur really fleshed her out as a complex, intelligent character.

I agree with the novel's description here on NetGalley - there are some similarities to Pride & Prejudice, and Bridget Jones' Diary. However, the novel doesn't feel at all derivative.

As a side note: don't feel that you need to be a lesbian or bisexual to enjoy this book. I'm heterosexual, and this book easily outshines many of the heterosexual romance novels I've read in my day.

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I am a melted puddle of feelings and twinkling stars. Written in the Stars by Alexandria Bellefleur is unquestionably going to be one of the best books of 2020 for me. Five (carefully charted) stars!

Here’s the gist: This is Pride and Prejudice inspired romance. It’s not a plot-for-plot retelling. And it’s just so. effing. good. Elle (Elizabeth) is a free-spirited astrologer who runs HUGE astrology Twitter/Insta account called Oh My Stars with her BFF. Darcy is a buttoned up, uptight, fancy schmancy actuary. Elle gets an epic career break and teams up with Darcy’s brother who runs a popular Matchmaking app. And he sets Elle and Darcy up for a blind date. Annnnd it goes terribly. But then they end up FAKE DATING!!! Inject it into my veins.

Written in the Stars doesn’t release until November and it will be a perfect holiday romance but I just couldn’t wait. I’ll reshare this review again when the release gets closer. I loved this book.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book and all thoughts and opinions are my own.Thank you Netgalley and Avon for the chance to read an advanced copy.

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Thank you Harper Collins and Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First can I say that this is by far my favorite romcom I've read to date. I laughed a few times, I cried a bit more, and I just loved this with all my heart.

Blind dates that turn to fake dating, coupled with a pair of women who are nothing alike at all? This was easily something that I knew was going to be lighthearted fun. Then it hit home so quick. I fell in love with Darcy and Elle so much. I can honestly say, there wasn't really anything I disliked about the book.

Alexandria Bellefluer is a new author to me, but I am definitely a fan and can't wait to see how the next installment will be.

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What a delightful book! I don't usually read romcoms but I couldn't resist checking out a female same-sex couple and this didn't disappoint. I loved that one of the women is bisexual but that no tropes about a man interrupting/complicating the relationship appeared. The writing felt very contemporary and had lots of cultural references millennials will certainly pick up on. At times the writing does fall into cliches in terms of imagery and description, but overall the storyline felt fresh and the characters were likable and accessible. I would definitely recommend to people who want something fun!

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Extremely funny story, I found myself laughing on more than one occasion. Sometines, when they say opposites attract, it isn't a lie. In this story it sure happens and than some.
I love both characters. So different yet when you look deep, they are looking for same thing. The one special love. From the moment they met, which was funny as hell, they were ment to be together. Sometimes universe has to make small detour though.
This is new writer for me and this story was hard to out down. Full of optimism, hope and second chances.

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THIS WAS THE CUTEST STORY!!! I want to give this book all the stars! It was a mixture of modern day pride and prejudice, astrology, and super freaking cute romance all mixed into one, suffice to say, it was perfection. I absolutely adored Darcy and Elle, and I’d kill for such a great like Margot. Honestly this book is everything I could ask for in a romantic novel! The funny banter, the falling in love, the sweet gestures and the everything. I finished reading this book with a giant smile on my face. I am so excited to read the next book in the series!!! I NEED IT NOW!

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Written in the Stars is an adorable F/F queer romance with two quirky heroines. Darcy is an uptight notary, Elle a starry-eyed social media influencer with a passion for astrology. It's cute with just the right amount of build-up and believable chemistry between the two characters. I also really liked that their sexual orientation was not a plot device: their family members and friends were accepting and inclusive, no big deal. Seattle's backdrop is perfect and will appeal to any reader with an affinity for the city. Overall, a great romance story that avoids stereotypes or overdoing tropes of the genre.

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I love a good RomCom so I was really excited to be able to read this one care of NetGalley and the publisher.

Elle and Darcy start things off with a disastrous first date that through some somewhat silly turns into a fake dating trope. It may be a trope but it was really cute. I appreciate that it was a queer relationship and that the author wrote that relationship in a way that made sense (at least in the world of RomCom).

It was a quick read and I finished wanting to see what would happen next. I was happy to see that the author has another book coming out starring one of my favorite characters (who I didn’t get enough of in the book).

If you enjoy RomComs and are also dying for some cute queer stories (without a focus on how hard it is being queer) then this is for you!

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Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins, and Avon for this ARC copy of Written in The Stars. I really enjoyed this opposites attract LGBTQ romcom. I adored how Darcy and Elle's characters. Often times I found myself relating to both of them. It was refreshing to read a story in which families don't have a bias or issue with the characters being LGBTQ. I like seeing healthy family situations because I know they exist as I live close to many. Great read, highly recommend.

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What's the opposite of a meet-cute? Because that is what Darcy and Elle have when they are set up on a disastrous blind date by Darcy's brother/Elle's business partner, Brendon. However, in an effort to avoid further matchmaking attempts by her brother, Darcy tells him that she and Elle hit it off. A fake relationship between the two provides Darcy with an excuse to not date and Elle with a successful actuary to bring home to her disapproving family for Thanksgiving. Win-win! Of course, things aren't always what they seem to be, and sparks fly between the two as they get to know each other, but will they be able to overcome their differences and misunderstandings to find a happily-ever-after?

The book is inspired by Pride and Prejudice, without being a direct retelling with f/f leads. I am usually left cold by Pride and Prejudice retellings, so I appreciated that the author took inspiration from the characters of Darcy and Elizabeth and from certain plot points of the original, but put her own spin on them and created her own unique story.

"Written in the Stars" was a fun, enjoyable, engaging read. I believed the romance between the two main characters, and the secondary characters of Brendon and Margot (Elle's best friend) were enjoyable and added to the story, as well. Recommended for fans of lesbian romance and/or Pride and Prejudice.

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