My goodness. This book was everything i enjoyed reading Toni and Seb's story and Xio Axelrod transports you to New York, the parties and the Music scene whilst weaving a story of friendship and love
I loved every moment reading this book and cannot wait to start recommending it enough to everyone

This is my first book by Xio Axelrod and it will not be the last! I loved Toni so so much. I also loved Seb. This was a wonderful story that hooked me from the start. I highly recommend it!

3.5 stars rounded up

I can tell how much I like a book based on my reaction to hearing it's part of a series. This one gets a thumbs up. Axelrod does a good job building the stage for an interesting set of rockin' women to perform in future books. I'll definitely be a roadie for this book series.

Only beef I had with this book: the romance felt forced, and distracting.

Listen up, book publishers: A woman can be the center of a novel without needing a romance. We're cool with that. Give her an outstanding personality, maybe a struggle or two, and let her shine.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I'm absolutely hopeless when it comes to being musical, but I do enjoy most types of music.

I hadn't heard a lot about this book before picking it up, but I'm so glad I read it because I ended up absolutely loving this one.

What I loved about this book:

1. While this book has a large cast of characters, I enjoyed most of them (I'm pretty sure some are meant to be disliked). Toni was such a great heroine and I think that's part of the reason I couldn't put this one down. Her story was one that left me shedding a few tears, but it also instantly captivated my attention as she overcame her rocky beginnings.

2. I loved Toni and Seb's second chance romance story! They were childhood best friends that ended up drifting apart but their chemistry was evident as they unexpectedly ran into each other years later. I liked that you got bits of what happened in the past as the present day story progressed.

3. The Lillys were a huge part of the reason I'm looking forward to the rest of the series. All of the ladies (with the exception of one that I'm hoping for a Nesta moment with 😂) were strong female characters that meshed together to form an amazing band.

4. If you've read my review of a previous popular book about the music industry, you know I didn't really love the sex/drugs/repeat that you usually get in this type of book. Thankfully the author's love of music stoud out and she did a great job of accurately portraying the music industry without making it too cringy. There is a bit of drug use and a smidge of sex, but this book had a great story to go along with the inevitable.

If all if that sounds like your cup of tea you should definitely grab yourself a copy.

A slow-burn read told from two perspectives, readers are given narrations of the lives of musician Toni Bennet and band manager Seb Quick. Seb also happened to be Toni's teenaged crush back in the small town in which they'd been raised, until he ran away, leaving her behind.

Now, years later, Toni & Seb find themselves reunited in Philadelphia, first with a chance encounter at a recording studio and again when she's auditioned for a band, the band Seb happens to be working with not realizing she'd been called to try out until she's already impressed the rest of the group.

After losing the historic musical fiction show Vinyl on HBO to cancellation years ago, I was excited to read a rock story with a similar feel. It just felt a little like work getting through it. Much of the story felt like it could have been edited down, and it was hard to connect with some of the characters, whose instances, feelings and dialogue were always covered in great, great detail.

I ended up swapping reading the ebook for listening to the ebook on walks, just to get through it in a timely fashion; although the male voice chosen for the Seb chapters is far too Hollywood / cinema listings hotline for my liking, but the voice for Toni's chapters was perfect.

I almost wish Toni's story had been one book, and Seb's story had been a 2nd perspective release. I adored Toni most and just wanted to hear more of her experience when getting through the Seb moments.

Overall, a good book, and I'll certainly keep an eye out for future releases by Xio Axelrod.

Thank you Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the advance reading copy.

3.5 Stars

This was a good read but not a Romance read. I would classify this as Fiction and/or Women's Fiction.

I think above all else, this book was about relationships and they were written so beautifully - between Toni and her parents, Toni and her bandmates, Toni and Seb. The imagery was incredible! I felt like I was in the book watching everything happen in real time.

The story focuses on Toni and Seb some, and while there were is definitely some romantic elements, the band, the music, and the friendship were the main focuses. I did enjoy reading about the band members in the The Lilly's and hope their stories get told, as this looks like it will be book 1 of a series. I'll be honest, there was a character in this story I couldn't stand, and every scene she was in just had me about to blow up. Also, it felt a little too long for me, especially in the beginning.

Overall, I found this book to be fairly enjoyable and will definitely check this author out again! I love finding a new author to read, and I'd recommend this for anyone looking for a Rockstar romance with a fierce female lead.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for my advanced review copy, which I received in exchange for an honest review.

I inhaled this novel; I was reading it every second I could--on my planning periods, as my students were studying for exams (shhhhh), and every spare second I could. I was completely sucked in to the story of Toni and Sebastian.



Toni was such a unique character in that she was a working musician that didn't necessarily crave the limelight. She loved playing and loved the craft but didn't want to necessarily be on stage ...and all the stuff that comes with being on stage.. and getting to know her and understand her made for a lot of interesting reading. 'Seeing' her evolve and open up to different experiences that put her out of her comfort zone and yet in the driver's seat for her future was inspiring. And then add to that her past with Sebastian and all of the hurt feelings that came with that and I was completely hooked.



Not only did I enjoy all of the backstory of Toni and Sebastian and the story of the present, I also enjoyed the secondary characters and all that they added to their story. I'm excited that we'll get to see more of these characters and I'm eager to get to know them all a little bit better.



Buy this rock star romance--you will not regret it!

Not my favorite too slow of a book and too long I was really bored. Definitely recommend for people that like reading more about musicians.

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes tells the story of Toni Bennette (she's heard all the jokes before, so don't even start) and her dream to make it big with her band, the Lillys.

Toni grows up feeling like a painful afterthought to her mother's desperate efforts to advance her own struggling musical career, yet Toni can't avoid the pull of the music business for herself.

Young Toni crosses paths with Sebastian Quick, an older, wiser guy who just might offer her a way out of her little no-name town--and together they just might have a shot at something bigger. But when Seb leaves town without warning, Toni's left cobbling together a plan for musical success without him in the mix--and trying to heal a broken heart.

Cut to years later, when Toni, making a name for herself in the Philadelphia indie music scene, tries out for a hot new band. She loves the band's feminist vibe--but the group's manager is someone from her past: Seb. Tricky situations ensue!

Axelrod offers a light fiction romance that's heavy on engaging passages about making music, band life, and tricky interpersonal dynamics. These were my favorite elements. There's also draaama, drawn-out aaangst, and romaaance, plus some steamy-racy scenes. A hopeless, neglectful guy transforms into a seemingly redeemable fellow at unbelievable, warp speed--but I didn't mind. You just know some version of things will turn out satisfyingly here, and it's clear from the get-go that The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes will hit the spot.

I received a prepublication copy of this book, published May 4, 2021, courtesy of Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley.

Wow! This was incredibly fun and unique! I loved Toni, I loved Seb, I loved all of the Lilys. I think the flashbacks to when Seb and Toni were younger absolutely set the story. Read this book!

While it did start a little slowly for me, The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes quickly turned into a page turner. This novel is drawing some comparisons to Daisy Jones & the Six; however, I found it much more enjoyable. It is like peeking behind the curtain of the music industry which is a fascinating view alone, but the characters are also well-written and relatable. There is a romance component but it is only one small part of the story. I am not the biggest fan of romance and can be pretty critical, but I found it definitely added to this novel. The author plans 3 more books, has at least one song recorded for the band, and has even started an Instagram page for the band! This could potentially make for a very immersive series reading experience- one that I wish I could have immediately. SOOO, I will be impatiently waiting for The Lilys #2.

This was such a phenomenal well written story .The author takes the reader on a journey from the past to the present as we learn about Antonia and Seb. There is music, passion, girl power, heartache and so much more as you come to understand Antonia and Seb. Readers will not be disappointed with this Rock n'Roll, fierce-less, girl power, young adult, passionate read. The writer actually pulls you in with the love, knowledge, determination, power, and thirst for music..

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod is an angsty second-chance romance set in the music world. Antonia "Toni" Bennette and Sebastian Quick grew up together in a destitute town in Pennsylvania. Neglected by their parents, they became best friends and each other solace. They planned to leave the town together, but when Sebastian turned eighteen, he left town and Toni behind without a backward glance. Eight years later fate brings them back together, when Toni, a talented musician, gets a chance to join an up-and-coming band, the Lillys. Sebastian is the band's manager and all-around fixer. They will have to work together despite their unresolved issues, and Seb's complicated relationship with the band's members.

Second-chance romance is my favorite trope, and I really liked Toni and Seb'd love story, but Seb annoyed me repeatedly. He had a very toxic relationship/friendship with one of the band members, which he would not break, even when it was making him miserable and affecting the whole band. I would've enjoyed the book a little more if this toxic relationship wasn't so drawn out. I did like all other members of the Lillys and the band's dynamic. I think we will be getting more books in the series featuring other characters, and I am very much looking forward to reading their stories. I would recommend The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes, especially to readers who like rock-star and second-chance romance

The Girl with Stars In Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod was a great read. I featured it as Book of the Day on all my social media platforms, and I’ll include it in my monthly roundup of news releases for my Black Fiction Addiction blog, and I interviewed the author.

3 ⭐

I wanted to like this book guys... I really did. Toni is a rocker who is trying to catch her break, but is limited by a problematic member in the band. She also has feelings for her childhood friend, Seb, who has appeared in her life again. This romance book felt very... forced. The chemistry between the two main characters just felt... whimsy and nostalgic more-so than cultivating a relationship in adulthood that was healthy. I wanted the characters to progress more in the story and they just... didn't

4.5 stars

I loved this book so much!!!

I randomly picked up the audio from my library and listened to about 3hrs nonstop (which is honestly super rare for me). I was hooked right there.

This book is all about Toni. Yes, it's about her and Seb (we love Seb in this house), and it's also about her and the Lilly's, but it's really all about her and finding her happiness. I love that Toni has this amazing group of people that she's found in Philadelphia that have really become her family and her home. It seems like she kind up keeps them at a distance, but they're definitely looking out for her 100%. Throughout this book she really learns a lot about herself and learns what's going to make her happy as opposed to what's going to allow her to just keep living as she has.

I loved the band dynamics, and hated Candy (which I think we were supposed to?) and was happy to see how everything with the band ended up. I love Seb, have I told you already I love Seb? He's the kind of guy that wants to feel needed cause he doesn't feel like he's enough. He took care of Toni when they were younger and when they meet again, he's taking care of the Lilly's. He definitely struggles to see himself in a good light, but, Toni helps him see himself a little bit in the way she's always seen him. Their relationship is hot, but again, it's not about that. (But, I will say, for a book I was convinced was all about Toni, the tiny bit of spice was definitely welcome).

Antonia “Toni” Bennett grew up around music while her mother tried to make it big. Backstage was like a second home for her until one day her mom decided she couldn’t keep dragging a kid around and it was time for Antonia to go live with her father. This is where she stayed until she found a way to make it out of that small town and that suffocating life where she thought no one cared for her. Disappointed by her father’s lack of attention and her best friend leaving her behind. Now years later, she’s trying to get into the music industry and lands a position in a popular all girl band. Only to find she’ll be closely working with that best friend that broke her heart.

I’m not the biggest rockstar romance reader these days, although I enjoyed quite a few years back. But when I saw this story centered around an all girl rock band I couldn’t pass it up. The Lilly’s are so much fun and I’ll be on the lookout for more books about the rest of the band members for sure.

At the heart of my enjoyment of this book is the fact that I fell in love with our heroine from very early on. Even as a child, I couldn’t help but root for her and want her to find a way to make her dreams come through. The innocence of her childhood took a bit of a beating by everyone she let in close, and she still wasn’t a bitter and jaded person in the end. Instead she was loving and forgiving while at the same time able to stand up for herself when needed.

The romance in this book is a slow burn and not too steamy. But it was written in the only way that made sense for the story. While Antonia always had a crush on Seb and many years to deal with her emotions toward him, to him she was a friend until they meet again as adults. Their romance felt real, not rushed. They had so many things to work through and I’m glad they took their time with it. Going along for the ride was a fun experience and only reinforced their connection.

Xio Axelrod delivers everything that is good about a rockstar romance, even some drama, without making it a super angsty read. There’s a fine balance for that and she does it perfectly well. My only complain is that I wanted to know more about her parents, and I’m still curious to know more about her dad. I would’ve loved to see that relationship developed more in this book.

If you truly love music and books blending together, you have to read this one. You can tell the author is very comfortable writing about this industry in a way that transports you into their lives. Plus I’m a sucker for a childhood crush/friends romance and this was such a great sampling of that. I’ll be anxiously awaiting the next installment in this series because I now need to see them all get their HEAs, even Candy get her redemption.

The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes is a fun read with a capital F. The premise is simple. Antonia Bennett (Toni) grows up with a love of music and the guitar her mom gifted her. When she is forced to live with her estranged dad at the age of 12 she meets the slightly older Sebastian (Seb), and their shared love of music gets her through her teens. When Seb takes off at 18 with no explanation Toni is left to fend for herself. Fast forward 8 years and Toni is a struggling musician in Philly when she gets the chance to audition for The Lillys, a band on the brink of stardom. That’s when Seb reappears in her life and they must come to terms with their past and figure out how they factor into each other’s future.

This was an easy read and surprisingly emotional. The storyline is a bit predictable at times, but I have to say I enjoyed every minute of it. There was way more emotion than I was expecting with Toni and Seb’s backstory told through a series of flashbacks. We get to understand their complicated and heartbreaking relationship with their parents and what drew them to each other as kids.

Toni is a likable protagonist and I was rooting for her until the very end. She could have easily veered into annoying territory, but the mix of characters really balanced everything out. I almost felt like I was watching a Netflix series rather than reading a book. The day after finishing this book I missed Toni, which I take as the mark of a well written character. If this book were a series I’d be all in.

I didn’t know what to expect with this book. It was listed as a romance and had a cute cover so I jumped at the chance to read an arc. It turned out to be so much more than a romance. It was almost like it was a love story of an all girl band because the interactions with the band members took front stage for me. ⁣⁣
⁣⁣
This book was everything I could have wanted:⁣⁣
- A second chance romance between Toni and Seb⁣⁣
- An emotional back story for Toni that tore my heart open more than once ⁣⁣
- A tightly connected friend group made of the band members with multilayered dynamics between them ⁣⁣
- Fun behind the scenes look at an up and coming all female band⁣⁣
- Each band member will get their own book⁣⁣
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I’ve been told this is perfect for those who loved Daisy Jones and the Six but I’m behind and haven’t read that one yet to confirm. But I can say that this author has created an immersive world for this fictional band complete with a social media presence, Spotify playlist and YouTube videos. You can find them @thelillysrock on IG which is such a fun way to make these fictional characters come to life. This was easily a 5 star book for me and a must read.

This was such a different read for me and was fun! Think of it as a rock and roll rollercoaster!

Antonia, or Toni, Bennett, grew up depending on herself alone, determined to chase her dreams of becoming a famous musician. She planned to leave town with her best friend, Seb, until he deserted her. Years later, their paths cross again when Toni tries out for a band that Seb helps manage. Can she set aside her pain from the past to finally reach her dreams?

Overall, I give this book 4 stars out of 5. I really enjoyed the banter between the characters and the steamy scenes were hot! There were some pacing issues, but nothing too bothersome. A fun read that I would recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and LetsTalkBooks PR company for this copy in exchange for an honest review!