Great escapism book set in Oxford. Romantic plot with nice complimenting characters, a super wholesome read.

I did not read book 1 of this series. However, this felt like every other second chance romance book. Yes it depicted anxiety issues and a plus size FMC but it was the same thing as every other lifetime movie romance. It felt like it was trying to hard to be a Colleen Hoover or a Lucy Score or an Elle Kennedy for me. It was just ok.

*Oxford Star* by Laura Bradbury is a lighthearted, charming romance set against the backdrop of the prestigious Oxford University. The story follows a young woman navigating her way through school, love, and self-discovery, making for a fun and easy read. Bradbury’s writing is engaging and brings the setting to life, and the romantic tension between the leads keeps the story moving forward.

The characters are likable, and I appreciated the protagonist's personal growth as she finds her footing in a new environment. The romance is sweet, though a bit predictable, and while the book has its moments of heart, it didn’t quite evoke the emotional depth I was expecting. There are moments where the pacing feels uneven, and the secondary plotlines sometimes distract from the central narrative.

Overall, *Oxford Star* is a pleasant read for fans of contemporary romance, especially those who enjoy university settings. While it was enjoyable, it didn’t leave a lasting impression and felt a bit formulaic at times. It’s a solid, cozy romance but could have benefited from more depth and complexity.

This was a solid read for me. It wasn't life changing, and I don't know if I would seek it out in the future to reread, but I enjoyed reading it

Laura Bradbury’s *Oxford Star* is a richly layered and emotionally charged romance that blends the glamour of rock-star fame with the intellectual allure of Oxford University. With its slow-burn romance, enemies-to-lovers tension, and a deeply relatable exploration of anxiety and redemption, this novel offers an engaging and heartfelt story.

**Jack Seary**, a Harry-Styles-famous rock star, is a compelling protagonist grappling with the pressures of fame and debilitating panic attacks. His decision to retreat to Oxford to rekindle his passion for astronomy feels both authentic and poignant, adding depth to his character. Jack’s journey is not just about rediscovering himself but also about making amends for the mistakes of his past, particularly with Lucy. His struggles with mental health are portrayed with sensitivity, making him a sympathetic and multidimensional character.

**Lucy Snow**, the sharp and resilient heroine, is equally captivating. As a plus-sized woman navigating a world that often overlooks her worth, Lucy’s strength and vulnerability shine through. Her anger toward Jack for stealing her dreams—and her heart—is palpable, yet her eventual willingness to engage with him adds emotional complexity. Lucy’s character is a refreshing blend of ambition, self-doubt, and unyielding determination, making her a relatable and inspiring lead.

The dynamic between Jack and Lucy crackles with tension and chemistry. Their history, marked by heartbreak and betrayal, sets the stage for a beautifully slow-burn romance filled with witty banter, lingering glances, and moments of vulnerability. The fake dating trope adds an extra layer of tension, forcing them into close proximity and leading to some wonderfully awkward and tender moments.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Oxford University, the story exudes a sense of intellectual and emotional richness. The university’s dreaming spires and hallowed halls serve as the perfect setting for a romance that’s as much about personal growth as it is about love.

While the novel excels in its character development and emotional depth, the pacing in the middle can feel a bit slow, with some scenes bordering on repetitive. However, the emotional payoff in the latter half more than compensates, delivering a steamy yet heartfelt conclusion.

*Oxford Star* is a standout romance that deftly balances themes of love, redemption, and self-discovery. With its nuanced characters, slow-burn romance, and thoughtful representation of mental health, it’s a must-read for fans of second-chance and enemies-to-lovers tropes. Perfect for readers who enjoy books by Ali Hazelwood or Christina Lauren, this novel is as dazzling and poignant as a clear, starlit sky.

This book has been on my Netgalley for a bit and I haven’t picked it up. I haven’t been into romance in a minute, so I’m not the right person to review it anymore.

With body positivity and mental health representation, I had suuuuch high hopes. But this one just wasn’t my favorite. Laura Bradbury has a unique writing style when it comes to plot building, which she does pretty well. But what doesn’t happen is world building - while reading, you’re thrown all these curveballs about different family issues, but then nothing is ever really said about what they are and what they actually harm in the relationships. This was a big meh to me, as I want the whole picture and not just a slight bit of information about a large event that impacts the characters in many ways. Thanks for the opportunity to read!

The story follows Jack, a rockstar with a complex past, and Lucy, a woman chasing her dream of becoming a singer. While the setup is promising, the book tries to juggle too many tropes—fake dating, second chance romance, and enemies-to-lovers, among others—which makes it feel a bit rushed and lacking in emotional depth.

The characters spend a lot of time in their own heads, which made the chemistry between Jack and Lucy feel a bit underdeveloped. However, I appreciated the way the book touched on mental health and Jack’s struggles with fame. The beginning had some fun moments, but the pacing dragged in the middle, and the ending felt a little rushed.

Overall, Oxford Star is an enjoyable, low-stakes read for fans of lighthearted romance, but it may not stand out among similar books.

A cute, fun romance. I liked how the fake-dating trope was handled and how it added to the second-chance romance. It forced our leads to finally confront their differences. I also really enjoyed the body positivity and mental health rep. All in all a good read!

I really loved this book and read it super quickly, kicking myself for not picking it up sooner! I love a second chance romance and throw in enemies to lovers and we have ourselves a real winner! I really enjoyed the academic setting mixed with rockstar romance, it added such a fiery element to the story. The characters were perfect and I loved their chemistry and banter.

I went in blind to this book and I'm kinda glad i did. I really enjoyed it, the law student x space nerd/rockstar was a really nice touch!
I quite liked the second chance aura in it and the enemies to lovers!

I'm so glad of how carefully the anxiety of the characters was written!

cute and cozy book to read after a heavy reading it was cute and you can remmeber it of the plot piece by piece

I could not finish this book in the end sadly. I adore Laura Bradbury's other books, but I found these characters to be whiney in a way. I normally don't get annoyed with characters, but these two rubbed me the wrong way.

Second chance romance is a great trope and this one didn't disappoint. I think I will definitely be reading more from Bradbury in the future.

"Oxford Star" by Laura Bradbury is a delightful escape into the world of academia and romance that left me utterly charmed.

Bradbury's writing is elegant and evocative, transporting you to the storied halls of Oxford with vivid descriptions and atmospheric prose. The setting itself feels like a character, imbued with history and tradition that adds depth to the story.

The characters are well-drawn and relatable, each with their own hopes, dreams, and flaws. Our intrepid heroine's journey of self-discovery is both heartwarming and empowering, and her budding romance with the enigmatic star of Oxford's literary scene is a joy to behold.

What I appreciated most about "Oxford Star" is its exploration of themes like ambition, identity, and the pursuit of happiness. Bradbury tackles these complex topics with sensitivity and nuance, adding depth and dimension to the narrative.

While the pacing is generally steady, there were moments when the plot felt a bit predictable, and I found myself wishing for more surprises to keep me on my toes.

Overall, "Oxford Star" is a charming read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance and academic fiction alike. With its engaging characters, richly drawn setting, and heartfelt storytelling, it's a book that's sure to leave a lasting impression.

This book is part of a series and I haven't read any of the others but this didn't detract from the story. i received an arc of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This book was a nice palette cleanser and I loved how it felt like a rom com I would definitely recommend it; it was quick and easy to get through

I received this book from Grape Books through NetGalley and this review is based on my own opinion.

Oxford Star was an adorable romance set in college. I love boyband/rockstar/celeb romances and this one had such an original take on the life of a boyband member struggling with anxiety and a girl who went to college to support her mom and little sister but who doesn't really belong in the law department.
While the summary of the book may suggest this will be a rockstar romance, the majority of the book is set in Oxford College which made it fall more into the college romance category for me but I still loved this book.

All characters were so lovely and I loved how Jack and Lucy immediatly became friends with Alfie and Cedar and their group of friends.
I also really adored nerdy Jack with his NASA outfits.

This book is perfect if you're into; enemies to lovers, fake dating, rockstar/boyband, second chance, college romance.

Lucy and Jack are THE cutest! A rock star wanting a break from stardom goes to college for 8 weeks, realizing his lost love is also in the same program!
Cue make ups, make outs and a couple you will root for from page one!
With twists (like crazy fans, paparazzi, a stiff manager) this book was So fun!

I eat the fake dating plot up everytime, unapologetically. I also do adore second-chance romances so this book combined both in a really engaging way. I also think the representation in this book was really well done (plus-size and mental health representation). Overall, a really enjoyable read.

Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book! The title and this beautiful cover drew me in and i was excited to read this book! I will be recommending this book to others for readers advisory.