Enjoyed the book, but I don't think I'm the right audience for this. I'm way past my college romance stage. But it's a cute story.

I didn't like this book. I loved it. Corny, I know, but true. It was cheesy. You end up sitting by someone you don't want to see on your flight. You need a ride from this person due to circumstances. That happens all the time. No? Then, of course, these people are meant to be together. Fate dictates that they will be a couple. Just as Fate dictated that I would be gifted this e-arc. No need to worry about a biased review. This book can stand on its own merits. Now I have to read the other books in the series so I can make sure Fate is kind to everyone in the Oxford universe.

Thank you, NetGalley and Grape Books for an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a fun book!

When I started reading it was hard for me to get hooked on what was happening but at some point the story began to catch me in a surprising way.

I'm going to be quite honest that I didn't have high expectations for it, I thought it would be the typical cliché book with bland and boring characters. The truth is that it is far from it, Lucy and Jack have different personalities and contrary to each other that ends up making a perfect contrast. Although there were scenes that confused me (I think this is because English is not my first language) there are very cute and beautiful parts that made me want to kiss the characters.

The story followed a stable line, the conflict was good and not to mention the incredible romance. Without a doubt one of the best readings of this year and it is that I take Lucy and Jack with me forever.

3.5 ⭐️

Very fast-paced and entertaining, this was exactly what I needed at the moment. This is my first book by this author so I have nothing to compare it too, but this one was very interesting and fun to read with the Oxford setting, fake dating, friends to enemies to lovers, and celebrity trope. The writing was easy to digest, though sometimes a little juvenile and fast, and it had good plot points that kept me on my toes. I think it’s representation of severe gad (generalized anxiety disorder) was a little glamorized and stereotypical but it was nice that it was there. Overall I do recommend this book to people looking for a quick romance pallet cleanser.

This is a cute romance that includes important topics, such as self-discovery, family issues, and anxiety.

I loved this book! I definitely recommend it if you like forced proximity, friends to lovers, dual POV, and fake dating.

I enjoyed reading their backstory, banter, and chemistry. Lucy is so witty. I love her lines, especially when they reunite. She's also independent, caring, and determined to ignore Jack. Jack is so adorable with how he remembers every little detail about her, and I love his romantic gestures. I also love how Jack helps her learn how to embrace her true self.

I love their friends at Oxford! They're funny, unique, amazing, and supportive. I definitely want to read Oxford Wild now too!

Towards the end, I was surprised because some things were unexpected and a little sudden. But, it wasn't anything disappointing and I loved the epilogue. It tied everything together well, and I didn't want this book to end.

This is a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers fake dating spicy slow burn. It is the second in a series, but you definitely can read it by itself.

I don't know if holding a grudge is officially a trope, but I think it should be after reading this. Definitely a fun read and the spicy scenes weren't overwhelming, which was nice.

I received a copy of this ebook through NetGalley and had no idea it was the second book in a series of what seem to be interconnected standalones, but that didn't take away from the story.

Jack and Lucy broke up years ago when Jack left Lucy hanging at an important moment in her life to chase his dreams of stardom. Now Jack is looking for a break from stardom and the crippling anxiety accompanying it by studying astronomy at Oxford. Little does he know that his ex is also studying at Oxford and will be living in the same building. Forced proximity and mutual pining make this rockstar romance a super fun read.

Thank you, @netgalley and Grape Publishing, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Oxford Star is a cute story between a rockstar (who doesn't want to be rockstar and is kind of a space nerd) and a responsible law student (who should be a rockstar). It's your always fun to have friends to enemies to lover trope, and as always, entertaining AF. Jack is our Harry styles inspired rockstar who hates being one and was always in love with our ever so beautiful Lucy with a voice of an angel. Unfortuantely they have a major fight and four years later they are going to the same college for two different courses and kind of rekindle their friendship which brings them close to be bf-gf and have crazy hot sex (I had to take a "break" after reading their first sex scene) . There is also a villain in this story who ends up hurt so all in all I'm happy.
The story, however, took very sharp turns. It did not have enough build up on their fights, or them getting together, or her singing career. By 50% in the book, these guys were happy together. It was pretty detailed in the beginning with their problems, but having read "Unlikely match" a part of me was hoping for a longer sparring sessions between Lucy and Jack.
Other than that, everything in this book was super cute. The love story, the back story, the side characters (very little was revealed about their life but enough to love them). I'm not saying you can't put this book down but it has a way to pull you in. Just be prepared for two perspectives and give time to tune in to another perspective
Reasons why you should read this book:
• Enemies to lovers trope
• Crazy ass Hot Sex Scene🔥
• Harry styles main lead
• Pretty beautiful back story
• Sea shanties

After reading this book all I could crave for was Butter garlic naan with chicken vindaloo in a good Indian restaurant and go crazy with this book.
Thank you Netgalley and Laura Bradbury for letting me read this book.

I was very excited to get an ARC for Oxford Star - big thanks to NetGalley and Grape Books! I am a sucker for a famous person/normie romance.

There was a lot that I enjoyed in this one and I found it easy to read. Unfortunately, it felt a bit predictable, the dialogue felt quite young and the plot went a bit sideways in the last 15% of the book and lost me.

3,5*
I discovered this book some month ago and thought I had to give it a try, it had a lot of things that ticked my boxes, but only got to read it a week or so ago.

Lucy has a dream, she wish to spark and be on the spotlight like a star, but her family background and previous experiences in life broke her confidence, so she's buring herself in her sensible role as the one to care for her family, leaving home to make a 2 years course degree in law at Oxford, a path which will bring the money and the stability they crave.
Jack has made it, he was pick up as an emerging artist and is now living the star life Lucy wishes... but he dreads it: slave to panic attact due to the constant spotlight he's living the life his parents wished for him instead of following his love for astronomy.
They're from the same town in Canada, Jack let Lucy down before her chance to shine, now after years they meet again on a plane to England with the same destination: Lucy to escape her family while working to secure a better future, Jack to quit the spotlight, recharge and breath.

While the book deals with not so light theme as the death of a parent(Lucy's father) and mental health issues, it's still full of banters and happy moments.
Lucy and Jack are a nice couple, the secondary characters (starring in Oxford wild) are nice and funny too, the setting charming.
A nice good romance about the importance of being true to your heart and never being too late to follow your dreams.

Thanks NetGalley and Grape Books for providing this book as an Arc in exchange of an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Grape Books for a copy of this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Jack is a boy band rockstar on sebatical, and Lucy is driven to become a high paid lawyer in the shortest time she can manage. These two Newfoundlanders find themselves thrown back together across the world at Oxford, years after Jack dashed Lucy's dream and let her down.

The novel has elements of forced proximity, fake dating, and enemies to lovers. All together, a sweet romance. Things I enjoyed included the beautiful setting, the plus sized heroine, and a grumpy but loveable doorman.

I personally found some elements difficult to get through, and others may encounter that as well. There a descriptions of anxiety, parental pressure, exploitation, and parentification. Important topics but not always easy to read about.

I enjoyed the romantic wish fulfilment, and the cute story overall. If you like a romance set at university, this could be one for you.

This book was delightful! I was a sweet and steamy novel about second chances and following your dreams even when they scare you, even if those dreams include falling in love with the rockstar who hurt you a long time ago. I think many people will be able to relate to Lucy and how she tries to take care of everyone putting her own wants on the back burner. Jack is there to help her reach for those dreams and Lucy is there to support him in his. I relaxing, sweet and steamy read with Oxford as the background. I would recommend this book for sure!

thank you grape books and netgalley for providing me my first arc with oxford star !

this was a solid 4.25 stars for me.

i adored the plus-sized, anxiety, and panic representation. it is tastefully done and makes lucy and jack feel more human to their readers. i found myself relating and understanding both their individual struggles significantly deeper as the depth of their characters was uncovered.

lucy's grief was also extremely well-done and it shines a light on the various ways people deal with grief. it didn't bash on various coping mechanisms, it simply pointed them out and continue on.

the characters were well-developed and truly human, the tropes weren't overused or filler to further the plot, and the plot itself was engaging and enthralling. i found myself laughing, smiling, crying, and everything in between. i genuinely enjoyed the book while reading.

i highly, highly recommend this novel. jack and lucy are now one of my absolute favourite book couples.

side note: there are potentially triggering subjects like anxiety/panic attacks, the death of a family member (not described in book), and unexpected violence and i feel like it's important to point those things out !

This was a sweet and heartwarming read.

I found Lucy to be extremely relatable in her struggles, and her emotional depth. Plus the premise of the book really drew me in. I like the pairing of Lucy and Jack - they felt real together. Their chemistry was tangible and I enjoyed that.

Will absolutely be reading the first book now.

A world famous rockstar who struggles with anxiety...yes please! As someone who also struggles with anxiety, I love to see that represented in books! Also, I loved the representation of having a curvy FMC. Jack and Lucy had such a strong connection it was palpable and I loved reading about how their relationship developed! Plus the romantic gestures from Jack...SWOON!! I love romance books that are full of angst and this one was exactly what I was looking for! Looking forward to reading more from this author!

The banter & chemistry is top tier!

Thank you soooooo much netgalley, the author and the publisher for the advanced review copy if this book💗
"I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

After reading Unlikely Match, I was excited to read more by Laura Bradbury. I did not read the first book in this series. This story was an enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, second chance, with a plus sized heroine and anxiety rep. I really enjoyed all of these elements together. It was a fun contemporary read with some deeper elements as well.

Thanks NetGalley and Grape Books for this eARC.

I absolutely loved this book! The characters were a delight to spend time with, and their romance was adorable. I can’t wait to reread soon!

I was keen to read this novel as it has my favourite tropes- who doesn't love a good enemies to lovers, fake dating romance?? I liked the idea of the story and the way it has a plus-sized FMC and touches on anxiety. Jack is a mega famous singer who struggles with anxiety, so has taken a step back from the limelight to study at a University overseas. HOWEVER, it just so happens that the girl he used to be close with but betrayed, sabotaging her chance at her dream of becoming a singer is ALSO starting study at that same university. They have plenty of ups and downs and, honestly, I found her frustration and hurt at what he did justified, but it comes together in a sweet romance. I did find the pacing a little all over the place and often too drawn out for my liking, but other than that it was an enjoyable read.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and Laura Bradbury for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Oxford star follows the story of Lucy and Jack over an 8 week period. Both come from very different areas of life, Jack being a rockstar and Lucy being a normal girl from Canada.

I love this story! There were so many things I really enjoyed such as the real and raw representation of someone with anxiety and panic disorder and having a FMC who is plus-sized. I really enjoyed the author’s writing style and felt the set up/character building was written well.
This was a really easy read, there was no questions that needed to be answered at the end and the characters were really likeable.
I look forward to reading more from this Author