Excellent twist on the celebrity romance. Kept me invested until the end especially because of the Plus Size and Anxiety rep.

Lucy and Jack were well developed character so I was fully on board as the hit every romance trope in this story. Kudos to Bradbury.

Thank you to Grape Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC for an honest review.

A fun read about some brilliant characters I really enjoyed the storyline. Absolutely recommend to people because it's such a fun read

This book is an absolute gem! If you're seeking a delightful and uncomplicated read filled with lively banter and romance, look no further. Although I didn't realize it was the second installment in the Romancing Oxford series, I now have the first book on my to-be-read list. While it's not necessary to read them in order, be aware that the couple from the first series makes an appearance in this second book, which can be a bit of a spoiler (although, let's face it, most romances have a predictable ending).

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and couldn't put it down, finishing it in less than 24 hours. It was a light read without sacrificing the quality of the writing. The development of the relationship between Lucy and Jack was a highlight for me. Unlike many romance novels, their love didn't feel contrived or rushed. Occasionally, Lucy's inclination to take on a parental role within her family became slightly bothersome, but I understood her reasons behind it. Jack's character arc was particularly captivating to witness unfold.

I want to just say I dislike romance books. I avoid them like the plague. But, this filled in a square on my 40 Book Challenge.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC of this book. I DID actually enjoy this book a lot more than I expected. For a romance book, it actually had some depth, plot, character development and cuteness to it.

Plot: Jack and Lucy knew each other in high school but parted on bad terms when he signed on and became a rock star, and Lucy's dream remained unfulfilled. They meet again on an airplane headed to England, both as foreign students studying at Oxford. The meet-cute was very cute on the airplane, after four years of not seeing each other.

Character development was the best parts...Jack is a rock-star with anxiety and panic attacks, and Lucy is unconventional with her plus size 16 body and her need to take care of her family. Jack has been in love with Lucy for four years, knows he wronged her and actually tries to make up for it. Lucy is a very strong, independent woman, who has been taking care of her mother and sister since her father died when she was 11 years old. She wants nothing to do with Jack and lets him know it. Slowly over several weeks he wins her over.

It was wonderfully written, easy to read, and enjoyable.

My only problem with it, like all romance books, is how predictable it was. Obviously from the outset we, the readers, knew Jack and Lucy were endgame. But that's just me, I think. It was kind of comforting in a way to know where it was going actually. And, the ending had a good resolution.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

For me the pace of the book was very slow and I found it hard to connect to the characters. A nice summer read for those looking for an easy read.

This was such a warm and cosy romantic read. The book had different dimensions that created a fantastic plot. Lucy & Jack's story was perfect even after signing away his life for stardom. Lucy is on the way to Oxford when Jack runs into his childhood crush and friend. They end up at the same college for several weeks and living right next door to each other. Lucy's hatred for Jack is high and puts pressure on to do well in her law program.

Jack has his work cut our for him to want to win Lucy back. Trying his best to win over Lucy, it was a miracle they had started fake dating. With confessions and steamy scenes, Lucy and Jack finally let themselves fall back in love with one another.

With murder attempts and YouTube recordings, there is a HEA for these two enemies to lovers. Lucy fulfilling her dream as a singer and Jack pursuing his astronomy degree at Oxford.

Lucy and Jack's story has a lot of ups and a lot of downs, however they got the ending that they deserved.

Thanks Netgalley & Publisher for this Advance reader copy.

🎸🎸 Oxford star 🎸🎸
It was a cute and wonderful romance with some biy dose of emotions in it.
Jack and Lucy are so perfect together ❤️ I loved how their story unfloded and the romantic gestures of Jack!!! I want that kind of boyfriend too!!!! I can't skip their chemistry it was so sizzling and everything more. On top of that, it was a slow burn romance, although for me, sometimes it was too slow, but I enjoyed it.
The story was amazing too. Jack the anxiety ridden rockstar and Lucy the good girl who sings like an angel. Mach made in heaven!!!
If you are in the mood of some rockstar romance with fake dating and sweet moments, then you should read this book!!!!
Rating ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Spice 🌶 🌶 🌶

In reading this book I was unaware that it was part of the Romancing Oxford series, this book follows Lucy and Jacks story and the characters from the previous book are background characters in this story, so it still makes sense if read on its own.
Oxford Star is a classic rom com book, whilst it isn't my usual go to genre, I did enjoy this book.
The story is told in alternating chapters from Lucy and Jacks point of view as we learn about each of their struggles, there shared past history and what has brought them to study at Oxford college.
If I were to have one criticism of this book it would be that there wasn't enough time spent on the characters uncovering and overcoming the issues they are each facing- Jacks anxiety and panic attacks and Lucys self-doubt - that are preventing them from following their dreams, much more emphasis was placed on the love story and how infatuated our main characters were with each other.
This is an enjoyable read that fans of the romance genre will love.

This book had so many dimensions that created a well-rounded plot and storyline. Nothing about Lucy and Jack's story felt rushed or cliche. After signing away his life for stardom, Jack runs into his childhood best friend and crush, Lucy, on the way to Oxford. Neither knew they would spend the next several weeks studying at the same college and living right next to one another. With Lucy's hatred for Jack sky-high and immense pressure to do well in her law program, Jack had it cut out for him to win back Lucy. Jack just wanted a break from the anxiety of performing with his band. With Jack trying his best to win Lucy over, it was a miracle they had to start fake dating. With confessions and steamy scenes, Lucy and Jack finally let themselves fall back in love, although they did not fall back in love, but instead accepted the love they already had for one another. With murder attempts and youtube recordings, there is a HEA for these two enemies to lovers, with Lucy fulfilling her dream as a singer and Jack pursuing his astronomy degree at Oxford. Lucy and Jack's story was one of ups and downs, but ultimately they got the ending they deserved.

I unfortunately had to file this book into the "DNF" [Did Not Finish] pile because I couldn't get through it. Granted, I gave the book a chance (through Chapter 13), but the pacing of the book was incredibly slow and thus hard for me to really connect with the characters and what was happening. The premise was a great start but I had expected more romance and spice - both of which were seriously lacking in the the 40% of the book I read.

I had high hopes for this book after reading the description and seeing the cover. Unfortunately, they fell flat.

I hope to finish the book at some point but it was tough to get through with the current pacing.

This was such a warm and cozy read. I was nervous that I was not going to be able to relate to or even enjoy Lucy as a main character, but the more layers that Jack uncovered made me root for her. She and Jack bring out something special in one another, and I am glad this book did not focus on unnecessary drama like many books with upsetting past events do.

I enjoyed this take on a rockstar romance as the focus wasn't on Jack and his fame, but more on the impact the fame had on his mental health and the harm in him not having someone in his corner who believed in his anxiety.

Overall, I love a good fake dating, second chance romance, and this one was done beautifully.

Lucy has always looked after her family. Moving to Oxford to study law is all part of the plan to create a stable life for her mum and sister. But she can sing. Like really sing. Just like her father but when he passed away she had to be sensible and look after her mother and baby sister. When she finally gets to chance to sing she is ditched by her accompanist and can't face the stage alone

Jake is the guy that ditched Lucy. He is the guy that went onto sign a contract and become a superstar. He has everything. The looks, the talent and the money. Little does Lucy know that he suffering terrible anxiety and, struggling to perform. When they meet again on the plane to the UK and Lucy learns that Jake is hiding out for a term at Oxford, Lucy can't but think that life has it out for her.

Will Lucy ever be able to perform? Will the press find out where Jake is? Why is Jake really at Oxford? And what will happen when Lucy pretends to be Jake's girlfriend?

This was a lovely story of two people facing different fears. Anxiety around performing or anxiety about being enough for their families. I think the plot was a little weak and there was not enough angst for me, but it was still a great read. Spice was great! I would recommend reading Cedar and Alfie's story first. There was a little assumed knowledge.

Big thanks to Netgalley, Grape books and Laura Bradbury for this ARC

really fun read!

i will absolutely be reading the rest of the series as well!

oxford star is a second chance romance between Lucy, who dreamed of becoming a star, and Jack, who she felt stole her dream. when Jack decides to hide from his fame and study his favorite subject at the same place as Lucy, they are forced to spend time together again.

i really liked the cute couple, and I also loved the friendship group so much! really excited to read more about other members of the skulk.

if you like second chance romance, celebrity romance, forced proximity, college romance, definitely go check it out!

thank you to netgalley, as well as the author, for sending me the ebook in exchange for an honest review!

i will also be posting on instagram on the 25th of june, 5pm (dutch time).

This slow burn, enemies to lovers, second chance romance is a very enjoyable read. Laura Bradbury's writing was engaging, and I flew through this book. I adored Lucy and Jack. This is such a sweet contemporary romance. I would rate this book 4/5.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
A sincere thank you to NetGallery and the Publisher for the ARC of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for this early reviewer copy of Oxford Star by Laura Bradbury.

This was only my second experience with one of her books and it didn't disappoint. It's different than her others but also a very quick and enjoyable read.

I loved learning a little bit about the life of an Oxford student but also enjoyed the two MCs who shared point of view throughout the book. Her sense of time and space gave more liberties to cover a longer span of time throughout the book while still keeping us up to date and connected to all the characters.

I could easily see a sequel in the future.

I did not finish this book. There’s nothing wrong with the writing, but it just wasn’t for me. Thank you to the publisher for review copy, all thoughts are my own.

Such a cute romcom! I love the characters and their second chance romance. This would be a great beach read this summer!

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!!

I thought this book was an easy, pleasureable read written by somebody who clearly has a real appreciation for Oxford. Unfortunately, as much as I really wanted to love this book, I found myself unable to gel with the characters though that might just be me. In particular, I found the male lead cringeworthy in places and not in an enjoyable rom com kind of way.

More of a 2.75⭐️

A cute enough story that goes fairly off the rails at the end. Feels like I missed some things by not having read the previous book in the series.

Lucy and Jack were friends from high school, and both are musically super talented. Jack chose fame and left Lucy at a competition and Lucy felt betrayed. Years later they end up of at Oxford together. Jack, a panic ridden rock star and Lucy, a woman on a mission to support her mom and sister at the expense of her own happiness.
This was such a cute story. It has a little bit of everything that the author wove seamlessly together.
Some basic tropes with the addition of a plus size heroine, anxiety/panic representation and Canadian main characters! (Cape Spear, Newfoundland is one of my favorite places) YAY Canada!
This is the 2nd in the series but can be read as a standalone.
Definitely check this one out!