Soooo many things said, “Read me, Read me” that I just had to give this book a try. Enemies to Lovers- check. Rock star romance - check. England- check. A character with anxiety- check. Really, someone wrote this with me in mind!

There are parts of this book that make me wonder if the editor is changing things up on the author. For example, our young heroine who the rockstar did wrong is just a little too hateful. The coincidences are a little too..uh..coincidentalish? Contrived? The ending is too perfect.

While those things I can shrug off, I think the biggest thing is a certain scene toward the end with a gun. There is no suspense or tension. What should have been a big, exciting nail biter was flat.

One thing I appreciated, but it was almost glossed over, was the hero’s successful use of therapy and prescription medication to help his anxiety. His anxiety was such a huge part of the book that I wish his remedy (not cure) would have been more than a line or two).

This was an enjoyable book even with its little flaws.

RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨(3.5)
SPICE: 🔥🔥🔥

When I saw enemies to lovers and fake dating I was here for it! Those are tropes I adore, and this book was pretty decent. I always love a good rockstar romance, so I was expecting this to hit all my buttons. And it came so close, but I found myself wanting just a little more to propel it from good to great.

Jack and Lucy used to know each other, before Jack was famous and now their paths are colliding again as they both head to Oxford to study. The problem is, Lucy can’t stand Jack since his decisions years ago led them on two separate paths.

I really liked the relationship between Lucy and Jack and of course the fake dating aspect was my favorite. I also really liked the side characters and their friend group. I also enjoyed the plus-size representation for the FMC, and the anxiety awareness. Those were great parts of the book.

The ending fell a bit flat for me and I think is what stopped me from ranking this higher even if I did enjoy a lot of the book.

This was also a new to me author and I wouldn’t mind reading another book by them!

*thanks NetGalley for the the chance to read and review this book!

What a delight to disappear into the halls and town of Oxford. I love the side characters almost as much as the main characters! I must admit, I read about 15% of this book before realizing it was a sequel. Even though it could fully be a standalone, the completionist in me decided to pause reading, download the first book, read that, and then return. I didn't need to have done so, but I'm glad I did. It was so nice checking in with the leads from the first group. I love a romance novel with a solid friend group.

Enjoyable, great pacing, exciting settings kept me hooked. Classic, spicy love novel that will be the perfect beach read. Thank you Net Galley for ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

I enjoyed this book. The characters were well thought out and the plot was paced in a way that made sense. I would recommend this book to others and would enjoy reading other novels by this author.

One thing is for sure after reading my second book by @laurabradburywriter, I love her writing! It just pulls you into the story and flows so well. And I love how in both of the books I've read she's highlighting physical and mental health differences (organ transplant in Unlikely Match and panic attacks and PTSD in Oxford Star). And she does them so much justice. They're a main part of the story, but they're not defining who that character is. And it just shows the reality of living with these struggles.

Now, specifically for Oxford Star, I was so involved with both of these main characters. I wanted Lucy to break free from her fear and become a star. I could just feel her struggle with law and and felt it so much it was like I was trying to read through the cases! And Jack, I felt for him. Trying to live his parents dream, even when they didn't have his best interest at heart. And how everyone was so flippant about his anxiety, including his parents. It hurt my heart to know that this is the reality for so many people outside of this book. And I just wish that wasn't the case.

The only thing I have to critique about this book, and I hate that I have to bring it up, is there were a lot of typos and grammar mistakes. They didn't take away from the story, but there were enough that I noticed them. However, I did get a copy of the book from the author (which I was super excited about and am so grateful for!), so these mistakes may be fixed in the final version if this was an ARC version. But even if they're not, I'd say you still need to read this book because it is just so, so good!

In case you can't tell, Laura Bradbury has become one of my favorite authors. My birthday is this month and I've already added Oxford Wild to my wish list. 🤞 someone takes this hint and buys it for me! 😜

Oxford Star follows Lucy and Jack as they embark on an furthering their education at Oxford, Jack on an 8 week astrophysics course before he goes back on tour as a rockstar and Lucy is trying to fast track her career studying law. Both come from the same Canadian town, both wrestle with feelings for the other. This book was a great palette cleanse (especially coming off some intense fantasy reads) and was a well written, fun story.

I appreciate the clear and direct trigger warnings placed at the beginning of the book, it will certainly be helpful to some readers. Additionally, the little notes section at the beginning was handy, it gave great context and put me in the frame of mind to get into the story. The plus sized representation was done well, with a character happy with her size, not ashamed of it. Additionally, this was a respectful representation of anxiety. I liked the chemistry between Lucy and Jack, it felt easy and natural.

This story was fast paced, broken down into weekly increments, which made it quite a quick read. The writing had good flow and I could feel the authors passion for Oxford as I read, My only criticism would be that the plot was at times, a bit predictable (but in a way, I found that comforting).

Thank you to NetGalley and Laura Bradbury for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review, these thoughts are all my own.

<b>Thank you to Grape Book and NetGalley for providing me with a copy to Review. </b>

Oxford Star follows the redemption love story of Lucy and Jack. Lucy a once hopeful American Idol-eque hopeful comes face to face with her old flame and backup musician Jack who deserted her hours before her big audition. While Jacks become a famous rockstar Lucy is trying to help keep her family together and make ends meet while trying to carve out a place for herself in a foreign exchange program. Jack is looking to take a break from stardom (and debilitating anxiety) is hiding away at the same exchange program.

This is a slow-burn 2nd chance love story. Filled with tropes of 2nd chance, forced proximity, and fake dating. But don't let the slow burn fool you to think that this book isn't filled with lots of sexy sizzle.


<spoiler> As Lucy and Jack reconnect he helps her find the bravery to sing in front of a big audience on her own. Equally, Lucy provides Jack with the support and confidence to leave his music career for one of his true passion, astronomy. </spoiler>

Trigger Warnings:
- the death of a parent/ adult child as a family caregiver
- coercion of a minor by their parents and manager
- dismissal of mental/emotional health


Oxford Star is a stand-alone romance but still 2nd book in the "Oxford" series. The characters from Oxford Wild make an appearance in Oxford Star.

Two of my favorite tropes collide with Oxford Star: celebrity + second chance romance! I knew it would be right up my alley. This was a super quick read and I really enjoyed it. I always love a curvy heroine and I loved how enamored Jack was with all of Lucy.

One of my favorite things is when there’s a bit of mysterious back story that informs the book and you have to try and piece it together before you find out within the story! Seeing how Jack and Lucy got to where we found them at the beginning made everything click into place. Lucy’s feelings of betrayal and Jack’s regret felt very realistic, as did Jack’s experiences with anxiety and Lucy’s eldest daughter syndrome. Lucy’s need to care for her family above everything else hit me straight in the stomach and I immediately felt bonded to her.

I think the antagonists were done very well. Gary definitely felt more exploitative and malicious rather than melodramatic and I appreciated that (and I totally pictured him as Scooter Braun, haha.)
The story was a mix of character and plot driven; it felt very balanced! I also really liked the way Jack and Lucy’s journeys were almost parallel and intertwined rather than in opposition to the other and causing conflict. It feels so rare that the third act twist isn’t a breakup so I was pleasantly surprised to not find one here! I think an external conflict can be equally compelling and growth-inducing for the characters and it definitely was in this case!

I’d recommend this to anyone who loves pop culture and hot nerdy boys; it was definitely a great read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Grape Books, and Laura Bradbury for the ARC in exchange for a review!

This was a fun read! It took me a minute to get into the story, but I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and the story arc. I was thankful for the narrative around weight and the friend group was really fun to read about! Overall, this was a good story, a bit slower paced,

A fun romance read with some actual plot as well!

3.5 stars!

"Oxford Star" by Laura Bradbury is a captivating rock star romance that skillfully blends drama, personal struggles, and undeniable chemistry. Set against the backdrop of Oxford University, the story follows Jack, an anxiety-ridden rock star, and Lucy, a determined law student, who find their paths intertwined due to their shared past.

What sets this book apart is its realistic representation of mental health issues and body image. Jack's anxiety and panic attacks are portrayed authentically, adding depth to his character, while Lucy's plus-sized character brings much-needed diversity and body positivity to the genre. However, the frequent references to Lucy's crushed singing dream can feel a bit overdone.

The book would have benefited from more direct interactions between Jack and Lucy to showcase their chemistry better. Yet, the balance between Jack's exhilarating rockstar life and the academic setting of Oxford creates an engaging narrative.

Overall, "Oxford Star" is a heartwarming read that tackles complex themes with sensitivity and skill. Despite minor flaws, its relatable characters and compelling narrative make it a standout addition to the rock star romance genre. Laura Bradbury truly showcases her storytelling prowess in this engaging and emotionally resonant novel.

I don’t know how I missed the publication of this gem, but I’m glad I stumbled upon it! Super cute and fun story in one of my favorite settings. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Thank you NetGalley and Laura Bradbury for my copy of Oxford Star. I thought Oxford Star was a great fast read. It was the second book of a series which I did not know but you don’t necessarily need to read the first book to understand. I personally enjoyed it and will continue with the series. At some points it did feel rushed especially on how it ended but I felt the romance was at a good pace to follow plus I felt that they truly care for each other.

Oxford Star is such a great love story. I absolutely loved that the MMC is the one with the anxiety, as it is usually women who need *help* from the male love interests. The portrayal of the mental illness also felt incredibly authentic to someone, who also suffers from panic attacks. I really really enjoyed this book. The writing was lovely, as were the characters and their connection!

Oxford star is a contemporary romance that includes rockstar romance, fake dating, and a sprinkling of enemies to lovers. The main characters are Lucy and Jack and we meet them at Oxford University. Jack is a singer who has anxiety and has decided to head to Oxford to take a break. Lucy is his ex who also attends.

I really love Lucy. She’s funny and witty and overall just has a great personality. She’s the type of person you would meet and just totally want to be friends with. Jack was great too, but Lucy really stole the show.

What I didn’t know before reading this one was that it’s actually part of a series, but it can definitely be read as a stand-alone.

Definitely pick this one up if you are a fan of forced proximity, childhood crushes, enemies to lovers, and second chance romance.

Thank you to Net Galley for a chance to read this ARC.

Prepare to be swept away by Laura Bradbury's mesmerizing novel, "Oxford Star." Bradbury brings to life the enchanting story of Jack and Lucy, two individuals bound by an unbreakable connection and a shared past that refuses to be forgotten.

In this captivating tale, we meet Jack, a renowned pop star, and Lucy, a determined law student at Oxford. Their lives may have taken divergent paths, but their unfinished business continues to pull them together, refusing to let time or distance extinguish the flame that once burned between them.

Bradbury's masterful storytelling effortlessly transports readers into the glamorous yet tumultuous world of fame, where Jack is caught in a whirlwind of adoration, paparazzi, and constant scrutiny. Despite his seemingly perfect life, Jack finds himself haunted by the memory of Lucy and the promises they left unfulfilled.

One of the highlights of the book lies in the rich tapestry of side characters that Laura Bradbury masterfully brings to life.

2 things I didnt really like:
1. Lucy's frequent mention of her weight and size throughout the book seemed unnecessary and somewhat distracting. While body image can be an important topic to address, it felt somewhat forced and took away from the otherwise engaging narrative. A more nuanced exploration of Lucy's insecurities and self-acceptance could have been achieved without continuously highlighting her weight.

2. Lucy and her dramatic "ache to sing". Like relax girl, it's not like we all go through life with a need to do a math formula or a neeeed to mow the lawn.

All in all, a great book and one i would read again!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC. All views are my own.

Lucy and Jack have a history, and she hates him for it. Or does she? When they meet again at Oxford university, the old flame reignites and they are fighting for their happiness.

This is a cute romance that touches on mental health problems, anxiety etc. I loved the story. It was beautiful without unnecessary drama, their love story was believable and both MCs plus their friends were lovable characters.

this book was so so good.

love a second chance romance, give me all the pining and angst! and fake dating?! say no more!!

i read this book in one day, i did not want to put it down.

i loved jack and lucy as well as their "skulk" and let's not forget Robbie! all of the characters in this book were so good. the oxford terminology confused me a bit at first but i got used to it.

i didnt realize it was a second book until after i had finished and i'm definitely going to read the first one now, i loved cedar and alfie!

thank you to netgalley for the opportunity to love this book!

If this book were to be a movie it would be epic!
It was that good.
The tension, the chemistry, the understanding love between them.. it was all 10 out of 10!
Highly recommend it!

Oxford Star is a fun enemies-to-lovers romance with a plus sized heroine. This book was a slow burn that kept me wanting to read just one more chapter.