He's a rock star, she's an unwilling law student...but four years earlier, she was taking her chance at stardom only to have him pull the rug out from under her feet. Now fate throws them together for an eight-week term at Oxford, where she's studying law to provide for herself, her mother and little sister, and he's hiding from a life in the spotlight that he's come to despise. Can they course-correct back to the lives they each wanted, or is it too late?

I received an ARC of this book (thanks!) and these are my own opinions.

It was great to be back in Oxford, this time with Lucy and Jack. From the get go, I enjoyed this book a lot more than Oxford Wild. It was fun to see the characters from book 1 appear and interact with this new couple, and I am hopeful that we will see more in future books.

Lucy and Jack were very cute together and I enjoyed reading how they worked through their history and feelings. It was nice to have an "us against the world" kind of vibe.

Enjoyable book and I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

This was a great enemies to lovers trope, with a rock star aspect added in. I liked that the main character was a plus size woman and the male main character had panic attacks and anxiety. I liked that those things were represented in the book. Jack goes to Oxford in order to help himself get rid of the panic attacks but instead he runs into Lucy, a woman he hurt in the past.
This was a slow burn romance with a happy ending and I enjoyed reading it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

Many thanks to the author publisher and Netgalley for a free ARC of this ebook.
I wouldn't wish to be disrespectful to this author by giving a poor rating as this book just wasn't to my taste at all. There are some nice descriptions of Oxford and it gives a good background to student life there. Other than that it wasn't for for me.
2.5 stars.

In my heart of hearts, I’m just a big history nerd who loves to read and fangirl. Growing up in Arkansas, I had zero idea that regular people could apply to and attend Oxford – it seemed like something only the very smart and very rich and very British were allowed to do.

So in a lot of ways, I am extremely the target demographic for Laura Bradbury’s “Oxford Wild” and “Oxford Star,” romcoms set at – you guessed it – Oxford, and following Canadian grad students sent there on a philanthropist’s grant.

In Oxford Star (which can be read as a standalone, but heavily features the characters you meet in Oxford Wild, just fyi!), we get the story of rockstar and budding astronomer Jack Searly and determined law student Lucy Snow: Newfoundlanders with a rocky history.

Though this book is breezy and charming in many ways, I do wish it had clung a little more firmly to the tension and drama between between Jack and Lucy, and really let things simmer before hitting the boiling point.

Overall, this is a fun, quick romcom read that also successfully delves into grief, anxiety, and the courage to go after your dreams, no matter what they might be.

Oxford Star is perfect as a palate cleanser or just for a weekend of easy reading. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself sighing dreamily while Googling the Bodleian and the Bridge of Sighs.

Oxford Star: 3🌟 | 2.5🌶️

Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this unedited ARC.

Pros: I was immediately drawn in from the hook of this book. Rockstar struggles with debilitating panic attacks and wants to quit a life of fame to be an Astronomer. Girl struggles to attain a law degree that she hates just to support her mom and sister after her father tragically passes away. The plot stayed true to the hook, with sweet moments that had me highlighting in my kindle left and right. This was a very quick read for me that had me wanting to turn page after page because of the alternating POV between Jack and Lucy. If you’re looking for a feel good, predictable, romance to get you out of a reading slump– this one may be for you!

Cons: This book was a little too “Harry Styles Fanfic” for me. While I enjoyed my time reading it, there are other second chance romance novels that I would recommend over this one; sections of text from both POVs seemed unrealistic and forced. For my friends that enjoy a clean read, I would point you in another direction; I personally enjoy reading clean romance that relies more on dialogue and internal monologues to show the depth of the romance between the characters, instead of steamy sex scenes, but that’s just me.

Oxford Star was the first book I read by Laura Bradbury, and I enjoyed it enough that I immediately looked for the earlier entry in the series after finishing this one. Oxford Star is a second chance romance that follows pop star Jack and aspiring singer Lucy through a term at Oxford University. The characters are likable and three-dimensional, the Oxford setting comes alive, and the friend group adds humor and interest. Recommend for fans of romantic comedies and celebrity romances. Thank you to Laura Bradbury and Grape Books for the ARC.

Lucy has to be one of my favorite people right now. She was so strong and cared so much for her family that she put herself last. She was a dutiful daughter. Then she runs into Jack again.
I didn’t like Jack at first. The whole bad boy rock star vibe I was getting in top of the fact he ditched Lucy when she needed him the most made him very unlikeable for me. But the way he continued to put her first, seek her out, and gravitate towards her really made me soften towards him. Lucy was really the star of his world.
The whole fake dating scheme was really what they needed to be honest with themselves and each other and I hate that Gary (Jacks manager) orchestrated that whole thing but it got them together that’s what mattered. I think that they could have done without the fake dating and could have just been a second chance romance because I feel that was the direction they was going to begin with.

Thank you for the opportunity to arc. This book was okay, it wasn't bad and it was well written but I just found my attention didn't hold so unfortunately I didn't enjoy the story that much

"Oxford Star" by Laura Bradbury is a compelling romance that grants its characters a second opportunity, taking place within the prestigious setting of Oxford University. Lucy has harbored resentment towards Jack for abandoning her during a signing competition in favor of a record deal. Jack, despite his success as a rock star, despises his chosen path. Fate brings them back together four years later when they both find themselves attending Oxford for a term.

I found the two main characters to be likable, each grappling with their individual challenges. Lucy's dedication to helping her mother and sister becomes a burden to her own well-being. Jack, bound by contractual obligations to a career he loathes, struggles to fully pursue his passion for astronomy. While I appreciated their personal struggles, I believe there could have been more growth between the two characters. It would have been satisfying for them to realize that their parents, who they had protected, were flawed. The conflicts are swiftly resolved towards the end, but the resolutions felt somewhat unsatisfying.

The book features an eclectic cast of secondary characters, and I enjoyed their presence. Upon arriving at Oxford, Lucy and Jack are warmly welcomed into their friend group. However, I wished the secondary characters had been further integrated into the main plot, as they appeared somewhat secondary to the overall storyline.

Although the book is marketed as a slow burn, second chance, fake dating, enemies-to-lovers romance, I personally did not perceive it as such. Despite Lucy's initial resentment towards Jack for dashing her dreams, she forgives him rather swiftly. The romantic plot also progresses at a relatively fast pace, lacking the anticipated will-they-or-won't-they tension found in slow burn romances.

In conclusion, I found "Oxford Star" to be an enjoyable read. I would recommend it to those who appreciate second chance romances or stories set within academic settings.

Thank you to Netgalley and Grape Books for an ARC of this book.

I really wanted to love this book. It had all the makings of book I normally fall in love with, all the tropes I normally love, but it just fell short for me.

I don't think there was anything actually wrong with the book, it was just mediocre - from the writing to the characters... Everything felt "just okay".

I almost didn't finish the book because I got bored of reading - it didn't hold my attention at all.

This story follows an overwhelmed, famous rock star--Jack--, and the rock star's former flame--Lucy-- whom was also a contestant on the same talent show that made him famous. Years later Lucy and Jack both find themselves at Oxford, forced to interact. Cue the plot!

It's got second chance at love, forced proximity, enemies to lovers (at least in the eyes of Lucy), and redemption themes.
Immediately, the plot pulled me in. It's engaging and incredibly well written. Lucy is intelligent, realistic, and strong. Jack has anxiety, and I found that the author wrote him appropriately.

I found this book fun to read! 5/5 stars!

I was given a complementary copy from the publisher and author via Netgalley. My opinions are my own, and I am reviewing voluntarily.

This book was an amazing little rom com. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys easy to read romances that just cheer you up.

This was a super cute and sweet college romance. It had all of the elements of a story I’ll love: enemies to lovers, rockstars, and a relatable plus sized FMC. The romance in this book is a slow burn, but totally worth it!

Overall it is a good book. It started really well with witty humor. The main female character seemed to be very bold, despite the tough life and relationship with her mother.
The male character was honest, and I liked the description of the difficulties that he faced in addition to his stage life. Not everything seems so rosy.
But in the middle of the book something changed and it started to be boring, everything was so predictable. There was not enough of the plot twist that could make this romance book more outstanding.

A world famous Rockstar with millions of adoring fans but secretly struggling with crippling anxiety + a curvy, bold and intelligent heroine who gives as good as she gets and can sing like an angel? I loved this pairing.

Jack and Lucy was so in sync with each other and had a strong connection. I loved how their story progressed and all that romantic gestures of Jack.
And that dreamy friends group they got… sigh! Loved the name for their group-SKULK (a group of fox).

There is something about a story that set in Britain that push all my buttons. I loved the charming way all the British slang, people, geography and alleys were portrayed.
Oh, and I hated Gary!

I didn’t give it full stars because Jack didn’t check on Lucy even once after he got famous, even though they were very good friends and secretly loved each other. Their meeting again was pure coincidence.

Overall a very well written romance with charming backdrop, deep characters, angst, self discovery, friendship and finding love again and fighting for it.

Jack is a singer with huge fame but also suffers from anxiety. He escapes to Oxford only to find his ex-girlfriend Lucy is studying there too.

The characters were well-written and their backstory helped build their sizzling chemistry as they got to know each other again.

I recommend this if you like books about romance, musicians, forced proximity, high school crush, and second chances.

How I wish I could not relate so well to the topic of panic attacks but I fear I can relate a little too much as I just had one earlier today. Loved this book as it is somewhat relatable and very interesting. Loved it.

HOLY SHIT THIS BOOK CAUGHT ME OFF GUARD!!!
It was a really quick-read for me and i LOVED it. The story was so well written, i just couldn´t get enough of Jack and Lucy <3333
I just think that there were some scenes that were overly detailed, and some too less. The chapters from 26 to 29 were kind of off story and was not really usefull, but i loved the scene Jack kept his promise to her by spending the night in a bookstore... I was screaming for a good 10 minutes 😭♡♡♡
I knew something was odd with Cathy.
I also loved the was Lucy was just waayyyy different from any other book heroine by being a size 16 woman and taking care of her family on her own♡

Anyways, thanks for netGalley and Laure Bradbury for letting me read this eARC for an honest review.

The main characters Lucy and Jack had known each other in high school when Jack responded to an ad for a musician that Lucy had posted. Lucy is a singer and she was to compete in Canada's Got Talent but Jack signed a deal before they auditioned and he wasn't allowed to perform with her so Lucy didn't audition at all. Lucy is heading to England to get a law degree which she feels is the best way to financially support her mother and sister and Jack went on to be a huge star performing with a boy band. Jack is taking a break and also heading to the same college Lucy is attending to study astrophysics. Jack will only be at the college for eight weeks and he really wants to reconnect with Lucy but she doesn't believe she can trust him.