*4.5

I didn't know what to expect from this but I loved it so much. I always love a good story about someone who discovers their sexuality late in life. Anna just made Eden feel so loved and accepted her for who she is. I also really enjoyed that there wasn't really any homophobia in the book, that's always very pleasant. They were just so adorable and I love them.

I received an arc through netgalley.

WHAT AN AMAZING BOOK. I'm not a big fan of books that involve music celebrities, but Stars Collide won me over from the first chapters, the characters are very easy to like and they are very pleasant to follow, although they are not "perfect", you root for them all the time. The novel is perfect and I liked how the author took the exact precise time for the beginning of it and the development was, I didn't like the final act very much with the fight, I found it kind of unnecessary the way it took and I wish the conflict had been done differently. But a great book, fun and very light.

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a quick read and both Eden and Anna were so well written that I couldn't help smiling for most of the book. It was relatively drama free and so positive. I definitely recommend, especially is you liked Something to Talk About (which I did!).

Stars Collide comes out next week on May 2, 2023, and you can purchase HERE!

Eden Sands was not "good." Over the course of her career, she'd been called many things. Beautiful. Arrogant. Talented. Rude. Generous. Cold. Hot. Difficult. Iconic. So many polarizing adjectives, but never "good." Good meant mediocre, and that was something she'd never be.

This has a lot of wonderful potential, but I think I was expecting something that wasn’t there. Part of the issue is that it reads like a self insert fanfiction, which, the author says she is a fangirl and I don’t think that’s actually a problem, exactly, but not what I’m looking for. In fact, for queer kids who were into bands / pop stars and in those fandoms, I think this will be a lot of fun!

I loved the representation of a pleasant divorce, and that we have a character who outright states she’s a lesbian. That never happens, and it’s nice to have her use the word.

The depiction of a voice mentor emotionally abusing Anna hit a bit close to home, which is why I personally had a hard time buying into Eden and Anna’s relationship.

I think my biggest problem is that even characters that should feel distinct don’t, and the characters often say things that no human being has said just to create a certain effect or goal.

I think this book has a lot of potential and does everything a fun romance should do! It’s not my favorite, but I will absolutely recommend it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
🎤🏆🍦🏚🌈

Rep: pansexual cis woman, lesbian cis woman, transgender woman, sapphic side character.

Oh, my heart. This book is everything. I loved everything about it. From the first word to the last word. This book had me crying my lesbian heart out. It had me swooning, it had me wanting to hear the music. I really want the song Turbulence on my playlist right now. Eden and Anna are #goals. #Edanna

This book is about finding yourself, both professionally and personally. This book is about getting through past emotional abuse in relationships. This book is about finding each other when you less expect it.

Rachel did a wonderful job capturing what coming out later in life feels like. Reading Eden's self-discovery was like reading my life. It was magical.

"I feel like I've been lied to, or that I've lied to myself, to be honest. I wasted so many years just ... not understanding myself, not knowing what I was missing, and I hate that."

Thank you to Netgalley, and Rachel Lacey for a copy of the ebook. I leave this review voluntarily.

I’m a sucker for a good celebrity romance, add in a sexual awakening and I was in book heaven. Both of the MCs were so likable, which made the book that much better.

Eden coming to terms with her feelings towards Anna and coming out were written to perfection. Then there was Anna. The way she knew exactly how to be with Eden and got her to come out of her shell showed the true love she felt for her.

And finally, the communication. It was so refreshing reading a book where the communication was never a problem. The one small lack of was resolved just as quickly as it happened.

Absolutely loved this book! The emotions, the pining, and the moment they finally got together, so f*cking good.

Rachel Lacey can write a romance I've enjoyed it before and I loved this one as well. Eden Sands has undergone some life changes and her last album isn't doing as well as she's used to, To pump some life into her Grammy performance adding Anna Moss to the performance

I don't think I've ever read a coming-out story for adults and I enjoyed this one. Eden and Anna are adorable as friends and even better together. I loved reading about Eden's discovery and Anna's total support for her discovery

I did think the ending break was a little more than I thought was needed but I was still here for the drama, I would recommend this romance to anyone reading a sapphic love story for the first time

I was hesitant about this book because I've never really been into the pop music scene, so a romance between a pop superstar and an up and coming pop phenom wasn't something I was anticipating enjoying. This book really was so much more than just a celebrity romance though (although there is a lot of the celeb life in it so don't despair if you enjoy that).

I thoroughly enjoyed Eden's journey in learning about her own sexuality, and finding her authentic self. Anna is younger but has such a healthy sense of who she is, and experiencing the two characters mentor each other in very different ways was interesting, touching, and definitely steamy.

Thank you to Montlake Publishing for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This was such a charming read! I loved Eden & Anna - Anna for being confident in herself & her sexuality, and Eden for questioning herself because she’s never really been allowed to do that before. I really enjoyed how their relationship progressed. It really could have been a battle between the hot young upstart against the waning industry darling, but it was a joy to see two women at different stages of their careers working together & supporting each other. The slow burn was delicious, they had great chemistry together, and when they got together - steamy! I just want to keep reading more about them, so I hope we get to return and see Anna & Eden in the future.

Can we talk about how pretty this cover is?!? Love it!

This was a really quick, easy read. I found myself going through it very fast because the story kept moving.

I loved the dual narration. The mutual pining was real and I was here for it. I also loved that Eden was Anna's childhood celeb crush. Who doesn't love that trope?

It was a bit of an age gap (which I love) but in some aspects, like her sexuality, Anna was the more knowledgeable one and that dynamic really worked IMO.

I love that I've opened up what I usually read and am exploring more books with sapphic characters because I really liked this book!

4/5

Stars Collide is exactly what happens when singers Eden and Anna find themselves crossing paths. Of course, Eden is a much more well-known star who has been charming audiences since she was a teen. Anna is the younger star on the rise, who is honored to be asked to tour with Eden. Unbeknownst to Anna, Eden needs Anna to help sell out all the seats on her tour. As Eden and Anna become friends, is there potential for them to become something more?

This is a lighthearted and relaxing sapphic romance. Eden and Anna’s romance would be perfect for those who enjoy the celebrity trope. There is excellent LGBTQ+ rep, Anna is pansexual and Eden goes on a journey to discover what label fits her best. Stars Collide is a very sweet and cute romance. I would recommend it for those who love sapphic romance, celebrity tropes, low angst, and slow-burn romance.

Thank you so much to Rachel Lacey, Montlake, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Instagram, Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc

Inject this into my veins! Seriously, this book gave me so much joy. Huge thanks to Montlake for providing me a copy via NetGalley, and giving me the chance to meet and spend time with Eden Sands and Anna Moss.

These two are adorable. Anna has admired Eden for most her life, so of course she’s over the moon to be invited to duet with her at the Grammys. Anna is a rising star, the next big thing, with a teen bop bubbly personality that she’s trying to shed. Eden has been famous for a long time, unsure of herself after her last album failed and her tour hasn’t sold out. But maybe bringing Anna along will help with that…

I loved both these women. Anna is trying to appear more adult, while Eden is discovering herself in a way she hasn’t been able to before. She’s only a few years older than Anna, but Anna is confident, outgoing, and sure of who she is. The dynamic works so well, as Eden helps Anna show the world she’s a young woman, not a girl, and as Anna helps Eden with her own personal journey.

I also loved the cast of characters around them, and Lacey has done an excellent job surrounding these two women with other women, as friends and as part of both their teams. Eden has not long come out of a mediocre marriage, but is still friends with her ex-husband, and doesn’t quite understand all the fuss around love and romance. It’s safe to say these two fall in love, but when the book starts Eden doesn’t yet realise she isn’t straight. I absolutely loved this element of her character, as we see her journey unfold on the page, starting with her admiring Anna for how confidently she claims her own identity.

There’s only a few years difference between them, but just enough so Eden initially seems a bit older, and she’s surprised when she finds out Anna’s age. A mixture of factors mean Eden never really had the same opportunities as Anna in regards to figuring out her sexuality, and there’s so much in Eden that is realistic and relatable as someone coming to terms with their sexuality in their 30s. I loved how Anna was able to help her through it, too, and she really does know the right things to say, encouraging Eden to do things at her own pace.

It’s a really lovely book, and true escapism, especially with the pop star lifestyles these two women lead. But it also shows how lonely it can be at the top, and deals with the difficulties that can come with fame. These two characters tackle the challenges they face, together, and I loved spending every second with them. If you’re looking for a sweet, fun wlw romance, you’ll want to pick up Stars Collide.

Stars Collide is one of those books that makes you feel. Regardless of your relationship status or level of fame or how you identify there will be something in Stars Collide that you’ll be able to relate to.

I really enjoyed getting to know Eden and Anna. They each have issues, insecurities and uncertainties, even though, on the surface, they seem to have it all. Eden is a divorced A-lister with several Grammys, a condo on the beach and the adoration of millions, including Anna. But she’s lonely, uncertain and in a funk. Anna is an up-and-coming pansexual musician with her own legion of fans, but needs to shed her teenybopper image, a supportive network of friends and family, and propensity to fall for the wrong person leading her to self-doubt.

At one point in the story Eden wonders “How could she have misunderstood herself so completely?” I think we’re all just trying to figure things out. For Eden it’s her sexuality and how to be “normal” when you’re a huge celebrity. For others, it could be searching for purpose or profession or happiness or whatever. The bottom line is we’re all the same fundamentally. That’s what I really like about Stars Collide, it’s a sapphic romance, but really that’s the least important fact. It’s all about being true to yourself and more importantly, being yourself.

If you’re looking for a feel good, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers, f/f romance that for the most part is low on drama, this book is for you. Actually, I think any lover of romance books will like Stars Collide.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for providing a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Stars Collide is available on May 2nd.

Rachel Lacey is without a doubt one of my favorite sapphic authors, so I was incredibly excited to receive an ARC of her upcoming release, Stars Collide! This is a celebrity, age gap (9 years), toaster oven romance - and it was everything I hoped for and more!

Anna is a rising pop star. She is openly pansexual and her fans love her and music, but she is ready to be taken more seriously. She’s the bubbly girl next door and it is hard not to love her right from the start. Eden, on the other hand, is a little jaded. She has been in the business for 20 years and her latest album was a bit of a miss and didn’t have the same spark and passion as her previous albums. Her popularity has gone down, but the last thing she wants is to have to rely on the young upcoming star to bring it back up. So, of course that’s exactly what happens!

As reluctant as she was to collaborate with Anna and go on tour, Eden begins to embrace their connection and all that Anna has to offer. Before long their friendship begins to blossom and the sparks start to fly. They have so much chemistry between them, on every level. They bring out the best in each other. They push each other and support each other. They speak openly and honestly. They simply just enjoy being together - on stage and off. Their sexual chemistry was also off the charts! It was HOT! 🥵 But it was also intimate and beautiful with how Anna cared for Eden and made sure she was comfortable every step of the way.

This story is full of pop culture, fandom, sexual awakenings, steamy encounters, positive coming out experiences, adventures across the country, friendship, award shows and red carpets, overcoming the past, and queer and trans representation. Plus - EASTER EGGS! 😁 It’s an all around feel good, endearing sapphic romance with plenty of spice!

I had a delightful time reading this book! If you like celebrity romances or romances about musicians I would definitely recommend this one.

I liked both of our characters individually and loved following them as they had their own journeys throughout the story regarding their careers and the changing perception of them from fans. And I think both character felt well fleshed out and real with believable flaws and hang ups. And I loved how secure Anna was in her identity and how she was able to support Eden as she came to terms with realizing things about herself.

Their relationship was so cute. I loved the way Anna would help Eden try and come out of her shell and have more fun at their tour stops and I loved how Eden could help Anna graduate to a more mature image. There is a bit of an age gap here, but not a huge one. The book did initially really lean into how Anna had a teen crush on Eden and I do think that unnecessarily aged Anna down which I did not like. There is also a power imbalance here with Eden being the big star and Anna being the new blood who is opening for Eden and I think that imbalance was handled well, including how the conflict around it was resolved.

Overall a light and fun read that hits the spot if you're just looking for something nice and sweet!

This is a honey sweet book with a lovely, although predictable, plot line. The characters are cute and I definitely spent the whole book rooting for them. It’s also a very quick read, making it great for a speedy pick-me-up!

There is a coming out story in this book, but it’s very positive, so it’s great if you like that in a novel. Plenty of diverse queer representation and identities too. I really loved the unique setting for the book. Some of the moments between the two characters really are just so lovely and sweet.

My big qualms with the book are personal ones. I am not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope because it causes me anxiety. I also felt at times that things were unnecessarily repetitive, as if to make sure I knew what was going on. Some of the dialogue felt unnatural at times for the sake of making sure I wasn't confused, but it really just felt repetitive.

That said, if someone is beginner mode of queerness or perhaps is a straight person trying to understand some identities that you aren't as familiar with, they might not feel that way. This would be a GREAT book for learning a little more about queer identity, sexuality, coming out as an older adult, and lots more. I actually felt like this book verged on YA, and then the spicy bits came along, so maybe not as much.

Overall, there are lots of positives and plenty of reasons to read this lovely little romance novel.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for this!

Rachel Lacey knows how to write a story!!!

I was hooked immediately. I loved the celebrity setting,
I appreciated the chemistry and emotional depth between characters.

I would recommend this book to others.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Stars Collide is a fun romance following two pop stars, and it was the perfect thing to get me through the massive Eras Tour FOMO. Granted, neither lead is directly inspired by Taylor Swift, but with emphasis on the life of a pop star (both established and up-and-coming), including the intricacies of touring, award shows, collaborations, and more, it absolutely scratched the itch for me.
Both leads are very interesting, both in terms of their careers and personal arcs. Eden’s artistry grows and she comes out her slump, but she also discovers more about her sexuality. She had previously been married to a man, but they’ve recently divorced, and I love the exploration of not just that journey and how her relationship stands with her ex, but how she evolves in her understanding of her queer identity with Anna’s help, just as she is revitalized musically.
Anna also goes through her own personal growth. She remains haunted by a previous relationship with a former mentor who manipulated her, and there are hints that she may be heading down a similar path in pursuing a relationship with Eden. And while that did make me have my doubts, especially when the third act conflict came around, it was resolved in a way that emphasized Eden’s good intentions (even if they didn’t come off quite like she intended) and Anna’s need to find closure with her ex.
I really enjoyed this book, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoyed celebrity romances.

I absolutely love this book. This author writes such fun and refreshing books. The plot and the characters were exciting. The romance and chemistry were there. Highly recommend

Thank you, NetGalley for an ARC of this book! This was my first Rachel Lacey book, and I am so excited to read her other novels now.

I absolutely love both Eden and Anna, and I love their relationship. Their relationship didn't feel like it was a fake one, it felt like something that could actually happen in real life. It was realistic, and I loved every second of it. They had their struggles that they needed to work through, and they had all of the great moments in between. They brought out the best in each other and showed each other how to have fun even with all eyes on them.

I feel like this is a great book for those who want to see women coming to terms with their sexuality, and not letting people step all over them. I think it's unique to read about these women in the spotlight because I personally haven't read a book like this before. Watching them find out how to keep their personal life from everyone while also being on tour had me hooked and entertained the entire time.

This isn't my usual style of book to read, but I'm glad that I took a chance on it because I love it. 4 stars out of 5, and I think that everyone who thinks they might enjoy this should read it!