Absolutely LOVED this book! The story line between Heather Gordan & Alex Kirwan reminded me of a Hallmark movie (by the way, can anyone make this happen?), I could see it in my mind while reading. Relationships are hard & involve work in any phase, but involving fame & tabloids, geesh - I couldn't imagine. Thankfully, I won't have to, especially with authors like Amy Clipston who can do it for me. I enjoyed this book & I know readers will too.

Starstruck, by Amy Clipston, is the story of an unlikely relationship between an ordinary small town woman and a famous rock star. When the band Kirwan stops to grab dinner at the Pit Barbeque in Flowering Grove, NC, the two younger brothers, Kayden and Jordan, end the meal with a food fight, making a mess for Heather and Wendy Gordon, daughters of the owners, to clean up. When older brother Alex returns from the restroom to find the mess and a fuming Heather, even though the younger Kirwan’s had left a very large tip. Alex, embarrassed, offers VIP tickets for their concert in Charlotte the following evening. Wendy is thrilled, Heather indicates she needs to wash her hair, unimpressed by the rockstars.

But Heather does accompany her sister, enjoys the concert, and while looking for the location of the meet and greet after a restroom visit, she wanders into Alex’s dressing room to find him with his guitar and singing a beautiful love song. As they begin talking they discover many common interests and begin forging a friendship. When Heather inadvertently leaves her cell phone in his dressing room, Alex makes sure to take it to her as they travel to their next gig.

Over the next few months, their relationship grows through texts, phone calls, and emails and as long as they keep their relationship to themselves it blossoms. But the instant the paparazzi and the social media get ahold of the information things change.

This is a very well written tale spotlighting a different kind of relationship. With well drawn characters and an interesting plot, I did enjoy this book and I do recommend it!

*ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. *

I am so far on all my reviews and feedback on my book reviews. It just so sad but I could not do much about it. First life got so crazy that I could not make time to do reviews and then my computer broke on me. I finally have a new laptop so I can post my reviews! FINALLY!!

Anyway, back to the review…. I absolutely loved this book! I am in the mood where I just cannot finish any romance books but thankfully and luckily this was not one of these books. This is my first time reading any of this authors books but I think I will just go and check out the rest of her books. I completely adored this book and sadly if I enjoy a book then it is always a nice quick read for me. This was such a fun read and the writing was great. I could easily picture myself there.

Now this story is about a small town waitress Heather that met a famous rock star that she new nothing about. I adore reading small town/rock star romance. I love how there is Heather who would treat someone famous, Alex as a regular person and not someone famous. I mean Heather new next to nothing about the band that Alex was in even if the bad was so popular but yet they just clicked and seemed to really like each other. This was hard for them to be together because he was always on tour. I just loved reading this as it was really entertaining.

I would most certainly recommend this book if you love a  realistic romance book with the troubles of long distance relationships. It was just so swoon worthy and the characters just felt so real. This story showed how life is like being famous with the pressure of the paparazzi and how social media will portrayed them.

Heather Gordon, a waitress in a small North Carolina town, has her world turned upside down when she becomes involved with Alex Kirwan, the charming lead singer of the internationally famous rock band Kirwan. Despite their differences, they form a deep connection, but they must navigate the challenges of fame and distance as Alex's tour takes him away from Heather. As they exchange messages and calls, their relationship deepens, but they must confront the realities of celebrity life. Despite the obstacles, Heather and Alex's love story unfolds against the backdrop of music, family, and personal dreams.

Cute story of a girl who meets a rockstar. Has no idea he is one, which he appreciates. Their story goes through them getting to know each other and figuring out the hurdles of dating a celebrity and if they can make it work.

This was a very traditional-feeling clean romance. The plot was somewhat predictable, but there was a cozy familiarity to the the whole book that made it pleasant to read. Experienced romance readers may not find much new here, but this would be a good choice for a reader who is either young (high school) or new to the genre.

It was a slow start. It took me a while to get into the story, but eventually it did pull me in and I enjoyed this sweet love story.

This was the first book I have read by Amy Clipston and I can't wait to read her other books. It's been awhile since I have read a Christian style book but this was really refreshing. I have been getting drawn back into nice clean romance books lately. The characters were easy to relate to and kept me interested through the whole book. I would recommend this sweet clean romance book.


Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson--FICTION for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

It was just another average day at work at her family's restaurant when Heather experiences two overgrown kids having a food fight. Heather mentions this to another member of their party after they already left. To make amends, he invites her to he and his brothers' concert. Heather doesn't want anything to do with the pretentious band, but her sister insists that she attends with her. After the concert, Heather finds herself alone with the oldest brother and discovers that he is more down to earth than she realized. After realizing they share similar interests, phone numbers are exchanged and a friendship develops. Alex's life is not all glitz and glam; he often encounters loneliness, paparazzi, and being the subject of gossip columns. Will Heather be able to look past all that to see the real Alex? Will Alex be able to make time for Heather while dealing with a grueling international tour schedule? A good book full of romance, second chances, and putting aside one's fears. Recommend this book for lovers of romance.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Starstruck is a contemporary, standalone novel by Amy Clipston. The characters were ok but they didn't really have an depth to them and I had a hard time connecting to them or even caring about what happened to them. I didn't feel like this book was as developed or put together as Clipston's Amish novels are. It was an ok read but it isn't something I'm longing to go back and reread again.

At first I enjoyed this book, I liked the premise of a star falling for a normal person and I liked Heather and Alexs cute-meet. However the more I read thestory, the less I enjoyed it. While the story was sweet it had no depth to it and I expected more based on other books by the author I've read. I really disliked Heather, I thought her character was very shallow. She was warned what dating a celebrity was like but went ahead anyway then broke up with Alex the first time things got difficult. All the way through the book they talked about having to compromise to make the relationship work but Alex is the only one who made any changes to his life for the relationship. Alex was a sweetheart and I liked his character. Alex and Heather's dialogue was so cheesy and was mostly them thanking each for things. Overall did not enjoy this book but hey books are subjective so others may love it.

The book Starstruck was an enjoyable read. I would recommend any book written by Amy Clipston. Happy Reading!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

This is a good book. The two main characters are Heather and Alex. There is an instant attraction when they meet. Heather works at the family’s barbecue restaurant. Alex is in the family’s rock band. They meet when the band comes to eat at the barbecue restaurant. Alex asks for her phone number. Over the next five months they video call, text, or call one another several times a day. They visit both of their hometowns. They fall in love.

Heather Gordon lives in a small town and works at her parent's restaurant while saving and dreaming of opening a bookstore and bakery. When a group of young men come in from the rock band Kirwan, Heather's younger sister can't believe she doesn't know who the band that consists of three brothers, even is. Two of the brothers start a food fight, leave a large tip and walk out. When the elder brother comes out of the restroom and discovers what his brothers have done, feisty Heather has quite a bit to say about it. This interaction leads to a friendship, that leads to a relationship between the two that is sweet, feels organic, and kept my attention. I enjoyed the progression and the path of a relationship between someone who is world famous and someone who enjoys anonymity. It's an interesting topic of bringing two very different worlds together and I enjoyed the way the author wrote it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.

Heather Gordon has worked in her family diner for as long as she can remember and dreams of opening her own bakery and bookshop someday. But she lacks the courage to take that first step and really put herself out there to pursue her dream.

One night, a rowdy bunch of guys start a food fight, and while her sister is thrilled that her celebrity heartthrob is among them, Heather is less than impressed. As the two of them are cleaning up the mess that's been left behind (along with a hefty tip), one of the other members of the party, Alex, comes to apologize and help them. As Heather sees it, being a rockstar is no excuse for the band's behavior, and she wants nothing to do with empty apologies. But she and her sister end up with VIP passes to the band's next show, and things take off from there.

As Heather and Alex get to know one another better, they help each other grow and define what it is that they each want their futures to look like. And since much of the relationship develops while Alex is touring with the band, it allows a true "meeting of the minds" to take place where they get to know one another deeply before feelings cloud their vision.

A truly enjoyable story of a couple finding ways around what seem like unsurmountable odds to create a life that's rewarding and sweet.

Thank you to Amy Clipston, whose books I always enjoy, Thomas Nelson and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Starstruck is perfect for fans of celebrity romances. It follows Heather who is a waitress in a small diner that is simple and uneventful. One day a famous band shows up at her diner. That changes when the lead singer Alex tries to make amends for her brother who caused a scene. This is a sweet romance about two hearts that deserve love and each other. Well-written, character-driven, fast-paced and enjoyable

Starstruck
Amy Clipston
Pub Date: November 14,2023
Thomas Nelson Fiction
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I didn't really connect with this book as well as others did but I do know this author is very popular.
Filled with heart and the intoxicating allure of possibility, Starstruck is a must-read for anyone who has ever dreamed of finding love in surprising places.

Charming friends-to-lovers romance
Stand-alone novel
Includes discussion questions for book clubs
4 stars

Starstruck by Amy Clipston
Can a small-town waitress capture the heart of a world-famous heartthrob?
For Heather Gordon, life in her small North Carolina town has always been simple and uneventful. Until one night when a rowdy food fight breaks out in her family’s restaurant where she’s a waitress. The culprits? The internationally famous rock band, Kirwan. And when Alex Kirwan, the charming and enigmatic lead singer, wants to make amends for his brothers’ (and bandmates’) behavior and invites her to attend one of their concerts as a guest of the band, Heather’s world is turned upside down . . . and sparks fly.
Alex has always loved music, but his rock-star life isn’t all glamorous people and parties. It’s also paparazzi and online tabloids, a new city every week, and the loneliness of touring—even if he has his brothers with him. But with Heather things are different, and he’s instantly smitten and determined to get to know the sweet, pretty woman who has absolutely no interest in his fame. If only he can convince her to take a chance on his crazy life.
Once Alex leaves on tour, he and Heather begin exchanging messages and calls. Despite the distance between them, they find themselves learning they have more in common than they ever could have imagined. But even while Heather and Alex’s relationship deepens, they must face the harsh realities of fame and the pressures it puts on their personal lives. Will their love be enough to overcome the challenges that come with celebrity, or will the rigors of distance and Alex’s life on the road tear them apart?
This is Heather Gordon and Alex Kirwan's story.
Heather, is a server in her family’s restaurant, the Barbecue Pit, which is known for its authentic Carolina barbecue. She loves working with her parents and her younger sister, but she dreams of opening a bookstore with a bakery where she’d sell her delicious treats that she’s given bookish names, like Chocolate Chunk Novel Cookies.
Alex, who is one of the lead singers in the world-famous band Kirwan, which he started with his younger brothers.
Alex lost his father when he was fifteen, and he and his family still grieve that tremendous loss. He feels responsible for his mother and younger brothers, and his goal is to make sure they are taken care of for the rest of their lives.
I recommend this book.
Starstruck by Amy Clipston is a 4 star book.
I am looking forward to reading more books by Amy Clipston.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Love this celebrity/ small town girl romance. Had all the feels you’d want in a romcom! Hope this author writes more on the Kirwans.

A lovely romance although with problems. How does one have a relationship with a rockstar? a very good read.
Many thank to Thomas Nelson Fiction and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.