Didn't love this book, it reminded me of the '90s gossip and vapid starlets... too light of a read for me.

A lovely tale told in annual/decade increments about 3 former child stars and their lives as they aged. I loved hearing about Miranda, Sicily, & Germaine’s stories. Whilst the characters are loveable, this book made me extremely glad that I don’t have to deal with Hollywood/extreme wealth drama on top of regular life drama. I binge read this and it was almost impossible to put down - and that’s saying a lot/it wasn’t an easy feat as I have 3 kids (and life is busy in the loveliest way)! I don’t want to say too much more as I don’t want to give away too much for those wanting to read, but is an incredibly poignant book on the bravery of all three women overcoming individual and collective trauma from their child star days. Thank you NetGalley for the free ARC. 😊

Thank you to Netgalley and Mindy’s Book Studio | Mindy's Book Studio for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved this book!! It was one that normally isn't Melissa de la Cruz genre. I loved the characters and the storyline. I thought the characters had great growth. I definitely would recommend this book!

Fun read for a YA reader
Reviewed in Australia on 2 June 2025
Was a good read. A bit to YA for me at the moment. Good read for a teen.
Thank you for your review.

When Stars Align was such a fun surprise it had all the glitz, mess, and emotional drama I love in a good redemption arc. Melissa de la Cruz brings us three former teen stars Miranda, Germaine, and Sicily each dealing with the fallout of fame, fractured friendships, and personal heartbreak. A decade after their rise and fall, they’re thrown back together in a story full of tension, healing, and second chances.

I really enjoyed how layered their relationships were. The friendship between the girls felt raw and complicated equal parts loyalty and betrayal and it gave the story real emotional weight. You can tell they’ve been through it, and watching them try to reconnect (sometimes awkwardly, sometimes beautifully) was the best part for me.

It is a bit dramatic at times (in a way that reminded me of classic CW dramas or early 2000s Hollywood gossip), but honestly? That made it even more entertaining. It’s like getting a peek behind the scenes of fame with just enough heart to keep it grounded.

If you’re into stories about complicated female friendships, fame, forgiveness, and growing up (again), this one is totally worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! 💫

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book.
I was really excited about the premise and a deep dive into Hollywood and stardom. Unfortunately, this didn't deliver for me - I couldn't connect to the characters and felt like their friendship and characters should have been explored more.

This book was very much of a place and time. A great soapy look at the early aughts and the effect it had on the it crowd of the time.

I don't think Melissa de la Cruz could write anything that I wouldn't want to read but I almost didn't pick up this one. I was worried that it would be too "young" for me and plain silly--but you know what... it was very good. It is loosely based on real Hollywood teenagers that couldn't keep it together. Drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, terrible parents. These are the stories that I used to read in the gossip magazines. Thank you to NetGalley and Mindy's Book Studio for the complementary digital ARC. This review is my own words and opinion.

Sadly, this book wasn't for me. But if you enjoy early 00's celebrity drama then you might like this.

This book dives headfirst into the wild world of Hollywood, catching up with former teen queens Miranda Montana, Germaine St. Germaine-Chang, and Sicily Bell. After a whole decade, these ladies—who used to be everywhere—are back together to deal with all the messy stuff from their past.

Honestly, the idea of these old best friends reuniting after burning bright and then crashing hard is pretty good. The synopsis hints at a juicy mix of secrets, betrayals, heartbreak, and family drama, which sounds like it could be a really deep dive into what being famous so young can do to you. Miranda's rehab stints and public drama, Germaine feeling lost even with all her money, and Sicily trying to escape her overbearing parents all sound like solid storylines. And the whole friendship being their biggest win? That's a strong hook, suggesting a story about getting a second chance and how important true friends are.

But, and this is a big but, the synopsis also makes me wonder. "Settling old scores" and "repairing the damage" and "holding onto friendship" all at once? That could get pretty crowded. It's tough to weave all that together without it feeling like a bunch of separate dramatic moments instead of one smooth, meaningful story. The book's success will totally depend on whether it can balance each woman's personal struggles with the bigger picture of their rekindled friendship and finally putting the past to rest. It's got potential for sure, but they'd really need to nail the execution so it doesn't just feel like a soap opera.

If the infamous picture of Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, and Britney Spears was turned into a book, this would be it. The premise was intriguing but the story fell flat. I did not connect to these characters at all and don’t even get me started on their names (Germaine St. Germaine-Chang!). I almost DNF’d it several times but I kind of wanted to find out if there would be any good character arcs in the end. I was disappointed.

It’s a quick read and I enjoyed the nostalgia from the time I was a teenager. I think this book could be more enjoyable for other readers, it just wasn’t for me.

I just finished a great book. When Stars Align by Melissa de la Cruz is available now. Pick it up! You won’t regret it.

"When the Stars Align" is a fast, fascinating read that dives into the lives of three fictional child stars. Spanning from 2006 to 2028, it shows how fame shaped them—and how the adults around them failed them. The characters felt real, with clear echoes of early-2000s celebrities like Britney and Lindsay. Melissa de la Cruz’s writing is sharp and engaging as always. I do wish there’d been a quick follow-up at the end, but overall, it’s a compelling look at the cost of fame.

“But when you reached the top of the Ferris wheel, the only way to go was down.”

So I am thinking Lindsey Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears as I read this one. Those are the people I’m envisioning for these characters. And after reading a blurb form the author those are the exact people that the characters are based on! So I was spot on.

It took me three weeks to get through this book, though. Three. I can read a book in a day if it’s good enough. I lived through all of the case sceneries depicted here with the actual celebrities, so it was like reading a story I already knew the plot to. I feel like this book may be better enjoyed by a younger audience.

Thank you to Netgalley, Mindy’s Book Studio, and the author for the complimentary copy.

First of all thank you Netgalley for this E-Arc.

I was really anticipating this story and the lives of these three girls, however I felt extremely disappointed. The storyline and plot truly seemed weak and due to this I found myself not caring about any of the characters. The story was centred around these three ‘friends’ if you can even call them that and the despicable people they meet along the way. The drama unfolding truly felt repetitive and when I found myself beginning to feel invested in the story, the story skipped many years with once again, more drama and more condescending characters. There is not an actual story within this tale and I found myself dragging in order to end the book. This book unfortunately felt like a waste of my time, but once again thank you Netgalley for this book. It was just very poorly executed for me.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley.

A fun read about three best friends. Wish a bit more time was spent on worldbuilding and that the friendship was not as fractured through chapters and time jumps as it was, but the girls were interesting and their devotion to each other made this a worthwhile read.

When Stars Align" by Melissa de la Cruz is a captivating novel about the enduring power of female friendship in the face of fame, trauma, and personal struggles. The story follows three former child stars, Miranda, Germaine, and Sicily, as they navigate the highs and lows of their careers and personal lives.

The description of this book sounded like it would be something I would like. It was hard for me to connect to the characters and the plot. I really enjoy Melissa de la Cruz, but this one wasn't her best.

This had all the makings of a fun, nostalgic read—especially for anyone who grew up watching the rise and fall of Y2K-era It Girls. The characters are clearly inspired by Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears.

I would’ve enjoyed this more as an audiobook. It had the feel of something that would really come to life with the right voice acting—something immersive to keep you hooked through the flashbacks, drama, and personal implosions. The book spent so much time on the downfall that the redemption arcs felt rushed and underdeveloped. It’s a solid read for the drama and nostalgia, but it left me wanting more from the characters’ second acts.