
Member Reviews

Although there could have been more character development, this is a great book for the beach or a day by the pool
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When Stars Align by Melissa de la Cruz
This was a fun read/ listen! Very reality show like following the story of 3 young Hollywood stars in the spotlight. They battled with addiction, abuse and betrayal but someone this book missed the mark on character development.

*When the Stars Align* by Melissa de la Cruz is a dazzling blend of romance, fate, and self-discovery, set against the backdrop of an unforgettable summer.
Melissa de la Cruz delivers a beautifully crafted story about love, second chances, and the magic of timing. With characters who feel real and emotionally complex, the novel explores the ways life brings people together—sometimes in the most unexpected ways. The setting is lush, the romance is captivating, and the emotional depth keeps you hooked until the very last page.
If you love heartfelt contemporary fiction with a touch of destiny, *When the Stars Align* is a must-read. Have you read it yet? Let’s talk favorite moments!

This was an entertaining coming of age story featuring young Hollywood stars as they experience the ups and downs of life in the spotlight. Full of female friendship, rich people problems and richly drawn characters. It was also good on audio and perfect for fans of books like Hello, Juliet by Samantha Bailey. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book!
I liked it, but I also didn't like it. What do I mean by that?
It was a fast-moving, easy, and entertaining read that puts you right in the nitty gritty of three child stars of "Blast Off! Network’s Kidz Klub show". We follow Miranda, Germaine and Sicily as they become young women in the public eye and are dubbed the "3 AM girls", partying all the time. The reader experiences their ups and their many downs (way more downs than ups) as the actress, heiress and singer, persue their careers, deal with contolling or neglectful family and love lives, always under public scrutiny. In terms of an engrossing Hollywood behind the scenes tell, all it was a bingeable and entertaining read full of action, glamor, betrayal.
It was a little too uncomfortably based on some very recognizable stars, and that worried me a bit about the appropriation of their public hardships and sorrors for consumption as fiction.
Performed by Dominique Salvacion, Caroline Hewitt, Soneela Nankani the narration was good, however I didn't notice enough of a difference in their voices to accurately differentiate the characters. Told in 3rd person it eoild have been just fine with just one narrator.

Having typically gravitated towards other genres, I picked up Melissa De La Cruz's "When Stars Align" hoping for a captivating entry into general fiction. The premise – three childhood friends and Hollywood darlings reuniting after a decade of navigating fame and its aftermath – certainly held an allure. The promise of exploring themes of success, friendship, and redemption seemed like a solid foundation for an engaging story.
While De La Cruz paints a vivid picture of the glitz and subsequent struggles of young Hollywood stars, the narrative ultimately felt more like a gentle wade into the genre rather than the immersive dive I was hoping for. The individual journeys of Miranda, Germaine, and Sicily – from their initial rise to fame to their respective falls and eventual reconnection – are certainly relatable on a surface level. Miranda's battle with addiction and her attempts at a comeback, Germaine's search for purpose beyond her family's wealth, and Sicily's fight to reclaim her life from controlling parents all presented intriguing possibilities.
However, I found myself wanting a deeper connection with the characters and their internal conflicts. While their histories and traumas are laid out, the emotional resonance felt somewhat muted. The plot moved along at a decent pace, and the eventual reunion of the three women held a certain satisfaction, but the complexities of their past betrayals and the process of repairing their fractured friendship didn't quite grip me with the intensity I anticipated.
"When Stars Align" offers a glimpse into the often-turbulent world of celebrity and the enduring power of female friendship. It's a perfectly readable and ultimately heartwarming story. However, for someone like myself, venturing into general fiction and seeking a truly immersive and emotionally resonant experience, this one landed squarely in the middle. It was enjoyable enough, but it didn't quite capture me in the way I had hoped.

There were aspects of this book I really enjoyed but I wish I had had some more backstory about the 3am girls and their earlier experiences that helped bond them.

This read lacked depth, and character development.
However, it had a nostalgic feel to it for those who grew up in the early 2000’s.
I couldn’t help but think of Britney, Paris, and Lindsay the whole time. Their lives and the way they had to grow up so quickly was depicted very well throughout the story. The friendships they had were really sweet and there were sparks of captivating plot, but it just kept falling short. Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it.
Thank you netgalley for the Arc!

Thanks to NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ALC!
First let me say that the narrator was great! 5/5
However, I spent most of the book wishing it was over. These characters were really unlikable, I don’t feel like any growth happened, the story was super choppy and just did not seem to have a point. If you appreciate plot, this is not the book for you.

rounded up to 3.75 stars
Miranda Montana, Germaine St. Germaine-Chang, and Sicily Bell are best friends who met on the set of their Hollywood show. We follow them throughout their success and missteps, and how their friendship evolves over time.
This gave 90s vibes, and I am here for it. It was entertaining throughout the whole audiobook. I loved that we got some backstory and beyond. It showed how true friendships could survive the test of time and evolve with you. The narrators, Dominique Salvacion, Caroline Hewitt, and Soneela Nankani, brought the characters to life.

The three narrators of this book were great and I really enjoyed doing the audiobook.
I really enjoyed this coming-of-age novel about three girls who meet us teens and grow up together while navigating life in the Spotlight. The story gives a realistic behind-the-scenes look at fame with fun Hollywood and celebrity references woven throughout. It’s a heart that felt honest portrayal of friendship, growing pains, and staying grounded. A great read for fans of character driven stories with a glamorous Twist.

This story follows three child actors who were a part of a show called Kidz Club and follows their life beyond that show and how they have always been in the public eye. I agree with other reviews that say that it reminded them of Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton. They had terrible headlines printed of them that they were partying a lot etc, when that's what you do in your 20s. I enjoy any book that has hollywood drama and this has a lot of it. The time jumps were very abrupt and I would've liked a more cleaner ending but it was a good read.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. We follow along three friends who were childhood stars together that went through some very real life issues. This book definitely gives you an insight on how difficult it can be to grow up in the spotlight. Lives spiraling out of control, being taken advantage of for your money. And then the full circle come around of eventually growing up. Great narration and really good insight on what many young stars have gone through in real life.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Amazon Publishing, Mindy's Book Studio and MB Communications, and Brilliance Audio for gifting me both a physical and audio ARC of the latest Mindy's Book Studio offering by Melissa de la Cruz, narrated perfectly by Dominique Salvacion, Caroline Hewitt, and Soneela Nankani. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4 stars!
Best friends Miranda Montana, Germaine St. Germaine-Chang, and Sicily Bell were the darlings of Hollywood who rose from teen success to in-demand idols of screaming fans and paparazzi. But nothing lasts forever. Now Miranda, the wild-child movie star, drifts from rehab to dead-end relationships as she tries for a comeback from a very public fall from grace. Germaine, the daughter of billionaire hotel moguls, has lost her purpose. And then there’s Sicily, the all-American pop star who had a record deal, sold-out concerts, and controlling parents who squeezed the very life out of her. After a decade, fate reconnects these three young women for a long-awaited confrontation with the secrets, betrayals, heartbreak, and family traumas of the past.
This was really entertaining, and the narration really pulled you into the story. It's nostalgic, taking you back to a time when Britney, Lindsay, and Paris were all anyone could talk about. The story delves into the public obsession with celebrities - both when they are at the top, and maybe more so when they aren't. It makes you feel bad for these young people thrust into a world that they could never prepare for, plus so many don't have the support required. Eye opening, but also just an entertaining story!