⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars

I received an ARC of The Stranger & The Star from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Listen. I was not prepared for how much I would love this book.

Going in, I was mildly nervous because it’s YA and I haven’t read a YA romance in… a long time. But once I got a few chapters in? Game over. I inhaled this book in roughly 24 hours and canceled all productivity plans in the process.

The best way I can describe this story is if Critical Role and Squid Game had a baby (without the gory violence), raised it on emotional damage, and then handed it to me personally to ruin my life. It’s wildly creative, completely immersive, and genuinely unlike anything else I’ve read. The cast of characters is a delightful group of misfits, including the NPCs. Yes, I am emotionally attached to an NPC. Long live Jeffrey! 🧡

The romance? Absolutely immaculate. A soft, aching slow burn with a payoff that hurt in the best way. I cried. I don’t cry easily at books, but this one got me. I’m also not usually a sci-fi girlie, but this story handled those elements so well that I never once felt lost or overwhelmed.

My one gripe: the main character occasionally felt a bit immature. I was this close to yelling, “Girl, please move on,” every time she brought up her early-book crush long after meeting Sol. But to be fair, this is YA, and teenage me would’ve been doing the exact same thing. Still, minor annoyance aside, it didn’t stop me from being completely obsessed.

And Sol. SOL. He is officially inducted into my personal Best Book Boy Hall of Fame. If I had read this in high school, he would’ve absolutely been fighting Edward Cullen and Peeta Mellark for the top spot, and honestly? He might’ve won.

If you want a fresh, imaginative story with a lovable cast, emotional depth, and a romance that will grab you by the heart and refuse to let go, I highly recommend The Stranger & The Star. Especially if you’re in a reading slump. This book is a reset button.

What a ride ! A mesmerizing story about a neurodivergent girl who wants to know about love and is confronted with alien trials.
I was a bit afraid when I realized the main character was quite young but it brought me back to my young years, learning about first love as a quirky teen and all.
The trials mechanisms are nerdy and witty.
I loved how well the neurodivergent mind is depicted without being cliché.
And the ending is spot on ! It tackles some issues beautifully and gives a « stellar » conclusion for the main characters.

I would love to see an illustrated version, a video game adaptation and even a movie !

Thanks to the author and NetGalley !

This odd little story felt so much like adventure and home at once.

As a blue and purple haired Neurodivergent myself, I found so much of myself in these pages.

I cried when I finished the book not because I was sad but because I felt cozy and contented, nestled into the world that was created.

Admittedly this book was a little young in terms of what I normally read but that didnt lessen my enjoyment one bit. I was enthralled waiting to see how it ended and never wanting it to end.

Genuinely so enjoyable I recommended it to my therapist and I will definitely be getting a physical copy when I can afford it!

This is my honest opinion. This is probably the best book I have read in awhile. The main character June is so relatable. She made me feel like a teenager again with all the anxiety and lack of confidence that adolescence brings. I really hope author plans to continue this story. I would love to find out what happens next, not only for June, but the rest of the characters as well. I definitely recommend this book.

It’s YA, and yes… I’m technically a little past the target age. But I never really stopped reading this genre. There’s something about it that always pulls me back. Lately, though, I’ve noticed that these kinds of stories don’t hit me the way they used to. I still enjoy them, but they rarely shake me or stay with me. This one proved me completely wrong.
It reminded me why I fell in love with YA in the first place: it didn’t just entertain me; it affected me. And honestly? That’s such a rare and wonderful surprise.

Clarke writes with a softness that doesn’t weaken the emotional impact but sharpens it. The sci-fi elements were perfectly woven into the story and I’m not typically drawn to that genre, yet here it never felt intimidating or overwhelming. The concept sounds ambitious, but it’s handled with such clarity and heart that it feels completely grounded. The romance is truly something special.

Thank you NetGalley, Naughtobelus Books LLC and L. N. Clarke for the ARC!

This book healed my neurodivergent heart <3

I was not prepared for how much I would love it. I'll admit my expectations weren't too high but once I got a few chapters in I was hooked. It's so creative and intriguing and I couldn't put it down. It ruined my life and gave me emotional damage in the best way possible.

I always love a good cast of characters where they're all just group of misfit idiots. I would die for them. Some of them pissed me off but honestly they acted exactly how I did in middle school so I can't actually judge. The romance was SO GOOD. I forgot how amazing YA slow burns are. It's like they put crack in them. SOL. Bro. I'm telling you guys, you should be so grateful this book didn't come out while I was in middle school or I would've been so insufferable like that's my man right there. Book Boyfriend Hall of Fam portrait, I see you!!!

I’m also not usually a sci-fi book fan, but this one is convincing me to change my mind. I need everyone to read this right now like it's actually a problem. I need to talk about this book with someone or I'm gonna lose my mind. Screaming, crying, throwing up, etc.

June is your typical misunderstood nerdy girl who just wants to know what love is. When she finds in an unexpected place she will do anything to keep it.

As June sits on the roof of a building in her street, she makes a wish upon a shooting star. Little did she know that star was listening. June enters into an agreement that will see her make her way through a series of escape rooms with a group of strangers all from different planets. All so that the star can experience emotions.

I was actually quite pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. It's not my usual go to having only read one sci-fi series before. However L.N. Clarke created such an immersive world through this story which I was hooked on to from the moment June's feet touched the lavender grass.

Each escape room throughout the book was something completely new and wonderful to explore, and the characters they have created in this world were amazing to get to know. I loved the other characters from the different planets especially Death he was such an interesting character who honestly I wish we got to learn more about him.

Sol was written beautifully, the way they have managed to create a character that feels like he has just been born and give him so much growth throughout the story was amazing. It was the idea that throughout the book he was becoming himself and figuring out who he was.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this one and recommend it for anyone wanting an immersive sci-fi fantasy world to dive into without the fear of being stuck in a multi book series.

This book took me by surprise in how much I really enjoyed it! I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did but June stole my heart and reminded me very much of the first time you experience love.

After reading this I feel as if I have been on my own little adventure. And experienced things again for the first time.

The bunch of characters all wormed there ways into my heart, some more than others and I would love to know what happened to them all. Maybe the author will continue the story? If so I would 100% love to read it!