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See the Stars by Eleanor Ray #Review

  See the Stars by Eleanor Ray will be  published on February 5th 2026 by Piatkus .  Do you ever feel that life isn't going to plan?   When Alice Thorington collapses in the street after a particularly hellish day at work, she must finally admit to herself that her outwardly happy life - steady relationship, well-paid job, beautiful flat in the city - isn't everything she'd hoped it would be. Burnt out by long hours and living a life that doesn't fulfil her dreams, Alice returns home to Yorkshire.  Her childhood home brings complicated family dynamics, a rediscovery of her passion for stargazing and two new friends: Berti, a boy who finds it easier to count the stars than interact with people, and Matt, her brother's best friend and Alice's teenage crush. With each of them facing their own struggles, can the stars that meant so much to Alice in her past help them to find their way in the present?  Filled with heart and warmth, this uplifting novel...

Magic O'Clock / Magical Memories by L.S. Fellows ** Blog Tour Review**


Today I am featuring two short stories by L.S. Fellows: Magic O'Clock and Magical Memories.  They deal with issues around family relationships and the loss caused by dementia. 


Archie Royle is a kind, funny, gentle man.

He’s also my dad. My storyteller. My hero.

Except he doesn’t remember my face any more. 


His world, these days, doesn’t include me or his family.


Life may have changed for him, but he hasn’t given up on life. 


Not at all. 


It’s just different. 


Dad still tells his stories, albeit for a new audience.


He makes people smile and chuckle. As he always did.


He’s a fighter, a survivor and maybe sometimes too clever for his own good! He’ll surprise you. I can assure you of that. 


Welcome to Magic O’Clock, where time is irrelevant and hope is unlimited.

My Thoughts

This short story captures the poignant feelings of a daughter who a father no longer recognises but who glimpses hints of the man he used to be, when he delivers his talks to the other guests in the Care Home. The story, told from the daughter's perspective, is full of the love and care that she feels for her father. It is a very brief story but still manages to convey a lot about the damage done by dementia to a wider family.


As Archie Royle takes his final breath, three sisters race to say their goodbyes.

Two don’t make it in time.
I do.
And now, it’s all my fault they’re too late.
Despite him having dementia.
Despite them not visiting in over a month.

But I won’t let anger win.
After all, we’re all grieving, aren’t we?
Surely, as a family, we can let bygones be bygones.

It’s what Dad would want. Expect.
It’s what he deserves.
We have so much to be grateful for.
So many fond and magical memories to share.

Magical Memories is a fictional tale of loss, grief and moving on.


My Thoughts

The relationship between three siblings comes under the microscope in this short story which deals with their emotional reactions to the death of their father. One of the daughters is driven by her need to be with her father and her feelings of jealousy towards her sisters who she would rather were not included. She is desperate for a sign that her father can recognise her despite the fog of dementia. Aware that she has been his principal visitor, she wants to hang on to some control.  There are some difficult passages around coming to terms with death. This story makes you think about grief and making the most of happier times. It is full of emotion.

  
About the Author


Despite being born in England, my heart now lies in Spain. Many moons ago, I was a student in Granada, Spain. I loved it so much and swore I would return one day on a more permanent basis. In 2003, I did just that. 

Now, as a fur-mum to two adorable but mischievous mutts, in my free time I can usually be spotted with my nose in a book, armed with just the teeniest chunk of chocolate and a zillion pomegranates!

You can follow Lynne here: Facebook   |  Twitter   |  Website 
                                           |  Subscribe  |  Amazon Author Page

Book links: 

Magic O'Clock:   Amazon UK universal
                         |  Other retailers- Kobo, B&N, Apple 

Magical Memories: Amazon UK

Thanks to L S Fellows and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the stories and a place on the tour.



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