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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...

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck #Review

 

It is time to go to New York for Kate Goldbeck's romcom, You, Again which was published in paperback on September 14th.

Ari, a free-spirited struggling comedian, likes to keep things casual, and never sleeps over after hooking up. Josh, born-and-bred Manhattanite, has ambitious plans to take the culinary world by storm, to find The One and live happily-ever-after.

 

After a confrontational first meeting (at the apartment of the woman they are both sleeping with), Ari and Josh never expect their paths to cross again, but years later, as they're both reeling from ego-bruising breakups, a chance encounter leads to a surprising connection: friendship. Turns out, spending time with your former nemesis can be fun when you're both too sad and miserable to hate each other.

And as odd as it seems, they become friends-without-benefits, finding comfort in late night Netflix binges, swiping through each other's online dating profiles, and bickering endlessly on their phones across boroughs. It's better than romance. Until one night, the unspoken boundaries of their platonic relationship begin to blur...


With sharp observations and sizzling chemistry, YOU, AGAIN explores the dynamics of co-ed friendship in this sparkling romantic comedy of modern love in all its forms.


My Thoughts

 New York runs through every page of this story. It is filled with the pace and transience that I imagine is in the air when you live there. People go in and out of people's lives. Ari is a struggling comedian who is forced to do all sorts of jobs to finance her dream. When she meets Josh she comes up against quite a different character. He is focussed and intent on becoming a Michelin starred chef. He appears to have the assurance and self-confidence which she lacks. Ari is an edgy, skittish sort of girl who is desperate to protect her heart and avoid intimacy. Josh talks to her about meeting his soulmate. On the surface, could they be any more different?

    As the years and months go by, Ari and Josh meet in often odd circumstances. He is like a piece of grit in her shoe which she can't get rid of. They have a series of relationships with a variety of people and gradually get to know each other better. From enemies to friends, they begin to recognise in each other mutual traits. As you read this, you can certainly imagine it as a film. Events do not go smoothly. It takes you on quite a journey and often, it is the onlookers, the friends and family who give an insight as to what might be going on.

In short: a contemporary romance.

About the Author

 

Kate Goldbeck grew up in a literal village and dreamed of living in New York, even though her parents warned her that the apartments on Friends were not realistic. In college, she studied film and art history - limiting her employment prospects to 'film museum'. Since earning a master's degree at an engineering school, she's designed award-winning museum exhibits and immersive experiences all over the world. She adores bantering with her partner, falling asleep to British audiobook narrators, and scratching dogs behind the ears.

You can follow Kate here:  X (Twitter)

Purchase Link:  

Thanks to Kate Goldbeck,  and Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.

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