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Lost Stars #1
When the Stars Fall
Growing up, Jude McCallister was the bane of my existence.
My best friend. Fiercest ally. The most annoying boy in the world.
At eighteen, the boy I loved to hate became the man I couldn’t live without.
We were young. Madly in love. Invincible.
Strong enough to weather any storm.
Cocky enough to believe that no amount of time or distance could destroy us.
When Jude finally returned home from overseas, it should have been cause for celebration. But the man I’d fallen in love with was gone, and in his place was someone I no longer recognized.
𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛’𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑. 𝐼’𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦.
Now, after six long years he’s back. Only my heart ... it doesn’t beat just for him anymore.
My best friend. Fiercest ally. The most annoying boy in the world.
At eighteen, the boy I loved to hate became the man I couldn’t live without.
We were young. Madly in love. Invincible.
Strong enough to weather any storm.
Cocky enough to believe that no amount of time or distance could destroy us.
When Jude finally returned home from overseas, it should have been cause for celebration. But the man I’d fallen in love with was gone, and in his place was someone I no longer recognized.
𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛’𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑. 𝐼’𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦.
Now, after six long years he’s back. Only my heart ... it doesn’t beat just for him anymore.
434 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2020
About the author
Emery Rose
18 books1,573 followersEmery Rose has been known to indulge in good red wine, strong coffee, and a healthy dose of sarcasm.
When she’s not writing, you can find her binge-watching Netflix, trotting the globe in search of sunshine, or immersed in a good book. A former New Yorker, she currently lives in London with her two beautiful daughters and one grumpy but lovable Border Terrier.
Emery loves to connect with her readers and you can find her here:
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When she’s not writing, you can find her binge-watching Netflix, trotting the globe in search of sunshine, or immersed in a good book. A former New Yorker, she currently lives in London with her two beautiful daughters and one grumpy but lovable Border Terrier.
Emery loves to connect with her readers and you can find her here:
Subscribe to Newsletter: https://bit.ly/EmeryRoseNL
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2qVxy5R
Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/2ISyS5y
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2KPVgJf
Twitter: https://bit.ly/2GYo2FS
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,033 reviews
Shelved as 'nope-nope-nope'
March 9, 2022Same ol, manwhore hero and a heroine who is untouched. When will female authors stop this sexist crap.
"Yeah, yeah, just sex. Apparently guys could separate the emotional from the physical but I had no idea how that was possible."
Women are perfectly capable of having sex that is just physical. We have millions of books that explore women who need emotion to have it, but isnt it time to explore women who dont need it and can just have sex for pleasure? Instead of as a way to prove their love to a hero who does not have to adhere to the same standards, its sexist to have her not able to allow anyone to touch her but for him he can touch whoever he wants and experience pleasure when he wants.
"Yeah, yeah, just sex. Apparently guys could separate the emotional from the physical but I had no idea how that was possible."
Women are perfectly capable of having sex that is just physical. We have millions of books that explore women who need emotion to have it, but isnt it time to explore women who dont need it and can just have sex for pleasure? Instead of as a way to prove their love to a hero who does not have to adhere to the same standards, its sexist to have her not able to allow anyone to touch her but for him he can touch whoever he wants and experience pleasure when he wants.
November 9, 2020
This book had everything I love - childhood lovers, second chances, dealing with PTSD & the effects of war and of course... A GREAT LOVE STORY. 😍
And the cover? So hot...! 🔥🔥🔥
📚 “𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥, 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐞?”
"𝐈'𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮." 📚
9-year-old Lila Turner met 10-year-old Jude and his cousin Brody McAllister when she moved in next door in Cypress Springs, a small town in Texas and they immediately become an inseparable trio, but over the years Jude and Lila's friendship became love. (I loved that Jude realized he was in love with her long before she realized it herself. My freaking Kryptonite! 😂😍)
Jude was an outstanding athlete, so good that he could easily be in the NFL. But that was not his dream... From a young age, he always wanted to enlist the army and join the Marines to serve his country, just like his father. 💪❤⭐
Jude and Lila both know that their time is limited because at 18, they will have to separate for 5 years - but they are sure of their love and know they will have their whole life together. Will their great love last?
They thought time was their only enemy... they thought their love was strong enough to keep them together forever... but when Jude returns from the war, their troubles only begins. 😱💔
📚 “𝐏𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐤𝐲, 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐞. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦." 📚
The book was amazingly written... it was deep - but it also has moments of humor... it has a young love story - and also a mature one (their story is over 20 years)... The characters were well-developed, including the secondary ones (I can not wait to read about the other McAllister boys!) 😍😍😍
The only things that I didn't like happened in the first half:
1. The part where they were young felt TOO long, I was waiting for them to grow up. (it was 50% of the book)
2. Jude always felt that Lila was his, even before they became a couple - but he wasn't always hers. (Damn... I hate that!)
3. The big fight they had when they were teens and the way they both behaved to each other pissed me off. So much.
I loved this book... I laughed, got angry, swooned, cried and enjoyed the ride. 👑⭐
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📖 ᖴOᒪᒪOᗯ ᗰE Oᑎ IᑎᔕTᗩGᖇᗩᗰ: https://www.instagram.com/the_romanti...
📖 ᐯIᔕIT ᗰY ᗷᒪOG ᖴOᖇ ᗰOᖇE ᖇEᐯIEᗯᔕ: https://books-romance.com/
📖 GOOᗪᖇEᗩᗪᔕ: https://bit.ly/3acMRMP
October 21, 2020
MY REVIEW AND OTHERS: can also be found on my blog:
➽ KITTY KATS CRAZY ABOUT BOOKS
'WHEN THE STARS FALL' is the first full length romance book in new to me author Emery Roses's 'Lost Stars' series. Spoken in 'Dual Perspectives.'
These types of books are the ones I chase, childhood sweethearts, to being torn apart by the impacts of war. God this book gave my heart a hammering, the angst, and all the feels played havoc on my emotions. As soon as I started this I was hooked, books like this are my kryptonite, and this author delivered it perfectly.
Nine year old Lila, and ten year olds Jude and his cousin Brody met when Lila moved next door to them in Cypress Springs a small town in Texas, the three became fast friends. Lila was the kind of girl who never backed down from a dare and Jude loved to get her riled up to see how far he could take it.
Jude played football, and was the town's golden boy and could've even made it to the NFL but that wasn't his dream, even at a young age he wanted to enlist in the Marines 'I want to fight for our country. I want to do my part to protect our freedom' and serve his country just like his father had done before him.
They spend summers freely, running wild, the three doing dare, becoming inseparable. Bonds formed, friendships sealed, a love like no other between Jude and Lila blossoms slowly. '“If a guy won't give you his hoodie, he's not worth your time.”
“𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍, 𝑱𝒖𝒅𝒆?”
“𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖.”
As soon as they graduate Jude will be enlisting for five years leaving Lila behind to face college alone. Even though it was hard year after year they stayed strong. “For five long years I'd waited for him. For five long years I'd counted down the months and days until we could be together again. And now that he was here, it felt like he wasn't really here at all.”
Now five years later..War had changed Jude, he wasn't the same boy that had gone off to fight for his country, in his place he's retuned a man ravaged by war and the things he'd seen and done. They thought their love would be strong enough to tether them together. They thought nothing could break them apart.
They were wrong. So very wrong.
* TEASERS USED ARE OFF THE AUTHORS FACEBOOK PAGE *
February 18, 2022
Kind of mixed feelings on this book.
On one hand I understood the journey Lila and Jude had. They were young when they fell in love, teenagers dont make the best decisions and that showed with how Lila pushed Jude away after her mother died. It showed when Jude, even knowing he loved Lila more than anything, still slept with other girls. They were kids, she was stubborn and hurting, he was prideful and heartbroken. They fell apart for a while but made their way back within a year of separation. The longest they'd gone without speaking to the other since they met at 9 years old.
When they were together they were great. They were happy and home in each others arms. Apart they were miserable, lost and incomplete. Getting to read their entire story from meeting to teens to young adults to adults. It was a long journey. A hard one they had to work for to get to their HEA.
Not every love story is perfect, it can be messy and horrible and heartbreaking but it forges a bond of love strong and unbreakable. I do believe trials are necessary in every relationship. I'm happy they made it in the end.
That is the good.
Now the bad.
I didnt really, okay maybe a little, but I didnt really care about Jude sleeping with others girls. What bugged me was that he can go around with other girls just fine but Lila cant even kiss another guy without feeling sick. They were teens so they'd explore of course I get that, but why is it when Lila tried to do just that she couldnt go through with it but it's fair for us to read about Jude hooking up with girls left right and centre but having poor pathetic Lila still holding out for him. Ugh. And not to mention their first sexual experience with one another, aside from their kiss, was him goading her into giving him a blowjob, then saying if she didnt do it that he'd be done with her...and what does Lila do!?! She gets on her knees and gives him what he wants!!! WTF!? And this is after he comes home from a party slightly drunk, and looking as if he had just f*cked someone, which he probably did. Ewwwww. And he throws her out afterwards without even a thank you. Omg the romance is just making me swoon -_-
They finally get their shit together and for a while they're great. He goes off to the marines and after five years he's back. During his time in those 5 years they were still going strong. Long distance, letters, calls, sparce visits...they stuck it out. But a bad last deployment, the death of his comrades...it finally took its toll. Jude was back physically but mentally still scarred from war. They're engaged already. Lila gets pregnant thinking the baby will save their relationship. She miscarries the baby...and where is Jude? Too much drugs and alcohol had him asleep and ignoring her when she tried to tell him something was wrong.
He has nightmares and hurts her twice. The second time he realised he is hurting her and leaves with a note left behind.
6 years later he comes back and Lila has a kid...with his best friend/cousin. I wasnt mad at this. In fact this felt like good old fucking karma after all the shit he'd put Lila through, she went ahead and had a baby with Brody. Colour me surprised, it isnt a cliche where the heroine has the heroes kid without him knowing, and then he comes back home after a good long time gone and not for the heroine but because tragedy has struck in the family so he's forced to come home, and bam front row seat to the life he wanted but walked away from. With the love of his life and cousin hahahahahahaha. She actually slept with his best friend! And got knocked up! Gold. Though it was a drunken one night stand between them, and note that Brody is the third wheel of their trio and best friends with both of them. It wasnt an elicit affair or revenge and bitterness. Brody loved and lost Jude too. When Jude left...he also left Brody behind too. We didnt really get Brody's take on how he felt being abandoned by Jude, the guy who stood by his side through EVERYTHING, and like Brodys mother...abandoned him.
I totally wish this story had Lila ending up with Brody. First loves are not always true loves. I think Lila and Brody would have been better together. Brody was more dependable. Jude was a flight risk and Brody was always there. Through it all from day one Brody was there. He felt like a cheapened side piece used to cause drama....he deserved better.
I felt their story as adults, the critical part where this is make or break between Jude and Lila, was rushed. There wasnt some deep vulnerable heart wrenching confrontation. No big talk of understanding and hurt and healing. It was "I love him, I've always loved him" ... and that is it. That was it!! That is not enough. There was no growth! There was no healing. They were different people and we didnt even get to see them come to terms about everything. After everything that happened. Jude ghosting for 6 years with no communication only to come back not even work for it that much. She did the most apologising. Why was SHE apologising!? What more could she have done!? Jude was the one who left!
I will not be returning back to this series. Why does it have such high ratings!?
On one hand I understood the journey Lila and Jude had. They were young when they fell in love, teenagers dont make the best decisions and that showed with how Lila pushed Jude away after her mother died. It showed when Jude, even knowing he loved Lila more than anything, still slept with other girls. They were kids, she was stubborn and hurting, he was prideful and heartbroken. They fell apart for a while but made their way back within a year of separation. The longest they'd gone without speaking to the other since they met at 9 years old.
When they were together they were great. They were happy and home in each others arms. Apart they were miserable, lost and incomplete. Getting to read their entire story from meeting to teens to young adults to adults. It was a long journey. A hard one they had to work for to get to their HEA.
Not every love story is perfect, it can be messy and horrible and heartbreaking but it forges a bond of love strong and unbreakable. I do believe trials are necessary in every relationship. I'm happy they made it in the end.
That is the good.
Now the bad.
I didnt really, okay maybe a little, but I didnt really care about Jude sleeping with others girls. What bugged me was that he can go around with other girls just fine but Lila cant even kiss another guy without feeling sick. They were teens so they'd explore of course I get that, but why is it when Lila tried to do just that she couldnt go through with it but it's fair for us to read about Jude hooking up with girls left right and centre but having poor pathetic Lila still holding out for him. Ugh. And not to mention their first sexual experience with one another, aside from their kiss, was him goading her into giving him a blowjob, then saying if she didnt do it that he'd be done with her...and what does Lila do!?! She gets on her knees and gives him what he wants!!! WTF!? And this is after he comes home from a party slightly drunk, and looking as if he had just f*cked someone, which he probably did. Ewwwww. And he throws her out afterwards without even a thank you. Omg the romance is just making me swoon -_-
They finally get their shit together and for a while they're great. He goes off to the marines and after five years he's back. During his time in those 5 years they were still going strong. Long distance, letters, calls, sparce visits...they stuck it out. But a bad last deployment, the death of his comrades...it finally took its toll. Jude was back physically but mentally still scarred from war. They're engaged already. Lila gets pregnant thinking the baby will save their relationship. She miscarries the baby...and where is Jude? Too much drugs and alcohol had him asleep and ignoring her when she tried to tell him something was wrong.
He has nightmares and hurts her twice. The second time he realised he is hurting her and leaves with a note left behind.
6 years later he comes back and Lila has a kid...with his best friend/cousin. I wasnt mad at this. In fact this felt like good old fucking karma after all the shit he'd put Lila through, she went ahead and had a baby with Brody. Colour me surprised, it isnt a cliche where the heroine has the heroes kid without him knowing, and then he comes back home after a good long time gone and not for the heroine but because tragedy has struck in the family so he's forced to come home, and bam front row seat to the life he wanted but walked away from. With the love of his life and cousin hahahahahahaha. She actually slept with his best friend! And got knocked up! Gold. Though it was a drunken one night stand between them, and note that Brody is the third wheel of their trio and best friends with both of them. It wasnt an elicit affair or revenge and bitterness. Brody loved and lost Jude too. When Jude left...he also left Brody behind too. We didnt really get Brody's take on how he felt being abandoned by Jude, the guy who stood by his side through EVERYTHING, and like Brodys mother...abandoned him.
I totally wish this story had Lila ending up with Brody. First loves are not always true loves. I think Lila and Brody would have been better together. Brody was more dependable. Jude was a flight risk and Brody was always there. Through it all from day one Brody was there. He felt like a cheapened side piece used to cause drama....he deserved better.
I felt their story as adults, the critical part where this is make or break between Jude and Lila, was rushed. There wasnt some deep vulnerable heart wrenching confrontation. No big talk of understanding and hurt and healing. It was "I love him, I've always loved him" ... and that is it. That was it!! That is not enough. There was no growth! There was no healing. They were different people and we didnt even get to see them come to terms about everything. After everything that happened. Jude ghosting for 6 years with no communication only to come back not even work for it that much. She did the most apologising. Why was SHE apologising!? What more could she have done!? Jude was the one who left!
I will not be returning back to this series. Why does it have such high ratings!?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 21, 2023
The premise was great, but there was just something missing here. This should have been a slam dunk for me, but it just didn't land.
October 20, 2020
She deserved better. He was sure not it.
October 22, 2020
To the author: 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you for this book! I loved it!!!
This story was beautiful!
Thank you for this book! I loved it!!!
This story was beautiful!
August 19, 2023
5 🌟 omg i have no words
September 19, 2021
2.5 Stars ....The writing was really good but this book pissed me off. The way certain things were handled was frustrating. Lila was kind of weak and Jude I found to be kind of a jerk who sometimes said sweet things. Spoilers below.......
Part 1 was too long. We didn't need 50% of the book to be about them between the ages of 9-18. Way too much extra information to tell us they were childhood best friends that loved eachother. And what the fuck was with the blow job scene!?! I could not believe the way Jude treated Lila and never even apologized for it.
Part 2 was not long enough. I wish the story spent more time on Jude's PTSD and random drug problem. Like where did that even come from?? It jumped around alot. There should've been more on the miscarriage, flashbacks, Jude settling back into everyday life....just more. There was so much to unpack in Part 2 and the author kind of just skipped right over it. Jude leaves and that's it we time jump.
Then WTF was that in part 3?!? It went straight into Lila and Brody having a 4yr old son. Um, excuse me what!? It didn't even make much sense. At first it seemed like Brody was secretly in love with Lila this whole time. Jude comes back 6years later and we get nothing on his journey to how he got better. There's no conversations, no groveling or working on the relationship. They just continue where they left off before he went into the marines. I also found it weird that for 6years he didn't speak to Brody even tho they're family. That whole timeline didn't make too much sense to me. There was also no reason to throw in the tidbit about Bianca and illegal fighting, very random things we didn't need.
This story could've been really good but the execution was the issue for me.
Part 1 was too long. We didn't need 50% of the book to be about them between the ages of 9-18. Way too much extra information to tell us they were childhood best friends that loved eachother. And what the fuck was with the blow job scene!?! I could not believe the way Jude treated Lila and never even apologized for it.
Part 2 was not long enough. I wish the story spent more time on Jude's PTSD and random drug problem. Like where did that even come from?? It jumped around alot. There should've been more on the miscarriage, flashbacks, Jude settling back into everyday life....just more. There was so much to unpack in Part 2 and the author kind of just skipped right over it. Jude leaves and that's it we time jump.
Then WTF was that in part 3?!? It went straight into Lila and Brody having a 4yr old son. Um, excuse me what!? It didn't even make much sense. At first it seemed like Brody was secretly in love with Lila this whole time. Jude comes back 6years later and we get nothing on his journey to how he got better. There's no conversations, no groveling or working on the relationship. They just continue where they left off before he went into the marines. I also found it weird that for 6years he didn't speak to Brody even tho they're family. That whole timeline didn't make too much sense to me. There was also no reason to throw in the tidbit about Bianca and illegal fighting, very random things we didn't need.
This story could've been really good but the execution was the issue for me.
October 20, 2020
“What happens when the stars fall, Jude?”
“I’ll put them back in the sky for you…”
When the Stars Fall by Emery Rose is one of the most beautiful, angsty and heart-breaking romances we’ve read in a while. It felt all-encompassing, from childhood to adulthood we came to know and love Jude and Lila and Brody to an extent, as they grew and faced the highs and lows in life; love, loss and tragedy. Emery Rose is a wonderful storyteller, the writing was flawless and the vivid imagery intense and passionate. The feelings we got from reading When the Stars Fall reminded us of the books we read and fell in love with back in the day which spurred us on to start blogging just so we could shout from the rooftops: READ THIS BOOK!
‘I used to think our love was strong enough to survive anything. Even a combat zone. I was wrong.’
“Could you just turn around and look at me? Please?”
“Why? So I can see what I’ve lost? I don’t need another reminder of that.”
Jude, Lila and Brody’s friendship is like a fresh green three-leafed clover turning its face to the sun. Being bathed in warm sunny memories and pure unfiltered happiness. But how will it fare when the storm and torrential rain hits it? We loved their childhood shenanigans and the depth of their connection. As they grow up and real-life hits them they need to hold on to the good days to survive the bad, when reality sets in it really takes no prisoners. Our hearts went through all the emotions, laughter and joy as well as aches and tremendous pain. It was a stunning journey!
‘He was my summertime. My childhood memories. The boy who knew I was scared of thunderstorms and ran down to my house in the pouring rain to make sure I was okay.’
‘She was the only girl who made me angry. Frustrated. Jealous. The only one who made me want to protect her from all the bad things in the world. The only girl I wanted to spend time with. The only girl I wanted to talk about anything and nothing with.’
Honestly, we cannot express how much we loved When the Stars Fall by Emery Rose. It felt tremendously complete if that makes any sense. A love so pure from childhood, a soul mate love that withstands everything life can possibly throw at it. It reminded us that sometimes you have to lose something incredibly important to fully appreciate what you had and when you rebuild it, it can become so much more, not just memories and experiences, but growth, understanding and appreciation. A love and friendship which literally can withstand an almighty storm and turn its face back to the sun. It’s a sign of a magnificent Author when you openly grieve over such a fierce love lost and feel emotionally exhausted as she takes you on a journey of healing. Emery Rose is this Author and we cannot recommend this wonderful story highly enough to all our fellow romance readers who love having their hearts broken and lovingly stitched back together again!
“The stars are still in the sky, baby. Just open your eyes and look up. On the darkest nights, they shine the brightest. And one day soon you’ll see that you never really needed me to put them back in the sky for you.”
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October 17, 2020
★★★𝑅𝑒𝑣𝑖𝑒𝑤★★★
(𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒍𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒗𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.)
𝑅𝐴𝑇𝐼𝑁𝐺:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍, 𝑱𝒖𝒅𝒆?”
“𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖,”
I can't begin to tell you how beautiful and mesmerizing this book was. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑺𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝑭𝒂𝒍𝒍 is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking books I've ever read.
Lila and Jude met when they were 9 years old. They quickly became best friends but it was obvious that they had deeper feelings for each other. Lila was a very strong and brave girl, she never wanted to be treated like 'a girl' and she never said no to a dare. Jude was the football star of the town, he was good at everything and like Lila used to say he had the Midas touch. Everything he touched turned to gold. Life was good until it wasn't anymore.
𝑰 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉����𝒏𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒕 𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒆. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈.
Jude has always dreamed of serving his country, of being a marine. He believed that by fighting for his country, he is protecting the people he loved. Five years later Jude is back home to be with the love of his life and live the life they always dreamed of. But the things he lived and the horrors he saw can't be erased. Jude is no longer the same person Lila was in love with, so he decides to let her go. Love should be enough, but sometimes even the greatest love is not enough.
𝑶𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒖𝒑𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝑰 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒆𝒏𝒗𝒊𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒏𝒐 𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒂 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒇𝒖𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒐𝒓 𝒊𝒇 𝒘𝒆 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒆.
Six years later Jude is back home, he finally overcame his demons but Lila is no longer the Lila he used to know and he is no longer her number one.
𝑴𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒏𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒆𝒂𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒎.
This was a second chance/ friends to lovers romance. It's a soul touching journey of friendship, love, loss and forgiveness that started from their childhood up to their adulthood. I loved seeing how they both grown to be strong and fierce, how they overcame every bump and hurdle they faced in their path.
My heart broke for both Jude and Lila, i cried and laughed with them and that's how you know it's good.
That's how live is, it's not always sunshine and rainbows. Life is a bumpy and twisted road you're never gonna get the good without the bad.
𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝑶𝒅𝒚𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒖𝒔. 𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝑶𝒅𝒚𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒖𝒔. 𝑨𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒔𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒃𝒆𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒑𝒘𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒅, 𝒐𝒇 𝒇𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒂𝒕𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒔, 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏. 𝑶𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆, 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚.
This was my first read by Emery Rose and i LOVED it! I really can't wait to read about Brody and all the McCallister boys. Just thinking about it make me giddy.
October 18, 2020
Oh my heart. My poor heart. Such an incredible inspirational romance with all the feels. I adore Emery Rose's books and this one is by far my favorite. Do not miss When the Stars Fall!! Jude and Lila's story was absolutely brilliant and I loved everything about it. All the stars in the sky stars!!!
November 25, 2020
DNF @30%
I was really looking forward to this contemporary M/F romance as it’s been a while that one has really piqued my interest, not to mention that very tempting cover. It started off so well but the H became such a disappointing manwhore, I neither have the time nor the inclination to continue 😡
I was really looking forward to this contemporary M/F romance as it’s been a while that one has really piqued my interest, not to mention that very tempting cover. It started off so well but the H became such a disappointing manwhore, I neither have the time nor the inclination to continue 😡
November 22, 2020
4.5 Stars
Our kryptonite, are stories that are emotional and full of angst. We love being pulled so deep into a story that sheds light on real world struggles and pain. A story that in some respects, so naturally mirrors reality, it pulls you in and leaves you holding your breath until the very end. Once the hero and heroine reach their happily ever after, you can’t help feel overcome with hope. For us, When The Stars Fall, did just that.
A deeply rooted history, filled with happiness, love, pain, and grief. Lila and Jude’s journey isn’t a fairytale, but rather a tale of joy, sorrow, mistakes, regrets, and heartache. We empathized and emotionally connected with these characters. When the unexpected occurred, throwing their lives off course, we felt wrecked, not sure if their love could surmount and mend their pain.
When The Stars Fall is an emotional read, and has a small love triangle. @life_book_and_coffee, once again thank you for the recommendation.
Our kryptonite, are stories that are emotional and full of angst. We love being pulled so deep into a story that sheds light on real world struggles and pain. A story that in some respects, so naturally mirrors reality, it pulls you in and leaves you holding your breath until the very end. Once the hero and heroine reach their happily ever after, you can’t help feel overcome with hope. For us, When The Stars Fall, did just that.
A deeply rooted history, filled with happiness, love, pain, and grief. Lila and Jude’s journey isn’t a fairytale, but rather a tale of joy, sorrow, mistakes, regrets, and heartache. We empathized and emotionally connected with these characters. When the unexpected occurred, throwing their lives off course, we felt wrecked, not sure if their love could surmount and mend their pain.
When The Stars Fall is an emotional read, and has a small love triangle. @life_book_and_coffee, once again thank you for the recommendation.
October 17, 2020
✨💫ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕗𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕚𝕠𝕟𝕤 𝕠𝕗 𝕒 𝔹𝕚𝕓𝕝𝕚𝕠𝕡𝕙𝕚𝕝𝕖 ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨💫✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ½ Overall Rating: When the Stars Fall, book one in the Lost Stars Series by Emery Rose is a heartwrenching, heartbreakingly beautiful, slow burn, contemporary romance about a first love that endures a lifetime of trials and tribulations. Oh, my heart.💔💔💔 This book broke me down yall. I’ve read a couple of Rose’s books at this point and let me tell you, the woman knows how to write that leave you on the edge of your seat, beginning for a HEA type of angst! If you are a fan of first love and/or second chance romance, then do yourself a favor and check out When the Stars Fall, I HIGHLY recommend.❝𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍, 𝑱𝒖𝒅𝒆?”
“𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒑𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖.❞
Jude and Lila became each other’s everything when they were nine years old. Their love continued to grow and change throughout the years until with a little help from Jude’s cousin Brody, the two finally became a couple in their teens.
But as always, life happened.
They both graduated from high school and while Lila was headed off to college, Jude was pursuing his life’s dream of joining the Marines.❝𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝑰’𝒅 𝒘𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒉𝒊𝒎. 𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝑰’𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒐𝒘𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒉𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒍 𝒘𝒆 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒕𝒐𝒈𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒈𝒂𝒊𝒏. 𝑨𝒏𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆, 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒍𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒏’𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒕 𝒂𝒍𝒍.❞
After five long years of active service, Jude returns… but the Jude that Lila know’s is long gone lost somewhere overseas in a combat zone.❝𝑰 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒌 𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒆𝒏𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈. 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒂 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒂𝒕 𝒛𝒐𝒏𝒆. 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈. 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒅𝒏’𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒊𝒏𝒋𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒍𝒆𝒇𝒕 𝒏𝒐 𝒔𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒔.❞
The two of them have a whole lot of love between them, he’s her best friend, she’s his ride or die but ultimately instead of putting the stars in her sky… he makes them fall.❝𝑰 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒆𝒚𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝑰 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒔𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒃𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒆𝒓.❞
Experience love, loss, friendship, and a whole lot of heartache along with a lifetime of love as far as a galaxy in When the Stars Fall.
Emery Rose is an amazing author. I love that she wrote When the Stars Fall in three parts so that we can watch the characters grow and develop from young kids to teens, to adults. It was a great way for readers to see the extent of their relationship over the years. Plus, following along with the story that way made me a lot more invested in the characters and the eventual outcome of their relationship.❝𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒆𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒕𝒔. 𝑰𝒕 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒎𝒏 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒏 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆. 𝑺𝒐 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒚 𝒕𝒐 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒐𝒅. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒍 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒕 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒏 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒈𝒐𝒕 𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒈𝒉.❞
I’m not sure if it was because my daughter’s father was also in the military and when he came back from overseas… let’s just say, life was a struggle. Or maybe it was just the realistic way that Rose wrote the story, like showing how difficult life was for not only Jude but for his loved ones and the people around them. And showing that he had to WORK through his problems, no matter how much we wish it was, love, is NOT a cure-all, especially for mental illness, like so many authors lead readers to believe these days. That’s not realistic. It takes strength, courage, and hard work and I was so, so glad to see that Rose acknowledged the journey that Jude had to go through.
Whatever the reason, When the Stars Fall had me emotionally wrecked for the better half of the story. Again, I can’t recommend this one enough!
💙 (H) Hero: Jude McCallister, I wanted to hate him. And when he was a teen, I almost did hate his cocky arrogant self. But I couldn’t hate Jude the broken and suffering man. Did he handle things correctly by leaving the way he did? No. Did he think in his heart of hearts that he was doing the right thing by leaving? Yes. So I couldn’t hate him. He was an absolute mess and although it’s a nice thought to think that love just magically heals all, that’s the furthest thing from the truth. Jude needed help, the kind of help that Lila wasn’t able to give him no matter how hard she tried. But nevertheless, he eventually gets it together and comes back more determined than ever and I loved seeing him pull through.❝𝑶𝒖𝒓 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒚 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒑𝒍𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒅 𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒂 𝒇𝒖𝒄𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒈𝒆𝒅𝒚.
❤️ (h) Heroine: Lila Turner, my heart bled for that girl. She’s suffered so much loss. But she was such a strong and charismatic character and I loved that she never backed down from those boys, even when she was a kid. She gave just as good as she got and I love that in a female lead. Just like with Jude, I wanted to be mad at Lila for doing what she did… I mean really girl? His family? SMH. 🤦… but mistakes happen. She did what she thought she had to do and she did whatever she could to try and hold herself together. I can’t condemn her for that.
𝑹𝒆𝒅𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒚 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒖𝒑 𝒕𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒕𝒂𝒔𝒌.❞
❝𝑷𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒐𝒘-𝒔𝒐𝒇𝒕 𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒎𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒎𝒆 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒅𝒊𝒅. 𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑰 𝒘𝒂𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒐𝒙𝒚𝒈𝒆𝒏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒏’𝒕 ����𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒎𝒆. 𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒈 𝒐𝒇 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒔𝒉𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒎𝒆.❞
🔥🔥🔥🔥 𝟒/𝟓 Romance & Steam: When the Stars Fall is definitely a slow burn romance. There is a lot of push and pull but these two were written in the stars so it wasn’t long before they finally got it right. Even though it took a bit for them to resolve their differences because both of them were so dang stubborn. I’m only going to rate this one four stars for steam, although it wasn’t overly steamy, there was just enough.❝𝑩𝒂𝒃𝒚. 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖. 𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍 𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑰 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒅𝒐 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒂𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒓. 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒅𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈.”
❥❥ 𝟚 ❥❥ Secondary Characters: There was an awesome cast of secondary characters. Besides Jude’s awesome parents, we met his brothers Gideon and Jesse, and of course, cousin Brody. Brody… how can I not mention Brody?! There was a hot minute there that I WANTED Brody and Lila to be together. But it just would have never worked. Lila was ALWAYS meant to be Jude’s. But Brody, I really can’t wait until this bad boy, black sheep, horse whispering, cowboy finds the lady that knocks him off his saddle. Sooo excited for his and the rest of the brother’s stories to come in the Lost Star Series.
“𝑷𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒚, 𝑱𝒖𝒅𝒆. 𝑰𝒕’𝒔 𝒔𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒕 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎.❞
🌪🌪 Cliffhanger Warning: Nope, NO cliffhanger. Jude and Lila’s story wraps up with a beautiful happily ever after. BUT I still gave two cliffhanger tornadoes for what’s to come in the Lost Star Series… I’m pretty sure (I’m hoping anyway!) that Brody’s story is up next and I am more than excited for what’s to come.❝𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖,”
⚠️ Trigger Warning: There are a couple of difficult subjects that could be considered triggers. If you would like to know more about what those subjects are, feel free to DM me, I would rather not post since they could be considered spoilers.
“𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕?”
“𝑭𝒐𝒓 𝒑𝒖𝒕𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒌𝒚.”
“𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒊𝒏’𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒆𝒕, 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒈𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒏 𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒆.❞❝𝑰 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒎𝒚 𝒘𝒂𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝑰 𝒕𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒕𝒐 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒎𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒆𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝒔𝒐 𝒎𝒖𝒄𝒉 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒆𝒓.❞
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August 28, 2021
3.5 Messy 2-Chance Stars
I read this a week ago, and never got around to writing a review. I’m going to round up with a big but… This is a solid angsty read, but it takes quite some time to get going. The book starts with him leaving her (shouldn’t be spoiler, in blurb) and then immediately takes us back to them as kids, and we have to slowly (at times frustratingly) work our way back. Like I said HERE, I’m not a fan of the backtrack flashback, and where Release took 33% to catch up, When the Stars Fall takes 55% to catch up, which was pretty torturous for an impatient reader like myself.
In a nutshell, Jude and Lila were BFF’s that had a bumpy ride to lovers then he joined the Marines. He returns home with a head injury, survivor’s guilt, and PTSD which escalates to drugs and alcohol, and he leaves her when he fears his baggage will hurt her. (this part was very Fisher's Light) We finally get going with a FFW of 6-yrs and Jude returning home. (@62%)
I don’t want to give spoilers, but I almost passed this by because I read a few reviews, and was worried about a love triangle or a secret baby. If this is holding you up… It’s neither, some things transpired during the separation- messy things- but Jude is aware of it, and it’s not a 🔺 situation.
Bottom Line- Slow start, but if you can stay with it, the last half is really good. It’s free to read with KU.
I read this a week ago, and never got around to writing a review. I’m going to round up with a big but… This is a solid angsty read, but it takes quite some time to get going. The book starts with him leaving her (shouldn’t be spoiler, in blurb) and then immediately takes us back to them as kids, and we have to slowly (at times frustratingly) work our way back. Like I said HERE, I’m not a fan of the backtrack flashback, and where Release took 33% to catch up, When the Stars Fall takes 55% to catch up, which was pretty torturous for an impatient reader like myself.
In a nutshell, Jude and Lila were BFF’s that had a bumpy ride to lovers then he joined the Marines. He returns home with a head injury, survivor’s guilt, and PTSD which escalates to drugs and alcohol, and he leaves her when he fears his baggage will hurt her. (this part was very Fisher's Light) We finally get going with a FFW of 6-yrs and Jude returning home. (@62%)
I don’t want to give spoilers, but I almost passed this by because I read a few reviews, and was worried about a love triangle or a secret baby. If this is holding you up… It’s neither, some things transpired during the separation- messy things- but Jude is aware of it, and it’s not a 🔺 situation.
Bottom Line- Slow start, but if you can stay with it, the last half is really good. It’s free to read with KU.
October 26, 2020
I had to stop, because at 80% mark I wasn't sure I felt like laughing or crying or screaming in rage. It sure made me feel things, just not the ones you would want to feel when reading a romance.
I mean the hero is more asshole than cute or alpha or whatever, the heroine is just there, you know, just taking it because she loves him *eye roll*
Main issues:
- Dude sleeps around during their teenage years, why? well because he is a man *eye roll*
- Heroine feels nauseated just thinking about kissing other guys, remains virgin in every hole possible because well, she loves HIM *eye roll*
- When they are finally adults, he goes to war, comes back with PTSD and continues being the worst romantic hero ever, Heroine is there for him blabla.
- He leaves her because he is an ashole.
- Hero comes back because of a family tragedy going on and surprise! heroine slept with his cousin and now they have the most cute child together (*eye roll* because aren't all kids cute?)
This last one is precious because while he was sleeping around I kept thinking to myself: why doesn't she go and sleeps around as well?, I guess here is where the saying be careful what you wish for applies, because I mean who does that? I was totally on board with her being sexually free, but come on! Sleeping with Brody? who happens to be your long time friend almost brother ew!, and who also happens to be the love of your life's brother, what?! that's too low even for this woman.
After reading all of this I was still trying, I swear, but I just couldn't continue with the torture any longer, life is too short to be suffering over fictional characters for no good reason other than the author trying to be dramatic and going overboard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2020
He loves her but sleeps with everyone while she's grieving her mother
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 2, 2020
REVIEW: 4+ STARS
"He was my summertime. My childhood memories."
OH!! I read a new to me author and I get to shout about it!! I love when this happens because not only do I have a new author to follow, but I have something to look forward to - MORE BOOKS! When the Stars Fall was my first book by Emery Rose and knowing that I have more to follow in this standalone series, that just makes the anticipation more exciting. The journey I was taken on in this book wasn't one I was expecting to traverse, but it was definitely one that took me on a path that I so desperately enjoyed going down. I questioned myself when I originally saw this synopsis, wondering if it was a trope I wanted to attempt - and while I was wrong in that aspect, thank gosh, I am so very thankful I jumped into it. What a pleasant surprise, I might add. Oh, and that cover is knuckle-biting delicious, is it not??
"I'd rather get angry and argue than deal with with the heartache and misery. Anger was so much easier. The cut was cleaner. Sharper."
Growing up with Jude and Lila was so fun to watch. II really enjoyed the reminder of young love from an adolescent point of view, but also coming into a grown love with hardened hearts - because as much as we like to avoid it, it happens and they make for some amazingly emotional stories. Rose did an amazing job showing the emotional war within both minds. Their souls were intrinsically connected, and no matter how hard they tried - the tether never broke. I loved the pain she shared with me and pulled me through, because that exploration allowed me to grow with her characters and feel their pain right along with them.
You could feel and see the emotions arguing with the mental side of the heart! If there is one thing I seek in a new author, it's the ability to give me a story worth clinging to. To project the emotions of the characters and the truth behind their actions while allowing me to feel everything they're going through? That is exactly what this book did for me. Not only did I get caught up in a very young love, I fell in love and felt the heartbreak that came with everything happening. The truth behind teenagers being selfish and vindictive - that really happens. The anger that comes with hurt feelings when those actions come out in full force? That's legit and viable anger. Is it pretty? No. We've all been there....we've felt first hand what heartache at a tender age can do, and I really cannot say enough about how that heartache propelled the story even farther for me. I fell deeply in love with these characters, this story, and this author's writing.
"Thoughts without action mean nothing."
I appreciate that there was no sugarcoating of the ugly truths. It wasn’t a walk in the park for a second chance at love. There were things said, actions taken, anger thrown, and pain harbored. But it was real. It was honest. It was all so heartbreakingly authentic and true to the circumstance. I could not appreciate that more.
To be fair and honest, this had all the makings of a five star read for me. The drama was on point, the emotions were true to what was happening, and the characters were relatable and real. Unfortunately, the end started to feel like more inner monologue was taking place, and less like forward moving action in many parts, so it started to slow and drag for me even though it ended on a high. Overall, a wonderful story, very much worth the read - but seriously, the only major issue I had with this book so I can't really complain.
I can't wait to read more by this author. THIS book is seriously the reason I read new authors. Her voice was smooth. Her characters had palpable chemistry. The story was animated and it moved while it was building. It just worked out so well for me.
If you haven't caught on by now, this was an emotional book and it was oh so good.
This book is the reason why I read new to me authors. For every five mediocre ones, there’s one that sticks out as this one did, and blew me away. I will read more by Emery Rose, and I will seek out her back catalog. She engaged my emotions, she took me on a journey that I could envision, and she gave me a story to think about long after it’s over. I can't wait for the next book in this series, When the Storm Breaks. I will be the first in line to read it because I know Brody has a lot to say....
"I inhale her exhales. I live and breathe her."
~BEE
"What happens when the stars fall, Jude?"
"I'll put them back in the sky for you."
PURCHASE on AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/2TMxBzN
Affiliate link
ENTER HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN ECOPY: https://bit.ly/382uNa8
"He was my summertime. My childhood memories."
OH!! I read a new to me author and I get to shout about it!! I love when this happens because not only do I have a new author to follow, but I have something to look forward to - MORE BOOKS! When the Stars Fall was my first book by Emery Rose and knowing that I have more to follow in this standalone series, that just makes the anticipation more exciting. The journey I was taken on in this book wasn't one I was expecting to traverse, but it was definitely one that took me on a path that I so desperately enjoyed going down. I questioned myself when I originally saw this synopsis, wondering if it was a trope I wanted to attempt - and while I was wrong in that aspect, thank gosh, I am so very thankful I jumped into it. What a pleasant surprise, I might add. Oh, and that cover is knuckle-biting delicious, is it not??
"I'd rather get angry and argue than deal with with the heartache and misery. Anger was so much easier. The cut was cleaner. Sharper."
Growing up with Jude and Lila was so fun to watch. II really enjoyed the reminder of young love from an adolescent point of view, but also coming into a grown love with hardened hearts - because as much as we like to avoid it, it happens and they make for some amazingly emotional stories. Rose did an amazing job showing the emotional war within both minds. Their souls were intrinsically connected, and no matter how hard they tried - the tether never broke. I loved the pain she shared with me and pulled me through, because that exploration allowed me to grow with her characters and feel their pain right along with them.
You could feel and see the emotions arguing with the mental side of the heart! If there is one thing I seek in a new author, it's the ability to give me a story worth clinging to. To project the emotions of the characters and the truth behind their actions while allowing me to feel everything they're going through? That is exactly what this book did for me. Not only did I get caught up in a very young love, I fell in love and felt the heartbreak that came with everything happening. The truth behind teenagers being selfish and vindictive - that really happens. The anger that comes with hurt feelings when those actions come out in full force? That's legit and viable anger. Is it pretty? No. We've all been there....we've felt first hand what heartache at a tender age can do, and I really cannot say enough about how that heartache propelled the story even farther for me. I fell deeply in love with these characters, this story, and this author's writing.
"Thoughts without action mean nothing."
I appreciate that there was no sugarcoating of the ugly truths. It wasn’t a walk in the park for a second chance at love. There were things said, actions taken, anger thrown, and pain harbored. But it was real. It was honest. It was all so heartbreakingly authentic and true to the circumstance. I could not appreciate that more.
To be fair and honest, this had all the makings of a five star read for me. The drama was on point, the emotions were true to what was happening, and the characters were relatable and real. Unfortunately, the end started to feel like more inner monologue was taking place, and less like forward moving action in many parts, so it started to slow and drag for me even though it ended on a high. Overall, a wonderful story, very much worth the read - but seriously, the only major issue I had with this book so I can't really complain.
I can't wait to read more by this author. THIS book is seriously the reason I read new authors. Her voice was smooth. Her characters had palpable chemistry. The story was animated and it moved while it was building. It just worked out so well for me.
If you haven't caught on by now, this was an emotional book and it was oh so good.
This book is the reason why I read new to me authors. For every five mediocre ones, there’s one that sticks out as this one did, and blew me away. I will read more by Emery Rose, and I will seek out her back catalog. She engaged my emotions, she took me on a journey that I could envision, and she gave me a story to think about long after it’s over. I can't wait for the next book in this series, When the Storm Breaks. I will be the first in line to read it because I know Brody has a lot to say....
"I inhale her exhales. I live and breathe her."
~BEE
"What happens when the stars fall, Jude?"
"I'll put them back in the sky for you."
PURCHASE on AMAZON - Kindle Unlimited: https://amzn.to/2TMxBzN
Affiliate link
ENTER HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN AN ECOPY: https://bit.ly/382uNa8
August 3, 2023
DNF at 29% and 1 star.
Best friends since 9, and at 16 she loses the mother she adores and is distant to him so, of course, he tosses years of being best friends down the drain and he hates her. HATES her. I was done when
Best friends since 9, and at 16 she loses the mother she adores and is distant to him so, of course, he tosses years of being best friends down the drain and he hates her. HATES her. I was done when
October 19, 2020
“What happens when the stars fall, Jude?”
“I’ll put them back in the sky for you…”
When the Stars Fall by Emery Rose is one of the most beautiful, angsty and heart-breaking romances we’ve read in a while. It felt all-encompassing, from childhood to adulthood we came to know and love Jude and Lila and Brody to an extent, as they grew and faced the highs and lows in life; love, loss and tragedy. Emery Rose is a wonderful storyteller, the writing was flawless and the vivid imagery intense and passionate. The feelings we got from reading When the Stars Fall reminded us of the books we read and fell in love with back in the day which spurred us on to start blogging just so we could shout from the rooftops: READ THIS BOOK!
‘I used to think our love was strong enough to survive anything. Even a combat zone. I was wrong.’
“Could you just turn around and look at me? Please?”
“Why? So I can see what I’ve lost? I don’t need another reminder of that.”
Jude, Lila and Brody’s friendship is like a fresh green three-leafed clover turning its face to the sun. Being bathed in warm sunny memories and pure unfiltered happiness. But how will it fare when the storm and torrential rain hits it? We loved their childhood shenanigans and the depth of their connection. As they grow up and real-life hits them they need to hold on to the good days to survive the bad, when reality sets in it really takes no prisoners. Our hearts went through all the emotions, laughter and joy as well as aches and tremendous pain. It was a stunning journey!
‘He was my summertime. My childhood memories. The boy who knew I was scared of thunderstorms and ran down to my house in the pouring rain to make sure I was okay.’
‘She was the only girl who made me angry. Frustrated. Jealous. The only one who made me want to protect her from all the bad things in the world. The only girl I wanted to spend time with. The only girl I wanted to talk about anything and nothing with.’
Honestly, we cannot express how much we loved When the Stars Fall by Emery Rose. It felt tremendously complete if that makes any sense. A love so pure from childhood, a soul mate love that withstands everything life can possibly throw at it. It reminded us that sometimes you have to lose something incredibly important to fully appreciate what you had and when you rebuild it, it can become so much more, not just memories and experiences, but growth, understanding and appreciation. A love and friendship which literally can withstand an almighty storm and turn its face back to the sun. It’s a sign of a magnificent Author when you openly grieve over such a fierce love lost and feel emotionally exhausted as she takes you on a journey of healing. Emery Rose is this Author and we cannot recommend this wonderful story highly enough to all our fellow romance readers who love having their hearts broken and lovingly stitched back together again!
“The stars are still in the sky, baby. Just open your eyes and look up. On the darkest nights, they shine the brightest. And one day soon you’ll see that you never really needed me to put them back in the sky for you.”
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October 20, 2020
Very frustrating.H loves h but she never comes first...
He tells her she is always the one but he sleeps with every girl and get blow jobs.yes she pushed him away at first because she is afraid to lose him but before that he also got blow jobs and goes down on other girls who mean nothing to him ,discusting ... we don’t really read about them together.after he comes back from 5 years with the marines he is a mess and leaves h because she deserves better and he needs therapy.during the time he is away he sleeps with OW .it is hinted he came back to h but saw she was pregnant (h slept one time with his cousin) so he leaves again thinking h is happy.
So Angst the whole book and a manhore H and desperate h . He didn’t really grovel after he came back again after six years !!!
He tells her she is always the one but he sleeps with every girl and get blow jobs.yes she pushed him away at first because she is afraid to lose him but before that he also got blow jobs and goes down on other girls who mean nothing to him ,discusting ... we don’t really read about them together.after he comes back from 5 years with the marines he is a mess and leaves h because she deserves better and he needs therapy.during the time he is away he sleeps with OW .it is hinted he came back to h but saw she was pregnant (h slept one time with his cousin) so he leaves again thinking h is happy.
So Angst the whole book and a manhore H and desperate h . He didn’t really grovel after he came back again after six years !!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2020
I used to think our love was strong enough to survive anything. Even a combat zone. I was wrong.
Blurb
Growing up, Jude McCallister was the bane of my existence.
My best friend. Fiercest ally. The most annoying boy in the world.
At eighteen, the boy I loved to hate became the man I couldn’t live without.
We were young. Madly in love. Invincible.
Strong enough to weather any storm.
Cocky enough to believe that no amount of time or distance could destroy us.
When Jude finally returned home from overseas, it should have been causing for celebration. But the man I’d fallen in love with was gone, and in his place was someone I no longer recognized.
𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛’𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ����𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑. 𝐼’𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦.
Now, after six long years, he’s back. Only my heart ... it doesn’t beat just for him anymore.
Review
Lila was mine. End of story.
This book is emotional and well depicted. The plotline incorporates the narrative and life occurrence of our main characters. Spanning from childhood days to adulthood. Every word, dialogue shots to the heart.
“What happens when the stars fall, Jude?”
“I’ll put them back in the sky for you, ”
The book was divided into three parts - adolescence, high school and 6 years later. You have firsthand how the friendship developed and prosper to love. Emery Rose did a fantastic job of building a vital basis of the storyline as it progresses leaving no rifts and disbelief for the romance abysm.
Jude and Lila story aren't hearts and flowers, they withstand every conundrum that life hurls, even if this was happening in a fictional world with a fictional make up the events glasses the real extent.
The story also serves as an eye-opener in what happens afterlife of a duty. The trauma and distress that Jude underwent bring sadness to my heart and how it affects not only his life but moreover his relationship with Lila.
“Put the stars back in the sky, Jude. It’s so dark and lonely without them.”
All I’d ever wanted was to be the hero in her story. Instead, I’d become the villain.
But you know what the adage says “There is a light at the end of every tunnel. Some tunnels just happen to be longer than others.” and second chances arose but is it enough reason to forgive and trust again the only person who'd you love deeply at the same time stamped your fragile heart? Are you brave enough to leap of faith? And that was exactly what Lila felt the moment Jude come back to her life, probably you can pick up the pieces and put them back together, but you rarely find every piece and the glass never looks the same then.
No man could ever love me the way Jude had. We’d loved hard. We’d loved fiercely.
Love tested your limits. It was so damn easy to fall in love. So easy to love a person when times were good. The real challenge was sticking it out even when the going got rough.
To wrap my thoughts out, When the Stars Fall tells a poignant tale of friendship, loss, love, grief, and second chances. You can't help to fell in love just by reading this.
“Thank you,” I said, turning in his arms and framing his face in my hands. “For what?” “For putting the stars back in the sky.” “You ain’t seen nothing yet, baby. I’m going to give you an entire universe.”
Blurb
Growing up, Jude McCallister was the bane of my existence.
My best friend. Fiercest ally. The most annoying boy in the world.
At eighteen, the boy I loved to hate became the man I couldn’t live without.
We were young. Madly in love. Invincible.
Strong enough to weather any storm.
Cocky enough to believe that no amount of time or distance could destroy us.
When Jude finally returned home from overseas, it should have been causing for celebration. But the man I’d fallen in love with was gone, and in his place was someone I no longer recognized.
𝐼 𝑐𝑎𝑛’𝑡 𝑑𝑜 𝑡ℎ����𝑠, 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑜𝑡𝑒 𝑠𝑎𝑖𝑑. 𝐼’𝑚 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑟𝑦.
Now, after six long years, he’s back. Only my heart ... it doesn’t beat just for him anymore.
Review
Lila was mine. End of story.
This book is emotional and well depicted. The plotline incorporates the narrative and life occurrence of our main characters. Spanning from childhood days to adulthood. Every word, dialogue shots to the heart.
“What happens when the stars fall, Jude?”
“I’ll put them back in the sky for you, ”
The book was divided into three parts - adolescence, high school and 6 years later. You have firsthand how the friendship developed and prosper to love. Emery Rose did a fantastic job of building a vital basis of the storyline as it progresses leaving no rifts and disbelief for the romance abysm.
Jude and Lila story aren't hearts and flowers, they withstand every conundrum that life hurls, even if this was happening in a fictional world with a fictional make up the events glasses the real extent.
The story also serves as an eye-opener in what happens afterlife of a duty. The trauma and distress that Jude underwent bring sadness to my heart and how it affects not only his life but moreover his relationship with Lila.
“Put the stars back in the sky, Jude. It’s so dark and lonely without them.”
All I’d ever wanted was to be the hero in her story. Instead, I’d become the villain.
But you know what the adage says “There is a light at the end of every tunnel. Some tunnels just happen to be longer than others.” and second chances arose but is it enough reason to forgive and trust again the only person who'd you love deeply at the same time stamped your fragile heart? Are you brave enough to leap of faith? And that was exactly what Lila felt the moment Jude come back to her life, probably you can pick up the pieces and put them back together, but you rarely find every piece and the glass never looks the same then.
No man could ever love me the way Jude had. We’d loved hard. We’d loved fiercely.
Love tested your limits. It was so damn easy to fall in love. So easy to love a person when times were good. The real challenge was sticking it out even when the going got rough.
To wrap my thoughts out, When the Stars Fall tells a poignant tale of friendship, loss, love, grief, and second chances. You can't help to fell in love just by reading this.
“Thank you,” I said, turning in his arms and framing his face in my hands. “For what?” “For putting the stars back in the sky.” “You ain’t seen nothing yet, baby. I’m going to give you an entire universe.”
November 30, 2020
This was a poignant story...until it wasn't.
When the Stars Fall started off with the promise of being 5+ stars and was reminiscent of one of my favorite reads, The Sweet Gum Tree. I'm a sucker for friends-to-destined love type of romances, which is how this story began, and loved seeing Lila and Jude's beautiful relationship blossom during their childhood flashbacks. Around the 35% mark, everything changed.
I genuinely and truly abhorred Jude's character. There was nothing likable about him what so ever. The way he mistreated Lila vexed me to no end. Lila was his doormat and she definitely deserved better. In addition, I felt Lila was too quick to forgive Jude's many offenses and transgressions.
So disappointed this read did not work for me.
When the Stars Fall started off with the promise of being 5+ stars and was reminiscent of one of my favorite reads, The Sweet Gum Tree. I'm a sucker for friends-to-destined love type of romances, which is how this story began, and loved seeing Lila and Jude's beautiful relationship blossom during their childhood flashbacks. Around the 35% mark, everything changed.
I genuinely and truly abhorred Jude's character. There was nothing likable about him what so ever. The way he mistreated Lila vexed me to no end. Lila was his doormat and she definitely deserved better. In addition, I felt Lila was too quick to forgive Jude's many offenses and transgressions.
So disappointed this read did not work for me.
August 14, 2021
When the Satrs Fall is my first read by Miss Rose. I have to say it takes me longer to finish the book. The audiobook is almost 12 hours long.
When the Stars Fall have everything on what second chance romance should have. Great story, great characters and the writing is phenomenal. I am kicking myself not picking this book sooner.
Now despite all of those beautiful things, I just feel this book is too long. The story of Jude and Layla when they were kids was just too much. It can be shortened surely.
I am definetly picking up another book by Miss Rose.
4 stars
When the Stars Fall have everything on what second chance romance should have. Great story, great characters and the writing is phenomenal. I am kicking myself not picking this book sooner.
Now despite all of those beautiful things, I just feel this book is too long. The story of Jude and Layla when they were kids was just too much. It can be shortened surely.
I am definetly picking up another book by Miss Rose.
4 stars
October 13, 2020
HEARTBREAKING, GUT WRENCHING, SOUL SHATTERING, INTENSE, SLOW BURNING, PASSIONATE, DEVASTATED and so much more.
This book, Jude and Lila’s story, the emotions and feelings from it, them. The best way to describe it was as if I had been hit by a freight train. Powerful and hard. I never wanted it to end.
Lila and Jude’s story was everything I didn’t know I wanted and more. Watching their friendship grow and blossom in love was so beautiful and riveting. The words behind their endless passion for one another was truly soulful and
But there comes a time when the stars fall, and that was when crescendo hit and we see their relationship become tempestuous. Though it was hard to take in and see it all play out, it was meant to be/happen considering everything Jude and Lila had gone through/were going through.
It honestly felt like my heart was being ripped apart, having to watch everything go up into flames. And though they say time heals all wounds, it wasn’t necessarily the case for them. Considering neither of them got the closure they needed, when the journey ended.
I loved the author Emery didn’t shy away from getting deep down into the nitty gritty of what Jude was going through. And laid it all out on the line, showing the true, powerful, hard hitting feeling and emotions that Jude was going through in his dark journey. Giving the book, his story the slow pace it deserved. Proving that not everything can be fixed so easily, and that it takes time, effort and strength to get through it all.
After the time jump we see their journeys meet and overlap. Pulling them back to one another, proving that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
And that just like Odysseus and Penelope, their end journey was/is meant for them to be together. And the stars being put back together in the sky.
This was the first book I have read of Emery Rose and I was not disappointed. She had me gripped from the very beginning andright until to the very end.
HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend 1000% I seriously CANNOT stress this ENOUGH!
This book by Emery Rose will do you no wrong! DEFINITELY the BEST standalone romance book I have READ of 2020!!!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book, Jude and Lila’s story, the emotions and feelings from it, them. The best way to describe it was as if I had been hit by a freight train. Powerful and hard. I never wanted it to end.
Lila and Jude’s story was everything I didn’t know I wanted and more. Watching their friendship grow and blossom in love was so beautiful and riveting. The words behind their endless passion for one another was truly soulful and
But there comes a time when the stars fall, and that was when crescendo hit and we see their relationship become tempestuous. Though it was hard to take in and see it all play out, it was meant to be/happen considering everything Jude and Lila had gone through/were going through.
It honestly felt like my heart was being ripped apart, having to watch everything go up into flames. And though they say time heals all wounds, it wasn’t necessarily the case for them. Considering neither of them got the closure they needed, when the journey ended.
I loved the author Emery didn’t shy away from getting deep down into the nitty gritty of what Jude was going through. And laid it all out on the line, showing the true, powerful, hard hitting feeling and emotions that Jude was going through in his dark journey. Giving the book, his story the slow pace it deserved. Proving that not everything can be fixed so easily, and that it takes time, effort and strength to get through it all.
After the time jump we see their journeys meet and overlap. Pulling them back to one another, proving that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
And that just like Odysseus and Penelope, their end journey was/is meant for them to be together. And the stars being put back together in the sky.
This was the first book I have read of Emery Rose and I was not disappointed. She had me gripped from the very beginning andright until to the very end.
HIGHLY, HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend 1000% I seriously CANNOT stress this ENOUGH!
This book by Emery Rose will do you no wrong! DEFINITELY the BEST standalone romance book I have READ of 2020!!!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2020
2.5 stars
I admit the blurb had me. It had all the feels of a second chance romance but it would be a rocky road. It starts out with the prologue then goes way back into the younger years. I feel like that part was a tad too long. It set Jude and Lila's difficult relationship, they had tons of drama as teens. That I don't also know know how to feel Jude was really crappy. Lila was all about him though, even with all the sh*t he pulled. That alone was icky. After all that there's a time skip of five years after. While it was nice to see young Lila and Jude how it all began and how deep their history is and not good parts. It took up half of the book 5he next parts were short. Brody, Jude's cousin, was part of their trio, he had issues with his family among other things even before and plays a big role in the story going forward.
I wanted to know what happened in the missing five years skip it was told in some ways in the next part through mostly Lila. I feel like after whammy prologue it lost some of the oomph. Lila who was stubborn and all excused some troubling behavior. Jude was a mess. I'm glad we got Jude's POV though on how he's dealing now that lead up to him leaving. It shows the effect being in a war and the mental stuff that comes along with. I admire Jude that he worked on that in the time he was away because it was bad before he couldn't deal. A lot was filled on the last 1/3 of the story. I'm pretty ok with him leaving to fix himself rather than bring Lila down.
I don't know what to I feel that Lila had drunk one night stand with Jude's cousin Brody in the six years apart. She has a kid with his cousin, now they co-parenting, that was weird to me. That felt unnecessary, regardless of reasons. I get they were all a close growing up and yes it was a mistake. Brody and Jude had some history of competition but that's not it apparently. Some unfinished issues between them though. I mean talk about complicating things even more. I can't believe others brushed it off as he left but with his cousin really? I personally don't think you can get back from that. But I guess they can.
I know some will like Lila with Brody since Jude has a history of being a flake and him leaving. Brody also holds some resentment over Jude leaving.It was just why, Brody wasn't painted a saint either he was a womanizer too. Just more dependable in other ways. There could be other ways to create that conflict, imo. There's so much history that's hard for Jude and Lila to seperate, trying to win her back despite everything that happened was too easy. They did to muddle through a lot of stuff to get it the HEA eventually. It was hard for Lila to resist her first love. It was just too much happening at the end it felt rushed. The epilogue was definitely needed. The juicy bits were the in the middle and could have explored many things. I'm sure I'm in the minority on this one.
This author had a great idea but it got a bit messy for me. She's pretty new to me don't know her well but the potential was there. Writing style was easy enough and likable. I dunno if I would read Brody's story he didn't sit well with me, he's a good dad though.
I admit the blurb had me. It had all the feels of a second chance romance but it would be a rocky road. It starts out with the prologue then goes way back into the younger years. I feel like that part was a tad too long. It set Jude and Lila's difficult relationship, they had tons of drama as teens. That I don't also know know how to feel Jude was really crappy. Lila was all about him though, even with all the sh*t he pulled. That alone was icky. After all that there's a time skip of five years after. While it was nice to see young Lila and Jude how it all began and how deep their history is and not good parts. It took up half of the book 5he next parts were short. Brody, Jude's cousin, was part of their trio, he had issues with his family among other things even before and plays a big role in the story going forward.
I wanted to know what happened in the missing five years skip it was told in some ways in the next part through mostly Lila. I feel like after whammy prologue it lost some of the oomph. Lila who was stubborn and all excused some troubling behavior. Jude was a mess. I'm glad we got Jude's POV though on how he's dealing now that lead up to him leaving. It shows the effect being in a war and the mental stuff that comes along with. I admire Jude that he worked on that in the time he was away because it was bad before he couldn't deal. A lot was filled on the last 1/3 of the story. I'm pretty ok with him leaving to fix himself rather than bring Lila down.
I don't know what to I feel that Lila had drunk one night stand with Jude's cousin Brody in the six years apart. She has a kid with his cousin, now they co-parenting, that was weird to me. That felt unnecessary, regardless of reasons. I get they were all a close growing up and yes it was a mistake. Brody and Jude had some history of competition but that's not it apparently. Some unfinished issues between them though. I mean talk about complicating things even more. I can't believe others brushed it off as he left but with his cousin really? I personally don't think you can get back from that. But I guess they can.
I know some will like Lila with Brody since Jude has a history of being a flake and him leaving. Brody also holds some resentment over Jude leaving.It was just why, Brody wasn't painted a saint either he was a womanizer too. Just more dependable in other ways. There could be other ways to create that conflict, imo. There's so much history that's hard for Jude and Lila to seperate, trying to win her back despite everything that happened was too easy. They did to muddle through a lot of stuff to get it the HEA eventually. It was hard for Lila to resist her first love. It was just too much happening at the end it felt rushed. The epilogue was definitely needed. The juicy bits were the in the middle and could have explored many things. I'm sure I'm in the minority on this one.
This author had a great idea but it got a bit messy for me. She's pretty new to me don't know her well but the potential was there. Writing style was easy enough and likable. I dunno if I would read Brody's story he didn't sit well with me, he's a good dad though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2020
ALL MY REVIEWS CAN BE FOUND ON MY BLOG: ABSTRACT BOOKS
'When Stars Fall' is a Standalone by the best-selling author Emery Rose. Told in dual Perspectives , this book was one hell of an emotional ride!
I am a sucker for Second chance Romances between childhood friends and this author seemed to hit right on that. The book revolves around the story of Jude and Lila who have been friends forever. They were each other's rocks and there was nothing Jude wouldn't do for Lila.
The story spans across many years showing us the Twists and turns these characters took and how they finally got their HEA. Jude and Lila's story was perfect at the very most! It was amazingly written , making you feel every emotion these two felt over the years. From childhood Jude was the bane of Lila's existence. He took great joy in teasing her and making her life hell. Didn't mean she did not love the little shit. Same goes for jude. Lila was the girl around whom his world revolves. He would do anything for her and soon they both found themselves falling for each other.
But their path to love wasn't easy. There were a lot of mistakes and regrets that these two had to face before reaching their ending. Their story is something that will make you want to throw the book just because it makes you feel too much. I had tears in my eyes by the time I was done with this book! A definite recommendation to all the contemporary romance lovers out there who would love themes like second-chances and redemption!
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August 3, 2023
Biggest DNF of my life. Istg I don't judge other people's ratings, USUALLY, because not everyone has the same tastes or life experiences, but I'm giving major side eye to anyone who rated this above a 2 star (edit: someone liked this and brought this review back to my mind and I'm angry all over again. Nahhh, I'm side-eyeing anyone rating this above a 1 star). If I could give it zero stars I would, and it's enough to put this author on my never read again list.
I don't know what the trend is these days with having these lifelong virginal/celibate FMCs who will go their entire lives just waiting for their manwh0re MMCs to get it together. And if they do happen to have sex once or twice, no one in the whole world can give them an orgasm. Only the MMC can accomplish that (major eye roll). This guy chased away anyone interested in her for YEARS and then literally told her she wasn't allowed to even kiss anyone else, meanwhile he's getting his dick sucked by her three friends.
And it just gets worse from there. He's supposedly pining for her for years but then he just drops her when her mother dies and she's full of grief and then he sleeps around in anger. Anger at HER. (His inner monologue is like, "I'm pretty sure she's a lesbian now".) I mean at one point he threatens to end things between them if she doesn't give him a blowjob so she does and then he kicks her out.
This is all before he leaves and ghosts her for 6 years, btw. And before he's unavailable and missing while she's having a miscarriage of his child.
This could have been a story about how he heals from his traumatic experiences in a warzone and comes back to be the man he she needed, but HE NEVER DID THAT. We aren't shown how he healed or if he even did. He did nothing to deserve her, but she held this candle for him for their entire childhood and teen years that he was supposedly wanting her but also fooling around with other girls. She held a candle for him in the 5 years and three deployments. And then In the 6 years that he ghosted her because he couldn't deal. And when he comes back he doesn't grovel, but SHE'S apologizing to him. Ffs
She had sex once with her other friend (the cousin of this guy) while drunk, and ended up pregnant. He was there for her when this guy was being an asshole all these years, and I wish this story had been about them. The MMC did not deserve her and I couldn't read one more word of their story.
In my head she ends up with the cousin and they both get the HEA they deserved.
I don't know what the trend is these days with having these lifelong virginal/celibate FMCs who will go their entire lives just waiting for their manwh0re MMCs to get it together. And if they do happen to have sex once or twice, no one in the whole world can give them an orgasm. Only the MMC can accomplish that (major eye roll). This guy chased away anyone interested in her for YEARS and then literally told her she wasn't allowed to even kiss anyone else, meanwhile he's getting his dick sucked by her three friends.
And it just gets worse from there. He's supposedly pining for her for years but then he just drops her when her mother dies and she's full of grief and then he sleeps around in anger. Anger at HER. (His inner monologue is like, "I'm pretty sure she's a lesbian now".) I mean at one point he threatens to end things between them if she doesn't give him a blowjob so she does and then he kicks her out.
This is all before he leaves and ghosts her for 6 years, btw. And before he's unavailable and missing while she's having a miscarriage of his child.
This could have been a story about how he heals from his traumatic experiences in a warzone and comes back to be the man he she needed, but HE NEVER DID THAT. We aren't shown how he healed or if he even did. He did nothing to deserve her, but she held this candle for him for their entire childhood and teen years that he was supposedly wanting her but also fooling around with other girls. She held a candle for him in the 5 years and three deployments. And then In the 6 years that he ghosted her because he couldn't deal. And when he comes back he doesn't grovel, but SHE'S apologizing to him. Ffs
She had sex once with her other friend (the cousin of this guy) while drunk, and ended up pregnant. He was there for her when this guy was being an asshole all these years, and I wish this story had been about them. The MMC did not deserve her and I couldn't read one more word of their story.
In my head she ends up with the cousin and they both get the HEA they deserved.
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 23, 2020DNF at 57%. I had such high hopes for this book, it was supposed to be a heart wrenching angst fest. Instead I got a YA story up until the 50% mark. I don’t want to read about 9 year olds and the backstory went on for way, way too long. Long enough for me to lose interest. There was no development of the fact that poor Lila’s mom died and then her stepdad leaves her with their friends and takes off. She just moved on. And continuously is a doormat for Jude while he treats her like shit.
I tried to hang in, but then after a 5 year time jump the hero (who’s been a jerk the whole time) now has PTSD and is suddenly into drugs. It’s time for me to sadly move on.
I tried to hang in, but then after a 5 year time jump the hero (who’s been a jerk the whole time) now has PTSD and is suddenly into drugs. It’s time for me to sadly move on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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