Book Review: When Stars Collide in the City by Krysten Lindsay Hager

I am so excited to be welcoming Krysten Lindsay Hager to Novel Kicks and the blog tour for her latest novel, When Stars Collide in the City.

From the outside, Olivia Macomb looks like she leads a charmed life. She’s an up-and-coming influencer who is an heir to the Macomb family fortune, and about to start a lifestyle brand with her childhood sweetheart, Jeff. Then her world gets blown apart by her longtime boyfriend leaving her the morning of their website launch. Not only has he left, but the business she created is all in his name and she’s been left with nothing to show for all her hard work. Now she has to pick up the pieces and find out who she is on her own.

Enter Walker Vinton, the indie pop star who used to date Olivia’s close friend, Paige. When their school throws a big event, Paige asks Walker to be Olivia’s date to give to the gossip bloggers something else to talk about other than Olivia’s broken dreams.

Walker ends up coming to Olivia’s rescue in more ways than one at the party, and a twist of events leads to the two embarking on a fake relationship. Walker and Olivia wind up becoming best friends and she realizes he’s the boyfriend of her dreams.

He helps her build both her brand and her self-esteem back up. Walker even helps her start a new business. However, the lines begin to blur as Olivia’s feelings for Walker are very real. The two share intimate conversations and dreams, but what’s real and what’s fake in this starry world?

***** 

Olivia has always had to battle with the expectations her family name brings her. So when, on the day she’s about to launch her new venture, her boyfriend leaves taking the business with him, she’s even more heartbroken and under the microscope. 

Anyone who has followed my blog for a while will know I am a big fan of Krysten Lindsay Hager, so I jumped at the chance to be on the blog tour for her latest book in the Stars in the City series. 

When Stars Collide in the City is book three. If you’ve not read the previous novels fear not, this can be read as a standalone. 

As I’ve said before, I am not the target audience for this series. It’s YA. However, I get so much enjoyment from these books. It reminds me of ‘Sweet Valley High’ – books I inhaled as a teenager but has a more grown up feel. I enjoyed this latest instalment very much. In a previous review, I also likened this series to Gilmore Girls and I stand by my statement. There’s something very comforting about it. Visually, to me, Walker looks like Logan. 

Olivia is a main character I’ve come to expect from this series and love. Relatable female characters are more important than ever. She’s someone who doesn’t know her own power. Certain people have chipped away at her confidence and this book has made me feel so happy I didn’t grow up with social media. 

It was also good to see previous characters make appearances.

Walker is the main male presence in this book and I was pleased to be able to get to know him better – seeing that he has more to him than abandoning people to write music. 

Paige was also interesting in this book. Having been the main vocal point in the previous novel, she’s a side character in this one. Her behaviour is confusing but by the end, it made sense. 

The plot moves well. The themes and issues, including body shaming and grief are handled with grace although I want to have a stern word with Jeff from the novel. 

When Stars Collide in the City reminds us  that there is always two sides to a story and that misinterpretation, misunderstanding and miscommunication are the banes of relationships, whether romantic or friendship. 

This book has warmth, humour and comfort. Who could ask for more. I love the YA genre and I adored this book. 

About Krysten Lindsay Hager–

Krysten Lindsay Hager is a bestselling author of YA and contemporary romance. She writes romance because she loves bringing people swoony moments and hope-filled happily ever afters.

She writes about falling in love, fame, fitting in, frenemies, first loves, and finding your way in the world. She loves reading, watching movies, and lipstick.

Say hello to Krysten Lindsay Hager via her website, Instagram and Pinterest. 

When Stars Collide in the City is book three in the Stars in the Ciry series. Click to buy on Amazon UK and Amazon US. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.