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 in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.