BernLuvsBooks 's Reviews > Starry Eyes
Starry Eyes
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Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett was a fun, sweet contemporary YA/NA read.
Sometimes you just need a fun contemporary YA/NA (I say NA due to some sexual content) read to lighten things up. This book did just that for me. It was a perfect summer read - camping, hiking, stargazing and a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers plot between Zorie and Lennon. Throw in family strife stemming from secrets and parental infidelity and you have a story that was relatable and engrossing. Bennett's characters were very human and flawed.
I really enjoyed that Jenn Bennett focused on nontraditional families. Zorie's relationship with her stepmother Joy was wonderful. It was a relationship built on love, mutual respect and support. The scene where Joy reassures Zorie touched me. It was perfect.
"I am raising my own kid. You are mine. I didn't need to give birth to you to love you, sweet thing."
Admittedly, I'm kind of a sucker for a friends to lovers story. Especially when it involves the adorable boy/girl next door. What can I say - I'm a cheesy romantic at heart! Zorie & Lennon's love story was just that and it was adorable. Amidst all the teen angst, misunderstandings, secrets and camping mishaps you could just feel their chemistry. I was rooting for Lennon from page 20 when he first appeared in all his side swept spiky hair, anime loving, teen goth glory. He was so snarky, witty and sarcastic. Luckily, he was also good out in the wild which comes in handy when their so-called friends leave them stranded out in the wilderness without a car or a way of getting home after an argument. Zorie and Lennon's story was adorable to watch unfold. It wasn't surprising in the least - more like you know it's coming and you're simply looking forward to it finally happening.
"A map of us. It's years in the making, and it's messy and convoluted, some of it even tragic. But I wouldn't change the route, because we walked it together, even when we were apart. And the best part about it is that it's unfinished. Uncertainty isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it can even be filled with extraordinary potential."
Zorie's dad - I have no words for him. He was despicable. Thankfully Zorie was surrounded by a strong support network with her stepmom Joy, her grandparents (Joy's parents), Lennon and Lennon's moms (yes moms - they were a lesbian couple!) and her friend Avani. Once again I have to mention how much I loved the strong family bonds presented, especially as they weren't related by blood but by choice.
Sometimes you just need a fun contemporary YA/NA (I say NA due to some sexual content) read to lighten things up. This book did just that for me. It was a perfect summer read - camping, hiking, stargazing and a friends-to-enemies-to-lovers plot between Zorie and Lennon. Throw in family strife stemming from secrets and parental infidelity and you have a story that was relatable and engrossing. Bennett's characters were very human and flawed.
I really enjoyed that Jenn Bennett focused on nontraditional families. Zorie's relationship with her stepmother Joy was wonderful. It was a relationship built on love, mutual respect and support. The scene where Joy reassures Zorie touched me. It was perfect.
"I am raising my own kid. You are mine. I didn't need to give birth to you to love you, sweet thing."
Admittedly, I'm kind of a sucker for a friends to lovers story. Especially when it involves the adorable boy/girl next door. What can I say - I'm a cheesy romantic at heart! Zorie & Lennon's love story was just that and it was adorable. Amidst all the teen angst, misunderstandings, secrets and camping mishaps you could just feel their chemistry. I was rooting for Lennon from page 20 when he first appeared in all his side swept spiky hair, anime loving, teen goth glory. He was so snarky, witty and sarcastic. Luckily, he was also good out in the wild which comes in handy when their so-called friends leave them stranded out in the wilderness without a car or a way of getting home after an argument. Zorie and Lennon's story was adorable to watch unfold. It wasn't surprising in the least - more like you know it's coming and you're simply looking forward to it finally happening.
"A map of us. It's years in the making, and it's messy and convoluted, some of it even tragic. But I wouldn't change the route, because we walked it together, even when we were apart. And the best part about it is that it's unfinished. Uncertainty isn't always a bad thing. Sometimes it can even be filled with extraordinary potential."
Zorie's dad - I have no words for him. He was despicable. Thankfully Zorie was surrounded by a strong support network with her stepmom Joy, her grandparents (Joy's parents), Lennon and Lennon's moms (yes moms - they were a lesbian couple!) and her friend Avani. Once again I have to mention how much I loved the strong family bonds presented, especially as they weren't related by blood but by choice.
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Reading Progress
April 15, 2018
– Shelved
July 4, 2018
–
Started Reading
July 4, 2018
–
0.0%
"Been reading lots of mystery & thrillers. Need a little fluffy, light & cute in my life to balance things out. Hoping this will do that."
page
0
July 4, 2018
–
10.93%
"It's like a reading brain break - some contemporary YA love to wash some of the thriller grime off of me from my last read."
page
46
July 5, 2018
–
22.57%
"I adore Zorie's stepmom, Joy. Their relationship is wonderful. I enjoy when I see positive, healthy stepparent relationships portrayed in books."
page
95
July 5, 2018
–
45.13%
"Teen angst, friendship drama & camping adventures. This is giving my brain a nice break from all the grisly reads :)"
page
190
July 5, 2018
– Shelved as:
ya-books
July 5, 2018
–
Finished Reading
December 29, 2018
– Shelved as:
2018
Comments Showing 1-30 of 30 (30 new)
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Norma
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Jul 05, 2018 08:06PM
Wonderful review, Bern! 😊
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Norma * Traveling Sister wrote: "Wonderful review, Bern! 😊"
Thanks Norma - it was a cute story. Just what I needed right now!
Thanks Norma - it was a cute story. Just what I needed right now!
Mackenzie - Traveling Sister wrote: "Great review, Bern!!!"
Thank you Mackenzie - it was definitely the kind of cute "first love" story that makes you smile.
Thank you Mackenzie - it was definitely the kind of cute "first love" story that makes you smile.
KAS wrote: "Wonderful review, Bern ;) I sure enjoy YA/NA reads, so will definitely check this out! xoxo"
KAS definitely check it out if you enjoy YA/NA. I ended up enjoying it more than I initially thought I would after reading the blurb. I feel like the blurb doesn't really do it justice.
KAS definitely check it out if you enjoy YA/NA. I ended up enjoying it more than I initially thought I would after reading the blurb. I feel like the blurb doesn't really do it justice.
Kristy wrote: "Aww, this sounds like a good one - great review!"
Thank you Kristy - it was a quick, fun read! Perfect for summer too with it's focus on a summer camping trip. I'm headed to the Smoky Mountains this month and thought it was fitting. It didn't disappoint!
Thank you Kristy - it was a quick, fun read! Perfect for summer too with it's focus on a summer camping trip. I'm headed to the Smoky Mountains this month and thought it was fitting. It didn't disappoint!
Kristin (KC) - Traveling Sister wrote: "Great review, Bern! I've always been a sucker for the friends-to-lovers theme, too :-)"
Ha, I'm in good company then Kristin. I honestly just can't resist it.
Ha, I'm in good company then Kristin. I honestly just can't resist it.
I'm also a cheesy romantic at heart! 🙋🏻♀️ Although, I'm not much of a YA reader, you certainly sparked my interest with your review. Nice one.
Melissa wrote: "I'm also a cheesy romantic at heart! 🙋🏻♀️ Although, I'm not much of a YA reader, you certainly sparked my interest with your review. Nice one."
Ha, I love that I'm not alone if this! My husband makes fun of me never understanding how I can adore dark & grisly and still be a huge fan of cheesy romance. My reader heart is big with room for lots! ;)
Ha, I love that I'm not alone if this! My husband makes fun of me never understanding how I can adore dark & grisly and still be a huge fan of cheesy romance. My reader heart is big with room for lots! ;)
Jess wrote: "Great review Bern I like a girly fun romance every now and then I'm going to give this one ago 🤗"
Many thanks Jess - hope you enjoy it!
Many thanks Jess - hope you enjoy it!
Jaline wrote: "Lovely review, Bern!"
Thanks Jaline! This one gave a nice break from my usual more grisly reads :)
Thanks Jaline! This one gave a nice break from my usual more grisly reads :)
Nicola wrote: "Great review Bern ! It’s good to have a bit of a lighter read from time to time. Glad you enjoyed. 😊"
Thank you Nicola! We need a bit of light with the dark don't we ;)
Thank you Nicola! We need a bit of light with the dark don't we ;)
Susanne wrote: "Awesome review Bern! Glad you liked this!"
Thank you Susanne! I do have a bit of a soft spot for comfy YA, especially in between thrillers to lighten things up.
Thank you Susanne! I do have a bit of a soft spot for comfy YA, especially in between thrillers to lighten things up.
I’m not a fan of YA but I can see how this could be the perfect book at times. I’m glad you enjoyed! :)
JanB wrote: "I’m not a fan of YA but I can see how this could be the perfect book at times. I’m glad you enjoyed! :)"
Thank you Jan! :) YA keeps me young at heart, lol!
Thank you Jan! :) YA keeps me young at heart, lol!
This review showed up at the right time for me today. I can tell I'm at the beginning of a reading slump and this sounds like the perfect pick me up book! Your review was lovely and sold me instantly. Thanks Bern.