Cover Image: Wishes Under a Starlit Sky

Wishes Under a Starlit Sky

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

It was a very beautiful christmas-y cover that alone just gives me a happy cozy feeling.
But some part of the story felt rushed, and i did not exactly see it comming after what happend with Scott. I mean i knew it was going to happen based on the blurb, but it did not exactly feel like the right time, it felt random and that bothered me. I could feel that she was hurting, but also pushing people away and it annoyed me. They were only trying to help. And i did not get the christmas feeling of it, sure it was written the date and that christmas was comming and thrown more christmas stuff into it... but i did not get the feeling of it.

Was this review helpful?

I thought this was a different kind of Christmas novel. Most are mostly focused on the romance, but this one was a bit different. I like how our main character Harper found life upside down and she goes back to her parent's house in Colorado and finds herself again. That romance is not everything. She needs to make sure she knows who she is. I like how she is a romance screenwriter.

Was this review helpful?

I love Lucy's writing and this Christmassy wintery book was just perfect. Lucy always seems to speak straight to my heart with damaged characters starting again and looking after themselves. I love how she promotes good mental health in her books

Was this review helpful?

Not for me. I don’t know why Christmas books need to start off so miserable. I need something cheerful to get me through

Was this review helpful?

Thank you netgalley for allowing me to read this early. I have never read anything by this author so i was excited when I was granted access. I loved the Christmas esque feeling of this book. The main character got to me at some points because she couldnt get over a husband who was terrible. Other than that it was good!

Was this review helpful?

I can't recommend Wishes Under a Starlit Sky as a warm and cozy Christmas read. I made it to the 26% mark before I gave up because it was just so very sad. The main character just isn't likable because she's can't get over a husband who is one of. the worst ever.

Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A great story that should be made into a Hallmark movie, both parties work with the netertainment agency just like hallmark, get the contracts out....
I am loving all the books out at this time, we certainly need cheering up with all the stress going on and this book is a great escape. It is inspriring, uplifting and very festive. Half of the book is set in Colorado, what a beautiful place at xmas. Its just a simply amazing read.
Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for this book for a honest review.

Was this review helpful?

One of my favourite things about Lucy's books is that she manages to get the things she loves most in life, as well as things that happen to her down on paper and turns them into stories that are magical and familiar. I adored 'How to Bake a New Beginning' and 'The Ingredients for Happiness,' because they felt like home and those snippets that were inspired by real life warmed by heart and made me smile.

Her third book 'Wishes Under a Starlit Sky,' amazes me for how Lucy turned a very unpleasant time in her life into a gorgeous book full of hope and love. Honestly, I was blown away. I even told her that this one may just be my favourite of her three!!! Maybe...I feel bad for choosing..but it is really, really good.

Where to start? Firstly, I love Harper's name! Harper Hayes just rolls off the tongue and makes me feel like she could be in a Hallmark movie, which coincidentally she could be, because her job is writing romance scripts for a company not so unlike the Hallmark channel. In fact, reading this book made me feel like a Hallmark movie was playing in my head. The settings were utterly enchanting and stunning and the scenes were just beautiful and sweet. Our family needs a trip to Colorado pronto. We've always loved log cabins and the idea of snowboarding down snowy mountains, before sitting round a roaring fire with hot chocolate, but after reading all of those scenes in 'Wishes Under a Starlit Sky,' the need to actually book a trip now has grown tenfold. At Christmastime too, the magic was palpable.

The story itself I found incredibly inspiring. It's not a romance in the traditional sense, but personally I'd say it was still a romance. Butterflies in your stomach, warm and fuzzy feelings, goosebumps and smiles are feelings you get when you fall in love and all of those feelings are present in 'Wishes Under a Starlit Sky,' but rather than falling in love with a man or woman, this book is about falling in love with life and most importantly yourself. It's about finding love in the things that are present in your life in the moment; getting butterflies looking at the beauty of nature around you, feeling warm and fuzzy meeting new people and connecting with them, smiling non-stop because of delicious food that you just want to devour in one bite, getting goosebumps at the sight of twinkling lights and Christmas decorations. It's about looking in the mirror and loving what you see, no matter what anyone else says or does to you. It's about finding that self love and believing in yourself no matter what life throws at you...

...Life throws Harper a snowball she doesn't want one Christmas and a year later the affects are still apparent. She's learning to navigate life in a new way, to make decisions on her own and to still go after dreams that she was on the verge of grasping albeit now in her own way. I was so proud of her for every little step in the right direction and every little moment that she learnt to love herself and take a chance. I cried, I really cried because Lucy writes with so much emotion that I could feel it pouring from the pages. It wasn't an easy thing for Harper to go through, it took time, so much time to heal after being treated so poorly, but being with her along the way and learning new lessons with her was a very empowering experience.

I've not even mentioned all of the wonderful characters in this book, of which there are many, so so many, but if I go into detail about them all, I'm literally going to write an essay. I'm pretty sure i'm half way there already! I can't resist mentioning a few though... the relationship between Harper and her best friend Madi was beautiful, they were practically sisters and I adored their interactions. Harper's parents were the coolest. The people she meets in Colorado are even cooler and then there's Dean and Poppy! Ugh I told you SO many!!!

'Wishes Under a Starlit Sky' is enchanting, magical, empowering, festive and a definite must read. It's about keeping on keeping on when you feel at your lowest, but most of all it's about LOVE. Love for others, love for yourself and love even when it's the last thing you feel like doing, because love is always stronger than hate.

Kelly

Was this review helpful?

Who doesn't love a novel set at Christmas.

I love Christmas and I love reading Christmas stories. This one is amazing.

I love the fact that I was hooked right from the prologue, to think I used to skip past a prologue, what was a thinking.

The situation at the beginning of this books happens a little too often in relationships. Some people aren't honest and need to communicate better.

Firstly Harper's husband Scott, I am not a fan but that is a credit to the way this novel is written, to dislike a fictional character because of his personality and actions is pretty cool if you think about it.

When Harper visits her parents home in Colorado I couldn't believe the description of it, it was breath taking, their home, the town they live it, oh my gosh it's sounds idyllic, it makes me want to live there.

When I watch a Christmas film or think about going away for Christmas this is exactly how I see it. I love that this sorry is also about a film writer who does Christmas films.

I like the character Harper and her friend Madi, I can relate to them both in different ways. My best friend and I also get into the spirit of Christmas on a bit way, we have certain traditions that I think we will have for life.

Harper much like myself (in some circumstances) is the queen of procrastination, but let's face it if you were somewhere like the place that's described I think you would be too.

I absolutely loved the authors description of the stars during Harper's outdoor Yoga session, you feel as though you're there with Harper experiencing what she is as it happens.

I found myself feeling particularly proud of Harper, she took charge of her life and decided what she wanted and not what she thought she should want. She starts to realise her worth and doesn't need Scott to make her happy. She starts to try new things and I think Hayley encourages her to not be so afraid.

I particularly like the serendipitous meetings of various characters and it gave me a warm glow when certain ones happened, I found myself smiling when I was reading.

Loved every minute of this book.

Was this review helpful?

The beautiful cover and title attracted me to this book. The dark starry sky and beautiful gingerbread cabin inviting you in to hear the story of the young lady walking to it. The title just adds to the ambience.

This book is a great summer romance read. It is a beautiful story that gently unfolds making nothing feel too heavy. Whilst your totally invested in the characters happy ending

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley for a pre publication copy. In return for an honest review! #wishesunderastarlitsky #netgalley

Harper......Was Hayes..... Is a budding screenwriter who is married to the delectable romantic that is Scott. Until he has an affair and soon leaves Harper heartbroken. With her parents living in Colarado it leaves Harpers childhood best friend Madi to make Harper whole again. Madi persuades Harper to visit her parents for Christmas. Is this enough to make things right? Will Harper be able to etch a future for herself?

The beautiful cover and title attracted me to this book. The dark starry sky and beautiful gingerbread cabin inviting you in to hear the story of the young lady walking to it. The title just adds to the ambience.

This book is a great summer romance read. It is a beautiful story that gently unfolds making nothing feel too heavy. Whilst your totally invested in the characters happy ending.

All the characters, bar Scott, have their own unique personality which shines through at every point. They are all strong independent people who have love and life lessons to tell. They just need to confidence to tell them. The lessons and wisdom they provide throughout this book has such a light spiritual feeling that I know every reader will take something from this book.

This book covers some emotional subjects such as; divorce, parent accidents, estranged parents, fostering and low self esteem. However none of these subjects detracts from the read. It just allows for extra character building, overcoming the worst in life and more invaluable life lessons.

Also this book is a page Turner from the very first sentence. You will not want to put it down and you just want to hug all the characters.

However I did find that the way this book moves forward in time. Sometimes a few days, few weeks or months. Something that works well allowing you to share years with the characters. Although it does meanthat certain events are missed. These events are ones you feel would be important to the characters although not the end of the world. For example Harper and Madi's first Christmas in Colarado, Harper and Madi leaving Colarado and Jeff leaving the hospital.

Furthermore when I thought I had at least a few chapters left I found I actually had two pages. This left the ending very abruptly finished. You feel that there was no chance for Harper's feelings for Dean grow, you don't feel that romance which is bubbling underneath for a while and you are left wondering if the ending is of the start of long term romance, a fling or even friendship. Maybe this was left open for there to be a sequel if so then this will be fantastic and I cannot wait for it. However if it hasn't been then I feel it could have done with either a sequel or expansion.

My first and certainly not my last Lucy Knott book

Was this review helpful?

When Harper's husband of eight years tells her he wants a break and she finds out that he has been cheating on her she is devastated. Her best friend Madi thinks that the best thing for her to do is have a complete break and go and visit Madi's parents in Brekenridge in Colorado, she is a romance writer and so can work from anywhere. Packing up the two of them set off and soon the mountain air and exercise starts to take effect..... but will Harper find her new beginnings and happy everafters here?

A lovely book which to me brought back great memories of Brekenridge a great ski resort. The characters and good and there is a comedic quality as well so making a good lighthearted easy read

Was this review helpful?

An enthralling read that will capture your heart. Wishes Under a Starlit Sky is exceptionally written, with characters and scenery that come alive on the page in front of you. A fantastic and romantic read.

Was this review helpful?

A warm story about someone who looses so much but in her own time learns to overcome life’s obstacles. Enjoyed the story, heartbreaking at times but in the end I didn’t want it to end.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed Wishes Under a Starlit Sky, so much so that I didn’t want it to end, it was fab. A great book set between London and Colorado and lots of snow!!

Was this review helpful?

Rating: 3.5 rounded down to 3 Hallmark stars

Overall, this is a fine story about a woman overcoming a bad breakup, and learning to find herself again. This really IS like a Hallmark Movie though. Both Harper and her husband work for a ‘Hallmark’ type production company. He as a director. She as a scriptwriter. So, be ready for angst, bubbly love, improbable set-ups and true love winning at the end.

This book is set in England, and Colorado. Harper Hayes was totally blindsided when her husband of six years stated that he wanted to take a ‘break’ from their marriage. Over the years of her marriage, Harper had lost much of her spark while acquiescing to her husband’s every wish and whim. After he left her for his long-time mistress, Harper falls apart. The remainder of the story is how Harper, with the help of her perky best friend Madi, and her hippie-dippie parents, rebuilds an independent life for herself in Colorado.

For me there was just a bit too much repetition of internal talk from Harper. She spends a lot of time psyching herself up to follow her dreams. That got wearisome after a while. This is a perfectly fine holiday centered story. It’s about a woman done wrong by her man, and how she subsequently rebuilds her life. As I said, it’s a Hallmark movie in book format. It was a light read for the Christmas season, but I wouldn’t want a full-time diet of this type of fluff.

‘Thank-You’ to NetGalley; the publisher, HQ Digital; and the author, Lucy Knott for providing a free e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

this book is so sweet and precious. i loved every second if ot and i want you to love it, too. so please check it out as soon as possible

Was this review helpful?

Not for me. Far too saccharine sweet. Rather two dimensional writing which centres around Harper and her husbands affair. Everything slots into place far too neatly. The setting however is described beautifully.

Thank you Netgalley.

Was this review helpful?

This book was a brilliant read and one that is perfect to escape for a few hours and loose yourself.
Characters that fall out of the pages of the book and make you fell apart of the story, the setting is lovely and captured well with words.
A great read. that I would highly recommend.

Was this review helpful?

I was not able to get through this book. It was written very well and I wanted to read more but I could not get past the anxiety that that the beginning of the book gave me (where her husband was in the process of leaving her and then she found him at the Christmas party with another woman.) I wish the book could have started after all that with maybe a few flashbacks. Kudos to the author for writing it so well that I felt TOO much.

Was this review helpful?