I loved reading this emotional and absorbing novel. Dani Atkins writes superb stories full of romance and heart-breaking family issues that usually make way for a heart-warming resolution. All these attributes come with heartening empathy, exciting storyboards and addictive storytelling. With these very ingredients I knew almost from the very beginning that this novel would not disappoint me. I knew it would be a tear jerker after reading the blurb, but the tender romance and the many lovely moments Dani created soon drew me in.
When Alex met Lisa it was a defining moment in his life. He knew straight away that she would be his soul mate and the person he wanted to spend his entire life honouring and adoring. When Connor was born, Lisa became an intuitive natural mother and their bond was plain to see. Family life was good, Lisa bestowing the love of the keen professional star gazer that she was, to her son. It was wondrous to watch mother and son together and Alex took great pleasure in seeing their heads together and their excited chatter.
Sadly Lisa was killed in a tragic railway accident when she was on her way to an important meeting where she would be a speaker. She was over the moon, despite leaving her two favourite boys behind. It would be the last time she saw her boys. To his utter dismay Alex discovered that Lisa had firm ideas about organ donation, but the very thought of defiling his wife’s precious body was more than he could bear. He could never explain it to Connor, aged six by then. It was out of the question. This is the story of Alex and Connor coming to terms with the trauma of losing their precious wife and mother. It is engrossing and poignant.
I received this book through my membership of NetGalley and from publisher Head of Zeus in return for an honest review. Thank you for my copy. These are my own thoughts and I have read no other reviews before writing my own. I thought the characterisation was wonderful and these relatives and friends of Lisa and Alex were thoughtful and caring. I really liked both main characters and their story threads, but I also enjoyed finding out about the four strangers that were introduced into the main thread and that would figure in Alex and Conner’s healing process and coming to terms with their loss. I thought their characters were powerful, full of compassion and each of them made an important impact upon the novel. I loved the ending although it was sad, but soon I began to think that the ending was a really good fit to the circumstances and overall novel. I recommend this novel as a very enjoyable and beautiful story. It is well worth reading and I award it a 4.5*.

When I began reading this book and realised what the subject matter was, I thought, this has been done before. But. It's not predictable at all. It's beautifully written, poignant, and my heart went out to Connor. It really makes you think, the impact of organ donation. I wasn't sure about the ending, not regarding the (SPOILER ALERT) wedding, but regarding the suggestion of a new love interest. I'm not sure it was necessary, but it's a small point. Another great read from Dani Atkins. With thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Sky full of Stars from Dani Atkins in my first book from the author and it won’t be my last.
When Lisa dies after a tragic accident, her husband Alex and their 7-year-old son Connor are left bereft. The pair are trying to get over her death are asked for permission to donate her organs. Alex wasn’t aware that Lisa wishes and at first, he hesitates. But eventually agrees. Her heart, lungs, corneas, and kidneys are given. Alex finds it hard to get over her death and being a one parent family to Connor, but he is not alone as he has help from his brother and sister-in-law. To start his healing process, he decides to meet the recipients of Lisa’s organs and when they meet all things start to happen, but they become friends.
This is a beautifully written story of love and loss and grief. Of a child coming to terms with the sudden death of their Mother. This was a very emotional sad story but sensitively written which I really enjoyed. I will now be looking at the other books that this author has written.

This is a heartbreaking and heartwarming book all at the same time. You will go through so many emotions while reading this but its wonderful, the characters draw you in and hold you tight, how would it feel to have someone elses heart beat in your body? to look through their eyes and then to meet their son? So a strange group of people but the greatest of ties. A must read, beautifully written

Another fabulous book by Dani Atkins which has it all: heartbream, loss, fear, grief, hope, humour, love, and friendship.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I really enjoyed this book, despite finding it very unrealistic. Atkins writes well and created engaging, well-rounded characters who I really cares about. The book drew attention to the important issue of organ donation whilst exploring grief and love.

This is a lovely story from Dani Atkins who seems to always write such beautiful heart-wrenching stories that I adore.
A Sky Full of Stars is a tale of sadness and heartache that you would expect when dealing with grief but it is also one of hope and happiness as the rawness abates.
When a family is ripped apart by a tragic accident the loss is unbearable but this event brings new acquaintances which form friendships and help to heal.
This sensitive subject of death and organ donation has been thoroughly researched and delicately approached which made this story and its characters a page turner.
My thanks to Net Galley and Head of Zeus for the advanced digital copy.

A heartwarming and emotional read about loss and new opportunities; I just couldn’t put this book down.

All of the characters were extremely likeable and I found myself drawn into their experiences with feeling.

This is the second book I’ve read by Dani Atkins after Fractured (which also stuck with me long after reading); I will definitely be looking for more to read from this author.

Being a massive Dani Atkins fan , this book had a lot to live up to and it certainly did not disappoint. It has everything you come to expect from Dania Atkins, loveable characters that you truly invest in, an incredible story line and all the emotions that have you laughing one minute and reaching for the tissues the next. This book is truly heartbreaking yet incredibly uplifting and heartwarming. I didn't want it to end and will be rereading it again and again. A must read!

Dani Atkins never fails. A truly wonderful story despite the heartbreaking subject it left me smiling and grateful for life.

A truly wonderful read, Dani is one of my favourite authors. She writes with such tenderness and joy. I laughed, cried and thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd recomend to all.

Wow! Where to start, what an emotional story. I had cried several times before I had even got 10% in.
Dying and leaving behind a young child, is every parents worst nightmare, so for that reason this book was so hard to read but I couldn't put it down and often found myself gripping my kindle through the angst in the pages.
The book is written from the povs of 2 characters but I loved how all the other characters linked in to complete the story.
I'm a huge fan of Dani Atkins and have loved all of books, this one is no exception. It was beautifully written with such raw emotion. It now has a special place in my heart.

I enjoyed this. It became slightly different to what I thought to begin with which was a nice surprise. I thought it was a bit too unrealistic and didn’t like the ending but otherwise well written.

Alex is married to Lisa, a professional astronomer, and they have a little boy who loves his mum to the stars and back.
Then Lisa is gone and they are left to struggle on without her. But she lives on in four other people, and Alex. wants to meet them. When he does and hears their stories he realises what a gift she has given them.
This will make you smile and then cry.

Ahhhh, Dani Atkins does it again. I honestly think that she is right up there among my favourite authors - I have adored every single one of her books; they are pure escapism and a joy to read.

That said, this book was probably my least favourite of hers; the only one I have never given 5 stars to. If I was to pick any holes, I would say it felt not quite as magical and a tad contrived. However, 4 stars still means it's a brilliant read!

An interesting read. Sad at times. A slow read for me. Covered a very difficult subject. Makes you realise you have to tell your loved ones what you want to happen when you die. You did feel for Alex and you know why he wanted to meet every one his wife had helped.

A normal week day morning and then your life alters. The one person who understands you and loves you despite your faults is killed in a tragic accident.
How do you move on and help your son cope and understand when you can't.
Agreeing to let her organs be donated, you feel a connection with the people who received her organs.
A beautiful tale, full of moments that will bring tears to your eyes.
Loved the book!!!!

A beautiful emotional read. You can’t help but be touched by. Love dani’s books and can’t wait for the next one. A must read as always.

Another fantastic book by one of my favourite authors. This is the third book I’ve read by Dani Atkins. I will always remember the first one – Our Song, this author certainly knows how to take your heart and wring it out and then when you think things can’t get any more sad, they do!

Whilst Our Song was just about the most heart wrenching book I’ve ever read, A Sky Full of Stars though poignant, didn’t cause quite so many tears. But don’t get me wrong, I still absolutely devoured the book. I read it in a week, which for me – one who is so easily distracted – is the sign of a very compelling read.

I loved all the characters in this story. There really wasn’t a bad bone between them. When Alex’s wife is involved in a train crash, sustaining injuries that cannot be repaired, Alex is faced with an unbearable decision. Yet it’s a decision his wife has already made and one which Alex must honour, despite it breaking his heart.

It’s impossible to write everything I felt about the book without giving away the crux of the story and I don’t want to do that. Suffice to say, that each character has their own story to tell including the four strangers who share a common theme but come from vastly differing backgrounds and ages.

The story covers grief. For Alex, not only does he have to try to come to terms with his own loss but must also try to help his 7 year old son Connor learn to cope with losing his mum. For a long time Connor believes that his mum will come back, it’s his way of coping with the loss which is heartbreaking for Alex.

There is obviously a lot of sadness in the book but there is also hope, kindness, family support – the relationship between Alex, his brother Todd and Todd’s wife Dee is a strong one, they are always there for Alex and Connor. It’s a story of friendship and bonding with the four strangers helping each other and being a life line at times for Alex.

Towards the end there was more than one ‘oh no’ moment as I read through the pages. Like I said I’ve read two of this authors books already, enough to know happy endings don’t come easily, so in parts the reader is on tenterhooks hoping and praying for a good outcome. Will there be a happy ending? Well, you’ll have to read it to find out.

I enjoyed this book just as much as the other two I’ve read, and really must try to keep my promise to myself to read the rest of Dani’s back catalogue of work.

*Posted to Goodreads now and posted to my blog closer to publication date.*

When I feel the need to sink into a story with all of the feels and possibly a few tears, Dani Atkins has become one of my go-to authors of choice and A Sky Full of Stars did not disappoint.

This is not just Alex's story, it's also Molly's, one of the four people whose lives are changed because of Lisa's death.

Alex is really not coping with Lisa's death and in turn, their son talks about Lisa as though she is still alive and Alex doesn't know how to cope with this or make it better.

Molly's a primary school teacher and seems to be able to make things better, but should she, is any of this the right thing to do and where will it lead? A happy new life for Alex or more heartbreak. It's not what you think and it won't go exactly where you think it might.

It's a heartwarming story with a lot of sadness but also a lot of love and new beginnings for Alex, Molly and the other people whose lives have been changed for the better by Lisa. I really loved it and look forward to more to come from Dani Atkins..

Thanks to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.