✨(eARC) Book Review✨

A Sky Full of Stars by Fay Keenan

Charlotte is an astrology archivist tasked with a summer project that takes her from her Uni living in Bristol to the remote, rural countryside of Lower Brambleton. Lodging with an older local, Lorelai, Charlotte quickly learns that she’s landed even closer to the historical significance of the Observatory that she’s archiving before its demolition.

I have to admit that this one just didn’t do it for me. I seriously considered not finishing it and didn’t find sticking it out to be that worthwhile. On the whole, the novel is quite bland. The characters felt very surface level—I wasn’t emotionally invested in their stories at all. For being marketed as a romance, I didn’t feel any chemistry between the love interests. Comet, the cocker spaniel, is hands down the best character. Aside from him, though, I just didn’t care what happened.

There seemed to be some pacing problems too. Things are quite slow-paced throughout, and once we reach the climax of the story, everything felt rushed and glossed over, like it was only finished because of an immediate deadline. The brief resolution was worsened by the novel’s tendency to tell rather than show. I was being told about a couple falling in love, but I wasn’t shown them falling in love.

The best parts of this book are the beautiful descriptions of the cities and buildings and interiors. It by no means was poorly-written. It just suffered from a lack of story-telling.

Overall, I really don’t recommend this one. I think this author has better books out there to try instead.

Thanks to @netgalley and @theboldbookclub for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

📖: (2.5/5) ⭐️⭐️💫

This is an enjoyable escapist read with the central character,
Charlotte removed from her usual life in the city of Bristol and settled in the countryside for the summer away from all her familiar sights and friends. Her life as an archivist means that she enjoys working alone and is looking forward to this the first of her solo jobs. Employed to archive all the paperwork from an now ruined Observation Tower, she finds a mystery within the paperwork which she is compelled to follow. Charlotte takes to village life and finds herself making new friendships.

Tristan Ashcombe , who Charlotte meets early in the story, turns out to be a very complicated character with a family connection to the Observation Tower Charlotte is working in. Charlotte is staying in the annexe to his grandmother's bungalow, a feisty and sharp lady who Charlotte strikes up a friendship with. I also enjoyed getting to know Charlotte's little cocker spaniel, a mischievous but lovable scamp who plays a part in the story. This is an entertaining story which turns up a few surprises and introduces some warm and likeable characters.

In short: romance and mystery

To start off with - i love the dog and i love that the main character has a STEM job but it was a little too slow to get started and once it did, i just didnt feel connected to the main story. For me, the side story was more interesting.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a great book. I loved the fact that it wasn't just a straight romance, there were other elements of the main characters lives mixed in as well. Those are my favorite kind of romance novels!

BOOK: A SKY FULL OF STARS
AUTHOR: FAY KEENAN
PUB DATE: MARCH, 2025
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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THINGS I LIKED
1. The mystery regarding the MMC's parents astronomical finding.
2. I liked the FMC, her job was cool and she was okay
3. I liked the book's premises and setting
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THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE
1. The romance between the MCs was too fast and unremarkable which was disappointing since it's supposed to be the main theme
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The book was okay in everything (astronomy related) except the romance

A wonderful read!
This novel drew me in from the very first page and kept me hooked until the end. The characters were vibrant and relatable, the writing was engaging, and the story had just the right balance of heart and humor. Highly recommend!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for my ARC. All opinions are my own.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

A Sky Full of Stars was such a charming read! Charlotte’s journey from city life to the cozy village of Little Somerby was heartwarming. 🏙️➡️🏡

The astronomy theme added a unique touch, and the slow-burn romance was just the right amount of sweet. 💫💕

Fay Keenan’s writing made the village come alive, and I felt like I was right there with the characters.

While it didn’t quite reach 5 stars for me, it’s a solid 4-star read that I’d recommend to anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a touch of stargazing magic. 🌟📖

A little mystery, a lot of love, family, friends - this book has it all, even dogs. An easy, heartwarming read that grips you from the outset. The characters are warm and friendly and it's the perfect summer read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood books for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

The pacing on this book was a bit too slow for me - I really struggled with getting into enjoying the characters as a result of this. I loved the location however; it was beautiful and so gripping - I really like it when I can truly feel immersed in the location of the book. As a romance this book falls incredibly flat, but I enjoyed the story overall.

A beautifully written romance set in the sleepy Somerset village of Lower Brambleton. When astronomy archivist Charlotte James takes on a summer project to catalog a forgotten observatory, she’s not expecting to uncover family secrets—or fall for the charming but guarded Tristan Ashcombe. With its dreamy countryside setting, stargazing magic, and a story full of heart, this book is perfect for fans of slow-burn romance and second chances.

Charlotte meets Tristan when she takes a job archiving an old astronomy site in the countryside. They don't get off to the best start, as the book progresses, family secrets are revealed, but what will happen when Charlotte returns to her job at the university?

"A Sky Full of Stars" by Fay Keenan is a sweet and endearing contemporary romance novel with a lovely hint of intrigue. Based in the idyllic English countryside, the novel traces Charlotte, an astronomical archivist, who is hired to catalog the belongings of an unused observatory prior to its demolition.

Keenan is skilled at building a warm and welcoming setting, and the location of the ancient observatory creates a memorable and immersive background for the events about to unfold. The descriptions are rich, making it easy for the reader to visualize the charming village and the intriguing, history-filled observatory.
The characters are one of the novel's strongest points. Charlotte is a friendly and accessible heroine, and her dedication to her job comes across. The male hero, Tristan, who is overseeing the redevelopment scheme, is initially rather stiff but gradually unfolds to show depths to his character. Their early meetings are entertaining, and the gradual-burn romance that ensues between them is believable and compelling.
Added to the appeal are the supporting actors, especially Lorelai, the spunky older woman Charlotte lives with, and Comet, Charlotte's troublemaking dog, who unwittingly facilitates the bringing together of the main characters. These actors lend warmth and humor to the story.

Although the romance is the focus of the story, Keenan intertwines a very interesting mystery with the history of the observatory and Tristan's family. This adds an extra layer of interest and leaves the reader speculating, keeping the plot well-paced. How the mystery becomes intertwined with the growing relationship between Charlotte and Tristan comes naturally and adds to their interactions.

Overall, "A Sky Full of Stars" is a delightful read. It's an ideal read for those who love feel-good books with a dash of romance, an interesting setting, and well-rounded characters. Fay Keenan has written a warm, optimistic, and inspiring novel that will leave readers smiling. It's the type of book you can easily become immersed in and will probably recommend to others seeking a pleasant escape.

I have read many of Fays books so was delighted to receive this in advance of publication for an honest review. Charlotte had got herself a summer job in a small village in Somerset,archiving papers from an observatory that was getting knocked down. She was staying in the annexe of a house that was near to the observatory so she decided to take a walk with Comet,her dog,and see where she would be working. She bumped into a grumpy man who warned her off trespassing so not a good start. Tristan,who is in charge of the land surrounding the observatory which is going to be new houses. Charlotte bumps into the grumpy man when he turns up her her Landlady’s house,turns out Lorelei is Tristan’s gran and she brought him up and his sister up when his parents died in a car crash many years ago. Charlotte and Tristan are attracted to each other and their life’s are entwined as the observatory was a big part of his parents lives. An easy story and another great book from Fay,you must read it to see how things progress between Charlotte and Tristan.

Thank you netgalley and publishers for allowing me a copy of this book for my review. Having read the blurb on this book about an astronomical archivist, something I'd never heard of, I was quite intrigued to read more. We meet archivist Charlotte, who takes on a job over her summer holidays to try and save as much information as possible from an observatory which is about to be demolished. Whilst gathering up data, Charlotte finds herself unravelling more than just details about the stars.

1/5
This definitely wasn't my favourite book. I actually didn't like it, and I had to force myself to finish it in the first place.
First, the writing. I was annoyed with some of the phrases and the overall tone and style. In the first few chapters the author was hell-bent on saying how "remote" and "rular" the village was (as if that made it worse than a city), thatt the main character "can be locked in the basement" because apparently that's what happens in every countryside, but what really annoyed me was the description "suprisingly modern bathroom". Seriously?
What, just because it's a countryside it means they don't have a bathroom, only a privy instead? Seriously that's how the writing comes across. Idk if the author has ever been in the countryside or if she only saw pictures but it smells of prejudice. It was immediatelly off-putting to me.
Then, the style. The author was all "tell, don't show," and we had several instances of this: we're told that Charlotte was hired to archive the files from the observatory, but in the whole book, we only see her do it on page once. And only at 43% of the book. She had been hired to do it off-page at the beginning of the book (the first chapter has her packing and driving to the "rural" village), and yet, for the first 40+%, we don't see her do the job she was actually hired to do. We then have this happen at the end, where the characters get back together after the third act breakup. Except they don't even talk. Instead, MMC reads the letter FMC has written him (off page), and the they suddenly start making out and dating. There was no resolution! No explanation! And we don't even get to see the damn letter once. That was too frustrating.
The characters were bland. I wan't invested in the story or the relationships and it wasn't believable to me that they were in love. The were no sparks , nothing. I was more interested in the discovery MMC's parents made decades ago than the love story between MCs. Although I hated that FMC called her ex for the advice instead of her professor tbh. And both main characters were weird.
Charlotte seems dumb and naive. We get everything spelled out and she makes connections pages later and is always so shocked when it was made so clear to everyone. She was told that the owners made a stipulation for her to do her job, and when Lorelai revealed it was her, Clarlotte still hadn't realized Lorelai was the owner until it was spelled it out to her.
Tristan is a bit of an enigma. Grumpy and bothered, very angry with Charlotte the first 2 times he met her, on the third meeting he was suddenly all smiles and humour? Wha's that guy?
Charlotte was also super indecisive. When Tristan's sister interfered, Charlotte got rightfully angry and called her out, but as soon as the sister said, "you're here now, you should talk," she suddenly changed her mind. After calling her out like that and her not only reluctance but anger when she realised she's been manipulated, she just took it? I applauded her for standing up for herself as soon as she figured out what happened. But 2 seconds later, she changed her mind and let herself be manipulated, and it was just so stupid. I didn't care about them getting back together by that point, but I would if she decided to go back home back then and try and talk things through some other time, when they were both ready for it. Instead, the author rushed the happy ending with no character arc, and it was just so badly done.
The rescue was so dramatic, I didn't like that very much. I much preferred when MMC was a damsel in distress, and to suddenly have a role reversal and FMC was the one in trouble was jarring and unnecessary. I'd rather she save him from the panic attack than him coming to himself and having to save her.
All in all, the book wasn't for me. I didn't connect with the characters, and I honestly didn't care whether they got together or not. The backstory about MMC's parents was way more interesting for me. The writing was not my cup of tea, I definitely prefer books that show me what happens instead of having it all play out off-page. Even the ex had been more interesting than the main couple!

Thak you, NetGalley and Boldwood books for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Heartwarming romance set in Somerset as an observatory is being decommissioned ready for demolition.

Charlotte is an astronomical archivist, who takes on a post over the summer to sort through and archive the remaining contents of the observatory before developers move in to develop the site into a new housing estate.

When she first bumps into Tristan they don't get off to the best start. He assumes she is a careless tourist, ill-dressed for the conditions and with an unruly dog he has to help rescue. Fortuitously, she is also staying next door to his grandma, who is able to employ a few little tactics to encourage their budding friendship and potential romance.

But as Charlotte sorts through the files she makes a surprising discovery, with links to a tragedy the family suffered years before.

A Sky Full of Stars is a heartfelt romance that features a unique premise and is set in an old observatory.

Charlotte travels around the country as an astronomical archivist. This summer she accepts a job in the village of Somerset where she will archive the contents of an old observatory before its demolition. She’s excited about preserving its treasures and meets Tristan who is managing the project. It turns out that Tristan has complicated feelings about the project and Charlotte’s work begins to expose the truth behind a family tragedy.

There’s a cute dog! (named Comet, of course!)

I enjoyed this unique and atmospheric setting! The author provides vivid descriptive details so that we can imagine ourselves in this abandoned observatory in an isolated setting. I also enjoyed the quaint community.

The author slowly unfolds this complicated family drama as Charlotte makes discoveries through her archival work. A Sky Full of Stars is an example of good balance between character-driven and plot-driven.

This heartfelt story includes many layers: a slow-burn romance with an entertaining first encounter (opposite of meet-cute), family tragedy, family secrets, grief, quaint rural community, family relationships, relatable characters, healing, and astronomy.

Content Consideration: death of parents (in the past)

Fans of a unique setting, complicated family drama, and slow-burn romance will likely enjoy this engaging and poignant story.

Thanks #NetGalley @BoldwoodBooks for a complimentary eARC of #ASkyFullOfStars upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Charlotte James is an astronomical archivist
So archiving an old observatory is a chance not to be missed.
Even though it mean working in an isolated place
Sorting it out before is demolished will set the pace.

There are complicated memories for many who live there
With family dramas and as well as history to share.
There are surprise findings and revelations, too,
As well as a mystery to work her way through!

A delightful dog, a lovely temporary landlady, too,
Grown up twins and so much to do.
Who'd have thought there'd also be a chance
For a truly heartwarming romance?

A story where discoveries made in the past
Are brought to light and understood at last.
There's grief, healing, love and danger, too
In this brilliant read I highly recommend to you!

For my copy of this book I say a huge thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

Fay Keening is another author who is new to me. However I loved this book. Given that it had been endorsed by one of my favourite authors Jessica Redland I knew it would be a book I would enjoy. And I wasn't disappointed. From the first page to the last I couldn't put it down. Just when you thought you knew the direction in which the story was going you found that it was going off in an another unexpected direction. If you are a fan of astronomy then this is definitely a book for you. Astronomy, mystery, love and cute dogs all combine to make this a great read. I'll certainly be reading more of Fay's works.
#BookTour

It is set in a Somerset village and features a unique female protagonist, Charlotte. The book's astronomical details give it an intrinsic authenticity and depth, skillfully woven with family drama, tragedy, and mystery. I like the main characters, who have experienced emotional heartaches, the village setting, the community we get to know, the friendship and the gentle romance.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.