3.5 Stars

A heart-warming and heart-felt novel which whilst an easy read was delightfully enjoyable. Great characters (past and present), and interesting and emotive plot, and tons of fascinating astronomical facts. This isn't an author I've read before but I'll be checking out more of her books.

Thank you to Net Galley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for a free e-ARC of 'See the Stars' by Eleanor Ray.

What a heart-warming book!

'They looked at each other, and she saw the light of the stars reflected in his eyes. She loved these moments: the two of them together while the rest of the world was sleeping.'

See the Stars follows Alice Thorington, a former scientist who is now working long hours in the city (something to do with finances and stocks, not my bag haha). Alice has a health scare and ends up needing to take time off work, staying with her mum at her childhood home in Yorkshire. She has to adjust to slowing down, come to terms with a few different ghosts from her past, and consider what she actually wants out of her life. The story follows two time periods - the current day and then flashes back to Alice's past.

I loved every minute of this story. The exploration of the relationships between characters is top-tier- the flashbacks to Alice's relationship with her grandad particularly tugged my heart strings.

I really enjoyed seeing Alice's growth throughout - especially after shouting at the book for her to do or realise certain things!

Overall, solid 4 stars - I will definitely revisit this book :)

This was a gorgeous book. Easy to read but that does not mean it was dumbed down. It was intelligent and interesting. I learnt a lot about the stars a subject I knew nothing about. I loved the characters especially the gentle intelligent way Berti and Zelda were treated. I was delighted when Alice made the decisions she did and found I was rooting for her throughout the book. This was my first Eleanor Ray book but it won't be my last. Definitely an author to watch.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

this was such a touching book and one i couldn't put down. it was a story that connected to me and bought me into it right away. the book is so touching for both mind and soul. we get to know our character Alice from both the present and her past leading up to now. so we truly feel like we get to know her. and i also loved getting to know other characters particularly her Grandad and these moments were my fave. it bought the story together with also featuring her love of space and looking through her Grandpas telescope as a child. the book isn't without its more sad or difficult topics but as usual Eleanor handles with exactly what they need.
Alice knows she needs to make a change. how she knows this? well collapsing might be the first clue. so Alice decides to make that change, face that life isn't making her happy and leaves for home. for Yorkshire. she taken on a journey of truly reflecting on her life, what she wants, and what she needs. what truly could make her happy? being home and having time to heal and be at peace help Alice take stock, take time, take space.
there is so many points of connection with this book both in theme and characters and i loved it so much. made me want to give it a little hug to chest at times. and i liked the uses of metaphorical and literal plot points which i actually got( i dont usually seem clever enough to do so it made me happy to do so in this one!)
Bertie is also a standout character for me but i want you to get to meet and see him all on your own to get the true sparkle from that part of the book as i did.
we could all learn from this book. we cold all heal a bit with it. and if not we could all just enjoy a wonderful story. and i certainly think i did all three.

A beautiful book. Extremely well written with great characters. I absolutely loved it. Highly recommended.

Set across two timelines. Alice has a gorgeous fiancé, a flat in London, a job in finance - the full package.. until she burns out and is signed off work to recover.

Growing up with a single mother, Alice is really close to her Grandad who shares with her his love of astronomy.

Can present day Alice recapture her passion for the stars and readjust to a slower pace of life?

The epitome of heartwarming, this book is packed with characters you really want to cheer for.
A lovely read, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the copy to review! Thank you to Eleanor Ray for writing such a lovely book!

Love the story of Alice. The story is told in two timelines: current one and Alice’s time in the university.

It is well written, characters are well developed. It is a bit predictable however highly enjoyable read.

Alice is relatable and likeable, she is flawed but her heart is in the right place. It is a nice story of Alice’s journey from her childhood and spending time looking at the night sky with her Grandpa through University and its challenges to her work life and her medical scare which turns her life 180 degrees.

It is well written book which grabbed my attention from the start.

I love Eleanor's books so much and this one sounded so wonderful. They're all heartfelt and soulful and magical and joyous.

This had me hooked from the very start and didn't let up until the end.

It is mostly set out in the present time, but every other chapter or so is set in Alice's childhood and student years, which gives us a real depth of character. She was such a wonderful character. I also loved her Grandfather, seen in the "past" chapters. I lost my grandparents many years ago, and so I love it when I read about grandparents because they're so warm and comforting. I didn't like Alice's partner Hugo, I found him very self-centered.

My standout character though has to be Bertie. He is a teenager that Alice meets when she's staying at her Mum's house. He is so amazing and really shone on the page, even when in scenes with the main adults, he still stole the show.

I loved the focus on space. I am fascinated by space and planets and whatnot, but I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination. So I loved hat Alice's interest started as a child with her grandfather, with a homemade telescope in his shed. It made it more relateable.

It is a relatively short book and quick to read but it still manages to give us that depth of emotion and story I've come to expect.

It is such an uplifting story. Yes it has some difficult topics - dementia, ageing, illness, mental illness, disability, neurodiversity - but overall it is just such an upbeat, joyful story.

I have a copy of Eleanor's book The Art of Belonging still to read, but whenever I read her work, it's just...it's perfect and she is just cementing her position as one of my go-to authors.

See the Stars is one of those quiet, beautiful books that sneaks up on your heart. I didn’t expect to feel quite so moved by it, but by the end, I was completely wrapped up in its gentle, hopeful magic. Eleanor Ray writes with such tenderness and care, and the emotional core of this story really stayed with me.

This is a story about grief, healing, and connection, but it never feels heavy. Instead, it feels honest. There’s a softness to the way Ray writes about loneliness and second chances, and I found myself rooting so hard for the characters, even when they were at their most uncertain. The relationships felt real, complicated, and quietly powerful.

The astronomy thread woven throughout added something really special. It made everything feel a little bigger and more meaningful, like a reminder that even when we feel small or lost, we’re still part of something vast and full of wonder. That balance between the everyday and the cosmic was handled so delicately, and it just worked.

If you love character-driven stories with heart, a little bit of starlight, and a lot of quiet hope, I think this one will speak to you. It’s tender and thoughtful and just really lovely.

"Just because it isn't simple doesn't mean it's not worth doing."

Wow this book was beautiful! I really enjoyed the writing style, I found the story flowed really nicely and it gripped me from the beginning.

All of the characters were so loveable, but my ultimate favourite character was Berti. Although it's not explicitly named in the book, it is clear the character suffers with autism and I just felt the book portrayed him so well.
As a teacher, I've worked closely with children with autism and the author's descriptions of the character's mannerisms and the very 'matter of fact' responses were brilliantly written.

There were so many lovely quotes linked to Berti's character and I just have to share a few of them.
1) "some kids need extra help with reading, some with maths, but what he needs is a bit of support in how to interact with people".
2) "...now things are different. I've been told to make little adjustments to our world instead of making Berti fit ours.".
3) "With people like Berti. Medical professionals. They'd try to force them to be more like everyone else. It must have led to so much unhappiness - trying to be 'normal' and failing."

I thought the storyline of the Grandad, although heart breaking, was written beautifully. I love that his story helped Alice work out what the most important things are in life. I think we sometimes forget how short life really is.

Also as a side note, I actually learnt a lot of science from this book. I feel embarrassed that I had no idea that comets and meteors were different things!

Overall, this was a great book and I would definitely recommend.

See the Stars is a heartwarming story that explores love, grief, and the quiet strength finding yourself. I especially enjoyed the emotional depth in Alice’s relationship with her grandfather, whose presence and influence linger powerfully throughout the novel. The friendship between Alice and Bertie was another highlight—genuine, sweet, and filled with hope. Ray’s writing is compassionate and warm, making this a very readable and uplifting experience overall.

While the novel was emotionally engaging, I found the story arcs somewhat predictable, particularly when it came to the antagonists,, They felt a little flat. The romantic threads also felt underdeveloped for me—I would have liked to see the love interests play a more central or dynamic role in Alice’s journey. The story was very readable, with a comforting, almost cozy rhythm.

This is a solid, feel-good read for fans of character-driven fiction with emotional heart and a hint of bittersweet nostalgia. It will likely leave you with a warm feeling and a quiet sense of hope—perfect for readers looking for something reflective and reassuring.

See the Stars is a thoughtful and quietly powerful novel that stands apart from more conventional reads, offering a contemplative journey through grief, identity, and healing. Set partly in Edinburgh and largely in the calming landscape of Yorkshire, it creates a vivid backdrop for a story that balances emotional depth with gentle optimism.

The novel centres on Alice, a successful woman whose life is suddenly upended by a mini-stroke. As she steps away from her high-pressure job in the City, she returns to her childhood home to recover physically and emotionally. What unfolds is a dual-timeline narrative, shifting between Alice’s present and formative years, gradually revealing the key relationships and events that have shaped her.

Eleanor Ray skillfully explores Alice’s long-standing fascination with astronomy, her difficult bond with a distant mother, and the emotional scars left by both. As Alice reconnects with Matt, a friend from her past grappling with his own trauma, and forms an unexpected friendship with Berti, a bright but troubled teenager, the story gains warmth and dimension.

Their shared project to locate a long-lost comet once discovered by Alice’s grandfather serves as both a plot thread and a touching metaphor for recovery and rediscovery.

Ray’s writing is sensitive and empathetic, especially in her treatment of burnout, grief, and the pressure many women feel to maintain a façade of strength. The emotional journey Alice undergoes — releasing old pain, rediscovering joy, and redefining what success means — is portrayed with authenticity and subtlety.

With its quiet pacing, emotional resonance, and moments of real beauty, See the Stars is a moving reflection on the things that truly matter. It’s a novel that encourages readers to pause, to reflect, and to find comfort in connection — whether with others or within ourselves.

With thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Amazing!

My first read from this author.
I really enjoyed it and thank you for allowing me to review and read this book!

I really loved See the Stars. It is a quietly powerful and heartwarming novel about rediscovery, resilience, and what it means to truly live.

The story follows Alice, a woman in her thirties who is forced to confront the fragility of life after a mini-stroke abruptly halts her high-flying City career.

With her health and sense of identity shaken, she returns to her childhood home in Yorkshire, where a slower pace and familiar surroundings offer the space to heal — and to reassess what truly matters.

Told across two timelines — Alice’s past and present — the novel carefully weaves together the key relationships and moments that have shaped her.

From her early obsession with space and astronomy, to the complex dynamics with her distant, often cold mother, to her rekindled connection with Matt, a childhood friend of her brother’s now dealing with his own trauma after being invalided out of the army, the story offers a reflective and relatable exploration of how past experiences ripple into adulthood.

At the heart of the book is the theme of connection - between generations, between friends, and within ourselves.

Alice’s encounter with Berti, a troubled but bright teenager in need of guidance and understanding, brings an added depth to the narrative.

Their shared mission to rediscover a comet first identified by Alice’s grandfather becomes both a literal and metaphorical journey toward hope and healing. Berti is a standout character - sparky, vulnerable, and engaging and his presence adds a fresh, youthful energy to Alice’s quieter introspection.

Eleanor Ray handles serious themes: burnout, grief, guilt, and healing, with sensitivity and insight.

The book gently critiques the pressure to constantly achieve and the emotional toll of ignoring unresolved pain, particularly for women who are often expected to carry on regardless.

Alice’s transformation is gradual but believable, and it’s uplifting to see her begin to let go of old wounds and embrace the joys of a simpler, more meaningful life.

See the Stars is a quietly uplifting novel that invites reflection on what really matters. With beautiful themes of healing, friendship, and second chances, it’s a story that reminds us — gently but firmly — to pause, to breathe, and to look up at the stars.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A wonderfully warm and uplifting story.
The characters are relateable and the writing is beautiful.
A gorgeous tale of friendship and hope.
I loved it.
Highly recommend.

This is the second book I have read by this author and I have enjoyed both.

Alice’s life is changed as she suffers a life changing illness. She is forced to leave her highly paid and stressful City job to convalesce back at home in Yorkshire.

Her story is told in two timelines - her childhood, adolescence and university years and her current life. You learn about her defining relationships, her obsession with space and her checkered relationship with her mother.

While at home, Alice meets Matt again - a childhood friend of her brother’s invalided from the army - and is introduced to Berti - a teenager struggling with growing up and in need of a friend. All three become involved in finding a comet previously discovered by her grandfather.

She is forced to evaluate her life and decide what and who are important to her.

Heartwarming and full of hope.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. I was hooked from the first page of this book, the characters were wonderful and it had a great story. I will be recommending this book to everyone I know.

See the Stars tells the story of Alice, a woman in her thirties who experiences a mini stroke one day, after working flat out for years in a highly stressful job. We find out that Alice is holding onto grief and guilt, choosing a life that herself that helps her to avoid tackling these issues.

I think her story will resonate with a lot of people today, working jobs that they don’t enjoy, heading towards burnout and potential health problems. The author deals with this really well and I really enjoyed seeing Alice slowly change from work-obsessed to carefree, realising that we shouldn’t be living to work but that there is more to life that this.

Berti was a great character and added another layer to the story that I really enjoyed. I did think that the story was too predictable and perhaps a bit too simple but it was a nice, enjoyable read.

This book was nothing short of an absolute delight, and I've already added more of Eleanor's books to my cart so that I can read more of her gorgeous words.

This particular story centres around Alice, a workaholic who spends most of her time in her London office, and the rest in her (rather nice) apartment with her fiance, and her scrappy cat, Basalt (the significance behind his name tore my soul in half, FYI).

After the work burnout turns into a more serious health scare, Alice finds herself back at her family home in Yorkshire, where she rekindles a lost relationship with her mum and reminisces on the days she spent stargazing with her grandfather. He was a space enthusiast - particularly with comets, and kept detailed logbooks to track interesting activity in the sky. Now, Alice feels that she owes it to him to see his legacy through, and what starts as a distraction from her own problems soon becomes a new lease for life that she didn't know she needed.

That premise alone was enough to welcome me with a cosy, wholesome hug, but there was so much more to this story. It's told through alternating timelines, so we see snippets of Alice's childhood with her grandfather (you guys know how I feel about cute old people by now), as well as her days at uni when she began studying astrophysics. All I'm gonna say is... Zelda <3 That girl well and truly stole my heart.

In fact, this whole book did. I couldn't stop reading, desperate to crawl back into the warmth of this gorgeously-written story. It was pure magic from start to finish.

This is a really great book. I have enjoyed the authors other books but this is even better. Alice is a student in astrophysics and the book moves between her student days and her new life in the present. I feel that I know much more about comets and ‘good seeing’ now! The characters are interesting, different and I particularly liked Berti, and the was he was portrayed with sensitivity and humour.
A great ending, just right. I would highly recommend this book