When Stars Align

by E.K. McCoy

Dr. Augustus Owens is the trauma specialist working that pivotal night when a nearly unrecognizable woman is brought into the ER. As he works tirelessly to save her life, he notices a familiar jagged scar on the left side of her neck. He is overwhelmed by the gut-wrenching realization that the woman's life that balances in his hands is none other than his one and only lost love, Elsie McCormick.

When Stars Align is a riveting, heartwarming tale that explores love and destiny. E.K. McCoy ponders what role does destiny play in love? How much control do we really have in matters of the heart? Are second chances possible?

Genres: Romance

319 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2022

About the author

Author, medical professional, wife, mother of two amazing humans, and book lover.

Reviews

[Donna McEachran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of this book for an honest review.

If I could give more than 5 stars to this book, I would. I think this is my favourite book for this year. Loved Elsie so much and my heart broke for her. Auggie was so sweet with her (until he wasn't) and I kept asking him what he was doing!! I loved his explanation but Olive made me so mad. I didn't like the way the 2 main people in her life kept making such appalling decisions for her. I originally thought an epilogue might be a better way to finish but, having given it some thought, I think this ends perfectly. Highly highly recommend!

[Diana N. · Rating 5 out of 5]

You can't avoid fate. Every romance happens for a reason, and it is just meant to be no matter what crazy circumstances happen.

This book was heartbreaking in many parts, but I loved the character connections. It starts off in present day with a terrible accidentally that happens to Elsie and Auggie see her in his ER. Then we get their past connection and romance. I liked the occasional break to present day when the story goes into the flashback portion.

I found myself rooting for Auggie and Elsie's romance in the past and hopes of a second try in the future. The author does a great job at making the characters feel genuine.

The stars truly aligned to bring back that unexpected connection. Enjoyable and touching!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book for my honest review.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sweet read!! Easy to love the main character and a nice story line. I love that it switches between past and present to give context and build the story.

[Falguni Jain · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Stars Align is a love story of a guy who is a Doctor and a girl who is pursuing Music as a major in her college.

It talks about the struggles of being a doctor. How a doctor finds it difficult to be available for their family because of their priority being to save lives of other people.

Elsie is an under-confident girl who does not recognises her singing talent when everyone around her does. She is shy, introvert and overconcious.
Auggie is a doctor whose only priority is his work which seems to change when he meets Elsie. He is hot, smart and humourous.

This is a story of love influenced by time and destiny.

I am not a fan of romance, but books like these take a special in my heart because of their writing style. The dialogues are so powerful and the characters so meaningful that you can't not cry or feel their plight.

My favourite character is Marie, for always being there for her best friend, Elsie. She didn't just only say that she was like her sister, she proved it.

There are ups and downs in this book as every romance has but I loved the way the suspense was maintained throughout the book. Why and how things happened, were revealed slowly, keeping the reader hooked to the book.

I definitely recommend this book if you are looking for something different than a cheesy romance.
Happy Reading!!

[Rowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 out of 5 stars. This book was such a cute and cheesy second chance romance read. It gives off Hallmark movie vibes to me in many ways. What drew me to the book was that it was about a girl who loves all things music and pursues that as a career and a guy who is a doctor—being a huge music fan and listening to music whenever I can and a huge lover of Grey’s Anatomy I was so excited to read this book, all that and a sweet romance? Sign me up! Unfortunately though for me the book fell flat at some parts…it was a bit too corny/cheesy for me, their banter was cute but also cringy at times and an overuse of exclamation points drove me crazy (seems petty to say but true) and felt a bit too good to be true/believable at times when it came to their relationship. It’s a good story overall about romance, love/destiny/gravitational pull/“love at first sight”, second chances, loss, fate, life altering events, pain/suffering, near death experience, grief, regrets etc. I felt like some stuff could be cut. Sometimes it felt boring and hard to get into and took me way too long to read. I did like the back and forth from present to past to get their backstory and how things fell apart and how they found their way back to each other. I found the female main character really sweet and likeable/relatable and pretty complex with all she’s been through and to still be such a kindhearted, happy soul and the male main character was too good to be true, any girls dream guy with how sweet he was on her and how he loved her. Overall I liked it a lot I just didn’t love it but think the story will stick with me for a bit, it was a touching story all around. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC for an honest review.

[Beyond the Pages with Eva K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quick Summary: A love that was meant to be romance

My Review: My first thought after reading When Stars Align by E.K. MC Coy was that this book deserves a slow hand clap of applause. It was such a touching love story. The emotional arc was so moving. I was blown away by Auggie and Elsie.

What I Loved:
- I loved how flashbacks were weaved into Elsie's story. Particularly, I enjoyed reading about the times when her dad helped her to make a memory.

- I loved the special bond she shared with Marie. I'm glad she had her best friend in her life, so she wouldn't have to face her hardships alone.

- I loved how Auggie and Elsie were such a sweet opposites attract couple. Despite those differences, they fit together incredibly well.

- I loved the flowers and the letters, especially the final declaration.

- I loved that forgiveness and reconciliation were part of this couple's story.

My Final Say: True love can be hard to come by, but when it has been found, it's certainly worth fighting for.

* This book did have quite a few errors in it. It detracted from the reading experience.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: NA/A
Noteworthy: The new cover featured on NetGalley is more fitting than the one associated with Goodreads. The NetGalley version is one of the things that appealed to me as I was perusing books.

Thanks for providing access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

[Lauren (lololovesthings) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars (rounded up).

"When Stars Align" by E.K. McCoy is a Hallmark Channel lover's dream. It's sweet and clean. It involves country music, destiny, and a near-death accident. It's about falling hard and fast in love and giving second chances. It's competently written, save for its overuse of exclamation points.

My problem with this book is that the first 70% is top-heavy and contains most of the descriptive-but-repetitive parts of the story and romance. It moves super slowly as the relationship between Elsie and Auggie unfolds. Then, all of a sudden, there is an abrupt tonal shift, and the last 30% of the book moves lightning-fast, giving readers minimal time to collect their thoughts and rationale about what transpired between the two of them. There is no epilogue, and for the first time ever, I found myself wanting, nay, NEEDING one. The book just ends: BAM! Then, nothing. It's over. I hated that! The author is also suuuper obsessed with Elsie's 'teeny weeny pint-sized tiny body,' and that made me uncomfortable. I get describing your character, but she seems to go overboard with driving in how small and frail she is. It gave me 'the ick.' We don't get to know any of the secondary characters too well apart from a surface-level understanding of how they came to be/why they choose to stay in Elsie's/Auggie's life. Luckily, it's a quick read, but don't go in expecting some grand love story that will stand the test of time. You're not going to get that here.

Thank you to NetGalley, E.K. McCoy, and Atmosphere Press for providing me with an ARC copy of this book! All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for my review.

[Brianna Hart · Rating 3 out of 5]

The big twist at the end of this book really hung me up. Th rest of it was pretty good. They started off with an adorable romance both deserving a great future but the way he left was so aggravating. I realize it probably does happen but it seemed just super absurd and made me not like the book nearly as much.

🌀Synopsis
Elsie is a self conscious college student who is determined to chase her dreams. One night at a party she meets Auggie, a doctor who changes her world.

They fall into an intense romance and both of them give endless support to each other. They both have troubled pasts and they’re able to help each other through some lingering grief.

When they near the end of the school year they start to plan their future - together - in Nashville. That is, until Elsie’s one remaining family member gives Auggie advice and he up and leaves Elsie without a trace.

Years later, Elsie is hit by a car and it’s up to Auggie to save her life. When he knows she’s going to make it he’s determined into explain everything that happened all those years ago.

[Julie Booklover · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can say everything happens for a reason, or their love was meant to be, but the journey Elsie and Auggie take to get there is not easy. Your heart and emotions will take a beating, but this is a love story. The words drew me in, the story held my attention, and the characters stole my heart.

Thank you to NetGalley, and Atmosphere Press for the advanced copy; this is my voluntary review.

[Rona Nimmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Stars Align by E.K. McCoy

Dr Auggie Owen is the trauma specialist called in to save an unrecognisable unknown woman. Whilst working on her he spots a jagged scar in her neck . He knows this woman! She is his lost love. The story follows their journey past and present.

Although it was a beautiful story I felt because of how it was split past/present it was a bit to disfunctional and not easy to follow.

Also the end could have been slightly more expanded on.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the moment I started reading I knew this was going to be on my 10 favorite books list. E.K. McCoy did an AMAZING job as she described each scene, almost as if you were in the book itself. Everything flowed together perfectly and I love how everything turned out. If you have the chance to read it, read it. It's a wonderful romance book and if you love romance and a medical atmosphere this is for you.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is AMAZING! It clearly paints the pictures of every scene as if you're in it. Plus if you love romance and you're into medical things and music it's the perfect combination. It's based in Cincinnati which not a lot of books are so it's a good and different setting than most books. I would highly recommend reading this book

[Barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elsie was sitting on the step watching people at a college party. When Dr. Auggie Owen came home from a long day in the ER he noticed her sitting next door. They were drawn to each other immediately. Elsie was not a party girl and was just waiting for her best friend to agree to go home. The longer she waited, the less she wanted to leave Dr. Owen who came over and introduced himself. Both Elsie and Auggie had scars from childhood experiences. Elsie lost her mother to cancer at a young age and her dad when she was a teen. All she had was her grandmother, Olive, and the love of music she shared with her family. Auggie lost his mother at a young age and when his father was lost without her, he started forcing the life of a surgeon on Auggie. Music was Elsie’s focus and medicine was Auggie’s focus. Somehow, he thought he could work things out, but the stars were not aligned. After breaking up they are reunited when Elsie is in a life-threatening accident and Dr. Owen is her trauma doctor. This is a great love story with both Elsie and Auggie trying their best to strengthen each other. Elsie is fragile and not secure with her beloved doctor. I loved the support of Olive and Elsie’s best friend. The special times Auggie created for Elsie were endearing. This book shows what love looks like and how we sometimes sacrifice ourselves to help those we love.

[Alexandria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing read!!

I’ve only reread two books on my bedroom bookshelf.. Holes, because it was my very first chapter book that I picked out and actually finished years before the movie came out and Looking For Alaska because it was the first book that immediately gave me a name for that pesky “who’s your favorite author?” question. I love books! But don’t typically read fiction that I can’t just borrow and return.
This book has earned a spot though.. and will forever be remembered as my first kindle read that has me excited to read a book cover to cover again! Waiting for my new paperback to arrive🤗 Keep ‘em coming McCoy!

[Paula Spille · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book! Better than Danielle Steele! I especially liked the ending! Emily is a great new author! I am now reading SURVIVING MCCOY...I am surprised they did not kill each other! It is delightful!
Paula Spille

[Ansune · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book ever

[Donna Repsher · Rating 3 out of 5]

E.K. McCoy is a new-to-me author, and the Netgalley blurb about When Stars Align sounded interesting and so I requested and was granted an advance reader copy of this novel, which starts with the heroine, Elsie, getting hit by a car and as a result, near death, and mentally reviewing her life and experiences while lying out in the road on a dark, cold and rainy night. When she's finally spotted, she's taken by ambulance to the nearest emergency room. What was unexpected was that the trauma doctor, Augustus Owens, recognized her, even in her battered, broken, and bruised state, and did more than anyone else would have to save her life. So far so good, but that urgency and drama didn't last, which is the reason for my giving this novel a 3-star rating.

The novel then goes back in time 6 years, to when Elsie allows her lifelong best friend and roommate, Marie, to talk her into attending a frat party. Both are in their second year of college, and Elsie is majoring in music. It's there that medical intern, Augustus (Auggie) Owens spot her--she sitting alone on the back porch steps of the fat party, and something about her draws him in, so that he wanders next door, starts a conversation, and is attracted to her. From this point on, we have a slowly moving, slowly building relationship with occasional bounces back and forth in time. Elsie wants a career as a country singer/songwriter, and Auggie is working overtime during his second year of internship at the local hospital. This slow-build takes up 75% of this novel--much of it repetitive as the two fall in love.

After that, there's a bizarre series of events that lead to the shocking end of that relationship, and you couldn't possibly find a more angst-filled read than this one, most of the focus on Elsie. While I won't go into exactly what happens here since I don't do spoilers, I will state that there seems to be an HEA ending, but that's just a guess, because if ever a novel cried out for an epilogue, it's this one, because the ending was so abrupt and felt so unsatisfying that it left this reader wondering how these two former lovers would manage to get past their issues. It worked somewhat as a love and loss novel, but because it so needed an epilogue, I can't really call it a second chance at love story.

All in all, it wasn't a bad read, but as someone who has edited romance novels in the past, my blue pencil and I would have had a field day with this novel.

As stated at the outset, I voluntarily read an advance reader copy of this novel. The opinions stated are my own.

[Literary Reviewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Stars Align is a captivating story about how love and goals intertwine and the beauty in how two people make their relationship work despite the challenges they encounter. Elsie McCormick and Augustus Owens meet one night at a college party. Their lives forever change from that point onwards as they quickly fall in love and begin a relationship. This whirlwind romance develops into a bond full of promise and dreams.

The love story between Elsie and Augustus begins to unravel throughout the novel. Though it is not a smooth road, the two analyze the situation before continuing their journey together. The author depicts the reality of people who face conflicting goals and difficulties, even as they grow to love each other and support each other’s careers. The story does a great job of raising important questions about who is right or wrong in a relationship and whether an intense romance and love can overcome unexpected decisions. Can fate bring two people together and sustain their love through challenges?

E.K. McCoy approaches the story from the perspective of destiny and whether the love of our dreams will last for a lifetime. Elsie and Auggie have another priority on their list – their dreams. Elsie wishes to become a well-established musician, while Auggie plans to become one of the country’s best doctors. They move forward with their plans as they strike the perfect balance between their priorities. As they progress, their paths take them in various directions, ultimately impacting their life together.

The book addresses the unique challenges of relationships, the power of following one’s personal journey, and how this impacts Elsie and Auggie’s life as a couple. E.K. McCoy explores fate, and whether it plays a role in the outcome of their love and relationships. I found the book to be well written, providing an in-depth look at each character’s thoughts and conversations, with solid character development that draws the reader into their world.

When Stars Align is a fantastic read that uses compelling storytelling and rich emotions of joy, confusion, sadness, and acceptance in a brilliant style. This book tells a compelling romance story that would make an excellent adaptation to film. It’s a great novel for anyone who has faced the challenges of following love and a career path at once. The author offers a fantastic tale that reminds us of how we have to choose the place in life that will allow us to grow, with or without someone else.

[Kim Garrow · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

When Stars Align
by E.K. McCoy
Pub Date: 04 Oct 2022

This story had a lot of potential, a cute romance with strong connection between Auggie and Elsie. The book is divided with flashback segments showing the past romance and then mixed with the current day where you need to figure out why the two are no longer together. Their "reunion" is due to Elsie ending up in the hospital with Auggie being her doctor. Yes, some of the plot was far-fetched and kind of like a Hallmark movie. I would have been okay with all of that...what I didn't enjoy was the weak reason Auggie left Elsie and the way he went about it. The action just didn't fit the character, it was cruel and definitely not something to do with your "true love..." That kind of put a damper on my feelings of the book. Everything comes full circle, but it was a little too late for me. I think Auggie needed to make more amends and Elsie should have made him work a little more to be in her good graces. An epilogue would have been nice, too.

[Thuy Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elsie and Auggie. These two fell in love but their story ended on bad terms. This was an interesting story. Auggie is an ER doctor, and one busy night, a Jane Doe comes in badly injured, they are doing all they can to save this patients life, while doing what he can, he recognizes a scar and realizes its the love of his life, but he has not seen her in so many years. He is devastated and feels the urgency to save her life.

This story bounces into the past quite a bit, trying to get us to understand their relationship and to how it became to the present. I really enjoyed the story, I wanted to see what would happen. I felt the "grovel" the letter so deeply. The only downfall was that I wanted more of them in the present! Otherwise it was a good read, I enjoyed it.

[Cess · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first, the book was good but after a few chapters the story got boring. The plot was so slow. I like that the story has a dual timeline but it mostly revolved on the past not on the present. The storyline was okay but it was basic and a little bit cliché. It felt like there's nothing really special about it. I didn't feel any connection to the characters and I hate some of them. Augustus was okay but I hate him for doing that to Elsie, she doesn't deserve it! I don't like the conflict that happened in the story. It doesn't really make sense. I didn't get it why the author did that. The ending was short and abrupt. Even though the book was kind of lacking, it was still a good read.

[SH · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Dr. Augustus Owens, a trauma specialist, sees the patient in front of him, he recognises his one and only love, Elsie McCormick, who has been seriously injured in a horrific car accident.
This book follows Elsie and Auggie who after dating in college, lose contact, but reconnect after the accident. Elsie lacks confidence whilst Auggie is abounding in confidence. Their relationship brings out the best in the other, but time and maturity, play a part in their changing relationship. A sweet, engaging story that will capture the reader’s attention and hold it.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jordi Oleson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The storyline of this book had really high potential for me. I was definitely invested in the characters and their backstories early on in the book, but the delivery was a bit chaotic for my taste. It seems like there were too many events happening, which limited the focus on Elsie and Auggie reconnecting. I also felt like the story came to an abrupt end. The grammatical errors were slightly distracting as well. Overall, I loved the concept but didn’t feel a connection to the actual book.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Stars Align by E.K. McCoy.
Dr. Augustus Owens is the trauma specialist working that pivotal night when a nearly unrecognizable woman is brought into the ER. As he works tirelessly to save her life, he notices a familiar jagged scar on the left side of her neck. He is overwhelmed by the gut-wrenching realization that the woman's life that balances in his hands is none other than his one and only lost love, Elsie McCormick.
A really enjoyable read. Great story and characters. 4*.

[Cassandra's Rebellion · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complimentary copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley for my honest opinion. This was a sweet romance that puts you in all the feels. This could be a young adult book.