Expecting Stars

by Emily R Bellas

Everyone who has ever been loved by Sienna Amato has died. Bennett Matthews is too focused on earning his Michelin stars to even think about love. It’s by pure coincidence that Sienna and Ben meet and form an undeniable connection. It’s just too bad that they can’t find it in their hearts (or schedules) to let each other in. That is, until they make the decision to be the friendly kind of friends. Complicated by Sienna’s position as Ben’s niece’s kindergarten teacher and Ben’s singular focus on gaining that Michelin star, their friendship starts with the promise of no strings, no attachments. But, as lines start to blur, Sienna’s saving grace is that she knows she will not fall for Ben. She doesn’t do love. Ever.

Published July 3, 2023

Reviews

[Lacey Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an ARC for this book, and it did not disappoint! I mean who would not love a hot, tattooed man who can cook?! Bennett is a chef of a fancy French restaurant and Sienna is a kindergarten teacher, who just so happens to be Ben’s niece’s teacher. Their “meet cute” was so funny to me and really kicked off the story! I don’t want to post any spoilers, but Sienna’s past really haunts her and Ben never gives up on her! This was my first read from this author, but definitely will not be my last!

[Devika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Expecting Stars is the newest book by Emily R. Bellas. This will be my first book to read from this author. The cover and synopsis really spoke to me and I was curious about what this book would bring. What will I think of Expecting Stars?

Check out my full review on my blog Boekensteeg

[A.Z. Chaudhry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Broooo, this book has my whole damn heart. Like whole whole. If you ask me for books that I love with my entire heart? Only a few come to my mind IMMEDIATELY, and let me tell you, this one is one of them. The way the author portrayed the emotions and feelings? I mean.....wow. Just....wow. Beautiful, magnificent, powerful and so freaking beautiful that even glass looks simple in front of this masterpiece. The way Sienna is seen fighting the misfortunes of her past and the way that dread keeps seeping into her life, preventing her from staying happy? The author did a fantastic job in it. A super fantastic job. It came to a point where I felt so sad for Ben and knew that it was too overwhelming for him. But still, he followed his heart blindly, wanting to be with the woman who struck his heart and never left since.

If I could erase my memory and read this book again? I sure as hell would. Even when everything seemed to fall out of place, the way Emily beautifully reconnects the story is so fragile and beautiful, that words can't describe it. Freaking lit and freaking amazing. The reunion was something which made tears form in my eyes because after everything Ben and Sienna went through? They deserved that. They deserved their ending just the way the author did it. I wish there were more ways to tell how freaking awesome this book was but sometimes, such books leave me speechless. Utter. Speechless. And since words are jamming in my mouth, not making any sense for me to literally shout your way for how FREAKING AWESOME this is, I'll just say what comes to my mind.

It's freaking awesome.

Trust me and give it a read. The emotions, the journey, the love, the hardship, the self-defence and the commitment is to die for. I really really loved this book even tho it's my first ever from the author and would definitely definitely want to hunt down her house and read every single line she has ever written. For once, I want to open a brain of an author and actually see what this mf is thinking because tbrh? I'm down.

——————🖤💞🖤💞🖤💞🖤

“Like you were the brightest star in his own personal solar system."

🖤

"Fuck, Sienna, you are so beautiful,"

🖤

"I just can't do it. But I also don't know if I'm brave enough to let him go. I don't want to let him go, Mom."

🖤

“So fucking beautiful,"

🖤

"I realized that a life without you is a life I didn't want to live, even if that means I have to break some of my own rules.

🖤

"What I'm trying to say is.. I love you, Ben. I will never stop loving you. No matter what happens."

🖤

"God, I love you so much,"

🖤💞🖤💞🖤💞🖤

[Katie Iman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ben and Sienna have chemistry from the start but can Sienna overcome her past to finally let love in? This book was a quick and fun read that had me staying up all night because I wanted to see how it all ended. This is a great book for anyone who likes romance and doesn’t mind a mild amount of spice.

I received an advanced copy of this book to give my honest review.

[Simone Alperin · Rating 2 out of 5]

this book did not do it for me….the story lacked so much character growth and depth. The writing style felt very immature and I don’t know of any late twenties/early thirties ADULT uses the phrase “hump and dump”

while this was a super fast and easy read, it was just way too surface level for my liking.

I felt like for Sienna to be a kindergarten teacher she lacked a lot of warm and fuzzy emotion - and the whole “principal debacle” at the end was so beyond unnecessary…huge eye roll moment for me.

thank you to the author for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review

[Kym · Rating 5 out of 5]

Expecting Stars by Emily R Bellas - Loved this book! Beautiful accidental romance that turns into true love. Sienna is a Kindy teacher who has fun but never lets anyone get close enough she might actually fall in love with them. Baggage from her past stops her from really feeling love. Her friends try to get her a date with reality tv star of her favourite show. However, little do they know that is the beginning of the rest of her life. Ben is a gorgeous chef and restaurant owner who lives for his job and his family. No time for romance or love but he takes a chance and well he finds his true soul mate. It's a rocky road with some past baggage getting in the way, but they get there in the end. Highly recommend this book!

[Lizzie Coffey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of getting a copy of this book from the author and I loved the story! I found out I really like the school teacher/chef romance pairing. I will add Emily Bellas' books to my TBR!

[kaitlyn speed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a cute, and fast read! I loved Ben and Sienna. 😍

I am so thankful I got to be an ARC reader for this book & can’t wait to get the physical copy of this book!

[Jackie Elwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Super cute love story between a chef and kindergarten teacher. I loved everything about this book and could not put it down. Will be adding the authors other books to my TBR list

[Nikunj Patel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Emily does it again! This authors books just get better and better. Although I’ve already read it, I will be recommending this book for my next book club choice! Phenomenal read for those who want a quick beach read that has a bit of romance with a sprinkle of spicy.
The meetcute on this story is 1, very amusing, and 2 super relatable. The entire story is relatable which makes me like the entire story that much more realistic.
Character development in this book is amazing. The book has points were it makes you almost feel bad for the characters and has your hoping and praying that they have a happy ending.
The story overall was exceptional. Truly believe, this book has the potential to be made into a Netflix series. Cannot wait to reread this book for bookclub!

[Tara (the.readingredhead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

While watching the NYC marathon, Sienna and her friends are hoping to see reality star Bennet Matthews, but a case of mistaken identity leads Sienna to a blind encounter with none other than Michelin star chef Bennet Matthews instead. Only Sienna doesn’t do love—she’s lost too much already, but will their friends with benefits arrangement be enough for Ben? Expecting Stars is an incredibly bingeable read. The characters are smart and flawed and I love their journeys as a pair and as individuals. They felt genuine and relatable and from this book’s very first chapter I was hooked. Sienna and Ben have so much tension, and I loved the banter and playfulness they grow to have. I thought Sienna’s friends were so wonderful too, especially Eden who is so fun and opinionated and just exactly the kind of friend you want in your corner. And Ben’s family is so endearing, his niece is adorable, and I loved having the tie in of Sienna as his niece’s teacher and having that bond through that. I definitely got some Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover vibes. Sienna really struggles with loss and keeping her walls up after losing so many loved ones in her young life. She is so independent and brave and stunning, and I just really loved her growth and story. This is a wonderful enemies to lovers, and Ben was just the perfect cinnamon roll hero. I just couldn’t put this down and I really loved it!

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

For as drama-filled as the synopsis sets this book up to be, Expecting Stars is a relatively low-angst, cozy read. Of course, we spend most of the relationship building between Sienna and Bennet listening to Sienna talk herself out of feelings because she essentially kills everyone she loves. I liked their dynamic despite the back and forth Sienna was constantly putting Ben through. They had pretty good chemistry and the relationship certainly felt believable.

I know this will always be a complaint of mine but it just seems so unrealistic in contemporary romances, but why is Sienna not in therapy? The amount of people who have died around her has led her to believe that her love kills people. So why is this almost 30-year-old kindergarten teacher not in therapy? It's just one of those gripes I have that is my problem.

The pacing was great. It was a slower read, more like a meander through the relationship building. There's a few minor side plots going on but the bulk of the book is just Sienna and Ben being friends with benefits. I enjoyed this a lot; it's a great chill read.

[E'Who'Reads'a'Thousand'Mysteries · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel lucky, getting a chance to borrow a brand new book before launch date. My honest review of this high quality tale is - What a funny, surprise love story with all the good ingredients: mistaken identity, awkward meeting, loads of desire and elevated with deep self reflection. I definitely appreciate upbeat tone of this fun, roller coaster, and happily ever after romantic comedy.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

So proud of my friend! I am reading her books in backward order by accident, and I could not put this down. Please continue Ben and Sienna's love story!

[Brittany Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Emily R Bellas for #gifting me a copy of your ebook!

Everyone who has ever been loved by Sienna Amato has died. Bennett Matthews is too focused on earning his Michelin stars to even think about love. It’s by pure coincidence that Sienna and Ben meet and form an undeniable connection. It’s just too bad that they can’t find it in their hearts (or schedules) to let each other in. That is, until they make the decision to be the friendly kind of friends. Complicated by Sienna’s position as Ben’s niece’s kindergarten teacher and Ben’s singular focus on gaining that Michelin star, their friendship starts with the promise of no strings, no attachments. But, as lines start to blur, Sienna’s saving grace is that she knows she will not fall for Ben. She doesn’t do love. Ever.

Who would not love a hot, tattooed man who can cook?! I loved Bennett's character, he rolled with their meet cute and brought a lightness to Sienna's life that seemed to be lacking. Sienna has a lot of emotional baggage that she has to work through, but Bennett works through this with her and never gives up on her. This was a sweet romance with some steam.