Written in the Stars

by Jennifer Martinez

Believers of fate, destiny, whatever, say that there are many paths to your one final destination. No matter what choices you make you will always end up right where you are supposed to be. Well I guess I took the road less traveled because God knows I’m broken, bruised, and damaged.

This is my story. It’s about all the wrong turns that led to the right destination. We were written in the stars from the very beginning and neither of us knew it. Love is something you can’t fight and can’t hide from no matter how bad you want to. This is my cosmic turn of love.

Genres: Romance

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2013

About the author

I like to think of myself as a beautiful conundrum. When I am not writing, I can be found surrounded by my amazing family or doing yoga at the beach. I love who I am and don’t mind at all when I get strange looks from people. I am a tattoo covered, child and animal lover who looks forward to destroying peoples preconceived notions of what “someone like me” would be interested in. You only live life once… you may as well make it interesting.

I love to get lost in a good book and hope that everyone will get lost in mine.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written In The Stars was nothing like I expected.!! From the very first chapter - we are pulled into the story and life of Mack. A roller coaster of emotions, tragedy, and heart breaking romance draws you to the characters in the book.

This novel is definitely a ‘real life’ story. My heart broke for Mack. She found the perfect ‘young love’….sticking by him through the trials of life. Only to have him break her heart. The end of this relationship lead her down a ‘spiral’ that would shape her future. Bad decision after bad decision.

What started as friendly banter during work- resulted in the beginnings of a ‘real’ romance. After finding the ’perfect’ life with Steve - Mack began to believe in ‘happily ever after’. She loved his friends, enjoyed his company, and was swept off her feet by this amazing man. After their ‘fairy tale’ wedding, things began to unravel. With help from her attorney, Mack ‘hit the road’ and decided to leave this nightmare behind.

Can you really ever escape your past?? The tragedies that Mack endured - led her to Coll’s doorstep. He provided Mack with a fresh start, a roof over her head, and the ability to enjoy life again. As a military veteran, Coll found himself ‘escaping’ to the farm he inherited from his aunt. The solitude and small town life have been ‘healing’ for Coll. When the beautiful Mack comes tumbling into his life - he vows to help her believe in herself again.

When her past comes ‘knocking on the door’, Mack realizes that Coll means more to her than just friends. What will the future hold for Mack and Coll? Well - it’s Written In The Stars…all you have to do is look!!


Thanks so much to Jennifer Martinez for providing me with a copy of this novel for my honest review!! I enjoyed every minute of following Mack's journey!

[Amynah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was nice. My issue was the pace and size. I felt the story could have been longer. You had a lot of details at the beginning, yet too little detail at the end. It felt extremely rushed.

[S. Policar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The prologue is set up to snag the reader right off the bat, it does it's job fairly well. The premise is pretty much can a girl who doesn't believe in fate find someone to make the things she wants become reality.

The story reads as a biography, there's very little talking between the characters. Don't let this deter you from reading it. It's an excellent story and the biography style suits it beautifully. The way this is written gives you an even deeper depth to the main character's live. Her emotions, her triumphs and struggles, they all feel that much more real as you read her life as seen primarily through her alone. The common usuage of a monoglpue between characters is by no means needed in this in this and adding it would ruin the perfection that it already is.

There are several parts in this book where I'd swear the author tapped into my experiences and took notes, those parts  I related the most with, are the ones that felt the most real to me. I'm sure other readers have and will feel the same. I also enjoyed how about half way through the book, the story was no longer just Mack's it was Coll's as well.. and here the book for each chapter is really 2 chapters, 1 chapter told through Mack's eyes, the next of the same scene is told through Coll's. And while it's the same scene it seems brand new as you see how Coll saw the situation.

I'll be the first to admit.. I cried.. like a baby.. by the end. This is truly a story of us who have suffered like Mack did will appreciate.

Many thanks to Jennifer Martines for writting the "biography" many of us are too scared to even think about and remember let alone put down on paper, even it is fiction.

I give this book 5 of 5 paws

Reviewed by

S.Cu'Anam Policar

Freaky Fiction Writing Author

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[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

**SPOILERS**
This review will contain spoilers!

Given most of us have probably dated lemons and made bad decisions in our quest for love and that perfect match, we could probably relate to a certain extent with Mack. However, some of her experiences were things I am glad I never had to deal with (one of those experiences did remind me a little of the movie "Sleeping with the Enemy"). And no matter how careful she was, she still managed to find 3 losers before meeting the perfect guy for her. Curtis seemed like the perfect guy, but there were clues he was off. There were no details on why they broke up for a short time, but was it enough for their relationship to lead to him eventually going completely off the grid? As for Kevin, given how their relationship started, not surprised how things went there. I'm just surprised she was surprised in his eventual treatment of her. Steve was probably the only one that was "a wolf in sheep's clothing". Based on how their relationship progressed, you never would have guessed he was an abuser.

I also agree with some of the others who left a review of the book. The book was well written, but it did feel rushed closer to the end.
I would have liked some more details on the progression of Coll and Mack's relationship. They went from just starting to date to their one year anniversary. It would have been fine if there would have been some flashbacks to the key points in that relationship including how things went when Hazel visited, what happens with Steve, etc. The flashbacks could have occurred when they are on their "date" where he proposed. Then you jump ahead to after the baby is born. Again, no history on Steve or a look back on the past year. Steve was supposed to be in jail for a year...did he "learn" his lesson?

The perspective from both sides was good, but a little redundant. And Coll seemed to lose and gain his accent. Overall, I liked the story and believe others will as well, but I don't expect that everyone will love it.

[M3tamorphasis11 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got to have a glimpse of this book after having read another. Just by that small sneak peak I was hooked and had to have it. Once I got it, I just couldn't put it down. I found it interesting how Mac began by describing her experiences with changes (ex: Mac 2.0), but cut to the quick. I loved the fact that the author didn't waste any time and went round in circles with things. A lot of detailed was placed on the important things but for the not so important, the author moved it along. Now, that is what I am talkin' about. Kept me on my toes. I also thought that this book touched up real well on the issues with domestic violence. How important it is for women to be alert and pay attention to the red flags, the signs, not to make excuses and just to continue suffering in silence. To do what is necessary to survive and to become free of that kind of treatment. I fell in love with Mac and Coll together. My gosh that Scottish brogue...I thought Hazel, Mac's bestie to be hilarious. I loved how in sync Mac and Coll were, how patient and respectful Coll was of Mac. The strength within Mac to survive and prepare herself to fight if necessary, but to be humble enough to know she has people backing her that care. I really, really enjoyed this book. I loved the timeline in which it was presented. I didn't feel bored of it at any time nor length, I felt that the important things were given great attention, good detail and the not so important things were summarized but quickly mentioned and moved along. I had caught myself going back to re-read certain passages, but only because I was blown away by them; thought them to be fantastic. I laughed and laughed hard with this book, I have sniffled and I have shaken my head at the fake bastard; A.K.A Steven. I was happy that he got his just desserts. :)

[Heather andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dang girl, makes a lot of dumba** decisions! Ugh Mack! So as usual first impressions are well great then you get to know someone and they're total crap, happened to at least two guys in this book, first up was Curtis, fell in love with him right off, "here, let me see if I can help. I love math." Yeah anyone whose better at math I automatically love them cuz well I just suck at it. He's also sweet, "when I first met you, I had a girlfriend. I'm sure you could tell that my feelings weren't skin deep. I didn't want to be your friend because I couldn't face the temptation. We broke up a couple months ago and I haven't been able to stop thinking about you. Would you like to try this? I mean you do have feeling for me too, right?" Couple months after that, that relationship went down the crapper could have up-slapped him, but Steve that a-hole needed to be shot dead on the spot! Coll though being an ex-military man he was the right one, treats Mach right, "na," he replies. "I was just trying to figure out how anyone could be stupid enough to divorce you." Not to mention he gives Mach the security and protection she didn't have from any of the other men she'd dated/married:
"Where is the little b****?" Steve jeered.
"I'm sorry sire, but I dunnae who you are talking about." I place my hands behindmy back and try to usher Mack away from the door.
"You know exactly who I'm talking about you red neck sack of s***."
"Yer have about six seconds to get off my property before I break yer face in."
That's the kind of man Mack needs to bad she wasted a lot of time on the other losers. I liked this book Jennifer always does a great job when she writes.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had to wait a few days to write up my review for this book. It hit a little close to home for me and I needed time to process. That's the beauty about a good book though - you can relate to the characters. I don't mean that you get butterflies in your stomach as they are falling in love. But you definitely feel it in your gut.

I have to say that while I was already a fan of Jennifer's work, she reached my soul with this one. At first I wasn't sure how I felt about it. She wrote the first bits of the story leaving out the small details that makes you love the characters' relationships and root for them. Once you get to a certain point it makes perfect sense, though. You get little snippets of Mack's previous relationships before getting to the one that counts. And from a personal perspective, I'm actually a bit relieved that we didn't have to live out the gory details of Mack and Steve's relationship.

I think that some people may feel like the book was a bit rushed, but I think it was actually how it should be. There was no need to get into every little detail of the previous relationships, and once you get to the good part it slows down a bit and you really get to know Mack for who she grew to be after all of her frogs; you get to experience Coll pulling her out of the rabbit's hole.

All in all, I loved it. It reminds you that the world isn't full of heartless people. It teaches women that we are strong.

[pinK · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although I've read several books by this author that I really enjoyed, this particular one just wasn't for me. It had a very rushed feel and I had quite a few difficulties with the format. I double checked and I have all the book updates, but I'm completely baffled by the confusing formatting.

When the book switched to Coll for the first time at around 40%, I was very confused as his entire chapter was in italics. I couldn't tell what was thought, dialogue or narrative. It was very confusing to me, but somehow I did get used to it. Then near the end, the italics suddenly stopped. I had to read an entire chapter twice because I was so confused over the POV since I had just assumed all the italics chapters were Coll and all the regular chapters were Mack. Then they changed again, his next chapter was half italics and then half not. Then not at all again? It just really distracted me from the story and confused me to the point where I don't feel that I fully understood what was going on.

I'll still read books from this author, I just feel like this one just wasn't my cup of tea.

[Kami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mackinzie always feels that she is fated to be together forever with her first love Curtis, yet life keeps them apart. The tone of this story in the beginning is kind of sad and full of regret. The characters were interesting though I had a hard time connecting with them. The writing is good but the pacing felt rushed. The erotic parts were written really well. It was interesting watching as Mackinzie transforms herself from good girl to pierced, tattooed, promiscuous girl to man hater. Mackinzie's character started growing on me towards the end. She goes through a few different relationships as she grows into the person she is meant to be and finds her perfect man. 3 stars.

[N. Kuhn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, I really like Coll. Having been there done that, this book really meant something to me. I understood the journey that Mack went through. The author captured those details very well. I would have loved to see more about Mack and Coll. I think the characters are well developed, even the ones you see little of. Being completely different from what I've read by this author, I think it's a sweet little romance, and a powerful message. To me, the book says, Don't regret any decisions you've made, because you'll end up where you belong. If you want a short sweet read, try this.

[Amy Pro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow...what a read! Great book! Mack is a great character and she has lived, LIVED, life. She's been put through hell and has still come out on top and full of piss and vinegar. She is so strong and so brave with everything that has happened to her. Coll is the epitome of what every girl wants from a man. Looks, personality, respect and adoration. It was a quick read, but it was full. I put the book down and sighed happily. It was nice to see that it was...written in the stars....but it was also nice to see there was a whole lot of life and it's ups and downs that got them there.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this one, but it didn't work for me like i thought it would. The Scottish "talking" Coll sort of drove me nuts and made it difficult to read. I just never really felt like i connected with the two of them as a couple.

[Bia · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars...
Well, what can I say about this book? It has a beautiful cover but I think it could be better. I've read fanfictions with similar plots and that were more interesting and good. I'll write a proper review soon...

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story, but too nice for my liking.
The writing is beautiful, but with the less dialogs it feels like a biography.

[Theresea Wasson · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this type of book is not my cup of tea, the writing was well executed and the storyline was engaging. This book is full of explicit scenes, so it is not for young readers.

[Dawn Marshall · Rating 3 out of 5]

"You have to kiss a few frog before you find your prince" definitely describes life. A short read, which could do with some editing. I found it ok a little rushed.

[valeria · Rating 2 out of 5]

a little rushed