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First Comes Love #4
The Love Theorem
Are a rocket scientist and one of Hollywood’s brightest stars a match made in heaven or is it a catastrophe headed for a crash landing?
Lana loves four things: science, her cats, her friends, and her books. She’s on her way to earning her professorship when she finds out her long-term boyfriend has been sleeping with her best friend! That discovery has her hiding in the broom closet at a posh hotel.
Only, it turns out broom closets are the place to be these days.
Christian Slade, America’s sexiest man alive (as voted by fans), in a desperate attempt to escape the paparazzi finds himself in a broom closet with one sobbing occupant. Unable to leave a damsel in distress, he offers help, only to realise she has no idea who he is! It’s like he’s been given a gift. A smart, beautiful woman, who isn’t after him for fame and fortune...
Soon Christian is buying a Tesla to impress his scientist with his eco credentials and taking her on dates where no one will recognise him.
But as Christian falls in love he worries what will happen when Lana finds out who he is?
A STEMinist romance with an unforgettable meet-cute perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood!
Lana loves four things: science, her cats, her friends, and her books. She’s on her way to earning her professorship when she finds out her long-term boyfriend has been sleeping with her best friend! That discovery has her hiding in the broom closet at a posh hotel.
Only, it turns out broom closets are the place to be these days.
Christian Slade, America’s sexiest man alive (as voted by fans), in a desperate attempt to escape the paparazzi finds himself in a broom closet with one sobbing occupant. Unable to leave a damsel in distress, he offers help, only to realise she has no idea who he is! It’s like he’s been given a gift. A smart, beautiful woman, who isn’t after him for fame and fortune...
Soon Christian is buying a Tesla to impress his scientist with his eco credentials and taking her on dates where no one will recognise him.
But as Christian falls in love he worries what will happen when Lana finds out who he is?
A STEMinist romance with an unforgettable meet-cute perfect for fans of Ali Hazelwood!
8 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 25, 2019
832 people are currently reading
6265 people want to read
About the author
Camilla Isley
55 books2,944 followers
Camilla is an engineer who left science behind to enter the whimsical realm of romantic fiction.
She writes contemporary rom-coms. Her characters have big hearts, might be a little stubborn at times, and love to banter with each other. Every story she pens has a guaranteed HEA that will make your heart beat faster. Unless you're a vampire, of course.
Camilla is a cat lover, coffee addict, and shoe hoarder. Besides writing, she loves reading—duh!—cooking, watching bad TV, and going to the movies—popcorn, please. She's a bit of a foodie, nothing too serious. A keen traveler, Camilla knows mosquitoes play a role in the ecosystem, and she doesn't want to starve all those frog princes out there, but she could really live without them.
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January 17, 2024Available wherever books are sold...
I love California and I'm so excited I'm finally writing a story set in Hollywood.
Do you love romances that include celebrities? I hope you do as my leading man is an actor super star...
Now also in Audio with duet narration!!
I love California and I'm so excited I'm finally writing a story set in Hollywood.
Do you love romances that include celebrities? I hope you do as my leading man is an actor super star...
Now also in Audio with duet narration!!
June 16, 2019
Favorite Quotes:
“Two adults booking a room at the Peninsula? They’re not here to play Scrabble,” she hisses.
“I’m trying to find a silver lining,” Winter says. “If breaking up with Jonathan isn’t giving you the slightest chest pain, perhaps it isn’t all bad you broke up. I mean, he and my sister are two cockroaches who deserve to burn in hell forever, but maybe it was about time you took your relationship with John behind the barn and shot it.”
My Review:
This was a fun and appealing read that was smartly written and I can boast it was also informative as well since the main character was a rocket scientist who taught me the little known fact that there is a scientific unit of measurement called a slug, which weighs 32.2 pounds. And my mother always chided me for reading fiction - claiming it was a waste of time.
I adored these characters, they were easily accessible and highly likable and I wanted good things for them. Penned in my favorite dual POV, the writing style was crisp and engaging, yet also perceptive and loaded with wry wit and clever touches such as naming identical twins Summer and Winter. I easily fell into this tale from the very beginning and felt happily entertained and well pleased as I zipped through their star-crossed storylines.
“Two adults booking a room at the Peninsula? They’re not here to play Scrabble,” she hisses.
“I’m trying to find a silver lining,” Winter says. “If breaking up with Jonathan isn’t giving you the slightest chest pain, perhaps it isn’t all bad you broke up. I mean, he and my sister are two cockroaches who deserve to burn in hell forever, but maybe it was about time you took your relationship with John behind the barn and shot it.”
My Review:
This was a fun and appealing read that was smartly written and I can boast it was also informative as well since the main character was a rocket scientist who taught me the little known fact that there is a scientific unit of measurement called a slug, which weighs 32.2 pounds. And my mother always chided me for reading fiction - claiming it was a waste of time.
I adored these characters, they were easily accessible and highly likable and I wanted good things for them. Penned in my favorite dual POV, the writing style was crisp and engaging, yet also perceptive and loaded with wry wit and clever touches such as naming identical twins Summer and Winter. I easily fell into this tale from the very beginning and felt happily entertained and well pleased as I zipped through their star-crossed storylines.
August 4, 2023
Book Reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Movie star Christian Slade is trying to avoid the paparazzi at the hotel he is staying at. He rushes into a nearby storage room and soon hears muffled sobs. Inside is Lana who has followed her boyfriend to the hotel and witnessed him and another woman, one of her friends, entering a hotel room together.
Lana doesn’t watch TV or movies so has no idea who Christian is, much to his relief. He tries to comfort her and stop her from crying. On departing the room he offers her a lift home in his ‘environmentally friendly car’. The two seem to have an instant connection and before leaving Lana gives Christian her business card n which she has written her phone number on the back.
Eventually, Christian calls Lana but with Lana not knowing about his celebrity status how is he going to keep his fame and fortune from her and what will happen if she ever finds out who he really is?
To the Stars and Back is the fourth book in the First Comes Love series by Camilla Isley. However, all books can be read as standalones, even if the characters do cross over into other books.
In this book, we meet rocket scientist and teacher Lana who is a very well educated and clever woman. She cares about the environment and doesn’t like fuel guzzling cars or celebrities.
Christian is a multi-million dollar celebrity who loves his fast, loud cars and spending money. He sees something in Lana he likes and is willing to be someone different for her, but to get Lana to like him he has to pretend he is something he isn’t, or is this the real Christian behind the movie star money and looks?
The book was a quick, easy read and the story flowed along at a decent pace. The friendship/relationship between Lana and Christian felt natural and realistic even if I didn’t agree with him hiding his career and wealth from her.
The book is written in dual POV which I’m not a great lover of but I managed to not let it bother me. It was entertaining and had a few laugh-out-loud moments and a lot of moments that made me smile. The book is perfect for fans of Rom-Coms and with two more books in the series being planned this is a fabulous series to invest your time in.
Movie star Christian Slade is trying to avoid the paparazzi at the hotel he is staying at. He rushes into a nearby storage room and soon hears muffled sobs. Inside is Lana who has followed her boyfriend to the hotel and witnessed him and another woman, one of her friends, entering a hotel room together.
Lana doesn’t watch TV or movies so has no idea who Christian is, much to his relief. He tries to comfort her and stop her from crying. On departing the room he offers her a lift home in his ‘environmentally friendly car’. The two seem to have an instant connection and before leaving Lana gives Christian her business card n which she has written her phone number on the back.
Eventually, Christian calls Lana but with Lana not knowing about his celebrity status how is he going to keep his fame and fortune from her and what will happen if she ever finds out who he really is?
To the Stars and Back is the fourth book in the First Comes Love series by Camilla Isley. However, all books can be read as standalones, even if the characters do cross over into other books.
In this book, we meet rocket scientist and teacher Lana who is a very well educated and clever woman. She cares about the environment and doesn’t like fuel guzzling cars or celebrities.
Christian is a multi-million dollar celebrity who loves his fast, loud cars and spending money. He sees something in Lana he likes and is willing to be someone different for her, but to get Lana to like him he has to pretend he is something he isn’t, or is this the real Christian behind the movie star money and looks?
The book was a quick, easy read and the story flowed along at a decent pace. The friendship/relationship between Lana and Christian felt natural and realistic even if I didn’t agree with him hiding his career and wealth from her.
The book is written in dual POV which I’m not a great lover of but I managed to not let it bother me. It was entertaining and had a few laugh-out-loud moments and a lot of moments that made me smile. The book is perfect for fans of Rom-Coms and with two more books in the series being planned this is a fabulous series to invest your time in.
June 24, 2019
This was a fun, cute, entertaining story! This is the fourth book in Camilla Isley’s “First Comes Love” series. I have only read the third book prior to this one and I don’t think that impacted my enjoyment of the story. There are some appearances from previous characters but the stories are self contained. Christian and Lana have a meet cute when they are both hiding out in a hotel closet. Christian who has appeared in previous books is a big time movie star and quite swoon worthy! Lana is a “rocket scientist“ smart and sweet with no knowledge of Christian and his star power. I’m sure you know where this is going, but as in all good romances it’s not the destination it’s the journey! And this was a lot of fun!
The characters in this series are so much fun, so relatable, the kind of people you’d love to meet. I really liked Christian and Lana together they had a definite connection. Made me think though what I want to date a famous movie star? I think in my youth I probably would have and been so insecure it would have driven me insane. Now that I’m older and much more confident I don’t think I’d want to be part of that kind of lifestyle. Fortunately for us all I have never had to make this decision, no movie star is knocking down my door, maybe I need to jump in a hotel closet? An engaging story perfect for a lazy summer afternoon of reading!
*** many thanks to the author for my copy of this book ***
The characters in this series are so much fun, so relatable, the kind of people you’d love to meet. I really liked Christian and Lana together they had a definite connection. Made me think though what I want to date a famous movie star? I think in my youth I probably would have and been so insecure it would have driven me insane. Now that I’m older and much more confident I don’t think I’d want to be part of that kind of lifestyle. Fortunately for us all I have never had to make this decision, no movie star is knocking down my door, maybe I need to jump in a hotel closet? An engaging story perfect for a lazy summer afternoon of reading!
*** many thanks to the author for my copy of this book ***
April 27, 2025
CURRENTLY FREE ON AMAZON
First I rolled my eyes that Lana didn’t recognize a world-famous dude and then I remembered that I only recently found out who Taylor Swift is, so nvm.
This was a cute celebrity vs. nerd romance, even though Christian was maybe a little too much of a billionaire for my taste. He had a bit of a Gilderoy Lockhart vibe with all his framed photos of himself on the walls, but we’ll let it slide because I still enjoyed the book.
I love Camilla’s writing so much I’ll even forgive the MCs for their Tesla obsession. It’s an old book, she couldn’t have known.
First I rolled my eyes that Lana didn’t recognize a world-famous dude and then I remembered that I only recently found out who Taylor Swift is, so nvm.
This was a cute celebrity vs. nerd romance, even though Christian was maybe a little too much of a billionaire for my taste. He had a bit of a Gilderoy Lockhart vibe with all his framed photos of himself on the walls, but we’ll let it slide because I still enjoyed the book.
I love Camilla’s writing so much I’ll even forgive the MCs for their Tesla obsession. It’s an old book, she couldn’t have known.
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May 27, 2025The Love Theorem is out now at all retailers and also in Kindle Unlimited!
A STEMinist rom-com with love like in the movies...
Amazon
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B&N
Kobo
All other retailers and audio links
Happy reading!
A STEMinist rom-com with love like in the movies...
Amazon
Apple Books
B&N
Kobo
All other retailers and audio links
Happy reading!
April 20, 2021
It has been hectic so it takes longer to finish To the Stars and Back. The feeling after finishing up the book is not like to the stars and back. It is NA romance but written with PG 13 style.
It has some sweet moments but also a boring moment. The chemistry is too instant. The plot/ story is light with the usual plot and turn. Miss Isley certainly talented writter just need to add depth into the story.
Overall OK read.
3 stars
It has some sweet moments but also a boring moment. The chemistry is too instant. The plot/ story is light with the usual plot and turn. Miss Isley certainly talented writter just need to add depth into the story.
Overall OK read.
3 stars
June 19, 2019
Cute, sweet, and fun!
To the Stars and Back is a quick, light, flirty tale featuring the sensible, clever Lana and the handsome, successful Christian as they navigate a relationship that includes a storage room meet-cute, careers that are worlds apart, instant attraction, romantic moments, and undeniable chemistry.
The writing is sharp and smooth. The characters are quirky, charismatic, and endearing. And the plot is a delightful blend of drama, emotion, snappy dialogue, fame, fortune, stardom, tender moments, friendship, and love.
Overall, To the Stars and Back is a warm, witty, charming tale by Isley. And even though it is the fourth title in the First Comes Love series it can easily be enjoyed and appreciated as a standalone novel.
Thank you to Camilla Isley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
To the Stars and Back is a quick, light, flirty tale featuring the sensible, clever Lana and the handsome, successful Christian as they navigate a relationship that includes a storage room meet-cute, careers that are worlds apart, instant attraction, romantic moments, and undeniable chemistry.
The writing is sharp and smooth. The characters are quirky, charismatic, and endearing. And the plot is a delightful blend of drama, emotion, snappy dialogue, fame, fortune, stardom, tender moments, friendship, and love.
Overall, To the Stars and Back is a warm, witty, charming tale by Isley. And even though it is the fourth title in the First Comes Love series it can easily be enjoyed and appreciated as a standalone novel.
Thank you to Camilla Isley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
June 19, 2023The Love Theorem is available also in audiobook with duet narration!
May 2, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. I'm a big Camilla Isley fan. As I was reading chapter one, I felt like the book was familiar. By chapter two, I realized that's because Love Theorem is "To the Stars and Back" from Camilla's First Comes Love Series. Loved it the first time and enjoyed it just as much the second time.
I especially have a soft spot for books with female scientist as the main characters! Every girl’s dreams of meeting the sexiest actor ever. Even if they don't know it! This is a nice light read. I definitely recommend it.
A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I especially have a soft spot for books with female scientist as the main characters! Every girl’s dreams of meeting the sexiest actor ever. Even if they don't know it! This is a nice light read. I definitely recommend it.
A sincere thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2023
The fourth book in the ‘First comes Love’ series by Camilla Isley features Christian, a famous actor and eight time winner of sexiest man of the world award and Lana, a scientist, who has never heard of him before. Which for him, is like a dream come true.
I liked this one a little less than the previous two books. It still was a good book, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like a lot of things could have been handled differently and some things just didn’t make a lot of sense for me. It felt intentional to create more drama, which wouldn’t have been necessary for the story.
I liked the main characters, even though they both felt a little bland. It’s the first book in this series where we get the story from both main characters and still it felt like the character development fell flat.
I hope this changes for the next books in this series.
I liked this one a little less than the previous two books. It still was a good book, don’t get me wrong, but I feel like a lot of things could have been handled differently and some things just didn’t make a lot of sense for me. It felt intentional to create more drama, which wouldn’t have been necessary for the story.
I liked the main characters, even though they both felt a little bland. It’s the first book in this series where we get the story from both main characters and still it felt like the character development fell flat.
I hope this changes for the next books in this series.
July 26, 2025
More 4 1/2 🌟 I really enjoyed this one. If you like a female character in STEM then you might like this one.
July 28, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
I thought this book was super cute! I literally know nothing about science or STEM but I love these kinds of books lol. The only thing that could’ve made this book better was to add more smut IMO. Overall I would totally recommend ◡̈
I thought this book was super cute! I literally know nothing about science or STEM but I love these kinds of books lol. The only thing that could’ve made this book better was to add more smut IMO. Overall I would totally recommend ◡̈
January 17, 2024
I'm not sure how this got on my TBR pile, because it isn't a book I would typically read. But it did make it, and I did read it. My final verdict is - less than an average - 2 stars at best.
Which is unfortunate because the writing style was fun and quirky. The plot line started out strong and I was entertained. But it quickly went downhill.
Which is unfortunate because the writing style was fun and quirky. The plot line started out strong and I was entertained. But it quickly went downhill.
May 19, 2019
I have devoured this book in a couple of very short hours, and loved every single second of it. I also love the details being shared in the note by the author at the end, of what books 5 and 6 in the series will be bringing especially book 5 and no this is going to be a very long wait potentially for me to get my hands on it!!
But back to what really is a standalone book four in Camilla Isley's excellent First Comes Love series, it does feature short cameos from the main characters else where in the series, but the main focus is on Lana, and Christian Slater.
Ok Christian has been mentioned and featured in some of the previous book, but equally we have never got this up close and personal with him before and the majority of the book is from this incredibly sexy mega film starts perspective.
We really do get to know him incredibly well and I would have happily kicked Lana out of the way to have a shot at him myself. I completely fell for Christian in this book and its been ages since I last felt like this about a book boyfriend.
I'm gutted that I ran out of pages and have finished reading his story now. Ah and Lana who is completely different from Christian is really cool too, and I really enjoyed getting to know her.
I absolutely loved every up and down in this book, the incredibly wonderful romantic gestures, the differences in their lifestyles, all the dialogue, even their initial meet cute - I mean who wouldn't be intrigued to keep reading a book where the main characters meet hiding out in the same closet of a hotel!
And more importantly just why on earth is a mega star reduced to hiding in a closet? I knew I had to find out. i loved Christian's assistant Penny and would love to get to know her better in a future book and same with chef Jeff. Just generally I loved everything.
Fun, quick and easy to read, I was hooked and feel sorry for whatever book I read next as I suspect I may have a Christian Slater hangover from this one!!
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
But back to what really is a standalone book four in Camilla Isley's excellent First Comes Love series, it does feature short cameos from the main characters else where in the series, but the main focus is on Lana, and Christian Slater.
Ok Christian has been mentioned and featured in some of the previous book, but equally we have never got this up close and personal with him before and the majority of the book is from this incredibly sexy mega film starts perspective.
We really do get to know him incredibly well and I would have happily kicked Lana out of the way to have a shot at him myself. I completely fell for Christian in this book and its been ages since I last felt like this about a book boyfriend.
I'm gutted that I ran out of pages and have finished reading his story now. Ah and Lana who is completely different from Christian is really cool too, and I really enjoyed getting to know her.
I absolutely loved every up and down in this book, the incredibly wonderful romantic gestures, the differences in their lifestyles, all the dialogue, even their initial meet cute - I mean who wouldn't be intrigued to keep reading a book where the main characters meet hiding out in the same closet of a hotel!
And more importantly just why on earth is a mega star reduced to hiding in a closet? I knew I had to find out. i loved Christian's assistant Penny and would love to get to know her better in a future book and same with chef Jeff. Just generally I loved everything.
Fun, quick and easy to read, I was hooked and feel sorry for whatever book I read next as I suspect I may have a Christian Slater hangover from this one!!
Thank you to the author for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
June 23, 2019
Camilla Isley has been in my reading radar for some time now. This is the fourth one in her 'First Come Love' series but can absolutely be read as a standalone. An easy, quirky read that will keep you glued to the end even if you are quite sure of the Cinderella trope ending.
From a storage room meet-cute, there springs an unlikely relationship -- a rocket scientist and a film star -- that involves a lot of laughter and hurdles, of course. Christian's struggles to date a girl who is unaware of his fame (he didn't even have to lie) and Lana's baby steps into a celebrity's life was quite hilarious to read. I especially loved the one about the designer bag, a cliched one, but something that never fails to amuse.
Nikki and Diego from the previous book also make a brief appearance here and on the whole, this was a total fun read. So what are you waiting for? Grab a copy for the weekend, this is your perfect company for a night in.
From a storage room meet-cute, there springs an unlikely relationship -- a rocket scientist and a film star -- that involves a lot of laughter and hurdles, of course. Christian's struggles to date a girl who is unaware of his fame (he didn't even have to lie) and Lana's baby steps into a celebrity's life was quite hilarious to read. I especially loved the one about the designer bag, a cliched one, but something that never fails to amuse.
Nikki and Diego from the previous book also make a brief appearance here and on the whole, this was a total fun read. So what are you waiting for? Grab a copy for the weekend, this is your perfect company for a night in.
April 28, 2023
- Very insta-lovey
- I didn’t get any chemistry between the mcs
- Short, very little plot
- No depth to the story
- PG13 (I’ve read spicier YA books)
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
- I didn’t get any chemistry between the mcs
- Short, very little plot
- No depth to the story
- PG13 (I’ve read spicier YA books)
[I received a free copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.]
January 18, 2025
The story is interesting and the writing is captivating. It was an easy read. I just wish she had focused a bit more on the first part when she didn`t know he was famous. It would have been funnier.
March 12, 2025
Cheesy swoony romcom with an engineer FMC and a famous actor MMC.
Easy, simple, gets the job done, has a happily ever after
Easy, simple, gets the job done, has a happily ever after
May 1, 2023
I’ve not read any books by Camilla Isley before, but The Love Theorem sounded like a lot of fun (scientist meets actor in supplies closet, what a great meet cute!).
I enjoyed this book right from the first page. I was thrown immediately into the story, and very quickly liked Lana. I can relate so much to being an outnumbered female in a science field. I loved her attitude and resilience.
It took me a little longer to warm up to Christian, and I don’t love him as much as I do Lana. He seems kind, but a bit clueless. But importantly, he’s willing to learn, and accept Lana’s decisions, so he won me round.
It was delightful watching the relationship between the two develop. I really feel that they might have what it takes to have a long term relationship, if they keep communicating.
As well as the romance, this book was a lot of fun. There’s plenty of humour between the more emotional moments, and I especially loved the packing up Johnathon’s clothes scene, it made me laugh.
The one thing that grated slightly, is whenever Lana did the Hypothesis: Conclusion: thing, the hypothesis was not a question to be tested, but instead was the evidence to form the conclusion. But maybe they do science differently in the USA?
In conclusion, this was honestly one of the most fun romances I’ve read recently. I got emotionally invested very quickly, and gobbled the whole book down in one evening. It was simply a joyful read. I’ll definitely be seeking out more books by Camilla Isley.
I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
I enjoyed this book right from the first page. I was thrown immediately into the story, and very quickly liked Lana. I can relate so much to being an outnumbered female in a science field. I loved her attitude and resilience.
It took me a little longer to warm up to Christian, and I don’t love him as much as I do Lana. He seems kind, but a bit clueless. But importantly, he’s willing to learn, and accept Lana’s decisions, so he won me round.
It was delightful watching the relationship between the two develop. I really feel that they might have what it takes to have a long term relationship, if they keep communicating.
As well as the romance, this book was a lot of fun. There’s plenty of humour between the more emotional moments, and I especially loved the packing up Johnathon’s clothes scene, it made me laugh.
The one thing that grated slightly, is whenever Lana did the Hypothesis: Conclusion: thing, the hypothesis was not a question to be tested, but instead was the evidence to form the conclusion. But maybe they do science differently in the USA?
In conclusion, this was honestly one of the most fun romances I’ve read recently. I got emotionally invested very quickly, and gobbled the whole book down in one evening. It was simply a joyful read. I’ll definitely be seeking out more books by Camilla Isley.
I was given a copy of this book, my opinions are my own.
November 9, 2024
Entertaining, STEM romcom
Lana is a 28-year-old PhD candidate in the field of rocket science. Christian is a 32-year-old, world-famous actor, who is frequently awarded the tabloid encomium, "sexiest man alive." Their Meet Cute occurs in a supply closet in a ritzy hotel in LA. He is running away from the paparazzi. She is hiding in the closet crying her eyes out because her BFF and boyfriend are having a sleazy sexual encounter in a room in the hotel. Christian is shocked, because Lana does not recognize him. Something that has not happened to him in well over a decade.
This is one of my favorite books of this author, who typically writes chick lit romance rather than straight romance like this book. I have read it four times so far, once as an eBook and three as an audiobook. I am a big fan of STEM heroines, and Lana is a delightful one. As for Christian, I am not typically a fan of movie actors as romance MMCs, but he is a terrific example of a cinnamon roll hero. He is attentive, respectful, and a sensitive listener to Lana. Rather than being intimidated by her brilliance, he is fascinated by it. Best of all, he is not promiscuous. He has only had sex with women he is in a relationship with, and currently, he has not been with anyone for over a year.
This is a lighthearted romance, and the inevitable Dark Period, when all seems lost, is well motivated and prolonged for a reason that makes sense.
Throughout this book, Lana and Christian have sex several times, but there is no description of any body parts below the neck, and nothing beyond kissing occurs onstage, because this is a "closed bedroom door" romance. There's also no drunkenness and no foul language.
The author provides an excellent epilogue after the HEA, which is always a big plus in a romance novel.
Finally, both the female and male voice talents, who provide a dual narration, do an excellent job.
Lana is a 28-year-old PhD candidate in the field of rocket science. Christian is a 32-year-old, world-famous actor, who is frequently awarded the tabloid encomium, "sexiest man alive." Their Meet Cute occurs in a supply closet in a ritzy hotel in LA. He is running away from the paparazzi. She is hiding in the closet crying her eyes out because her BFF and boyfriend are having a sleazy sexual encounter in a room in the hotel. Christian is shocked, because Lana does not recognize him. Something that has not happened to him in well over a decade.
This is one of my favorite books of this author, who typically writes chick lit romance rather than straight romance like this book. I have read it four times so far, once as an eBook and three as an audiobook. I am a big fan of STEM heroines, and Lana is a delightful one. As for Christian, I am not typically a fan of movie actors as romance MMCs, but he is a terrific example of a cinnamon roll hero. He is attentive, respectful, and a sensitive listener to Lana. Rather than being intimidated by her brilliance, he is fascinated by it. Best of all, he is not promiscuous. He has only had sex with women he is in a relationship with, and currently, he has not been with anyone for over a year.
This is a lighthearted romance, and the inevitable Dark Period, when all seems lost, is well motivated and prolonged for a reason that makes sense.
Throughout this book, Lana and Christian have sex several times, but there is no description of any body parts below the neck, and nothing beyond kissing occurs onstage, because this is a "closed bedroom door" romance. There's also no drunkenness and no foul language.
The author provides an excellent epilogue after the HEA, which is always a big plus in a romance novel.
Finally, both the female and male voice talents, who provide a dual narration, do an excellent job.
May 6, 2023
The Love Theorem by Camilla Isley
This book was so fun! It is part of a series, but you can read it as a standalone.
Things I am here for:
Lana is a literal Rocket Scientist! Yay women in STEM!
Christian wanting to do everything he can to cherish Lana.
Important environmental messaging throughout.
Lana having absolutely no idea about celebrities because she has been living her life on her terms, and enjoying the things she wants, not bowing to what is popular in society.
The special dates that Christian plans for him and Lana.
2 big fluffy cats and suitcase naps.
Excellent side characters Penny and Jeff.
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book was so fun! It is part of a series, but you can read it as a standalone.
Things I am here for:
Lana is a literal Rocket Scientist! Yay women in STEM!
Christian wanting to do everything he can to cherish Lana.
Important environmental messaging throughout.
Lana having absolutely no idea about celebrities because she has been living her life on her terms, and enjoying the things she wants, not bowing to what is popular in society.
The special dates that Christian plans for him and Lana.
2 big fluffy cats and suitcase naps.
Excellent side characters Penny and Jeff.
I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
November 29, 2023
"Emotional and physical distress mingle in the shadows, making it hard to discern what's real from what's imaginary."
What to expect/Triggers:
- Insta-Love
- Dual P.O.V
- Car Crash
- Cheating Trope (but not by main characters)
- Hidden Identity
Lana is an engineering Ph.D. student. Christian is a movie star. The pair meet in an unlikely way within a storage cupboard. Christian is hiding from paparazzi who are currently outside and decides to hide in the cupboard until they die down. This is where he finds a crying Lana, who just discovered her boyfriend and best friend in the hotel together. Lana doesn't watch any tv, so had no idea who Christian was and thought he was just another wanna be actor.
The book was very fun and very cute, I read in just about a day. I was completely glued. it was refreshing to read a romance book without any smut, it was a much needed palate cleanser as I usually read books that are very heavy smut.
I found the insta-attraction/insta-love was too quick. Lana has only just broken up with her long term boyfriend, Yes Christian did wait two weeks to ring, but even if Lana wasn't in love with her ex anymore, they were still together for ten years.
I enjoyed how Lana brought Christian back down to reality and that not everyone needs an expensive handbag, that cost the same amount as someone's wag for a year. I also liked how Christian listened to Lana when she didn't agree or liked how something was going. But then I think in a couple of occasions Christian just needed to speak to Lana and some of the things that happened could have been resolved sooner.
I was also surprised we never got any apologies or had some sort of conversation with Summer. I have yet to read Summer's book so maybe we get one there..
“Two adults booking a room at the Peninsula? They’re not here to play Scrabble,”
*Thank you Netgalley for a copy of the book for an honest review.
*Sorry I am very late with the review
What to expect/Triggers:
- Insta-Love
- Dual P.O.V
- Car Crash
- Cheating Trope (but not by main characters)
- Hidden Identity
Lana is an engineering Ph.D. student. Christian is a movie star. The pair meet in an unlikely way within a storage cupboard. Christian is hiding from paparazzi who are currently outside and decides to hide in the cupboard until they die down. This is where he finds a crying Lana, who just discovered her boyfriend and best friend in the hotel together. Lana doesn't watch any tv, so had no idea who Christian was and thought he was just another wanna be actor.
The book was very fun and very cute, I read in just about a day. I was completely glued. it was refreshing to read a romance book without any smut, it was a much needed palate cleanser as I usually read books that are very heavy smut.
I found the insta-attraction/insta-love was too quick. Lana has only just broken up with her long term boyfriend, Yes Christian did wait two weeks to ring, but even if Lana wasn't in love with her ex anymore, they were still together for ten years.
I enjoyed how Lana brought Christian back down to reality and that not everyone needs an expensive handbag, that cost the same amount as someone's wag for a year. I also liked how Christian listened to Lana when she didn't agree or liked how something was going. But then I think in a couple of occasions Christian just needed to speak to Lana and some of the things that happened could have been resolved sooner.
I was also surprised we never got any apologies or had some sort of conversation with Summer. I have yet to read Summer's book so maybe we get one there..
“Two adults booking a room at the Peninsula? They’re not here to play Scrabble,”
*Thank you Netgalley for a copy of the book for an honest review.
*Sorry I am very late with the review
Want to read
July 17, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/17/2019)! 🎁
May 4, 2023
Lana, an astrophysicist, and Christian, Hollywood’s most in-demand actor, have a meet cute in a hotel broom closet. The set up for this novel should have led to an enjoyable rom com, but alas . . . Instead, the book was awkwardly paced, with everything happening instantaneously for the characters. Then add in shallow plotting and a lot of filler.
The Love Theorem comes out in June 2023 but was originally published in 2019 as To the Stars and Back, but it has been repackaged to appeal to readers of Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis. Sadly, it doesn’t live up to the comparison.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced review copy.
The Love Theorem comes out in June 2023 but was originally published in 2019 as To the Stars and Back, but it has been repackaged to appeal to readers of Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis. Sadly, it doesn’t live up to the comparison.
Thank you, NetGalley, for an advanced review copy.
Read
June 18, 2021To the Stars and Back is finally here in Audiobook... grab your copy now:
Direct from me or at your favorite retailer
... or listen for free on YouTube. (but please subscribe)
Direct from me or at your favorite retailer
... or listen for free on YouTube. (but please subscribe)
June 16, 2023
я будто фанфик 2010х прочла
August 5, 2023
I LOVED the concept of this book to the point where i couldn't put it down. I do think it got borderline cringey at some points but majority of the book went like a breeze.
December 8, 2020
To the Stars and Back is the 4th book in Camilla Isley’s First Comes Love series. As this was my first experience with Isley’s work, I haven’t listened to the other books in the series. I don’t think it impacted my enjoyment at all. This was a delightfully low-angst, opposites-attract love story. Perfect if you’re in the mood for a closed door romance.
Christian Slade is thrilled to find perhaps the only woman on the planet who hasn’t heard of him. However, Lana’s ignorance to what it means to be a famous movie star may be precisely what dooms their relationship. I loved that while this is obviously fiction, Isley’s portrayal of what it’s probably like to have these two worlds clash made this entirely relatable. Christian is sometimes oblivious to a world he’s now been entrenched in for much of his life and Lana is shocked to be exposed to all his fame and fortune.
I also enjoyed that while there were bumps in the road for this sweet couple, things weren’t needlessly dragged out and the angst remained pretty light. Christian and Lana get their adorable HEA and Isley even provides the perfect epilogue for these star-struck lovers.
I’ll be adding the rest of the series to my TBL.
I absolutely chose this book because it was narrated by Amy McFadden. She continues to be one of my favorites and doesn’t disappoint here. She’s great at giving all the characters unique voices and keeping them consistent throughout the story. I also really enjoyed that she performed the chapters from Christian’s POV in his British accent and lower register. It gives the audio an added depth and clarity of perspective.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Story Origin and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Christian Slade is thrilled to find perhaps the only woman on the planet who hasn’t heard of him. However, Lana’s ignorance to what it means to be a famous movie star may be precisely what dooms their relationship. I loved that while this is obviously fiction, Isley’s portrayal of what it’s probably like to have these two worlds clash made this entirely relatable. Christian is sometimes oblivious to a world he’s now been entrenched in for much of his life and Lana is shocked to be exposed to all his fame and fortune.
I also enjoyed that while there were bumps in the road for this sweet couple, things weren’t needlessly dragged out and the angst remained pretty light. Christian and Lana get their adorable HEA and Isley even provides the perfect epilogue for these star-struck lovers.
I’ll be adding the rest of the series to my TBL.
I absolutely chose this book because it was narrated by Amy McFadden. She continues to be one of my favorites and doesn’t disappoint here. She’s great at giving all the characters unique voices and keeping them consistent throughout the story. I also really enjoyed that she performed the chapters from Christian’s POV in his British accent and lower register. It gives the audio an added depth and clarity of perspective.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Story Origin and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
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