Trust the Stars (Christian Series Level II

by Tricia Goyer

Olivia Garza, a woman committed to making a difference in the world, thrives in her unconventional, service-oriented life. By day, she helps troubled teens in inner-city Little Rock. By night, she creates a viral docu-series in an attempt to better understand her mother’s desperate decisions by retracing her steps with a camera. So far, Olivia has always been the anonymous narrator, but she’s promised to reveal herself in the last stop on her Kenya.Prince Louis, heir to the throne of the small European kingdom of Alloria, is in Kenya to run away from a broken heart—and the media circus that comes with it. When he meets Olivia, he recognizes her voice right away from the docu-series that has stirred his heart. Though they share a magical day on safari, any dreams of happily ever after come crashing down with the flash of the paparazzi cameras when Olivia realizes that he represents everything she most despises in the world.In World War II Rome, another royal, however, has her own life-changing choices to make. Princess Alessandra Appiani could have chosen quiet safety within the walls of the Vatican, but instead she risks her life—and her family—to save the Jewish children so in need of someone to show them the love of God.When Olivia is hired to help create a documentary about Alessandra, learning about the sacrifice of a royal who goes from palace to prison forces her to face the hardest questions of Should she continue on the path she’s carved for herself or trust God to give her the future she never thought she wanted?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Christian Fiction, Romance, Christian, Contemporary, Fiction, Christian Romance

500 pages, Library Binding

First published January 10, 2024

About the author

Tricia Goyer is a busy mom of ten, grandmother of two, and wife to John. Somewhere around the hustle and bustle of family life, she manages to find the time to write fictional tales delighting and entertaining readers and non-fiction titles offering encouragement and hope. A bestselling author, Tricia has published thirty-three books to date and has written more than 500 articles. She is a two time Carol Award winner, as well as a Christy and ECPA Award Nominee. In 2010, she was selected as one of the Top 20 Moms to Follow on Twitter by SheKnows.com. Tricia is also on the blogging team at MomLifeToday.com, TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian sites.In addition to her roles as mom, wife and author, Tricia volunteers around her community and mentors teen moms. She is the founder of Hope Pregnancy Ministries in Northwestern Montana, and she currently leads a Teen MOPS Group in Little Rock, AR. Learn more about Tricia at www.triciagoyer.com.

Reviews

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars, personally ⭐️ Christian Fiction - Contemporary (Royalty) with scenes from World War II (almost dual-time period)

About this book:

“Olivia Garza, a woman committed to making a difference in the world, thrives in her unconventional, service-oriented life. By day, she helps troubled teens in inner-city Little Rock. By night, she creates a viral docu-series in an attempt to better understand her mother’s desperate decisions by retracing her steps with a camera. So far, Olivia has always been the anonymous narrator, but she’s promised to reveal herself in the last stop on her Kenya.
Prince Louis, heir to the throne of the small European kingdom of Alloria, is in Kenya to run away from a broken heart—and the media circus that comes with it. When he meets Olivia, he recognizes her voice right away from the docu-series that has stirred his heart. Though they share a magical day on safari, any dreams of happily ever after come crashing down with the flash of the paparazzi cameras when Olivia realizes that he represents everything she most despises in the world.
In World War II Rome, another royal, however, has her own life-changing choices to make. Princess Alessandra Appiani could have chosen quiet safety within the walls of the Vatican, but instead she risks her life—and her family—to save the Jewish children so in need of someone to show them the love of God.
When Olivia is hired to help create a documentary about Alessandra, learning about the sacrifice of a royal who goes from palace to prison forces her to face the hardest questions of should she continue on the path she’s carved for herself or trust God to give her the future she never thought she wanted?”


Series: A stand-alone novel.


Spiritual Content- Psalm 19:1-4 at the beginning; Scriptures are read & mentioned; Many prayers; Talks about God, Jesus, helping others, prayers/praying, showing the love of Jesus to others, & forgiveness; Some 'H's are capital when referring to God and Jesus; Olivia recalls her answered prayers as a little girl & now wishes to be someone who shows the love of God to others as well; Half-way through, Olivia notes that she’s always thought of God as more of a “benevolent caretaker than a caring father” adding that “as long as she obeyed Him and stayed on His good side, the more likely things would go well” and that He would jump in when things got too overwhelming for her, but while that view as worked fine for her, a woman’s words make her wonder if there was more to a relationship with God; *Spoiler* Olivia asks God to help her forgive her grandparents towards the end & feels peace *End of Spoiler*; Alessandra hears God’s message stirred in her heart & also feels God’s Spirit whisper to her heart (not Scripture quotes, but for her situation); Many mentions of God, Jesus, submitting one’s self to Him, having faith, trusting God, His plans, & God’s creation; Mentions of prayers, praying, answered prayers, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches, church going, & services; Mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; Mentions of Jews, Roman Catholics, & Lutherans; Mentions of the Vatican (which is called “God’s holy city”), the Catholic Church, priests, & statues of saints; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of Heaven; A couple mentions of a mission trip; A couple mentions of sin; A mention of a woman struggling with her faith; A mention of a blessing;
*Note: A concentration camp is called “hell” twice and the “pit of hell” once & the soldiers there “devils”; A woman tells Olivia about her future in a mysterious way (implied the words are from God); Louis thinks of Olivia as a woman fiercely determined to confront the “demons of her past”; Louis calls a large playground slide a “demon slide” because of it’s size; Louis is given the advice by his aunt to “go anywhere that allows you to follow your heart”; Olivia believes her grandfather hide about her mother due to being connected to Christian businesses and it would be bad PR for him; Mentions of luck & being lucky; A mention of Travis Scott being a group of girls’ “idol”; A mention of fate.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘shut up’, two ‘dumb’s, and three ‘stupid’s; A couple mentions of curses (said, not written); Some eye rolling & sarcasm; A drive-by shooting, seeing someone shot, & blood (up to semi-detailed); Seeing a pack of vultures fighting over and eating a carcass (border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed); *Spoiler, but regarding a death* Alessandra is taken to a concentration camp and dies there from injuries in a bombing by American bombers, up to semi-detailed *End of Spoiler*; The World War II setting shows Jews being rounded up, taken to concentration camps, being locked up as a political prisoner, & a bombing; Just before the book starts, Olivia is handed a child by a dying mother to take care of and takes her to a good orphanage (barely-above-not-detailed); Olivia travels through a big slum (Kibera) and it’s described (including a comment about it not being safe for “any white person” once it’s dark; up to semi-detailed); Many mentions of World War II, Nazis, historical figures like Adolf Hitler, spies and arrests, bombings, deportations of Jews, concentration camps, gas chambers and the smell, & smuggling Jewish children (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of seeing a death, deaths, & grief (including Olivia and Louis for their mothers & a husband for his wife); Mentions of a mother’s disappearance, her body being found, & it being an accident (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of arrests, crimes, & criminals; Mentions of gunfire, a drive-by shooting, someone being shot, & blood/bleeding (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of pain & injuries; Mentions of domestic violence & women staying in abusive relationships; Mentions of cancer, someone’s cancer being back, treatments, & a stroke leaving someone partially paralyzed (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of addictions to drugs & alcohol; Mentions of drugs, “bad drugs” that caused a death, & possible overdose; Mentions of lies, lying, & deceit; Mentions of rumors & gossip; Mentions of nightmares (including of deaths); A few mentions of a suicide/overdose (*Spoiler* Olivia’s mother, which was ruled as a suicide but some believed it was due to bad drugs *End of Spoiler*); A few mentions of a murder & witnessing one; A few mentions of a war concerning Russia & the refugee crisis; A few mentions of fires; A few mentions of starvation; A few mentions of poachers; A few mentions of being mugged; A few mentions of alcohol & drinking; A few mentions of hatred; A couple mentions of car accidents & deaths; A couple mentions of a possible serial killer; A couple mentions of other wars; A couple mentions of robbers & children being used as bait to lure people for robbers; A couple mentions of stealing; A couple mentions of two young guys having a “predatory gleam” in their eyes when looking at Louis and Olivia; A couple mentions of jealousy; A mention of cigarettes; A mention of throwing up;
*Note: Olivia calls her mother someone with a “Jekyll and Hyde disposition”; Olivia struggles with the feeling of abandonment due to her mother’s actions during her childhood and didn’t know the version of her mother that was compassionate and kind, but forgives her in the beginning of the book; Olivia recalls seeing her grandparents coldly reacting to her mother’s pain and not helping them which Olivia views as “disdainful rejection” and tries not to think about her biological family members who “never wanted her to be born in the first place”; Olivia tells Louis that she always thought her mother’s troubles were her fault and that her mother could have had a wonderful life if not for her; (*Spoilers* At the end, Olivia receives a letter from her grandparents explaining their side of the events and how they tried to help her mother; Olivia realizes that she’d been seeing her grandparents through her mother’s eyes as a “self-centered people who refused to help” but now knows because of her work that it is impossible to help others unless they wish to change; She decides to let go of the past for the sake of discovering her future *End of Spoilers*); After his mother’s death, Louis’ father had little to do with rearing his children; Princess Alessandra aches about the possibility of not being able to see her children again or their lives being cut short; A teenager comments about bottled water being a favorite “among white women” but says “no offense” to Olivia and she doesn’t take any; Olivia is aware she seems like the stereotype of a “privileged white girl playing the role of savior” and wishes to set someone straight about how she grew up in rough areas; Louis comments that “unfortunately some [in his country] still frown upon the notion of a female heir, despite the powerful reign of Queen Elizabeth proving it can work”; Olivia thinks about the elephants she has seen at a zoo being “shriveled and weak from their captivity”; Mentions of websites & social media (Google, People magazine, YouTube, TikTok, & Instagram); Mentions of songs & artists (‘Coming Home’ by Leon Bridges, ‘The Lion Sleeps Tonight’, ‘A Moment Like This’ by Kelly Clarkson, ‘True Colors’ by Cyndi Lauper, & ‘Little Rock’ by Collin Raye); Mentions of celebrities, movies, & TV shows (Brad Pitt, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Channing Tatum, Travis Scott, The Princess Diaries, The Prince and I, Gone With the Wind, & Law and Order); Mentions of royal family members (William, Harry, Kate Middleton, Megan Markle, Princess Margaret, Queen Elizabeth, & Grace Kelly); A few mentions of AIDS orphans & children effected with it; A few mentions of counselors & therapists (including a mention of a therapist telling Olivia that she puts up walls around her heart to protect herself from the hard things she faced in her childhood); A few mentions of brand names (Converse tennis shoes, American Girl dolls, Coke, & Jell-O); A mention of Disney princesses; A mention of Little Caesars; A mention of Nancy Drew; A mention of a couple being told that children would not be in her future, but having a child ten years later.


Sexual Content- Three fingers-to-lips touches, five hand/fingers kisses, five head/forehead kisses, a jaw kiss, two cheek kisses, two almost kisses (both up to semi-detailed), two barely-above-not-detailed kisses, four border-line barely-above-not-detailed // semi-detailed kisses, and a semi-detailed kiss (which stops from going longer with Louis saying that he wants to honor Olivia); Remembering kisses (up to semi-detailed); Wanting to kiss (up to semi-detailed); Touches, Embraces, Hand holding, Warmth, Butterflies, Electricity/Fireworks/Sparks, Shivers/Tingles, Nearness, & Smelling (up to semi-detailed); Blushes, Winks, & Flirting; Noticing & Staring (including his muscles, up to semi-detailed); Louis recalls embracing and kissing his then-girlfriend and her inviting him to her hotel room asking if he thinks it was time for that, but he replies “You know I would love to, and someday…after the wedding.” (They go to their separate rooms); Olivia thinks about her mother having “marks” (targets) and flirting with them to get her to help them (which sometimes lead to living with them or the men becoming possessive and then having to run away from them); Mentions of unplanned pregnancies (*Spoilers* including Olivia being told that one of the teen girls she knows through her work is pregnant; Olivia tells her that God has a plan, that they are here for the girl, and that all babies are a gift *End of Spoilers*); Mentions of women in abusive relationships (including Olivia’s mother going through ones); Mentions of kisses & kissing; Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, dates, dating, exes, break-ups, & broken hearts; A few mentions of jealousy & crushes; A mention of a forbidden affair; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Olivia was born out of wedlock and her grandparents viewed the pregnancy as “a shame” and Olivia’s mother left, deciding to raise Olivia alone “rather than face scorn”; It’s added that her mother met a man on an overseas trip and while he was trying to ease her fears about returning to the States, “she found herself in his arms. In his bed.”; Olivia doesn’t know who her biological father is; Alessandra shares about a nightmare of standing naked in front of her captors; Mentions of monkeys stealing women’s bras and them hanging on trees; A mention of a dress fitting Olivia’s curves; A mention of a “bosomy woman”; A mention of no cleavage being shown at a royal event.


-Olivia Garza, age 25
-Louis Castillo, age 27
P.O.V. switches between them, Alessandra, & Regina (x1)
Contemporary & Scenes from 1943-1944
316 pages

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Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars
My personal Rating- Three Stars

This ended up being a much different book than I was expecting. The topics discussed were heavier with what Olivia had gone through with her mother and then the scenes to World War II in a concentration camp. It’s not a light and fluffy contemporary royalty plot by any means, so please know that ahead of reading.

At the beginning, I found Olivia to be a little overbearing at times. While I also had a time in my life where the wealth of rich people annoyed me because I thought they could do so much more with it for others, I had to come to a realization that what they do with their money is not my business and I can only control my actions and my bank account. Helping with non-profits and bringing awareness about the ministries close to my heart is a way to serve with my time and Olivia was definitely doing that, which was great to see. But she still came across a little self-righteous at the same time and I didn’t really like her for the first part of the book because of it.

Louis was a little too poetic for my tastes and felt as if he had an instant connection to Olivia because of knowing who she is based on what she’s shared online. He was a bit of an odd duck compared to other royalty books I’ve read, but like Olivia, he eventually grew on me. I really liked that he encouraged her about her passions and interests plus how he was a gentleman towards her.

As soon as we meet Olivia, it’s quickly gathered that she isn’t going to take the news of Louis being a prince well—and boy howdy, she did not. That made this book a little…difficult to read, so I liked the second half of the book better because of Olivia realizing things and starts being willing to step out in an act of faith—and be willing to finally put the past behind her and stop letting her mother’s actions dictate her life. I wish we had seen more about the YouTube documentary parts because it felt like just a side thing that Olivia does when it was actually a big part of how Olivia and Louis meet.

While I’ve seen this book as marketed as a dual-time period story, I don’t think I would really consider it to be one. Perhaps only a fourth of the book is scenes from a non-present day time period or the diary entries during World War II. The faith content was particularly strong in these scenes and made reading about the horrible events somewhat bearable. How everything connected was neat, but at the same time, it didn’t fit into the tone of the rest of the story, in my opinion. A little out of left field, in a way? But I still enjoyed Princess Alessandra and her strong faith was inspiring.

On the topic of faith content, I do wish Louis and Olivia would have had more discussions about their faiths because it seems to be important to them, but they didn’t have conversations about it. I thought Olivia was a strong Christian, but in the middle she said about feeling as if God is a benevolent caretaker that would jump in when things get too overwhelming for her, which felt more like a lukewarm reaction and it didn’t seem to change by the end, which was strange to me.

It would have been great to see an author’s note at the end of the book with what was historical fact and what was fictional. Obviously Alloria is a fictional country, but the Vatican was a neutral place during WWII, so it would be nice to know more information about what was in this book and what was the author taking liberty.

Overall, this book was very different from the typical “American girl falls for royal prince” plot-line and I ended up enjoying it more than I would. I would suggest it for 16/17+, however, due to some comments/suggestions and harder topics mentioned and shown.



Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Rachel Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4.25*
Awww!! Louis and Olivia were so stinking sweet as they journeyed through their relationship and fame. While Alessandra’s story was on the back burner, it was still intriguing. It wasn’t my favorite storyline, but it was good.
Louis was strong and faithful. He had plenty of heartbreak, but he grew in the Lord and in his love for Olivia.
Olivia was amazing! She had a horrible past, yet she chose the Lord’s path. She looked for Him and praised Him. She was human, yet she chose God
The romance came off strong, but really it was clean and never crossed a line.

Content: “h” word used once in context, minor romance content (hugging, holding hands, kissing [lightly detailed]), the romance was clean, but came off as strong and very close, but it was still mainly God-centered

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not intend to read this book all in one day. Sometimes I start a book with the goal to stay up until it’s done. Not this time but here we are.

I also don’t really know what I want to say in this review. This was a good book, but you know that from my star rating. (Which is more like 4.5). I think my struggle is just that somehow, even though I didn’t have expectations, this story was not what o was expecting. And it’s hard to explain without spoilers.

Olivia and Louis were wonderful characters. I can say that because even though their experiences are literally nothing like mine, I could still connect to them. (That’s also a mark of a good writer :)

Wonderful characters need supporting cast and there are two exceptional ones in this story. I really liked Miss Jan and Rebecca. The roles they play in Olivia’s life are special and they give her great wisdom and advice, while also brining a little levity.

There isn’t a lot of humor in this book. Olivia’s life has been hard and she’s wrestling with a lot. The parts of the book that go back in time are definitely hard. I hope I would have faith like that but I just don’t know.

A part of me feels like I wish this was a series so things could be more in depth. I feel like the story line from the last could have been explored more, as well as Olivia’s work in the US, and I think it would be cool to see more of what will happen. It’s not that the book is incomplete, I just ended it feeling like there could be more to tell.

I would say that this book challenges, inspires, and makes you think. There is beauty and depth and so much wisdom. It’s not often that I’m left thinking about a fiction book after I’m done but this is one of the ones that did it. (I’m also constantly singing “Stars” by Skillet, which is fitting. You should look it up.)

To end, I want to say that the book title might seem odd for a Christian book but it will make sense and I want to hold the idea close so that every time I see the stars, I think of what was said in this story.


I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required.

[Jeanette Durkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! This is an exceptional book! I was immediately drawn in by Alessandra's story. I loved the flashbacks to 1943, and then how the author tied them into the present day was amazing! As the story progressed, my heart became more and more invested in the story.

All of the characters are wonderful! Louis is my favorite! He's loyal, faithful, and a man longing to be loved for his true self. Olivia lives her life on purpose. She puts her everything into her job and those she works for. Alessandra is inspiring. She is put in a very difficult situation, and she relies on her faith to make it through each day.

Favorite quote: "After all, it's often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars."

This story reminded me that everyone needs to know the hope that can be found in Jesus. He's for the rich, the poor, the fatherless...

I will be reflecting on this book for a while. The themes of forgiveness, hope, and faith resonated deeply with me.

I was provided a copy of the book from White Crown Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Paula Shreckhise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Allesandra: “It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest star.”
A truly remarkable story which is all the more remarkable when I realized that this is the fictional account of a real Italian princess who was sent to Buchenwald during WWII.
There are many recent books about the appalling treatment of people by the Germans in WWII. But each is unique and this author excells in using this story to bring hope.
I adore dual timelines and this was no exception. The way Ms. Goyer meshed the eras together was impressive. Each time period had me eager to see what happened next. The characters jumped off the page. The theme of being light in the darkness came through in multiple ways. Present day Olivia and Louis were shown to have a solid faith. Louis, although he was a prince, was portrayed as a realistic human being with hopes, dreams and a caring heart. Likewise, in 1939, Princess Alessandra was pictured as a godly, selfless person who wanted to bring hope to the hopeless. The lesson I took away : We each have a place in God’s plan, no matter our station in life.
*I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Band of Booksters. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*

[Becky Fleming · Rating 5 out of 5]

When a story touches a deep place in my heart and resonates with Biblical truth about love and forgiveness and the extraordinary love of God it leaves me with an almost euphoric feeling of deep satisfaction. This book did just that.

Each of us have our own hard story; we all have our own hurt and trauma in varying degrees. Often in our quest to find healing from that hurt and trauma we find that the healing comes in the sharing of our story and most importantly from using that hurt/trauma as a platform to heal others in the middle of their own hurt/trauma.

This book for me was so emotionally powerful. It highlighted for me how that we all have a choice in how we respond to our trauma and hurt - we can either allow it to destroy us or we can use it for the good of others.

Prince Louis’s humble way of pursuing Olivia, even when she was giving him no hope of a chance because of her fear of being hurt - ahhh! - Every girl dreams of a love like that!

Also, I have fallen in love with dual timelines and this one was just so beautifully done. Princess Alessandra (and isn’t that the most lovely, exquisite name for a princess?!?) and her pure love for her husband and children and the Jewish children absolutely broke my heart - it reminded me of how God’s love compels us to love others fiercely and with a powerful drive to protect, even if it’s to our own detriment. And her determination to use her pain, her utterly despondent situation to encourage others and bring God glory was absolutely inspirational!

This is probably my favorite book by Tricia Goyer yet, and quite possibly my favorite royal dual timeline ever! Oh how I wish I could write a review that matches the depth of emotions this book wrung out of me! This is one I definitely want to revisit again!

(I received an early digital copy of this book from the publisher and all thoughts and opinions are mine alone.)

[Hannah Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

From start to finish, this book was heartwarming, touching, and had just the right touch of royalty and whimsy.

All of our main characters were fantastic. Olivia had such a big heart, and I love the way she realized she didn’t have to lay aside her missions work to follow her dreams. The way her past wove into the story, and ultimately she finally forgave and was able to move on… beautiful. Plus, there are balls and gowns and all the fun of royal life!

Louis is a darling. That’s all there is to it. He’s stubborn, he drives his poor bodyguard nuts (sorry, Sergio… life isn’t working out), and he’s hopelessly in love with our girl Olivia. Their love felt a little overly insta-love-ish at times, but I can almost be okay with it because he knew her from the documentary first.

Alessandra… her story was heartbreaking, but still so hopeful. It brought in those WWII elements, but so lightly—just from her very limited experiences in the concentration camp. The way it all worked out in the end was quite beautiful, although I felt that Princess Regina was making a bit too big of a deal of the whole thing near the beginning. I suppose we have to have our drama.

Anyhoo, this was a beautiful royal read for anyone looking for a reminder of the value of kindness, the incredible goodness of God, and the power of hope.

Also, I listened to the audiobook of this one. There are so many audiobooks out there that honestly don't measure up to the story they're telling, but this one... Zura Johnson PERFECTLY captures every moment, and I could not get over all the accents! She was English, American, Italian, German, African, southern... the list goes on! I was in awe. If you get the chance, definitely listen to it!

Another side note... I feel this book used the word "cacophony" way too many times. I probably wouldn't have noticed had I not been listening to it, but it's such an unusual word, and it just kept popping in. Not an issue so much as an observation. :)

I read this book of my own choice (thanks, library!) and all opinions contained here are entirely my own.

[Debbie Wentworth Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This dual plotline book was a pleasant read. The main plot is current. Olivia Garzia has just finished a documentary based on her mother's life. During a safari, her one-day vacation, she meets a handsome and kind man, Louis. They emotionally connect, but she doesn't find out until the end of the day that he's a prince from a small European country. Stunned that a man who is so much the opposite of what she has stood for in her work with poor girls from the inner city, she flees home to Little Rock.
The second plot is of Princess Alessandra Appiani of World War II Italy who has been secretly rescuing Jewish children from the Nazis. She and her children have taken refuge at the Vatican, but her German husband has been captured by the Nazis.
Goyer brings the two plots together beautifully. Her characters show great growth and are likeable. I think readers who enjoy romance would love the book.

[Paty · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I have to say, Tricia Goyer has been on my new author’s TBR list for a long time. Always, having so many things to read, it always sat there, on my endless TBR. I finally had the opportunity to receive a copy of the book and I was very eager to read it and find out if she was as good as I had heard. Oh WOW! She totally surpassed my expectations with this story! I absolutely loved it and felt touch and inspired by the characters, their journey was one of sacrifice and love, and resilience, and I learned so much from them!
This is a time split novel, with a time line in the present day and another during WWII.
During WWII, in Rome, Princess Alessandra Appiani is dealt with life changing choices. She doesn’t know where her husband is or if he is still is alive since he joined the war efforts. Due to her nobility, she knows she and her children can remain safe inside the Vatican Walls, yet she feels the call, even at her own risk and her family’s lives, to help save the Jewish children who are so in need of someone to show them God’s love and protection. Will she persevere and have the strength to pursue this selfless mission, or will the enemy thwart all her sacrifice and efforts, and worst of all, sacrifice her life along with the innocent children?
In present day, Olivia Garza wants to make a difference in her world, and help other people who suffer, because of childhood trauma like her, or because of poverty or misery, like the people she is currently serving in the Kibera slums in Kenya. Also, she’s the hidden face behind a documentary series in which she shares about her difficult experiences in childhood and teenage years, that have ultimately taken her to Africa, following her deceased mother’s footsteps with the hope of understanding more about the life and struggles of the woman who gave her life. But are her efforts worthy? Will suffering and misery ever end in this fallen world? Then she meets Prince Louis, heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Alloria, who is running away from the mass media, nursing a broken heart. Louis immediately recognizes the voice of the mysterious woman behind the docu-series that has intrigued and touched his heart for some time. But as they get to spend time together, and their attraction grows, their new relationship is finally hit by an unexpected paparazzi attack. And they both realize that their lives are so different that they can’t easily be merged. Can Olivia embrace a world that represents everything she despises, like wealth and power? Can Louis commit to serve the people most in need, especially when he possesses resources to do it? I loved how the two timelines connect when Olivia is hired to do a documentary on Princess Alessandra’s courageous life testimony: a royal who sacrifices her position to serve the innocent and helpless. And how it impacts Olivia’s way of seeing things, past and present, and helping her understand how God’s will for her life may be much better -and greater- than what she has envisioned to be her mission and destiny.
The book is a treasure in many ways: it has inspiring, yet flawed and relatable characters. I loved Prince Louis. He was a man of one piece, yet he longed to be loved for who he is and not his status. He has a heart of gold that is touched and moved to action by the lives of the people who suffer and are most in need. He also knows what sacrifice means, although in a different way, to give up your desires in order to serve your people’s best interests. Olivia has been roughened by a hard life. But I love how she channels everything through helping others that have suffered like she did, and worse. Her heart is selfless, but she also has many things to understand better, like other’s weaknesses. I like the lessons you learn through the story, like what this quote implies: “After all, it’s often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars”. How God can bring good out of bad. Even if the title of the book may not seem Christian, I think it totally is. Trust the Stars, in my opinion, and after the quote I mentioned, means trusting God during the darkest times, because as the stars shine only at night, God shines upon our lives not also but especially during our struggles and darkest days. He is always there and will never forsake us.
The character growth, the engaging plot, the inspired message, everything about this book called to me. The way she managed to intertwine both eras without confusion and seamlessly. The historical details. The fairy tale vibes of a Prince in love with a commoner was masterfully yet realistically done! All in all, a masterpiece! I highly recommend this book! Even though I received a complimentary copy of this book, I am definitely getting a physical copy for my shelf. I was under no obligation to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, that was such an awesome book. It seems like I took a while to finish it, but that was only because I've been sick for the past week and a half, or I would have had it finished a lot sooner.
This story takes you from present day in the slums of Kibera, Kenya, plus a safari also in Kenya, to a royal palace in the fictional country of Allori, to the inner city of Little Rock, Arkansas, to a concentration camp in Germany during WWII.
As the reader we get to see the story from three points of view. The first two are in present day. The first is Olivia Garza, the voice of a video docu-series which has brought her to the slums of Kenya from her home in America. The second is Prince Louis who is in Kenya to get away from the media during a time of heart break, when his ex is getting married. And the third is Princess Alessandra, a royal during the time of WWII who risks her freedom to help Jewish children escape the Nazis. We get her story in third person, and also through journal entries.
Forgiveness plays a big role in this story as Olivia is on her journey following her mother's footsteps in an effort to come to terms with the life she had been dealt because of her mother's lifestyle choices. She'd been filming this docu-series without revealing who she actually was, and planned to reveal herself at the end of her time in Kenya. That is, until she spends a delightful day on safari with a man who doesn't tell her he is a prince. However, she then feels betrayed when the truth is revealed and she never wants to see him again. But Prince Louis had recognized Olivia's voice from the docu-series, and wants to get to know her better.
Here follows an adventure in Little Rock and also in Alloria, getting to know these characters even more and seeing their heart for those who are in need. I love seeing Olivia's and Prince Louis's relationship evolve. And I love the importance that is placed on trusting in God.
And of course, there is are the journals of Princess Allessandra and learning the truth of what happened to her and how it connected to the present day story.
I loved this story, and only wish we could have had more time with Princess Allessandra before she was sent to the concentration camp, and more details of her time in the camp. And I really wish this was the beginning of a series so we could see more of these characters and how their lives continue.
Here is a quote that stuck with me, "Tough I walk through the shadow of death. . .Today, I choose to rejoice in the shadow, because for a shadow to be cast, that means there is light beyond. I must remember that light, and I must share it. For this season, I am where I do not belong, but even here, God reminds me to be a light as He is the Light-to sing a song unseen."
If you are a fan of dual timeline stories, stories that take place during WWII, and/or royal romances, you are going to want to check out this book.
I was given this book as a part of the launch team but was not required to write a positive review. These are my own honest thoughts.

[Heather Byrd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a truly remarkable novel, and i especially enjoyed the dual timeline. The author made me really care about both time periods and the characters there. It felt like an epic story, with the intrigue of the past, and finding out how it related to the modern day story. The past was more precarious, showing such a difference between good and evil. I was drawn to the themes of courage and self sacrifice and was holding my breath for some of the scenes. I also love the theme of doing something, even when you don’t have to, because it’s the right thing to do. I love the idea of a princess standing up for what is right and being a fantastic role model to women and girls of all ages.
In the modern day, Olivia has had such a hard life, especially with her mother. When she forgives and tries to understand her mother, without excusing what she did, I feel that was such a healthy lesson to learn from this book. I loved that Olivia met Louis not knowing who he was, and that they were able to work through their obstacles and grow together. I absolutely love royalty books, and this one was a new take on those that I’ve previously read. It was a very interesting book, full of Godly lessons and truths, and is definitely one I enjoyed reading!
I was provided a copy of the book from White Crown Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Marylin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing dual-time story!
Do you ever feel like your past is something you need to hide?
Do you feel like you are weighed down by all the demands and injustices in your life?
These are some of the feelings the characters face in this story.
This book was a book that deeply touched my heart in many ways.
I felt the feelings and emotions of each of the characters in this story.
The author is someone I’ve had the privilege to hear as a speaker, but I’ve never read any of her books. Now I’m hooked.
Tricia Goyer’s writing is smooth and full of wonderful visual pictures. I loved how she blended each story in such a seamless way. She truly is a skilled author.
I also appreciated how she weaved into this story so many deep lessons we all can apply in our lives.
This story will sit in my mind and my heart for a long time, and I hope to apply the same courage and truth that Alessandra, Louis, and Olivia did.
This beautiful story is about love, courage, purpose, and finding God’s path. I know it will touch your heart. I highly recommend you pick it up.

[Deanna Mosier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Royal story; it also included pages from an Italian Princess’ journal from 1940s and definite faith thread through-out. The narrator was excellent and kept me listening until the happily ever after!

[Darcy Schock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Topic or themes I saw: Hope amidst the most bleak backdrops. Trust in God’s plan.

Read it if you love:

✔️Contemporary Royal Romances
✔️Cinderella
✔️Strong faith threads
✔️WWII

Story: Prince Louis, the heir to a fictional kingdom in Europe, meets Olivia, a service driven woman who is trying to heal from her broken past, in Africa on a safari. But their backgrounds and current lives are as different as night and day.

Aside from the main story of Louis and Olivia, a tale of a noble princess in a concentration camp is woven in. Oh how I loved her story. Not only is her story inspiration for Olivia, it inspired me. It reminded me of what is truly important in life and showed me that even in the lowest or most awful places, purpose can still be found.

I loved the wisdom and truth the character Miss Jan (who is a real person) added to the story.

This story is a story of hope. Hope that we can trust God in anything.

Main takeaway: The safest place to be is right where God has us. This broken world can steal a lot from us and hold us in prisons (whether they be physical or emotional) but we can always be free in our soul knowing our status before our Savior. His love is always ours and its reach is limitless.

“True safety is walking in your will, my Lord.”

“Trust in the path ahead and the mysteries it holds.”

“Those who are greatest in this prison are not those who had wealth or honor in a previous life but those who give hope.”

“When we are stripped of everything, I realize the most important thing we possess is held within our hearts.”

“She grew to trust her Heavenly Father who never left her side, whether in the grandest palaces or in the darkest hell.”

“A nation built on principles of character and integrity will inevitably stand the test of time.”

“The most important impact is made one person at a time.”

“You cannot bear the worlds weight on your shoulders, my love. You must choose your battles. If not, you will be consumed by the darkness you seek to defeat.”

“Aunt Regina told me that I could see our position as tasks, or I could see it as joy. She told me not to worry so much about work that I miss out on life. As responsible people, we will handle those things when they come. She told me we miss the beautiful moments of life if we’re always looking ahead at what needs to get accomplished.”

[Ilovethemso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scars, Sacrifice, and Sweet Romance

Get ready to enjoy a moving adventure! Trust the Stars is a wonderful tale filled with scars, sacrifice, and sweet romance. Told between two timelines that mesh perfectly, the story is so beautifully written, it pulled me in right away. The details and imagery helped me see the story unfold, and plot twists kept it captivating. The story brought me through all the emotions as I walked with characters through enormous pain and sacrifice all the way to healing and sweet romance. The rarer moments that made me laugh were such a delight.

I appreciated how the dual timelines in this fantastic tale are seamlessly tied together, and both timelines captured my interest, which is extremely rare for me. I enjoyed watching imperfect characters grow and seeing the delight of a once hardened heart open up to true love. I felt inspired to learn from examples, of especially Alessandra and Louis, who chose to serve others. This is such a powerful reminder to follow God’s calling and plan for your life. The painful parts of the story make the sweetest parts even more beautiful, and the ending is beautiful! Enjoy getting there.

I can’t wait to read more of Tricia’s writing! I am grateful to have received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Emily Rutt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louis and Olivia are 2 polar opposite characters with completely different pasts and upbringings. Louis has been raised as privileged royalty and Olivia, who grew up with nothing due to the drug abuse of her mother. The author does a wonderful job of bringing their lives together with a purpose and a vision to serve both the rich and destitute because everyone needs Jesus!
I really loves the secondary characters, both Rebecca and Miss Jan. The wisdom that they spoke into others lives was just so powerful!
I loved how the author brought in a fictional account of a real life princess for the dual timeline! The princess was sent to a concentration camp in WW2 and you are told some of her story. It is woven together beautifully with the current day.

**I received a complimentary ARC for this novel. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

[Karina (Karina's Christian Reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Number of pages: 430

Genre: Historical Fiction/Contemporary YA (dual timeline)

Series: N/A

Age recommendation: 14+

Summary: Olivia Garza is working on a documentary about her mother to get over the hurt her growing up years left in her and help others through similar situations. She’s content where she’s at helping underprivileged girls in Little Rock, but when a handsome Prince sweeps her off her feet, she must decide whether to follow her heart, or her head.

In WWII Italy, Princess Alessandra Appiani helps Jewish children escape the Nazi reign, but can she protect herself and her own family?

My thoughts: I was surprised to find how much Christian content there was in this book. From the first page, characters pray to God for help and direction, turning to Him in their need. I loved how Louis made a point of wanting to marry a girl who shared his faith, as that was very important. Also, he respected Olivia - he was careful not to take advantage of her. The first time he kissed her he even asked her permission beforehand, so as not to go too far in something that made her uncomfortable. He also exercised self control in stopping before he went too far on anything romantic with her.
That said, I found some things confusing. For example, I felt like it flip-flopped on how strong/mature of a Christian Olivia and Louis were. There were a few points that made it seem like Olivia was a super strong Christian (her faith at the beginning) and other points where she seemed a lot less mature (near the middle she seemed more uncertain). Looking back it may just be my misinterpretation. Also, at the beginning it’s very important to Louis that he marries a Christian, but once he meets Olivia, he doesn’t really ask much about her faith. To be fair, they are both very open about their beliefs, but personally I would still want to explicitly talk about what I believe before I married a person, because two Christians can come from very different backgrounds and traditions.
I found the plot sometimes confusing as well. A character would say something, and two pages later the other character would ask the question that had just been answered. I don’t know if it was something I missed or just bad editing, but I didn’t like that.
The romance element was very predictable. It was too fast and I didn’t like how much detail there was with the kissing. I also didn’t like that Louis knew the whole time who Olivia was but didn't confess until the end of the book and then it’s not a big deal to her. While I'm glad it didn't turn into a big fight between them, I don’t think it was dealt with realistically.
The WWII part was interesting, but I didn’t feel like it was necessary or fit very well with the rest of the book. Olivia and Louis' story would have been good without that part.
I realize I've written more things that annoyed me than that I’ve liked, so I’ll try to fix that now. I loved the plot - I liked that both Olivia and Louis got to help each other. I especially liked how Louis didn’t just throw his money at Olivia to fix her problems but helped her to work them out herself. This did surprise me (because, you know, the handsome guy usually fixes everything himself). While Louis did do a lot for Olivia, he mostly just helped her come up with the ideas and provided her with support to work out her own solutions.
I did enjoy this book, despite its inconsistencies, and would recommend it.

My personal rating: 3.5/5 stars.

Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tricia is one of those authors that you immediately know you’re settling into reading a good book just because her name is on the cover. I knew I needed to read this one! I’ve recently been on a royalty, rags to riches reading spree and this sounded right up that alley.

Let me just say I was not disappointed! The story read quickly. The characters immediately enthralled me and I fell in love with them. Oh, and the dual timeline was amazing! I really like those too.

Our main female character is Olivia. She’s had a hard and rough life. And there is no way to gloss over that or make it seem like a minor detail. You just can’t. It’s shaped who she is and what she’s after in life.

In our other timeline, we’re in WWII. And I know you know this if you’re reading my reviews, but I love WWII novels! And this one is another in a long list I’ve been reading lately that focuses on saving the Jewish children. It was such a wonderful and noble thing and yet put people in so much danger that we don’t often hear or focus on that.

YOU MIGHT BE ASKING WHERE THE ROYALTY COMES IN.
In our hop back in time it is Alessandra who is a princess. And in our modern day, it is Louis who is a Prince.

It’s so hard to share this story because I want to let you know everything that is going on in the story. But if I do that then you won’t need to read the book. And you really should read the book! It’s a wonderful read. I actually would love to see more books spinning off this one! But I don’t think that’s in the works so I’ll just have to be sad.

I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Band of Booksters. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me after finishing this book: languishing on my fainting couch in a gobsmacked swoon of astounded delight. I did not expect this story to be so…royal and deep and spellbinding! And the faith thread about trusting God and how easy/hard that is all rolled into one. Goyer touched my heart and made me think and stunned me with the richness of this not quite fairy tale.

Okay — first off — I’m not a huge Royal Romance fan. I’ve read some, but I don’t go out of my way to find them so I went into this read without the expectation of becoming over-the-moon thrilled with it. Ha! Shows me how rewarding it is to venture out of a my bibliophile comfort zone from time to time!

While this is a dual timeline novel, most of the focus is on the present day story, with the WWII snippets about a courageous princess providing an intriguing sub-plot that eventually merges with the current timeline. And it’s done beautifully. At first I wasn’t sure how the two would connect, but they do to goose-bumping satisfaction.

And the romance! Happy sigh! Heavenly! Louis is the epic storybook hero and his gentle pursuit of a very reluctant Olivia kept me in a fully twitterpated state all the way through! I feel like Goyer really captured the complexities of a royal longing to live a ‘normal’ life and the compromises necessary to satisfy both the prince and his country.

Plus there’s banter! Sigh. And humour. And soul-searching conversations. Even some tears. So much hope too though and when Olivia visits the prince’s country the story takes on a whole different vibe. Fantastically divine!

I listened to the audio edition of Trust the Stars and Zura Johnson gave a truly amazing performance. Multiple accents, male and female characters of various ages — she made each one unique and captivating.

https://kavsbestreads.ca/2024/01/11/t...

[Maggie Rosario · Rating 2 out of 5]

Goyer presents a clean, strongly Christian romance in Trust the Stars. With the difficulty of finding clean romance in the modern book market, I could appreciate this novel’s good understanding of human dignity. In my honest reader opinion, however, I did not really find this novel engaging or appealing to my interests.

I did not feel satisfied with the overall novel, especially in plot and supporting characters. There were good elements such as morals and themes of healing traumas and coming to terms with the past, but the story itself was less enjoyable on its own. I had expectations of more mystery and complicated plots for a two-timeline story, but I felt they were unfulfilled in the end. The novel was predominantly contemporary with only short scenes from the past timeline which left me a little disappointed.

Elements of the plot such as healing and the romance were highlighted a lot, which may be what some readers are looking for, but I felt that the story lacked the scope of an appealing novel. Aspects of the plot exterior to romance felt a bit weak and not overly engaging. The supporting cast also, though present and well written, did not have a lot of interaction with the characters aside from a few key moments, so the novel felt a bit constrained to Olivia and Louis. With so much emphasis on the darker parts of life, humor and happiness were less prominent and made the novel harder to get through.

I would recommend this book to teens who are looking for a good, sweet romance novel, but readers looking for a more complex read may not be satisfied with this novel. I am still grateful for Tricia Goyer’s work and appreciate her work on Trust the Stars.

DISCLAIMER: I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel for review purposes. All opinions and view expressed are my own.

[Meagan Myhren-Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trust the Stars
By Tricia Goyer

This is one of those books that just draws you into it. I love books that are both contemporary and historical fiction, which Trust the Stars is. The two stories are drawn together by a diary Princess Alessandra Appiani kept detailing the dangers she faced and the sacrifices she made during WW2 to help save those in need.

The contemporary portion focuses on Olivia Garza, a young woman, scarred by the decisions her mother made. But Olivia is on a journey of discovery. She wants, needs to understand her mother and is sharing this journey with the world via a podcast.

Enter a stranger who manages to touch Olivia's life. But said stranger is actually a royal from a little known European country who needs to avoid a wedding. A wedding for the woman he thought he'd marry. In the one day that they Louis and Olivia connect. All is going great until Olivia finds out who Louis is and she cuts out of her excursion to Kenya less than pleased with Louis. After all how can someone used to the life and privileges of a royal possibly understand her normal day-to-day life of working with troubled teens in Little Rock's inner city?

This is where the diary comes in and I really enjoyed Alessandra's portion of the story. Her strength even in the face of losing everything she held dear - her husband, her children, and even her life. Her story provides inspiration to not only the reader, but Olivia. Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone to do the right thing.

Highly recommended read to either end 2023 or to begin 2024.

I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thought expressed are my own.

[Lee Anne Womack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crossing continents and decades, Trust the Stars tells a modern-day rags-to-riches story through Olivia Garza. Yet, as she faces her prince, her past divides her emotions. Prince Louis seemed perfect during their safari adventure before she knew his title. Now, she wants nothing to do with him, and her struggled is buried in a deeper lack of forgiveness from her past. While fleeing back to her hometown of Little Rock, Arkansas, her aunt introduces Olivia to a historic princess who defied evil and kept her faith entrenched in the Lord. Olivia thinks this is the perfect distraction from the best day of her life, but it runs deeper, hitting the barriers she won’t let God tear out of her life.

Louis wishes he could turn back time and tell Olivia about his family and status before the paparazzi bombarded them. Instead of time-travel, he hopes for a second chance and follows Olivia to Little Rock. He delves into every part of her world and learns his own need to look at people through God’s eyes. Olivia’s shock that he would willingly set aside his princely raiment just to get to know her slowly thaws the icy barrier that she erected around her heart.

When she’s finally preparing herself to share her own secrets with him, Louis must rush home. Now it’s Olivia’s turn to follow, and she experiences his royal lifestyle. Despite his privileged, Louis’s attention to details enhanced while he lived incognito in Arkansas. He’s more attuned to helping his nation and seeking the individual needs of the people who live around him.
Per storybook fashion, Olivia gets her prince in the end, but their rocky road cements a deeper relationship reliant on the one true God. Throughout the tale, the mysterious princess who defied the Nazis leaves encouragement and incite to help Olivia forgive.

Through most of this story, Tricia Goyer kept me turning pages. Anyone who enjoys present day royal romances will likely enjoy this one too.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Jeanti Steenkamp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful tale of love and faith:
*Spoiler free review*

I love dual-timeline novels and royal romances, and Tricia Goyer’s latest novel did not disappoint. “Trust the Stars” intricately weaves a tale of self-discovery, faith, and the profound impact of being a light in life’s darkest corners. We journey alongside Olivia Garza, Prince Louis, and Princess Alessandra, and watch their stories unfold into a captivating tapestry.

Delve deep as Olivia’s quest for self-understanding, Prince Louis’s escape from heartbreak, and Princess Alessandra’s courage during World War II converge into a story that beautifully explores human connection, choices, and the transformative power of love.

While the novel’s pacing is steady, and the ending may feel familiar, Goyer’s phenomenal storytelling skill ensures a rewarding and emotionally fulfilling read. The characters, with their unique paths and challenges, contribute to an exploration of faith, trust, and the enduring impact of love amid adversity.

This novel is a testament to the enduring power of love, the complexity of relationships, and the potential for growth and light even in the face of darkness. For those seeking a profound and thought-provoking read, Goyer’s latest work proves an invaluable investment of time and emotions.

This was my first time reading Tricia Goyer, the beautiful cover intrigued me, and I am definitely planning on exploring her other novels.
#TrustTheJourney

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

[Caroline|Page~Turners · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia Garza is just a voice on the air waves. She is an anonymous narrator of a docu-series that has gone viral. With a camera in her hand, she is retracing her mother’s footsteps to discover the truth about her past. Olivia has promised to reveal herself when she arrives at her last stop…Kenya. When Prince Louis flees to Kenya after his heart is broken, he meets Olivia and she sounds very familiar to him. He recognizes her voice from the document-series. Olivia and Prince William become victims of the paparazzi when the cameras start to snap pictures of them. She believes her dreams are crushed. Then she is hired for yet another documentary about another royal, Princess Alessandra Appiani. Alessandra risked her life and her family’s life to save Jewish children during World War II. Olivia is faced with her own life changing decisions to make.

Trust the Stars written by author Tricia Goyer is a wonderful time slip novel. Goyer is amazing at taking the reader from where they are and transporting them to Kenya, Africa. The awesome description of the sights and sounds makes you feel as if you are actually in Kenya. I love the plot twist and turns of this story, especially with the time slip to Rome during World War II. I also, thoroughly enjoyed the acts of faith demonstrated in this book. This heart warming and inspiring story hits all the feels. The characters are very enjoyable, and I loved each and every one of them. This is a phenomenal story that needs to be added to your “to be read” pile. Do not pass up this unforgettable and unputdownable read. I highly recommend it.

[Melanie Beland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thrilled to discover this book was my favorite genre, Historical Fiction! The book reminded me a bit of Christmas Prince, yet other parts of it reminded me of Corrie ten Boom. The book has three storylines in one, so throughout, you will travel back to 1943 to WWII; and then to modern day, in both Little Rock, Arkansas and in another country, Alloria. While the title may be a little misleading, there is no trusting in stars in this book, but a strong trust in Jesus by all three main characters. The idea is that light shines in darkness-stars in the night. As Christ-followers, we are to have such a trust in God that we are different than the world. When circumstances come our way that are not to our liking, we can choose to trust God in the midst. Princess Alessandra trusted God from a horrible prison during WWII as she was mourning the separation from her husband and children, and facing death by the Nazis. Prince Louis trusted God as he had just been jilted by the woman he thought he was going to marry, and was weighed down with the demands everyone had on his life as a prince. Finally, the main character, Olivia, had to trust God with painful memories of her childhood, stemming from poverty and her mother’s continual poor choices in men and circumstances, ultimately leading to her mother’s suicide, leaving Olivia with even more scars. In all three of them, we see that it is possible to choose to follow God and His path through real life and crushing circumstances; and to truly find peace and joy in His will in the midst. Definitely take time to read this book!

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trust the Stars by Tricia Goyer is a touching tale. I thought the story was well-written with realistic, developed characters. The story takes place in the modern-day, featuring Louis and Olivia with flashbacks to 1943 where Alessandra risks everything to do what she feels is the right thing. Louis is a man who is loyal, caring, and a Christian. His life has been ruled by tradition. He longs to find someone to share to love and with whom he can share his life. Olivia’s life is about helping others. An incident that she witnessed as a child made her determined to help those less fortunate. A chance encounter between the pair leads to a magical day. Unfortunately, the paparazzi soon reveal Louis’ identity and mess with Olivia’s plans. Olivia’s new project may give her new insights. This story gives us a different look at World War II. I could see a person’s faith tested witnessing the atrocities committed by the German’s and struggling to survive in a concentration camp. Faith was woven beautifully into the story. Forgiveness, hope, and faith are the main messages in the story. I like how the story ended. My favorite phrase from the Trust the Stars is, “Even those who rule must live under God’s authority. To see the stars is to remember our Lord.” Trust the Stars is a story that will have you reflecting long after you finish it.

[Connie Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed several books by this author, but I now have a new favorite! Tricia Goyer shares a story of extreme sacrifice and the true meaning of serving others, and she also gives readers a glimpse of grandeur and royalty. Trust the Stars is set in two time periods and I was fully engaged in both of them! My heart was torn as I read the journal entries of Princess Alessandra Appiani during the tumultuous years of World War II, and I was reminded again of the darkness that pervaded our world during that time. The present-time tale involving Olivia Garza and Prince Louis of Alloria takes place in Kenya, Alloria, and even Little Rock, Arkansas, but it also stresses the joy that comes from serving our fellow man.

I loved the historical detail and the inspirational thread, but I adored the fairytale romance that was taking place! Trust the Stars is a poignant reminder of sacrifice, forgiveness, and the overpowering need for love. I highly recommend it to all who enjoy Christian fiction and timeslip novels.

I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from White Crown Publishing. There was no obligation for a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I invite you to check out my full review @https://connie-oldersmarter.blogspot....

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can honestly say that I really enjoyed this book after I got about 50% in!
Aunt Jan and Rebecca were my favorite characters even though they were secondary. I loved them because of how they wanted to help others including Olivia.
At first I didn't like Olivia. I felt that she was too self centered and couldn't see what was on front of her.
I loved how the Lord took her on her journey.
Eventually I did come to love Olivia and Louis.
I thought they made a great couple.
I finished this novel in 2 evenings because I wanted to savor it. It's not often we get an incredible story from this author.
I felt that she wrote from the heart for this one.
The two timelines were wonderfully woven together.
Some of the plot was very heartbreaking and made me cry at times. Why are people so cruel to one another?
Such a wonderful journey of faith, hope, and love that made my heart feeling full and satisfied at the end.
I'm still thinking about these characters. Their journey will make you stop and think long and hard about certain things and certain events.
I'm giving this story 5 stars because it made me really stop and think about what was going on in this book. I highly recommend this book.
My thanks for a copy of this book. I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own thoughts.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust the Stars has been one of my favorite fiction books (if not my favorite) written by Tricia. I'm not normally into romance books, but the way Tricia ties in God and history gets me! This book and its fabulous characters drew me in. The main characters are believers who live out their faith and measure their decisions by that. Watching them grapple through life decisions while deciding whether to stand firm with their own plan or to follow a new, unexpected opportunity that only God Himself could have arranged has been both encouraging and relatable (in a non-royal way - haha!) The romance was refreshing and sweet. The supporting characters are very real and are friends I would want supporting me in life and my walk with God. The flashbacks to Alessandra provide a touch of history, but also a serious balance for any problems and/or lightness the main characters are experiencing. Overall, this is a very well-written book, it tells a wonderful story (or multiple stories...) that draws you in, makes you think, and yet is a great relaxing read at the same time. So glad I read it! I highly recommend it! (Also, I received a complimentary copy of this book, but the review is solely my own.)

[Carol Graft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trust the Stars by Tricia Goyer is another title in White Crown Publishing’s Royal/Princess line. 

While in many ways this is your typical royal romance: there is a prince (Louis) who doesn’t want to be recognized, who wants to escape even briefly from the demand of being royal.

But in this case the heroine (Olivia) is also not wanting to be recognized.  She is the person behind the voice of a YouTube documentary.  She is chronicling in her documentary her attempt at trying to find out more about her past, especially her mother’s past.  She also spends her time instilling hope for the future in inner city young women as the director of a youth center.

Of course, there are moments when the cover ups are exposed. Both as Olivia discovers Louis is a prince and when he tells her he recognizes her from her YouTube presence. We see both attempt to learn about the other’s lifestyles as their feelings grow for one another.

There is a fascinating historical subplot woven through as another story comes into play. 

I’m not often a royal romance reader but I did enjoy this one.  The main characters are well drawn and the secondary characters all add to the story.

 I was given a copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.