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The Christmas Star
3 hours, 49 minutes
It's nearly Christmas, Julia Devine's favourite time of the year. She's just programmed a wonderful lead into the holidays at Sunny Street Cinema, which leaves her plenty of time to worry about going home to Cumbria for Christmas. Her mum and stepdad are fine, but the thought of spending another holiday with her awful stepsister Becca is enough to make a Scrooge out of anyone.
When Becca calls to let her know about the dreamy pilot she's bringing to Christmas lunch, Julia finally snaps and does something very silly. She tells Becca she's dating heartthrob movie star Hugo Turner.
Of course, Julia isn't dating Hugo Turner - she isn't dating anyone - but Becca will never let her live it down if she discovers Julia's lie. Enter Sam Hunter, ordinary guy on the street with a startling resemblance to a movie star. Without any holiday plans of his own, he's the perfect stand-in for the real Hugo. Sam has his own reasons for agreeing to be Julia's sham movie-star boyfriend. It's just for one weekend, right? But will this Christmas charade flourish into real Christmas magic?
It's nearly Christmas, Julia Devine's favourite time of the year. She's just programmed a wonderful lead into the holidays at Sunny Street Cinema, which leaves her plenty of time to worry about going home to Cumbria for Christmas. Her mum and stepdad are fine, but the thought of spending another holiday with her awful stepsister Becca is enough to make a Scrooge out of anyone.
When Becca calls to let her know about the dreamy pilot she's bringing to Christmas lunch, Julia finally snaps and does something very silly. She tells Becca she's dating heartthrob movie star Hugo Turner.
Of course, Julia isn't dating Hugo Turner - she isn't dating anyone - but Becca will never let her live it down if she discovers Julia's lie. Enter Sam Hunter, ordinary guy on the street with a startling resemblance to a movie star. Without any holiday plans of his own, he's the perfect stand-in for the real Hugo. Sam has his own reasons for agreeing to be Julia's sham movie-star boyfriend. It's just for one weekend, right? But will this Christmas charade flourish into real Christmas magic?
4 pages, Audible Audio
First published November 16, 2023
33 people are currently reading
486 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 609 reviews
December 24, 2023
I’m enjoying my hallmark holiday book binge! 🤗 This one had a Notting Hill vibe. 😍
November 15, 2024
Notting Hill but rapey
He had sex with her while pretending to be someone else and then she forgave him within an hour and made him dinner.
What’s with cosy Christmas books romanticizing sexual assault?
Fuck that noise.
(This would have been a four star read without that crap, so if you don’t care about deception and duplicity, have at it)
* I looked this up and it’s a crime called rape by deception and has been prosecuted in the UK where this is set 💅. I’m sure we can all suspend our disbelief for a dark romance doing this but not a Christmas cosy closed door hallmark style book. I will reiterate, ‘fuck that noise’
He had sex with her while pretending to be someone else and then she forgave him within an hour and made him dinner.
What’s with cosy Christmas books romanticizing sexual assault?
Fuck that noise.
(This would have been a four star read without that crap, so if you don’t care about deception and duplicity, have at it)
* I looked this up and it’s a crime called rape by deception and has been prosecuted in the UK where this is set 💅. I’m sure we can all suspend our disbelief for a dark romance doing this but not a Christmas cosy closed door hallmark style book. I will reiterate, ‘fuck that noise’
December 15, 2023
the setup…
Julia Devine is the manager of Sunny Street Cinema in London and the job perfectly suits her. She’s unconventional with her love of vintage clothes and classic films. She’s busy preparing the holiday movie line up and sitting through a showing when she sees her favorite star Hugo Turner leaving her aisle. But when he’s approached by a fan, he admits he’s his doppelgänger and is really Sam Hunter. When she later rescues him from another fan at a restaurant, they strike up a conversation that leads to a wonderful friendship. Julia is also dreading her upcoming trip home to Cumbria for the family Christmas lunch, even considering skipping it because of her awful stepsister Becca who is bragging about bringing her new pilot boyfriend. But Sam encourages her to use him…as her date, Hugo Turner!
the heart of the story…
Julia is a wonderful character who is quirky, talented, bright and resourceful. But she’s grown up with the awful Becca who is enabled by her stepfather and even Julia’s own mother Sylvia. The Christmas ruse has all of the expected fun and drama but her relationship with Sam is complicating matters as her feelings for him are beginning to grow and how is she to later explain her “breakup” with the famous Hugo?
the narration…
This is all about the storytelling and Tidd delivered a fine performance. I particularly loved her voice for the evil stepsister Becca.
the bottom line…
While this story isn’t the most original, the crafting of it and the characterizations were pretty special. I couldn’t help liking Julia and Sam who appreciated all her qualities and talents and had a wicked sense of humor. Their romance was a slow, lovely burn and the holiday setting gave it a lift. The Christmas charade brought lots of fun moments along with some serious themes related to family relationships. It’s a gem in this season of holiday stories. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
Julia Devine is the manager of Sunny Street Cinema in London and the job perfectly suits her. She’s unconventional with her love of vintage clothes and classic films. She’s busy preparing the holiday movie line up and sitting through a showing when she sees her favorite star Hugo Turner leaving her aisle. But when he’s approached by a fan, he admits he’s his doppelgänger and is really Sam Hunter. When she later rescues him from another fan at a restaurant, they strike up a conversation that leads to a wonderful friendship. Julia is also dreading her upcoming trip home to Cumbria for the family Christmas lunch, even considering skipping it because of her awful stepsister Becca who is bragging about bringing her new pilot boyfriend. But Sam encourages her to use him…as her date, Hugo Turner!
the heart of the story…
Julia is a wonderful character who is quirky, talented, bright and resourceful. But she’s grown up with the awful Becca who is enabled by her stepfather and even Julia’s own mother Sylvia. The Christmas ruse has all of the expected fun and drama but her relationship with Sam is complicating matters as her feelings for him are beginning to grow and how is she to later explain her “breakup” with the famous Hugo?
the narration…
This is all about the storytelling and Tidd delivered a fine performance. I particularly loved her voice for the evil stepsister Becca.
the bottom line…
While this story isn’t the most original, the crafting of it and the characterizations were pretty special. I couldn’t help liking Julia and Sam who appreciated all her qualities and talents and had a wicked sense of humor. Their romance was a slow, lovely burn and the holiday setting gave it a lift. The Christmas charade brought lots of fun moments along with some serious themes related to family relationships. It’s a gem in this season of holiday stories. 4.5 stars
Posted on Blue Mood Café
December 10, 2023
While watching a movie at the Restrospective movie theater she manages, Julia Devine meets a man who looks just like actor Hugo Turner. In fact, everyone keeps approaching Sam Hunter and asking for his autograph. Julia and Sam start talking and strike up a friendship, meeting for lunch when they're not busy, and discussing their favorite classic movies. One day Julia mentions that she dreads going home for Christmas. Her stepsister, Becca, is awful...always putting Julia down. Julia just wants to cancel her trip home. When Julia talks to her family and learns that Becca is bringing home her airline pilot boyfriend, Julia knows she'll have to hear about her lack of boyfriend the whole holiday. So, she lies, and tells them that she is dating movie star Hugo Turner. Sam, who is the perfect stand-in for Hugo, readily agrees to accompany her on the holiday visit.
Every December I choose some holiday books to get me in the mood for Christmas. Most of the time I'm disappointed. Not this year! This is just an adorable story that made me laugh out loud. Yes, the plot is predictable. Yes, it's a bit cheesy. Yes, Becca is a one-dimensional shrew. But the story still worked for me. I liked both Julia and Sam; and loved their romantic holiday story. This is an Audible Original narrated by Rachel Tidd. She does an excellent job! My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Every December I choose some holiday books to get me in the mood for Christmas. Most of the time I'm disappointed. Not this year! This is just an adorable story that made me laugh out loud. Yes, the plot is predictable. Yes, it's a bit cheesy. Yes, Becca is a one-dimensional shrew. But the story still worked for me. I liked both Julia and Sam; and loved their romantic holiday story. This is an Audible Original narrated by Rachel Tidd. She does an excellent job! My rating: 4.5 Stars.
December 17, 2023
This one made me laugh. There was just so much to like about The Christmas Star. I loved Sam and Julia (even if she was a tad oblivious). Julia managing a small movie theater and all the Christmas movie references were great additions to the story. It was a little predictable especially at the end, but I feel that most books set around the holidays tend to be. I don’t watch Hallmark movies, but I’m sure this would make a cute one. 4 stars.
December 14, 2023
Short, sweet, christmasy - loved it!
December 8, 2023
Star Rating: —> 5 Stars
This was a SERIOUSLY ADORABLE, wholesome, fun holiday listen! I loved it so much! Highly recommend if you want to read a feel good holiday book!
This was a SERIOUSLY ADORABLE, wholesome, fun holiday listen! I loved it so much! Highly recommend if you want to read a feel good holiday book!
November 25, 2023
Corny, predictable, and everything I love in a cheesy, Christmas story.
December 2, 2023
4/5
I absolutely love a cheesy Christmas romance. I’ve seen enough Hallmark movies that I could’ve predicted just about the whole romance plot from the first chapter, but the obviousness of the plot makes it that much better. When I read a book like this, I just want joy and easy reading, and that’s exactly what this was.
Points taken off for being a little too cheesy at times and the lying trope, I just don’t like when these conflicts are so obvious. Also, Becca was just an insufferable character.
I absolutely love a cheesy Christmas romance. I’ve seen enough Hallmark movies that I could’ve predicted just about the whole romance plot from the first chapter, but the obviousness of the plot makes it that much better. When I read a book like this, I just want joy and easy reading, and that’s exactly what this was.
Points taken off for being a little too cheesy at times and the lying trope, I just don’t like when these conflicts are so obvious. Also, Becca was just an insufferable character.
December 11, 2025
Story 4 Christmas stars. Narration 5 stars
This was a really cute listen from Audible Originals. That just means it was free with my subscription plan. I actually thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s British, a romance and the trope is sort of fake dating but not? I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, British contemporary romances are so well done-at least the ones I’ve read have been. It only took a few hours to listen so I’d put it in as a novella. I will say the blurb for the book is not exactly what really happens. Sort of, but not exactly. I just felt the need to correct that.
This was a really cute listen from Audible Originals. That just means it was free with my subscription plan. I actually thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s British, a romance and the trope is sort of fake dating but not? I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again, British contemporary romances are so well done-at least the ones I’ve read have been. It only took a few hours to listen so I’d put it in as a novella. I will say the blurb for the book is not exactly what really happens. Sort of, but not exactly. I just felt the need to correct that.
November 28, 2023
this was extremely precious. bit obvious plot but i didn’t mind cause it was plausible
December 2, 2023
Excellent narrator!! The book starts at 5⭐️, but I’m taking one off for the use of the “miscommunication/lying” trope, though at least the dark moment it invoked wasn’t as angsty as it could have been…so maybe 4.5⭐️ overall :) this one will go on my re-listening holiday list!
January 13, 2026
A simple romance. I just didn't laugh or awe at any scenes.
December 13, 2023
This is just so adorable that I was smiling all the way through.
Julia who has a fondness for vintage clothes and movies and aptly manages a movie theater, dreads going home for Christmas because her step sister Becka is always awful to her. The prospect of going alone and seeing Becka flaunt her 'pilot boyfriend' seems miserable.
Until Julia meets Sam, a lookalike of a famous actor, Hugo Turner. He's always having to set fans right about who he is and Julia empathizes with him and they become friends. Sam comes up with the idea of going with Julia as Hugo Turner to counter Becca. Julia hesitantly agrees and the fun begins.
Both Sam and Julia are just so lovable, funny and well matched. Their conversations and the way they look out for each other even being in a fake relationship was really sweet.
If the plot seems tailor made for a Hallmark movie, it also has the joy and warmth of festive food, decor, family and romance that lets you happily escape stark reality for a while!
Julia who has a fondness for vintage clothes and movies and aptly manages a movie theater, dreads going home for Christmas because her step sister Becka is always awful to her. The prospect of going alone and seeing Becka flaunt her 'pilot boyfriend' seems miserable.
Until Julia meets Sam, a lookalike of a famous actor, Hugo Turner. He's always having to set fans right about who he is and Julia empathizes with him and they become friends. Sam comes up with the idea of going with Julia as Hugo Turner to counter Becca. Julia hesitantly agrees and the fun begins.
Both Sam and Julia are just so lovable, funny and well matched. Their conversations and the way they look out for each other even being in a fake relationship was really sweet.
If the plot seems tailor made for a Hallmark movie, it also has the joy and warmth of festive food, decor, family and romance that lets you happily escape stark reality for a while!
December 26, 2025
Every year in December, I read a couple of Christmas books. Every year, in December, I remember authors of Christmas books are held to a different standard. For some reason, we accept formulaic, over-done tropes, cheesy dialogue, and HEAs with no questions asked... in December.
SO, all that said, I was pleasantly surprised by this listen. Not only was it free, but there was a twist in it. A TWIST. IN A CHRISTMAS BOOK. Granted, the reader can see it coming in the first 20 minutes of the book, but still. I may actually listen to this one again some day
I'd rate this a PG.
Original review posted on 12/25/25.
SO, all that said, I was pleasantly surprised by this listen. Not only was it free, but there was a twist in it. A TWIST. IN A CHRISTMAS BOOK. Granted, the reader can see it coming in the first 20 minutes of the book, but still. I may actually listen to this one again some day
I'd rate this a PG.
Original review posted on 12/25/25.
January 1, 2025
[4]
This made me want to watch a 90s romcom. It was cliché but oh so sweet
This made me want to watch a 90s romcom. It was cliché but oh so sweet
December 11, 2023
It’s a nice relaxing short story that if you go in knowing it’s going to be cliche with some extra drama and dramatic reactions like a mini soap opera you’re gucci.
December 25, 2024
Audiobook
December 27, 2024
Predictable but such a fun main character, swoony love interest, and movie trivia. Ably read by Rachael Tidd.
I’ve enjoyed several Christmas Audible Originals by Kate Forster now, and I expect I’ll be looking for another next year.
Twelve Books of Christmas 2025 8/12
I’ve enjoyed several Christmas Audible Originals by Kate Forster now, and I expect I’ll be looking for another next year.
Twelve Books of Christmas 2025 8/12
December 15, 2023
this was absolutely wonderful. it was cheesy and predictable but it also perfectly captures the feel of a classic christmas movie that we all know and love. highly recommend.
December 17, 2023
I didn’t enjoy this as much as I would have liked. I love a good cheesy romance but this didn’t meet my expectations. The drama was too much sometimes. I couldn’t stand Becka and her spoiled brat behavior. I know she was supposed to be the villain but I just couldn’t get passed how awful she was.
December 1, 2024
Ugh! I loved most of this book! But there is a scene when someone has sex with someone while pretending to be someone else! The person is forgiven right away and all is rosy. That is sexual assault and shouldn’t be part of a rom-com written in 2023!
4 stars rounded DOWN!
4 stars rounded DOWN!
December 13, 2023
Totally the wrong narrator. Julia sounds like a 50 year old when she's supposed to be in her 20s!
August 2, 2024
Julia Devine manages a local cinema in London, and is a bit quirky with her love of classic movies and vintage clothes. Her father died when she was young and her mother remarried a man with a daughter. Her step-sister, Becca, is a piece of work. She competes with Julia in everything and Julia is dreading Christmas. When she spots her favourite actor, Hugo Turner, leaving the theatre, she sees a fan approach him and he tells her he is not him, but Sam Hunter, a lookalike. Shortly after, he is again approached by an overzealous fan in a restaurant and Julia rescues him. They become great friends and have so much fun together. When she shares how much she is dreading the trip home to Cumbria for Christmas, he says he will go with her and pretend to be Hugo Turner to give Becca some of her own back. Will this fake dating trope turn into a real relationship?
This was a fun story and I really enjoyed seeing Julia's and Sam's relationship blossom. Julia is a great character. She is quirky, but independent, loyal to her mom, smart and real. Sam has secrets, which I figured out right away, but this is a novella, so the story was a quick one. I was disappointed that her mom supported Becca's antics instead of supporting Julia. As Julia begins to fall in love with Sam, she doesn't know how she will break up with Hugo and then show up with Sam. This is a fun story, with a bit of a roadblock to the romance, but all works out for a happily ever after. I have never listened to anything narrated by Rachael Tidd, but I will not hesitate to do so again. She does a great job with this story and I enjoyed my time with this audiobook.
This was a fun story and I really enjoyed seeing Julia's and Sam's relationship blossom. Julia is a great character. She is quirky, but independent, loyal to her mom, smart and real. Sam has secrets, which I figured out right away, but this is a novella, so the story was a quick one. I was disappointed that her mom supported Becca's antics instead of supporting Julia. As Julia begins to fall in love with Sam, she doesn't know how she will break up with Hugo and then show up with Sam. This is a fun story, with a bit of a roadblock to the romance, but all works out for a happily ever after. I have never listened to anything narrated by Rachael Tidd, but I will not hesitate to do so again. She does a great job with this story and I enjoyed my time with this audiobook.
January 1, 2024
The Christmas Star by Kate Forster
3h 50m narrated by Rachael Tidd
Genre: Holiday > Christmas, Romance
Featuring: Cinema, Kensington, London, England and Cumbria, England; Blended Family, Fake Dating Trope, Secret Identity Trope, Movies, Audible Original, Home For Christmas, Sex - Off-Camera
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Songs for the soundtrack: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Judy Garland, "Driving Home" by Chris Rea, "White Christmas" by Michael Bublé, "Adeste Fideles" by Frank Sinatra
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🎞🎄
My thoughts:📱19% 44:26 Ch. 5 - Cute so far. I was hoping it would keep me up, but I'm worn out.
📱45% 1:44:10 Ch. 11 - It's a little creepy that my minutes are the same on both ends (44 and 5) but the story has improved, it's so obvious what the reveal is I'd be surprised if it was something else. Still, not enough to keep me up; I'm going back to bed.
It was okay; some parts were a bit much like you'd find in a movie. Too simplified and overdramatic, so basically John Hughes meets Hallmark. Overall, it had its moments, and I found myself rooting for them.
Recommend to others: Maybe. I could have done without it, but I'm not mad at it at all.
3h 50m narrated by Rachael Tidd
Genre: Holiday > Christmas, Romance
Featuring: Cinema, Kensington, London, England and Cumbria, England; Blended Family, Fake Dating Trope, Secret Identity Trope, Movies, Audible Original, Home For Christmas, Sex - Off-Camera
Rating as a movie: PG-13
Songs for the soundtrack: "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" by Judy Garland, "Driving Home" by Chris Rea, "White Christmas" by Michael Bublé, "Adeste Fideles" by Frank Sinatra
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️🎞🎄
My thoughts:📱19% 44:26 Ch. 5 - Cute so far. I was hoping it would keep me up, but I'm worn out.
📱45% 1:44:10 Ch. 11 - It's a little creepy that my minutes are the same on both ends (44 and 5) but the story has improved, it's so obvious what the reveal is I'd be surprised if it was something else. Still, not enough to keep me up; I'm going back to bed.
It was okay; some parts were a bit much like you'd find in a movie. Too simplified and overdramatic, so basically John Hughes meets Hallmark. Overall, it had its moments, and I found myself rooting for them.
Recommend to others: Maybe. I could have done without it, but I'm not mad at it at all.
December 20, 2023
This was such a cute and cozy story! I love a British holiday romance and this one was no exception. It was such a sweet story and I felt m connected to the characters and romance despite the short length. Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and it worked so well in this book. My one complaint was the miscommunication. It was so frustrating and I just wish that Sam shared the truth with Julia a lot sooner.
I liked this one a lot and would definitely read more by this author! The audiobook was a great listen and I loved the holiday vibes.
I liked this one a lot and would definitely read more by this author! The audiobook was a great listen and I loved the holiday vibes.
December 24, 2023
What a cute Little read..... I think and had in my head the MMC as Hugh Grant in his heyday.... as He was mentioned in Comparison a fair few times.... It was Kind of a reverse Notting hill... In a weird way.... It was predictable, but really Fun... The FMC was ok i could Imagine she would do my head in as a friend... shes too put together and organised for me an Old soul (soup and T.v, Great on a sick day or if im binge watching - but Just not as a Hobby/passion of mine).... but as a pair they worked
January 15, 2024
4.5 stars
OMG !!! that was sooo stinking CUTE!!!
The story is about Katie, who runs her own cinema theatre and would love to spend a peaceful Christmas with her mother, too bad her stepsister is stealing all the attention specially now that she has a boyfriend who is a pilot, on an impulse Katie meets Sam who has an uncanny resemblance to a famous movie star, so they agree that he can pose as her famous movie star boyfriend so he doesn't need to go to his family .. but soon enough the line between reality and pretend starts to blur
I absolutley had a blast with this book, thw writing style is spot on and each character was adorable (even Becca ) .. love this book so much and I wish if it was longer
OMG !!! that was sooo stinking CUTE!!!
The story is about Katie, who runs her own cinema theatre and would love to spend a peaceful Christmas with her mother, too bad her stepsister is stealing all the attention specially now that she has a boyfriend who is a pilot, on an impulse Katie meets Sam who has an uncanny resemblance to a famous movie star, so they agree that he can pose as her famous movie star boyfriend so he doesn't need to go to his family .. but soon enough the line between reality and pretend starts to blur
I absolutley had a blast with this book, thw writing style is spot on and each character was adorable (even Becca ) .. love this book so much and I wish if it was longer
December 16, 2023
4.5 stars. I thought this was adorable. Just a fun and festive escape. Both characters were likable and they had great chemistry together. Julia was admittedly awfully clueless but eh, I was happy to check expectations at the door. As this was an Audible Original, I was hoping for more of a full-production feel a la Cara Baston's Love Lines series but alas. Still, great narration by a new-to-me narrator. Def recommend this sweet short for a cozy and feel-good Christmas romance.
December 13, 2023
I loved the first half. Sam and Julia were so cute together and had very sweet moments. I didn’t really care for all the family drama in the second half. I enjoyed the narrator; she really made the story come to life. I also liked that the main character was a movie buff who loved classic films like “Roman Holiday.”
Displaying 1 - 30 of 609 reviews