The Launch

Stardust Beach #1

by Stephanie Taylor

1963. Cape Kennedy, Florida. The world is watching the skies—

but five women are fighting battles no one sees.

When Josephine Booker’s husband is chosen for NASA’s elite astronaut program, she leaves behind snowy Minnesota for a life of sunshine, press conferences, and expectations she never asked for. In Stardust Beach—a brand-new town built to support the space race—Jo is expected to be the perfect wife, mother, and symbol of American grace. But behind the smiles and poolside interviews, her marriage is quietly cracking under the pressure.

The danger isn’t just in space. It’s in what this life demands.

With her husband risking his life in the name of progress, Jo must decide who she is outside of the mission—and whether love is enough when the world keeps asking her to sacrifice more. As she finds friendship with four other astronaut wives—Frankie, Barbie, Carrie, and Jude—Jo begins to question everything she thought she knew about marriage, motherhood, and what it means to be a woman in a world that only sees the men.

Set against the thrilling, high-stakes backdrop of America’s early space program, Stardust Beach is a powerful story of sisterhood, sacrifice, and the courage it takes to chase your own dreams—no matter what gravity tries to hold you down.

Perfect for fans of The Astronaut Wives Club, Beatriz Williams, and Kristin Harmel.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Ebooks, Adult, Summer Reads

218 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 31, 2024

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

Miscellaneous/Multiple Authors

Reviews

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A++++ The best!!! I’m so happy there were 8!!

I just finish all 8 books in Stephanie Taylor’s Stardust Beach series…
Oh-my-gawd!!! They are amazing…there was absolutely no way to slow down and make them last! If I wasn’t reading them I was thinking about them, I literally had dreams about these books.
I have no clue how all of the details of the times, and the things that were mentioned in one book, that came up again later…the characters were
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G
Read them!!!! I promise you will love them!!!!!

[James Mullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 60’s Come Alive

If you are interested in the Space Program and want a glimpse of its beginnings this creative story is for you. Told mainly from the viewpoint of the wives of some of the first astronauts this fictional work provides a sense of reality. The writer has, obviously, immersed herself in the culture of the 60’s and constantly rings the bell of authenticity. I should know as that is the time I grew up. I was a part of that culture. Putting those facts and events into the narrative and lives of four women who were wives of astronauts is a stroke of genius. It is easy to immerse yourself in the every day lives of these characters and feel the emotions so deftly described by the author. Taylor dresses her characters in the casual dress of the day and walks them around in your imagination like people you want to become familiar old friends. I enthusiastically recommend this book for your reading pleasure.

[Lmv100 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting look at the families of the early space program. Good insight into the role of women at that time as they struggle to raise a family but also find their own passion. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Karen Lowe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stephanie has "launched" another great series! I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the characters, especially Bill and Jo, as they maneuver through life together. It was nostalgic for me because the wives were about the same age as my own mother, and I was in the 4th grade when President Kennedy was assassinated. We were in awe of the astronauts, and every launch was covered in great detail. I can't wait to see what happens next!

[Emily Seitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this one as a pre-game for TJR’s Atmosphere. Fun idea for an intertwining series. I did feel like this ended super abruptly. I’m not sure how much more of the storyline will be fleshed out in the other books with the focus on other characters, but I’ll keep reading to find out…

[Emily Warren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little bit boring. Not much happens despite an interesting premise.

[Kari Bleth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can’t wait for book 2!

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though it’s fiction I enjoyed the women’s point of view of life during the 60’s as they supported their husbands while training to become astronauts.
I caught myself saying “oh my gosh that was my mom or my family or we had that for dinner too!”
It centered mostly around one couple and the next book in the series is probably about another couple.

[Nancy JS Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title doesn’t connect to the book other than the launch of a series? Not much happened in the book other than to establish a few characters. Felt more like 1/3 of a book.

[Brenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I fell in love with the vintage cover and the blurb brought that cover to life. I listened to an audio version which I definitely think helped but, not much happened in this book. More to the point, characters and story lines were established but not one single storyline was brought to a conclusion. I understand this book is the first in a series of eight (I did not realize that) so there needs to be a cliffhanger or two but so many storylines were introduced about so many characters and not a single one was brought to any conclusion. Not only that but, there was no launch. And the series is not called The Launch series, it's called the Stardust Beach series so I honestly have no idea where that name really comes into play. I did enjoy the setting, the era, and hearing the women's points of view. Will I move on and listen to the second book in the series? Right now I'm inclined to say no but I do reserve the right to change my mind.

[Renee Fortner · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! Highly recommend!

This book had me in from page one. The history, the depth of the characters, drama and scenes that really pull at your emotions. I was watching a series on Apple TV “Lessons In Chemistry” at the same time as I was reading it, (which is phenomenal by the way) and it was set in the same era, and I recently visited the Museum of Flight in Seattle, Washington which houses many historic aircraft including the former Air Force One that President Kennedy used … it just all melded together for a fascinating blast from the past. Off to get volume 2.

[Macjest · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kind of a soap opera look at the space program in the 1960s. Everyone has secrets, everyone's marriages are secretly on the rocks, and there isn't a lot of the space program present. There are a few moments that made it worthwhile to keep reading. At one point the astronauts and their kids go to D.C. to meet the president. It was kind of interesting watching one of the wives step out on her own, even if it was just volunteering at the local hospital. This was a freebie, so I won't continue on with the series.

[Marina · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were so many enjoyable characters and so much potential for all of them to have interesting endings but it just kind of ended with nothing resolved. It’s basically about a family that moves to Florida and nothing happens.
I had so many questions at the end lol

What happened to Margret and her care?
How long did Mr. D live? How did Jo handle it?
Does Bill cheat on his wife with Jeanie?
Is Jude in serious trouble with her drinking?
What is Frankie hiding?
There was no Launch… Does Bill ever go to space?

[Kim Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the time period, getting to know the NASA families, and the bonds of the wives growing closer. I’m typically a standalone or short series type of reader, so I should’ve noted how long this series was before committing to the storyline. It was enjoyable enough for me to finish this first book, but I’m not sure I’ll continue. It was a bit slow moving for my liking, likely due to setting up for an extensive series.

Content info: clean as far as explicit language and no open door intimate scenes

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded down

Loved the setting, the characters are likable enough, a bit cliche. I accept it’s the first book in a series and that requires some world building and character backgrounds but this was slow and while not boring, I don’t know if it was entertaining because I did ask myself a couple of times “is this book ever going to end or is anything going to happen”.

I gave it 3.5 stars because I will read the next book in the series and the subject of that book is Frankie and she was the only main character that I wanted to know more about.

[Michael N. Yotz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Historically inaccurate book where NOTHING happens.

This is the first of a series, and only makes a attempt to get you hooked on the characters. Well, I certainly wasn't hooked.

Perhaps the author needs to read Tom Wolfe's book, "The Right Stuff" or at least watch the movie.

And by the way, the Beatles did not come to America until 1964, a year after the setting of this book. She has her characters buying and playing records that weren't available in the US in 1963.

Lots of characters, and lots of plots; none of which get resolved.

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astronaut Wives

Enjoyed this book very much. I liked the subject and the characters were believable. I was an Army wife in the 60's, 70's and 80's so could really relate. I loved the way Jo was evolving and realized she wasn't just a wife and mother, but that she mattered too. The ending with President Kennedy's assassination made me weep just like my 13 year old self did, a lifetime ago. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Virginia Shea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book followed the wives of NASA’s early space program as they adjusted to life on Florida’s Space Coast in the 1960s, balancing ambition, friendship, and personal sacrifice. The historical backdrop and sisterhood theme were interesting, but not much happened despite the strong premise, and it felt a little boring at times.

Overall, it focused more on relationships and community than high-stakes drama, but was insightfully and wonderfully written!

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Really enjoyed this book, the characters were real, and I could feel the sunshine!

It was also nice to see how the different characters viewed the changes occurring in women's roles. It made me look at things from a different direction, and I appreciate that, especially in a book that was entertaining!

[Susan Bohanon · Rating 4 out of 5]

good storyline, elementary writing

I enjoyed the premise of the book and being entwined with NASA families. I struggled a bit with the elementary writing style with superfluous words and descriptions that didn’t seem to have any purpose. But the character development and plot was enough to keep me intrigued.

[Marta Ratliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Early years of NASA

The Launch was an easy book to get into. The pilots moving their families to Florida while they studied to become pilots. I read this book not realizing it's a series. Now I need to read the next book. I don't like left being in the dark, lol. Stephanie Taylor left me wanting to read more.

[Mary E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great look at this slice of Americana when society was on the cusp of its "loss of innocence." This book felt like a setup/foundational story to establish characters for a series. Not much happened. Since my TBR is a mile long, I'm not sure how quickly (or if at all) I'll search out Book 2. If you've read the series, I'd love to hear your opinion on whether it's worth it or not.

[Michelle Parham · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 stars - One of my favorite time periods to read about. As a military spouse myself, I totally understand how Jo feels when she first gets to Florida and how those feelings can evolve overtime. Really liked all the characters and am interested to see how the come to life in the rest of the series.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not much happens in this book. It is looking like you need to read all 8 books to really get to the end of this story. It's so slow that I don't know if I would read the next 7 books just to find out what is going to happen.
I did like the premise of the book; 1960s theme of the space age and friendships.

[Cindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fast read and a reminder to anyone growing up in the 60s of the culture, sense of family and the brink of womens rights movements. The days when a wife had to 'ask' hubby if she could get a job or have her own car. That's hard to imagine in todays terms; however, a reminder if you were around during that time.

[Loretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting fictional story of early astronauts and their families. A community was created with the families that were hired to work in the space program and this book deals mostly with one family and their interactions with the others and the adjustments and expectations that came with the lifestyle. This is first of a series.

[Debbie Beardsley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written book

A very good book! A good look at the difficulties women faced in the early 1960s. The space programs focused on the astronauts and we tend to overlook that they were also men with families.

[Fernanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It talks about the lives of women in the 1960's. The story can be a little slow since it talks about the daily lives of these characters but if you just want to get lost in 1960s .... then this is the book for you.

[Ashley Linville · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every second of this book and can't wait to read the next book in the series. It was a complete novel, but I'm guessing they'll build on the other characters in the next one. I loved being transported to another decade.

[PAMELA WNUK · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you love beach reads this is the book for you

Great book. Takes you back to great time on life in America during the early 1960's.

When Kennedy was President and some of the 1950's lifestyle spilling over.

Start of great series.