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Stardust Beach #5
Across the Universe
He’s trained to survive the deadliest conditions in space.
But no one prepared him for the silence at home.
Lieutenant Colonel Bill Booker is a decorated pilot, a respected astronaut, and a man unraveling by degrees. Beneath the surface of his perfect American life—his rising NASA career, his beautiful wife Jo, and their idyllic home on Stardust Beach—something is breaking. And when his temper flares one too many times, NASA gives him a face therapy, or forfeit his place in the program.
Haunted by his past, disconnected from the woman he once loved so fiercely, and quietly tormented by unresolved feelings for Jeanie Florence, Bill must finally confront the truths he’s buried for too long. But self-reflection doesn’t come easy to a man trained to compartmentalize, to press forward, to never look back.
As his marriage stretches thin and his mission approaches, Bill begins to spiral—emotionally and literally. Because high above Earth, aboard a Gemini spacecraft, something goes terribly wrong. And just like the man inside it, the capsule begins to spin out of control.
In a series first told from a male perspective, Stardust Book Five is a powerful story of identity, redemption, and the cost of silence in a world that demands perfection. As man and mission teeter on the edge of disaster, the question will Bill Booker survive the crash course of his own making?
But no one prepared him for the silence at home.
Lieutenant Colonel Bill Booker is a decorated pilot, a respected astronaut, and a man unraveling by degrees. Beneath the surface of his perfect American life—his rising NASA career, his beautiful wife Jo, and their idyllic home on Stardust Beach—something is breaking. And when his temper flares one too many times, NASA gives him a face therapy, or forfeit his place in the program.
Haunted by his past, disconnected from the woman he once loved so fiercely, and quietly tormented by unresolved feelings for Jeanie Florence, Bill must finally confront the truths he’s buried for too long. But self-reflection doesn’t come easy to a man trained to compartmentalize, to press forward, to never look back.
As his marriage stretches thin and his mission approaches, Bill begins to spiral—emotionally and literally. Because high above Earth, aboard a Gemini spacecraft, something goes terribly wrong. And just like the man inside it, the capsule begins to spin out of control.
In a series first told from a male perspective, Stardust Book Five is a powerful story of identity, redemption, and the cost of silence in a world that demands perfection. As man and mission teeter on the edge of disaster, the question will Bill Booker survive the crash course of his own making?
194 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 26, 2025
About the author
Stephanie Taylor
125 books46 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
Miscellaneous/Multiple Authors
Miscellaneous/Multiple Authors
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
March 5, 2026
This book followed astronaut Bill Booker as he struggled with personal demons, a failing marriage, and the pressure of his NASA career while confronting long-buried truths about his past. The story explored themes of identity, redemption, and emotional unraveling, though, personally, I didn’t think it was quite as strong as some of the other books in the series. Overall, it was an introspective, dramatic, beautifully written book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2025
Fantastic! What an Ending!!
June 27, 2025
Great story!
A continuation of Bill & Jo Booker life on Stardust Beach and NASA. Bill however continues to be a prick. Lying to himself, to shrink and his wife. Obsessing over Jeanie. Who doesn't help herself nor is Bill honest to tell her what his true underlying expectations would be if he left Jo.
A continuation of Bill & Jo Booker life on Stardust Beach and NASA. Bill however continues to be a prick. Lying to himself, to shrink and his wife. Obsessing over Jeanie. Who doesn't help herself nor is Bill honest to tell her what his true underlying expectations would be if he left Jo.
May 3, 2025
surprising!
You never know what you’re going to find when reading one of Stephanie Taylor’s books! They are full of surprises!!
You never know what you’re going to find when reading one of Stephanie Taylor’s books! They are full of surprises!!
June 5, 2025
I am enjoying this series! The ending was a shock!
September 9, 2025
2/5 stars - Super bummed with this one since it was one I was really looking forward to. Ashamed to say I was hoping for more between Bill and Jeannie. This one just fell flat for me.
November 10, 2025
I had this at a solid 3 until the last chapter.
December 29, 2025
I am enjoying this series, but this particular book was not one of my favorites.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews