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Stardust Beach #8
The Landing
They set out to reach the stars.
Now they’re fighting to hold on to what matters most.
July 1969. As the nation holds its breath for the moon landing, Jo and Bill Booker are quietly bracing for impact. Bill is on the cusp of making history—he’s been chosen for the most iconic mission of the space race—but the cracks in their marriage may be too wide to bridge. After a decade of sacrifice, secrets, and emotional entanglements neither of them fully escaped, Jo isn’t sure what’s left of the life they once dreamed of.
Their children are nearly grown, with strong opinions and hearts of their own. Their son is questioning the war, the system, and his father’s legacy. Their middle child is beginning to understand the price of being a woman in the world. Their youngest is pure energy and exuberance. And Jo? She’s torn between the familiar rhythm of duty and the quiet, aching pull of who she might still become.
As the world watches Bill hurtle toward the moon, Jo is left to reckon with her own unanswered Can love survive after the fairytale fades? Can you hold a family together when every part of it is straining in a different direction? And when the most important moment of your life finally arrives…are you the one who has to stay behind?
Sweeping, emotional, and unforgettable, Stardust Book Eight is the powerful conclusion to a decade-long saga of marriage, motherhood, ambition, and the women who held it all together while the world watched the skies. For fans of The Astronaut Wives Club, Kristin Hannah, and The Henna Artist.
Now they’re fighting to hold on to what matters most.
July 1969. As the nation holds its breath for the moon landing, Jo and Bill Booker are quietly bracing for impact. Bill is on the cusp of making history—he’s been chosen for the most iconic mission of the space race—but the cracks in their marriage may be too wide to bridge. After a decade of sacrifice, secrets, and emotional entanglements neither of them fully escaped, Jo isn’t sure what’s left of the life they once dreamed of.
Their children are nearly grown, with strong opinions and hearts of their own. Their son is questioning the war, the system, and his father’s legacy. Their middle child is beginning to understand the price of being a woman in the world. Their youngest is pure energy and exuberance. And Jo? She’s torn between the familiar rhythm of duty and the quiet, aching pull of who she might still become.
As the world watches Bill hurtle toward the moon, Jo is left to reckon with her own unanswered Can love survive after the fairytale fades? Can you hold a family together when every part of it is straining in a different direction? And when the most important moment of your life finally arrives…are you the one who has to stay behind?
Sweeping, emotional, and unforgettable, Stardust Book Eight is the powerful conclusion to a decade-long saga of marriage, motherhood, ambition, and the women who held it all together while the world watched the skies. For fans of The Astronaut Wives Club, Kristin Hannah, and The Henna Artist.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
241 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2025
109 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Taylor
124 books40 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 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 26, 2025
I gave this book a low rating because of how many times the author used the word “shuttle” when talking about NASA vehicles in the 1960s. The shuttle did not exist in the 1960s; it is NOT how the astronauts got to the moon in 1969; NOT where the astronauts died in a fire on the launch pad. It is completely ridiculous that an error of this magnitude occurred numerous times in the book. It absolutely ruined the book for me, pulling me out of the story every time the word “shuttle” was used. Inexcusable that no one caught this huge error.
November 1, 2025
The ending completely ruined this series for me. I know she wanted to make life “realistic” but considering how much the entire series played with history and timelines at time, did we really need to have Jeannie freeze to death and her son die on 9/11. Or did we really have to have Jimmy die? It also felt like there was so much trying too hard to include diversity and historical events. All of it seemed rather forced.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2025
Eagerly awaited this book. I grew up close to the Space Center during the period of time this series was written. The setting felt very realistic. The characters were compelling. The insights of the times were right on. It felt like I was living again during those days. The ending was slightly anti-climatic, but it was also realistic as life often leads us through many paths that are unexpected. I’m sorry to reach the end of this series and eagerly await the next. I have read many of the author’s books and find her writing to be excellent. I highly recommend anything written by Stephanie Taylor.
November 9, 2025
Absolutely Amazing Series!
I was hooked from book one, and, continued turning pages as I binged this series! Born in 1954, this really hit home, as I learned many things I didn’t know, even though this has fictional characters. My dad would wake us in the middle of the night, as we followed space exploration to the moon, if that was when it was broadcast in good ole black n white! Excellent writing, twisting plots, can’t imagine what life in that situation would have been like!
I was hooked from book one, and, continued turning pages as I binged this series! Born in 1954, this really hit home, as I learned many things I didn’t know, even though this has fictional characters. My dad would wake us in the middle of the night, as we followed space exploration to the moon, if that was when it was broadcast in good ole black n white! Excellent writing, twisting plots, can’t imagine what life in that situation would have been like!
November 30, 2025
A beautifully written landing to the series
This series has been one of the best I have read. Stephanie Taylor captured the 1960’s and was able to bring this reader right into the story and didn’t let until the end of this book. Memorable characters who I would’ve loved to have had as neighbors. The friendships and love throughout the series makes each book a page turning, do not put down until finished. I highly recommend all eight of these books. I wish this wasn’t the end but Ms. Taylor did a wonderful job tying up all the ends.
This series has been one of the best I have read. Stephanie Taylor captured the 1960’s and was able to bring this reader right into the story and didn’t let until the end of this book. Memorable characters who I would’ve loved to have had as neighbors. The friendships and love throughout the series makes each book a page turning, do not put down until finished. I highly recommend all eight of these books. I wish this wasn’t the end but Ms. Taylor did a wonderful job tying up all the ends.
January 4, 2026
TEACHER!!! A+
Read the Stardust Beach Books…the great thing about them is…THERE ARE EIGHT!! YES! 8
Absolutely unforgettable…I have devoured them, and there was absolutely no telling myself I needed to slow down and make them last…THANK GOODNESS the teacher has written other books.
Seriously after Laura ingalls Wilder, there really isn’t any close competition…
I am in awe!!!!
Read the Stardust Beach Books…the great thing about them is…THERE ARE EIGHT!! YES! 8
Absolutely unforgettable…I have devoured them, and there was absolutely no telling myself I needed to slow down and make them last…THANK GOODNESS the teacher has written other books.
Seriously after Laura ingalls Wilder, there really isn’t any close competition…
I am in awe!!!!
October 30, 2025
Out of this world, literally!
It’s sad to say goodbye to the characters in this series, but their stories will stick with me. Don’t miss out on finding out what happens to all of them!
It’s sad to say goodbye to the characters in this series, but their stories will stick with me. Don’t miss out on finding out what happens to all of them!
November 1, 2025
I loved this series, and couldn't wait to read the last book. The storyline just takes me back to the 60's when the space program was being developed. I still remember watching the first man land on the moon. Well written books - hard to put down.
November 5, 2025
great series
This is one of the very best series I have ever read. I absolutely loved it!!
Looking forward to reading more from her.
This is one of the very best series I have ever read. I absolutely loved it!!
Looking forward to reading more from her.
November 13, 2025
4/5 stars - Will miss this group of characters! Author tied up the series nicely.
January 2, 2026
Love this whole series ! Sad it is over !
January 5, 2026
There were a few things I wished they had clarified, but overall the ending of the series was well written
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews