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Never Seen the Stars
The ethereal romance of Dustin Thao's You've Reached Sam meets the challenge of coming of age with a disability of The Fault in our Stars in a tragic yet uplifting story of love and grief.
Hattie Murphy thinks the universe hates her.
She has a she has the same genetic eye disease as her father and is slowly going blind, just like he did. Nobody knows. Not her friends. Not her family. As if that weren't hard enough, Hattie's good friend Mason drowns unexpectedly, leaving their friend group shattered.
After Mason's death, Hattie isn't ready to let go. There are too many things left unsaid between them. But while it's hard for her to find her seat in the dim light of the church at Mason's funeral, Hattie finds that she can see something no one else Mason's ghost. And when he speaks, teasing her the way he always did, it's clear their chemistry hasn't changed. Sometimes, when Mason visits her, Hattie can pretend that everything is how it used to be.
But the longer Hattie keeps her secrets, the harder it is to deny the truth. Her eyesight is getting worse, and she's mourning not just Mason, but the life she thought she'd have. Hattie's sick of being told that the only way to heal is to move on . . . because how can she move on if it means losing Mason forever?
Hattie Murphy thinks the universe hates her.
She has a she has the same genetic eye disease as her father and is slowly going blind, just like he did. Nobody knows. Not her friends. Not her family. As if that weren't hard enough, Hattie's good friend Mason drowns unexpectedly, leaving their friend group shattered.
After Mason's death, Hattie isn't ready to let go. There are too many things left unsaid between them. But while it's hard for her to find her seat in the dim light of the church at Mason's funeral, Hattie finds that she can see something no one else Mason's ghost. And when he speaks, teasing her the way he always did, it's clear their chemistry hasn't changed. Sometimes, when Mason visits her, Hattie can pretend that everything is how it used to be.
But the longer Hattie keeps her secrets, the harder it is to deny the truth. Her eyesight is getting worse, and she's mourning not just Mason, but the life she thought she'd have. Hattie's sick of being told that the only way to heal is to move on . . . because how can she move on if it means losing Mason forever?
288 pages, Hardcover
First published November 4, 2025
10 people are currently reading
286 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 1, 2025
In the beginning this book started off slow but I was eventually pulled in and so glad that I stuck with it. The main character, Hattie, is dealing with the death of a close friend while also learning that she has a genetic degenerative eye condition that will end with her becoming totally blind. She has watched her father deal with the same eye condition and his depression and withdrawal from those closest to him has left her dreading her future. There are times that I really didn't like Hattie. She plows through life and relationships making some very poor decisions along the way. Many young adults will appreciate the authenticity of Hattie and find her character relatable. The ending was satisfying, and Hattie's growth and confidence led me to take her into my heart and love her. A very beautiful and well-written story.
November 11, 2025
This is such a good coming of age book! It's about discovering and accepting who you are and how to navigate life one step at a time. It talks about grief and disabilities. Also, can I just talk about the title? It's literally what grabbed my interest! The title itself is so emotional and deeper on a level. The title alone made me feel all the feels.
The beginning starts off with Mason gone and then the story follows through with flashbacks. Hattie's secret was really what hit me the most in the book. Though I was a bit disappointed because I was expecting there to be more ghost Mason and Hattie interactions. Also, I know this is labeled YA but I felt like some of the scenes were a bit graphic for younger readers. I don't know, maybe I just want the younglings to be forever innocent and to never be exposed to this 🤷♀️😅
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Scholastic for this early copy.
The beginning starts off with Mason gone and then the story follows through with flashbacks. Hattie's secret was really what hit me the most in the book. Though I was a bit disappointed because I was expecting there to be more ghost Mason and Hattie interactions. Also, I know this is labeled YA but I felt like some of the scenes were a bit graphic for younger readers. I don't know, maybe I just want the younglings to be forever innocent and to never be exposed to this 🤷♀️😅
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Scholastic for this early copy.
November 10, 2025
3.5 rounded up.
This book tries to sell itself as a romance and it leads us to believe it will be something like You’ve Reached Sam (not only because of the bubble, the cover, the title, the feeling in the promotion makes you compare both). And while I can't say it's different from that book or even that it's not a romance, I think the power in this book is different. I'd call this more of a coming of age, even if the genre is almost pleonastic with YAs.
Hattie suspect she's got the same condition as her dad, which means she will gradually lose her eyesight and there's no treatment in foresight to stop it from happening. And right as she suspects that, one of her best friends dies unexpectedly, his body never to be found. But in spite of those tragedies past and future, Hattie just wants to live her life, love and have fun.
I was afraid this would be lethargic/draggy like You’ve Reached Sam was for me, but it's just as I said, a different book with another touch. Hattie wasn't an easy character to like, nonetheless. It's not that I hated her, but maybe age gives you a certainty things will go wrong that it hurts to watch them take that path nevertheless. That's probably the major complaint I had: I knew it! And to be honest, everything in the book tries to signal for Hattie not to do it, and yet she chooses to ignore it. But even so, it was a good read, it wasn't the type of certain doom that makes you want to throw the book to the wall, don't worry. Moreover, the development is quick-paced, so we're soon somewhere else, and that hurdle is long overcome. I really liked this, it's the ideal manner to deal with it, if you must.
Don't miss this if you like reads with a good morale and above anything, with the insights of someone who has had to live through what they're narrating, that makes you feel what they wrote isn't to make use of their pain but to come in terms with it.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
This book tries to sell itself as a romance and it leads us to believe it will be something like You’ve Reached Sam (not only because of the bubble, the cover, the title, the feeling in the promotion makes you compare both). And while I can't say it's different from that book or even that it's not a romance, I think the power in this book is different. I'd call this more of a coming of age, even if the genre is almost pleonastic with YAs.
Hattie suspect she's got the same condition as her dad, which means she will gradually lose her eyesight and there's no treatment in foresight to stop it from happening. And right as she suspects that, one of her best friends dies unexpectedly, his body never to be found. But in spite of those tragedies past and future, Hattie just wants to live her life, love and have fun.
I was afraid this would be lethargic/draggy like You’ve Reached Sam was for me, but it's just as I said, a different book with another touch. Hattie wasn't an easy character to like, nonetheless. It's not that I hated her, but maybe age gives you a certainty things will go wrong that it hurts to watch them take that path nevertheless. That's probably the major complaint I had: I knew it! And to be honest, everything in the book tries to signal for Hattie not to do it, and yet she chooses to ignore it. But even so, it was a good read, it wasn't the type of certain doom that makes you want to throw the book to the wall, don't worry. Moreover, the development is quick-paced, so we're soon somewhere else, and that hurdle is long overcome. I really liked this, it's the ideal manner to deal with it, if you must.
Don't miss this if you like reads with a good morale and above anything, with the insights of someone who has had to live through what they're narrating, that makes you feel what they wrote isn't to make use of their pain but to come in terms with it.
Honest review based on an ARC provided by Netgalley. Many thanks to the publisher for this opportunity.
August 11, 2025
This was a deeply emotional YA novel about a teen girl dealing with her grief over losing a close friend Mason after a tragic accidental death while also coming to terms with a recent retinitis pigmentosa (RP) diagnosis and her impending blindness.
Hattie's angry and not coping well, shutting out her friends and becoming a bit obsessed with her acting co-star Richard who does not treat her well. On top of all that her dad, who also has RP, is depressed and then she starts seeing her friend Mason's ghost.
The author does such a great job exploring grief overing losing a friend and losing the life Hattie thought she'd have before her diagnosis. Her journey to acceptance is a rocky one but the message in this book is beautiful and relatable.
Overall I really enjoyed the emotional depth and nuanced disability rep (both Hattie's RP and Mason's epilepsy). Highly recommended for fans of authors like John Green, Dustin Thao or Nicola Yoon. Kate Korsh is going to be an author I keep my eye on in the future!
Hattie's angry and not coping well, shutting out her friends and becoming a bit obsessed with her acting co-star Richard who does not treat her well. On top of all that her dad, who also has RP, is depressed and then she starts seeing her friend Mason's ghost.
The author does such a great job exploring grief overing losing a friend and losing the life Hattie thought she'd have before her diagnosis. Her journey to acceptance is a rocky one but the message in this book is beautiful and relatable.
Overall I really enjoyed the emotional depth and nuanced disability rep (both Hattie's RP and Mason's epilepsy). Highly recommended for fans of authors like John Green, Dustin Thao or Nicola Yoon. Kate Korsh is going to be an author I keep my eye on in the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2025
A coming of age story that deals with losing one's best friend and losing one's ability to see at the same time.
Hattie has just lost her best friend, Mason, in a terrible drowning accident. It's hard losing the boy that she has been crushing on, but that loss is made even more difficult by the fact that her retinitis pigmentosa is catching up on her. Not being able to see may be easier than losing Mason, but not by much. Oddly enough though, she can see something that nobody else can: Mason's ghost. Hattie tries to go back to life how it once was with theatre rehearsals, ignoring her blind father, and trying to attract the attention of a handsome classmate by the name of Richard. Hattie knows that she needs to let Mason go, but how can she when he is choosing to stay by her side?
When this one was first pitched to me as "You've Reached Sam" meets "The Fault in Our Stars," I just knew that I had to give it a read. I am a huge fan of emotional books, especially ones that center on hard topics such as loss of a loved one and learning to cope with a new disability. This one promised to deliver on both these things, so I was totally persuaded to read this one.
Hattie isn't the most likable character ever, but her story is a strong one. She is impulsive, makes horrible decisions, and shuts everyone out, even when they have her best interest at heart. Despite all this, her story of learning to cope with the loss of both her eyesight and one of her best friends is an inspiring one that much can be learned from. Honestly, the scenario that she is in is literally my worst nightmare, so I can't even blame her all that much for all the reckless stuff she does during the course of this novel.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a degenerative eye disease, meaning that it gets worse over time. During the course of this book, Hattie has very little night vision, minimal peripheral vision, and extreme floaters. There are certain circumstances that make her vision worse, such as a dimming of light or an increase in elevation. Just reading about a girl learning to deal with her changing worldview is rather insightful.
The other part of Hattie's journey with retinitis pigmentosa is the mental portion. Hattie's father also has RP, so she always knew that it was a possibility that she would lose her eyesight. But knowing just how painful and depressing the journey will be makes it even harder for Hattie to palate. She doesn't want any of her friends to know about her diagnosis, because she fears that she will be seen as abnormal to those she cares about most. Eventually though, she does have a healthy arc and realizes that she can still live a happy live and achieve her dreams, they'll just look a little different than she first imagined.
Grief is also another major part of this book. Korsh approaches her exploration of grief much like Thao does in "You've Reached Sam." Rather than entirely lose Mason when he dies, Hattie can see his ghost and continues to talk to him like he never really left. Hattie has to eventually face her demons and get up the courage to let Mason go for good.
One thing that I was surprised to see play such a big part in this book was theatre. Hattie is playing Guenevere in her school's production of "Camelot." That is, she shares the role with another girl named Amanda. Double casting a single character was a disaster of a situation on the director's part, but it was pretty funny to witness. I am a big theatre nerd, so it was really fun to see Hattie take place in this extracurricular.
The romance elements of this one were not it for me. Richard had every red flag going off in my head within the first few pages I met him, and it saddened me greatly that Hattie was interested in him. I know she was grieving her true crush, but still. Richard is an incredibly handsy guy who is overtly creepy, and I hated every moment that he spent with Hattie. Luckily, Hattie also learns this before too long, but unfortunately not before he groped her publicly on a bus in broad daylight. The arcs she had with Mason were certainly more of a healthy relationship, but a tad odd because he was dead. Not super optimal, but worlds better than Richard regardless.
Mason also has epilepsy, so this book has great disability representation. It is an absolute tragedy that Mason passed away due to side effects of his condition, but it is great that this book shines a light on some of the circumstances that people live with every day. Mason often felt like his epilepsy controlled his very existence, so he often pushed the boundaries to feel less trapped.
A quick note about the title before we wrap this up. The line about never seeing the stars truly made my heart drop. I know that not being able to see the stars is one of the first indicators of blindness, but it was still such a heart wrenching line.
Overall, "Never Seen the Stars" was an educational read that helped me learn a ton about retinitis pigmentosa and epilepsy. Hattie may not have been the most likable character and her decisions drove me crazy, but her story is a touching one. I also wasn't a huge fan of the romance in this one. Richard is a creep and Mason is dead, so neither boy is a great option. I really enjoyed the theatre elements, so I'm glad those were included. A solid read that deals with growing up, learning a new normal, and dealing with the challenges life throws one's way.
Hattie has just lost her best friend, Mason, in a terrible drowning accident. It's hard losing the boy that she has been crushing on, but that loss is made even more difficult by the fact that her retinitis pigmentosa is catching up on her. Not being able to see may be easier than losing Mason, but not by much. Oddly enough though, she can see something that nobody else can: Mason's ghost. Hattie tries to go back to life how it once was with theatre rehearsals, ignoring her blind father, and trying to attract the attention of a handsome classmate by the name of Richard. Hattie knows that she needs to let Mason go, but how can she when he is choosing to stay by her side?
When this one was first pitched to me as "You've Reached Sam" meets "The Fault in Our Stars," I just knew that I had to give it a read. I am a huge fan of emotional books, especially ones that center on hard topics such as loss of a loved one and learning to cope with a new disability. This one promised to deliver on both these things, so I was totally persuaded to read this one.
Hattie isn't the most likable character ever, but her story is a strong one. She is impulsive, makes horrible decisions, and shuts everyone out, even when they have her best interest at heart. Despite all this, her story of learning to cope with the loss of both her eyesight and one of her best friends is an inspiring one that much can be learned from. Honestly, the scenario that she is in is literally my worst nightmare, so I can't even blame her all that much for all the reckless stuff she does during the course of this novel.
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a degenerative eye disease, meaning that it gets worse over time. During the course of this book, Hattie has very little night vision, minimal peripheral vision, and extreme floaters. There are certain circumstances that make her vision worse, such as a dimming of light or an increase in elevation. Just reading about a girl learning to deal with her changing worldview is rather insightful.
The other part of Hattie's journey with retinitis pigmentosa is the mental portion. Hattie's father also has RP, so she always knew that it was a possibility that she would lose her eyesight. But knowing just how painful and depressing the journey will be makes it even harder for Hattie to palate. She doesn't want any of her friends to know about her diagnosis, because she fears that she will be seen as abnormal to those she cares about most. Eventually though, she does have a healthy arc and realizes that she can still live a happy live and achieve her dreams, they'll just look a little different than she first imagined.
Grief is also another major part of this book. Korsh approaches her exploration of grief much like Thao does in "You've Reached Sam." Rather than entirely lose Mason when he dies, Hattie can see his ghost and continues to talk to him like he never really left. Hattie has to eventually face her demons and get up the courage to let Mason go for good.
One thing that I was surprised to see play such a big part in this book was theatre. Hattie is playing Guenevere in her school's production of "Camelot." That is, she shares the role with another girl named Amanda. Double casting a single character was a disaster of a situation on the director's part, but it was pretty funny to witness. I am a big theatre nerd, so it was really fun to see Hattie take place in this extracurricular.
The romance elements of this one were not it for me. Richard had every red flag going off in my head within the first few pages I met him, and it saddened me greatly that Hattie was interested in him. I know she was grieving her true crush, but still. Richard is an incredibly handsy guy who is overtly creepy, and I hated every moment that he spent with Hattie. Luckily, Hattie also learns this before too long, but unfortunately not before he groped her publicly on a bus in broad daylight. The arcs she had with Mason were certainly more of a healthy relationship, but a tad odd because he was dead. Not super optimal, but worlds better than Richard regardless.
Mason also has epilepsy, so this book has great disability representation. It is an absolute tragedy that Mason passed away due to side effects of his condition, but it is great that this book shines a light on some of the circumstances that people live with every day. Mason often felt like his epilepsy controlled his very existence, so he often pushed the boundaries to feel less trapped.
A quick note about the title before we wrap this up. The line about never seeing the stars truly made my heart drop. I know that not being able to see the stars is one of the first indicators of blindness, but it was still such a heart wrenching line.
Overall, "Never Seen the Stars" was an educational read that helped me learn a ton about retinitis pigmentosa and epilepsy. Hattie may not have been the most likable character and her decisions drove me crazy, but her story is a touching one. I also wasn't a huge fan of the romance in this one. Richard is a creep and Mason is dead, so neither boy is a great option. I really enjoyed the theatre elements, so I'm glad those were included. A solid read that deals with growing up, learning a new normal, and dealing with the challenges life throws one's way.
September 28, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Scholastic Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Kate Korsh’s “Never Seen the Stars” is a poignant, emotional YA book that explores grief, identity, and the terrifying uncertainty of facing the future when everything feels like it’s falling apart. While the main character is only 15, I wouldn’t recommend this book to younger readers as there is some sexual content involving the main character and her love interest.
The story follows Hattie Murphy, a 15-year-old girl reeling from the tragic drowning of her close friend Mason while also grappling with a recent diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that will eventually leave her blind. Hattie has watched her father live with the same condition, his depression and withdrawal from the world a constant reminder of what she fears lies ahead. Caught between grief, anger, and denial, she lashes out at her mother, drifts away from friends, and makes questionable choices, yet her voice feels authentic to a teenager struggling with overwhelming emotions.
One of the book’s unique threads is Mason’s ghost. At first, Hattie finds comfort in his presence, a way to hold onto what she lost. Their banter echoes the chemistry they shared in life, but his appearances also underline how stuck she feels, unable to move forward. While I did wish the ghostly element played a larger role in the story, it adds a bittersweet layer to Hattie’s grieving process and her reluctance to let go.
Korsh handles heavy themes with intimacy and realism, especially Hattie’s vision loss. The author’s personal connection to retinitis pigmentosa shines through, making Hattie’s fear, denial, and eventual acceptance both raw and relatable. Just as affecting are the messy dynamics with family and friends like her strained relationship with her mother, her longing to connect with her distant father, and the ups and downs of high school crushes and friendships. These conflicts may not always paint Hattie in the best light, but they ring true for a teen still figuring out who she is while facing circumstances far bigger than herself.
The pacing can feel slow at the start, but the emotional weight builds steadily, leading to a powerful conclusion. By the end, Hattie begins to recognize that her diagnosis is not the end of her story, and that leaning on her loved ones, especially her father, doesn’t make her weaker but stronger. Her journey toward acceptance and self-growth is both heartbreaking and hopeful, leaving you with a message about resilience and the importance of connection in the face of loss.
Overall, “Never Seen the Stars” is a beautifully written, deeply emotional YA novel best suited for mature teen readers. Though sometimes heavy and occasionally uncomfortable in its depiction of adolescent choices, it captures grief, illness, and self-discovery with honesty and heart. Those who appreciate character-driven stories about loss, healing, and learning to see the world differently will find Hattie’s story unforgettable.
Kate Korsh’s “Never Seen the Stars” is a poignant, emotional YA book that explores grief, identity, and the terrifying uncertainty of facing the future when everything feels like it’s falling apart. While the main character is only 15, I wouldn’t recommend this book to younger readers as there is some sexual content involving the main character and her love interest.
The story follows Hattie Murphy, a 15-year-old girl reeling from the tragic drowning of her close friend Mason while also grappling with a recent diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative eye disease that will eventually leave her blind. Hattie has watched her father live with the same condition, his depression and withdrawal from the world a constant reminder of what she fears lies ahead. Caught between grief, anger, and denial, she lashes out at her mother, drifts away from friends, and makes questionable choices, yet her voice feels authentic to a teenager struggling with overwhelming emotions.
One of the book’s unique threads is Mason’s ghost. At first, Hattie finds comfort in his presence, a way to hold onto what she lost. Their banter echoes the chemistry they shared in life, but his appearances also underline how stuck she feels, unable to move forward. While I did wish the ghostly element played a larger role in the story, it adds a bittersweet layer to Hattie’s grieving process and her reluctance to let go.
Korsh handles heavy themes with intimacy and realism, especially Hattie’s vision loss. The author’s personal connection to retinitis pigmentosa shines through, making Hattie’s fear, denial, and eventual acceptance both raw and relatable. Just as affecting are the messy dynamics with family and friends like her strained relationship with her mother, her longing to connect with her distant father, and the ups and downs of high school crushes and friendships. These conflicts may not always paint Hattie in the best light, but they ring true for a teen still figuring out who she is while facing circumstances far bigger than herself.
The pacing can feel slow at the start, but the emotional weight builds steadily, leading to a powerful conclusion. By the end, Hattie begins to recognize that her diagnosis is not the end of her story, and that leaning on her loved ones, especially her father, doesn’t make her weaker but stronger. Her journey toward acceptance and self-growth is both heartbreaking and hopeful, leaving you with a message about resilience and the importance of connection in the face of loss.
Overall, “Never Seen the Stars” is a beautifully written, deeply emotional YA novel best suited for mature teen readers. Though sometimes heavy and occasionally uncomfortable in its depiction of adolescent choices, it captures grief, illness, and self-discovery with honesty and heart. Those who appreciate character-driven stories about loss, healing, and learning to see the world differently will find Hattie’s story unforgettable.
July 30, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Korsh, and Scholastic for the e-ARC of Never Seen the Stars.
This novel follows Hattie as she navigates her grief; she's dealt with a few blows that set her life off-kilter, and we follow her journey as she figures out how to communicate her inner-most feelings, while also listening to those around her. After being faced with her own emotions (and figuring out how she really feels), she then has to figure out how to communicate with her close friends and family.
In the process, Hattie feels like she's destroying her relationships, but I found that to be realistic and important for teenagers to see that grief isn't clean or linear, but rather a unique experience for each person. The writing of canon events in high school (scorched romances, new friendships, and family roller coasters) was done well, too, keeping in mind where Hattie started, and where she eventually ends up. Korsh writes Hattie as a relatable narrator and her friends as dynamic extensions with their own grief and approaches for how to communicate/be after a loss.
I love when authors write about what is familiar to them, and reading the "about the author" blurb showed why the writing of Hattie's genetic eye disease was so intimate and realistic. Having the protagonist be diagnosed with a disease that is familial and she needs to grapple with is realistic for students (and all readers) and lessens the isolation.
Overall, I enjoyed Never Seen the Stars and thought it was a relatable read for mature high school students.
This novel follows Hattie as she navigates her grief; she's dealt with a few blows that set her life off-kilter, and we follow her journey as she figures out how to communicate her inner-most feelings, while also listening to those around her. After being faced with her own emotions (and figuring out how she really feels), she then has to figure out how to communicate with her close friends and family.
In the process, Hattie feels like she's destroying her relationships, but I found that to be realistic and important for teenagers to see that grief isn't clean or linear, but rather a unique experience for each person. The writing of canon events in high school (scorched romances, new friendships, and family roller coasters) was done well, too, keeping in mind where Hattie started, and where she eventually ends up. Korsh writes Hattie as a relatable narrator and her friends as dynamic extensions with their own grief and approaches for how to communicate/be after a loss.
I love when authors write about what is familiar to them, and reading the "about the author" blurb showed why the writing of Hattie's genetic eye disease was so intimate and realistic. Having the protagonist be diagnosed with a disease that is familial and she needs to grapple with is realistic for students (and all readers) and lessens the isolation.
Overall, I enjoyed Never Seen the Stars and thought it was a relatable read for mature high school students.
November 3, 2025
Rating - 4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Date Read - October 24, 2025
Publication Date - November 4, 2025
*I received a finished copy and e-book of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @coloredpagesbt, @ireadya and @korshkate!
Never Seen the Stars is a meaningful and relatable young adult book that covers a variety of difficult topics. While grief and disabilities are the major focus of this story, messages about peer pressure, family, friendship and self-worth are woven throughout and are just as important. This range means that even though I can’t relate to some of the specific struggles Hattie went through, I could relate to other things she experienced and felt. The story highlights harmful narratives surrounding disabilities and I loved seeing Hattie’s growth from internalizing those narratives to beginning the process of challenging and working through them, which is no easy task! Having a disability or being different does not mean you are broken or need to be fixed. This book spoke to me and I couldn’t help but listen! If you like young adults books, magical realism and tough topics, you should try Never Seen the Stars!
Get excited to read Never Seen the Stars, available tomorrow, November 4! 🎉
*Please check trigger warnings*
Date Read - October 24, 2025
Publication Date - November 4, 2025
*I received a finished copy and e-book of this book for free in exchange for an honest review* - Thank you @coloredpagesbt, @ireadya and @korshkate!
Never Seen the Stars is a meaningful and relatable young adult book that covers a variety of difficult topics. While grief and disabilities are the major focus of this story, messages about peer pressure, family, friendship and self-worth are woven throughout and are just as important. This range means that even though I can’t relate to some of the specific struggles Hattie went through, I could relate to other things she experienced and felt. The story highlights harmful narratives surrounding disabilities and I loved seeing Hattie’s growth from internalizing those narratives to beginning the process of challenging and working through them, which is no easy task! Having a disability or being different does not mean you are broken or need to be fixed. This book spoke to me and I couldn’t help but listen! If you like young adults books, magical realism and tough topics, you should try Never Seen the Stars!
Get excited to read Never Seen the Stars, available tomorrow, November 4! 🎉
*Please check trigger warnings*
November 6, 2025
Many thanks to Scholastic Press and NetGalley for the free review copy of this book! All opinions are completely my own.
I went into this book knowing it was going to pull at the heartstrings. How could it not when our main character, Hattie, has just lost her friend in a drowning accident and she's struggling with the fact that she will eventually go blind, just like her dad. The first chapter starts with a funeral and feels very somber, though the mood does pick up as the book continues. The main characters took some warming up to... Hattie was pretty angsty and Mason struck me as a bit obnoxious, but then it also felt realistic for teenagers and gave room for the characters to grow. I was happy to see how much Hattie improved communicating with others and facing her grief. The book focused heavily on different kinds relationships between both peers and adults/teens, and I thought it was done in a positive way. I liked the representation of vision impairment and how people might react to going blind. When I found out that the author has retinitis pigmentosa herself, it made that part of the story feel even more authentic.
I went into this book knowing it was going to pull at the heartstrings. How could it not when our main character, Hattie, has just lost her friend in a drowning accident and she's struggling with the fact that she will eventually go blind, just like her dad. The first chapter starts with a funeral and feels very somber, though the mood does pick up as the book continues. The main characters took some warming up to... Hattie was pretty angsty and Mason struck me as a bit obnoxious, but then it also felt realistic for teenagers and gave room for the characters to grow. I was happy to see how much Hattie improved communicating with others and facing her grief. The book focused heavily on different kinds relationships between both peers and adults/teens, and I thought it was done in a positive way. I liked the representation of vision impairment and how people might react to going blind. When I found out that the author has retinitis pigmentosa herself, it made that part of the story feel even more authentic.
November 8, 2025
Never Seen the Stars is such a sweet story! I couldn't put it down and definitely stayed up late so I could finish it. The story is easy to read and flows very seamlessly, making it easy to get lost in the pages and lose track of time.
Hattie has just lost a dear friend and is navigating loss and grief when she receives the news that she inherited her father's eye disease and now has to cope with another sort of loss. On top of that, she begins seeing apparitions of her departed friend's ghost and starts questioning if the universe has it out for her.
NSTS is the story of a teenager's life going sideways while she desperately tries to cling to a certain kind of normality. I really enjoyed reading it and seeing how the whole story unraveled. Hattie got to have some closure regarding her feelings for Mason while also growing into acceptance for her situation.
It was sweet and emotional and I definitely shed some tears. I would remember it to anyone looking for a cute YA story with some unique twists and representation.
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours, I Read YA, and Kate Korsh for the gifted copy!
Hattie has just lost a dear friend and is navigating loss and grief when she receives the news that she inherited her father's eye disease and now has to cope with another sort of loss. On top of that, she begins seeing apparitions of her departed friend's ghost and starts questioning if the universe has it out for her.
NSTS is the story of a teenager's life going sideways while she desperately tries to cling to a certain kind of normality. I really enjoyed reading it and seeing how the whole story unraveled. Hattie got to have some closure regarding her feelings for Mason while also growing into acceptance for her situation.
It was sweet and emotional and I definitely shed some tears. I would remember it to anyone looking for a cute YA story with some unique twists and representation.
Thank you to Colored Pages Book Tours, I Read YA, and Kate Korsh for the gifted copy!
November 7, 2025
👧🏻 review: This book reminds me of Dustin Thao’s books. I have never been a romantsy reader but when I was challenged to read his book after reviews and hypes heard and read from friends, I was glad that I made the consensus to read his books. With this book I am glad that this coming of age story discussed about all emotional and mental issues that brought Hattie’s life to another dimension. Not a believer of after life but this book made me think of the what-ifs and how it could stir people into how to cope and deal with life in the present moment. To be honest, I think this book is suitable for older YA readers because of many trigger warnings and topics that are for matured readers to understand. On one note though, after reading this awesome book you will have that itch to read another similar book to this one because it is very addicting.
December 10, 2025
Never seen the stars
Really great writing. This book is like laughing-crying: funny things in the middle of the unthinkable.
I really like the interesting idea of linking bad physical vision with an ability for spiritual vision.
(Aww, sad about her initial romance. Don’t worry, Hattie—Richard is NOT “more mature” than you; “jerk” and “mature” are antonyms. “Hormonal GPS,” haha…
(And I liked the spider analogy for principals—I get what she means about parental interrogations…her parents and everything are interesting, too...I liked her cafe waiter, too…I get what it’s like to feel like everything in the universe keeps bringing out new things that suck…gotta love Asha…She and Hattie in middle school are great…)
Reminds me of Wendelin van Draanen, Lianne Oelke, Mason Deaver, etc.
Really great writing. This book is like laughing-crying: funny things in the middle of the unthinkable.
I really like the interesting idea of linking bad physical vision with an ability for spiritual vision.
(Aww, sad about her initial romance. Don’t worry, Hattie—Richard is NOT “more mature” than you; “jerk” and “mature” are antonyms. “Hormonal GPS,” haha…
(And I liked the spider analogy for principals—I get what she means about parental interrogations…her parents and everything are interesting, too...I liked her cafe waiter, too…I get what it’s like to feel like everything in the universe keeps bringing out new things that suck…gotta love Asha…She and Hattie in middle school are great…)
Reminds me of Wendelin van Draanen, Lianne Oelke, Mason Deaver, etc.
December 13, 2025
Hattie has the same genetie eye disease as her father and she is slowly going blind but she has kept it a secret. Even her friends. and family don't know that. But her good friend Mason's unexpected death shattered her. But oneday she realised that she can see his ghost and when she talks with him, she feels everything is same as how it used to be.
But Hattie's eyesight is getting worse day by day and everyone is telling her to move on with life but it is very difficult for Hattie to move on as it would mean to lose Mason forever.
The book is giving me 'Fault in our star' vibe and it is very touching to read. It is a romantasy book but also showcases emotional and mental issues. There are so some trigger warnings, so reader's consent in required.
I have not read Dustin Thao's books yet but this book is making me want to read his book as soon as posible
But Hattie's eyesight is getting worse day by day and everyone is telling her to move on with life but it is very difficult for Hattie to move on as it would mean to lose Mason forever.
The book is giving me 'Fault in our star' vibe and it is very touching to read. It is a romantasy book but also showcases emotional and mental issues. There are so some trigger warnings, so reader's consent in required.
I have not read Dustin Thao's books yet but this book is making me want to read his book as soon as posible
December 19, 2025
Yeah, Hattie’s losing her sight, but life is never as bad as you think it is. Look for the good things. Your friends are your for lifers, and your memories are precious. And not everything is as shameful as you think it is. If you need to think twice about something, make sure you do that. Lessons are learned, we learn how to cope and heal, and we keep going !!
I loved that she made some bad choices that either worked themselves out, or she acted and was able to repair the damage she caused.
I loved that even in death Mason kept a sense of humour. Sarcastic teenage boy forever.
I held back my tears for as long as I could, and then I bawled my eyes out during the last 40 pages. I think getting stabbed would’ve hurt less.
The cover of this book makes me want to reenact that one scene of Sadie Sink in the All Too Well short film. Their pointer fingers are almost touching.
I loved that she made some bad choices that either worked themselves out, or she acted and was able to repair the damage she caused.
I loved that even in death Mason kept a sense of humour. Sarcastic teenage boy forever.
I held back my tears for as long as I could, and then I bawled my eyes out during the last 40 pages. I think getting stabbed would’ve hurt less.
The cover of this book makes me want to reenact that one scene of Sadie Sink in the All Too Well short film. Their pointer fingers are almost touching.
February 8, 2026
Hattie is facing a lot…. the death of a friend, Mason [who is now an annoying ghost]; sharing a role in the school play “Camelot”; a new boyfriend and now she is now losing her sight from the same disease that caused her on father’s blindness. I will admit I found the character Hattie a bit of frustrating…easily jealous, quickly misjudges her friends and a bit winy. In the end, Hattie learns to step back and look at the bigger picture and realize that with life you will experience both good and bad times. It is just how you respond to the situation that provides the desired outcome you are looking for.
Now in saying that I should have read the book without the audio. I believe I would have enjoyed the story a lot more. In the book it does explores disability and grief as well as some teenage angst. There were some scenes that were a bit indecent for younger teens. 3.5 stars
Now in saying that I should have read the book without the audio. I believe I would have enjoyed the story a lot more. In the book it does explores disability and grief as well as some teenage angst. There were some scenes that were a bit indecent for younger teens. 3.5 stars
November 1, 2025
This was a beautiful coming of age story. My heart broke for the FMC Hattie quite a few times. It really seemed like the universe was hitting her with massive blows one after the other.
When her best friend Mason has a fatal accident and Hattie starts seeing him she tries to figure out if he’s her guardian angel or if she’s going insane.
I really loved watching Hattie navigate life and other challenges that teenagers face. We get really good closure at the end of this book for the main characters.
If you’re looking for a feel-good Ya Novel this is definitely a good book to try out!
Thank you to colored pages book tours and the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
When her best friend Mason has a fatal accident and Hattie starts seeing him she tries to figure out if he’s her guardian angel or if she’s going insane.
I really loved watching Hattie navigate life and other challenges that teenagers face. We get really good closure at the end of this book for the main characters.
If you’re looking for a feel-good Ya Novel this is definitely a good book to try out!
Thank you to colored pages book tours and the author for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
November 7, 2025
This was a little hard to read in the fact that you have Hattie, a teenager going through life in high school while mourning the loss of a close friend. On top of that, she discovers she has the same degenerative condition as her dad and everything feels like it’s falling apart.
This felt really harsh to happen to a person, especially for someone that’s barely experienced life. And yet, it speaks to what everyday people have to face. The care taken with this book is really good because I felt a lot of those emotions from the page in my chest. Lots of growth among all the characters in this story and there is a happy ending so don’t worry. You just gotta wade through the ups and downs.
Than you to @coloredpagesbt @ireadya @korshkate for the #gifted copy.
This felt really harsh to happen to a person, especially for someone that’s barely experienced life. And yet, it speaks to what everyday people have to face. The care taken with this book is really good because I felt a lot of those emotions from the page in my chest. Lots of growth among all the characters in this story and there is a happy ending so don’t worry. You just gotta wade through the ups and downs.
Than you to @coloredpagesbt @ireadya @korshkate for the #gifted copy.
dnf
November 15, 2025DNF @ 28%
I really wanted to love this one since the combination of the main character slowly losing her eyesight and also being able to see her friend's ghost sounded like it would make for a powerful and emotional read. While the concept is interesting, I struggled with the writing style. To me, the dialogue feels a little cringe, almost like the author is trying too hard to sound like teenagers, and I didn't really like any of the characters. Unfortunately, I'm not interested enough to continue reading, but I'm sure many others will enjoy.
I really wanted to love this one since the combination of the main character slowly losing her eyesight and also being able to see her friend's ghost sounded like it would make for a powerful and emotional read. While the concept is interesting, I struggled with the writing style. To me, the dialogue feels a little cringe, almost like the author is trying too hard to sound like teenagers, and I didn't really like any of the characters. Unfortunately, I'm not interested enough to continue reading, but I'm sure many others will enjoy.
January 5, 2026
Never Seen the Stars is a heartbreaking yet beautifully written exploration of love, grief, and the fear of losing everything. Hattie’s journey grappling with her slowly worsening blindness and the tragic death of her close friend, Mason is raw and emotional. The ghostly visits from Mason add a poignant layer of hope and longing to Hattie’s struggle. The author captures the complexity of coming to terms with loss and living with a disability in a way that feels both personal and universal. A must-read for fans of emotional, character-driven stories about love and loss.
November 5, 2025
This one it hit me with all the feels and took me right back to being 17, navigating the sudden loss of my dad. Hattie’s story is about losing someone you love and losing yourself, too. Through grief, guilt, and her fading eyesight, she finds her way back, reminding us that sometimes strength looks like surrender and that love lasts long after what we can see. I enjoyed this coming of age story.
January 27, 2026
A very well-done book in my opinion. I think it was the right balance of realism and emotional depth for the age group. it made me cry at the end, but from the perspective of a parent. I think the emotions of Hattie were quite realistic regarding RP, but I think the grief component was WAY wrong, and not strong enough.
November 17, 2025
This one is a coming of age with a disability in a tragic yet uplifting story of love and grief. This one’s gonna make you cry! It’s beautifully written and it’s really good! It’s one of those books that suck you in totally consume you.
January 25, 2026
This book was alright. It was funny and very coming of age-esque. But the plot didn’t focus a ton on the main love interests and their dynamic. I think if it was longer then it would have been a little better. But the main two people kind of just made up and then it was done.
November 30, 2025
Cute YA story that captures teenage angst and processing difficulties of life.
November 6, 2025
The vibe of this one took me back to when I was a teenager. And brought on all the feels as we watch Hattie navigate many different things- love, loss, struggling with a hereditary eye condition that leads to blindness, family stuff, friendships, figuring out who she is and wants to be…it was uplifting and certain parts a bit heart wrenching. It’s doing it when you feel very alone in life and mourning the life you wanted or at least thought you’d have. It was a beautiful read that brought a sense of peace over me while reading. Reminder that we all go through hard things and those are the times that our strengths shine brightly through what feels like our weakness. Thank you for a wonderful read!
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