The Price of Starlight: A small-town, marriage of convenience romantasy

by Marin Hart

384 pages, Paperback

Published February 17, 2025

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

thank you to pen pal pr and marin hart for the arc!

i went into this book with high hopes but unfortunately this one missed the mark for me. the fantasy aspect became lost on me almost immediately, and the conflict got kind of lost among everything. also the way that nipples were brought up like every chapter was just…something. parts of this book were hard to read personally bc the writing style just isn’t for me. concept is interesting but i didn’t enjoy the execution. not for me!

[Kelsi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Price of Starlight is Marin Hart is a debut novel that blends romantasy with cowboy romance while dealing with some tough and very serious topics in an amazing way. If you’re looking for a insta-attraction but slow burn fated mates grumpy/sunshine romance, filled with twists and turns, blackmail, an amazing found family, quite a few interesting creatures, magic, a cold hearted black mailer and a well written plot than Price of Starlight is definitely one you don’t want to miss.

While I really enjoyed the plot of this book as well as the characters, romance and so much more I will say the writing style of this book was not really my style. I love banter between characters whether it’s platonic banter between friends or romantic banter between love interests. Now don’t get me wrong this book had some banter but overall I felt a lot of this book was just being told to me through info dumping or as if the characters were just telling me things really then being fully sucked in to natural conversations. Again that isn’t me saying that this is a bad form of writing the writing and plot of this book were done really well, it was simply not my preferred style. Overall though I really did enjoy Price of Starlight and would recommend it to someone who loves both cowboy romances and fantasy romance with interesting characters, and plenty of twists and turns.

HAPPY READING 📖

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Price of Starlight brings to the scene a unique love story that refreshingly blends fantasy, historical, and modern elements together to a vibrant, heart-felt narrative.

Hawk and Stella lead this tale with much heart, passion, and perseverance. They are both very different people, yet complement one another so beautifully, especially when similar circumstances tie them together. Their entire dynamic allows the reader to easily root for them. Stella, from a magical royal court, has run away, albeit temporarily, rejecting a life where she is being forced into an unwanted marriage. Hawk, a horse trainer from a lowly farmers territory, has accepted his fate with an unwanted marriage in an effort to save his family’s property. Both are deeply unhappy with their respective set paths, yet when those paths unexpectedly intertwine, suddenly new hopes flourish.

It took a while to understand how two leads betrothed to others would come to enter a marriage of convenience together, but once it happens it’s such an exhilarating hopeful moment. I don’t want to spoil much, but my favorite part in this one is witnessing Hawk and Stella navigate their new marriage. To see them take the steps to seek something real. With the exception of the middle road, overall there’s good pacing that kept me engaged, intrigued, and always desiring our couple’s happily ever after. It doesn’t come easy, there are obstacles they need to surpass, but it makes the finish line all the more rewarding in crossing.

The setting is what most attracted me to this read. It’s like a futuristic yet historical setting, with major fantasy elements. For the most part, it’s a beautiful medley. I do think the current modern slang use was at times quite distracting, but I still love the overall creativity of the setting. It’s perfect for those of us that love historical and fantasy romance subgenres.

Overall, I had a lovely time reading this one!

I’m very grateful to Marin Hart and Pen Pal PR for this advanced complimentary copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily. Thank you! 3.5

[Laure · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stella is tired of her life at the royal court in Celestia and the machinations of her greedy parents. When her engagement to a man she dislikes is announced, a surprise to her, she jumps at the chance to leave when she is offered a free ride to Bath, a well-known and popular destination for the elite. She is hoping that time away from the court will rejuvenate her goddess-blessed gift and give her chance to come to terms with the life with a husband she never wanted. Unfortunately, her carriage deposits he in the small town of Baff where she is expected to spend the next few months working for Hawk Passerine on his families’ ranch. Despite herself, and her grumpy boss, Hawk, Stella soon finds that the admittedly hard work, the easy friendships she forms of his sisters, and the beautiful property where she is now living is starting to bring her gift back. Best of all she realizes that she is happier on the ranch than she has been in a long time. Hawk entered into an agreement to save his family ranch and failure to uphold his end of the bargain would mean he and his family would be destitute and homeless. But the more time he spends around the beautiful Stella the harder it is to ignore his attraction to her.
All of these characters are absolutely wonderful and have complex personalities. They are compelling and kept me engaged in their story from the first page to the last. Some unexpected twists, court intrigue, some steamy interactions between the main characters and a happily ever after. I thought this was a fantastic romance with just a touch of magic, and a perfect Valentine’s read.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary ARC that I received from the author.

[Yugie Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my, I just finished this book as I write this review, and good heavens was I blown away! This book brought a lot of delightful surprises with every turn of a page, and I was smitten. The author considers this a light fantasy romance, and the unique magical world created in this story was refreshing. But in spite of its fantastical undertone, the story rang heavy with real-world issues such as prejudice, hate, greed, and deception. Fortunately, these unpleasant themes were overshadowed by the story's stronger emphasis on kindness, loyalty, self-sacrifice, and of course, deep and genuine love. And oh, the romance between the main characters - Hawk and Stella - was just divine. The build up of their burgeoning relationship was of course made addictive by their grumpy-,sunshine dynamic, their initial resistance to their growing attraction, and of course by their fears of their affection to the other not being reciprocated. Oh how I rejoiced when they finally gave in to their longing and finally crossed the lines that needed to be crossed.

I loved, too, how the story concluded - with a very decisive declaration by Stella of who she wanted to be with and where she wanted to stay, and how she stood against the prejudice and hate leveled against her and Hawk. The story truly ended with such a strongly positive note that you can't help your spirits from being lifted up in a decadent high. Definitely an exciting start to a series, and I look forward to the next installment as early as now.

I received an ARC of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a debut romantasy novel with a bit of a cowboy twist. There's a really amazing found family in this book, and some magical twists and turns that keep you rather on edge but as a whole I would say that something was missing for me. The writing style felt a bit off, and the pacing was not one that I enjoyed - was fast in parts and far too slow in others. There was not really any banter between characters, it was written as though it was told to the characters and just wasn't what I usually enjoy.

The characters themselves were flat out amazing - their personalities are well developed and there's a lot to go off of with that. The concept itself was one I also really enjoyed! I think if you do love more cowboy romances with some fantasy elements that this would be a fantastic book for you!

Thank you to Pen Pal PR, and Marin Hart for the e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

[Stephanie Corbett · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars 🌟 Debut Novel for Marin Hart

The Price of Starlight is the first book in this series, with hints at the stories to come. It is a romance/fantasy book, it is lighter on the fantasy and heavier on the romance, and deals well with difficult/serious topics.

Although there is instant attraction, this is more of slow burn romance, with heat increasing throughout the book. I enjoyed the premise and the characters, and for a debut novel, it was very good. I am sure as the characters continue to develop, and that the storylines will continue to improve, as this first book has to set the scene for the fantasy background as well as the individual love story.

The book sets up nicely for the next in the series and I would recommend this to those who enjoy a combination of fantasy and romance. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book.

[Tanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

I personally love the characters in the book. In the beginning I didn’t quite get the gist of the goddesses in the cave? It was hard to visualize that scene and who was talking to who but I understood the overall plot that was set up. Once the books gets rolling it’s a slow burn of two repressed characters with tons of chemistry. I love how easy it was to visualization what I was reading. I have no problem with the writing style. In fact their banter had me smirking 😏 because it was funny and lighthearted. Hart doesn’t just lay out the characters personalities from the beginning. She slowly gives tidbits throughout which makes it fun and interesting. The sisters are a hoot and I look forward to hearing Wren’s story next. I received this ARC from the author and PenPal PR. Believe it or not this is my honest review.

[Arshiya Mazher · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5 ⭐️

Honestly, this book was better than I was expecting it to be. Romantasy is not a genre I always like but this one was beautifully written. The characters were so easy to fall in love with and you can see the growth of their relationship over time.
The side characters, bonding between the characters, family, literally everything was perfect about this book.
The love that Stella and Hawk for one another was incomparable. The bond they share was so strong and you can tell they’re made for each other.
Strongly disliked Stella’s parents and you’ll know why when you read, but the way she stands up for herself and her new family was beyond words.
This book is more than worth the read and you’ll easily fall in love with the story, the depth of the book and characters, the plot and the world!

[Bookreader B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

📚🌶

The Price Of Starlight was the perfect mixture of romantasy and cowboy romance. This book was a great insta- attraction with slow burn for fated mates. This is Marin Hart's debut novel and it was an awesome start to a great series!

Hawk is in a tight spot and in need of a loan to save the ranch that has been passed down. The only way he is able to get a loan is by very unconventional terms. Stella just wanted some time away to rejuvenate from Celestia and the court. When a mix up on a carriage ride has Stella in Baff instead of Bath. Now all Stella has is 3 months to work on Passerine ranch under Hawk the ultimate horse whisperer.

[Kirsten Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adore romantasy & western / cowboy romances, so I was unbelievably excited when the opportunity to ARC read this book presented itself. I wasn’t sure exactly what to expect but let me tell you I was NOT disappointed! I’ll be coming back later to provide a more in-depth review, but I loved the way this book blended two of my favorite types of books and touched on some pretty serious subjects all while keeping me interested in the romance and throwing in some stellar spice. I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading the next one!

[Shyloh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was skeptical but I absolutely loved this!!!

I am fairly new to the fantasy/romantasy genre so when I saw that this was a small town romance fantasy I was excited! and Hawk and Stella did not disappoint!!

I really loved the character development between all of the characters throughout the book and Stella and Hawk are HOT!

If you love a good cowboy romance and a good romantasy this book is for you!!! I cannot wait for the rest of the series!

I would like to say that I received this book as an arc so that you so much to Marin Hart for the opportunity!

[Louise ᥫ᭡܀⊹✿ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don’t usually reach for cowboy or small-town romances, especially those with a hint of romantasy, so this book was a bit outside my usual reads. That said, the plot had a solid foundation, and the characters really surprised me—in the best way. They ended up being the highlight of the story for me.

While it didn’t fully match my personal taste and some parts didn’t quite meet the expectations I had when I signed up, I can still see the charm it holds for readers who enjoy cozy, heartfelt stories. I’m really grateful to Pen Pal PR for the opportunity to read and review this digital copy.

[Maja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read from this author. This being romantasy it dealt with real life issues and was executed well.
I received an ARC copy of this book through PenPal in exchange for an honest voluntary review.

[Brie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️- It was a good book, I feel like there were certain things I was either wanting more of or just like hmmm idk about this, but all together it was better than I was originally anticipating! Thank you PenPal PR and Marin Hart for sending me this ARC!

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good such a light read not too much. I’ve actually read it twice and really enjoy this book

[Madeleine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a cozy small town romantasy. Hawk and Stella stole my heart. They are both very different people, yet complement one another so beautifully. And I just loved the banter and tension in this book between them. With the exception of the middle road, which was a bit dragged, there’s good pacing that kept me engaged, intrigued, and always desiring their happily ever after.
I loved the found family aspect in this book and the connection Stella forms with Hawks sisters.
It was so heartwarming after all she had experienced with her family and friends.
But I wished there would have been a reunion between Stella and her sister.
Other than that, I loved the book and look forward to the rest of the series.

✻ 𝐅𝐚𝐯𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐪𝐮𝐨𝐭𝐞 ✻

„𝐈’𝐦 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫, 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐈 𝐠𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭.”

✻ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 ✻

❥ Grumpy x Sunshine
❥ Marriage of convenience
❥ Found Family
❥ Gifts from Goddesses
❥ ”My Wife”

[Katlyn Armstrong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The for starters: this book had the most beautiful dedication and that started everything on a bright note.

A very light on fantasy with a fun small town twist. Lots of modern day relevant issues and themes weaved throughout the story.

I loved the relationship, the tension, the found family, and the growth that the characters showed

I am excited to continue this series and see how the rest of the plot develops.

Thank you penpal for the advanced copy.