Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

In Pursuit Of Starlight

Rate this book
A centuries-old curse. Eons of feud. Still, their love transcends dimensions.

Treyton Parker is an immortal wizard who is struggling to hold up to his legendary family legacy.

He's also a musician and co-owner of a jazz club who fell head over heels in love with a certain Quinn Bishop years ago.

Problem is: even if they were together, he never admitted his feelings to her openly, never told her about his magical abilities, and when it got too real, he backed out of the relationship without any further explanation.

He is now longing for Quinn, but he reads the headlines just like everyone else: her acting career is on the rise. Rumor has it, she is even going out with a world-renowned guitarist, and it's getting very serious.

As volatile destiny makes Treyton's and Quinn's paths collide unexpectedly, they both might very well soon realize that it's useless trying to fight against a connection that strong between them.

However, in their world, literal millennia of history are colliding…

So what if potentially getting back together was only the beginning of a much bigger journey encompassing the tumultuous clash of two vastly interconnected worlds by an all-powerful clan?

Will they manage to hold a chance at the future they are dreaming of by standing tall in the face of adversity and committing to stay true to themselves?

More importantly, can an actress and a wizard be the duo needed to reconcile eons of feud?

576 pages, Paperback

Published May 23, 2025

1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read

About the author

M.H. Cali

8 books110 followers
M.H. Cali is an Award-Nominated author who writes character-driven romances, romantic suspenses and thrillers books as well as the occasional comic or graphic novel.

The world is complex and flawed, and so are the characters inhabiting the universes she builds. If you ever read any of her works, you’ll notice that she loves writing layered characters, having a diverse cast, and that to her quiet moments are just as important than action-packed ones.

Storytelling is all about harmony in the emotions and events throughout the narrative. It's her motto.

If she manages to make you feel what the characters are going through, live the events with them, and wonder what is going to happen, then she succeeded.

Make sure to follow her on BookBub at https://www.bookbub.com/profile/m-h-cali for all sales and preorders alerts!

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
9 (60%)
4 stars
3 (20%)
3 stars
3 (20%)
2 stars
0 (0%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
Profile Image for Ashley.
395 reviews25 followers
June 2, 2025
Spice: 2

Tropes:
immortal wizard
cinnamon roll MMC
bisexual FMC
second chance romance
found family
dual realms

In Pursuit of Starlight is a paranormal romance that follows the second chance at love between an immortal wizard, Treyton, and a Hollywood actress, Quinn.

Treyton loves Earth more than his home realm of Idyllcadia. However, due to a pledge his grandfather made over a millenia ago, Treyton's destiny is to protect the gate between the portals of Earth and Idyllcadia from a warring family who wants to rule Earth and use humans as slaves. While Treyton wants nothing better to protect Earth, he can't stand the battles going on in his home realm any more and struck a deal with his father to let him stay on Earth longer.

Quinn is an up-and-coming actress who wants nothing better than to make documentaries. She's just as smart as she is beautiful. And she's in love with Treyton, whoever she doesn't know his true magical self. Years ago, Treyton broke up with her because he was worried about involving Quinn... but now, he's ready to share all of himself completely, even if she doesn't accept that he's a wizard.

In Pursuit of Starlight is a romance through and through, and it is about second chances and soul mates. How two people can be so magnetized towards one another that nothing else will stand in the way. I liked the story line. I will admit, I'd of liked more about Treyton and Idyllcadia though. I loved Quinn and Treyton's relationship, however, for me, it got a little long winded with their romance. I would have loved more action, more tension causing Treyton and Quinn to be separated while he fought in Idyllcadia. I think the story could have been shorter. Overall, if you love second chance and romance with a touch of magic, this could be the story for you.
Profile Image for Pitoufa's Bookish Corner.
243 reviews4 followers
June 3, 2025
Actual rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5

I definitely liked the idea behind the book! A wizard whose destiny is to protect humans ends up falling in love with one, just like his great-grandfather — who had tasked his lineage with that mission — had centuries prior. However, there were a few elements that could have made a huge difference to the story and reading experience, had they been taken care of and properly executed:

Repetition:

I noticed that repetition dominated the book in different aspects:

"He needs her.
He needs to see her smile again.
He needs to be able to hold her as she falls asleep in his arms.
"

And there are seven following sentences with the exact same structure. I understand the aim was to emphasize the MMC's feelings and need for the FMC (and don't all girlies need a man like that? 😜❤), But I think the above-mentioned sentences were enough to achieve that. The same thing happened in Quinn's POV, too.

Also, nearly every paragraph in both POVs started the same way: She wanted, She said, He thought, He felt. So naturally, the overuse of both pronouns was apparent.

The pronoun "She" was repeated 5382 times.
The pronoun "He" was repeated 3737 times.

The word "Filming" was used eighteen times. And in my opinion, that was sixteen times too many. It could have been replaced by multiple words or expressions to refer to Quinn's profession.

Character and plot development:

I believe what makes a paranormal romance stand out are the magical and otherworldly elements it contains, but there were barely any to mention in IPOS.

Characters:

We've already established that Treyton was a wizard, and he held the power of "The Blaze" which made him the strongest among his peers. That's where the "Show, don't tell" rule comes into play because we were only told he could annihilate his enemies; we were not shown . What made that power so exceptional?

It would have been nice to have a more detailed description of what life on Idyllcadia was like; were there any important landmarks or historical monuments? Was it a kingdom or did it have a political system? Were all Idyllcadian people tasked with protecting humans or was it only Trey's family? If it was the former, then who was Treyton's great-grandfather to convince the entire land to pursue such a mission? If it was the latter, what was the rest of the population's purpose? Why have an entire population and a parallel world, when it could have simply been Treyton's family holding powers and living among humans?

I found it quite astonishing that Quinn chose to dismiss the bits and pieces Treyton had shared with her throughout their relationship. Any person in her shoes would think he was part of some cult, but after hinting at not being from Earth, several times? She just...ignored it?

"She clearly didn't think her boyfriend was invincible. Even when he told her that he usually pretty much is when not on Earth and that with her, he was especially vulnerable, she brushed it off."

"I'm wearing it as a constant reminder of my singularity. Of the fact that I'm a being of two worlds. I'm wearing it to never forget that I am different and strive to do things differently than my predecessors."

Wouldn't the most logical reaction be to wonder whether your partner is mentally sane? Or even book them a therapy appointment? I mean, if anyone I know ever came to me and was like: "I'm not from earth." My immediate response would be: "Are you okay?" It might sound cliche, but I think that's the normal human way of thinking. You might brush it off if they said it once or twice, thinking of it as nothing more than a silly joke, but not when they mention it so many times.

I'd say IPOS served as the blueprint for the Black Ops duology, minus the paranormal part, as it was written prior, and here's why:

The similarities were too noticeable. First, there were allusions to both MCs being "Perfect" made by each other, then came the fact that both Treyton and Quinn loved vintage cars; it was also mentioned quite a few times that Treyton hates lying, and let's not forget about how Trey was referred to as being "So sweet and soft" Which, if you've read the Black Ops duology, you'll remember that Oliver and Mila were the same.

In addition to that, Quinn and Treyton were trying to fix the "Failing system" of the filming industry and the Idyllcadian one, just like Mila and Oliver fought to right the "Failing system" of the law and the criminal world. Furthermore, Quinn's orientation, as well as the chronological order in which she dated the people she met before Treyton was the same as for Mila. Treyton's friendship with Ashlyn also felt quite similar to Oliver's with La Luz. I think changes needed to be made to differentiate the characters. Trey and Quinn could have had different personality traits and hobbies, to make them more unique.

Plot:

There didn't seem to be any apparent plot. I'm not sure if that was intentional or not, but it felt like the book only aimed at sharing the MCs' longing for one another, and sure, that plays a big part in the romantic aspect of the story; that's the goal behind each romance book after all. That being said, for it to be considered a paranormal romance, there needs to be as many paranormal elements to the story as there are romantic ones, which was not the case. I personally would have loved to see Treyton's power in action during combat.

Something else that caught my eye was the presence of several chapters that were full-on smùt or had multiple smùt scenes and others with the characters endlessly pining for one another. The thing is, those chapters/scenes did not contribute much plot-wise and felt more like fillers. I think some could have been replaced by ones providing more insight into the magical realm.

Treyton praising Mila for her idea of having a civil conversation with the Joneses as if he couldn't come up with that all on his own, then have him share it with his father, and for the Joneses to have agreed to a truce seemed rather unconvincing. Wasn't the Joneses' aim to take over earth and its inhabitants? Which was why Trey's family was tasked with protecting the human race, and the Joneses just agreed to give up their evil plan? Did I get it wrong? I'm not gonna lie, there were a few parts that got me pretty confused while reading, and this was one of them.

Conclusion:

I think the book has good potential. Some additional work on the copy and developmental editing would definitely make it quite a decent story. This was my third read from Marie, and although the reading experience was different, I still am looking forward to future work from her ❤
Profile Image for Virginia Cannon.
94 reviews7 followers
May 27, 2025
In Pursuit of Starlight is M. H. Cali’s newest release. This steamy second-chance romance between Treyton and Quinn teems with friends, biological family, and found family. Treyton is a wizard from another realm. He and his brother Aiden own one of LA’s hottest bars. Quinn is rising actress and director who wants to change the political landscape for females in the industry.

They were a couple until Treyton became too scared to share his wizard secret with Quinn. He left her without explanation. Two years pass, and Treyton sees Quinn with her friends in his bar.

They found their way back to each other, but the same issue remains: Will Treyton trust Quinn and share the fact that he has magical capabilities, he is a wizard, and his family also has magical powers?

Treyton and Quinn share a mutual desire for a spicy relationship, and they both want an honest relationship, but Treyton is terrified of losing Quinn.

This is a lengthy novel with a moderate pacing. It is well organized and proofed. There are a couple of pictures to help visualize the characters, and Cali provides readers with a Spotify playlist, which can be accessed via her website.

I would have appreciated Epilogue content to be mixed with the last couple of chapters for a greater sense of closure and story completion. And, I would have appreciated less sex chapters, thus it would be a shorter read.

I recommend this book to readers who enjoy the following characteristics in a romance book:
1) A high ratio of love making chapters;
2) MMC is thoughtful, caring, and attentive;
3) FMC is emotionally strong, intelligent, and thoughtful;
4) Interspecies relationships;
5) Time-Space Continuum narratives;
6) A study of family in its various discourse forms;
7) Strong, happy friendships that foster community.

Thank you #MHCali for my eARC; this is my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Jessica McIntyre.
98 reviews8 followers
May 12, 2025
ARC REVIEW-

I absolutely loved this book. Just like the other MH books I’ve read. She really knows how to pull you in and get invested in the story and characters. I loved both Quinn and Treyton. All of the small little things in the story really showcased their love. I loved all the characters in this book honestly! The friendships were absolutely great. MH forever kills it with her writing!
Profile Image for Maddie Elam.
147 reviews3 followers
April 26, 2025
I am actually obsessed with this book.

M.H. Cali never fails to perfectly balance action, suspense, and romance.

The entire time I read, I was *impatiently* waiting for Quinn to find out about Treyton. And while that is the over-arching plot, you couldn’t help but feel drawn into their longing for each other in the meantime. I love how the small things that typically go unnoticed in a romance were put into words in this story. The glances, the innocent touches, the daily routines… and how they all create such a bond between two people. I think the second-chance aspect of the book made it really easy to jump in and immediately feel the love they had for each-other, even when they were apart.

I also just have to point out that the side characters all were so so amazing. I love how open and honest the friends could be with each other- we all crave friendships like that, and it was so much fun to get to read about it!

I’m so so thankful I could read an early copy, and I can’t wait to read even more from this author!
Profile Image for Manda  PandaMonium.
149 reviews6 followers
May 1, 2025
In pursuit of starlight
m.h. Cali
rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐

what do you do when life brings you back to the person you love??? take the hint!!!
treyton and Quinn....
I love them. they are so in love with each other. the pining, the yearning.

then throw in magic, another world, and fame.

this is a good book!!!

also Quinn is a Good person. like you want her to get everything. seriously.

another great one by M.H. Cali
Profile Image for Krystal Kraft.
225 reviews3 followers
May 28, 2025
In pursuit of Starlight….lets talk about this book and how it took me through ALL the emotions! Happy, sad, anxious, swooning, and many many more. I felt so connected to the characters and story line quite literally the entire time and wasn’t ready for it to be over! This was my first paranormal romance and I loved it! 😍

Quinn and Treyton- 🔥🔥 Holy passion and spice, and when I tell you it is not lacking at all you can be sure to take my word on that! ADORED their characters! Like- wholeheartedly. Their confidence, drive and commitment to the things in life was the absolute best.

The friendships in this book were also like super life goals!! 100 percent! The way they were there for each other, couldn’t have been any better!

Now- After reading 3 books and a graphic novel by M.H. Cali, I have realized I don’t just happen to love every book she writes….I can confidently say no matter what she writes I KNOW I am going to love it! It is absolutely her writing style, you’ve heard me say it and I’ll probably say it again….its unlike anything I have ever read! And I read a LOT! There is a reason she has 3 books in my category that I’d consider my top books I’ve ever read.

She paints an extremely detailed picture when she puts her stories together that leaves you out of nothing and certainly helps you feel even more connected to her writing! Check her out. Highly recommended!!
Profile Image for Tishana Wright.
530 reviews45 followers
June 24, 2025
A well overdue book review for Marie & her latest release. "In Pursuit of Starlight" was a book that normally is not in my genre to read (paranormal romance), but Marie has had me in a chokehold with the Black Ops Duology & I knew if there was an author to get me to like paranormal romances, it would be her.

Marie doesn't just put a book together with some words and a pretty cover. She puts those little details you enjoy as a reader. She takes her time and crafts masterpieces with characters that will have you emotionally EVERYWHERE, storylines intwined with just the right mix of suspense, the right amount of spice, and truly crafts a great read. IPOS was a THICK book, just over 500 pages. But from beginning to end, I was kept in a trance, not knowing where she was taking Quinn and Treyton's story. I LOVED the wizard aspect thrown into "modern time. The whole concept of the book itself was unique and enjoyable. As someone who doesn't read paranormal often, Marie made me a fan, and this is going in my top 10 reads of 2025. Another amazing book! 10/10 recommend if you want something different but also want to fall in love with some incredible writing skills.
Profile Image for Kenadhe.
234 reviews4 followers
May 24, 2025
The story is a cute one between Quinn and Treyton, but there is a ton of fluff in this book that was not needed. Some pages and even chapters could have been taken out and the story still would have been fine. This is my first story by this author so maybe it is just her way of writing but I would have to read others to be sure. It was not the best book I have read but not the worst either, an okay over all read. I would not read it again.
Profile Image for b00ks_in_nature.
900 reviews13 followers
May 23, 2025
4.5/5

This was my first book by this author and I really enjoyed it! I love a good second-chance romance. Treyton and Quinn were great characters and I was rooting for them so hard! The friend group reminded me of me and some of my friends, which I loved. They were so supportive and open. The story is magic! (Pun intended…)
Profile Image for Tiffany Ewald.
312 reviews39 followers
June 25, 2025
This is an amazing book! I absolutely loved every second of it! Like her other works, I enjoy her writing style a lot - there is such a good blend of everything from storyline, character dynamics, relationship development to paranormal elements, action, and steamy spice plus so much more. Definitely a 5 star read for me and I honestly could not put it down!!!
Profile Image for Katelynn Martin.
46 reviews5 followers
June 7, 2025
Holy cow!!!

“In pursuit of starlight for eternity”

How can you not love Quinn and Trenton? The love between the two is undeniable and amazing. The second chance? Amazing! And you can see how they both truly care for one another and are always there no matter what.
Profile Image for Letsreadagoodbook.
391 reviews8 followers
May 1, 2025
Once again M.H cali write a book that pulls you right in and makes you feel like you right in the book! she has that way!! this book was really amazing! loved Quinn and Treyton!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.