Starlight: A Novel: Debbie Macomber Classics

by Debbie Macomber

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER One of cherished author Debbie Macomber’s classic novels, this is an enchanting tale of a love that is challenged at every turn.

At a magical Christmas fete, Karen McAlister meets a man she cannot ignore - the first man to interest her in a long while. Before she laid eyes on Rand Prescott, Karen would have said her life was complete and content...much to the dismay of her widowed father, who would love to see her married and settled. But everything changed that enchanted The stars, the moonlight, the music, and the champagne all conspired to throw two people together. But the fates are determined to pull them apart.

Long ago, Rand Prescott erected a steel façade around his heart. He never had any intention of maintaining any kind of relationship with a woman. Independent, proud, and nearly blind, Rand felt he had no capacity to return a woman’s love. But that was before he met Karen. In one night, she shattered all of his preconceived ideas about romance and threatened to break through his walls. Rand is convinced that Karen deserves better than the love of a blind man. Can he ever accept this beguiling woman into his life - and into his soul?

“It’s impossible not to cheer for Macomber’s characters.... When it comes to creating a special place and memorable, honorable characters, nobody does it better than Macomber.” -- BookPage

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Harlequin, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit, Christmas, Ebooks

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[HippieWitch · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first Macomber book I've read that I disliked. I hated Rand the main male character. What an A-hole he is. Selfish, Controlling, Rude, Abusive with his words. I could go on and then Karen the main female character, man she needs to grow a back bone and quit letting Rand walk all over her and emotionally abuse her. Instead when she starts too she feels bad and backs down. What a mess their relationship was from the start. I'd have walked away from the beginning. Too many red flags.

[Bree Hill · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was TOUGH to make it through. Karen meets this guy Rand one night at a party and shortly finds out that he’s losing he eye sight. Has SUCH potential to be a beautiful story.

POTENTIAL.

Understandably Rand doesn’t trust people he has a tough exterior.

Karen immediately falls head over heels for this guy.

Her father whose aging and is secretly sick behind the scenes conjures up this scheme to get the two married.

Rand is such an ASSHOLE. Regardless of his situation or not he was just a jerk and Karen..I don’t know if I should call it strength or stupidity but in today’s day and age if someone tells you “get out” “I don’t want to be married to you,” you LEAVE. Or maybe that’s just me..?

I can appreciate Debbie Macomber providing hope and showing what it’s like to fight for what you love but this was just unbelievable to me. It was nice at the end to see Rand come around (finally) and I did tear up at the end but it was tough. There’s still something so addicting to Macomber’s story telling, as much as I wanted to just be done..I was hooked!

[Edwina Book Anaconda · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't really care for this book.
The "Hero" was one nasty, self centered, rude and crude dude.
Haven't met a man yet who is worth that much work.
And the way she shamelessly chased him ...*shudders*...
I would have let him drown in his own tears of self pity.

[Jody · Rating 5 out of 5]

An emotional roller coaster

I know there were some negative reviews about how he treated her but having a family member who is blind I understand their daily struggle. That doesn’t excuse them there behavior it just takes a strong & courageous person to see through the façade & walls they erect, to the loving, kind person they are. Like in the story. The story was so much my family member & his wife’s story in the beginning of their relationship it was like Mrs. Macomber wrote about them in mind. LOL Now he spoils her rotten & he’s happy.

[MaryAnn Collura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book at all. I hated Rand. I've never hated a character that much. i kept reading thinking it was going to get better and he would change. nope didn't happen.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is another one of Debbie's first books from 30 years ago. They have been reissued as eBooks and I have read both of them, Heartsong and Starlight.

Both books caught my attention right from the first page. This book started with Karen McAlistar going to a Christmas Party at her Godparents house with her Scottish father Matthew.

Matthew has been trying to get Karen married so that he could get a granddaughter before he leaves this earth. He has two grandsons from his older daughter, Judy. But he wants granddaughters.

Well, Karen does meet someone at the party, but their love does not go smoothly.

Of course, the story does end happily, but there is many things to overcome beforehand.

It was again a short read and well written and I would recommend it to all of my family and friends. The books are available from either Barnes & Noble (Nook) or Kindle.

[Debora Wilder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderfully written debut novel by Debbie Macomber. I'm very glad that it was re-released in eBook format.

This was a very enjoyable romance. There were the normal aspects of a romance. The main characters met, fell in love, then they had problems arise, that made them doubt each other, to overcome before reaching their happily ever after. This particular romance had some different problems that I had never run into before which made it more of an entertaining read for me.

[WGRLS · Rating 1 out of 5]

Staff Review:
This is one of Ms. Macomber's first published works from 1983. Honestly, it's awful. The main female character puts up with verbal and psychologically abusive behavior from the main male character throughout the book. She feels she can change him because she loves him. There are absolutely no redeeming qualities to the story or the characters, as neither one shows any growth or development. Avoid this one at all costs.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Macomber does a great job of showing the adjustments made during the first year of marriage with attendant problems and resolutions. I had a bit of trouble with the 13 year difference in ages, since that alone is enough to cause difficulties. After all, the two are from different generations. Unfortunately that aspect of the marriage was hardly mentioned.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Booklist Queen's Reading Challenge - Debut novel of famous author

Beat the Backlist Reading Challenge - Author has book releasing in 2021 (It's Better This Way - expected publication date of 7/13/2021)

Pretty Mess Reading Challenge - Published in 1980s (published in 1983)

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty predictable story but good to read.

[Shannon Matzen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Simply, no.

[Cindy Bolen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't like this book at all. First of all the love interest is a bitter mean spirited man who used the fact he was blind as an excuse to verbally abuse the character of the story. Second of all the woman was a doormat and pathetic who allowed him to do it. I mean sure it was underhanded of her father to blackmail him into marriage but come on, they could have anulled it. I understand that it was a different time back then. Also people in her life knew he was verbally abusive and basically allowed it to happen by making excuses. I actually hate the love interest and thinks she could have done better. Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder were both blind. They got married and had children. I don't recommend this book. I like this author but this is one of the worst books that I have ever read.

[NickyL · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought, how cool, a blind Hero. But then he's this massive jerk pretty much all the way through. No, actually, all the way through. I did not like him.

[Lis Sigona · Rating 5 out of 5]

A challenging book during a difficult time in my life. Having just buried my sister, who had died unexpectedly, I choose to delve into another one of Debbie Macomber’s novels to keep my mind from traveling the grief I was spiraling in. This unusual portrayal of romance with its one character fighting against the way things were meant to be… Conflicted with my emotions of what I was dealing with and scream life is too short, stop being so hard headed and just enjoy the little things in life, they are so few and far between. By the end of the book, I wished it was continuing on to find out more of their complexities in life…

[Nancy K. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I assume that this was one of Ms. Macomber's early works. The characters are shallow and inconsistent. I found Karen wavering between Pollyanna nativity and worldly wise with a dose of Mother Teresa thrown in. As far as I'm concerned, there were no redeeming qualities for Rand. The plot was predictable and over the top in many places. I'm thankful that I did not read this for my first Debbie Macomber book...there wouldn't have been another

[Maureen Mullis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was easy to tell that this is one of Macomber's earliest novels. It has lots of flaws, specifically in continuity, but its a pretty good romance. I wouldn't judge her by this book alone, her writing and storytelling have improved dramatically since this book was published, but it was still a fun, light book to read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a love hate relationship with this book. On one hand the story drew me in (after the first page) and kept me. But the main love interest is a moody jerk, constantly sending severe mixed signals and the main character is a stubborn push over. Plus I highly suspect that Rand and Cora are just friends/partners even after it all.

[Martin Meek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow,
What a first novel. Love between to different kind of people. A book that keeps you rooting for the two main characters. This isn't my first Debbie Macomber novel but its up there at one of my favorites. It had me laughing and crying all in one. This has what will become Debbie's signature style and this book is a must read.

[Sherene · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually love all the characters Mrs. Macomber writes, however this time, no. In the beginning of the book I understood how the main character interacted with the love interest. As the story went on I really began to dispose the way both of them behaved. Karen behaved like she had never been in a relationship and her inner monologue was ridiculous. She was constantly asking herself what she did wrong? What did she do to make him feel that way? How could she fix it for him? Rand was mentally abusing her and she just went with it. As the book progresses I found myself telling her that she needed to leave him, especially when she told him she was pregnant and he behaved the way he did. I thought she was going to do the smart thing and leave. She didn’t, she stayed. The ending, the sex scenes, and the inner monologue reminded me of 50 shades albeit was PG. Karen could definitely be Ana and Rand definitely had Christian vibes. Rand’s trauma wasn’t as bad as Christians, but it still didn’t make sense to me as the way he was behaving. There was also the meddling of Karen’s dad that bugged me, Debbie hashed out the situation that worked for the situation that worked I suppose. However I would have liked to see Karen confront her dad because blackmail.

[Felicia Allen]

I don't feel that I can leave a rating for this book right now. While the book was very well written and evoked emotions from me, I couldn't stand the main characters.

Rand was very emotionally manipulative and abusive. The whole book I was begging Karen to leave him. Anytime she would get ready to, he would apologize and she would go back. Anytime she would talk to her sister about it, her sister would encourage her to stay and work it out.

The reason I feel so negative towards this situation is that I lived it. I used to be a Karen.

I want to give this book a two-star review based on the main character's situation. I also want to give it a four-star review because it was very well written and it made me feel something, even though it was negative. I don't feel that I can give this book a non-biased rating.

[Judith And · Rating 2 out of 5]

It certainly was a quick read for me and I thought it was okay. My understanding is that the book is one of her early ones. I generally really enjoy Debbie Macomber books but this one would definitely be at the bottom of the list for me.

The male main character Rand is not very likable. From a couple of references in the text, I got the feeling that this was supposed to be set during the second world war, which in my opinion would make some sense as to why our heroine acted as she did. Not sure I am correct but I'm going with it because I'm not sure why any woman would put up with Rand, love of her life or not.

I would classify this as one of those books to read on the beach or a long flight where when finished you don't repack it to make room for a new one.

[Meredith Olmstead · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of the most frustrating and dysfunctional relationships I’ve read about. I stopped rooting for them about halfway through and began hoping the MFC would seek therapy instead on why she allowed such terrible treatment of herself. I get that he was struggling with blindness but the way he treated her and blamed her was disgusting. When her sister tells her Rand has been so good to her at the end of the book, I audibly groaned. I didn’t rate it a 2 because the writing was terrible although if I read the word husky one more time I was going to scream. It was more about the way she presented the relationship as good.

[Jenna Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the beginning I was hooked on the idea of Rand and Karen but his character development was awful. I kept waiting and waiting for him to change and he never did for all 251 pages… and then he finally did on the very last page. I felt as though everyone reading this book was waiting for this moment and then the change happened as though a timer was about to buzz if they didn’t get the words out in the next 10 seconds. It would have been a 4/5 book if they had extended the book and shown more of Rand’s character development, and or had it happen sooner in the book so we had longer to process and enjoy it.

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just when I thought I had read all of Debbie Macomber's books, I came across this one in my local library. Stepping back in time - the main characters dance to a song played on a cassette tape - the story has Debbie's familiar themes of finding your one true love, honoring marriage vows and the blessings of close family and friends. This wasn't one of her best books, yet it drew me in so I had to keep reading to see how it would end. It was rather like being on a roller coaster because this couple had so many ups and downs in their relationship.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't finish

I remember when I voraciously read Harlequin and Sillouette romances drinking in the strong, domineering, stubborn men and the women who work to bring out their softer side. This was a quintessential romance from that era. I picked it up because I have enjoyed Macomber later books especially her Christmas stories. I stopped reading because I was getting so annoyed by Rand's love-hate attitude and Karen's bending over backwards to make things work. Just not a fan of these types of stories anymore.

[Janet]

As you see I didn't star this one at all. Recently I have read several of Debbie Macomber books and this one started out even better than the previous ones. For awhile it was looking good but it swiftly started going downhill at some point. I kept hoping something would save it but nothing ever did and the end was really not very satisfying. Too darn bad. I was really hoping this unique hero would have a more than satisfying HEA (and the heroine deserved much better than this story allowed).

[Fire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really started out loving this book , but it was so back and forth, and rushed , I would have rather enjoyed more time with them getting along, then abruptly ending it after the babies were born, I felt the whole book would lead up to something wonderful, and them it was done a half a page later .
More time was spent on the homewrecker in this story then on their wedding day .

Very disappointed as I have never read a book of hers i didnt like but this one let me down .

[Jeanne Dugent- Britton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read several D. Macomber books, and I have to say that this is the only one that I just did not like. The MMC was not a very nice guy and seemed a bit verbally aggressive to the woman he supposedly loved. The FMC was too accepting of how he talked to her and treated her. This particular book was not for me, I didn't really enjoy it and wouldn't say it was a Christmas book either, even if that is when they met. 😒

[Audrey Widjaja · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit dark and gloomy for me. Rand is blind i understand and how he sees the world is actually understandable, but whenever he hurts his wife is intolerable. So my heart was aching when reading this book. I can't say that Rand is a jerk.

The ending itself not showing that all problems have been solved, just like life. However, i was unsatisfied.