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Chasing Stardust
A funny and heartfelt novel about learning who your parents are as people, finding yourself, and falling in love in the strangest places—with a David Bowie soundtrack of a lifetime.
A crazy promise is still a promise. Zoey Jones is spreading her late mother’s ashes along a path her eccentric grandma G-Lo followed in 1972: David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust tour. G-Lo was no ordinary groupie. According to her, Zoey’s mom was conceived somewhere between Memphis and Malibu, and Zoey’s grandpa is the glam rock icon himself. Revving up G-Lo’s old Cutlass, complete with her mother’s journal and a Ziggy Stardust 8-track, Zoey hits the open road.
After breaking down outside Nashville, Zoey is weighing her next move when she makes an immediate connection with Dash Hammond at an all-night diner. Dash is a college graduate fleeing the expectations of his family just as fiercely as Zoey tries to make sense of her own family’s colorful past. He offers to drive Zoey on the remainder of a life-changing road trip, and it’s more epic than Zoey ever dreamed.
What lies ahead is a cross-country journey of self-discovery, first love, glittering revelations, and finding the heart of a rebel that’s been beating inside Zoey the whole time.
A crazy promise is still a promise. Zoey Jones is spreading her late mother’s ashes along a path her eccentric grandma G-Lo followed in 1972: David Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust tour. G-Lo was no ordinary groupie. According to her, Zoey’s mom was conceived somewhere between Memphis and Malibu, and Zoey’s grandpa is the glam rock icon himself. Revving up G-Lo’s old Cutlass, complete with her mother’s journal and a Ziggy Stardust 8-track, Zoey hits the open road.
After breaking down outside Nashville, Zoey is weighing her next move when she makes an immediate connection with Dash Hammond at an all-night diner. Dash is a college graduate fleeing the expectations of his family just as fiercely as Zoey tries to make sense of her own family’s colorful past. He offers to drive Zoey on the remainder of a life-changing road trip, and it’s more epic than Zoey ever dreamed.
What lies ahead is a cross-country journey of self-discovery, first love, glittering revelations, and finding the heart of a rebel that’s been beating inside Zoey the whole time.
Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2025
3142 people are currently reading
6658 people want to read
About the author
Erica Lucke Dean
19 books203 followersAfter walking away from her career as a business banker to pursue writing full-time, Erica Lucke Dean moved from the hustle and bustle of the big city to a small tourist town in the North Georgia Mountains where she lived in a 90-year-old haunted farmhouse.
Tired of being woken up in the middle of the night by a pesky poltergeist, the author of contemporary young adult, romantic comedy, and paranormal romance moved into a cute little cabin in the woods, where she lives with her husband, her dogs, and the occasional bear. Much like the characters in her books, Ms. Dean is a magnet for disaster, and has been known to trip on air while walking across flat surfaces.
How she’s managed to survive this long is one of life’s great mysteries.
You can find out more about Erica, in addition to her humorous blog posts and disasters, on her website.
Represented by: Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Follow me on Bookbub to get notified when my books go on sale. https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erica...
Tired of being woken up in the middle of the night by a pesky poltergeist, the author of contemporary young adult, romantic comedy, and paranormal romance moved into a cute little cabin in the woods, where she lives with her husband, her dogs, and the occasional bear. Much like the characters in her books, Ms. Dean is a magnet for disaster, and has been known to trip on air while walking across flat surfaces.
How she’s managed to survive this long is one of life’s great mysteries.
You can find out more about Erica, in addition to her humorous blog posts and disasters, on her website.
Represented by: Cathie Hedrick-Armstrong of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.
Follow me on Bookbub to get notified when my books go on sale. https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erica...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 312 reviews
November 13, 2025
3.25 ⭐️
Zoey Jones feels more alone than ever when she and her sister, Jeanie, sit with their mother’s urn after the funeral. Heartbroken that she lost her best friend and angry that her boyfriend didn’t show up to support her, the last thing Zoey wants to hear is about the ridiculous road trip she promised her mom she’d embark on to spread her ashes. However, Jeanie and G-Lo (her grandma) are relentless in their desire to go on the trip. But when some unfortunate circumstances prohibit Jeanie from going, Zoey decides to go on the road trip by herself to not only fulfill her promise to her mom and do something with her life, but to better understand who her mother was as a young woman. So, with some clothes in her backpack, her mom’s urn in her tote, and driving in G-Lo’s old car, Zoey begins an adventure that will not only change her life but help her know who she really is and what she wants.
I’m going to make a confession: I don’t know any of David Bowie’s songs. 🫣 I’ve heard “Under Pressure,” but that’s all I’ve ever listened to. I know, I know. I’ve got some albums to listen to. 😅 There were a lot of facts and references to Bowie’s songs, and I was completely oblivious to what they were. But that didn’t really matter because I still enjoyed this book.
Granted, Zoey was ANNOYING. She acted immaturely in certain situations, she kept holding in her pee like she was being held up at gunpoint, and I KNOW for a fact that that isn’t healthy, and the decisions she made and the reasons behind them were honestly so dumb and made me shake my head. Like, break up with your toxic boyfriend! Stop talking to strangers! Listen to your sister and grandma, for crying out loud! Hear Dash out! Why must you be this way?! Oh yeah. You’re only twenty years old. Well, that explains some things, but it still doesn’t make me like her any better. 😅 Sure, she was funny at times, and I felt bad for her because losing someone SUCKS, but some of the jokes were forced or unnecessary and didn’t flow as well as the others. I liked Dash, too, but he also acted immaturely in some instances. He’s young, so I’ll cut him some slack, but not all early twenty-something year olds act like seventeen-year-olds. And I think that is my main problem with this book. It sounded too YA for me. They are in their twenties, but act like teenagers? Yeah, no. I’m good, thanks though.
Besides that, I enjoyed everything else. I really liked G-Lo! She was a hoot! 😂 I smiled and softly chuckled during parts of the story, and I think it ended well. I’m satisfied with how things went, I suppose. Heck, I wasn’t even really mad about the “third-act breakup” because they weren’t even together, and I expected nothing less from Zoey because she is immature. ☺
Do I recommend this book? Sure, but I know the YA tone and writing style isn’t for everyone, so if you don’t like YA books, I’d steer clear of this one. 💜
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions rape, murder, and serial killers jokingly, loss of a loved one, and I can’t really remember anything else. 😅
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes (🌶🌶🌶/5)
#ChasingStardust #NetGalley
Zoey Jones feels more alone than ever when she and her sister, Jeanie, sit with their mother’s urn after the funeral. Heartbroken that she lost her best friend and angry that her boyfriend didn’t show up to support her, the last thing Zoey wants to hear is about the ridiculous road trip she promised her mom she’d embark on to spread her ashes. However, Jeanie and G-Lo (her grandma) are relentless in their desire to go on the trip. But when some unfortunate circumstances prohibit Jeanie from going, Zoey decides to go on the road trip by herself to not only fulfill her promise to her mom and do something with her life, but to better understand who her mother was as a young woman. So, with some clothes in her backpack, her mom’s urn in her tote, and driving in G-Lo’s old car, Zoey begins an adventure that will not only change her life but help her know who she really is and what she wants.
I’m going to make a confession: I don’t know any of David Bowie’s songs. 🫣 I’ve heard “Under Pressure,” but that’s all I’ve ever listened to. I know, I know. I’ve got some albums to listen to. 😅 There were a lot of facts and references to Bowie’s songs, and I was completely oblivious to what they were. But that didn’t really matter because I still enjoyed this book.
Granted, Zoey was ANNOYING. She acted immaturely in certain situations, she kept holding in her pee like she was being held up at gunpoint, and I KNOW for a fact that that isn’t healthy, and the decisions she made and the reasons behind them were honestly so dumb and made me shake my head. Like, break up with your toxic boyfriend! Stop talking to strangers! Listen to your sister and grandma, for crying out loud! Hear Dash out! Why must you be this way?! Oh yeah. You’re only twenty years old. Well, that explains some things, but it still doesn’t make me like her any better. 😅 Sure, she was funny at times, and I felt bad for her because losing someone SUCKS, but some of the jokes were forced or unnecessary and didn’t flow as well as the others. I liked Dash, too, but he also acted immaturely in some instances. He’s young, so I’ll cut him some slack, but not all early twenty-something year olds act like seventeen-year-olds. And I think that is my main problem with this book. It sounded too YA for me. They are in their twenties, but act like teenagers? Yeah, no. I’m good, thanks though.
Besides that, I enjoyed everything else. I really liked G-Lo! She was a hoot! 😂 I smiled and softly chuckled during parts of the story, and I think it ended well. I’m satisfied with how things went, I suppose. Heck, I wasn’t even really mad about the “third-act breakup” because they weren’t even together, and I expected nothing less from Zoey because she is immature. ☺
Do I recommend this book? Sure, but I know the YA tone and writing style isn’t for everyone, so if you don’t like YA books, I’d steer clear of this one. 💜
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for providing the arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions and statements are my own.
❗Content Warnings❗
Mentions rape, murder, and serial killers jokingly, loss of a loved one, and I can’t really remember anything else. 😅
Swearing: Yes
Spice: Yes (🌶🌶🌶/5)
#ChasingStardust #NetGalley
October 1, 2025
FUNNIEST BOOK I’VE EVER READ!
I’m having trouble finding the words to express how much I enjoyed this book! Erica Lucke Dean has a knack for bringing humor to otherwise somber occasions. I quite literally laughed so hard. I couldn’t breathe, and I had tears from laughing so hard running down my face.
This is a beautiful and super fun story of a young woman coming into her own and finally discovering who she really is. It’s entertaining, hilarious, and defies generations. It’s something your older teen could read as well as your grandmother. Simply stated, it’s amazing and I can’t wait to share it with my Book Club and reading friends.
Can’t wait to read more from this Author!
I’m having trouble finding the words to express how much I enjoyed this book! Erica Lucke Dean has a knack for bringing humor to otherwise somber occasions. I quite literally laughed so hard. I couldn’t breathe, and I had tears from laughing so hard running down my face.
This is a beautiful and super fun story of a young woman coming into her own and finally discovering who she really is. It’s entertaining, hilarious, and defies generations. It’s something your older teen could read as well as your grandmother. Simply stated, it’s amazing and I can’t wait to share it with my Book Club and reading friends.
Can’t wait to read more from this Author!
October 10, 2025
Chasing Stardust was an okay read — not bad, but not something that completely pulled me in either. I had a hard time connecting with almost all the characters, especially Zoey. She just didn’t click for me — I found her to be annoying and obnoxious.
There are a couple of things that really annoyed me. One was the author repeatedly mentions that Zoey picked at a loose thread from her shorts, or shirt. I get that it was a nervous habit of hers. But come on, how many times does this need to be mentioned!?
Chapter 11 was irritating as well. Seriously Zoey, go pee!
This story had so much potential but I honestly couldn't stand the MC. Some parts were over-the-top and it felt forced. I felt the author tried too hard to make parts of the story humorous, which ended up being obnoxious.
This just wasn't the book for me.
There are a couple of things that really annoyed me. One was the author repeatedly mentions that Zoey picked at a loose thread from her shorts, or shirt. I get that it was a nervous habit of hers. But come on, how many times does this need to be mentioned!?
Chapter 11 was irritating as well. Seriously Zoey, go pee!
This story had so much potential but I honestly couldn't stand the MC. Some parts were over-the-top and it felt forced. I felt the author tried too hard to make parts of the story humorous, which ended up being obnoxious.
This just wasn't the book for me.
November 22, 2025
With her late mother's diary as a guide, Zoey travels across the USA, retracing David Bowie's 1972 Ziggy Stardust tour. A unique concept, well executed.
Chasing Stardust is a fast paced adventure filled with humor, awe and wonder. The free spirited characters had me hooked from the start and I was sad to see the story end. The final scene was a pleasant surprise.
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC.
Chasing Stardust is a fast paced adventure filled with humor, awe and wonder. The free spirited characters had me hooked from the start and I was sad to see the story end. The final scene was a pleasant surprise.
Thank you Netgalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC.
June 27, 2025
As Zoey struggles to find healing after her mother's death from Cancer, she emarks on a ridiculous journey to fulfill her mother's dying wish to have her ashes spread along the Ziggy Stardust concert route. But as a string of hysterical unforseen circumstances compounds, Zoey is forced to leave her comfort zone in ways she never imagined, finding herself along the way. With a winning cast of characters including her free-spirit grandmother and a Clark Kent look-alike she meets in an all-night diner, Zoey experiences true life and true love for the first time. Beware, you may need some Depends and a box of tissues while you read. You will laugh and you will cry.
October 8, 2025
Cute story and unique plot but the main character Zoey is bratty at times. Leans more YA because of this.
October 15, 2025
**Spoilers ahead!** kinda, sorta
Okay, my bad for misreading the blurb and thinking this was going to be a wacky grandmother road trips with her granddaughter, so I was surprised it was just the angsty granddaughter gonna go be wild, in the most timid way possible, all on her own. For about two days. At which point, she meets an attractive savior. They will road trip together! And girl falls for him. She starts to find her wackiness. She and the savior have a fight, compounded by plot inability to have them talk stuff out. Girl flounces off on her own, wraps up road trip, is missing the boy - and who to my wondering eyes should appear, but the boy! With all his own troubles taken care of. And they sit, entwined, as the sun goes down over the Pacific, and plan to continue the road trip because these are two wacky youths who now know themselves ever so well. YMMV.
Okay, my bad for misreading the blurb and thinking this was going to be a wacky grandmother road trips with her granddaughter, so I was surprised it was just the angsty granddaughter gonna go be wild, in the most timid way possible, all on her own. For about two days. At which point, she meets an attractive savior. They will road trip together! And girl falls for him. She starts to find her wackiness. She and the savior have a fight, compounded by plot inability to have them talk stuff out. Girl flounces off on her own, wraps up road trip, is missing the boy - and who to my wondering eyes should appear, but the boy! With all his own troubles taken care of. And they sit, entwined, as the sun goes down over the Pacific, and plan to continue the road trip because these are two wacky youths who now know themselves ever so well. YMMV.
August 18, 2025
Chasing Stardust takes us on a delightful journey as Zoey retraces the path laid out in her deceased mother’s journal—a whirlwind road trip that her mother and grandmother took in pursuit of a famous musician who just might be her mother’s bio dad. With the help of a hot dude she meets along the way, she discovers more about the women in her family as well as herself.
As a 70s baby, I adored this nostalgic romp and I’m obsessed with that cover. Five stars! If you’re a David Bowie fan or just crave a contemorary romance with a fearless and feral seventies vibe, add this to your TBR right away!
As a 70s baby, I adored this nostalgic romp and I’m obsessed with that cover. Five stars! If you’re a David Bowie fan or just crave a contemorary romance with a fearless and feral seventies vibe, add this to your TBR right away!
December 4, 2025
Cute even if a bit predictable! This would be a nice beach read 😊
October 18, 2025
So simplistic and obvious it was hard to get through. A young adult read, at best. I guess I should have figured that out when I realized Zoey was only 20. Sigh.
October 19, 2025
I thought I would really enjoy this. It had such an interesting premise…
I just could not connect with Zoey or Dash…. I’m sorry for Zoey being almost 21 and having taken care of her mother I feel like she would be a little bit more…
It felt to me like Zoey was more teenager… I understand grief can change things but it felt constantly like a tantrum was being thrown…
I struggled with this and probably should have just marked it as a dnf but pushed through…
I just could not connect with Zoey or Dash…. I’m sorry for Zoey being almost 21 and having taken care of her mother I feel like she would be a little bit more…
It felt to me like Zoey was more teenager… I understand grief can change things but it felt constantly like a tantrum was being thrown…
I struggled with this and probably should have just marked it as a dnf but pushed through…
December 23, 2025
4.5
Wow. Gonna file this under pandemic literature, written during it, but this was much needed.
Overall light and happy with a core of righteous anger, sadness and focus.
Yes, there were nice coincidences that moved the story along ( a nice 120k car, a generous anti drug biker, people who didn't steal past the first one...)
Zoey signed up to go spread her mother's ashes with her grandmother who insisted on not being called Grandmother, and her sister with a job, Jeanie. But Jeanie got injured and G-Lo ( yes her actual preferred name) has to take care of her. So what is Zoey going to to? Take her Grandmother's ancient cutlass and start the tour herself.
Following David Bowies 1972 American tour, Zoey starts out on a road trip to spread her mother's ashes there. And, like any road trip, complications abound. It lasts a few chapters before it all goes sideways quickly.
I knew that it would have an ultimately happy ending and I needed that. It was challenging to deal with the false starts and the backsteps but thats life. This novel is needed. A happy novel ultimate at the end. Messy like Bowie's tour, life, love, and everything else. I have to get more into his music beyond Starman, Major Tom and Rebel Rebel.
Definitely worth it and maybe even a book for the bookshelf.
Wow. Gonna file this under pandemic literature, written during it, but this was much needed.
Overall light and happy with a core of righteous anger, sadness and focus.
Yes, there were nice coincidences that moved the story along ( a nice 120k car, a generous anti drug biker, people who didn't steal past the first one...)
Zoey signed up to go spread her mother's ashes with her grandmother who insisted on not being called Grandmother, and her sister with a job, Jeanie. But Jeanie got injured and G-Lo ( yes her actual preferred name) has to take care of her. So what is Zoey going to to? Take her Grandmother's ancient cutlass and start the tour herself.
Following David Bowies 1972 American tour, Zoey starts out on a road trip to spread her mother's ashes there. And, like any road trip, complications abound. It lasts a few chapters before it all goes sideways quickly.
I knew that it would have an ultimately happy ending and I needed that. It was challenging to deal with the false starts and the backsteps but thats life. This novel is needed. A happy novel ultimate at the end. Messy like Bowie's tour, life, love, and everything else. I have to get more into his music beyond Starman, Major Tom and Rebel Rebel.
Definitely worth it and maybe even a book for the bookshelf.
November 8, 2025
3.5⭐️
✨ *ARC Review — Thanks to Brilliance Audio for the audiobook* ✨
Chasing Stardust had me from the premise alone: a cross-country pilgrimage retracing David Bowie’s 1972 Ziggy Stardust tour, with a grieving daughter scattering her mother’s ashes and recreating iconic photos from a road trip taken by her mom and grandmother.
And in many ways, it delivers. Zoey’s journey of self-discovery is hard-won and well-earned. There’s something beautiful about honoring generational memory through music, movement, and messy healing. The audiobook narration was excellent!
But Zoey herself? Oof. I struggled. She’s bratty, judgmental, hypocritical, and often a chaotic menace with zero self-awareness. I wanted to root for her, but she made it difficult. Her reactions felt immature, her choices baffling, and her attitude grated on me more than once. I understand flawed protagonists, but Zoey’s flaws often overshadowed her growth.
G-Lo, on the other hand, was a delight. Wise, vibrant, and full of heart—she anchored the story with warmth and humor. I found myself wishing we had more of her and less of Zoey’s tantrums.
Overall, this was worth a listen for the Bowie-infused nostalgia and G-Lo’s charm, but be prepared to wrestle with a protagonist who tests your patience.
✨ *ARC Review — Thanks to Brilliance Audio for the audiobook* ✨
Chasing Stardust had me from the premise alone: a cross-country pilgrimage retracing David Bowie’s 1972 Ziggy Stardust tour, with a grieving daughter scattering her mother’s ashes and recreating iconic photos from a road trip taken by her mom and grandmother.
And in many ways, it delivers. Zoey’s journey of self-discovery is hard-won and well-earned. There’s something beautiful about honoring generational memory through music, movement, and messy healing. The audiobook narration was excellent!
But Zoey herself? Oof. I struggled. She’s bratty, judgmental, hypocritical, and often a chaotic menace with zero self-awareness. I wanted to root for her, but she made it difficult. Her reactions felt immature, her choices baffling, and her attitude grated on me more than once. I understand flawed protagonists, but Zoey’s flaws often overshadowed her growth.
G-Lo, on the other hand, was a delight. Wise, vibrant, and full of heart—she anchored the story with warmth and humor. I found myself wishing we had more of her and less of Zoey’s tantrums.
Overall, this was worth a listen for the Bowie-infused nostalgia and G-Lo’s charm, but be prepared to wrestle with a protagonist who tests your patience.
October 29, 2025
Chasing Stardust by Erica Lucke Dean is a heartfelt, funny, and nostalgic road trip through grief, family secrets, and self-discovery—all set to the ultimate David Bowie soundtrack. Zoey Jones sets out to honor her late mother’s wish by scattering her ashes along the same route her eccentric grandmother traveled during Bowie’s Ziggy Stardust tour. What starts as a promise quickly turns into a life-changing journey filled with revelations, healing, and unexpected love.
Erica Lucke Dean captures the magic of connection and the ache of loss beautifully. The writing feels cinematic—you can almost hear the music as Zoey and Dash’s story unfolds across the open road. Their chemistry and banter add lightness and warmth to a story that balances humor with genuine emotional depth.
While a few pacing moments felt slightly uneven, the emotional payoff more than made up for it. Chasing Stardust is a moving reminder that sometimes the best journeys are the ones that help us find ourselves again.
✨ Thank you to Amazon First Reads for the ARC! I truly enjoyed this heartfelt adventure.
Erica Lucke Dean captures the magic of connection and the ache of loss beautifully. The writing feels cinematic—you can almost hear the music as Zoey and Dash’s story unfolds across the open road. Their chemistry and banter add lightness and warmth to a story that balances humor with genuine emotional depth.
While a few pacing moments felt slightly uneven, the emotional payoff more than made up for it. Chasing Stardust is a moving reminder that sometimes the best journeys are the ones that help us find ourselves again.
✨ Thank you to Amazon First Reads for the ARC! I truly enjoyed this heartfelt adventure.
October 14, 2025
Fun and lighthearted 💗
When I read so many reviews saying how funny this book was, my pessimistic self thought "It can't be that funny." Boy, was I wrong! I was laughing my way through the book, I choked on my Diet Coke at one point, This was the most perfect lighthearted story I needed to read.
Zoey was unbelievably unlucky, as Dash said, a magnet for disaster. But even though it was unbelievable at times, the writing was done so well around the incident that it just made it funny and almost relatable. Sweet Dash, just wants to be his own person. I feel so bad for him that he has not one, but two shitty parents. I thought for sure his mom would end up being this sweet woman, but no, she's a snake. G Lo, what a freaking wild card, she was hilarious. I can see how she wasn't the best mom, but she is the type of grandma Zoey needed. Someone to help her loosen up and live her own life instead of the one she thought her mom wanted her to have.
This was just a really fun and quick read. I enjoyed every sentence and wished there was an epilogue because I need to know more about the rest of Zoey and Dash's lives. I do not think you will be disappointed if you read this book.
When I read so many reviews saying how funny this book was, my pessimistic self thought "It can't be that funny." Boy, was I wrong! I was laughing my way through the book, I choked on my Diet Coke at one point, This was the most perfect lighthearted story I needed to read.
Zoey was unbelievably unlucky, as Dash said, a magnet for disaster. But even though it was unbelievable at times, the writing was done so well around the incident that it just made it funny and almost relatable. Sweet Dash, just wants to be his own person. I feel so bad for him that he has not one, but two shitty parents. I thought for sure his mom would end up being this sweet woman, but no, she's a snake. G Lo, what a freaking wild card, she was hilarious. I can see how she wasn't the best mom, but she is the type of grandma Zoey needed. Someone to help her loosen up and live her own life instead of the one she thought her mom wanted her to have.
This was just a really fun and quick read. I enjoyed every sentence and wished there was an epilogue because I need to know more about the rest of Zoey and Dash's lives. I do not think you will be disappointed if you read this book.
October 24, 2025
This had a Bowie tie-in so I’m contractually obligated as one of his most devoted fans to check it out. I was expecting a multi-generational female bonding road trip, and it was emphatically not that. It definitely reads more as YA to me, which isn’t my favorite genre. No big philosophical issue with YA, just way too far from my early 20’s to feel any deep interest in what are basically first romance & coming of age tales.
Still, points for G-Lo, the ultimate cool grandma; and for building a YA novel around The Thin White Duke (including some excellent Bowie-inspired chapter titles).
Still, points for G-Lo, the ultimate cool grandma; and for building a YA novel around The Thin White Duke (including some excellent Bowie-inspired chapter titles).
December 18, 2025
This was a cute story. Not going to lie, it took a while to get into it… I didn’t know where it was going, until half way in. Overall cute romance with a family aspect.
November 17, 2025
3.5⭐️
Romance isn’t my usual genre, and the characters are young and can be moody or whiny at times, but ultimately they were likable and the story moved well. There are a couple of R-rated scenes, for anyone who needs to know.
Romance isn’t my usual genre, and the characters are young and can be moody or whiny at times, but ultimately they were likable and the story moved well. There are a couple of R-rated scenes, for anyone who needs to know.
November 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC of this book! ‘Chasing Stardust’ has an intriguing and original idea, but the story itself didn’t land for me. I couldn’t connect with the characters at all—Zoey in particular felt extremely immature for a 20 year old, which made her difficult to root for. The plot relied heavily on unrealistic situations that made it hard to stay engaged, and ultimately I found myself unable to enjoy the story. While this wasn’t for me, I’m sure other readers may enjoy this unique book!
October 12, 2025
This was actually a really nice book, trying to take a break from mystery, and this filled a gap! this was wholesome and fun, also quite funny at points!!
October 21, 2025
Wait. What the fr*ck? Talk about a hanging ending! Did we just run out of steam? Or decide not to resolve the story? Well alrighty then 👍🏻
OR … maybe there’s going to be a sequel! I hope so!
I was loving the book so much and then it just kinda fizzled out, how sad. I wasn’t ready for it to end, I need more resolution
Full review post on Instagram @on_a_sandbar
OR … maybe there’s going to be a sequel! I hope so!
I was loving the book so much and then it just kinda fizzled out, how sad. I wasn’t ready for it to end, I need more resolution
Full review post on Instagram @on_a_sandbar
December 3, 2025
way too many pee jokes
October 4, 2025
It’s a sweet story with lots of adventure and lust, an entertaining romance story, interspersed with grief and coming of age.
October 22, 2025
DNF for me
October 20, 2025
Started this as just a light read - got it on Amazon prime first reads. At first it was kind of fun but sunk into stupidity. Skipped to the end
December 16, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 3.5 rounded up. This was a fun read - I will couch my feelings in the fact that I’m not a big romance reader. This book wasn’t wholly focused on romance, there were also moving themes about loss, grief, finding yourself, and healing. About trying new things and getting out of your comfort zone. About making a few stupid mistakes.
The romance was believable and fun, and Dash & Zoe had great chemistry. The David Bowie stuff was fun and well researched - I definitely learned some new David Bowie facts while reading!
My only gripe is how the main character, Zoe, would do some things that had me shaking my head or feeling irritated about how she would just word vomit her life story on random people - like girllll please get some street smarts🫣
And a few things didn’t quite add up - I have a sister and if I decided to spread our mom’s ashes alone she would be VERY upset. Like that’s just kinda not cool sister code. So idk that felt…convenient. As did G-Low’s not being around for Zoe’s mom (her daughter) having cancer or really when she was growing up and being generally unreliable…but then she stays with Zoe’s sister to take care of her with her broken leg so Zoe can road trip? I get that she was invested in Zoe going, but it felt a little bit like another plot convenience.
But if you don’t think about it too hard, this is a cute, light, fun little book and the narrator did a great job!
The romance was believable and fun, and Dash & Zoe had great chemistry. The David Bowie stuff was fun and well researched - I definitely learned some new David Bowie facts while reading!
My only gripe is how the main character, Zoe, would do some things that had me shaking my head or feeling irritated about how she would just word vomit her life story on random people - like girllll please get some street smarts🫣
And a few things didn’t quite add up - I have a sister and if I decided to spread our mom’s ashes alone she would be VERY upset. Like that’s just kinda not cool sister code. So idk that felt…convenient. As did G-Low’s not being around for Zoe’s mom (her daughter) having cancer or really when she was growing up and being generally unreliable…but then she stays with Zoe’s sister to take care of her with her broken leg so Zoe can road trip? I get that she was invested in Zoe going, but it felt a little bit like another plot convenience.
But if you don’t think about it too hard, this is a cute, light, fun little book and the narrator did a great job!
November 25, 2025
Chasing Stardust is a gentle story about dreams, growing up, and finding your place in the world. I found the idea of the book interesting, and I liked some of the quotes. :)
However, the story didn't completely convince me. The pace was a bit too slow for my taste, I didn't connect with the characters, and I had a hard time keeping my attention in certain parts. The main character, Zoey, doesn't seem like my type of person, haha.
But.. I have to point out that I'm currently in a reading slump, so it's possible that the book didn't have the same effect on me as it could have if I'd been more motivated.
However, I think the book could impress readers who appreciate calm, emotionally focused, and thoughtful stories, where the main event isn't what's important, but the journey within the character.
And the fact that it slightly revolves around David Bowie is definitely a plus for me :)
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC copy :)
However, the story didn't completely convince me. The pace was a bit too slow for my taste, I didn't connect with the characters, and I had a hard time keeping my attention in certain parts. The main character, Zoey, doesn't seem like my type of person, haha.
But.. I have to point out that I'm currently in a reading slump, so it's possible that the book didn't have the same effect on me as it could have if I'd been more motivated.
However, I think the book could impress readers who appreciate calm, emotionally focused, and thoughtful stories, where the main event isn't what's important, but the journey within the character.
And the fact that it slightly revolves around David Bowie is definitely a plus for me :)
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC copy :)
November 7, 2025
Absolutely heart-warming and fun
I had such a fun time watching this story play out. It was so sweet & light-hearted despite it being centered around the death of her mother and her working through the loss. I related to Zoey on such a deep level.
I read this book in 1 day because I couldn't wait to read where they were going to go next.
If you need a good happy read between heavy books- this one is 👌
I had such a fun time watching this story play out. It was so sweet & light-hearted despite it being centered around the death of her mother and her working through the loss. I related to Zoey on such a deep level.
I read this book in 1 day because I couldn't wait to read where they were going to go next.
If you need a good happy read between heavy books- this one is 👌
December 10, 2025
4.5/5. Enjoyed this little romantic comedy / grief journey more than I thought I would. Could’ve gone without the 45 mentions of bodily fluids but I did laugh out loud several times. Also, how many funnel cakes and burgers can one person eat?! No judgment, just an observation. The ending was predicable and unrealistic but still super cute.
October 10, 2025
A fun, adventurous and happy journey that Zoey takes. Zoey’s mom has recently died of cancer and Zoey finds herself with a secret diary of an adventure Zoey’s mom and grandmother took back in 1972 following David Bowie’s tour across the country. Zoey decides to follow the diary and the secrets held within and follow the path her mom took. Along the way she meets Dash at a small diner and he joins her in her epic adventure.
This was a really good story, a fun adventure, and a cute romance that everyone will fall in love with!
This was a really good story, a fun adventure, and a cute romance that everyone will fall in love with!
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