Rewrite the Stars

by Lindsay Hameroff

A sparkling romance between an ex-actress and her contractor, reminding us that it’s never too late to rewrite our destiny.

Semi-retired actress Marissa Morgan has played many parts in her life. But these days, her primary role is mother of two. Since hitting pause on her career, she’s worked hard to give her kids a normal childhood and shield them from the spotlight. So when her ex-husband announces his high-profile engagement and a media storm ensues, Marissa and her kids flee Los Angeles for a summer at her recently inherited Poconos lake house.

The long-vacant house needs major TLC, so Marissa hires a home renovation company to do repairs. But when the project hits a snag and Marissa finds herself sharing space with the crew, including Jesse, the handsome (and vaguely familiar) foreman, her plans for a drama-free summer hit choppy water.

Jesse doesn’t expect Marissa to remember him; they were just kids when they last played together at the lake. But he’s never forgotten her; he’s spent the last two decades quietly following her career, even as his own dreams fell apart. And now that she’s stumbled back into his sleepy hometown, Jesse’s predictable life has gotten a lot more complicated.

As the summer days pass, Marissa finds herself centering her own needs for the first time in years—and that includes giving into her mounting attraction to Jesse. Soon, she finds herself wondering if their fling could become something more.

After an unexpected career opportunity falls into Marissa's lap, it feels like the stars have finally aligned. But when new complications arise, the pair wonder how they’ll fit into each other’s future. Can Marissa and Jesse chart a new course together, or is it too late to rewrite the script for a happily ever after?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Fiction, Adult, Adult Fiction

320 pages, Paperback

Expected publication July 7, 2026

About the author

Lindsay Hameroff writes contemporary love stories that will make you laugh and swoon in equal measure. Born in Baltimore, MD, she now lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania with her husband and two kids. Her writing has been featured in McSweeney’s Internet Tendency, Weekly Humorist, and fan letters to Harry Styles.

Reviews

[Bekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you St.Martins Press for this gifted copy! All these thoughts are my own.
This story was so heartwarming and made me as a mom feel so seen. We meet Marissa, mom, actress and dealing with an ex husband who is trash. She decides to take her kids to a cabin that was gifted to her by her grandmother who had passed away. In the time there she learns that it’s ok to make choices for herself and not just her children. The representation of autism in this book and the emotions surrounding this were so well done. I loved it.
We meet Jesse the carpenter and childhood crush of Marissa’s. It was so sweet seeing there relationship grow into what it was at the end. Jesse was so good for Marissa and Marissa was so good for Jesse. He really show up and showed her how to be loved. It was just so sweet. Jesse also had his own growing to do. Overall this was such a sweet story and exactly what I needed. If you love neurodivergent rep, golden retriever MMC, actress FMC, and childhood crush then I definitely recommend this one!

[Michelle’s Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! A slight departure from her first two books, this was a little more serious and I believe the FMC was a bit older and it really worked for me. I don’t usually like any kind of actor or Hollywood stories but I liked that this FMC was trying to make a comeback.

[Christa Rapp · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of Rewrite the Stars.

Once I started this book, I could hardly put it down. The writing style immediately pulled me in and kept me fully engaged from beginning to end. It flowed effortlessly, making it such an easy and enjoyable read. As a millennial, I especially loved the throwback references sprinkled throughout the story as they added a fun layer of nostalgia that made the reading experience even more relatable and entertaining.

This was a sweet and heartfelt story with characters I genuinely connected with. Marissa was easy to root for, and I found myself invested in her journey from the very beginning. There were also some fantastic supporting characters, particularly Marissa’s best friend, Pooja, and Jesse’s sister, Shelby, who brought strong “girl power” energy and added depth to the story. Of course, there was one character I didn’t love, but every story needs a villain, and it definitely kept things interesting.

While there is a light and charming romance woven throughout the book, what really stood out to me was the deeper message. At its core, this is a story about self-discovery and growth. Watching Marissa reconnect with herself, rediscover her passions, and rebuild her confidence was incredibly rewarding. That emotional journey is what truly made the story shine for me.

One thing to note is that the book includes a significant amount of motherhood-focused content. As someone who isn’t a parent, this didn’t fully resonate with me on a personal level. However, I still appreciated the author’s honest and realistic portrayal of motherhood; the highs, the lows, and everything in between. In particular, the focus on raising an autistic child added an important and meaningful layer to the story. Lindsay handled this topic with care and authenticity, offering insight into the unique challenges and experiences that come with it. It felt both eye-opening and respectful to families navigating similar situations.

Overall, Rewrite the Stars is a warm, engaging, and uplifting read about love, growth, and finding your way back to yourself. If you enjoy character-driven stories with heart, a touch of romance, and meaningful themes, this is definitely one to pick up.

[Kayla Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I want to say thank you to St. Martin’s press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

5 FREAKING STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely devoured this book, I picked it up and did not put it down other than for sleep and work. This is such an unexpected emotional read. It’s so much more than just a love story. It has incredible autism representation and is also about finding yourself, teaching moms especially that they can be many things and being a mom does not have to be your entire life.

Of course I absolutely loved the MMC and the way he showed up for Marissa, even when it took him a second. And I just loved watching Marissa find her voice, her strength, and herself.

About halfway through I thought it would end up being a 4 star read maybe 4.5, but the ending and so many little moments throughout really got me. I cried, I laughed, I got angry. So many lessons we can all carry with us and should carry with us. Truly a must read!

[Gina | ReadWithMeeks · Rating 4 out of 5]

When her ex-husband gets engaged, and she can't stand the thought of being asked about it all summer, Marissa takes her kids to the lake house she just inherited from her grandma. She plans to get it renovated while they are there and then sell it or give it to another family member once they move back to LA. What she didn't count on was her instant spark with Jesse, the owner of the company doing the renovations.

This was a bit slow in the beginning, as it took a while to build up to Marissa and Jesse's romance. It read a lot more like a contemporary fiction book as we got to know them each separately. The book really delved into their pasts and let us get to know them individually before bringing them together as a couple. I liked this approach, and it paid off in the end, but it did take some time for me to get into it.

I really liked Marissa and Jesse separately. I understood their personal struggles and really wanted to see them succeed. Together, they were even better. They brought out the best in each other, and they really earned their happy ending.

Set in a charming small town in the Poconos, Rewrite the Stars was emotional, heartwarming, romantic, and even funny at times. I recommend it, especially if you like:
🌶️ Emotional, open-door romances
🚤 Lake houses
🧩 Autism rep
🐦‍🔥 Well-earned comebacks

Tropes:
🏘️ Small Town
👩🏻‍👧🏻‍👦🏻 Single mom
🔒 Forced proximity
🔄 Second chance
💬 Miscommunication
🔥 Slow burn

*Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin, and Lindsay Hameroff for providing this eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy; all thoughts are my own!

📖 Book Review 📖 There is something magical about summers spent at a lake house. Every year, my mom would wake us up at 3am to make the eleven hour trek up to my great-grandmother’s cottage in Canada (very close to Barry’s Bay) with generations of my family. There was barely indoor plumbing and we all squeezed into the tiny accommodations but the memories made there were priceless.

Growing up changes us, and certainly becoming a mom almost rewrites our DNA. And when we go back to our special places with our children, something stirs deep inside. Life has been quite the challenge for Marissa since her husband left her for a younger Hollywood star. While she put aside her career to be a mom, nothing cements true strength like being the anchor for our kids in the storm. When she learns her late grandmother bequeathed her the beloved home in the Poconos, she takes the opportunity to introduce her children to her happy place.

Swept away with nostalgia and a budding new romance, Marissa unexpectedly finds herself in a summer totally worthy of postcards home (and please let’s bring that back in style). Lindsay Hameroff delivers a heartfelt emotional read that blends the best summers of childhood with the realities of adulthood. Life is way harder than it should be but thank our lucky stars for books like this.

[Laura Donovan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lindsay Hameroff, why do you have to make this autistic mom of autistic kids laugh and cry in the same hour? Gosh this book is a beautiful burst of hope for moms who reclaim their identities after having kids and stepping out of troubled marriages. This is also a true depiction of what it means to raise a child on the spectrum and how uniquely isolating that experience can be for moms who struggle to find community. For a Pennsylvania native, Lindsay perfectly captures life in LA (I was born and raised there). I’ve loved all Lindsay’s books, and I celebrate the evolution of her storytelling. This one has romance but really nails the complexities of motherhood as well. The autism element sets it apart from many of works of motherhood lit and is here to help those of us who can relate. I certainly can. I love the humor in this as well. Gosh can Lindsay write. Her work is impossible not to adore.

[KY.Bibliophage · Rating 4 out of 5]

*NG ARC READ*
SPOILERS*****


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This gives Hallmark movie vibes. Perfect feel good on a cold winter night read. Marissa an ex actress and ex husband Rocky have two children, one being neurodivergent. Her best friend Pooja provides opinions and support while she tries to go find rhythm in divorced life in the public eye. Post divorce Marissa is afloat trying to navigate life when she decides to go to her inherited lake house that belonged to her grandmother where she had spent time during the summer before becoming famous. She hires family contractors, Jesse and Toby and his wife Shelby. Through the remodel of her home and a few dates she learns Jesse is JJ a boy she played with during the summer as a child and he never got over her. They fall in love and think they're doing what's best for each other when Marissa decides to go back to acting. Rocky makes a few comments to throw Jesse off kilter and Jesse steps back thinking he's doing the right thing. Eventually there's a HEA as everyone comes back to their senses but Marissa learns to stand on her own two feet and do what's best for her instead of putting everyone else first. It was predictable but cute. I can appreciate the little look into life with a neuro spicy child and the fact routines matter but Lindsay also does a great job showing life doesn't have to always stop, sometimes it's just handling things differently.

[Amanda Blanche · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this e-ARC of this title releasing in July 2026.

I have been lucky enough to read this author before and loved her previous books - this one I was a little more divided on.

A romance story that brings a childhood crush from the past to the present, a “has been” Hollywood starlet and the small town carpenter. I loved the FMC in her portrayal of motherhood - especially as her son has autism. My issue is more with the relationship with the MMC - I feel like he could have done better than her - and with the miscommunication trope being on both ends - I feel like he did all the grovel and chasing, and the FMC needed to put a little more effort in. MMC is prime green flag book boyfriend material.

Marissa is feeling a little lost in her own identity - having given up acting to focus on being a mother and a wife, she’s spent the last decade worried about others. When her marriage implodes - very publicly - she then focuses on her children. When tensions are at an all time high - she finds out she inherited her grandmothers lake house - a place she loved as a child. Deciding to hideaway for the summer, she returns to the lake house with her kids in tow. With it being an older house, and being vacant - it’s in need of some repairs and restoration. Marissa immediately feels chemistry and an odd sense of connection to the carpenter, Jesse. Jesse has had a tough time of his own, moving back home to help with the family restoration business after his father passed suddenly. The last thing he expects is the see the woman he knew as a girl from those summers all those years ago. And to realize his crush never went away.

[Kristen Killian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A special thank you to St. Martin's Press, Netgalley and Lindsay Hameroff for this advance copy of Rewrite the Stars - this one publishes 7/7/26 and honestly should be celebrated.

I'm a fellow autism mom, and representation is so important, but every autism parent should read this book - Marissa, our FMC is an autism momma and actress, and I've never felt so seen by a character. Some of the quotes are stunning in here, and really reflect what every autism parent feels at some point in their lives with their children. On the flip side, I think anyone would enjoy this, special needs parent or not - Marissa and Jesse feel so healthy with their communication and making sure to figure out how this relationship is going to work. Normally I don't love celebrities in books or the "Hollywood life", but this one worked for me. I actually reached out to the author on Instagram to tell her how special this book is, and how everyone needs to pick it up.

Thank you again to Netgalley, the publishers and the author for this ARC in exchange for this honest review - please pick this book up when it publishes in July 2026, it's a beautiful romance.

[Cedy Redcay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley and Lindsay Hameroff for providing me with this arc. This book was not quite what I was expecting. I really did appreciate the difference in style with this book compared to the other two in the series. It was very much giving Hallmark movie. I appreciated that the central theme surrounded a single mom making her comeback as an actress while prioritizing her children. The book did a good job depicting what moms go through and I liked being able to see Marissa start to prioritize herself rather than putting everyone else’s needs above her own. It touched a lot of the idea of how becoming a mom comes with a shift in identity which can be confusing for people. But it tugged on the heart strings in all the right ways. The aspect of the book that I was very impressed with was Lindsay’s representation of autism in the book. It was very well done and depicted the parent and child perspective in a way that was easy to understand and also related to.

[Justine Lyn Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Nearly every culture has its own interpretation of hell… across the varied spectrum of beliefs the one commonality everyone agrees on is that hell is a place of suffering. Which is why for parents, hell on earth is a third grade recorder concert”
From this first page knockout, I knew that Lindsay Hammeroff had something special here!
I really loved following Marissa‘s story as she navigated through life as a single parent/former TV and movie star.
The characters felt very genuine, and the battles Marissa went through internally as a mom trying to create her own life were incredibly relatable.
Hammeroff has definitely secured her place on my “must-read” authors list!

[Christine M in Texas (stamperlady50) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rewrite the Stars
By: @lindsayhameroff
Pub date: July 7, 2026
Publisher: St. Martins Press
5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Loved this one. Starting over after a painful divorce is hard. When your divorce plays out publicly because you are in the public eye makes it harder to shield children. Marissa is at a crossroads.

The chance comes when she inherits property in another state. A chance at romance and a slower pace of life might be what she needs. Marissa has the chance to find out what she truly needs and what is best for her children.

Heartwarming, charming and being seen are elements of the story that connected with me. I have read all this authors books and highly recommend them all.

Thank you St. Martins Press for the early copy.

[Ashley Langer · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[The Polished Diamond · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, once I started this book I could hardly put it down. I stayed up LAAATEEEE reading it which I think easily reflects my early positive feelings of this book. I found it easy and comforting and really enjoyed the premise of this book.

I will say, I had moments where I felt like some scenes didn’t push into feelings I felt could have been explored for a more meaningful connection between our MMCs. It wasn’t miscommunication… but there were moments where a lack of communication made me feel less invested in the strength of their attraction. Moments where they seemed to finally be seeking out a conversation but didn’t end up talking. And it wasn’t that something would magically be cleared up by talking (which is why I don’t attribute it to a miscommunication trope) but that I had a hard time understanding or buying the strength of their connection because they weren’t talking. How much could they really be learning each other outside the physical when they aren’t talking and truly getting to know one another? The third act drama was particularly meh for me and just further highlighted that even by the end I didn’t feel like they actually knew each other.

Additionally, there is a LOT of mommy topics in this book. So while that aspect didn’t resonate with me as a no kids lady, I think many mommies will love the journey Marissa goes through as a single mom of a son on the spectrum. I think more depth is given to Marissa on this topic than is given to the building of the romantic relationship so a can see how others may feel more drawn into this story and would even venture to say this is the point of this book over it being a romance.

There was one particular scene I kept getting thrown out of because of continuity errors? He takes her over to the bed twice, he’s ’participating in self enjoyment *cough* and later she unbuttons his pants. I tried to think of ways he may have been doing this with buttoned pants but based on the description I just don’t think so? Hoping this gets cleaned up before release. I never rate on grammar or misspelling in ARCS but I kind of feel like this type of thing should be done prior to releasing ARCs. I’ll still try not to rate based on this for now.

Again, I want to note that I DID enjoy this book for a majority of the ride. I loved how much this book highlighted under represented voices. I loved the idea of what role Jesse brings to Marissa. I love how he just wants to be a safe space for her. I just felt the romance could have been provided more depth than was given by providing some meaningful dialogue.

Thank you to Lindsay Hameroff and St. Martins Griffin for the eARC of this book. I always appreciate the opportunity to read and review.

This next part is slightly spoilery but I feel was an important piece to my final Star review so don’t continue if you don’t want to see it.
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The third act was a real departure for how I felt about these characters before. While I didn’t feel the romance was front and center for the duration I really didn’t care for how the conclusion was done. I actually find it… to be a true character deficiency that the MMC decided to end their relationship based on the word of her ex without even having a single adult conversation with her about what she wants and no evidence to back up anything the ex said. It gives very, ‘let the men talk’ vibes and made me dislike him. Then the fact he let MONTHS go by without realizing he made a mistake? Ummm no. I’m not taking this guy back. Go talk to my ex about it why don’t you, since you obviously trust his opinion of what I want more than what I say. Sorry but you’re done.

[ZuMo's Book Nook · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5

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Genre: romance
Publication Date: 7/7/26 (ARC)
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Format: eBook
POV: first person
Highlights: dual POV, summer vibes

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Rewrite the Stars was a lovely story full of hope, love, and rediscovering oneself.

I'll start by saying this: what a beautiful cover! I don't normally comment on the cover of a book but this one grabbed my attention with how gorgeous and calming it felt which, based on the sunset scenes in the book, I believe is just what the author was going for.

Years after leaving her acting career behind in favor of raising her two children, one of which is autistic, Marissa learns she has inherited her grandmother's lake house. The same lake house where she has many wonderful memories of summers spent splashing in the lake with the neighborhood kids and making smores around campfires at sunset. Deciding to escape the paparazzi after the surprise engagement of her famous ex-husband by going to the lake house for the summer, Marissa learns the value of true community and reconnects with one of the neighborhood kids she used to play with. Except Jesse isn't a kid anymore. He's now the foreman of the company that is helping fix up the lake-house and has grown into an incredibly handsome man whom Marissa feels a magnetic pull towards.

The story of Marissa and Jesse's love is much more character heavy than plot heavy as the main focus besides the love story is the current of self-discovery for Marissa and self-realization for Jesse. As we move through the story, Marissa begins to rediscover who she is outside of being a mom. She is reminded that she is also a woman and an actress and that she can't be her best self without taking care of herself too. Jesse learns what is holding him back in relationships and discovers that he needs to tackle his past before he is able to let go and love fully. Both characters have a depth to them beyond who they are to each other.

Their love story is a fun ride. The first third to half of the book is filled with a delicious tension and even once they finally get together, the chemistry between Marissa and Jesse is palpable. I wish they had communicated better but the story was sweet none the less and while the intimate scenes weren't spicy they were soulful.

I really enjoyed the ride this book took me on. I loved the chemistry between Jesse and Marissa as well as the friendships Marissa builds while back at the lake house. I could really feel the atmosphere the author was trying to build when describing the feeling of being at the lake house and it made me nostalgic for my own summer trips as a kid. I would highly recommend this book.

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Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review

[Brittany | BrittanyIsBooked · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

In her last summer before she became a big star, Marissa Morganstern and JJ formed an unforgettable bond in the Poconos. Now, 20 years later, Marissa has been out of acting for years, prioritizing her children instead. After her grandmother passes away, Marissa learns that she inherited the house she spent her childhood summers living in. To give her children one magical summer in the Poconos, Marissa takes her children from LA to PA. Once there, she finds the contractors have not finished the flooring, and there is a lot more contracting work that needs to be done. There’s something about Jesse that instantly captivates Marissa. Marissa may not remember Jesse, but Jesse certainly remembers her and the torch he carried for her that one magical summer years ago.

If you have read Hameroff’s other books, please note that this book is different. It is stilla second-chance romance, but the backstory and the psent day both differ a lot from her first two novels. This book captures a lot more of a journey through motherhood, and trying to find essentially 20 lost years of youth and fun that were traded for a life in the limelight. I was impressed with how well Hameroff worte in an autistic 4 year old and wove him throughout the book as a dynamic character, that maybe challenges his mother’s belief in herself, but is also an awesome kid. I wasn’t surprised that when I got to the acknowledgements, Hameroff is an autism-mom herself, because she handled the fictional son so well.

I also thought the dynamic between the ex-husband was motivating. Marissa states throughout the novel that she will always put her children ahead of any negative feelings between her and her ex-husband, especially because she herself was a child of divorce. And you can really see this coming through. Even when Marissa is battling what is best for her versus what is best for her children, she is conscious of this balance.

The romance between Marissa and Jesse is electric. They begin with a secret feeling of mutual attraction that quickly escalates, during a time when Marissa’s ex-husband has the children full-time. I think, in some ways, it felt rushed, but as a parent myself, I fully understand how the emotional unburdening of your children being in a physically different place and well-cared for by someone else. There’s still the mom guilt of not being there and not being tethered to your kids. But there’s also this weight lifted from the mental load of mothers. I felt like this was happening with Marissa when she finally found the space to let Jesse in.

This book is open door, and I would classify it as much literary fiction as romance. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was absolutely in love with the characters.

[Amber D’Ambrosio]

This was such a comforting, feel-good small town romance that felt more like a story about rediscovering yourself than just a traditional love story. At its core, this book is about Marissa, a former Hollywood actress who has spent years putting everyone else first, especially her children, after stepping away from her career and going through a very public divorce. Returning to her grandmother’s lake house in the Poconos with her kids in tow felt like watching someone finally exhale after holding their breath for years.

One of the standout elements of this book was the portrayal of motherhood and autism representation through Marissa’s son. The story handled neurodiversity with so much care and authenticity, and you can feel how personal and meaningful that aspect was. I really appreciated how much attention was given to the realities of parenting, identity loss after motherhood, and the complicated balancing act of trying to take care of yourself while constantly caring for others. Marissa’s journey of slowly reconnecting with herself, her passions, and her confidence was honestly the strongest part of the book for me.

The romance itself was sweet and easy to sink into, with Jesse bringing all the green flag carpenter energy imaginable. His history with Marissa as a childhood crush made their reconnection feel tender and nostalgic, and I loved how safe and steady he wanted to be for her. The small town setting, lake house restoration vibes, and found family atmosphere all added to the cozy, Hallmark-movie feel of the story.

That said, I did struggle at times with the depth of the romance. While the chemistry was definitely there, I wanted more meaningful conversations between Marissa and Jesse to really sell the emotional intensity of their connection. There were several moments where it felt like they were on the verge of truly opening up, only for the conversations to fizzle out before getting anywhere substantial. Because of that, I sometimes found it harder to fully buy into the strength of their relationship beyond the physical attraction. The imbalance in emotional effort also stood out to me a bit, since Jesse did a lot of the chasing and emotional heavy lifting while Marissa felt more guarded throughout most of the story.

Still, I genuinely enjoyed this book for the majority of the ride. It’s warm, heartfelt, and incredibly easy to read, with beautiful scenery and a strong emotional core centered around healing, motherhood, and finding yourself again. While I think the romance could have used a little more depth and development, the emotional journey Marissa goes on absolutely made this story worth reading. It’s the kind of book that leaves you feeling hopeful and reminds you that it’s never too late to reclaim pieces of yourself you thought were lost.

[Jaclyn H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of Rewrite the Stars.
This was my first book by this author, and overall I found it to be a sweet and enjoyable romance with characters I genuinely liked.
The FMC, Marissa Morgenstern, is a successful actress who stepped away from her career to raise her children, including her son who has autism. She’s recently divorced from a self-centered actor who has cheated on her and is now very publicly engaged to someone else. When Marissa inherits her grandmother’s lake house in Pennsylvania,a place filled with childhood summer memories before her career took off when she was twelve, she decides to spend the summer there with her kids while the house is being renovated.
The MMC, Jesse, has lived in the town his entire life and remembers Marissa from when she was younger. He runs a construction business with his brother, and they’re the ones renovating Marissa’s lake house. Marissa and her children stay in the home during the renovation, and the story follows Marissa and Jesse as they try to find love,possibly with each other,while navigating the challenges life has already thrown their way.
One of my favorite side characters was Jesse’s brother. He brought some great comedic moments, especially with his terrible cooking skills and his appreciation for Taylor Swift. His wife absolutely fangirls over Marissa, and their marriage felt very relatable and added a fun dynamic to the story.
While I did enjoy the book, there were a few things that pulled me out of the story at times. The timeline occasionally felt confusing- sometimes it seemed like events happened days apart when they were actually the next day, and vice versa. I also felt that certain situations could have been explored with a bit more depth rather than being glossed over. There were also a few moments where I really wanted Jesse to chase after Marissa, but the story would jump to the next scene instead.
The ending was very cute, but it also felt like a lot of time passed quickly between the final chapters.
One aspect of the book I really loved was how Marissa advocates for her children, especially her son with autism. It felt like a thoughtful and genuine portrayal of parenting a child with special needs. As a mom myself, I also really related to Marissa’s struggle with sometimes losing your own identity while being so focused on motherhood.
Overall, I’d give this book a 3.5 stars, but I’m rounding up to 4 because I truly enjoyed the characters.

[Jordan · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 2nd Lindsay Hameroff book (& ARC) and I really enjoyed this one!

This was such a cute & easy read - it flowed really well. I loved getting Marissa and Jesse's POV. We got some flashbacks from both sides that assisted with setting up the relationship. These really gave us an inside look at their individual pasts and how they worked through their trauma/issues as adults.

All of the characters were relatable and lovable (except maybe Rocky). I have so many quotes highlighted because I found myself chuckling at a lot of their lines and the way their friendships were described on page - it sounded like I was hanging out with my friends at times! Pooja was a phenomenal best friend - I need a gal like her in my life. Toby & Shelby had me cracking up - I loved their relationship and their advice to Jesse. Speaking of Jesse - he was such a lovely MMC and truly cared so much about Marissa's happiness - even if he was not a part of that. I loved the way he interacted with her children from the first moment he met them. A genuinely good guy.

The portrayal of motherhood and single-parenting was done really well. As a child of divorce, I watched my parents go through this when I was in middle school. I was definitely older than Isla & Levi were, but I related to their initial post-divorce feelings and the frustrations that came with being a child of divorce, just as well as I understood how hard it was for both Marissa and Rocky to navigate this new territory and newfound singleness. I especially loved getting to see inside Marissa's head and see the evolution of her rediscovering who she is aside from a mother, a friend & an ex-wife.

The autism representation was phenomenal as well! I could tell that this was from experience and I loved the note at the end of the book. As a former special education teacher, I understood the concerns that Marissa had for Levi & could not get over how caring and educated Isla was about her brother - it was so cute how she tried to assist with communication whenever speaking to others about him. The dinner club scene was so adorable - Marissa found her community not only for herself, but both kids as well.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley & Lindsay Hameroff for the e-ARC!

Tropes & info below, skip if you want to go in blind!
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Tropes/Important Happenings-
-Childhood Crush/2nd Chance
-Summer Romance
-Golden Retriever MMC
-Lost Loved One & Inherited Property
-Carpenter vs Actress / "Forbidden" Romance
-Single Mom
-Small Town

[M D · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a feel-good, small town romance (despite featuring a Hollywood star) with a heavy focus on family and motherhood. This story stars Marissa, a childhood star-turned movie actress who has taken a step back from her career to focus on parenting. Her two children, Levi and Isa, are the center of her life, especially since she went through a divorce with her former husband (another famous movie star/director) and has been single-parenting for years. Marissa learns she has inherited her family's home in the Pocono Mountains of PA, a place where she formed most of her happiest childhood memories, and she decides to spend a summer there to escape the drama of LA. Enter Jesse: a beautiful carpenter stuck in his small town due to unfortunate family circumstances. Throughout the summer, Jesse and his motley crew of friends and family help Marissa rediscover herself (and find love along the way).

What I liked: The scenery in this book was beautiful, and it was easy to envision the summer escape where it takes place. Marissa's growth and development of relationships with new friends and family throughout the book was fun, and it was a light and enjoyable story. The book highlights neurodiversity as a main plot point is Marissa's son's autism diagnosis, and how she has reshaped her life to help him thrive. I thought this was well written, especially as it is based on the author's personal experience with this.

Other comments - mild spoilers: I found the focus of this story more to be on Marissa's journey as a mother/actress than a true romance plot (though there obviously is a romance component as well). The story very strongly enforces the concept that motherhood is the hardest/most important job of all (and states this explicitly many times), to the point where it got a bit repetitive at times. I liked Jesse as a character, but as I have seen in many dual POV romances, the majority of his chapters were spent discussing how strongly he felt for Marissa (and not a whole lot else). I would have liked to see more conflict between the two main characters at the beginning, and a little more character development for him.

I think most readers will really enjoy this (especially mothers dealing with similar experiences of trying to balance parenthood with demanding careers), but it may not be for everyone.

Thank you to NetGalley, Lindsay Hameroff, and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a stunning book with a sweet and comforting love story. A picturesque setting, two people who deserve all the love and happiness in the world, and a dumbass ex/coparent who makes the perfect kind of villain.

On-hiatus movie star and single mom Marissa takes her two kids to her newly-inherited lake house in the Poconos to get away from the city life of L.A. (and the drama of her equally famous ex-husband's new relationship) and reminisce on her childhood memories with her late grandmother. Jesse is the super hot carpenter hired to fix up the lake house, but his memories of a childhood summer spent with Marissa brings him back to feelings he never lost over the years.

Right from the beginning, Marissa and her children are endearing and I was eager to see how the family dynamic would play out with the romance. I do wish we saw more of the children, as seeing Jesse interact with them was actually worthy of melting into a puddle on the spot. I wanted more of this, especially with the focus on autism representation and with Marissa's professional goals as the book went on. Jesse is the hot, sensitive, and completely perfect green flag of a man who realizes he also has some emotional trauma to work through. I loved his integration into Marissa's life and her search for herself as she navigated re-igniting her passions and her identity as a career woman AND a mom. I feel like this whole book was a bit of a love letter to moms and their ever-present pressure to be the perfect mom and sacrifice everything in the process - but in reality, you can't pour from an empty cup and allowing yourself some leniency and passion projects goes a long way.

I could've maybe seen myself giving this five stars if there hadn't been a seemingly unnecessary third act breakup (conflict, sure, but breakup? no thanks) - completely due to lack of adult communication on both sides. And while this communication was far less frustrating than other stories I've read, I still found myself rolling my eyes at the behavior here.

Overall, another incredible book that continues to prove why this author is one of my favorites to look for.

HUGE thank you to St. Martin's Press for the early access to this title!

[Patty · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a fun and light-hearted romantic read that is somewhat similar to the style of the Virgin River book series by Robyn Carr. It also reached towards (but in my opinion didn’t quite succeed) the style of Abby Jimenez’ books as well.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group and Lindsey Hameroff for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This story is told from alternating POVs: Marissa and Jesse. The two were childhood playmates during summers that Marissa spent at her grandmother’s Poconos lake house before she launched to stardom as a childhood actor. Now adults, Marissa is the divorced mom of two kids who has returned to the lake house for the summer after her grandmother’s death. Jesse (whom she doesn’t remember) is the carpenter that is heading up renovations of the property.

PROS:
This was such an easy book to read. It would be a perfect book to snuggle up with on the beach or next to the fire. I was reading several books alongside this one, and it was easy to dive back into the storyline after being away.
The premise was so sweet: childhood friends rekindling their friendship and then developing a summer romance.

CONS:
For me, the writing style seemed a bit amateur and undeveloped. The attempts at humorous banter between the main characters was cheesy, and at times cringey. While there were sweet moments, I did not find the book funny.
While Marissa’s inner dialogue helped to create dimensionality within her character, I felt like Jesse’s character was a little wooden and predictable, and most of the secondary characters didn’t feel real. We didn’t get to hear the voices of Marissa’s children, for example, and what they were experiencing, which made a weird contrast to one of the major themes in the story: motherhood.
The ending felt… forced? Predictable? I am not sure, but I was hoping for more surprises or depth in the closing of the plot. This is where the book fell far short of similar books by authors like Abby Jimenez or Katherine Center that add surprises and depth (even in fun, humorous romantic stories).
The romantic scenes were a little too graphic for my liking, and I skipped over those when they came up.

Two and a half stars.

[Tanja Brennan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh I really really liked this one... and I normally don’t gravitate toward celebrity/normal person romances, but this one just worked for me.

Marissa is a former Hollywood star and newly divorced mom of two, trying to figure out what her life looks like after years of putting everyone else first. After inheriting her grandmother’s lake house in Pennsylvania—the same place she spent summers before fame completely changed her life—she finds herself reconnecting with pieces of herself she lost along the way.

There she meets Jesse, who has this calm, steady presence about him. He’s dependable, protective, quietly supportive, and the kind of man who consistently shows up when it matters most. Beneath all of that strength, though, he’s carrying some hurt from his past too, which made him feel very real and layered. The chemistry between him and Marissa was instant and palpable. At the same time, the warmth of his family—his brother, sister-in-law, and niece completely embracing Marissa and her children—added so much heart to the story.

I also really loved the neurodivergent representation through Marissa’s son and thought it was handled with so much care and heart. Knowing the author is an autism mom herself made that feel especially authentic.

This book is funny, heartwarming, and full of really beautiful friendships and found family moments. The romance between Marissa and Jesse is sweet, tender, and full of chemistry. Their physical attraction felt so natural, and the tension between them was perfection. Definitely just the right amount of spice too.

Also, Diesel the flatulent dog deserves an honorable mention because he honestly stole a few scenes 😂

But more than the romance, I loved that this story was really about Marissa finding herself again—finding her strength, her voice, and realizing she deserves happiness too. Watching her slowly start believing in herself again just made me emotional.

If you love emotional romances with found family, great chemistry, and cozy lake town vibes, I think you’ll really enjoy this one.

A HUGE thank you to Lindsay Hameroff and St. Martin's Press for the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review. So so grateful!

[MendedSpine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

*May contain spoilers*

Rewrite the Stars was such a warm read, and I really loved it. I connected with Marissa, not just as a woman rebuilding her life after a very public divorce, but as a single mom trying to balance her own needs with the needs of her kids. Lindsay Hameroff writes the FMC, actress Marissa Morgan, with so much honesty and tenderness that I found myself rooting for her from the very first chapter. The lake house setting, the sentimental return to her grandmother’s space, and the rediscovery of who she is outside of fame and motherhood all gave the book this grounded, heartfelt tone I really loved.

The romance with Jesse was sweet in a way that didn’t overshadow Marissa’s personal growth. I appreciated that the story let her breathe and figure out what she wanted, what she deserved, and how to stand on her own two feet again. Jesse’s steady presence, his history with her, and the way he supports rather than “fixes” her made their connection feel genuine. And as a mom, I really appreciated the thoughtful portrayal of raising a neurodivergent child. The routines, the adjustments…just the emotional load all felt respectfully and realistically woven into the story without ever turning Marissa’s son into a plot device.

This book has that small town charm, second chance sweetness, and gentle emotional arc that makes it easy to sink into. A feel good romance that also carries a deeper message about healing, choosing yourself, and learning to move forward with intention. I also noticed a little heartwarming Easter egg from Till There Was You that was lovely. Be sure to add this one to the top of your TBR for a cozy weekend read! Rewrite the Stars releases July 7, 2026.

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#RewritetheStars #LindsayHameroff #NetGalley #StMartinsPress #Romance #ContemporaryRomance #SmallTownRomance #ChildhoodFriends #FriendstoLovers #Fiction #BookReview #EarlyReview

[Gretchen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a second chance romance that blends Hollywood drama with small town lake life and a heavy dose of 80s and 90s nostalgia.

In this story, we follow Marissa, who has stepped away from her Hollywood career after a very public messy divorce to spend the summer at her family’s lake house caring for her two children, one of whom has special needs. There she reconnects with Jesse, the handyman/carpenter working on the house.

What Marissa doesn’t initially remember is that she and Jesse spent one memorable summer together as children when she used to visit her grandmother at the lake every year. Jesse, however, never forgot her and has quietly followed her career ever since.

My favorite part of this book was definitely the childhood flashbacks. Marissa’s grandmother was the town librarian, and so much of their friendship developed through books, library visits, and little moments that felt incredibly nostalgic. There’s one scene where Jesse references the Pizza Hut Book It! program and says, “those personal pizzas aren’t gonna earn themselves,” immediately cringing afterward, and honestly that line made me smile so much because I vividly remember participating ferociously in Book It as a kid.

The emotional connection between Jesse and Marissa was sweet, especially seeing Jesse fall for her all over again. One quote that stood out to me was after Marissa thanks him for dinner and Jesse thinks: “What I wouldn’t do to be absolutely everything this woman needs.” Moments like that really highlighted how deeply he cared for her.

A large part of the story centers around Marissa trying to balance her feelings for Jesse with motherhood, healing from her divorce, and deciding whether she still wants the Hollywood life she once had. Along the way, she starts to realize there may actually be a way to have it all.

Overall, this was a cozy, heartfelt romance with strong nostalgic elements and an emotional family-centered storyline.

[Samantha (WLABB) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trying to escape all the fanfare surrounding her ex's engagement, Marissa returns to a place that she loved as a kid - her grandmother's lake house. There, Marissa finds peace and love while rebuilding herself and making plans for her future.

It was great to be back in the Poconos! Being from the tri-state area, I frequented this part of Pennsylvania and have many fond memories. I loved that this was a place that brought comfort to Marissa.

She had made it as a child actor, and her star was on the rise following a successful super hero franchise. She took a step away from the limelight to raise her children. She finally put an end to her marriage and now found herself wanting more. This was a big struggle for Marissa. She loved being a mother, but also wanted to earn her own way again. As a mom, I could relate to this, but I also thought Marissa deserved to have something for herself. She spent too many years catering to her ex, and now, it her turn.

Being back at the lake house was fantastic for Marissa. She needed that space from LA to regroup and make some big decisions. She also needed the connection she found. She had lucked out with the contractors she hired as they became quite a source of friendship and support for her. The cutest part was that the foreman, Jesse, was someone from her childhood. He did a LOT of growing up in the past two decades, but he held tight to his memories of Marissa. It was very sweet and made me root even harder for them.

Overall, this was a sweet, fun, and heartwarming story. I loved seeing Marissa rebuild her life and wanted her to have it all - motherhood, career, and love.

*ARC provided by publisher

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[Ali Mrioued | ladyalireadsalot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Buckle in friends, we’ve got a RAVE coming in hot! Thank you to St Martin's Press for my gifted copy of REWRITE THE STARS by Lindsay Hameroff.

Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
Pub Date: 07.07.2026
Pages: 320
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Have you ever read a book and just felt, “Wow, this author gets me.” That’s exactly how I felt reading similar experiences to my own in the pages of REWRITE THE STARS. I mean, come on, the book opens on a recorder concert (in my case it was violins) and the FMC is making sure her son beside her is ready to deal with ALL of the sensory overload (in the book’s case headphones, in my case an iPad & a big bag of snacks — because yeah, we’re those people that don’t make our kid wear headphones, sorry).

It’s not often that we see autism representation in romance novels (the only other example I can think of is Catch & Keep by Erin Hahn), it happens even less from the POV of the MC, but here it was and I was HERE FOR IT. All of the extra added stress of not only being a mom, but being a special needs mom and constantly having to have your advocate hat on and your nerves at the ready.

The romance itself was also DELICIOUS. Not only did Jesse make Marissa feel like she didn’t have to be anyone but Marissa (not a superhero, not an actress, just her), but he also made sure that her son was comfortable and regulated at all times (the scene where he just drops his tools and goes, “Oh no. I seem to have mixed everything up,” I died). This was such a great read to see two people from seemingly different backgrounds realize they’re not actually that different and make it work.

It’s funny. It’s warm. It’s fun.
It’s everything I’ve come to expect from Lindsay, and that’s why she’s an auto-buy author for me.

Add this one to your radar — it comes out this summer!

[Casey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of this e-book (all opinions are mine)!

This was a cute read! It explored a lot of different topics and was definitely quick and sweet. This wasn’t my favorite of this author’s books, but it was still good!

The romance was very sweet and I did enjoy how Marissa and Jesse fell in love. The little bits of Hollywood added some sparkle to the story and I loved that Jesse and Marissa had an (unbeknownst to her) history as kids. It was cute and swoon worthy! Marissa was looking for peace and she found it. The small town vibes were great and the side characters were fun.

My very favorite thing about this book was Marissa’s motherhood and how that was explored. You could definitely tell the author put a lot of thought and care into that storyline and how much Marissa loved her kids. Parenting isn’t black and white, and everything isn’t always sunshine and rainbows, so I loved how this was presented to us as readers. I don’t think I’ve read any autism mom representation recently so that was something fresh and I did feel it was done well.

All of this said, there was a lot of convenience in the story and everything wrapped up too perfectly for it to really hit for me. Once we got to the 70% mark I found myself thinking “ahh yes of course” every time something big happened. It was just too predictable. The romance lacked depth and could’ve used some more mature conversations or moments between Jesse and Marissa. It took me a really long time to finish it because I just wasn’t invested, and didn’t enjoy the ending as much as I hoped. This is why I decided on 3 stars.

Overall though, this was cute and would be great if you want something quick and easy! Thanks again to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, this releases July 7th!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engaging story which captured my imagination from the beginning. It was very well-written which helped me feel like I was watching all the action from above. The characters jumped off the pages and into my imagination immediately. They all seemed so realistic, nothing fake or phony about them. I felt like they could have been neighbors of mine or people I had met or known at some point. I believe that is what drew me into this story and held my attention throughout.

Marissa, the young actress who gave up her career to have 2 children and support her husband's acting career, was likeable and elicited lots of empathy throughout the story. The bad deal she got with her cheating husband really brought out lots of emotions in me. The fact that she had a son on the Spectrum brought another dimension to the story that I found really interesting.

Jesse, the carpenter who works on Marissa's inherited summer home, was incredibly likable and sometimes seemed too good to be true, but I don't think I'd want him any other way. I wanted to know EVERYTHING about him from the get-go! I enjoyed his involvement with Marissa and the way it evolved through the story.

There was so much happening in this story which helped to keep me turning the pages wanting to know what would happen next. I really enjoyed all aspects of this story and how it unfolded. The one part that wasn't my favorite was near the end, but we all see things unfolding in our own minds. This one didn't unfold the way I was wanting it to, but that's just me. Obviously, the author saw it a bit different and it was very satisfying, so no complaints from me. I definitely would recommend this enjoyable, action-packed romantic read!