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Something Like Starlight
The surliest man ever to work for my father's company is my new employer.
Yes, the very company I'm set to inherit.
But do I get trusted with anything important?
No.
A woman in a man's world, I'm simply 'a lot'.
And sure, I screwed up, but one bad press release shouldn't mean I'm forced to play nanny to my father's most-trusted employee.
Especially to gain back a future I'm not sure I want.
What my father doesn't know, is the carefully calculated naysayer he paid to keep me out of trouble, is the same man whose eyes kiss mine every chance they get.
Now, he's the only thing standing between me and my freedom.
I shouldn't love him. Refuse to fall. He's overprotective, off limits, and fifteen years my senior.
But rules are meant to be broken, even my own.
Come to think of it, single dad might look pretty good in me.
Yes, the very company I'm set to inherit.
But do I get trusted with anything important?
No.
A woman in a man's world, I'm simply 'a lot'.
And sure, I screwed up, but one bad press release shouldn't mean I'm forced to play nanny to my father's most-trusted employee.
Especially to gain back a future I'm not sure I want.
What my father doesn't know, is the carefully calculated naysayer he paid to keep me out of trouble, is the same man whose eyes kiss mine every chance they get.
Now, he's the only thing standing between me and my freedom.
I shouldn't love him. Refuse to fall. He's overprotective, off limits, and fifteen years my senior.
But rules are meant to be broken, even my own.
Come to think of it, single dad might look pretty good in me.
265 pages, Paperback
First published December 18, 2025
4 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Elsie Bea
3 books33 followersElsie Bea is a contemporary romance author from Richmond, Virginia. She lives 'out in the sticks' with her incorrigible husband, two crazy kids, and gaggle of dogs, ducks and chickens. When she isn't writing inappropriately steamy romcoms, you can find her dancing and singing in her kitchen or spending time with family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
December 19, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | 4 out of 5 stars
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book. If you grew up loving The Nanny, stop what you are doing and pick this up! This was such a super cute, lovely read that gave me all the nostalgic vibes I didn't know I needed.
The Tropes:
☀️ Sunshine vs. ☁️ Grumpy (extremely evident and so well done!)
🚫 Forbidden Love
⏳ Age Gap
💼 The Nanny/Employer dynamic
What I Loved: I really enjoyed the storyline and the overall plot. The character work was great, Lemon and Nash have such distinct personalities, and watching their "Sunshine vs. Grumpy" dynamic play out was a total highlight. As a huge fan of The Nanny, this book hit all the right spots for me. The way Lemon treated Nash’s kids was absolutely beautiful. It added so much heart to the story and made me root for them as a family unit even more. Also, the spice? It was great! (Though honestly, it was so good I found myself wishing for even more of it!)
The standout of this book for me was the FMC, Lemon. She was so unapologetically herself, which felt like such a refreshing take on a female lead. Her kindness was unwavering throughout the story, and her ability to love was just so incredibly strong.
One of the most moving aspects of this book was the portrayal of grief. I loved how it wasn't a 'one-size-fits-all' experience; instead, the author wrote a different type of grief for each MC. Seeing how their individual losses impacted their feelings, shaped their personalities, and even clouded their judgment was incredibly powerful and added a beautiful layer of realism to the story.
Why it’s 4 Stars instead of 5: There were just a few things that kept this from being a perfect 5-star for me:
Transitions: I felt like some of the transitions between chapters could have been a bit more fluid.
The Pining: I would have loved just a little more pining between the two of them to really ramp up that forbidden tension.
Dual POV Consistency: Because it’s Dual POV, there were moments where a character would say one thing in their internal monologue, but then be doing something completely different in the next scene, which felt a little jarring.
Final Thoughts: Minor critiques aside, this was a charming, feel-good story. If you want a sweet (and spicy!) age-gap romance with a lot of heart, I highly recommend Something Like Starlight.
Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book. If you grew up loving The Nanny, stop what you are doing and pick this up! This was such a super cute, lovely read that gave me all the nostalgic vibes I didn't know I needed.
The Tropes:
☀️ Sunshine vs. ☁️ Grumpy (extremely evident and so well done!)
🚫 Forbidden Love
⏳ Age Gap
💼 The Nanny/Employer dynamic
What I Loved: I really enjoyed the storyline and the overall plot. The character work was great, Lemon and Nash have such distinct personalities, and watching their "Sunshine vs. Grumpy" dynamic play out was a total highlight. As a huge fan of The Nanny, this book hit all the right spots for me. The way Lemon treated Nash’s kids was absolutely beautiful. It added so much heart to the story and made me root for them as a family unit even more. Also, the spice? It was great! (Though honestly, it was so good I found myself wishing for even more of it!)
The standout of this book for me was the FMC, Lemon. She was so unapologetically herself, which felt like such a refreshing take on a female lead. Her kindness was unwavering throughout the story, and her ability to love was just so incredibly strong.
One of the most moving aspects of this book was the portrayal of grief. I loved how it wasn't a 'one-size-fits-all' experience; instead, the author wrote a different type of grief for each MC. Seeing how their individual losses impacted their feelings, shaped their personalities, and even clouded their judgment was incredibly powerful and added a beautiful layer of realism to the story.
Why it’s 4 Stars instead of 5: There were just a few things that kept this from being a perfect 5-star for me:
Transitions: I felt like some of the transitions between chapters could have been a bit more fluid.
The Pining: I would have loved just a little more pining between the two of them to really ramp up that forbidden tension.
Dual POV Consistency: Because it’s Dual POV, there were moments where a character would say one thing in their internal monologue, but then be doing something completely different in the next scene, which felt a little jarring.
Final Thoughts: Minor critiques aside, this was a charming, feel-good story. If you want a sweet (and spicy!) age-gap romance with a lot of heart, I highly recommend Something Like Starlight.
December 17, 2025
Something Like Starlight
Pine Forest Something, Book 3
by Elsie Bea
This was exactly what I needed. Light without being cheesy, emotional without dragging me down, spicy without being obnoxious, just a genuinely fun and comforting read that still tackled heavier topics with care.
I knew I’d love Lemon immediately. She’s a spitfire who pushes back against the system and quietly uses the tools that come with being a billionaire heiress for good. From the outside, she looks wild and carefree, but beneath that facade is a deeply selfless, thoughtful soul. If you don’t really know her, you’d never see it, which made peeling back her layers so satisfying.
Oliver, our grumpy widower and single dad of four, absolutely needed someone to pull him out of survival mode and remind him how to live again. Lemon, his complete opposite, was the perfect woman for the job. The push and pull between them was so well done, and Lemon’s banter and inner monologue had me smiling the entire time.
I’m not usually a big fan of kids being heavily present in romance, but this was handled beautifully. They’re present without overwhelming the story, and the found family element was warm and heartfelt.
I also really appreciated the heated exchanges between Lemon and her father in both German and English. As an immigrant myself, that detail added an extra layer of authenticity and made the emotional beats hit even harder.
If you’re looking for something heartfelt, sexy, funny, and comforting without being shallow, don’t miss this one.
💞 Tropes
• Single dad
• Age gap (28f/43m)
• Grumpy sunshine
• Forced proximity
• Found family
• Billionaire’s heiress
• Small town
• Boss’s daughter
⭐️ 5 stars
🌶️ 3 chili peppers
Thank you so much Elsie Bea for the review copy, all opinions are my own.
Pine Forest Something, Book 3
by Elsie Bea
This was exactly what I needed. Light without being cheesy, emotional without dragging me down, spicy without being obnoxious, just a genuinely fun and comforting read that still tackled heavier topics with care.
I knew I’d love Lemon immediately. She’s a spitfire who pushes back against the system and quietly uses the tools that come with being a billionaire heiress for good. From the outside, she looks wild and carefree, but beneath that facade is a deeply selfless, thoughtful soul. If you don’t really know her, you’d never see it, which made peeling back her layers so satisfying.
Oliver, our grumpy widower and single dad of four, absolutely needed someone to pull him out of survival mode and remind him how to live again. Lemon, his complete opposite, was the perfect woman for the job. The push and pull between them was so well done, and Lemon’s banter and inner monologue had me smiling the entire time.
I’m not usually a big fan of kids being heavily present in romance, but this was handled beautifully. They’re present without overwhelming the story, and the found family element was warm and heartfelt.
I also really appreciated the heated exchanges between Lemon and her father in both German and English. As an immigrant myself, that detail added an extra layer of authenticity and made the emotional beats hit even harder.
If you’re looking for something heartfelt, sexy, funny, and comforting without being shallow, don’t miss this one.
💞 Tropes
• Single dad
• Age gap (28f/43m)
• Grumpy sunshine
• Forced proximity
• Found family
• Billionaire’s heiress
• Small town
• Boss’s daughter
⭐️ 5 stars
🌶️ 3 chili peppers
Thank you so much Elsie Bea for the review copy, all opinions are my own.
January 9, 2026
Arc Review: this book was a funny, fast paced romance featuring Lemon and Oliver. Oliver works for Lemon’s father, and when Lemon unexpectedly becomes Oliver’s nanny, the lines blur into a forbidden age gap romance. Their grumpy sunshine dynamic shines throughout the story, with Lemon’s fiery, unapologetic personality clashing perfectly against Oliver’s reserved, responsible nature. Watching Oliver try and often fail to keep up with Lemon’s chaos made their chemistry both fun and endearing. This was a light, enjoyable read with just the right mix of tension, humor, and heart. I would read from this author again
December 19, 2025
I didn’t love this book - felt like the 2nd book was better. I struggled to connect with Lemon, the FMC, and I think that made it hard to love this book. It is a cute romance with a nanny/single dad trope.
December 22, 2025
Something Like Starlight is sharp, loud, and full of personality, just like Lemon Perkins herself. She storms onto the page like a neon sign in a dim room, and from that moment on there’s never a dull moment. She brings so much life, warmth, and of course a touch of chaos to the mix.
After a spectacularly messy publicity scandal, Lemon gets shipped off to “learn responsibility.” Translation: she becomes a nanny for Oliver Nashville, her father’s grumpy, widowed, rule‑obsessed right‑hand man. And honestly? Watching her collide with his rigid, grief‑stuck world is half the fun.
Lemon doesn’t tiptoe into Oliver’s life. She kicks the door open, drops her bags, and immediately starts rearranging the emotional furniture. His four daughters fall for her immediately, because how could they not. She’s bright, bold, loud, and exactly the kind of energy their house has been missing since the loss of their mother. Lemon doesn’t just care for them; she challenges them, hypes them up, and reminds them what joy feels like while being a supporting anchor in their grief.
Lemon doesn’t just bond with Oliver’s daughters, it’s like she was meant to find them. From day one, she moves through that house like she’s always belonged there, matching each girl’s energy without dimming her own. She’s the spark they didn’t know they were missing: the one gives them space to use their voices, how to go after their dreams, and how to laugh again. The girls cling to her not because she’s soft, but because she’s real: she’s bright, bold, unfiltered, and exactly the kind of woman who shows them that being “too much” is actually just enough.
And Oliver… oh, Oliver never stood a chance. Lemon calls him out, pushes him, teases him, and forces him to look at the ways he’s been surviving instead of living. She doesn’t coddle him. She doesn’t soften herself to fit his grief. She shows him, bluntly, hilariously, and sometimes infuriatingly how to be a better father, a better man, and someone who deserves more than the quiet half‑life he’s been clinging to.
Their chemistry is explosive. Forbidden. Nash is older, he’s overprotective and so off limits. Filled will loads of delicious tension. He’s the man that’s been paid to keep her out of trouble and is the same one whose eyes have lingered on hers a little too long, whose presence feels like gravity, whose rules she suddenly wants to break. He’s been watching her intently and she’s been pushing his limits. Lemon is body confident and knows exactly what she wants, and how to get it. Seeing these two together was utterly captivating.
By the end, Lemon hasn’t just changed Oliver’s world — she’s detonated it and rebuilt it brighter. And honestly, it’s exactly what he needed.
This book felt so raw and real. The struggles were centered around grief, expectations and the need to feel seen and valued, were overall so human and realistic. If you love FMC’s who are unapologetically themselves and MMC who need a little chaos to wake up, then Lemon and Oliver will surely become a new favorite!
A huge thank you to Elsie Bea for the early copy!!
After a spectacularly messy publicity scandal, Lemon gets shipped off to “learn responsibility.” Translation: she becomes a nanny for Oliver Nashville, her father’s grumpy, widowed, rule‑obsessed right‑hand man. And honestly? Watching her collide with his rigid, grief‑stuck world is half the fun.
Lemon doesn’t tiptoe into Oliver’s life. She kicks the door open, drops her bags, and immediately starts rearranging the emotional furniture. His four daughters fall for her immediately, because how could they not. She’s bright, bold, loud, and exactly the kind of energy their house has been missing since the loss of their mother. Lemon doesn’t just care for them; she challenges them, hypes them up, and reminds them what joy feels like while being a supporting anchor in their grief.
Lemon doesn’t just bond with Oliver’s daughters, it’s like she was meant to find them. From day one, she moves through that house like she’s always belonged there, matching each girl’s energy without dimming her own. She’s the spark they didn’t know they were missing: the one gives them space to use their voices, how to go after their dreams, and how to laugh again. The girls cling to her not because she’s soft, but because she’s real: she’s bright, bold, unfiltered, and exactly the kind of woman who shows them that being “too much” is actually just enough.
And Oliver… oh, Oliver never stood a chance. Lemon calls him out, pushes him, teases him, and forces him to look at the ways he’s been surviving instead of living. She doesn’t coddle him. She doesn’t soften herself to fit his grief. She shows him, bluntly, hilariously, and sometimes infuriatingly how to be a better father, a better man, and someone who deserves more than the quiet half‑life he’s been clinging to.
Their chemistry is explosive. Forbidden. Nash is older, he’s overprotective and so off limits. Filled will loads of delicious tension. He’s the man that’s been paid to keep her out of trouble and is the same one whose eyes have lingered on hers a little too long, whose presence feels like gravity, whose rules she suddenly wants to break. He’s been watching her intently and she’s been pushing his limits. Lemon is body confident and knows exactly what she wants, and how to get it. Seeing these two together was utterly captivating.
By the end, Lemon hasn’t just changed Oliver’s world — she’s detonated it and rebuilt it brighter. And honestly, it’s exactly what he needed.
This book felt so raw and real. The struggles were centered around grief, expectations and the need to feel seen and valued, were overall so human and realistic. If you love FMC’s who are unapologetically themselves and MMC who need a little chaos to wake up, then Lemon and Oliver will surely become a new favorite!
A huge thank you to Elsie Bea for the early copy!!
January 22, 2026
Something Like Starlight
By: Elsie Bea
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Released: 12/18/2025
🛼Single Dad
👨🏻 Age Gap
🛼Forced Proximity
👨🏻Found Family
🛼Widowed
Blurb:
The surliest man ever to work for my father’s company is my new employer. Yes, the very company I’m set to inherit. But do I get trusted with anything important? No. A woman in a man’s world, I’m simply ‘a lot’. And sure, I screwed up, but one bad press release shouldn’t mean I’m forced to play nanny to my father’s most-trusted employee. Especially to gain back a future I’m not sure I want. What my father doesn’t know is that the carefully calculated naysayer he paid to keep me out of trouble, is the same man whose eyes kiss mine every chance they get. Now, he’s the only thing standing between me and my freedom. I shouldn't love him. Refuse to fall. But rules are meant to be broken, even my own. He's overprotective, off limits, and fifteen years my senior. Come to think of it, single dad might look pretty good in me.
Something Like Starlight is a small town, single dad, nanny romcom with a fifteen year age gap and laugh out loud banter.
———*———*———-
My thoughts:
Lemon & Oliver were absolutely the cutest. Lemon is such a spitfire & unapologetic. To others she looked carefree and wild however underneath it all she was just going through her personal stuff.
Oliver is our grumpy dad & he needed someone to see him for him and Lemon was definitely the one for the job.
They are both so different and Elsie definitely made it work. Even with the way Lemon is she treated Oliver’s kids freakin amazing and I love this so much.
I received an advance reader copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you Elsie so much! I appreciate it!
As a reminder please always check TWs!
By: Elsie Bea
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️/5
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Released: 12/18/2025
🛼Single Dad
👨🏻 Age Gap
🛼Forced Proximity
👨🏻Found Family
🛼Widowed
Blurb:
The surliest man ever to work for my father’s company is my new employer. Yes, the very company I’m set to inherit. But do I get trusted with anything important? No. A woman in a man’s world, I’m simply ‘a lot’. And sure, I screwed up, but one bad press release shouldn’t mean I’m forced to play nanny to my father’s most-trusted employee. Especially to gain back a future I’m not sure I want. What my father doesn’t know is that the carefully calculated naysayer he paid to keep me out of trouble, is the same man whose eyes kiss mine every chance they get. Now, he’s the only thing standing between me and my freedom. I shouldn't love him. Refuse to fall. But rules are meant to be broken, even my own. He's overprotective, off limits, and fifteen years my senior. Come to think of it, single dad might look pretty good in me.
Something Like Starlight is a small town, single dad, nanny romcom with a fifteen year age gap and laugh out loud banter.
———*———*———-
My thoughts:
Lemon & Oliver were absolutely the cutest. Lemon is such a spitfire & unapologetic. To others she looked carefree and wild however underneath it all she was just going through her personal stuff.
Oliver is our grumpy dad & he needed someone to see him for him and Lemon was definitely the one for the job.
They are both so different and Elsie definitely made it work. Even with the way Lemon is she treated Oliver’s kids freakin amazing and I love this so much.
I received an advance reader copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily.
Thank you Elsie so much! I appreciate it!
As a reminder please always check TWs!
January 7, 2026
𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 – This book moves FAST! There is no time for thinking in this love affair. Oliver and Lemon are jumping in headfirst and hard. Also, this book wins, hands down, for the best intro sentence ever. Special praise for the line “Why should a woman play by the rules of men who wrote the game?”. Ugh! The triple reread I did when I read that line. It’s truly one I wish I could go back and experience for the first time again.
𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 – The amount of time they spend talking about Oliver watching Lemon get fucked by other men is very uncomfortable. I understand that she’s a free and rebellious spirit but allowing him to repeatedly watch her have sex (with entire bands! (yes, plural!)) is a whole other level of psychologically unhealthy. Which brings me to my second disgruntlement. Lemon is supposed to be 28 years old and, maybe it’s just because that’s not what I was doing at 28, but her sexual escapades in the beginning are extremely off putting. But, I understand, that might just be me being a prude. To each their own.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 – Overall, I liked this book! It had some let downs, but I think it was more heartfelt than anything. Oliver is learning that it’s ok to love again and Lemon is learning how to accept a different kind of adventure, all the while, both are learning that they can love each other, against the odds. Both characters learn to utilize their past trauma to help them become better for each other and I think that’s a truly powerful ability. I loved that this book was a fast read and kept me engaged throughout!
𝐋𝐞𝐭 𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬 – The amount of time they spend talking about Oliver watching Lemon get fucked by other men is very uncomfortable. I understand that she’s a free and rebellious spirit but allowing him to repeatedly watch her have sex (with entire bands! (yes, plural!)) is a whole other level of psychologically unhealthy. Which brings me to my second disgruntlement. Lemon is supposed to be 28 years old and, maybe it’s just because that’s not what I was doing at 28, but her sexual escapades in the beginning are extremely off putting. But, I understand, that might just be me being a prude. To each their own.
𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 – Overall, I liked this book! It had some let downs, but I think it was more heartfelt than anything. Oliver is learning that it’s ok to love again and Lemon is learning how to accept a different kind of adventure, all the while, both are learning that they can love each other, against the odds. Both characters learn to utilize their past trauma to help them become better for each other and I think that’s a truly powerful ability. I loved that this book was a fast read and kept me engaged throughout!
December 18, 2025
Gosh, the emotions and love poured into this book was at an all time high! Despite the age difference, Lemon and Oliver had something spectacular together. The raw, vulnerable feelings exposed between the characters was beautifully wrote. The scenes between Lemon and Oliver’s kids were my favorite as they showed a true side of who Lemon was.
Oliver is a widow and a single dad who has repressed his feelings and turned off the idea of love - until Lemon. Lemon makes him feel in a way that only his wife ever did. He fights like hell to ignore his feelings due to Lemon being his boss’ daughter and the age gap. When the feelings begin to rise, Oliver loves with such an intensity. Even though he’s scared of love, he falls so hard for Lemon. His vulnerable moments with Lemon were beautiful as he bares all his emotions.
Lemon is strong, mouthy, and full of spunk. She lives life to the fullest and loves hard. She loves and protects Oliver’s daughters like they are her own. Her independence was one of my favorite things about her as she isn’t afraid to go after what she wants. The connection and intensity between Oliver and Lemon was full of heat. She finds not only love but a family and a life with Oliver.
Oliver is a widow and a single dad who has repressed his feelings and turned off the idea of love - until Lemon. Lemon makes him feel in a way that only his wife ever did. He fights like hell to ignore his feelings due to Lemon being his boss’ daughter and the age gap. When the feelings begin to rise, Oliver loves with such an intensity. Even though he’s scared of love, he falls so hard for Lemon. His vulnerable moments with Lemon were beautiful as he bares all his emotions.
Lemon is strong, mouthy, and full of spunk. She lives life to the fullest and loves hard. She loves and protects Oliver’s daughters like they are her own. Her independence was one of my favorite things about her as she isn’t afraid to go after what she wants. The connection and intensity between Oliver and Lemon was full of heat. She finds not only love but a family and a life with Oliver.
January 4, 2026
Something like Starlight by Elsie Bea is a must read! Oliver is a single Dad who needs a nanny to help him out. Lemon is a unique women who steps forward and become the nanny which Oliver needs to help out with his kids. Romance between the two is unexpected and is an age gap. Oliver is the other and more stable of the pair. On top of being the nanny Lemon who is fifteen years younger than Oliver is the bosses daughter. He is grumpy while Lemon is sunshine between the delightful pair. She’s I. He late twenties and Oliver in his early forties. These two find themselves in a found family situation and I. Forced proximity to one another. I highly recommend Something like starlight and the interaction between Lemon and the characters from the earlier two novels is interesting. I also highly recommend series Pine forest something which begins with Devyn’s story and something like sunflowers. Check out all three books now all available on KU and on Amazon purchasing. The humor it what help drive the character narrative in my opinion. The character narrative of something
like starlight is exceptional. While the plot helps pulls everything together in a way which drives the reader to want to see what author Elsie Bea comes up with next.
like starlight is exceptional. While the plot helps pulls everything together in a way which drives the reader to want to see what author Elsie Bea comes up with next.
January 11, 2026
I loved this so much which doesn’t surprise me because I love all of Elsie Bea’s books! The start of Lemons story is perfect and 100% Lemon. I honestly can’t get enough of Oliver’s girls and how seamlessly Lemon fits in to all of their lives. And Oliver and Lemon at the end are perfection 🥰 thank you so much Elsie Bea for trusting me with an arc of this book! 🤍
If you love:
🎀 Nanny
🎀 Single Dad
🎀 Age gap 28f/43m
🎀 Found Family
🎀 Forced Proximity
🎀 Billionaire’s heiress
🎀 Grumpy x Sunshine
🎀 Bosses Daughter
Genre/type:
Pages: 293
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Series or stand alone: 3rd book in the Something Like interconnected standalone series
Tropes or themes: Nanny, Single Dad, Age gap 28f/43m, Found Family, Forced Proximity, Billionaire’s heiress, Small-town, Grumpy, Sunshine, Bosses Daughter
Check triggers: Parental loss, grief, spousal loss, therapy, mention of apraxia, mutism and/or non-verbal misdiagnosis, childhood disabilities, mention of teen pregnancy, open door intimacy, vulgar and explicit language and/or sexual situations, spanking, bullying, near-death experience of a child, death, and mention of/characters portrayed having cancer, and cancer-related death.
Lisa.lynn.escobar
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | Fable
If you love:
🎀 Nanny
🎀 Single Dad
🎀 Age gap 28f/43m
🎀 Found Family
🎀 Forced Proximity
🎀 Billionaire’s heiress
🎀 Grumpy x Sunshine
🎀 Bosses Daughter
Genre/type:
Pages: 293
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️.5
Series or stand alone: 3rd book in the Something Like interconnected standalone series
Tropes or themes: Nanny, Single Dad, Age gap 28f/43m, Found Family, Forced Proximity, Billionaire’s heiress, Small-town, Grumpy, Sunshine, Bosses Daughter
Check triggers: Parental loss, grief, spousal loss, therapy, mention of apraxia, mutism and/or non-verbal misdiagnosis, childhood disabilities, mention of teen pregnancy, open door intimacy, vulgar and explicit language and/or sexual situations, spanking, bullying, near-death experience of a child, death, and mention of/characters portrayed having cancer, and cancer-related death.
Lisa.lynn.escobar
TikTok | Instagram | Goodreads | Fable
November 26, 2025
I am a HUGE fan of Elsie she is an amazing writer her stories ALWAYS are spicyyyy while also having characters who undergo such beautiful growth! Every book she writes is emotional and touches on tough subjects and really makes you feel the feels. Lemon Perkins our FMC is a billionaire heiress promiscuous adventurous young woman who becomes our MMC's nanny at the behest of her powerful father and she is healing from her own demons. Lemon is definitely the sunshine or should I say "starlight" to our grumpy MMC Oliver Nashville widowed father of 4 girls 15 years older than Lemon he works for Lemon's father's company. He has been pining from afar for 10 years knowing he could never touch her. But things change when he realizes Lemon maybe feels the same way towards him? Together the two of them challenge each other and heal and grow together. There are a couple of fun twists along the way too! 😉 This story had me laughing so much and also crying and the spice is amazing as always! 😍😍😍🥰🥰🥵🥵🥵
December 18, 2025
Single dads will always get me!
Hooked from the first line!
Single dad
Age gap
Grumpy/Sunshine
Small town
Bosses’ daughter
Loved these two! Oliver and Lemon were meant for each other!
Oliver is your grumpy single dad of four who is also widowed and closed off to love. He is just trying to survive without really living. He’s also pined for Lemon for quite some time, but she is his boss’s daughter. Untouchable, until she’s not!
Then Lemon comes along, who is exactly who he needed. Lemon is a spitfire full of sass that comes with a mouth to match! And a love that is unmatched for his daughters. She is fiercely protective over them and loves with her whole heart. Seeing her character unfold and grow was beautiful to read.
These two have great chemistry and the spice is spicy with the banter to match! Laughed so many times and swooned just as much!
Loved every aspect and totally recommend!
Hooked from the first line!
Single dad
Age gap
Grumpy/Sunshine
Small town
Bosses’ daughter
Loved these two! Oliver and Lemon were meant for each other!
Oliver is your grumpy single dad of four who is also widowed and closed off to love. He is just trying to survive without really living. He’s also pined for Lemon for quite some time, but she is his boss’s daughter. Untouchable, until she’s not!
Then Lemon comes along, who is exactly who he needed. Lemon is a spitfire full of sass that comes with a mouth to match! And a love that is unmatched for his daughters. She is fiercely protective over them and loves with her whole heart. Seeing her character unfold and grow was beautiful to read.
These two have great chemistry and the spice is spicy with the banter to match! Laughed so many times and swooned just as much!
Loved every aspect and totally recommend!
January 9, 2026
Oliver and Lemon’s story starts off hot and honestly hooked me right away. Lemon might seem like a mess at first, but it’s really just a front, there’s so much more going on beneath that chaotic exterior. And Oliver? He’s been through a lot emotionally while juggling life as a single dad, which added so much depth to his character. I really loved that even when Oliver and Lemon didn’t see eye to eye, they actually worked through their differences instead of heading straight for a breakup. That was such a refreshing change. Elsie Bea’s writing style feels unique and easy to fall into, and I had such a good time reading Something Like Starlight. I’m definitely excited to check out more of her books. If you love spice, age gap, grumpy x sunshine, and a single dad romance, this one is absolutely for you!
December 2, 2025
Arc Review:
This might honestly be my favorite in the series and maybe that’s because I’m a sucker when it comes to a single dad, but I’m also a sucker to a badass female main character who doesn’t give a shit what people have to say about her at all. Lemon is one of the greatest female main characters to be written in my opinion she is so unapologetically herself and I love that she doesn’t care about what others think about her and I love that she is the complete opposite to what people think. Knowing that she has many different talents because she doesn’t like being suck in a box and she gives back to her community just makes her such a saint in my eyes, AND DONT GET ME STARTED ON DADDY NASHVILLE😫😫
This might honestly be my favorite in the series and maybe that’s because I’m a sucker when it comes to a single dad, but I’m also a sucker to a badass female main character who doesn’t give a shit what people have to say about her at all. Lemon is one of the greatest female main characters to be written in my opinion she is so unapologetically herself and I love that she doesn’t care about what others think about her and I love that she is the complete opposite to what people think. Knowing that she has many different talents because she doesn’t like being suck in a box and she gives back to her community just makes her such a saint in my eyes, AND DONT GET ME STARTED ON DADDY NASHVILLE😫😫
December 14, 2025
As always Elsie writes another banger! I was an arc reader for the previous book in this series Something Like Sugar and LOVED that one! I love how her characters are all different and the story really keeps you hooked until the end.
💫 Lemon is a roadie, always on the go and working many jobs
💫 Oliver- road manager to a band, single dad, and working at Lemon dad’s company
💫 When Lemon takes things a bit too far, her father puts his foot down. He believes she needs to become more grounded and have a stable life. So he gets her to nanny for Oliver. What Lemon sees in his daughters is prices of her life. While trying to balance the new work/life balance they also have these unresolved feelings to deal with.
💫 Lemon is a roadie, always on the go and working many jobs
💫 Oliver- road manager to a band, single dad, and working at Lemon dad’s company
💫 When Lemon takes things a bit too far, her father puts his foot down. He believes she needs to become more grounded and have a stable life. So he gets her to nanny for Oliver. What Lemon sees in his daughters is prices of her life. While trying to balance the new work/life balance they also have these unresolved feelings to deal with.
December 18, 2025
Something Like Starlight (Pine Forest Something #3) by Elsie Bea is a forthcoming small-town romance full of warmth, slow-burn chemistry, and emotional depth. The story follows Lemon Perkins — daughter of a local business owner — whose latest professional misstep lands her stuck playing nanny to Oliver, the rugged and surly employee her father trusts most. What begins as a forced arrangement soon blossoms into something more as sparks fly between Lemon and the brooding single dad, despite their age gap and complicated feelings. Expect cozy small-town charm, enemies-to-lovers tension, found-family vibes, and heartfelt growth. Themes include grief, resilience, and navigating life’s unexpected turns.
January 18, 2026
I was lucky enough to receive an Arc copy of Something like Starlight and I have to say this is by far my favorite in the series. Lemon is definitely a different type of main character than I am used to reading but I was pleasantly surprised how much loved her inner monologues and how deep down she has the biggest heart but is so afraid to show it.
I loved the story is fun but also tackles loss and grief and found family.
One of the lessons o loved Lemon learns is how adventures can look different for everyone. It doesn’t have to be traveling the world and putting yourself in danger. Sometimes just having a family makes a everyday an adventure
This book had all my favorite tropes
Nanny single dad
Grumpy sunshine
Age gap
Forbidden love ( boss daughter)
A must read!!
I loved the story is fun but also tackles loss and grief and found family.
One of the lessons o loved Lemon learns is how adventures can look different for everyone. It doesn’t have to be traveling the world and putting yourself in danger. Sometimes just having a family makes a everyday an adventure
This book had all my favorite tropes
Nanny single dad
Grumpy sunshine
Age gap
Forbidden love ( boss daughter)
A must read!!
December 19, 2025
Thank you so much for allowing me to ARC this book.
It was a sweet and light read with some genuinely cute moments. Oliver and Lemon had their moments together, and Oliver was definitely a standout—total silver fox energy. Unfortunately, I struggled to fully connect with Lemon as a character, which made it hard for the story to really pull me in the way I usually expect from books in this genre. While the romance itself was pleasant, the lack of connection to the FMC kept me from becoming fully invested.
Readers who enjoy softer, low-stakes romances or who love a charming, older MMC will still enjoy this!
It was a sweet and light read with some genuinely cute moments. Oliver and Lemon had their moments together, and Oliver was definitely a standout—total silver fox energy. Unfortunately, I struggled to fully connect with Lemon as a character, which made it hard for the story to really pull me in the way I usually expect from books in this genre. While the romance itself was pleasant, the lack of connection to the FMC kept me from becoming fully invested.
Readers who enjoy softer, low-stakes romances or who love a charming, older MMC will still enjoy this!
December 28, 2025
Get ready to fall head over heels for Something Like Starlight a charming, heart stealing romance that’s equal parts fun, flirty, and full of feels. 💫
From roller skates to boardroom banter, this story promises a swoony, opposites attract ride you won’t want to end. 💕
🛼 A sunshine heroine with stars in her eyes
💼 A grumpy hero who doesn’t believe in magic
💫 A love that proves sometimes, starlight shows up where you least expect it.
Coming soon, and I’m already obsessed with this story and this gorgeous, golden cover! 💛
#SomethingLikeStarlight #RomCom #Bookstagram #CoverLove #OppositesAttract #GrumpySunshine #NewRomance #BookishLove
From roller skates to boardroom banter, this story promises a swoony, opposites attract ride you won’t want to end. 💕
🛼 A sunshine heroine with stars in her eyes
💼 A grumpy hero who doesn’t believe in magic
💫 A love that proves sometimes, starlight shows up where you least expect it.
Coming soon, and I’m already obsessed with this story and this gorgeous, golden cover! 💛
#SomethingLikeStarlight #RomCom #Bookstagram #CoverLove #OppositesAttract #GrumpySunshine #NewRomance #BookishLove
December 30, 2025
First off thank you so much to the author for this ARC. One of my favorite tropes is age gap romance and this book delivered! I loved the all the tension between lemon and Oliver and boy was the spice hot.
Aside from being a spicy book, I enjoyed that there was more to this book than just spice. You have a single dad who lost his wife to cancer and a young millionaire daughter who is seen as rebellious and slutty who ends up having a beautiful connection with Oliver’s daughters.
Overall I enjoyed seeing Oliver’s and Lemon’s relationship blossom into a beautiful love story and also their characters growth.
Aside from being a spicy book, I enjoyed that there was more to this book than just spice. You have a single dad who lost his wife to cancer and a young millionaire daughter who is seen as rebellious and slutty who ends up having a beautiful connection with Oliver’s daughters.
Overall I enjoyed seeing Oliver’s and Lemon’s relationship blossom into a beautiful love story and also their characters growth.
December 18, 2025
Chaos! Oliver and Lemons story starts of HOT. Lemon appears to be a mess when she really just hides behind a messy facade. Oliver has been through a lot emotionally and has a lot of stress with raising his daughters. I really liked that Oliver and Lemon had their differences but worked through them without a breakup. Elsie Bea's writing style is unique and refreshing. I really enjoyed Something like Starlight and look forward to her other books. If you like spice, age gap, grumpy x sunshine, single daddy - this book is for you!
December 30, 2025
I was provided an arc copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Lemon Perkins is my new favorite FMC! And why shouldn’t she be? She’s funny, vibrant, and sassy. I loved every second of Something Like Starlight and am so happy I got to close out the year with it!
One thing I really appreciate about the author’s writing is how she handles big feelings of grief in the midst of a rom com. These tragic moments are interwoven seamlessly within the sweet and it works out so beautifully. Something like Starlight shines bright!
Lemon Perkins is my new favorite FMC! And why shouldn’t she be? She’s funny, vibrant, and sassy. I loved every second of Something Like Starlight and am so happy I got to close out the year with it!
One thing I really appreciate about the author’s writing is how she handles big feelings of grief in the midst of a rom com. These tragic moments are interwoven seamlessly within the sweet and it works out so beautifully. Something like Starlight shines bright!
January 2, 2026
The characters are beautifully crafted—flawed, tender, and achingly real—and their connection unfolds in a way that feels both natural and magical. I loved how the romance simmered with quiet intensity, letting the emotional beats shine just as brightly as the romantic ones.
This book captures that feeling of hope you find in unexpected places, like starlight breaking through the dark. If you love heartfelt romance, atmospheric storytelling, and stories that linger long after the final page, this one is an absolute must-read.
Highly recommend 💫
This book captures that feeling of hope you find in unexpected places, like starlight breaking through the dark. If you love heartfelt romance, atmospheric storytelling, and stories that linger long after the final page, this one is an absolute must-read.
Highly recommend 💫
January 4, 2026
It's my first time Reading an age gap trope and I can definitely see the appeal!
One of the things I loved was now Lemon is such a bold, intelligent, free spirit that is confident in her own body of with her sexuality. Yet at the same time she is a down to earth gal with such a huge generous heart.
I enjoyed getting to see Oliver's will power
to resist Lemon crumble + watching their love story unfold. And how well they were able to balance each other.
Lemon’s connection with his daughters of seeing how she was able bring the sparkle back into their lives was really heartwarming to read.
One of the things I loved was now Lemon is such a bold, intelligent, free spirit that is confident in her own body of with her sexuality. Yet at the same time she is a down to earth gal with such a huge generous heart.
I enjoyed getting to see Oliver's will power
to resist Lemon crumble + watching their love story unfold. And how well they were able to balance each other.
Lemon’s connection with his daughters of seeing how she was able bring the sparkle back into their lives was really heartwarming to read.
December 1, 2025
Such a good read! Really dove into it at the perfect time between the darkness I love to consume myself with
Age gap? Yes
He falls first? Yes
Kids? They are there
It was really interesting to just get invested in this world and me personally I love the growth of characters when they realize they belong together
The story is soooo good. And a HEA.
Can’t wait for the next book to read about the next couple!
Highly recommend
Age gap? Yes
He falls first? Yes
Kids? They are there
It was really interesting to just get invested in this world and me personally I love the growth of characters when they realize they belong together
The story is soooo good. And a HEA.
Can’t wait for the next book to read about the next couple!
Highly recommend
December 15, 2025
5⭐️3🌶️
💛Nanny
🩷Single Dad
💛Age gap 28f/43m
🩷Found Family
💛Forced Proximity
🩷Billionaire’s heiress
💛Small-town
🩷Grumpy Sunshine
💛Bosses Daughter
I already knew I was going to love this book because Lemon has been my absolute favorite since book one, but this story still exceeded every expectation. Lemon is such a free spirit and so misunderstood. She may come across as an entitled heiress, but she’s one of the most loving and caring characters.
I adored how deeply she cared for Oliver’s girls and how fiercely she stood up for them. Her character development was perfection. And Oliver? An absolute silver fox. I loved him so much, he was perfect for Lemon. I especially appreciated that he never judged her for her promiscuous past. He was exactly what she needed to help settle her.
A must-read. Add it to your TBR immediately!
💛Nanny
🩷Single Dad
💛Age gap 28f/43m
🩷Found Family
💛Forced Proximity
🩷Billionaire’s heiress
💛Small-town
🩷Grumpy Sunshine
💛Bosses Daughter
I already knew I was going to love this book because Lemon has been my absolute favorite since book one, but this story still exceeded every expectation. Lemon is such a free spirit and so misunderstood. She may come across as an entitled heiress, but she’s one of the most loving and caring characters.
I adored how deeply she cared for Oliver’s girls and how fiercely she stood up for them. Her character development was perfection. And Oliver? An absolute silver fox. I loved him so much, he was perfect for Lemon. I especially appreciated that he never judged her for her promiscuous past. He was exactly what she needed to help settle her.
A must-read. Add it to your TBR immediately!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Not a bad book. There were a few times I got a little confused by the transition but overall things flowed pretty smoothly. The first line definitely grabbed me though. It was funny though nothing else really came from it. I’d be interested to check out the other books in the series though. Jumping in on book three, I don’t feel like I missed anything though. I would just be interested to see how the other books flowed.
December 19, 2025
I loved the growth between Lemon and Oliver. Both have horribly inaccurate views of one another, because they never took the time to know one another over the years. But Lem’s father makes a choice that forces them together and they’re able to finally come to terms with the energy they’ve both been resisting. Loved the story and the writing, despite the grief it was done in a light handed way I appreciated.
December 27, 2025
I received an ARC for Something Like Starlight... This is book 3 in the series.
This is Lemon and Oliver's story...
Oliver's is a single father of 4 daughters he also works at the record lable that lemons dad owns.
Lemon also works there but she is always looking for the next adventure.
This one was alittle hard for me to get through. But it was still a good book. Im excited for the next one though.
This is Lemon and Oliver's story...
Oliver's is a single father of 4 daughters he also works at the record lable that lemons dad owns.
Lemon also works there but she is always looking for the next adventure.
This one was alittle hard for me to get through. But it was still a good book. Im excited for the next one though.
January 4, 2026
I received this book as an ARC and I’m so happy I did!! This book was everything I wanted it to be and more. It was cute, sweet, and with some spice thrown in! Lemon loves testing boundaries and “bendable” laws while Oliver is super structured and doesn’t know the meaning of laidback. When they are finally forced together, it becomes an eye opening, steamy experience. I can’t wait for book 4!
Tropes:
Grumpy/Sunshine
Age Gap
Nanny x Single Dad
Small Town
Found Family
Boss’s Daughter
Tropes:
Grumpy/Sunshine
Age Gap
Nanny x Single Dad
Small Town
Found Family
Boss’s Daughter
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