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When Stars Fall: A Sapphic Superhero Romance
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 28, 2026
When Stars Fall: A Sapphic Superhero Romance by E.R. Keel
Emily is a bookshop owner who always feels like a supporting character in her own life. Clara, an alien sent to earth, just wants to feel a sense of belonging. When they meet, they seem to find what they've been looking for in each other, but secrets and lies might tear them apart, especially with Clara's home planet planning on destroying earth.
I immediately fell in love with Emily and Clara, and I loved that their relationship began straight away so we could see them develop, rather than it ending with them getting together. The settings of the bookshop and coffee shop felt so cosy and I longed to join them in the Beanstalk for a pastry.
The start is slow and cosy, but unfortunately, it doesn't seem to go anywhere. A lot of their relationship, character development and potential conflict or emotional moments are skated over. We're told about them rather than seeing them, almost like a montage scene in a film. I would have liked to see their interactions and realise how much they mean to each other, rather than being told they loved each other.
There is a lot of repetition when the point had already been made and I wanted it to move on, for example when Emily suspects the superhero Lumina might be Clara because they both brush their hair of of their faces in the same way. This was pointed out many, many times within a few pages. Once would have been enough to get the point.
There are also a lot of inconsistencies that took me out of the story. Some of these are plot points that impacted the overall book, but there were many little things. The length of a cycle, the time measurement of Clara's home planet, varies from a month to minutes, with no explanation. I liked the effort to show Clara's thought patterns were still entrenched in the customs of where she grew up, but it needed to be more fleshed out. In another scene, they order coffee, watch the waitress walk away and then grip a coffee mug, even though they just arrived. It was jarring and pulled me away from the emotional impact of the scene.
The book is told in dual POV but there's limited tension or suspense because we're told everything. I think it would have worked a lot better from one POV, either exploring the reality of dating a superhero from Emily's point of view, or Clara navigating the human world while fearing her home planet's intervention.
I wouldn't recommend this as it doesn't feel like a finished product.
I think When Stars Fall has a lot of potential and there were some enjoyable moments, but this reads as a very early draft. I would be interested in what the author writes with an editor and a more fleshed out plot.
Emily is a bookshop owner who always feels like a supporting character in her own life. Clara, an alien sent to earth, just wants to feel a sense of belonging. When they meet, they seem to find what they've been looking for in each other, but secrets and lies might tear them apart, especially with Clara's home planet planning on destroying earth.
I immediately fell in love with Emily and Clara, and I loved that their relationship began straight away so we could see them develop, rather than it ending with them getting together. The settings of the bookshop and coffee shop felt so cosy and I longed to join them in the Beanstalk for a pastry.
The start is slow and cosy, but unfortunately, it doesn't seem to go anywhere. A lot of their relationship, character development and potential conflict or emotional moments are skated over. We're told about them rather than seeing them, almost like a montage scene in a film. I would have liked to see their interactions and realise how much they mean to each other, rather than being told they loved each other.
There is a lot of repetition when the point had already been made and I wanted it to move on, for example when Emily suspects the superhero Lumina might be Clara because they both brush their hair of of their faces in the same way. This was pointed out many, many times within a few pages. Once would have been enough to get the point.
There are also a lot of inconsistencies that took me out of the story. Some of these are plot points that impacted the overall book, but there were many little things. The length of a cycle, the time measurement of Clara's home planet, varies from a month to minutes, with no explanation. I liked the effort to show Clara's thought patterns were still entrenched in the customs of where she grew up, but it needed to be more fleshed out. In another scene, they order coffee, watch the waitress walk away and then grip a coffee mug, even though they just arrived. It was jarring and pulled me away from the emotional impact of the scene.
The book is told in dual POV but there's limited tension or suspense because we're told everything. I think it would have worked a lot better from one POV, either exploring the reality of dating a superhero from Emily's point of view, or Clara navigating the human world while fearing her home planet's intervention.
I wouldn't recommend this as it doesn't feel like a finished product.
I think When Stars Fall has a lot of potential and there were some enjoyable moments, but this reads as a very early draft. I would be interested in what the author writes with an editor and a more fleshed out plot.
March 14, 2026
When stars fall
Wow. Wow. This book is well written, unique, creative, the world building is freaking phenomenal, and even the trope I hate THE MOST was turned on its head in a way that made me flop my head back on my chair and groan and say “okay, you got me.”
When I reached the end of this book it made me homesick. It’s not quite at the “devastating loss” level of the last page of “Return of the King,” but it’s deeper than “I hope there’s a sequel” or “I’d like to read more books set in this universe” (although I will, indeed, read more books set in this universe if and when they are published.) I am in awe that this appears to be E.R. Keel’s first book as well as very, very angry that I can’t just dive into something else by the author even though it might be in another fictional “world.”
This is a character driven sci-fi novel, the romance is closed door and built around the relationship not the sex, and you even care about the characters who are only on scene once or twice and mostly come back via reference (looking at you Mrs. Higgins). While there were a couple “things that made [me] go hmmmm” the only thing that truly irritated me was a Chekov’s gun.
A couple particular moments that had me thinking “forget “you had me at hello” you had me “this is why I reread things a million times…”
“Can I ask you something? How do you stay grounded? When everything feels too big and too fast?”
“Honestly? Most of the time I feel like I’m faking it. Like everyone else got a manual and I missed the memo.”
The woman’s eyes brightened. “Yes. Exactly that.”
“But I try to find things that feel solid. Books help. They’re the same every time.”
“That sounds nice,” the woman said softly. “Safe.”
Emily felt something shift. This strange woman who’d crashed into her store, she got it.
“We need to smash a thing,” [redacted] said.
[redacted]’s eyes lit up with a dangerous amusement. “Oh. Well. Why didn’t you say so?”
And y’all, wait until you get to Clara’s sci-fi breakdown. I have a whole new schema and I love it. Read. This. Book. I can just about guarantee you will not regret it, and you might even thank me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Wow. Wow. This book is well written, unique, creative, the world building is freaking phenomenal, and even the trope I hate THE MOST was turned on its head in a way that made me flop my head back on my chair and groan and say “okay, you got me.”
When I reached the end of this book it made me homesick. It’s not quite at the “devastating loss” level of the last page of “Return of the King,” but it’s deeper than “I hope there’s a sequel” or “I’d like to read more books set in this universe” (although I will, indeed, read more books set in this universe if and when they are published.) I am in awe that this appears to be E.R. Keel’s first book as well as very, very angry that I can’t just dive into something else by the author even though it might be in another fictional “world.”
This is a character driven sci-fi novel, the romance is closed door and built around the relationship not the sex, and you even care about the characters who are only on scene once or twice and mostly come back via reference (looking at you Mrs. Higgins). While there were a couple “things that made [me] go hmmmm” the only thing that truly irritated me was a Chekov’s gun.
A couple particular moments that had me thinking “forget “you had me at hello” you had me “this is why I reread things a million times…”
“Can I ask you something? How do you stay grounded? When everything feels too big and too fast?”
“Honestly? Most of the time I feel like I’m faking it. Like everyone else got a manual and I missed the memo.”
The woman’s eyes brightened. “Yes. Exactly that.”
“But I try to find things that feel solid. Books help. They’re the same every time.”
“That sounds nice,” the woman said softly. “Safe.”
Emily felt something shift. This strange woman who’d crashed into her store, she got it.
“We need to smash a thing,” [redacted] said.
[redacted]’s eyes lit up with a dangerous amusement. “Oh. Well. Why didn’t you say so?”
And y’all, wait until you get to Clara’s sci-fi breakdown. I have a whole new schema and I love it. Read. This. Book. I can just about guarantee you will not regret it, and you might even thank me.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 23, 2026
This is a cozy alien/ superhero FF romance and oh it was lovely and sweet. It’s a 0 spice book. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world has superheroes but they are licensed, Although unlicensed supers exist.
Clara literally stumbles into Emily’s bookstore and knocks over the card display. In penance she purchases all the greeting cards and takes Emily out for coffee. They become inseparable but Clara is often late, smells of ozone and often is covered in soot or otherwise rumpled. Emily starts a list and realizes that Clara is not telling her the full truth.
Emily is a phenomenal character sweet and smart and always herself. The side characters are charming and help expand the story.
*hint* Morgana needs her own book immediately. And I can’t wait to learn more about the First Thursday group.
Read the book. It’ll put a smile on your face.
The world has superheroes but they are licensed, Although unlicensed supers exist.
Clara literally stumbles into Emily’s bookstore and knocks over the card display. In penance she purchases all the greeting cards and takes Emily out for coffee. They become inseparable but Clara is often late, smells of ozone and often is covered in soot or otherwise rumpled. Emily starts a list and realizes that Clara is not telling her the full truth.
Emily is a phenomenal character sweet and smart and always herself. The side characters are charming and help expand the story.
*hint* Morgana needs her own book immediately. And I can’t wait to learn more about the First Thursday group.
Read the book. It’ll put a smile on your face.
March 13, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
First time I’ve read a book from the author & I loved this. I love the chemistry between Clara (Lumina) & Emily (Book Shop Owner). It was a great read that I really enjoyed.
I had moments throughout the book where I just wanted Clara to stop lying & to shake her & just tell Emily the truth!! But in all fairness, some of her lies were just silly that they could be true & I had some laughs.
I loved how patient Emily was with Clara even when she knew she was lying, she waited until Clara would tell her the truth.
I didn’t want the book to end. I knew Morgana was a lil softie-ish at times & I loved her as a supporting character. Vega? Well… no spoilers so I’ll leave the rest up to you to read.
Would definitely recommend this book if you love genres with superpowers or alien themed books.
First time I’ve read a book from the author & I loved this. I love the chemistry between Clara (Lumina) & Emily (Book Shop Owner). It was a great read that I really enjoyed.
I had moments throughout the book where I just wanted Clara to stop lying & to shake her & just tell Emily the truth!! But in all fairness, some of her lies were just silly that they could be true & I had some laughs.
I loved how patient Emily was with Clara even when she knew she was lying, she waited until Clara would tell her the truth.
I didn’t want the book to end. I knew Morgana was a lil softie-ish at times & I loved her as a supporting character. Vega? Well… no spoilers so I’ll leave the rest up to you to read.
Would definitely recommend this book if you love genres with superpowers or alien themed books.
March 10, 2026
Omg I loved this book so much. From superhero’s who swoop to the rescue to a quiet bookstore owner who is as brave abd as strong but just can’t fly.
Hard to believe this is a debut novel. I was sucked into the void from the first page and held there till the final one.
Ciara and Emily were perfect together amid the chaos and plot twists. I’m hoping Morgana gets her story told next.
Hard to believe this is a debut novel. I was sucked into the void from the first page and held there till the final one.
Ciara and Emily were perfect together amid the chaos and plot twists. I’m hoping Morgana gets her story told next.
February 20, 2026
This book was such a fun concept. It did feel a little bit like a late draft and not a completely finished product yet. I wish there was a little more character exploration, but the whole idea behind it was so fun!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews