The Sun and All the Other Stars

by Karla Montalván

When a Cuban American muralist seeks answers to her family's legacy of lost love, she journeys through three past lives and recurring heartbreaks forcing her to question whether fate has written her story, or if she can rewrite it.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

Audible Audio

Published June 3, 2026

Reviews

[Brandi Graves · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my #1 read for 2026. It was so beautiful. Karla's writing is magical and poetic. I could see myself in the FMC.

Meet Mar! She is a magnificent artist or shall I say muralist. She moves to Florence to work on an art project. It is here that she falls in love and gets engaged. But just before the wedding her fiance breaks it off and goes back to his ex.

Mar is drowning. From the suggestion of a friend she goes to therapy but not any therapy past life regression therapy. Through these sessions Mar sees herself in 3 different lives as a painter in during The Renaissance era of the 1400's, A woman embroiled in espionage in the 1800's and a gay man in the 1980's

Through these lives she is connecting the dots of her life in current times. There is love and heartbreak and soul connections she meets in each life.

It is a beautiful story that I will probably read over and over again. Dont think, just pick it up and immerse yourself in this magnificent world!

[Mercedes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored this book. The rhythm of the writing is poetic, and the author’s style is reminiscent of Gabriel García Márquez. By the halfway mark, I had saved several quotes and marked passages to revisit and reflect on.

What I find most captivating about this story is the uniqueness of each experience. Initially, I had a sense of where the story was headed, but I was pleasantly surprised multiple times throughout.

A beautiful story about the power of our thoughts, heartbreak, and self love. I highly recommend and can’t wait to read more from Karla.

[Jay Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was such an original story! I haven't read anything this original, engaging, and creative since the Outlander series, which also successfully blended romance, history, family ties, culture, and time travel into a seamless story powered by a fearless, female protagonist whose triumph will feel deeply personal to the reader. Although the overarching story in this book is a romantic one, the novel’s reflections on past lives, soul ties, and recurring patterns extend beyond romance to the bigger questions many of us wrestle with: Who am I? Why am I here? What's my purpose? Who are my people? Will I ever have a chance? Will I take that chance when it's given? Although Mar was on a journey to unravel and understand her love life, watching her stumble across time will prompt you to think differently about your own experiences - romantic or otherwise. The writing is clear and incredibly vivid. It's as if I, too, lived in 1482 Florence (or any of the beautiful cities Mar found herself in). I was so enthralled reading this; I hope to read more from Karla and I'd love to see this brought to life on the TV / movie screens.

[Dexter Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book from beginning to end. An absolute master class in story-telling and story-writing. The writing is so vivid I could see every character and could feel everything they felt. Looking forward to reading more from Karla Montalvan!

[Cynthia Robert Rutledge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very fun read for me. I was skeptical to read a book about past life regression therapy but the author did a good job weaving it into the story. When reading books with multiple timelines, I typically get attached to one. This one has four and although I liked them all, I loved the present timeline and the one in the Renaissance. I enjoy stories about the Medici and the history of Florence. The author wove in historical figures and places that I had fun visiting in Italy and Spain recently. I think the historical fiction was very well researched. The other two timelines were not as well developed. The ending was a bit predictable but still satisfying. I enjoyed this one.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book with Tanya Time Book Club. This book will sit with you for a long time. Such a beautifully written debut novel that explores soul-ties and how they may impact your life across timelines.

We met Marisol on the day of her wedding. Except instead of this being the happiest day of her life, it’s the worst because she has been left by her fiancé after he realizes that he can’t marry her because he is still in love with his ex (not a spoiler). Marisol is trying to grapple with this heartbreak when she remembers ‘the curse’. Her grandmother shared with her when she was a little girl, that the women in her family have all been cursed and will not ever find forever love. Desperate to find answers, Marisol begin Past Life Regression therapy to find out who cursed them and how to end it.

Undergoing Past Life Regression therapy, Mar finds herself an artist in 1400s Italy with a passionate love interest, a prostitute in 1800s Madrid who finds herself caught up in Espionage, and a Black gay male in 1980s NY amid the HIV/Aids epidemic.

You have to read the book to understand how these past lives are influencing current day Marisol and her relationships. You will definitely view soul ties differently after reading this book.

[Michelle Carreño · Rating 5 out of 5]

Still crying. Like, actually still crying.

The Sun And All The Other Stars took me somewhere I wasn’t prepared to go, and I am so grateful. We follow Mar through past life regressions, traveling across lifetimes to unravel what seems like a family curse… until it becomes so much more than that. So much bigger than that.

Karla writes in a way that feels like a gift… accessible, vivid, transportive. You don’t just read these lives, you inhabit them. I was there. I felt it all.

I fell in love with this book from chapter one and honestly? I slowed down toward the end on purpose. You know that feeling when you don’t want to finish because finishing means it’s over? That’s exactly where I lived while reading this. I wanted to stay inside it forever.

This is a love story but not the kind we usually celebrate. It’s the kind we overlook, the kind we don’t give nearly enough credit to, the kind we actually need the most: loving ourselves. Karla reminds us of that with so much tenderness and intention.

Infinitas gracias, Karla. Truly. This one is a blessing.

10/10, go read it immediately, don’t look back. 🌞✨

[Maria Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book! I absolutely loved it! I couldn’t put it down! I read it in just two days. It captivates you from the very beginning and leaves you wanting more and more. I wanted to finish it to find out what happened, but at the same time, I didn’t want it to end!

Karla Montalván definitely has a wonderfully fertile imagination, and on top of that, she writes beautifully! The similes, metaphors, and personification she uses are gorgeous. Through her wonderful descriptions, she paints vivid pictures that transport you to the setting and make you feel like you’re part of the story.

All in all, I wholeheartedly recommend this book! And now I can’t wait to read whatever Karla Montalván has in store for her readers next. I hope it comes soon! ❤️

[Arielle Tindel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I found it to be quick and super entertaining. The concept is so unique, and I could tell that the author put a lot of research, thought, and intention into the historical bits. I really like that the book doesn’t over-explain, and that there are moments that allow the reader to think and feel and process without just spelling it out.

I wasn’t super familiar with past life regression therapy, or some of the time periods travelled to, and I found myself looking things up + learning a lot alongside the fun plot.

[Emely Villegas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book🥹 I was hooked from the very first page and couldn’t put it down. I really liked the short chapters because they kept me wanting to read just one more. The writing is beautiful, and I loved how everything from the different timelines slowly came together and connected to the present. Definitely one of my favorite reads ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Stephanie Matarazzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story!

It goes back and forth between past lives and how that affects our FMC’s current one.

The author clearly did tons of research on historical times, places, and culture.

Very cute read that also deals with very heavy themes. But it does leave you hopeful!

[Barbara Bryant · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique, fast-paced YA novel about timeless love and loss, which a young woman explores through her past lives. 3-1/2 stars rounded down to 3. Karla Montalvan shows great promise as a writer, but the separate story lines were predictable.

[Tonia Isley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a beautiful story! The connections between past and present life really took you on a ride. I felt energized and emotional. It ended beautifully!

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t expecting this book to be so spiritually inclined. This novel will make readers reconsider their thoughts on past lives and generational patterns.

[Osiris Jolayemi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The historical fiction, the love story, the cultural details, and the unique way the story was told all worked beautifully together. I especially enjoyed the short chapters, the movement back and forth through time, and the different voices throughout the novel.

The story felt vivid and cinematic. At times, I felt like I was watching a movie rather than reading a book. It was emotional, layered, and beautifully written, and I remained fully invested in the characters and their stories from beginning to end.