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Counting Stars
Big city, big dreams, no money, no problem...
Six 'friends', one flat, big dreams... what could go wrong? When eighteen-year-old Anna leaves school and moves to Liverpool, she feels like her life is finally beginning. She's landed her dream job at a theatre, and she's moving into an exciting (if not slightly run-down) flat on a buzzing street lined with shops, bars, and buskers. Best of all, her new flatmates are kind, welcoming and a lot of fun - what more could she ask for?
But although her new life is fun, it's also a little overwhelming. Anna's job quickly falls through, and then she realises that although her new friends are great, they're also a little mixed-up... and it's not long before Anna starts using her blog to talk about her experiences, from the hilarious to the ridiculous to the little-bit-scary. But when Anna spills a bigger secret than she can handle, suddenly the consequences are all too real. She'll have to prove she has the mettle to make it in the big city, or risk losing everything she thinks she wants.
Six 'friends', one flat, big dreams... what could go wrong? When eighteen-year-old Anna leaves school and moves to Liverpool, she feels like her life is finally beginning. She's landed her dream job at a theatre, and she's moving into an exciting (if not slightly run-down) flat on a buzzing street lined with shops, bars, and buskers. Best of all, her new flatmates are kind, welcoming and a lot of fun - what more could she ask for?
But although her new life is fun, it's also a little overwhelming. Anna's job quickly falls through, and then she realises that although her new friends are great, they're also a little mixed-up... and it's not long before Anna starts using her blog to talk about her experiences, from the hilarious to the ridiculous to the little-bit-scary. But when Anna spills a bigger secret than she can handle, suddenly the consequences are all too real. She'll have to prove she has the mettle to make it in the big city, or risk losing everything she thinks she wants.
324 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
8 people are currently reading
1093 people want to read
About the author
Keris Stainton
22 books525 followersMy mum always claimed that when she lived in America for a year, my dad wrote to her every day and, in one of his letters, proposed. My dad denied this. But when she got home they got married anyway. In 1966 they emigrated to Canada. They'd wanted to go to New Zealand, but it was full.
I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which, by all accounts, is very cold. And also hot. But when I was four months old, my parents moved back to the UK.
When I was 18 I moved to London and worked in the music industry (eventually). A few years later I moved back up north. Now I live in Lancashire (which is lovely, particularly when it's not raining... which is about two weeks a year) with my two sons and two guinea pigs. All four are cute and hairy.
I was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which, by all accounts, is very cold. And also hot. But when I was four months old, my parents moved back to the UK.
When I was 18 I moved to London and worked in the music industry (eventually). A few years later I moved back up north. Now I live in Lancashire (which is lovely, particularly when it's not raining... which is about two weeks a year) with my two sons and two guinea pigs. All four are cute and hairy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
July 5, 2017
So, I liked that this was dealing with 18+ characters because I can't really connect with 16/17 year olds as much anymore because we have different anxieties. And anxiety is the thing I feel was missing from this book. Where were the down to earth conversations about money and 'what the heck am I going to do with my life??' ?
I think it's trivialising to portray the 18-21 lifestyle as getting drunk, partying and having sex. More often than not, the conversations I have with my friends are about the future (mostly reassuring each other that we have futures!) in terms of living situation, job security, five step plans (on a good day). Being in your early 20s is a stressful time because you're setting up your career, and it's when a lot of mistakes are made. Friendships and relationships (and having fun) are of course important, but I feel like 'Counting Stars' was lacking some of the depth I was expecting.
No one really had a breakdown over what they were doing, and my friends and I are using the crying emoji unironically at least once a month! So in the end, it was as difficult to connect to as reading about a high school student.
I think it's trivialising to portray the 18-21 lifestyle as getting drunk, partying and having sex. More often than not, the conversations I have with my friends are about the future (mostly reassuring each other that we have futures!) in terms of living situation, job security, five step plans (on a good day). Being in your early 20s is a stressful time because you're setting up your career, and it's when a lot of mistakes are made. Friendships and relationships (and having fun) are of course important, but I feel like 'Counting Stars' was lacking some of the depth I was expecting.
No one really had a breakdown over what they were doing, and my friends and I are using the crying emoji unironically at least once a month! So in the end, it was as difficult to connect to as reading about a high school student.
January 26, 2016
Tomorrow is this book's birthday! My present will be my review!
September 7, 2015
I read this in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down. I've been itching for a good 'first year of uni' book in forever and this really hit the spot. It's full of inter-housemate romances and scandalous plot developments and it's just deliciously perfect.
I fell in love with all of the characters and I would like to marry Alfie, please and thank you.
If you're a fan of Fresh Meat or Being Human then I highly recommend you check this out.
I fell in love with all of the characters and I would like to marry Alfie, please and thank you.
If you're a fan of Fresh Meat or Being Human then I highly recommend you check this out.
November 9, 2015
Originally published at http://solittletimeforbooks.blogspot....
I’m a big fan of Keris and her books so when I discovered she was writing an older novel about a girl leaving home for the first time, I was extremely excited. Justly so, it turns out!
Keris has been a champion of diversity of all kinds in YA for a long time and it really showed in the effortless way it existed in Counting Stars. One of Anna’s new housemates, Sean, is gay, but it's not made a big deal of at all. He’s just a boy who had his heart broken and is attempting to heal it with a crush on a beautiful boy from college. Sean’s sexuality had no bearing on his story or his character and although coming out stories and explorations of sexuality and coming to terms with it are vital, I think this portrayal is equally important.
Counting Stars is a very sex positive novel and it doesn’t shy away from sex scenes or the inevitable discussions that centre around it when a group of 18/19/20 year olds are together, and especially when they’re drunk. The characters all have different levels of experience and attitudes towards sex and not a slither of judgement is passed on any of them. And quite rightly so. But Keris also works in the complications of romantic and intimate relationships by dealing with sexual harassment, damaging relationships, near misses and even inappropriate relationships with sensitivity and honesty.
The close-up third person narration allows the reader to get in the heads of all Anna’s housemates as well as Anna in a way that feels like an effortless switch between narrators and I fell in love with Anna, Alfie, Nina, Molly and Sean equally; flaws and all. I love the dynamic between them and I think that and them finding their feet in the world is what Counting Stars is about rather than the celebrity scandal mentioned in the synopsis. I'd go as far as to say that it’s a little misleading as it’s nowhere near the most prominent or most important aspect of the novel, though it is an important reflection on the dangers of putting yourself and other people onto the internet and social media.
Counting Stars is a wonderful novel of love, life, friendship and sex and to me, this is what New Adult should be. I really hope we see more of this type of novel from Keris in the future. Please?
I’m a big fan of Keris and her books so when I discovered she was writing an older novel about a girl leaving home for the first time, I was extremely excited. Justly so, it turns out!
Keris has been a champion of diversity of all kinds in YA for a long time and it really showed in the effortless way it existed in Counting Stars. One of Anna’s new housemates, Sean, is gay, but it's not made a big deal of at all. He’s just a boy who had his heart broken and is attempting to heal it with a crush on a beautiful boy from college. Sean’s sexuality had no bearing on his story or his character and although coming out stories and explorations of sexuality and coming to terms with it are vital, I think this portrayal is equally important.
Counting Stars is a very sex positive novel and it doesn’t shy away from sex scenes or the inevitable discussions that centre around it when a group of 18/19/20 year olds are together, and especially when they’re drunk. The characters all have different levels of experience and attitudes towards sex and not a slither of judgement is passed on any of them. And quite rightly so. But Keris also works in the complications of romantic and intimate relationships by dealing with sexual harassment, damaging relationships, near misses and even inappropriate relationships with sensitivity and honesty.
The close-up third person narration allows the reader to get in the heads of all Anna’s housemates as well as Anna in a way that feels like an effortless switch between narrators and I fell in love with Anna, Alfie, Nina, Molly and Sean equally; flaws and all. I love the dynamic between them and I think that and them finding their feet in the world is what Counting Stars is about rather than the celebrity scandal mentioned in the synopsis. I'd go as far as to say that it’s a little misleading as it’s nowhere near the most prominent or most important aspect of the novel, though it is an important reflection on the dangers of putting yourself and other people onto the internet and social media.
Counting Stars is a wonderful novel of love, life, friendship and sex and to me, this is what New Adult should be. I really hope we see more of this type of novel from Keris in the future. Please?
August 11, 2015
What an amazing book about leaving home and navigating jobs and friendships and sex.
September 1, 2015
I really don't know where to start with this review. I picked up Counting Stars as I had heard some good things about it, and it's also set in my city. It's the first book I have read by the author, Keris Stainton, so I had no idea what to expect.
After finishing Counting Stars I am still torn about my review. I did enjoy reading it, and learning a lot about the different places in Liverpool I have not visited, although I do only go there for book shopping. But as a story it didn't really do anything for me.
I initially found it hard to relate to the characters, with so many perspectives to keep track of it took me a while to pin down the name with the character, the job, the personality. Once I had it all organised in my head I did find it a bit easier to keep them separate, but it still didn't help in my enjoyment of the book. I liked the characters and thier personalities. I thought it was amazing how quickly they welcomed Anna into their small group and found the aftermath of a drinking session hilarious. However I think a few things that Anna did for her vlog could have been handled differently. She should never have broken thier trust and thier confidence to the whole world
I expected a big adventure for Anna, moving to a new place, a job, and new friends, which I thought was extremely brave of her, but it didn't really become an adventure, and it sort of felt normal, everyday life (excluding Molly's antics) and it held no interest to me. I continued to read, waiting for something spectacular to happen and I just didn't get it.
Final Verdict
Although I wouldn't really say I was blown away with Counting Stars, I did like the writing and the idea behind it. So this gets a mixed review and rating from me.
After finishing Counting Stars I am still torn about my review. I did enjoy reading it, and learning a lot about the different places in Liverpool I have not visited, although I do only go there for book shopping. But as a story it didn't really do anything for me.
I initially found it hard to relate to the characters, with so many perspectives to keep track of it took me a while to pin down the name with the character, the job, the personality. Once I had it all organised in my head I did find it a bit easier to keep them separate, but it still didn't help in my enjoyment of the book. I liked the characters and thier personalities. I thought it was amazing how quickly they welcomed Anna into their small group and found the aftermath of a drinking session hilarious. However I think a few things that Anna did for her vlog could have been handled differently. She should never have broken thier trust and thier confidence to the whole world
I expected a big adventure for Anna, moving to a new place, a job, and new friends, which I thought was extremely brave of her, but it didn't really become an adventure, and it sort of felt normal, everyday life (excluding Molly's antics) and it held no interest to me. I continued to read, waiting for something spectacular to happen and I just didn't get it.
Final Verdict
Although I wouldn't really say I was blown away with Counting Stars, I did like the writing and the idea behind it. So this gets a mixed review and rating from me.
December 11, 2015
3.5 Stars
So here’s the thing about Keris Stainton’s writing – it’s really easy to get completely lost in it and forget to put the book down. This is what has happen with pretty much every single one I’ve read so far. I start, I finish, in one sitting. There is no break in between. Counting Stars was no different.
Anna is set on her new exiting life in Liverpool. Only then the job falls through and she now has to find another something else. She’s got somewhere to stay though, with some interesting people that begin making it into her vlogs.
Counting Stars focuses on all the people that live in the flat, each with their own storyline that connects back, that’s a lot of people to keep track of. I struggled a bit at the start keeping all the storylines straight, as the book continued it became easier because I got to know everyone better.
There is much in Counting Stars but what I think I liked best is that it shows that just turning into a grown-up part well.
So here’s the thing about Keris Stainton’s writing – it’s really easy to get completely lost in it and forget to put the book down. This is what has happen with pretty much every single one I’ve read so far. I start, I finish, in one sitting. There is no break in between. Counting Stars was no different.
Anna is set on her new exiting life in Liverpool. Only then the job falls through and she now has to find another something else. She’s got somewhere to stay though, with some interesting people that begin making it into her vlogs.
Counting Stars focuses on all the people that live in the flat, each with their own storyline that connects back, that’s a lot of people to keep track of. I struggled a bit at the start keeping all the storylines straight, as the book continued it became easier because I got to know everyone better.
There is much in Counting Stars but what I think I liked best is that it shows that just turning into a grown-up part well.
September 4, 2015
If you liked FRIENDS or THIS LIFE or any other programme of that kind you'll love Counting Stars.
You know you are in good hands with a Keris Stainton book because there's nothing she's written that I haven't loved.
What I particularly liked about this book is the way in which she deals with friendship and that awkward stage where you are ready to leave home but not quite sure of your place in the big world.
Stainton also explore what happens when your Plan A fails and there's no Plan B to speak of which is something all teens can relate to.
There aren't that many books aimed at this age range which makes it quite unique and very appealing. I remember wishing there was something like this when I was about to go to University.
Counting Stars is a wonderfully funny, touching and incredibly accurate and authentic novel.
You know you are in good hands with a Keris Stainton book because there's nothing she's written that I haven't loved.
What I particularly liked about this book is the way in which she deals with friendship and that awkward stage where you are ready to leave home but not quite sure of your place in the big world.
Stainton also explore what happens when your Plan A fails and there's no Plan B to speak of which is something all teens can relate to.
There aren't that many books aimed at this age range which makes it quite unique and very appealing. I remember wishing there was something like this when I was about to go to University.
Counting Stars is a wonderfully funny, touching and incredibly accurate and authentic novel.
July 24, 2015
4.5 stars. Absolutely fantastic! Great exploration of relationships, and relatable tale about growing up and moving on. Packs a punch with a mix of emotions and drama with fab diversity. Great characters, hilarious and everything tied up real nice at the end!
One of the best books contemporaries I've read, and really glad this was my first Keris Stainton novel. Her writing is absolutely exquisite and engaging and I can't wait to see her next masterpiece.
One of the best books contemporaries I've read, and really glad this was my first Keris Stainton novel. Her writing is absolutely exquisite and engaging and I can't wait to see her next masterpiece.
November 15, 2015
Quite sweet, VERY British contemporary. Not one of my favourites but had some golden characters that I gobbled up happily. It wrapped up all a leeeeettle too quickly and conveniently for me but none-the-less a lovely, quick read. And I do love reading about a good flatshare.
July 2, 2019
I swear this book perfectly depicts my dream of moving to another city, living in a house with various other mostly queer, eclectic teens, and having the freedom to make as many stupid, drunk mistakes as I want. Counting Stars gives us a snapshot into the lives of a group of young adults living together in Liverpool as they try to make ends meet with each other, and also while dealing with the various problems caused by their parents and responsibilities. The way that Stainton writes about the porch where they drink and have banter makes me so jealous, to be honest! That's my DREAM!! Fairy lights and dumb furniture and friends? Yeah babey. I just wish it focused on less characters so that we could learn more about them! The book was way too short for the amount of simultaneous plot lines going on, and I didn't want it to end. It felt like some of the stories weren't tied up as well as the should have been (Sean!!!), and all the climax of all of the plots happened legitimately 30 pages before the end! That's not enough time for a resolution! I'm going to imagine my own extended endings now, lol.
January 24, 2021
4.5 stars
October 8, 2019
Ik ben op reis en kon de eerste weken alleen maar chicklit of niet-te-veel-nadenken-boeken aan, want mijn hoofd was al vol met al die indrukken.
Vond deze mwah, gewoon wel geinig maar niet heel spetterend.
Vond deze mwah, gewoon wel geinig maar niet heel spetterend.
September 3, 2015
I can't get enough of books about tight-knit friendship groups at the moment and newfound friendship is the basis for Counting Stars. Anna excitedly leaves home to start afresh in Liverpool, and quickly settles into life in a shared house in the city centre. Her housemates are her new best friends and she's open and honest with them about so many things- the fact the job she moved to Liverpool for has fallen through, that she's not used to drinking, that she's a virgin... but she doesn't mention her online alterego as vlogger Anna Sparks. As time goes on it seems harder to share this secret, but Anna can't stop vlogging, it's s deeply ingrained in her life.
I thought the characters in this one were brilliant; all likable and believable for their age group. Sean, who's hung up on a boy called Charlie who doesn't know he exists. Alfie, the sensible and sensitive one who knows he doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps as a moneygrabbing businessman. Molly, who's unreliable and flighty and lives in the moment without fear for the consequences. And finally Nina, who's dropped out of performing arts college and is chambermaiding at a hotel, although her and bootycall Jack find themselves on the job rather than doing their job pretty regularly. Each bring something different to the book and they all have their own storylines and subplots, which I felt added depth to the book.
There was always something happening which ensured there was never a dull moment, and as soon as one situation was resolved another challenge was laid down for the characters to overcome. This did mean some parts felt a little bit hurried and I'd have gladly found out even more about the characters and their life and had a book double the length! I was talking to my friend who said she'd have loved this to be a series, and I can understand what she means as it's so moreish and there's so much contained in the plot and subplots. Ultimately, I think we both just longed for more!
This book took me back to the heady days soon after leaving home where freedom is both liberating and downright scary. It's a challenging time and Counting Stars portrays that perfectly. I can't say how much I loved it and it's a definite 'keeper' for me.
Keris Stainton has come up trumps again!
*I originally gave this 4 stars, but changed to five as I found myself thinking about it more and more after I finished it, which generally means a book has made a lasting impression on me!)*
I thought the characters in this one were brilliant; all likable and believable for their age group. Sean, who's hung up on a boy called Charlie who doesn't know he exists. Alfie, the sensible and sensitive one who knows he doesn't want to follow in his father's footsteps as a moneygrabbing businessman. Molly, who's unreliable and flighty and lives in the moment without fear for the consequences. And finally Nina, who's dropped out of performing arts college and is chambermaiding at a hotel, although her and bootycall Jack find themselves on the job rather than doing their job pretty regularly. Each bring something different to the book and they all have their own storylines and subplots, which I felt added depth to the book.
There was always something happening which ensured there was never a dull moment, and as soon as one situation was resolved another challenge was laid down for the characters to overcome. This did mean some parts felt a little bit hurried and I'd have gladly found out even more about the characters and their life and had a book double the length! I was talking to my friend who said she'd have loved this to be a series, and I can understand what she means as it's so moreish and there's so much contained in the plot and subplots. Ultimately, I think we both just longed for more!
This book took me back to the heady days soon after leaving home where freedom is both liberating and downright scary. It's a challenging time and Counting Stars portrays that perfectly. I can't say how much I loved it and it's a definite 'keeper' for me.
Keris Stainton has come up trumps again!
*I originally gave this 4 stars, but changed to five as I found myself thinking about it more and more after I finished it, which generally means a book has made a lasting impression on me!)*
September 9, 2018
Actual rating is 3.5.
I read this book last year and remembered loving it. However this time round it sort of bugged me.
I really think this book would be so useful for kids aged 16-18 when they have no clue what they want to do or they're moving away etc. and I feel that's who the target audience is for.
I myself am from Liverpool which is the only reason I picked up this book a year or so ago. I love it when authors set their stories in my city because I like to see how true they make it. I started reading this on Thursday as I was in town having lunch with my friend and after she left I sat in a cafe/wine bar on Bold Street where most of this story is set (I was early for work but there was no point in going home so I stayed in town).
It was surreal reading about my city whilst sitting in the street it was set on and I really enjoyed getting to know these characters again. The characters are really loveable and the whole story is really good, light-hearted and a bit serious at times. They're like a F.R.I.E.N.D.S cast but young which I think is what the author was going for and I'd love to see them develop as characters into another book.
However, the main issue I have with this book and what stops it from being rated higher by me is the fact that the whole age thing doesn't really make sense. Anna, the main character is 16, however she's been applying to university, obviously she doesn't go, but surely the main reason she doesn't go is because she's two years too early? It's very confusing. Then there's the term 'college' that is used a lot and I found it so difficult to decipher whether the author meant university or sixth form college. Then when I realised the author had this whole thing set in a LIPA type institute it clearly had to be a sixth form college where the characters were doing their A-Levels. Then Alfie was at university but it kept reverting back to saying he was in college yet he's one of the older ones? It's all very confusing, mostly for the fact that if they are all between the ages of 16-18 (with the exception of one of them actually stating they were 19 in the book) how can they afford to move out and live in a flat share as if they're in university when they're basically children? It doesn't make sense. If the author could shed some light onto that it would be brilliant as it's so, so confusing for me to get my head around.
Anyway, the book flowed well, it was a nice and light read for me and apart from the whole schooling thing I really enjoyed reading it as the characters were great.
I read this book last year and remembered loving it. However this time round it sort of bugged me.
I really think this book would be so useful for kids aged 16-18 when they have no clue what they want to do or they're moving away etc. and I feel that's who the target audience is for.
I myself am from Liverpool which is the only reason I picked up this book a year or so ago. I love it when authors set their stories in my city because I like to see how true they make it. I started reading this on Thursday as I was in town having lunch with my friend and after she left I sat in a cafe/wine bar on Bold Street where most of this story is set (I was early for work but there was no point in going home so I stayed in town).
It was surreal reading about my city whilst sitting in the street it was set on and I really enjoyed getting to know these characters again. The characters are really loveable and the whole story is really good, light-hearted and a bit serious at times. They're like a F.R.I.E.N.D.S cast but young which I think is what the author was going for and I'd love to see them develop as characters into another book.
However, the main issue I have with this book and what stops it from being rated higher by me is the fact that the whole age thing doesn't really make sense. Anna, the main character is 16, however she's been applying to university, obviously she doesn't go, but surely the main reason she doesn't go is because she's two years too early? It's very confusing. Then there's the term 'college' that is used a lot and I found it so difficult to decipher whether the author meant university or sixth form college. Then when I realised the author had this whole thing set in a LIPA type institute it clearly had to be a sixth form college where the characters were doing their A-Levels. Then Alfie was at university but it kept reverting back to saying he was in college yet he's one of the older ones? It's all very confusing, mostly for the fact that if they are all between the ages of 16-18 (with the exception of one of them actually stating they were 19 in the book) how can they afford to move out and live in a flat share as if they're in university when they're basically children? It doesn't make sense. If the author could shed some light onto that it would be brilliant as it's so, so confusing for me to get my head around.
Anyway, the book flowed well, it was a nice and light read for me and apart from the whole schooling thing I really enjoyed reading it as the characters were great.
November 16, 2015
I’m really happy that New Adult is a genre that’s slowly expanding.
And also a genre that isn’t just “YA with sex.” Because, you know, next year I’ll be at university and doing all the adulting things, and I think it’s great that I’ll have at least SOME books with protagonists going through the same thing.
Although let me just say that I’m SO glad I’m not in Anna’s shoes.
But it was nice to have a character whose plans didn’t involve university or college or whatever. And it was nice for a perspective where everything that could possibly go wrong DID go wrong, and yet things were okay in the end. Doing my final high school exams at the moment, I’m seeing SO SO many people freaking out about what their marks are going to be, whether they can get into their course to get a degree to get a good job etc etc.
This book shows you that there are other avenues out there, you know? I mean, after high school I could be a full-time professional wrestler, you never know.
My favourite part of COUNTING STARS was definitely the whole “living-with-flatmates” thing.
Eventually I’d like to move out with my own friends, and I was kind of looking for reassurance, with this book, that we wouldn’t end up wanting to kill each other.
BUT THEY WERE ALL SO LOVELY TO EACH OTHER AND SUPPORTIVE AND JUST GREAT. There’s this scene right at the beginning of the book where they’re all drinking together, and it gets hilarious and crazy pretty fast.
It went downhill a bit after that but still, it started well.
I think my MAIN quibble was with the omniscient narration. You know, EVERYONE gets to talk (even if they’re not very interesting).
I would have preferred just Anna’s narration, honestly. Instead you’re trying to keep track of everyone’s issues/job/personality/boyfriend/girlfriend and it’s just SO MUCH. My small brain can only handle so much, you know.
BUT I did like how all these different, chaotic views of adulthood were explored. Adulting is crazy, seriously. 0/10 would not recommend.
Overall, it’s a nice coming-of-adult novel (it’s a thing) with lots of unique characters and personal dramas.
I wasn’t crazy about it, but looking back it was a good read – totally recommend for anyone going out into the Big Wide World of Adulting.
And also a genre that isn’t just “YA with sex.” Because, you know, next year I’ll be at university and doing all the adulting things, and I think it’s great that I’ll have at least SOME books with protagonists going through the same thing.
Although let me just say that I’m SO glad I’m not in Anna’s shoes.
But it was nice to have a character whose plans didn’t involve university or college or whatever. And it was nice for a perspective where everything that could possibly go wrong DID go wrong, and yet things were okay in the end. Doing my final high school exams at the moment, I’m seeing SO SO many people freaking out about what their marks are going to be, whether they can get into their course to get a degree to get a good job etc etc.
This book shows you that there are other avenues out there, you know? I mean, after high school I could be a full-time professional wrestler, you never know.
My favourite part of COUNTING STARS was definitely the whole “living-with-flatmates” thing.
Eventually I’d like to move out with my own friends, and I was kind of looking for reassurance, with this book, that we wouldn’t end up wanting to kill each other.
BUT THEY WERE ALL SO LOVELY TO EACH OTHER AND SUPPORTIVE AND JUST GREAT. There’s this scene right at the beginning of the book where they’re all drinking together, and it gets hilarious and crazy pretty fast.
It went downhill a bit after that but still, it started well.
I think my MAIN quibble was with the omniscient narration. You know, EVERYONE gets to talk (even if they’re not very interesting).
I would have preferred just Anna’s narration, honestly. Instead you’re trying to keep track of everyone’s issues/job/personality/boyfriend/girlfriend and it’s just SO MUCH. My small brain can only handle so much, you know.
BUT I did like how all these different, chaotic views of adulthood were explored. Adulting is crazy, seriously. 0/10 would not recommend.
Overall, it’s a nice coming-of-adult novel (it’s a thing) with lots of unique characters and personal dramas.
I wasn’t crazy about it, but looking back it was a good read – totally recommend for anyone going out into the Big Wide World of Adulting.
August 14, 2015
This was an interesting read. It took me a while to get into it as the third-person narration can sometimes seem as if you're an outsider looking in, and this very much felt like that. It was a tad stilted, a tad awkward, but I soon got into it and it ended up being a really enjoyable book. It was relatively drama-free, too, which is always amazing, although I knew Anna's other personality was going to end up causing trouble for her - she was too naive, too willing to just spill random details of her life without thinking about the consequences (and as such she came across as a VERY young 18 compared to Alfie, Nina, Molly and Sean).
I'm not sure which genre this falls in. It's not young adult, that I know, and it sort of straddles the line between New Adult and Chick Lit, and it can work for both genres. Keris Stainton is a fantastic writer, and I loved the Liverpool setting and once I got into the book, I really got into it and it ended up being a really interesting read. I especially loved how all the characters had their own storylines, it wasn't just about Anna, it was about all of them and it was so, so nice to see them all get along without a bitchy one in the group. It was so refreshing.
I'm not sure which genre this falls in. It's not young adult, that I know, and it sort of straddles the line between New Adult and Chick Lit, and it can work for both genres. Keris Stainton is a fantastic writer, and I loved the Liverpool setting and once I got into the book, I really got into it and it ended up being a really interesting read. I especially loved how all the characters had their own storylines, it wasn't just about Anna, it was about all of them and it was so, so nice to see them all get along without a bitchy one in the group. It was so refreshing.
February 6, 2017
Note: I received a finished copy for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Initial thoughts: This book kept things thoroughly real. It's also the kind of book I was looking for when I was still in university but couldn't find. There were quite a lot of characters to keep track of in Counting Stars but I think that that was a good thing. The depth of an individual character might have suffered a little as a result but this shifted the emphasis to the relations among them. When we're limited to one main character, we only see things from their perspective but Counting Stars negated that because things became clearer from both sides of the coin. By focusing on a variety of people, there was a lot of room of explorations of friendship, ambition, sexuality, family dynamics, social media (vlogging) and the general foray into adulthood as they seized their first stages of independence.
Initial thoughts: This book kept things thoroughly real. It's also the kind of book I was looking for when I was still in university but couldn't find. There were quite a lot of characters to keep track of in Counting Stars but I think that that was a good thing. The depth of an individual character might have suffered a little as a result but this shifted the emphasis to the relations among them. When we're limited to one main character, we only see things from their perspective but Counting Stars negated that because things became clearer from both sides of the coin. By focusing on a variety of people, there was a lot of room of explorations of friendship, ambition, sexuality, family dynamics, social media (vlogging) and the general foray into adulthood as they seized their first stages of independence.
May 24, 2015
I've been fortunate to have read a copy of this fantastic new novel already. Funny, clever, sweet & relevant, Keris Stainton has created a gang of characters you'll love and care about. It'll make you laugh, cry and even shout, "What are you doing?!?" whilst reading.
August 8, 2015
Actual rating 4.5
Truthful, honest, hard to read at times but something I wish I had been published when I first left home. The ups and downs of things not going the way you think and how you are the adult now and you have to figure it out. Just brilliant.
Truthful, honest, hard to read at times but something I wish I had been published when I first left home. The ups and downs of things not going the way you think and how you are the adult now and you have to figure it out. Just brilliant.
September 14, 2015
I really enjoyed this.
October 14, 2015
Lovely, just lovely. Perfectly captures the feeling of figuring out what you want to do, who you want to be and being a small fish in a very big pond.
November 15, 2016
I picked this book up because is set in my favorite city, Liverpool. I know, it's sad that the only reason for me picking this up is the setting.
What I didn't expect was to fall in love with almost all the characters. This was such a warm book. It didn't focus on sex, but on growing up, getting to know who you are, to experience love and heartbreak.
All I have to say is that I need more books about this friend group because I felt like the sixth roommate and I am pretty sure one of the rooms soon will be available to rent ;) So I hope that we get to know more about these characters and more about growing up. I licked the fact that this book reminded me of watch an episodes of friends. Even though each chapter changes main lead. You still have no problem following the story line. I also liked the GLBT aspect of this story.
So please, please, please write a second and/or a third book because I need to read more about my friends and my babies Alfie and Sean.
What I didn't expect was to fall in love with almost all the characters. This was such a warm book. It didn't focus on sex, but on growing up, getting to know who you are, to experience love and heartbreak.
All I have to say is that I need more books about this friend group because I felt like the sixth roommate and I am pretty sure one of the rooms soon will be available to rent ;) So I hope that we get to know more about these characters and more about growing up. I licked the fact that this book reminded me of watch an episodes of friends. Even though each chapter changes main lead. You still have no problem following the story line. I also liked the GLBT aspect of this story.
So please, please, please write a second and/or a third book because I need to read more about my friends and my babies Alfie and Sean.
August 28, 2019
This is a cute little novel. It was a bit confusing at first with all the characters, but once I'd got them all straight I liked reading about them and enjoyed the dynamic between all the friends. One character is gay and I liked that it's just accepted, nobody makes a big deal about it - just as it should be. Everything wrapped up a little too conveniently for me, with everyone forgiving Anna for her "mistake" surprisingly quickly. I thought there was going to be more drama/adventure with Anna's move to the city, but it all felt very normal. It was nice to read something about younger adults (as opposed to "young adults") - people leaving home for the first time and finding their feet as opposed to school-aged teens. I don't think there are many of those around. Overall it was a nice read, very quick to get through, but I'm not sure how much of it will stick with me. I liked the writing style and would try something else from Keris Stanton if I came across it. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
May 25, 2020
Average chic lit book that would appeal to most students who’ve just moved away from home.
Mainly dealing with growing up and relationships with boys and learning to live with others.
Likeable characters and an average storyline. Very predictable but an easy read and perfect for holidays (if we ever get back to normal post lockdown life).
Three stars for this one.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
Mainly dealing with growing up and relationships with boys and learning to live with others.
Likeable characters and an average storyline. Very predictable but an easy read and perfect for holidays (if we ever get back to normal post lockdown life).
Three stars for this one.
I would like to thank the publisher for sending this in exchange for an honest review.
September 30, 2024
Whilst this was an easy, lighthearted read, I think the author had too many ideas in this one. The result was a significant pacing problem where a plot device that was being used throughout only seemed to affect the narrative about 30 pages from the end, but it then gets brushed aside so doesn’t really affect the plot. It didn’t have a through narrative, with a lot of smaller plots crammed into a short book. Overall, it felt quite disjointed.
October 16, 2025
I read this in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down. I've been itching for a good 'first year of uni' book in forever and this really hit the spot. It's full of inter-housemate romances and scandalous plot developments and it's just deliciously perfect.
I fell in love with all of the characters and I would like to marry Alfie, please and thank you.
If you're a fan of Fresh Meat or Being Human then I highly recommend you check this out.
I fell in love with all of the characters and I would like to marry Alfie, please and thank you.
If you're a fan of Fresh Meat or Being Human then I highly recommend you check this out.
July 3, 2018
Counting Stars is a great book! Kind of a modern day coming of age story. The characters are awesome, the setting of Liverpool city centre is perfect and the whole story flows so smoothly. I absolutely love and identify with Anna and I think she's a great role model for young women. Well done, Keris, on another fantastic book!
June 8, 2021
Personally i love a book which has many characters with different backgrounds and this is exactly that book. I enjoyed reading about the different characters in this book and THE LAST FEW CHAPTERS were a rollercoaster ride. Did not expect that small plot twist to happen. The author wrapped up the book really nicely. Overall it waa a very enjoyable and easy read. I really recommend it!
June 26, 2023
This book offered fantastic escapism on a hot summer day; I picked it up in the morning and had finished it by early evening.
With an interesting cast of characters, the focus is around university age housemates who have also become really good friends, and Anna, who moves in as the book begins.
A fantastic fun, read which was wonderful read and hard to put down!
With an interesting cast of characters, the focus is around university age housemates who have also become really good friends, and Anna, who moves in as the book begins.
A fantastic fun, read which was wonderful read and hard to put down!
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