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Eyes Like Stars: A Star Wars Romance Novel
This first ever Star Wars YA romance from New York Times bestselling author Ashley Poston features all-new characters (plus cameos!), a magnetic attraction, a mysterious artifact, and the fearsome First Order.
Ardent Quay has spent her entire life on her family’s tour ship, the Starfarer, finding comfort in the predictable journeys. But everything changes when a planetside trip to find a rare installment of her favorite romance serial puts her on a collision course with a fast-talking Wild Spacer on the run from the First Order.
Sian has black eyes speckled with stars and represents everything Ardent has never experienced: intrigue, danger, uncertainty—and attraction. He convinces her to let him stow away on the Starfarer so he can return a precious artifact to its homeworld, in the kind of adventure she’s only ever read about.
But with the First Order hot on their tail, the danger is all too real. This is a terrible time to take a tour of the galaxy. And an even worse time to fall in love.
Ardent Quay has spent her entire life on her family’s tour ship, the Starfarer, finding comfort in the predictable journeys. But everything changes when a planetside trip to find a rare installment of her favorite romance serial puts her on a collision course with a fast-talking Wild Spacer on the run from the First Order.
Sian has black eyes speckled with stars and represents everything Ardent has never experienced: intrigue, danger, uncertainty—and attraction. He convinces her to let him stow away on the Starfarer so he can return a precious artifact to its homeworld, in the kind of adventure she’s only ever read about.
But with the First Order hot on their tail, the danger is all too real. This is a terrible time to take a tour of the galaxy. And an even worse time to fall in love.
9 pages, Audiobook
First published July 21, 2026
About the author
Ashley Poston
36 books27.4k followersNew York Times best-seller by day, fanfic author by night.
Viist her at www.ashposton.com.
Viist her at www.ashposton.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 275 reviews
August 10, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and to the author for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Eyes Like Stars 5/5⭐
I think I just found my new favorite genre. . .
Don't forget to follow me on YouTube, where I post all about my favorite clean books! https://www.youtube.com/@ItsRenity
✨Plot✨
Ardent Quay has lived on her father's tour ship her entire life. Each day as predictable as the last. Everything changes when a quick planetside trip to find the latest book in her favorite romance series go awry. Before she knows it, she is helping a mysterious Wild Spacer on run from the first order stowaway on her father's ship.
With the first order hot on their tail the danger is all too real. this is a TERRIBLE time to take a tour of the galaxy. And an even worse time to fall in love.
✨Characters✨
I adored each and every character I appreciate how each of them legitimately seemed like a Star Wars character and the droids!? they were amazing the best side characters I could've asked for.
🚀📚Ardent📚🚀
GURLLLL I love Ardent sm! She was such a fun and relatable character which is crazy for being Star Wars bc usually they are like very farfetched characters. I loved that she loved reading because her mom had! I really liked seeing her character grow and discover what life is like not on a ship.
✨🖤Sian🖤✨
I have to admit the completely black eyes with white specks is odd but most of the time I was able to ignore that and besides that he was so sweet and I loved his character so much!!! Also, the 3rd act conflict was crazy. I feel like he already explained it enough to keep that from happening but Ardent just didn't connect the dots lol.
✨Romance✨
Cute and wholesome, completely clean. THEY WERE SO SWEET I NEED A BOOK 2 NOWWW.
✨Writing Style✨
EXSQUISITE. I personally had never read an Ashley Poston book before now but I fear I may have to. The writing and all the Star Wars mannerisms and slang were incorporated so well! I really felt transported into star wars and I absolutely ADORED it!
✨⚔️Action⚔️✨
LOVED the classic blaster shootouts and the Star Wars nostalgia was so real. literally how did she make it this accurate to the franchise!?
✨Magic System✨
the normal Light side of the Force and The Dark Side. SLIGHT SPOILER: we had a kilo ren cameooooo and she made fun of his mask😭🤣
✨Would I Recommend It?✨
If you like Star Wars or sci-fi at all then yes!! Ya know what even if you don't like those and you just like romance YES READ IT.
Eyes Like Stars 5/5⭐
I think I just found my new favorite genre. . .
Don't forget to follow me on YouTube, where I post all about my favorite clean books! https://www.youtube.com/@ItsRenity
✨Plot✨
Ardent Quay has lived on her father's tour ship her entire life. Each day as predictable as the last. Everything changes when a quick planetside trip to find the latest book in her favorite romance series go awry. Before she knows it, she is helping a mysterious Wild Spacer on run from the first order stowaway on her father's ship.
With the first order hot on their tail the danger is all too real. this is a TERRIBLE time to take a tour of the galaxy. And an even worse time to fall in love.
✨Characters✨
I adored each and every character I appreciate how each of them legitimately seemed like a Star Wars character and the droids!? they were amazing the best side characters I could've asked for.
🚀📚Ardent📚🚀
GURLLLL I love Ardent sm! She was such a fun and relatable character which is crazy for being Star Wars bc usually they are like very farfetched characters. I loved that she loved reading because her mom had! I really liked seeing her character grow and discover what life is like not on a ship.
✨🖤Sian🖤✨
I have to admit the completely black eyes with white specks is odd but most of the time I was able to ignore that and besides that he was so sweet and I loved his character so much!!! Also, the 3rd act conflict was crazy. I feel like he already explained it enough to keep that from happening but Ardent just didn't connect the dots lol.
✨Romance✨
Cute and wholesome, completely clean. THEY WERE SO SWEET I NEED A BOOK 2 NOWWW.
✨Writing Style✨
EXSQUISITE. I personally had never read an Ashley Poston book before now but I fear I may have to. The writing and all the Star Wars mannerisms and slang were incorporated so well! I really felt transported into star wars and I absolutely ADORED it!
✨⚔️Action⚔️✨
LOVED the classic blaster shootouts and the Star Wars nostalgia was so real. literally how did she make it this accurate to the franchise!?
✨Magic System✨
the normal Light side of the Force and The Dark Side. SLIGHT SPOILER: we had a kilo ren cameooooo and she made fun of his mask😭🤣
✨Would I Recommend It?✨
If you like Star Wars or sci-fi at all then yes!! Ya know what even if you don't like those and you just like romance YES READ IT.
priority-tbr
August 22, 2026── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ──
ִֶָ. 𓂃˖꣹ pre-read ꧔⟢ ִֶָ࿐
i used to think that my first ashley poston book would be 'the seven year slip' or 'heart of iron'. but i ended up (soft-)dnfing seven year slip (i was in a reading slump🙏😔) and that was before THIS book came out in july 2026.
a new star wars novel??? written by an author who is praised by almost everyone i know??? SOLDDDDD.
(to say that i'm OBSESSED with star wars would be a gross understatement- a fact that can be attested by my close friends lmaoao.😝 so basically this is a dream come true for me)
praying that we get force spirit cameosss🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
also, i'm buddyreading it with my bestie chertzooo💘 so i alr know that the experience is going to be 100 times more fun hehe.
(she still hasn't watched the movies yet- despite my endless pestering. ikik rookie (wookiee) mistake on her part lmao.😭🙏 but hey, atleast this one is a start for her hehe)
ִֶָ. 𓂃˖꣹ pre-read ꧔⟢ ִֶָ࿐
i used to think that my first ashley poston book would be 'the seven year slip' or 'heart of iron'. but i ended up (soft-)dnfing seven year slip (i was in a reading slump🙏😔) and that was before THIS book came out in july 2026.
a new star wars novel??? written by an author who is praised by almost everyone i know??? SOLDDDDD.
(to say that i'm OBSESSED with star wars would be a gross understatement- a fact that can be attested by my close friends lmaoao.😝 so basically this is a dream come true for me)
praying that we get force spirit cameosss🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
also, i'm buddyreading it with my bestie chertzooo💘 so i alr know that the experience is going to be 100 times more fun hehe.
(she still hasn't watched the movies yet- despite my endless pestering. ikik rookie
remind-me-once-out
March 25, 2026Ashley Poston is my Roman Empire. Prepare to be sick of me.
July 23, 2026
I know several Star Wars fans were apprehensive when this book was announced. Sure we've gotten YA books before, and they've had romance as the main subplot (in particular the famous Lost Stars and the less famous [though really sweet] A Crash of Fate), but we've never gotten one that is so explicitly branded as a "Star Wars Romance Novel". This also marks a move between publishers, from Disney-Lucasfilm Press to Random House Books for Young Readers.
To start with what I liked, Ashley Poston clearly did her homework on the Star Wars universe. This book jumps around between several planets, and Poston does a great job of capturing the feel of the planets, references to things we know about the planets, and adding her own information to them.
Poston also does a great job of bringing in many familiar Star Wars terms and phrases. Sometimes when new writers try this they either sound like they're copying the movies and are unoriginal or they sound too different and out of place. I think that Poston did an excellent job getting the best of both worlds.
The story is about Ardent Quay, a girl whose family runs the tour ship "Starfarer", and while on Coruscant she runs into a young man (Sian) who is trying to evade the villainous First Order officers. Ardent agrees to let Sian stow away until their ship reaches their next destination, but in a confluence of events (it's not a comedy of errors, but it is funny at times), Sian ends up staying around long after he's supposed to leave. During his stay on the ship, he and Ardent begin to form a romantic connection (it's not a spoiler, this is literally the pitch of the book).
Sometimes, writing a romance book the author can get way too caught up in just writing the romance itself and just have a really weak story around it. Let me tell you, the story in this book is quite strong. In fact, the publisher could have just advertised this as a YA book without the romance and it probably would have worked. The opening few chapters did make me very hesitant, though. I wondered if Poston would actually tell a Star Wars story of if she'd get caught up in the romance. But rest assured the story goes in places you're not expecting.
When it comes to the romance itself: yes, it's cheesy and sappy. Yes, I rolled my eyes at some of the characters thoughts and lines...that's what happens in cheesy/sappy romances like this. However!...I think it really works, and many YA authors would be tempted to write smut, and I appreciate Poston not doing that and keeping the romance in this book appropriate for the age-bracket (at most this book has some kissing).
Beyond the main characters, the droid VeeBee was absolutely delightful! I was laughing at so many of that droids one-liners, and it's very hard to get a droid's voice right, but Poston nailed her character!
On the note of humor, Ashley Poston does have a knack for it, even beyond the character of Veebee. So much of her characters' interactions and the descriptions and the references really did make me laugh out loud. This book is *almost* a rom-com....almost*
A few notes on things that I didn't care for in this book. Ashley Poston does include quite a few modern day language words/phrases/idioms that I just thought stuck out like a sore thumb in the Star Wars universe. Words and Phrases like "Both-Sides-ism", "Heard" (when a character says something and another character responds with "heard"), some swear words like the S-word and the A-word (yes, I know Andor used the S-word, doesn't make it a fit for the Star Wars universe or apppropriate for kids books), and the term Fascist is used quite a few times. Other readers might quibble about if those words fit or not, but they did take me out of the story.
There's also a few things that Poston throws in the story really quickly that I didn't love, but they're really minor elements. Also, Poston relies on a few callbacks to Star Wars things that at times were a bit too "elbow in the stomach to get your attention".
The best part of this book is actually a spoiler...which I will not explain or divulge here. Suffice it to say that there is a MASSIVE element of this book that has been hidden by the marketing campaign for this book (and the reviews so far have done an excellent job of hiding it as well). Once I realized that this is where the book was going, I thought "she's not going THERE is she?"...wondering what I mean, well, you'll have to read the book.
Poston also explores some themes about people falling down the wrong paths and what influences them to do so, and those themes will definitely resonate with today. But it doesn't feel preachy at all.
On its surface, the book just looks like a basic romance. And yes, the romance is ostensibly the biggest part of it. But as a Star Wars story it is really entertaining, is enmeshed in the Star Wars lore and history, and was such a quick, fun experience. Yes, I had my issues with a few elements, but when the characters, story, and worldbuilding (and yes the romance) work...it really works. Overall, I'll give this book a 9 out of 10! Well done Ashlye Poston.
To start with what I liked, Ashley Poston clearly did her homework on the Star Wars universe. This book jumps around between several planets, and Poston does a great job of capturing the feel of the planets, references to things we know about the planets, and adding her own information to them.
Poston also does a great job of bringing in many familiar Star Wars terms and phrases. Sometimes when new writers try this they either sound like they're copying the movies and are unoriginal or they sound too different and out of place. I think that Poston did an excellent job getting the best of both worlds.
The story is about Ardent Quay, a girl whose family runs the tour ship "Starfarer", and while on Coruscant she runs into a young man (Sian) who is trying to evade the villainous First Order officers. Ardent agrees to let Sian stow away until their ship reaches their next destination, but in a confluence of events (it's not a comedy of errors, but it is funny at times), Sian ends up staying around long after he's supposed to leave. During his stay on the ship, he and Ardent begin to form a romantic connection (it's not a spoiler, this is literally the pitch of the book).
Sometimes, writing a romance book the author can get way too caught up in just writing the romance itself and just have a really weak story around it. Let me tell you, the story in this book is quite strong. In fact, the publisher could have just advertised this as a YA book without the romance and it probably would have worked. The opening few chapters did make me very hesitant, though. I wondered if Poston would actually tell a Star Wars story of if she'd get caught up in the romance. But rest assured the story goes in places you're not expecting.
When it comes to the romance itself: yes, it's cheesy and sappy. Yes, I rolled my eyes at some of the characters thoughts and lines...that's what happens in cheesy/sappy romances like this. However!...I think it really works, and many YA authors would be tempted to write smut, and I appreciate Poston not doing that and keeping the romance in this book appropriate for the age-bracket (at most this book has some kissing).
Beyond the main characters, the droid VeeBee was absolutely delightful! I was laughing at so many of that droids one-liners, and it's very hard to get a droid's voice right, but Poston nailed her character!
On the note of humor, Ashley Poston does have a knack for it, even beyond the character of Veebee. So much of her characters' interactions and the descriptions and the references really did make me laugh out loud. This book is *almost* a rom-com....almost*
A few notes on things that I didn't care for in this book. Ashley Poston does include quite a few modern day language words/phrases/idioms that I just thought stuck out like a sore thumb in the Star Wars universe. Words and Phrases like "Both-Sides-ism", "Heard" (when a character says something and another character responds with "heard"), some swear words like the S-word and the A-word (yes, I know Andor used the S-word, doesn't make it a fit for the Star Wars universe or apppropriate for kids books), and the term Fascist is used quite a few times. Other readers might quibble about if those words fit or not, but they did take me out of the story.
There's also a few things that Poston throws in the story really quickly that I didn't love, but they're really minor elements. Also, Poston relies on a few callbacks to Star Wars things that at times were a bit too "elbow in the stomach to get your attention".
The best part of this book is actually a spoiler...which I will not explain or divulge here. Suffice it to say that there is a MASSIVE element of this book that has been hidden by the marketing campaign for this book (and the reviews so far have done an excellent job of hiding it as well). Once I realized that this is where the book was going, I thought "she's not going THERE is she?"...wondering what I mean, well, you'll have to read the book.
Poston also explores some themes about people falling down the wrong paths and what influences them to do so, and those themes will definitely resonate with today. But it doesn't feel preachy at all.
On its surface, the book just looks like a basic romance. And yes, the romance is ostensibly the biggest part of it. But as a Star Wars story it is really entertaining, is enmeshed in the Star Wars lore and history, and was such a quick, fun experience. Yes, I had my issues with a few elements, but when the characters, story, and worldbuilding (and yes the romance) work...it really works. Overall, I'll give this book a 9 out of 10! Well done Ashlye Poston.
December 23, 2025
anything by ashely poston gets added AND add star wars. my lore grows deeper
August 27, 2026
"You're made up of all the things I'm not– a constellation I've never seen before. I want to chart it all. Every smile, every grimace, every freckle across your nose... I want to know them all. Intimately."
Ardent "Arie" Quay is shopping for a romance serial, and next thing you know she ends up stowing away Sian, a man running away from the First Order, on her family's tour ship. He's only meant to stick around for a little while, and Arie takes his mysterious artifact as collateral. Even though Sian is meant to represent everything she's been raised against, for once in her life, Sian shows Arie the strength to reach for her freedom.
I've tried three Ashley Poston books in the past: The Dead Romantics, which I really didn't like; The Seven Year Slip, which I liked better but still not by much; and I thinnnkkk I read Geekerella ages ago. All that to say, I consider myself an Ashley Poston hater, but perhaps she just needs to go back to writing nerdy young adult books, because holy fuck this was good!!
I love the Star Wars franchise, but I've actually never read any of the books. I kind of had a prejudice against franchise novels until I read the Disney Fairies book, Wings of Starlight last year, and it managed to change my perspective! This was so good and captured the essence of Star Wars in such a great way. It was so well researched when it came to the different planets, navigation, and even the beloved cameos near the end!
If you're typically an adult reader and want to tune in to the romance aspect of this, I don't know if I would recommend it. I think many would consider it a slowburn in terms of physical (just kissing!) aspects, but it has general young adult pacing. I like to compare it to K-Drama pacing in the sense that you see the characters build their friendship and feelings first, and then only by the end do you get satisfied with a kiss! There are a few cute kiss scenes and professions in here, and I really loved Sian and Arie. There was a bit of a silly third act, but that scene is over before you know it.
Want to Read
July 16, 2026ASHLEY POSTON CAN'T STOP PUTTING OUT BANGERS ❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥
September 6, 2026
YA and romance in Star Wars could go either way on the quality scale. I read “Crash of Fate” earlier this year and it had all the problems I’d expect from a YA romance book set in A Galaxy Far Far Away. Then there’s “Lost Stars” which is one of the best books of the Disney Canon timeline, with a well written and tragic love story at the center of it. After recently being let down by the “Legacy” novel, I was perhaps a little wary of “Eyes Like Stars” being a disappointing YA romance book set in the Sequel Trilogy era. While not flawless, I found Eyes Like Stars to be a nice enough and even surprisingly good book.
Eyes Like Stars is told from the perspective of Ardent Quay, an employee of a historic tour ship her father captains, meeting drifter Sian who is being hunted by the First Order because of a MacGuffin he’s carrying and gets Ardent caught up in the chase. As expected the two teens start to fall for one another despite their conflicting personalities, differing backgrounds, etc. It’s pretty standard teen romance content and if you’ve seen/read anything similar you’ll know how this relationship will most likely play out. It’s harmless, better than the Crash of Fate romance but not as meaningful nor tragic as Lost Star’s. It’s probably the weakest thing about the story. Otherwise the book does work down the list of obligatory YA Star Wars moments that do feel like they were being checked off a list, name-dropping/visiting locations from the movies, guest appearances by Sequel Trilogy characters, a performative LGBTQ+ relationship among supporting characters (enough I’m sure to drive certain overreacting fans into hissy fits), etc.
But otherwise I found Eyes Like Stars enjoyable enough. The First Order conflict might be predictable but it does have relevancy to the times that needs to be addressed. The book didn’t give me the feels for the romance it might have aimed for, but it gave me empathy for someone like Ardent who loses family members to fanaticism. It also leads to a pretty good bait & switch about the MacGuffin that alludes to the comics instead of a question teased in “The Force Awakens”. References to the comics like this were appreciated as well as to other non-film Star Wars stories (although I think they missed up one to Andor). I also really liked the book’s approach to historical tourism and honoring the dead as much as one can when setting up tourist attractions right next to battlefields/sites of former peaceful planets blown to smithereens. Lastly I would say the book is largely a slice of life story, with the events having no major impact on returning characters or the main storylines but still enjoyable enough to see how people of the Sequel Trilogy era were impacted by them and find love in the process. Collectively there’s just a lot of small moments and character interactions for the slice-of-life side of things which made up for some issues I had with the central love story. I was entertained, which was more than I expected when I first started Eyes Like Stars.
After a recent run of underwhelming Star Wars books, I’d say “Eyes Like Stars” was far more of a success than I thought it would be. It’s no “Lost Stars” but it is enjoyable enough to non-YA readers checking it out, so perhaps the targeted demographic will enjoy it even more.
Eyes Like Stars is told from the perspective of Ardent Quay, an employee of a historic tour ship her father captains, meeting drifter Sian who is being hunted by the First Order because of a MacGuffin he’s carrying and gets Ardent caught up in the chase. As expected the two teens start to fall for one another despite their conflicting personalities, differing backgrounds, etc. It’s pretty standard teen romance content and if you’ve seen/read anything similar you’ll know how this relationship will most likely play out. It’s harmless, better than the Crash of Fate romance but not as meaningful nor tragic as Lost Star’s. It’s probably the weakest thing about the story. Otherwise the book does work down the list of obligatory YA Star Wars moments that do feel like they were being checked off a list, name-dropping/visiting locations from the movies, guest appearances by Sequel Trilogy characters, a performative LGBTQ+ relationship among supporting characters (enough I’m sure to drive certain overreacting fans into hissy fits), etc.
But otherwise I found Eyes Like Stars enjoyable enough. The First Order conflict might be predictable but it does have relevancy to the times that needs to be addressed. The book didn’t give me the feels for the romance it might have aimed for, but it gave me empathy for someone like Ardent who loses family members to fanaticism. It also leads to a pretty good bait & switch about the MacGuffin that alludes to the comics instead of a question teased in “The Force Awakens”. References to the comics like this were appreciated as well as to other non-film Star Wars stories (although I think they missed up one to Andor). I also really liked the book’s approach to historical tourism and honoring the dead as much as one can when setting up tourist attractions right next to battlefields/sites of former peaceful planets blown to smithereens. Lastly I would say the book is largely a slice of life story, with the events having no major impact on returning characters or the main storylines but still enjoyable enough to see how people of the Sequel Trilogy era were impacted by them and find love in the process. Collectively there’s just a lot of small moments and character interactions for the slice-of-life side of things which made up for some issues I had with the central love story. I was entertained, which was more than I expected when I first started Eyes Like Stars.
After a recent run of underwhelming Star Wars books, I’d say “Eyes Like Stars” was far more of a success than I thought it would be. It’s no “Lost Stars” but it is enjoyable enough to non-YA readers checking it out, so perhaps the targeted demographic will enjoy it even more.
July 30, 2026
3.5
Eyes Like Stars is definitely a fun read, but it leaves me a bit conflicted. It’s heavily marketed as a Star Wars romance, but unfortunately this is easily the weakest element of the story. The two characters just didn’t have enough chemistry and genuine tension to really make you root for them as a couple.
On the other hand, the book really shines in its connections to the Star Wars universe. As someone who appreciates Star Wars lore this was the highlight for me.
The worldbuilding, overall plot and tie-ins were a blast. It’s fast-paced, has some interesting plot twists, and the writing is smooth.
It does feel like it heavily relies on pre-existing knowledge of the universe, which make me wonder if new fans would enjoy it as much.
Eyes Like Stars is definitely a fun read, but it leaves me a bit conflicted. It’s heavily marketed as a Star Wars romance, but unfortunately this is easily the weakest element of the story. The two characters just didn’t have enough chemistry and genuine tension to really make you root for them as a couple.
On the other hand, the book really shines in its connections to the Star Wars universe. As someone who appreciates Star Wars lore this was the highlight for me.
The worldbuilding, overall plot and tie-ins were a blast. It’s fast-paced, has some interesting plot twists, and the writing is smooth.
It does feel like it heavily relies on pre-existing knowledge of the universe, which make me wonder if new fans would enjoy it as much.
July 21, 2026
A Star Wars romance series? I suppose it's better than a Star Wars mystery series...as everything seems to be a mystery series these days. It's a perfectly nice story, with a few interesting revelations about the galaxy during the ill-fated New Republic. As for the romance angle...well, after reading Rachel Reid it's positively tame, and I can't say I felt that much chemistry between the leads. If anything I was more interested in the wayfinder aspect of the story...and less interested in the tiresome First Order business, although as a metaphor for the current rise of right wing causes and the recruiting of new acolytes, it has its moments. Let's call this a solid 3.5 stars and see what the follow-up might entail.
Want to Read
July 23, 2026YOUNGER ME WOULD HAVE ATE UP A STAR WARS YA ROMANCE OMGGGG
September 15, 2026
I enjoyed this one! I did the audiobook and was surprised to learn its a graphic audiobook! I'd like to preface by saying I've never watched a single Star Wars thing (yeah.. I know I know) but I enjoyed this one thoroughly! I'm sure it had fascinating references and things for Star Wars people but they flew over my head as anything more than just part of this story line. I loved it! Makes me think I need to watch Star Wars now...
August 4, 2026
I don’t know why my boyfriend was a villain in this book, that was crazy.
I was a little obsessed with that’s how they got Luke’s saber in the end, very creative actually
I was a little obsessed with that’s how they got Luke’s saber in the end, very creative actually
July 29, 2026
I love both of the cover characters! They are amazing. I love traveling the galaxy on a cruise ship! Such a great story! I love the characters and the adventure
August 3, 2026
A strangely beautiful tour of the graveyards of the galaxy far far away, intermittently interrupted but lots of yucky kissy stuff. 🤣 "is this a kissing book?"
This book goes to show what expectations do for a book. I finished Star Wars Legacy just before this, having way higher expectations, and didnt love it.
I went into this one not expecting much, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I enjoyed the setting and the characters, the romance was a bit on the nose, but I guess that was to be expected. The story was a lot of fun, full of stakes and intrigue as 2 strangers wound up touring the galaxy, getting into trouble and falling in love.
The twists were actually surprising and the deep deep easter eggs for Star Wars completionists were a lot of fun, i especially enjoyed the main McGuffun and its link to previous unexpected stories.
While this book is obviously not aimed at me, Romance isn't my go to read, I do enjoy a star wars lovey dovey story. And the book did more than enough with the lore and the adventure to keep the Star Wars nerd in me happy.
This book goes to show what expectations do for a book. I finished Star Wars Legacy just before this, having way higher expectations, and didnt love it.
I went into this one not expecting much, and thoroughly enjoyed it.
I enjoyed the setting and the characters, the romance was a bit on the nose, but I guess that was to be expected. The story was a lot of fun, full of stakes and intrigue as 2 strangers wound up touring the galaxy, getting into trouble and falling in love.
The twists were actually surprising and the deep deep easter eggs for Star Wars completionists were a lot of fun, i especially enjoyed the main McGuffun and its link to previous unexpected stories.
While this book is obviously not aimed at me, Romance isn't my go to read, I do enjoy a star wars lovey dovey story. And the book did more than enough with the lore and the adventure to keep the Star Wars nerd in me happy.
August 15, 2026
I was skeptical about starting this book because I don’t typically read YA. BUT I listened to the audiobook and was the way to go. The characters were lovable, the plot was fun, the writing was exceptional, and the Star Wars references were phenomenal. I genuinely loved this so much! If I can convince you to pick this one up, do yourself a favor and listen to the enhanced audiobook!
July 24, 2026
4.5 stars
this really was an unofficial sequel to lost stars so of course i ate it up
this really was an unofficial sequel to lost stars so of course i ate it up
August 17, 2026
Eyes Like Stars (★☆☆☆☆)
Goodreads doesn't have a zero-star option, which feels like a personal attack right now.
Having just finished Eyes Like Stars, I genuinely couldn't tell you the name of a single character. Not the protagonist. Not her crewmates. Not the passengers. Nobody. If someone asked me to describe the cast of this book without looking it up, I'd have absolutely nothing. And that should probably tell you everything you need to know.
This is essentially Galactic Starcruiser: The Novel, which is an absolutely baffling creative decision given how spectacularly well Disney's actual Galactic Starcruiser experience went.
The protagonist is an 18-year-old girl who meets a mysterious boy being hunted by the First Order because he has a broken lightsaber hilt. She sneaks him onto her father's tourist ship. We then spend what feels like an eternity learning about the ship, the crew and the passengers while they go sightseeing around the galaxy. At one point she muses that she'll throw herself out an airlock if she gets hit on by another guest. Suffering through Eyes Like Stars made me feel the same way, love.
And that's ultimately the problem with this book. It seems to believe that shoehorning Star Wars references and cameos into a generic story automatically makes that story interesting. It doesn't.
The writing is painfully juvenile, the dialogue frequently feels like fan fiction, the characters are astonishingly forgettable, the pacing is dreadful and the book telegraphs its twists so aggressively that I'm fairly sure I knew what was happening before the characters did.
And before anyone tells me that I'm not the target audience, Disney has spent years telling us that "Star Wars is for everyone."
So, I'm going to judge this like any other Star Wars novel.
I'm not criticising this because it's YA. I'm not criticising it because it contains romance. I'm criticising it because it's a canon Star Wars novel and I don't think it's very good.
When Disney took over Star Wars, it made the decision to remove the existing Expanded Universe and replace it with a new canon. Heir to the Empire, The New Jedi Order, Legacy of the Force and countless other stories and characters were all relegated to Legends.
But if you take something away, I'm allowed to hold what replaced it to the same standard.
We now live in a Star Wars universe where Ardent Quay (I literally had to go back and look up her name) is canon but Mara Jade isn't.
If you're going to throw away decades of stories and characters to create a new, definitive Star Wars continuity, then the new material should at least strive to create something meaningful.
Eyes Like Stars, like so many of the Disney-era Star Wars novels, didn't even try.
And honestly, this book has left me with the uncomfortable feeling that neither the author nor Disney themselves understand what makes Star Wars interesting.
The book, in a moment that shows an utterly bizarre lack of self-awareness, makes a joke about the Chandrila Star Line potentially going out of business because of rising costs. This is a very obvious, tone-deaf wink to Disney's failed Galactic Starcruiser experience.
There is something beautifully ironic about Disney making fun of one failed attempt to bastardise Star Wars to make a quick buck from within another Star Wars™ product that feels like a blatant attempt to cash in on the current BookTok craze of fan-fiction-inspired Romantasy novels. It's nice to see that, inside Disney, they find their continued mishandling of the Star Wars brand absolutely hysterical.
Who is this book for? Fuck knows.
Disney can keep telling themselves, "Star Wars is for everyone," but it sure as shit isn't for Star Wars fans any more.
Goodreads doesn't have a zero-star option, which feels like a personal attack right now.
Having just finished Eyes Like Stars, I genuinely couldn't tell you the name of a single character. Not the protagonist. Not her crewmates. Not the passengers. Nobody. If someone asked me to describe the cast of this book without looking it up, I'd have absolutely nothing. And that should probably tell you everything you need to know.
This is essentially Galactic Starcruiser: The Novel, which is an absolutely baffling creative decision given how spectacularly well Disney's actual Galactic Starcruiser experience went.
The protagonist is an 18-year-old girl who meets a mysterious boy being hunted by the First Order because he has a broken lightsaber hilt. She sneaks him onto her father's tourist ship. We then spend what feels like an eternity learning about the ship, the crew and the passengers while they go sightseeing around the galaxy. At one point she muses that she'll throw herself out an airlock if she gets hit on by another guest. Suffering through Eyes Like Stars made me feel the same way, love.
And that's ultimately the problem with this book. It seems to believe that shoehorning Star Wars references and cameos into a generic story automatically makes that story interesting. It doesn't.
The writing is painfully juvenile, the dialogue frequently feels like fan fiction, the characters are astonishingly forgettable, the pacing is dreadful and the book telegraphs its twists so aggressively that I'm fairly sure I knew what was happening before the characters did.
And before anyone tells me that I'm not the target audience, Disney has spent years telling us that "Star Wars is for everyone."
So, I'm going to judge this like any other Star Wars novel.
I'm not criticising this because it's YA. I'm not criticising it because it contains romance. I'm criticising it because it's a canon Star Wars novel and I don't think it's very good.
When Disney took over Star Wars, it made the decision to remove the existing Expanded Universe and replace it with a new canon. Heir to the Empire, The New Jedi Order, Legacy of the Force and countless other stories and characters were all relegated to Legends.
But if you take something away, I'm allowed to hold what replaced it to the same standard.
We now live in a Star Wars universe where Ardent Quay (I literally had to go back and look up her name) is canon but Mara Jade isn't.
If you're going to throw away decades of stories and characters to create a new, definitive Star Wars continuity, then the new material should at least strive to create something meaningful.
Eyes Like Stars, like so many of the Disney-era Star Wars novels, didn't even try.
And honestly, this book has left me with the uncomfortable feeling that neither the author nor Disney themselves understand what makes Star Wars interesting.
The book, in a moment that shows an utterly bizarre lack of self-awareness, makes a joke about the Chandrila Star Line potentially going out of business because of rising costs. This is a very obvious, tone-deaf wink to Disney's failed Galactic Starcruiser experience.
There is something beautifully ironic about Disney making fun of one failed attempt to bastardise Star Wars to make a quick buck from within another Star Wars™ product that feels like a blatant attempt to cash in on the current BookTok craze of fan-fiction-inspired Romantasy novels. It's nice to see that, inside Disney, they find their continued mishandling of the Star Wars brand absolutely hysterical.
Who is this book for? Fuck knows.
Disney can keep telling themselves, "Star Wars is for everyone," but it sure as shit isn't for Star Wars fans any more.
July 18, 2026
Disclaimer: I am a grown ass woman and too old to be reading young adult books. I normally can’t relate to these children. But this book was written well and Sian only annoyed me a little bit with some of his cringey flirty lines to Ardent. Mostly they were pretty cute.
This book takes place before The Force Awakens. Sian is a mysterious guy with a broken lightsaber, who is running from the First Order. He runs into Ardent, who helps him by stowing him away on her dad’s cruise spaceship that takes guests to rebel battle sites. Of course someone comes looking for the mysterious lightsaber and shenanigans ensue. I read a lot of Star Wars books and this book tied in nicely to the lore and had a few fun cameos.
Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC
This book takes place before The Force Awakens. Sian is a mysterious guy with a broken lightsaber, who is running from the First Order. He runs into Ardent, who helps him by stowing him away on her dad’s cruise spaceship that takes guests to rebel battle sites. Of course someone comes looking for the mysterious lightsaber and shenanigans ensue. I read a lot of Star Wars books and this book tied in nicely to the lore and had a few fun cameos.
Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC
July 24, 2026
What a lovely surprise! I was a bit apprehensive coming into the book, I wasn't sure a "Star Wars Romance Novel" was going to be a hit, even though I've loved the romance in Lost Stars and the adult High Republic novels (with two certain characters...ifykyk) but I was DELIGHTED reading this! Perfect airplane novel.
I really appreciated how "in-universe" this felt through the mentions of planets, food, and the social scenes of the galaxy. The two main characters were written well, and I felt like they had sweet arcs that completed nicely.
Like I mentioned earlier, I was worried for the plot being dull, but it was explosive! This story taking over the course of a cruise ship tour was such a good idea, and the actual story is great!!! there's a HUGE plot device that wasn't mentioned at all but once it was revealed I was like....no way?!?! we're doing this?!?!
Overall I highly recommend, and i'm sorry Ashley Poston for doubting you, you knocked it out of the park!!
I really appreciated how "in-universe" this felt through the mentions of planets, food, and the social scenes of the galaxy. The two main characters were written well, and I felt like they had sweet arcs that completed nicely.
Like I mentioned earlier, I was worried for the plot being dull, but it was explosive! This story taking over the course of a cruise ship tour was such a good idea, and the actual story is great!!! there's a HUGE plot device that wasn't mentioned at all but once it was revealed I was like....no way?!?! we're doing this?!?!
Overall I highly recommend, and i'm sorry Ashley Poston for doubting you, you knocked it out of the park!!
August 8, 2026
3.5 stars
This was my first Star Wars book ever, and I had a lot of fun with it.
What made me pick this up was that it was written by Ashley Poston, and what made me stay was the fun story and the swoony romance.
There was something so cozy about this story that juxtaposed an average Star Wars story, which usually includes action, adventure, and high-stakes situations. While this story still has those things, it’s centered around average people, which I thought was refreshing. Our main character, Ardent, works for her family business, which is a touring company that takes passengers around the galaxy to some of the most iconic locations in the Star Wars universe. Along the way, she meets Sian, who is being tracked by the First Order because he has an old lightsaber that they believe was once owned by Luke Skywalker. Through this plot, we’re able to navigate the galaxy by visiting locations fans are familiar with while being introduced to new characters, which was so much fun.
I really liked the romance because it was a slow burn. Ardent and Sian really had to get to know each other, which strengthened the bond that was forming and the romantic feelings they were developing for each other. Ardent works for her family’s touring company and yet feels stifled and alone, while Sian has the freedom she craves but yearns for a family and stability. This dynamic allowed them to balance one another while helping them grow into the people they always wanted to be.
There was a little bit of a disconnect for me with the actual plot and pacing. While I enjoyed what was happening, it felt like certain aspects of the plot could have been developed even more. Personally, I felt like Ardent’s brother needed more of a main role in the story rather than popping in every once in a while.
This might have been my first Star Wars book, but it definitely won’t be my last. I can’t wait to explore more stories set in the Star Wars universe!
This was my first Star Wars book ever, and I had a lot of fun with it.
What made me pick this up was that it was written by Ashley Poston, and what made me stay was the fun story and the swoony romance.
There was something so cozy about this story that juxtaposed an average Star Wars story, which usually includes action, adventure, and high-stakes situations. While this story still has those things, it’s centered around average people, which I thought was refreshing. Our main character, Ardent, works for her family business, which is a touring company that takes passengers around the galaxy to some of the most iconic locations in the Star Wars universe. Along the way, she meets Sian, who is being tracked by the First Order because he has an old lightsaber that they believe was once owned by Luke Skywalker. Through this plot, we’re able to navigate the galaxy by visiting locations fans are familiar with while being introduced to new characters, which was so much fun.
I really liked the romance because it was a slow burn. Ardent and Sian really had to get to know each other, which strengthened the bond that was forming and the romantic feelings they were developing for each other. Ardent works for her family’s touring company and yet feels stifled and alone, while Sian has the freedom she craves but yearns for a family and stability. This dynamic allowed them to balance one another while helping them grow into the people they always wanted to be.
There was a little bit of a disconnect for me with the actual plot and pacing. While I enjoyed what was happening, it felt like certain aspects of the plot could have been developed even more. Personally, I felt like Ardent’s brother needed more of a main role in the story rather than popping in every once in a while.
This might have been my first Star Wars book, but it definitely won’t be my last. I can’t wait to explore more stories set in the Star Wars universe!
August 2, 2026
How freaking fun was this read!! I’m a huge Star Wars fan but not a fan of this author so was nervous but she did such a good job of really embracing and using the Star Wars universe to enhance this story. The droids were so well used and well written here and I adored all the gooey nostalgia that any scene with them invoked in me. It’s very clear that Ashley is either is a huge Star Wars fan herself or she really took this contract seriously. It’s a pretty simple story but it worked for me both as space opera and the YA romance was cute. All the planets visited and the cameos are so much fun! Eeekkk! Reading this was a whole experience with a very specific vibe. I love being in the universe but if we take all of that out would I really love this story or these characters or this writing? I really don’t know so I’m hesitant to rec this to anyone who is not a Star Wars fan.
The audiobook was a lot though and I’m torn. I had no clue that this was one of those enhanced audios. I maybe would have read it instead of listened had I known. The noises are constant. The beeping and humming from the space ship are a very consistent background to the story which was distracting in some scenes. I loved hearing the Star Wars theme songs and other music. I adored the droid noises and all the other sounds like are so well associated with the movies. It absolutely added to feeling like we were truly in the universe but it also took away from some of my connection to the characters because of the continual noise.
The audiobook was a lot though and I’m torn. I had no clue that this was one of those enhanced audios. I maybe would have read it instead of listened had I known. The noises are constant. The beeping and humming from the space ship are a very consistent background to the story which was distracting in some scenes. I loved hearing the Star Wars theme songs and other music. I adored the droid noises and all the other sounds like are so well associated with the movies. It absolutely added to feeling like we were truly in the universe but it also took away from some of my connection to the characters because of the continual noise.
August 29, 2026
Now this is Podracing!!!!
I have to admit I didn't know what to expect with the first romance focused Star Wars book, But man was this one fantastic star wars book and example A for why our own expectations can ruin a great story.
Loved having the story set around a family star tour ship showing off some of the most important locations in the galaxy with clear messaging around we must learn from the past to make sure fascism does not return. Connections through out the book through the locations visited , references to the high republic (forever a nerd to a" that's so wizard" reference) and surprise character appearances.
The heart of this book being about eighteen-year-old Ardent Quay slow falling in love with a fast talking wild space boy and he just as badly falling in love with Ardent. With the whole book coming from the POV of Ardent and her journey of self discovery being outside the walls of her home for the first time , Run ins with the first order , Characters mysterious pasts.
While this book has been marketed as the first star wars young adult romance novel, While it is that but also so much and so I do question again that the book marketing has done a disservice to the author Ashley Poston.
I have to admit I didn't know what to expect with the first romance focused Star Wars book, But man was this one fantastic star wars book and example A for why our own expectations can ruin a great story.
Loved having the story set around a family star tour ship showing off some of the most important locations in the galaxy with clear messaging around we must learn from the past to make sure fascism does not return. Connections through out the book through the locations visited , references to the high republic (forever a nerd to a" that's so wizard" reference) and surprise character appearances.
The heart of this book being about eighteen-year-old Ardent Quay slow falling in love with a fast talking wild space boy and he just as badly falling in love with Ardent. With the whole book coming from the POV of Ardent and her journey of self discovery being outside the walls of her home for the first time , Run ins with the first order , Characters mysterious pasts.
While this book has been marketed as the first star wars young adult romance novel, While it is that but also so much and so I do question again that the book marketing has done a disservice to the author Ashley Poston.
August 2, 2026
AHHHH!!!!!
Okay I have so many thoughts.
When I saw this genre initiative I was SO EXCITED! A Star Wars romance book?! CMON!!
1. The Star Wars quotes and fan service was everything. Iconic quotes from each trilogy, references to the animated shows and traveling to all the familiar planets.
2. The story was really fun and unique! I haven’t finished the animated show, so this novel is how I learned about the magic of wayfinding.
3. Probably the most important distinction: the romance. This is a ya book, so there was just chaste kisses, but the yearning was lovely. There was also fun flirting and banter. Now, I do think it wasn’t enough romance. It felt like more of a sub plot, which is disappointing. But the story was such a fun ride that I was able to have a blast (pewpew).
4. Reylo girlies will be fed with this 😈
Anyway, I am SUPER eager to know what other romance is coming next from the Star Wars novels!!!
Okay I have so many thoughts.
When I saw this genre initiative I was SO EXCITED! A Star Wars romance book?! CMON!!
1. The Star Wars quotes and fan service was everything. Iconic quotes from each trilogy, references to the animated shows and traveling to all the familiar planets.
2. The story was really fun and unique! I haven’t finished the animated show, so this novel is how I learned about the magic of wayfinding.
3. Probably the most important distinction: the romance. This is a ya book, so there was just chaste kisses, but the yearning was lovely. There was also fun flirting and banter. Now, I do think it wasn’t enough romance. It felt like more of a sub plot, which is disappointing. But the story was such a fun ride that I was able to have a blast (pewpew).
4. Reylo girlies will be fed with this 😈
Anyway, I am SUPER eager to know what other romance is coming next from the Star Wars novels!!!
July 19, 2026
Thank you Edelweiss and PRH audio!
This book is perfect! All my expectations were exceeded! Even though i predicted most of what happened, I couldn’t be happier with this story! The characters were amazing, the found family and love story were superb and I already want to re read it. This book felt like a warm hug! For new and old Star Wars fans, for romance fans, there is something for everyone in this book!
This book is perfect! All my expectations were exceeded! Even though i predicted most of what happened, I couldn’t be happier with this story! The characters were amazing, the found family and love story were superb and I already want to re read it. This book felt like a warm hug! For new and old Star Wars fans, for romance fans, there is something for everyone in this book!
August 23, 2026
I loved it, I loved Sian, I loved Ardent, I loved Veebee, I loved the adventure, I loved all 🧋
July 30, 2026
So fun!
August 3, 2026
Just filmed a whole YouTube video talking about 'Eyes like Stars' so I'm only going to write a quick review here. I really loved this book and I think that Ashley Poston did a fantastic job at writing a romantasy story using the world of 'Star Wars', but still keeping the romance front and centre. There is plenty of action and cameos from established characters but at the heart of the story is the romance between Ardent and Sian.
There are some of the expected tropes in who the characters are and how they meet, but I think that is actually a compliment in this case because romance readers seem to love knowing what tropes the story will follow before they pick up a book. I liked both characters and I enjoyed the pace of their relationship building, it went along at a nice smooth tempo. There are plenty of challenges and obstacles put in their way of course and at times the stakes do feel pretty high. I would say that as the book enters its third act, it becomes a little more 'Star Wars' than romance, but everything that goes on is still in service of that relationship.
If you are a YA romantasy fan (this is very YA, it is still a Disney/Lucasfilm novel after all) then I think you would enjoy this even if you don't know that much about 'Star Wars'. On the other hand, if you aren't particularly interested in romantic stories then I don't think this one will change your mind about that. For 'Star Wars' fans there is plenty here to chew on even if you aren't overly interested in the romance. It straddles both worlds well and I enjoyed 'Eyes Like Stars' a lot. I hope we see these characters again!
You can find all of my 'Star Wars' book reviews here and my YouTube review for 'Eyes Like Stars' here.
There are some of the expected tropes in who the characters are and how they meet, but I think that is actually a compliment in this case because romance readers seem to love knowing what tropes the story will follow before they pick up a book. I liked both characters and I enjoyed the pace of their relationship building, it went along at a nice smooth tempo. There are plenty of challenges and obstacles put in their way of course and at times the stakes do feel pretty high. I would say that as the book enters its third act, it becomes a little more 'Star Wars' than romance, but everything that goes on is still in service of that relationship.
If you are a YA romantasy fan (this is very YA, it is still a Disney/Lucasfilm novel after all) then I think you would enjoy this even if you don't know that much about 'Star Wars'. On the other hand, if you aren't particularly interested in romantic stories then I don't think this one will change your mind about that. For 'Star Wars' fans there is plenty here to chew on even if you aren't overly interested in the romance. It straddles both worlds well and I enjoyed 'Eyes Like Stars' a lot. I hope we see these characters again!
You can find all of my 'Star Wars' book reviews here and my YouTube review for 'Eyes Like Stars' here.
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August 24, 2026Don't have much to say about this one, but glad that a book billed as a "Star Wars romance" was written by the amazing Ashley Poston!
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