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Men of Cane River #4
A Star to Steer By
Roxie Sunshine Hardy is perfectly happy living in Philadelphia, far away from her hometown. Growing up as a chubby nerd obsessed with classic literature, Roxie finally feels like she’s found her place in the world. She’s kept her full name a secret and has never, ever, ever told a single soul how she spent her high school years. People might think growing up in a family bakery is delightful, but Roxie knows the reality. Spending countless sweaty afternoons inside Sunshine Bakery’s big, pink foam cupcake costume is the stuff of her nightmares.
Those terrible days are behind her now, but when her family needs her, Roxie decides to return to Natchitoches. She assures herself that it’s only for a few weeks, and there isn’t a snowball’s chance in Dante’s Inferno that she’ll have to get into that cupcake suit.
Moving from New York City to Natchitoches shouldn’t be a problem for Andy McBride. The slower pace, Creole culture, and friendly locals make up for the lack of any good Thai take-out. But Andy hasn’t counted on how much he’d miss his brother, Mark. He can’t uproot Mark from his group home for the mentally disabled back in New York, so Andy tries to go on as usual. To everyone else, including his fascinating neighbor from Philly, he’s living the carefree life of a wealthy bachelor, but Andy is haunted by the knowledge that Mark might not be around for much longer.
When an unlikely friendship blossoms with Sunshine Bakery’s anonymous dancing cupcake, Andy decides to stop pretending to be someone he’s not. He learns seizing the day isn’t just for poets, and life is too short to be without the people you love. A story of family, loyalty, and a true love that can’t be disguised, A Star to Steer By will warm your heart.
Those terrible days are behind her now, but when her family needs her, Roxie decides to return to Natchitoches. She assures herself that it’s only for a few weeks, and there isn’t a snowball’s chance in Dante’s Inferno that she’ll have to get into that cupcake suit.
Moving from New York City to Natchitoches shouldn’t be a problem for Andy McBride. The slower pace, Creole culture, and friendly locals make up for the lack of any good Thai take-out. But Andy hasn’t counted on how much he’d miss his brother, Mark. He can’t uproot Mark from his group home for the mentally disabled back in New York, so Andy tries to go on as usual. To everyone else, including his fascinating neighbor from Philly, he’s living the carefree life of a wealthy bachelor, but Andy is haunted by the knowledge that Mark might not be around for much longer.
When an unlikely friendship blossoms with Sunshine Bakery’s anonymous dancing cupcake, Andy decides to stop pretending to be someone he’s not. He learns seizing the day isn’t just for poets, and life is too short to be without the people you love. A story of family, loyalty, and a true love that can’t be disguised, A Star to Steer By will warm your heart.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2015
72 people are currently reading
270 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jane Hathaway
27 books188 followersAbout the Author: Mary Jane Hathaway is the pen name of an award-nominated writer who spends the majority of her literary energy on subjects un-related to Jane Austen. A homeschooling mother of six young children who rarely wear shoes, she’s madly in love with a man who has never read Pride and Prejudice. She holds degrees in Religious Studies and Theoretical Linguistics, and has a Jane Austen quote on the back of her van. She can be reached on facebook at 'Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits' or her regular author page of Virginia Carmichael (which is another pen name, because she’s just that cool).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
March 23, 2016
I laughed my way through writing this book. It took twice as long to write because halfway through, I realized that Roxie really needed to spend most of her time in a giant foam cupcake costume!
July 11, 2016
More shenanigans overtop By the Book! That bookstore (and apartments above) seems to have a magic about it that can bring people together. (Helped by Alice and Paul, of course. ;) I absolutely loved catching up with Andy again! And he and Roxie were so perfect together. Take a mutual love of Dante, add in a dash of attraction, a sprinkle of family confusion on both sides, and a whole lot of charm, and you end up with a really sweet story about two people finding each other very unexpectedly. Both characters have family obligations that are hard, which is where the story really struck a chord with me. Plus I just really loved watching Andy and Roxie fall in love, what can I say? I'm a romantic at heart and these two were adorable.
March 5, 2016
Cane River Series
The series were wonderful, witty, and entertaining. I would have given the series 5 stars but there needed to be better proofreading done. Each volume had too many typos, missing words or wrong words inserted. Very distracting for me.
The series were wonderful, witty, and entertaining. I would have given the series 5 stars but there needed to be better proofreading done. Each volume had too many typos, missing words or wrong words inserted. Very distracting for me.
October 8, 2016
The series has gotten back on track after the very underdeveloped romance and storyline of Only Through Love. I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I knocked off a star for some editing problems, including numerous spelling and grammatical errors, and using the wrong character's name more than once.
July 9, 2016
Cute easy summer read. Love this author and the Cane River characters. Only negative I have is I noticed a lot of spelling and grammar mistakes...maybe just the kindle version?
June 16, 2017
Good
Good but not great. I didn't feel like I got as involved with the characters as in the previous books. I missed that connection. Well written but the editing was not as good as the last book. The story kept my interest and I definitely will recommend it. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Good but not great. I didn't feel like I got as involved with the characters as in the previous books. I missed that connection. Well written but the editing was not as good as the last book. The story kept my interest and I definitely will recommend it. I'm looking forward to the next book.
October 23, 2018
Another great read from Mary Jane Hathaway. I loved the protagonist, Roxie. She was so lovable, and the idea of a person being willing to wear a giant cupcake costume for the love a grandmother is so likable! I would read this again.
December 15, 2020
.
A sweet and endearing story of unexpected love that explores the insecurities in which so many of us struggle. Life isn't a fairytale but real love works through the difficulties.
A sweet and endearing story of unexpected love that explores the insecurities in which so many of us struggle. Life isn't a fairytale but real love works through the difficulties.
February 1, 2022
True Love
Amazing book about true love for family and for your heart. The characters are real and the understanding of mental health is wonderful. I also enjoyed her touches of the classics. (Does need a touch more editing for just 14 typos) , but nearly perfect)
Amazing book about true love for family and for your heart. The characters are real and the understanding of mental health is wonderful. I also enjoyed her touches of the classics. (Does need a touch more editing for just 14 typos) , but nearly perfect)
July 12, 2017
I have liked all of the books by this author.
November 9, 2017
I like the theme of family love and loyalty, even in the midst of serious circumstances. I also like the thread of quotes from classical authors, especially Dante Alighieri.
November 19, 2017
Very enjoyable reading!
I will continue to read more by Mary Jane Hathaway. I am liking this series and all the characters. I definitely recommend this book.
I will continue to read more by Mary Jane Hathaway. I am liking this series and all the characters. I definitely recommend this book.
February 27, 2020
🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂
Not just a sweet clean romance in Cane River, there are also themes of self confidence and self worth as well as family. A really good read.
Not just a sweet clean romance in Cane River, there are also themes of self confidence and self worth as well as family. A really good read.
January 2, 2021
Lovely
Read
May 18, 2021Worth reading for little Aurora's t-shirts alone! I want to see a line of these bookish tees for toddlers.
September 12, 2020
Clean, fun romance about of couple of out-of-towners settling in to a new time and place in their lives. And while doing so they find hope and understanding in each other. There are some cute scenes with the cupcake costume but some tough real life issues that have to be dealt with.
March 31, 2016
I am really enjoying this series! I love that Paul and Alice (from the first book in the series) play a big role in all the books. I was sad that Charlie wasn't in this one - I missed her and kept hoping she would show up!
Andy has moved from New York City to Natchitoches, Louisiana when his best friend re-located their company's headquarters to be closer to his family. Andy is having a hard time fitting in. Until he meets Roxie. Roxie grew up in Natchitoches, but she never felt like she needed to fit in - she felt like she needed to get out! And she did, until her grandma's health failed and she came back to help take care of her grandma and her grandma's bakery.
I love that for Andy and Paul family is more important than the company they've built together and than the money they've accrued. Andy has the money to pay for the best care for his mentally disabled brother Mark, but he really misses him and wants to be close to him. He's never seen Mark as a burden, but has always seen him as someone he really loves and wants to spend time with.
Content: Very clean
Source: Amazon.com
Andy has moved from New York City to Natchitoches, Louisiana when his best friend re-located their company's headquarters to be closer to his family. Andy is having a hard time fitting in. Until he meets Roxie. Roxie grew up in Natchitoches, but she never felt like she needed to fit in - she felt like she needed to get out! And she did, until her grandma's health failed and she came back to help take care of her grandma and her grandma's bakery.
I love that for Andy and Paul family is more important than the company they've built together and than the money they've accrued. Andy has the money to pay for the best care for his mentally disabled brother Mark, but he really misses him and wants to be close to him. He's never seen Mark as a burden, but has always seen him as someone he really loves and wants to spend time with.
Content: Very clean
Source: Amazon.com
December 29, 2015
I was so glad to buy this book the day that it came out! I have all the Cane River romances on my Kindle, and I look forward to revisiting Natchitoches, Louisiana, especially Alice's bookstore, By the Book, and now the Sunshine Bakery.
I love Hathaway's characters. They're not perfect, they have flaws, and they're utterly human. Andy is concerned about his mentally handicapped older brother Mark. Roxie suffers humiliation in a sweltering cupcake costume every day she helps her mamere with her bakery. Andy doesn't think he should have a special someone (for a reason you'll find out if you read this), and Roxie, at first, wasn't all that crazy about life in Natchitoches.
One of my favorite parts in the Cane River books are all the literary references. Alice and Paul's little girl, Aurora, wears lines from classic literature on her tiny baby t-shirts. Quotes from poetry spout up with great abandon, particularly in this one. Dante is frequently mentioned, and I loved all of it. Hathaway's characters are sharp and smart, intellectual and intelligent. I love living life with them.
I love Hathaway's characters. They're not perfect, they have flaws, and they're utterly human. Andy is concerned about his mentally handicapped older brother Mark. Roxie suffers humiliation in a sweltering cupcake costume every day she helps her mamere with her bakery. Andy doesn't think he should have a special someone (for a reason you'll find out if you read this), and Roxie, at first, wasn't all that crazy about life in Natchitoches.
One of my favorite parts in the Cane River books are all the literary references. Alice and Paul's little girl, Aurora, wears lines from classic literature on her tiny baby t-shirts. Quotes from poetry spout up with great abandon, particularly in this one. Dante is frequently mentioned, and I loved all of it. Hathaway's characters are sharp and smart, intellectual and intelligent. I love living life with them.
November 10, 2015
I really enjoyed this series. I like seeing the characters from the earlier books. I like Andy, Roxie, Mark and the cupcake and all of them. I did feel the conflict in this one was a little weak. Hello, has Andy never heard of adoption or the fancy kind of IVF where they test the embryos for genetic problems? And if Andy is a billionaire he can certainly afford IVF. Other than that I loved it like i have all in the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2016
I loved this whole series - great deep characters! It is a unique and culturally rich storyline set in Louisiana. I loved the literary references and the witty banter. I hardly slept as I made my way through this series - very hard to put down! This is Roxie and Andy's story. It is a sweet story about being yourself and accepting who God made you to be. I was so sad to see the last book end!! I look forward to more books from this author :).
January 23, 2017
I'm usually leery of reading series books if I haven't read the previous books. That was not a problem here. Although there were references to things that happened in earlier books, this worked well as a stand-alone book. I loved both of these characters--they were both smart, talented, and caring, but they felt socially inept. I also loved the love the characters had for their families and the things they were willing to do for those they love. An easy fun read with surprising depth.
June 30, 2016
A Star to steer by
Enjoyed reading this. Pointed out that no matter what personal or family problems, you are experiencing you are still worthy of love.
Also shows that some people build you up, while others just tear you down. Amazing how many people sell them self short and don't superhero worth. Had a happy ending. I gave it 4 stars
Enjoyed reading this. Pointed out that no matter what personal or family problems, you are experiencing you are still worthy of love.
Also shows that some people build you up, while others just tear you down. Amazing how many people sell them self short and don't superhero worth. Had a happy ending. I gave it 4 stars
July 14, 2016
E-Reader Romance
This book was excellently written. Roxie Sunshine Hardy believes she's moving back home temporarily to Natchitoches to help her Memere. Memere owns Sunshine Bakery & needs help. She has to wear a cupcake costume & stand on the corner. She meets Andy McBride wealthy businessman while dressed as the cupcake. A lot happens, will they find true love?
This book was excellently written. Roxie Sunshine Hardy believes she's moving back home temporarily to Natchitoches to help her Memere. Memere owns Sunshine Bakery & needs help. She has to wear a cupcake costume & stand on the corner. She meets Andy McBride wealthy businessman while dressed as the cupcake. A lot happens, will they find true love?
July 16, 2016
Home is where the heart is
Andy and Rosie made such unselfish decisions about caring for his brother and her grandmother. They both have such soft hearts. Who knew coming home again would bring complete happiness to an entire town. Very sweet book with faith inspired values and morals throughout.
Andy and Rosie made such unselfish decisions about caring for his brother and her grandmother. They both have such soft hearts. Who knew coming home again would bring complete happiness to an entire town. Very sweet book with faith inspired values and morals throughout.
June 24, 2017
Sweet read!
Roxie and Andy are two unlikely people to be paired. She's recently moved back home to help with Mamere's shop, and Andy is co-founder of a video game company with oodles of money. Roxie feels way out of his league, and Andy has a secret keeping him from pursuing her.
I really enjoyed this story and hope to read more by Ms. Hathaway!
Roxie and Andy are two unlikely people to be paired. She's recently moved back home to help with Mamere's shop, and Andy is co-founder of a video game company with oodles of money. Roxie feels way out of his league, and Andy has a secret keeping him from pursuing her.
I really enjoyed this story and hope to read more by Ms. Hathaway!
March 8, 2016
A beautiful love story
Two people destined to find love in the midst of complicated lives. A beautiful story that you will need a bit of tissue to dry your eyes for. Loved it and love all the works of this author!
Two people destined to find love in the midst of complicated lives. A beautiful story that you will need a bit of tissue to dry your eyes for. Loved it and love all the works of this author!
July 25, 2016
Good and very enjoyable!
Enjoyed reading this book very much. Kept me e entertained and Inc ok loved in the story. Looking forward to read more books from'll m this talented author.
Enjoyed reading this book very much. Kept me e entertained and Inc ok loved in the story. Looking forward to read more books from'll m this talented author.
November 11, 2015
Another great Cane River Romance. I love this town and the "real" people with their "real" problems that they work together to overcome.
February 26, 2016
Louisiana charm
I love the area where the nook was written about this book captures the hospitality of thar area so well ,I enjoyed the contraction of the characters
I love the area where the nook was written about this book captures the hospitality of thar area so well ,I enjoyed the contraction of the characters
March 9, 2016
Another winner by Mary Jane Hathaway.
Nicknames have a way of sticking whether you like them or not. Cupcake wasn't a complimentary nickname in her opinion.
Nicknames have a way of sticking whether you like them or not. Cupcake wasn't a complimentary nickname in her opinion.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews