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Fly Me to the Moon #1
Star Dust
Houston, 1962
Anne-Marie Smith wanted normal: a loving husband, two beautiful kids, and a well-kept house. But when she catches her husband cheating, she decides that normal isn’t worth it. Now in a new city with a new job, she’s trying to find her new normal—but she knows it doesn’t include the sexy playboy astronaut next door.
Commander Kit Campbell has a taste for fast: fast cars, fast planes, and even faster women. But no ride he’s ever taken will be as fast as the one he’s taking into orbit. He’s willing to put up with the prying adoration of an entire country if it will get him into space.
But Anne-Marie and Kit’s inconvenient attraction threatens both normal and fast. As the space race heats up, his ambitions and their connection collide and combustion threatens their plans… and their hearts.
Anne-Marie Smith wanted normal: a loving husband, two beautiful kids, and a well-kept house. But when she catches her husband cheating, she decides that normal isn’t worth it. Now in a new city with a new job, she’s trying to find her new normal—but she knows it doesn’t include the sexy playboy astronaut next door.
Commander Kit Campbell has a taste for fast: fast cars, fast planes, and even faster women. But no ride he’s ever taken will be as fast as the one he’s taking into orbit. He’s willing to put up with the prying adoration of an entire country if it will get him into space.
But Anne-Marie and Kit’s inconvenient attraction threatens both normal and fast. As the space race heats up, his ambitions and their connection collide and combustion threatens their plans… and their hearts.
305 pages, ebook
First published September 8, 2015
215 people are currently reading
975 people want to read
About the author
Emma Barry
29 books220 followersEmma Barry is a teacher, novelist, recovering academic, and former political staffer. She lives with her high school sweetheart and a menagerie of pets and children in Virginia, and she occasionally finds time to read and write.
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May 31, 2016
Commander Christopher Campbell—aka Kit—is an astronaut. He's a celebrity, and pretty much one of America's sweethearts, being an astronaut deep in the midst of the space race. His position brings with it many ups and downs, one of each being loads of women, but also a ton of media attention, respectively. While the women are great, the attention is difficult because everyone is watching him, so his public persona always has to be on. And if he fails? Oh, he fails hard, and for all the world to see.
Anne-Marie is a divorcee and mother of two. Her ex-husband, Doug, was unfaithful to her throughout their entire near decade-long marriage, so she didn't think twice before divorcing his ass. She also has to deal with society's scorn for having divorced rather than staying with her unfaithful husband, including from her own family. However, now, not only is she having to take care of her two children, she also needs to start up in the workforce. And it totally doesn't help when you've got the super hot astronaut living next door.
Anyway, generally, I don't like the manwhore/playboy types. Usually I find it's just an excuse to play out the sexist stereotype of an experienced man paired with a virginal woman. That's why I liked that in this book, the heroine wasn't a virgin. She's so far from a virgin, having been married for nearly ten years and birthed two children. It doesn't give us anything other than that, but I'll assume that Doug was her only because she married him in her late-teens.
Now, although I still don't like the manwhore thing, I could see how it'd come with the territory in this case. While there are other destructive methods for broody Hs to turn to, I could buy that women could be the least destructive. I can see how drugs and excessive drink would be incompatible with his astronaut occupation. The authors do hint a couple of times as to the "benefits" of the job and about his "nighttime activities," which I totally could've done with known about. What I didn't like, however, was how the authors showed this. While I didn't like the mentions of his playboy lifestyle to begin with, I was willing to roll with it. What I hated was the authors' need to show us his manwhoring when we're re-introduced to him post-prologue.
So, what happens is, Anne-Marie comes over to ask him for a band-aid and a knife. He helps her fix her wound, which is when he also takes the opportunity to flirt with her. That's not the problem. The problem was, when she starts to leave...out walks a blonde from the bedroom. So, while he'd been flirting with the h in the kitchen, the OW he'd slept with the previous night was in the next room over. Just...so ick. That wasn't a good start, imo. (And then later we're told she'd been a birthday present to him from his friends...) Just...ugh. I know it's nothing graphic (there's no sexual scene with any OW), but I really didn't like that. I feel the authors could've just mentioned his manwhoring or maybe shown him flirting with another woman to illustrate it, but I just absolutely hated the scene the authors chose. If it had been cut, I would've rated this book higher, tbh.
What I did like in response to this was that, even though Anne-Marie is interested in Kit, she basically gives him the cold shoulder. I had both a negative and a positive reaction to this. The negative was that, even though in the first three chapters she makes it clear she wants nothing to do with him, I didn't really feel any conviction there. I think it's because the authors interspersed her denials and rejections with positive thoughts about Kit and his attractiveness. She says to herself that she's going to keep him in a "detached neighbourly box," yet I didn't believe it when she spouted this. I wanted her to genuinely not want to be around him after that OW scene. She even compares him to Doug at one point, not wanting a repeat of her previous relationship with leaving one womanizer, only to end up with another. She also rejects him because she doesn't want to start something public with him and have her kids getting hurt if it doesn't work out.
What I did like about it, though, was that, even in the face of Anne-Marie's rejections, Kit is still determined. At first he just flirts, but then he really does want to date her...only to be resoundingly rejected. He agrees to a no-strings-attached affair with her, even though he's still wanting to be in a non-secretive relationship with her. I loved that even though she kept him at a distance and wasn't the nicest towards him, he doesn't let it get to him. After they decide on an affair, he still feels happy when he gets invited along to hang out with her children, thinking that maybe he's breaking through to her. And even though they were mutually lustful, I felt that Kit fell for her loooong before she fell for him, which I love because I like seeing the guy brought down to his knees first. And I should mention, even though he does spend time with her kids, it wasn't the same as a relationship. The children were inviting him over for dinner and going fishing, not as their mom's new boyfriend, but as the super fool and famous astronaut next door.
The other thing I liked about her rejection of him is that she makes it perfectly clear that she cares not one bit for his celebrity. Because of this, he feels insecurity and constantly second-guesses himself. He was this arrogant playboy, but around her he starts to wonder if he actually impressed her, dying for small, verbal reassurances. I thought it was kind of great. I absolutely loved how smitten he was. He was the one who insisted on dating—more than once—which is so different than the Hs who push away and never want to commit.
There were some other complaints I did have though. One, I was really disappointed that Doug didn't show even a smidgen of jealousy over Anne-Marie moving on. He took his cake and ate it, too, imo. For nearly a decade, he and Anne-Marie were married, and he cheated on her the entire time. He didn't even care that they were divorcing. And she's the one who ended up taking the children and caring for them, while also starting in the workplace. But Doug isn't shown to care one bit. I would've liked to see her stick it to him, even just a bit.
Another is the stuff about the Dunsfords. Why was this stuff about Margie's unfaithful husband, Mitch, included? It just left me dissatisfied because it was left unresolved. She was such a nice woman throughout the entire book, and such a good friend to Anne-Marie, that it just annoyed me so much that her husband was like that. I get that the authors did it for the comment she threw in at the end ("In the early and mid 1960s, the astronauts and their wives attempted to project happiness and stability even when the truth about their marriages was more complicated."), but I would've liked to see something better for her because, well...this is fiction, and romantic fiction, at that. I want the nice character to be rewarded! Dunsford was a huge douche and didn't deserve Margie!
The last thing I didn't like was the inclusion of Miss Delancy (the OW). Why was she even part of the story? It seemed like it'd go somewhere with her, but then nothing happened. Why was her being young-looking included? Kit takes notice of this twice, so I thought it'd play some role later on, but it never comes up again. I didn't get the point of including it because there was no further elaboration to that, or her, at a later point.
So, although I had my complaints about this book, they didn't get in the way of my overall enjoyment of it. Once I got past the OW scene (which happens in the first chapter), I found the rest to be fairly enjoyable.
Anne-Marie is a divorcee and mother of two. Her ex-husband, Doug, was unfaithful to her throughout their entire near decade-long marriage, so she didn't think twice before divorcing his ass. She also has to deal with society's scorn for having divorced rather than staying with her unfaithful husband, including from her own family. However, now, not only is she having to take care of her two children, she also needs to start up in the workforce. And it totally doesn't help when you've got the super hot astronaut living next door.
Anyway, generally, I don't like the manwhore/playboy types. Usually I find it's just an excuse to play out the sexist stereotype of an experienced man paired with a virginal woman. That's why I liked that in this book, the heroine wasn't a virgin. She's so far from a virgin, having been married for nearly ten years and birthed two children. It doesn't give us anything other than that, but I'll assume that Doug was her only because she married him in her late-teens.
Now, although I still don't like the manwhore thing, I could see how it'd come with the territory in this case. While there are other destructive methods for broody Hs to turn to, I could buy that women could be the least destructive. I can see how drugs and excessive drink would be incompatible with his astronaut occupation. The authors do hint a couple of times as to the "benefits" of the job and about his "nighttime activities," which I totally could've done with known about. What I didn't like, however, was how the authors showed this. While I didn't like the mentions of his playboy lifestyle to begin with, I was willing to roll with it. What I hated was the authors' need to show us his manwhoring when we're re-introduced to him post-prologue.
So, what happens is, Anne-Marie comes over to ask him for a band-aid and a knife. He helps her fix her wound, which is when he also takes the opportunity to flirt with her. That's not the problem. The problem was, when she starts to leave...out walks a blonde from the bedroom. So, while he'd been flirting with the h in the kitchen, the OW he'd slept with the previous night was in the next room over. Just...so ick. That wasn't a good start, imo. (And then later we're told she'd been a birthday present to him from his friends...) Just...ugh. I know it's nothing graphic (there's no sexual scene with any OW), but I really didn't like that. I feel the authors could've just mentioned his manwhoring or maybe shown him flirting with another woman to illustrate it, but I just absolutely hated the scene the authors chose. If it had been cut, I would've rated this book higher, tbh.
What I did like in response to this was that, even though Anne-Marie is interested in Kit, she basically gives him the cold shoulder. I had both a negative and a positive reaction to this. The negative was that, even though in the first three chapters she makes it clear she wants nothing to do with him, I didn't really feel any conviction there. I think it's because the authors interspersed her denials and rejections with positive thoughts about Kit and his attractiveness. She says to herself that she's going to keep him in a "detached neighbourly box," yet I didn't believe it when she spouted this. I wanted her to genuinely not want to be around him after that OW scene. She even compares him to Doug at one point, not wanting a repeat of her previous relationship with leaving one womanizer, only to end up with another. She also rejects him because she doesn't want to start something public with him and have her kids getting hurt if it doesn't work out.
What I did like about it, though, was that, even in the face of Anne-Marie's rejections, Kit is still determined. At first he just flirts, but then he really does want to date her...only to be resoundingly rejected. He agrees to a no-strings-attached affair with her, even though he's still wanting to be in a non-secretive relationship with her. I loved that even though she kept him at a distance and wasn't the nicest towards him, he doesn't let it get to him. After they decide on an affair, he still feels happy when he gets invited along to hang out with her children, thinking that maybe he's breaking through to her. And even though they were mutually lustful, I felt that Kit fell for her loooong before she fell for him, which I love because I like seeing the guy brought down to his knees first. And I should mention, even though he does spend time with her kids, it wasn't the same as a relationship. The children were inviting him over for dinner and going fishing, not as their mom's new boyfriend, but as the super fool and famous astronaut next door.
And perhaps in his head, she’d also added a few things about how she’d had a good time last weekend and how wonderful he’d made her feel.
Okay, that last part was probably too much to hope for. But the rest of it seemed pretty damn likely.
He knocked on her door and waited.
But sadly, when she answered, she didn’t look at him at all. ...
She pursed her lips, as if she knew what he was thinking. “No, I’m going to do this one by myself. You and your dog should stay away—far away. Be back here at five,
ready to go,” she ordered.
He smiled and snapped off a salute. “Yes, ma’am.”
When she rolled her eyes, it was with affection—or maybe he was deluding himself.
The other thing I liked about her rejection of him is that she makes it perfectly clear that she cares not one bit for his celebrity. Because of this, he feels insecurity and constantly second-guesses himself. He was this arrogant playboy, but around her he starts to wonder if he actually impressed her, dying for small, verbal reassurances. I thought it was kind of great. I absolutely loved how smitten he was. He was the one who insisted on dating—more than once—which is so different than the Hs who push away and never want to commit.
There were some other complaints I did have though. One, I was really disappointed that Doug didn't show even a smidgen of jealousy over Anne-Marie moving on. He took his cake and ate it, too, imo. For nearly a decade, he and Anne-Marie were married, and he cheated on her the entire time. He didn't even care that they were divorcing. And she's the one who ended up taking the children and caring for them, while also starting in the workplace. But Doug isn't shown to care one bit. I would've liked to see her stick it to him, even just a bit.
Another is the stuff about the Dunsfords. Why was this stuff about Margie's unfaithful husband, Mitch, included? It just left me dissatisfied because it was left unresolved. She was such a nice woman throughout the entire book, and such a good friend to Anne-Marie, that it just annoyed me so much that her husband was like that. I get that the authors did it for the comment she threw in at the end ("In the early and mid 1960s, the astronauts and their wives attempted to project happiness and stability even when the truth about their marriages was more complicated."), but I would've liked to see something better for her because, well...this is fiction, and romantic fiction, at that. I want the nice character to be rewarded! Dunsford was a huge douche and didn't deserve Margie!
The last thing I didn't like was the inclusion of Miss Delancy (the OW). Why was she even part of the story? It seemed like it'd go somewhere with her, but then nothing happened. Why was her being young-looking included? Kit takes notice of this twice, so I thought it'd play some role later on, but it never comes up again. I didn't get the point of including it because there was no further elaboration to that, or her, at a later point.
So, although I had my complaints about this book, they didn't get in the way of my overall enjoyment of it. Once I got past the OW scene (which happens in the first chapter), I found the rest to be fairly enjoyable.
December 31, 2018
4.5 stars.
Sometimes you fall in love with a book. You fall in love despite its flaws, and because of what it represents and how it makes you feel.
I fell in love with Star Dust. Charming is an understatement. As is inspiring. The book presents a quiet but no less potent feminism.
Anne-Marie left her philandering husband. And in 1962 Houston, that simply wasn't done. For many readers, the 1960s as the setting of a historical romance novel incites a wry sort of disbelief. Their parents were alive then. They were alive then. But when confronted with not only society's ideas about a woman's place but women's lack of rights - criminalization of marital rape didn't begin until the 1970s - it does, in many ways, feel like a very distant history. In other ways, it feels all too close.
Anne-Marie displayed incredible grace and courage, standing up not only for herself but for her children. She candidly admitted that she never wanted a job, but she got one. And she was good at it. Anne-Marie defied those who predicted that she would fail, and her confidence grew exponentially. Although she had a reserved, sometimes prickly, exterior, it belied her vulnerability.
I kind of loved that Anne-Marie resented how Kit, golden heartthrob astronaut, made her feel. Because who among The Broken Hearts Club hasn't felt similarly? How dare someone come along and make us question our decision to resign ourselves to singledom, where no one could hurt us again. Kit is more than the seemingly shallow playboy depicted in Life magazine spreads, and when he becomes close to Anne-Marie and her children, Kit realizes that he wants the very things that he thought he didn't need.
I did find Anne-Marie and Kit's "meet cute" somewhat contrived (I basically hemorrhage whenever I cut myself shaving or cooking and if a bandage isn't handy toilet paper works JUST FINE). And while I adored the moments where they shared their souls under the stars and even enjoyed the family bonding moments, their relationship needed more development.
But overall, it was a wonderful book, and I can't recommend it enough, and I am beyond thrilled to have discovered this series.
Sometimes you fall in love with a book. You fall in love despite its flaws, and because of what it represents and how it makes you feel.
I fell in love with Star Dust. Charming is an understatement. As is inspiring. The book presents a quiet but no less potent feminism.
Anne-Marie left her philandering husband. And in 1962 Houston, that simply wasn't done. For many readers, the 1960s as the setting of a historical romance novel incites a wry sort of disbelief. Their parents were alive then. They were alive then. But when confronted with not only society's ideas about a woman's place but women's lack of rights - criminalization of marital rape didn't begin until the 1970s - it does, in many ways, feel like a very distant history. In other ways, it feels all too close.
Anne-Marie displayed incredible grace and courage, standing up not only for herself but for her children. She candidly admitted that she never wanted a job, but she got one. And she was good at it. Anne-Marie defied those who predicted that she would fail, and her confidence grew exponentially. Although she had a reserved, sometimes prickly, exterior, it belied her vulnerability.
I kind of loved that Anne-Marie resented how Kit, golden heartthrob astronaut, made her feel. Because who among The Broken Hearts Club hasn't felt similarly? How dare someone come along and make us question our decision to resign ourselves to singledom, where no one could hurt us again. Kit is more than the seemingly shallow playboy depicted in Life magazine spreads, and when he becomes close to Anne-Marie and her children, Kit realizes that he wants the very things that he thought he didn't need.
I did find Anne-Marie and Kit's "meet cute" somewhat contrived (I basically hemorrhage whenever I cut myself shaving or cooking and if a bandage isn't handy toilet paper works JUST FINE). And while I adored the moments where they shared their souls under the stars and even enjoyed the family bonding moments, their relationship needed more development.
But overall, it was a wonderful book, and I can't recommend it enough, and I am beyond thrilled to have discovered this series.
October 5, 2022
“Constellations tell a story. Lines connecting points, making a picture. Your freckles do too. Your body does. Anne-Marie, I like your story.” He didn’t look away. He didn’t even blink. He meant it. Every word. And looking in his eyes, she felt it. She nearly shook with need. “Make love to me.” “Yes, ma’am.”
So I've had Stardust languishing on my TBR pile for way too long. Way too long. BUT I guess it was waiting for me when I truly needed it because wow, I absolutely loved it. My entire jam. A golden boy, a scoundrel who is so confident in his looks and merit, is completely bowled over by the jaded divorcee next door.
Not only is the romance absolutely swoonworthy, the 1960s setting was a refreshing change of pace. Commander Kit Campbell's desire to go to space, the mission itself, and the cast of characters at the NASA-esque project, and the exploration of the role of women and the problems they ran against during this time period, all added depth and an immersive reading experience.
October 14, 2015
When Emma Barry and Genevieve Turner submitted this for review, I was so happy. The premise - a 1960's romance starring an astronaut hero who falls for his newly divorced neighbor? Sign me up!
Anne-Marie Smith is newly divorced, and can feel the stares and judgment all around her. But she will take all that snobbery for not having to spend another minute with her cheating husband. Anne-Marie's parents are very wealthy (and can't believe she got divorced - the drama) and they want her and her two kids to continue to live a decent lifestyle. So they buy her a brand new house in a brand new development, where it's known many astronauts and their wives live. Anne-Marie is more worried about getting her kids adjusted to a new house and new schools than to be impressed by astronauts roaming the streets. Okay, maybe she is a little impressed, especially when she meets her famous neighbor Commander Christopher Campbell, or Kit. Years ago, when the Soviets beat the Americans by getting the first satellite into space, Kit made it his mission in life to orbit the Earth before them - and now he is very close. He is the second in place to leave Earth, and has been training relentlessly. Kit is single and in very good shape, and doesn't know what to do with a single mom neighbor. She is cute but puts out a very chilly vibe when she looks at him.
Anne-Marie can't help but lust after Kit when he goes running shirtless down the street. But she has responsibilities! She has a new job as a travel agent! Darn it - she can't be wooed by a hottie astronaut!
But she is wooed. She is wooed big time, and their secret affair turns into feelings and a very sexy and cute romance develops.
Being set in the early 60's, women didn't go around and get divorced so much
"Can you even imagine what she must be like?" Carruthers said. "A woman who'd actually leave a man? Or who was so shrewish that he left her?"
But don't worry about Anne-Marie. Although her parents bought her a house, she gets a job. She doesn't mope around and whine people whisper about her, she puts her head up and goes on with her life. She is overwhelmed at times - and annoyed when a certain neighbor shows up to help her all the time, but she has confidence and lots of spirit.
Kit falls hard for Anne-Marie, which surprises him. He usually feels awkward around kids, feeling pressure to live up to the hero they see in him. But he takes to Anne-Marie's kids quick. He knows the press and gossip can get to even the best astronaut wife, so he tries to shield that from her the best he can. He is the one that pushes for more, and he courts her and it's all just very sweet.
"I think about you all the time. Well, you and the stars. You're all bound up together n ow. You have been for weeks." He paused and swallowed, and then with heartbreaking earnestness, he said, "Have dinner with me."
He'd phrased it as a statement, but she could hear the entreaty. That was what surprised her, made her "What?" come out sharp and baffled.
"I want to take you to dinner. I want to bring you flowers. I want to pursue you. And I want to kiss you."
Oh you dreamy astronaut.
Anne-Marie befriends some of the other wives, and they start to form friendships. I want to say it's a cute contemporary because that is how it felt, but I guess I have to say it's a cute historical. I was so glad to see another book is coming featuring another astronaut hero.
Grade: B
Anne-Marie Smith is newly divorced, and can feel the stares and judgment all around her. But she will take all that snobbery for not having to spend another minute with her cheating husband. Anne-Marie's parents are very wealthy (and can't believe she got divorced - the drama) and they want her and her two kids to continue to live a decent lifestyle. So they buy her a brand new house in a brand new development, where it's known many astronauts and their wives live. Anne-Marie is more worried about getting her kids adjusted to a new house and new schools than to be impressed by astronauts roaming the streets. Okay, maybe she is a little impressed, especially when she meets her famous neighbor Commander Christopher Campbell, or Kit. Years ago, when the Soviets beat the Americans by getting the first satellite into space, Kit made it his mission in life to orbit the Earth before them - and now he is very close. He is the second in place to leave Earth, and has been training relentlessly. Kit is single and in very good shape, and doesn't know what to do with a single mom neighbor. She is cute but puts out a very chilly vibe when she looks at him.
Anne-Marie can't help but lust after Kit when he goes running shirtless down the street. But she has responsibilities! She has a new job as a travel agent! Darn it - she can't be wooed by a hottie astronaut!
But she is wooed. She is wooed big time, and their secret affair turns into feelings and a very sexy and cute romance develops.
Being set in the early 60's, women didn't go around and get divorced so much
"Can you even imagine what she must be like?" Carruthers said. "A woman who'd actually leave a man? Or who was so shrewish that he left her?"
But don't worry about Anne-Marie. Although her parents bought her a house, she gets a job. She doesn't mope around and whine people whisper about her, she puts her head up and goes on with her life. She is overwhelmed at times - and annoyed when a certain neighbor shows up to help her all the time, but she has confidence and lots of spirit.
Kit falls hard for Anne-Marie, which surprises him. He usually feels awkward around kids, feeling pressure to live up to the hero they see in him. But he takes to Anne-Marie's kids quick. He knows the press and gossip can get to even the best astronaut wife, so he tries to shield that from her the best he can. He is the one that pushes for more, and he courts her and it's all just very sweet.
"I think about you all the time. Well, you and the stars. You're all bound up together n ow. You have been for weeks." He paused and swallowed, and then with heartbreaking earnestness, he said, "Have dinner with me."
He'd phrased it as a statement, but she could hear the entreaty. That was what surprised her, made her "What?" come out sharp and baffled.
"I want to take you to dinner. I want to bring you flowers. I want to pursue you. And I want to kiss you."
Oh you dreamy astronaut.
Anne-Marie befriends some of the other wives, and they start to form friendships. I want to say it's a cute contemporary because that is how it felt, but I guess I have to say it's a cute historical. I was so glad to see another book is coming featuring another astronaut hero.
Grade: B
October 23, 2015
(Reviewed from an e-arc I was given by the authors.)
Despite a very prickly heroine and an inherently tense situation - space travel! -- this is a sweet, domestic romance. Anne Marie is beginning a new life for herself and her two children after divorcing her unfaithful husband. Conscious of the ugly stereotypes about divorced women, she doesn't want that new life to involve her playboy astronaut neighbor Kit Campbell, but the sight of him jogging undoes her, while his supportive attention captivates her essentially fatherless kids. And Kit finds himself falling for the pleasures of home and family, and a strong, complicated woman.
I grew up with Robert Klein's brilliant album "Child of the Fifties" and I recognize this world of 1962 from his wry portrayal, including the non-ironic hero worship of public figures like astronauts, and the pervasive fear of "the Russians." (Not to mention the dubious utility of bomb drills at school.) I enjoyed the unusual setting, which is portrayed with strong attention to detail and great sincerity. It's hardly a "good old days" fairy tale: as someone going against the mores of her times, which tell her she should put up with almost anything to save her marriage, Anne Marie can't help but be aware of how unjustly women are treated. But she, her children, and Kit are realistically of their time, as we see in this scene:
"He couldn't remember when he'd seen a woman looking better. And he was shirtless and stinking from a run. Way to impress her, Campbell.
She simply stared, her eyes wide and roaming him. She was no doubt horrified by his state of undress--but he didn't care. He stalked over the her, took the trash from her unresisting hands, and hauled it the bin.... There was no way in hell he was letting her take out the trash, not when he was nearby. His mother would have a fit if she knew he'd let a lady carry garbage."
Luckily, Kit has no hangups about Anne Marie being "a lady" in the bedroom, a place where he can quite effectively melt her chilly attitude. I didn't find his attraction to her fully convincing, and the ending really seemed implausible. But if you enjoy reading about the early days of space, the 1960s, or just people falling in love and living happily ever after, give it a try.
Despite a very prickly heroine and an inherently tense situation - space travel! -- this is a sweet, domestic romance. Anne Marie is beginning a new life for herself and her two children after divorcing her unfaithful husband. Conscious of the ugly stereotypes about divorced women, she doesn't want that new life to involve her playboy astronaut neighbor Kit Campbell, but the sight of him jogging undoes her, while his supportive attention captivates her essentially fatherless kids. And Kit finds himself falling for the pleasures of home and family, and a strong, complicated woman.
I grew up with Robert Klein's brilliant album "Child of the Fifties" and I recognize this world of 1962 from his wry portrayal, including the non-ironic hero worship of public figures like astronauts, and the pervasive fear of "the Russians." (Not to mention the dubious utility of bomb drills at school.) I enjoyed the unusual setting, which is portrayed with strong attention to detail and great sincerity. It's hardly a "good old days" fairy tale: as someone going against the mores of her times, which tell her she should put up with almost anything to save her marriage, Anne Marie can't help but be aware of how unjustly women are treated. But she, her children, and Kit are realistically of their time, as we see in this scene:
"He couldn't remember when he'd seen a woman looking better. And he was shirtless and stinking from a run. Way to impress her, Campbell.
She simply stared, her eyes wide and roaming him. She was no doubt horrified by his state of undress--but he didn't care. He stalked over the her, took the trash from her unresisting hands, and hauled it the bin.... There was no way in hell he was letting her take out the trash, not when he was nearby. His mother would have a fit if she knew he'd let a lady carry garbage."
Luckily, Kit has no hangups about Anne Marie being "a lady" in the bedroom, a place where he can quite effectively melt her chilly attitude. I didn't find his attraction to her fully convincing, and the ending really seemed implausible. But if you enjoy reading about the early days of space, the 1960s, or just people falling in love and living happily ever after, give it a try.
November 8, 2015
I'm unfairly finicky, I know. And I despise manufactured drama.
September 14, 2015
This was really solid with likable characters! It takes an unusual era in romance (MORE OF THIS PLEASE) and makes it feel very real.
I really appreciated how the issue of Anne-Marie's divorce was dealt with, especially that it was acknowledged she had options other women don't because her parents were able to help her out.
The ending conflict felt a little weak, but I'll take that over overly dramatic.
The preview at the end made me VERY excited for the next book.
Thanks to Emma Barry for the book! It comes out October 15th.
I really appreciated how the issue of Anne-Marie's divorce was dealt with, especially that it was acknowledged she had options other women don't because her parents were able to help her out.
The ending conflict felt a little weak, but I'll take that over overly dramatic.
The preview at the end made me VERY excited for the next book.
Thanks to Emma Barry for the book! It comes out October 15th.
January 14, 2020
This is so wrong. How can book 2 of this trilogy be a DIK - taut, sexy, intelligent - when this one reads like a churned out story from a greying 1960s women's magazine?
Part of that is a compliment, to be fair - the evocation of the 1960s is really well done: the foods, the domestic details. The atmosphere (where children can run around the streets and not worry about strangers) is in some ways as alien as a Regency ball room, yet it comes across very convincingly. The comments about Anne-Marie's divorce, and the differing attitudes to it are all pitch-perfect.
But the story that is layered on top is limp and floppy. Anne-Marie and Kit move too quickly for me from irritated neighbours to having a secret emotionless affair. And from there it's a very short step to Love. Which, as an emotion, and in the abstract, I approve of. But only if I get to see the steps. It's the journey, not the ending.
And - in the case of Star Dust - not even a particularly interesting journey, unfortunately. The stakes here are very low, and curiously muted. The only things keeping the MCs apart are, firstly, Kit coming across as a bit of a rump-clutching playboy. But give him a couple of chapters, though, and he's magicked into a regular family guy, peeling potatoes with the best of them. And once H&h have crossed that hurdle, it's all about whether being with a divorcée will harm Kit's reputation. We don't really get to see who will make this call, or what Kit will have to give up, so the enemy (if there is one) is faceless and the drama is distant.
The MCs together are pretty bland, and ironically, it's only when they are interacting with other secondary characters that any sense of their personalities emerges. It's doubtful whether Kit really knows Anne-Marie, in any case: he only ever sees the side of her that is a sweet home-maker and loving mother. Not the side that is a kick-ass travel agent. I think it says a lot that the scenes of Anne-Marie taking on the world of work were the most fascinating sections.
And it's pretty clear that Anne-Marie hasn't the first idea what's important to Kit.
I will admit that I am probably giving Star Dust a harder time than I might have done had Earth Bound not been so good. But on the whole, sadly, you might be best skipping this and heading straight for Earth Bound.
Part of that is a compliment, to be fair - the evocation of the 1960s is really well done: the foods, the domestic details. The atmosphere (where children can run around the streets and not worry about strangers) is in some ways as alien as a Regency ball room, yet it comes across very convincingly. The comments about Anne-Marie's divorce, and the differing attitudes to it are all pitch-perfect.
But the story that is layered on top is limp and floppy. Anne-Marie and Kit move too quickly for me from irritated neighbours to having a secret emotionless affair. And from there it's a very short step to Love. Which, as an emotion, and in the abstract, I approve of. But only if I get to see the steps. It's the journey, not the ending.
And - in the case of Star Dust - not even a particularly interesting journey, unfortunately. The stakes here are very low, and curiously muted. The only things keeping the MCs apart are, firstly, Kit coming across as a bit of a rump-clutching playboy. But give him a couple of chapters, though, and he's magicked into a regular family guy, peeling potatoes with the best of them. And once H&h have crossed that hurdle, it's all about whether being with a divorcée will harm Kit's reputation. We don't really get to see who will make this call, or what Kit will have to give up, so the enemy (if there is one) is faceless and the drama is distant.
The MCs together are pretty bland, and ironically, it's only when they are interacting with other secondary characters that any sense of their personalities emerges. It's doubtful whether Kit really knows Anne-Marie, in any case: he only ever sees the side of her that is a sweet home-maker and loving mother. Not the side that is a kick-ass travel agent. I think it says a lot that the scenes of Anne-Marie taking on the world of work were the most fascinating sections.
And it's pretty clear that Anne-Marie hasn't the first idea what's important to Kit.
I will admit that I am probably giving Star Dust a harder time than I might have done had Earth Bound not been so good. But on the whole, sadly, you might be best skipping this and heading straight for Earth Bound.
April 5, 2022
4.25 stars
I recently finished Star Dust, the first book in the Fly Me to the Moon romance series by Emma Barry and Genevieve Turner. It’s set in 1962 (not sure if that counts as historical or contemporary!) and is the story of a somewhat famous astronaut and the divorcée next door.
The novel is billed as a book in which the heroine is looking for a new normal and the hero is anything but, which is true, but what I thought was more interesting about the book was the way Anne-Marie had to navigate her post-divorce life in the 1960s, with other women disapproving of her choices and men thinking that because she was divorced, she must be fair game.
All of this makes Anne-Marie prickly, and it also makes her independence all the more important to her. And since she left her husband over cheating, the partying of her astronaut neighbor doesn’t sit well with her.
Kit isn’t (to me anyway) as interesting as Anne-Marie, but his gradual evolution from a bachelor who occasionally likes to party to a man who gets over his fear of the way kids look up to him for his job, to something of a father-figure to Anne-Marie’s two kids was nice too.
After Anne-Marie rebuffs an initial shallow pass from Kit, both of them try to ignore their attraction, but it blooms nonetheless, and when Anne-Marie is drawn into the neighborhood’s astronauts’ wives circle, they see more of each other than ever. Gradually they begin to like and respect each other.
Star Dust is a touching romance, though the sex scenes were ones I could take or leave (once or twice things were described vaguely enough that I wasn’t sure what act I was reading about, but most of the time they were more explicit than that).
Most of all, I liked the attention to time, place and milieu. It’s a slightly alternate timeline, with NASA replaced by an organization called ASD and the astronauts (obviously) fictional characters, but the social attitudes, speech patterns and descriptions like those of a gold bathroom and a turquoise refrigerator were all very 1960s. I also loved the details about the space program and about Anne-Marie’s job at a travel agency.
One peeve:
All in all, a nice romance and 4.25 stars for me, thanks to all the period detail.
I recently finished Star Dust, the first book in the Fly Me to the Moon romance series by Emma Barry and Genevieve Turner. It’s set in 1962 (not sure if that counts as historical or contemporary!) and is the story of a somewhat famous astronaut and the divorcée next door.
The novel is billed as a book in which the heroine is looking for a new normal and the hero is anything but, which is true, but what I thought was more interesting about the book was the way Anne-Marie had to navigate her post-divorce life in the 1960s, with other women disapproving of her choices and men thinking that because she was divorced, she must be fair game.
All of this makes Anne-Marie prickly, and it also makes her independence all the more important to her. And since she left her husband over cheating, the partying of her astronaut neighbor doesn’t sit well with her.
Kit isn’t (to me anyway) as interesting as Anne-Marie, but his gradual evolution from a bachelor who occasionally likes to party to a man who gets over his fear of the way kids look up to him for his job, to something of a father-figure to Anne-Marie’s two kids was nice too.
After Anne-Marie rebuffs an initial shallow pass from Kit, both of them try to ignore their attraction, but it blooms nonetheless, and when Anne-Marie is drawn into the neighborhood’s astronauts’ wives circle, they see more of each other than ever. Gradually they begin to like and respect each other.
Star Dust is a touching romance, though the sex scenes were ones I could take or leave (once or twice things were described vaguely enough that I wasn’t sure what act I was reading about, but most of the time they were more explicit than that).
Most of all, I liked the attention to time, place and milieu. It’s a slightly alternate timeline, with NASA replaced by an organization called ASD and the astronauts (obviously) fictional characters, but the social attitudes, speech patterns and descriptions like those of a gold bathroom and a turquoise refrigerator were all very 1960s. I also loved the details about the space program and about Anne-Marie’s job at a travel agency.
One peeve:
All in all, a nice romance and 4.25 stars for me, thanks to all the period detail.
December 26, 2015
Once in not so distant past of 1960s, an astronaut was one of the most glamorous professions in the United States. Photographers hunted them, journalists constantly wrote about them, adult population worshiped them, and kids considered them their heroes. At that time, at the top of the Cold War, advancing, capturing space was the most important battle and the astronauts, such as the hero of this story, Commander Christopher Campbell (Kit), were leading the way to victory.
Kit didn’t like being under a public microscope but he accepted it as part of the deal: “He’d chosen to be an astronaut. That was the price he paid for the chance to see the stars”.
Although serious and dedicated to his mission, Kit is an easy going, handsome playboy who never thought much about settling down. Well, until he meets his new neighbor, Anne-Marie Smith, who doesn't seem to be the slightest bit interested in him and takes pains to avoid him.
Anne-Marie is a divorcee with two kids at the time when “genus Divorcee was too strange”, when divorce had a stigma. When Anne-Marie divorced her cheating husband, people around her turned their original sympathy into hard stares and leers, gossip and silence. They though she would never succeed. But she is ready to turn a new page of her life with a new place and a new job and to prove them wrong. The last thing she needs is to be involved with a famous playboy neighbor.
What a pleasant surprise this book was! I loved the 1960s/astronauts setting which is very unique in romance.
From the first page, the story brought to life early 1960s era. The descriptions of clothing, food, drink choices, societal attitudes and even complicated travel arrangements before the internet provided an incredible sense of place. Clearly a lot of research went into creating this book. There were several really cool space mission training and flying scenes which made the race to space an exciting and dramatic part of the story. And romance hit all the right notes: it was slow building, filled with sexual tension and chemistry.
I truly enjoyed this story.
Kit didn’t like being under a public microscope but he accepted it as part of the deal: “He’d chosen to be an astronaut. That was the price he paid for the chance to see the stars”.
Although serious and dedicated to his mission, Kit is an easy going, handsome playboy who never thought much about settling down. Well, until he meets his new neighbor, Anne-Marie Smith, who doesn't seem to be the slightest bit interested in him and takes pains to avoid him.
Anne-Marie is a divorcee with two kids at the time when “genus Divorcee was too strange”, when divorce had a stigma. When Anne-Marie divorced her cheating husband, people around her turned their original sympathy into hard stares and leers, gossip and silence. They though she would never succeed. But she is ready to turn a new page of her life with a new place and a new job and to prove them wrong. The last thing she needs is to be involved with a famous playboy neighbor.
What a pleasant surprise this book was! I loved the 1960s/astronauts setting which is very unique in romance.
From the first page, the story brought to life early 1960s era. The descriptions of clothing, food, drink choices, societal attitudes and even complicated travel arrangements before the internet provided an incredible sense of place. Clearly a lot of research went into creating this book. There were several really cool space mission training and flying scenes which made the race to space an exciting and dramatic part of the story. And romance hit all the right notes: it was slow building, filled with sexual tension and chemistry.
I truly enjoyed this story.
Want to read
December 22, 201812/22/18 Currently FREE via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
September 7, 2022
Really fun read, set in 1962. The hero is an astronaut and the heroine is a divorcee with two kids. I loved the setting and romance was hot and sweet. The length was that of a long novella. I thought there was material her to make it full length. The conflict in this revolved around Anne-Marie’s recent status as a divorcee and her mistrust of attractive men with presumably roving eyes. I thought this was conveyed well but I did wonder about other aspects/dynamics in their lives. For a divorcee, Anne-Marie was living a very comfortable life. No money concerns, but the option to work to try to support herself. It was mostly about proving she could, which was fine, but it wasn’t that easy for many I am sure.
This book really delivered in the romance and attraction aspect. Kit was so deliciously described that my e-reader was overheating 🤣, not really but the sentiment remains. This was a romance between neighbors and the proximity aspect worked. I liked how this book could do some of what a contemporary romance can but still be set in an interesting historical timeframe. I am glad there are several books in this series, but I would like to see more set in the mid-20th century. Lots to explore there.
This book really delivered in the romance and attraction aspect. Kit was so deliciously described that my e-reader was overheating 🤣, not really but the sentiment remains. This was a romance between neighbors and the proximity aspect worked. I liked how this book could do some of what a contemporary romance can but still be set in an interesting historical timeframe. I am glad there are several books in this series, but I would like to see more set in the mid-20th century. Lots to explore there.
June 27, 2022
A very solid beginning to a wonderful series. The h is a divorcee in the early 60s, the H is a playboy astronaut but also basically a sweet guy. There’s not a lot of drama, just a slow burn that turns into a slow build. If I have any quibbles it’s that we don’t spend enough time with them once they get together. I highly recommend this series! It is so special.
November 24, 2015
Originally posted at For What It's Worth on 10/23/15 http://www.fwiwreviews.net/2015/10/re...
I was looking for a romance that was fun, a little off beat and not super explicit. I stumbled on to Emma Barry’s twitter feed and her description of her new release, Star Dust, (co authored by Barry and Genevieve Turner) and it seemed to fit the bill.
What a pleasant surprise this book was!
I had known it was about a divorcee and a playboy astronaut, but I didn’t realize that it took place in Houston, 1962. The authors did an incredible job plunging me into that era with subtle details such as home décor, food and drink choices and societal attitudes (which were pretty awful towards women – especially divorced women like our heroine, Ann Marie).
Ann Marie has made the bold choice to divorce her cheating husband and move with her children to a new community in Houston. People are not kind to her, even though she has it better than most. Her family has money and is able to buy her the house and get her a job but that can’t stop the judgment she feels from everyone around her. Most people have the attitude that Hey – men cheat, or what did SHE do to make him cheat, or Stay away! I might catch divorce cooties!
"Can you even imagine what she must be like?" Carruthers said. "A woman who'd actually leave a man? Or who was so shrewish that he left her?"
Because of the constant judgment and her desire to make it completely on her own, without the help of a man, she isn’t the nicest after meeting her new neighbor – famous astronaut - Commander Kit Campbell. Not that that deters him much. *wink* He may be a playboy but he falls hard for Ann Marie and her kids.
Listen…I love my sexy times (& this book does have them!) but it was so nice to read about a couple where the sexual tension is ratcheted up to a point that the actual sex wasn’t as important. Smoking cigarettes together while staring at the stars, sharing their deepest hopes and fears, being turned on by freckles or a bare chest…it just had this awesome, sexy vibe and build up that I feel is missing from a lot of romances these days.
There isn’t a whole lot of conflict or drama between the two – other than deciding to take the plunge in the first place. But I enjoyed reading about the everyday issues they need to work through, rather than manufactured conflict. Kit is an astronaut – going into space has been his dream since he was a child but it brings hero worship, gossip and prying eyes into his life on a daily basis. Not something the newly divorced Ann Marie or her children need right now. And it’s a dangerous job. Does Ann Marie even want to be part of that?
There are several really cool space mission training and flying scenes and that made me happy. It wasn’t just about the romance and Kit didn’t just all of a sudden forget everything he worked so hard for because he fell for Ann Marie. But I think my favorite thing about Star Dust was the friendships between Ann Marie and the astronauts wives. It helped soften her heart and realize that she can make friends and accept help without it meaning she failed.
Pour yourself a cocktail – maybe break out the 60’s Jell-O mold and give this little gem of a book a try! I feel like it would make a great romance book club selection as well. Lots of things to discuss!
I was looking for a romance that was fun, a little off beat and not super explicit. I stumbled on to Emma Barry’s twitter feed and her description of her new release, Star Dust, (co authored by Barry and Genevieve Turner) and it seemed to fit the bill.
What a pleasant surprise this book was!
I had known it was about a divorcee and a playboy astronaut, but I didn’t realize that it took place in Houston, 1962. The authors did an incredible job plunging me into that era with subtle details such as home décor, food and drink choices and societal attitudes (which were pretty awful towards women – especially divorced women like our heroine, Ann Marie).
Ann Marie has made the bold choice to divorce her cheating husband and move with her children to a new community in Houston. People are not kind to her, even though she has it better than most. Her family has money and is able to buy her the house and get her a job but that can’t stop the judgment she feels from everyone around her. Most people have the attitude that Hey – men cheat, or what did SHE do to make him cheat, or Stay away! I might catch divorce cooties!
"Can you even imagine what she must be like?" Carruthers said. "A woman who'd actually leave a man? Or who was so shrewish that he left her?"
Because of the constant judgment and her desire to make it completely on her own, without the help of a man, she isn’t the nicest after meeting her new neighbor – famous astronaut - Commander Kit Campbell. Not that that deters him much. *wink* He may be a playboy but he falls hard for Ann Marie and her kids.
Listen…I love my sexy times (& this book does have them!) but it was so nice to read about a couple where the sexual tension is ratcheted up to a point that the actual sex wasn’t as important. Smoking cigarettes together while staring at the stars, sharing their deepest hopes and fears, being turned on by freckles or a bare chest…it just had this awesome, sexy vibe and build up that I feel is missing from a lot of romances these days.
There isn’t a whole lot of conflict or drama between the two – other than deciding to take the plunge in the first place. But I enjoyed reading about the everyday issues they need to work through, rather than manufactured conflict. Kit is an astronaut – going into space has been his dream since he was a child but it brings hero worship, gossip and prying eyes into his life on a daily basis. Not something the newly divorced Ann Marie or her children need right now. And it’s a dangerous job. Does Ann Marie even want to be part of that?
There are several really cool space mission training and flying scenes and that made me happy. It wasn’t just about the romance and Kit didn’t just all of a sudden forget everything he worked so hard for because he fell for Ann Marie. But I think my favorite thing about Star Dust was the friendships between Ann Marie and the astronauts wives. It helped soften her heart and realize that she can make friends and accept help without it meaning she failed.
Pour yourself a cocktail – maybe break out the 60’s Jell-O mold and give this little gem of a book a try! I feel like it would make a great romance book club selection as well. Lots of things to discuss!
February 7, 2016
I was surprised at how very much I liked this. I was confident I'd enjoy Barry and Turner's writing, but wasn't keen on the context, or time period. BUT, stars above, it came through lovely. The protagonists, astronaut Kit and next-door-neighbour, newly divorced Anne-Marie, meet and bicker, banter, and pile up a whole load of assumptions about each other. Their sheer niceness and reasonableness see them through their prejudices to a believable HEA. The romance suffers from conflict-light; however, the writing is sensitive and fine and the authors' love of the era is rendered with rueful affection. It won me over! Charming! If you'd like to read a more extensive review, please follow the link:
http://missbatesreadsromance.com/2016...
Please note I received an e-ARC from the authors.
http://missbatesreadsromance.com/2016...
Please note I received an e-ARC from the authors.
Want to read
September 10, 2015I guess the 1960s is historical now? ;)
Review copy via author.
Review copy via author.
October 11, 2017
This is a lovely romance. I enjoyed Kit and Anne Marie's relationship a lot, going from antagonistic, to friends with benefits to more.
I liked that it was a low drama romance, even though the main conflict at the end seemed like it should have had more resolution. I suppose in these kind of situations, the people involved have to decide whether or not it's worth it, and that's the only way it really works.
The space stuff managed to be fairly high intensity, which was a pleasant surprise.
I'm glad I read the second book in the series first, I liked that insight into Joe and Frances's relationship.
I liked that it was a low drama romance, even though the main conflict at the end seemed like it should have had more resolution. I suppose in these kind of situations, the people involved have to decide whether or not it's worth it, and that's the only way it really works.
The space stuff managed to be fairly high intensity, which was a pleasant surprise.
I'm glad I read the second book in the series first, I liked that insight into Joe and Frances's relationship.
December 28, 2020
Really loved this one, set in the 60s with a heroine who leaves her cheating husband and falls for the astronaut next door, it was sexy and delightfully charming and I appreciated the social commentary on women bearing the brunt of judgment when they decide to divorce their cheating husbands.
September 7, 2024
i loved finding a mid-century historical romance! very cute story and surprisingly sweet.
October 24, 2020
I feel like Kit is presented as a bit too much of a shallow playboy in the book description. He doesn't particularly seem to enjoy casual sex or the attention of shallow astronaut groupies all that much, and mostly, he seems super focused on his career, not the party lifestyle. Misleading book blurbs annoy me.
This book was a perfectly fine read, but the romance didn't exactly blow me away. What I enjoyed the most about this book was Anne-Marie trying to make an independent life for herself, getting a job, supporting her family, eventually making supportive female friends who didn't judge her for doing the unusual thing of taking her kids and divorcing her cheating husband, rather than stay in an unhappy marriage because divorces weren't really common back in the 1960s. Good for you, Anne-Marie, for looking out for yourself.
I kind of wish Anne-Marie had been childless. Her two plot-moppet children are not particularly engaging and feel sort of non-descript. I'm not sure they brought much to the story.
It was interesting to read a historical novel set in the mid-20th Century, most of my historical novels seem to be set in the 18th or 19th Century. I basically had the visuals for Mad Men in my head the whole time I was reading this. I got the whole series bundled in an e-book sale but still haven't made my mind up if I'm going to read the rest. This was OK, but really not much more than that
Judging a book by its cover: I think the original cover for this book features a photo of a couple embracing, but since I much tend to prefer my own mental image of the characters to whatever the book designer tends to come up with, I really like this stylised cover with period details. The silhouette of the stylish 60s lady, leaning nonchalantly on the title. The little space ship cartoon and the font, it all works for me. To top it off, the background is teal, a colour I really like.
This book was a perfectly fine read, but the romance didn't exactly blow me away. What I enjoyed the most about this book was Anne-Marie trying to make an independent life for herself, getting a job, supporting her family, eventually making supportive female friends who didn't judge her for doing the unusual thing of taking her kids and divorcing her cheating husband, rather than stay in an unhappy marriage because divorces weren't really common back in the 1960s. Good for you, Anne-Marie, for looking out for yourself.
I kind of wish Anne-Marie had been childless. Her two plot-moppet children are not particularly engaging and feel sort of non-descript. I'm not sure they brought much to the story.
It was interesting to read a historical novel set in the mid-20th Century, most of my historical novels seem to be set in the 18th or 19th Century. I basically had the visuals for Mad Men in my head the whole time I was reading this. I got the whole series bundled in an e-book sale but still haven't made my mind up if I'm going to read the rest. This was OK, but really not much more than that
Judging a book by its cover: I think the original cover for this book features a photo of a couple embracing, but since I much tend to prefer my own mental image of the characters to whatever the book designer tends to come up with, I really like this stylised cover with period details. The silhouette of the stylish 60s lady, leaning nonchalantly on the title. The little space ship cartoon and the font, it all works for me. To top it off, the background is teal, a colour I really like.
November 8, 2015
This was such a fantastic wonderful break from all the MG books with dead parent/pets/friends I'm reading for the Cybils right now. Reading order matters. I say that a lot, but I think this would be a five star read for me no matter when I read it.
The characters in this are wonderful. All of them. Anne-Marie is a prickly heroine who has every reason to be wary of romance particularly from men like Kit. I liked how her divorce was talked about in the context of the time, and how it was clear she had options other women of the time might not have due to her parents being willing to help her. Kit is, at first appearance, a careless playboy. Really is kind of a socially awkward dork though. I loved watching his true colors out more a he tried to get to Anne Marie. His interactions with her kids and his dog were some of my favorite scenes. The kids were well written and acted the ages they were (something not easily found in many romances with kids). I loved the other astronauts' wives and how instantly and without condemnation they scooped Anne-Marie up into their group and helped her.
The plot of the book mainly focuses on Anne-Marie adjusting to her new life and the romance with Kit. It is a quiet sort of story. While it has conflict, it is of the subtle sort that involves the simple hard realities of making a romantic relationship work. I far prefer these sort of stories to the melodramatic ones so it was perfect for me. I also really like the early sixties setting which is so unique for romance.
I often shy away from collaborations even when they are by two authors I really like. This is one the really worked though. Unlike many I have read, it doesn't feel broken or like two voices are fighting to be heard. It is very cohesive. I am so so so excited for the next book in the series. (THAT TEASER!)
The characters in this are wonderful. All of them. Anne-Marie is a prickly heroine who has every reason to be wary of romance particularly from men like Kit. I liked how her divorce was talked about in the context of the time, and how it was clear she had options other women of the time might not have due to her parents being willing to help her. Kit is, at first appearance, a careless playboy. Really is kind of a socially awkward dork though. I loved watching his true colors out more a he tried to get to Anne Marie. His interactions with her kids and his dog were some of my favorite scenes. The kids were well written and acted the ages they were (something not easily found in many romances with kids). I loved the other astronauts' wives and how instantly and without condemnation they scooped Anne-Marie up into their group and helped her.
The plot of the book mainly focuses on Anne-Marie adjusting to her new life and the romance with Kit. It is a quiet sort of story. While it has conflict, it is of the subtle sort that involves the simple hard realities of making a romantic relationship work. I far prefer these sort of stories to the melodramatic ones so it was perfect for me. I also really like the early sixties setting which is so unique for romance.
I often shy away from collaborations even when they are by two authors I really like. This is one the really worked though. Unlike many I have read, it doesn't feel broken or like two voices are fighting to be heard. It is very cohesive. I am so so so excited for the next book in the series. (THAT TEASER!)
October 6, 2015
This was a really great read! The prose was solid and the world was really rich and well imagined. I loved the 1960s/astronauts setting, which is a time period you don't see addressed in romances very often (more of this please - more of this world and more of other worlds that aren't seen in romance much). I especially liked Anne-Marie as a heroine and her backstory. A divorced heroine in the 60s! Which just isn't explored at all! She did have access to support and resources that many other women in that time didn't have, but I thought the whole thing was handled very well and acknowledged exactly that.
I will say that the romance didn't quite capture me the way the rest of the world did. It was the weakest part of the story for me, for no real identifiable reason, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. I would definitely be interested in reading more in this world.
Thanks to Emma Barry for the arc! Star Dust will be released on October 14th.
I will say that the romance didn't quite capture me the way the rest of the world did. It was the weakest part of the story for me, for no real identifiable reason, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of the book. I would definitely be interested in reading more in this world.
Thanks to Emma Barry for the arc! Star Dust will be released on October 14th.
November 3, 2015
3.5 stars, I think.
I liked this a lot! It took me a little longer than I would have expected to get into it considering how great I found the premise, but I think part of that might have been the need for more historical placement than you get in most historical romances. Since you don't read about the 1960s all that often, there's not the same established location/period shorthand and so this needed more.
But once the romance itself kicked into gear, I was super, super into it. Kit and Anne-Marie were great and the kids were great and I loved the wives adopting Anne-Marie and playing matchmaker.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what else comes out of this series.
I liked this a lot! It took me a little longer than I would have expected to get into it considering how great I found the premise, but I think part of that might have been the need for more historical placement than you get in most historical romances. Since you don't read about the 1960s all that often, there's not the same established location/period shorthand and so this needed more.
But once the romance itself kicked into gear, I was super, super into it. Kit and Anne-Marie were great and the kids were great and I loved the wives adopting Anne-Marie and playing matchmaker.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what else comes out of this series.
October 8, 2015
I really enjoyed Emma's Washington series, so when I was offered an early copy of Star Dust, I leapt at the chance. (Hmmm. Maybe I might have demanded an ARC. I can't remember. LOL)
And Star Dust was everything I hoped it would be and more! Romantic, nostalgic, sexy, fresh, and a ton of fun. I'll post a full review after release, but this is going on my favourite books of 2015 list for sure.
And Star Dust was everything I hoped it would be and more! Romantic, nostalgic, sexy, fresh, and a ton of fun. I'll post a full review after release, but this is going on my favourite books of 2015 list for sure.
October 18, 2022
The buildup and tension is neat, the climax is a letdown, but then there’s SPACE. So it’s good but not great, which is all that I ask of my NASA fanfic.
July 27, 2020
This was such a great historical romance against the backdrop of the 1960s Space Race! Anne-Marie is a buttoned up woman putting the pieces of her life back together after her divorce. She’s now a single mother and about to start her first job in a new city. She may find her astronaut neighbor Kit attractive but she doesn’t have time for playboys. Kit tends to avoid complications, especially when those complications have children. But there’s a strong connection between them from the moment they met, further helped along by Anne-Marie’s kids’ love of Kit’s dog, and I loved watching these two fall for each other.
The story really digs into the sexism and misogyny of the time and how this impacted marriages and why Anne-Marie was pressured to stay in an unfaithful marriage and then treated like a pariah once she left anyway. My heart really went out to her and I loved watching her grow in confidence as she set up her home and figured out her job. It was fascinating to learn more about the Space Race through Kit and to see if he’d get to see the stars for himself. I did wish he’d had to grovel a bit toward the end—I thought Anne-Marie was overly understanding when he could have handled things so much better than he did. She’s already had to make enough concessions, much less coming second to his career. Even so, this was such an enjoyable read.
CW: heroine’s ex-husband cheated on her, sexism, misogyny, cigarette smoking
The story really digs into the sexism and misogyny of the time and how this impacted marriages and why Anne-Marie was pressured to stay in an unfaithful marriage and then treated like a pariah once she left anyway. My heart really went out to her and I loved watching her grow in confidence as she set up her home and figured out her job. It was fascinating to learn more about the Space Race through Kit and to see if he’d get to see the stars for himself. I did wish he’d had to grovel a bit toward the end—I thought Anne-Marie was overly understanding when he could have handled things so much better than he did. She’s already had to make enough concessions, much less coming second to his career. Even so, this was such an enjoyable read.
CW: heroine’s ex-husband cheated on her, sexism, misogyny, cigarette smoking
February 28, 2025
4 1/2 - I am not usually influenced by covers, but I 100% bought this because of the gorgeous mid-century atomic cover. And it lived up to it. Anne-Marie has, scandalously, divorced her husband for his persistent infidelity and moves with her children to a new neighbourhood. Her new next door neighbour is an astronaut with a penchant for jogging with his shirt off.
The world-building is excellent - it all feels very grounded in the period, and Anne-Marie feels like a mid-20th Century woman who has done something quite frighteningly Not Done, not like a 21st Century Not Like Other Girls dropped into a crinoline petticoat. Her prickliness and reluctance to do yet another thing that will get her gossipped about in the supermarket, and concern for the impact getting involved with Kit will have on her children is really well done.
The world-building is excellent - it all feels very grounded in the period, and Anne-Marie feels like a mid-20th Century woman who has done something quite frighteningly Not Done, not like a 21st Century Not Like Other Girls dropped into a crinoline petticoat. Her prickliness and reluctance to do yet another thing that will get her gossipped about in the supermarket, and concern for the impact getting involved with Kit will have on her children is really well done.
November 10, 2018
Actual rating: 2.5 stars
I'm sorry to say that this book did not live up to my expectations. It holds so much promise because it has the elements of a wonderful novel (astronaut hero + divorcee heroine with 2 kids + 1960s setting), but it just fell short to my taste. The wonderful, interesting setting of the 1960s weren't fully maximized, and Kit's life as an astronaut were just vague and bleak. I also didn't feel any chemistry between Kit and Anne-Marie, and didn't like how Kit was portrayed as the stereotypical manwhore that I read in romances just to justify his machismo.
However, I like how the novel gave me a glimpse of how a divorcee is seen during that time. Like humans, there is also an evolution on how marriage, relationships and romance work.
I'm sorry to say that this book did not live up to my expectations. It holds so much promise because it has the elements of a wonderful novel (astronaut hero + divorcee heroine with 2 kids + 1960s setting), but it just fell short to my taste. The wonderful, interesting setting of the 1960s weren't fully maximized, and Kit's life as an astronaut were just vague and bleak. I also didn't feel any chemistry between Kit and Anne-Marie, and didn't like how Kit was portrayed as the stereotypical manwhore that I read in romances just to justify his machismo.
However, I like how the novel gave me a glimpse of how a divorcee is seen during that time. Like humans, there is also an evolution on how marriage, relationships and romance work.
April 4, 2017
First: I love the movie Apollo 13.
Second: this book felt like the romance version of that movie. It has the era, the clothes, the mindset, the adventure and... the astronauts!
Third: the writing is good and the focus is on the romance.
Was all well with this book? No. If it was, my review would be something like 'wow I wish I could give 6 stars'. The main miss for me: the time frame for the couple to arrive at the I Love You's, especially since there were kids involved, but the stress of the space travel could did provide a pressure cooker.
Enjoy!
Second: this book felt like the romance version of that movie. It has the era, the clothes, the mindset, the adventure and... the astronauts!
Third: the writing is good and the focus is on the romance.
Was all well with this book? No. If it was, my review would be something like 'wow I wish I could give 6 stars'. The main miss for me: the time frame for the couple to arrive at the I Love You's, especially since there were kids involved, but the stress of the space travel could did provide a pressure cooker.
Enjoy!
June 13, 2020
Really enjoyed the unique romance setting for this (historical set in the early 1960s during the space race—hero is an astronaut). Though it has 300 pages, based on the time it took to read, this is more like novella length, and I do wish there had been more words spent on developing the characters and the romance. I liked it, but it didn't hit me in the heartspace like I think it could have. Also, personal pet peeve, I really hate that the heroine and mother of two smoked. Kit and his dog were definitely my favorites.
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