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Under the Stars

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Dr. Noah Claridge could charm the stripes off a tiger. He's dazzlingly handsome, intelligent, kind, British and loves to laugh at everything, especially himself. He's perfect. Unfortunately, the love of his life is in love with someone else. Desperate to avoid sympathy and starting over, Noah goes on their romantic holiday alone, hoping to quietly drown his sorrows in wine for two weeks.
Everyone knows Jackson Carter is the sweetest, shyest, gentlest man in Waterloo Falls. But no one actually knows Jackson because the words get tied up before he can find them and he blushes like a girl whenever the wind blows. Which is absurd and unfortunate for a man of his size and strength. So, Jackson quietly rents out his lake house to people with the types of lives he dreams of.

163 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2016

15 people are currently reading
80 people want to read

About the author

K. Sterling

102 books487 followers
Author of the popular Nannies of New York and Boys of Lake Cliff book series, K Sterling has self-published dozens of books. K. is known for fast-paced romantic thrillers and touching gay romcoms. There might be goosebumps and some gore but there’s always true love and lots of laughter.

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5 stars
121 (38%)
4 stars
113 (35%)
3 stars
67 (21%)
2 stars
7 (2%)
1 star
6 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
Profile Image for Gigi.
2,149 reviews1,068 followers
May 19, 2016
Warning! This book will send you into sugar shock.

“That was the most beautiful, intensely perfect moment of my life,” Noah declared then laughed as his hands captured Jackson’s face. His fingers splayed and traced as he lowered his head and sighed with delighted satisfaction. “I love you, Jackson.”

“This is the most beautiful, intensely perfect moment of my life,” Jackson decided as he wrapped his arms around Noah.


Now, I'm all about the sugar and fluff and this one really delivers, but my low rating is because of Noah. He was kind of a jerk for the first half of the book. He teased shy, inexperienced Jackson and it left me cold. He did make up for it by falling in love, but it made me feel yucky beforehand.

The sex was hot, I'll give you that. 5 flames on the 5 high sex-o-meter.

It would have been candy perfection, but I just didn't buy Noah. Jackson was a dream.

Recommended.

This review is also posted at Gay Book Reviews

Profile Image for Aeren.
510 reviews29 followers
May 14, 2019
ÑOÑERIA con mayúsculas, personajes "monos" y la única pega es que en realidad, no pasa mucho desde más o menos el 30% del libro.
Profile Image for Nerea.
734 reviews33 followers
July 7, 2016


2.5*
Is very sweet story! Cute characters and environment but I wish it have had a deeper plot or at least more scenes together between the mcs when they meet.

For my personal tastes I feel they go to the sex part very fast and we have 80% of it at the first half of the book. The short plot interludes were lovely at least. VERY ROMANTIC and with beautiful metaphors in their narration.

Must say too that this book has one of the longest and more detailed HEA I read xD

Profile Image for Ivana.
579 reviews14 followers
May 8, 2016
A lumbersexual masterpiece. I love this author and she has definitely not disappointed with this one. It's a giant ball of fluff and very romantic. A perfect combination for a much needed light read. Really lovely and as always with K. Sterling, really well written.

The drama is over pretty much as soon as it starts and there is love from all the families. It was wonderfully light.
Profile Image for Santy.
1,260 reviews77 followers
May 19, 2016
Such a sweet read!

The story could've & should've have ended around 75% in my opinion ... It dragged on quite a lot after that with "filler" scenes that would've been assumed anyways..

It was still a good read overall for me :)
Profile Image for Aki | nose buried in books | ❤️ |.
470 reviews43 followers
August 23, 2018
It took me some chapters to warm up at the story, but then I really enjoyed it!
It's such a sweet and lovely book. It also has steam and an adorable epilogue. It isn't a 5 stars because I think there were some unnecessary fillings.
I recommend it for a sweet, sweet and heartwarming reading 😊
Profile Image for Shaztwirl.
3,319 reviews36 followers
May 13, 2016
Unlike everybody else, I wasn't quite so enamoured with this book. Despite coming across as an absolute darling, Noah came across as an arrogant a** sometimes and the"outing" was totally his fault despite claims to opposite effect.

Some of the jumps in the timeline were a bit odd. One minute Noah is thinking of looking into a potential new business (only a few days into his holiday) then suddenly he's refurbishing? Big leap.

I also found some of the sentence structure a bit odd. Almost immature? Not what I expected from this author. All in all, the story is ok. An enjoyable enough read but I didn't love it.
Profile Image for Mercedes.
1,182 reviews97 followers
May 8, 2016
2.5 stars

That was not that great. Awkward pacing, awkward sex and sticky sweet and sappy finish. Blergh!
Profile Image for Chris.
1,155 reviews13 followers
May 24, 2016
Eigentlich wollte der Kinderarzt Noah mit seinem Lebensgefährten einen romantischen Urlaub verbringen. Dieser setzt ihn jedoch unerwartet drei Tage davor an die Luft und trennt sich von Noah – für einen jüngeren Mann. Noah, der sich der Blicke und des Mitgefühls seiner Kollegen nicht aussetzen will, fährt alleine weg und versucht zu vergessen. Alkohol könnte helfen. Oder ein anderer Mann, denn mit Sam, seinem Ex, lief in den letzten Monaten sowieso nicht mehr sehr viel.

Schon bei seiner Ankunft in Waterloo Falls lernt Noah auch einen Mann kennen, den er äusserst ansprechend findet. Zu dumm nur, dass es sein Gastgeber ist und dieser augenscheinlich so gar kein Interesse an Männern hat.

Doch stille Wasser sind tief. Und Jackson ist definitiv still und tief wie der Ozean. Der überaus gebildetete und geschickte Mann hat nur wenige, enge Sozialkontakte und lebt sehr zurück gezogen. Wichtig ist ihm nur seine Mutter, die in der Stadt ein Diner betreibt. Jackson weiss schon lange, dass er schwul ist. Doch er hat zu große Angst sich zu outen und zu sich zu stehen. Die Leute betrachten ihn als liebenswürdigen Sonderling, der jedoch offenbar ein wenig langsam im Denken ist. Dabei ist Jackson ganz und gar nicht langsam und das erkennt Noah ziemlich schnell. Und sehr schnell kommen sie sich auch näher. Doch alles ändert sich, als Noah beschliesst zu bleiben und in Waterloo Falls einen Neuanfang zu wagen.

Die Geschichten von K. Sterling sind immer von Trennungen und viel Herz-Schmerz geprägt. Das ist hier nicht anders. Der Plot ist ziemlich vorhersehbar und die Protagonisten wie immer sehr liebevoll und auch sehr detailliert beschrieben. Das kommt bei Kurzgeschichten ja nicht so häufig vor, doch K. Sterling bekommt das gut hin.

Damit die Geschichte nicht gleich zu ihrem Happy End kommt, müssen die Helden doch einiges überwinden. Vor allem Jackson braucht lange um aus seinem Schatten zu kommen und sich zu nehmen was ihm zusteht. Hier liegt auch der Grund, wieso ich der Geschichte nicht die vollen Punkte geben kann. Für mich gab es eben überhaupt keinen nachvollziehbaren Grund wieso Jackson so verschüchtert und scheu durchs Leben stolpert, ohne endlich richtig zu leben. Mir waren seine Ängste bis zum Schluss einfach nicht verständlich. Dennoch ist er ein wunderbarer und sensibler Charakter, der schnell mein Herz gewonnen hat.

Noah hingegen ist sich seiner selbst sehr sicher und er tritt auch so auf. Mit Jackson erlebt er eine großartige Zeit, die ihm aber auch vor Augen führt wie leer und sinnlos sein Leben mit Sam eigentlich war. Und dass er absolut etwas Besseres verdient. Doch Noah ist auch sehr großzügig und kann vergeben. Das ist ein großer Charakterzug an ihm, der mich sehr eingenommen hat. Schade halt, dass es so lange gedauert hat bis Jackson den Kopf aus seinem Hintern bekommen hat.
Profile Image for Alp Mortal.
Author 171 books95 followers
August 14, 2016
Another sweet little gem from K and I really liked it, especially the scene at the fair, which was dynamically very intricate but played out perfectly.

Alp
x
Profile Image for SophiaH.
592 reviews12 followers
October 1, 2022
***3.5***

I'm slowly getting used to not quite knowing how to rate K. Sterling's books. There is always something I love, something I like, something I'm unsure of sometimes some raised eyebrows. I think I'm going to go with the higher rating as the overall feeling I got from this book was pleasant. It was not heart stopping, it was not angst-y, not overly dramatic or thought provoking. What it was, was a sweet afternoon read that sooths the soul and quiets down your heart after a hectic day. So it was exactly what I was looking for right now.

Both Noah and Jackson were interesting characters and very charming in their own ways, Noah more overtly so while Jackson preferred flying under the radar. I get why Jackson was hesitant and skittish when Noah . I have to say that i would have reacted the way Noah had and good for him! I do not agree with some other reviewers that Noah came across as arrogant or an a**. He was adoring and uplifting Jackson, showing him how great he is and that he sees him and he had a right to feeling hurt and abandoned for that time.

So all in all an enjoyable read even if i didn't love it.
569 reviews2 followers
March 4, 2018
Sooo I'm not quite sure what to say.
There were some things that I did not like - for example that Noah somehow came across as an a** for most of the time.
And I was not impressed that the timelines didn't always match up. Or that the whole town was sugary sweet and totally accepting.
Most of the times I thought Jackson - the other MC - deserved someone better than Noah but in the end I got the feeling that they fit and that Noah genuinely loved him.

The declaration at the fair was a bit over the top and cheesy but I can live with that. It was somehow cute too.
What bugged me the most about this scene was that they used the exact same sentence. Like one couldn't find his own words and just had to repeat what the other said. Ok, that being Jackson and 'knowing' him that's at least a bit believable.


And yet I enjoyed this book. Perhaps because I really fell in love with Jackson.
Because nevertheless the 'issues' I had with the story, I could not put it down and had to read it in one go. I felt connected to the little city and the people we meet, especially Jackson. Like I said, I fell in love with him.
Profile Image for Ellen.
780 reviews
April 15, 2019
This is the kind of book I like to read on vacation. Something soft and fluffy with a fun story, but not one that you have to think deeply about.

We've got an MC who is a gorgeous (of course) British doctor who has been cheated on by his ex (of course). He meets the other MC who is the owner of the lake rental he's vacationing at who is also big and gorgeous (of course), but very shy and very, very deep in his closet full of flannel.

This is an indulgence with little angst, idiotic exes, wonderful family and friends, and overall just a cute story. I can even see myself reading it again in the future.
Profile Image for Shannon.
431 reviews7 followers
February 28, 2021
Starry eyed and sweet.

I loved this book so much.
The characters were a delight and fun to read.
I loved the side characters as well.
But Noah’s devotion to Jackson was so heartfelt it made me swoon.
I love how Sterling’s characters are full of life acceptance. It’s so nice to read.
As always, this book is full of steam and laugh out loud moments.
I think you’ll enjoy it.
721 reviews11 followers
May 30, 2017
So great

Wonderful mixture of romance, humor, and sexy. Great setting and cast of characters. Can't help but to swoon and sigh as you follow this love story.
620 reviews
May 20, 2019
Loved it!

Another great book by K. Sterling. I absolutely loved Jackson and Noah and I didn't want their story to end. The secondary characters were awesome too. Loved it!
4 reviews
May 28, 2023
Easy happy read

Good low angst summer read. Would recommend as an afternoon at the beach or by the pool read. A feel good makes you smile kind of read.
Profile Image for Colleen.
951 reviews44 followers
May 24, 2016
Sweet, easy, read with little to no drama.

Title: Under the Stars
Author: K. Sterling
Genre: M/M Contemporary Romance



Main Characters :

Noah Claridge is a pediatrician whose once great relationship has fallen into complacency, and so he plans a romantic getaway to the Finger Lakes to get back into the groove with his partner. When his partner shows no interest in rekindling anything except a younger version of Noah, Noah is upset, but soon realizes that he isn’t all that heartbroken.

Jackson Carter is a reclusive, shy man who lives his life vicariously through the people who rent his lake house for their vacations. Everyone in town thinks he’s simple, verging on slow, but in reality he’s incredibly intelligent but shy, and closeted to boot.

Plot/Conflict:

Noah goes on his romantic getaway himself to gain some perspective on his life after his partner of four years leaves him. Meeting the sexy lumberjack whose renting him the lake house gives Noah the idea to have a fling, if he can convince Jackson to experiment….

Jackson knows he is gay, but hasn’t told anyone in town. He has only ever had a few casual hookups, so seeing gay couples rent his lake house is always an exercise in torture… he can look, but he’ll never have. When Noah shows up alone, without his partner and potentially looking for a rebound fling, it’s perfect for Jackson. He can have a taste of what he’s wanted, without anyone in town finding out he is gay once the good doctor heads back to the city.

Only Noah ends up loving the small wine country town, and decides to put down roots. What turned into a vacation fling is going to start getting messy once the two live permanently in the same town.

Loves:

I loved Noah, I thought he was charmed and sweet, the consummate flirt, and I enjoyed watching his discover the hidden depths to Jackson, talk with the locals, especially Jackson’s mom.

Likes:

I liked the focus on Jackson’s hobbies and hidden depths, it was a great way to build his character out since Noah wasn’t all that dynamic.

Peeves:

There was no real conflict other than Jackson’s closeted nature. It didn’t really give enough contrast to the story to give it that depth of plot I was looking for. It just made it a sweet, easy read, which is fine.

Favorite Quote:
Noah to Jackson, on learning that Jackson volunteers at the animal shelters and takes puppies to visit the elderly.
“If you want to get in just about anyone’s pants, tell them about the puppies.”
Profile Image for Aerulan.
42 reviews
August 11, 2016
Waaay too saccharine for my taste. Everybody is perfect and charming and sweet (as for the MCs also add in that they're hot/sexy/handsome/traffic-stopping levels of gorgeous blah blah blah paragons of everything and everyone loooooves them) and the whole town is wonderful and supportive and there are puppies and pie and cute festivals and my god could it get any cheesier? Not really a spoiler but

Blech, I need something with some substance after this cotton-candy-fest.

And that is one of the most profoundly terrible covers I've seen in a while. Can't even tell what most of that is supposed to be. I see an hand and an elbow unrelated to the hand and what looks like a bunch of......fat rolls? Probably not, but I'm having trouble seeing anything in that mess. I'm sure when it wasn't overlaid with very bright stars and cropped all to hell it was a nice photo of whatever that is but someone took a major wrong turn when creating that cover.
31 reviews
May 13, 2016
Another great one

This is another great love story from K. Sterling. Sweet, tender, yet honest in its flaws. I love how she shows the ups and downs of the relationship, especially the fear and insecurity that lives in most of us. The characters are great and you can't help but riot for them even when they are not perfect. I couldn't put it down!
402 reviews
May 13, 2016
It was written in the stars

This was one of the happiest and most beautiful love stories I've had the pleasure of reading. K Sterling has written a story of two men who find their forever in each other at a time in their lives when the stars align and the heavens smile down on them.
A truly beautiful love story.
72 reviews
May 7, 2016
Beautiful

This was a beautiful love story filled with hope. K. Sterling is one of my favorite authors and the books always live up to my much anticipated expectations. I loved this book!
Profile Image for Chrissie Tc.
33 reviews
May 8, 2016
OMG!!!! This was so sweet sweeet. I felt like I just had one of Beverly's famous pies.
Thank you K. Sterling I can't wait for ur next story. I love ......when I say I love: seriously I completely dig ur writing style.
Profile Image for Nic.
949 reviews8 followers
May 12, 2016
Bright Stars

This was a cute and adorable story. I really liked Jackson, the quiet, observant, insightful giant. He and Noah were a good balance. I also liked the supporting cast as well. Easy and entertaining read.
Profile Image for Jenn C.
785 reviews5 followers
May 19, 2016
3.5 super sugary stars. This is a nice storey. Jackson is hiding who he is. When Noah appears he realizes he can have a holiday fling with guy that rents his lake house. When Noah decides to stay Jackson is now worried his secret will come out.
Profile Image for Kristian Erdmann.
363 reviews2 followers
May 14, 2016
A sweet and touching read

This book was a sweet and touching read. The characters were great together and the families were amazing. I would of like to have a little more to the story but all in all it is a great read. I loved Noah and Jackson!!
Profile Image for JB.
412 reviews
May 19, 2016
3.5 stars. Yes this was overly sweet and pretty sexy so it was easy to read. Not really much angst at all - sigh... a little always adds a bit of excitement :) I liked both MCs Noah and Jackson but i did find myself getting distracted so that's not a good thing. Overall I enjoyed though!
Profile Image for Diane Dannenfeldt.
4,028 reviews78 followers
October 1, 2016
An absolutely sweet love story. Noah is overcoming a heartbreak and Jackson is trying to not let on he's gay as he feels the town he lives in will look at him differently. I really enjoyed this story and will be reading more books from this author.
3,557 reviews39 followers
August 25, 2016
Romance by the Lake

I want to vacation here and meet all the people in this charming village. Sip on their wine and taste their desserts. Life couldn't be better. Noah and his inn keeper are perfect for each other.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews

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