Lost In The Starlight

by Kiki Archer

A-list singing superstar, Honey Diamond, has it all - the albums, the talent shows, the upcoming Hollywood film. But it’s her gentle light, endearingly shining through all the glitz and glam, that warms the hearts of so many. A shy girl, who’s only ever known fame, born into a world that’s not true to life. Will Honey ever experience the love she so knowingly sings about? Will the vindictive online gossip sites ever leave her alone? Lost In The Starlight is the latest heartfelt romance from best-selling, award-winning author, Kiki Archer, peppered with her trademark laugh-out-loud humour and warming observations about falling in love.

Genres: Lesbian, Romance, LGBT, Ebooks, Contemporary, Queer, Audiobook

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2016

About the author

Lambda Literary Award finalist and Polari First Book Prize judge, Kiki Archer is the UK-based author of ten best-selling, award-winning novels.

Ranking highly on the Guardian newspaper’s Pride Power List and the Diva Pride Power List in 2017, 2018 and 2019, Kiki’s ‘chick-lit with a lady-loving twist’ has reached a mainstream audience now embracing stories with lesbian leads.

Kiki has won a SoSoGay Best Book Award, a National Indie Excellence Award, a Gold Global eBook Award, a Diva Literary Award and three Ultimate Planet Awards. She was a Distinguished Favourite in the New York Big Book Awards, a Distinguished Favourite in the Independent Press Awards, a Finalist in the NIEA Awards, a Finalist in the Lambda Literary Awards and has received two Honourable Mentions in the Rainbow Awards.

In 2018 Kiki won Best Author at the Waldorf’s star-studded Diva Awards.

In 2019 The Independent newspaper ranked Kiki #43 in their Top 100 celebrated LGBT+ people.

Reviews

[Pippa D · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't get past chapter 8. One of the main characters had some promise, even if the trope of the ultra rich, ultra talented not really "out" character is a little old. However, the other main character was a "journalist" who peddled the gossip of celebrities. She was painful, negligent and sloppy. I really disliked her and her attitude to others, and couldn't see a time when I'd get to like her, or wish her to be matched with the other main character. So when I got to chapter 8, which was either a tedious old joke about cleaners who don't speak English, or racism mascarading as humour, I didn't consider it worth continuing.

[Kara · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Lost In The Starlight” is an entertaining and enjoyable romance between two very different women. Narrator Ella Lynch did a terrific job; she really helped keep my interest during a few slow & repetitious points in the story.

28yo MC Honey Diamond is internationally successful as an actress and singer, but has managed to stay completely naive about the bubble in which she lives. Oh, and despite her being the very definition of a Mary Sue, she was also extremely likable!

28yo MC Meg is a journalist who anonymously runs a celebrity gossip/news site “Celeb Secrets”. She’s convinced/hopeful that her idol Honey Diamond is a closeted lesbian, and makes it her mission to force Honey out of the closet. So yeah, I’m not a fan of anyone making that choice for anyone but themselves, so Meg isn’t as likable. Much of her behavior/actions stems from her deep insecurities, and we indulge LOTS of inner thinking and she becomes more of a sympathetic characters as she becomes a better person throughout the book. Meg doesn’t date much, saying people don’t get her; neither does her unpleasant roommate Jo. Jo doesn’t have many redeeming qualities and frequently drinks too much and behaves badly.

Much of the story involves instalove and instalust between Honey and Meg, and I enjoyed their dates to Ikea and other places where Honey’s fame results in pretty funny situations. But perhaps the best part of the book is the small group of secondary characters from Honey’s life: controlling mother Diana; lesbian PA Liza and Diana’s russian masseuse Sveti, and her cousin Cunti; 70somethings Dot and Gertie (they remind me of the two old guys in the restaurant in the terrific movie “Today’s Special”…what characters!; even Honey’s chauffeur and hair, makeup and clothing staff provide some hilarious moments. Even Jo’s boyfriend Gavin is such an over-the-top ass he’s entertaining!

I could have done with less time inside Meg’s head as she thought through who she is and how she wants to be a better person, and I suspect on a Kindle I’d’ve skipped through some of that and probably questioned Meg’s ultimate transformation. The instalust that Honey has for Meg was a bit surprising, but it created several fun moments. When I just think of this as a comedy written for our enjoyment, not a realistic view into the lives of all these people, it works.

I rate the narration for “Lost In The Starlight” 5*, the wacky side characters 5*, the silly times Honey and Meg are trying to get to know each other 4*, the believability of their instalove 3*, the amount of inner thinking from Meg 2.5*, and overall…hmmm… 4.4*

I highly recommend “Lost In The Starlight” if you’re looking for a light, entertaining low-angst romance.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

My rating and my review was not in anyway affected by my having been provided a review copy.

[Les Rêveur · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was written extremely well, the characters where very well thought through and the book had a very steady pace. I reckon this book definitely falls into the romantic comedy genre. There was more than one occasion I was full body laughing at the craziness of it all. Just like Archers other book ‘Too Late I Love You’ it had a real essence of British Comedy. Kiki Archer writes differently to a lot of Lesfic writers and it’s one of the many reasons I like her novels because they are fun and nothing is ever taking overly seriously (she’s genuinely writes some hilarious scenes) which is why many of her fans keep coming back for more.

This was a feel good story, one that was cute, honest and genuine. The romance between Meg and Honey was more fairytale love than of real life for me but hey I love a good fairytale. I was a little confused when Meg was all of a sudden called Margret but then it was all explained and ended up being a good anecdote that ties other subplots together. My favorite chapter was when Meg takes Honey on their first date to Ikea. It was very well written and hilarity leaked from the page.

The secondary characters where written extremely well and every time Diana, Honey’s Mother took ‘Centre Page’ I had images of a cross between Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Fonda dancing around in my head and it made me laugh. I won’t go into to much detail but the chapter when Meg and Honey are discussing their couples massage had me doubled over laughing… It’s all in the therapist’s name... too funny!

This is slightly off topic but I like books that make me sit back and think. Two of Archer's characters did this because of their personalities are polar oppisites and that was Jo and Honey. Jo was the most epitome of a negative personality I have ever read but unfortunately she represents a large population of people who live their life only seeing the glass half empty and then there’s is Honey who see’s the positive in everything and try’s not to judge anyone… It was refreshing to have Honey be extremely positive throughout the book even when things are turned on there head. I think the one thing I will take away from reading this book is that we have a choice of who we have in our life’s and who brings us down. Quoting the very wise Kiki Archer …

“Some people don’t want to be helped, Meg, and there comes a time where you have to lift your hands and walk away.”

Ok so back to the book. Lost in the Starlight was a truly enjoyable and rather funny novel that I would definitely recommend. I’m looking forward to what comes next from Kiki Archer.

4 stars.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a big fan of chick lit. My wife nagged me that I had to read this, and for once I'm glad I did not turn a deaf one and paid attention. The downside was I kept laughing and trying to read what was happening next, to be interrupted by the Mrs wanting to know what was so funny.

For a 5 star it has to be exceptional for me, maybe its the Christmas spirit, my wife's wisdom rubbing off, or the pure fact it made my laugh so much. Who cares, I enjoyed it and I realised that decent authors need to have encouragement to write more. I appreciate the hard work that must have gone into this.

I loved the British humour and welcome that's its a British author, who can write, takes the mick out of our culture and vacuous world.

Also thank you for representing the minority and that I'm not alone ie not using facebook.

[Alealea · Rating 1 out of 5]

I almost DNF. I should have.
This is supposed to be comedic but the gags were over the top and felt flat. I especially disliked the swedish massage therapist running gag. Not speaking ones langage doesn't mean you look stupid all the time or at least it shouldn't.

Back to the romance. It felt creepy. The star is definetely stucked into a child position while the journalist has definite stalkerish behavior.
Their is no spark and I feel like I wasted my time.

[Vic · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't say this is a stand out tale, or story that will stay with me, or a book that will end up on my reread list, but I did find myself just sitting back and going with the flow of it. The plot was problematic, the characters were a bit problematic (choppy and a bit confusing), the whole situation was problematic, but - and maybe it was the mood I was in - I enjoyed it for the lighthearted, frivolous, silly fairytale that it was.

Kiki definitely has a style that distinguishes her from a lot of authors out there in this kind of genre, and her books are not always my cup of tea, but sometimes I'm ok with drinking something I wouldn't normally savour quite so much. Sometimes it's just nice to not analyse, or read with a critical eye. Sometimes I just want a fairytale kind of ending, and this delivers on that front for sure.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute romantic comedy. It often made me laugh out loud, and the romance was very sweet. I had some issues with the pacing and how over the top Svetty and Kuntse were, but overall enjoyed the book.

Podcast here: https://thelesbiantalkshow.podbean.co...

[Heinerway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romantic comedies aren't my cup of tea, so for me this novel was just OK. Nevertheless, the Ikea scene was one of the most hilarious thing I've read in a long time.

[Loek Krancher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal!

A star and a "nobody", something is drawing them together and it's impossible to resist. Falling in love with someone who likes you for you and not for your stardom. Is this at all possible? The path to love is not always easy and certainly not for a celebrity with an interest in someone with secrets. Every move is captured by paparazzi. There is nowhere to hide and even the simplest things of life are impossible. But what if...just for one day! I can't say more than that it was hilarious. The twists and turns on their way to happiness are so much fun to read. I really loved each character, the storyline, the plot, the speculations, the gossip, the silliness and all that's going on behind the walls of The Alderley. The lyrics of that one song was heartwarming and so true. A real eyeopener and a confirmation. I loved everything, yes everything. Trust me, a must-have book by a fantastic author. This book is an award winner, no doubt about it.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 1 out of 5]

I stopped reading this book about a third of the way through because I disliked all the main characters. Honey is just so naïve it’s impossible to believe she could actually exists. Meg not only believes she has the right to destroy peoples lives by publishing made up stories but is then ‘holier than thou’ about it afterwards. The rest of the cast are either obnoxious or just forgettable.

After a short break I picked it up again in the hope it could only get better. What came next was an almost farcical plot based on a most improbably meeting, mistaken identity, deception and vindictiveness. So in the end I just had to give up.

[Guerunche · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a rare occurrence when I can't make myself finish a book. I listened to this longer than I wanted to and just had to stop. It was so over the top silly and the narrator spoke so fast she gave me whiplash. The MC is pop superstar Honey Diamond and is almost always called by both her first and last name. I got to the point where I could barely stand hearing it. I will skip the description because it's available elsewhere. This is why it didn't work for me: (skip to the end if you don't want spoilers).

There was a scene where Honey wants to make a meal for a woman journalist she really likes but has never cooked before. But she's seen her cook make things, so how hard can it be? So she makes this horrific meal (which could actually be funny) and then when she realizes how terrible it is, she rushes to grab two bowls and two toothbrushes with toothpaste and brings them to her living room for them to brush their teeth to get the taste out of their mouths. Because she thought it would make the woman uncomfortable standing side by side with her in a bathroom doing that. But it's MORE comfortable to brush your teeth and spit in a bowl in her LIVING ROOM. How about letting her brush her teeth first in a bathroom, then you?? Then later, the love interest took her to an IKEA store because Honey wanted so badly to know what it was like to be able to experience things like a normal person. That could also have been fun, but instead it was like Honey was an alien from another planet or had landed in Oz. I realize she'd been spoiled all her life coming from great wealth and hadn't experienced "normal" things, but she didn't have to be completely naive about every single thing she saw. It made her seem like she was 12 and not an adult. Though very sweet, she's not the kind of character I could comfortably envision pursuing a romance. Really - it was just too much. I tried, but just couldn't. 1-1/2 stars rounded up to 2.

[Angie · Rating 1 out of 5]

One star may be a bit harsh, but I can’t bring myself to give this book two stars either, and considering the some of the humor was kind of uncomfortable where non-native English speakers were concerned and I didn’t find it funny. The side characters basically added nothing to the story and literally every character sounded the same. I didn’t hate it, but I wouldn’t recommend this to anyone either.

[Eija · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Kiki Archer book I read, and it's so well-written and cute. I really enjoyed the premise of a sheltered celebrity and a gossip columnist/journalist finding each other and connecting. I loved Archer's array of secondary characters and how she included them throughout the novel. The Golden Girls, Liza and Svetty, they were all fantastic. I think Jo could have been included a lot more frequently throughout the novel considering how pivotal she was in the end, but all in all, such a good read that was more plot than just sex. Kudos!

[Ella Lynch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me laugh and it made me cry. I devoured it in 2 days. As ever, Kiki Archer is so so funny! Definitely recommend. 5*

[Jade · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3 stars

[T.T. Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh Out Loud & Fall In Love—In That Order!

Kiki Archer’s characters in Lost in the Starlight are like a full sky of brilliant stars, each one a flawless diamond in its own right. Others have recounted the storyline, but I want to talk about the writing and, more importantly, the readability of this wonderful book.

Archer has taken some risks here, giving us a couple of protagonists who are so unlike on the outside that they may as well obtain the “irreconcilable differences” grounds for divorce and bypass marriage altogether! Not only do they have nothing apparent in common, they try to start and maintain a hilarious “something” without benefit of the FaceB, the Twit, the Snap, the Insta or the messaging apps! Remember those days? The writing here is wonderful and fresh and kudos to Archer for making us laugh and think at the same time!

Honey Diamond, international singing superstar, is an old-fashioned kind of woman, despite her outer trappings of wealth, fame and insular living. Meg Rutherton is a mainstream journalist who doubles as the owner of an anonymous gossip tabloid on the Internet. The scene of their first interview, wherein Honey attempts to impress Meg with her culinary skills and smooth romantic overtures is a put-that-book-down-laugh-out-loud-and-take-thyself-to-the-bathroom before further damage accrues! Archer has pluperfect comedic timing, on the money dialog and an ability to pull you into her characters’ lives as though you know them. Certainly, you’d LIKE to know them!

What Archer does, in between her uproarious scenes of pratfall limbs-akimbo hilarity, is take us to a place where authenticity matters, spontaneity rules the day and yes, love can start, thrive and—watch those stairs—triumph even when we bring our deepest, darkest secrets, shame, Louis V. luggage and scrappy-looking backpack along as baggage.

I high recommend this book to anyone who loves a good contemporary romance or even a good-old fashioned love story…but beware the garlic sauce! Five star all day and all night long!

[Velvet Lounger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhere between a classic Trad romance and a comedy of errors this is a very British RomCom and you definitely need to suspend disbelief.. but then why not.

Take an A-list superstar from a power celebrity family, molded and manipulated by her Orwellian mother, a lovely woman who doesn’t know who or what she is because life has never been real. Balance her with the ugly duckling who is a good journalist overwhelmingly frustrated by not being able to tell the real truth, and whose outlet for that is a hard hitting truth-telling celebrity-watch site. Add naïve use of beards, long term crushes and a whole ensemble of variously mad supporting characters and you have Lost in the Starlight.

It flows with gay abandon, the writing is stylish and well crafted. Ms Archer shows a delicious and wicked sense of humour and comic timing. The bringing low of the superstars PA/controller is a particularly amusing sub-plot, and nobody will feel quite comfortable going for a massage with a trainee masseuse again.

Despite all the silliness the main characters are real, with faults and fears and a learning curve that lifts them beyond the pure caricature into likable and sympathetic young women that you cant help but route for. The rest of the cast defies description to be honest, there’s barely a sane one between them.

Highly entertaining, amusing and fun, with a serious subtext about being ourselves and fighting to stand up to those who would force us into their mold, this is a far more layered book than it might first appear.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished, in a riot of emotions. Romantic, funny, surprising and a bit 'crazy. But absolutely gorgeous. The characters grow up with the pages, and the unexpected enriches them.
Absolutely in need of a sequel!

Appena finito, in un tripudio di emozioni. Romantico, divertente, sorprendente e un po' folle. Ma assolutamente stupendo. I personaggi crescono con le pagine, e l'inaspettato li arricchisce.
Spero nel seguito!

[C. Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read with some querky characters and a couple of Kiki Archer style twists.

[Pinkdturtle tina · Rating 2 out of 5]

First book of Kiki's i can't finish! Guess one out 5 ain't bad.. i miss the humour in this book. Looking forward to her next book, guess this one just wasn't to my taste.

[Kurt · Rating 2 out of 5]

The entire time I read this book I thought the author could not be Kiki Archer. I had difficulties with it right from the start with... everything. It was not a book I wanted to read.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a roller coaster...but great book!

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute, funny & dripping with romance

An entertaining & enjoyable story with some intriguing & interesting likeable characters, several hot scenes & an easily read book.

[The Reading Panda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far one of the most adorable novels I have read in a while. I have read 2 books other than Lost in the Starlight by Archer that I was not a fan of. Even though I understood why so many people found her books funny and charming, I was never able to fully love her protagonists. I found some of them to be mean and/or too sarcastic and biting. I was unable to get Archer's humor. Because of this, I was not expecting to love this book as much as I did.

What made this book endearing was Honey. She was genuinely sweet, kind, caring, humble, loving, and loyal. She pursued Meg, and she was uninhibited about how she felt. How could you not love that? The way she was unaffected by wealth and how she resisted her mother's control made her very special. I could really see what made Meg fall in love. Meg was the quirky and self-conscious one. It made her relatable. Her inability to hide her love and feelings was so sweet. I could also see why Honey fell in love with Meg. The fact that I loved both characters equally was what made this book stand out. So many times I find myself disliking a protagonist making finishing the book a painstaking experience.

All in all, this book was charming and adorable. It was just what I needed after a string of horrible books. This is by far Archer's best work.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is with a heavy heart that I only gave this book 3 stars. I am left to ask myself whether am I unfairly comparing 'Lost In The Starlight' against other books or by Kiki Archer's previous books? I absolutely loved Kiki Archer's previous books and would go as far to say she was one of my favourite authors. However, I felt that this book just wasn't in the same league as her previous work. Lost In The Starlight is a sweet romantic story about a journalist with a secret and a world famous star. The reader can suspend the real world and fall under the spell of celebrity starlight. Unfortunately, how ever hard I tried, I struggled with the story and its characters. I wanted to shake Honey, how can anyone be so utterly reliant on everyone around her that she is incapable of thinking for herself? I just struggled to cheer her character on. Maybe it was down to personal taste, the world of celebrity isn't something I am interested in, reading other reviews I see lots of people enjoyed this book.
Would I recommend this book to others? Of course, it is a sweet story, I would say read it and decide for yourself.

[RockstarShades · Rating 5 out of 5]

Its rare when reading/listening to a book that I laugh out loud, but this book made me do just that! - It’s been on my list for a while and I just hadn’t quite got around to it until now; and what a treat it was!

The IKEA trip in particular had me chucking to myself, ingenious and very funny! I really enjoyed the premise to this book, a shining treasured celebrity and a journalist/gossip columnist/fan who couldn’t believe her luck!

It’s absolutely worth a read (or listen) if you’re looking for something light hearted, funny and enjoyable

Overall, I found this to be a very well written book carrying all the hallmarks of a Kiki Archer smasher and I can’t wait to devour the next one on my list!

[Christine E Carcary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really sweet

I really enjoyed this tale of celebrity worship from afar and the realization that you can't tell a book by its cover. Honey the main character was as sweet as her name, probably not often would you find a celebrity who didn't follow social media, just lived her life on her own terms, although being manipulated behind her back. It was well written and I enjoyed the quirky side characters who lived and took care of her. Meg we see has a complete turn around in her life after meeting Honey very well handled, I like to think there are still people out there who see the good things and act on them. I'm off to get another book by this author, I love when I find a new one to read.

[M Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled with this and I really wanted to like it. There was something about the plot that said stick with it, I did, it was not the story it could have been the main characters mother infuriated me and so do her pointless pals. Shame it could have been a nice read but the humour wasn’t funny and I ended jumping chapters to see what happened.

[Marty Preslar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, improbable, but ultimately satisfying

The twisted ride in "Lost In The Starlight" has one or two turns that make it a bit too farfetched to be a classic, but it is a sweet story with a satisfying conclusion.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved

This is the first book I've read from Kiki Archer, it definitely won't be the last. I've absolutely fallen in love with this book and the characters. Best book I've read in a long time. I loved the laugh out loud moments. Recommend reading if you want your heart to swoon.