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The Wayward Sons #1
Starlee's Heart
When my mother decided to pull me out of school I didn’t say anything.
When she homeschooled me, isolated me, kept me fearful of my peers, I followed along.
When she packed me up and sent me across the country to live with my grandmother in the one-stoplight town of Lee Vines, I did as she said.
But now that she’s left me here I’m on my own.
I can make my own decisions.
Make my own mistakes.
And that includes if I let in the four boys that live next door.
Starlee’s Heart, Book 1 of the Wayward Son’s is a #whychoose contemporary young adult romance. Why fall in love once when you can do it over and over again?
When she homeschooled me, isolated me, kept me fearful of my peers, I followed along.
When she packed me up and sent me across the country to live with my grandmother in the one-stoplight town of Lee Vines, I did as she said.
But now that she’s left me here I’m on my own.
I can make my own decisions.
Make my own mistakes.
And that includes if I let in the four boys that live next door.
Starlee’s Heart, Book 1 of the Wayward Son’s is a #whychoose contemporary young adult romance. Why fall in love once when you can do it over and over again?
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2018
710 people are currently reading
1290 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 130 reviews
November 9, 2018
I was looking forward to this book. It popped up on my goodreads recommendations before it came out, and it looked good, so I was excited to read it (a YA RH that was a bit reminiscent of the Veil Diaries series? I was there!). However the book did not live up to my expectation.
First of all the female MC is too damaged. Everything is a panic attack, everything gives her anxiety, even the smallest interactions are cause for panic. This makes it hard for her to develop relationships since she is constantly scared of the other characters and her surroundings in this book. Which makes it uncomfortable for the reader.
Her mother seriously messed with her head, but everyone wants to pretend that she was just being protective of her daughter. A lot of what we read about the mother sounds like abuse. But so far the writer explains it off as a mother being overprotective because she is scared for her daughter. To me it just sounded like pretty bad abuse.
The male MCs are barely developed. The relationships between them and the heroine goes from 0-100 super fast. This lady has never even kissed someone, as a matter of fact her mother has vilified all males to her, but all of a sudden she wants to have her first kiss and she wants it to be all of them and she wants to be blindfolded... huh? She is a virgin scared of men, but she wants to do what? Then we never even get a real sense for why all these guys are ok with sharing one girl, that other than being damaged is nothing especial.
Lastly, there are a lot of Supernatural references. This book, in many ways, is a love letter to the show. I get it that the writer really liked the show, but in my opinion it was a bit much.
First of all the female MC is too damaged. Everything is a panic attack, everything gives her anxiety, even the smallest interactions are cause for panic. This makes it hard for her to develop relationships since she is constantly scared of the other characters and her surroundings in this book. Which makes it uncomfortable for the reader.
Her mother seriously messed with her head, but everyone wants to pretend that she was just being protective of her daughter. A lot of what we read about the mother sounds like abuse. But so far the writer explains it off as a mother being overprotective because she is scared for her daughter. To me it just sounded like pretty bad abuse.
The male MCs are barely developed. The relationships between them and the heroine goes from 0-100 super fast. This lady has never even kissed someone, as a matter of fact her mother has vilified all males to her, but all of a sudden she wants to have her first kiss and she wants it to be all of them and she wants to be blindfolded... huh? She is a virgin scared of men, but she wants to do what? Then we never even get a real sense for why all these guys are ok with sharing one girl, that other than being damaged is nothing especial.
Lastly, there are a lot of Supernatural references. This book, in many ways, is a love letter to the show. I get it that the writer really liked the show, but in my opinion it was a bit much.
October 8, 2021
I started reading this book back in june and I just couldn't finish it. So now I decided to give it another chance and practically forced myself to finish it. It is fair to say that I didn't like it.
The MC is too damaged and the way her character develops is too fast for someone suffering from a literal abuse from her mother. I mean she pretty much locked her up in the house and told her how everything and everyone will hurt her. I get that she was protecting her daughter as any mother would, but I feel like this went just too far.
This is RH book, so 4 guys and the MC. Their relationship was so cute and sweet at first and I honestly thought it was gonna be one of those slow burn book series. But nope it went to no touching to kissing all four of them with a freaking blindfold on to having sex in a span of like a few chapters.
In my opinion when you have a character that is as damaged as this MC, you are allowed to take your time with developing their character and the relationships that MC has.
It was honestly just awkward reading the second half of the book and I'm not going to be reading any more of this series.
The MC is too damaged and the way her character develops is too fast for someone suffering from a literal abuse from her mother. I mean she pretty much locked her up in the house and told her how everything and everyone will hurt her. I get that she was protecting her daughter as any mother would, but I feel like this went just too far.
This is RH book, so 4 guys and the MC. Their relationship was so cute and sweet at first and I honestly thought it was gonna be one of those slow burn book series. But nope it went to no touching to kissing all four of them with a freaking blindfold on to having sex in a span of like a few chapters.
In my opinion when you have a character that is as damaged as this MC, you are allowed to take your time with developing their character and the relationships that MC has.
It was honestly just awkward reading the second half of the book and I'm not going to be reading any more of this series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 15, 2020
Well Written Peek Into The Head of An Anxious Teenager
I’d probably give this 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.
Starlee suffers from anxiety. She had a really bad patch when she was in middle school when she suffered with an ill-suited medication and bullying. Her mother pulled her out of school and since then she’s been isolated, lonely and afraid of the world.
After an incident Starlee’s mother decides that she should go and spend the Summer at her grandmother’s in the middle of the desert, in a small tourist town. Away from her mother for the first time in her life and supervised by a grandmother with a much more lax supervisory style, Starlee has to start making her own decisions about her life and it’s hard, especially when the four boys next door seem to want to be her friend.
This is a well balanced look at the effect that anxiety has on young people and those that love them. It looks at the difficulties the parents face and how the decisions they make can have a long term impact on their child and their relationship with them.
The writer describes the area, in which Starlee is staying, beautifully. It made me want to visit, because it sounds stunning, and a little bit strange, but welcoming. The landscape described by the writer drew me in and it became part of the story, as it helped to start Starlee on her path to reclaiming her life.
The characters were all interesting in different ways. They all had depth and while on surface may be stereotypes, they weren’t, as Starlee started to get to know them better and their layers were revealed.
It’s a really interesting story and I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see what happens next, as there is a cliffhanger.
I’d probably give this 4.5 ⭐️ if I could.
Starlee suffers from anxiety. She had a really bad patch when she was in middle school when she suffered with an ill-suited medication and bullying. Her mother pulled her out of school and since then she’s been isolated, lonely and afraid of the world.
After an incident Starlee’s mother decides that she should go and spend the Summer at her grandmother’s in the middle of the desert, in a small tourist town. Away from her mother for the first time in her life and supervised by a grandmother with a much more lax supervisory style, Starlee has to start making her own decisions about her life and it’s hard, especially when the four boys next door seem to want to be her friend.
This is a well balanced look at the effect that anxiety has on young people and those that love them. It looks at the difficulties the parents face and how the decisions they make can have a long term impact on their child and their relationship with them.
The writer describes the area, in which Starlee is staying, beautifully. It made me want to visit, because it sounds stunning, and a little bit strange, but welcoming. The landscape described by the writer drew me in and it became part of the story, as it helped to start Starlee on her path to reclaiming her life.
The characters were all interesting in different ways. They all had depth and while on surface may be stereotypes, they weren’t, as Starlee started to get to know them better and their layers were revealed.
It’s a really interesting story and I look forward to reading the next book in the series to see what happens next, as there is a cliffhanger.
May 2, 2019
Wayward sons
A RH story involving four hot damaged boys and a cafe themed around Supernatural? Count me in! It was great! A few grammatical errors but nothing major. A quick read.
A RH story involving four hot damaged boys and a cafe themed around Supernatural? Count me in! It was great! A few grammatical errors but nothing major. A quick read.
February 2, 2023
3.5 stars
Tw for suicide/ self harm
I didn't know there was a YA reverse harem but there is. All the characters are sort of damaged or have a certain mental illness but I'm not sure if the representations are accurate 100%. Starlee has anxiety and tried to **** herself because she was being bullied and picked on. Her mother, since then, has isolated her, homeschooled her, didn't let her go out on her own, basically caged her from the outside world until one day she lets her go spend sometime with her grandma to live and experience the small town like the mother did when she was her age.
Thus, Starlee meeting 4 damaged boys, who live together with a carer, to each his trauma and own issues, we have violence, dyslexia, etc...
They take a liking to Starlee because she was like them, also damaged and different.
what I didn't like about this:
the fmc went from being closed up and anxious and scared to I want you four to kiss me, took me aback a little but I guess they had some time to get to know each other and she had bonded separately with each one of them.
The fmc s mother, I guess she is supposed to be unlikable in order for her to be assigned the job of the villain of the story, but she was awful honestly, she is on my blacklist mothers.
Tw for suicide/ self harm
I didn't know there was a YA reverse harem but there is. All the characters are sort of damaged or have a certain mental illness but I'm not sure if the representations are accurate 100%. Starlee has anxiety and tried to **** herself because she was being bullied and picked on. Her mother, since then, has isolated her, homeschooled her, didn't let her go out on her own, basically caged her from the outside world until one day she lets her go spend sometime with her grandma to live and experience the small town like the mother did when she was her age.
Thus, Starlee meeting 4 damaged boys, who live together with a carer, to each his trauma and own issues, we have violence, dyslexia, etc...
They take a liking to Starlee because she was like them, also damaged and different.
what I didn't like about this:
the fmc went from being closed up and anxious and scared to I want you four to kiss me, took me aback a little but I guess they had some time to get to know each other and she had bonded separately with each one of them.
The fmc s mother, I guess she is supposed to be unlikable in order for her to be assigned the job of the villain of the story, but she was awful honestly, she is on my blacklist mothers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2018
Starlee Nye is not a 'normal' girl. There was probably always a bit of anxiety, the came the bullying, then an 'incident'. Her mother went into Mama Bear mode determined to protect her, keep her safe. She pulled her out of school, homeschooled her but she went too far. She isolated her, made her afraid of the world and of the people in it. When she feels like she has failed her, Starless's mother decides that it would be best for her to spend the summer in the tiny town of Lee Vines with her Grandmother. Starlee is afraid of her own shadow but for the first time ever she's free. Free to make her own decisions, her own mistakes. With the help of the Wayward Sons, the four boys living next door, Starlee starts to gain some confidence, begin to trust herself and others, she's learning to relax, and she's having fun for the first time in her life. For the first time ever she has friends, a place she feels like she belongs.
I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to Angel Lawson but absolutely no one does contemporary RH better than she does. She takes the unusual relationships and makes them believable. She also has a talent for normalizing human quirks. Anxiety, anger, OCD, gaming addiction, and reading disabilities are all addressed in this book. Each one of these conditions has negatively impacted a character but all are facing their difficulties and overcoming the obstacles. I respect that. No human is perfect, yet society decides that some 'issues' are acceptable and others are not. By bringing everything out into the open and beginning the discussion, Angel takes away any stigma that might be wrongly attached. Every person that can recognize themselves in a character has a better chance at successfully navigating life.
Starlee is such a fragile soul. Her loneliness drew me in. My heart went out to this character. It was easy to understand her anger with her mother and to understand her mother's intentions however wrong the outcome. I loved her character growth and loved that she stepped out of her comfort zone with the Wayward Sons. She was so brave in her own way. Charlie, George, Jake, and Dex aren't your typical alpha male harem. They are more misfits. Each has a personal struggle, each is vulnerable in their own way. As much as they help Starlee find herself, she helps them gain control. These relationships are so beneficial and healthy on top of being adorable! The town itself acts as a character as much as a setting. It's a safe haven with a laid-back vibe that allows Starlee to open herself up to new possibilities and it's citizens all add an extra layer of protection. Finally, the Wayward Sun and Bonnie need a special mention. Bonnie is the unsung hero of this story with her selflessness and caring for the boys. Her obsession with all things Supernatural (TV Show), especially Dean and Sam Winchester is fantastically off-the-wall. The cafe's specials, the mural, her DVDs and collectibles all add to her character. I love it! The Supernatural theme that family is more than blood resonates throughout this entire story.
This story is a series of everyday events, normal people with normal problems, nothing extraordinary but before you know you it, you are in deep. You can't wait to see the sunrise with Jake, see Dex baking, indulge Bonnie with a SPN chat, watch an episode yourself with LeeLee, check on Charlie fixing something in a cabin and talk to Katie along the way, and giggle over something silly with George. It's the sense of family they give off. You want to be a part of it. You want to earn a tattoo of your own. This is a gift. Then the ending is brutal! I am keeping Supernatural in mind. An episode might end in a terrible situation but give it another episode or two and the brothers will come through. This isn't the end. There will be a HEA for The Wayward!
I know I sound like a broken record when it comes to Angel Lawson but absolutely no one does contemporary RH better than she does. She takes the unusual relationships and makes them believable. She also has a talent for normalizing human quirks. Anxiety, anger, OCD, gaming addiction, and reading disabilities are all addressed in this book. Each one of these conditions has negatively impacted a character but all are facing their difficulties and overcoming the obstacles. I respect that. No human is perfect, yet society decides that some 'issues' are acceptable and others are not. By bringing everything out into the open and beginning the discussion, Angel takes away any stigma that might be wrongly attached. Every person that can recognize themselves in a character has a better chance at successfully navigating life.
Starlee is such a fragile soul. Her loneliness drew me in. My heart went out to this character. It was easy to understand her anger with her mother and to understand her mother's intentions however wrong the outcome. I loved her character growth and loved that she stepped out of her comfort zone with the Wayward Sons. She was so brave in her own way. Charlie, George, Jake, and Dex aren't your typical alpha male harem. They are more misfits. Each has a personal struggle, each is vulnerable in their own way. As much as they help Starlee find herself, she helps them gain control. These relationships are so beneficial and healthy on top of being adorable! The town itself acts as a character as much as a setting. It's a safe haven with a laid-back vibe that allows Starlee to open herself up to new possibilities and it's citizens all add an extra layer of protection. Finally, the Wayward Sun and Bonnie need a special mention. Bonnie is the unsung hero of this story with her selflessness and caring for the boys. Her obsession with all things Supernatural (TV Show), especially Dean and Sam Winchester is fantastically off-the-wall. The cafe's specials, the mural, her DVDs and collectibles all add to her character. I love it! The Supernatural theme that family is more than blood resonates throughout this entire story.
This story is a series of everyday events, normal people with normal problems, nothing extraordinary but before you know you it, you are in deep. You can't wait to see the sunrise with Jake, see Dex baking, indulge Bonnie with a SPN chat, watch an episode yourself with LeeLee, check on Charlie fixing something in a cabin and talk to Katie along the way, and giggle over something silly with George. It's the sense of family they give off. You want to be a part of it. You want to earn a tattoo of your own. This is a gift. Then the ending is brutal! I am keeping Supernatural in mind. An episode might end in a terrible situation but give it another episode or two and the brothers will come through. This isn't the end. There will be a HEA for The Wayward!
November 5, 2018
Angel is really starting to grow as an author! This is the third series by Lawson I've attempted. The first one I tried was "A Piece of Heaven (Allendale Four)"; I hated it and didn't make it past book 1. I then stumbled upon The Boys of Ocean Beach series. It had potential, and everything from the concept to the execution was worlds above the Allendale Four, but it was still really short of the mark. (I wrote really verbose reviews of both the first book in Allendale Four and the second book in Boys of Ocean Beach if you are for some reason curious as to what I thought). With Wayward Son I don't think any of the issues that plagued the other series were present.
Ok, so we have Starlee, a 17-year-old who has lead a very sheltered life for the last five years, for reasons I won't give away, who is sent to live with her grandma in a small town in California where she, of course, meets four boys who will become her harem. Lawson is really taking the time to build the world and the characters. The characters are being nicely developed so you know who they are and what their flaws are, they aren't jumping into a relationship, there are steps forward followed by steps back. It's great.
Here are my only complaints: There are a couple of continuity errors. Starlee describes herself as having dark hair at the very beginning of the book, then one of the guys mentions her hair is red and it is red from there on out. Also, Sierra is said to be Dex's sister, then aunt, then back to sister. There is a turning point where Starlee suddenly becomes very assertive, at least where it comes to the guys. I think Lawson's intent was to have Starlee decide to take life by the horns and stop being so scared and passive and actually get some of these experiences she has missed out on, but the reader isn't brought along to witness that internal struggle, you have glimpses of it, but you don't get that big aha moment that leads from her being timid and literally only putting her toes in the water to diving right in. I think that switch works and makes sense (unlike in the Allendale Four where the girl decides to combat rumors she is a slut by acting extra slutty) it would just be smoother if we got that internal monolog that leads to the f-it, I'm doing this decision.
So if I could give Lawson some tips going forward with the series. I'd like to see the characters continuing to be developed and strengthened as the story continues and before they totally jump into something. They can keep dating like they are, and moving into being more involved and doing more, but I don't want this to be like the Boys of Ocean Beach where after a couple of weeks of knowing each other they are like this is for life. Remember, these are 17 and 18-year-olds in high school. Have them talk about how this is what they want and how they will tackle future stuff as it comes and figure it out together, but no ultimatums that basically amount to say you will marry me or we are done. Keep enriching the characters. Tell us more about Sara and what it was that happened to get Starlee sent off to her mom. Even if it is literally Starless snuck out and they went to the mall and did totally normal teenager things like going to the mall and buying some earrings and her mom found out and freaked, those details give us a better picture of how Star has been behaving and show Starlee's evolution in realizing her and her mom's neurosis of the situation. You've touched on how three of the guys have ended up there. Go into that more. Have Dex talk about the guilt and explain everything from his point of view and talk about how the fighting makes him feel or feel better or whatever it is. Have the twins talk about the night social services got involved. how that scar came to be, what it was like living in that house and what it was like having their mom leave. How did Jake get there? How did people not notice his dyslexia? What is it like having people think you are stupid and still in some way worship you as a god for your physical prowess? Especially when you are smart, you just didn't know how to work around an obstacle and then once you knew you had one to work around your confidence in that area had already been shot. I'd like to see Starlee back on the mountain attempting real high school, getting to go to prom and football games and such, making some guy and girl friends outside of the guys all who help her take on douchey high school boys who want to date her despite her lack of interest and mean girls who are jealous she has locked down three guys. I'd like her dad to appear at some point (or maybe it turns out she has some half-siblings living with an aunt or something), explain what about him that caused her mom to be the way she is and how his struggles influenced Starlee's own. I think Starlee should, after maybe a brief repose back to North Carolina, end up back on the mountain with Leelee, where Star pops in and out as she works on her relationship with her daughter and on her self before Star eventually finds her own happiness. Obviously Leelee is going to end up with Tom, he is totally smitten on her. I would ultimately, depending upon how far out you are willing to stretch the series, like to see the kids all go off to college. Starlee having eventually conquered high school is now faced with the difficulty of college. Put them all in a larger city, Dex at a culinary school and he takes up boxing, Charlie at a school for gaming and competing in gaming competitions, maybe that is the same school Jake and Gabe (? I can't remember his name) are at playing football. Gabe isn't really into football but it gets him money for school. Jake is going to go pro. Starlee is scared about being at the be school wondering if her mom wasn't right about picking a smaller all girls school that was nearby, but eventually settles into a program and loves it. They spend some time out in the world before heading back to the mountain where Starless takes over the lodge, Jake coaches at the local high school or maybe the nearby college where Dex and Charlie are adjunct professors when they aren't holed up in the lodge creating the next best selling game or running the expanded bakery/cafe/ restaurant that keeps the lodge booked year round with people coming in hoping to get a taste of Dexx's food, and Gabe becomes a social worker, many of his tough case kids ending up at the lodge or with Sierra and her spitting image of Dean husband and their kids.
Ok, so we have Starlee, a 17-year-old who has lead a very sheltered life for the last five years, for reasons I won't give away, who is sent to live with her grandma in a small town in California where she, of course, meets four boys who will become her harem. Lawson is really taking the time to build the world and the characters. The characters are being nicely developed so you know who they are and what their flaws are, they aren't jumping into a relationship, there are steps forward followed by steps back. It's great.
Here are my only complaints: There are a couple of continuity errors. Starlee describes herself as having dark hair at the very beginning of the book, then one of the guys mentions her hair is red and it is red from there on out. Also, Sierra is said to be Dex's sister, then aunt, then back to sister. There is a turning point where Starlee suddenly becomes very assertive, at least where it comes to the guys. I think Lawson's intent was to have Starlee decide to take life by the horns and stop being so scared and passive and actually get some of these experiences she has missed out on, but the reader isn't brought along to witness that internal struggle, you have glimpses of it, but you don't get that big aha moment that leads from her being timid and literally only putting her toes in the water to diving right in. I think that switch works and makes sense (unlike in the Allendale Four where the girl decides to combat rumors she is a slut by acting extra slutty) it would just be smoother if we got that internal monolog that leads to the f-it, I'm doing this decision.
So if I could give Lawson some tips going forward with the series. I'd like to see the characters continuing to be developed and strengthened as the story continues and before they totally jump into something. They can keep dating like they are, and moving into being more involved and doing more, but I don't want this to be like the Boys of Ocean Beach where after a couple of weeks of knowing each other they are like this is for life. Remember, these are 17 and 18-year-olds in high school. Have them talk about how this is what they want and how they will tackle future stuff as it comes and figure it out together, but no ultimatums that basically amount to say you will marry me or we are done. Keep enriching the characters. Tell us more about Sara and what it was that happened to get Starlee sent off to her mom. Even if it is literally Starless snuck out and they went to the mall and did totally normal teenager things like going to the mall and buying some earrings and her mom found out and freaked, those details give us a better picture of how Star has been behaving and show Starlee's evolution in realizing her and her mom's neurosis of the situation. You've touched on how three of the guys have ended up there. Go into that more. Have Dex talk about the guilt and explain everything from his point of view and talk about how the fighting makes him feel or feel better or whatever it is. Have the twins talk about the night social services got involved. how that scar came to be, what it was like living in that house and what it was like having their mom leave. How did Jake get there? How did people not notice his dyslexia? What is it like having people think you are stupid and still in some way worship you as a god for your physical prowess? Especially when you are smart, you just didn't know how to work around an obstacle and then once you knew you had one to work around your confidence in that area had already been shot. I'd like to see Starlee back on the mountain attempting real high school, getting to go to prom and football games and such, making some guy and girl friends outside of the guys all who help her take on douchey high school boys who want to date her despite her lack of interest and mean girls who are jealous she has locked down three guys. I'd like her dad to appear at some point (or maybe it turns out she has some half-siblings living with an aunt or something), explain what about him that caused her mom to be the way she is and how his struggles influenced Starlee's own. I think Starlee should, after maybe a brief repose back to North Carolina, end up back on the mountain with Leelee, where Star pops in and out as she works on her relationship with her daughter and on her self before Star eventually finds her own happiness. Obviously Leelee is going to end up with Tom, he is totally smitten on her. I would ultimately, depending upon how far out you are willing to stretch the series, like to see the kids all go off to college. Starlee having eventually conquered high school is now faced with the difficulty of college. Put them all in a larger city, Dex at a culinary school and he takes up boxing, Charlie at a school for gaming and competing in gaming competitions, maybe that is the same school Jake and Gabe (? I can't remember his name) are at playing football. Gabe isn't really into football but it gets him money for school. Jake is going to go pro. Starlee is scared about being at the be school wondering if her mom wasn't right about picking a smaller all girls school that was nearby, but eventually settles into a program and loves it. They spend some time out in the world before heading back to the mountain where Starless takes over the lodge, Jake coaches at the local high school or maybe the nearby college where Dex and Charlie are adjunct professors when they aren't holed up in the lodge creating the next best selling game or running the expanded bakery/cafe/ restaurant that keeps the lodge booked year round with people coming in hoping to get a taste of Dexx's food, and Gabe becomes a social worker, many of his tough case kids ending up at the lodge or with Sierra and her spitting image of Dean husband and their kids.
April 17, 2021
I really love the writing style of this book. This is a new to me author, so I'll definitely be checking out more books!
March 28, 2019
This book is a little different, and I really did like it. I liked the heroine and I loved how she had to go through her journey. It was really interesting to read about. I'm looking forward to more, especially since this one ended the way it did.
November 2, 2018
I loved everything about this book.... but I think my absolute favorite part was all of the Supernatural references! I am kinda obsessed with the show so reading about characters in this book loving it as much as I do was freaking amazing!
So other than the Supernatural stuff (hehehe) The Wayward Sons: Starlee's Heart was still a really great book! Starlee is a very unique character. She is very sheltered and kind of naive with some anxiety issues caused by her upbringing (and possibly some inherited issues.... we don't really know much about her father but there is some vague mentions). But past all of her insecurities and fears, Starlee is loyal and loving and kind. I loved seeing her progress throughout the story, gaining confidence in herself.
The Wayward Sons were also good characters. On the surface they appeared to be cliches; there was the jock, the bad boy, the gamer, and the hyper one. But the author did a great job of making them unique once you dive deeper into their stories. The jock struggles with dyslexia, the bad boy is mourning his family and coping with baking, the gamer needs help getting into the real world, and the hyper adrenaline junkie is an artist with an overactive mind and an abusive past. These guys all had their own issues which helped them to see Starlee's and really accept her for who she is. Together Starlee and the guys help each other move past their problems and start to heal.
The secondary characters really stood out to me in this story. First was Starlee's grandmother. Leelee was just what Starlee needed. A parent who would help her out of her shell and get her back into the world. She was a grandmother, a parent, a boss, and a friend to Starlee. Another great character was Sierra, the girl obsessed with Supernatural. She ran the coffee place next store that had an amazing Supernatural theme which I loved. Sierra was also the reason the Wayward Sons were together. She was responsible for them but she also was dealing with her own problems. Supernatural helped her cope with the deaths of her parents and her new responsibility for her grieving, angry brother.
The Wayward Sons: Starlee's Heart is a great start to Angel Lawson's new series. These characters are fantastic and the story line was great! This one ended on a cliffhanger, so I am very eager and definitely excited for book 2!
So other than the Supernatural stuff (hehehe) The Wayward Sons: Starlee's Heart was still a really great book! Starlee is a very unique character. She is very sheltered and kind of naive with some anxiety issues caused by her upbringing (and possibly some inherited issues.... we don't really know much about her father but there is some vague mentions). But past all of her insecurities and fears, Starlee is loyal and loving and kind. I loved seeing her progress throughout the story, gaining confidence in herself.
The Wayward Sons were also good characters. On the surface they appeared to be cliches; there was the jock, the bad boy, the gamer, and the hyper one. But the author did a great job of making them unique once you dive deeper into their stories. The jock struggles with dyslexia, the bad boy is mourning his family and coping with baking, the gamer needs help getting into the real world, and the hyper adrenaline junkie is an artist with an overactive mind and an abusive past. These guys all had their own issues which helped them to see Starlee's and really accept her for who she is. Together Starlee and the guys help each other move past their problems and start to heal.
The secondary characters really stood out to me in this story. First was Starlee's grandmother. Leelee was just what Starlee needed. A parent who would help her out of her shell and get her back into the world. She was a grandmother, a parent, a boss, and a friend to Starlee. Another great character was Sierra, the girl obsessed with Supernatural. She ran the coffee place next store that had an amazing Supernatural theme which I loved. Sierra was also the reason the Wayward Sons were together. She was responsible for them but she also was dealing with her own problems. Supernatural helped her cope with the deaths of her parents and her new responsibility for her grieving, angry brother.
The Wayward Sons: Starlee's Heart is a great start to Angel Lawson's new series. These characters are fantastic and the story line was great! This one ended on a cliffhanger, so I am very eager and definitely excited for book 2!
May 18, 2021
You know, some books are very descriptive, that spend passage after passage on that particular wall. But Wayward sons is not it. It's not descriptive, it is not a slow burn. But it made me feel. There are books all about action and description, but this book is all about feeling. It hits you out of nowhere. It is not the typical style I appreciate, but it made me
feel
. We spend a lot of time in the head of Starlee, but still not enough, it's not stifling like some books, because I don't want it to end, but it ends too fast. And still, I would not have it any other way. The character is relatable, very much so. Every secondary character has depth and it is interesting and intriguing to make every little first step with Starlee. I am in love with this book, truly. It is beautiful and emotional.
I am so glad the author addresses anxiety and dyslexia and muuuch much more. Because it is important, because we need to know things like this. It makes the story so much more – real. The family, the acceptance, the self-love, it's piling up and I love it. I love the whirlwind of problems and issues. So beautiful.
How happy I am to have more books of this to look forward to.
I am so glad the author addresses anxiety and dyslexia and muuuch much more. Because it is important, because we need to know things like this. It makes the story so much more – real. The family, the acceptance, the self-love, it's piling up and I love it. I love the whirlwind of problems and issues. So beautiful.
How happy I am to have more books of this to look forward to.
Read
February 22, 2019Rating: TBA
Let's not sugarcoat: I did not like it.
But to be honest, I would not be able to tell you why exactly. The book made me uncomfortable in more than one way; it might have hit too close to home. Starlee's messed up personality rubbed me the wrong way, enough that I could not enjoy any Supernatural references.
But as fidgety as it made me, the writing and the weirdly enchanting voice of the heroine made it impossible to drop the book. I just had to keep reading, like it or not.
For:
+ Reverse Harem and contemporary YA lovers
+ People that like angst and plot free books
You should also like:
+ Introductions
+ Love Is Not Lost
Trigger warnings: Bullying, mention of suicide attempt, mental issues
Let's not sugarcoat: I did not like it.
But to be honest, I would not be able to tell you why exactly. The book made me uncomfortable in more than one way; it might have hit too close to home. Starlee's messed up personality rubbed me the wrong way, enough that I could not enjoy any Supernatural references.
But as fidgety as it made me, the writing and the weirdly enchanting voice of the heroine made it impossible to drop the book. I just had to keep reading, like it or not.
For:
+ Reverse Harem and contemporary YA lovers
+ People that like angst and plot free books
You should also like:
+ Introductions
+ Love Is Not Lost
Trigger warnings: Bullying, mention of suicide attempt, mental issues
August 23, 2021
I began reading this book (borrowed with Prime Reading) because I liked the cover and title. Little did I know that one of the reasons I liked the title would actually remain prevalent throughout the book. So, yes, Supernatural Fans... Wayward Sons is a reference to the show's theme song! There are more Supernatural gems to be found in the book as well.
As much as I loved and enjoyed the references and all, the main part of this book that I loved was the idea of finding your family, your circle. I don't agree with everything the mom in this story has done, and I think it's amazing that Starlee was able to find a connection with other teens who were feeling just as lost as she was. I really loved the grandmother in the story as well and how she was able to see things from both Starlee's and her mother's side and sort of be a buffer of sorts.
At the end, there's sort of a cliffhanger, so be aware of that. I'm actually very intrigued and can't wait to see what's going to happen next.
As much as I loved and enjoyed the references and all, the main part of this book that I loved was the idea of finding your family, your circle. I don't agree with everything the mom in this story has done, and I think it's amazing that Starlee was able to find a connection with other teens who were feeling just as lost as she was. I really loved the grandmother in the story as well and how she was able to see things from both Starlee's and her mother's side and sort of be a buffer of sorts.
At the end, there's sort of a cliffhanger, so be aware of that. I'm actually very intrigued and can't wait to see what's going to happen next.
May 5, 2023
The narrator was a good choice for the FMC - she really captured her whole vibe. Unfortunately, the vibe was bothersome to me. I get there are people in the world who really struggle with anxiety and I suspect most people have dealt with anxiety at some point in their lives…. But, I discovered I don’t want to read about it. Even with the personal development and growth, which I love seeing- it was a slog to get through this book. It wasn’t a DNF but I did have to skip through a lot to get to the end.
Maybe the book would have been more bearable if the author had done multiple POVs. We would have been able to get more insight into the guys and why they were ok sharing and what was going on with them. And, it would have broken up the anxious minutiae constantly running through the FMCs mind.
Maybe the book would have been more bearable if the author had done multiple POVs. We would have been able to get more insight into the guys and why they were ok sharing and what was going on with them. And, it would have broken up the anxious minutiae constantly running through the FMCs mind.
January 12, 2019
This is a beautifully executed young adult reverse harem romance. The writer hooked me from the start and kept me gripped to the end leaving me desperately awaiting book two.
The characters are absolutely amazing, they all have their own problems and issues but they are written with sensitivity and compassion and they all integrate so well. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I am not going to comment any further other than to say this is one of my favourites by this writer and in general, I will be reading this again and again and I highly recommend this book to all
The characters are absolutely amazing, they all have their own problems and issues but they are written with sensitivity and compassion and they all integrate so well. I don’t want to give any spoilers so I am not going to comment any further other than to say this is one of my favourites by this writer and in general, I will be reading this again and again and I highly recommend this book to all
November 17, 2018
Need more!!!
Oh man I just devoured this book. There’s so many things to love about it. For one, the amount of Supernatural references are great! The Wayward Sun sounds like such an amazing place. Starlee, while odd and reclusive is someone you just instantly feel connected to. The guys all have their tragic pasts and are all unique in their own way. They way they all come together as family is so heartwarming. I loved every second of this book and I can’t wait for the next one to find out what happens.
Oh man I just devoured this book. There’s so many things to love about it. For one, the amount of Supernatural references are great! The Wayward Sun sounds like such an amazing place. Starlee, while odd and reclusive is someone you just instantly feel connected to. The guys all have their tragic pasts and are all unique in their own way. They way they all come together as family is so heartwarming. I loved every second of this book and I can’t wait for the next one to find out what happens.
March 8, 2023
I can’t do it anymore. Starlee is so annoying. There was not one interaction where she didn’t tell the guys that she’s not like other girls since she’s broken. Also for a girl with severe social anxiety (which btw didn’t really have any impact on me because we were told instead of shown) she shouldn’t have felt comfortable with kissing 4 boys blindfolded and then have sex with them two chapters later? It doesn’t make sense.
November 2, 2018
I liked the characters, and I like Angels writing style.
August 1, 2023
Why did you read this book?
I like RH romances and this one had decent ratings.
What format did you read this book in?
Read it as an ebook on Kindle.
Is this an educational book or a book for entertainment?
I read this book for pure entertainment purposes.
What genres do you think this book belongs to?
Contemporary, Psychology, Romance, Young Adult
What was your favorite part in the book?
I wouldn’t say I have a favorite part, but I do like that the MC has mental health problems. In this story, the MC suffers from crippling anxiety and depression. I wish more authors would write about heroines with mental or physical issues. It makes them more relatable.
Who would you suggest this book to?
Anyone who like RH, romance, mental-health subjects, and drama.
What is your general opinion/ rating of this book?
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I love it when authors add flawed MC to their plots. In this book, the MC suffers from crippling anxiety, and she is slowly trying to overcome it. I feel bad for the bullying that she suffered in middle school, which almost caused her to die by suicide. I really like that the MC and the love interests don’t instantly fall in love with each other. (Sure, they are instantly attracted to each other, but they don’t just instantly start dating.) The author does a great job developing the romance between the characters. All that being said, for some reason, I couldn’t get into the book. I think my problem comes from the MC. There were times I felt badly for her, then times I was frustrated with how she acted. Considering a group of men are her trigger… she seems to get over that for the love interest quickly, a little too quickly, in my opinion. I think my main issue is that this book seems oriented toward YA, and I am an adult. Their problems seem so easy to handle or not a big deal to me. Overall, this was an excellent book. It just wasn’t the book oriented toward my tastes.
How intense are the intimacy scenes?
Not intense at all. There are no detailed intimacy scenes. When the MC looses her virginity the scene fades to black before any details are discussed.
At what “burn” level is the romance?
Slow burn.
Love interests, how many of them are there and what gender?
There are four love interests, all males, and all troubled teens.
Jake- the large Jock.
Charlie- the smart computer nerd.
Dexter- He is on probation because of his violence and bad past.
George- The nice one and the artist? (Not going to lie compared to the others, my mind glossed over George.)
EXTRA
Any trigger warnings?
Mental Health: Suicide, Suicide Idealization, Self-Harm, Cutting, Scars, Trivializing Mental Illness, Romanticized Mental Illness, PTSD, Emotional Abuse, Controlling Parents, Panic Attacks, Trauma, Confrontation Abuser, Nightmares about Traumatic Events, Non-consent behavior
Disabilities: Locking up MH Patient against their will
Violence and Death: Death, Death of a Loved One, Threatening Child, Violence against Children, Child Abuse, Physical Abuse, Domestic Abuse, Escalating Violence
Other: Slut Shaming, Body Shaming, Female Oppression, Bullying, Profanity
I like RH romances and this one had decent ratings.
What format did you read this book in?
Read it as an ebook on Kindle.
Is this an educational book or a book for entertainment?
I read this book for pure entertainment purposes.
What genres do you think this book belongs to?
Contemporary, Psychology, Romance, Young Adult
What was your favorite part in the book?
I wouldn’t say I have a favorite part, but I do like that the MC has mental health problems. In this story, the MC suffers from crippling anxiety and depression. I wish more authors would write about heroines with mental or physical issues. It makes them more relatable.
Who would you suggest this book to?
Anyone who like RH, romance, mental-health subjects, and drama.
What is your general opinion/ rating of this book?
I wanted to like this book more than I did. I love it when authors add flawed MC to their plots. In this book, the MC suffers from crippling anxiety, and she is slowly trying to overcome it. I feel bad for the bullying that she suffered in middle school, which almost caused her to die by suicide. I really like that the MC and the love interests don’t instantly fall in love with each other. (Sure, they are instantly attracted to each other, but they don’t just instantly start dating.) The author does a great job developing the romance between the characters. All that being said, for some reason, I couldn’t get into the book. I think my problem comes from the MC. There were times I felt badly for her, then times I was frustrated with how she acted. Considering a group of men are her trigger… she seems to get over that for the love interest quickly, a little too quickly, in my opinion. I think my main issue is that this book seems oriented toward YA, and I am an adult. Their problems seem so easy to handle or not a big deal to me. Overall, this was an excellent book. It just wasn’t the book oriented toward my tastes.
How intense are the intimacy scenes?
Not intense at all. There are no detailed intimacy scenes. When the MC looses her virginity the scene fades to black before any details are discussed.
At what “burn” level is the romance?
Slow burn.
Love interests, how many of them are there and what gender?
There are four love interests, all males, and all troubled teens.
Jake- the large Jock.
Charlie- the smart computer nerd.
Dexter- He is on probation because of his violence and bad past.
George- The nice one and the artist? (Not going to lie compared to the others, my mind glossed over George.)
EXTRA
Any trigger warnings?
Mental Health: Suicide, Suicide Idealization, Self-Harm, Cutting, Scars, Trivializing Mental Illness, Romanticized Mental Illness, PTSD, Emotional Abuse, Controlling Parents, Panic Attacks, Trauma, Confrontation Abuser, Nightmares about Traumatic Events, Non-consent behavior
Disabilities: Locking up MH Patient against their will
Violence and Death: Death, Death of a Loved One, Threatening Child, Violence against Children, Child Abuse, Physical Abuse, Domestic Abuse, Escalating Violence
Other: Slut Shaming, Body Shaming, Female Oppression, Bullying, Profanity
November 26, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Tropes:
💫 Coming of age
💫 Friends to lovers
💫 Anxiety rep
💫 ADHD rep
💫 Dyslexia rep
💫 Temper issue rep
💫 Found family
Starlee’s Heart took me by surprise in a way I wasn’t expecting. I picked it up thinking it would be a simple contemporary… and somewhere along the way, the story slipped under my skin. Not because of twists or dramatic reveals, but because it feels deeply human. It’s emotional without reaching for attention, tender without exaggeration, and honest in a way that makes you pause and truly sit with these characters.
Starlee is the quiet center of this book. Her anxiety and uncertainty are written with a clarity that feels almost intimate, like you’re sharing space with her thoughts. She wants to be brave but she’s afraid. She wants connection but doesn’t know how to ask for it. What I loved most is how her strength grows in small, deliberate steps — no grand speeches, just choices that slowly build into something meaningful. I kept thinking, she deserves every single moment of this growth, and I genuinely found myself rooting for her 💖
And then there are the boys — the part where the story truly expands. You come in expecting familiar archetypes and instead discover layers you didn’t see coming:
• A jock carrying dyslexia and the weight of everyone’s expectations.
• A grieving “boy with an edge” who quietly bakes because emotions are harder than recipes.
• A gamer who retreats into screens because the real world feels too sharp.
• A hyper-focused artist with ADHD and a past that still clings to him.
Each of them is hurting in a different way, and that shared vulnerability makes them gentle with Starlee. Their support feels steady, patient, and earned. This is the kind of friends-to-lovers dynamic that works because the foundation is real before the romance ever begins.
The pacing is subtle and emotional. You don’t fully notice the attachment forming until it’s suddenly there — warm, soft, and deeply rooted. I finished the final page already reaching for book two because I wasn’t ready to leave these characters behind.
Tropes:
💫 Coming of age
💫 Friends to lovers
💫 Anxiety rep
💫 ADHD rep
💫 Dyslexia rep
💫 Temper issue rep
💫 Found family
Starlee’s Heart took me by surprise in a way I wasn’t expecting. I picked it up thinking it would be a simple contemporary… and somewhere along the way, the story slipped under my skin. Not because of twists or dramatic reveals, but because it feels deeply human. It’s emotional without reaching for attention, tender without exaggeration, and honest in a way that makes you pause and truly sit with these characters.
Starlee is the quiet center of this book. Her anxiety and uncertainty are written with a clarity that feels almost intimate, like you’re sharing space with her thoughts. She wants to be brave but she’s afraid. She wants connection but doesn’t know how to ask for it. What I loved most is how her strength grows in small, deliberate steps — no grand speeches, just choices that slowly build into something meaningful. I kept thinking, she deserves every single moment of this growth, and I genuinely found myself rooting for her 💖
And then there are the boys — the part where the story truly expands. You come in expecting familiar archetypes and instead discover layers you didn’t see coming:
• A jock carrying dyslexia and the weight of everyone’s expectations.
• A grieving “boy with an edge” who quietly bakes because emotions are harder than recipes.
• A gamer who retreats into screens because the real world feels too sharp.
• A hyper-focused artist with ADHD and a past that still clings to him.
Each of them is hurting in a different way, and that shared vulnerability makes them gentle with Starlee. Their support feels steady, patient, and earned. This is the kind of friends-to-lovers dynamic that works because the foundation is real before the romance ever begins.
The pacing is subtle and emotional. You don’t fully notice the attachment forming until it’s suddenly there — warm, soft, and deeply rooted. I finished the final page already reaching for book two because I wasn’t ready to leave these characters behind.
December 4, 2020
Starlee’s Heart is the first book in The Wayward Sons series by Angel Lawson.
This is such a cutesy RH. It’s centered around outsiders finding their niche, finding a family made from loyalty and not blood. In this genre the male leads can be a little heavy handed; tending towards more possessive and alpha male, which is not the case for these four. They’re all very kind from the start. They don’t bluster or antagonize the heroine. It was an intriguing take on this genre.
Starlee has lived a very shelter life since her fight with depression and bullying when she was younger. She feels stifled under her mother’s guardianship. It was truly joyful to experience her blossoming personality after living with Leelee. She’s so genuine even with her social ineptitude, or maybe because of it. There are so many things in life she’s yet to experience. The one thing I know for sure: she’s loyal.
The boys:
Charlie is the nerdy, e-sports champion, computer geek. His a little socially awkward but he has such a good heart and innate kindness.
George is a mile a minute talker, with a well of kindness that runs deep. His ADHD tends to lead him towards clumsiness and impulsivity. He’s an amazing artist as well.
(What RH doesn’t have twins?)
Jake is the ‘All-American’ football player/boy next door type. Or at least up to this point he seems to fill this role.
Dexter is a little rough around the edges, but he’s a secret sweetheart. With amazing pies and lip ring to match the juxtaposition of his complicated personality.
I can’t wait to watch this group grow. And perhaps see how Starlee handles going to high school? While dating the guys? If she’ll be able to survive the drama and the name calling that with most likely arise? I’m just excited to get to know them each better, and be with them as their relationships grow.
This is such a cutesy RH. It’s centered around outsiders finding their niche, finding a family made from loyalty and not blood. In this genre the male leads can be a little heavy handed; tending towards more possessive and alpha male, which is not the case for these four. They’re all very kind from the start. They don’t bluster or antagonize the heroine. It was an intriguing take on this genre.
Starlee has lived a very shelter life since her fight with depression and bullying when she was younger. She feels stifled under her mother’s guardianship. It was truly joyful to experience her blossoming personality after living with Leelee. She’s so genuine even with her social ineptitude, or maybe because of it. There are so many things in life she’s yet to experience. The one thing I know for sure: she’s loyal.
The boys:
Charlie is the nerdy, e-sports champion, computer geek. His a little socially awkward but he has such a good heart and innate kindness.
George is a mile a minute talker, with a well of kindness that runs deep. His ADHD tends to lead him towards clumsiness and impulsivity. He’s an amazing artist as well.
(What RH doesn’t have twins?)
Jake is the ‘All-American’ football player/boy next door type. Or at least up to this point he seems to fill this role.
Dexter is a little rough around the edges, but he’s a secret sweetheart. With amazing pies and lip ring to match the juxtaposition of his complicated personality.
I can’t wait to watch this group grow. And perhaps see how Starlee handles going to high school? While dating the guys? If she’ll be able to survive the drama and the name calling that with most likely arise? I’m just excited to get to know them each better, and be with them as their relationships grow.
April 25, 2024
Defintly YA book.
Well it's definelty a YA book. I dont care for those really. Kinda boring. But on the other hand it's not so bad either. I however thought that Starlee the 4th lol is really rude to her mom. I get she was suffocating her i do. But Mayne she should of asked her mom why. I have a feeling something happened to her and when stuff happened to her daughter it triggered something awful. But nobody seems to understand or want to know why. They never ask why someone who was so free venturous would all asudden change. And honestly she has proven over again she can't be trusted and it gives her mom the reason for why she acts the way she does. She never once asked her mom to slowly entwine her in society either. She is just as much to blame as her mother and the grandmother isn't helping either. They should of all sat down and talked and I mean really talked and not leave til it's all on the table. Her mom was just trying to be nice to her on her 18th birthday and she was so mean and disrespectful toward mom. And it came out of nowhere. I'm all for her getting her freedom but she did it the wrong way. She wants to be an adult but she doesn't act like one. The boys as much as they helped her out and vise versa are also trouble. But I do like the boys and think with them all being together balances everything out too. So if you like YA this is a good book about finding your voice finding freedom and finding yourself. And along the lines finding love.
Well it's definelty a YA book. I dont care for those really. Kinda boring. But on the other hand it's not so bad either. I however thought that Starlee the 4th lol is really rude to her mom. I get she was suffocating her i do. But Mayne she should of asked her mom why. I have a feeling something happened to her and when stuff happened to her daughter it triggered something awful. But nobody seems to understand or want to know why. They never ask why someone who was so free venturous would all asudden change. And honestly she has proven over again she can't be trusted and it gives her mom the reason for why she acts the way she does. She never once asked her mom to slowly entwine her in society either. She is just as much to blame as her mother and the grandmother isn't helping either. They should of all sat down and talked and I mean really talked and not leave til it's all on the table. Her mom was just trying to be nice to her on her 18th birthday and she was so mean and disrespectful toward mom. And it came out of nowhere. I'm all for her getting her freedom but she did it the wrong way. She wants to be an adult but she doesn't act like one. The boys as much as they helped her out and vise versa are also trouble. But I do like the boys and think with them all being together balances everything out too. So if you like YA this is a good book about finding your voice finding freedom and finding yourself. And along the lines finding love.
January 12, 2019
Loved it - Kindle unlimited
Ok.. I loved this book, from beginning to end! I’ve fallen hard into the RH niche, but I tend to shy away from contemporary offerings, preferring the paranormal or urban fantasy RH’s that are flooding the market. Add in the fact that this is a YA/NA novel and it really, really doesn’t seem like something I would read. But I saw it on a thread and bit... and I am so glad I did! Our FMC is damaged, but it’s the kind of internal angst and sorrow that can feel far too relatable. In desperation, her mother sends her to the one place SHE always felt safe growing up, Lee Vines. Small, docile and perfectly harmless, the hamlet is the seemingly best place to shelter an over-sheltered 17 year old girl who is scared of her own shadow. What her mother never counted on was the handsome quartet of misguided, yet warm souled, boys next door. It’s a match made in heaven, and somehow these five find a way to start healing, together.
Pros:
- Supernatural! Supernatural! Supernatural! It’s awash with references and mentions... and they are perfect.
- character development: all of them.
- great editing
- just the right amount of teenage, pound your great, tension
Cons:
- nope... loved it.
- wait: one, her mom. But she’s not really a negative or a con, just her own sort of lost, doing the best she can.
Ok.. I loved this book, from beginning to end! I’ve fallen hard into the RH niche, but I tend to shy away from contemporary offerings, preferring the paranormal or urban fantasy RH’s that are flooding the market. Add in the fact that this is a YA/NA novel and it really, really doesn’t seem like something I would read. But I saw it on a thread and bit... and I am so glad I did! Our FMC is damaged, but it’s the kind of internal angst and sorrow that can feel far too relatable. In desperation, her mother sends her to the one place SHE always felt safe growing up, Lee Vines. Small, docile and perfectly harmless, the hamlet is the seemingly best place to shelter an over-sheltered 17 year old girl who is scared of her own shadow. What her mother never counted on was the handsome quartet of misguided, yet warm souled, boys next door. It’s a match made in heaven, and somehow these five find a way to start healing, together.
Pros:
- Supernatural! Supernatural! Supernatural! It’s awash with references and mentions... and they are perfect.
- character development: all of them.
- great editing
- just the right amount of teenage, pound your great, tension
Cons:
- nope... loved it.
- wait: one, her mom. But she’s not really a negative or a con, just her own sort of lost, doing the best she can.
February 8, 2019
Okay
This was a pretty good contemporary. I like how all the characters had histories and none of them were neurotypical.
What I didn’t really care for was the feeling that came towards the end (even the beginning of book 2 I didn’t get past 20ish %) it was like ‘love ‘fixes’ you’ a lot of the signs for the characters different disorders kind of got swept away. I do say this as someone who is not neurotypical and has a few disorders of their own. Love is fantastic but it won’t make someone with ADHD suddenly settle and be able to pay attention all the time, or some with severe anxiety not have an attack that sets them back a couple steps every now and then. I know this is nit picky but it was of such import for the set up of the story and then it kinda went to the wayside.
I’m also not a fan of books that follow a very formulaic hill pattern, ‘angst-resolution-more angst-yay-omg the mother-load of angst- HEA’ which is what it seemed this series was leading to.
So while book 1 was enjoyable I don’t think I’ll carry on (😏 catch that reference there) buuuut if you do like formulaic feeling angsty contemporary Rh (i know that is some people’s cup of tea) then I think you’ll really enjoy these.
This was a pretty good contemporary. I like how all the characters had histories and none of them were neurotypical.
What I didn’t really care for was the feeling that came towards the end (even the beginning of book 2 I didn’t get past 20ish %) it was like ‘love ‘fixes’ you’ a lot of the signs for the characters different disorders kind of got swept away. I do say this as someone who is not neurotypical and has a few disorders of their own. Love is fantastic but it won’t make someone with ADHD suddenly settle and be able to pay attention all the time, or some with severe anxiety not have an attack that sets them back a couple steps every now and then. I know this is nit picky but it was of such import for the set up of the story and then it kinda went to the wayside.
I’m also not a fan of books that follow a very formulaic hill pattern, ‘angst-resolution-more angst-yay-omg the mother-load of angst- HEA’ which is what it seemed this series was leading to.
So while book 1 was enjoyable I don’t think I’ll carry on (😏 catch that reference there) buuuut if you do like formulaic feeling angsty contemporary Rh (i know that is some people’s cup of tea) then I think you’ll really enjoy these.
November 24, 2018
Freaking LOVED this book!!!! Read it in a day!!! Starlee being a girl who has anxiety and social problems, partly from her past and partly from how her mother handles things, being homeschooled and not allowed to have friends or go anywhere, or even watch tv. Anyway she is sent to live with her grandmother for the summer in the middle of nowhere. But it just happens that there are four really good looking boys living next door and they have their eye on Starlee, and she on them. Dexter, Jake, Charlie and George. Oh yeah and the show Supernatural is talked about throughout the book, which is interesting. I’ve never seen it, but it’s peeked my interest!
OMG...I haven’t enjoyed a RH Romance this much since Siobhan Davis’ Alinthia’s Series. If you like that I think you’ll enjoy this, minus the sci-fi! I CAN’T WAIT FOR BOOK TWO!!!!!!! This one is definitely a favorite of 2018!!!
10++++ STARS!!!!!!
OMG...I haven’t enjoyed a RH Romance this much since Siobhan Davis’ Alinthia’s Series. If you like that I think you’ll enjoy this, minus the sci-fi! I CAN’T WAIT FOR BOOK TWO!!!!!!! This one is definitely a favorite of 2018!!!
10++++ STARS!!!!!!
January 8, 2019
Conflicted
If there were half stars this read would be 3.5 for me. I absolutely loved the beginning through the middle. The character building was stellar and I was enjoying the relationship building. The secondary characters were great additions and the setting interesting. What lessened my enjoyment has to do with my personal preferences. I am going to be vague because I don't want to spoil the book. I expect certain reactions, conflicts etc when it comes to deciding to engage in a polyamorous relationship. Frankly, it is why I don't often read adult, contemporary RH. Usually with YA RH there is so much relationship building that my issues don't come into play. The decision then feels like a natural progression since they are, more often than not, slow burn. Overall, I am glad that kept reading and would recommend this book especially since I doubt that my issue is common.
If there were half stars this read would be 3.5 for me. I absolutely loved the beginning through the middle. The character building was stellar and I was enjoying the relationship building. The secondary characters were great additions and the setting interesting. What lessened my enjoyment has to do with my personal preferences. I am going to be vague because I don't want to spoil the book. I expect certain reactions, conflicts etc when it comes to deciding to engage in a polyamorous relationship. Frankly, it is why I don't often read adult, contemporary RH. Usually with YA RH there is so much relationship building that my issues don't come into play. The decision then feels like a natural progression since they are, more often than not, slow burn. Overall, I am glad that kept reading and would recommend this book especially since I doubt that my issue is common.
May 1, 2022
This book was just okay. The story was definitely interesting (and I think I enjoyed it so much because it was strictly contemporary with no hidden paranormal plot popping up) and I thought the main characters were well-written. I think my issue with the series as a whole was that the adult characters were really poorly written, and a lot of the plot development was driven by the adults making very un-adult-like decisions. Is it believable that a bunch of 17 year olds make bad decisions? Absolutely. But every single 40+ adult making completely unreasonable decisions? Not so much. The book is also desperately in need of a good edit--too many sunrise/sunset, Mrs/Ms, Growley/Crowley, Sarah/Sara, Leelee/LeeLee etc. moments were really jarring as a reader. I finished the series, but I was really skimming by the end.
November 1, 2018
Real problems real life
Reading about Starlee and how some children still get bullied and the reactions of the parents or non reaction this book highlights the damage your decisions make even if you don't think they will. Not only is Star damaged but her wonderful harem of guys have all done things that have shaped the way for them to become more.
I found myself drawn to the guys that got in trouble and working to repair the damage done by them with the support of each other. It also makes me sad that in real life not everyone meets great friends or have people that they can lean on.
If you want a book that makes you feel, makes you want to be that person that helps others, or how one second one meeting one breath one decision can change your life read this book
Reading about Starlee and how some children still get bullied and the reactions of the parents or non reaction this book highlights the damage your decisions make even if you don't think they will. Not only is Star damaged but her wonderful harem of guys have all done things that have shaped the way for them to become more.
I found myself drawn to the guys that got in trouble and working to repair the damage done by them with the support of each other. It also makes me sad that in real life not everyone meets great friends or have people that they can lean on.
If you want a book that makes you feel, makes you want to be that person that helps others, or how one second one meeting one breath one decision can change your life read this book
November 19, 2018
This is probably one of my favorite Angel Lawson stories to date.
And I've liked the majority of her stuff.
Contemporary RH's seem to becoming a major hit right now and Angel knows how to write them.
Starlee has grown up isolated away from everything but her mother.
But for good reason.
Her anxiety made her fearful of her classmates.
I feel like a trigger warning should be attached to this book.
Nothing overly bad happens, or goes into detail.
But it does deal with some violence and self-harm.
If those are triggers for you, be prepared.
Overall, this was a fantastic read and I can't wait to see what happens next.
It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but not too terribly bad.
I highly recommend reading it.
And I've liked the majority of her stuff.
Contemporary RH's seem to becoming a major hit right now and Angel knows how to write them.
Starlee has grown up isolated away from everything but her mother.
But for good reason.
Her anxiety made her fearful of her classmates.
I feel like a trigger warning should be attached to this book.
Nothing overly bad happens, or goes into detail.
But it does deal with some violence and self-harm.
If those are triggers for you, be prepared.
Overall, this was a fantastic read and I can't wait to see what happens next.
It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger, but not too terribly bad.
I highly recommend reading it.
January 17, 2020
I don't know how I got involved with reverse harem but my very first series was by C.L. Stone. My husband came across this author and the covers looked clean but never knew what I got myself into. Let's just say that I got hooked and needed more! I have read 100's of books and blogging for authors for years!
I fell across this author and series. I was hooked once again! I fell in love with Starlee and her Wayward boys, Dexter, Jake, George, and Charlie! I couldn't get enough and loved how it concluded with years later to give us an awesome conclusion to the series! Book five will be Dexter's sister, Sierra's book, and fixing to dive into that one next!
I loved Sierra and her Supernatural series addiction with several references and names dropped in this series as well!
I fell across this author and series. I was hooked once again! I fell in love with Starlee and her Wayward boys, Dexter, Jake, George, and Charlie! I couldn't get enough and loved how it concluded with years later to give us an awesome conclusion to the series! Book five will be Dexter's sister, Sierra's book, and fixing to dive into that one next!
I loved Sierra and her Supernatural series addiction with several references and names dropped in this series as well!
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