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Paper Stars #2
Hiro Loves Kite
We offer our wounds and scars. Understanding that’s part of what makes us beautiful.
Nora finally has her beloved sister Frankie back but that’s just the beginning of their struggles. She must now become Kite. A stronger, more independent version of herself. A King. A guardian.
And Kettle has Kite’s heart. She gives it freely. But as he holds it, dear and close like a lost treasure, something holds him back: A feeling that he doesn’t deserve good things. A looming shadow that threatens to separate them. Kettle must accept that he is also Hiro: A Japanese American with every right to happiness and freedom.
Because Hiro loves Kite. And Kite won’t wait forever for him to tell her.
But they’re standing on icy ground. As the leverage they had on Kite’s abusive father wavers and life on the street affects Frankie’s health, the challenges threaten to break their bond.
Snow is gathering at the station doors and doubts are piling high. They must rely on each other. Believe in the magic that got them this far. If they don’t, it’s not just their future in jeopardy but the fates of all the street kids in their care. All the Kings.
Nora finally has her beloved sister Frankie back but that’s just the beginning of their struggles. She must now become Kite. A stronger, more independent version of herself. A King. A guardian.
And Kettle has Kite’s heart. She gives it freely. But as he holds it, dear and close like a lost treasure, something holds him back: A feeling that he doesn’t deserve good things. A looming shadow that threatens to separate them. Kettle must accept that he is also Hiro: A Japanese American with every right to happiness and freedom.
Because Hiro loves Kite. And Kite won’t wait forever for him to tell her.
But they’re standing on icy ground. As the leverage they had on Kite’s abusive father wavers and life on the street affects Frankie’s health, the challenges threaten to break their bond.
Snow is gathering at the station doors and doubts are piling high. They must rely on each other. Believe in the magic that got them this far. If they don’t, it’s not just their future in jeopardy but the fates of all the street kids in their care. All the Kings.
300 pages, Paperback
First published September 17, 2018
17 people are currently reading
386 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Nicolle Taylor
16 books456 followersLauren Nicolle Taylor is the bestselling author of THE WOODLANDS SERIES and the award-winning YA novel NORA & KETTLE (Gold medal Winner for Multicultural fiction, Independent Publishers Book Awards 2017), which is the first book in the acclaimed PAPER STARS SERIES.
She has a Health Science degree and an honors degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
A full time writer and artist, Lauren recently moved to Canada with her husband and three children for a new adventure. She recently signed a three book deal for her YA fantasy series and can't wait to share it with you.
She is a proud hapa and draws on her multicultural background in all of her novels.
She has a Health Science degree and an honors degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
A full time writer and artist, Lauren recently moved to Canada with her husband and three children for a new adventure. She recently signed a three book deal for her YA fantasy series and can't wait to share it with you.
She is a proud hapa and draws on her multicultural background in all of her novels.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 27, 2018
First off let me say I loved the first book. This book blew me out of the water by how amasing it was, there is truth in the feelings of the book and characters. And I feel in love with all of them. The emotions it caused me so expierence were amazing and this was equally as good as the first. I was sad when I was finished with this book because I never wanted this story to end!
September 10, 2018
Such a beautiful book! I loved seeing Kettle (now Hiro) and Kite again. I loved that we found out what Kettle's real name was. The writing is so exquisite and the characters are wonderful. I will say that it was a little slow in parts and took me a while to really get into it. But towards the end, I could not put it down. Great conclusion to their story!
May 9, 2018
Hiro loves Kite. He really does.
There is so much I want to say, but I don't think there is a word in existence that accurately captures the magic Lauren Nicolle Taylor has given us in this enchanting chapter of Nora and Hiro's tale. It's a beautifully woven depiction of family and friendship. Each word is weighted with all of the uncertainty, sadness, hope, and love these characters feel so well, that I was transported. An invisible outsider getting a secret look into their tumultuous lives. I felt everything for them and with them.
I don't want to give away a single tidbit of this incredible work. What I can say is this; if you liked Nora and Kettle, you'll love Hiro Loves Kite. It is perfection in every sense of the word.
There is so much I want to say, but I don't think there is a word in existence that accurately captures the magic Lauren Nicolle Taylor has given us in this enchanting chapter of Nora and Hiro's tale. It's a beautifully woven depiction of family and friendship. Each word is weighted with all of the uncertainty, sadness, hope, and love these characters feel so well, that I was transported. An invisible outsider getting a secret look into their tumultuous lives. I felt everything for them and with them.
I don't want to give away a single tidbit of this incredible work. What I can say is this; if you liked Nora and Kettle, you'll love Hiro Loves Kite. It is perfection in every sense of the word.
May 6, 2018
What can I say about Author Lauren Nicolle Taylor's new book Hiro Loves Kite? It's absolutely positively fantabulous!!!!! I absolutely love the evolvement of Nora and Kettle into Hiro and Kite. I could absolutely now see them as Hiro and Kite! I have no negatives to say about this book. It kept my attention the entire time and I loved how the story ended. It is so hard to say much without giving spoilers away!!! You just have to read it for yourself to experience Lauren Taylor at her best with her unique writing style!!
September 1, 2018
Loved every minute
Nora and Kettle seemed like a hard book to follow, but this sequel does that and more. I would love to see their story continue!
Nora and Kettle seemed like a hard book to follow, but this sequel does that and more. I would love to see their story continue!
October 3, 2018
This book has so much sadness in it, yet they never ever really lose hope. It's hard to hold onto, but when you try your best to see the good things, you might be able to leave the bad things behind.
May 16, 2018
I loved this book. I could so easily feel the characters. What a whirlwind this second book is. I experienced so many emotions reading this beautiful story. There were scars and healing, joy and sadness. The way the relationships develop is breathtaking. Thank you for taking me on another journey with Hiro and Kite, and Krickett too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 27, 2018
This was amazing! I was immediately sucked in. I cried. My heart exploded. I couldn't put it down. It was a fantastic book!
October 6, 2018
I really enjoyed the first story and the 3rd, but had missed the second. I finally had a chance and was once again quickly pulled in by Hiro (Kettle), Nora (Kite), the Kings and Frankie. Beautifully written, these characters are endearing and I was sad to have their stories end.
December 17, 2024
Last year I absolutely loved Nora & Kettle, which is a very subtle Peter Pan retelling, told within the meeting and beginning of a love story between Nora, a young girl fleeing her abusive father, and Kettle, a Japanese-American boy living on the street with his gang of lost boys, the Kings. Hiro Loves Kite picks up after Nora and Kettle manage to best Nora’s father, and save Nora’s sister from his grip. They’ll try to survive the winter on the street, as Nora and Kettle struggle with who they are, and their feelings for each other.
This volume is much more focused on the characterisation and the romance compared to the first one. There’s still a lot of the plot centred around the way the Kings will survive the cold weather and the hunger, but it’s a bit more in the background. This causes a bit less angst in our reading. I genuinely think that the romance between Nora and Kettle (or, how we learn to call them, Hiro and Kite) is so pure and so innocent, they bring an undeniable lightness to the whole story. It's a little bit of hurt but a lot of comfort.
The writing is as beautiful as it was in the first book. There’s something so poetic about it, where every sentence transports you to a beautiful fairytale. Even in the darkness of the subway where the Kings live, the atmosphere is so well described it’s easy to recognise the coziness of the scene. It’s genuinely unlike any other book I’ve ever read.
The Peter Pan elements are still little easter eggs thrown here and there, some more obvious than others, but it was so fun to try to find them all. In the same way as the first book, the parallels are definitely more noticeable in the characters. It’s like a sequel of Barrie’s story, where Peter decides to grow up, and Wendy and him both learn what it’s like to let go of their childhood. And it’s beautifully accurate.
The romance was unbelievably sweet. It still has the childlike undertone we got used to after their meeting, but they’re forced to have a maturity due to the circumstances around the both of them. It’s such a joy to follow them as they get rid of the barricades they put around themselves, and they start to fall in love. There’s something so pure about them, as they’re truly ready to do anything to be with the other, no matter the obstacles in their way.
The romance always works really well with their character development, as them allowing themselves to fall in love with the other parallels their growth regarding their personal situation. Hiro slowly learns to embrace his origins and not see them as a flaw, as shown as him taking his birth name again. He has a lot of work to do in order to learn he’s worthy of being loved, so of course Kite giving all of her love to him so easily will challenge him in the best of way. Kite learns to let go of her past, as her lets go her past name, and to be taken by Hiro’s spontaneity. Her father doesn’t define who she is, and she can build anew again. They both support each other so easily, it’s very much inspiring.
The ending is very satisfying after these two books. They finally get the beautiful conclusion they both deserve, and it ends both of their characters arcs in the best of way. I absolutely loved this duology, and it brought me the magic of Peter Pan in a very different setting, and it owns a very big part of my heart.
We hold hands. They lock together, and maybe our feet lift a little. Like there's still magic left. Still stardust to squander.
This volume is much more focused on the characterisation and the romance compared to the first one. There’s still a lot of the plot centred around the way the Kings will survive the cold weather and the hunger, but it’s a bit more in the background. This causes a bit less angst in our reading. I genuinely think that the romance between Nora and Kettle (or, how we learn to call them, Hiro and Kite) is so pure and so innocent, they bring an undeniable lightness to the whole story. It's a little bit of hurt but a lot of comfort.
The writing is as beautiful as it was in the first book. There’s something so poetic about it, where every sentence transports you to a beautiful fairytale. Even in the darkness of the subway where the Kings live, the atmosphere is so well described it’s easy to recognise the coziness of the scene. It’s genuinely unlike any other book I’ve ever read.
I place a paper star on her knee. "For you, little Kricket." She stares down at it as it toddles on her jiggling knee, and then back up at me. "What is it?"
"It's a wish.”
She toys with it, treating it like it's fragile and may disintegrate at her touch. "A wish?"
I nod. "A wish I'm trying to find the will to make true."
She pokes at the corners.
I understand that love is like this. Folding yourself over and into another. Creasing and compromising until you've made something beautiful.
The Peter Pan elements are still little easter eggs thrown here and there, some more obvious than others, but it was so fun to try to find them all. In the same way as the first book, the parallels are definitely more noticeable in the characters. It’s like a sequel of Barrie’s story, where Peter decides to grow up, and Wendy and him both learn what it’s like to let go of their childhood. And it’s beautifully accurate.
The romance was unbelievably sweet. It still has the childlike undertone we got used to after their meeting, but they’re forced to have a maturity due to the circumstances around the both of them. It’s such a joy to follow them as they get rid of the barricades they put around themselves, and they start to fall in love. There’s something so pure about them, as they’re truly ready to do anything to be with the other, no matter the obstacles in their way.
I know that we're right where we're meant to be. Not holding each other together. Just holding each other.
We fall. We laugh. We open.
We are bridged and broken no longer.
The romance always works really well with their character development, as them allowing themselves to fall in love with the other parallels their growth regarding their personal situation. Hiro slowly learns to embrace his origins and not see them as a flaw, as shown as him taking his birth name again. He has a lot of work to do in order to learn he’s worthy of being loved, so of course Kite giving all of her love to him so easily will challenge him in the best of way. Kite learns to let go of her past, as her lets go her past name, and to be taken by Hiro’s spontaneity. Her father doesn’t define who she is, and she can build anew again. They both support each other so easily, it’s very much inspiring.
The ending is very satisfying after these two books. They finally get the beautiful conclusion they both deserve, and it ends both of their characters arcs in the best of way. I absolutely loved this duology, and it brought me the magic of Peter Pan in a very different setting, and it owns a very big part of my heart.
March 12, 2019
Umm... Looking back at my review for Nora & Kettle.... I literally predicted the ending. And yes, it brought me to tears. The whole book was a torrent of tears for me, and I'm sure this will be rambley/spoilery. There are no cons, except I wanted an epilogue (Hiro and Kite with an adopted baby of their own, perhaps reading it Peter Pan?) Greedy, I know. The author handled tough subjects (prejudice/poverty/child abuse) tenderly without tiptoeing; it wasn't gratuitous, nor was its brutality disguised beneath lyrical writing. I kept forgetting that this is an historical novel (set in the '50's) because the courtship of Hiro and Kite and its repercussions unfortunately still happen to mixed race couples today. Hiro really lives up to his name; even his refusal of Kite's marriage proposal stems from protection. My heart broke each time he said "no". And poor Kite... her dreams of having Hiro's baby are dashed before her very eyes. And to be stolen by her father in such a cruel fashion... then came the tears. The sprinklings of Peter Pan were simple and sweet (they saw the movie on their first date, Hiro calls Kite Wendy just to see if she'll answer, and their ragtag wedding, performed by Frankie and witnessed by the Kings was straight out of Neverland). Even before the wedding, the end was already satisfying, what with the Kings/Kite getting the brownstone and Kite's father getting arrested for her attempted murder. And Frankie getting to stand up for Kite was icing on the cake. I really hope this Paper Hearts series continues. I'd love to see other fairy tales get reworked and with Lauren Nicolle Taylor at the helm, it will be nothing short of breathtaking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 12, 2018
"With a sigh like the last of an autumn breeze, stripping the leaves from the tree and letting them dance down the sidewalk, I know I have to let some things go."
I'm not usually one for romance, but this was exquisite. Never mind the fact that it draws inspiration from one of my favourite stories of all time, it is outstanding all on its own. Hiro Loves Kite is a mesmerising continuation of their tale. I cannot get enough of Lauren Nicolle Taylor's writing, the poetic storytelling that weaves such darkness and beauty into every page.
I'm not usually one for romance, but this was exquisite. Never mind the fact that it draws inspiration from one of my favourite stories of all time, it is outstanding all on its own. Hiro Loves Kite is a mesmerising continuation of their tale. I cannot get enough of Lauren Nicolle Taylor's writing, the poetic storytelling that weaves such darkness and beauty into every page.
April 8, 2019
The story is Nora and Kettle continues, and I couldn’t wait to complete the story. It did not disappoint. Nora is now a King, Kite, and she comes to know Kettle, Hiro, more and more. The struggle for each of them continues as Hiro strives to protect his Kings and accept that he deserves good things in his life. Kite strives to protect her sister and escape their abusive father for good while also learn and adapt to what it means to be a King. The love all of these characters have for each other is lovely. This second installment of Hiro and Kite is just as sad as the first and is just as beautifully written. More please!
May 15, 2019
So happy to have finished Nora (Kite) and Hiro's (Kettle) story.
There story reminds me of, Kintsugi (金継ぎ, "golden joinery"), or Kintsukuroi (金繕い, "golden repair"), which is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. For these characters all the human imperfections, traumas, fears, the things that make a person feel broken or flawed are made beautiful and strengthen the spirit.
Love is always stronger than hate, and finding your happily ever after is possible.
There story reminds me of, Kintsugi (金継ぎ, "golden joinery"), or Kintsukuroi (金繕い, "golden repair"), which is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with lacquer dusted or mixed with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. For these characters all the human imperfections, traumas, fears, the things that make a person feel broken or flawed are made beautiful and strengthen the spirit.
Love is always stronger than hate, and finding your happily ever after is possible.
November 15, 2018
Unbelievable abuse and a loving heart
The story of Kite (Nora) and Kettle (Hiro) continues in this awful telling of horrific abuse and scars from years of abuse for both of them, Nora’s both mental and physical; Hiro’s more mental. How love grows and does conquer all is inspiring and heartwarming.
The story of Kite (Nora) and Kettle (Hiro) continues in this awful telling of horrific abuse and scars from years of abuse for both of them, Nora’s both mental and physical; Hiro’s more mental. How love grows and does conquer all is inspiring and heartwarming.
March 26, 2019
I must admit that I thought the first book was one of the best books I have ever read. I waited to read this one it did not let me down. The characters are beautifully crafted.The social situation of the the time is written with honesty and humanity. This book was harrowing in its cruelty and yet uplifting in its purity of love.A must read for everyone.
January 16, 2024
Such a beautiful conclusion to Kite and Hiro's story. It was heartwarming, heartbreaking, and at times stomach-turning. It does not gloss over the ugly parts of Kite's family life. But the warmth of her and Hiro's found-family made this a truly uplifting read. I'm sad it's over, but thoroughly enjoyed the journey.
February 17, 2020
I liked this book much better than the first, Kettle and Kite. The story picks up from the first one and continues to a good end. Again there are some historical errors, but the plot is much better.
October 14, 2018
Loved this book a little less than the first, but I felt like it ended Nora and Kettle’s story on a high note and I was more than satisfied with these books!
October 20, 2018
This book was such an easy, intriguing read I read it in less than 48 hours. Real, heart felt, excellent writing- what else could you ask for?
November 28, 2018
Hiro Loves Kite is... Beautiful. Fanciful. Heartbreaking. Hopeful.... all rolled into one. The continuation of Nora and Kettle's story is just as wonderful and as exceptionally written as the beginning. You won't want to miss this one.
May 10, 2020
5⭐️
What a book! As with the first in the series, another gorgeously poetic novel, following the love and trauma of Hiro and Nora’s story.
Incredible storytelling, every emotion you could possibly feel is in this book...I laughed, I cried, I celebrated. If you want to read a beautiful story of young love which conquers all...racial divide, homelessness, abuse, sacrifice...but is still a wonderful story, then start this series!
Seriously, start reading it right now!
❤️❤️
What a book! As with the first in the series, another gorgeously poetic novel, following the love and trauma of Hiro and Nora’s story.
Incredible storytelling, every emotion you could possibly feel is in this book...I laughed, I cried, I celebrated. If you want to read a beautiful story of young love which conquers all...racial divide, homelessness, abuse, sacrifice...but is still a wonderful story, then start this series!
Seriously, start reading it right now!
❤️❤️
August 3, 2020
Just like the first book, the story is beautifully written. You can’t help but live through their pain and struggles with them. Lauren captures emotions in such a breathtaking way.
April 9, 2020
This book is perfect. Absolutely perfect and such a beautiful companion book to the first in the series, Nora & Kettle.
I cannot express how exquisite Lauren Nicolle Taylor’s writing is and how much I adore her characters. Nora/Kite and Hiro/Kettle shine in both books, as do the countless other characters in the series, such as Frankie, Nora’s younger sister, Kin, Hiro’s best friend and brother, and all the lost children. Yes, these two books are indeed a re-imagining of Peter Pan and it is amazing.
I won’t be giving you a summary here, because there is no point really if you haven’t read the first book. You can read my review for Nora & Kettle here, which will give you more background information about the story.
All I can say is, I beg you to read this magical series. It will make you feel everything. Sadness. Anger. Disgust. Hope. Love. Laughter. It will make your heart hurt and it will make your heart soar with unimaginable, beautiful hope and love. Just read it. Please. The words and the stories in these pages will stay with you forever.
I cannot express how exquisite Lauren Nicolle Taylor’s writing is and how much I adore her characters. Nora/Kite and Hiro/Kettle shine in both books, as do the countless other characters in the series, such as Frankie, Nora’s younger sister, Kin, Hiro’s best friend and brother, and all the lost children. Yes, these two books are indeed a re-imagining of Peter Pan and it is amazing.
I won’t be giving you a summary here, because there is no point really if you haven’t read the first book. You can read my review for Nora & Kettle here, which will give you more background information about the story.
All I can say is, I beg you to read this magical series. It will make you feel everything. Sadness. Anger. Disgust. Hope. Love. Laughter. It will make your heart hurt and it will make your heart soar with unimaginable, beautiful hope and love. Just read it. Please. The words and the stories in these pages will stay with you forever.
May 2, 2023
This one gets 5 solid stars because although the incessant metaphors made me roll my eyes away (IT was mostly Hiros povs but then it's part of his character to be overly cheesy and poetic. That's just Hiro) this book also made me bawl my eyes out at 6 am.
July 12, 2020
Here's the simplest way to put it: The story was brilliant. The structure was a mess. This is what I mean:
(Before I begin, let me preface this by saying I emailed the author and she told me she wasn't happy with the publishing company/editor she used for her books. She personally said she was upset and was looking for a new publishing company. So, most of the mistakes I talk about weren't necessarily her fault, but the lack of editing that was provided to her).
After the first book, I couldn't wait to read the second. The story was unique and a lot of plot points had yet to be resolved. In the second book, most of those questions were answered. The romance was perfectly timed, the conflict resolved in exciting but heart-breaking ways, and the characters were in and out at the right points.
However. The structure was a mess. The FIRST WORD in the entire book was a TYPO! Honestly, that sets the whole tone for the [lack-of] editing. There were several mistakes in the book that weren't just grammatical. For example, in the book, the characters from Peter Pan are listed. It says, "...Wendy, James, and Michael Darling" (129). I'm sorry, but when a book is inspired by another story and they get facts from the source-material WRONG, it puts a bad taste in my mouth (his name is JOHN Darling, not James). While it was set in 1953, the facts didn't support that. Another example: Nora gets an ultrasound- not for the reasons you'd think. Ultrasounds weren't invented until 1956. Everything seemed incredibly modernized so I did a lot of background research to check the facts.
This book was great in telling a story, not necessarily putting the reader inside the mind/world of the characters.
(Before I begin, let me preface this by saying I emailed the author and she told me she wasn't happy with the publishing company/editor she used for her books. She personally said she was upset and was looking for a new publishing company. So, most of the mistakes I talk about weren't necessarily her fault, but the lack of editing that was provided to her).
After the first book, I couldn't wait to read the second. The story was unique and a lot of plot points had yet to be resolved. In the second book, most of those questions were answered. The romance was perfectly timed, the conflict resolved in exciting but heart-breaking ways, and the characters were in and out at the right points.
However. The structure was a mess. The FIRST WORD in the entire book was a TYPO! Honestly, that sets the whole tone for the [lack-of] editing. There were several mistakes in the book that weren't just grammatical. For example, in the book, the characters from Peter Pan are listed. It says, "...Wendy, James, and Michael Darling" (129). I'm sorry, but when a book is inspired by another story and they get facts from the source-material WRONG, it puts a bad taste in my mouth (his name is JOHN Darling, not James). While it was set in 1953, the facts didn't support that. Another example: Nora gets an ultrasound- not for the reasons you'd think. Ultrasounds weren't invented until 1956. Everything seemed incredibly modernized so I did a lot of background research to check the facts.
This book was great in telling a story, not necessarily putting the reader inside the mind/world of the characters.
July 5, 2020
i believe in love now
September 7, 2019
i am literally so in love with this duology of books. when i say it was a hell of a rollecoaster of emotions i am not the littlest bit exaggerating
these characters have stayed with me every since i read nora & kettle and i could not be more thrilled with how this went
and the kids just really get me going. they are all beautiful and pure and deserving of so much good.
the writing is gorgeous. metaphorical and lyrical and there are just amazing ways that their grief is shown. abusive scenes are terribly painful to read
these characters have stayed with me every since i read nora & kettle and i could not be more thrilled with how this went
and the kids just really get me going. they are all beautiful and pure and deserving of so much good.
the writing is gorgeous. metaphorical and lyrical and there are just amazing ways that their grief is shown. abusive scenes are terribly painful to read
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews