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Hidden In The Stars
Stay ugly, stay hidden, stay alive.
On a ship the size of the Obsidian it’s easy to blend in, and Wynter is good at hiding—or so she thought. One wrong step brings her close to the Captain, and she finds herself stitching up more than just dresses.
Through the darkness of space, the Obsidian carries the wealthy and their cargo. Surrounded by luxury and secrets, life is never dull, but a dangerous prank leaves Captain Ward questioning more than just his command.
In a universe where fate is inherited, societal power and secrets become currency.
As truth unravels their lives, will Wynter and Ward be able to find freedom together, or will they forever be hidden in the stars?
On a ship the size of the Obsidian it’s easy to blend in, and Wynter is good at hiding—or so she thought. One wrong step brings her close to the Captain, and she finds herself stitching up more than just dresses.
Through the darkness of space, the Obsidian carries the wealthy and their cargo. Surrounded by luxury and secrets, life is never dull, but a dangerous prank leaves Captain Ward questioning more than just his command.
In a universe where fate is inherited, societal power and secrets become currency.
As truth unravels their lives, will Wynter and Ward be able to find freedom together, or will they forever be hidden in the stars?
- GenresScience FictionRomance
328 pages, Paperback
Published April 22, 2022
6 people are currently reading
99 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
June 21, 2024
A solid 4.5 stars to this brilliant debut from Hazel Vale.
Reading debuts, especially indie debuts, is always a little scary. While I want to love them, I know that there's a chance I won't like them at all. I thought this was going to be a light science fiction romance. I didn't expect it to be a thrilling science fiction adventure.
Hazel Vale is such a talented writer. Her world came to life so vividly. I fell in love with the characters and I couldn't put the book down. There were so many amazing scenes and the climax held a lot of surprising reveals.
I am so excited for book two!
Reading debuts, especially indie debuts, is always a little scary. While I want to love them, I know that there's a chance I won't like them at all. I thought this was going to be a light science fiction romance. I didn't expect it to be a thrilling science fiction adventure.
Hazel Vale is such a talented writer. Her world came to life so vividly. I fell in love with the characters and I couldn't put the book down. There were so many amazing scenes and the climax held a lot of surprising reveals.
I am so excited for book two!
July 25, 2022
Right from the start, I was pulled in. I needed to know what happened to Wynter. I needed to know if she and Ward would fight against odds to be together, or be kept apart by circumstances and social standing. There is definitely some comedy sprinkled in, with the romantic aspect being minor, and the character arcs of both Wynter and Ward (but mostly Wynter) as individuals being more emphasized than the love story.
I loved the setting - the Obsidian is such a unique location for this genre of a book, and I really loved how it had a nautical vibe (stowaways, ports, cargo, etc) but with a futuristic/sci-fi twist that didn't distract from the traditional feel with the lords, ladies, fancy ballrooms, gowns, etc.
It was a very interesting mix of vibes that Vale wove together so well, that even though it should feel weird (ballgowns on a spaceship?), she created a world I enjoyed diving into.
My favourite character, Dr Moss, has a very McSteamy vibe (if you're a Grey's Anatomy fan, you'll understand, and if not, google him haha).
I also appreciate the Canadian spelling!
Overall, an excellent debut novel, and I can't wait to read more from this world Vale has created.
I loved the setting - the Obsidian is such a unique location for this genre of a book, and I really loved how it had a nautical vibe (stowaways, ports, cargo, etc) but with a futuristic/sci-fi twist that didn't distract from the traditional feel with the lords, ladies, fancy ballrooms, gowns, etc.
It was a very interesting mix of vibes that Vale wove together so well, that even though it should feel weird (ballgowns on a spaceship?), she created a world I enjoyed diving into.
My favourite character, Dr Moss, has a very McSteamy vibe (if you're a Grey's Anatomy fan, you'll understand, and if not, google him haha).
I also appreciate the Canadian spelling!
Overall, an excellent debut novel, and I can't wait to read more from this world Vale has created.
April 15, 2022
I received an advanced copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
From the first chapter, I was hooked. I instantly wanted to know more about Wynter and the circumstances of her life. Throughout the book, I found myself really rooting for her, wanting her to find the truth and freedom she so desperately wants.
If you’re into science fiction and YA, I think you’ll probably like this book, too! It has secrets, space travel, mysteries, lies, deception, and pretty dresses. I would love for some people and places to be fleshed out a little bit more, but that’s what sequels are for, right? ;)
From the first chapter, I was hooked. I instantly wanted to know more about Wynter and the circumstances of her life. Throughout the book, I found myself really rooting for her, wanting her to find the truth and freedom she so desperately wants.
If you’re into science fiction and YA, I think you’ll probably like this book, too! It has secrets, space travel, mysteries, lies, deception, and pretty dresses. I would love for some people and places to be fleshed out a little bit more, but that’s what sequels are for, right? ;)
March 28, 2022
This debut novel by Hazel Vale was a surprise and delight to read. She has a great concept of characters and how to weave them together to make incredible main and secondary storylines. This book has twists and turns that I didn’t expect and a romantic storyline that will have you rooting for the characters.
You will instantly fall in love with Wynter, a girl who’s crazy talented but also sick of having to hide. A close encounter with Captain Ward changes everything and you’ll be itching to know more as the truth is brought to light.
This book is such a great read that will keep you turning pages until the very end.
You will instantly fall in love with Wynter, a girl who’s crazy talented but also sick of having to hide. A close encounter with Captain Ward changes everything and you’ll be itching to know more as the truth is brought to light.
This book is such a great read that will keep you turning pages until the very end.
March 28, 2022
Love this book! Hazel builds her characters well and you can't wait to see what will happen next. Watching the romance blossom was such a joy. Her descriptions really help you envision life inside a fancy space ship. Can't wait to see what comes next!
April 22, 2022
I received an ARC copy. I couldn't stop reading this. I needed to know how it ended. Loved the characters - can't wait to see what happens with them all... The attention to details were great. Such a great book!!
May 7, 2022
Ladies and gentlemen, do you want to support indie authors but you either a) don't want to wade through tons of turds to find a decent read or b) enjoy the turds but wish you had one bright, shining example of a really good indie book that you can recommend to friends without being slightly embarrassed?
TA-DA!
I present: the unicorn! Here we have a space opera romance with ballgowns and a stowaway seamstress. This debut features likable characters, competent editing, a good plot, well written dialogue, and an author who hasn't been mired in drama.
Romances generally aren't my thing, but I do love a good space opera. This was surprisingly good on all fronts. All the emotions are packed in expertly AND it's clean enough to read out loud in a church. On the romance end, it has a hallmark movie without the cheesiness feel--think early Danielle Steele. On the sci fi side, If you liked Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne or the first season of The 100, try this book.
It opens with an older man sneaking a girl named Wynter onto a spaceship. Yes, I absolutely rolled my eyes over the cutsie spelling, but whatev, I am a forgiving critic. We don't know why she's in danger or how they're related. Is the old man nuts? Organized crime? Is she a princess or something? What? So many questions...
Timelapse to Wynter all grown up. She's been hiding without proper ID and working in the spaceship's dressmaking studio. No one notices her until someone plays a prank on the new captain and hides his things all over the ship. Captain Ward is smart, thoughtful, and not a douche bag. The scene where they meet is great.
Why does a spaceship need a dressmaking studio? Uh, because fashion is ridiculously important here. Rich people spend loads on new clothes and they throw fancy dances. Wynter finally gets to attend a ball and we get a scene where she's bumbling through learning the steps.
We end up with a sub plot in which Captain Ward has to decide just how much he's willing to let other people control him. Then there's Wynter's immediate safety issue. What does she do now that she's been caught? What was she running from in the first place? There's another girl vying for Ward's attention, and she's up to no good.
Speaking of being up to no good, Wynter ends up unraveling all the hidden secrets and there's not just one bad guy. Major points for several people having motives/opportunity. There's a much larger political/ social conflict. Everyone is born with an all-important Idex code/number that determines social status. Not everyone was happy with the system, and Wynter is the surviving proof of a deadly failed attempt to shake things up. In the end, there's a coverup. Wynter doesn't escape by being the best or the smartest. She gets away because the powers that be benefit from ignoring the situation.
I love the scene where Wynter goes shoe shopping with her friend. Wynter is enjoying her new freedom out of hiding. She tries paying with what she thinks is currency only to discover that she's holding a handful of shiny, worthless room keys. She has been given the little plastic cards for years in return for her work only to find out she's been working for nothing. It's great because you start off excited for Wynter to be enjoying her freedom then you're devastated for her when she realizes she's been trafficked. Points for the show, not tell style.
More points for the ending. This is a stand alone and things are satisfactorily resolved but there's enough wiggle room for a sequel.
Thanks to the author for giving me a free copy to review.
TA-DA!
I present: the unicorn! Here we have a space opera romance with ballgowns and a stowaway seamstress. This debut features likable characters, competent editing, a good plot, well written dialogue, and an author who hasn't been mired in drama.
Romances generally aren't my thing, but I do love a good space opera. This was surprisingly good on all fronts. All the emotions are packed in expertly AND it's clean enough to read out loud in a church. On the romance end, it has a hallmark movie without the cheesiness feel--think early Danielle Steele. On the sci fi side, If you liked Brightly Burning by Alexa Donne or the first season of The 100, try this book.
It opens with an older man sneaking a girl named Wynter onto a spaceship. Yes, I absolutely rolled my eyes over the cutsie spelling, but whatev, I am a forgiving critic. We don't know why she's in danger or how they're related. Is the old man nuts? Organized crime? Is she a princess or something? What? So many questions...
Timelapse to Wynter all grown up. She's been hiding without proper ID and working in the spaceship's dressmaking studio. No one notices her until someone plays a prank on the new captain and hides his things all over the ship. Captain Ward is smart, thoughtful, and not a douche bag. The scene where they meet is great.
Why does a spaceship need a dressmaking studio? Uh, because fashion is ridiculously important here. Rich people spend loads on new clothes and they throw fancy dances. Wynter finally gets to attend a ball and we get a scene where she's bumbling through learning the steps.
We end up with a sub plot in which Captain Ward has to decide just how much he's willing to let other people control him. Then there's Wynter's immediate safety issue. What does she do now that she's been caught? What was she running from in the first place? There's another girl vying for Ward's attention, and she's up to no good.
Speaking of being up to no good, Wynter ends up unraveling all the hidden secrets and there's not just one bad guy. Major points for several people having motives/opportunity. There's a much larger political/ social conflict. Everyone is born with an all-important Idex code/number that determines social status. Not everyone was happy with the system, and Wynter is the surviving proof of a deadly failed attempt to shake things up. In the end, there's a coverup. Wynter doesn't escape by being the best or the smartest. She gets away because the powers that be benefit from ignoring the situation.
I love the scene where Wynter goes shoe shopping with her friend. Wynter is enjoying her new freedom out of hiding. She tries paying with what she thinks is currency only to discover that she's holding a handful of shiny, worthless room keys. She has been given the little plastic cards for years in return for her work only to find out she's been working for nothing. It's great because you start off excited for Wynter to be enjoying her freedom then you're devastated for her when she realizes she's been trafficked. Points for the show, not tell style.
More points for the ending. This is a stand alone and things are satisfactorily resolved but there's enough wiggle room for a sequel.
Thanks to the author for giving me a free copy to review.
April 28, 2022
It was a good book! I especially enjoyed reading the parts where Wynter is making all those unique dresses. Loved the setting of the obsidion. The combination of sci-fi and regency romance was sooo lovely. I was laughing at some parts and imagining things so clearly.
I felt like the ending was a bit slow. It's probably a personal preferance, but I enjoyed reading about the things happening in the obsidion more than when they were on land. Wynter sometimes really annoyed me with her constantly keeping everything a secret even when she could just open up to Ward. But I guess that's part of her character and every person has her good and bad sides.
I felt like the ending was a bit slow. It's probably a personal preferance, but I enjoyed reading about the things happening in the obsidion more than when they were on land. Wynter sometimes really annoyed me with her constantly keeping everything a secret even when she could just open up to Ward. But I guess that's part of her character and every person has her good and bad sides.
April 1, 2022
Love the characters in this book and the unique world of space travel fused with ballrooms and intrigue.
January 22, 2023
I don’t read a lot of sci-fi but I was pleasantly surprised by this sci-fi romance adventure! It started put a little slow with the world building (all necessary & super important for the plot), but from the moment Wynter met Captain Ward I was hooked and could not put it down!
The characters were all so well developed and the plot was enticing and captivating. I especially loved Lucy and I hope we see more of her in book 2!
The ending was satisfying but also left me intrigued to find out more, I don’t want to give away any spoilers so all I will say is there is a certain character that I cannot wait to find out more about!
I will definitely be getting the follow up book when it comes out. This was a fun, captivating read and a great debut novel.
The characters were all so well developed and the plot was enticing and captivating. I especially loved Lucy and I hope we see more of her in book 2!
The ending was satisfying but also left me intrigued to find out more, I don’t want to give away any spoilers so all I will say is there is a certain character that I cannot wait to find out more about!
I will definitely be getting the follow up book when it comes out. This was a fun, captivating read and a great debut novel.
December 31, 2023
I’m not usually a sci-fi girly, but this story intrigued me. Overall the writing was very good, and the character development was decent. I did feel like it took a while for the story to develop. The big secret that they were alluding to seemed anti-climactic to me, but maybe there will be a bigger reveal in the sequel.
Overall, the story was enjoyable, and this was an incredibly easy read. I’d be willing to pick up the second book once it’s released.
Overall, the story was enjoyable, and this was an incredibly easy read. I’d be willing to pick up the second book once it’s released.
August 22, 2022
An entertaining and beautiful journey through the stars. There were so many elements that made this a good book, just short of being great. I can't wait to see more of Wynter's world and the Star Stitch universe in the next book. If you're looking to explore solar punk, this is a solid introduction to the genre.
June 9, 2024
I confess I bought this book because of the cover and it did not disappoint. The world is regency meets Star Trek. I enjoyed the supporting characters a lot (Lucy and Dr. Moss were my favorites). It was a relaxing and engaging read that I could not put down once I was about a quarter through.
November 23, 2022
a jem hidden in the stars
A sweet romantic sci-fi story. Amazing dresses, a handsome man, a bit of intrigue and adventure. A wonderful read! Can’t wait to read the next one!
A sweet romantic sci-fi story. Amazing dresses, a handsome man, a bit of intrigue and adventure. A wonderful read! Can’t wait to read the next one!
April 9, 2023
A really creative and fun debut novel. Complex world-building without being too overly complicated. I really enjoyed the way the story unfolded. Can't wait to read the next book.
April 28, 2023
This book was positively darling! A cozy little romance with just enough world building to keep things interesting, it also has some truly beautiful imagery. A+ would recommend.
July 18, 2024
This was a unique read! (For me anyway.)
Light sci-fi, with a mystery and a sprinkle of romance.
I really enjoyed the story and the world the author created.
Light sci-fi, with a mystery and a sprinkle of romance.
I really enjoyed the story and the world the author created.
July 27, 2024
I have been dying to read this book after reading the synopsison Amazon. It arrived today and I devoured it. It was absolutely brilliant and now I'm off to read book 2.
Read
January 5, 2025I loved this book, it was a great quick read!
May 25, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. It was nice to have a story in a different setting, in space on a space cruise ship! I can't wait for the next book to read more about Wynter and Ward!
April 29, 2022
Hidden in the Stars was a quick, lovely little read for me. It had a lot to like! The soft sci-fi was just to my tastes and reminded me a bit of The Lunar Chronicles. There’s plenty of romance, intrigue, and secrets that kept me turning pages. The fashion and high society elements were fun, too. I wished the end didn’t feel quite so abrupt to me, but overall I enjoyed the book! I liked the characters and the world was really interesting. I’m not sure if this book is a standalone or the first in a series, but I’d read more of Wynter and Ward!
Note: I read an ARC copy of the book prior to its final round of edits.
Read if you like:
• friends to lovers
• soft sci-fi with romance
• The Lunar Chronicles
• high society drama/gossip/politics
• mysterious pasts and secret-keeping
Note: I read an ARC copy of the book prior to its final round of edits.
Read if you like:
• friends to lovers
• soft sci-fi with romance
• The Lunar Chronicles
• high society drama/gossip/politics
• mysterious pasts and secret-keeping
September 27, 2022
This story took me by surprise. I have read and watched many stories that take place in and around spaceships, but I've never before read a story where space travel is juxtaposed with glitzy dresses and frantic sewing rooms and young women clamouring for the best tailor in the area (who happens to work from a spaceship). Add to this a young woman with an unknown identity and a forbidden romance, and you have yourself quite the tale!
It took me a bit of time to get into Hidden in the Stars, but once I got into it I was hooked. The glamour, intrigue, and romance of this novel (not to mention the incredible world building) pulled me in until the very end. I am looking forward to the next installment!
It took me a bit of time to get into Hidden in the Stars, but once I got into it I was hooked. The glamour, intrigue, and romance of this novel (not to mention the incredible world building) pulled me in until the very end. I am looking forward to the next installment!
January 2, 2023
The mystery, the secrets, the glamour, the tension, the suspense! The imagination and the amount of detail that has gone into this book blows my mind.
Chapter 1 had me hooked. The beginning had me dreaming. The middle had me questioning. The end had me squealing and eyes blown wide open.
I thank that tiktok video the author did for convincing to buy this book! I read it on kindle but when I can I'm definitely buying a paperback because the cover is beautifully and I want to read it all over again!
Chapter 1 had me hooked. The beginning had me dreaming. The middle had me questioning. The end had me squealing and eyes blown wide open.
I thank that tiktok video the author did for convincing to buy this book! I read it on kindle but when I can I'm definitely buying a paperback because the cover is beautifully and I want to read it all over again!
February 11, 2024
An anonymous seamstress slaving away in a high-end dress shop aboard a spaceship. An odd captain being pranked by his crew. And that is just the first part. Many lords and ladies with many secrets populate the circumstances of the adventure. Good story, fine characters, unusual details for science fiction, plenty of opportunity for follow-on works.
November 28, 2022
This was absolutely amazing. Hazel Vale is one of the most exciting debut authors I've stumbled across. Can't wait for more!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews