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Falling Star
The page-turner for every woman who's ever had better days ...
Natalie Daniels' husband just dumped her. Her boss is scheming to replace her. And she's falling in love with her sexy Australian TV news agent - who's about to propose to somebody else.
What's a woman to do? Dig deep and show what she's made of - which just might land her both the job and the man of her dreams ...
Natalie Daniels' husband just dumped her. Her boss is scheming to replace her. And she's falling in love with her sexy Australian TV news agent - who's about to propose to somebody else.
What's a woman to do? Dig deep and show what she's made of - which just might land her both the job and the man of her dreams ...
408 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 2002
575 people are currently reading
2768 people want to read
About the author
Diana Dempsey
13 books65 followersAuthor of the Beauty Queen Mysteries, Diana Dempsey never competed in beauty pageants herself but she did the next best thing: she worked in TV news. After a dozen years of war zones and 3 a.m. wake-up calls, she packed up her mic and her Emmy and morphed into a writer of fast and fun romantic fiction.
Diana’s novels have been called “almost impossible to put down” (Romance Reviews Today), “skillfully plotted and filled with realistic detail” (Library Journal), and “spicy, sexy, and sultry” (Booklist). Her first novel, FALLING STAR, was nominated for a RITA award for Best First Book by the Romance Writers of America.
To find out about Diana’s titles, and to contact her:
Visit her website at DianaDempsey.com
Join her on Facebook at Diana Dempsey Books
Follow her on Twitter at Diana_Dempsey
Diana’s novels have been called “almost impossible to put down” (Romance Reviews Today), “skillfully plotted and filled with realistic detail” (Library Journal), and “spicy, sexy, and sultry” (Booklist). Her first novel, FALLING STAR, was nominated for a RITA award for Best First Book by the Romance Writers of America.
To find out about Diana’s titles, and to contact her:
Visit her website at DianaDempsey.com
Join her on Facebook at Diana Dempsey Books
Follow her on Twitter at Diana_Dempsey
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
December 14, 2011
I finished reading Falling Star by Diana Dempsey around 6:30 this morning. Nothing really spectacular about that fact until you hear that I stayed started reading it at 9 p.m. the previous night.
I don’t do that very often. And it surprised me that I did so with this book. This was not an epic tale in any sense of the term, yet after I started reading it I couldn’t stop. And I still can’t figure out why.
After having read several books from my local library I decided to start going through my back log of books stored on my Kindle.
Falling Star was a random Freebie I picked up months and months ago from Amazon – so long ago that I forgot why I had decided to download the book in the first place. Not even the blurb on GoodReads sparked the memory.
This didn’t stop me from reading the book. The story plodded along at a steady pace even though I did find myself occasionally looking down at the progress bar to see how much I had read. I liked all the characters the reader is meant to like. The characters that were meant to be hated? I hated. Actually the one character I despised the most I felt was the weakest written character in the book – then again perhaps the character was meant to be transparent to the reader.
Let’s just say that if air time was equivalent to page time then I could do without seeing this character on the page. If that was Dempsey’s goal she succeeded admirably.
I kept reading the book. I kept reading even when I could see plot devices and motivations. It boggles my mind honestly that I can not for the life of me fathom why I stayed up all night reading Falling Star. I can’t point at the plot and say this is why, nor can I point at the characters. I did like the book enough to give it 3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads. Perhaps I am not used to reading main stream ‘chic lit’ enough to point out why. I would truly enjoy hearing opinions regarding this one.
Note: Falling Star marks the end of The GoodReads 2011 Reading Challenge I set for myself in March of this year.
I don’t do that very often. And it surprised me that I did so with this book. This was not an epic tale in any sense of the term, yet after I started reading it I couldn’t stop. And I still can’t figure out why.
After having read several books from my local library I decided to start going through my back log of books stored on my Kindle.
Falling Star was a random Freebie I picked up months and months ago from Amazon – so long ago that I forgot why I had decided to download the book in the first place. Not even the blurb on GoodReads sparked the memory.
This didn’t stop me from reading the book. The story plodded along at a steady pace even though I did find myself occasionally looking down at the progress bar to see how much I had read. I liked all the characters the reader is meant to like. The characters that were meant to be hated? I hated. Actually the one character I despised the most I felt was the weakest written character in the book – then again perhaps the character was meant to be transparent to the reader.
Let’s just say that if air time was equivalent to page time then I could do without seeing this character on the page. If that was Dempsey’s goal she succeeded admirably.
I kept reading the book. I kept reading even when I could see plot devices and motivations. It boggles my mind honestly that I can not for the life of me fathom why I stayed up all night reading Falling Star. I can’t point at the plot and say this is why, nor can I point at the characters. I did like the book enough to give it 3 out of 5 stars on GoodReads. Perhaps I am not used to reading main stream ‘chic lit’ enough to point out why. I would truly enjoy hearing opinions regarding this one.
Note: Falling Star marks the end of The GoodReads 2011 Reading Challenge I set for myself in March of this year.
July 31, 2013
Natalie Daniels is the long-time news anchor at a network, when a new News Director Tony is brought in to boost ratings and cost costs.
Miles, Natalie's husband, has just signed a lucrative deal for his script - she has been supporting him for the last 12 years. He decides now is the time to divorce her, stealing the prenup in the process and denying it ever existed.
Tony decides that Kelly is the perfect new anchor, younger and edgier than Natalie and Natalie finds herself being sidelined and doubting her abilities.
Geoff is Natalie's agent who she starts falling in love with, but he is with Janet and Natalie is his client!!
Watching Natalie's life fall apart from riding on the crest of a wave to landing face first in the sand was so sad, you saw every turn that affected her but also understood her complete frustration that there seemed to be nothing she could do to stop it all from happening. Kelly typifies the younger ambitious at all costs new kid on the block who Natalie had helped at the start of her career, though she seems to have forgotten that. Miles thinks he has got the upper hand and Natalie won't fight for what is right - he doesn't realise you should not back a wounded animal into a corner.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, loved the characters, the writing and that it wasn't full of sex - which some authors think is the only way to fill a chick lit book. 5 stars because I found myself squeezing in reading opportunities as I neared the end, and at the end I had a big smile on my face!
Would make a brilliant TV film!!
Miles, Natalie's husband, has just signed a lucrative deal for his script - she has been supporting him for the last 12 years. He decides now is the time to divorce her, stealing the prenup in the process and denying it ever existed.
Tony decides that Kelly is the perfect new anchor, younger and edgier than Natalie and Natalie finds herself being sidelined and doubting her abilities.
Geoff is Natalie's agent who she starts falling in love with, but he is with Janet and Natalie is his client!!
Watching Natalie's life fall apart from riding on the crest of a wave to landing face first in the sand was so sad, you saw every turn that affected her but also understood her complete frustration that there seemed to be nothing she could do to stop it all from happening. Kelly typifies the younger ambitious at all costs new kid on the block who Natalie had helped at the start of her career, though she seems to have forgotten that. Miles thinks he has got the upper hand and Natalie won't fight for what is right - he doesn't realise you should not back a wounded animal into a corner.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, loved the characters, the writing and that it wasn't full of sex - which some authors think is the only way to fill a chick lit book. 5 stars because I found myself squeezing in reading opportunities as I neared the end, and at the end I had a big smile on my face!
Would make a brilliant TV film!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2012
I came across this on Amazon for free and seeing it had pretty good reviews, decided to give it a go. Reviews however, weren't so good here on goodreads.
It was ok. When the thing is free, you really can't complain too much.
There was no excitement though, no groaning at the end of a chapter because you'd promised to stop there but *have* to continue because it's so good.
Admittedly, it got better. First half or so, it was slow, things kept getting worse for Natalie while Kelly, Tony & Miles kept being their villainous selves but succeeding more and more.
Thankfully toward the end, they are all found out and the proverbial hits the fan. Great. However, for Tony & Kelly, the greatly deserved comeuppance is undone when they are offered new jobs - why? Especially given that neither has a shred of remorse at any point and both are incredibly nasty pieces of work.
Didn't love it, didn't hate it but was glad it picked up around the halfway point.
It was ok. When the thing is free, you really can't complain too much.
There was no excitement though, no groaning at the end of a chapter because you'd promised to stop there but *have* to continue because it's so good.
Admittedly, it got better. First half or so, it was slow, things kept getting worse for Natalie while Kelly, Tony & Miles kept being their villainous selves but succeeding more and more.
Thankfully toward the end, they are all found out and the proverbial hits the fan. Great. However, for Tony & Kelly, the greatly deserved comeuppance is undone when they are offered new jobs - why? Especially given that neither has a shred of remorse at any point and both are incredibly nasty pieces of work.
Didn't love it, didn't hate it but was glad it picked up around the halfway point.
January 5, 2014
You know those twisty crullers from the donut shop? That's what I first thought of when I finished this story. It's twisty, sweet and yummy. I think it's what to expect in a career and love story set mostly inside the news room.
For a romantic story, this is a bit lengthy, but it's "enjoyable lengthy". Though I knew already that the protagonist will win out in the end (and how), it still got that pull on me to read on and finish it.
A good read on a lazy afternoon; and it didn't make me fall asleep.
For a romantic story, this is a bit lengthy, but it's "enjoyable lengthy". Though I knew already that the protagonist will win out in the end (and how), it still got that pull on me to read on and finish it.
A good read on a lazy afternoon; and it didn't make me fall asleep.
January 13, 2012
I got this book for free as part of Amazon's kindle bargains and I have to say that I'm pleasantly surprised with this book.
I was expecting it to be trash but I enjoyed it immensely. I liked the fact that the protagonist was 40 (an age group oft ignored in chick lit) and I liked that the ending wasn't as cliched as it could have been.
Will it change your life? No. But its well told, thoroughly enjoyable and leaves you feeling warm at the end.
I was expecting it to be trash but I enjoyed it immensely. I liked the fact that the protagonist was 40 (an age group oft ignored in chick lit) and I liked that the ending wasn't as cliched as it could have been.
Will it change your life? No. But its well told, thoroughly enjoyable and leaves you feeling warm at the end.
September 20, 2011
I wasn't impressed. I was bored. I got thru it, but only by sheer dint of will. I didn't hate the story, I just didn't feel anything about it. And I guess I don't really have much to say about it either. I can't even express what it was that didn't click for me. The whole thing was just blah. Too bad.
October 11, 2013
I really enjoyed this book! It was a great insight into the life of a television anchorwoman and all the celebrity goings on. I was rooting for the heroine and longing for the bad girl to get her comeuppance. It kept me turning the pages and was a really easy holiday read.
Read
September 8, 2017That's good story.
January 10, 2018
Knowing nothing about what goes on behind the scenes at a news station I found this to be an interesting read. It was also a good commentary on the debate between age vs experience of women tv-presenters, which is something that is particularly prevalent at the moment. The plot was alright - interesting enough to keep you reading. I also liked how the plot switched perspectives which kept the narrative fresh.
At first, I sided with Natalie - the main character who is looking to lose her job and about to be replaced by a younger model, however then it was stated how much she gets paid a year and my jaw dropped - $750,000 and all this moaning was about being put onto a salary of a 'meagre' $130,000, something that I would kill for, and I suspect, never be able to achieve. At that point, I rather lost my sympathy for Natalie, and all the tension that had been built up just seemed to dissipate for me. The character of Kelly also seemed way too over the top - almost a pantomime villain and the plot itself seemed rather too far-fetched and was a little too long and drawn out than it needed to be which was in direct opposition to the ending which was too abrupt.
Overall, I paid nothing for it and it was an easy-going, "holiday" style read but it wasn't all that great.
At first, I sided with Natalie - the main character who is looking to lose her job and about to be replaced by a younger model, however then it was stated how much she gets paid a year and my jaw dropped - $750,000 and all this moaning was about being put onto a salary of a 'meagre' $130,000, something that I would kill for, and I suspect, never be able to achieve. At that point, I rather lost my sympathy for Natalie, and all the tension that had been built up just seemed to dissipate for me. The character of Kelly also seemed way too over the top - almost a pantomime villain and the plot itself seemed rather too far-fetched and was a little too long and drawn out than it needed to be which was in direct opposition to the ending which was too abrupt.
Overall, I paid nothing for it and it was an easy-going, "holiday" style read but it wasn't all that great.
August 13, 2011
Not your typical substance-free free chicklit. The protagonist, Natalie Daniels, a 40 year old news anchor, is mostly forgettable and the supporting characters cariacturish.
The protagonist's romance seemed a little groundless and the intimate scenes bland. What I really wanted to see was Natalie lose her job completely and her reaction to the absence of the center of her life. That would be rock bottom and though she neared it a few times, she never quite hit it. This means we never get a clear view of her true character, only glimpses.
In the end, the author clears away a lot of the roadblocks for the characters and blindsides the reader with an ending out of nowhere. Perhaps that's too harsh, but with the demonizing of the two antagonists, who get too way much screen time, one would reasonably expect that they would get their just desserts, not job offers. I credit the author immensely for her in depth coverage of TV journalism and law relating to it—I learned a lot. If you're interested in these subjects, this is an enjoyable way to learn. If you want a great romance, don't look here.
The protagonist's romance seemed a little groundless and the intimate scenes bland. What I really wanted to see was Natalie lose her job completely and her reaction to the absence of the center of her life. That would be rock bottom and though she neared it a few times, she never quite hit it. This means we never get a clear view of her true character, only glimpses.
In the end, the author clears away a lot of the roadblocks for the characters and blindsides the reader with an ending out of nowhere. Perhaps that's too harsh, but with the demonizing of the two antagonists, who get too way much screen time, one would reasonably expect that they would get their just desserts, not job offers. I credit the author immensely for her in depth coverage of TV journalism and law relating to it—I learned a lot. If you're interested in these subjects, this is an enjoyable way to learn. If you want a great romance, don't look here.
October 18, 2011
From beginning to end I was so frustrated with the book and to make things worse I never felt that the "bad guys" never got their just desserts and you it seems to me unclear what the main character chooses in the end in terms of job descriptions. (I do not want to give much story details away just in case someone else wants to read it). If you do want to read this book, you really need to consider why!? I am glad that it was free from kindle otherwise I would have been asking for my money back! "Fallen Star!?" There is no substance in the story, it seems so real, no thread of fantasy in it as it just recalls what happens in work all day long - person good at their job, other person jealous at job, tried to backstab good person to increase their own standing in job. There is no sparkle in the story that would indicate any stars in its title. Should be renamed "Starless Fallen!"
April 8, 2012
Natalie Daniels is a reporter. She is about to turn forty which is when things turn ugly for her. She is famous and well thought of by the public but her private life is mess. Miles, her soon to be ex- husband may be cheating and stealing from her. Her new boss Tony wants a fresher face to replace her. He wants Kelly, her trainee to replace her.
She starts making mistakes during a live newscast and by pursuing a certain story she ends up in jail. Natalie finds herself only trusting her Australian agent Geoff. But its more than friendship what she wants, however, he is already engaged. Trouble, trouble....
This was a book about a female trying to survive obstacles due to her age and profession. Natalie is a fighter and she is able to pick up the pieces of her life and takes control.
I enjoyed this book.
3.5/5 Fangs
cross posted at my blog http://mrsleifs.blogspot
She starts making mistakes during a live newscast and by pursuing a certain story she ends up in jail. Natalie finds herself only trusting her Australian agent Geoff. But its more than friendship what she wants, however, he is already engaged. Trouble, trouble....
This was a book about a female trying to survive obstacles due to her age and profession. Natalie is a fighter and she is able to pick up the pieces of her life and takes control.
I enjoyed this book.
3.5/5 Fangs
cross posted at my blog http://mrsleifs.blogspot
November 2, 2011
Simply excellent. A page-turner. Well written, well crafted and with great characters. The human detail was spot on and the dynamic nearly flawless. When the characters' behavior bothered me, it was because it was supposed to bother me. I love being manipulated emotionally when it's done this well.
I wish I'd written it. ;=)
I wish I'd written it. ;=)
June 19, 2012
Started out soooooo slow and didn't pull me in. But after I was about halfway through, it really grew on me. Ended up liking it way more than I expected! I do wish that a few story lines had been wrapped up a little better though. Overall, not a bad read :)
January 3, 2013
This was a very good book to read. Set in the world of News in LA, this story talks about the trials and tribulations of a veteran news anchor. This was a bit thrilling and a very romantic. A little more drama would have been interesting in this book, but all in all this is a good read.
January 16, 2012
First "romance" I've read in a long time and I quite enjoyed it!
May 26, 2013
Not sure why, because I typically don't like books about "stars" and glamour but I loved this book. It was a page turner for me.
August 26, 2018
Book Review- Falling Star by Diana Dempsey
Natalie is the veteran news anchor that has the experience and the fan base. A new director enters the scene who wants to cut the budget and get the ratings up. So basically, he puts a target on her back. He is a total jerk and I couldn’t stand to read the scenes involving him. He promotes the younger Kelly as Natalie’s replacement. Kelly is one of the most horrible characters and her selfishness is unbelievable. Her decision-making skills are completely shocking to the point I couldn’t stand her either. Natalie really needs to watch her back. However, she panics and makes things worse. It drove me crazy.
The author really made sure Natalie had a lot to deal with. The issues with her job were just the tip of the iceberg. She had to deal with her soon to be ex husband and her attraction to her agent. I was so disgusted as I read this book. I hated how it seemed everyone had it in for Natalie since she was good at her job and they couldn’t handle it. I was shocked at the situations the author created in this story. I shook my head at Kelly. Are people really that stupid? In fact, several characters had issues with stupidity. The book got difficult for me to read at times. I would cringe when Natalie would decide to do something, and I knew it would make things worse. The author provided reactions for the characters that really frustrated me. It took me a while to get through the whole story. The ending was better then the rest of the book. I liked how karma seemed to step in and fix a few things. I give this story a 3 out of 5.
Natalie is the veteran news anchor that has the experience and the fan base. A new director enters the scene who wants to cut the budget and get the ratings up. So basically, he puts a target on her back. He is a total jerk and I couldn’t stand to read the scenes involving him. He promotes the younger Kelly as Natalie’s replacement. Kelly is one of the most horrible characters and her selfishness is unbelievable. Her decision-making skills are completely shocking to the point I couldn’t stand her either. Natalie really needs to watch her back. However, she panics and makes things worse. It drove me crazy.
The author really made sure Natalie had a lot to deal with. The issues with her job were just the tip of the iceberg. She had to deal with her soon to be ex husband and her attraction to her agent. I was so disgusted as I read this book. I hated how it seemed everyone had it in for Natalie since she was good at her job and they couldn’t handle it. I was shocked at the situations the author created in this story. I shook my head at Kelly. Are people really that stupid? In fact, several characters had issues with stupidity. The book got difficult for me to read at times. I would cringe when Natalie would decide to do something, and I knew it would make things worse. The author provided reactions for the characters that really frustrated me. It took me a while to get through the whole story. The ending was better then the rest of the book. I liked how karma seemed to step in and fix a few things. I give this story a 3 out of 5.
August 3, 2011
Based on the review quip on the cover (of the Kindle edition) I was expecting some light, fluffy, feel-good romance novel.
It was way better than that.
This novel is really a quite involved story with lots going on, interesting and complex characters and great writing to tie it together, draw me in and not let me go. To be honest, it really didn't feel like a romance novel in that there was so much more to it than a simple romantic plot. Well, until the end; then it felt very much like a simple romance novel. But I'll address that later.
Natalie Daniels suddenly has a few issues in her life. Oftentimes I think it odd how a book will start in the middle of someone's life, give the impression that the past many years have been wonderful and perfect and then expect me to believe that everything goes wrong all at once and the main character has a nervous breakdown or something. This story did a much better job with that.
While it is true that a lot 'coincidentally' happened at once - Natalie looking like she'll lose her job and Miles trying to divorce her being the main things - the framework was put in place that made it believable (for the most part). For the two instances above, Tony Scoppio was just hired as the news director and wants to make changes and Miles is a slimeball and wants a divorce since he left her for another woman anyway. Or perhaps it's just that the book that I read after this one but before writing the review was terrible in this regard which helps this one seem much less contrived by comparison, but I don't think that's it.
Much of the story is Natalie navigating these issues and trying to work things out. Which is fine because I found early on in the book that I really cared about Natalie and really wanted things to work out for her; I was cheering when things went well and groaning when she did dumb things. She's definitely not perfect; rather insecure about her age and feeling terrible that Miles prefers other women to her. Yet she's strong, does her best to make things work. And all this put together makes her emotions and thoughts powerful; the author really earned empathy for her.
Even the side characters are great, too. I love Ruth; she is so fantastic. She's herself, she makes for a great friend, helping Natalie through things, and yet there is a moment when she exposes herself as somewhat vulnerable, which just makes me love her more. I could go on in vague terms like this about many of the characters, but since I don't like putting many specifics in my reviews, it would get really old quickly.
However, I do want to mention Tony Scoppio. What a fascinating character. In this book, the relationship between him and his wife Anna-Maria is perhaps the strongest and most loving husband-wife relationship in the book. Yet he is such a dick. He's trying to help improve the newsstation and is doing a good job, but he goes about it in such a tactless and inconsiderate way that it is so easy to dislike him. Yet the main reason he's doing it is so that he can bring his bonus home to Anna-Maria for her benefit. So I'm really torn between wanting things to work for him and not wanting things to work for him. And I do want to add as an aside before I really address the ending that his is probably the most satisfying for me.
For me, the worst aspect of this novel were the two romantic plot lines. At least for me, by about chapter two or something (and before I realized that this was way more/better than a simple romance novel); I had a darn good feeling how it was going to end as far as relationships goes. Unfortunately, I was right. Hmm, I'll put the next couple paragraphs in spoilers because it's hard to talk about what I didn't like about the plotlines without mentioning them...
It was those two storylines that led to the end of the novel. Unfortunately, those two storylines ended before most of the other subplots ended. Which made the whole novel feel really incomplete. I then saw that it was part of a series and figured that might explain it. I then saw that the books in the series weren't related, which brought me back to feeling really let down by the ending.
Sure, there were some antics that made this novel somewhat silly; but for the most part, it was a well-written, involving and interesting story. While I don't usually separate my reading by seasons, I guess the person who wrote the cover quip has a much different idea of summer reading than what I thought most people considered it, because this was way better than what usually comes to my mind.
It was way better than that.
This novel is really a quite involved story with lots going on, interesting and complex characters and great writing to tie it together, draw me in and not let me go. To be honest, it really didn't feel like a romance novel in that there was so much more to it than a simple romantic plot. Well, until the end; then it felt very much like a simple romance novel. But I'll address that later.
Natalie Daniels suddenly has a few issues in her life. Oftentimes I think it odd how a book will start in the middle of someone's life, give the impression that the past many years have been wonderful and perfect and then expect me to believe that everything goes wrong all at once and the main character has a nervous breakdown or something. This story did a much better job with that.
While it is true that a lot 'coincidentally' happened at once - Natalie looking like she'll lose her job and Miles trying to divorce her being the main things - the framework was put in place that made it believable (for the most part). For the two instances above, Tony Scoppio was just hired as the news director and wants to make changes and Miles is a slimeball and wants a divorce since he left her for another woman anyway. Or perhaps it's just that the book that I read after this one but before writing the review was terrible in this regard which helps this one seem much less contrived by comparison, but I don't think that's it.
Much of the story is Natalie navigating these issues and trying to work things out. Which is fine because I found early on in the book that I really cared about Natalie and really wanted things to work out for her; I was cheering when things went well and groaning when she did dumb things. She's definitely not perfect; rather insecure about her age and feeling terrible that Miles prefers other women to her. Yet she's strong, does her best to make things work. And all this put together makes her emotions and thoughts powerful; the author really earned empathy for her.
Even the side characters are great, too. I love Ruth; she is so fantastic. She's herself, she makes for a great friend, helping Natalie through things, and yet there is a moment when she exposes herself as somewhat vulnerable, which just makes me love her more. I could go on in vague terms like this about many of the characters, but since I don't like putting many specifics in my reviews, it would get really old quickly.
However, I do want to mention Tony Scoppio. What a fascinating character. In this book, the relationship between him and his wife Anna-Maria is perhaps the strongest and most loving husband-wife relationship in the book. Yet he is such a dick. He's trying to help improve the newsstation and is doing a good job, but he goes about it in such a tactless and inconsiderate way that it is so easy to dislike him. Yet the main reason he's doing it is so that he can bring his bonus home to Anna-Maria for her benefit. So I'm really torn between wanting things to work for him and not wanting things to work for him. And I do want to add as an aside before I really address the ending that his is probably the most satisfying for me.
For me, the worst aspect of this novel were the two romantic plot lines. At least for me, by about chapter two or something (and before I realized that this was way more/better than a simple romance novel); I had a darn good feeling how it was going to end as far as relationships goes. Unfortunately, I was right. Hmm, I'll put the next couple paragraphs in spoilers because it's hard to talk about what I didn't like about the plotlines without mentioning them...
It was those two storylines that led to the end of the novel. Unfortunately, those two storylines ended before most of the other subplots ended. Which made the whole novel feel really incomplete. I then saw that it was part of a series and figured that might explain it. I then saw that the books in the series weren't related, which brought me back to feeling really let down by the ending.
Sure, there were some antics that made this novel somewhat silly; but for the most part, it was a well-written, involving and interesting story. While I don't usually separate my reading by seasons, I guess the person who wrote the cover quip has a much different idea of summer reading than what I thought most people considered it, because this was way better than what usually comes to my mind.
March 3, 2018
This is the first book that I have read by Diana Dempsey, but there are now more on my wishlist. It was a pleasure to read such a well written and well constructed book. The story is told from four points of view which are all expertly handled by Ms Dempsey, and the characters are all real, believable, and have plenty of depth. There's a bit more bad language in the book than I would like, and I have stopped reading books with less, but this story is so compelling that I couldn't put it down. It was nice to read a novel that has romance as one element, but where it is not the driving force. There is so much more going on, with plenty of different aspects to keep readers glued to the pages. The interplay between the different characters, as well as the insights into the life of an American TV news station, is fascinating. I thoroughly recommend Falling Star.
October 24, 2024
Natalie Daniels' husband just dumped her. Her boss is scheming to replace her. And she's falling in love with her Australian TV news agent - who's about to propose to somebody else. What's a woman to do? Dig deep and show what she's made of - which just might land her bith the job and the man of her dreams.
I got this book as a freebie many years ago when I first got a kindle. I think I must have requested every free book back then as I have lots of them still on my kindle.
The pace is slow, there wasn't anything exciting happening, but there was something that made you keep reading the book. In the second half, the story got a bit better. It's quite a lengthy read with just over 400 pages. A romantic story is not one I'd normally chose, but I'm glad I picked this one.
#KindleBook
I got this book as a freebie many years ago when I first got a kindle. I think I must have requested every free book back then as I have lots of them still on my kindle.
The pace is slow, there wasn't anything exciting happening, but there was something that made you keep reading the book. In the second half, the story got a bit better. It's quite a lengthy read with just over 400 pages. A romantic story is not one I'd normally chose, but I'm glad I picked this one.
#KindleBook
February 24, 2025
2.5
A ver, me lo reí rápido porque es muy entretenido, pero mi parte feminista no puede bancarse un affair en que la mujer sabe que el hombre está con otro y no tener sororidad. Claramente lo pintan a él como un mino y que está ok lo que hace, pero no siento que en la vida real sea tan justificable su comportamiento (en el fondo, un funereke)
Además alfinal queda como muy al aire todo lo que se construía en la historia respecto al futuro de la protagonista, siento que se apuraron en cerrar la trama. Pero insisto, muuuy entretenido.
Última crítica: me hubiese gustado que los personajes fueran más complicados, siento que era muy obvio quién era bueno/malo, siento que como era una narración omnipresente se podría haber jugado más con los matices de la moralidad de cada uno, para no odiar 100% ni adorar completamente.
A ver, me lo reí rápido porque es muy entretenido, pero mi parte feminista no puede bancarse un affair en que la mujer sabe que el hombre está con otro y no tener sororidad. Claramente lo pintan a él como un mino y que está ok lo que hace, pero no siento que en la vida real sea tan justificable su comportamiento (en el fondo, un funereke)
Además alfinal queda como muy al aire todo lo que se construía en la historia respecto al futuro de la protagonista, siento que se apuraron en cerrar la trama. Pero insisto, muuuy entretenido.
Última crítica: me hubiese gustado que los personajes fueran más complicados, siento que era muy obvio quién era bueno/malo, siento que como era una narración omnipresente se podría haber jugado más con los matices de la moralidad de cada uno, para no odiar 100% ni adorar completamente.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 26, 2018
Cover/Title: The cover is pretty but I am not sure why I bought the book to begin with. I have had it a really long time and never got around to reading it until now.
Characters: I enjoyed reading Natalie's story. I love that the events happening around her don't break her. She gets right back up, dusts herself off and keeps moving forward.
Plot: Poor Natalie. Her life is crumbling around her. Her husband walks out on her and she starts having issues at work. Natalie decides to fight back the only way she knows how.
Overall: Despite, not remembering purchasing this book (or why), I really enjoyed it. I love reading about strong women that stand up for themselves. When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!
Characters: I enjoyed reading Natalie's story. I love that the events happening around her don't break her. She gets right back up, dusts herself off and keeps moving forward.
Plot: Poor Natalie. Her life is crumbling around her. Her husband walks out on her and she starts having issues at work. Natalie decides to fight back the only way she knows how.
Overall: Despite, not remembering purchasing this book (or why), I really enjoyed it. I love reading about strong women that stand up for themselves. When life hands you lemons, make lemonade!
November 24, 2018
You know what? 99% of the time when debating between 3 or 4 star, I opt for the lower number. So, I’ve surprised myself by giving this book 4 stars after all. It’s not bad, neither is it brilliant but I really enjoyed it and would happily read another by the same author. Yes, I read it quickly on holiday as it happens and it did seem to take a while to get started but it was smart and funny and I liked the (rather predictable) ending.
July 8, 2017
Interesting twisty love lost and gained story
A 39 year old woman's life changes when her husband leaves her for a younger model, her best friend dies of cancer and her career as a TV anchor is teetering on the edge. So what does she do? She turns 40 and keeps on going. Good little read with no cliff hanger.
A 39 year old woman's life changes when her husband leaves her for a younger model, her best friend dies of cancer and her career as a TV anchor is teetering on the edge. So what does she do? She turns 40 and keeps on going. Good little read with no cliff hanger.
December 31, 2019
Couldn't stop reading
I would recommend this book to anyone who needs to escape reality for a while. It's a real page turner and I absolutely did not want to put it down whenever I had to go to work. The characters and their development are enthralling and the author's talent for writing is undeniable.
I would recommend this book to anyone who needs to escape reality for a while. It's a real page turner and I absolutely did not want to put it down whenever I had to go to work. The characters and their development are enthralling and the author's talent for writing is undeniable.
May 3, 2020
At the end of the day, this is a love story but at least it has a decent background to it.
Back stabbing, stupidity, ignorance, pride and a sense of over worth, all in the TV news channels in America [and probably elsewhere in the world too].
It's great when an author can make you despise a character so much that you wish ill will on them
Back stabbing, stupidity, ignorance, pride and a sense of over worth, all in the TV news channels in America [and probably elsewhere in the world too].
It's great when an author can make you despise a character so much that you wish ill will on them
February 7, 2022
I love a good story where everyone gets just what they deserve. I'm used to reading much more explicit books, but this one had a great storyline that kept me engaged. I'll be honest, I almost have up about a third of the way through because it kept getting worse and worse for our heroine, but I'm glad I stuck it out.
December 20, 2023
I read this for the Pop Sugar Challenge 2023. #11 Read a book about or set in Hollywood. I did not relish reading anything to do with Hollywood. But my challenge is almost finished. In this book the bad people were so bad, no redeeming qualities. The good people so good as well as beautiful. Not so with the bad people.
February 27, 2019
Take it or leave it
Just three stars because i began this book nearly six months ago. For someone who can read a book in six hours this one took work. Between all the different outlooks from characters to trying to keep track of them all. Glad i finished it though
Just three stars because i began this book nearly six months ago. For someone who can read a book in six hours this one took work. Between all the different outlooks from characters to trying to keep track of them all. Glad i finished it though
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