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Stars Like Gasoline
When Celia, a Florida art curator, purchases the haunted house of her brother’s deceased fiancé, the spirits threaten her life and her career. To rid the home of the malevolent ghosts, she enlists the help of her brother, Oscar, and Adrian, the best friend of Oscar’s late fiancé, who was killed in Afghanistan. The three are about to be thrown into a chasm of events involving a dead French artist, a Dutch aerospace heiress, and a missing Japanese painter who is presumed to be dead. Not to mention a stalker that begins to threaten Celia and Oscar.
The link between these events appears to be a hidden journal from the 1980s Celia discovers in the home, belonging to a revered French artist. As Adrian helps decipher the clues, an attraction burns between him and Celia, raising the stakes of the game someone is playing. A game that no one might make it out of alive.
The link between these events appears to be a hidden journal from the 1980s Celia discovers in the home, belonging to a revered French artist. As Adrian helps decipher the clues, an attraction burns between him and Celia, raising the stakes of the game someone is playing. A game that no one might make it out of alive.
370 pages, Paperback
Published April 25, 2023
4 people are currently reading
2277 people want to read
About the author
Jessika Grewe Glover
7 books112 followersJessika Grewe Glover grew up along the humid shores of South Florida, eventually marrying her British husband and moving to Los Angeles, where they live with their two teenage children and rescue bulldog. Jessika writes multiple genres from literary to speculative fiction. When she is not writing or reading, she can be found traveling, creating art, making chocolate dragons, and bantering in song lyrics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 1, 2024
Stars like Gasoline is a captivating novel that seamlessly weaves together elements of art, food, fashion and the supernatural. With a keen eye for detail, the author paints a vivid picture of a world where ghosts linger and stories intertwine.
From the very first page, the prose enchants, drawing readers into a world where every sentence feels meticulously crafted. The characters, diverse and fully fleshed out, feel like real people, making their struggles and triumphs all the more relatable.
The incorporation of ghosts adds an extra layer of depth to the story, subtly weaving mystery into the narrative without overpowering the main plotline. It's a testament to the author's skill that these supernatural elements feel perfectly at home alongside the everyday struggles of the characters.
Moreover, the mouthwatering descriptions of food serve as more than just background scenery—they become a central theme, symbolizing connection, celebration, and family. Through these shared meals, readers not only get to know the characters better but also gain insight into their cultural heritage and personal histories.
4.5 stars
From the very first page, the prose enchants, drawing readers into a world where every sentence feels meticulously crafted. The characters, diverse and fully fleshed out, feel like real people, making their struggles and triumphs all the more relatable.
The incorporation of ghosts adds an extra layer of depth to the story, subtly weaving mystery into the narrative without overpowering the main plotline. It's a testament to the author's skill that these supernatural elements feel perfectly at home alongside the everyday struggles of the characters.
Moreover, the mouthwatering descriptions of food serve as more than just background scenery—they become a central theme, symbolizing connection, celebration, and family. Through these shared meals, readers not only get to know the characters better but also gain insight into their cultural heritage and personal histories.
4.5 stars
September 28, 2023
I had the privilege to read an advanced reader copy of Stars Like Gasoline and I enjoyed the book so much that I purchased a copy upon release. I was familiar with Jessika Grewe Glover’s writing after reading her Another Beast’s Skin series, which unfortunately at this time of writing is no longer available on Amazon or in stores. Grewe Glover is a prolific yet still undiscovered talent.
Stars Like Gasoline is an entertaining romp through boujee Vero Beach filled with suspense, scares, and action. The story follows Celia, who’s an art expert and curator who works at the local museum. You’d think that with a character with a job description like that, the book would be a bit la-di-dah, yet Celia (and Grewe Glover) make it glamorous and fun. As some of the other reviewers have mentioned, Jessika Grewe Glover’s description and details of the art and artists mentioned in the story, make you want to Google if they are in fact real (spoiler alert: they aren’t). Her research goes above and beyond in creating believable and imaginative art and a delightful world it exists in. I wish some of the paintings the author created could be on display on the walls of my living room.
Stars Like Gasoline is an entertaining romp through boujee Vero Beach filled with suspense, scares, and action. The story follows Celia, who’s an art expert and curator who works at the local museum. You’d think that with a character with a job description like that, the book would be a bit la-di-dah, yet Celia (and Grewe Glover) make it glamorous and fun. As some of the other reviewers have mentioned, Jessika Grewe Glover’s description and details of the art and artists mentioned in the story, make you want to Google if they are in fact real (spoiler alert: they aren’t). Her research goes above and beyond in creating believable and imaginative art and a delightful world it exists in. I wish some of the paintings the author created could be on display on the walls of my living room.
March 7, 2024
I absolutely loved it.
I don’t even know where to begin… first of all, the writing is perfect. I have read three other books by this author, and I can say I’m a huge fan now and will read anything she writes.
I loved the characters in this book. The story itself has everything you need to not be able to put it down. Ghosts (some of the first scenes were actually really spooky—I read late at night, which doubled the effect), mystery, family drama, art (lots and lots of beautiful art), romance (beautifully written) and even action scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. Would make a great movie, actually!
This book is a journey. It’s an EXPERIENCE. An unforgettable one. I enjoyed every single page and I highly recommend it.
I don’t even know where to begin… first of all, the writing is perfect. I have read three other books by this author, and I can say I’m a huge fan now and will read anything she writes.
I loved the characters in this book. The story itself has everything you need to not be able to put it down. Ghosts (some of the first scenes were actually really spooky—I read late at night, which doubled the effect), mystery, family drama, art (lots and lots of beautiful art), romance (beautifully written) and even action scenes that keep you on the edge of your seat. Would make a great movie, actually!
This book is a journey. It’s an EXPERIENCE. An unforgettable one. I enjoyed every single page and I highly recommend it.
April 26, 2023
I have never read anything by this author before, but if she writes anything as enchanting as this novel--sign me up! This book was suspenseful, with a mystery to be solved, ghosts, and a sweet romantic story. Celia, Adrian, and Oscar make up this cast--the story is poignant at times as we learn about the loss of Oscar's fiancee Nate who was also Adrian's best friend. The story is complex, and when I think of it now, there were so many facets to it that required a deft hand at writing for it all to come together, and this author did it wonderfully.
Celia's fascination with the two artists in the story. One who is alive and no one knows where they are or what they are doing, but Celia loves their whimsical art featuring the sea and chrysanthemum. The other who is deceased whose art featured is described as would be described by an art lover to where you can see the painting in your mind. (Honestly, it had me searching the Google to see if the artist was real--he's not.) The mystery around the art drives the action in the book, including the suspense with a real bad guy and edge-of-your-seat scenes.
Then there are two romances we get to watch bloom and take root. And it wasn't easy sailing for either, but it only made the story that much more fun to read. This is five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, in my opinion. Though the paranormal part is not a huge portion of this book, I would say. The paranormal is integral to the story and provides just what is needed without overtaking the story's main idea--mystery and romance. Read it!
Celia's fascination with the two artists in the story. One who is alive and no one knows where they are or what they are doing, but Celia loves their whimsical art featuring the sea and chrysanthemum. The other who is deceased whose art featured is described as would be described by an art lover to where you can see the painting in your mind. (Honestly, it had me searching the Google to see if the artist was real--he's not.) The mystery around the art drives the action in the book, including the suspense with a real bad guy and edge-of-your-seat scenes.
Then there are two romances we get to watch bloom and take root. And it wasn't easy sailing for either, but it only made the story that much more fun to read. This is five stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, in my opinion. Though the paranormal part is not a huge portion of this book, I would say. The paranormal is integral to the story and provides just what is needed without overtaking the story's main idea--mystery and romance. Read it!
May 25, 2023
This is one of those "Where To Start?" reviews, the ones that are difficult to write for that reason only. There are just so many elements and pieces to rave about, and while I'll try to hit them all, I'm sorry to admit that I won't be able to fit all the wonder of this book into one review.
But without further ado, here's my attempt:
ART. Most people that know me know that one of my favorite things in life is consuming art--creating it, staring at it, researching it, and of course, reading it. With the FMC's career being centered around art, there was plenty for me to get excited about here. When authors take their time to not only create fictional artists BUT ALSO fictional art, it's not so fictional anymore. There's everything real about the description of paintings and sculptures, origins and backstories and the emotions it takes to make a story like this what it is: effective. I could take ages going over the marvelous details of the artists and their creations here, but to do so would be to spill too much about the mysteries of the story. Which brings me to my next point,
MYSTERY. This wasn't an in-your-face mystery in my opinion, where you look at the cover or the title of the book and know what you're getting into. No, this was that book where you get to just be delightfully surprised by the discovery that you're putting together a puzzle (or many) while you're reading. Again, THE DETAIL here in the paintings and the people are just *chefs kiss*. Oh, and speaking of chefs. . .
CUISINE. I'm not someone who focuses much on something like this in any story, because eating is a part of life and therefore should be part of a lifelike story. But here, it's noticeable, and for good reason. We all know that most good stories have pieces of their authors in them (as they should), and I personally believe that's what makes a story all the more magical, all the more real. With this one, I had this warm and really beautiful feeling that a piece of the author here had to do with what might be described as a love language: spending time with loved ones over good food and drinks. Each time the characters were gathered around a meal or making a meal or fixing drinks, there was significant emotion that played huge roles in character development. And you KNOW it's because the author understands that moments like this truly do happen when people are gathered and, yes, hungry or thirsting either physically or emotionally. Maybe I'm just now realizing, too, that there's a lot of metaphor in that, and that further makes the story all the more brilliant. And with brilliance comes the mention of. . .
DAZZLING, DIVERSE CHARACTERS. Oh my GOSH, what fantastic personalities. What real and traumatic backstories. What tragic loves. What beautiful histories. What excellent emotions they all tossed at one another. Blood family, found family, lost family, it's all here and a major role in the way this story moves. With a few different POVs and a few of the same outlooks and characteristics, you get to see why people fit together, why they don't, how they see things the same way or differently, and definitely what makes them all so human. So last but not least,
THE NON-HUMANS. The ones in this story that are only sometimes tangible, are often misunderstood, and are (practically) all the time paranormal. The ones that provide the ghostly, eerie aspects to the story and those puzzles. The ones with good intentions, bad intentions, and tolls that are taken and paid for by themselves or the ones suffering around them. It was another detail that made reading this feel extravagant, and much like I was reading a book that spanned all the genres I love and read most.
I don't know Where To End much like I didn't know Where To Start, but it seems most important to leave off with the fact that both books I've read by Jessika Glover have been exceptionally well thought-out, hit all the marks I look and long for, and left their proper impressions.
It's most fitting to say, finally, that I find it impossible to be disappointed by an author this passionate.
But without further ado, here's my attempt:
ART. Most people that know me know that one of my favorite things in life is consuming art--creating it, staring at it, researching it, and of course, reading it. With the FMC's career being centered around art, there was plenty for me to get excited about here. When authors take their time to not only create fictional artists BUT ALSO fictional art, it's not so fictional anymore. There's everything real about the description of paintings and sculptures, origins and backstories and the emotions it takes to make a story like this what it is: effective. I could take ages going over the marvelous details of the artists and their creations here, but to do so would be to spill too much about the mysteries of the story. Which brings me to my next point,
MYSTERY. This wasn't an in-your-face mystery in my opinion, where you look at the cover or the title of the book and know what you're getting into. No, this was that book where you get to just be delightfully surprised by the discovery that you're putting together a puzzle (or many) while you're reading. Again, THE DETAIL here in the paintings and the people are just *chefs kiss*. Oh, and speaking of chefs. . .
CUISINE. I'm not someone who focuses much on something like this in any story, because eating is a part of life and therefore should be part of a lifelike story. But here, it's noticeable, and for good reason. We all know that most good stories have pieces of their authors in them (as they should), and I personally believe that's what makes a story all the more magical, all the more real. With this one, I had this warm and really beautiful feeling that a piece of the author here had to do with what might be described as a love language: spending time with loved ones over good food and drinks. Each time the characters were gathered around a meal or making a meal or fixing drinks, there was significant emotion that played huge roles in character development. And you KNOW it's because the author understands that moments like this truly do happen when people are gathered and, yes, hungry or thirsting either physically or emotionally. Maybe I'm just now realizing, too, that there's a lot of metaphor in that, and that further makes the story all the more brilliant. And with brilliance comes the mention of. . .
DAZZLING, DIVERSE CHARACTERS. Oh my GOSH, what fantastic personalities. What real and traumatic backstories. What tragic loves. What beautiful histories. What excellent emotions they all tossed at one another. Blood family, found family, lost family, it's all here and a major role in the way this story moves. With a few different POVs and a few of the same outlooks and characteristics, you get to see why people fit together, why they don't, how they see things the same way or differently, and definitely what makes them all so human. So last but not least,
THE NON-HUMANS. The ones in this story that are only sometimes tangible, are often misunderstood, and are (practically) all the time paranormal. The ones that provide the ghostly, eerie aspects to the story and those puzzles. The ones with good intentions, bad intentions, and tolls that are taken and paid for by themselves or the ones suffering around them. It was another detail that made reading this feel extravagant, and much like I was reading a book that spanned all the genres I love and read most.
I don't know Where To End much like I didn't know Where To Start, but it seems most important to leave off with the fact that both books I've read by Jessika Glover have been exceptionally well thought-out, hit all the marks I look and long for, and left their proper impressions.
It's most fitting to say, finally, that I find it impossible to be disappointed by an author this passionate.
April 24, 2023
Suspense, ghosts, and romance, with a sprinkling of poetic prose, Stars Like Gasoline will remind you of a captivating piece of artwork in the museum you now want to visit again immediately. Which makes sense! This story is chock full of art, from Celia’s career as an art curator to the lush descriptions of the paintings. The spine-chilling encounters with the ghosts haunting Celia were just as stunning, too. Glover has delivered a story that will draw you in and keep you turning pages for so many reasons.
A few passages I enjoyed:
My emotions embarrassed me; I always thought no one needed to hear the raw edges of my thoughts.
“Did you know that when you feel like you have nothing left, you’re only 40 percent to your max? It’s an old navy rule.”
I was thinking that I didn’t know if I could face 60 perfect more heartache.
Privilege doesn’t understand the animosity of those who struggle. The ones who spend their lives from cradle to grave clawing for purchase on some semblance of the life so often romanticized.
And our kiss crashed together like every moment we’d been forced apart had to fit within this one.
This story is for readers who enjoy well-crafted characters with a storyline that will keep you guessing, give you chills, make you swoon, and keep you on the edge of your seat while falling head over heels by the end. Glover is masterful in the way she weaved the unique pieces of her story together.
Thank you to the author for the opportunity to read this story in advance!
November 1, 2023
Art. Mystery. Romance. Vengeful spectres.
I've been waiting to read this for a long time. The fantastic front cover and the snippets and teasers I'd seen just snagged me from the get go.
Celia works as an art curator at a prestigious gallery. The book opens with her preparing for an art series dedicated to the work of two painters- a Frenchman from the past, with a romantic yet tragic life, and a modern day Japanese maestro. Both men and their respective pieces are fascinating. In the opening pages alone, Celia is attacked by something, and we immediately learn that all her life she has been able to sense the near presence of ghosts. But something is different this time: something wants to hurt her, and it keeps showing up, usually in her home when it is late and she is alone.
Celia is surrounded by a host of characters, namely her brother Oscar, and his friend, police officer, Adrian, who also becomes romantically connected to Celia. The spectre continues to haunt her, and in fact, there is a second. Not only does she have to contend with this horror, but she falls under the obsessive gaze of a stalker named Jacob.
The ghosts are here for a reason. What links them to Celia, and what links her in turn to an old journal, detailing the life of the French artist?
This isnt a horror, but I personally was creeped by the ghost scenes! They were amazing! While I didnt quite connect with the final conflict scenes (the book seemed to shift genres a bit and become an action - this is just my personal take! Don't let this sway you from picking up a copy for yourself) I really enjoyed this book overall. I had a great time in this world, in this setting. Florida sun. The intricacy of art. Romance. This was brought to life by the prose of Jessika Grewe Glover. Seriously, some of the writing was delicious. I'm glad I can support such a great voice and talent in the indie writing community, and I'm glad I read this book!
I've been waiting to read this for a long time. The fantastic front cover and the snippets and teasers I'd seen just snagged me from the get go.
Celia works as an art curator at a prestigious gallery. The book opens with her preparing for an art series dedicated to the work of two painters- a Frenchman from the past, with a romantic yet tragic life, and a modern day Japanese maestro. Both men and their respective pieces are fascinating. In the opening pages alone, Celia is attacked by something, and we immediately learn that all her life she has been able to sense the near presence of ghosts. But something is different this time: something wants to hurt her, and it keeps showing up, usually in her home when it is late and she is alone.
Celia is surrounded by a host of characters, namely her brother Oscar, and his friend, police officer, Adrian, who also becomes romantically connected to Celia. The spectre continues to haunt her, and in fact, there is a second. Not only does she have to contend with this horror, but she falls under the obsessive gaze of a stalker named Jacob.
The ghosts are here for a reason. What links them to Celia, and what links her in turn to an old journal, detailing the life of the French artist?
This isnt a horror, but I personally was creeped by the ghost scenes! They were amazing! While I didnt quite connect with the final conflict scenes (the book seemed to shift genres a bit and become an action - this is just my personal take! Don't let this sway you from picking up a copy for yourself) I really enjoyed this book overall. I had a great time in this world, in this setting. Florida sun. The intricacy of art. Romance. This was brought to life by the prose of Jessika Grewe Glover. Seriously, some of the writing was delicious. I'm glad I can support such a great voice and talent in the indie writing community, and I'm glad I read this book!
February 20, 2024
Unlikely but satisfying
A surprising combination of things, spiteful ghosts, an art museum, a psycho ex-boyfriend, a tragic love story across continents, but Celia made for an engaging protagonist and the supporting cast were fun, well fleshed out and compelling characters... Enjoyed this far more than I expected to
A surprising combination of things, spiteful ghosts, an art museum, a psycho ex-boyfriend, a tragic love story across continents, but Celia made for an engaging protagonist and the supporting cast were fun, well fleshed out and compelling characters... Enjoyed this far more than I expected to
May 10, 2023
4.5 stars
Stars Like Gasoline is my first introduction to Jessika and her unique way of telling a story. I have never read anything by this author before and I was delightfully surprised. She has cleverly orchestrated a cast of well-developed characters in a tale that will have you checking dark corners as the chills as thrills intensify your senses.
What makes Stars Like Gasoline so encompassing is that it has multi-faceted complex plots and storylines. They are carefully woven together to give us the right amount of mystery, intrigue, suspense and some paranormal elements. The characters are just as equally complex and fully realised and delightful.
Ghostly encounters, missing artists, an international art scandal, romance, and a stalker and so much more
Celia loves her job is an art curator for a museum where she suddenly finds herself thrust into the underbelly of fine art and the art world. It is interesting to read about each painting and piece of sculpture as Jessika’s passion and vivid descriptions brings them to life and makes it hard to believe they aren’t real.
I love to watch the British TV show Fake Or Fortune where owners find out if the piece of art they have procured is a real piece by the artist or a fake. It made this story much more relatable and real.
The story is beautifully written despite the spine-tingling ghostly encounters that haunt Celia.
leaves us feeling as if the characters will invite us into their home for fine wine, good conversation and a few extra secrets after turning the last page.
If you love a good mystery, ghosts, with a sweet romantic tale then you will love Stars Like Gasoline.
Stars Like Gasoline is my first introduction to Jessika and her unique way of telling a story. I have never read anything by this author before and I was delightfully surprised. She has cleverly orchestrated a cast of well-developed characters in a tale that will have you checking dark corners as the chills as thrills intensify your senses.
What makes Stars Like Gasoline so encompassing is that it has multi-faceted complex plots and storylines. They are carefully woven together to give us the right amount of mystery, intrigue, suspense and some paranormal elements. The characters are just as equally complex and fully realised and delightful.
Ghostly encounters, missing artists, an international art scandal, romance, and a stalker and so much more
Celia loves her job is an art curator for a museum where she suddenly finds herself thrust into the underbelly of fine art and the art world. It is interesting to read about each painting and piece of sculpture as Jessika’s passion and vivid descriptions brings them to life and makes it hard to believe they aren’t real.
I love to watch the British TV show Fake Or Fortune where owners find out if the piece of art they have procured is a real piece by the artist or a fake. It made this story much more relatable and real.
The story is beautifully written despite the spine-tingling ghostly encounters that haunt Celia.
leaves us feeling as if the characters will invite us into their home for fine wine, good conversation and a few extra secrets after turning the last page.
If you love a good mystery, ghosts, with a sweet romantic tale then you will love Stars Like Gasoline.
May 23, 2023
An entertaining read with an intriguing storyline and a host of fascinating characters, which kept me captivated throughout. Florida art curator, Celia purchases the house of her brother’s deceased fiancé, only to find that its haunted. In order to get rid of the malevolent ghosts who are threatening her life and career, she enlists the help of Oscar, her brother and Adrian, his late fiancé’s best friend. Celia discovers a hidden journal from the 1980s belonging to a revered artist, and this is the start of a series of events which involve a dead French artist, a Dutch aerospace heiress, and a missing presumed dead Japanese painter.
Things take a sinister turn when Celia and Oscar are threatened by a stalker. Meanwhile, as Adrian and Celia spend time together deciphering the clues they cannot deny their mutual attraction. However, they get the feeling that someone is playing a game with them all and their lives might actually be in danger. This is an enjoyable and engaging read which drew me in from page one. The setting and characters where brought vividly to life through the descriptive narrative, making me feel immersed in the story. The storyline had a mix of paranormal, mystery, suspense and a slow burn romance, which kept me happily turning the pages.
Things take a sinister turn when Celia and Oscar are threatened by a stalker. Meanwhile, as Adrian and Celia spend time together deciphering the clues they cannot deny their mutual attraction. However, they get the feeling that someone is playing a game with them all and their lives might actually be in danger. This is an enjoyable and engaging read which drew me in from page one. The setting and characters where brought vividly to life through the descriptive narrative, making me feel immersed in the story. The storyline had a mix of paranormal, mystery, suspense and a slow burn romance, which kept me happily turning the pages.
January 24, 2023
I was lucky enough to read an early copy of Grewe Glover’s delightful book.
In Stars Like Gasoline, you’ve got Ce, her heart-broken brother, Oscar, and Oscar’s late veteran-fiancé’s best friend Adrian all working to solve Ce’s stalker-ghost-art heist conundrum.
(Ce and Adrian might also be getting in their own way when it comes to finding love with one other…)
All of this under the Florida sunshine and storms.
Or if I boiled the book down:
A Sexy Beach Goldfinch that Tartt would be proud of.
The book is sharp, witty, and had the right mix of mystery, terror, love, and kept me guessing till the end when all the pieces fall into place.
I should think most of us want a book that leaves us feeling as if the characters will invite us into their home for fine wine, good conversation and a few extra secrets after turning the last page.
(Also you might be demanding Oscar get his own book when you’re done reading 😍)
In Stars Like Gasoline, you’ve got Ce, her heart-broken brother, Oscar, and Oscar’s late veteran-fiancé’s best friend Adrian all working to solve Ce’s stalker-ghost-art heist conundrum.
(Ce and Adrian might also be getting in their own way when it comes to finding love with one other…)
All of this under the Florida sunshine and storms.
Or if I boiled the book down:
A Sexy Beach Goldfinch that Tartt would be proud of.
The book is sharp, witty, and had the right mix of mystery, terror, love, and kept me guessing till the end when all the pieces fall into place.
I should think most of us want a book that leaves us feeling as if the characters will invite us into their home for fine wine, good conversation and a few extra secrets after turning the last page.
(Also you might be demanding Oscar get his own book when you’re done reading 😍)
May 16, 2023
Please, add this to your TBR this right now. Stars Like Gasoline has a little bit of everything - it’s a ghost story, a mystery, a romance, a thriller, and a contemporary adult fiction. It’s a book about the strength of family and of self; about finding love and what it means to sacrifice; about tragedy and grief and finding the strength to start over; about art - beautiful art and the power that art has in our lives.
Quick synopsis: Celia has moved home to be closer to her brother, Oscar, in the aftermath of Oscoar’s fiance’s (Nate) sudden death. Celia moves into a haunted house that was once part of Nate’s family. She takes on the position of an art curator and then the fun begins. She discovers a journal of a French artist and while fending off a stalker, she must figure out what the journal, the missing Japanese artist, the ghosts, and the stalker all have in common.
This book was beautifully written.There is a maturity and flow to the writing that hooks you from the beginning. Characters are developed to be complex and authentic. I fell in love with Oscar, through the depth of his love for Nate, but to see his growth from beginning to end showed how powerful love and grief are in equal measure.
The plot itself is more complex than you may think. There are numerous sub plots that are moving fluidly in parallel movement, until the end when they begin to come together and all the pieces fall into place.
I promise you won’t be disappointed in giving this book a chance. Celia and Oscar are some of my favorite fiction siblings and will always have a place in my heart. This book truly showcases Jessika’s talent at setting a tone, developing a complex plot line with multiple moving parts, and crafting characters with such depth and emotion that they truly seem to be in the room with you. I loved this book, and have already found myself recommending it to others!
Full Review: https://thebookshelf.substack.com/p/b...
Quick synopsis: Celia has moved home to be closer to her brother, Oscar, in the aftermath of Oscoar’s fiance’s (Nate) sudden death. Celia moves into a haunted house that was once part of Nate’s family. She takes on the position of an art curator and then the fun begins. She discovers a journal of a French artist and while fending off a stalker, she must figure out what the journal, the missing Japanese artist, the ghosts, and the stalker all have in common.
This book was beautifully written.There is a maturity and flow to the writing that hooks you from the beginning. Characters are developed to be complex and authentic. I fell in love with Oscar, through the depth of his love for Nate, but to see his growth from beginning to end showed how powerful love and grief are in equal measure.
The plot itself is more complex than you may think. There are numerous sub plots that are moving fluidly in parallel movement, until the end when they begin to come together and all the pieces fall into place.
I promise you won’t be disappointed in giving this book a chance. Celia and Oscar are some of my favorite fiction siblings and will always have a place in my heart. This book truly showcases Jessika’s talent at setting a tone, developing a complex plot line with multiple moving parts, and crafting characters with such depth and emotion that they truly seem to be in the room with you. I loved this book, and have already found myself recommending it to others!
Full Review: https://thebookshelf.substack.com/p/b...
May 24, 2023
I was drawn in by the synopsis of this book and truly looked forward to reading a novel with paranormal elements. I tend to gravitate toward a lot of the same authors so I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, since this author was new to me. Not only did the storyline exceed my expectations, I was really impressed with the author’s writing style. What I enjoyed most, however, were the main characters. Each character was written in a strong way and truly enjoyable. I was also surprised by the range of emotion the story held. There were a lot of entertaining complexities, far more intricate than the “campfire ghost story” I was anticipating. This is definitely a book I’d recommend by an author I will be looking out for.
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June 19, 2024DNF at 50%
The writing was nice and the story was somewhat intriguing, but by halfway through the plot still felt a little scrambled/unclear and the sudden addition of Oscar's POV threw me a bit. I just didn't really understand where the story was going and the plotlines felt disjointed. Maybe I'll pick it back up one day and be wowed, but currently it's not for me!
The writing was nice and the story was somewhat intriguing, but by halfway through the plot still felt a little scrambled/unclear and the sudden addition of Oscar's POV threw me a bit. I just didn't really understand where the story was going and the plotlines felt disjointed. Maybe I'll pick it back up one day and be wowed, but currently it's not for me!
April 24, 2023
This book was absolutly beautiful. A truly cozy but heartfelt story about people, relationships, pain and love, filled with quotable moments, a love for art and characters that will remain with the reader, like benevolent spirits. I was in 100% from page one.
September 15, 2024
Good Plot but not Really a Ghost Story
How can you not like a book that uses the word discombobulated? Anyway, my first read from Jessika Grewe Glover is equal parts paranormal, romance, and thriller (with romance probably getting the most attention). Told mostly in the first person narration of the main character, Celia, the story revolves around this art curator who has moved into the haunted house of her brother’s deceased fiance. But we really don’t get much in the way of the hauntings as the book progresses, and instead the plot shifts to Celia’s new relationship with Adrian and her fending off a stalker who has enough money to make her life difficult as long as he would like. There is an intriguing backstory involving several of the secondary characters that connects to Celia which was well thought out. Overall well written, although I was hoping for more scenes with the ghosts.
How can you not like a book that uses the word discombobulated? Anyway, my first read from Jessika Grewe Glover is equal parts paranormal, romance, and thriller (with romance probably getting the most attention). Told mostly in the first person narration of the main character, Celia, the story revolves around this art curator who has moved into the haunted house of her brother’s deceased fiance. But we really don’t get much in the way of the hauntings as the book progresses, and instead the plot shifts to Celia’s new relationship with Adrian and her fending off a stalker who has enough money to make her life difficult as long as he would like. There is an intriguing backstory involving several of the secondary characters that connects to Celia which was well thought out. Overall well written, although I was hoping for more scenes with the ghosts.
March 16, 2024
This was the first book that I read from this author and found it to be enjoyable. This paranormal mystery has it all – ghosts, romance, danger and more!
The plot was intriguing and the author balanced suspense and humour well to create a great story. This alongside a collection of well-developed characters made the story really stand out to me. I loved it!
Events and characters are woven together so well in a way that isn’t always obvious. The ghost element drew me in at first, but the connections in mystery elements blew me away.
I was very invested and couldn’t put the book down. I’ll be looking out for more from this author!
The plot was intriguing and the author balanced suspense and humour well to create a great story. This alongside a collection of well-developed characters made the story really stand out to me. I loved it!
Events and characters are woven together so well in a way that isn’t always obvious. The ghost element drew me in at first, but the connections in mystery elements blew me away.
I was very invested and couldn’t put the book down. I’ll be looking out for more from this author!
May 22, 2023
I had really high hopes for this book as they synopsis looked like something I'd be interested in. However, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't get into this book. For starters, it switched back and forth a lot, something that I struggle in keeping up with the storyline. The story took forever to really pick up for me and by then, I was pretty much done. I did want to enjoy this book, and many others have, I just couldn't get into it.
December 14, 2023
This book was amazing! It's a contemporary romance, with a little paranormal thrown in. The characters were so relatable, and their reactions were so organic to their character. I love the lyrical way the author writes and how all of the different storylines wove together. Beautifully done, I definitely recommend this book!
July 16, 2023
I am out-of-the-mainstream on STARS LIKE GASOLINE. Vast majority of readers love it. Not me.
I think what got me off track was the horribly misleading promotional blurb. It gives the impression the book is some sort of mystery, suspense, thriller or ghost story. It even lists its genre as “suspense, paranormal, mystery.” Pooh. It’s a romance novel —a long romance novel.
THE PLOT: The protagonist is Celia Sullivan, an art curator, who somehow by way of her half-Mexican heritage can see ghosts (sometimes). But to explain what’s happening I’ll start with a dead guy named Nate. Before being killed in Afghanistan (Nate was in the military), he was engaged to Celia’s brother, Oscar (It seems nearly every current novel must have an LBTQ character. This novel introduces the Nate-Oscar engagement on page 2). Besides Oscar, Nate’s best friend was a policeman named Adrian. Adrian becomes Celia’s love interest. Nate’s mother is in a nursing home.
Now Celia enters the story. Learning how distraught her brother, Oscar, is over Nate’s death, Celia leaves her life in the Northeast and moves back to Florida to support Oscar in his emotional state. Before Celia even arrives, however, Oscar is living with a new lover, a painter named Taiko. Of all the gin joints –oops, wrong story – Of all the homes in Vero Beach, Celia buys Nate’s mother’s home. Early on, she sees and feels ghosts in the house. The promotional blurb says “the spirits threaten her life and her career.” Pooh (#2). We find out later it’s two ghosts, one helpful and one a pain. They only play a minor role in the story (If you’re looking for a juicy ghost story, look elsewhere).
Mainly, we get a romance story between Celia and the policeman, Adrian. It’s clear from the get-go Adrian falls head over heels in love with Celia on first meeting. Celia (who loves Adrian from the get-go too), for her own inexplicable reasons, thinks Adrian doesn’t care for her (despite all the extraordinary risks he takes and good deeds he does for her).
There’s another character, a rich guy (Daddy’s money) who decides soon after meeting Celia he wants to marry her, even though she’s given him no reason for thinking she’s interested in him. (With guys falling madly in love with her upon meeting her, I wondered how she attained age 30 without getting married – I let it slide). The guy, Jacob Wentworth, pops in and out of the story, and gets increasingly creepy (and dangerous) about his love pursuit.
I can’t divulge too much about it, but there’s a backstory about a now dead, famous French artist’s love for an American woman that ties into the main story line. That’s the mystery part of the book – It’s resolved by translating his journal.
Oh – Late in the book, there’s a deus ex machina moment. I can’t describe it here, but it’s so far out of the blue I thought my head might explode. What !?!?
OBSERVATIONS:
The characters in the book are all super-attractive. I had a rude reality check when I left my house and saw people walking the streets and in the grocery store.
Don’t expect the book to lay out what the title “Stars Like Gasoline” means. I can guess “stars on a romance” are like throwing gasoline on a fire. Yeah, it’s got to mean something better than that. I just don’t know what.
To her credit, Jessica Crewe Glover is technically an excellent writer. Word choice, sentence structure. etc. That was not a problem with this book.
I won Stars Like Gasoline as a Goodreads Giveaway. Jessica Crewe Glover included a postcard, and three small squares. The postcard is an unusual Wish-you-were-here postcard. It shows a deserted beach with ominous dark clouds approaching. Sadly, I misplaced the three little cards, and have spent more time looking for them than most people will take to finish her novel. One card said “Stars Like Gasoline.” One said “wishing you a thousand Cranes” which is a good luck, good fortune wish. I can’t recall the third. I’ll keep looking for them.
In sum, most readers LOVE the novel (Google “Stars Like Gasoline YouTube” or read other reviews). The promotional blurb misled me about the book. I kept waiting for the thrilling ghost story. It never came. All I got was a silly romance story.
My rating: Three stars (no gasoline)
March 24, 2024
In the acknowledgments, Jessika writes:
"There have been scores of strange occurrences and coincidences during the inception and execution of this book...Stars Like Gasoline is a story tattooed on my heart."
Well, dammit. Now I *have* to read it, I thought. That sounds just like what happened to me.
Stars Like Gasoline is a meandering walk on the hot white sand of a Florida beach - much nicer than anywhere I saw when I lived in Florida. It's a winding path through family heritage. It's romance, it's mystery, it's high art and low greed. It's food and fashion and family, travel and tragedy. It's love and life, occasionally seen through the lens of mysterious death and vengeful ghosts. Celia is who every girl wants to be in her 20s - or at least, every me. She runs an art gallery. She's chic and fashionable, she's got a killer body, devastating looks, a family that loves her and a fairy tale love interest that would do anything at all for her. She's got a world that comes together in a whirlwind of mystery, romance, art, fashion, family, murder, and ghosts, leaving her with everything a person could want by the end of the story and her fully-articulated character arc.
SLG isn't just a good beach read. It's the ideal beach read. Mystery, romance, magical realism - all written with an unpretentious literary flair. It's everything you could possibly want in a beach read, all crammed deftly into one neat, accessible package. And this is coming from a chick who's never read a "beach" book in her life. I don't know if I'd go for a lot of standard books in that genre, but I would if Jessika Grewe Glover wrote them.
"There have been scores of strange occurrences and coincidences during the inception and execution of this book...Stars Like Gasoline is a story tattooed on my heart."
Well, dammit. Now I *have* to read it, I thought. That sounds just like what happened to me.
Stars Like Gasoline is a meandering walk on the hot white sand of a Florida beach - much nicer than anywhere I saw when I lived in Florida. It's a winding path through family heritage. It's romance, it's mystery, it's high art and low greed. It's food and fashion and family, travel and tragedy. It's love and life, occasionally seen through the lens of mysterious death and vengeful ghosts. Celia is who every girl wants to be in her 20s - or at least, every me. She runs an art gallery. She's chic and fashionable, she's got a killer body, devastating looks, a family that loves her and a fairy tale love interest that would do anything at all for her. She's got a world that comes together in a whirlwind of mystery, romance, art, fashion, family, murder, and ghosts, leaving her with everything a person could want by the end of the story and her fully-articulated character arc.
SLG isn't just a good beach read. It's the ideal beach read. Mystery, romance, magical realism - all written with an unpretentious literary flair. It's everything you could possibly want in a beach read, all crammed deftly into one neat, accessible package. And this is coming from a chick who's never read a "beach" book in her life. I don't know if I'd go for a lot of standard books in that genre, but I would if Jessika Grewe Glover wrote them.
May 21, 2023
Stars Like Gasoline had me riveted from the first few pages and it was impossible to put down. I love a good ghost story and this one had it all with haunted houses, paranormal happenings, ghosts, apparitions, mystery, suspense, drama, and danger. The storyline immediately intrigued me and captured my attention because it was full of ghostly apparitions and hauntings right at the start. Although the book immediately captured my attention because of the phantoms in the museum, that was not all there was to the story.
The story is centered around Celia, an art curator, and has an air of mystery and suspense when an art heist takes place. This book is superbly written with vivid scenes that pull you into the story alongside the characters. Each scene is described in so much detail that you are immersed in that time and place, seeing the same things as the MC, Celia. The apparitions appear before your very eyes. The artwork magically appears before you. It is all very surreal to experience and magical in its feel. You will surely feel the goosebumps start popping out on your arms and feel the tingling as the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when the ghostly apparitions come at you. The characters were well crafted, and the storyline was multi-faceted with interwoven elements of romance, poetic prose, family relationships, love, secrets, loss, and hidden agendas. I look forward to reading more from this new to me author.
The story is centered around Celia, an art curator, and has an air of mystery and suspense when an art heist takes place. This book is superbly written with vivid scenes that pull you into the story alongside the characters. Each scene is described in so much detail that you are immersed in that time and place, seeing the same things as the MC, Celia. The apparitions appear before your very eyes. The artwork magically appears before you. It is all very surreal to experience and magical in its feel. You will surely feel the goosebumps start popping out on your arms and feel the tingling as the hairs on the back of your neck stand up when the ghostly apparitions come at you. The characters were well crafted, and the storyline was multi-faceted with interwoven elements of romance, poetic prose, family relationships, love, secrets, loss, and hidden agendas. I look forward to reading more from this new to me author.
May 24, 2023
Stars Like Gasoline by Jessika Grewe Glover is a suspenseful paranormal tale with ghosts/spirits, mystery, family, friendship, love, loss, and even a few darker topics that may be sensitive for some, such as abuse, slurs, violence, and stalking. The author broached these topics in such a way that I wasn't triggered by them, but I wanted to mention them as a precaution for others that might be.
Jessika Grewe Glover has written an interwoven/ layered complex storyline of ghosts and their past lives along with living people in a different time. I applaud the great skills she used to keep all these layers from getting jumbled up and confusing. The characters are so creative and well written as well that they draw you into the story and make you want to know more about their lives past and present. All the connections and mysteries keep you guessing as you laugh at the banter and characters' antics. It has a good mix of scary, funny, and drama-filled scenes.
We start off meeting Celia, an art curator who, with the help of her brother Oscar and friend Adrian, will try to figure out all the mysteries surrounding the spirits and those of the house she bought. This gets really interesting as Celia can see ghosts and has been able to since she was young. She has just accepted this fact over time, which amazed me. Their hunt for answers takes several wild turns and no one expects the events that follow. This is a well written story and many will enjoy it!
Jessika Grewe Glover has written an interwoven/ layered complex storyline of ghosts and their past lives along with living people in a different time. I applaud the great skills she used to keep all these layers from getting jumbled up and confusing. The characters are so creative and well written as well that they draw you into the story and make you want to know more about their lives past and present. All the connections and mysteries keep you guessing as you laugh at the banter and characters' antics. It has a good mix of scary, funny, and drama-filled scenes.
We start off meeting Celia, an art curator who, with the help of her brother Oscar and friend Adrian, will try to figure out all the mysteries surrounding the spirits and those of the house she bought. This gets really interesting as Celia can see ghosts and has been able to since she was young. She has just accepted this fact over time, which amazed me. Their hunt for answers takes several wild turns and no one expects the events that follow. This is a well written story and many will enjoy it!
July 21, 2023
This ended up being my main read on a recent trip, meaning I read most of it in large chunks on an airplane with my kiddo asleep next to me.
What I enjoy most about Glover's writing is her prose. She has amazing word choice and beautiful sentence structure that I can truly appreciate.
To preface this next statement, it is very rare for me to read horror/thriller/suspense like genres - I was expecting the ghost/supernatural element to be a bit ... more in this text. I'm fine with how it turned out since I'm not a fan of the super scary in my leisure reading choices.
Celia is an interesting main character to follow and there are elements of her that I connected with at various time - I do wish we had had more time with Oscar's pov as I think it would have been amazing to get more of his perspective.
Also, full disclosure, I had to stop reading this book about 20% in the first time because the romance element confused me and brought up painful memories of my own relationship history. The second time around, knowing where things were headed , I was able to continue past that.
I definitely plan to continue reading Glover's works as I believe each of her novels continues to improve and I adore that her writing style reminds me of classic authors like Mary Shelley.
If you enjoy very low spice romance with a hint of the supernatural, then this is definitely a book for you to pick up!
What I enjoy most about Glover's writing is her prose. She has amazing word choice and beautiful sentence structure that I can truly appreciate.
To preface this next statement, it is very rare for me to read horror/thriller/suspense like genres - I was expecting the ghost/supernatural element to be a bit ... more in this text. I'm fine with how it turned out since I'm not a fan of the super scary in my leisure reading choices.
Celia is an interesting main character to follow and there are elements of her that I connected with at various time - I do wish we had had more time with Oscar's pov as I think it would have been amazing to get more of his perspective.
Also, full disclosure, I had to stop reading this book about 20% in the first time because the romance element confused me and brought up painful memories of my own relationship history. The second time around, knowing where things were headed , I was able to continue past that.
I definitely plan to continue reading Glover's works as I believe each of her novels continues to improve and I adore that her writing style reminds me of classic authors like Mary Shelley.
If you enjoy very low spice romance with a hint of the supernatural, then this is definitely a book for you to pick up!
May 26, 2023
OH MY GOODNESS! I absolutely LOVED Stars Like Gasoline like you wouldn't believe, and so I truly believe EVERYONE needs this book in their lives! Celia's brother lost his fiance, and obviously that really left a brutal mark on his heart which is information you need to have. She bought the house of fiance's family, and it takes them on one hell of an adventure. She's an art curator so there's a lot of art as a supporting cast, and it also provides all kinds of mystery & mean ghosts to the mix as well. PLUS, Adrian (best friend of the taken too soon fiance) is involved, and there's something that is brewing between Adrian & Celia as they try to figure out what is going on. If that's enough, she & Oscar (her brother) have a stalker as well so when I say the twists are coming in hot, I mean THE TWISTS ARE COMING IN HOT! I was on the edge of my seat cover to cover, and I promise I didn't move a muscle until every last page was devoured as this story was so addictive, and while I'm not usually invested in art, I couldn't help being insanely intrigued since this author is a descriptive genius so yeah, I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
May 20, 2023
"When Celia, a Florida art curator, purchases the haunted house of her brother’s deceased fiancé, the spirits threaten her life and her career. To rid the home of the malevolent ghosts, she enlists the help of her brother, Oscar, and Adrian, the best friend of Oscar’s late fiancé. The three are about to be thrown into a chasm of events involving a dead French artist, a Dutch aerospace heiress, and a missing Japanese painter who is presumed to be dead. Not to mention a stalker that begins to threaten Celia and Oscar.
The link between these events appears to be a hidden journal from the 1980s Celia discovers in the home, belonging to a revered artist. As Adrian helps decipher the clues, an attraction burns between him and Celia, raising the stakes of the game someone is playing. A game that no one might make it out of alive".
Do they make it out alive? You will have to read to find out. This story was suspenseful, kind of humorous and silly at times , still kept me entertained and engaged, also fast read. I give this book 4 stars.
The link between these events appears to be a hidden journal from the 1980s Celia discovers in the home, belonging to a revered artist. As Adrian helps decipher the clues, an attraction burns between him and Celia, raising the stakes of the game someone is playing. A game that no one might make it out of alive".
Do they make it out alive? You will have to read to find out. This story was suspenseful, kind of humorous and silly at times , still kept me entertained and engaged, also fast read. I give this book 4 stars.
April 7, 2024
𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘥𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘨𝘯𝘪𝘻𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘈𝘣𝘶𝘦𝘭𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘵𝘦.
𝘐𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴.
𝘐 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥, 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘧. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴.
“𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳.”
THIS BOOK HAD ME IN A CHOKEHOLD! Clever, thrilling, hilarious, and at times, gutting. Stars like Gasoline is romantic and eerie. A love letter to art and culture and healing after grief. I don't want to give anything away because I started this book knowing nothing apart from the modern haunting aspect of the story. There is the presence of a haunting specter, but also the haunting of the past and the way it creeps around the dark corners of our minds.
This evocative book is further proof that everything Glover writes, I'm going to devour!
𝘐𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘝𝘪𝘳𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘐 𝘤𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘩𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘦, 𝘐 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴.
𝘐 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘥, 𝘩𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘮𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘵 𝘰𝘧𝘧. 𝘉𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘳𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴.
“𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘢𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘥𝘰 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘳.”
THIS BOOK HAD ME IN A CHOKEHOLD! Clever, thrilling, hilarious, and at times, gutting. Stars like Gasoline is romantic and eerie. A love letter to art and culture and healing after grief. I don't want to give anything away because I started this book knowing nothing apart from the modern haunting aspect of the story. There is the presence of a haunting specter, but also the haunting of the past and the way it creeps around the dark corners of our minds.
This evocative book is further proof that everything Glover writes, I'm going to devour!
May 10, 2023
4 Stars
Stars Like Gasoline by Jessika Grewe Glover is the first book that I have read by this author, so I really didn’t know what to expect going in. It turned out to be a very intriguing and well-woven paranormal mystery with suspense, slow-burn romance, layers, ghosts, a haunted house, love, loss, drama, danger, secrets, agendas, family, friendship, humour, banter, wit, and much more.
Celia is thrust into quite an unexpected mystery involving art heists, a haunted house, a stalker, and buried secrets. Her ability to see ghosts adds an extra element of interest to the story, as does all the clever interconnected details.
This story wouldn’t have had the same impact if it weren’t for the stellar cast of characters- all of which were so fully developed. The complex, layered storyline was quite engrossing- and had me following along avidly to find out how things would play out in the end.
Well worth the read!
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Jessika Grewe Glover!
Stars Like Gasoline by Jessika Grewe Glover is the first book that I have read by this author, so I really didn’t know what to expect going in. It turned out to be a very intriguing and well-woven paranormal mystery with suspense, slow-burn romance, layers, ghosts, a haunted house, love, loss, drama, danger, secrets, agendas, family, friendship, humour, banter, wit, and much more.
Celia is thrust into quite an unexpected mystery involving art heists, a haunted house, a stalker, and buried secrets. Her ability to see ghosts adds an extra element of interest to the story, as does all the clever interconnected details.
This story wouldn’t have had the same impact if it weren’t for the stellar cast of characters- all of which were so fully developed. The complex, layered storyline was quite engrossing- and had me following along avidly to find out how things would play out in the end.
Well worth the read!
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Jessika Grewe Glover!
May 18, 2023
The first third of the book, in my opinion, I had a hard time differentiating between the stories of the French artist and Japanese artists' stories. Once I had the story lines straight, I loved how the author intertwines past histories and current relationships to make you keep reading to find out what happens next. I will warn you- there are some tough scenes (physical abuse, kidnapping, etc), but overall, I fell in love with Celia's story as she navigates a new friendship.
Not usually reading book with ghosts, I liked how I stepped out of my comfort zone and reading a book where a spirit ends up playing a large part of the plot line. I appreciated the French and Spanish phrases being either explained or paraphrased, because they were a nice touch to the story yet I am unfortunately monolinguistic. Overall, the plot moved fast enough, I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Not usually reading book with ghosts, I liked how I stepped out of my comfort zone and reading a book where a spirit ends up playing a large part of the plot line. I appreciated the French and Spanish phrases being either explained or paraphrased, because they were a nice touch to the story yet I am unfortunately monolinguistic. Overall, the plot moved fast enough, I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
April 18, 2024
Ms. Grewe Glover has crafted an exceptional piece of fiction in Stars like Gasoline that had me quickly turning the pages, pausing only to Google the various designer brands adorned by our leading lady, Celia. I adored Celia, and even more, I cherished her relationship with her brother, Oscar. Ms. Grewe Glover's depiction of sibling/familial love is raw, emotional, and everything I imagined it would be had I a sibling, myself. The fantastical elements and the hauntings were clever, and how it was all woven together was expertly done. I, as a reader, am a true novice to the world of art and curation, and Ms. Grewe Glover's knowledge seeped into ever written line pertaining to museum curation, as though the author herself could be hired by Celia. If you haven't read this novel yet, please do yourself a favor, and make this your next read. You won't be disappointed.
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