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Stars Collide
Her future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades
Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom--they are actually head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat's grandmother, an eccentric star from Hollywood's golden age, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed family members?
From the soundstage to a Beverly Hills mansion to the gleaming Pacific Ocean, Stars Collide takes you on a roller-coaster tour of Hollywood, packing both comedic punch and tender emotion.
Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom--they are actually head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat's grandmother, an eccentric star from Hollywood's golden age, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed family members?
From the soundstage to a Beverly Hills mansion to the gleaming Pacific Ocean, Stars Collide takes you on a roller-coaster tour of Hollywood, packing both comedic punch and tender emotion.
324 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2011
131 people are currently reading
1726 people want to read
About the author
Janice Thompson
263 books758 followersWelcome to the wacky, wonderful world of inspirational author Janice Hanna Thompson, where romantic comedy rules the day! I hope you love to laugh, because I make it my goal to tickle your funny bone at every turn in my light-hearted tales.
Whether you’re looking for inspirational romance, quirky cozy mysteries, light-hearted historicals or fun books for younger readers, you will find it here. You will also find an abundance of non-fiction books, guaranteed to ease life’s burdens.
Why do I focus on the light-hearted stuff? Because life is hard! My readers lead busy, chaotic lives and need those special “Calgon, Take Me Away!” moments! Providing “Love, Laughter and Happily Ever Afters” brings me great delight. Lest you think it’s all fluff, think again!
Woven between the lines of each cheerful tale you will find the ultimate love story, one guaranteed to stir your soul and get your heart fluttering. Talk about a real happily ever after! There’s something for everyone on my site, so settle back in your chair, grab a cup of Earl Grey tea, and get ready to discover a light-hearted approach to life!
Whether you’re looking for inspirational romance, quirky cozy mysteries, light-hearted historicals or fun books for younger readers, you will find it here. You will also find an abundance of non-fiction books, guaranteed to ease life’s burdens.
Why do I focus on the light-hearted stuff? Because life is hard! My readers lead busy, chaotic lives and need those special “Calgon, Take Me Away!” moments! Providing “Love, Laughter and Happily Ever Afters” brings me great delight. Lest you think it’s all fluff, think again!
Woven between the lines of each cheerful tale you will find the ultimate love story, one guaranteed to stir your soul and get your heart fluttering. Talk about a real happily ever after! There’s something for everyone on my site, so settle back in your chair, grab a cup of Earl Grey tea, and get ready to discover a light-hearted approach to life!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
August 14, 2016
Full review here: http://literarycafe.weebly.com/home/s...
"If a picture could paint a thousand words, his face at that very moment would have filled the pages of a book."
This time around, I'm going to say it straight out. The one word to describe Stars Collide: adorable. Simply and utterly charming. In this novel, the Hollywood lifestyle was portrayed in a new (and Christian) light. There are several aspects I immensely enjoyed in this story. However, contrary to normal standings, there were also a large number of things I didn't like. This is sure to be an interesting review filled with mixed emotions. Now, onward toward my favorite part: quotes!
"A heart can be broken, but it will keep beating just the same."
"Those of us who saw ourselves as fatally flawed often wondered if we could change things by working on our outward appearance."
"There are times in everyone's life where running away feels like the only logical solution."
"If he and I really loved each other, that love would sustain us through the ups and downs we faced."
"Tension is what drives a story, by the way. Never forget that."
"You don't want your story to be a flat line. How boring would that be? No, you need your life to have some low lows and some high highs. It keeps things interesting."
List of loves:
-Old Movie References
This factor alone could make or break any book, as far as I'm concerned. I watch very few recently released movies (as in, if it was made in the 21st century, I probably have not seen it). But watch out, world, when it comes to old movies. I was in my paradise with the many references to Elizabeth Taylor, Betty Grable, Danny Thomas, Grace Kelly and all the popular sitcoms and singers (Doris Day, specifically) of that era.
-Grandmother
Even with her memory loss difficulties, Grandmother Lenora's quirky personality brought life to the novel in an incredible way. The most distinct character in the book, she spoke and acted in a way which made it evident Lenora believed it was she who was the star of the novel. You couldn't help but have a slight bit of pity for the once-was actor.
-Hollywood Life
It was interesting, I thought, to have a sort of 'behind the scenes' look into Beverly Hills and modern-day TV sets. Although I'm sure it wasn't entirely accurate, it held my interest. And really, what more can be asked?
Critiques:
-Repetitive Phrases
This is simply a tick of mine, so to speak. When the author incorporates the same phrase 3-5 times in one chapter it tends to irritate me. This was bountifully prevalent in Stars Collide.
"Stranger things had happened"
"Talk about a great acting job"
"Crazier things had happened" (yes, both stranger AND crazier were used. Multiple times over.)
"The dam broke"
These aren't even good phrases. Why use them in excess? Oh well, one can get past these little things, I suppose.
-It all worked.
I have a running joke in regards to Divergent (the movie). They have an incredibly complex government system divided into 5 factions which are each responsible to care for elements of society (agriculture, government, police force, etc). If you stop and think about it for even a moment, the concept seems utterly absurd (such as, what stops the police force from overturning all of the other orders? They are literally the only faction with weapons.) Just when you begin to think these things, the voice over (main character) who has been explaining the system interjects 'it all works'. Oh, yeah, I had forgotten. It just works. Because you said it did. It just all works. (for a better explanation check out this hilarious movie review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2DT7...)
That's this novel, summed up: It all works.
There was a good deal of tension, but not once did anything turn out wrong. Everything worked out, all of it was concluded perfectly, happy ending for everyone....Life just doesn't work like that.
-Hollywood Glamour
I was pleased in the beginning at how the author infiltrated, so to speak, Christians into the Hollywood scene. But...It wore off. Hollywood isn't perfect, isn't glamorous, and certainly is not how it was portrayed. While I appreciate the effort on Ms. Thomas's part to show Hollywood without evil, the only thing she did was glamorize it and teach Christians that the movie industry is pure and fine. It's not. I have a very big problem with the message here. Very big.
-HE WAS PERFECT.
If I was made to choose one factor in novels that irritates me the most, it would be character perfection. It's easy to do, I understand that. Especially when it involves the romantic interest and you're seeing them through love glazed lenses. But I don't read novels where the author writes what's easiest. That's the formula for disaster. And, for me, that's pretty much what this relationship was. (not the whole novel, understand, but the relationship).
So, there it is! Three stars because I loved the old time movie references and adorable setting. Three stars because the message was self-defeating and characters were shallow.
See the full review on Literary Cafe: http://literarycafe.weebly.com/home/s...
And, as a side note, I believe a round of applause is in order because I finally figured out how to insert pictures!!! :)
"If a picture could paint a thousand words, his face at that very moment would have filled the pages of a book."
This time around, I'm going to say it straight out. The one word to describe Stars Collide: adorable. Simply and utterly charming. In this novel, the Hollywood lifestyle was portrayed in a new (and Christian) light. There are several aspects I immensely enjoyed in this story. However, contrary to normal standings, there were also a large number of things I didn't like. This is sure to be an interesting review filled with mixed emotions. Now, onward toward my favorite part: quotes!
"A heart can be broken, but it will keep beating just the same."
"Those of us who saw ourselves as fatally flawed often wondered if we could change things by working on our outward appearance."
"There are times in everyone's life where running away feels like the only logical solution."
"If he and I really loved each other, that love would sustain us through the ups and downs we faced."
"Tension is what drives a story, by the way. Never forget that."
"You don't want your story to be a flat line. How boring would that be? No, you need your life to have some low lows and some high highs. It keeps things interesting."
List of loves:
-Old Movie References
This factor alone could make or break any book, as far as I'm concerned. I watch very few recently released movies (as in, if it was made in the 21st century, I probably have not seen it). But watch out, world, when it comes to old movies. I was in my paradise with the many references to Elizabeth Taylor, Betty Grable, Danny Thomas, Grace Kelly and all the popular sitcoms and singers (Doris Day, specifically) of that era.
-Grandmother
Even with her memory loss difficulties, Grandmother Lenora's quirky personality brought life to the novel in an incredible way. The most distinct character in the book, she spoke and acted in a way which made it evident Lenora believed it was she who was the star of the novel. You couldn't help but have a slight bit of pity for the once-was actor.
-Hollywood Life
It was interesting, I thought, to have a sort of 'behind the scenes' look into Beverly Hills and modern-day TV sets. Although I'm sure it wasn't entirely accurate, it held my interest. And really, what more can be asked?
Critiques:
-Repetitive Phrases
This is simply a tick of mine, so to speak. When the author incorporates the same phrase 3-5 times in one chapter it tends to irritate me. This was bountifully prevalent in Stars Collide.
"Stranger things had happened"
"Talk about a great acting job"
"Crazier things had happened" (yes, both stranger AND crazier were used. Multiple times over.)
"The dam broke"
These aren't even good phrases. Why use them in excess? Oh well, one can get past these little things, I suppose.
-It all worked.
I have a running joke in regards to Divergent (the movie). They have an incredibly complex government system divided into 5 factions which are each responsible to care for elements of society (agriculture, government, police force, etc). If you stop and think about it for even a moment, the concept seems utterly absurd (such as, what stops the police force from overturning all of the other orders? They are literally the only faction with weapons.) Just when you begin to think these things, the voice over (main character) who has been explaining the system interjects 'it all works'. Oh, yeah, I had forgotten. It just works. Because you said it did. It just all works. (for a better explanation check out this hilarious movie review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2DT7...)
That's this novel, summed up: It all works.
There was a good deal of tension, but not once did anything turn out wrong. Everything worked out, all of it was concluded perfectly, happy ending for everyone....Life just doesn't work like that.
-Hollywood Glamour
I was pleased in the beginning at how the author infiltrated, so to speak, Christians into the Hollywood scene. But...It wore off. Hollywood isn't perfect, isn't glamorous, and certainly is not how it was portrayed. While I appreciate the effort on Ms. Thomas's part to show Hollywood without evil, the only thing she did was glamorize it and teach Christians that the movie industry is pure and fine. It's not. I have a very big problem with the message here. Very big.
-HE WAS PERFECT.
If I was made to choose one factor in novels that irritates me the most, it would be character perfection. It's easy to do, I understand that. Especially when it involves the romantic interest and you're seeing them through love glazed lenses. But I don't read novels where the author writes what's easiest. That's the formula for disaster. And, for me, that's pretty much what this relationship was. (not the whole novel, understand, but the relationship).
So, there it is! Three stars because I loved the old time movie references and adorable setting. Three stars because the message was self-defeating and characters were shallow.
See the full review on Literary Cafe: http://literarycafe.weebly.com/home/s...
And, as a side note, I believe a round of applause is in order because I finally figured out how to insert pictures!!! :)
June 22, 2018
About this book:
“Her future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades
Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom--they are actually head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat's grandmother, an eccentric star from Hollywood's golden age, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed family members?
From the soundstage to a Beverly Hills mansion to the gleaming Pacific Ocean, Stars Collide takes you on a roller-coaster tour of Hollywood, packing both comedic punch and tender emotion.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Backstage Pass” trilogy.
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are mentioned, quoted, remembered, & thought over; Prayers; Church going; Many Talks about God; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Many mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches/chapels, church going, & pastors; Mentions of faiths, Christians, a Christian organization, & missionaries; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of blessings & being blessed; A few mentions of an Easter play; A couple mentions of miracles; A couple mentions of worship songs; A mention of a Bible Study; A mention of a godly person;
*Note: A mention of a devilish look; A mention of a child acting like a demon-possessed thriller material; A mention of working as an exorcist.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘sucker’ and ten forms of ‘stupid’; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Some sarcasm & eye rolling; Mentions of car accidents & deaths (including Kat’s mother); Mentions of a death after a war; Mentions of gossip; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of divorces (including Kat’s parents); Mentions of alcohol & drinking;
*Note: Many, many mentions of celebrities, singers, actors/actresses, movies, TV shows, & songs; A few mentions of car brands; A few mentions of stores; A couple mentions of Starbucks & going there; A couple mentions of Disney & Pixar.
Sexual Content- a nose kiss, six cheek kisses, four forehead kisses, a couple not-detailed kisses, eleven barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and a semi-detailed kiss; Remembering a kiss (up to semi-detailed); Touches & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing & Smelling; three ‘yummy’s (to describe a guy’s eyes/looks); *Spoiler* *End of Spoiler*; Many mentions of kisses, kissing, & filming a kiss scene (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of seeing other couples kissing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of honeymoons; Mentions of dates, dating, boyfriends, & girlfriends; Mentions of flirting, flirts, blushes, & crushes; A few mentions of married men seeing other women; A mention of a character’s sexual promiscuity; A mention of woman swooning over an actor; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of plastic surgery & drooping body parts; A mention of a bed scene in a movie (not that kind of bed scene, though).
-Kat Jennings, age 27
1st person P.O.V. of Kat
325 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
This book was actually one of the very first books I ever read by Janice Thompson back in 2013. I really enjoyed this novel over five years ago and it’s been on my re-reading TBR list for more than a bit now.
While it had more barely-above-not-detailed kisses than I remembered, I still really enjoyed my re-reading of “Stars Collide” and cannot wait to finish my re-reading of the rest of the series. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“Her future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades
Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom--they are actually head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat's grandmother, an eccentric star from Hollywood's golden age, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed family members?
From the soundstage to a Beverly Hills mansion to the gleaming Pacific Ocean, Stars Collide takes you on a roller-coaster tour of Hollywood, packing both comedic punch and tender emotion.”
Series: Book #1 in the “Backstage Pass” trilogy.
Spiritual Content- A few Scriptures are mentioned, quoted, remembered, & thought over; Prayers; Church going; Many Talks about God; ‘H’s are not capital when referring to God; Many mentions of God; Mentions of prayers, praying, & blessings over food; Mentions of churches/chapels, church going, & pastors; Mentions of faiths, Christians, a Christian organization, & missionaries; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of blessings & being blessed; A few mentions of an Easter play; A couple mentions of miracles; A couple mentions of worship songs; A mention of a Bible Study; A mention of a godly person;
*Note: A mention of a devilish look; A mention of a child acting like a demon-possessed thriller material; A mention of working as an exorcist.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘sucker’ and ten forms of ‘stupid’; Mentions of curses (said, not written); Some sarcasm & eye rolling; Mentions of car accidents & deaths (including Kat’s mother); Mentions of a death after a war; Mentions of gossip; Mentions of lies & lying; Mentions of jealousy; Mentions of hatred; Mentions of divorces (including Kat’s parents); Mentions of alcohol & drinking;
*Note: Many, many mentions of celebrities, singers, actors/actresses, movies, TV shows, & songs; A few mentions of car brands; A few mentions of stores; A couple mentions of Starbucks & going there; A couple mentions of Disney & Pixar.
Sexual Content- a nose kiss, six cheek kisses, four forehead kisses, a couple not-detailed kisses, eleven barely-above-not-detailed kisses, and a semi-detailed kiss; Remembering a kiss (up to semi-detailed); Touches & Embraces (up to semi-detailed); Noticing & Smelling; three ‘yummy’s (to describe a guy’s eyes/looks); *Spoiler* *End of Spoiler*; Many mentions of kisses, kissing, & filming a kiss scene (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of seeing other couples kissing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of honeymoons; Mentions of dates, dating, boyfriends, & girlfriends; Mentions of flirting, flirts, blushes, & crushes; A few mentions of married men seeing other women; A mention of a character’s sexual promiscuity; A mention of woman swooning over an actor; Love, falling in love, & the emotions;
*Note: Mentions of plastic surgery & drooping body parts; A mention of a bed scene in a movie (not that kind of bed scene, though).
-Kat Jennings, age 27
1st person P.O.V. of Kat
325 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
This book was actually one of the very first books I ever read by Janice Thompson back in 2013. I really enjoyed this novel over five years ago and it’s been on my re-reading TBR list for more than a bit now.
While it had more barely-above-not-detailed kisses than I remembered, I still really enjoyed my re-reading of “Stars Collide” and cannot wait to finish my re-reading of the rest of the series. :)
Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
January 26, 2011
After reading several of Janice Thompson’s books, I have found that she simply cannot write a bad story. Everything she writes that I have read has been something that has stayed with me. One thing I am really noticing about Janice’s books is that she seems to select a certain mood or feeling for each of her stories. She doesn’t just decide on a plot, she wants the book to have a certain feel to it, apart from her other books.
In Stars Collide the mood is one of simplicity (at least that was the feeling I got). The plot is a simple one. There is just the right amount of drama and not too much going on, which is a good thing. It’s actually a refreshing departure from most of the books I read. Stars Collide has the feel of a simpler time, thanks in large part to Grandma Lenora. Looking back on my initial impression of the story before I read it, it would have been hard to believe that a contemporary story that takes place in Hollywood could have such a nostalgic and calm feel to it. Of course, there are plenty of modern day influences, but in Kat’s and Lenora’s world, life is good and television is still wholesome. I love that! I also loved seeing a familiar friend from the Weddings by Bella series. Nice touch, Janice!
The world of Stars Collide is one that is filled with romance, friendship and a strong bond with God. It is a world that I have enjoyed visiting – a lot. I really loved this book, but I knew I would. It has some pleasant surprises and plenty to make the reader smile.
In Stars Collide the mood is one of simplicity (at least that was the feeling I got). The plot is a simple one. There is just the right amount of drama and not too much going on, which is a good thing. It’s actually a refreshing departure from most of the books I read. Stars Collide has the feel of a simpler time, thanks in large part to Grandma Lenora. Looking back on my initial impression of the story before I read it, it would have been hard to believe that a contemporary story that takes place in Hollywood could have such a nostalgic and calm feel to it. Of course, there are plenty of modern day influences, but in Kat’s and Lenora’s world, life is good and television is still wholesome. I love that! I also loved seeing a familiar friend from the Weddings by Bella series. Nice touch, Janice!
The world of Stars Collide is one that is filled with romance, friendship and a strong bond with God. It is a world that I have enjoyed visiting – a lot. I really loved this book, but I knew I would. It has some pleasant surprises and plenty to make the reader smile.
January 30, 2022
“I’ve found someone who loves the Lord and isn’t afraid to say so. I wasn’t sure I’d find any girls in Hollywood with your convictions.”
A few of my favorite things…
-food descriptions (baby arugula salad, blackened salmon, and bananas foster). If a book doesn't make me hungry I don't want it.
-All the references to old actors and TV shows I'm familiar with. Dick Van Dyke show, Gilligan's Island, Elizabeth Taylor, and Steve McQueen (Grandma Lenora said she dated him and I definitely got a bit jealous).
-GRANDMA LENORA. Oh my goodness. She was the cutest. I love cute kid characters, but I also love cute old people characters. And throw in an old people romance? Love that. Lenora was once a famous actress and she still thinks everyone knows who she is. Everyday she wears gorgeous evening gowns and quotes classic movies. I loved the moment where she admitted she has trouble finding her identity in what God thinks of her and focuses more on what people think of her. Talk about a relatable character!
-Ok, fine. I guess I'll talk about the main characters now. I really did love Kat and Scott. They were cute. I loved Kat's journey of fully embracing the fact that God is a loving father even though she never had an earthly father who was loving. I loved Scott's strong faith and how good he was with the children who were his costars.
-Candy and her little storyline. Candy is a spoiled brat, but later on in the story you get to understand her better. Kat feels drawn to be the one to love and care for her.
-the romance. It started officially in the first few pages. It wasn't the typical "couple goes through lots of chaos before they're finally together", but it wasn't love at first sight either. Scott and Kat had known each other well for a few years already. It just had to do with the point at which we get to start reading their story.
-I loved what the character Rex said about how romance shouldn't be focused so much on the chase, but on the actual marriage- a couple going through hard things and sticking together after the vows.
-The Hollywood setting. I've always been interested in celebrities lives. It was fun to see a more wholesome view of it all through this book and how the cast and crew of "Stars Collide" were like family. Several were even believers.
I didn’t care for…
-I can't think of anything I didn't care for.
Know that…
-There is kissing in it. But it's not pages and pages of descriptive kissing. Just quick sweet kisses.
-It mentions a couple not even going out to see the beach on their honeymoon. I appreciated it not going any further with that though.
-A character's backstory involves getting pregnant out of wedlock. It's something she's ashamed of, but knows God has forgiven her for.
Perfect for…
Anyone looking for a sweet innocent modern-day romance.
A few of my favorite things…
-food descriptions (baby arugula salad, blackened salmon, and bananas foster). If a book doesn't make me hungry I don't want it.
-All the references to old actors and TV shows I'm familiar with. Dick Van Dyke show, Gilligan's Island, Elizabeth Taylor, and Steve McQueen (Grandma Lenora said she dated him and I definitely got a bit jealous).
-GRANDMA LENORA. Oh my goodness. She was the cutest. I love cute kid characters, but I also love cute old people characters. And throw in an old people romance? Love that. Lenora was once a famous actress and she still thinks everyone knows who she is. Everyday she wears gorgeous evening gowns and quotes classic movies. I loved the moment where she admitted she has trouble finding her identity in what God thinks of her and focuses more on what people think of her. Talk about a relatable character!
-Ok, fine. I guess I'll talk about the main characters now. I really did love Kat and Scott. They were cute. I loved Kat's journey of fully embracing the fact that God is a loving father even though she never had an earthly father who was loving. I loved Scott's strong faith and how good he was with the children who were his costars.
-Candy and her little storyline. Candy is a spoiled brat, but later on in the story you get to understand her better. Kat feels drawn to be the one to love and care for her.
-the romance. It started officially in the first few pages. It wasn't the typical "couple goes through lots of chaos before they're finally together", but it wasn't love at first sight either. Scott and Kat had known each other well for a few years already. It just had to do with the point at which we get to start reading their story.
-I loved what the character Rex said about how romance shouldn't be focused so much on the chase, but on the actual marriage- a couple going through hard things and sticking together after the vows.
-The Hollywood setting. I've always been interested in celebrities lives. It was fun to see a more wholesome view of it all through this book and how the cast and crew of "Stars Collide" were like family. Several were even believers.
I didn’t care for…
-I can't think of anything I didn't care for.
Know that…
-There is kissing in it. But it's not pages and pages of descriptive kissing. Just quick sweet kisses.
-It mentions a couple not even going out to see the beach on their honeymoon. I appreciated it not going any further with that though.
-A character's backstory involves getting pregnant out of wedlock. It's something she's ashamed of, but knows God has forgiven her for.
Perfect for…
Anyone looking for a sweet innocent modern-day romance.
October 12, 2011
Janice Thompson is definitely not the author for me. I applaud her good intentions, and realize that I'm in a great minority here, but I think her work falls short. Stars Collide is full of one liners, quotes from movies, many, many references to life's script and God as the writer, the mountains and valleys in life, how Kat's heart flutters whenever Scott says something or looks at her or whatever... I think Mrs. Thompson is too keen on repetition and it's tiring. The movie quotes alone were enough for me. It sometimes felt as if she developed a list of these quotes beforehand and then wrote the novel around them.
Kat, the female lead, is clueless. I mean, things that are obvious to the reader are a mystery to her and a big surprise when she discovers them. Scott, the male lead, is too perfect, too wonderful, too incredible, which makes him great but bland. Their whole relationship is meh. The grandmother is too much. Oh, but I loved Rex. Now that was a very nicely written character. Also, I loved the scene at the very beginning (Spoiler!) where Kat and Scott kissed. Nice! The rest? So, so.
Kat, the female lead, is clueless. I mean, things that are obvious to the reader are a mystery to her and a big surprise when she discovers them. Scott, the male lead, is too perfect, too wonderful, too incredible, which makes him great but bland. Their whole relationship is meh. The grandmother is too much. Oh, but I loved Rex. Now that was a very nicely written character. Also, I loved the scene at the very beginning (Spoiler!) where Kat and Scott kissed. Nice! The rest? So, so.
February 2, 2011
Hello everyone, this is my first ever post and my first guest post. Who am I? I am Giovanni’s sixth daughter; there are seven Gelati sisters and one brother. The reason why you are reading my rants today is that I grabbed this out of my Mom’s hands and ran with it. She is reading it now on my recommendation, and I see her smiling once in a while as she is paging through it; I even got a thumbs up once. The power is intoxicating. So what does this college senior think about Stars Collide, Plenty!
I told the old guy that usually inhabits this space to take the day off when he runs this post, but I have the feeling that he may just have to sit in front of the computer and answer plenty of messages from concerned readers wondering if he should just step aside and let me take over from here. A romance novel and I go well together; I just wish I read this on the beach instead of watching snow fall. At least we had a nice fire going when I was into it.
I got this from Revell’s ( the publisher) website; it tells you what the book is all about: “Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom--they are actually head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat's grandmother, an eccentric star from Hollywood's golden age, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed family members?
From the soundstage to a Beverly Hills mansion to the gleaming Pacific Ocean, Stars Collide takes you on a roller-coaster tour of Hollywood, packing both comedic punch and tender emotion.”
No misleading statements there above. I laughed, I smiled, and above all I had fun and was touched by the whole thing. My parental unit tells me that the rating system commonly used for this type of thing is one to five stars. Based on my experience reading romance novels and enjoyment of this book, I am going to do something different, 5 hearts. This is a romance novel, so let’s give it its due. Janice Thompson scored a major hit with me, and I am going to be bold and say my mother also, and I am sure the other Gelati sisters are going to want in on this once they read my thoughts. I was watching a fire roar and snowflakes fall but when I read this novel I felt like the girl on the front cover with the car top down and my hair blowing in the wind. Go for it and put on your sunglasses and enjoy the journey.
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September 6, 2011
This was a free download for nook. It was a nice love story with a sweet, if predictable, ending. I was SO NOT surprised by the big "twist" toward the end that had most of the characters so shocked. My big complaint, and I realize that this is Christian fiction, is that nearly everyone the main characters know is Christian AND not afraid to talk about it. Given that the story takes place in Hollywood on the set of a top rated sitcom, that required some suspension of disbelief.
June 4, 2024
At first, I liked this book. The beginning was very strong, and I liked the setting (modern Hollywood, but Christian). The characters were fun. The relationships were cute. I loved all the old movie references and quotes (even though I've seen very few of them). It felled very much like a Full House dynamic amongst the cast and crew.
However, I grew increasingly annoyed with the bad theology/psychology in here. No, I don't expect to agree with every bit of theory an author believes. But when it's blatantly in your face, it's hard to ignore. There was so much "you're not responsible for your response to hard things in life" and even one instance of "God won't violate your freewill." Because this book had a lot of character development/counseling situations, that theory came out quite a bit.
Overall, fun clean story but with some bad theology.
Cleanliness: kisses, divorces, death of parents, pregnancy out of wedlock (referred to in the past).
However, I grew increasingly annoyed with the bad theology/psychology in here. No, I don't expect to agree with every bit of theory an author believes. But when it's blatantly in your face, it's hard to ignore. There was so much "you're not responsible for your response to hard things in life" and even one instance of "God won't violate your freewill." Because this book had a lot of character development/counseling situations, that theory came out quite a bit.
Overall, fun clean story but with some bad theology.
Cleanliness: kisses, divorces, death of parents, pregnancy out of wedlock (referred to in the past).
March 2, 2017
At 38%:
getting real bored, all fluff. where's the tension? all is well and lovey dovey...
Completed book:
hmm... it is boring, very light stuff with a perfect, completely understanding and gorgeous Hollywood hunk as the main male interest. Yawn.
In real life, this would be ideal, but in a book, I like to read about challenges, difficulties, and throw in a villain or two to spice things up. But nope, this book has none of those! Yawn.
getting real bored, all fluff. where's the tension? all is well and lovey dovey...
Completed book:
hmm... it is boring, very light stuff with a perfect, completely understanding and gorgeous Hollywood hunk as the main male interest. Yawn.
In real life, this would be ideal, but in a book, I like to read about challenges, difficulties, and throw in a villain or two to spice things up. But nope, this book has none of those! Yawn.
November 27, 2025
I don't know why I didnt read this book before now! I throughly enjoyed the plot n characters! I would recommend this book to my fellow book friends!
March 22, 2012
Ever watch a sitcom and wonder if there’s chemistry between the leads that the paparazzi hasn’t caught onto yet? Kat Jennings is secretly head-over-heels in love with her co-star in the top-rated comedy show Stars Collide. It’s perfect, because that’s also the part she plays. But when the producers decide to kick it up a notch and have the secret obsession take front stage, Kat discovers that Scott Murphy feels the same way about her–in real life.
Kat lives with her eccentric grandmother, who used to be a Hollywood star in her own right and still seeks the spotlight. For instance, why don’t tourist maps of Hollywood have her house on them? She’s certain fans still care, though (sadly) most don’t recall her name. Grandma is losing her grip on reality and jumps on real life wedding preparations when Scott’s character proposes to Kat’s on TV. This will be the wedding of the decade and remind people about Grandma’s history at the same time. How can Kat slow Grandma down, while wishing it was all true?
Toss in Scott’s staid midwestern family. Season with a unique cast of Hollywood actors and producers, and you have the recipe for hilarity and love.
Stars Collide is the first book in the Backstage Pass series. The second book, Hello Hollywood, is now available, while the third, Director’s Cut, releases in June and can be pre-ordered. If you enjoy contemporary romantic comedy, I can guarantee you’ll love this series. The author’s promise is Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After, and she delivers all that in fine form in Stars Collide.
I picked up and read this book a while ago while it was on free for Kindle. However, it’s worth every penny and I think you should go out and buy it!
Kat lives with her eccentric grandmother, who used to be a Hollywood star in her own right and still seeks the spotlight. For instance, why don’t tourist maps of Hollywood have her house on them? She’s certain fans still care, though (sadly) most don’t recall her name. Grandma is losing her grip on reality and jumps on real life wedding preparations when Scott’s character proposes to Kat’s on TV. This will be the wedding of the decade and remind people about Grandma’s history at the same time. How can Kat slow Grandma down, while wishing it was all true?
Toss in Scott’s staid midwestern family. Season with a unique cast of Hollywood actors and producers, and you have the recipe for hilarity and love.
Stars Collide is the first book in the Backstage Pass series. The second book, Hello Hollywood, is now available, while the third, Director’s Cut, releases in June and can be pre-ordered. If you enjoy contemporary romantic comedy, I can guarantee you’ll love this series. The author’s promise is Love, Laughter, and Happily Ever After, and she delivers all that in fine form in Stars Collide.
I picked up and read this book a while ago while it was on free for Kindle. However, it’s worth every penny and I think you should go out and buy it!
January 30, 2011
When you think of Hollywood glitz, glamour and scandal, not necessarily faith and love come to mind. Stars Collide just may change that. Stars Collide gives a glimpse behind the scenes on the set of a popular (fictional) TV sitcom and into the lives of its two biggest stars, Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy. It's just a "glimpse" mind you by the end of the book I had no idea they had it in them to pull off what they did! Squeee! I loved it! I was totally shocked and pleasantly surprised! You will laugh one minute and sigh the next. Janice Thompson has a way with words unlike any other author.
Looking for a dashing hero? Janice gives you one in each and every one of her books. While Scott doesn't take DJ's place in my heart (DJ is the hero from the Weddings by Bella series) he is sweet and pretty much a dream. Scott's got the Hollywood good looks with the down home charm and personality and doesn't Kat know it too! While Kat, the heroine, is sweet and sassy she has nothing on Grandma Lenore. Anyone with a '57 Caddy, a '77 Camaro, and a '67 Mustang is more than okay in my book! I love her enthusiasm for her cars, her life, her family and most importantly, God.
If you are a fan of the Weddings by Bella books I think you will love this great start to a new series. I'm not at all disappointed with this story and have the feeling that better things are yet to come. Stars Collide is a fun, quick read, a perfect distraction from the real world!
*I received my complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest review.*
Looking for a dashing hero? Janice gives you one in each and every one of her books. While Scott doesn't take DJ's place in my heart (DJ is the hero from the Weddings by Bella series) he is sweet and pretty much a dream. Scott's got the Hollywood good looks with the down home charm and personality and doesn't Kat know it too! While Kat, the heroine, is sweet and sassy she has nothing on Grandma Lenore. Anyone with a '57 Caddy, a '77 Camaro, and a '67 Mustang is more than okay in my book! I love her enthusiasm for her cars, her life, her family and most importantly, God.
If you are a fan of the Weddings by Bella books I think you will love this great start to a new series. I'm not at all disappointed with this story and have the feeling that better things are yet to come. Stars Collide is a fun, quick read, a perfect distraction from the real world!
*I received my complimentary copy from the publisher in exchange for posting my honest review.*
November 12, 2012
I couldn’t resist reading this book, as my next novel (due out in 2013) features a Hollywood actor and director.
I found the start of “Stars Collide” to be a little rough. Three chapters in, I was wondering who the novel was really about, the young heroine (Kat) and her man ... or her grandmother. And when the “big kiss” happens that early in a book, it makes you wonder where the author is going!
Luckily I stuck with it, because it was a fun read.
It was really about two different sets of characters (young and old). The author created some touching circumstances, especially for the eccentric ex-Hollywood starlet. The characters were well done, the personality quirks different and interesting (the author obviously knows her old movies!), and the “life imitates art” plot line was a refreshingly funny way to approach the story.
I would have liked more depth in the romantic relationship, in particular, more struggle/obstacles (which my characters certainly have); they seemed to have it a bit too good to be true. And by the way, if it matters to you, this novel has decidedly Christian tones, but was never preachy or overdone.
I found the start of “Stars Collide” to be a little rough. Three chapters in, I was wondering who the novel was really about, the young heroine (Kat) and her man ... or her grandmother. And when the “big kiss” happens that early in a book, it makes you wonder where the author is going!
Luckily I stuck with it, because it was a fun read.
It was really about two different sets of characters (young and old). The author created some touching circumstances, especially for the eccentric ex-Hollywood starlet. The characters were well done, the personality quirks different and interesting (the author obviously knows her old movies!), and the “life imitates art” plot line was a refreshingly funny way to approach the story.
I would have liked more depth in the romantic relationship, in particular, more struggle/obstacles (which my characters certainly have); they seemed to have it a bit too good to be true. And by the way, if it matters to you, this novel has decidedly Christian tones, but was never preachy or overdone.
May 14, 2013
I wanted to like this one... I was expecting chick-lit from the cover and description, but what I got was chick lit + Christian fiction, and it wasn't a raging success in either category. The storyline isn't terrible except for the grandmother suffering from dementia and no one seeming to want to do anything about it.
While I enjoy Christian fiction in general, this was definitely a "beat you over the head with it" kind of book. Not a fan. The characters talk on just about every other page about God's plan, ad nauseum, and other than a token "God doesn't take away his free will" statement near the end, the rest of the book gives the impression that the characters have no free will, they just glide along in God's plan all the time. So many fervent Christians who talk non-stop about their faith, all employed on the same sit-com set... hard to believe. All of Kat's "father issues" flare up when convenient, and disappear again just as quickly, so they aren't terribly convincing.
The ending was cute, except I didn't feel like the two main characters' story had enough time to get to the point they were at at the end.
While I enjoy Christian fiction in general, this was definitely a "beat you over the head with it" kind of book. Not a fan. The characters talk on just about every other page about God's plan, ad nauseum, and other than a token "God doesn't take away his free will" statement near the end, the rest of the book gives the impression that the characters have no free will, they just glide along in God's plan all the time. So many fervent Christians who talk non-stop about their faith, all employed on the same sit-com set... hard to believe. All of Kat's "father issues" flare up when convenient, and disappear again just as quickly, so they aren't terribly convincing.
The ending was cute, except I didn't feel like the two main characters' story had enough time to get to the point they were at at the end.
April 9, 2020
My journey with books by Janice Thompson started in Contemporary Romantic Comedy, went to Historical Romance and even dipped into Young Adult Fiction. When I found myself with another opportunity to jump into a new Contemporary Romantic Comedy series I knew that I would be with pure delight during this read and I was not mistaken.
This new series "Backstage Pass" is an opening into a wonderful new world we had a taste of in the last Weddings by Bella book and in one of Janice's historicals Love Me Tender. Now we are full fledged into the Hollywood world and it is a thrill. The characters come off the page as real life persons that have it all with mystery and romance and best of all a Christian faith in a difficult environment.
Anyone can pick up a book from Janice Hanna Thompson and expect a light-hearted romantic thrill with laughs here and there. I highly recommend them all!
*Thanks to Revell Books for providing a copy for review.*
Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
This new series "Backstage Pass" is an opening into a wonderful new world we had a taste of in the last Weddings by Bella book and in one of Janice's historicals Love Me Tender. Now we are full fledged into the Hollywood world and it is a thrill. The characters come off the page as real life persons that have it all with mystery and romance and best of all a Christian faith in a difficult environment.
Anyone can pick up a book from Janice Hanna Thompson and expect a light-hearted romantic thrill with laughs here and there. I highly recommend them all!
*Thanks to Revell Books for providing a copy for review.*
Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...
April 2, 2021
REVIEW: Unlike the topics most books set in Hollywood cover, this series is a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce a television show, and I suspect that with a background in TV writing, Thompson has a good spin on this. Telling the story of a family-friendly sitcom, Stars Collide, book one has lots of humor in these pages.
Despite the fact that I could barely keep my eyes open when starting this novel, it does impresses me with its easy reading. Surprising since I am not a fan of first-person writing. It helps too that there is probably more actual dialogue rather than inner thought. The story is different than your typical Christian rom-com. There's hilarious misunderstandings – although some are taken to an extreme, which I will elaborate on later and some great moments between our leading lady and leading man (particularly the “surprise” nearer the end). Read the review in its entirety on Finding Wonderland.
Despite the fact that I could barely keep my eyes open when starting this novel, it does impresses me with its easy reading. Surprising since I am not a fan of first-person writing. It helps too that there is probably more actual dialogue rather than inner thought. The story is different than your typical Christian rom-com. There's hilarious misunderstandings – although some are taken to an extreme, which I will elaborate on later and some great moments between our leading lady and leading man (particularly the “surprise” nearer the end). Read the review in its entirety on Finding Wonderland.
March 23, 2013
I picked this book because I thought it would be a nice, easy and quick book to read. I was wrong.
Maybe I need to get into the habit of reading reviews before starting a book, but I like to make my own mind up as I've read far too many awful (IMHO) books due to them being recommended by friends.
There was no background to the 2 main characters in this and they fell into a relationship within the first couple of chapters. How am I supposed to believe this relationship if I knew nothing about the pair of them beforehand?
Also, the fact that the grandmother is very obviously suffering from Dementia with nobody realising, was very unrealistic to me.
But the final nail in the coffin for me was the almost constant religious references once you got a few chapters in.
I don't have a problem with religion, but I don't wish to read about it and feel that this should have been made more obvious.
Such a shame as it really could have been a good book. I obviously thought so as the blurb was interesting enough to make me download it.
Maybe I need to get into the habit of reading reviews before starting a book, but I like to make my own mind up as I've read far too many awful (IMHO) books due to them being recommended by friends.
There was no background to the 2 main characters in this and they fell into a relationship within the first couple of chapters. How am I supposed to believe this relationship if I knew nothing about the pair of them beforehand?
Also, the fact that the grandmother is very obviously suffering from Dementia with nobody realising, was very unrealistic to me.
But the final nail in the coffin for me was the almost constant religious references once you got a few chapters in.
I don't have a problem with religion, but I don't wish to read about it and feel that this should have been made more obvious.
Such a shame as it really could have been a good book. I obviously thought so as the blurb was interesting enough to make me download it.
August 10, 2016
I need to pay more attention to genre when I am picking out free books for my kindle. I consider myself to be somewhat religious but that does not mean that I necessarily want to read Christian fiction. The story was cute and I enjoyed seeing what would happen with the main characters. But I did not enjoy having every other paragraph push the message that we need to trust in God's plan for us. I have my faith and don't need more pushed at me. If you can get past that though this is a cute romance with some quirky characters.
March 6, 2016
This was a little too over-dramatic for me. I don't really know how to explain it. It just felt like too much. Also, it was too heavy on God without any of the characters building on their relationship with Him or improving themselves or anything. More like name-dropping than having it be a journey for the reader. So many times, one character would be like, "Wow, we had a great day," and another would be like, "All because of Him upstairs." Not super meaningful, though true. Still, the story was cute, and it was a fun read. Just not my style.
November 7, 2012
This book is cute and sweet. Very family-friendly. I love that this author incorporates religion into her books. I read one of her other books called 'Fools Rush In' and was just as cute. I can't wait to read the next two books of both of these series.
January 24, 2011
Very cute! I will definitely read the next one. It was a fun, light read.
Read
October 24, 2012Review to be posted later.
November 19, 2018
I have no idea why I downloaded this Kindle book -- I'm not fond of romance, I don't read a lot of Christian fiction, and Hollywood in general makes me roll my eyes. For whatever reason I must have decided that this one's story was interesting enough for me to give it a chance... and surprisingly, I found myself enjoying it. It's a sweet story with surprising emotional depth, and though the romantic aspect was a bit tiresome, I did enjoy the Hollywood intrigue and some rather emotional subplots on the part of the main character.
"Stars Collide" is a popular sitcom starring Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy, who play two talent scouts secretly in love... but life imitates art, and Kat and Scott are secretly dating in real life as well. But when Kat's grandmother Lenora, an aging former Hollywood star, starts suffering from a degrading memory, she mistakes their characters' on-stage proposal for the real thing, and starts planning Tinseltown's biggest wedding ever! Kat and Scott are mortified, but do their best to juggle sudden attention from the paparazzi, the stunned reactions of their co-stars and Scott's small-town family, and Kat's struggle to help her grandmother deal with her oncoming dementia. Tensions rise, romance blooms, and Kat can only wonder if this story will have a Hollywood ending or if God has other plans...
"Stars Collide" is well-written, not fancy or masterful but with prose clean and sharp enough to get the job done. The story moves along at a steady pace and balances its multiple plot threads well, and I never felt like the story was overcrowded or too busy. I found the romance to be a little bland, without any real tension to it, so if you like your romance predictable and "safe" you'll probably like this book's take on it. The storyline involving Lenora, and the frightening reality of dealing with a family member with dementia, was actually more interesting and powerful to me, and packed a surprising emotional punch.
The characters are fairly vanilla here -- by far Lenora is the most colorful and fun character, with the rest mostly being one-note characters without much depth. Scott comes off the worst here, pretty much nothing more than the "perfect man" for Kat to drool over and latch onto as her soulmate. I didn't find the characters obnoxious or unlikable, they just aren't particularly memorable aside from Lenora.
The Christian aspect of this book is certainly present, but not heavy-handed -- almost all the major characters are Christian (unusual for a Hollywood novel, though the book does point out that there's a large Christian community in Tinseltown), and the book does pause for some thoughtful Christian messages and moments from time to time, but it doesn't beat the reader over the head with it every five minutes. Despite being Christian myself, I appreciate a book that focuses on telling a story instead of preaching endlessly in lieu of a story.
An unexpectedly enjoyable and cute novel, "Stars Collide" is a fairly predictable but clean and entertaining romance novel, with some surprising emotional moments in its subplots. If you're looking for a sweet romance that doesn't pile on the sex scenes, this is a good book for you.
"Stars Collide" is a popular sitcom starring Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy, who play two talent scouts secretly in love... but life imitates art, and Kat and Scott are secretly dating in real life as well. But when Kat's grandmother Lenora, an aging former Hollywood star, starts suffering from a degrading memory, she mistakes their characters' on-stage proposal for the real thing, and starts planning Tinseltown's biggest wedding ever! Kat and Scott are mortified, but do their best to juggle sudden attention from the paparazzi, the stunned reactions of their co-stars and Scott's small-town family, and Kat's struggle to help her grandmother deal with her oncoming dementia. Tensions rise, romance blooms, and Kat can only wonder if this story will have a Hollywood ending or if God has other plans...
"Stars Collide" is well-written, not fancy or masterful but with prose clean and sharp enough to get the job done. The story moves along at a steady pace and balances its multiple plot threads well, and I never felt like the story was overcrowded or too busy. I found the romance to be a little bland, without any real tension to it, so if you like your romance predictable and "safe" you'll probably like this book's take on it. The storyline involving Lenora, and the frightening reality of dealing with a family member with dementia, was actually more interesting and powerful to me, and packed a surprising emotional punch.
The characters are fairly vanilla here -- by far Lenora is the most colorful and fun character, with the rest mostly being one-note characters without much depth. Scott comes off the worst here, pretty much nothing more than the "perfect man" for Kat to drool over and latch onto as her soulmate. I didn't find the characters obnoxious or unlikable, they just aren't particularly memorable aside from Lenora.
The Christian aspect of this book is certainly present, but not heavy-handed -- almost all the major characters are Christian (unusual for a Hollywood novel, though the book does point out that there's a large Christian community in Tinseltown), and the book does pause for some thoughtful Christian messages and moments from time to time, but it doesn't beat the reader over the head with it every five minutes. Despite being Christian myself, I appreciate a book that focuses on telling a story instead of preaching endlessly in lieu of a story.
An unexpectedly enjoyable and cute novel, "Stars Collide" is a fairly predictable but clean and entertaining romance novel, with some surprising emotional moments in its subplots. If you're looking for a sweet romance that doesn't pile on the sex scenes, this is a good book for you.
May 6, 2017
Wow.
At first when I started reading I had second thoughts about why I started it. I thought the Hollywood backdrop would mean I had a shallow story in my hands, even if it was Christian. I was so wrong. The more I read, the more it grew on me, until I was moved to tears over the beauty of the story. Wow. It's about relationships: the love of a girl for her grandma, the goodness of a worthy man, or men, about living unconditionally in the face of adversity, about finding family, seeing beneath the surface of people, forgiveness and second chances. The examples of the loving attitudes inspire me to be more like the characters, which means more like Jesus, and this is accomplished through pure entertainment. Great book!
At first when I started reading I had second thoughts about why I started it. I thought the Hollywood backdrop would mean I had a shallow story in my hands, even if it was Christian. I was so wrong. The more I read, the more it grew on me, until I was moved to tears over the beauty of the story. Wow. It's about relationships: the love of a girl for her grandma, the goodness of a worthy man, or men, about living unconditionally in the face of adversity, about finding family, seeing beneath the surface of people, forgiveness and second chances. The examples of the loving attitudes inspire me to be more like the characters, which means more like Jesus, and this is accomplished through pure entertainment. Great book!
August 14, 2019
It's cute & a little quirky at times. I appreciated the fun element of guessing what movie a quote is from. I think that was a nice touch for the audience, as well as the characters. I thought the love story aspect was predictable, but still enjoyable. There was 1 pretty significant twist that I honestly didn't see coming & that I wholeheartedly enjoyed. I love when stories can take me by surprise.
I also like that this book touches on Alzheimer's & not only the struggles the individual goes through but also the struggles of those closest to the person. This is a really important topic that doesn't get touched on enough.
I also like that this book touches on Alzheimer's & not only the struggles the individual goes through but also the struggles of those closest to the person. This is a really important topic that doesn't get touched on enough.
May 1, 2020
While not a very realistic story, I enjoyed much about this book. All the vintage clothes and movie references were delightful. I loved that it wasn't a typical "meet, fall in love, get married" romance. The couple already had known each other for a few years, been attracted, and had progressed to the point where they were pretty much ready to do something about it. It was just a nice change. I also liked that God was such an important part of their lives, not just something to sprinkle in so it could be called Christian fiction. Overall, a solid start to the series. I have already read the second book and loved it. On to number 3!
October 23, 2022
This was a very sweet, Christian fiction book! The quirkiness throughout set this book apart from other genres. The "guess the movie" game was one of my favorite elements as I found I knew quite a few of them! Others I'm looking up! I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series! I was able to read a copy of this book via Libby, but it did not in any way affect my review. All opinions are my own.
October 30, 2019
Well, I didn’t finish this book. I got to page 70-something and the heavy Christianity turned me off. I picked this up at a clearance sale and have never read the author before. I wish it had been made more clear in the description on the back that it’s a Christian romance novel. I’m not anti-religion. It’s just too much for me when I want a light amusing chick-lit book.
April 16, 2020
Cute and Fun
This book is fun. I enjoyed the light-hearted humor ajd the sweet romance. I enjoy that this is a book I do not need to put much thought into reading. I appreciate that the live story is clean. It is a great quick read.
This book is fun. I enjoyed the light-hearted humor ajd the sweet romance. I enjoy that this is a book I do not need to put much thought into reading. I appreciate that the live story is clean. It is a great quick read.
October 21, 2022
I've followed Ms Thompson through her Weddings By Bella, Weddings By Design, and Brides With Style series, all set in Texas.
I'll have to see if the Backstage Pass series, set in Hollywood / Beverly Hills, lives up to its predecessors. So far, so good!
I'll have to see if the Backstage Pass series, set in Hollywood / Beverly Hills, lives up to its predecessors. So far, so good!
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