What do you think?
Rate this book
Stardust #1
Phoenix
MP3 CD Format
All Haley Jones wants for her eighteenth birthday is answers.Thanks to an overprotective dad and a secluded existence in the Sierra Nevada wilderness, Haley has never experienced a typical life. Her dad claims there's a good reason for their isolation, but he refuses to tell her why, delaying her questions with the promise of answers when she turns eighteen.
That day has finally arrived, but the explanation raises more questions than answers. And when Haley wishes for the chance to explore the world, she finds that the old adage rings true—be careful what you wish for.
Contains mature themes.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published August 15, 2015
707 people are currently reading
3104 people want to read
About the author
Julia Clarke
31 books9 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews
February 13, 2018
I thought other people were exaggerating when they said this felt like a really bad fanfiction of C.L. Stone's Ghost Bird series, but unfortunately, I was blown away by the similarities -- and not in a good way.
Here's the thing, too: fanfiction is fucking great. I love it. Really, there are so many awesome ones out there. But trying to pass off someone else's ideas as your own? Definitely not awesome.
Plus, Haley is ridiculously TSTL, and I mean in a way where she's kidnapped by these hot guys she can't form words around -- they actually drug her and fly her to a different fucking state even though she told them she had to stay instead of, oh I don't know, fucking talking rationally to her about it? -- and when she wakes up, she's "angry" for all of three seconds but is basically like, "Oh, well. They're hot. Might as well go along with it." I'm sorry??
I honestly don't know how I finished this one. I think I forced through it just so I could feel justified rating it the one-star it deserves.
Lina is not impressed.
Here's the thing, too: fanfiction is fucking great. I love it. Really, there are so many awesome ones out there. But trying to pass off someone else's ideas as your own? Definitely not awesome.
Plus, Haley is ridiculously TSTL, and I mean in a way where she's kidnapped by these hot guys she can't form words around -- they actually drug her and fly her to a different fucking state even though she told them she had to stay instead of, oh I don't know, fucking talking rationally to her about it? -- and when she wakes up, she's "angry" for all of three seconds but is basically like, "Oh, well. They're hot. Might as well go along with it." I'm sorry??
I honestly don't know how I finished this one. I think I forced through it just so I could feel justified rating it the one-star it deserves.
Lina is not impressed.
dnf
April 13, 2017No rating.
Okay I'm pulling the plug at 71%. Normally once I hit this mark I don't DNF but my god with this book I need to before I throw my computer across the room.
At first I was bored. I really was going auto pilot until I got to the part of her waking up in Santa Cruz with no knowledge of getting there.
Here's a fair warning: Ranting and Spoilers
Haley was completely sheltered from the world by her dad. She gets to find out why on her 18th birthday. Her dad tells her at dinner that he was an undercover cop in LA. An assignment went wrong and he went beyond paranoid and took his daughter to the middle of no where California.
After she finds all this out, she goes on the walk the next day. She then hears a loud noise and sees smoke coming from her house. When she tries to find her dad she falls and hurts her ankle. She eventually passes out. She wakes up in a cabin with a mysterious man asking her how she is. Come to find out three guys who were apparently in the area saw the smoke and rescued her. When doing so they saw her dad escaping with a car on his tail. Instead of asking how they know it was her dad out loud she just accepts the piece of information.
The guys eventually tell her that they were hired into finding her dad. They weren't expecting to find her as well. When the guys need to go to Santa Cruz they ask her to come with them. At first she almost says yes. Upon hearing Ethan talk to someone outside she has doubts and tells them no.
Haley wakes up finding she isn't in the same place as she was when she went to sleep. Figuring out the guys had kidnapped her after drugging her, she tries to get an explanation. Knox, whose she is staying at loft. Instead of running out of the loft and running away, she goes on a shopping trip with Knox's younger brother.
When she finally gets a chance to talk to Knox again, he lets her know that the reason they kidnapped her was for her safety. That someone had broken in her father's business and stole his file. She accepts this answer.
That's when I drew the line and said enough. I can't deal. Nope. Sheer heroine stupidity. You can tell when the authors writing styles apart. One tends to use more metaphors and adjectives than necessary.
Excuse me while I go and clear my head so I don't go all "HULK SMASH" on my computer.
Okay I'm pulling the plug at 71%. Normally once I hit this mark I don't DNF but my god with this book I need to before I throw my computer across the room.
At first I was bored. I really was going auto pilot until I got to the part of her waking up in Santa Cruz with no knowledge of getting there.
Here's a fair warning: Ranting and Spoilers
Haley was completely sheltered from the world by her dad. She gets to find out why on her 18th birthday. Her dad tells her at dinner that he was an undercover cop in LA. An assignment went wrong and he went beyond paranoid and took his daughter to the middle of no where California.
After she finds all this out, she goes on the walk the next day. She then hears a loud noise and sees smoke coming from her house. When she tries to find her dad she falls and hurts her ankle. She eventually passes out. She wakes up in a cabin with a mysterious man asking her how she is. Come to find out three guys who were apparently in the area saw the smoke and rescued her. When doing so they saw her dad escaping with a car on his tail. Instead of asking how they know it was her dad out loud she just accepts the piece of information.
The guys eventually tell her that they were hired into finding her dad. They weren't expecting to find her as well. When the guys need to go to Santa Cruz they ask her to come with them. At first she almost says yes. Upon hearing Ethan talk to someone outside she has doubts and tells them no.
Haley wakes up finding she isn't in the same place as she was when she went to sleep. Figuring out the guys had kidnapped her after drugging her, she tries to get an explanation. Knox, whose she is staying at loft. Instead of running out of the loft and running away, she goes on a shopping trip with Knox's younger brother.
When she finally gets a chance to talk to Knox again, he lets her know that the reason they kidnapped her was for her safety. That someone had broken in her father's business and stole his file. She accepts this answer.
That's when I drew the line and said enough. I can't deal. Nope. Sheer heroine stupidity. You can tell when the authors writing styles apart. One tends to use more metaphors and adjectives than necessary.
Excuse me while I go and clear my head so I don't go all "HULK SMASH" on my computer.
August 25, 2021
I enjoy reading this book, but would have like a little more light shed on certain areas before book 2.
That being said I'm still interested in the story enough to pick up the second book hoping to find answers to some of my question that have been brought up in book 1.
That being said I'm still interested in the story enough to pick up the second book hoping to find answers to some of my question that have been brought up in book 1.
April 18, 2018
It's reread time to prepare for the very expected release of Polaris!
Rating : 3 stars
Recipe :
1 likeable heroine
6 5 gorgeous guys
a cup of drama
& a handful of quirky dialogues
It was more than okay but I remember it being a bit more... exciting I guess.
Nothing really happens in this first book, it mostly only serves as an introduction and the last page arrives far too quickly.
But Haley was more endearing than in my souvenirs, despite getting over her kidnapping rather fast. Theo is a breath of fresh air, Knox and Jax are not super hot yet but I know what's coming and Ethan... .
Phoenix gives huge YA vibes but it's cute and will become much better and fun by book 2.
Rating : 3 stars
Recipe :
1 likeable heroine
a cup of drama
& a handful of quirky dialogues
It was more than okay but I remember it being a bit more... exciting I guess.
Nothing really happens in this first book, it mostly only serves as an introduction and the last page arrives far too quickly.
But Haley was more endearing than in my souvenirs, despite getting over her kidnapping rather fast. Theo is a breath of fresh air, Knox and Jax are not super hot yet but I know what's coming and Ethan... .
Phoenix gives huge YA vibes but it's cute and will become much better and fun by book 2.
September 20, 2019
Oh this is just not working for me, I'm going to DNF. The writing needs a lot of work and the plot is out there and needed better researching. On top of all of that it's slowwwwwwwww. Our heroine is kind of stupid, I mean she says this "Surely a guy wearing plaid socks can't be that bad, right?" this is after being kidnapped. She then goes on to talk about how good looking he is.. I mean let's not worry about the fact you've been kidnap and just go with the flow, right...
March 22, 2018
I love starting new series.
Phoenix wasn't that bad of a start to this series. It definitely reminded me of other series I've read like the Ghost Bird Series which I'm honestly really excited about because a new book is coming out sometime soon!!! So yay for this book for getting me excited.
I loved all of the characters in this book. The MC, Haley, was sheltered but still independent and strong on her own. However, that kind of changes once she meets the group of men. Which I mean is completely understandable because hellllo gorgeous men!
Overall, it was a good start to this series. I can't wait to read the next book - I hope it's just as good!
Phoenix wasn't that bad of a start to this series. It definitely reminded me of other series I've read like the Ghost Bird Series which I'm honestly really excited about because a new book is coming out sometime soon!!! So yay for this book for getting me excited.
I loved all of the characters in this book. The MC, Haley, was sheltered but still independent and strong on her own. However, that kind of changes once she meets the group of men. Which I mean is completely understandable because hellllo gorgeous men!
Overall, it was a good start to this series. I can't wait to read the next book - I hope it's just as good!
January 18, 2016
4.25 stars!
Very interesting suspense-plot driven RH. At some parts the pace slowed down but I really liked the h who was very likeable, mature, fun and not tstl or over the top at all. The guys seemed interesting and they were good to the h. The fun things the h and the guys did together were all very enjoyable to read and typical RH.
This reminded me a bit of CL Stone's Scarab Beetle series, but only a bit. Haley is very different from Kayli and I love her knowledge/passion for Astronomy. On the whole a very enjoyable read.
Note: This has a cliffhanger ending and bk2 is out now.
Very interesting suspense-plot driven RH. At some parts the pace slowed down but I really liked the h who was very likeable, mature, fun and not tstl or over the top at all. The guys seemed interesting and they were good to the h. The fun things the h and the guys did together were all very enjoyable to read and typical RH.
This reminded me a bit of CL Stone's Scarab Beetle series, but only a bit. Haley is very different from Kayli and I love her knowledge/passion for Astronomy. On the whole a very enjoyable read.
Note: This has a cliffhanger ending and bk2 is out now.
June 9, 2016
Eh.
First of all, nothing much really happened, it was just plain stuff happening. Second, I couldn't stop thinking "This seems familiar", because a lot of characters were way too similar to the guys on The Ghost Bird Series by C.L Stone. Knox? North. Jackson? Owen. That british guy? Definitely Sean.
I guess I just wasn't impressed.
First of all, nothing much really happened, it was just plain stuff happening. Second, I couldn't stop thinking "This seems familiar", because a lot of characters were way too similar to the guys on The Ghost Bird Series by C.L Stone. Knox? North. Jackson? Owen. That british guy? Definitely Sean.
I guess I just wasn't impressed.
April 25, 2018
A solid beginning to an interesting series.
I actually enjoy the plot of the story more than the characters which is a little strange. That is not to say that I don't like the characters, I think they will develop more as the series continues.
The story is interesting and Haley is cute enough for me to want to keep going with this series.
I really want to know how this story ends.
I actually enjoy the plot of the story more than the characters which is a little strange. That is not to say that I don't like the characters, I think they will develop more as the series continues.
The story is interesting and Haley is cute enough for me to want to keep going with this series.
I really want to know how this story ends.
September 6, 2016
I tend to read all reverse harem stories I can find and was excited to find this series. However, the writing is just terrible! There are two authors listed and it seems that neither wants to edit the other. Descriptions are overly tedious and a great many of the sentences are incomplete, poorly punctuated or just make no sense. Their word choice rarely makes sense and it makes this story hard to follow and comprehend. I think the underlying story might have some merit, but I can't even finish the first book (I put it down at 72% completed) because of the horrendous prose.
Someone needs to get these people and editor. And, a word to anyone receiving ARC copies of these books, you are not doing any of that love this genre by not commenting on the poor writing! Just to think up a story about cute boys and a strong heroine is NOT enough. These authors owe us some level of critical reviews.
Someone needs to get these people and editor. And, a word to anyone receiving ARC copies of these books, you are not doing any of that love this genre by not commenting on the poor writing! Just to think up a story about cute boys and a strong heroine is NOT enough. These authors owe us some level of critical reviews.
February 7, 2017
(2 bad words, no sex & no mature scenes, more of a YA version in Phoenix but may mature as the series progresses)
If you like CL Stone's Academy series, you will probably like this one. Some similarities...
A team of six hot guys! Ethan, Chase, Knox, Theo, Liam & Jackson take care of Haley....review to come after full series read
If you like CL Stone's Academy series, you will probably like this one. Some similarities...
A team of six hot guys! Ethan, Chase, Knox, Theo, Liam & Jackson take care of Haley....review to come after full series read
August 15, 2016
I just can't go nuts for this for a few reasons.
1) Why is she so annoying? Poor me, Poor me. And yet the author wants us to see her as some sort of brave girl. I don't see it... You can tell me all the time but she isn't.
2) This book is such a copy of another. Introductions I see others have put that together as well. All those books are rated 5 stars (admittedly its been 2 years and I got to book 6) there are differences (names mostly) and her dad being a cop or not as I suspect.
3) I don't connect with the guys. There no love from me. I also don't see the love for her just yet..
I just don't know if I'll read on. Only reason to is kindle unlimited, I'm not spending my own hard earned money to read this...
1) Why is she so annoying? Poor me, Poor me. And yet the author wants us to see her as some sort of brave girl. I don't see it... You can tell me all the time but she isn't.
2) This book is such a copy of another. Introductions I see others have put that together as well. All those books are rated 5 stars (admittedly its been 2 years and I got to book 6) there are differences (names mostly) and her dad being a cop or not as I suspect.
3) I don't connect with the guys. There no love from me. I also don't see the love for her just yet..
I just don't know if I'll read on. Only reason to is kindle unlimited, I'm not spending my own hard earned money to read this...
December 9, 2018
It was ok. I found it pretty boring and I didn’t feel like much happened.
October 1, 2015
Maybe it's because I am such a fan of the Academy Series by C.L. Stone, but this felt like fanfiction of that series.
I felt there were so many elements and situations that mirrored the Academy series and I just couldn't get into it because of that.
I felt there were so many elements and situations that mirrored the Academy series and I just couldn't get into it because of that.
February 2, 2017
3.5 STARS
Good start. I am excited for the next book!
Good start. I am excited for the next book!
Want to read
December 24, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (12/24/2019)! 🎁
April 10, 2019
JAJAJA WHAT
No puedo creer lo que he leído, además de que nunca te dicen nada de lo que está pasando, ni una pisca
El libro se basó más en la descripción de 6 chicos súper guapos con distintas personalidades, color de ojos y pelo con tremendos autos y problemas con sus padres.
Solo el principio fue algo más revelador pero solo media página, y con suerte
No seguiré con la saga! Libro malo malo xd pero por lo menos me reí mucho con las descripciónes de chicos con músculos hasta en la cara
No puedo creer lo que he leído, además de que nunca te dicen nada de lo que está pasando, ni una pisca
El libro se basó más en la descripción de 6 chicos súper guapos con distintas personalidades, color de ojos y pelo con tremendos autos y problemas con sus padres.
Solo el principio fue algo más revelador pero solo media página, y con suerte
No seguiré con la saga! Libro malo malo xd pero por lo menos me reí mucho con las descripciónes de chicos con músculos hasta en la cara
December 6, 2017
I have mixed feelings about Phoenix...
1. Drugging and kidnapping her is not okay. These guys knew her for 2 days.
2. For someone who has been isolated her entire life, she is oddly okay with the drugging and kidnapping.
So, let me set you up here with the background. Haley has been VERY isolated nearly all of her life. Her dad home schools her (but not really since she didn't actually get a diploma because he didn't want anyone to know she existed!) and she has 1 friend. But, she turns 18, finds out the truth about her mom's death and her father's flee from danger and the next day her entire life changes. Her house burns down and she is rescued by (initially) 3 hunky strangers. Now, here were my issues with this set up. 1, the guys are not that much older than her yet already running ops for a PI firm.... and 2, she is WAY to comfortable with them for someone who has just had all this info dumped on her. So, I am suspending my own beliefs here because, despite my issues, I was really kind of interested in where this story was going to go!
But, I do think there is an interesting story here in Phoenix. What is up with the people hunting her dad? Where is her dad? What the hell is she going to do with her life (she doesn't have a diploma and no experience with anything-seriously?! What is she going to do with her life?!).
I feel like the 2nd half of Phoenix was more about establishing the characters so I tried to get past my issues with how they ended up there and engage in the story.
Since I listened to this, I have to comment on the narrator, Emily Lawrence. She did a good job overall. Her voice sounded 'young enough' for an 18 year old girl, and she didn't overdo the male roles to the point it was distracting. There were a few times the narration bothered me (way certain words were pronounced or voices were done) but they were minimal and likely attributed to me being a picky bitch that day :)
POV: 1st (Haley)
Tears: no
Trope: reverse harem, secret identity
Triggers:
Series/Standalone: series
Cliffhanger:
HEA:
The Ghost Bird series by CL Stone, The Veil Diaries by BL Brunnemer, The Ariel Kimber series by Mary Martel...then you will probably like Phoenix!
Phoenix
January 26, 2016
I read this book this morning within an hour. It's such a fast read and each character is developed to the point where the reader really connects with each one. I like Haley and emphathised with her situation. She grew up isolated and not knowing why. Her father was a police detective and a case went desperately wrong. Haley's mom was killed in a car accident, which was not an accident. She finds out on her 18th birthday most of the information she was missing growing up. Her father gives her a sapphire ring belonging to her mother. I'm not sure if this ring has any significance, but it is referenced several times.
Her house is blown up and her dad disappears. She is rescued by a group of men at different times. The first two were Chase and Ethan, then Knox.
She shouldn't trust them, but she does. She finds them all very physically attractive but is drawn to Ethan. Knox drugs her and she is taken back to Santa Cruz where they live. They had given her the choice to stay or go back to Santa Cruz with them. Information not revealed to the reader until the end of the book dictated that action.
Although this sounds very shady, Knox is trying to protect her. She then meets Theo, Liam and Jackson. All the guys work at a company called Zenith. Haley is offered a part time job there also.
Haley lives with Theo and Knox and begins to trust them more and more. None of the men have perfect lives and they either have a missing parent or no parent in their lives. They've developed a family dynamic with each other.
I don't know much about Ethan. I like Chase and Knox more for Haley, but I am definitely going to read book 2 to find out what develops.
The author has a very easy to read style which makes this book so successful because there are so many characters.
The book ends with Jackson speaking to Uncle, the big boss, about Haley. Zenith is a very secretive organization investigating Haley's father. Jackson made all the guys promise not to get involved with Haley romantically. Jackson also states he's concerned that some of the guys seem to be attached to her more than others.
I'm not sure if he's going to turn out to be the bad guy or if he's just concerned for his family.
I would rate this book 3.5 instead of 3.
Happy reading!
Her house is blown up and her dad disappears. She is rescued by a group of men at different times. The first two were Chase and Ethan, then Knox.
She shouldn't trust them, but she does. She finds them all very physically attractive but is drawn to Ethan. Knox drugs her and she is taken back to Santa Cruz where they live. They had given her the choice to stay or go back to Santa Cruz with them. Information not revealed to the reader until the end of the book dictated that action.
Although this sounds very shady, Knox is trying to protect her. She then meets Theo, Liam and Jackson. All the guys work at a company called Zenith. Haley is offered a part time job there also.
Haley lives with Theo and Knox and begins to trust them more and more. None of the men have perfect lives and they either have a missing parent or no parent in their lives. They've developed a family dynamic with each other.
I don't know much about Ethan. I like Chase and Knox more for Haley, but I am definitely going to read book 2 to find out what develops.
The author has a very easy to read style which makes this book so successful because there are so many characters.
The book ends with Jackson speaking to Uncle, the big boss, about Haley. Zenith is a very secretive organization investigating Haley's father. Jackson made all the guys promise not to get involved with Haley romantically. Jackson also states he's concerned that some of the guys seem to be attached to her more than others.
I'm not sure if he's going to turn out to be the bad guy or if he's just concerned for his family.
I would rate this book 3.5 instead of 3.
Happy reading!
October 4, 2021
So, it’s been a WHILE since I’ve read this novel and I was a bit young, so my memory is very biased.
So, it’s basically MC x six hot guys…and nothing else. Seriously, at best it’s a guilty pleasure.
Also, the guys are simply walking stereotypes which I think is for fulfilling every possible romantic types but in reality are very boring. I can literally describe them with one picture.
To make it easy…
Knox - 💪 older brother type, protective, the strongest
Theo - I think the best friend type, forgot about him.
Liam - 🧥 rich, playboy, flirty
Chase - 🏀 sporty, shy, friendly
Jackson - 🕶 leader, cold, quiet type (obviously warms up to the mc)
Ethan - 🤓 tech expert, a bit nerdy, smart? Don’t remember too much about him either.
There’s a plot but it’s simple and not really focused upon. So basically, this novel is about 6 hot guys orbiting around a close-to-perfect girl while being completely smitten with her. Clean romance of course. Because she doesn’t go too far with any one boy (gotta keep the balance)
The author does have a easy writing style and she knows how to balance relationship with each guys …but that’s it.
1 extra star because I did enjoy it a bit ? But my opinion is probably changed a lot.
If you want a clean romantic reverse haram, then go for it.
But…don’t expect any plot, romantic development or any sort of excitement I guess.
Won’t recommend to anyone.
So, it’s basically MC x six hot guys…and nothing else. Seriously, at best it’s a guilty pleasure.
Also, the guys are simply walking stereotypes which I think is for fulfilling every possible romantic types but in reality are very boring. I can literally describe them with one picture.
To make it easy…
Knox - 💪 older brother type, protective, the strongest
Theo - I think the best friend type, forgot about him.
Liam - 🧥 rich, playboy, flirty
Chase - 🏀 sporty, shy, friendly
Jackson - 🕶 leader, cold, quiet type (obviously warms up to the mc)
Ethan - 🤓 tech expert, a bit nerdy, smart? Don’t remember too much about him either.
There’s a plot but it’s simple and not really focused upon. So basically, this novel is about 6 hot guys orbiting around a close-to-perfect girl while being completely smitten with her. Clean romance of course. Because she doesn’t go too far with any one boy (gotta keep the balance)
The author does have a easy writing style and she knows how to balance relationship with each guys …but that’s it.
1 extra star because I did enjoy it a bit ? But my opinion is probably changed a lot.
If you want a clean romantic reverse haram, then go for it.
But…don’t expect any plot, romantic development or any sort of excitement I guess.
Won’t recommend to anyone.
January 21, 2018
This book is a little out of my comfort zone as its not the usual type of book I read as I'm usually a huge paranormal fan. However it has been sitting on my TBR pile for quite a while and I've really been wanting to read as have heard many good things about it, and the blurb really drew me to it in the first place.
Oh am I so glad that I finally decided to pick it up and I'm also regretting that its taken me this long to get round to reading it. It. Was. Awesome! The story drew me in from the very first few sentences and I just kept turning those pages (and then got really annoyed when I had to put the book down cos I had to get off the train! So inconvenient!) I'm really intrigued by the mystery, so far am loving all the guys, Knox is my favourite and I really need to know what's going to happen next!
So as I really want to go and read the next book, this a short and sweet review. Awesome book, really enjoyable and you definitely need to read it! Don't put it off like I did. Pick it up now!
Oh am I so glad that I finally decided to pick it up and I'm also regretting that its taken me this long to get round to reading it. It. Was. Awesome! The story drew me in from the very first few sentences and I just kept turning those pages (and then got really annoyed when I had to put the book down cos I had to get off the train! So inconvenient!) I'm really intrigued by the mystery, so far am loving all the guys, Knox is my favourite and I really need to know what's going to happen next!
So as I really want to go and read the next book, this a short and sweet review. Awesome book, really enjoyable and you definitely need to read it! Don't put it off like I did. Pick it up now!
November 29, 2018
Phoenix begins when Haley turns 18. Now, is the time she will get answers, but that's not exactly what happens. After learning a few things about her dad and her family, she is now on the run from someone trying to find her dad. But when she meets a group of guys who will try to help her along the way, however they are also keeping secrets from her.
Now, she's unsure who to trust, and what move to make next.
This book was very interesting. I adored this story! I loved the mystery, and intrigue, as well as the heroine who was pretty awesome. Although, at times I sort of felt like she should have been a tad bit less forgiving than she was. But other than that this one was a great start to this series and I look forward to more.
Now, she's unsure who to trust, and what move to make next.
This book was very interesting. I adored this story! I loved the mystery, and intrigue, as well as the heroine who was pretty awesome. Although, at times I sort of felt like she should have been a tad bit less forgiving than she was. But other than that this one was a great start to this series and I look forward to more.
February 11, 2017
Great series start!
I'm a fan of the reverse harem, so I already knew I'd enjoy this on some level. The guys are awesome! This was a great beginning to the series, but I can't wait to see what happens next!
I'm a fan of the reverse harem, so I already knew I'd enjoy this on some level. The guys are awesome! This was a great beginning to the series, but I can't wait to see what happens next!
August 28, 2017
What a fantastic. Book, i was gripped from the first page and could not put it down, I absolutely love this book, I cannot tell you how much but I have to say I highly recommend this book
The characters are brilliant, the story spellbinding, and I am super excited for the next book
The characters are brilliant, the story spellbinding, and I am super excited for the next book
December 4, 2021
Be careful what you wish for as it could be more than you could ever have imagined and your life can change drastically in a heartbeat. Ever since Hayley can remember, it has always been just her and her dad and they have lived away from society. She was even home-schooled and kept close to her household. Now she has turned 18, Hayley has one request - she wants to find out about her mum and needs answers. However, when Hayley gets the answers - they are far from what she ever realized, and are in for a major shock as turns out her dad was an undercover officer, and the case he was involved in years ago turned deadly. To save his family, he went and got new IDS for the family. During this time, Hayley's mother was killed. A few days after Hayley's birthday, their house goes up in flames and her father has disappeared and she finds herself rescued by six gorgeous hunks - Ethan, Chase, Jackson, Liam, Theo, and Knox. These guys are part of a security company called Zenith who was hired to track down her dad aka Brian Taylor. Can Hayley trust the guys to help her or do they want to find her dad to kill him/ hand him over to the bad guys? Find out in Book #1 of the Stardust series - Phoenix. This book felt similar to Killer Beauty by Eva Chance and Harlow King as the storylines are similar in part but were a lot more of a tamer and cleaner read, so great for those who want to steer away from steamy and sexy reads but still want a bit of romance, flirting and adventure.
November 22, 2023
Read for a challenge. Not a fan of the writing, the characters or the sorry excuse for a plot. Despite the ending that is basically just a random break in the (and I use this word loosely) story, I doubt very much I'll ever pick up book 2.
April 18, 2018
3.5 stars (second read)
Alrighty then. Hmmm... I think book may have fallen victim to my revisionist memory, like so many others. I am still extremely fond of the series, I love the guys, the characters are developing nicely, and the series is an immersive world. All good.
But I am definitely influenced by what I know is coming in later books. Because taking this first book on its own, it isn't so stellar. (see what I did there? Hmm? *grin*) The pacing feels a little off to me. An awfully long time on Haley's current reality before the hook that gets the story going. A ton of mental processing (not that that is a bad thing - great for really getting into the MC's head). But not a lot really happens in this book. It's almost like an extended prologue.
I also had memories of it feeling a little less young adult than it seemed to be this time around. Now maybe that is because it shifts pretty quickly in subsequent books. After all, most of the characters are out in the workforce and that is the focus of the story. And even the two that are in college are still working part time. But this first book, with Haley's youth and inexperience of the world, it felt a lot like a typical YA.
I am also noticing similarities to other series I have read since - especially Ghost Bird (The Academy). Again, not something that necessarily derails my enjoyment, just makes it feel a little...familiar this time around.
But, all in all, I am still enjoying this and very much looking forward to the complete re-read and the launch of the final book in a couple days. The great characters are a large part of that. (Knox, Jackson and Liam are just...YUM!) And the clean writing that seems to always work in service to the story.
I still highly recommend the read!
UPDATE NOTES:
53.0% "LMAO. Great line, Knox!
46.0% "Sweet moment with Ethan"
20.0% "Uh...how does she know that? I don't recall anyone telling her someone was chasing after her dad."
16.0% "Now see, this is odd. Wouldn't he have said "Hang on Kira" in an emergency like that, since they had just started running?"
12.0% "Uh...that is a strange wish when you have just found out why you've been in hiding all your life. You'd think the wish would be for her and her Dad to be safe."
2.0% "Ah, I take it back...she is dressing up for her birthday - with only her Dad. LOL"
2.0% "Hmmm...Just occurred to me:
Why would someone isolated from everyone pretty much her whole life care about makeup? Not sure why it would even be a consideration most days. I get she had the one girlfriend, Jessica, and they had likely experimented. But I don't see why she'd use it on a daily basis, especially with her one friend off in college now."
Alrighty then. Hmmm... I think book may have fallen victim to my revisionist memory, like so many others. I am still extremely fond of the series, I love the guys, the characters are developing nicely, and the series is an immersive world. All good.
But I am definitely influenced by what I know is coming in later books. Because taking this first book on its own, it isn't so stellar. (see what I did there? Hmm? *grin*) The pacing feels a little off to me. An awfully long time on Haley's current reality before the hook that gets the story going. A ton of mental processing (not that that is a bad thing - great for really getting into the MC's head). But not a lot really happens in this book. It's almost like an extended prologue.
I also had memories of it feeling a little less young adult than it seemed to be this time around. Now maybe that is because it shifts pretty quickly in subsequent books. After all, most of the characters are out in the workforce and that is the focus of the story. And even the two that are in college are still working part time. But this first book, with Haley's youth and inexperience of the world, it felt a lot like a typical YA.
I am also noticing similarities to other series I have read since - especially Ghost Bird (The Academy). Again, not something that necessarily derails my enjoyment, just makes it feel a little...familiar this time around.
But, all in all, I am still enjoying this and very much looking forward to the complete re-read and the launch of the final book in a couple days. The great characters are a large part of that. (Knox, Jackson and Liam are just...YUM!) And the clean writing that seems to always work in service to the story.
I still highly recommend the read!
UPDATE NOTES:
53.0% "LMAO. Great line, Knox!
“I wouldn’t call it a kidnapping, exactly. More like an involuntary transfer of your person to an alternate location for the benefit of your personal safety and welfare.” His lips rose in a crooked grin, enraging me further."47.0% "Interestingly...this appears to be another series where the details had fuzzed over time. My perception was that it was an older series (not kids in school), but I had forgotten some were in college, and how very young the MC comes across (at least in the beginning here). Chase comes off young too (and inexperienced)."
46.0% "Sweet moment with Ethan"
20.0% "Uh...how does she know that? I don't recall anyone telling her someone was chasing after her dad."
16.0% "Now see, this is odd. Wouldn't he have said "Hang on Kira" in an emergency like that, since they had just started running?"
12.0% "Uh...that is a strange wish when you have just found out why you've been in hiding all your life. You'd think the wish would be for her and her Dad to be safe."
2.0% "Ah, I take it back...she is dressing up for her birthday - with only her Dad. LOL"
2.0% "Hmmm...Just occurred to me:
Why would someone isolated from everyone pretty much her whole life care about makeup? Not sure why it would even be a consideration most days. I get she had the one girlfriend, Jessica, and they had likely experimented. But I don't see why she'd use it on a daily basis, especially with her one friend off in college now."
October 16, 2019
No, no, no... aaaannnnnd HELL NO.
I only made it through a little over half of this audio before rage quitting. Why, you ask? It's not that the narrator was atrocious; Emily Lawrence does a fairly good job with her characterisations.
No, no. It was the absolute ridiculousness of the main female character's reaction to things. Haley was the epitome of Too Stupid to Live(TM). Keep in mind, I always give a bit of leeway to reverse harem novels, because they're usually a bit over the top and ridiculous. This starts out intriguing, with the mystery of the dad and why they've been in hiding, etc. After that's all revealed and Haley finds out the big secret, she ends up separated from her father but miraculously rescued by these two strange (but lyke omg uber cute) guys. She tries to escape ONCE. But after a new uber cute guy comes and finds her in the woods, she's like "yea, I don't really have a chance on my own currently anyway, it makes more sense to just go back with them." Uh... what? She goes back and starts getting chummy with these three dudes, bashfully drooling over them half the time.
Okay, fine, I can get past the first delusion. But then when they tell her they have to relocate and she should go with them, she declines. They act like it's all cool, but then DRUG and KIDNAP her. But it's like all done in a really chill non-creepy manner, and it's for her own safety anyway. *eye roll*
Now... maybe—MAYBE (but doubtful)—I could have gotten past this if she had flown off the handle at one of them at her situation, or they had acted at all apologetic or regretful. But no. No that's not what happens. TSTL Haley is a bit mad, and sort of yells at one of the guys, but as she's yelling she thinks to herself, "I know I sound overly outraged right now." Uh... WHAT?! How does one sound "overly outraged" upon discovering they've been mother-effin DRUGGED AND KIDNAPPED? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?! There is no limit to the outrage in this situation! Freaking blow up parliament like it's the 5th of November! It's acceptable, you were drugged and kidnapped. And this whole time while she's semi-railing at this dude, she's thinking about how he's cute or whatthefuckall. No. No ma'am. I can take a lot. I've read some weird shit. But this is my damned LIMIT.
Tl;dr ...this book contains a TSTL naive heroine who pines over creepy-calm "for your own good" kidnappers.
I only made it through a little over half of this audio before rage quitting. Why, you ask? It's not that the narrator was atrocious; Emily Lawrence does a fairly good job with her characterisations.
No, no. It was the absolute ridiculousness of the main female character's reaction to things. Haley was the epitome of Too Stupid to Live(TM). Keep in mind, I always give a bit of leeway to reverse harem novels, because they're usually a bit over the top and ridiculous. This starts out intriguing, with the mystery of the dad and why they've been in hiding, etc. After that's all revealed and Haley finds out the big secret, she ends up separated from her father but miraculously rescued by these two strange (but lyke omg uber cute) guys. She tries to escape ONCE. But after a new uber cute guy comes and finds her in the woods, she's like "yea, I don't really have a chance on my own currently anyway, it makes more sense to just go back with them." Uh... what? She goes back and starts getting chummy with these three dudes, bashfully drooling over them half the time.
Okay, fine, I can get past the first delusion. But then when they tell her they have to relocate and she should go with them, she declines. They act like it's all cool, but then DRUG and KIDNAP her. But it's like all done in a really chill non-creepy manner, and it's for her own safety anyway. *eye roll*
Now... maybe—MAYBE (but doubtful)—I could have gotten past this if she had flown off the handle at one of them at her situation, or they had acted at all apologetic or regretful. But no. No that's not what happens. TSTL Haley is a bit mad, and sort of yells at one of the guys, but as she's yelling she thinks to herself, "I know I sound overly outraged right now." Uh... WHAT?! How does one sound "overly outraged" upon discovering they've been mother-effin DRUGGED AND KIDNAPPED? ARE YOU FREAKING KIDDING ME?! There is no limit to the outrage in this situation! Freaking blow up parliament like it's the 5th of November! It's acceptable, you were drugged and kidnapped. And this whole time while she's semi-railing at this dude, she's thinking about how he's cute or whatthefuckall. No. No ma'am. I can take a lot. I've read some weird shit. But this is my damned LIMIT.
Tl;dr ...this book contains a TSTL naive heroine who pines over creepy-calm "for your own good" kidnappers.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 3, 2017
This is awesome. No doubt about it. Hands down to the authors of this fantastic series.
Please keep up the good work! Love yah!
Please keep up the good work! Love yah!
September 13, 2024
***TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING: This series suddenly veers into darker territory in the 6th installment, "Polaris." In that one, the heroine is taken and put in a human trafficking situation. Nothing happens to her, but there is a creepy photographer that she has to deal with. Nothing sexually violent happens on-page or even off-page, but the theme is there in the background as the guys try to find her and she tries to find her way out of that situation. ***
9/4/24-
Just as another heads-up to anyone who might need it, this series starts with six potential love interests, but there ends up being only five in the HEA. The one that steps out of the running isn't much of a loss in the end after some of his behavior, but it was still disappointing to me the first time I read through this series. If you want to know who it is ahead of time, I'll put it way down below.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
Ethan is the one that steps out of the running. I thought it was done really well, actually, how the heroine gradually lost feelings for him after seeing him with a few other girls. There was no pining away for a guy that was hooking up with a bunch of different girls. It was SO refreshing and it didn't feel forced.
9/4/24-
Just as another heads-up to anyone who might need it, this series starts with six potential love interests, but there ends up being only five in the HEA. The one that steps out of the running isn't much of a loss in the end after some of his behavior, but it was still disappointing to me the first time I read through this series. If you want to know who it is ahead of time, I'll put it way down below.
***SPOILERS BELOW***
Ethan is the one that steps out of the running. I thought it was done really well, actually, how the heroine gradually lost feelings for him after seeing him with a few other girls. There was no pining away for a guy that was hooking up with a bunch of different girls. It was SO refreshing and it didn't feel forced.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 221 reviews