What do you think?
Rate this book
The Celestial Bodies Romances #1
Shooting Stars Above
For fans of Colleen Hoover comes an emotionally charged contemporary romance about a internationally best-selling novelist and a federal agent fighting to heal past wounds.
A powerful contemporary romance that explores the incredible healing power of love.
Tess Lee is a world-famous novelist. Her inspirational books explore people’s innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel—but despite her extraordinary success, she’s been unable to find personal happiness. Jack Miller is a federal agent working in counterterrorism. After spending decades immersed in a violent world, a residue remains. He’s dedicated everything to his job, leaving nothing for himself.
The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on an epic love story, but old traumas soon rise to the surface as Jack struggles with the death of a loved one and Tess is forced to confront her childhood abuse. Can unconditional love help heal their invisible wounds? Together, will they be able to move from darkness to light?
A powerful contemporary romance that explores the incredible healing power of love.
Tess Lee is a world-famous novelist. Her inspirational books explore people’s innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel—but despite her extraordinary success, she’s been unable to find personal happiness. Jack Miller is a federal agent working in counterterrorism. After spending decades immersed in a violent world, a residue remains. He’s dedicated everything to his job, leaving nothing for himself.
The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on an epic love story, but old traumas soon rise to the surface as Jack struggles with the death of a loved one and Tess is forced to confront her childhood abuse. Can unconditional love help heal their invisible wounds? Together, will they be able to move from darkness to light?
224 pages, Paperback
Published March 18, 2025
30 people are currently reading
11238 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Leavy
80 books330 followersPatricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a bestselling author. She has published over fifty books, earning commercial and critical success in both fiction and nonfiction, and her work has been translated into many languages. Patricia has received over 100 book honors as well as career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2024 the London Arts-Based Research Centre established "The Patricia Leavy Award for Arts-Based Research." She lives in Maine with her family. Patricia loves writing, reading, watching films, and traveling. These days, she's focused on writing feel-good love stories.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
April 2, 2026
I received a free advanced copy of this book from Booksparks.
Unfortunately, I’m going to have to DNF this book. Within the first 10 percent, several significant topics were mentioned by both FMC and MMC without any real grappling or discussion. I felt that it was a laundry list of trauma rather than a discussion with nuance. Instead, I was given the ick over and over again.
The meet-cute involves the MMC coming to the aid of the FMC when she is at a bar with a man being aggressive. This is what would usually be fine, but then the FMC says she is alone because her friend, who is described as Black, got pulled over by cops due to racial profiling. Then the FMC says said friend is no longer coming because he is with his Middle Eastern spouse, “so they get it,” honestly, I wish I had stopped reading there. Because WHAT? While it was clear this was bad, they then just changed topics. This HUGE topic deserves more depth and consideration.
Then, when they go home together (instant-lust is cool with me), she points to his scars from a gunshot wound and compares them to her trauma from SA. Both being a victim of gun violence and seeing active combat in the military and SA are heavy topics, but to have the characters bring this up and then have sex felt very jarring.
Then, the FMC mentioned she doesn’t eat much and had an apparent problem with disordered eating. Again, I love the topic's inclusion, but this needs to be dealt with carefully and not just dropped in conversation.
Finally, within the first 10% of the book, the MMC gives the FMC a list of everyone he’s ever killed while in active combat and working as a CIA Operative. Well, I’m sure that anyone would have trauma from this. It felt casual again. This was followed by love decoration after they’d known each other for 48 hours.
I really tried, but this just felt like using trauma to move a story without even treating the topics with care or understanding. I had no issues with the topics themselves, but the way they were handled in casual conversation felt flippant. I had to put down the book after that.
Unfortunately, I’m going to have to DNF this book. Within the first 10 percent, several significant topics were mentioned by both FMC and MMC without any real grappling or discussion. I felt that it was a laundry list of trauma rather than a discussion with nuance. Instead, I was given the ick over and over again.
The meet-cute involves the MMC coming to the aid of the FMC when she is at a bar with a man being aggressive. This is what would usually be fine, but then the FMC says she is alone because her friend, who is described as Black, got pulled over by cops due to racial profiling. Then the FMC says said friend is no longer coming because he is with his Middle Eastern spouse, “so they get it,” honestly, I wish I had stopped reading there. Because WHAT? While it was clear this was bad, they then just changed topics. This HUGE topic deserves more depth and consideration.
Then, when they go home together (instant-lust is cool with me), she points to his scars from a gunshot wound and compares them to her trauma from SA. Both being a victim of gun violence and seeing active combat in the military and SA are heavy topics, but to have the characters bring this up and then have sex felt very jarring.
Then, the FMC mentioned she doesn’t eat much and had an apparent problem with disordered eating. Again, I love the topic's inclusion, but this needs to be dealt with carefully and not just dropped in conversation.
Finally, within the first 10% of the book, the MMC gives the FMC a list of everyone he’s ever killed while in active combat and working as a CIA Operative. Well, I’m sure that anyone would have trauma from this. It felt casual again. This was followed by love decoration after they’d known each other for 48 hours.
I really tried, but this just felt like using trauma to move a story without even treating the topics with care or understanding. I had no issues with the topics themselves, but the way they were handled in casual conversation felt flippant. I had to put down the book after that.
March 12, 2025
I’m typically not drawn to instant love stories, but this one truly captivated me! The profound connection between Tess and Jack made their instant love feel genuine and compelling. The book was filled with love, raw emotions, trauma, and healing. At just over 200 pages, it was a quick and enjoyable read. I’m eagerly anticipating what the next book has in store!
April 11, 2025
I’ve never experienced such poor writing. I couldn’t even make it past the 6th page. It reads like it was written by AI.
April 6, 2025
I'm not usually one for insta love but this book changed my mind. The insta love worked, it made sense and it was really beautiful.
Beautiful, heartbreaking and so raw! The book hits hard and explores deep traumas. There is so much healing within the pages.
I absolutely adored Jack, Tess and their friends. The love they all had for one another was so heart-warming!
I definitely plan on reading the next book. My thanks to BookSparks for this gifted copy.
Beautiful, heartbreaking and so raw! The book hits hard and explores deep traumas. There is so much healing within the pages.
I absolutely adored Jack, Tess and their friends. The love they all had for one another was so heart-warming!
I definitely plan on reading the next book. My thanks to BookSparks for this gifted copy.
March 24, 2026
I’m going to try to meander my way through this review.
So the positive thing about this book is that it is a quick and short read. It is a story about overcoming childhood trauma, finding love, and found family.
Everything moves at an extremely fast pace and there's very little description which allows you, the reader, to imagine most details yourself. Characters are introduced to you but there's much back story to any of them.
Everything that is said or happens revolves around Tess. Tess is a character that is beloved by everyone she meets, worshipped by her readers and fans, and adored by all. Everyone around her sees her as someone who can do no wrong. But she has a very dark traumatic past, which she eventually shares with the main character but I felt like it was glossed over too quickly. For something so traumatic and difficult to talk about there should have been more time for the FMC to overcome her grief and trauma. Also I felt very icky about how trauma was portrayed. Tess is a famous author and because of the topics and stories she writes, her fans feel the need to trauma dump onto her occasionally. Which caused her to cut back on her tours and book signing. I personally have an issue with trauma dumping onto random strangers because sometimes the topics and stories are so dark that it's hard for an outsider to digest it.
I think people would enjoy this story if they love:Instant love Fast Pace RomanceOvercoming Childhood traumaDealing with GriefFound Family
Thank you to Patricia Leavy and BookSpark for the gifted copy.
So the positive thing about this book is that it is a quick and short read. It is a story about overcoming childhood trauma, finding love, and found family.
Everything moves at an extremely fast pace and there's very little description which allows you, the reader, to imagine most details yourself. Characters are introduced to you but there's much back story to any of them.
Everything that is said or happens revolves around Tess. Tess is a character that is beloved by everyone she meets, worshipped by her readers and fans, and adored by all. Everyone around her sees her as someone who can do no wrong. But she has a very dark traumatic past, which she eventually shares with the main character but I felt like it was glossed over too quickly. For something so traumatic and difficult to talk about there should have been more time for the FMC to overcome her grief and trauma. Also I felt very icky about how trauma was portrayed. Tess is a famous author and because of the topics and stories she writes, her fans feel the need to trauma dump onto her occasionally. Which caused her to cut back on her tours and book signing. I personally have an issue with trauma dumping onto random strangers because sometimes the topics and stories are so dark that it's hard for an outsider to digest it.
I think people would enjoy this story if they love:Instant love Fast Pace RomanceOvercoming Childhood traumaDealing with GriefFound Family
Thank you to Patricia Leavy and BookSpark for the gifted copy.
March 18, 2025
For Tess and Jake, it’s love at first sight. Two wounded souls, sensing a kindred connection, fall into a life-saving relationship. This story reels with emotion as past traumas direct their actions. Tess and Jake have each other and a wonderful host of supportive friends. Readers will love these two main characters and the entire cast.
SHOOTING STARS ABOVE is a poignant and heart-wrenching story of love, hope, and healing, even in the darkest of places. Tess and Jack, harboring such brokenness, finally find the counterpart who can make them whole again. It’s a fictional story but one that feels relatable. The precept is powerful—that no matter how broken, we can each find our true love. CW - themes of trauma and abuse.
SHOOTING STARS ABOVE is a poignant and heart-wrenching story of love, hope, and healing, even in the darkest of places. Tess and Jack, harboring such brokenness, finally find the counterpart who can make them whole again. It’s a fictional story but one that feels relatable. The precept is powerful—that no matter how broken, we can each find our true love. CW - themes of trauma and abuse.
December 28, 2024
This poignant book is an emotional and heartwarming story about love, healing, and finding hope in the darkest places. Tess and Jack are two broken souls who find a rare connection, and their journey together feels both raw and relatable. The line, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides,” is so powerful—it really sets the tone for the depth of their bond. With themes of trauma, resilience, and unconditional love, this sounds like the kind of book that pulls you in and stays with you long after you’ve finished. If you’re into stories that hit you right in the feels and remind you of the strength it takes to move toward the light, this might just be your next favorite read
April 10, 2025
Thank you @booksparks @shewritespress and @patricialeavy for this free copy 💖.
✨What it is about:
Two individuals, an author and a federal agent, meet and have an unexpected connection which helps them confront their pasts, and discover the healing power of love.✨
💭My thoughts:
This is the first book in the Celestial Bodies Romance, and it starts off running! What I mean is, the story doesn’t waste any time at all, goes straight to the point and before you know it, the two main characters are head over heels in love and married! From the start I was very weary, and skeptical as it all seemed too sweet, too insta-lovey, too perfect and everything seemed to be happening way to fast, (I was like: oh man I am not going to like this), but I kept my eyes and heart open, and saw the story through. I’m glad I did, as the story did eventually settle, and blossomed to a depth I did not see coming. The story is a profound look at how people can carry the weight of past trauma. In it, the two main characters’ love and connection continually challenges them to confront and grow from each of their traumas together, and it was sweet to see them through it. All the supporting characters were really good in the story as well, and I liked what each added to the story. I would definitely enjoy to read more from all of them in the future. At 206 pages, this book is short but mighty.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
💫Insta love
✨Stories of healing and growth
🌟Character driven plots
💫Contemporary romance
✨Heartfelt storylines
🌟Short books
⚠️CW: Sexual abuse by family members (off the page), child abuse, parental neglect, trauma, grief, child cancer (off the page), death of a child (off the page), gun altercation, mental health struggles.
✨What it is about:
Two individuals, an author and a federal agent, meet and have an unexpected connection which helps them confront their pasts, and discover the healing power of love.✨
💭My thoughts:
This is the first book in the Celestial Bodies Romance, and it starts off running! What I mean is, the story doesn’t waste any time at all, goes straight to the point and before you know it, the two main characters are head over heels in love and married! From the start I was very weary, and skeptical as it all seemed too sweet, too insta-lovey, too perfect and everything seemed to be happening way to fast, (I was like: oh man I am not going to like this), but I kept my eyes and heart open, and saw the story through. I’m glad I did, as the story did eventually settle, and blossomed to a depth I did not see coming. The story is a profound look at how people can carry the weight of past trauma. In it, the two main characters’ love and connection continually challenges them to confront and grow from each of their traumas together, and it was sweet to see them through it. All the supporting characters were really good in the story as well, and I liked what each added to the story. I would definitely enjoy to read more from all of them in the future. At 206 pages, this book is short but mighty.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
💫Insta love
✨Stories of healing and growth
🌟Character driven plots
💫Contemporary romance
✨Heartfelt storylines
🌟Short books
⚠️CW: Sexual abuse by family members (off the page), child abuse, parental neglect, trauma, grief, child cancer (off the page), death of a child (off the page), gun altercation, mental health struggles.
March 20, 2025
What a truly, emotionally captivating read! I’m not normally one for insta love, but something about Tess and Jack’s relationship felt so raw and authentic. I couldn’t put the book down!
The emotions and past traumas both between Tess and Jack are heartbreaking, but the way they heal themselves and each other, especially with the help of their friend group added so much depth and was beautiful to watch unfold.
Though this book comes in at just over 200 pages, the vulnerability and character growth shown within takes you through a heartwarming journey of love, healing and friendship.
I would highly recommend my book besties who enjoy insta love, novellas and books that take you on a journey of healing. 🫶🏻
Thank you so much to Booksparks for including me in #WRC2025 and to the author as well for the #gifted book!
The emotions and past traumas both between Tess and Jack are heartbreaking, but the way they heal themselves and each other, especially with the help of their friend group added so much depth and was beautiful to watch unfold.
Though this book comes in at just over 200 pages, the vulnerability and character growth shown within takes you through a heartwarming journey of love, healing and friendship.
I would highly recommend my book besties who enjoy insta love, novellas and books that take you on a journey of healing. 🫶🏻
Thank you so much to Booksparks for including me in #WRC2025 and to the author as well for the #gifted book!
March 24, 2025
The story of how their love heals two wounded hearts is touching; however, the writing style is disappointing, to say the least. Perhaps this is a YA novel? Not sure, but it seems simplistic in tone and repetitive in structure. The sorting through of Tess’s and Jack’s respective problems could have been more sympathetically done. Omar is right there! After all, it’s his field!
February 25, 2026
Kimmy made me. I didn’t want to. She din’t want to. It wasn’t worth it
March 14, 2025
This one reads more like a short story than a novel. Things happen quickly, topics are glossed over, and there’s not a lot of depth to characters or plot. The pages kept turning as it was an easy read with pretty elementary dialogue.
Major trigger warnings: sexual abuse, active combat, misogyny, disordered eating, PTSD…these are all thrown into the mix, sometimes very briefly even though they are very serious topics that deserve more tact and attention.
Thank you to BookSparks for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Major trigger warnings: sexual abuse, active combat, misogyny, disordered eating, PTSD…these are all thrown into the mix, sometimes very briefly even though they are very serious topics that deserve more tact and attention.
Thank you to BookSparks for my copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
February 3, 2025
I was so excited to be included on this @BookSparks tour for Shooting Stars Above by Patricia Leavy. I got the fun box filled with this sweet book and some swag and couldn’t wait to read it.
I knew it was a love story, but didn’t really know much else about the book until I dove right into it. I was immediately swept up in the story of Tess and Jack. These two were obviously made for each other.
I wish I was one to annotate and save quotes because there are some beautiful ones in this story. I am not quoting this exactly, but one line about all their broken pieces fitting together like a puzzle describes this relationship perfectly.
I also often feel skeptical about insta-love in a story but as I read, this couldn’t be anything else, no slow burn here. Also, there were none of those usual plot devices like miscommunication, secrets, conflict with each other in any way. This book refreshingly had open and honest communication, support and so very much love it was almost overwhelming and sappy at times.
The only conflicts come from the past that they work together to put behind. This book shows the healing power of love in a glorious way.
Aside from the love between Tess and Jack, the love of their friend group is enviable. Everyone should have such support and acceptance.
I will be honest and say that I didn’t have really high expectations when I picked up this book, but I couldn’t put it down and when I turned the last page, I wiped a tear from my eye, and smiled. It is a beautiful story. Thank you, @patricialeavy for your wonderful words.
I knew it was a love story, but didn’t really know much else about the book until I dove right into it. I was immediately swept up in the story of Tess and Jack. These two were obviously made for each other.
I wish I was one to annotate and save quotes because there are some beautiful ones in this story. I am not quoting this exactly, but one line about all their broken pieces fitting together like a puzzle describes this relationship perfectly.
I also often feel skeptical about insta-love in a story but as I read, this couldn’t be anything else, no slow burn here. Also, there were none of those usual plot devices like miscommunication, secrets, conflict with each other in any way. This book refreshingly had open and honest communication, support and so very much love it was almost overwhelming and sappy at times.
The only conflicts come from the past that they work together to put behind. This book shows the healing power of love in a glorious way.
Aside from the love between Tess and Jack, the love of their friend group is enviable. Everyone should have such support and acceptance.
I will be honest and say that I didn’t have really high expectations when I picked up this book, but I couldn’t put it down and when I turned the last page, I wiped a tear from my eye, and smiled. It is a beautiful story. Thank you, @patricialeavy for your wonderful words.
February 7, 2025
When I picked up this novella, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Tess Lee, a renowned author, pens uplifting stories but is still searching for fulfillment. Jack Miller, a federal agent, struggles to escape the lingering shadows of his career. These two strangers cross paths in a bar, and an instant connection sparks a profound bond. I’m usually not a fan of insta-love stories, but this one stood out because it avoided unnecessary breakups, drama, or miscommunication. Instead, it unravels the journey of two souls seeking love while confronting their pasts. Their circle of supportive friends also adds warmth and depth to the story. Though short, this book delves into heavy past trauma, making it an emotional read. At its core, it’s a sweet, no-nonsense love story that gets right to the heart of its message. Jack and Tess share a rare connection, finding in each other someone who truly understands them. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I was given and advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review:)
I was given and advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review:)
February 12, 2025
If you are a fan of Colleen Hoover, emotional and heartwarming stories, and characters you can connect with, I think this one is for you!
This was such an easy read, it's a bit over 200 pages and is packed with friendship, love, loss, and what it really means to be resilient. I found Leavy’s direct approach with vulnerability in the characters very refreshing!
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
This was such an easy read, it's a bit over 200 pages and is packed with friendship, love, loss, and what it really means to be resilient. I found Leavy’s direct approach with vulnerability in the characters very refreshing!
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!
February 7, 2025
“You know how people always talk about all the things they want to do or see in their lifetime? They don’t even mention being happy because I suppose they think that’s just a given.”
This was a solid and precious romance about two people with scars, some visible and some internal, that learn to trust and heal through the power of their love for each other. These are tough characters dealing the some heavy issues. But there is also some light within the relationship dynamics, Tess’s chosen literary career, and unconditional friendships. Overall a very deep, powerful, and sweet story about the healing power of love.
Thank you to Book Sparks for this beautiful story! 📖 ✨✨
This was a solid and precious romance about two people with scars, some visible and some internal, that learn to trust and heal through the power of their love for each other. These are tough characters dealing the some heavy issues. But there is also some light within the relationship dynamics, Tess’s chosen literary career, and unconditional friendships. Overall a very deep, powerful, and sweet story about the healing power of love.
Thank you to Book Sparks for this beautiful story! 📖 ✨✨
February 7, 2025
I'm not one who likes an insta-love story, but something about Tess and Jake's love story just drew me in. They were both two wounded individuals who were drawn to each other and just had that immediate connection. Coming in at just over 200 pages, this story really packs quite a punch as it delves into the impacts that grief and past traumas play on relationships. Tess and Jake not only had each other but also an incredible support system of friends to help them when times got tough. This was such a heartfelt journey with an unforgettable cast of characters.
March 2, 2025
Shooting Stars Above: A Celestial Bodies Romance by Patricia Leavy is a deeply emotional and heartfelt contemporary romance that explores love, healing, and the power of overcoming personal trauma. Tess Lee, a best-selling novelist, and Jack Miller, a federal agent, share an instant and intense connection born from their mutual understanding of pain and loss.
Leavy’s writing dives straight into their raw and genuine bond, bypassing the typical slow-burn dynamics, which may feel rushed to some readers but beautifully supports the novel's themes of emotional depth and healing. The book balances darker themes of grief and trauma with moments of warmth and humor, particularly through Tess and Jack’s supportive friend group. While the plot occasionally feels rushed in its character revelations, the story’s focus on unconditional love as a transformative force is both poignant and inspiring.
For those who appreciate love stories about overcoming struggles and finding light in the darkness, Shooting Stars Above is an uplifting and emotionally resonant read.
Four out of five stars.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Leavy’s writing dives straight into their raw and genuine bond, bypassing the typical slow-burn dynamics, which may feel rushed to some readers but beautifully supports the novel's themes of emotional depth and healing. The book balances darker themes of grief and trauma with moments of warmth and humor, particularly through Tess and Jack’s supportive friend group. While the plot occasionally feels rushed in its character revelations, the story’s focus on unconditional love as a transformative force is both poignant and inspiring.
For those who appreciate love stories about overcoming struggles and finding light in the darkness, Shooting Stars Above is an uplifting and emotionally resonant read.
Four out of five stars.
I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
December 3, 2024
Patricia Leavy writes the best characters. I love her novels. This is a great story about overcoming trauma and finding real love, instead of the superficial romances we see in some much popular fiction. She also leaves you feeling better about the world, which we could all probably use right now.
December 3, 2024
I could not put this book down. It should be #1 on your winter/summer/fall reading list. The only downside will be waiting for the next novel to see what happens next for Tess.
October 26, 2024
Shooting Stars Above, by Patricia Leavy, offers a heartfelt exploration of love, healing, and resilience through the lives of two deeply wounded individuals. Tess Lee, an internationally best-selling author, spends her life advocating for others, often at the expense of her own well-being. Jack Miller, a federal agent in counterterrorism, has sacrificed so much for his career that his personal life has taken a backseat, leaving him emotionally isolated. Both are burdened by trauma, grief, and a sense of cynicism that keeps them from fully embracing intimacy—until a chance encounter at a local bar changes everything. Their connection is immediate, igniting a love that pulls them out of their emotional isolation and into a restorative relationship that readers witness unfold.
Leavy, an award-winning novelist and fervent arts advocate, bypasses the usual romance tropes of slow-burn, will-they-won’t-they dynamics, diving straight into the heart of Tess and Jack’s deep and respectful bond. From the start, their relationship feels intense and genuine, offering both the characters and readers a sense of healing as past traumas surface and are addressed. The conflict in this novel doesn’t pit the lovers against each other but rather shows how their love strengthens as they confront the harsh realities of the world around them.
While the plot occasionally lurches forward with moments where characters reveal personal information in ways that feel slightly forced or unrealistic, this approach serves a purpose. These moments of rapid exposition make room for tender, intimate scenes that focus on the emotional depth of their connection. Leavy’s emphasis clearly lies in showcasing the process of falling in love while battling personal demons, allowing readers to experience the vulnerability and emotional weight Tess and Jack carry.
Though the story navigates difficult themes like grief and trauma, there’s no shortage of levity, largely supplied by Tess and Jack’s circle of caring, supportive friends. Their humor and warmth balance the heavier moments, adding a layer of comfort to the novel’s emotional landscape.
Shooting Stars Above is a heartwarming narrative that delves into love, loss, friendship, and the strength it takes to survive life's challenges. Leavy offers a poignant reminder that even in a cruel, relentless world, love can be a healing force. For readers seeking a story that restores faith in humanity and shines a light on the beauty of connection, this novel is a must-read.
Leavy, an award-winning novelist and fervent arts advocate, bypasses the usual romance tropes of slow-burn, will-they-won’t-they dynamics, diving straight into the heart of Tess and Jack’s deep and respectful bond. From the start, their relationship feels intense and genuine, offering both the characters and readers a sense of healing as past traumas surface and are addressed. The conflict in this novel doesn’t pit the lovers against each other but rather shows how their love strengthens as they confront the harsh realities of the world around them.
While the plot occasionally lurches forward with moments where characters reveal personal information in ways that feel slightly forced or unrealistic, this approach serves a purpose. These moments of rapid exposition make room for tender, intimate scenes that focus on the emotional depth of their connection. Leavy’s emphasis clearly lies in showcasing the process of falling in love while battling personal demons, allowing readers to experience the vulnerability and emotional weight Tess and Jack carry.
Though the story navigates difficult themes like grief and trauma, there’s no shortage of levity, largely supplied by Tess and Jack’s circle of caring, supportive friends. Their humor and warmth balance the heavier moments, adding a layer of comfort to the novel’s emotional landscape.
Shooting Stars Above is a heartwarming narrative that delves into love, loss, friendship, and the strength it takes to survive life's challenges. Leavy offers a poignant reminder that even in a cruel, relentless world, love can be a healing force. For readers seeking a story that restores faith in humanity and shines a light on the beauty of connection, this novel is a must-read.
March 18, 2025
Patricia Leavy has written over 50 books and has received numerous awards and has had an award named after her. She’s a big deal. She writes fiction and non-fiction with her latest interest being romance. I have not read any of her books until I received a galley of Shooting Stars Above.
This book is about an author who has written a number of inspirational books for broken people offering a ray of sunshine at the end of the tunnel. She has received numerous awards and was the first woman author to negotiate her own terms for rights to her books and films. She is not able to embrace her success. She came from trauma and has a problem of feeling worthy.
The author is Tess Lee and she meets the man of her dreams, Jack Miller. They have a whirlwind romance. They fit together nicely and for all the world seem the perfect couple and for the most part that is true. They have a great group of friends and her best friend is Omar.
This is a nice story on the surface. There are problems underneath all of this success and wonderful relationships. Tess and Jack both struggle with their pasts but, even that is making great strides. All of this just seems a little too perfect for my taste. I think for a couple that has not been able to have long term personal relationships to meet and then practically be glued together without some ups and downs is a little too amazing.
That is my only beef with the book. I enjoyed the story. As a reader, I’m always interested in the life of an author. Many authors I know struggle to make a living at writing and Tess has it all. I guess it can happen but, to me this was an adult fairy tale. There is nothing wrong with that! My thoughts are that I could have used a little more angst. If you love Patricia Leavy and you love a beautiful love story, it doesn’t get any better than this. It will certainly deserve a place on your nightstand. It was on mine. Until next time…Happy Reading!
Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from #Patricia Leavy, #Netgalley and #She Writes Press. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
This book is about an author who has written a number of inspirational books for broken people offering a ray of sunshine at the end of the tunnel. She has received numerous awards and was the first woman author to negotiate her own terms for rights to her books and films. She is not able to embrace her success. She came from trauma and has a problem of feeling worthy.
The author is Tess Lee and she meets the man of her dreams, Jack Miller. They have a whirlwind romance. They fit together nicely and for all the world seem the perfect couple and for the most part that is true. They have a great group of friends and her best friend is Omar.
This is a nice story on the surface. There are problems underneath all of this success and wonderful relationships. Tess and Jack both struggle with their pasts but, even that is making great strides. All of this just seems a little too perfect for my taste. I think for a couple that has not been able to have long term personal relationships to meet and then practically be glued together without some ups and downs is a little too amazing.
That is my only beef with the book. I enjoyed the story. As a reader, I’m always interested in the life of an author. Many authors I know struggle to make a living at writing and Tess has it all. I guess it can happen but, to me this was an adult fairy tale. There is nothing wrong with that! My thoughts are that I could have used a little more angst. If you love Patricia Leavy and you love a beautiful love story, it doesn’t get any better than this. It will certainly deserve a place on your nightstand. It was on mine. Until next time…Happy Reading!
Don’t forget to support the authors you read by leaving a review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from #Patricia Leavy, #Netgalley and #She Writes Press. The opinions I have expressed are my own and I was not required to write a review. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
February 4, 2025
𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
❤️ love love stories
📖 are looking for a book under 250 pages
😍 have ever experienced love at first sight
👯♀️ have an amazing friend group
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Tess Lee is a world-famous novelist. Her inspirational books explore people’s innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel—but despite her extraordinary success, she’s been unable to find personal happiness. Jack Miller is a federal agent working in counterterrorism. After spending decades immersed in a violent world, a residue remains. He’s dedicated everything to his job, leaving nothing for himself.
The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on an epic love story, but old traumas soon rise to the surface as Jack struggles with the death of a loved one and Tess is forced to confront her childhood abuse. Can unconditional love help heal their invisible wounds? Together, will they be able to move from darkness to light?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a heartfelt read, especially for something that was barely over 200 pages! I am always shocked and amazed when a book that small can make me feel things. Each of the characters felt so real, I almost wished that I could be there with them as they experienced these moments together. The heartache, the vulnerability, and the openness was lovely to read about. I really resonated with both characters in different ways. This is just book one in a new series, and I can’t wait to read the next installment!
❤️ love love stories
📖 are looking for a book under 250 pages
😍 have ever experienced love at first sight
👯♀️ have an amazing friend group
• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓
Tess Lee is a world-famous novelist. Her inspirational books explore people’s innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel—but despite her extraordinary success, she’s been unable to find personal happiness. Jack Miller is a federal agent working in counterterrorism. After spending decades immersed in a violent world, a residue remains. He’s dedicated everything to his job, leaving nothing for himself.
The night Tess and Jack meet, their connection is palpable. She examines the scars on his body and says, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides.” The two embark on an epic love story, but old traumas soon rise to the surface as Jack struggles with the death of a loved one and Tess is forced to confront her childhood abuse. Can unconditional love help heal their invisible wounds? Together, will they be able to move from darkness to light?
• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒
This was such a heartfelt read, especially for something that was barely over 200 pages! I am always shocked and amazed when a book that small can make me feel things. Each of the characters felt so real, I almost wished that I could be there with them as they experienced these moments together. The heartache, the vulnerability, and the openness was lovely to read about. I really resonated with both characters in different ways. This is just book one in a new series, and I can’t wait to read the next installment!
March 18, 2025
Thank you Booksparks for the gifted copy.
Shooting Stars Above
Patricia Leavy
Publishing Date: March 18, 2025
Shooting Stars Above is a story about love and healing. Both main characters have been through their own traumas and as a result have pushed love away and struggled to find happiness. They meet each other one night at a bar and we follow them on this character driven journey, as they move toward happiness and contentment in their lives.
This was a quick read, coming in at around 200 pages, although the pacing is slow. I think this story will really resonate with some readers but please do check trigger warnings. There were some dynamics and things within the relationships that didn’t quite work for me, which impacted my personal reading experience. There were some really impactful lines about love and happiness throughout this book, which I really enjoyed.
“𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥. 𝘐 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘴.”
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦? 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯.”
“𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘐 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘛𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨, ‘𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶.’ 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵.”
Shooting Stars Above
Patricia Leavy
Publishing Date: March 18, 2025
Shooting Stars Above is a story about love and healing. Both main characters have been through their own traumas and as a result have pushed love away and struggled to find happiness. They meet each other one night at a bar and we follow them on this character driven journey, as they move toward happiness and contentment in their lives.
This was a quick read, coming in at around 200 pages, although the pacing is slow. I think this story will really resonate with some readers but please do check trigger warnings. There were some dynamics and things within the relationships that didn’t quite work for me, which impacted my personal reading experience. There were some really impactful lines about love and happiness throughout this book, which I really enjoyed.
“𝘚𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥. 𝘐 𝘢𝘥𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘺, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘴.”
“𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘰 𝘰𝘳 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦? 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘥𝘰𝘯’𝘵 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘢 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯.”
“𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘯. 𝘐 𝘨𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦’𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘺. 𝘛𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘺𝘪𝘯𝘨, ‘𝘠𝘰𝘶 𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘴𝘵 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘐 𝘴𝘦𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶.’ 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘱𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵.”
March 18, 2025
Thank you so much BookSparks, I thought this book was beautiful on the inside and the outside. These honest opinions are my own. I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this insta love. They meet early on and Jack has no idea who Tess Lee really is. Their relationship started off with full on honesty and I admired that. They both have scars, some visible and some not. I savored how well they supported each other and wanted to help the other heal.
I can see how a reader might want to dive deeper into the issues addressed in the story because they are so important, but I think with the length of the book, the author did a good job shining light on these heavy issues. The book covers a lot in a short time. I enjoyed all of it and was never bored. The side characters made my heart so happy. I love how Tess had her friends who completely had her back at all times. I thought this was just so sweet and I truly loved Tess and Jack's love story. It gets pretty intense when Tess hears from her father and the support she gets from Jack and her friends is any humans dream. That part alone made this book totally worth the read!
꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂
𝒫𝑒𝓇𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓈 𝒾𝓉’𝓈 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒹𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒸𝒶𝓅𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝒸𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓅𝑜𝓈𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒.
𝒯𝑜 𝓂𝑒, 𝒾𝓉’𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓈𝒶𝓎𝒾𝓃𝑔, ‘𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝑒𝓍𝒾𝓈𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐼 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊.’ 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉’𝓈 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓅𝑒𝑜𝓅𝓁𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉.
𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉’𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑒 𝓀𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝑜 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒: 𝓅𝓇𝒾𝑜𝓇𝒾𝓉𝒾𝓏𝑒 𝒾𝓉.
I can see how a reader might want to dive deeper into the issues addressed in the story because they are so important, but I think with the length of the book, the author did a good job shining light on these heavy issues. The book covers a lot in a short time. I enjoyed all of it and was never bored. The side characters made my heart so happy. I love how Tess had her friends who completely had her back at all times. I thought this was just so sweet and I truly loved Tess and Jack's love story. It gets pretty intense when Tess hears from her father and the support she gets from Jack and her friends is any humans dream. That part alone made this book totally worth the read!
꧁𝓠𝓾𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓼꧂
𝒫𝑒𝓇𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓈 𝒾𝓉’𝓈 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝒹𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓂𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒸𝒶𝓃 𝓃𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓇 𝒸𝒶𝓅𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒾𝓈 𝒶𝒸𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓅𝑜𝓈𝓈𝒾𝒷𝓁𝑒.
𝒯𝑜 𝓂𝑒, 𝒾𝓉’𝓈 𝓁𝒾𝓀𝑒 𝓈𝑜𝓂𝑒𝑜𝓃𝑒 𝓈𝒶𝓎𝒾𝓃𝑔, ‘𝒴𝑜𝓊 𝑒𝓍𝒾𝓈𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝐼 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊.’ 𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉’𝓈 𝒶𝓁𝓁 𝓅𝑒𝑜𝓅𝓁𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝓌𝒶𝓃𝓉.
𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓉’𝓈 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝑒 𝓀𝓃𝑒𝓌 𝓉𝑜 𝒹𝑜 𝓌𝒾𝓉𝒽 𝑜𝓊𝓇 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒: 𝓅𝓇𝒾𝑜𝓇𝒾𝓉𝒾𝓏𝑒 𝒾𝓉.
March 18, 2025
Patricia Leavy has a crisp, direct writing style that I really like. The author first came across my radar because I was a professional educator for decades. When I realized that she was much more than a proponent for arts- based research — she has a PhD, is a sociologist and A NOVELIST— it caught my attention. Her array of experiences and expertise are on dazzling display in her novel SHOOTING STARS ABOVE.
One example is when her protagonist Tess Lee (also an author) is asked what she writes about. She responds, “That’s a difficult question to answer. I guess I wanted to write about everything: what it means to live a life, why it’s so hard and how it could be easier. To walk people through the darkness, in a way. Perhaps my goals were too lofty, and in that respect, each book fails more spectacularly than the last.” And“ Maybe reality can never live up to our dreams.” These are big picture themes that she handily explores in this book.
There is also a hopefulness in this book that our current times call for. And I agree with Kirkus when they say, “Beyond the romantic themes, the narrative does manage to tackle several other difficult issues with grace, ranging from grief and self-doubt to self-love and second chances.”
Authentic but still fun. Enjoy it!
February 2, 2025
A heartfelt thank you to @BookSparks and @patricaleavy for the #gifted book!
Tess, a successful novelist, and Jack, a federal agent, meet and experience an immediate and profound connection. Despite the wounds of their past that have led them to isolate themselves from love, they embark on a transformative love story. They slowly begin to embrace the power of unconditional love and its ability to heal.
This poignant tale deftly navigates the complexities of grief, loss, and trauma. The characters bravely reveal their vulnerabilities, openly expressing their willingness to trust in love. Tess and Jack's friends add layers of levity, compassion, and unwavering support, enriching their journey.
The powerful line, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides,” resonates deeply, capturing the essence of their unique bond.
This heartwarming narrative offers a rich exploration of love, loss, and friendship, showcasing the resilience required to navigate life’s greatest challenges.
This is the first book in A Celestial Bodies Romance series, which will be available on March 18, 2025.
Tess, a successful novelist, and Jack, a federal agent, meet and experience an immediate and profound connection. Despite the wounds of their past that have led them to isolate themselves from love, they embark on a transformative love story. They slowly begin to embrace the power of unconditional love and its ability to heal.
This poignant tale deftly navigates the complexities of grief, loss, and trauma. The characters bravely reveal their vulnerabilities, openly expressing their willingness to trust in love. Tess and Jack's friends add layers of levity, compassion, and unwavering support, enriching their journey.
The powerful line, “I’ve never seen anyone whose outsides match my insides,” resonates deeply, capturing the essence of their unique bond.
This heartwarming narrative offers a rich exploration of love, loss, and friendship, showcasing the resilience required to navigate life’s greatest challenges.
This is the first book in A Celestial Bodies Romance series, which will be available on March 18, 2025.
March 13, 2025
Thank you Booksparks and Patricia Leavy for my #gifted copy of Shooting Stars Above! #WRC2025 #ShootingStarsAbove #patricialeavy
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
“𝙸’𝚟𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚖𝚢 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚜.”
At just over 200 pages, there is so much packed into this contemporary romance that that focuses on the power of love and its ability to heal. This is an insta-love story featuring Tess and Jack, but it’s so much more. They both have trauma and grief to work through, and together, they join together to and try to confront these old wounds and see if unconditional love can help them move forward. I appreciated how this book showed two people who worked together to heal their scars that were not visible and found the support they needed in one another. This was a super heartwarming book and I enjoyed the connection between Tess and Jack. This book is a reminder that even when the world wants to bring you down, love can help to lift you up.
Shooting Stars Above is the first book in the Celestial Bodies Romance series. The second book, Twinkle of Doubt, is scheduled to be released in spring 2026!
𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐯𝐞
𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫: 𝐏𝐚𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐯𝐲
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟏𝟖, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓
“𝙸’𝚟𝚎 𝚗𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚛 𝚜𝚎𝚎𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚢𝚘𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘𝚜𝚎 𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚜 𝚖𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑 𝚖𝚢 𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚜.”
At just over 200 pages, there is so much packed into this contemporary romance that that focuses on the power of love and its ability to heal. This is an insta-love story featuring Tess and Jack, but it’s so much more. They both have trauma and grief to work through, and together, they join together to and try to confront these old wounds and see if unconditional love can help them move forward. I appreciated how this book showed two people who worked together to heal their scars that were not visible and found the support they needed in one another. This was a super heartwarming book and I enjoyed the connection between Tess and Jack. This book is a reminder that even when the world wants to bring you down, love can help to lift you up.
Shooting Stars Above is the first book in the Celestial Bodies Romance series. The second book, Twinkle of Doubt, is scheduled to be released in spring 2026!
March 10, 2025
Tess is strength, love, and light. She is so generous and humble. Jack is so sweet and supportive. However, tr
his was wayyy too insta-love for me personally. That said, I did love Tess and Jack’s bond, and I appreciated how there was no wavering in that bond. Moreover, it was beautiful to see how love can be so healing.
I absolutely ADORED Tess and Jack’s friends. Their friendships were the highlight of the story, and everyone should strive for the friendships they have, full of support, love, understanding, laughter, shared memories, acceptance, and wit.
Though centered around a romance and grounded in friendships, both Tess and Jack have emotionally fraught backgrounds (which is what initially brings them together). Getting a glimpse into both of their histories, and how they continue to process and move forward, lent to a heavy yet beautiful read.
Clocking in at around 200 pages, it is a very quick read that packs an emotional punch.
Thank you BookSparks and Patricia Leavy for including me in this book tour.
his was wayyy too insta-love for me personally. That said, I did love Tess and Jack’s bond, and I appreciated how there was no wavering in that bond. Moreover, it was beautiful to see how love can be so healing.
I absolutely ADORED Tess and Jack’s friends. Their friendships were the highlight of the story, and everyone should strive for the friendships they have, full of support, love, understanding, laughter, shared memories, acceptance, and wit.
Though centered around a romance and grounded in friendships, both Tess and Jack have emotionally fraught backgrounds (which is what initially brings them together). Getting a glimpse into both of their histories, and how they continue to process and move forward, lent to a heavy yet beautiful read.
Clocking in at around 200 pages, it is a very quick read that packs an emotional punch.
Thank you BookSparks and Patricia Leavy for including me in this book tour.
March 18, 2025
Prepare to be immersed in a tender yet powerful narrative about the journey of two scarred individuals who find solace in each other.
Tess Lee is a famous novelist who has suffered horrible abuse. She is strong for the world, but inside, the wounds remain. There is an instant connection when she meets Jack Miller, a federal agent.
Jack’s body is riddled with scars from his military service and dangerous work, but he, too, has pain he carries within.
While the writing is not overly descriptive and could get repetitive, some phrases and lines are 𝘱𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘺. This is an emotive read! And as much as this is a love story, I adored the friends that Jack and Tess had. I kept thinking their friends would come between them because some of them were so close. Instead, they came around them. Seeing the support and care given to these two hurting people was beautiful.
Note: This discusses topics that may be sensitive to some readers. If you are concerned, please DM me.
Thank you @booksparks and @patricialeavy for the gifted book as part of the #WRC2025 reading challenge.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews