Review of 'In the Stars'

Of all three of my women's fiction novels, 'In the Stars' was my favourite to write. It relates, albiet abstractly, to a lot of people I know, especially my close friends and family. The characters are real, I could visualize them perfectly, I knew their histories and their quirks and I loved them all. And the growth that I felt as the author and inside the head of the main character made it all the better.

The book is currently available as a kindle on Amazon with a pre-publication special price, and the paperback version will be out on November 12.

Anyway, because I love this one so much, I was nervous to begin sending it out for pre-publication reviews. It's like standing naked in a crowd... people get to see inside your soul. And yet, when my first review from Julie Ford came back, I was relieved that she loved it.

And now I'm ready for a great weekend because yet another great review has come in.

Amy Saia, author of 'The Soul Seekers' and blogger at ThatAmySaia, just sent me her review of 'In the Stars'. Read it below:

"Charley Southard is one of those people who thinks she has nothing but is surrounded by treasure. She just can’t see it yet.

Recently—and wrongfully—laid off from a job at a law firm, and without a penny to her name, In the Stars starts with Charley in one of those situations we all hope to avoid: too many items at the checkout counter and not enough money to pay for them all. I instantly felt bad for the girl and was glad she had cute best friend Josh to sympathize, yet push her through, all these seemingly insurmountable troubles. Unfortunately Charley is stubborn. Everything would be better if she reunited with an old flame, her college boyfriend Drew. Soon Charley is on the road with a mission that feels doomed from the start. But what does she have to lose?

My favorite sections of In the Stars were the descriptions of Charley’s job as a law clerk. I found these parts of the book extremely unique and well done. Also interesting is that the novel takes place in Canada. Perhaps I’ve been missing out, but there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of modern fiction in that particular setting and I really liked reading about the landscape, architecture and society of Canada.

I will admit to cringing as Charley headed toward what could be called stalker status as she located and pushed herself on Drew. Oh no, Charley. Nooooooo. At the same time, I could see those exact moments the kind that would make a really fun movie. The author takes you through each moment you told yourself couldn’t and shouldn’t happen and yet still manages to wrap things up in a realistic and bittersweet way. In the Stars is a young book with a wise heart. I truly enjoyed the author exploring all aspects of the flawed Charley: her life, how she treats people, what it means to grow up and accept responsibility, yet still stand up for what you believe. You feel as if no stone has been left unturned. You the reader have been respected with a novel that has been written with grace and honesty.

Overall, I truly enjoyed this book and hope it does well. Whitney Boyd is a talented writer with a gift of making the unbelievable come to life. She has a confident style and you fall easily into her expert storytelling. "
- Amy Saia