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desiree930 's review for:
Where the Stars Still Shine
by Trish Doller
3.5 Stars
This book took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.
***Trigger warnings*** for sexual assault
Things I liked:
1. the premise. It was an interesting story concept. I’ve heard a couple of news stories that resemble this in the last couple of years. And unfortunately, parents kidnap their own children more regularly than we realize. I like that this story focuses on the fallout of that, year’s after the initial incident.
2. Greg & Phoebe. I felt like they were really good role models for Callie and love their individual dynamics with her. While it wasn’t perfect, it felt authentic. As a mom, I totally connected with Phoebe’s desire to protect her children while still supporting her husband’s right and need to connect with his daughter.
I really like most of the family scenes, including the big get together scenes with all Callie’s family.
3. The details regarding Greek culture and sponging. I don’t know if the author herself is Greek, but this book felt well-researched at the very least. I felt like all of that information was woven into the story pretty seamlessly. It didn’t feel info-dumpy in the slightest.
Things I was iffy on:
1. The relationship between Alex and Callie. I didn’t hate them together, but I wish we’d gotten a little more from it. That being said, everything in their relationship felt pretty authentic when you consider Callie’s upbringing and experiences. I also really appreciated the scene where Alex tells her that he will stop any time she needs him to stop. Consent! Yay!
2. I appreciated that Callie was suffering from PTSD, but I wish at least one person would have acknowledged it for what it was. I also wish Callie would’ve chosen to get the help her fathered offered to get for her, instead of the author relying on the ‘true-Love-will-cure-all-wounds’ trope, which is what it felt like.
Things I didn’t like:
1. The ending felt rushed to me, and a little open-ended. I wish we’d had the loose ends tied up a bit more, but then again, life is messy sometimes. I do think the emotional development deserved a little more weight in the very last part of this story. We go from Alex getting upset with Callie to the end of the book in just a few pages, but in those last pages several things happen that should’ve been given more weight.
All in all, I liked this book and will look for more by this author.
This book took me by surprise. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.
***Trigger warnings*** for sexual assault
Things I liked:
1. the premise. It was an interesting story concept. I’ve heard a couple of news stories that resemble this in the last couple of years. And unfortunately, parents kidnap their own children more regularly than we realize. I like that this story focuses on the fallout of that, year’s after the initial incident.
2. Greg & Phoebe. I felt like they were really good role models for Callie and love their individual dynamics with her. While it wasn’t perfect, it felt authentic. As a mom, I totally connected with Phoebe’s desire to protect her children while still supporting her husband’s right and need to connect with his daughter.
I really like most of the family scenes, including the big get together scenes with all Callie’s family.
3. The details regarding Greek culture and sponging. I don’t know if the author herself is Greek, but this book felt well-researched at the very least. I felt like all of that information was woven into the story pretty seamlessly. It didn’t feel info-dumpy in the slightest.
Things I was iffy on:
1. The relationship between Alex and Callie. I didn’t hate them together, but I wish we’d gotten a little more from it. That being said, everything in their relationship felt pretty authentic when you consider Callie’s upbringing and experiences. I also really appreciated the scene where Alex tells her that he will stop any time she needs him to stop. Consent! Yay!
2. I appreciated that Callie was suffering from PTSD, but I wish at least one person would have acknowledged it for what it was. I also wish Callie would’ve chosen to get the help her fathered offered to get for her, instead of the author relying on the ‘true-Love-will-cure-all-wounds’ trope, which is what it felt like.
Things I didn’t like:
1. The ending felt rushed to me, and a little open-ended. I wish we’d had the loose ends tied up a bit more, but then again, life is messy sometimes. I do think the emotional development deserved a little more weight in the very last part of this story. We go from Alex getting upset with Callie to the end of the book in just a few pages, but in those last pages several things happen that should’ve been given more weight.
All in all, I liked this book and will look for more by this author.