Star Shipped: A Witty and Emotional Enemies-to-Lovers Romance Between Two Sci-Fi TV Show Costars

What a beautiful and deep read. Cat Sebastian is one of my all-time favorite authors, and her first foray into contemporary romance further cements that status. This book is a love letter to fandom, to fan fiction and fan communities. This book is a love letter to the power of fiction in bringing people together. This book tackles mental health in a very real and meaningful way. Simon struggles. He's caustic and snotty, always hurting, always at war with his mind, and all he wants for himself and his life is what he thinks isn't safe for him to have. Charlie struggles too. His life hasn't been easy either, and maybe that's why these men feud so much over seven years. But is it feuding? The lines blur, and the care these two show for each other over the course of the story becomes tangible and undeniable in Cat's skilled hands. Care. This book is a love letter to care. It reminds us that we need to care for one another, love one another, be there for one another. We're all fighting battles, most invisible, but like Simon discovers, it's okay to lean on other people. It's okay to need other people. It's okay. Simon Devereaux means so much to me. So many of his thoughts are my thoughts. My mental issues aren't the same as his, maybe mine aren't as intense, but as someone who is constantly fighting with my body and mind, it felt so good to read about his full self, all those good and bad and messy parts, be accepted by the people who love him. Edie, the book's wonderful…

Two actors, stars in a sci-fi show airing for seven years plus, have sparred and bickered, often over petty matters. Neither really knows the other for each one wears a mask that conceals the human, vulnerable parts. Each one suffers some degree of mental health maladies from anxiety to depression. However, neither one allows the conditions to impact them in professional matters. While one of the partners considers looking beyond the series, the other has only ever known and connected to this series. At a turning point, they each consider the other more carefully. Strangely, circumstances place them together where they assist each other, truly aware of each other’s needs. Gradually, a trust evolves as does the suppressed attraction that can no longer be denied. While it is a bit longer than needed, the two characters create a connection. Their chemistry is comical and compassionate.

Among other things, Simon is dealing with a near debilitating combo of anxiety and migraines. The number of ways I related to him is almost distressing, and the migraine stuff was especially spot on for my experiences back when I was still desperately trying to identify triggers And Charlie. So much more complex than anyone realizes, until Simon takes the initiative that is The more we learned about him, the more I wished I could travel into a book and then back in time inside that book to protect the child he was That so many people didn’t see past a charmer with a pretty face in terrible clothes is heartbreaking, and he was so deserving of a happy ever after Seeing how their vastly different family lives and friendships somehow helped them come together made for excellent reading Enemies to lovers, but also idiots to lovers because they care long before they’d admit it even to themselves I devoured their story and then half wanted to start over from the beginning I know that in romance generally ‘the ex’ is a bad guy, but this time? I loved Jamie almost immediately. He was like my emotional support side character, a role that totally fits him. The way him and Simon are unquestionably there for each other is everything Including a fan discord channel was brilliant For being such small sections spaced throughout, they were still able to say a lot - on shipping characters vs actors, impact of blurred lines of private and public personas, queerbaiting in television…

This book made me skip meals (ok, delay...but still) and my bed, which monitors my vital signs at night, sent me a couple of concerned texts regarding sleep duration. About midway through reading I considered starting over from the beginning just to delay the inevitable crash I knew would come after finishing it. The only question now is "Who should play Simon in the movie adaptation?" (which had better be in the works).

I initially had some trouble wrapping my head around the narrative voice of this book. Third person present tense is used to tell Simon and Charlie’s story from a seemingly omniscient POV. However, unlike old school third person omniscient, this storyteller’s voice is far from neutral with a LOT of exposition about the state of Simon’s mind and emotions while Charlie’s feelings are conveyed more by dialogue and external observations. However, once I adjusted my expectations, this really worked for me. Simon and Charlie co-star on a long running sci-fi tv series, and after seven years of bickering, they are not friends. The tension between these two guys is entirely plausible, and understanding Simon’s physical and mental health problems allows the reader to appreciate his growth arc from an initially unlikable character to someone capable of giving and receiving love. As Simon’s perceptions change, the reader also gains a deeper understanding of Charlie’s vulnerabilities and fundamental kindness. Also, these guys are funny af. While Simon is dealing with migraines, anxiety, and painful social awkwardness, he still manages to bring the high impact snark. Charlie, on the other hand, expresses his mischievous side by nomming the blueberry muffin that Simon's been lusting after right in front of his face. When they embark on a surprise road trip across the alien landscapes of the southwest, their relationship begins to evolve beyond surface impressions and nitpicking. The…