The Resilience of Stars

"Hey, did I tell you about that time I met Luke Larson?" Oh, my... this book. The story of Riley and Luke is a rollercoaster of emotions. It's sweet, tender, full of sunshine, impulsive decisions and... heartache. It broke me and put me back together. Oh, after chapter 30 I was tearing up like crazy and my heart ached for both of them. But worry not... there's a HEA in the end. Their story starts with a fast burn spice but there's a slow burn love. It's a journey of self discovery, family, found family, good friends, a cactus, a toe curing age gap, an adorable puppy and healing, lots of healing. “If I’m the sun, then you’re the stars.” He frowns at that. “How do you figure?” “Well, stars only appear at night, right?” I start. “They’re surrounded by darkness, but they still show up and bring light every night without fail. They’re constant and steady and resilient, no matter what. Like you.” Luke contemplates that for a moment. “The sun is a star too, you know.” “Then I guess we’re two of a kind,” I say softly. If you want to lose yourself for a while and feel all the feelings, then this book is for you. I absolutely loved it! Luke and Riley are proof that even a guarded heart can bloom...

This book blew me away. I absolutely loved the authors writing style and was surprised to find it was her debut. Luke and Riley had the most insane chemistry and the spice was so incredibly well done. Sunshine and the stars indeed.

A mature, emotional romance that is also extra steamy, this one has it all! Luke is a veteran adult content creator grappling with a feeling that his time might be running out. While making some impulsive decisions, he agrees to partner newcomer Riley in his debut video. Their connection is beyond what either could have expected, and what follows is a heartfelt and incredibly real depiction of two people falling in love, and all the trials and tribulations that can bring. I adore the uniqueness of this story. Nothing cookie-cutter to be found, both Luke and Riley read like people with their own complexities, strengths, and failings. Luke is a sweet but lonely man, raised without strong attachments and left with no basis for how to function in a relationship. Despite being 15 years Luke’s junior, Riley has confidence and self-worth in spades. The conflict they face when Luke’s spiral meets Riley’s boundaries is heartbreaking, but so cathartic. Written with deft control of the plot, and featuring an endearing cast of side characters (including the sweetest pup, Aggie!), this debut novel is a VERY spicy character study brimming with feels. Highly recommend for readers of age gap, adult film star romance, and anyone interested in a romance novel that breaks the mold!

Let me tell you about one of my favorite books so far this year. This book hooked me from page one. My love for Riley and Luke runs deep. If you are looking for your next book to read make it this one. I found myself wanting to give Luke the biggest hug and just wanted him to be happy. That man was going through so much in his head that he was as breaking my heart in all the best ways. Riley was the biggest sunshine character. Like he is just so good and so wholesome when he’s not taking control in the bedroom! I found myself cheering for him and loved his personal growth. This book had everything I wanted. All the right vibes. Such a great debut novel from Xara. Make sure you read this book.

3.75 stars A fun read- has some pacing issues and character development Definitely spicy, but not taboo. I usually don’t like age gap but the emotional maturity was with the younger MMC so it worked.