Loved It: At The Stars by Elisabeth Staab

Series: Evergreen Grove 1
Format: Mobi
Release Date: May 5, 2015
Publisher: Self
Source: Author
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance

A GIRL TRYING TO LEAVE HER PAST BEHIND

I was a normal teenager who loved music and dancing, until the day I was attacked in my favorite record store. A few years later when my mom succumbed to depression and took her own life, I couldn’t stay in my hometown with all the memories and the curious stares. I decided to get in my car and just go – except my car decided it was done going outside a tiny place called Evergreen Grove. That’s where I found Jake. Or I guess Jake found me.

A GUY WHO CAN’T LET HIS GO

For the last eight years, all I can think about is the day I ended another man’s life. Then I manage to save Cassie’s, and I feel like maybe I’ve got some kind of second chance. To do what I couldn’t before, or maybe even for something bigger. Something like love. If only I could feel like I deserve her.

What a sweet romance story to get lost in! AT THE STARS, Elisabeth Staab's first stab at NA, didn't annoy me one bit. In fact, it doesn't have the usual "sex, drama, & rock 'n roll" the genre is infamous for. The story is quite simple, boy and girl are running away from their pasts. Then the stars aligned, they met, fell in love, helped each other unload their respective baggages, stayed together. Amen.

Let me give you the details because I don't want to over simplify it lest you think it's boring. AT THE STARS is far from plain:

• I loved the simplicity of the plot. The emotional depth of the story made up for its small radius. 


• I like that it's set in a small, never heard town where the locals are nice to strangers like Cassie. 


• I love Cassie. This chick has a lot of spunk and just the right amount of vulnerability to make her endearing. It also didn't hurt that she made the first move on Jake. She's not slutty though, she just knows what she wants, how she wants it. Also, Cassie has been dealt quite a few lemons in life, didn't use those as an excuse to be bitchy or started acting like the world owed her something though. I related to her especially the way she gravitated to music. When I was her age, I had mix tapes for every. Single. Mood I may have. Lastly, this chick is crazy in the best way possible.


• I love Jake. See the cover? Well match those eyes with a kind-hearted man. No asshole moves, no temper tantrums, no "you don't deserve a broken man like me" shit. He's may look like a bad boy but he's far from one. Super book boyfriend material.


• I love this couple's maturity! They're not like reality stars where they blow up the most benign things out of proportion for the sake of drama. They might be new adults, but they dealt with their shiz like ADULTS.


• I like the secondary characters. I hope AJ gets his own story and even if it's M/M I'll read it.


• I love that the lack of "villains" like jealous exes or spurned lovers. Just lots of antagonistic situations stemming from their past that righted themselves eventually. 
• I liked Cassie and Jake's "dates" although I hoped there's at least one super simple and romantic one for kicks. Hopeless romantic here! 

I swooned, had a goofy grin on my face, hugged my tablet a few times while reading AT THE STARS. I felt the moment these two fell in love, shot me through the heart and had me feeling giddy like a 20yo. Oh EStaab, I knew I could trust you, thank you for not giving us yet another NA lit! AT THE STARS is such a beautiful and touching. It's young, hopeful, a bit angsty, and an overall swoontastic love story. Loved it!

All at once she bites her lip and I see her going for the drinks, but I slap my hand over hers. “You shouldn’t be walking home late. It’s dangerous.”
She gives me a look like she’s being patient with me. “It was good enough to get here. I’ll have AJ with me. We’ll be fine.”
She gestures toward the patio door where her buddy is probably waiting for her to return with the drinks. Dante chooses that moment to come inside, and I don’t like how he’s looking at her. Too much like he had a good dinner, and she could be dessert.
The icing on the cake comes when AJ calls through the open door. “Hey birthday girl, you bringing us drinks or what?”
Stupid fucker.
Dante grins at Cassie, veering her way like a homing missile. “Birthday girl, eh?”
She smiles slightly, trying to take the drinks again. “What do I owe you?”
My hand tightens over hers. “On the house.” I lean close, so nobody else can hear me over the din of music and chatter in the bar. “If you let me give you and AJ a ride back tonight.”
I can’t even believe it when she starts to pull away. “I can pay for the drinks.”
I’m still gripping her hand and feeling a surprising unwillingness to let the subject drop. “You’re not walking home in the dark on a night when everybody’s out getting stupid, with nobody but your skinny sidekick for protection.”
She presses her lips together, giving me what I figure is supposed to be a death stare for a few seconds before she caves. “Fine. My feet hurt anyway,” she says with a slight smile.
Cassie turns to go back to her table with her friend, and I turn to deal with Dante. My chest is tight and my heart is skipping around. I don’t take time to wonder why getting what I wanted has me more weirded-out than I was before.

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Elisabeth Staab loves passionate stories and happy endings. Her books have been called “emotionally delicious,” “action-packed,” and “gloriously snarky.” When not writing romance, she enjoys date night with her husband, reading Harry Potter with her kids, and marathoning her favorite books or TV series. 


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