The Wishing Star

I enjoyed this book. I found myself crying at parts. Love how Luke was protective of Charlie. Love How Rex finally realize what he lost and apologize to Charlie. Susan Hatler is good at getting you to feel the emotions evoked by the characters. Love how the characters have flaws but show their love in the end. I really didn’t like Adele at first but she grew on me by the end of the book. Especially when she apologized to Charlie. I love how Charlie really finally realize her dreams and what she was worth.

The first half of the book I was so angry for the way Charlie was treated by the public, the tabliods and her rockstar ex-husband. How can people be so callous?? If it weren't for Charlie's sister, Claire and her small group of friends I would have gone nuts. To draw out that kind of emotion in a reader goes to show you how good the writing is. Anyway, as things started to become brighter for Charlie, the drama was still intense and well as her interest in actor Luke Montgomery who is nothing short of perfect. This is a really good 'down in the dumps' to 'on the top of the pile' kind of story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Couldn’t even make it through.

5 out of 5 stars - LOVED this novel in the Kissed by the Bay series by Susan Hatler. I never cease to be amazed by how she can write perfectly wonderful romance novels that have the perfect length, perfect romance, perfect everything. I've said it before, but she is wonderfully talented. This book could be read as a stand-alone novel outside of the series, if you wish. I love this whole series, but if you don't have a chance to check out the other two books beforehand, I don't feel like you'd be lost at all. Characters are all intertwined between the novels (which I personally love), but not dependent on having seen them before to know what is happening. Okay, enough of that - let's get to the awesome parts. This story is a sweet romance between two people who end up thrown together by chance - a movie star (Luke) filming in an in-the-spotlight-because-of-her-ex "star" (Charlie). Charlie and Luke's romantic connection was off the charts! There was suspense and romantic tension while they were filming Just One Love - and the way they interacted on and off set, I just couldn't get enough of it. You could tell that in almost all of the TV show lines, there were some truths, questions and emotions carried over from real life (and the author plainly spells out that's what was happening half the time anyways). I so loved Luke for his persistence in pursuing Charlie, yet not pushing her more than she could handle after her marriage with Rex. He was the perfect leading male in this novel, and I was hoping he didn't disappoint. Charlie was obviously nervous and the thought of diving into another relationship after the way she was treated with Rex was a monumental hurdle for her. It's hard to take that leap of faith between love, career, and friends opinions/gossip getting into your head all the while. I loved the way that Charlie and Luke both handled all of those "life" elements, and this book left you with some hope in love and humanity as they both tried so hard to put each others needs above their own. Selfless love, that is how I could describe this novel. I can't wait to read the next in the series, but this one is probably my favorite of the three written so far. It had so much romantic tension it just killed me - in a good, good way. Love to see the HEA, but getting there is half the fun. Well done, Ms. Hatler! This left me with a huge, goofy grin on my face and a million warm, lovey-dovey feelings by the time I finished. Romance: clean **Disclaimer: I have received this book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.**