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A review by erinarkin20
Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller
5.0
This is one of those books that just grabs you from the very beginning and doesn't let go until you turn the last page. Even then I wanted more. Doller does a fabulous job of bringing the reader into Callie’s world and I have to admit, this is my first book by her but it will not be the last.
Callie was taken from her family at the age of 5 by her mother and has been living on the run. With a broken taillight, her mother is arrested and suddenly, after 12 years, Callie is introduced to a family she doesn't really know. I just wanted to give Callie a great big hug…she probably wouldn't have wanted it but I felt like she really needed one (or five).
On her first day back, understandably, Callie becomes overwhelmed – her family is Greek and they all really do care about her. She decides to go for a walk to the docks and comes across Alex Kosta where there appears to be an instant connection. It’s implied that Alex is a player – he is also gorgeous. I loved him. He is going through some tough family things as well and Doller made me want to give him hugs too…and maybe more. I mean, come on – a guy who says “All week I've wanted just three things: hot wings, cold beer, and you.” But seriously, when he starts saying things in Greek… big sighs.
Alex and Callie together are great. They bring out sides of each other that they don’t really feel like they can share with anyone else and I loved their trip snorkeling. Bit by bit, their connection becomes more than just physical attraction. They are drawn to each other and begin to share the things about themselves that no one else really knows.
Callie’s relationship with her mother is tough. Her mom clearly has issues and at times I was so angry with her and the way she treated Callie. I know she has a disease but I could feel Callie’s pain when she found out that if she had only taken her medication, Callie could have had a “normal” childhood. It was the fact that she decided what she wanted was more important than what was best for her child and when she destroyed the book – I was angry on the behalf of both Callie and Greg.
Callie’s father, Greg, is great. It is clear he is trying to adjust to the sudden addition of a seventeen year old girl to his family. He was trying so hard and Callie didn't know how to adapt to someone actually caring about where she goes and what she does. In my mind, eventually Callie tells him everything that happened while she was gone and they have the opportunity to heal together.
Kat is great for Callie – she loves her and although she doesn't completely understand what Callie has been through, she is trying. She is also very patient. Callie is slowly learning what it means to have a friend and how what she says and does impacts those around her.
Definitely go get this one when you can. I don’t want to give everything away so my review doesn't go into a lot of detail – just know that this is about family, love, healing, and so many more things that you won’t be able to put it down once you have started it.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC.
Callie was taken from her family at the age of 5 by her mother and has been living on the run. With a broken taillight, her mother is arrested and suddenly, after 12 years, Callie is introduced to a family she doesn't really know. I just wanted to give Callie a great big hug…she probably wouldn't have wanted it but I felt like she really needed one (or five).
On her first day back, understandably, Callie becomes overwhelmed – her family is Greek and they all really do care about her. She decides to go for a walk to the docks and comes across Alex Kosta where there appears to be an instant connection. It’s implied that Alex is a player – he is also gorgeous. I loved him. He is going through some tough family things as well and Doller made me want to give him hugs too…and maybe more. I mean, come on – a guy who says “All week I've wanted just three things: hot wings, cold beer, and you.” But seriously, when he starts saying things in Greek… big sighs.
Alex and Callie together are great. They bring out sides of each other that they don’t really feel like they can share with anyone else and I loved their trip snorkeling. Bit by bit, their connection becomes more than just physical attraction. They are drawn to each other and begin to share the things about themselves that no one else really knows.
Callie’s relationship with her mother is tough. Her mom clearly has issues and at times I was so angry with her and the way she treated Callie. I know she has a disease but I could feel Callie’s pain when she found out that if she had only taken her medication, Callie could have had a “normal” childhood. It was the fact that she decided what she wanted was more important than what was best for her child and when she destroyed the book – I was angry on the behalf of both Callie and Greg.
Callie’s father, Greg, is great. It is clear he is trying to adjust to the sudden addition of a seventeen year old girl to his family. He was trying so hard and Callie didn't know how to adapt to someone actually caring about where she goes and what she does. In my mind, eventually Callie tells him everything that happened while she was gone and they have the opportunity to heal together.
Kat is great for Callie – she loves her and although she doesn't completely understand what Callie has been through, she is trying. She is also very patient. Callie is slowly learning what it means to have a friend and how what she says and does impacts those around her.
Definitely go get this one when you can. I don’t want to give everything away so my review doesn't go into a lot of detail – just know that this is about family, love, healing, and so many more things that you won’t be able to put it down once you have started it.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing the ARC.