The Stars at Night

I'm a Gerri Hill fan from way back. Have a shelf filled with her books. Her latest, THE STARS AT NIGHT, is pure Gerri Hill romance. It's atmospheric (this one is set in a remote state park), and it's driven by psychological changes in the main characters. Its flow is leisurely even though the storyline encompasses a short time. The author shows that people can grow and change and work out their issues, as do Lexie and Kyler in this romance. I loved the scenic background of winter in a mountainous region of Texas, away from the hustle and bustle of the cities, and the way this background impacted the characters and their interactions with each other. It's a sweet, satisfying love story!

When Lexie loses her job and not knowing what to do her parents convince her to help them and her brother run their rustic lodge and restaurant in the Davis mountain in region area of Texas. As she gives it a trail run to see if this what she wants to do she starts enjoying the mountains and the beauty of it.

Kyler is the park ranger after a scandal that brought her to Davis Mountain state park she thought she would hated there but she learn to enjoy the mountains and does things she didn’t think she would enjoy and gets to spend time with her best friend Mark who happen to be Lexie brother who has his own story that have you heartbroken for him but hoping he has a happy ending. Lexie and Kyler relationship and chemistry was great like how they got to know each other the dialogue was great seeing the beauty of nature through their eyes was great to.

I received an ARC copy of this book from the Publisher via Netgalley and voluntarily leaving my review.

This read was a very welcome distraction and the perfect book to de-stress for a few hours. The author welcomed you into a world where the beauty of nature soothed the soul and opened the mind to alternative means of enjoying life.

When Lexie lost her job due to an acquisition, she left the city life she loved in Austin to travel 7 hours to her family’s rustic lodge and restaurant located in the Davis Mountains region of west Texas. Her parents wanted her to stay there with them and her widower brother to help run the place. So Lexie decided to give it a six week trial run until after the holidays. She thought should would be miserable without her friends and the exciting city nightlife, but was surprised by the tranquillity of her surroundings and the beauty found there…including the very helpful park ranger who was also her brother’s best friend.

The characters were very likable and dealt with realistic problems such as the sudden lot of a job or a loved one. I liked how Kyler and Lexie had meaningful conversations about many diverse topics. I especially loved how the author allowed her characters to get to know each other and develop a strong friendship while they explored the beautiful mountain setting whether biking, hiking, or driving. Even though Lexie was considered a city girl, she loved learning about her surroundings such as the many different wild animals she encountered during their walks, the beautiful birds that she found eating at the many bird feeders around the area, the mesmerizing night sky of stars and constellations, and the early morning/late night radiant sunrises/sunsets she grew to love. Kyler helped Lexie see the beauty of life apart from what she was used to or familiar with; this opened up a whole new world for Lexie. I also liked how the author pulled the reader into these scenes with her very vivid descriptive writing.

Even though the women were attracted to each other, they did not want to cross the friendship line. Lexie wasn’t sure she wanted to remain in this remote area as the friendship developed or if she was ready to permanently let go of her career and city life she enjoyed her entire life. I liked the way the author allowed Lexie to make this life-decision based on how she made other important decisions in her life. She kept it real.

The secondary characters, especially Lexie’s brother, added to the emotional depth of this story. The support he received from his family and especially Kyler was heartwarming. The only slight problem I had with this story was the late introduction of a young mother and son. I wished they were introduced much earlier to bring a certain character a bit more happiness and perhaps love.

Overall, this was a beautifully written feel good story. The very descriptive setting, which I loved, will leave you with peaceful thoughts, a sense of tranquility, and a yearning to experience that type of setting in person.

I am a give fan of Ms. Hill's books so was exited to start this new on from her. This one takes place in West Texas, a place I have never been, but with usual style and flare, Ms. Hill makes me feel like I am there. The MC of this story are Kyler, a park ranger, and Lexie, a young woman who is down on her employment luck.

I read this more as a city girl meets country girl, in that Lexie looses her job and her parents invite her to come help run the mountain lodge they own with her brother (he owns the bar and grill). You get a good feel for both of the MC backgrounds, and I do love how the brother fits right in on helping them both, although his own story is a bit sad.

The storyline is a bit on the slow side, I think of this book more as a life reflection (right choices, right job, right friends, right life path) and it is mainly around Lexie's life and where is has been and where she is going. There is also a good backstory for Kyler, but it seems she has finally found her place in the world (even with a few missteps with twins and a wife of a boss). There is a lot of should I/shouldn't I with life choices, all done while hiking, biking, around the campfire and looking up at the night sky-a very nice slow burn romance as well that is not overly done in the bedroom.

All and all, a nice winter read by the fire with a glass or two of wine.

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, but would have written the same opinion if I had come across this author on my own.