Audiobook Review – A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber, Narrated by Various (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Magical Realism
Length: 11 hours and 5 minutes
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Release Date: July 23, 2024
ASIN: B0D5FGGB15
Stand Alone or Series: Stand Alone
Source: Audiobook from NetGalley for Review
Rating: 4/5 stars
“Everyone knows that Addie Fullbright can’t keep a secret. Yet, twelve years ago, as her best friend lay dying, she entrusted Addie with the biggest secret of all. One so shattering that Addie felt she had to leave her hometown of Starlight, Alabama, to keep from revealing a devastating truth to someone she cares for deeply. Now she’s living a lonely life, keeping everyone at a distance, not only to protect the secret but also her heart from the pain of losing someone else. But when her beloved aunt, the woman who helped raise her, gets a shocking diagnosis and asks her to come back to Starlight to help run the family bakery, Addie knows it’s finally time to go home again.
Tessa Jane Wingrove-Fullbright feels like she’s failing. She’s always been able to see the lighter side of life but lately darkness has descended. Her world is suddenly in shambles after a painful breakup, her favorite aunt’s unexpected health troubles, and because crushing expectations from the Wingrove side of her family are forcing her to keep secrets and make painful choices. When she’s called back to Starlight to help her aunt, she’s barely holding herself together and fears she’ll never find her way back to who she used to be.
Under the bright side of the stars, Addie and Tessa Jane come to see that magic can be found in trusting yourself, that falling apart is simply a chance to rise up again, stronger than ever, and that the heart usually knows the best path through the darkness.”
Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I listened to this on audiobook from NetGalley for review.
Thoughts: This was a well done book about two sisters who end up back in their home town after hearing their aunt is very sick. There, they are forced to deal with some painful issues from the past as well as unravel some mysteries and secrets. There is an element of magical realism here as well; they all live near a crater where a star is rumored to have fallen that gives off a eerie glow at night that attracts tourists.
I enjoyed this and would dare you not to cry at the end. This is a sweet book about family, secrets, and a subtle magic that makes people’s lives a little brighter. There is also a pretty heavy theme here around abuse. This includes abuse of women in bad relationships but also the abuse of a man in a bad relationship with another woman. It was nice to see the abuse issue tackled in a situation that is discussed less frequently.
There is a lot about bakeries and lifting up others around you. This all takes place in a small town, and there are many mysteries and painful secrets that are unraveled during the course of the story. It was fascinating to see how all these mysteries and secrets were entwined. There is a bit of romance in here as well. The Aunt that is diagnosed with heart failure is determined to play matchmaker and get everyone paired off before she passes.
All in all, this was a sweet and highly emotional read that leaves you feeling happy and hopeful. It reminded me a lot of the Waverly Family books by Sarah Addison Allen. There is a heavy theme of people finding a place and people to call home, some sweet magical realism, and people healing past emotional wounds.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this. It’s a bit different from what I normally read, but I always enjoy some small town magical realism. I loved the characters in here and was really drawn in to their struggles and enjoyed watching them find happiness. I would recommend if you enjoy cozy magical realism stories about women (and some men) rebuilding their lives and finding community, love, and happiness.
