New Release Review! THE GIRL WITH STARS IN HER EYES by Xio Axelrod

They say the road to stardom is paved with broken dreams.

Growing up, Antonia “Toni” Bennett’s guitar was her only companion…until she met Sebastian Quick. Seb was a little older, a lot wiser, and he became Toni’s way out, promising they’d escape their small town together. Then Seb turned eighteen and split without looking back.

Now, Toni B is all grown up and making a name for herself in Philadelphia’s indie rock scene. When a friend suggests she try out for the hottest new band in the country, she decides to take a chance. She’s in for a surprise when one of the decision-makers turns out to be none other than Seb. Toni can handle it. No problem. Or it wouldn’t be if Seb didn’t still hold a piece of her heart, not to mention the key to her future.

Review:

This was just lovely!

The romance in The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes (and can I just say, for the longest time I kept thinking, but this title doesn’t sound like Toni at all! Until it finally did) is extremely slow burn, and a second chance romance/unrequited romance of sorts. But that’s fine, because Toni Bennette (no, not that Tony Bennet! 😉 ) had so many other issues to juggle, from trying to find a way to afford the future she really wants for herself and her music to dealing with (yes, still!) parental issues, and with Seb having his own issues as well, romance had to take a back seat.

Which makes the slow burn of it all the more delicious!

Ms Axelrod’s love of music shines through this book–I wasn’t at all surprised to read about her musical background in her bio. This entire book is not only Toni and Seb’s story, but a love song for music itself–even when they saw the less than wonderful side of it, it was clear that neither one of them wanted to do anything else.

And that last page…Ms Axelrod, you slay me! I could hardly finish reading that last page for the tears in my eyes… <3

This was my first book from this author, but definitely not my last!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.