Written in the Stars

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Elle and Darcy meet on an awful blind date, and they couldn't be more different. Elle is a professional astrologer brimming with hope for love, and Darcy is an actuary who is skeptical of soulmates. To get their meddling families off their cases, they start a fake relationship. Will pretending lead to something more?

I originally picked up a signed paperback ARC of this title at the Public Library Association convention in Nashville. I was able to attend Library Journal's Day of Dialog event, where Alexandria Bellefleur discussed this title and signed my copy. She is a gracious debut author and really good at describing and selling her book! I wanted to read it immediately, but my print reading time is limited and I won't read signed copies because I don't want to destroy them. I was excited when Netgalley started offering the audiobook because I'm able to get to more TBR titles finished in audio. Like most people with commutes, I have more time to read with my ears than my eyes!

Elle and Darcy are both engaging characters, even though they are so different. Elle is a free spirit with knowledge of astrology, Tarot, and chakras. Darcy is a bit boring on the surface with her numerical talents, all-white spotless apartment, and interests in wine and fashion. Each woman has her own type of family drama, both of which add to the story and their characters' development.

Like any real relationship, there are ups and downs in Darcy and Elle's journey. This makes the story feel more real than a unicorns and rainbows happily-ever-after romance novel. The romance includes sex scenes that are very descriptive, so those looking for a proper romance should look elsewhere.

The only thing that irked me about the novel (and this is minor!) is that during an escape room date, the crystal ball on the table is described as warped -- more like a nonagon than a sphere. A sphere is 3D, and a nonagon is 2D. It's like comparing a globe (sphere) to a stop sign (octagon). Theoretically, a proper comparison would be a nonahedron but no such thing exists. Maybe the author should have used octahedron instead.

Lauren Sweet is an adequate narrator if a bit monotone in the narrative passages. The dialogue has much more emotion. Sweet mispronounces a few words (Fibonacci, quagmire), which I find distracting in an audio presentation. Reading the times attached to text messages also took away from the story some, as hearing "Elle, five-fifteen P.M." before every text felt repetitive and distracting.

This book is recommended to those who like the enemies to lovers romance trope, or anyone who enjoys a steamy romance novel. Those who like "clean" romance should find another title.

Alexandria Bellefleur is an #OwnVoices author from the Pacific Northwest. Written in the Stars is her first novel.

Publisher: Harper Audio (audiobook), Avon (paperback)

Narrator: Lauren Sweet

Running Time: 11 hours, 12 minutes

Release Date: November 10, 2020

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I received an electronic audio recording of this title from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I also received a print galley from a convention with no strings attached. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.