Thursday 29 March 2018

Blog Tour: Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett

 

Hi everyone today I'm pleased to be taking in part in the Starry Eyes blog tour by Jenn Bennett hosted by Fantastic Flying Book Club. Before I share my review with you here's a bit about the book. 

Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett 
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: April 3rd 2018. 
My rating: 4 stars. 
Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets. But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together. What could go wrong? With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely. And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?

I've been devouring Bennett's books lately, they've just been satisfying the need for great Contemporary YA books, they're refreshingly fun, bring such swoony relationships and I just don't want to put them down. So, when I first heard about Starry Eyes, I knew it would be a book that I couldn't wait to have in my hands and let me just say this book is so worth it. I love books that feature best friends to enemies trope, especially more so here, as Bennett really gave us this story between Zorie and Lennon well. I liked how we didn't really know what had caused this rift between them, but I was dying to know, as they had been the best of friends for a long time, and then things just came to an end one night. And Zorie's dad didn't really like Zorie spending time with Lennon either and what was up with that? 

I liked the whole set up that we got from this book, with Zorie and her friends going on a glamping (glamourous camping) trip with her friends and Lennon turns up unexpectedly. But in a way it was probably good that he did, as everyone else seems clueless with what to do. And when they got kicked out and had to go on their own, Lennon's the one that takes the lead and tries to keep everyone on track. This glamping trip didn't really turn out the way that Zorie was expecting, she thought she'd be able to spend time with friends, but she ends up being ditched and stuck with Lennon instead. But to be honest for me, this was really the better alternative for Zorie, there were still so many unresolved issues between her and Lennon and I really wanted to get to the bottom of them, also what she had with Lennon before everything hit the fan, was amazing, and I was hoping that there would be the chance for Zorie and Lennon to salvage some of it at least. When the truth was actually revealed about what really went down, I was quite surprised, as I wasn't expecting it, but it really explained and justified the reasoning behind one of the characters behaviour. It really was an emotional upheaval for our characters having to deal with this, but I think Bennett did an excellent job giving us this aspect of the story. 

I'm glad to say that I was actually right in my assessment of characters for once, I had an inkling of which characters were about to kick off and which weren't worth the time either. It was kind of awful these characters living up to some of the things that I expected to happen, especially when they hurt a lot of other people along the way, but you know those self-absorbed characters that only really think about themselves? seriously they weren't worth it, but they riled me up either way, like how can you be completely clueless? This minor annoyance aside, Starry Eyes really was a beautiful read, I loved the whole stargazing aspect that Zorie was interested in, but also how emotional and raw this story could be too. Bennett's storytelling was again done eloquently and I loved getting lost on this trip with Zorie and Lennon.





About the author: Jenn Bennett is an award-winning author of young adult books, including: Alex, Approximately; The Anatomical Shape of a Heart (aka Night Owls in the U.K.); and Starry Eyes. She also writes romance and urban fantasy for adults. Her books have earned multiple starred reviews, won the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award, and been included on Publishers Weekly Best Books annual list. She lives near Atlanta with one husband and two dogs. Visit her at www.jennbennett.net.



We also have a fantastic giveaway where three lucky people can win a copy of Starry Eyes, sorry guys this giveaway is open to US residents only!

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Make sure you check out the rest of the tour stops on this wonderful blog tour! 

Tour Schedule


March 28th

Pink Polka Dot Books- Welcome Post

March 29th


March 30th

Vicky Who Reads- Creative Post
We Live and Breathe Books- Review & Favorite Quotes 

March 31st


April 1st


April 2nd


April 3rd

Magical Reads- Review & Favorite Quotes

14 comments:

Grace @ RebelMommyBookBlog said...

I really enjoyed this one too (and her other books for that matter). I was happy that it wound up being just Zorie and Lennon camping and the others were gone. Great review!

Nick said...

I'm so glad you're enjoying Jenn Bennett's books, Jasprit. They bring me so much joy. Her romances truly are wonderful. The camping elements surprised me because I didn't think I'd love it, but I so did!

Kindlemom said...

I'm so excited to read this one! Her YAs are some of my favorites!

Sara @ Forever 17 Books said...

I'm just so very glad you liked this one too! Ugh, some of those characters you mentioned were just awful and I'm glad they were pushed aside. Zorie and Lennon though, amazing! :)

Greg said...

I love the sound of this one. Plus that cover. Just evokes summer camping or something. :) I saw a positive review for this yesterday too so that's two good ones now! I like the stargazing mention too- just looks like a fun read.

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I am sorry that there are mean, shallow characters in this, but I am still looking forward to reading this one. I have been reading some great reviews for it.

Lily B said...

I really enjoyed this myself but was frustrated by the same issue you were. That aside, the main characters were awesome

Shooting Stars Mag said...

I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I still need to read something by Jenn, but I always hear awesome things. Sorry about some of the more awful characters though. Some people are just the worst...even in real life.

-Lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.net

Bookish Michelle said...

I have heard of the author but have yet to read any books. This looks good! Great review!

Karen said...

I skimmed because I can't wait to read this when it comes out next week!!!

Karen @ For What It's Worth

Samantha@WLABB said...

I will read anything Bennett writes, because she writes the best boys and her books leave me feeling so happy.

Aimee (Aimee, Always) said...

Gah, I've heard wayyy too many beautiful things about Jenn's books, and I really need to get to them already! I'm glad the issue gets resolved in this one, and that it actually makes sense. I have a fear of these kinds of things being too petty!

Carina Olsen said...

Awesome review Jasprit. <3 YAY for enjoying this one :D I think the cover is so so so pretty. But not my genre, and doesn't really seem that interesting to me, haha. <3 But I'm so glad you liked it :D And yay for a bunch of different characters; good and bad. Ack :)

Evelina @ AvalinahsBooks said...

This sounds really nice, and I love the cover as well :)

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