I reviewed this for RT Book Reviews back in 2017. I loved this fluffy, thoughtful historical romance, and I am reminded that i ought to go seek out more by this author.

Iris Wong is an aspiring actress. Because she is Asian-American, she faces rejections in Hollywood. The only roles that she can get are supporting roles. When she is offered to star as a lead actress in a Parisian silent film, she quickly accepts. She soon learns that the director has romantic feelings for her. However, her greater problem is Owen, her former love and the man who left her six years ago to pursue his career as a novelist. Owen has been hired to be the movie’s screenwriter. When she reunites with Owen, her feelings for him rekindle. Will Iris and Owen have a second chance at love or must they leave each other again to pursue their own dreams?

Iris is really a lovable character. She is spunky, ambitious, and hard-working. Even though she faces racism in Hollywood, she never gives up hoping that she can fulfill her own dreams. When the director takes an interest in her, she wonders if agreeing to pursue a relationship with him would be the best career move. Eventually, she learns to rely on herself. At the end of the novel, she becomes a very self-confident woman who is ready to face whatever storm comes her way.

I adored her relationship with Owen. Owen is a struggling writer. He has been facing rejections for six years. When he meets Iris again, he is nowhere closer to his own goal. He wonders if he can have both, which is a successful writing career and Iris. Eventually, he has to realize what is most important in his life. Both Iris and Owen have a clear and common understanding with one another. They both have a goal to be successful. They spend the rest of the novella wondering if they should give their career or love. They learn that with hard work, they can have both.

Overall, Stars in Their Eyes are about goals, friendship, and love. Iris and Owen have to rely on each other and plan their future together in order to make their relationship work. I wish that Stars in Their Eyes was a full-length novel rather than a novella because their would have been a more developed relationship between Iris and Owen. Instead, their romance seemed rushed and forced. There were also some repetitive scenes. There were some loose ends in the story. I thought that it ended a bit abruptly because I wanted to know what happened to Iris and Owen after they got together. I wanted to find out if they had ever accomplished their career goals. Still, Stars in Their Eyes is a very well-written novella. It is a short, simple love story that can be savored while sipping your favorite cup of coffee! Ms. Donyo is a very talented author, and I look forward to reading more of her future work!

Pema Donyo's Stars In Their Eyes is a beautifully written gem and bonus, it stars an Asian-American heroine as the lead. This historical novella takes place in the 1920s and follows the story of an Asian American actress Iris Wong, and the aspiring Caucasian writer boyfriend, Owen Matthews, she had in the United States. Owen had dreams of moving to Paris to hopefully find more work and get his name out to more influential people. Iris and Owen break up as he heads to Paris and she resigns herself to small roles such as the housekeeper or helper of the main character. Fast-forward a few years later and she has moved to Paris herself in search of more starring roles. Currently, she is working for a director named Pierre in a starring role for the lead actress focusing on an Asian-American heroine who doesn’t succumb to stereotypes of Asian women. It’s a role with meat and will show her acting prowess, one that doesn’t have her reenacting negative and hurtful stereotypes.

Little does she know that the screenwriter is none other than Owen, her ex. A man she knew she’d never see again. Yet fate has brought them together again. Try as they might they are still very attracted to each other and can’t resist one another even though time and cultural differences threaten their renewed relationship.

Honestly, I loved this little story, never wanting it to end. It touched upon some real themes that I wished the author would go further into, especially the racial pieces. Yet, as this is a novella, there isn’t enough time to fully explore the themes. But what is done for the time allotted is beautiful. The steam is quite low in this novella, one that I might categorize as “behind closed doors” but the tension and chemistry never wavered. I still had the chills and feels that I normally experience with novels that are more brazen in the intimacy scenes. All testaments to how beautiful the story was and how I was completely invested in the story of Iris and Owen.

And while some of the writing might seem “simple,” it’s in that simplicity I found brilliance. Sure there are more complex beautiful passages, but it’s how Donyo combines the writing that is brilliant.

The wind pressed cool against their cheeks, and the thin sheen of sweat dotting his face faded away. Outside the chaos of the cabaret, the dips and rises of the brass instruments’ song from inside grew dim. He faced her, leaning against the railing as she stared at him from the other side of the balcony.

I adore this passage. It’s the first time they see each other again in many years and already I feel the intensity and the loveliness of the passage, of the main characters.

When they first touch one another the feels course through my body.

She reached forward and interlocked her fingers with his. Their palms pressed together. The shock of her smooth skin on his felt foreign, almost surreal. He searched her expression for an explanation. It had been a long time since they’d last held hands. They fit well together. They always had.

He wanted to leap with joy. There was a chance for him even among the Pierres of the world. The warmth of her touch spread through his arms and filled his chest. He brought her toward him and wrapped his arms tightly around her. Could she hear how hast his heart was beating? How he’d missed this. Her soft skin pressed against hid made his heart race.

It’s the falling in love again that is relayed so perfectly. And I fell in love with them both as they both tried to salvage what they once had.

He tried to memorize her image. She looked so fine standing before him in the alcove, staring at him beneath her full lashes.

Yes, I so enjoyed this book. Especially as it has an Asian American heroine without the use of stereotypes. If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air, try Stars in their Eyes. I loved it, maybe because of where I’m at in life and how it mirrored mine (slightly). Regardless, the love story is one we can all appreciate, regardless of our background.

***

Stars in Their Eyes is a nice, short novella revolving around Iris Wong, an actress in the 1920’s. The story touched on the difficulties surrounding racism in early Hollywood (which I have to admit, I wasn’t fully aware of) as well as treating the reader to the historical setting of Hollywood at that time. (Seriously, the roaring 20’s? Such a fascinating time period!) I greatly enjoyed the author’s writing and attention to historical accuracy, and loved getting to know Iris and Owen. Iris especially, was quite intriguing for me and kept me absorbed in her every day life.

My only wish was that the book had been longer. I think that would have given me even more time to really connect with the characters. I had a hard time getting into the romance between Iris and Owen, only because I didn’t have more time to get to know the characters and to watch their stories play out! However, still a fun and engrossing read. I will definitely keep my eyes open for more from this author.

This charming historical romance is a wistful look at movies and life in the 1920's Paris. We follow the story of Iris and Owen who are trying to accomplish their dreams and maybe just maybe get a second chance at love.
I really enjoyed the lovely sense of nostalgia that this story captures. And, let's take a moment to give a hearty round of applause to a diverse character, particularly in the romance genre.
This novella is a really quick read. I managed to ease through this in a day not just for the short length but for the ease of reading. This is a great book to pick up if you need a quick read.

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This was a sweet historical romance that gave a glimpse into the lifestyle of those living in the twenties in silent-movie-time Paris. The city of light, love, and dreams. This was a world that still judge by the look of the skin and not the quality of character. The authenticity that was brought to life by this quick read was amazing. You got a chance to visit a world that felt full of the life, characters, and times of the 20s. Hollywood/movie industry racism of the times.

I would have liked to have this one be longer with more opportunity to get to know both Iris and Owen. I would have liked to see more depth in the secondary characters. Iris and Owen were allowed a second chance to explore the romance that was shut-down before it had a chance to gain frim roots and grow. The possible of a love-triangle, race issues in relationship and movie roles, and the history of the times allows for you to get a good grasp on what was being portrayed.

This author delivered with a novella that resonated with nostalgia of Paula McClain's The Paris Wife, with well developed characters, difficult decisions, and a whole lot of heart!

Nice quick read that's both a romance and a bit of Hollywood history. Iris Wong is an intriguing character and I'm curious how many Asian American actresses there were in the 1920s. Her relationship with Owen, a writer, is at the core of this story which moves between Paris and Hollywood. This would have benefited, I think, from being a full length novel, which would allow you to settle in more with the characters. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

Stars in their Eyes in a short and sweet read. The roaring 20’s and Hollywood makes for a intriguing setting, not to mention we also get to Iris and Owen to Paris. It touches on how racisim played a role in casting in movies during this time as well as romantic relationships. I would love to have learned more about these events during this time, but this is a mere 144 pages long. It did paint a pretty vivid picture how Asian American actresses struggled in show business as well as how they were accepted else where as well.

The romance between Owen and Iris is slow burning, with sweet kissed and fade to black to scenes that expanded over the years. They hadn’t seen each in so long but all the passion and love was still there . There is a small love triangle and I am not normally a fan, but I think in this it worked well. It was more about Iris listening to her heart. There was a lot wrapped up into this little story, and I enjoyed it from start to finish. I certainly wish it could have much longer, but I will be on the lookout for more works from Pema Donyo.

Stars in Their Eyes is a good, short historical by Pema Donyo. It deals with the early years of Hollywood, which I found fascinating. It was interesting to see the struggles the performers went through back then. The story was rather slow at times but did pick up quickly. I think I would have liked the story better if it was longer and I would have gotten to know the characters better. Maybe it would flowed more for me. I did like what I had read, just would have liked more. I hope to read a full length novel by this author in the future.

3 1/2 stars - worth a read.

I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.