Member Reviews
As this is the first part of a two story arc, my full review is with the second book, Long Live the Beautiful Hearts. What I do want to emphasize here, however, is that the prose and poetry in this book is gorgeous. It will ruin you. I was a reluctant reader at first. I tend to like to escape with light reading since my job has me involved in heavy life stories all the time. The writing in the first chapter spoke to me and i was inevitably drawn in and invested in the characters. I'm glad I persisted.
This is a journey into the friendship of three people whose love for each other turns their lives upside down. You don't find chemistry in relationships like these expressed so well and completely very often. At the end of Bring Down the Stars I absolutely could not wait to find out what happens next, so I advise you to have the second book on hand.
5+* Heartbreaking Stars
When Emma Scott puts pen to paper I get very excited because we know that we will be taken on an incredibly emotional journey. Bring down The Stars did not disappoint. It was beautifully written and the cover of it is exquisite.
It is a beautifully written epic love story that is so very complicated. The book centers around Weston and Connor who meet as 12 year olds at a prestigious school. Weston is there because he has a scholarship and Connor because his family can afford to send him there due to their wealth. Despite their rich man/poor man situation they become best friends. When they both head off to College they meet the beautiful Autumn who like Weston is also on a scholarship. She has much more in common with Weston but ends up dating Connor.
This story had all different kinds of love and devotion. Love for the family, love for your best friends girlfriend and love for your best friend.
I absolutely devoured this tug at your heart story of Autumn, Weston and Connor and thankfully am able to dive into the second book in this duet as we are left on a major cliffhanger.
Many thanks to the Author Emma Scott and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review Bring Down the Stars.
This book tugs at your heartstrings and makes you feel for and root for the characters. It makes you pull at your hair thinking and hoping the characters will act a certain way. It had me cursing under my breath at times, at others smiling out of exhiliration, or holding back tears. All in all, it's an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you at the edge of your seat, I can promise you that.
Every time I read a book so beautiful it makes me jealous that I myself can't come up with stories like that. The author has a gorgeous way with words which pulls you in and never lets go. I immediately started the other book in the duology as I could not get enough. I fell in love with the characters.
I especially loved the friendship between Connor and Weston. It shows how having a supportive friend can shape your life, even if you seem to be complete opposites. I'd like to think they were both better off together rather than apart.
My favorite quote from this book which made me laugh out loud and yet with which I completely agree with, is one of Wexton's smartass comments: "Feelings," I said, "are like tonsils. Mostly useless, and occasionally a source of pain and discomfort."
I would thoroughly recommend this stunning work of art.
What a great read! Emma Scott writes from the heart yet again: this book has so many elements to it: a love triangle between a self-labeled hopeless romantic and the two men who fall in love with her, as well as an "I love you but I am unworthy"/ Cyrano de Bergerac." theme. To be wooed with poetry: how can a woman resist? Connor and Weston are best friends - their relationship is very touching – but they both love the same woman. Weston steps aside and helps Connor win Autumn’s heart, but how can true love conquer all when it is based on deception? Don’t expect the usual tropes and nicely-packaged happily-ever-after ending. You will be challenged on many levels, and your emotions will be “shaken and not stirred”. I was so happy that the second book in the series was also made available to me at the same time. I don’t think I could have survived a long wait to see how their story ended! My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of these two books in exchange for an honest review.
Wes and Connor met in middle school and they have been best friends since then.
At college they meet Autumn. And although both of them are attracted to her, she seems to prefer Connor. He is all smiles, charming and rich. And Wes is the poor boy, dark and grumpy. But he is really smart. And he is passionate about poetry.
Connor's parents are very important people and they pressure him to be like them. Someone involved in politics or in the family company. But he doesn't want to.
After having an argument with his parents about his future, he takes a decision that will change the rest of his life. But not only his. Connor and Wes have always gone everywhere together. This time won't be an exception. Even if it means be away from Autumn.
I hated this. Weston takes a lot of decisions based on his gratitude towards Connor's family. It's not fair. Not fair at all.
This story is good. I have already started the second book and my heart is just broken. This will be another Emma Scott's story that I won't forget.
Emma Scott is on my short list of all-time favorite authors. I read this series in two days. I could not put my iPad down! What I found utterly unique about this author's style of writing was her way of weaving the experiences and thoughts of the characters together. The story bounced beautifully to Connor, Weston, and Autumn. The story left nothing unsaid or unknown to the reader and I was blown away each chapter. The second, most absolutely fantastic part about this series are the key messages and takeaways about love, disability, and trust. I have never read such an incredible story about disability until I read the second book in this series. I was rooting for Weston the entire time. His character, life, hardship... just wow. The ending is as exactly as it should have been for these characters. Nothing felt cliche or predictable; simply "magnificent". Get your box of tissues out. I was sobbing through several parts of the second book. I already stocked up on a few more books from Scott for the holiday season.
This book took me on a whirlwind of emotions. The story line draws you in but the characters hold you there. I am truly caught up in Autmn, Wes, Conner and Ruby.
I read the blurb and immediately had to read this story. It is a contemporary romance. It also ends in a cliffhanger but it's ok since book 2 is out.
Onto book 2!
Speechless. This book hooked me from the first page and I felt every feeling to the depths of my soul. Every word was perfection!
There was a cliffhanger, but I was so glad for it because that meant i would have more of these beautiful characters.
I loved every character and their family dynamics. Do not hesitate to pic up this novel. And the poetry is beautiful.
***5 "Ocean eyes!!! / Una bella anima!!!" stars***
For you, I would
bring down the stars,
wreath their fire
around your neck
like diamonds,
and watch them
pulse
to the beat of your heart
...
I have loved you with both
Hands tied behind my back
Bound with pen and ink
Paper and words
Sealed with someone else’s name
until this moment
in which I am nothing
but a man
who loves a woman.
There is nothing left to say
Except to give
all of my heart
For you
Pffffff.... It's not a good sign that I'm starting my review with a Pfffff!!!
But I might not be capable for the right words at this moment. Maybe I am like Connor in a way!!!! Hahaha...
But let's be serious for a moment!!!!
For once again, Emma Scott took her magical pen and gave us a wonderful story about beautiful hearts and their flaws, because everyone has flaws unfortunately and our heroes weren't perfect. I could say that they were far from perfect, but in a way they were absolutely amazing!!!
"You've no one to blame but yourself."
Well, in a way there was a love triangle in here, but mostly in sentimental level!!!
Weston, Autumn and Connor were connected between them in a deeper level and it was wonderful to witness it, even though it was very hurtful and frustrated as hell!!! My heart was breaking over and over again for all of them, but mostly for Weston's sake!!!!
"I talked to her first..."
From the first word of this book, my heart was his and i couldn't get her back, no matter what....
He made mistakes too, but mostly in expense of himself!!!! No, I'm taking it back!!!!
All the mistakes that had been made in this book by our heroes were infecting everyone's soul... Mine included!!!!
"You have a thousand hearts worth of love to give. A thousand tears may fall when one heart breaks. But never cry for shame."
Well, i really don't know what else to say...
An already heartbroken girl decided to take a chance with a gorgeous, wealthy and funny guy and she became very good friend with his best friend, Weston. There was a deep connection there who got ignored by both of them...
The girl wasn't so sure about Connor, but his words in the paper, the words of his soul, made her fall for him....
But were they the right words after all???
"gold, green, and brown—
your namesake captured
in your eyes."
The things got ugly at some point since many things had happened in the book and the ending left us wanting more... Wanting a closure... Wanting redemption....
What will happen after all???
Will anyone win the girl at the end???
Will the strong friendship between Connor and Weston survive all the ugly things that they had to face???
How will be life for all of them after the difficult ending in here???
“Maybe pain exists to make us appreciate the beauty.”
Well, i loved all three characters and many more in here....
Autumn was innocent in a way, but she was blind. She wasn't listening to her heart who was telling her the truth...
Connor pissed me off in a way, because he was selfish. He was taking advantage of Weston in a way and i didn't like it!!! But I have to admit that at some point, i felt sorry for him... His pain was raw and real!!!! And I was so damn sorry!!!!
As for Weston??? I told you!!! It was love from first sight!!! His heart and soul was so beautiful, but his past and his mind was putting obstacles in what he really wanted...
And in a way, he was wasting his life and his talent. But he was a really good friend!!! He don't deserve what will happen next...
"I want to keep touching him.
The thought was both completely wrong and felt completely right." {Autumn}
“Sometimes the heart hides itself behind the mind.”{Weston}
“We fucked with her heart. When she finds out, she’s going to hate us both.”{Connor}
Also, there was many secondary characters that were lovely, but it would be unfair to not mention how much i loved this crazy French guy, Edmond and Professor O.
And i have to add that i have a really good vibe about Paul!!!!
“I see. You gave your gifts to your best friend. Why?”
“Because I love him,” I said. “And I want him to be happy.”
...“Live every life but the one you want.”
I scrubbed my face with my hands. “I don’t know.”
“I do. A writer who chooses an economics major. A runner who ignores his gift. A poet’s heart now encased in a warrior’s armor.”
....
“Own this love, Wes. It’s not just hers. It’s yours too.” {Weston & Professor O.}
***ARC generously provided via NetGalley for the exchange of an honest review***
I received this ARC for an honest review. First I want to say that this book ends with a cliffhanger. You must read Long Live the Beautiful Hearts”. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED! This is such a wonderful and heart wrenching story. Emma Scott takes you through an emotional ride. This story is mainly about three people Autumn, Connor and Weston and how 3 people with such different backgrounds can effect the rest of your life. Connor and Weston met when Wes won a scholarship to a prep school that Connor attended. They became brothers to each other. In college, they met Autumn and they both fell for her but Wes never said anything because he loved Connor so much that he wanted him to be happy. Wes was taking a poetry class and Autunm found one of Wes’ poems and thought Connor wrote it about her. Autunm was correct that the poem was written about her, but Wes was one who wrote it. Connor took the credit, and Wes never said anything because he wanted the both of them to be happy. That is all I am going to say....So much more happens you must READ THIS BOOK!
Oh my goodness - Emma Scott hit it out of the park again. She wasn't kidding when she said it wasn't your typical love triangle. There was so much raw emotional angst in this book that I almost couldn't handle it. But, of course, the writing and plot line was so good that I had to. The writing is phenomenal and the story line was just amazing. I never would have thought to create this - the friendships and relationships seem so real. Emma Scott did an amazing job at creating chemistry between the characters. It flew off the pages.
She did a fantastic job of getting the reader to love both men even though both were in the wrong in different times in the book. Also, to get the reader to fall in love with both men much like Autumn does in the book - which isn't give anything away since it's written in the description of the book.
The way book one drops off - I can't wait to start book #2. I'm completely hooked and reeled in.
4.5 stars. Review to follow. I'm starting book 2. OMG. All kinds of triggers, emotions. This is no RomCom. So good. Such good writing I love Connor, Autumn and Weston.
I'm way older than these kids... I can still get this. Major cliffy.
On to book 2.-------
I've finished book 2 (this is a duet, so you must read both books-in order)
I"m trying hard not to spoil too much:
This book starts off (Prologue) when Weston is a 7 y/o little boy- when his daddy is leaving home.
This wounds him deeply. The beginning of the book is so important for setting up the entire rest of the book- especially Weston's POV.
Weston earns a place at a premiere boy's school. He's constantly ridiculed for being poor & for the essay that he wrote about his father leaving their family.
In steps Connor. He's charismatic, friendly and from a wealthy family. Connor's parents put a lot of pressure on him to make it big. His older brother is a big success at Harvard.
Connor has Weston's back. They become very good friends. Weston also backs up Connor in his studies. Connor is very weak in academics, as Weston is weak in his social skills.
Connor and Weston attend Amherst university where they each meet Autumn.
I usually have a no no for the love triangle trope. This is definitely the exception.
Connor and Weston's friendship for each other is interdependent. Connor's friendly, charming, easy way with women helps him connect with Autumn. Weston's intellect and humble background endears him to Autumn. She sees behind his abrasive attitude.
Connor & Weston are roommates in an apartment that Connor's parents have paid for. They recognize Weston's role in helping Connor get through college, just as he had in prep school.
Weston's mom Miranda really grated on my nerves. She was very emotional & took NO active steps to raise up her situation. Connor's parents are extremely wealthy but are very generous to Weston and to Miranda. Connor's mother, Victoria was especially financially supportive of Weston's mom.
Connor succeeds in starting a relationship with Autumn while Weston has to watch his secret crush with his best friend. Weston and Autumn become friends. She doesn't realize what role Weston plays in Connor's love letters to her.
There is so much angst, emotion and a major shocker at the end.
I'm so glad that I had book 2 ready to go. I kept giving my husband brief updates about this book. At one part, he said "Oh Sh*t". Yeah, I was pretty invested in these characters.
I received an ARC of these two books. I've been wanted to read Ms Scott's books for quite a while. I'm sending her kudos for writing such heart felt books at a time when she's had such a terrible loss.
As a mom, that's had a VERY close call, I'm also sending my support and hugs to you
This book is absolutely stunning! I don't even know how to put back together the emotional wreckage that is my heart! Luckily I can go right to Book 2 so I don't have to suffer for long.
Autumn, Weston and Connor are three very complex and wonderful characters that will take you on a journey you will not soon forget! I am so happy I found this series.
I requested this book from Net Gallery as I was interested in the blurb and it pulled me in straight away, it has everything you want in a book. I enjoyed this book so much and I would definitely recommend this book to people who are drawn to lovey dovey novels. This is the first time in reading a book from Emma Scott and I was not disappointed and will be reading more from her in the future.
Right from the start of the page I was drawn in straight away. The characters were very likeable as you could relate to them straight away. The story starts off with Weston's turn off events when he was age 12. After that the story wen through two points of view who was Weston's and Autumns telling there point off the story and how it effected them when they was going through the same thing.
There were four main characters in the story these were:
Weston Turner - The character in which starts the book, turns out to be a very likeable character. Comes from a bad background but wants to work hard for a good career.
Connor Drake - Weston's best friend whom he helped weston out in school and became inseparable ever since then.
Autumn - Bumps into Weston in the library and becomes an item with Connor.
Ruby - Autumns best friend and helps her out through her hard times in life.
"That feeling, I thought. Thats what I love. The first connection. A little uncertain moment that builds into something strong and real."
There is a lot of ups and downs within the story as you want it to go a certain way or things to be said and it never does, it becomes frustrating as you want Weston to be happy. But other than that I loved reading this book and I can't wait to start the next one and see what happens as something life changing occurs in the end.
'I wasn't too sure I was going to like this story but I found myself unable to put it down ones I started it.
I seriously couldn't get enough of Weston J Turner. He was my favorite part of the entire story. Autumn and Conner were great too, but there was just something extra special about Weston and the way his character was written. I'm kinda nervous to start the second book only because of the way book 1 ended.
This was my first Emma Scott book and it won't be my last. I want to read everything she has written.
3.5/5 stars
Bring Down the Stars is the first book in the contemporary romance Beautiful Hearts duet.
The book has alternating male and female POVs (1st person POVs). The female narrator is Autumn. The male narrator is Weston. They meet at university.
This book has two things that I absolute love: a love triangle and a cliffhanger ending.
I do love a good love triangle. However my preference is when the reader knows who they like, but the hero or heroine is completely torn. In this case I feel like it is obvious who Autumn belongs with. So that sort of ruined the love triangle aspect a bit for me.
This book is divided into six parts with a prologue that takes place while Weston is at Sinclair Preparatory school. Chapter one is him at Amherst College.
Autumn grew up at a farm in Nebraska. Weston grew up poor. Connor's family is extremely rich.
Things that I liked about this book: 1) I love the friendship between Weston and Connor. I really enjoy seeing friends who will do anything for each other. 2) I love that Wes writes poetry. Although I did not love how this played into the story 3) I love that Wes is a runner. 4)I liked the cliffhanger ending.
There is nothing really wrong with this book. Although it features one thing that I do not love reading about (beginning of spoiler[people going off to war (end of spoiler)]). I didn't really enjoy how this came about in the story either.
Autumn, Connor and Weston are all interesting characters. I didn't dislike any of them. But I thought that Autumn seemed extremely dense about certain things. And I definitely did not like certain things that Connor and Weston did. But overall they were all good people.
The story did end at a very interesting place. So I definitely need to see what happens next.
"Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review."
Loved this book very much. It had just enough sweet, heartfelt romance and the storyline was great! I highly recommend!
3.5 stars
I have to start out by saying that the acknowledgements and dedications at the beginning of this book had me in tears. That didn't bode well for my emotions. I have to be honest and say I didn't love this book. It made me mad because of the love triangle built on lies. I was so frustrated with Weston, Connor, and Autumn while reading it. Weston made me mad because of his dedication to Connor. Connor made me mad because of his attitude about just about everything and his poor decisions. Autumn I wasn't really mad at. I was more irritated because I wondered how she could really be so blind...but then aren't we all when we're falling in love?
Overall, the writing was beautiful. The poems in this book...WOW. The emotions brought on by this book...WOW. The ending...DANG. There's no way I could take a break between books 1 and 2.
I was a little hesitant going into this since it seemed to have a love triangle aspect and I’m not really a fan of that but I’m glad I pressed on. This book is fantastic, it ran me through a whole bunch of different emotions. I will say I’m very glad book 2 was waiting on my device when I finished this one otherwise I might have thrown my device.