If I could describe this book in one sentence, it would be short, sweet and cute. And for that’s something one is never too old for. I really loved and enjoyed it. The characters were fun, the story was entertaining. And I really loved their HEA!!

This book was read thanks to NetGalley

She is an actress and he is GOSSIP REPORTER, how contrary is that, they are supposed to hate each other, like she is everything he hates, and his job makes it hard for her to like him, so when they meet and he is nice to her, it confused her, and they realize that they are not that different, that they maybe hate their feelings wrong. It's a nice read, I really liked it.

Star Bright by Susannah Nix is a delightfully quick romance about a movie star going from enemies to lovers with a once blacklisted gossip reporter. The movie star, Kimberleigh Cress, also experiences panic attacks & anxiety. I love seeing characters with mental health struggles because I think it importantly brings that representation to the forefront & shows how common it is. Kimberleigh had such great chemistry with the gossip reporter, Spencer Devlin & there was definite heat between the two of them.
I loved how it addressed the toxic beauty standards of Hollywood, celebrity & the beauty industry.
I also liked how Kimberleigh was an introvert as a famous actor & that she still struggled with the personal interactions. It made her feel more realistic to me.
Since this was a quick novel, some things felt a little too rushed for me. It made me realize that I really appreciate slowburn & this was not it. Once Kimberleigh & Spencer stop being enemies, there’s kind of instant love, which is great but just not my personal favorite.
Overall, Star Bright by Susannah Nix is a fun, quick & spicy Hollywood romance & a great start to a series. Star Bright comes out April 19, 2022.

Massive thanks to NetGalley & Author Collective 20 for giving me the opportunity to read an arc of this in exchange for an honest review!

I will post this review on my Bookstagram before publication & add link once I do!

The format of the arc made it a little hard for me to read but once I got into it the format was no problem. I enjoyed every page of this book and it was so much more than what I’d hoped for! I wish I could reread it again for the first time. I’ll definitely be purchasing a paper copy!

This was my first Susannah Nix's read but it certainly won't be my last. I look forward to reading all the other titles in the "Startruck" series.

I read this book in one seating. That describes just how much of a fun and enjoyable read it was. I found myself rooting for this couple and their sweet and tender romance.

This is the perfect pick me up story, one that will definitely make you swoon.

This is the perfect introduction to the Starstruck series. If you've read any of the titles previously, it has insights into characters you already know and if it's your first, it lays just enough groundwork for you to want to see more. That being said, it's also a wonderful standalone novella (which is really hard to pull off). Both leads are so quickly and deftly introduced that you're invested in them immediately and the timeline is effective to make you believe their progression without every scene needing to be on the page. Each beat of the story feels grounded both in the characters and in the Hollywood setting.

I'm not usually into romances with actors as MCs, but this was quite a cute read. And it's a novella so it was a quick, fun read. I really enjoyed Kimberleigh and Spencer's story. They have chemistry and I loved how their relationship started and developed. It's quite sweet and heartwarming how they came about. And I really loved how the author writes about anxiety in the story.

Susannah Nix is one of my favourite writers to read in the last two years. Getting to read the ARC for Star Bright was definitely very exciting for me.

The book begins with a powerful and reassuring dedication - “For everyone who’s tired of trying to be strong all the time” which makes one feel like they have someone thinking of them.

The lead protagonists of the book, Kimberleigh and Spencer, are kind of enemies. A Hollywood actor and a morning TV show host who don’t get along until they do. Their chemistry is exactly the kind of chemistry between enemies turned lovers. Their shared background stories, their fears and their pain only adds to their understanding of each other and strengthen their relationship.

When I think of Kimberleigh and Spencer’s relationship and what is a pivotal moment for their love it’s definitely both of them thinking about each other when the other is not around and this particular thought that crosses Kimberleigh’s mind - “What was she supposed to do with a man who simply wanted to make her laugh?”.

Susannah Nix writes such real female leads and that’s what draws me to her books the most and just like her other works (mainly Chemistry Lessons series), I highly recommend this novella.

Thank you, NetGalley and the author, for sending me an eArc of this book!

As the first novella in the Starstruck series, Star Bright delivers a blossoming romance that's perfect for those in need of something light.

I can say, the plot developed very nicely for how short of a storyline. I tend to stray away from books with insta-love and since the story was short, I feared the chemistry between Kimberleigh and Spencer would be hindered.

This was not the case.

I'm honestly amazed at how well the author executed the connection between the characters. The story does jump from one relationship milestone to the next, however I was unable to notice because the interaction's between Kimberleigh and Spencer felt natural.

While Star Bright doesn't bring anything new to the genre, I enjoyed the book for its simplicity and had a fun time diving into the perspectives of both characters.

This novella was the perfect companion to my lazy Sunday afternoon and vodka spritz. Kimberleigh Cress is an actress who wants to be more than a pretty face and a body in a tight dress. Spencer is an entertainment reporter the Kimberleigh hates. When Spencer helps Kimberleigh during a delicate situation, she starts to think he might not be that bad plus he's cute. This was such a sweet romance between Kimberleigh and Spencer who had more in common than either one of them knew. I also really enjoyed the setting of Hollywood and that both main characters were in the entertainment industry with all the challenges and drama that entails.
Thank you to NetGalley and Haver St. Press for giving me a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I can't lie. On the way into this one, I was not sure what I was going to think. It's a novella (maybe a little longer than a novella but definitely not "full" novel length), so there are places where the scenes seem to move really quickly as there is not a lot of time for the development, and I was not sure if I was going to be able to find myself engaged with Kimberleigh and Spencer.

I was wrong. There was something about this, and about the 2 of them together, that really drew me in to their story. I think because, overall, I really liked both of them. Although, I was definitely a little mad (ok more than a little) at Kimberleigh in parts when she allowed her insecurities to make decisions for her. But it's also human, and the seeds of her possibly not fully believing Spencer about something like this were planted throughout the story, so it was in character.

My heart broke for Spencer, but I understood the decision he made, the reasons he had for it. And I think that was the part that really drew me all the way in to this one. I liked them, and I wanted them to find their happiness, and I was saddened when it looked like it was threatened.

I do think, in parts, the depth of the story did get lost in the fact that so much had to be skipped over due to the length. It's not really a flaw I can hold against the book, but it's the reason I didn't come away from this one in tears because I had been through so much.

That said, I enjoyed and recommend this title.

Thanks to Haver Street Press, the author and Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I am not usually a fan of novellas. I often feel like the story could be better if it was longer or more detailed. But, I didn’t feel that way about this book. This lovely tale about two misunderstood people, who learn about trust as much as they learn about love, is packed full of humour, heat and angst. It’s a quick read, yes. But sometimes, when a quick read is done well, that’s just what you need. I read this on a beach holiday with my family and, despite constant distractions (and naps) I was able to finish it in one sitting. I am looking forward to the rest of the books in this series.

The following review is being posted to Goodreads on 4/18/2022, included below is the link. There will also be an abbreviated review posted to Amazon (no link provided)

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

<b>PoV:</b> Third, Past, Dual
<b>ToN (Type of Narration):</b> N/A
<b>Audio book length:</b> N/A
<b>Genre and Sub genre:</b> Romance
<b>Location:</b> LA, CA
<b>Time(s):</b> Contemporary/ Current- Starting a little before Christmas-8 months later and 5 yrs later
<b>Tropes:</b> Enemies to lovers, hidden relationship
<b>TW/CW's:</b> <spoiler> Panic attacks/Anxiety, Child Abandonment, Death of a parent, overdose, alcoholism </spoiler>
<b>Language Rating:</b> 3/5
<b>Sex Rating:</b> 4/5

Kimberleigh just got back from a four month shoot in London and three weeks of non stop world wide press tours, and is about to go on a three mile beach charity run followed by a charity gala afterparty! It was Christmas in LA and a sunny 60 degrees, perfect for the Tinsel and Tatas 5k! She ran into her nemesis Spencer Devlin at the race, and was determined to outrun him! She ran into him AGAIN at the gala and told him off. She just couldn't stand him and couldn't seem to get away from him. Ever since he did a sexist interview with her the year before, speaking only about her apparel and looks, she had him black listed and refused to even speak with him. But the stress from the shoot in London and the press tour was catching up to her. She hadn't been sleeping well, and now being around all the crowds was making her feel suffocated.

Kimberleigh needed a quiet room to regroup and breathe, but when Spencer found her, she was deep into a panic attack and without her meds. With the help of some tricks he had learned, he was able to help calm her down, he even let her borrow his grandfather's ring that he used for grounding.

Kimberleigh and Spencer were the most unlikely to end up together. Kimberleigh was a movie star, and Spencer was the paparazzi. Kimberleigh hated Spencer and wanted nothing to do with him! But when he opened up to her and told her all about his upbringing, and she realized that it was similar to her own tragic past, they were able to come together and bond in a way neither of them had before.

Both of them were used to being on their own, and finally they had found the one person they felt like they could trust. Except when news leaks about Kimberleigh's childhood, information she had only shared just weeks before with Spencer, she knew that he had sold her out to the press and he could no longer be trusted. But was it him? Why did her heart ache to be near him when she was sure he betrayed her?

Susannah Nix has done it again, she has written a dazzling book with real characters that pull you quickly into their story! I love the way Spencer is written as a handsome and disarming charmer. Nix really created the best two characters to balance each other out.

Nix is impressive at writing plots that are not only engaging to the reader, but also are relatable to all. Each character has a little piece of them that I connected to, and that makes me love and hate each one simultaneously.

Nix is also known for her ability to bring very serious health and life issues into a story and showing how normal they are. In this case, she shows how debilitating panic attacks are, and talks about coping strategies that worked for a character. I love that she is able to be serious about these issues, and weave them into a light-hearted book. I mentioned in my last Susannah Nix book review <a href=" https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3924634526?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1">Elementary Romantic Calculus</a> and I feel it applies here as well, I very much appreciate that authors are taking stigmatized health issues and making them commonplace.


https://triggerwarningdatabase.com/

This was a nice, light, heart-warming story. The story was a bit fast-paced but it was really good! I liked how both the characters had good character development. Also, HAPPY PUB DAY <3333

The starlet and the pap.

Kimberleigh shouldn't like Spencer. He is after the pap. Paparazzi, that is.
She should stay away, but well, she can't.
Bright lights and tabloids.

Star Bright is a perfect novella. With enemies-to-lovers and a secret relationship, it's full of everything you could want. Kimberleigh and Spencer are amazing. I love watching him comfort her. His gentleness and kindness towards her made my heart flutter. Kimberleigh is so cautious and guarded, it was so fun to watch her open up and fall. It's a quick, entertaining, charming, light read, that's a great start to the series. Susannah Nix's writing has never disappointed me, Star Bright is a fantastic introduction.

Star Bright
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Romance
Format: Kindle eBook
Date Publishes: TOMORROW 4/19/22
Author: Susannah Nix
Publisher: Haver Street Press
Pages: 192
Goodreads Rating: 3.89

Thank you to NetGally and Haver Street Press for allowing me to read this ARC of Star Bright, that releases tomorrow. I am always grateful when I get to read a book ahead of the publish date.

Synopsis: She is an A-List Hollywood Starlet and he is a gossip reporter. Kimberleigh Cress Rule No. 1 - Do Not Show Weakness! Especially in front of the press. When a sleazy tabloid reporter, Spencer Devin, comes upon her during a vulnerable moment, the last thing she expects is kindness. She cannot seem to stay away from him. Spencer never expected to share this connection with someone who hated him. Will he do anything to to keep her in his life?

My thoughts: This was written mainly from the POV of Kimberleigh Cress with some of the insights from Spencer Devin sprinkled throughout. The chapters are short. This was a quick, fun, sweet read. While this is a beginning of a series, it is just as good as a stand alone book. The characters were developed strong and spot on. The plot was brilliantly written. The writing style was clear and very easy to follow. I tend to like these romantic comedy’s that have some spice, but not too much. They are a good break from thrillers. I really enjoyed reading this book. I would read other books in this series, or any book written by this author. I just adored the writing style. This book comes out tomorrow, do not waste anytime, buy the book!!

This was my first Susannah Nix book and I’m pretty sure it won’t be the last!

We follow Kimberleigh and Spencer (swipe right for the summary) has they strike an unlikely romance and what a sweet romance it was. We get to see both their perspectives and that brought the book to a whole other level for me, since I’m always curious about what the guy thinks.

They both got some emotional baggage to work through, to get this relationship to work, and we get to see how it affects and why they choose to do certain things. I did get a little frustrated at times, because sometimes if they just opened up a little bit to eachother they would have avoided certain issues. But I get it and I just kept thinking “oh no, my poor baby!” and I wanted to hug them.

Mental health is also discussed in this book and to me it was quite realistic and very interesting to read about.

Something that I must say I didn’t quite like was the instant love...I can’t quite agree with it but I need to suspend certain beliefs when reading romance books and the rest of the book was really good.

I didn’t think the celebrity trope would work for me, but I was so happily surprise to see that it did. I think the author did a really good job protraying what it must be like for certain celebrities to deal with personal relationships out in the public (and how they keep it out of it).

The writing was really easy to follow and I believe this is a good introduction to a companion book series, that i WILL most certainly follow.

Something worth noting: THAT EPILOGUE.

I recommend this book to all romance fans.

**Tropes:**

Enemies to Lovers, Celebrity Romance, (private) Secret Relationship, Second Chance Romance

**Content Warnings:**

Panic attacks, Childhood trauma

“She fitted against him like she belong there. Like she’d been just made for him. Or he’d been made for her. Like they were made for each other.”

“Second of all,”Luna continued, “you don’t get to decide what’s best for him. That’s his choice to make, not yours.”

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Haver Street Press for access to the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Kimberleigh is an actress, always working and always on the move. She has met a lot of people in the business but none that she disliked more than Spencer, an entertainer reporter.

Spencer knows that he wasn't always on the right, when he first started as a reporter he was more aggressive and that didn't always went well.

They quickly became enemies and Kimberleigh is trying to stay as far away from him as she can. This changes after an event when they find themselves in a unique situation. They got to see a different side of the other and sparks fly between them. Being on the public eye and dating is tricky which is why they must keep all of their interactions under wraps and hope for the best.

The book starts as an enemies to lovers romance which is a trope I love but I thought the turn to lovers was very quickly. It felt like insta love even though they know each other for years.

The secter dating aspect was very fun and I liked how it played out. This is a quick and easy read.


* I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.

This was a really cute and fun read with likable characters and a fun and fairly simple plot. I really enjoyed the romance and overall I thought it was a nice quick romance.