In this book we meet international pop star Winter Young just as he's approached by an elite covert ops group, to work with seasoned yet young agent, Sydney Cosette. Just as Winter is reluctant to get involved, Sydney doesn't want him involved. But the two ultimately team up to bring down a crime boss suspected of smuggling chemical weapons who has hired Winter to play at his daughter's birthday party.

I love a good genre-blending read, and this spy thriller with romantic elements fit the bill perfectly. Winter and Sydney made a wonderful pair and I'm so excited to see where they take us in the undoubtable book number two. I find spy novels sometimes difficult to follow on-page, as they are so action-based, but I enjoyed this one and found the descriptions of fight-sequences to be readable. I also am always here for spies and celebrity romances, so to put them together makes for a great combination.

Thanks to the publisher for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 8/10

“Best of all, no one will suspect you. That’s the beauty of being an unconventional spy.”

I was totally blown away and transported into this wonderful action-packed spy thriller romance. Marie Lu does it again! I admit, it was a different read for me, and not what I expected, but I really enjoyed the storyline. I enjoyed Winter and Sydney working together. I liked the sass between them, the build up, and even the ending was special.

“Let yourself think bravely, Winter Young. You may presume that you belong in the spotlight and I operate in a secret world, but perhaps we exist in the same place.”

Marie Lu had a way of intertwining this adventure story with a riveting spy novel that kept my attention from the first to the last page. Her characters show deep and lasting friendships. The interactions kept me guessing. This was a cool visit into the world of a superstar and the what-ifs of venturing into a battle with the criminal element. The plot twist was incredible. This was a fun, young adult contemporary read.

I was given a copy of this book by the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own, and have been given honestly.

I'm not sure where to start with this review because I don't have anything great or horrible to write about it was just okay and really kind of a let down from what I expect out of a Lu book. What should have taken me a day and half to read took me over a week because it was not keeping my interest. I was so excited to read about young spy's but I didn't feel like anything really happened until 60% through the book and the characters were only surface levels until then too. Sorry this book was just not my cup of tea and I'm sad about it because I have loved all of Lu's other books. 2.5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this story in exchange for a honest review.

I personally had to DNF it right now. This book did not grab my attention when I started it. So, I will defiantly try it again but for right now it is with my DNF's.

What a fun read! I really enjoyed this book. I loved the concept and I think it was executed well. It kept me entertained the whole time and I couldn't wait to see what happened next. The pop star meets spy aspect was really cool. Overall, I loved it and I am excited to see what Marie Lu does next!

Loved this romance! It was such a fun ride and I absolutely loved the fact that Winter was the pop star and Sydney was the covert ops spy.

Winter Young is the most famous pop star in the world, and Sydney Cossette is an undercover operative for a global spy network. Now the two of them are teamed up on a mission to discover just how corrupt businessman Eli Morrison is and how deep his crimes go. Morrison's daughter is the self-proclaimed number one fan of Winter Young, so when he is invited to a weeklong birthday celebration including him holding a private concert, Sydney becomes his new bodyguard, and the two set out to find out all that Morrison is hiding.

This is a fast paced, engaging read. I finished in just two days, and I nominated this book for the 2024 Texas TAYSHAS award list.

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Roaring Brook Press, and Marie Lu for the opportunity to read Stars and Smoke in exchange for an honest review.

Marie Lu does it again: she has an amazing craft for the young adult genre, but also a gift of writing across genres. She has fantasy, historical, dystopian, sci-fi, and with Stars and Smoke she brings us a brilliant spy thriller with a touch of romance.

The novel in a nutshell: Winter Young is an international popstar, his shows always consistently sold out. He is sought out by the Panacea Group, an organization similar to the CIA, to play at a major crime lord's daughter's birthday party (she's Winter's biggest fan). It's the perfect cover for Winter to be an unsuspected spy and get some dirt on the guy before his terror destroys the world (yes, what he intends is THAT BAD).

Sydney Cosette has worked for the Panacea Group for a few years. Her old life was nothing to comment on. She prides herself in being a top-tier spy, and her career is her world. Which is why she keeps a medical secret from her employers. Tasked to be Winter's bodyguard as the two tag-team seeking evidence on Eli Morrison, the disgruntled duo find more interest in each other's company than they expected.

With plot twists and turns like nothing else, Marie Lu once again crafts an amazing novel. The characters are interesting and well-developed, as usual, her craft is phenomenal, and Stars and Smoke is certainly an entertaining spy thriller (a genre of which I generally don't delve into, but hey, it's Marie Lu, so it's an auto-read for me!). Hey guess what? A second novel is in the works, but how can anyone possibly survive the wait for a sequel with this ending?! While I believe I saw somewhere that this is a planned duology, I do not know for sure. Either way, I can't wait for the next one!

This is a great action/romance novel! It is the quintessential hate/love relationship with the glamour of rockstars and spies. I won't be buying it for my middle-school library, but if I taught in a high school it would definitely be on my list!

Winter Young is drop-dead gorgeous and ridiculously talented in both singing and dancing. He went from mere high school student, the son of a single mother, to an international pop superstar in a few years’ time. He’s not even 20 yet. But even as he performs to sold-out crowds and has everything he could (supposedly) want, Winter feels unmoored. Something is missing.

Sydney Cossette came from a poor background in a tiny town and had few prospects. Until she was “discovered” by a secret agency that does covert ops around the world. Panacea takes on missions official government agencies can’t. Even at her young age, Sydney has seen a lot of action. She can be anyone, speak practically any language, win most fights. She sure doesn’t have time for romance.

Then Panacea brings in Winter to help with one operation. A major crime boss trafficking in dangerous materials is throwing a huge birthday party for his teen daughter. She’s a huge Winter Young fan. So Winter will perform a concert just for her (and 10,000 friends). And Winter and Sydney will work together to find incriminating information on the ruthless man during the big party week.

Sydney’s not impressed with Winter and his pretty face, fame, wealth and following. And Winter finds Sydney a tough nut to crack. But, of course, as they spend time together training and then performing their mission, they find much to admire in each other. Unfortunately, the danger they’re constantly in is not exactly a great opportunity for romance.

Stars and Smoke is an action-packed thriller that barely slows down. In the moments it does take short, quiet breaks, our protagonists get to know each other. They’re sweet times of connection and vulnerability making this a romance as well. Even amid all the action, there are plenty of opportunities for smoldering and flirting. OK, yes, it’s a great thrill ride that satisfies as an escapist pleasure. (And there will be more in the future!)

I think Marie Lu, unfairly, suffers from the blinding success of Legend. I keep expecting every succeeding novel to be just as good but they always come up a tiny bit short. However, Stars and Smoke comes awfully close to the Legend trilogy. The story is great, and character development, fine-tuned through flashbacks, is at the normal Lu level of excellence. This is a nice fast read that most readers will be glad they picked up.

This book took my be surprise! I love Marie Lu and will read anything she ever writes, because I love her style. This book is considered an enemies-to-lovers, and even though I don't usually enjoy romantic storylines, this one was done just right! There was not a ton of romance (thank the book gods) but there was just enough angst and interest to keep it good. The MC's were both interesting, a little better than real life, and they had layers. I need layers in my MCs or I feel they are too fake. The storyline was perfect to keep me turning those digital pages! It kept me interested and guessing and I just LOVE that. Thank you NetGalley for the e-book!

This was a fun YA thriller/romance that got better as the book progressed!

Sydney Cossette is Panacea's youngest spy. She has a tough exterior - she's had to, given her life - and she wants to be the best spy the agency has. She considers her handlers as the closest thing she has to parents. She is not happy that her next mission will be with Winter Young.

Winter is a pop superstar, with all of the charm and good looks that come with that territory. But he's also a very smart guy who also hasn't had the best home life. Panacea recruits him because their target, Eli Morrison, has a daughter Penelope who is obsessed with him.

Eli Morrison contacts Winter with an offer he can't refuse, to perform at Penelope's 19th birthday, an exclusive event that Panacea couldn't get an invitation to without Winter. Sydney poses as Winter's bodyguard for the weekend and hopes to use the event to get the logs and records from Morrison's business. The records they are seeking will show how Morrison's company is shipping a biologic weapon that kills people quickly with a vapor. With the records, they can stop the shipment and save the world.

The book starts off slow and at first, and feels formulaic. The sensitive rock star, the jaded young agent who won't let anyone close to her, the sparks that fly when they have to spend time together, how they grudgingly earn each other's respect... I've read this story before.

But once I got into the meat of the book, the fact that it was formulaic wasn't as much of an issue. The action is so good you forget you've read this story before, and you can't stop turning the pages!

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the sequel(s). Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book.

Really cute and fun story!

At first, the age of the characters (and the plot) seemed silly. But if you get past that, it’s well worth the read.

I love that it’s fast paced and doesn’t end with a cliffhanger.

Marie Lu continues to hand us some great books. This one really had me chugging along. I couldn't put it down.

I received this and as an eARC to read for free in exchange for my honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, and Roaring Brook Press for giving me access.

Marie Lu is one of my go to authors, I'll read anything that she writes. When I saw that Stars and Smoke was up for request, I knew that I had to try to get it.

Singer turned spy turned possible love interest? Yes please. Stars and Smoke was completely different from the YA fantasy that I am used to, but it was a refreshing change. My only complaint (and yes, I have one) is that the beginning was so slow, it took me a whole to get into it. Could it have been because I anticipated something more action packed up front? Maybe. But overall, S&S will leave you wanting more and apparently there will be more! This time I will be ready.

Wow, i am obsessed!!! This book was so much fun. it was action packed, exciting and had me unable to put it down! I loved the dual POV and loved the twists throughout the book! My jaw was on the floor for parts! I really enjoyed Sydney and Winter's relationship. They were so fun together and it was fun to get to know them. The end had me smiling and i hope we see more of them in the future!

This book was an interesting blend of 007 Jr. and a enemies to lovers trope. Winter was very believable as the pop star as was Sydney as the Jr. secret agent. Although the story was engaging and kept my inteeest, at times I had to suspend my disbelief to really connect with the text. Overall, I would give the book 3.5 stars and I would recommend it to younger readers.

was excited about reading this book by Marie Lu, it’s like reading the plot line for a tv series. It is an action-packed book. The characters are developed and Marie shares much information about them. I just feel like it was missing something. It is enjoyable and a wild ride for readers.

I listened to the audiobook. The narrator was very good. The story was fun and full of action. I really enjoyed the characters and hope this is the start of a new series.