i loved this captivating tale! It is well written with a perfect blend of fantasy, romance, family, and love. Many thanks to 56 Mountain Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Falling Stars (56 Mountain Press 2023), by Julie Rogers has a clever premise, which is mostly well executed. A sick child, a lonely mother, a so-called "cured" vampire, all wrapped up in a tenderhearted domestic drama with a hint of Jodi Picoult (in the sense of single mom/sick child plot). The vampire story line weaves in and out of the main event but never quite captures the attention it might have.

The strong, loving bond between mother and child—in this case Tommy Lucas, a young boy battling a vicious leukemia—is the living, breathing heart of the story, though mysticism, suspense, and the host of well-drawn characters also contribute to the intricate fabric of the story.

Tommy’s mother happens to be an oncologist, and she decides to head home to Eureka, Arkansas for family support, where she and Tommy will meet artist Callan Masters, a so-called cured vampire. Callen captivates both Tommy and his mother in short order, though he understands the grave risks to all as relationships develop.

Tommy believes his disease is a curse on his blood line, relative to vampires in the gene pool. The genealogy that would connect him to other vampires in the story is never fully developed, leaving a bit of a hole in it all, but then he is adopted.

The story is emotionally moving on several levels as it weaves Callen’s own story and the urban legend of Viscount Claudius Fallon (the main vampire) into the plot, as well as the marginal but engrossing plot of the journalists writing the viscount’s story.

Author Julie Rogers has a gift, no doubt, and her writing is often lyrical, but she also manages to meander a bit during the story. But these off-plot asides are usually interesting.

All in all, an entertaining tale with a tenderness that belies the vampire twists and should keep readers turning pages. Written in multiple points of views, the segments in the voice of young tween Tommy particularly shine with his youth-speak words, his resilience, and his quirky nature.

As a fantasy reader it is hard for books to compare to my OG favs like ACOTAR and TOG but this book had me hooked. I was captivated and enthralled by how Rogers skillfully incorporated the book’s title and the love scene, showcasing her storytelling prowess and mastery. She has breathed life into an enchanting story with intriguing characters that will stay in your mind long after you’ve finished reading.
I definitely recommend this book if you’re wanting something different! It’s a true charm.

It's a sweet story, it made me smile and root for the characters. Tommy is a clever and dreamy child and the characters are fleshed out.
I liked the storytelling and the world. A good story
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine