2.5 stars

A Certain Kind of Starlight was not what I expected. I don’t think this qualifies as magical realism or fantasy in the strictest sense. There was a small element to it. However, the description of the book makes you think that Addie’s secret is mystical in nature. Early on I found the novel entertaining and I appreciated that Webber attempted to address various types of domestic violence. However, this novel was problematic for me on numerous levels. First, while we seem to be introduced to at minimum a representative sample (if not the entirety) of the inhabitants in this small Alabama town, they appear to be exclusively white. Based on physical descriptions provided by the author, there is not a single person of color in the entire town. I grew up in the US South and live here again now. There aren’t any all white towns. It wouldn't be impossible for people to segregate themselves but that leads to additional issues. Specifically, Webber is drawing on aspects of Southern culture without considering or understanding the nuance of what has created that culture. Large portions of Southern culture in the US has been shaped by West African and African American culture as well as the unique culture that arose during enslavement. It's part of our blended culture in the South, true but some aspects, specifically the myth of flight and bird mythology are very deeply rooted in the cultural history of African-Americans who suffered through enslavement. I’m just not sure where to go with that because I don't feel like it was intentional but I don't know how it got all the way to publication with literally no one raising this issue.

Even if there was someone that I missed who is not white, the point remains valid, as do other problems of representation in the novel.
Overall, it comes across as rather tone deaf to the racial and cultural politics of the US South. It reads like Webber is someone who has lived or spent time in the area long enough to pick up the quirky aspects of the colloquialisms but doesn’t understand the depths of the culture , the history or its many complications. Another less generous possibility is that she does understand the amount of trauma that has occurred for a multitude of reasons including poverty and structural inequality --it certainly has been a topic of some the great authors of Southern literature--and has chosen to mine that for her novel without having a real understanding of its implications. Certainly the way that she fails to acknowledge intergenerational trauma or do more than lip service to how incredibly problematic it is to be judged as violent and criminal based on one's last name and economic status is indicative of someone who has no true understanding of the world she's writing about.

I received an advanced review copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.

Thank you MacMillan and Tor Books for the review copies! I am a big fan of Heather Webber, life needs a little southern charm and magical realism, Webber's books are my smile every summer. I love how she weaves in family and small town/return to home vibes with self growth, themes on healing and letting go (in a healthy way) and self/family acceptance. I desperately want to visit the bakery, have a sugar bird, and be embraced by the loving aunts in A Certain Kind of Starlight.

Audiobook notes: Excellent narration and production, both voice actors capture Webber's southern style and her delicate charm, the actors let the hopes and dreams, secret worries, come through in their acting and performance of the story.

Book notes: I always get immersed in the small town charm Webber delivers, the details that make her places come alive, and her characters feel like me/people I know, a universal sense of connection to the self growth and family charms.

Everyone needs an Aunt Bean. She is one of a kind and only in a good way. I love that Addie and Tessa Jane have someone to have their back, push them to be better people, and to open their hearts. She was by far my most favorite character in the book with her fun quirks, her kept secrets, her open heart, and talents in the kitchen.

Addie and Tessa Jane grew up together but were not friends due to misunderstood circumstances. I liked that every relationship in this book had many layers. It was slow to put it all together and I appreciated that their story was stretched throughout the book and another layer peeled off. Both girls has their own histories and they were intertwined but the BIG moment came later in the book and had me smiling and loving that twist.

Heather Webb is an extremely talented author. I enjoyed the story. There were a few parts that seemed slow and repetitive but I still could not put the book down and looked for moments where I could read one more chapter, one more paragraph…or maybe more than one!

Full honesty- it took me a minute to figure out who was who at the start of this book, but who can deny a magical realism book set in a bakery? This story was warm, thoughtful, and have energy similar to The Secret Life of Bees, I really enjoyed it and can't wait to recommend it to friends as well!

Thank you to Net Galley and Tor Publishing Group | Forge Books for granting me access to an ARC!

I love magical realism, especially when it's done in a small town in the south. I love the lore behind the Starlings and the starlight, and the sisters' story was both heartbreaking and heartwarming.

Another hit from Heather Webber! This one is full of lovable characters, a magical setting, and such beautiful relationships. The beginning was a little confusing with so many different characters thrown at you but they all meld together so well that it all falls into place. This was the perfect escape!

There is absolutely nothing better than picking up a book that feel so incredibly cozy and warm, UNLESS it's also realizing that book feels familiar and when you look up the author, she also wrote another book which gave you the same exact cozy warm feelings and she becomes your new favorite cozy author!

Heather Webber has a way of telling stories which make home feel like a warm cloud; where the main characters are looking for acceptance or a form of home or family and we, the readers, join them on their journey. I love the magical realism of not truly knowing which parts are magic and which are just family ties. I think I was a little frustrated with Addie for being so hell bent on "keeping her secrets" which only did more harm than good. Self sacrifice is rarely the best course of action.

We clearly know who the "bad guy" is, and we have a host of really great people. We have a family owned bake shop and some fairly emotional moments along the way. Though I've only read two books by Heather Webber, I will be going out and finding more, very soon! These books are so charming and enjoyable. There is a softness around the edges which makes them light and easy. They also have enough depth and substance to keep you engaged until the final pages and, boy, are those final pages usually powerful.

I’m a big fan of Webber’s books and this one is no exception. With a touch of magical realism, and a small town setting, Starlight, Alabama, this heartwarming story will draw you in.

Addie and Tessa Jane are half sisters who have never been close. They both move away from Starlight for various reasons, but when Aunt Bean begins to have health problems, they come back to town to help out, and perhaps to heal.

Highlights |
✨ Southern charm
✨ Secrets
✨ Magic
✨ Cake

Although it has light moments, the story also covers some heavier topics and has insightful tidbits of wisdom that I found meaningful. It gives reminders that it’s important to learn to forgive, and to develop healthy relationships. That love is what makes a real family. Although I have a few minor hang-ups with the story, overall I really enjoyed it and would recommend it.

Thanks to Tor Publishing Group, and NetGalley, for this advance electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rating | 4.25/5 stars

CW | Mentions of physical abuse, not overly detailed.

Is it truly summer until you read the newest magical realism book by Heather Webber? I think not. Every summer this is my most anticipated read. I love magical realism and Heather Webber is a queen writing these books! This is a story of family with just absolutely amazing characters! I loved every minute of this book and I was so sad when it was over. Now the only problem? i have to wait until next summer for the next Heather Webber book! I received an advanced readers copy and all opinions are my own.

Ahoy there me mateys! This was the first book I have read by the author.  I was told it had a magical bakery which is why I picked it up.  Nope.  Turns out it is a small town magical realism type of novel.  The magic is from a fallen star and a group of starlings.  It takes place in the fictional town of Starlight, Alabama.  This book would make a good Hallmark movie.

Starlight, Alabama's claim to fame is the small crater where a star fell.  The crater has an aurora that can grant clarity to the visitor.  The crater is on Aunt Bean's property.  She runs the bakery and her cakes are beloved.  She helped raise Addie and Tessa Jane, two sisters with different mothers, who do not like each other.  When Aunt Bean experiences heart trouble, Addie and Tessa Jane flock to her side.  Old secrets are exposed and lives are changed forever.

This book was a very pleasant and quick read but not my usual fare.  Honestly, the magical realism element was too small for me and I wanted more fantasy elements.  I enjoyed the found family aspect.  I loved the starlings.  I was glad that the romance was not the focus.  I did not enjoy the chapter openings about baking that had platitudes included.

I did think there was a bit too many plot lines and characters.  There were way too many silly town secrets that simple communication would have solved.  While I found Addie and Tessa Jane to be somewhat sympathetic, I was also irritated that they were extremely privileged people who seemed to bring many of their issues on themselves.  The conflicts of this novel were too easily resolved for me.

I am certainly not the target audience for this one.  I do recommend it if small town novels float yer boat.  Arrrr!

3.5 rounded up

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was not the way Addie wanted to be spending her time. Back in her hometown of Starlight, Alabama, with her aunt and half-sister…and all the drama of secrets and lies left behind when she moved away. She finds herself fighting the comfort of being home and the need to run in order to protect secrets she’s sworn to keep. She has no idea her sister is fighting the same. But it’s the things that tie the pair together that mean the most right now – their beloved aunt, the family business, and the land their father left them. Will the magic of Starlight bring them closer together and bring them home? Or will they run away from their pain again?

Heather Webber is the Queen of Magical Realism with previous releases like Midnight at the Blackbird Café and last year’s At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities. Webber’s use of everyday perceived magic and flying friends continues in her latest release A Certain Kind of Starlight. The magical power of a fallen star, an abundance of secrets and drama, and a flock of starlings that watch over them pulls readers into a story of second chances and comeuppance. This is a novel about the power of friendship and family connections, and the beauty of unexpected justice.

I give A Certain Kind of Starlight 5 out of 5 stars. Even though I had a feeling I knew what was coming at the end, this story had me in tears. I love the way Webber crafts female relationships with both strain and closeness, acknowledging the inherent competitiveness and rivalry between the characters, but still making them lovable. One of the reasons I love Webber’s writing is the way she pulls in baking and food, the common thread that ties together communities. With dual points of view of the two main characters, this book gives the reader a full view of each scene.

If you enjoyed At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities, you are going to love this book! This is a great book for readers who are looking for lighter reads with some mystery, magic, and romance. I think this would also make a great book club pick with so much to unpack from each sister’s point of view. With discussions of domestic violence, I do think this would be best directed to readers over the age of 13.

I have loved reading all of Heather Webber’s works and was excited to see A Certain Kind of Starlight available for reading through NetGalley! This beautiful book released this week, just in time for those last-minute summer vacations – this was a quick weekend read for me. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put it down! I know you will enjoy it as much as I did!

When Aunt Bean’s health begins to fail, she invites her nieces Tessa Jane and Addie to come back to town. They may be sisters, but with different mothers, the two never got along. As they come together for their aunt, and with the starlings help however, they begin to see that maybe they aren’t so different after all.

I love Webber’s books because they always contain a slight amount of magic that just brings the book to a new level. I really loved both Tessa Jane and Addie, and I loved following along as they grew throughout the story. There was a lot of sad situations in this book, but in the end my heart was full and I just wanted more.

Thank you to @forgereads for my gifted copy of this book!

All of this author’s books have a touch of mysticism to them. It has a lot of family dynamics in it. Lots of secrets come out. There’s some second chance romance too. I enjoyed the story and was wishing they would share their cake recipes.

Heather Webber’s "A Certain Kind of Starlight" is a luminous tale that effortlessly weaves together the threads of love, loss, and redemption under the enchanting skies of Starlight, Alabama. With this latest novel, Webber has once again demonstrated her mastery in crafting heartwarming stories infused with just the right touch of magical realism, making this book an irresistible read that deserves every one of its five stars.

From the very first page, readers are drawn into the world of Addie Fullbright, a character whose struggle with a secret that has haunted her for twelve years is both poignant and profoundly relatable. Addie’s journey back to her hometown, prompted by her beloved aunt’s illness, is a testament to Webber’s skill in portraying deep, emotional conflicts. Addie’s character is richly developed, making her internal battles and gradual transformation deeply engaging.

Equally compelling is Tessa Jane, whose own life is in turmoil following a series of personal setbacks. Tessa Jane’s struggle to find herself amidst the chaos and her eventual realization that falling apart can lead to rising stronger is depicted with a tender authenticity. The parallel journeys of Addie and Tessa Jane are beautifully interwoven, creating a narrative that is both heart-wrenching and uplifting.

The town of Starlight itself, with its quaint charm and the ever-present magic in its starlit skies, becomes a character in its own right. Webber’s prose brings this setting to life in vivid detail, allowing readers to feel the warmth of the bakery, the comfort of familiar faces, and the subtle enchantment that pervades the town.

One of the standout aspects of "A Certain Kind of Starlight" is Webber’s adept use of magical realism. The subtle, magical elements are woven seamlessly into the story, enhancing the emotional depth without overshadowing the very real human experiences at its core. This blend of the fantastical with the everyday creates a sense of wonder and hope, reminding readers that sometimes the most profound truths are found in the most unexpected places.

Ultimately, "A Certain Kind of Starlight" is a story about the power of secrets, the pain of loss, and the incredible strength it takes to forgive and move forward. It’s about finding magic in the mundane and learning to trust oneself even when the path ahead is uncertain. The characters are well-developed and relatable, making their journeys resonate long after the last page is turned.

Heather Webber has delivered a novel that is both enchanting and deeply human, a perfect blend of heart and magic that is hard to let go of. For anyone seeking a story that will touch their heart and soul, "A Certain Kind of Starlight" is a must-read. This book will make you believe in the magic of second chances and the starlight within us all.

I adore Heather Webber’s writing. Her characters are complex and feel like they could be your best friend or neighbor. She writes small town settings you want to visit!
The story centers on two sisters, Addie and Tessa Jane. Both are back in town to care for their beloved aunt Verbeana. Starlight is filled with endearing characters, including a precocious young girl and some sweet animals. The story explores family and that family is so much more than genetics. Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy via NetGalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Rating: 4.5 Stars

Both Addie and Tessa Jane returned home when their Aunt Bean fell ill. This town that they fled will become their sanctuary, their "home", and a place of healing for them both.

Webber has quickly become an auto-read author for me because her stories never fail to warm my heart and make me happy. This small town tale was packed with lovable characters, amazing baked goods, tons of family secrets, and a little touch of magic. These elements were blended together in a way that produced a wonderful reading experience for me.

There were so many things I loved.
- Fierce female friendships
- Lots of strong women
- A solid family focus
- A bit of romance
- SO MANY SECRETS
- An interesting family history
- The mending of relationships

The relationships probably shined the most for me because I wanted the sisters to reconcile, and Aunt Bean just really loved those two with her whole heart. I could just feel the love. I also adored the introductions to each chapter. They read as baking tips from Aunt Bean, but there were life lessons hidden in each and every one of those tips.

Overall, this was a beautiful story of family, love, and healing. It was about finding your people and your "home". It was about making up for lost time and embracing all the moments we have. It's about setting your eyes on the future and finding what makes you happy. It was a book that touched my heart and made me smile, and to me, that's a wonderful thing.

Addie Fullbright left Starlight 12 years ago leaving behind her family and the man she loved so she wouldn't reveal her best friend's deathbed secret. Now she's back because her beloved aunt is ill and needs help running the family bakery. She's also facing her half sister Tessa Jane, whose existence is the reason her parents' marriage ended. Together after so many years, Tessa Jane and Addie finally learn that there is truly magic in the land that they share (and will inherit together on Tessa Jane's 25th birthday which will occur while Addie is home) and in the their relationship - and it may be enough to keep them both in Starlight and building something wonderful together.

For me, this rang very much like a Sarah Addison Allen novel - it mixed food and magical realism and for me if you mix those two elements I am absolutely going to read it. Honestly it didn't quite pull me in as much as an Allen book but it was still a cute and sweet read. I think however, I was looking for a bit more, I didn't feel that I got to know any one character on a deeper level since there were so many POVs and storylines there wasn't an opportunity to get too deep into any one of them. I would have liked a bit more complexity in the story and in the characters themselves. However it still kept me entertained and the audio was great to listen to, especially while cooking.

3.75 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Forge books for the ARC to review

3.75 stars

Heather Webber is--and has been for a while--one of my absolute favorite, go-to authors. And for good reason.

As a lover of romance, I can say that her books aren't overly-romantic. That should speak to how much they captivate me. Webber doesn't need all the romance for her stories to hold my attention. 

A Certain Kind of Starlight is told from the viewpoints of Tessa Jane and Addie; estranged sisters who have their love of their quirky Aunt Bean in common. Growing up, they weren't close because Tessa Jane was the result of an affair between their shared father, and Tessa Jane's mother, Henrietta. 


While there's not a ton of romance in this, it is a love story. Just a love story between sisters, between aunt and nieces, mothers and daughters, and even friends. 

As with Webber's other novels, she uses magical realism--usually in the form of magic animals--to help tell this story. And I'm so in love with her style. 

Every part of this story was beautiful... And just know that with Webber, there's always a happy ending--albeit sometimes bittersweet--there's beauty found in the ordinary, and true appreciation of what it means to be family. 

I loved this book to pieces. I haven't read a book by Heather Webber that wasn't just simply... AMAZING.

This is my second book by this author and I tried to like her books but have realized she just isn't for me. I loved the premise but the execution fell flat and I found I had the same issues as I did with At the Coffee Shop of Curiosities , it is more chick-lit than magical realism. Too much Hallmark movie and not enough magic. This should have been right up my alley, a southern bakery location and a plot with a bit of magic. I found it to be more along the lines of a soap opera. I hate tropes with lack of communication and big secrets, it frustrates the hell out of me. Like just grow up, keep a secret if you promise to and get on with your life. You're a grown-ass woman stop saying you'll let it out by accident.

There are too many characters and we don't focus on just one or two long enough to get to know them. We meet everybody in the whole damn town and their brother. I just didn't click with any of the characters, even the two main ones. Everything was spread too thin and felt watered down. The entire thing bored me to tears. The pacing was just so damn slow and I know that's how they do things in the south but I dreaded picking this book up and it took me a long time to finish. The characters seemed two-dimensional, flat if you will. The ending felt very rushed and all too tidy for my liking.

I did appreciate that romance was not at the forefront of the plot and I loved how each chapter started with a baking hack and a bit of wisdom from Verbena. The recipes and discussions of making the cakes made me hungry and I swear I gained ten pounds just reading about them. If you like sickly sweet, heartwarming stories with a lot of characters, this book may be for you.

4 stars. This is the first novel I've read by Heather Webber and I very much enjoyed it.

A Certain Kind of Starlight is a story full of magical realism and small town Southern charm. It's so easy to love Addie and Tessa Jane and I was fully invested as they navigated family struggles, heartbreak, and second chances. The story revolves around these two characters getting back to their roots with a little help from their Aunt Bean (whose baking advice at the very beginning of each chapter is so sweet and entertaining). There are a few antagonists that bring about twists of drama, as well as several lovable side characters that are full of good advice, banter, and sisterhood. I especially enjoyed the air of mystery that was woven throughout the storyline and I am *still* thinking about the final chapter of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.