I enjoyed this sweet, dual timeline story about the century-old rollerskating rink that binds together a small beach town in the Florida Panhandle. The 1930’s timeline brings drama and depth through the Depression and mob storylines; the 1987 timeline brings its own drama, but also lightness and humor, through the budding relationship between the A-list actor/ hometown boy and the once famous supermodel, who have each come to this small beach town for healing. When the skating rink faces demolition, the town comes together to attempt to save it. All along the way, a mural of the mysterious Immanuel watches over the happenings inside the rink that has brought the town together for over a century, and reminds those who know Him that God is always with us.

What works for me and what doesn’t:
Rachel Hauck has written well-developed, fleshed-out characters. I loved Harlow’s spunk and humor, Matt’s charm and self-deprecation, and Tuesday’s grit and faithful moral compass. I even enjoyed Hauck’s “bad guys,” the pushy town mayor, the mother who forced her own unrealized dreams on her daughter, and the slimy theater owner. And then there’s poor misguided Leroy, whose desire to give his young family a better life leads him to choose a shady mob-life away from them, leaving his young wife to raise two sons alone while running the very skating rink that brings everyone else together. In each storyline, we do get a satisfying story of redemption.

And while I appreciate the repeated emphasis on the truth that Immanuel is God with us and that His presence with us means we don’t need to fear or be anxious, it perplexed me that worship itself had no role in this story. The town drunk plays hymns on the rink organ after he’s born again and is referenced as attending church; a family friend occasionally reads from Psalms and Proverbs in the evening; there are a few mentions of praying. But actual worship of the God Who is with us has no role in this story.

Christian fiction carries a burden of being Truthful yet engaging, declaring the Goodness of faith in Christ while at the same time not being “preachy” or “pedantic.” When done well, it draws us to seek a deeper relationship with the Lord and grow in obedience to what pleases Him. When the author misses the mark, we have to be careful with our take-aways. I thoroughly enjoyed Meet Me at the Starlight for its storylines; I feel the need to be careful with the hopefully unintended take-away that we can have a relationship with the Lord apart from worshiping Him regularly together in community with other believers.

3.5 stars, rounds up to 4.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read the Advanced Copy.

4.5 stars

“We’ve seen what man can do, now let’s see what God can do.”

I was a child of the 80s and spent many a Friday night roller skating to “Walk Like an Egyptian” (why was that a roller skating song?) and various other popular songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s while rocking (or so I thought) a fluorescent colored tshirt, jeans, and a side ponytail that doubled as a lethal weapon. So the fact that Meet Me at the Starlight is set around a roller skating rink – and its ‘present day’ timeline takes place in the 80s – had me feeling all the nostalgia. (One lone mention of “The Locomotion” and I was instantly transported back to junior high gym class, stumbling awkwardly through the grapevine every. single. year.)

At the center of this story, which also includes a timeline that covers the 1930s, the second World War, and even the 1960s, are Tuesday Knight (yep, that’s her name and honestly, it’s a perfect name for the caretaker of a skating rink, isn’t it?), the Starlight itself, and the quaint town of Sea Blue Beach (whose origin story is classic Rachel Hauck – a shipwrecked prince & the supernatural work of Jesus). And even though the Starlight is an almost magical setting, an endearing character in its own right that I think you’ll love as much as I did, that’s all just the foundation for the stories really being told in this moving novel.

At its core Meet Me at the Starlight is less about a skating rink and more about finding peace in the only Prince who can truly supply it. Tuesday needs that kind of peace in each of the timelines we see her through. Her grandson Matt (a swoony Hollywood actor with a heart of gold but a habit of making foolish decisions) needs it to heal the cause of his self-sabotaging tendencies. His former costar Harlow Hayes needs it to recover from a broken heart, a broken career, and a broken self-image. Heck, the whole town of Sea Blue Beach needs it, even the smarmy council member you’ll want to purse whomp almost immediately (an urge that only gets stronger as the story progresses, let me assure you).

Meet Me at the Starlight is also – much to my delight – a story of true love. And not just the really sweet & spark-filled romance that simmers between Matt and Harlow (though of course I was a big fan of that part of the story, especially when the kissing commences). It’s about flawed, imperfect characters who hurt each other and break promises and let us down and sometimes take responsibility for the pain but sometimes not. A mother and daughter. A husband and wife. Best friends. The person you’re falling in love with. And into those broken relationships comes the God who loves you and me so much that He sent His Son to ransom us, even when we think He’s let us down too. I thought each of these themes – peace and true love – were so timely for our current world and my own current life situation, and Hauck weaves them into the fabric of the story so it doesn’t come across as preachy or forced but also wouldn’t be the same story without them.

Bottom Line: Lace up your roller skates, tease your bangs, and Meet Me at the Starlight in this multidimensional novel that will engage all your emotions! Whether we were waiting with Tuesday for her husband to come home or holding our breath to see if the Starlight could be saved, I thought each timeline was so well-layered and poignant and drew me in just as much as the other. The characters are layered with depth and flaws, and every reader will find one they can personally relate to. Fun nostalgia and moments of humor and romance kept me smiling even as I also shed a few tears. If you’re a fan of Hauck’s The Wedding Chapel or her True Blue Royal series, then you’ll definitely want to read Meet Me at the Starlight! Also perfect for fans of Amanda Cox, Amanda Dykes, and Katie Powner.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book

This is a dual-timeline set in Sea Blue Beach, Florida where we first meet Tuesday Knight in 1932, who is raising two boys while her husband is gone for long stretches of time. She takes over the running of the Starlight roller rink. In the second timeline set in 1987 Tuesday is now in her 80s and we meet her grandson, Matt Knight, who is a Hollywood actor and returns home to help his grandmother save the roller rink from being torn down. Matt reconnects with Harlow Hayes who was a model but went into hiding after a relationship breakup went south. I enjoyed getting to know these three characters and following them as they work together to save the rink, learn to deal with their struggles and watch a romance develop between Matt and Harlow. Over the course of the story we get to know what Tuesday's has gone through between 1932 and 1987, I felt like I really got to know her. There were some funny laugh out loud moments throughout. The faith thread is fairly light and there is one scene that I really did not like and struggled with believing that could happen. Overall I enjoyed these characters and was both invested in what was going to happen to the rink and the possible romance.

I typically have enjoyed books by this author, though I liked her previous book about a summer camp less than some of her others. I really enjoyed the story and the nostalgia therein. I found myself really invested in saving the Starlight! Also truly enjoyed the split timelines and the historical aspects. I feel like I always learn from historical fiction!

I received this book from the publisher via net galley in exchange for an honest review. Four stars!

I LOVE a good dual-timeline book and this one was so well-done!

In Rachel’s book, we meet Tuesday Knight—mother, grandmother, and owner of Sea Blue Beach’s crowning jewel, the Starlight. It a skating rink that’s been around since the town was founded and has served as a safe haven for Tuesday and tons of other residents of their small Florida town.

But this jewel isn’t treasured by all. When town officials decide to modernize Sea Blue Beach, the Starlight’s—and Tuesday’s—future is jeopardized. With the help of her grandson, actor Matt Knight; supermodel-turned-regular gal, Harlow Hayes; and a handful of townsfolk, can Tuesday save the Starlight from the wrecking ball?

I really enjoyed seeing Tuesday’s life back in the 30s and learning about she connection to the Starlight and how she acquired it. The dual timeline lended to the story set in the 80s making more sense and being more meaningful.

This had a bit of everything—fun, nostalgia, depth, loss and grief, reconciliation, and sweet romance. The one thing that was a bit confusing for me was the faith element, but that didn’t dampen my overall enjoyment of the book!

If you’re looking for a clean summer read to add to your stack, check this one out!

I really loved this book! The romance was amazing and the female main character was very well written and i could not put this book down!

I loved the idea of this book, even though I hadn't initially realised it was classed as Christian Fiction, which isn't usually my go-to genre, but it was a very mild reference.

I really enjoy dual timeline storylines, which this was, and especially loved Tuesday's storyline of how she came to own and run the Starlight, which is now under threat of demolition. She was such a resilient and caring character and had put up with so much in her life, you just wanted her to have a happy ending.

The current timeline of supermodel Harlow and actor Matt wasn't as appealing to me, although they worked hard to save the Starlight and grew on me in the second half of the book.

What really irritated me though was how Harlow constantly referred to herself in the third person as 'Harlow Hayes', i.e. Harlow Hayes should take a shower, etc., and also the fact that she had let herself go and was wallowing two years after the split with her (waste of space) fiance!! I found her beyond irritating at this point, and started skipping pages. Her bossy mother ran her life and her father just kept out of things to keep the peace. She was an adult but didn't seem to act like one.

So I really struggled with the first half of the book, but it did get better in the second half when everyone started fighting for the survival of the Starlight, which did sound like a lovely place.

Many thanks to the author, Bethany House Publishers and Netgalley for a chance to read and review this book.

This was a charming multi-generational story that spanned decades, all centering around The Starlight.

Told in multiple POVs (including Sea Blue Beach, which was interesting), we get to watch the story unfold as Tuesday Knight tended to the beloved skating rink, and Harlow Hayes and Matt Knight found themselves because of it.

A testament to resilience and strength, family and love. I also really liked the character development, especially Harlow's.

There were faith elements woven into it that could have been better presented. But overall an enjoyable read!

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for the ARC of Meet Me at the Starlight by Rachel Hauck. All opinions are my own.

Meet Me at the Starlight is a historical fiction story that spans decades and weaves together the stories of Tuesday Knight and her grandson Matt.

From a young age, The Starlight, a roller-skating rink that is the heart of Sea Blue Beach, has been Tuesday’s entire world. Now that the roller-skating craze is coming to an end, the town wants to tear down the rink in the name of progress. Matt, a famous actor who’s gotten himself in trouble, has decided to come home and help save The Starlight with the help of washed-up model Harlow Hayes.

This story contains dual timelines that start in the 1930s and end in the 1980s. There are multiple points of view throughout the book including Tuesday (past and present), Matt, Harlow, and even some chapters from the view of the town. This book really tells the story of family, community, and learning to love yourself.

I overall enjoyed this book. As a romantic at heart, I preferred the chapters that took place in the 1980s because I liked reading more about Matt and Harlow’s friendship and eventual relationship. The chapters set in the past for Tuesday weren’t bad, but they were also quite depressing considering all of the hardships she faced.

The character growth was beautiful to see throughout the story. I especially liked how Harlow learned to accept herself the way she was not who she was in the past or who her mother wanted her to be.

There were some moments (like Matt on TV) that seemed really weird to me. I also thought the way the author included Immanuel was very strange. It was like she was trying to secretly include Jesus in a way that made Him seem weird and not at all how Jesus really is. Also, the fact that Tuesday was obsessed with The Starlight to the point that it became her idol, really took away from the storyline with Immanuel.

Overall, I liked this story and how it was multi-generational. It was beautiful at times, but I would’ve liked it better had there not been weird moments that pulled me out of the story. I would recommend it though!

I have read almost every book Rachel Hauck has written and I'm never disappointed! Rachel has a way of pulling her readers in from page one and not letting us go until the end. I didn't want to put this book down.I thought the characters and this story were well written and enjoyable. I loved the 80's references and music. It's always nice to have nostalgic moments in a book. This book will give you humor, heart, family secrets, faith, forgiveness and small town clean romance. If you love any of those tropes please pick this book up. I would highly recommend this book. I also recommend any of her other books as well.

Thank you NetGalley and Bethany House | Bethany House Publishers for allowing me to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Meet me at the Starlight is a dual timeline story set in the small town of Sea Blue Beach, FL in the 1930/40’s and the 1980’s. There are three main characters, Tuesday, Harlow and Matt who want to save the Starlight skating rink. Matt is Tuesday’s grandson and a famous Hollywood actor. Harlow is a former supermodel trying to put her life back together after a devastating breakup. Tuesday is the owner of the Starlight and her entire life is connected to it. It took me a few chapters to get into the story but then I couldn’t read fast enough. This book has humor and heart, fun 80’s references and music, a message of faith and forgiveness mixed with family secrets. Small town, clean romance fans will adore this one.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and voluntarily given.

4.5 stars
Beautiful story!

"Too handsome for anyone's good, she'd fallen in love with him the moment he asked her to skate. He'd just returned from the war, and her friends whispered 'He's trouble.' But Tuesday Morrow did not care."

A fabulous page-turner! I enjoyed going back and forth between past and present storylines, and really enjoyed so many of the characters. This is a story of family, hardships, war, loss, second chances, and how sometimes on life's journey things take a while to make sense. Immanuel, God is with us references helped more than one person in this tale.

Tuesday Morrow Knight is such a strong woman, who raised her two sons, and kept the Starlight skating rink going all these years, despite her difficult childhood and marriage. Her past and present moments kept me turning pages! And she's still skating at 87! Love her handsome and kind grandson Matthew Knight.

Harlow Hayes, named the Most Beautiful Woman in the World is struggling through financial loss and the loss of who she thought was the love of her life. "Food was more than her solace. It was a late-in-life rebellion." "You need to get off your duff, take control of your life, and stop letting someone else drag your heart around."

I really enjoyed this beautiful story and highly recommend it!

Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read a copy. All opinions are my own.

SPLIT-TIME SMALL-TOWN BEACH STORY

Award-winning and best-selling author Rachel Hauck is well-known for her split-time and clean romances. Her newest release, Meet Me at the Starlight, is a beautiful display of her skills in writing this type of genre. Hauck takes readers on the adventures of three generations of one family centered around their beloved Starlight Skating Rink. The Starlight is almost a character itself as it played a significant role in the lives of everyone in the small town of Sea Blue Beach, FL, through the decades in this story, starting in the 1930s and then in the 1940s and WWII, and then the 1980s. Tuesday is the matriarch and the owner of the Starlight. Hauck tells her story through the decades, but she also tells it through the lives of her husband and children, and then split-time through her grandson, movie star Matt, and newcomer and movie star Harlow Hayes. The Starlight is where everyone in town has their special memories. A fast-talking shyster tries his best to take the Starlight through eminent domain. With Matt and Harlowe’s help and the help of many long-time residents of Sea Blue Beach, can Tuesday devise a plan to save the Starlight?

I found this book to be a fascinating read. It took me a little while to get into it, but I was very invested in the characters and wanted to learn the rest of their story. I recommend this split-time small-town beach story.

Bethany House Publishers and NetGalley provided me with a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own and without influence.

“Meet me at the Starlight” has been the catchphrase for the residents of Sea Blue Beach for decades. When progress threatens to destroy this beloved roller skating rink, its true value emerges. Told in split-time, Meet Me at the Starlight tells of both the joy and sorrow that come with loving in spite of the cost, and it illustrates the power of faith and forgiveness to not only change hearts and lives, but also destinies—earthly and eternal. A beautiful reminder that through it all, Immanuel really is the God with us. (P.S. If your weekends were spent rollering around the rink, you’ll especially love all the nostalgic reminders in this one!)

*Thank you to NetGalley and Bethany House for the complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

4.5 stars.

4.5 stars.

Meet Me at the Starlight by Rachel Hauck is a delightful novel of resilience, new beginnings and love.

In 1987, Supermodel Harlow Hayes is at the lowest point in her life. Still reeling from a two-year-old break up, she has abandoned her career. With a coveted contract within reach, Harlow moves to Sea Blue Beach in an attempt to get her life back on track. An unexpected meeting with former co-star Matt Knight provides an unanticipated opportunity to help his granny save her beloved skating rink.

After a public fall from grace, Matt heeds his granny’s request to come home to Sea Blue Beach. With progress threatening the Starlight, time is not on his family’s side. But Matt rises to the occasion and soon he and Harlow are working with friends to prevent the Starlight’s demise.

During the Depression, Tuesday Knight is raising two sons, helping those in need and running the Starlight. Her husband, Leroy, is mixed up in troubling activities and he ignores her pleas to stay in Sea Blue Beach. Tuesday is resilient in the face of adversity and always manages to keep food on the table and a roof over their head. When her livelihood is once again threatened in 1987, Tuesday is grateful for help in saving the Starlight.

All of the characters are richly developed and dealing with personal problems. Harlow is still mourning the loss of her relationship and struggling with to make decisions for herself professionally. Matt is sometimes his own worse enemy because of his self-destructive decisions. Tuesday is an admirable woman with an altruistic heart and a deep connection to the Starlight.

Meet Me at the Starlight is a charming novel that is quite engaging. The characters are realistic and easy to relate to. Rachel Hauck’s descriptive prose brings Sea Blue Beach and the Starlight brilliantly to life. The Starlight is an integral part of the two story arcs that seamlessly weave together a beautiful story of second chances and love.

Welcome to Sea Blue Beach. The centerpiece of this Florida panhandle town is the Starlight. This roller skating mecca was built by the Prince of Lauchtenland and blessed by Immanuel. Freed slaves were integral partners through the generations.

Two timelines are featured with Tuesday Knight anchoring both. Then begins in 1932 when Tuesday, husband Leroy are regulars at the Starlight. When it becomes her own, she labors to keep the Starlight a town fixture and source of community. In 1987, her grandson Matt is a Hollywood leading man with personal demons. He comes home to heal and help his grandmother save the roller rink from being swallowed up by town developers. Also in town for a needed reset is Harlow Hayes -- once declared the world's most beautiful -- now eating her feelings and wondering how to turn back the clock. The two will bond on roller skates and the distribution of town petitions.
Can they save the Starlight? Finding the deed will become a key component. Even the town of Sea Blue (with its own intermittent voice) knows exactly what is at stake.

This read was entertaining and inspiring. I have fond memories of Friday nights at the local roller rink. My mom had her own skates that I would borrow (I left the pompoms at home) and circle the rink during All Skates. The school our boys attended had some skating fundraisers also and I loved getting out there again for the freedom of rolling around to songs like YMCA. If the Starlight were read, I would have you meet me there.

Thank you to Bethany House and NetGalley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

"Maybe what appears to be random events or accidents is just part of the journey to our destiny."

Rachel Hauck has such a talent for fusing two separate timelines and making a setting as much of a character as the people within her stories! Meet Me at the Starlight was an ode to skating culture, a love letter of compassion, and an encouragement in knowing that God is with us. I loved how we saw the Starlight withstand the test of time, war, and economic hardships for its hometown. Not to mention the love between Matt and Harlowe was just *sigh*.

This book was pure nostalgia in so many ways for me. First, because reading Rachel's books always feels like coming home. I read her 'How to Catch a Prince' series forever ago, and she is really my introduction to Christian fiction/romance. Secondly, my own hometown area has recently revamped the skating rink where I grew up. This place was nearly in ruins, but recognizing the need for a place for community, someone new bought it and has been restoring it. And while the Midwest may not be Hollywood, I still love that it made this story more personal for me.

This split-time book explores love and loss weighed against ambition and relationships. The story is told from multiple character perspectives, alternating between the 1930s and the 1980s. I think multiple timelines can be difficult to do well because they are often a story within a story and so you sacrifice one for the sake of another. But Rachel proves why she is the queen and a bestseller, by investing the reader in both. The shifting between sorrow and joy in both storylines is expertly done, building toward a beautiful climax... will there be love in the end and will the Starlight survive?

You don't want to miss this gorgeous tale and experiencing the nostalgia for yourself!

Meet Me at the Starlight is the latest novel by Rachel Hauck. The story alternates between 1932 with Tuesday Knight and 1987 with Harlow Hayes as well as Tuesday’s grandson, Matt. Tuesday was my favorite character. Tuesday has a big heart and an abiding faith. She loves her family and the skating rink, the Starlight. I enjoyed the references to the skating rink. When I was a teen (in the 80s), it was the place to go on Friday and Saturday nights with friends. I could not believe the mayor and other bigwigs wanted to tear down a town landmark in the name of progress (aka money). I thought Harlow’s storyline paled in comparison to Tuesday’s. I thought Harlow was wishy washy (she needed to grow a backbone). Personally, I wish the story had focused on Tuesday and the Starlight. I loved the 1980s references. The author captured the eighties including the way women had to look (thin was in—I am talking size 0). I struggled with the first sixty percent of the book, but I enjoyed the last part. I like how everything turned how except one tiny detail (I wish I could say what it is, but it would be a spoiler). Meet Me at the Starlight is a story about second chances, faith, romance, finding yourself, and fighting to save the Starlight.

I loved this dual timeline novel set in both the 1930s and the 1980s. It was such an immersive novel that took me back to my childhood and time spent at a roller rink. Ahhh those were the days.

This is great summer read!