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!

Supermodel Harlow Hayes comes to the small coastal town of Sea Blue Beach to escape the limelight, and is surprised to find actor Matt Knight in town working to help his grandmother save the town's beloved roller skating rink.

A sweet small town romance, with big stars. Both Harlow and Matt are looking for a new start in Sea Blue Beach, and have made their share of mistakes, and I enjoyed getting to know Tuesday through the alternating POVs.

An engaging read, perfect for fans of Hallmark movies, and sweet romances. Strong character development throughout, as well as a picturesque smalltown setting. I loved Tuesday's determination to hold onto the Starlight.

Overall, an heartwarming romance set in a small town, with great characters, with light faith themes. A quick fun read, with little tie-ins to previous books by this author.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Meet Me at the Starlight is a historical novel set at Sea Blue Beach, Florida, and told in two timelines. In 1932 Tuesday Knight is given the deed to the Starlight, a beautiful Art Deco roller skating rink. She is struggling with a troubled marriage and raising two teenage sons. In 1987, Harlow Hayes is a supermodel who has gained weight and is out of the modeling field - but trying to get back in. She retreats to the cottage she owned in Sea Blue Beach with her ex-fiance. There she meets Tuesday's grandson, Matt, an actor who grew up in the area. Tuesday, Matt, and Harlow end up working together to save the Starlight when it is threatened by developers.

I wanted to read this novel because I have enjoyed previous Rachel Hauck reads. I found the beach setting appealing, and loved the idea of an old fashioned skating rink!

This is leisurely read, good for summer. Surprisingly, I found myself more interested in Harlow's story than the 1930's story with Tuesday. Tuesday's husband didn't deserve her (and he was involved in some very sketchy business) and I kept just wanting her to leave him during the 1930's part of the novel. That said, I loved the setting at the old skating rink, the main characters of Tuesday, Harlow, and Matt, and the uplifting message about second chances.

I recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys historical fiction with an inspirational message, and especially for anyone who also enjoys beach reads and small town settings.

I enjoyed reading Meet Me at the Starlight, a split time novel set in a small beach town in North Florida. The Starlight is a historic roller skating rink that was built by a European Prince. His yacht was shipwrecked in the Gulf of Mexico and the prince spent many years in Sea Blue Beach.

Tuesday is the character who links the different timelines together. She’s a strong woman who didn’t have an easy life and survived the hardships of the Great Depression and two world wars.

The Starlight is an important landmark in town and is like a character in the story. The historic skating rink plays a pivotal role in Tuesday’s life. The 1980’s storyline is focused on saving the Starlight from being demolished by developers.

I loved the sweet romance between 1980’s movie star Matt and supermodel Harlow. Their meet cute when they first recognised each other in town was adorable and hilarious. Matt and Harlow had previously crossed paths in Hollywood. They both had past hurts and complicated relationship histories to overcome and work through during the story.

I recommend Meet Me at the Starlight to readers who like split time women’s fiction with a romantic subplot and subtle faith threads woven into the story.

Many thanks to Bethany House and Net Galley for the advanced reader copy.

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

Rachel Hauck indeed has a gift of fusing two storylines and worlds together seamlessly to create a heart-wrenching yet redemptive story. This particular story is part flashback of Tuesday's past in 1930s and 1940s and part Tuesday, Matt, and Harlow's intertwined narrative in 1987. There was also an interesting first person omniscient voice in present tense throughout the storyline, which could have been the town of Sea Blue Beach itself or even possibly Immanuel.

I loved learning about the roller skating culture and how Starlight withstood time, war, and economic hardships to be the beacon for the town. I didn't skate while growing up but now wish I had spent more time at the rink learning how to roller skate.
I loved Matt and his charm, loyalty, compassion, and stardom, though he had plenty of faults. Harlow was completely relatable and I loved watching her break free from self-pity and doubt to let her strong, brave, beautiful self shine. Tuesday's faith was incredible and she modeled what true perseverance and strength look like.

It's another perfect summer read from Rachel Hauck. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Bethany House via Interviews and Reviews and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

Meet Me at the Starlight is a dual timeline story, going back and forth between the 1930s and 1980s. Dual timelines can be hit or miss for me, as I sometimes find that one timeline can fall short for me, but I found this one drew me in equally to both, especially as the story went on. The story centers around a skating rink- The Starlight- and I loved that because the timelines aren't too far separated, we actually get to see Tuesday through different stages in her life... that added so much depth to her character and really made me appreciate her and the story all that much more. The characters were imperfect and made their fair share of mistakes, but I enjoyed their growth throughout the story. Skating was one of my favorite things as a child, so I definitely enjoyed the setting for this one too... and while the more recent timeline took place only the year I was born, I definitely enjoyed catching some eighties references throughout as well. (I'm sure this will be even more nostalgic to those old enough to remember it firsthand!) There was a good message of faith and community, and I found the story to be very enjoyable.

I will say there was a big emphasis on Harlow's weight within her story... which is fitting, given her career as a supermodel and the time it takes place. I do appreciate very much how it all turns out in the end, but this could be slightly triggering for some readers.

**I received a complimentary copy via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Many reviews have already told the essence of this story which centers around a town's efforts to save its beloved roller-skating rink from demolition, so I'll skip that but say I enjoyed the book quite a bit.
I like dual-time stories when they are well-done and overall, I felt like this one was. Sometimes I was a little confused as to where we were, but it could have been because it was an e-book and perhaps not yet ready for general release. Many dual-time books I have read are generations apart; in this one, the roller-rink owner, Tuesday Knight, was young in the earlier time and a grandmother in the second time. I enjoyed seeing the two different times of her life, each with its own challenges and joys, along with her own personal growth across the years.

Harlow, the broken-hearted model who went to spend some time at her cottage in Blue Sea Beach, where the roller-rink was located, had her own share of rough life situations, and her growth processes in terms of her weight issues, her relationship with her over-bearing mother, and her relationship with Matt were well-done and encouraging.

There is a fairly thin faith-thread running through the story which was a little odd at one point, and could have been a bit more obvious, but given that this is published by Bethany House I was glad to see a spiritual aspect at all.

This is my first read by this author, and while I don't love her writing style I would definitely recommend it!

this was such a fun story that included strong dual timelines - the 30’s and the 80’s. I loved this aspect so much because I don’t know why, but I’m obsessed with stories set in the 30’s, and this one definitely hit the mark!

Matt and Harlow were both very admirable characters - as well as Tuesday, the owner of Starlight. This had such fun elements and a warm, nostalgic feel & HEA. I loved the setting the most; it acted as its own character in a way, which was super unique and well-done 🛼✨
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 // 4.5 stars

"Eighties supermodel Harlow Hayes seeks solace in a quaint Florida beach town to hide and heal from a heartbreak that shattered her entire world. To her surprise, she encounters Matt Knight - a Hollywood A-lister with a bad-boy reputation - who has returned to his hometown to help his plucky grandmother, Tuesday, save her century-old skating rink, the Starlight.

The Starlight holds a special place in the hearts of the community, once acting as a refuge for Depression-era families and bringing the town together with gatherings and celebrations. Tuesday's determination and resilience even protected her beloved rink from her husband's shady business dealings. Yet when the Starlight is threatened with demolition, Tuesday may not be able to stop it.

As Matt and Harlow plot with Tuesday to save the Starlight, they find themselves on a journey of surprises, self-discovery, and the kind of healing that leads to love.

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Hauck weaves a heartfelt tale of romance, perseverance, and the enduring power of community."

Damn, I miss skating rinks.

Meet Me at the Starlight is the newest release by Rachel Hauck for 2024. Rachel Hauck is always a great choice for a contemporary novel with a historical touch. In this latest novel we travel back to two time periods--the 1980s (present) where we find Matt Knight and Harlow Hayes...and then travel from the 20s forward with Tuesday's story. The book's focal point is the amazing Starlight roller skating rink. We see the connection Tuesday has it from the early days in her life to the 80s when she's in her own 80s and facing the loss of the beautiful memory filled building.

This is a journey into what it means to be loved. Harlow has to make that journey. Matt makes that journey. and Tuesday makes that journey. Along the way the three of them will experience the illusive Immanuel and learn what the Starlight means to each of them.

I enjoyed the random third party experience of the story through the "eyes" of the town itself.

This one had a lot of good answers. It dealt with the crazy diet obsession of the 1980s. Eating disorders.

I think I preferred the author's previous book The Best Summer of Our Lives over this one. It definitely touched me more than this one did. But this one is still a great one and brought me memories of how much we loved our roller skating parties in school! I also just happen to love roller skating in general.

4 stars on this story.

*I was given a complimentary copy of the ARC by the publisher and NetGalley. I wasn't required to write a positive review and all opinions are 100% my own.

Rachel Hauck is back with another winner!

I've read a few celebrity romance-themed books lately, and wasn't really a fan of them. This one is a pleasant change to that--I enjoyed it immensely! The characters are endearing (except for maybe Leroy, lol), and I really hope Hauck sets more books in Sea Blue Beach. There are more stories there for sure!

Hauck vividly brought to life the struggles of each era, including the Great Depression, life between two different world wars, the rising supermodel era of the 1980s, and more. I appreciated watching the Sea Blue Beach community come together across times of challenge and hardship.

With multiple narrators across several decades, it sometimes took me a second to make the mental switch and catch up with a given storyline, but Hauck did it well. I also enjoyed that she looped in characters and places from another of her book series--not that I can remember which series that was off the top of my head, but she does mention it in the author note at the end!

The read definitely made me want to pull out my Rollerblades. :) (I was a child of the '90s, after all--and I also appreciated the extra ankle support the blades give versus the skates!)

I received an eARC of the book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

It took me a little while to sort out all the characters in this three generational story, but it was worth figuring it all out. I loved most of the characters (there are some that aren’t lovable, but they drive the plot along, so we’ve got to put up with them), and thoroughly enjoyed all the plot twists, the history of the Starlight, and the romances involved. There’s a fun tie in with another of Hauck’s series. I think you’ll enjoy this quirky and nostalgic story too.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own." #MeetMeattheStarlight #NetGalley

As always Rachel Hauck does not disappoint.... she constructs an engaging plot with a strong heroine. I particularly liked the overarching subplot of a God who will provide!

1932—Tuesday Knight has her hands full raising two rambunctious boys during the Great Depression. If her husband Leroy would stay home, they could find ways to survive. Instead, Leroy disappears for weeks and months at a time. Tuesday has no idea where he goes or what he does, but since he won’t tell her, she figures it’s probably not legal.

This time, when he comes home, he brings her the deed to the Starlight—the skating rink built by a prince from a tiny foreign country. A prince who washed up on the shore when his yacht wrecked. The prince who claimed Malachi Nickle, a freed slave, and Immanuel, a mysterious stranger, saved him from certain death. Prince Blue saved Tuesday in turn, giving her a room and a job at the Starlight when her grandma abandoned her.

1987—Harlow Hayes, supermodel and most beautiful woman in the world, has spent the last two years eating herself into oblivion. It all started when her fiancé dumped her and returned to his ex-wife. Harlow became the butt of late-night talk show jokes and scandal rags. It didn’t help that her overbearing, micromanaging mom wouldn’t leave her alone, either. All her life, Harlow has carried the heavy burden of her mother’s dreams, and at 29, the weight just might kill her.

In a move that shocks everyone, including herself, Harlow decides to move into the house her ex-fiancé gave her in the quaint town of Sea Blue Beach, Florida. A possible modeling contract has come up, and Harlow would rather recover from her two-year slumber in solitude than retreat to her parent’s house.

Harlow hopes the town will let her live anonymously as she sheds the pounds and works through her angst. Unfortunately, Matt Knight, the star of the only movie she played a bit role in, happens to come to town. He recognizes her immediately and wants to restart their comfortable friendship.

Matt Knight

Matt grew up in Sea Blue Beach, skating at the Starlight like everyone else. Only his granny owned the magical place. His mom drowned when he was still a toddler, and Granny stepped in to help raise him. When developers want to use eminent domain to tear down the Starlight, Matt vows to use his star powers to help his Granny save the only constant in her life.

An extended stay in Sea Blue Beach might be just what he needs to clean up his act and distance himself from Hollywood hangars-on and sycophants. Finding his friend Harlow in town seems like a blessing from Immanuel. But can Matt turn his life around without bringing everyone else down?

What I Loved About This Book

I find books with places as characters endearing. Sea Blue Beach shares one of the multiple points of view in Hauck’s charming new release, Meet Me at the Starlight. The town acts as a foil for the tumultuous lives of Tuesday, Harlow, and Matt. As the story shifts between the 30s and the 80s, the town continues to grow and provides whimsical commentary on the changing times.

The author packs humor, whimsy, drama, suspense, and romance into this charming novel of grace, redemption, and second chances. If you’ve ever roller skated around a rink while swaying to the oldies, you’ll love the Starlight. Fans of underdogs will cheer for Tuesday and her beloved Starlight as they prepare for the final extravaganza before developers tear it down.

Meet Me at the Starlight is another well written book by Rachel Hauck.

Tuesday Knight was an unwanted child of a 16 year old unwed mother. She was taken in by Prince Blue who built the Starlight, a skating rink. He left it in her care but now the city wants to demolish it to make way for progress.

Fashion model Harlow Hughes has a broken heart and is eating her way through her sorrow. Hometown boy Matt Knight has made it big in Hollywood, but is racked by guilt after he ruins his best friends life.

Sea Blue Beach, in the Florida panhandle. is the haven they return to. Matt and Harlow set out to help his granny, Tuesday, save the Starlight from demolition. There is flashback to Tuesday's marriage to LeRoy, sons LJ, and Dupree and the Starlight.

Characters are well written, giving them depth. A story about second chances and redemption. The duel time novel is compelling, as the characters in both time periods draws you in to their story. A good clean story, very engaging.

I received a complimentary ebook copy from the publisher, through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I thoroughly enjoyed Hauck's latest novel. As she does so well, two plot lines tell the story set in Sea Blue Beach, a fictional town in the Florida panhandle, its Starlight roller-skating rink, and Tuesday Knight, the owner and matriarch of the Knight family. We meet Tuesday in 1932, frustrated with her husband, Leroy, for his mysterious and lengthy absences from home while she scrimps to support their sons LJ and Dupree. Leroy doesn't like his employment chances in their hometown but sincerely wants a better life for his family; he surprises Tuesday with the deed to the Starlight, giving her renewed purpose through the years.
The second storyline, set in 1987, centers on Tuesday's grandson Matt, enjoying his fame as the star of the latest Hollywood action flick, but his poor choices get him fired from an upcoming movie and prompt his agent to recommend some time away from the spotlight. He returns to Sea Blue Beach after Granny (an 87-year-old Tuesday) reaches out. Fellow movie star Harlow Hayes has been in a slump: her fiancée Xander dumped her, her accountant stole most of her savings, and her subsequent weight gain has rendered her a joke. When Xander gives her their Florida cottage, she retreats there, bumping into her former co-star, Matt.
Hauck spins a sweet tale of second chances as Matt, Harlow, and Tuesday lead the fight to save the Starlight from "progress" bent on its destruction. There were hints of names and places familiar to her readers, though this stands alone. The 80s references definitely took me back, as did the LA (Lower Alabama) setting. Recommended
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!

My first book by this author and I really enjoyed it!! I loved Tuesday and how she leaned on God during times in her life she needed him and those around her needed to see His love. The representation of needing to be “skinny” and then resorting to food after a hard time was done with grace. Retention and forgiveness was the main lesson in the book.

Meet Me at the Starlight
by Rachel Hauck
Pub Date: July 2, 2024
Thanks to the author, Bethany House and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opini0n.
I enjoy this author and her Christian perspective in her writing. I also look to Bethany House for quality material. I recommend this book.
Meet Me at the Starlight is a fun combination of the 1930s and 80s; the eras, Hauck's writing, and Hollywood dazzle add charm to a typical coming home / save the family business plot. I was completely engaged and turning pages. Great romance that was fun to read.

I think I am in the minority here, but I just didn't fall in love this book. I am a huge Rachel Hauck fan. I have enjoyed many of her books, so maybe I went into this one with too expectations.

I did enjoy the dual time line of the 30's and 80's, although I do feel like this made it hard for me to get into at the beginning. All the characters are well developed, I just didn't get invested in any one of them.

I did think the ending was wrapped up nicely.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that anyone who reads this book will find it absolutely wonderful! Rachel Hauck is a new author to me, I think everyone would enjoy the sweetness and the well-drawn characters of this well-plotted love story that really is more than just a love story but touches on the importance of family, and working hard for what you believe in. Wonderful, captivating writing gives this novel the depth and ability to pull in any reader. Vivid, descriptive story-telling, with interesting characters that have depth to them, and are skillfully rendered. At the end of the book, they seemed more like friends than book characters to me. I highly recommend this author and all of her other books I have read have been nothing less than fantastic. She is definitely an auto-buy author for me, and I can't wait to own this novel in print.