In "Star Survivor," Lisa Brace artfully weaves a narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, showcasing the absurdities of fame and the stark realities of survival. The novel follows a group of four celebrities—Hollywood star Zoe Stenson, TV darling June Sharp, prolific author Toby Masters, and social media sensation Emily Chase—as they embark on the highly anticipated reality TV show, aptly titled "Star Survivor." What initially appears to be a glamorous adventure laden with designer luggage and lifestyle luxuries quickly transforms into an unexpected ordeal when the group is accidentally stranded on a desolate South Pacific island, far removed from the comfort they anticipated. Brace's writing shines in her ability to juxtapose the protagonists’ glamorous lives with the harsh realities of survival. The once-coddled stars find themselves grappling with the basic instincts of survival, forced to adapt to their new environment through spearfishing and foraging. The humor in their predicament is palpable; these characters, who are used to having their needs met by personal chefs and extravagant lifestyles, must now rely on their wits and each other. This shift in setting not only amplifies the comedic elements but also serves as a commentary on the fleeting nature of fame and the often superficial foundations upon which it is built. Each character in "Star Survivor" is a reflection of the modern celebrity culture, embodying various aspects of society's obsession with fame. Zoe, the Hollywood star, is perhaps the most relatable, wrestling with her identity outside the roles she has played and the image she has cultivated. June Sharp, the TV darling, represents the pressures of maintaining a public persona, while Toby Masters, the author, faces the reality of creative burnout against the backdrop of his celebrity status. Emily Chase, the mumfluencer, highlights the absurdity of social media-driven validation, grappling with the need for likes and shares even in the direst of circumstances. Brace skillfully constructs these characters, allowing readers to connect with their flaws and aspirations. The novel's pacing is engaging, moving seamlessly from comedic scenes to moments of genuine tension as the characters confront both external challenges and internal conflicts. Brace does not shy away from exploring deeper themes, such as friendship, resilience, and the search for authenticity in a world dominated by superficiality. The external pressures of the press and the relentless pursuit of storytelling add an additional layer of intrigue, as the characters must navigate their plight while being watched by the world. Ultimately, "Star Survivor" is a sharp and witty examination of celebrity culture wrapped in an adventurous narrative. Brace challenges her characters—and, by extension, her readers—to question what truly matters when the trappings of fame are stripped away. As the four celebrities struggle to survive and redefine themselves, readers are left to ponder the value of authenticity and connection in an age where image often supersedes reality. This novel is a delightful escape that serves as both entertainment and a thoughtful exploration of the human experience. "Star Survivor" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a blend of humor, adventure, and social commentary. So, grab your beach towel and prepare for a journey that will make you laugh, reflect, and perhaps reconsider what it means to be a star in today’s world.

Such a fun and perfect holiday popcorn thriller read 😃 enjoyed reading it on the beach and you can't help but imagine being one of the characters in the book!

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

A fast paced science fiction novel that takes readers on quite the journey! Very complex characters who must survive in harsh conditions. I don’t normally read books with this type of plot line but I really enjoyed this one. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

"Star Survivor" by Lisa Brace is a gripping and imaginative science fiction novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey through space and survival. Brace’s vivid world-building and fast-paced narrative draw you into a universe filled with danger, intrigue, and unexpected alliances. The protagonist’s struggle to survive in an unforgiving environment is both intense and deeply human, making the story resonate on multiple levels. With well-developed characters, intricate plot twists, and a strong emotional core, "Star Survivor" keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It’s a must-read for fans of sci-fi adventures that blend action, suspense, and a touch of hope amidst the stars.

I really loved this book - it was a lot deeper and more insightful than I initially expected, so that came as a bit of a shock - however, once I got past it, I really enjoyed the unexpected direction it took and was left really pleasantly surprised.
A bunch of stars are participating in a reality show on a desert island.. think Survivor but with a star studded cast.. but things take an unexpected turn when some of the participants are left on a truly deserted island, no mics, no producers, no one in sight except for pure wilderness. These 4 wildly different characters (a disgraced children's author, a momfluencer, a morning show TV darling and a megastar actress) need to learn to trust each other to truly survive. The result is a heartwarming story of resilience, vulnerability and true friendship.
This was my first book by Lisa Brace and I absolutely loved her writing style - it's witty and very easily flows without getting lost in unnecessary fluff. I definitely recommend this book and I know I'll be coming back to it in the future.

I personally didn’t like some of the writing in this book which at times made it hard to get through. However there were elements that were good.

Super well done book that will keep the reader entertained the whole way through. Loved the main character and how she grew as the story progressed.

Poor writing and male character only there to make crude comments women's bodies. No thanks.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC for an honest review.

Took me a while to get into this book, it’ just caught me at a bad time really, I didn’t find it intriguing enough

Star Survivor was an interesting read: I liked the premise that a reality show is used as a ploy to kill some of its stars. The chapters that describe the characters' attempts to survive were some of the least compelling aspects of the book. I did like that the text is interspersed with the media's coverage of this story. I also liked that the survivors stick to their resolutions to not fall back in the trap of being in the public eye.

I wanted to give this a try because I thought maybe my experience reading a story about reality TV would be more entertaining than watching reality TV, but I couldn't get into this book. I didn't leave any reviews on any platforms since I didn't finish the book. What I did read was well written, but I couldn't get invested in the characters because I just didn't find anything likeable about them from the opening of the book. I feel like that's most likely because of my thoughts on reality TV in general. I really just want to make sure the author knows that there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the book she wrote; it's just not my cup of tea, but not every book is for everyone and she should be proud of herself and what she's done.

Fun beach read that follows 4 characters who are taking part in a reality show like Survivor. But when they are accidentally dropped off on a real deserted island, we follow their attempts to stay alive and be rescued. Although this book went a little dark, I really enjoyed it!

Thank you Netgalley and The Book guild for the ARC!

This cover initially drew me into this book, the further I dug into the book I noticed the cover doesn’t do the book justice at all. These four stars are meant to be on this reality show but a storm happens and they are left on the island to find their luxury hotel on their own. But weeks pass by…..

This has to be one of my favourite locked room mysteries as I flew through it in a couple of days. I’m so glad I read it.

Thank you to NetGalley, The BookGuild and the author for the eARC for an honest review of the book.

I really loved the idea of this book and it did not disappointment
The characters were well rounded and each played their part of the story well. I woukd happily reccomend

I kept coming back to this book trying to get through the beginning and find something that held my interest and unfortunately, it just never took. I DNF'd this book because I couldn't bring myself to care what happened next. I'm not sure if it was too wordy, too little dialogue, too little character development or too many characters introduced at once.

Star Survivor was given to me by Netgalley in exchange for my honest review. I enjoyed the book. Star Survivor started with an engaging survival story but midway turned into a suspense book about the dark side of the entertainment industry in these social media era. A good read overall

This is a light read that's a bit of a cross between Shipwrecked/I'm a Celeb. 4 random celebs are sent to star in a new reality show that sees them trying to "live" on an island without their daily comforts but a freak storm means they are stranded and have to learn how to survive.
There's not much in the way of depth to the characters, and the end felt a bit rushed, whereas the 2nd half seemed a bit long and waffley.
Some parts didn't make sense either almost as though it hadn't already been mentioned a few chapters beforehand, and some of the spelling, punctuation, and grammar should've been checked!

All in all, it was a light read. Would be ideal for a holiday read. Thanks to @netgalley for the chance to review

As a lover of reality TV (including shows like Survivor), the premise of this book was intriguing. Four celebrities, set to star on a reality TV show are dropped on the wrong island. Toby, Zoe, June and Emily all had their reasons for doing the show, but end up being put to the test of survival in a different way than any of them anticipated. It was interesting to get to know their stories and watch them grow.

The first half of the book was fascinating as the quartet navigates island survival life, but I found the second half to be less fleshed out. The story takes an interesting turn, but I was left scratching my head and wanted more character development. The end left me scratching my head and felt a bit convoluted / contrived.

Thanks to The Book Guild and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

What a fun summer read! Light and fun overall. I could have done with some more depth between the characters but the story was good! Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to review