That feeling you get each time a beloved author releases a new book is truly something else.

I loved so many of author Heather Webber’s previous books and was so excited for A CERTAIN KIND OF STARLIGHT. I listened to the audio format and loved the dual performance by narrator Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis.

It was magical, and cozy writing at its best!

*many thanks to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

DNF @ 20%

I wanted to love this but it just wasn't holding my attention. I did however love Midnight at the Blackbird Cafe so read that one!!

I'm a big fan of Heather Webber's cozy/magical mystery writing, and I think this book is my favorite so far. Her characters are enchanting and believable at the same time. I devoured this book, and look forward to reading again! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC audio book.

Title: A Certain Kind of Starlight
Author: Heather Webber
Genre: Magical Realism
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: July 23, 2024

I received a complimentary ALC from Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Magical • Uplifting • Thoughtful

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Everyone knows that Addie Fullbright can’t keep a secret. Yet, twelve years ago, as her best friend lay dying, she entrusted Addie with the biggest secret of all. One so shattering that Addie felt she had to leave her hometown of Starlight, Alabama, to keep from revealing a devastating truth to someone she cares for deeply. Now she’s living a lonely life, keeping everyone at a distance, not only to protect the secret but also her heart from the pain of losing someone else. But when her beloved aunt, the woman who helped raise her, gets a shocking diagnosis and asks her to come back to Starlight to help run the family bakery, Addie knows it’s finally time to go home again.

Tessa Jane Wingrove-Fullbright feels like she’s failing. She’s always been able to see the lighter side of life but lately darkness has descended. Her world is suddenly in shambles after a painful breakup, her favorite aunt’s unexpected health troubles, and because crushing expectations from the Wingrove side of her family are forcing her to keep secrets and make painful choices. When she’s called back to Starlight to help her aunt, she’s barely holding herself together and fears she’ll never find her way back to who she used to be.

Under the bright side of the stars, Addie and Tessa Jane come to see that magic can be found in trusting yourself, that falling apart is simply a chance to rise up again, stronger than ever, and that the heart usually knows the best path through the darkness.

💭 T H O U G H T S

A Certain Kind of Starlight was my second time reading a Heather Webber novel, although some of her other works have been on my TBR since there release. I am drawn to her writing style for the combination of subtle magical elements, a strong sense of place, and knowing food will play some type of role.

Alternating back and forth between Addie and Tessa Jane's perspectives, Heather's books tend to follow a similar recipe - start with a small town Southern setting, mix in a cast of wholesome characters and an abundance of family drama, add in some food vibes, before finally topping it off with just a touch of magic. The final result is a story with a strong sense of community and complex relationships with the women. For me, it is really Aunt Bean (the family matriarch) whose at the center of this story. I truly appreciated the baking tips at the start of each chapter, it's these extra little touches that made the story so comforting. Additionally, the magic is weaved so effortlessly into the narrative that it feels so realistic.

With all of that said, there is an extremely large cast of characters that takes time to settle into and I had difficulty keeping all of the connections straight. Thankfully, I had access to a digital copy as well as the audiobook which helped smooth out the experience. Additionally, the author includes a few too many subplots, which in turn slow the story down.

The audio narration read by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis really brought the characters to life, to the point where I felt welcomed into the community while listening. The pacing and tone were on point and I definitely thought the pair of voices complimented each other nicely.

Overall, A Certain Kind of Starlight was a delightful and comforting read during the fall months. It did seem very similar to her previous book I'd read - but if I recipe works, why change it right? I will definitely be trying to read several of Heather's backlist titles over the coming months as I anticipate her late-2025 release. There's just something comforting in picking up a book knowing what you're going to get, yet being totally entranced within its magic, which is exactly what this author delivers.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• touches of magic
• Sarah Addison Allen
• found family

⚠️ CW: domestic abuse, emotional abuse, toxic relationship, infidelity, death, death of parent, animal cruelty, abandonment,

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Investing in things that matter, whether it be pans or friends or family, is one of the most important steps in recipes for success."

A sweet story about the power of family and love. Small town gossip, secrets, baked goods, and whole lot of animals are central to this delightful story. I was not completely on board until about halfway. There are a lot of characters to keep track of that intertwine over several timelines of history. I do love the touch of magic that glows throughout along with the strong women.

The audiobook narrated by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis provided the perfect level of southern charm. They were easily understood at faster speeds.

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and author Heather Webber for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Don’t you love that feeling when you finish a story and know that it touched your heart in some way?
You know I love my thrillers, but mixing up genres is something I truly enjoy and this is the reason why. Sometimes you just need this kind of books.
A magical story about family, friendship and second chances that will capture your heart.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this complimentary audiobook.

𝗔 𝗖𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 by Heather Webber released July 23, 2024.

Heather Webber is one of those authors that I keep hearing about, but I'd never gotten around to trying one of her books until this one. I do love a good small-town Southern lit story, and that's what I got here - with a little magical realism thrown in. Addie and Tessa Jane are half-sisters who've been more or less estranged for years. They're thrown together when family circumstances bring them together in the small town of Starlight, Alabama, to help their ailing aunt run their bakery business. It's a town full of quirky, eccentric characters, a fair number of secrets, and a spot in a field that seems to be full of a magical light at certain times. Addie and Tessa Jane are both wounded souls, and we watch them try to overcome past resentments and current family interference to see if they can establish a tenuous relationship.
I really enjoyed the community Heather Webber created, and the low-key love story she included. More importantly I liked the way the imparted messages of women supporting each other (when they deserved supporting) - and choosing to embrace facing the challenges that can make us stronger. I listened to the audiobook and highly recommend the audio version - the narration by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis was outstanding. Whether you read with your eyes or ears, or both, I recommend this charming book.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for providing a copy for an unbiased review.

I am not a Hallmark movie girlie, but I do love Heather Webber's heartwarming southern magical realism. A Certain Kind of Starlight was as good as her other books I've enjoyed, and I really liked the narration by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis. As usual, a lively cast of side characters help our heroines, Addie and Tessa Jane, find their inner light and make peace with their pasts, while the more wicked among the residents of the charming town of Starlight, Alabama, get their "just desserts." Full of delicious baked goods, some mysterious fallen star + bird magic, a firecracker of an aging aunt, and two awesome canine companions, A Certain Kind of Starlight is a warm hug of a book.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this book.

In *A Certain Kind of Starlight*, Heather Webber beautifully explores themes of resilience and healing through the intertwined journeys of Addie and Tessa Jane. Returning to their charming hometown of Starlight, Alabama, both women confront their pasts and the burdens of secrecy while supporting each other through life’s unexpected challenges. Webber's rich storytelling and magical small-town charm invite readers to find hope and strength in the face of adversity. This heartfelt tale reminds us that even in the darkest moments, there is always a path to the light. A captivating listen for those seeking inspiration and warmth.

Series Info/Source: This is a stand alone book. I listened to this on audiobook from NetGalley for review.

Thoughts: This was a well done book about two sisters who end up back in their home town after hearing their aunt is very sick. There, they are forced to deal with some painful issues from the past as well as unravel some mysteries and secrets. There is an element of magical realism here as well; they all live near a crater where a star is rumored to have fallen that gives off a eerie glow at night that attracts tourists.

I enjoyed this and would dare you not to cry at the end. This is a sweet book about family, secrets, and a subtle magic that makes people's lives a little brighter. There is also a pretty heavy theme here around abuse. This includes abuse of women in bad relationships but also the abuse of a man in a bad relationship with another woman. It was nice to see the abuse issue tackled in a situation that is discussed less frequently.

There is a lot about bakeries and lifting up others around you. This all takes place in a small town, and there are many mysteries and painful secrets that are unraveled during the course of the story. It was fascinating to see how all these mysteries and secrets were entwined. There is a bit of romance in here as well. The Aunt that is diagnosed with heart failure is determined to play matchmaker and get everyone paired off before she passes.

All in all, this was a sweet and highly emotional read that leaves you feeling happy and hopeful. It reminded me a lot of the Waverly Family books by Sarah Addison Allen. There is a heavy theme of people finding a place and people to call home, some sweet magical realism, and people healing past emotional wounds.

My Summary (4/5): Overall I enjoyed this. It's a bit different from what I normally read, but I always enjoy some small town magical realism. I loved the characters in here and was really drawn in to their struggles and enjoyed watching them find happiness. I would recommend if you enjoy cozy magical realism stories about women (and some men) rebuilding their lives and finding community, love, and happiness.

Addie and Tessa Jane, though half-sisters, have never been close. Coming back home, Addie decides to change this.
Growing up and finding your own voice even when that means not doing what your family wants you to and opening up to those you love are themes that run through this entire story. Plus the magical power of starlight. Good story and narrator. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

4.5 stars rounded up: I don't read a lot of books with Magical Realism, but Heather Webber's books have just enough to make the story wonderful. In A Certain Kind of Starlight, Addie Fullbright left Starlight, Alabama 12 years ago when her best friend told her a secret just before she died. Addie knew she would never be able to keep it if she stayed in Starlight, so she left. Now with her aunt that raised her being ill, she returns home to help run the family bakery. Addie's sister, Tessa Jane Wingrove-Fullbright also comes home to Starlight dealing with issues of her own, including a huge secret she has been keeping. Will they be able to find the happiness they had when growing up in Starlight?

I really enjoyed this story. There was a lot to love, such as great characters, a small community full of quirky and loving people, great food, strong women, bonds of sisterhood and family, secrets that can cause issues, but also heal, a little bit of romance (not a major part of the story), reconciliation, all pulled together with a little bit of magic. I have to say that I loved Aunt Bean. She knew what she was doing and her goal was to bring the sisters together to remember the love they shared and to forgive one another and return to their home. The synopsis says: Under the bright side of the stars, Addie and Tessa Jane come to see that magic can be found in trusting yourself, that falling apart is simply a chance to rise up again, stronger than ever, and that the heart usually knows the best path through the darkness. and this is a perfect description. If you like stories about strong women, sisters, reconciliation, finding your place, new beginnings and finding your "home" then I definitely recommend A Certain Kind of Starlight. I really like when an audiobook has more than one narrator to give distinct voices to the characters. This one was well done and I enjoyed listening to this one.

I almost always prefer novels to be firmly set in reality. No fantasy, sci-fi, or world-building for me - thank you very much.

However, I love novels written by a very short list of authors who weave magical realism into their plots. If Sarah Addison Allen is the queen of this subgenre, Heather Webber is the princess. Ms. Webber's novels wrap me in stories with strong women, cozy settings, and life's challenges overcome with a bit of magic.

I enjoyed A Certain Kind of Starlight for many reasons:

- each chapter begins with a baking tip
- wise family matriarch
- long-held family secrets
- women owning their power and agency
- discussions of cakes and other delicious food
- restoration of relationships
- a sweet dog who's a great judge of character
- touches of magic

The large cast of characters was a bit challenging to track at the beginning, but I was quickly enmeshed in their interconnected lives.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for advance access to the audiobook narrated by Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis.

I don't read a lot of magical realism stories, but I'm so glad I picked this one up! The characters were charming, I loved the storyline, and it was just written beautifully. The duel POV with Addie and Tessa Jane showed glimpses into their individual lives and their views on their repairing relationship. I also actually found myself laughing out loud a few times at some of the things the characters said. It was such a cozy, small-town vibe, and I could really feel the love for the people in the story and for the Starlight field. There were enough complications in the story to keep it interesting, but was also very lighthearted.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys magical realism and family relationship repair stories.

A Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather Webber was quite sweet. It gave Hallmark movie vibes - small Southern town with cute cafes and bakeries, found family, and secrets. Two estranged sisters need to return after hearing that an ailing Aunt needs help with her bakery. Each chapter had a little baking tip - I loved it.

There were a lot of characters that didn't necessarily always add to the story and it did seem to have a bit of a lull at times, but it was overall enjoyable.

Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Wills did an excellent job with the narration. Their pace, diction, and emotion were perfect.

Heather Webber is one of my autobuy authors. Her most recent books filled with magical realism have been a true delight. Engaging in all the feels with that little bit of hope that brings all the magic. There is a formula to her recent stories. But this is not a deterrent. It's a big hug. I know I will be pulled into story full of family drama and life's issues that so many of us struggle with. But there will be an ending of tears and joy. The kind of stories that leave you hugging the book after the final word is read.

In the case of listening to A Certain Kind of Starlight, I wasn't hugging the book but I was certainly placing my hand over my heart at the end of this story. Two half sister's who are part of the magic of their little home town and are the protectors of the magic. More than one family secret is revealed as these women find the strength in themselves to save their property and more importantly, the strength to be a family.

Each chapter begins with a baking lesson. Chapters flip between our main characters, Addie & Tessa. The narrators (one for each sister) did a wonderful job keeping each character distinguishable. I did speed it up a bit but never went over 1.5. I am not one who likes to listen to chipmunks but often want to get through the story a bit faster.

A recommended read and a recommended listen. There's something endearing having had this story read to me.

I received an arc of this title from NetGalley for an honest review. Author Heather Webber is one of my favorites, but this book is not her best work. The story dragged in many places, and I found it to be boring and uninspiring.

𝗔 𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗧𝗔𝗜𝗡 𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗙 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧 𝗯𝘆 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗲𝗯𝗯𝗲𝗿 is a beautifully heartwarming tale of family, secrets, and healing. I’m a huge fan of magical realism, especially when it’s set in a small town with cozy bakeries and endearing characters, and this book delivered on all fronts. Addie and Tessa Jane, two sisters estranged for years, are brought back to their hometown of Starlight, Alabama, when their beloved Aunt Bean faces a serious health crisis. The sisters awkwardly reunite, putting their differences aside to help care for Aunt Bean and her family bakery. The town’s magical field of starlight, a beacon of hope and positivity for those in need, is a beautiful metaphor woven throughout the story. The themes of domestic abuse and isolation are sensitively handled, and I loved watching Addie and Tessa Jane slowly heal and reconnect with their true family. The sense of community and support in Starlight is incredibly heartwarming, making this story both endearing and deeply touching. I honestly didn’t want it to end and was rooting for a happy ending for all the characters I’d grown so attached to. Highly recommended for fans of magical realism and stories about the strength of family bonds.

Listening to "A Certain Kind of Starlight" by Heather Webber was like wrapping yourself in a cozy blanket of small-town charm and a sprinkle of magic. Hallie Ricardo and Stephanie Willis brought the characters of Addie and Tessa Jane to life with their warm and engaging narration, making it easy to get lost in their world.

This audiobook is perfect if you love stories with tangled relationships and secrets hidden in every corner. It's whimsical and heartfelt, capturing the essence of small-town life. While there are quite a few characters to keep track of, the enchanting writing and soothing narration make it a delightful listen. If you're in the mood for a heartwarming tale with a dash of mystery and a lot of heart, give this one a go!

Heather Webber’s A Certain Kind of Starlight is a charming and heartwarming novel that will delight fans of her previous works, especially those who enjoyed The Blackbird Cafe. With her signature blend of warmth, compelling characters, and a touch of magic, Webber delivers a story that is both comforting and engaging.

The novel centers on Addie Fullbright and Tessa Jane Wingrove-Fullbright as they struggle with a series of personal setbacks, their own insecurities, and a strained relationship. The setting, much like in The Blackbird Cafe, plays a crucial role in the narrative, offering a sense of whimsy and solace that complements the character’s journey.

Webber’s writing is, as always, evocative and heartfelt. Her knack for creating endearing characters who feel like old friends is on full display here. The atmosphere of the bakery and the touch of magical realism create a world where readers can escape and find themselves immersed in the story. Those familiar with Webber’s work will find her trademark elements: a strong sense of place, intricate character relationships, and an uplifting message woven throughout the plot.

While the novel offers much of what readers have come to expect from Webber—comforting narrative, engaging characters, and a touch of magic—it may feel a bit familiar to those who have read her earlier books. The themes of personal growth and the importance of community are recurring motifs in her work, and while they are handled with the same skill and sensitivity, the story may not offer many surprises for long-time fans.

Despite this, A Certain Kind of Starlight is a beautifully crafted tale that will resonate with readers seeking a feel-good story with depth and heart. Heather Webber has once again created a delightful and moving experience that will leave readers eagerly awaiting her next novel.

Having the audiobook added an additional element so the book that I didn't realize was missing. Even when switching to the ebook I could hear the narrator's voices as I turned each page.