I had previously read Rolfe's books and I remember enjoying her writing style, slow but pleasant and conducive to escapism. With "Written in the Stars", the highlight is the focus on paramedics. It allows for a moving storytelling angle. However, for the first time, I was sometimes a bit put off by lengthy parts. I think more dialogues would've helped with the pace and momentum. There were many sections with too much "telling" and not enough "showing" in my opinion.
But I still like the author's style, so I'll be looking forward to other books by her.

Live every day as if it were your last – that’s the motto Bess has lived by since her father died unexpectedly. As a critical care paramedic, Bess sees every day just how easily life can be taken away. But carefree living has risks, and as Bess’s debts mount, she discovers her actions could have terrible consequences…

An unexpected arrival

Nothing gives Gio more joy than his work saving lives in the fire service. And on the days when his call-outs put him in the path of the air ambulance, and one paramedic in particular, things are pretty perfect. Until Gio’s world is spun on its head, first by the arrival of his estranged mother on his doorstep, and then by an accident that could put his career on hold indefinitely.

A new beginning?

Gio and Bess have always worked well together, but could they be the solution to each other’s problems beyond the frontline as well? And will they let their guard down enough to give each other a chance before snow falls over Whistlestop River?

Loved it

In this sweet holiday romance novel, readers follow critical care paramedic Bess and fireman Gio, two friends dealing with lingering traumas and jobs where danger and tragedy are staples of life. Bess, however, is struggling with mounting debts and the lingering grief from her father’s death last year, while Gio’s estranged alcoholic mother and a workplace accident turn his life (and his interactions with Bess on the job) on its head. As both Bess and Gio grapple with these new challenges and the new people in their lives, they must learn to ask for help from places where they haven’t been able to turn, and perhaps a romance is on the way for both of them. With fantastic characters dealing with relatable issues and learning to ask for help, readers will love this sweet friends to lovers romance novel set in the English countryside. Bess and Gio are great characters, and the alternating chapters really allow them to develop over the course of the novel. With the solid setting and beautiful location, Rolfe’s world-building is fantastic and really adds to Bess and Gio’s dynamic. A charming, fascinating installment in the Skylarks series, readers will love Rolfe’s new book and Bess and Gio’s story.

How lovely to be back amongst the Skylarks again, and this time it's Bess we get to know extremely well. From the start it is clear she isn't being honest about her life, and I guessed almost instantly what she was hiding (I don't think it was meant to be a secret for the readers).

And it's something that for a winter set book, in the run up to and aftermath of Christmas, is going to be very relevant to many people, and something I'd imagine lots can identify with sadly.

And then there is Gio, a firefighter so if there isn't enough adrenalin being caused by the air rescue descriptions, then there is even more when we see Gio in action. Up until things don't quite go according to plan, which coincides with the timing of his mother arriving back in his life.

The storyline involving Marianne, Gio's mother is dealt with sensitively and it felt realistic to me.

I loved seeing how all the various threads were developed during this story, including the clear will they, won't they between our two main characters.

This was another really great book in this fabulous story, and I was invested in the lives of these characters. Bring on book three!

Thank you to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

I enjoyed this book and read it in one day. This is the first book I have read by this author and will be looking for more. I would definitely recommend this book.

A lovely story about second chance love for Bess and Gio. Their individual family history are intriguing and bring them closer together. It’s about being and honest. With everyday tales of living and the problem it’s an enjoyable read. As Bess and Gio work in emergency services lots of details about their jobs and how they interact in different services.
Christmas brings family together but when families are pulled apart sometimes the festive season is not enough to bring them back together.
A great read by Helen Rolfe, thoroughly enjoyable and read in one sitting.

#netgalley #writteninthestars #thebookcaseofkay

I loved this cute, second-chance, sweet romance between Bess and Gio who went from being lifelong friends to lovers. Bess was a life flight paramedic which gave me a great appreciation for those that work in the field. Gio was the typical hunk of a firefighter who gets treated by Bess when an explosion at a building fire injures him. This is the pivotal moment that moved their relationship forward. I also liked how Marianne and Malcolm helped Bess with her financial troubles. It’s a great weekend or vacation read!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I have read all of Helen Rolfe's books to date, and honestly, each one I seem to love a little bit more.
The storyline is beautiful, alongside a cast of endearing characters.... a joyous, heart warming read.

This is the 2nd book in this series about the Air Ambulance. Before the actual story begins as it did in book 1 there is a list of all the main characters, which is very useful.

Book 2 is mainly about Bess on of the Blue team and Gio who is a firefighter. They have known each other and been friends for a good number of years. They both have problems, Bess has money problems. added to the fact she found out that her mother has a man in her life which upset her. She had never really got over her father passing away some time before suddenly. Gio, his mother turned up on his doorstep with a case and wanting to stay. She has a drink problem.

Early on in the book, the blue team are called out when they arrive a building is on fire and the fire brigade are in attendance. a woman is trapped in the building and Gio goes in to the rescue. There is an explosion where Gio is injured.

Plenty of incidents, twists, turns, laughs and sadness. It is a great read and I can fully recommend and give it 5*. Looking forward to book 3

I’ve been a fan of Helen Rolfe’s for a long time now, enjoying many great books, wonderful characters and settings. Written in the Stars is the second book in the Skylarks series – stories based around an air ambulance team in Dorset.

I loved the first book, Come Fly With Me, so was eagerly awaiting this one and it didn’t disappoint. Whilst it was nice to catch up with the characters of the first book, this time the focus was on Bess – critical care paramedic on the team.

Bess lost her Dad a few years ago, since then she has been living (and spending money) like each day is her last. She has got herself in quite a mess but doesn’t know what to do. Shes proud and when reality hits, she needs to find support from somewhere but isn’t quite sure where.

Gio is a friend of Bess’. He is a firefighter and is also keeping parts of his life from others; having an alcoholic mother means his childhood wasn’t great, he cannot trust her even though he does still want to. When she turns up to stay with him, he gives her one chance but is convinced she will revert to type.

Gio has a great friendship with Bess, but as both their lives start unravelling in different ways, can they help each other, and will they both acknowledge their feelings for one another after all this time Both Gio and Bess learn that they must move forwards and not let the past dictate their present, put trust in people and be willing to follow their hearts.


A cosy, seasonal romance that has drama and heart, highly recommended.

This was supposed to be a romance book but it didn’t really have much of that. It was a very emotional read that I honestly wasn’t prepared for. I was looking forward to a lovey dovey book and this just wasn’t it. The two main characters, Bess and Gio, are going thru a lot of emotional trauma and they then lean on each other thru support to get thru their trauma. It did have good character development I was just hoping for more.

I think I would have enjoyed this book more if I didn’t have an intimate knowledge of how air ambulances worked. As it was, I found this sadly lacking.

The romance was pretty much non-existent, there was no relationship building, instead, you get a couple of snippets of the past showing that the two main characters previously shared a house. The author relies on the reader to fill in the blanks and a lot is assumed in regards to the current relationship/romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.

**Written in the Stars** by Helen Rolfe is a beautifully crafted romance that explores love, destiny, and the magic of chance encounters. Set in a charming town where the stars seem to align for those seeking connection, Rolfe’s story follows characters who are on a journey of self-discovery and finding love when they least expect it. With heartfelt moments and a sense of serendipity, the novel delves into the idea that some things are simply meant to be. Rolfe’s evocative writing and well-drawn characters make **Written in the Stars** a captivating and uplifting read, perfect for fans of romantic tales that celebrate the power of fate and the beauty of human connection.

I loved following even more characters from Whistle Stop River! This series is one I have enjoyed since my husband and I have both worked in the medical field and he is a firefighter. Bess and Gio had some of the best banter and I think that is because they have been friends for so long. This book touched some tough subjects but definitely brought to light some of the struggles people face every day that we may not be aware of!

Marketing this book as romantic was not the move. If you are looking for women's fiction dealing with family trauma, financial issues, and the most minuscule amount of romantic subplot, then this may be a good pick for you.

I honestly loved this book so much. This author is amazing. Loved the two characters as well as Marianne, I was routing for her!

A fab book. I hope there’s more in the series.

I love to read romance books set in the Christmas time. It's the most magical time of the year, after all. :) But this one didn't hit the spot.

It's not that something is wrong with the book, I just couldn't get into it. A case of it's not you, it's me, book edition. :)

It has a lot going for it, friends to lovers, small-town romance, dual POV, sweet romance, and Christmas-time setting, of course.

Bess and Glo have been friends for a long time. They both a very stressful jobs and on top of that their personal lives are not peach either. The romance slowly developed, as their friendship deepened.

It's part of the series, but you can read it as a stand-alone, too.

Lovely story, just not for me.

Helen Rolfe has done it again, she has drawn me in, got me hooked, spun me around and always make me happy about it, she always manages to pull every emotion possible from me for these amazing characters I love and leave me on the edge of my seat desperate for a happy ever after, but she always delivers more than I could ever want.

Bess and Gio are friends, both are first responders, things are about to get more complicated for them than their usual days already are, including financial burdens and a potentially career-altering injury, Helen Rolfe handles these difficult issues with such a delicate hand and so beautifully compassionate, I loved how much she clearly cares about her characters and these issues.

This is such a lovely and thoroughly emotional read, not just the issues mentioned but also family difficulties for both of them, I loved how Bess finally reveals her situation to her mum and how beautiful a moment it is. This story is full of heart, as well as being emotional it still has ther perfect measure of happiness, joy and that Christmas spirit , that spark of magic !

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a cozy, wonderful book. I enjoyed reading it!

Bess is a critical care paramedic with the Skylarks air ambulance but, since the death of her father and a health scare, she's been treating herself a bit too much. Now with the bills piling up, and trying to hide it from her mother, she's starting to get really worried.

Gio is a firefighter and loves his job more than anything, but when his alcoholic mother is trying to reconnect with him and he has an accident that leaves his job uncertain, can he sort himself out and find happiness?

It's a gentle book, told from both Bess and Gio's sides (third person). It's nice, I enjoyed it, nothing dramatic and fairly predictable, but a lovely read under a blanket with a cuppa.

Review also posted to Goodreads but unable to link account.