What a lovely read This was the second book in this series and it doesn't disappoint it has all the characters from the first novel but this one features Bess and Gio who are both struggling with different issues and have been friends for years but their relationship starts to change after Gio is involved in an accident while attending a fire. It's great comaradary among the teams in the Air ambulance and such an inspirational story it makes this a great read bring on the next one.5 ⭐again from me

Paramedic Bess had her life turned upside down by the sudden death of her father, followed by a health scare of her own, and she so wishes he was still around to help her with the mess she’s in – her emotional spending has become totally out of control, the final demands are arriving, she might even lose her home, and she can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel.

At work, her sunshine personality brightens everyone’s days however difficult they might be – and she particularly enjoys it when her path crosses that of Gio, the fireman, who’s often at the same calls and there’s always been a bit of a spark between them. But he has his own issues too, when his mother Marianne turns up – her drinking meant he had a very difficult childhood, and he’s not entirely convinced that things have changed. And things only get many times worse for him when he’s involved in an accident – with a real possibility that he might never be fit enough to do his job again, so the future’s looking particularly bleak.

Their lives become entangled when Bess decides to take in a lodger – his mother – to help her financial situation, and her friendship with Gio might just become something more as they help each other heal. But she’s shaken once more when she finds her mother has started to move on from her loss, with a new partner – who she’s determined to compare unfavourably with her dad, but, in time, might have good reason to change her mind.

This was a really lovely emotional read – two damaged people finding strength through each other – with quite a few difficult issues so sensitively handled. And I was just as invested in Marianne’s story – her difficult journey to turning her life around, and hopefully reuniting with her family despite all the past hurt. In fact, I loved the whole way the different family issues were dealt with – when Bess finally shares her problems with her mum, her offer of help (welcome, but nowhere near enough) really touched me to the heart. And the book’s emotional depth is all the greater because it’s Christmas, that time of year when everything should be festive and bright – a time for family, and having fun in the recently fallen snow. And there is a good measure of joy and laughter, as Bess and Gio begin to grow closer – a slow burn romance I really enjoyed – and the future begins to look a little brighter for everyone.

I really must mention Bess’s work with the Skylarks, responding to emergencies in the air ambulance, dealing calmly and efficiently with so many difficult calls – well researched, dramatic at times, and very real. And I enjoyed the relationships between the crew – it would have been nice to have known their back story from the first book in the series, but I had no problems at all picking up this book as a standalone. I’ll certainly be looking forward to the next in the series – this was a book I very much enjoyed.

Bess is a critical care paramedic who has recently lost her father. With that loss, she is trying to live every day as if it is her last; however she has put herself in a position where her risks have outed what she has and now she has to read the consequences of what she has sewed.

Gio is extremely proud of the work he does. He’s a firefighter. Gio‘s world gets turned for a loop when his estranged alcoholic mother shows up on his doorstep.

Written in the Stars was not quite the romance I expected, but it was a good story. Two people that are dealing with things that are changing their lives and the consequences that come with it. Bess and Gio have a friendship that they both rely on. They each have to work out their own issues and in doing that they have found that their friendship contains something more. The story was a slow burn. It was a little short on romance, but it did have good character development and was an entertaining story.

While a tad depressing, I enjoyed the medical aspects a lot. The relationship also grew on me, but the side family stories less so

Thank you to netgalley and publishers for an advanced copy of this book for my honest opinion. This story will really test your emotions, likeable characters, delicate topics dealt with real sensitivity and tact. This book is quite impactful, debt and money issues, loss and grief, alcohol and accidents, friendships and loyalty but most of all its a well written heartwarming story.

What a gorgeous, sensitively told story! Bess is still reeling from the untimely death of her beloved father. In mourning, she has become completely bonded to her mother but has taken the option not to become entangled in a relationship, as they can lead to real heartache. Assuming that her mother feels the same, she’s contented to deal with the ‘what-ifs’ that come her way as she pursues her single life.
I adored Bess, although I felt frustrated with how she overlooked the impact of unrestrained spending, choosing to ignore the mounting letters and bills arriving in her letterbox. Many of us may have done a similar thing, but we’ve all learned what a dangerous path it is to follow. Although flawed, Her approach to life leads her to believe she’s untouchable. All she needs to do is protect her heart from the serial dater and best friend, Gio.
Gio is convinced that there could be a future for him with Bess, but he knows that he needs to let her see that he’s not the commitment-phobic lothario that she sees him as. He’s loyal to his family, although his relationship with his mother is complicated by her reliance on alcohol. A devastating accident sees him battling with his demons and questioning the choices that he’s made.
This story has ups and downs, and I found it to be an emotional read. Having experienced a parental alcohol user, it was a little close to home, yet cathartic to remind myself that their choices had little to do with me. Gio has a heart of gold and is set on showing Bess that he’s not the guy she perceives him to be.
The characters are presented with a gentle hand, and I found them to be warm and engaging. The storylines were painfully relatable but brought a realism to the story that made it more believable.
Catching up with the team we met in book one was lovely, and I’m already excited to see what the next book may hold. You can read this as a standalone as long as you promise to go back and read Come Fly with Me later.

Written in the Stars by Helen Rolfe

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A hidden secret

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?

My Opinion

Written in the Stars is the second book in The Skylarks series and whilst it can be read as a standalone I would recommend reading the books in order for maximum enjoyment.

I have to say that I am really enjoying reading this series. Written in the Stars is a book that I finished in one sitting. Bess is in need of help, she is in a terrible financial situation but doesn't feel like she can talk to anyone. Helen Rolfe has handled difficult situations in such a delicate manner.

Have you joined The Skylarks? You will not be disappointed.

Rating 4/5

I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.

This wonderful romance follows Bess, an air ambulance paramedic and Gio a fire fighter. They used to live together in a house share and are now close friends.

Bess is drowning in debt after living life to the full after her father’s sudden death, she doesn’t know how she can get out of the mess she is in and decides she must confide in others to advise.

Gio loves his job, but with an accident threating the future of his career and the added family drama of the sudden appearance of his mother, he must find a way to keep positive.

Will Bess and Gio become more than friends? Will they solve the issues in their lives?

This romance is a wonderful read and shows how some important issues can affect peoples lives but how having the support around you can help in many situations.

You get to hear from both main characters throughout, which adds to the build up of the ‘will they, won’t they’ as they develop their relationship.

It is lovely to read about Bess & Gio’s families too and adds extra storylines entwining with the main plot, along with a little humour,

Overall, a wonderful romance where two friends find themselves in difficult situations.

Last year I read the first book in the Skylark's series which features a helicopter emergency response crew, and I loved seeing the characters at work. I was therefore always going to read the follow up book. I can also tell you now that I will be continuing to read this series while it lasts!

Bess is a paramedic on an emergency response helicopter crew. It is a high pressure job where you see people at critical moments in their lives. She had a very close relationship with her father, who always was saving for the future. It was a future that never came as he passed away unexpectedly. Ever since that day Bess has been living for the moment, buying whatever she wants, going on holidays, topping out her credit cards. After all, what's the point of saving for the future. However, that recklessness is catching up with her and Bess is really struggling financially, just barely keeping her cottage. She is also shocked to find out that her mother has found a new friend, which also brings up some issues for Bess.

Gio is a fireman who Bess has been friends with for years. There has never been anything more than friendship between them, which is probably a good thing seeing as Gio doesn't have a great track record with the ladies. Gio has his own demons, specifically in relation to his alcoholic mother, so when she turns up unexpectedly on his front doorstep he is pretty annoyed, but he can't turn her away.

When Gio is injured in a workplace accident he has to deal with the possibility that he may never be able to return to the job he loves, and dealing with his mother, which is a lot, given how much damage has been done to their relationship over the years.

Maybe, just maybe, they can help each other.

If I had to pick a trope for this story it would be friends to lovers. Literally. There was a bit of angst of should we, shouldn't we and then they did. There wasn't much where you could see the dynamics changing. Of course, they were supportive of what each other were going through, and there was a gradual realisation that there had always been something there.

There was a surprising amount of Christmas in this book. For Gio, this hasn't always been a great time of year, particularly as it so often led to disappointment, but there were some moment of pure Christmas joy. Some of those were very simple - the joy of a sparkler, the pleasure of cooking a meal for your family.

The build up to the romance could have been stronger but overall it was still a fine book to read, where the work that the characters do continues to be a highlight.


I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and with British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

I just loved this book from the start and I couldn’t put it down it was just so good. I loved the story and the characters are just amazing as well and it’s a truly wonderful book.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you like a good story with amazing characters that is so heartwarming.

I would like to see thank Boldwood Books and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

Bess and Gio has been friends for a long time. Are they ready to become more with everything that is going on on their lives right now? He with his family problems and his accident and her with her financial struggles after her father died. But their love is written in the stars. Sweet and very real.

The medical setting and contemporary issues explored in this story are well-researched and give it an authenticity. Bess is a critical care paramedic with the air ambulance and is used to working in a life-saving capacity. Still grieving the sudden loss of her father, she has assuaged her grief through work and spending money, resulting in debts. Gio, a firefighter, is trying to support his estranged mother with her addiction. Both use work to escape their personal lives. I like the believably flawed protagonists and the emotions they experience when facing real problems. Their romantic connection is not new but realistically develops as they confide in each other. Whilst this isn't a lighthearted festive read, it is contemporarily relevant, and you care about the characters and what happens in their lives.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I enjoyed reading Written in the Stars by Helen Rolfe. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

The second one in this interesting series. I enjoyed this mostly but, at times found it a little depressing. It didn't have the same vibes as the first one. Hopefully the next one will be more cheerful. My thanks to netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

In the second Skylarks book we focus on paramedic Bess who has been struggling since the unexpected death of her father. Too cope with her grief she has been spending money beyond her means resulting in a struggle. Gio who is also a first responder but not a paramedic instead he is a fireman also is having struggles within his family in the form of his mother who is a alcoholic. Bess and Gio have great chemistry but will they expect each others hearts? This book is another winner of a thrilling addition to the series and with drama plotted against romance. It's quite exciting and gets the heart racing. I love all the characters and truly appreciate and admire what they do. It's more than just a profession for them and it shines. I enjoyed experiencing the world of flight paramedic and I am already looking forward to reading more!

Book Review: Written in the Stars by Helen Rolfe

From the moment I picked up Written in the Stars, I was swept away into the vibrant world of Whistlestop River. Helen Rolfe has crafted a compelling narrative that balances heartwarming romance with the real-life challenges faced by her characters, and I couldn't put it down.

Bess, a critical care paramedic, lives by the motto to “live every day as if it were your last.” This philosophy resonates deeply, especially after the sudden loss of her father. I found her character relatable and inspiring, navigating the pressures of her job while dealing with mounting personal debts. Her journey of self-discovery and resilience kept me rooting for her.

Gio, on the other hand, is equally captivating. As a firefighter, his dedication to saving lives mirrors Bess's, and their chemistry is undeniable. I enjoyed their dynamic, especially as they faced not only external challenges but also their own emotional barriers. The arrival of Gio's estranged mother added depth to his character, providing a subplot that made his journey even more compelling.

The storyline masterfully intertwines their professional lives with personal struggles, showcasing the intense pressures of working in emergency services. I appreciated how Rolfe incorporated elements of medical drama without sacrificing the warmth of the romance. The setting—complete with snow and the festive atmosphere—felt like a character in itself, enriching the story.

What truly stood out to me was the theme of second chances. Bess and Gio’s connection evolves beautifully, and I found myself eagerly turning pages to see if they would allow themselves the opportunity to love again.

Overall, Written in the Stars is a delightful addition to the Skylarks series. It’s a cozy yet poignant read that left me with a smile on my face and a longing for more. I can't wait to see where Rolfe takes these characters next!

Such a fantastic read I loved all the characters especially bess and gio and hoped they would get together. I loved how malcom wanted to help her even though he didn't know her that well. And gios mum was really trying to change and be the parent he really needed a lovely story.

Bess and Gio have been friends for about twenty years. While Bess is a Critical care paramedic, Gio is a firefighter. Bess is looking for a committed relationship while Gio doesn’t do long term. One incident causes both of them to re-evaluate their feelings for each other.

Besides the romance, most of the book actually focuses on the parental relationship between Bess and her mom, and between Gio and his mom. Bess is trying to accept that her mom has started dating again, three years after her father’s death. For Gio, his mom has always had a drinking problem but she seems to have sobered up recently with plans to reconcile with him and his brother.

Overall, the book was ok but I didn’t really feel the pull between Bess and Gio. It would have been better to have more flashbacks of how close they were in the past twenty years, to finally bring them to this conclusion.

I feel like this was mislabelled as a romance novel as there wasnt a lot of romance in my opinion which I dont mind but together with the writing just being super descriptive it was not for me but I feel like it would be for others.

A nice cosy read, I love a friends to lovers romance.

Some very heavy issues discussed and dealt with sensitively, debt, alcoholism, injury and mental health. Gio’s back story was very heart wrenching, but I loved how how he tried very hard to psych his relationship with his mum. Bess has a lot to deal with, and it was interesting to see her pull her mask on and go to work. It’s a true reflection of how you never really know what’s really going on with someone unless they choose to let you in.

Some amazing descriptions about rescues and the services offered, a lot of research clearly went into it. Part of a series but can be read as a stand alone. A good winter holiday read.