Written in the Stars by Helen Rolfe

This is the second book in The Skylarks series from Helen Rolfe. Books in this series follow the lives of the crew of the air ambulance service based in the fictional Dorset town of Whistlestop River. Although there are characters common to both books, each can be read as a standalone.

This story focuses on Bess, critical care paramedic with the air ambulance crew, and her friend Gio, a local firefighter. Since the tragic death of her father, Bess has dealt with her grief by splashing out on luxuries and holidays. Now she is deep in debt and it’s spiralling out of control. Gio also has troubles, but of the family kind. His estranged alcoholic mother has turned up on his doorstep claiming that she’s ready to make a fresh start, but can he believe her, after all he’s heard it all before. On top of that, he’s badly injured in the line of duty and is worried that his injury may end the career he loves. Bess and Gio have known each other for a long time, but suddenly realise how close they have become. Should they risk their friendship by taking their relationship further?

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first in the series, once again it was full of friendship and love. It was fascinating learning more about the air ambulance service and how it works. It was also good to meet the crew members, ground staff and their families again. Both Bess and Gio are dedicated to their jobs and both have troubles that are sadly not uncommon. It was lovely to see how their families and friends rallied around to help. I especially loved the relationship between Bess and her mother. They were more like sisters than parent and child. I wasn’t too sure about Gio’s mother, but she grew on me. I’m hoping that there will be more books in this series as there are lots of other characters to explore.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

2nd book in the series

In this second Skylark's book, the reader is focused on Bess and Gio's stories. In the past, these two have been great friends but nothing more. They've both got tons of baggage from their past relationships as well as their families, and while they have pursued relationships with others, haven't considered each other to be marriage material.

While I felt Bess was immature in the way she handled her finances, I applaud the way that she became self-aware and took steps to clean up her act. Gio was also a bit pouty after his accident, but he also found ways to deal with his disappointment. This was a very slow burn romance, in fact, the romantic part was only a tiny portion starting around 90%. I enjoyed the book for the most part and am looking forward to the next Skylark story.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

Written in the Stars by Helen Rolfe is an absolute gem of a book! I was swept away by the heartwarming, romantic story, and I can honestly say I had so many emotions throughout the entire read—and every one of them was positive. Rolfe’s writing is filled with warmth, charm, and characters that feel so real, they quickly find a place in your heart. From beginning to end, this book delivers a fantastic experience, making it a must-read for 2024. It’s a beautiful reminder of the power of love and connection, and I can’t recommend it enough!

Written in the Stars is a heartfelt story about Bess and Gio. They have been friends for a long time…starting out with being roommates when they first met. There may have been a little chemistry felt then but it didn’t go anywhere.
Each one struggles with their own issues. Bess has gotten herself into financial troubles while Gil unwillingly has to take on his mother’s alcoholism struggles.
I do wish there had been a bit more to their relationship. I think this could easily have been a 5 star read for me with more of a romance aspect.
Overall, a nice, engaging read that I did enjoy reading

An engaging and enjoyable story about friends to lovers. Gio and Bess have been friends for a long time but only friends. He is a not going to settle down type of guy. She lives her life for the now since her father died. They have always considered themselves only as friends but something is changing between them. Will it cause them to lose everything or bring happiness?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book was not what I was expecting. It is promoted as a “heartwarming, romantic” book, so I was expecting a holiday romance. The romance however is definitely a secondary feature of this book. The story deals with the interesting topics of parental alcoholism, death of a parent, grief, retail therapy, debt and dealing with an injury. Bess and Gio have interesting jobs. She is an emergency helicopter paramedic and he is a firefighter. There are some exciting scenes when they are on duty and providing emergency care.

However, the fact that Bess and Gio are barely together for most of the book was very disappointing since I was expecting a romance. They don’t go on any dates and finally decide to try dating 90% into the story. They hold hands at 91% and finally kiss at 94%, but then talk about moving in together and starting to try having babies at 96%. It seemed very crammed in at the end like an afterthought.

I may have enjoyed this book more had I not been anticipating a romance, and I did enjoy the topics covered and the scenes while they were on the job, but overall with the little amount of romance this book wasn’t for me. I would rate it 2.5 stars

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

After her father passed away, when she wasn’t expecting him to, she’s lived her life like it was her last day.

But, the job she does, which is as an air paramedic doesn’t exactly pay that kind of money to live that life. Now, she’s in trouble financially.

Gio, a firefighter has put a lot of effort into the life he now lives, he didn’t have a really good childhood.

But, one day his mother turns up and he now has to face up to everything he’s tried to forget.

The story was well written with relatable characters.

I highly recommend this book.

Bess, a critical care paramedic with the Skylarks air ambulance service, has struggled since the death of her father and is now trying to deal with growing debts . She has been friends with Gio, a fireman, for years and they often meet up when they both attend incidents. Can they move on from being just good friends?
As with the previous book in the series, Come Fly With Me, I regularly watch fly on the wall documentaries about the air ambulance services and enjoy these books set with this as the backdrop. I felt for Gio's mother, struggling with alcoholism, and the way that this affected her relationship with her sons plus Bess' mother trying to move on after the death of her husband. There is the will they won't they potential romance between Bess and Gio plus updates on others from the previous book. Overall a book that I enjoyed reading.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

“ Written in the Stars” by Helen Rolfe. What can I say other than I loved it and read in one day. The setting of Whistlestop River, in Dorset sounds perfect, and I could picture the fields and the breathtaking coastline each time the emt helicopter took to the skies It had everything you could want in a story friendship, community and love.

I found the characters to be well developed, and multi-dimensional. It’s a great follow up to book one
Come Fly With Me, and I can’t wait to pick up the authors next book!

I will definitely read other books by this author.


I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Boldwood Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I want to thank NetGalley for this arc unfortunately I did not love this.
1. I am an American hems dispatcher and I really did not like some of the inaccuracies of the UK vs US protocols. Personally it took me out of the story.
2. This read like we were in paw patrol. There was way too much textbook like information being given about the industry that was not needed at all. It was overkill the reader does not need to know about the blood exchange protocol for the company.
3. No romance. Well there was but consider this women’s fiction and not romance. No spice at all.
Overall super bummed but I think it was way too hard to read about my industry in such a weird way

Loved this! It’s a great series - Come fly with me was also wonderful!!
Being a nurse and married to a firefighter/paramedic, I could relate to this plot line on many levels. I adore Gio and Bess. A wonderful and emotional novel.
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I have never read anything by this author before but I def will again. I absolutely loved it and couldn't put it down, you definitely should pick it up

I found a new cozy author! I was so excited after finishing Written In The Stars and finding out how many other books @helen_j_rolfe has.
Bess has lived every day like it was her last after the unexpected passing of her father a few years ago. Unfortunately her job as an air paramedic doesn’t fund that kind of life and she is financially in over her head. Gio has worked hard to make a stable life for himself. After a rough childhood he is now a firefighter and loves saving people. But when the past come knocking he will have to face the things he has tried hard to forget.
It is a fantastic curl up and read on a cozy night kind of book.
Thank you to @theboldbookclub and @netgalley for providing me with a copy of #writteninthestars for review.
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Lovely story of Bess, the critical care person on the air ambulance. 2nd book in the series but can be read standalone as enough of the first story is woven into the story.
Also introduces Marianne, mum of hunky fireman Gio.

A lovely book that reminds us that Air ambulances are not funded by the government but are charities.

Bess works with the Skylarks air rescue. Gio is a firefighter. Both have demanding jobs and also a lot of personal stuff too.
It’s a good addition to this series. It’s fairly fast moving and deals with several life issues. There’s several romances going on too. Definitely add this book and series to your list

This book took me a while to get into but once I was in, I was in! Persevere past the medical jargon and fire and emergency calls outs when the characters ar e introduced with a lot of ‘this is what happens on the job’. The slow romance between Gio and Bess is lovely. It is framed by their mothers and the issues that they are both having as well as Bess getting into too much debt to see her as out of. The alcoholism of Gio’s mum and Bess’ debt is handled sensitively and with maturity. The romance is almost an added gift.

First book by this author for me. I really enjoyed it. Bess and Gio have known each other for years. Now in their forties they realize that they want to be more than friends. A realistic look at life and love.

Thanks to Netgalley & Boldwood Books for the E-ARC! Loved the vibes of this one! Felt like a warm hug and love the characters. Definitely will read more from this author.

This is the second book in the Skylark series. I haven't read the first book but I intend to as I enjoyed this one,however it can be read as a standalone book as I did.
The story centres around The Skylarks air ambulance team. Bess is a critical injury paramedic. She lives alone and has just been through the trauma of losing her father. The way she grieved has put her in such trouble that she could lose her house.
Gia is a fireman who used to share a flat with Bess during their student days. They each like each other a bit more as the years go on but don't want to lose a friendship by telling each other.
I enjoyed this story,it cover quite a few topics,grief,alcoholism, debt etc. There was of course a love story along the way.