This is only the second book of Rochelle B. Weinstein's that I have read, I do enjoy here writing, and this was overall a good story. I personally just couldn't keep my focus in the first half of the book; this is a very character driven story. I enjoyed the second half of the book the most. I can't wait to read more of Rochelle B. Weinstein's books.

Thank you, Net Galley and Lake Union, Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

4 solid stars for this touching novel. It reminded me a bit of Steven Rowley’s The Celebrants but much better. There were a lot of characters but they were developed well. Themes of betrayal, forgiveness, friendship, family and belonging. A read this quickly and the writing flowed well. I loved the food aspect and the menu & wine pairings. As a resident in NC I loved the setting! Read it and enjoy!

Some quotes that resonated:

And maybe that was the crux of life. Sometimes there weren’t any answers, and you just had to figure out a way to move forward.

“Some people are just limited. That’s all. It doesn’t mean there’s no love. It just means they’re incapable of more.”

“Give yourself time. And if there’s one thing you should focus on, it’s not whether you love this person, because the answer is yes. It’s always yes. It’s a reflex. The real question is, can I live without this person? Legitimately gone. Think about it. Loving someone’s easy. Living without them—that’s what you need to figure out. And if you can’t live without them, then do everything in your power to fix this.”

I read this novel somewhat blind, not having read the plot. This is something I have never done before. I had received an ARC on @netgalley, but never got the time to read it in advance. I then saw a ton of media when the book was actually released and so much of it was positive, with 5 star reviews, especially with other authors I follow. So, I made it a point to read it.

For me it started out slow, but as we get to know the characters and got little teases and snippets of their stories, I started wanting to know more. I feel like @rochellebweinstein would give us little kibbles of information, that was just enough to both satisfy us but also leave us wanting, then change characters and do the same with their stories. It was reminiscent of a Liane Moriarty novel in that there are many characters, each with their own stories, that all seem to come together in the end. And I just love this type of writing and story.

To me, the best part of this book was the lesson in it. It shows that the deterioration of relationships is not usually due to one person or one event, but a series of them that lead people away from rather than toward each other. It takes work and accountability on both parts to find their way back if both want to.

My biggest criticism of this novel is that cheating is a very common theme among the characters. While, this theme manifested in different ways for each one and cheating didn’t always actually happen, I felt that it almost seemed that in the right circumstances almost anyone will. Which to me is a depressing thought on human nature. Despite this, I thought it was a great read and I will definitely be making it a point to read more by Rochelle B. Weinstein.

I don't love a story with a large cast of characters, that's just personal preference since I tend to get lost. However I do love foodie fiction.
Despite so many characters each one had a distinct voice and was very well developed.
The inn itself was charming and the food descriptions made me wanna head there.
My favorite part was the mystery element as you realized just about everyone is protecting a secret.

Really enjoyed this cast of characters. Great story and narration. At first I thought there were a lot of characters but then I got to know them all and it was fine. Just had to keep the storylines straight. Really enjoyed this one. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoy books like this, when an author brings together a group of people -- some who know one another, some who don't -- for a transfomative period of time that will change them forever. Of course, this is a complicated structure, and can be quite messy in the wrong hands! But Weinstein tells the story of this small group in an inn that's fallen on hard times with great skill and clarity. I found all the voices very compelling, and was very moved by the blend of betrayals, reunions, and connection revealed as the story progressed. I was most moved by the mother-daughter story, but also thought the troubled marriages felt very real I loved the resolution at the end and felt quite hopeful for these characters, who have been though a lot but ultimately show their capacity for forgiveness and renewal.

Rochelle B. Weinstein is now an auto-buy author for me. She is a beautiful storyteller, and has a way of weaving together plot lines that are surprising yet make perfect sense to the reader. In this book, several couples come together at the struggling Vis Ta Vie Inn. Over the course of a week we learn their stories and their secrets, with the backdrop of the Inn and the gourmet meals provided by their hosts. Writing from so many POVs can get authors into trouble, but Weinstein handles it with ease. She also did a great job with the setting and the inn, making it feel like its own character in the book. I truly felt like I was there with the characters.

This book had a slow start, but the characters each had an intriguing story. Coming together in this summer at a quaint Inn, these characters are grappling secrets and betrayals. Slowly the truths are revealed so healing can begin. I especially liked Rosie’s story. The ending is heartfelt and hopeful.

Foodie fiction is usually a win for me and this one was no different. A multiple POV tale of a magical place... a great read.

A cute and emotional read! A crazy bunch of people coming to this one place and some how they find their connections to each other through the vacation planned at this adorable B&B!

So many characters to follow and different stories that all have ties together. It’s great writing. Was a slow burn but it got so good I couldn’t put it down!

We Are Made of Stars by Rochelle B. Weinstein
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 🌌 Emotional chaos under starlight

A gorgeous mountain inn where everyone shows up with emotional baggage heavier than what they packed for the actual trip. And it's the LAST weekend before the place closes forever? The drama potential was astronomical (see what I did there? Because stars? I'll see myself out).

The vibes we're tracking:
🏔️ Mountain retreat but make it therapy
💔 Marriage problems that hit TOO close
👥 Found family excellence
✨ Star metaphors that somehow work

The couples in this story have LAYERS - Hollywood celebs pretending everything's fine (it's not), a practical therapist married to a star-obsessed astronomer, and that Instagram-perfect couple who's actually hanging by a thread.

"Vis Ta Vie" means "live your life" in French, and it's exactly the energy these deliciously flawed characters need. They're messy and real in ways that had me wanting to both hug and shake them.

If you love books that make you feel approximately 47 emotions simultaneously and settings so vivid you'll be Googling "mountain inns near me" at 2 AM – this one's for you! Just keep tissues handy. 💫

There was a lot that happened within the week stay at Vis Ta Vie inn. The writing was beautiful and even though there were multiple POVs they all had great depth. So many secrets came to light and the emotions slowly crept up on me. I was wondering how they were going to move forward with everything that was happening. With themes of trust, forgiveness, and acceptance it made for a heartwarming read.

This is not the first book I've read from Rochelle Weinstein, but I believe it's my favorite as well as one of the best books I've read this year. I could just feel the tension mounting throughout the book and couldn't wait to see how everything would come together. It takes place over the course of a week and is told in the alternating voices of the owners and guests of the Vis Ta Vie Inn. With a cast of diverse characters struggling with their personal battles, there is bound to be lots of drama. I have long thought that people who appear to have such perfect lives probably present a far different picture behind closed doors. This story definitely confirmed my theory. Thanks to NetGalley, Lake Union Publishing and the author for a copy to read and review.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I decided to change it up a bit with my usual genre and although this is not my usual, I did enjoy the story. I think you will too... It warms you a little.

Weinstein's work gets better and better with each book, and this one is no exception. A great read for lovers of women's fiction.

Wow.... this book was showstopper. I had a few moments where I thought "just get to the secrets already" but now I think it was done perfectly. Who could have imagined all the twists and turns.

Great book, this is the first book I have read by author. Very good story line and characters.
Holds your attention from the beginning. Recommend this book.

I had such a wonderful time getting lost in this story! The author describes the book as a blend of White Lotus and Virgin River, and I can totally see the connection. The peaceful, idyllic setting in Virgin River and the beautiful North Carolina backdrop here both serve as the perfect backdrop for the characters’ journeys of healing and second chances. Fans of The White Lotus will likely enjoy this one too, as both explore the complexities of human nature, personal struggles, and the hidden tensions that simmer beneath the surface of seemingly perfect or idyllic environments. These stories highlight how the outer layers of life often conceal deeper emotional truths.

Told from multiple POVs, this story weaves emotions, experiences, and connections at a cozy inn in the North Carolina mountains. The innkeepers are a loving couple and are at the heart of this story! They create a welcoming, cozy vibe, and the food descriptions are chef’s kiss—so vivid and mouth-watering, they add a magical sensory layer to the experience. Every meal shared throughout the story is a reminder of how food brings people together. At the Vis Ta Vie Inn, that is exactly what happens: guests gather around the table, and some even come together to cook, forming connections along the way.

If you are looking for a book that will transport you to a cozy, idyllic place and offer a heartfelt experience, this is it. It is a story that is perfect to save after finishing a book that emotionally wrecks you in the best way possible! Consider it a perfect palate cleanser! This one gets 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! I listened to the audiobook and the full cast of narrators did an amazing job at bringing this story to life.

Check out Zibby Owen’s “Totally Booked with Zibby” podcast for a behind-the-scenes chat with Rochelle Weinstein about the book’s journey (episode from 3/12/2025).

“We are all made up of stars and we are all connected in some big and beautiful way” ~Rochelle Weinstein

Congratulations Rochelle on such a beautiful story! I look forward to getting lost in more of your stories!

Follow me on Instagram at @i.am.book.a.licious for more bookish content.

This was my first book by Rochelle Weinstein and it definitely will not be the last!
Thank you so much to @getredpr for giving me the opportunity to read this book early!
We Are Made of Stars is about how people from all walks of life can come together and turn hardships into a beautiful ending.
The descriptions in this story transported me to the Vis Ta Vie
Inn. I felt fully immersed in the setting and along side the characters happy, sad, scary, confusing and hard moments.
Around the 50% mark this story takes off and I couldn't put it down.
We have a beautiful yet worrisome plot twist.
But everything comes together and we truly see how important family is, whether by blood or chosen family.
I loved this and cannot wait to read more of Rochelle's books!

We Are Made of Stars by Rochelle B. Weinstein.

I absolutely loved the large cast of characters in this book. I knew in the beginning when the three couples and mother and daughter arrived at the Inn for a weekend there would be some drama but I wasn’t expecting so much. This is yet another wonderful written book by Rochelle, I gave it four stars. I really enjoyed how the characters came together and they were all so unique. I will definitely recommend this book as I’ve alway Been a fan.
Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.