4.5 rounded up!

Read this in a day! The title says it all. This had so much angst while so frustrating to read the characters suffer through a decade of not genuinely being happy was heartbreaking. If you have read Love Letter to Whiskey - same angst and frustrating vibes for the characters. Dex and Sunny were always end game. Sometimes you need to let life run its course to get there, it might not be pretty but once you reach the end, when the Stars Align, it will be worth everything.

An angsty journey of growth and experiences. However, both Dex and Sunny fail to communicate!! Is it a miscommunication trope if there isn't communication? It was so hard to get through knowing if they simply expressed themselves from the beginning they wouldn't have gone through all the hurt that they went through. But of course, that is the premise of their story. Their chemistry was off the charts, the solace they found in one of another, overall it was a really good read. I genuinely thought it was going to leave me on a cliffhanger and I was getting closer to the end and Dex was no where in sight!

For a debut novel - Nathalie hit the nail on head achieving the childhood-friends-to lovers, angst, and emotion.

Thank you, Netgalley for my copy of an e-Arc.

Thank you to Written in the Stars Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

It’s natural to reflect on life’s “what-ifs,” especially when it comes to first love. If The Stars Align beautifully explores this theme through the story of Sunny and Dex, childhood best friends from Ohio who have secretly loved each other since they were five years old. Despite their deep bond, life takes them in different directions after high school, setting the stage for a decade-long journey of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery.

Sunny, the only child of a single mother, finds solace in Dex (Ollie Dexter) and his warm, welcoming family. Her love for him feels inevitable, yet fear holds her back from ever confessing it. Driven by her mother’s high expectations, she pursues academic excellence, leading her to college and eventually law school. Meanwhile, Dex—charismatic and effortlessly charming—heads to UCLA to chase his dreams of acting, eventually becoming a beloved soap opera star before making his mark in Hollywood.

Spanning ten years, If The Stars Align follows Sunny and Dex as they navigate an intense, on-again, off-again romance, always seeming to miss the right timing. As they grapple with personal struggles and mental health battles, they gradually learn to embrace their true selves and fight for the love they deserve. Their journey culminates in a spectacular and deeply satisfying conclusion.

A compelling and heartfelt read, this novel will have you rooting for Sunny and Dex every step of the way, eager to see love triumph against all odds.

Such a beautifully written book! I loved how the author encompassed prevalent issues of mental health within the storyline, these were discussed beautifully. The book is a perfect friends to lovers, a perfect match if you love Colleen Hoover! The two main characters are likeable and relatable, I loved the dual point of view as well! Lovely book!