Catch a Falling Star by Laura Carter

This novel is a dual POV starring Lyra and Guy. Lyra is a young woman who had ambitions to be a doctor from her parents, but seven years prior decides that she is going to give up their dream and become a photographer. That night she happens to be at her favorite band’s show, The Hand Me Downs. She is invited backstage to meet the band but she gets bad news from her family that seems to derail all of her dreams.

From there, we learned that Lyra has become a wedding photographer, staying closer to home, and she runs into the former rockstar Guy Walker who is dealing with his own fall from grace.

When I was about 30% into the book I thought at the most this would be a four star read. The premise was fun and seemed like it would be a cute love story. Lyra is written as this “good girl” who almost looks on the sunny side and is happy dealing with how her life is but the reality is that she is unhappy not fulfilling her dream or the ones her family had for her. Which is intrigued but as the book went on she became more unlikable and a bit immature. It is like hearing an adult say fiddle sticks when something truly awful happens. Guy is no different, he starts as a tortured rockstar who is dealing with his own family trauma but has to work as a naked butler and a wedding singer but will never sing his own songs. He processed from a character that could have true depth to one that is a forgettable washed up rockstar.

At 70% I knew this one was a 3 star read. It felt drawn out and I almost didn’t care how it would end. I pushed through to get the ending hoping for a big redemption of the book like the one Lyra and Guy were also seeking for much of the novel. No surprise they both fight their personal demons and the things that are holding them back from having the life they wanted.

I feel like I wanted more from this book but that isn’t to say this wasn’t a good read. The problem is that I have read amazing variations of a similar plot recently.

📚BOOK REVIEW 📚

Catch a Falling Star - @lauracarterauthor @boldwoodeverafter

"She looks like a rockstar, but embarrasses like the girl next door"

Why am I only just discovering this wonderful author? This book was amazing! I absolutely adored it and if you are a romantic music lover then this is the perfect book for you.

Guy Walker was once in a rock band called the Hand Me Downs and one night when performing he spots Lyra Clarkson in the crowd and asks for her to come back stage. She accepts but just as they are about to meet she disappears after a phonecall. He has never forgotten her though.

Years later, Lyra is now a successful photographer and Guy is performing at Weddings. He is also working as butler in the buff much to his embarrassment to being in a wage.

Their meet cute happens when they get stuck in a lift together and their attraction is as strong as it was all that time ago at the concert. They end up covering the same events during the wedding season and as they get to know one another their relationship develops.

The story is told from a duel point of view which is my favourite in romance books. Flashing back to the past and present we get a good insight into the characters and all the things they have been through to lead them to this moment. I really enjoyed the character development from both characters.

They both had things they were dealing with but they genuinely made each other better. This was such a great second chance romance and I loved all the nods we got to some of the bands. It was pure nostalgia in parts but I also liked getting Guys lyrics etc. I can picture him so clearly in my mind. I wish he was real 🤣 He was written so well and especially some of his complex problems. He was every fan's fantasy. When you adore someone famous but they see you.

Lyra was a fab character. She was kind with no judgements and her outlook on life was inspiring. Always putting other before herself.

This was just such a special book. I loved it so much. It was a great. I can't wait to read more from this author.

“I’m trapped in this dungeon, with no way out, and my tortured soul has been repressed by a woman who is my opposite in every way. From the way she loves and is loved, to her willingness to put others before even her own happiness. She’s the sun to my storm cloud and she should be repelled by me, yet everything inside me is fuelled by her warmth. And I… Damn it, I want more.”


The way this book made me want to curl into feral position in a corner and cry but yet also rage to the point where I hated all men. You know a book is good when it makes you feel your highest highs, and your lowest lows. Ugh this damn book. There were points when I was looking up the British lingo and word because I was like “What the hell does that mean…” but in all honesty this book was spot on for a great romance with a lot of heartbreak.

The book opens up with “The Night” seven years in the past, with Lyra at a concert with her best friend. Feeling absolutely care free because she finally decided to live life for herself and leave the medical program and finally follow her dreams of being a photographer. Lyra and her friend are having the time of their life and when one of the singers to the band asks for her to come back stage, her friend makes her go for it. I mean this is the guy she has been obsessing over, this is Guy, singer of The Hand Me Downs, she has to go, right? Feeling high on life she decides to go. Then on the way to the dressing room she gets a call that will change her life forever.

Fast forward seven years and we learn that Lyra is now a wedding photographer and living day to day with helping her family out and is the photographer for her sisters hen party (bachelorette party is what we call it in the states) and she gets stuck on an elevator with a rugged looking man, who she swears is the man she was suppose to meet “That Night” seven years ago. She brushes it off as there is no way it can be him, even though he shares the same name, Guy.

After the party is over she finds herself outside with Guy and realizes she is definitely attracted to him, even though he is extremely standoffish and downright rude. Things happen that lead to her kissing him and this is the moment when both of their lives change forever.

I don’t want to give away too much but this was one of the best second chance romances I have read. There were moments when you really wanted to hate Guy but then also find yourself feeling completely helpless for him and how his life has turned out and root for him to get his act together and realize he needs to stop living in the past.

Lyra was always trying to be happy go lucky and when she finally decided to stand up for herself against her family, sister and even Guy I was fist bumping for my girl. Absolutely loved this story and the characters you meet.


“She’s my longest day of the year. My favourite day of the year. And she’s pulling me in like gravity. A force I can’t see, one that’s hard to explain, but it’s real, it exists, and I’m powerless to stop it.”

This was such a tender, slow-burn romance about missed chances, emotional walls, and the strange ways fate sometimes intervenes. The couple at the heart of the story keeps finding themselves literally trapped together—first in an elevator, then in a dungeon—and it’s in those moments that their connection really shines. I loved how these situations mirrored the emotional barriers they’ve been trying to navigate.

Both characters are weighed down by guilt and grief, and while the pacing dragged a little in the middle, their emotional journeys felt honest and well-earned. What surprised me most was how much the story emphasized the power of friendship and laughter. Grief is a quiet presence throughout, but it’s the warmth of connection and the lightness of humor that helps them find their way back—not just to each other, but to themselves.

If you love slow-burn romance with emotional depth, a bit of fate-fueled fun, and characters who find healing in unexpected places, this one is worth picking up.

Catch a Falling Star by Laura Carter

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

Blurb

Lyra Clarkson has built a career capturing other people’s perfect moments. She loves her work as a wedding photographer – despite her family’s disapproval – but she’s never quite found her own path.

Guy Walker, former rock star turned wedding singer, has hit a new low. Desperately needing cash, he’s agreed to take any gig his manager can get him, even if this new form of entertainment isn’t just singing.

As Lyra and Guy’s paths cross – in the most bizarre way possible – an unexpected kiss will change everything. But was it simply a chance encounter or is fate bringing them back together?

Now forced into each other’s lives for the entire wedding season, the unlikely pair may just figure out together how to realise both their dreams…

My Opinion

Catch a Falling Star is a lovely read. Laura Carter has once again written a book that was difficult to put down. Lyra and Guy almost met after a concert but Lyra was called away, seven years later the pair are given a second chance. A charming book that I would highly recommend.

Rating 4/5

Thank you to the Laura Carter and Boldwood Books for letting me read this ARC via NetGalley.

Genre: Cozy Romance
Vibes: 🎶🎸📸👰🏻‍♀️💒💕
Rating: 3.75 ⭐
Tropes: second chance romance / forced proximity / workplace (wedding photographer / musician) romance

I really don't have much else to say for this except for that it was a very sweet, very cute, refreshing read. About 75% of the way through, I decided that I was all on board for the relationship between Guy and Lyra and I was very satisfied with the ending.

My Thoughts :
We meet Lyra Clarkson and Guy Walker.
Guy was once in a rock band called The Hand Me Downs, he had spotted in Lyra in the crowd one night at a gig, but without any warning Lyra dissapeared, she had to leave the show after a phone call.
Moving on several years later, Lyra is now a photographer after droping out of med school and Guy has taken up wedding singing and being a butler in the buff for extra money.
They both find themselves in a lift on their way to work, but do they remember each other and that one glance in the crowd all those years ago!?.
As we follow the couple and learn more about their past and what they have been doing all this time, we get to see the chemistry between them, but can they both get past trust issues.
Laura Carter has done a great job in bringing the characters together, or back together I should say.
A perfect story full of fun, friends, laughs and relationships.
Looking forward to more from Laura Carter in the near future.

Its a bit like cheating but i knew i was going to love this book from the moment that i read the blurb, that added with the fact that i already know that i love Laura Carters writing style meant this book was a winner for me.
I wasn't wrong, I've loved every single page of this book. I instantly loved Lyra, she was like all my university friends rolled into one and she was so easy to connect with that i was invested in her from the first page.
I adored getting to know Guy through his chapters, he did frustrate the heck out of me though, his deciding that he wasn't good enough for Lyra was annoying. Don't get me wrong i did fall in love with him very quickly and i spent at least 75% of the book wanting to give him a hug and the other 25% yelling at him (out loud much to the confusion of my family) and i was rooting for them from that first moment they became reacquainted. I really disliked Lyra's family to start off with, the way they kept putting her down, and the fact that she just took it!, made me so angry at times. But i did enjoy seeing how their relationship changed throughout the book and i loved how their support came though at the end. I think the contrast in family dynamics between our two MC's was really well done and i liked seeing their different upbringings portrayed so brilliantly.
I've always loved Laura Carters writing style she makes characters that are so relatable that its easy to get drawn into their lives and care for what is going on and their happiness. What i really loved about this book was that it wasn't just about the romance element, both MC's needed to work on what made them happy without each other as well. I loved that they both had a fulfilling relationship and career by the end of the book.
As usual Laura Carter has hit it out of the park with this book, and i cannot wait for her next book!

Catch a Falling Star is a warm, witty second-chance romance that had me smiling, swooning, and occasionally laughing out loud. With its blend of playful banter, simmering chemistry, and emotional heart, it hits all the right notes for a feel-good romantic read.

Guy and Lyra make a magnetic pair—he’s charming with that irresistible rugged edge, and she’s fiery, intelligent, and unforgettable. Their dynamic crackles with tension, and their shared history adds depth to every moment they spend on the page. The push-and-pull between them is perfectly paced, mixing heartfelt emotion with flirty back-and-forth and just enough angst to keep things interesting.

Laura Carter’s writing style is light and engaging, with plenty of humor woven throughout. The comedic moments—whether through awkward encounters or sharp one-liners—never feel overdone, offering just the right counterbalance to the more serious themes of forgiveness and growth.

While I didn’t quite fall head-over-heels, this was still a highly enjoyable romance that delivered exactly what I wanted: heart, laughs, and a love story worth rooting for. For fans of second-chance love with spark, heart, and plenty of charm, Catch a Falling Star is well worth adding to your TBR.

j'ai énormément aimé Guy et Lyra, leur histoire est vraiment chouette et on a le sourire en les voyant vivre chaque moment ensemble. Si au départ c'est un peu tendu, ils vont se rapprocher petit à petit et nous faire vivre des hauts et des bas intenses, des souvenirs qui les ont marqué et la vie qu'ils ont eu, ont et pourraient avoir nous tient en haleine. J'ai adoré les personnages secondaires et leurs interactions et la manière dont on termine cette aventure. Une très belle romance qui nous fait vibrer et avoir un immense sourire.

This was an entertaining, well-written book. It was sweet, heartwarming, fun and kept me reading. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others.

A book which shows how two young, caring people, from totally different worlds are drawn together until they are stopped by personal tragedies. How their self blame shapes their futures until they meet again. It explores whether these two very different characters can help each other to be who they were meant to be. A lovely story which also made me self reflect a bit!

Catch a falling star is a cute second chance romance. Lyra goes to a concert for one of her favorite bands and has a just missed chance encounter with Guy, the guitarist from the band who she has had a crush on. Fast Forward several years and they have a meet cute in an elevator and so their love story goes.

I really loved Lyra and Guy's interactions and how supportive they are of each other.
As an american reading this book I found a lot of the british slang confusing or hard to understand

Lyra was supposed to be a doctor like her family, but she dreamed of something else. Guy was in a famous band. They were supposed to meet 7 years again, but That Night changed everything for both of them. Fast forward to today, Lyra is a wedding photographer, Guy a wedding singer and their paths cross again, would this time be different?

Between all the meddling and banter, I couldn’t put the book down; they kept me hooked while giggling. I loved the story of Lyra and Guy. They are both scarred, but they help each other move on and rediscover themselves. Also, the development of friends and family relationships on both sides was very wholesome.

Catch a Falling Star is a beautiful second chance romance. The main characters are Lyra, a wedding photographer, and Guy, a former guitarist-turned-wedding singer. Lyra has forged her own career path without support from her family. Guy is in need of additional cash flow and takes any job his manager tosses his way. They come together, again (yes, that's right - again) at her former friend's bridal shower. She as the photographer, he as the bartending eye candy. Their current occupations keeps putting them together at the same weddings, and the sparks fly every time they meet.

I loved this romantic story that brings to people back together after tragedy kept them apart. There is so much chemistry between Lyra and Guy. I loved seeing them evolve and heal throughout the book. Neither were necessarily looking for love, but you know what they say - love finds you when you least expect it. The slow-burn aspect of their romance occurs naturally without force, and I appreciate that. The author did a great job bringing Lyra and Guy back together.

This book is cute, fun, and romantic, while dealing with serious topics. The author created a wonderful world, 3D characters with depth and emotion, and realistic romantic and family scenarios. I always enjoy multiple points-of-view and this is no exception. I love reading this as Lyra and as Guy. I immersed myself into this beautiful romance and loved going on the journey of self-discovery and absolution of guilt, while at the same watching the development of a magical romance.

This book was adorable! I loved the grumpy/sunshine vibes and the forced proximity gave the characters great tension! I also loved how the interaction at the very beginning of the book was intertwined throughout the entire story. I've never read a book about a wedding photographer, so I loved that Lyra was always capturing the best parts of people's lives! Also the fact that hot, smoldering Guy drove a pink car with eyelashes, that was a genius idea. Overall I really liked this book, and I will be recommending it to my book friends.

Lovely romance story! Had me smiling often while reading it. Lyra and Guy were about to meet then life happened. Several years and family tragedies later they do meet and its attraction at first sight. They both have things to learn about themselves, mistakes are made, forgiveness given and received. Be sure not to miss this one! Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my review.

‘That Night’ seven years ago was a pivotal and life altering moment for the two main characters who were supposed to meet but didn’t.

Guy Walker was the rock star on stage the last night before his band was to begin playing arenas and stadiums. Lyra Clarkson was the girl in the audience who captured his attention as he watched her dance with freedom and light. She had just dropped out of med school and was ready to embark in the direction she wanted versus the one her parents suggested.

Now seven years later they have a chance meeting and it is once again life changing.

The first half of the story introduces the main characters and how their lives have deviated from their desired path. Lyra is a wedding photographer instead of a documentary photographer and Guy has fallen from rock star status to ‘naked butler’ and wedding singer.

The dual POV is told in the present with scenes from the past sprinkled in to give readers a true sense of their story. Watching them grow and face their internal demons is emotional and at times illuminating. The writing is witty and brings humor to some emotional topics.

I received an advance review copy for free from
the author, Boldbooks and NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I could not wait to read Laura Carter’s latest book and I was not disappointed.

Catch a falling star follows main characters Lyra and Guy as they navigate finding themselves again and finding each other.

I loved the characters they felt really relatable and their back stories were quite deep. I really felt for them both in their situations and could imagine myself in their shoes.

This is a page turning grumpy vs sunshine romance that everyone should read!

Catch a Falling Star is a delightful second-chance romance filled with humor, sizzling chemistry, and heartfelt moments. With sharp banter that keeps the pages turning, it’s a story that’s both entertaining and deeply satisfying.

At its core are Guy and Lyra—two characters whose undeniable connection refuses to fade. Guy’s charm and rugged appeal make him impossible to resist, while Lyra’s fiery personality and quick wit make her an unforgettable lead. Their dynamic is electric, brimming with tension, playful exchanges, and just the right amount of angst to keep readers hooked.

Laura Carter’s engaging writing perfectly balances humor and emotion. Whether it’s awkward run-ins, sarcastic quips, or unexpected twists, the comedy feels effortless and enhances the story’s emotional stakes.

This novel beautifully explores themes of love, forgiveness, and personal growth, delivering a second-chance romance that feels authentic and deeply rewarding. With just the right mix of obstacles and swoon-worthy moments, it’s a must-read for anyone who loves a romance that makes them laugh and melt in equal measure.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Laura Carter for the eARC