Member Reviews

My first Laura Carter book, but probably not my last! Catch a Falling Star is a very sweet and cozy romcom where not only are the main characters fun to read but so are the secondary characters. I loved the backstory and reconciliation with the band while simultaneously wanting to punch her mother and sister.

Despite a bit of a slow start, the rest of the book really flowed, lending it to be finished relatively quickly. Carter’s writing is engaging and grounded, just what you want from a romcom.

Most of the tension and problems within the story feel rooted in reality rather than relying on unrealistic, over the top blow ups, which is refreshing.

Definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cute, cozy, and easy romcom!

Was this review helpful?

If the blurb sounded like an entertaining fluffy piece, I ended up having mixed feelings about it. I really wanted to enjoy this romcom, but my main issue was with the characters's personalities. They sounded immature and hard to relate to. I thought the book would be a better fit for an adult audience on the younger side (say early twenty something readers). I didn't care enough for the characters to enjoy the story fully.

Was this review helpful?

I find this book was funny, sweet and very cute! While it contains heavier topics such as guilt, grief and addiction, the overall story was light and a breeze to read. This was my first Laura Carter book and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

The book is about Guy, a former rockstar turned wedding singer, and Lyra, a wedding photographer. They almost met seven years ago at one of his band’s concerts, but life (unfortunately) had other plans. Fast forward to now and they have an absolutely adorable and funny meet-cute in an elevator! There is plenty of tension between the two, but it takes a while for both of them to fully give into their attraction. And even when they do, Guy still has plenty of walls around his heart. Not only is Lyra able to get through brick by brick, they also help each other heal in ways they could have never predicted and it's beautiful to read on page.

I loved that the story took place during wedding season, because it immediately created a romantic backdrop for the story! I also loved the easy to read and funny writing: there were a couple of spelling mistakes in this version, but nothing major and I’m sure they will be edited/removed before publishing. Lastly, I felt most of the key side characters were fleshed out enough and important to the overall storyline. However, this was not done so much for both Lyra and Guy’s relatives and I would have liked to see more of them and especially their motivations throughout the book.

Overall, this was a great romcom and I would definitely recommend if you’re looking for a light and fun read!

Thank you NetGalley and Boldwood Books for providing me with an ARC for review! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Was this review helpful?

I recently finished reading this book and I must say, it was a captivating and refreshing experience. From the moment I started the book, I was hooked by its grounded and relatable portrayal of romance.
The plot is incredibly realistic, which is something I truly appreciated. The love story unfolds at a pace that feels true to life—there are no unrealistic twists or melodramatic moments that often plague romantic novels. Instead, the characters face real-life challenges, personal growth, and emotional struggles that anyone can relate to. The story touches on themes of trust, vulnerability, and the importance of self-discovery before fully opening up to someone else.
What stood out most to me was the character development. The protagonist evolve throughout the book, and their emotional growth is depicted with such care. Their flaws, strengths, and vulnerabilities are portrayed in a way that makes them feel like real people, not just characters on a page. It’s rare to find a romance where the characters' emotional journeys are as important as their romantic connection, and [Book Title] does this beautifully. Their interactions felt authentic, and the relationship built naturally over time, making it all the more rewarding by the end.
This book made me reflect on my own experiences and left me with a sense of hope that love can grow in the most unexpected ways. It's a novel about finding love not just with someone else, but also with yourself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance that feels real, with characters that are fully realized and a plot that keeps you invested from start to finish.

Was this review helpful?

This book gave me Idea of You/Forget Me Not vibes and it was very cute. I liked the FMC & MMC as individual characters. Lyra’s family was honestly the worst and I don’t think their attitude change was really warranted from what we saw on-page. The other side characters and relationships were good and I liked seeing Guy reconcile with the band and the exploration of guilt and grief that went along with that. The song lyrics I could do without but I don’t like them in any books really.

Was this review helpful?

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a really sweet and fun read. I enjoyed it and would definitely recommend it to friends!

Was this review helpful?

Catch a Falling Star by Laura Carter is an absolute gem of a romance that left me smiling, swooning, and completely enchanted. This book is a beautiful mix of quirky humor, heartfelt moments, and unexpected love, with characters that I couldn’t help but root for from start to finish.

Lyra Clarkson is a wedding photographer who loves capturing the perfect moments of other people’s love stories, even if her own life feels a little unfulfilled. Her family’s disapproval of her career path only adds to her sense of being lost. Enter Guy Walker—former rock star turned wedding singer—who, in desperate need of cash, finds himself taking on gigs that are far from glamorous.

Their paths cross in the most unexpected way, and from there, things take a delightful turn. What starts with a chance encounter and an unforgettable kiss quickly grows into something deeper. Lyra and Guy, both wounded and struggling to find their place in life, slowly begin to heal each other, though neither realizes it at first. Their journey together is a beautiful testament to how love can sneak up on you when you least expect it.

One of the most fascinating aspects of their story is the realization that Lyra and Guy almost met seven years earlier. It’s a detail that really made me stop and think about fate, timing, and how the right moment can make all the difference. Sometimes, things don’t work out because it’s not yet the right time, and this small twist in their story made me reflect on how important it is to be in the right place, at the right time. The way their lives finally align after all this time feels like destiny, and it added such an extra layer of depth to their connection.

What I loved most about this book is how Lyra and Guy’s relationship develops organically. Neither of them is looking for love, but as they spend time together throughout the wedding season, they begin to discover not just each other, but themselves as well. Their connection is so wonderfully real—sometimes awkward, sometimes funny, but always genuine. It was impossible not to get swept up in their slow-burning romance.

And every time Guy was referred to as the "wedding singer," I couldn't help but think of Robbie and Julia from The Wedding Singer movie! It added such a fun, nostalgic layer to the story, and I found myself grinning every time it came up. The humor in this book is spot on, balancing the emotional depth perfectly.

Laura Carter’s writing is warm and inviting, and she brings Lyra and Guy’s world to life in such a vibrant way. I couldn’t help but get lost in the wedding season backdrop, with all the gorgeous moments, laughter, and even a few tears along the way.

Was this review helpful?

This is a very wholesome, romantic, sweet story about a photographer and former rock star (and current star once again) who had a chance at meeting years ago but never did. They eventually find their way back to each other to start their story. The author does a great job of writing in background characters who all play important parts but doesn’t over do it - there’s just enough information on those characters but doesn’t take away from the story. I enjoyed the way the chapters were laid out with dates like which wedding or event was taking place.

This was a 3.75-4 stars for me!

Was this review helpful?

Thanks, @netgalley, the author and publishers for the ARC.

This is the first book I've read by this author.
This story slow was a really slow burn for the first half, and a tad boringand although it picked up more in the second half, I just couldn't quite co eat with the story. It felt a bit choppy changey. That being said, it was a sweet storyline, and I could see how you could love and connect with the characters.

I

Was this review helpful?

Lyra Clarkson, una talentosa fotógrafa de bodas, ha construido su carrera capturando los momentos perfectos de otras personas, pero aún no ha encontrado su propio camino hacia la felicidad.
Guy Walker, un ex rockero que ahora se gana la vida como cantante en bodas, atraviesa su momento más bajo, sumido en la culpa por la muerte de su hermano y buscando desesperadamente una salida económica.
El destino los reúne de la forma más inesperada: un encuentro incómodo en un ascensor, donde una chispa se enciende entre ellos, aunque ambos arrastran sus propios demonios y miedos.

A lo largo de la temporada de bodas, Lyra y Guy se ven obligados a trabajar juntos, enfrentándose a sus inseguridades, miedos y la atracción mutua que, a pesar de sus diferencias, parece ser inevitable. Mientras luchan por superar sus pasados y encontrar su camino hacia el amor, ambos aprenderán que, a veces, el destino tiene una forma extraña de unir a las personas cuando menos lo esperan.



~



Me cayó mal la hermana de Lyra, se me hizo tan grosera e insoportable. No entendí para que andaba presume y presume que su prometido fue novio de Lyra, pero cuando la vió se enamoró de ella.




Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first Lauren Carter book that I’ve read and it was amazing! I loved How the characters came together and I was truly hooked. I got through this in 2 days and I can’t wait to read more of their books in the future!

Was this review helpful?

Laura Carter’s Catch a Falling Star is a delightful, emotionally rich second-chance romance that hooked me from the very first page. This was my introduction to Carter’s work, and I’m already eager to explore more of her stories. With its blend of music, humor, and heartfelt moments, this book is perfect for anyone who loves a good love story with depth and charm.

The novel centers on Lyra Clarkson, a talented wedding photographer who has carved out a career capturing other people’s happiest moments, even as she struggles to find her own happiness. Her family’s disapproval of her career choice adds a layer of tension, making her journey all the more compelling. On the other side of the story is Guy Walker, a former rock star who’s hit a rough patch and is now taking on less-than-glamorous gigs to make ends meet. When their paths collide in the most unexpected way—thanks to a hilariously awkward elevator encounter—their lives take a turn neither of them could have predicted.
One of the standout aspects of this book is its balance of humor and heart. The witty banter and laugh-out-loud moments are perfectly offset by the more introspective scenes. The supporting characters, from friends to family members, add richness to the story, creating a world that feels real.
The musical elements are another highlight. As someone who loves music, it’s impossible not to feel the rhythm of the story as it unfolds.
Catch a Falling Star is more than just a romance—it’s a story about resilience, self-discovery, and the messy, beautiful journey of finding love when you least expect it. L
Laura Carter’s writing is engaging, making this an easy book to devour in one sitting.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you for the opportunity to eARC "Catch a Falling Star"!

This book was a little slower in the beginning, but it is one you really have to give a chance to warm up. By 40% in, I was hooked. I didn't want to put it down and decided to binge it in one go. The book is a medium paced read centered around a conflict that is all very human in nature and so relatable: grief and guilt.

Lyra and Guy were very comfortable characters. Lyra especially was very relatable in the sense that most of us know how it feels to believe we are the disappointment or black sheep. Her character is very easy to become attached to and I really enjoyed her chapters of the book. I felt the two of them complimented each other so well.

I love a good healing arc, and this did not disappoint! I appreciated getting to watch Guy's walls fall down and watch the slow built of anticipation between the 3 of them. I also appreciated the closed door aspect of their relationship. It felt so right with how this book was written to not have full spicy.

Overall, I am going to give this a 3.5-4/5. I really enjoyed this read a lot and would pick it up again!

Was this review helpful?

What a book. My first Laura Carter book! I absolutely devoured this! The story follows Lyra and Guy. Guy is a fallen rockstar who blames himself for things that have happened in his past. And Lyra was a super fan of the band guy was in and is now a photographer. I loved how they came together. They had a missed opportunity from years ago of meeting and I love that they both still thought about That Night regularly. They both had their demons and things to figure out and I really enjoyed that although they helped and support each other they also did it on their own! Their HEA was just so cute and I found myself kicking my feet and squealing at them! I can’t wait to read more of Laura’s stuff!

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed reading this book. Second chance can happen when not excepted. I cant wait to buy this book and other books from Laura Carter.

Was this review helpful?

I really enjoyed this book. Chapters were written from Lra and Guy POV. Lyaa is a professional wedding photographer and Guy is a has been singer from a well known band but times are desperate for Guy and he will take any offers for money. So he attends wedding as a wedding singer from there he meets Lyra. I loved this story, it was so funny and uplifting at the same time. I loved their chemistry. Fantastic read.

Was this review helpful?

I want to say a huge thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️/5

Wow! Catch a Falling Star really took me surprise, in a GREAT way! I absolutely loved this book! I quite literally could not put it down.

Our FMC, Lyra, and MMC, Guy, Nate just absolutely incredible. They’re brought back into each others lives and forced to work together for an entire wedding series. 💍I love their relationship with earth other, their relationship with the friends and family, and their relationships that grow with themselves.

This book had laughing, crying, giggling, smiling and so much more. I can not recommend this enough! 💕

Was this review helpful?

Beautiful, heartbreaking, and life-affirming!

"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."

I loved everything about Lyra and Guy's story - the first time they saw each, their meet-cute, and the way their relationship evolved. No matter how hard Guy kept telling himself to keep away, he was just so drawn to her - almost against his will. The frisson between them whenever they were together was electrifying. I adored Lyra's soft, sympathetic heart - it felt like she understood Guy, without really knowing much about him. They carried emotional, guilty burdens, and they both needed to learn to shed those burdens before they could really move forward.

"When you're ready to let me in, I'll be here for all of it. The good, the bad and the downright chavvy."

The characters in this book felt so real. There were so many moments in this story that made them real - humorous, gritty, awkward, emotional, seductive, angsty, and downright romantic! Oh my heart! The sheer romance near the conclusion of this book gave me all the feels! At the start of this story, Guy was so emotionally broken that it was so beautiful to see how far he'd come by the end. A fabulous book and thoroughly recommend!

Was this review helpful?

As a photographer in real life, the premise of this story drew me in, and I couldn't help but feel nostalgic for the title (the song will forever remind me of The Princess Diaries, one of my favorite childhood movies).

I really wanted to like this book, but it ended up being not for me. The writing style did not engage me - I personally prefer more showing than telling in books, and language that flows better - where this book felt a little choppy and made it difficult to fully connect with the story.

I know that many readers have and will emotionally connect with the characters, and overall, I still think the plot was really sweet and fun.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

Rounded up from 3.5

This was a cute, cozy romance. Both of the main characters are flawed and overcoming trauma. It makes them relatable and you really want to cheer for them. And Lyra’s sister makes me want to punch her sometimes!

Thank you NetGalley, Laura Carter and Boldwood Books for this ARC. All opinions here are my own.

Was this review helpful?