Matthew Capes, struggling with chronic stage fright, has not sung in front of an audience for ten years. A classical tenor with a magnificent voice, he only dares sing late at night on the empty stage of the Moon and Stars theatre.
When Matthew’s old singing partner Angela who just so happens to be the woman of his dreams gets back in touch and offers him the chance to perform in a nationwide tour, his low self-esteem and anxiety stand in the way. But Matthew has a plan: he will sing in the shadows while his handsome and charismatic friend Ralph takes to the stage with Angela. What could go wrong?
Really enjoyable read totally recommend
Thank You NetGalley and Fairlight Books
I just reviewed The Moon and Stars by Jenna Warren. #TheMoonandStars #NetGalley

I thought this book had a really interetsing premise and it didn't disappoint me. It was well written with a fantastic storyline and well developed characters. I couldn't put it down.

Incredibly original and different, a poignant story about a lonely, troubled, shy hero, “The Moon and Stars”, by Jenna Warren (Fairlight Books), is told in his perspective and deals with psychological issues and the meanders of music and creativity in an interest way.
Matthew is such a troubled young man; his issues go back to adolescence and remain problematic. The author manages to display both the raw mental pain he experiences and the loving, supporting role of family and friends, often showing itself in indirect ways.
I loved the take on stage fright, anxiety, low-esteem issues and youth self-image, and how the author incorporated these themes into the story through the hero’s often painful life experiences.
It’s hard sometimes to witness such a naked, honest display of vulnerable masculinity; sometimes I felt I was almost violating his inner self…
I also loved that there was some distance and we, readers, could also see how Matthew’s perspectives were tainted and things often weren’t as bad or gloomy as they seemed to him.
I felt the love triangle was well written and really liked how Lucy’s character was developed. Understandably, Angela‘s character was more opaque, with less substance and depth.
It’s frustrating that Matthew is so clueless and blind so many times, but I suppose that’s part of his very low key, unassuming nature. You can also find him a bit naïve and innocent and appreciate that you have these dimensions in a male character.
I liked the way Jenna Warren wrote the attraction between Matthew and Lucy, and the way he is so unaware and even a bit obtuse about it.
The contrast between Angela and Lucy is nice, too.
I loved that this is also a story about the beauty of singing and the wonder of the human voice. And how us, common mortals, can be so enraptured by it.
The secondary characters are awesome and bring so much to the story. I especially liked the band members, the Moon and Stars team and Matthew’s family.