Heart is a Star
A Novel
by Megan Rogers
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Pub Date Jan 07 2025 | Archive Date Jan 06 2025
Central Avenue Publishing | Central Avenue
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Description
Layla Byrnes is exhausted. She's juggling a demanding job as an anesthesiologist, a disintegrating marriage, her young kids, and a needy lover. And most particularly she's managing her histrionically unstable mother, who repeatedly threatens to kill herself.
But this year, it's different. When her mother calls just before Christmas, she doesn't follow the usual script. Instead, she tells Layla that there's something she needs to tell her about her much-loved father. In response, Layla drops everything to rush to her childhood home on the wild west coast of Tasmania. She's determined to finally confront her mother - and find out what really happened to her father - and lay some demons to rest.
The Heart is a Star is an engrossing, lyrical and powerfully absorbing novel about the complicated and beautiful messiness of midlife; about the ways in which we navigate an intricate, complicated world; and about how we can uncover our true selves when we are forced to face the myths that make us.
A Note From the Publisher
Booksellers & Librarians -- this book can be ordered via Simon & Schuster or whichever wholesaler you prefer. If you love it as much as we do, we'd love a nomination for IndieNext (due Oct 28) or LibraryReads
Advance Praise
"A riveting read; deeply, compellingly human, a brilliant exploration of how closely-held secrets and misunderstood moments in childhood undermine one woman’s lifelong ability to connect. With searing honesty and unflinching insight the painful truth slowly surfaces, upending her view of herself, her life, and the people she loves. It’s heart-wrenching, and in the end, completely, beautifully, liberating. I couldn’t put it down." — Lisa Cron, author of Wired for Story
The main draw of The Heart is a Star is the emotional complexity of the intimate relationships it portrays, the maturity of its protagonist, and the psychological intricacy of navigating revelations that change not only the present, but one’s own past.” — Sydney Morning Herald
“Absorbing, engrossing and brilliant.” —The Australian
“Every word contains multitudes of meaning. Steeped in thematic intensity, The Heart is a Star is a deeply engaging story about becoming un-numbed, letting go of illusion, and learning to become more human through the balance of emotion and logic.’”— Artshub
“Captivating … The Heart is a Star is a powerful novel with evocative and enticing language that will appeal to readers of Richard Flanagan and Holly Ringland. Rooted in feminine empowerment, Rogers’ debut is necessary and enthralling reading, and will stay with the reader long after the last page.” — Books+Publishing
“This book blew my socks off. The Heart is a Star is a combination of gorgeous, thoughtful prose, a deep family mystery and a meditation on what happens when we realize we’ve been steering ourselves (or have been steered by others) in the wrong direction.” — Hannah Richell, author of The Search Party
”Impressive in its structure, tension and sensitivity.” — Newtown Review of Books
“Tense, heartbreaking and crackling with vivid honesty – all those tiny, telling details that have you nodding with recognition and wanting to gulp the book in one rush of a sitting. I could not put this book down. A new star is born in the writing firmament.” — Nikki Gemmell, author of The Bride Stripped Bare
“A novel to treasure. Fragile, tender, honest, raw – and luminescent with hope.” – Mimi Kwa, author of House of Kwa
“Impressive … a compelling story told with sensitivity and intelligence.” – Lyn Yeowart, author of The Silent Listener
Available Editions
| EDITION | Other Format |
| ISBN | 9781771683906 |
| PRICE | CA$35.00 (CAD) |
| PAGES | 288 |
Available on NetGalley
Featured Reviews
Educator 364311
The Heart is a Star is a powerful and beautifully written novel. It deals with a history of complicated family dynamics as well as life-altering betrayals. It is about longing, and forbidden relationships, and the cost of self-denial and secrecy. Yet, Megan Rogers manages to bring hope and a form of redemption for her characters. Highly recommended! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Pub Date: Jan 7, 2025.
#HeartIsAStar
#NetGalley
Librarian 1081599
The Heart Is a Star is such a gorgeous gorgeous novel. There is truly something in here for everyone. It covers so many different topics on life, love, family. And so much more. I look forward to sharing a full review and thoughts very soon! Thank you very much for the opportunity. Inventions appreciate it and look forward to bringing it to readers. It is a story that will stick with them for a long time.
Deborah C, Reviewer
Published in Australia in 2023, this moving novel throws us into the disordered lives, secrets and lies of two generations of women. Layla, the main character, is in her mid-late 40’s, a physician, married, mother of two, and still dealing with deep emotional scars from her childhood. Her sister, Willow, six years older, left the family when Layla was 10; her father, the only physician in their Tasmania town, drowned when she was 14. Her mother, needy, demanding, and sometimes deluded, refuses to give Layla the answers she craves.
The story takes place at Christmas time, when Layla and her family, now living in Queensland, usually visit her mother. This year, her mother in crisis, Layla comes earlier with her aunt Dawn, her mother’s older sister. And secrets finally unravel.
Rogers writes profoundly and poignantly about the choices mothers make, and the circumstances creating emotional storms that tear lives apart. The natural world also is powerfully present, with the land, sea and the night sky central to understanding the characters’ world.
Well-plotted, lyrically written, with varied and strong characters, this is a skillful story of love, grief, art, and science, seen through the eyes of a strong yet fragile woman. What she learns has lessons for many of us.
Lisa P, Reviewer
Thank you to Netgalley for this ARC of Heart is a Star by Megan Rogers. This is the story of a woman exhausted by life. Layla is an anesthesiologist, a mom to young children, married but not happily, and has a relationship on the side. She is also trying to help take care of her mother who is quite unstable. Everything changes course a bit when she gets a call from her mom that just does not sound like the mom she is used to, which sets Layla on a path to find out what is going on not only with her mother, but also to something in the past concerning her father. This was a pretty good read and I do recommend it if you enjoy domestic dramas.
Suzi M, Reviewer
When I sit to write my review of this book I am struck by how beautifully written it is. Looking at the themes of this book it could be quite a hard read, but it was very well handled.
I won’t give any spoilers, but it is definitely worth a read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy to review.
Painter S, Reviewer
First things first—this book is dangerously well written. The author clearly has some serious skills because she’s built up the characters and story so masterfully that you don’t see the smack in the face coming. One minute, you’re awkwardly cozy, wrapped up in the plot, and the next? Bam! You’re hit with a twist so hard, you’re left questioning your life choices for picking this based on the beautiful cover.
I’m not sure what literary-loving Australians are into, but there’s no way I’m the first American woman to read this and think: “Holy shit, could we maybe get a heads-up next time? A little warning label would’ve been nice!” But hey, if you like living on the edge, this book’s for you.
Reviewer 1540961
Aww I loved this book! It was filled with themes of love, loss, betrayal, surviving, and it was so enjoyable to read. The author writes so beautifully, it was so entertaining and it stuck with me after reading it, and I am sure it will stick with me for a very long time. I loved the characters and the family dynamics this book called out
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
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