There are no spoilers in this review.
Starry Eyes, Jenn Bennett
Publishing on April 3rd, 2018 by Simon Pulse.
Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern-day Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.
But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.
What could go wrong?
With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely.
And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?
I ENJOYED…
☂️
- Starry Eyes was the last Jenn Bennett young adult contemporary I had to read and I think it might be my favorite of them all… though it’d be hard to pick one. All of Jenn Bennett’s books are such fun, quick, relatable contemporaries I end up devouring in just a couple of days and I love that so much.
- Once again, I found myself falling for the main character in this story. Zorrie always likes to have a plan, to be in control, she’s organized and anxious and smart and I don’t know, I just really really loved her.
- Starry Eyes has now one of my favorite tropes. Actually, it’s a mix of tropes and it’s so well done, filled with unresolved feelings and history and I’m all here for that. Childhood friends to lovers to enemies to complex feelings? YES I’m here for it all.
- I loved the history between Lennon and Zorrie and Lennon was such a great character – completely different from Zorrie, an adventurer, sarcastic and I found that their interactions and relationship was wonderfully done, too.
- While I’m on the topic of relationships, I need to mention that all of Jenn Bennett’s books, and Starry Eyes is no exception, are sex positive and it’s refreshing and healthy and needed in books aimed at teens like that one, I think.
- Family issues! I loved how the parents were involved in this story and how the family dynamics changed as secrets were discovered, too. I loved Zorrie and her step mom’s relationship, too, so much.
- The setting! Loved loved loved the originality of the setting, too. We’re discovering National Parks in California and hiking in the forest and meeting bears and waterfalls and sleeping in tents while there’s a big storm and…. I loved how different it was, it definitely brought a little something more to the story.
I HAD A HARD TIME WITH…
☂️
- I think the only tiny little thing I wish would have been explored more, is the friendship between Zorrie and one of her childhood friends. I just feel like it took a big place at the start of the story, and then the romance and other family issues took over, leaving this aspect of the story a little bit too much to the side.
OVERALL
☂️
I’m a fan of Jenn Bennett’s books and will read everything she writes, honestly. Her stories, her characters, the way she crafts romances, always makes me crave for more, more and MORE. I adore her books and will recommend them to everyone I know okay.
Final rating: 4,5 drops!
Trigger warnings: homophobic remarks, death of a parent, mention of suicide, cheating.
Diversity: Korean side characters. f/f couple side characters.
Did you read Starry Eyes? Do you want to?
What was the last contemporary book you read and enjoyed? Let me know in comments!
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tasya @ the literary huntress says
This just sounds really good! I really love Alex, Approximately and really should get into the author’s other books. Especially this one, since it just sounds like really fun and romantic with the wilderness as the setting 🙂 Lovely review, Marie!
Marie says
AAAAH yes you really should, all of her books are amazing, I love them so much! 😀 I hope you will, too!
Thank you! 🙂
kozbisa says
I think this is my favorite Jenn Bennett book. I adore Zorrie and Lennon, and the all the amazing moms in this story. I simply adored it.
Marie says
Yees mine too! I just loved that one so much, so happy you did, too 😀
Carol says
It sounds great! Nice review!
Marie says
Thank you so much, Carol 😀
deborahkehoe says
This was the first Jenn Bennett book I read and I was struck with the setting as well as how the characters and their age felt so real. It didn’t feel forced at all. This book was why I went on to read other books by this author. It’s still my favorite of hers to date but I do enjoy her style of writing. I liked your review and could tell that you had the same feeling of comfortableness with it as I did. Thanks Marie!
Marie says
Ahh thank you so much, Deborah! I’m so happy you enjoyed that one so much as well, I think it’s my favorite so far <3 <3
Lois says
Once again you have reminder me why I need to get back to reading Jenn Bennett’s books. I adore the sound of this book and I have so much respect for her for depicting sex positive relationships. I feel like I’m going to be swooning all over this book.
Marie says
Aaah yes yes Lois, you should! All of her books are incredible, I love them SO much <3 I hope you'll love this one 🙂
Kat Impossible says
I am glad this was another book you enjoyed! I hear you on friendships getting sidelined for the sake of romance and other plot developments. It’s a bit sad, especially when it looked like it had a significant meaning in the beginning. Great review, Marie!
Marie says
It made me a little sad! I still love this book very much, but it would have been perfect with that friendship a little more explored, too 🙂
Thank you! <3
Kat Impossible says
Friendships are often underrated. I wish they got as much attention as romance.
Marie says
SAME. We need it more than ever!
tiffany @ readbytiffany says
ASDFGHJKL i’m so so glad that you finally picked this one up because it’s definitely my favorite out of all jenn bennett’s books!! the childhood friends-to-enemies-to-lovers tension was so good, and it made me super invested in the romance. and yes!! i love the sex positivity, family relationships, and also the nature?? i’m definitely a homebody rather than someone who loves the outdoors but this one almost got me to go on a camping adventure!
i also felt the same way where the final friendship between zorrie and her friendship could’ve been concluded more. i’m definitely excited for her later books <3
Marie says
aaaaaaaaah i’m so glad you loved it so much, it is such a fantastic book, one of my favorites ahhhh. <3 <3
Raven @ Dreamy Addictions says
This was one of my favorite books by Jenn Bennett besides Alex Approximately. I’m glad you loved it too! Great review!
Marie says
Ahh I’m so happy you loved it so much as well! 🙂
Thank you!
Azia says
I loved this book! The setting was unique and refreshing. So different from the typical school/home set up. There were some really great themes going here, too, concerning family, sex, and several types of relationships. I’ll definitely have to read some more of this author’s books if they’re anything like this one! Fantastic review! 😀
Marie says
Right? I loved that different setting so much! I hope you’ll read and will love Jenn Bennett’s other books 😀
Kelly | Another Book in the Wall says
Wonderful review, love! I feel the exact same way about this book! I adore Jenn so much, and this has got to be one of my favorite novels of hers, right after Alex Approximately! It has my favorite trope ever and it’s executed SO WELL! Zorrie’s relationship with her stepmother was also the sweetest, and I just had a super fun time reading this story! <3
Marie says
Ahh thank you! I loved this book so, so much and I can’t wait to read more books from her 🙂