Starstruck and Strawberry Dome
My romantic darlings, let me introduce you to the debut novel of a wonderful novel called, “Starstruck” written by a fabulous writer named Ivy Dawes who knows how to set your heart aflame. One would say that this is a sweet rom com but that does not do this book justice. It’s hot, steamy, and each word has you breathing heavily with anticipation. Follow a down-on-her-luck aspiring actress and the famous handsome actor who loves her. The two of them are in different places with different troubles but can they meet in the middle? There is only one way to find out.
Click on the image to purchase the book.
The Story
Meet Kat Caplan… She is your typical girl who comes to Hollywood with big dreams of becoming an actress. After more misses than hits, she does not know what to do with herself. Her boyfriend of five years dumps her, she is hanging on by a thread in her job as a PA for a pompous award-winning idiot, and on the verge of being homeless and she can’t help but wonder if her life is over. That is until she meets James Everett by chance. Things in her life start to improve.
James can not believe his luck when he meets Kat. He is absolutely smitten with this beautiful PA who is kind, funny, smart, and (at least at first) does not recognize him. This is his chance to find true love and not just a woman who wants him for what his fame could give her. However, like Kat James has some major problems in his own life. His father treats him along with the rest of his family like crap, his life is under constant surveillance by the whole world, and above all else he is forced to be in a fake relationship with an actress he has absolutely no interest in. His own dreams are hanging by a thread if he does not comply to all of these demands.
These two cannot help but be drawn to one another. The two of them fall into a passionate love that brings a lot of brightness into each other’s lives. And yet with all these demands and crazy obstacle in their way, one can not wonder if these starstruck lovers are star-crossed. Truly, it is in their hands.
My Review
I cannot get enough of this book. It has everything I want in a story, especially a sexy love tale. Sympathetic characters, believable story, excellent descriptions, fabulous setting, and great theme. What more could a person want?
Ivy Dawes tells the tale of Kat and James in both of their perspectives and (oh yeah!) in the first person. You can sense everything that is going on with them and whenever they were together you can see that they are so in love. Not to mention that the sex scenes in this book leave you bewitched and bothered. The pain that they go through when (sorry slight spoiler) when James’ father disapproves of Kat is so real that I could not help but burst into tears. Boy, I hope that man gets what is coming to him! Never-the-less, a person can not help but root for Kat, James, and all their friends while you love to hate all the jerks that have done them wrong.
The story of how these two just met by chance (via on a movie set) is such a authentic way for these two characters to meet. I always hate it when you hear those stories about how “oh! We were standing across the room, out eyes locked, and it was love at first sight.” Yeah, we have heard that and it is not only tiresome to hear over and over but often times it is simply not true. Common interests always leads the person to find “the one.” Well, that is through my observation and experience anyway.
The way Ivy describes things in this book gives a person a real observation on what is happening. It is like you are really there watching this unfold (in spirit mostly). When it comes to a good book, the more vivid the better you can engage yourself in the story. Ivy does this and it makes for an unforgettable account.
The theme and setting of this book are well chosen. The Hollywood love story is always a fun read as many people can not help but wonder how these movie stars find love. You get all this paparazzi stuff, but it never really tells the story about the two people or if it is not just for show. Luckily, when you have a novel like this you can get a wonderful window (even if it is fiction) into celebrity life. The message was certainly loud and clear. It is “follow your dreams” and “don’t let the bad people keep you from true happiness.” You just have to read that to see how true this is.
Now that is red carpet worthy!
The Pairings
A book with this kind of romance deserves a sexy little dessert with a passionate tea to go with it. This dessert is called a strawberry dome. A beautiful concoction made of rich velvety dark chocolate that melts as soon as it touches your tongue and tortures you with pleasure. This is very similar to the love affair of Kat and James when they are together. Underneath the chocolatey ganache is dark chocolate mousse there is a sweet strawberry surprise that gives that burst of flavour. It was like have a chocolate covered strawberry only bigger and just a little bit of a secret. Once again, similar to Kat and James and what they have to go through to have a real relationship.
The Tea is called Passion and that is exactly what this book is. This tea has tropical notes that is found in every paradise. Sounds like LA doesn’t it? In it there are the sexy blend of hibiscus and rose hip florals, fresh notes of citrus and passion fruit flavours, and a little spice just to make it extra hot. When you have a sultry book to read one must have the tea to match. What better one than this passionate steaming beverage to enjoy with something that has both chocolate and perfect curves?
The Rating/Final Thoughts
10/10
Honestly? I can not find anything wrong with this book. I absolutely loved everything about it. Not only are the sex scenes hot but the message of the story makes you believe that you can make all your wishes come true. Beautifully written, and creatively crafted, you can not help but root for the characters and fall in love all over again. Thanks for the awesome book, Ivy! I look forward to the next one.
