Cameron has moved back in with his father. He has problems with his wife and has lost his job because of an unfortunate incident. His student years are far behind him, but they come to the surface again when he receives a letter from his old friend Christie. She now lives in Canada and has a successful career. They used to be a group of four, but Cameron hasn't seen his university friends in twenty-five years. He was the quiet shy one in the group. Christie used to be outgoing and she was really [...]

4 stars!I liked this book in the fact that it centered on four characters that went to uni together. Not all of them would be the type that you would necessarily see hanging together. Actually, Cameron is the type you would not see hanging with anyone. The story goes back and forth from uni days with the four of them to Cameron's present day. Then one day they are all invited to the unveiling of one of the four friend's newest wine. While there, they reminisce about uni days and a secret known b [...]

Many thanks to NetGalley and Legend Press for providing me a copy of Bright Stars in exchange for an honest review. Originally on nivthebooklovingnerd.wordpresThis is one of those times when you are confused about how you feel about story when you are so disputed about your thoughts that you'd rather not review than say anything. But since I've been asked to review, I will give a non-spoiler-y summary of my thoughts.The story is told by Cameron Sparks, a misfit, awkward guy whose life is curren [...]

We are back to the 1980's here were there are four lads at Uni. Each of the lads are very different in character and make up, which I sometimes wondered how they merged together as a friend unit, but they do say that Opposites attract right?This story goes back and forth to the time in Uni to present day events, gradually leading us up into the 'now'.We learn about a tremendous tragedy and they each go their separate ways. One of those ladsCameron Sparks is now 25 years old, he's lost his wife, [...]

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.I was interested in this book because of the gorgeous cover, which had me expect a darker kind of chicklit. That was no at all what I found. However I did find a captivating and interesting read.The book is Cameron's diary, that he is writing because of his counsellors suggestion. It is however, nothing like Bridget Jones. It is a tool for Cameron to deal with what happened 25 years ago and move on with his life. The reader gets t [...]

Bright Stars is one hell of a page turner. Flitting between 1986, 2013 and 2014, we are dropped into the lives of Cameron (his family, and Myrtle the dog), Christie, Bex and Tommo; four fantastic, albeit, unusual friends. As teenagers they go through the mill, their troubles culminating in one, life changing event. The story is told by Cameron, who takes everyone else's issues on his shoulders in a bid to look out for the people he loves and holds dear. Later on, we get to follow the four friend [...]

I am always sorry to say that I did not like a book. I know authors invest a lot of time in writing it, but you can't please everybody and it seems like I am one of the few people here who could not enjoy it. I did not like any of the characters and the story got more on my nerves than gave me pleasure reading it. Out of respect I finished it but I have to admit I was happy when I reached the end.

.Many thanks to NetGalley and Legend Press for providing me a copy of Bright Stars in exchange for an honest review.I put off reading this book for so long because I didn't think it was my cup of tea but it turned out that it was, this is a novel a group of unlikely friends who meet at university, we have Cameron the Scot who is a bit of a nerd and has never really belonged anywhere even in his own family, Bex the hippy who is a feminist and an activist, Tommo the rich spoilt kid with no regard [...]

I like how this book revolves around the four characters, the most unlikely of friends at University. The way the story was written, split up as the past and present; showing us how they lost contact and the reunion after 25 years, was interesting. It certainly kept my attention because I really wanted to know how the car crash came about and what happened afterwards.The awkwardness of the reunion just felt incredibly real in all honesty. I loves Christie and Cameron's friendship, but I don't kn [...]

Bright Stars is about four people who became friends at university and their lives become intertwined one fateful evening in 1986. The story is narrated by Cameron Sparks in the form of his journal; it takes place in the present day, and during his time at university 25 years earlier.Cameron Sparks is 46 years old and his life is spiralling out of control. He has been suspended from his job as a Ghost Tour guide in the underground vaults in Edinburgh. He is separated from his wife and is living [...]

Please check out my other reviews at ultraviolentlit!The synopsis of this book tells us that four students are involved in a tragedy that rips their friendship apart, and they are reunited twenty five years later. I found this a bit misleading, because the “tragic event” really played such a small part in the story. There wasn’t even much anticipation leading up to it, and in fact I forgot that we were waiting for some sort of climax to occur. Complicating things further was the fact that [...]

4,5 Stars!Cameron is struggling through life. He never really stands up for himself. He was a nerdy student and by accident he became friends with Bex, Tommo and Christie. They are all very different characters, not very nice ones. But somehow they formed a friendship. Until a tragic accident happened, after that they lost contact. Now, 25 years later Christie offers them a reunion.This book is more like a journal. Cameron was told by his therapist, that he should write everything down what happ [...]

Legend Press and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of Bright Stars, in exchange for an honest review.Rebecca "Bex" Stone and Cameron Spark met at the University and became fast friends. He held a torch for her, but her eyes were set on Tommo from the moment they met. A tight foursome with Christie, one tragic night changes their lives forever. Years later, separated from his wife, Cameron gets an invitation from Christie, celebrating a new wine she has created. Curious as to whether [...]

This was a fantastically moving story involving four people who became friends at university in the 1980's. A strange bunch, who come together mostly by accident, they find themselves muddling along together, until tragedy strikes and they are sent their separate ways. 25 years later, and Cameron Sparks is struggling to hold his life together. His job is on the line, his wife has left him, he is living back home with his dad and still struggling to come to terms with the outcome of the tragedy. [...]

Much as I would have loved to read this in a single sitting, a multitude of things got in the way and I had to be content with intermittent half hours and the odd 15 minutes over the course of several days. With many novels you'd have to shake your head and spend a few seconds getting back into the story - not so with Bright Stars. As soon as I would open the Kindle app to read the next line it was as if I'd not had to put the book down, the storytelling is that good. The characters are wonderfu [...]

Sophie Duffy is a wonderful writer, and I've read her other two books. This one is equally sharp with some lovely twists and turns, and original characters who at times, I wasn't sure I liked or not. But it works because of this and doesn't settle for the predictable or mundane formula. A compelling read and a story that stayed with me. A must read.

This book was great because it was real! I know it sounds weird, but I get so bored with books that are strictly "happy endings". I like more realistic ones that you can relate to. I wouldn't necessarily say that the main character was a likable guy. He was kind of whiney and a perv. The perv part was extra disturbing since it was aimed at his love interest's teenage daughter. Also, I feel like the book tried to make him out to be a selfless hero, but I didn't get that vibe. I saw him more as de [...]

Bright Stars follows the story of four friends, Cameron, Bex, Tommo and Christie and how what happens one fateful night in their youth impacts their later adult lives. The story is written over two timelines which I found didn't work that effectively. The beginning of the book was very confusing and I found it difficult to feel empathetic towards any of the characters. It did pick up by the end but it feel like too little too late. The characters were all immensely unlikeable which can work quit [...]

**I received a Kindle edition of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**Cameron is 46 years old and has recently moved back in with his father while he and his wife are separated. He is facing a disciplinary hearing regarding an event that occurred while he was working as a ghost tour guide. He receives an invitation in the mail from a college friend to attend the launch of an Icewine. He hasn't seen his college friends in 25 years, and with good reason. He [...]

Four students are involved in a tragedy that rips their friendship apart. What happens when they are reunited 25 years later?Cameron Spark's life is falling apart. He is separated from his wife, and awaiting a disciplinary following an incident in the underground vaults of Edinburgh where he works as a Ghost Tour guide. On the day he moves back home to live with his widowed dad, he receives a letter from Canada. It is from Christie. Twenty-five years earlier, Cameron attends Lancaster University [...]

Review originally posted at All Books Considered: 3 STARSI hate to say it but although this book was (mostly) beautifully written, it was so, so depressing. That is, this book is ultimately about looking back on your life 30 years later and realizing how horrible it is to get old and to have regrets. Ostensibly, the characters' regrets stem from one night and a whole lot of lies but there was just this overarching sadness in the book concerning aging and death. The beginning of the book really d [...]

Gritty and real, ‘Bright Stars’ was a refreshing, (and recognisable!) insight into the lives of four university students and how their lives intertwined.Cameron Sparks, a painfully shy Scotsman from Edinburgh moves to Lancaster University and forms an unlikely friendship with three other students; Tommo the charming rockstar-in-waiting; Christie, a wealthy Canadian; and Bex, outspoken activist and the love of Cameron’s life. Against the odds the four friends become virtually inseparable de [...]

Received a copy in exchange for an honest review.Four unlikely people end up becoming friends while in uni. We have Cameron, who's incredibly shy and in love with Bex. There's Bex, an feminist activist with beauty. Tommo, an outgoing wannabe rock star. And finally, Christie, an outspoken and feisty Canadian. One day, a tragedy rips them apart and they don't meet for at least 25 years. Honestly, I didn't enjoy this as much as others did. I really, reallydisliked Tommo and Bex, especially after (v [...]

Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom. - Thomas JeffersonCameron Sparks is from Edinburgh, Scotland and is the narrator/protagonist of this story. In earlier times he was rather dweebish/nerdish so it is surprising (to him) that when he goes away to Lancaster University in England, he makes three cool friends - Ptolemy aka Tommo, a hopeful rock star; Bex, an activist that Cameron falls into unrequited love with; and Christie, coming from a rich Canadian wine family.Then a terrible a [...]

Around 25% or so, I was feeling like it was taking me a long time to get through this, but the first 15% of it had me intrigued and around 35% it really started to pick back up. By 60%, I was really interested to see how everything turned out. The characters are interesting and the slow unveiling of everything had me impatiently devouring the book. :) The only thing that I can say is a bit odd to me are all the footnotes. I would prefer a section in parenthesis, personally. (Though I appreciate [...]

This story strongly reminded me of a 21st century Brideshead Revisted - in a good way. Set on a university campus in the 1980's, it is written from the point of view of the clumsy, likeable, working class Cameron, who lives in the glittering shadow of his fellow student, Tommo, a manipulative, charismatic and privileged aspiring rock star. Tommo's personal magnetism and wanton disregard for the welfare of the people who love him leads inevitably to tragedy and ruined lives all around. However, s [...]

This took me a while to read. I liked Sophie Duffy's other books, particularly "The Generation Game", so I was quite excited when I got to read an advance copy of this one through Netgalley. The biggest problem I had with "Bright Stars" is that most of the characters are not very likeable. They are all, in their own way, really flawed. Even Cameron, the narrator, may seem like a nice guy, but he really never stands up for himself in any way. Tommo is just despicable, Bex is an egoist with very l [...]

In 1986 Cameron Sparks started uni as a shy awkward teenager who found it hard to communicate and make friends, but along came Christie, Tommo and Bex. An unlikely foursome but they live as students - getting drunk and into the music scene until an accident happens that changes everything.In 2001 Cameron's life is still not on track - he has been suspended from his job as a ghost buster, separated from his wife and at his age having to go back to live with his Dad! Then out of the blue a letter [...]

I'd been reading a lot of crime novels so I thought I'd try something a bit lighter. This was the wrong choice. The whole mood of the book is very downbeat. I can't quite comprehend why other reviewers have said the book is full of likeable characters. I couldn't warm to any of them. One is a boring knowall who spends all his time smarming around his mate's girlfriend like some weird little perve. One is an X-Factor style big headed wannabe. One is a typical, boring activist student and the fina [...]

This is the story of 4 students who have been at university together, a tragedy strikes which ripped apart their friendship & what happens when they are reunited 25 years later.4 well written characters. Set in the 80's & present day. The story goes back & forth. A very warm and great read which is both laugh out loud funny but also sad in places. One that I will recommend to family & friends.Many thanks for the publisher & NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange f [...]