Lou’s Review: Written in the Stars, by Alexandria Bellefleur

Written in the Stars has been in my eBook library for a while now. But I only properly fell in love with digital reading when I got a Kindle Paperwhite late last year. So now I’m catching up on all the fabulous sapphic romances I’ve snapped up in various sales and giveaways. And I’m so glad to have read this book. Opposites Attract, Fake Dating, Grumpy x Sunshine – Written in the Stars is tropetastic. It’s also loosely inspired by Pride and Prejudice!

Astrologer Elle Jones wants nothing more than to find her soulmate. But after a string of bad dates and breakups, she’s starting to doubt herself. So Elle focuses on taking her business to the next level through a deal with dating site One True Pairing. But when Elle’s happy-go-lucky colleague Brendon sets her up on a date with his sister, Elle can’t resist. After all, what if she’s The One?

But Darcy Lowell doesn’t believe in astrology and she certainly isn’t looking for love. She’s only just finished putting the pieces back together after having her heart decimated. According to her cost/benefit analysis, love simply isn’t worth the risk. Cool, rational Darcy has one use for Elle, though: getting Brendon off her back. So they start a fake relationship. And develop very real feelings along the way.

I’ll confess that I was a little wary going in – like Darcy, *I think astrology is superstitious nonsense. But like Darcy I was completely won over by Elle’s charm and sincerity. These characters are both intensely lovable in their own ways, and completely gorgeous together. Alexandria Bellefleur has created a lush dynamic between her leading ladies.

To begin with Darcy’s standoffish compared to Elle, but this only made me fall for her harder. And when she starts to open up, to let herself be vulnerable with Elle, it’s breath-taking. If Bellefleur ever decides to write a full on Ice Queen, it’ll be sensational.

Also, Bellefleur’s use of language is exquisite. Light and lyrical. Her way of describing these characters and the world they inhabit is the best part of this book. Whether it’s sizzling hot sex scenes or moments of emotional intimacy, her turn of phrase is consistently magical. For example:

“‘Freckles and dimples and… damn it, Darcy.’ Elle panted. ‘You’re so gorgeous you make my head hurt.’

Her heart, too. In the best way. A good ache, the best ache. Anticipation married to a promise, satisfaction guaranteed, only a matter of time.

Darcy threw her head back and laughed, the move highlighting the long, elegant line of her throat. More skin Elle wanted to trace, taste, freckles she wanted to connect in constellations she’d never get tired of exploring, the freckle beside Darcy’s mouth, Elle’s favorite, the one she’d always come back to. Her new North Star.”  

– Alexandria Bellefleur, Written in the Stars

I thoroughly enjoyed Written in the Stars. The pacing is perfect – right up until the ending. It’s abrupt. There’s no real denouement; nothing to show what Elle and Darcy’s life together looks like. Darcy spends most of the book working towards a significant career goal, but we don’t find out whether or not she achieves it, and a clear resolution would have been more satisfying.

I appreciate that Bellefleur is using the promise of more details to lure readers into the next instalment of her trilogy. But even with a series every novel needs to tell its own complete story, and the ending felt rushed – which is my pet peeve as a reader.

Still, Written in the Stars is a very good book. It held my attention completely from start to finish. I laughed, I caught feelings, and I swooned over those sex scenes. The references to fanfiction gave this story an extra sprinkle of stardust, making it feel real and relatable. Also, it tells a joyful story about a woman finding the courage to choose what makes her happy. This is romance at its most life affirming.

And I want to read more of Bellefleur’s work! She’s a fantastic writer. Having Count Your Lucky Stars and The Fiancée Farce on Kindle makes me even more excited about all the long train journeys coming up this summer.

*Sincere apologies to my bestie, Calli Arena.