Jaclyn’s Review: Drowning in Stars by Debra Anastasia

Drowning in Stars
written by Debra Anastasia
published by Debra Anastasia, 2020

find it here: (affiliate links) Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Book Depository, Goodreads

Did I enjoy this book? WOW. This book came to me as a recommendation, and I am so glad I read it! This was a beautiful story about love and friendship and overcoming adversity. In this story, we meet Gaze and Pixie, two 11/12-year-olds who are living their best lives in spite of the circumstances they have been dealt. Pixie lives with her mom, who works multiple jobs and is never home. Until her mom comes home with, not a new boyfriend, but an unexpected husband. Gaze lives with his alcoholic and abusive father–Mom died and her family wants nothing to do with them. That is until Pixie and Gaze somehow manage to strong-arm Gaze’s rich maternal grandfather into paying all of his living expenses. These two are so innocent and yet grown up that you can’t help but fall in love with them. So, obviously something terrible has to happen. I don’t want to ruin the entire story, so I’ll leave it there. My only complaint is that Gaze becomes the superhero for everyone and they live happily ever after. I want so much to believe this. I loved the story, I loved the characters, and I loved the happily ever after. I just had such a hard time with Gaze’s fairy tale; it just wasn’t realistic. Otherwise, this is a heartwarming story.

 

Would I recommend it? I loved the story. I would recommend it, just accept Gaze’s story with a grain of salt. Otherwise, this is a beautifully written story about teenage love and overcoming all odds.
 

 

About the book – from Goodreads: … he walked a tightrope five stories up just to hold my hand.

Gaze: I moved into the building next to Pixie when I was eleven. She blew bubbles through my window. I shot my Nerf gun through hers. We both had secrets, but one of us was fated to get hurt. I wanted it to be me.

Pixie: When I was afraid of the dark, he would shine a light in my window. We shared our popsicles and I taught him how to get a good swing on the playground. I never imagined I’d have to decide who got to live and who didn’t. I chose him –and he could never know.

She walked a tightrope five stories up just to save my life…

 

 

 

* This post contains affiliate links.

** This post first appeared on Every Free Chance Books (everyfreechance.com) on December 16, 2020.