The Stars at Night by Gerri Hill is a lovely friends to lovers romance just perfect for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Park ranger Kyler Clemons loved her position at Mustang Island, but when her boss caught her in a compromising position with his wife, she was banished to the remote Davis Mountain State Park in west Texas. It’s in the middle of nowhere, but over the last four years, Kyler has grown to love mountain life. When she’s not patrolling the park, she’s either birdwatching or stargazing. She’s become an unofficial member of the Walton family, spending holidays with them and hanging out with Mark Walton for Sunday afternoon football. Her life is stress and drama free.
Then Lexie Walton comes to town.
After losing her job in the tech world, Lexie Walton finds herself running out of cash – fast. She can’t find another job that will compensate her enough to support her hip lifestyle in Austin, Texas. When her crazy ex-girlfriend drives her car into a lake, Lexie decides it’s time to consider her parent’s offer to relocate to the far-flung Davis Mountains. They gave up city living seven years ago in exchange for a rustic lodge and a slower lifestyle. They think Lexie would be a terrific manager for the lodge. Lexie decides to try out the position on a trial basis. Her apartment in Austin is paid through the end of January so she can spend the holidays with her family and sort out her life.
Lexie and Kyler quickly become friends, but soon they both want something more. Kyler becomes a big reason for Lexie to stay on permanently at the lodge, but she has other long-term concerns about her career and social life. Is Lexie cut out for mountain life with Kyler by her side, or does her heart belong in the city?
The Characters
Both Kyler and Lexie are very likable characters. According to everyone around them, they are complete opposites. I didn’t really see it that way. Kyler moved to the Davis Mountains as a “punishment” for her indiscretion with her boss’s wife, but it’s there she comes to see life and her place in it through different eyes. Giving up the trappings of a hipper lifestyle and taking the time to connect with nature allows her to find a peace she’s never experienced before.
With Lexie, the reader gets to see the same transformation, but we get to see the before picture as well as the after picture. When she arrives at her family’s lodge, she’s apprehensive to say the least. Ft. Davis is a far cry from Austin and her immediate reaction is to head back to the way of life she left behind. As the reader gets to know Lexie, it becomes clear she’s looking for her place in the universe in the same manner Kyler was when she arrived in the West Texas mountains. Kyler helps her uncover what’s really important to her, and Lexi finds her priorities completely change the longer she’s around Kyler, her family, and the stars at night.
The Writing Style
Hill is such a strong writer. If her name wasn’t on the book, I’d have known she was the author by the third chapter. She’s able to move the plot along through the characters’ dialogue and actions like a true boss. It’s a masterclass in showing, not telling. The story unfolds at a languid pace which mirrors life in a small, mountain town, and her descriptions of the environment bring the world of the book alive.
Pros And My Favourite Parts
Hill’s love of nature and passion about conservation is at the forefront of this book. It shines through every scene and had me reevaluating the pros and cons of living in a big city.
Cons And Heads Up
I felt some of the dialogue in this book was repetitive. I get that Kyler and Lexie think they’re complete opposites. They use it as a way of keeping a lid on their true feelings for each other. I just didn’t need to hear them say it over and over.
The Conclusion
This is a sweet story. It’s a quick read and the level of angst is rather low. While it’s obvious Kyler and Lexie are going to get their happily ever after, Hill does a nice job making the reader wonder. Hill is about as reliable an author as one can find. Even though The Stars at Night is another take on her familiar forest ranger falls for city gal trope, she manages to make it fresh and enjoyable.
Excerpt from The Stars at Night by Gerri Hill
“Why aren’t you dating anyone?”
Kyler seemed surprised. “I don’t know. I could use the excuse that there aren’t a lot of lesbians in the area, but that’s not really it. Marfa, for its size, actually has a fairly large gay population. Artists and old hippies, Mark likes to say. And Alpine is a college town.” Then she grinned. “Of course, I’m over thirty now. That would be creepy to hang out there.” She raised her eyebrows. “Why?”
Lexie held her hand up. “Hey, no. No, no, no. I’m not hitting on you. At all.” She shook her head. “And no offense to you, but I’m not even a little bit interested. Sorry.” The porch light cast enough light into the Jeep to see Kyler’s face. She was smiling.
“I think you’re attractive too.”
She sighed. “Please say this isn’t going to be an issue. Because I had fun today. I’d like to be friends. I don’t want to have to keep my distance because you—”
“No, no.” It was Kyler’s turn to hold a hand up. “I think we can be friends. You’re not really my type, so you don’t have to worry about that. If you ever think I’m flirting with you, remember that. It’ll just be teasing. Because you’re not my type.”
Lexie let out a relieved breath. “Okay, good. Thank you. Because you’re not anywhere near my type either.”
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Bits and Bobs
- ISBN number: 9781642471755
- Publisher: Bella Books
- Gerri Hill Online
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