“Shooting Stars” by Skye Bothma

Shooting Stars

Skye Bothma
Road Less Travelled (2023)
ISBN: 978-0473674229
Reviewed by Stephanie Elizabeth Long for Reader Views (01/2024)

After winning a writing competition, aspiring novelist Catherine Marshall lands tickets to idyllic Hawaii. She is all set to enjoy a relaxing vacation with her boyfriend until he does the unthinkable—he leaves her for another woman. Even more infuriating, he insists that Catherine give him the tickets so he can frolic in the sun with his new girlfriend! Catherine vehemently disagrees and goes on the trip by herself to spite him. She has little expectation for her trip to be anything more than a change of scenery. She’ll still be in the same spot when she gets back—alone and too afraid to leave her soul-sucking job to pursue her dreams. But a surprising turn of events proves that fate has something else in mind. It’s written in the stars.

Talented and gorgeous actor Jake Donovan’s life is all camera lights and paparazzi. Still, he craves the slower pace of everyday life. After the film crew wraps the latest season of his show, he looks forward to some rest in Hawaii. He plans to keep the sights, his camera, and the sun at his fingertips under the radar and enjoy a week where the time is his own. That is until he rescues a beautiful stranger from drowning. Catherine is wonderful—funny, intelligent, mesmerizing, and try as he might, he can’t control his urge to get close to her. He quickly finds himself falling for her. But she’d never understand his life—the distance, the women, the rumors.

Can this couple’s romance stand a chance outside of paradise?

On the surface, “Shooting Stars” by Skye Bothma is a sweet, contemporary love story sure to capture the attention of romance enthusiasts. But dig deeper, and you uncover a multidimensional novel about self-discovery, challenging preconceived notions, and taking a leap of faith. Catherine is stuck in the mundane aspects of her life, feeling heartbroken and invisible, but her trip to Hawaii provides a clarity that she hasn’t felt in some time. A burgeoning relationship with a TV star is every woman’s fantasy. Still, Catherine must grapple with her nagging sense of doubt and insecurity if she wants Jake in her life permanently. Meanwhile, Jake has his own insecurities to face as he fears Catherine won’t be able to cope with the harsh realities of dating a famous actor.

From the intoxicating sights of Hawaii to the absorbing romance, it’s easy to get swept up in “Shooting Stars.” The writing provides a welcome (exotic) escape (especially for readers in the North!).  Soaring above Pearl Harbor, Waikiki Beach, and the majestic Diamond Head, I was easily transported on the breathtaking helicopter ride with Jake and Catherine. Exploring beaches and historical sites with a handsome suitor – what could be better? The author skillfully infused a palpable tension between the characters that was delicious to experience—stolen glances, unspoken words, and a red-hot attraction. Would Catherine and Jake’s love withstand the obstacles? I was heavily invested until the final page!

For those who love contemporary romance with stunning, picturesque settings, you’ll want to grab a copy of this novel. The unique premise and engaging themes put it a cut above other books from this genre. So, pour yourself a delicious fruity drink, put your feet up, open your heart, and let Skye Bothma take you to paradise with “Shooting Stars.”