"Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter."— Mark Twain

Review: Starstruck

StarstruckStarstruck by Cyn Balog

Summary: Gwendolyn “Dough” X doesn’t think she has much going for her—she carries a few extra pounds, her family struggles with their small bakery in a town full of millionaires, and the other kids at her New Jersey high school don’t seem to know that she exists. Thank the stars for her longtime boyfriend, Philip P. Wishman—or “Wish.” He moved away to California three years ago, when they were 13, but then professed his love for her via e-mail, and he’s been her long-distance BF ever since.

At the beginning of her junior year, though, Wish e-mails that he’s moving back to Jersey. Great, right? Well, except that Dough has gained about 70 pounds since the last time Wish saw her, while Wish—according to his Facebook photos—has morphed into a blonde god. Convinced that she’ll be headed for Dumpsville the minute Wish lays eyes on her, Dough delays their meeting as long as she possibly can.

But when she sees Wish at school, something amazing happens. He looks at Dough like she’s just as gorgeous as he is. But Wish is acting a little weird, obsessed with the sun and freaked out by rain. And the creepy new guy working at the bakery, Christian, is convinced that there’s more to Wish’s good looks than just healthy eating and lots of sun. He tells Dough that a mark on Wish’s neck marks him as a member of the Luminati—an ancient cult of astrologers who can manipulate the stars to improve their lives. Is Wish and Dough’s love meant to be—or are they star-crossed?

My Thoughts: The description of this book made it sound much more exciting than it is. Most of the time, Dough is lamenting her size and obsessing over whether Wish is going to break up with her. It’s not until the last few chapters that any real “action” occurs. And the issue with the Luminati is really barely touched on. It’s all resolved way too easily, and way too quickly. I felt somewhat let down and disappointed by the lack of excitement. Yeah, sure, the end was exciting, but even that was all over too quickly. It all worked out way too easily. I wanted to see more of Christian – and maybe even something between him and Dough. I felt somewhat letdown by the lack of much happening there, too.

I must add that I was quite disappointed, as I’ve heard wonderful things about this author. This was the first of her books I’ve read. I will most definitely check out her others. I just don’t plan to crack this one open again.

My Rating: 2 stars

Source: Received through Around The World Tours for review.

Challenges: Counts for 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge 2011.

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FTC Disclosure: All items reviewed were either obtained by me for my own enjoyment or sent (from the author, publisher, publicist, via tour sites, etc.) in exchange for an honest review. I receive no monetary compensation for my posts. All opinions expressed are my own.

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