Star Bright

Susannah Nix

Apr 2022 · Starstruck Book 1 · Haver Street Press

About this eBook

She’s an A-list Hollywood starlet. He’s an entertainment gossip reporter. Sleeping with the enemy has never been sweeter…

Kimberleigh Cress didn’t get to be one of the hottest young actresses in Hollywood without learning how to protect herself. Rule number one? Don’t show weakness. Ever. Especially not in front of the press.

So when a sleazy tabloid reporter comes upon her during a vulnerable moment, the last thing she expects is kindness.

Sexy, charming, and surprisingly thoughtful, Spencer Devlin isn’t at all who Kimberleigh thought he was. After their fateful encounter, she can’t seem to stay away from him—even though she knows she should.

Spencer never expected to share an unlikely connection with the spoiled starlet who hates his guts. With the face of a goddess and an attitude to match, Kimberleigh Cress is one ice queen he’d love to melt.

Now that she’s gotten under his skin, he’ll do anything to keep her in his life. Or will he?

Ratings and reviews

A “good and sweet” novella with some celebrity razzle dazzle and a tidy HEA. ---Summary--- MFC has issues being herself. Trust? Never met her. Nothing about Kimberleigh is real; she hides her age in order to maximize her longevity in an industry that prizes youth and beauty. Her name and ice queen persona are just smoke screens (not unjustified) to keep people from getting too close and she just CAN’T with these paparazzi types that will sell you out at the first chance. Sure, she is a famous celebrity, but how long will that last… ---Review--- Celebrity romances are not my usual cup of tea, but Nix is setting the stage for a new series, so there is the promise of more if it is yours. Telegraphed conflicts is a pretty common trope and not typically an issue, but the whole: fight -> regret -> make-up was lackluster and this is the second book of Nix’s where I wish the main characters would just grow the F up and communicate. Bad communication is not a failing on its own; if it was, fiction in general would cease to be. I personally like my conflict the way I like my tea, well steeped, full bodied and with dregs of sugar at the bottom to enjoy once all the bitter brew is gone. The story was engaging and I do enjoy a good grovel, but there is only so much you can expect in 156 pages. The nod to Scarjo’s Marvel interview was a fun pop culture reference. ---Favorite Quotes--- “She didn’t want to be the next Emma Stone or Jennifer Lawrence. She wanted to be the next Charlize Theron or Amy Adams-someone who was still landing primo roles well into her forties and hopefully beyond.” (JLaw’s films have grossed $6 billion and Ms. Stone has an Academy Award, A Golden Globe and was at one point the world’s highest paid actress and one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People… Kim, honey you are hilarious.) “You are so-nice. You’re just so genuine and good and sweet.” (His reaction had me chuckling out loud.) ---Title - Star Bright ---By - Susannah Nix ---Genre - Contemporary Romance ---Keywords - Novella, Romance, Enemies to Lovers, Celebrities, Secret Relationship ---Rating (out of 5. 1=DNF can I get a refund? 2 = Disappointed! 3=Good. Library/free copy > Purchase. 4= Liked it. Worth buying, but I would probably not keep or reread it. 5. Loved it. Place of honor on my shelves and will be reread.) - 3.5 ---Would I recommend - Sure ---Explicit sexy time - Yep ---Spoilers? - Nope. ---Disclosures - 1. ARC in exchange for honest review. 2. I have a thing for the MMC’s name <3

Can you really find, but more importantly keep, love in Hollywood? Less enemies to lovers and more rivals to lovers. Kimberleigh is a Hollywood actress and Spencer is an entertainment reporter. They had a bumpy first meeting and he's been blackballed by her management ever since. But a chance meeting when she's not feeling at her best leaves Kimberleigh vulnerable to Spencer. Will he take this advantage and hotwire his own career or will he be unexpectedly helpful? Although the romance is quick to kick off in this book, they have actually been around and aware of each other for at least a year so it didn't feel like an insta-love to me more a finally-giving-in-to-the-sparks. I loved the way that Kimberleigh had her actress facade which helped her cope, much like the way Spencer used his charm as a facade to hide his own insecurities. This was a meeting of two fragile, cracked hearts. A brilliantly empathetic way to show the stresses of Hollywood and life in general and the coping mechanisms that can be used. My fave scene between them was Spencer explaining his own name change - believe me I'd have changed that too LOL. Quick read, enjoyable characters with great chemistry!

Susannah Nix does it again! What a lovely novella ;) An unlikely pairing that works and that's exactly who Kimberleigh and Spencer are! Go back to where is ALL BEGAN in this flirty novella that sets the scene for the Starstruck series. I also must admit that I'm slightly biased since my name is also Kimberly so I was basically rooting for her the whole time. I couldn't help giggling to myself throughout each chapter. There was an undeniable attraction and pull between the characters and a build of simmering chemistry laced with sexual tension between the remarkably sweet Spencer and the doubtful Kimberleigh. Couple that with the signature banter and witty dialogue from Susannah Nix and there is always an addicting and loveable romantic story that will suck you in. NO SPOILERS but you'll get a peek into both Spencer and Kimberleigh's heads with the dual POVs. And who doesn't love the enemies to lovers trope?! *waving my arm around enthusiastically like I know the answer to a question in elementary school and can't wait to be called on by the teacher* I LOVE LOVE LOVE HEAs and since I've read every ARC, I have NEVER been disappointed. Period. This is a must-read as well as Susannah Nix's other series, The Chemistry Lessons and The King Family books. Keep writing and I'll keep reading. :D