Book Review – Bring Down the Stars by Emma Scott

Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts Duet Book 1)
LOVE TRIANGLE DELICIOUSNESS ALERT!! If you’re looking to pine HARD over someone, and to feel like you’re falling in love, and to be all sorts of confused because also… there’s that other guy that you can’t stop looking at (but that barely acknowledges you, but then again.. sort of does), but then again…. he’s your new boyfriend’s best friend *ahem* (sorry for the run-on) but …. you’ve found your match!!!! Er… in this book, I mean.

The author may have warned us “THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL LOVE TRIANGLE #confusedhearts #notamenage” <— I agree! But OMG this is still your OLD school, angsty, new-adult love triangle. You know the kind. When the heroine is solidly connecting with TWO guys, dating one, and crushing on him hard (Mr. Popular, coveted & super-rich), but also… totally connecting with his talented but brooding, super-jaded best friend that wants nothing to do with ANYONE.

Except for some reason… he’s connecting with you. I mean her. HER!!!!

Emma Scott KNOWS how to pull at our heart strings, and boy can she WRITE!!!! I don’t even feel like I’m reading when I read her genre of angst. I feel like I’m living it.

R: I cannot wait for the world to read Bring Down the Stars. We have a big BR going on in my group today and I’m just going to kick back with a big bag of popcorn and watch!

Jenn:  I just finished “Bring Down The Stars” I am in awe of this book and can not say enough about it. I loved it so much definitely one of the best books I have ever read! I typically stay away from series unless they are all out as there is nothing worse than book torture waiting for the next one to come out and that is where I am at since book 2 is not out. In trying to find out when it will be…I read that Emma has not even been able to finish it yet due to her 10yr old daughter passing away  so sad and unfair. Now my hearts even more.

Melinda: I have just finished Emma Scott’s book “Bring down the stars “ and I loved it. So if you are looking for a good book that’s the one. Although it ends on a cliffhanger. I don’t like cliffhangers. So I have to wait to finish.

Jenn:  …I’m still not over where that book left me so I will wait till the other one is out before I start.

Yessssssss it’s true. A cliffhanger. And a doozy of one, at that. Though I tolerate cliffhangers well (I kind of like that last minute sting/panic attack… hey, I even like the sting of rubbing alcohol to disinfect a boo-boo *snort*) so well… I know it. I’m weird. But I’m good with how this ended, ’cause I’m anxious to see what… will… happen.

So what’s it about?

Connor and Weston have been best friends since prep school. Connor, from an affluent family, befriended the almost-bullied Weston that won a scholarship for his incredible writing (writing about the hard life his family has been through).

Getting this scholarship was going to help my family. I’d get into a good college, get a good job, and maybe cut out the worrying for a little while.

Connor and his benevolent family adored Weston from the start (despite his surly and mistrustful nature).

Connor wasn’t put off by my hard tone; a trait that would endure years into our friendship. The glue that would hold it together many, many times.

A hard worker, a fighter, someone that was bound to make it in life, from his incredible talent, intelligence, spirit and determination alone (what an amazing influence he would be on their “charmed” happy-go-lucky Connor).

I felt some of the pressure they put on Connor: to work hard and get better grades, to go to college, instead of opening a sports bar like he wanted. They wanted a friendship between their son and me—the scrappy street kid who’d show Connor how far hard work and smarts could get you.

And both of them defend and protect each other to the depths of their souls. True best friends. Secretly, Connor (and his family) kept Weston (and his family) afloat,

I was determined to make it on my own—to show my a$$hole dad I didn’t need his help. But every kindness the Drakes bestowed was a weight on my shoulders. A growing debt.

…while highly talented Weston helped (or pretty much handled) Connor’s homework and kept HIM afloat in school.

Life is pretty much perfect.

And then they meet her. Autumn. The epitome of warmth and comfort and gentleness. She exemplifies the season, itself. Shy, quiet, and naturally beautiful, she too has arrived at the school due to her scholarships and achievements, and fighting spirit.

I liked toying with people to get them riled up, and she’d seemed an easy mark. But instead of walking away, she’d met me head on. I liked that. I liked her.

And I didn’t like anyone.

She’s a social fighter and wants to change the world. She’s overcoming an incredible heartbreak.

She’s too sweet for my bitterness. Too kind for my mean streak.

But she’s living her own version of jaded…

I wondered what it would be like to bask in that smile, and then brushed the thought aside. Gorgeous men with winning smiles were no longer on my list.

And they befriend her both.

He smiled down at her, and she smiled up at him, recognition in both their expressions.

He met her first.

I shall stop there.

Oh!! Except for this…

“And you two, together?” Edmond beamed under his mustache. “My thoughtful girl and the quiet man. This, I like.”

“We’re friends,” I said. Then glanced at Weston. “Aren’t we?”

He nodded, his eyes soft on mine. “Yeah. Friends.”

“Ah,” Edmond said, his gaze going between us, his dark eyes narrowing. “Parfois, le cœur se cache derrière l’esprit.”

There is so much to discover amongst this trio, along with the clever merging of her feelings from one… to the other. And the reason… why.

4 stars!! I’m reserving my final star-rating for when I read this duet’s conclusion. This one? A great read that kept me engaged and best yet? A great intro that had me hooked, and the second half was even better than the first. Pure eloquence and yet totally down to earth.

Oh and… that cliffhanger? My lips are sealed! But yes… I’m panicking.

Tagged as: 4 stars, Emma Scott, love triangle, men in uniform, military romance, new adult