The Keeper of Stars by Buck Turner

Who says you can’t rewrite the stars?

1962—Twelve years removed from the summer when she first gave her heart away, Dr. Elizabeth (Ellie) Spencer, Professor of Astronomy at Indiana University, receives a mysterious package that has her asking that very question.

Inside the unmarked box is a novel written by Ellie’s first love, Jack Bennett. It tells the story of a young man and woman who meet at the water’s edge and fall madly in love, only to have their romance cut short by forces beyond their control. Ellie quickly realizes this is no ordinary story; it’s their story. Captivated by Jack’s words, she immerses herself in the pages, reliving the adventures they shared that magical summer. To her astonishment, hidden among the tales of star-gazing and stolen kisses is a detail that has her questioning everything.

Seeking answers, Ellie turns to her sister for help, but before they can get to the bottom of the mystery, news reaches them of their aunt’s death, sending Ellie back to the water’s edge with the hopes of finding the truth and rewriting the stars.

My Review

This book is a sweet young adult to-midlife romance with a summer of memories and a life of decisions. This book reads in certain parts like “The Notebook,” but it is a story of its own. I found the second-chance romance and the subsequent happy ending delightful, but the heartbreaking parts are the most memorable. I liked the opposites and the friends to lovers. While the first parts of the book are utterly enthralling, the third part had me rolling my eyes cause, yet again, difficult decisions almost tore their new love apart. However, they finally persist and get their happy ending, and the book begins where it all started. 

The prologue of this book starts with a man reminiscing about his life and a house. We get some essential drops to lead us into the story. We have yet to find out who this main character is. 

We meet Jack, who is young and adventurous. George and Jack have an intriguing relationship as employer and friend, and both of them draw you into this story. Jack is just a young man still living at home and working hard to be something one day. Of course, his modest life gets upset by an enchanting lady, Ellie. 

Ellie is a city girl visiting her aunt. She is also a college student studying astronomy. She is down to earth but less outdoorsy than Jack. The first part of this is set in the summer on the water. It has free and wild vibes. 

The story begins with a little young adult summer friends to lovers. Their time is carefree and very new. Wow, this book gets steamy as their romance has an expiration date. This gets heartbreaking as you also learn his side of the story while enjoying the dual POV. 

Part 2 of this book is in winter. 

We have jumped a few years from the last heartbreaking scene. Ellie is now in midlife and has accomplished her dreams, but her relationships still fail. A gift seems to turn her thoughts around, but she doesn’t act on it. 

Part three 

The unexpected happened, and now they seem to be rushing back to the south to lay her aunt to rest. A reunion with her first love, Jack, is bound to happen, and it does, but as emotionally conflicting as this story is, I have no idea what happens next. I do love that there is an unspoken history between them and the memories they share. 

So now the story is a second-chance romance, but it feels like it has some cheating. While I’m rooting for Ellie and Jack, I can’t help but be bewildered by the actions they take while he is in a supposed relationship. 

Wow, it’s a trial to make them happy, but of course, their tender moments finally made me teary-eyed. I’m glad they both finally came to their senses. This book’s epilogue ends well, and the romance’s journey ends where it began. 

If you would like to read The Keeper of the Stars by Buck Turner you can find this book on Amazon. As an Amazon Assocaite, I earn on qualifying purchases.

If you like this book, you may also enjoy books in the following tags and categories: Summer, Coming-of-Age Fiction, and Opposites.