Customer Reviews

Falling Star

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book was a constant surprise, in a delightful way. Every time I thought the characters were dismissing deep emotions or weighty issues with some clever puns or banter, the author would suddenly use a metaphor or other turn of phrase to describe the underlying emotions and motivations in a way that you'd feel to your toes. It made for entertainment and pleasurable reading throughout.

The whirl of characters with odd names (except the dog, who probably had the most ordinary name of all: Nelson) came fast and furiously in the beginning as the relationships were established between Solley Rayner, her three children (Jed, Will and Della), her sister Janie, Janie's partner Marsha, and Marsha's good friend Gin Ito, all who will be staying at Janie's and Marsha's private beach house for some summer vacation. Solley is dealing with divorce from her roving partner Dan(ielle), and an impending custody battle, and has been beat down by Dan's unconcern, so is very hesitant to accept her attraction to Gin. Gin, for her part, is dealing with weighty emotions of her own, and throws herself into life with the children and the family as she experiences an emotional reawakening of her own.

The sisters' relationship is hilarious, and I am a sucker for family dynamics. There's also a third younger sister, Grace, who appears later. Apparently the Rayner sisters are notorious in their circles for their whip-crack changes of mood and firey tempers, and Gin wonders at Marsha's ability to navigate the rapids. I really liked how the characters in this book were allowed to have strong emotions, and to express them without the other characters taking everything entirely too personally, and without necessarily sparking an international incident with every raw outburst. They were human. They had faults. Sometimes they'd let it go, and sometimes they'd get in one another's faces. But they all also seemed to give the other party the benefit of the doubt. The author did a good job of portraying the messiness that is families, and the ties of love that bond the strong ones together despite everyone's foibles.

The writing and editing was quality. Overall the book was a lighter take on weighty issues. Motherhood, grief, relationships ending and beginning, paparazzi. It gave them their due, but also succeeded in showing that life can be good and move on from all that. It's only life, after all. An excellent book for vacationing or other escapism, and I look forward to further work from this author.

A really short read, and it shows. It had no deep character or relationship development. Toward the end, it seemed more like a parody. If you want to read one of Gill McKnight's books, I recommend Ambereye instead.

This popped up on my trading site and I had heard good things of Gill McKnight, though not this particular book.

I now know why ;) It's incredibly flat and soulless. It is billed a romantic adventure, but really, there's not a lot of romance in it. There is a lot of talk of sex and being horny (that word must be used a gazillion times in this novel), but feelings aren't really palpable. The characters are flat and sometimes caricature-like (especially the evil ex) and didn't engage me at all, thus I couldn't really bring myself to care about the lead romantic pairing. The dialog is supposed to be funny, but really often is just crude, I think the story is supposed to have a sitcom-like feeling to it, but some of the situations are just unbelievable and thus not funny to me.

I wonder how much of my dislike of this book, set in the movie-biz, stems from just having read Kallmaker's Stepping Stone, who manages to describe the business with well-rounded characters that are anything but stereotypical.

Solly Rayner's marriage is falling apart. Her partner Danielle has been cheating with other women and now she wants a divorce. Although Danielle has never shown much interest in their three children, now she is threatening to demand joint custody of them and she is planning to move to the other side of country. Faced with the fact that her children might be forced to commute back and forth across a continent, Solly retreats to the beach house of her sister Janie and Janie's partner Marsha for a summer break on Topaz Bay. She hopes to find the quiet there to sort through her feelings and decide what she wants to do with the mess that has become her private life. That isn't to be however. Marsha is a former movie stuntwoman and has rented out part of the land for an adventure movie to be filmed there. Contributing to the general uproar is the presence of Gin Ito the world's most famous stuntwoman and Marsha's best friend. Gin is hoping that, though she is there to perform in the movie, some time spent with her friends will help her recover from a tragedy in her own life. Naturally, Solly and Gin are attracted to each other, but both are hesitant to be involved because of their individual situations. The story is full of movie stars, dangerous stunts, paparazzi, and film lingo. The suspense is provided by the manipulative and deceitful Danielle whose unexpected arrival turns into an attempt to exploit the women's friendship for her own ends. With so much pain surrounding both of their lives, the chances of Solly and Gin finding a way to be happy together are slim.

Falling Star is one of Bold Strokes Books new Matinee Romances. The description on the publisher's home page says: Our newest print line, Bold Strokes Matinee Books, are sharp, satisfying, quality reads for busy women who want to take some time out for pure entertainment. The focus is on excitement, sexual attraction, drama, and fun in a tightly written, engaging package. What that appears to mean is that these books are shorter, fast moving books that can be read quickly. That would seem to be desirable for someone who enjoys reading, but doesn't have a great deal of time. Characters are presented in a breezy manner and the focus is directly on the elements of that story and not what might have gone on before to set up the story. There is an inherent danger in this concept. The structure of Falling Star is fine and the story is all right, but, at times, it seems to be rushed and not developed as well as it could be. The book sacrifices some of the understanding of the characters in the attempt to keep everything moving along. In general however the story meets the description of what a Matinee Romance is supposed to be.

If you're looking for a book that can be finished in a couple of hours and provides some light entertainment, then Falling Star will suit your needs.

I won't waste time rehashing the plot or give anything away. You'll have to read the book yourself.

At first, the book started slowly for me, but as I continued to read, the witty banter and the comedic scenes between the characters was very refreshing and made the book a quick read. I couldn't stop smiling.

I always enjoy a book, where I can get caught-up in the lives of the characters and for a first-timer McKnight did a relatively good job of developing the two main characters. There was greater development of Solley's character and I wish a little bit more had been done with Gin, but all in all Mcknight's narrative style and descriptive technique allowed you to feel what they were feeling. In the light-hearted moments you laughed with them and in their conflicted moments you shared their pain.

I'm always willing to take a chance on new authors, particularly if it's a Bold Strokes book and McKnight didn't dissapoint. For a first-timer this was a good piece of work and I'm looking forward to reading her next book, due out in December, Green-eyed Monster. I've already pre-ordered.

Solid first book from this author. This 186 page novel in the publisher's Matinee line is packed with characters, plot and action.

Solly Raynor has taken her three children to visit her sister Janie and Janie's lover Marsha at their Hollywood beautiful resort home. Solly is escaping her no good philandering lover. Into the mix arrives Marsha's good friend and Hollywood stunt woman extraordinaire Gin Ito. The paparazzi arrive in the form of the aptly nicknamed Sniper, along with Solly's cheating spouse Danielle making this story a rip roaring adventure.

Gin and Solly are attracted to each other and while it is probably the wrong time for Solly to get involved Gin is ready to begin living again after a crushing heart break.

Packed with passionate encounters and some unusual sexual imagery. This is an emotion packed novel that keeps the characters and the reader always engaged and in the end you are happy to see everyone get what they deserve. Including Sniper who meets her match in Solly and Janie's sister Grace.

If you enjoyed this novel don't miss the author's other title 'Green-eyed Monster'.

Gill McKnight's book is a fun romantic romp. Like other reviewers, I wonder how McKnight came up with names like Solley, Gin, and Sniper. Watching Solley and Gin was heartwarming and heart-rendering. I rooted for them both, but understood their doubts and fears. Marsha and Janie were great secondary characters, Marsha especially as she advises Gin on the ins and outs of falling in love.

All in all, a quick fun read. I wish McKnight would've spent a few more pages wrapping up everything. Too many lesbian romances end with loose ends and unresolved issues, and that was the case here, unfortunately.

Solly. Gin. These are the two protagonists for this, Gill McKnight's first novel. With names like these, you know the book has to be good. It is actually more than good, it's great.

For the most part, the back cover book description is accurate, so there is no need to rehash the plot here. The only thing to add is Solley's soon-to-be-ex tries to protect her territory as the suave Gin moves in. As such, Gin is confused by Solley's actions during this trying period, but sticks with her (new) woman like glue.

Bottom Line - With five main adult characters and a crazy supporting cast, this story is a real page-turner. I'm really looking forward to McKnight's next book.

This is a great little book! Yes, it is obviously a romance and it isn't hard to figure out who will end up with whom. But Gill McKnight infuses her characters with such humor and wit that every moment with them is a pleasure! It is fun and well written. I might need to go read it again right now.