Blog Tour: Written in the Stars by Helen Rolfe

 

Last year I read the first book in the Skylark's series which features a helicopter emergency response crew, and I loved seeing the characters at work. I was therefore always going to read the follow up book. I can also tell you now that I will be continuing to read this series while it lasts!

Bess is a paramedic on an emergency response helicopter crew. It is a high pressure job where you see people at critical moments in their lives. She had a very close relationship with her father, who always was saving for the future. It was a future that never came as he passed away unexpectedly. Ever since that day Bess has been living for the moment, buying whatever she wants, going on holidays, topping out her credit cards.  After all, what's the point of saving for the future. However, that recklessness is catching up with her and Bess is really struggling financially, just barely keeping her cottage. She is also shocked to find out that her mother has found a new friend, which also brings up some issues for Bess.

Gio is a fireman who Bess has been friends with for years. There has never been anything more than friendship between them, which is probably a good thing seeing as Gio doesn't have a great track record with the ladies. Gio has his own demons, specifically in relation to his alcoholic mother, so when she turns up unexpectedly on his front doorstep he is pretty annoyed, but he can't turn her away. 

When Gio is injured in a workplace accident he has to deal with the possibility that he may never be able to return to the job he loves, and dealing with his mother, which is a lot, given how much damage has been done to their relationship over the years.

Maybe, just maybe, they can help each other.

If I had to pick a trope for this story it would be friends to lovers. Literally. There was a bit of angst of should we, shouldn't we and then they did. There wasn't much where you could see the dynamics changing. Of course, they were supportive of what each other were going through, and there was a gradual realisation that there had always been something there.

There was a surprising amount of Christmas in this book. For Gio, this hasn't always been a great time of year, particularly as it so often led to disappointment, but there were some moment of pure Christmas joy. Some of those were very simple - the joy of a sparkler, the pleasure of cooking a meal for your family.

The build up to the romance could have been stronger but overall it was still a fine book to read, where the work that the characters do continues to be a highlight.


I am sharing this review with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews and with British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog. Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

About the Book

Written in the Stars

A hidden secret

Live every day as if it were your last – that’s the motto Bess has lived by since her father died unexpectedly. As a critical care paramedic, Bess sees every day just how easily life can be taken away. But carefree living has risks, and as Bess’s debts mount, she discovers her actions could have terrible consequences…

An unexpected arrival

Nothing gives Gio more joy than his work saving lives in the fire service. And on the days when his call-outs put him in the path of the air ambulance, and one paramedic in particular, things are pretty perfect. Until Gio’s world is spun on its head, first by the arrival of his estranged mother on his doorstep, and then by an accident that could put his career on hold indefinitely.

A new beginning?

Gio and Bess have always worked well together, but could they be the solution to each other’s problems beyond the frontline as well? And will they let their guard down enough to give each other a chance before snow falls over Whistlestop River?

Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/writteninstarssocial

About the Author –

Helen Rolfe is the author of many bestselling contemporary women's fiction titles, set in different locations from the Cotswolds to New York. She lives in Hertfordshire with her husband and children.

Social Media Links –



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