Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens on September 24th 2013
Genres: Contemporary, Contemporary, New Adult, Young Adult
Source: Publisher
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Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.
Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.
When I saw that Trish Doller releases another book I was excited. Her first book “something like normal” is still super high on my wish list and I haven’t gotten around reading it. Where the stars still shine sounds haunting and sad but perfectly up my alley!
Stolen as Kid – Rescued as a Teenager
Callie has such a heartbreakingly sad story to tell that my heart broke already early on for her. Her mom run away with when she was only a few years old and since then they were both on the run. Sleeping in horrible places and Callie never went to school or had friends. With 17 this time is over when she is found and brought back to her father. But Callie doesn’t know normal… so how can she finally claim the life she was supposed to have?
Broken, lost and scared
Callie’s story will break your heart and I was rooting and cheering for her to find her back to normal. But it was not an easy road. Callie has a hard time trusting anyone, even her father who loves her deeply.
Truthfully, Callie’s Dad was a fantastic man – he has such a big heart and loves his daughter deeply even though he was also at a loss what to do with her.
Reclaiming their relationship was a hard road for both of them and it broke me imagining what her Dad ha to go through and now has to face when he finally had her back!
Love, Sex and Friendship
Being finally at a place where she could find friends and love scars Callie instead of getting her excited. She was just never used to trusting people and forming real bond. Watching this 17-year-old girl struggling so hard made me want to reach out to her, hug her and tell her to trust them. Friendship and love can heal even the most broken souls.
Then there is this one boy who just want to get to know her and go on a date with her. But boys so far just always used her so when he refuses to have sex with her she’s confused and lost all over again!
“I don’t understand what happened. Why Connor didn’t want me. And I don’t understand why I still feel every bot as worthless as I felt after Danny, after Matt”
This makes me again tear up imagining what her life must have been before!
Finding True Love
Then Callie meet Alex and they just click. They begin a loose affair based on sex because that is what Callie knows.
“Right now I don’t feel like I’m trash waiting to be discarded, but I feel I want to leave instead of being asked to.”
But both find a soul mate in the other, someone who seems to understand even without big words. Alex was a fascinating character. He was all bad boy from the outside, but when we get to see into his soul and mind we understand him so much better. In the end, he’s also just a lost boy who needs someone to hold him!
They do not have it easy, especially since both are so closed off- but when they both start feeling deeper for each other they also slowly begin to open up. They save each other.
Bewitched Rating
Bottom Line
Where the Stars still shine is sad and heartbreaking and tells a story that will shock us to the core. It rattled me deep and stirred my emotions constantly. I teared up so many times, but it’s such a beautiful and sad and heartbreaking story, yet so full of hope and wonderfullness! There is so much to say about this book, there is so much depth in this story that I feel like I didn’t do this book justice enough.
Additional Info
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What a beautiful review, Danny!
I read this one a couple of months ago and completely fell in love with the story. Callie was such a broken character, but I really grew to love her. I didn’t like how she constantly pushed the people trying to help her away, but I understood where she was coming from.
I loved her big family though. They were the highlight of the book for me.
Danny, since you loved this book, you should definitely try Something Like Normal. It’s even better than Where the Stars Still Shine! Plus, it’s written in the male POV, so I’m sure you will love that one!
I’m glad you enjoyed this one so much!
Fabulous review! 🙂
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Can you believe it, but I still haven’t read Something Like Normal even though everyone keeps gushing about it! After I finished this one I knew now was no getting out – I need to read this book!
Yes I was also frustrated at some times about her constant pushing and being rude to the people that love her, but I got it – which made it alrightish.
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First off, holy cow, look at that cover. I love it! I can’t imagine what this character went through and how difficult it must be to accept love into her life and people who care about her.
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I really loved her other book so I’m dying to read this one! It sounds absolutely fantastic! Wonderful review!
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Great review Danny! This is another one of those cases where I desperately wish I felt the same way about the book… because it sounded so good. I’m jealous of how much you loved it!!
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I sometimes shy away from emotionally heavy contemporary reads, but I have heard fantastic things about Trish Doller’s writing, so I am definitely curious about this book. I’m glad it worked for you, Danny! Fantastic review as always! 🙂
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Not really familiar with this one, but loved your review. It’s on my list. THanks!
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Oooh…this sounds really good. I don’t think I’ve heard about it. Do you feel like the guy is too stereotypical since he seems like a bad boy. I’m kinda getting tired of that since it’s so often used.
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ahh everyone loves this book so much!! i hope i like it too, eeep. it really does sound beautiful and pretty sure i’ll get emotional.
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