Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: All The Stars

SERIES: Love Bank Romance #1

AUTHOR: Duckie Mack

PUBLISHER: Self-Published

LENGTH: 227 Pages

RELEASE DATE: September 19, 2021

BLURB:

Rider doesn’t have a lot of rules when it comes to guys, but there is one- he doesn’t date, not ever. He’s content with random hookups because dating means too much. That’s reserved for the one person he knows he can never have, his best friend, Cameron.

After watching his own family fall apart, Cam longs for someone who will stick it out through thick and thin. He’s had a string of girlfriends that never seem to be the right one. The one person he can always count on is Rider.

One night out changes everything between them. When Rider ends up telling Cam the secret he’s been hiding, Cam is left reeling. But will an accident end Cam’s chances to figure out what it means for them?

All the Stars is a heartwarming story of friendship, love, and finding the one that was right in front of you all along.

The Love Bank Romance series features sweet LGBTQ love stories with a little heat.

REVIEW:

Rider had hook-ups, not boyfriends. Never a boyfriend. Rider knew that in his heart of hearts, no one would ever measure up to the one – the man he’d always loved but could never have – his best friend. Cam’s girlfriend broke up with him, citing a few things that made him think. Nevertheless, it takes a couple of ass-kicking events for him to see what’s always been there.

Oh my, what a sweet, loving, feel-good factor of a story. It is simple in its concept but super with its execution.

All The Stars is a friends-to-lovers story told in the first person from the viewpoints of Cam and Rider. Other than the chapters alternating in perspective, I was too engrossed in the story to notice other technical aspects.

Many of the wider cast meet at a food bank, a place that highlights life’s communities, difficulties, and the goodness in people. Away from there, our leading men have their day-to-day lives that offer another overview of personalities. From Rider’s Day-job, the scene-stealing rock star, Crow, comes to the fore. He’s that unexpected character who develops in a story loved so much that the author stipulates will get a tale of his own.

As for Cam and Rider, the blurb says that there’s an accident. This is written in a glued-to-the-page-turning way that, given the blurb, could possibly have made a bit more of. Anyway, what follows warmed every cockle of my aged heart.

All The Stars is a story that contains characters with terrible childhood experiences, the guidance of decent people, and beyond all, the love of someone exceptional. At 65k in length, there’s obviously more to it than that, like examining feelings, reflection, and some steamy activities. It’s been a while since I read a friends-to-lovers story and All The Stars was a lovely return to a genre akin to drinking a mug of Ovaltine at the perfect temperature, with custard creams on the side.

RATING:

BUY LINK: 

Amazon