Description
By Tricia Goyer
Olivia Garza, a woman committed to making a difference in the world, thrives in her unconventional, service-oriented life. By day, she helps troubled teens in inner-city Little Rock… by night, she unwittingly creates a viral web-video series when she tries to better understand her mother’s desperate decisions by retracing her steps with a camera. So far, Olivia has always been the anonymous narrator, but she’s promised to reveal herself in the last stop on her documentary: Kenya.
Prince Louis is the heir to the throne of the small European kingdom of Alloria, in Kenya to run away from a broken heart—and the media circus that comes with it. When he meets Olivia, he recognizes her voice right away from the docu-series that has stirred his heart. Though they share a magical day on safari, any dreams of happily ever after come crashing down with the flash of the paparazzi cameras, when Olivia realizes that he represents everything she most despises in the world.
In World War II Rome, another royal, however, has her own life-changing choices to make. Princess Alessandra Appiani could have chosen quiet safety within the walls of the Vatican, but instead she risks her life—and her family—to save the Jewish children so in need of someone to show them the love of God.
When Olivia is hired to help create a documentary about Alessandra, learning about the sacrifice of a royal who goes from palace to prison forces her to face the hardest questions of all: Should she continue on the path she’s carved for herself…or trust God to give her the future she never thought she wanted?
Margaret Nelson –
The things I enjoyed about this book include the lush descriptions of the various locations where action takes place, humorous bits here and there on how a southern American girl adjusts to life in a European palace or a prince fits in to Little Rock, the deep spiritual insights into living as a follower of Jesus when life is not fair – especially found in the World War II thread as Olivia learns about Princess Allesandra’s journal.
I have different reactions to different characters. Prince Louis is great, but almost too perfect. I had a hard time warming up to Olivia. Her life and mine are so different that if I met her in real life, I think I’d have a hard time being close friends with her. I understand that her perceptions of her life growing up affected her, but I had difficulty accepting her immaturity at the beginning of the book. Most of the more minor characters were great.
This is a worthy addition to Christian royalty fiction, but I think I enjoy Goyer’s Amish books more.
I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Julie JOY –
The title put me off a little (it sounded Horoscopesque), but I knew the author’s track record for being biblically sound, so I read it! I was not disappointed.
Tricia Goyer has consistently created strong and memorable characters who move and instruct me. She beautifully uses historical fiction to inform and influence her readers to grapple with many spiritual lessons. This book is intense, but many laugh-out-loud moments break the tension.
Olivia knows in her head that she needs to take a compassionate look at what drove her mother, but forgiveness comes hard. I can relate to this. Prince Louis is Prince Charming, but as we meet his world, we see that he also has struggles. There was a cast of quirky loveable (or not-so-loveable!) characters in Little Rock and Alloria. I loved the dual storyline and the way…wait! I don’t want to say too much!
I pre-ordered the book but was given a PDF copy to read as part of the author’s launch team in exchange for my honest opinion, whatever it may be. I recommend this book, and I look forward to reading it again!
Katie Slocum –
“After all, it is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars.”
Two engaging stories are told in this novel about God’s promises and faithfulness. It was a bit difficult to get into at first and it seemed the two tales, one from the past and one from the present, had nothing to do with each other. It was worth continuing to read, however. The last quarter of the book I raced to finish as all the pieces finally began to fall into place and I did not want to put it down. The ending left me astounded and was very satisfying and sobering.
This is not a short and easy Christmas novella. It took me a week to read, when normally I can get through a book in a few days. The chapters themselves are also lengthy. The characters and settings are well developed and I am very glad to have read it. Alessandra will stay with me now, a shining example of love and devotion to God in the midst of the darkest evil the world has to offer. I recommend taking the time to get lost in this incredible story and letting it change your perspective on fame and riches, suffering and sacrifice. A solid 4.5/5 stars
“The greater honor we are given, the greater ability to serve – to give of oneself.”
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from White Crown Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Sadie Sofia –
I did not intend to read this book all in one day. Sometimes I start a book with the goal to stay up until it’s done. Not this time but here we are.
I also don’t really know what I want to say in this review. This was a good book, but you know that from my star rating. (Which is more like 4.5). I think my struggle is just that somehow, even though I didn’t have expectations, this story was not what o was expecting. And it’s hard to explain without spoilers.
Olivia and Louis were wonderful characters. I can say that because even though their experiences are literally nothing like mine, I could still connect to them. (That’s also a mark of a good writer 🙂
Wonderful characters need supporting cast and there are two exceptional ones in this story. I really liked Miss Jan and Rebecca. The roles they play in Olivia’s life are special and they give her great wisdom and advice, while also brining a little levity.
There isn’t a lot of humor in this book. Olivia’s life has been hard and she’s wrestling with a lot. The parts of the book that go back in time are definitely hard. I hope I would have faith like that but I just don’t know.
A part of me feels like I wish this was a series so things could be more in depth. I feel like the story line from the last could have been explored more, as well as Olivia’s work in the US, and I think it would be cool to see more of what will happen. It’s not that the book is incomplete, I just ended it feeling like there could be more to tell.
I would say that this book challenges, inspires, and makes you think. There is beauty and depth and so much wisdom. It’s not often that I’m left thinking about a fiction book after I’m done but this is one of the ones that did it. (I’m also constantly singing “Stars” by Skillet, which is fitting. You should look it up.)
To end, I want to say that the book title might seem odd for a Christian book but it will make sense and I want to hold the idea close so that every time I see the stars, I think of what was said in this story.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required.
Kathryn Pfeifer –
Tricia Goyer’s latest novel, Trust the Stars, is a beautiful novel with a combination of historical and modern elements. This tender romance is a true journey of both discovering and fighting for identity and belonging. I was captivated by the story of a princess held in the WWII Buchenwald concentration camp, integrated with a modern fairy tale romance between a prince and an American commoner. Sweet, poignant, and brimming with depth, this novel is truly entrancing.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Candide –
I really enjoyed Trust the Stars.
I had a hard time at first because we follow two stories and I couldn’t see a link between the two.
I loved how, in the end, the stories connected together 😉
The settings were various and I felt like I was traveling with the characters.
The characters were well described and I could relate to them easily.
I will definitly check out more books from this author 😉
— I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. —
Skm –
A captivating story with a beautiful ending! The ending was my favorite part. This is a dual timeline novel and travels from the U.S. to Kenya to Europe.
The characters were done well and the writing was very good.
*I received a complimentary copy this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.*
Connie Porter Saunders –
I’ve enjoyed several books by this author, but I now have a new favorite! Tricia Goyer shares a story of extreme sacrifice and the true meaning of serving others, and she also gives readers a glimpse of grandeur and royalty. Trust the Stars is set in two time periods and I was fully engaged in both of them! My heart was torn as I read the journal entries of Princess Alessandra Appiani during the tumultuous years of World War II, and I was reminded again of the darkness that pervaded our world during that time.
I loved the historical detail and the inspirational thread, but I adored the fairytale romance that was taking place! Trust the Stars is a poignant reminder of sacrifice, forgiveness, and the overpowering need for love. I highly recommend it to all who enjoy Christian fiction and timeslip novels.
I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from White Crown Publishing. There was no obligation for a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Kristina M. Anderson –
Trust the Stars by Tricia Goyer is a touching tale. I thought the story was well-written with realistic, developed characters. The story takes place in the modern-day, featuring Louis and Olivia with flashbacks to 1943 where Alessandra risks everything to do what she feels is the right thing. Louis is a man who is loyal, caring, and a Christian. His life has been ruled by tradition. He longs to find someone to share to love and with whom he can share his life. Olivia’s life is about helping others. An incident that she witnessed as a child made her determined to help those less fortunate. A chance encounter between the pair leads to a magical day. Unfortunately, the paparazzi soon reveal Louis’ identity and mess with Olivia’s plans. Olivia’s new project may give her new insights. This story gives us a different look at World War II. I could see a person’s faith tested witnessing the atrocities committed by the German’s and struggling to survive in a concentration camp. Faith was woven beautifully into the story. Forgiveness, hope, and faith are the main messages in the story. I like how the story ended. My favorite phrase from the Trust the Stars is, “Even those who rule must live under God’s authority. To see the stars is to remember our Lord.” Trust the Stars is a story that will have you reflecting long after you finish it.
Jeanette Durkin –
Wow! This is an exceptional book! I was immediately drawn in by Alessandra’s story. I loved the flashbacks to 1943, and then how the author tied them into the present day was amazing! As the story progressed, my heart became more and more invested in the story.
All of the characters are wonderful! Louis is my favorite! He’s loyal, faithful, and a man longing to be loved for his true self. Olivia lives her life on purpose. She puts her everything into her job and those she works for. Alessandra is inspiring. She is put in a very difficult situation, and she relies on her faith to make it through each day.
Favorite quote: “After all, it’s often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars.”
This story reminded me that everyone needs to know the hope that can be found in Jesus. He’s for the rich, the poor, the fatherless…
I will be reflecting on this book for a while. The themes of forgiveness, hope, and faith resonated deeply with me.
I was provided a copy of the book from White Crown Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
naomishores –
An absolutely wonderful story of God’s love and faithfulness even when we don’t “feel” it. I loved the historical aspect with Princess Alessandra and WW II and Buchenwald camp. I enjoy reading stories that have historical facts in them. The present part of the story about Olivia and Prince Louis was wonderful too. It was a love story overcoming fears and trusting God and forgiveness and sacrifice. Trust the stars….a true reminder that God is there when you look up at the night sky.
Paty Hinojosa –
OMG! I have to say, Tricia Goyer has been on my new author’s TBR list for a long time. Always, having so many things to read, it always sat there, on my endless TBR. I finally had the opportunity to receive a copy of the book and I was very eager to read it and find out if she was as good as I had heard. Oh WOW! She totally surpassed my expectations with this story! I absolutely loved it and felt touch and inspired by the characters, their journey was one of sacrifice and love, and resilience, and I learned so much from them!
This is a time split novel, with a time line in the present day and another during WWII.
During WWII, in Rome, Princess Alessandra Appiani is dealt with life changing choices. She doesn’t know where her husband is or if he is still is alive since he joined the war efforts. Due to her nobility, she knows she and her children can remain safe inside the Vatican Walls, yet she feels the call, even at her own risk and her family’s lives, to help save the Jewish children who are so in need of someone to show them God’s love and protection. Will she persevere and have the strength to pursue this selfless mission, or will the enemy thwart all her sacrifice and efforts, and worst of all, sacrifice her life along with the innocent children?
In present day, Olivia Garza wants to make a difference in her world, and help other people who suffer, because of childhood trauma like her, or because of poverty or misery, like the people she is currently serving in the Kibera slums in Kenya. Also, she’s the hidden face behind a documentary series in which she shares about her difficult experiences in childhood and teenage years, that have ultimately taken her to Africa, following her deceased mother’s footsteps with the hope of understanding more about the life and struggles of the woman who gave her life. But are her efforts worthy? Will suffering and misery ever end in this fallen world? Then she meets Prince Louis, heir to the throne of the Kingdom of Alloria, who is running away from the mass media, nursing a broken heart. Louis immediately recognizes the voice of the mysterious woman behind the docu-series that has intrigued and touched his heart for some time. But as they get to spend time together, and their attraction grows, their new relationship is finally hit by an unexpected paparazzi attack. And they both realize that their lives are so different that they can’t easily be merged. Can Olivia embrace a world that represents everything she despises, like wealth and power? Can Louis commit to serve the people most in need, especially when he possesses resources to do it? I loved how the two timelines connect when Olivia is hired to do a documentary on Princess Alessandra’s courageous life testimony: a royal who sacrifices her position to serve the innocent and helpless. And how it impacts Olivia’s way of seeing things, past and present, and helping her understand how God’s will for her life may be much better -and greater- than what she has envisioned to be her mission and destiny.
The book is a treasure in many ways: it has inspiring, yet flawed and relatable characters. I loved Prince Louis. He was a man of one piece, yet he longed to be loved for who he is and not his status. He has a heart of gold that is touched and moved to action by the lives of the people who suffer and are most in need. He also knows what sacrifice means, although in a different way, to give up your desires in order to serve your people’s best interests. Olivia has been roughened by a hard life. But I love how she channels everything through helping others that have suffered like she did, and worse. Her heart is selfless, but she also has many things to understand better, like other’s weaknesses. I like the lessons you learn through the story, like what this quote implies: “After all, it’s often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest stars”. How God can bring good out of bad. Even if the title of the book may not seem Christian, I think it totally is. Trust the Stars, in my opinion, and after the quote I mentioned, means trusting God during the darkest times, because as the stars shine only at night, God shines upon our lives not also but especially during our struggles and darkest days. He is always there and will never forsake us.
The character growth, the engaging plot, the inspired message, everything about this book called to me. The way she managed to intertwine both eras without confusion and seamlessly. The historical details. The fairy tale vibes of a Prince in love with a commoner was masterfully yet realistically done! All in all, a masterpiece! I highly recommend this book! Even though I received a complimentary copy of this book, I am definitely getting a physical copy for my shelf. I was under no obligation to post a positive review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.
Esther J Shingler –
Trust the Stars.
This story has several elements that I love about a good book. Multiple story lines that have you guessing at how they will intersect. Exciting and unexpected twists to keep you engaged. While throwing in some World War ll history, it has a very modern present day feel. The characters are lovable and quirky. When I finished reading it, I definitely began wondering, will there be a sequel? Or even a series?
This book had me asking questions about how I listen to God’s voice for direction. How do I move forward in confident expectation that He will meet me?
Another great book from one of my favorite authors, Tricia Goyer.
*I received a complimentary copy of this e-book from White Crown Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Virginia Winfield –
I loved this story filled with romance and lots of inspiration. I loved the use of the journal from the past that helps Olivia decide how she wants to spend her future. I loved how Louis is a prince but very down to earth. I loved the descriptions of all the different locations. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Jeanti Steenkamp –
A beautiful tale of love and faith:
*Spoiler free review*
I love dual-timeline novels and royal romances, and Tricia Goyer’s latest novel did not disappoint. “Trust the Stars” intricately weaves a tale of self-discovery, faith, and the profound impact of being a light in life’s darkest corners. We journey alongside Olivia Garza, Prince Louis, and Princess Alessandra, and watch their stories unfold into a captivating tapestry.
Delve deep as Olivia’s quest for self-understanding, Prince Louis’s escape from heartbreak, and Princess Alessandra’s courage during World War II converge into a story that beautifully explores human connection, choices, and the transformative power of love.
While the novel’s pacing is steady, and the ending may feel familiar, Goyer’s phenomenal storytelling skill ensures a rewarding and emotionally fulfilling read. The characters, with their unique paths and challenges, contribute to an exploration of faith, trust, and the enduring impact of love amid adversity.
This novel is a testament to the enduring power of love, the complexity of relationships, and the potential for growth and light even in the face of darkness. For those seeking a profound and thought-provoking read, Goyer’s latest work proves an invaluable investment of time and emotions.
This was my first time reading Tricia Goyer, the beautiful cover intrigued me, and I am definitely planning on exploring her other novels.
#TrustTheJourney
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publishers. I was not required to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Sarah –
I did not intend to read this book all in one day. Sometimes I start a book with the goal to stay up until it’s done. Not this time but here we are.
I also don’t really know what I want to say in this review. This was a good book, but you know that from my star rating. (Which is more like 4.5). I think my struggle is just that somehow, even though I didn’t have expectations, this story was not what o was expecting. And it’s hard to explain without spoilers.
Olivia and Louis were wonderful characters. I can say that because even though their experiences are literally nothing like mine, I could still connect to them. (That’s also a mark of a good writer 🙂
Wonderful characters need supporting cast and there are two exceptional ones in this story. I really liked Miss Jan and Rebecca. The roles they play in Olivia’s life are special and they give her great wisdom and advice, while also brining a little levity.
There isn’t a lot of humor in this book. Olivia’s life has been hard and she’s wrestling with a lot. The parts of the book that go back in time are definitely hard. I hope I would have faith like that but I just don’t know.
A part of me feels like I wish this was a series so things could be more in depth. I feel like the story line from the last could have been explored more, as well as Olivia’s work in the US, and I think it would be cool to see more of what will happen. It’s not that the book is incomplete, I just ended it feeling like there could be more to tell.
I would say that this book challenges, inspires, and makes you think. There is beauty and depth and so much wisdom. It’s not often that I’m left thinking about a fiction book after I’m done but this is one of the ones that did it. (I’m also constantly singing “Stars” by Skillet, which is fitting. You should look it up.)
To end, I want to say that the book title might seem odd for a Christian book but it will make sense and I want to hold the idea close so that every time I see the stars, I think of what was said in this story.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required.
Erin S –
Tricia is one of those authors that you immediately know you’re settling into reading a good book just because her name is on the cover. I knew I needed to read this one! I’ve recently been on a royalty, rags to riches reading spree and this sounded right up that alley.
Let me just say I was not disappointed! The story read quickly. The characters immediately enthralled me and I fell in love with them. Oh, and the dual timeline was amazing! I really like those too.
Our main female character is Olivia. She’s had a hard and rough life. And there is no way to gloss over that or make it seem like a minor detail. You just can’t. It’s shaped who she is and what she’s after in life.
In our other timeline, we’re in WWII. And I know you know this if you’re reading my reviews, but I love WWII novels! And this one is another in a long list I’ve been reading lately that focuses on saving the Jewish children. It was such a wonderful and noble thing and yet put people in so much danger that we don’t often hear or focus on that.
YOU MIGHT BE ASKING WHERE THE ROYALTY COMES IN.
In our hop back in time it is Alessandra who is a princess. And in our modern day, it is Louis who is a Prince.
It’s so hard to share this story because I want to let you know everything that is going on in the story. But if I do that then you won’t need to read the book. And you really should read the book! It’s a wonderful read. I actually would love to see more books spinning off this one! But I don’t think that’s in the works so I’ll just have to be sad.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Band of Booksters. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
Megan –
This was a strange book for me, as I really didn’t care for Olivia that much at the start of the book. I felt like her attitude, especially toward Louis at the beginning, was really tiresome and mean. She did improve as the book went on and I did start to like her. Once I learned her backstory it made sense why she acted like that toward him.
The romance between Louis and Olivia was well done, and it was really sweet the lengths Louis went to to show Olivia he was serious about her. The split time storyline from the past didn’t feature as heavily as I first thought it would, but the story was very moving and helped to bring Olivia’s character growth about very well.
Overall this was a good royal romance, perfect for fans of Toni Shiloh and Hannah Currie.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher. I was under no obligation to give a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are solely my own.
Melissa Glor –
What a beautifully woven dual time story! Set in a present day time line with an accompanying World War 2 storyline, this book packs an emotional wallop. This book captured my attention from the opening chapters and I devoured this read. I loved Prince Louis and my heart hurt for Grace and all she’d been through with her mom. The story was was compelling and hard to put down. The ending was perfect for the story and I loved how Tricia wove it all together. A fantastic read!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and was not required to post a positive review. All thoughts are my own.
Emily –
Louis and Olivia are 2 polar opposite characters with completely different pasts and upbringings. Louis has been raised as privileged royalty and Olivia, who had nothing due to the drug abuse of her mother. The author does a wonderful job of bringing their lives together with a purpose and a vision to serve both the rich and destitute because everyone needs Jesus!
I really loves the secondary characters, both Rebecca and Miss Jan. The wisdom that they spoke into others lives was just so powerful!
I loved how the author brought in a fictional account of a real life life princess for the dual timeline! The princess was sent to a concentration camp in WW2 and you are told some of her story. It is woven together beautifully with the current day.
**I received a complimentary ARC for this novel. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Karen Waide –
Trust the Stars by Tricia Goyer is an awesome book. I am so glad I had a chance to read it as a member of the launch team.
This story takes you from present day in the slums of Kibera, Kenya, plus a safari also in Kenya, to a royal palace in the fictional country of Allori, to the inner city of Little Rock, Arkansas, to a concentration camp in Germany during WWII.
As the reader we get to see the story from three points of view. The first two are in present day. The first is Olivia Garza, the voice of a video docu-series which has brought her to the slums of Kenya from her home in America. The second is Prince Louis who is in Kenya to get away from the media during a time of heart break, when his ex is getting married. And the third is Princess Alessandra, a royal during the time of WWII who risks her freedom to help Jewish children escape the Nazis. We get her story in third person, and also through journal entries.
Forgiveness plays a big role in this story as Olivia is on her journey following her mother’s footsteps in an effort to come to terms with the life she had been dealt because of her mother’s lifestyle choices. She’d been filming this docu-series without revealing who she actually was, and planned to reveal herself at the end of her time in Kenya. That is, until she spends a delightful day on safari with a man who doesn’t tell her he is a prince. However, she then feels betrayed when the truth is revealed and she never wants to see him again. But Prince Louis had recognized Olivia’s voice from the docu-series, and wants to get to know her better.
Here follows an adventure in Little Rock and also in Alloria, getting to know these characters even more and seeing their heart for those who are in need. I love seeing Olivia’s and Prince Louis’s relationship evolve. And I love the importance that is placed on trusting in God.
And of course, there is are the journals of Princess Allessandra and learning the truth of what happened to her and how it connected to the present day story.
I loved this story, and only wish we could have had more time with Princess Allessandra before she was sent to the concentration camp, and more details of her time in the camp. And I really wish this was the beginning of a series so we could see more of these characters and how their lives continue.
Here is a quote that stuck with me, “Tough I walk through the shadow of death. . .Today, I choose to rejoice in the shadow, because for a shadow to be cast, that means there is light beyond. I must remember that light, and I must share it. For this season, I am where I do not belong, but even here, God reminds me to be a light as He is the Light-to sing a song unseen.”
If you are a fan of dual timeline stories, stories that take place during WWII, and/or royal romances, you are going to want to check out this book.
I was given this book as a part of the launch team but was not required to write a positive review. These are my own honest thoughts.
ilovethemso –
Scars, Sacrifice, and Sweet Romance
Get ready to enjoy a moving adventure! Trust the Stars is a wonderful tale filled with scars, sacrifice, and sweet romance. Told between two timelines that mesh perfectly, the story is so beautifully written, it pulled me in right away. The details and imagery helped me see the story unfold, and plot twists kept it captivating. The story brought me through all the emotions as I walked with characters through enormous pain and sacrifice all the way to healing and sweet romance. The rarer moments that made me laugh were such a delight.
I appreciated how the dual timelines in this fantastic tale are seamlessly tied together, and both timelines captured my interest, which is extremely rare for me. I enjoyed watching imperfect characters grow and seeing the delight of a once hardened heart open up to true love. I felt inspired to learn from examples, of especially Alessandra and Louis, who chose to serve others. This is such a powerful reminder to follow God’s calling and plan for your life. The painful parts of the story make the sweetest parts even more beautiful, and the ending is beautiful! Enjoy getting there.
I can’t wait to read more of Tricia’s writing! I am grateful to have received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Meagan Myhren-Bennett –
Trust the Stars
By Tricia Goyer
This is one of those books that just draws you into it. I love books that are both contemporary and historical fiction, which Trust the Stars is. The two stories are drawn together by a diary Princess Alessandra Appiani kept detailing the dangers she faced and the sacrifices she made during WW2 to help save those in need.
The contemporary portion focuses on Olivia Garza, a young woman, scarred by the decisions her mother made. But Olivia is on a journey of discovery. She wants, needs to understand her mother and is sharing this journey with the world via a podcast.
Enter a stranger who manages to touch Olivia’s life. But said stranger is actually a royal from a little known European country who needs to avoid a wedding. A wedding for the woman he thought he’d marry. In the one day that they Louis and Olivia connect. All is going great until Olivia finds out who Louis is and she cuts out of her excursion to Kenya less than pleased with Louis. After all how can someone used to the life and privileges of a royal possibly understand her normal day-to-day life of working with troubled teens in Little Rock’s inner city?
This is where the diary comes in and I really enjoyed Alessandra’s portion of the story. Her strength even in the face of losing everything she held dear – her husband, her children, and even her life. Her story provides inspiration to not only the reader, but Olivia. Sometimes we need to step out of our comfort zone to do the right thing.
Highly recommended read to either end 2023 or to begin 2024.
I was provided a complimentary copy of this book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thought expressed are my own.
Carol –
Trust the Stars by Tricia Goyer is another title in White Crown Publishing’s Royal/Princess line.
While in many ways this is your typical royal romance: there is a prince (Louis) who doesn’t want to be recognized, who wants to escape even briefly from the demand of being royal.
But in this case the heroine (Olivia) is also not wanting to be recognized. She is the person behind the voice of a YouTube documentary. She is chronicling in her documentary her attempt at trying to find out more about her past, especially her mother’s past. She also spends her time instilling hope for the future in inner city young women as the director of a youth center.
Of course, there are moments when the cover ups are exposed. We see both attempt to learn about the other’s lifestyles as their feelings grow for one another.
There is a fabulous historical sub plot woven through as another story comes into play.
I’m not often a royal romance reader but I did enjoy this one. The main characters as well as the secondary characters all added to the story.
I was given a copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Maggie Rosario –
Goyer presents a clean, strongly Christian romance in Trust the Stars. With the difficulty of finding clean romance in the modern book market, I could appreciate this novel’s good understanding of human dignity. In my honest reader opinion, however, I did not really find this novel engaging or appealing to my interests.
I did not feel satisfied with the overall novel, especially in plot and supporting characters. There were good elements such as morals and themes of healing traumas and coming to terms with the past, but the story itself was less enjoyable on its own. I had expectations of more mystery and complicated plots for a two-timeline story, but I felt they were unfulfilled in the end. The novel was predominantly contemporary with only short scenes from the past timeline which left me a little disappointed.
Elements of the plot such as healing and the romance were highlighted a lot, which may be what some readers are looking for, but I felt that the story lacked the scope of an appealing novel. Aspects of the plot exterior to romance felt a bit weak and not overly engaging. The supporting cast also, though present and well written, did not have a lot of interaction with the characters aside from a few key moments, so the novel felt a bit constrained to Olivia and Louis. With so much emphasis on the darker parts of life, humor and happiness were less prominent and made the novel harder to get through.
I would recommend this book to teens who are looking for a good, sweet romance novel, but readers looking for a more complex read may not be satisfied with this novel. I am still grateful for Tricia Goyer’s work and appreciate her work on Trust the Stars.
DISCLAIMER: I was provided a complimentary copy of this novel for review purposes. All opinions and view expressed are my own.
MDB –
This is one of Tricia Goyer’s BEST books ever! Honestly, I could not put this book down, other than having to do so for the day-to-day responsibilities. However, I could not wait to get back to this book! Stories about a prince falling in love with a commoner have been written so many times in movies and books. They make for great stories, but they can be repetitive and unsurprising. This is NOT the case here. This is a beautiful story with so many incredible moments and truths intertwined within its pages. Tricia Goyer has done a much better job! She has written a beautiful story full of God’s goodness and encouragement!
Within the pages, you are transported back into time to discover so many wonderful truths and the viewpoints within the different classes. This is a MUST READ that I will be referring people to! *I received a complimentary copy of this book. ALL opinions expressed are mine alone.*
Paula Shreckhise –
Princess Allesandra: “It is often in the darkest skies that we see the brightest star.”
A truly remarkable story which is all the more remarkable when I realized that this is the fictional account of a real Italian princess who was sent to Buchenwald during WWII.
There are many recent books about the appalling treatment of people by the Germans in WWII. But each is unique and this author excells in using this story to bring hope.
I adore dual timelines and this was no exception. The way Ms. Goyer meshed the eras together was impressive. Each time period had me eager to see what happened next. The characters jumped off the page. The theme of being light in the darkness came through in multiple ways. Present day Olivia and Louis were shown to have a solid faith. Louis, although he was a prince, was portrayed as a realistic human being with hopes, dreams and a caring heart. Likewise, in 1939, Princess Alessandra was pictured as a godly, selfless person who wanted to bring hope to the hopeless. The lesson I took away : We each have a place in God’s plan, no matter our station in life.
*I received a complimentary digital copy of this book through Band of Booksters. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
Caroline|Page~Turners –
Olivia Garza is just a voice on the air waves. She is an anonymous narrator of a docu-series that has gone viral. With a camera in her hand, she is retracing her mother’s footsteps to discover the truth about her past. Olivia has promised to reveal herself when she arrives at her last stop…Kenya. When Prince Louis flees to Kenya after his heart is broken, he meets Olivia and she sounds very familiar to him. He recognizes her voice from the document-series. Olivia and Prince William become victims of the paparazzi when the cameras start to snap pictures of them. She believes her dreams are crushed. Then she is hired for yet another documentary about another royal, Princess Alessandra Appiani. Alessandra risked her life and her family’s life to save Jewish children during World War II. Olivia is faced with her own life changing decisions to make.
Trust the Stars written by author Tricia Goyer is a wonderful time slip novel. Goyer is amazing at taking the reader from where they are and transporting them to Kenya, Africa. The awesome description of the sights and sounds makes you feel as if you are actually in Kenya. I love the plot twist and turns of this story, especially with the time slip to Rome during World War II. I also, thoroughly enjoyed the acts of faith demonstrated in this book. This heart warming and inspiring story hits all the feels. The characters are very enjoyable, and I loved each and every one of them. This is a phenomenal story that needs to be added to your “to be read” pile. Do not pass up this unforgettable and unputdownable read. I highly recommend it.