Bring Down the Stars (Beautiful Hearts Duet Book 1),
by Emma Scott
Publication: August 20, 2018
About the book:
I fell for Connor Drake. I didn’t want to; I fought against it, but I fell in love with him anyway. With his words. With his poetry. With him. The gentleness and beauty of his soul that speaks directly to mine. He writes as if he can feel my heart, hear its cadence and compose the exact right lyrics to accompany every beat and flow.
I’m in love with Connor…so why do I feel an inexplicable pull to his best friend, Weston? Grouchy, sullen, brooding Weston Turner, who could cut you down with a look. Fiercely intelligent with a razor-sharp wit and acid tongue, he’s the exact opposite of Connor in every way, and yet there’s electricity in the air between us. The thorny barbs Weston wraps around himself can’t keep me away.
But the more time I spend with these men, the more tangled and confused my emotions become. When they both sign up for the Army Reserves during a time of increasing strife in the Middle East, I fear I’ll never unravel my own heart that sometimes feels as if it will tear straight down the middle…for both of them.
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Bring Down the Stars is an emotional, angst-filled novel of unrequited love by bestselling author, Emma Scott, and is inspired by the classic tale, Cyrano de Bergerac. (Roxanne) It is Book I in the Beautiful Hearts Duet, coming this summer. Book II, Long Live the Beautiful Hearts, to be released a few weeks later. THIS IS NOT YOUR TYPICAL LOVE TRIANGLE #confusedhearts #notamenage
**My Review*
First of all, this cover is incredible! I love it, and not just because of the Dandelions 🙂
Somehow, Bring Down the Stars is my first time reading Emma Scott. I saw this on NetGalley, as well as the second in the series, Long Live the Beautiful Hearts, and something about it piqued my interest. Typically, I have no interest in a book that has a cliffhanger and then a second book, but even knowing that ahead of time, I had to read it. And I am so glad!
This novel opens with a heart-wrenching moment with young Weston Turner, who five years later earns a scholarship to a local private school due to an essay he wrote about that event. The “scholarship” boy is a quick and easy target for the rich, snobby, shithead students with the exception of Connor Drake. The two become best friends quickly, more like family, and the story carries on to when they enter college together. Weston is a romantic academic but known more for his exceptional track and field abilities and his even more exceptional crappy attitude with his opponents. Connor is a popular athlete, and new student/Nebraska farmgirl Autumn Caldwell is taken with him the first time she lays eyes on him. Oh, but did I mention that Weston also meets her in the library? Thus begins a wonderful novel about romance, friendship, seducing one with words, and how crucial honesty really is.
Regarding Connor and Weston, this is a classic tale of two young men secretly envious of what the other has. Connor grew up with money but doesn’t feel he meets his parents’ expectations. Weston and his mother struggled financially, but even with Weston’s amazing gift for writing, he envies Connor’s charisma and charm. But truly, they complicated each other in an amazing way, making me understand why Autumn might secretly have feelings for both of them.
Without spoiling the plot, the overall premise of Bring Down the Stars is based on Cyrano de Bergerac, so I’m assuming you can figure out what happens after Connor starts dating Autumn??
I have loved you with both
Hands tied behind my back
Bound with pen and ink
Paper and words
Sealed with someone else’s name
until this moment
in which I am nothing
but a man
who loves a woman.
There is nothing left to say
Except to give
all of my heart
For you
-Emma Scott
Getting an idea now? Anyway, this novel is beautifully crafted and developed in a way in a way I don’t often get the pleasure of experiencing. Emma Scott’s characterization and imagery transport you into this book so prepare yourself for a roller coaster of emotions. But every single awkward moment or time of frustration is worth it because of what it is all building up to.
If you love angsty romance, true friendship, fear, guilt, longing, and so much more – then this is a must-read. But as fantastic as this one is, I have to say, the conclusion in book 2 is even better. Bravo to Emma Scott for this incredible novel!
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing this copy in exchange for my honest review!
Dandelions Inspired 