Emily Mcintire

About The Author

Emily McIntire wrote her first book, *Beneath the Stars*, in 2018. Although she has been writing for only five years, she has already published 11 books. Emily is a stage IV breast cancer “thriver,” a term she uses to describe her journey of living with and beyond cancer. She is the author of the *Never After* series, a steamy and dark retelling of classic Disney stories, as well as the *Sugarlake* series, which addresses relevant real-world issues. You can learn more about her on Emily McIntire’s website: About Emily | Emily McIntire’s website

The World

This book is set in the present day but features two distinct time periods. It begins with the main characters during their adolescence and then transitions to their lives as adults in the present day. “Beneath the Stars” takes place in a small southern town where everyone knows each other. The setting is vividly described, capturing the essence of a quaint town in Tennessee. From the glow-in-the-dark stars on Alina’s bedroom ceiling to the real stars they gaze at while lying in the back of Chase’s pickup truck, the imagery is enchanting.

Although the book does not include a map, it offers a playlist of songs to listen to while reading, which I find adds to the overall experience and makes the book feel more immersive. What truly distinguishes this story is its realistic and relatable portrayal of the world. It addresses genuine issues in a way that enlightens readers about difficult topics while simultaneously keeping their attention with romance and the evolving relationships between characters. 

The Beginning

This book introduces us to two main characters, who are around eleven and thirteen years old. It takes me right back to the days of slumber parties, walking down the road to my best friend’s house, and enjoying the pool on hot summer days. It’s incredibly nostalgic and gives me all the happy, tingly feelings that I seek from what I call a “feel-good book.” 

The setting is a small town in Tennessee where everyone knows everyone. I consider the world-building in this book to involve more of the plot setup and background information rather than the traditional sense of world-building, as it is set in a real-world, present-day environment. This setup takes about three-quarters of the book, but all of it is essential information for this book and the others in the series. Thankfully, it’s very entertaining to read.

If you’ve read “It Ends with Us” and “It Starts with Us” by Colleen Hoover, this book feels like she took all the best elements from both and combined them into something beautiful. I didn’t discover this series until after I had already started to appreciate Emily McIntire as one of my new favorite authors after reading a few of the “Neverafter” books. Her name on the beautifully illustrated cover caught my attention, along with my desire to expand my feel-good romance collection, especially since the fantasy genre seems to be dominating right now, and a balance is necessary.

This book is adorable and serves as the perfect palate cleanser. I’m eager to read the other books in the series!

The Characters

The main characters in this book are Alina Carson and Chase Adams. Alina is portrayed as a typical small-town girl facing the usual challenges, but it’s Chase Adams who truly stands out. Chase’s backstory is compelling—his mother struggled with addiction, which resulted in him and his sister being placed in foster care. They faced numerous hardships before finally settling with their current and last foster family. These experiences shaped Chase into an incredibly relatable character, serving as a reminder that “this too shall pass.”  Quote from Chase “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.”

The supporting characters are also noteworthy, as they will become central figures in the subsequent books of the series. If you pay close attention, you might be able to predict the romantic pairings, although we will still enjoy following their journeys.

The Plot

The plot of this book was fast-paced, and I finished the 400-page novel in just three days. It follows the typical romance novel formula where you know the couple will end up together; that’s part of the appeal of picking up the book. If you’re looking for a feel-good story that offers a reassuring sense of hope, you’ll definitely find that here. 

What I particularly loved about this book is that the plot was so real and believable that it was heartbreaking at times. It addresses uncomfortable real-life issues, which adds depth to the story and makes it thought-provoking. The book tackles topics that we often prefer to ignore, such as the flaws in the foster care system and the impacts of drug abuse on individuals and their communities. Yet, it also illustrates how people can learn, grow, and overcome obstacles to find happiness.

The story begins with the main characters as young children, which might make you wonder why you’re reading a romance novel featuring twelve-year-olds. However, that’s one of the best aspects of the book. By starting with their childhoods and exploring their backstories, you gain a deeper understanding of how they eventually come together as adults. 

In many writing classes, I was told to start stories in the middle of the action, as readers typically don’t want to wade through extensive backstory. Yet, McIntire challenges this notion by beginning at the start, knowing that understanding the characters’ history is crucial to appreciating their journey.

The Resolution

The ending of this book was satisfying and happy. Both hardships were resolved, yet enough possibilities remained for the next book in the series. 

More reviews of Emily McIntire here: Hexed: A Spicy Retelling Of The Little Mermaid – Rae’s Reviews