Starry Night by Debbie Macomber ARC Review

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

ebook, 370 pages

Published by Ballantine Books

Publication Date: October 8, 2013

Buy it: Amazon | B&N | Book Depository |

Rating: 2/5 Stars

Synopsis: ’Tis the season for romance, second chances, and Christmas cheer with this new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber.

Carrie Slayton, a big-city society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories. So her editor hands her a challenge: She can cover any topic she wants, but only if she first scores the paper an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author. 

Living in the remote Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a megabestselling memoir about surviving in the wild. But he stubbornly declines to speak to anyone in the press, and no one even knows exactly where he lives.

Digging deep into Finn’s past, Carrie develops a theory on his whereabouts. It is the holidays, but her career is at stake, so she forsakes her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she even expected. And soon she is torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart.

Filled with all the comforts and joys of Christmastime, Starry Night is a delightful novel of finding happiness in the most surprising places.

Thank you to Netgalley.com and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for my electronic copy of Starry Night by Debbie Macomber.

This book has everything you want out of a romance novel without the sex. I can't say that I didn't like this book but I can't say that I  really liked it either. It's a good book to read while you're in between books, or if you have absolutely nothing to do. Considering how short this book was, I felt that the plot was rushed and it had too many clichés.

Strengths/Likes: 

1) I love the peculiar gifts that Finn gives to Carrie, instead of the traditional flowers and chocolates. These items made Finn more real to me, because everyone has weird quirks and different ways of thinking, and in use of these gifts it made Finn more unambiguous.

2) In this novel, Carrie is the stronger person in the relationship and even when Finn tries to back off, instead of doing the expected thing and give up on him and blame herself, she stuck with it and continued to pursue him. She was a strong woman who fought for her man, and I can definitely appreciate that.  

3) This book did give me moments where I did feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It made me think of the holidays, my family, and being a kid.

Weaknesses/Dislikes: 

1) The book was so short and the plot moved so fast that it was difficult to get into the couple's relationship. One minute he can't stand her, the next minute she's melted his heart and they are practically living together. I know fast romances are expected in romance novels but this was too rushed for me. I like to see relationships build up with more than just flippant resistance.

2) I know that in a lot of books it's important for the author to establish how the title is connected to the story but this one was just corny and cringe worthy. The reason I find it so corny is because the first time it is mentioned is when Carrie is talking to Finn's mother, and Finn isn't present than later Finn says the exact same line later. I understand that this was most likely written this way to show how perfect the couple is for one another but it was too much.

3) The foundation of the plot is rested on Carrie needing to interview Finn so she can write about whatever she wants at her job..does How To Lose A Guy in Ten Days sound familiar to anyone?

4) For a man with abandonment issues, and a long history of not trusting women, to me it's not realistic that a strange woman changes that in two days. Considering on the first day they met, he abhorred her.

5) This book does a lot of telling, instead of showing. Instead of being told about Carrie and Finn's feelings I would have preferred more scenes of interaction.

6) The book is written in third person, but the author tried to individualize Carrie and Finn's voices. In my opinion, they sounded too similar, and if it wasn't for telling me he was a guy, I would have assumed I was in the mind of a woman. He's supposed to be this outdoor, man's man, kind of guy but with this writing style I didn't get that vibe.

Favorite Quotes/Moments: 

1)"Although she should be exhausted, Carrie found her mind racing. 'He's not going to give me the interview,' she told the dog, rolling onto her backside and staring up at the log beams of the ceiling.

'Maybe I will interview you,' she said, and gently petted Hennessey's head.

The dog rested his chin against her knee in a move that both comforted and warmed her.

'Okay, Hennessey, tell me what it's like living with the great Finn Dalton, esteemed author of Alone.'

She waited, pretending to listen to his answer.

'You can't mean to say you actually like spending countless hours with such a cantankerous owner? I'm wrong, you say, and he really isn't as bad as I assume? Frankly, I find that hard to believe! Oh, I'm sure you're right, Finn Dalton can be civil, but unfortunately he sees me as an evil threat and he wants to boot me out of here as fast as he can. I know, I know, it's a shame we couldn't have reached an understanding. It's only a matter of time, you know, before others track him down.'

Again she paused as though taking in the dogs comments.

'Yes, I hear you. To you he's a good guy, but to me he's rude and arrogant and a narcissist. Oh sorry, narcissist is a big word. It means he's completely hung up on himself.'

A loud snort came from the other room, which was a sure sign Finn was listening in on their conversation."

2) "'You realize I'm going to be worrying about you with this guy the entire time you're out with him.'

His words cheered her considerably. 'I'm glad to hear it.'

'You are?'

'Well, sure. It will keep you on your toes. If this kind of competition continues, I could end up with a can opener that matches that toaster.'"