this is the second book in a series, but can be read as a standalone. It is about a paramedic and a firefighter. very good book.

Bess is part of a helicopter paramedic team and Gio is a firefighter. With jobs as stressful as theirs, they both want to keep their private lives as drama-free as possible. Unfortunately for Bess, her debts have been getting out of control since her father’s unexpected passing, her mother suddenly has a new boyfriend, and she realizes that she may have feelings for Gio. And unfortunately for Gio, his mother is back in town wanting one last chance at reconciliation, an injury on the job keeps him away from the career he loves, and he may in fact like Bess back.

I really liked the characters in this book, particularly the relationship between Gio and his mother. The book mostly keeps a lighthearted tone, despite dealing with some fairly serious subject matter, but the issues at hand are given enough gravity to keep it from becoming disrespectful. There’s a good balance of real-life problems and genre-typical Holiday Romance wish fulfillment that helps keep it interesting throughout. I thought that Bess and Gio’s jobs were interesting choices for them and helped emphasize their personalities and conflicts well.

While generally I don’t particularly like when simple miscommunication is used as a plot device, I think it was actually quite well done here as we get a lot of context behind characters’ occasional knee-jerk reactions to situations, and I thought that the characters’ decisions made sense based on their personalities even when I disagreed with them. The writing style was fast-paced and didn’t get bogged down at any point, making this a fast, cozy, holiday read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC. This is my honest review.

4/5 A book for fans of the sexy fireman calendar, and second chances.

I'm a girl who adores sequels and series but book two of the Skylarks series I cannot get into. I adored the first book and couldn't put it down so it's not the writing as that is as great as always its the main character. Bess is how can I say this a silly girl who gets herself into a lot of debt because she makes stupid mistakes. The storyline, I feel in this current climate, is too close to home of happening but she is also a drama queen. She throws stops, she avoids people and I really really hated her.

Gio, on the other hand, is caring, loving, somewhat gulliable but his heart is in the right place. I loved him but had to stop as I just couldn't get over my dislike of Bess. She doesn't think about other people and how she reacts to her towards her mother in one situtation makes me want to scream!

I'm sorry and I hope maybe I could pick up this series in book 3.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a good book! I enjoyed this more than I thought I would. This is a first by this author but will not be my last! I read this in one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down.

Bess and Gio’s story and a catch up with the rest of the characters from the Skylarks (Air Ambulance), add in a slow burn romance and the storyline is a cracker. Bess is a critical care paramedic and Gio is a firefighter, long term friends with issues. This is a Christmas romance with some difficult subjects handled sensitively by the author and a fantastic cast of characters. The reader becomes involved with the story and roots for the main characters. Highly recommended
This book is beautifully written, loved it
Thank you to Netgalley, and Boldwood Books for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.
Bess is part of a helicopter first responder team and Gio is a firefighter and both struggle with some problems in their life. They have been friends for years but now they feel like they could be more...
I liked reading this book. It was interesting, entertaining and had very realistic characters. You learn a lot about the work of first responders. However the story focuses a lot more on the main characters' problems and them trying to deal with them than on the relationship part. Of course they have the occasional encounter but I felt like the relationship doesn't really progress and then in the end - bam, one kiss and now it's off to the HEA. I was under the impression that this was a romance and it didn't really feel like it but maybe that was a misunderstanding on my part. Still an entertaining book though.

A great read
A book you just lose yourself in
A really well written book
A author I will read more from
Thanks NetGalley

While this is essentially a romance novel is covers some hard hitting topics such as alcoholism and debt. This also seems to be from series which follows the Skylarks, a group of paramedics from an air ambulance crew. I hadn't read the previous book but this can still be read as a stand alone novel.

I thought this would be a light read but it covers some really challenging topics with empathy and humour. You find yourself caring about the characters and wanting things to work out for them. I was really drawn into the story and could not put the book down.

I loved the premise of the book and many of the individual characters were fun to meet, but overall the story was hard to follow and sometimes it felt as though the action was being dragged out across the page. I appreciated the lengths that the author went to help keep the characters straight, but I wish it had been an easier read that was easy to follow and understand because it was very easy as a reader to get lost among the characters. The crew was a fun family to meet and interact with!

Written in the Stars by Helen Rolfe is a heartfelt and deeply emotional story that explores the complexities of life, love, and second chances. The novel centers around Bess, a critical care paramedic who lives each day as if it were her last, and Gio, a dedicated firefighter whose life is turned upside down by unexpected challenges. Both characters are used to facing life-or-death situations in their work, but when their personal lives start to unravel, they find themselves searching for stability—and maybe even love—in each other.

Rolfe deftly handles the balance between the high-stakes world of emergency services and the tender, vulnerable moments that unfold as Bess and Gio navigate their personal struggles. Bess’s carefree approach to life, driven by the sudden loss of her father, contrasts sharply with the mounting debts and consequences she can no longer ignore. Meanwhile, Gio, who usually finds joy in his work, faces an emotional rollercoaster with the sudden reappearance of his estranged mother and an accident that threatens his career.

The chemistry between Bess and Gio is genuine and builds naturally throughout the story. Their relationship is not without its challenges, but Rolfe’s portrayal of their connection is both realistic and touching. As they begin to lean on each other, it becomes clear that they might just be what the other needs to heal and move forward.

The setting of Whistlestop River adds an extra layer of charm to the story, especially as the first snowflakes begin to fall. It’s a place where new beginnings seem possible, even in the face of adversity.

Written in the Stars is more than just a romance—it’s a story about finding hope and connection in the most unexpected places. Helen Rolfe has crafted a warm, engaging novel that will resonate with anyone who has ever faced life’s challenges head-on and still dared to dream of something more.

Bess and Gio, long-time friends and first responders, face mounting personal and professional challenges in this slow-paced, friends-to-lovers Christmas romance. With dual third-person limited perspectives, the story delves into their struggles—Bess’s financial burdens and grief, Gio’s injury, and his mother’s addiction. While the characters are realistic and relatable, the romance develops late, leaving some desire for more tension and depth in their relationship. Despite the slower pace, the story offers emotional depth and a warm, wintertime charm that will appeal to many readers.

This was such a fun, feel good book. Bess and Gio were both great individual characters. However nothing really stood out. The family trauma was captivating but that’s about it.

3.5 stars

This cozy Christmas novel delivers a friends-to-lovers romance with surprising emotional depth. Bess, a paramedic struggling with financial troubles and the grief of losing her father, and Gio, a firefighter facing a career-threatening injury and family issues surrounding his mother’s alcoholism, come together to support each other through their personal challenges. Their deep friendship slowly evolves into something more as they help each other heal, making this a heartfelt and well-written read.

The story, while part of a series, stands alone and is easy to follow, featuring a great cast of realistic characters. The author does an excellent job of portraying the lives of first responders, with detailed descriptions of their tools, routines, and tasks that add authenticity to the narrative. I also found myself deeply invested in Marianne, Gio’s mother, and was rooting for her redemption throughout the story.

However, the pacing felt a bit slow, and the romance didn’t really blossom until the final pages, leaving me wanting more development in that area. Despite Bess and Gio having lived together in the past, their supposed close friendship seemed a bit unbelievable at times, especially given how little they knew about each other’s personal lives.

That said, the novel still offers a charming wintertime romance with a satisfying friends-to-lovers arc. The third-person limited narration added depth to the world, and overall, I think many readers would enjoy this sweet, closed-door romance. Highly recommended!

Read if you love:
- friends to lovers
- closed door
- slow burn

I loved getting to see an insight on how helicopter rescue jobs worked and the firefighting with Gio as well. It is a very slow burn with most of the story being not romance till the last few chapters. I was very happy with the ending and will definitely being picking up books from Helen Rolfe in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Both Gio and Bess have very physical jobs that leaves them exhausted and energized at the same time.

They have been friends for awhile. Neither have ever crossed the line into boyfriend/girlfriend status. But they were tempted.

Bess appears as though she has it all together. She has a secret. This secret makes her feel disappointed and ashamed.

Gio's secret makes him feel on edge. He is always expecting the worse. He is hard on himself as well as his mother.

Both have much to learn about asking for help and accepting it.

Gio sounds pretty hot to me in his fireman uniform. I think he must be hard to resist. But Bess keeps him at a distance until it is impossible for her to fo so anymore. And the sparks fly as if is "Written in the Stars".

There's quite a bit going on in this story, but not a lot of romance. Gio and Bess have been friends for a long time, he's a firefighter and she's a flight paramedic. He gets injured on the job and he has a complicated relationship with his mother, a recovering alcoholic, who shows up at his door. Best lost her father a few years ago and her actions in response to the grief has her in a dire financial situation. This story is more about coping with those issues than a romance since Gio and Bess barely interact. It's a slow burn for sure. It was nice reading a story with characters who are my age instead of 20 somethings.

I am a huge fan of Helen Rolfe’s books. I love love love this one. It is second in the Skylarks air ambulance series. It has been very well researched and the characters are true to life. Bess has been struggling since her Father passed away suddenly some time ago, but has kept her grieving to herself. Events unfold where she needs the help of her Mum and eventually confides in very close friends. This book covers some very personal issues in people’s lives and how they overcome them with a little help from their friends. A must read.

The story of two emergency workers who have been friends for years and are both going through a difficult time. I found the characters somewhat relatable and enjoyed that part of the story. The romance portion is pretty limited and I would have liked more of them interacting. Still enjoyable.

A beautifully written gentle romance. It's not as fluffy as you would think, covers some strong subjects but in a sensitive way. A really readable combination.