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.

I have never read a book about Air Ambulance paramedics and after reading this book I wish there were more books with it out there. It was kind of fascinating, I mean it’s practically normal ambulance but instead of a car you get to ride a helicopter. How cool is that? I loved reading about Bess and how she was how much her job was the biggest part of her life. I could obviously tell she loved it I mean who wouldn’t. It had it risks and it’s pretty demanding but it seemed amazing to me.

And Gio! I loved him and it was hard watching him come to terms with the possibility that he might never be a firefighter again I couldn’t by any means imagine how he was feeling but from my view he took it well.

Also his response to his alcoholic mom dropping out of nowhere in his town and his home was valid. He had given her every chance to change and she always threw it away but I could see that she was committed this time and I loved that for her.

I absolutely loved her childlike joy and fascination with sparklers and Christmas lights show overall I loved that she was trying and I wished we got more from of it.

From my point of view, the romance was very overshadowed by their past friendship. They had lived in the same house in the past , the author gave us minute snippets. It was like instead of building towards their relationship in the present the author expected us to rely on their past friendship to build one from word of mouth, kind of. It was a bit lacking to me and I wished she spent a bit of time to develop it.

Thank you Netgalley for providing this Arc.

Thank you Netgalley and Boldwood Books for my ARC copy.

What I though was going to be a lighthearted christmas read turnt into a roller coaster of different emotions. It dealt with deeper issues but in a really realistic way. I ended up really loving this book and will 100% be reading other books by this author.

Beautifully written book with some really interesting topics covered. I love the air ambulance and the work they do so really enjoyed those parts; and learning more about the journeys of the characters was interesting. Helen has a lovely style of writing which is easy to read and makes you feel part of the story. Definitely recommend this book.

I loved this book. Second in a series but can read alone. I love following the red and blue air ambulance team. The book covers two delicate subjects really well. Won’t spoil it. You also have a lovely love element and a nice ending. Read in one sitting . You just escape. I love the helicopter at the beginning of each chapter. Just a great read.

Helen Rolfe is one of my favourite authors.I loved the first book in this series so was excited when I got Written in The Stars to preview. The setting of the air ambulance with the Fire Brigade is different. Following Gio and Bess this time with their issues,his mother and his accident,Bess with money worries and losing her Dad. Helen’s style of writing just makes you want to keep reading,which I did,I always love a happy ending and enjoyed reading how Gio and Bess got there. Didn’t want it to end. Hope there is another in this series but fear not. A must read.

Bess is part of the local air ambulance crew when one day she goes out on a call only to find her old fireman friend Gio injured at a scene of a fire.
Gio's mum has not been involved much in her family for a few years due to alcohol and turns up again claiming to be clean and needing somewhere to stay.

Gio and Bess have been friends for a long time and Gio has always asked Bess out on dates but shes always refused to save there friendship.

This is a great read that covers so many different topics but in my opinion all are covered well and also sensitively. The main characters in this are Bess and Gio, She is a critical care paramedic and he is a firefighter and they’ve known each other for years. Both though have things going on in their lives that they’re keeping hidden. After the death of her father and a health scare Bess started spending and now her debts are out of control. Gio’s world is turned upside down when he’s estranged mother turns up on the doorstep. They support each other but could this turn into something more…… This is much more than a romance as it has family dynamics, friendships, personal struggles and new beginnings to name a few. I found that even with all these different things going on it flowed well and I’m looking forward to the next one. Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 & 𝘉𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘸𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘦𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘰𝘧 𝘞𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘯 𝘙𝘰𝘭𝘧𝘦. 𝘙𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸!

Rating: 2.5/5⭐️
Release Date: Sep. 19 2024
Vibes:
- no spice
- paramedic x firefighter
- financial struggles
- workplace injuries
- family trauma

Review:

My biggest gripe with romance novels is when they aren't actually romance novels. Typically I feel like at 60% in for non-smutty romance novels is when the couple gets together/has their first time!! Here, at 90%, the couple is, well, not a couple at all. At least that means there can't be a third act breakup?

This was general fiction / women's fiction. There was no need at all to tag it as romance, because that is not what this is. My negative comments are primarily regarding this distinction.

I understand slowburn and friends to lovers, and can really love it if done well! Take The Undermining of Twyla and Frank as an example!! Actual perfection for friends to lovers and representation of older (by that I just mean not 20-somethings) people finding love and happiness. This? Well, this wasn't it. There isn't really any chemistry at all, especially considering they don't interact with each other the vast majority of the time! "Oh, I wonder how Gio is doing" does not translate to "I think I love this man". And nothing about their relationship throughout the book feels like it was "written in the stars" (actually cringed when Gio said that).

Marketing this book as romantic was not the move. If you are looking for women's fiction dealing with family trauma, financial issues, and the most minuscule amount of romantic subplot, then this may be a good pick for you.