Starry Night by Debbie Macomber Published by Ballantine Books on 8 October 2013
Genres: Contemporary, Romance
Pages: 256
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
Buy on Amazon | 
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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.
*I received a free ARC of Starry Night from Random House Publishing / Ballantine via Netgalley in exchange of an honest review*
Starry Night is a breathtakingly beautiful story about Carrie and Finn. At the surface, there couldn’t be two more different people than these two. Finn is a secluded author who has never given an interview, and no one knows exactly who he is, or where to find him. Carrie is a journalist for the society pages in the Chicago Sun, but her boss promises her a different job if she can come back with Finn’s interview.
After trying hard to find out where Finn is living, and deciding to forgo Thanksgiving with her family in order to make her dream come through, Carrie goes first to Seattle, to talk to Finn’s estranged mother, then she leaves for Alaska. Starry Night is full of beautiful prose, extraordinary descriptions of Alaska in the winter, and two very interesting and intriguing main characters. At first, they really don’t get along well, Finn is not happy to have his privacy invaded, and he is suspicious of women – all women – because of his mother leaving him and his father when he was ten, then a bad relationship later.
Then, on the second night Carrie is in Finn’s cabin, the starry night outside changes everything. Watching the stars and the Aurora Borealis changes something in Carrie, and seeing this changes something in Finn as well. The way stars seem so different away from city lights, and actually experiencing the Aurora Borealis is not something that happens to everybody, but the way it is shown to the readers of Starry Night is so well done, I felt as if I was standing outside the cabin with Finn and Carrie.
As they get to know each other, their chemistry is impossible to hide, even if they’re both fighting it as best they can. The character development is masterfully done, because both Finn and Carrie question where they are in their lives, and what to do to make things even better. But taking a chance on love is not the easiest thing to do, and they live in completely different worlds, seemingly wanting opposite things as well. Just as Carrie is leaving Alaska, Finn asks her to not publish the article, just after he kisses her mindless as she is about to board her plane.
Starry Night is more than a fluffy Christmas novel, it is a beautiful story about taking a leap of faith, how it is important to give love your all and about daring to change things to make sure things can happen to make your life better. The writing is exquisite, and I fell in love with both Carrie and Finn. I mean, really, what’s not to love in a strong man who can live in the wilderness alone with his huge dog, but who still can write a book with a story that touches the hearts of millions of readers who then go on to change their lives and spend more time outdoors? And what about a woman who is career driven, but who knows that just one newspaper is not the only place where she can write and use her intelligence?
The tentative way Finn and Carrie approach their budding relationship is sure to touch your heart as well, I felt so happy and complete when I read Starry Night, and now, a while later, I’m still feeling complete and content. If you are looking for the perfect holiday read, you should pick up Starry Night! I know I will be adding Macomber’s other books to my TBR right now.
Despite how it looked, Finn wasn’t a recluse but simply a man who enjoyed his solitude. He wasn’t about to disrupt his life and become a media darling.
“All right, you win. Chicago pizza isn’t half bad., bud you have to promise to try reindeer-sausage pizza the next time you’re in Alaska.” “I wouldn’t miss it,” she teased. “I’m serious.” She loved the idea that he assumed she would visit Alaska again, and frankly, she wasn’t opposed to the idea, especially if it meant she would be with Finn.
“You want it all, don’t you? Marriage, children, a career.” “Of course. It’s what you want, too, Finn.” He closed his eyes and nodded. “Yes,” he whispered, “more than I ever knew, although I didn’t realize it until I met you.”
About Linda @ (un)Conventional Bookworms
Linda is an English as foreign language teacher and has a Master's degree in English Language and Literature. She's an avid reader, blogger, compulsive one-clicker and a genre omnivore. Ever since she learnt how to read she has been seen with a book or two in her hands everywhere she goes.
Twitter: bmreviewsohmy
I am glad you like it. I am going to have to put this one on the TBR pile. 🙂
I love Debbie Macomber! Her Mrs Miracle Christmas books are so sweet and funny. You should check them out! I also just started her Cedar Cover series and I love it too! 🙂
I’ve added most of her books to my TBR thanks to Starry Night, Stormi. I really loved it! The romance was beautiful, and the scenery as well.
Thanks for stopping by 😀
Guess I’ll have to read this one. I hadn’t heard of it before!
I had never read this author before, but now I’m really glad I discovered her!
Thanks for stopping by Nicole.
I just put a hold on Starry Night at my library. I’m so glad you loved it and I can’t wait to read it. I’ve always loved stories (mostly from TV and movies) that take place in Alaska. One of her series has become a very successful Hallmark TV series (Cedar Cove starring Andie MacDowell). Have a great weekend, Lexxie!
I’ve added all her books to my TBR today, Robyn. I really loved Starry Night! I hope you will love it, too 🙂
Thanks for stopping by! Have a great weekend yourself.
Okay, wow, Lexxie! I’ve never read a Macomber book but I’m thinking I may pick up this one. I love prose that paints vivid pictures and it seems like Macomber accomplishes that in Starry Night. And the way you describe Carrie and Finn…well, I just know they are characters I need to meet. 🙂 Your review left me heartwarmed, actually. Lovely, lovely review!
Happy Friday!! *hugs*
Oh you’re going to love Carrie and Finn! You do need to meet them, Brandee. And I’m so happy my little review warmed your heart 🙂
Thansk for stopping by Brandee *hugs*
Glad you liked this book. I’m planning to read it next month. Grats on another COYER review!
I think you’ll really enjoy Starry Night, Lacie. It’s so well written, and the romance is so sweet.
Thanks for stopping by.
Twitter: limabean74
Between you and Berls and your xmas books I really fell like I need to read one LOL
Great review and I seriously love the cover of this book that place looks like such a nice cozy place to enjoy xmas 🙂 (my favorite holiday)
You are doing so awesome with this challenge!!! Loving all your reviews!!
Michelle <3
I love Christmas books, Michelle! And I’m glad if I’ve put you in the mood as well 🙂 I need to read more of Berls’ reviews as well, but I’m afraid to – I’m supposed to clean my e-reader, you know, not add ever more books.
I have been doing very well so far, I’m really happy, too. Most of the time, when I plan to read a book, I want to read any other books than the ones on my list 🙂
Thanks for stopping by 😀
Twitter: limabean74
I just said that to my husband that I love this challenge but my TBR is getting longer not shorter LOL. I know Berls is like a christmas reading crazy girl. I need to go and add some of those to my list. My TBR list is not a fan of her at all she is killing me with all the books she reads LOL
Exactly! I have added so many books since this challenge started it’s almost scary! And most of the books I’ve added are free or very cheap, so it’s kind of difficult to feel bad about it 🙂
Berls has read a TON of books already! I don’t know how she does it!
I have this one as well, it’s on one of my Next to Read lists! Cannot wait, heard so many good things about her writing. Lovely review.
I hope you’ll enjoy it as much as I did, Lily! I thought it was truly awesome!
Thanks for stopping by.