Written in the Stars

Starred review from August 10, 2020
A disastrous blind date kicks off Bellefleur’s excellent rom-com debut. Elle Jones, an eternally optimistic astrologist, and Darcy Lowell, a tightly buttoned actuary who’s given up on love after a past betrayal, realize almost immediately that, though their physical chemistry is electric, their personalities mix like oil and water. Still, when Darcy’s brother, Brendon, who set them up, asks Darcy how it went, she says it was great to get him to stop worrying about her love life. Elle resents being pulled into the lie—but agrees to play along to get her own family off her back. As the women spend more time together, ironing out the details of their fake relationship and going on double dates with Brendon, they begin to see each other’s differences as turn-ons rather than turn-offs, and the line between reality and pretend blurs. Readers will be rapt by the sensuous love scenes once Darcy and Elle throw pretense aside—but Darcy’s inability to admit her feelings might still keep the couple from their happy ending. A moving subplot about Elle’s fight for her family’s acceptance rounds out the story, while astrology memes (“What brunch food are you based on your zodiac?”) and nods to Pride and Prejudice scattered throughout add texture. This is a delight. Agent: Sarah Younger, Nancy Yost Literary Agency.

September 1, 2020
Two wildly different women fall in love while fake dating. Elle Jones is on her way to a blind date with Darcy Lowell, and disaster seems imminent. Not only is this the latest in a string of dating disappointments, but she's running late and wearing a pair of sexy undies so uncomfortable she can "practically taste her spring-fresh laundry detergent." Despite Elle's best intentions, the evening is, in fact, horrible. Where free-spirited astrologer Elle is endearingly optimistic, straight-laced actuary Darcy is harshly realistic. Elle loves cheap boxed wine; Darcy orders a $56 glass of Chardonnay. Elle believes in soul mates and is determined to find her own; Darcy had her heart broken by her ex-fiancee and is no longer interested in falling in love. Elle writes the night off as another loss, but Darcy has different plans. Tired of having her brother, Brandon--who's the creator of a dating app that's collaborating with Elle's astrology business, Oh My Stars--meddling in her love life, she lies and says the two hit it off. When Darcy asks her to go along with the lie, it turns out that Elle has her own reasons to take part in a fake dating scheme: Her family finds her lifestyle unstable and unsuitable, and she thinks presenting herself in a solid relationship might take some of the pressure off. The plot doesn't deviate much from other fake-dating favorites--awkward first dates lead to passionate first kisses and time spent together reveals there is more to both women than meets the eye. But the plot's predictability doesn't detract from its two compelling leading ladies, and there are interesting conversations around nontraditional career paths and breaking away from familial expectations. Fans of pop culture-inspired astrology sites will love the effortless and entertaining way the author weaves zodiac memes throughout the text. The stars align in this charming queer rom-com.

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October 1, 2020

DEBUT Polar opposites come together in Bellefleur's cheerful #ownvoices debut. Elle is a free-spirited social media astrologer. Darcy is a straight-laced actuary. On the surface, they have nothing in common, which is why their first blind date is a complete disaster. When Elle hears Darcy telling a friend on the phone that she thinks Elle's a hot mess, Elle ditches the date in disappointment. But Darcy's brother Brendon is pushing Darcy to go on more dates, so she claims she and Elle are a couple to get him off her back. Only Elle, who works with Brendon, discovers Darcy's lie. What can they do except to pretend to be a couple so that Brendon will stop interfering in Darcy's life and Elle can impress her family? The two sign a contract to "break up" on New Year's Eve, and only their growing attraction stands in the way of messing up their perfect arrangement. VERDICT A dash of Pride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones's Diary, mixed with a fresh, millennial f/f twist of opposites attract.--Kathryn Howe, Saint John Free P.L., NB

Copyright 2020 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2020
Shortly after their blind date begins, Elle Jones and Darcy Lowell know they're not meant to be. Elle is messy and laid back, Darcy is punctual and uptight. Elle is one of the astrology experts behind the successful Oh My Stars brand, Darcy is an actuary who doesn't believe in horoscopes. Then Darcy tries to prevent her matchmaking brother Brendon (also Elle's business partner) from sending her on yet another blind date by telling him that she and Elle hit it off. Darcy begs Elle to play along, and they agree to fake-date until New Year's Eve to help each other navigate the holiday season. Bellefleur's debut sprinkles amusing listicles ( What Rom-Com Are You Based on Your Zodiac Sign? ) throughout the text as Elle and Darcy cautiously move from uneasy allies to friends to something more. Well-developed leads, relatable conflicts, a strong supporting cast, and opposites-attract chemistry make for an engaging read. Fans of Alexis Hall's Boyfriend Material (2020) and Talia Hibbert's Take a Hint, Dani Brown (2020) will enjoy this Seattle-set love story that reads like a romantic holiday movie.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)