Trish Doller

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility. Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.

Where the Stars Still Shine

I think this may be one of my favourite reads of the year. I enjoyed Doller's previous book Something Like Normal, I was intrigued by that book. This one, I fell in love with the characters. I adored the story. I enjoyed every moment of this book, I did not want it to end.

Doller managed to create very real characters whom I connected with despite not ever having experienced anything like that. You felt how Callie felt. When her mom was arrested and she realised that so much of her life had been a lie you felt her pain and her struggle. When she met her entire extended family you felt her confusion and difficulty in finding a place for herself.

I adored the entire relationship between Callie and Greg. You could see the flashes of them when she was younger and you could imagine the what ifs they both must have been imagining and I just wanted to hug them both and be like it's ok.

My favourite part of this book was Callie and Alex, though. They were adorable together. The electricity between them. The Emotions. The things they felt and how they helped each other move forward. Alex had been stuck, unable to move forward and Callie had just been existing. Together the could move forward and have a future, they just needed the other to get them in motion. It was beautiful to read.

Becky

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she'd like to forget completely. But when Callie's mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie's real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life in small-town Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love-even with someone who seems an improbable choice-is more than just a possibility. Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.

This review, and more, can be found on my blog:




  “I want traditions. Eggnog. Peace on earth, goodwill toward man. I want to kiss Alex Kosta under the mistletoe. I want memories untarnished by ugliness. I want all of that without feeling guilty about wanting it.”


After years growing without a real home, living in seedy apartments with seedier men, and moving from place-to-place after her mom kidnapped her, Callie is reunited with her large, close-knit Greek family in a small town in Florida. She starts rebuilding broken relationships and forging new ones. She starts to want things that are actually in reach. Real, tangible things like love, acceptance, friendship, and family.

I started the book filled with empathy for the life Callie was living. I connected with her immediately and became her cheerleader. I could see how broken she was. I wanted her to be put back together. I was so relieved when she went back home with her father. I was pleased to see how well she was accepted into his, their, new family. They made a place for her. She finally had a home. It was obviously tough for her. Tough to realize that she was putting her life back together while her mother’s life was falling apart. But, we’ll get to that later. I wanted to cry when she was throwing herself at guys, continuing an old pattern of thinking she was only wanted for one thing. Callie grew up beautifully in this book.


  “He glances up, and his face is something so fine and beautiful, it makes my chest ache the way it does when I hear a sad song or finish a favorite book.”

“Listen, I work with him, so I’ve see the way he operates. Alex Kosta can be described in two words: man whore. Or maybe that’s one word. Hyphenated?” She shrugs. “Either way, just… no.”


We’re introduced to Alex (Alexandros) Kosta almost immediately upon Callie’s return to Florida. I wasn’t so sure about Alex when he first came into the picture. The last thing Callie needed was another man to use her or treat her like trash. I was afraid Alex would do just that. I could not have been more wrong. Alex Kosta is beautiful, inside and out. He’s also greatly misunderstood. People see what is on the outside and make assumptions and don’t take the time to get to know the guy underneath. He’s deep. He’s dealing with his mom’s illness and just wants to get away. He and Callie connect immediately. Their chemistry is palpable. Contrary to what others believe, they are just what the other needs.


  “Let’s go to the mall and you can do your blank-canvas… thing.”

“It’s not a thing, I want to help you. I want to be your friend.”

“Why? So you can tell everyone you know the kidnapped freak?”

“Callie! This is you and me when we were four. When we were best friends. Of course, I don’t remember it very well, and when you’re four, even the next-door neighbor’s dog is your best friend. But I’ve spent all these years imagining what our friendship would have been like if your mom hadn’t taken you. In my head we had sleepovers and took gymnastics lessons and had first dates with twin brothers, which is hilarious because I don’t even know any twins. And when you came home, I hoped—”

“God, I suck.”


I adored Callie’s cousin, Kat (Ekaterina). It was apparent from the beginning how excited Kat was to have Callie back in her life. Kat wanted to help her fit in. She wanted to protect her. She was convinced Alex was a “man whore” and totally wrong for Callie. Of course, she was also nursing a crush on and rejection from Alex herself, so I think that played into her feelings a lot. She and Callie were able to move past the issues there and grow even closer, get back to being the best friends they were when they were four. Kat was sweet and sassy and opinionated. We would totally be friends in real life.


  “How could my mom be so selfish? Taking the pills would have kept us here. Taking the pills would have kept her from hooking up with Frank. All she had to do was take the goddamn pills and her life, my life, would have been ordinary. Happy.” 


With so many likable characters, there had to be one that was 100% unlikable, right? In this book, that character is Callie’s mom. To say she is selfish just might be the understatement of the century. I mean, duh, she kidnapped Callie when she was 5, took her away from a family who loved her, and was a terrible mother. She put Callie in horrendous situations when she was young. Situations that led Callie to be damaged as she is today. She wasn’t a parent. She was too busy hooking up with men and abusing alcohol and drugs. We find out there is a deep-rooted psychological issue there as the book goes on, but I still had no sympathy for her. She could have controlled the issues she was having, but she chose herself over her daughter. That’s just plain despicable to me.

I could go on about the characters forever. Trish Dollar writes wonderfully complex and believable characters. Every single character in this book – down to Ariel, the girl who works in the bookstore in town – is well-developed. I wanted to know more about each and every one of them. I wanted to be friends with them. The detail Trish uses makes these characters come alive. They reach out and pull you into the book.

Trish is also a brilliant storyteller. This book has so many different layers: family, love, friendship, hope, betrayal. It’s about Callie’s journey to becoming the person she’s now free to be. It’s about her relationship with Alex, her friendship with Kat, her building a family again with Greg and Phoebe and the boys and the rest of her big, crazy Greek family. I loved the big, crazy Greek family. I loved the names and the traditions. I’m not very familiar with the Greek culture, so I felt like I was learning right along with Callie. I was embracing her family and their traditions as she was. 

After her debut novel, Something Like Normal, Trish Doller went on my auto-buy author list. I was beyond thrilled when I received the email saying my NetGalley request for this book was approved. There may have been a happy dance involved. By may have, I mean was. There totally was. As far as I know, this book is a standalone, but I could do with a sequel to this one. I loved these characters so much. It hurt to give them up.
 
I received this book from the author, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Lisa ✩ @lifeinlit

4.5 stars!

This is one of those stories that started off good and just kept getting better and better. I love that. :)

Callie and her criminal mother are living less than ideally. Running from place to place constantly, Callie never gets the chance to settle down, make friends, and enjoy a “normal” life. And to make matters worse, an old boyfriend of her mother’s molested her when she was just a child, and this fact still haunts her into her teens. Finally, her mother is arrested for kidnapping her. This devastating situation brings her father back into her life. Callie is hesitant to accept her “new family”. She’s overcome with guilt, feeling as though she’s betraying her mother by embracing her new life. It’s a constant struggle for Callie, and it’s wearing her out.

Annnndddd in walks the hot guy. ;)

“Alex Kosta can be described in two words: man whore. Or maybe that’s one word. Hyphenated? “ She shrugs. “Either way, just… no.” 

Hellloooo, Alex! He’s hot, an over-the-top player-type, and totally wrong for Callie… yet she can’t seem to stay away from him. Isn’t that just the way it always goes?! We always want the ones we can’t shouldn’t have.

Doller did a fantabulous job of pulling me right in. I was completely invested in these characters and this story. Yes, it’s mainly centered around Callie’s abduction, but really it’s so much more than that. The tests Callie faced throughout the story really portrayed her growth and her overall strength. Callie’s cousin and BFF, Kat, was probably my favorite character. Her silly sense of humor mixed with her protectiveness for her friends/family made her a perfect addition to Callie’s circle.

I loved the Greek aspect of this story. At first Callie was completely overwhelmed and put off by their Greek culture. She didn’t care for the food, felt the fact that everyone in the town knew each other was a little creepy, and had no desire to care for her little brothers or spend so much time with her new family. This was nothing like what Callie’s life had been, and the change was unwelcomed. I enjoyed the characters Greek references and use of the language now and then. It’s always nice to get a little culture lesson within a story. I really loved the diving for sponges part too. I’m in dire need of a “wool sponge” for myself. ;)

If you’re looking to read just ONE contemporary this year, I’d say it should be this one. Doller wrote a beautiful story, full of impeccable characters and a realistic storyline, all done with a phenomenal writing style. I could really go for a scuba dive right about now and check out some fishies. Sponge diving, anyone??

(Thanks to Bloomsbury USA Childrens and Netgalley for the review copy!)

Find this review and others like it at Lost in Literature!

Happily-ever-after is never quite what you expect in this hot and gritty romance.

Belle Ellrich

This book tore my heart out and made me realize that some people have much worse lives than me. My mom and I havs a hard time getting along, and sometimes I feel like I will break one day and leave. I keep hoping and praying that doesn't happen, and so far, it's definitely paid off. This book tore my heart out and shoved it back into its place. It made me want to cry, and that is why I gave it 5 beautiful stars that shine.

Lacey

Originally posted at Booklovers For Life

I’ve never read a book by Trish Doller before, but I was thoroughly impressed. I requested a copy from Netgalley because of the premise and gorgeous cover. And I’m so glad I did because I enjoyed this book so much! It was slow and raw and heartwarming and sweet, and shows so much how you absolutely can find love no matter who you are, what you are, what you’ve done or where you’re from.

Callie was a great narrator. She was real, even though she had been on the run with her mom for twelve years. She’s hesitant about going back into a normal life, but I mean, who wouldn’t if you’ve never had any semblance of a normal life for over a decade? I wanted to feel sorry for her, but she’s a tough girl. She can handle her own, as she’s been doing the past twelve years, even if some things in her past do continue to haunt her. And the fact that she’s so resistant to her father and his family makes it hard for her to see how much they love her. Her new (well, technically it’s ‘old’) family is loving and welcoming, but Callie can’t accept their love. She feels like she’s betraying her mother, whom she still loves. But eventually, her family worms their way into her heart, and Callie knows that she’ll do anything for them, and that they’ll do anything for her. They teach and give her the unconditional love she never really had, and it was so touching and uplifting to read.

Greek culture is a pretty big part of the book, which was refreshing. The town Callie’s father lives in is a Greek tourist-y place, and Callie finds work selling Greek-like souvenirs with her cousin Kat. I never really read books that feature Greek culture, so it was a good kind of different to read about the food, the people, the language. I loved the Greek touch to the book! Made me want to go to Greece, see some Greek boys… *sigh*

Alex Kosta is the older boy Callie meets who she instantly is intrigued with. He’s beautiful but has something inside him that makes her want to know all his secrets, and tell him all her secrets. Their relationship was slow and awkward and bittersweet. I didn’t really connect with Alex, but I still felt he was perfect for Callie. He brought out the best in her, made her feel, and made her fall in love. And Callie is different for him as well. They connect in a way that they never have with anyone else before, and they show each other that love is possible for them both.

I enjoyed reading this book so much. The dark and gritty balanced perfectly well with the sweet and heartwarming. I definitely recommend it for those who like their books a bit slow but moving. Now I’m really looking forward to reading Trish Doller’s first book, Something Like Normal.

Thanks to the publisher for generously providing me an ARC to review.

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Where the Stars Still Shine

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