Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett
Published by: Simon Pulse
Pub Date: April 3, 2018
Pages: 432
Format: hardcover| Source: purchased
Genres: young adult, contemporary romance
Rating:

Ever since last year’s homecoming dance, best friends-turned-best enemies Zorie and Lennon have made an art of avoiding each other. It doesn’t hurt that their families are the modern day, Californian version of the Montagues and Capulets.

But when a group camping trip goes south, Zorie and Lennon find themselves stranded in the wilderness. Alone. Together.

What could go wrong?

With no one but each other for company, Zorie and Lennon have no choice but to hash out their issues via witty jabs and insults as they try to make their way to safety. But fighting each other while also fighting off the forces of nature makes getting out of the woods in one piece less and less likely.

And as the two travel deeper into Northern California’s rugged backcountry, secrets and hidden feelings surface. But can Zorie and Lennon’s rekindled connection survive out in the real world? Or was it just a result of the fresh forest air and the magic of the twinkling stars?

This might be my new favorite Jenn Bennett book! It had the perfect amount of quirkiness while still being relatable, with a huge helping of character development and diversity and SUPER swoony (realistic) romance. I loved Zorie’s interest in astronomy, I loved Zorie and Lennon’s journey as individuals and as a couple, and I loved Zorie’s relationship with her stepmom so much. It was really refreshing to see such a loving, supportive stepparent relationship. I also appreciated how deep the relationships/friendships went between both families and multiple characters- it added a lot of emotional depth. And even though I am not a camper at all, I enjoyed all the camping aspects and could appreciate how authentically it was written! I can’t wait to reread this in the future; she writes the most heart-squeezing characters that you can’t help but love.

Have you read Starry Eyes yet? What is your favorite Jenn Bennett book?