What do you think?
Rate this book
Starry Eyed Inside
I finally understood why it was called a crush; it was difficult to breathe.
It’s the summer before freshman year, and Rory Shepherd’s doing what she always does—having sleepovers and epic beach days with her best friends. Life in their small, Florida town is sweet, but totally predictable, until Rory lays eyes on Skyler Nolan at a concert one night.
No one sends her into a tailspin quite like Skyler. Cute, naughty and just a little bit dangerous, he’s hard to attract and even harder to figure out. Rory’s determined to try...but are bad boys like that even worth the risk?
It’s the summer before freshman year, and Rory Shepherd’s doing what she always does—having sleepovers and epic beach days with her best friends. Life in their small, Florida town is sweet, but totally predictable, until Rory lays eyes on Skyler Nolan at a concert one night.
No one sends her into a tailspin quite like Skyler. Cute, naughty and just a little bit dangerous, he’s hard to attract and even harder to figure out. Rory’s determined to try...but are bad boys like that even worth the risk?
466 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2010
About the author
Rochelle Allison
11 books264 followersWelcome, loves! You've found my corner of Goodreads. Let's keep in touch...
Sign up for my newsletter-
https://rochelleallison.myflodesk.com...
Follow me on Bookbub -
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/roche...
And on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/author/rochell...
And on Facebook - www.facebook.com/rochelleallisonwrites
***
Born and raised in the sunny US Virgin Islands, Rochelle Allison has been making up stories since she was a little girl. Nowadays, Rochelle lives just outside of Atlanta with her one true love and their kids. When she’s not writing, she's reading, hiking, swimming, having coffee with friends, playing word games or taking pictures. She can almost always be found with a book…and, often, chocolate.
Subscribe to her newsletter - be the first to know about new releases, sales, early chapters & free short stories!
Sign up for my newsletter-
https://rochelleallison.myflodesk.com...
Follow me on Bookbub -
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/roche...
And on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/author/rochell...
And on Facebook - www.facebook.com/rochelleallisonwrites
***
Born and raised in the sunny US Virgin Islands, Rochelle Allison has been making up stories since she was a little girl. Nowadays, Rochelle lives just outside of Atlanta with her one true love and their kids. When she’s not writing, she's reading, hiking, swimming, having coffee with friends, playing word games or taking pictures. She can almost always be found with a book…and, often, chocolate.
Subscribe to her newsletter - be the first to know about new releases, sales, early chapters & free short stories!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
September 10, 2013
"I finally understood why it was called a crush; it was difficult to breathe."
High school. First crush, first kiss, first love. Can Bella tame unattainable Edward Cullen? Or will she just get hurt trying?
Innocent and young Bella. Girly frienships. High school experience. This story made me miss my teenage years and simple problems I used to have.
Edward was really aloof in this story and it took me long to figure him out. But I like this kind of mystery when it comes to reading romance stories and Edward made interesting character.
Starry Eyed Inside covers Bella's life in high school. And while I really loved first half, I didn't end up loving it all. Second half hit too close to love triangle for my liking and I could not fully enjoy reading it.
Anyway, I am curious about other stories by this author and I will be cheking them out soon!
MORE REVIEWS ON MY BLOG Reading Is My Breathing
June 21, 2017
First Crush All Over Again
Rochelle Allison never fails in the summer romance department. If you're into feeling nostalgic and remembering all the flitter-flutters of your first love and all those fun times you had back in the day, then this is the book for you. Starry Eyed Inside embodies the perfect fun and feel-good summer romance.
Rochelle Allison never fails in the summer romance department. If you're into feeling nostalgic and remembering all the flitter-flutters of your first love and all those fun times you had back in the day, then this is the book for you. Starry Eyed Inside embodies the perfect fun and feel-good summer romance.
June 25, 2017
Starry Eyed Inside is, for me, the kind of book you can come back to time and time again without really ever getting sick of it. It's the kind of story you can pick up when you need a little warmth, or read a few pages when you need an escape from the mess going on outside. Considering I've read versions of this story maybe half a dozen times over the last... 5 years (?), you might think that I didn't *need* to read it again. Except that I did, because why the heck wouldn't I?
Starry Eyed fits perfectly into that niche that Rochelle seems to have cornered the market in. First Love.
It's boys with car stereos and lopsided smiles. Girls with nothing on their minds but those boys. Teenage parties and whispering and "ohmygod he's coming over here", and first heartbreaks, too. Aurora is love-blind, but haven't we all been? Skyler is a good kid who does dumb things, but most girls could attest to giving their heart to one of two of them in the past. They're you as a teenager, they're your teenage kids (whether you like it or not), in some respect they're every teenager the world over. Hopeless and hopeful at the same time.
I'd like to see more of who Aurora was outside of her relationships with boys, maybe more of the dynamic between her and her friends and family, but under the guise of a story just about a girl and a boy, it's absolutely perfect.
SEI hasn't lost its shine for me. I only wish I could buy myself a new set of eyeballs so that I could read it again for the first time.
**I was provided an ARC for an honest review
Starry Eyed fits perfectly into that niche that Rochelle seems to have cornered the market in. First Love.
It's boys with car stereos and lopsided smiles. Girls with nothing on their minds but those boys. Teenage parties and whispering and "ohmygod he's coming over here", and first heartbreaks, too. Aurora is love-blind, but haven't we all been? Skyler is a good kid who does dumb things, but most girls could attest to giving their heart to one of two of them in the past. They're you as a teenager, they're your teenage kids (whether you like it or not), in some respect they're every teenager the world over. Hopeless and hopeful at the same time.
I'd like to see more of who Aurora was outside of her relationships with boys, maybe more of the dynamic between her and her friends and family, but under the guise of a story just about a girl and a boy, it's absolutely perfect.
SEI hasn't lost its shine for me. I only wish I could buy myself a new set of eyeballs so that I could read it again for the first time.
**I was provided an ARC for an honest review
July 1, 2017
Love it!
Brings back memories of my youth. The unknown, the low and high of emotions.
This story was fabulous!
Rochelle is a terrific writer and I look forward to reading more of her stories.
Brings back memories of my youth. The unknown, the low and high of emotions.
This story was fabulous!
Rochelle is a terrific writer and I look forward to reading more of her stories.
June 30, 2017
Loved it! Can't wait to read more from Rochelle. <3
July 24, 2017
4.5
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review*
Ok so I read this as a fanfiction as well a few years ago, but since it has been a while I only remembered the main plot. There aren't any drastic changes as far as I remember and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time I read the fanfiction.
4.5 stars because this wasn't my favourite fanfiction of hers. I hope the best is yet to come and I can't wait for more books of hers.
*I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a review*
Ok so I read this as a fanfiction as well a few years ago, but since it has been a while I only remembered the main plot. There aren't any drastic changes as far as I remember and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time I read the fanfiction.
4.5 stars because this wasn't my favourite fanfiction of hers. I hope the best is yet to come and I can't wait for more books of hers.
June 21, 2017
4.5 stars
I’ve been a Rochelle Allison fan for several years now. I really enjoy her writing style. While others use highfalutin prose, chock-full of lengthy inner-musings and complex dialogue, the simplicity of Rochelle’s prose is so refreshing. Ro writes the way we actually think, speak, and feel, which makes it so easy to gobble up her words.
Starry Eyed Inside totally embodies this same style. SEI is an emotional coming of age story, following a girl and her friends through high school. Their experiences are so much like our own, with all the angst and fun of being a teenager. Besides great characters and plot, Starry Eyed Inside is beautifully evocative and very well edited.
I highly recommend Starry Eyed Inside to all fans of YA/NA, particularly if you’re looking for a solid, romantic coming-of-age story. SEI is also perfect for the summer, as Rory, Skyler, and co. spend a lot of time traipsing through their favorite beaches, amusement parks, and malls… because Florida!
***Read the full review at We So Nerdy!
I’ve been a Rochelle Allison fan for several years now. I really enjoy her writing style. While others use highfalutin prose, chock-full of lengthy inner-musings and complex dialogue, the simplicity of Rochelle’s prose is so refreshing. Ro writes the way we actually think, speak, and feel, which makes it so easy to gobble up her words.
Starry Eyed Inside totally embodies this same style. SEI is an emotional coming of age story, following a girl and her friends through high school. Their experiences are so much like our own, with all the angst and fun of being a teenager. Besides great characters and plot, Starry Eyed Inside is beautifully evocative and very well edited.
I highly recommend Starry Eyed Inside to all fans of YA/NA, particularly if you’re looking for a solid, romantic coming-of-age story. SEI is also perfect for the summer, as Rory, Skyler, and co. spend a lot of time traipsing through their favorite beaches, amusement parks, and malls… because Florida!
***Read the full review at We So Nerdy!
June 20, 2017
This book! I love everything about it. Rochelle can't write a character I won't love. I always love her female leads, but this book Skylar has my heart. He's young and flawed and I just love it. When he comes back I love him even more. This is one of those books you can read 2000 times and still have the feels each time. I received an ARC for my review and I am still purchasing this book today to support one of my absolute favorite authors. ❤️
July 13, 2017
Review originally posted on Rach Lawrence Books.
*I was provided a copy of Starry Eyed Inside by the author in exchange for an honest review. I am not compensated for my honest opinion.*
Coming of age is never easy, and it’s especially difficult for Rory Shepherd when she falls for bad boy Skyler Nolan. Starry Eyed Inside takes readers on a journey of exploration through the high school years, following Rory through first love and heartbreak and learning to live for herself. One of my favorite things about this book was the author’s use of voice for Rory and being able to feel her maturity emerging as she goes from love-struck high school freshman to senior year and knowing what she wants out of life. The journey is an emotional roller coaster, and the author has a talent for making readers feel everything her characters feel.
Although the story is told from Rory’s point of view, we get plenty of Skyler growing up as well. He goes from from reckless, indifferent teenager to a young man who has figured out what’s important and isn’t afraid to go after it. His patience and determination showed great character growth, and I enjoyed falling for the bad boy but loving the mature young man.
This is a great story of life and love, but I hesitate to classify it as Young Adult due to the amount of sexual content. It’s definitely geared more toward the older YA crowd. This certainly isn’t a strike against the book for me, but worth noting if that’s not your cup of tea.
A couple things contributed to this being a 4-star book for me as opposed to giving it 5 stars. While I enjoyed the journey of the characters, at times I felt it was too drawn out. The final third of the book could have been condensed and more to the point in my opinion. There were a few secondary characters with not enough follow-through (or perhaps too much inclusion to start), and some editing errors and minor inconsistencies, but nothing that would take me too far out of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would definitely read more by this author.
*I was provided a copy of Starry Eyed Inside by the author in exchange for an honest review. I am not compensated for my honest opinion.*
Coming of age is never easy, and it’s especially difficult for Rory Shepherd when she falls for bad boy Skyler Nolan. Starry Eyed Inside takes readers on a journey of exploration through the high school years, following Rory through first love and heartbreak and learning to live for herself. One of my favorite things about this book was the author’s use of voice for Rory and being able to feel her maturity emerging as she goes from love-struck high school freshman to senior year and knowing what she wants out of life. The journey is an emotional roller coaster, and the author has a talent for making readers feel everything her characters feel.
Although the story is told from Rory’s point of view, we get plenty of Skyler growing up as well. He goes from from reckless, indifferent teenager to a young man who has figured out what’s important and isn’t afraid to go after it. His patience and determination showed great character growth, and I enjoyed falling for the bad boy but loving the mature young man.
This is a great story of life and love, but I hesitate to classify it as Young Adult due to the amount of sexual content. It’s definitely geared more toward the older YA crowd. This certainly isn’t a strike against the book for me, but worth noting if that’s not your cup of tea.
A couple things contributed to this being a 4-star book for me as opposed to giving it 5 stars. While I enjoyed the journey of the characters, at times I felt it was too drawn out. The final third of the book could have been condensed and more to the point in my opinion. There were a few secondary characters with not enough follow-through (or perhaps too much inclusion to start), and some editing errors and minor inconsistencies, but nothing that would take me too far out of the story.
Overall, I enjoyed this book and would definitely read more by this author.
June 30, 2017
Starry Eyed Inside is ... everything! If you're looking for a story that will lodge a swell of anticipation in your chest and keep it there, this is it. Skyler is aloof enough to keep us wondering his intentions to the point that we're hanging on his every word. Then, when he finally starts giving us some signs of his true feelings, he's ripped from us all in the most sudden of ways. But life goes on and Rory trudges forth, doing a little maturing of her own in the process. But not enough to prepare her for Skyler's return, because this time he knows what he wants, and he makes sure she knows too. You spend the first half of the book straining your ears for Skyler's words, then you spend the second half swooning every time he speaks them. I cannot express how much I love this book in mere words. Anyone who loves a good anticipation-filled read needs to read this. I promise you won't be disappointed.
June 21, 2017
I loved how beautifully Rochelle Allison captured first love. She gave me the butterflies and the tingles and just endless thought on the characters. I couldn't get them out of my head. Excellent storytelling.
June 20, 2017
***I received an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review***
There’s nothing quite as sweet as the first taste of love, and Rochelle Allison captures it perfectly in Starry Eyed Inside.
Rory is your typical teenage girl. Somewhere between lazy summer days spent lounging on the beach and her first day of high school, she crosses paths with Skylar, a hot—and seemingly unattainable—upperclassman from another high school. Rory falls for Skylar immediately, and what follows is a beautiful tailspin into the depths of teenage romance.
My favorite thing about this story is the way that Rochelle captures teenage emotions and paints a picture with them. This story is so relatable, it was easy to picture myself in Rory’s shoes throughout the whole story. I found myself reliving my own teenage memories alongside Rory, from the chaotic head rush that came any time my crush was near, to the gut wrenching pain I felt when I realized that youth didn’t last forever and neither did some relationships. Starry Eyed Inside is full of hook-ups, parties, squabbles, break-ups, experimenting, friendship fall-outs, stomach butterflies, self-discovery, and everything else that comes with adolescence.
I loved the characters in this story. Rory is one of my favorite female characters. She’s relatable, innocent (but not entirely so), and so full of love and emotions. Her heart controls her most of the time, and she’s loyal to a fault when it comes to her girls. I loved the dynamics that Rochelle crated between the friendship circle as well. Rory, Niki, and Teigan were inseparable, together always and in tune with one another.
Skylar … Oh, Skylar. He’s the guy all the girls want. He’s good looking, funny, charming, and a bad boy. He’s a bit of a rebel, especially when it comes to his parents. And after only a few encounters he knows just what to do to push the buttons that send the butterflies flying in Rory’s tummy.
Starry Eyed Inside moves at the perfect pace, has a nice, slow burn, and kept me glued to my Kindle for literally hours at a time. Rochelle draws the reader in and writes such vivid scenes that I felt like I was literally living inside the story at times. And when I finished, I spent a good two or three hours going through my old pictures and yearbooks and my memory box, reliving some of the ups—and downs—of my adolescent years.
If you’re a sucker for young love and stories with a high school backdrop, Starry Eyed Inside is the perfect book for you to pick up and add to your summer reading list!
Starry Eyed Inside gets the Wordaholic Must Read seal of approval.
Five stars to this novel!
There’s nothing quite as sweet as the first taste of love, and Rochelle Allison captures it perfectly in Starry Eyed Inside.
Rory is your typical teenage girl. Somewhere between lazy summer days spent lounging on the beach and her first day of high school, she crosses paths with Skylar, a hot—and seemingly unattainable—upperclassman from another high school. Rory falls for Skylar immediately, and what follows is a beautiful tailspin into the depths of teenage romance.
My favorite thing about this story is the way that Rochelle captures teenage emotions and paints a picture with them. This story is so relatable, it was easy to picture myself in Rory’s shoes throughout the whole story. I found myself reliving my own teenage memories alongside Rory, from the chaotic head rush that came any time my crush was near, to the gut wrenching pain I felt when I realized that youth didn’t last forever and neither did some relationships. Starry Eyed Inside is full of hook-ups, parties, squabbles, break-ups, experimenting, friendship fall-outs, stomach butterflies, self-discovery, and everything else that comes with adolescence.
I loved the characters in this story. Rory is one of my favorite female characters. She’s relatable, innocent (but not entirely so), and so full of love and emotions. Her heart controls her most of the time, and she’s loyal to a fault when it comes to her girls. I loved the dynamics that Rochelle crated between the friendship circle as well. Rory, Niki, and Teigan were inseparable, together always and in tune with one another.
Skylar … Oh, Skylar. He’s the guy all the girls want. He’s good looking, funny, charming, and a bad boy. He’s a bit of a rebel, especially when it comes to his parents. And after only a few encounters he knows just what to do to push the buttons that send the butterflies flying in Rory’s tummy.
Starry Eyed Inside moves at the perfect pace, has a nice, slow burn, and kept me glued to my Kindle for literally hours at a time. Rochelle draws the reader in and writes such vivid scenes that I felt like I was literally living inside the story at times. And when I finished, I spent a good two or three hours going through my old pictures and yearbooks and my memory box, reliving some of the ups—and downs—of my adolescent years.
If you’re a sucker for young love and stories with a high school backdrop, Starry Eyed Inside is the perfect book for you to pick up and add to your summer reading list!
Starry Eyed Inside gets the Wordaholic Must Read seal of approval.
Five stars to this novel!
June 19, 2017
The first time I really became aware of Rochelle's work was for the Fanfic version of Starry Eyed Inside. I fell in love with the story and her words and just had to read whatever else she wrote. Imagine my surprise when I saw her previous stories, particularly Volition, and realized I was already a fan of her work.
It was during that time I just favorited her as an author and read whatever she wrote. Not only did I read it, all notifications of an update to ANYTHING she wrote, I would stop what I was doing to read.
After the breakthrough of the 50 shades series I had been talking with a friend, who also read Twilight Fanfic, and we both agreed Rochelle deserved to be published more than the other. Rochelle has ALWAYS been able to capture the feelings long forgotten. I am always drawn to her characters and actually care about what happens to them. She can say so much with so little.
What hooked me about SEI the FF was how she brought me back to Jr & Sr High and my first real crushes. My first real boyfriend. My life ...She brought back a nostalgia and I loved the feeling. I could so be the main character. She always left me wanting more.
When I read she was going to start publishing ORIGINAL fiction, I was so excited. FINALLY she was going to let the world beyond Twilight fandom see her pretty words.
I was beyond joyed when she indicated SEI was going to be published outside of the Twilight fandom and going to go through some changes. I had trust that she would do right by all of us, just as she always had.
When I had a chance to get an ARC of Starry Eyed Inside, I was over the moon. I have not found a book in ages that keeps me up because I do not want to put it down. I have not read a book that I was driven to read and finish as soon as I could.
Just as the fanfic did, this version drew me in. I adored Skylar & Rory. I adored the changes throughout. Some very noticeable and some not so much. Ultimately it doesn't matter the names of the main characters because the story itself is wonderful and heartbreaking and still reminds me of my youth. All the anxiousness and nervousness and excitement with first love and does he or doesn't me.
Just as she always has her words are wonderful and the tale she tells pulls you in.
If you already love Rochelle Allison, you'll love this version of Starry Eyed Inside. If you've never read her before, this book will have you hooked.
I love ALL of Rochelle's work-original and Twilight Fanfiction and will continue to be a fan of her work for years to come.
It was during that time I just favorited her as an author and read whatever she wrote. Not only did I read it, all notifications of an update to ANYTHING she wrote, I would stop what I was doing to read.
After the breakthrough of the 50 shades series I had been talking with a friend, who also read Twilight Fanfic, and we both agreed Rochelle deserved to be published more than the other. Rochelle has ALWAYS been able to capture the feelings long forgotten. I am always drawn to her characters and actually care about what happens to them. She can say so much with so little.
What hooked me about SEI the FF was how she brought me back to Jr & Sr High and my first real crushes. My first real boyfriend. My life ...She brought back a nostalgia and I loved the feeling. I could so be the main character. She always left me wanting more.
When I read she was going to start publishing ORIGINAL fiction, I was so excited. FINALLY she was going to let the world beyond Twilight fandom see her pretty words.
I was beyond joyed when she indicated SEI was going to be published outside of the Twilight fandom and going to go through some changes. I had trust that she would do right by all of us, just as she always had.
When I had a chance to get an ARC of Starry Eyed Inside, I was over the moon. I have not found a book in ages that keeps me up because I do not want to put it down. I have not read a book that I was driven to read and finish as soon as I could.
Just as the fanfic did, this version drew me in. I adored Skylar & Rory. I adored the changes throughout. Some very noticeable and some not so much. Ultimately it doesn't matter the names of the main characters because the story itself is wonderful and heartbreaking and still reminds me of my youth. All the anxiousness and nervousness and excitement with first love and does he or doesn't me.
Just as she always has her words are wonderful and the tale she tells pulls you in.
If you already love Rochelle Allison, you'll love this version of Starry Eyed Inside. If you've never read her before, this book will have you hooked.
I love ALL of Rochelle's work-original and Twilight Fanfiction and will continue to be a fan of her work for years to come.
June 19, 2017
“Just seeing him made my mouth go dry... my heart pound... my stomach clamp up. The world spun faster, leaving me dizzy and desperate. It was fantastic.”
These are the sage words of fourteen-year-old Rory Shepherd, and truer ones have never been spoken. Especially if we’re talking about her all-consuming, sweat-inducing crush on Skyler Nolan. Because not for nothing, the boy's got everything a proper crush should have—swagger, aloofness, and unforgettable eyes.
His happen to be gray.
And miracle of all miracles, those eyes are soon focused on Rory, bringing with them smiles and kisses and hugs and touches that leave her the very best kind of dizzy, a frustrating kind of desperate, and very much in love.
But like most crushes, things don’t stay like that forever. Reality comes barging in, totally killing their buzz, and Rory and Skyler have to figure out what’s real and what’s not, what’s worth keeping and what they need to forget.
But isn’t that the wonder of teenage love? The push and pull, the up and down and all around that makes you crazy and happy and crazy all over again?
Yes. Yes, it is.
And that adolescent angst is on audacious display in Rochelle Allison’s Starry Eyed Inside. This story delivers every deliciously dizzying moment—that rush of longing you can’t contain or explain... not knowing which is worse: the object of your affection not talking to you or ohmygawd actually talking to you... and feeling like you’d die from the sheer want of it either way... Allison beautifully captures all of those feelings in Rory, and the evolution of her relationship with Skyler feels both surprising and real. The supporting cast is also well-defined, particularly Rory’s best friend Teigan and her boyfriend/Skyler’s brother Rocco. Their on-again, off-again entanglement is typical of teenage love, yet Allison writes it with tangible freshness.
I am more than 20 years removed from my first major crush—which in itself is crazy to admit!—and would never want to be a teenager again. But Starry Eyed Inside made me remember why those years were awesomely terrible and terribly awesome... and reminded me why I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
These are the sage words of fourteen-year-old Rory Shepherd, and truer ones have never been spoken. Especially if we’re talking about her all-consuming, sweat-inducing crush on Skyler Nolan. Because not for nothing, the boy's got everything a proper crush should have—swagger, aloofness, and unforgettable eyes.
His happen to be gray.
And miracle of all miracles, those eyes are soon focused on Rory, bringing with them smiles and kisses and hugs and touches that leave her the very best kind of dizzy, a frustrating kind of desperate, and very much in love.
But like most crushes, things don’t stay like that forever. Reality comes barging in, totally killing their buzz, and Rory and Skyler have to figure out what’s real and what’s not, what’s worth keeping and what they need to forget.
But isn’t that the wonder of teenage love? The push and pull, the up and down and all around that makes you crazy and happy and crazy all over again?
Yes. Yes, it is.
And that adolescent angst is on audacious display in Rochelle Allison’s Starry Eyed Inside. This story delivers every deliciously dizzying moment—that rush of longing you can’t contain or explain... not knowing which is worse: the object of your affection not talking to you or ohmygawd actually talking to you... and feeling like you’d die from the sheer want of it either way... Allison beautifully captures all of those feelings in Rory, and the evolution of her relationship with Skyler feels both surprising and real. The supporting cast is also well-defined, particularly Rory’s best friend Teigan and her boyfriend/Skyler’s brother Rocco. Their on-again, off-again entanglement is typical of teenage love, yet Allison writes it with tangible freshness.
I am more than 20 years removed from my first major crush—which in itself is crazy to admit!—and would never want to be a teenager again. But Starry Eyed Inside made me remember why those years were awesomely terrible and terribly awesome... and reminded me why I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
June 20, 2017
**Copy provided by Author, in exchange for an honest review**
Skylark and Rory’s story is what being a teenager and in high school is all about. The peer pressure, the first kiss, first love and first time. The first half of the book is all about doing stupid things and being obsessively in love with a boy. While the second half is all about growing up and being responsible. Rory changes and does a lot of growing throughout the book. There were times when I wasn’t too happy with her decision, but at times understandable because of her age. I wasn’t too fond of Skylar at first because of how he treated Rory, but he won me over before the end with his charms and sweetness. I wasn’t too happy for what Tristan had to go through, my heart hurts for his pain. I hope that he gets his own happy ending, as he was a very nice guy who deserved the world. As for Skylar and Rory, their love story ended up being epic. They were in love and deserved everything that came their way. The book ended on a happy note, but I wish there was more of an epilogue. All in all it was a very good ya romance and writing style. It was a little bit too long for my taste, but worth the read.
Rochelle Allison
Merged review:
**Copy provided by Author, in exchange for an honest review**
Skylark and Rory’s story is what being a teenager and in high school is all about. The peer pressure, the first kiss, first love and first time. The first half of the book is all about doing stupid things and being obsessively in love with a boy. While the second half is all about growing up and being responsible. Rory changes and does a lot of growing throughout the book. There were times when I wasn’t too happy with her decision, but at times understandable because of her age. I wasn’t too fond of Skylar at first because of how he treated Rory, but he won me over before the end with his charms and sweetness. I wasn’t too happy for what Tristan had to go through, my heart hurts for his pain. I hope that he gets his own happy ending, as he was a very nice guy who deserved the world. As for Skylar and Rory, their love story ended up being epic. They were in love and deserved everything that came their way. The book ended on a happy note, but I wish there was more of an epilogue. All in all it was a very good ya romance and writing style. It was a little bit too long for my taste, but worth the read.
Rochelle Allison
Skylark and Rory’s story is what being a teenager and in high school is all about. The peer pressure, the first kiss, first love and first time. The first half of the book is all about doing stupid things and being obsessively in love with a boy. While the second half is all about growing up and being responsible. Rory changes and does a lot of growing throughout the book. There were times when I wasn’t too happy with her decision, but at times understandable because of her age. I wasn’t too fond of Skylar at first because of how he treated Rory, but he won me over before the end with his charms and sweetness. I wasn’t too happy for what Tristan had to go through, my heart hurts for his pain. I hope that he gets his own happy ending, as he was a very nice guy who deserved the world. As for Skylar and Rory, their love story ended up being epic. They were in love and deserved everything that came their way. The book ended on a happy note, but I wish there was more of an epilogue. All in all it was a very good ya romance and writing style. It was a little bit too long for my taste, but worth the read.
Rochelle Allison
Merged review:
**Copy provided by Author, in exchange for an honest review**
Skylark and Rory’s story is what being a teenager and in high school is all about. The peer pressure, the first kiss, first love and first time. The first half of the book is all about doing stupid things and being obsessively in love with a boy. While the second half is all about growing up and being responsible. Rory changes and does a lot of growing throughout the book. There were times when I wasn’t too happy with her decision, but at times understandable because of her age. I wasn’t too fond of Skylar at first because of how he treated Rory, but he won me over before the end with his charms and sweetness. I wasn’t too happy for what Tristan had to go through, my heart hurts for his pain. I hope that he gets his own happy ending, as he was a very nice guy who deserved the world. As for Skylar and Rory, their love story ended up being epic. They were in love and deserved everything that came their way. The book ended on a happy note, but I wish there was more of an epilogue. All in all it was a very good ya romance and writing style. It was a little bit too long for my taste, but worth the read.
Rochelle Allison
June 20, 2017
Rochelle Allison was an unexpected find for me. While reading Heavenly Bodies, I quickly realized what a treasure I’d found in the blogging book world. So when the opportunity to read Starry Eyed came up, I snatched that ebook up and devoured Allison’s words until the very end.
One of the things I love about Allison’s stories is while she takes you to a place and time in your life your remember emotionally, she also transports you to another place entirely. From the books that I’ve had the pleasure of reading, Allison takes you to a tropical place, filled with culture. Where island romances become reality taking you away from your ordinary life.
In her coming of age story, Starry Eyed Inside, Allison tells us her version of a first crush, first kiss, first love. Taking you back to highschool, Allison introduces us to innocent, young Rory and Samuel, her crush. Allison effortlessly takes you back to your high school days with Rory’s anxiousness and somersaulting stomach of love nerves. I am a true fan of the whole “Will he or won’t he” feelings and all the teenage angst driven romances, so SEI was exactly a book meant for me to read. As I read SEI, Allison managed to bring forth those feelings, excitement and really draw me into this book until the last page was turned.
Allison continues to be an author that I find myself wanting more of. Her books are well written, intriguing and nostalgic at the same time. I can’t wait to read more from this author whether that be her original stories or the fan fiction that she has published.
May 5, 2018
throwback to the days of high school silliness, teenage angst and drama, first loves and heartaches
so, this is what it would've been like to be one of the cool kids and have all your girlie dreams come true :)
it was easy to fall into this world and keep reading
so, this is what it would've been like to be one of the cool kids and have all your girlie dreams come true :)
it was easy to fall into this world and keep reading
June 20, 2017
Starry eyed inside is how I felt after reading Rochelle Allsions newest book of the same name. Starry Eyed inside tells the story of Rory and Skyler amidst the backdrop of Florida beaches,school, great friendships and family.
Rochelle is able the capture the emotion and feelings of all the characters such that I felt everything along with them. From first crushes, to first kisses, dealing with insensitive boys, and choices that teenagers must face every day she writes thoughtfully and factually in a way that readers can truly identify with. It is a very realistic glimpse into the world of adolescence
(I felt like I was floating or drowning or maybe both” "Sometimes I yearned for the freedom that came with adulthood, but other times I mourned the loss of feeling safe and parented.)
I loved this book so much that I have read the book through three times already and have favorite parts that I have skimmed again!
I highly recommend this book to readers from YA to OA(old adult). It is a great summertime read I think Rochelle has a great hit on her hands with this book!!.
Rochelle is able the capture the emotion and feelings of all the characters such that I felt everything along with them. From first crushes, to first kisses, dealing with insensitive boys, and choices that teenagers must face every day she writes thoughtfully and factually in a way that readers can truly identify with. It is a very realistic glimpse into the world of adolescence
(I felt like I was floating or drowning or maybe both” "Sometimes I yearned for the freedom that came with adulthood, but other times I mourned the loss of feeling safe and parented.)
I loved this book so much that I have read the book through three times already and have favorite parts that I have skimmed again!
I highly recommend this book to readers from YA to OA(old adult). It is a great summertime read I think Rochelle has a great hit on her hands with this book!!.
August 15, 2017
This was a simple read and love story, I really liked it, never read it as a fanfic but I can see myself gushing over it if I had found it back then, never the less it was a good and easy read, nothing complicated no major character "drama" or complications just life, simple path of life.
I think it left me wanting more, maybe more complex development. But I really liked Rory's confidence you find yourself reading sometimes this stories where the main character lacks self-esteem and is kind of annoying at times, but not Aurora, which I loved.
I just came from a trip to Florida so that was an extra for me and the connection to the story (I could see myself in those places)
But yeah, if you are looking for an easy non-complicated story, this is for you.
I think it left me wanting more, maybe more complex development. But I really liked Rory's confidence you find yourself reading sometimes this stories where the main character lacks self-esteem and is kind of annoying at times, but not Aurora, which I loved.
I just came from a trip to Florida so that was an extra for me and the connection to the story (I could see myself in those places)
But yeah, if you are looking for an easy non-complicated story, this is for you.
June 21, 2017
There are books where the characters draw you in and when it's over - you want to know about the rest of their lives. Not because you didn't get enough from the author, but because you feel invested in them - this is that book! There's an honesty in the writing which I loved. I may not have lived my life like Rory, but I would have liked to. She's easy to identify with, sympathize with and love along with. Skyler is "that" boy and he becomes so much more as the story progresses. I felt this book as I read it and believe that if you enjoy a good teenage love story - you'll certainly love this one as much as I did.
August 12, 2017
Loved it!
I loved this story the first time I read it and I love it just as much now.
Rochelle has a way with words and while my high school experience is so COMPLETELY different than wat she writes, her story just takes me back to those feelings I had when I had a crush. It reminds me of those simple days as a teenager when my biggest worry was if the boy I liked even knew I existed, to spending time with my friends, and worrying about my school work.
When life has me stressed, I know I can read this or any of her other stories to remember those simple days and how it felt to have a crush on a boy. I can't wait for her next story!
I loved this story the first time I read it and I love it just as much now.
Rochelle has a way with words and while my high school experience is so COMPLETELY different than wat she writes, her story just takes me back to those feelings I had when I had a crush. It reminds me of those simple days as a teenager when my biggest worry was if the boy I liked even knew I existed, to spending time with my friends, and worrying about my school work.
When life has me stressed, I know I can read this or any of her other stories to remember those simple days and how it felt to have a crush on a boy. I can't wait for her next story!
February 24, 2018
Of course I loved this book. Rochelle’s writing is so great and so relatable. I love that Rory took control of the relationship once Skylar came back. He was an ass to her in the beginning, so kudos to her for standing her ground and protecting her heart.
This book took me back to high school, remembering all those times of hanging out with my friends at the mall and each other’s houses. Having those first crushes, first heartaches. Feeling like your life was over when you were grounded.
I’m such a romantic at heart, which is probably why I love this author’s stories so much. Great job, Rochelle!
This book took me back to high school, remembering all those times of hanging out with my friends at the mall and each other’s houses. Having those first crushes, first heartaches. Feeling like your life was over when you were grounded.
I’m such a romantic at heart, which is probably why I love this author’s stories so much. Great job, Rochelle!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2017
Lovely and sweet. Brings me back to everything that makes love glow.
I just spent the night reading this. I didn't mean to, really I didn't. But I was lost back in high school and sucked into all the feelings. To me this was not your typical formula romance, but a slice of life that is actually everything a romance should be.
That feeling of your first crush, then the sadness and fear that you will never feel that way again. This book was a magical view into all those feelings. Wonderful. Just don't start it in the evening...you might not sleep.
I just spent the night reading this. I didn't mean to, really I didn't. But I was lost back in high school and sucked into all the feelings. To me this was not your typical formula romance, but a slice of life that is actually everything a romance should be.
That feeling of your first crush, then the sadness and fear that you will never feel that way again. This book was a magical view into all those feelings. Wonderful. Just don't start it in the evening...you might not sleep.
November 6, 2021
I originally read this book when it was a fanfic on the Twilight characters Bella and Edward... I don't exactly know what it was with this book, but it didn't give me the same vibe as the fanfiction... You can definitely tell it was formatted for the book version because there was a lot in this book that I didn't recognize from the fic. I didn't really enjoy it like I did the original version...
Anyway if you are going to read this, I highly recommend reading the fanfiction instead of this book version.
Anyway if you are going to read this, I highly recommend reading the fanfiction instead of this book version.
June 21, 2017
Starry-Eyed Inside
Rochelle Allison can write. She knows how to set up a story, and she knows where she wants to go. But more importantly, she can make you care. You won’t just observe the story from above, she pulls you inside, like the title says. Not only will you feel the story, but you’ll also remember the starry, complicated, often bewildering experience of first love. Character development is her forte. Just a darn good story is Rochelle’s signature. Don’t miss this one.
Rochelle Allison can write. She knows how to set up a story, and she knows where she wants to go. But more importantly, she can make you care. You won’t just observe the story from above, she pulls you inside, like the title says. Not only will you feel the story, but you’ll also remember the starry, complicated, often bewildering experience of first love. Character development is her forte. Just a darn good story is Rochelle’s signature. Don’t miss this one.
June 29, 2017
All the high school feels!!! While I didn't have the same experiences as the characters, the author was able to tap into that nostalgia. Best friends, boy crushes, shenanigans, first like, more shenanigans, first love, parents being parents, graduating. I love getting to follow Rory through her journey. Beautiful story as always from Rochelle. I definitely see myself picking this one up again for a reread.
June 19, 2017
I thought this book was amazing. It brought me back to my own high school antics and first love. I hope there will be a part 2. Her writing always brings you to a place that's so visual because she describes things so perfectly that I can see them right as I'm reading it. If you want a nice light summer beach read, this is it!
June 24, 2017
Rochelle knocks it out of the park again! I loved watching Rory grow through her high school years. So much reminded me of first love, first experiences-from going to high school, first kisses, sex, and just enjoying the teen years with my girls.
If you ever think of continuing with them seeing their college years would be amazing. :)
If you ever think of continuing with them seeing their college years would be amazing. :)
September 2, 2018
I read the fanfic years ago, but either I don't remember that much about it or the author have changed a lot 'cause most of it felt new to me.
I liked it. But the last 100 pages could've been cut out, 'cause by then I was just bored and wanted it to end.
Ruined it for me and took it down from four to two stars
I liked it. But the last 100 pages could've been cut out, 'cause by then I was just bored and wanted it to end.
Ruined it for me and took it down from four to two stars
June 19, 2017
fantastic book. could not put this down. loved these characters. made me smile, made me cry- Rochelle has an incredible way with words-I could picture everything Rochelle was describing. a definite must-read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews