Book Review — Unwanted Stars by Melissa Brown

It’s funny how the tiniest of things can change your life… an invitation, a simple kiss goodnight, a matchbook…

Auden Kelly is in need of a change.

She’s trading in her nine-to-five sales job for the adventure of a lifetime: a one year contract with a European tour company.

For one full year, Auden will get paid to see the world. What could be better? Her brother gives her a journal, instructing her to document all of her adventures as she travels from country to country. And that’s exactly what she does.

When a mysterious stranger enters her life, however, everything changes: her expectations, her priorities and her view of the world. And nothing for Auden will ever be the same.

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After reading Picturing Perfect and Unwanted Stars, I can say with confidence that Melissa Brown knows how to write sweet, feel-good romances.  She has a gift with writing these lighthearted romances with just enough angst and drama to keep me turning the pages, but not enough to upset me.  What attracted me to Unwanted Stars was the fact that it is set primarily in Europe.

Auden Kelly has always felt like she didn’t belong in her family. No one gets her.  After being labeled the “dramatic” child, she has always felt like she has had to live up to role.  Auden has never really had a niche to fit into.  Her brother was the writer.  She decides to leave her hometown of Chicago and take a job with a tour company, Jordan Tours, based in London to take tourists all over Europe. That sounds like a dream job for a twenty-something year old girl on a journey of self-discovery.  She hoped to find out who she was and how she fit in.  But what she ends up finding is love and so much more.

Not long into her stint as tour guide, Auden meets an alluring and sexy Brit Campbell Hutchins while working.  Company policy strictly prohibits fraternizing with the tour members.  Campbell’s persistence and adorable way of communicating through messages in matchboxes, convince Auden to take a leap and have a drink with Campbell.  This drink leads to several secret meet-ups between them that ignite a flame between them.

“You scare me,” I whispered.
“You fucking terrify me.” He laughed, his voice cracking with the words. He closed the distance between us, gripping my hair with his hand and pulling me close. “Don’t push me away. I want to know you, Auden. All of you.”

What I really liked about Auden and Campbell’s relationship was the forbidden aspect of it in the beginning.  Auden was very nervous about being found out after starting out on the job with one big strike against her.  Though, she couldn’t deny the attraction and budding feelings she had for Campbell.  Conveniently enough, Campbell lives not far from Auden in London and the two begin to see each other after the tour ends.  With the nature of her job, she is gone often and they don’t see each other as much as either of them would like.  Leave it up to Campbell, to surprise Auden in freaking Paris with a special dinner for two in the freaking Eiffel Tower.  He really is a very sweet, romantic and thoughtful guy.  Did I mention he’s a doctor?  He’s pretty much perfect.

As their relationship progresses, Auden finds out a secret about her family that changes her life forever.  And Campbell is there to help her through the pain.  But he’s not the only person to step in — her older brother, Jason, steps in.  I really enjoyed seeing Jason and Hadley from Picturing Perfect show up.  And their roles in this book were rather prominent for just having their own book.

I am a fan of sweet romances, however, this story was not one that really stood out for me.  I had an idea for where the book was going.  Nonetheless, I would recommend Melissa Brown’s books to anyone searching for a heart-warming story with sweet, intelligent and tender guys.  Jason and Campbell are two of the sweetest most thoughtful guys.

3 stars

*I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.