STARDUST
Peaches Monroe Series #1
by Mimi Strong
Publisher: Self-Published (June 2013)
Genre: Contemporary Romance, New Adult, Adult
Format: eBook (288 pages)
Source: Free book from author for honest review
Purchase: Amazon Print | Amazon Kindle | Barnes & Noble
Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
There I was, minding my own business at Peachtree Books when this lunatic comes racing in the door and knocks me into his arms. I would have ripped him a new one, but he was kinda familiar, and hot. Like I-want-to-have-your-sexy-babies-now hot.
Turns out he looks familiar because I stare at his gorgeous face on TV every week. Yup, Dalton Deangelo. In the oh-so-firm flesh.
I let him hide out from the press for a while, then I thought he’d be on his way, and I could breathe normally again. But no. He found me interesting. He wanted to tag along to my cousin’s wedding with me. I couldn’t say no to that face … or THOSE EYES. Before the night was through, he was saying sweet things, then dirty things. Very dirty things.
I try to keep my eyes wide open. I’ve made terrible, stupid mistakes in the past. But Dalton Deangelo’s touch turns me to Jell-O.
I’m just a regular girl, and he’s rich and famous with no body fat. The guy has a butler! So, why is he chasing me? And why can’t I say no? And what is this sordid secret of his the reporters are trying to uncover?
At A Glance
It’s not the most perfect book but for me personally, it took my breath away.
The Good
Just so you know Stardust was formally known as We Are Made of Stardust, which I did a giveaway on a couple weeks ago. I am going with the title and cover that is current on the author’s website, but they are the same book.
I have a weird, sometimes dirty sense of humor and that’s why this book was so great for me. It just fit who I am and what I think is funny. It may not be for everyone, but I think most people will see the specialness this book holds.
Stardust is the type of book where you sit dumbfounded, thinking No, she didn’t just say that, did she? No, he didn’t just do that, did he? It’s like the roughest contemporary romance I have ever read when it comes to sex, language, and overall outrageousness. And that’s why I am in love. Madly in love. Ankle deep in bodily fluids in love. Okay, okay, I might have gone too far with the last one. But that’s the way Stardust makes me feel. It had me laughing, it had me pulling my hair out in frustration, and it had my girly parts tingling.
Peaches was my curvy, witty hero. Being plus sized myself, I can’t help but love seeing a protagonist who has curves and is well with herself. Sure, she has some insecurities, but all girls do. Peaches is strong, bold, lovable, spunky, and hilarious. The people around her can’t help but be drawn to her, even if she thinks she is boring. I absolutely loved how she handled Dalton. Sure, she got all moist (eww, that word freaks me out sometimes) when he was around, but she hide it well. She didn’t let his celebrity change who she was and how she treated him. He was just a smokin’ guy that she wanted to play hide and seek with with her V and his P.
Dalton was eatable. If you didn’t know, he is somewhat based off Ian Somerhalder and his character Daemon from Vampire Diaries. Oh yeah, I just heard one of your eggs drop, getting read for Ian’s baby gravy. Don’t even try to deny it. (Oooh, I’m spicy today) Dalton is everything your mother warned you about. He’s charming, forward, and has sex on the brain. And a freaking TV star to boot! Any girl who doesn’t want to drop panty when he walks by is either dead or…well, dead. Death is the only way you could not want him. He’s playful and mysterious. But his personality is so strong that it almost borders on scary. He holds nothing back, but that works for Peaches. They are both very upfront people who like sex. They don’t need love or a relationship. But that doesn’t mean they don’t feel anything for each other. They are both cautious people who don’t want to get hurt.
The dialogue is some of the best I have seen. Stardust is a well written story that sucks you in and spits you out, in a good way. It’s emotional, sexy, and nerve-wracking. I knew the mysterious part of Dalton was going to bite Peaches in her curvy butt, and the sense of foreboding caused great tension throughout the book.
When I first finished Stardust I was like, “Why???? Why must it end that way? You are breaking my heart, Mimi.” But I still thought it was a great ending. I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but when it finally did I realized Mimi took that shoe, slashed the crap out of it, fed it to a dog, then set it aflame as she laughed evilly over the carcass. Well, that’s how I picture it in my head anyway. Yes, Mimi holds nothing back with that ending, but it really did make me excited for the next book.
The Bad
Yes, I gave it 4.5 stars, because that’s how much I enjoyed it but there are two things that didn’t quite work for the book. One is that the plot isn’t very complicated. There really isn’t much of a plot arc until the end. But it worked for me because I just enjoyed reading about Peaches and Dalton. Another thing that I found annoying was that almost everyone has very similar senses of humor. It’s almost impossible to have that many people in one group be that witty, and almost always in a sexual way.
The Snuggly
Peaches and Dalton just worked together, even though they were pretty opposite in a lot of ways. They had the most awkward start but that’s what makes it fun. They aren’t really romantic and they didn’t have the most perfect sex. Their relationship felt more real because of it. They hade great sexual attraction that made for some hot scenes, but as a couple they need work. And I like that.
This may be labeled new adult but I think the sex is adult. It’s pretty risqué and I loved every minute of it. Not for the faint of heart or easily embarrassed.
Final Thoughts
Another amazing bookgasm. Mimi really created some interesting characters that will stick with you long after finishing this book. If you keep an open mind, Stardust will blow you away. And the ending guarantees that you will be dying to read the next book. I know I am. Highly recommended.
“You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into,” she snarled.
“Let go of me before I punch you some new freckles!”
He growled in my ear, “Tell me if I’m moving too fast.”
“I’ve been here less than a minute and you’ve checked out my tits and now you’re frisking my ass for concealed cameras or something. I don’t know, is that too fast?”
“Lets just be two souls tonight. Two souls who are made of stardust, and made their way back to each other, the way they were destined to.”
“I’m the girl you ask to come over and give your cat his daily pills while your on vacation. And, by the way, I don’t like the way your cat looks at me. Like even he knows I’m the dull one. One of these days, I’m going to drink a little wine and flash my boobs at your cat – really give him something to think about.”
“And I’m doubly sorry to be poking my boner into your belly button while your telling me this very personal story.”
“Forget the wedding, I thought, Unzip me, bend me over, and make me call you weird names until the sun comes up.
He smiled, as if he was his vampire character, and could read my mind.”
“You have too much pride,” she said matter-of-factly.
“You could have had your meatflaps moistened by Mr. Smoldering Eyeballs himself, but I can loan you Drake (vibrator) for the night if you run him through the dishwasher.”
Brandi Kosiner
I am down with dirty sense of humor!
Jennifer Bielman
Then you will love this one.
Synchronized Reading
This sounds pretty good. I would read this because you said its the rough contemporary you’ve read 🙂 I would prefer that over the typical. Great review!
Janina @ Synchronized Reading
Jennifer Bielman
Me too. Contemp Romance can be boring if the author doesn’t spice it up.
Jaclyn Canada
I remember reading a pool scene excerpt for this one that was really H.O.T. I’m so glad that you enjoyed it. Sounds like a fantastic read, and I love me some witty, witty characters even if they all share the same sexy humor LOL. Excellent review 😀 Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
LOL, oh yes, the water scene. That was awesome. Love that you remembered that. This one is so awesome, you need to try it.
kimbacaffeinate
Oh you made me giggle with your review side confessions..do you have a dirty mind Jen! LOL This sounds really good, and how a book makes you feel, perfect or not can sway my rating as well…after all isn’t that why we read to get caught up!
Jennifer Bielman
Yup, I almost gave this one 5 stars just because I loved it so much but there was a little room for improvement.
And yes, I have a very dirty mind. 🙂
Pabkins
Peaches? really? haha Sometimes its ok though when the plot isn’t complicated – I reach for books I think are like that when I just need a quick easy read lol.
Jennifer Bielman
True, if the characters are interesting enough, I don’t need a complicated plot.