Meeting the Star

Of the Bennu Firebirds series, this book was my favorite. The university and their friends were introduced in book one so this story was a homecoming for their world and it could be laser-focused on the emerging relationship between Lucas and Eliza. I was hooked on their relationship and read the book in one sitting (who needs sleep?)
Their relationship felt real and had the ups and downs of two people who do not expect it to last but just cannot quite listen to their heads because their hearts are shouting “This is the person!” For anyone looking for a gentle romance with a happy ending, this is a great choice.

‘Meeting the Star’ by Cait Marie combines crushes, frustration, love, manipulation, and misunderstandings to create an exciting exploration of the world of movies overlapping with real life. When Eliza learns that her best friend, Maya, is going to be in a movie with star Lucas Warner, she can hardly believe it. She’s had a crush on him forever. She never thought she’d meet him, let alone find out he’s a pretty down-to-earth guy. When they start spending more time together, they come to really like each other, but there are struggles along the line that get in the way. Struggles like Lucas’ on-again, off-again girlfriend, Tori, who doesn’t like to be shown up. Then there’s Maya’s overprotective nature as she worries that Lucas will hurt Eliza when he has to leave at the end of the summer, warning him to stay away to avoid the heartache that she figures is bound to happen.

Yet, Eliza and Lucas begin spending time together. He becomes a friend, and sometimes even more. However, life gets in the way, as it tends to do, and between Tori’s antics and Eliza’s date with another guy when she feels the need to prove herself to Maya and Lucas, their path to love isn’t easy. When they get there, though, the payoff is worth it. Despite the predictability of the storyline, the writing was spot on in leaving readers wanting more, making Lucas into the textbook definition of a book boyfriend who only wants to see his leading lady happy. Eliza’s naïve nature doesn’t make her too trusting, though, as she tries her utmost to guard her heart against any pain that might occur, but isn’t always successful.

Cait Marie has crafted another great addition to her Bennu Firebirds series, and readers will be eager to read the other books after investing themselves in this one.

So, I absolutely loved Making the Play and as most books that do this, I was really worried going into the second book because it followed other characters. However, after the first chapter – I was sold. I absolutely loved the way this book started off and I’m glad Eliza was the main girl followed in this book. This book picks up the summer after the first one, with Maya getting the lead role in the movie being filmed on campus. Eliza decided to pick up two jobs that summer so she stayed behind also. Luckily she had the apartment lined up so Jax and Sierra could stay with her as well. Then walks in Eliza’s long time celebrity crush, Lucas Warner. The whole book is about their undeniable chemistry together but also trying not to give in since Lucas will move on after this movie is over. Eliza is also not the most experienced out of her friends and she definitely isn’t one to just have a fling. Exploring Eliza and Lucas’ feelings while also figuring out what they want for themselves definitely lead into some interesting situations. There was a little bit of a darker tone in this book due to one section but I thought it was so well handled and brought a little more to this story.

As much as I loved Kaley, I really love Eliza. Maybe it’s because I can relate more to her character but there was just so much I absolutely adored about her. Eliza was just clumsy and shy and just so cute. Her reaction to Lucas were totally natural and it was nice to see her come out of her shell. Lucas wasn’t the normal movie Hollywood star that you would have expect. He didn’t really want all the fame and fortune but enjoyed acting because he loved it. There was so much more he wanted to do with career and it was nice seeing that he wasn’t trying to settle. With the help of Eliza, he truly realizes what he wants and isn’t afraid to go after it.

FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, Meeting the Star by Cait Marie was such a fantastic follow up. I typically am weary about books in a series that follow different characters but this one was done so well. I absolutely loved this story and was glad that it followed pretty shortly after the first. Eliza and Lucas were just wonderful characters and I really enjoyed reading their story. Like the first one, nothing new was really brought to this book and followed the formula but Cait just makes it work. And it works good! So, if you liked the first book then please continue this series!

When Eliza meets Lucas (a big time movie star), she struggles to find words, as most people would. Not only is he gorgeous, but she's a huge fan of his. She thinks this is a once in a lifetime chance. However, with her best friend Maya working with him, of course Lucas is going to be around. As the star-struck Eliza discovers how to interact with him, she sees that there's more to him than just a movie star.

As an actor, it's hard to tell friends from those who are using you. Lucas constantly has this problem so he struggles with new people. When he meets Eliza, he realizes how different she is from other people he's met. She's genuine and kind. These traits draw him in and makes him want to get to know her. But they have so much going against them, the biggest one being that Lucas is only here temporarily. Is it really worth risking his heart for such a short-lived romance?

With her awkwardness, Eliza reminds me of myself so it's nice being able to relate to her. I'm also that person who doesn't know what to say in social situations. It's a nice touch that Eliza's writing a book and Lucas is the only one with the privilege of that knowledge. It's something they bond over that's only theirs. The ending is also perfection and Cait Marie brings us another set of characters readers can't help but to love. I'm looking forward to MISSING THE BEAT!


Final Verdict: I would recommend this contemporary romance to readers who want characters they can relate to. Ones we can watch grow into better and stronger people with a love that's unbreakable.