Review of Your Fallen Star by Raleigh Ruebin

Your Fallen Star by Raleigh Ruebin

2.5 stars

 A decade and a half ago, Leo Stone was famous. Fans galore, and money pouring in like a waterfall. Music industry royalty.

…And then the band broke up.

Leo went from a prince to pauper, and now he’s trying to make a comeback. To clean up his image and grab a little publicity, his manager hires Jamie Sheffield to write his biography.

Straight out of college, Jamie can’t believe his luck. He’d never quite gotten over his teen-aged crush on Leo, and now here he is, talking with Leo, thinking about Leo. Sleeping with Leo. And the heat between them is enough to set paper on fire.

But Leo’s afraid to commit to Jamie, no matter how much Jamie wants it. Not with the tabloids standing by, waiting for their next serving of scandal. And all the while, the book is getting closer to being finished. Will their story be cut short, or can they make it last forever?

This is such a great premise for a story, a fallen boy-band member and the man tasted with writing his biography, how could they not fall in love?  But Your Fallen Star had a few too much angst and twists for our liking.

Leo Stone is an ex boy-band member, now in his 30’s he is struggling with who he is and where to go from here.  His agent comes up with a brilliant idea to release his biography and hires Jamie Sheffield, a budding screenplay writer fresh out of college.  They meet and the sparks fly.  Leo is wrapped up in someone who actually wants to be with him for him and Jamie is star struck that this famous man wants him. 

This book starts with so much great potential, the sparks between Leo and Jamie are sizzling, but it starts to fizzle.  There is the usual attraction, and their beginning love is sweet, hot and so believable. 

But then it starts to slide into ill-communication angst.  Leo rebounds between wanting Jamie and pushing him away.  The May/December romance isn’t a new idea but this one doesn’t seem to work.  Both of these men waffle, Jamie – am I good enough to be a screenwriter, am I right following my dreams, should I give up and go home?  And Leo – why would Jamie want me, I am going to ruin his career, what am I going to do with the rest of my life?  They are so on-again-off-again it is a bit like whiplash.   And truthfully gets a little annoying, I just wanted one of them to set up and own their relationship, but nope, back and forth we go.  They both seem to think they know what is best for each other, without even talking about what they both need. 

All the angsty stuff aside, there is some chemistry between Leo and Jamie, and it makes Your Fallen Star hot.  There is a weird sex scene in a guest bedroom (that someone is staying in) at a huge Hollywood party that one of the more successful members of the boy-band is throwing, that well, is weird.  And we spend the 5 pages before in Leo’s head going over the reasons why he can’t let anyone know him and Jamie are tighter.  So, weird. 

Your Fallen Star is the start of a new series, and we see so much potential, but this May/December Romance just fizzled for us.