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The Star Shack

3.44 of 5 stars 3.44 · rating details · 203 ratings · 34 reviews

Pete and Annabelle always believed they were a perfect pair-until junior year, when Annabelle became obsessed with astrology. Now they can hardly stand each other. Pete thinks Annabelle has become a total flake; she thinks he's an uptight jerk. To prove her point, Annabelle dares Pete to open a summer business on the boardwalk giving advice based on the stars.

"You and me a...more

Paperback, 216 pages

Published June 1st 2010 by Sourcebooks Fire (first published May 7th 2010)

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2010 Debut Authors (Young Adult & Middle Grade Literature)

212th out of 301 books — 1,974 voters

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

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32nd out of 99 books — 91 voters

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Oct 27, 2012 Zakiyyah Mandisa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Beyond Reality...To the Stars: A Book Review on The Star Shack

The Star Shack Sourcebooks Inc., 2010 216 pp., $9.99
Lila Castle ISBN: 978-1-4022-4110-9

Pete and Annabelle were together, and then they were not. Annabelle obsesses about astrology; Pete thinks astrology is just fake words giving people false hope. They can’t stand each other until one day Annabelle dares Pete to open an astrology booth on the boardwalk. Pete, a hasty person, never gives up on a dare. This book has back and forth bante...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Alexa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-2012-advisory

This novel was about two teenagers named Annabelle and Pete. This summer is the real time to test out their relationship even though Annabelle lives in Albany, New York and Pete lives in Boston, Massachusetts. They only see each other during the summer in Gingerbread. Everything was fine until Annabelle started to love astrology, and that was the main thing she would talk about. Pete got annoyed with it after a while, and they would always be fighting. So, they broke up. Pete moved on and starte...more

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Jun 11, 2010 Michelle Rebar rated it 5 of 5 stars

Awwww! I *heart* this book. It is so sweet and fun, a perfect book to take on vacation or to read at home and pretend you're on vacation. I just felt good after reading STAR SHACK, and not just because I'm a Gemini and my horoscope today said that I had a lot of positive energy. Maybe it was in the stars that I was meant to spend my day reading this book, and the rest of my night smiling because of it. You know, if you believe in that stuff.

Pete is a Red Sox fan. He loves baseball and spending h...more Awwww! I *heart* this book. It is so sweet and fun, a perfect book to take on vacation or to read at home and pretend you're on vacation. I just felt good after reading STAR SHACK, and not just because I'm a Gemini and my horoscope today said that I had a lot of positive energy. Maybe it was in the stars that I was meant to spend my day reading this book, and the rest of my night smiling because of it. You know, if you believe in that stuff.

Pete is a Red Sox fan. He loves baseball and spending his summers at Gingerbread Beach. It's not the nicest beach, nor does it have the best weather. In fact, it rains more often than the sun shines. But it does have one thing going for it. Annabelle. Ever since Pete met her when they were in middle-school, he has been in love with her and has known that they were meant for each other. Even the fact that she's a Yankees fan isn't enough to keep them apart. Normally a Red Sox guy and a Yankees girl do not mix, but Annabelle is special. Pete normally can't wait for Summer to see her on the rain-crunchy beaches of Gingerbread (that's how it got it's name), but lately Annabelle has been obsessed with astrology and that's something that Pete can't deal with. He doesn't like that New Agey stuff and wishes that Annabelle would just act normal again. She even swears that she can predict the outcome of baseball games by consulting the stars, which sounds like a bunch of mumbo-jumbo to Pete. Sure, she crushed EVERYONE in her fantasy baseball league, but that can be attributed to knowledge of the games and good old fashioned luck. He thinks it's time for her to give up on the stars and come back to earth, but Annabelle has other plans.

Annabelle is a Yankees fan. She has been so excited to spend a rainy Summer with her soul mate Pete on Gingerbread Beach.She has loved him since the moment she saw him, even though he's a red Sox fan. The second she gets there she rushes to see him, but he's been acting kind of distant lately. Maybe she should check his horoscope and see if there is something in the stars that could help her figure out his problem. The problem, it seems, is that Pete doesn't like her talking about astrology, which she would like to point out, is a SCIENCE. This is a part of who she is, and if he doesn't like it, maybe he doesn't like her. She never expected him to agree with this. He can't leave her, they are meant to be! It's in the stars! What was supposed to be a wonderful and romantic summer has turned into a sad and lonely mess. Now Pete is dating someone else and Annabelle is left to stand in the rain, but she has a plan that could turn things around.

Pete is never one to turn down a dare, and when Annabelle challenges him to open an astrology business on the boardwalk called "The Star Shack", he reluctantly agrees. She wants to prove that astrology is for real and he wants to prove it's all a joke. Annabelle believes that spending time with Pete will bring him back to her, but her plan backfires. She and Pete are finding love matches for everyone else, but the two of them are drifting farther apart each day. How is that something HUGE like a baseball rivalry won't keep them apart, but a little thing like stars will? They have the whole summer to figure out if these stars will align for them or if it's time to go their separate ways.

I totally understand the sports rivalry thing. To overcome that obstacle must mean true love, so I applaud their tolerance for each other and I am awed that they can even have a relationship. So, yes, I was rooting for Pete and Annabelle the whole way! My rivalry is in hockey and it is just as FIERCE as the Yankees/Red Sox rivalry. I am a Penguins fan and there is NO WAY I would date a fan of my rival's team. If you don't know what team that is, just know that they are evil, lol.(less)

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Aug 31, 2011 Kristy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: advisory-2011-2012, summer2011

Castle's book on Astrology. It's mainly about these two best friends, Pete and Annabelle that can only see each other in the summer. They both were sure they were meant for each other, but this summer, Annabelle is into Astrology, which Pete find a complete buzz. Pete does not want anything to do with Astrology.. that was until Annabelle dared him to open a astrology booth down by the boardwalk with her. He could not say "no" to a dare, so he decides to follow through. The thing I don't like abo...more

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Jan 31, 2012 Marian rated it 4 of 5 stars

The main reason that I bought this book was because it was on sale for kindle.

But then when I read the synopsis I immediately became intrigued. Annabel and Pete are really good friends who have a hobby that they share: baseball. But Pete doesn't approve of the fact that Annabel uses astrology to help her make her fantasy team. He doesn't come right out and say it, but he obviously thinks she's crazy.

After Pete shows constant annoyance at Annabel's love for astrology and Annabel grows fed up wit...more

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Mar 08, 2011 Katelyn *Constantly-Dreaming* rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: all-time-favorites

Very good book!
Pete and Annabelle have loved each other for-pretty much-ever. No summer would be the same for one without the other; that is until Annabelle confesses her love and reliance on astrology - something that turns Pete off completely. They meet back up the following summer and things just aren't the same. Pete is pulling away from Annabelle and at first she doesn't know why. Her best friend tries to convince her to cut her losses and spend the summer with her instead, a boy-free summ...more

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Jun 04, 2011 Vivian rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2010-reads

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. i wasn't expecting much from this book but i thought the romance would've been better. it was a short simple book that was straight to the point of the theme, which i liked because the story didn't keep on dragging on. it was also one of those books that gives you the perspectives of the 2 main characters, Pete and Anabelle. I enjoy reading books with the different perspectives because then you know how both the character feels and not just one, so you're not biased to the main character. i als...more

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Aug 20, 2011 Audrey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

Title: The Star Shack
Author: Lila Castle
Genre: YA fiction
Publishing Information: June 1, 2010 by Sourcebooks Fire

Where I got it: E-book from the library

One sentence: Pete and Annabelle were soulmates until Annabelle becomes obsessed with astrology and challenges the skeptic Pete to open a summer business with her giving advice based on the stars.

Themes: Astrology, romance, friendship, summer, rivalry, soulmates

Main characters: 3/5
Pete and Annabelle are cute and fun, if slightly shallow in develo...more

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Feb 06, 2013 Heba rated it 2 of 5 stars

The Summary

Annabelle and Pete were the perfect couple until junior year, when Annabelle comes back with this astrology obsession. Pete things she's going nuts, and that the whole astrology thing is just a big rip-off. After a big fight, Annabelle dares Pete to open an astrology booth with her for the summer, fully aware of Pete's inability to turn down a challenge. And so we follow the pair through their summer with both their points of view; (view spoiler)[ Annabelle trying not to break down

...more The Summary

Main Characters:

Pete: I hated Pete, I hated him so much it was hard to restrain myself from flinging the book across the room. He was a complete jerk to Annabelle throughout the whole freakin' book. (view spoiler) Well, for a jock who doesn't like being called stupid, he pretty is thick.
Annabelle: I kinda like her. I like how she could be independent and impulsive, and she didn't back off after Pete told her that astrology was stupid.(view spoiler)

Plot:

The story was cute and funny at points. I fell in love with some of the secondary characters, although I didn't really like the main ones. However there was a lack of depth in the characters as they felt kind of flat. It was also predictable in a lot of points and sometimes boring, so it didn't really grab me, so to say. I also felt like the characters felt too many "tingles" down their spines or hands or whatever for it to be healthy. I was also unsatisfied with the ending, (view spoiler)

To make it short, the book was way too cheesy for my own taste. I recommend it if your into a light cheesy lit-fic that you'll completely forget about in the next month or so. Which incidentally is not what I'm into at all.
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Apr 17, 2010 McKenzie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Pete and Annabelle have always spent their summers together at Gingerbread Beach. This summer, Pete hopes, is looking to be the one in which he and Annabelle finally become a couple. There's one problem, however. Annabelle's become obsessed with astrology, attributing all of her successes to it. Pete can't stand that she bases all of her decisions on what he deems as silly. Annabelle, knowing Pete can't resist, dares him to run a business with her helping to pair people together based on their a...more

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Dec 30, 2010 Stacey rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-on-the-blog

Annabelle and Pete have always spent their summers at Gingerbread beach, it was brought them together. Nine months apart and several date prospects didn't even phase the two. Who knew what would pull them apart was a little astrology.

Annabelle considered herself a professional, a seasoned vet, of astrology. She even had a huge box of books she toted with her for her eight weeks spent at the beach. Heck, she would have taken them over the weekend. The Stars were what Annabelle lived by, how she w...more Annabelle and Pete have always spent their summers at Gingerbread beach, it was brought them together. Nine months apart and several date prospects didn't even phase the two. Who knew what would pull them apart was a little astrology.

Annabelle considered herself a professional, a seasoned vet, of astrology. She even had a huge box of books she toted with her for her eight weeks spent at the beach. Heck, she would have taken them over the weekend. The Stars were what Annabelle lived by, how she won her Fantasy Baseball League and the drama club football pool. It worked for her. And she believed it.

Pete, a guy who lived day by day and believed in the stuff you could scientifically prove, wasn't exactly on the wave length as the new-New-Age-Annabelle when they visited Gingerbread beach for what would be their last time before graduating high school. His disbelief in what his best friend, and the girl he thought was meant for him, forced Pete to believe he truly didn't know the girl he had fallen in love with. Their nights spent emailing and weekends on the phone during their 9 months apart each year, was all a lie to him in many ways.

One thing that Annabelle believed truly, despite everything else, was that Pete was for her. He was her one chance at true love. Her soul mate. She believed you (read: her) only had one. Another thing Annabelle couldn't believe was that they were truly over. It had taken her so long to get that first kiss but she knew it meant something. So while searching for the perfect way to bring astrology into Pete's life and Pete back into hers she dared him, knowing he could never refuse a dare, to open up a summer business which she dubbed The Star Shack.

Who two better to help guide others to love then the two epic love-birds of Gingerbread beach? Too bad it didn't come without several hiccups. One in the form of a girl named Sarah.

The Star Shack was a refreshing read. The astrology provided a great twist to the typical summer beach romance that we all love to read. Not to mention it had me checking my horoscope for the first time since high school. It was pretty clean where YA Fiction is concerned which was refreshing in it's own right. Yes, it was a bit cliché and predictable but I loved it nonetheless.

The Star Shack is an adorable, fun, summer read and great for bringing a little warmth your way.(less)

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May 30, 2011 Nicole rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: advisory-books-2010-2011

I think this book is kind of romantic yet it had some humor in it. The main characters, Annabelle and Pete are soulmates together. But Pete only dislikes one flaw about Annabelle, the fact that she's into astrology. The summer was going so well until they started having arguments and things get a little shakey between them. I like this book because it teaches readers that things aren't always going to end well, and things aren't always as they seem. I would recommend this book to girls that like...more

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Sep 25, 2012 Andi rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemp-challenge-2010-books, own, 2012-contemp-challenge

I have to be honest, astrology is totally not my thing. I've gone and done the card readings(I swear they spy at the table to see what you and your girlfriends chat about) and read the whole horoscope thing. I'm just not into it. With that said I'll confess that the astrology aspect of this book was not as annoying as I thought it would be and as it was in the beginning. As the book progressed and I got to know Annabelle and Pete better it kind of became secondary to me. Pete and Annabelle were...more

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Jun 07, 2012 Christina (Confessions of a Book Addict) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, beach-read

Pete and Annabelle have known each other since middle school. They spend their summers at Gingerbread Beach and even though they root for opposite sports teams (Yankees/Red Soxs), they have had major crushes on each other for years. They have both been counting down the days till they can return to Gingerbread Beach for the summer again. Except this summer is different. Annabelle has become obsessed with astrology and even uses it to help her predict the outcome of sports games. Pete, who is not...more Pete and Annabelle have known each other since middle school. They spend their summers at Gingerbread Beach and even though they root for opposite sports teams (Yankees/Red Soxs), they have had major crushes on each other for years. They have both been counting down the days till they can return to Gingerbread Beach for the summer again. Except this summer is different. Annabelle has become obsessed with astrology and even uses it to help her predict the outcome of sports games. Pete, who is not into New Age trends, does not like this new change in her at all. This immediately creates a lot of tension, so Annabelle dares him to open a "Star Shack" on the boardwalk with the hopes that she can spend more time with Pete and prove that astrology is real. However, the plan backfires and what was supposed to be an incredible summer starts to fall apart fast. The Star Shack by Lila Castle is a cute summertime read that will put a smile on your face.

Annabelle is a likable character, although her obsession with astrology was over the top. I could see why it would drive Pete nuts. I liked their chemistry though and their witty banter. The chapters alternated with Annabelle and Pete's point of view, which was a nice touch. I was rooting for them to get back together from the instant they parted; they are such cute couple. I think my middle school female students would love this book mainly for that reason.

The setting of Gingerbread beach is also really cute. Even though it rains there a lot, I found myself making some personal connections to the various places there, like the local coffee shop, the boardwalk, the beach, etc. All of the places all seemed like real locations that you could encounter at any beach community.

The Star Shack is similar to a lot of Sarah Dessen's novels, but it lacks that extra depth and spark. Although I enjoyed The Star Shack, if you really want a summertime read that is deeper and has more character development, go with Dessen; however, if you want a quick beach read that will warm your heart and bring a smile to your face, The Star Shack won't disappoint.
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Apr 01, 2010 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Ever since I first heard about The Star Shack I've been dying to read it. Since I loved the idea of mixing together romance, two different views about astrology, and an astrology based business; I mean does that or does that not make for purse awesome ? I certainly think it does! Luckily, The Star Shack proved to be an absolute delight to read!

I adored the two main characters, Annabelle and Pete, and the fact that you get to see from both point of views even more so. Both characters were funny,...more

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Apr 13, 2010 Princess Bookie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read2010

My Thoughts: Whoa. I love astrology so as soon as I read the description I knew I had to read this! We meet Annabelle and Pete who have had a thing since they were just kids and have came Gingerbread Beach every summer since. Annabelle has recently became really into astrology and Pete doesn't really believe in it. He believes more in everyday is a new day, etc. He starts to get fed up with Annabelle and she challenges him to open a summer business reading off people's astrology he can't deny it...more

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Sep 25, 2010 Kate (VerbVixen) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Written in the stars
The Star Shack- Lila Castle

A short easy read, The Star Shack would make a great beach read. While I didn’t buy the catalyst for Pete and Annabelle’s fight, I did enjoy the plot arc and their subsequent realizations. Chock full of really specific astrology terms, I felt at times I needed a glossary to make out what they were saying. You still get that happy ending though.

Overall: B

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Jun 24, 2010 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Read my full review.

Bottom Line – Sweet, funny, carefree read – perfect for the beach! I can't wait to see what Castle comes up with next, I can only hope that she keeps up with her new age themes – it's just so different from other books out there! I give The Star Shack a 4 mushrooms!

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Sep 12, 2010 MaryAnn Harlan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Kind f surprised I finished this because the astrology stuff was annoying, and the whole thing was very, very predictable - and unlike going to far - not all that sexy (read: not at all) but I was on a bender so yes, I finished.

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Mar 12, 2012 Alise (Readers in Wonderland) rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm really into astrology and although I'm not as obsessed as Annabelle in the novel, I thought the story was really cute.

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May 28, 2012 Brandee Terry rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book actually surprised me. I wasnt expecting it to be so intriguing but it had me hooked.

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Jun 30, 2011 Mckenzie rated it 4 of 5 stars

So Good. A little predictable, but totally not at the same time. There are definately curveballs.

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Sep 20, 2010 Léna Roy rated it 5 of 5 stars

Amazing, because it's a super fun read, with the right amount of sugar and spice! Fun, fun, fun!

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Feb 02, 2012 Shanyn (Chick Loves Lit) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ccc

The Star Shack got on my TBR because of the Completely Contemp Challenge I am running this year - I set a goal of reading 15 books in 2010, 2011, and 2012 - it was very easy to make a list for 2012, slightly harder for 2011, and quite a bit harder for 2010, just because of the number of contemporary books I have read. I had always been slightly intrigued by this one, and when I researched and found out it was a 2010 publication, it drastically moved up my reading list.

Full Review: http://chicklo ...more

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May 26, 2011 Summer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: romance

oooh, this is great. i found out my love horoscope for this summer. yay!

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Aug 14, 2012 Kate rated it 3 of 5 stars

Like Pete I was a little wary of the astrology theme at first. But the storyline was cute and predictable.

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Aug 20, 2012 Patricia Karounos rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

UH THIS BOOK MAKES ME ANGRY

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Jun 04, 2012 Sophie rated it 1 of 5 stars

I gave up on page 80-it wasn't very exciting and I have other books to read

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Jul 31, 2012 Sue added it

I loved this book!

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Sep 01, 2010 Heather rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, alternating-perspectives

Cute. Sweet. Quick. Feel-good read.

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About Lila Castle

When not writing LILA CASTLE can be found dancing the tango somewhere in her home city of New York or eating out at her favorite French bistro. She has a number of other interests, too, including travel, baseball, exotic hair-care products, and of course, astrology.

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