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Hubble Bubble
Seeing Stars
When city-girl Amber arrives to spend the summer in a small village, the only stars she recognises are the ones she reads about in her glossy celeb magazines. So she is stunned to find herself surrounded by a new neighbours who organise their entire lives around constellation customs and the astral calendar. More scarily, Amber finds that the villagers actually believe that the stars and moon can work magic. Amber remains loudly sceptical, but as she's grown very fond of her new friends - especially the gorgeously enigmatic Lewis - and assuming that it's all a bit of harmless fun, she hurls herself into the star-ceremonies and moon-myths on the grounds that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em and any excuse for a party. But when, as result of one of Amber's half-hearted celestial incantations, something totally inexplicable happens, she begins to wonder if maybe, just maybe, there's more to magic than meets the eye...
Paperback
First published August 1, 2005
9 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Christina Jones
87 books192 followersI've written all my life, but only became a published novelist in 1997. Before that, I wrote short stories and newspaper articles for pin money while doing a series of naff jobs. In fact I've had twenty seven jobs and been sacked from nineteen of them for writing when I should have been working. I've been, among other things, a shop assistant, waitress, cleaner, secretary, factory worker, market-researcher, nanny, bookseller, night-club dancer, civil servant, blood donor attendant, fruit-picker and barmaid. I'm now, apparently, a Real Writer.
Writing for a living is wonderful - a dream come true - and I now manage to combine writing novels, short stories and articles with not doing the housework, not doing the gardening, not cooking much, but at least attempting to look after my husband - the Toyboy Trucker - and my daughter and our 17 rescued cats.
I was born in Oxford and have lived in Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Northumberland, London and Jersey. I blame my parents both for my itchy feet and my romantic soul. My Dad was a circus clown - Poor Billy, Prince of Laughter Makers - and my Mum who trained as a teacher, came from an army family, and had lived in six countries before she was 15. They met and fell in love while the circus was off the road and my Dad was working as Santa Claus in a department store. My Mum, at home for Christmas, was the fairy in his grotto. I was entranced by the way they met, that they were from such different backgrounds, and that their love for one another managed to survive every obstacle and objection thrown in its path. Every book I've written has their story at its core.
I grew up in a Berkshire village, in a tight, happy, secure and very working class community. My childhood was idyllically happy, and my friends from those days are still my best friends now. My novels reflect this community spirit, and all have small groups of people - crossing class, age and gender - who are friends and work together through the roller coaster ride of life. Also, because the women I grew up with were, by necessity, tough and go-getting with a sense of humour, my heroines are gutsy and strong. Real women in real situations. And the fact that the backgrounds to my books mirror my own past experiences is no coincidence, either.
My parents were great storytellers and avid readers, and taught me to read long before I started school, so I started writing my own stories at about five years old without thinking it in the least odd. Writing was an obsession, a friend, a way of life. I had my first short story published at 14, still blissfully unaware this was unusual. However, having a novel published was my life's ambition - and one that took another thirty writing years to achieve.
Having won a couple of awards for my short stories, I joined the Romantic Novelists' Association in 1993, and was lucky enough to be voted runner-up for the New Writers' Scheme Award at my second attempt in 1995. Dancing in the Moonlight was published by My Weekly Story Library, and as it didn't have an ISBN wasn't classed as a novel. I was, of course, ecstatic at this literary elevation - and it was at the RNA Awards Lunch that I was approached by an agent who suggested I should try writing full length commercial fiction. Going the Distance was the result, and amazingly it was sold to a publisher straight away and then, equally amazingly, chosen for the 1997 WH Smith Fresh Talent Promotion - and I haven't (touch wood and fingers and all other extremities crossed!) - looked back since.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Writing for a living is wonderful - a dream come true - and I now manage to combine writing novels, short stories and articles with not doing the housework, not doing the gardening, not cooking much, but at least attempting to look after my husband - the Toyboy Trucker - and my daughter and our 17 rescued cats.
I was born in Oxford and have lived in Berkshire, Bedfordshire, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Northumberland, London and Jersey. I blame my parents both for my itchy feet and my romantic soul. My Dad was a circus clown - Poor Billy, Prince of Laughter Makers - and my Mum who trained as a teacher, came from an army family, and had lived in six countries before she was 15. They met and fell in love while the circus was off the road and my Dad was working as Santa Claus in a department store. My Mum, at home for Christmas, was the fairy in his grotto. I was entranced by the way they met, that they were from such different backgrounds, and that their love for one another managed to survive every obstacle and objection thrown in its path. Every book I've written has their story at its core.
I grew up in a Berkshire village, in a tight, happy, secure and very working class community. My childhood was idyllically happy, and my friends from those days are still my best friends now. My novels reflect this community spirit, and all have small groups of people - crossing class, age and gender - who are friends and work together through the roller coaster ride of life. Also, because the women I grew up with were, by necessity, tough and go-getting with a sense of humour, my heroines are gutsy and strong. Real women in real situations. And the fact that the backgrounds to my books mirror my own past experiences is no coincidence, either.
My parents were great storytellers and avid readers, and taught me to read long before I started school, so I started writing my own stories at about five years old without thinking it in the least odd. Writing was an obsession, a friend, a way of life. I had my first short story published at 14, still blissfully unaware this was unusual. However, having a novel published was my life's ambition - and one that took another thirty writing years to achieve.
Having won a couple of awards for my short stories, I joined the Romantic Novelists' Association in 1993, and was lucky enough to be voted runner-up for the New Writers' Scheme Award at my second attempt in 1995. Dancing in the Moonlight was published by My Weekly Story Library, and as it didn't have an ISBN wasn't classed as a novel. I was, of course, ecstatic at this literary elevation - and it was at the RNA Awards Lunch that I was approached by an agent who suggested I should try writing full length commercial fiction. Going the Distance was the result, and amazingly it was sold to a publisher straight away and then, equally amazingly, chosen for the 1997 WH Smith Fresh Talent Promotion - and I haven't (touch wood and fingers and all other extremities crossed!) - looked back since.
Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
June 24, 2011
Amber is a twenty something city girl who's moved in with her late grandmother's best friend after losing her family to a nomadic life in Spain, her job, and her man, who turned out to be cheating. Amber is is definitely suffering from culture shock and can't help but be skeptical about the characters she meets and their acceptance of magic. Then things happen that are beyond rational belief, and she begins to wonder...what if? Zillah, a fifty-year old, has lived in Fiddlesticks for 30 years, and she's apprehensive about Amber coming to live in Fiddlesticks. She's got some secrets and she doesn't want her son Lewis to find out about them. She's also trying to avoid an unwanted suitor.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It'a sweet story involving two women in the same village of different ages. Besides Amber and Zillah, I loved how the entire village was involved in the story and yet they didn't overpower the story and yet played a very integral part in the book. There are also references to Hubble Bubble, which I haven't read, but will definitely pick up off my tbr to read! I usually don't like books with magic that aren't paranormal, but Christina Jones is great at writing books with magic that you enjoy and will leave a lasting impression.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It'a sweet story involving two women in the same village of different ages. Besides Amber and Zillah, I loved how the entire village was involved in the story and yet they didn't overpower the story and yet played a very integral part in the book. There are also references to Hubble Bubble, which I haven't read, but will definitely pick up off my tbr to read! I usually don't like books with magic that aren't paranormal, but Christina Jones is great at writing books with magic that you enjoy and will leave a lasting impression.
March 8, 2022
If you love Gilbert and Sullivan Musicals, you will love this book, query, funny, romantic, covers hard real life emotions, lots of fun and laughs along the way. Has a way at get at the nub of issues, of real life drama and putting it into perspective in a way that you can laugh at it, but, also appreciate the lesson learned. Would make a great book for literacy book review clubs to debate. S much material packed into a small book, without jepordizing the simple plot. If you live midsummer murders, thus is a great alternative, but, without the murders, but, romance instead. Got better as the book went on, a must read..
September 21, 2017
Didn't know what to make of this book to start with, city girl Amber, moves to Fiddlesticks as a last option when her family sells up and moves to Spain!
The whole book is based on different celebrations throughout the calendar that the villagers celebrate. Talking to the stars and constellations and having a party to celebrate! Amber doesn't believe all this nonsense to begin with but as her wishes start to happen then she starts to believe.
This is a great little book, with a lot of mystery and magic thrown in.
The whole book is based on different celebrations throughout the calendar that the villagers celebrate. Talking to the stars and constellations and having a party to celebrate! Amber doesn't believe all this nonsense to begin with but as her wishes start to happen then she starts to believe.
This is a great little book, with a lot of mystery and magic thrown in.
September 11, 2018
A few too many characters and not enough substance, and a rather predictable ending with no twists. Overall though, an enjoyable little read.
November 29, 2019
Fun, easy going book. An enjoyable read.
April 14, 2020
I love Christina Jones's books and have read most of them. They are well written with a hint of mystery and a feel-good factor.
December 29, 2023
My ultimate favourite Christina Jones book!
October 11, 2021
I first read Christina Jones’ book Love Potions when a friend gave it to me about four years ago and liked the quirkiness of it. This one appeared on my shelf – maybe by magic! – and though this one was more off the wall and frankly a bit barking mad, I enjoyed it just as much. By the time I read this book it was 16 years old and I was amused by all the slightly out of date pop culture references that stand out more in contemporary books than in classics, such as Footballers’ Wives and a couple of rescue cats named Richard and Judy.
Amber lives in Manchester, and is used to city nights out and wine bars with her glossy high maintenance friends. When her parents decide to up and live in Spain, seeing as she’s been chucked by her boyfriend and is jobless she takes up the offer from her grandmother’s friend to spend the summer with her in her cottage in Fiddlesticks, a Cotswold village. She wonders what she’s let herself in for. Not only is just about everyone totally eccentric (someone has a stained glass window of Stevie Wonder, someone else goes around in a motorbike helmet), they have so many village celebrations based on the astral calendar that they must be exhausted keeping up with them all! How is she going to survive without her mates, her mobile and reality shows?
Not long after arriving she meets Lewis, the obligatory hot guy, when he collects her from the station; I was irritated to see that only three pages on after the meeting she is displaying jealousy “Sod it” when she thinks he is on the phone to a woman. I thought this was a bit silly and emphasised Amber’s childish character at the outset of the book – scope to grow, perhaps? Especially as when she hears Lewis describe another character, Sukie, as pretty she “decided she hated Sukie with a vengeance.”
Of course Amber does show character development. She makes friends, organises a fabulous concert and decides that Manchester and her mobile hold less appeal now she’s experienced some village magic.
But the best character for me was Zillah, who has a secret which is the best mystery in the story and her back story was fascinating. I would love to be mates with Zillah! It’s a great read and who knows, star magic may even work!
Amber lives in Manchester, and is used to city nights out and wine bars with her glossy high maintenance friends. When her parents decide to up and live in Spain, seeing as she’s been chucked by her boyfriend and is jobless she takes up the offer from her grandmother’s friend to spend the summer with her in her cottage in Fiddlesticks, a Cotswold village. She wonders what she’s let herself in for. Not only is just about everyone totally eccentric (someone has a stained glass window of Stevie Wonder, someone else goes around in a motorbike helmet), they have so many village celebrations based on the astral calendar that they must be exhausted keeping up with them all! How is she going to survive without her mates, her mobile and reality shows?
Not long after arriving she meets Lewis, the obligatory hot guy, when he collects her from the station; I was irritated to see that only three pages on after the meeting she is displaying jealousy “Sod it” when she thinks he is on the phone to a woman. I thought this was a bit silly and emphasised Amber’s childish character at the outset of the book – scope to grow, perhaps? Especially as when she hears Lewis describe another character, Sukie, as pretty she “decided she hated Sukie with a vengeance.”
Of course Amber does show character development. She makes friends, organises a fabulous concert and decides that Manchester and her mobile hold less appeal now she’s experienced some village magic.
But the best character for me was Zillah, who has a secret which is the best mystery in the story and her back story was fascinating. I would love to be mates with Zillah! It’s a great read and who knows, star magic may even work!
February 7, 2017
A heart warming, slightly predictable tale about dreams coming true.
Amber is 27 years old, her family are emigrating to Spain and with no job and now no boyfriend she's at a loss with what to do with her life. That is until an old friend of her gran's offers her a room in her tiny cottage in the village of Fiddlesticks, Berkshire. It's miles away from her northern hometown and everything she's ever known.
What I love about this book is that it paints a perfectly charming picture of the eccentric folk of middle England. There's not one unlikeable character in this book; it's like a summer holiday in paper.
This was so much fun to read, the pages practically turned themselves. As it drew to a close some scenarios did become rather predictable, but in a good way. And it didn't lessen my enjoyment at all.
A story that brings a whole new meaning to the song "When you wish upon a star".
A really enjoyable read.
Amber is 27 years old, her family are emigrating to Spain and with no job and now no boyfriend she's at a loss with what to do with her life. That is until an old friend of her gran's offers her a room in her tiny cottage in the village of Fiddlesticks, Berkshire. It's miles away from her northern hometown and everything she's ever known.
What I love about this book is that it paints a perfectly charming picture of the eccentric folk of middle England. There's not one unlikeable character in this book; it's like a summer holiday in paper.
This was so much fun to read, the pages practically turned themselves. As it drew to a close some scenarios did become rather predictable, but in a good way. And it didn't lessen my enjoyment at all.
A story that brings a whole new meaning to the song "When you wish upon a star".
A really enjoyable read.
August 25, 2012
I cannot describe how much I love this book! I enjoy all of Christina's novels but Seeing Stars will always have a special place in my heart.
It was such a magical story, took me on a wonderful journey and I couldn't put it down! The characters were fantastic! I really got behind Amber as she explored her new surroundings and adjusted to her new life. I fell in love with Lewis (who wouldn't?!), and the residents of fiddlesticks were so funny, warm and welcoming that I desperately wanted to move there and live with them!!!
My favourite novel by Christina Jones, she has truly excelled in this one and it's a truly beautiful, exciting, magical tale!
It was such a magical story, took me on a wonderful journey and I couldn't put it down! The characters were fantastic! I really got behind Amber as she explored her new surroundings and adjusted to her new life. I fell in love with Lewis (who wouldn't?!), and the residents of fiddlesticks were so funny, warm and welcoming that I desperately wanted to move there and live with them!!!
My favourite novel by Christina Jones, she has truly excelled in this one and it's a truly beautiful, exciting, magical tale!
January 6, 2011
Another lovely romance with a touch of Magic by Christina Jones. I really liked Amber, she is such a cool character. A definitely easy read.
30-07-2013 - A second re-read later and I'm in love with Lewis and the people of Berkshire. Everyone is slightly mad and utterly fabulous. Big Ida Thomm, Mitzi Blessing, everyone is just too fabulous for words.
30-07-2013 - A second re-read later and I'm in love with Lewis and the people of Berkshire. Everyone is slightly mad and utterly fabulous. Big Ida Thomm, Mitzi Blessing, everyone is just too fabulous for words.
February 23, 2009
More of the same from Christina Jones - seemed a bit slow to get going, but enjoyable fun.
April 25, 2009
I liked this British chick lit author much better before her characters became so New Agey.
January 7, 2010
A little twee for me, a bit crowded with characters but an ok read
September 1, 2010
One of my favourites this year! Magic and twee with a dose of realism, predictable but who cares? Loved it so much I need to read Hubble Bubble next.
Read
September 9, 2012Paused for holiday June 25th 2012.
Resumed August 29th 2012.
On hold due to loss of interest on August 31st.
Resumed August 29th 2012.
On hold due to loss of interest on August 31st.
February 13, 2013
It made me wonder if astral magic could be true. And if it is, i guess i'll be wishing for a guy like Lewis. The ending is quite predictable. But it amused me how the Amber-Lewis love story ended.
May 29, 2013
it was as good as it was the first time around!
June 24, 2013
It's just really really funny at times. I love it, although it's hard to consider it a literary work of art.
June 9, 2014
Fantastic great read storyline original and romantic. Goes down well during the summer period. Loved it..
December 13, 2014
Not as good as other Christina Jones books in my opinion but still an enjoyable read :)
January 13, 2016
good book to show from a young ladies point of viw
April 17, 2015
Lovely ! Everybody should have a little magic in life! Right?
November 9, 2016
Predictable. I skimmed the last 1/3 of the book because I really didn't care what happened
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews