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Shooting for Stars
A charming romantic dramedy from the author of The Art of Insanity
High schooler Skyler Davidson spends most of her time with her pet rat, Five. The daughter of scientists, she’s determined to finish her late mother's research on neutron stars. So she teams up with aspiring videographer, Cooper, to film a submission for a NASA internship—all while keeping it a secret from her dad, who doesn’t expect any trouble from his obviously college-bound daughter. As Skyler and Cooper grow closer, it turns out that Skyler’s dad has a new love interest as well: a hot makeup influencer who likes to put her nose where it doesn’t belong. She’ll keep hush on Skyler’s NASA plans, if Skyler agrees to get to know her. Now Skyler’s tangled up in a budding romance, an unexpected friendship, and the stress of having to retake her SATs. Will Skyler’s dream of stars collapse and explode, or can dad and daughter reconcile and change their trajectory?
High schooler Skyler Davidson spends most of her time with her pet rat, Five. The daughter of scientists, she’s determined to finish her late mother's research on neutron stars. So she teams up with aspiring videographer, Cooper, to film a submission for a NASA internship—all while keeping it a secret from her dad, who doesn’t expect any trouble from his obviously college-bound daughter. As Skyler and Cooper grow closer, it turns out that Skyler’s dad has a new love interest as well: a hot makeup influencer who likes to put her nose where it doesn’t belong. She’ll keep hush on Skyler’s NASA plans, if Skyler agrees to get to know her. Now Skyler’s tangled up in a budding romance, an unexpected friendship, and the stress of having to retake her SATs. Will Skyler’s dream of stars collapse and explode, or can dad and daughter reconcile and change their trajectory?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published May 21, 2024
3 people are currently reading
3292 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
May 29, 2024
There aren’t very many books that I consider to be my favorites. Usually with those I re-read a lot, cry about, and buy the book even if I read it already just so I can say I have it and stare at I it on my shelf. THIS BOOK IS ABSOLUTELY ONE OF THOSE BOOKS! OMG IT WAS SO GOOD!!! right when I got it and started reading it I knew that it was going to be good. Now excuse me while I go stare at it on my shelf some more.
May 23, 2024
High schooler Skyler Davidson is determined to finish her late mother's research on neutron stars. Aspiring videographer Cooper helps her film a submission for a NASA internship without telling her father. The two grow closer, but her father also has a new love interest. This makeup influencer will remain silent about Skyler’s NASA plans if she gets to know her. Will her dream collapse, or can Skyler and her father reconcile?
Skyler is entirely logical and isn't very feminine, so anyone seeing her mistakes with makeup and lighting to try to make her initial video will understand how she feels. She's out of her depth, and even more so when her father takes her advice to start dating. It's the same makeup influencer whose videos she tried to copy, of course. At the same time, Cooper will help make her video which will also serve as his application for film school. The two talk and Cooper's influence helps her see her emotional side. She bonds with his sister, him, the influencer, and ultimately her father.
While the video was the driving force for Skyler, ultimately it was the connections she made that mattered to her. She made friends, was able to get in touch with her emotions, and felt life. It was more than grades and statistics, and she realized that the impression she had of science wasn't accurate. I really felt what she was going through as the book progressed, and sections brought me to tears. This is so well done as a look into how she grows and matures, as well as a teen romance.
Skyler is entirely logical and isn't very feminine, so anyone seeing her mistakes with makeup and lighting to try to make her initial video will understand how she feels. She's out of her depth, and even more so when her father takes her advice to start dating. It's the same makeup influencer whose videos she tried to copy, of course. At the same time, Cooper will help make her video which will also serve as his application for film school. The two talk and Cooper's influence helps her see her emotional side. She bonds with his sister, him, the influencer, and ultimately her father.
While the video was the driving force for Skyler, ultimately it was the connections she made that mattered to her. She made friends, was able to get in touch with her emotions, and felt life. It was more than grades and statistics, and she realized that the impression she had of science wasn't accurate. I really felt what she was going through as the book progressed, and sections brought me to tears. This is so well done as a look into how she grows and matures, as well as a teen romance.
June 12, 2024
How do you retain memories of a parent gone too soon? This is Skyler's dilemma. Mom was a brilliant astrophysicist who was studying neutron stars when she was killed in an auto accident. It's been Skylar's dream to finish Mom's research, and when an opportunity to compete for a slot on the orbiting space station while the equipment she needs to do that remains in operation, she must act quickly. She also has to keep her application a secret from her father because he's going to react negatively. Part of the application is a video. In order to make one, she bulldozes her way into the high school video club and ends up making a deal with Cooper, an aspiring filmmaker. He needs someone to tutor his younger sister in physics so she can remain on the volleyball team. If Skylar agrees, he'll help her make the video. He also needs a really compelling video to gain acceptance at a college famous for their film program.
If only it were so simple. Their concept of a winning video are completely different, and that's further complicated by the growing attraction between them,. It takes a crisis big enough for both to move beyond their romantic and personality issues before they can really see each other and what attracted them in the first place. I greatly enjoyed watching that happen.
If only it were so simple. Their concept of a winning video are completely different, and that's further complicated by the growing attraction between them,. It takes a crisis big enough for both to move beyond their romantic and personality issues before they can really see each other and what attracted them in the first place. I greatly enjoyed watching that happen.
May 27, 2024
Shooting for Stars is a gentle romance between two seemingly opposite people. But Skyler and Cooper are intrigued by each other and find that connection is what’s most important.
The story unfolds from Skyler’s first-person point of view. Skylar is rather single-minded when it comes to school and her mother’s research. She’s learned to function pretty much on her own, so Cooper’s family dynamic is something she’s never experienced.
Skyler is self-assured and has never worried about influencers or makeup. Even when she does dabble in that direction, it doesn’t become a full-time thing. She’s comfortable with herself, which is refreshing.
Skylar grows a lot over the course of Shooting for Stars. She begins to see the world in broader terms than test scores and science. She makes lasting connections and realizes that she needs to think beyond achieving her mom’s dreams and find some of her own.
Mixed up in all of this is a sweet romance that’s a little messy but a lot worth it. Both Skylar and Cooper come with some heavy baggage, but when they’re honest with themselves, their relationship shines.
Shooting for Stars is a great option heading into summer reading.
The story unfolds from Skyler’s first-person point of view. Skylar is rather single-minded when it comes to school and her mother’s research. She’s learned to function pretty much on her own, so Cooper’s family dynamic is something she’s never experienced.
Skyler is self-assured and has never worried about influencers or makeup. Even when she does dabble in that direction, it doesn’t become a full-time thing. She’s comfortable with herself, which is refreshing.
Skylar grows a lot over the course of Shooting for Stars. She begins to see the world in broader terms than test scores and science. She makes lasting connections and realizes that she needs to think beyond achieving her mom’s dreams and find some of her own.
Mixed up in all of this is a sweet romance that’s a little messy but a lot worth it. Both Skylar and Cooper come with some heavy baggage, but when they’re honest with themselves, their relationship shines.
Shooting for Stars is a great option heading into summer reading.
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May 28, 2024I chuckled and got teary at this father-daughter YA story featuring a nerdy, science-loving high school senior girl and her nerdy, workaholic father. Neither Skylar nor her dad are very good at identifying, let alone talking about, feelings. Skylar's mom died in a car accident when she was eight and Skylar has been determined to go to MIT, work for NASA and complete her mom's interrupted research on neutron stars. In order to enter a NASA competition to go to the International Space Station (which her dad has explicitly forbidden her to enter for safety reasons), Skylar enlists the help of Cooper, a fellow student she's never met but who happens to have awesome videographer skills. Her dad brings home a seemingly completely inappropriate women, Skylar and Cooper develop feelings (what are those?) for each other, and applications, video-making and relationships all go astray in this funny and tender-hearted novel of first love and growing up.
February 3, 2025
4.5 ⭐️
Very cute, nerdy, and emotional read. I love YA romances that offer a story beyond the main couple.
Things I loved:
-Skylar! I appreciated getting to read a female MC who is unique and passionate about her nerdy interests, but is realistically flawed. She goes through a lot of growth in the book, from learning how to communicate to prioritizing important relationships to recognizing her emotions.
-Cooper is adorable
-The animals! Five 😍 and Cooper’s dogs
-The growth in Skylar and her dad’s relationship
-The emotional payoff of Skylar learning more than just how to be a girlfriend
Some critiques:
-Skylar’s dad and his new GF meet as a sort of provider-patient relationship which is a lil problematic
-Wanted some more cute moments with the MCs!
Great if you are a fan of contemporaries with romance but also growth in other relationships as well
Very cute, nerdy, and emotional read. I love YA romances that offer a story beyond the main couple.
Things I loved:
-Skylar! I appreciated getting to read a female MC who is unique and passionate about her nerdy interests, but is realistically flawed. She goes through a lot of growth in the book, from learning how to communicate to prioritizing important relationships to recognizing her emotions.
-Cooper is adorable
-The animals! Five 😍 and Cooper’s dogs
-The growth in Skylar and her dad’s relationship
-The emotional payoff of Skylar learning more than just how to be a girlfriend
Some critiques:
-Skylar’s dad and his new GF meet as a sort of provider-patient relationship which is a lil problematic
-Wanted some more cute moments with the MCs!
Great if you are a fan of contemporaries with romance but also growth in other relationships as well
January 28, 2025
I really liked this book. Skyler has a wonderful personality and determination. I loved all the characters in the book, and how they were all different in some ways but fit together perfectly. I OBVI love the cute romance and enjoyed reading this book! I recommend it!
February 26, 2025
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant! The banter was so perfectly written, smooth, and funny. The science and drawing connections between the random things in life truly made this a wonderful read. I highly recommend!
May 27, 2024
Review coming soon!
June 7, 2024
I love Skyler and her Dad's relationship. They had bumps, but they got through it. I love how they speak science. Cooper is awesome. Bridget is a good friend. And Charli is the best! ⭐
June 10, 2024
Love these characters!
January 15, 2025
Liked this book being a nerd and all.
March 30, 2025
absolutely delightful with complex and flawed characters, each on unique arcs. the last two chapters had me teary-eyed.
June 5, 2024
So amazing!!! I love that Skyler doesn't get exactly what she wants, but still has a chance to make her dreams come true. WE LOVE YOU MRS WEBB!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews