When art student Seraphina Jones leaves her bag behind on a London tube train, little does she know this will change the course of her life. She initially brushes off the cute guy who comes to her rescue, but when he suggests a seemingly perfect solution to her problems, she decides to take him up on his offer.
For London School of Economics student Jamie Starr, returning the bag he discovers the gorgeous babe sitting opposite him on the train has left behind gives him the perfect excuse to get to know her better. Jamie is not used to rejection from girls, but despite his best attempts, Sera remains intriguingly unreceptive to his efforts.
Cynical wealthy businessman Liam Starr is certain Jamie's good nature has been taken advantage of by a hard up art student. Liam doesn't believe in any of that love or romance rubbish, and he’s determined that a pretty face is not going to take his gullible baby brother for a ride.
But first impressions aren't always correct, and people aren’t always what they seem.
Please note British spelling used for this book.
Recommended for readers 18+ due to explicit sexual content and language.
Wife, mother of three grown up daughters, and now an author. How on earth did that happen? I've always loved a good romantic story, and I've always had an over active imagination. And doesn't everyone have stories going round in their head all the time, to help them escape from boring mundane jobs, or the usual everyday life dramas? Apparently not, according to my very practical and down to earth engineer husband. However, it wasn't until my youngest daughter flew the nest to head off to university, and I needed to find a way to overcome empty nest syndrome that I actually started writing these stories down. I live in Surrey,in the south of England, where I watch the seasons roll by from the window of the little study where I sit and write.
Apart from writing, I love photography, and travelling to places where there are beautiful gardens and scenery to admire. But I think my favourite hobby of all is people watching. That, and more years of life experience than I care to admit to, are what I use to draw on when I'm writing.
This book started off differently, with 3 POV's and an interesting set up. I was pretty excited even though I thought the writing was simplistic. Unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations. I didn't like the writing style, especially statements written and then qualified. It just wasn't smooth. The h was somewhat of a Pollyanna. So strong and independent and resourceful and innocent. The dialogue was stilted and then became awkward in the bedroom. I hated that the H coached her through her orgasms and the way he wanted to teach her about sex and pleasure just came across as all wrong. And all of his hesitancy in the bedroom with the "we can stop," "it's all up to you," etc was too much.
I also thought the whole Fated concept was archaic and silly and I'm not really sure it had a place here. I didn't like The One, She is my soul mate crap. The "cliffhanger" ending didn't evoke any emotion from me except irritation. I felt no connection to the characters throughout my read. I was bored for a large portion of the book and a great concept fell flat. It looks like, perhaps, the next book is going to also include the POV of the "other woman." Another great concept; I just have no faith that that the writing will give it justice.
The idea for the book was nice, but the follow through was bad. The drama and angst couldn't even resonate with me because of the disconnect I felt with the characters.
Looking forward to reading this one. I've enjoyed this author's fanfic, so am looking forward to reading this debut novel.
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Hmmm....I guess I went into this one with overly high expectations. I loved potential of the story line and the alternating points of view. It was refreshing to have a third point of view added to the mix. While I did like the book overall, I just never felt a real connection to the characters. At times I was tempted to skim at bit, but rejected the urge. Things picked for me towards the end, but I felt the book needed to be tightened up and tweaked. At times, the writing felt a bit simplistic.
I am sure the transition from a fanfic blog to an original novel is challenging and I hope to see this author grow into her own.
I plan to continue on with Starr Destined when it is released.
I began to follow G.E. Griffin because she assuaged my need to read CG's pov. When I received an alert about the release of her book, Starr Fated, I was very excited. Ms. Griffin lays the groundwork for the reader by showing what seems perfect suited isn't always so. The moment there's an "aww, that's so sweet" moment, something comes up and you revise your opinion. The handwriting is on the wall early as to who should and shouldn't be together. I figured a character introduced early in the book would play a part later, but the twist she added in was a nice touch. I did struggle between three stars and four stars because Sera (our heroine) constantly compared herself to Liam's former lovers and Liam (our hero) went out of his way to show her how special she was. She was feisty and independent in every other way, so I got Sera's journey into the unchartered territory of a love affair might be daunting, but the girl really had it going on so her skepticism grated. However, I kept in mind Sera was only 21 and Liam was about 10 years older than her. But she wasn't intimidated when she faced off with him in the boardroom. The other wtf*ckery moment was the ending. That came strictly as a mother of three daughters, one who is about 4 years younger than our plucky heroine. Liam needed a good smacking for his stupidity. Allowing us to see into his head hints this is all a big misunderstanding but STILL he needs his ears boxed because he was already well aware of Sera's issues. I can't wait until the release of Starr Destined to see how this plays out.
I know this author from ff... Shes really darn good writer. So im looking foward to read her first debut novels.
I enjoyed read this book, i like how the story going. But i dont like 3 POV cause i dont know its confused me. I like to see how liam and sera growing in relationship and i hateeee jamie, such a spoiled brat! After she said she cant do that you just kick her out and calling her names! ughhhh The sex scenes omg superrrr smoking hot and steamy! Its making you wet! Lol
And omg i hateee the ending! Its painful to see, poor sera:( And im not looking foward to see that bloody bitch pov :|
Loved this book. It was great reading events by each person perspective, It flowed and didn't rehash the events at all. The characters are easy to relate to and already Love Liam, and Seraphina and even Jamie to a point. Already hating Kimberly.
Just downloaded your first book can't wait to read it. I loved your take on Fifty shades from Christians pov, and am so looking forward to reading Starr fated. Laters Baby. Xxx
omg I just loved this book, from the fact that you used not just one pov but 3, to the fact that I could see aspects of your fanfic writing in your words.
Sera is a strong independent woman who knows what she wants and how to get it. Liam is a dominant male who has obviously never given or received love. Their story is as old as time, but with a twist of an asshole as a lead male, still I wouldnt throw him outta bed...
thank you for finally taking the plunge and giving us a great read which you can tell has come right from your heart.
Looking forward to the next book with bated breath.
Let me just say I am so proud of Gillian! from her 'Meet Fifty blog' to this, she has done so well for her first go. I cannot wait to read the second. I could not put this down! I was in love. Again, I do not usually love a love triangle, but this one surprised me actually. It wasn't bad at all. LOVED Sera, she totally rocked and didn't take no crap and she was independent. I really liked her character, usually many female characters are not like this. It was very well written and I enjoyed the multiple POV's I always do, makes a book even better! I was so pleasantly surprised with this book and you will be too! Must read ladies, do not let this slip by you. Now patiently waiting for the next installment. Great job Gillian! The end, UGH!!! Cannot wait for book 2. It does have a cliffhanger, but they don't bother me too much, as long as it's not a year until they come out, I have many books and series to keep me busy ;-)
After becoming an avid reader of your CG blog I eagerly anticipated your debut book and ... you definitely lived up to every one of my expectations and then some!!
Fantastic plot that is very believable, interesting characters that you can relate to, great dialogue especially the regional colloquial language and last but very not least the wonderful intimate scenes between Seraphina and Liam - WOW!!
I bought and read the whole book in one day - could not put it down. Did not want to finish the book it was amazing but could not pace myself to make it last so there was less of gap in between the books! I now have a book hangover but it was soooo worth it!!
If I was eagerly anticipating the debut I am absolutely champing at the bit to read the sequel Starr Destined!!
I love a good love triangle, I really do. This was good and I didn't dislike any of the characters, it was a "Go with the flow" kind of premise. Sera listened to her "inner voice" and followed her heart. I love a fast read like this book, it was fast, but it was not fluff. One thing that got on my nerves a little was Sera's fierce independence, I mean for heaven sakes, accept a ride from the airport! But I guess that her background made her what she was.
I can hardly wait for book 2! I liked this novel a lot; just what I needed for a little escapism! Great job G.E. You're a "Star" yourself (I know how cheeky that sounds, but I mean it...)
What? Oh, no! Why? Noooo! This is so good and I'm so mad right now because I can't wait to read the next one I might as well cry, I love all the characters but somehow I got a thing for Jamie even when he's a little bit of a jerk but what can I say I love pretty boys! And Liam he's the boss I love him.
If you're a fan of Fifty Shades of Grey this is a must read!
I found STARR fATED to be HOT, HOT, HOT. I am in love with this series could not put it down. My heart was racing,my stomache had butterflies and it even had some steamy, arousing, passionate love scenes. I have to fan myself just thinking about it. This is a book you definetly want on your shelf.....
Oh no you didn't! Ack! That cliffhanger is brutal! So. Not. Cool! Honestly, Seraphina and Liam have to end up together! =( I really hope that slag Kimberley ends up hit by a speeding bus... or maybe she and Poppy can run off to a brothel together. LOL I really want to hope Liam wouldn't do anything since he seems so smitten with Sera but... IDK.
Glad for once I wasn't scared off by the negative reviews Really really great book No love triangle No annoying game. Liam Starr is my ideal alpha male. He acknowledges what he wants and goes about acquiring it. No game playing. Was a bit annoyed at the herione but I guess considering her age we shouldn't judge her too badly Overall great plot Saw a similarity with FSOG but not enough to spoil the main plot I would definitely recommend to anyone who loves a decisive alpha male. Seriously Liam Starr gave this book a big 5 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠
Starry Fated G. E. Griffin I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Seraphina Jones is a poor student paying her own way through college when she leaves her purse on the train. Lucky for her the man that returned her purse is a stand up nice kind of guy. Jamie Starr not only rescues the damsel in distress by returning her purse he also convinces her to rent the attic apartment in his house. He and his two roommates quickly become her good friends. Jamie falls hard and fast for Sera, but she is a virgin who is happy to stay that way for now and does not feel that way for Jamie. He is patient with her and allows her time to get used to him thinking that she will soon return these feeling. He helps her get an unpaid apprenticeship at his older brother's company so that she can do well in school. Now things get interesting, Sera meets big brother Liam. After hearing Jamie talk about how demanding his older brother was Sera is ready to meet an overpowering jerk. Liam on the other hand is convinced that Sera is only living with Jamie because he has money and he is prepared to dislike her at first site. He may be overpowering but he does make her skin tingle. After finding her living in a non-heated attic with no hot water Liam realizes that she is not what he expected either. After a bit of bad weather and some sloppy work on the part of her co-workers Sera is given the chance to shine in her job setting. She begins to see Liam in a whole new light. He sees her in a new light as well. The story is written in the first person but in the points of view from these threee main characters. It was very easy to follow, and very easy to read. The author is simply amazing and the words seemed to flow easily and the pages just kept turning, almost by themselves. It was interesting to watch as Jamie thinks he is falling in love with Sera and see how Liam deals with the guilt and how he handles his feelings for his brothers supposed girlfriend. Now Sera does not have things tingley feelings when she is around Jamie but she does realize that they are brothers. Liam is a bit of a dom sexually who is used to changing girls every month so we wonder how that will play out with the virgin Sera. I truly enjoyed this book. I knew going in that is what the first in a series and thought that I was mature enough to read it anyway knowing that they had all not been published yet. WRONG, I am eagerly awaiting the next book. Definately a 5/5. Really enjoyed it.
Guest Review by Monica at Shayna Renee's Spicy Reads
Seraphina Jones is a poor student paying her own way through college when she leaves her purse on the train. Lucky for her the man who returned her purse is a stand up nice kind of guy. Jamie Starr not only rescues the damsel in distress by returning her purse he also convinces her to rent the attic apartment in his house. He and his two roommates quickly become her good friends.
Jamie falls hard and fast for Sera, but she is a virgin who is happy to stay that way for now and does not feel that way for Jamie. He is patient with her and allows her time to get used to him thinking that she will soon return these feeling. He helps her get an unpaid apprenticeship at his older brother’s company so that she can do well in school.
Now things get interesting, Sera meets big brother Liam. After hearing Jamie talk about how demanding his older brother was Sera is ready to meet an overpowering jerk. Liam on the other hand is convinced that Sera is only living with Jamie because he has money and he is prepared to dislike her at first sight. He may be overpowering but he does make her skin tingle. After finding her living in a non-heated attic with no hot water Liam realizes that she is not what he expected either. After a bit of bad weather and some sloppy work on the part of her co-workers Sera is given the chance to shine in her job setting. She begins to see Liam in a whole new light. He sees her in a new light as well.
The story is written in the first person but in the points of view from the three main characters. It was very easy to follow, and very easy to read. The author is simply amazing and the words seemed to flow easily and the pages just kept turning, almost by themselves. It was interesting to watch as Jamie thinks he is falling in love with Sera and see how Liam deals with the guilt and how he handles his feelings for his brothers supposed girlfriend. Now Sera does not have tingly feelings when she is around Jamie but she does realize that they are brothers. Liam is a bit of a Dom sexually who is used to changing girls every month so we wonder how that will play out with the virgin Sera.
I truly enjoyed this book. I knew going in that is what the first in a series and thought that I was mature enough to read it anyway knowing that they had all not been published yet. WRONG, I am eagerly awaiting the next book. Definitely a 5/5. Really enjoyed it.
I had mixed feeling about this one. It was a little far fetched that a female character who is not totally sheltered wouldn't know much about sex. Just because you aren't having it doesn't mean you don't know anything about it or aren't curious enough to look the information up online. I truly enjoyed that the author wrote in three person POV as it makes for an interesting read. I also liked the chemistry between the two characters. This book was quite a bit like 50 Shades but I could get past that. I would have liked to have had a bit more background on Liam and Sera as their characters seemed a bit underdeveloped to me but in saying that there was something about them that I liked. It could be that more details will be come out in the next book which is what I'm hoping will happen to explain why these characters are the way they are. If you are someone that doesn't like anything resembling 50 shades you will most likely not want to read this. If you like reading things similar to 50 Shades or you are just looking for a good read with some sexy scenes my guess is that you will want to pick this one up. Be forewarned there is a cliffhanger. I'm look forward to reading the next book in the series as I enjoy how Ms.Griffin writes and am anxious to see what direction she'll be taking Liam and Sera in. I also enjoyed the British lingo....although I have to admit I needed to look a few things up. I thought that this was a great first book. Plenty of steamy sex scenes and a deflowering that any girl would have wished for their first time.
I really enjoy this book, it was fun, pretty elaborated and quite well executed. It had multiple POV so you got to really know ther outside and the inner dialogue of the characters that are amazingly defined.
I loved the main characters and the whole two opposites atract, so I really connected with them and lived through them their affair. The erotic parts of it where just hot as hell and Ms Griffin succeded in making me belive in the fairy tale of fate bringing two soulmates together in spite of every circumstances that worked against them.
I'm just giving this book a 4 star because sometimes the dialogue beteween friends and lovers became a little stiff, awkward or too formal with the constant confirmation or validation on a statement (wouln't we?, does it? isn't there? and so on).
I'd recommend this to all the alpha male, millionares lovers because this just delivers a great love story about one, though it has a cliffhanger, don't worry, the final installment is now published
3.5 Stars! Book was given by Author for an honest review.
G.E. Griffin is a new author to be on the look out for! Ok, I have to admit, I am a huge fan (more like obsessed) of her Christian Grey’s POV Blog that I stumbled upon over a year ago. We’ll get to that later, since this review is all about her first book, Starr Fated.
Starr Fated had plenty of steam, drama and angst. And the end, had a cliffhanger, so I can’t wait till Starr Destined! There were a few moments of British lingo that I didn’t quite get a first, but did catch on. Overall, this was a great first book by the author and looking forward to more in the series.
Ok, back to the 50 Shades’ Christian POV blog written by this author…I was (currently am) obsessed with her blog over the past year. She does a freakin’ brilliant job of retelling the 50 Shades story in Christian’s POV. You can find it here! Enjoy! http://christiangrey50shades.blogspot...
I couldn't put the book down from beginning to end and what a Cliffhanger! Griffin does well on her first book. The storyline, yet similar to ELJames still is different and keeps you very intrigued. I didn't think it was necessary to put the "fiftyisms" in there, and there were many, but it tied in well. There were many spelling errors/and a few grammatical (party of my job is proofreading, so they were hard not to miss). I loved the POVs from different characters and they really flowed well. I can't wait for Book 2 and hope it's only a matter of months. Loved the Brit language! All in all, I'm a fierce lover of her "Fifty Shades Continued" and this was an exciting first book for her!
I liked this story of a young, college girl, with the unusual name of Seraphina, who meets a guy in the underground railway in London. Instead of falling for him, she ends up falling for his older brother, Liam Starr. He is your usual rich guy that is in many of these romance books, very bossy and self-assured. But the story has twists and turns that keep you interested, and well written steamy scenes. She is a virgin, despite being a senior in college, and he treats her tenderly. He, of course, has had many women, which troubles her. It ends in a cliffhanger with the next book, Starr Destined, to be released at an undisclosed date.
I've read G.E Griffin's CG Blog.... Love it by the way :)
I knew this one had a cliffhanger so I didn't read it till I had the 2nd book "Starr Destined" on my kindle. As I'm not a great fan of cliffhangers so I've been waiting.....
Finally got my hands on the 2nd book so I can start this one......
Wow!!! Never read a book with 3 POV's so that got my attention from the very start. Mmmm Seraphina "Sera" nice unusual name, makes a nice refreshing for story for a change! Love her fiery temper!!! So independent & hard working girl!! OMG Liam Starr!! He can be my "The One" anytime ;)
I really looked forward to reading this book with high expectations but to be honest it wasn't up to the standard I was expecting. I did love the book and managed to read it in just a few days but found it so similar to FSOG in so many ways. I can see that the author was very influenced by the book. But overall the story was a good one and now I hate that I have to wait for Start Destined to come out to see how things will end up. So please don't keep us waiting! I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good romance.
This story started off well enough. At first I liked young Jamie and then he turned out to be a total douchebag. Actually I think both brothers suffer from multiple personality disorder!! Sera was also too childish to my liking, jumping to conclusions without having all the facts.
Also didn't care for the way the book ended. After everything I've been through with these characters.... Disappointing!! And I DON'T care at all about "miss SLUT OF THE YEAR" Kimberley's POV.. Can't decide whether I want to spend money to buy/read the next book..
I had expected to enjoy the book because I had read the authors blog, but was unfortunately disappointed. It was too much like 50 Shades of Grey. There were no original storylines, the characters were not believable. The author has a tendency to steal other people's work and rebrand it as her own. Including but not limited to resemblances to The Vampire Diaries (for example the dancing scene with Ed Sheeran's Kiss Me playing in the back) and from The Originals ("Always and forever"). Also... The conversation did not flow and seemed forced -- people do not talk like that!
Aunque es el primer libro de la autora esperaba un poco más después de lo que me gustó leer su versión del POV de CG. La historia de Sera es muy emotiva y creo que el libro fluye bien hasta que conoce a Liam, a partir de ahí la historia pierde su encanto porque se repiten demasiados clichés vistos en otros libros. Sin embargo el que esté escrita desde diferentes puntos de vista nos permite saber lo que sienten los distintos personajes.