When There Are No More Stars Left to Count

by Maria Martinez

In the aftermath of the accident that changed her life, one young woman leaves everything behind to search for the father she never knew, and finds the man of her dreams and the found family she's always wanted in the charming streets of Sorrento, from international bestselling author Maria Martinez, for fans of emotional new adult romance.

After a car collision ends her career as a ballet soloist with the National Dance Company in Madrid, 22-year-old Maya Rivet finds herself abandoned by her vindictive grandmother to mourn her past life alone. When she discovers some vintage photos in an old music box, Maya musters the courage to travel to Sorrento, Italy, in search of the man she suspects is her birth father.

There she meets handsome and fascinating 29-year-old Lucas Velasco, who fled Madrid years ago to escape his toxic family. He arrived in Sorrento a lost and broken young man with no plan, no resources, and no confidence. But he found a community that welcomed him with open arms and created for himself a beautifully carefree life. 

Seeing the opportunity to share that warmth with Maya, who has nowhere to go, he takes her into his home, and what starts as an uplifting friendship blossoms into love. But when Lucas discovers the secrets that Maya has been keeping from him, their love is tested to the limit, and when both return to Madrid, the turmoil of family ties and conflict tear them apart. Only when they can resolve their family traumas, can they begin to find their way back to each other.

Genres: Romance

416 pages, Paperback

Published January 20, 2026

About the author

María Martínez es una escritora española de éxito. Autora de la serie new adult «Cruzando los límites» y las novelas Una canción para Novalie, Palabras que nunca te dije, Tú y otros desastres naturales y La fragilidad de un corazón bajo la lluvia. Historias delicadas, que tratan la complejidad de las emociones, y temas como la familia y la identidad. Le encanta pasar el tiempo entre amigos, libros y música. Últimamente disfruta de su nueva afición por el K-pop y la cultura coreana.


IG: @mariamartinez.itsme
TikTok: @mariamartinez.itsme
contacto@mariamartinezauthor.com

Inspiración:

https://www.pinterest.es/mariamartine...

Reviews

[ambersometimesreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have such mixed feelings on this book. the first 100ish pages were INCREDIBLE, to the point where I would've bet money on it being 5 stars. I was so intrigued by the plot of a ballerina dancer running away from her horrible ex to ITALY. she finds a guy there at a restaurant and crashes at his apartment for the night. this guy lives in a complex with a man who she assumes is her father so it has that found family element as well.

very quickly the book lost that plot and it was just about them instantly falling for each other and the people who were supposed to be her found family, end up being SO rude when they find out she's been hiding the secret that she might be his daughter. all the characters were insufferable by page 300, even the fmc. like what do you mean you're mad that he's taking care of his SICK, DYING dad in the hospital?? I'm glad they could all forgive each other by the end and be happy but I'm still holding grudges 😂

[Santiago Gómez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I usted to be a dancer and the story touched me. I love the way on how the author shares every detail about her feelings and the spaces where the chapters take place.

I felt like I have traveled to Sorrento, like I know exactly how the village smelled and how she felt with her new family. I took me a week to read it and loved every second.

[Ashley Tovar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful, poignant, sweet story. Maya is such a lovable comfort character. The ending was fairly frustrating & left me wanting better for the characters I had been really enjoying. Overall a lovely, quality romance that moms of teen daughters could definitely enjoy together & would certainly be a good conversation starter.

Big thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for allowing me to enjoy this.

[Kestra · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was greate

[Amor · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a really good, warm book. I loved it and it was addicting. Saved me from my book-slump.

[Paulina García · Rating 4 out of 5]

Me gusto pero tardo mucho en desarrollarse

[Lacie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would have really like to hear more about Maya and Lucas, but they ended it with closure and thats ok.