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The Celestial Bodies Romances #2
Twinkle of Doubt: A Celestial Bodies Romance
Not yet published
Expected 24 Mar 26For fans of Colleen Hoover, this inspirational follow-up to Shooting Stars Above continues the love story between internationally best-selling novelist Tess and counterterrorism agent Jack as they both fight to overcome their deepest fears.
Tess Lee is a wildly successful and world-famous novelist whose inspirational books explore our innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Jack Miller is a federal agent who has spent decades working in counterterrorism—a violent world that has left an inevitable residue on his psyche.
Two years into their marriage, as Tess and Jack both heal from past trauma, their epic love, fostered by their ability to truly see one another, has brought them profound happiness. When an anonymous threat is made against Tess’s life, however, everything changes. Will they learn to lean on each other, or will they fall apart into the darkness?
In Twinkle of Doubt, the second Celestial Bodies Romance, Tess, Jack, and their chosen family explore the nature of doubt and the struggle to feel worthy of love.
Tess Lee is a wildly successful and world-famous novelist whose inspirational books explore our innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Jack Miller is a federal agent who has spent decades working in counterterrorism—a violent world that has left an inevitable residue on his psyche.
Two years into their marriage, as Tess and Jack both heal from past trauma, their epic love, fostered by their ability to truly see one another, has brought them profound happiness. When an anonymous threat is made against Tess’s life, however, everything changes. Will they learn to lean on each other, or will they fall apart into the darkness?
In Twinkle of Doubt, the second Celestial Bodies Romance, Tess, Jack, and their chosen family explore the nature of doubt and the struggle to feel worthy of love.
198 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 24, 2026
1 person is currently reading
3396 people want to read
About the author
Patricia Leavy
80 books330 followersPatricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a bestselling author. She has published over fifty books, earning commercial and critical success in both fiction and nonfiction, and her work has been translated into many languages. Patricia has received over 100 book honors as well as career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association. In 2024 the London Arts-Based Research Centre established "The Patricia Leavy Award for Arts-Based Research." She lives in Maine with her family. Patricia loves writing, reading, watching films, and traveling. These days, she's focused on writing feel-good love stories.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Everything feels like it’s about to fall apart—and honestly, I loved every second of the emotional chaos Patricia Leavy delivers in Twinkle of Doubt: A Celestial Bodies Romance. Published by She Writes Press, thank you to the publisher and BookSparks for the gifted copy.
This isn’t just a romance, and it’s definitely not the kind you can breeze through without feeling a little exposed. It’s about what happens after the “happily ever after,” when real life, old wounds, and quiet fears start creeping back in. Tess, a wildly successful author who quite literally writes about hope, and Jack, a counterterrorism agent carrying years of darkness, are two people who should feel safe in love… and yet, doubt still finds a way in.
Reading this felt like sitting in a quiet room with your own thoughts getting louder by the page. The threat against Tess adds tension, sure, but what really pulled me in was the emotional unraveling underneath it. Their relationship isn’t perfect or polished. It’s raw, sometimes frustrating, but deeply human. And I appreciated that. A lot.
There’s a moment that stuck with me:
“Love doesn’t erase doubt, it asks you to face it.”
Yeah… I had to put the book down for a second after that.
If you’re someone who loves character-driven stories, who lingers over emotional depth, who wants romance that actually says something about healing and worthiness, this is absolutely your kind of read. Especially if you enjoy authors who lean into vulnerability rather than just plot twists.
★★★★☆ 4.5 stars
I didn’t walk away from this book feeling swept up in fantasy. I walked away feeling seen, which is somehow better. Tess and Jack’s story reminds you that love isn’t about being fearless, it’s about choosing each other anyway, even when fear shows up uninvited.
So now I’m curious… do you prefer your romances comforting and certain, or a little messy and painfully real?
#TwinkleOfDoubt #PatriciaLeavy #BookReview #RomanceReads #Bookstagram #EmotionalReads #SheWritesPress #BookSparks #ContemporaryRomance #ReadersOfInstagram
This isn’t just a romance, and it’s definitely not the kind you can breeze through without feeling a little exposed. It’s about what happens after the “happily ever after,” when real life, old wounds, and quiet fears start creeping back in. Tess, a wildly successful author who quite literally writes about hope, and Jack, a counterterrorism agent carrying years of darkness, are two people who should feel safe in love… and yet, doubt still finds a way in.
Reading this felt like sitting in a quiet room with your own thoughts getting louder by the page. The threat against Tess adds tension, sure, but what really pulled me in was the emotional unraveling underneath it. Their relationship isn’t perfect or polished. It’s raw, sometimes frustrating, but deeply human. And I appreciated that. A lot.
There’s a moment that stuck with me:
“Love doesn’t erase doubt, it asks you to face it.”
Yeah… I had to put the book down for a second after that.
If you’re someone who loves character-driven stories, who lingers over emotional depth, who wants romance that actually says something about healing and worthiness, this is absolutely your kind of read. Especially if you enjoy authors who lean into vulnerability rather than just plot twists.
★★★★☆ 4.5 stars
I didn’t walk away from this book feeling swept up in fantasy. I walked away feeling seen, which is somehow better. Tess and Jack’s story reminds you that love isn’t about being fearless, it’s about choosing each other anyway, even when fear shows up uninvited.
So now I’m curious… do you prefer your romances comforting and certain, or a little messy and painfully real?
#TwinkleOfDoubt #PatriciaLeavy #BookReview #RomanceReads #Bookstagram #EmotionalReads #SheWritesPress #BookSparks #ContemporaryRomance #ReadersOfInstagram
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
TWINKLE OF DOUBT is a sparkling continuation in the Celestial Bodies Romance series. I recommend you read the first book (Shooting Stars Above) beforehand. As Tess and Jack's love story continues, they face many obstacles, including political intrigue and scary threats. Patricia Leavy is great at writing about mature romance involving complicated and interesting people. You'll have to read the book to learn how baking scones at the White House fits into this riveting story. Here is a quote in Tess's words that seems to depict author Leavy's philosphy, "When we start to believe in ourselves and accept unconditional love, we allow a ray of light to enter the darkness, and if we lean into it, soon there is only brightness."
Thanks to She Writes Press for an Advance Reader Copy.
Thanks to She Writes Press for an Advance Reader Copy.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I just finished Twinkle of Doubt, the second installment in Patricia Leavy's Celestial Bodies Romance series, and my heart is full.
After falling for Tess and Jack in Shooting Stars Above, seeing their "epic love" tested by high-stakes danger and inner shadows was a total rollercoaster. Leavy has this incredible way of balancing deep, emotional healing with page-turning tension.
If you love a romance that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff while still promising all the hope in the world, add this to your TBR immediately.
After falling for Tess and Jack in Shooting Stars Above, seeing their "epic love" tested by high-stakes danger and inner shadows was a total rollercoaster. Leavy has this incredible way of balancing deep, emotional healing with page-turning tension.
If you love a romance that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff while still promising all the hope in the world, add this to your TBR immediately.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
May a love like this find me !!!
The sequel to Shooting Stars Above follows the newlyweds, Jack and Tess, as they navigate past trauma together. While they guide and support each other through these traumas, they deal with an anonymous threat to Tess's life. They must rely on one another to get through this together.
I have to say, Jack's unwavering love and support for Tess is what really drew me into the story. I felt he was truly her "ride or die." Though they share these traumas, their epic love for one another will never tear them apart.
The sequel to Shooting Stars Above follows the newlyweds, Jack and Tess, as they navigate past trauma together. While they guide and support each other through these traumas, they deal with an anonymous threat to Tess's life. They must rely on one another to get through this together.
I have to say, Jack's unwavering love and support for Tess is what really drew me into the story. I felt he was truly her "ride or die." Though they share these traumas, their epic love for one another will never tear them apart.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is a stunning book series.
I love Tess Lee, Jack, Omar, and all their friends. Shooting Stars Above had my whole heart...and the same was true with this book. These characters tap into something very deeply human. Twinkle of Doubt is a testament to the humanity in our lives—the joys of love, friendship, and laughter, as well as the challenges of trauma and life-changing events. I started reading it as a gift to myself, and it held my heart. It’s so inspiring and just so good. I highly recommend this book.
I love Tess Lee, Jack, Omar, and all their friends. Shooting Stars Above had my whole heart...and the same was true with this book. These characters tap into something very deeply human. Twinkle of Doubt is a testament to the humanity in our lives—the joys of love, friendship, and laughter, as well as the challenges of trauma and life-changing events. I started reading it as a gift to myself, and it held my heart. It’s so inspiring and just so good. I highly recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is an absolutely beautiful and riveting love story. There is so much love between Tess and Jack, and among the friends, that you can feel it coming off the pages. Omar is the best friend we all want. I loved Shooting Stars Above and the second book is even better. While it can be read on its own, you will get even more if you read the whole series. I can't wait for the next book! This is a truly inspiring and memorable read!
Review of advance copy received from Author
In Twinkle of Doubt, Patricia Leavy explores how Tess and Jack—whom readers will remember from the prequel—respond when their lives are again upended with trauma. The message I took away from this engaging story is that true, unconditional love has the power to triumph over even the most unsettling outer threats and inner doubts. An inspiring story! I hope we see more of Tess and Jack.
Read
March 10, 2026As always with Patricia Leavy's books, I was immediately drawn to the characters. Tess and Jack could be my best friends and remind of a couple I know. How can they possibly be so happy? But then life interrupts and we wonder if they can make it through this trial. Leavy's ability to tell a great story kept me hanging on until the end.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Honestly……I have so much to say.
And if I learned anything from my Momma…
“If you don’t have anything nice to say….don’t say anything at all.”
So I will leave it at that.
I WILL say - I read book 1 and really hoped it would get better…it did not.
And if I learned anything from my Momma…
“If you don’t have anything nice to say….don’t say anything at all.”
So I will leave it at that.
I WILL say - I read book 1 and really hoped it would get better…it did not.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Originally reviewed for Chick Lit Central (www.chicklitcentral.com)
For most of the book, the relationship between Tess and Jack felt very copacetic. Despite how different the two characters are, there is deep love and affection for one another, and sublime happiness. But in the last quarter of the book, a huge shift happens, where Tess’s life is in danger, and Jack feels like he needs to figure out how to protect his wife at all cost.
No one knows where the threats are coming from, not at first. Jack can’t help but assume it’s something he’s done in his past to cause so many problems, which only adds more pressure and tension. Soon enough, the copacetic relationship between Tess and Jack starts to unravel, with more and more backstory revealed regarding Tess’s past.
Tess has to make some very tough decisions, in order to save herself. And Jack has to make some tough decisions regarding those choices, introducing a whole other layer of chaos into their world. I wasn't sure what would happen, if Tess would be safe, or if Jack would lose it. I liked how the story got away from the perfection and ease that the reader is introduced to in the beginning, and the cracks and crevices become the highlighted areas, which added some much needed friction.
Even in a surreal world, bad things can happen, and I got to see that in abundance. Seeing if this epic love story can survive the bad was an interesting discovery, balancing on the trust and honesty given between two seemingly perfect characters which are anything but. Twinkle of Doubt was an intense, powerful experience!
For most of the book, the relationship between Tess and Jack felt very copacetic. Despite how different the two characters are, there is deep love and affection for one another, and sublime happiness. But in the last quarter of the book, a huge shift happens, where Tess’s life is in danger, and Jack feels like he needs to figure out how to protect his wife at all cost.
No one knows where the threats are coming from, not at first. Jack can’t help but assume it’s something he’s done in his past to cause so many problems, which only adds more pressure and tension. Soon enough, the copacetic relationship between Tess and Jack starts to unravel, with more and more backstory revealed regarding Tess’s past.
Tess has to make some very tough decisions, in order to save herself. And Jack has to make some tough decisions regarding those choices, introducing a whole other layer of chaos into their world. I wasn't sure what would happen, if Tess would be safe, or if Jack would lose it. I liked how the story got away from the perfection and ease that the reader is introduced to in the beginning, and the cracks and crevices become the highlighted areas, which added some much needed friction.
Even in a surreal world, bad things can happen, and I got to see that in abundance. Seeing if this epic love story can survive the bad was an interesting discovery, balancing on the trust and honesty given between two seemingly perfect characters which are anything but. Twinkle of Doubt was an intense, powerful experience!
October 27, 2025
a heartfelt story about love, healing, and facing our inner fears. Tess and Jack’s journey feels real and emotional, with a beautiful balance of romance and hope. Truly inspiring and deeply moving.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews