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Libra Rising

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An Aries is fire. A Libra is air. Opposites, yet, fire needs air to burn - an instant connection. If they can survive the bumps and hurdles, their bonds cannot be broken. It’s for life.

Seventeen-year-old Reed Faulkner and fifteen-year-old Harper James couldn’t be more different. He’s a ne’er-do-well rebel with a criminal past; she’s enigmatic, with a light that shines from within. Yet, from the moment the two meet, their chemistry burns hotter than the stars. The combination of Harper’s sweet innocence and steadfast determination to better her life get under Reed’s skin, finding he isn’t able to stay away from the magnetism of her essence. Until he has to push her away – for good.

Reed is determined not to dim Harper’s light. He knows she deserves better than the life he’s destined to lead. She’s going off to college. He’s going to… jail. Arrested for a crime of passion, he won’t allow himself to drag her into the dark depths of his chaotic world. Reed does the one thing which breaks them both – he disappears from her life without a trace. Or, at least, he tries to. It seems the universe has other plans.

Fate continues to bring them together, just to tear them apart. Is their love destined… having been written in the stars? Or, will it suffocate them both before turning them to ash?

296 pages, ebook

First published December 7, 2017

3 people are currently reading
361 people want to read

About the author

Stacy M. Wray

9 books107 followers
Stacy M Wray started out writing romance, tried her hand at suspense, then shifted into women's fiction. Her love for real-life stories with grit and emotion guides her in her storytelling, especially when it comes to women. She doesn't believe that life should fall into a single genre.

Lover of gray and white cats, craver of all that nature has to offer, believer of the voice hidden deep in the depths of her soul, and the mother of two very amusing adult children, she realizes life is a constant revolving door.

She also appreciates that it's never too late to try something new. Never.

Join me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorstacym...
Website: www.stacymwray.com
Follow me on Twitter: www.twitter.com/stacymwray

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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
Profile Image for Bex (Beckie Bookworm).
2,535 reviews1,598 followers
November 29, 2017
 photo libra_rising_sign_zpsz7vvhpdq.jpg
🌟🌟🌟🌟STARS
Libra Rising by Stacy M Wray was a really enjoyable read, An angst-filled NA novel told in two parts.
Part one-the teenage years when Reed Faulkner is sent to rural Indiana after getting into trouble and landing in Juvie.
There he meets fifteen-year-old Harper James who has big aspirations, she desperately wants to fulfil her dream of going to law school but lacks the funds, hence her summer job.
The two meet at Mr H's Farm where Harper is working and Reed is banished to for the summer.
Over the course of this summer and the next, the pair fall hard for each other, so happy, until tragedy strikes ripping asunder the two young love-birds.
Part two-Takes place a few years later as Reed tries to keep it together and Harper pursues her dream of becoming a lawyer while patiently waiting for Reed to sort his shit out.
Reed is a constant visitor flitting in and out of Harper's life still lost and hurting, but unable to stay away from her for too long.
I especially loved how he sent Harper horoscopes through the post, just to show her he was there in the background, I also hated that he left her hanging like that too, not cool Reed.
Now, I would describe this as a very angsty read indeed and despite my vast age, I can still vaguely remember how hard everything felt at this age.
Plus I have, they think there grown-up kids in their early twenties still living at home as well as three teenage son's and everything's a drama and the end of the world at that age.
In this, I would say Harper is waiting for Reed to grow up as despite being the oldest, in my opinion, Harper is the more mature of the two.
Both have been shaped by there upbringing, which hasn't been easy for either of them, just in very different ways, this is also a common bridge between the two that connect's them.
So first never having read anything by this author I was going in blind. not really knowing what to expect from this.
I was pleasantly surprised, Libra's Rising kept my attention throughout, the story flowed nicely and it was very easy to relate to its likeable characters.
I would describe the heat factor involved here as fairly hot, it doesn't go into graphic detail but this is definitely aimed at a mature audience despite the initial age of Harper and Reed.
The characters themselves were multi-faceted and despite there being few side characters (Just Mr H really) this wasn't a minus.
Libra Rising was told in dual POV which I do prefer as you get to see the cogs turning in both minds.
My dislikes here, well there weren't many, I would have liked Reed to be more decisive and less of a ditherer. His constant back and forth with Harper could give a girl emotional whiplash, this was definitely a minus point for me.
And my second niggle being I really didn't dig the whole support group vibe, when the girl there reminds him of Harper, big duh duh from me.
So that's it folks in conclusion Libra's Rising gets four big thumbs up from me.
I received an ARC from the author Stacy M. Wray this is my free honest opinion.

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Reviewed By Beckie Bookworm
https://www.facebook.com/beckiebookworm/
www.beckiebookworm.com
Profile Image for Tpagirl Loves Romance.
1,672 reviews185 followers
February 11, 2018
Libra Rising was a standalone by Stacy Wray. I received a complimentary copy for an honest review.

Harper James was an Aries, which meant she was always looking for the positive, despite the circumstances. Her mother died when she was a child and her father drank himself to sleep every night leaving Harper to care for herself. In spite of that, she was determined to go to law school. Oh yea, and she was also determined to find her Libra....the air to her fire.

Reed Faulkner was a troubled teen and was dealt a poor hand in life, constantly going against the odds. Sometimes he won in life, and other times he lost big.

The story began taking us back in time to when they met. Harper was fifteen and Reed was sixteen, both were about to be juniors in high school. Reed lived in Chicago but had been assigned to a farm in a small Indiana town to work for the summer versus going into juvenile detention. Harper lived across the street from the farm and the saga began.

Wray then took us through the next ten plus years, some together and some apart. It was well written and well developed. No spoilers here but it was a tough journey with quite a few tough breaks and heart breaks alike. Ultimately they get their HEA but it was hard fought and emotional. Again, no spoilers, but Reed said it best: “I’m no longer that angry kid with a chip on his shoulder, I’m a man who sees potential in every kid who thinks they don’t stand a chance.” Of course you’ll have to read the book to understand the context....
Profile Image for Chiara.
132 reviews81 followers
February 17, 2018


Libra Rising tells the story of Harper and Reed over the span of 8 years, from when they're 15/16 to when they're 23/24.
Reed Faulkner is a troubled and unlucky boy from Chicago, he has a good heart but awful parents. One summer he's forced to go to work on Mr. H.'s farm in Indiana, and there he meets Harper James, who's working for Mr H. as well.
Harper is a smart and gentle girl and she's always positive, even though her life is far from easy.
She has lost her mom and lives with her alcoholic father. She wants to become a lawyer and she works hard to achieve good results in school. She inherited the passion for astrology from her mom, so she reads the horoscope every week, hoping one day she'll meet her perfect match.

"So, what's your perfectly compatible sign?" I ask, reaching for more nails.
"A Libra. I'm an Aries, which is fire. A Libra is air. Even though they're opposites, fire needs air to burn, a perfect match. Instant attraction."

Harper and Reed are immediately attracted to each other but they try to keep their relationship platonic for several reasons, not least the fact that Reed will return to Chicago at the end of summer.
The following year Reeds return to Mr H's farm and him and Harper discover that their mutual feelings are stronger than ever. Unfortunately, unexpected circumstances set them apart for a long time and they'll have to work hard if they want to have a future together.

Libra Rising is a very well written story, it's funny and sweet, but there are also some angsty and intense moments. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, even though there are a couple of things that irritated me.
The main one is Reed's behavior. I understand that he often doesn't feel worthy of Harper's love and that's why he tries to stay out of her life, so she can move on and find someone better. But I don't think it's fair that, from time to time, he pops into her life, only to disappear suddenly and hurting her over and over again. He thinks that by giving her up he's being selfless, but the truth is that he's just being selfish, because he doesn't give credit to Harper's feelings.
Harper is way too patient with Reed and, at times, I felt sorry for her. She is hurt by his behavior, but she keeps giving him time to grow and to put his life together nonetheless.
I really liked the part when she finally loses her patience and confronts him, telling him time was running out and he needed to be all in or walk out of her life once and for all.
"Where is it written that we can't be together until your shit is resolved? We all have shit, Reed. If we all waited until we were perfect - the world would be couple-less!"


I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Andréa.
813 reviews
February 27, 2018
3,5/5 Stars

I enjoyed the writing and the plot. It was a bit too angsty for me but I could still relate with Reed and Harper.

Their relationship was a beautiful one. What they share is true and honest. Even if the attraction between the two of them was instant, it took them many years to really act on their feelings. I liked that they respected Mr H. enough for that.

Some of Reed's decisions were questionable and made me roll my eyes but I still felt his sincerity and honesty. Harper was sweet but no pushover. She was patient and her "hobby" was a nice touch to the story.

I received a copy of this book in exchange of an honest review
Profile Image for Antonella.
4,150 reviews631 followers
February 13, 2018
* I was given copy of this book by NABC for an honest review

This is a story about bad boy Reed and good girl Harper who meet on the farm of Mr.H when she is 15 and he is 16. Book follows them trough out next seven years. This is romance coming of age book.

I like New Adult. I like it just fine.
But this book was not my cup of tea. This is too stupid, shallow and immature.
Heroine is little miss always perfect and hero is bad boy in sense that he gets in trouble for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. Really? No depth and emotional connection with either of them. Where are all of the feels? Annoying.

For the most part of the book they are apart. Only get together at the end. And when they are apart they are just being stupid not working stuff out but purely existing.
The most mature conversation they have when they are 15 not 22.

I spend 90% of the book waiting for something to happen and then it did, nothing major but it kept story a bit interesting. No angst.
Overall this book is quite abrupt and sudden with EVERYTHING.

Author had an excellent idea but for me execution was lacking. I really wanted this characters to have more profoundness.



The horoscope part... well it is cute I guess.
Profile Image for Coco.V.
50k reviews129 followers
Want to read
March 26, 2020
🎁 FREE on Amazon today (3/26/2020)! 🎁
Profile Image for Alexandria  St Delphi .
476 reviews
January 10, 2019
I read this book solely because I'm a Libra, and what do you know, Reed and I have a day separation our birthdays.

Harper and Reed meet in the summer of 2016 and it was a summer of falling in love. However, with Reed's home life things go downhill pretty quickly and they lose touch for a couple of years. They are reunited by their mutual ‘mentor’ Mr. H. This book has its ups and when it gets low, it gets low, but in the end, it’s the bigger picture that's beautiful.

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Profile Image for Tammy King.
9 reviews1 follower
April 10, 2019
This book was amazing! I had the pleasure of meeting Stacy at a book event and another author suggested I pick up her book. And I am so glad I did. I was captivated from the first page. I could not put this book down. Reed and Harpers story is one of true love and finding your way back to each other in spite of the obstacles life throws your way. I whole heartedly recommend this book. I have found a new favorite author.
Profile Image for Melissa  ❤️ bookaddict_fanatic .
1,133 reviews112 followers
February 12, 2018
After reading the blurb I was captivated by the story line and had to read. This book had me devouring page after page with no sign of letting up until the end. Reed and Harper's story was full of angst, laughs and many chances. This was definitely one heartbreakingly beautiful story about loyalty and love, that you most definitely NEED to read and will be glad you did!
Profile Image for JP Harris.
69 reviews1 follower
December 3, 2017
Great book!!! Loved the bad boy Reed and good Girl Harper storyline! It was a second chance book. I loved reading this, I got drawn right in to the story! I have found a great new author!

Do yourself a favor go out and get this awesome book!!!
Profile Image for K~Terror.
941 reviews98 followers
July 14, 2023
I always love Stacy Wray’s books with all the feels. This one was definitely one of my favorites because of the back story and the build up - I felt like I really got a chance to connect with them and care how their story turned out.
Profile Image for ✨ tweety ✨.
478 reviews69 followers
February 21, 2018
"Libra Rising" is the second book by Stacy M. Wray that I read, the first being Finding Karma last year. This book uses a similar way to recount the events of the story, that is, going year after year in the lives of the two protagonists until the end, which is one of my favorite way to tell a story.

Reed is sent to Indiana because he is caught doing a crime he didn't commit. In this far away place where humidity his high and people scarce, he starts living in Mr. H.'s house and helps him with his farm. He crosses paths with Harper, an innocent 15 year old girl who lives across this property and who helps the old Mr. H. clean his house while he's outside working. Reed and Harper instantly feel attracted to each other but since he is from Chicago, they both know nothing can last between them if they ever start something, so they restrain their feelings and try to move on. But their paths are bound to cross again in the future, and chapter after chapter we see how their lives progress and intertwine.

The story starts in 2006 when Harper and Reed meet. We have both of their POVs in the book, but as we move forward, I realized that the story was more about Reed than it was about Harper... somehow. We see how they grow up and all, but the character that has more development is him and Harper has her voice in everything but his point of view stands out much more compared to hers, who I think needed a little more layers to strengthen her character, because at times she looked too patient and too good, and she rarely got angry. Not that anger is the answer as we see in the story, but sometimes I would have wanted more raw emotions coming from her rather than her mostly "zen" façade. But I guess that Harper's personality fits the story, so it's ok, because like I said, I felt like the true protagonist and main hero was Reed and not her.

The reason why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that I don't know, I feel like something is missing, but I don't know what. Maybe that bit of Harper's personality...? No idea, but anyway, the story is simple and drama-free (like, for example, I liked there were no 3rd parties to bother the main couple). There are some unfortunate events happening, though, but the good thing is that they are resolved in reasonable and realistic ways in the end.
Profile Image for Mary .
823 reviews56 followers
September 13, 2018
This is my second story by Stacy Wray. This story was an interesting read. There is a lot of backstory building in this young adult tale. It took me a while to get into the story honestly. But once I was invested in it, I was ALL IN. When the story moved to what I consider the present time, it took off for me and I enjoyed the journey. 

The intricacies of Harper and Reed's story is lengthy and meticulous. Harper had a rough hand dealt to her and even though she had an uphill battle, she never let her light, hope, and heart dull. You knew from reading that this girl was going to reach her dreams and move mountains. She has a passion for horoscopes and astrology, believing it will guide her on the journey of her life. Mr. H is the father figure she never had and helps her to achieve her dreams. Things from her past resolve into a place that she can find happiness. Reed crashes into her life. He has this burning force that causes Harper's sign to be forever intertwined with Reed.

Reed has had it just as hard as Harper but in different ways. his one saving grace was Mr. H. The man believed in Reed, even when Reed didn't believe in himself. Meeting Harper sparked something in him and he took the long way to figure out he's worthy of love. In the end, I really liked Reed. He dug himself a hole, climbed out, and became a man Mr. H would be proud of.

Mr. H knew he had something special in Reed. He saw all the potential in him but knew Reed would take the long road to redemption and a life worth living. He was also on an amazing person to Harper. How he helped her and her dad warmed my heart.

The overall story I think was good, even though it took a while to be my dance. I thought the last 40% of the story was great and the tempo upbeat. I did love the characters and how the ending played out. It showed how amazing love and kindness to everyone can have a big impact. The fellow astrological sign person in me loved the horoscopes. The plot was concluded well and my only sticking point was that for me the first 60% moved a little slow. That said I think people will enjoy seeing this romance bud, bloom, wilt and thrive again as we all deserve a second chance. I give this 4 Point shoes.
Profile Image for Nicole Reads.
365 reviews19 followers
February 26, 2018
I really enjoyed this story!

It has it all. The sweet and angsty moments. Funny and intense ones. The moments that warmed my heart and the ones that frustrated me.

The idea behind this book is awesome but I found the story lacking something. I don't know what but I felt like something was missing. I couldn't connect that much with the characters and sometimes they irritated me. But, everything is not lost because you get the butterflies in your belly feeling that come with young love. The excitement as the characters learn what love is and how does it feel.

What I loved is reading about them going through different stages of their lives, learning more about themselves and what they truly want. Reed and Harper share a connection since they were young but life and their own fears get in the way making it harder for them to be together, and leading to so much heatbreak. Their journey is one filled with second chances and redemption.

Heartwarming and sweet.
Profile Image for Lilly.
40 reviews6 followers
November 29, 2017
** full review https://bookishheaven.wordpress.com/2... **

This book was sent to me I exchange of an honest review

Libra Rising is a new read from a total new author
The blurb is interesting enough, my interest is piqued. This is a standalone story told in dual POV.

While reading, I devided this story into two parts; First part includes the teenage years of Reed and Harper and their first meeting.
Harper has big dreams of going to law scool, she’s a good girls and a hard worker. Meanwhile, Reed is sent to rural indian after landing in juvie.
They meet and the two start developing feelings falling for each other until, sadly, tragedy and circumstances break them apart.
Second part happens years later when Reed is back WITH a secret.

It’s a fun read with a great stoyline, heartbroking yet hearty at the same time.
Profile Image for Nicole Ortiz.
2,067 reviews55 followers
February 28, 2018
I really enjoyed this story. Fell in love with the characters and the storyline. Love how the author goes back and forth between the two and they each tell their story. The story starts when they first meet at the age of 15 (Harper) and 16 (Reed) until they are in their twenties and all the trials and tribulations that they go through. Once I started reading this I couldn't put it down.
I received an ARC and volunteered to leave a review.
Profile Image for Jill Becker.
9 reviews
January 4, 2018
I absolutely loved Harper and Reed and their story. Harper was way more patient than I ever could have been. But learning about Reed and all he had been through made me realize how special he was and what Harper saw in him. Great story!
Profile Image for Bookworm Bells.
106 reviews3 followers
February 16, 2018
This book follows Harper & Reed, starts out when they were teens and finishes when they are adults. THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD!
I loved how their story uncurled, completely kept me gripped, happy and sad passionate and frustrating I’m looking forward to reading more from this author. 5*
Profile Image for Justy.
67 reviews2 followers
March 3, 2018
I enjoyed the back and forth format getting to see both points of view. I loved watching Reed grow as a person, and while I sometimes wanted to yell at Harper for her choices, the story was interesting enough to keep me reading to see how they found their HEA.
Profile Image for Deb.
7,569 reviews36 followers
December 6, 2018
This story builds slowly. The relationship between them was sweet and I loved how he wanted to protect her while she believed in him no matter what. This was a wonderful love story taking years to play out. The angst and drama and love was so worth the journey.
1,891 reviews8 followers
November 1, 2018
This is the first book I have read by this author and really enjoyed it. There were so many life lessons address in this story. It's a great read.
Profile Image for The Endless Unread.
3,420 reviews63 followers
August 24, 2019
Powerful and emotional. I loved the instant bonds and the interactions between the characters. Superb writing.
Profile Image for VMChick.
92 reviews1 follower
Read
February 20, 2021
Great read! Just love the main characters and their story. I really like how the books starts with the characters as teens and then moves through their lives until they are adults and shares their journey. Reed is definitely book boyfriend material. I laughed, cried and smiled a lot while reading this one!
Profile Image for Diane Plourde TDC Book Reviews.
1,864 reviews32 followers
December 8, 2017




I have never heard of this author but I was supper curious with the blurb. I’m happy to have read this 5 star story that managed to have me shed some tears along the way.

16 year old Reed gets caught at the wrong place and wrong time. Now he needs to spend the summer at a farm. When he sees Harper ,he’s immediately drawn to her. But she’s only 15 and Mr. Hainley warns him to stay away. It’s proving difficult but he does with moments of lapses. Over the years they see each other on and off during summers until they don’t. Now years later he’s back with a secret and he’s been given a mission.

It was like reading 2 love stories in one. The young Reed and Harper falling in love and watch it grow. Now years later they get a second chance and it’s now their time. Beautifully written with an amazing storyline that flowed well. This story is spanned out on a few a years. It was an heartbreaking story at times but an heartfelt one too. Reed needs to pay it forward and he will. Bottomline this is a must read.

Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I highly recommend this story.
Profile Image for Susan.
62 reviews
November 27, 2017
Stacy Wray, Reed and Harper are an awesome couple. They went through so much and came out stronger in the end. It sucks that she had to wait so long, but with her dreams of becoming a lawyer and him needing to find a way, it showed how much hope and patience this couple has. The reality is so many kids go through what Reed goes through and hopefully these kids can have someone there like Reed did. Again, great book Stacy can't wait to read what else you come out with.
Profile Image for Lori R..
1,411 reviews71 followers
December 16, 2017
This was really good!! It was my first read from Ms. Wray and I look forward to more from her. I’m a fan of her writing style, I was immediately pulled into the pages and constantly thinking about the story and its characters when I wasn’t reading. I couldn’t wait to get back to it.

I loved how the first half(ish) part of the book was young Reed and Harper. The character development was perfect. I fell in love with these two, along with good ol’ Mr. H. Their connection was strong and to see their love for each other bloom was a lovely thing. I couldn’t help but root for them.

Reed was a bad boy, who thought he didn’t deserve love. Harper saw the beauty and the good in him and couldn’t wait to show him that he was more than deserving.

This story had the perfect mixture of angst, heart, and steam. And let me just add, I’m sort of a kiss snob when it comes to reading them in books, and the kissing scenes in this were really good!

If you love to read well-written, mature YA/new adult books with a beautiful love story, I believe you’ll enjoy reading this one.
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