I received a free copy of Fading Starlight for my honest review.
About the Book:
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (May 3, 2016)
Lauren Summers is hiding. Her fashion house internship should have launched her career, but a red carpet accident has left her blackballed. The only job she finds is unpaid, but comes with free lodging–a run-down cottage in the shadow of a cliff-side mansion. Unsure of what comes next, she’s surprised to be contacted by a reporter researching a reclusive former Hollywood ingénue who lives in the nearby mansion.
Kendall Joiner wants Lauren’s help uncovering the old woman’s secrets. In return, she’ll prove the red carpet accident was a publicity stunt so Lauren can regain her former job. With all her dreams in front of her, Lauren’s tempted by the offer, but as she and the old woman get to know each other, Lauren realizes nothing is quite as it seems.
About the Author:
Kathryn Cushman is a graduate of Samford University with a degree in pharmacy. She is the acclaimed author of over a half-dozen novels, including Leaving Yesterday andA Promise to Remember, which were both finalists for the Carol Award in Women’s Fiction. Kathryn and her family make their home in Santa Barbara, California.
Connect with Kathryn
My Opinion:
This is a sweet story about a young girl who is just starting out in her career when disaster strikes. She still has a core group of supporters that help her find a place to lay low until the worst of it rolls over. There she meets a cantankerous recluse who doesn’t trust the kindness of strangers.
Lauren, the young woman in hiding is recently graduated from design school and she has a real talent for her chosen profession. She also has a great love for older fashions and the techniques used to make them so when she sees her mysterious neighbor wearing some old evening gowns she is doubly intrigued. She tried doing some random acts of kindness but they are all rebuffed. Along the way she meets a shady reporter who wants to “help” her with her fashion disaster but wants something in return. Lauren is not comfortable trading secrets for favors so she battles with her conscious over what to do.
The recluse is a woman of old Hollywood who learned to not trust anyone because she was constantly hurt. Only a few people have showed her real affection; her father and her housekeeper for two. When Lauren starts being nice she thinks that it’s for ulterior motives. She cannot conceive that someone could just be….kind.
These two lonely people need each other but will they find a way to get past each other’s issues?
This was a very fast read and an enjoyable one. Nothing too complicated, nothing too challenging. I enjoyed the sweet tale of Lauren working her way through her neighbor’s stubborn personality and I loved the descriptions of the fashions. Just be aware this is a very Scripture focused book. I had no idea when I picked it to read as there is no indication in the synopsis and I didn’t know the publisher when I chose it. I’m not a religious person so I skipped the pages of religion/God focused plot and dialog so I can’t comment as to it. It’s a sweet beach read perfect for the summer.
Rating:
3.5
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