We hosted Carly’s guest review of Love Under the Stars by Kathleen Shoop. Continue reading to see what Carly thought!
1861, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Inspired by the true story of John and Phoebe Brashear who developed telescopes and lenses that are still in use today, Love Under the Stars brings the beginnings of their journey to life. Set against the steel mills of Pittsburgh, a young man has a mind for astronomy and physics, the gifted hands of a millwright, and the heart of a minister. Conflicted about which life path to take, he is further confounded when the love of his life shows up teaching Sunday school in the classroom next to his.
Phoebe Stewart is headstrong, responsible, and meticulous about her role as baker and cook in her family’s household. Despite her whip-smart mind, she understands that she will live a single woman’s life with her family and revels in the caring and feeding fourteen household members. Then she meets John Brashear. He opens her eyes to a universe of heavenly bodies, a world of possibility beyond the walls of her home.
Torn between the love growing between the two and Phoebe’s devotion to her family, they navigate a path to where they can announce their plans to marry and buy a little home up on the South Side Slopes. It all seems to make sense… until it doesn’t. Can John and Phoebe fulfill their obligations while being true to their hearts? Can they make their dreams come true?
Available to buy from the following sites…
Amazon.com Amazon.co.uk Paperback
Guest book review by Carly Louise Wilson
If you love well-written historical romances that will captivate you and thrust you back in time, then Kathleen Shoop is the author for you.
‘Love Under The Stars’ is the beautiful story of Pheobe Stewart and John Brashear, and how the two overcome obligations and obstacles together.
When Pheobe notices John and his hair that flaps like a birds wing, she is instantly smitten and mesmerised. He speaks of the stars amongst his sermons, and causes her to dream of a life they could have together. John is passionate in his readings, incorporating Cosmogony into each sermon and all attendees hang onto his every word.
He is like a star himself, vibrant and caring of those around him, and he dazzles not only Pheobe but many of the congregation.
Pheobe is a homebird, meticulously cooking for her family and ensuring the house runs like a proper home. But with her place set, and her siblings marrying off and leaving their familial home, it puts Pheobe and John in a bit of a predicament. Will they ever be able to have their own happily ever after? Or will they always be destined to live apart whilst orbiting each other from afar.
Such a beautiful concept, and I love how true to the time period all of Shoop’s books are. Pheobe is a character you can relate to, and you can’t help but be charmed by John and how caring and kind he can be.
I’d recommend to all historical romance lovers, and those who enjoy reading stories from a different age. Wonderfully compelling and a lighthearted read.
About Kathleen Shoop
Bestselling author, Kathleen Shoop, holds a PhD in reading education and has more than 20 years of experience in the classroom. She writes historical fiction, women’s fiction and romance. Shoop’s novels have garnered various awards in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY), Eric Hoffer Book Awards, Indie Excellence Awards, Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Readers’ Favorite and the San Francisco Book Festival. Kathleen has been featured in USA Today and the Writer’s Guide to 2013. Her work has appeared in The Tribune-Review, four Chicken Soup for the Soul books and Pittsburgh Parent magazine. Kathleen coordinates Mindful Writing Retreats and is a regular presenter at conferences for writers.
I adore writing historical fiction (The Letter series, After the Fog and Donora Stories that are coming soon!) but am having a blast writing romance like Home Again, Return to Love and Tending Her Heart (Endless Love series). Thank you so much for the time you take to read.
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Thank you for this lovely and sweet review. You really seemed to have experienced what I hoped readers would when they pick it up! Thank you for taking the time to read and share your thoughts. It really means the world to writers when you do.