Shooting Stars Above by Patricia Leavy is a modern-day romance with a touch of sizzle and steam. Tess Lee is a best-selling, world-famous novelist whose work focuses on the inner turmoil, trauma, and angst we all deal with but, importantly, she portrays that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Jack Miller is a federal agent working in anti-terrorism who has eschewed personal relationships in the past due to the demands and violent nature of his day-to-day work. When the pair meet in a local bar, the connection is immediate and electric. Acting on impulse and passion, the pair is instantly committed to an intense love affair. Tess compares the many scars on Jack’s body to the scars she carries deep inside from childhood when she was the victim of sexual abuse at the hands of family members. It seems they have finally met their soulmates and have the perfect relationship, but Tess’s trauma lies just beneath the surface. When it is triggered, it will take all the unconditional love Jack has to give for Tess to heal those deep and invisible scars.

Shooting Stars Above is a wonderfully sweet and romantic story that will capture the hearts of readers who love romance; however, it has an underlying message that will resonate with all. Author Patricia Levy has created two highly successful and talented characters in their respective fields with underlying issues that prevented them from securing a permanent, loving relationship in the past. I particularly identified with the character of Tess whose work threw her constantly into contact with people who had experienced deep and painful trauma, often similar to her own. I did appreciate the sex scenes that were delightfully understated but still steamy and erotic, never crossing that invisible line into crassness. The underlying message of there being light at the end of the tunnel throughout the narrative reminds us that this is more than a simple formulaic romance. I particularly appreciated the couple’s eclectic circle of friends who added color and depth to the story. Throughout the narrative, there are gentle gems of wisdom about life, purpose, friendship, love, and our relationships with each other, which I greatly appreciate. This is a story with hidden depths and meaning that I greatly enjoyed. I highly recommend it.

In a whirlwind romance, two unlikely individuals meet and the connection that sparks is nothing short of magic. Shooting Stars Above by Patricia Leavy follows Tess Lee, a novelist and dreamer, and Jack Miller, a federal agent, as they fall in love and try to make their new relationship work. Knowing from the start that something between them was different, the couple tries to navigate their relationship along with the ups and downs that come with it, especially when both parties bring along their own baggage.

Shooting Stars Above is such a heart-warming and wholesome love story about two people who have each seen and experienced some horrendous things in their lives but still manage to hold out hope for better days. And it seems they found exactly that in one another. I can only describe Tess and Jack’s relationship as a truly healthy and functional one. That’s not to say issues don’t plague the relationship but, in the end, it comes down to the fact that they love each other and want to make things work. I really enjoyed Patricia Leavy’s writing style and how she managed to weave together themes of trauma, love, and healing, creating a compelling narrative that invites readers to reflect on their own experiences with pain and recovery. The emotional depth of both characters makes their journey relatable and engaging as readers see these two individuals struggle with whether unconditional love can truly heal their invisible pain. Overall, this book was wholesome and gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. It is definitely worth the read.