Book Talk Review; Hanging The Stars

Maddox is so sweet

James used to dream of being a jockey. Now he's head-over-heels for his gorgeous new boss.

James: I'm in love, but there are three problems.

He owns the stable I ride for.

He just inherited like, a billion dollars.

I've had my heart stomped on before.

Maddox inherits a stable full of some of the best racehorses on the East Coast, and I discover my former boss's son is hot... gay... persistent... and comes with a raging case of ADHD. Maddox has always been short on love and long on social blunders, and he's learned to hate himself for it. We're head-over-heels, totally inexperienced, completely in love, and Maddox still can't understand why I'd bother with him. He says he's too different.

Then he starts meddling at the track because of me.

Turns out Maddox really is different.

The Falling For Fame series is a group of unconnected, stand-alone books about the rich and famous falling for everyday people. None of the books have recurring characters, and hence, they can be read in any order.

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This book was so sweet. It made me cry happy tears at the end, but unlike many of the other books I've read by this author, it wasn't traumatic. It's a quick, sweet read that will warm your heart and make you believe in pure, true love. 

James has only ever wanted to ride horses. His ultimate dream was to become a jockey, but he grew and was unable to make weight. So he goes to school to be a trainer instead, while also working as an exercise rider. My heart ached for him as we learned about his dream and how it was unachievable because we want the characters to be healthy and happy and get everything they want in life. Sadly, that isn't realistic and it hurt watching James resign himself to just exercise rider and eventual trainer. 

Maddox inherits everything after his father passes away. Maddox has severe ADHD, no family or friends or anyone who really cares for him. He paints and he coasts through life because he doesn't have anyone who sees him. Until James. James who works for him. James who understands Maddox's love of horses. James who seems to have all the patience in the world and takes the time to learn how to see things the way Maddox does. 

These two are really sweet. I got scared that this book would make me cry because I haven't found a book of Julia McBryant's that hasn't made me cry, but this one didn't. It's light, it's love, and it's pure happiness. 

There are times when James and Maddox get emotional and make my heart ache because they're not perfect. They have a lot of hardships to work through. Maddox is James's boss. Maddox has to learn how to navigate the racing world when he's the owner who rides his own horses, mucks his own stalls, and falls in love with his exercise rider. 

i thought Mason from Lovely Little Liars was the sweetest character ever who needed protection from the world. But now I think that's Maddox.  He's so lonely, so clueless to how the real world works, he just wants someone to love him, just wants someone to see him. At this point, I just want to collect all of Julia McBryant's characters and protect them from getting hurt ever again. 

For a sweet love story that will bring happy tears to your eyes, Maddox and James are the ones for you. This series is so good. It's a breath of fresh air from all the angst I'm used to reading and I cannot wait to see who falls in love next. 

*Quote- 

"You're different, son. And we need people who're different to show us that the world doesn't have to look the way we think it does." 

"Maddox, you have to learn — you have to learn that you're enough. You have to learn to see yourself as the amazing person you really are."

"He was held, cradled, and finally, finally loved." 

"He had a strange magical Maddox could use words to shape the world, to say: it will be like this, and it will be beautiful."