ARC Review: A Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn

Deanna Raybourn has been on my to-read list for a long time. When I saw “Night of a Thousand Stars” I jumped at the chance to finally read her! I’m so glad to say that Raybourn did not disappoint! The characters were so fun and loveable. Even the secondary characters were interesting to read about. I expected this to be just romance but it was really a lot more!

The heroine, Poppy Hammond/March was a delightful character. She was just so endearing, funny, complicated and human. When the story begins she is in her wedding dress escaping through a window because she realizes that she wants more out of her life than to just become a Viscounts wife. Despite the prestige and high titled in society, she is not happy or satisfied. Poppy spent most of her life floating from one project/finance/ school to another. Although she knows that her decision to leave her fiancé at the alter will make her an outcast in society and a deep disappointment to her family she knows that she cannot marry.

Sebastian Cantrip/Fox is there to help Poppy escape. She believes him to be a vicar and he does not correct her. Sebastian can’t help but rescue Poppy and drives her to her father’s home. There are many parts to Sebastian and for the first half of the book he remains a mystery to be solved. He is also seeking adventure. Poppy is looking for adventure and when she seeks Sebastian to thank him for his help she is intrigued by him and her search takes her on an unexpected journey.

I loved both Sebastian and Poppy. Individually and together they were really enjoyable. When Poppy arrives in Damascus she has no idea just how much adventure is in store for her. Rayburn was able to balance the romance and mystery and the development of the characters. It was easy to like and root for Poppy as she searched for herself in the mist of all this. The dialogue is so funny and witty. One of my personal favorite lines was said by her father when Poppy escaped her wedding and everyone gathers at his house, pragmatically he asks “perhaps you could send down some clothes for her if you think about it. She can’t totter about like Miss Havisham in her wedding finery.” There are so many cleaver and funny lines I found myself highlighting many aspects of the book. Overall, I absolutely loved this book. It was funny, deep, romantic. I plan to read a lot more Rayburn. These characters will stay with me!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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