Review: A Stunning Debut which tugs at the Heartstrings!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 31, 2013
I've had `Chasing Stars' on my to-read list for a while, eagerly awaiting its release. I was lucky enough to win a Kindle copy in a giveaway by the author, and that's where my love affair with this book started.Chasing Stars was a phenomenal and emotional read which has stayed with me for days after finishing it. It tells the story of Portia, a young, troubled and misunderstood actress and the journey of her growing love and relationship with Tattoo Artist Will. I was very impressed with L. Duarte's ability to portray a character who in any other circumstances would be quite unlikeable, as a sad and lonely character whose deep rooted self-esteem issues lead her to live an empty life of drugs, sex and partying that she thinks she deserves. Discovering the inner Portia was a wonderful journey as her relationship with Will leads her to realise that she can be a better person.Will is one of those book boyfriends who just captures you immediately and his every kind word and action tugs at the heartstrings. I felt so emotionally engaged with his journey, and liked the religious elements that were infused into his storyline, without being too in-your-face, or pushy. I loved how the author connected two very different people and had them both bring different essential aspects to their relationship. The clashes the two had as Portia travels down a route of self-destruction after believing she deserves no better was beautifully put together and I found myself on tenterhooks as I wondered whether they would be able to overcome the storm brought about by Portia's stubborn, selfish and sensitive nature. Her reaction to Will's ex Pamela was great fun to read as I loved seeing the jealous side of Portia that she would have always kept under wraps if it were not for Will having made her more human.Without giving too much away, I loved the opening prologue that was set in Portia and Will's future, and seeing how this unfolded in the later chapters. I read with tears in my eyes and my heart pounding painfully. There was some clever and frank writing by L. Duarte and it made for some exceptional read.One of my favourite aspects of this book was how real the issues that the story dealt with were portrayed. This was particularly poignant in the epilogue where we hear of what has transpired for all the main characters in the last year. Whilst some characters get their happy endings, others still struggle with drug addiction, loss and marriage to a man who it was suggested once beat them. This gave the story a satisfying and realistic ending which was refreshing to read.Unfortunately there were a few typos that slipped through the editing process, but this doesn't stop `Chasing Stars' from being a wonderful book  and it was truly a pleasure to read, and one of my favourite reads for 2013.5 Stars and a definite recommended read.