Audio Review ~ Move the Stars ~ Jessica Hawkins

Lake
It was a hot summer day when I met him on the construction site next to my parents' house. If I’d known then what I do now, would I have kept on walking? Manning was older, darker, experienced—and I’d trusted him when he said the story would only ever be about us. I’d held those words close and challenged fate, but I had lost.

A part of me is still that sixteen-year-old girl squinting up at Manning, but no matter how far I fall or high I soar, I’ll always be a bird without her bear and nothing without him.

Manning
When I close my eyes, I can no longer see her. The decisions I made were to push Lake in the right direction—away from me. But now that she’s gone, would I have made those same choices?

I’d walked away like I was supposed to. I’d kept my distance. I’d bent over backward to keep Lake pure, but she’s no longer that girl, and I don’t know if I can stay away anymore. I only know I don’t want to. She’s still everything I want and nothing I should ever have, but if anyone can move the stars, it’s her great bear in the sky.

Move the Stars was a brilliant conclusion to Lake and Manning’s story. (Even if it’s not the end of the story as I found out there’s one more installment.) It’s told in two parts and I appreciated how JHawkins dealt with all that needed dealing with despite the heavy dose of angst she served up in part one. What I admired most of all was that we FINALLY saw Manning emotionally mature to the point he could see past his need to preserve and protect Lake. He found his way to be her loving partner, which is all Lake ever wanted.

Part One is told a certain number of years after the fateful decisions made by both Lake and Manning. Lake is making her way in NYC, working minimum wage jobs while trying to land parts in theater productions. She doesn’t have much contact with her family now and none with Manning. So his appearance in her city is shocking. Groundshaking. Events happen, decisions are made. And then, per usual, Tiffany throws things off-course.

Part Two is told several years later. Lake has become a star in Hollywood while Manning is working towards his dream. Neither, of course, has moved on. And once again they’re brought into each other’s orbit, as though the stars aligned. But Lake and Manning now know that for their future together to materialize, they must be the ones to move the stars.

This entire series has been more about Manning’s journey, in my opinion. He’s the one who had to make the BIG mistakes and hurt Lake in order to grow and mature. It had to happen this way, even if it made me want to scream and smash things. Eventually Manning got to the place he needed to be to have the life he’s dreamed of with Lake. Tha’t not to say Lake didn’t have some growing and maturing to do herself. But for her part, she always believed in them. Love is enough. Lake’s mantra was finally proven.

I still loathe Tiffany. Nope, she didn’t redeem herself. I felt sorry for Corbin but I think he made peace with his role in Lake’s life. There a final piece to this puzzle, Lake & Manning, and I’m hopeful that I’ll both fulfilled. In my endeavor to finish this series, I’ve already started it.

Oh, as always Andi Arndt and Zachary Webber were outstanding.

Reading this book contributed to these challenges:

• Unearthing a Bookish Bounty 2022

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