Gazing at the Star Next Door 1 (Gazing at the Star Next Door, #1)

What do you do when your best friend (and secret crush) becomes a national sweetheart? This story of unrequited love between a girl and her best friend, whose acting career is pulling him further and further away, is perfect for fans of In the Clear Moonlit Dusk and Kimi ni Todoke.

 

Chiaki is a pretty normal teenage girl. Since they were kids, she's had a thing for her best friend Subaru--who's fast becoming the hottest young actor in Japan! With Subaru threatening to slip away, Chiaki has a decision to make: Will she finally take her shot, or give Subaru up to his adoring public?

• ISBN13: 9798888771822
• Publish Date: 6 February 2024
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Kodansha America, Inc
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 192
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9798888771822

Reviews

[Quirky Cat]

Summary:

Chiaki is what you would call a normal teenage girl. She goes to school, watches after her little sister, and loves hanging out with her friends. One thing that makes her a bit different is Subaru, her best friend.

Subaru is a hot model, and he's getting his foot into the acting industry. He's taking the world by storm – and possibly slipping away from Chiaki in the process. Yet he still depends on her to take care of him since he's alone so much.

Review:

Aww. Gazing at the Star Next Door Vol. 1 is such a cute start to this series! If you love friends-to-lovers romances, you've got to check this one out! I think this will be a slow-burn romance, but only time will tell.

The first volume is endearing, with Chiaki slowly realizing her feelings. We can only guess at Subaru's thoughts, but something tells me he's more aware of how he feels – he's unsure what to do about it.

This light read was exactly what my heart needed this week. It was impossible to read it and not root for these friends (to become something more, that is). I originally picked Gazing at the Star Next Door Vol. 1 because it was billed for fans of In the Clear Moonlit Dusk (a favorite), but this one really stands on its own.

Highlights:
Manga
Romance
Potential Friends-to-Lovers

Will I continue the series? Maybe? Probably.

Thanks to Kodansha Comics and #NetGalley for making this book available for review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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