LGBTQ Annotation

Written in the Stars (2020)

By Alexandria Bellefleur

366 pages

LGBTQ contemporary romance

Synopsis

Blond-haired and quirky, Elle Jones is a starry-eyed social media astrologer, intent on finding her soulmate. Red-haired and intense, Darcy Lowell is a practically-minded actuary with a broken heart. After being set up by Brendon, who is Darcy’s brother and Elle’s business partner, the two women share an abysmal blind date; it seems immediately clear that Elle and Darcy have little to nothing in common. Neither expects to see the other again. Darcy, however, takes the opportunity to lead her overly-concerned younger brother to believe that she had a nice time and looks forward to seeing Elle again. When Brendon runs into Elle and her mother during a brunch and lets slip that Darcy told him they were dating, Elle’s mother seems pleased with the news, and Elle gets an idea: her and Darcy could create a fake relationship. They can tell their family members that they have a steady relationship, learn a few details about one another, show up to a few family functions, and temporarily placate Brendon and Elle’s mother. But what seems like a simple plan becomes more complicated when the talking and spending time together begins to feel more like real dating, and the attraction between Elle and Darcy becomes undeniable. Both women wonder what the other is thinking and they can’t tell if what they are falling in love with is real or an act. When their relationship becomes intimate, they both become more vulnerable, and the stakes are raised. Elle isn’t interested in pursuing a casual relationship, and Darcy certainly isn’t prepared to weather another broken heart. Can what started as a ruse turn out to be the real thing?

Characteristics of LGBTQ contemporary romance 

Present-day setting: The novel takes place in modern Seattle, Washington. Present-day is reinforced throughout the novel by elements such as Elle’s career in social media, Brendon’s dating website, a group date to an escape room, and several text message conversations.

Modern heroine(s): Both Elle and Darcy are independent young lesbian women, successful in their respective careers, whose lives change once their paths cross.

Current-day stressors: Both Elle and Darcy have complicated and strained relationships with members of their families. Elle is working hard to launch a successful partnership between her social media astrology brand and Brendon’s online dating website.

Emotional tone: While the tone is often lighthearted and humorous, the language can become a bit dreamy when Elle and Darcy are pining after one another. There is a strong sense of longing between the characters which leads to a solid emotional investment on the part of the reader.

Happily ever after: Aside from a couple of steamy scenes, the novel reads very much like a romantic comedy movie, and it delivers a happy ending.

Appeal: 3 words 

Funny, heartwarming, sexy

Read-Alikes

The Marriage Code by Brooke Burroughs

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors by Sonali Dev

The Happy Ever After Playlist by Abby Jimenez

Honey Girl by Morgan Rogers

Hairpin Curves by Elia Winters