Set the Stars Alight by Amanda Dykes {A Book Review}

**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are 100% my own. 

Lucy Clairmont's family treasured the magic of the past, and her childhood fascination with stories of the high seas led her to become a marine archaeologist. But when tragedy strikes, it's Dashel, an American forensic astronomer, and his knowledge of the stars that may help her unearth the truth behind the puzzle she's discovered in her family home.

Two hundred years earlier, the seeds of love are sown between a boy and a girl who spend their days playing in a secret sea cave, while the privileged young son of the estate looks on, wishing to join. As the children grow and war leads to unthinkable heartbreak, a story of love, betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption unfolds, held secret by the passage of time.

As Lucy and Dash journey to a mysterious old estate on the East Sussex coast, their search leads them to a community of souls and a long-hidden tale that may hold the answers--and the healing--they so desperately seek.

Amanda Dykes is a drinker of tea, dweller of redemption, and spinner of hope-filled tales who spends most days chasing wonder and words with her family. She's a former English teacher and the author of Whose Waves These Are, a Booklist 2019 Top Ten Romance debut, as well as three novellas. Find her online at www.amandadykes.com.

To be 100% honest, there were several times at the start of this book that I nearly gave up on it. I just could not seem to get invested in the story at the start and the slow moving pace was just doing little to grab me. Still, I don't like not finishing books and upon reading other reviews, I decided to give it a fair shot and keep on reading. If you likewise find yourself in this position, I encourage you to keep on reading. I, for one, am really glad I did!

As I said, the story got off to a bit of a slow start, and honestly the pace of the story remained fairly slow throughout. We were given a lot of information, and I couldn't see how it all fit together or why all that story was necessary... but the more I read, the more I began to see the bigger picture and the more I enjoyed the story. In the end, I actually fell in love with this beautiful story, spanning hundreds of years. It's certainly not your quick and easy summer beach read... but it is one that will make you think. After finishing, I cannot believe that I almost gave up on it!! It has a bit of mystery, a bit of romance and just really fantastic writing that gives this story--- even those taking place in present time--- a truly timeless feel! This is definitely one worth checking out...and sticking with!