When one of the characters is described this way:
"Okay, fine, he's a hot angel in a leather jacket. But he definitely gives off an air of zero-fucks-to-give."
you know you're in for a great story, especially when his best friend is a sweet, oblivious, cinnamon roll of a young man.
So many members of our team were drawn to reading All The Stars that we have gathered everyone's takes below!
Rider doesn’t have a lot of rules when it comes to guys, but there is one- he doesn’t date, not ever. He’s content with random hookups because dating means too much. That’s reserved for the one person he knows he can never have, his best friend, Cameron.
After watching his own family fall apart, Cam longs for someone who will stick it out through thick and thin. He’s had a string of girlfriends that never seem to be the right one. The one person he can always count on is Rider.
One night out changes everything between them. When Rider ends up telling Cam the secret he’s been hiding, Cam is left reeling. But will an accident end Cam’s chances to figure out what it means for them?
All the Stars is a heartwarming story of friendship, love, and finding the one that was right in front of you all along.
The Love Bank Romance series features sweet LGBTQ love stories with a little heat.
Sarah C's Review and Rating 5 Stars
Duckie Mack's new adult novel, All The Stars, is an absolutely delightful ride featuring friends to lovers and a beautiful bisexual awakening.
All the Stars is a new adult friends to lovers romance featuring Cameron and Rider, two young men who have been best friends since they were about fourteen years old. Cameron presumes himself to be straight and Rider is very openly gay. They come from two very different worlds - Cam had a loving family though it was marred with tragedy when he was young and Rider had an alcoholic father who honestly didn't care about him in the slightest. They had one another's backs through thick and thin. They told each other everything - except for the one secret Rider kept: his feelings for Cam.
A night out reveals this secret, but only after Cam has had someone point out to him that there might be something there, a thought that plagues him for much of the early part of the book. It isn't until Rider spells out what Cam means to him that Cam is able to put words to his own feelings. The relationship and romance grows from there, into something that feels very real and is incredibly sweet.
Rider and Cameron are two cute and well-rounded characters. They have a good balance and show a lot of heart and vulnerability with one another. Their communication is off the charts and their commitment, dedication, and love for one another is heart melting. There is literally nothing bad that I can say for these two characters. There is also nothing bad I can say for the side character and star of the next book, Crow/Ian. The entire time I was reading him, I was hoping that he would get a chance to shine brighter than he already does in this book and get his HEA. I was very excited to read that he's going to get his, because he's such a good side character and I'm ready for his main character energy to take over.
All The Stars is a low angst, medium-low level spice novel with a lot of heart. I found myself cheering on Rider and Cam throughout the series, laughing over their antics, dying over all the many nicknames Rider has given Cam, squeeing over their sweetness, and even aching over their sadness. I very much recommend this book to anyone who just wants some sweet with heat.
Tammy's Review and rating: 4 Stars
A very sweet, best friends to lovers, bi awakening story.
I adored Ryder’s various nick names for Cameron, they were amusing and very creative. I very much enjoyed the deep bond these two shared.
It’s easy to see this author normally writes YA stories, there was a bit of inner monologuing through the story, and the sex scenes were a bit lackluster for me, but overall it was a very enjoyable story.
I’m glad Ian will be getting his own book, he was a great character.
Heat: 6/10 (decent amount of sex, but the scenes were a bit lacking in authenticity for me)
Length: 8/10 (it was a bit long. It probably would have been the perfect length if the execution had been rearranged a little bit)
Writing: 7/10 (too much inner monologue for my taste)
Overall: 8/10 (would recommend. This author has potential)
Heather's Review & Rating: 4.5 Stars
All The Stars is a new adult romance with all the feels. I absolutely fell in love with best friends Cameron and Rider. Rider is the tough on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside gay best friend, who knows he's been in love with Cameron for forever... Cameron is the sweet, clueless cinnamon roll who very slowly realizes that there might be more between him and Rider than friendship. Fair warning, if you don't like a true slow build, than this book won't appeal to you. It reminded me a lot like hiking up the mountain just to roll down the other side, bumping along, having fun with a few bumps and bruises along the way.
There's no way to have a New Adult bi-awakening story without some angst, but I think this was handled well and with a light enough touch to balance the angst and the excitement. The heat level was appropriate for a newly exporing relationship. My only criticisms are that it was just a few scenes too long and just a little bit too introspective.
If you're looking for a low heat, high feels read, I highly recommend you pick up All The Stars.
Miki J's Review and Rating: 5 Stars
Seriously loved this book. Beautifully written – best friends, new awakening for one of them…the realisation – that light bulb moment….swoon…..very sweet book and one I’d happily re-read !!
SNik's Review and Rating: 4.25 stars
Doing anything for your best friend - except telling him you're in love with him.
Rider has been in love with his best friend since they were thirteen, but Cameron is straight and has no idea. So Rider hops from hookup to hookup, while Cam relies on Rider to always be there for him, not understanding that his relationship with Rider is more important than any other thing in his life. The story is sweet and slow to build with Rider’s heartbreaking pining, and after he accidentally tells Cam his feelings, the friendship grows beyond just friends to intimacy and commitment. I really enjoyed Cam and Rider, they are likable characters with emotional backstories, sweet nicknames for Cam, magic 8 ball references, and shared swoony words of love and devotion. Looking forward to more of the series.
All The Stars is the first in series (Love Bank Romance). Dual POV. Best friends to lovers. Slow burn.
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