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a_reader_obsessed's review
4.0
4 Stars
Having read [b:Then the Stars Fall|23110418|Then the Stars Fall|Brandon Witt|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1409248194s/23110418.jpg|42660191], I knew going into this that this was not going to be some bump and grind erotica - pretty sure Witt is never going to be that kind of author. What he has consistently done though, is address and explore some very tough issues and real problems that many have faced or know someone who has. His characters are flawed, and their worries and feelings are not simple nor easily handled.
As many people have said, this is quite the slow burn, but the payoff was worth it. Kevin may look gorgeous on the outside, his life seemingly perfect, but on the inside he’s a mass of swirling anxiety, insecurity, all with the desperate need to be flawless. When circumstance allows him to finally obtain his long held dream of owning a wedding shop, he‘s played it safe for too long, and he takes a bold chance.
Ultimately, that chance includes Casper, who becomes instrumental in making Kevin’s dream come true. He too, is ready to dive in and make his aspirations of owning a bakery a reality. On paper, he and Kevin would never work out, but somehow they’re exactly what the other needs.
So yes, there’s some very real, and not so easy to look at, struggles here. It's an unflinching portrayal of personal demons and the immense pressure one can put upon themselves - and thus, the not-so-pretty results of such expectations. The strength in this story lies in the understatedness - the gradual build, the layering, and the foundation that these two men set down in order to start anew with their business venture, and inevitably, with each other.
Love, in the right way, can heal and bolster, rather than negate or lose one’s self, especially when harsh truths come to light. This was very romantic, in and amongst the difficult, intense times. Overall, a very heartfelt story of how Kevin and Casper accept their faults, and how their hard won triumphs negate those doubts, as they use each other’s love to become the best versions of themselves.
Having read [b:Then the Stars Fall|23110418|Then the Stars Fall|Brandon Witt|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1409248194s/23110418.jpg|42660191], I knew going into this that this was not going to be some bump and grind erotica - pretty sure Witt is never going to be that kind of author. What he has consistently done though, is address and explore some very tough issues and real problems that many have faced or know someone who has. His characters are flawed, and their worries and feelings are not simple nor easily handled.
As many people have said, this is quite the slow burn, but the payoff was worth it. Kevin may look gorgeous on the outside, his life seemingly perfect, but on the inside he’s a mass of swirling anxiety, insecurity, all with the desperate need to be flawless. When circumstance allows him to finally obtain his long held dream of owning a wedding shop, he‘s played it safe for too long, and he takes a bold chance.
Ultimately, that chance includes Casper, who becomes instrumental in making Kevin’s dream come true. He too, is ready to dive in and make his aspirations of owning a bakery a reality. On paper, he and Kevin would never work out, but somehow they’re exactly what the other needs.
So yes, there’s some very real, and not so easy to look at, struggles here. It's an unflinching portrayal of personal demons and the immense pressure one can put upon themselves - and thus, the not-so-pretty results of such expectations. The strength in this story lies in the understatedness - the gradual build, the layering, and the foundation that these two men set down in order to start anew with their business venture, and inevitably, with each other.
Love, in the right way, can heal and bolster, rather than negate or lose one’s self, especially when harsh truths come to light. This was very romantic, in and amongst the difficult, intense times. Overall, a very heartfelt story of how Kevin and Casper accept their faults, and how their hard won triumphs negate those doubts, as they use each other’s love to become the best versions of themselves.
raynebair's review
3.0
Kevin's anxiety and food issues bothered me. I was so frustrated but I'm sure that's how it is. The ending was sort of HEA but there were still plenty of hurdles for Kevin to overcome. I'm glad it wasn't all resolved in a tidy package at the end. That would have just been wrong.
leelee68's review
5.0
Brandon you made me cry and that just shows that you pulled me in and pulled out those emotions. I really lost it when This story was sad and emotional at times but it also had you rooting for Kevin to get through everything, and for Kevin and Casper to be together. I loved that Kevin found his other half that could ground him, that one person that gets you even with all your flaws. They were beautiful and sweet together.
Spoiler
Kevin had the talk with his MomsSpoiler
I hope the real Kevin is doing great and I just want to thank him for letting us experience just a piece of his life. I know it's very personal and letting people see that couldn't have been easily. So thank you again...toshi21's review
4.0
This book is one that everyone should read at least once.
Kevin and Casper’s journey to happiness was hard fought and they did not give up.
I wanted to give up on this story so many times because it was uncomfortable and shone a spotlight on myself.
But I persevered and found the heroes I was looking for. They are real and imperfect. They fall down and it takes a while for them to stand up but they do stand up.
This book will stay with you. You will learn from it. You’ll learn about yourself from it.
I received an ARC for my honest review
Kevin and Casper’s journey to happiness was hard fought and they did not give up.
I wanted to give up on this story so many times because it was uncomfortable and shone a spotlight on myself.
But I persevered and found the heroes I was looking for. They are real and imperfect. They fall down and it takes a while for them to stand up but they do stand up.
This book will stay with you. You will learn from it. You’ll learn about yourself from it.
I received an ARC for my honest review
anya_doesntmatter's review
5.0
Pat yourself on the back Brandon Witt! You wrote yourself a winner :)
A little back story:
After months of not being on GR’s I logged on to peruse my “to read” shelf when I literally stumbled upon a video Brandon Witt, posted. The video was a sit down interview he did with his best friend Kevin Eksterowicz, to discuss The Imperfection of Swans, Witt’s latest book, which is loosely based on Kevin’s life. I was immediately intrigued. I remembered when Brandon spoke about this book several months ago during a con I attended. I pre- ordered it weeks before it’s release date waiting and had it sitting on my online bookshelf waiting for it to go go live. As I watched the video, the love, respect and affection these two had for each other became apparent. It reminded me of the relationship I have with my best friend who coincidentally attended the con w/ me. The second thing I noticed about Kevin, is in fact how handsome he is. As the interview progressed, I saw beyond the surface. I saw a man that loves life, cherishes his family and despite his beauty, he has struggles and is human like the rest of us. It turns out that Kevin, has been battling anxiety and bulimia. I no longer saw just a beautiful man on that couch, I saw a person expressing feelings of inadequacy that I could identify with. I was instantly hooked, after all, I tend to think “beautiful people” have no problems, the world is their oyster, right? Kevin’s story quickly disabuses that notion. I was so moved by that interview that I once again hopped on Dreamspinner and BOUGHT the book AGAIN. I introduced my BF to mm while in San Diego, and once I realized I had purchased not one but TWO copies of this book I knew it was meant to be. I gifted her the second copy and decided we would buddy read it together :)
Main Characters
So, Kevin, is a handsome divorcee, who has worked hard to achieve success in advertising. He is successful, however; his heart isn’t in it. Kevin’s dream is to one day open a luxurious wedding dress shop, a sanctuary for brides to be, to go and be pampered by knowledgable staff that truly love what they do. He quits his job, takes out a loan with his family and after securing help from his cheating ex- husband, he invests the loan into a dilapidated building in a prime location of Boston to pursue his dream.
As I mentioned in the beginning, I instantly fell in love with Kevin’s character bc of the interview. I had RL Kevin’s voice in my head as I read the story. But what about Casper? Would I care as deeply for him as I already do for Kevin?
The answer is yes :)
Casper, is a successful pastry chef who dreams of opening his own bakery one day. His Aunt & Uncle passed on, leaving him a sizable inheritance he’s been saving in hopes of investing in his dreams. It is through a chance meeting *fate*, that Casper and Kevin eventually end up as business partners when circumstances beyond Kevin’s control jeopardizes the loan. The more I read the more I saw a man who believes in fate ( I do too). A focused man willing to distance himself from his unsupportive family and tolerate insufferable roommates in order to realize his own dreams. Casper’s strength of will and determination is what makes him so appealing. I also love the fact that though he too initially finds Kevin physically attractive, he actually took the time to get to know him and fell in love with the person flaws and all. Flaws that no one else in Kevin’s world realized existed. He helps Kevin fight his personal demons, pays keen attention to him and is so supportive and unwavering throughout that I couldn’t help but love Casper as much as I love Kevin.
Now, I don't know about you but I tend to dismiss supporting characters bc they tend to come across as fillers, one dimensional or uninteresting in most books. Well, the Bivanti’s (Kevin’s Family), are anything but that. They are so vibrant, loud and infectious! I love how diverse their personal relationships are and how close knit they are as a family. I fell in love with every colorful one of them and felt just as overwhelmed like Casper did as Witt introduced them all one by one. These characters are rich and full of depth, their personalities so distinctive, so in your face that I often found myself laughing, crying or cringing whenever they appear on page. I also instantly gravitated toward them, wondering how they would impact Kevin and Casper’s working and evolving personal relationship.
Overall Impression:
There is so much to love about this story. Some may find the story overly detailed or think it centers too much around the wedding boutique. I do respectfully disagree. The Boutique itself is pivotal role. It is the physical crystallization of dreams fulfilled. The boutique and how far it comes along reflects the ebb and flow of Kevin Casper’s progressing relationship. The renovations and setbacks reflect the stumbling blocks, we all deal with in some way, before we successfully move on and accomplish our goals. You also get the sense of “real time”. As I read, I felt the months passing bye, I felt how long it took before these two FINALLY got together and trust me, when it finally happened it was well worth the journey and the wait. As I read I wondered how Witt, would tackle writing intimate scenes. Let’s be real, who wants to write sex scenes featuring their best friend? Wait. Don’t answer that! I was nervous he would drop the ball, after all, it IS a contemporary romance and readers, ok, THIS READER would expect that. He passed with flying colors :). Cleverly incorporating sex mostly via fade to black and he incorporated enough explicit scenes tastefully enough to whet my voyeuristic appetite. . again, the story flows so smoothly and easily that once it does happen you’re happy for Casper and Kevin. Besides, the story, the journey itself makes up for everything else.
Verdict:
This book is a labor of love which is evident in the sheer perfection of the title, how well developed each character is and how Witt made their world come to life in my mind. Every detail is well thought out and executed *i.e* I even love how Witt indicates who’s head I’m about to hop into whenever I’m starting a new chapter: wedding dress for Kevin, a cake for Casper. Everything about it is heartwarming w/o being sugary sweet. In sum, If you’re a romantic at heart. If you’re looking for something to restore your belief in Fate and making the impossible, possible, if you’re looking for colorful characters and MC’s you can’t help but root for then this book is for you. I enjoyed every minute of this story, and I personally think it was meant to be for me to stumble upon that interview and to ultimately buy 2 copies to share w/ my bestie! Oh, and Kevin +"Casper", if I weren’t already married for 14 1/2 years I would have loved to shop in your bridal boutique and satisfy my sweet tooth w/ one of Casper’s mini wedding cakes. Decadent and ingenious! Wishing you both years of love, success and happiness :)
A little back story:
After months of not being on GR’s I logged on to peruse my “to read” shelf when I literally stumbled upon a video Brandon Witt, posted. The video was a sit down interview he did with his best friend Kevin Eksterowicz, to discuss The Imperfection of Swans, Witt’s latest book, which is loosely based on Kevin’s life. I was immediately intrigued. I remembered when Brandon spoke about this book several months ago during a con I attended. I pre- ordered it weeks before it’s release date waiting and had it sitting on my online bookshelf waiting for it to go go live. As I watched the video, the love, respect and affection these two had for each other became apparent. It reminded me of the relationship I have with my best friend who coincidentally attended the con w/ me. The second thing I noticed about Kevin, is in fact how handsome he is. As the interview progressed, I saw beyond the surface. I saw a man that loves life, cherishes his family and despite his beauty, he has struggles and is human like the rest of us. It turns out that Kevin, has been battling anxiety and bulimia
Spoiler
since middle schoolMain Characters
So, Kevin, is a handsome divorcee, who has worked hard to achieve success in advertising. He is successful, however; his heart isn’t in it. Kevin’s dream is to one day open a luxurious wedding dress shop, a sanctuary for brides to be, to go and be pampered by knowledgable staff that truly love what they do. He quits his job, takes out a loan with his family and after securing help from his cheating ex- husband, he invests the loan into a dilapidated building in a prime location of Boston to pursue his dream.
As I mentioned in the beginning, I instantly fell in love with Kevin’s character bc of the interview. I had RL Kevin’s voice in my head as I read the story. But what about Casper? Would I care as deeply for him as I already do for Kevin?
The answer is yes :)
Casper, is a successful pastry chef who dreams of opening his own bakery one day. His Aunt & Uncle passed on, leaving him a sizable inheritance he’s been saving in hopes of investing in his dreams. It is through a chance meeting *fate*, that Casper and Kevin eventually end up as business partners when circumstances beyond Kevin’s control jeopardizes the loan. The more I read the more I saw a man who believes in fate ( I do too). A focused man willing to distance himself from his unsupportive family and tolerate insufferable roommates in order to realize his own dreams. Casper’s strength of will and determination is what makes him so appealing. I also love the fact that though he too initially finds Kevin physically attractive, he actually took the time to get to know him and fell in love with the person flaws and all. Flaws that no one else in Kevin’s world realized existed. He helps Kevin fight his personal demons, pays keen attention to him and is so supportive and unwavering throughout that I couldn’t help but love Casper as much as I love Kevin.
Now, I don't know about you but I tend to dismiss supporting characters bc they tend to come across as fillers, one dimensional or uninteresting in most books. Well, the Bivanti’s (Kevin’s Family), are anything but that. They are so vibrant, loud and infectious! I love how diverse their personal relationships are and how close knit they are as a family. I fell in love with every colorful one of them and felt just as overwhelmed like Casper did as Witt introduced them all one by one. These characters are rich and full of depth, their personalities so distinctive, so in your face that I often found myself laughing, crying or cringing whenever they appear on page. I also instantly gravitated toward them, wondering how they would impact Kevin and Casper’s working and evolving personal relationship.
Overall Impression:
There is so much to love about this story. Some may find the story overly detailed or think it centers too much around the wedding boutique. I do respectfully disagree. The Boutique itself is pivotal role. It is the physical crystallization of dreams fulfilled. The boutique and how far it comes along reflects the ebb and flow of Kevin Casper’s progressing relationship. The renovations and setbacks reflect the stumbling blocks
Spoiler
ex husband, old hurtsVerdict:
This book is a labor of love which is evident in the sheer perfection of the title, how well developed each character is and how Witt made their world come to life in my mind. Every detail is well thought out and executed *i.e* I even love how Witt indicates who’s head I’m about to hop into whenever I’m starting a new chapter: wedding dress for Kevin, a cake for Casper. Everything about it is heartwarming w/o being sugary sweet. In sum, If you’re a romantic at heart. If you’re looking for something to restore your belief in Fate and making the impossible, possible, if you’re looking for colorful characters and MC’s you can’t help but root for then this book is for you. I enjoyed every minute of this story, and I personally think it was meant to be for me to stumble upon that interview and to ultimately buy 2 copies to share w/ my bestie! Oh, and Kevin +"Casper", if I weren’t already married for 14 1/2 years I would have loved to shop in your bridal boutique and satisfy my sweet tooth w/ one of Casper’s mini wedding cakes. Decadent and ingenious! Wishing you both years of love, success and happiness :)
curlymunroe's review
4.0
I really liked this book. There is an actual story here, that deals with a serious issue, not always shown from the male pov. I took my time with this one. I usually devour an audio book within a couple of days. I let this one go slow...and hour here and there. I wanted to savor the story, and give it my full attention. Well done Brandon Witt. Wonderful writing, wonderful visuals. I will definitely pass this one on to my book friends.
suze_1624's review against another edition
4.0
Whilst this was a gentle, flowing read it certainly had intensity around Kevin and his various issues.
I just wanted someone to see how he was spiralling into more and more trouble with his body and his self image.
Casper was the perfect foil - an ordinary guy, not perfect but not bad, no big issues or hang ups but capable of seeing Kevin.
I liked that they needed each other to achieve their dreams and enjoyed the story of the business, special chuckles when they visited a competitor!!
We didn't get a great deal of Scott and Kevin's background and I thought Kevin was harsh at someone he wanted a favour off. I could see how they weren't good for each other - Scott didn't get into who Kevin was beyond a superficial level. Though his ending was poignant.
What makes this a special read is that it is based on a real life friend of the author (I think I saw of video chat they did, about the issues that prompted the book).
I just wanted someone to see how he was spiralling into more and more trouble with his body and his self image.
Casper was the perfect foil - an ordinary guy, not perfect but not bad, no big issues or hang ups but capable of seeing Kevin.
I liked that they needed each other to achieve their dreams and enjoyed the story of the business, special chuckles when they visited a competitor!!
We didn't get a great deal of Scott and Kevin's background and I thought Kevin was harsh at someone he wanted a favour off. I could see how they weren't good for each other - Scott didn't get into who Kevin was beyond a superficial level. Though his ending was poignant.
What makes this a special read is that it is based on a real life friend of the author (I think I saw of video chat they did, about the issues that prompted the book).
shazov's review against another edition
5.0
Whilst I own most of this author's work, this is actually the first one I've read. Something about the cover and the blurb urged me to pick this up almost as soon as I purchased it and read it. And boy, am I pleased I did!
I wasn't sure what to expect. The blurb promised me a mix of everything I love in MM romance: interesting characters, depth and a story line that has more than just boy meets boy - fuck - fall in love... However, I never expected to be completely blown away. I didn't want to put the book down, and begrudged having to spend time with the family instead of losing myself in Kevin and Casper's story. I'm not going to reiterate the blurb, or even give away some of the story itself. I'm just sharing how I feel.
Not only did the book deliver what the blurb promised, it went far above and beyond. Characters that truly jumped off the page. And the story itself? It blew me away. It is a beautiful and touching story. Sensitive issues are handled with a delicacy that speaks volumes about the caring nature of the author. Also, there is none of my pet peeve to be found: angst for angst sake.
As mentioned before, I did not want to put this down. And the story and the guys still feel part of me and I'm still thinking about this book... all the signs for me of a fantastic read!
So, now I'm dusting off all the other books I own that have been written by this author... *grin*
I wasn't sure what to expect. The blurb promised me a mix of everything I love in MM romance: interesting characters, depth and a story line that has more than just boy meets boy - fuck - fall in love... However, I never expected to be completely blown away. I didn't want to put the book down, and begrudged having to spend time with the family instead of losing myself in Kevin and Casper's story. I'm not going to reiterate the blurb, or even give away some of the story itself. I'm just sharing how I feel.
Not only did the book deliver what the blurb promised, it went far above and beyond. Characters that truly jumped off the page. And the story itself? It blew me away. It is a beautiful and touching story. Sensitive issues are handled with a delicacy that speaks volumes about the caring nature of the author. Also, there is none of my pet peeve to be found: angst for angst sake.
As mentioned before, I did not want to put this down. And the story and the guys still feel part of me and I'm still thinking about this book... all the signs for me of a fantastic read!
So, now I'm dusting off all the other books I own that have been written by this author... *grin*
kaje_harper's review
4.0
Kevin is a driven perfectionist, saving up for a lifelong dream - to own a wedding dress shop, and sell beautiful gowns to delighted brides. When the perfect Boston location goes on the market, he takes the plunge of a lifetime. But Kevin has never handled stress well, and between his anxiety and his intensity, with millions of his family's money riding on his success, something has to give.
Casper has a good job as an upscale pastry chef, with a place of his own just a nebulous future possibility, until his imagination is sparked by a chance meeting. The dream of joining his talents to Kevin's, creating the perfect gown-and-cake shop for brides, is born. Casper's an optimist - the guy who believes that hard work is rewarded, and that success comes to those who go for it. He's impulsive, but puts his whole heart into his leaps of faith. The shop is such a leap. And although Kevin is back together with his ex-husband and unavailable, a little part of Casper is dreaming of more than just a business relationship, from the moment they meet.
There were a lot of things I liked about this book. I loved that Kevin is allowed to be flamboyant - to sing Broadway tunes and enjoy pretty dresses, and that he doesn't shrink from the stereotypes when they are his happy place. I liked that the guys have realistic relationship beginnings, as they are building a business first - that they aren't celibate and waiting, but have existing, imperfect sex lives. (Sometimes I like the fantasy of only-one-guy-ever romance, but often I enjoy the realism of gay men who sometimes have sex just for sex, with the person who's easy to get with, until the romance really hits. It's not cheating yet, it's a slow burn.) Speaking of which, I liked the slow burn and the long time it took these guys to finally see how good they might be together. I also enjoyed the varied dynamics of the mix of Kevin's big family.
And I really liked the vivid, realistic handling of Kevin's anxiety and eating disorder. His tensions and illusions, and the crutches he used to get through his days, were well-portrayed. I was surprised that his family (and past doctors, and his ex) never had suspicions about what his health problems related to, but then, for a long time eating disorders were considered something that only happened with teenage girls. With a boy, the possibility wasn't even on the horizon. So this book may also be eye-opening in the exposure of how Kevin's health was damaged by the misdirection and misdiagnosis for so long.
There is angst, but not melodrama. The low-sex style of Brandon Witt's writing keeps the focus nicely on the characters. This book's balance was a little skewed with the very slow build and much faster resolution. Despite that, this is another story by this author that I definitely enjoyed, and I'm looking forward to reading more.
Casper has a good job as an upscale pastry chef, with a place of his own just a nebulous future possibility, until his imagination is sparked by a chance meeting. The dream of joining his talents to Kevin's, creating the perfect gown-and-cake shop for brides, is born. Casper's an optimist - the guy who believes that hard work is rewarded, and that success comes to those who go for it. He's impulsive, but puts his whole heart into his leaps of faith. The shop is such a leap. And although Kevin is back together with his ex-husband and unavailable, a little part of Casper is dreaming of more than just a business relationship, from the moment they meet.
There were a lot of things I liked about this book. I loved that Kevin is allowed to be flamboyant - to sing Broadway tunes and enjoy pretty dresses, and that he doesn't shrink from the stereotypes when they are his happy place. I liked that the guys have realistic relationship beginnings, as they are building a business first - that they aren't celibate and waiting, but have existing, imperfect sex lives. (Sometimes I like the fantasy of only-one-guy-ever romance, but often I enjoy the realism of gay men who sometimes have sex just for sex, with the person who's easy to get with, until the romance really hits. It's not cheating yet, it's a slow burn.) Speaking of which, I liked the slow burn and the long time it took these guys to finally see how good they might be together. I also enjoyed the varied dynamics of the mix of Kevin's big family.
And I really liked the vivid, realistic handling of Kevin's anxiety and eating disorder. His tensions and illusions, and the crutches he used to get through his days, were well-portrayed. I was surprised that his family (and past doctors, and his ex) never had suspicions about what his health problems related to, but then, for a long time eating disorders were considered something that only happened with teenage girls. With a boy, the possibility wasn't even on the horizon. So this book may also be eye-opening in the exposure of how Kevin's health was damaged by the misdirection and misdiagnosis for so long.
There is angst, but not melodrama. The low-sex style of Brandon Witt's writing keeps the focus nicely on the characters. This book's balance was a little skewed with the very slow build and much faster resolution.