How a Star Falls

By: Amber Stokes

Narrated by: Patrick Wilson Mahaney

How does a star fall? Quickly. Completely. Unexpectedly.

Derrick Knolane escapes to Trinidad Head most evenings, avoiding his apartment and planning for the day he'll break free of Humboldt County. Working in a music store might be fine for a while, but it's far from the goal he had in mind when he got his college degree. Not to mention the fact that his roommate is a jerk and his family won't stop trying to run his life.

Then Brielle falls into his world.

She claims to be a star. Not from Hollywood, but from heaven. He thinks she's crazy. Certainly delusional. Yet, he can't just leave her alone on the cliffs. So he takes her home.

And his whole world falls apart.

A heartfelt and fanciful contemporary romance novella, How a Star Falls explores the uncertain season of new adulthood and shows that sometimes the worst inconveniences make for the best miracles of all.

©2014 Amber Christine Stokes (P)2015 Amber Christine Stokes

Beautiful Story!

What did you love best about How a Star Falls?

I usually only read historical fiction or historical non-fiction. I know...I need to branch out a little. I was happily surprised to realize that I do enjoy contemporary fiction when it's written right. Amber Stokes totally nailed it. =)

The story revolves around a twenty-four year old young man, Derrick. He's a really good and kind guy, but his life isn't what he imagined it to be. He works at a music store, has a jerk of a roommate, and feels that his family is trying to run his life. Then he meets a girl named Brielle who claims to be a star...a star from the sky. He thinks she's crazy, but he can't just leave her all alone on the dark cliffs. He takes care of her, and that's when his world changes.

I was very impressed by Amber's writing. Her descriptions are wonderful! She's a master of describing the simple things like salty french fries, to the beauty of the pacific northwest. Also, Owl City + the ocean + dancing = sweetness overload in one scene. I also love that Amber wrote this story based on her home county. Her descriptions of Humboldt County were so dang good.

I really enjoyed listening to it as an audiobook. It's a nice length of 2 hours, which was a fun way to pass a car drive the other day. The narrator, Patrick Mahaney, did a nice job. He definitely was Derrick!

I'm looking forward to reading/listening to more of Amber Stokes' writings in the future!

A Sweet Romance

Amber Stokes writes a sweet, clean romance novella with a bit of mystery as to who this mysterious young woman is and why she is dressed as she is. I was able to listen to an audible version of this book narrated by Patrick Wilson Mahaney. I enjoyed it and it captured my attention throughout as I wondered who this mystery lady truly was.

Two people searching to find themselves in a confusing world with things pulling them in different directions. It's a sweet story and I think you will enjoy it.

I was given an Audible version of this book from the author for my honest review, which I have given.

Falling for a Star

Any additional comments?

This is an adorable story about a young woman who claims to be a star. Not a movie star, but one that has fallen from the sky. When she tells Derrick who she is, does he really believe her? When she has no place to go and he feels a need to help her, I began to wonder what her story really was. I wondered if she was just teasing him or was she really a star from the universe?

Patrick Wilson Mahaney did a great job narrating this story.

Beautiful Story Full of Hope and Love

Where does How a Star Falls rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I very much enjoyed it!

What was one of the most memorable moments of How a Star Falls?

This story hit a few sore spots in my heart as I feel that I have been dealing with the same sort of issues that Derrick finds himself wrestling with. I don’t always feel like I have become who I thought I would be, but then I realized that I had no clear vision since I was just pursuing a vague dream from my family. I have never really wanted much of anything since I knew I would just do what I was told. It felt fruitless to try carving out my own dream because it would just be replaced with another more reasonable one. Now, I find myself at times floating in a huge sea littered with dreams from other people while I helplessly sift through the clutter in search of a dream for myself. Like Derrick I feel like life has taken shape around me outside of my own will while I have been trying to forge ahead in my own expedition. I can’t allow myself the luxury of wallowing in my own heartache for not finding the piece of me that remains hollow because once I start, I may not be able to stop. Ever onward I press while wrestling with myself to leave my heart, hopes, and dreams in the hands of the One who holds the Universe in place. Perhaps one day, my world will be turned upside down by such a simple revelation as the one that Derrick’s mystery girl gently handed to him.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes, very much

Any additional comments?

Amber Stokes never fails to surprise, entertain, and enlighten with her literary creations. Each beautiful story is a testament to her incredible talent that continues to blossom and intensify as the years go by. This is such a beautifully written and exquisitely gifted story of how a little hope, sprinkled with a dash of starlight, and then surrounded by a promise of love can embolden and infuse the heart and mind of one who has lost their way with the healing power of purpose and direction. Amber is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite authors.

Charming Romance

If you could sum up How a Star Falls in three words, what would they be?

Sweet contemporary romance

What was one of the most memorable moments of How a Star Falls?

When Derrick discovers Brielle and she explains that she is a fallen star. I love how she says she is from Orion's belt, especially when we know that Orion's belt has special meaning in Derrick's life.

Which character – as performed by Patrick Wilson Mahaney – was your favorite?

The narration is a male voice, but I loved how he portrayed Brielle. Amber wrote her character so well, that she really came across in Patrick's narration.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Its like a Hallmark movie.

Any additional comments?

This was a charming portrayal of dreams and goals and how sometimes they don't always live up to our expectations. I also enjoyed the setting as Humboldt County is one of my favorite places. I could picture Trinidad Head and the town setting. The author did a great job.

How a Star Falls

One evening, Derrick stumbles across a young lady who claims to be a star who came from heaven. Although he doubts her claim, Derrick is kind to Brielle and finds her a place to stay for the time being. Over the next few days, she turns his world upside down as they begin to fall in love…

How a Star Falls by Amber Stokes was short and sweet. I enjoyed this lovely little novella about Brielle and Derrick. The plot was believable and left me wanting to hear more about the characters. How a Star Falls was different and better than I expected it to be. It was the perfect length to listen to for an afternoon or two.

Briella was sweet and carefree. I could easily believe she was a star, except for the fact that she knew how to cook. Derrick, however, was struggling through life until Brielle brought the hope back into it. I enjoyed watching both of them grow and fall in love.

The audiobook was lovely. The narrator was enjoyable to listen to and voiced the characters almost perfectly.

Overall, How a Star Falls is a novella I would gladly listen to again.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

A Delightful Novella!

Any additional comments?

5 Stars!!!
I loved this story! It is a unique, delightful story unlike anything else I've ever read. The premise was so fun! I haven't read much NA fiction in the past, but I found myself relating to so many of the character's struggles in this book! I have been a fan of Amber's writing since she released Bleeding Heart, and really looked forward to reading How a Star Falls since before its release, I'm so happy I finally made time to read it! As well as reading the Kindle version I also listened to the audiobook version, the narration added so much to it, I was swept even further into the amazing world of the story. A world I did not want to leave! It was also wonderful to get to hear Derrick's voice telling the story.
I highly recommend this book, and if you enjoy audiobooks you should definitely pick up an audio copy of this one, the narrator makes the story come even more vividly to life! Amber Stokes has crafted another winner with How a Star Falls and I simply cannot wait to read any and all of her future releases!


I received a complimentary audiobook copy of this story from the author in exchange for an honest review. Which I have done. My review was not required to be positive, all thoughts and opinions are one hundred percent my own!

Beautifully Written

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Right from the beginning I was sucked into the unfulfilled life of Derrick and the mystery surrounding Brielle. Yes, I was entertained; but more than that, I saw a bit of myself in these characters, making the story poignant and memorable. This was the real strength of Stokes' work – the ability to deliver a punching message in so short a time frame. Resolution to Derrick's and Brielle's life purposes was not overdone nor too swiftly and fairy-tale unrealistically solved. Instead, Stokes masterfully crafted these two characters' journey in a way that was satisfying rather than trite.

What about Patrick Wilson Mahaney’s performance did you like?

His voice fit Derrick's narration very well. I felt as if Mahaney WAS Derrick. Excellent pick!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The characters were incredibly elatable. Their journey into finding theer purpose in life is one that we all must travel. While I didn't laugh or cry, I enjoyed myself immensely and felt a kinship with the characters.

Any additional comments?

How a Star Falls was my first foray into the works of Amber Stokes, and it left me anxious to read her other books. I usually don't lean towards novellas because the plot never seems to develop and moves far to quickly to tie up loose ends. However, I did not find this to be the case with this story. That said, I sincerely hope for another story featuring Derrick and Brielle. There is so much more of their journey to be discovered, and I'll avidly sign up to learn more.

A lovely romantic story!

What made the experience of listening to How a Star Falls the most enjoyable?

I rarely listen to audiobooks anymore (I listened to quite a few when I was little), but I was excited for a chance to listen to How a Star Falls and review it. I loved the story and thought it was a very cute romance. I also loved that it was a story of young adulthood and how Amber perfectly captured how things don’t always turn out the way you dreamed when you were young, but it can still lead to a bright and even better future. Getting to listen to it was a real treat. The narrator did a fine job in bringing to life the story’s main character, Derrick. It was so much fun to get to hear his voice in this way. I highly recommend checking it out, especially if you haven’t read the story before. It’s not too long, about two hours. Perfect to listen to if you’re sitting down to a craft project or something like I was when I listened to it.

Sweet story!

How a Star Falls is a story about two young people who feel as they don't have a place in life. They meet by accident and find they have a lot in common and can help each other. Short and sweet story.