Separate like Stars

By: Diana Kane

Narrated by: Abby Craden

On paper, Jordan Cohen has it all. With numerous best sellers under her belt, a number of blockbuster movie adaptations to her credit, and a high-profile relationship with one of Hollywood's most prominent stars, what more could she possibly ask for?

Maybe for Olivia Bradley, the only woman to ever break her heart, to exit her life as quickly as she'd reentered it.

When an ongoing case of writer's block triggers a series of unforeseeable events, Jordan is forced to face the tragedies of her past and reevaluate the life she has been contentedly coasting through. As she reaches a crossroads, she must decide if she'll be able to forgive her former best friend and just how much is she willing to sacrifice in the name of happiness.

Contains mature themes.

©2018 Diana Kane (P)2020 Tantor

Oh, how I love this audiobook!

I have discovered that the angsty ones - while they kill me - are those that wrap firmly around my heart and won't let go. In a similar vein to The Art of Us by KL Hughes, this is the story of two lovers who meet when they are still in high school. They are from a small town so can't exactly be out and proud, but are mature beyond their years and navigate their relationship with their parents wisely. It doesn't take long for all parties involved to realize that Olivia and Jordan have met their forever person. But as years go by, life gets in their way - thwarting what they always believed would be their trajectory. This story is their journey back to one another. This isn't a spoiler - it's a romance and that's kind of a requirement unless you want a major lesbian uprising.

The audiobook is 12 hours long and covers decades, with a super slow burn that made this reader ache for resolution. For a time I wasn't sure if Olivia's character was ever going to win ME back - much less Jordan. She made some decisions that were confounding to me, yet I wonder if that is all about perspective. What choices do we make when we are young that we would never make with some life experience behind us? There is also a stunning turn of events in this story I didn't see coming that made it all the more emotionally wrenching.

If you're going to put a story like this on audio, Abby Craden is the perfect person to narrate it. She excels at portraying vulnerability and is right in her element here. Books that make a reader feel this deeply are definitely doing something right. I listened to this title for free through my library and moments after it ended, I purchased it on Audible. This swoonworthingly beautiful story is now firmly on my favorites list and I will no doubt revisit it when my heart can take it.

moving story that will stay with you

Loved that the beginning of the relationship was given time and space. It lets the listener get a good feel for who they are as individuals as well as a couple. The heartbrake and estrangement is hard to bear witness to, but following them on their path back together is equally sweet. A story with depth and nuances, hope and love. Narration is perfect

Two Hearts, two Souls intertwined, and major heartbreak

No matter how hard Jordan tries to get Liv out of her system she really can't. Liv disappeared on her 2x without explanation and completely shattered her heart. Neither in over a decade of not being together ever truly stopped loving each other. Although Jordan doesn't see it like that as she has so much anger.

Be aware there is suicide, along with talk of drug and alcohol abuse contained within this book.

There is also mature content. 🔥

Amazing book!

Absolutely loved this story. Definitely tugs at your heart at times. Good steamy bits. Highly recommend this book. Will be looking for more from this author.

More Than 5 Stars

There are very few authors who can spin a tale of two people, and take them through a lifetime. Not one part, or one incident, but a lifetime. Years upon years, with the same couple.
There are not many narrators who don’t just read the story, but entertain you with a performance. A performance that adds just the right richness to give your imagination a gentle nudge, so you can ‘see’ the story unfold. This is what performer Abby Crayden brings to every book!
Those in the author category , Georgia Beers (Olive Oil and White Bread), Haley Cass (Those Who Wait), Gerri Hill (The Hunter Series). Out of the hundreds of books I read in a year, these are stand outs!
This story follows Jordan and Olivia. They meet as sophomores in high school. Soon they become inseparable best friends. In their junior year they become a couple and the love, happiness, heartbreak and angst begins.
The author has that wonderful style of writing in first person, that makes you feel as if you’re sitting with Jordan (told from her POV) as she tells you her story.
Don’t be put off by long stories. Think of the wonderful hours of listening!
This one is MWAH! Chef’s Kiss!

Absolutely perfect.

This is a new favorite that I could see myself listening to multiple times. The character development was outstanding and it’s easy to get lost in the story and binge it for hours. 10/10.

Emotional

I felt the emotions of the characters through the storytelling. The narrator did the best job of any narrator I’ve listened to. I might just come back and listen to this one again. Only thing I didn’t like was the last line of the book.

my first

This is my first book by Diana kane, I pre-ordered it because the story seemed interesting and I must say it wasn't what I was expecting but I truly enjoyed it, I actually loved it. my heart felt for Jordan this whole book. The love between them when they were teenagers was adorable but adult Olivia really frustrated me, if someone would have done to me what Olivia did to Jordan smh.... no spoilers GREAT BOOK!

A great book

At the end of the book “Jordan” the main character says that any writer will tell us that there is something from the author’s life in their book, I wonder which part of this up and down book tells the story of this author.
This is a book of courage and second chance and of pappy love that turns into a wonderful adult love.
Abby as always is great, but this time I had to slow her a little because she was too fast for me, probably because it is a looooong book.

Better than The Notebook

Such sweet pleasure, then pain and then pleasure and everlasting comfort.
It was so perfectly intense and I only wanted more.
Both MCs were achingly real and navigated through the many pains of life with real feelings, conversations, consequences and fought for outcomes.
I will be reading this many more times and can only wish to be given more by this amazing author.

Thank you for giving us Jordan and Olivia.