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Evergreen Grove #1
At the Stars
A GIRL TRYING TO LEAVE HER PAST BEHIND
I was a normal teenager who loved music and dancing, until the day I was attacked in my favorite record store. A few years later when my mom succumbed to depression and took her own life, I couldn’t stay in my hometown with all the memories and the curious stares. I decided to get in my car and just go – except my car decided it was done going outside a tiny place called Evergreen Grove. That’s where I found Jake. Or I guess Jake found me.
A GUY WHO CAN’T LET HIS GO
For the last eight years, all I can think about is the day I ended another man’s life. Then I manage to save Cassie’s, and I feel like maybe I’ve got some kind of second chance. To do what I couldn’t before, or maybe even for something bigger. Something like love. If only I could feel like I deserve her...
I was a normal teenager who loved music and dancing, until the day I was attacked in my favorite record store. A few years later when my mom succumbed to depression and took her own life, I couldn’t stay in my hometown with all the memories and the curious stares. I decided to get in my car and just go – except my car decided it was done going outside a tiny place called Evergreen Grove. That’s where I found Jake. Or I guess Jake found me.
A GUY WHO CAN’T LET HIS GO
For the last eight years, all I can think about is the day I ended another man’s life. Then I manage to save Cassie’s, and I feel like maybe I’ve got some kind of second chance. To do what I couldn’t before, or maybe even for something bigger. Something like love. If only I could feel like I deserve her...
278 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2015
158 people are currently reading
1179 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth Staab
25 books257 followersElisabeth Staab loves passionate stories and happy endings. Her books have been called “emotionally delicious,” “action-packed,” and “gloriously snarky.” When not writing romance about vampires and werewolves and emotionally wounded boxers (oh, my!), she enjoys date night with her husband, reading with her kids, and marathoning her favorite books or TV series. Keep up with all the latest shenanigans by following her newsletter, stopping by ElisabethStaab.com, or finding her on Facebook and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
March 28, 2016
3/28/16 Free on Amazon Kindle Amazon Link
This was a great New Adult read that utilized a few tropes from the genre but wonderfully stayed away from the more questionable ones (insta-love, slut shaming, and aggressive/controlling behavior). Jake and Cassie feel everything a little too deeply and are learning how to live with childhood traumas, all issues and emotions you look for in a New Adult; characters finding their selves and one another. This is a pretty clean read where we get just a peek into the bedroom but the quality verbal and emotional interaction between Jake and Cassie makes up for it a bit if you feel you’d miss that aspect.
Read full review at: Reading Between the Wines book club
This was a great New Adult read that utilized a few tropes from the genre but wonderfully stayed away from the more questionable ones (insta-love, slut shaming, and aggressive/controlling behavior). Jake and Cassie feel everything a little too deeply and are learning how to live with childhood traumas, all issues and emotions you look for in a New Adult; characters finding their selves and one another. This is a pretty clean read where we get just a peek into the bedroom but the quality verbal and emotional interaction between Jake and Cassie makes up for it a bit if you feel you’d miss that aspect.
Read full review at: Reading Between the Wines book club
May 11, 2015
Its gooey like chest cookies and soft baked brownies. AT THE STARS is very sweet, very normal but still a heartfelt story. I love that its not too angsty and the MCs aren't acting like they're on a frickin reality show, getting so dramatic over the simplest things. Shit happens you carry on the best way you know how. I love the attitude of this novel. I hope AJ is next after Dante.
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January 2, 2016
For my first read from author Elisabeth Staab, I have to say I am impressed. I really enjoyed Cassie and Jake's story, they make a great couple for sure.
Cassie... oh man, I felt for this girl. First she was raped as a teen, and then her mother commits suicide. Either one of those is enough to give someone some issues, and she's had both. But you know what, she is doing something awesome, even if she doesn't feel so. She picks up and leaves. Just leaves. That's it, she's gone. Anything she can fit in her car and she is on the road. I can't tell you how... fantastic that is. I'm sure everyone at one point or another has wanted to do that. And when her car breaks down outside Evergreen Grove, well, she kind of loses it for a moment. I like Cassie because she is one of those characters who is stronger than she gives herself credit for. She isn't cocky. But she also has this giant heart, and several times over, we see her helping others in some very important ways. She's just good people.
And Jake... whew. Ok, so he meets Cassie in the dark of night in less than ideal circumstances. But it is absolutely fate that threw these two together. He's got his own issues with his self-worth. But there is no denying how he immediately feels for this lost girl. I love Jake. He's got that protective spirit that makes him such a great Alpha Male. He's not all muscles and bossy behavior, he knows when to let go and when to push. Ok, so maybe he is more push than let go, but his methods work for him.
So Cassie is stuck in a small town, and her and Jake have a growing attraction. But they are not the only characters in this story. Let me say one name to you - AJ. AJ is so full of awesome, I want him to have his own book! He lives at the motel where Cassie is staying and he is fabulous. The two become instant besties. He is open and honest and supportive. I just love him. He is one of those characters that I would love to know in real life.
This book was truly wonderful. I can't even find a single complaint. There was tension and sexual attraction. There was just enough heat to make it interesting. And there are a couple mysteries going on. Such as, why is Jake so down on himself? And what is going on with his "buddy" Dante? I really felt like I was right there in Evergreen Grove. And heck, if I'm on the road and my car breaks down, I hope it's there.
Cassie... oh man, I felt for this girl. First she was raped as a teen, and then her mother commits suicide. Either one of those is enough to give someone some issues, and she's had both. But you know what, she is doing something awesome, even if she doesn't feel so. She picks up and leaves. Just leaves. That's it, she's gone. Anything she can fit in her car and she is on the road. I can't tell you how... fantastic that is. I'm sure everyone at one point or another has wanted to do that. And when her car breaks down outside Evergreen Grove, well, she kind of loses it for a moment. I like Cassie because she is one of those characters who is stronger than she gives herself credit for. She isn't cocky. But she also has this giant heart, and several times over, we see her helping others in some very important ways. She's just good people.
And Jake... whew. Ok, so he meets Cassie in the dark of night in less than ideal circumstances. But it is absolutely fate that threw these two together. He's got his own issues with his self-worth. But there is no denying how he immediately feels for this lost girl. I love Jake. He's got that protective spirit that makes him such a great Alpha Male. He's not all muscles and bossy behavior, he knows when to let go and when to push. Ok, so maybe he is more push than let go, but his methods work for him.
So Cassie is stuck in a small town, and her and Jake have a growing attraction. But they are not the only characters in this story. Let me say one name to you - AJ. AJ is so full of awesome, I want him to have his own book! He lives at the motel where Cassie is staying and he is fabulous. The two become instant besties. He is open and honest and supportive. I just love him. He is one of those characters that I would love to know in real life.
This book was truly wonderful. I can't even find a single complaint. There was tension and sexual attraction. There was just enough heat to make it interesting. And there are a couple mysteries going on. Such as, why is Jake so down on himself? And what is going on with his "buddy" Dante? I really felt like I was right there in Evergreen Grove. And heck, if I'm on the road and my car breaks down, I hope it's there.
May 12, 2015
*I received a copy via netgalley for my honest review*
So, I've had a streak of good reads lately and that made me wonder if that makes me a sucker for romance - any kind of romance. If i like all stories how will i ever be a able to recognize a great one, you know? It's a little unsettling when you start doubting yourself and your judgement. But then this book came along and i did not enjoy reading it. To be honest i had to force myself to keep reading it. This should be a DNF for me. There where so many signs telling me to stop reading but i chose to ignore them. So i did finish it and now i have to write this review so here it goes.
Sign no1 was when i read the first page and was not pulled into the story. But this happened to me so many times and with books that i eventually did like in the end, so i didn't pay much attention to it.
Sign no2 was when i got bored with the story 30% into my read - i hate it when that happens.
Sign no3 was when i could not put a face to the MCs. I have a vivid imagination and even if an author doesn't give a detailed description of the MCs i'm usually able to imagine what they look like. I'm afraid Cassie and Jake are faceless to me...
Sign no4 was when i realized that the story did not make sense to me anymore. I mean by 80% i was like "did this really had to happen??? Seriously???"
Sign no5 - which felt more like the voice in my head was whispering 'I told you so' and not a sign anymore - were the last five pages... I'm pretty sure that even the author got bored with the story too and decided that it was time to wrap it up!!! (OK, my last comment was pretty cruel and i'm sorry because i try to respect every author's work but i have to be honest here...)
The good thing is that I've learned my lesson... If i don't enjoy reading a book then i should STOP reading it!
P.S. I was trying to remember why this story seemed so familiar to me and then i realized that it's very similar to one of my favorite books Jolted (Conflicted Encounters #1). I'm not trying to imply anything, but it is very similar. Now that's a book i do recommend.
So, I've had a streak of good reads lately and that made me wonder if that makes me a sucker for romance - any kind of romance. If i like all stories how will i ever be a able to recognize a great one, you know? It's a little unsettling when you start doubting yourself and your judgement. But then this book came along and i did not enjoy reading it. To be honest i had to force myself to keep reading it. This should be a DNF for me. There where so many signs telling me to stop reading but i chose to ignore them. So i did finish it and now i have to write this review so here it goes.
Sign no1 was when i read the first page and was not pulled into the story. But this happened to me so many times and with books that i eventually did like in the end, so i didn't pay much attention to it.
Sign no2 was when i got bored with the story 30% into my read - i hate it when that happens.
Sign no3 was when i could not put a face to the MCs. I have a vivid imagination and even if an author doesn't give a detailed description of the MCs i'm usually able to imagine what they look like. I'm afraid Cassie and Jake are faceless to me...
Sign no4 was when i realized that the story did not make sense to me anymore. I mean by 80% i was like "did this really had to happen??? Seriously???"
Sign no5 - which felt more like the voice in my head was whispering 'I told you so' and not a sign anymore - were the last five pages... I'm pretty sure that even the author got bored with the story too and decided that it was time to wrap it up!!! (OK, my last comment was pretty cruel and i'm sorry because i try to respect every author's work but i have to be honest here...)
The good thing is that I've learned my lesson... If i don't enjoy reading a book then i should STOP reading it!
P.S. I was trying to remember why this story seemed so familiar to me and then i realized that it's very similar to one of my favorite books Jolted (Conflicted Encounters #1). I'm not trying to imply anything, but it is very similar. Now that's a book i do recommend.
May 9, 2015
Pretty good. It starts quick but it kind of dulls a bit. Thankfully it picks back up again. If it were just going to be 200+ pages of them bemoaning their lives and why they cannot be together, it would have gotten real old, real fast. Thankfully there is a twist that helps the book move past this trap. Overall, pretty good NA book. Predicable-sure. But, still pretty good!
April 22, 2015
From the moment I read the dedication of "To you. Because you're a survivor, and you're beautiful," I knew it was going to be a fascinating book that would be hard to put down.
Cassie hasn't had an easy time in the last several years and lately it's become even tougher when she loses her mom. Tired of being in the same place & the looks of pity, she decides to travel the country and see where her journey takes her. A monkey wrench is thrown in her plans when her car breaks on the side of the road and is saved by Jake who at first wonders if the gal has any sense.
Jake has his own haunted past and secrets so has often kept his distance though also can't help lending a hand to those in need. Cassie wasn't someone he expected and finds himself caught between wanting to keep his distance but also drawn to her. He helps Cassie to find a cheap place to rent, tows her car without charging & offers to see what he can do about trying to fix her car in a shop he happens to work at.
Over the course of the next month, Cassie finds that she's not so eager to be on her way and gets a job to try to help pay for the cost of possible repairs as well as money to pay rent. Jake and Cassie try to fight their growing attraction to each other but are finding it harder to resist.
Eventually they can no longer resist each other and find that life is so much sweeter together.
When someone from Jake's past appears, another monkey wrench is thrown into the mix and it leaves them both reeling.
I like the fact that though both Jake and Cas haven't had it easy, they've chosen how to react to things they had no control over and don't let it stop them from living their lives. Bad things happen to people all the time and it's how the people react that can often define them.
I think they are a wonderful couple and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for them. I found myself eager to see how their story would pan out and often laughed out loud.
There were times that I wanted to put Jake and Cassie in a locked room until they realized how great they are for each other though their hesitations were perfectly understandable. Overall, I found this book to be interesting mix of humor, sadness, the bond of friendship and love that really
made this story a great read.
Kudos to Staab!
Cassie hasn't had an easy time in the last several years and lately it's become even tougher when she loses her mom. Tired of being in the same place & the looks of pity, she decides to travel the country and see where her journey takes her. A monkey wrench is thrown in her plans when her car breaks on the side of the road and is saved by Jake who at first wonders if the gal has any sense.
Jake has his own haunted past and secrets so has often kept his distance though also can't help lending a hand to those in need. Cassie wasn't someone he expected and finds himself caught between wanting to keep his distance but also drawn to her. He helps Cassie to find a cheap place to rent, tows her car without charging & offers to see what he can do about trying to fix her car in a shop he happens to work at.
Over the course of the next month, Cassie finds that she's not so eager to be on her way and gets a job to try to help pay for the cost of possible repairs as well as money to pay rent. Jake and Cassie try to fight their growing attraction to each other but are finding it harder to resist.
Eventually they can no longer resist each other and find that life is so much sweeter together.
When someone from Jake's past appears, another monkey wrench is thrown into the mix and it leaves them both reeling.
I like the fact that though both Jake and Cas haven't had it easy, they've chosen how to react to things they had no control over and don't let it stop them from living their lives. Bad things happen to people all the time and it's how the people react that can often define them.
I think they are a wonderful couple and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for them. I found myself eager to see how their story would pan out and often laughed out loud.
There were times that I wanted to put Jake and Cassie in a locked room until they realized how great they are for each other though their hesitations were perfectly understandable. Overall, I found this book to be interesting mix of humor, sadness, the bond of friendship and love that really
made this story a great read.
Kudos to Staab!
May 9, 2015
Sometimes love finds you when you least expect it to and gives you a home in the process. At the Stars earned a solid four star rating with its painfully beautiful characters, sweetly developed story line, and heartfelt happy ending. From the very beginning the reader is introduced to both Cassie and Jake. Their meeting is unusual but sparks the following flow of movements and decisions.
Cassie and Jake are both lonely shells of a person when they meet. Cassie is struggling to deal with all that has happened to her. She's a bit lost with a decent head on her shoulders, a good heart, and the need for someone to understand her. She and Jake are kindred spirits which might be part of the pull besides the physical attraction. Jake holds heavy burdens from his past that shape the person he is when he meets Cassie. He's struggling to tune out the bad through sexual release with a married woman, working, and living on his own.
I loved the dynamic between Jake and Cassie. The novel flips between both of their perspectives and allows the reader to get inside their heads. I love the slow progression to trust to caring to loving. What they created was fragile yet powerful. The story tugs at you, sucking you in until you read the very last word. The read is easy and enjoyable, I certainly liked it! It should be noted that I was given this in exchange for an honest review.
Cassie and Jake are both lonely shells of a person when they meet. Cassie is struggling to deal with all that has happened to her. She's a bit lost with a decent head on her shoulders, a good heart, and the need for someone to understand her. She and Jake are kindred spirits which might be part of the pull besides the physical attraction. Jake holds heavy burdens from his past that shape the person he is when he meets Cassie. He's struggling to tune out the bad through sexual release with a married woman, working, and living on his own.
I loved the dynamic between Jake and Cassie. The novel flips between both of their perspectives and allows the reader to get inside their heads. I love the slow progression to trust to caring to loving. What they created was fragile yet powerful. The story tugs at you, sucking you in until you read the very last word. The read is easy and enjoyable, I certainly liked it! It should be noted that I was given this in exchange for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 20, 2015
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC of At the Stars by Elisabeth Staab. This is the first book by her, but I will definitely be looking for more of her work in the future; At the Stars was brilliant! It was the perfect New Adult romance, because while it used several clichés from the genre, it avoided the more annoying ones (instant-love, slut-shaming, overly possessive alpha male, and whiny heroine). Instead, she took the tropes she did use and put a unique and beautiful spin on them. She created two deep and unforgettable characters, whose story is both sad and touching.
Cassie is an incredibly strong young woman, though it may not seem like it at first. She has been through a mini-hell in the past few years, and Jake meets her in the middle of an emotional and mental breakdown. Despite this, he feels a pull towards the girl he saved from death. Cassie, on the other hand, just wants to figure out what to do with her broken life and tattered heart. She just wants a fresh start, which is something many people can relate to. It takes a lot of guts to pack your entire life into the back of a car and take off across the country to an unknown destination, but that’s what Cassie does. She is truly fearless. Getting stuck in a small town with a dead car was definitely not part of the plan, but she makes the most of it, because she is a survivor. Jake tries to fight his attraction to her, but just as her undying spirit endears her to the reader, it draws him to her in ways he can’t describe. He’s hesitant to get involved, though, due to his dark past. What hurt the most about his character was his constant self-antagonization over an accident that he had no control over but still haunts him.
I think one thing that happens all too often in society is that people are shamed for their baggage. The reality is, everyone has baggage. Nobody’s, and I mean nobody’s, life is perfect, and this is the story of what happens when two people look past the baggage and accept each other for their beautiful souls. Elisbeth Staab breathes life into these characters with her talented writing abilities. This is a dual POV novel, and I really loved seeing through the eyes of both of the main characters. Each had such a deep background and unique voice that the story would definitely have been lacking had it been written in single POV. The side charcaters, A.J. and Dante, where also very endearing, and I’m eagerly awaiting Dante’s story, which is supposedly being released soon!! YAY! ☺
Since summertime is nearly upon us, I’ve recently been looking to post reviews of good beach reads on the blog, and this book should definitely be on everyone’s beach read list! It’s funny (Cassie has a fantastic sense of humor), it’s touching, heartbreaking, inspiring, and refreshing. At the Stars is truly wonderful addition to the growing genre of New Adult romances. And guess what, it’s being released today! So grab your e-reader or head on over to the bookstore, because you definitely don’t want to miss out on Cassie and Jake’s story. Also, Goodreads is currently holding a giveaway for a signed paperback, but it ends tomorrow (May 6), so hurry on over there and enter to win! Link is: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
Cassie is an incredibly strong young woman, though it may not seem like it at first. She has been through a mini-hell in the past few years, and Jake meets her in the middle of an emotional and mental breakdown. Despite this, he feels a pull towards the girl he saved from death. Cassie, on the other hand, just wants to figure out what to do with her broken life and tattered heart. She just wants a fresh start, which is something many people can relate to. It takes a lot of guts to pack your entire life into the back of a car and take off across the country to an unknown destination, but that’s what Cassie does. She is truly fearless. Getting stuck in a small town with a dead car was definitely not part of the plan, but she makes the most of it, because she is a survivor. Jake tries to fight his attraction to her, but just as her undying spirit endears her to the reader, it draws him to her in ways he can’t describe. He’s hesitant to get involved, though, due to his dark past. What hurt the most about his character was his constant self-antagonization over an accident that he had no control over but still haunts him.
I think one thing that happens all too often in society is that people are shamed for their baggage. The reality is, everyone has baggage. Nobody’s, and I mean nobody’s, life is perfect, and this is the story of what happens when two people look past the baggage and accept each other for their beautiful souls. Elisbeth Staab breathes life into these characters with her talented writing abilities. This is a dual POV novel, and I really loved seeing through the eyes of both of the main characters. Each had such a deep background and unique voice that the story would definitely have been lacking had it been written in single POV. The side charcaters, A.J. and Dante, where also very endearing, and I’m eagerly awaiting Dante’s story, which is supposedly being released soon!! YAY! ☺
Since summertime is nearly upon us, I’ve recently been looking to post reviews of good beach reads on the blog, and this book should definitely be on everyone’s beach read list! It’s funny (Cassie has a fantastic sense of humor), it’s touching, heartbreaking, inspiring, and refreshing. At the Stars is truly wonderful addition to the growing genre of New Adult romances. And guess what, it’s being released today! So grab your e-reader or head on over to the bookstore, because you definitely don’t want to miss out on Cassie and Jake’s story. Also, Goodreads is currently holding a giveaway for a signed paperback, but it ends tomorrow (May 6), so hurry on over there and enter to win! Link is: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
June 30, 2015
Jake and Cassie both have emotional pasts that are dictating how they move on with ther lives and preventing them from having happy futures. Cassie has been hurt both physically and emotionally. Jake believes he has death on his hands and that he doesn’t deserve to be happy.
Cassie needs to get away from her small home town. From the pitying looks everywhere she goes. To go somewhere, where everyone doesn’t know what happened to her. To start afresh. So she packs up the belongings she has left into her car and starts forward on her road trip. To where, she has no clue.
Jake has already left his hometown. Moved away from his past. He’s already trying to achieve his fresh start, where no-one knows what he has done.
Jake and Cassie’s first time of meeting isn’t so conventional. Jake comes across a car with it’s bonnet up, so stops to see if the car owner needs help. He doesn’t expect to come across what appears to be Cassie in the middle of an emotional breakdown, standing in the middle of the road, staring down an oncoming lorry.
Cassie is brought back down to earth with a thud as strong arms wrap around her and then she is flying to the side of the road. Cassie realises Jake thought she was trying to end her life and struggles to get Jake to believe otherwise.
It turns out Cassie’s car is going to cost a lot to repair, according to the garage where Jake works as a mechanic. Cassie realises she is going to have to stick around in another small town until she can sort the repairs to her car or can find a replacement. Soon Cassie has a job, a new friend, AJ, and is quickly realising she is becoming attracted to Jake.
The rest of the story is propelled by the ebb and flow of Jake and Cassie’s relationship. Their insecurities and overcoming their secrets of their pasts, so I’m not going to divulge any more of the story for you beacuse I’m just a tease like that :-) .
At the stars is a super emotional read. This book proves a storyline can be simple, that it doesn’t need to much going on, that the emotional depth can make the book a great read, like with At The Stars. It’s a story about two lost souls coming together and helping each other heal. This story doesn’t need anything else like new dramas or villians etc.
Jake and Cassie’s relationship isn’t just wham bam thank you mam. The story is as the characters in the story say ” two steps forward and one step back”. Slow building.
Being dual point of view highlights the emotions in the book and hearing both characters thoughts, helps as a reader to feel more involved in the story.
Throughout the story I was full of hope for Jake and Cassie. It made my stomach flip flop with the backwards and forwards, or maybe I was too emotionally involved in the story ha ha. The only thing missing for me was a little epilogue to see how they both adapted to such big changes in their lives.
A great story from Elisabeth Staab and I will definitely be reading the next book in this series :-)
Follow the review at http://sweetreading.club/at-the-stars...
Cassie needs to get away from her small home town. From the pitying looks everywhere she goes. To go somewhere, where everyone doesn’t know what happened to her. To start afresh. So she packs up the belongings she has left into her car and starts forward on her road trip. To where, she has no clue.
Jake has already left his hometown. Moved away from his past. He’s already trying to achieve his fresh start, where no-one knows what he has done.
Jake and Cassie’s first time of meeting isn’t so conventional. Jake comes across a car with it’s bonnet up, so stops to see if the car owner needs help. He doesn’t expect to come across what appears to be Cassie in the middle of an emotional breakdown, standing in the middle of the road, staring down an oncoming lorry.
Cassie is brought back down to earth with a thud as strong arms wrap around her and then she is flying to the side of the road. Cassie realises Jake thought she was trying to end her life and struggles to get Jake to believe otherwise.
It turns out Cassie’s car is going to cost a lot to repair, according to the garage where Jake works as a mechanic. Cassie realises she is going to have to stick around in another small town until she can sort the repairs to her car or can find a replacement. Soon Cassie has a job, a new friend, AJ, and is quickly realising she is becoming attracted to Jake.
The rest of the story is propelled by the ebb and flow of Jake and Cassie’s relationship. Their insecurities and overcoming their secrets of their pasts, so I’m not going to divulge any more of the story for you beacuse I’m just a tease like that :-) .
At the stars is a super emotional read. This book proves a storyline can be simple, that it doesn’t need to much going on, that the emotional depth can make the book a great read, like with At The Stars. It’s a story about two lost souls coming together and helping each other heal. This story doesn’t need anything else like new dramas or villians etc.
Jake and Cassie’s relationship isn’t just wham bam thank you mam. The story is as the characters in the story say ” two steps forward and one step back”. Slow building.
Being dual point of view highlights the emotions in the book and hearing both characters thoughts, helps as a reader to feel more involved in the story.
Throughout the story I was full of hope for Jake and Cassie. It made my stomach flip flop with the backwards and forwards, or maybe I was too emotionally involved in the story ha ha. The only thing missing for me was a little epilogue to see how they both adapted to such big changes in their lives.
A great story from Elisabeth Staab and I will definitely be reading the next book in this series :-)
Follow the review at http://sweetreading.club/at-the-stars...
May 21, 2015
★★★★ 3.5 second chance star ★★★★
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Characters in this book have been to hell and back. Had experienced traumatic tragedies, unimaginable but somehow thrived to rise above it. Being able to move on will be tough, but it's what every human being should do. Yes, it's easier said than done.
Cassie, lost her her mother and is having a hard time accepting it. Only thing she wants to do is to up and leave her town. Start a new life. So, she decided to take a cross country, but the trip was cut short since her car decided to die at the scariest place, I wouldn't imagine being stranded and all alone. There she meets brooding Jake, in a small town where everyone knew everyone's business, Evergreen Grove. He helps her with her car, but somehow has caught her attention in ways she did not expect. She tried to deny the attraction gnawing at her and same as Jake. She isn't planning on staying but somehow, this place might just be what she was looking for. Where she could heal. And with Jake lurking around (winks), it's kind of hard to ignore a hot mechanic. Since he offered to help her with her car problems, they soon get to know each other.
As for Jake, he isn't interested in relationships. He has been sleeping with a woman who repeatedly told him that she is well on her way to filing a divorce. But somehow, this married lady is getting a little too clingy for his taste, which wasn't what they agreed on. Sex was all it was supposed to be. Ever since the first time he laid eyes on Cassie, there might be a possibility that things will be changing soon, when it comes to his sex life. He leaves behind the easy lay he used to have and maybe, just maybe, start something with the new lady in town. He becomes interested in her, but at the same time he denies what he really wants. He keeps telling himself that all he wants to do is to help Cassie out with her car. He had no idea that he would end up in uncharted territory with her.
Two broken souls. Two human being who's given a second chance to live a happy life. Both might need each other to heal their broken hearts. The only questions are....Will they both be strong enough to take a risk? Are they both ready to heal? Will Cassie stay in Evergreen Grove to be with Jake?
This was a one slow burn type of romance. It was quite a clean read. Not raunchy and too steamy, but the love story was there. I would recommend AT THE STARS to readers who is in to sweet read.
REVIEW IS ALSO ON FOUR CHICKS FLIPPING PAGES
http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...
*Copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Characters in this book have been to hell and back. Had experienced traumatic tragedies, unimaginable but somehow thrived to rise above it. Being able to move on will be tough, but it's what every human being should do. Yes, it's easier said than done.
Cassie, lost her her mother and is having a hard time accepting it. Only thing she wants to do is to up and leave her town. Start a new life. So, she decided to take a cross country, but the trip was cut short since her car decided to die at the scariest place, I wouldn't imagine being stranded and all alone. There she meets brooding Jake, in a small town where everyone knew everyone's business, Evergreen Grove. He helps her with her car, but somehow has caught her attention in ways she did not expect. She tried to deny the attraction gnawing at her and same as Jake. She isn't planning on staying but somehow, this place might just be what she was looking for. Where she could heal. And with Jake lurking around (winks), it's kind of hard to ignore a hot mechanic. Since he offered to help her with her car problems, they soon get to know each other.
As for Jake, he isn't interested in relationships. He has been sleeping with a woman who repeatedly told him that she is well on her way to filing a divorce. But somehow, this married lady is getting a little too clingy for his taste, which wasn't what they agreed on. Sex was all it was supposed to be. Ever since the first time he laid eyes on Cassie, there might be a possibility that things will be changing soon, when it comes to his sex life. He leaves behind the easy lay he used to have and maybe, just maybe, start something with the new lady in town. He becomes interested in her, but at the same time he denies what he really wants. He keeps telling himself that all he wants to do is to help Cassie out with her car. He had no idea that he would end up in uncharted territory with her.
Two broken souls. Two human being who's given a second chance to live a happy life. Both might need each other to heal their broken hearts. The only questions are....Will they both be strong enough to take a risk? Are they both ready to heal? Will Cassie stay in Evergreen Grove to be with Jake?
This was a one slow burn type of romance. It was quite a clean read. Not raunchy and too steamy, but the love story was there. I would recommend AT THE STARS to readers who is in to sweet read.
REVIEW IS ALSO ON FOUR CHICKS FLIPPING PAGES
http://fourchicksflippingpages.weebly...
May 10, 2015
Right from the start of this book you are thrown into the mix of all this despair and almost drama. Cassie is a girl on the brink of a breakdown (or maybe in the middle of one?), and Jake is hiding from a past that is breaking him on the inside. Sounds like a great book right? For once, yes, this book actually lives up to expectations. The writing style fit perfectly with this book. The author was really able to put all the right amount of angst and drama into the book that it definitely didn't overwhelm me or take away from the characters and their story. I really loved the alternating perspectives on this because of the look into both character's reasoning. It was entertaining to see them slowly falling for each other but then talking themselves out of it. It just really gave good insight into their actions.
Cassie was such a character. Throughout the book she really placed a lot of doubt on herself and just switched her tune so much! At some points she would blow Blake off, then she would be sweet and flirty toward him. And the reason for this was the fact that she was sometimes self-conscious, and then sometimes she was confident and sure of herself. She presented herself to others as sometimes weak or placid, but internally, she was so strong. She really went through a lot that was hinted at in parts of the book, and she dealt with those things throughout the book. She definitely didn't take crap from nobody.
"Honestly. I'm not out here in the middle of the road trying to die. I just... needed to remember what it was like. Staring that possibility in the face."
Jake was a really strong character. In the beginning, he had certain expectations both for himself and Cassie. He kind of thought of her as just another girl infatuated with him, but he doesn't act on it(for a change). I thought it was interesting because as a reader I know he is falling for her, but Jake himself denies it as long as he can. It was really easy to get caught up in him and his interactions with Cassie. They really did compliment each other so much, and I liked how it wasn't easy for them to just be together. They put work into it and did their best to make it work.
This book would have only moderately good without the support system around Cassie and Jake. Characters such as Delia(Cassie's boss) and AJ(Cassie's best friend) really helped make the book into what it was. I really enjoyed the characters as they supported and added some extra elements to the story.
Overall this book was really good. The characters were perfectly created to match the situation and make it mash well together.
Cassie was such a character. Throughout the book she really placed a lot of doubt on herself and just switched her tune so much! At some points she would blow Blake off, then she would be sweet and flirty toward him. And the reason for this was the fact that she was sometimes self-conscious, and then sometimes she was confident and sure of herself. She presented herself to others as sometimes weak or placid, but internally, she was so strong. She really went through a lot that was hinted at in parts of the book, and she dealt with those things throughout the book. She definitely didn't take crap from nobody.
"Honestly. I'm not out here in the middle of the road trying to die. I just... needed to remember what it was like. Staring that possibility in the face."
Jake was a really strong character. In the beginning, he had certain expectations both for himself and Cassie. He kind of thought of her as just another girl infatuated with him, but he doesn't act on it(for a change). I thought it was interesting because as a reader I know he is falling for her, but Jake himself denies it as long as he can. It was really easy to get caught up in him and his interactions with Cassie. They really did compliment each other so much, and I liked how it wasn't easy for them to just be together. They put work into it and did their best to make it work.
This book would have only moderately good without the support system around Cassie and Jake. Characters such as Delia(Cassie's boss) and AJ(Cassie's best friend) really helped make the book into what it was. I really enjoyed the characters as they supported and added some extra elements to the story.
Overall this book was really good. The characters were perfectly created to match the situation and make it mash well together.
June 19, 2016
Title: At the Stars (Book 1)
Series: Evergreen Grove
Author: Elisabeth Staab
Genre: New Adult and College
Blurb:
A GIRL TRYING TO LEAVE HER PAST BEHIND I was a normal teenager who loved music and dancing, until the day I was attacked in my favorite record store. A few years later when my mom succumbed to depression and took her own life, I couldn’t stay in my hometown with all the memories and the curious stares. I decided to get in my car and just go – except my car decided it was done going outside a tiny place called Evergreen Grove. That’s where I found Jake. Or I guess Jake found me.
A GUY WHO CAN’T LET HIS GO For the last eight years, all I can think about is the day I ended another man’s life. Then I manage to save Cassie’s, and I feel like maybe I’ve got some kind of second chance. To do what I couldn’t before, or maybe even for something bigger. Something like love. If only I could feel like I deserve her...
At the Stars is a story of lost hope, new beginnings, and found love.
Thoughts:
Be forewarned, there may be some triggers in this story that some may have difficulty with. That being said, a beautiful and talented young girl Cassie, seeks to escape the pity and whispers of her small town by hitting the road. Without reliable transportation, she doesn't make it far before her car breaks down in a rainstorm. Cassie finds herself facing down an 18-wheeler in the rain, perhaps staring down her own demons, when she's knocked to the ground. Luckily it’s Jake, not the semi. Jake has his own demons, hiding far from his family and others, but he's not about to let this girl become road kill. Maybe he seeks a little redemption.
This is written in dual POVs, which is always a favorite of mine. The author weaves them in very well and writes a compelling, quick page turner. The characters, while carrying heavy baggage, are stronger than they each think. They both grow and learn from the support, trust and love they discover in each other. It's a well written story, with an HEA. At the Stars is the first in the Evergreen Grove trilogy. The 2nd in the series, Acts of Creation, is Jake's friend Damon's story. Damon is a former underground fighter, like Jake. The third is in the series, By the Rules, is AJ's story. AJ befriends Cassie when she gets to town. Aj is a favorite of mine in this story. Who wouldn’t want a great friend like this guy on your side. He had a rough past, trying to make it on his own before someone helped him.
Grade: B+
Review by: Jeananna
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
Series: Evergreen Grove
Author: Elisabeth Staab
Genre: New Adult and College
Blurb:
A GIRL TRYING TO LEAVE HER PAST BEHIND I was a normal teenager who loved music and dancing, until the day I was attacked in my favorite record store. A few years later when my mom succumbed to depression and took her own life, I couldn’t stay in my hometown with all the memories and the curious stares. I decided to get in my car and just go – except my car decided it was done going outside a tiny place called Evergreen Grove. That’s where I found Jake. Or I guess Jake found me.
A GUY WHO CAN’T LET HIS GO For the last eight years, all I can think about is the day I ended another man’s life. Then I manage to save Cassie’s, and I feel like maybe I’ve got some kind of second chance. To do what I couldn’t before, or maybe even for something bigger. Something like love. If only I could feel like I deserve her...
At the Stars is a story of lost hope, new beginnings, and found love.
Thoughts:
Be forewarned, there may be some triggers in this story that some may have difficulty with. That being said, a beautiful and talented young girl Cassie, seeks to escape the pity and whispers of her small town by hitting the road. Without reliable transportation, she doesn't make it far before her car breaks down in a rainstorm. Cassie finds herself facing down an 18-wheeler in the rain, perhaps staring down her own demons, when she's knocked to the ground. Luckily it’s Jake, not the semi. Jake has his own demons, hiding far from his family and others, but he's not about to let this girl become road kill. Maybe he seeks a little redemption.
This is written in dual POVs, which is always a favorite of mine. The author weaves them in very well and writes a compelling, quick page turner. The characters, while carrying heavy baggage, are stronger than they each think. They both grow and learn from the support, trust and love they discover in each other. It's a well written story, with an HEA. At the Stars is the first in the Evergreen Grove trilogy. The 2nd in the series, Acts of Creation, is Jake's friend Damon's story. Damon is a former underground fighter, like Jake. The third is in the series, By the Rules, is AJ's story. AJ befriends Cassie when she gets to town. Aj is a favorite of mine in this story. Who wouldn’t want a great friend like this guy on your side. He had a rough past, trying to make it on his own before someone helped him.
Grade: B+
Review by: Jeananna
http://www.thebookreadinggals.com
June 5, 2015
What I knew of Elisabeth Staab’s books (before At the Stars) are her paranormal romances, so I was not expecting this contemporary story of Cassie and Jake. I was surprised to find At the Stars to be a solidly written New Adult story. Not my favorite type of romance, usually too much drama and way too much anguish. Nonetheless I enjoyed At the Stars. Still it is not a lighthearted read but I found it to be one of hope.
From the standoff with the tractor trailer on a rainy night, there is no question that Cassie is a troubled young woman. It is only as you read on that you begin to see that is Jake still suffering from events in his past too. I really like that instead of these two falling into vices (which would be easy to do), they are looking at ways to rebuild themselves. In fact, all of the supporting characters come with baggage. They are an interesting bunch that make you want to hear their unique stories too.
The progress of the relationship between Jake and Cassie is very well done. The “two steps forward and one step back” actions really makes this story work for me. Realistically, the way two injured souls would be – longing but wary. It is the ebb and flow of their relationship that propels the rest of the storyline. Having the story from their alternating viewpoints enhances the authenticity of their interactions. Sometimes this style works for me and sometimes not, the story flow can feel choppy for lack of a better way to describe it. This time the author did an excellent job of connecting the story within the two perspectives. I appreciated hearing straight from Cassie and Jake their reasoning and emotions.
Overall, one of the better emotional new adult books that I have read. So maybe after all I do like this type of story or at least when Elisabeth Staab is writing one. Certainly I would recommend this book as I look forward to Dante’s story, the next one in the series.
Copy provided by the publisher through Net Galley for an honest review.
From the standoff with the tractor trailer on a rainy night, there is no question that Cassie is a troubled young woman. It is only as you read on that you begin to see that is Jake still suffering from events in his past too. I really like that instead of these two falling into vices (which would be easy to do), they are looking at ways to rebuild themselves. In fact, all of the supporting characters come with baggage. They are an interesting bunch that make you want to hear their unique stories too.
The progress of the relationship between Jake and Cassie is very well done. The “two steps forward and one step back” actions really makes this story work for me. Realistically, the way two injured souls would be – longing but wary. It is the ebb and flow of their relationship that propels the rest of the storyline. Having the story from their alternating viewpoints enhances the authenticity of their interactions. Sometimes this style works for me and sometimes not, the story flow can feel choppy for lack of a better way to describe it. This time the author did an excellent job of connecting the story within the two perspectives. I appreciated hearing straight from Cassie and Jake their reasoning and emotions.
Overall, one of the better emotional new adult books that I have read. So maybe after all I do like this type of story or at least when Elisabeth Staab is writing one. Certainly I would recommend this book as I look forward to Dante’s story, the next one in the series.
Copy provided by the publisher through Net Galley for an honest review.
April 11, 2016
2.5 stars. Didn't finish halfway through. The writing is fine. I just could not get into this story. I get really really sick and tired of reading romance novels where I have to listen to either or both characters try and convince themselves that they can't let themselves fall for each other. You know, the inner monologues that go something like this: "he/she is so good looking! No! I can't look at him/her that way! I wonder what it would be like to kiss him/her. No I shouldn't be thinking about kissing him/her! But he/she is just so different from anyone else I've known for ten minutes. But no I need to stop thinking about him/her that way!" And repeated over and over during EVERY interaction between the two. Oh. My. Gosh. It is just so freaking exhausting. And I have written probably 20 reviews about books with this EXACT same problem. I could just copy and paste this review to many other romance novels. I don't know why authors have to write the same scenarios. Like is there a romance novel guideline these authors have to follow? Do people actually like this type of conflict? It's so repetitive and unoriginal and annoying, especially when it's written as a dual point of view. So we are not only getting the girls pov on every situation but we also get the male pov too. So we basically know what everyone is feeling during every situation at all times. It just takes what little mystery there could be out of the story. I just want them to LIVE!! Let things flow naturally. actually the characters themselves aren't annoying or anything. I liked them in fact. It was just the whole over sharing type writing and the pointless conflict of them "not wanting a relationship with anyone" that I get so done with. Also it just kind of lacks intrigue and that special something that pulls you into a story and into the characters lives. I just don't really care enough about them to figure out what will happen with them. They are both pretty forgettable.
May 4, 2015
It was phenomenal. It was dark, and heartbreaking, but getting to know these characters was a wonderful experience. They all have bad pasts that have left them broken, which you often see in books. However, in this book, it wasn't like they were trying to put the pieces back together so much as figuring out how to carry those pieces. This was a very emotional book. We all have our baggage, and that helps build a strong connection with the book. Cassie and Jake are very unique. Cassie is such a strong individual. You see her falling apart at the beginning, but following her through the book was interesting to say the least. I don't want to give anything away, but know that it is amazing. What a great character! The way Jake feels he needs to constantly punish himself is agonizing. Elisabeth Staab's writing really brings these characters to life. I don't usually get teary-eyed with books, but this one was special. A.J. and Dante were great for the book as well, and I would love to see them get their stories told. One of my absolute favorite things about this book was the different perspectives. I love going back and forth between Cassie's and Jake's views. It got me all kinds of twisted and involved in the story. I wish I could experience for the first time all over again. I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2015
(Opportunity to read this book for an honest review)
At the Stars by Elisabeth Staab is an emotional journey that follows the main characters, Cassie and Jake as they deal with their past and work on their future.
From the beginning, the author lets you get to know her characters. With the alternating POVs, we get to see what both characters and thinking and feeling which I really enjoyed. For me, I'd classify the relationship between Cassie and Jake as a slow burn one. It isn't instant love where they are together right from chapter one. Instead, they get to know each other, be around each other, and fall in love. Personally, I love the instant love scenarios because I am horribly impatient, but Ms. Staab does a great job in building the relationship and moving the story along that it worked for me.
When they finally do get together, it's sweet and they end up have their hurdles which only adds to their journey.
Besides Cassie and Jake, I really liked the character of AJ. He's such a great friend to Cassie and even Jake. I loved him. Like the main characters, he also has his own past to deal with. I hope the author gives him his own book. It'd be interesting to know more about him.
Overall, At the Stars is a great read that one shouldn't miss. And for those who care,
At the Stars by Elisabeth Staab is an emotional journey that follows the main characters, Cassie and Jake as they deal with their past and work on their future.
From the beginning, the author lets you get to know her characters. With the alternating POVs, we get to see what both characters and thinking and feeling which I really enjoyed. For me, I'd classify the relationship between Cassie and Jake as a slow burn one. It isn't instant love where they are together right from chapter one. Instead, they get to know each other, be around each other, and fall in love. Personally, I love the instant love scenarios because I am horribly impatient, but Ms. Staab does a great job in building the relationship and moving the story along that it worked for me.
When they finally do get together, it's sweet and they end up have their hurdles which only adds to their journey.
Besides Cassie and Jake, I really liked the character of AJ. He's such a great friend to Cassie and even Jake. I loved him. Like the main characters, he also has his own past to deal with. I hope the author gives him his own book. It'd be interesting to know more about him.
Overall, At the Stars is a great read that one shouldn't miss. And for those who care,
May 7, 2015
First off let me start by saying this is the first book of Ms. Staab's that I have read and I am blown away by her deep emotional, dramatic, writing style.
The book is dark, but it will make you laugh at times and even break your heart but above all it will make you feel! It will touch the part of you that we all have inside us. The part that we lock away because to do otherwise will give it control over us rather then you controlling how, when you deal with it. Let's face it we all have things in out pasts that broke us at one point or other. A broken heart, an action we can't take back, something done to us, a loss that rocked you to your core. We all have baggage of some sort. This story is about Cassie and Jake. Two people who are broken but find each other and learn to heal and feel more then pain, rejection, loss and unworthy of better. More! I truly believe that you should buy this book and fell it for yourself. And yes I mean feel because I guarantee you can not read this book and not feel anything.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Ms. Staab for the opportunity to ARC for you.
L.
The book is dark, but it will make you laugh at times and even break your heart but above all it will make you feel! It will touch the part of you that we all have inside us. The part that we lock away because to do otherwise will give it control over us rather then you controlling how, when you deal with it. Let's face it we all have things in out pasts that broke us at one point or other. A broken heart, an action we can't take back, something done to us, a loss that rocked you to your core. We all have baggage of some sort. This story is about Cassie and Jake. Two people who are broken but find each other and learn to heal and feel more then pain, rejection, loss and unworthy of better. More! I truly believe that you should buy this book and fell it for yourself. And yes I mean feel because I guarantee you can not read this book and not feel anything.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Ms. Staab for the opportunity to ARC for you.
L.
September 3, 2015
Cassie & Jake meet under very unusual circumstances, and a sort of friendly acquaintance forms. She's on her way to anywhere, and where she ends up is exactly where she needs to be.
I love the slow build up between these two, but I also loved the way the town works its way into Cassie's heart just as much. She makes friends, she makes a life for herself, without even realizing that it's happening. She spends much of the story thinking this is just a stop on her way to ... somewhere else. But she keeps making excuses to stay - and while Jake is a part of that, he's not THE reason. And I liked that. And the build of their friendship to lovers is perfectly paced! My only complaint is that the ending is a bit rushed after all that build up, and I would have liked to see a bit more detail at the end. But all in all, I really loved this story a lot, it was very well written, and I'm going right into the 2nd book because I enjoyed it so much! : )
I love the slow build up between these two, but I also loved the way the town works its way into Cassie's heart just as much. She makes friends, she makes a life for herself, without even realizing that it's happening. She spends much of the story thinking this is just a stop on her way to ... somewhere else. But she keeps making excuses to stay - and while Jake is a part of that, he's not THE reason. And I liked that. And the build of their friendship to lovers is perfectly paced! My only complaint is that the ending is a bit rushed after all that build up, and I would have liked to see a bit more detail at the end. But all in all, I really loved this story a lot, it was very well written, and I'm going right into the 2nd book because I enjoyed it so much! : )
May 5, 2015
I was looking for something different and I found it! From the first few sentences I was hooked. I just HAD to know what was coming next. I loved how these characters have real lives and work through some difficult times. I was shocked during one part of the story but happy about how it turned out (no spoilers). I look forward to the next book and hope to find out more background from the characters we have met. This seems to be a great start in a wonderful series of change, hope and love.
May 8, 2015
I was given a free copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was great! Very well written. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was hard to put this down. The characters are well developed and I felt like they are very easy to understand.
I enjoyed it and will look into reading more books by this author.
This book was great! Very well written. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was hard to put this down. The characters are well developed and I felt like they are very easy to understand.
I enjoyed it and will look into reading more books by this author.
March 12, 2016
Very sweet read.
March 31, 2016
Must read
Goodone must read ! ! ! !
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Goodone must read ! ! ! !
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April 30, 2016
A really emotional and hard hitting story.
I really enjoyed this book, it was very sensitively written in the dark parts and I was so glad there was a hea to it, really needed it.
I really enjoyed this book, it was very sensitively written in the dark parts and I was so glad there was a hea to it, really needed it.
May 25, 2018
At the stars
Cassie is running from her past. Her car breaks down in Evergreen Grove, and she standing in front of a semi almost getting hit. Just before it does cassie is pushed over into the wet grass. When she looks up she sees Jake. Jake has a secret he's trying to hide and if it gets revealed he could lose everything. Great read.
Cassie is running from her past. Her car breaks down in Evergreen Grove, and she standing in front of a semi almost getting hit. Just before it does cassie is pushed over into the wet grass. When she looks up she sees Jake. Jake has a secret he's trying to hide and if it gets revealed he could lose everything. Great read.
July 7, 2017
Good book
This book was Cassie and Jake's story. They both are trying to move on from their past and found each other. As they try and navigate through it, they find themselves, love and understanding. Good book
This book was Cassie and Jake's story. They both are trying to move on from their past and found each other. As they try and navigate through it, they find themselves, love and understanding. Good book
July 7, 2017
I liked this book, always surprises me how authors manage to pair two broken people and make it work so well. I was wholly invested in them and their story.
December 8, 2017
Fast read of what I categorize as "garbage books" - not for you if you are looking for anything beyond mindless entertainment
April 12, 2018
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
May 4, 2018
I really loved this book, there was the perfect amount of build up and romance for me.
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