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

Great read!

Lovely well rounded heart warming story. Thoroughly written, and enjoyable, and Abby was spectacular as always. Her voices fit the characters well. The story of young love broken, then battle tested through life's challenges & doubts to come full circle years later where it all began...a true love story that survived it all.

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. 🔥

A wonderful journey to together!

This story of Jordan and Olivia is such a very up and down journey to together. They were great friends who fell in love in high school but of course kept it secret. However, when Olivia was offered a chance to study with a French chef in Paris, she could not turn it down. Meanwhile, on the home front, Jordan pursues a writing career. But when Olivia returned to town, Jordan fears she will never be able to trust her again.

It’s a very poignant journey of friendship, love, mistrust, loss and a beautiful second chance. The writing is just superb. I just couldn’t stop cheering for the two main characters to get together. The secondary characters were also strong and supportive. And the narration by Abby Craden was so warm and tender. I hope there will be a follow up to see what happens in their future. It’s an amazing story that encourages me to read more from this very talented author who is new to me. Brava!!!