STARSTRUCK by Cyn Balog

 Starstruck released today! Go to your local bookstore and pick up a copy of this awesome book!!!

Gwendolyn "Dough" X doesn't think she has much going for her—she carries a few extra pounds, her family struggles with their small bakery in a town full of millionaires, and the other kids at her New Jersey high school don't seem to know that she exists. Thank the stars for her longtime boyfriend, Philip P. Wishman—or "Wish." He moved away to California three years ago, when they were 13, but then professed his love for her via e-mail, and he's been her long-distance BF ever since.

At the beginning of her junior year, though, Wish e-mails that he's moving back to Jersey. Great, right? Well, except that Dough has gained about 70 pounds since the last time Wish saw her, while Wish—according to his Facebook photos—has morphed into a blonde god. Convinced that she'll be headed for Dumpsville the minute Wish lays eyes on her, Dough delays their meeting as long as she possibly can.

But when she sees Wish at school, something amazing happens. He looks at Dough like she's just as gorgeous as he is. But Wish is acting a little weird, obsessed with the sun and freaked out by rain. And the creepy new guy working at the bakery, Christian, is convinced that there's more to Wish's good looks than just healthy eating and lots of sun. He tells Dough that a mark on Wish's neck marks him as a member of the Luminati—an ancient cult of astrologers who can manipulate the stars to improve their lives. Is Wish and Dough's love meant to be—or are they star-crossed?

   I picked up Starstruck because I loved Cyn's previous books, Fairy Tale and Sleepless, and I was not disappointed. The story is light but carries depth, and the supernatural element enjoyable and not overplayed. The humor was impeccable and the timing spot on. Dough was such an engaging character and her reactions to different situations were completely realistic. Simply put, I loved it. Wish did get on my nerves a few times, but what guy doesn't? Again, an engaging and realistic character. Oh, and (SPOILER ALERT) if a sequel is released, I a totally rooting for Christian as Dough's new boyfriend. Definitely my favorite character in the novel. All in all, a fun and quick read, worth the time spent.

4/5 stars

**ARC received from Random House publishers.