A Globusz Books discovery
Alexandria Bellefleur · English
Fake dating schemes are as old as rom-coms, but what happens when your astrologer crush and your spreadsheet-loving actuary pretend to be a couple just to keep the peace? Spoiler: it’s messier and way more charming than you’d expect. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at astrology but still secretly checked your horoscope, this one’s got your name on it.
Globusz original summary
“Written in the Stars” by Alexandria Bellefleur is the kind of contemporary romance that sneaks up on you with its warmth and wit, then hooks you with characters who are as quirky as they are real. Elle Jones is a free-spirited astrologer with a popular Twitter account, 'Oh My Stars,' and a penchant for optimism that borders on stubborn. Darcy Lowell is her polar opposite: an actuary whose life revolves around numbers, schedules, and a very cautious approach to feelings. When their blind date bombs spectacularly, you’d think that’s the end of it. But thanks to Darcy’s well-meaning but meddlesome brother Brendon, the two women find themselves roped into a fake dating arrangement to keep their families off their backs.
This setup could’ve been just another tired rom-com trope, but Bellefleur uses it to explore something a little deeper. Elle’s family wants her to ditch her nebulous astrology gig for something more "respectable," while Darcy wrestles with a past heartbreak that’s left her skeptical about love. Their fake relationship forces them to confront not only each other but their own fears and desires.
The novel’s charm lies largely in the chemistry between Elle and Darcy. Their banter crackles with humor—think astrology memes meeting actuarial spreadsheets—and their growing affection feels earned, not rushed. Bellefleur doesn’t just hand you a checklist of romantic milestones; she lets you watch two people who are wildly different learn to appreciate each other’s worlds without losing themselves.
Bellefleur’s style is breezy but not shallow. She peppers the story with subtle nods to classics like “Pride and Prejudice,” which adds a fun layer of literary wink-wink without feeling gimmicky. The humor is warm and self-aware, never mocking the characters or the quirks that make them who they are. It’s the kind of writing that makes you chuckle out loud and then pause for a moment of genuine feeling.
Thematically, the book digs into the pressure many of us feel to conform—whether that’s to family expectations, career paths, or even how we approach love. Elle’s astrology isn’t just a quirky job; it symbolizes her refusal to fit into a neat box. Darcy’s actuarial mindset represents the opposite: control, predictability, and caution. Their relationship becomes a dance between chaos and order, risk and safety.
While the pacing occasionally dips into predictable rom-com territory, the characters’ authenticity keeps the story afloat. The novel’s LGBTQ+ representation is a big plus, handled with care and without tokenism. This isn’t a story about being queer as a plot device; it’s just about two people falling in love, which feels refreshing.
“Written in the Stars” has earned accolades like the Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Romance, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a story that manages to be both lighthearted and meaningful, funny and heartfelt. For readers tired of the same old romance formulas, it offers something a little different—something that feels, well, written in the stars.
Beyond the summary
“Written in the Stars” isn’t trying to rewrite the romance rulebook. Instead, it’s a warm, funny, and honest look at what happens when two very different people stop pretending—not just about their relationship, but about who they are. It’s a reminder that love often comes wrapped in contradictions, awkward moments, and a whole lot of self-questioning. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes it real.
Before you commit
Fake dating schemes are as old as rom-coms, but what happens when your astrologer crush and your spreadsheet-loving actuary pretend to be a couple just to keep the peace? Spoiler: it’s messier and way more charming than you’d expect. If you’ve ever rolled your eyes at astrology but still secretly checked your horoscope, this one’s got your name on it.
The novel explores how people often hide their true selves behind social masks, especially under family and societal pressure, and how embracing authenticity is both challenging and liberating.
Elle and Darcy’s struggles highlight the tension between fulfilling familial roles and pursuing personal happiness, a conflict that resonates beyond the romance genre.
The story challenges the idea that partners must be similar to connect, showing instead how contrasting personalities can lead to growth and understanding.
Wit and playful banter are used not just for laughs but as a means for the characters to bond and navigate vulnerability.
By portraying queer characters whose sexuality is a fact of life rather than a crisis, the book contributes to broader acceptance and representation.
Elle and Darcy couldn’t be more different—one’s an astrology-loving dreamer, the other a numbers-obsessed realist. Their fake relationship forces them to bridge that gap, showing that love isn’t about changing someone but about understanding and accepting contrasts.
The pretend relationship trope often feels tired, but here it’s a clever way to explore how people mask their true selves for others. Elle and Darcy’s arrangement starts as a performance but becomes a path to embracing who they really are.
Both leads deal with family expectations that clash with their identities and careers. The novel digs into how these pressures can stifle or motivate, and how pushing back is both scary and necessary.
Bellefleur’s writing balances sharp wit with genuine emotional moments. The humor doesn’t undercut the stakes; instead, it makes the characters more relatable and the story feel alive.
The LGBTQ+ aspect isn’t the conflict; it’s the backdrop. That normalization is a quiet but powerful statement in a genre that sometimes over-dramatizes queer romance.
Elle and Darcy’s relationship invites you to think about your own differences with others—whether in friendships, family, or romance—and how those differences can enrich rather than divide.
Their fake dating scheme is a reminder to consider when you’re performing for others’ approval versus living authentically—and what it might take to close that gap.
The story shows that pressure from family is complicated. It’s not just about rebellion but about negotiating love, respect, and independence in messy, human ways.
The witty banter isn’t just fluff—it’s a bridge. Use humor to ease tension and deepen relationships in your own life.
If you’re exploring LGBTQ+ fiction, notice how this book treats queerness as everyday life. That’s a powerful shift worth supporting and seeking out.
“Written in the Stars” isn’t trying to rewrite the romance rulebook. Instead, it’s a warm, funny, and honest look at what happens when two very different people stop pretending—not just about their relationship, but about who they are. It’s a reminder that love often comes wrapped in contradictions, awkward moments, and a whole lot of self-questioning. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes it real.
Where to go next
These recommendations serve different purposes: stay with the author, follow the closest idea, find an easier entry, go deeper, or deliberately change perspective.
Strong overlap in themes, life-impact signals, mood, or the questions the books raise.
Ever notice how romance novels love their clichés—the city girl meets the rugged small-town guy, fireworks, and happily-ever-after? What if the story knew those clichés were tired and decided to mess with them instead? Enter Nora Stephens, a literary agent who’s as sharp as she is cynical about love, stuck between her New York hustle and a small town that refuses to play by the usual rules.Read this summary →Deeper diveBeyond the CityArthur Conan DoyleA thematically related book with a more demanding difficulty rating when you want to push beyond the current read.
In a growing London suburb, three families linked by a shared tennis lawn navigate love, social change, and unexpected crises, while a strong-willed widow challenges old traditions and stirs both conflict and transformation.Read this summary →Different perspectiveThe Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True SelfAlice MillerShares part of the subject, but differs more in mood or practical emphasis—a useful way to avoid reading only books that echo one another.
Ever felt like you’re playing a part you never auditioned for? Like your own feelings are just props on someone else’s stage? Alice Miller’s The Drama of the Gifted Child pulls back the curtain on how many of us learned to hide our true selves early on—and what that costs us later. Spoiler: It’s not just about being a ‘good kid.’ It’s about losing who you really are.Read this summary →Also worth exploringBoyfriend MaterialAlexandra RockeyRelated through the themes, questions, or life-impact signals surrounding this book.
Ever tried fixing your public image by pretending to be someone’s perfect boyfriend? Yeah, it’s as messy and hilarious as it sounds. 'Boyfriend Material' throws you into the chaos of fake dating, rock star drama, and the awkward dance of being a grown-up who still can’t quite get it right.Read this summary →Also worth exploringFish CheeksAmy TanRelated through the themes, questions, or life-impact signals surrounding this book.
Ever had that gut-twisting moment when your family’s traditions suddenly feel like a spotlight of awkwardness? Amy Tan’s “Fish Cheeks” nails that teenage cringe when your culture and your crush collide at the dinner table. Spoiler: it’s way more than just about food gone weird.Read this summary →Continue the journey
If you want a romance that feels like a conversation with a friend who gets your weird quirks and your family drama, this book delivers. The full story lets you sink into the evolving dynamic between Elle and Darcy, savor the clever humor, and experience the slow burn of affection that doesn’t rely on clichés. Beyond the summary, Bellefleur’s voice shines through in the small moments—the texts, the awkward dinners, the internal doubts—that make the characters feel like real people, not just plot devices. Plus, if you appreciate seeing queer love stories handled with care and normalcy, this one’s a solid pick.