The Stars Are on Our Side

By: Jennifer Hartmann

Narrated by: Meg Sylvan, Marcio Catalano

Length: 15 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

Tabitha Brighton's name made national headlines when she was kidnapped by the infamous serial killer known as the Matchmaker.

She was also known for something else: being the only victim he ever willingly released. Now, two years later, she's ready to tell her story.

Through a series of interviews with a local writer, single mother Tabitha relives every harrowing detail of her trauma, haunted by the memory of the man she was held captive with and ultimately lost. As she confronts her demons, she finds solace in Gabe—the new man in her life who will do whatever it takes to prevent her from slipping back into the shadows.

But Gabe has his own troubled past that threatens to unravel their fragile connection. And just when Tabitha begins to believe in the possibility of new love and a fresh start, her world is turned upside down once again.

Gabe always tells her not to look down, and to keep flying. But even stars fall…

And no one ever talks about the crash.

The Stars Are on Our Side is a follow-up novel to Still Beating and Lotus, featuring fan-favorite characters Tabitha and Gabe. It is highly recommended that you listen to both Still Beating and Lotus before listening to this book for the best experience.

©2023 Jennifer Hartmann (P)2024 Podium Audio

Tragic but beautiful story

While some parts were difficult to listen to (I can still hear the screaming of disbelief with “NO, NO, NO!”), the love story is absolutely beautiful in how she overcomes such a tragic and soul-breaking experience … twice. I just want to give Tabitha a consenting hug.

I love this whole series!

The story and how Jennifer ties everything up so perfectly.

I love this story and all the characters! Jennifer can write the hell out of a love story!!
The female voice was a little whiney at times but overall was manageable

Love this

Be still my heart. This book took me a while to want to read.. and not because of anything bad, but because of what happens in Still Beating. This book if you will is the “second book” to Still Beating. This book is about Tabitha and Matthew and what happens to them in the basement. I knew it was going to be heartbreaking and I had to prepare myself for that sooooo I have been pushing this book off… While reliving that trauma she is also trying to move past it with Gabe. Gabe is the most patient kind man there is. He knew that Tabitha had trauma and was okay moving slowly for her. He never once doubted himself or moved on from her. What stopped me from giving this book 5 stars was that there is this weird stage in the book with Gabe and his dad’s loan sharks. For me that could have been left out.. Listening to what happened in the basement and how Matthew knew he wasn’t going to make it out was heart-wrenching.

amazing narration

the narrators both did an amazing job of bringing the emotions out in this story.

Another heart wrenching story

Jennifer’s stories remind me of true crime meets romance. Her stories are often so heart breaking but also with great character development and twists we don’t often expect. Great narrators as well!

A love story after Trauma

The trauma hit me right in the feels. I felt like I was in the basement with Tabatha. Just like I felt like my heart was breaking with hers too. This was such a good book.

Jennifer Hartmann does it again

EMOTIONAL DAMAGE

this is the second book IN A ROW that I've listened to that is straight up written to wreck you emotionally. I have a migraine now. Why do I do this to myself?

We met Tabitha in Still Beating as another victim of the Matchmaker serial killer and we met Gabe in Lotus as the brother of one and best friend of the other main character. Gabe is the best book boyfriend ever. Tabitha is obviously going to need time to open herself up romantically and sexually but he is patient and kind and knows the perfect thing to say always. It's almost as if he isn't real or something.

The audio was perfect (it would only be more perfect if it was duet). Meg Sylvan has a vulnerable, emotional way about her and Marcio Catalano has such a strong and sexy voice that just made me love Gabe more.

Somehow, I was hoping for a different ending for Matthew. We all already know what happened to him but I was hoping for a different outcome. That was truly hard to listen to.

I am not okay

This book gave me so much stress and anxiety. I listened to the audio in one sitting because I just could not torture myself for days waiting for the inevitable. It is highly recommended that you read Still Beating and Lotus first, but I definitely think there is enough context for you to understand what's happening. The only thing being that it picks up after the events of Lotus, so bear that in mind. I loved this book. I sobbed ugly tears and will never be the same. My only critique is that the relationship between Gabe and Tabitha fell a bit flat for me, but that may be because my heart was being torn out by another.

I will never recover

This book was everything. I was a little skeptical starting this book because nothing comes close to Still Beating. So I was worried this story would fall short. Imagine my surprise when I spent all 15 hours of the audiobook bawling my eyes out. It was heartbreaking, healing, compelling, and everything I didn’t know I needed to hear about this world what happened to this couple. Please add it to your list!

My favorite book out of the trilogy!

I absolutely loved how all of the characters were so happy tied together in this one. And tabithas & gabes story was heart wrenching but beautiful. Love love loved this!