Star Crossed: A Game of Fate is a rollercoaster, and I’m ready to spill all the fiery, passionate reasons why this book is the perfect young adult romance book you didn’t know you needed.
First off, can we just take a moment for the cover? Seriously. If you haven’t seen it yet, you’re missing out. It’s one of those covers that makes you want to read the book before you even know what it’s about.
Now, the name Star Crossed might sound like the usual trope-y, fate-is-against-us, forbidden-love kind of deal—and, okay, maybe it is in some ways—but don’t let that fool you! This book delivers that heart-flipping, melt-your-soul romance that every YA junkie craves without being drenched in melodrama or unnecessary angst. I’m talking about that kind of pure, sparkly, teenage crush, full of butterflies and stolen moments that just make you feel giddy inside.
Childhood sweetheart stories, you know?
The book doesn’t go full “mature” or “edgy,” and thank god for that! If you were expecting heavy plot twists and steamy scenes—uh, no. Star Crossed knows exactly what it wants to be: a heartwarming, starry-eyed journey into that sweet, innocent kind of love that makes you remember the days when everything felt new, electric, and full of possibilities. And let’s face it: sometimes we need that, right? Like, you’re tired of reading about toxic relationships or plotlines that make your stomach twist with frustration. Star Crossed just wants to remind you that love can be simple, pure, and beautiful—and that is SO what we need more of in YA romance.
And I’ve got to give major props to the author—who, yes, might not be on the radar of the big-name authors (yet), but is absolutely killing it with this story. If this book is any indication of her talent, I’m ready to devour everything she writes in the future. Seriously. This book has captured that special, almost-magical feeling of young love that we all long for—so much so that it’s impossible not to get completely sucked in.
So what makes this book stand out among the flood of other YA romance novels? It’s simple: Star Crossed isn’t trying too hard. There’s no forced tension, no “will-they-won’t-they” drag. It’s just this gentle, heart-thumping, “meant-to-be” energy between the characters that makes every page feel like a warm hug. It doesn’t try to outdo itself. It’s just… perfect. It’s fluff in the best way, and it hits right in the feels.
If you’re looking for a book that gives you ALL the emotional highs, with a dash of hope and a whole lot of cute, this one’s a must-read. So, yeah, if you’re here for a cozy, whirlwind of a friends-to-lovers romance that’ll have you grinning like a total goofball and reminiscing about your own teenage crushes, Star Crossed: A Game of Fate should be at the top of your list.
So, the story kicks off with Leyon—a happy little 8-year-old living the dream with his loving family. But then, boom. The universe drops a ton of bricks on him, and tragedy strikes. He loses both of his parents in a freak car accident. You know that moment when you’re reading and thinking, “Oh no, not this again?” Because, yeah, we’ve all seen the “tragic backstory” trope before. But then—hold on a second—this book doesn’t just wallow in that sadness. No, no, no. It’s about to take you on a whole new ride.
We meet Leyon’s grandmother, the only surviving family he has left, and she takes care of him. This is where things start to really get interesting. He meets Hikari—a little girl who is, wait for it… mute. Yep, she doesn’t speak a single word the entire book, and at first, you’re like, “Uhh, how does that even work in a story?” But trust me, the author totally pulls it off. Hikari’s silence is like this mysterious, magnetic force that only draws you deeper into the plot.
The shocker: Hikari’s life is a disaster. Her father is a mess—abusive, drunk, and absolutely toxic. Seriously, this dude’s a nightmare. So, while Leyon and Hikari’s connection starts to bloom in their childhood, everything around them is falling apart. And here’s where things hit hard. Leyon’s grandmother dies, Hikari’s family falls apart—her mom is separated from her—and her dad just keeps sinking lower and lower into darkness. The storm is brewing, and it’s not looking good for these two.
So, sure, the premise might sound like another typical childhood-friend-love-turns-tragic romantic fiction for young adults, but the author takes this cliché and flips it on its head. It’s the way the author digs into the rawness of the characters’ lives—Leyon’s grief, Hikari’s silence, the abuse she’s suffering—it’s gut-wrenching, and you can’t help but feel every punch of it. It’s heartbreaking but necessary. The pain and suffering these characters go through aren’t for nothing. It shapes who they become and, somehow, it makes the love story even sweeter when it finally comes into focus.
Then the twist comes—Leyon forgets about Hikari. Yep, he moves on. And not just emotionally. He literally leaves her behind when he moves to the city and becomes an orphan all over again. At this point, Leyon’s journey takes him to a new school, and you’re sitting there like, “What the hell? How does this story even continue after that?” And then you realize: this isn’t just some “will-they-reconnect?” type of romance. Oh no, this first love romance book is far messier than that.
Hold on, because here comes the real twist that will rock your world.
Fast forward 10 years, and the Leyon we knew as a sweet, innocent 8-year-old boy is gone—completely obliterated by the cold, hard world. Now, at 19, he’s a street fighter. And I mean, we’re talking about a straight-up savage. He’s built like a machine, hardened by years of surviving in the ruthless streets, using his fists to carve out a life in a world that has no mercy. The Leyon you remember—the kind-hearted, vulnerable boy—is nowhere to be found. He’s cold, ruthless, and unforgiving, his eyes like steel, his heart guarded behind walls so thick, you couldn’t break them with a sledgehammer.
The world didn’t just turn its back on him—it twisted him, shaped him into this monster, this hardened shell of who he once was. He’s been beaten down, betrayed, left to fend for himself in a society that chews up and spits out people like him. He’s learned that there’s no room for kindness in this messed-up world. People use you, take what they want, and leave you to rot. So, Leyon’s survival instinct kicked in, and it transformed him into something almost unrecognizable. A fighter in every sense of the word, both physically and emotionally. He’s angry. He’s bitter. And he’s numb to everything except the fight.
But then—boom—Enter Hikari. They cross paths in the most unbelievable of circumstances. She’s different, too—there’s a weight to her that wasn’t there before, a quiet strength, a knowing look in her eyes that somehow pulls at him.
And here’s where it gets even crazier: despite everything, they end up cohabiting. Cohabitation romance plot, guys! They don’t even plan for it, but the bond between them can’t be denied. There’s this quiet, unspoken pull, and before they know it, they’re living together—strangers in their own skin, yet somehow still tethered by their past. They don’t talk much—obviously, Hikari’s still mute—but in her presence, Leyon feels something stir within him. Something… long buried. Something he thought was dead.
The charming element of this novel is the delicate, gut-wrenching, yet hopeful journey of how Hikari is going to change him back. Without a single word. I mean, can you even imagine? Here’s a guy who’s been broken, twisted, and scarred by the world, and the only person who might be able to bring him back is this silent girl from his past. She’s not going to shout at him, confront him, or demand he change. No, Hikari’s power lies in something deeper. She understands him without needing to speak, without needing to force him into anything. She’s the soft pull on his soul, the tiny spark of light in the unrelenting darkness of his life. But can she really heal him?
Here’s the real question: Is there any hope for Leyon? Is it possible for him to shed the anger, the violence, the bitterness he’s accumulated over the years? Can the world that’s poisoned him really be undone by something as pure and innocent as Hikari’s unwavering presence? The story begs you to wonder if the corruption of society is just too deep, if the damage done is irreversible. Can someone like Leyon, who’s been through hell, who’s learned to fight, to survive by any means necessary, really go back to the innocent kid he was? Can Hikari, without uttering a word, bring him back from the edge?
Yeah, I know he seems like the typical “bad boy” turned redemption project, but trust me, he’s not a red flag. He’s love in the most messed-up, complicated way. The kind of love that’s been through hell and is still trying to fight for something better. You’ll be amazed by his journey, by how he grows, by how the layers slowly peel back and reveal a guy who’s been through way too much to be just a “bad boy.” Underneath all that hardened exterior? He’s someone you’ll fall for. You’ll get sucked into his pain, his growth, and ultimately his hope.
There’s a raw, unspoken tension throughout this entire ordeal. It’s the classic battle between who we were and who we’ve become, between love and trauma, between innocence and survival. And in the quiet, tender moments between Leyon and Hikari, you feel the possibility of redemption flickering—just barely—but it’s there.
This book doesn’t just ask if love can fix broken people—it asks if love, in its purest form, can even recognize the person you’ve become. Will Leyon find his way back to the light, or is he too far gone? That’s the question that haunts every single page of Star Crossed: A Game of Fate, and trust me, you’ll be hooked until the very last word, desperate to know if there’s still hope for these two lost souls. Talk about love against all odds.
An Emotional Void On Star Crossed Book
Enough said. Now, it’s your turn to dive in and get sucked into the same emotional void I was trapped in. Trust me—Star Crossed: A Game of Fate isn’t just a book. It’s an experience. Once you start, there’s no turning back.
New characters? Oh yeah, they’re here—and each one is a stepping stone leading Leyon on a path to redemption. Some of them might even break your heart. Others will challenge him in ways you didn’t see coming. But they’re all necessary. Every single one of them helps Leyon start to unravel the darkness inside and find his way back to who he was, or who he could be.
So yeah, maybe it starts with some overused tropes (tragic backstory? Check. Childhood friends to lovers? Check.), but the depth the author packs into this story—especially with Hikari’s mute silence and the drama of their separation—makes this one hell of a ride. If you’re here for a YA romance that’s not just fluff and rainbows but actually tackles real, raw issues while pulling off the most beautiful love story, then this one’s a keeper.
Now, get ready to feel everything—because this book will burn you, choke you, hurt you, and make you fall in love in ways you never knew you could. It’s one of those stories that stays with you long after you’ve finished reading. You won’t just remember the plot, the twists, or the characters—you’ll remember how it made you feel. So if you’re looking for a teen romantic fiction that packs a punch and takes you on a heart-wrenching journey, this is the one you need to read. Trust me, you’ll be so glad you did.
