ARC Review: Written in Starlight by Sloane Brooks

Written in Starlight
Author: Sloane Brooks
Publication: Atria Books (October 13, 2026)

Description: A storybook chambermaid’s and an intergalactic bounty hunter’s worlds—and hearts—collide through a magical book, threatening to rewrite fate in this romantic portal fantasy with a cosmic twist. Perfect for fans of Tusk Love and The Spellshop.

Della Farley has always known her place: scrubbing floors, keeping her head down, and dreaming of something more. But when she stumbles upon a strange book that seems to be writing itself—a story about a man named Ansel Tulzok, a wanted fugitive traveling the stars—her quiet life turns extraordinary.

Light-years away, Ansel finds a mirror copy of the same book. Page by page, the story unfolds with details of a woman he’s never met—one whose words feel achingly familiar. As the two begin writing to each other through the mysterious pages, they open doors not just to each other’s worlds, but to their most vulnerable hopes and fears.

But every story has its price. And as their worlds entwine and their hearts collide, Della and Ansel must decide how far they’re willing to go to change the ending fate has written for them.

My Thoughts: WRITTEN IN STARLIGHT was a fantasy romance. Della Farley is an underappreciated chambermaid in a dull provincial town. One day when she's sending most of paycheck home to her sick mother, she's almost run over by the duke's carriage. What could be a wonderful romantic opportunity turns sour when Della finds herself speechless in his presence. She does find an unlabeled package that contains a strange story about a wanted fugitive named Ansel Tulzok who is traveling the stars.

Ansel also finds a strange book about a chambermaid in a small country town. It doesn't take them long to learn that they can read each other's life stories and can write and influence them too. Since both are lonely, it doesn't take long to form a friendship which quickly becomes a romance.

After Della is fired from her job, she finds a way to switch stories and ends up on Ansel's spaceship where they learn that it is easier to read someone's mind in writing than when they are actually in the same place. However, romance blossoms as do friendships with Ansel's very eclectic crew.

But the villain that Ansel is trying to find to clear his own name on his home world is not eager to be caught and may have some designs on both of their books. 

This was an entertaining love story in an interesting world where librarians aren't allowed to actually read the books in their collections. Della's mother ignored this rule which has a lot to do with Della's ability to switch from world to world yet never feel like a part of any until she meets Ansel.

I recommend this one to fantasy and romance lovers. 

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.