The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde- Historical Romance Book Review & A Giveaway

Welcome to the Takeover + Review Blitz 

for The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde,

 hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!

About the Book

Title: The Light of Stars 

Author: Jenelle Hovde 

Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers 

Release Date: July 14, 2026 

Genre: Historical Romance

****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and/or authors.  A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****

An arranged marriage. A powerful company tainted with corruption. Two souls caught between obligation and a longing to find their true calling in this Regency romance set in glittering London ballrooms and Calcutta street markets. 

When Kitty Grenville’s grandfather announces her engagement to Sebastian Sinclair, she’s appalled. She barely remembers the boy she met once as a child—and now he’s a man tied to the East India Company, the very organization that tore Kitty and her brother from their mother and home in Hyderabad years ago. Unwilling to relinquish her dream of a love match or her passion for astronomy, Kitty is determined to refuse the marriage and find freedom in her own way. 

Sebastian Sinclair carries the weight of duty and regret. To atone for past sins, he complies with his grandfather’s orders to return to England, fulfill a long-standing betrothal, and defend the maligned East India Company before Parliament. Though Kitty makes her disinterest clear, Sebastian is drawn to her intellect and spirit. 

As Kitty navigates her first London season, her opinion of Sebastian begins to shift, especially when he shields her from scandal. When he’s abruptly called back to India, Kitty stuns everyone by marrying him and going with him, hoping to escape her grandfather’s control—and to find her mother. 

But the challenges that await in India are greater than imagined. Together, Kitty and Sebastian must confront the legacy of family and empire—and discover if a marriage born of obligation can grow into a love strong enough to endure. 

My Review

Don't you love gorgeous covers that get you in the mood to read a story? I wasn't sure what to expect, but The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde honestly blew me away. Readers usually expect Regency romances to just be about fancy balls, tea parties, and finding a rich husband in London. But this book went so much deeper than that, and I loved every minute of it.

The story starts with Kitty, who is totally obsessed with astronomy and stars. She gets forced by her grandfather into an arranged marriage with Sebastian, a man whose family was connected to the East India Company. Kitty is devastated because that company basically ruined her family, but she agrees to the marriage because it’s her only ticket to India, where she hopes to find her missing mom.

I absolutely adored Sebastian's character. He’s a reformed rake, which already makes things interesting, but he is just so patient and humble throughout the whole book. Even though they are thrown into this messy, forced situation, he is always willing to step up and do what he should, no matter how hard it gets. Watching him fall first and patiently wait for Kitty to trust him was easily my favorite part of the story.

Once they finally sail off, my main critique is that I really wish more of the story had actually taken place in India instead of spending so much time in England. But when they do get to Calcutta, the author does an amazing job talking about the real, messy side of history—like the corruption of the opium trade and colonialism.

It was also incredibly cool to see real historical figures show up in the story, like William Carey and William Wilberforce. They were real-life British figures from the 18th and 19th centuries who are famous for their major roles in Christian missions and the abolition of the slave trade. Including them made the whole world feel so authentic.

As for the plot, I was so shocked at the ending! The secrets that unraveled kept me on the edge of my seat right up until the last page. There is also a beautiful faith element about learning to trust God when everything feels totally out of your control. If you love historical fiction with a lot of heart, a great hero, and a sweet slow-burn romance, you definitely need to pick this one up!

PURCHASE LINKS: Goodreads | Tyndale | Amazon | 

Barnes & Noble | Christianbook | Bookshop | BookBub

Also Available

   

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About the Author

Jenelle Hovde, an accomplished illustrator, author, pastor's wife, and homeschooling mother, ventured off the beaten path when she transitioned from her career as a doctor of audiology to pursue her passion for writing. While her nine novels span different eras—from the ancient worlds to World War II—her favorite genre is sweet Regency romance that enchants readers with tales of love and intrigue set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century England. Drawing inspiration from timeless treasures found in antique stores, Jenelle pens historical romance novels that captivate readers with vivid storytelling and gentle messages of faith. Her stories have garnered impressive showings in multiple writing contests. Often found writing at the Florida beach, she navigates life with her family and manages two saucy cats who insist on interrupting her creative endeavors.

Connect with Jenelle by visiting jenellehovdeauthor.com to follow her on social media or subscribe to email newsletter updates.

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Tour Giveaway

(1) winner will receive a $25 gift card to their choice bookstore!

Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 21, 2026 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 28, 2026. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.

The giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

Enter Giveaway

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Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!