Chasing Stars Review | Alex K. Thorne | Is It Worth Reading?

A secret superhero. A demanding Hollywood screen goddess. A fake-dating scheme, a giant alien bug, and one very inconvenient case of feelings. Chasing Stars is exactly as delightful as that logline promises — a bright, playful, and genuinely swoony romance about the masks we all wear. By day, Ava is the mild-mannered assistant to world-famous actress Gwen Knight. By night, she’s Swiftwing, fighting crime across the city. Juggling both was hard enough before her boss asked her to fake date her — and before Ava realised her feelings were becoming very, very real. Our take: A charming, funny, and warm-hearted queer superhero romance that never takes itself too seriously. It’s comfort reading with a cape — light, sexy, and endlessly endearing, even if you’re not usually a superhero fan.

The Evidence Scorecard

Overall — ★★★★ 4.2/5

• ✓ A fun, fresh premise executed with real charm.
• ✓ A standout 4.25 Goodreads average across 880+ ratings.
• ✓ Blends superhero action, fake dating, and rom-com warmth.
• ✓ Effortlessly bingeable and feel-good.

Romance — ★★★★ 4.3/5

• ✓ Fake dating that slides into real feelings beautifully.
• ✓ Ava and Gwen have warm, playful chemistry.
• ✓ The secret-identity angle adds delicious tension.
• ✓ Swoony without ever feeling heavy.

Characters — ★★★★ 4.2/5

• ✓ Ava is endearing, capable, and easy to love.
• ✓ Gwen is more than the diva she first appears.
• ✓ Both have real vulnerability beneath their masks.
• ✓ A likeable supporting cast rounds it out.

Writing — ★★★★ 4.1/5

• ✓ Witty, breezy prose that flies by.
• ✓ Great comic timing and sharp banter.
• ✓ Balances action beats with romance smoothly.
• ✓ Light on its feet without feeling thin.

Emotional Impact — ★★★½ 3.9/5

• ✓ The masks theme gives it surprising heart.
• ✓ Genuine tenderness beneath the fun.
• ✓ Feel-good rather than tear-jerking.
• ✓ Leaves you smiling.

Heat Level — ★★★½ 3.5/5

• ✓ Sexy and sweet in balance — the description promises both.
• ✓ On-page intimacy that stays warm rather than explicit.
• ✓ Chemistry simmers throughout.
• ✓ Moderate heat that serves the tone.

Ending — ★★★★ 4.2/5

• ✓ A satisfying, feel-good resolution.
• ✓ The secret-identity reveal pays off well.
• ✓ Both the romance and the caper wrap up nicely.
• ✓ A happy ending that lands.

Re-read Value — ★★★★ 4.1/5

• ✓ A perfect comfort re-read when you want something light.
• ✓ The humour holds up on repeat visits.
• ✓ A complete, self-contained story.
• ✓ Quick and joyful to revisit.

Quick Facts

Title	Chasing Stars
Author	Alex K. Thorne
Published	March 21, 2018
Length	205 pages (~70,000 words)
Series	Standalone
Goodreads Rating	4.25/5 (883+ ratings)
Main Tropes	Fake dating, secret identity, boss/assistant, superhero, Hollywood
Heat Level	Moderate
Spice Rating	3/5

You’ll Love This If…

• ✓ You love a fun, tropey fake-dating romance.
• ✓ You want a queer superhero story with rom-com charm.
• ✓ You enjoy secret-identity tension and hidden feelings.
• ✓ You like a diva love interest who softens over time.
• ✓ You want something light, sexy, and feel-good.
• ✓ You appreciate sharp banter and comic timing.

Avoid If…

• You want gritty, serious superhero fiction.
• You prefer high-heat, spice-forward romance.
• You dislike campy, comic-book-style premises.
• You want deep, heavy emotional drama.

Book Synopsis

For the superhero known as Swiftwing, crime-fighting isn’t even her hardest job. By day she’s Ava, the mild-mannered personal assistant to Hollywood screen goddess Gwen Knight — catering to every demanding whim while secretly saving the city in her spare time. Then things get complicated. There’s a giant alien bug loose in the city, Gwen has asked Ava to fake date her to manage a publicity storm, and Ava is starting to realise she’s coming down with a very inconvenient case of feelings for her world-famous boss. Balancing a secret identity, a monster hunt, and a fake relationship that’s feeling more real by the day, Ava has to figure out which mask is worth taking off — and whether Gwen might just want the woman underneath.

My Review

Chasing Stars is pure joy. It takes a gleefully over-the-top premise — a closeted superhero fake-dating her Hollywood-star boss while a giant alien bug menaces the city — and plays it with exactly the right blend of wink and warmth. This is a book that knows precisely how much fun it’s having. Ava is a wonderful heroine: competent and quick under the mask, endearingly flustered out of it. Gwen could easily have been a one-note diva, but Thorne gives her real dimension, letting the glamour slip to reveal someone lonelier and more genuine than her public image. Watching the two of them fumble from fake dating into the real thing is a delight. The superhero elements are handled with a light, comic-book touch — enough action to keep the caper moving, never so much that it crowds out the romance. And the banter is genuinely funny; I found myself grinning through whole chapters. It won’t be for everyone. If you want gritty superhero fiction or spice-forward romance, this isn’t it — the tone is bright and the heat is moderate. But as a feel-good, tropey, laugh-out-loud comfort read, Chasing Stars is an absolute charmer, and its 4.25 Goodreads average speaks for itself.

What Readers Are Saying

What readers love

• ✓ The fun, fresh queer-superhero-meets-fake-dating premise.
• ✓ The witty banter and laugh-out-loud humour.
• ✓ The warm, swoony chemistry between Ava and Gwen.
• ✓ How feel-good and easy to binge it is.

The reservations and things to weigh

• Readers wanting gritty superhero fiction may find it too light.
• The giant-alien-bug plot is deliberately campy, not for everyone.
• Some wanted a longer book to spend more time with the couple.
• The heat is moderate rather than spice-forward.

Net-net: A beloved, high-rated comfort romance that’s perfect for readers who want charm, humour, and heart — less suited to those after serious superhero stakes or heavy spice.

Romance Profile

Central Pairing	Ava / Swiftwing & Gwen Knight
Dynamic	Assistant / famous boss; secret superhero / movie star
Burn Speed	Fake-dating slow-ish burn
Conflict	Secret identity, hidden feelings, and public pretence
Ending	Feel-good HEA

Emotional Profile

• ✓ Light, joyful, and warm-hearted throughout.
• ✓ The masks theme adds unexpected tenderness.
• ✓ Feel-good rather than angsty.
• ✓ Leaves you grinning.

Content Warnings

• Mild comic-book action and peril.
• On-page intimacy (moderate).
• Themes of hiding one’s true self.
• Workplace/power-dynamic (boss and assistant).

Book DNA

Sub-genre	Sapphic superhero rom-com
Tone	Bright, funny, campy, warm
Setting	Contemporary Hollywood / a superhero-filled city
POV	Ava’s perspective
Pace	Fast and breezy

Similar Books You Might Enjoy

• The Red Files by Lee Winter — sharp, witty sapphic tension with a genre hook.
• The Love Factor by Quinn Ivins — a warm, funny romance with real charm.
• Popcorn Love by K.L. Hughes — a sweet, feel-good fake-dating comfort read.
• The X Ingredient by Roslyn Sinclair — a boss/assistant romance with crackling chemistry.

Keep Exploring

• The Red Files by Lee Winter — Review
• Popcorn Love by K.L. Hughes — Review
• The Love Factor by Quinn Ivins — Review
• The Full Lesbian Age-Gap Romance Books List

About the Author

Alex K. Thorne is an author of sapphic romance and speculative fiction known for blending genre elements — superheroes, fantasy, and adventure — with warm, character-driven love stories. Chasing Stars is among her most beloved works, praised for its humour, heart, and irresistibly fun premise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chasing Stars a standalone?

Yes. It’s a complete standalone romance with a self-contained story and a satisfying happy ending.

What tropes does it feature?

Fake dating, secret identity, boss/assistant, and a queer superhero premise, all wrapped in rom-com charm.

Do I need to like superhero stories to enjoy it?

Not at all. The superhero elements are light and playful, and the heart of the book is the romance — plenty of readers who don’t usually pick up superhero fiction love it.

How spicy is it?

Moderate. It’s described as sweet and sexy, with on-page intimacy that stays warm rather than explicit.

Is it funny?

Very. Sharp banter and comic timing are among its biggest strengths — it’s a genuinely laugh-out-loud read.

What is the giant alien bug about?

It’s the deliberately campy comic-book threat that runs alongside the romance — part of the book’s fun, tongue-in-cheek tone rather than a serious sci-fi plot.

Does it have a happy ending?

Yes — a feel-good HEA for Ava and Gwen.

How long is it?

Around 205 pages, roughly 70,000 words — a quick, breezy read.

Is it a good comfort read?

Absolutely. It’s bright, warm, and endlessly rewatchable-in-your-head — ideal for when you want something light and joyful.

Final Verdict

★★★★ 4.2/5

Chasing Stars is a bright, funny, and irresistibly charming queer superhero romance that delivers exactly the feel-good escapism it promises. The fake-dating premise sparkles, the banter shines, and both leads have real heart beneath their masks. It won’t satisfy readers wanting grit or heavy spice — but as a joyful comfort read, it’s a standout, and its stellar Goodreads rating is well deserved.

Where to Buy

View Chasing Stars on Amazon

Find more like it: this book is on our list of sapphic superhero books.