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Outshine the Stars
Justin is hell on legs. He’s a self-proclaimed brat, a manipulator, and has a bit of a flare for the dramatic. While Justin might look like the picture of innocence, he leaves a path of terror wherever he goes.
His senior year starts off like all the others, him and his best friend sticking their noses up at everyone else while they bask in their own glory. But when a handsome new student catches Justin’s eye, he recruits the likes of a smart-mouthed kid named Connor to help him in his mission to capture the heart of the attractive newcomer. When Justin is finally forced to face himself and the truth behind his self-centered universe, it feels like the sky comes crashing down.
His senior year starts off like all the others, him and his best friend sticking their noses up at everyone else while they bask in their own glory. But when a handsome new student catches Justin’s eye, he recruits the likes of a smart-mouthed kid named Connor to help him in his mission to capture the heart of the attractive newcomer. When Justin is finally forced to face himself and the truth behind his self-centered universe, it feels like the sky comes crashing down.
33 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 11, 2014
About the author
Nash Summers
19 books562 followersNash Summers rarely has any idea what she’s doing. But when she likes to pretend, she pretends by writing stories at the pace of drying paint. As if that wasn’t exhilarating enough, Nash also enjoys absolute silence, general politeness, and waiting her turn in line.
Needless to say, she’s a bona fide hell raiser.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nash.summers...
Nash also has a super cool newsletter which can be found here: http://eepurl.com/boD5TP
Needless to say, she’s a bona fide hell raiser.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nash.summers...
Nash also has a super cool newsletter which can be found here: http://eepurl.com/boD5TP
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
July 9, 2022
✦ pretty good for such a short story!
✦ definitely not an easy task to develop believable characters and relationships in such a small amount of pages, but the author managed quite well.
✦ definitely not an easy task to develop believable characters and relationships in such a small amount of pages, but the author managed quite well.
August 15, 2021
3.5 Stars
Summers hasn’t written a lot, and I haven’t read all of her stories, but she always knows how to gut punch you just so. This was no different.
Summers hasn’t written a lot, and I haven’t read all of her stories, but she always knows how to gut punch you just so. This was no different.
October 30, 2016
4.25 stars!
Another amazing read by Nash summers with so many feels for such a short story. Jude was so adorable even when I wanted to shake some sense into him. I'm so glad he came to his senses and realize what an amazing and lovely boy Conner was.
Nash summers you are spoiling with your wonderful writing and characters that have become so beloved to me! <3 ❤️
Another amazing read by Nash summers with so many feels for such a short story. Jude was so adorable even when I wanted to shake some sense into him. I'm so glad he came to his senses and realize what an amazing and lovely boy Conner was.
Nash summers you are spoiling with your wonderful writing and characters that have become so beloved to me! <3 ❤️
November 7, 2016
Pretty.
Nash Summers is one of those authors who can write few pages and still achieve what other authors can't even dream of with more than 200 pages. I'm talking about fawn.
This one is not as heart-warming and earth-shattering as Fawn, but it was compelling enough to make me want to read and read until I had finished it.
Justin is selfish. Like 95% of guys his own age, no big news in this department. He's funny and convincingly superficial. He wants to be the new football player's future husband.
And he wants his best friend Connor to help him in his quest.
Thing is, life laughs at people's plans.
Nash Summers is one of those authors who can write few pages and still achieve what other authors can't even dream of with more than 200 pages. I'm talking about fawn.
This one is not as heart-warming and earth-shattering as Fawn, but it was compelling enough to make me want to read and read until I had finished it.
Justin is selfish. Like 95% of guys his own age, no big news in this department. He's funny and convincingly superficial. He wants to be the new football player's future husband.
And he wants his best friend Connor to help him in his quest.
Thing is, life laughs at people's plans.
September 15, 2014
You ever stay home on a Saturday night watching Singin' in the Rain?
Oh.
Well, I did tonight. I don't do it very often.
Except for last week when I watched some Doris Day movie. (Has there ever been a Doris Day movie that didn't border on moronic?)
And the week before that when I watched The Maltese Falcon. (So much cooler. And as for Humphrey Bogart? )
ANYWAY.
My point is that apparently watching a syrupy musical while eating soy ice cream and peanut butter M&Ms isn't a sweet enough time for me.
Nope, I had to add this book to the mix.
The Not Entirely Good: The intro had me prepared for Justin the Uber Asshole, when really he was just Justin the Bit of a Normal Teenage Prick with a large side of Drama. The intro was funny and the writing great but cutting it down would've made it a tighter story. I thought we could've understood Justin's self-involvement & selfishness without all of it. (Which makes me a complete hypocrite. Please see above intro.)
The Good: I liked the snappy dialogue. I liked the humorous tone of the story. I loled several times. I liked Justin, Gwen and Connor. I really liked Connor. Definitely crush worthy. I like the cover and the title. The book may seem a bit GFY but I don't think so. Not everyone realizes they're gay immediately. I liked this line:
...[Connor] said quietly, looking like his entire world was about to turn into water and burst through his eyes.Nice.
Most of all I liked that I smiled the entire time I was reading it. And the star thing at the end? Total lip tremble. The whole story made me feel all gooshy and happy inside.
It's sweet & funny.
Which reminds me I need to get back to my musical. Gene Kelly's about to serenade Debbie Reynolds.
3.5 stars
September 3, 2021
3.5 Stars
Nash Summers knows how to pack an emotional wallop in even her shortest of stories.
Crafting a trio of complex YA characters in just 33 pages is no easy feat, but alas, Justin and his friends were genuine and rich of personality for what little we got to glean.
Literally, my only complaint is that this wasn’t a longer, fuller story. I would have happily read about these characters for days.
Nash Summers knows how to pack an emotional wallop in even her shortest of stories.
Crafting a trio of complex YA characters in just 33 pages is no easy feat, but alas, Justin and his friends were genuine and rich of personality for what little we got to glean.
Literally, my only complaint is that this wasn’t a longer, fuller story. I would have happily read about these characters for days.
July 22, 2016
This is a short, cute YA story with zero steam. Justin is self-absorbed and oblivious to others' feelings, and Connor is a bit of a surface character. Was he gay, gay for Justin? I wanted to know more about him, particularly his relationship with his brother. I didn't understand what Connor saw in Justin, but I trust that Justin will change. There was some witty dialogue, and I'm ever so glad Justin finally saw the light. I just wish the book had been longer. I liked the writing style very much. Promising new author for sure!
June 1, 2014
Well, Ms. Summers, the third story that I read from you, less than 10k, and it made me cry. I guess you definitely enters my atmosphere and I would really pay attention to stories you write.
This story was a lovely young adult story -- notice the young adult, so don't expect SMUT -- which just spoke to me. Justin was described as a brat and could be quite manipulative and selfish, but his snark and diva attitude never annoyed me. Maybe because I knew, that in the end, Justin would learn something significant and it would be wonderful.
Well, I was right ... because Connor came into his life. The quiet wonderful sweet Connor. Whose stories about what happened with him before he met Justin just broke my heart and managed to make me cry.
I loved how Connor humbled Justin and made Justin to truly want to "outshine the stars". It was a wonderful, WONDERFUL read. Even if the story is short, it just packs a punch and deliver to my satisfaction.
This story was a lovely young adult story -- notice the young adult, so don't expect SMUT -- which just spoke to me. Justin was described as a brat and could be quite manipulative and selfish, but his snark and diva attitude never annoyed me. Maybe because I knew, that in the end, Justin would learn something significant and it would be wonderful.
Well, I was right ... because Connor came into his life. The quiet wonderful sweet Connor. Whose stories about what happened with him before he met Justin just broke my heart and managed to make me cry.
I’d give you the whole sky, Justin, and all the stars too. I’d give you all the constellations, the planets, the Moon, the Sun, the Milky Way. Hell, I’d give you the entire galaxy, if you’d look at me, even for just a moment, the same way you look at yourself.
I loved how Connor humbled Justin and made Justin to truly want to "outshine the stars". It was a wonderful, WONDERFUL read. Even if the story is short, it just packs a punch and deliver to my satisfaction.
May 12, 2014
Oh wow - be still my beating heart.
I was fully prepared to just like this book, not love it. 'Silly fluff' was how I'd heard it described...and maybe it was, but I promise that didn't make it any less enjoyable.
Nash Summers writes the most amazing characters. I can't decide if I love Justin, Connor (from this book) or Kansas from A Different Dance. There is nothing carbon copy about them, they are individual, interesting and perfectly unperfect.
This story may be short, but it made my heart beat faster in that 'Hot damn they'd better get together' way. *happy sigh*
Again, if you're looking for short 'n' sweet - but not sappy,gonna rot your teeth sickly - Nash Summers is the author to choose.
I was fully prepared to just like this book, not love it. 'Silly fluff' was how I'd heard it described...and maybe it was, but I promise that didn't make it any less enjoyable.
Nash Summers writes the most amazing characters. I can't decide if I love Justin, Connor (from this book) or Kansas from A Different Dance. There is nothing carbon copy about them, they are individual, interesting and perfectly unperfect.
This story may be short, but it made my heart beat faster in that 'Hot damn they'd better get together' way. *happy sigh*
Again, if you're looking for short 'n' sweet - but not sappy,gonna rot your teeth sickly - Nash Summers is the author to choose.
December 8, 2021
"I'd give you the whole sky, Justin, and all the stars too I'd give you all the constellations, the planets, the Moon, the Sun, the Milky Way. Hell, I'd give you the entire galaxy, if you'd look at me, even for just a moment, the same way you look at yourself."
oh Justin, you blind, self-centered boy *bonks on the head* but i do love a redemption tale, and that last display at the end after learning Connor's backstory was so full of heart 🥺🤲 Nash Summers' stories contain a certain kind of magic that conjures up the feels in as few pages as possible!
November 11, 2016
A very cute and sweet short story.
I truly wanted to smack the shit out of Justin for being so freaking oblivious and hug Connor for all that he'd gone through in the past.
3.75 stars this time around.
June 13, 2020
Since it's YA, it gets a star off just for that. No sex. Some good stuff, but too short.
June 4, 2014
Daww...
This was so stinking cute! I loved it.
Justin was a brat.
Gwen was the best of best friends.
Connor was a gorgeous boy inside and and out with a gorgeous name. *winks*
Andrew was possibly the best boy Justin could have a crush on. Kinda like Jake Ryan, you know?
This was a lovely story. I adore redemption tales and Justin sure did redeem himself.
I am going to go write my own little epilogue about the boys so I know exactly where they end up. *grins*
This was so stinking cute! I loved it.
Justin was a brat.
Gwen was the best of best friends.
Connor was a gorgeous boy inside and and out with a gorgeous name. *winks*
Andrew was possibly the best boy Justin could have a crush on. Kinda like Jake Ryan, you know?
This was a lovely story. I adore redemption tales and Justin sure did redeem himself.
I am going to go write my own little epilogue about the boys so I know exactly where they end up. *grins*
May 25, 2014
What a sweet, short story! Justin is a bit of a diva, but I loved him. He's self-centered, wears glittery tank tops and skinny jeans, and owns a tiara (because he had a princess party for his 9th birthday!). I think this was probably 3 stars for me until the ending. It almost brought me to tears, so I'm throwing in an extra star!! Loved it!
June 1, 2014
Sweet and charming. The fairy-talesque opening set the scene well. 3.5 stars, rounded up for the princess party.
May 26, 2024
3/5
Didn't expect it to be so cute.
Didn't expect it to be so cute.
"Connor reached out and gently pushed a stray strand of hair off Justin’s face. “I’d give you the whole sky, Justin, and all the stars too. I’d give you all the constellations, the planets, the Moon, the Sun, the Milky Way. Hell, I’d give you the entire galaxy, if you’d look at me, even for just a moment, the same way you look at yourself.”
November 7, 2014
3.5
Sweet, adorable, funny. I loved the characters and their dialogue. I wasn't sure I would enjoy this story at first because of how Justin was described, but then I met him. Although he was self centered, he wasn't mean-spirited. Instead, he was charming and funny and I quickly became a fan.
There were a few small editing issues and a couple word choices that pulled me from the story, but they didn't bother me overmuch...the story was too sweet to care :)
Sweet, adorable, funny. I loved the characters and their dialogue. I wasn't sure I would enjoy this story at first because of how Justin was described, but then I met him. Although he was self centered, he wasn't mean-spirited. Instead, he was charming and funny and I quickly became a fan.
There were a few small editing issues and a couple word choices that pulled me from the story, but they didn't bother me overmuch...the story was too sweet to care :)
July 7, 2022
This started out absolutely hilarious. Justin was such a bratty, snarky little diva, so extra but in a good way! 😂 Then the story took an unexpected turn (I once again benefited from not paying much attention to the blurb/reviews 🎉), and became sweetly angsty, just for a few pages, but it balanced out the humor perfectly. Too bad it was so short. 💔
I love NS’s writing. Definitely have to check out her other work.
I love NS’s writing. Definitely have to check out her other work.
November 18, 2016
Una historia muy corta, pero Nash Summers pone un toque de magia a sus personajes que hace que sean insoportablemenre queribles para mi. Lo he disfrutado mucho.
February 13, 2018
Una monada que se lee en un suspiro. Go Nash!
May 23, 2014
4.5
Ohhhhhh, I REALLY want Ms. Summers to write a full length YA novel. It'd be amazing. What a great voice!
Can't wait to read more!!!
I had tears in my eyes with this one. :)
Ohhhhhh, I REALLY want Ms. Summers to write a full length YA novel. It'd be amazing. What a great voice!
Can't wait to read more!!!
I had tears in my eyes with this one. :)
July 29, 2024
*4.25* Cute story of a self-centred boy realizing his faults and falling for his new friend. I wanted it to be a little longer!
June 17, 2024
„I’d give you the whole sky, Justin, and all the stars too. I’d give you all the constellations, the planets, the Moon, the Sun, the Milky Way. Hell, I’d give you the entire galaxy, if you’d look at me, even for just a moment, the same way you look at yourself.“
This was such a short story but somehow it didn’t felt like that at all. Nash Summers has really the talent to achieve such beautiful storied with only a few pages and I’m absolutely in love with it.
This story was raw on emotions and the way the MCs acted were organic it made everything feel so real.
Justin was so obsessed with the idea to be Andrews future husband that he didn’t realized what kind of gift was in front of him. But this happens…sometimes you lose yourself in your own obsessions and dreams and try push through something that isn’t working out. It makes you blind for the things that are in front of you.
But I’m so glad Justin got the curve and realized who was really important to him. And Connor out sweet boy tried to support Justin with his daydream even if it hurt him.
This was such a short story but somehow it didn’t felt like that at all. Nash Summers has really the talent to achieve such beautiful storied with only a few pages and I’m absolutely in love with it.
This story was raw on emotions and the way the MCs acted were organic it made everything feel so real.
Justin was so obsessed with the idea to be Andrews future husband that he didn’t realized what kind of gift was in front of him. But this happens…sometimes you lose yourself in your own obsessions and dreams and try push through something that isn’t working out. It makes you blind for the things that are in front of you.
But I’m so glad Justin got the curve and realized who was really important to him. And Connor out sweet boy tried to support Justin with his daydream even if it hurt him.
December 30, 2015
This one packs a punch. It had a great impact despite being a short story. I had my predictions but I hadn't expected the outcome. It was tender and very heartwarming. 5 Bright Stars for this one.
October 10, 2014
Brilliant, fucking brilliant! Justin and Gwen were such vibrant characters. I loved their snarkiness. I like when we think a character is going to fall for one person but ends up with another. This was funny as shit too. Then towards the end, I almost cried. Lovely little novella. Packs a big punch!!
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February 22, 2016
A bit too short, grr. But considering how short this was, I think the author did a great job! It was sweet and funny, but still had an edge since serious subjects were involved. Great, quick read:-)
February 23, 2018
Awwww! That was really lovely.
July 21, 2014
Cute and short YA story that wasn't the most impressive thing in the world, but I loved Connor so I had to give this a four. I didn't dislike Justin or anything, it's just, I wasn't his biggest fan either.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews