The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde
- Publisher: Tyndale House
- Publication Date: July 14, 2026
About The Light of Stars
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.
- Sweet historical romance filled with hope, faith, and an arranged marriage dynamic
- Perfect for fans of Julie Klassen, Sarah Ladd, or Abigail Wilson
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
My Review of The Light of Stars
5 stars!
I absolutely loved The Light of Stars by Jenelle Hovde! It is an inspirational Regency romance with lots of real history sprinkled throughout. I love historical fiction because it’s the best way (for me) to remember real facts. I’m sure that somewhere in my schooling, I learned about William Wilberforce and William Carey and the East India Company, but it was from a dry textbook. Once the test was over, the facts were no longer meaningful to me. However, when you put those same facts into a Regency romance, I’m much more likely to remember them, and they move me.
Hovde’s storytelling talent shines in this book. Her descriptive language brings the settings, fashion, and action to life. I adored Kitty and Sebastian! Their “relationship” begins as an arranged marriage – one Kitty is determined to sabotage. And Sebastian is only interested in it because he loses his inheritance and the ability to make a difference (so he thinks) if he doesn’t go through with it. However, as they get to know each other, they realize that they love each other. I completely loved their slow burn romance! I loved how their convictions began to align and how they were determined to find out the truth about the East India Company and their families’ roles in certain events. There’s a lot of intrigue and mystery, and that kept me turning the pages.
I’ve only scratched the surface of everything that makes The Light of Stars such a brilliant book! I highly recommend this book to those of you who love inspirational historical romance!
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
About Jenelle Hovde
Jenelle Hovde is an award-winning author, accomplished illustrator, pastor’s wife, and homeschooling mother. She ventured off the beaten path by leaving her career as a doctor of audiology to pursue her passion for writing. The author of ten novels, her stories span the rich tapestries of ancient worlds to the tumultuous landscapes of World War II, though her favorite genre is sweet Regency romance, enchanting readers with tales of love and intrigue set against the backdrop of nineteenth-century England.
Jenelle’s historical novels weave gentle messages of faith throughout vivid storytelling. She draws inspiration from the timeless treasures found in antique stores. Often found writing at the Florida beach, she enjoys life with her family and manages two saucy cats who insist on interrupting her creative endeavors.
Find out more on her website!
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