By The Book

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

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.

Excerpt

Breakfast at Seven Oakes had never tasted so bitter.

I ignored the plate of cold toast in front of me as my two guardians plotted out my future with nary a thought for my opinion. If anything, my request to go to London seemed to ignite Grandfather’s opposition to my studies and my volunteering at the local girls’ school run by Miss Tippens, where I assisted occasionally, offering what I could of astronomy.

“A season has its place,” he said, folding his napkin with brisk precision. “But the time has come for my grandchildren to step into their proper roles.”

“I agree,” Aunt Clarice replied from her end of the table. “Your studies are far too consuming as of late, Katherine. It is most unladylike.”

I winced at the poke against my fascination for astronomy. Nor did I wish to remind Aunt and Grandfather that the stars remained my only link to my mother, who had often stood on the terrace in the evening, pointing out constellations to me.

How ironic that I was kept secluded within this country manor, forced to fill my days reading every book I could find, while my beloved Edward frittered away his studies at Cambridge, going so far as to earn a formal written rebuke from the university.

I hadn’t the stamina to argue with Aunt this morning, especially about my desperate need to leave Seven Oakes.

She had always hated books of any nature, cringing at the stash of romantic literature stacked under my bed.

“An heiress has no need to teach or gallivant with children of an inferior station,” Grandfather added.

“I cannot stay within this manor for the rest of my life,” I answered. 

“I am old enough for more beyond the countryside.” Perhaps even a return to India . . .

He studied me for a long moment before clearing his throat. “With regard to a London visit, I have very good news that arrived this morning.”

Ah, I would learn of the two letters Grandfather had shoved into his desk!

“You will marry before the summer ends.”

I froze. Aunt Clarice gasped, while Grandfather removed a slip of paper from his coat. After nudging the letter in my direction, he waited as I picked it up with shaking fingers and unfolded the paper.

It was not the note I had hoped to read. No evidence of Hyderabad marked its surface.

His smile stretched tight when my gaze met his, yet the faint warmth did nothing to ease my nervousness.

“I want only the best for my family. I am most pleased with this development. So it would stand that you need not fret over experiencing a season after all.”

The precise handwriting brought a well of acid bubbling up inside me. Impending marriage . . . Sebastian Sinclair . . . to arrive in London within six weeks . . . Perhaps longer, depending on the ship and the weather.

Numb, I set the paper down.

“No need to look so concerned,” Grandfather said as he stabbed at his poached egg, sending it into quivers. “Lord Sinclair and I have planned this marriage for you since the day you were born. I had hoped for Hugh, the eldest Sinclair, but he married another and then died in a most unfortunate incident. Now it is Sebastian who brings two indigo plantations and all the vast estates tied to the Sinclair name. We cannot refuse such an alliance between our two distinguished families.” Sebastian Sinclair.

Not him. Anyone but him.

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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.

Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.

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Tags: historical fiction, Jenelle Hovde