“Gabriele Wills weaves the story of Merilee and her friends with vivid imagery and extensive details, ensuring the reader is transported to places across the globe with the characters.... [She] does an excellent job capturing the essence of a teenager becoming an adult in such a unique and terrifying time.  A must read. 4.5/5 stars.” – Amanda Gavigan, The Gloss (formerly The Girly Book Club)

"A beautiful novel about the enduring nature of love for people and places alike. Lighting The Stars, by Gabriele Wills, has the feel of classic literature with the intimacy of a genre favorite.... A moving and emotional look at the coming-of-age of a young girl beneath the shadow of a terrible war, Lighting the Stars has compelling characters, beautiful prose and that extra something that makes a novel truly touching. I couldn’t put this book down.... Gabriele Wills has a talent for creating atmosphere that is so rare these days and so wonderful to find in a writer. Her descriptions of the wilderness of Muskoka were breathtaking and awe-inspiring. I can only imagine how much research went into this historical novel.... This story is captivating and truly worth the read.... I plan to read the entire series now, as I loved this one so much!" - Linda Lu - Guest Review on All Things Jill-Elizabeth

"Excellent Multi-generational Family Saga:  Mesmerizing, intertwined stories of several families... What I found even more interesting than the story of these wealthy, artistic, prominent families and the prisoners in the camp was the historical details in the novel. Through extensive research, the author has done an excellent job of bringing this part of history to life. I was particularly fascinated by the story of the Spitfire girls… I highly recommend this book and am going to purchase other books in the series tomorrow. If you do read this book, I encourage you to go to the author's Facebook page, where she documents some of her research.” – 5 Stars - Denise D. on  Amazon

“This was an excellent continuation of the Muskoka stories…. I will most assuredly look forward to the further adventures of the folks of this Canadian island as the war changes everyone’s lives. Love is found and love is lost and sometimes it surprises. Don’t fear just reading this book without having read the others – it will stand alone.” – Books, Cooks, Looks

“Gabriele Wills interestingly intertwines fiction and the realities of the war. What we get at the end is an exciting masterpiece that you don't want to put aside once you set your eyes on the first pages…. It is a story about love, change, hope, and transformation…. The characters will take you by the hand and take you into their lives. They are impossible to forget.” -5 Stars - Amwoma
 

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"Lighting the Stars is teeming with friendship, romance, action, adventure, heart breaking loss, and of course history.  I have rarely read an entire book series but The Muskoka Novels saga is irresistible! After each book ends, I miss the characters so much!  They are so well written that they come to life, grab the reader by the hand and yank them right into their lives.  I wish someone would buy the rights to this series.  It would make an amazing movie or television series!  This is my  favorite book series of all time!... I give it 5 plus stars!" - Teddy Rose, Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus

​"Highly compelling and absolutely captivating, Lighting The Stars by Gabriele Wills is a novel set during World War II that deals with themes of love, compassion, freedom and the ever present shadow of war.... This novel was not only an excellent reading experience, but an enlightening learning experience.... The sense of atmosphere and place are crystal clear and couldn't have been done better. It's clear that Gabriele Wills loves that part of the country just as much as her characters do and this book reads almost like a love letter to Canada. An excellent look at this period in history and an unforgettable read. Wish that I could give it even more than 5 stars!"-  Betty Bee on Toot's Book Reviews

"This novel is a treasure and one that is not to be missed! The different stories of these three characters take the reader on a journey that beguiles you in the most mesmerizing way. I read all the way through this in too short of a time and it left me wanting more from this author! Lighting the Stars is book 4 of ‘The Muskoka Novel’ series but the first book I read.  I had no trouble picking up where book 3 left off but I do plan to read the entire series now! Five out of five stars!" - CelticLady's Reviews

"This novel is every bit as epic and engrossing as the previous books and although it again plunges the extended members of the families into the chaos and the worry, the heartache and the fear, the desperation and the grief of war, it also showcases love and friendship, loyalty and forgiveness, action and adventure... There are echoes of the previous books but Wills does a good job making it possible to read this as a standalone... The Muskoka setting is once again beautifully evoked, as is the way that the newly established German POW camp both alters the peace of the area and brings a tangible reminder of the war right onto the home front's doorstep. England under siege is also well drawn, the bombing, the randomness, the quotidian.... The main characters are charmingly engaging and the reader experiences their feelings right along with them, hoping that they will come out of their experiences unscathed but knowing that is impossible. Following this latest chapter in the Muskoka chronicles is as enchanting as it was in the previous books. It is a joy to be completely immersed in this bold family saga once again." - BookNAround

​"Lighting the Stars, by Gabriele Wills is a novel that is not only captivating but emotionally moving…. Both beautifully researched and marvellously written, Lighting the Stars is the literary equivalent of a warm, filling meal…. Of all of the great historical fiction novels that I have read over the past year, this was definitely one of the best. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a good, emotional read.” – 5 Stars -  Bookgirl86

“Gabriele Wills is a talented author and one that I will definitely be looking out for in the future. The way that the different narratives blended together so seamlessly was gorgeous and made for such a well-rounded read. ‘Lighting the Stars’ is book four of ‘The Muskoka Novels’ series but can be read apart from the first 3 books.  However, I loved it so much, I now plan to read the first three.”  - Bee Lindy of Bookpleasures.com

“A stunning blend of emotionality and research, Lighting The Stars, by Gabriele Wills is a novel for the ages…. Wills has created such a beautiful novel full of inspiring messages and relatable characters. I can only imagine the amount of research that goes into writing a novel of this caliber and she pulled it off seamlessly. Lighting The Stars is both unmissable and unforgettable. I can’t wait to see what this author decides to write next!” – Sal - Guest Review on Bound 4 Escape

“I thought it was a great story. I loved the historical details and being transported back in time to the beginning of World War II. There is quite a bit going on within the pages: action, adventure, and romance. I did not want it to end. I am giving Lighting the Stars a very well deserved five plus stars. I highly recommend it for readers who enjoy reading historical romance. I would love to read the previous books from The Muskoka Novels to see what happened before this one.” – Locks, Hooks and Books

"Lighting the Stars... can be described as a colourful and tightly woven book that deviates from the common theme of how war is made and clearly tears into the theme of how war makes or rather transforms men and women. The read stands out as a lucid beautifully written account.... From the vivid account of war presented in this book I can surely attest that Gabriele Wills has taken her time to conduct some comprehensive research; this is evident through how she writes with enormous ease while practically ensuring that every page of this book is not only interesting but also entertaining. Truly a gold standard in the realms of historical fiction especially events around World War II." - 5 Stars -  Gud Reader's Reviews