Lucasfilm Announces 'Eyes Like Stars,' Star Wars’ First Official Romance Novel

The romance focus is prompting discussion about more inclusive, character-driven stories in a universe that has offered little LGBTQ representation.

Overview

Announced at NYCC via Lucasfilm Publishing and StarWars.com, Eyes Like Stars is a young-adult novel by Ashley Poston.
The story is set about a year and a half before The Force Awakens and follows two original characters as the First Order rises.
Lucasfilm is billing the book as the franchise’s first official romance, marking a notable genre shift for Star Wars.
Coverage suggests the romantic lens could open the door to broader inclusivity and LGBTQ representation, though the book’s queer content has not been confirmed.
Commentators contrast this move with Star Wars’ limited on-screen LGBTQ visibility, citing a brief 2019 same-sex kiss, and note YA’s track record for inclusivity after recent darker, politically focused entries like Andor and Rogue One.