The Space Between Us

Brainiacs in Love #1

by Melanie Summers

A wildly funny enemies-to-lovers, only one bed, billionaire romantic comedy from Amazon All-Star Melanie Summers…

Gwen Fox has two obsessions: her life’s work and her hatred of Ty Sterling, the cynical billionaire who wants to shut down her program.

About to lose everything, Gwen is forced to travel to Peru to change his mind. Her mission to save her team takes an unexpected turn when the pair find themselves stranded alone together in the jungle.

Forced to rely on each other, the space between enemies and lovers begins to collapse. As their bickering reaches new heights, so does their undeniable attraction. Gwen starts to see that Ty’s heart may not be made of stone after all.

But could he possibly be the love of her life?

*Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner, Fiction—Chick-Lit, and Chick Lit Book Cafe International Book Excellence Award WINNER for Best Billionaire Romance and Best Rom-Com*

*** The Space Between Us is a swoon-worthy, laugh-out-loud tale that comes complete with baby alpacas, pink dolphins, and the world’s most awkward hallucinogenic tea ceremony. It’s a standalone rom-com with a little more spice than a regular Melanie Summers book. ***

WHAT TO EXPECT:
• Lush, romantic settings, adventure, and a little danger
• Forced Proximity/only one tent
• A secret cinnamon roll hero masquerading as a grump
• Loads of witty banter and delicious tension

Genres: Romance, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Forced Proximity, Fiction, Rom Com

368 pages, ebook

Published February 29, 2024

About the author

Melanie Summers is a multi-award-winning, Amazon best-selling author of romantic comedies and women’s fiction. She’s written over thirty books for people who have 'had it up to here' with the real world and need to laugh, feel good, and sigh happily. When she’s not writing or reading, she's usually out for a walk with her two adorable dogs, hanging out on the beach with her husband and their three teenagers, or curled up on the couch for family movie night. Melanie resides on Vancouver Island, Canada where her life goal is to become one of those fabulous people who take daily ice baths in the ocean. So far, she can get in up to her ankles, which is not awful, thank you very much.

Melanie Summers also writes under the name M.J. Summers

Reviews

[kaz ruby 𐙚 ‧₊˚ ⋅ · Rating 4 out of 5]

too many scenes in this book had me putting the book to the side for the moment due to the second hand embarrassment (gwen and ty, please learn SHAME), but i actually really enjoyed this one!

however, if you’re not a fan of instalove i would tread this one with caution. i actually don’t like instalove but in this book it was tolerable.


highly recommend this book if you’re looking for a book with: romance, humor, and grief (odd combo, i know) 😊

[Amber (ambervgn) :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I ate this book up 🤭 the writing reminded me of that of Ali Hazelwood sometimes. I giggled and laughed out loud multiple times.

Let me tell you why this wasn’t a 5 star, but a big four stars for me. I loved the main characters and their chemistry but also their personalities. I hate it when billionaires are also wannabe alpha males, but thank god Ty wasn’t one of them.

I thought the “big event” that happened in the beginning of the book was kind of a weird way to start the book, but it lead to the rest of the storyline.

There is one scene that some people found cringy, but I thought it was sooo funny and not cringy at all.

The book is described as Melanie’s spiciest book yet, but don’t get your hopes up. There are two “spicy scenes” but more of an Emily Henry level spicy. Don’t get me wrong, it was hot but not that explicit way of spicyness.

I would recommend this book to all my romance lovers 🖤

Thank you Melanie Summers that I got to read and review this book 🫶🏼

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Space Between Us by Melanie Summers is Book 1 in the Brainiacs In Love Series. It is told in a dual POV, Gwendolyn Fox and Ty Sterling. Gwen is a S.E.T.I researcher (Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence) who absolutely despises Ty. Ty is a self-made billionaire and the co-founder of a Fortune 500 company with his friend, Richard. Ty wants out of the foundation which backs a bunch of science programs so he can buy a football team to spite his father. When Richard dies he creates a Peruvian adventure in place of a funeral. Each program that is backed by the foundation sends someone on the adventure to hopefully secure funding for their projects.

You can find in this book:
* Spice
* Enemies to Lovers
* STEM romance
* Forced Proximity
* One Tent in the Jungle
* Secret Cinnamon Roll Hero
* Lots of Banter

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

[sanne ♥ (sann_reads) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25⭐️

this was a very fast-paced, cute romance! i really enjoyed the stem aspect, the dual pov and the fact that the mcs are a bit older (late thirties/early forties). i liked the amazon/jungle adventure as a backdrop.

personally, i’m not much of a fan of insta-love. but i definitely recommend this if you’re looking for a cute romance!

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a cute, adventure packed read. I enjoyed the banter and enemies to lovers vibe but unfortunately i found some of the dialogue to be a little cringey.

The premise of the trek through the jungle was fun and i liked the self reflection the characters went through, they truly changed by the end and i love character growth.
The whole set up for the journey was a little absurd though? I think it threw me off going into the first part of the story.

Overall, i didn’t really feel the chemistry between the two MCs but it was a fun time. I’d probably be willing to try another book by this author.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange of an honest review

[Poppy || Monster Lover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gwen and Ty were emotionally constipated not-quite-enemies in forced proximity on a trip to Peru for an adventurous funeral. Ty had a crappy childhood but struck gold when he and his bestie cornered the market on DNA kits. His younger brother, Michael, was autistic. As an autistic person myself, I had mixed feelings about how he was portrayed. I felt like what he said was frequently used as a joke. The whole he’s autistic so he takes everything literally” was overdone. I did like that he has a job and that Ty encouraged him in his passions.
Gwen was defensive AF, given that she worked as an Astro biologist for a not-for-profit that aimed to make first contact with aliens. She did have a growth arc, which was a good thing because she was frequently just kinda mean.
I didn’t really feel the chemistry between the main characters as much as I would have preferred, but they did have potential as a couple.

[Chelsey (a_novel_idea11) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy an enemies to lovers where the tension is high and the intelligence is higher, Melanie Summers' latest The Space Between Us is perfect for you! I loved getting lost in the pages of this book as Gwen and Ty explored Peru in honor of their late colleague. They didn't seem like a likely match but the build up and banter were spot on and made me fall in love with them as a couple!

Gwen was easy to like. She felt so real to me with her big heart, loyalty to her colleagues and friends, and desire to make her family proud. She also made mistakes and I appreciated that she owned up to them. I was totally fascinated by her work at SETI. SETI was new to me and I actually did some research to see if it was legit - IT IS! This aspect of the book was really fun for me and it added a lot of depth to the story.

Ty was also great. I love when your typical billionaires aren't so typical and we really get to see beneath the surface (and money).

The growth the two protagonists made not only together but individually was nice to read and very motivational.

The Space Between Us had just enough spice for me! It was sexy without being crude or over the top. I actually could have used another chapter or two :)

Thank you to Melanie Summers and Indigo Group for the copy.

[Frida Hemborg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly addictive, swoonworthy, hilarious and butterfly inducing romcom. I literally had to force myself to put this book down, because I needed to go to sleep, ”Just one more chapter…okay just ONE more.” 😅 I don’t know if Melanie laced the pages with something or what was going on, but yeah, this was so freaking good! I’ve read and loved all of Ali Hazelwoods novels, and this one definitely reminded me of those, with the whole women in STEM, grumpy MMC, that definitely fell first and harder, and all the funny banter and sarcasm. So if you’re a fan on Alis books, then this one is definitely for you! Another thing that I truly loved about this book, was all the adventures. We get to explore the country of Peru and it’s incredible nature and architecture. This really added another level to the story, with all of Gwens mishaps, and the bonding with the other researchers. Amongst all of the hilarious, and unbelievable stuff happening, we do get several emotional scenes with a surprising amount of depth and insight. Ty’s relationship with his autistic brother, his troubled childhood, Gwen’s constant trying to prove herself to her parents, it was all very beautiful and heartbreaking to read about. Five out of five stars, loved their story and can’t wait to read about Allie in the next book! ♥️

[Susan Z (webreakforbooks) · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Space Between Us is a fantasic enemy to lovers with a little spice. If spicy isn't your thing, no worries, it's just a small section and Melanie has your back. She tells us exactly where it is in the intro and it's so easy to skip.

The characters in this one are great. Ty is a grumpy billionaire with a hidden soft spot. Gwen is a scientist trying to covince Ty, the contrarian, to fund her research. Except she's not the only one trying to get his money. Ty and about 30 people vying for his money end up in Peru on an epic adventure.

This book was so fun, and the chemistry between Gwen and Ty was just perfect. I love a good STEM romance, smart women are awesome and Gwen was no exception.

As an added bonus, it had AMAZING and funny chapter titles which I absolutely love.

I loved everything about this book. The characters, the humor, the setting in Peru (which I have now added to my bucket list). It was also emotional and heart warming and had me tearing up.

[Zoë Nira · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hesitated a lot whether to give this book 3 or 4 stars. I always feel very bad about giving 3 stars because it seems so low, but I definitely liked the book! I will of course explain why I gave the book 3 stars.

The book focuses quite a lot on science and uses terms I don't know much about which made it a bit harder for me to get into the book and to follow at times. It also took quite a long time for me before they "got to know" each other.

The part when they are on 'the farewell trip' I really liked though and worth 4 stars! There was tension between Ty & Gwen, but to my mind there were more moments when 'something could have happened' between the two.

Once they left the trip it felt a bit like a third act breakup (even though they were never really together).

I was especially sad that they didn't get together until the last 12 pages. That on the second to last page page Ty asks "you wouldn't want to marry me, would you?” That really could have been the whole epilogue!!! It would have seemed really nice if there was another piece written about that, but alas.

In short: I really liked the whole piece in Peru! But because I didn't get super into it in the beginning and found the end a bit disappointing, I still give the book 3 stars....

> I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review <

[Booktokjesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really is a cute silly romance! I really enjoyed reading about someone researching aliens. That's a sub trope I had never read about before and to my surprise I really liked. I flew through the book and kept wanting to read further so that is a very good sign 🤗

Tropes you will find in this book:
- billionaire x poor 💰
- one bed (tent) 🏕️
- enemies to lovers 💗
- stuck together 👫
- dual pov 📖

In addition, I thought there was enough character development in it and I sympathized with the characters. Oh and the book is not mega thick, so you fly through it ;)

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gwen loves her job working for S.E.T.I (searching for life on other planets). Also showing young school children around the institute and the telescopes. Not everyone is a believer especially her family who think she's wasting her education and life in a meaningless environment. When the billionaire who funds them dies unexpectedly while doing a volcano jump, her and her fellow work colleagues are worried as to what will happen now. Ty has spent his life working hard to take care of himself and younger brother who suffers with autism after his father walked out of their lives when they were both young. Always wanting to get his own back he's strived to succeed, now he's leaving the foundation he and his best friend founded and fulfilling his dream. That is until his best friend dies volcano jumping before signing the forms, throwing everything up in the air. Now thrown together with a large group of other nonprofit attendees they find themselves in Peru and then the Amazon commemorating the life of an extraordinary man. Can these two overcome the difficulties facing them or will it all prove to much. This is a brilliant story that truly makes you look at the views we are all quick at making towards things we don't really understand or think foolish. It also makes both of them confront issues they've kept hidden and also how they spend their lives working. I've read a few of Melanie's books and this is a little more spicy than usual but it actually helps the story and I really didn't mind. I've enjoyed reading this and I loved how Micheal was portrayed and how Ty showed his caring side for his brother.

[Kelly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

I went into this book excited by the premise and maybe it was my fault for expecting something different, but I just don't think this book was for me. The writing was smooth and easy to read, I finished it in less than a day.

The description and title led me to believe that this book had something to do with outer space and aliens. The fmc works for an organization that searches for intelligent life in the universe and I figured that would come more into play, but it really isn't about that at all. Like I said, that might just be because I had different expectations but I figured her job would feature more in the story, but it doesn't, which left me disappointed.

My biggest issue with this book was the two main characters. They had very little personality outside their jobs and the way they fell for each other so fast just wasn't convincing to me. I didn't have a reason to root for them because the stakes just didn't feel real enough. For Gwen maybe, her job was at stake but for Ty? All his problems were of his own creation. I'm sorry, but it's hard for me to feel bad for a billionaire who's entire life's work is about spiting his father when he so easily could have just, not done that.

The two main characters try to grow and learn from their mistakes and in the end they do, but it all felt a little too neat for me. It was like they didn't have to work that hard to do it. They just decided, "Oh! I'm a better person now!".

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! This is my voluntary review:

I honestly enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would! I didn't really know what I was getting into, but I was hooked after the first two chapters. The two main characters, Ty and Gwen, are likeable even at their worst. Gwen especially is very emotionally intelligent, which I love since so many women in STEM are never given that characterization. For a forced proximity romance, I don't feel like there as anything cliche about it and it didn't rely on situations that were completely unrecognizable or unreasonable. Using Napper's funeral journey as a physical and metaphorical journey worked really well and was rewarding.

Two points of contention:
- the portrayal of Michael, Ty's autistic brother, was less than ideal. As someone with autistic individuals in my life, I wanted to see more of Michael, not just read his quote or hear about him from Ty. Assuming that someone with autism has a sophisticated vocabulary or doesn't have any social mannerisms themselves makes neurodivergent folk into a monolith, and I feel like that's reductive in a book that otherwise does really well with playing against tropes.
- the chapter titles were a little cringy

[Ramona Badau]

Couldn’t get past the whiny(daddy issues), self indulgent mmc right at the start

[Kat | Booked At Night · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Look at the stars, Gwenny. Just look. They're shining there you you."

Fun, adventurous, and witty, Summers creates a rom-com that combines STEM, billionaires, and best of all Indiana Jones. So that last part may be a stretch, but as Gwen and Ty traverse through the jungles of Peru for Dr. Napper's last dying wish, let's just say that this is very unique compared to many other contemporary romances.

In this enemies to lovers, Gwen Fox works for SETI in the hopes that one day they will come into contact with life from space. Ty Sterling is a complete sketpic and cynic. He never understood why his buisness partner and best friend would want to cerate a foundation to fund ghost hunting, the search for the yeti or aliens. To him, this is a waste of their billions that could be used in his act for revenge against his absent father. So when his best friend, Dr. Napper, dies while trying to break the record for volcano surfing after skydiving, Ty is ready to pull out and leave everyone without jobs. That is until he embarks on the adventure Napper planned in his will. And when he is partnered with the woman who draws on his pictures and uses them as a dartboard, he knows he is in for one hell of a trip.

The banter alone made me break into smiles. Gwen is 36 and thriving. She is quick-minded and witty, but her sarcasm has me in a chokehold. She is more than funny. Gwen Fox is relatable. Ty on the other hand left me annoyed at times. He caused many of his own problems and the fact that his revenge was more important than his own friend made me agitated. I wish at one point beyond the send off of his friend that he acknowledges his hurt. There is a small instance where he recognizes it but there is not a very noticable affect from this. I needed him to have one more chapter of reflection. My needs for closure and character growth for Gwen was satisfied abet a little rushed at the end, but I enderstand the story needs to come to a close. Overall, I loved the character development that happened between Gwen and Ty. While most people are not a fan of insta-love, I think this was done well. The two are given ample scenarios and reasons to interact and delve into their relationship (seriously, pink dolphins may be the devil).

If you like movies similar to The Lost City or Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (no, not the one that gives you nightmares) then you would love this book! The action rom-com has a fun and unique twist that would not disappoint!

Thank you to Netgalley and Gretz Corp for the ARC E-book! I can't wait to read Allie's story!

[elisa⋆₊˚౨ৎ]

"The Space Between Us" by Melanie Summers offers an intriguing premise: what happens when an astrobiologist and a billionaire, who would rather buy a football team than fund those "weirdos wo walk around with tin foil on their heads hoping to meet little green men", find themselves stranded alone in the jungle?

The book caught my attention since it promises a dual-POV, enemies-to-lovers romance with a spectacular setting, which is usually right up my alley.
However, while the setting and initial setup are compelling, the execution falls short.

From the very beggining, I struggled to immerse myself into the story. The book opens with a monologue from Ty Sterling, the male protagonist, who embodies the archetype of the "lion quote" men. You know those cringe motivational Instagram pages for men that post pictures of quotes with a lion in the background? His line, "I did it all because I know the meaning of the word relentless," feels like something you'd see on one of those pages.

While I'm sure he would have redeemed himself as the story progresses, I ultimately decided to dnf this book.
Surprisingly, it wasn't the main character that put me off, but rather the writing style. The use of short sentences made me constantly aware that I was reading, rather than losing myself in the story as all readers love to do.

Nevertheless, I you are interested in Ty Sterling and Gwen Fox's jungle adventure and love story, please give this book a try!
I acknowledge that based on the other reviews and ratings of this book, I am definitely in the minority, and I'm not opposed to trying out another title by the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

[Stacey Van Loenen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In was really in doubt if this book was going to get 3 or 4 stars. At first I was thinking more like 4 and then one scene happend that made it a 3 stars for me because I was already doubting.

So in the beginning it took be a while to get into the book. The moment Gwen and Ty went to Peru it started to become really fun! I loved the tension between them, because of the writing style it was an easy and fun read and I enjoyed myself a lot.

I loved the scene where they got lost and had to “survive” just to 2 of them actually wished it would have lasted a little longer but I really liked that part a lot.

After they got rescued there was this scene with a ceremony to open up their minds and that is the scene that threw me off a bit. It was all going so fast and the things being said like “I want to put as many babies in you as possible” gave me a bit of the ick like chill Ty you have known the girl for 3 days.

Once they were back home I did like the personal development they went through and how you could really tell their short time together brought them something. But them finally getting together and us reading about them really being together was so short, felt like there was a lot missing there.

Overall I did enjoy reading this book! It was a fun romance with good tension.

It was described as “with a little bit more spice than a regular Melanie Summers book” this was my first book of hers I read so idk how much spice her other books have. But I was expecting a little bit more spice then just 2 chapter about the same time they “made love”

But it was fun and I woud recommend it!

*I received this book from the author, in return for a honest review*

[Kristen Lewendon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fun and funny while also being deeply emotional and thought-provoking. I loved Gwen and Ty. I wanted to bundle them up, cuddle them close and hug the ever-loving daylights out of them. I adored seeing the journey of enlightenment Richard sent them on, and appreciated even more the insights they came out of it with. There’s something so real and grounded about these characters that makes me wish I knew them in real life. I feel like I want them to be my dear friends. I can’t wait to see where the author is going to take this series next.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Booksprout.

[Aislinn · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 reasons I gave The Space Between Us 4 stars:
1. STEM romance that is not cringe. Better than Ali Hazelwood.
2. FMC and MMC are both grumpy. Makes for good banter.
3. Some adventure in Peru
4. Had actual laugh out loud moments.

[Randi (randi_reads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Space Between Us is a fun romance between billionaire, Ty Sterling, and Gwen Fox, who works for SETI (the Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence).

When the financial backer, Dr. Dick Napper, of the program Gwen works for dies while attempting to volcano surf, because she has the most symmetrical face of a woman of child bearing age (LOL), she is sent to Peru for his funeral. It is going to start in Peru for a five day trek. Gwen is not looking forward to it because she knows Ty will be there, too, since he was Dick’s best friend. Her program needs funding and she and her co-workers want to keep their jobs. Ty is the one who could change that.

I really enjoyed this book (as I have all books from this author). It has a bunch of funny moments and a great side autistic character, Michael, who is Ty’s younger brother. It has some steamy scenes, but if that’s not your thing, the author gives a warning in the beginning of what chapters to skip.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Catarina Águas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC from netgalley in exchange of an honest review. And I also wanna thank the author for this copy of the book:

I liked the book well enough. It went better than it seemed at one point so i was happy with that. I liked Ty, he was a good guy that worked for everything in his life and all anyone wanted was his money. Irritated me so much that the foundations thought they were entitled to his fortune just because his business partner gave them his money. That's part of why I didn't like Gwen very much. She frustated me so much in various situations regarding the money part. Why does he have to give money to something he doesn't believe in or finds ridiculous? It wasn't fair and irritated me so much. I liked how she grew throughout the book same as Ty and didn't abuse his trust to get the money in a dirty way, huge points for that. I liked them together they evened each other out in a certain way so that was good

[Briana Bailon · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Thank you to Melanie Summers for providing me with an ARC for this story. All opinions are my own.

4⭐️/ 2🌶️

If you love to read about a woman working in a scientific, S.T.E.M. type of field, with a somewhat grumpy billionaire, an unexpected adventure in Peru, and a dislike to love romance between two individuals, then you’re going to want to read, “The Space Between Us” By: Melanie Summers. This story followed, Gwen Fox and Ty Sterling as they found themselves in the jungles of Peru for a specific reason, and in the midst of it all Gwen had a plan to ensure Ty kept the funding for the research group she was part of. Ty had plans of his own in order to get through the whole ordeal he found himself in, but even with everything on his plate, he and Gwen found themselves slowly but surely developing a connection.

If I had to describe this book I would compare it to along the lines of an Ali Hazelwood book. If you’re a fan of Ali Hazelwood and how she writes contemporary romances set within the S.T.E.M. world/ profession of a type of science, then I think you would like this story. Within the first few chapters, I liked the characters, there was that lighthearted humor that made it enjoyable to read, and grasp the personalities of the characters. The storyline was unique, and provided an interesting turn into how Gwen and Ty would meet. There was also a trope I always love reading about which is, the main lead being a billionaire. Ty was filthy rich and did what he wanted with his money, but there was also an ulterior motive behind how he wanted to use his money for a specific reason which is revealed in the book. Gwen was more focused on trying to secure her research group’s future by trying to…shall we say get on Ty’s nice side in order to get the funding they needed to continue their work. Gwen wasn’t Ty’s biggest fan, or I should say she hated Ty a lot which made it a bit more difficult when she needed to be nice in order to convince Ty the work she and her team were doing was important and not unnecessary as Ty had always thought. There was a good mix of tropes, plot, and likable characters that made this book fun to read.

Funny how two people who initially didn’t like one another suddenly found themselves thinking about each other differently as was the case with Gwen and Ty. As much as Gwen was initially team, “I hate Ty Sterling”, I could see her walls coming down around him, and dare I say even ENJOY hanging out with him?! Even Ty, Mr. Billionaire himself was changing his perception of Gwen and imagining some nsfw stuff about her! The chemistry between Gwen and Ty grew stronger as the story progressed and they actually complimented each other perfectly. For Gwen, she always imagined finding someone who would challenge her and just like she said, “it wouldn’t love at first sight, it would love at first argument”. Gwen didn’t want an easy love, she wanted someone who would push her. Once Ty amassed his wealth, he was use to people wanting things from him, and while Gwen was determined to secure the funds for her research group, she wasn’t one to suck him up to him, Gwen was straightforward and easy to be around Ty.

This was a cute, lighthearted, funny story with an underlying theme of acceptance and family. I liked how over the course of the story, Gwen came to the realization that just like the other researchers working in different fields of studies shared the same hope as her in wanting to continue their work. Gwen initially believed that she and her group were far more superior than the others, but that wasn’t the case at all. Gwen had good character growth and learned a lot more about herself which later helped her become a better person and change her perception about herself too. Ty also had his own hurdles to overcome from moving past the hurt his father caused his family to opening himself up, and learning to trust others as he did with Gwen. Gwen and Ty had different views when it came to what they believed in, but over the course of the story they found a common ground and deep understanding of one another. The romance was sweet, and light with sprinkles of spice. I like reading about women in S.T.E.M. it’s also fascinated me, and to see a bit of Gwen in her field was cool especially with the type of work she specialized in. As a whole, it was a good book, straightforward plot, good characters, easy to get lost in, and entertaining.

[Viktoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare to be transported on an incredible journey of self-discovery and unexpected romance in "The Space Between Us" by Melanie Summers. Gwen, a dedicated astrobiologist working for S.E.T.I., finds herself at odds with her family's disapproval of her career path, which they view as meaningless. Ty, a driven entrepreneur seeking revenge for his troubled past, is thrown into a whirlwind of uncertainty after the sudden death of his best friend. When fate brings Gwen and Ty together in Peru and the Amazon, they must confront their hidden issues and redefine their perspectives on life.

As they embark on a trek through the breathtaking landscapes of Peru, Gwen and Ty find themselves facing challenges that test their beliefs and preconceived notions. Their unlikely bond, fueled by their shared connection through Ty's foundation, leads to unexpected discoveries and a blossoming romance that defies their initial expectations.

Melanie Summers weaves a captivating tale of adventure, humor, and profound life lessons in "The Space Between Us." The dynamic between Gwen, a skeptical scientist, and Ty, a driven entrepreneur, is both entertaining and heartwarming. Their journey of enlightenment, planned out by Ty's late friend, forces them to confront their fears and insecurities while opening up new possibilities for growth and understanding.

I particularly enjoyed the fiery interactions between Gwen and Ty, as well as the genuine care Ty shows for his brother who has autism. The spicy undertones of the story added an intriguing layer to the plot, enhancing the overall reading experience.

"The Space Between Us" is a thought-provoking and heartwarming read that challenges its characters and readers alike to question their assumptions and embrace the unknown. Melanie Summers skillfully captures the essence of self-discovery and personal growth in a vivid and engaging narrative. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a captivating story that will leave you with a sense of fulfillment and joy. Dive into this enchanting tale and prepare to be swept off your feet by Gwen and Ty's journey of love and transformation.

[Cait Ireen | caitireenreads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Spice: 🌶️🌶️/5

The Space Between Us tells the story of a career-focused woman who will do anything to save her job, and the swoon billionaire who holds her career’s future in his hands.

Gwen Fox has the career she’s always dreamed of: working for SETI, or the Search for Extra-terrestrial Intelligence. Devastatingly intelligent, quick on her feet and always ready for a debate, her life comes to a screeching halt when her program might be shut down by the worst possible person: Ty Sterling.

"Seriously, hating Ty Sterling has been my favorite pastime for years. If I stop now, I don't know what I'll do with my free time."

Ty Sterling has it made. As a self-made billionaire and and the co-founder of a Fortune 500 company, Ty is poised to make all of his personal dreams come true, starting with revenge on his father, despite potentially crushing the dreams of hundreds of others.

When Dr. Richard Napper, Ty’s co-founder and Gwen’s boss, passes away due to an extreme accident, his final wish is to host a five-day epic trek in lieu of a funeral. It just so happens that this trip overlaps with Ty’s planned liquidation of his half to the Napper Sterling Foundation, which would effectively remove all funding for several larger ventures run by Dr. Napper… including Gwen’s place of employ. At the behest of Gwen’s coworkers, she is sent on Dr. Napper’s Peru excursion with a singular focus: persuade Ty Sterling to reinstate their funding. Will Gwen be able to convince Ty to fund their project, despite Ty’s adamant refusal? Or will their budding relationship get in the way of Gwen’s career?

This book was so darn fun to read. I love a secret cinnamon roll MMC, and the fact that he absolutely loved our FMC’s brain and tenacity was so stinking appealing! I wish there had been more of a focus on the “space” of it all, since the title and blurb had me thinking there might be more about Gwen’s career. That barely provided a bump in the road, however, since the scenery of the jungle and the various shenanigans our FMC and MMC find themselves in were so entertaining.

I recommend giving this book a read! It was quick and uber cute.

Tropes in this story:
✨ Enemies to Lovers
✨ Forced Proximity — only one tent 😏
✨ Stubborn, but secret cinnamon roll, MMC
✨ Incredibly intelligent, underestimated FMC
✨ Lots of yummy tension

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book via HiddenGems, but my review is all my own.

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Space between us by Melanie Summers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

I received this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

The Space Between Us is a standalone rom-com with hints of spice and giggles.

Gwen Fox, a dedicated S.E.T.I. researcher, is determined to unravel the cosmic mystery of extraterrestrial life. However, her mission faces a threat when their billionaire backer, Ty Sterling, decides to shut down their operation. With everything on the line, Gwen ventures to Peru to persuade Ty to change his mind. Despite their opposing views and personalities, sparks fly between them amidst the lush Peruvian jungle.

As they navigate the fine line between enemies and lovers, their undeniable chemistry ignites a passionate connection.

With its strong and intelligent female lead, stubborn, cold Billionaire male lead, steamy chemistry, and laugh-out-loud moments, this novel is a perfect escape for anyone craving a quick and easy read filled with adventure and romance.

This novel is a perfect pick-me-up for anyone in need of a good laugh and a dose of romance. Whether you're a fan of forced proximity tropes, S.T.E.M. romance, or just looking for a fun and entertaining read, “ The space between us “ has something for everyone. Don't miss out on this delightful rom-com adventure!

[Nessa’s Book Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Space between us by Melanie Summers

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Stars

I received this book in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.

The Space Between Us is a standalone rom-com with hints of spice and giggles.

Gwen Fox, a dedicated S.E.T.I. researcher, is determined to unravel the cosmic mystery of extraterrestrial life. However, her mission faces a threat when their billionaire backer, Ty Sterling, decides to shut down their operation. With everything on the line, Gwen ventures to Peru to persuade Ty to change his mind. Despite their opposing views and personalities, sparks fly between them amidst the lush Peruvian jungle.

As they navigate the fine line between enemies and lovers, their undeniable chemistry ignites a passionate connection.

With its strong and intelligent female lead, stubborn, cold Billionaire male lead, steamy chemistry, and laugh-out-loud moments, this novel is a perfect escape for anyone craving a quick and easy read filled with adventure and romance.

This novel is a perfect pick-me-up for anyone in need of a good laugh and a dose of romance. Whether you're a fan of forced proximity tropes, S.T.E.M. romance, or just looking for a fun and entertaining read, “ The space between us “ has something for everyone. Don't miss out on this delightful rom-com adventure!

[Soren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good book and I enjoyed the character arcs both Ty and Gwen got. I had a bit of a hard time seeing any chemistry between them, however, and thought that their relationship was rather cringe at times. My biggest issue with the story was with the portrayal of Michael. Most of the time, he felt like a very flat character and like he was just a copy and paste from the autism diagnostic criteria. It was uncomfortable seeing how Ty thought of him as a kid still at times. I feel like the author could’ve done a much better job of making him a more developed character, especially since he was so important to Ty. I liked that he had his own job, got to express his interests, and lived with dignity and support from his loved ones, I just wish he had been written better so that he could’ve been more of the important side character he was. I received a free eARC of this, and am choosing to leave an honest review.

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

S.E.T.I. researcher, Gwen has been in her position since she graduated college. Her family thinks she's not working to her full potential and would be better off at NASA. They think she's flighty. She's just watched the man who funded them die off a volcano while trying to set a world record. Now he wants his funeral to be in Peru with his ashes and videos he recorded. Unfortunately his partner,Ty, has no inclination to indulge these idiots who were being funded by his partner. Every group is to send someone to Peru. Gwen is chosen. She really hates Ty. He is small minded and an idiot. Now he's stuck on this tour with less people than they started with due to some not getting vaccinations. But his speech to them sends more on their way. Gwen has a hidden talent that sometimes is under appreciated--she loves to argue. Will this talent be able to get her team the funding they need? Or will she be sent off with nothing and seal the fate of her SETI team?
A fascinating story that is cute and giggly in some places. Will lighten the heart and make the mind open with the arguments.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This contemporary romance is page-turning with exceptional world-building and characters that are humorous, captivating, and realistic. Their journey is enthralling with the space between us, an enemies-to-lovers romance, S.T.E.M romance, stubborn billionaire, adventure, romantic settings, a little danger, forced proximity/only one tent, a secret cinnamon roll hero, loads of banter, awkward moments, heartfelt emotions, delicious tension, rom-com, laugh-out-loud, funny/humorous to the extent that readers will need to have Kleenex or Puffs close by to wipe the tears pouring down their cheeks, undeniable chemistry, breathtaking backdrop of the Peruvian jungle, action, adventure, and more. I recommend reading this rom com if you love to laugh, this author is extraordinary and knows how to captivate her readers' hearts and attention with the space between us and sweet romance that will transport readers into a world that is humorous and unforgettable.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.