Ten Thousand Light Years from Okay

by Tracy Dobmeier, Wendy Katzman

A widowed and grieving young novelist believes her words create realities—both tragic and charmed—in a hopeful and surprising novel about family, newfound love, and moving on.

Four years after her husband Sam’s tragic death mirrored a fatal plotline in her debut novel, Thea Packer hasn’t written another word, afraid that what she writes could come true again. Resigned to raising her young daughter in her in-laws’ guesthouse, Thea is on the verge of abandoning her literary career when inspiration strikes.

Her new book is a fairy-tale romance featuring a long-lost astronaut who miraculously returns home to his family, with the hero loosely drawn from Thea’s memories of Sam. Thea considers the fantasy a harmless way to process her grief.

That is, until a charismatic man walks into her life—and he’s an astronaut.

Thea can’t believe it’s happening again. Or is it? Her mother-in-law doesn’t think so—she sees only a woman increasingly detached from reality. Now, as coincidences between Thea’s writing and reality pile up, Thea must unravel the secrets of her past and tackle her grief head-on before she loses more than she imagined.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Chick Lit, Contemporary, Family, Audiobook, Grief

348 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2025

About the author

Tracy Dobmeier and Wendy Katzman have been great friends for over 25 years. Their debut novel, GIRLS WITH BRIGHT FUTURES, was a suspenseful journey into the cutthroat world of college admissions, which earned starred reviews from Publisher’s Weekly and Library Journal, and was named a “Book Club Winner” by REAL SIMPLE and an Apple Best Book. Tracy holds an undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a J.D from UC Berkeley and worked in biotechnology law and non-profit leadership. Wendy was a nationally ranked youth tennis player, and went on to play at the University of Michigan, where she earned her undergraduate degree, followed by a career in medical marketing. Tracy and Wendy both live in Seattle with their husbands. They enjoy sports, reading (obviously), civic engagement, and spending time with their amazing families and friends. You can often find them together brainstorming and walking their dogs, Shadow and Josie. Connect with Tracy and Wendy on Instagram at @katzndobs.

Reviews

[Jayme C (Brunetteslikebookstoo) · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW: Grief (loss of spouse, parents loss of grown child)

It’s been four years since novelist Thea Packer’s husband Sam died while out for a run-the same way that the character in her debut novel died-and she hasn’t written another word since.

The reason? The grieving widow and single mom to her precocious daughter, Lucy (a scene stealer) is afraid that what she writes could become reality because that wasn’t the first time that her written words preceded a tragic outcome.

When her literary agent continues to push her for another book, she has an epiphany-why not write a book with a Happily Ever After ending…

Her new book is a fairy-tale romance about an astronaut lost in space who miraculously returns home to his wife and the daughter he never met, loosely based on her own life and her memories of Sam.

And then it happens again.

She meets a charming man at a dog park and he’s an astronaut.

What are the odds?

Thea can’t believe it’s happening again and neither can her best friend Frannie or her In-Laws- who are all afraid that Thea is losing touch with reality.

Written from the first person POV of Thea-who seems like a rational person, minus a few questionable decisions-I was intrigued to find out what was ACTUALLY happening.

I was expecting MAGICAL REALISM but this HOPEFUL story is really more about grief, personal growth and learning to move on. Co-authored by two best friends, this story feels AUTHENTIC. As a bonus, we get insight into a writer’s world, including the way they follow the book’s launch on NetGalley, Goodreads and Amazon, which I also enjoyed.

Despite some long chapters, this story was FRESH, UNIQUE and ENGAGING from the start! But, what kept it from earning the fifth star was an ending that I wasn’t quite onboard with.

Did MarilynW and DeAnn feel differently about the denouement? Be sure to watch for their reviews!

NOW AVAILABLE!

Thank You to Lake Union Publishing for the gifted ARC provided through NetGalley. As always, these are my candid thoughts!

[Lucia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Ten Thousand Light Years from Okay" follows Thea, an author and single mom dealing with guilt and grief over her husband's death. The reason - he died in the exact same way that the protagonist died in her book.

This leads Thea to suspect that her writing can create realities. As a way to heal, she decides to write a book with a happily ever after. It's a romance novel focusing on an astronaut coming home after a five-year disappearance. On the publishing day, Thea meets a charming, handsome man. And he's an astronaut.

This is a story about love, connection, friendship, grief, and healing. As Thea learns to move on without letting go, we are taken on a journey of forgiveness and growth. This story was very emotion-driven, but still very interesting.

My main issue was that the ending seemed extremely unbelievable and didn't quite fit with the themes. I think it would have been better if it were less centered on romance and more so on Thea's healing.

If you are looking for a story of change, growth, and grief, read this once it's released on November 4th!

[Barbara Shuman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grief counseling book

This book for me started rather slow. Building the characters character. I did not like the f-words or the texting porn, even if it was minimal.

What I did like was Thea going to grief counseling. What I didn't like was the interference with her in-laws.

[Dana · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 really big stars!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I loved this book sooooo much. I knew I was going to enjoy it, (because I love the authors!) but it exceeded my expectations. This will certainly be a favourite of 2025!

This story is moving and heartfelt. It's also unique which is always such a bonus!! A great cast of well fleshed out characters, and a believable storyline.

I will forever gravitate towards books about books.

Highly recommend Ten Thousand Light Years From Okay. Don't miss out on this book! It would make an excellent book club pick. There's so much to discuss!

My thanks to Booksparks for this gifted copy.

[nicki | nickireadsanovel · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5★

this novel had me hooked from the very beginning! from the moment i read the blurb actually. the premise sounded super interesting and it did not disappoint.

the inner dialogue and just dialogue of thea had me giggling to myself out loud at times. i found the authors’ writing to be so funny and real. the story was written in a way that made me HAVE to keep reading to find out what happens. it almost felt like a mystery in that sense.

this book has an overlying theme of grief, so definitely don’t expect all rainbows and sunshine. not that you would expect that from a title like “ten thousand light years from okay”. while there are some funny parts, there are also some very sad parts where you can feel thea’s pain. i love books like this! i want to feel something, and this book definitely made me feel many emotions. there is a subplot that is briefly mentioned in the synopsis that i really enjoyed, but also literally broke my heart. i started to feel like these characters were real at a certain point.

there was enough emotion, humor, drama, and a little bit of romance that i think anyone would enjoy this book! i definitely recommend this one when it publishes on december 1, 2025!

thank you to lake union publishing and netgalley for the free eARC ♥

[Mikki Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very slow moving. Not realistic. Grieving was not believable.

[MadiG Raps · Rating 2 out of 5]

felt like it could’ve been cut in half & also she talked too much about a shower head. not a satisfying ending

[Sarah Bosworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

The premise of this book hooked me immediately - an author whose writing determines her future? Sign me up! I expected a cute romance and ended up utterly moved by this book's range. Ten Thousand Light Years From Okay is a beautiful testament to the power of grief, love, hope, and joy we all experience in our daily lives, and dares us to create a life we can only dream of (and, okay, sign up for therapy).

*Thanks to the authors for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my review!*

[LeesiCakes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ten Thousand Light Years from Okay is AMAZING.

I devoured this book and had to force myself to slow down so I wouldn’t miss anything.

Thea is a sweet gal who is struggling with the loss of her husband. Her grief consumes her in a unique way, and she’s led to believe that what she writes becomes true. When she finally finds the courage to write a new novel, one that is outside her traditional literary fiction, her life takes a fantastical turn, that further makes Thea question herself. With everything going on, I couldn’t help but fall even deeper into the story which speaks to the magnetic writing style of the authors.

At the end of the day, Ten Thousand Light Years is about grief, obviously—but it’s also about finding the courage to move forward when life takes turns that are beyond your control or even your understanding. I appreciated the growth we see in Thea, I loved her best friend Frannie, and because I am a world-class sucker, I was also a fan of Max. :)

“Life was far more interesting when it was free to go off-script—and imagining happiness was no match for actually being happy.”

[Alex Z (azeebooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly this was an absolute trip. I couldn’t stop reading this story of a woman who believes she has the power to influence her life through her words.

After her husband dies the same way that she had written a husband dying in her first book, Thea is terrified of putting her stories down on paper again. She decides instead to write a story of an astronaut husband coming back…. And then meets a disturbingly handsome astronaut at a dog park. What are the chances?

This went in a million different directions I didn’t expect but I had a great time reading it! The perfect rom com full of hope, love, and humour.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available December 1, 2025

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for a free advance review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[CELIA · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oh dear. I was not very impressed. So repetitive- I did a lot of skimming.
The porn and language was unnecessary. It added nothing to the story.

[Isabel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the premise of this book: a widowed writer who believes her words come true and blames herself for her husband’s death, which mirrors the fate of her novel’s protagonist. Her fear of causing more tragedy through her writing leaves her too scared to continue, and she's unable to move on from her grief. 


The story moves along at a good pace and includes enough twists and turns to keep me interested. I was ready to give this 4 stars, but unfortunately, the ending felt rushed and unbelieveable. 

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Chelsea Dorge · Rating 2 out of 5]

honestly the way the plot went did save it bc i fully thought it was gonna be a super cringey romance, so when it turned out not to be i was like ok alright this might not be awful. but like every character just lowkey annoyed me. and how it ended??? i knew it was coming but it wasn’t sweet it was just a bit ridiculous? i rolled my eyes a lot

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was fantastic! The story had me hooked from the very beginning, with charming, loveable characters, an intriguing story, and writing that flows so well that you can’t help but get swept up in the whole thing. Thea’s story is so moving, and I enjoyed following along as she processed her grief and started to live again. Highly recommended!

I received a copy from #NetGalley and #BrilliancePublishing for an honest review.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

I fear this may be one of the dumbest books I’ve ever read.

[Lisa Sobel]

Did not finish, the writing style did not capture my attention. The language and “sex pics” references not to my liking. I skipped to the last two chapters to try and fill in the story. I just could not get into it.

[Jamie Narron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Felt like reading a high school paper

This book felt like a high school student who had an essay due on Monday morning and started writing at 10pm on Sunday. Next… then next I did this… next I did this…. And the big conflict she had with her inlaws was suppose to be dramatic but just fell flat.

[Allison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and the authors for the chance to read this advanced copy!

I always love a book about books and authors, so that's what got me interested in this title. There was a lot of suspense in the book, not knowing whether to believe that the main character has a magical power to make things happen through her stories, or if it was just coincidence. I really enjoyed that part of it, it kept me guessing but I also knew it was all going to fall apart at some point, but not exactly when. I felt like it got a tad predictable, but the ending made me happy. In the end. we learn that we can only control how we react to things, not the circumstances.

Additionally, I was surprised to find that there were 2 authors! The writing never felt disjointed. I would love to read more from these authors!

[Bonnie Goldberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh this book! Dobmeier and Katzman have done it again ... but this time differently and in ways I did not expect. The best way to go into Ten Thousand Light Years from Okay is with an open heart and an open mind. Yes the novel grapples with big picture questions of grief, loss, coincidence and family, but does so in fresh, funny, and unexpected ways. This book offers the best of literary fiction - a likeable young heroine who may or not be losing her grip on reality grieving for the unexpected death of her husband, a well-drawn cast of supporting players, and plot twists even a seasoned reader won't see coming. And best of all, it is a totally bibliocentric story - writers writing about a writer writing about writing! Highly recommended for fans of Taylor Jenkin Reid and anyone who enjoys smart surprising and spiritual reads. Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for the DRC

[Samantha (bookstasamm) · Rating 4 out of 5]

After her husband’s tragic death eerily echoed her debut novel, Thea Packer has stopped writing, until a new story about a long-lost astronaut sparks both hope and fear when a real astronaut suddenly enters her life. As uncanny parallels between her fiction and reality intensify, Thea must confront her grief and uncover long-buried truths before history repeats itself.

I really enjoyed this story. Although it started off slowly, it steadily bloomed into something far more layered and heartfelt than I expected. I was worried that the narrative might linger too heavily on Thea’s grief, and while that emotion is certainly present, it’s balanced beautifully with her gradual healing, newfound strength, and the quiet ways she begins to reclaim her life.

The characters felt authentic and fully realized, and I loved how the plot unfolded with a gentle mix of realism, magic, and emotional depth. The nods to literature throughout were such a delight that felt like little gifts for avid readers like me. By the end, I found myself tearing up. This book was tender, cathartic, and exactly the emotional payoff I was hoping for.

Thank you BookSparks for a gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

[EM Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

So, this book has the annoying pitfall that I see time and time again of being marketed as a cute quirky romance, when actually... it's not that.

IT IS a fantastic... black comedy? A book about grief, trauma and healing, with a romantic beat, riddled with good humour and flirty bantet. But if you're looking fot the kind of swoony happily ever after you get from a romance, this is not the place to look.

That aside, I loved the little mysteries in this. Putting together the pieces of reality lost in Thea's unreliable narration was a lot of fun. And I felt like all the correct choices were made, though some bits did require a bit of extra suspension of disbelief (some of which was neatly wafted away by time skips).

Really this only loses a star because I wanted happy cosy flirting to make my heart pitter patter and what I got was anger on behalf of a person who often didnt know they should be angry yet 😅

[Cassie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had a lot of potential: a grieving widow is an author whose plots seemingly come true after being published. Is it a magical power she has or is she delusional, the boundary between myth and reality blurred? (I would have preferred either of those outcomes instead of the one we go). We instead get a weird "romance" novel where every single character is irritating and has no character development (and her couple of session with her therapists seem to change her? Get real.). The authors have obviously never been around a five-year-old either; the one in this book acts much older. In fact, the main character's emotional development seems much more like a five-year-old's. The mother-in-law is unbearable, which we find out why later on anyways. All of the relationships seemed so unreal to me. The reason for two stars is that it did have potential and I was hoping for it to finally flesh out. About 2/3's of the way in I couldn't put it down, but then the ending fell flat. Easy read, but probably not worth my time. It was on Amazon First Reads which is why I gave it a shot.

[Brooke Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I absolutely loved this and couldn’t put it down… until the ending. It was so fantastical and unrealistic and I’ve never rolled my eyes harder. However, the main plot was so well done and there are some really important themes so I suppose I would still recommend it. A solid 1.5 stars off for that ending though good lord

[Carin Ganjon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book it was quick and fun and while it was kind of a romance book it was really more of a love story. It had turns I didn’t expect. I also always love stories about writers. This one contained lots of complex grief and it was nice to see someone explaining and writing about that. While grief was ever present it wasn’t sad and was often funny or just light.

[Kate Laack · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the first half of the book I loved the catchy hook and romance, then it took an unexpected turn and I loved its heart and earnestness. Probably the Amazon First Read I enjoyed the most this year.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 Thank you NetGalley and Brilliance Publishing for the ARC of this audiobook.

I'm not sure of this book. I HATED the in laws, Thea was very kooky, and what spaceship mission takes only a week?

Who leaves their 5 year old with a man they have never freaking met?! Wtf

The twists were not things I predicted, but I didn't like it, either way.

Also, hated the ending. Wtf is that?!

[Jaci Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect amount of cheesiness and plot twists. Loved all of this!!

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grief after losing a spouse

it wasnt bad but a writer believing everything she writes comes true is a little cray cray.

I found it to be a little repetitive at times but not a bad book.

[Caroline Abbott · Rating 5 out of 5]

great

I don’t often enjoy romances but I loved this one. Very creative plot, believable characters and it had a lot of substance

[Molly Chenault · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️ This was a good quick read, at first i thought it was a little far fetched but then it all came together and was a really great story!