Love From the Cosmos

by Mowa Badmos

Beautiful, smart, and determined Moyo Adegbite has it all…almost.

As a Boston-based Pediatrician, she’s made her parents back in Lagos proud. Now, she’s ready for true love.

To avoid dating all the duds in Boston and souring off love completely, Moyo’s research led her to devise a foolproof plan: Join Cupid’s Bow, the popular astrology dating app that uses birth charts to match soulmates with a 99 percent success rate. And the app works…until it doesn’t. After discovering the infidelity of a Cupid’s Bow match, Moyo goes on a booze-fueled rant against the app’s creators, filing an irate complaint slamming the planet responsible for her love life—the god, Saturn.

Niyi Bankole was reluctantly named Saturn, and now he’s saddled with a position at Cupid’s Bow, the family business, as one of three matchmakers. But Niyi quickly learns he’s unequipped to be a god. Leaning into his science background to hide his incompetence, Niyi writes an algorithm that seems to work for clients...until Moyo’s complaint triggers damage control. Now, Moyo is contracted to receive a dating coach to walk her through three Cupid’s Bow–assigned dates. Eager to clean up his mess and (secretly) fine-tune his algorithm, Niyi offers to be Moyo’s dating coach.

As they work together, will Moyo find love through the algorithm, as she and Niyi planned, or will she get swept up in one of Saturn’s rings?

Genres: Romance

256 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication February 3, 2026

About the author

Mowa Badmos is a Lagos-born Nigerian writer of stories about Black women and all the people who love them. When she’s not writing, she can be found talking about TV online, baking, or updating her Letterboxd. LOVE FROM THE COSMOS is her debut novel

Reviews

[Tiese Etim-Inyang · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was too cute! Whimsical, endearing, funny, and with an MC I was only too happy to root for. I don’t ask for much more from a romance novel.

Moyo and Niyi’s chemistry was palpable, as was the love between Moyo and her friends, and Niyi and his cousins.

I really love when romance novels widen the lens to include love in other contexts. Yes, romantic love can be beautiful, but so can love within families and friendships, and I really appreciated seeing that represented here.

I’m honored to have read this pre-release and look forward to seeing what Mowa writes next!

[Zthereader · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️ rounded up
Man! What a book and to think this is a debut. Mo is such a skilled writer she really pulls you into her world and characters with ease. I had the absolute pleasure of reading this book when it was in its very early days and to reread what it’s become I’m truly impressed and inspired.

Moyo and Niyi are stars their instant attraction jumps off the page. Niyis fears around romance are handled so well and Moyo complements and champions him so well and he her ! The friendship in this book is actually so strong and fun to read Anjie and Sewa are the girls you want in your corner, and I hope they get their own books (wink wink hint hint). The book is truly romantic it builds tension and then cuts into it with humor. It’s fun it’s flirty it’s sexy and it’s grown yall are going to fall in love with these characters and the this world! I can’t wait to see what’s coming next from Mo she’s an absolute shining star!

[Kulthum Asha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the chance to read an ARC of this phenomenal novel, and it absolutely did not disappoint. As an avid fan of stories with Nigerians as leads, Moyo and Niyi only strengthened my love for this genre. Their attraction was buzzworthy, their banter effortless, smooth, and intentional. Their sexual chemistry? Eish 🔥🔥🔥

With little to no prior knowledge of astrology, Mowa did an amazing job introducing me to this world, explaining Saturn’s powers and the impact it has had on Niyi throughout his life. I adored Moyo’s friend group; they reminded me of my own uni crew at ALU, the vibes, the jokes, the sprinkle of Naija slang here and there, and the way they enjoyed life to the fullest.

If you haven’t pre-ordered this yet, I genuinely think you should, because a truly good time awaits.

Fans of Honey and Spice and Sweet Heat will absolutely devour this!

[jas | 1girl1library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mowa crafts her narrative so beautifully that you instantly fall in love with the fierce Moyo and angsty Niyi. The astrology aspect is quite fun and offers an interesting take on the dating-coach trope that you just have to love. The secondary characters/friends of the MCs round out the cast and feel like a cozy blanket of friendship and family that everyone's craving. The most important part is the romance, and it does not disappoint. Moyo and Niyi fit each other so well that it is so natural for them to be together. Their turbulent beginning, the will they, won't they of it all, and then ultimately coming together and trying to figure it out melted my heart. Love from the Cosmos has the perfect amount of yearning and swooning to keep you on the edge of your seat and locked in.

[Cozy Sabie · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Love isn't algorithmic. It's dynamic. And dependent on people ready to make it work. Not one person, not just me asking for signs of commitment so I can feel less lonely, but people - a team."

GENRE: Romance
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75/5, rounded to a 5 star in platforms with no half/quarter stars rating
FORMAT: eBook OR physical

Would I recommend to others?: YESS because what a cute and lovely story! You guys know that if there is grumpy x sunshine, I'm 100% there!

Review:
Love from the Cosmos is a lovely and wholesome romance book that follows the journey of Moyo and Niyi and guys it is SO cute, I really enjoyed it. Essentially, its a story of two people letting go of expectations and finding love in the process, whether these are self imposed ones or from external factors. Also, this is a multi-POV book, which if you guys dont know yet: I LOVE multi-POV books lol!

We start off with an app called Cupid's Bow, which is not directed through an algorithm, but rather through astrology with a 99% success rate as the Gods match them and Niyi has just joined the app with his cousins in order to start his role as Saturn. The concept of Cupid's Bow sounds so unique and I loved learning more about the idea behind it, the idea that there are essence of Saturn, Venus and Mars in three humans, which gets passed down through families, and the way the matches are done is quite an interesting concept

"You might receive multiple matches through our app. That's because you're a dynamic and fluid individual. You are constantly changing because you move with the stars, and unlike other apps, we honor and encourage your fluidity. Your needs, based on the astrological weather, will change from time to time; therefore, so will your matches."

And starting with the MCs: Moyo, she is a fierce FMC, who works in the healthcare department as a developmental-behaviour pediatrician and is committed to her work as a way to give back and support her community in Boston. You can see the dedication throughout the story, the reasoning behind it and the focus of wanting a more diverse workplace, one that is supportive of having the fundings go to more than one demographic. I quite enjoyed this aspect of the story as this is a topic that is near and dear to my heart, even though I've not lived in the USA, as there is a commonality in this theme that happens everywhere: BiPOC suffering the consequences of being low-income and not having access to healthcare or the necessary financial support for it. Additionally, Moyo is a strong FMC that has a small and supportive community who mean the world to her. She is in search for love to add that one person to her life and in order to do this, she has to work through her past traumas and overcome them

"There's a high chance fighting to work pro bono will bite me in the ass, but as a developmental-behavioural pediatrician, my clients are my joy, especially my Black, low-income families, like this one. They're the reason I applied to medical school and spent many nights crying on the phone to my dad. They're why I fight, regardless of how much it pisses off a lot of senior staff members."

Meanwhile, Niyi is the Astrology God in this story, having just inherited his Saturn essence from his father. Niyi grapples with this new position, his place in the overall scheme of things and why his father might have left him with this new role. He struggles to see if the role fits him and does it out of obligation to his family more than anything else. We get to learn more about the concept of being an Astrology god through Niyi's POV chapters

"Everyone in our family has turning points in their terms. Moments of reflection before their planet's next orbit where they can decide to either pave the way for the next generation or keep going. Except for Sun. As the center of the universe, the choice to let go is always present. Unlike the rest of us, Sun can abdicate without fear or illness or rapid aging because she doesn't have a specific orbit."

And oh my god, when Moyo and Niyi meet? This is an instant connection moment, one where they both feel something there and AHHH

"For the first time in over a year, my heart feels alive. I'm captivated, and I can't explain it. I've seen beatiful women before, but somehow this meeting feels like a discovery."

I just love how they both go through the process of getting to know each other and getting to be there for one another by guiding each other through their doubts, concerns and re-building their self confidences. Niyi helps Moyo realise that she deserves better, that she can get someone who would help her instead of her constantly being the helper for everyone. Meanwhile, Moyo helps Niyi see that there is more to life than a dedicated goal or responsibility you dont feel is right for you but take it due to familial obligations.

Moyo also uses her previous experiences with her other matches to come to the realisation that she has been approaching her love life the wrong way. Moyo is a typical planner, one who wants to stick to a checklist to avoid being hurt and Niyi was never in the plans, yet what comes to be is much better than she could have ever anticipated

"If all his surprises are this good, I might have to deviate from my plans more often. If I'd stuck with my perfectionist ways, I never would have met Niyi. Funny how life works."

Thank you to the author, netgalley and the publishers for a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[stevie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.
This book had such a unique and interesting premise. I really appreciated how different it felt from a lot of other contemporary romances. The inclusion of astrology was such a high point for me. That said, there were moments where the story felt a little slow, and a few plot points left me slightly confused.

The characters were definitely the standout for me. They felt deep, layered, and genuinely human. The way the relationship between the MMC and FMC develops was solid and realistic. Like honestly… a man who yearns is a man who earns. And having such strong friendships between the women was so heartwarming. I really appreciated the FMC’s character development.

Overall a very solid and genuinely sweet read.

[Coco (Channel) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Who doesn’t want to find their perfect match? So when successful but extremely busy Moyo decides that she wants to find true love- she turns to Cupid’s Bow for celestial guidance. Little does she know that ACTUAL celestials have her future in their hands. After a gigantic mishap, Moyo is poised to swear off love forever. But after some coaxing, she works side by side with her new relationship coach and sparks fly.

I had to take an astrology learning curve because I’m clueless to the subject. But the author gives you just enough to follow the storyline. The love story between Moyo and Niyi is divine. Their personality “clashes” were funny but cute. To see the progression of both characters realize they were falling for each other despite their business relationship made my heart swoon. The spicy scenes had just enough to keep you interested but not over power the storyline.

I enjoyed this wonderful treat. Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this extraordinary novel and provide my unbiased opinion.

[Sheba Hector · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be back for a full view but Lord when will it be my turn😭😭😭😭😭😭

[Akan thee Doll, Esq. · Rating 5 out of 5]

With "Love From the Cosmos" being Mowa's debut novel, she made a fan out of me! This book is magical and heartfelt. As a girly who loves to dabble in astrology, I loved how Mowa intertwined astrology with the main characters, Moyo and Niyi. I also loved the display of Moyo's sisterhood circle and Niyi's family dynamic. As for Moyo and Niyi's love story, it is beautiful from start to finish. The pace of their slow burn had me wanting to know more. This was such a great book, and I look forward to reading more of Mowa's work.

Thank you for the eARC, NetGalley!

[cheyennesshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

BOMB! Must read!

[Arella Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omds this book was so good I don't know what to do with myself. When I heard it was Mowa Badmus' debut I was shook! The sizzling chemistry of the characters, the Nigerian inflections. This screamed home, it's everything and more. I can't wait to see how far Mowa Badmus goes in her career. She's really set the bar high with this one. She has a fan in me.

[Fayo · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75⭐️ for the entire book but also 5 ⭐️because this is a debut.

I was so fortunate to have gotten an arc for Cosmos and I’ve enjoyed every second of reading it! What a breath of fresh air this book is. Original, hilarious, vulnerable, sweet, sexy all the things. Me and Niyi get each other so much. We see each other.

I think Mowa has written all these characters so so simply but extremely layered. They feel real and I understand them all. A book filled with the understanding and grace love comes with, not just romantically but in all relationships.

Solid! I’m so excited to see why Mowa writes in the future.

[Jessica Carmichael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mowa Badmos, the woman that you are?! Thank you for this gift to humanity!

[A.D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful. A joy! A 2026 debut that should absolutely be on your radar!

[Shantell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love from the Cosmos is a thoughtful, emotionally grounded romance that blends astrology, mythology, and modern love in a unique way. The concept of Cupid’s Bow and the use of celestial figures like Saturn, Mercury, and Venus to guide soulmate pairings was creative and well executed. The author clearly put a lot of care into the worldbuilding and the emotional arcs of the characters.

Moyo and Niyi’s connection is slow-burn and sincere, built on conversation, vulnerability, and trust rather than instant chemistry. I appreciated the maturity of the romance and the emphasis on emotional growth, healing from past relationship trauma, and choosing love intentionally. Niyi’s internal conflict surrounding duty versus love added depth to his character, and Moyo’s journey toward reclaiming her agency and confidence felt realistic and earned.

That said, this book required patience. The pacing is very deliberate, and readers who prefer faster plot progression or higher spice may find it challenging. Some cultural terminology and references may also be unfamiliar to readers outside the setting, which occasionally pulled me out of the story.

Overall, Love from the Cosmos is a heartfelt, intelligent romance that will resonate most with readers who enjoy introspective storytelling, astrological themes, and emotionally driven love stories. While it wasn’t a perfect fit for my personal tastes, I still found it rewarding and memorable.

[Dearly Dresha · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book it’s such a sweet love story! It’s definitely a slow burn, but I actually love that the main characters build a genuine friendship before giving in to their attraction. My favorite part was the strong sense of community around both characters. The sisterhood between Moyo, Sewa, and Anjie felt so real and refreshing, and I loved the way Merc and Venus supported Niyi without pushing him too hard as he found his footing as Saturn. I also appreciated how both Niyi and Moyo grew individually while falling for each other it made their connection feel deeper and more meaningful. The astrology theme was interesting, though at times it felt less like a driving force and more like divine intervention guiding their paths. To me, their love story was really about learning to let their guards down and open up to true connection. I also loved all the African culture aspects that were woven into the story from the language and traditions to the sense of family and spirituality, it made this book world feel rich and authentic. Lastly, I wish there had been more about Moyo’s parents, especially her dad he seemed like he could’ve offered some great wisdom for her journey in love.

[Natasha P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love From the Cosmos has such a fun premise—a magical astrology-based dating app run by literal gods? Yes, please. I was immediately intrigued by the mix of science, fate, and romance, and the setup promised something fresh and a little whimsical.

Unfortunately, while the concept shines, the execution doesn’t quite live up to it. The world building felt thin, so the magical realism never fully settled into something believable or immersive. I kept waiting for more context about Cupid’s Bow and its celestial matchmakers, but those details stayed surface-level.

Moyo and Niyi had potential—a pragmatic doctor and a reluctant “god” of love could’ve made for great sparks—but I never really connected with either of them. Their chemistry felt uneven, and the secondary characters often distracted from the main story instead of adding depth or humor.

There are flashes of charm and cleverness here, but overall it left me wanting more cohesion and heart. A great idea that just needed a little more grounding to make the magic work.

⭐️⭐️💫 (2.5/5



#LoveFromtheCosmos
#NetGalley

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

[Wanja · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a stunning, vibrant debut novel from an author to watch. I was thrilled to receive an ARC of this novel, and I have to say, Mowa's writing is tantalizing, spicy, and addictive, and seasoned with humour, sass, and nuanced characters with depth navigating life, demanding careers, societal pressures, and love. Not only did I laugh out loud and have my mouth ajar in shock and surprise several times, but I also really enjoyed the fact that I was able to visualize Moyo and Niyi and the world in which they live. Love from The Cosmos is an important reminder of the necessity in having a strong community around you pursue the trenches that is modern dating, but also, having the bravery and courage to speak up for what you truly want, and not settle for the life you think you deserve. If you enjoyed the song Love Me Jeje by Tems, you'll love immersing yourself in Moyo and Niyi's story and joining them on this journey.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love!

This was such an enjoyable story. The bond between Moyo, Anjie amd Sewa was everything. I loved how those girls ride for each other and support one another. That is something I've never had myself but thoroughly enjoyed reading about their friendship.

✨Dual PoV
✨Nigerian Romance
✨Astrology God
✨Nigerian Food

Similar with Niyi, Merc and Vee. I loved them together. Mowa did such a great job giving the main characters people who were very supportive of them.

Niyi and Moyo were everything. They clearly belonged together and once Moyo realized what she wanted in a partner, she was describing her connection with Niyi. Of course Vee said that emotions were tied to unlocking The Sight and as much as Niyi wanted to fight it, Moyo was that person who opened him up to moving forward with love which also allowed him to unlock Sight.

[Lupita_333 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like reading instant attraction between characters but the way it was with Moyo and Niyi didn’t feel believable. Aside from that initial meeting I loved the way their relationship developed. They had beautiful chemistry. I loved all the characters and their interactions with each other. I also loved both of the close friendship groups that Moyo and Niyi had.

Moyo and Niyi didn’t really have a personality outside of their jobs and their love life. I would have liked to get more of who they were outside of that. I didn’t like the writing style with it being mainly dialogue.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Brittany Kitchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC.

I had a great time diving into a Nigerian love story centered around Roman Gods set in Boston, MA. It was a unique way of intertwining all these different cultures into one, the throw in astrology and a dating app based on your birth chart and boom Love from the Cosmos is here.

Moyo and Niyi were perfect from the beginning even with the resentment voming from Moyo and her failed match. The chemistry never died down for these to. Spicy, heartwarming Love From The Cosmos was a cozy read that touched on all the things i enjoy, mythology, African/Black culture, love, and astrology.

Cant wait to get my hands on the finished book!

[Ice Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for this lovely and beautiful book.
I enjoyed myself while reading and it felt refreshing to read another Nigerian romance book especially with a different theme. I will recommend if you’re into astrology and slow burn. It was nice and very refreshing.

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

WHATTTTT I cannot wait for everyone to read this in 2026! It’s so good! Thank you to Netgallery and the publisher for the ARC copy. I had so much fun reading this book.
It’s fresh and just so well written. I hope to read more from this author in the future, her writing is clean and just my type..!

[J R · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun, sweet, and whimsical fantasy romance with the fantasy reveal pretty late. the characters are awesome. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.