What do you think?
Rate this book
Somewhere in Nowhere
Coming out is hard, especially when you have two gay moms. At least it is for Simon Bugg. He doesn’t want the world to think that having gay parents has turned him gay. And he certainly doesn’t want anyone to know about the alien in his stomach that’s trying to kill him.
It’s Simon’s senior year and his world just turned upside down. When his mom scores a dream job, Simon lands at a new school away from the only friends he has ever known. Now, his mom is overworked and chronically stressed, and his deadbeat dad is back on the scene. Navigating a new school and new friends is a challenge for a neurotic overthinker, and Simon finds himself turning to his rescue cat and a local barista for support. But when Simon meets the handsome PJ in drama class, he gets talked into a date that he derails in spectacular fashion.
With a little help from his friends—new and old—Simon finds his way back to PJ. But how can he have a real relationship with the boy of his dreams when he’s convinced he’s going to die? No one knows about the nightly alien attacks at 11:22. Why then, and why do they keep getting worse? Simon must face a dark secret inside before he loses his chance with the boy he loves.
It’s Simon’s senior year and his world just turned upside down. When his mom scores a dream job, Simon lands at a new school away from the only friends he has ever known. Now, his mom is overworked and chronically stressed, and his deadbeat dad is back on the scene. Navigating a new school and new friends is a challenge for a neurotic overthinker, and Simon finds himself turning to his rescue cat and a local barista for support. But when Simon meets the handsome PJ in drama class, he gets talked into a date that he derails in spectacular fashion.
With a little help from his friends—new and old—Simon finds his way back to PJ. But how can he have a real relationship with the boy of his dreams when he’s convinced he’s going to die? No one knows about the nightly alien attacks at 11:22. Why then, and why do they keep getting worse? Simon must face a dark secret inside before he loses his chance with the boy he loves.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 14, 2026
About the author
Steven Gellman
1 book9 followers“…moments of winning humor, and the sincerity of the diverse cast is endearing.”
—Kirkus Reviews
Steven Gellman is an award-winning songwriter turned author. Inspired by his early reading of Judy Blume’s groundbreaking stories, Steven has found his passion for writing coming-of-age fiction that centers LGBTQ+voices and the real-life challenges of navigating adolescence in an ever-changing world.
Steven has long championed authentic queer storytelling — first through song, now through fiction. Billboard Magazine once praised him as one of the ‘out-queer tunesmiths [...] making waves along the coffeehouse circuit.’ His debut album Photobook was nominated for Debut Album of the Year by the Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards (GLAMA). His latest release, All You Need, was a finalist for four Wammie Awards and earned a silver from the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest for “Twenty-Nine.”
When he’s not writing, Steven can be found sipping a cup of Dark Rose tea and plotting new adventures for his book club, Tea & Peril. Now in its tenth year, the club has hosted a growing number of New York Times bestselling authors including Travis Baldree, Sarah Beth Durst, Emily X.R. Pan, Eleanor Brown, and William Kent Krueger.
Steven lives in Maryland’s Piedmont region with his husband and a houseful of rescued companion animals. Somewhere in Nowhere is his first novel.
—Kirkus Reviews
Steven Gellman is an award-winning songwriter turned author. Inspired by his early reading of Judy Blume’s groundbreaking stories, Steven has found his passion for writing coming-of-age fiction that centers LGBTQ+voices and the real-life challenges of navigating adolescence in an ever-changing world.
Steven has long championed authentic queer storytelling — first through song, now through fiction. Billboard Magazine once praised him as one of the ‘out-queer tunesmiths [...] making waves along the coffeehouse circuit.’ His debut album Photobook was nominated for Debut Album of the Year by the Gay/Lesbian American Music Awards (GLAMA). His latest release, All You Need, was a finalist for four Wammie Awards and earned a silver from the Mid-Atlantic Song Contest for “Twenty-Nine.”
When he’s not writing, Steven can be found sipping a cup of Dark Rose tea and plotting new adventures for his book club, Tea & Peril. Now in its tenth year, the club has hosted a growing number of New York Times bestselling authors including Travis Baldree, Sarah Beth Durst, Emily X.R. Pan, Eleanor Brown, and William Kent Krueger.
Steven lives in Maryland’s Piedmont region with his husband and a houseful of rescued companion animals. Somewhere in Nowhere is his first novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 14, 2026
I want to start by saying thank you to Steven for letting me be one of your arc readers, I feel really grateful.
I really enjoyed this read. There was a lot of big items talked about in this book, including the information we learn near the end. I personally felt like they were handled well. The way Simon’s anxiety is portrayed felt very real, it often does feel like an attack from the inside out and with what he is grappling with it makes so much more sense.
His senior year which is supposed to be the best year for Simon sure isn’t easy, although there are some extremely high moments he also has to deal with a lot of trauma and grief that some adults struggle to get through, thankfully he does have a pretty great support system
This book will have you feeling. Some thoughts happy, some sad and some furious but you will definitely feel. You should definitely pick it up if you enjoy young queer stories that feel like you could hear it from a friend as their real life story.
I also love that there are not only help line numbers for the USA but also for Canada and the UK
You also get two cute recipes from the book and I think that is just a really sweet touch
TW: there is a character death with no graphic details or anything though, also non graphic mention of CSA, there is also substance abuse from one character but it’s just briefly mentioned
Character breakdowns:
Simon: Simon is a young guy starting his senior year in a new place, he feels younger and more naive than I feel like fits a 16/17 year old but some kids really are that sheltered I guess. He doesn’t seem to understand stuff like anxiety which most kids at that age do seem to know about through other kids or tv or even parents, it’s hard to think he had never been around or met anyone with anxiety. As a character he’s simple, he loves his parents, his cat and his friends and a specific boy called pajamas.
PJ: PJ is a sweet young guy who is the first one to connect with Simon at his new school, he’s a seemingly out and proud kid who knows what he wants but unfortunately that doesn’t reflect his home life where his parents believe his queerness is a phase and don’t even allow him to talk about himself when he’s there. He’s struggled with bullies and losing friends over coming out which is an unfortunate reality for many people. He is very supportive of Simon and the people he cares for. He was a great character, probably my favourite if I’m being honest. I just wanted to scoop him up in my pocket and protect him from bad things.
Mags and Neel: I’m lumping these two together because they are a package deal, Simon’s original friends from Columbia. Neel seems pretty chill and laid back except for when he’s talking about girls then he’s like a rocket fuelled up with redbull. He doesn’t feel that significant to the story but he’s a good side side quest character. Mags is very bossy and opinionated and honestly other then an adult couple, mentioned below, she is my least favourite character. Shes just really unlikable imo, her family seems amazing so I’m not sure how they have such a self righteous kid but she really just rubbed me the wrong way the whole book.
Mom Lindsey and Carole: Simon’s sweet lesbian moms who love their son and each other very much. There is some conflict between them regarding Lindsey’s work life vs the basically nonexistent home life she now has since moving in the summer. Carole is a little bit of a health nut and she works at the library.
Dad Daniel: Simon’s dad, kind of a typical dead beat, doesn’t really see Simon much and hasn’t for a handful of years, basically since the divorce, he definitely is a redeeming character in the story which is really nice to see.
Paul and Laticia: A couple of weirdos that Simon meets at his new school, they start just hanging out as friends and by the end they are a part of the friend family. Paul is a very stereotypical autistic character, he’s never actually labeled as autistic but as an autistic person with autistic friends and family it’s kind of what you’d expect to see. Laticia is a very soft spoken shy girl still figuring out her life and her sexuality.
Aunt Sarah and Brian: Aunt Sarah seems like one of those housewives on lots of pills to deal with how her life turned out, she doesn’t seem like a very caring person unless it serves her but that’s just how I read her. Her husband Brian on the other hand can’t be read as anything other than a gross, creepy sleezeball loser from the first moment he is brought into this book. Brian is a straight to the garbage can, easy to loathe piece of excrement, be prepared to have such a fiery anger for this douche canoe.
I really enjoyed this read. There was a lot of big items talked about in this book, including the information we learn near the end. I personally felt like they were handled well. The way Simon’s anxiety is portrayed felt very real, it often does feel like an attack from the inside out and with what he is grappling with it makes so much more sense.
His senior year which is supposed to be the best year for Simon sure isn’t easy, although there are some extremely high moments he also has to deal with a lot of trauma and grief that some adults struggle to get through, thankfully he does have a pretty great support system
This book will have you feeling. Some thoughts happy, some sad and some furious but you will definitely feel. You should definitely pick it up if you enjoy young queer stories that feel like you could hear it from a friend as their real life story.
I also love that there are not only help line numbers for the USA but also for Canada and the UK
You also get two cute recipes from the book and I think that is just a really sweet touch
TW: there is a character death with no graphic details or anything though, also non graphic mention of CSA, there is also substance abuse from one character but it’s just briefly mentioned
Character breakdowns:
Simon: Simon is a young guy starting his senior year in a new place, he feels younger and more naive than I feel like fits a 16/17 year old but some kids really are that sheltered I guess. He doesn’t seem to understand stuff like anxiety which most kids at that age do seem to know about through other kids or tv or even parents, it’s hard to think he had never been around or met anyone with anxiety. As a character he’s simple, he loves his parents, his cat and his friends and a specific boy called pajamas.
PJ: PJ is a sweet young guy who is the first one to connect with Simon at his new school, he’s a seemingly out and proud kid who knows what he wants but unfortunately that doesn’t reflect his home life where his parents believe his queerness is a phase and don’t even allow him to talk about himself when he’s there. He’s struggled with bullies and losing friends over coming out which is an unfortunate reality for many people. He is very supportive of Simon and the people he cares for. He was a great character, probably my favourite if I’m being honest. I just wanted to scoop him up in my pocket and protect him from bad things.
Mags and Neel: I’m lumping these two together because they are a package deal, Simon’s original friends from Columbia. Neel seems pretty chill and laid back except for when he’s talking about girls then he’s like a rocket fuelled up with redbull. He doesn’t feel that significant to the story but he’s a good side side quest character. Mags is very bossy and opinionated and honestly other then an adult couple, mentioned below, she is my least favourite character. Shes just really unlikable imo, her family seems amazing so I’m not sure how they have such a self righteous kid but she really just rubbed me the wrong way the whole book.
Mom Lindsey and Carole: Simon’s sweet lesbian moms who love their son and each other very much. There is some conflict between them regarding Lindsey’s work life vs the basically nonexistent home life she now has since moving in the summer. Carole is a little bit of a health nut and she works at the library.
Dad Daniel: Simon’s dad, kind of a typical dead beat, doesn’t really see Simon much and hasn’t for a handful of years, basically since the divorce, he definitely is a redeeming character in the story which is really nice to see.
Paul and Laticia: A couple of weirdos that Simon meets at his new school, they start just hanging out as friends and by the end they are a part of the friend family. Paul is a very stereotypical autistic character, he’s never actually labeled as autistic but as an autistic person with autistic friends and family it’s kind of what you’d expect to see. Laticia is a very soft spoken shy girl still figuring out her life and her sexuality.
Aunt Sarah and Brian: Aunt Sarah seems like one of those housewives on lots of pills to deal with how her life turned out, she doesn’t seem like a very caring person unless it serves her but that’s just how I read her. Her husband Brian on the other hand can’t be read as anything other than a gross, creepy sleezeball loser from the first moment he is brought into this book. Brian is a straight to the garbage can, easy to loathe piece of excrement, be prepared to have such a fiery anger for this douche canoe.
May 12, 2026
BLURB:
Simon is a 16-year-old starting senior year at a new school while coming out and starting a new relationship. He experiences nightly episodes at 11:22 PM that he believes are alien attacks, leaving him exhausted and afraid. As major conflicts rise—his absent father reappearing and life with his two mothers changing—he’s forced to confront what’s really happening to him.
REVIEW:
This is such an original queer YA coming-of-age novel, as it blends sci-fi elements, romance, and emotional family drama. It’s also Steven Gellman’s debut novel and shows a lot of ambition—the synopsis makes it seem like a typical queer teen romance, but by the midpoint you’ll realize there’s a lot more going on. Woven into are compelling themes, including self-discovery, mental health issues, parent-child relationships, LGBTQ+ family representation, first love, and more!
The story is told in Simon’s 1st-person POV, and you get pulled into his anxious, often fearful mindset right from the opening chapter when he veers his car off the road after an “alien attack." He’s also very much an unreliable narrator (at times) as he’s often overwhelmed and his perception of things can be very off. But you’ll still root for him as he tries to cope with starting a new school for senior year and has so many things thrown at him, including the monster within!
His family life is very interesting—he has two lesbian mothers, Lindsay and Carol, whose gay relationship is wonderfully normalized in the story. But his biological mother is visibly overworked, and his absent father reappears during a very difficult time in the story, all causing Simon more inner turmoil that feels SO relatable and makes you want to give him a hug! The romance between Simon and PJ is sweet and has its own minor conflicts, but it's secondary to the coming-of-age and emotional family drama—which made the book stand out more for me! And a real highlight is Simon’s friendships—from lifelong friends Mags and Neil to new friendships with Paul and Letica, there’s a rich diversity of characters of different sexualities and genders, from shy introverts to eccentric extroverts—very engaging!
The only thing that held me back from giving this a five-star is the writing style. It’s noticeably straightforward and sometimes simple in how it describes characters’ emotions and reactions. The story got much more layered and emotional by the second half that I didn’t even notice anymore. Later on, there are a few emotional and disturbing reveals that you won’t be expecting, but you may predict the source of the “alien attacks.”
What I liked most is that the book didn’t end with a cheesy, typical HEA where everything feels so unrealistic. That wouldn’t have matched this story, and the author did a great job of emphasizing Simon’s emotional arc while leaving his future open-ended but optimistic! If you have access to the audiobook, there’s also an original song sung by the author at the end that shares the book’s title that will leave you both smiling and emotional.🥹
Simon is a 16-year-old starting senior year at a new school while coming out and starting a new relationship. He experiences nightly episodes at 11:22 PM that he believes are alien attacks, leaving him exhausted and afraid. As major conflicts rise—his absent father reappearing and life with his two mothers changing—he’s forced to confront what’s really happening to him.
REVIEW:
This is such an original queer YA coming-of-age novel, as it blends sci-fi elements, romance, and emotional family drama. It’s also Steven Gellman’s debut novel and shows a lot of ambition—the synopsis makes it seem like a typical queer teen romance, but by the midpoint you’ll realize there’s a lot more going on. Woven into are compelling themes, including self-discovery, mental health issues, parent-child relationships, LGBTQ+ family representation, first love, and more!
The story is told in Simon’s 1st-person POV, and you get pulled into his anxious, often fearful mindset right from the opening chapter when he veers his car off the road after an “alien attack." He’s also very much an unreliable narrator (at times) as he’s often overwhelmed and his perception of things can be very off. But you’ll still root for him as he tries to cope with starting a new school for senior year and has so many things thrown at him, including the monster within!
His family life is very interesting—he has two lesbian mothers, Lindsay and Carol, whose gay relationship is wonderfully normalized in the story. But his biological mother is visibly overworked, and his absent father reappears during a very difficult time in the story, all causing Simon more inner turmoil that feels SO relatable and makes you want to give him a hug! The romance between Simon and PJ is sweet and has its own minor conflicts, but it's secondary to the coming-of-age and emotional family drama—which made the book stand out more for me! And a real highlight is Simon’s friendships—from lifelong friends Mags and Neil to new friendships with Paul and Letica, there’s a rich diversity of characters of different sexualities and genders, from shy introverts to eccentric extroverts—very engaging!
The only thing that held me back from giving this a five-star is the writing style. It’s noticeably straightforward and sometimes simple in how it describes characters’ emotions and reactions. The story got much more layered and emotional by the second half that I didn’t even notice anymore. Later on, there are a few emotional and disturbing reveals that you won’t be expecting, but you may predict the source of the “alien attacks.”
What I liked most is that the book didn’t end with a cheesy, typical HEA where everything feels so unrealistic. That wouldn’t have matched this story, and the author did a great job of emphasizing Simon’s emotional arc while leaving his future open-ended but optimistic! If you have access to the audiobook, there’s also an original song sung by the author at the end that shares the book’s title that will leave you both smiling and emotional.🥹
February 19, 2026
WOW, what a great story, with a lot of heart. I was rooting for our main character right from the first sentences, and could relate to so much of what he had to navigate. I found the story so compelling that I essentially finished the book in two readings, which doesn't happen very often. I strongly recommend this book.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
Many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publishers for a digital ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
January 29, 2026
4.5 ⭐️s
‘To my surprise, he spoons in behind me, wrapping his arm across my chest, but the tears won’t stop. I shake, and he holds me tighter. I feel loved.’
A beautiful and heartfelt story about finding yourself and choosing to surround yourself with the people who will help you get there, and will choose you too. It was wonderful to follow Simon as he did this for himself, slowly building a bigger support network to lean on and then getting to see those people be there for him in a way that truly warmed my heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and NineStar Press for providing me with an ARC!
‘To my surprise, he spoons in behind me, wrapping his arm across my chest, but the tears won’t stop. I shake, and he holds me tighter. I feel loved.’
A beautiful and heartfelt story about finding yourself and choosing to surround yourself with the people who will help you get there, and will choose you too. It was wonderful to follow Simon as he did this for himself, slowly building a bigger support network to lean on and then getting to see those people be there for him in a way that truly warmed my heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and NineStar Press for providing me with an ARC!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Somewhere in nowhere is an emotional YA of a teen and his struggles to "come out"
Having moved towns for his mum new job Simon struggles with moving schools for his final year and having to form new friends. We go on a journey with Simon, with the "Alien" in his tummy, making new friends, meeting PJ and realising he is gay. We see the moment he finally opens up to hes friends and comes out to his mum and step mum. We go through the heart ache of losing his mum. Life starts moving forward for Simon and then with PJ's help he gets help for the "alien" and finds out what is really going on.
I loved how moving this story was, how supportive everyone in Simons life is.
I loved how Hector instantly took on a big brother role for Simon giving him the relationship help and advice he needed.
While at first the "Alien" felt odd to me by the end it all made sense. Although I feel like that part of the story felt rushed for me. I can understand why the "event" wasn't dug to deep into, I would have loved to have seen justice and an understanding to the Aunts silence when told about the "event".
All in all it was still a very enjoyable story and would read more by Steven Gellman in the future.
Thank you to Steven Gellman and netgalley for a copy of this arc to review.
Having moved towns for his mum new job Simon struggles with moving schools for his final year and having to form new friends. We go on a journey with Simon, with the "Alien" in his tummy, making new friends, meeting PJ and realising he is gay. We see the moment he finally opens up to hes friends and comes out to his mum and step mum. We go through the heart ache of losing his mum. Life starts moving forward for Simon and then with PJ's help he gets help for the "alien" and finds out what is really going on.
I loved how moving this story was, how supportive everyone in Simons life is.
I loved how Hector instantly took on a big brother role for Simon giving him the relationship help and advice he needed.
While at first the "Alien" felt odd to me by the end it all made sense. Although I feel like that part of the story felt rushed for me. I can understand why the "event" wasn't dug to deep into, I would have loved to have seen justice and an understanding to the Aunts silence when told about the "event".
All in all it was still a very enjoyable story and would read more by Steven Gellman in the future.
Thank you to Steven Gellman and netgalley for a copy of this arc to review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 18, 2026
Simon is starting his senior year at a new school and really struggling with it-and that hit close to home for me. My father was in the military, so I changed schools about every two years. It's hard on a teenager. There comes a point where friendships are already formed, and when you come in that late, you're always a little on the outside looking in.
The author did a beautiful job creating complex, meaningful characters who truly shaped the story. I enjoyed Simon, and my heart went out to him many times, I also really enjoyed his two moms, who were also struggling with their own adult problems but managed to show Simon love no matter what was going on. I do have to say however that my favorite in the book is PJ. Despite the disastrous date him and Simon had, he stayed a true friend when Simon needed it and I cheered so hard for these two!
This book made me feel everything-happy, sad, and even frustrated at times. There is a heavy layer of trauma woven throughout, which could make it a difficult read for some, but what really stood out to me was the way support and connection were portrayed so thoughtfully.
Overall, this is a heartfelt story about becoming your true self-and you'll absolutely find yourself cheering for Simon from beginning to end.
The author did a beautiful job creating complex, meaningful characters who truly shaped the story. I enjoyed Simon, and my heart went out to him many times, I also really enjoyed his two moms, who were also struggling with their own adult problems but managed to show Simon love no matter what was going on. I do have to say however that my favorite in the book is PJ. Despite the disastrous date him and Simon had, he stayed a true friend when Simon needed it and I cheered so hard for these two!
This book made me feel everything-happy, sad, and even frustrated at times. There is a heavy layer of trauma woven throughout, which could make it a difficult read for some, but what really stood out to me was the way support and connection were portrayed so thoughtfully.
Overall, this is a heartfelt story about becoming your true self-and you'll absolutely find yourself cheering for Simon from beginning to end.
April 16, 2026
Please check trigger warnings before reading this one.
After reading this seemingly crazy synopsis, I took to the reviews and people have had mixed feelings with this books so far, probably because the synopsis is so odd...
However, this was such a thoughtful and engaging coming-of-age story that ended up being much deeper than I expected.
Going in, I was intrigued by the synopsis — it was so add. Especially the “alien” element...but pretty quickly it became clear that the alien is a metaphor for anxiety and panic attacks. As someone who deals with anxiety, I really appreciated how accurately and persistently it was portrayed. The author does a great job showing how all-consuming it can feel, and how it creeps into every part of life. The “alien” comparison is especially valid, as it captures that sense of fear, confusion, and not understanding what’s happening to your own body. It almost feels like the story might veer into sci-fi at times, but it stays grounded in a very real emotional and physical experience.
While Simon’s journey with coming out is definitely a central thread in the book, I liked that it wasn’t the only focus. The story also explores anxiety, trauma, grief, and the overwhelming feeling of everything changing at once. At its core, it’s really about Simon learning that he’s safe, that he’s loved, and that he doesn’t have to face everything alone. You have to get past a lot of him coming to terms with being gay and it might seem like he is able to do that pretty quickly - but there is so much here if you keep with it.
Simon was a strong main character, and I found myself rooting for him. That said, some of the dialogue felt a bit over-the-top to me, but that could very well just be a reflection of how teens talk now more than anything else and I am getting old.
Overall, this was a heartfelt and layered coming-of-age story that balances heavier themes with moments of warmth, connection, and growth. Definitely worth the read.
After reading this seemingly crazy synopsis, I took to the reviews and people have had mixed feelings with this books so far, probably because the synopsis is so odd...
However, this was such a thoughtful and engaging coming-of-age story that ended up being much deeper than I expected.
Going in, I was intrigued by the synopsis — it was so add. Especially the “alien” element...but pretty quickly it became clear that the alien is a metaphor for anxiety and panic attacks. As someone who deals with anxiety, I really appreciated how accurately and persistently it was portrayed. The author does a great job showing how all-consuming it can feel, and how it creeps into every part of life. The “alien” comparison is especially valid, as it captures that sense of fear, confusion, and not understanding what’s happening to your own body. It almost feels like the story might veer into sci-fi at times, but it stays grounded in a very real emotional and physical experience.
While Simon’s journey with coming out is definitely a central thread in the book, I liked that it wasn’t the only focus. The story also explores anxiety, trauma, grief, and the overwhelming feeling of everything changing at once. At its core, it’s really about Simon learning that he’s safe, that he’s loved, and that he doesn’t have to face everything alone. You have to get past a lot of him coming to terms with being gay and it might seem like he is able to do that pretty quickly - but there is so much here if you keep with it.
Simon was a strong main character, and I found myself rooting for him. That said, some of the dialogue felt a bit over-the-top to me, but that could very well just be a reflection of how teens talk now more than anything else and I am getting old.
Overall, this was a heartfelt and layered coming-of-age story that balances heavier themes with moments of warmth, connection, and growth. Definitely worth the read.
April 14, 2026
Somewhere in Nowhere by Steven Gellman is a moving, character-driven coming-of-age novel. It follows Simon as he starts senior year at a new school, separated from his closest friends after relocating for his mom’s demanding job. That loneliness sets the tone early, grounding the story in a very real sense of displacement and uncertainty.
What stands out most is the portrayal of Simon’s anxiety. Much of the novel unfolds before he even understands what he’s experiencing, and Gellman’s use of an “alien” in his stomach as a metaphor is both creative and strikingly accurate. When Simon begins to recognize his anxiety and seek help, it feels like a genuine, hard-won step forward rather than a quick fix.
Simon’s exploration of his identity is just as impactful. Though he’s surrounded by queer people, he struggles to fully acknowledge his own sexuality, creating an internal tension that feels honest and relatable. His journey toward self-acceptance is handled with nuance and care, making it one of the book’s emotional anchors.
The relationships are another highlight. Simon’s connection with PJ develops naturally, capturing the awkwardness and sincerity of teenage relationships without feeling forced or overly idealized. Beyond that, his support system; his mom, Carol, PJ, and his friends; adds warmth and reinforces the story’s strong “found family” theme.
The novel also addresses heavier topics, including grief, childhood trauma, homophobia, and panic attacks, with sensitivity and intention. Readers who connected with The Perks of Being a Wallflower will likely find a similar emotional resonance here.
Overall, this is a thoughtful and emotionally honest story about identity, mental health, and connection, with strong character development and a lot of heart.
What stands out most is the portrayal of Simon’s anxiety. Much of the novel unfolds before he even understands what he’s experiencing, and Gellman’s use of an “alien” in his stomach as a metaphor is both creative and strikingly accurate. When Simon begins to recognize his anxiety and seek help, it feels like a genuine, hard-won step forward rather than a quick fix.
Simon’s exploration of his identity is just as impactful. Though he’s surrounded by queer people, he struggles to fully acknowledge his own sexuality, creating an internal tension that feels honest and relatable. His journey toward self-acceptance is handled with nuance and care, making it one of the book’s emotional anchors.
The relationships are another highlight. Simon’s connection with PJ develops naturally, capturing the awkwardness and sincerity of teenage relationships without feeling forced or overly idealized. Beyond that, his support system; his mom, Carol, PJ, and his friends; adds warmth and reinforces the story’s strong “found family” theme.
The novel also addresses heavier topics, including grief, childhood trauma, homophobia, and panic attacks, with sensitivity and intention. Readers who connected with The Perks of Being a Wallflower will likely find a similar emotional resonance here.
Overall, this is a thoughtful and emotionally honest story about identity, mental health, and connection, with strong character development and a lot of heart.
April 22, 2026
An immensely readable debut from a fresh new voice in YA. This story was filled with love, humor, and memorable characters. I look forward to seeing what comes next from this author!
April 27, 2026
A story that will open your eyes and touch your heart.
When I opened the cover of “Somewhere in Nowhere”, I had no idea the journey the pages would take me on. I smiled, chuckled, and cried as I turned the pages. This is not just a book for the young at heart but a story that took me through the emotions of my life and touched my soul. I am excited to read Steven’s next book.
When I opened the cover of “Somewhere in Nowhere”, I had no idea the journey the pages would take me on. I smiled, chuckled, and cried as I turned the pages. This is not just a book for the young at heart but a story that took me through the emotions of my life and touched my soul. I am excited to read Steven’s next book.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I would like to personally thank whoever decided to put this story into the world), and I’m still carrying that weird mix of happy/sad/fearful-for-teen-boys-on-new-schedules.
This book is basically: what if senior year is already hard, you move towns, you’re figuring out your sexuality, and your anxiety… shows up as an actual alien in your stomach trying to murder you. Like, no pressure.
And somehow it’s not just a quirky gimmick—it’s *so* relatable that I felt my own stomach do that “ugh” drop whenever Simon’s stress ramps up.
Simon Bugg: the main character I wanted to put in my pocket
Simon Bugg starts senior year feeling like the universe is one wrong move away from humiliating him in front of everyone. He’s got anxiety that’s loud and physical, and on top of that his life is complicated in the most teenager way possible: he’s trying to stay “him” while also not letting people decide what his identity “means.”
The plot kicks off hard when his mom (Lindsey) lands a dream job and the family moves to Rockville. Simon is leaving behind the friends he actually knows how to be around. New school = new everything. New cafeteria energy. New awkward walkways. New people who don’t know your history and will absolutely judge you based on vibes alone.
And then Simon meets PJ in drama class, and—because this is a queer story and also because romance in teen brains is feral—things get intense fast.
Simon’s brain is the kind that overthinks everything: what people think, what he feels, whether he’s “allowed” to want things, whether his feelings make him too different from who he wants to be. Sometimes he’s a little sheltered in a way that made me go “buddy, you’ve never heard of anxiety before?” but honestly… that’s also real. Some people go through life without having language for what’s happening until it hits them in the face. Or in his case: 11:22 pm in the form of an alien attacker.
The alien in his stomach (aka anxiety, but make it sci-fi)
I actually loved how the book handles Simon’s anxiety as an alien. It’s funny, gross, and terrifying in that “why is my own body acting like this” way.
It also makes the stakes feel personal. This isn’t just “Simon is anxious.” It’s “Simon is being hunted from the inside, and he has to pretend he’s fine because everyone expects him to be fine.” That combination? Brutal. But it worked for me.
When the story starts revealing what’s really going on (and how the nightly attacks connect to everything), I felt like the book was taking Simon seriously—like his fear and panic weren’t random, they were information. Bad information, but still information.
PJ: sweet, supportive, and secretly dealing with a whole lot
PJ is the kind of character that makes you want to be like, “Okay, yes, I will be normal around you,” and then immediately realize that’s impossible because you’re a human who has feelings.
He’s out at school, he’s warm, he gets Simon’s nervous energy, and he shows up in a way that feels gentle instead of pushy. I also really liked that PJ isn’t just “the love interest.” He has his own real life problems, especially at home, where his queerness isn’t treated like it’s real. More like: phase until further notice.
And yes, there’s a part where Simon panics and derails a date in spectacular fashion. I felt that. Not the alien part. The other part. The “I like you and now I’m scared and I just made it weird” part. Simon’s reactions are messy but believable, and PJ’s feelings aren’t treated like they’re optional. That matters.
Honestly, if I’m being totally honest, PJ was probably my favorite character. I just wanted to scoop him up and protect him from the kind of disappointment that usually shows up in books when you’re rooting for someone.
Secondary characters: beautifully rendered, not just background noise
One of my biggest compliments for this book is that the secondary characters don’t feel like decorative NPCs. They feel like people.
- Hector is an early mentor figure for Simon (and yes, that “older gay barista who sees you” energy is *so* comforting). He becomes a big-brother-ish presence in a way that doesn’t feel fake or performative. You can tell he’s there because he cares, not because the plot needs him.
- Mags and Neel (Simon’s original friends) are memorable in different ways. Neel cracks me up because he’s got this… rocket-fueled energy whenever girls come up. Mags, though? I didn’t vibe with her as much. Her personality reads like “bossy and righteous” even when her family situation seems genuinely loving. It left me slightly side-eyeing her choices and attitudes the entire time.
- Lindsey and Carole (Simon’s moms) are the emotional center of a lot of the story. You can feel how much they love him, and you can also feel the stress and strain of adult life trying to land in a household with a teen who’s falling apart in slow motion. Lindsey’s work situation and Carole’s vibe are different flavors of caring, and I liked how the book let them both be complicated instead of turning them into perfect cardboard parents.
- Daniel (Simon’s dad) could’ve been a throwaway “deadbeat who magically improves” character, but the book gives him more texture. He shows up late and imperfect, but he’s also not totally absent—he’s part of what shaped Simon’s understanding of relationships and safety.
- Aunt Sarah and Brian? Yeah, Brian is exactly as gross as you think he is. Like, from first mention I was already ready to throw hands. Aunt Sarah felt harder to read—there’s a vibe of someone who’s coping in a way that doesn’t include being emotionally kind. The book hints at more, and I’ll admit I wanted a clearer explanation of some choices, especially around silence and what people refuse to say out loud.
- Paul and Laticia add a lot of warmth and realism. Paul especially feels like a character whose neurodivergence isn’t used as a “funny trait,” it’s part of his way of existing and connecting. Laticia is softer, shy, and still sorting herself out—which made her feel real instead of “perfect side character energy.”
And I really appreciated that the book doesn’t treat Simon like he’s the only person with a full interior life. Everybody else has history, opinions, tension, sweetness. It makes the whole world feel lived-in.
The pacing: some bits move fast, some bits slow down (and it’s noticeable)
Now, I’ll be fair: the pacing can feel a little uneven. There were sections where it felt like we were doing normal life stuff—laundry, conversations, everyday moments—and I could feel the plot chill for a second. Other times, once Simon realizes he’s into PJ, the emotions and obsession spiral so quickly it can feel like you’re getting sprinted into romance before your brain’s fully caught up.
But even with that, I didn’t stop reading. I was too invested in Simon’s emotional survival to bail.
What the book made me feel
This book really does the thing where you start out with humor and weirdness and then—surprise—you’re hit with grief and fear and the messy truth that “moving forward” is not a straight line.
It made me feel protective of Simon. It also made me angry on his behalf at the moments where people misread him or act like his identity is a convenience problem. There’s also a tenderness to the way the support system grows over time: different people, different types of help, and Simon learning how to accept it without feeling like he has to earn basic care.
Also: I loved that the book includes crisis resources not just for the USA, but for Canada and the UK too. That small detail told me the author/book team actually thought about real readers, not just imaginary “audience.”
My final take
Somewhere in Nowhere is a coming-of-age story with romance, friendship, grief, anxiety, and a genuinely creative way of making internal fear visible (the alien thing is honestly the best metaphor I’ve seen in a while). It’s funny in places, heartbreaking in others, and the secondary cast is one of its biggest strengths.
If you like queer YA that feels like it could’ve come from someone’s real life—like conversations you’d overhear in a hallway, panic you’d recognize, love that makes no sense but still matters—then I think you’ll have a good time here.
Read
January 12, 20263.5* Surprisingly heartwarming despite the sadness, though it skimps on some detail.
This is a tale that gives an impression of a rebellious teen at the start, only to show him as someone a little insecure; a little out of place; a little bit of a stranger to himself; and a decent boy, son, friend and boyfriend. He grows during this tale that feels like it takes place over a few weeks, 2-3 months at most, and we find out about the alien and the significance of 11:22pm and why he thinks he's going to die. The latter is where the book falls a little apart, as a bombshell is dropped, a visit to a place of...'potential reparation' - trying not to spoiler here - takes place, then the tale cuts out. I'm not too sure I believed that part of the tale, as the author didn't make it feel organic enough, maybe because of rushing? It felt like this couldn't be left on a cliffhanger.
What was nice, though, is that parents mostly lived and let live: the Hindu mum, the Italian doctor father, the English dad and the lesbian mums. Maybe because this book feels far away from the influence of the toxic tangoed twat that's currently supposedly in charge in the USA. The loss of someone close to the lead felt abbreviated, yet the traditions went on and on, almost as if the author was out to educate, but for me as a non-Jewish person, it was a bit 'lots of words and descriptions but not telling me about the whys'. I'd have liked to know more about the traditions, not just hear about the copious amounts of food. I'd have liked to learn about the job shrouded in secrecy that meant the lead's mum spent very little time at home, but there was only an anticlimactic partial reveal.
It felt like the tale needed a little fleshing out in parts and a little reining in in others. But it's got the bones of a feel-good one.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Ninestar Press for my reading pleasure.
This is a tale that gives an impression of a rebellious teen at the start, only to show him as someone a little insecure; a little out of place; a little bit of a stranger to himself; and a decent boy, son, friend and boyfriend. He grows during this tale that feels like it takes place over a few weeks, 2-3 months at most, and we find out about the alien and the significance of 11:22pm and why he thinks he's going to die. The latter is where the book falls a little apart, as a bombshell is dropped, a visit to a place of...'potential reparation' - trying not to spoiler here - takes place, then the tale cuts out. I'm not too sure I believed that part of the tale, as the author didn't make it feel organic enough, maybe because of rushing? It felt like this couldn't be left on a cliffhanger.
What was nice, though, is that parents mostly lived and let live: the Hindu mum, the Italian doctor father, the English dad and the lesbian mums. Maybe because this book feels far away from the influence of the toxic tangoed twat that's currently supposedly in charge in the USA. The loss of someone close to the lead felt abbreviated, yet the traditions went on and on, almost as if the author was out to educate, but for me as a non-Jewish person, it was a bit 'lots of words and descriptions but not telling me about the whys'. I'd have liked to know more about the traditions, not just hear about the copious amounts of food. I'd have liked to learn about the job shrouded in secrecy that meant the lead's mum spent very little time at home, but there was only an anticlimactic partial reveal.
It felt like the tale needed a little fleshing out in parts and a little reining in in others. But it's got the bones of a feel-good one.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Ninestar Press for my reading pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from Author
First, I want to thank Steven Gellman and Booksparks for the gifted physical copy of Somewhere In Nowhere to read and provide my honest review in collaboration with the Booksparks spring reading challenge of 2026!
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Thoughts:
Somewhere In Nowhere follows the life of Simon Bugg, our main character that ends up having a lot happening in his young adult life. Not only does he move to a different school for his senior year, away from his best friends, he also has to come to terms with the fact that things will be different even for himself and for his two moms.
There was a lot to unpack with this book. I honestly felt like I was a little spy on the wall watching Simon’s life unfurl onto sheer chaos. I loved how detailed this author was with writing about Simon and his feelings. Whether he was saying things out loud or the inner monologue he was having in his own head, you could literally feel Simon’s jumble of emotions everytime something happened. Not only did he lose out on going to senior year with his friends, but he also attends a new school all together where he knows absolutely no one. I loved the representation of anxiety when it came to Simon. The fight or flight instinct was very well done in this story and I liked how supportive certain characters were such as Carole and Hector.
I feel like I related to Simon a little bit, especially with the part of dealing with a loss in the family. (I won’t spoil it so future readers can read for themselves). I appreciate every thought and level of grief and emotions the author included in these scenes as it was so relatable to how I felt in real life when I lost someone special to me. Among other things, I really enjoyed the found family in this book. It was so organic and so beautiful watching it form with both old and new friends in Simon’s life. Seeing everyone support Simon in any way that they could made for an incredible experience. I also really liked that this book represented the LGBTQIA community. Seeing Simon come out as gay to his friends and parents and also seeing the harder times of coming out in relation to his boyfriend PJ, was also really relatable.
Overall, this book had a lot of great qualities to it. Very relatable and overall just an important message that is improtant for any young adult/adult reader.
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My Thoughts:
Somewhere In Nowhere follows the life of Simon Bugg, our main character that ends up having a lot happening in his young adult life. Not only does he move to a different school for his senior year, away from his best friends, he also has to come to terms with the fact that things will be different even for himself and for his two moms.
There was a lot to unpack with this book. I honestly felt like I was a little spy on the wall watching Simon’s life unfurl onto sheer chaos. I loved how detailed this author was with writing about Simon and his feelings. Whether he was saying things out loud or the inner monologue he was having in his own head, you could literally feel Simon’s jumble of emotions everytime something happened. Not only did he lose out on going to senior year with his friends, but he also attends a new school all together where he knows absolutely no one. I loved the representation of anxiety when it came to Simon. The fight or flight instinct was very well done in this story and I liked how supportive certain characters were such as Carole and Hector.
I feel like I related to Simon a little bit, especially with the part of dealing with a loss in the family. (I won’t spoil it so future readers can read for themselves). I appreciate every thought and level of grief and emotions the author included in these scenes as it was so relatable to how I felt in real life when I lost someone special to me. Among other things, I really enjoyed the found family in this book. It was so organic and so beautiful watching it form with both old and new friends in Simon’s life. Seeing everyone support Simon in any way that they could made for an incredible experience. I also really liked that this book represented the LGBTQIA community. Seeing Simon come out as gay to his friends and parents and also seeing the harder times of coming out in relation to his boyfriend PJ, was also really relatable.
Overall, this book had a lot of great qualities to it. Very relatable and overall just an important message that is improtant for any young adult/adult reader.
April 30, 2026
‘Somewhere in Nowhere’ is a coming-of-age story that captures the essence of searching for meaning in the midst of upheaval and uncertainty. Simon is facing a new school his senior year, he’s suffering from anxiety attacks but doesn’t know it, his relationship with his dad is strained, he’s coming out of the closet, one of his moms is struggling with the demands of a new job which is stressing the whole family unit, he develops a crush on a boy, his body is doing weird things, and tragedy hits. How much can a stressed-out senior stand without breaking?
I read this in one sitting. I admit to almost putting the book down after the first couple of chapters. Simon’s anxiety was palpable and I wasn’t in the best frame of mind to take on teen angst. Then something shifted in the story and the feelings of isolation (not knowing anyone in the new school), hope (possible new friends), and self-discovery (the meaning behind 11:22pm) meshed into a compelling story which captured those angst-filled teen years. And just when the reader thinks Simon’s got thing under control (as much as any teen has control over anything) the author drops not one, but two! bombshells on the reader. Talk about a tailspin. I won’t elaborate, I know there are reviews where you can get the details, but Simon’s journey will have more impact if you skip the spoilers.
I quite enjoyed ALL the supporting characters – colorful and quirky in their own way, the simple acceptance of close friends have and their different personalities meshing so well, making new friends that help Simon grown – everyone balanced Simon’s character perfectly.
Overall, I found ‘Somewhere in Nowhere’ to be a thought-provoking coming-of-age read. It’s a story of trust, of resilience in the face of tragedy, of making new friends and repairing broken relationships. Is it an easy read? No. But it’s a story that will stick with you after it’s done and those are sometimes the most fulfilling.
NOTE: This book was provided by Ninestar Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
I read this in one sitting. I admit to almost putting the book down after the first couple of chapters. Simon’s anxiety was palpable and I wasn’t in the best frame of mind to take on teen angst. Then something shifted in the story and the feelings of isolation (not knowing anyone in the new school), hope (possible new friends), and self-discovery (the meaning behind 11:22pm) meshed into a compelling story which captured those angst-filled teen years. And just when the reader thinks Simon’s got thing under control (as much as any teen has control over anything) the author drops not one, but two! bombshells on the reader. Talk about a tailspin. I won’t elaborate, I know there are reviews where you can get the details, but Simon’s journey will have more impact if you skip the spoilers.
I quite enjoyed ALL the supporting characters – colorful and quirky in their own way, the simple acceptance of close friends have and their different personalities meshing so well, making new friends that help Simon grown – everyone balanced Simon’s character perfectly.
Overall, I found ‘Somewhere in Nowhere’ to be a thought-provoking coming-of-age read. It’s a story of trust, of resilience in the face of tragedy, of making new friends and repairing broken relationships. Is it an easy read? No. But it’s a story that will stick with you after it’s done and those are sometimes the most fulfilling.
NOTE: This book was provided by Ninestar Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
April 15, 2026
Recommended: sure
For a story with a lot packed in, for sensitive and varied looks at heavy topics, for very simple writing style without much flourish
Thoughts:
Going into this book, I wasn't sure if the alien in Simon's stomach was going to end up being a literal alien - and dive straight into sci-fi - or if this was more of an emotional alien, and a representation of his inner turmoil. The resolution was a real shock because it was like I guessed the right category, but not at ALL the details of how it would come about.
What carried this book the most was the depth and amount of topics and issues it covers. Sometimes that can feel like too much being crammed in to one story, but this just built and built in ways where it was like one thing led to another. It also had the opposite balance where something you never think could happen in your life... does. Without warning. Just on a regular Tuesday when you're buying milk (so to speak). That punched deep with this story and made me hurt for Simon so much with everything he was dealt.
All of the details in the blurb are main elements of this story. Simon coming to understand himself and his sexuality, having to start at a new school in his senior year, and having nightly alien attacks from inside his own body? I mean that's a hell of a lot to get into. But honestly, that's only the half of it. The second half of this book builds so much more into his life and his friends, old and new. And boy, does he need them.
My biggest, maybe only issue, is that I struggled with the way this is written. The writing style was tiring to me, especially at the start, because of how every action and emotion is just stated, not illustrated. It was very much tell and not show. It felt pretty flat and unexciting and boring. By the middle I was more adjusted and able to settle in to the story and characters with less issue, but it was making me gnash my teeth a lot in the first quarter or so of reading it.
Thank you to Booksparks and the author for a free advanced copy. This is my honest review!
For a story with a lot packed in, for sensitive and varied looks at heavy topics, for very simple writing style without much flourish
Thoughts:
Going into this book, I wasn't sure if the alien in Simon's stomach was going to end up being a literal alien - and dive straight into sci-fi - or if this was more of an emotional alien, and a representation of his inner turmoil. The resolution was a real shock because it was like I guessed the right category, but not at ALL the details of how it would come about.
What carried this book the most was the depth and amount of topics and issues it covers. Sometimes that can feel like too much being crammed in to one story, but this just built and built in ways where it was like one thing led to another. It also had the opposite balance where something you never think could happen in your life... does. Without warning. Just on a regular Tuesday when you're buying milk (so to speak). That punched deep with this story and made me hurt for Simon so much with everything he was dealt.
All of the details in the blurb are main elements of this story. Simon coming to understand himself and his sexuality, having to start at a new school in his senior year, and having nightly alien attacks from inside his own body? I mean that's a hell of a lot to get into. But honestly, that's only the half of it. The second half of this book builds so much more into his life and his friends, old and new. And boy, does he need them.
My biggest, maybe only issue, is that I struggled with the way this is written. The writing style was tiring to me, especially at the start, because of how every action and emotion is just stated, not illustrated. It was very much tell and not show. It felt pretty flat and unexciting and boring. By the middle I was more adjusted and able to settle in to the story and characters with less issue, but it was making me gnash my teeth a lot in the first quarter or so of reading it.
Thank you to Booksparks and the author for a free advanced copy. This is my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is my first time writing an official book review so here we go.
3.5 stars.
I love this book. It was such a riveting read. When the file was sent to me I was a bit apprehensive to read it (i do this every time with a book i pick up to read idk why). Then i got invested and I was like: I want to see the ending of this story. I knew straight away i would like it. There is a bit of a hitch tho where the book felt rushed through out. I've read a lot of books so i usually feel when a book is rushed or its just right. This book felt rushed. It could do with a bit of an extension in some chapters/parts. These extensions would help us to connect more with simon but alas this book is out for preorder so its probably too late to do it now. The themes of teenage sexuality coming out was THE main theme but it felt like there was too much of a heavy spotlight being shown on that theme. it would have elevated the story even more if the other themes were explored in the book as it would make the book feel more like a 5 star delicious meal instead of an easy comfort meal you can eat any time. I love that the mc had so much support because it made me feel when he struggled. if he didn't have that much support i would have been bitting my fingers; having red angry eyes and cursing either the MC or the ppl he surrounds himself with (hahaha).
Thank you Netgalley and Steven Gellman So So SO SOOO much for giving me a new beta reader the opportunity to read this book. I loved it. I love forward to seeing future works by Steven Gellman in the future bc whatever he cooked in that mind of his to create this book, let him cook it again to create an even better book.
3.5 stars.
I love this book. It was such a riveting read. When the file was sent to me I was a bit apprehensive to read it (i do this every time with a book i pick up to read idk why). Then i got invested and I was like: I want to see the ending of this story. I knew straight away i would like it. There is a bit of a hitch tho where the book felt rushed through out. I've read a lot of books so i usually feel when a book is rushed or its just right. This book felt rushed. It could do with a bit of an extension in some chapters/parts. These extensions would help us to connect more with simon but alas this book is out for preorder so its probably too late to do it now. The themes of teenage sexuality coming out was THE main theme but it felt like there was too much of a heavy spotlight being shown on that theme. it would have elevated the story even more if the other themes were explored in the book as it would make the book feel more like a 5 star delicious meal instead of an easy comfort meal you can eat any time. I love that the mc had so much support because it made me feel when he struggled. if he didn't have that much support i would have been bitting my fingers; having red angry eyes and cursing either the MC or the ppl he surrounds himself with (hahaha).
Thank you Netgalley and Steven Gellman So So SO SOOO much for giving me a new beta reader the opportunity to read this book. I loved it. I love forward to seeing future works by Steven Gellman in the future bc whatever he cooked in that mind of his to create this book, let him cook it again to create an even better book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for giving me access to Advanced Reader Copy for a review:
I really liked this one. I went in expecting a cute, sweet coming-of-age story, but I was completely wrong—and I’m glad I was. The book caught me off guard several times. Just when it seemed like the main character was finally enjoying his life, everything would take a turn for the worse. I really appreciated those unexpected shifts; they added emotional depth and kept me invested.
That being said, I did have a few issues at the beginning. I would have preferred more time with Simon and PJ together—a slower burn instead of having Simon declare his love after just one afternoon of hanging out. It felt a bit abrupt, and I think a more gradual development would have made their relationship even more impactful.
Aside from that, this was a really strong read. I especially loved the metaphor of the alien anxiety attack—it captured exactly what an anxiety attack feels like. PJ is adorable and flawed, which made him feel real and relatable.
Overall, the book explores a wide range of themes, including some darker ones, and it truly took me on an emotional journey—at times a depressing one. It came very close to being a four-star read for me.
I really liked this one. I went in expecting a cute, sweet coming-of-age story, but I was completely wrong—and I’m glad I was. The book caught me off guard several times. Just when it seemed like the main character was finally enjoying his life, everything would take a turn for the worse. I really appreciated those unexpected shifts; they added emotional depth and kept me invested.
That being said, I did have a few issues at the beginning. I would have preferred more time with Simon and PJ together—a slower burn instead of having Simon declare his love after just one afternoon of hanging out. It felt a bit abrupt, and I think a more gradual development would have made their relationship even more impactful.
Aside from that, this was a really strong read. I especially loved the metaphor of the alien anxiety attack—it captured exactly what an anxiety attack feels like. PJ is adorable and flawed, which made him feel real and relatable.
Overall, the book explores a wide range of themes, including some darker ones, and it truly took me on an emotional journey—at times a depressing one. It came very close to being a four-star read for me.
May 3, 2026
I was able to attend an author event and pick up this book, and while the premise sounds lovely, the execution felt very juvenile.
The synopsis of the book does not do an adequate job of explaining what the book was about - the main elements from the synopsis wrap up just a few chapters into the story, with the remaining portion of the novel taking a really weird turn.
My biggest challenge with this story was that it seemed very immature - the writing style was filled with exclamation marks and phrases that no high school student would be using. In hardly any elements were discoveries uncovered slowly, rather they were often just stated in dialogue or in Simon's inner thoughts all at once. The phrase, telling not showing comes to mind.
Additionally, everything happened in a blink. Simon falls in love with PJ after meeting him one time and spending probably 45 minutes together. Hector and Simon form this immediate bond after one Starbucks green tea. Everything felt rushed and unbelievable. Marry that with almost too many characters, you don't know anyone well.
I think this author has a lot of promise, but he should strongly consider his voice and how to show the natural strengthening of relationships over time.
The synopsis of the book does not do an adequate job of explaining what the book was about - the main elements from the synopsis wrap up just a few chapters into the story, with the remaining portion of the novel taking a really weird turn.
My biggest challenge with this story was that it seemed very immature - the writing style was filled with exclamation marks and phrases that no high school student would be using. In hardly any elements were discoveries uncovered slowly, rather they were often just stated in dialogue or in Simon's inner thoughts all at once. The phrase, telling not showing comes to mind.
Additionally, everything happened in a blink. Simon falls in love with PJ after meeting him one time and spending probably 45 minutes together. Hector and Simon form this immediate bond after one Starbucks green tea. Everything felt rushed and unbelievable. Marry that with almost too many characters, you don't know anyone well.
I think this author has a lot of promise, but he should strongly consider his voice and how to show the natural strengthening of relationships over time.
May 12, 2026
For a first novel, Steven Gellman has infused Somewhere in Nowhere with a surprisingly complex collection of interesting characters and situations. Just when you think you know where the story is leading, there will be a twist or introduction of a new character who will keep you wondering what will happen next. I love the ending, and actually the entire book 📕 . I had tears streaming down my cheeks as I read chapters 42 and 43, and I am not going to tell you whether they were tears of joy or sorrow, because you need to get this book and read it for yourself to figure out how you feel about it! The novel is a great coming of age story of the interaction among four high school seniors, a great friend who plays a pivotal role in supporting the growth of Simon, the narrator/lead character. But, the novel has half a dozen adult characters who are uniquely shaped and who readers will care deeply about, so who are not just there as background to the teenaged characters. As a reader, you will share the joy and pain of all of these characters. I hope this story gets picked up and turned into a stage play or screenplay for a movie, as I would love to see these characters played out in 3D.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
3.3/5
This is NOT the type of book I normally read so take my review with a grain of salt. I think I struggled at the start of this book because of the humor. I am not used to reading humorous books or romance other than romantasy, but I was gifted this one and wanted to give it a chance.
There was a lot to like about this book! The diverse cast of characters, the 2 moms, the queerness and questioning was all very realistic and something people experience way more than we may realize. Some points were also pretty dark and somewhat depressing, but not in a bad way, just in an emotional way.
The alien aspect made this book fun for me and although I felt there was a bit of an "insta love" thing going on that I don't usually enjoy, the relationship between Simon and PJ grew and felt natural.
Thank you to Booksparks for including this in the spring ambassador program and the lovely PR package that came with it.
This is NOT the type of book I normally read so take my review with a grain of salt. I think I struggled at the start of this book because of the humor. I am not used to reading humorous books or romance other than romantasy, but I was gifted this one and wanted to give it a chance.
There was a lot to like about this book! The diverse cast of characters, the 2 moms, the queerness and questioning was all very realistic and something people experience way more than we may realize. Some points were also pretty dark and somewhat depressing, but not in a bad way, just in an emotional way.
The alien aspect made this book fun for me and although I felt there was a bit of an "insta love" thing going on that I don't usually enjoy, the relationship between Simon and PJ grew and felt natural.
Thank you to Booksparks for including this in the spring ambassador program and the lovely PR package that came with it.
April 16, 2026
Simon is having a rough senior year of high school. Between moving, figuring out his sexuality and the alien living in his stomach, the term struggling is an understatement. And when he meets his dream guy PJ, Simon’s overthinking causes him to ruin a great date that he can’t recover from. Determined to win PJ over and conquer the alien living inside himself, Simon relies on the support of his friends and family to help him overcome his obstacles.
Rating: 4/5
Spice: Fade to Black
Tropes:
Magical Realism
Mental Health
Found Family
Triggers:
Death
Anxiety
Grief
Bullying
Homophobia
My Thoughts:
This book explains the feelings of living with anxiety in such perfect detail! Not only does Simon’s brain race a mile a minute, but he literally feels like something is eating him alive from the inside. Add in a queer love story and the support of friends and family, and this book will leave you feeling everything - sadness, anger, and ultimately, love.
Rating: 4/5
Spice: Fade to Black
Tropes:
Magical Realism
Mental Health
Found Family
Triggers:
Death
Anxiety
Grief
Bullying
Homophobia
My Thoughts:
This book explains the feelings of living with anxiety in such perfect detail! Not only does Simon’s brain race a mile a minute, but he literally feels like something is eating him alive from the inside. Add in a queer love story and the support of friends and family, and this book will leave you feeling everything - sadness, anger, and ultimately, love.
May 9, 2026
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Somewhere in Nowhere is an emotional story about friendship, family, and love. It's about realizing we had these feelings, these motions, and not knowing or who to vocalize to in the moment. There are some deeply emotional curve balls I was not expecting, but it's a story which was more intense than I thought based on the summary. It's a great framework for an entertaining and quick story, but I wish some side characters and some situations were a bit more expanded. There's this genuine vulnerability which I enjoyed, but I just wish we had a few more moments to dwell in it. Somewhere in Nowhere is a book which handles the whole emotional roller coaster.
Somewhere in Nowhere is an emotional story about friendship, family, and love. It's about realizing we had these feelings, these motions, and not knowing or who to vocalize to in the moment. There are some deeply emotional curve balls I was not expecting, but it's a story which was more intense than I thought based on the summary. It's a great framework for an entertaining and quick story, but I wish some side characters and some situations were a bit more expanded. There's this genuine vulnerability which I enjoyed, but I just wish we had a few more moments to dwell in it. Somewhere in Nowhere is a book which handles the whole emotional roller coaster.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This has all the ingredients for a good book, but without the necessary depth. The plot deals with sensitive topics, and the writing simply lacks the emotional depth to do them justice. The characters feel one-dimensional. The plot feels like a series of disconnected subplots. The final revelation makes a nonsense of what came before - we discover the protagonist had real psychological challenges preventing him from acknowledging his sexuality... reasons that could have made for an impressive story, except for the fact that he mentioned he was scared to come out in chapter one, and was happily telling everyone he was gay by chapter three.
April 14, 2026
🌼Perks of being a Wallflower fan? Then you'll like this book
🌼 A poignant, sweet, queer, coming-of-age, YA story of Simon who has fallen in love with a named PJ.
🌼 What I liked -
- the sensitivity with which the book is written
- the friends circle
- his moms
Trigger warning - SA
🌼 Perfect book for a young teen identifying themselves
🌼 Book releases TODAY! (April 14th, 26)
🌼 Author - @hiddenpoetmusic
🌼Publisher - @ninestarpress
🌼Got the opportunity to read this book as part of Booksparks #sprc2026 #wildforbooks challenge. Thank you @booksparks
#bookreviews #bookrecs
🌼 A poignant, sweet, queer, coming-of-age, YA story of Simon who has fallen in love with a named PJ.
🌼 What I liked -
- the sensitivity with which the book is written
- the friends circle
- his moms
Trigger warning - SA
🌼 Perfect book for a young teen identifying themselves
🌼 Book releases TODAY! (April 14th, 26)
🌼 Author - @hiddenpoetmusic
🌼Publisher - @ninestarpress
🌼Got the opportunity to read this book as part of Booksparks #sprc2026 #wildforbooks challenge. Thank you @booksparks
#bookreviews #bookrecs
Review of advance copy received from Storygraph
Buckle your seatbelt! Rarely does a book capture all my emotions but Somewhere in Nowhere had me laughing, crying and feeling the emotions right along with Simon Bugg. Simon’s coming of age story shares his experiences through his senior year in High School. The serious family and medical challenges of this year help him grow and reinforce the importance of family, friends - and love..
In addition, I loved the cat dinkuses, geographic references, and Mags.
A great read. It will touch your soul. It surely touched mine..
In addition, I loved the cat dinkuses, geographic references, and Mags.
A great read. It will touch your soul. It surely touched mine..
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First Thank you Netgalley and Ninestar press for allowing me to read this arc!
An engaging, heartfelt read that I truly enjoyed! The plot was interesting, and I loved seeing a story where a kid is scared to come out despite having supportive same-sex parents—it made the character journey feel authentic. The characters were well-developed, and the first-love aspect was sweet. While a few plot points felt a little rushed, it’s a wonderful short read that I highly recommend. I look forward to picking up more by this author.
An engaging, heartfelt read that I truly enjoyed! The plot was interesting, and I loved seeing a story where a kid is scared to come out despite having supportive same-sex parents—it made the character journey feel authentic. The characters were well-developed, and the first-love aspect was sweet. While a few plot points felt a little rushed, it’s a wonderful short read that I highly recommend. I look forward to picking up more by this author.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This is a wonderful book, full of quirky details, colorful characters, and a compelling story. I especially loved the interplay between Simon and his friends, which adds a genuine quality to the narrative. You really feel the love and support they offer Simon (and each other), and you get to tag along on their adventures and watch as their unique personalities unfold. The story has twists and turns, ups and downs, and will keep you engaged until the very end. This book was truly a pleasure to read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Narrative: 📕📘📗📓
Angst: Moderate
Spice: 🌶
Humor: 😆😃😄
Heart: 💧💧💧💧
Romance: ❤️❤️❤️
Burn Time: Moderate
A sweet story to start with telling of a YA who is coming to grips with his sexuality, seems gentle and without fault. Add in what appears to be regular childhood anxiety but then take a turn and ramp it up.
Then pull out all the stops in the end. The pacing was decent but there is a lot to unpack in a short overall time period. It's not going to be a tome for everyone, but those that find their way through it should find something they enjoy in it.
Angst: Moderate
Spice: 🌶
Humor: 😆😃😄
Heart: 💧💧💧💧
Romance: ❤️❤️❤️
Burn Time: Moderate
A sweet story to start with telling of a YA who is coming to grips with his sexuality, seems gentle and without fault. Add in what appears to be regular childhood anxiety but then take a turn and ramp it up.
Then pull out all the stops in the end. The pacing was decent but there is a lot to unpack in a short overall time period. It's not going to be a tome for everyone, but those that find their way through it should find something they enjoy in it.
April 27, 2026
This book was amazing. It was funny, heartwarming, sad, and joyous, all at the same time! Steven Gellman is a master at weaving humor into very dramatic situations. And in Simon Bugg, he's created a tremendously relatable protagonist. I'm a middle-aged hetero man and I found myself identifying and rooting for Simon. I have a hard time imagining anyone not getting personally invested in Simon's journey of discovery, love, and healing. And laughing while doing it!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Somewhere in Nowhere is a book that demonstrates relentless faith in our ability to be good to one another, even in the face of trauma and loss. It’s a book about friendship and, yes, love, in that word’s most multifaceted sense. Most of all it’s a book that I love for reminding us to accept hope from the people we choose to be our family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews