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The Emberkind Series #1
Every Almost
What happens when a stranded engineer from 1990 gets six months of free passage on a starship full of rescued space animals?
Charlie Wickett has a knack for fixing anything you put in front of her. She's got the job she's wanted since she was nine years old, her sister sharing her apartment, and a life in California she built herself, out of nothing, on purpose. It's a good life.
Captain Reyna Solas of the Emberkind CV-0417 is just trying to get through her day, thank you very much. Between an unconventional animal rescue, an angry ship chef, and an Admiral who won't take no for an answer, the last thing Reyna needs is an alien from a non-contact planet crash-landing in her ship's kitchen.
When Charlie accidentally touches a piece of space debris that, technically, shouldn't exist, she wakes up forty light-years from home on an alien animal rescue vessel, looking up at a captain who somehow makes everything a little less terrifying.
Now Charlie has six months aboard the Emberkind as it carries her home. Six months of impossible rescues, alien corridors, and the best engineering problems she's ever been handed. Six months to learn the people who run this ship, who are strange and loud and kind and, somehow, her kind of people.
The Captain is a different problem entirely.
But Charlie will return to Earth… just so long as nobody does anything drastic.
Like find a reason to stay.
Heat level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5 (open door). Content guidance available on the author's website.
TW: homophobia & family rejection, character death (incl. terminal illness), grief, anxiety/nightmares, war references, on-page intimacy, strong language. No SA, self-harm, or substance abuse. HEA guaranteed.
Charlie Wickett has a knack for fixing anything you put in front of her. She's got the job she's wanted since she was nine years old, her sister sharing her apartment, and a life in California she built herself, out of nothing, on purpose. It's a good life.
Captain Reyna Solas of the Emberkind CV-0417 is just trying to get through her day, thank you very much. Between an unconventional animal rescue, an angry ship chef, and an Admiral who won't take no for an answer, the last thing Reyna needs is an alien from a non-contact planet crash-landing in her ship's kitchen.
When Charlie accidentally touches a piece of space debris that, technically, shouldn't exist, she wakes up forty light-years from home on an alien animal rescue vessel, looking up at a captain who somehow makes everything a little less terrifying.
Now Charlie has six months aboard the Emberkind as it carries her home. Six months of impossible rescues, alien corridors, and the best engineering problems she's ever been handed. Six months to learn the people who run this ship, who are strange and loud and kind and, somehow, her kind of people.
The Captain is a different problem entirely.
But Charlie will return to Earth… just so long as nobody does anything drastic.
Like find a reason to stay.
Heat level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️ / 5 (open door). Content guidance available on the author's website.
TW: homophobia & family rejection, character death (incl. terminal illness), grief, anxiety/nightmares, war references, on-page intimacy, strong language. No SA, self-harm, or substance abuse. HEA guaranteed.
516 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2026
About the author
Elizabeth Hale
1 book29 followersElizabeth Hale is a California-based author with a cozy heart, a sharp wit, and strong opinions about hugs (she's entirely pro). She is powered by books, feelings, sarcasm, and at least one ongoing internal monologue. She spends most of her days playing chauffeur and social planner to her two young humans, helping her wife remember all the things she forgot, and searching for any-sized cool spot in the hot Los Angeles heat. She is deeply family-oriented, hilariously self-aware, and always in search of beauty, belonging, and a life that feels genuine.
She has been writing — professionally, personally, and everything in between — for over twenty years.
Every Almost is her debut novel.
She has been writing — professionally, personally, and everything in between — for over twenty years.
Every Almost is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 31, 2026
Going in, I was a little intimidated by the nearly 1,000-page length, worried a good chunk of it would feel like filler. Thankfully, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Looking back, the page count was exactly what this story needed. Never drawn out or dense, just the perfect amount of room for every relationship, emotional beat, and storyline to fully bloom.
The prologue completely threw me at first (no spoilers, I promise), and I was left so confused. This is one of those rare books where reading Part One before going back to the prologue actually helps. That’s exactly what I did, and suddenly everything just clicked. I’m also not the biggest fan of dual timelines that break the flow, but the chronological flashbacks here? Absolute favorites. They made the characters’ pasts so easy to follow, never felt like interruptions, and added so much heart and context that I honestly can’t imagine this story without them.
What surprised me the most was that, beneath all the sci-fi elements, this is such an emotionally driven story. At its heart, it’s really about people, their relationships, and the many different ways grief can shape a life. The book doesn’t focus on just one type of loss either. It explores the grief that comes with death, the uncertainty of ambiguous loss, and even the grief we experience while people are still alive. I don’t think I’ve read another novel that approached the subject from so many different angles. It felt insanely honest, deeply human, and so emotionally raw that I found myself crying more than once. That’s not something books usually manage to do. Truth be told, I can count on one hand the number of books that have made me cry.
As emotional as the story is, it never feels overwhelmingly heavy. There’s a lovely balance of heartbreak, hope, and humor that keeps the warmth intact. Closing this book didn’t leave me shattered… it left me tenderly moved, and that quiet ache made the experience even more special.
And yet, the thing that completely wrecked me (in the best way) was the characters.
Charlie was an absolute joy to follow. She has this golden retriever energy that’s impossible not to adore. She’s endlessly curious, fiercely protective of the people she loves, and someone who always tries to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult. Her compassion and unwavering sense of fairness made her ridiculously easy to root for, and I thought her character arc was thoughtfully written from beginning to end.
But what truly stayed with me was Charlie’s relationship with her younger sister, Kat. Their bond absolutely melted me. The flashback scenes were some of the most memorable in the book, capturing the warmth of an older sister looking after her younger sibling so beautifully. As an only child, I was especially drawn to those moments because they showed the kind of relationship I’d always wondered about, full of unconditional love that made me smile every time they were together.
Reyna took me a little longer to connect with, but that made her journey even more rewarding. She’s reserved, disciplined, and keeps almost everything bottled up. Part of that comes from her upbringing, and part of it comes from being Kaelari, a species whose markings reveal their emotions unless carefully controlled. That detail added so much depth.
As the story progresses, those walls begin to crack. Every moment she lets her guard down felt incredibly satisfying, revealing the kind, soft person beneath the composed captain. Seeing those walls start to come down made me grow so attached to her.
And then… the found family. Absolute perfection, and hands down one of the most precious found families I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.
Every friendship felt intentional, every bond served a purpose, and not a single side character came across as unnecessary. From Charlie and Kat’s chosen parents, Helen and Frank, to Reyna’s closest friends, Elena and Jere, and eventually the rest of the crew Charlie grows close to, every connection added something meaningful to the story. By the end, I cared about this entire cast almost as much as I cared about Charlie and Reyna. Needless to say, that’s no easy thing to achieve. And can we talk about Jere and Tav for a second? Those two completely stole my heart and I’m still not over them.
Now, the romance. I need a moment.
I’ve always been a slow burn girlie, so seeing that trope attached to this book already had me excited, but I wasn’t prepared for just how completely Charlie and Reyna’s relationship would consume me. From the moment they met, I had a feeling they were going to become one of those couples I’d never forget. Their connection was never rushed or manufactured; it grew little by little through late-night conversations, shared moments of vulnerability, quiet acts of kindness, and simply learning to trust each other. That effortlessly endearing dynamic only made me more invested with every interaction.
The yearning, though? Absolutely unmatched.
There were so many moments where I found myself internally begging them to just kiss already because the tension between them was unreal. Every lingering glance, every hesitant touch, every conversation that carried more meaning than either of them realized had me completely hooked.
I also adored how music became such an important part of their relationship. The mixtapes weren’t simply a romantic gesture. They became another way for Charlie and Reyna to understand each other without needing to say everything out loud. It gave their connection such a unique identity while adding another emotional layer to an already beautiful romance.
Every Almost is the perfect pick if you’re looking for a sci-fi romance that wears its heart on its sleeve. If you enjoy the found family of Guardians of the Galaxy, the comforting, character-driven storytelling of Becky Chambers, romances filled with impossible amounts of yearning, and stories that leave you with as much hope as they do emotion, I can’t recommend this one enough.
Long after I finished, I was still thinking about Charlie, Reyna, and everyone they met along the way. Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for the sequel, because that ending definitely convinced me these characters still have so much left to tell, and I already know I’ll be first in line to read whatever comes next.
The prologue completely threw me at first (no spoilers, I promise), and I was left so confused. This is one of those rare books where reading Part One before going back to the prologue actually helps. That’s exactly what I did, and suddenly everything just clicked. I’m also not the biggest fan of dual timelines that break the flow, but the chronological flashbacks here? Absolute favorites. They made the characters’ pasts so easy to follow, never felt like interruptions, and added so much heart and context that I honestly can’t imagine this story without them.
What surprised me the most was that, beneath all the sci-fi elements, this is such an emotionally driven story. At its heart, it’s really about people, their relationships, and the many different ways grief can shape a life. The book doesn’t focus on just one type of loss either. It explores the grief that comes with death, the uncertainty of ambiguous loss, and even the grief we experience while people are still alive. I don’t think I’ve read another novel that approached the subject from so many different angles. It felt insanely honest, deeply human, and so emotionally raw that I found myself crying more than once. That’s not something books usually manage to do. Truth be told, I can count on one hand the number of books that have made me cry.
As emotional as the story is, it never feels overwhelmingly heavy. There’s a lovely balance of heartbreak, hope, and humor that keeps the warmth intact. Closing this book didn’t leave me shattered… it left me tenderly moved, and that quiet ache made the experience even more special.
And yet, the thing that completely wrecked me (in the best way) was the characters.
Charlie was an absolute joy to follow. She has this golden retriever energy that’s impossible not to adore. She’s endlessly curious, fiercely protective of the people she loves, and someone who always tries to do the right thing, even when it’s difficult. Her compassion and unwavering sense of fairness made her ridiculously easy to root for, and I thought her character arc was thoughtfully written from beginning to end.
But what truly stayed with me was Charlie’s relationship with her younger sister, Kat. Their bond absolutely melted me. The flashback scenes were some of the most memorable in the book, capturing the warmth of an older sister looking after her younger sibling so beautifully. As an only child, I was especially drawn to those moments because they showed the kind of relationship I’d always wondered about, full of unconditional love that made me smile every time they were together.
Reyna took me a little longer to connect with, but that made her journey even more rewarding. She’s reserved, disciplined, and keeps almost everything bottled up. Part of that comes from her upbringing, and part of it comes from being Kaelari, a species whose markings reveal their emotions unless carefully controlled. That detail added so much depth.
As the story progresses, those walls begin to crack. Every moment she lets her guard down felt incredibly satisfying, revealing the kind, soft person beneath the composed captain. Seeing those walls start to come down made me grow so attached to her.
And then… the found family. Absolute perfection, and hands down one of the most precious found families I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading.
Every friendship felt intentional, every bond served a purpose, and not a single side character came across as unnecessary. From Charlie and Kat’s chosen parents, Helen and Frank, to Reyna’s closest friends, Elena and Jere, and eventually the rest of the crew Charlie grows close to, every connection added something meaningful to the story. By the end, I cared about this entire cast almost as much as I cared about Charlie and Reyna. Needless to say, that’s no easy thing to achieve. And can we talk about Jere and Tav for a second? Those two completely stole my heart and I’m still not over them.
Now, the romance. I need a moment.
I’ve always been a slow burn girlie, so seeing that trope attached to this book already had me excited, but I wasn’t prepared for just how completely Charlie and Reyna’s relationship would consume me. From the moment they met, I had a feeling they were going to become one of those couples I’d never forget. Their connection was never rushed or manufactured; it grew little by little through late-night conversations, shared moments of vulnerability, quiet acts of kindness, and simply learning to trust each other. That effortlessly endearing dynamic only made me more invested with every interaction.
The yearning, though? Absolutely unmatched.
There were so many moments where I found myself internally begging them to just kiss already because the tension between them was unreal. Every lingering glance, every hesitant touch, every conversation that carried more meaning than either of them realized had me completely hooked.
I also adored how music became such an important part of their relationship. The mixtapes weren’t simply a romantic gesture. They became another way for Charlie and Reyna to understand each other without needing to say everything out loud. It gave their connection such a unique identity while adding another emotional layer to an already beautiful romance.
Every Almost is the perfect pick if you’re looking for a sci-fi romance that wears its heart on its sleeve. If you enjoy the found family of Guardians of the Galaxy, the comforting, character-driven storytelling of Becky Chambers, romances filled with impossible amounts of yearning, and stories that leave you with as much hope as they do emotion, I can’t recommend this one enough.
Long after I finished, I was still thinking about Charlie, Reyna, and everyone they met along the way. Now excuse me while I impatiently wait for the sequel, because that ending definitely convinced me these characters still have so much left to tell, and I already know I’ll be first in line to read whatever comes next.
August 1, 2026
"Elena Voss," the woman said, looking directly at Reyna.
Holy shit. A Voss?
I was thinking the same thing. It's the year 2026. Literally look up Elara/Elena Voss if you're not familiar with how much AI loves suggesting that as a name for anything sci fi related. We also get Cael/Kael, and even get a Lyra as a sector!
Now if it was just the names, then maybe lightning struck the same spot several times. And the writing doesn't read like blatant ChatGPT, so maybe it's all one huge coincidence... except there are still parts that have that read:
- A sound. Strange, electric. Something Katie couldn't identify.
- The second followed. Same grace. Same clean numbers.
- Charlie noticed something on her console. A flicker. Not a failure. A trend.
Which isn't damning on its own, but the other thing is the book gets really repetitive the way it does in AI writing. Literally in the prologue alone:
- Charlie took a deep breath.
- Katie took a deep breath.
- Charlie took a deep breath.
- Charlie took a breath.
- A deep breath.
- She took a big breath.
- Reyna closed her eyes, took a deep breath, ...
- She took a long breath.
- Reyna blew out a breath.
- Reyna blew out a breath for the umpteenth time today. (I bet you did)
- She breathed out hard enough that ...
- Reyna replied, taking a deep calming breath.
Okay I get it, we're breathing!
There's also lots of instances where characters notice the tiniest details, something AI likes doing:
- It was a small movement. Anyone across the room would have missed it. But with Charlie sitting right beside her, close enough to see the muscles along her jawline shift and hold, Charlie noticed.
Honestly, this reads like AI was used to help fill in gaps when the author got stuck. While it did have an editor so we don't know the original, there's real human writing here. Still, there's no way you're convincing me that Elena Voss, K/Cael and Lyra came up organically when AI loves loves LOVES these names and suggests it to everyone who outsources their thinking to it. Seriously, look up ChatGPT Elara/Elena Voss or Kael or Lyra and see how much they show up.
Even if you don't think AI was used in the slightest or don't care, the fact of the matter is this book is over 900 pages, and it's because of how much the book goes into the weeds about every little detail. If you're okay with that and want a really long sapphic romance to dive into, then sure, maybe this is your jam. Just remember that nothing will be left to the imagination.
Here are a few (broken with spaces) links to see what I mean about the names:
reddit. com/r/DeepSeek/comments/1j8i4v5/who_the_hell_is_elena_voss_and_why_is_she/
reddit. com/r/ChatGPT/comments/1lyow8x/whats_the_deal_with_the_name_kael/
maxread.substack. com/p/who-is-elara-voss
Holy shit. A Voss?
I was thinking the same thing. It's the year 2026. Literally look up Elara/Elena Voss if you're not familiar with how much AI loves suggesting that as a name for anything sci fi related. We also get Cael/Kael, and even get a Lyra as a sector!
Now if it was just the names, then maybe lightning struck the same spot several times. And the writing doesn't read like blatant ChatGPT, so maybe it's all one huge coincidence... except there are still parts that have that read:
- A sound. Strange, electric. Something Katie couldn't identify.
- The second followed. Same grace. Same clean numbers.
- Charlie noticed something on her console. A flicker. Not a failure. A trend.
Which isn't damning on its own, but the other thing is the book gets really repetitive the way it does in AI writing. Literally in the prologue alone:
- Charlie took a deep breath.
- Katie took a deep breath.
- Charlie took a deep breath.
- Charlie took a breath.
- A deep breath.
- She took a big breath.
- Reyna closed her eyes, took a deep breath, ...
- She took a long breath.
- Reyna blew out a breath.
- Reyna blew out a breath for the umpteenth time today. (I bet you did)
- She breathed out hard enough that ...
- Reyna replied, taking a deep calming breath.
Okay I get it, we're breathing!
There's also lots of instances where characters notice the tiniest details, something AI likes doing:
- It was a small movement. Anyone across the room would have missed it. But with Charlie sitting right beside her, close enough to see the muscles along her jawline shift and hold, Charlie noticed.
Honestly, this reads like AI was used to help fill in gaps when the author got stuck. While it did have an editor so we don't know the original, there's real human writing here. Still, there's no way you're convincing me that Elena Voss, K/Cael and Lyra came up organically when AI loves loves LOVES these names and suggests it to everyone who outsources their thinking to it. Seriously, look up ChatGPT Elara/Elena Voss or Kael or Lyra and see how much they show up.
Even if you don't think AI was used in the slightest or don't care, the fact of the matter is this book is over 900 pages, and it's because of how much the book goes into the weeds about every little detail. If you're okay with that and want a really long sapphic romance to dive into, then sure, maybe this is your jam. Just remember that nothing will be left to the imagination.
Here are a few (broken with spaces) links to see what I mean about the names:
reddit. com/r/DeepSeek/comments/1j8i4v5/who_the_hell_is_elena_voss_and_why_is_she/
reddit. com/r/ChatGPT/comments/1lyow8x/whats_the_deal_with_the_name_kael/
maxread.substack. com/p/who-is-elara-voss
August 18, 2026
The first part/flashback part was curated in the most emotionally moving way that I couldn’t stop crying page after page. There’s only been a handful of books that elicited such strong reaction from me and this one took me by surprise.
The cast of characters were easy to love. The camaraderie, playfulness and friendship they built was truly heartwarming and relatable. Their quirks and personality were unique, funny and I loved getting to know each one.
Underneath all the adventure and noise was the romance. No doubt it was a slow burn situation and as one of the characters mentioned, “I have had a front-row seat to the single slowest thing I have ever witnessed in the history of this damn ship! Two people, both allegedly intelligent orbiting each other for months…”
My not so positive remark would be the protracted yearning. Personally, it went just a tad bit too drawn-out, it lost momentum when it mattered. It’s not to say it’s bad, it just missed that perfect timing and perfect balance of yearning and relief.
In summary, a memorable sci-fi sapphic novel that’s heavy on found family and showing up for the ones that matter in your life.
The cast of characters were easy to love. The camaraderie, playfulness and friendship they built was truly heartwarming and relatable. Their quirks and personality were unique, funny and I loved getting to know each one.
Underneath all the adventure and noise was the romance. No doubt it was a slow burn situation and as one of the characters mentioned, “I have had a front-row seat to the single slowest thing I have ever witnessed in the history of this damn ship! Two people, both allegedly intelligent orbiting each other for months…”
My not so positive remark would be the protracted yearning. Personally, it went just a tad bit too drawn-out, it lost momentum when it mattered. It’s not to say it’s bad, it just missed that perfect timing and perfect balance of yearning and relief.
In summary, a memorable sci-fi sapphic novel that’s heavy on found family and showing up for the ones that matter in your life.
August 2, 2026
I really wanted to like this. 😭 The cover gave me Paper Girls vibes and drew me in right away. I also think there are not enough stories about sapphics in space.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. My biggest issue was the pacing and editing- the book felt a lot longer than it needed to be because it repeated the same themes over and over. Sometimes paragraphs or phrases were literally repeated. And there were a noticeable amount of grammar and punctuation errors that pulled me out of it.
I had some issues with the world building, too. The aliens came across as too human, IMO- I kept noticing where they used phrases or referenced other concepts that I felt they’d have no way of knowing without having spent time on earth. I guess it could be explained away by the translator that Charlie wears, but the book never addresses it.
I found myself questioning things more than just getting lost in it, and when I have trouble suspending my disbelief (with reading sci-fi, in particular), it’s hard for me to stay invested.
Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me. My biggest issue was the pacing and editing- the book felt a lot longer than it needed to be because it repeated the same themes over and over. Sometimes paragraphs or phrases were literally repeated. And there were a noticeable amount of grammar and punctuation errors that pulled me out of it.
I had some issues with the world building, too. The aliens came across as too human, IMO- I kept noticing where they used phrases or referenced other concepts that I felt they’d have no way of knowing without having spent time on earth. I guess it could be explained away by the translator that Charlie wears, but the book never addresses it.
I found myself questioning things more than just getting lost in it, and when I have trouble suspending my disbelief (with reading sci-fi, in particular), it’s hard for me to stay invested.
July 30, 2026
A slow-burn sapphic romance that goes far deeper than its charming premise suggests. A good part of the story takes place on an interspecies animal rescue ship. Charlie Wickett — a stranded, endlessly capable engineer — and Captain Reyna Solas of the Emberkind make an achingly good pair, and Hale takes her time letting their connection build, which makes the payoff feel earned rather than rushed.
Beneath the found-family warmth and 1980s nostalgia (the author has great taste in music), Hale captures something true and difficult: what grief actually feels like, and how long and uneven the road through it can be. Charlie and Reyna aren’t just falling for each other, they’re both carrying loss, and the book never rushes or simplifies that process. It sits with the pain honestly.
What makes the story resonate, though, is what it builds around that grief. The Emberkind crew becomes a genuine chosen family, and Hale portrays that bond with real tenderness. It’s the kind of found family so many in the LGBT community know intimately, the people who show up and hold you together when you can’t do it alone. It’s that combination — real sorrow met with real belonging — that makes the eventual happily ever after feel so hard-won and so moving.
This is one of the best stories I’ve read. Brilliantly written. So grateful to the author for allowing me to be an ARC reader.
Beneath the found-family warmth and 1980s nostalgia (the author has great taste in music), Hale captures something true and difficult: what grief actually feels like, and how long and uneven the road through it can be. Charlie and Reyna aren’t just falling for each other, they’re both carrying loss, and the book never rushes or simplifies that process. It sits with the pain honestly.
What makes the story resonate, though, is what it builds around that grief. The Emberkind crew becomes a genuine chosen family, and Hale portrays that bond with real tenderness. It’s the kind of found family so many in the LGBT community know intimately, the people who show up and hold you together when you can’t do it alone. It’s that combination — real sorrow met with real belonging — that makes the eventual happily ever after feel so hard-won and so moving.
This is one of the best stories I’ve read. Brilliantly written. So grateful to the author for allowing me to be an ARC reader.
August 18, 2026
would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this epic book
and when i say epic it is quite an adventure....
i cant even tell you how i felt when charlie disappeared from her lab whilst on the phone to her sister katie aka kit kat ... just leaving a message for her
i wanted to know exactly what had happened to charlie but first i had to learn charlies and katie life and then... ohhh i am not going to give spoilers but man this book i couldnt put down i wanted to know what happened
the frustration i felt as i was reading i wanted right back to that moment when charlie disappeard but knew there was things i had to know before the storyline played out but omg
but my god those characters i met along this journey came alive... and i love how i was pulled into a storyline i was very interested in hoping that things would get better
at times i sat there crying ...its a very emotional book and that ending... i am so going to have words with that author...how dare she leave me like that.... but i am now invested enough that i cant wait for the next book in this series i mean after all i also cant wait to meet up with all those characters again...
and when i say epic it is quite an adventure....
i cant even tell you how i felt when charlie disappeared from her lab whilst on the phone to her sister katie aka kit kat ... just leaving a message for her
i wanted to know exactly what had happened to charlie but first i had to learn charlies and katie life and then... ohhh i am not going to give spoilers but man this book i couldnt put down i wanted to know what happened
the frustration i felt as i was reading i wanted right back to that moment when charlie disappeard but knew there was things i had to know before the storyline played out but omg
but my god those characters i met along this journey came alive... and i love how i was pulled into a storyline i was very interested in hoping that things would get better
at times i sat there crying ...its a very emotional book and that ending... i am so going to have words with that author...how dare she leave me like that.... but i am now invested enough that i cant wait for the next book in this series i mean after all i also cant wait to meet up with all those characters again...
September 14, 2026
(rounded up from 4.5)
The first part of this book made me cry a lot, so it's a strong start already. The rest is about found family, finding a place to belong, and falling in love while saving animals across the universe, so what's not to love?
I will say up front that as a heavy sci-fi reader, this is not quite hard sci-fi. There is a lot of hand-wavy science here, including the speech patterns of aliens being too familiar with humans. That said, this book has a ton of heart and the slowest-burn romance between a human engineer and alien space captain ever. That ending also has me hooked, and I need the next part of this ASAP.
I've been on a bit of a slump with romances, but this engaged me and did not let me go, so many kudos to the author for a compelling story full of characters that feel alive and organic enough to love, cry over, and root for. If you enjoy found family tropes, cozy alien stories, and slow burn sapphic romances, this is the book for you.
The first part of this book made me cry a lot, so it's a strong start already. The rest is about found family, finding a place to belong, and falling in love while saving animals across the universe, so what's not to love?
I will say up front that as a heavy sci-fi reader, this is not quite hard sci-fi. There is a lot of hand-wavy science here, including the speech patterns of aliens being too familiar with humans. That said, this book has a ton of heart and the slowest-burn romance between a human engineer and alien space captain ever. That ending also has me hooked, and I need the next part of this ASAP.
I've been on a bit of a slump with romances, but this engaged me and did not let me go, so many kudos to the author for a compelling story full of characters that feel alive and organic enough to love, cry over, and root for. If you enjoy found family tropes, cozy alien stories, and slow burn sapphic romances, this is the book for you.
August 20, 2026
Beautiful
Read this now!! Don’t worry about the page number, it’s worth it and you’ll never know cuz it’s smooth and beautifully written. Such great character development, it’s just sucks you so deep into the story you feel a part of everything. I can’t wait to see what the next book holds for me.
Read this now!! Don’t worry about the page number, it’s worth it and you’ll never know cuz it’s smooth and beautifully written. Such great character development, it’s just sucks you so deep into the story you feel a part of everything. I can’t wait to see what the next book holds for me.
August 21, 2026
1.5 stars rounded up. I really wanted to like this so for that basis, (and that I finished it) there’s an extra star. Overall this is really hard to recommend due to the unnecessary length, the literal repetition of sentences that were uttered a page previously, the typos, the grammar errors oh and for a starship full of aliens, they sure talk like Americans. Why would an alien starship captain ever exclaim, “Jesus, Charlie!” Or an alien engineer use baseball terminology like “strike 1”? This is a fan letter to Star Trek that I do appreciate but it was very poorly done. (And with the smell of AI assistance).
August 22, 2026
Well, shit.
Okay, first things first: this book is CHUNKY. But don't let that intimidate you. If anything, it's a blessing, because every page packs an emotional punch.
We jump straight into a prologue that leaves you desperate to know more, only for the book to take an unexpected turn and bring us right back to the beginning. Two beginnings, in fact. We get Charlie's story, and we get Reyna's story.
And as eager as I was to get back to the present day and see how their stories would eventually converge, it was this huge chunk of backstory that really set the precedent for everything that was to come. So much feeling, emotion and heartache is packed into these pages, and by the time we reached the present day, I was already completely invested and had teared up too many times to count.
I'm a fan of space, oldies music (I've seen Fleetwood Mac live FOUR times!), video games like Mass Effect, and sapphic slow burns, so honestly, it's like this book was tailor-made for me. Thanks, Elizabeth Hale!
But if you're a fan of any of those things, or if you simply enjoy epic stories filled with adventure, laughs, found family, sisterhood and grief, then you're in for one hell of a ride. And I highly recommend you take it.
I've already whacked Charlie's Playlist on and am eagerly waiting for more adventures from the Emberkind.
Okay, first things first: this book is CHUNKY. But don't let that intimidate you. If anything, it's a blessing, because every page packs an emotional punch.
We jump straight into a prologue that leaves you desperate to know more, only for the book to take an unexpected turn and bring us right back to the beginning. Two beginnings, in fact. We get Charlie's story, and we get Reyna's story.
And as eager as I was to get back to the present day and see how their stories would eventually converge, it was this huge chunk of backstory that really set the precedent for everything that was to come. So much feeling, emotion and heartache is packed into these pages, and by the time we reached the present day, I was already completely invested and had teared up too many times to count.
I'm a fan of space, oldies music (I've seen Fleetwood Mac live FOUR times!), video games like Mass Effect, and sapphic slow burns, so honestly, it's like this book was tailor-made for me. Thanks, Elizabeth Hale!
But if you're a fan of any of those things, or if you simply enjoy epic stories filled with adventure, laughs, found family, sisterhood and grief, then you're in for one hell of a ride. And I highly recommend you take it.
I've already whacked Charlie's Playlist on and am eagerly waiting for more adventures from the Emberkind.
August 18, 2026
Every Almost was a beautiful heart-wrenching slow-burn romance, that was also cozy. This story about healing, finding the people that see you, and finding love after grief and loss. The backstory for Charlie and Reyna goes deep; I've never gotten to know MCs so profoundly. The story takes it's time but every word is worth it as the story explores the found family of the Emberkind and slowly builds the supportive and tender relationship between Charlie and Reyna. Read this book if you're a fan of slow-burn sapphic romance, found family, and music.
August 9, 2026
Absolutely brilliant. It's a passionate love letter to Star Trek and old school rock music. Very funny, very touching, one of the best slow burns I've ever read (and I've read a lot of them!)). Also one of the best stories of sisters against the world and a family by choice in the weirdest but coziest place. In the end I was begging for the author to publish a sequel ASAP!
August 18, 2026
Wow
I absolutely loved this book.
I was picked up and dragged along by Charlie's life story and didn't want it to end. The set up for book 2 was brilliant and I can't wait to read Kit & Emma's journey to the Emberkind.
I absolutely loved this book.
I was picked up and dragged along by Charlie's life story and didn't want it to end. The set up for book 2 was brilliant and I can't wait to read Kit & Emma's journey to the Emberkind.
August 2, 2026
Never put it down
I really enjoyed this book. It’s emotionally complex yet funny in parts. Love the premise. Hope there is a sequel soon.
I really enjoyed this book. It’s emotionally complex yet funny in parts. Love the premise. Hope there is a sequel soon.
August 29, 2026
A fun and engaging sci-fi romance with an original storyline. I loved the mix of space adventure, humor, rescued alien animals, and the growing connection between Charlie and Reyna. A charming read with plenty of heart and imagination!
September 13, 2026
Fantastic
I absolutely adored this book. The slow burn was delicious, and the found family was charming. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
I absolutely adored this book. The slow burn was delicious, and the found family was charming. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
September 17, 2026
🌌 Some loves are with crossing the universe for.
Every Almost is a slow-burn sapphic romance set against the vastness of space and an endless horizon of stars.
And what a journey it is.
There are moments in this book when the pages grip you and turn your heart completely inside out. Hale does a fantastic job pulling you into the raw emotions of these characters as they navigate the unbearable, the impossible, and sometimes the completely surreal experiences of this thing called life.
At the heart of the story are Rey, captain of the spaceship, and Charlie, an engineer. The two find themselves carefully tiptoeing around an attraction neither saw coming, and both believe is impossible.
It’s a journey among the stars about finding your family—not necessarily the one you were born into, but the one you choose.
And it captures something I especially loved: the incredible gift of having a sister who is also your best friend. There is a different kind of love in that relationship. Someone who knows where you came from, understands the pieces of you that no one else quite can, and stands beside you when life becomes unrecognizable.
Against this enormous backdrop of planets, stars, and the infinite unknown, Hale tells a surprisingly intimate story about connection, friendship, family, and falling in love when you absolutely did not plan for it.
There is loss. There is fear. There are moments of incredible tenderness. And there are moments when life deals these characters a hand that seems damn near impossible to survive.
But they keep going.
And they find the people worth continuing the journey for.
Add Every Almost to your TBR. You won’t be disappointed.
But buckle in. This is a long read. 🚀
Hale asks you to settle in and take the journey with Rey, Charlie, and the people they find along the way rather than rushing toward the destination.
For me, it was worth every damn page.
And I, for one, cannot wait for Book 2. ❤️
Every Almost is a slow-burn sapphic romance set against the vastness of space and an endless horizon of stars.
And what a journey it is.
There are moments in this book when the pages grip you and turn your heart completely inside out. Hale does a fantastic job pulling you into the raw emotions of these characters as they navigate the unbearable, the impossible, and sometimes the completely surreal experiences of this thing called life.
At the heart of the story are Rey, captain of the spaceship, and Charlie, an engineer. The two find themselves carefully tiptoeing around an attraction neither saw coming, and both believe is impossible.
It’s a journey among the stars about finding your family—not necessarily the one you were born into, but the one you choose.
And it captures something I especially loved: the incredible gift of having a sister who is also your best friend. There is a different kind of love in that relationship. Someone who knows where you came from, understands the pieces of you that no one else quite can, and stands beside you when life becomes unrecognizable.
Against this enormous backdrop of planets, stars, and the infinite unknown, Hale tells a surprisingly intimate story about connection, friendship, family, and falling in love when you absolutely did not plan for it.
There is loss. There is fear. There are moments of incredible tenderness. And there are moments when life deals these characters a hand that seems damn near impossible to survive.
But they keep going.
And they find the people worth continuing the journey for.
Add Every Almost to your TBR. You won’t be disappointed.
But buckle in. This is a long read. 🚀
Hale asks you to settle in and take the journey with Rey, Charlie, and the people they find along the way rather than rushing toward the destination.
For me, it was worth every damn page.
And I, for one, cannot wait for Book 2. ❤️
September 13, 2026
Rating: 3.5
I enjoyed reading this book. It may have not been marketed well. It does have Sci-fi, which pulled me in, but very little tension, leading me to think it may be cozy.
The hit or miss for me was the characters and, with a few exceptions, they pulled me in. One character's arc was so perfect, it may as well been a musical composition. The author also decided to toss in humour to break up the tense moments and smooth out any character that seemed a little too much.
Now, onto my misses. Another character probably had an arc, but I was distracted by backstory and things going on too long. In my opinion, scenes could've be scrapped or cut shorter to make for a more pleasant reading experience.
There was one character I loved for the potential conflict he could bring in. Granted, he created a short burst of tension, but then he disappeared and was never mentioned again. This is just my opinion but a ship in space is only so big. There would be mention of him somewhere again.
Back to the positives, of which there are many. The description was nicely done. It made the "ordinary" appear beautiful through the characters' eyes.
Also, there was really good music mentioned. So, if you like retro music, Sci-fi vibes, and very little tension, this might be your next read.
*I got this book for free, but this opinion is my own*
I enjoyed reading this book. It may have not been marketed well. It does have Sci-fi, which pulled me in, but very little tension, leading me to think it may be cozy.
The hit or miss for me was the characters and, with a few exceptions, they pulled me in. One character's arc was so perfect, it may as well been a musical composition. The author also decided to toss in humour to break up the tense moments and smooth out any character that seemed a little too much.
Now, onto my misses. Another character probably had an arc, but I was distracted by backstory and things going on too long. In my opinion, scenes could've be scrapped or cut shorter to make for a more pleasant reading experience.
There was one character I loved for the potential conflict he could bring in. Granted, he created a short burst of tension, but then he disappeared and was never mentioned again. This is just my opinion but a ship in space is only so big. There would be mention of him somewhere again.
Back to the positives, of which there are many. The description was nicely done. It made the "ordinary" appear beautiful through the characters' eyes.
Also, there was really good music mentioned. So, if you like retro music, Sci-fi vibes, and very little tension, this might be your next read.
*I got this book for free, but this opinion is my own*
September 17, 2026
Every Almost by Elizabeth Hale is an ambitious, emotional, and engaging read. I loved how the length of the story allowed the characters to really develop, and I became genuinely invested in them. The found-family element was especially meaningful, even though it’s not usually a trope I seek out. The backstory also added significant emotional depth to the present-day adventure.
That said, the story occasionally felt too long and meandering, and the frequent flashbacks sometimes made the narrative feel disjointed. The editing also needs another pass, with repeated statements, awkward phrasing, punctuation issues, and word choices that sometimes felt out of place. The alien dialogue was particularly jarring because it relied heavily on modern colloquialisms.
Despite these issues, I really enjoyed this book. The characters and emotional journey kept me invested, and the setup for the next novel is fantastic. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
That said, the story occasionally felt too long and meandering, and the frequent flashbacks sometimes made the narrative feel disjointed. The editing also needs another pass, with repeated statements, awkward phrasing, punctuation issues, and word choices that sometimes felt out of place. The alien dialogue was particularly jarring because it relied heavily on modern colloquialisms.
Despite these issues, I really enjoyed this book. The characters and emotional journey kept me invested, and the setup for the next novel is fantastic. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
September 2, 2026
Despite feeling like something was left out of the author’s note about the title, Every Almost, being fucking literal; I sure as hell recommend buying and reading this book. Even after the crying and the anger because not only is a beautifulsci-fi FF slow burn romance but it’s the best kind that makes you FEEL and in my case, actually breaks a 20 year cycle of not being able to sit and read a paper book. This book wouldn’t be nearly so frustrating if you didn’t quickly grow to LOVE the characters and not just the main characters either.
July 31, 2026
I FUCKING LOVED THIS BOOK. Definitely in my top 5 books for the year!!!! You were not kidding for the slowburnnn but god dammmmmn it was so good! Loved the whole character and world development. TAVI!!!! Literally so all so amazing! Chosen family 😭 I couldn’t put this book down! I can’t wait to see what happens next! Loved the music and the vibes throughout the book!
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