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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.
746 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 28, 2026
About the author
Elizabeth Hale
1 book37 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 - 30 of 32 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
October 20, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | 🌶️🌶️🌶️ 3/5
Read if you like: sapphic slow burns, sci-fi romance, found family, richly developed supporting characters, emotional intimacy, and love stories where the little things mean everything
Review:
I loved this book. I was also incredibly frustrated by this book. And somehow, both of those things can be true.
The amount of time Hale spends showing us who these characters are is significant, and it pays off. The supporting cast practically jumps off the page. You grow to love their quirks and appreciate how each distinct personality rounds out this unfamiliar world so beautifully. Hale commits to telling both Charlie and Reyna's stories fully before we ever get to see how they converge, and she does it incredibly well. As a reader, you can't help but anticipate the inevitable.
The other side of that coin is that Hale's attention to every moment occasionally comes at the expense of momentum. There were stretches, especially with our two main characters, where I felt like I was reading variations of the same conversation or emotional realization multiple times. I think Hale could trust the strength of her own character development a little more and give readers the space to infer what she's already established so well.
It's a difficult criticism to make because I don't want my personal preference for pacing to suggest that I could put this book down. I couldn't.
Part of why I felt, for lack of a better term, edged by this story was that the chemistry between Charlie and Reyna was so palpable. It was driving me insane to wait as long as I did for them to finally indulge in it. And even when they began sharing and acting on their feelings, the momentum was frequently interrupted by conversations that felt unnecessary or repetitive. There's a fine line between a slow burn that builds anticipation and one that starts to lose its payoff, and Hale walked that line like a tightrope. The payoff was there, and it was satisfying, but after spending so much of the book waiting for these two to find their way to each other, I wanted more time to actually enjoy them together before the story shifted toward setting up the next book.
My spice rating is a three from a logistical standpoint, but if I were rating it based on how spicy it actually made me feel? Probably a one. The chemistry was absolutely there, but the constant interruptions made it difficult to stay immersed in those moments. I spent so much time anticipating the physical side of their relationship that when it finally happened, I wanted the story to let me sit with it a little longer.
But to circle back to what I loved, this story is unique, full, and incredibly wholesome. Hale has created a world and a cast of characters that I genuinely want to spend more time with. I loved the lead-in to the next book, and I really hope we get to see more of the supporting cast's journeys take center stage.
What impressed me most was how Hale developed Charlie and Reyna as two distinct puzzle pieces that eventually fit together perfectly, though not necessarily in the way I expected. So much of this story is about language and communication, and how barriers can be overcome when something needs to be expressed.
Mixtapes, the Cutlass, warm dinners and a table to be welcomed at, voxlinks, playlists, phone calls, the humming of the ship, birthday parties, sitting in silence, cortisol levels, holding colors. All of these became proclamations of love without anyone having to say the words.
And that's what stayed with me most. Love existed everywhere in this story, expressed in different ways by characters who were all, in one way or another, searching for belonging, purpose, family, and someone who understood them. 740 pages was no simple feat, but throw a sequel in front of me, and I am sat.
Thank you to Elizabeth Hale, Ember Poppy Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Read if you like: sapphic slow burns, sci-fi romance, found family, richly developed supporting characters, emotional intimacy, and love stories where the little things mean everything
Review:
I loved this book. I was also incredibly frustrated by this book. And somehow, both of those things can be true.
The amount of time Hale spends showing us who these characters are is significant, and it pays off. The supporting cast practically jumps off the page. You grow to love their quirks and appreciate how each distinct personality rounds out this unfamiliar world so beautifully. Hale commits to telling both Charlie and Reyna's stories fully before we ever get to see how they converge, and she does it incredibly well. As a reader, you can't help but anticipate the inevitable.
The other side of that coin is that Hale's attention to every moment occasionally comes at the expense of momentum. There were stretches, especially with our two main characters, where I felt like I was reading variations of the same conversation or emotional realization multiple times. I think Hale could trust the strength of her own character development a little more and give readers the space to infer what she's already established so well.
It's a difficult criticism to make because I don't want my personal preference for pacing to suggest that I could put this book down. I couldn't.
Part of why I felt, for lack of a better term, edged by this story was that the chemistry between Charlie and Reyna was so palpable. It was driving me insane to wait as long as I did for them to finally indulge in it. And even when they began sharing and acting on their feelings, the momentum was frequently interrupted by conversations that felt unnecessary or repetitive. There's a fine line between a slow burn that builds anticipation and one that starts to lose its payoff, and Hale walked that line like a tightrope. The payoff was there, and it was satisfying, but after spending so much of the book waiting for these two to find their way to each other, I wanted more time to actually enjoy them together before the story shifted toward setting up the next book.
My spice rating is a three from a logistical standpoint, but if I were rating it based on how spicy it actually made me feel? Probably a one. The chemistry was absolutely there, but the constant interruptions made it difficult to stay immersed in those moments. I spent so much time anticipating the physical side of their relationship that when it finally happened, I wanted the story to let me sit with it a little longer.
But to circle back to what I loved, this story is unique, full, and incredibly wholesome. Hale has created a world and a cast of characters that I genuinely want to spend more time with. I loved the lead-in to the next book, and I really hope we get to see more of the supporting cast's journeys take center stage.
What impressed me most was how Hale developed Charlie and Reyna as two distinct puzzle pieces that eventually fit together perfectly, though not necessarily in the way I expected. So much of this story is about language and communication, and how barriers can be overcome when something needs to be expressed.
Mixtapes, the Cutlass, warm dinners and a table to be welcomed at, voxlinks, playlists, phone calls, the humming of the ship, birthday parties, sitting in silence, cortisol levels, holding colors. All of these became proclamations of love without anyone having to say the words.
And that's what stayed with me most. Love existed everywhere in this story, expressed in different ways by characters who were all, in one way or another, searching for belonging, purpose, family, and someone who understood them. 740 pages was no simple feat, but throw a sequel in front of me, and I am sat.
Thank you to Elizabeth Hale, Ember Poppy Publishing, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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.
October 26, 2026
Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book.
I had to dnf this book at 20%. I could not get over the constant repetition of this person took a breathe or a deep breathe. I was tired of the excess and was thinking okay I hope they are breathing and I get it. They are breathing but can we move on? I also could not stand the big time jumps. I felt like I needed to have a chronology of period of time that passed from one chapter to the next and it was distracting. Overall, this book was not for me. The pacing was off and I could use a heavy edit for the repetition that adds nothing to the story.
I had to dnf this book at 20%. I could not get over the constant repetition of this person took a breathe or a deep breathe. I was tired of the excess and was thinking okay I hope they are breathing and I get it. They are breathing but can we move on? I also could not stand the big time jumps. I felt like I needed to have a chronology of period of time that passed from one chapter to the next and it was distracting. Overall, this book was not for me. The pacing was off and I could use a heavy edit for the repetition that adds nothing to the story.
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.
October 24, 2026
Everything, Just Everything! 💜
I loved this book so much. ❤️ The playlist, the side characters, the epic love story, absolutely everything. I loved how much the story had to offer, how the characters made it feel like a whole world of its own, and how everything came together to create something that felt so much bigger than just a love story.
I’m struggling to put into words just how much I loved it, but sometimes a book just gets you.
Every Almost was everything, and I loved every second of it.
I loved this book so much. ❤️ The playlist, the side characters, the epic love story, absolutely everything. I loved how much the story had to offer, how the characters made it feel like a whole world of its own, and how everything came together to create something that felt so much bigger than just a love story.
I’m struggling to put into words just how much I loved it, but sometimes a book just gets you.
Every Almost was everything, and I loved every second of it.
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...
October 17, 2026
I received this book from the author as an ARC read. The review provided is my own and presented with my own personal thoughts on the book.
Wow. Hale has definitely hit a home run with her first novel and all I can say is please write Book 2 faster. I cannot wait for the next installment. What a cliffhanger but I cannot wait to see how it develops in Book 2. The world building, the characters, the details in this book are amazing. I love Charlie and Reyna and Katie and the rest of the characters are all so lovable. I honestly cannot say enough about this book. The slow burn romance, ughhh. Full disclosure, this is not usually the type of book that I read. Sci-Fi is usually a bit much for me. Not with Hale’s book. This book sold me and I can’t wait for the next one. I cannot recommend enough for you to read this book. Love, love, love this book and just found a new author that’s definitely worth following. Read it, it’s so worth it.
Wow. Hale has definitely hit a home run with her first novel and all I can say is please write Book 2 faster. I cannot wait for the next installment. What a cliffhanger but I cannot wait to see how it develops in Book 2. The world building, the characters, the details in this book are amazing. I love Charlie and Reyna and Katie and the rest of the characters are all so lovable. I honestly cannot say enough about this book. The slow burn romance, ughhh. Full disclosure, this is not usually the type of book that I read. Sci-Fi is usually a bit much for me. Not with Hale’s book. This book sold me and I can’t wait for the next one. I cannot recommend enough for you to read this book. Love, love, love this book and just found a new author that’s definitely worth following. Read it, it’s so worth it.
October 16, 2026
I wasnt exactly sure what to expect when I got into this, I knew it was a longer read but well I still burned through it in only a week haha.
Every Almost made me feel all the feels and I cried more than once reading it, once Id started I was hooked its very very slow burn but Charlie and Reyna are so cute and the found family message of the book is just <3
When I finally reached the end all I can say is - The Epilogue! I need the second book now
Every Almost made me feel all the feels and I cried more than once reading it, once Id started I was hooked its very very slow burn but Charlie and Reyna are so cute and the found family message of the book is just <3
When I finally reached the end all I can say is - The Epilogue! I need the second book now
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.
October 13, 2026
Beware, this review contains spoilers
Let me say it: this is a fantastic found family Saga and a fucking amazing epic Space Opera. Oh, and an INCREDIBLE slothburn (yes, sloth, not slow) romance between sky and Earth.
Three families for two brave, compassionate, fierce women. Well, one of them is also an arrogant, stubborn royal pain in the ass. The other one is the Captain of Emberkind CV-0417, an interstellar spaceship. Once a “hot potato” cargo ship that the space Coalition tried to get rid of, then the best rescue vessel for animals in the Universe.
Where and when do I begin?
From Earth, 1960-1990, a place and a time we all know. With Charlie Wickett, born on 3rd October 1960 to fix everything that is broken. At six years old she meets her newborn sister, Katie (aka Kit-Kat) Wickett and they’ll become inseparable. We see them grow up, build a bond stronger than steel, become kindred and gentle spirits, seeing each other for what they truly are (smart and loving creatures), even if their parents, Ed and Diana, are the apotheosis of absence.
How does Charlie fix this void? By fixing a car, obviously. Soooo… meet Helen and Frank Beckman, the neighbors with a problematic 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass, who become the loving parents that Ed and Diana aren’t. Frank and Helen, married for over 50 years and childless, “adopt” Charlie and Katie by giving them love, care and support. From an Indiana garage in Shelbyville in 1974 to Los Angeles, first CalTech, then UCLA. FOUND FAMILY NUMBER ONE.
This family journey is so beautiful, so meaningful, so true. And when a 25yo Charlie confesses to Ed and Diana that she’s gay (yes, she’s hidden it for a long, long time, but Katie has known for ages) and they reject her, and Katie sadly says “She’s your daughter” and “You’ve never seen Charlie for who she really is. Someone extraordinary” and asks Charlie “Can I move to California with you?”, choosing her sister over their parents, my heart broke. How could parents reject a daughter for being gay? How? “Let them go” is the only and last thing Diana says to her daughters. But Helen and Frank? No, her true family loved and supported Charlie despite her being gay… “Frank would have thought of you being gay in no other way than just being another part of. And she loved you through and through”. Yes, Frank is dead but still a loving parent from the stars. And so, finally, Charlie and Katie put into words what their actions have been saying for a long time. That Helen is their mother and Frank their father. I was bawling my eyes out. And then Helen got sick (fucking cancer) and died, and her last words to Charlie were “Charlie Wickett, the smartest woman I’ve ever known. You never stop reaching for the stars beyond that barrier. You hear me?”.
So much love till the end and how prophetic. Because nearly a month after Helen’s death, on New Year’s Day 1990, engineer Charlie Wickett, freshly hired by JPL Lab, fiddles with some strange debris barehanded and gets herself aboard Emberkind CV-0417, 40 light-years from JPL Lab, from Pasadena, California, from Earth, from her sister. “Take life far”, Frank said once and Charlie did.
And then (or meanwhile) where does the story go? Through the stars, into space and beyond, to Novahall Academy, Concordia, Coalition Cycle 476-500. So, into unknown and uncharted territory.
Here is Reyna Solas, a Kaelari orphan, a young cadet at Novahall Academy. Let me say it: what a genius the author is, giving us a species, the Kaelari people, who express their emotions and feelings through skin markings that glow depending on their emotional state. You’d think “Wow, finally we’ll see people clearly expressing their emotions and feelings!”. You’re so, so wrong! Because from a young age Kaelari people learn TO HOLD a baseline color, emotionless and expressionless. So Reyna Solas has held gold (her baseline color) since childhood, holding gold throughout all the bad and the good that life has thrown in her face. What a way to communicate, yeah? And mind you, Kaelari people don’t talk about their color markings; it’s a private and intimate matter.
Luckily for Reyna, Elena Voss, Kaelari “royalty”, and Jerel (Jere) Nox’Thelan Carrothi, a Qorrathi man, sit at Reyna’s table on their very first night at Novahall Academy and the three of them become friends, more than friends, a family. FOUND FAMILY NUMBER TWO.
They complete their training and start their space adventures. Elena as Captain of CMS Emberkind CV-0416, Reyna as her Operations Officer, and Jere as Animal Specialist… elsewhere. Till the three of them make a dream come true, transforming a cargo ship into a rescue vessel and becoming its core. Years pass, from one mission to another, until Elena Voss, in Cycle 487, goes Missing In Action. Her PERS device (Personal Emergency Retrieval System, a personal trinket able to bring every crew member back to the Emberkind in case of emergency) doesn’t work during a mission and she goes MIA. Funny thing (not so funny) is, Elena’s PERS device is a simple fork, a gift from Reyna. And Reyna, First Mate aboard Emberkind, has to stop the search party and declare her best friend MIA.
And ten months later, her best friend Jere finds his soulmate on Earth, a non-contact Planet, and cuts all ties with Reyna, Emberkind, and the Coalition. And before all those losses, Reyna “watched Vessi go, she felt that specific absence of presence she had become fond no longer being there.”.
So Reyna “was a woman who had lost her captain, her best friend, and the closest she’d ever had to a partner in the realm of a single year. And her mind and body decided, somewhere beneath the level of conscious thought, that the safest number of people to let into her heart from here on out was zero”, holding gold all along.
But then New Year’s Day happened and Charlie and Reyna face off in Emberkind’s galley. A human being meets a bunch of aliens and the magic happens. The first contact is perfect, as is the way Reyna builds a safe place where Charlie can trust her and the Emberkind crew. And so… FOUND FAMILY NUMBER THREE happens.
Charlie builds a home on Emberkind thanks to Tavi, Maren, Orion and Borran. Add to it Dr. Kess Pheras (Reyna’s best friend), Selowen and Torvax and you’ve got a very happy, very alienly, very funny found family. With an expiration date because Charlie wants to come home to Katie, and the Coalition promises she will. In six months.
And where does Captain Reyna Solas stand in all of it? Oh, her stress and cortisol levels have decreased since the day Charlie stepped aboard Emberkind. But she’s keeping her walls up, do you remember? She doesn’t want to let anybody into her heart, not after all the grief she has endured. She holds gold. SHE.HOLDS.GOLD. Even if Charlie is special, precious, smart, caring. Even if on her birthday, Charlie sings to her “Songbird” (Fleetwood Mac). Because Charlie often can’t find the words to express her feelings, and so she speaks through her beloved music. What do you think Reyna means when she sends “Heroes” (David Bowie) to Charlie’s playlist? A song Charlie had said this about: “If that’s not love, I don’t know what is”. Where do they come from this point? You have to read it.
EVERY ALMOST, the debut novel by Mrs. Elizabeth Hale, is a wonderful story about sisterhood, friendship, family bonds, self-awareness, grief, healing, discovery, love and MUSIC and so much more. With impressive world building, beautifully crafted by Mrs. Elizabeth Hale. And a lot of good MUSIC. Have I already said it? Not to mention two wonderful FMCs and a cast full of very interesting, well developed side characters.
I admit, while writing this review, I’m listening to “Charlie Mixtape”, so go and get the playlist from EH’s website, you’ll thanks me later. And Tavi? Your love for Led Zeppelin is so much appreciated!
It is not a flawless book (no book is flawless imho), maybe a cut or two, here and there, but I enjoyed EVERY ALMOST page. Even when I found out that Dr. Kess Pheras monitors every vital sign of every single crew member!
I’m biased, I know it, this is not a review, it’s a love letter.
One last thing: “Early is on time and on time is late” is my motto. Thank Frank for teaching it to Charlie.
And do you know what else is in the sky? Book II. I’m looking for it!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and OMFG, this book has been one of the best reads of this year! What a wonderful surprise! Please, read it!
Let me say it: this is a fantastic found family Saga and a fucking amazing epic Space Opera. Oh, and an INCREDIBLE slothburn (yes, sloth, not slow) romance between sky and Earth.
Three families for two brave, compassionate, fierce women. Well, one of them is also an arrogant, stubborn royal pain in the ass. The other one is the Captain of Emberkind CV-0417, an interstellar spaceship. Once a “hot potato” cargo ship that the space Coalition tried to get rid of, then the best rescue vessel for animals in the Universe.
Where and when do I begin?
From Earth, 1960-1990, a place and a time we all know. With Charlie Wickett, born on 3rd October 1960 to fix everything that is broken. At six years old she meets her newborn sister, Katie (aka Kit-Kat) Wickett and they’ll become inseparable. We see them grow up, build a bond stronger than steel, become kindred and gentle spirits, seeing each other for what they truly are (smart and loving creatures), even if their parents, Ed and Diana, are the apotheosis of absence.
How does Charlie fix this void? By fixing a car, obviously. Soooo… meet Helen and Frank Beckman, the neighbors with a problematic 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass, who become the loving parents that Ed and Diana aren’t. Frank and Helen, married for over 50 years and childless, “adopt” Charlie and Katie by giving them love, care and support. From an Indiana garage in Shelbyville in 1974 to Los Angeles, first CalTech, then UCLA. FOUND FAMILY NUMBER ONE.
This family journey is so beautiful, so meaningful, so true. And when a 25yo Charlie confesses to Ed and Diana that she’s gay (yes, she’s hidden it for a long, long time, but Katie has known for ages) and they reject her, and Katie sadly says “She’s your daughter” and “You’ve never seen Charlie for who she really is. Someone extraordinary” and asks Charlie “Can I move to California with you?”, choosing her sister over their parents, my heart broke. How could parents reject a daughter for being gay? How? “Let them go” is the only and last thing Diana says to her daughters. But Helen and Frank? No, her true family loved and supported Charlie despite her being gay… “Frank would have thought of you being gay in no other way than just being another part of. And she loved you through and through”. Yes, Frank is dead but still a loving parent from the stars. And so, finally, Charlie and Katie put into words what their actions have been saying for a long time. That Helen is their mother and Frank their father. I was bawling my eyes out. And then Helen got sick (fucking cancer) and died, and her last words to Charlie were “Charlie Wickett, the smartest woman I’ve ever known. You never stop reaching for the stars beyond that barrier. You hear me?”.
So much love till the end and how prophetic. Because nearly a month after Helen’s death, on New Year’s Day 1990, engineer Charlie Wickett, freshly hired by JPL Lab, fiddles with some strange debris barehanded and gets herself aboard Emberkind CV-0417, 40 light-years from JPL Lab, from Pasadena, California, from Earth, from her sister. “Take life far”, Frank said once and Charlie did.
And then (or meanwhile) where does the story go? Through the stars, into space and beyond, to Novahall Academy, Concordia, Coalition Cycle 476-500. So, into unknown and uncharted territory.
Here is Reyna Solas, a Kaelari orphan, a young cadet at Novahall Academy. Let me say it: what a genius the author is, giving us a species, the Kaelari people, who express their emotions and feelings through skin markings that glow depending on their emotional state. You’d think “Wow, finally we’ll see people clearly expressing their emotions and feelings!”. You’re so, so wrong! Because from a young age Kaelari people learn TO HOLD a baseline color, emotionless and expressionless. So Reyna Solas has held gold (her baseline color) since childhood, holding gold throughout all the bad and the good that life has thrown in her face. What a way to communicate, yeah? And mind you, Kaelari people don’t talk about their color markings; it’s a private and intimate matter.
Luckily for Reyna, Elena Voss, Kaelari “royalty”, and Jerel (Jere) Nox’Thelan Carrothi, a Qorrathi man, sit at Reyna’s table on their very first night at Novahall Academy and the three of them become friends, more than friends, a family. FOUND FAMILY NUMBER TWO.
They complete their training and start their space adventures. Elena as Captain of CMS Emberkind CV-0416, Reyna as her Operations Officer, and Jere as Animal Specialist… elsewhere. Till the three of them make a dream come true, transforming a cargo ship into a rescue vessel and becoming its core. Years pass, from one mission to another, until Elena Voss, in Cycle 487, goes Missing In Action. Her PERS device (Personal Emergency Retrieval System, a personal trinket able to bring every crew member back to the Emberkind in case of emergency) doesn’t work during a mission and she goes MIA. Funny thing (not so funny) is, Elena’s PERS device is a simple fork, a gift from Reyna. And Reyna, First Mate aboard Emberkind, has to stop the search party and declare her best friend MIA.
And ten months later, her best friend Jere finds his soulmate on Earth, a non-contact Planet, and cuts all ties with Reyna, Emberkind, and the Coalition. And before all those losses, Reyna “watched Vessi go, she felt that specific absence of presence she had become fond no longer being there.”.
So Reyna “was a woman who had lost her captain, her best friend, and the closest she’d ever had to a partner in the realm of a single year. And her mind and body decided, somewhere beneath the level of conscious thought, that the safest number of people to let into her heart from here on out was zero”, holding gold all along.
But then New Year’s Day happened and Charlie and Reyna face off in Emberkind’s galley. A human being meets a bunch of aliens and the magic happens. The first contact is perfect, as is the way Reyna builds a safe place where Charlie can trust her and the Emberkind crew. And so… FOUND FAMILY NUMBER THREE happens.
Charlie builds a home on Emberkind thanks to Tavi, Maren, Orion and Borran. Add to it Dr. Kess Pheras (Reyna’s best friend), Selowen and Torvax and you’ve got a very happy, very alienly, very funny found family. With an expiration date because Charlie wants to come home to Katie, and the Coalition promises she will. In six months.
And where does Captain Reyna Solas stand in all of it? Oh, her stress and cortisol levels have decreased since the day Charlie stepped aboard Emberkind. But she’s keeping her walls up, do you remember? She doesn’t want to let anybody into her heart, not after all the grief she has endured. She holds gold. SHE.HOLDS.GOLD. Even if Charlie is special, precious, smart, caring. Even if on her birthday, Charlie sings to her “Songbird” (Fleetwood Mac). Because Charlie often can’t find the words to express her feelings, and so she speaks through her beloved music. What do you think Reyna means when she sends “Heroes” (David Bowie) to Charlie’s playlist? A song Charlie had said this about: “If that’s not love, I don’t know what is”. Where do they come from this point? You have to read it.
EVERY ALMOST, the debut novel by Mrs. Elizabeth Hale, is a wonderful story about sisterhood, friendship, family bonds, self-awareness, grief, healing, discovery, love and MUSIC and so much more. With impressive world building, beautifully crafted by Mrs. Elizabeth Hale. And a lot of good MUSIC. Have I already said it? Not to mention two wonderful FMCs and a cast full of very interesting, well developed side characters.
I admit, while writing this review, I’m listening to “Charlie Mixtape”, so go and get the playlist from EH’s website, you’ll thanks me later. And Tavi? Your love for Led Zeppelin is so much appreciated!
It is not a flawless book (no book is flawless imho), maybe a cut or two, here and there, but I enjoyed EVERY ALMOST page. Even when I found out that Dr. Kess Pheras monitors every vital sign of every single crew member!
I’m biased, I know it, this is not a review, it’s a love letter.
One last thing: “Early is on time and on time is late” is my motto. Thank Frank for teaching it to Charlie.
And do you know what else is in the sky? Book II. I’m looking for it!
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and OMFG, this book has been one of the best reads of this year! What a wonderful surprise! Please, read it!
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.
August 21, 2026
1.5 stars and look, I don’t have to round anymore. 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.
October 20, 2026
EVERY ALMOST
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Charlie, a NASA engineer from 1990, has an accident at work resulting in her being transported across the universe by a piece of alien technology. She winds up on the Emberkind - a Confederation spacecraft with the sole mission of rescuing and transporting animals in need. With six months before she can return to Earth, Charlie becomes a member of the crew in her own right: helping pull off impossible rescues, bonding with the crew, and becoming closer to the Emberkind's captain.
The best thing about this book is its strong emotional heart. I came into it expecting a romance, but I came out with so much more - including multiple wonderful found families.
The first part of the book, chronicling Charlie and Reyna's lives up until the present day, was in my opinion the strongest section. Charlie's story in particular was very emotionally resonant, and did have me in tears a couple of times.
It was a smidge too slow for my taste at times, particularly in the middle portion. Sometimes a couple of those scenes felt a bit repetitive.
But the ending was so worth it, and I cannot wait to see what the sequel has in store for Charlie, Reyna, and everyone else!
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Charlie, a NASA engineer from 1990, has an accident at work resulting in her being transported across the universe by a piece of alien technology. She winds up on the Emberkind - a Confederation spacecraft with the sole mission of rescuing and transporting animals in need. With six months before she can return to Earth, Charlie becomes a member of the crew in her own right: helping pull off impossible rescues, bonding with the crew, and becoming closer to the Emberkind's captain.
The best thing about this book is its strong emotional heart. I came into it expecting a romance, but I came out with so much more - including multiple wonderful found families.
The first part of the book, chronicling Charlie and Reyna's lives up until the present day, was in my opinion the strongest section. Charlie's story in particular was very emotionally resonant, and did have me in tears a couple of times.
It was a smidge too slow for my taste at times, particularly in the middle portion. Sometimes a couple of those scenes felt a bit repetitive.
But the ending was so worth it, and I cannot wait to see what the sequel has in store for Charlie, Reyna, and everyone else!
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.
October 4, 2026
If you are a fan of Star Trek and romance novels this is your next book. If you just like space and love this is absolutely the place for you. Love NASA and unexpected journeys? Pick this up! Don't let the 700 pages scare you, they go by so fast!
I was engaged from the very first chapter. I could not wait to read more once I finished it. Every theme in this book was pleasing and it all fit together like a puzzle piece.
This book had a decent mix of science and romance that it can draw science fiction readers in to enjoy.
I loved how the theme of chosen family comes up so often in this book. Its something I could relate to whole heartedly. Ive not read a story like this in quite some time and it reignited my love for reading.
The characters definitely seemed inspired and I could gather pretty quickly that the Author has watched a good amount of Star Trek. This was done in a way that made it easier for me to picture the side characters and understand them a bit more. Very tasteful!
The only thing that bothered me in the slightest and I mean slightest, was how freaking slow the romance was. It kept me reading so it was very well done. I was so impatient for it to come full circle! I loved this about this book. Romance novels sometimes do this impossibly fast but this one? Definitely felt more realistic.
The imagery was absolutely beautiful.
I CAN NOT WAIT for the next installment!
I was engaged from the very first chapter. I could not wait to read more once I finished it. Every theme in this book was pleasing and it all fit together like a puzzle piece.
This book had a decent mix of science and romance that it can draw science fiction readers in to enjoy.
I loved how the theme of chosen family comes up so often in this book. Its something I could relate to whole heartedly. Ive not read a story like this in quite some time and it reignited my love for reading.
The characters definitely seemed inspired and I could gather pretty quickly that the Author has watched a good amount of Star Trek. This was done in a way that made it easier for me to picture the side characters and understand them a bit more. Very tasteful!
The only thing that bothered me in the slightest and I mean slightest, was how freaking slow the romance was. It kept me reading so it was very well done. I was so impatient for it to come full circle! I loved this about this book. Romance novels sometimes do this impossibly fast but this one? Definitely felt more realistic.
The imagery was absolutely beautiful.
I CAN NOT WAIT for the next installment!
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.
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 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.
October 31, 2026
I'll be the first to admit I don't typically read romance novels. This one caught my interest because it seemed like a character and story driven one as opposed to just romance.
I was right. I enjoyed the characters immensely and devoured the book in just three days which is rare for me. Having said that.
My problems with this book are the same I have with many romance novels. It's fluff and feel good. The prose isn't high quality, a few times I caught aliens using a term they wouldn't know to use. The writing was fine. Not terrible just not what I'm used to.
But all in all, I did really enjoy the characters. And I love the idea of a crew in space that just goes around rescuing animals. Also loved the switching viewpoints.
This will never be a favorite book, but I'm also going to make it a point to read it again someday, and read the next book when it's out.
Good first book from a new writer. And I cannot emphasize enough how much I appreciate that the romance was interwoven with an overarching story instead of just being the focal point. Makes it easier for people like me to give it a chance. :)
I was right. I enjoyed the characters immensely and devoured the book in just three days which is rare for me. Having said that.
My problems with this book are the same I have with many romance novels. It's fluff and feel good. The prose isn't high quality, a few times I caught aliens using a term they wouldn't know to use. The writing was fine. Not terrible just not what I'm used to.
But all in all, I did really enjoy the characters. And I love the idea of a crew in space that just goes around rescuing animals. Also loved the switching viewpoints.
This will never be a favorite book, but I'm also going to make it a point to read it again someday, and read the next book when it's out.
Good first book from a new writer. And I cannot emphasize enough how much I appreciate that the romance was interwoven with an overarching story instead of just being the focal point. Makes it easier for people like me to give it a chance. :)
November 10, 2026
one of the most beautiful things I’ve read this year
How to put how this made me feel into words… I’m not sure I can. From the exquisitely crafted backstory that had tears rolling down my face, to one of the most tender and compassionate love stories I’ve ever read, this is a book for the ages. Perfectly timeless.
How to put how this made me feel into words… I’m not sure I can. From the exquisitely crafted backstory that had tears rolling down my face, to one of the most tender and compassionate love stories I’ve ever read, this is a book for the ages. Perfectly timeless.
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!
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