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A Complicated Love Story Set in Space
Black Mirror meets What If It’s Us in this gripping, romantic, and wildly surprising novel about two boys lost in space trying to find their way home—while falling in love—from the critically acclaimed author of We Are the Ants.
When Noa closes his eyes on Earth and wakes up on a spaceship called Qriosity just as it’s about to explode, he’s pretty sure things can’t get much weirder.
Boy is he wrong.
Trapped aboard Qriosity are also DJ and Jenny, neither of whom remember how they got onboard the ship. Together, the three face all the dangers of space, along with murder, aliens, a school dance, and one really, really bad day. But none of this can prepare Noa for the biggest challenge—falling in love. And as Noa’s feelings for DJ deepen, he has to contend not just with the challenges of the present, but also with his memories of the past.
However, nothing is what it seems on Qriosity, and the truth will upend all of their lives forever.
Love is complicated enough without also trying to stay alive.
When Noa closes his eyes on Earth and wakes up on a spaceship called Qriosity just as it’s about to explode, he’s pretty sure things can’t get much weirder.
Boy is he wrong.
Trapped aboard Qriosity are also DJ and Jenny, neither of whom remember how they got onboard the ship. Together, the three face all the dangers of space, along with murder, aliens, a school dance, and one really, really bad day. But none of this can prepare Noa for the biggest challenge—falling in love. And as Noa’s feelings for DJ deepen, he has to contend not just with the challenges of the present, but also with his memories of the past.
However, nothing is what it seems on Qriosity, and the truth will upend all of their lives forever.
Love is complicated enough without also trying to stay alive.
452 pages, Hardcover
First published January 19, 2021
133 people are currently reading
8856 people want to read
About the author
Shaun David Hutchinson
30 books5,023 followersShaun is a major geek and all about nerdy shenanigans. He is the author of many queer books for young adults. Find out more information at shaundavidhutchinson.com. He currently lives in Seattle and watches way too much Doctor Who.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 831 reviews
February 8, 2021
I haven't rated one of my own books in a while (though I somehow accidentally rated it 3 stars at one point), but this book is incredibly special to me. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Gays in Space are here!
Want to read
July 19, 2020Shaun can write a book about ham and I'll read it.
Never stop writing. Your books makes me feel a little more alive every day.
Never stop writing. Your books makes me feel a little more alive every day.
February 20, 2021
2.5 stars
This one was hard to rate. While I liked the writing and there were some elements that I enjoyed, including one very pleasant surprise, I can't say I enjoyed the story as a whole. I can safely say that it's me and not the book. I didn't know what to expect going in and when the story finally started to unfold, it turned out to be something I personally don't care reading about.
I liked DJ and Jenny was ok, but I still don't know how I feel about Noa. While I was reading this, I was constantly going back and forth between liking him and finding him annoying. Also, not sure if the author is planning to write a sequel to this story, but I was hoping for more closure for the characters.
The audiobook was really good. I loved that all the characters had distinct voices and personalities.
This one was hard to rate. While I liked the writing and there were some elements that I enjoyed, including one very pleasant surprise, I can't say I enjoyed the story as a whole. I can safely say that it's me and not the book. I didn't know what to expect going in and when the story finally started to unfold, it turned out to be something I personally don't care reading about.
I liked DJ and Jenny was ok, but I still don't know how I feel about Noa. While I was reading this, I was constantly going back and forth between liking him and finding him annoying. Also, not sure if the author is planning to write a sequel to this story, but I was hoping for more closure for the characters.
The audiobook was really good. I loved that all the characters had distinct voices and personalities.
November 20, 2021
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH. that was amazing. i have no words because i don't want to give anything away!!!!!! i have not been this invested in a book in a while. the plot twist had me staring into space for 5 minutes because i couldn't believe it and then i went back in my mind recounting all the little breadcrumbs that were left throughout and i'm just so impressed and blown away with this book and so moved by it. the talent!!!!!!! i am getting tired thinking about all the work it probably took to plot this. i do not have enough good things to say about this. i'm in complete awe. gobsmacked!
January 27, 2021
Ingenious, hysterical, hilarious, and laughing out loud. Confusing, complex, and intriguing. Sad at times. SDH is back!
First of all, I want to compliment Shaun and the publisher for the trigger warnings at the beginning of the book: this is how it should be done!!! Just a minor detail to make it even better: why not put small trigger warnings in the blurb? This way, people can decide if they want to buy the book when they get triggered easily.
As I said, SDH is back! I love the way he blends his stories with Sci-Fi/paranormal (or whatever you call them) elements, continuously leaving the reader guessing if it’s real or not. I’m not a regular Sci-Fi reader, but I crave stories like this. And this begins just like an ordinary Sci-Fi story while it isn’t. But don’t expect to get an answer soon about why Noa, DJ, and Jenny end up in a spaceship. Just dive into the story and enjoy the hysteria, the fun, the fast pacing, the friendship between the three, the themes SDH explores and of course the blossoming love between Noa & DJ:
I had been born with a broken heart, and Billy had shattered the pieces into tiny fragments, but DJ seemed determined to put it back together. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I laughed so many times; the story was so witty and quirky. And I had so much fun when I found out Shaun gave fellow authors a minor role! But there’s much more to this story than only fun and banter. You just need to read on and on, and please do not DNF. I know you’ll be thinking at times: Huh? What the hell? Do I have the wrong printed version? OMG what happened? And look at the chapter numbers at the same time 😂. The plot twists at the end of the story are just brilliant! When I read SDH books, I’d like to highlight so much! Noa never has inner peace: If there’s nothing after this, then nothing matters. And if nothing matters, then what the hell is the point of everything? I want to say so much about this story, but I can’t without giving too much away. When I read a book I like, I start googling in between, and look what I found on Shaun’s Twitter: ‘Maybe I can tell more of Noa, DJ, and Jenny’s story someday.’ So, Shaun, will you write a sequel??
I had been born with a broken heart, and Billy had shattered the pieces into tiny fragments, but DJ seemed determined to put it back together. This book kept me on the edge of my seat, and I laughed so many times; the story was so witty and quirky. And I had so much fun when I found out Shaun gave fellow authors a minor role! But there’s much more to this story than only fun and banter. You just need to read on and on, and please do not DNF. I know you’ll be thinking at times: Huh? What the hell? Do I have the wrong printed version? OMG what happened? And look at the chapter numbers at the same time 😂. The plot twists at the end of the story are just brilliant! When I read SDH books, I’d like to highlight so much! Noa never has inner peace: If there’s nothing after this, then nothing matters. And if nothing matters, then what the hell is the point of everything? I want to say so much about this story, but I can’t without giving too much away. When I read a book I like, I start googling in between, and look what I found on Shaun’s Twitter: ‘Maybe I can tell more of Noa, DJ, and Jenny’s story someday.’ So, Shaun, will you write a sequel??
June 5, 2022
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Although I enjoyed the premise of this one, it kind of lost me halfway through. A Complicated Love Story Set in Space follows Noa, an American teenager, who one day just opens his eyes to find himself in space. On the spaceship, named Qriosity, with him are two other teens, DJ and Jenny. I thought that this would be more a mystery, possibly even a murder mystery, but the story is more intent on exploring Noa's state of mind. Not knowing why they woke up in this empty spaceship and what will happen to them Noa, DJ, and Jenny all find different ways of occupying themselves. Noa himself understandably does not cope well with the situation. As he spirals into depression he finds comfort in the presence of DJ. Alas, DJ's kindness and selflessness are also a source of discomfort to Noa who after a particularly bad relationship (his ex is a real piece of merda) does not trust others easily.
The action sort of picks up towards the end but prior to that there are many weird events that felt rather superficially explored. A few interesting threads (the murder, the alien) have little to no impact and a lot of the 'action' happens off-page.
The 'truth' behind the Qriosity and our characters' circumstances left me a wee bit disappointed. While I do appreciate the author's message it just didn't work for me. The few answers we get are rushed and I was left wanting a more in-depth explanation. The story is, as the title suggests, a love story. The relationship between Noa and DJ, although certainly sweet, wasn't particularlycomplex'. Perhaps this is because the characters themselves weren't very layered. Noa is kind of typical. His angst and selfishness, however, understandable given the situation he was in and his past, were a source of frustration. While I recognize that DJ and Jenny call him out on his behavior, his actions and thoughts were still irritating. It would have been nice to have DJ's or Jenny's pov as they end up being very one-dimensional. Jenny is the classic female secondary character who appears in YA m/m romances. She's strong-willed and a feminist...and that's about it.
Still, why this novel did not hit me in 'the feels' like Hutchinson 's At the Edge of the Universe, I am sure that YA aficionados will find it more A Complicated Love Story Set in Space more rewarding than I did.
Although I enjoyed the premise of this one, it kind of lost me halfway through. A Complicated Love Story Set in Space follows Noa, an American teenager, who one day just opens his eyes to find himself in space. On the spaceship, named Qriosity, with him are two other teens, DJ and Jenny. I thought that this would be more a mystery, possibly even a murder mystery, but the story is more intent on exploring Noa's state of mind. Not knowing why they woke up in this empty spaceship and what will happen to them Noa, DJ, and Jenny all find different ways of occupying themselves. Noa himself understandably does not cope well with the situation. As he spirals into depression he finds comfort in the presence of DJ. Alas, DJ's kindness and selflessness are also a source of discomfort to Noa who after a particularly bad relationship (his ex is a real piece of merda) does not trust others easily.
The action sort of picks up towards the end but prior to that there are many weird events that felt rather superficially explored. A few interesting threads (the murder, the alien) have little to no impact and a lot of the 'action' happens off-page.
The 'truth' behind the Qriosity and our characters' circumstances left me a wee bit disappointed. While I do appreciate the author's message it just didn't work for me. The few answers we get are rushed and I was left wanting a more in-depth explanation. The story is, as the title suggests, a love story. The relationship between Noa and DJ, although certainly sweet, wasn't particularlycomplex'. Perhaps this is because the characters themselves weren't very layered. Noa is kind of typical. His angst and selfishness, however, understandable given the situation he was in and his past, were a source of frustration. While I recognize that DJ and Jenny call him out on his behavior, his actions and thoughts were still irritating. It would have been nice to have DJ's or Jenny's pov as they end up being very one-dimensional. Jenny is the classic female secondary character who appears in YA m/m romances. She's strong-willed and a feminist...and that's about it.
Still, why this novel did not hit me in 'the feels' like Hutchinson 's At the Edge of the Universe, I am sure that YA aficionados will find it more A Complicated Love Story Set in Space more rewarding than I did.
September 16, 2020
Hutchinson is truly the only person who can write the perfect scifi-realism blend that he does, and with every book he knocks it out of the park. His latest novel, aptly nicknamed "Gays in Space", completely blew me out of the water and into the void of the cosmos. Three teenagers (and a holographic celebrity guide) are alone on a space ship with no idea how they got there-- our narrator Noa only remembers the awful day he had on Earth before waking up to his new life on board the Qriosity. What may at first seem like a typical space story gradually morphs into something far more mindblowing and intricate that I don't want to spoil. Shaun, you've done it again! A Complicated Love Story Set in Space is truly a masterfully executed voyage of true love that spans beyond memory and reality.
dnf
April 5, 2022The POV MC is a brat. The girl is a fool. The other boy is probably intended to be "the nice one." But most importantly, what they all are is boring.
In a last-ditch attempt to stave off a DNF, I read some reviews and peeked at spoilers. And oh, hey, apparently there's an interesting twist awaiting! Okay, fine, I'm glad I learned that by cheating rather than by forcing myself to keep reading.
Do you like in-jokes? This book has one:
Ha.
Ha.
Okay, probably I'm just cranky and difficult to please. Ignore me. DNF @ 16%.
In a last-ditch attempt to stave off a DNF, I read some reviews and peeked at spoilers. And oh, hey, apparently there's an interesting twist awaiting! Okay, fine, I'm glad I learned that by cheating rather than by forcing myself to keep reading.
Do you like in-jokes? This book has one:
I attempted to pry open the container belonging to J. Winters... I looked around the room and read off the names on the other containers. "A. London, C. Dietrich, P. Stamper, R. Douglass, A. Sass, K. Jackson, C. Roehrig."
Ha.
Ha.
Okay, probably I'm just cranky and difficult to please. Ignore me. DNF @ 16%.
March 4, 2023
2023 review:
This story doesn't hold up well to a re-read I found, it was so fun when I had no idea what would happen next, but this time round I did find the first half a little tedious to get through, and the second crammed a bit too much in.
I also found DJ insufferable. He's very full on with Noa very fast, and I could almost feel his expectation for Noa to like him back, and while Noa did seem to find DJ attractive, he clearly felt pressured by DJ's attention.
-------------------------------
2021 review:
This book proved to me that if I just trust my instincts and pick the most out-there, bizarre, messed up story, I will be rewarded with a book so gripping I sat down and read two thirds of it in one go. And this book is nearly 500 pages long.
My favourite style of Doctor Who story is what I call the 'Flat Pack Spaceship', where the Doctor and companion/s find a spaceship, and extremely strange goings on to solve. This follows the same idea, swapping the Doctor out for a gay teenager.
This book kept me guessing, trying to work out how Noa, DJ and Jenny ended up travelling from Earth to suddenly appear on a space ship, and I doubt anyone could guess what was going on. It just seemed to get crazier and crazier and I was fully on board for the ride.
Combining dark humour, unpredictable events around every corner, an annoyingly perky hologram and more Nutreesh bars that a space ship should be able to hold, this story questions what makes us human, with a romance that broke my heart over and over.
This story doesn't hold up well to a re-read I found, it was so fun when I had no idea what would happen next, but this time round I did find the first half a little tedious to get through, and the second crammed a bit too much in.
I also found DJ insufferable. He's very full on with Noa very fast, and I could almost feel his expectation for Noa to like him back, and while Noa did seem to find DJ attractive, he clearly felt pressured by DJ's attention.
-------------------------------
2021 review:
This book proved to me that if I just trust my instincts and pick the most out-there, bizarre, messed up story, I will be rewarded with a book so gripping I sat down and read two thirds of it in one go. And this book is nearly 500 pages long.
My favourite style of Doctor Who story is what I call the 'Flat Pack Spaceship', where the Doctor and companion/s find a spaceship, and extremely strange goings on to solve. This follows the same idea, swapping the Doctor out for a gay teenager.
This book kept me guessing, trying to work out how Noa, DJ and Jenny ended up travelling from Earth to suddenly appear on a space ship, and I doubt anyone could guess what was going on. It just seemed to get crazier and crazier and I was fully on board for the ride.
Combining dark humour, unpredictable events around every corner, an annoyingly perky hologram and more Nutreesh bars that a space ship should be able to hold, this story questions what makes us human, with a romance that broke my heart over and over.
April 14, 2021
For some reason I've been intimidated by Shaun David Hutchinson's books, specifically We Are the Ants. So even though I own them, I haven't picked them up. Until I read The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried and absolutely fell in love with it. After A Complicated Love Story Set in Space, reading all of Hutchinson's backlog has become a priority.
I'm not afraid to admit the reason I picked up A Complicated Love Story Set in Space, was because of its cover. I love it, it's perfection. I was lucky enough for the inside to be just as good as its packaging.
A Complicated Love Story Set in Space follows three teenagers who wake up trapped on the spaceship Qriosity, with no knowledge of how they got there.
Jenny takes it upon herself to solve the mystery. We don't get her perspective, but I loved seeing her going around the ship and actually determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. It made the world seem lived in, even though there's literally on three people on the ship.
We follow Noa and his burgeoning relationship with DJ. We get to see how the shadow of their lives back on earth affect how they feel and live on the spaceship. Working through their trauma both together and individually, they make such an amazing couple.
There's honestly so much more to the story that I want to gush about, but they're spoilers. Just know there's so much more here than the synopsis gives, and that my review gives, that makes this book iconic.
I love these gays in space
I'm not afraid to admit the reason I picked up A Complicated Love Story Set in Space, was because of its cover. I love it, it's perfection. I was lucky enough for the inside to be just as good as its packaging.
A Complicated Love Story Set in Space follows three teenagers who wake up trapped on the spaceship Qriosity, with no knowledge of how they got there.
Jenny takes it upon herself to solve the mystery. We don't get her perspective, but I loved seeing her going around the ship and actually determined to get to the bottom of the mystery. It made the world seem lived in, even though there's literally on three people on the ship.
We follow Noa and his burgeoning relationship with DJ. We get to see how the shadow of their lives back on earth affect how they feel and live on the spaceship. Working through their trauma both together and individually, they make such an amazing couple.
There's honestly so much more to the story that I want to gush about, but they're spoilers. Just know there's so much more here than the synopsis gives, and that my review gives, that makes this book iconic.
January 29, 2021
Thank you netgalley and Simon and Schuster for providing an ARC of A Complicated Love story set in Space by Shaun David Hutchinson for an honest review.
This book had everything. Action, mystery, love and friendship. It even caught me off guard and went in a place I never seen coming and things happen that I never seen coming. Shaun David Hutchinson is a wonderful writer with wonderful stories. This story is diffently one I would have to reread to catch the things I've missed or to see how I missed what was going to happen.
This book had everything. Action, mystery, love and friendship. It even caught me off guard and went in a place I never seen coming and things happen that I never seen coming. Shaun David Hutchinson is a wonderful writer with wonderful stories. This story is diffently one I would have to reread to catch the things I've missed or to see how I missed what was going to happen.
March 2, 2021
Oh, yeah.
FUCK yes.
I can’t believe I just did that....
I CAN’T BELIEVE I JUST DID THAT.
I read the tire book in ONE sitting. It’s 450 pages and I have homework to do.
But oh god, it felt SO good. It has been a long time since I sat down and just read, not realizing what page I was in or how long it was until the next chapter. Shaun David Hutchinson has that power, he writes in a way where I don’t realize I’m reading, I just fly through his 400 pages books in four hours.
So, this book.... it was a surprise, I’m not gonna lie. The first hundred and fifty/two hundred pages I was hooked because I wanted to know what the heck was going on. In classic Shaun David Hutchinson fashion, we got a lot of discussions about love and life and why does it matter. Honestly, I liked it, as I always do, but depressed, moody, anxious teen is a face that I’m moving on with to be a depressed, moody, anxious college student.
Which yeah, is almost the same, but caring less about whether love is real or just chemicals and more being like “whatever, it is what it is”. Still, those discussions were the reason I fell in love with his previous books and this one, even though I didn’t connect as much as I did before, was no exception, even if I did feel a little more disconnected from the plot. And I understood Noa, but I was also tired of his attitude because JESUS. But I know I wouldn’t have fared much better, so whatever.
But oh god, we got half way through and I’m really mad I can’t say why, but Shaun David Hutchinson blew it out of the water. It was genius and weird and hilarious and so on point. THE COMMENTARY, my people, was outstanding. And I loved the second half in its entirety. It talked about something I’m very passionate and interested about, but discussing why I loved what he did would be spoiling the best thing about this book, and why would you want to know the mystery? It’s more fun to enjoy the ride and let the author unravel things for you slowly.
So, is this a new favorite? Mmmm, though question, it’s not a five star book, but I’m so glad I read it and I would definitely recommend it.
FUCK yes.
I can’t believe I just did that....
I CAN’T BELIEVE I JUST DID THAT.
I read the tire book in ONE sitting. It’s 450 pages and I have homework to do.
But oh god, it felt SO good. It has been a long time since I sat down and just read, not realizing what page I was in or how long it was until the next chapter. Shaun David Hutchinson has that power, he writes in a way where I don’t realize I’m reading, I just fly through his 400 pages books in four hours.
So, this book.... it was a surprise, I’m not gonna lie. The first hundred and fifty/two hundred pages I was hooked because I wanted to know what the heck was going on. In classic Shaun David Hutchinson fashion, we got a lot of discussions about love and life and why does it matter. Honestly, I liked it, as I always do, but depressed, moody, anxious teen is a face that I’m moving on with to be a depressed, moody, anxious college student.
Which yeah, is almost the same, but caring less about whether love is real or just chemicals and more being like “whatever, it is what it is”. Still, those discussions were the reason I fell in love with his previous books and this one, even though I didn’t connect as much as I did before, was no exception, even if I did feel a little more disconnected from the plot. And I understood Noa, but I was also tired of his attitude because JESUS. But I know I wouldn’t have fared much better, so whatever.
But oh god, we got half way through and I’m really mad I can’t say why, but Shaun David Hutchinson blew it out of the water. It was genius and weird and hilarious and so on point. THE COMMENTARY, my people, was outstanding. And I loved the second half in its entirety. It talked about something I’m very passionate and interested about, but discussing why I loved what he did would be spoiling the best thing about this book, and why would you want to know the mystery? It’s more fun to enjoy the ride and let the author unravel things for you slowly.
So, is this a new favorite? Mmmm, though question, it’s not a five star book, but I’m so glad I read it and I would definitely recommend it.
October 30, 2021
GET READY TO BE SURPRISED AND AMAZED!
The premise of this book had me invested right from the beginning, but it was the onslaught of twists that held me captivated all the way through. Lots of action, some cute romance and a b*ttload of surprises made this a really interesting and engaging read.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Plot: I was completely sold on this plot right from the start. Noa wakes up in space, seemingly alone, with no recollection of how he got there. It was a well crafted, engaging plot with a nice evolvement and pace.
Twists: Imagine a YA version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Everything you don't expect to happen is exactly what is going to happen. You never really know what to expect, and that is so exciting to read!
Romance: Noa and DJ are the cutest! They compliment each other so well. DJ was patient and persistent without being creepy. Noa was hesitant but slowly came out of his shell. They just seemed like a perfect fit for each other.
👎 What I Didn't Like 👎
Jenny: There was only one thing I didn't like about this book. Jenny was an interesting character, but she was sadly under-used. She was absent from the storyline much of the time and didn't really get her due. I wanted her to play a bigger part in the overall plot.
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The premise of this book had me invested right from the beginning, but it was the onslaught of twists that held me captivated all the way through. Lots of action, some cute romance and a b*ttload of surprises made this a really interesting and engaging read.
👍 What I Liked 👍
Plot: I was completely sold on this plot right from the start. Noa wakes up in space, seemingly alone, with no recollection of how he got there. It was a well crafted, engaging plot with a nice evolvement and pace.
Twists: Imagine a YA version of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Everything you don't expect to happen is exactly what is going to happen. You never really know what to expect, and that is so exciting to read!
Romance: Noa and DJ are the cutest! They compliment each other so well. DJ was patient and persistent without being creepy. Noa was hesitant but slowly came out of his shell. They just seemed like a perfect fit for each other.
👎 What I Didn't Like 👎
Jenny: There was only one thing I didn't like about this book. Jenny was an interesting character, but she was sadly under-used. She was absent from the storyline much of the time and didn't really get her due. I wanted her to play a bigger part in the overall plot.
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February 14, 2025
Alien meets Truman Show meets... Kingdom Hearts 2? Huh, that's wild.
April 5, 2024
I don't know if my review got deleted or if I made a mistake but here it is again:
When I first saw this book in the bookstore, I immediately got excited. As a gay who loves space, what’s better than reading a book about gays in space?
Well... a lot of other things in this case.
Up until halfway through the book, the main character irritated me endlessly. I get the unlikable main character appeal, and I also subscribe to that trope, but up until halfway through the entire book? That’s too much time spent with a selfish, judgemental and extremely unreasonable character to start caring about him. And then we’re supposed to believe that the love interest is madly in love with him? I’m not flexible enough to make that stretch
As a consequence, I did not care much about what happened to him, or the story. Furthermore, sometimes the events in the story happened so fast after one another that in one page, things could turn around three times. I know it’s a story about people chilling in space, but that also seemed too unrealistic, or worse: silly, for me. So much so that I actually considered dropping this book.
BUT THEN I DIDN’T
It was mainly because this book was incredibly fast to read. The layout is pleasant and spacious, which made reading very easy. I’m glad I kept reading because literally the chapters after I wanted to quit, things became interesting again.
The last third of the book actually explains a lot of the unrealistic events that happen throughout the rest of the book. However, for me it was too late. The story idea is certainly unique and interesting, but I was spread too thin to care when it finally came to light.
It could very well be that this is my realisation that YA fiction just doesn’t give me the depth of story that I now prefer, which is not the book’s fault. Nevertheless, this is my goodreads account and I will rate books the way I please.
If you want to read better gays in space read Ocean's Echo by Everina Maxwell or A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
When I first saw this book in the bookstore, I immediately got excited. As a gay who loves space, what’s better than reading a book about gays in space?
Well... a lot of other things in this case.
Up until halfway through the book, the main character irritated me endlessly. I get the unlikable main character appeal, and I also subscribe to that trope, but up until halfway through the entire book? That’s too much time spent with a selfish, judgemental and extremely unreasonable character to start caring about him. And then we’re supposed to believe that the love interest is madly in love with him? I’m not flexible enough to make that stretch
As a consequence, I did not care much about what happened to him, or the story. Furthermore, sometimes the events in the story happened so fast after one another that in one page, things could turn around three times. I know it’s a story about people chilling in space, but that also seemed too unrealistic, or worse: silly, for me. So much so that I actually considered dropping this book.
BUT THEN I DIDN’T
It was mainly because this book was incredibly fast to read. The layout is pleasant and spacious, which made reading very easy. I’m glad I kept reading because literally the chapters after I wanted to quit, things became interesting again.
The last third of the book actually explains a lot of the unrealistic events that happen throughout the rest of the book. However, for me it was too late. The story idea is certainly unique and interesting, but I was spread too thin to care when it finally came to light.
It could very well be that this is my realisation that YA fiction just doesn’t give me the depth of story that I now prefer, which is not the book’s fault. Nevertheless, this is my goodreads account and I will rate books the way I please.
If you want to read better gays in space read Ocean's Echo by Everina Maxwell or A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine
March 1, 2021
DNF 15%
Хорошее: читаемый язык, экшн с первой главы, простая фантастика и немного удачных шуток.
Плохое:
Все вертится вокруг героя, а он, к сожалению, тряпка-истеричка и ноет каждые пять секунд.
Можно было бы назвать это глубоким психологизмом депресии etc etc, но я вижу только пафосные цитатки школоты, истерики по поводу футболки не того цвета и развитие персонажа в духе "они упали в койку и все заверте".
Короче, я пас, но если вы хотите ванильно-пафосных геев, то можно попробовать.
Хорошее: читаемый язык, экшн с первой главы, простая фантастика и немного удачных шуток.
Плохое:
Все вертится вокруг героя, а он, к сожалению, тряпка-истеричка и ноет каждые пять секунд.
Можно было бы назвать это глубоким психологизмом депресии etc etc, но я вижу только пафосные цитатки школоты, истерики по поводу футболки не того цвета и развитие персонажа в духе "они упали в койку и все заверте".
Короче, я пас, но если вы хотите ванильно-пафосных геев, то можно попробовать.
March 7, 2021
🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫 (five stars as rated in Nutreesh, Earth's favorite nutritional meal substitution bar and a proud subsidiary of Gleeson Foods)
How did a group of teenagers wind up alone on a spaceship a million miles from earth AND how in the heck are they ever going to get home? Also, what's with the annoying hologram that won't leave them alone and why does she resemble B-list child actor Jenny Perez? Somebody knows what's going on here. After all, somebody did this to them! And that somebody is going to get punched RIGHT in the face just as soon as Noa, Jenny and Dj can figure out who exactly that face-punch deserving somebody is...
Listen, it's hard for me to find sci-fi that doesn't make me want to hurl. This is probably my fault for reading unobjectively bad sci-fi. BUT ANYWAY, holy smokes, y'all! This book was a ride! It really is like reading a season of
"I know we've never properly met, so you've got no reason to believe me, but I think you're wrong about love. Love isn't war. Life is the war; love is a truce you find in the middle of all that violence. And I bet there's someone out there who loves you, even if you don't know them yet."
✨ Rep in this book: gay protagonist, queer characters, LGBTQ+
✨ Content warnings for this book: rape, sexual assault, gun violence, kidnapping, memory manipulation, gas-lighting, brainwashing, death of a partner, violence
February 7, 2023
CW: sexuelle Gewalt, Gaslighting, Gewalt, Tod/Trauer
🌌🚀
Keine Ahnung, wann ich zum letzten Mal so begeistert von einem Buch war und einfach nicht wollte, dass es zuende geht.
In "A Complicated Love Story Set In Space" geht es um Noa, der plötzlich außerhalb eines Raumschiffs aufwacht und keine Ahnung hat, wie er dort hingekommen ist. Auf diesem Raumschiff befinden sich außerdem noch DJ und Jenny und zu dritt müssen sie dem Geheimnis dieses Raumschiffs auf den Grund gehen.
Selten habe ich ein Buch gelesen, das mich so in seinen Bann gezogen hat. Die Story steckt voller Plottwists, ist rasant wie eine Achterbahnfahrt und in die Charaktere verliebt man sich sofort.
Obwohl dies bereits mein sechstes Buch des Autoren ist, überrascht er mich immer wieder mit seinen außergewöhnlichen Ideen und liebenswerten Figuren. Absolutes Highlight!
🌌🚀
Keine Ahnung, wann ich zum letzten Mal so begeistert von einem Buch war und einfach nicht wollte, dass es zuende geht.
In "A Complicated Love Story Set In Space" geht es um Noa, der plötzlich außerhalb eines Raumschiffs aufwacht und keine Ahnung hat, wie er dort hingekommen ist. Auf diesem Raumschiff befinden sich außerdem noch DJ und Jenny und zu dritt müssen sie dem Geheimnis dieses Raumschiffs auf den Grund gehen.
Selten habe ich ein Buch gelesen, das mich so in seinen Bann gezogen hat. Die Story steckt voller Plottwists, ist rasant wie eine Achterbahnfahrt und in die Charaktere verliebt man sich sofort.
Obwohl dies bereits mein sechstes Buch des Autoren ist, überrascht er mich immer wieder mit seinen außergewöhnlichen Ideen und liebenswerten Figuren. Absolutes Highlight!
February 3, 2021
it would have been a better book if Noa wasn’t such an ✨insufferable✨ character (but like only marginally better)
August 28, 2021
"Well, memories are just stories we tell ourselves to make sense of the past, so don’t let that one memory become the only story you tell about yourself. Who we were isn’t who we are; it doesn’t limit who we can be."
(My review in English is below the Spanish one, just scroll down).
4.5 ⭐
Español: Gays en el espacio ¿tengo que decir algo más? No lo creo. Ay, este libro fue tremendo viaje.
En A Complicated Love Story Set in Space seguimos la historia de Noa y DJ, dos chicos de 16 años que un día despiertan en medio del espacio sin razón aparente en una nave llamada Qriosity (gran nombre) a punto de estallar (gran trama ngl). Noa despierta fuera de la nave con un traje espacial, y DJ está dentro junto al reactor a punto de explotar. Trabajando juntos logran evitar un desastre y se dan cuenta que no están solos en la nave, sino que hay una chica con ellos, Jenny. Entre los tres van a intentar descubrir que hacen en el espacio y si hay una manera de volver a casa.
Los personajes. La relación entre Noa y DJ mantiene el libro a flote desde el principio, es que son tan lindos me muero. DJ es todo esta masita de inseguridades que me recuerda mucho a Nick de Heartstopper, y Noa es este chico sarcástico a más no poder con un pasado triste y un trauma en la espalda que te hace empatizar con el mucho. Que Noa odie a DJ al principio es tan lindo. Solo quería seguir leyendo para verlo caer tontito por DJ. DJ se preocupa por todos y quiere ayudar a todos y es que NECESITO ABRAZARLO no puedo. Jenny es genial, es super cool y carismática. Da muchos momentos memorables y es un muy buen personaje con una gran personalidad.
Es que este libro es tan caótico. Pasan tantas cosas seguidas que si no te estás riendo estás super preocupado por los chicos. Es que ni siquiera me esperaba el plot twist, que creo que es INCREÍBLE. Probablemente muchos de ustedes lo vean venir desde mucho antes, pero a mi me tomó por sorpresa y todo lo que siguió del libro me lo devoré en una sentada. Una vez te enganchas con esta trama no hay vuelta atrás.
Que el libro incluya un trigger warning de abuso sexual antes de comenzar el libro te deja muy en claro lo mucho que le importa a Shaun los temas que trata en sus libros. Que incluso cuando son temas fuertes es respetuoso y busca la manera de que te deje una buena enseñanza y no te sientas incómodo leyéndolos dándote a personajes bastante entrañables.
Creo que este libro tiene muchas cosas geniales y lo recomiendo bastante. Es una historia con una crisis existencialista y una relación muy bonita y entrañable, junto con una trama rara, caótica y graciosa a partes iguales. Si no han leído nada de Shaun, no sé que están esperando. Eso es todo.
English: Gays in space. Do I have to say anything else? I don't think so. Omg, this book was such a wild ride (pun very much intended).
In A Complicated Love Story Set in Space we follow the story of Noa and DJ, two sixteen-year-olds who one day wake up in outer space without any explanation in a ship called Qriosity (great name btw) that is about to explode (great plot ngl). Noa wakes up outside of the ship with a spacesuit on, and DJ is inside with the reactor that's going to explode. Working together they avoid their terrible destiny just to know that they're not alone inside the ship, there's a girl with them, Jenny. The three of them work together to find out why the heck they are in space and if there's a way to go back home.
The characters. Noa and DJ's relationship is what keeps this book so good from the beginning, they're so cute I'll die. DJ is this insecure little dough and the way he cares for Noa reminds me a lot of Nick from Heartstopper, and Noa is this sarcastic guy with a sad past and shell build around himself due to trauma that makes you empathize a lot with him. Noa hating DJ at first is just so cute help. I just wanted to keep reading to see how he was going to fall for him. Dj worries a lot about everyone and always wants to help and I JUST NEED TO HUG HIM I can't. Jenny is great, she's so cool and charismatic. She gives a lot of memorable moments. She is a good character with a great personality.
This book is so chaotic. Many things happen one after another. If you are not laughing you are super worried about them. I didn't even see that plot twist coming (I'm stupid, you guys know that), and I found it AMAZING. Probably many of you would see it coming way before me. It was so surprising and I devoured the rest of the book after it in one sit. Once you are hooked with that plot there's not going back.
This book has a trigger warning of sexual assault before it starts, and shows you how much Shaun cares about the story he's telling in his books. Even when they are tough topics, he treats them respectfully and finds a way to teach you something and he tries not to make you uncomfortable reading them, giving you endearing characters.
I think this book has so many great things and I recommend it to you guys so much. It's a story with an existential crisis and a super cute and heartwarming relationship with a weird, chaotic, and funny plot. If you haven't read Shaun David Hutchinson's books I don't know what you're waiting for. That's all, stay tuned.
(My review in English is below the Spanish one, just scroll down).
4.5 ⭐
Español: Gays en el espacio ¿tengo que decir algo más? No lo creo. Ay, este libro fue tremendo viaje.
En A Complicated Love Story Set in Space seguimos la historia de Noa y DJ, dos chicos de 16 años que un día despiertan en medio del espacio sin razón aparente en una nave llamada Qriosity (gran nombre) a punto de estallar (gran trama ngl). Noa despierta fuera de la nave con un traje espacial, y DJ está dentro junto al reactor a punto de explotar. Trabajando juntos logran evitar un desastre y se dan cuenta que no están solos en la nave, sino que hay una chica con ellos, Jenny. Entre los tres van a intentar descubrir que hacen en el espacio y si hay una manera de volver a casa.
Los personajes. La relación entre Noa y DJ mantiene el libro a flote desde el principio, es que son tan lindos me muero. DJ es todo esta masita de inseguridades que me recuerda mucho a Nick de Heartstopper, y Noa es este chico sarcástico a más no poder con un pasado triste y un trauma en la espalda que te hace empatizar con el mucho. Que Noa odie a DJ al principio es tan lindo. Solo quería seguir leyendo para verlo caer tontito por DJ. DJ se preocupa por todos y quiere ayudar a todos y es que NECESITO ABRAZARLO no puedo. Jenny es genial, es super cool y carismática. Da muchos momentos memorables y es un muy buen personaje con una gran personalidad.
Es que este libro es tan caótico. Pasan tantas cosas seguidas que si no te estás riendo estás super preocupado por los chicos. Es que ni siquiera me esperaba el plot twist, que creo que es INCREÍBLE. Probablemente muchos de ustedes lo vean venir desde mucho antes, pero a mi me tomó por sorpresa y todo lo que siguió del libro me lo devoré en una sentada. Una vez te enganchas con esta trama no hay vuelta atrás.
Que el libro incluya un trigger warning de abuso sexual antes de comenzar el libro te deja muy en claro lo mucho que le importa a Shaun los temas que trata en sus libros. Que incluso cuando son temas fuertes es respetuoso y busca la manera de que te deje una buena enseñanza y no te sientas incómodo leyéndolos dándote a personajes bastante entrañables.
Creo que este libro tiene muchas cosas geniales y lo recomiendo bastante. Es una historia con una crisis existencialista y una relación muy bonita y entrañable, junto con una trama rara, caótica y graciosa a partes iguales. Si no han leído nada de Shaun, no sé que están esperando. Eso es todo.
English: Gays in space. Do I have to say anything else? I don't think so. Omg, this book was such a wild ride (pun very much intended).
In A Complicated Love Story Set in Space we follow the story of Noa and DJ, two sixteen-year-olds who one day wake up in outer space without any explanation in a ship called Qriosity (great name btw) that is about to explode (great plot ngl). Noa wakes up outside of the ship with a spacesuit on, and DJ is inside with the reactor that's going to explode. Working together they avoid their terrible destiny just to know that they're not alone inside the ship, there's a girl with them, Jenny. The three of them work together to find out why the heck they are in space and if there's a way to go back home.
The characters. Noa and DJ's relationship is what keeps this book so good from the beginning, they're so cute I'll die. DJ is this insecure little dough and the way he cares for Noa reminds me a lot of Nick from Heartstopper, and Noa is this sarcastic guy with a sad past and shell build around himself due to trauma that makes you empathize a lot with him. Noa hating DJ at first is just so cute help. I just wanted to keep reading to see how he was going to fall for him. Dj worries a lot about everyone and always wants to help and I JUST NEED TO HUG HIM I can't. Jenny is great, she's so cool and charismatic. She gives a lot of memorable moments. She is a good character with a great personality.
This book is so chaotic. Many things happen one after another. If you are not laughing you are super worried about them. I didn't even see that plot twist coming (I'm stupid, you guys know that), and I found it AMAZING. Probably many of you would see it coming way before me. It was so surprising and I devoured the rest of the book after it in one sit. Once you are hooked with that plot there's not going back.
This book has a trigger warning of sexual assault before it starts, and shows you how much Shaun cares about the story he's telling in his books. Even when they are tough topics, he treats them respectfully and finds a way to teach you something and he tries not to make you uncomfortable reading them, giving you endearing characters.
I think this book has so many great things and I recommend it to you guys so much. It's a story with an existential crisis and a super cute and heartwarming relationship with a weird, chaotic, and funny plot. If you haven't read Shaun David Hutchinson's books I don't know what you're waiting for. That's all, stay tuned.
May 13, 2023
“i wanted to live even though i wasn’t always sure why. i wanted to live despite my missing dad and my broken heart and all the thrown milkshakes. i wanted to live because, sure, life sucked a lot, sometimes it was unfairly horrific, but it was always worth sticking around for me to see what came next.”
noa north wakes up floating in space outside a spaceship called qriosity. taped to his suit is a note telling him not to panic. he panics. trapped aboard qriosity are DJ & jenny, two other teenagers with no clue how they’ve ended up there. their mission: survive & get back to earth. but who the hell kidnaps a couple of sixteen-year-olds & sticks them on a spaceship anyway?
it's impossible to talk about this book without sounding bonkers. each SDH book is so unique, crafted in a way like no other, unlike anything i’ve read before. the first time we spoke i yelled at SDH about how obsessed i am with his mind. how he spins the most interesting tales, constantly swerving and giving me whiplash. how he writes pretentious characters that you can’t help but root for anyway.
here, while stuck on a spaceship, he asks how the past affects the future. how to move forward if you never stop running away. what happens when who we are isn’t who we are, but how that doesn’t limit who we can be anyway. he makes you think about autonomy—what choices do we have control over? how we make the best of what little agency we have, choosing to fight till the very end.
rereading a complicated love story set in space (fall out boy wants their long ass titles back) two years after reading it for the first time felt like returning to familiar territory—safe, comforting, close to heart. it’s no secret that sci-fi and i are fairly new friends but before that, there was SDH. from shrinking universes to a big red button, there was soft sci-fi in a way that only SDH could write.
since then i’ve found home on iskat with kiem and jainan, spent months mulling over my existence aboard the coordinated endeavor with kodiak and ambrose. i’ve found home across many universes, only because i first found it in SDH’s, the very one who held my hand along the way.
January 11, 2021
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
This is a such a quirky but emotional book, all while still being adventurous and entertaining! Noa wakes up in space, with no idea how he got there. We, the reader, also have no idea why Noa is in space. Seems sketchy, right? Well, it is. Especially since one of the first things he finds himself tasked with is saving it from exploding. Soon, he finds DJ, who talks him through the whole "not blowing up thing", and things get... more bananas from there, really.
What I Loved:
►Oh this was just fun. The other spaceshipmate, Jenny, is so beyond funny. But DJ and Noa also have their own brands of humor that are delightful. Basically, if you have to be trapped in space, this is the trio you'd like to accompany you. There's also a wacky AI named Jenny Perez (and yes, that confused me a bit but alas) who was so completely glib and infuriating to the characters that I could not help but enjoy her because of it. She was apparently a failed actress at some point, and the only entertainment on board was starring or made by... you guessed it, Jenny Perez. Cracked me up, frankly.
►I was so confused! I mean- this probably will go in the negatives section a wee bit too, but as a reader, we're clearly supposed to be confused. Noa is lost, and as such, so are we! I liked it in the sense that it was definitely a trip- and the more we learned, the more we realized we had no idea, same as Noa. I appreciated that approach.
►The relationships of the characters were really compelling. Obviously, they're stuck on this ship together trying to figure out how to get home, they're probably going to become important to each other. DJ and Noa of course fall in love. Jenny is a great friend to them both. But tugging at Noa's brain is his memories of his past relationship, which was incredibly troubling and horrific. I don't want to go into too much detail in a review for fear of spoiling other aspects, but be aware that there is talk of past sexual violence.
►Tons of great commentary throughout the book. Again, I don't want to give much away, and a lot of the points I'd love to discuss I worry would spoil stuff as they happen later in the book, but just be aware that it is there, so you look for it!
►It's a great mix of action and character development, of fun and seriousness. The bits of humor and general wackiness are fabulous, but the book is also really heartfelt and emotive, so you really get the best of both worlds.
What I Didn't:
►Back to the confusing bits! So again, this isn't anything terrible, I just thought the ending was kind of quick- in fact, I wondered if there was a possibility of a sequel because of it (from what I can tell, there doesn't seem to be). For such a complex story (and one in which bits are revealed piece by piece), I wanted a little more closure, perhaps. But that could also just be a "me" thing, so take it for what it's worth.
Bottom Line: A perfect balance between fun and emotive, I was hooked on finding out both why the characters were in space, and what would happen to them next.
This is a such a quirky but emotional book, all while still being adventurous and entertaining! Noa wakes up in space, with no idea how he got there. We, the reader, also have no idea why Noa is in space. Seems sketchy, right? Well, it is. Especially since one of the first things he finds himself tasked with is saving it from exploding. Soon, he finds DJ, who talks him through the whole "not blowing up thing", and things get... more bananas from there, really.
What I Loved:
►Oh this was just fun. The other spaceshipmate, Jenny, is so beyond funny. But DJ and Noa also have their own brands of humor that are delightful. Basically, if you have to be trapped in space, this is the trio you'd like to accompany you. There's also a wacky AI named Jenny Perez (and yes, that confused me a bit but alas) who was so completely glib and infuriating to the characters that I could not help but enjoy her because of it. She was apparently a failed actress at some point, and the only entertainment on board was starring or made by... you guessed it, Jenny Perez. Cracked me up, frankly.
►I was so confused! I mean- this probably will go in the negatives section a wee bit too, but as a reader, we're clearly supposed to be confused. Noa is lost, and as such, so are we! I liked it in the sense that it was definitely a trip- and the more we learned, the more we realized we had no idea, same as Noa. I appreciated that approach.
►The relationships of the characters were really compelling. Obviously, they're stuck on this ship together trying to figure out how to get home, they're probably going to become important to each other. DJ and Noa of course fall in love. Jenny is a great friend to them both. But tugging at Noa's brain is his memories of his past relationship, which was incredibly troubling and horrific. I don't want to go into too much detail in a review for fear of spoiling other aspects, but be aware that there is talk of past sexual violence.
►Tons of great commentary throughout the book. Again, I don't want to give much away, and a lot of the points I'd love to discuss I worry would spoil stuff as they happen later in the book, but just be aware that it is there, so you look for it!
►It's a great mix of action and character development, of fun and seriousness. The bits of humor and general wackiness are fabulous, but the book is also really heartfelt and emotive, so you really get the best of both worlds.
What I Didn't:
►Back to the confusing bits! So again, this isn't anything terrible, I just thought the ending was kind of quick- in fact, I wondered if there was a possibility of a sequel because of it (from what I can tell, there doesn't seem to be). For such a complex story (and one in which bits are revealed piece by piece), I wanted a little more closure, perhaps. But that could also just be a "me" thing, so take it for what it's worth.
Bottom Line: A perfect balance between fun and emotive, I was hooked on finding out both why the characters were in space, and what would happen to them next.
wishlist
December 8, 2019SHAUN I SEE
SHAUN I WANT
SHAUN I WANT
February 9, 2021
this book was really weird but in a good way. i really liked it💚
February 18, 2021
This gets my average I-was-the-wrong-audience 3 stars.
Not for me, but certainly for readers who like to read about teenage romance.
Not for me, but certainly for readers who like to read about teenage romance.
April 2, 2021
Was not expecting that! Or that! But that, oh yeah that, that I did expect. Good story telling. Would make for an interesting tv series. Maybe Netflix should look into it.
August 18, 2022
Loved it. I 100% did not expect the twist, well twists. It was cute, exciting, and hysterical. Never a dull moment.
June 24, 2022
“Love isn't war. Life is the war; love is a truce you find in the middle of all that violence.”
1 Sentence Summary: Noa wakes up on a spaceship (called the Qriosity) with no idea how he got there, the only other people on board two teenagers, Jenny and DJ, who are equally as clueless, and they face numerous dangers (including aliens, love, and a very long day) as they try to navigate their way back home.
My Thoughts: This was AMAZING!! I think my head exploded while I was reading. How do sci-fi writers even come up with this kind of stuff???
It was so well written and twisty turny and full of plot twists and fantastically developed characters and an extremely immersive world and story. I read the whole thing in one sitting because it was so good I couldn’t stop (even though I wanted to read it slower so it would last longer 😭😭)!
Noa was a very flawed character, but I was rooting for him the whole time, and to see his growth was awesome. Jenny (super cool super strong super smart) and DJ (protective cinnamon roll) were awesome as well.
“Life goes on. Don't let it go on without you, Noa.”
And the ending??? I was f l y i n g through the pages it was so suspenseful and was not expecting the end at all. I absolutely love a good open ended ending and this did not disappoint.
Also, I have to award this book first place in the unofficial best title and most aesthetically pleasing cover competition. (Oh and once I realized the significance of the popcorn on the cover I literally ran around my house like an insane person.)
Recommend to: Fans of outer space and love stories.
(Warnings: swearing; rape)
“How can you expect to move forward if you never stop running away?”
***
Buddy-read with stu !
“Finally, thank you, readers, for giving me a little home in your heart.”
–Shaun David Hutchinson
(Dear S.D.H., you definitely have a home in my heart and now I’m off to read every single book you’ve ever written because I haven’t been disappointed yet.)
November 19, 2021
3.5 Stars
Review:
This was, I’d say, more than anything, a thought-provoking story. If you don’t want spoilers, you’re just going to have to trust me. *SPOILER* *END SPOILER*
I loved how imperfect the main character was. He was selfish sometimes. He would get lost in his own problems and forget others had problems too—the same problems even, since they were all stuck on a spaceship together. He pushed people away. Sometimes he was a jerk. But he wasn’t a bad person. Just scarred by his past. Just scared. Just struggling.
The romance was sweet. And the title was quite accurate! This was indeed a complicated love story set in space.
Even though this book had some serious, bittersweet, thought-provoking elements, it never got too dark or heavy. There was even some humor.
The plot was one of those mysterious ones that keeps you guessing, waiting for the big reveal. I kept coming up with theories, then things would get weirder, and I’d come up with new ones. It turned out my original theory was partly correct, but the real answer was far more wild than I could’ve guessed. On the one hand, I like a wild reveal! But on the other hand…
What I disliked was that a lot of questions were left unanswered. I guess they weren’t as important as the actual story and what was happening to the characters and the growth they had, but as the reader, I would’ve liked to know some things. There were some things that required a lot of suspension of disbelief, and we didn’t even get a hint of explanation for them.
Overall though, this was a kinda fun, kinda bittersweet, thought-provoking story. Maybe give it a try if you like sweet teenage romance, a bit of action, a lot of mystery, imperfect characters, and gays in space!
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes YA, space, sweet m/m romance, imperfect characters who grow, and mysterious stories with twists/reveals.
More Reviews @ Metaphors and Moonlight
Review:
This was, I’d say, more than anything, a thought-provoking story. If you don’t want spoilers, you’re just going to have to trust me. *SPOILER* *END SPOILER*
I loved how imperfect the main character was. He was selfish sometimes. He would get lost in his own problems and forget others had problems too—the same problems even, since they were all stuck on a spaceship together. He pushed people away. Sometimes he was a jerk. But he wasn’t a bad person. Just scarred by his past. Just scared. Just struggling.
The romance was sweet. And the title was quite accurate! This was indeed a complicated love story set in space.
Even though this book had some serious, bittersweet, thought-provoking elements, it never got too dark or heavy. There was even some humor.
The plot was one of those mysterious ones that keeps you guessing, waiting for the big reveal. I kept coming up with theories, then things would get weirder, and I’d come up with new ones. It turned out my original theory was partly correct, but the real answer was far more wild than I could’ve guessed. On the one hand, I like a wild reveal! But on the other hand…
What I disliked was that a lot of questions were left unanswered. I guess they weren’t as important as the actual story and what was happening to the characters and the growth they had, but as the reader, I would’ve liked to know some things. There were some things that required a lot of suspension of disbelief, and we didn’t even get a hint of explanation for them.
Overall though, this was a kinda fun, kinda bittersweet, thought-provoking story. Maybe give it a try if you like sweet teenage romance, a bit of action, a lot of mystery, imperfect characters, and gays in space!
*Rating: 3.5 Stars // Read Date: 2021 // Format: Ebook via TTS*
Recommended For:
Anyone who likes YA, space, sweet m/m romance, imperfect characters who grow, and mysterious stories with twists/reveals.
More Reviews @ Metaphors and Moonlight
January 26, 2021
One of the funniest, scariest, romantic, surprising, adorable, and most heartbreakingly, breathtakingly beautiful books I have ever read in my entire life.
It combined my guilty pleasure genre, romance, and my love and wonderment of space, with LGBTQ+ characters. The romance did not overshadow the main storyline, and it wasn’t the main storyline. And the plot was endearing and mysterious. The romance was adorable and I would literally give anything to have the relationship that DJ and Noa have.
I want to next mention the trigger warning at the beginning of the book. And although I am fortunate enough to not have been affected by that scene, I was entirely grateful for that warning, just so I was aware that it had happened.
The structure was immaculate. There was a point where I had to double check to make sure I didn’t have a damaged copy (I didn’t) or that it was printed wrong (it wasn’t).
It was wonderfully written, the words just flew off the page like a spaceship (bad metaphor, sorry!). It was quirky, different, and utterly real, despite the unreal aspect of being in a floating spaceship and the technologies that come with that. The story was real, the characters felt real, the relationship was real. It was flirtatious, had me rooting for DJ and Noa from the start. But it was real, it was a perfect example of healthy, trusting, and loving relationship, more or less.
I can talk about this one for hours and hours on end. Hutchinson is an author you need to add to your shelves, and this is one you need to start with.
Read it. Read it right the *bleep* now.
It combined my guilty pleasure genre, romance, and my love and wonderment of space, with LGBTQ+ characters. The romance did not overshadow the main storyline, and it wasn’t the main storyline. And the plot was endearing and mysterious. The romance was adorable and I would literally give anything to have the relationship that DJ and Noa have.
I want to next mention the trigger warning at the beginning of the book. And although I am fortunate enough to not have been affected by that scene, I was entirely grateful for that warning, just so I was aware that it had happened.
The structure was immaculate. There was a point where I had to double check to make sure I didn’t have a damaged copy (I didn’t) or that it was printed wrong (it wasn’t).
It was wonderfully written, the words just flew off the page like a spaceship (bad metaphor, sorry!). It was quirky, different, and utterly real, despite the unreal aspect of being in a floating spaceship and the technologies that come with that. The story was real, the characters felt real, the relationship was real. It was flirtatious, had me rooting for DJ and Noa from the start. But it was real, it was a perfect example of healthy, trusting, and loving relationship, more or less.
I can talk about this one for hours and hours on end. Hutchinson is an author you need to add to your shelves, and this is one you need to start with.
Read it. Read it right the *bleep* now.
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