I really enjoyed the story and the world the author created. It kept my attention throughout and was quite gripping. I'm looking forward to the author's next books!

I wasn’t sure about this one in the beginning but I ended up really enjoying this sci-fi fantasy romance. Getting into the world can be difficult and the FMC here is not super likable. However she wasn’t annoying and I still really wanted to know what was going to happen. Overall it was a quick and enjoyable read.

Thank you Net Galley & Publisher for the opportunity to review!

Wow what a lovely surprise this was! I did not expect to like this book as much as I did, but I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read! This unfolded so beautifully, and softly. The description here is definitely accurate! I would 10/10 recommend!

I really enjoyed this book. It had a lot of interesting characters and you really got invested in the romance that was happening. It was fast moving and kept the reader engaged throughout the entire thing. It didn't stand out as a favorite but it was certainly a book that I enjoyed.

The Stars Between Us is young adult science fiction that gives us a classic story about wealth disparity and opportunity. In this tale, the haves and have-nots exist on two different planets. Protagonist Vika learns at the beginning of the book that she could give her life a major upgrade if she's willing to marry a wealthy stranger. As a child, she so impressed an inventor and master of industry with her temper tantrum that he wrote her into his will. For his son, Leo, to inherit, he must marry her. And if you are already perplexed by this premise, know that it's held over the plot like a mystery: why did the rich man make this odd proviso?? Let me tell you that there's really nothing more to it. It's a sort of psychological warfare on his son, who has always disappointed him.

Science fiction, especially the space opera variety, has been inching its way into my favorites lately. So this book was a major disappointment. It's a cookie-cutter ya story that promises adventure and romance only to serve up basic tropes and instalove as poor substitutes. One of Vika's key characteristics is how beautiful she is. And I'm all for body positivity, but if I had to hear it one more time, I was going to freak out. It might have already happened. Plenty of books let us know when we're working with traditionally attractive people in casual ways. This book went for bald statements, frequent reminders, and angst about how that's all people see. Very annoying. Meanwhile, the story about wealth is predictable and sticks to broad strokes. Leo learns how poor people live and moralizes. Vika learns how rich people live and tries not to sell her soul in the process. They join the resistance (or at least kind of). They do some light investigation and unmask the obvious villain with fanfare. But the most irritating part is the romance. There's an unconvincing love triangle. The boy suffers from a bout of unrequited instalove. The girl distrusts him until it magically lifts when her own case of instalove comes on at a later date. And then we get secret keeping, a final act breakup, and an abrupt reconciliation.

People, this book is not the best the genre has to offer. For more creativity and emotion, look elsewhere.

I gave this a 3.5 out of five stars, I liked the friendships and relationships were built. I liked the ending, the ending wasn’t what I thought it was going to be.

I was so intrigued by the plot synopsis and felt that all around it just fell a little short. I liked most of the characters but some key players also fell flat. The setting was well done and set up some interesting plot points, but I also really wanted to see a bit more splendor a lot of the focus was really placed on the gossip during those scenes. The plot was interesting but felt slow, particularly revealing the big twist. I saw it so far in advance that it was starting to just get frustrating that their investigation wasn't bringing them any closer to revealing the truth. That said it was still a fun book that had some really great moments.

I was really excited about this one because the premise sounded really interesting. It was really hard to ever root for Vika though, she was extremely unlikeable and selfish. There wasn't much of a plot, there was the mystery of Sky and the mystery of the bombing - but these two storylines seemed to be sidelined just to showcase the day to day life of Vika in her new rich lifestyle. The conclusions to these various plot lines were also relatively obvious. There was also a distinct lack of world building - the story revolved around two planets, one where the poor and working class live, and one for the wealthy. I would've liked a little more detail on how the travel aspect works in this world. There was a decent amount of travel and various machines and I would've loved to see how it all worked. I did love the characters of Mira and Ariel though - they were my shining lights through the rest of the story.

Oof. You can’t tell a story with a punchable main character unless the character is also interesting in some way. She did it with Daniel Tate. She did Not do it with Vika. This was very boring and very dull and Vika is horrible. Also, way too much time spent on creating a kitschy sci fi world and not nearly enough spent on character development. Oh, and Vika is pretty. If you forgot that, she’ll tell you 80 freakin times in the first few chapters. I only made it to 30% before I gave up.

I was unable to provide review due to time constraints of me starting college. I look forward however to reading this book in the future simply as a fan, not a reviewer.

This book was really not what I expected but I had a great time with it!! There was underlying romance but also mystery and deception. I think the setting was very interesting as it was set in space but the cities were just your typical urban cities.

I do think this is a bit younger YA and would be a good starting place for young adult readers who maybe want to get into fantasy as a genre. The main character did show complexity, but was a bit frustrating because I felt like the choices that she made didn't line up with her values as a character.

Overall an enjoyable read! Rated 3.5 stars rounded up.

I was very excited for this book, romance and sci-fi are two of my favorite genres! I like the mysterious stranger has to marry a random bartender to receive his inheritance. After that though, the plot thickens with tensions. The main character, Vika, was definitely something else and I don't really know how much I liked her... Overall, I was kind of expecting more, and without spoiling anything, I think there was amazing world-building, but the plot could have had more substance and something to do rather than what it mainly focused on.

Plot is very captivating. The plot twist was surely unexpected for me. Vika is a hard-ass which is understanding with the struggles she's been through but she could've given Sky some slack. This is a truly engaging and interesting read that will appeal to Science Fiction fans.

I received a copy of this story from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Just barely 3 stars.

Look, I didn't hate this. I wasn't spite-reading just to see if it got worse. I didn't feel the need to put it down and walk away forever. I've certainly read worse. But it's trying to do too much and fails on all fronts.

There's a lot of potential. Vika needs the most work because she is thoroughly unlikable. I get it, she's at an age where you learn to be your own person outside of family and such but she is awful. And I can't for one minute believe that she'd be so easily able to throw off years of habits built from barely surviving. She wouldn't become that ridiculously shallow creature we see when she first joins the Gardeners.

If you're going to set a historical romance in space, lean into it more. It felt like two disparate ideas that didn't have enough time to meld. The mystery of it wasn't really a mystery after the reveal 1/3 of the way into the story. I agree with a lot of other reviewers: this was much longer than it needed to be. And don't get me started on the romance of it!

I can't really see myself recommending this to anyone.

I really wanted to enjoy this more than I did. I love the whole premise of this book. I was excited for a Dickens inspired sci-fi novel but I think the plot just fell flat for me. I didn’t find this book as memorable as I wanted to.

When I heard that this book was being pitched as a cross between Bridgerton and Illuminae I was hooked, and Cristin Terrill did not disappoint.

I loved All Our Yesterdays by the same author, and was excited by the premise of this book. However, I was unable to get into it. I got maybe 30% before I put it down and just didn't pick it back up again. It doesn't have the same engaging pull as All Our Yesterdays, and moved fairly slowly in my opinion. It felt like I had read a lot of book but didn't get a lot of story.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

While this book just came out and my review is a bit late, I am definitely glad I got to read this one! It's science fiction, my first love of genres for books, it was a space opera with the perfect dose of mystery, action, romance and humor that makes Soap operas.... well...


You know, DRAMATIC.


Now, onto the chaos.


Short Summary? A Barmaid in a faraway planet gets the news she is to marry the richest heir of one of the richer empires, all to find out that *SPOILER ALERT* he got killed before he met his destination and from there, this barmaid gets swept into a world of glittering courts, crazy chases and stopping bad guys from getting all the power.


Longer Summary: Vika is a simple barmaid who hates her job and hates the planet she lives in more. When she gets a visit from an ambassador informing her that a former tutor recommended her as the perfect bride for the prince who has recently lost his father, her task is to marry a stranger so he can unlock his fortune. In exchange, she can get a better life for her and her family. It should be easy... but not as easy as it actually seems.


When said prince gets caught in an accident (but not really, y'all) that seemingly takes his life away, Vika's life gets thrown into a chaotic series of events as she becomes royalty, one of the most coveted women in the galaxy, and most importantly, a target for those who wish for Vika's death along with anyone who is included in the will for the big fortune.


So... no pressure, right?


I've always loved soap operas and even when they take place in space, it adds more onto the tension and chaos that unfolds which is *chef's kiss*. I loved Vika since page one and some of the other characters like Sky Foster *cough cough, don't get me started with him* keep you going and before you know it, you get pulled in and by the time you're done, you're wondering where your time went, and why it had Marissa Meyer's The Lunar Chronicle vibes too! (Honestly, The Lunar Chronicles and Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff's The Aurora Cycle is what I recommend as similar books in this genre of sci-fi space soap operas!) Although my one issue with it was it being a standalone, I think we can live with some standalone books in our lives.


Overall: 4/5 stars

The Stars Between Us by Cristin Terrill

371 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Wednesday Books
Release Date: August 2, 2022

Fiction, Sci Fi, Fantasy, Teens, Young Adult, Dystopian Worlds

Vika Hale lives with her parents and sister in a small apartment but it was not always this way. Her family once lived in a nice house with a yard and her father had a good job until the world changed. Now Vika works at a bar earning her share to support her family while her sister mopes and her mother dreams of the past.

One day she receives information from an attorney that a man she met one time when he bought her an ice cream, has left his entire estate to his son with the condition he marries her. This comes as a shock to Vika since she has never met the son and has no explanation for this action. If she agrees to marry, her family will be in a better position, and they will not need for anything ever again. Before Vika can decide, there is an explosion, and the heir is presumed dead along with her future.

The book has a steady pace, the characters are well developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. I had mixed feelings of Vika throughout the book. At times she is arrogant and selfish, and the thought of money consumes her. These are real emotions I am sure people have when the thought of inheriting a fortune is in front of them. The only family member I thought was likeable was her father. It definitely shows the underbelly of society. That said, I really enjoyed the book. The story did not go where I originally thought it was going. If you like sci fi & fantasy books with a twist of greed, you will enjoy this book.