This book made me feel so many feelings! I've heard a lot about it so I was excited to read it, and it did not disappoint. Thank you NetGalley and Bramble for this ARC!

Book Summary:

Two unlikely people cross paths in a seemingly normal encounter, and it begins a whirlwind romance that will change everything. Enter Regan, a con artist with a long history with the law and now a court-assigned psychologist.

Meanwhile, Aldo is a doctoral student dealing with destructive thoughts, desperately seeking an escape. Do they fall into the paths already forged or find a new way forward?

My Review:

I was so excited to read Alone With You in the Ether because I loved The Atlas Six - but I was less thrilled with the later additions to the series and hoped that a fresh start would make me fall in love with her writing again.

Spoiler alert—it didn’t. I don’t know what Alone With You in the Ether is besides being not for me. I struggled to get through this book. I came so close to DNF-ing it so many times that I think it took me about three weeks to get through it (as opposed to my usual ritual of finishing a book in a night or two).

So, I didn’t hate Alone With You in the Ether. The writing itself is fantastic. It’s just the subject matter. I found it somewhere between bland and confusing - if that makes sense (an ironic question on my part.

Highlights:
Contemporary Romance
Fantasy Elements
Opposites Attract

Trigger Warnings:
Mental Health Concerns
Substance & Drug Abuse

I can both understand how people adore this book and how people hate this book. It's very artistic, and at times thought provoking. It feels like those "deep" thoughts we all had in high school like, do we all see the same color green? Or if perfect circles exist naturally ;). I enjoyed this book mostly after reading the authors note. This book feels deeply personal to her own mental health and lived experiences. If you're a mood reader, this is definitely a book you need to be in the mood for.

Thank you netgalley for the earc in exchange for an honest review

This book explored intriguing themes! However, I had a hard time connecting with the story and that is obviously on me and not the book. I recognize that it has great potential to appeal to other readers and I encourage others to try it out! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book.

I was highly anticipating this release, but sadly the book and the writing style wasn’t for me. I loved the mental health representation, but I found myself not caring as much about the characters beyond that.

*Alone with You in the Ether* is a beautifully unconventional love story that lingers in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page. Set against the backdrop of Chicago, the novel follows the intertwining lives of Regan, a bipolar counterfeit artist, and Aldo, a doctoral student obsessed with time travel. Their chance meeting at the Art Institute sparks a connection that defies logic and expectations.

What makes this book so compelling is the way it delves into the complexities of human existence. Regan’s impulsive nature and Aldo’s need for order create a fascinating dynamic, one where their contrasting worlds collide in a way that feels both inevitable and utterly unpredictable. The narrative is steeped in philosophical musings and rich with emotional depth, making it a story that is as much about the characters' inner worlds as it is about their relationship.

*Alone with You in the Ether* isn’t just a story about two people finding each other; it’s a meditation on the nature of time, mental illness, and the fragile beauty of human connection. It’s the kind of book that makes you pause and reflect, challenging the way you think about love and life.

I can see that this book was deeply personal and significant to Blake. However, I struggled to connect with the characters or grasp their motivations, which made it a challenging read for me. That said, it might still resonate with others.

I honestly just don’t think this book is for me! The writing style is beautiful, but I got a little way into the story and just have felt no motivation to pick it up since. I think this book would be better suited to someone with book tastes that lean more on the literary fiction side rather than fantasy and romance like myself!

this is one of those books that feels hard to summarize, and even harder to explain why it was so good. this is a very prose-y, cerebral love story. if you love Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (as I do), I feel like you will enjoy this. the vibes are definitely similar. the first 10% or so I struggled with, and then suddenly I couldn’t stop reading it. I forgot how witty and brilliant @olivieblake is. if you’ve read the Atlas Six series, you’ll know what I mean when I say she may be honestly too brilliant because at a certain point in her books, I feel like we all get a little lost in her brain. it’s like wait, what are we even talking about? how did we get here? while this whole book is honestly pretty pretentious, the first half felt pretentious in a lovable way, and then the second half was like okay, relax, we get it. I also struggled with Regan as a character; I could not understand her appeal at all. if you’re going to write a Manic Pixie Dream Girl FMC, you gotta make us understand why it’s easy to get wrapped up in her whirlwind, and I just didn’t get it with her. Aldo, though, I just loved. overall, my feelings on this book are very complicated and I think it’s probably a love it or hate it book for a lot of people, but I do recommend it!

I think I need more time to reread this book. It's gorgeously written, and a captivating story. Yet i feel like i need to re-read it just to give an accurate review of what i experienced. Rollercoaster of emotions and i'm still not over the adrenaline high.

I struggled to get into the story. I understand the premise. I ended up getting the audiobook because I couldn’t read it like it was. For me, I needed a narrator and in this case it helped out immensely. Interesting story about mental health.

4.5 ⭐

Wow. I love stories like this. Ones that are wildly profound and emotionally wrought. Ones that end up staying with you long after you've finished them, that become apart of who you are upon turning the last page, nestling themselves in that safe space in your heart.

Alone With You In The Ether was definitely one of those for me.

Exquisitely written, this story explores the blossoming love between two people struggling with mental and emotional well-being, learning how to navigate the world with their unique perspectives and to love wholeheartedly despite it. This book is cerebral and intelligent, angsty yet tenderhearted, and beautifully peculiar in the best kind of way. A love story that is wonderfully existential and utterly meant to be.

I read this in one sitting while also listening to the audiobook and I couldn't get enough of it. I was so happy with all the page time we got with Regan and Aldo. There's no fluff or filler moments, just them, them, them from basically start to finish. And I loved how fresh this story felt. How never-been-done-before it was. How it held my attention like no other, effortlessly. Every minute was unexpected and beautiful and pure. The way their friendshp becomes more. The way their friendship started. The way their endless conversations go.

And my gosh, the way Aldo says I love you!!! #melting

I'm still a little unsure of Regan's character, maybe just like Aldo was, but I think they're happy together and growing together while also intentionally and consistently choosing the other and I think, in the end, that's all that matters.

3.5 stars

Alone with You in the Ether is a captivating and emotional read. The characters are very hard to love, as they have real problems both personally and in their relationship. I found the book slightly unrealistic and thought a few of the topics/themes could have been handled better. I disliked a lot of the wording around the dialogue. To me this also read as more of an adult John Green book, which is not necessarily a bad thing, but not what I personally enjoy.

I found the female main character to be a little TOO relatable and I highlighted passages I related to or just wanted to look back on. Overall it was a good read, I think I would still recommend to certain readers!

I very much enjoyed this dark academia book, I’m still new to her writing but I’m working my way through her back log because I’ve enjoyed her style very much.

I can appreciate that this was a very personal, meaningful book for Blake. I couldn't really connect with the characters or their intentions, and so I struggled a lot with this, but it doesn't mean that it isn't a book for someone.

Thank you NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the e-arc!
So excited to get a copy of Olivie Blake's book! I have heard so many amazing reviews and glowing descriptions of her writing abilities. I have been wanting to check out her work for a very long time. And overall I think her writing style definitely lives up to expectations. I found this story to be beautifully written and very emotional. Blake's style of writing compliments the story extremely well, as the depth of emotion complements the almost poetic writing style.
One of my favorite things about this book is the unique choice of characters and overall themes for the story. It wasn't like a typical romance, and it felt a lot more realistic and grounded than other romance books can feel. Will definitely be checking out more from this author.

A mesmerizing journey through the depths of love, loss, and the ethereal realm. Blake's poetic prose weaves a spellbinding tale of longing and connection that transcends the physical world. With rich imagery and poignant emotion, this novel captivates from the very first page. Readers will find themselves immersed in a beautifully crafted narrative that explores the complexities of human relationships and the enduring power of the heart. A hauntingly beautiful read that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned.

Wonderful story, great character development, great writing! Highly recommend this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it

This isn't the typical love story, but it is a romance book that felt like I was with two real people.

Alone With You in the Ether follows Regan and Aldo. Both are very complex characters. Regan is a bipolar counterfeit artist, and Aldo loves his routine and calculations.

The writing is beautiful. It's my first Olivie Blake, and I was highlighting so many quotes. Some because of the beautiful writing, and some because it discussed a relatable topic.

If you enjoy reading about real, raw characters, who have flaws, make mistakes, and feel like real people...this is the book for you.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

4⭐️The writing was so beautiful! Reading this book almost felt like how watching a movie feels!! Def will need to read more by this author!