In support of the SMP boycott, I will be withholding my review of this title until SMP speaks out. If the boycott is resolved, I will update with a full review.

Ashley's work is always on the extreme side if teen angst and this novel isn't any different. If you liked her earlier works you will like this one. Her writing leans more towards the literary John Green esque sorts of plots and details.

Would be great for the deep YA reader. The poetic introspective teens will find a lot to love in this story.

I really wanted to love this, Amelia Unabridged is one of my all time favourite YA books, but ITOOY was a bit of a miss.

The writing is lovely, I really liked both characters, I felt their tender love and I was routing for them to be together. But the biggest issue I have is the dishonesty/cheating done by Sam, and it was completely unnecessary. I think when you are talking about teenagers it can absolutely be messy but not unnecessarily so and this just set a bad precedent for young readers alike and therefore left me disappointed.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin’s Press all opinions are my own.

This book is hard for me to review because I have very conflicted feelings about it.
I read through some reviews who have the same feeling as me, so I think this book missed the mark.
Ashely Schumacher is an amazing author. Her stories are beautifully crafted, and this one is no different. I just cannot get over the cheating. I understand it's important to the story, but it is something I really hate reading. And the character of Nova was very unlikeable to me. And what exactly did her mother do that had them moving every 3 months? Why wasn't she in online school?? These are things that made me not enjoy this book. :/

DNF @ 56%

The only reason I read over half of this book is because I absolutely adored the first two novels of Ashley Schumacher’s that I read and reviewed. They were beautiful and poetic and completely heartbreaking, and this one started out the same. But the more I read, the more repetitive this story became. It started out wonderfully with two old friends reconnecting after years apart. And there was so much to relate to here with Nova not knowing who she was or wanted to be and with Sam feeling stuck on a predetermined path that he didn’t know how to deviate from.

But then the insta-love hit and Sam and Nova decided that their friendship should be kept a secret, especially from Abigail, Sam’s perfectly kind and, of course, unsuspicious girlfriend, despite her having been cheated on in the past. In trying not to hurt her like she was hurt in the past (and despite Nova having been cheated on in the past as well), they both end up doing exactly that (or I assume they do since I didn’t end up getting to that part).

In the end, I just couldn’t take that kind of deception. It was way too uncomfortable and yucky for my taste.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

"It goes where it needs to go." From that quote begins an innocent love that crosses states/time. A very sweet love story of a boy and a girl and Snailopolis. Who knew that snails would be so sweet? The author addresses a childhood trauma with care. I read this in two sittings and would love to go back and read again.

Book: In Orbit of You
Author: Ashley Schumacher
Rating: 5 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Wednesday Books, for sending me an ARC. I think it’s kind of sad that more people are not talking about Ashley’s work. She has this way of taking the every day and making it magical. I wish her books got more love and hype. She truly has a lot of talent.

In this one, we follow Nova, who is used to moving around. She used to like it, but now as she is applying to university, she wishes that she had a bit more of a grounding. The last time she felt grounded was as a child when she and Sam would pretend to have this city of snails. Sam lived an abusive life and the last time she saw him, he was being taken away to live with his aunt and uncle. At the time, both were too young to know what was happening. They made this promise to meet up again when they turned eighteen. Nova and her mom find themselves in a football-centred Texas town. They are only supposed to be there for a few months. Nova knows the drill. However, one day at lunch at her new school, she finds herself at the edge of the jock table. To her surprise, the star football player is none other than Sam. She doesn’t think it's possible. He doesn’t know it's her. Then, the school does a Crush test, which is supposed to hint at who you should love. It’s all fun and games until Nova and Sam end up being matched. As Sam comes to realize who the new girl is, it brings up both the good and the bad times.

This is very much a coming-of-age story. There is a lot of self-discovery and reflection going on between Nova and Sam. Sam is the star football player and is expected to do great things with it. He is supposed to be getting a scholarship offer and go beyond that. Everyone knows that this is what he is supposed to do. He also has a dream girl. Yet, Sam is having doubts. He has these doubts before Nova even comes into the picture. He is afraid of letting people down because everyone has given up so much for him. He knows that the current path he is supposed to take is the safe one. Yet, it’s not what his heart wants. The thing is he doesn’t know who he will be if he veers from the current path. He will be letting a lot of people down. He wonders if it is even worth it. Nova is also on her path of self-discovery. She keeps telling herself that she is fine with always moving. She even takes on these different roles at each new place. However, as she starts to think about different universities, she comes to realize that this is the first time that there will be a long-term place. She doesn’t know what to expect and comes to realize just how much she has missed out. She and Sam become close, but she forms a group of friends here. It hurts whenever they all talk about the future and she realizes that she will not be there. She comes to realize that maybe moving around all the time is not what she wants.

The personal growth and coming to realize that it’s okay not to want what others think you want is something that stood out to me. This will speak to several people. I’m not just talking about teens either. So many times, we are forced to take the path that others want for us because it is easy and we don’t want to hurt anyone. Sam and Nova both go through this. Sam knows just how much his aunt and uncle have given him for football. Not playing anymore feels like a betrayal. After all, they have taken him in and loved him as their own. Nova knows how important her mom’s work is and knows that it is easier to just go along with it. Yet, she has never felt like she belonged anywhere. Both don’t want to hurt anyone, but both are suffering. Speaking up for what you want is one of the most difficult things in life. It is scary and you don’t know what is going to happen. It brings into question so many things. I just think that this will speak to a lot of people. It will touch the hearts of many people.

This is a romance and it does have a touch of cheating in it. I don’t know how I feel about this. Cheating is never okay and it does cause damage. However, I get why it is in here. It almost had to play out this way in order for the story to make sense. Keep in mind that both characters are trying to figure themselves out. I am not saying that this justifies what happened, but it does fit the story.

Overall, I did really enjoy this title. I thought it hit where it needed to .

This book comes out on March 19, 2024.

Youtube: https://youtu.be/BtkV6oDXscc

This was good until it wasn't especially when the topic and thoughts of cheating were repeated over and over again. Everyone was hurt in the end because of bad decisions, no wonfer this was categorized as teen/young-adult. I wanted to enjoy this but triggering theme of cheating and repeated cheating is never good. With the exception of Emily Giffin's Something Borrowed, it is rare there is a happy ending.

I liked the cover!

Cannot recommend this one.

Thanks to Netgalley, Ashley Schumacher and St Martin's Press Wednesday Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Available: 3/19/2024

Well written YA novel about two teenagers who meet again by chance in High School after being separated for years when they were friends as children. the characters were good, not really developed, but good, true to life teenagers. Nova moves around a lot (every few months) with her mother, and happens to land in Texas where Sam is living. He, at first, doesn’t recognize him, although she does almost immediately. When it finally dawns on him who she is, he approaches her and their friendship is rekindled. He is living the life he thinks he needs to, and does not want to tell his cheerleader girlfriend, Abigail, about Nova at all. This is where I think the novel fails a little bit for me. He just doesn’t have the guts to tell anyone that loves him how he truly feels. I do, however, get that this just may be how teenagers are, especially those that have gone through trauma, so I am a bit forgiving on this. People make a lot of mistakes, especially teens. It’s how we all grow and develop and become who we are, and although I have always been a person that does not like secrets or just lack of communication, it’s understandable in some circumstances.

I received a free eARC and am voluntarily giving my honest review. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for allowing me to receive and review In the Orbit of You.

Ashley Schumacher is really good with words. I think she writes so beautifully that she could tell me any story she wants and I will love it. But I actually loved this story of Nova and Sam. They were friends as very young kids and they both moved away, promising to find each other when they are older. And then they do. Life is complicated and teenage angst is SO REAL in this story of friends and family and threads of first love.

I fall right into her books and get hooked on her story telling within pages. I will never be over Amelia Unabridged and love everything she writes forever and ever.

A delightful and heartfelt read! In the Orbit of You by Ashley Schumacher is a YA contemporary romance about two young friends who fate keeps bringing together. Nova Evans said goodbye to her neighbor and best friend Sammy when she was a little girl with a promise that they would find each other when he was 18. Flash forward to now, Nova has moved to a small town in Texas with her mom for a short stay. Imagine her surprise when sitting next to her at lunch is Sammy Jordan all grown up, and he doesn’t recognize her. Sam escaped a horrible childhood with an abusive father to grow up with his loving aunt and uncle who he now calls his parents. He purposely tries to not think about the “before” until a school personality test matches him with his once best friend and the new girl in school. Now the “before” and the girl the next door is all he can think about.

Nova is coming off a bad break up when she arrives in Texas with her mother. Her mother’s job has them moving a lot (about every two to three months, sometimes less) which leaves Nova feeling untethered. She doesn’t know who she is, who she wants to be in life, and as college applications loom, her fears that she doesn’t know what she wants to be because she doesn’t know who she is weigh heavy on her shoulders. Seeing her childhood best friend for the first time in nearly a decade leaves her feeling even more lost, but also found.

Sam has come a long way from the boy Nova knew. He’s happy and safe, at least on the outside. On the inside, he is struggling as much as she is. The fears he had as a little boy are just under the surface. A lot of his choices and actions are related to making his aunt and uncle proud: playing football, dating the cheerleader, meeting with college scouts. His whole life is laid before him, but it isn’t the life he really wants. It’s the life he thinks he’s supposed to have. But seeing Nova, finding her again, awakens something in him that he can’t keep hidden anymore.

I adored every moment of this book. Schumacher’s writing draws you in creating a sense of wonder and magic as fate brings Nova and Sam together. It reads almost like a fairy tale, even though it isn’t. I couldn’t help but fall in love with them, their relationship, and agonize with them as they navigated what they should or shouldn’t do. It’s realistic to life, but also shows how two people can be tied together in ways others don’t understand.

Overall, I loved In the Orbit of You. I can honestly say it is my favorite book of the year to date. It will be hard to top it. If you are a fan of the author’s previous books or a fan of YA contemporary, I highly recommend it.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

This book contains themes of cheating, deception, and child abuse that may mean this books is not appropriate for some readers.

Full of yearning and angst, THE ORBIT OF YOU follows two childhood friends after a chance reunion during high school brings up painful memories and the hope of creating different, unpredictable futures.

Captivating and beautifully written, Schumacher has once again created a meaningful story about life and love.

Really really cute and fun story about how romance and love doesn’t fade away too well. Very fun and nice. Thanks for the arc

I enjoyed everything about this book except for the fact that there was emotional cheating... But as soon as I started reading this book I was immediately very into the story because I think childhood best friends meeting again as teenagers/adults is so cute. I will be purchasing this book when it is officially released. I think many readers will be able to relate to some of the inner turmoil going on with both of the main characters.

I just cannot approve of any cheating in any book. Why do authors continue to add this??

This won’t be something I recommend.

I realllllly like the premise of this one. I was really enjoying the characters and the plot expect for the nagging presence of cheating. He could not let go of his girlfriend Abigail though it was very clear that he had feelings for Nova. His overcomplicated emotions made it so both girls got hurt! I couldn't continue this.

Ashley Schumacher is one of my favorite young adult authors right now, and In the Orbit of You didn't disappoint.
In the Orbit of You tells the story of two teenagers who were friends as young children, but lost touch for many years. When they happen to run into each other in high school, they form an immediate friendship. It takes them awhile to realize their connection as children, and once they do, their past in revealed, along with the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it.
In the Orbit of You is a beautiful story, filled with emotions, heartbreak, and some romance. I would highly recommend this book to both teens and adults.
A huge thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel.

In the Orbit of You follows childhood friends Nova and Sam as they meet again in high school. Nova is a junior, trying to find out who she is after spending her life moving from place to place with her mom, constantly having to reinvent her personality. Sam is trying to keep the status quo as a high school football star with a cheerleader girlfriend now that he has a safe and happy home life. Their lives are thrown for a loop when they take a survey at school that rates their compatibility at 99%, the highest out of anyone at their school Nova and Sam are drawn together, while pushing each other away for their own good. This was a romantic read and the scenes from their childhood, while heartbreaking, were also very sweet. It was frustrating at times as it seemed like the characters were talking in circles around themselves, but that seems very realistic for teens. Would recommend for fans of romance, Jenny Han, or Rebecca Nowlin.

The Details:
In the Orbit of You by Ashley Schumacher
YA | Trauma | Childhood friends

Quick Summary:
Nova and Sam were childhood best friends but haven't seen each other in years - not since Sam was taken out of an abusive home to live with his aunt and uncle. Now, Nova is at a new high school and meets Sam again in his new life. They become friends and help each other navigate what they want out of the future.

My take:
This was well written and unique and felt very REAL. A lot of criticisms about this book talk about cheating and bad decisions and infatuation at such a young age... but the characters are just that - YOUNG. The author did a good job showing their flaws and challenges, while still making them relatable and likable. The two main characters felt a bit underdeveloped to me - it felt like things happened TO THEM rather than driving the story. But it was pretty entertaining and had its moments.

My rating: 3.5 stars!

I'm 99% sure you are gonna enjoy this read!

In the Orbit of You reunites long-lost friends who made a pact when they were five to find each other when they turned eighteen. Sam and Nova's friendship formed through a break in the fence, and a magical snailopolis kingdom. Sam's innocence was stripped away at the hands of his parents, and he is whisked away to live to with Aunt and Uncle leaving Nova.

Nova, and her Mom, relocate constantly due to her mothers profession. Landing in Texas for a brief time, Nova finds herself enrolled in the same high school as Sam. On top of that, they are neighbors with a fence just like their youth. This is love story about finding joy in yourself and life before committing to another. Sam and Nova are authentic in their feelings, and where they need to go to orbit each other again. The ending had me smiling!

"The kisses go where they need to go..." - oh my heart.

Ashley Schumacher is one of my favorite authors, and I've had this book on preorder since last year.

Thank you, St. Martins Press, Wednesday Books.