The Stars Between Us

I went into this book not really sure what I was expecting but I was so pleasantly surprised. The way Terrill explains this world had me intrigued and gripped on my seat. I was constantly flipping the pages because I wanted to find out more!

I really enjoyed this book because it was full of action and suspense! The main characters were unique and interesting as was the plot. I really enjoyed this book and highly recommend readers try it.

A fun book with the glitz and Hollywood glam of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and the intrigue of The Inheritance Games set against an intergalactic backdrop. This is certainly a book you wont want to put down.

Having lived the majority of your life at below poverty, what would you do if you found out that an extremely wealthy man you have only met once, has stipulated in his will that his son could only inherit his immense fortune if he married you? Would you allow yourself to 'be sold off' like a possession to a man you have never met knowing the wealth will support your family in a way you could never imagine? Would your understanding of your self worth and true value prevent you from being treated no better than an inanimate object? Eighteen year old Viktoria Hale found herself asking those very questions.

Early in Vika Hale's life her father had a good job that provided well for his wife and two daughters. The fall of the local mining production on their planet of Philomenus, and the loss of his job, changed their whole existence. The Hale's could no longer afford to live their luxurious lifestyle, let alone eat. At young ages, Vika and her sister were forced to work backbreaking, demeaning jobs to help their family barely survive. Vika and her sister were more fortunate then some. A personal teacher was provided by an unknown, wealthy benefactor Vika met once when she was a very little girl. The education came at a cheap price, Vika was required to provide blood for DNA testing, undergo psychological and mental tests, as well as provide a yearly photo.

Over the years Regis Chapin had vetted many young girls to become the wife of his only son Leo. Upon Regis' death it became clear by a stipulation in his will that Vika was Regis' choice. Leo must return home from school abroad and marry Vika in order to inherit his father's vast wealth. During his trip home his freighter explodes killing everyone on board, including Leo. What does this mean for Vika? Where does this leave her?

Cristin Terrill's story had me engaged from the very first page. 'The Stars Between Us' tells the story of life on two very different planets. One filled with wealth, parties, and prestige and the other poverty, desperation, and struggles. On occasion I did find myself struggling to understand Vika Hale. At times she came across as self-absorbed and shallow, but then I would contemplate the extreme life choices an eighteen year old was being forced to make and better understand her plight. Not just any eighteen year old, but a young woman who was forced to live most of her life struggling to survive. Wouldn't anyone in her situation revel in the wealth and sophisticated lifestyle they were suddenly thrust into? Throughout the story we get to see Vika grow and mature into a deeper character.

Cristin Terrill is a new author for me and an instant book buy now that I have gotten a taste for her craft of writing.
The story itself is not completely original. Premise of a poor girl, "Vika", finds out she has the opportunity to live a better life by marrying the Chapin heir, only to turn out he died in an explosion. Or did he? However, it does not end there for our heroine. She gets offer the chance to experience wealth under the charity and goodwill of the couple who received a nice windfall of being name the heir of the Chapin empire. Everything seemed to be going well for Vika until a sinister explosion makes her question if the Chapin heir death was a coincidence or planned. Together with Sky, they hunt for the answers. Along this journey, we see growth in both characters and justice they both deserve.

What I loved about this book is it kept me guessing differently. I thought I knew what this was all about but I was pleasantly surprised. Vika was a strong heroine. Her emotions were realistic for any girl pushed into a different environment but she did cave nor did she lose herself ultimately.

Overall, I throughly enjoyed this novel. All the plot twist and answers were complete by the end of the novel and the ending was poetic. HEA

This book blew me away! I was unable to but it down. Perfect, dazzlingly, very well written. The details the author described throughout the book was so amazing. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

I really enjoyed this reading experience. The intrigue, the mystery, the romance, science-fiction elements of surprise presented in a dystopian manner....there is something here for every "flavor" of reader! I really enjoyed the "enemies to lovers" and adventurous nature of the plot...and I know that all who read this will find something to identify with and enjoy. I will, most certainly, be purchasing multiple copies of this for my Library! Excellent!

I absolutely loved this book. I will be purchasing a copy for my classroom library. I have a few students who are really into The Inheritance Games, and I think this will be a great next read for them. I love the world Terrill created and think this could be a great introduction to fantasy/sci-fi for my students!

Delightful. Not to be dramatic, but I would die for Vika. (And Sky.) Enemies to lovers in space, Terrill's customary excellent world building, and plot that will keep you reading up past your bedtime... What's not to love?

Sci-fi is generally not my go to fiction genre but it is now after devouring The Stars Between Us. Cristin Terrill is a new author to me and it's safe to say I'm officially a fan. The story follows the dynamic trio of Vika, Sky, & Ariel on their mission to uncover the real culprits responsible for a terrorist attack on a commercial space liner. Along the way, they'll discover themselves, each other (fake identities and all), and what the power of money can do to a person. In the beginning of the novel, there is an element of "I'm not like other girls" that did give me pause; but don't worry, there is plenty of opportunity for the characters to grow and mature away from that mindset. There is an element of romance and a beautifully paced enemies to lovers trope, but it is written in a way that I feel is safe to recommend to the middle schoolers I work with everyday. Honestly, the moment I finished this book, I was desperate for a sequel to pick up! I hope to see a second in the series or in the same universe from Terrill.

Fantastic book!! Truly fantastic! I read in in one day! I even carried it to the bathroom with me. I could not put it down!!! Full of twists and turns! Everyone must read! It is one of the best of the best! Thank you, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher from the bottom of my heats! So happy I was granted the privilege to read and review this incredible book!!!

Vika has spent her life on a planet with little opportunity, yet a mysterious benefactor has provided her with a great education and medical care. One day Vika learns that the benefactor is a billionaire who has recently died and included her in his will. But the inheritance doesn't come without cost. When Vika goes to his estate and starts to live a life of luxury she cannot believe her luck. But it soon becomes apparent that someone doesn't want the heirs to collect the inheritance. With the help of Sky, an obnoxious employee on the estate, Vika tries to figure out who is after the heirs and how to stop them. Hopefully they can figure it out before it is too late.
I really enjoyed this book. It was one of the books that sucks you in and you want to see what happens. The theme of wealth disparity is one that many readers will be interested in. It asks you to look at yourself and wonder what choices you would make for money. What would you be willing to do or give up inheriting billions of dollars? The characters of Vika and Leo are personable, and you cheer for them. While Vika can at times be a little much as she makes some of her choices, you cannot help but fall in love with Leo. I found myself amazed at who Leo is despite the money that he was raised with. The look at various characters and how they handle their circumstances is interesting, especially when you have so many characters with different life experiences. The author did a great job of creating the characters. It was a great book.

I couldn't put this book down. Terrill did a fabulous job of keeping me guessing, especially by using third person POV. The characters were dynamic and unexpected, and it was just tropey enough that I thoroughly enjoyed it as a YA novel. Some sci-fi world-building elements reminded me of more serious works like the Foundation, while other times it was very reminiscent of The Thousandth Floor by Katharine McGee. For fans of the latter series, I would say TSBU is less Gossip Girl and more about self-discovery, but was just as fast-paced. I honestly enjoyed this more than I thought I would.

Dystopian sci-fi romance? Sign me up! This is my first foray into reading Cristin Terrill’s work and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was such a fun romp that has showcases delightful tropes in faraway places.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

The Stars Between Us is a delightful blend of genres. There is the sci-fi setting on new planets, but there is a dystopian flavor to pair of worlds - one poverty stricken and the other wealthy beyond belief. Add in mysterious murders and attempted murders to solve and a simmering romance, and you have The Stars Between Us.

From the first page, I was pulled into Vika's world and the intrigue that followed her change of fortunes and the dangers that followed in its wake. The characters were so engaging and relatable. The mystery about what was going on on the mysterious murders and supposed accidents kept me on the edge of my seat until the final reveal. The deeper exploration of what wealth does and doesn't provide for people as well as how wealth changes people made reading the book and even richer experience.

Cristin Terrill's writing is beautiful as always! I highly recommend this book; there is something for every reader to enjoy.

This book left me wanting more in all the best ways. A gripping novel from start to finish I am excited to see more from this author in the future!

Cristin Terrill's writing was beautiful, and as usual with her books, she hooked me from page one. I instantly connected with Vika, which isn't common for me. She felt very raw and authentic, and I loved that her character spoke her true thoughts, even if they happened to be a little ugly at times. While I did see some of the twists coming, the ride in getting to them was an absolute thrill. There were many times where my heart was in my throat and my stomach dropped out, just waiting for something bad to happen. I often struggle with grasping the world-building in sci-fi/fantasy novels, but Terrill made it very easy to picture this world and insert myself into it. There was never a moment where I found myself trying to figure out what was going, which was a huge feat in my opinion. And the romance! That slow burn is my absolute favorite, and I enjoyed every minute, even if I wanted to slap both of the characters at times.

Oh my gosh I absolutely loved this book! I was hooked from chapter one and found it difficult to put down!

This was so good! One of the first books I've read in a long time where I think about the story and characters when I'm not reading. Kept me guessing and engaged the entire read.

Such a fun book and an easy read, exactly what you’d want from a YA Sci-Fi! Vika is an interesting character, who spends most of the book torn between who she was raised as and who she actually is. There are twists in this book that you’ll see coming, and other twists you’ll have no idea about! It’s a good mixture of the two, because it lures you into a false sense of knowledge as to how the book will end. Super fun and a worthwhile read!

From the first page, the first sentence, I was hooked. The synopsis does not do this beauty justice. It was a whirlwind of lies and secrets, of limits tested again and again. I enjoyed every second of this story. Pure magic.

I was immediately sold on reading this title when I saw it compared to Bridgerton in Space. I blew through this title within 48 hours and loved every second of it! I can’t wait to read more from this author.

The Stars Between Us was such a fun experience to read! I enjoyed the characters, and it was a quick read. I found the writing to be engaging and entertaining; I had an enjoyable time reading this and it held my attention the entire way through that I finished it within the day!

The story was absolutely engaging and the work that went into the settings was noticeable and superb. I felt absolutely transported and I'm so incredibly glad I was able to read an arc of this story.

I had my doubts when I first opened this book.

As someone who doesn’t like sci-fi that much (and especially doesn’t like space books), I looked at my review copy for this book and asked myself “why did you request this?”

But y’all. I’m OBSESSED.

I knew very early on that I wouldn’t be able to put this book down. 7% of the way through this book, I turned to my vlogging camera and told it “this is going to be the best book of my entire life.”

We open with our main character, Vika, who finds out that the mysterious man who has been paying for her education and health bills has recently died and left her as part of his will. But in order for her to get his inheritance, she has to marry his son.

And then his son’s spaceship is blown up.

I don’t know how someone could just skip past this book. I told the camera about my obsession. I told my friends. I told MY MOM.

For a book that centers around the mystery of who killed Vika’s fiancé, I felt like this book was a bit obvious at times. There’s a certain twist readers are included in fairly early on that felt really obvious before it was revealed, and the buildup to finding out who has been targeting Vika’s inheritance felt like there was no mystery at all. Still, I could appreciate this book for just being a fun time and letting me read this little journey.

Until I was BAMBOOZLED and reminded that I truly just cannot guess the villain in thrillers. My one failing.

I will say, however, that the ending to this book is quite bittersweet. I understand how it is the perfect ending for these characters and this book, but I want more, damn it! If the author would please grace me with a little snippet of the characters a few months into the future, I would be very appreciative. 🥺

But until then, I’ll just reread this book another hundred times…

I enjoyed this book so much that at 92% I had put it down because I didn’t want it to end.
First off, thank you NetGalley for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I would say this story has 3 plots going simultaneously and they are a romantic one (not spicy), a mystery, and how money affects people. Plus the plot twists were amazing. Like the one at like 30%….
This story definitely had Great Expectations vibes with hints of Charles Dickens’s other works, like Bleak House and Little Dorrit in the sense of how money or the lack there of can affect and change people. That side of the story interests me while also giving me flashbacks to my years as an Estate Paralegal. Seriously, the things people will do for “free” money. But there was also this romance reminiscent of Jane Austen with characters that think there’s so much standing between them being together when it’s just themselves.
And finally, I love Sky. This cinnamon roll of a character is my new book boyfriend. And even though I too am a cinnamon roll, I would fight anyone and everyone who would dare hurt Sky.
I loved this book and I plan ranting and raving about it to everyone I know.

There are so few Sci-Fi books out right now, so to find one that is also fabulous is just a bonus! Knives Out was one of my favorite movies, and this had all the same vibes!! Plus, anytime you can show the disparity between classes and the dysfunction of governments, I'm sold on that story. There were the perfect amount of plot twists that kept me guessing.

The Stars Between Us was so much more than I expected. It's a constantly moving story filled with romance and complex politics. Vika, the main character, went through a pleasantly realistic arc and went from being a character I didn't like to one that I felt close to. My favourite part had to be her realization about money: both the benefits and the consequences. Good read!

This was an incredibly unique, interesting book!! From the twists and the turns to the incredible world building, I found myself on the edge of my seat often. One of my favorite things for me though was the character ARC with our heroine. Cristin did a wonderful job of making her flawed and complex, and also making her go from someone you frankly wanted to throw your book at to routing heavily for. You don’t often see heroines this flawed, but it was real and raw and done well. This read is lower on the romance scale but definitely high on the YA/Sci-Fi, so if that’s what you are looking for, its definitely worth picking up!

I was provided a free ARC of The Stars Between Us by Cristin Terrill from St Martin’s Press via NetGalley in return for my honest review of this book. Any opinions stated in this review are mine completely and are not influenced by outside sources.

I want to start off this review by saying I really frekin love this book, which is weird because usually I'm not a sci-fi fan. Vika felt so realistic as a character and I felt that I could really put myself into her shoes and see why she made certain decisions. I never really knew who to trust in this book and just as I thought I could trust someone they were hiding something. I highly recommend this and I will be purchasing it when it comes out.

This book was so tense but so fun at the same time! This world is vivid and I loved it! I think the best way to describe this book is a little bit of Bridgerton, a bit of The Inheritance Games, and a golden retriever love interest, all wrapped up in a pretty bow. I just had a great time reading this story. 4.5 stars ⭐️.

This story was super atmospheric, full of sparkles, and packed with alluring intrigue. I loved the characters, I loved the plot, the execution, the pacing, ALL OF IT.

Viktoria was an interesting protagonist. She had a lot of traits that I wouldn’t have expected considering her upbringing. Most notably she was selfish, completely self absorbed but not in a way that was distasteful. That stood out to me as we progressed through the book because of how she battles that fact about herself, and how she feels so guilty for allowing her “selfishness” to overcome her when it reality she is just enjoying the one time she allows herself some sort of happiness. Besides that, she was stubborn and caring and she fixated a lot. I feel like this combo is something I haven’t seen before, which I liked. Also, she wasn’t perfect by any means, and I respect the author for writing her like that because it just added dimension to her character.

A very good read. I highly enjoyed the places this book took me. I'll definitely be on the lookout for more from this author in the future.