ABOUT THE BOOK

Space is the last thing an event planner and an astronaut need in this charming new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young.

When event planner Hallie Goodman receives party-inspiration material from the bride of her latest wedding project, the last thing she expects to find in the files are digital videos from Darcy’s ex-boyfriend. Hallie knows it’s wrong to keep watching these personal videos, but this guy is cute, funny, and an astronaut on the International Space Station to boot. She’s only human. And it’s not long until she starts sending e-mails and video diaries to his discontinued NASA address. Since they’re bouncing back, there’s no way anyone will ever be able to see them…right?

Christopher Ortiz is readjusting to life on earth and being constantly in the shadow of his deceased older brother. When a friend from NASA’s IT department forwards him the e-mails and video messages Hallie has sent, he can’t help but notice how much her sense of humor and pink hair make his heart race.

Separated by screens, Hallie and Chris are falling in love with each other, one transmission at a time. But can they make their star-crossed romance work when they each learn the other’s baggage?

MY REVIEW

This is my first Samantha Young novel and I enjoyed the astronaut/event planner theme.  Opposites attract are always fun to read.

Hallie Goodman is an event planner and people pleaser. A good combo for her job, but not her personal life. Her parents are a trainwreck with their divorce from hell as they place her smack dab in the middle without regard for her mental health and well-being.  And her ex disrespects her job and said he was embarrassed by her. How humiliating is that? Then along comes one of her unusual situations where she accidentally opens some videos from a client only to be mesmerized by the man in the camera.

Captain Christopher Ortiz is an Air Force test pilot and a United States astronaut. He has worked hard to be where he is and now that he is retiring from the Air Force and back from his time in space, he is at loose ends. His arrogant and controlling father is no help as he points out Chris’s lack of motivation, but Chris became an astronaut not because it was his dream, but because it was his late brother’s dream. Now he needs to do something for himself…but what?  Enter the cute, quirky woman with pink hair who admitted to watching the personal videos sent to his girlfriend. No, not that kind of video…his daily diary when he was on the International Space Station.

Both of these characters are so thoughtful and kind. Hallie’s awkward situations are hilarious and best of all she takes it in stride. It’s who she is.  Her kind and generous nature make her the target of people who take advantage of her, namely her ungrateful, childish, selfish parents. My parents went through a nasty divorce like that and I cringe as they put her in the middle. Something my older sister can relate to. I like Hallie because even though people treat her poorly, it doesn’t skew her outlook on life. Chris is just as kind with his protectiveness of Hallie and his encouragement and respect for her and her career. It’s his support and advice that helps her confront her parents. He’s actually a bit like Hallie when he’s too nice and gives people the benefit of the doubt such as Darcy, his cheating ex-girlfriend and Hallie’s client,  and especially his unloving father who continues to try and control his life. It’s his obsession with the adorable and understanding Hallie that brings out the lovely boyfriend material this man empowers. Yes, he does screw up once they go from friends to lovers, but his lovely heartfelt apology at the airport is well worth waiting for and gave me the feels. 

My favorite supporting character has to be Althea. I love her feistiness and unfailing support for her colleague, Hallie. I also adore Chris’s, Aunt Richelle. She’s kind and encouraging and gives him memorable advice. She’s also the parent figure he needs with his mother gone and his nasty father trying to control his life. Hallie’s parents are extremely unlikable at first, but they finally take responsibility for their fuck ups and come through for her. As for Chris’s father…I don’t see him changing.

I am delighted to recommend this funny, thought-provoking romance with well-developed characters and an interesting theme.  I learned a lot about astronauts.

Thank you to Ms. Young for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

New York Times, USA Today Wall Street Journal bestselling author. She’s been nominated for several Goodreads Choice Awards. Samantha writes adult contemporary and paranormal romance, YA urban fantasy and YA contemporary fiction and is currently published in 31 countries.
She resides in Scotland.

Follow Samantha on website, Goodreads, Amazon, Facebook, Facebook Group, Instagram, Twitter, Bookbub, Pinterest, and Verve.

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