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illstoptheworldandreadwithyou's review
5.0
Strap in, y’all, because this time I’m serving up a vibes only review. It’s not my typical modus operandi, but here we are.
This is a slightly edited version of what I sent to one of my friends, who read the ARC right before I did.
I loved the book! Oh my heart, the kisses that go where they need to go—those are kisses on palms, folks—and Snailopolis and how they keep getting pulled to each other but want to do the right thing by everyone else and how they both need to learn to say want they really want…ahhhh, it was so good.
I promise most of my reviews are not slightly incoherent run-on sentences, but suffice it to say, this book made my chest constrict, warmed my heart, and made me giddy. Ashley Schumacher knows how to put readers through the wringer. Her books will make your chest ache before she puts everything back together.
I had access to an advance copy of the book. All review opinions are my own.
I had access to an advance copy of the book. All review opinions are my own.
curlyjessreads's review against another edition
5.0
I was provided a free advanced copy of this book from @netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I have read and enjoyed every one of @ashwritesbooks 's books. Most of them will require a whole box (or more) of tissues, but will leave such a lasting impression. This one was only different in that I don't think I shed a tear. But it was still very good and I'll be thinking about it for a while!
When Sam and Nova were young they formed an unbreakable bond through the broken fence. When Sam moved away they promised to find each other again one day. But years later, it seems they meet in an unexpected way. The only issue is Nova isn't part of Sam's carefully laid out plan. But then again, maybe what he needs is a way out of his plan.
This has a lot of depth, a lot of feelings. One thing that surprised me was the maturity of these high schoolers! 😂 Sure they made some stupid choices too, but their depth, understanding, and forgiveness, was more than I see in a lot of adults! I was a little nervous about how it was going to end as I got close. I was afraid she wouldn't be able to have a satisfying/realistic ending, but I shouldn't have doubted Ashley! ☺️
I recommend all of Ashley Schumacher's books, but since this one comes out on Tuesday (19 Mar) you probably don't have time to indulge in many before this one comes out, so start with this one (then move on to Amelia Unabridged, and Full Flight with some tissues close at hand)!
#NetGalley #InTheOrbitOfYou
I have read and enjoyed every one of @ashwritesbooks 's books. Most of them will require a whole box (or more) of tissues, but will leave such a lasting impression. This one was only different in that I don't think I shed a tear. But it was still very good and I'll be thinking about it for a while!
When Sam and Nova were young they formed an unbreakable bond through the broken fence. When Sam moved away they promised to find each other again one day. But years later, it seems they meet in an unexpected way. The only issue is Nova isn't part of Sam's carefully laid out plan. But then again, maybe what he needs is a way out of his plan.
This has a lot of depth, a lot of feelings. One thing that surprised me was the maturity of these high schoolers! 😂 Sure they made some stupid choices too, but their depth, understanding, and forgiveness, was more than I see in a lot of adults! I was a little nervous about how it was going to end as I got close. I was afraid she wouldn't be able to have a satisfying/realistic ending, but I shouldn't have doubted Ashley! ☺️
I recommend all of Ashley Schumacher's books, but since this one comes out on Tuesday (19 Mar) you probably don't have time to indulge in many before this one comes out, so start with this one (then move on to Amelia Unabridged, and Full Flight with some tissues close at hand)!
#NetGalley #InTheOrbitOfYou
theoverflowingbookshelf's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
goodeyreads's review
fast-paced
2.0
Thank you to Wednesday Books for the free copy.
WHYYYYY.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I thought this was going to be a solid four star. I’ve read a previous book by this author and enjoyed it. But then two critical scenes happened that glossed this book into 300 pages of gray area, emotional, turned physical cheating. And I just can’t don’t like those kind of stories. I know high school kids make mistakes, but the way it was handled and processed frustrated me a lot.
At the heart of the story was a soft second chance romance from two young people who were each other’s closest friend when they were little. I had such hope for the direction of this story. There were soft moments of remembrance and some insightful reconnection. Everything feels shadowed by the treatment and ignorance towards the girlfriend. Abigail deserved better.
Feeling flustered by this one y’all. I would love to try Schumacher’s next book and crossing my fingers the dynamic is better.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low-moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: house fire, mentions of child abuse
WHYYYYY.
BLOG || INSTAGRAM
I thought this was going to be a solid four star. I’ve read a previous book by this author and enjoyed it. But then two critical scenes happened that glossed this book into 300 pages of gray area, emotional, turned physical cheating. And I just can’t don’t like those kind of stories. I know high school kids make mistakes, but the way it was handled and processed frustrated me a lot.
At the heart of the story was a soft second chance romance from two young people who were each other’s closest friend when they were little. I had such hope for the direction of this story. There were soft moments of remembrance and some insightful reconnection. Everything feels shadowed by the treatment and ignorance towards the girlfriend. Abigail deserved better.
Feeling flustered by this one y’all. I would love to try Schumacher’s next book and crossing my fingers the dynamic is better.
Overall audience notes:
- YA Contemporary Romance
- Language: moderate
- Romance: kisses
- Violence: low-moderate
- Trigger/Content Warnings: house fire, mentions of child abuse
lisaluvsliterature's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I’ve wanted to read this author for a while, and now after reading and loving this one, I know I need to go back and get to the ones I missed. This was a very emotional story, with really a lot of angst because both characters wanted to be with the other. But both knew or had reasons that they thought they shouldn’t be together. Reading about Sam’s past, how his dad had been to him, for the most part there were no immediate scenes describing the abuse. Just the after effects like bruises and injuries that Nova noticed, or him trying to figure out how to cover them or stay safe.
Now Nova’s life wasn’t bad. She just moved a lot with her mom’s job taking them places constantly as she helped on company then moved on to the next when that job was done. Nova had always seemed to like it. I mean, how much fun to be able to reinvent yourself in each new place and try out what life could be like in a different clique/group of high school. However all the reinventing made it so she didn’t really know what she actually liked and what she’d just participated in because of her found friends. She also ended a relationship that she’d thought was more than it was and was reeling a bit from that, thinking she now just needed to be herself in this latest place. Especially as the need to figure out what she wanted to do for college became a high priority both at school and with her mom.
Sam had been adopted by his aunt and uncle and it was a good life now. He was a star football player, dating a cheerleader, living the high school dream of so many boys, especially in Texas. But underneath it all he doesn’t quite know if he’s happy. He doesn’t know that he actually wants to do football for the rest of his life, even as scouts and colleges are promising him full rides and his new parents celebrate with him and are so proud. And even though he’s not really shown any signs, there’s just always the fear that he might become like his own abusive father. Not to mention he doesn’t want to disappoint either his parents or his girlfriend, and isn’t it a happy enough life the way it is, to follow these expectations?
But Sam and Nova had made a promise promise to each other when he left that they’d find each other again when they were 18 years old. It may be a year early for Nova, but when she happens to move in to his school, in fact his very neighborhood, all sorts of things start to connect. Then a personality test the school has all the students take on the first day Nova is there shows the two have a 99% compatibility, the highest of anyone else in the school, even Sam and his girlfriend aren’t that close! Even as I said, they both try to fight it.
I was totally in for this will they won’t they story. My only issue was the tiny bit of cheating it involved, even if it was really just spending time that they felt guilty about even as just friends. And the one kiss at a dance. Sam’s girlfriend Abigail was such a good person. Not your stereotypical cheerleader mean girl. I imagine her character was very similar to how my younger sister who was a cheerleader actually was in school. My sister was never a mean girl, well except maybe to our younger sister, but that’s a sibling thing. And I like getting a story where the cheerleader can be shown differently than the stereotype.
So really this was overall a great story and one I can’t wait to share with my students!
Now Nova’s life wasn’t bad. She just moved a lot with her mom’s job taking them places constantly as she helped on company then moved on to the next when that job was done. Nova had always seemed to like it. I mean, how much fun to be able to reinvent yourself in each new place and try out what life could be like in a different clique/group of high school. However all the reinventing made it so she didn’t really know what she actually liked and what she’d just participated in because of her found friends. She also ended a relationship that she’d thought was more than it was and was reeling a bit from that, thinking she now just needed to be herself in this latest place. Especially as the need to figure out what she wanted to do for college became a high priority both at school and with her mom.
Sam had been adopted by his aunt and uncle and it was a good life now. He was a star football player, dating a cheerleader, living the high school dream of so many boys, especially in Texas. But underneath it all he doesn’t quite know if he’s happy. He doesn’t know that he actually wants to do football for the rest of his life, even as scouts and colleges are promising him full rides and his new parents celebrate with him and are so proud. And even though he’s not really shown any signs, there’s just always the fear that he might become like his own abusive father. Not to mention he doesn’t want to disappoint either his parents or his girlfriend, and isn’t it a happy enough life the way it is, to follow these expectations?
But Sam and Nova had made a promise promise to each other when he left that they’d find each other again when they were 18 years old. It may be a year early for Nova, but when she happens to move in to his school, in fact his very neighborhood, all sorts of things start to connect. Then a personality test the school has all the students take on the first day Nova is there shows the two have a 99% compatibility, the highest of anyone else in the school, even Sam and his girlfriend aren’t that close! Even as I said, they both try to fight it.
I was totally in for this will they won’t they story. My only issue was the tiny bit of cheating it involved, even if it was really just spending time that they felt guilty about even as just friends. And the one kiss at a dance. Sam’s girlfriend Abigail was such a good person. Not your stereotypical cheerleader mean girl. I imagine her character was very similar to how my younger sister who was a cheerleader actually was in school. My sister was never a mean girl, well except maybe to our younger sister, but that’s a sibling thing. And I like getting a story where the cheerleader can be shown differently than the stereotype.
So really this was overall a great story and one I can’t wait to share with my students!
thereadingraccoon's review
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Book Review: In the Orbit of You by Ashley Schumacher
In the Orbit of You is a young adult contemporary romance novel about two teens that were childhood best friends and meet again in high school.
Nova and her mother have been moving back and forth across the country for years and never settling in one place for long. But when she was five her best friend was Sam and they played outside together everyday until he was abruptly removed from his parents and sent to live with his aunt and uncle. Now, a dozen years later Sam and Nova are in the same school together and an online personality test said they are nearly a perfect match. The only problem? Nova is only town for two months and Sam has a girlfriend. Sam and Nova will struggle with their identities, what they want for the future and if they truly belong together or if what they had should remain in the past.
In the Orbit of You is a beautiful love story about two people fated to be together. I love the choices the author made by acknowledging the need for the characters to grow up a little and find their place in the world instead of clinging to each other like anchors. I also appreciate that she didn’t make Sam’s girlfriend Abigail a villain or a nemesis to Nova but instead a whole person instead of a caricature. Also, Sam’s childhood abuse and PTSD was handled in a realistic and thoughtful way instead of making it salacious.
I highly recommend In the Orbit of You to readers that enjoy coming of age stories and romance.
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
megs1328's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
In the Orbit of You is a sweet YA novel with two childhood friends reuniting after 15 years apart. They are now in a Texas High School and now need to figure out how to navigate their history of shared promises, and trying to figure out who they are now and where they want to go next. I appreciated that they placed emphasis on deciding who they are as individuals, rather than mold themselves straight into a relationship. The writing is beautiful and flowed well, it didn't feel like a high school level novel, and gave me The Notebook vibes. TW: past childhood abuse (off page), cheating (The Notebook-level)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders
bookedandstarred's review against another edition
2.0
Should have been a DNF. While I’m mostly forgiving of teens flip-flopping on their decisions, the back and forth in this one exasperated me. This is my first from the author and I’m hoping that this is a fluke and am still willing to give her a chance since I heard great reviews on Amelia Unabridged.
Still, my thanks to Wednesday Books, NetGalley and the author for my copy. All opinions are honest and my own.
Still, my thanks to Wednesday Books, NetGalley and the author for my copy. All opinions are honest and my own.
bookishlychar's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a captivating novel about Sam and Nova. A friendship is torn apart at a young age, with a promise to find each other when 18. Sam and Nova meet again when Nova moves to town, having not seen Sam in more than 10 years. A compatibility test at their high school makes them a 99% match, but Sam has a girlfriend and Nova is trying to find herself. Neither wants to hurt each other, or others around them, but they continuously find themselves drawn together. Remembering the life from before.
This is a coming-of-age story and has a lot of the pain and turmoil associated with being a young adult in this world. Ashley Schumacher's writing is beautiful and transports you to this world of Sam and Nova and their story. The characters are so well written and parsed out that I felt for them both. Sam has been through many things in his painful past and is working to keep everyone happy, not ever wanting to rock the boat. He soon discovers that is nearly impossible and worries he is going to end up hurting everyone. Nova is the perfect depiction of someone so lost, not knowing or understanding herself.
They found themselves at what seemed to be a time when they needed each other. Though they experienced and caused pain, they were able to come out of this with growth and a better understanding of themselves.
I thought this was a beautiful story about friendship and love. Sam and Nova are working to figure out who they are, and how to be the person they are. The world the author created drew me in and had me reading page after page. Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.
This is a coming-of-age story and has a lot of the pain and turmoil associated with being a young adult in this world. Ashley Schumacher's writing is beautiful and transports you to this world of Sam and Nova and their story. The characters are so well written and parsed out that I felt for them both. Sam has been through many things in his painful past and is working to keep everyone happy, not ever wanting to rock the boat. He soon discovers that is nearly impossible and worries he is going to end up hurting everyone. Nova is the perfect depiction of someone so lost, not knowing or understanding herself.
They found themselves at what seemed to be a time when they needed each other. Though they experienced and caused pain, they were able to come out of this with growth and a better understanding of themselves.
I thought this was a beautiful story about friendship and love. Sam and Nova are working to figure out who they are, and how to be the person they are. The world the author created drew me in and had me reading page after page. Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for a copy of this book. All opinions are 100% mine.