A review by bestbedhead
A Complicated Love Story Set in Space by Shaun David Hutchinson

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Like the title, I have complicated feelings about this space love story. There were parts of this book I really loved and parts that fell a bit flat. I would say that this book reads as a YA contemporary set in the back drop of space rather than a YA Sci-Fi. The large portion of the plot centers on the characters, their past traumas, self discovery, and interpersonal relationships. Not that these are bad things though the focus of the book is squarely on the characters and less about the looming space mystery that Jenny, Noa, and DJ have found themselves in. 

I found myself enjoying the characters and the careful examination of accepting one's past and how Noa especially allowed himself to move on. I found myself often wishing the story would lean a bit harder into the sci-fi- elements of the plot. Some of the story events felt random or not fully explained as they were just vehicles to bring Noa and DJ together. However, once I got to the twist things got infinitely more interesting. 
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