A review by alienrosey
The Space Between Us by Melanie Summers

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I know it says 3 stars but honestly, 3.5 for the banter alone. This book was a fun time! Admittedly, I kinda skimmed the synopsis before requesting so I thought this would have more spacey stuff involved, but I was pleasantly surprised! The FMC and MMC have good reason to hate each other but the chemistry is off the charts. I loved their tension with each other and it had a great payoff. Had some sweet and not so sweet family dynamics and a happy ending. 

As much as a contemporary romance can be enemies to lovers, this book nails it. These characters REALLY don’t like each other at first, none of that “enemies to lovers means annoying person at workplace” stuff. Gwen is a researcher at an institution that  involves finding alien life and Ty is a cynical billionaire who has openly voiced his disdain for their project and others like it. After the untimely death of the co founder of the foundation Ty built to sustain these otherworldly enterprises, Gwen and Ty and other folks connected to the co founders life embark on a hike across Peru as his final wish. Along the way, Gwen must attempt to get the funding her institute needs and Ty is unwilling to part with as he wants to use it to get back at his absent father. Shenanigans ensue!! 

Some of the humor fell flat for me but that’s just a personal thing. I get the characters are supposed to be late 30s/early 40s but sometimes it didn’t feel like they talked that way. Like I would rather these characters outright swear rather than say “blerg” or “butts”. 

 

Overall, this book was short, sweet, and somewhat spicy. All you can ask for with a romcom.

Thank you NetGalley for supplying the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!