A Cosmic Kind of Love by Samantha Young

 

"It must seem so strange, to have literally been on top of the world, to watch it turn and feel a part of this constantly expanding universe, and yet feel disconnected to something so intrinsically a part of you."

Release Date: October 18, 2022 

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction 

TW: toxic relationships, death of a loved one, gaslighting, cheating

Rating:

Summary:

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 is a collection of videos from the bride's ex-boyfriend. Hallie knows it's wrong to keep watching these personal messages, 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 before she starts sending emails and video diaries to his deactivated 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 emails 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, one transmission at a time. But can they make their star-crossed romance work when they each learn the other's baggage? 

Review:

I went from reading Love on the Brain where Bee and Levi were working on a project for NASA to reading about Chris who is an astronaut working for NASA in A Cosmic Kind of Love! I guess you can say I've had space on the brain!

It took me longer to read this book, just due to the joys of life! However, once I had time to sit down and really read this book, I was hooked.  I breezed right through it!  

Overall, I really enjoyed this book! I felt that 2/3 of the book, I was absolutely hooked. As the book started to wrap up though... is when it fizzled out for me. Let's start with the positive first though! 

I instantly appreciated Hallie! For me, she was such a relatable character, especially with her people pleasing tendencies. I am also working on that right now and I cannot wait to kick those people pleasing tendencies to the curb. I also constantly find myself in odd situations because of my people pleasing tendencies and my soft heart so I can absolutely relate to Hallie. I also have brightly colored hair and a bubbly personality which makes people not take me seriously very often. 

Chris was such a charming, compassionate, sweet human being. I love a good dual POV and really appreciated being able to tap into the brain of Chris as well. It was also very unique to listen to his experience with losing his mom, his brother, joining the armed forces and becoming an astronaut. Then his experience being in space. I learned some very interesting facts about space that I was not expecting! I cannot wait for the day someone thinks about me the way Chris thinks about Hallie or the way Chris looks at Hallie. The way Chris loves Hallie. Obsessed. Swooning. 

The chemistry between these two characters was out of this world. There was an INSTANTANEOUS pull between Hallie and Chris, before they even met! They were watching these secret, private videos and both had this undeniable connection. Then when they finally met, fireworks! It made me heart so warm as they navigated their friends-to-lovers dynamic. Also the SEXUAL TENSION just bursting through the page during the sex scenes. Mouth = salivating. Chris was so patient and communicative during sex. He WORSHIPPED Hallie's body and comforted her through her insecurities. That was the hottest parts of the intimate scenes between the pair for me. Also, Chris and Hallie had such a real, beautiful relationship. Both characters had so much depth and it was fascinating to watch how these two intertwined with all their "baggage." 

Side note, Althea is such an amazing co-worker and friend. The way she stood up for Hallie time and time again. I think everyone needs a friend like Althea! 

Throughout the book, I really hated reading the horrible dynamic between Hallie and her parents. However, the character development of her parents and the strengthening of her relationship with her parents was worth it in the end. As for Chris and his relationship with his dad, I appreciated the depth and the context that was provided for the character. He was not JUST an asshole dad. But he still was an asshole dad, and his villain backstory was explained. 

My biggest complaint with this book was the THIRD ACT BREAKUP. I absolutely DESPISE a third act breakup. I would much rather sit through an excruciatingly slow burn instead of the alternative: a whirlwind romance that happens too quickly therefore a third act breakup is inevitable. That is exactly what happened here, and it was completely unnecessary. It really ruined the relationship for me. I was really enjoying their story up until this moment, even though it was so predictable. It is cliché, overdone, and completely unnecessary. Authors: MAKE IT STOP. 

So like I said, overall, I enjoyed this book and appreciated the majority of the book. Just wish the last 1/3 of the book was completely re-written. But I really resonated with the main character, Hallie. The undeniable chemistry between Hallie and Chris was so special to experience. Truly, a cosmic kind of love. 

Quotes: 

"It must seem so strange, to have literally been on top of the world, to watch it turn and feel a part of this constantly expanding universe, and yet feel disconnected to something so intrinsically a part of you."

"Being yours...that's the only thing in my life I am one hundred percent certain I want and need to be." 

"It seemed we were drawn to each other like binary stars. It was addictive and disorienting."

"It means 'my sky,' 'my heaven.' I never really gave much thought to it-" He stared deeply into my eyes. "But now, every time I look at you, those words fill my mind. Mi cielo." 

Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood

 

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a community of women trying to mind their own business must be in want of a random man's opinion."

Release Date: August 23, 2022

Genre: Contemporary romance, fiction

Rating:

Summary:

Bee's theory was right-forcing a scientist to work with her nemesis triggers explosive results.

Like an avenging, purple-haired Jedi bringing balance to the mansplained universe, Bee Königswasser lives by a simple code: What would Marie Curie do? If NASA offered Marie her dream neuroengineering project, she would accept without hesitation. Duh, But the mother of modern physics never had to co-lead with Levi Ward.

Sure, Levi has soul-piercing eyes. And sure, he caught her in his powerfully corded arms like a romance novel hero when she accidentally damseled in distress on her first day in the lab. But Levi made his feelings toward bee clear in grad school-archenemies work best when employed in their own galaxies far, far away. 

Now her equipment is missing, the staff ignores her, and Bee finds her floundering career in somewhat of a pickle. Perhaps it's her occipital cortex playing tricks on her, but Bee could swear she can see Levi softening into an ally, backing her plays...devouring her with those eyes. And the possibilities have all her neurons firing. But when it comes time to actually make a move and put her heart on the line, there's only one question that matters: What will Bee Königswasser do? 

Review:

I had been seeing this book ALL OVER bookstagram, even before I joined bookstagram myself. The cover was so damn cute and I could not wait to dive into this book. 

I was immediately infatuated with the main protagonist, Bee Königswasser. She is funky, bold, and does not fit into the traditional mold of a woman in science. But men already find it so repulsive to have women in STEM, let alone a charming and confident purple-haired Bee. Bee was very relatable for a character (who has a completely niche occupation such as a neuroscientist). I appreciated her empowering other women and women in STEM on her secret Twitter account. I always appreciate a book with feminist characters and/or feminist undertones. 

I am a BIG fan of very niche occupations, hobbies, or interests for characters in books. This allows the character to invite you into their special world, which may be completely different from the readers experience or exposure. To read about neuroscientists, engineering, and NASA all in one book: definitely tickled my fancy. 

Speaking of niche interests, Bee's obsession with Marie Curie: I personally loved this aspect of the book as I am also a big fan of Marie Curie myself. Albeit, more of a mild fascination with Marie Curie where Bee has an outright passion for her, her work, and her life. However, I am obsessed with radium and uranium. From this, I have developed a healthy obsession with work-place safety and OSHA because of radium/uranium tragedies. I know there are some people out there felt that the Marie Curie obsession was random, unnecessary, or excessive but I feel the complete opposite. It was unique and intriguing. I also discovered more interesting facts about Marie's life that I never knew before. I do always appreciate a book that can help me learn something new. 

I fell head-over-heels in love with Levi. He is just so damn precious. Also, the amount of times Levi went to bat for Bee and defended her, not just because he absolutely loves her but because she is an amazing scientist. Levi can cook me vegan food and train me for a 5k marathon any day. The passion, the longing he has for Bee..."I know what she smells like. This little freckle on her neck when she pulls up her hair. Her upper lip is a little plumper than the lower. The curve of her wrist, when she holds a pen. It's wrong, really wrong, but I know the shape of her. I go to sleep thinking about it, and then I wake up, go to work, and she is there, and it's impossible. I tell her stuff I know she'll agree to, just to hear her hum back at me. It's like hot water down my fucking spine. She's married. She's brilliant. She trusts me, and all I think about is taking her to my office, stripping her, doing unspeakable things to her. And I want to tell her. I want to tell her that she's luminous, she's so bright in my mind, sometimes I can't focus. Sometimes I forget why I came into the room. I'm distracted. I wanted to push her against a wall, and I want her to push back. I want to go back in time and punch her stupid husband on the day I met him and then travel back to the future and punch him again. I want to buy her flowers, food, books. I want to hold her hand, and I want to lock her in my bedroom. She's everything I ever wanted and I want to inject her into my veins and also never see her again. There's nothing like her and these feelings, they are fucking intolerable. They were half-asleep while she was gone, but now she's here and my body thinks it's a fucking teenager and I don't know what to do. I don't know what to do. There is nothing I can do, so I'll just...not."  Swooning, absolutely swooning.  Also, I appreciate the line about how luminescent Bee is, very reminiscent of radium and the eerie glow it can emit. An extra layer of detail that had me all mushy inside. 

The chemistry between Levi and Bee was undeniable, even when they thought they were sworn enemies. The quirky banter was on point. I was laughing out loud and chuckling to myself at so many points. The sex scenes between these two were also very passionate and well-written. You could feel the longing and desperation from Levi, who has been loving Bee from afar for so long. For Bee, she was experiencing lust and sexual satisfaction that she had never received from her shitty ex. Someone who had made her feel inadequate but then to realize was the inadequate one in the bedroom. Then to be worshipped, her body treated like a temple and she, the goddess, by Levi. It was a whirlwind for Bee. 

Speaking of her shitty ex, Tim is a horrible human being. Absolute trash. I can understand why Bee had such a hard time admitting that her relationship with Levi was more than friends-with-benefits and really investing in the relationship. Typically, I HATE when the relationship is finally happening and one of the partners is in denial. But this made sense for Bee and her previous romantic trauma. Also, honestly, fuck Anna. You betrayed Bee's trust as her BEST FRIEND. I blame Tim AND I blame Anna. The friendship between Bee and Anna is gone. The trust was obliterated. You cannot earn that trust back. Thank you for the closure, have a wonderful life. It is time to close that chapter in her life, on Anna and on Tim. 

I knew throughout the pair's work at NASA there was some level of sabotage occurring, not innocent mistakes. However, I never suspected Guy to be behind them. I honestly thought Boris was more likely. However, with a name like Guy, it makes a lot of sense now. They did foreshadow a few times: how is it possible for Guy to be so accepting not being co-lead and how is it possible that Guy can be so nice? It was obvious foreshadowing but it did not really hit me until he was standing there with a gun! 

This book easily gets 5 out of 5 bunnies. A powerful, feminist female lead.  A brooding, soft male lead. A niche occupation. Slow burn, quirky banter, intense passion, a romance that feels like coming home. This book checked ALL the boxes. It was such a quick read; I annihilated this book in less than 2 days...and that was me trying to pace myself. My only complaint: I wish it was longer! 

Quotes: 

"It is a truth universally acknowledged that a community of women trying to mind their own business must be in want of a random man's opinion."

"If there is one thing men hate more than smart woman, it's a smart woman who makes her own choices when it comes to her own sex life."

"The real villain is love: an unstable isotope, constantly undergoing spontaneous nuclear decay. And it will forever go unpunished." 

"Thank you, Oh Penised Overlords, for the recognition I deserve."

"Guess this is it-being love. Truly in love. Lots and lots of horrible, wondrous, violent emotions."

"You were always in my head.  And I could never get you out." 

"I want to tell her that she's luminous, she's so bright in my mind, sometimes I can't focus."