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."