I had so much fun with *The Stars Too Fondly*. It’s a sapphic space adventure that doesn’t take itself too seriously, making it a great entry point for anyone new to sci-fi. The mix of romance, humor, and mystery kept me hooked, even if some parts stretched believability.

The premise is chaotic in the best way—Cleo and her friends accidentally steal a spaceship (oops) while trying to investigate its past. The *Providence* was supposed to be humanity’s first deep-space mission, but its entire crew vanished 20 years ago. Now, the ship’s AI, modeled after its missing captain Billie, is both helping and harassing them as they hurtle toward Proxima Centauri with no way back. As Cleo and Billie go from clashing to… something much more complicated, the crew starts to realize that physics itself might be breaking around them.

The pacing is solid, with a good balance of action and quieter moments. I loved the banter between Cleo and Billie—it adds a lot of personality to the story. The LGBTQ+ representation feels natural and well-integrated, which is always a plus. That said, the romance moves a little fast, and the way it’s resolved left me wanting more. Also, the villain is a bit over-the-top, but honestly, that just adds to the book’s fun energy.

This isn’t a super technical or deeply philosophical sci-fi novel, but that’s part of its charm. If you’re in the mood for a queer, adventurous space romp with heart, *The Stars Too Fondly* is well worth the ride.

I'll admit I'm not usually a science fiction space opera fan. I find they lack in plot, or rely too heavily on the ship itself to drive a narrative, which doesn't appeal. So unfortunately maybe I set The Stars Too Fondly up for failure here. However, I also don't think the writing was particularly good. It felt clunky and odd, incorporating modern terms and pop culture references that irritated me beyond belief. I also found that, as expected, there wasn't much of a plot. The story itself revolves heavily around this group of people that don't really have a lot in common and didn't really gel all that well together either. The romance in particular is really silly and nonsensical. If you're not going to have a plot, at least have some strong characters. This lacked both. Not for me.

A Sapphic Space Romance? Sign me up! This book was really great, and a really fun read.

So, here's the thing: Cleo and her friends really, truly didn't mean to steal this spaceship.

They just wanted to know why, twenty years ago, the entire Providence crew vanished without a trace. But then the stupid dark matter engine started all on its own, and now these four twenty-somethings are en route to Proxima Centauri, unable to turn around, and being harangued by a snarky hologram that has the face and attitude of the ship's missing captain, Billie.

Cleo has dreamt of being an astronaut all her life, and Earth is kind of a lost cause at this point, so this should be one of those blessings in disguise people talk about. But as the ship gets deeper into space, the laws of physics start twisting, old mysteries start crawling back to life, and Cleo's initially combative relationship with Billie turns into something deeper and more desperate than either woman is prepared for.

Lying somewhere in the subspace between science fantasy and sapphic rom-com, The Stars Too Fondly is a soaring near-future adventure about dark matter and alternate dimensions, leaving home and finding family, and the galaxy-saving power of letting yourself love and be loved.

The representation of the full gender and sexuality spectrum was really great, and didn't feel artificial, or forced. I loved the relationship between Billie and Cleo and their continual back and forth banter, which was a strong running line throughout the book.

The book is well-paced and cosy, but also felt very exciting, and had enough action to continue driving the plot, which was very strong.

I've always been a little bit of a sucker for the accidental adventure, but whilst I easily suspended by disbelief with "We Didn't Mean To Go To Sea", we didn't mean to accidentally steal a haunted spaceship pushed my credibility. But then that's the set-up to this YA adjacent space romp, four friends break in to the abandoned hulk of the Providence, which was supposed to be humanities first voyage to another star, However, the minute its experimental drive was turned on, the entire crew complement vanished, and the ship went nowhere. Now twenty years later a bunch of nerds on a dare "accidentally turn it on". Luckily they have a very complimentary and broad set of skills which means that they can just about manage the ship on its pre-programmed (if one assumes massively out of date from a navigation point of view) journey, and are helped along by the ships AI which has the personality of the previous captain. Who, because it is 2024 and sapphic sci-fi is the vogue, our heroine also falls in love with.

The Stars Too Fondly skirts around space opera, survival thriller and the "hyperspace is full of monsters" genre winningly. Whilst our team are in their mid-twenties, this is clearly as emotionally aggressive as a YA audience would desire, long-term friends become extremely hostile, the AI romance is passionate quickly, and the reveal and actions of the baddie very moustache twirling. But sometimes that's what you want, and since this decided to be gung-ho from the first page it maintains its breathless tone throughout, It is quite hard to take seriously, but it is also quite difficult to begrudge if you get swept up in the adventure and romance (albeit its solution to its AI romance is thoroughly unsatisfactory).

I thoroughly enjoyed this fun and well paced space opera. It had a cosy, heartwarming vibe throughout and my favourite part was the interactions between the main cast of characters and how much they cared and looked out for one another. Well worth a read if you enjoy this genre!

The most perfect sapphic space opera room com of your dreams! This book just made my heart so full in every way possible.

In the not too distant future, when the Earth is on the brink of collapse, only space exploration can save humanity.

Regular Friday nights after a few drinks, a group of friends with aspirations of what it would be like to travel space, come up with an unlikely and slightly dangerous plan of sneaking into the launch site for the last disastrous space mission, where the whole crew, in a flash of light, disappeared.
That mission was to travel to a distant planet, to set up a base, for the survival of the human race.

What a fun romp through space!

Don’t over think it! Just read it!

Thanks NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for the ARC

I enjoyed this book so much. It had everything: an accidental spaceship heist, a mysteriously missing crew, strong environmental subtext and a gay romance with the ships computer.

Though I was unsure about how I felt about it’s end, the romance between Billie and Cleo was so sweet. It was done in a way that you couldn’t forget that it was doomed as Billie wasn’t a physical person who could give Cleo any sort of real relationship outside the ship, but at the same time you were rooting for them so much.

I loved how funny this book was too. The characters were so fun and easy to relate too and the sections of Billie’s narratives were just my favourite bits.

I had such a good time reading this book and hope many people pick it up too!

I really tried to like The Stars Too Fondly by Emily Hamilton; it had, after all, what sounded like a book I would really enjoy. Science fiction sappphic romance, sign me up. But I couldn't get past the 20% mark for various reasons.

1. It's a young adult novel, but the main cast is around 27 to 30 years old. Which was initially strange to me, and I wondered if this was a genre mistake...until reading their dialogues. They are meant to be doctors, postgraduates, scientists, but they talk and bicker like 14-year-olds. I also found it bizarre that they seriously believed that between the four of them, that they could figure out what went wrong with the Providence 1 launch when the whole of NASA couldn't, and they’d never encountered technology like that before.

2. Cleo, as a main character, is annoying as hell. Her character and relationships with her friends can be boiled down to this:

Them: Oh god, the ship has launched with no way of being rescued. It's a 7-year voyage, and we have no idea if there's any supplies, medicine, or food on this 20-year-old abandoned ship. We have no way of getting back to our friends, families, or loved ones, and there is a very likely possibility that we will all die. We're (rightfully) doomed.

Cleo: Woooooooo! We're on a spaceship; isn’t this cool? Woohoo, why aren't you guys also excited?!

3. I can just about manage contemporary novels that namedrop TV show names, movies, social media, etc. because they’re set in the present day. But there is no way you can convince me that TikTok is still a thing in 2061.

This was a pretty fun read and had a fairly exciting plot but unfortunately, I just couldn't connect with the writing style, and some of the characters felt a little flat. Overall it was a decent read but I didn't love it.

The Stars Too Fondly got off to a great start. Who doesn’t want to read a fun accidental space heist with a bunch of geeks? At times, it reminded me of the Illuminae Files, but without the creative formatting.

I liked the backstory of the original Providence crew, and the attempt at creating a dark matter drive, along with the consequences of that. We see what happened through various log entries, as well as an unidentified narrator jumping into to muse over what is happening. It does veer off into science-fantasy territory fairly quickly, with characters getting special powers.

I’m not usually that bothered by characters coming off as a bit young. I can be silly and immature at times, but there was just something about Cleo and her friends that kept making me think this was about a group of teenagers. Except between them they have PhDs and medical degrees, so they are obviously adults. It even goes to remind the reader that they are 27 at several points.

Maybe this fed into why I felt the romance was a bit on the weird side. Cleo idolized Captain Lucas (Billie) when she was a child. Cleo was only seven when the Providence disaster happened. And OK, Billie the AI is based on a copy that has been dormant for twenty years, so theoretically they’re a similar age, but she also comes across as more mature than Cleo in general. I guess this is being likened to Becky Chambers precisely because we all did fall for Lovelace. But AI Billie did not have that effect on me.

If it had merely been left it as an unrequited crush between an immature woman and an AI, it would have been fine. Or it had explored the power dynamic involved in meeting your idol. But then some other stuff happens, which I can’t explain without spoilers, that I couldn’t buy into. I get why Cleo fancied Billie, but the chemistry in the other direction was off.

Overall, I did enjoy it, even though I didn’t buy into the romance. If you can get past the young characters, it’s a fun read.

The Stars Too Fondly was a book that so perfectly checked every box of my (personal) how not to do sci fi list. And yeah, sure, this is probably another case of why didn’t you conclude this from the blurb alone. I mean, even if the blurb hadn’t signalled not-for-me-ness, then reading the first two pages definitely should have. In fact, that’s probably where I should have called it a day.

For a certain audience, this is a book that will hit all the right spots. From the second page of this book (coincidentally where it’s revealed that, in 2061, we still have TikTok, of all things), it was abundantly clear that I am not part of that audience. I will never be part of that audience. Every aspect of this book made me want to poke my eyes out with a sharp stick. You may think that an exaggeration, but no. It very much is not.

First things first: I wouldn’t often call writing bad, because it’s very much down to individual readers, I think. And then I come across books like this and I think I am absolutely justified in calling this writing bad. From the godawful textspeak (which doesn’t sound remotely like anyone would speak let alone text), to the character descriptions shoehorned into the text in the most awkward of ways, to lines like “also looking incredibly heist-chic in her black dress and leather jacket”... Yeah. Simply on a surface level this writing was bad.

I can’t say that a good plot would have saved this for me because once I’ve decided I don’t like a writing style, that’s it for the book. So, in that sense, this book was a lost cause from page one. Things didn’t improve in other areas, though. These characters are supposedly late(?) 20s, but they read like a bunch of hormonal teenagers. And, hey, to each their own, but if I’m reading an adult book I want to feel like I’m reading about adults and people with adult concerns.

On top of this, there’s a whole lot of telling and not a lot of showing. Take, for example, the found family that’s clearly being driven towards by the narrative. How do I know that’s what happening? Well, not because I’m being shown it, that’s for sure! It’s an exercise in the author being like I’m gonna hit all the sweet spots for found family and I’m going to describe them to you in detail so you KNOW that’s what I’m doing. This is just an illustration of how the entire flipping book progresses. Combine this with an annoying omniscient narrator who seems to know everything — and I mean, a question gets raised in Cleo’s POV and you think, okay, here’s something, only for that question to be fully answered by this omniscient narrator and any tension that might have been building plummets like a lead balloon — and you just have a really boring plot. Much of it, too, you can see coming a mile off. There was, briefly, a moment where there came something I didn’t expect, but it was so late in the game that it didn’t exactly have much impact. Somewhat predictably, this had a knock-on effect on the relationships (including the found family as mentioned above). Billie and Cleo’s in particular felt very weak and watery, which was a pretty big problem since this is effectively a romance novel with them at the centre.

My last gripe is more to do with marketing than the book itself. This is not science fiction. I would barely even call it science fantasy because that implies there’s some actual science involved instead of whatever this wishy-washy mess was. This book is more like fantasy wrapped up in some scientific words. But that one’s on marketing, I think. Just don’t go reading this one for the sci fi aspect.

Anyway, this all added up to a 1-star read for me that I could have seen coming from the very first few pages. One day I will learn to DNF books. Maybe.

This book was easy to read with likeable characters. However the chapters were long, so if you are someone who prefers quick, short chapters then prepare yourself! The storyline was good and I really enjoyed the sci-fi element of it

I will start by saying I was loathe to finish this book. It balanced high stakes, mystery, cute friendships/found family and a sweet romance all in one. It explored a variety of topics with good pacing and tension. I loved usage of various types of media and correspondence to fill in the background of the story and the characters. The world building and the role dark matter plays in the events that take place throughout the book was such a nice touch. The first contact vibes were great. The characters baggage that they need to unpack throughout the course of this book and the payoff is top tier. I really liked the exploration of dreams and who shapes them, when we become disillusioned but then how we find new things to move us forward. The interactions between all the characters that are familiar with each other is sweet and also realistic or how we sometimes have to face uncomfortable truths together. The relationships which form are super sweet and I love the extended found family. The antagonist in the book was threatening enough that I felt the realness of the stakes and the path to that antagonism was also quite real . I really enjoyed this debut and I look forward to more books from this author

What I read of "The Stars Too Fondly" was brilliant. Prose is well-paced and the characters likeable.

Unfortunately, the font can't be resized on the format provided and that made reading on my phone too difficult to continue. I tried downloading and sending to my Kindle to no avail. It seems like a very good book but not worth ruining my eyesight over.

This was an utterly thrilling debut. I was gripped from the very beginning and enjoyed the twists and turns Hamilton took in resolving the plotline. The world-building was fairly solid (although it felt less comprehensive as the book progressed) which is essential in sci-fi (and something I find many established authors still don't quite master!) The characters, too, were diverse and more than just two-dimensional elements, helping to keep the story alive throughout. Hamilton also manages to balance multiple themes, many of which resonate so clearly with our contemporary issues on Earth despite its futuristic setting. It's an easy read with fun, light-hearted vibes and a clever plot - ultimately, what's not to love?

(Well, if I'm honest, the fact that this reads very much as a YA novel not the adult fiction it's marketed as. Sure, in theory the characters are adults approaching their thirties, but from behaviour and tone, this was unconvincing. Owning a YA status? Maybe teetering towards being a five-star read. YA disguised as adult? 3.5 rounded up.)

4.5 stars

The fact that this is a debut novel still blows my mind as it was an absolutely gripping and fantastic science fiction story with romance at its core. Not only is it sapphic but it's cozy, cute and has amazing characters who you find yourself rooting for from the get-go.

I loved Cleo and Billie's growing relationship in this one and honestly felt my heart breaking from them both throughout this one considering the situation they find themselves in. I love getting to know both of them, especially Billie. I loved getting the flashback scenes/conversations and seeing what led up to the event 20 years ago and what caused her to plant herself as a hologram. I also loved getting to know the side characters who bring their own uniqueness and are important to the main storyline.

Honestly this was a fantastic story that has you fully invested in it's characters and has you eagerly turning the pages in order to piece together the information together to figure out what has/is going to happen. I fully recommend picking this one up if you love a good romance set in space!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emily Hamilton's debut novel, The Stars Too Fondly, is an irresistible mashup of space odyssey and Sapphic romcom. It's got everything: spaceship theft, galaxy-spanning adventures, and a snarky hologram captain. A sexy hologram captain.

We've got another 'what do we do when we bugger the world up and have to live in it and being queer is ok' book again and I am so oddly ok with it. I think it's my third at least this year. Cleo's dream has always been to be an astronaut, and with Earth in a pretty dire state, this accidental space journey might be the best thing that's ever happened to her. But things get weird fast. Physics starts going haywire, old mysteries resurface, and Cleo's combative relationship with Billie turns into something much deeper and more complicated.

Hamilton's writing strikes a perfect balance between scientific wonder and heartwarming romance. The group's dynamic is fantastic, with each friend bringing their own quirks to the table. The banter, the unexpected twists, and the evolving relationships keep the story engaging from start to finish. Also I was just not expecting half the things that happened to actually, you know, happen. But that didn't make it any less enjoyable.

This book is for anyone who loves a good adventure, a sweet romance, and a bit of cosmic mystery. Hamilton has crafted a story that's as expansive as the universe yet deeply personal. The Stars Too Fondly is a wild ride from start to finish, blending humor, heart, and a touch of the fantastical in a way that's sure to captivate readers. If you're looking for sapphic space mystery with lots of heart, this is for you.

Thanks to NetGalley and Emily Hamilton for the complementary ebook copy in exchange for my honest review!

Unfortunately, this book didn't click with me and I ended up dropping it after pushing myself through the first hundred pages. I think the main issue I had with this was that the book has been marketed as an Adult Sci-Fi and it read extremely YA to me. I thought the cover was gorgeous and the writing itself was fine - I especially liked the little extracts added at the start of every chapter which lend a little more history to the world of the story.
However, for me as well as the very YA writing style, I just couldn't connect with any of the characters. I was very drawn towards this book because I love to read Queer and LGBT+ fantasy and science fiction but the characters despite being all in their thirties (or possibly older in the case of the 'Captain', really just felt like bickering teenagers to me. Whilst I appreciated the representation (both in terms of people of colour and in terms of sexuality), I just really didn't get a lot of personality from the five main characters and was struggling to tell them apart a little. Cleo as the main character I found to be very unlikable unfortunately and I just wasn't loving the romance angle that was beginning between her and the hologram on the ship.
I feel like this is a book which very much will still find its audience but unfortunately it was just not for me.

I ended up really enjoying The Stars Too Fondly!
It's science fiction sapphic rom-com with some fantasy elements.
The book was so much fun to read, and I ended up not being able to put it down and finished it in one sitting.
I had to know what was going to happen next as the mystery was so interesting!

There were also many surprises throughout the plot that I did not expect, which I really enjoyed.
The characters were all great, and I loved them all. Cleo, Ros, Kaleisha, and Abe had an awesome friendship that definitely had found family vibes.

The romance in the book was also really good with fun banter and some emotional scenes as well.
There is so much more I want to say about this book, but I think that would put me into spoiler territory.

All in all, this book was so good, and I definitely highly recommend checking it out!
Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a review!