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I should read more sci-fi/fantasy/something! I really enjoyed learning about this future Earth, a ‘utopia‘ where attachments to nations are discouraged, & serious relationships are outlawed until you‘re 35+ - an obvious problem if you‘re young & in love.

Unfortunately, I wasn‘t keen on the main storyline - a couple in space, 90 minutes of oxygen left, looking back. Neither the characters or writing grabbed me, but I enjoyed visiting their world.

Max and Carys are adrift in space—with only ninety minutes of oxygen. As they brainstorm ways to survive, they also reflect on the progression of their romance.

It was hard to believe these characters as in their mid-20s; their story feels more YA than adult. Still, the ending had the potential to “make or break” this book for me. I wanted to love it, but unfortunately, it let me down.

Next up for #BookSpinBonanza: Ever

‘This is the end.‘

That was quick!

Fun idea - thanks @ShyBookOwl #BookHunt

#ISpy a very belated book with stars on the cover - sure there must be more of them out there, but for some reason this stuck in my mind ✨✨✨✨ It reminds me of Altair design colouring books (which may have been a very 1970s thing - anyone remember them?)

Thanks for the tag @BookwormAHN

If anyone else would like to play, you‘re tagged! I‘d love to see some books with stripes on the cover.

In whose name do you act?
Not god, not king or country.
In whose name?
My own.

I love the world built in this book, and the story told. This book is just so goddamned good.

Not long ago, I would often say I didn't have time to re-read any book, since there were SO MANY GOOD BOOKS in the world! But here we are. I really loved this book the first time. I wonder if it'll be better now that I know how it all unfolds?

I think I was expecting a simple space love story but this was way more than that. This is just an absolutely beautiful story!

I really liked the human focus in this sci-fi world. A nuanced take on both romance and utopia. #romance #scifi

Hi Emma @Oryx

Thank you so much! What a gorgeous package to get in to yesterday. I hadn't heard of HBTS, but the cover is just 🌟, Parker and Borges are both on my should've read list (& custard hearts & labyrinth gardens 👍) and the card's just lovely! Thank you 😊

#backlistupdates

Carys and Max have 90 minutes of air left. None of this was supposed to happen. But, maybe this doesn‘t need to be the end... Adrift in space Carys and Max can‘t help but look back at the world they have left behind – a place where they never really belonged, and that they might now never return to. In a world where love is banned, what happens when you find it?

3.5 stars
Original, emotional and surprisingly real. I'm not wholly sure how I feel about this. I loved the concept behind it and there were some truly touching moments but at times it left me a little cold and confused. The writing is brilliant and the characters complex but for some reason I couldn't quite connect. Still a great story and I'm glad I read it. Thank you NetGalley.

This one was a grower. I really disliked Max, the male protagonist, and his actions and almost gave up on the book midway through. However, despite my inability to really connect with the characters and their love story, I still ultimately enjoyed this story. The dramatic devises held the story together and had me racing to turn the pages late in to the night. The final third of the book surprised and delighted me.

Love this book so much #HoldBackTheStars #YA #Space #Stars #SciFi #Romance #Love #DebutNovel #Debut #YAnovel #YAbook #YAread

No. Just no.
Underwhelming. Couldn't get my head around either character. That ending....WTH was that? A valiant effort at a utopian existence, but ugh. No.

Very good first attempt at Utopian science fiction. The ending was something .👍👍👍👍

Just started reading hold back the stars... really excited!!!

The concept of this book was so unusual, the delivery really sweet... and that ending... I'm still trying to process it...

Couple stranded in space has 90 mins of oxygen remaining. Honestly I enjoyed the world-building (US and Middle East destroyed each other, rest of world now moves from place to place every 3 years to avoid toxic nationalism & to be more diverse) than in whether the couple survived. Interesting but not worth the HC purchase.

#loveinspace #kindofdystopia #fiction #coolsetting

So I'm reading this and it isn't great. But I do think it fits into the new yet elusive category of "new adult"... The characters are not teenagers but the writing feels like YA.

Lots to read in May! Here are 10 books [[[or I was supposed to show 10 books. Looks like Marie Antoinette got left behind. Oops!]]] that caught my eye. Brief descriptions on my blog, or search the titles right here on Litsy. http://www.bethfishreads.com/2017/05/10-books-to-read-in-may.html?m=1

Underwhelming. I was tempted to DNF. The second half is better than the first but most of the writing is basic and bland, the characters underdeveloped, the plot implausible. It tackles some worthy themes but had too many eyeroll-inducing moments for me. 🙄

Got this from NetGalley and can't say I'm too impressed so far (at 16%). It's supposed to be adult fiction but it reads like YA. I was hoping for something a little deeper based on the description but it's pretty fluffy.

Eating a happy afternoon snack 😁 and trying to knock out a bit more of this book since I finally got two grumpy kids to nap! (And no, the 6yo doesn't usually, but she slept over at a friend's house last night and whooooaa sleep deprivation anger.) 😝

#bookmail Love this cover! And #indiespensable arrived today too.

Yay!! Made it to bed before 9:00, so I'll let myself read. {If I start to read too late, I stay up waaaay too long.} #bookwormproblems

Today's #readinglunch is pretty yummy! #bookandlunch #whole30

"A man and a woman revisit memories of their love affair on a utopian earth while they are trapped in the vast void of space with only 90 minutes of oxygen left." Whoa. There's a surprising blurb. #bookmail1through12

The two books from tonight's signing.

Definitely the prettiest cover this year! Anyone else read this? #nospoilers

Isn't this cover beautiful?! 😍😍😍

As a sci fi/romance novel, this is nowhere near the genres I'd normally go for, but it had a cover recommendation from the wonderful Matt Haig, so I thought I'd give it a go. So, so glad that I did - this is a sweet, inventive & truly unique novel so captivating that I read it all in one sitting. Just spectacular 😍