Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Publishing for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Goodreads Synopsis
As a successful social media journalist with half a million followers, seventeen-year-old Cal is used to sharing his life online. But when his pilot father is selected for a highly publicized NASA mission to Mars, Cal and his family relocate from Brooklyn to Houston and are thrust into a media circus. Amidst the chaos, Cal meets sensitive and mysterious Leon, another “Astrokid,” and finds himself falling head over heels—fast. As the frenzy around the mission grows, so does their connection. But when secrets about the program are uncovered, Cal must find a way to reveal the truth without hurting the people who have become most important to him. Expertly capturing the thrill of first love and the self-doubt all teens feel, debut author Phil Stamper is a new talent to watch.
Review
The Gravity of Us is an extremely cute, space-centric YA book that I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved the premise of this book, the reality of NASA space missions and the impact it has not only on those chosen but the family members as well.
Told in two formats, Cal’s perspective and interviews, this book was gripping and incredibly interesting! Cal is a very relatable and realistic main character. He goes through so many changes in this book that make him more determined and focused on what he wants from life. His relationship with Leon was so sweet and I found myself really connecting with Leon and the troubles he had with his mental health.
Phil Stamper puts so much detail into this book, especially revolving around NASA and it’s processes, and I really liked his writing style. My only issue was the insta-love between Cal and Leon. I felt like not much time had passed and they were already in a serious relationship. I would have liked it to have dragged on just a tad!
Overall, this was a fun, fast-paced book that showcases how important social media can be. It also reminds us to fight for what we believe in! I recommend giving this a read if you’re a fan of anything space related.
Rating: 3/5 stars
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