This was not only a love story about Sam and Camilla, and how opposites attract. It was also a book about a group of friends and how they all work together to take care of each other. I loved that! The kids were likeable and the book itself was very well written. I highly recommend it and am looking forward to reading more of this author's work.

5/5 stars.

"Life in Outer Space" by Melissa Keil is a heartwarming foray into the life of Sam Kinnison, a geeky teenager whose world orbits around horror movies, video games, and an unrequited crush. Keil's novel is a sincere depiction of adolescent life, with all its awkward, chaotic, and thrilling moments.

Keil skillfully captures the voice of her protagonist, Sam, whose endearing and witty narrative immediately draws the reader into his universe. His self-deprecating humor and authentic teenage perspective are both relatable and engaging, offering an honest take on the trials and tribulations of high school life. It is a feel-good novel that doesn’t shy away from the awkwardness of youth, and while it may not venture into uncharted territory, it delivers a satisfying journey of self-discovery and first love. Melissa Keil's work is a delightful read for those who enjoy young adult fiction with heart, humor, and a touch of nostalgia for the trials of growing up.

I don’t read much YA anymore so it took me a long time to finally get to this one. I hate that the “cool kids” can be such jerks. Sam was fun and I enjoyed his relationship with Camilla. Love the pop culture references. Australian writers just have that something special about their writing.

Cute, funny, opposites attract coming of age story.

A copy was kindly provided by Peachtree Publishers in exchange for an honest review.

I got accepted to review this book years ago, but unfortunately never got around to reading it. Apologies for this.