Ashley Schumacher is now one of those newer authors who, when I see a new book of hers coming out, I immediately grab an ARC. Her first book, Amelia Unabridged, was a lovely story about friendship, grief and the magic of books. And her most recent, The Renaissance of Gwen Hathaway, set at a Renaissance faire, was sweet and nerdy and great fun.

She continues an excellent writing streak with In the Orbit of You, about a young woman who has moved around so frequently with her single mother that she never gets to set down roots or make good friends. Nova is now a junior in high school and has “experimented” with different personalities and interests in all the schools she’s attended. Now, as she faces yet another school and ponders on trying to figure out who she really is, she’s shocked to come face to face with Sam, the boy who was her best friend and next-door neighbor as a child. They played outside together and promised, when he moved away, that they would find each other.

Nova was vaguely aware of his frequent bruises and cuts and how he tried to hide them, but she was too young to understand what they meant.

For his part, Sam has put that part of his life behind a wall. He’s been living with his loving and supportive aunt and uncle for more than a decade. No one at school knows about “the before.” Now he’s just a talented football player, popular, good-looking, with a cute cheerleader girlfriend and a promising future ahead of him.

When he sees Nova, he’s scared to look back at that early part of his life, but he can’t resist the pull to the close friend he had. That’s especially the case when a personality test everyone takes at school shows them to be a 99 percent match.

Nova and Sam revisit their friendship and realize there’s more to it, but life is complicated. And each of them has things to figure out about themselves. How can they possibly move forward with it?

I can say that Schumacher has scored again. In the Orbit of You doesn’t have the wit and entertainment value of Renaissance, but it’s another fine study on loss, trauma, friendship and finding yourself. I hope she keeps on bringing us more great books.

Nova Evan’s and Sam Jordan used to best friends when they were really young. They played in the backyard between their fences, until one day Sam’s uncle comes to take him away from his abusive parents. Sam and Nova make a promise to find each other again when they’re older.

Fast forward to the present where Nova is starting a new school (again) and guess who she bumps into - Sam! Only he doesn’t recognize Nova. Sam only realizes who she is after the whole school takes a personality quiz to find out who they’re compatible with. Guess who is Sam’s 99% match?

This story is so much more than just rekindling a lost friendship. Both characters are also discovering themselves and what they want. It’s almost like a coming of age story for them both on top finding their friendship again and where they want o take it.

I really enjoyed both characters. I feel like they both had great character arcs. Sam went from a guilt-ridden people pleaser to really trying harder to be his true self. Nova, who was always on the move because of her mom’s job, never really knew who she was so she was always trying out different personalities at different schools but I think she finally found herself or at least started working at it.

All in all, it was a great story despite one part I didn’t love but liked how it was handled in the end so I wont hold it against the author. I am a huge fan of Ashley Schumacher’s books. If you haven’t read this one or any of her other books - you are missing out!

Thank you, NetGalley and Wednesday Books for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is a mostly satisfying read. It is full of sweet moments and likable characters. Some of the characters, particularly Sam's girlfriend, Abigail, are a little too nice to be real. The ending is fairly satisfying, but it may leave you wanting more.

In the Orbit of You by Ashley Schumacher

The writing is beautiful and there are some really sweet and heartfelt moments. The story showcases the power choices and where they can lead us.

I struggled with the concept that’s it’s okay to cheat on someone as long as it’s with “your person.” I feel that could have been handled better. It really degraded the beautiful romance that was happening. It felt a little like Schumacher was trying to ruffle some feathers with that one.

There were several important topics covered and it was like a true coming of age, self discovery being a major theme.

That cover though 🤩

Content: several f-words, off page child abuse, house fire

One of my favorite quotes is “what’s meant to be will always find a way” and never has it felt more appropriate to reference it than in writing about Ashley Schumacher’s “In the Orbit of You.”

The saga of friendship and love that is that of Sam and Nova is the personification of something meant to be finding a way to be. The hand of Fate is strong in their story. From a friendship forged over a snail kingdom as children, to finding each other again as teenagers, to a perfectly lovely epilogue, Sam and Nova’s lives are intertwined.

Separated as children due to life and situations out of their control, they promise to find each other when they’re older. Each settles into their new lives- Sam grows into the king of the school football star and Nova struggles with her nomadic life with her mom who moves often for work until a move brings her to a new town with a familiar face. The two quite literally seem to orbit each other without really understanding what it is that is drawing them together.

Schumacher has written a moving tale of friendship, love and fate, weaving the stories of two generations over a span of two people growing up and going through life with authenticity that draws the reader in and leaves you satisfied but also, wanting more.

Wonderful book that was well written and a lovely story. Schumacher always writes such touching and wonderful stories and I have enjoyed all of her books.

This is why I love YA. However, I have not read a 5 star YA in quite some time. This is it!

Thus is Sam and Nova's story. It began as children and resumed in young adulthood. This is a beautiful story.

Many thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's
Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I found the idea of fate bringing these two in and out of each others lives at vital points so beautiful. But like I've said, I always read Ashley's books on eggshells, because I DO NOT TRUST HER SHE HAS BLINDSIDED ME WITH SADNESS BEFORE.

Nova moves to small town, Texas, with her mom temporarily on a string of temporary moves. Her one goal is to figure out who she is without putting on a face in school. But running into Sam, her long ago and not forgotten friend, puts her in a position she doesn't expect. She can't help but be drawn back into his orbit but this time it's full of football, a pretty girlfriend, and loving parents.
Ashley's writing is fan-freaking-tastic. She even wrote a trope that normally puts such a bad taste in my mouth and I was an absolute sucker for it. I've read all four of her books as they release, and she has a fan in me for life. The kisses that go where they need to? Stop it. She writes with so much heart and warmth, I'm smiling or crying... All. The. FEELS. I related so much to Nova as a teen and some days still. The friends and parents in the supporting cast became my friends, people I loved spending time with. That Unless got me so good.
Thank you to Wednesday Books for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.

THIS. BOOK. Ashley delivered all the delicious teen angst and I am here for it.

It’s rare to have a book with two love interests where one of them doesn’t come across as the bad guy! I appreciate that Ashley can write a book with characters who make mistakes and decisions that you might not agree with because it makes them feel tangibly human.

I tabbed SO many lines in this book. It was beautiful and powerful, and Ashley has such an incredible way with words. I am in awe of her writing ability and will read a takeout menu if she writes it.

Ashley Schumacher has provided us with a YA read that pulls on the heartstrings in all the right ways. Sam and Nova are the best of friends, but life takes them on separate paths, until they end up reuniting as young adults in high school. Both are broken in many ways, and the damage is deep enough that they might struggle to make a life together work.

Such a beautiful story, and one I highly, highly recommend if you love a love story that will hurt your heart in so many ways, and then help piece it back together.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Wednesday books for providing me with an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review. I highly, highly recommend this beautiful read!

Sam and Nova meet as 5-year olds when they are back door neighbors and discover a hole in their fence where their yards connect. They form a lifelong bond but Sam moves away with his aunt and uncle after its discovered he is in an abusive home. Years later they reconnect after Nova's mom moves for the millionth time, this time to Sam's neighborhood where they reconnect.

This was a sweet YA romance. It started out great and hooked me from the beginning but I found it dragged a little in the middle. One thing is the author kept highlighting how great Sam's girlfriend was repeatedly so it was a little predictable what happened to her. Despite the slower middle, the book ended on a great note. I loved how this book wrapped up and I think this would be an important read for any teens, just for the ending.

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

Should have been a DNF. While I’m mostly forgiving of teens flip-flopping on their decisions, the back and forth in this one exasperated me. This is my first from the author and I’m hoping that this is a fluke and am still willing to give her a chance since I heard great reviews on Amelia Unabridged.

Still, my thanks to Wednesday Books, NetGalley and the author for my copy. All opinions are honest and my own.

This book was so good. Nova and Sam are childhood friends but Sam has to move away. They make a promise promise to meet again. When they do the story unfolds into each of them working on being true to themselves and being honest with their families. I loved this story so much. So many good quotes. I will read anything Ashley writes.

One of my favorite YA authors, Ashley Schumacher, has her newest novel coming out tomorrow (March 19th) and it is the new novel to add to your TBR. In the Orbit of You dives deep into the connections we make with the most unlikely of people and why certain people enter our lives at certain times

Ashley Schumacher never fails to make me feel so many emotions and sob uncontrollably while reading one of her books.

As I did with two of her other books, I absolutely fell in love with the lyrical storytelling style and the unique way in which this story was told. Having the book set in such a short time frame while also references moments both before and after the present brought so much depth to the novel.

I also loved the cast of characters in this book! The side characters brought a bit of levity and classy YA-ness to this high school story, but Nova and Sam were such amazing characters! The both had the usual characteristics of YA book characters that make them relatable to the reader (not knowing what to do with their future, figuring out what their purpose is, trying to be honest with, while not disappointing, their parents), but the way they almost felt otherworldly is what really made them such memorable characters. These two people that were so ingrained in each other as children that years later are still bound to one another after a chance encounter made me so hopeful that everything happens for a reason and despite there being both good and bad in our lives, things always work out the way they’re supposed to whether we know it or not.

Without giving away any spoilers, I honestly think the way Schumacher crafted this story, and more specifically its ending, was masterfully done! I teared up at the smallest little moments in the book and then proceeded to sob my way through the last few characters because I just felt so deeply for these characters and I didn’t want this story to end.

This might be a weird comparison, but I feel like Ashley Schumacher has become the YA author that John Green was to many of us in the 2010s. Authors that will leave you both laughing and crying by the end of their book. Authors that will present to you the harsh realities of life, even in the smallest moments of their books. Authors who will continue to draw you in despite knowing you will finish their book in tears, because you know you will be changed for the better after reading it.

Anyways, I cannot recommend this book enough and I encourage you to experience Nova and Sam’s story firsthand. You won’t regret it.

*I received an ARC from Wednesday Books in exchange for my honest opinion.

Nova and Sam were best friends when they were young. They created a land between their houses called Snailopolis and played together whenever they got the chance. Even at that young age, Nova understood that Sam was sad, but she didn’t understand why he needed to move away or that it had to do with the cuts and bruises he was always getting at home. They promised to find each other again, but then lost touch completely. Years later, Nova—who moves with her mother for work constantly—finds herself at a new high school and recognizes Sam. But he’s a whole new Sam, with a perfect girlfriend and a plan to get a football scholarship. And Nova is struggling with her own identity issues having spent years figuring out how to fit in to new places instead of exploring who she really is. Can they find their way back to each other, and should they?

Like with all Ashley Schumacher books, this is an emotional read that really pulls at the heartstrings. Both characters are processing a lot and trying to do the best they can with the circumstances they were dealt. I enjoyed a lot about their journey, and I think fans of the author will love this book as will fans of angsty teen romance. I really liked both characters, but for me, their arc was a little repetitive and I wished the characters had been a little more decisive. That said, there were a lot of beautiful moments in this story that will absolutely stick with me.

Title: In the Orbit of You
Author: Ashley Schumacher
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: YA, Romance
“In the Orbit of You is a YA story of enduring love from acclaimed author Ashley Schumacher, where a personality test reunites two friends and makes them second guess their careful plans.”

Sam and Nova. Swoon. Childhood friends who make a promise to one day come back together when fate’s hand intervened.

This was definitely a sweet childhood friends to lovers YA. Fate. Kismet. Theses are the makings of this story.
Just to be honest there are a couple trigger warnings: childhood trauma/abuse, love triangle, cheating. I do believe these will dissuade a few people.

A special thank you to NetGalley and SMP/Wednesday Books for an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5/5⭐️

This author never disappoints me. This is her 4th book, and I’ve loved each one in different ways and for different reasons.

This Teen/YA story centers around high schoolers Nova and Sam who serendipitously meet back up 12 years after being neighbors and best friends as 5-year-olds. They have never forgotten each other as they each served a purpose in the other’s childhood…Nova gave Sam a safe place with her friendship as he struggled with abuse, and Sam was a safe stabilizer in Nova’s constantly changing world (her mom moved repeatedly for jobs). As they begin to reconnect, there are still challenges and unknowns to face. Nova will be moving again in 2 months and feels lost and unsure about who she is and what she wants for her future, and Sam doesn’t want to face conflict and change in his current relationships/future plans.

This was such a sweet story about friendship, family and fate. I must admit getting a little peeved with Sam on his handling of one relationship, but he grew and gained courage/confidence to figure it out. The ending was the cutest…loved it.

It would appear that Schumacher is now an auto-buy for me.

My sincere thanks to the author, NetGalley and Wednesday Books for providing the free early arc of In the Orbit of You for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

In the Orbit of You is one of those books that just kind of sits with you.

If you’ve ever had a relationship with someone who is “your person,” you’ll immediately connect with Nova and Sam. Author Ashley Schumacher captures that connection with such ease, she must have experienced something like it in real life.

Nova and Sam are both complex and believable characters. And their motives, although sometimes misguided, are understandable.

Though In the Orbit of You explores some hard topics (references to child abuse and the recovery from it), the book isn’t dark. It’s hopeful.

In the Orbit of You is a compelling YA sort of romance sort of not that is thoughtful. It may not be a one-sitting read, but it’s definitely one that you want to come back to.

Nova had once been friends with Sam, and didn't understand why he had bruises and cuts he didn't talk about. Before he moved away, they promised to find each other when older. Now they meet again in high school, but Sam has forgotten about that old promise and is now following The Plan set in front of him: get a college football scholarship, date his girlfriend Abigail, and never show that he might want something else. But a schoolwide personality test matches Nova and Sam at 99%, putting them back in each others' orbits.

After an opening where we see the little versions of Nova and Sam, we see their teen selves. Nova has moved around so much due to her mother's job that she's been in multiple high schools and tried on different personas. She's going to be in this particular high school for two months and plans to coast along since she doesn't know what she wants for her future despite increasing pressure at school to figure it out. She recognizes Sam right away, but he has a picture-perfect life. As much as he doesn't enjoy it, he's determined to follow through so that no one thinks he's ungrateful for the opportunities given to him.

Trauma hits people in different ways. Sam was the recipient of physical abuse and did whatever he could to avoid rages by being agreeable, and it carried through into his life afterward. He became what he thought would make other people happy, even if it wasn't a life that he was pleased with. "It looks good on paper" or "I should be happy with this" became his goal, and he avoided any kind of confrontation. His girlfriend Abigail is a sweet girl, and very much not the kind of popular girl that excludes others. She tries to loop Nova into their circle, for however long she'll be there, and tries to get Sam to talk. Sam and Nova both realize that the emotional connection between them could jeopardize his relationship with Abigail and are determined not to do that. Of course, things never go according to plan, with literal acts of nature continuing to push Sam and Nova together.

The book follows many beats of romcoms, but still dealt with serious subject matter and never once downplayed what happened in the book. I liked that they both acknowledged how awkward it was, and that they weren't trying to sneak around and hurt Abigail for their own benefit. Emotions can be sticky, tangled things, but it only hurts people to keep them bottled up. Once everyone was able to speak freely, it allowed them to grow and be who they needed to be.