Well written YA novel about two teenagers who meet again by chance in High School after being separated for years when they were friends as children. the characters were good, not really developed, but good, true to life teenagers. Nova moves around a lot (every few months) with her mother, and happens to land in Texas where Sam is living. He, at first, doesn’t recognize him, although she does almost immediately. When it finally dawns on him who she is, he approaches her and their friendship is rekindled. He is living the life he thinks he needs to, and does not want to tell his cheerleader girlfriend, Abigail, about Nova at all. This is where I think the novel fails a little bit for me. He just doesn’t have the guts to tell anyone that loves him how he truly feels. I do, however, get that this just may be how teenagers are, especially those that have gone through trauma, so I am a bit forgiving on this. People make a lot of mistakes, especially teens. It’s how we all grow and develop and become who we are, and although I have always been a person that does not like secrets or just lack of communication, it’s understandable in some circumstances.

I received a free eARC and am voluntarily giving my honest review. Thanks to the author, publisher, and Net Galley for allowing me to receive and review In the Orbit of You.

Ashley Schumacher is really good with words. I think she writes so beautifully that she could tell me any story she wants and I will love it. But I actually loved this story of Nova and Sam. They were friends as very young kids and they both moved away, promising to find each other when they are older. And then they do. Life is complicated and teenage angst is SO REAL in this story of friends and family and threads of first love.

I fall right into her books and get hooked on her story telling within pages. I will never be over Amelia Unabridged and love everything she writes forever and ever.

A delightful and heartfelt read! In the Orbit of You by Ashley Schumacher is a YA contemporary romance about two young friends who fate keeps bringing together. Nova Evans said goodbye to her neighbor and best friend Sammy when she was a little girl with a promise that they would find each other when he was 18. Flash forward to now, Nova has moved to a small town in Texas with her mom for a short stay. Imagine her surprise when sitting next to her at lunch is Sammy Jordan all grown up, and he doesn’t recognize her. Sam escaped a horrible childhood with an abusive father to grow up with his loving aunt and uncle who he now calls his parents. He purposely tries to not think about the “before” until a school personality test matches him with his once best friend and the new girl in school. Now the “before” and the girl the next door is all he can think about.

Nova is coming off a bad break up when she arrives in Texas with her mother. Her mother’s job has them moving a lot (about every two to three months, sometimes less) which leaves Nova feeling untethered. She doesn’t know who she is, who she wants to be in life, and as college applications loom, her fears that she doesn’t know what she wants to be because she doesn’t know who she is weigh heavy on her shoulders. Seeing her childhood best friend for the first time in nearly a decade leaves her feeling even more lost, but also found.

Sam has come a long way from the boy Nova knew. He’s happy and safe, at least on the outside. On the inside, he is struggling as much as she is. The fears he had as a little boy are just under the surface. A lot of his choices and actions are related to making his aunt and uncle proud: playing football, dating the cheerleader, meeting with college scouts. His whole life is laid before him, but it isn’t the life he really wants. It’s the life he thinks he’s supposed to have. But seeing Nova, finding her again, awakens something in him that he can’t keep hidden anymore.

I adored every moment of this book. Schumacher’s writing draws you in creating a sense of wonder and magic as fate brings Nova and Sam together. It reads almost like a fairy tale, even though it isn’t. I couldn’t help but fall in love with them, their relationship, and agonize with them as they navigated what they should or shouldn’t do. It’s realistic to life, but also shows how two people can be tied together in ways others don’t understand.

Overall, I loved In the Orbit of You. I can honestly say it is my favorite book of the year to date. It will be hard to top it. If you are a fan of the author’s previous books or a fan of YA contemporary, I highly recommend it.

*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*

This book contains themes of cheating, deception, and child abuse that may mean this books is not appropriate for some readers.

Full of yearning and angst, THE ORBIT OF YOU follows two childhood friends after a chance reunion during high school brings up painful memories and the hope of creating different, unpredictable futures.

Captivating and beautifully written, Schumacher has once again created a meaningful story about life and love.

Really really cute and fun story about how romance and love doesn’t fade away too well. Very fun and nice. Thanks for the arc

I enjoyed everything about this book except for the fact that there was emotional cheating... But as soon as I started reading this book I was immediately very into the story because I think childhood best friends meeting again as teenagers/adults is so cute. I will be purchasing this book when it is officially released. I think many readers will be able to relate to some of the inner turmoil going on with both of the main characters.

I just cannot approve of any cheating in any book. Why do authors continue to add this??

This won’t be something I recommend.

I realllllly like the premise of this one. I was really enjoying the characters and the plot expect for the nagging presence of cheating. He could not let go of his girlfriend Abigail though it was very clear that he had feelings for Nova. His overcomplicated emotions made it so both girls got hurt! I couldn't continue this.

Ashley Schumacher is one of my favorite young adult authors right now, and In the Orbit of You didn't disappoint.
In the Orbit of You tells the story of two teenagers who were friends as young children, but lost touch for many years. When they happen to run into each other in high school, they form an immediate friendship. It takes them awhile to realize their connection as children, and once they do, their past in revealed, along with the emotional rollercoaster that comes with it.
In the Orbit of You is a beautiful story, filled with emotions, heartbreak, and some romance. I would highly recommend this book to both teens and adults.
A huge thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this novel.

In the Orbit of You follows childhood friends Nova and Sam as they meet again in high school. Nova is a junior, trying to find out who she is after spending her life moving from place to place with her mom, constantly having to reinvent her personality. Sam is trying to keep the status quo as a high school football star with a cheerleader girlfriend now that he has a safe and happy home life. Their lives are thrown for a loop when they take a survey at school that rates their compatibility at 99%, the highest out of anyone at their school Nova and Sam are drawn together, while pushing each other away for their own good. This was a romantic read and the scenes from their childhood, while heartbreaking, were also very sweet. It was frustrating at times as it seemed like the characters were talking in circles around themselves, but that seems very realistic for teens. Would recommend for fans of romance, Jenny Han, or Rebecca Nowlin.

The Details:
In the Orbit of You by Ashley Schumacher
YA | Trauma | Childhood friends

Quick Summary:
Nova and Sam were childhood best friends but haven't seen each other in years - not since Sam was taken out of an abusive home to live with his aunt and uncle. Now, Nova is at a new high school and meets Sam again in his new life. They become friends and help each other navigate what they want out of the future.

My take:
This was well written and unique and felt very REAL. A lot of criticisms about this book talk about cheating and bad decisions and infatuation at such a young age... but the characters are just that - YOUNG. The author did a good job showing their flaws and challenges, while still making them relatable and likable. The two main characters felt a bit underdeveloped to me - it felt like things happened TO THEM rather than driving the story. But it was pretty entertaining and had its moments.

My rating: 3.5 stars!

I'm 99% sure you are gonna enjoy this read!

In the Orbit of You reunites long-lost friends who made a pact when they were five to find each other when they turned eighteen. Sam and Nova's friendship formed through a break in the fence, and a magical snailopolis kingdom. Sam's innocence was stripped away at the hands of his parents, and he is whisked away to live to with Aunt and Uncle leaving Nova.

Nova, and her Mom, relocate constantly due to her mothers profession. Landing in Texas for a brief time, Nova finds herself enrolled in the same high school as Sam. On top of that, they are neighbors with a fence just like their youth. This is love story about finding joy in yourself and life before committing to another. Sam and Nova are authentic in their feelings, and where they need to go to orbit each other again. The ending had me smiling!

"The kisses go where they need to go..." - oh my heart.

Ashley Schumacher is one of my favorite authors, and I've had this book on preorder since last year.

Thank you, St. Martins Press, Wednesday Books.

This book is for you if you love young adult romance, childhood friends to lovers, second chances, new girl x football player, and silly high school compatibility quizzes.

This book definitely has some King Arthur vibes with Lancelot and Genevieve style main characters. The other reviews make it sound like the cheating aspect is hard and fast. In actuality, they kiss towards the end. Nothing else. They are definitely in the wrong, but the female main character, Nova, tries repeatedly to get Sam to sort his crap out with his girlfriend.

Abigail is a literal saint and didn't deserve to be treated with anything less than utmost respect and honesty. In truth, I think she might be the most sincere senior in high school I've ever had the pleasure of reading about. She is kind and welcoming, and I just love her character.

I liked the character growth and the author commentary. It reminded me of a Sarah Dessen book to be honest. Well written and believable characters. The romantic subplot would have been sweeter without the cheating overtones.

Content Warning: sweet kiss, cheating, abusive father, adopted by uncle after leaving abusive home, child physical abuse, language

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the advanced reader copy of this book. This review is voluntarily written and the thoughts and opinions contained in this review are my own.

I going to be really honest. This author is one of my favorites. But this one was a HUGE miss for me. The cheating in this book just wasn't it.
And I just didn't feel the chemistry between the two MCs. I found myself skimming the last 1/3 of the book. And I just think this particular book wasn't for me.

I was initially put off to the storytelling line of this novel, but Nora and Sam eventually captured my heart. This was an engaging novel and was wrought with details and emotions. It was a great love story of how people can come and go into our lives and how we may need them for a specific reason or season. The interwoven storylines worked well for this cozy YA romance.

Can a personality test tell you who you are most compatible with? What if you are most compatible with someone you used to be best friends with, but no longer seems to even remember you? That’s what we get to watch unfold in this book. I love Ashley Schumacher and will read every book of hers that comes out. This isn’t my favorite of her books, but I still enjoyed the ride and will be back for more!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I will be withholding all reviews and promotion for St. Martin's Press titles and their imprints until the publisher addresses the concerns of BIPOC and Muslim creators who are being stalked, harassed and feel unsafe due to the actions of a racist employee.

In the Orbit of You is a story of inevitability, chemistry, and lasting relationships. I loved the connection between Sam and Nova, who were neighbors and secret friends at a young age who then reconnect when Nova starts attending Sam's high school. Nova has moved around for years and reinvented herself every time - so much so that she doesn't really know who she is anymore.

I ended up getting pretty sucked into this book and couldn't put it down! I had intended to read it over a few days but finished it in less than 48 hours. The writing is captivating and endearing and I highlighted a lot of sections.

I loved Sam's relationship with his parents - I totally get why he felt like they would be disappointed in him if he chose not to pursue football but when he finally did confess what he wanted to do, I loved seeing how they accepted his desires really immediately and reiterated that they just wanted him to be happy.

My one larger issue with this was that I just wanted Sam to breakup with his girlfriend so much earlier. Emotional cheating is something that I just never like to read, even if it does often fit more with in a YA novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Wednesday Books for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

In the Orbit of You is about chance meetings and possibilities. Finding yourself when you have no idea who you are or what you want. And sometimes, making that choice between what you want and what you don’t, and how that messes things up. Not everyone gets a happy ending but there’s a possibility of happiness that is somehow better than that perfect happily ever after.

I enjoyed Nova’s lack of direction. Her mom’s job keeps them moving around the country, Nova dragged along for the ride. She tries new personalities and preferences at each school she goes to and still can’t figure out who she is or what she wants. It’s kind of amazing, because she gets opportunities not many other teens get. A chance at a new start every few months. But trying on endless personalities has caused her to lose herself beneath it all. Sam wants to please his mom and dad, who aren’t his biological parents but his aunt and uncle who took him in when they took him away from an abusive father. He doesn’t know who he is either, embracing what he thinks his parents want him to be so he can make them happy. When Nova comes back into his life through a random happenstance, and matches with him because of a personality test, they both begin to question who they really are and what they want. And what that will cost.

The pacing made the book easy to read and I finished it in less than two hours. I was engaged the whole time, with how fast paced everything was and how easy it was to empathize with Sam and Nova. The characters were incredibly engaging and the side characters added depth to the story and interacted well with Sam and Nova. Nova, with no friends of her own, didn’t really get a chance to shine when interacting with others in the same way Sam did.

I recommend this book for young adult readers. While the topics of abuse and the aftermath thereof could be triggering, they fit into the story well and are handled logically and with compassion. Because the story is told from dual points of view, we get insight into two different ways a person can struggle with finding themselves and making choices about their future. I’ve read all of Ashley Schumacher’s books and it’s neat to see how her writing has developed over time. I very much enjoyed Sam and Nova, and hope to read more of Schumacher’s character-driven books in the future. Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for sharing this ARC with me.

In the Orbit of You
by Ashley Schumacher

In the orbit of you, by Ashley Schumacher is a captivating young adult love story that spans the high school friendships of nova and Sam. The writing was emotional, and the characters are beautifully written. I really enjoyed reading this one.