The Space Between Us is an interesting and fast paced book about a researcher and a billionaire who is against fringe science. They are out on an adventure setup as the last wishes of the billionaires partner. It wasnt too science heavy which I appreciated, it was high level and it was interesting to hear about all the weird science stuff that people are trying to get money for but it was about the people behind it. The relationship between the two was insta-lust but it was also well done and brought the audience along for the ride. A fun book.

This rom-com surprised me! At first, I braced myself for a cliche millennial romance, but the protagonist, Gwen, is a breath of fresh air. She's a whip-smart scientist on a quest for both research funding and personal validation. Her witty banter with the love interest is entertaining, and their opposites-attract dynamic is endearing. While Gwen isn't afraid to be quirky and independent, the story also shows her growth and self-acceptance. This delightful read is perfect for any fan of fun, science-infused romance.

"The Space Between Us" by Melanie Summers offers an intriguing premise: what happens when an astrobiologist and a billionaire, who would rather buy a football team than fund those "weirdos wo walk around with tin foil on their heads hoping to meet little green men", find themselves stranded alone in the jungle?

The book caught my attention since it promises a dual-POV, enemies-to-lovers romance with a spectacular setting, which is usually right up my alley.
However, while the setting and initial setup are compelling, the execution falls short.

From the very beggining, I struggled to immerse myself into the story. The book opens with a monologue from Ty Sterling, the male protagonist, who embodies the archetype of the "lion quote" men. You know those cringe motivational Instagram pages for men that post pictures of quotes with a lion in the background? His line, "I did it all because I know the meaning of the word relentless," feels like something you'd see on one of those pages.

While I'm sure he would have redeemed himself as the story progresses, I ultimately decided to dnf this book.
Surprisingly, it wasn't the main character that put me off, but rather the writing style. The use of short sentences made me constantly aware that I was reading, rather than losing myself in the story as all readers love to do.

Nevertheless, I you are interested in Ty Sterling and Gwen Fox's jungle adventure and love story, please give this book a try!
I acknowledge that based on the other reviews and ratings of this book, I am definitely in the minority, and I'm not opposed to trying out another title by the author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!

Melanie Summers took some of my favorite fun aspects of romance and put them all together in this fun (slightly dysfunctional) love story. Taking a cynical businessman and an against-all-odds optimistic astrobiologist and dropping them in the amazon with extremely short notice gave us a wonderfully fun story that felt fresh and wholehearted.

This was such a cool read. STEM meets romance in a surprising way. Gwen is chasing for her 'yes' and won't stop until she gets it. The 'yes' she is looking for is continued funding for her project, but she's also searching for 'yes, I accept you'. 'Yes, you belong'. 'Yes, you are enough'. Things she did not get from her family after choosing not to follow their wishes. Their witty sparring made for some fantastic entertainment along the way. I am a sucker for those 'opposites attract' kind of pairs. Would definitely read again.

At first, I was thinking OK, another romance written from a millennial perspective a la awkward conversations that speak to the characters spending too much time on the interwebs and the not-like-other- girls main character. I settled in for a cutesy read. While it was a cute read, I was pleasantly corrected regarding the character Gwen. There is a moment of perspective where she fucks up and slashes down others. It seems that she immediately regretted it and started to draw similarities between herself and those she criticized. Gwen may be another smart, quirky female lead but she is like the others and seems to come to peace with it. I very much appreciated that in this delightful rom-com book. Highly recommend for any rom-com fans looking for a fun read.

As someone who has all of Ali Hazelwood's books in her bookcase, I love a good STEM novel. This was - just like Hazelwood's novels - a fun and fast read, perfect for a quick romcom fix! The dual pov is something new and refreshing, I like it!

This book is a delightful rom-com that blends STEM, billionaires, and adventure reminiscent of Indiana Jones, as Gwen and Ty embark on a journey through the Peruvian jungles for Dr. Napper's final wish. In this enemies-to-lovers tale, Gwen, a SETI researcher, clashes with Ty, a skeptic billionaire seeking revenge on his absentee father. Their banter is filled with wit and charm, with Gwen's relatable humor shining through. While Ty's character development could have been deeper, the progression of their relationship feels natural, despite its insta-love elements. With nods to movies like "The Lost City" and "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," this action-packed rom-com offers a refreshing and entertaining twist that will captivate readers.

This book was hilarious and a joy to read ... The Space Between Us was just what I needed for entertainment and a mind change. The characters, the storyline, the setting was everything.

Really lovely romance by melanie summers again!
I really enjoyed this comical romance, with the right balance between funny, serious, and feels. The characters are awesome and their development even more awesome. Overall just really enjoyable, and i recommend!

Thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

Melanie Summers' latest novel, The Space Between Us, is a captivating exploration of love, loss, and the search for meaning in the vastness of space. S.E.T.I. researcher Gwen Fox is a brilliant and passionate woman who has dedicated her life to answering the cosmic question of whether or not we are alone in the universe. With her work family, she spends her days listening for extraterrestrial signals, hoping to one day make contact with an alien civilization. However, Gwen's world is turned upside down when she learns that their funding is being cut and their research is about to be shut down. Desperate to save her work, she travels to Peru to meet with Ty Sterling, the billionaire backer who has decided to pull the plug. Ty is a cold and cynical man, but Gwen is determined to change his mind. As they spend time together, Gwen and Ty find themselves drawn to each other, despite their very different personalities. The tension between them builds, as does the undeniable chemistry that neither of them can ignore. However, their relationship is put to the test when they are forced to confront their own personal demons and the challenges of working together. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Peruvian jungle, The Space Between Us is a story about the power of love and the importance of following your dreams. It is a beautifully written and thought-provoking novel that will stay with you long after you finish it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Gretz Corp for this ARC of ‘The Space Between Us’ by Melanie Summers.

Firstly, I love a good STEM story! This checked all the boxes of what I look for in a romcom and kept me interested the entire way through. It was so sweet and dreamy that I think everyone should pick it up!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. This was a really fun, fast read. The characters were likeable and funny. The romance was a little too instalovey for my taste. The writing wasn't anything to serious. It honestly was just fun.

Quick Summary: A STEM romance adventure

My Review: The Space Between Us by Melanie Summers is a STEM-tastic, dual perspective, romantic fiction story.

About the Book: A rather dedicated researcher with a heart for science and a seemingly grumpy billionaire with an apparent need for revenge are brought together for a most unusual ceremony of sorts. Although they initially get off on the wrong foot, they soon realize that a mutual attraction exists between them. What will they learn about themselves and about each other as a result of their jungle excursion?

My Final Say: This highly entertaining rom-com was a just right read. It checked all the boxes. It had perfectly imperfect leads who had a textured backstory. It had a STEM connection. It had notable passion projects per character, which motivated them to do what was needed. It had tragedy, wit, tension, chemistry, conversation, and heart. I confess that I really liked the inclusion of Ty's sibling. It was good to see how a special needs character could have a positive contribution to the story.

Other: This would make for a fantastic audiobook experience. I would love to hear the banter between Gwen and Ty. It certainly wouldn't be dull. They were pretty great together.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status/Level: 💛

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Gretz Corp), and to NetGalley. Thank you so very much for providing access to a digital ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review. The words I have shared are my own thoughts and opinions. I look forward to becoming better acquainted with this writer's work.

4.5 ⭐️

thank you so much to netgalley and gretz corp (indigo group) as well as melanie summers for this e-arc!

this book was so freaking cute! I genuinely loved it so so much. I don’t like to compare authors, however if you like Ali Hazelwood’s STEM romances you might really enjoy this. if you don’t like Ali Hazelwood’s STEM romances then I think you still might enjoy this book!

this was such a dreamy, witty, fun enemies to lovers STEM romance between billionaire Ty Sterling and SETI researcher Gwen Fox. They are forced to go on a crazy funeral trip in Peru. The forced proximity, and angry banter just gave everything! I found myself giggling and blushing sooo often while reading this.

It has (in my opinion) the perfect amount of spice to romance ratio. she tells you in the authors note where the open-door spice scene is and to avoid it if you’re not interested.

the only reason it’s not a 5 star read for me is solely because I like STEM romances with a little more STEM content. that is simply a personal preference and does not take away from the absolute wonderful story this is.

I definitely recommend for all my rom-com lovers AND it’s available on Kindle Unlimited right now.

This review has been posted to goodreads on Mar 11, 2024: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/137854133-hannah-ridge
I will be posting my review on my instagram as well on March 12-13, 2024: https://www.instagram.com/hannuhshappyplace/?igshid=M2RkZGJiMzhjOQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Thank you to NetGalley for giving this ARC, and this doesn't influence my review. This was a great read, I just wish it wasn't dual POV.

A billionaire trying to achieve a childhood dream that stemmed from a difficult family life, and a scientist looking for life beyond earth while her family scoffs at her work. Their paths intersect when our billionaire hero is all but forced to join a trek through the Amazon rainforest along with our scientist heroine a bunch of others who want to convince him to fund their projects.
While the book starts of slowly and the protagonists feel one dimension at first, the plot catchee speed once the two of them are face to face. Their chemistry is almost instant, but they take a few more moments before they genuinely start liking each other as people. Their forest trip is more like a comedy of errors, setting a light hearted backdrop for the more serious discussions about how families may shape our perspective, sometimes for the worse. Their romance is best described as a whirlwind, yet endearing. The best parts of the book are the comical conversations and dialogues, as well as sensitive portrayal of characters who usually exist solely as the butt of snarky jokes. Lastly, the book sensitively represents individuals with autism, although through the eyes of a family member.

Thank you Net Galley and publishers for letting me read and review this book.

Overall a very cute and enjoyable book. Not quite an enemies to lovers, more like both grumpy to sunshine. The first couple of chapters took me awhile to get into and were kinda boring to me. After that, it picked up and I really enjoyed both of them learning things about themselves and changing for the better. They learned that there are more important things in life.

If you enjoy an enemies to lovers where the tension is high and the intelligence is higher, Melanie Summers' latest The Space Between Us is perfect for you! I loved getting lost in the pages of this book as Gwen and Ty explored Peru in honor of their late colleague. They didn't seem like a likely match but the build up and banter were spot on and made me fall in love with them as a couple!

Gwen was easy to like. She felt so real to me with her big heart, loyalty to her colleagues and friends, and desire to make her family proud. She also made mistakes and I appreciated that she owned up to them. I was totally fascinated by her work at SETI. SETI was new to me and I actually did some research to see if it was legit - IT IS! This aspect of the book was really fun for me and it added a lot of depth to the story.

Ty was also great. I love when your typical billionaires aren't so typical and we really get to see beneath the surface (and money).

The growth the two protagonists made not only together but individually was nice to read and very motivational.

The Space Between Us had just enough spice for me! It was sexy without being crude or over the top. I actually could have used another chapter or two :)

Thank you to Melanie Summers and Indigo Group for the copy.

"Look at the stars, Gwenny. Just look. They're shining there you you."

Fun, adventurous, and witty, Summers creates a rom-com that combines STEM, billionaires, and best of all Indiana Jones. So that last part may be a stretch, but as Gwen and Ty traverse through the jungles of Peru for Dr. Napper's last dying wish, let's just say that this is very unique compared to many other contemporary romances.

In this enemies to lovers, Gwen Fox works for SETI in the hopes that one day they will come into contact with life from space. Ty Sterling is a complete sketpic and cynic. He never understood why his buisness partner and best friend would want to cerate a foundation to fund ghost hunting, the search for the yeti or aliens. To him, this is a waste of their billions that could be used in his act for revenge against his absent father. So when his best friend, Dr. Napper, dies while trying to break the record for volcano surfing after skydiving, Ty is ready to pull out and leave everyone without jobs. That is until he embarks on the adventure Napper planned in his will. And when he is partnered with the woman who draws on his pictures and uses them as a dartboard, he knows he is in for one hell of a trip.

The banter alone made me break into smiles. Gwen is 36 and thriving. She is quick-minded and witty, but her sarcasm has me in a chokehold. She is more than funny. Gwen Fox is relatable. Ty on the other hand left me annoyed at times. He caused many of his own problems and the fact that his revenge was more important than his own friend made me agitated. I wish at one point beyond the send off of his friend that he acknowledges his hurt. There is a small instance where he recognizes it but there is not a very noticable affect from this. I needed him to have one more chapter of reflection. My needs for closure and character growth for Gwen was satisfied abet a little rushed at the end, but I enderstand the story needs to come to a close. Overall, I loved the character development that happened between Gwen and Ty. While most people are not a fan of insta-love, I think this was done well. The two are given ample scenarios and reasons to interact and delve into their relationship (seriously, pink dolphins may be the devil).

If you like movies similar to The Lost City or Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (no, not the one that gives you nightmares) then you would love this book! The action rom-com has a fun and unique twist that would not disappoint!

Thank you to Netgalley and Gretz Corp for the ARC E-book! I can't wait to read Allie's story!