A group of friends accidentally steal a spaceship to uncover the mystery of a vanished crew, leading to unexpected space adventures and a blossoming romance between Cleo and a hologram. The story blends elements of science fiction, romance, found family dynamics, and diverse LGBTQ+ representation in a cozy and whimsical space setting.

Reader Review Summary

Emily Hamilton's debut novel "The Stars Too Fondly" is an utter delight - a heartwarming and witty space adventure that deftly blends science fiction, romance, and comedic found family dynamics. From the very first pages, I was drawn into Hamilton's boldly imaginative vision of a group of quirky and lovable 20-somethings who accidentally commandeer an advanced starship and find themselves hurtling across the galaxy.

What makes this book truly shine is Hamilton's skillful character development and world-building. The central crew of Cleo, Ros, Abe and Evren practically leap off the page with their vibrant personalities and beautifully rendered relationships. Their banter crackles with authenticity and humor, deftly capturing the complexities of young adult friendships. And in Cleo and Billie, the ship's snarky holographic former captain, Hamilton has crafted an unforgettable romantic pairing that tugs delightfully at the heartstrings. Their slow-burn love story raises intriguing existential questions while still delivering all the swoons.

But this is far more than just a romance - it's a propulsive, high-stakes adventure steeped in mystery surrounding the original vanished crew. Hamilton keeps the stakes raised and the pages turning as her characters confront increasingly bizarre temporal anomalies and grapple with the very nature of time, reality, and sacrifice. The science fiction elements, centered on the enigmatic "dark matter" engine, teeter engagingly between plausibility and whimsy, evoking a wondrous sense of awe at the cosmos.

Perhaps the book's greatest strength, however, lies in its overflowing warmth, representation and inclusivity. From Cleo's sapphic identity to the racial diversity of the crew to thoughtful portrayals of trans and nonbinary characters, Hamilton has crafted a shiningly affirmative vision of equity and belonging among the stars. Her characters' earnest embodiment of chosen family cuts straight to the heart. It's a perspective that is so refreshingly uplifting amidst the genre's often grim intergalactic conflicts.

With endearing characters, crackling wit, mind-bending mysteries and a huge, queer heart, "The Stars Too Fondly" is a triumph of a debut. It's the kind of book that will leave you feeling lighter, happier, and delightfully star-struck. For anyone seeking an escape to the unforgettable stories that can only unfold among the vast depths of space, this is not to be missed.