🍫🍫🍫🍫🍫 (five stars as rated in Nutreesh, Earth's favorite nutritional meal substitution bar and a proud subsidiary of Gleeson Foods) 

How did a group of teenagers wind up alone on a spaceship a million miles from earth AND how in the heck are they ever going to get home? Also, what's with the annoying hologram that won't leave them alone and why does she resemble B-list child actor Jenny Perez? Somebody knows what's going on here. After all, somebody did this to them! And that somebody is going to get punched RIGHT in the face just as soon as Noa, Jenny and DJ can figure out who exactly that face-punch deserving somebody is... 

Listen, it's hard for me to find sci-fi that doesn't make me want to hurl. This is probably my fault for reading unobjectively bad sci-fi. BUT ANYWAY, holy smokes, y'all! This book was a ride! It really is like reading a season of bad outstanding teen TV. The story is told in these little episodes within the umbrella of, "HOW THE HECK DID THESE CHARACTERS GET HERE?!?" This really was so much fun for me. Also, queer rep in all three main characters has me doing those little happy claps every few pages. No joke. It's phenomenal. Read this book next time you're in a rut. You won't regret it. 

- Shaun David Hutchinson, A Complicated Love Story Set in Space 

✨ Rep in this book: gay protagonist, queer characters, LGBTQ+ 

✨ Content warnings for this book: rape, sexual assault, gun violence, kidnapping, memory manipulation, gas-lighting, brainwashing, death of a partner, violence 

Shaun David Hutchinson roped me in with the synopsis and kept me interested until the very end. A lovable read, as always.

There is so much I could say about this book. I loved Noa, the pessimistic jerk of a narrator. He was a great perspective to read from - a selfish main character was a breath of fresh air. I fell in love with DJ's character with every page; his kindness, his wit, and how thoughtful he was toward both his friends and shipmates. Their dynamic was the classic trope of angry, mean character falls for the blushy, kind character, and I was here for it. Jenny was kick-ass, and I loved her more and more as the story went on. The plot was a bit predictable - I figured out where it was (relatively) going during the time-loop section, but it was still pure fun to read. Hutchinson always reminds me how FUN it is to get into a book, and with how full of tropes and clichés this one was, it was impossible not to enjoy it. I don't know how I'm going to fit all the quotes I marked down into my reading journal. And looking back on what I've marked, I already know I'm going to love re-reading this piece and seeing all the foreshadowing and double-meanings to what DJ says to Noa and Jenny. I know Hutchinson isn't one for sequels, mostly writing stand-alone novels, but I really, really hope we get to see Noa, DJ, Jenny, and Ty again in a future story, kicking ass and taking names blowing up the high schools around the galaxy, learning to accept themselves and their pasts while loving their present and looking toward a bright future, and falling even more in love. I always deeply enjoy Hutchinson's works, but this has jumped to my top three by him. It makes me want to re-read all his works again. I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.

This isn't my favorite of Hutchinson's works (that title still goes to Elena Mendoza!), but it was definitely a fun ride. I listened to this on audio, but I'm kind of interested in seeing what the physical book looks like, with all the jumping around. The narrator for the audio was great, though!

While I didn't guess what was really happening (no spoilers), the ending fell a bit flat for me. It was an interesting, fun concept and definitely works for the Black Mirror angle they're using to promote the book. For me, the characters were the best part and I would definitely read about them again and again. Hutchinson nailed Noa's voice and this is what carries the story. Overall, this was a fun ride perfect as an introduction to sci-fi for someone who is looking to jump into the genre.

Well, this didn't go at all how I expected. I loved it, though. It was weird, complicated, fun, and it had many little details that reminded me of a few movies. It was really a peculiar little complicated story.

Noa wakes up in space with absolutely no recollection of how he got there and he's already in danger and being helped via radio by DJ, a cute guy in his same position. Together with Jenny, who they find stuck in a toilet, they must understand what the hell is going on and get back home before it's too late.

There are many mysteries, many things we don't know as readers that the characters also don't know. We are almost in the same boat (in this case spaceship) as them and we have to have a bit of fun trying to solve the mystery. I loved all the elements that made this story, and I loved the growing romance between Noa and DJ, how it wasn't rushed but neither too slow burn.

I had many theories and one came really close. I was surprised by every twist and turn this story took. I was really invested in what was happening! I needed to know! I really liked how the book ended! Very entertaining even with its flaws and heavier content of certain parts. (the CW/TW are listed at the beginning of the book/audiobook)

I recommend it for fans of YA sci-fi books that focus a lot in romance without having the sci-fi parts be less present.

Shaun David Hutchinson does it again! I've loved all of his books, and A Complicated Love Story Set in Space is no exception. It has all the wry comedy, painful darkness, and beautiful sincerity that characterizes Hutchinson's work.

The structure is more episodic than a typical novel, but it never feels disjointed. It keeps the pacing brisk without losing the plot's through line or the characters' emotional arcs. The three main characters are believable, sympathetic, and well-developed. Noa is excruciatingly frustrating in that way that teenagers are, but you understand and love him anyway. DJ is someone you just want to hug, and Jenny is a perfect blend of hilarious and heartfelt. I also love the Jenny Perez character, a child actor turned B-list celebrity who fills in the characters (and the reader) about the essential expository details and provides many of the book's strongest comedic moments.

I want more Noa, DJ, and Jenny! I fell in love with the characters with all their flaws, and I can offer no higher praise than that.