I won’t lie, I was eavesdropping on twitter and saw a group of people intent on requesting When The Stars Align by Jeanette Grey on Netgalley and picking it as their weekend read and then deciding to take it upon myself to request the book as well. My logic is that if other bloggers are talking about it on twitter, then perhaps it might just be worth my time. Also? I love books with science. ESPECIALLY new adult books with science!
When The Stars Align by Jeanette Grey is a new adult book about two characters, Jo and Adam, who are in Puerto Rico for a summer internship. There are themes of sexism in science and fighting that, trust, and friendship building. Jo comes to Puerto Rico with a huge attitude, she demands to see the director of the science program because she has been assigned to mentor under a woman, and she has made the assumption that it is because of sexism and not because of her merit. However, Jo gets to the director only to discover that the director is a woman. From there, even more not so good first impressions are made for Jo. As for Adam, he gets to Puerto Rico and is still kind of sort of obsessed with his girl who is a friend, back home, Shannon. However, he sees Jo and is knocked on his ass, literally. There are some sparks is what I am saying.
Jo is one of those stereotypical tough as nails types of girls. She is not into dressing very feminine. She has tattoos and dyed hair and piercings. She has no girlfriends. Also, her relationship with her father is several different kinds of strained and awful. Jo has all of these walls up and all of this attitude. This is not exactly a new theme or plotline. However, I liked where Jeanette Grey went with it. I liked how she went about breaking down Jo’s walls. I liked that there was a sizeable chunk of When The Stars Align devoted to talking about sexism in science and what Jo has encountered with that. Unfortunately, this is a reality and I am glad to see that the book does not deny this reality.
As for Adam, he is your typical all American red blooded male. He apparently spends a decent amount of time working out. He also is very smart at math, as one scene evidences. He’s also a good guy. I mean, he has this deep attraction to Jo, but refuses to do something about it until he resolves his issues with Shannon. I liked that he chooses not to cheat in his kind of sort of relationship. That is very admirable and stand up to me. Adam does not take Jo’s tough girl facade meanness. Instead, he powers through. I mean, not to the point of no consent, but I mean, he stays with her through her freakouts and helps her work through what is going on, in a kind sort of way.
So, if you are curious, I will state up front that When The Stars Align has its fair share of adult situations. Adam and Jo are consenting adults, and hoo boy do they do some consensual things. It’s quite well written and goes on for several pages at a time. If you’re someone who has never read new adult, you may not be used to adult situations in your reading, so just up front, yes it happens in this book and IT IS STEAMY, much like the location that the book takes place in. I thought that When The Stars Align does a superb job working up to these scenes and that they all had a place and a function – it wasn’t just gratuitous, but solidified what was going on between Jo and Adam.
Overall, I enjoyed When The Stars Align by Jeanette Grey. Certain parts did drag out for me and felt a bit redundant. I was never crazy glued to my Kindle while reading. I would definitely put my seal of approval on this book. However, just be aware that not every bit of it is fast and page turning and intense.
Latest posts by April (Books&Wine) (see all)
- 5 Audiobooks I Just Listened To: Mini Reviews - May 30, 2023
- 5 Contemporary Romances To Pick Up RIGHT NOW - May 29, 2023
- 5 Young Adult Books I’ve Recently Picked Up - May 14, 2023
