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Under the Milky Way
Nothing ever happens in Dawson, Colorado.
Until high school senior Cassidy Roekiem’s mom checks into a “wellness center,” but nothing is wrong with her.
Then people start seeing lights in the sky and missing chunks of time, but the town insists nothing is going on.
And now Hayden, the new boy at school who keeps to himself and is more than a little mysterious, starts to notice her like it’s nothing out of the ordinary.
Suddenly, “nothing” is starting to feel a whole lot like something. And everything leads back to Hayden. The boy she’s starting to fall for. The boy with too many dark secrets for his kind heart. The boy she’s pretty sure isn’t human…(Finalized)
Until high school senior Cassidy Roekiem’s mom checks into a “wellness center,” but nothing is wrong with her.
Then people start seeing lights in the sky and missing chunks of time, but the town insists nothing is going on.
And now Hayden, the new boy at school who keeps to himself and is more than a little mysterious, starts to notice her like it’s nothing out of the ordinary.
Suddenly, “nothing” is starting to feel a whole lot like something. And everything leads back to Hayden. The boy she’s starting to fall for. The boy with too many dark secrets for his kind heart. The boy she’s pretty sure isn’t human…(Finalized)
400 pages, Paperback
First published August 3, 2021
About the author
Vanessa Barneveld
6 books93 followersAustralian Vanessa Barneveld lives in a 19th-century house in inner-city Sydney with a 21st-century husband, two eccentric cats and one ghost—all of whom provide inspiration for her spirited novels. In addition to her writing career, she’s part of a crack team that produces closed captions for deaf TV viewers and audio descriptions for the blind.
An avid traveler, she enjoys the journeys almost as much as the destinations. She freely admits to being food motivated and will stop at nothing to find the perfect hot chips wherever she roams around the world.
An avid traveler, she enjoys the journeys almost as much as the destinations. She freely admits to being food motivated and will stop at nothing to find the perfect hot chips wherever she roams around the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 98 reviews
August 11, 2021
Keeping it simple - I enjoyed this YA romance/sci-fi/mystery-thriller. It has minimal romantic elements, just how I like, and the emphasis is on mystery, but unlike most YA mysteries where a group of teens would get together and do a Secret Sevenish investigation, Under the Milky Way is sophisticated and complex.
The concept revolves around alien sightings and US government aided high-profile secret operations involving human subjects. While these kept the plot spiced up with conspiracy theories, there's also an emotional family drama amidst the extraterrestrial chaos. The pacing is superb; most chapters end on a cliffhanger making it difficult to pause in between. I finished the book in a day so you can imagine how intrigued I was throughout.
It does get cheesy in places, but where there is YA, there has to be some cheese, right? For me, the climax was the weakest part. When you read a highly intriguing mystery, you expect some action at the end, but with this book, the climax came in slow and cold, not up to the mark. Fortunately, the book ends on a cliffhanger, so I’m expecting something bigger being planned in the next book.
Thanks to Entangled Teen Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
3.75/5🌟 (rounding up).
The concept revolves around alien sightings and US government aided high-profile secret operations involving human subjects. While these kept the plot spiced up with conspiracy theories, there's also an emotional family drama amidst the extraterrestrial chaos. The pacing is superb; most chapters end on a cliffhanger making it difficult to pause in between. I finished the book in a day so you can imagine how intrigued I was throughout.
It does get cheesy in places, but where there is YA, there has to be some cheese, right? For me, the climax was the weakest part. When you read a highly intriguing mystery, you expect some action at the end, but with this book, the climax came in slow and cold, not up to the mark. Fortunately, the book ends on a cliffhanger, so I’m expecting something bigger being planned in the next book.
Thanks to Entangled Teen Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
Overall, an enjoyable read.
3.75/5🌟 (rounding up).
August 3, 2021
Romance, and Mystery, and Aliens, OH MY! 👽 If it was ever on the list for the STRANGEST and CUTEST YA NOVEL of 2021, it would be UNDER THE MILKY WAY! I absolutely loved it and was worth ever page in the book! Nothing happens ever in Dawson, CO; until high schooler Cassidy’s mom is sent to a “wellness center,” but nothing is wrong with her. Suddenly, people start seeing objects in the sky, lights, and lots of time missing! But the town insists nothing is going on. And now, Hayden, the new boy at school is more than a little mysterious, but starts to notice Cassidy like it’s nothing out of the ordinary. Then “nothing” is starting to feel like SOMETHING, and everything leads back to Hayden. The boy she’s starting to fall for. The one with secrets for his kind heart. The boy she’s pretty sure isn’t human! A wonderful YA book you NEED to read soon! It has a great SPOOKY VIBE to it, which can be a perfect read for October! A MUST-READ!
July 13, 2021
So, I honestly don’t know what to say, I felt like I was in a trance like it was just weird. The plot was good and at some points I was shocked, but the writing wasn’t the best and it was sort of corny. I never have the alien believer so maybe that’s why I didn’t like it as much, I did have high hopes and I was kinda sad it didn’t exceed my expectations. Thank you Netgalley for giving me a chance to read this and I hope others enjoy it more than I did.
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
August 9, 2021
We all have our reasons for choosing certain books. In this case, I was drawn to the title, because hey. One of my favorite bands from the 80's, Aussie band "The Church", had a titled Under The Milky Way. And reason number two, the story is set in a fictitious town in Colorado, where I live (not the fictitious town) , but I can so picture this Dawson, Colorado and it's inhabitants, human and alien.
I'm keeping my review to a high level because there's a lot going on in this story, with going back in time, with inserts about government experiments, and subsequently with the present. This is where the heart of the story lies, with teenager and Dawson native Cassidy, and the newly transplanted, Hayden. Cassidy is quirky and bright and I really enjoyed being in her head. It's was a joy to watch her falling in love, and to see what she comes to mean to Hayden.
With Under The Milky Way, Vanessa Barneveld weaves a tale that is funny, romantic, and filled with mystery. The dialogue is fantastic, and again, I loved being in Cassidy's head. She wildly entertaining and highly relatable. If you even have an inkling of interest in the extraterrestrial world, and should you love YA, this is the book for you. 4 Stars and recommendation.
I'm keeping my review to a high level because there's a lot going on in this story, with going back in time, with inserts about government experiments, and subsequently with the present. This is where the heart of the story lies, with teenager and Dawson native Cassidy, and the newly transplanted, Hayden. Cassidy is quirky and bright and I really enjoyed being in her head. It's was a joy to watch her falling in love, and to see what she comes to mean to Hayden.
With Under The Milky Way, Vanessa Barneveld weaves a tale that is funny, romantic, and filled with mystery. The dialogue is fantastic, and again, I loved being in Cassidy's head. She wildly entertaining and highly relatable. If you even have an inkling of interest in the extraterrestrial world, and should you love YA, this is the book for you. 4 Stars and recommendation.
May 7, 2021
I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from Entangled Teen. I'll have a full review up asap but know right away, I loved this story. Here is the quote I have offered for back copy:
Under the Milky Way is a thrilling Paranormal Romance sure to skyjack you from start to finish. Barneveld’s writing is perfection, the story high-octane and the characters so tender and fierce they will haunt you long after they’re gone. Read this book. Read it now! You’ll never see homecoming the same again… - A. K. Wilder, bestselling author of Crown of Bones.
Under the Milky Way is a thrilling Paranormal Romance sure to skyjack you from start to finish. Barneveld’s writing is perfection, the story high-octane and the characters so tender and fierce they will haunt you long after they’re gone. Read this book. Read it now! You’ll never see homecoming the same again… - A. K. Wilder, bestselling author of Crown of Bones.
August 11, 2021
'Under the Milky Way' by Vanessa Barnveld is a sweet young adult sci-fi tale that follows high school senior, Cassidy Roekiem as she tries to solve a mystery that landed her mom in a 'wellness resort' that feels more than a little questionable.
As locals start to report lights in the sky and issue claims of alien abduction, Cassidy finds she's missing chunks of time that she can't account for.. and that's exactly the kind of symptom being associated with these said 'events.' The town insists nothing out of the ordinary is really going on, but the problem is so widespread she has her doubts.
Then there's Hayden. He's new at school and seems to have all the right boxes checked for instant popularity, but he keeps to himself and has a strange habit of watching Cassidy. Almost constantly.
Honestly, the writing itself is just okay, but the story is cute and enjoyable. Hayden really is lovely and the dynamics between him and his family, especially Trudy are quite amusing.
Told in a non-linear format from multiple perspectives, there's a decent bit to keep track of both past and present. Conceptually and structurally, it could have been a robust story.. but the execution just isn't quite there. Having done a bit of research into the author, I feel that's largely just inexperience and that she's probably still learning to fill those pages out thoughtfully. She definitely has potential, she just needs to get all the pieces working fluidly together.
Still, as I said.. I did enjoy the read. Anyone looking for a light fare with some cute romance and a sci-fi bent might enjoy this too.
As locals start to report lights in the sky and issue claims of alien abduction, Cassidy finds she's missing chunks of time that she can't account for.. and that's exactly the kind of symptom being associated with these said 'events.' The town insists nothing out of the ordinary is really going on, but the problem is so widespread she has her doubts.
Then there's Hayden. He's new at school and seems to have all the right boxes checked for instant popularity, but he keeps to himself and has a strange habit of watching Cassidy. Almost constantly.
Honestly, the writing itself is just okay, but the story is cute and enjoyable. Hayden really is lovely and the dynamics between him and his family, especially Trudy are quite amusing.
Told in a non-linear format from multiple perspectives, there's a decent bit to keep track of both past and present. Conceptually and structurally, it could have been a robust story.. but the execution just isn't quite there. Having done a bit of research into the author, I feel that's largely just inexperience and that she's probably still learning to fill those pages out thoughtfully. She definitely has potential, she just needs to get all the pieces working fluidly together.
Still, as I said.. I did enjoy the read. Anyone looking for a light fare with some cute romance and a sci-fi bent might enjoy this too.
June 24, 2021
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Under The Milky Way in exchange for an honest review.
I was so excited for this because the cover is gorgeous and I love alien stories, but the narration really didn't work for me here. It's very, very blunt and non-subtle and since it already deals with a more fantastical plot, the narrative style made it impossible for me to experience this as a story instead of being constantly aware that I was reading a fictional series of events someone came up with.
I was so excited for this because the cover is gorgeous and I love alien stories, but the narration really didn't work for me here. It's very, very blunt and non-subtle and since it already deals with a more fantastical plot, the narrative style made it impossible for me to experience this as a story instead of being constantly aware that I was reading a fictional series of events someone came up with.
July 28, 2021
Under the Milky Way is an entertaining young adult sci-fi romance. I love the cover of this book. It’s so gorgeous, and I was drawn to the unique-sounding story. It’s not your typical alien romance. This story includes disappearances, aliens, conspiracies, and decades-old mysteries full of intrigue and danger. The plot is pretty unique, and I like how the author wove several seemingly unrelated stories together. The story went in a few directions that I didn’t expect, and the connections are tied together well. It made for an enjoyable read.
Each chapter begins with a song title from a playlist Cassidy’s mother made for her, which is another intriguing element of the story. Are these possible clues left by her mother, or are they something else? The story also includes snippets of news articles, memos, reports, and more throughout the book. These, as well as the song titles, offer insight into the several mysteries in the story. It’s interesting to see how everything ties together and how information that seemed unrelated or unimportant became significant as the story unfolded.
The characters are also interesting, though I wish some were a little more layered. Cassidy’s friends and aunt and Hayden’s family are so interesting, and I could easily see some of them being the focus of future books by the author. Cassidy is a great protagonist. She is resilient and determined, and she shows such courage throughout the story. I like that she trusts her instincts and never gives up on the people she loves. She’s also really intelligent, curious, and accepting.
The love story in this book is sweet and complicated. Cassidy and Hayden have a great connection, and I love how behind his athleticism and unbelievable good looks, Hayden is awkward and a bit bumbling with Cassidy. You can tell how taken he is with her, which is very sweet. Cassidy feels the same way, and their growing relationship, though complex and riddled with problems, is great.
Secrets, lies, betrayal, conspiracies, abductions, and more make for a suspenseful and entertaining read. Part sci-fi, part mystery, the intrigue definitely propels the plot. I became easily engrossed in the story and didn’t anticipate many of the surprising twists and turns. It’s an interesting and enjoyable read that will appeal to readers of ya sci-fi romance. Thanks so much to Entangled Teen, NetGalley, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Each chapter begins with a song title from a playlist Cassidy’s mother made for her, which is another intriguing element of the story. Are these possible clues left by her mother, or are they something else? The story also includes snippets of news articles, memos, reports, and more throughout the book. These, as well as the song titles, offer insight into the several mysteries in the story. It’s interesting to see how everything ties together and how information that seemed unrelated or unimportant became significant as the story unfolded.
The characters are also interesting, though I wish some were a little more layered. Cassidy’s friends and aunt and Hayden’s family are so interesting, and I could easily see some of them being the focus of future books by the author. Cassidy is a great protagonist. She is resilient and determined, and she shows such courage throughout the story. I like that she trusts her instincts and never gives up on the people she loves. She’s also really intelligent, curious, and accepting.
The love story in this book is sweet and complicated. Cassidy and Hayden have a great connection, and I love how behind his athleticism and unbelievable good looks, Hayden is awkward and a bit bumbling with Cassidy. You can tell how taken he is with her, which is very sweet. Cassidy feels the same way, and their growing relationship, though complex and riddled with problems, is great.
Secrets, lies, betrayal, conspiracies, abductions, and more make for a suspenseful and entertaining read. Part sci-fi, part mystery, the intrigue definitely propels the plot. I became easily engrossed in the story and didn’t anticipate many of the surprising twists and turns. It’s an interesting and enjoyable read that will appeal to readers of ya sci-fi romance. Thanks so much to Entangled Teen, NetGalley, and the author for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
August 9, 2021
This is a high school teen, sci-fi mystery
With elements of fantasy, suspense and history.
Set in Dawson, Colorado, a quiet, peaceful town
The last place you’d expect aliens to be coming down!
Cassidy Roekiem goes to the local high school
Where the new boy, Hayden, is reserved and cool
Until he notices her and takes more than a glance
Could this be the start of a grand romance?
This is a suspense filled sci-fi romance
Where even an alien will go to the dance!
However, where’s the time going?
Somehow hours are missed without them knowing.
As Cassidy worries about her Mum’s well-being
Others can’t believe just what they’re seeing.
The story has great characters and is full of surprises
And all aliens aren’t bad Cassidy soon realises.
I highly recommend this engaging read,
Especially if sci-fi adventure and romance you need.
Thanks to Entangled Teen and NetGalley, too
I enjoyed this book and this is my honest review.
With elements of fantasy, suspense and history.
Set in Dawson, Colorado, a quiet, peaceful town
The last place you’d expect aliens to be coming down!
Cassidy Roekiem goes to the local high school
Where the new boy, Hayden, is reserved and cool
Until he notices her and takes more than a glance
Could this be the start of a grand romance?
This is a suspense filled sci-fi romance
Where even an alien will go to the dance!
However, where’s the time going?
Somehow hours are missed without them knowing.
As Cassidy worries about her Mum’s well-being
Others can’t believe just what they’re seeing.
The story has great characters and is full of surprises
And all aliens aren’t bad Cassidy soon realises.
I highly recommend this engaging read,
Especially if sci-fi adventure and romance you need.
Thanks to Entangled Teen and NetGalley, too
I enjoyed this book and this is my honest review.
July 14, 2021
Look any book that has Star Wars references in will automatically make me happy.
And yes okay, some parts were cheesy but it’s YA so that’s allowed.
It gave me Stranger Things x Romeo and Juliet x AHS Asylum - I know weird mix but hear me out. I consumed this book in one sitting (finished within two hours). It soothed my brain, again weird thing to mention but it ticked some mental box I have been searching for.
Thank you to Entangled for sending me this book.
And yes okay, some parts were cheesy but it’s YA so that’s allowed.
It gave me Stranger Things x Romeo and Juliet x AHS Asylum - I know weird mix but hear me out. I consumed this book in one sitting (finished within two hours). It soothed my brain, again weird thing to mention but it ticked some mental box I have been searching for.
Thank you to Entangled for sending me this book.
December 10, 2021
Original review
This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Entangled Teen!
Under the Milky Way is a standalone YA book about Cassidy and Hayden.
This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Entangled Teen!
Under the Milky Way is a standalone YA book about Cassidy and Hayden.
Under the Milky Way is the first book I’ve read by Vanessa Barneveld and I liked it! When I was looking through the ARC options of Entangled Teen, the synopsis and cover immediately grabbed my attention. The story sounded so interesting and right up my alley. I really liked the concept of this story and I think Vanessa Barneveld did a good job with this book!
I really loved Cassidy as a main character. I like the way she is and I love that Vanessa Barneveld added sign language to this book. I haven’t read that many books with sign language and/or deaf characters, so it’s always nice to read a book with those topics. I also really liked Hayden although it was a bit obvious what his dark secrets were. But I still enjoyed reading about them.
Under the Milky Way has a special format. It’s not just Cassidy’s POV but also documents about research, etc. And I wasn’t the biggest fan of the format. I think that’s the reason why I didn’t give this book more than 3 stars. But besides the format, I still liked Cassidy and Hayden’s story and I’m looking forward to discovering more books by Vanessa Barneveld!
Under the Milky Way has a special format. It’s not just Cassidy’s POV but also documents about research, etc. And I wasn’t the biggest fan of the format. I think that’s the reason why I didn’t give this book more than 3 stars. But besides the format, I still liked Cassidy and Hayden’s story and I’m looking forward to discovering more books by Vanessa Barneveld!
August 10, 2021
I really enjoyed this one towards the end honestly the beginning started off VERY slowly and I truly didnt like it at first but Hayden definitely made me think otherwise. I'll write some pros and cons of the book but I DEFINITELY reccomend this to those who love some paranormal or stranger things (because it gave me the teen version of stranger things vibes).
Cons:
Starts off really
The past entries annoyed me, not sure why.
Wished there were more chapters of Haydens POV.
Pros:
Hayden and Cassidy dynamic was the thrilling thing about this.
The intensity of it all and the way everything was described.
A character that is deaf !!! Loved seeing that.
Amazing book, loved it. You really have to stick through the beginning to get to the good stuff. Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. Definitely need the physical copy of this though.
Cons:
Starts off really
The past entries annoyed me, not sure why.
Wished there were more chapters of Haydens POV.
Pros:
Hayden and Cassidy dynamic was the thrilling thing about this.
The intensity of it all and the way everything was described.
A character that is deaf !!! Loved seeing that.
Amazing book, loved it. You really have to stick through the beginning to get to the good stuff. Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review. Definitely need the physical copy of this though.
July 30, 2021
Thank you to Entangled Teen and NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for a review.
Cassidy Roekiem is just like everyone else: she goes to school, works at her dad's firm, and in her spare time she works on solving the kidnapping case that drove her mother to seek out medical help. When Cassidy starts investigating the “alien abductions” the rest of town claims aren’t happening, she realizes it might be more connected to her life than she could have ever guessed.
“As the colon between the bright green numbers blinks intermittently, my heart pounds in time.
9:53.
“That can’t be.” But the phone I fish out of my jeans pocket confirms it.
I’ve lost over two hours of my life..’”
I don’t typically pick up books about aliens, but I’m glad I made an exception for Under the Milky Way. I wouldn’t call myself a believer in alien UFOs so it’s really hard to find an alien book I don’t find incredibly corny. But Barneveld found that perfect middle ground for me. UtMW was filled with unexpected twists, an adorable romance, and a plot that is out of this world ;) Under the Milky Way also has a character who is Deaf and communicates through ASL. I cannot attest to the accuracy of the representation because I am not a part of this community, but I’m always happy to see disability rep in YA books.
The only reason this book didn’t get five stars was that I wasn’t a fan of the time jumps. Early in the book, multiple chapters jump between Present Day and seemingly random times in the past. These vary from hours to years, and work alongside other chapters that contain memos/letters written to unknown characters. I felt like as soon as I got into the flow of the story, it was interrupted by a time jump or irrelevant chapter. After finishing the book I understand that these were meant to build intrigue, but I feel like they could’ve been formatted in a less obtrusive way.
Under the Milky Way releases on August 10, 2021. Thank you again to the publisher for providing a copy to review.
CW: Kidnapping, scenes involving needles and physical pain, drug therapy as treatment for mental illness, and parental divorce (CWs provided in book by author).
Cassidy Roekiem is just like everyone else: she goes to school, works at her dad's firm, and in her spare time she works on solving the kidnapping case that drove her mother to seek out medical help. When Cassidy starts investigating the “alien abductions” the rest of town claims aren’t happening, she realizes it might be more connected to her life than she could have ever guessed.
“As the colon between the bright green numbers blinks intermittently, my heart pounds in time.
9:53.
“That can’t be.” But the phone I fish out of my jeans pocket confirms it.
I’ve lost over two hours of my life..’”
I don’t typically pick up books about aliens, but I’m glad I made an exception for Under the Milky Way. I wouldn’t call myself a believer in alien UFOs so it’s really hard to find an alien book I don’t find incredibly corny. But Barneveld found that perfect middle ground for me. UtMW was filled with unexpected twists, an adorable romance, and a plot that is out of this world ;) Under the Milky Way also has a character who is Deaf and communicates through ASL. I cannot attest to the accuracy of the representation because I am not a part of this community, but I’m always happy to see disability rep in YA books.
The only reason this book didn’t get five stars was that I wasn’t a fan of the time jumps. Early in the book, multiple chapters jump between Present Day and seemingly random times in the past. These vary from hours to years, and work alongside other chapters that contain memos/letters written to unknown characters. I felt like as soon as I got into the flow of the story, it was interrupted by a time jump or irrelevant chapter. After finishing the book I understand that these were meant to build intrigue, but I feel like they could’ve been formatted in a less obtrusive way.
Under the Milky Way releases on August 10, 2021. Thank you again to the publisher for providing a copy to review.
CW: Kidnapping, scenes involving needles and physical pain, drug therapy as treatment for mental illness, and parental divorce (CWs provided in book by author).
August 17, 2021
A small town in Colorado is experiencing some interesting phenomenon which is resulting in people disappearing or having nose bleeds or memory lapses.
They are blaming it on alien abductions. Which there might be alien abductions happening but there might also be other nefarious experiments happening as well.
So now I think my usual response that we can't be so arrogant that we would be the only intelligent life within the vast universe would be sus. Also, really though who would want to visit us with all the negative media I'm sure we are blasting into space lol. We aren't very welcoming.
Cassidy's mother was investigating a high profile kidnapping from years prior then had a mental breakdown and checked herself into a treatment center. But she isn't allowed to even visit. She is not ok with this and takes up the investigation on her mom's behalf.
Theres a new boy, Hayden, at their school who is very hot and is very interested in her. Which is weird for her.
I enjoyed this the villains you thought you knew might not actually be who you thought. There was a romance and science!
How easy is it to go from grey morals to full on no morals as a villain?
Thank you entangledteen and netgalley for my e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.
They are blaming it on alien abductions. Which there might be alien abductions happening but there might also be other nefarious experiments happening as well.
So now I think my usual response that we can't be so arrogant that we would be the only intelligent life within the vast universe would be sus. Also, really though who would want to visit us with all the negative media I'm sure we are blasting into space lol. We aren't very welcoming.
Cassidy's mother was investigating a high profile kidnapping from years prior then had a mental breakdown and checked herself into a treatment center. But she isn't allowed to even visit. She is not ok with this and takes up the investigation on her mom's behalf.
Theres a new boy, Hayden, at their school who is very hot and is very interested in her. Which is weird for her.
I enjoyed this the villains you thought you knew might not actually be who you thought. There was a romance and science!
How easy is it to go from grey morals to full on no morals as a villain?
Thank you entangledteen and netgalley for my e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.
July 27, 2021
A huge thank you to Entangled Teen & NetGalley for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this given that I haven’t been read that much contemporary YA these days, let alone in the sci-fi genre but the engaging writing and intriguing premise had me hooked! The pacing was quite fast as well so it was easy to just read on and on.
Our main lead, Cassidy, was driven and smart that I had the best time going on this journey with her towards helping her mom and finishing what her mom started. Hayden was an interesting lead too! He was sweet and charming but his suspicious actions had me curious about him and his family all throughout! Their light romance was enough to keep me going because it was so adorable without overtaking the plot. Besides our amazing leads, I also love the side characters especially Alondra, Jake and Trudy!
It was exciting to me having more disability rep with Alondra being deaf and her and Cassidy speaking in ASL. I also liked seeing more of the cultural references made with both of Cassidy’s Dutch and Indonesian side.
I enjoyed the alternating chapters between the ongoing present plot of Cassidy solving the case with Jane’s disappearance along with them trying to get at the bottom of “alien abduction” like experience she and her friends were having and the past chapters told in emails and flashbacks from those involved in the issue which eventually led to the revelation of the conflict. These two timelines coming together towards the end was so satisfying and shocking in the best way!
Overall, I’m so happy to have given the opportunity to read this amazing book! It was exciting, engrossing and mind blowingly good! I highly recommend this for fans of sci-fi and aliens!
I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this given that I haven’t been read that much contemporary YA these days, let alone in the sci-fi genre but the engaging writing and intriguing premise had me hooked! The pacing was quite fast as well so it was easy to just read on and on.
Our main lead, Cassidy, was driven and smart that I had the best time going on this journey with her towards helping her mom and finishing what her mom started. Hayden was an interesting lead too! He was sweet and charming but his suspicious actions had me curious about him and his family all throughout! Their light romance was enough to keep me going because it was so adorable without overtaking the plot. Besides our amazing leads, I also love the side characters especially Alondra, Jake and Trudy!
It was exciting to me having more disability rep with Alondra being deaf and her and Cassidy speaking in ASL. I also liked seeing more of the cultural references made with both of Cassidy’s Dutch and Indonesian side.
I enjoyed the alternating chapters between the ongoing present plot of Cassidy solving the case with Jane’s disappearance along with them trying to get at the bottom of “alien abduction” like experience she and her friends were having and the past chapters told in emails and flashbacks from those involved in the issue which eventually led to the revelation of the conflict. These two timelines coming together towards the end was so satisfying and shocking in the best way!
Overall, I’m so happy to have given the opportunity to read this amazing book! It was exciting, engrossing and mind blowingly good! I highly recommend this for fans of sci-fi and aliens!
August 14, 2021
Quick Stats
Age Rating:
Overall: 4 stars
Characters: 3.5/5
Plot: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
I was very apprehensive going into this book. I received an eARC via Entangled Teen and NetGalley because the blurb sounded interesting and I have a very eager trigger finger when it comes to requesting ARCs. But after I was approved, I looked a little more into the book… and it’s an alien romance. Which is very much not my cup of tea. Twilight-esque paranormal romances that are heavy on the cheese are always much more cringy than enjoyable for me, and based on the reviews I’d read, I was sure that was exactly what I was in for. And I wasn’t wrong, but I also wasn’t right.
Now, all of this is not to say that there is anything wrong with those types of books. I have just never been into them personally. If you love twilight and cheesy paranormal romances? That’s great! And you very likely will enjoy this book as well, because it definitely has those aspects. It just also had more substance than I was expecting.
In this book we follow Cassidy, a pretty average teenage girl in the aftermath of her mother unexpectedly checking herself in to an inpatient psych rehab. As Cassidy struggles with feelings of abandonment and some spooky—maybe even extraterrestrial—happenings, she begins to grow closer to the shy, mysterious new kid, Hayden.
As the book begins, it seems like a very typical alien-abduction storyline. But there are pieces that don’t quite fit and leave you guessing. For a while some of the storylines seem disconnected and disjointed, but as the story starts to pick up, I got too caught up in the plot twists and characters to be bothered by it, and in the end everything wraps up nicely with just enough open endedness to leave me hopeful for a sequel.
There were points at which the writing was a bit cheesy. A few overly cliche declarations of love and one instance in which a character says they have “skillz”. With a Z. That was painful to read. But it was otherwise very well written.
All of the characters felt fleshed out and interesting. I loved Alondra and the representation of a Deaf individual as well as Cassidy’s knowledge and use of sign language. Cassidy and Hayden’s romance wasn’t my favorite ever, but there was enough chemistry that I did end up rooting for them in the end.
In the end, I enjoyed this book, and if there is a sequel someday, I would definitely pick it up.
Age Rating:
Overall: 4 stars
Characters: 3.5/5
Plot: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Writing: 3/5
I was very apprehensive going into this book. I received an eARC via Entangled Teen and NetGalley because the blurb sounded interesting and I have a very eager trigger finger when it comes to requesting ARCs. But after I was approved, I looked a little more into the book… and it’s an alien romance. Which is very much not my cup of tea. Twilight-esque paranormal romances that are heavy on the cheese are always much more cringy than enjoyable for me, and based on the reviews I’d read, I was sure that was exactly what I was in for. And I wasn’t wrong, but I also wasn’t right.
Now, all of this is not to say that there is anything wrong with those types of books. I have just never been into them personally. If you love twilight and cheesy paranormal romances? That’s great! And you very likely will enjoy this book as well, because it definitely has those aspects. It just also had more substance than I was expecting.
In this book we follow Cassidy, a pretty average teenage girl in the aftermath of her mother unexpectedly checking herself in to an inpatient psych rehab. As Cassidy struggles with feelings of abandonment and some spooky—maybe even extraterrestrial—happenings, she begins to grow closer to the shy, mysterious new kid, Hayden.
As the book begins, it seems like a very typical alien-abduction storyline. But there are pieces that don’t quite fit and leave you guessing. For a while some of the storylines seem disconnected and disjointed, but as the story starts to pick up, I got too caught up in the plot twists and characters to be bothered by it, and in the end everything wraps up nicely with just enough open endedness to leave me hopeful for a sequel.
There were points at which the writing was a bit cheesy. A few overly cliche declarations of love and one instance in which a character says they have “skillz”. With a Z. That was painful to read. But it was otherwise very well written.
All of the characters felt fleshed out and interesting. I loved Alondra and the representation of a Deaf individual as well as Cassidy’s knowledge and use of sign language. Cassidy and Hayden’s romance wasn’t my favorite ever, but there was enough chemistry that I did end up rooting for them in the end.
In the end, I enjoyed this book, and if there is a sequel someday, I would definitely pick it up.
August 12, 2021
Aliens and space meld with high school drama to form a high tension, well-woven read.
Cassidy is struggling. Her parents are divorced, her mother is a well-known figure, and now, her mother has checked herself into some strange wellness ranch, where Cassidy isn't allowed to visit her. Nothing makes sense, and everything about life seems out of sorts. So, when one of the boys at school...a 'hot' one...can't take his eyes off of her and starts accidentally running into her everywhere, she's not sure what to think. As she warms up to him, things on her mother's side grow stranger and stranger, especially as Cassidy begins to delve into the research for the novel her mom was writing. Add her sudden blackouts and hours being lost at a time, and she's afraid something big and sinister is going on.
When I picked this one up, I was expecting a sappy, alien-human romance...but this is so much more. The author weaves tons of secrets and intrigue around the characters, creating a tale which is packed with unexpected twists and turns, high stakes, and dangerous shadows. Nothing is as it seems and so much is at stake. So, romance is there, and it does carry the tones of usual high school drama, but that is only the beginning.
There's quite a bit going on in the background. To get this to all click together by the end, the author tells the tale not only from different perspectives, but includes emails and notes from the past. Each chapter does put a place and date at the beginning to help keep things clear and coordinated. Still, I was more than a little confused during the first half of the book and just trusted that this was all going to fall into the right place by the end. And it does for the most part, although some things were still blurred and I'd have to go back and reread several spots to see exactly how it worked. But to say this ruined the read for me would be wrong.
I read this one in a single sitting and couldn't put it down. The characters and situations are very original, and while it's clear there are some evil doings happening, it's not so clear how it all works. The tension is high, the characters are more than easy to root for, and it's an entertaining read until the very end. So, if you're looking for high school romance with a dash of science fiction and a super helping of evil intrigue...this one is for you. I received an ARC and found the tale very engaging.
Cassidy is struggling. Her parents are divorced, her mother is a well-known figure, and now, her mother has checked herself into some strange wellness ranch, where Cassidy isn't allowed to visit her. Nothing makes sense, and everything about life seems out of sorts. So, when one of the boys at school...a 'hot' one...can't take his eyes off of her and starts accidentally running into her everywhere, she's not sure what to think. As she warms up to him, things on her mother's side grow stranger and stranger, especially as Cassidy begins to delve into the research for the novel her mom was writing. Add her sudden blackouts and hours being lost at a time, and she's afraid something big and sinister is going on.
When I picked this one up, I was expecting a sappy, alien-human romance...but this is so much more. The author weaves tons of secrets and intrigue around the characters, creating a tale which is packed with unexpected twists and turns, high stakes, and dangerous shadows. Nothing is as it seems and so much is at stake. So, romance is there, and it does carry the tones of usual high school drama, but that is only the beginning.
There's quite a bit going on in the background. To get this to all click together by the end, the author tells the tale not only from different perspectives, but includes emails and notes from the past. Each chapter does put a place and date at the beginning to help keep things clear and coordinated. Still, I was more than a little confused during the first half of the book and just trusted that this was all going to fall into the right place by the end. And it does for the most part, although some things were still blurred and I'd have to go back and reread several spots to see exactly how it worked. But to say this ruined the read for me would be wrong.
I read this one in a single sitting and couldn't put it down. The characters and situations are very original, and while it's clear there are some evil doings happening, it's not so clear how it all works. The tension is high, the characters are more than easy to root for, and it's an entertaining read until the very end. So, if you're looking for high school romance with a dash of science fiction and a super helping of evil intrigue...this one is for you. I received an ARC and found the tale very engaging.
July 21, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Oh. My. Goodness. VANESSA WHAT DID YOU DO!? This book...amazing. You want mystery? This has it. You want romance? Done. You want paranormal? Well let me just tell you, this book has that too! Tired of reading YA contemporary books because the pacing is predictable? Well Vanessa just comes in and shakes up chapter structure and even POV/timeline so it is impossible to get bored or feel stagnant with this book. I am cautious to say too much about the actual plot of this book because there are so many twists that feel like they will be predictable and then AREN'T, and I don't want to spoil any of the amazingness of this book.
This book is about Cassidy, a 17-year-old high school student in a small town in Colorado who is confronted with a challenge that her mom is unable to solve - which sends her to a "Wellness Center" - so Cassidy takes it on herself. In the process of all of this she ends up missing chunks of time, reconnecting with people who know her from moments of her life she has no recollection of, and falling for a senior at the school who seems too good to be true. The conspiracy theories in this book are so well thought out, and so believable, I almost wonder if I missed something in the "real" world and these are things people actually think.
Also, that ending - the way that it is written leaves it open for a sequel but gives such nice closure to this book, which is my favorite. But, can we get a sequel? Is that in the works already? Because I'll read it! Only question - does Cassidy ever go back to school? I know she was mentioned to be in class a couple times (plus Homecoming & graduation were mentioned) and then never again. No biggie, but about 3 pages from the end of the book I was worried about her education. But objectively, I think she learned more about the world in the experiences she had during those days/weeks of uncovering the truth than she would have in school. Just something I noticed because I'm strange like that.
Overall, I cannot stress this enough, if you are looking for an easy to read (in terms of writing style) paranormal mystery YA this is THE book you need to pick up when it comes out. 10/10 would read again.
Oh. My. Goodness. VANESSA WHAT DID YOU DO!? This book...amazing. You want mystery? This has it. You want romance? Done. You want paranormal? Well let me just tell you, this book has that too! Tired of reading YA contemporary books because the pacing is predictable? Well Vanessa just comes in and shakes up chapter structure and even POV/timeline so it is impossible to get bored or feel stagnant with this book. I am cautious to say too much about the actual plot of this book because there are so many twists that feel like they will be predictable and then AREN'T, and I don't want to spoil any of the amazingness of this book.
This book is about Cassidy, a 17-year-old high school student in a small town in Colorado who is confronted with a challenge that her mom is unable to solve - which sends her to a "Wellness Center" - so Cassidy takes it on herself. In the process of all of this she ends up missing chunks of time, reconnecting with people who know her from moments of her life she has no recollection of, and falling for a senior at the school who seems too good to be true. The conspiracy theories in this book are so well thought out, and so believable, I almost wonder if I missed something in the "real" world and these are things people actually think.
Also, that ending - the way that it is written leaves it open for a sequel but gives such nice closure to this book, which is my favorite. But, can we get a sequel? Is that in the works already? Because I'll read it! Only question - does Cassidy ever go back to school? I know she was mentioned to be in class a couple times (plus Homecoming & graduation were mentioned) and then never again. No biggie, but about 3 pages from the end of the book I was worried about her education. But objectively, I think she learned more about the world in the experiences she had during those days/weeks of uncovering the truth than she would have in school. Just something I noticed because I'm strange like that.
Overall, I cannot stress this enough, if you are looking for an easy to read (in terms of writing style) paranormal mystery YA this is THE book you need to pick up when it comes out. 10/10 would read again.
November 17, 2021
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.5/5
‘You have to deal with the cracks that occur in life, patch them up, and move forward’
So I ended up really enjoying this book and I absolutely appreciated the fact that the first page listed trigger warnings and disclaimers for the books content. Its great seeing being adopted by more authors!
Into the book itself, this one was super fast paced for the most part and, although I thought it was a bit of bulky in the middle and there were a few times I was a little confused, by the end of it everything had been explained and revealed In such a fun and unexpected way that made all the suspense pay off! This was one that quickly became hard for me to put down because I needed to know what happened next.
I loved the way this was written, set mostly in the present with brief cutaways intertwined over the span of 60 years. These feed you snippets of information that lead up to the big climactic ending and it was so fun seeing all the pieces fall in to place. I really enjoyed the sweet relationship between the two main characters and the development of this throughout the book. I would have loved to have seen a bit more of the other friendships but the morsels we got were cute - and I’m hoping for more in the future?...
I’ll admit it didn’t quite go where I expected it to, which I really appreciated because I didn’t end up being an overly predictable plot. I haven’t read a book like this and I think it was a really well done and different story with an interesting plot. It had some adorable romance some great friendships and a little bit of teens making bad decisions. I am totally ready for the possibility of another book, and I really hope we get one!
I really appreciated Vanessa’s take on this. At the end of the day, this is a YA target audience and I think that’s easy to forget when you’re an adult reading these books (that in no way means other people can’t read it too, I LOVE YA books) but it showed teenagers.. being teenagers, making mistakes and falling in love and everything else a teenager goes through when they’re growing up (maybe minus the aliens) and I think it’s really great that these characters and (some) of their experience are relatable to younger readers.
If you’re looking for a fun and different read I highly recommend Under the Milky Way by Vanessa Barneveld!
‘You have to deal with the cracks that occur in life, patch them up, and move forward’
So I ended up really enjoying this book and I absolutely appreciated the fact that the first page listed trigger warnings and disclaimers for the books content. Its great seeing being adopted by more authors!
Into the book itself, this one was super fast paced for the most part and, although I thought it was a bit of bulky in the middle and there were a few times I was a little confused, by the end of it everything had been explained and revealed In such a fun and unexpected way that made all the suspense pay off! This was one that quickly became hard for me to put down because I needed to know what happened next.
I loved the way this was written, set mostly in the present with brief cutaways intertwined over the span of 60 years. These feed you snippets of information that lead up to the big climactic ending and it was so fun seeing all the pieces fall in to place. I really enjoyed the sweet relationship between the two main characters and the development of this throughout the book. I would have loved to have seen a bit more of the other friendships but the morsels we got were cute - and I’m hoping for more in the future?...
I’ll admit it didn’t quite go where I expected it to, which I really appreciated because I didn’t end up being an overly predictable plot. I haven’t read a book like this and I think it was a really well done and different story with an interesting plot. It had some adorable romance some great friendships and a little bit of teens making bad decisions. I am totally ready for the possibility of another book, and I really hope we get one!
I really appreciated Vanessa’s take on this. At the end of the day, this is a YA target audience and I think that’s easy to forget when you’re an adult reading these books (that in no way means other people can’t read it too, I LOVE YA books) but it showed teenagers.. being teenagers, making mistakes and falling in love and everything else a teenager goes through when they’re growing up (maybe minus the aliens) and I think it’s really great that these characters and (some) of their experience are relatable to younger readers.
If you’re looking for a fun and different read I highly recommend Under the Milky Way by Vanessa Barneveld!
August 27, 2021
Talk about a sci-fi roller coaster!! This book made me what to start looking for UFO’s in the sky. If you are interested in Aliens you will love this book. It is a great mystery thrilling sci-fi.
Cassidy who is just a normal teen discovers that there is more to her little town of Dawson than meets the eye. She is in class one day and notices this boy named Hayden. She thinks he is cute and mysterious. She gets and opportunity to know him more but getting him a job at her dad’s office. Well one night he invites her to his house for dinner. She winds up fainting and when she comes too she decides to go home. Hayden decides to follow her. So she takes this shortcut that is suppose to take 10 mins. Well when she returns home it is 9:53. She lost 2 hours of time. She is wondering what happened.
Later on in the book she discovers that she was abducted by Aliens?
This book was a wild ride! I loved all the twist and turns. There were so many conspiracies. And I honestly had no idea where is was going to go. I’m not usually a big sci-fi person but this was great! It gave me some Stranger Thing vibes as well. It liked the romance and the friendship. I also loved the diversity in this book. There is deaf rep is not in a lot of books so that was super awesome! I have always wanted to learn ASL.
The only reason I gave it 4 starts is because it was a little slow at the beginning. But overall this is great! And I would read more from this author!
Thank you so much to Entangled Teen and Netgalley for giving me an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC)!
Cassidy who is just a normal teen discovers that there is more to her little town of Dawson than meets the eye. She is in class one day and notices this boy named Hayden. She thinks he is cute and mysterious. She gets and opportunity to know him more but getting him a job at her dad’s office. Well one night he invites her to his house for dinner. She winds up fainting and when she comes too she decides to go home. Hayden decides to follow her. So she takes this shortcut that is suppose to take 10 mins. Well when she returns home it is 9:53. She lost 2 hours of time. She is wondering what happened.
Later on in the book she discovers that she was abducted by Aliens?
This book was a wild ride! I loved all the twist and turns. There were so many conspiracies. And I honestly had no idea where is was going to go. I’m not usually a big sci-fi person but this was great! It gave me some Stranger Thing vibes as well. It liked the romance and the friendship. I also loved the diversity in this book. There is deaf rep is not in a lot of books so that was super awesome! I have always wanted to learn ASL.
The only reason I gave it 4 starts is because it was a little slow at the beginning. But overall this is great! And I would read more from this author!
Thank you so much to Entangled Teen and Netgalley for giving me an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC)!
March 4, 2022
This book is about a girl who will do anything and everything to get her mom back. Her mother was researching the disappearance of a young girl who went missing. She happened to be the presidents daughter. But it seemed to be too much for her and she checks herself into a wellness center to deal with her mental health.
But Cassidy can’t shake the feeling that her mom isn’t there for the reason she says she is. Specially when she isn’t allowed to visit her. She’s determined to solve this case for her mom so she can bring her home.
Going into the book, I thought it was going to be a nice contemporary book. NOPE!
We got Aliens! Along the way Cassidy meets and befriends her new classmate Hayden. But Hayden isn’t who he says he is, not really! They are keeping secret! But my gosh they are so cute! This story kept me completely attached!
Cassidy starts to believe aliens have been abducting her repeatedly. She meets others who were abducted along side her. Every encounter she looses her memory of each event. But things start to become clear. Cassidy and her friends definitely do the most to get to the bottom of it all.
I really enjoyed the book, one Con Would be the Star Wars references, I’m not into that fandom and found it a little annoyed. But to each their own. Other then that this was a good read.
But Cassidy can’t shake the feeling that her mom isn’t there for the reason she says she is. Specially when she isn’t allowed to visit her. She’s determined to solve this case for her mom so she can bring her home.
Going into the book, I thought it was going to be a nice contemporary book. NOPE!
We got Aliens! Along the way Cassidy meets and befriends her new classmate Hayden. But Hayden isn’t who he says he is, not really! They are keeping secret! But my gosh they are so cute! This story kept me completely attached!
Cassidy starts to believe aliens have been abducting her repeatedly. She meets others who were abducted along side her. Every encounter she looses her memory of each event. But things start to become clear. Cassidy and her friends definitely do the most to get to the bottom of it all.
I really enjoyed the book, one Con Would be the Star Wars references, I’m not into that fandom and found it a little annoyed. But to each their own. Other then that this was a good read.
July 20, 2021
Thank you Entangled Teen for sending me an e-arc for review!
I love a good alien story so I was really excited to get to this one! When the book first started out I was a little worried because it all felt a bit slow for me. I was assuming we’d get into the thick of things really quickly, so at first this book felt like it was too long. However, around the 25% mark I got really invested into the story and everything picked up! I found the aliens and the abductions to fascinating, especially because we were finding new information as our character found things out. When the story first started out it seemed like there were a lot of random plot points that had no connection, but by the end everything connected really well together and it all made sense. I really enjoyed how between some chapters we were get stories from the past or correspondence between people.
As for the romance, it honestly wasn’t my favorite part. I felt like it didn’t feel believable. They went from not speaking to each other to being super close the next day. However, I really love our characters individually.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and would definitely read more from this author!
I love a good alien story so I was really excited to get to this one! When the book first started out I was a little worried because it all felt a bit slow for me. I was assuming we’d get into the thick of things really quickly, so at first this book felt like it was too long. However, around the 25% mark I got really invested into the story and everything picked up! I found the aliens and the abductions to fascinating, especially because we were finding new information as our character found things out. When the story first started out it seemed like there were a lot of random plot points that had no connection, but by the end everything connected really well together and it all made sense. I really enjoyed how between some chapters we were get stories from the past or correspondence between people.
As for the romance, it honestly wasn’t my favorite part. I felt like it didn’t feel believable. They went from not speaking to each other to being super close the next day. However, I really love our characters individually.
Overall, I really enjoyed this story and would definitely read more from this author!
July 29, 2021
4.5/5 ⭐️
This story follows Cassidy, she is in her senior year in High school where she meets Hayden, the new boy in school who is really reserved but starts noticing her. Also she has to deal with her parents separation and her mother being checked in a wellness center but Cassidy doesn’t know at what point her mom ended up like that because only a few months ago she was perfect.
At first I didn’t know what to expect because this is the first book I read about UFOs, Aliens etc, but from the very first page I was hooked, it was a really easy and enjoyable reading, with a little of mystery because in between chapters you get like reports of things that happens in the past so you start building theories about how everything is related, and a little towards the end, without saying spoilers, you get a plot twist that I really didn’t saw coming and that I loved, because I love when books surprise me like that, it wasn’t anything predictable.
Also I want to add that you can see the love that Vanessa put into her story, you can see that she really did her research in this topic.
Thanks Entangled Teen and NetGalley for letting me read the ARC of this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This story follows Cassidy, she is in her senior year in High school where she meets Hayden, the new boy in school who is really reserved but starts noticing her. Also she has to deal with her parents separation and her mother being checked in a wellness center but Cassidy doesn’t know at what point her mom ended up like that because only a few months ago she was perfect.
At first I didn’t know what to expect because this is the first book I read about UFOs, Aliens etc, but from the very first page I was hooked, it was a really easy and enjoyable reading, with a little of mystery because in between chapters you get like reports of things that happens in the past so you start building theories about how everything is related, and a little towards the end, without saying spoilers, you get a plot twist that I really didn’t saw coming and that I loved, because I love when books surprise me like that, it wasn’t anything predictable.
Also I want to add that you can see the love that Vanessa put into her story, you can see that she really did her research in this topic.
Thanks Entangled Teen and NetGalley for letting me read the ARC of this book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
August 10, 2021
This was such a fun read, once I got past the beginning “shots”. Cassidy is a tenacious young girl and is doing all that she can to help her mom recover and return home.
The story that Nina (Cassidy’s mom) was working on is what led to her breakdown and she admitted herself to a mental institution. Cass seems to think that if she can finish and solve the Jane Flanagan case, her mom will miraculously get better and so she dives off the deep end.
The kidnapping case ends up tied to EVERYTHING that goes on in the story and when Cass solves it/finds the truth, a lot of the odd things that had been going on make so much sense.
It’s so sad that good people tend to do bad things in the name of “the greater” good. Happens in books, movies, shows, and even real life. So having that underlying driving point and mixing in the alien stuff actually helps connect to the story.
At the beginning, the story felt a little convoluted and there were things that could’ve been left out since they don’t really do much except to help set the “tone”/ambiance.An example is the little snippet of the Australian band and their encounter. That was it. No more.
Another thing I felt was a tad bit disorienting was how the flashbacks were done. There was too much jumping around and then switching POV between Cass and Hayden.
The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, it sets up things for a sequel since there are some unresolved topics AND we get a brand new mystery right at the end! Hopefully, we get a book 2!
The story that Nina (Cassidy’s mom) was working on is what led to her breakdown and she admitted herself to a mental institution. Cass seems to think that if she can finish and solve the Jane Flanagan case, her mom will miraculously get better and so she dives off the deep end.
The kidnapping case ends up tied to EVERYTHING that goes on in the story and when Cass solves it/finds the truth, a lot of the odd things that had been going on make so much sense.
It’s so sad that good people tend to do bad things in the name of “the greater” good. Happens in books, movies, shows, and even real life. So having that underlying driving point and mixing in the alien stuff actually helps connect to the story.
At the beginning, the story felt a little convoluted and there were things that could’ve been left out since they don’t really do much except to help set the “tone”/ambiance.An example is the little snippet of the Australian band and their encounter. That was it. No more.
Another thing I felt was a tad bit disorienting was how the flashbacks were done. There was too much jumping around and then switching POV between Cass and Hayden.
The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger, it sets up things for a sequel since there are some unresolved topics AND we get a brand new mystery right at the end! Hopefully, we get a book 2!
August 13, 2021
I hardly ever read scifi, it’s a genre I want to explore more. This was such a pleasant surprise! I read this on my trip to the mountains a few weeks ago and the ambiance was just right since it’s based in Colorado! I loved the main character and the way the author maintained the connection with the mom thru a playlist. The amount of detail and history in the story was luring, aliens are something we tend to get curious about and this story put my brain to work with all those conspiracies. It was interesting to see how this story evolved. I enjoyed the pace of the story and the engagement of the characters to build the plot. It was one of those reads that I can say let’s you follow with ease.
August 10, 2021
What a story! As someone who watches a lot of shows about aliens- like Roswell, New Mexico - this was the perfect book for me. Hooked from the very first chapter. And oh my god, I love Hayden. Hayden slipped up so many times about the alien shit that I was surprised Cassidy didn't piece it together sooner. Cassidy is a badass and period. The ending was perfect it left enough for me to be satisfied and enough for a second book so Entangled Teen and Vanessa I'm looking at you. Anyway, this is a great book and I highly recommend it.
August 12, 2021
Ok. I need the next book like yesterday.
I really enjoyed this book. I love Hayden. He’s the perfect mix of sweet and nerdy but also hot and mysterious. I also love Cassidy’s determination and wish I had her bravery.
I loved the suspense and mystery of this book and how it mixed with the romance and the typical high school drama.
My only complaint would be that some of the details were a little confusing but I was never really lost.
I think this book will definitely be on my comfort read list.
I really enjoyed this book. I love Hayden. He’s the perfect mix of sweet and nerdy but also hot and mysterious. I also love Cassidy’s determination and wish I had her bravery.
I loved the suspense and mystery of this book and how it mixed with the romance and the typical high school drama.
My only complaint would be that some of the details were a little confusing but I was never really lost.
I think this book will definitely be on my comfort read list.
August 12, 2021
Ok. I need the next book like yesterday.
I really enjoyed this book. I love Hayden. He’s the perfect mix of sweet and nerdy but also hot and mysterious. I also love Cassidy’s determination and wish I had her bravery.
I loved the suspense and mystery of this book and how it mixed with the romance and the typical high school drama.
My only complaint would be that some of the details were a little confusing but I was never really lost.
I think this book will definitely be on my comfort read list.
I really enjoyed this book. I love Hayden. He’s the perfect mix of sweet and nerdy but also hot and mysterious. I also love Cassidy’s determination and wish I had her bravery.
I loved the suspense and mystery of this book and how it mixed with the romance and the typical high school drama.
My only complaint would be that some of the details were a little confusing but I was never really lost.
I think this book will definitely be on my comfort read list.
August 27, 2021
Wow! I just finished reading this amazing book by Vanessa Barneveld and had to share my enthusiasm straight away. I started reading it last night and woke this morning with the characters in my head and me wondering how it would end. This is a YA thriller/romance/mystery/suspense and it's terrific. It's intriguing and cute. It's sophisticated and engaging. I loved the characters who were so real and likeable. Great, big happy sighs from this reader!
August 18, 2021
Under the Milky Way is a story about a small town in Colorado where inexplicable events happen, and everyone seems to turn their heads away from the supernatural.
Oddly enough, this book is exactly what I was expecting and it still managed to surprise me several times.
The story is compelling, attenting-seeking, and sometimes wholesome. It's one of those reads for when you need something light that will leave a good feeling in your heart.
Oddly enough, this book is exactly what I was expecting and it still managed to surprise me several times.
The story is compelling, attenting-seeking, and sometimes wholesome. It's one of those reads for when you need something light that will leave a good feeling in your heart.
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