I didn't like the beginning. Alex is understandably jumpy, but that doesn't excuse him scaring the hell out of Nate several times and threatening him without ever apologising for it. Even mocking him. Yes, yes, he has problems with expressing his emotions. I don't care. It became clear quickly enough that Nate was innocent, and if you're a good guy, you don't take over someone's house and threaten to kill them without at least apologising, because no matter the necessities, you are the one in the wrong.
The whole thing felt contrived and cheap.
But fortunately, Alex starts acting like a decent human being at some point and then the book started feeling like a real Klune. I liked the rest of it enough to give it 4 stars. ( )

All the stars. A universe of stars. Read it read it read it!

Our point of view character is Nate, whose life has seriously tanked in some terrible ways and who just wants to regroup. What happens to him instead is scary and bizarre and strange and dangerous and... Good, maybe. Sometimes. When they're not ducking helicopters and guns. When there's peace, and affection, and laughter. Before the really weird stuff happens.

The end is ...I'm still smiling. ( )

A little bit self-indulgent and dramatic in an action movie fashion (with all the explosions and special effects suitable to the genre) but I can't help but love Klune's writing, characters, and themes. Makes a heart happy, even if it also has you affectionately rolling your eyes, here and there. ( )

I went into this book blind but I'm a huge fan of Klune's writing so I knew I'd at least like that aspect of it, but I think not knowing what the story was about added to the excitement to continue reading. I'm not a huge reader of science fiction, especially alien stuff, but this book ended up being more about the characters themselves rather than the sci-fi aspects. It took a weird turn with the cult stuff in the second half but it makes it more interesting than them just being on the road/on the run for the whole story. The ending was kind of a cop-out, I'd have liked more details about what exactly happened between Art and the other ET beings rather than just a fade to white/curtains close kind of transition to months or years later but at least we got a bit of explanation and a HEA, though it also ends on a somewhat ambiguous tone and there's no plans for a sequel.
Overall, definitely a recommend for fans of sci-fi romances and I'd recommend Klune's writing to anyone. ( )

Thank you for your most generous gift "Secret Santa" Sophie Solis!