Reviews

The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer (audiobook narrated by Kelly Burke, Madeline Pell)
☀️☀️🌥️

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC audiobook!

A queer romance that had potential to be short and sweet, but lacklustre writing and almost no plot left not much to like.

The conflict of the novel lies solely in the transition of friends to lovers, to the extent that we aren't really given subplots or exploration of Kendall or Peyton's lives that don't end up relating directly back to their relationship. Lacking that makes both characters feel two-dimensional and also too codependent to connect with for me.

The writing itself is pedestrian. The dialogue is quite hit or miss, and the inner voices of each character often veered too much towards the dramatic to be anything but eye roll-worthy. The biphobia is really difficult to read, and there is also deeply inappropriate use of the r-word a handful of times.

The narrators both did a good job with the content they had, and it was definitely better for having two narrators for the dual POV, but that couldn't save the book itself.

I can see how this book might have spoken to me a bit differently if I read it ten years ago, but I was let down by the lack of empathy or creativity for the main characters and their experiences.

"I guess it doesn’t matter how well you think you know someone, there’s always a fear that they’ll abandon you. After all, it’s the people you care about the most who can cut you the deepest."

jpeden314's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced

3.0

Narrated by: Kelly Burke & Madeline Pell

Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture Audio for the review copy.

The Gravity Between Us is a friends to lovers sapphic romance. Kendall is a young movie star and her best friend since childhood is Payton. Payton is gay and has feelings fro Kendall, but tries to keep them to herself. Of course it is the age old question is the risk worth it to potentially ruin the friendship? Kendall moves Payton to LA with her, gets her into an elite music school, and ships her car there. All of this arrangement was done without consulting Payton, so I found that a bit off putting. I wouldn’t like it if someone did that to me, but it’s a book so I let it slide. Kendall starts to realize she has more than friendship feelings for Payton. There is a lot of drama with coming to terms with it, daring to be your true self, etc. Overall, I liked this book. It’s technically not YA but the characters are 19 and some of it felt immature to this 35 year old, but it’s probably true to that age. I enjoyed the narrators and thought they brought the characters to life really well.

cag168's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

A cute little love story that has you rooting for the main character the whole time. Not the most unique story maybe. But still loved reading it and read it all in one sitting

women_using_words's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Exploring timeless themes of love, friendship, and self-discovery, The Gravity Between Us by Kristen Zimmer has captivated sapphic readers since it was first published in October of 2013. Payton Taylor and Kendall Bettencourt, the novel’s central figures, embody these themes beautifully. Zimmer combines their friendship, passion and heartache in such a way that it resonates deeply with readers. The personal experiences and emotions of these young women are echoed honestly and reverently, striking something inside readers that rings true even ten years later.

Payton and Kendall are two enchanting and captivating characters, individuals that readers can understand and care about. Crafted with relatability and depth, readers not only see reflections of themselves in these women but they are able to taste their vulnerability and desire as well. The swirl of emotion and confusion draws readers further into the story and sets the stage for an authentic portrayal of sapphic love and friendship, making this story stand the test of time.

Because Zimmer does such a great job developing Payton and Kendall, readers are easily able to fall into their story world. Zimmer’s authentic representation resonates strongly with readers. However, it is her exploration of Hollywood’s fame and fortune that really adds texture. Zimmer uses Hollywood effectively and thoughtfully, giving readers something to chew on. This backdrop provides a layer of interest to the story arc, making Payton and Kendall’s journeys more dynamic. Ultimately, the character development and narrative is enriched by all of this, ensuring that readers are engaged and invested until the end.

It is no wonder readers have loved Zimmer’s debut book for many years; there’s much to appreciate it. However, one of the most noteworthy aspects of The Gravity Between Us is its positive and nuanced portrayal of young love. Written during a time when such stories were still scarce publications, Zimmer’s depiction of Payton and Kendall’s love is pure and lovely. She addresses the complexities and challenges faced by young women questioning their sexuality and desire with a raw truth that still grabs audiences by “the feels” today. These women are on the cusp of self discovery and womanhood, and their journey is filled with an innocence readers can’t deny. Timeless and touching, this memorable love story will leave a lasting mark on all that experience it.

Final remarks…

The Gravity Between Us is a must read classic for the sapphic romance lover. It is a compelling narrative filled with relatable characters and meaningful themes. Once you read it, you won’t forget it, or wonder why it’s become one of the most cherished young adult novels of our time.

A word about the audiobook…

Kelly Burke and Madeline Pell give a fantastic performance in the audio version of The Gravity Between Us. They breathe life into Zimmer’s narrative and add an energy and depth that listeners find easy to appreciate. Their portrayal of each character is distinct and consistent. Listeners are easily drawn into the story world with their steady pacing and professionalism. This was an enjoyable and entertaining audio; I would easily listen to them again.

Strengths…

Entertaining storyline
Engaging romance
Likable characters
Enjoyable audio performance

inezjoanna's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

2.75

Even though "The Gravity between us" has been published a decade ago I think we still miss stories like this - about discovering who you are, falling fall your best friend, about unrequited love, especially about lesbians/WLW.
It's a sweet new adult story about two 19 year olds, discovering themselves, their identity and love. It's an easy read with a not overly complicated plot. I think one of the story arcs to keep characters apart is a bit too much and though potentially believable, didn't make sense at that point of the story.
Overall I think that it was a pleasant read and I especially recommend it to young queer women looking for a heartwarming, relatable story.

mikaylaw's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

5.0

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