There is nothing like young love! It’s the end of summer and Orion is gearing up for his first year of college. One particular night Orion has the job of playing wingman to his main guy Mo, whose mission is to find the prettiest thing at the skating rink, Crystal Palace. Reluctantly, Orion decides to go out––it is the end of the summer after all. Soon after Orion enters the skating rink, he spots her. Cotton candy-colored braids swaying with her every glide, Ray is the only person Orion sees and the rest is history.
Ray isn’t our typical girl. She likes her solitude and just vibes, so when Orion tries to get Ray’s attention, he has to show up in a way that includes him getting over his shyness. Tucked away in a treehouse Ray’s father built before she was born, Ray allows herself to be vulnerable through poetry. It is not often that she is outward with her feelings, but the more Orion pursues her, the more the stone around her heart crumbles. Rather than fighting her feelings, eventually, Ray comes into understanding her feelings for Orion and embraces the sweetest summer love. With time against them and the summer coming to an end, Ray and Orion don’t let time get in the way of what makes their hearts sing. But, behind every teenage love, there are parents who make dating difficult for reasons only they know.
Can we first just admire this cover! I am in love! It was the main thing that caught my eye because of the colors and the artwork. The way Ray is drawn is just chef’s kiss! It highlights her beauty her cotton candy braids are a great detail that I’m glad they didn’t miss. After I gave my swooning for the book cover a break, I read the synopsis and knew I needed to read this book. I am typically not a romance novel type of person as of lately, but this book made me want to pick up another. It’s like Finding Jupiter jumpstarted my heart!
Written by debut novelist Kelis Rowe, Finding Jupiter gives you everything you need to feel all the feels. I am so excited for her because this book is a hit and I love seeing new authors on the scene. Not to mention she added something special to the Black community––a youthful, sultry love story that a lot of us did not have a chance to see growing up, so for it to be delivered effortlessly in a heartwarming way, it gets all my support. Love stories, to me, should be simple, which I think is what made this love story not as toxic as most.
In addition to all the bells and whistles, it was an easy read and evenly paced. I really don’t like stories that take forever to get to the break-in scenes because sometimes you can just tell when filler scenes are occurring. This book provides a reason for each scene and allows the reader to get to know the characters on a deeper level.
This is just what I needed to help my heart remember the beauty of a youthful summer. It combines poetic prose with storytelling all to help the reader fall in love with two special people falling in love. This book is just what is needed when it comes to the telling of a sweet sultry love.
I absolutely adored this book! Orion is the sweetest guy with an emotional IQ of 100,000 and he is exactly what sassy Ray needs. Though he is timid his ambition to go after what he wants is admirable and courageous because Orion definitely has other things that he has going for him, but he knew exactly what he wouldn’t mind sacrificing if it meant that he would be closer to Ray. When young adults are coming into the realm of adulting they have to learn about decision making, and one of the best ways to learn to say yes and no is when it comes to learning how to listen to your heart and mind. And that is doable when it comes to love as long as you know how. Orion displays growth with humility and grace. I think a person that is okay with staying in touch with their emotions are the most courageous of all. He is my favorite character throughout this entire book.
Ray is a joy as well, though it took a hammer to break through to her I believe her soul is one that has been here before, which is why she handles herself in the way that she does. With the circumstance that she has faced, all she needed was something warm to melt into to let all her fears and doubt float away.
Reading this book really took me back to the first time I fell in love with my husband. The feeling of excitement that came anytime I heard from him, the smile that came across his face when he saw me. It was just too sweet. And the fact that we are stepping into summer and Finding Jupiter is an end of the summer romance novel is just icing on the cake for me.
Plus, with it being young adults it gives the younger crowd a look into a healthy courtship. Too often are toxic relationships glamourized in the media, and since I am an aunt of many I really find it necessary for children to be influenced in the best way possible rather than relying on what we see on television and social media.
Another thing that made me swoon over this book were the vibes I got. It was like the movies Love Jones and The Photograph had a book baby. And since The Photograph is one of my favorite love stories Finding Jupiter is definitely and instant favorite. The poetic rhythm of the words gave it a sultry atmosphere and I am here for it.
I can’t wait to see what my summer reading list brings. I’m really feeling like I should dive into the romance pool because I obviously have been running away from it and into the domestic fiction genres.
Do yourself a favor and relive falling in love by reading Finding Jupiter!
What are some of your favorite love stories? Comment below!
