I received an arc of this from Simon and Schuster via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

This book is wonderful and important and I drank up every word ❤❤❤

Summary
After a terrible year, and coming out as transgender Chris needs an escape. So he goes to stay with his aunt in a small town. His first day there, he almost runs over his new neighbor, Maia. Maia is battling her own demons after the recent and sudden death of her older sister. The two of them form and bond and slowly heal the wounds of the last year.

Overview
This is told in alternating chapters from dual POVs - Chris and Maia

This book is soft and precious but it definitely hits on some tough topics. Chris has just come out transgender and his parents are struggling with the revelation. Chris was beaten to the point of hospitalization by members of his track team. Maia's parents are divorced but still living together and the tension has created a uncomfortable and hostile living environment. And Maia's sister died suddenly of an undiscovered heart defect leaving her reeling about their strained relationship.

But while all of this could have been overwhelming, Amber Smith managed to make this book feel hopeful and inspiring.

Content Warnings: Bullying, Death, Homophobia

What I Liked
1. Everything. Honestly.
2. Chris and Maia's relationship made my heart burst. The handled each other with such care and respect. They helped each other through some insanely difficult things
3. The representation in this book was wonderful. While I personally don't identify with the representation, Amber Smith herself is queer. The author note at the end (which I highly recommend reading! It made me cry.) talks about her own experiences and her inspiration for the story.
4. That ending. I can't say too much because spoilers. But it was perfection.
5. This whole story felt so raw and real. Chris's parent's struggling, Maia lashing out and lying, Maia's parents shutting down. I loved how messy and imperfect things were. This story felt like it could belong to many people.
6. This book really focused on the importance of consent. Chris and Maia were always checking in with each other. While I love and sexy, domineering story as much as the next person, this was the real deal. This is what real love and respect is.

What I Didn't Like
There is literally nothing I didn't adore about this book. I was completely consumed by this story from start to finish and never wanted it to end.

Pick. Up. This. Book. ❤❤

Although this book deals with some heavy trauma such as surviving sexual assault and overcoming grief the two main protagonist have cinnamon roll energy.


When Maia and Chris meet they don't immediately hit it off. Actually, they definitely don't like each other. However, since their currently residing in such a small town avoiding each other is near impossible. When a feelings do spark between them it's electric but their relationship is more than that. Maia gives Chris the ability to feel loved and comfortable in his transition, while Chris makes Maia feel seen and like she does not have to live in her sister's shadow.

Maia is also super cute because every time she wants to make out with Chris she dives for some Strawberry Chapstick to coat her lips. What a concept! I'll have to invest in them too!

That being said, I felt like Maia didn't have much of a personality and given that she's felt like she's been living in her sister's shadow aligns perfectly with her character. But I wish she can discover herself if their is ever a future novel starring these characters again.

My overall rating of Something like Gravity is four Stars, and I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a diverse romance with a small-town setting.