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An Infinite Love Story
When an astronaut is lost in space, his wife relives their epic love as she attempts to unravel what truly happened to him, in this sweeping love story set against the backdrop of the 1960s Space Race, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes.
When Joe Mitchell launches into space, the world is watching. It’s 1968, and the country waits with anticipation and excitement for another successful mission, another celebration as America sets its sights on the Moon. And then comes the knock at the door.
Joe Mitchell’s spacecraft has lost contact. He and his fellow astronauts onboard are feared to be dead. It’s his wife Vivian’s worst nightmare come to life, her grief suddenly taking center stage as the nation waits and mourns. In her quiet moments, Vivian relives their memorable story, unable to accept that this is the end to a love that felt as though it was written in the stars.
As the investigation surrounding Joe’s lost spacecraft intensifies and the mishap is written off as an operator error, Vivian is determined to clear her husband’s name and uncover the mystery of what happened in space. When someone starts sending Vivian messages—messages she believes only Joe could send—she begins to wonder if their love is stronger than space and time, and she’ll do whatever it takes to bring her husband back to her.
When Joe Mitchell launches into space, the world is watching. It’s 1968, and the country waits with anticipation and excitement for another successful mission, another celebration as America sets its sights on the Moon. And then comes the knock at the door.
Joe Mitchell’s spacecraft has lost contact. He and his fellow astronauts onboard are feared to be dead. It’s his wife Vivian’s worst nightmare come to life, her grief suddenly taking center stage as the nation waits and mourns. In her quiet moments, Vivian relives their memorable story, unable to accept that this is the end to a love that felt as though it was written in the stars.
As the investigation surrounding Joe’s lost spacecraft intensifies and the mishap is written off as an operator error, Vivian is determined to clear her husband’s name and uncover the mystery of what happened in space. When someone starts sending Vivian messages—messages she believes only Joe could send—she begins to wonder if their love is stronger than space and time, and she’ll do whatever it takes to bring her husband back to her.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published July 7, 2026
About the author
Chanel Cleeton
24 books7,641 followersChanel Cleeton is the Cuban American New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of many novels, including Reese's Book Club pick Next Year in Havana. Originally from Florida, Chanel studied in London where she earned degrees in international relations and global politics. In law school, Chanel discovered her passion writing novels and embarked on a new adventure following her lifelong love of books.
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Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton
My heart ached throughout this story because the story starts in 1968 and we know that astronaut Joe Mitchell and his two crew are on a spacecraft that has lost contact with those on earth. This is an astronaut wife's worst nightmare and we get to go back in time to 1961 when Joe and his future wife, Vivian, first lay eyes on each other. The way the story is written, the way we meet Vivian during this terrible time in her life and then go back and see why she eventually married a man she was determined to not love, had me wrapped up in the romance of Joe and Vivian, two people who love each other so much but whose plans for their lives are so at odds with each other that this love affair should never have happened.
Vivian's greatest loss before she met Joe was the loss of her father, whose occupation meant Vivian wanted to be nowhere near Joe other than as a casual acquaintance. If she married, Vivian wanted a man with a safe occupation, no fighter pilots, no pilot of any kind and certainly no astronaut, and Joe's dream was to fly to the moon. Joe is obsessed with his career of high risk flying and he dreams to be flying in space, it occupies all his waking thoughts. He knew he never had the time or energy for a wife and family, that is, until he meets Vivian. Independent, smart, Vivian, who has her own career, who wants to depend on no one else, who likes being alone more than being with people, who wants to never need another person.
Really, Vivian is the last woman who should be the wife of a fighter pilot or an astronaut. But Joe and Vivian love each other despite their differences and that is how we come to 1968 and this horrible situation of Vivian's love being lost in a way that should be impossible to save. But, Joe seems to be sending Vivian messages, messages that arrive in various ways. Vivian is as grounded as any person can be and she's not one to see something that is not there, hear something that is not there. Despite others dismissing Vivian, she does what she can to find out how Joe could be communicating to just her from space or from wherever he is now.
The dual timelines make the story sing for me. We already feel the heartbreak when the story starts and that made meeting Joe hurt more. He was already the most important part of Vivian's life when we meet her so when we meet him all those years earlier he matters already. I read this story with Jayme and DeAnn and it was great to discuss a story that hit me so very hard so be sure to check out their reviews.
Pub July 7, 2026
Thank you to Elisha, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC
My heart ached throughout this story because the story starts in 1968 and we know that astronaut Joe Mitchell and his two crew are on a spacecraft that has lost contact with those on earth. This is an astronaut wife's worst nightmare and we get to go back in time to 1961 when Joe and his future wife, Vivian, first lay eyes on each other. The way the story is written, the way we meet Vivian during this terrible time in her life and then go back and see why she eventually married a man she was determined to not love, had me wrapped up in the romance of Joe and Vivian, two people who love each other so much but whose plans for their lives are so at odds with each other that this love affair should never have happened.
Vivian's greatest loss before she met Joe was the loss of her father, whose occupation meant Vivian wanted to be nowhere near Joe other than as a casual acquaintance. If she married, Vivian wanted a man with a safe occupation, no fighter pilots, no pilot of any kind and certainly no astronaut, and Joe's dream was to fly to the moon. Joe is obsessed with his career of high risk flying and he dreams to be flying in space, it occupies all his waking thoughts. He knew he never had the time or energy for a wife and family, that is, until he meets Vivian. Independent, smart, Vivian, who has her own career, who wants to depend on no one else, who likes being alone more than being with people, who wants to never need another person.
Really, Vivian is the last woman who should be the wife of a fighter pilot or an astronaut. But Joe and Vivian love each other despite their differences and that is how we come to 1968 and this horrible situation of Vivian's love being lost in a way that should be impossible to save. But, Joe seems to be sending Vivian messages, messages that arrive in various ways. Vivian is as grounded as any person can be and she's not one to see something that is not there, hear something that is not there. Despite others dismissing Vivian, she does what she can to find out how Joe could be communicating to just her from space or from wherever he is now.
The dual timelines make the story sing for me. We already feel the heartbreak when the story starts and that made meeting Joe hurt more. He was already the most important part of Vivian's life when we meet her so when we meet him all those years earlier he matters already. I read this story with Jayme and DeAnn and it was great to discuss a story that hit me so very hard so be sure to check out their reviews.
Pub July 7, 2026
Thank you to Elisha, Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley and NetGalley for this ARC
July 8, 2026
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An Infinite Love Story
Chanel Cleeton
Publication Date: July 7th, 2026
Berkley Publishing Group
352 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: Historical Fiction | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Women's Fiction
This is my first book by this popular author, and I learned why she is so popular. I love this kind of romance read, and the fact that it is historical fiction adds to the enjoyment.
The story takes place in 1968, and a spacecraft has lost contact. The astronauts are presumed dead, and journalist Vivian Mitchell's husband, Joe, is one of them. BUT she refuses to believe that Joe is gone and that he is to blame for the tragedy.
The author did an excellent job of mixing multiple genres. I am very picky when it comes to that, so for me to say it is written well is a big deal. There's lots of drama, of course, and it is historical, but it's also got a touch of magical realism, a mystery at its core, and romance.
I loved how fiercely Vivian loved Joe and how strong she was in the face of tragedy. The memories Vivian relives are romantic, and Cleeton paints a vivid picture with her words. The story is also very well researched. I always appreciate it when authors work so hard to get the story correct.
I can't wait to check out the author's other titles; that is one of the best compliments I can give in a review. This book has so much going for it, and I cannot recommend it enough! All. The. Stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
An Infinite Love Story
Chanel Cleeton
Publication Date: July 7th, 2026
Berkley Publishing Group
352 Pages
Amazon | Bookshop.org
Genre: Historical Fiction | Sci Fi & Fantasy | Women's Fiction
This is my first book by this popular author, and I learned why she is so popular. I love this kind of romance read, and the fact that it is historical fiction adds to the enjoyment.
The story takes place in 1968, and a spacecraft has lost contact. The astronauts are presumed dead, and journalist Vivian Mitchell's husband, Joe, is one of them. BUT she refuses to believe that Joe is gone and that he is to blame for the tragedy.
The author did an excellent job of mixing multiple genres. I am very picky when it comes to that, so for me to say it is written well is a big deal. There's lots of drama, of course, and it is historical, but it's also got a touch of magical realism, a mystery at its core, and romance.
I loved how fiercely Vivian loved Joe and how strong she was in the face of tragedy. The memories Vivian relives are romantic, and Cleeton paints a vivid picture with her words. The story is also very well researched. I always appreciate it when authors work so hard to get the story correct.
I can't wait to check out the author's other titles; that is one of the best compliments I can give in a review. This book has so much going for it, and I cannot recommend it enough! All. The. Stars.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
ARC Provided via NetGalley - all thoughts are my own.
This novel promised a compelling space race love story laced with magical realism, but it never quite lifted off.
We follow Vivian, a journalist who sacrifices her own career to follow her husband Joe across the globe as he chases his dream of reaching the moon. When his spacecraft disappears, she’s left to unravel what went wrong while confronting the fragile foundation of their marriage.
The “before” sections spark with promise: the high-stakes backdrop of the Space Race, the intimate portrait of a wife holding down the fort while her husband reaches for glory, and the slow-burn romance.
It evokes the vibes of The Astronaut Wives Club or Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere, with echoes of For All Mankind.
Yet the execution falters.
The narrative rushes through the most engaging elements—the developing relationship and the mission itself—only to stall in the “aftermath,” where repetitive internal monologues dominate.
Instead of revealing grief through action or sharp dialogue, we circle the same emotions relentlessly, across timelines and characters, telling rather than showing.
By the time the ending comes, the story has lost all its momentum, and the big ideas and interesting characters feel shortchanged
It’s frustrating because the potential is undeniable: a rich setting, an ambitious blend of historical drama and speculation, and a protagonist worth rooting for. The author swung big, but the pieces never fully cohered.
A solid effort that ultimately fell short of its promise.
3 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.
🚀Second-chance
🚀Enduring love story
💙Emotional romance
🚀Unbreakable bonds
🚀Astronaut x devoted wife
💙Dual timelines
🚀1960s historical setting
✴︎a˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
This novel promised a compelling space race love story laced with magical realism, but it never quite lifted off.
We follow Vivian, a journalist who sacrifices her own career to follow her husband Joe across the globe as he chases his dream of reaching the moon. When his spacecraft disappears, she’s left to unravel what went wrong while confronting the fragile foundation of their marriage.
The “before” sections spark with promise: the high-stakes backdrop of the Space Race, the intimate portrait of a wife holding down the fort while her husband reaches for glory, and the slow-burn romance.
It evokes the vibes of The Astronaut Wives Club or Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Atmosphere, with echoes of For All Mankind.
Yet the execution falters.
The narrative rushes through the most engaging elements—the developing relationship and the mission itself—only to stall in the “aftermath,” where repetitive internal monologues dominate.
Instead of revealing grief through action or sharp dialogue, we circle the same emotions relentlessly, across timelines and characters, telling rather than showing.
By the time the ending comes, the story has lost all its momentum, and the big ideas and interesting characters feel shortchanged
It’s frustrating because the potential is undeniable: a rich setting, an ambitious blend of historical drama and speculation, and a protagonist worth rooting for. The author swung big, but the pieces never fully cohered.
A solid effort that ultimately fell short of its promise.
3 stars
Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.
🚀Second-chance
🚀Enduring love story
💙Emotional romance
🚀Unbreakable bonds
🚀Astronaut x devoted wife
💙Dual timelines
🚀1960s historical setting
✴︎a˚｡⋆ Connect with me on Instagram ˗ˏˋ★‿︵‧ ˚ ₊⊹
July 12, 2026
thinking this is a 4.5 rounded to 5 but debating giving it 5. i LOVED this!!!!!
read if you like: ATMOSPHERE by TJR but want less space talk and maybe even more romance 🚀❤️🩹
it was my first book by this author but won’t be my last! wow, so good. this was such a good blend of historical fiction (not set during a war!!!) and romance. if you like emo romances, this is for you. this book left me in a puddle of tears and felt so real
i absolutely loved the dual timeline POVs flashing back to when our main couple met and then present day. it was such a fun way to get to know the characters and the landscape of where and what the country was going through during the space race post WW2.
can i also say how much i loved our FMC? so independent and badass for the time period and we LOVE to see that.
also idk how the author packed so much in such a short novel but i honestly wanted another 100 pages in a good way!!! i binged this in two sittings and couldn’t wait to see how it ended—it’s also got a bit of mystery. will they find the spaceship? what happened?
my only “issue” with it is i wanted the ending explained a bit more. i liked it, but felt like it was explained and accepted really quickly and like i said above, i think making the book longer could have developed that a bit more to feel a bit more clear?
grab your tissues and buckle up bc once you start this you won’t want to stop!!
read if you like: ATMOSPHERE by TJR but want less space talk and maybe even more romance 🚀❤️🩹
it was my first book by this author but won’t be my last! wow, so good. this was such a good blend of historical fiction (not set during a war!!!) and romance. if you like emo romances, this is for you. this book left me in a puddle of tears and felt so real
i absolutely loved the dual timeline POVs flashing back to when our main couple met and then present day. it was such a fun way to get to know the characters and the landscape of where and what the country was going through during the space race post WW2.
can i also say how much i loved our FMC? so independent and badass for the time period and we LOVE to see that.
also idk how the author packed so much in such a short novel but i honestly wanted another 100 pages in a good way!!! i binged this in two sittings and couldn’t wait to see how it ended—it’s also got a bit of mystery. will they find the spaceship? what happened?
my only “issue” with it is i wanted the ending explained a bit more. i liked it, but felt like it was explained and accepted really quickly and like i said above, i think making the book longer could have developed that a bit more to feel a bit more clear?
grab your tissues and buckle up bc once you start this you won’t want to stop!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What I enjoyed most about "An Infinite Love Story" by Chanel Cleeton was her exploration of the often-overlooked burden placed on astronauts' wives during the Space Race era, particularly in the 1960s.
At its heart, this is the love story of Viv and Joe, set against one of the most pivotal periods in American history, a time when women were largely expected to be homemakers and wives, while the United States raced against the Soviet Union to reach the moon. Told from Viv's perspective, the novel opens in "1968, Nine Hours Gone." From the very first pages, readers learn that the lunar spacecraft commanded by Joe Mitchell has lost contact with Mission Control in Houston. Cleeton immediately immerses us in the pressure, uncertainty, and public scrutiny faced by an astronaut's wife. As I read, I often thought of the movie Apollo 13 and the carefully controlled flow of information NASA shared with both the public and astronauts' families.
The story then shifts back to 1960, when Viv is an ambitious young television reporter. Having lost her father, an Air Force fighter pilot, at a young age, Viv is determined to build a career for herself. She has little interest in America's obsession with the Space Race and believes the vast sums of money devoted to the space program could be better spent addressing more pressing needs on Earth. So when her best friend drags her to a party and introduces her to pilot Joe Mitchell, she is far from impressed. It isn't that Joe is arrogant or unlikeable—quite the opposite. Viv simply isn't looking for romance. However, when Joe introduces her to the lead newscaster at the television station where she works, he finally earns a second look.
Their relationship unfolds into a touching love story. Joe gradually wins Viv's heart, despite her skepticism about the space program and her lack of admiration for fighter-pilot heroics. Viv is fiercely committed to forging a professional identity, while Joe respects and admires her determination. In turn, she falls for his unwavering devotion, integrity, and passion for the profession he loves.
The novel's tension is driven by the chapters that follow the timeline of the missing spacecraft. As hope of re-establishing contact begins to fade, readers experience the crisis through Viv's eyes. Cleeton effectively highlights how tightly information was controlled--not only from the public, but also from the astronauts' wives and families. At a time when public support was essential to securing NASA's funding and advancing the space program, the novel raises compelling questions: Was preserving confidence in the mission more important than transparency? Did the pursuit of national prestige sometimes come at the expense of the astronauts and the people who loved them?
Written with a light touch of magical realism and sprinkled with references to theoretical physics, the novel ultimately remains grounded in its emotional core. More than anything, it is a story about commitment, devotion, and enduring love. In many ways, it gives profound meaning to the phrase, "I love you to infinity."
I highly recommend "An Infinite Love Story" to readers who enjoy strong women's fiction, compelling historical fiction, and stories centered on resilient female protagonists. It is also an excellent choice for anyone fascinated by the extraordinary--and often turbulent--era of the American Space Race.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an e-copy, expected publication July, 7, 2026.
At its heart, this is the love story of Viv and Joe, set against one of the most pivotal periods in American history, a time when women were largely expected to be homemakers and wives, while the United States raced against the Soviet Union to reach the moon. Told from Viv's perspective, the novel opens in "1968, Nine Hours Gone." From the very first pages, readers learn that the lunar spacecraft commanded by Joe Mitchell has lost contact with Mission Control in Houston. Cleeton immediately immerses us in the pressure, uncertainty, and public scrutiny faced by an astronaut's wife. As I read, I often thought of the movie Apollo 13 and the carefully controlled flow of information NASA shared with both the public and astronauts' families.
The story then shifts back to 1960, when Viv is an ambitious young television reporter. Having lost her father, an Air Force fighter pilot, at a young age, Viv is determined to build a career for herself. She has little interest in America's obsession with the Space Race and believes the vast sums of money devoted to the space program could be better spent addressing more pressing needs on Earth. So when her best friend drags her to a party and introduces her to pilot Joe Mitchell, she is far from impressed. It isn't that Joe is arrogant or unlikeable—quite the opposite. Viv simply isn't looking for romance. However, when Joe introduces her to the lead newscaster at the television station where she works, he finally earns a second look.
Their relationship unfolds into a touching love story. Joe gradually wins Viv's heart, despite her skepticism about the space program and her lack of admiration for fighter-pilot heroics. Viv is fiercely committed to forging a professional identity, while Joe respects and admires her determination. In turn, she falls for his unwavering devotion, integrity, and passion for the profession he loves.
The novel's tension is driven by the chapters that follow the timeline of the missing spacecraft. As hope of re-establishing contact begins to fade, readers experience the crisis through Viv's eyes. Cleeton effectively highlights how tightly information was controlled--not only from the public, but also from the astronauts' wives and families. At a time when public support was essential to securing NASA's funding and advancing the space program, the novel raises compelling questions: Was preserving confidence in the mission more important than transparency? Did the pursuit of national prestige sometimes come at the expense of the astronauts and the people who loved them?
Written with a light touch of magical realism and sprinkled with references to theoretical physics, the novel ultimately remains grounded in its emotional core. More than anything, it is a story about commitment, devotion, and enduring love. In many ways, it gives profound meaning to the phrase, "I love you to infinity."
I highly recommend "An Infinite Love Story" to readers who enjoy strong women's fiction, compelling historical fiction, and stories centered on resilient female protagonists. It is also an excellent choice for anyone fascinated by the extraordinary--and often turbulent--era of the American Space Race.
Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for an e-copy, expected publication July, 7, 2026.
July 14, 2026
Wow! I loved this one so much!!! The audio got me hooked instantly and I listened to this in a day. Highly recommend!
November 18, 2025
Budding journalist Vivian craves both career and stability and knows she has no business falling for cocky fighter pilot Joe, whose dream of joining Kennedy's race to the moon thrusts Vivian into both spotlight and supporting role as an astronaut wife. Vivian's worst nightmares come true when Joe's shuttle goes missing on a lunar orbit mission—but how is he apparently sending her messages from the depths of space? As an Air Force spouse herself, Chanel Cleeton paints Vivian's agony for her husband's safety and her frustration with a system built on the unseen labor of its military wives with keen understanding and endless sympathy. Both a tender romantic drama & a fascinating deep dive into the 1960s space race!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Chanel Cleeton's novels hold a special place in my heart because prior to reading her novel Next Year in Havana historical fiction wasn't my favorite. Enjoying her work opened up the genre to me and I've read tons of fantastic novels that I wouldn't have given a try otherwise. An Infinite Love Story is historical fiction with a speculative edge. It has a different atmosphere than Cleeton's usual work, but I found it compelling. It's brave when authors reach outside their signature style because without a doubt there will be naysayers that press back, but this story is rich with detail both of the 1960's space race, its effects on the astronauts' families, and a view of women in journalism.
🌕🌕🌕🌕
The Soviets have launched Sputnik igniting a race with Americans. It's the talk of newspapers, broadcasts, and dinner conversation. So, when Joe Mitchell is launched into space with his team the world is watching. When communication with the space craft is lost the world is looking at his wife. Astronaut wives and families are fair game in the media. The story unfolds both in real time with Joe's wife Vivian's reactions and her own recollections of the past and how their relationship shifted through their years together. Vivian's grief has her pulling at every thread, every possibility. There are little things she can't dismiss, and she guards that hope in her heart.
🚀🚀🚀🚀
For this to be a story of rockets launching into space, it is told in a quiet contemplative voice. Now, I read this in bed following an awful migraine so maybe that's just the way this reader needed to take it in. I appreciated how the hardships faced by the wives and children of these astronauts weren’t glossed over. I have every confidence this novel will spark meaningful discussions and send many readers down rabbit holes (me included).
4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing for providing an ARC via NetGalley! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
🌕🌕🌕🌕
The Soviets have launched Sputnik igniting a race with Americans. It's the talk of newspapers, broadcasts, and dinner conversation. So, when Joe Mitchell is launched into space with his team the world is watching. When communication with the space craft is lost the world is looking at his wife. Astronaut wives and families are fair game in the media. The story unfolds both in real time with Joe's wife Vivian's reactions and her own recollections of the past and how their relationship shifted through their years together. Vivian's grief has her pulling at every thread, every possibility. There are little things she can't dismiss, and she guards that hope in her heart.
🚀🚀🚀🚀
For this to be a story of rockets launching into space, it is told in a quiet contemplative voice. Now, I read this in bed following an awful migraine so maybe that's just the way this reader needed to take it in. I appreciated how the hardships faced by the wives and children of these astronauts weren’t glossed over. I have every confidence this novel will spark meaningful discussions and send many readers down rabbit holes (me included).
4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Many thanks to Berkley Publishing for providing an ARC via NetGalley! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Sometimes grief, like love, played on an infinite loop.
The Space Race was an intense part of the 1960's. There was so much pressure to get ahead of Russia and to live up to the aspirations of JFK and cement his legacy by putting a man on the moon.
Chanel Cleeton's latest title takes place during that period and features an infinitely love between a rocket man and his wife. Joe and Vivian Wells will steal your heart. An intense look into the Astronaut Wives Club (AWC).
Why I am giving this one all the stars:
🎧Is anyone else hearing Elton John's "Rocket Man" in an infinite loop? I am. It is one of my favorites from the iconic artist AND parallels the plot so well!
✌Dual timelines gives us a current thread counting forward from the loss of Joe's spaceship and a past thread beginning with their first meet. It was very effective in keeping us in a bit of suspense about pieces of their past.
📚Joe loves sci fi and there are a couple of titles on his bookshelves that become very significant for Vivian.
😎That Epilogue was worth an entire star for me. Superb!
✨Includes extras like an Author's Note about her fighter pilot husband and "The Right Stuff" as well as a Reader's Guide. This would be fun to read with a book group!
If you are like me and still thinking about "Rocket Man," here are the lyrics:
🚀👨🚀She packed my bags last night, pre-flight
Zero hour: 9:00 AM
And I'm gonna be high as a kite by then
I miss the Earth so much, I miss my wife
It's lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no, no, no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man!
Burning out his fuse up here alone
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no, no, no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man!
Burning out his fuse up here alone
Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids
In fact, it's cold as hell
And there's no one there to raise them if you did
And all the science, I don't understand
It's just my job five days a week
A rocket man
A rocket man
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no, no, no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man!
Burning out his fuse up here alone
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no, no, no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man!
Burning out his fuse up here alone
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
Thank you to Berkley and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Space Race was an intense part of the 1960's. There was so much pressure to get ahead of Russia and to live up to the aspirations of JFK and cement his legacy by putting a man on the moon.
Chanel Cleeton's latest title takes place during that period and features an infinitely love between a rocket man and his wife. Joe and Vivian Wells will steal your heart. An intense look into the Astronaut Wives Club (AWC).
Why I am giving this one all the stars:
🎧Is anyone else hearing Elton John's "Rocket Man" in an infinite loop? I am. It is one of my favorites from the iconic artist AND parallels the plot so well!
✌Dual timelines gives us a current thread counting forward from the loss of Joe's spaceship and a past thread beginning with their first meet. It was very effective in keeping us in a bit of suspense about pieces of their past.
📚Joe loves sci fi and there are a couple of titles on his bookshelves that become very significant for Vivian.
😎That Epilogue was worth an entire star for me. Superb!
✨Includes extras like an Author's Note about her fighter pilot husband and "The Right Stuff" as well as a Reader's Guide. This would be fun to read with a book group!
If you are like me and still thinking about "Rocket Man," here are the lyrics:
🚀👨🚀She packed my bags last night, pre-flight
Zero hour: 9:00 AM
And I'm gonna be high as a kite by then
I miss the Earth so much, I miss my wife
It's lonely out in space
On such a timeless flight
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no, no, no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man!
Burning out his fuse up here alone
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no, no, no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man!
Burning out his fuse up here alone
Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids
In fact, it's cold as hell
And there's no one there to raise them if you did
And all the science, I don't understand
It's just my job five days a week
A rocket man
A rocket man
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no, no, no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man!
Burning out his fuse up here alone
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh, no, no, no
I'm a rocket man
Rocket man!
Burning out his fuse up here alone
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
Thank you to Berkley and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
August 19, 2026
Set during the 1960s Space Race, An Infinite Love Story is a historical fiction romance. Specifically, it starts in 1968, when astronaut Joe Mitchell's spacecraft loses contact. For his wife Vivian, her grief suddenly takes center stage as the investigation surrounding Joe’s lost spacecraft intensifies. But Vivian fights to clear her husband of assumed fault and uncover the puzzling messages that feel like they come directly from Joe.
The narrative alternates between the fallout of the missing spacecraft in 1968 and the years leading up to it. It follows how Vivian and Joe meet, how they fell in love and got married. Vivian was an ambitious young television reporter, but Joe eventually wins her heart despite her skepticism about the space program.
Heavily reflected is the expectations placed on space program families and the loneliness of being married to an astronaut or pilot. As the days of Joe going missing turn into weeks, Vivian knows she cannot stand by as the American public tarnishes the reputation of her husband who dedicated his life to advancing America’s space ambitions.
This was a touching read, truly immersive in detailing Vivian's grief in being a space wife. The dual-timeline structure helps build the emotion surrounding their relationship, also giving context into Joe's career process of becoming a astronaut. However, I did not feel enamored with how the metaphysical elements were incorporated. I was not sure where the story was trying to take us with some of the more speculative sci-fi tones.
It is easy for me to fall in love with historical fiction, especially ones set during such transformative periods of the US. I think Chanel Cleeton did such justice to capturing this period. She gives credit to what sources inspired her, referencing real space wives of the time. The end left interpretation open, leaning more into the unexplained messages. Though as a whole, I feel the historical context was my preferred part of the novel.
The narrative alternates between the fallout of the missing spacecraft in 1968 and the years leading up to it. It follows how Vivian and Joe meet, how they fell in love and got married. Vivian was an ambitious young television reporter, but Joe eventually wins her heart despite her skepticism about the space program.
Heavily reflected is the expectations placed on space program families and the loneliness of being married to an astronaut or pilot. As the days of Joe going missing turn into weeks, Vivian knows she cannot stand by as the American public tarnishes the reputation of her husband who dedicated his life to advancing America’s space ambitions.
This was a touching read, truly immersive in detailing Vivian's grief in being a space wife. The dual-timeline structure helps build the emotion surrounding their relationship, also giving context into Joe's career process of becoming a astronaut. However, I did not feel enamored with how the metaphysical elements were incorporated. I was not sure where the story was trying to take us with some of the more speculative sci-fi tones.
It is easy for me to fall in love with historical fiction, especially ones set during such transformative periods of the US. I think Chanel Cleeton did such justice to capturing this period. She gives credit to what sources inspired her, referencing real space wives of the time. The end left interpretation open, leaning more into the unexplained messages. Though as a whole, I feel the historical context was my preferred part of the novel.
Want to Read
August 2, 2026this might make me cry (happy tears?) 🫣
January 6, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Latine Heritage Month 2026 #4
While Chanel Cleeton is Cuban American, this story doesn't feature any Latine characters. I'm fine with promoting this for Latine Heritage Month, but not the other way around. I'm tired of seeing lists of books with Latine characters not written by Latine authors.
Vivian starts her life in the newsroom as a journalist. She has no plans to get married and is well on her way to a promising career when she meets Joe. She's not into pilots. She thinks they love attention. They're also cheaters.
But love waits for no one. And they have a whirlwind romance that spans DC, Italy, Houston, and the Cape.
Her worst fears are made true when Joe's aircraft is lost in space. But she begins seeing notes from him everywhere. Did he put them there? His favorite science fiction novels mention time travel. It's giving INTERSTELLAR.
She meets with a scientist who works in the field. He has also been ridiculed. At first, he is dismissive of her. And then there's an understanding. And then he does a few things Joe has done. And you have to wonder, is it worth it to suspend some disbelief?
Latine Heritage Month 2026 #4
While Chanel Cleeton is Cuban American, this story doesn't feature any Latine characters. I'm fine with promoting this for Latine Heritage Month, but not the other way around. I'm tired of seeing lists of books with Latine characters not written by Latine authors.
Vivian starts her life in the newsroom as a journalist. She has no plans to get married and is well on her way to a promising career when she meets Joe. She's not into pilots. She thinks they love attention. They're also cheaters.
But love waits for no one. And they have a whirlwind romance that spans DC, Italy, Houston, and the Cape.
Her worst fears are made true when Joe's aircraft is lost in space. But she begins seeing notes from him everywhere. Did he put them there? His favorite science fiction novels mention time travel. It's giving INTERSTELLAR.
She meets with a scientist who works in the field. He has also been ridiculed. At first, he is dismissive of her. And then there's an understanding. And then he does a few things Joe has done. And you have to wonder, is it worth it to suspend some disbelief?
August 9, 2026
4.25- Truly one heck of a love story!
The narrative follows Joe, an astronaut, and Vivian, his wife, who is a journalist. Shortly after Joe's space mission launches in 1968, contact with the spaceship is completely lost. The majority of the novel seamlessly switches back and forth between tracing the history of their love story and following the high-stakes tension of the current-day 1968 crisis while her husband is lost in space.
By about 20% in, I was completely pulled in—so invested that I almost didn't want to accept where the storyline was heading! It tantalizingly teases concepts of time travel and wormholes, touching on the idea that true soulmates will always find their way back to one another no matter the distance or time.
The narrative follows Joe, an astronaut, and Vivian, his wife, who is a journalist. Shortly after Joe's space mission launches in 1968, contact with the spaceship is completely lost. The majority of the novel seamlessly switches back and forth between tracing the history of their love story and following the high-stakes tension of the current-day 1968 crisis while her husband is lost in space.
By about 20% in, I was completely pulled in—so invested that I almost didn't want to accept where the storyline was heading! It tantalizingly teases concepts of time travel and wormholes, touching on the idea that true soulmates will always find their way back to one another no matter the distance or time.
August 9, 2026
4.5 stars
I’ve read nearly all of Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction novels, her newest release, An Infinite Love Story , is probably my favorite of her works outside of the Perez family series. This time around, Cleeton centers the story around the Space Race of the 1960s, when the United Staes and Russia were locked in a fierce battle to develop their space program and send people to the moon. The story opens in 1968 and revolves around Vivian Mitchell, whose astronaut husband Joe has just been launched into space for a lunar orbit mission when his spacecraft loses contact with mission control. As the days turn into weeks, Joe and his crew are presumed dead. In the throes of immense grief, Vivian yearns to escape the public scrutiny that comes with the territory of being an astronaut’s wife and instead, mourn her husband in peace – but when the investigation into the lost spacecraft veers off course and the entire incident is in danger of being written off as an “operator error,” Vivian knows she cannot stand idly by and watch people tarnish the reputation of the dear husband who dedicated his life to advancing America’s space ambitions. In so doing, Vivian also shines a light on the struggles that astronaut families face, as well as the sacrifices that the wives especially are expected to make in order to support their husbands’ careers. When Vivian starts to receive messages of a personal nature that she believes could only have been sent by Joe, her hope in her husband’s survival is rekindled and sets her on the path to not only uncover the mystery of what possibly happened, but most importantly, to bring her husband back to her.
Cleeton’s latest novel is a bit of a departure from her previous works. In addition to the historical backdrop and the love story that are the usual focal points in all her stories, this one also incorporates some speculative elements, veering slightly into science fiction territory, but in a way that doesn’t detract from the main storyline – specifically, Vivian and Joe’s “infinite love story,” which we get glimpses of through chapters that alternate between the start of their relationship in 1961 and the launch as well as its aftermath in 1968. I normally don’t read much speculative or science fiction, as the supernatural and science elements usually overwhelm and go over my head, but in this case, Cleeton was able to balance the various genre elements – historical, romance, science fiction – quite perfectly.
I was also very much invested in the central love story, as Vivian and Joe’s relationship felt believable to me and was written in a way that it was nearly impossible not to want to root for them. All of the supporting characters in the story were also wonderfully rendered – I especially loved the friendship that Vivian and Polly shared, which moved me almost as much as the main romance did. Speaking of which, I felt that Cleeton did a great job with conveying the poignancy of Vivian and Joe’s enduring love for each other, but not in a sappy or saccharine way – their relationship, as well as all the others in the story, were emotionally nuanced and realistic. Having read most of Cleeton’s previous works, I feel that this one has an emotional depth to it that many of the others lacked.
I definitely enjoyed this one a lot overall, though it fell a tad bit short of 5 stars for me only because I found some of the writing a little clunky and there were some overly repeated phrases (such as “if she was being honest” or some variation of this) that I felt were unnecessary, which distracted me at times as I was reading (though much of this could be attributed to the fact that I read an ARC copy – maybe the final edit will be different). Though with all that said, both issues are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Without a doubt, I definitely recommend picking this one up, especially if you’re a fan of Cleeton’s works. For me personally, I feel that Cleeton gets better and better with each novel, which makes me anticipate what she might write next!
Received ARC from Berkley via NetGalley.
I’ve read nearly all of Chanel Cleeton’s historical fiction novels, her newest release, An Infinite Love Story , is probably my favorite of her works outside of the Perez family series. This time around, Cleeton centers the story around the Space Race of the 1960s, when the United Staes and Russia were locked in a fierce battle to develop their space program and send people to the moon. The story opens in 1968 and revolves around Vivian Mitchell, whose astronaut husband Joe has just been launched into space for a lunar orbit mission when his spacecraft loses contact with mission control. As the days turn into weeks, Joe and his crew are presumed dead. In the throes of immense grief, Vivian yearns to escape the public scrutiny that comes with the territory of being an astronaut’s wife and instead, mourn her husband in peace – but when the investigation into the lost spacecraft veers off course and the entire incident is in danger of being written off as an “operator error,” Vivian knows she cannot stand idly by and watch people tarnish the reputation of the dear husband who dedicated his life to advancing America’s space ambitions. In so doing, Vivian also shines a light on the struggles that astronaut families face, as well as the sacrifices that the wives especially are expected to make in order to support their husbands’ careers. When Vivian starts to receive messages of a personal nature that she believes could only have been sent by Joe, her hope in her husband’s survival is rekindled and sets her on the path to not only uncover the mystery of what possibly happened, but most importantly, to bring her husband back to her.
Cleeton’s latest novel is a bit of a departure from her previous works. In addition to the historical backdrop and the love story that are the usual focal points in all her stories, this one also incorporates some speculative elements, veering slightly into science fiction territory, but in a way that doesn’t detract from the main storyline – specifically, Vivian and Joe’s “infinite love story,” which we get glimpses of through chapters that alternate between the start of their relationship in 1961 and the launch as well as its aftermath in 1968. I normally don’t read much speculative or science fiction, as the supernatural and science elements usually overwhelm and go over my head, but in this case, Cleeton was able to balance the various genre elements – historical, romance, science fiction – quite perfectly.
I was also very much invested in the central love story, as Vivian and Joe’s relationship felt believable to me and was written in a way that it was nearly impossible not to want to root for them. All of the supporting characters in the story were also wonderfully rendered – I especially loved the friendship that Vivian and Polly shared, which moved me almost as much as the main romance did. Speaking of which, I felt that Cleeton did a great job with conveying the poignancy of Vivian and Joe’s enduring love for each other, but not in a sappy or saccharine way – their relationship, as well as all the others in the story, were emotionally nuanced and realistic. Having read most of Cleeton’s previous works, I feel that this one has an emotional depth to it that many of the others lacked.
I definitely enjoyed this one a lot overall, though it fell a tad bit short of 5 stars for me only because I found some of the writing a little clunky and there were some overly repeated phrases (such as “if she was being honest” or some variation of this) that I felt were unnecessary, which distracted me at times as I was reading (though much of this could be attributed to the fact that I read an ARC copy – maybe the final edit will be different). Though with all that said, both issues are relatively minor in the grand scheme of things. Without a doubt, I definitely recommend picking this one up, especially if you’re a fan of Cleeton’s works. For me personally, I feel that Cleeton gets better and better with each novel, which makes me anticipate what she might write next!
Received ARC from Berkley via NetGalley.
August 15, 2026
⭐⭐ — 2 stars
I’m sorry, but this book was such a disappointment for me. The synopsis made this sound like it was going to be an emotional mystery involving space, time travel, and a wife who refuses to give up until she discovers what really happened to her husband. That is NOT the book I feel like I read.
The synopsis says the investigation surrounding Joe’s missing spacecraft “intensifies,” but what investigation?? NASA basically accepts that the astronauts are gone, writes it off as operator error, and moves on. There was so much potential to explore NASA’s obsession with winning the space race and how the astronauts and their families suffered because of it, but instead it felt like everyone just accepted these men were gone and moved on.
Then we’re told Vivian is “determined to clear her husband’s name” and will “do whatever it takes to bring her husband back.” Except… she really doesn’t. She follows ONE lead to Virginia to speak with a professor about a book he wrote on time travel, that turns out to be a dud, and then she basically gives up, packs Joe’s belongings away, and accepts that he’s dead. That is VERY different from the story the synopsis sold me.
And can we PLEASE talk about the time travel?!
This was probably my biggest frustration with the entire book. It honestly felt like the author introduced time travel without knowing how she was going to explain or support it within the story. You literally introduce a PROFESSOR who wrote a BOOK about time travel, send Vivian all the way to Virginia to meet this man, and when she finally gets the opportunity to ask him about what could be happening, his contribution is essentially, “Ma’am, I can’t help you.”
HUH?! 😭
THIS was the character who could have given us the theories, calculations, science, or even a fictional explanation for how Joe could possibly be communicating with Vivian across space and time. It didn’t even need to be scientifically perfect—this is fiction! Give me SOMETHING that makes the concept believable within the rules of your own story. Instead, it felt like the book approached the moment where it would finally have to explain the time-travel concept and simply… backed away from it.
If you’re going to make time travel and communication across space and time such an important part of your premise, then commit to it. Build the concept. Give it rules. Give us theories. Give us the professor’s explanation. Don’t introduce this huge, fascinating idea and then conveniently have the ONE PERSON who should be able to explain it basically say, “Sorry, can’t help you.”
The constant back-and-forth between Vivian’s life with Joe and the four days he has been missing was also emotionally exhausting. I kept pushing through because I genuinely thought all of that buildup was leading somewhere BIG. I thought the flashbacks were building toward a payoff that would make all of that emotional investment worth it.
And then…the ending.
After ALL OF THAT, I finished this book thinking, “Wait… THAT’S IT?”
I can handle a heartbreaking ending. I can handle an ambiguous ending. I can even handle an ending I personally don’t like. What I cannot handle is a book setting up a mystery involving a missing astronaut, strange messages, time travel, NASA blaming him for the accident, and a wife supposedly willing to do anything to find him—only for so many of those ideas to feel unexplored or abandoned.
The premise had SO much potential, and honestly, that makes me even more frustrated. Vivian and Joe’s love story had genuinely emotional moments, which is why I can’t give it one star. But the story I was promised in that synopsis was FAR more interesting than the story I actually got.
⭐⭐ 2 stars. Incredible premise, emotional love story, painfully disappointing execution.
I’m sorry, but this book was such a disappointment for me. The synopsis made this sound like it was going to be an emotional mystery involving space, time travel, and a wife who refuses to give up until she discovers what really happened to her husband. That is NOT the book I feel like I read.
The synopsis says the investigation surrounding Joe’s missing spacecraft “intensifies,” but what investigation?? NASA basically accepts that the astronauts are gone, writes it off as operator error, and moves on. There was so much potential to explore NASA’s obsession with winning the space race and how the astronauts and their families suffered because of it, but instead it felt like everyone just accepted these men were gone and moved on.
Then we’re told Vivian is “determined to clear her husband’s name” and will “do whatever it takes to bring her husband back.” Except… she really doesn’t. She follows ONE lead to Virginia to speak with a professor about a book he wrote on time travel, that turns out to be a dud, and then she basically gives up, packs Joe’s belongings away, and accepts that he’s dead. That is VERY different from the story the synopsis sold me.
And can we PLEASE talk about the time travel?!
This was probably my biggest frustration with the entire book. It honestly felt like the author introduced time travel without knowing how she was going to explain or support it within the story. You literally introduce a PROFESSOR who wrote a BOOK about time travel, send Vivian all the way to Virginia to meet this man, and when she finally gets the opportunity to ask him about what could be happening, his contribution is essentially, “Ma’am, I can’t help you.”
HUH?! 😭
THIS was the character who could have given us the theories, calculations, science, or even a fictional explanation for how Joe could possibly be communicating with Vivian across space and time. It didn’t even need to be scientifically perfect—this is fiction! Give me SOMETHING that makes the concept believable within the rules of your own story. Instead, it felt like the book approached the moment where it would finally have to explain the time-travel concept and simply… backed away from it.
If you’re going to make time travel and communication across space and time such an important part of your premise, then commit to it. Build the concept. Give it rules. Give us theories. Give us the professor’s explanation. Don’t introduce this huge, fascinating idea and then conveniently have the ONE PERSON who should be able to explain it basically say, “Sorry, can’t help you.”
The constant back-and-forth between Vivian’s life with Joe and the four days he has been missing was also emotionally exhausting. I kept pushing through because I genuinely thought all of that buildup was leading somewhere BIG. I thought the flashbacks were building toward a payoff that would make all of that emotional investment worth it.
And then…the ending.
After ALL OF THAT, I finished this book thinking, “Wait… THAT’S IT?”
I can handle a heartbreaking ending. I can handle an ambiguous ending. I can even handle an ending I personally don’t like. What I cannot handle is a book setting up a mystery involving a missing astronaut, strange messages, time travel, NASA blaming him for the accident, and a wife supposedly willing to do anything to find him—only for so many of those ideas to feel unexplored or abandoned.
The premise had SO much potential, and honestly, that makes me even more frustrated. Vivian and Joe’s love story had genuinely emotional moments, which is why I can’t give it one star. But the story I was promised in that synopsis was FAR more interesting than the story I actually got.
⭐⭐ 2 stars. Incredible premise, emotional love story, painfully disappointing execution.
June 26, 2026
4.5 stars "When an astronaut is lost in space, his wife relives their epic love as she attempts to unravel what truly happened to him, in this sweeping love story set against the backdrop of the 1960s Space Race."
Joe and Vivian Mitchell have a love that's out of this world. Joe is an astronaut and leaves on a mission to reach the moon in 1968. When his spacecraft loses contact, Vivian feels that a nightmare has become reality. As mission control investigates, they declare that they fear the crew is dead due to operator error. Vivian is determined to clear his name. She's convinced he is still out there as she keeps receiving messages from Joe.
I absolutely loved this story! Cleeton seamlessly weaves history, romance, and speculative fiction for a love story that is out of this world. I thoroughly enjoyed it, found it thought-provoking, and highly recommend for fans of Atmosphere.
The audiobook performance by Kelli Tager and Barton Caplan is fantastic, capturing the high stakes and bringing the characters to life. When listened to in tandem with a digital copy, it provided an elevated reading experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Pub, PRH Audio amd Chanel Cleeton for the gifted advance reader's copy and advance listening copy. All opinions are my own. 📚🎧
Joe and Vivian Mitchell have a love that's out of this world. Joe is an astronaut and leaves on a mission to reach the moon in 1968. When his spacecraft loses contact, Vivian feels that a nightmare has become reality. As mission control investigates, they declare that they fear the crew is dead due to operator error. Vivian is determined to clear his name. She's convinced he is still out there as she keeps receiving messages from Joe.
I absolutely loved this story! Cleeton seamlessly weaves history, romance, and speculative fiction for a love story that is out of this world. I thoroughly enjoyed it, found it thought-provoking, and highly recommend for fans of Atmosphere.
The audiobook performance by Kelli Tager and Barton Caplan is fantastic, capturing the high stakes and bringing the characters to life. When listened to in tandem with a digital copy, it provided an elevated reading experience.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Pub, PRH Audio amd Chanel Cleeton for the gifted advance reader's copy and advance listening copy. All opinions are my own. 📚🎧
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
An infinitely pleasurable read, Chanel Cleeton's latest novel makes us yearn for the kind of love she depicts so beautifully: one that transcends the ordinariness of time and space and is, quite simply, extraordinary. The story also brings to life the early years of the Space Program and I was fascinated by the scenes of hope and despair as the astronauts and their families tackle what seems to be impossible—sending a man not just into space, but all the way to the moon. Chanel's incredible range as a writer is on full display in this dazzling novel.
I received an advance copy from the publisher.
I received an advance copy from the publisher.
May 26, 2026
Before I say anything else about this book, let me make one thing very clear. This book is not a romance. I repeat, this book is NOT a romance. I knew this going in, it wasn’t some big shock and also the author puts it in the epigraph, “this novel is a love story” - plus, it’s right there, in the title. And if you’re a romance reader, you already know the distinction between a romance novel and a love story but there may be some confused people so let me break it down: romance novels must end with a HEA (or, at the very least, a HFN) and a love story has no such guarantees. I will say, this love story contains a speculative element which means the ending isn’t exactly cut and dry.
This book takes place during the Space Race of the 1960s and our main protagonist is a woman named Vivian. The book begins in 1968, when Vivian, married to astronaut Joe is dealt a crushing blow when NASA informs her that the spacecraft carrying her husband and 2 other astronauts to do a lunar orbit has gone missing. They’ve lost all communications with the spacecraft and cannot locate it. Alternate chapters go back to their origin story, when they first meet in 1961, him a fighter pilot in the Air Force and her an aspiring journalist trying to prove her worth as a woman in a male dominated field. It’s a gorgeously constructed love story between two people who want very different things: For Vivian, who lost her father to war (also a Air Force pilot) when she was just a child and was raised by an emotionally unstable mother who married and divorced multiple times after becoming widowed, a life of stability and reliability and safety are of the utmost importance. Joe is the antithesis of all; already he has big dreams of space exploration, thrives on danger, and his work forces him to move every couple of years. When they meet on a blind double date, he’s got a sprained shoulder due to a motorcycle accident. Still, as time passes, Vivian realizes she loves him and cannot live without him and Joe promises he will always come back to her and they marry and start their life together.
In present day, Vivian finds herself unable to believe her husband is truly gone as NASA is prone to believe, especially when she starts getting signs from him, notes in his handwriting popping up in unlikely places, belongings of his moving from one place to another, etc. She is grieving and yet, unable to give up hope that her husband, who always always kept his promises to her, wouldn’t have kept this last one, that he would come back to her.
It’s a heart wrenching book, I won’t lie, it absolutely wrecked me. I don’t often cry at books, I could probably count on one hand the number of times a book has actually left me with tears in my eyes but I was weeping, literally weeping when I finished the last page. There is interesting commentary in this book about the cost of being the family of an astronaut (timely, given we just had the Artemis II mission) and the sacrifices made and also the way those sacrifices were dismissed and diminished. It’s also an interesting commentary on how when you love someone, you love all of them, even the parts that don’t bring you comfort and ease. Joe likes to live on the edge and Vivian wants safety and security, two things he can’t give her. But he loves her, adores her, and the question for her is, is that enough?
This is a book I’ll think about for a while. I don’t think it’s for everyone and certainly, if you are an exclusive romance reader who prefers their endings to be happy, then this book is not for you. But, there is a speculative element to this book involving wormholes and time and space and the idea of there being infinite universes that leaves the ending to be hopeful, maybe? The epilogue of the book is really where I started to cry and I don’t know, I think this is one of those books where you believe in the ending you want. I really loved it but I also understand it’s not going to be for everyone. It kept me riveted and I finished it in 2 days so clearly it worked for me.
ARC from publisher, review is all mine.
Content Notes: missing spouse, war time, dead baby, marriage on the rocks
This book takes place during the Space Race of the 1960s and our main protagonist is a woman named Vivian. The book begins in 1968, when Vivian, married to astronaut Joe is dealt a crushing blow when NASA informs her that the spacecraft carrying her husband and 2 other astronauts to do a lunar orbit has gone missing. They’ve lost all communications with the spacecraft and cannot locate it. Alternate chapters go back to their origin story, when they first meet in 1961, him a fighter pilot in the Air Force and her an aspiring journalist trying to prove her worth as a woman in a male dominated field. It’s a gorgeously constructed love story between two people who want very different things: For Vivian, who lost her father to war (also a Air Force pilot) when she was just a child and was raised by an emotionally unstable mother who married and divorced multiple times after becoming widowed, a life of stability and reliability and safety are of the utmost importance. Joe is the antithesis of all; already he has big dreams of space exploration, thrives on danger, and his work forces him to move every couple of years. When they meet on a blind double date, he’s got a sprained shoulder due to a motorcycle accident. Still, as time passes, Vivian realizes she loves him and cannot live without him and Joe promises he will always come back to her and they marry and start their life together.
In present day, Vivian finds herself unable to believe her husband is truly gone as NASA is prone to believe, especially when she starts getting signs from him, notes in his handwriting popping up in unlikely places, belongings of his moving from one place to another, etc. She is grieving and yet, unable to give up hope that her husband, who always always kept his promises to her, wouldn’t have kept this last one, that he would come back to her.
It’s a heart wrenching book, I won’t lie, it absolutely wrecked me. I don’t often cry at books, I could probably count on one hand the number of times a book has actually left me with tears in my eyes but I was weeping, literally weeping when I finished the last page. There is interesting commentary in this book about the cost of being the family of an astronaut (timely, given we just had the Artemis II mission) and the sacrifices made and also the way those sacrifices were dismissed and diminished. It’s also an interesting commentary on how when you love someone, you love all of them, even the parts that don’t bring you comfort and ease. Joe likes to live on the edge and Vivian wants safety and security, two things he can’t give her. But he loves her, adores her, and the question for her is, is that enough?
This is a book I’ll think about for a while. I don’t think it’s for everyone and certainly, if you are an exclusive romance reader who prefers their endings to be happy, then this book is not for you. But, there is a speculative element to this book involving wormholes and time and space and the idea of there being infinite universes that leaves the ending to be hopeful, maybe? The epilogue of the book is really where I started to cry and I don’t know, I think this is one of those books where you believe in the ending you want. I really loved it but I also understand it’s not going to be for everyone. It kept me riveted and I finished it in 2 days so clearly it worked for me.
ARC from publisher, review is all mine.
Content Notes: missing spouse, war time, dead baby, marriage on the rocks
July 28, 2026
I can't put my finger on it, but I found this book so boring. The minute they started talking about wormholes and the space time continuum they lost me. I'm so sad bc on paper this seems like it would be right up my alley.
July 14, 2026
The space race meets Interstellar
The audiobook was superbly done. The emotions came through so vividly, they weer palpable. I was blown away by the performance.
I've never been much of a fan of the Space Race however I am enamored with the 1960s. I also love this author and speculative fictions so I went into this one extremely optimistic and she did not disappoint. I am also now fascinated with the space race and have a burning desire to consume more about it.
This book is why I love speculative fiction
The audiobook was superbly done. The emotions came through so vividly, they weer palpable. I was blown away by the performance.
I've never been much of a fan of the Space Race however I am enamored with the 1960s. I also love this author and speculative fictions so I went into this one extremely optimistic and she did not disappoint. I am also now fascinated with the space race and have a burning desire to consume more about it.
This book is why I love speculative fiction
August 16, 2026
I really was quite taken with this beautiful book. I have read (and seen) Astronaut wives stories before, and they are quite compelling. I also find that the way authors speak about Space is spiritual and compelling. Our Joe Mitchell is no different.
Chanel Cleeton is a beautiful writer and I just love her works. I have read them all. I admire her for conquering this story. I was completely wrapped up in it, and stayed up all night to finish it. The end was surprising, but totally worked. Great job Chanel. I absolutely loved it.
Chanel Cleeton is a beautiful writer and I just love her works. I have read them all. I admire her for conquering this story. I was completely wrapped up in it, and stayed up all night to finish it. The end was surprising, but totally worked. Great job Chanel. I absolutely loved it.
July 16, 2026
The premise was interesting, but the execution was so surface level in every aspect. I didn’t really buy the great love story between Joe and Vivian. They just seemed like two ill-suited people who convinced themselves they were in love and got married within 10 minutes of knowing each other. The space race stuff should have been fascinating, but most of the details felt like Wikipedia level research. And the time travel/wormhole of it all? Please!!
August 1, 2026
I loved the premise of this book, and really enjoyed reading about the Space Race. However, the execution/resolution of everything fell a bit flat. I’m somewhere between a 3, 3.5, and 4. Having trouble rating…I realize that the intention was to leave some questions/conclusions to be made by the reader, but I wish there was more clarity on certain things in the end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
5 stars! Sweeping, tender, and beautifully emotional — this was love story - meets fate - meets time and space heartbreak, and I was all in. 💫
This tale had me completely wrapped up in Vivian and Joe, the science behind the wormholes and time travel, the mystery of the note, and the way one simple line — wait for me — carried so much meaning. That note in Vivian’s pocket felt like the heart of the whole story to me. Not just a message, but a promise. A thread between past and present. A little piece of love refusing to disappear, even when the whole universe says it should. ❥ Pub. 7/7/26
I received my advance copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This tale had me completely wrapped up in Vivian and Joe, the science behind the wormholes and time travel, the mystery of the note, and the way one simple line — wait for me — carried so much meaning. That note in Vivian’s pocket felt like the heart of the whole story to me. Not just a message, but a promise. A thread between past and present. A little piece of love refusing to disappear, even when the whole universe says it should. ❥ Pub. 7/7/26
I received my advance copy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2026
Loved it! Heartwarming historical fiction that presents the joys & struggles of an astronaut's wife through two time periods--1961 when she first meets her husband & 1968 when his spacecraft has gone missing. Though not a typical romance, this highly binge-able love story asks the question, can love transcend time & space to last forever? Satisfying & hopeful!
July 9, 2026
Wouldn't change one thing.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I received an ARC from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. I was excited to read this new story from an author that I enjoy, and this did not disappoint the title pretty much sums it up and getting to that conclusion was an intense and incredible journey.
The first chapter grabs you as Joe, an astronaut is thrust into space on the mission of his dreams. All eyes are on Vivian, his wife, as NASA has lost contact with the ship. This is how the story begins. The author takes you back and forth from past to present until you are at the moment where the two timelines meet.
Vivian is introduced to Joe by her best friend Polly, who are on a double date. Vivian is intrigued with Joe but is resistant to give in to any feelings as it is clear that Joe is focused on a future with flying and ultimately, space. She feels his choices are too risky and she wants a safe life for her future. But over time, it is clear that they are supposed to be together and it is clear that their love is strong, but is it stronger than Joe's love for the opportunity to go to space?
The story takes an interesting turn that seems to punctuate the overall journey that the two have taken. Vivian is tested and while she has made safe choices, it is in the important moment that she finds her strength to show how resilient she really is.
This story had all of the feels and the authors ability to capture the excitement of the 60s space program to the point it was an additional character was invaluable. I read this in one sitting and loved every minute of it.
The first chapter grabs you as Joe, an astronaut is thrust into space on the mission of his dreams. All eyes are on Vivian, his wife, as NASA has lost contact with the ship. This is how the story begins. The author takes you back and forth from past to present until you are at the moment where the two timelines meet.
Vivian is introduced to Joe by her best friend Polly, who are on a double date. Vivian is intrigued with Joe but is resistant to give in to any feelings as it is clear that Joe is focused on a future with flying and ultimately, space. She feels his choices are too risky and she wants a safe life for her future. But over time, it is clear that they are supposed to be together and it is clear that their love is strong, but is it stronger than Joe's love for the opportunity to go to space?
The story takes an interesting turn that seems to punctuate the overall journey that the two have taken. Vivian is tested and while she has made safe choices, it is in the important moment that she finds her strength to show how resilient she really is.
This story had all of the feels and the authors ability to capture the excitement of the 60s space program to the point it was an additional character was invaluable. I read this in one sitting and loved every minute of it.
August 22, 2026
(4.25 stars)
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for the chance to read and listen to an advance copy of An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton. I’ve read a lot of Ms. Cleeton’s books and this one is a bit of a departure for her, but I loved it.
The story takes place during the Space Race of the 1960s. In 1968, Vivian is the wife of astronaut Joe Mitchell. He and his crew are supposed to orbit the moon as the first step to eventually landing on the moon (which the US did, of course, in July 1969). Their spacecraft suddenly and inexplicably goes silent. No communication whatsoever. No one knows what has happened. Through flashbacks to 1961 and later, we get the backstory of how Vivian and Joe met and fell in love. Vivian was working at a tv station, in their news department, trying to make a career as a journalist, which was an exceedingly difficult path to try to follow at that time. Joe was a fighter pilot with a dream of being an astronaut.
The life of an astronaut’s wife was not an easy one. The men (and they were all men at that point) were often gone for days and weeks on end, similar to military family experiences. And, similar to families of police officers and firefighters, you never knew if they would actually come home. Aside from the wonderful love story, this was my main takeaway from the book. This was not an easy life, even if it looked glamorous at first glance. The tensions were conveyed beautifully by Cleeton. She starts the book with the following statistics: “In 1968, the divorce rate in the United States was .0029% or 2.9 divorces per 1,000 marriages. There were 39 married astronauts in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programs. Twenty of those marriages ultimately ended in divorce.” That is just stunning!
Another wonderful aspect of the story was Vivian’s friendship with Polly over the years.
Cleeton added a bit of magical realism to the story and I enjoyed that. It was very subtle, with unusual, unsettling things happening in the hours and days after Joe’s spacecraft was lost. The ending allows readers to draw their own conclusions about the speculative aspects.
My husband and I listened to this in the car together and we both really enjoyed it. The narration was mainly by Kelli Tager with a little bit of Barton Caplan voicing Joe here and there.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing and PRH Audio for the chance to read and listen to an advance copy of An Infinite Love Story by Chanel Cleeton. I’ve read a lot of Ms. Cleeton’s books and this one is a bit of a departure for her, but I loved it.
The story takes place during the Space Race of the 1960s. In 1968, Vivian is the wife of astronaut Joe Mitchell. He and his crew are supposed to orbit the moon as the first step to eventually landing on the moon (which the US did, of course, in July 1969). Their spacecraft suddenly and inexplicably goes silent. No communication whatsoever. No one knows what has happened. Through flashbacks to 1961 and later, we get the backstory of how Vivian and Joe met and fell in love. Vivian was working at a tv station, in their news department, trying to make a career as a journalist, which was an exceedingly difficult path to try to follow at that time. Joe was a fighter pilot with a dream of being an astronaut.
The life of an astronaut’s wife was not an easy one. The men (and they were all men at that point) were often gone for days and weeks on end, similar to military family experiences. And, similar to families of police officers and firefighters, you never knew if they would actually come home. Aside from the wonderful love story, this was my main takeaway from the book. This was not an easy life, even if it looked glamorous at first glance. The tensions were conveyed beautifully by Cleeton. She starts the book with the following statistics: “In 1968, the divorce rate in the United States was .0029% or 2.9 divorces per 1,000 marriages. There were 39 married astronauts in the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo space programs. Twenty of those marriages ultimately ended in divorce.” That is just stunning!
Another wonderful aspect of the story was Vivian’s friendship with Polly over the years.
Cleeton added a bit of magical realism to the story and I enjoyed that. It was very subtle, with unusual, unsettling things happening in the hours and days after Joe’s spacecraft was lost. The ending allows readers to draw their own conclusions about the speculative aspects.
My husband and I listened to this in the car together and we both really enjoyed it. The narration was mainly by Kelli Tager with a little bit of Barton Caplan voicing Joe here and there.
September 18, 2026
There are books and movies about love...complicated, dedicated, undeniable, maddeningly perfect...that create enviable "goals" for the rest of us. "Somewhere In Time" and "Time Traveler's Wife" bring hope that love endures when all hope is gone. When on a mission in space with 3 of America's finest astronauts goes wrong, the wives are expected to keep a steadfast patriotic composure even with weeks of no communication or capsule debris all in the race to space against the Soviets. With the unexplainable, human error is placed on the mission commander, Joe Mitchell. Its the love story of Joe and Vivian that gives this book heart and the burden of heavy loss.
As Vivian agonizes in the hours with no information, no sound, she relives their origin story. From their first undeniable connection, to her reluctant acknowledgement that they are too similarly broken for a relationship but postcards from Italy become extended conversations that are more meaningful than her months-long ship with her journalist mentor. "It felt as though she was caught up in a Rock Hudson-Doris Day film," which in chapter 2, was a great hook-me-in line, as a classic Hollywood fan.
As Vivian agonizes in the hours with no information, no sound, she relives their origin story. From their first undeniable connection, to her reluctant acknowledgement that they are too similarly broken for a relationship but postcards from Italy become extended conversations that are more meaningful than her months-long ship with her journalist mentor. "It felt as though she was caught up in a Rock Hudson-Doris Day film," which in chapter 2, was a great hook-me-in line, as a classic Hollywood fan.
September 14, 2026
This historical romance takes place in 1968 and follows astronaut, Joe Mitchell, and his wife, Vivian. On a mission to orbit the moon, Joe’s spacecraft loses contact, and he and his crew are feared dead.
Vivian refuses to accept the tragedy, and she begins to receive mysterious messages that seem to come from Joe. She believes he is still out there somewhere. Will he be able to find his way home?
This story was fascinating to me. I loved the magical realism and the speculative nature of this novel. It requires you to suspend belief at times, but it is a beautiful, well-written novel.
Vivian refuses to accept the tragedy, and she begins to receive mysterious messages that seem to come from Joe. She believes he is still out there somewhere. Will he be able to find his way home?
This story was fascinating to me. I loved the magical realism and the speculative nature of this novel. It requires you to suspend belief at times, but it is a beautiful, well-written novel.
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