Into the Blue: A Love Story

by Emma Brodie

From the award-winning author of Songs in Ursa Major comes an epic, decade-spanning love story that blazes through the worlds of acting and comedy, and charts a connection so powerful it might just break space and time itself.

In the summer of 2000, AJ Graves dreams of writing for SNL; instead, she’s stuck working in a video rental store, with slim odds of escaping her Massachusetts small town and large family. Then in walks Noah Drew, the enigmatic and intense scion of the Drew acting dynasty, and her life changes forever. Despite wildly different upbringings, the two forge a deep, cosmic bond first as friends, then as acting partners—until one day, Noah disappears without a word.

Seven years later in New York City, AJ is shocked to find herself cast in the same intergalactic TV production as Noah, by then a well-known Hollywood heartthrob. As their on-screen characters grow closer every day, the lines between reality and acting begin to blur. Unable to stay away from each other, AJ and Noah are forced to confront the truth of what happened years ago—and the devastating secret that will send their lives careening apart, even as fate continues to draw them together.

Blending unforgettable characters, explosive chemistry, and devastating emotion, Into the Blue is a journey unlike any other—one that asks: What does it mean to diverge from the script to forge your own story?

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Second Chance, Adult Fiction, Adult

448 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication July 14, 2026

About the author

Emma Brodie is an executive editor at Clarkson Potter. She graduated from Johns Hopkins University’s Writing Seminars program, and her debut novel, Songs in Ursa Major, received the American Book Award. She lives on Martha’s Vineyard with her husband and their very good dog, Freddie Mercury.

Reviews

[Liana Gold]

A love story that should never have happened. Into the Blue is about a journey that promises explosive chemistry and yearning. Early reviews are showing promising results and I really want to read an achingly romantic story!


Many thanks to NetGalley, Ballantine and the author, Emma Brodie for an early eARC.

Publication date: April 7th, 2026

[cyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. This book is for the fans of normal people & daisy jones who don’t mind not being able to read through their tears. This books premise was unique, heartbreaking, and heartwarming all at the same time. If pushing it down and praying was a book this was it! I could visualize this as tv show so easily and the yearning was off. the. charts. This book definitely covered some dark subjects and I felt for everyone involved. It definitely did feel a bit repetitive at times but the time jumps made it the novel could cover a long period of time without being boring. I loved this book like this and you will too if you enjoy a heartbreaking romance, flawed but loveable characters, and a hollywood story. I can’t wait for this to come out and to see everyone’s opinions.

[Leslie Ann (lalasbookishlife) · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first 5 star read of 2026. I am speechless. A full review to come, but let me just say this: Emma Brodie's debut novel, Songs in Ursa Major, is in my top 10 favorite books of all time, so my hopes for this book were higher than sky high and it 100% completely blew me away. I am so depressed now that I've finished it. I'm missing Noah and AJ so much. 400+ pages weren't enough. I could have easily read 400 more. This was literal perfection.

[Sarah Grace Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so unwell 🥹 10/10

[Ciera · Rating 5 out of 5]

This absolutely wrecked me. A love story saga for the ages, this one is for the Star Trek and Firefly girlies. It reminded me a lot of Tomorrow x3, except I much prefer this one. I love stories like this that take place over decades - it's filled with many happy moments, but also a lot of heartbreak. The push and pull between the two main characters will have you begging for more. Into the Blue is a long one at around 450 pages, but I would gladly take 450 more with these characters. I will be thinking about this one for a long time; definitely a top read of the year!

AJ Graves and Noah Drew first meet in 2000 in their hometown while working for the same video rental store. There, they form a bond unlike any other as acting partners and improv extraordinaires. But at the end of the summer, Noah leaves unexpectedly, and AJ is left with no answers, heartbroken and enraged. Seven years later, AJ and Noah find themselves together working on the reboot of Astronauticals. There, they are forced to confront the truth about what happened during the summer of 2000.

[Laurel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Emma Brodie’s last book, Songs in Ursa Major, and was thrilled to receive an ARC from NetGalley. I tore through the first half, then slowed down a bit as the second half was more dense.

Overall it was a very good, what I think of as “substantive romance”, like Lessons in Chemistry or the Heart Principle (more smart, complex rich and moving than the formulaic, superficial romance books that are being—or might as we be—churned out by AI).

It felt about 20% too long, partly because the main characters got stuck repeating their choices and actions for a while without much reflection or evolution. I’d still recommend it to lovers of women’s fiction and a glimpse into the world of improv and comedy writing and a substantive but not unduly heavy look at living with your own or someone else’s chronic illness.

[Nicole | bridge four books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Ballentine Books for a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Warning: this romance will break your heart, wreck your soul, and leave you breathless in the best possible way. Prepare for me to shout about this one for months.

Into the Blue had me in a chokehold. When I finished, I wanted to start it over immediately. This is a story I know I will return to year after year. I now understand what people mean when they say a book broke them and put them back together. If this is not my top romance of 2026, I will be stunned.

Noah and AJ will never leave my memory. I don’t think I have ever raged so much at two characters while simultaneously being destroyed by their love. The chemistry is off the charts.

The side characters are phenomenal. Eudora should win best supporting actress for the rest of time.

I also loved the sci-fi and improv plotlines. It has been so long since a romance genuinely surprised me, but this one had me sitting on the edge of my seat. The last 20% was a masterclass in tension, brutal honesty, drama, and unwavering, soul-crushing, undeniable love.

This is the kind of romance that leaves your chest tight and your heart full, and I will be thinking about it for a long, long time.

[Kayla Hollatz · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book involving SNL sketch writing, improv comedy, and cult classic references? Count me in! I was immediately hooked and was sure this would be my first five star read of the year. But things took a turn around the 50% mark.

I respect the author wanted to tell a different story than what I wanted to read. Between the heightened control/toxicity in the relationship and multiple back-to-back explicit scenes (easy to skip over but so unnecessary), the latter half lost the magic I felt in the first half. I wish we could've had more chapters from the reboot show as that was my favorite part of the book.

Alas, there's still wonderful writing talent and dynamic character development here. I could see this being a great choice for those who want a literary romance that's steamy and a bit more high stakes than the typical rom com.

[Katie Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

First I would like to thank NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC of this novel.

This was an epic love story told between the two main characters over a span of 15 years or so. I love these type of books. If you are a fan of books similar to The Favorites, Evelyn Hugo, Atmosphere or any other epic romance book then I think you will love this one.

My only complaint about this book was that the main connection between the two characters is this tv show that in my mind is similar to something like StarTrek or Star Wars or another similar space show that has a cut following. While I didn’t mind that at all it’s almost like the author completely made up the show in her brain. We spent so much time talking about the characters and the places and other parts of the show and I found it confusing to keep up with. Overall the story between the two main characters made me forget about this but I did find it a confusing while reading.

I still highly recommend this book and I will be thinking of their love story for a long time.

5/5 stars

[Michelle Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark my words, people, what we have here is the next BIG thing. Get ready to be swept off your feet by AJ and Noah. I hesitate to share too much about the plot, because the way that Brodie has deftly woven this story over time is part of what makes it so incredibly special. It is an expansive story, it is so full of yearning and conflict, and highlights the very real and complicated ways that people and relationships change in the span of a lifetime. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be infuriated, and maybe a little turned on. It’s everything you could want from a love story! Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for my gifted ARC.

[Bridget Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book of BIG feelings! Think Curtis Sittenfeld’s Romantic Comedy meets a Taylor Jenkins Reid Romance, but with enough unique elements and voice to be a fresh take on a famous/normie, second chance romance. Be careful where you read the last 100ish pages, I was trying very hard not to ugly cry in a coffeeshop.

Into the Blue follows aspiring comedy writer AJ Graves and charismatic actor Noah Drew, whose intense connection begins in 2000 and is shattered when Noah suddenly disappears. Years later, they reunite in a Firefly-esque TV show, where lingering feelings and unanswered questions resurface. Overall, the book balances swoony, cinematic romance with a thoughtful look at fate, second chances, and the pressures of creative life.

Thank you Ballantine Books and Net Galley for the ARC!

[Kalyani · Rating 4 out of 5]

a romtraum that will put you through the emotional ringer! this was a slow grower for me - there’s a lot of story to get through and the first 30% felt a little out there with some of the improv and psychic connection but I’m glad I trusted the book because it led somewhere sexy angsty and gut wrenching. my kingdom for more romances with awful terrible and (seemingly) insurmountable external challenges.

[Abby Platt · Rating 4 out of 5]

It starts like a Sarah Dessen book, ends like an adult emotional romance. Love it.

Thank you for the arc, Book Huddle!

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a romance that was described to me as a “book for the yearners,” I really wanted to like this book, but it just didn’t sell me.

It felt long and most of it felt unnecessary. Maybe I just hate a guy that gives girls a stupid reason as to why they can’t be together (even though we all know they’ll end up together anyways). basically, 400 pages for a very anticlimactic end imo.

I did appreciate the stakes in this book and how it asked big questions about love and life.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The newest Allie and Noah is AJ and Noah. I don't know if there is any deliberate intent with Emma Brodie's name choices for her love interests in Into the Blue, but a reader can easily channel many of the themes from the angsty The Notebook in her sophomore offering.

Noah is from a generations deep famous acting family, with a gravely ill mother, absentee father, and eclectic but caring great aunt. AJ comes from a much more traditional family of moderate means, with an alcoholic father, a distant mother, and four siblings for which she has varying levels of affection. The two end up on a collision course one summer where they form a deep connection, but Noah disappears abruptly, leaving AJ bewildered and heartbroken.

In true fashion when two people are fated to be together, this is not their last interaction, the next one being when AJ is recruited to be a improv cast member on Noah's new show during a writers' strike that reboots the show they loved as teenagers, that starred Noah's great aunt Eudora. AJ is desperate for it to not be more than an opportunity to improve her credits as a writer, but fate has bigger plans - and Noah has an even bigger secret that will once again leave the pair shattered. As Noah's star ascends, AJ tries to settle for Mr. Checks All the Boxes instead of Mr. Right while dealing a traumatic family event and her inevitable run-ins with Noah. Will the pair be able to find happiness despite Noah's intentions to keep AJ away?

This is a love story, and while it feels like one, Brodie keeps the reader on the edge of whether or not the Noah and AJ will actually get a happily ever after with each other. You will definitely root for them to, especially as the pair age and their deep connection to each other continues to grow and evolve. It's hard not to have all the feels and get deeply invested in their relationship.

One of the other things that Brodie does well in this story is develop secondary characters to give them just the right amount of appeal and importance. AJ's siblings get a subtle but full treatment, with Pat, the protective and selfless older brother, Libby, the well-meaning, unfulfilled and critical older sister, Emily, AJ's sunny and open-hearted twin sister with Down's Syndrome, and younger brother Mike, the nerdy and generous dungeon master. Noah's aunt Eudora also gets the full treatment - demanding, acerbic, and a giant heart hidden behind a wall of steel.

Other characters aren't as fleshed out but serve their purposes perfectly, including Noah and AJs celebrity connections and the perfect but bland Brian.

This story did get bogged down for me some in the beginning, when Eudora had Noah and AJ working as acting partners, possibly because I've never had any interest in acting or knowing any of the lingo associated with it. I also had moments when they were filming Into the Blue in the second part of the book where it was hard to follow the storyline in the filming, versus the storyline of AJ's life while filming.

Then last two thirds of the book more than made up for it. The will they or won't they tension and climaxes were palpable, their personal circumstances made it feel real and messy despite one of the characters being a movie star, and the ending had lots of unpredictability that made it feel less formulaic than traditional romances.

Strap yourself in, because it's longer than most romances at about 450 pages, and it will gut you more than traditional ones. But it's absolutely worth it.

A complimentary copy of this book was provided by the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Andi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to thank the publisher and NetGalley for offering me a chance at reading this book.

I liked the idea of a love story happening through the course of a friendship / romance / idk? through the years. Even more so, the story sounded like a light 'Firefly' representation. And, surprise, it kind of was.

What was really interesting about this book was the focus it had on the schematics of improv. If you're not familiar with improv beyond its definition, then this might be a chore. Book is rooted the process of improv and how for these two people it seemed to connect them on a level beyond romance.

Girl works at a video store during her teenage years, the video store gains a new worker who is older than her and related to an actress who worked on an old sci-fi show she enjoys. She finds out he likes the show too, and he takes her to visit his relative who coaxes them into doing improv. Our female lead would rather be a writer on SNL, but doing improv Shakespeare with him changes the way they do things together. It is later that after they start to admit their feelings he leaves without saying goodbye and the aunt tells her that they weren't meant for one another.

Years later, she is doing improv and ends up in the same circles with the male lead, only he has gone on into acting and is a big deal in Hollywood. He is courted by the writer of the original show (they enjoyed as teens) to star in a new generation / reboot of of this sci-fi show. They also want her to be in the reboot, but as a plant, since this happens during a writers strike and they are relying on an outline of each episode with no script - hence, the improv.

The time spent on the sci-fi show is filled with interesting moments of how they seem to orbit one another while she is confused on what exactly is going on with him (because he hurt her feelings years ago), and if this chemistry is right. There is also a change of plans regarding characters and outlines for them due to this.

Time jumps happen a lot in the book. But there is always a reason for them, and in part it has to do with why he left her and what it means for them. I honestly couldn't see it coming and it's not something you'll figure out by reading the book, but the 'issue' becomes present later on. I really got invested in them and was wondering how it was going to end. I'm not going to say anything more other than while I'm fine with the ending I would have accepted... another ending too.

All in all, it was a really good book, and if you like stories of actors/actresses falling in love all against a nerdy background, you will love this.

[Sara Mion · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fear if I don’t write this review immediately upon finishing (minutes ago) then I won’t be able to accurately capture all of the emotions I have felt in the last 48 hours of reading.

I’ll be honest and say that in the first few pages I felt like a fish out of water and wasn’t sure about the book. But what I quickly learned, was that it was a fully immersive experience. What felt chaotic and disjointed at first, was being thrown into a large family without methodically explaining each character and their relationships. You just got to experience it. And once I gave over to that feeling, the book grasped me and didn’t let go.

I feel like I lived a lifetime with these characters, the way that they grew and their relationships changed and developed as the story went on.

The first part, when they are 17 and 21 is an entirely different feeling than when they are adults. But it’s not childish or whimsical. It has just as much depth and connection, just without the years of history and gained experience.

I was fascinated by their connection they developed through Eudora’s techniques, and how they found each other in space and the world melted around them. It made their chemistry intoxicating and addictive.

The concept of Astronauticals was genius, I felt like I was a long time watcher of the show by the time I was done with the book, and had to remind myself that it was fictional. So much detail given to this plot within a plot without being confusing or overwhelming. It was so immersive.

The chemistry and yearning was beyond anything I have ever read. I felt like I was right there, willing any sort of touch or connection to happen as much as the characters were. You could feel the electricity through the page just begging for a spark.

I won’t even attempt to pick apart the characters and their flaws. They are meant to have them. They feel raw and real and sometimes completely awful and devastating. But that’s life. I won’t say that I *loved* them, or I *loved* the way it made me feel, it’s not that kind of love story. But it did make me feel SO deeply. It’s been a bit since I cried from devastation over the feeling a book was giving me.

I could go on and on, but it’s a story that needs to be experienced, not told about.

I am so thankful to Ballentine and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

[Alyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ rounded down.

I was NOT prepared for this book. I went into this thinking that it was a fluffy love story. I could not have been more wrong. It was a love story for sure, but it was only fluffy in the same way that piercing needles through your heart would be. While this book absolutely destroyed me, it also told a beautiful story about two people so intrinsically connected that no matter how life tried to tear them apart, they always seemed to come back together again.

AJ and Noah meet when she was 17, and right from the beginning, their chemistry is undeniable. They grow closer, bonding over complicated family situations and an acting seminar they were volunteered for. The strength of their connection is palpable, until one day when Noah leaves and it’s not until years later that they see one another again.

If there’s one thing this book does well, it’s that it made the reader feel the yearning between these two characters. It was full of push and pull moments where the tension is so tight you either want to wrap your Kindle in a hug or throw it across the room. This book frustrated me and made me swoon in equal measure, and it literally had me arguing out loud as I followed along with AJ and Noah’s story.

The last 20% of this book kept me in a chokehold the entire time I was reading it. The most gut wrenching passages came during AJ and Noah’s performances of Fire and Water, particularly the improvisational moments. The way the author mirrored what was going on in their actual lives with what they presented on stage was heartbreaking and so completely resonant.

Overall, this was a highly emotional, roller coaster journey for two people that seemed destined to be together, but also had strong reasons to be apart. It brought beautiful heartache, and told of a love that was worth the pain. This may not be everyone’s type of love story, but I would recommend adding it to your TBR if you liked books such as Normal People or The Favorites.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Ballantine Books, and Emma Brodie for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Melissa (bookishmelissa) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received an ARC from the publisher through my job as a Bookseller.

To say I took one look at the synopsis for Into the Blue and saw that it was a years spanning story of life and love and yearning and grabbed it up so quickly and then proceeded to let it consume me is an understatement. (My coworkers are now having to deal with my mission to get every single one of them to read it.)

I can say with the utmost certainty that no other book will top this one for me this year. This was it, this is a book that I'll be thinking about months, years later and going back to. Into the Blue was SO GOOD! AJ and Noah's story is a raw, messy, devastating, heart wrenching, angsty, swoonworthy, bittersweet, will put you back together again rollercoaster of a ride! This book was so innately human, it will make you feel. It is the perfect example of why I love fiction, why I think it's so essential as a reader. And did I mention how much yearning there is!? Into the Blue spans a period of over a decade of the character's lives and you see them go through so much both together and separately. I don't want to say much as this is such an early review but I raged, I cried, I cheered, and a few times I might have wanted to punch one of them. However, I really really enjoyed every second of this book.

I'll admit the only thing of note for me was that compared to the overreaching timeline of the story I did feel that the ending was a tiny bit rushed. But self admittedly I have a hard time saying goodbye to characters I love and just wanted more of AJ and Noah.

For the people out there looking for books with more yearning. Look no further, Into the Blue is the book for you!

And here is my book playlist as I loved this book that much.
Apple||Spotify

[Mikayla Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Into the Blue follows the lives of AJ (plain ole high schooler) and Noah (from a long lineage of acting royalty) after their lives intersect during an impromptu summer theater intensive. It’s hosted by Noah’s aunt Eudora, the famous heroine of AJ’s favorite cult classic tv show. The two study their craft (improv) and grow their relationship, but circumstances beyond their control force Noah away without a warning or explanation. AJ and Noah come together and part ways over the next 13 years (on the set of SNL, in a sci-fi television show, and on a limited run broadway production) leaving each other bruised by their meetings but ultimately unable to walk away. The story is told primarily from AJ’s POV and her limited perspective serves to march the plot along.

I don’t even know where to start with my feelings about Into the Blue. I have never read anything like this book. I was immersed and spellbound for so much of it. The book is filled with longing and love, fear and regret. There’s humor, devastation, and more than a little nerd-centric content throughout (think comic-con). The leads feel realistic and approachable while also somehow mystical and unattainable. I went into it thinking I was reading a rom-com about some teens—I finished it contemplating my morality and the role that love plays in my life.

All of that being said, I think this book has a specific audience. There’s a lot of leaping back and forth in time which can take some adjusting and exploring the mystical way which the characters “play” with each other while in improv mode is hard to follow initially. There’s a steep curve when discussing the intricacies of the tv show sci-fi world. As a fair warning, this book is also solidly not PG. It’s my favorite read of 2026 so far, and I’d encourage you to pick it up when it comes out if it sounds interesting to you too!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the advanced egalley copy in exchange for my review!

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

#IntotheBlue #NetGalley

This had everything I love: deep connection, layers upon layers of story, and leads I can empathize with. The author had me immediately with the dedication, which was a deep-cut reference to an episode of a Sci-fi TV series. I knew right then that I was in good hands. Referencing obscure sci-fi TV fandom throughout this story was oddly the cherry on top for me. I can relate. At no point did I just have to “go with it” for the sake of the story. I felt like all the moves were justified, even when they brought me to tears.

Emma Brodie has crafted a novel that spans decades, and is very long, yet I wanted more. I can’t remember the last time I finished a book and immediately flipped back to the beginning to start again. This is so beautifully written. Even the sci-fi TV series within is something more I want to dig into.
The angst in this book is very strong. Normally, I can’t stand a male lead who decides unilaterally that leaving the woman he loves abruptly is what’s best for both of them. But in this case, I think Noah was half right. His reason is a big one, and his decision based on his lived experience, trauma, and fear. When I read in the description that AJ is an aspiring writer for SNL, I expected some sides of romantic comedy. This is not that. Be prepared for lessons in improv, though, and insane chemistry.

Read this if you loved Star Trek: TNG, Firefly, Farscape (maybe), and a moving romantic epic. For reference, my favorite authors include Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez. Emma Brodie definitely fits in this lineup. I would say if you loved “People We Meet on Vacation,” and “Part of Your World,” you will love Into the Blue.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy I received through NetGalley. I have already pre-ordered the Hardcover.

[☆Laura☆]

AJ Graves siempre ha sabido que su vida no encaja en el pequeño pueblo donde creció, pero todo cambia cuando Noah Drew, heredero de una dinastía teatral y envuelto en silencios que pesan más que su fama, aparece trabajando en la misma tienda de videos donde AJ pasa el verano.

Lo que empieza como una convivencia incómoda se convierte en una alianza inesperada cuando ambos descubren que comparten su gusto por la ficción, la creatividad y la soledad. La aparición de Eudora Drew, leyenda escénica y tía de Noah, empuja a AJ hacia un territorio que jamás imaginó explorar: la actuación. Bajo la guía de una mujer imponente y exigente, AJ descubre una parte de sí misma que no sabía que existía y un potencial que la obliga a cuestionar su destino.

Mientras AJ y Noah aprenden a trabajar juntos dentro y fuera del escenario, la atracción entre ellos se vuelve tan inevitable como peligrosa. Los límites se desdibujan y cada ensayo los acerca a una verdad que ninguno está seguro de estar listo para enfrentar. En un verano marcado por decisiones difíciles, AJ deberá elegir quién quiere ser y hasta dónde está dispuesta a llegar para no perder lo que ha empezado a construir con Noah y consigo misma.


__

AJ lo que necesita es un kilo de amor propio y dignidad. Y verse como 10 veces A el no le gustas tanto.

No entendí como es que ella estuvo enamorado por 13 años del tipo que se la pasa rompiéndole el
corazón , que nunca la elige y que trata mejor a sus conquistas que a la mujer que dice amar.



Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Leslie at SheReadsRomanceBooks.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had a chokehold on my heart from the word go. I’m so impressed with Emma’s writing and feel like she must have a background in Hollywood because she wrote it so perfectly.

She was so smart to start the book in the present time but then move to the past to show us how it all began. I felt the connection and chemistry between AJ and Noah the entire time and yet at the same time my heart hurt so badly for them as well. By the time I got halfway through the book, I wasn’t sure I could take anymore. How as there still half a story left to tell? Amazing.

Nothing showed their connection more intensely than when they did improv. I loved this aspect of the story and found it to be such an interesting hook to their relationship and how Emma used it throughout the story.

I would have rated this higher if it weren’t for the sci-fi show they were on together. Nothing against sci-fi but the show was so confusing making it hard to keep all the actors and the storyline straight which detracted from what it was meant to do for AJ and Noah’s relationship. Maybe it was just my brain, but if the show was easier to follow I think it would have helped because I was almost ready to throw in the towel but I’m so glad I didn’t and nor should other readers. The last few chapters were everything for this book, seeing them in the present and how they worked through their predicament.

I didn’t understand fully why Noah made the decision he did because it just robbed them of precious time, but the days when they acted out the play at the end really made both of their arguments crystal clear for me and the writing was superb.

If you are looking for a book that is so fresh and unique in its premise, with writing that will draw you in and rip your heart out then this is the book for you.

*I received an advance reader copy. All opinions are my own.

[Tori Boudreau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC! 🙏

AJ Graves dreams of writing for SNL but is currently working at a small town video store when Noah Drew, from a famous acting dynasty, walks in and takes a job there. The two form a connection that ultimately changes both of their lives. I’ve always had a fascination with the movie and TV industry, and while I may never actually try acting myself, I’ll happily read books about it instead. Also, how gorgeous is that cover? 😍

I really wish the elements that bothered me hadn’t overshadowed what I did enjoy, because overall there was a strong story here. I loved the behind the scenes glimpses into television production and the improvisation aspect. However, the way the improvisation blended with the narrative sometimes made it hard for me to track what was actually happening. At times I felt a little disoriented trying to keep the scenes straight.

The chemistry between AJ and Noah was undeniable. You could feel the tension every time they were on the page together 🔥. But Noah frustrated me repeatedly with the way he handled things and the reasons he gave for walking away. I understood why AJ kept getting pulled back in, but I often wished she wouldn’t.

Overall, I liked it and didn’t like it at the same time, if that makes sense. The final ten pages definitely hit emotionally and had me tearing up 🥺, but the journey to get there was uneven for me. It wasn’t tragic enough to feel epic or satisfying enough to fully win me over. Still, anything above a three from me means it was solid.

[Dori Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up and WOW this book. I’m so glad I was a friend marked this as read on here because I never would have found it on my own.

This is a long book but it doesn’t feel long once you get into it. I could have read another 500 pages.

The story of AJ and Noah. AJ, the protagonist, is my age — actually she’s exactly one month younger than me — so the time period and cultural references in the entire first part (year 2000) were just perfect. I also knew a few of the MA I-90 towns AJ mentioned which gave me a nice frame of reference.

I knew very little about improv and I don’t know if the connections in this book are true to people’s experiences but it was fascinating to read. At times it felt a little woo woo but again, I don’t know what it’s like!

The characters were fully fleshed, and I loved the personalities of Eudora, Emily and Patrick in particular. While the book is told from AJ’s point of view, every now and then we get inside of the head of another character for a short amount of time. I liked that. It was done so rarely it might pass you by.

This is an epic. It spans 15 years and SO MUCH HAPPENS in that time. I was never bored, I had tears multiple times, I felt frustrated often and still it was just so, so good. I’ll be seeking out the author’s other books for sure.

Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine for an early copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Megan Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book ahead of its publication!
3.75 stars!

This books was beautiful, fun, sad, and poignant. This was my first read of Emma Brodie's and I had a great time reading it.

The Astronauticals storyline gave me *MAJOR* Galaxy Quest flashbacks. If you haven't watched that movie, go watch it & it's totally what the "damn nauticals" reminded me of.

I really enjoyed Into the Blue by Emma Brodie. At its heart, it’s a romance, but it’s also very much a story about personal journeys—watching the characters grow, confront their pasts, and slowly open themselves up to each other was one of the most satisfying parts of the book. Their emotional development felt genuine, and the romance unfolded in a way that was both engaging and rewarding.

That said, there were a couple of elements that didn’t work quite as well for me. Some of the medical details felt a bit heavy for a romance, occasionally slowing the pacing and pulling me out of the story. I also struggled with the improv sections; while they’re clearly important to the characters and their dynamics, I found those scenes a little difficult to follow and visualize on the page.

Even with those minor drawbacks, Into the Blue was a fun and entertaining read. The emotional journey and romantic payoff made it well worth the time. I have already added Songs in Ursa Major to my TBR because I really enjoyed Emma's writing style and creativity.

[Rachel Doubek · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Brodie’s book, “Into the Blue,” has a special quality that I’m really excited about, hoping it will connect with more people and show its cultural importance. What really drew me in was how the story stretched out over so many years. Unlike many books today that don’t have enough depth because they’re too short, I was completely hooked on the characters’ journeys over several years.
The book also looks at the world of improv and making TV shows, but some parts made me wonder if they were really necessary. But what really mattered was the emotional connection and tension that came from seeing their everyday lives so closely.
I chatted with another reader who had read the book, and we both talked about our favorite parts. For me, it was the summer they spent together as teenagers, and then the end of the book when they were staying at Udora’s house. Emily Brodie’s amazing way of showing how deep emotions go and how strong the bond is between people who really get each other is woven throughout over the book. Every time the characters met someone new, I just wanted to shout, “they grew up together,” because their bond was so deep, even though they only shared one summer.
I’m really looking forward to the book coming out because it’s such a great read that I think will spark some really good conversations. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for giving me an advance copy.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In the summer of 2000, small-town dreamer AJ Graves falls hard for Noah Drew, the complicated heir to a Hollywood dynasty, until he disappears without explanation. Years later, AJ lands a role on a sci-fi TV show… opposite Noah. As old feelings resurface under the spotlight, they’re forced to confront the past that tore them apart.

I went into this book knowing nothing besides it was a love story, and I’m so glad I did, because Into the Blue completely wrecked me (in the best way). I absolutely loved this book. It’s a roller coaster of emotions, but it’s also so beautifully written. Like the kind of writing that pulls you under and you don’t even want to come up for air. I was captivated all the way through and genuinely didn’t want it to end. AJ and Noah have the kind of connection that feels electric and inevitable, and watching their story unfold across years had me fully glued to the page. I didn’t even realize how long the book was until I hit the acknowledgments because I was so locked in. I would have happily read 400 more pages of AJ and Noah without hesitation.

This is hands down my favorite book of the year so far. I need to go back and read Emma Brodie’s other book now, and she is absolutely an auto-read author for me from here on out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for providing an eArc in exchange for an honest review.

[Helya · Rating 5 out of 5]

💭 ⓂⓎ ⓉⒽⓄⓊⒼⒽⓉⓈ
I mean this in the best way possible, but I had a total love–hate relationship with this book. AJ and Noah frustrated me to no end, yet I was completely obsessed with them and their messy, magnetic connection. I kept thinking about them whenever I wasn’t reading and constantly tried to guess how it would all play out. Some of you are absolutely going to hate this book, but I have a very good feeling many of you will love it just as much as I do. It is a messy, slightly toxic, drama filled, emotionally charged relationship packed with yearning and angst. It gave me “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” vibes, except with acting and fanfic conventions instead of video games, mixed with the romantic tension of “The Favorites.” If you loved those two books as much as I did, make sure to put this one on your TBR!

📚 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
🥹Emotionally charged
💕Second-chance romance
📈Character-driven
🖤Moody, nostalgic tone
👧🏼Coming of age
❤️Fate-bound connection
💛Friends to lovers
🎭Hollywood + fame dynamics
🔥Slow-burn chemistry

⚠️ 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: chronic illness, death, grief.

🎭𝕄𝕐 ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾🎭
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

💕Q U O T E: "𝒯𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝓇𝓊𝓉𝒽 𝒾𝓈, 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒'𝓈 𝓃𝑜 𝓈𝓊𝒸𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝑔 𝒶𝓈 𝒶 𝓃𝑜𝓇𝓂𝒶𝓁 𝓁𝒾𝒻𝑒. 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓇𝑒'𝓈 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓉𝒾𝓂𝑒 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝑔𝑒𝓉 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑜𝓌 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓈𝓅𝑒𝓃𝒹 𝒾𝓉."

🙏 Thank you Ballantine Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 💕

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I may be a little in love with the book, even though second chance romance is not my jam. The characters were compelling and full of chemistry, which goes a long way in my book.Our FMC, AJ is on summer break before her senior year and works at a video store (tell me this is set in 2000 without telling me it is set in 2000). Her dream job is to write for Saturday Night Live. Her new co-worker, Noah, may be her arch nemesis, cocky and privileged and trouble, but of course that leads to deeper feelings. His aunt was the star of a sci-fi show from the 60s that she AJ secretly writes fanfic for. Noah's Aunt sees something in the way the two of them connect, and unofficially is their instructor for improv acting, something she did on the set of the show. When it seems like Noah finally sees her, he ghosts her. They reconnect a few years later when they are both involved in the same tv series filming. She's still mad, but when she finds out why he ghosted her, she is heartbroken. Yes, this book was maybe a bit too long, it really did a lot if improv, and sci-fi cons, and some of the references seemed out of place in the early aughts (were we drinking La Croix back in 2012?). But, I still really loved Noah and AJ and was rooting for them during the angst. Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC for my honest review.