Hold Back the Stars by Katie Khan

Hold Back the Stars has such a unique plot and is full of strong and interesting characters.


Our main characters are Carys and Max and after a series of unfortunate events find themselves floating alone in space together with only 90 minutes of oxygen left.

It is the far future, the USA and Middle East are decimated, Europe is a Utopian society and Carys and Max are part of this Utopian society until their love for one another makes them question the rules set forth.  As the minutes tick down on their oxygen tanks, they seek solutions and relive their lives through a series of flashbacks.

Max and Carys are young in their mid twenties but their society does not allow for coupling, relationships, marriage until mid thirties but they find themselves falling in love and like every good love story ever told love must prevail.

The ending left me surprised - then confused then adequately satisfied.