The Loneliest Girl in the Universe

Lauren James was born in 1992 and has a master's degree from the University of Nottingham, UK, where she studied chemistry and physics. The Loneliest Girl in the Universe was inspired by a physics calculation she was assigned at university. She lives in the West Midlands, UK, and is an Arts Council grant recipient. You can find her at laurenejames.co.uk.

A surprising and gripping sci-fi thriller with a killer twist

The daughter of two astronauts, Romy Silvers is no stranger to life in space. But she never knew how isolating the universe could be until her parents' tragic deaths left her alone on the Infinity, a spaceship speeding away from Earth.

Romy tries to make the best of her lonely situation, but with only brief messages from her therapist on Earth to keep her company, she can't help but feel like something is missing. It seems like a dream come true when NASA alerts her that another ship, the Eternity, will be joining the Infinity.

Romy begins exchanging messages with J, the captain of the Eternity, and their friendship breathes new life into her world. But as the Eternity gets closer, Romy learns there's more to J's mission than she could have imagined. And suddenly, there are worse things than being alone....

Now nominated as a YALSA Quick Pick!