Description

A science fiction romantic thriller with a killer twist, perfects for fans of E. Lockhart, Holly Jackson and Becky Chambers.

“A tense psychological thriller that will leave you gasping for air.” Scotsman

“James is a genius.” SFX Magazine

“The Loneliest Girl in the Universe is shocking and brutal and has the best twist I’ve ever read.” Alice Oseman

“This book moves at full throttle from beginning to end. James isn’t just headed for the stars – they’re already there.” Samantha Shannon

Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never met, never even spoken to – someone who is light years away?

Romy Silvers is the only surviving crew member of a spaceship travelling to a new planet, on a mission to establish a second home for humanity. Alone in space, she is the loneliest girl in the universe until she hears about a new ship which has launched from Earth – with a single passenger on board. A boy called J.

Their only communication is via email – and due to the distance between them, their messages take months to transmit. And yet Romy finds herself falling in love.

But what does she really know about J? And what do the mysterious messages which have started arriving from Earth really mean? Sometimes, there’s something worse than being alone…

Publisher Review

"Gripping psychological thriller with a very relatable heroine." * The Bookseller * "The Loneliest Girl in the Universe is shocking and brutal and has the best twist I've ever read. The sinister realism of Romy's situation is as terrifying as it is gripping, and I was rooting for her from beginning to end." * Alice Oseman * "Romy's plight resonates on a deeply primal, unsettling level [...] Lauren James is a genius at building tension [...] A fantastic slow-build drama." * SFX magazine, 5 star review * "She's [Romy] strong, clever, logical and a fantastic role model for young adults; inspiring them to be strong and independent but to be unafraid of anxiety and having flaws. [...] This book draws you into a false sense of security and warmth and then rips the floor out from under your feet when you least expect it. The story is compelling and I became completely absorbed in it as I flipped through the pages at warp speed on my various tube journeys over two days. The Loneliest Girl in the Universe should definitely be on the top of you TBR and I'm sure you'll race through it in no time. [...] I'd definitely recommend this book. It's layered and emotional and the perfect read to get you out of a slump!" * Liv's Bookish Life * "James captures both an adolescent voice and mentality accurately, but the plotting and pacing is really where she excels. By the final third of the book it is impossible to stop turning the pages, desperate to know what happens next." * The Irish Times Weekend *