Bound by Stars - (Boundless) by E L Starling (Paperback)

About the Book

"When Weslie Fleet wins a golden ticket aboard the Boundless, humanity's most opulent starliner, it's a dream--and a danger. Raised in the dust-ridden ruins of Earth, she is thrust into the gleaming luxury of Mars's elite, where every whispered word carries weight and every glance is a silent judgment. And none watch her closer than Jupiter, the golden boy of Mars's high society, bound by duty, legacy, and a future he never chose. Their reluctant partnership was supposed to be a one-off assignment. Instead, it becomes a battle of wills, a spark that ignites, and a love neither of them anticipated. But fate is as cruel as it is unpredictable, and when the Boundless veers off course, love won't be enough to save them. The ship is failing. The odds are impossible. And in the darkness of space, survival is the only thing that matters. But some loves are worth defying the stars for."--Publisher annotation.

Book Synopsis

Accolades:
Kirkus Reviews Best Indie Books of 2025

With sweet romance and sharp wit, Bound by Stars is a stunning voyage through class, courage, and what it means to belong--ideal for readers 13 and up.

A Love That Defies Gravity...and Fate

She never belonged in his world. He never thought he'd leave it.

When Weslie Fleet wins a golden ticket aboard the Boundless, humanity's most opulent starliner, it's a dream--and a danger. Raised in the dust-ridden ruins of Earth, she is thrust into the gleaming luxury of Mars's elite, where every whispered word carries weight and every glance is a silent judgment. And none watch her closer than Jupiter, the golden boy of Mars's high society, bound by duty, legacy, and a future he never chose.

Their reluctant partnership was supposed to be a one-off assignment. Instead, it becomes a battle of wills, a spark that ignites, and a love neither of them anticipated. But fate is as cruel as it is unpredictable, and when the Boundless veers off course, love won't be enough to save them.

The ship is failing. The odds are impossible. And in the darkness of space, survival is the only thing that matters.

But some loves are worth defying the stars for.

The Boundless duology is best enjoyed in order.
Reading Order:
Book #1 Bound By Stars

Review Quotes

"I loved this book! It's like nothing I've ever read before in the very best way."

"I can't even begin to explain how much I adored this book."

"This book is fantastic!!!!!"

"Once I started, I couldn't stop. [...] I haven't stopped thinking about these characters since I finished. If you're into sci-fi, dystopian vibes, slow-burn romance, or just love a good story with heart and tension and high stakes, I definitely recommend it."

"What an ending! It's been awhile since I've dove into a Sci-fi adventure and "Bound By Stars" definitely did not disappoint."

"Titanic in space? Amazing, give me 14 of em. It's such a unique premise that I didn't know what to expect going into it but I loved it all the same!"

"Okay, Bound by Stars completely swept me away. It's one of those books that feels like stepping into a dream--where the world is lush and mysterious, the stakes are high, and the romance is the perfect slow burn. I couldn't stop turning pages. [...] If you're into fantasy with a little mythology feel, a lot of heart, and some truly gorgeous writing, this one's a must-read."

"I loved, loved, loved it. [...] It has the struggle of class system divisions with ingrained prejudice. An us vs them mentality, plus a mystery to solve. The conflicts that arise are so realistic. The setting and characters all work so well together. I enjoyed the enemies to lovers and [love] triangle themes. I think Wesley and Jupiter are perfect together."

"Amazing read! Loved the characters and the plot was very interesting."

"I loved it!"

"Love this book! Great premise, awesome settings, and the ILSA robot character made me laugh out loud!"

About the Author

Emily "E.L." Starling is a YA speculative fiction writer from the center of California, midway between all the cities anyone has ever heard of. Now living in Portland, Oregon, she spends her time papercutting, hiking, befriending neighborhood cats, running a small business with her husband/high school sweetheart, and weaving stories full of longing and twisty secrets. elstarling.com