Nostalgia Is Heartless - by Sarah Lahey (Paperback)

About the Book

It's 2050, and the world is in serious trouble. Before she disappeared, Quinn's scientist mother unlocked the secret to time travel. To find her and save her planet—and, hopefully, her love life—Quinn must follow the clues she left behind.

Book Synopsis

Earth, 2050. Pregnant, unemployed, and living back home with her father, climate scientist Quinn Buyers wonders how she got to this point in her life. Her famous scientist mother is mysteriously missing, the planet is at risk from a massive solar storm, the Transhumans want to take a colony to Titan, and her assisted living companion, a robotic meerkat, is showing clear signs of anxiety and depression. But her biggest challenge is her partner. How can she reconcile her long-distance relationship with this reserved, enigmatic cyborg?

The sequel to Sarah Lahey's debut novel and the second book in the Heartless Series, Nostalgia is Heartless delves into the world of near future, exploring a society on the brink of climate catastrophe. This time, Quinn's adventures take her across the globe to Antarctica . . . where it rains all day, every day. Readers will delight in following Quinn's journey as she races to save her family, her planet, and--hopefully--her love life.

Review Quotes

2022 16th Annual National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist in Science Fiction

2022 International Book Awards Finalist in Fiction: Cross-Genre and Fiction: Science Fiction
2022 Forward Indies Awards: Finalist Science Fiction

2022 Indie Reader Discovery Awards: Winner Environment Category

2022 International Book Awards: Finalist Fiction Cross-Genre

2022 International Book Awards: Finalist Science Fiction

2022 Eric Hoffer Award Finalist Science Fiction

2021 Chanticleer Book Awards: Cygnus First Place Winner

2021 Readers Favorite Five Star Award

2021 American fiction awards: Finalist Science Fiction

"The story builds directly on the events of the previous novel, but it is self-contained enough that new readers can hop on without feeling too lost. The mix of humor, whimsy, and science makes for a climate change-centered adventure that manages to feel escapist and topical at the same time. A thrilling and immersive work of speculative climate fiction."

--Kirkus Reviews

"This near-future story of a world ravaged by climate change will delight lovers of both romance and action sci-fi. Alternately funny and philosophical, this story paints a vivid, high-tech world while still packing an emotional punch. . . . The quirky characters lend a whimsical feel to the story, and Lahey is clever and inventive in imagining new technology while still dealing with relatable problems."

--BookLife

"In this gripping novel set in a near future beset by relentless climate emergencies, a principled scientist grapples with personal and scientific challenges."

--Foreword Clarion Reviews

"The writing was done so well, I didn't find anything that broke my
suspension of disbelief. The characters were fully fleshed out, and even
without reading the first book, I had no problem keeping up with the
story. The imagery was so engaging, something for every sense. I could
hear and feel and see everything on the pages in my head and it was a
hell of a movie."

--IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award Judge

"With impeccable
world-building, readers get to explore an intriguing blend of Earth's
climate catastrophe with the super-advanced technology world of cyborgs
and AI. Though set in the future, the characters still share features
typical of the human condition: the endearing and relatable plight of
impending motherhood and a fascinating cyborg with symptoms of
depression."

--Indie Reader Discovery Awards

"Lahey's writing is exemplary, seamlessly switching POVs and settings to
provide a sense of a larger world you find easy to immerse yourself in.
If you're a fan of dystopian sci-fi dramas, I highly recommend Nostalgia Is Heartless."

--Readers' Favorite, 5-star review

"This book was so much fun to read. The characters are written with much
humor and humanity. And the adventure and excitement kept me reading
well beyond bedtime! I highly recommend this book. This hope in the
future is what makes this series so compelling. There will be a final
book in the series. And I can't wait!"

--Pondering The Prose

"Even dropped in without reading the first, there was depth and intrigue
from the beginning. I loved the mix of the Earth's clime destruction
with the ultra-high technology world of cyborgs and AI. And it just gets
better as the book goes on--especially towards the end. The world
building just got more intriguing as Nostalgia is Heartless progresses."

--Utopia State of Mind Book Reviews

"The biggest draw for
me to this book . . . was the focus on impending motherhood, and,
admittedly, a bit for the time travel. As a mother, I found Quinn's
pregnancy and questions about motherhood hit close to home."

--The Lily Cafe