Overview

We begin in Edinburgh, where a strange light streaks across the sky and three people suffer sudden, devastating strokes. Lennox, a lonely teenager, Ava, a pregnant woman escaping an abusive relationship, and Heather, who is living with terminal cancer, all wake up completely healed. Drawn together by what happened to them, they discover an alien creature washed up on the Scottish coast and realise it is linked to their recovery. When powerful forces start closing in, they are forced to run, protect the being they now care about, and try to understand what has changed inside them.

Writing & Voice

We found Johnstone’s writing direct and emotionally grounded, blending science fiction ideas with the pace of a thriller. The story moves between moments of urgency and quieter reflection, keeping the focus on people rather than spectacle. The science is kept light, which makes the book easy to settle into and lets the emotional beats take centre stage.

Characters

Each of the three main characters arrives carrying pain and isolation, and watching their trust slowly build is one of the book’s strengths. Lennox struggles to find his place in the world, Ava is trying to survive and protect her future, and Heather brings calm and perspective shaped by loss. Their bond with the alien, affectionately named Sandy, pushes all of them to rethink what connection and care really mean.

Themes

At its heart, this is a novel about belonging. We see how connection can heal, how strangers can become chosen family, and how encountering something truly different can strip life back to what matters most. The Scottish setting reinforces the contrast between isolation and closeness, with wide landscapes framing very personal struggles.

What Worked

• Human focus: The story stays rooted in emotion rather than hard science.
• Distinct voices: Each character feels individual and fully realised.
• Hopeful tone: The book balances danger with warmth and compassion.

Minor Quibbles

• The opening medical scenes move very quickly and ask for some suspension of disbelief.
• Readers looking for detailed scientific explanations may want more depth.

Final Thoughts

We found The Space Between Us moving, generous, and quietly hopeful. It uses first contact not as a threat, but as a way to explore care, connection, and what it means to be human.

Rating: ★★★★½ (4.5/5)