Early Reaction

"We LOVE! LOVE! LOVE!!! Erika! (protagonist) — Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times bestselling author (Mr. Lemoncello's Library series) and JJ Myers, bestselling author

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Not only did this have me dying of laughter, but I actually felt second-hand embarrassment for poor Erika's situation, ahhh!

This piece brought me right back to the confusing, dramatic yet authentic emotions of a first, high school love.  I can't wait to see more of this! - Nevaeh Marie (Tiktok Macro-influencer 450+K followers/53M views)

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As both a pastor and seminary professor, I've spent decades helping young people navigate questions of faith and doubt. Clark's My Dad’s a Dreamer, My Boyfriend’s a Planet, and I’m Lost In Space does something rare and necessary: it honors the messy, authentic journey of a young believer wrestling with genuine questions while falling for someone who challenges everything she's been taught. This isn't Christian fiction that preaches—it's storytelling that respects both faith and doubt enough to let them collide honestly.

The faith market desperately needs stories like this that don't treat doubt as the enemy but as part of the journey. Even more critically, this novel has the authentic voice and narrative craft to reach beyond church walls to the wider audience of spiritual seekers. In an era when young people are deconstructing their faith in record numbers, we need stories that create space for honest questions while offering genuine hope. Clark has written that story. - Dr. Patrick Ducklow - ex-professor, Regent College, Pastor Emeritus

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This story cracked me up. It was right up my alley and I really relate to Erika. I understand what it is like to have friends who feel more accomplished than you in the “relationship” aspect of high school. Can't wait to read more!! Teen Reader - Ever

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Erika was relatable—her doing stupid, cringey stuff in an attempt to impress people was definitely relatable... I thought the plot was very engaging and I loved the ending and Erika’s development. I really like how you’ve made a story about family and platonic connection. Teen Reader - Kelsey 

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My Dad's a Dreamer, My Boyfriend's a Planet, and I'm Lost In Space is one of those rare YA debuts that feels laugh-out-loud funny one second and quietly honest the next. Erika’s voice hits that perfect mix of chaotic, tender, insecure, and self-aware—the kind of teen narrator who makes you cringe because you were her, or knew her, or still are her in some corner of your brain. The faith elements are handled with nuance: never preachy, never dismissive, just real. And the comedy? Genuinely sharp. Chapter One alone had me snorting.

Sayre captures the messiness of first crushes, friendship politics, and the awkward tug-of-war between who you are, who you think you should be, and who everyone else wants you to be. It’s warm, it’s quick, it’s heartfelt, and it leaves you wanting more. - Blake

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Author Clark Sayre starts his YA novel, My Dad's a Dreamer, My Boyfriend's a Planet and I'm Lost in Space getting right there into the head & heart of an articulate, sensitive, insecure yet typical teenage girl. She feels things in a big way, as we adults often forget we experienced that same heightened, frantic emotional highs and lows at that age. Erika voices her grappling with sense of self, vacillating between perceived outward judgment & embracing her inner essence. She also clashes with family members’ idiosyncrasies , seeming somewhat adrift as she's realizing her own growing need for clarity, direction and faith.

Sayre has written an engaging book that feels relatable for his target audience, using the ‘voice in the head’ story dialog as a way to let the reader know that questioning - whether it be matters of personal growth, morals or faith is absolutely ok and normal. ... I'm Lost In Space will be thought-provoking & insightful for fans of mentally & spiritually stimulating young adult novels! - Dara Linson

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This book is amazing.  No lie or exaggeration.  It’s mind-blowing, and sort of gets your head in a vice-grip a lot of the time—but I mean this as a compliment. This story sucks you in and keeps you reading. - Adrien, Reedsy Reader

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My Dad's a Dreamer, My Boyfriend's a Planet and I'm Lost In Space is lively, warm, and engaging. Erika is the kind of protagonist YA readers fall for instantly—messy, dramatic, funny, vulnerable, and trying so hard to decode herself and everyone around her. The mix of faith, theater-kid energy, crush chaos, and diary-therapy is fresh and emotionally rich.  It will hook readers immediately. - Scot Reese - Director - TYA  - The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Professor Emeritus - School of Theatre, Dance & Performance Studies, University of Maryland

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5/5 Sayre’s debut novel is a promising start to histrilogy, leaving readers eager for the next installment. - Carol Thompson, Readers Favorite

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5/5 My Dad's a Dreamer, My Boyfriend's a Planet and I'm Lost In Space by Clark Sayre is a coming-of-age story with a twist, and Sayre delivers it in excellent writing.  Overall, this is a realistic portrayal of social moments and shifting loyalties in a book that thoughtfully leans into the complications that arise out of youth, religion, and family life. Recommended. - Jamie Michele, Readers Favorite

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5/5 This is an incredible debut. I loved it. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next installments. - Keith Mbuya, Readers Favorite