“The Warm Planet” by Evelyn M. Exley”

The Warm Planet

Evelyn M. Exley
Independently Published (2022)
ISBN:  978-1954448100
Reviewed by Maryann Miller for Reader Views  (2026)

Much of the appeal in Evelyn M. Exley’s The Warm Planet comes from its atmosphere, introspection, and emotional depth, not external action. It’s a rewarding read for those who enjoy character-driven fiction and stories built around memory and personal growth.

Tulsa is such a unique character, but then most of the people in this story are delightfully different from what readers find in most young adult novels. There’s Mookie, the woman who became a mother to two young girls when her sister died. Uncle Alex, the father figure for Tulsa and her sister, Treasure, is someone who has loved Mookie all these years, but she’s declined his every offer of marriage.

Mookie and Alex have raised the sisters with love and lots of freedom to develop their own autonomy, which nurtures self-awareness, strong character, and creativity. Tulsa discovers the joys of writing and storytelling and yearns to follow Mookie’s example in becoming a famous author.

When the book first opened and The Rules were mentioned, I thought that perhaps this young teenage girl was in an alternate universe that had a controlling environment that imposed restrictions on her. But, as the story progressed, it became clear that Tulsa herself had developed a set of personal rules. She had determined what she wanted her future to be, and it did not include romance. She had ambitions. She planned for things she wanted to accomplish, without the complication of romance that might mean being dependent on a person of the opposite sex. 

Tulsa’s rules about friendships with boys involve keeping them at a distance, and if any hint of romance is suggested, that’s when it’s time to drop the friendship. She considered that the smartest thing to do in order to eliminate the possibility of needless impediments to achieving her goals. She determines, “Love would have to make room for me, not the other way around.”

That determination is tested when Max, the special boy who entered her life and shares her love of story and reenacting scenes from books, professes his love. Tulsa has spent considerable time and energy trying to convince herself that she is right about love. It simply cannot be happening between her and Max. There’s no way he could love her of all the girls in the world.

As she grapples with that conundrum, Tulsa gets counsel and advice from Mookie and Uncle Alex, but they don’t give her answers. She is encouraged to consider their input and honestly look at herself and Max, and find her own answers. That might involve giving herself permission to change as she suddenly confronts a terrible loss in her life.

At one point earlier in the read, I wondered what on earth this story had to do with the title of the book, then the reason was revealed in a special scene between Max and Tulsa that’s pivotal for their relationship. I won’t say any more because that’s a delightful surprise that readers need to enjoy for themselves.

This is a wonderful story of love, friendship, and personal growth. The narrative is sparse on description, but I never missed it, and what exposition was there fit moments perfectly, from the costumes Tulsa created for her reenactments to the facial expressions that conveyed so much more than the line of dialogue they accompanied. The novel is heavy with atmosphere and emotional depth, with the pacing slow enough for the emotions to fully take shape and characters to evolve.

The Warm Planet is a rewarding read, especially for those who like unique characters, wholesome relationships, and stories that celebrate creativity, family, and second chances.