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nessa_d33's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
britlitnerd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
birbpal's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
⭐️⭐️.75 Stars
When I read the synopsis for the book, I was immediately drawn to the fact that this would be a sci-fi romance taking place on earth. Most of the sci-fi/alien romances I have read always feature the MCs not on Earth. I was also excited for the darker tone this book had. I have lately read a lot of books in this genre where they don't take themselves too seriously. That's great, honestly. But I was looking for a change of pace. I was hopeful this book would fit the bill.
At first, I was enjoying the slow pace and slow burn for the romance. My expectations were building, along with the hype! Gemma as a FMC was interesting. I found the lack of esteem yet determination to survive very interesting. I also loved how empathetic she was, especially in a world where empathy is hard to come by. That paired with Simon was a nice contrast as well. I really was excited to see how their romance would unfold with these differences, along with them being entirely different species.
I kept reading. And waiting. Waiting for stuff to happen and for the romance to finally unfold. Honestly, a lot happened in this book, and yet nothing at all? It's so weird! One minute, Simon is apathetic to Gemma and only shows brief moments of care. Suddenly, he loves her? But not really, because love is a "human" emotion. And yet, he has undying loyalty to her???☠️
Long story short; Simon's feelings are never clearly spelled out for Gemma by the time the book is finished. You kinda just have to assume he loves her. Speaking of the ending, it sucks. The book literally ends midcoversation with no satisfying epilogue. Instead of a HEA ending, it felt more like a HFN one. I mean... not getting into spoiler territory, but I have to hope Gemma and Simon are finally safe and happy and that somehow, Gemma integrates well into his culture.🤷♀️
I was hoping the next book was gonna be a sequel. Sadly, it isn't. I won't be reading it, but I hope the author has found this book to be a good learning experience and that the MCs in the second book get an actual ending, lol.🐥💕
When I read the synopsis for the book, I was immediately drawn to the fact that this would be a sci-fi romance taking place on earth. Most of the sci-fi/alien romances I have read always feature the MCs not on Earth. I was also excited for the darker tone this book had. I have lately read a lot of books in this genre where they don't take themselves too seriously. That's great, honestly. But I was looking for a change of pace. I was hopeful this book would fit the bill.
At first, I was enjoying the slow pace and slow burn for the romance. My expectations were building, along with the hype! Gemma as a FMC was interesting. I found the lack of esteem yet determination to survive very interesting. I also loved how empathetic she was, especially in a world where empathy is hard to come by. That paired with Simon was a nice contrast as well. I really was excited to see how their romance would unfold with these differences, along with them being entirely different species.
I kept reading. And waiting. Waiting for stuff to happen and for the romance to finally unfold. Honestly, a lot happened in this book, and yet nothing at all? It's so weird! One minute, Simon is apathetic to Gemma and only shows brief moments of care. Suddenly, he loves her? But not really, because love is a "human" emotion. And yet, he has undying loyalty to her???☠️
Long story short; Simon's feelings are never clearly spelled out for Gemma by the time the book is finished. You kinda just have to assume he loves her. Speaking of the ending, it sucks. The book literally ends midcoversation with no satisfying epilogue. Instead of a HEA ending, it felt more like a HFN one. I mean... not getting into spoiler territory, but I have to hope Gemma and Simon are finally safe and happy and that somehow, Gemma integrates well into his culture.🤷♀️
I was hoping the next book was gonna be a sequel. Sadly, it isn't. I won't be reading it, but I hope the author has found this book to be a good learning experience and that the MCs in the second book get an actual ending, lol.🐥💕
kplight's review
5.0
I loved this. I was a bit hesitant about the alien aspect, but I honestly did not really mind it. More and more I’m realizing how much I enjoy slow burn and this definitely fits the Bill. I also loved how Simon was so “factual” about his love for Gemma it never seemed like a choice to him more like he knew he needed her.
nikkieliz13's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
2.75
Rating: 2.75 Stars
The tone of the book was too bleak for me, the romance between the hero and heroine felt forced at times, and as soon as I actually grew interested in the story it ended. Abruptly. I just didn’t get enough out of this story for it to have been a worthwhile read.
The tone of the book was too bleak for me, the romance between the hero and heroine felt forced at times, and as soon as I actually grew interested in the story it ended. Abruptly. I just didn’t get enough out of this story for it to have been a worthwhile read.
rainelizabeth's review
3.0
As a debut novel it is not bad. The story defiantly sucks you in no matter but at the end you left unsatisfied. Pacing was fast and world building lacked. The dialogue was stale at time and the prose lacking.
Gemma is portrayed as weak the entire book and it gets tiring. Because she has inner strength and is smart but the author doesn’t showcase it enough so she becomes a damsel in distress. And her low self esteem gets worse towards the end. No character development at all for what she has gone through?
The worst offense was the ending? The author leaves you wanting more. And at the end the story just stops so abruptly like the author was done writing the story and hurried to finish it up.
This book was raved about on the romance books Reddit page so I’m a bit disappointed and confused by the overwhelming positive reviews.
I thought the next book in this series was going to continue the storyline but it doesn’t it focuses on a side character in the first book so don’t get your hopes up.
Also how the heck is the book almost 600 pages? I read it in like a day?
Gemma is portrayed as weak the entire book and it gets tiring. Because she has inner strength and is smart but the author doesn’t showcase it enough so she becomes a damsel in distress. And her low self esteem gets worse towards the end. No character development at all for what she has gone through?
The worst offense was the ending? The author leaves you wanting more. And at the end the story just stops so abruptly like the author was done writing the story and hurried to finish it up.
This book was raved about on the romance books Reddit page so I’m a bit disappointed and confused by the overwhelming positive reviews.
I thought the next book in this series was going to continue the storyline but it doesn’t it focuses on a side character in the first book so don’t get your hopes up.
Also how the heck is the book almost 600 pages? I read it in like a day?
suburbrat's review
3.0
this started out as a 5 star read but the last 25% really dragged this down for me. i'm also going to attribute my lack of interest in the romance due to the audiobook. i actually really enjoyed the audiobook narrator, particularly when it came to gemma as the main character. she felt like a real person who i would want to be friends with. but the connection between simon and gemma just ... wasn't there. i could SEE that the words were romantic and swoon worthy, but the narration felt a bit lacking. and look, i get it, okay? simon is a fucking alien and supposed to be devoid of the typical human emotions. but CLEARLY he cared for gemma and did not want to be without her. i wish i had personally had stronger feelings for this couple.
and see, now i'm waffling back and forth because i truly loved the beginning of this story. i'm finding that if i love a character enough, i am willing to look past things i typically dislike because i just want to be with the character. case in point - GEMMA. (i really liked gemma) dystopian sci-fi settings are probably my least favorite thing maybe ever, but i was all in here. the only thing missing is that gemma didn't ram a fucking pole in her aunt and uncle's eyes because those people were deplorable.
anyway, is there a sequel coming? i need it.
and see, now i'm waffling back and forth because i truly loved the beginning of this story. i'm finding that if i love a character enough, i am willing to look past things i typically dislike because i just want to be with the character. case in point - GEMMA. (i really liked gemma) dystopian sci-fi settings are probably my least favorite thing maybe ever, but i was all in here. the only thing missing is that gemma didn't ram a fucking pole in her aunt and uncle's eyes because those people were deplorable.
anyway, is there a sequel coming? i need it.
tatdine's review against another edition
2.0
This would have worked had I been capable of imagining Simon as looking like anything other than Cad Bane from Star Wars.