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katiekeske's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is finally Asha and Hemalo's book. This one is sad and emotional, but I enjoyed it and was glad to see Asha and Hemalo work their issues out. Major trigger warning for grief and talk of child loss.
This one is a very slow burn. The couple has a lot of trauma to deal with before they can get back together in a healthy way, but they do get their HEA.
This one is a very slow burn. The couple has a lot of trauma to deal with before they can get back together in a healthy way, but they do get their HEA.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Child death
readyourrights's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I loved the addition of friendship POV into the formula and the healing journey of Asha!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
hannnah_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
robinwritesallthethings's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What It’s About: This book focuses on Asha, a rather surly character we’ve encountered in previous stories. It delves more into why she is the way she is and gives her a second chance at a happy ending.
Spice Level: There isn’t a huge amount of spice in this one, but it is between two aliens, which is something interesting that we’ve never really seen before in this series.
Realism: This is probably a more real volume than most for our big blue aliens. There’s a lot of grief here, but it makes sense, considering the situation, and it makes sense that this couple has drifted apart because of it.
Trope Alert: Second chance romance.
Trigger Warnings: Asha deals with the previous death of her child pretty explicitly in this book. The subject is handled very delicately, but it might still be too much for some readers. There are also some injuries to be had.
Final Thoughts: Once again, I’d like to say that Ruby made both a character and a topic I honestly didn’t want to read about palatable. I’ll always give anything she writes a chance because she has the ability to make anything appealing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Injury/Injury detail
roorooreads's review
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I feel like this could have been half as long and still gotten the point across. It was very emotional though and I choked up a bit at times with the deep sadness out FMC felt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Pregnancy, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, and Infidelity
philodora's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexual content, and Child death
sistaharlem's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death
kataleen1989's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Minor: Violence and Blood
tellmetomorrow's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
❤️❤️❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Pregnancy
allingoodtime's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There are a lot of little novellas in this series. In some of the books in the series, there is a novella included at the end. But for the most part, they seemed like bonus chapters. This is the first time I’ve read one of the full-length stories where I felt I missed something by skipping a novella. Mostly, this story is about Asha and Hemalo, but it’s also about Asha and Claire becoming friends. I looked back when I first realized there are chapters with Claire’s perspective and realized I didn’t read her story, it was Ice Planet Holiday which is technically book 4.75. I still enjoyed this story, but wish I knew what had happened previously with Claire, Ereven, and Bek. You can bet I’ll be going back to read that one soon.
Anyway, onto this book. It is a marriage in trouble story, Asha and Hemalo having lost a child before the humans landed on their planet. The two were also not ever close before they resonated and didn’t really know how to communicate well with each other. Asha thought Hemalo disliked her and was even disgusted by her. Hemalo thought Asha was disappointed that he was the one she resonated with. There is a lot of yearning in this book, along with many misunderstandings. Asha is always trying to guard her heart and will quickly turn to sharp words if she thinks she is being attacked, pushed away, or harshly judged. Hemalo is a man of few words and feels arguing with Asha just upsets her more so he gives her space…space she does not want or need.
When it comes to that side story with Claire, I’m not sure if it will come into play later because I’m not sure of its purpose. I love the friendship she forges with Asha, which helped Asha to finally grieve properly for her lost baby. But the other stuff in Claire’s story makes me think there was some set-up for future stories.
This was an emotional roller coaster, so be warned. But Asha and Hemalo get their HEA and it’s wonderful.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Child death