Alex Leslie – Author

When I stumbled up this title last year, the book’s blurb was enough to make me hit download, and I was instantly hooked. A M/M science fiction romance with comedy elements and enough pop culture references to keep even the nerdiest lovers of geek culture happy? How could I possibly refuse? And so began my descent into one of the silliest and most enjoyable book series I have ever encountered – and you’re going to love every moment of it!

Synopsis

River Sullivan is a typical lover of all things sci-fi. He also believes the truth is out there – that aliens are real. It doesn’t help his new neighbour’s recent suspicious activity has convinced River that he’s living next door to a bona fide extraterrestrial! Taking his Uncle Benji and dog Chewy along for the ride, they pursue their possibly alien neighbour through the night to a secret alien base in the Las Vegas desert. It’s here his life will change forever – and not just because he has concrete proof that aliens exist!

Kai Genaro, an alien living on Earth most of his life and Captain in the Intergalactic Alliance, is alerted when two humans and their dog are caught at their secret desert base. When he lays eyes on River, his tentacles start writhing inside of him – desperate to break free and grab hold of the beautiful yet supremely odd human. But can he really open his hearts (two of them!) to River? And why does nothing about River seem to make any sense? Is it possible the luscious nerd, who just happens to write tentacle porn in his spare time, might not be all that he appears to be?

Review

I’m not going to lie. River, as a character, is a lot. He’s seriously extra. His long, rambling diatribes and excitable attitude to all things alien might be a bit much for some readers. But to me, it’s just part of his charm. Kai, whose stoic seriousness and desperate attempts to resist falling for the temptation that is River Sullivan, fits perfectly in an opposites attract sort of way. And the cast of side characters, both human and alien, help keep the story moving along at a steady pace while complimenting the two main characters in their adventures.

If you’re a sci-fi fan, you’ll love the constant references and in-jokes peppered throughout this series. The author’s attention to detail and clever parodying of common sci-fi tropes really elevates this beyond a mere spoof. Archer carefully constructs a complex world for these characters, but sprinkles in enough pop culture references to keep things familiar and enjoyable.

I originally read the eBook edition, but quickly discovered the audiobook version on Audible, and Greg Boudreaux’s astonishing narration really takes this story to the next level. If you love audio, this series is a MUST download.

Ultimately, this might not be a book that everyone will enjoy. If you aren’t a science fiction fan or have an aversion to reading about alien tentacles in sensitive places, you might want to give it a miss. But if you like the idea of a book that is equal parts mystery, romance, tentacle smut and laugh-out-loud hilarious screwball comedy, it’s may be worth adding to your TBR pile.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Audiobook edition available via Audible and other digital retailers.

eBook edition is available via Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

Printed edition is also available.