Trope
The Lost Boys of Hell’s Kitchen, Book #3
Heat Factor: It’s got everything! I-think-you’re-a-hooker sex, hate sex, building-trust sex, AND love sex
Character Chemistry: Forced proximity and some sass turns mistrust to love
Plot: Natalia and Connor are forced to marry, plus a bunch of mafia shenanigans
Overall: I’m not gonna lie—I was apprehensive about reading this book, but I loved it
Greycourt, Book #2
Heat Factor: Above average historical romance sexyness
Character Chemistry: He’s smitten, she loathes him
Plot: Messalina is forced into marriage with her evil uncle’s fixer
Overall: I gobbled this up, but must admit that the resolution was rushed
Heat Factor: They keep holding themselves back…until they don’t.
Character Chemistry: Sebastian is too darn noble for his own good, which means there’s a lot of pining.
Plot: Paulina’s Evil Older Brother puts her in a compromising position with Sebastian, and then catches them there, and then throws Sebastian in jail until he agrees to marry Paulina…but what’s his long game???
Overall: A perfectly delicious category romance.
Heat Factor: Y’all remember when Khal Drogo needed to be taught how to do it face to face by Khaleesi and then their marriage did a 180?
Character Chemistry: “You may look weird, but I find you oddly attractive.”
Plot: Benevolent colonialism + how to start seeds + sexytimes
Overall: We have some THOUGHTS about the politics of this book.
Heat Factor: “Let’s start this whole marriage thing slow.” *sees giant alien penis with alien penis accoutrements* “Just kidding, let’s bone against the wall.”
Character Chemistry: Fully 30% of the book is him embracing her with his wings.
Plot: Jewel thief agrees to be a mail order bride to get out of jail and ends up married to a gargoyle-alien cop. Freak outs and boning ensue.
Overall: Fresh and fun, but you’ll never look at spaghetti the same way again.
Both of these books feature the same basic premise: a human woman agrees to be a mail-order bride to an alien, sight unseen. She is not entirely honest with her spouse about her background and/or motivations. Her apex predator partner is a giant cinnamon roll who wants nothing more than to please his new bride. And while both books end with love and alien babies, there are some glaring differences between how these books present the alien Other. Let’s dive in!
Continue reading “Monster Mash Smashdown: Non-Humanoid Alien Week”Hard Play, Book #2
Review of Hard Play, Book #1, Book #3
Heat Factor: OMG! They’re both virgins!!! Love it!
Character Chemistry: If my LI frowned and told me that something I described as romantic wasn’t romantic, it was simply a spouse listening to a spouse’s needs and taking care of them, I would be like, “Let’s just schedule that wedding right now, then, so you can start taking care of me.”
Plot: Nayna is really going through a quarter-life crisis. Raj is hoping he can hang on for the ride.
Overall: The (everyday) romance of this book is AMAZING
The Smut Report 