Like some others, the first few chapters could have literally been told about my life. And that made it a lot of fun to read about. Aimee is a single lady who doesn't really have friends, can't really stand her work associates, and loves to live thru her science fiction romance novels. I can totally relate. So it's easy to imagine her surprise when she finds out it's all real. Falling asleep in her own bed, she wakes up in an empty room being told she has been chosen for an Alien Exchange if she accepts. They guarantee her that she'll find the alien mate of her dreams and she'll be happy for the rest of her life. Sign me up! Aimee wasn't so quick to agree and demands to be shown proof that they're aliens.

That's where Qay comes in. He's the commander of the starship Aimee was taken to and his cousin thought it would be a great idea if Qay was the one that went to her. Something that, as commander, he would never normally do. But after watching the video of Aimee, he is intrigued by her and goes. Which is a decision that will immediately change both their lives.

See, Qay's people have this thing called a truebond. It's only with this other person that they will feel complete, feel an overwhelming desire to protect them, and be able to have kids. The moment he gets close enough to her, Qay knows what's just happened but he's going to fight it. As the organizers of this exchange, his people are not allowed to claim the human females. That's only one reason he fights this bond though. Qay is an exiled prince and with that comes certain traditional obligations. Taking a human as mate is not one of them.

During this trip Aimee and all the other humans are forced into classes to learn of the universe, how to behave around other species, and a bunch of other stuff. Their days are long and exhausting. But Aimee was given a gift that allows her to watch Qay as he went about his day. Making her fall for him more and more. She's not the only one watching the other either. Qay takes his job very seriously but no matter how hard he tries, he can't help but want to watch as Aimee goes about as well.

The representative for Aimee's group has hated her from the first moment and is going to use her as a scapegoat for her own nefarious plans. Which, unrealistically, actually works out quite well. At least at first. But by then, the damage is done. After Qay breaks Aimee's heart, the exchange takes place. And really, it's absolutely amazing how many times Aimee finds herself being kidnapped after that. After one kidnapping goes horribly wrong, Aimee does find a relatively safe place to lay low. She makes a couple friends even, but also finds out she has another life to protect now. Alas, that doesn't prevent her being kidnapped once more. At least by this time Qay has gotten his head on straight and has been searching for her. By the time he finally finds her, she in the hands of a bitter enemy. He gets her back, and now he has to prove to her and to his people how much she means to him and that he will not let his bond go. He's also is going to reclaim his rightful place.

The ending bugged me because it was such an abrupt ending. I would have loved even short epilogue of what happened with these two and their future. We probably find out a little of that in the following books, but I'm not particularly inclined to read them.

Who doesn't love a good alien romance? This book was just what I needed during this upside-down, topsy-turvy time we're in. Such a treat.

The beginning of this book promises fun for the reader and heroine alike — reminiscent feelings much the same as classic Eve Langlais‘ Alien Mate series. Aimee is in a dead end life and disillusioned. In the first part of the book we see Aimee’s sassy attitude. Enter the alien hero, Qay. The chemical connection is immediate. Qay’s character voice stays consistent; however, Aimee’s does not. Through devious machinations outside of the couple’s control Aimee is kidnapped and brutalized. I found it hard to feel the extent of torment and trauma Aimee experiences because the tone had already been set for me at a lighthearted romp level. By the end of the book, the lighthearted romp feeling was returned to her story and voice. The inconsistently left my confused how I should feel at sections and diminished my enjoyment of the book.

A fairly standard entry into the fluff alien romance genre.
It's not terrible. That's about as much praise as I can give it.
Firstly, the aliens should be ALIEN, not pretty boys with odd hair/skin colour/pointy ears/mini fangs (delete as appropriate). It's boring to read about human and humanoid. Give me scales and snouts and claws and multiple limbs or whatever.
I don't expect much from this genre - they tend to all follow a fairly predictable plot line often with insta-love or soul mates or whatever. The trick is to make me engage with that, even though I pretty much know what's coming and have read it a billion times before. And this just failed at the engaging mark.
So, if its free or like, 99p, then go for it. But it won't be as satisfying as Ruby Dixon or Susan Trombley.

This was very nice. I have never read anything written by this writer before but am very glad that this is not book one of a series as I will be on the lookout for more!!

Funny and well-thought, what I liked the most in this story is the world the author created. It made me want to know more about the worlds, the characters, theirs stories and lives.
So if you're looking for something light but well-thought, you should give it a try.

I enjoyed this alien romance with a strong a strong women who could survive on her own. I have purchased the next in the series.

Sometimes I pick up a book and I'm really not a hundred percent sure if I will like it and this book fits into that category. It's a new author to me but as I often enjoy sci fi romance I thought it worth giving a go and happily it certainly proved worth reading. I will admit initially I felt nervous as Aimee is a lover of sci fi romance herself and aliens were described that could easily fit into other well known series but luckily this author takes common ideas and makes this story her own.
Aimee was a delight to read about and just like the proverbial engine kept chugging away ! It didn't matter that her life had taken a terrible turn , no matter what was thrown her way she just kept going. Qay was initially a coward and honestly I wasn't that impressed but the author found a way for him to redeem himself and by the end I really wanted this couple to have their well deserved happy ending. There's more to come in this series that much is clear and it's obvious Qays cousin is next up but for this reader it's the fearless friend that has got me sitting up with interest. Yes I enjoyed it and I'm intrigued to find out what happens next.
This voluntary take is of a copy I requested from Netgalley and my thoughts and comments are honest and I believe fair

I was pulled into this story very quickly and found it to be a compelling page turner!
Aimee is mourning the unfortunate state of her life as she finds escape in sci-fi romance books. But the escapism turns to realism when she finds herself in the role of the heroine in her own sci-fi romance story line! Not having anything to lose, she plunges head first into a new adventure.

Aimee doesn't just gape at the chaos that happens around her, she responds the way the reader would likely respond, not just in internal monologue, but outright in conversation. She's given up her life for this, so she's certainly not going to hold her tongue all the time. Even more wonderful to read is that despite the "fated mates" link between her and Qay that practically hypnotizes her to him, She doesn't immediately forgive him and fall into his arms after a couple of transgressions. Having a fated link doesn't override her brain, and after a number of questionable and heartbreaking interactions, she's ready to be done with Qay. He has to realistically earn her trust and belief, as she stays on her guard constantly, and rightfully, questioning his motives.

I also appreciate the Quay's two closest friends. They don't commiserate with his situation, they outright tell him he's behaving in reprehensible ways. They don't hold back their disgust because he's their friend. They properly berate, glare, and shame him and insist he do everything he can to set things right. Qay's not the brightest, and he's been blinded by a mission he's set out to do. He's too focused to see that his every action meant to take him to his goal is simultaneously sabotaging it.

Aimee ends up on a journey across various planets, meeting friends and species she could have never imagined along the way. She adapts and perseveres the way humanity is intended to. She encounters villains from all sides and a wealth of friends as she learns the nuances of the rest of the universe. The story line in well thought out and detailed. It keeps away from the more common formulas of genre, giving the reader a well fleshed out world and story. As in life, there isn't just one obstacle for the characters to overcome, but one right after the other!

This book was a very pleasant surprise. As my first alien romance novel (even typing those words make me cringe) I was a little wary about what to expect
Turns out I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the heroine was a breath of fresh air.
Qay was ok, but I couldn't find myself rooting for him overmuch. He was s bit childish, for a 75yo being.
My main complaint is the fact that every single female (it felt that way anyway!) Had 'expressive eyes'
So much so I started to wince and skip whenever a female was described, it was annoying me so much !
Yet, not a single male had expressive eyes - so what, they were all dead eyed, or... Yeah

Anyway, this book was actually a really good read apart from that, I'll definitely be giving the second one a try. I'll try not to complain about the eyes too much.

I was grateful to receive this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#analienexcange #netgalley

Aimee Gwiazdowski has a passion for Alien Abduction romance stories. She vicariously lives through the heroines of her books to escape her lonely, loveless life. When I started reading I couldn't put down.Keri Kruspe is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

I like feisty heroines and Aimee definitely fit the bill. Qay or Qayyum if you prefer never stood a chance fighting his attraction to her. I just noticed something as I was typing his full name. At the end of it the word "yum" sticks out. That also made me smile and wonder if the author did that on purpose. I liked both of the main characters and I was rooting for their getting a H.E.A.
Gotta say, I got a big kick out of Qay's cousin D'zia. He's an alien for sure but he's hung around humans enough that he's picked up a lot of slang. He's hysterically funny and quite the imp. He was a hoot! I enjoyed his part in the book a lot. The other side-kick if you want to call him that is Qay's best friend, Ki. He is both his best friend and his head of secuity. Both men added a lot to the story and were 100% Team Qay and had proved it more than once. Their styles were totally different but the goals were the same when it came to backing Qay.
If you are looking for a book with a lot of action and adventure, yes this book has it. You know their is going to be alien sex but it's nice to know that there is an actual good story written as well.
There is a H.E.A for Qay and Aimee with most but not all villains overcome. I'm sure in the next adventure more will be done with that. The story continues with "D'zia's Dilemma." That should be fun.
“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”