This has been a really good series so far. Novellas so they are a very fast read. Ada is a fun chaotic lead character. Who probably has a heart of gold as all good fictional scoundrels should. I’m not as invested in the romance with Rian. He seems mostly a pretty boy she’s interested in a fun fling with rather than an undying true love. All in all though it’s a fun story. Where she might be the hero and might just be making a good profit. I look forward to the next book.

This second novella in the Chaotic Orbits series was just as good as the first one. I love the cat and mouse game that Ada is playing with Rian and the romantic tension is the best. Plus the world building just keeps getting better and now we even have a villain that is truly one to hate.

Ada is just as cunning and unapologetic as the first story. She keeps you guessing throughout the whole story as to what she is really up to. I loved her dialogue, especially with Strom Fetor, the owner of the company that is going to ‘save’ Sol Earth. But the banter between her and Rian is still fun. I love how confident Ada is, and how her motives are a bit on the gray side. But still a great heroine for this story.

I love Rian as well. He is also playing a bit of a game with Ada. He follows her around the Gala because he is certain that she is going to steal something or do something illegal, and of course he wants to catch her. But he plays right into her plans and he never could have guessed what she was really up to.

There is a lot packed into this very short novella, but the short length works for this one. We learn alot more about Ada and what motivates her, and even though we only get Rian’s point of view at the end through some reports, we do learn a bit more about him as well. The romance continues to grow, which is something considering how little they know about each other. They haven’t spent much time together, but the attraction is certainly there on both sides and Ada is not afraid to use Rian’s emotions against him.

A very well done second book in this series. I enjoyed every moment of it and I’m really looking forward to the final book this spring. If you haven’t yet read this series, you really should. Especially if you like heists, a slow burn romance, and a futuristic setting, this is a series you don’t want to miss.

I really love this series. I like that they are short by impactful. There is a lot happening to connect the books but also within each one. Ada and Rians love/hate relationship is A+ and let's be real I hope the next one has more kissing. Definitely some themes that feel relevant now.

3.5 STARS

This is short, fast, and fun. And I think that this is what you really need to know about this book, all the rest is optional.

I was really eager to read this second installment because I had so much fun with the first one! (You can find my review for Full Speed To A Crash Landing here)and I am glad to say that it didn’t disappoint (even if, to be honest, I preferred the first one).
It was fun following Ada around, because she is her own kind of chaos, and she is fun. And it was also fun (and engaging) trying to find out her angle here.
My main complaint with this book is that we know she has an angle, in part because it is a given if you have already read the first book (and please, read these books in order, and please, read these books) and in part because she is hinting it. But she is hinting too much. It was a tad repetitive. But this is the only complaint I have because this book is fun, is twisting (I wasn’t expecting what she did!!) and it is engaging!

Ada is a great character, she is strong, she is resourceful and she is full of wit. Rian is the perfect counterpoint to her. He is a tad overshadowed by her, but I am curious to see how things will be in the sequels. We don’t really have memorable secondary characters, but to be honest, it is to be expected. These are really short books, and we have a lot of things going on in there: good MCs, a plot that works pretty well, and a lot of banter, action, and twists. And so, something has to give, and I am not really complaining, because I had fun reading it!

Sure, I preferred the first one, but I am still here for the next one! I need to see what Ada will do next!

3 stars

This was so fun once again! A fast-paced, entertaining sequel to Chaotic Orbits where we're back in the world of space heists, mysteries, and slow-burn romance. If you liked the first one, you'll definitely enjoy How to Steal a Galaxy. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

How to Steal a Galaxy is the second book, after Full Speed to a Crash Landing.

As I enjoyed the first book, I'm not quite sure if I can say the same thing about this one. There is action and we understand more about what's happening with Planet Earth and how the galaxy wants to take action, This time around I found myself not trusting Ada one bit, it was easier to create a connection with her and the other characters in the first book.

As if this didn't make my reading a harder experience, I also didn't care much about what was going on at one point, I feel the best way to describe this book is that it is the connection between book 1 and book 3. It explains more about what are their goals and what they're doing to come up to terms with it, but not much more.

In the first book we got more action, more angst and more questions! I'm still curious to read book 3 and understand who is the good person and who is the bad person!

Genre: sci-fi romance

Picking up not long after the conclusion of Full Speed to a Crash Landing, Ada Lamarr, space looter with a conscience, is on another mission for a client. It takes her to a charity gala raising money for Sol Earth (her home, and ours) where an announcement about nanobot climate cleaners is scheduled to be announced... but also where she knows she'll find the sexy government agent Rian White.

The tone of these novellas works really well for me as audiobooks: the first person POV putting us in Ada's head as she tackles difficult situations and running internal monologue delivered by Dara Rosenberg makes me laugh and cuts the tension of high stakes heists. Ada felt more the daredevil in book one, while in book two, she's calculating. Because we're getting everything from Ada's perspective, we see her machinations to topple her foes and bask in her gleeful exultation. She's a main character I love to see in science fiction.

Like I said in my review for Crash Landing: Ada is snarky and unrepentant, making for a very fun POV who hit the spot. I love a heist, I love a romantic arc, and I love when that all clicks in a SF setting.

Just as good as book 1! This was a blast and I cannot wait for #3.

I continue to love Ada as a main character and her dynamic with Rian is so much fun! I also really like that this series doesn't shy away from difficult topics like climate change and capitalism while still remaining upbeat and fun.

Also the narration is perfect, Dara Rosenberg does an amazing job of bringing Ada to life.

To begin with, I recommend reading first book in this series if you want this one to make any sense. Fortunately, I have read the first book, and liked it enough to request this book from NetGalley, so I was not lost coming in. But I suspect a reader who just picked up this short book with the nifty cover art and began reading might be confused. Not utterly lost, because Revis is a talented enough writer that her story is still a story, but the relationship between Ada and Rian, and their history with her previous job, is not rehashed, and so an unfamiliar reader will have to make up their own story about how they know each other. Actually, that's probably not the worst thing, and might even add a bit of suspense to the read. Huh. I still recommend reading the first book, though, because it's fun.

That said, I like this book better. Ada reminds me significantly less of a foul-mouthed version of Lift from Brandon Sanderson's Stormlight Archive (Lift is an annoyance who I have not learned to appreciate with time and rereads). Unfortunately, Rian is somewhat less charming than he was in the first book, but he's still a lovely male lead and the slower development of the attraction between them is satisfying to read, even though the ending of this book leaves some doubt as to how Rian's going to feel about Ada in the sequel.

Relationships aside, this is a heist story. It begins a few months before the heist, but the majority of the action takes place over the course of a single evening, and in addition to having an interesting heist going on, Revis manages to deliver a scathing indictment of the lengths people with wealth will go to in order to preserve their wealth, and what that costs them in terms of humanity. Not bad for a book less than 200 pages long.

I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, and I think others will, too. Assuming they read Full Speed to a Crash Landing first.

I got to read the next chapter in the Chaotic Orbits series from Beth Revis, How to Steal a Galaxy. Ada Lamarr returns to pull off her next great heist and this one is just as interesting as once again you’ll be left guessing the true target and goal until the moment it happens. We also get the return of government agent, Rian White. This time Ada infiltrates a charity gala where Rian is assisting security. I really love getting to see these two characters go back at it like when we read Full Speed to a Crash Landing. Beth continues to deliver us this fantastic rivals to lovers trope all set in an interesting future that I think has some interesting things to say about the modern world. I love Beth Revis’ writing, sci-fi, and heist stories. So this is a great combination of those interests. I highly suggested Full Speed to a Crash Landing and definitely recommend How to Steal a Galaxy. I’d even say you could jump into this without the context of the first book, but I’d say read it anyways because they’re both awesome and decently paced to make for easy reading.

Ada Lamarr is back and she's just as fiesty as ever and here to keep Rian White a nervous wreck trying to figure out her endgame. We've added in some new faces to our cast of characters. Phoebe, Rian's Security person and Strom Fetor, a tech trillonaire who is on Ada's list of people she'd like to eject into a Black Hole.

This time, Ada isn't asked to steal something, although she doesn't let Rian know that. Her mission is more vague. And she gives lots of false clues leading Rian on a chase all night.

Beth Revis's attention to detail when describing a scene left me feeling as if I just read a master class in "how to do this the right way". Her description of the Central Hall of the Museum left me in awe. I felt like I was there amongst the silk dresses and fine suits.

Read this book if you like:

☎️ Banter
💄 Snarky Statements
💋 Dangerous Kisses
🫢 Kidnapping
💃 Haute Couture
🌎 Save The Planet

"I watch him, the only art in the room that's mine to view." Ada Lamarr, How To Steal A Galaxy

Thank you to @dawbooks @netgalley and @bethrevis for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

How to Steal a Galaxy picks up right where book one left off. Ada is working with a rebel group to retrieve the government’s plans at a charity gala where Rian just so happens to be. Rian suspects Ada will make an appearance and the two collide in an explosive night of drama, intrigue, and stunning chemistry.

I really enjoyed the sequel but I did prefer the first book. This one is a bit slower and focuses more heavily on the world building. While I did enjoy the expansion of the world, I did prefer the high-stakes, action-packed first book. The heist element was lots of fun and I was so hooked and curious about how things would end. The ending really makes up for it though because it sets up the finale really well. I can’t wait to see what happens!

Ada and Rian are such a treat to read about. Ada is truly such a fun and hilarious main character. I’d read so many books from her perspective. It’s so full of life and snark. I loved the shenanigans she got up to in this book and her banter with Rian—so cute. The progression of their relationship after the ending of book one was really done and the last 10% of this was so fun.

Overall, if you’re looking for a fast, fun sci-fi romp, I’d definitely recommend checking this trilogy out!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a fun, unique series.
Ada is a shar witted, morally grey delight of a protagonist. Is she doing the right thing for money? Because she believes it's right? Because it's fun? All three.. maybe?
While not as fast paced as the first novels in the series, this second installment follows Ada around a gala where she .. maybe?.. plots to steal something, insults an important rich man, torments Rian and just generally has a good time enjoying the amazing food.
Can't wait for the next book!

I just absolutely love this series. It's fun and quippy and quick-witted. There's a lot of seemingly chaotic thoughts and dialogue, but it's all part of Ada's master plan. I love the heists and the staying one step ahead of the love interest. This is quite everything I love in a sci-fi rom com. light romance in this, so don't expect there to be spice, but there are some swoony kisses.

Also, the audiobook narrator is PERFECT for this story. I couldn't imagine a better person to play Ada. She gets her mannerisms and quips perfectly. These audiobooks would be perfect for a road trip as they are shorter and keep you engaged the whole time.

Advanced copy kindly provided through Netgalley, though my enjoyment of this ride is entirely my own.

A heist is afoot! Ada is back, clashing with Rain - but this time at a charity event on another planet. Cue: chaos, betrayal, some kissing ...

Another winner from Beth Revis! A short but gripping science fiction adventure, one not to miss

Thank you to the publisher for sending me a copy to review

I didn’t plan it this way, I swear, but I somehow ended up scheduling two books by Beth Revis in the same week! To be fair, the first one was a jointly written sequel, so it wasn’t just two Revis books completely. And also also to be fair, there are very few new releases that come out in December, and this one was one of the few titles that I planned on for this month! The entire thing is all the more funny because the first book I read by this author was a YA science fiction book about ten years ago that I…didn’t enjoy. But now, almost a decade later, she’s made her way onto my list of authors to always check out when she releases a new book. And this series of novellas is a perfect example of why that is!

I read the first book in this novella trilogy only a few months ago, but even with some more distance, I’m sure the word that would come to mind when describing it would be “fun.” It told a solid little story, was chock full of adventure, and had an excellent snarky (but complicated!) main character at its heart. And really, it’s that last part that really sold me on the continued success of this series. This book yet again highlights that while Ada can come across as your typical “badass, snarky thief extraordinaire,” her priorities, approach to her work, and sometimes even her own conflicting and tangled moralities, all give her an unexpectedly deep level of characterization for a lead in only two short novellas.

While I think the first book perhaps had more straight action, this one really honed in on the way that Ada works and thinks. This was particularly intriguing when we see her run up against her own limits or when she attempts to explain to others how she draws the lines that she does, what she considers acceptable and unacceptable (always a rich topic for a main character whose career is crime). We do learn more about what drives her, but I was pleased to see the author shy away from the tendency for these sorts of thief characters to quickly veer away from morally grey and fall straight into the typical resistance freedom fighter/Robin Hood re-imagined character that we’ve all read a million times. No, Ada needs to get paid to work.

Of course, we see more of Rian, too, and the development of this romance. Like the first book, I enjoyed the way this romance played out. There is definitely more of it, but it was also never forgotten that these two truly only barely know one another, each having read more about the other from reports than from any true amount of time spent with one another. And, of course, Rian is now aware of Ada’s work and spends the majority of his time throughout this book attempting to thwart her, giving the reader all the enjoyment of watching him fail repeatedly.

For such a short book, I was also impressed by the amount of page time devoted to expanding on the political and social structures of this universe, particularly the ways in which the populations of these other planets view the perils of the original Earth and its struggling population. Without being too heavy handed, Revis does an excellent job of skewering the dangers of leaving crucial projects in the hands of tech billionaires. But at the same time, she takes several swings at the inefficiencies and corruption of government to accomplish the same task. When you write it out, it’s quite dire. But the fact that this book, like the first, is such a fun time is testament to the strength of Revis’s comedic writing and the sheer force of the main character’s personality on the page.

If you can’t tell by now, I had a blast with this book! More so than the first, this set up a lot of moving pieces that are primed to come into play in the next book. And I, for one, can’t wait to see how Ada’s plans all pan out!

Rating 8: Proof that a book can tackle tough topics of climate change, tech billionaires, and corruption while also not skimping on the the comedy, adventure and romance!

Link will go live on The Library Ladies on Dec. 20

In the follow up to Full Speed to Crash Landing we follow Ada and Rian at a museum gala. Ada and Rian continue to have impeccable chemistry that makes this novella continue to be a blast to speed through. I loved the setting of this one and enjoyed the further development of the politics of their world - meeting a member of the Jarra and learning just how brutal life on earth is.

Very excited for the conclusion to this series especially with the twist at the end.

this is such a fun and chaotic continuation of the series. the books are short and easy to read, and they keep you engaged. this story made me like ada much more, and i also really liked the way the plot unpacked. i am excited to see how the series turns out. i do, however think that the story could ahve been written in one book so far, instead of 2, but that might be a personal preference.

thank you to netgalley and the author for sending me the book in exchange for an honest review

The second installment of the Chaotic Orbits novella series, this time with more tension and kissing! And also space shenanigans, but that’s a given. I can’t decide if I like the first or second of this series the most as I feel they’re pretty equally balanced, despite being pretty different in plot execution/emphasis. Whereas the first feels more like classic science fiction with ships and a mysterious object, this is a little more glitz, glam, and romance. Still, Ada’s voice is so strong throughout, regardless. Overall, I think that this series in general and this novella particularly are fun, and I feel invested in the characters, and I’m interested to see where the rest of the series will go in both plot and relationships now that we’ve established the general thread.

Solid follow up set at a gala that gets to have our mains flirting at each other a lot, revealing more about themselves, and a third act plot twist that sets up an intriguing third book. Definitely in for more.