What do you think?
Rate this book
Not Quite Paradise
Seeking refuge in the Mississippi home of single mom Laura Malek, handsome alien star traveler Aayshen Rahs longs for the day he can return to his own world and vows to make his beautiful hostess his own. Original.
361 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
2 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
September 29, 2010
When I wouldn't shut up about Touched By An Alien & Alien Tango by Gini Koch, Tasha from Truth, Beauty, Freedom & Books told me I should give this book a try. Well, it's as cheesy as the description makes it sound. It's 90s old school romance at it's best. :) I read this back in October, and I remember thinking: "I can't believe I'm reading this book!" It's one of those guilty pleasure books that one saves to read on a rainy day or when you're really sick.
What I remember most about are the side characters. Laura's little boy, Brian is adorable..and Aayshen's co pilot on the shuttle he was flying that crashed into earth, was hilarious. However, what still stands out in my mind happens at the end of the book. The locals find out that Aayshen is an alien, and people come from all over to look at the space craft that has come for him, and when the FBI is closing in on Aashen and Laura they the crowd starts chanting: "UFO boy, UFO boy" or something to that affect. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard at a climax in a book.
While this book will never be a classic, it's one to keep on hand for a nice comfort read-despite all of it's cheesiness, (or maybe because of it.) I really enjoyed this book.
What I remember most about are the side characters. Laura's little boy, Brian is adorable..and Aayshen's co pilot on the shuttle he was flying that crashed into earth, was hilarious. However, what still stands out in my mind happens at the end of the book. The locals find out that Aayshen is an alien, and people come from all over to look at the space craft that has come for him, and when the FBI is closing in on Aashen and Laura they the crowd starts chanting: "UFO boy, UFO boy" or something to that affect. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard at a climax in a book.
While this book will never be a classic, it's one to keep on hand for a nice comfort read-despite all of it's cheesiness, (or maybe because of it.) I really enjoyed this book.
December 28, 2020
This was not a great story, but an interesting read. Why? Maybe because I found the alien beings a little too conveniently close to human form. So much so that they are still able to mate with each other?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2025
Aayshen and his crew mate are on a routine scouting mission to a beautiful blue planet on the far outreach of the known galaxy aiming to gather date on the creatures and plant life on it. Their ship is instead shot down. Hiding in a small shed from the searching humans around, Aayshen takes the owner of the property hostage. He doesn’t wish her harm, he only needs her to keep quiet and don’t rouse suspicions until his rescue ship arrives in 7 days’ time.
Laura, her young son and her elderly father are shocked to find themselves not only prisoners in their own home but by 2 creatures not of this world. The one, Aayshen is most human like. In fact, he appears to be a handsome blonde Viking type. He doesn’t speak English at first but rapidly begins to learn thanks to his advanced technology. Laura tries to stay apart from him in particular but something about him that draws her closer.
But with the government on their tale and Laura and Aayshen from different worlds (literally), it seems from all intents and purpose a hopefully love affair.
There were aspects I enjoyed about this book. Aayshen is a badass warrior with a relentless focus on his mission. He’s not the type of man for soft feelings or an abundance of kindness but he does try to make Laura happy. Laura was an odd duck. I don’t think it’s believable that a single mother would fall in love with an alien who has keeping her and her son hostage but she was level headed when confronted by the cops. I also enjoyed the fact that (SPOILER) the two don’t have a happy ever after story. Aayshen leaves on the rescue ship and Laura, after begging to go with him, is instead left on Earth with only her memories of the man she loves.
Unfortunately, all these positive aspects I enjoyed were dulled by the rapid pacing of the story. A lot of time was spent of the perspective of the government agent hunting the alien pair so the main story, Laura and Aayshen was kicked into over drive. I felt a whirlwind reading Laura going from a prisoner to seemingly overnight, in love with this man. It was so freaking quick that I thought I missed some pages or something. It was also super boring leading up to the last 100 pages or so. Then the action started but before that? Snore fest.
Laura, her young son and her elderly father are shocked to find themselves not only prisoners in their own home but by 2 creatures not of this world. The one, Aayshen is most human like. In fact, he appears to be a handsome blonde Viking type. He doesn’t speak English at first but rapidly begins to learn thanks to his advanced technology. Laura tries to stay apart from him in particular but something about him that draws her closer.
But with the government on their tale and Laura and Aayshen from different worlds (literally), it seems from all intents and purpose a hopefully love affair.
There were aspects I enjoyed about this book. Aayshen is a badass warrior with a relentless focus on his mission. He’s not the type of man for soft feelings or an abundance of kindness but he does try to make Laura happy. Laura was an odd duck. I don’t think it’s believable that a single mother would fall in love with an alien who has keeping her and her son hostage but she was level headed when confronted by the cops. I also enjoyed the fact that (SPOILER) the two don’t have a happy ever after story. Aayshen leaves on the rescue ship and Laura, after begging to go with him, is instead left on Earth with only her memories of the man she loves.
Unfortunately, all these positive aspects I enjoyed were dulled by the rapid pacing of the story. A lot of time was spent of the perspective of the government agent hunting the alien pair so the main story, Laura and Aayshen was kicked into over drive. I felt a whirlwind reading Laura going from a prisoner to seemingly overnight, in love with this man. It was so freaking quick that I thought I missed some pages or something. It was also super boring leading up to the last 100 pages or so. Then the action started but before that? Snore fest.
August 3, 2016
Not Quite Paradise by Jan Zimlich
A nice fun and easy story to read.
The description of the book I am listing below is from the back jacket of the book. I'm adding it because I believe the one on the Goodreads page does not depict this story.
Aayshen Rahs had crossed the cosmos to explore an amazing blue planet and its vast seas, only to be shot down from the Mississippi night sky. Seeking refuge in an earthling's dwelling, the warrior was drawn to his beautiful captive—a strong-willed woman whose warm body tempted the hardened soldier to make her his alone.
Suddenly a prisoner in her own home, single mom Laura Malek found surprising solace in the broad-chested star traveler whose sure touch and strong embrace made her fear for the day he would return to his own galaxy. But Aayshen Rahs belonged among the stars, and only through the power of love could their passion survive in a world that was…Not Quite Paradise.
A nice fun and easy story to read.
The description of the book I am listing below is from the back jacket of the book. I'm adding it because I believe the one on the Goodreads page does not depict this story.
Aayshen Rahs had crossed the cosmos to explore an amazing blue planet and its vast seas, only to be shot down from the Mississippi night sky. Seeking refuge in an earthling's dwelling, the warrior was drawn to his beautiful captive—a strong-willed woman whose warm body tempted the hardened soldier to make her his alone.
Suddenly a prisoner in her own home, single mom Laura Malek found surprising solace in the broad-chested star traveler whose sure touch and strong embrace made her fear for the day he would return to his own galaxy. But Aayshen Rahs belonged among the stars, and only through the power of love could their passion survive in a world that was…Not Quite Paradise.
November 11, 2016
Aayshen Rahs, Savanian, space shuttle Commander and his Kri technician, Drayllondryn, are entering Earth's atmosphere to collect samples of plant life and determine the technological level of Earth's inhabitants, when they are shot down by Air Force jets. When they crash, they destroy their ship and hide out in the woods of Mississippi. The National Security Service and the FBI start hunting for them. Laura Malek, her son and her grandfather become inadvertent prisoners of these aliens. As they interact they try to understand each other's cultures. Aayshen is human looking but the Kri is a catlike alien. Laura and Aayshen are drawn to each other although Aayshen fights it because of his conditioning. When locals become involved and then the military closes in a confrontation occurs. I could see this being made into a B sci-fi movie. Fun and action with some romance.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews